• 
 
 wM$\ 
 
c/r 
 
 (> r / sv^osrt c^c 
 
 ^%^\%1 
 
UTCD BISHOPS 
 
 NONE OF THE 
 
 LORD'S 
 
 BISHOPS. 
 
 OR 
 
 ASHORT DISCOVRSE, 
 
 WHERIN IS PROVED THAT PRELATI- 
 
 call Jurisdiction, Is Not Of Divine 
 
 Injlitution, but forbidden by Chrift himfclfc, as Heathenifli, 
 
 ■and branded by his Apoftles for Antichrijlian ; wherin 
 
 alfo fundry notable parages or the Arch-Prelate 
 
 of Canterbury in his la: e Booke, Intituled, A 
 
 Eolation of a Conferences &c. are by the 
 
 way met withall. 
 
 Math. 20. 2?, 26*. 
 $efutfaidtobisDiJcip!es,yel{noiv that the Princes of the Gentiles exercife domi* 
 won over them, and they that are great exercife Authority upon them : But it 
 shall not be foamongyou: But tvbofoever tvitbe Great amwgyou, let him be 
 your Servant. 
 
 1 Joh.2. 18, to. 
 Bvenji there are many Antichrijls: They went out from mjbut they tBert not oftn* 
 
 Bern. 
 Fraelati Pilati : non Paftores , fed Impoftores. 
 
 £ ri ?* ed !? A? M?5 e _^ 2f Nwwfcr, 1 640^ 
 
THE HIGH AND 
 
 HONOVR ABLE 
 
 COURT OF PARLIAMENT, THE 
 
 Nobilitie And Gintrie Now 
 Aflembled in both the Houfes, Grace,Mercy 
 and Peace be multiplied. 
 
 OST Noble Senare, and right worthy Pattiots, wha 
 both fear e your God 3 and honour your King; He 
 tobojruly honours you, and dayly prayes for a bltffed 
 fuccejfe of this your Meeting , humbly prefints yon 
 here with a Caufe , which well weighed in your ma- 
 tureft judgements > may prove one of thoje greateft 
 Parliament Bufinefies , which your moft pieui and prudent thoughts 
 and Confutations are taken up withall. When you have perufed th% 
 short Lrtfcourfe concerning Prelaticall Authority, whence itu, and 
 if it shall appear e by clear e evidence of Scripture y juflly compared with 
 their PnlaticaU properties , and praklijes , that they are the Seed of 
 AntichriiVta Myftery of J niquity^ a more then Heathenish Ty- 
 ranny over Soulesy bodies, and eftates ; a meere enmity (but under the 
 veile ofHypocrifie) againji Chrift, againft hx Word, againfl his Mi- 
 nifters, againfl hit People, and the Salvation of their Soulee-yca againfl 
 the peace and profperity of Civil States, by their Pa&.im and Seditious 
 fra&ifes, and the like : Your Wif dome, your Piety, your %eale for 
 God, your Love to Chrift, your Loyalty to your King, your tender 
 -compaffion. towards your poor e Country, your Chriflian care of your own 
 Soules , and of your Poflerities, will all of them call and cry for aferiom 
 Conjkltatim, and ajfreedy refolution what n to bs dm heuin, asyott 
 
 A z sIm£ 
 
shall apprehend the Prcjperity, or Calamity of thit whole Church and 
 State , andtb; happy or mifirab'.e tjfuts bfPailiiaments to depend upon 
 it. A word to the wife* Wnat 1 would furtlyer fay y IwiUturnctnto 
 continual! Supplication to the Great Prefident of Councels Jesus 
 CHMST) that he will fend bis Spirit ef Wt(dome and Vhder- 
 fl aiding , the Spirit of Councel and Might, the Spirit of knowledge, 
 and the Feare of the Lord : that Antichrifis throne being quite cajl 
 out, and Gnrifts alone fit up , the Ring may be eftablished m perpe- 
 tual Peace and Profp'rity to himfelfe and fyyall Poftcrity , 'till tlx 
 teming ef Him, who shall put an end to Times and f^ingdomes ; and i 
 vtith whom *tt that ttulj ferve him hen , shall raigne for ever- 
 more, 
 
 Your Honours and Worfhips 
 
 faichfull Oratqr till dca:h. J 
 
 JLOR.^ 
 
'^ — -cffaprr- 
 
 is^^S^* 
 
 
 it^^ik^o i^m#*-v 1 f'^iai 
 
 
 ■*iaafea*:3aes 
 
 asasKsaBssasa 
 
 * SCt#/H lyj^' Jftg 
 
 ^^^u^«^j 
 
 LORD BISHOPS, 
 
 NONE OF THE 
 
 LORDS BISHOPS. 
 
 Chapter L 
 
 Of the State of the Queftion 
 vino, of divine 'Authority *. 
 
 Whether Bishops be de juredi-- 
 
 F Bishops, ot EptikupoiyEpifcopi, ft> called, Co 
 commended in Scupture, we doubt not, but 
 they are de jure divino. But what are thole 
 Bisfjops ? Not Diocefin Lord Bishops , fo com- 
 monly called . For of" fuch we no where read 
 of in Scripture ; as we (hall fully prove anon, 
 , But*hofe,whom the Scripture calleth EpiJcopos,i\c Prtflyters, 
 r or Miniftersof the Wordy lawfully Called , and let over their 
 fever all Congregations refpe&ively. Such onely are Bishops 
 jure divino. But as for fuch, as are fytagreftihes , abufi vely %- 
 led Bishops, to wit,D:ocefan or Lord Bis hops, th&e is not fo much 
 • as any one footftep of them in the. Scripture. And therfore as 
 thefe have not the true Nature and Calling of a Scripture-Bi- 
 shop : So neither ought they to ufurpe the'Name and Title of 
 Bishop. But as they are of humane inventietiznd inftuution onely > •< 
 yea of humane frefcnsption (as old Father Hierome faith) and not 
 ok dwme Infittmion i So let them he known by fuch Titles 
 
 onely 
 
Lord Btsbopf, 
 
 onelv, as man hath given :hem,as namely Prtlates &c, Pytlatf, 
 or Prelates are To called , becaufe they are preferred , or rather 
 preferre themfelves before and above others,that are Gods 
 Mmifters. And thus they participate of the Prelacie of tfce 
 w . 2Thef. 2.4 Great Antichrift , who is that * c upereiromen»s ( as the Apoftle 
 ftyles him ) be that exalts kimfelfe, above all that « called God, He 
 is alio called in the lame place '0 antikcimenos, that Adversary, 
 called by Iobn y <<? Annkpftos, that Anttchnft, to wit, that Adver- 
 Jarj 2g3.m{\.Chnft. And agreeable hereunto is that other Title 
 of Prelates,n2me\y Antiflesin theLatine, which they interpret 
 a witnejje : but it may rather be derived from the Greek; Ami 
 is not a Latine Prepoiition, but Greeke, and fignities tgainfi. 
 So 3.s Atittfies, is one that irands againft; and it may anfwere 10 
 Antisij.<iafteS) one of the adverfe Faction, or on the contrary fidt, 
 as all P; elites z\e AtitiflasiaSlai) advcrfiries againft Cbrtjl, or Ami* 
 cbrijlsi which you vvillj as will further appeare. But we will 
 content our felves with the Title of Pre/ate in this our whole 
 infuing difcourfe, as being none of the Scripture-Bishops. 
 
 Now concerning Prelates-, the learned PapiJIs themfelves are 
 not* cannot be reiblved, that they are jure divino&i divine injii- 
 tution immediately, but onely at the moft mediately deriving 
 their Prelacie from the Pope, as all his Canonized Saints doe 
 their Saint- Ihip - y faying, that the Pope hath his Suprcmacie 
 j tire divxno, both as Cbrtfts Vicar, and Peters SuccerTor : but al I 
 Prelates derive their Prelacie from -no further a Fountaine,tberi 
 the Pope, as from the well-head, or the Head of the Hierar- 
 chicall body , which gives them their lively motion , as the 
 Head to the natural! members. This very point of Prelaticall 
 Jurifdiction was canvafed and controverted in the Councel of 
 ., • • Trent, and held by fome learned there, to be but jure Pontificioy 
 Hjftor. Qonct n ^ p ontl tician Authority refident in the Pope : whom therer 
 Trident. j ore t ^ e y ca jj p atYcm p a trum r the Fatherof Fathers , as being- 
 
 the Father of the whole Paternity of Prelates. And our Prelates 
 of England may remember, that till Hen.$. caft the Pope out of* 
 England , the Prelates held all their Jurifdi&ion from the 
 Pope , and their Authority was but tranflated from the Pope, 
 to the King , So as patting from one man to another , it was 
 meerlv bumane {till. And the great Primate, the now Cham- 
 pion of lhe Church of England as he beares himfelfe in his 'a:e 
 feook (his [{elation of the Conference) confefieth thus much,T/w* 
 ^ Conference among tbefe (to wit, $ Bishops in their feverall Dioces, as there 
 V%- J 7G> 177. he names them ) tbcrtwdiejfeHudfubjeftion re ftettivcly grounded 
 
 upen 
 
"Cfisp.'^T" none of the L o K D S Bishops. 
 
 upon Canon and Pojitive Law in their fevtr*U Quarters. Where* 
 by ejfeftuallfubjcBton he meanes fubjetlicn of the Prelates in every 
 Province to the Arch-Prelate, or Primate ; then he confefTeth, 
 that Archipre tat teal! IurifdiHion is grounded upon Canon and 
 Pofitive Late , and fo confequenrly. not upon the Holy Scrip- 
 cures ,zsb&ing juredivino. And thus much he confeiTed in vpert 
 Court at the High Ccmwffton at Do&or Bastvvicks 
 Cenfure,* iwf no one of the Aprftles had lurifdiftion one over another - w 
 and fo confequently not an Arch-Prelate over other Prelates^ 
 juredivino, butonely jureC.ncnico, &Pofitivo,bs Canon and 
 Pojitive Law. Arch- Prelates therfore have no lurifdiclicn by di- 
 vine Inftitution. Or if he meane it of fubjeciion of Mintfters in 
 every Diocefe to their Prelates rejpe&wcfy, that this alfois^ro/W- 
 td upon Canon and Pofuive Law : i hough fo he fbould fay truly, 
 tec info faying , he fhoukl contradict himfeWe , as where he 
 laith elfewhere, That Chrift thought it jitter togoverne the Church 
 ( uni verfal 1 ) Ariftocratkally by diverfe , rather then by one Vice- fyy. 
 Ai much to fay,rather by many Popes->then by one. Andthis( faith Confepog.lQQ* 
 he 1 beleeve to be true. So as he makes it an Article of his Vaith % 
 That PreUtes are/wre divino* Yet but a littlebefore in the fame 
 page j/> u not cert aim that the whole Militant Church k a Ringdove : 
 for there are no meane ones (faith he ) which thinly cur Saviour Chrifi 
 left the Church Militant in the hands of the Affiles , and their Suc- 
 €eJJors T in an AriJiocraticaU, or rather mixt government, Sec. So as 
 what others, and thofe no meane ones Thinks, the Ptelau beleeves. 
 And the Government , which fome thinks , and he beleeves to be 
 Ariftocraticall, he understands to be Prelatically which ( faith he) 
 is Ariftocraticall, or rather a mixt Government. What meanes he 
 by a mixt Government * Namely , partly Ariflocraticall and partly 
 Monarchical for of thofe two he there fpeaketh. His meaning 
 then is, that a Prelate is in part in Monarch. But where doe we 
 find that Chrift thought it fitteft to Governehii Church by Prelate 
 t hat the Prelate is fo confident to beleeve it i Itfeems he is one 
 of Chrift s Cabinet Counfellors , that he is fo intimately privie 
 to his thoughts. For furely Chrift hath no where left the impref- 
 fion of any fuch thought of his in his written word. But 1 fup- 
 pofe the Prelate doth but pre fume fay or charitably beleeve Chrift 
 thought fo. Me thinks he fhould not fo beleeve it , as to write 
 ufonit, J beleeve' thu is true. But thas (Has*) this faithof his 
 overthrows the credit of his former Saying,' That Prelates with 
 their effeSiuall Subjection, are grounded upon Canon,or Pofitive Law t Confer. f>a& 
 and ft Uvtm Authority from Chrift (as the Prelate a little before 
 
 affirmeth/ 
 
¥ 
 
 me none of the L * D s MihoJF. tihap.i, 
 
 Sffirmeth') of what force is his Caww ? For there fpeaking of 
 r he Pope he faith, Na/ out ofaU doubt , '/» twtthe leafireafon, why 
 - de facto, he hath fo little fncceffe y becaufe de )\ire hehath no fewer 
 
 Confer pag. gi ven g ut h ovv then isir, that fome few * pages before he 
 ^i-t iaith, that fame one mujl be Ordine PrimUs,f0 avoyd confufion i and 
 
 he fpeakes there of the/tyn;»e Prelate. It is then oineceffity, that 
 there muft be owe Ordine Primus -fa <ivgu/ confufion in the O- 
 tholi\Qhu(ch Militant (which elfwherehe makes to be w/<&/?, 
 and HierarclricaU ,or Pre) tticall jthen did not -C6r#/? leave fo muck 
 expreft in writing,but to Canon and Pofuive Law* But perhaps 
 Chnjl thought it befl : and the Prelate tobeleeves. Thus we fee- 
 here is nothing, but Ridd.es, Ambiguities, and Contradicti- 
 on s,or Enterfeerings with our Prelate. What courfe then (hail 
 we take for a cleare refolutionof the Queftion , That Prelates 
 (as themfdves affirmed are jure dwino < Certainly, if they be 
 jure divine, they mult (hew good proofeforit in the written 
 word of God. And to this Rule we muft hold them , anil to this 
 onely. For it were to tread an endleffe maze , to goc about to 
 prove a Divtue Title t or Authority out ot the Volumes o f humane 
 writings t ot EeckftafiicaB Hiftortes. They can tell us dsfaclo what 
 hath been : bur rhac Prelates are de jure divino , that we muft 
 iearch for in the Sacred Records of Divine writ. If there we 
 rind it, well 3nd good : but if there it be not,but the contrary : 
 then all humane writings are in this point to be rejected ; as of no 
 credit, cr-value. Come wetherloreto the Scripture, which 
 will ckarely tell us what Ckrift thought of this matter. 
 
 Chap. II. 
 
 Wherein is proved , Tint Christ, ex^refly condemneth of 
 Prelacie, or Hierarchie , ai flatly forbidding u to /;« Apollles 
 and Difciples. 
 
 MA T H. 20..29, &C. Then came to him the Mother (f 
 Zebedees children, with her Sons worshiping him, and 
 de firing a certaine thing of him. And he faid unto ber, 
 what ivih thou 5 She Jaith unto him , Grant that theft 
 my two Somes may fit the one on thy right hand , and the otlxr on thy 
 Itjtinthy Xjngdome. Sitfjeius anfrcrcd and faid. Ye know net 
 pflKUye dfe. Are ye die to drink? cf the Cu£ t that I sbaidrinhe of y 
 
Chap-** S55 of the LoRDS Bishop f. 
 
 and to he baptifed with the Baptijme, that I am baptifed with * The* 
 fxy unto him, tve are able. And he faith unto them , ye shall drint£ 
 indeed of my Cup, and be baptijed 01th the BapHfme , that I am bap" 
 tiftd with : but to fit on my right hand , and en my left, is not wine t° 
 grve, but it shalbe. given to tfom, for whom it is prepared of my Father, 
 /ind when the ten beard it, they were moved with indignation againfi 
 the two brethren. But Jcfus called them unto him, andfaid, Ye ktiow> 
 that thePrinc:s of the Gentiles excrcife dominion over them, and they 
 that are great , exercife authority upon them But it shall not befo among 
 you : but whojoever wilbe chief e amongyou, let him be your Servant. 
 Even as the Son of man came not to be mimjhed unto, but to miniver, 
 and to give his lifi a ranfomefor many. 
 
 In thefe words , as we fee the mind of thefe , as vet carnall 
 Difciples : So on the other fide we fee the mind of Chifl , and 
 what he thought of Prelacy. For Prelacns that,which they make 
 fuch a folemne fuit for. They ambitioufly affeft Cathedram, a 
 Prelates Chaire,. or Throne : they make fuit to fit, and that in the 
 moft prime Sear,on the right, and left hand of Chnft. And thefe 
 two fuiters were Chnfts Kmfmen, lames and lohn. A faire mo- 
 tive for promotion to a Prelacy. For as the Saying is, 
 
 Dicere vti, Prafo * Definguine Prafulis ejlo* 
 
 Wouldft thou have Church Dignitee i 
 The Prelats Kinfinan thou muft be. 
 
 Or according to thofe old Verfcs : 
 
 Quttuor, Eeclefusyhis Penis, ituyadomnes : 
 Sanguinis, ($ Simonis, Pnefnlis, atque Dei. 
 
 Prima patet Claris : nummatu altera : Cham 
 Tenia, fed ram junua quartapatet. 
 
 Through thefe foure Gates all Churches waves are trotf- 
 Of Birth : of Simon : Prelate : and of God. 
 
 The Jirft far Nobles : next for golden worth. 
 For Prelates Kin, the third ; for few the fourth. 
 
 Thefe two brethren would enter into the chiefe Cathedrafls 
 by the gate of Nobility, as they are Chrifts neere Kinfmen,and 
 fo defcending of the blood Royall. And in hope the better to 
 fpeed , they get their Mother to fpeake > who with Chriftwas 
 iXH a Jittle gratious. But befides the abfutdity of this their 
 
 ' B ~ T fuit 
 
.ftut ;'for CWift told them,^ know not ivh.it ye as\e) they come in 
 asunfkafeaion , and uponasunfot3bleanoccafion tor fucha 
 i" f ' it jaspoflfiblv could be. For in the very next words going be- 
 jel e , Cjmfi had but newly told them of his Death at lerujatem, 
 faying , Behold wegos up to lcrufilem , and the Son of manshalbt 
 betrayed unto the Chief e Pr.efs and S cubes , and they shall condemn 
 htm to death : and shall deliver him to the Gentiles to Moclg , and to 
 Scourge , and to Crucifie htm, &c. And in the next words they 
 come to make their fuit. Nor onely here, but ia other place's' 
 oi the Euahgelifts this is Gonftantly noted of the Difciples,that 
 when Chrift was telling them of his fiffiri^ and death, they 
 were ftiif harping upon this tiring , ivhidj of them should he the 
 peitefl. As we may read> Marl^ 9. ven. 30- to 34. and Lnk* 9. 
 vcr.43.to 4.6.' Yci[Luks 22. } when che,y wei e a: the La ft Sup- 
 p&jj and Cimft had newly told them , that one of them should be- 
 K-V him, . they were inftantly againe at their phtioneik/a, a hotly' 
 contending about Prelacy ■ as ver. 2 r . to 24. As it they would* 
 ' contend , which of them fliouid hetray him. So as ftill they 
 took as bad a Seafon for their fui:,as might be. But msXtatheiv 
 ■ (Chap. 20. 19. ) Chnji told them alfaj of his liejurreciio*, 
 9 lit lti-9 vvhich might give him a fail e hint for fheir fuit. Buc alas', 
 j ^a-VS** poore Soules, they as yet * underftoo'dnoching atall,either of 
 W Sh 4-5* his Qrucif ing , or of his Rifing againe. . And againe it is to be 
 noted , that after, the Lord was xiien .againe , and 1 ruy lud re- 
 ceived the Holy Ghoit, they never made any fuch fuir, or had 
 any fuch contention, or ambition among themfelves. 1 hen they 
 we're become other men, never.fo muck as thinking of any 
 fcch vanity, as ^.Prelacy ; they now faw, that ChriflsRindomem 
 ks military condition admitted not of Prelatica.il Chaires to fit 
 at their eafe, and to injoy their pomp, pleafure, and riches of 
 the world. Their contention was then , which (hould be the 
 greatcft in paines taking in his Miniftry , and in undergoing 
 greyeft afflictions ioiChnfl, and the Goipell, andin winning 
 molt Soules to Chrtfli and the like. But f I Ay J before Chrifi 
 was rifen againe , they were carnall , carnally minded , they 
 dreamed^qf a temporall, and worldly Kingdome,wherein they 
 would be chiefe. And fuch a Kingdom e indeed is that, which 
 hath Chains o£ Prelacy y and Preeminence, fuch as they blindly 
 • Marl' ft y> aymedat. And yet as blind as they were, their * Co'nfcience, 
 ur^y. 53, jnade them afliamed t0 con f e fls to Chrift what it wa^that they 
 *•*"" reafonedofby the way j for they had been at it a iphicbofthem 
 
 should be the greatcjl. 
 
wne^Hue LORDS Bishops. 
 
 Well, we have heard of their fuit : now for Chrijls Anfwcre , 
 Ye kyow not ( fi&th he ) wh it ye a>ke you know not the nature of that" 
 f^tngdome of mine, which in thu world is not a f^ingdome of external! 
 ■bcmpe,glory,and greatwffe,but a t^tndeme of grace, humility, patience y 
 and wholly Spiritual! ; a Kjngdome net of edje andpleafure, a< to fit in ' 
 Chores of State , but of paw: s- taking , of labour and travel! in ynur 
 b'liriijhy, of contempt of the world, andof fuffering manifold ffifti- 
 6ns,andevendca:b itfeffe, f C7 my "Names fil^-. And therfore Chrift 
 a'ddeth here : Are'ye able to drink* of the Cup,that I drink? of} &c 
 And thevanfwering : JVeareihtzddzSi Ye shall indeed drink? °f 
 the Cup, and be baptijed with the Baptifme, that I am bapttfed with : 
 that is, ycujnuft thrnke of other m.ttters , when you come into my 
 Ringdome , then rf any fttih worldly greatnefe as W u dreame of ; yctt 
 rr,ujt prepare your feet for the fetters , your backs for the whip , )0ur 
 bellies for hunger and thirft, your bodies for nak^dneffe, yoUrflomackf 
 to drink? and dipcft the bitter Cup of death, and to be dipped over head 
 -and eares in floods and Seas of afflictions. Are ye able to doe this ? 
 Alas,'pooreSoules, as vet they were novices in Chrifls Schoole* 
 they would be of the higheft forme , before they had learned 
 the very ffirft Principles or the Catechifme, or the A, B, C. of the 
 CrolTeofC/jrcy?. 
 
 But, faith Chrifl, Ye shall drinkc of my Cup,8cc that is, after ye 
 have f ullfilled your Mintfteriali Courft , andfujfered affitlions, and 
 drunke death Cup , and therewith Inve been baptifed , then A place 
 shalbe proved for you in my Kfngdome of glory, fuch as my father hath 
 appointed for you , and for all my Difcipfes, fi as in whom the greater 
 improvement of the* Talents of Grace , committed to your truft , w * LuJ^ig.l^, 
 found, the greater preferment in Glory he shall have , each accordingto 17,18, 19- 
 bis proportion. yet fo <i< every good and faithful! Servant, shall enter Math. z$.\6> 
 into bu Maflersjoy. t in $ whpje prefence U thefullnefje cf joy, and at 1 7> 1 %,c$c. 
 ivhofe right hand there are pleafures'for evermore. But for any fuck £ vfal t l£i I*| 
 thing dsyou aske, it is not mine to give , I have no fuch Commtffion 
 from my Father tobeflow upon you any fuch thing, as worldly Prelacy ; 
 that's no part of my Kjngdome, nor of the admimflration thereof. But 
 all that are found fiithfuUin the kjngdomc of Grace, shall in the Kjng- 
 dome of Glory fit with me at my Fathers right hand for evermore. 
 Whereas on the contrary , foch as turr.e my Kmgdome of Grace into a 
 Ktngdome of Pleasure, pride and eafc, ds they doe which hunt aftcY,and k £ 
 
 injoy the preferments c'j the world, to thofel fay , £ Woe to you that * Lu ^'2^ 
 m rich for you have received ycur Conflation, JVoe toyou that are full: 2 f >*V ". 
 for you shall hunger. IVbe toyou that laugh now : (or ye shall mourne, 
 Vid weepe : Woe umoycu^jenallmen shall Jpeake wdlofycu : for Jo 
 
did their Fathers to tin falfe Prophets . Hence we may note by t he 
 way , that Chrift applyes this bis whole Speech to fuch efpe- 
 daily as are falfe Prophets; that wallow in eafe and pleafure, as we 
 know all Prelates doe; who therfore fliall be ranked among the 
 voluptuous anifalaciousgoatesat thrifts left hand when he fhall fay 
 unto them, Goeye curfed, &c. For as one faid, Qui Prcdatum 
 qu&it in terrify invemt confufionetn in Coelis. He that leeks Prelacy 
 on earth,fhall find confufion in heaven. And we fee here, that 
 Chrift hath no fuch Prelaeie to give ; he convinces his Difciflet 
 of great blindne(Te 5 in fuch their ambition. Chrift then to be the 
 Author and giver of any fuch Prelac'e. Prelaeie therfore is not 
 j ure divmo, as from Chriftj Ordinance. For Prelaeie alwayes is 
 attended with a long Sil ken Traine ; goodly Palaces, rich reve- • 
 news, great Grace in Princes Courts, and what not, that the 
 world can afford i Qw> jure rken * From what Title doc Pre* 
 
 t hn]^ 4 6>7* lates hold < Namely, irorn him who faid * All theft things art 
 mine, and to thoft that will fall downe and worship me, lgive them : 
 that is , All that null be Prelates, and ft will be my Servants in $p- 
 p effing Gods Word, in perfecting C hafts Saints and Minifttrs> 
 in exercifmg their Lordly Iurifdiciion over the Confciences of Gods 
 people, captivwgtbcm with manyfold Ceremonies of will- worship, to 
 the deftru&ion of Chrifts Kingdtme, of Mans Salvation, and of that 
 liberty from all Spiritual! bondage , the redemption from which coft 
 Chrift hn btft blood : to thofe I willgiv? rich Prelacies > goodly houps 
 and Palaces, a Princely Traine and K^tmue, a Lordly Rgvenew,and all 
 the pleafures and contentments, which tU world can afford. A nd thu s 
 we have found out the very Source of this Egyptian Nilut , the 
 prime Author , and Patron of all fuch Prelaeie , as falfely pre- 
 tends its Title to be de jure divino , yea even from Chrift him- 
 felfe. 
 
 1 : followed! in the Text ver. 24. And when the ten heard it, 
 they were moved with indignation againft the two brethren. Obferve 
 here of thefe Dijciples, as yet carnall,fome are ambitious, and the 
 reft enviout. For all of them before Chrift s Refurre&ion, were 
 ambitious of Prelaeie \ as we read- in the place forecited. So as 
 hence we 'may note, that fuch 2s arTett,and are ambitious of Pre- 
 lacie, they are carnal! men , which favour the things of the fleshy 
 
 $ PHli . 1 8? worldly minded, fuch as the Apoftle fpeaks of, that $ arc cne- 
 
 jo. mies to the Qroffe of Chrift , whofe end is deftruclion , whofe God a 
 
 their belly 1 whsfe glory K in their shame , who mind earthly things. 
 
 £ Unu Z . I f. Thev have a wifdome indeed, but t fuch as is not from above , but 
 * H earthly) fenfmll) and dtvelisb, as lames f> eafce th. And w here- 
 upon. 
 
^mpV^^^wut oj ihe LORDS Bishops. 
 
 upon fpeakes he ic I In the former verfc he had fayd , If ye hav* 
 bitter envying andfirifc in yew hearts, glory not, and lj* not agair.fi th* 
 truth, And this was the tvifdeme of thefe earnall Difciples, they 
 v&re ambit tout , and review one againft- another; yea they did 
 gganaktejn, ftomack and maligne one another in the point of 
 ■Prelacy. For ambition and envy are two infeperable tvrmnes , like 
 thoieof Hypccrates, they are borne togeth.r, live together, and dye 
 together. And as lames in the former place addeth , For where 
 envying andfinfe Habere is confttfion, kai pan phaulon pragma, <W 
 every evilltvcrke. Now to applv this to our Prelates : what men 
 in the world more amhitiom of Prelacie, and more envious one 
 againft another ? In thofe Prim itive times* y atthefirftCo«wc«i 
 o/N/cJjwhat bundles and fardies of complaint? did thofe Prelates 
 bring one againil another i and all this arofe f;om their ambi-* 
 tion and envie , each licking precedency of his Sea before ano- 
 ther. And the lire was fo kindled, that had not "Confiantine the 
 Emperour crmfed all the Bills oi complaints to be calf into the 
 fire together , it had been enough to have let all the world in 
 a combufiicn. And the Prelate of Canterbury in his faid Book con- ^ „ ~ -\ 
 
 . telle* h , that the oncly difficulty tvai to acoemmodate the places and ^ J v er * x &. 
 .precedencies of Bishops among thcmfilves. And afterwards, what a ^ 
 hot ftirre was between lohn ofConftantmople,and Gregort 
 tfl^ome, tor the precedencie of their Seas, and for the Supreme 
 Headfliip ic felfe i And heretofore between the Prelates cf 
 .Canterbury and Yor/^for the univerfali Metropolitamhip over all 
 ■ England i 
 
 But let us further hearken to what Chrifi faith : But h fa 
 called them unto him, and fitid, Ye k'tow that the Princes of the Gen* 
 tiles cxercife dominion over them, and they that /ire great exercifi an* 
 thority ever them. But it shall not be Jo among yon. And Luke ex • 
 preffeth it thus : The Kings of the Gentiles exercife Lordship over 
 them y and they that exercife authorilie upon thcm,are called Bcnefiiclors* 
 But ye shall not befo* Ail is to one effect. Which is>CJmft here 
 forbids his Difiiples to exercife any fuch Dominion, or Auhortity 9 
 or Lordship , either orer one another, or upon his Church, as 
 Heathen Princes doe ufe over their People. And this heap- 
 plies to tneir ambition of Prelacie, which Prelacie he fampies and 
 parallells with the Dominion, Authority, and. Lordship , which; 
 Heathen Princes exercife over their people. Thefe words of 
 .Chrifi are fo exprefle and full, thit Bellortmne hath no other 
 Shite to ward off the blow, but to fay, that Chrifi here forbids 
 his Difciples the exercife of all Te trim all Authority and jtirif* 
 
U 1\ W J AJt.t.'X/L 
 
 diSlion, fiich as Htatr.en Princes uted , but not of Jpirimall Do- 
 minion and Lordsbtp-, Authority ,and jurifdiBion over the Church. 
 But it is more cleare then the Stm , that Chrift forbids here to» 
 his Difciples ail manner of Dominion and Lordship either over 
 one another 5 or over the Chinch of Goi,as over Gods M.inillers 
 and People. Firlt , tor Lordship over one another, the laid Arch* 
 pL late of Canterbury confeffeth Chnjl gave them none. And te- 
 condly, tor Lordship over Gods herttagejhe. Apofties themfelves 
 afterwards both declaimed in themielves , and condemned hi 
 others; as we (hall fee hereafter. Andbythewav, by Beikrr- 
 mines own confeflion.all Temporall Lordimip,or Government 
 is condemned in P rotates. 
 
 But now for bur Prelates : Quo jure doe they defatlo exercife 
 fuch Authority and Dominion,iuchLordfhipand Jurifdi&ion 
 over Go^j Ministers and People, as differeth nothing at all 
 from the State of Heathen Princes * This chrift exprefly tor- 
 bids to his Difciples : and therefore fuch as doe it,are none of 
 his Difciples , nor vet any oi their Sticcefiors. Bu* they will 
 fay , They are Spiritual! Lords , and exercile a Spiritual! Lordship 
 over the Church. But this bare Tule of Spiritual!, is too (bore 
 a c)oake to cover the nakednefTe ct fo poore a flnfr. 1 hey cal-1 
 themielves Spiritually whenthey are the moftcarnall men in 
 * 2 Cor. 1 1, the world. Thus did thofe fa'fi * Apofties , deceitfull worker** 
 J$. tr am frme than fives into the A, oftles of Chrift. Thus Antichnft 
 
 •fc zTbeft.z j.himlelfe, whom the Scripture intitles $ the Man of finne, and 
 the Son of perdition, will falve all, by Styling himfelfe, Holy Fa- 
 tter, sea Hohmfle it fife. But to come a little mere cloic and 
 home to our Prelates ^X^t Sviritucdl Lads : v> herein doth their 
 Spiritual! Dominion and Lordship differ from that of Heathen 
 Princes I For hi it, they aiTume :he Title of Prince to thenr- 
 felves, as the Arch-prelate in High Ccmmiflion moft bravely 
 and boldly alledgcd Pj*/. 4^. 16. for which he borrows Bet- 
 larmines GlofTe. Prnices then thtv mull be. But what Prin- 
 ces i Spiritual!. Nav by their Lordfhips favour,they are Tem- 
 porall Lords ,-For how els come thev to fit in Parliament cheek 
 by jovvle with the Princes and P eer's ofthe Realme t Andda 
 they not in ail points beare the image, and reprefent Hea- 
 then Princes in their State and Dominion £ Have they not 
 their Stately Palaces,as they ? Have thev not their Attendants 
 and Officers of their Houfe, auhey ? Doe they not goe in 
 Purple, and }'c3riet, Siikes and Velvets,and^«e hnnen^Mjairt 
 ddiciot-jl cury d*ft as they < Haye thev not their Gourts, and 
 
 Of»cers, 
 
C h ap ■ 2 . none of the- Lords Bhhops. 
 
 Officers, their Tipftaves, Lienors, and Prifons, as they <? AncT 
 doe they not exercife their Authority without fubjectionto 
 any humane Law, and in their own Names, asabfolnte, and 
 independent Lords , as thofe Heathen Princes did i Thus 
 have they not with the Beaft ( their Syre } in the * Revelation, ^ 
 made a perfeft Image of the fir ft Beaft , to wit, of the Heathen 
 Empire > itoin top to toe, whofe whole forme and State of Do- 
 minion they fet up in their Prelaticall Hierarchic? Doth not the 
 $.Beaft, which cometh out of the earth, having ttvo homes like 
 a Lamb , butjpsake* at a Dragon ( which is the PapallHier archie) 
 exercife all the power of the firjt Beaft before him ( namely oi the 
 Roman Ewpcrour there deienhed ) vca ind caufe the Earth , with 
 all that dwell therein to worsh p -the ftrfi Bctft , that is? to fubjeft; • 
 themieives to the Throne 2nd Authority of the Hierarchy,. 
 vdiichisnowinveiled withanabfolute, Imperial!, indepen- 
 dent power , which yet thev bliith not to a°ii nse to be jure di- 
 vinoj and from Chnjihimftlic ) How can any thing be more 
 diametrically contrary to Chrifti words here , It shall not be fi 
 among. you t Yes-( faith this S'hameleiTe Beaft, it lhalbe fo wid* 
 us . and this Imperial jmifditlion ) we doe,andwiil exercife over 
 the People. As thev dee indeed. 
 
 Yea thefe Spiritual Lords do not only exercife all t he power 
 ofthefirft Beaft, as of Heathen Princes over the bodies and good* 
 ©f men, by impnftning^fyning, undoing of Men and their whole 
 Families ; yea mdfaggotw/g alfo the-deare Saints and Servant s- 
 oi God, onely by a pretty co^vevance , making the Civil Ma- 
 giftrate to be their executioner , as the High Prieftj having con- 
 demned Chrift, delivered him over to the Secular Power, to 
 PiUte the Roman Governour : bur they alfo ufurpe and exer4 
 ciioan-Oiktranftendentmd Tyrawiicafl Dominion over the Soules- 
 and Ccnlciences oi Gods people , as whofe Canons and Confti- 
 tutions (even their whole Canon Law, written in blood, figni ti- 
 ed by their red Inke , like to Draco his Laws., which, for their 
 cruelty were fayd te> be written in blood) are moft crueilv preffed 
 upon the peoples f&ules for a full conformine to all thofe humane 
 I^res and Ceremonies of their will-worship in their Divine Ser- 
 vicers they call it.* A bondage infinitely more bloody and cruel y 
 then that of Gods people of old under the Egyptian Hasl>mafttrs. 
 And yet, notwithstanding all thefe things, is this their Lordly 
 and Princely Juri fdiftion jure Divino from Chrift * Or are Pre- 
 lates herein the Apoftles Succejfors i Were the ApoJUes ever fuch 
 Princes i J.iyed they w fuch Palaces ? Kept they fuch Courts i 
 
 Did 
 
 J\ev, 13.14. 
 
 $ *er<iz* 
 
f Pet. f . 
 
 Lvrl Bishops^, GhapT 
 
 Did they imprifon, perjecute, and undoe Gods Saints ? Did they 
 make any Canows, or Laws for will worship ? Did they prefle 
 fo much as any one rag ^e of a Ceremony of their own devi- 
 ling upon the Conscience of anv of Go Js people? Nay did they 
 noc exprcfiy forbid , an d condemn it t Not as Lords over Gods 
 He-ritJge, faith * Yeter to the Prefbytcrs. Not as having dominion 
 
 $ 2 Cor. i. 24* aver your Fakb^Qdth $ Paul to Gods Minifters and People. Yea 
 this was alio one branch of that Dominion , which the Hea- 
 then Emperours exercifed over the people , namelv to force 
 
 + & in - "- 7- their Conicienfes in matters of Religion, f Darius made a De- 
 cree,that none should nuke any requeji to God or Mm for 30. d.iyes, 
 &JJt. J • Ja-ue to the Kingdom : $ Xebucbadii ftjr prochimes his Com~ 
 mindnsent ,ihdt all ihould fill downe and worship his golden Image. 
 And lulian the Apojluta would force the Chriltians to offer J4- • 
 erifce to his Idols, or at leaft to caft but a little incenfe upon t he 
 tire before them. And fuch as refufed, were forely per)ccuttd> 
 fumslxd, \ ea put to death. And doe not the Prelates exercife the 
 like Dominion over mens Soules (I fay) even to the utter un- 
 doing and exterminating of all thofe,that refufe to fubmit their 
 necks to fuch an AntAiJlian yoake ? Nay doe they not fall 
 Chaine to their Tyranny all Minilters , that take their Oath of 
 Canonical! obedience, even asTemporall Princes take an Oath of 
 Allegiance of their Subjects .' Only here is the difference, the 
 Subjects are by their Oath bound to the Prince , to obey him 
 according to Gcds Law, and the Laws of the Land : but Prelates 
 bv impolisg the Oath of Canonical! cl edifice , doe exact of all 
 Jylimlters ablojute and unlimited oiedience, to all their Canons, 
 notoncly thofein being ( although they be both contrary to 
 Chnjls Law , and are not authonied by the Law of the Land) 
 but to whatibever other Canons they fhould in time frame and 
 compote. Which was one great Coale, that hath caufed the 
 Smoakingoutot*allthe Prelates out of our neighbour Coun- 
 tn y. Trms we fee, that the Prelates , exercifmg the like, yea 
 even the fame Authority and Dominion, which the Heathen 
 Princes ufed in all points over their People, are here flatly and 
 evpreilv forbidden bv drift himfelfe '. So as their Pr Mcie is 
 la hnzfiOm being jure dtvino, of divine Authority, as that itis 
 2 n open rebellion againft Chnft »nd his Kingdom* , and a ver j 
 trampling ofhis words under their feet : But it shall not be fi 
 among) 0:1. 
 
 Againe for the words in Lqfe?, The Kings of the Gentiles ex- 
 grcfo Lordship over them, and they that exercife Authmty upon them y 
 
 • are 
 
Lip.t. mm of the Lords Bishop] 
 
 are called Benefliftors. But ye shall not be fo. Ye shaft net be called 
 e'uergetai, BcnefuH&rs, or Graeioin Lor^asfomeTranflations 
 r endei' it. In which word or Title Chnft forbids all fuch Ti - 
 ties to be afilimecl by his Apoftles, as are Heathenifh,~orfuch as 
 did fet forth the magnificence, pompe and State or Heathen 
 Princes, or fuch Titles, as the Scripture doth not give to Gods 
 Minifters. Now it was not imttfuall with the Heathen to call 
 their Kings, who were the greateft tyrants, and oppreftors of the 
 People, * Bewf/rfflori,or the like, in^Wfry of them. Thus they * ruercifal 
 did incruflare vitia, parget, or roughcait their vices; as the Poet H nu * 
 fpeakes. And it feems the Popes learned of the Heathen this 
 fafhion of changing of th.eir Names : as, if he were deformed> 
 to call him, Formojiti : if cruel, Clemens, &c. But for Prelates, 
 are thev not called Euergetre , Benefrfiors , your Grace , your 
 Honour •> Right reverend, moft Reverend Father m God, My Lord,My 
 Reverend Diicefan , My Patron and Benefatlor, Our M*trvpolitan y 
 Primate, My Ordinary , and marry fuch like devifed Titles , no 
 where to be found in Scripture, but ferving to bolfter out thsir 
 Pontirkiall pride 5 AH fuch Titles Chnft forbids to his Dif- _ ■ 
 
 ciples here.; as elfwhere alio, $ Be ye not called t\ibhi : formed $ "Mat, 23- %y 
 your Majler, evtnChrifl, and all ye are brethren. And call no man 9? 10. 
 Father upon Earth ( fuch Fathers as Prelates are called) for one h 
 your Father which » in heaven. Neither be ye called Mafters : for 
 ene is your Mafter, even Chtft. 
 
 But the Prelates will fay, Diftingue tempora, Diftinguifhthe 
 times : the Apr-flits were peore , the Church was then but in the Irt- 
 fmcie, Swadlmg clouts might ferve the Tume : but now we that are 
 'the SucceJJbrs of th Apoftles , are mengreWn , and kjtow how toufi 
 the honours , plcajures and preferments of the world , being caft upon 
 m,and being mw promoted to be Princesjthoje title seiches, and honours 
 that we have , are but Jut able to our dignity , And fervkeable to our 
 Principality : Then was then : and now is now. Thefe things fome . . , 
 great Pontifkians and Popes themfelves have alledged. But J fJ W j 
 Bernard.who was one of their ovvnc, writing to Pope Eugeniut, Cf n J lder *d 
 sod telling him plainly and freely of all his Pontificiall Pomp, tu g en - 4'"*f 
 and how unlike therein he was to Chrifl and his Apoftles; 4 ,c » 2 * 
 faith, Scilicet ficfa&itabat Petrus? fie paulus ludebat * Did Peter 
 j pray you doe thus i Did PWplay fuch play t Si audtrem di- 
 cere>Damonum nugis : quam ovium pafcua h<ec : If I durft fpeake it, 
 thefe are the raftruesof Devils , rather then of the Sheep. 
 Homri totum datum datur, San&itati nihil am parum : All is given 
 40 konour,buc little. or nothing to holinefle. But he puts their 
 
Lor A Mi shot /, 
 
 allegation 'as Ifayd before; Abfttjnquiunt janfori nm convenit i 
 What fhouid holmcAc doe, fay they $ it is not finable for our 
 times. Thus Bernard. 
 
 But we need gue no further, then to the Painter, whom the 
 Kpefeta workein his Gallery to draw the Pictures of veter 
 and ptfw/.- who having painted their faces blufhmg redde , and 
 the pope coming in to fee his worke, and asking mm, If ?eter 
 an i Yiui had fuch redde faces , becaufe he had lb painted them : 
 -No ; puoth he , but if tiny tptre here now, And did behold what a glo- 
 rious , rich and magnificent Succtjfor they have , they trculd blush & 
 redder no&youfie their fitlurcs doe. And his Holmefle was very 
 well pleaied with the Painters Conceit , to fee himfelfe a bra- 
 ver man, then ever poore Peter and Paul were, whofeSuccef- 
 ybr notwithstanding he boafts himfelfe to be. For what els, 
 but a Sweet Fabie, doth the Pepe make of the G<fp:l, as him- 
 felfe faid t And furely we cannot thinke, that Prelates, who are 
 the limbs of this great Eeaft 3 are c f any other Spiiitjthcn Athe- 
 iftsciU, fuch as the Head himfelfe isof> and which he hath 
 derived to his Members. 
 
 Well , hirherto we have heard Chrifts Sentence concerning 
 Prelacy in the Church,and that negatively,denyed to his Apofiles, 
 as a thing bathmmb and carnaK - 3 and fo which turnes Chrifts 
 Spirituali Kingdome into a meerc carnall and temporally yea 
 frofane and heathenish Kingdoms. But it shall not be fo among you. 
 Erjgo Prelates (as before is noted) are none of Chrifts Dtfcipks,and 
 their Prelacie, er Hierarchy none of his Inftitution or Ordinance, but 
 flatly forbidden and condemned by hm. Now a word of the affirma- 
 tive part of his Anfwere , wherein he (hews what manner of 
 wen his true Difirple/ mutt be. 
 
 Ver fe 27. Sec. But whofoever tvilbe great ameng you, let him be 
 yeur Minifter : and tvhofever tvilbe chitfe amengyou, let him be your 
 Servant : TheSumraeis *. Chrifts Apoftles and Difciples muft be 
 bumble men, and Servants to their brethren , not Lords over them. 
 Forthefe two are oppofedoneto the other : Prelacy is for 
 proud men : humility for Chrifts Difciples. Chrifts Difciples then, 
 and Prelates cannot ftand together. And pride is not the way to 
 come to ftf the next to 'Chrifts right hmd, but humility. He thac 
 is moft humble, (halbe exalted to the greateft honour. As Chrift 
 faith here } i»hofoever tvilbe chkfe among youjtt mm be your Minifter* 
 •r Servant. That's the way to be the chief e. 
 
 Laftlv,in the next words , Chrift fets himfelfe for an exam- 
 (tic ; Ew *i toh te)tbe Son of man came not be miniftred untojut 
 
Chap.i. none of the L O R T> S BisJ.iopj. 
 
 to mmiftcr, and to give hii life a ranfome for many. A nd the Servftit 
 ti not above \m Lord. And as Chrift bumbled himfelfe below all 
 men : So for tb.it caufi God hath highly exalted him, and given him P^X.2. 6,y } §* 
 a Name shove ev, ry N.ir.ne^that in the Name of Jefm every knee should 9 s l e 3 1. 
 &jr,&c. that is as Cbrijl made birnfeifc the Servant of all, So God 
 hath made him r.oir the Lord of all : this is that Name above every 
 Namei So as In this Name to botv, is not an hypocritical! and Su- 
 perftitiotts boivtngot the knee of the body , when ever the bare 
 Name lefut is named, when the Name Chrift is nothing re- 
 garded : but it is an acknowledgement that lefm Chrift is the 
 Lord and Judge of nil , to th: glory of God the Father ; as there the 
 ApoMk fpeanes.. So as he there faith, * Let the fame mind be in * Wr>$l 
 you , which was in Chrift 1'fus. Thus true humility is the way to 
 honour in Chrifts J^ingdome : he that fits law eft at Chrift s footftoole 
 here, fhall/tf higheft at his right hand in heaven. So as this is not 
 fuch an humility ,as was ia the Monke,that alwayes went hang- 
 ing down his head, untill at length he came to be Prior, and 
 then being asked,why now he held up his head : he anfwered, 
 1 have nowfotind t he Keys of the Covent. Nor as of another, that 
 being a Frier , would cover his Table with a piece of an old 
 Fifher-net, in token of his humility t but coming to be Abbat> 
 he caft away his Net j and being asked why, he laid J have novo 
 taken the Fish. Neither are Chnfts words fo to be taken, as the 
 •Pope ftiles himfelfe, Serim Servormn Dei, Servant of the Ser- 
 vants of God : under which Title he hath made himfelfe Domi- 
 nw Dominantium, Lord of Lords. Nor becaufe Pop: Gregory 
 was the firlt, that ftyled himfelfe Servm SetvorumDa, and his 
 next Succeffbr but one , Boniface 3 . got the Title of Vniverfaln 
 E-pifcopuii univerfallBifhop i therfore Chrift requires fuch an 
 humility, as aymes at temporall promotion. But he is truly bumble, 
 that denyes himfelfe , and tramples on the worlds preferments, 
 preferring Chrifts rebuk.es before the treasures of Egvpt, and wfuffer 
 effliilions with the people of God, rather then to vijoy the pleafures of 
 jinnefor a feafon. This is that humility, which brings us to that 
 f^ecompence of Reward ,to fit at Chrifts right hand. And thus much 
 of Chrifts words, wherein he declares his mind touching Prelacy, 
 fo as he never thought it fit te ft togoverne hii Church by Prelates , as 
 the faid Archprelate is not afhamed to bely him , and fo to blaf- 
 pheme him. Therfore the Hierarchy is no Inftkution ofChriftt and 
 lb not jure, devinotf divine Authority. 
 
 Cz CHA5. 
 
f&i6. 
 
 F 
 
 Lord "Bishop, Chap.j^ 
 
 Chap. III. 
 
 Wherein fitndry paffages of the Prelate in hn [aid Bocke , fir the 
 fnaintey nance of his Hierarchy, and fo for the dipbltng oj the 
 Authority and Evident of the Holy Scripture, aremetmthall. 
 
 Or concerning the Scrip ture y he hath writ a large Trca- 
 tifc or * Section of his Relation , of" almoft 1 5* Sheets of 
 paper, wherein he extremely abufes the clearenefie and 
 Sufficiencie of Scripture, .as wanting light enough of it felfe 
 to (how it to be the wordofGodi untill the Authority and Tradition, 
 of the prefent Church doe light k. And for proofe hereof he faith, 
 that Godtn ha Providence hath kindled in it no light for that. Thus 
 belying and blafpeming Gods Provider.ee. It fhalbe fufficien: to 
 name and note this onelv, for the prefen t, the confutation there- 
 of requiring a larger difcourfe , then this of mine will admit. 
 «£ Confer. Psg. Againe,he lakh, $ If there be ajealoufieor doubt of the Senfe of the- 
 j57. Scripture, we muft rcpaire to the Expofvion of the Primitive Church, 
 
 and fubmit to that : or caU , and Jubmit to a General! Councel,&c~ 
 ■ Now , if he (hall quarrell this Scripture , and thofe words of 
 Chrifl forementioned , as being either /w/owj or dcubtfull of the 
 fenfe thereof : and fo Cend me co rhe Primitive Church , or call 
 me to a GeneraH'Councd , for t lie determination of this point :. 
 what (hall we fay i For in no cafe can he yeeld the Scripture the 
 honour to be fole' Jadge of controverfics in faith. And for the 
 Primitive Churchy which he meanes, namely that which came 
 after Chnft and his Apoftles , that ( he will fay) had Bishops , ot 
 Prelates. And for a General! Conncei , that by his own verdict, 
 muftconfift of Prelates, andfo then ftulbe Judges in their own 
 caufe. Therefore herein I muft tell him plainly : that, tuft, for 
 the Primitive Churchy which was that of the Apoftles, never any 
 one of them was a Prelate or Diocejan Bisfop , as we (lull fee 
 more anon. Secondly,the next ages of the Church fucceeding 
 thatof the Apoftles, knew no inch Lord Bishops, or Prelates, as 
 arenowadayes, with their Traines and Courts. And when 
 thev began to get Prelacies , old Hierome reprooved them ; and 
 fodidothers. Thirdly, never any General! Councelyet conclu- 
 ded, that Prelates -were jure divino. Fourthly,Fora General! Coun* 
 eel now to be called for.the determining of this controverfie* 
 which muftconfiit onely of Prelates : 1 deny them to be com- 
 fetembidges in this Cafe, For by the-PrfAtffiowa Confefiion 
 
Chap. $. mne of the LORDS Bishop. 
 
 * No man ought to be both party and ludgein his own Cauft. And ¥ fag.\^l 
 again,the $ Prelate is too ftrict and Canonical J>i-n tying all men % pa^zzo* 
 to thedecifion of a Generall C ounce l, and to yeeld obedience unto 22&» 
 it 5 yea Although it determine a matter err onicmm the Fait'<\ Now 
 then \t zGentr ail Counsel of Freiates [\wu\d determine, that Pre- 
 lates gie/uredivino, although it be errcnious,)et according to the 
 Prelates ftyle, all rnuRyeeld obedience, and fttbmit thereunto. And 
 then we are gone, if- we commit this matter to a General! 
 Councel. 
 
 But we will pafle by thefe , 2-nd come to fome other of his 
 pafifages for his Prelacy. He faith, t 7 beleeve, Chriji thought it . 
 
 fitter to gov erne the Church Ariftocratkally by [>iverfe , rather then * * & * 
 -by one Vice-Rpy, Aud thofe Dtverfe, he makes to be Prelates, or 
 Bierarchs, or rather Archpr elates. Now except he verily beleeve 
 that Prelates are i he M? tftf« in the world , how can he beleeve ^ 
 that thrift thought it fittefl to gov.rne hii Church by them ? Foy 
 Arijl&iraiie is a Government of the beft men . Anfloi, Optimi] and 
 therefore called Optmutes, moft honourable for their vermes Bui 
 are Prelates Co • Doth their extreme pride, ambit ion covetcnfncfte, 
 voluptnoufoiffe, idteneffe, hatred and (upprefpng of Gods ward, perfe- 
 cuttonok Gods Mimfters , oppreffim of Gods people, even all thas 
 p<fejfegodlm<ffe, and extreme both injufttce and aw/ry withoue 
 all Law or Co/»fcienceinCen(liiing poore innocent Joules thac 
 come before them ; doe thefe their vertms make them to be 
 the beft men far Chrift to thinks the fit t eft, bywhwntogovernehis 
 Churck • unleife in this refpeft Chrift might thinkeit titteft : 
 that feeing he thought it fittefl, to keepvhis true Church, his little 
 fioeke&l waves under manifold tryah of affl;tlions and perfecutio?u 9 
 «s being the exercifes of *//*/>.?* will live godly in Chrift lefm, and 
 tke way, through which they muft goe into, the Kjngdome of God .- 
 there/ore for this very caufe , he might think? it fittefl to fufTer 
 Satan to fet up Anticritft in the TempjecfGod , with his Traine 
 of Prelates , who fhould prove the moft vengable Inftruments 
 oiperfecuting and oppreffing Gods true children , of ail other men 
 in the world. Ana this I beleeve to be true. And agiine, / beleeve 
 th0to be true alfo > that Chrisl thought it fittest to governs his trua 
 H hurch Aristocratically , thztis, by the beft men y becaufe he h-ath fo 
 exprefTedhimfelfeinhis word Why- Where I and who be 
 thofe beft men i Let my Lord Prelate have patience , and I will > 
 fliew him a cleare ground of this my faith, fuch as he can never 
 fliew for his blind/a*'//?. Thofe beft men , that Chrift thought it 
 fittefl togovtrne \m Church by * are the feverali Minifterss rightly 
 
 qualified^ 
 
not* of the LORP5 E Ch:; 
 
 qual ; *ed, and :-.o?* 
 
 f. And thes arc called both Prcsljtcn, and 
 
 the;: »eth< 
 
 Bee Bach to have the qualities ot tne beft 
 
 IT mil mm * ^ ut ^ t ^* ramftfi* 
 
 3 • ll&Ltljfc: the husbnid cf rw : 
 
 Prujis) vigil*t:t.je:;<r,(fgood 
 
 er. not CAtKt&ut.S: C . 
 Ttt.j,?. N -'. 
 
 fnlvowd ttasbemtf 
 beai lecirmc , f er/- 
 
 .ch thereK>re - 3s call themfelvcs the onek Buk^ 
 
 Congrrgttumt't : : j 
 are:. • -v.; v led, lovers 0/ f . I re f /*» /gt*r5 af 
 
 ; > Corr.tr.: ' US , Jfi*i£ 
 
 •n^ry. and never of. t Mfrj, but ferfzutcrsofgood 
 
 » • ic all 
 
 d E ^jorbidSrvg ' egamefkyen, as thole of 
 
 4rvmai fan*, and the like j and cutripgofl tbl L.esof 
 
 .n fnould dare to reprove the Y relates notori- 
 
 " , ldcLurcuf, and ,4/*- 
 
 jh $gh*to>i , arid u, Gicb I 
 
 how can 
 
 C . .': : . I ■ ' 
 
 ft-o *> i c . f ^r Ciwr 
 
 fegptli ••bsske, the Scripture, vtfibieMigjbrJUsmd I: 
 
 if sat a Ar: . and Bisix-ps? under 0gr adorn ffyg* teg:: 
 
 both avd Peace .uxor ding to the Serif 'tme , ondterowm 
 
 C^ftras and Cunfiitmmu, at aifo tfofc of the Catbctick^Churcb ,wbub 
 crojj* not the Scripture , andtbe juji Lairs of the kXeahxe. b i 
 P 
 
 I . : b c Q : : . Prelate rhakes pro/siTion of 
 
 his own Faith cor.. ■ Ixmght for Prelattaai Govern* 
 
 mert -. and here he re! is us wr*3t is tne Faith of toe C 4 
 
 England about the fame new Ankle ot And no: im- 
 
 . • it is , th3t the ?r?lattcaMCijomb of En*!irJ is of the lime 
 
 : iherlear.:ei ClsarnfUm, Metrofefam. But 
 
 1 , m this point, is 
 <9*Ki*i ^. . i4 beiore? - 
 
^Chjp-3' ' none of the LORDS Bishops. 
 
 prelates own words here will furricicntly convince of fbfhood. 
 For tir[t,C/.r//i left none ( when he went into heaven; bu t his I*" 
 defiles and btjlifla, fuch as he infpired with his Spirit, to ra- 
 Jh»S andgweiw his Ciurch. But the Prelate a * little alter con- * Ibid, 
 te(feth,that one of thefe w/Ito Judges, Arck-bi. hops and Bishops, 
 are infallible. Theifore C£r//? left no fuch Judges ± and when he 
 went into heaven,thexe were no Prelats extanc,nor yet hatched; 
 and t her fore Chnfi cannot be To much as thought , much lefle 
 beleeved, to have left any fuch vi/?£7<? Judges, as the Pre/*/*? men- 
 tioneth. Secondly, ic cannot befafe to beleeve, that C/?r//? left 2* 
 any fuch to be vifible Judges in matters oi faith and Religion, who 
 are in their; udgement not onely erronioui , but in their affections 
 malicious againit C/jW/? and his ttwd, and his /r#e Church. For the 
 univerfalland conftant praftife of Prelates { and efpeciallyever 
 fince Antichriji hath been exalted in his Throne ) in perjecutirg 
 the Profeflbrs of the Gofpell , doth proclaime them to be of 
 the malignant Church, and of $t he bondwoman , that whore of% Gal^.lty 
 "Babylon , whofe feed doth perftcute the true Church and Chil- 
 dren of God : and t herefore Qbrifi would never appoint fuch to 
 be vifible Judges in matters of Faith and Religion in his Church. 
 Thirdly, the Prelate in making fuch vifible Judges befides Chrifts J« 
 harv-booke, the Scripture fas he faith ) dvth hereby deny and exclude 
 the Scripture f rem bthig the Sole Judge in all matters of Faith and 
 Heligton. And the Church of England formerly betorc this her 
 Metropolitan ftarted up ) was of this belief e , that the Scripture 
 was the Sole Judge and P^tile of Faith , and admitted of no other 
 ludges to fit on the fame Bench with it. This the many learned 
 works of cur Enghfh Divines, yet extant, can abundantly te- 
 tf irie. Theifore except the Church of England hath loft her 
 fit*, and hath no more £rrf«? left lier, then the grace and faith 
 of Canterbury : the cannot be fo madde as to beleeve chr'fi left 
 any fuch vifible ludges, as her Prelate fpeakes of. Foiin hly, it 4> 
 can never be beleeved of any fenfible man , much leffe of any 
 even common Chriftian , that Chrifl would leave notorious 
 hypocrites to be Judges in matters of B^Ugicn , who under a faire 
 pretence of Truth and Peace, doe labour utterly to deftroy both 
 Truth and Peacein his Church. As here, the Prelate names 
 Truth and Peace, as the end of his Hierarchicall Government : but 
 hispractifesdoe prove him to* be the greateft enemy both of 
 Truthz.nd Peace, that ever Sate in the Chaire of Canterbury. 
 For firft, for Truth(zs the Truth of the Dotlrines of Grace, layd 
 down in the Articles of Religion of the Church of 'England / hath he j^ ' 
 
 no* 
 
Lvrd Bishops,' Chap.j. 
 
 not in the T> eclar.tcknbtf or q rhofe 39 Articles ( but fee forth in 
 the Kjngs Nfmc : for all inuft be , under t gracious Kjng) baffled 
 icniikiug the Ar ticks to fpe.tke nonfenfe , or in trie language 
 of the VMgkick. O acle , ambiguous , that may be taken cither 
 way, as favouring the Arminim, afvvcll as the Orthodox- fo as by 
 this meanes , his Arminian Crew may prove their Herefies out 
 of li.oie Articles, afwellasthe Orthodox, can the Truth. Is this 
 <vifiM ludgethen lor truth ? Againejiow doth hefupprefle all 
 preaching of th 1 Divines of Grace, by terrifying M.nijiers in all 
 tUzVtfuarionsot thtit vifible lu.lgts i So cleare it is? that he 
 governes for Truth, 
 2^ Secondly , for P-eace. What Peace?} pray you, hath either the 
 
 Church, ov State of England hzdy fi^-e this Polypr3gmatick be- 
 gan co itirre and ilickle both in Church and State * Nay what 
 Peace hath the Neighbour.^ ingcteme hadjfmce his Arme hath, 
 been imped out , to put his hot coale under the Eves of that 
 Church alfo. So as now, v\ hen Scot/and burnctb , is't not time 
 for England to hokp out, and to call m water, and to quench the fir e y 
 not with more rire,toconfumealI,but by quenching the coale> 
 that both [\\[lkjndled,2n<i[\i\l fomenteth the p t jme t Thus we 
 fee what a Govcmour here is under a Gratioui King , fur Truth and 
 £, Peace. But, iiltly, headdeth, According to the Scripture. This 
 is iomething. And yet as good as nothing : /or he immediate- 
 ly annexeth, And h:r own Qamns and Confitutions C>/0w/j enough 
 to batter t\\c Sciifture ; and Confutations ro Undermine and blow it 
 up. For what Scripture can Hand in an\ , force , w here his Canons 
 c<>me i And much more , where nhefe Qanons of his Church of 
 England we ieconded bv his Catho.'icke Church : Wherein his 
 Church of England, and that of ^cme, are become (according to 
 * CenftEP 'ft ms * ovvn vvorcl ' s ; one m ^ ^ }€ $ ame Churchy of one and the Same 
 Dedicatory, I* * &!**** an ^ %^* w *- And tnus i°<Seed » tne Church oj England may 
 Va 276 enter Common with Jtyme in her Canons, as namely m her Ca- 
 
 r&U • n n Law , and fo make Corpus Commcum the i^«/e whereby to> 
 
 governe this ne-.v Corporation of the Two Churches now be- 
 come one againe. So as let but the Canons of the Church ofEng- 
 iW be ieconded with thofe of her Vrelates Catholicke Churchy. 
 and then all Scripture is gone in Common Law. So vaine is it,thac 
 VY«h Scripture he names and yoakes his Canons of England and 
 6. Rome, bv which his Figures ofvaiue , he conjures the Scripture 
 within the circle of a meere Cipher But,Sixtly,he concludes 
 with this qualification : which crofle not the Scripture, and thejufi 
 l.Wi of the l^ealme.BM ffcftjfor the ScriftureyWho fhalbe Judge 
 
 whether 
 
"Chap. 3 • none of the LoRfcS Bishop 
 
 whether the Canons doe croffc it ? Who but the Canon-maber?, 
 and Canon-mafters, the Prelates ? And will they trow yon turns 
 the mouth of their own Canons againft themfclves ? Nay their 
 Canons, though never fo crofle to Scripture, yet are like to Da- 
 rim his Decree, which chough againft the Scripture, yet rather 
 then it fhalbe broken , Daniel muft. to the Lions denne , to try 
 whether the Lions, or the Kings Decree be more cruell. So 
 the Prelates Church Catholick, Canons are like the Laws of the 
 Medcs and Perfians , all the Daniels in the world (hall rather t© 
 the Lions denne, then the Canons bsreverjed. To give but one 
 inftance for many : That Canon De Hteretibw comburendit , Of 
 Burning the Hercticks ( whichisone of thofefpeciallOwH* 
 of his Catholicise hureh, and a-moit damnable Canon? 'zs any in 
 all the pack?} and fueh , as if chrift and his Apoftlcs were now 
 upon the earth, and did Preach as ones they did, they fhould 
 by vertue of that Canon be brought to the Stake \ as Chrifi was 
 by the High Priefts * Law to his Crofle) that'Gwww (1 favj* 
 though it crofle the Scripture ( as being againft all tme Chifti- 
 ans, whom this Canon calls Hereticks, and burnes for the Scrip* 
 ture-tike ) yet lhall it not be for ever in force, fo long as there 
 is one Hereticke remaining upon the face of the earth ,' and one 
 Pope, or Prelate to difcharge the Canon * 
 
 But the Prelate addes, And thejuft Laws of the Realme : If the 
 laid Canons crofle not thejuft Laws of the Realm*. This is as good> 
 as the former,and no better. For what Laws of the Realme doth 
 he account juft ? Thofe, that crofTe any Prelaticall praftifes,and 
 Antichriftian lawlefle courfes of his Spiritual! Courts < Surely 
 :thofe are not to be racked among the jitft Laws of the t\ealme 
 thofe muft needs be unjuft Laws, which are made to reftraine'; 
 the Infolencie and Lawlefle proceedings of Prelaticall Courts. 
 Which is the reafon, that now of late, under this Archprelate* 
 Prohibitions out of the Kings bench to the High- Commiffion are fo 
 gueafon, fo well Schooled are both Lawyers to move, and 
 Judges to grant any fuch thing. Thus the Prelates pra&ifes 
 are a fufficient Commentary of his owne words. So as the 
 Summe of this his whole paiftge is, That his Chtmh ofEngUnA 
 . muft fubmit her belief e to her Arch Bishops and Bishops , as vijible 
 Judges left by Chrift to governe , and to determine all matters of 
 difference in point of Faith and Religion , and that according to Scrips 
 . ture too , fo farreai they crojje not her own Canons , and thofe of the 
 Catholicise Church , wherein England and Rome are one and the 
 Save, one Church) of Me Faith, of one Religion, And all this (if we 
 
 hh t if-?} 
 
I 
 
 may beleeve her Met rcpo'itan ) the Church of England bekeves 
 O miferable Church ! 
 
 Chap. 1 1 1 1. 
 
 XVIoereinfome other P-iJftges of the Prelate in H Boolg, touching tfo 
 Authority of ha Hierarchy, are met withall, and confuted by- evi- 
 dence of Scripture, 
 
 t a t l S* T ^ his * ^-P^ Ie dedicatory he hath thefe words : Sh* 
 theCburdj of England ) praclifes Church Government , ash 
 hath been in life in all Ages, and all Places, where the Church of 
 Chnft hath taken any rooting, b«th in, and ever flnce the Apo/Aer 
 times ; and yet the SepeiOitft condemnes her for Antichriftiamjmz m 
 her Difipline. So he. A bold speech, and the more bold, be- 
 cause moft falfe > and hath nothing but his barely dixit ^ his 
 naked affirmation j as Aathority fuffident. Whence 1 note fun- 
 %• ■ dry particulars. Firft that he'calleth the Hierarchie, or Ecclefj* 
 afticali Government therof»the Church of England. A thing fami- 
 liar with Prelates to make themfelves the Church. And fuch a 
 Church as thatoi fyme, the Pope and his Priefts , or Prelates 
 are the Church, as themfelves affirme. Whereas indeed (as 
 luniuthith well diftinguifhed ) they are not the Body i; felfe. 
 Of the Ghurchjbut wehnes, orfveUings grown up, and "fo incor- 
 porated into the Body j as overspreading it like a Leprofie , in 
 affumes the denomination of the Body. And fuch are Prelates, 
 who in the Church of England are Sm/W great fwellings like the 
 Kings Evill, Which are commonly next the Head, or about the 
 necke, in the moft principall parts of the Body. Onely in this 
 they will not be called the Kings Evill > becaufe tkey chime 
 their Originall from Chrtft ( as before is noted j andtherfore 
 though they be but certaine AbfceJJm, or Apojlemes (and fo in- 
 deed Apojiatts from the*r«t? Church ofChrift \ which not onely 
 deforme the Body* but greatly indanger the life thereof , yet 
 the name of Church they challenge in peculiar to themfelves* 
 But furely the true Church of Chnft in England difclaimes «w« 
 munion with fuch a falfe Church r as the Hierarchic calls it 
 felfe. 
 fc Secondl v, he faith that his Church , or Pre laticall Government 
 
 Juth been in AlTimes and Places, when tbtQburcbofCbnfihath 
 
 taf$e 
 
 =f*-^- 
 
Chap.4. wwj/^Lords Bisfops. 
 
 taken any reefing. Here he finely excludes all the Protftant ^ 
 formed Churches } as no Churches of Chrift , becaufe they have 
 weeded out thofe * bittet roots , whereby many are defiled , and* #e£.T2.l^ 
 rooted up • hole p/.Wj, $ which eurbeavty.ly Father hath wt plan- Mai*I**ll* 
 ted,to wit,all Prelates with i heir Hterarchiciil Government, which * * 
 
 being rooted out of the fe Churches, the Goipell ( bleffed be 
 <W j and fo tke true Church of Chvft hath taken the deeper and 
 ^rwer r^xwg , and brought forth the more abundant f fruits of ± « ^ ^^ 
 holin-'ffe But the Prt^ft? in thus unchurching all tri^e Rtfnrmifts, * ^ ' ' ^* 
 is as good as his word ,w hich he openly fpaK.e at Dr. Bajiwicks 
 Cenfure, in High- Commijfion, faying, TheProteftdnt Churches 
 beyond the Sms were no Church: s \as having no Bishops, calling Calvin 
 aflame Befall. But io long as thole Churches have the true 
 Bisbcps,nmic\\ Orthodox and Sound Payors to feed their feve» 
 rail Hocks, it is not the Arch-prelate-, that can lb ealily degrade 
 them from being Chnfts true Churches, as he C3n deprive thofe 
 Ulmiftefs both ot Mimjhy and Meanej , who are obnoxious to 
 -his Church-Go: eminent. 
 
 Thirdly, where he faith , that his Church- Government hath *; 
 been in ufe in all Ages, and in all Places , where the Chinch of Chrift * 
 hath taken any rooting > both In , and ever fi r >ce the Apoftles times .- 
 although this be moi\ falfe; yet were it true, ft would wot ther- 
 upon follow , that this H.s C vrch-Govecnment is either Apefto- 
 hcall, or jure drvino, or froth Chrift. For firft, every tning that -., 
 hath been in uk in the Affiles times , 3rd in the true Clmrch of ** 
 £hnft, is not therfore ApeftoHcke, or fuch, as the true Church of 
 -Chrift alloweth of. For we re.:d,that die Mifterycfhipity bc~ 
 gantotrorfe in the Apcllles times, aSd even then there were 
 -§ many Antichresis, and that in the very midii of the Church in . Th n ^ 
 thofe /ayes. And if Prelates fhall prove to be thofe Antichrisls, I 2 Tfl'- 
 which the Apoftles dete&ed , and defcribed by their qualities T x l Zf 
 (3sw ill appeare anon*) then becaufe fiich A?2t:chnsls were ex- 
 tant, and their Church-Government in ufe in the Apoftles times, 
 will the Prelate therfore conclude, fuch were Apoftolicke , and 
 had their Originall/wr* divino * ^ftQ^dXs neither can the Pre- 2* 
 late ever prove, that his Yrelaticall Government (as now. of later, 
 and of long time it hath been ; is any thing like to the Church- 
 Government exercifed by thofe, vs ho took upon them to be the 
 fii ft Diocffan, or Prtnnnciall Bishops in r hofe ages ficceeding the 
 Apoftles. He that fhall read the Centuries , Cat clam Teiltum 
 ventatu, and other true .Church Stories , ffuil find asvafta 
 difference between thofe poore ancient Bishops , both in their 
 
 D 2 irui-mei 
 
Lord Bishop*} Chap. 1 J 
 
 hianner of life, and Church -Government, and the modernc Pre- 
 lotes ,fmce Antkhuft mounted aloft in his Poncificahbus : as the 
 
 * Ovid, hleta. * Poet makes between the Silver Age, and the Iron Age -. or as 
 
 * Dan. 2. the* Prophet fhews between the brazen breft of the Image of 
 
 the Babylonish Empire y and the feet mixt of iron and clay. And that 
 Image may well refemble the State of the Spiritual! Babylon, or 
 Hierarchy, which had its rife of fimpleand fmall beginnings, 
 but by degrees Succeflively,it grew and got ftrength,and both 
 height and bredth, andib became at length of a blind Brooke, 
 a goodly navigable River, foas the Church turned a City of 
 Traffujue ind Trade it) all worldly pleafuresand riches (asito- 
 byhnis defcribed Hevel. i#.) and (o the more worldly it grew,, 
 the more wicked, proud, tyrannical! } lordly, and imperious , and of z. 
 < Militant Church turned Triumphant as the Prelate himfelfe faith 
 of Rome) foas now the Church Government of the Prelates in 
 regard of their great Court s,znd Confiftories } md doing all things 
 without the Presbytery ; is as much unlike that ancient Church- 
 Government of thofe Bi shops of old , as our moderne Prelates 
 themfclves are unlike them in manner of life-, for thefe are per- 
 fkcuters of the Go/pel : thofe were perfecutedy andfufTered Mar- 
 tyrdome for Chrift. Thus it is falfe , that he faith , that the 
 Church-Government now in England was in ujj in the Primitive 
 Church. Fortoinftanceinonethiag: In thofe ancient Times 
 Excommunication was notufed for every trifle , nor done in a 
 blind Court > nor denounced by a dumb Prieft. But enough of 
 this. 
 
 Fourthly, whereas he faith : And yet tlie Seperatijl condemned 
 her for Antichriftunijme in her Difcipltne. Firft, as for the Sepera- 
 tijl (as he calls him) I thinke the Prelate with this his Book, 
 and other his PrelaticaS prafiifes hath made more Seperatifts 
 from his Prelaticall Church of England , then ever any that hath 
 fit in the Chaireof Canterbury everfince his Predeceflbr Au- 
 gujiine firft fate in it. Nor doe I fee, how any Chriftian living 
 in England can with a fafe Confcience have communion with 
 that Church, which piofeffethfas the Prelate doth in her Name^ 
 tc beonsand the Same Church with fyme , of one and the Stmc 
 Faith and Rtligmi. Yea were it no more, but that the Church of 
 England proiefleth to be a Hierarchical! or PreUticali Church , 
 which in that very refpeft is no true Church of Chrift , it were 
 argument andcaufe fufticient to Seperate from her. And that 
 becaufe, 
 
 Secondly, he that is a true Seferatift from her, for the for- 
 mer 
 
€hap.4 a wne oftfo Lords Bishops'. 
 
 mer refpe&s, may juftly condemne her for Antkhriftiamfme ih 
 her D'Jctpline, Fbrrijft, She exerciieth, She profefleth no I. 1 
 other Difctplme , but that which Antichnft , the Pope and the 
 whole Anticbriftian Rpr.ish Church exerciieth and profefleth, 
 and that in all points Gap a pied , from top to toe. And i his 
 her Difapline is Anticbriftian, as being of Antichrift , andfo*- 
 
 fainfi Chrift , and exercifed in the maintenance of Antichnft. 
 or inftance : The Prclatictll chu cb of England hath lately 
 found our a Difcip'ine, to cenfure, punish, impr\fbn,fme, excommu- 
 nicate Jegrade deprive, and ail thefe together, him that fhall dare 
 to deny the Pope and Prehtes to be jure divino. Dr. Baftwi:ke 
 did thus : and fo the High-Commtffton ferved him, as aforefaid. 
 What Discipline then in the world can be more Antichirftvan , or 
 more forcible to drive Chriftians from having anv more com" 
 munion with that Churchy which exercifing fuch an Antic hriftian 
 &ijctpline , how can She fhijfi off the juft condemnation of Ants- 
 thrsftiamfme, which thev fliall caft upon her i Againe, Second- 2 * 
 ly, the whole Dijciplme of the Church of England , as it is the 
 Dijcipline , which Antichnft and his Church exercifeth , and 
 therfore Antichriftian : So it is that, which hath no footing,but 
 is exprefly forbidden in. the word of God-, as Antichriftian and 
 Tyrannical . For the Church of En glands Diftipline ftands moft 
 upon the impofttion of fundry Ceremonies of humane invent ion, 2nd- 
 Antichriftian obfervation , which She preifeth upon all mens 
 Confciences,and for default of Conformity, hy^s grievous Cen- 
 fures upon them, as Excommunication, and the like. Now all 
 fuch C^W0w'cj,foirripofed, both Chrift himfelfe condemneth, ^ -. . 
 
 * In vaine they worship me , teaching for Dotlrines the Commande- * ' ^ 
 
 ments of men: and the Apoftle alio throughout that whole 
 Chapter of the Epiftle to the Colltffims doth, charge Chrifti- 
 ans not to put their necks under any fuch yoake > as whereby* 
 they are deprived of the benefit of Chrift s death, and beguiled of 
 thir reward , and feoytcd of their Chrijlion liberty , and the like, 
 Againe, the Prelates in impofing their Ceremonies are Ami* 
 chrtftian, becaufe in fo doing , they ufurpe Cbnfts throne, and 
 therein/;// wg,doe exercife a Tyranny over mens Confciences> 
 intolerable to be borne; which if men will not yeeld unto* 
 they doe in as much as in them fyeth, make them Anathemaes^ 
 Ihut them out of the Church , by Excommunication, &c. And 
 laftly , their Excommunication , not onely in regard of the matter 
 and caufe , for which it is , namely, becaufe men will not re- 
 nounce Chrifts fetvice 3 to take &he Tyrannicall yoake of Antim 
 
 chnfts 
 
ftom of the Louds Bishop. Chap. £ 
 
 shrifts Ceremonies upon the (huuldersof their Confciences, 
 but for the very manner of it, as it is ufed in the Church of Eng- 
 land , is a Difciplme Antic bfifiian , as being againft that form of 
 Ex^ommumcati n , which i.s prcfcribed in the word of God , and 
 was pr a ctiicd m the Apoftolicall Churches. 1c was Chrtfts rule, 
 Tfflit to the Cht c/vhat is,ft the Congregation ;and it the Cffen. 
 der will not he are the Congregation, he is Excommunicate bv and 
 out or the Congregation. And the Apoities rule is , for 'fuch, 
 * s Cor. r. 2, OrTe.-.tkrsas deicive h xcommmkaticn : * J verily ( faith he] as 
 4*5+ ahjentwbody, but prtftnt in Sprit , have judged already, ai thumb 1 
 
 u\,epifnt,w);ccrtwg him, that btthjo done this deed .- In the frame 
 cfour Lerd ljui Chnjt, when ye are gathered together, and my Sfirit t 
 With the powacfour Lord lefw Ci rijt , to ddivcrjuchaone unto Sa- 
 tan,for the dejl rutlion of the flesh, that the Spirit may be Javed in the 
 day of our Lord hfia Chnfi. Whence I note, that Excommunica- 
 tion is a Solemne buGneffe, not to be inflicted for everv trifling 
 matter, much lefTe as the Phanfees did, who excommunicated all 
 thole, that confeffed Chnfi j nor to be done in a blind Court* 
 and bv a (ingle loled Prkit, nor the Offender to be releafed for 
 the pa\ ment of hisj&<?$or by way ol committing,or the like : all 
 which are practifed m the Difaphne of the Church of England. 
 But Excommumc.it ,on mult not be, but for a great offence ; nor 
 done, but by the whole Congregation, nor relcafed, but upon the 
 publique repentance, confjion, and promifeof reformation before 
 the (aid Coftgreg4tion,\\\ieie the offence was given : and by whom 
 the penalty is caKen off. Therfore the Difctplme of the Church ef 
 Etigl.ind in this cafe is wholly Antichrtfi.in. 
 
 Laft!y,foi afmuch as Prelates doe ncceflarily draw after them 
 a Traine of Ceremonies, asaChaineo/Tomanylinks, wher- 
 with thes captivate, enfnare, and cnflave the Confciences of men 
 fas their ?vlotto is, No Cerengmc, no Bishop : for they goe mfe- 
 perablv iogecher,like Tolie, aid his Dogge ) and the Church of 
 EngLwdm her Dtfcij line, and Church- Service , is wholly capti- 
 vated by the Mailers of fuch Ceremonies, the Prelates: and 
 fome Ceremonies are fuch , as even doe deny the Lord that 
 bcught'them t as namely, Altars, and their Service : and all the 
 Ceremonies impofed upon the Confcience, deny Chnfi to be 
 the onely Kjno ofbu Church : all thefe taken together, what be- 
 tween the VrcUtcs, and between their Ceremonies, the Church 
 ef EngUnd^nd her Difuplme is become nntichnf.ian-, and ther- 
 foreno mai vail, if forthis caufe, good Ghriitians, that have 
 hiQ'xhdge t and make Conference ~>fl6e Scpeiatt from comrr union 
 wll'li any fuch Church. Chap* 
 
^EaJTyr tune of tie Lords Bishop}. 
 
 Chap. V. 
 
 Jtfliereinfome other Pajjages of the Prelate are taken tripping, though 
 be would run away with it, That hu Hierarchic a Jure Divino. 
 
 HE faith, * For the Calling and Authority of Bishops over # -, -, 
 theinferiour Clergie, that was a thing of known uje y and *$**$& 
 
 benefit for prefirvation of unity and Peace in the Church. 7%> l 7^* 
 And fo much 5\ Jerome tells us. Though being none 
 bimfelfe, he was- no gnat friend to Bishops. And this was Jo fe tied in 
 the minds of men from the very Infancy of the Chriftian Church , as 
 that it had not been to that time contradicted by any. So that then there 
 Was no Controverfie about the Calling. The difficulty, was to accom- 
 modate their Precedencies - r And the $ Ordine Primus (whereof there $ *#<, jgv 
 was a yiecffity ) falling to the Ityman Prelate, by reafrn of the Impetidl 
 Seat) thu was- the very fount aine ofPapall Greatneffe, the Pope having 
 his Refidenct in the Imperial City. So he. 
 
 Now For Anfwere hereunto : Firft, for the Au-hcrity of Bi- 
 shops or Prelats over the Inftriour Ckrgie (as he calls it ) lirft he 
 mult prove their Culling , before he can make good their Au- 
 thority. Now Prelateshdve no fuch Calling from God. And the 
 Apoftle faith , + No man takethtlm honour untohimflfe, but he $ Heb. f«4»J^ 
 that u called of God as Aaron. So Chrift glorified not hinftlfe , to be. 
 made an High Prisfl : but he thatfaid unto him, Thou art my Son, to 
 day have I begotten thee ; Thou art a Priefl for ever after the Order of 
 Melchifidec. But that the Prelates have no fuch Callingfrom God, 
 the Prelate himfelfe (as before is noted ) doth as good as con- 
 federating, $ Among Bishops there was effeftuall Subjctlionre- ~ r p^ 
 Jpetlwely grounded upon Canon, andPcfuivc Law in thiir Sever all * ° * '* & 
 Quarters. Ergo this was not jure divino. And if nor, where is their l ??* 
 Authority then <* And thei fore, as the Prelate faith of the Popes 
 Supremacy , in being ihe Sole Living ludge in and over the 
 tiniuer fall Church \ Neitkr ^ faith he] hath he power from Chrift ~ 
 
 ov.r the whole Church to doe tt ; nay out of all doubt, * tu not the leajl « P a g^y^» 
 T{e«fon, why De Fafto he hath Jo little Succtffe, becauje De Jure he *99» 
 bath no Power given : So I may fay as truly of all Prelates ( who 
 challenge to be the living vifibh Judges as before is (hewed) 
 which is one mame pare of .their ufurped Authority over the 
 Miniftrv jthat they have no fuch Power from Chrift over their 
 Overall Dioce/ff. Provinces, or Quarters to doe it • nay out of all 
 doubt 'to not the Uaft Reafon , why De Facto they have fo little Suc- 
 
Lord BisfxpTl Chap.fT 
 
 t te &-> bec&ufe De Jure they have no Power given. According to 
 
 Ier2 y 30, that in the Prophet, * Behold { faith the Lord) lam again ft the 
 
 £ 1 , 3 2 " Prophets, thatfteale my word every em from b* Neighbour. Behold I 
 
 am agaitft the Prophets, fnth the Lord, that ttfi riicir torgues , and 
 fay, He Satth. Behold I am againjl them that prupheciefalje drewies, 
 faith the Lord, ani doe tell them, and cmfe my people to erre by tlxir 
 (yes, and by their hghtnejje.yet I fent them not, nor commanded them 
 therefore they shall not profit thu people at dBJafib the Lord. And this.- 
 is the very cafe of the Prelates; thev arc faffe Prophets, theyfieak 
 Go h word from the people of God , and inftead thereof ufe their 
 own tv jrd, prophecy ingfaffe dre.vnes, faying, The Lord faith, the Lord 
 hat h fent m , we have our Calling and Authority from God overall 
 Minifters , we are tj>efele living vifibie iudges in matters of Faith 
 and Religion , foaiall rnvft reft m our luigement, according to our 
 own Canons end Constitutions, &c. thus caufmg fimple peo- 
 ple to erre by their lyes, and by their lightnejje : yet the Lord bath not 
 fent them, nor commanded them, they have no Calling, and io no> 
 Pouyrand Authority from God .- and therfore theL<^H^m*/2 
 thele fal ft Prophets : and becaufe he hath not commanded them , nor 
 fent them, tberfsre they shall not profit t be people at alt. 
 
 Bur Secondly, the Prelate faith ,that his ?relaticall Iurifditliort 
 ever the infer iour Clergie , tras a thing of known ufe and benefit for 
 frifirvation of unity and Peacem the Church. Now firft, fur his 
 Infenour Clergie. Clergie being appropriated to the Mimftry is 
 SB! abulive Monopoly , and ufurpation ; for all Gods people re- 
 deemed by Clmft, are his kjeros, his Lot, or inheritance, whereof 
 the word Clergie is derived. As Peter faith, writing to the Pref- 
 
 £ iP^.f- hyters, $ Sotai Lordtngover ton kleron, Gods heritage, but men" 
 famples to theflocke. So that the flecke of God, are his kjeros, his 
 heritage. But to paffe over this : Secondly, he tells us of an 
 Infenour Clergie : he meanes his Priefts , and the reft, as Arch- 
 deacons, and io forth, to the number of 7 Orders, as they cail 
 them. A rs-bbleof Orders not unfutableto the Subjects of 2 
 Lord Prelate , as being all of them of humane devife and infti- 
 tution; of which their Hierarc- ie is made up ; another word of 
 
 * xi-a r 7 nians invention, v;\\\c\\ tome call rather \ Hterod9ulia ; butwhac 
 
 * "»*• Q ™ Cil ' holy Orders Chrift hath left in his Church , we fliall fee anon. 
 Trsa. Thirdlv, tins wai ( faith he) a thing of known nft and benefit. Of 
 
 the imownufe we have formerly fpoken. But now, what's the 
 benefit' Namely, for the prejerva'ion ef unity and peace in the 
 Church. How proves he this 1 From S. lerome, who faid,T/iaf 
 enews shofen over the reft in Sckifmatis remedium > to remedy 
 
 Schifmo 
 
Chap, f ^ none of -the L O R r> S Bishops] 
 
 Scbtfinc in the Church. But by the Way, thefe very Words of t** 
 tome doe argue , chat Prelates were or humane InfHtution : fo r 
 mttttlcRuseft, one waschofen, irgootmen. But i«r#*w fpeaks 
 more expreily, which the Prelate wifely pafTethover dry foot, 
 where he faith , that Prelacy was fet up "humana pnefumptione, 
 noo Inftitutione Divina, by humane Preemption, and not by Di- 
 vine Infiuutiw. Well ? but had it that/wcee/?t;,the Prelatefyeaks 
 or * Did it produce the fruitful! -benefit of unity and Peaee < Or 
 what unity * Or what /wee? Indeed we find by wo full proof, 
 that this Hierarchy was the very eggc, of which the Cockatrice* 
 Antichnfi was hatched, fo as the Hierarchy confiding of ib many 
 ■Prelates , grew at length coalcjcere , to grow together into one 
 Antkbrijh.inbtdy, whereof the Or dim Prima came to be the 
 head. A fed heiein unity and Peace are fo conjoyned,as they have 
 made uponeintne new Catholkke Church, that, whereof the 
 Fre/d^profefiethhimfelfe, with the Church oj England, andof 
 J\ow^ and all other Prekticall Churches in the world, (all other 
 ttot Pretatica-ll , as the Reformed Protefiants beyond the $eas> 
 excluded, as before is noted ) to be, in all which this his CVfe 
 tholickChurch(zs **elfwhere he faith, hath its exijienee. Which ¥ Confer. {$ 
 Prelaticali-Catholiekf Church is the verv fctwd and body of Anti- 370. 
 thrift. Even as the Prelate tells us, that the Ordine Primus, the 
 Roman Prelate having his Throne in Rome. This (faith he )ir<* 
 she very fount tine of Papal! Grertncffe : So I may fay ,lhe Pnhcie, 
 or Hitr archie \wti-the very fountains , whence hath ijlued the waine 
 Ocean ofthtfe $ many waters over which the Whore fitteth , which - j _ -; 
 though it be diftingmfhed into many feverall Seas of fo many * ^ • / • V 
 Prelates, \e«: all make up but one Maine Sea (as it were) one 
 Cathohcke'church. And this is that unity and Peace, the benefit of 
 both the constitution , and preftivation whereof is to be afcribed 
 to the- Hierarchy of Prelates over their inferiour Clergy. 
 
 Thirdly, where he faith, though S. Jerome, beingno Prelate 
 litnfilfe, he tr<ts no great friend to Bishops. Hence I note onely the $1 
 conceit of ;he Prelate , that he thinks none can fpeake againft 
 Prelates, but fuch as are none themfeives, as if it were onely a 
 a matter oi envie. Bert! as the Foet faid, Die ihihi, fi fiastuLco, 
 x\ui\k erii * Teil"me,if thou thy felfe wert a Lion,what manner 
 of man wouldftthou be ? So the Prelate imagines, that if any 
 cfjthofe , that fpcake againft the Authority of Prelates, were 
 themfeives Lims, that is, Lord Prelates? they would be of ano- 
 ther min d, they would then fay, We Prelates have Authority over 
 *H lnfaicur Priefs J-xi e Diviuo \we are the Sole vifibk living ludges 
 
 £ Of 
 
Lord Bistys, , Ghap.j\ 
 
 tiiettrntineanduftdveaS doubts in matters of Faifh and Rgiigion* 
 
 nee are tlx Sale Meters ofCen tmmts , to bind alt men to Canonical 
 
 obedience to all our Canons and Conjlitutions : we enjoy honours* 
 
 fleafureStYickeSyeafctdcltghtsoiiiw w odd, favours in Court, an4 
 
 what not ? Thus the Prelate thinks ail men would be of hi* 
 
 mind,werethey m his Place. And 1 thinke fo too, thus fane, 
 
 that they who take upon them the Prelacy, they no fponer Ht 
 
 in that Chaire, but it proves a Chaire of Peftilence unto them* 
 
 infe&ing and corrupting mans very reafon and judgement fa 
 
 Jarre, as to make him beleeve all is gold that gliftereth. Onely 
 
 few come to that Ghaire, butfuchas are felfi-infetled with- 
 
 their own imbred Plagues, as pride. Ambitiw, Cavet§ufncjfe, and 
 
 that in a high Degree. So as King lames being onjee asked, why 
 
 he had made fo many Bishops, in S€otUnd,i\\& not one Iweftmm 
 
 amongft them all : he replyed,fayingjB/ \m Saute there fas never 
 
 an Honeft Mm wad tac\ a Bishopricke. And Hii'tories tell us of 
 
 »,p. many holy men, that utterly refufed Bishoprickj. And there is 
 
 !/ ' t- : ^ " never a true Reformed ProteftdntMmiJler, but hates a Bisbmickj> 
 
 ummum. j^doA the Throne of taeB«jf*. But 
 
 - Fourthly (faith the Prelate ) this (to wit Anthority of Bishops ) 
 
 • V' tm fo fettled in the minis of mm from the vzry Infancy gf the Chri*t 
 
 fiiin Church, as that, it hii not been what time { in the 4*6 Age ©c 
 
 Century ) contradicted by any. No doubt but fuch a brave and 
 
 honny thing, as 2 Prelacy >. would rind Grace enough in tha 
 
 world, and qaickly (ink down, and fettle in mms minds and *ffe« 
 
 ftions. But what's"this tathe purpofe > as to prove it a Calling 
 
 from Goii But tlm w.a (faith he } from the very Infmcyofthe Chrt* 
 
 flian Clwrch. Surely the Prelacy , in th e very infancy of the Cart* 
 
 flian Church, either had no be mg at all in rem m natura , or wa* 
 
 but a Kiifliupen Embno, or infant in the Mothers belifr as Bfau 
 
 was at the fama time in his Mothers belly with J^uPp yea and 
 
 would have claimed the bleffing of the birth-right too from Jfa* 
 
 ^fJbecaufe of his antiquity^ And did not this young Babe wra- 
 
 file with fpapiin the mmb:,wl\cn the Apoitle faith ,Tk- Myftery 
 
 of iniquitydath already ivorku and this young Prelate wanted buC 
 
 ■£§cn 10 8 time 2nd opportunity to grow up to be a 4: Nimrod, even the great 
 
 ' - ,y ' Atticbrift^s we fh ill fee further anon. So as to plead Antiquity 
 
 of d\z Prelacy even from the very Infancy of the Chriftian Church, 
 
 is yet no good Argument to contkme their Authority to be jure 
 
 diviu*. For even Sitans King-dome hid exigence in the world* 
 
 before Chrft was Prom-ifed. And the Kingdome of heaven, to 
 
 muotgras: here, is deferred co be inch, as no fooner was the, 
 
 ~~ ibheat 
 
Chap .6. *** of tk*\ tOR ! D? Hishopi. 
 
 ttbeat of the TI}ol\?el}"fcwne i but that tvtctydetie had his Suprr* 
 
 flmtnatisn of TefttKit' manijbkUrw s } fuch as fpruBg up even in 
 
 the A pottles times, the verl Infancy of the Church. But had nop . 
 
 teen till that twr*\ which the!PrW*/.*fpeakes ok)contra4i&ed by my n 
 
 Thatlmuft cow contradict. For Sift (as before is (hewed) 
 
 £/>«/? forbad it upon t lie. fir ft motion of it. Secondly , the Apo- 
 
 Hles:o/ r \vhrcii.%ve:fhailiJDelkeby'aril(iby ) mightily ' ccntraditled 
 
 i c ,antl cryed it xLaxvw ,as be "rfjth a:.rahn RxQusmjjlery of Imquity. 
 
 Andthirdlv^tu-asopmraj^f^afbyTiindry^as by ' Aerw. Buc you 
 
 Will prefcntJy. fay , that Epiphanm ranks .him (even for that very 
 
 Opinion only', that he held Prelates not to be dejme divino , or 
 
 that the Degree of a Bishop was no greater > then that of a. 
 
 Prieit ) in the Ca talogue oi Hereticks. And fo am I alfo con- 
 
 fenr,upon the fame termed, to b e by the V relates, counted for 
 
 zn Kentuck*. But Secondly, himfelje confeflfeth S.lervme ro> 
 
 \\wzcmtiadtilid their Author it j ; as we noted before -, faying, 
 
 that thdr InjluNtioM tw meetly of humane ?refumption. Yea and 
 
 thirditt-ztogaywiw (that FamousV/gfo ) was of the fame mind _..- .. 
 
 With lerome: So as fome of the Learned in the * counceiof «'/ f «** ffl !*! 
 
 Trent alledged both of t hern in this point. So that ccntratkcled Tn - 
 
 it was, and had been,aRd that by many, and fome of them (as 
 
 Chnft and his Apoftles ) of Divine and Infallible Authority. So as 
 
 without all Controverfie , VrelaticaU Authority over other JvlU 
 
 ftffters is no Calling ofGed at all ; which we now come more 
 
 fcillv to thew, by the Te&mony o* the Affiles , both it>their 
 
 doctrine and Practife. 
 
 Chap. VI. 
 
 Wherein » shewed, that according to the Scripture , Prefbyrers and 
 Bifhops are ail one, without difference, Jo as he whtch * a Prefbv- 
 ter,« called Epifcopusj* Bifhop,<iwd a Bifhop a Prelbyter. ' 
 
 THe firft place of Scripture that proves this, is in ABs 
 2o. where the Apoftle called together the ?reslyters> 
 or Elders of the Church of Ephefw, asver. \y. vvhicU 
 Eldirs-, or Treslyters in v. 2 8- he calls Epiftopw, faving, 
 Take heed therefore unto your Jeh*s , and to all the Flocke , evert hi 
 which the Holy Ghcfl hath nurdeycu Episcupcui, J that is, Overfeers, 
 -& wr Englifh renders the word; or] Bhhepj t tP feed the Chureb 
 
 JB a if 
 
Lord BuKopr; Chap. 6. 
 
 4f~Goi> which he hath pwchafed with hii own blood. From which* 
 words it is manifcft, Firft , that Presbyters and Bishops are all m* 
 and the fame Order, Calling and Office. Secondly ,that in, the Church 
 tf Ephefus there were many Btslwps, or Presbyters. Thirdly, that 
 they had their Calling from the Holy Ghefl, Fourthly, that their 
 Office was to feed the Flecl^ of God, over the which the Holy Gbojl had- 
 made them Overfeers, And for this Caufe fuch are called elfe- 
 Ej>&.4« *'• where * Pajiors, and Teachers, right Shepheards indeed, that 
 feed the Fhc\e of God. Now will our Vrelateshy, Fn fljthat they 
 arethofe Eptfcopi < What more contrary to their Canons, and 
 pra&ife : For Fkft, they doe not allow, that every Presbyter be 
 called a Bishop,x\ox to be o/che fame Order, Calling, and Office.; 
 For they fay, that die Order, Calling, and Office of a Bubspoxi 
 Vrelateis diftinft and different from that of the Presbytery. Se- 
 condly, the sir elates have an old Cation, that there mult be but 
 one Bishop in one City , 01 Diocefe. But here we fee the 
 Church oiEpbefm, that one City had many Bishops in ic, even 
 as many as there were Presbyters. Thirdly > our Mrtlates can 
 never prove their Authority and Office to be from the Holy 
 Ghoft, cither from any inward calling, or outward. Not from an 
 inward calling, becaufe , firft,it is not any %eale §f Gods glory, or 
 defire to win foules to God-, but it is the ftrong bias of ambition* 
 and covetoufnefie, pride, and vaine glory \, and love of the world, that 
 draws them to a Bishoprtc^e. Nor Secondly , is it an outward 
 calling . from men . For as in refpeft of God, they have run, afore- 
 they befent : So m fefpedt of Man, they corns before they be called^ 
 Yea they provide and prepare a long time before for fuch a 
 Purchafe. For they heap up by hook or crock 3 or 4 Fat Liv- 
 ings, they feldome' Preach at any of them, nor keep Heftdencc* 
 or Hcfiitality, but hoord up full Baggefc, Sculke at the Court, 
 ingratiate themfelves with thofe in greateft Grace , and when 
 the Chaire is voyd, they bring out their Bagges, and fo they at 
 the onely qualified men for fuch a Dignity. They are well 
 known to be no Puritans. So as neither according to their own 
 ancient Canons (which were framed according to the pra&ife 
 held in the Apoitles dayes , when the People had a voyce in 
 the elettivn of their Paflors) have the Prelates an outward catting to 
 their dignities. For inftance; when Mr. Montague was to be in- 
 ftalled (or I wot not what they call it ) in Bow Church, and the 
 Tipfiaffe (according to the Ancient cuftome in that Cafe; with 
 feis Mace proclaimes open liberty for any , that can come and 
 except againftthe fvarthineffeol that Manque flood forth, aud 
 
 made 
 
Cfrap;<5» tune of the LoKDS Biskopi. 
 
 made his exception-, which though it was both legal], a"nd very 
 tnateriatl, yet he was boi ne down, and the matter never came to 
 tryaU , but was earryeti with a ftrong hand for the new Prelate. 
 •Thus (I fay) they have no Uivfull, nor truly formally or yet Ca- 
 nonical! mward Calling. Yea, befides that they are notorious 
 Stmontfts, either purchafing that dignity with a great Summe of 
 money, or procuring it, obfquio> by obfequioufneffe, or Court- Ser- 
 vice, and attendance t or by a wager, or the like ( all which are 
 branches of Simonie they doe affo play the egregious hypocrites. 
 For when the Queftion is asked them, Vn Epifcopare^ik thou 
 be a Bidiop^he anf wers , Nolo ,No forfooth. And this is done 
 three times. A meere mocl^hohday. For if the wretch were 
 taken at his wotd, he were undone. Fourthly, neither doe our 
 Prelates affect the Bishopncke fox that end, that .thofe Bishops of 
 the Church of EpUjiuwcte exhorted unto by the Apoftle: name- 
 ly, to feed the Focl^ of God. Yea, befides that their ay me and de- 
 figs is not for the Office and ivorkfi'oi a true Bishop ( as the Apo- ' 
 4ile faith, * He that defireth the Office of a Buhop, d.fireth a worthy * I Tim, % r xl 
 work?) which is principally to feed tin Flock? ofGod^s alfo $ Peter $ I Pw. f.2. 
 cxhorteth ; for they look not to the duty, but after the dignity, 
 as Chryfoflome and f Bernard have noted of old. Thoufeefl \['mh t Vides onmem 
 Bernard) all Ecclefiaflieafl \eale toboyle and pant aft.r their Dignities Ecclef jficum 
 me\y % 5ce. as we noted before : befides this, J fay, it is a thing ^elumfervere, 
 impoilible for them to feed the Flocks of God. For lb me of them JM<* pro digmta. 
 have foureor five hundred Flockj within their Diocefe , fome te tuend(t.VsQt> 
 more fome Jeffe, which they never once in all their life beftow 
 one fathering upon ; onely the Prelate in his Trienniali Vtjitatian > 
 that is once in 3. yeares, vifitcs perhaps halfe adozen Churches, 
 where he comes not t» feed the Flockg with one Scrap of a Ser- 
 .mon , but to rill his pouch with his poore Minifsrs double Pro- 
 titrations , and his paunch with their good Cheere. But our 
 Prelates will anfwere (as our Non-rcfid:nts doe in that cafe \ 
 that though themfdves doe not feed the Flocke , yet their Curates do's 
 it for them. For (fay our Prelates, and that according, to their 
 Collet? for Bishops and Curates) all the Mhtifters in their feveraK 
 Dioufeare their Curates, tofeedfo many Flocks. Thus by this rec- 
 koning , the Prelates are the moft egregious Non-nftdents , o£ 
 all other. And thus we fee, how not onely unl.'ke, butdirccl{y 
 contrary ail Prelates are to thofe Bishop of the Church of Epbefits, + 
 
 and that in all and every of thofe particular aad remarkable re- 
 fpech forefpecitied out of the Apofties own words. And thcr- 
 ■fere by that place of Scripture, Prelates 9 though they have 
 
 tifurped 
 
■ Jtorfe % the LORDi Bishops. Chtpi&l 
 
 tifufpedmoftunjuftly the Title of Bishops ,. yet they hav« no- 
 thing in them of true Bishop indeed , and therrore arc .never 
 able to prove, that they are Bishops jure divino. For ihey which 
 ate Buhopsjure divino , are lanfuU Pajlors fet over their particu* 
 Jar F locks , to feed the fame with the whlefona feed of the word : 
 but Prelates call themfelves Diccefm Bishops > having fo ananj 
 fhtigi as they neither doe, nor ever are able, nor ever intend to 
 feed them* Nay inftcad oi feeding them , they reflraine and inhU 
 bit all Mimjlers to feed their bmtyta all in the Afternuone on 
 the Lords dayes , nor at any time to feed them with fund and 
 ft>! oljbme, and wmfoit able f cod or" t he Doctrines oj Grace , and Cods 
 free love to his Ekft m giving Chrtslfor them , efjetlu.lly to Redeemt 
 fhcm>and eertainlyto bring them to that et email glory in heaven-, tvbtch 
 God from all> Eternity had PrcdeJIrnated them unto. So as without 
 rhis fou nd pr etching of Grace no Flock, can be Savingly fedde. Pre* 
 late s the re to re are Wolves to deflrcy , not Shepheards- to feed the 
 Flock of Chrifi. 
 
 A Second place of Scripture , proveing a Presbyter and a Bi- 
 shop to be all one,in Qrder,Calling and Officers in Tim.j.&c. 
 For thii Caufe (faith the Apollle to Tttus) 1 left thee in Creete, that 
 thou shouldefi fet in order the things that are wanting, and ordain e 
 Elders in eVery City^i I had appointed thee. If any be blamelefjc, &c. 
 Fcr a Bishop ninft be bkmchfje , as the Steward of God ; not Selfe* 
 wided &c. Here againe we plainly fee, that thofe, who are the 
 Vresbyters^ Paffors let over the Flocl^ of God, are here called Bi~ 
 shops by the Apollle. Whence i% is evident that in the Infamy of 
 the Chrifi.m Church , in ebe>timeof the Apoftles themfelves* 
 and that by Order from tf/jfjtf* and from the HolyGhoft, all 
 Presbyters, or true P&jhTs r <$ l ^€Y3\i % CcwgregAtions (as aforefaid) 
 Weie called Bishop/,. oYO'vsffters, as the Greek word (ignifieth. 
 And this was i^ta pd l in\- in every City, andTowneiri Creete 9 
 cfpecially where there was a Congregation of Chriftians/IV/fl* 
 was appointed by the Apollle to ordaine fuch Elders or Bishops. 
 And in Centuries' we read, how in fome Countries 5 there was 
 never a Towne, or Village, ba t it had a Bishop in it, which Bi- 
 shop was the Pajlor there. And the feverall qualities required in 
 thofe Presbyters or Bishops are in the fame Ghapter fet down by 
 the Apoftle, which becaufe we touched before upon cccafion, 
 I will not here infili upon* But thofe qualities are fuch, as our 
 Prelates willingly leave to thofe poore Presbyters or Bishops, as 
 molt futable for thole Apoftolick Times and Perfons. Con* 
 sent they are to take die Name cf Bishop upon them > but for 
 
 tip 
 
Chap 6. none of the L b k D S Bishops. 
 
 the qualities there required, they are not PrtUti.aU enough, flich 
 as will fuit with a Lord-Bishop.' For thole were poore Bishops^ 
 or Overfeers , and Feeders or- one F/oe% in this or that City ; bite 
 thefe are Lord-bishopscvci-a. whole Dicccfe^s before is noted. 
 
 To thefe places, we might adJe others ; as Phil, i . r . W,tb 
 the Bishops and Deacons. Where the A poftle, nameing no more 
 Orders,but of Bishops and Deacons (the fame which he namet l\ 
 and defcribeth in the forecited places , i Tim. 3 . and Tit. 1 .} 
 makes it cleareunto us > that by thofe Bishops in PinUpfi he 
 meanes the fame in kind, that were in Ephefiu , and Cnete, to 
 wit,fo many Presbyters, as were alfo called Bishops, or Overfeers, 
 And naming Bishops, which were at Philtppi, it argues, there 
 were many Bishops of that one Church , as we noted before ok 
 the Church ofEphefm. And in other piaccs alfo, tbey are called- 
 Elders. For 1 Tim. f. 17. Lrt *6j E/ckT< /tar rWtf rf , £e counted. 
 worthy of double honour, m dl ifta c i kop io n tes , tjpccial'y tkfe, that 
 take greateft panes in the Word and Dodrine. Now thofe Elder} iTim ? t 
 ^Ghap.^.jhecallsBjj^j. Implying they are both one,as alfo* *** 
 
 that I'hdM were many of thofe Bisicps in the Church of Ephejuh 
 where Tirr.cthy then was. And thofe Presbyters or Bishops Somt 
 were more induftrious in the word Hid Doilrine , did $$fiaj£ la- 
 bour more hard therein ( asthewordftgnirieth ) then ordinary : 
 and therefore inch the Apoftle would have to be minted worthy 
 of double honour. Now is it thus w i h our Lord-Bishops * Firft, 
 do they kopian, toyle hard at Gods Plough ( to life Latimer s Com-.' 
 patifon) do they defire no more honour , \)Ut fuch as is propor- 
 tionable to their paines in P reaching Gods word i Tufh, their 
 honour is according to the honour ot the City whereof they are 
 Lord-Bisliops (&3 the Prelate himfelFe $ tells us , The Honours cf$ Confir. pag % 
 *A<? Church should fellow the Honours of the State ) or aceordi ng to 1 7 6 . 
 the greatneffe of their rroenavs , or according to their great fa* 
 vourzndpUce in Kings Courts-) an J not according to their ycares, 
 tnvcrtues, or good dtjerts, which are neither required in them 5 nor 
 refpeclcdot them. Thus Rill all along quantum abludunt, ■••■.how 
 muchdiftanceis there , and what infinit difparity between our 
 Lord Biskops,zrid Scripture- bishops C And laftly, thefe Bishops, fo' 
 called by Paul, are called alfo by Peter Prsesbyteri, Presbyters, 
 or Elders : where he faith , f The Elders which are amongyou, If 1 Pet. \^2 t 
 exhortytvho am alfo an Elder ; and a witneffe of 'the ■fetfftrir.gs ofChifl, 3 ,4. 
 and a partaker of the glory that shalbe revcald : Feed the Flocke cfGed, 
 trhich is amongyou , taking the overftght thereof (Episcopountes) 
 not by confir wt t htit willingly : not fir filthy lucre % but of axeady mind' i 
 
 neither 
 
Lord Bishops i Chap. 6. 
 
 wider as being Lords over Gods Heritage , but being Enftimples t§ 
 the Flthl^. And when the chief She p heard shall appear e, ye shall receive 
 a Croivn that fadeth not away. Where Firft,he notes the Minifters 
 and P afters by the Title of Presbyters, or Elders, as alio he Xtiles 
 himieife. He faith not My Lords, or Blight Reverend Fathers, or 
 the like. Secondly, he ufeth no imperious language unto them* 
 kut faith, parakjlo, I exhort, or bejeechyou. Not as the Prelates to 
 their Pndts. Theft are to mil and requreyou, upon paiue of Epifco*. 
 (■til Cer,fme,Scc. Thirdly, the thing he exhorts them unto, is to 
 p:edthcflockeof God committed to thur Charge. But our Lord- 
 Prcl.ites coir, mand t heir infricur Mtmfters to feed their floike, as- 
 g> iriug/yn, may be, as, at the molt 10 preach but once upon the 
 L.ords day, or once a menetb will ferve, and for Catechifing in the 
 afcernoone, altogether to forbeare expounding, and for- the found 
 food of the Dotirms of Gods free Grace, which is the very Summe of 
 the GofpJ, never to preach of them it all, as being too Purita- 
 nical!, and the like. Fourthly, He exhorts them to feed, each his 
 own Flocke, Feed the Flock? of God, which dependeth onyou. He faith 
 r,ot Flocks, is Hone Presbyter or Bishop were fet over many 
 Flocly or Congregations as our Lord Bishops are,- as is noted be- 
 fore. Fiftly, he exhorts tL em to evsrfee their Flockj, not for filthy 
 lucre, but of a free and ready mind. But our Lord Prelates, and their 
 Curate Pnefts are of another mind , as being hirelings , and noe 
 true Shepheards, fo as it is with t he m , No penny, no Pater noftcr^ 
 they looke more to their tithes , then to their taske ; and more 
 after the fleece , then for the good of the flocke. Sixtly , .Not as 
 Lords over Gods Heritage ;yea , Mud' o's kttakiirieuontes , nor di 
 Lordingit ever Gods Heritage. The fame word is ufed in Mat.2®. 
 4 Z>>A&jrfe 10.42. Where fuch Heathen-like Lording, is by 
 Chrift himfeffe forbidden his Dijciples , as * before is Ihe wed. 
 * Qhap.z* g ut t b e powficians,md fo our Lordly Prelates fay/ hat this word, 
 j^itakyrieuei/i figni fieth onely a tyrannical! Lordship , which they, 
 doe not ufe, 1 anfwere, thai in Luke k^rieuHn, to Lord it at all, 
 is forbidden, And being pat for j<atakpr$euin t it noteth ,thit all 
 manner of Lordship over /he Flocke of God is forbidden to Chrift t 
 true Minifters. Nor can the Prelates (whether Pontifician, or 
 f rot eft ant in Name ) foeadly cleare /heir Lordly [:ommioncver, 
 Gods people from Tyranny. Fur even our grea/ Prelate himfelfe. 
 4. Conner pa?- ^ 1C ^ S no/ /0 charge the Church of I{ome with £ Tyranny. And 
 2 g J *' canhcdifchargehimfelfeof it* Wherein .comes /he frimt*, 
 ' ' of the Church of England fhoi t of the Papal! Tyranny, hut in /his, 
 
 t ha/ /he Popctyrnnm^th aver the umverjall Church _ of /he gratt 
 
Chap. 6. none of the LofcDs Bishops. 
 
 world, and the Metropolitan or Metropolitician of all Enaland (y- 
 ranni^ethovev that whole Church, which the Pope called the other 
 world*. The difference ( I fay; is onely in the Magis & Mmuf, 
 which alter not the nature of the thing. For, for the Popes Injiii- 
 Jition, the Prelate hath his High-Commijfwn- by the Law where* 
 of though he cannot bring his Hererick Puritans to the Stake, 
 attended with jm? and/ago*, as the Popes lnquifmon doth, yet he 
 can make their fife more miferable , t hen death it felfe, by his 
 fecpeiuall clofe bnprifnments, and the like. Nor wants he either 
 Canons and Ceremonies, as fhares to catch, nor Purfawants , as 
 Beagles to hunt out the poore Sl>eep , and to hale them to his 
 Sham bles, for refilling to be fed with fuch hemlock?, inftead of 
 Gods wholefome word. Yea where his High-Commiffion cannon 
 reach to fuck the blood, and crucifie the bodies of Chrifts Servants, k 
 as upon the Pillory : he can eafily remove the Caufe into ano- 
 ther Court, where hirrifelfe fitting a grand and Powerfull Sway- 
 ing Judge, will fatisfie his blood-thtrjiy longing. And as in * an- n m r eY . i 
 Other place of his Booke he twitteth the Church of fyme for be- ** * r 'i a & 
 ing a Triumphant Church : Saying,No# She muft be a Triumphant *' 
 Churth here ,- Militant no longer': So no leflfe Triumphant hath the 
 Prelate made his prefent Prelaticall Church of England. Oh, how 
 doth he triumph in his Chaire,as in his Charet ^ Yea, more fpe- 
 cially jhow did he triumph over thofe Three his Remarkable m(n r 
 whom he (looking out at the Court-window j beheld ftanding on 
 the Pillory , and looting their Earcs and Blood ,♦ how did he 
 then applaud his politick? pate, and potent credit in Court, that he 
 could thus anekesJa, without rememedy , as the $ Story faith of* Socrat.Wsl*.. 
 the Tyrant Licinius, zperfecuter of the Chriflians) overthrow the Ecciejik.1^2; 
 mft innocent Cavfe , and-therein the moji innocent Perfons f and 
 without all colour of contradiction, the Minifler) that ever was 
 Judged in any Chrifiun Court. Thus he triumphed over them : 
 though their triumph over hirrr} and all his Antichriftian lawlefte 
 cruelty , in that their molt confiant couragious, and invincible cheer- 
 fullnes injuffering, was as much more gloriow, znd noble,zs his was 
 moft Ignoble, and Bale. But thus ( I fay) the Prelate, with his 
 Prelaticall Church, muft be Triumphant : Militant no longer, but in 
 Warring againft the Lambe,and his poore followers. So as this Pre- 
 hte , with his Confederates , are the Succeffors of the Higb- 
 Priejis, Scribes and Pharifees , and of Edmund Bonner, and Stephen 
 Gardiner , thofe bloody Butchers and Wolves, which devoured and 
 deftroyed Chrifts Shdep in Queen Maries dayes , and therein were 
 tke Ctgrch-Triumpbant in' England. But this by the way. Re- 
 
 F turne 
 
Lcrd BtsUfr C^.^. 
 
 tame we now, whence we have a little (as it were) digrefled, 
 though nut impertinent to our Purpofe in hand , which is to 
 Ihew the true difference between the true Msntjiers of Cbriji, 
 and thofe of Antichnfi. 
 
 Seventhly, therefore, sSotdi Lording it over Gods Heritage y b\xt 
 being Enfamples to the FJocke. Now wherein are our Lord Pre- 
 lates Enfamples to the Fleece * In their humble carriage 1 Jn their 
 wekpejjt ofjpiriti In the moderation of their government? In 
 their coutinencie, and contempt of Seiches, Honours, Pleafures, Eafi, 
 and the like i Nay are they not Examples to the world ( fane 
 be it from Gods Flock?) of extreme Pride, Ambition, Covet oufnefje> 
 Voluptuoufnejje, Idlcnejfe, Profaneffe, LawleJJeneJJe, extreme Cruelty, 
 barbarous Injuflice, implacable Malice, and intolerable Tyranny, paU 
 fable Hypocrijie , and fuch like PrehticaUvertues and graces, the 
 moft proper and peculiar mdowments , infeperable qualities of 
 their Hierarchie i Lightly . and laftly,true Elders>oi Bis hops t t\\2t 
 with a good Conference feed Gods Flock* , both with the w.hol- 
 fome food of found Dotlrine, and with the holy Example of a good 
 hfe, (hall., when the chtefe Sbepheard shall appear e, receive a Crown- 
 of glory, that fadtth not away. Where I obferve two particulars ; 
 that lefil Chnji is the onelv Cbiefe or Arch-Sbepheard. O' A'rki- 
 feimen. So as here is no place, either for Pope, over the umver- 
 fall Church , or Metropolitan over a *r£Wc Kjngdome , or for Arch- 
 f relate over the Provincial or yet Prelate overall the Sbepheard* 
 in his Diocefe ; forthenfuchfliouldbe/iV^wwwf/, the Cbeif 
 Shepheards ; but this Title and Office is peculiar to Chift alone* 
 and incommunicable to any other. Nor did Peter himfelfe, 
 
 5 tPct. f.f# arrogate to himfelfe any fuch Title, but was content with *c« 
 sumpresbuteros, 2. Fellow -Elder, as if an c$uaH to thofe Elders, or 
 Presbyters, to whom he writ. The fecond particular I note is, 
 that all fuch Presbyters, or true Bishops (as aforefaidj may and do 
 moft certainly expeft, and fliallinoft furely receive, at the Ap- 
 pearing of the Chief Sbepheard , an immarcefcible Crown of Glory.. 
 Behold, here is fuch a Reward, as no Lord Prelate can expert, 
 
 £ Z,^. i6\ or hope for. Forthefeare rightly refembled by $Dres , to> 
 vvkom (being in hell torments , and defining one drop of water t+ 
 coole ha tongue) Abraham anfwered, Son remember, that thou m thy 
 life time receivedji thy good tfnngs, &c. For he had gone in his. 
 *ur pie and fine Iwnen, and fared delicioufly every day >, while mer- 
 ciletly hefuffcred poore Lazarus to lye at 'his gate full offer */,yeeld- 
 jng nim no reltefe , or comfort at all ; faving that his dogs eame t . 
 mid fekfi bu &r«. Anddoe not our SXvefcs, our rich Lord Pre- 
 
 lata 
 
T^Hff. o. mntcjttic Lords Bishop, 
 htes (and which of them is poore) goe in their Purple, $Wen> 
 Velvet, and the finejl lynnen, as .their Laten/leeves and fyebet, and 
 faire delicioufly evtry day , not induring once in their lives , with 
 "their good wills, to keep one extraordinary Fafi day, fo yalcui 
 are they of the obfervation of L*wr,and other Embers ; wherin 
 they can/air* delicioufly with the choyceit Fifh> and Fruits, and 
 Wines, and other Cates. So as with Dives they have their good 
 things here. Qnly thcie come fhort of , andoutlfrip Dives'm 
 feme things : For Fnit, Dives stt fuffjred Lazarus to be layd 
 at his doores : but thele beat away the true La\irs from their 
 iloores, 2- Dives fuffered his dogs to {hew fo much companion, 
 as to lick La^-irui his fores ; but our Lord Prelates doe let their 
 dogs at the true La^awfies, to teare them in pieces j 3. La^arui 
 brought his fore s w ith him, Dives did not caufe them : but our 
 Lord Prelates doe fill Gods La^aruJJes full of wounds-, which they 
 carry away with them , not leaping from their Gates with a 
 whole Skin ; 4. La^arut was willingly la) d at Dives his gates : 
 but'Gods La^arujfes never come to the.' Lord-Bishops Gates, but 
 with an ill will, when they are haykt and pull'd , e. Dives de- 
 nyed his Crummes, to La^arw, becaufe they were of his bread 
 to reed his dogs : bur the Prelates doe not onely deny any one 
 Crummeot mercy, when they are offended , or to dot right 
 when the La^aruJJes are injured : but they doe alfo rob,pill and 
 j>oll them , ftiipping them of all they have, and fo doe not re* 
 lieve*,but make Labors. 
 
 Againe, on the other fide, L a^arw in fame fort may bean 
 Embleme of Gods true Mimjiers : For La%trut had all his evilt 
 tilings in this world : So the good zndfiathfull Mimjiers of G»i 
 ni ulx undesgoe m a nifold ejflitlions, tribulations , and perfections ^ 
 
 ions, tribulations > and perfections # - , t 
 Chrifi forewarned his DijcipUs y ^ ~ J" 
 > wit, Godly and painfull Mini- MAU V 9 * 
 
 in the world , as our Saviour * 
 
 and fo their true SucccfTors, to wit. Godly and painfull 
 fters of the Word ; who find their Matters words verified in 
 themfelves , by manifold experince of tributations and perfec- 
 tions, which they mainly and chiefly fnffer at the hands of An* 
 ticbrtft ,and his Antichrijtum Prelates; as the world it felfe is able 
 tobeaie witnefle. In theKingdome of England at thisdav, 
 who are the great perfecuters, yea and the onely opprejjsrsoi Gods 
 faithful! and painfull Miniflers, and of all true ProfiJJors, but thefe 
 Lordly Prelates, who will not fufFer any one, Mimjier, or other, 
 to burrow within thtir Diocefe(\£ he doe but fmell of a Puritan, 
 as they call diem) but do firrit them out, 2nd hunt them to the 
 deatl* ( WhzjQ by the way it is cleare to all men? that have but 
 
 F 2 comniea 
 
f ommcn fenfe, that the Vrehtes (which are,and ever have been 
 (at leaft fince Anticbrifi hath been aloft ) the moft furious and 
 fiery Verfccuters of Gods good Mmifers and people, even for Reli- 
 gion lake) zxcfalfi Bishops , falfely pretending their lurisdiHion 
 from Chijl, and their Succeffim from the Apoftles. They mi^hc 
 afwell fay, that they have Authority from Chrift, and his Apojlks 
 to affliB, pcrfecute, and opprefle z\\ true fyltgion, with all the true 
 Vreacbers, and Profeffors therof, and fo prove themfeives to be 
 R lofc. 16. 2. of thofe , of whom C£r*/£ foretold his Difciples , fas ing, * T/>e/ 
 shall put you out of the Synagogues , yea, the time cometh, that whofo- 
 ever ki!lcthyeu l prill thinly that le doth God Service. And finely the 
 P relates, grounding their ufurped Authority upon Chift, which, 
 they fo exercife in afflicting and oppreffung clmjls Mimjiers and' 
 people, muft needs confequently conclude, that this their per- 
 fecution is a fpeciall part or Godsfervice. To conclude, then the 
 _ Parable; as thefe Prelates have theirgoo^ things here, andno- 
 
 $ *«*. 10, 27. thing is left them, but a * fearefull expedition of judgement and 
 fiery indignation , which shall devour; the Adversaries , lb as they 
 fhall not find a drop of *«ercy in Hell , who would not (hew a 
 crumme of mercy here, but contrariwise fhalbe tormented with 
 moiefcorching flames, thenDives, by how much their wicked- 
 nefle here exceeded his : So Gods fiithfuU Minijlers , as they 
 receive their ra7/ ffcjwgj here ( and efpe daily at the hands o£ 
 Antichriftian Prelates , whofe »w«/w« and cruelty againft them. 
 * exceedeth all other in the world) fo they flialbe fure to receiye 
 
 W ^T>W.4.g. a mo fl. ^fo^ an j unfading $ Cr^irw 0/ Gfory, which the Lor<i, 
 the Chiefe Shepheard , the righteom ludge sUall give unto them , as 
 that day t not to them onely, but fa aft thofe that lave \m Appearing. 
 
 Chap. VII. 
 
 Wherein » j/##*A *fc<tf the Prelates are no lejfe contrary to the Pra- 
 Rife of the Apoftles ( whofe Suecejjors notwithjhnding they pre~ 
 tend to be) then they are to their Doctrines •> di hath been proved. 
 
 FOr the more cleare demonftration hereof, we will con- 
 fiderthePractife of the Apoflhs in a twofold notion: 
 1. the Pra&ite of their Uimflry : 2. the PraftifC of their 
 hfe 2nd convention. Fii ft, lor their Minify : that alfo 
 we cenfider in a double refpeft ; 1 . of Doftrine. 2. of Dilci- 
 
 phne. 
 
'^PUy.A mrte of the L«RDS Bishops. 
 
 pline. Of thefe being to fpeake,we will firft confrder the Ap«~ 
 files two waves : i . as they wete Apoftles ; and 2. as they were 
 Minifters. Firft, as they were Apoftles , to fpeake in a flrift and 
 proper fence, they left no SueceiTors behind them. For as 
 Apoftles , 1. they had their immediate Calling from Chrift : 
 2. they did * fee C/?r*/2 with their bodily eyes : 3. they were * x £ or q r ^ 
 infpired immediately from Cbrtft with Apoftolicall Gifts and ' y ' 
 
 Graces of the Holy Ghoft , $ which led them into aU truth, fo . j fa .$ JZ - 
 as their judgement was infallible, they could not erre : 4. they * * 
 
 were made the Pen-men of the Scripture: 5'. They had a 
 power given them to appoint Euangelifts to attend their Apo- 
 itlefliip in the Gofpell, to fettle and mm > where the Apoftles 
 hid planted, and where they appointed them : 6. Tiiey had f ± 43 q 2 < & 
 immediate direction fro m the Holy Ghoft where to preach at ^ •' 
 fuch> or Rich a time : 7 They had their $ Com mifion inline- $jw^ 28.10 
 diately from CbvftyVthich was to preach the G<ftpdl throughout ^ - 
 
 the world , though the ^ Holy Ghojl did more particularly dif- ^ *^ # , , ., 
 pole of them to feverall Countries. Now in all thefe refpects. •" ^~ 5 
 the Apoftles 5 as Apoftles left no SueceiTors behind them. For 
 after the deceafe of Apoflies>znd fo alfo of the Emngehfts (ibme 
 whereof writ the Goipcll , and fome preached the Gofpell, 
 and did other things at the Apoftles appointment; whereof we 
 (hall have occafion to fpeake more anon ) their Office of Apo- 
 ftles and baangeliftsjccafed. So as,never Iince'chey lived,have 
 therejbeene any Apoftles ox Euangelifts > properly fo called. 
 Though in a general! notion all true Preachers of the Gofpell, 
 in afmuchas they have a Calling from God, being fent of him, 
 though mediately by the Church, may be called Apoftoli, that 
 is, fent, (as the Apoftle called Epaphrpttiitu $ A'pofiolon, the Phi* 
 lippians Apoftle., which our Englifh tranflates a Mejfenger, be- t P' n *'% 2 T- 
 cauie they had fent him to him ) as they are called in :i\Q felfe # , 
 
 fame refpect Aggeloi, * Angels, or Meftengers ; and they may be ?&**• I20 » 
 called alfo for the fame reafon Euangelifts » becaufe they are 
 Preachers of the Gofpell. But I fay, ftri&Iy and properly the 
 Apoftles onely were called Apoftles- , and the Euangelifts Euan- 
 gelifts, for the reafons afore faid. So as after t heir ceceafe, the 
 ordinary Minifters of the Word which God appointed to foe- 
 ceed them in their Miniftry , were called Paftors and Teachers, 
 as Efh. 4. 1 1 . and fomtimes Presbyters or Elders, and Overfeers, 
 or Epifcopi , fet over their feverall Congregations refpeftively 
 as aforefaidjand fomtimes t wpereta , or d(akgni i Isdinifters of $ Afl. 26". 1 6* 
 the Wordj as the ApcftU often ftvles himfelfe, q g i x .23. 
 
 So 
 
So as In the Second place we come to fpeake of the praftifc 
 ef rhe Applies y is the. y were Mimfieis of the G<Jpel, whole exam* 
 .ample aJl true Mini/leu imitating , a;e laid to be then true Sue- 
 cefjors. But belote we fpeake thereof, one Objection croflTetfi 
 usmour way j which is this. We noted before, that one pecu- 
 liar priviledge and badge of an /f^/e/propeih lo called, \vas> 
 that he-had the Holy Gbojl immediately infpired into him by 
 ■Chiifiy lb as it led him into all truth, that he could not crre in his 
 preaching, or writing of the tvordrf God. Now it is Objected, 
 *M*t. 28.20 ^^tth-epromifeof* Chrijh Sjvi'utll ' t rrjrnce, ar,d Jo of the H$ly» 
 €>bie£hon ' ^' )C flt n made to the A; ojtles. but to jIj' the Juccecding generations of 
 All their true Succcjfors to the \ nd oj the world. Upon v hich promifi 
 (but moilfalfely apply ed) the Pope doth build his Imaginary 
 Infallibility, -of a power of not erring tn tie faith. 
 A r For Anfwere hereunto briefly. Fn ft, neither the Pope, nor 
 
 £njteer~ ^ p re i ai6a j iave an y thing to doe with this promife. For they 
 
 have no Calling from Cbnji&s hath been proved; and they are 
 Antickrifts,2vA lb led b y anotherjf/'rtf , to wit ,0/" him, of wh$m 
 they have their Calling, and tha. is, of the gmt red Dragtn ; as. 
 remames vet further to be cleared Secondlv, concerning this 
 pomife ma'de immediately by chnjl to his Apujifes^hzt he would 
 be with them to the end of the trnld, and th 1 1 he Holy Ghejt should 
 lead them into- all truth : we nruftdiftinguifh between the Apo- 
 Jllt's , and all buccecditigtrue HUzifiers. Firft, this /www/? was 
 actuailv fullfiJled tothe Apoples , fo as they neither erred in 
 their preaching , nor in the ir writing of the word of God ; and the 
 fubftance of all their preacbitig ( io fane as ir is neceflary for the 
 falvation of Gods Chrucb to the end of the world ) is by them left in 
 writing to be a rule of our faith , and the ground of all holy and 
 Javing knowledge. Now then all true Mmijtcrs , fucceeding the 
 Apojlles in all ages, and alfo all true telccvers, though they nei- 
 ther receive the Holy Ghofi immediately from Chrifi as the Apo- 
 Ji/fjdidjiiorareany to expeft to receive it in that extraordinary 
 wav : yet all true behaving both Minijlers and People doe receive 
 the' Holy Ghojl. But how ? By what meanest The Apofile tells 
 $ Gal '.j. 2* us, t By the hearing of Faith preadxd; that i^by hearing theGrfpeJ 
 /i&. 1-0,44. (which is the ground of Faith )preachcd , we receive both faith-, 
 and the Holy Ghoft. Now as wc received i he Holy Ghojl h hear- 
 trig of Faith preached : So this Spirit of God doth guide m into at 
 Cd A. l Q-truth , by and according unto the Scripture. And as the Holj 
 Glwft is fas 1 may lb fay ) $ begotten in us by the Seed cf Gods 
 #•#4 Sown in qui hearts 'though properly we are fcg«tt» agam 
 
 by 
 
Chap. 6. none efthe LoiDS Bishop*. 
 
 by the Holy Ghsft) fo this Holy Ghoft is as it were, nourifhed and 
 pjreferved in us by and through the word of God , even as the 
 light of the Lamp is nouriflied by the. Ovle, or as the breath 
 goeth with the wyct? or word fpoken ; or as xht blood hath its 
 courfeinthe veins , ©r thevitaU Spirits have their Seat in the 
 heart; or as the Animal! Spirits in the brainy when they are deri- 
 ved into all the parts of the body in t he Arteries and veines, fo as 
 all the members are thereby a&uated andmoved. And as the 
 -Phiipfopher faith of natural! bodies, * A'panta trephetat tou an- * Ji r l(\ot De 
 t<M->cxo<-pir exsi : All things are nmmhd byfelfefame Suhftance, (jftu. &\n 
 whereof they are begotten, or have their beginning or beeing : So in w^' /j£ # 2» 
 ^for t i t m ay tru 1 y be laid , that as we begin Spiritually to live by the 
 Holy Ghofi through Faith by the ?r caching of the word of God -. So this 
 Holy Ghojl in the fever all graces and operations there ofiifrfferved } and 
 4t it were nourished in u> by the Qomimiall tnir*if ration of the food of 
 the fame word m our SouUy Cr in a word, the Holy Ghojl hath no 
 operation in us,either ior ;w/rn/cfe, or illumination, or c.njolation^ 
 or corroboration ot any Grace inourSoules, but in and by ,or ac- 
 cording to the word of Gad. So as bdides Gods writttn wora\ 
 there are n ) revelations of the Sprit to be expected in Gods true- 
 €huYi.h. Secondly therefore, the promife of the Holy Ghojl to 
 thrifts true Church and Children, fucceeding the Apoftks even tfr 
 the end of the world, is made good to all and every particular 
 member of Chnfls Myftical] body, whether Miniftersor Peo- 
 |>le*.fo as in the matter of their fauh, and wnatfoever appertains 
 to their privation , they are by Chrifts SptrW guided into all truths 
 being led by the rule and light of Gads word, which to t hofe that 
 are in Chrift never goes unaccompanied with the Hvly Ghoft. 
 For, even as *fb many as are led by the Spirit of God , they are the* j> fw g.j^? 
 Sons of God; So as, If any man have not the Spirit of Chrift, the fame ' ' 
 
 « none of hit : So none are led by the Spirit of God , but thofe that 
 are led by tlie word of God. And therefore as Chrifts Spirit dwells 
 in all his, fo his f Word alfo. For thefe twu are infeperable ; £ loh. i c\ p, 
 the Holy Ghoft teaching us no other things , but what we find 
 mitten in the word of Chrift. To which purpole Chrift faith, 
 Wixn $ the Spirit of Truth is come , he mil guide you into ail trwh : j fyfr^ t 6*. z »; 
 for he shad not Jpeake of himfslfe : but whatsoever he shall heare , that ' : 
 
 shall h.-Jpsal'f. Now the whole Scripture is Chrifts word : this the 
 Holy Ghoft receiving from Chrift revealed to his Apoftks, or (as 
 ChriftCdLith) t brought totheir remembrance : and the Apoftks t Iob,t* a 2& 
 eommiced thofe things to writing ( as the Holy Ghoft directed * m ^, ZOa 
 themjfor©ur both inftrtt&ion^ and rmemkancti Soast/ * any 
 
 Speaks 
 
Lord Bishops } Chap. 7 J 
 
 Sp ea^e >W according to thii word, it ti becaufe there » no Itght in them. ' 
 Whatever Spirit men bragge of , not indurciug the Law and 
 TejUmeny of the Scripture, it is vvithoui. light ,2 counterfet Spirit, a 
 lying Spirit. And ejus is that very Spirit of Antichrift, and of his; 
 irnlatts, who to advance then own Canons and Decrees , and to 
 cry up their ulurped Antichijhan Authority ,in taking upon them » 
 * Cap 1 to ^ e c * le one ^ v wfBfcfe ludgts pi matters of faith ( as * before we 
 
 ^* have noted of our frelate^ofOmt' ) as if they had the Sfirit of 
 Infallibility, and were the oneiy men ot'Gods Privy Counftlli «nd 
 the onely Privtlegiats not to erre : doe fo much deprefie,vilifie 
 and cry down the Authority and Sifficicncie of the Scripture, as if 
 + « f ^ e p ye it were 4 t dttmbe, dead, and AAmJ 2«^, having not fo much light*, 
 lite Relation in * r,as ls f f! ffi aerit t0 demonftrate it to be the word of God , but 
 ScFL 1Y * what it mult be beholden to the Authority and Tradition of the 
 tbrcuvhout prcfent Prelaticall Church tor. But 6 ye blind Guides , $ To/ke. 
 V F(d\ ir> Law, and to theTeftw.ony ; for while ye S/w% w* accoriiag to 
 '" * thii wordy but contran wile bhjpbeme the fame : it is a maniltft 
 
 t 2c/j 6 c 2 fignejthat there is neither figta nor | life in you, 
 
 j J* Come wenovv to profecute the remainder of the former 
 particulars propounded : thelecond generall whereo/is, the. 
 JPra&ile of the Apojlles, as they were Ministers of the Gofpell>* 
 whole examp.e all true Mimjiers imitating, are faid to be their- 
 true Succeflbrs. And rh it ot this Practife in regard oiDochinc y 
 to wit, in their Mimjiy of the ffW,and Sacraments. Firft for their-! 
 Doclnne, it was fouiidand iincere, the very word bfGoi, which; - 
 they preached with m diligence, and good Conlcience ,• ex- 
 horting other Mimjiers alio to the like diligence and faithfull- 
 neffe in preaching : as 2 Tim 4. 1 ,2 1 charge thee therefore before 
 God, and the Lord lefui Chnjh &cc. Preach the word, be wftant, in 
 fcajon>out cffeafen&c. Thus did the Apojllcs. But doe our Pre- 
 lates thus ? Fn It jdo rtwy preach diligently < Are their Sermons 
 any more, then 2 013 Feitivalls intheyeare < And doe they 
 preach found Doctrine < Nay as the Apoftle there faith ,^ They 
 teillnot indurcjlund dotlrine ; they neither preach it themfelves, 
 nor permit others. And iultcad of exhorting Mimjiers to be di- 
 ligent in preaching^nd teachmgthe people ,rhey flatly forbid them 
 to preach fo of en, as twice on the Sabbath, or to expound the 
 Cateehijme, for mftru&ing the People. Thus they are enemies ' 
 of Gods word, and fo of the falvxtion of Gods people. Are thefe 
 . .'' men then Succeflorsof the Apofles *. Again e,ior the twoSacr d- 
 & l C<?Ml- 2 3 ments,x\\t ///^/aadmimftred them duly according ro * Chrijts 
 infiuutton, not yai'ving one title from it,- they neither detracted 
 J - . an^ 
 
Chap. ?* none of the LoRDS Bishop 
 
 any thing from it , nor added ought of their own invemtkti?l 
 Kovv doth the Preiaticall Catholic ie Churchy ( wherein that of 
 England, and of Rome are both one and the fame \ and doe profejje one 
 and the fame faith and Religion, as our great Prelate faith ; nored 
 before )thus ? Now t\emes detractions and additions, we all know. 
 But what hath the PreUticall Church of } ngland done in this 
 kind? 1 . Doe they not detraft. both from Chrtjh injlitution, and 
 from the dignity of the Sacraments, while they let dumb Pnefls, 
 no better then Majfe-Priejis, to adminiRer i Doethey not de- 
 tract from Baptifme-, while they dee as much debafe it in com- 
 jarifon of the Lords Supper, as they dee exalt this f which they 
 * call the Great Euchanji J in comparifon of that $ Do they not * Relation of thi 
 admmifter that, neere tlaeBeIfrey,or Church-door, the'luvveft Conf. £• x 3^ 
 part of the Church, as they eftimatc it : and this at the end of 
 the Ghancel, their highefi'part of the Church i Secondly, do 
 they not alter chrifls injlitution by adding to the Sacraments oi 
 their ownfi per slit tons inventions £ Doe they not addc an empty 
 2n£a'e'ijfigneof tbeOofje to Baptifme , the o million whereof is 
 -no Jeffe fa'einous, then of Baptifme u felfe * And have they not 
 added a long Forme of Liturgieto the administration of both 
 the Sacraments «f Have they not altered the Table for the Lor 4s 
 Supper , into an Altar -for a furifice, which is alfo as great a dew- 
 Ration from thefuftciencie ofChriJis onely faerifiee on the Creffe^ 
 as it is an alteration , yea and an annihilation of this Sacrament, 
 which is to be adminittred as zfttpper-, on a table, not as zfacri- 
 ^c^on an Altar. And this they doe alfo, in impoiing a necefiky. 
 of kneeeling at the receiving of the Sacrament, whereby they 
 overthrow the nature of a Supper. To omit their neceflity Of 
 private Baptifinejnd of carrying cheir Heft to a man on his <Wfc 
 fe£j would they not alfo of t late yeares have brought againe ^.^ *« £> r ; 
 into the Church of England the other $ Sacraments of the Rgmish Qoofins JBsoJte 
 Church , that fo the Church of England and ofRgme might in no- ^/Private De- 
 thing be unlike in their pratlife, as they are not in prof ejfwn , as' vot i ons or * 
 our laid Prelate faith : Thus are our Prelates herein Succcflbrs Canonical! 
 ohhe Apottles ? Houres t * ' 
 
 Secondjy , for the Apoftles pratlife in point of Dtfcipline. And 
 thisiseitfeerin Qrdinatien of Mini Hers , or Information and cor* 
 reBton of manner s-, or impofuion of Ceremonies. For the firft, Ordi- 
 nation of Minis! ers , we read , o (Timothies erdinatiw no leflfe by 
 the impofuion of the hands of the Presbytery, then of.'F<w//1iimfelfe. 
 Titus indeed was appointed by Paul to ordain e Elders in every 
 City in cteet (as was noted before ) but if he did this alone, 
 
 G without 
 
^•uhOttt the Presbytery, z neceffuy muft n«eds be fuppofed, which 
 
 is neither Rule nor Law in ordinary Cafes . And by the way, 
 
 vi'iether Titus and Timothy were Diocefan Bishops, as the Prelates 
 
 pretend, we (lull fee in a mere fit place. And fur Ordination 
 
 this we are lure of, that whoever have the c harge of it , Prelates 
 
 have nothing at all to doe with it , becaufe ( as is already 
 
 proved) they arc no lawfull Minifiers ofcbrijl , much lefle Sue- 
 
 ceffors of the ApoJItes. Againe,whom did the Apofiles, md Prefi 
 
 bytery ordaine Mtntjters of the word, but fuch, as were every way 
 
 qualitied with gifts md graces-f ox preaching, and the like • 'as we 
 
 fee pjefcribed in i Tim. 3. Tit. 1 * They were not like'to /ero- 
 
 hoams Prsefts , nor any of thofe , whom the Prelates doe make 
 
 ¥ Eja. f 6. 1 0, Priejls , which are * dumb dogs (as the Prophet calls them ) blind 
 
 %li 12%. watchmen, that love to Jl ep, to takg their eafe, greedy dogs, that are 
 
 never fitisfied with heaping up Living upon Living, they fill- 
 
 . themfelvcs with flrong drink*, and are good Fellows , ir t good Afi- 
 
 nijlers . Yea fuch as are truly qualified, either Prelates doe not 
 
 ordaine them : or they doe afterwards fc feeing how they prove 
 
 painfull in their Mimfiry , put them to filence , or Jujpend and 
 
 ferfecu te them , as before is noted. And againe Thirdly, The 
 
 Apofiles , and Presbyters in their time, Qrdayned none for money; 
 
 2 4?t t 8« for offering whereof $ Simon Magus was accurfed 3 - but our Pre- 
 
 lates Qr dame tag and rag for money , fo as the ordinary Fees. 
 
 Come to 3 ,4, f , or <5 pounds. So as in poiat of Ordwation how 
 
 doe our Prelates prove themfelves to be^SucceiTors of the Apo- 
 
 files i And laftly , the Apofiles and their loffifullfuceeflors Ordained 
 
 none,but lawfull Mimjters of the Gofpell : but our Prelates do 
 
 ordaine a new Order of PrieJ?/,bringing in,and fetting up a new 
 
 Priefthood, which is AntichnJHan , not havingany/otfjfckttowiiv 
 
 the Scripture. Prelates therefore in Qtdrnatim are no Succeflors . 
 
 of the Apofiles. 
 
 Secondly, for matter of Cenfnre, or for Reformation and cor- 
 reSiancf Manners, asforinftance, in the Cenfure of Excemmuns* 
 cation t thc Apojlles, though as Apoftlet, they might doe ofthem- 
 ielves,yetas Ministers they did it uot, but with the whole Cm- 
 gregation* or elle the Congregation with the Presbyters; as we fee 
 1 O*. ?- 3 . 4> ?• Infomuch, as even Prelates themfelves , after 
 they fidt had tdkm footings as being the t ime of their lnnocency- 
 {asImay£ay)obfervedthisOrder. So as Cypnan y who lived 
 ibout 2i0. yea/es after Chriffs nativity , would doe nothing in, 
 ihis ki nd, without the confeat bothoftkeP^jty/^and people* 
 Tf to laiied dm.ig die ic. Perficutiow :but Piaseand Projpertty 
 
 Succeed :i\ 
 
Cnap.7. ww of the Lords Bisfopi. 
 
 Succeding,it degenerated into that height of Tyranny bS degrees* 
 to which we fee it arrived at this day. Secondly, Excommuni* 
 cation was for weighty Caules,asin the fame place; and i Ti'w- 
 IViO. The Apoftles had no Prelates Courts, ©r Confiftories, where 
 thev did privately bs themfelveS > or by a dumb Prieft Excom- 
 tnunicatt for every trifle , and efpecially For the leaft breach of a 
 Canon, and the like (as we noted before) but the Confiftory was 
 the whole Congregation folemnly aflembfed , where no Cenfure 
 wasimpofedj but for great offences, and thofe breaches of Gods 
 Laws, and of thrifts Ordinance. Nor were thofe Ctnfures re- 
 imtted, but it) and by the whole Congregation, after publick/i- 
 tisfaflion given by the offender to the offended. Whereas our Pre- 
 Utes t in all j doe quite contrary, abfihing alfo great offenders for 
 2 fee, without any "Agnes of Repentance, much le(Te fruits of In- 
 formation , and fatisfallion made to the Congregation offended. 
 Whereas the Aposlles abjbhed none, before the Congregation was 
 fivflfatisfied by , and (opacified towards the offender; as 2 Tim. 2 . 
 i o. Do our Prelates thus '. No fuch thing. Therfore no Sue- 
 <tR6r o f the Aposiks. 
 
 Thirdly j foi Impofnion of Ceremonies in the ieorsh*p of God, 
 the Apoilles were fo fane from laying ?xss fuchyoake, upon C/w* 
 #*<roj necks, or any fuch fnares for their/<w, as they did utterly 
 condemne all btimauc Rites and Ordinances what foe ver in Goat 
 fervice, laying alfo a fpeciall charge upon Christians not to put 
 their neckj under fuch j<m%j , unfefTe thereby they would re- 
 nounce lejiu Chrisl for their onely King, and Lorti over their 
 Ow/wewwand Souksin all matters of faith t and the worship $f 
 <Zod. In one Chapter (C0H0JJ.2.) the v4/>0#/<r beats tbem all 
 ilown, whether they be old /ejri/fc Ordinances { now abolifhed 
 •under the Gofpell ) or of mans devifing, and impofing. Firft, for - * 
 
 J<?it>zjfc Ceremonies, he faith,they are * Shadows, which now upon ^Ir 1q»i?+ 
 the ^^/> ofChrift are all vani(hed,and abolifhed. Secondly, all 
 •other ^s/er and Ceremonies, which are of mans devifing, hecalls ft 
 
 them f Philojophj, andvainc deectt, tr aditionsaf men, r oddments of J **t/*<>» 
 *for irorA/j not after Chrift : a £ voluntary humility, as worshiping oj r * v »*«* 
 Angels, and fo Idolatry ; <*» intrufim into things not fern in Scripture ; x 
 
 of a fleshly mind vainly puft up ; which Jeperate from the $ fcw^, $ *>' x 9' 
 Cfcrrft i /% t e^o/afe C/>riir j &4/fc, frfcrrrw fo <&*$ £A?/ out the* v ' 2 ° 4 
 handwriting of all Rich Ordinances t nay ling it to hss Crojfe, &C. So$ v «*4* 
 as now to befitbjeel ro fuch , i s to renounce Cbrifts death, a ud m ake 
 it of wow ej^« : and ffoy * per»A ^ryVib ffc# ufin&are good for nothing, v r Mf 
 fang after the Commandments and Dtftrinejtfmm i they have be* . 
 
 G 2 *mem 
 
Lord Bishops, Chap. j. 
 
 a ween sbetf of wifdome in will- tvorsJjip and humility , Mid bypocrifie • 
 in notjparing the body , and oncly ferve tofatisfie the flesh. Argu- 
 ments Sufficient to any owe , that feares God , and hopes to be 
 *>-8# faved by lefts Christ, to * Beware of being Spoyled, and made a prey 
 
 * * 1 &: (as the word (ignifieth ) of being f beguiled of (heir rtwtrd by ptck 
 
 a bondage and Slavery. Thus the Apostle fo damning all manner 
 of Rites and Ceremonies impofed on the Confcience in the wor- 
 ship of God , fo as he fhcws it to be a very Apoihcy from Cbrift, 
 of fuch as bold not the Head : with what face can our Lord Prelates 
 (the great Majler sot all manner of Superfluous and Idolatrous, 
 both Ic wish, and Heathenish, Romish and jbitizhriflan Ceremonies) 
 beare themfelves to be the Succeflbrs of the Apoflles, while not 
 onely they erect fuch Superfltions , but with all rigour impofe 
 thorn upon mens Conlcienccsas a moftinfupporcable burthen, 
 and intolerable bondage, and with all Jeverity and cruelty inflict 
 terrible punishments upon thofe, that refufe to performe the 
 Tasks of fuch Egyptian Taskmtfle rs t Or how dare they affirme, 
 that they have fuch their IwnfdiElion from Cbrift , while info 
 doing, ufurping fucha Power over mens Gonfciences , tkey 
 thruft lefus Chrift out of his Throne t But we ihall have occafion 
 to fpeake more of this hereafter. Thus we fee in the meane 
 time what kind of Vtce-Roys of Chifl , and SucccJJorsof bis Apo- 
 flles, the Prelates prove themfelves to be , in Lording over the 
 Conferences of Gods people by their Superfluous Ceremonies , and 
 Upmish I{ites. 
 
 But perhaps they will object the Apoflles determination (A&* 
 
 If.) concerning the Gentiles newly converted to Cbrift ianity,ihu, 
 
 they fliould abfline from eating of blood, and things ftrangled, 
 
 which was a MofaicaU Rjte. To which I anfwere : Firft,that the 
 
 -^ ApoRles in the $ fame place do (hew , that that bunben of Legal 
 
 ▼" ,l0# Ceremonies was removed by the death ofCbr.il, and buried in 
 
 his Grave. Secondly, they did this , in regard of the lews, 
 which dwelt among thoic Chrislians, for the time being for 
 peace-fake, untill the t Chrislian lews were better confirmed in 
 the faith and knowledge of Cbnfi. Thirdly, they did it by the 
 fpeciall direction of the ^ Holy Gbott , for the reafbnalledged. 
 
 tt *V2?# £o as that example being extraordinary, and for the time or the 
 
 Infancie of the Gofpell , it is no rule for us to follow now, 
 after fo long a fhining forth of the GofpeM. And! might 
 adde this moreover , that the Apoflles did not this alone , but 
 with the whole Congregation , the Presbyters, or Elders, and Bre« 
 firen being joyned wirh them. Whereas our PnUtes, though. 
 
 they. 
 
 $ v.it< 
 
C-hap4» neneofthe LORDS Bishops. 
 
 they confeffe that a * General! Councel hath no immediate Inflku** Con.jaga.fil 
 tiorifrom Chrijl. to determine Control erfies ; but that it was prudently 
 taken up in the Church, from the Apofiles example, At~l. j js. yet for 
 all their prudence in taking up that , which belongs not unto 
 them, they ihew themfelves very unfaithfull,whi\e they follow, 
 not t\\Q example o£ the Apofiles in determining alone, and not 
 with the v\ hole Congregation ± and therefore Chrifttans have the 
 leffe reafon to captivate their faith to Prel.uicall Decrees, either in> 
 a Generall Councel, where the Pope of Rome , and 01 Canterbury 
 are the rulers of the rofi , or ma Convocation, where the Pope of 
 Canterbury is P{ime,Primate,Metropol;tan t and All,vvho vvichouc 
 the HolyGhofi ( which is never given to any fuch Antkbriflian 
 Afftmblies ) whatever they decree in point of faith , or ocher- 
 wife, be it never fo erronious, yet they enjoyne obedience there- 
 unto by all men- as our f Prelate a ffii met h. •£ Confer pap 
 
 But he wii! not be fo eafily beacen off from his Ceremonies : 226. 227. 
 For in his $ Epijile Dedicatory he tells the Kjrg, That Ceremonies § Epift. Dedk 
 are neeejjary for the fitting out of Gods worship His Great Wnneffe pag. 1 9.20* 
 to the world that our heart ftand: right in that Service ofGoi^ to wit, 
 the inward worship. Take tbu away or b. ing it into contempt land what 
 tight ii there left to shine bejore men, that they may fee our Devotion, 
 andglorifie our Father which « in heaven. And to deale clear ely with 
 your Majeft/, thefe thoughts are they, >and no other, which have made 
 me labour fo much, as I have done, for Decency, and an Orderly Settle- 
 ment of the external! worship of God in the Church ; which cannot be 
 tvkhout fome Ceremonies, &c. For Ceremonies are the hedge , that 
 feare the Subfiance of I^eligion&c, And a great weaknejje it is, not 
 to fee tlyeftrength.which Ceremonies adde even to Religion itfilfc } 8tc. 
 So and much more the Prelate. Whence it appearech,that had 
 he not Ceremonies to garnilh his worship of God ( as he calls it the 
 world could not fee how right his heart fiands , nor yet fee h» 
 good works; .becaufe inftead ofJgood works 'perverting Chrifts word) 
 he puts his Devotion , and his Devotionfands in his Ceremonies $. 
 which he faith muft not be too few, for then they leave his Service 
 tiahed , and therforetoavoydthathemuit,havebotha£«r^//c£, 
 and Hoed, and Cope, to cover that nakedneffe. So as all his light is 
 in his External! worship shining forth in his brave Garbe of Cere- 
 monitSi as that of the Pharijes in their broad Philatleries. So as 
 without this , men (in truth) could not fo eafily fee the pride> 
 vanity, Superflition, and hyprcrifie f which lurkethin the Prelates 
 leeart, • and bewrayeth it fel/e in his many inventions of Super fiti- 
 etu Ceremonies, the very Ideas and Idols of his profane heart. A od 
 
 indeed 
 
Lord ltijfop, €Jt!3p.7." 
 
 Meed fuch Ceremonies hedge in and fence hit Famish Religion , 
 
 while in the meane time- they hedge out the true Hehgiou. So 
 
 as it were a great weakneffe not to fee the ftrengch, which CV- 
 
 rewonies add? cr> the Prelates Religion , confirming it to be the 
 
 J^nmnh E^ltgwn, even rhe lame, which his C/7/rc/j 0/ England and 
 
 £ ^^- 385. * chat of /ty/w d< »e profeffe ( as he faith ) «o/ 4 differed fy ligion* 
 
 Sundry other paffages lie hath about his Orwwttiw in the lame 
 
 place of his Eptjlle, as that, The Ancientsr they be, the -better, &C. 
 
 which I'here omit , referring them toalaiger Anfwereand 
 
 confutation. But t bus we fe.e how eagre he is lor his Ceremonies* 
 
 as tor which he hath take»nall thepaines , and Vithout which 
 
 there can be no Decency-, or Orderly. Settlement of hh esternat 
 
 trojsbip in tbeChurch,ht meanes his Prelaticall Omrchof England* 
 
 intending an univer fall Conformity to his ^orr.tth Ceremonies , and 
 
 Altai -Servicei Otherwiie , no Decency y no Orderly Settlement. 
 
 But by his leaue, he rouft not call tms the worship of God. For 
 
 * c , Cod abhorresall fuch f trill -tvorshiv, zsauamt worship , ani 
 
 EC* lo meeve bipocricy, and thefruiteand figne of a prowd , carnal)* 
 
 Mm < **' -profane* znd unbeleeving heart. Such Succeflors of the Apofllet 
 
 *~#.l 5.9. are our p re i titJ j n p 0UK oi Ceremonies . 
 
 Laitly, for the Apoflles pratlifem their life and Converfatim\ 
 fliall 1 need to fpeake of that by wav of collation, and compa* 
 rifon with the lives and Conventions of our Lord Prelates ? Sure- 
 lv,T prefume , the Prelates will rattier ufeall their pwer and 
 jurifdt8ien to filence me in this poin t , then they will be w il- 
 Jing to be brought upon the Stage , to have their lives a&ed. 
 Yea rather then Co, they will (I am perf waded Jchufe rather to 
 make an Auricular Corf'ffion, that herein they are no Succcfibrs 
 ot' the ApofiUs of Chriji. Neither can their Lordly lurifdttt'wn, 
 and Princely Ptmpe, coniift with holineffe y with humility , with 
 contempt of the world, with denying themselves, with taking up their 
 Qrofie doyly , and fo in following the Apojlks fiefs , whereifi they 
 § Mae.iQ.22.ffl°wed Chrift. Here{like the fyh young man $ in the Gofpell) 
 thev bid Chnjl and his Apoftles Adieu ; for they have great pef- 
 feffims, goodly P daces and Manr.tr s , great honours and favour in 
 Court, great Authority and Power ; which are not fo eauly aban- 
 doned,!*) not in exchange for the fyngdeme of batven. And fa 
 I ieavc chem. 
 
 Cha?; 
 
Chap &. ^ 0/ /k Lords Bishops 
 
 Chai. VIII. 
 
 therein is sheared, bo#the Hierarchie , or Prelaticall Gbverir- 
 meat » //>e i;«? Myftery of Iniquity, and Antichriftian ; ami 
 km all P relate s are , not onely by their Pra&ife, but by their very 
 Profeflion (at Prelates} Antichrifts, 
 
 LEt no man deceive you by any meanes,, * as that the day of + 2 TJhe£l^ 
 Chriji is at band': for that day shatnot come , except there "* ? 
 
 come a failing awayfirji , and that man.of Sinne be revealed, 
 the Sonne of Perdition , toho oppofeeh and exalteth himfelfe 
 above all thai is called God , or that it worshiped :■ So that he, asGod'i 
 Jitteth in the Temple of Go&, i hewing himfelfe thai he u God. Andi 
 note ye know what wttJiboldetb> that be might be revealed in bis time. 
 For the Myftery of Iniquity doc h already ***%- onely he who not&- 
 kttetb, Will let, untill he be fallen out of the way ; And then jbaH tba* 
 vkkcdhe reveakd t &cc. 2 Theflf. 2 . l , &c t 
 
 lcisnotmypurpofehere to enter into a large HiAoricall 
 difcourfe, how by degrees in fucceflnve Ages this Myftery of 
 Iniquity had its hrft fpnng and growth, untill it came to its full 
 ripenefle. That will require aiai ge Treatife , which many o- 
 thers have done to our hand. But according to the bufineffe 
 in hand, I will only fpeakeof thefe words fo farre /brth , as 
 they fet forth unto us , the nature and condition of the Prelates, 
 *he maine Subject ef our prefent Queftion. And for method 
 lake , we wilirefolvc thefe words in to thefe particular Propr- 
 fttims. Firft,Tfa* the Myftery oflniquity is of great Antiquity. The 
 Second, That the Prelacy* or Hierarchie if this Myftery of Iniquity. 
 The Third, That what ts Jpokenof the great Antichnft himfelfe , a 
 spoken alfi of the Body of Antichrift , the principal! members whereof 
 are the Prelates. The Fourth, That Afoftacie mtift goe before, ta 
 ftraw the way to the full Revelation of the great Antichnft , and that 
 this verjh Apofiacy waspartlyand primarily the Prelacy. I n all thefe 
 we (hall be very brief, the words needing no other explication-, 
 but the very application of them, which the Pr«/*ftf themfelves- 
 both in their profijpm and pramMfi cannotretufe to fubferibe 
 unto, 
 
 And firft, That the Myftery of Iniquity hath its Antiquity from 
 the very times of the Apoft let ;is cleare in the Text : For the Myftery* 
 *f Iniquity doth already workc^ the Apoftle yet living. Popery, ar4 
 £> the Prelacy bragge of their Antiquity. And even of the fame 
 
 Antiquity 
 
tto& Bishops Chap.?; 
 
 Ajuifiirywte the Myftery of Iniquity ; if that will doe them any 
 pleaiure. This we generally touched before in the Third 
 Chapter.. 
 
 But for tne Second,T^ the Prelacie it this Myftery oflm/juity y 
 let us a lirtle examine what is meant by this Myftery of Iniquity, 
 Thi s Myftery of Iniquity is oppofed to the Myfiery of GoAltmffe, 
 of which the //^jf/t-fpeaks, i Tim $. \6. Imqmty is oppofitfto 
 Godlttiejjt : but both Go-dlwefljand iniquity are called a Myfiery. 
 Y et m a 'different refpeci The Myfiery ofGodlmefie is lb called , 
 becaufeofitsdeepnefle, and difficulty to be underftood, buc 
 
 * I Cor. 2 • C. ky Gods * Spirit reueaUng t he fame : but the Myftery of Iniquity 
 IO# isio called , becaufe Iniquity is vailed under a pretence and 
 
 * Rev. 1 2. 8- fo ew °* Godlwijfc, by which * many are deceived , $ f*6qj| 
 2 Tb.f.z. io. PAm?s AXi not Wiveft m the bcokc of life. As Chrift; .faith, f Many 
 $ AT* ''i.'v. shall come in my Name, fijwg y lam Chrift, and shall deceive many, 
 » " ' **>' Andihusdoe all Prelates come in Chrifis Same, while the.y 
 
 pretend Chrifis Authority , and ufurpe Chrifis throne over his 
 People. And the great Armchrift. is fo called, becaufe though 
 he be ayinft Chnjt, yet he fakh, he is for Chrifi, as being Chrifis 
 Vicar ; even as Antichrifim\n the Greeke is a compound word> 
 the Prepofition Ann (ignifying both for, or infiead, and againji. 
 And fo is Antichrifi, \n pretence for Chrift, but in pratlife agatnfi 
 Chrift : and fo are all our Prelates; as (hall yet further appeare. 
 A nd this is truly and properly the Msftery of Iniquity. In which, 
 refpect the Twke , and other profeit Enemies of Chrift, and 
 Chrift jan Religion cannot come within the compafle of this 
 Myftery of Iniquity, and fo cannot be full Antichrifts, becaufe they 
 doe gumnekephak, openly, without any voile, profeflTe this Ini- 
 quity ,ct being Adversaries to Chrift. 
 
 v And for the further application of this Myfierie of Iniquity to 
 the Prelates , we come to the third Proportion : That, What h 
 • $ok£ n $f the great Antichrift himfelfe , u Jpofcen of all Prelates , di> 
 members oft ha fame Head, or at fo many mferiour Antichrifts-, though 
 gn themf elves great enough. Let us therefore fee the properties of 
 Antichrift here defcribed by the Apofile. Firfthe is called, That 
 manefSmne : And this is Antichnjl in two refpefts : x. in re- 
 foe&ofhimfei/e, as being Mraatf, proud,, covetow, amlitious t vo- 
 luptuous , and a moil malicious hater , and moft cruel perjecuter of 
 Xhe Saints and Servants of Chrift , a proper Smne of Antichrifi j 
 Theie Sinnes and Lufts are the proper Sinnes of a Prelate, and 
 common to every Prelate , and efpecially thofe of the latter 
 Stamp, fince Amkhrifi moumecTaloit , now for above 6 oo. 
 
 veares> 
 
Chap. 8. none of the L o R D S Bishops 
 
 \eares,yeaa iooo.yeares from Bo »*/<«:* 3. Secondly, Antkhfifl 
 
 is that man ef Sin, in 1 efpeft of others, as being a prime inftrii- 
 
 ment of caufing others to Sin : as by giving Indulgence, Difpen* 
 
 fation y and Liberty to men to Sin, -and by fnpprefling the means 
 
 whereby they (hould be kept from Sin. Trie Pope is notorious 
 
 for this. And our Prelates come, not farre behind him. For 
 
 they allow profane jports on the Lords da\ ,by which the 4^ Com- 
 
 mandement is broken : and that to Servants and Children. fo as 
 
 their Parents and >1 a iters may not reftraine them ,• which is a 
 
 manifeft breach of the Fife Qommandement : fo as by this means 
 
 many other Commandemtr.t s are broken in committing many y . 
 
 Smnes. Thus they both * breake the greateft Comman dements, * Matfr 
 
 and ceach n\cn fo. Agai ne inftead of fcppejfirig oi'Jports^hcs re- 
 
 jtrame and Suppi "He the Preaching of Gods «wd,whereby men 
 
 Ihould be kept frc m Sinre, and lcarne to livefiberly, righteoufiy t 
 
 and godly in this pre jent world , denying all ungodlinefie and worldly 
 
 h$s. Thus Antkhift ft that man ofSmne. 
 
 Secondly, Antichrifl is called the Son (j Perdition. For as he 
 is that man ofSinne : fo by confequence he is that Son of Perdition 
 a-nd that in both the foresaid reipects, as of Sinning, fo of Pe- 
 lifhing *. for as he loth Sins bimfelfe,anid caujes others to Sin ; fo he 
 both pirisheth himfelfe, and caufeth others to perish, as 2 Theft. 
 2. 10. And this is proper to the Pope in the riilt place , whole 
 neceflity of perifhingisYuch, that himfelfe confeffeth an im- 
 po'lib-ility of amendment. As is noted of Adrian 6. whofaid, 
 * Thrt the condition of Popes Wdi mifiralle , feeing it was evident, ¥ HiJl.CenciL 
 that they could not dee good, though they ds fired and ir.deavcurcd it Trid.ltb.j. 
 never fi much. And Pope ^Mdr-a-^fiapping his hand on the Ta- $ in Plating 
 ble, faid, It was impcjjible, that any one Sitting in th.it Chair e could ft/>e lives of 
 be Saved. And his own Decretallshy, That if the Pope carry with tbePepefy 
 htm millions of Soules to be tormented with the great Devil , no man 
 may reprove him. So incorrigible he is. And this is according 
 to Chrijfs faying, § That it Keaficr for a Camel to gee through the £ M^. 10.24* 
 eye of a needle, t fan for a fycb man to gee into the Kjngdome of heaven* 
 And are Prelates in any better condition i Is there anymore 
 hope- of them, then of the P*pe , that ever they can or will re- 
 pent i If they will repenc indeed,t hat they may not be the Sons 
 of perdition, either in themfelves, or alfo in others, they muft 
 get them out of the Chaire cfPeJlilence, they muft in one word, 
 abandon their Prelacie, and Prelajicall ptitcitfes. Will they doe 
 this,and fo ceafe both to Si nne themfelves, and to caufe others 
 toiin ? This were happy for them. And this mx$ the onel^ 
 
 H " "'^ vvajr; 
 
L6Yd Bishops, Chap. 8. 
 
 Wjy to free them from being the Sons of Peraition , namely by 
 cea'feing to be thofe men of Sin. But it Chryfiftomv faid of Pre- 
 lates in liis dayes , that he tvondred , if any of them could be faved; 
 then what would he have laid of the Prelates in our dayes < 
 
 Thirdly, Antichrijl is called o< antiktiimnos , that Adverfary. 
 But Jfrtf under sl pretext of being a friend ; as before is noted* 
 Thus Antichrijl is the grand Adverfary ,o r antik'imenos, oppofit, 
 or fet againft. But again ft whom i Againft Chip, againft his 
 jiwd, againft his MtnijUrs, againft his iw>/> A?, even all true pro- 
 fejhrsot the Gofpell,againit all /r^ Religion. Such is the P<?/*, 
 .and fuch are the Prelates , as their praftiies doe plainly prove, 
 and openly proclaims them to be. 
 
 And Fourthly, here is added by a Copulative , fcw u'prairv- 
 vunos, and He that exalts himfelfe ( as our Englifh renders it ) 
 Over whom i Over all tint a called God, or that a worshiped. Efi 
 fanta, Over all, or againft all (as fomc Translation harhit ) that h 
 called God. For the Prepolition e'pi may fignirie both. But for 
 Againft We have a*ntiketmenos,oppofue,and fo this we may take 
 for lifting himfelfe up over all that a called God , or that « wor*- 
 shipedi which we mayunderftand two wayes , either over all 
 Heligionfo before we noted jor over all Policy, and Ctvill Govern- 
 * Pfal. 82. tmnt t OH& Kings, and Princes and Magiftrates , who are * called 
 Gods, and over the Empermr himfelfe, who is called sebattos, 
 which is venerab!e,or tvorshipfull ; and the honour of Ceefar which . 
 is called sebasmt (as in the Text) over which this Antithrift ex- 
 alts himfelfe. Now that this is verified of the Pope, it needs no 
 proofe, as being as cleare as the Sun at noone day, and which 
 I mpudencie it felfe hath not the face to deny. But how for our 
 Prelates, how is this verirledof them * For they would feem 
 to be friends t o Kings and Princes , infomuch as they are by 
 Prpi<?«themfelves openly proclaimed to be a holy Order molt 
 Chriftian in it felfe, moll petceabk in Civil States, and raoft confo* 
 twit to Mmarchie, or the like. For anfwere w hereunto : Fir ft* 
 if the Pope their Sire be fuch an Adverfary, andfo exalted, how 
 Cat} the Palates beexcufed > feeing they are of the fame Spirit y 
 asthe members aftuated by the Head ? Secondly,if Prelates be 
 (as their ordinary pra&ifes'doe fhe w ) Aiverfaries and oppofits ta 
 Chrift,zndto his'word, afwellasthe Pope is (as before is noted) 
 kow can their Hierarchie be faid to be either molt Chriftian in 
 it felfe, or mod peaceable to Civil States, or moft confonant to Mo« 
 mrchie * Can fuch an Hierarchie be moft Chriftian, which, is moll 
 Jlmkhriftwi i Or can ic be peaceable for a Civil State , th at pro- 
 ~ feffetfe 
 
'USp.H; ™** °j the Lords vtsffs. 
 
 fefleth Chriflianity , yea and the turn Religion i to Uphold an<l 
 maintaine fuch as are moft notorim Adz erfaries to Chrift, and to 
 the Gufftel i Or can that be moft Cunfonant to a Monarchy (pro- 
 fefling to be under Cbriji the onely Monarch, on whom all 
 others depend", and to be governed by goqd and ;uft Lavves, 
 and not by a LawIefTe Tyranny) which it ielte'is an Hierarchical 
 Tyranny, and fuch as Tvrantiifethoverj0«/ttf, bodiis, an&eftatefi 
 Or can Fnlates be true Friends to Ounces, who under a falfe 
 vizard of Friendfhip labour to corrupt them by their flattery, 
 to make them forget they are men , to make them 'difaffefted 
 with thcir.go*dSubj(&s, to make them the Author* of Innovation 
 in Religion , by fuppreffing the Truth by their pubheke Edicts> 
 which tends to fill the People with difcontents, and to ftirre up 
 Sedition.and the liker Can this be fafe for Monarchie, or peaceable 
 for the Civil State, or a thing in it felfe moft chiJHm t Nor is 
 it fo onely with our prefent Prelates. Revolve all Hiftories 
 fince Antichrifis exaltation, and ye fhall rind that never any gre at 
 Trebjons have been, either agair/ft the perfins of Princes, or their 
 crvil States ( if they were but fufpected of difaffe&ion to the 
 Papacy , or fymish Religion) but either a Prelate, or fome of his 
 facHon had his finger in it. .But here it may fuflke,th3tour eves 
 have been witnejjes of the effects of Prelaiicall pranks and prafti- 
 fei* in being fo bufie and bold to bring m againe the Romiih 
 .^*gnw,3.nd after the G<Jpelhad taken fuch deep rooting. So as 
 if our -Kings ivtfdorr.e had not been the greater in compofing 
 things in a peaceable way ( as forefeeing the dangerous Confe- 
 quenecs that might have enfued > in cafe he fliould have by r 
 iirong hand gone about to have reduced that Antic triftian Go~ 
 vemment into that Kingdome, which it had now caft out God 
 knows what wofuW calamities fuch a Wane might have pro- 
 duced. But blelfed be 0k , for preventing it. 
 
 Againe. As the Pope lifts up himfelie above and againft all 
 fenperious Kmgs,zndi Princes; yea fetting his feet on their necks, 
 caufing them to hold his ftirrop , to lead his palfrey , and doe 
 fuch like Offices (as his HolineflTe Booty of 'Ceremonies, and other 
 Hiftories fliew ) tohold their Kingdomes in Fee from him, 
 and the like : and as his Cardinalls take place of Kings, his Arch" 
 prelates o{ Dukes, his Prelates oi' Lords : So out Prelates (which 
 come from them, and profeffe ftill to be tf one and the fame 
 Church with them,ofone and the fame Hierarchical! Catholtcke Churchy 
 of one and the fame Faith and Religion , as before is noted ) doe 
 Jhey *oc the like,aocording to t^cir proportion^ and degree t Doc 
 
 H 2 not 
 
not Arcl'prctates take place of Duk.es, and Prelats ot Lords i Nay, 
 doe they not let their feet upon the neck of the Kings Lavvs> 
 while chey (though as yet a£/jjrc they cannot ,yet dcfatlo they 
 doe) exempt themfelveslrom thcm,in that they by their rwivr 
 in Court, and tbratnwgs in their own Courts, lot em tie all Pre- 
 hikitiom , that they dare not peep , or fhew their Faces in the 
 Bigb-Ccmmiffcn^s the Author ol the * Apologie, and TwoSer- 
 ¥ See /&* d?°- nionsjf-or God and tb$ K*ng. hath obfei ved,though he hath pavd: 
 fnpie. Hu Epi- ^earcly r01 " ni<i /r ^ telling i Thus doe they not W-prciretbaiy 
 file to the luda highly ex dt tbtpjjetvcM above ail that is called God { as above K*r.gr 
 ts.Hn Simons *n\i Civil States) while they dare thus withdraw their necks 
 'from under i he obedience of iteirgood and juft Laws \ the 
 benefit whereof die Kings good Subje&s frxKiId enjoy in re- 
 lieving themfelves , and their natwamt Caufe from the Pre'utes 
 unjult and tyrannical! opprejfws in the lavvlefTe proceeding in 
 their Courts ) and fo fet their proud fee t upon the Kings both 
 Laws, which are the finews, andloyali People, which arethe 
 members o£ the fame Body Politick , whereof the King is the 
 Head t Do they not herein come neere their Father Pope, who> 
 trampleth upon Emperours necks , when they dare tread upon 
 £ Gen.-* . the Kings feet, zs^ihe Serpent did uyonCbrifts beck' And for 
 - *' V ■ th'u Caufe is the Hierarchic, or Antkbrifiamfme, called by the 
 A pojlle, the Myflcric of Iniquity . Yea the lvl\ fiery tes a'nomus y 
 ci LatvleJJeneJje ; for which caufe the Head of this Myflcry, to 
 wit, the Grand Amichifi, or the Pope, is called o c anomos, that 
 LaivleJJe one, which our Enghfh turnes, That viJgd. 
 
 So as here may fitly come in Antkbrifis Fi/t Title o c Snomosy 
 that LavleJJe one.' This the Pope proves himfel/e to be, as be- 
 ing fubjeft to no Laws, either cfGod,cr matt. So as (he faith) 
 -hehath all Late: folded up m the Cabinet of ha o\tn breji , as being 
 the great Oracle of the world, and the onely infallible ludge in 
 matters cfFaubi at leaft,when he Sits in Peters Chaire; . and that 
 he can difpenfe with the Apofh, and the like. But how dotrt 
 this agree with our Prelates''. Are they alfo fuch dmmi , fuch 
 Latvkffb ones , as to merit the next place to the Pope , /or the 
 Title 'of Amichrifl i Yes furely , they hold acorrefpondence 
 with their Svre, fo as in all things they doe patnfm, (hew 
 themfelves to be his Sons. Of their LaivleJfen.JJe, in regard of 
 Subjection to Princes Laws, we fpake but now. And now re- 
 maines to fliew how they are Lawkfle, in regard of Gods Laws. 
 firft> theittfterarcbie lVnot at all , nor in any thing . (as neither 
 Grounded ; fo) regulated by the £w of God, and vfChtf* but 
 * - - meerlv 
 
XhapT&T mne of the Loads 'Bishop. 
 
 meerly by their own Lawleffe Canons , which are the Laves of 
 their LawUffh Kfvgdcme. Yea, and when they lift; they have a 
 Prerogative co goe either beyond, or againft their C<w«w/,in cafe 
 theirluft rind not fcope enough. Secondly , ( asisnoted be- 
 fore J they not onely can difpenie with Gods Law, but dare and 
 doe annihilate it, and make it of no authority. Fortbeydoe 
 unmoraliqe the 4th Commandment '9 as concerning the Sabbath 
 day for Chriftians : they aWow profane Sports thereon, which Gods 
 Law hath altogether'forbidden : they forbid prcachingon that 
 day, which Gods word commandcthto Ik hoth in Jeafon -j and out of 
 Jeajon : they altogether forbid yreachwgof the Docirines of Grace, 
 which Gods word commends unto us, and commands to be 
 preached: they Sufpend the fenfe of the Article i \ of Religion 
 touching Gods free Grace, thereby giving way to the contrary 
 lirrours, which they forbid Preachers t« confute, flatly ag-iiuit 
 * Gods Ccmmandement : they difpenfe with the fift Commande- 
 mem 9 diflblving the bond of obedience m Children and Servants * Ti/. 1 .9* 
 to the Parents and M*fters t and ftripping thofe Governors of their 
 Authority over them, while thev give them liberty to Spit 9 and 
 run riot on the Lords day, and threaten all that fhail dare tu con- 
 troule them. And herein alfo,they deftroy Mans Law :;for the 
 Law of the Land no where, either allows any fj.cn profane Sports 
 on the Lords dayes, but flatly forbids them .: or forbids Parents 
 and Mafiers to reftratne their youth from fuch profanations , or 
 to u>rr<?fl them, if they offend, and will not obey their Liwfuli 
 Commands : nor much leiTe hath the Law of the Landmen any 
 fnch power and authority to any Civil Magtftr.ate y or other, to pu- 
 mfh thofe , that fhalbe brought before them , for exercinng 
 their law full authority over thofe under their charge. And we 
 all know , that the Prelate.* had the chiefe hand , not onely in 
 penning, but in publiftitag that Books for Sports on ilye Lords day* 
 which is an open proclaiming of Wane againft God, againft 
 Chrifli againft his holy Laws, againft all bolmcfje , againft our 
 Chnftian vow m Baptifme, againft the good Laws of the Land, 
 and AUs of Parliament , and againft the very bonds of all Civii 
 and N at m all Societies. And thus our Prelates Ait the moft noto- 
 rious LawlefTe men (onely excepting the Grand Ant ichrtf I, thz 
 Pope, unlefte in fome things they doe outftnp him} that ever 
 were in any Age of the world. 
 
 Further, two wayes more doe the Prelates prove themiHyes 
 to be o l i a % nomoi y thofe LawleJJe men. Asfirft, in hanging tits; 
 Keys of Scripture at their Girdle, faying , that tfo Cndit and belief* 
 
jL^tf Bishop, unapTf; 
 
 if* Scripture lo he the word of God , doth necejfarily defend upon the 
 Aiitlmuy and Tradition of the present Church, as the prime inducing 
 cwktp to tb.v bchif. This our great Prelate in his laid Book bold- 
 ly afftrmerh. and often repeatcth, laying withall, that the Scrip- 
 ture bath net light enough in itfelfe, u not Jujficient to shew arid prove 
 n fclfe to be the word of Gvd. So as :he w hole Avthowy of Serif - 
 fur*, depending upon church- ■Tradi/im>m6 Authority r is.nece£» 
 ikixh made UsHSfKk to bpifiopatt Power ,.and fo.confequently the 
 JLawofGod contained theiein, (ball not hcDivme , unlefletc 
 pleafe their gbod <Loi*titf]yps.to give their good word for- it* 
 and to make it of To much credit , by the vote of their Authority 
 and Wr adit ten ,as that men. m ay ! bekeve it to be Gods Law. Avd 
 upon this ground it is, that if the Prelates (hall pronounce the 
 fyh Conmandcment not to be Moral! for the faiiifyivg or a Se- 
 venth day, \ea t he firjl day of the weeke, for Sabbath , and t hat Ser- 
 vants , and Children ar e not bound to yceld obedience to their 
 Majhrs and Parents on that day , inCafeCiw'/or Ecclefitflicaff 
 ; Authority fhal-1 difpenfe with them to be /re* that day for their 
 JSpor// . then alj men muft be of their opinion, rhat thole C«fl- 
 • maudemetits are none of G<uk Commandements. The fecond way» 
 whereby Prelates doe fhew themfekes Laiclfjje men , is by dep- 
 riving the Scripture to be ludge in Ccmuvtrfu s ef Faith. For the 
 • laid Prelate peremptorily fan h , * / abfolvuly make a lawful! and 
 
 T JP^? , 3/'o- free Gerfer all Councel ludge of Contriver fus , by and according to 
 Scriptures. Whichf#y andaccordwg to the Scriptures'] come in by 
 the By, and are meere Cyphers. For by theie words he either 
 meanes , That By and according to the Scriptures bet abfoiutefy 
 i??dj>f j,&c # which is moft falfe : for by <md according to the Scripture 
 'fio General! Counsel H fudge ofCmcroverfies ', Neither by and accor- 
 ding to the Scriptures fattb the Prelate paver absolutely to makeaGe- 
 nerallCouncd ludge of Controversies : or els, by thefe words he 
 doth but cafta my ft before his Readers eyes to make him be- 
 keve upon the firft rebound of his words > that he makes Scrip- 
 ture the Rule , far Ginerttt Councels to determine Controversies vy* 
 Whereas he meanes no fuch thing. For elfwhere he hath fum> 
 
 £ ?#&- 1 r » ^ rv fpeeches to the comrarv : as $ The Churches Dzclaraticn cm 
 bind hi to peace , and ext email obedience j where there u not exprefo 
 letter of Scripture, and fence agreed upon. Andagaine, If there be A 
 ajealcufie or doubt of the fenjc of Scripture , a General! Councelmuft 
 judge the Drffcrence : oneiy Scripture n.ufl be the Rttle. Now if 
 Scnpturebt dtubtfull t and not chare * how can it be a rule to 
 •rh«n> t07«dge ; by < *R\lx if Serif tmtefuffciwtly da\dabimn» 
 
 dantljt 
 
Chap.?. tione of the L ol D s Bishops*. 
 
 iantly clear* in it felfe in refolving of matters of faith for /ifo*- 
 #aow,how come men to take upon them to be Judges } But that 
 the Serif tart it felfe fhould be Judge, the Pw/*/e in no cafe, in no 
 place of his Booke will allow of that : Owely he confefleth, 
 that the Scripture »a* Judge, but without light Sufficient : vifible, * p a „ g x gj 
 but not /ivxwg, norfpeakingbut^^e Church. So as the Judge IQ ^ 
 he makes upon the matter both blind, and dead, and </«*»£. As 
 the $ Papifts make it a daad letter , and Lr<fcfc» or Lejbian fyle, ^ Ligbius. 
 that fo they may fet the Church above it , to be Supreme Judge, ^ofm. de ex- 
 Thus our Pre fates (if they will allow their Primate to fpeake preJJoDeiYerhe 
 for them )have made the Scripture , and fo Gwfc word of no /4«- 
 aborj/yin and of it felfe , when it mult depend both for its Au- 
 thority, and Scnfi upon the Church and that the PreliticaU Church, 
 or that Catholhk?, wherein the Church Preiattcall of England, and. 
 ©fi^m^are one and the Sanie. Are not the Prelates then, next; 
 after the Pope, thole Laivkjfimcn., branded here by the AprfiU y 
 under the name of that LawlcRe one t 
 
 We come now to the Sixth note of Antichrifl in the Text : 
 which is : that he at God fitteth in the Temple ofGed, shetvp?g him- 
 felfe, that he u God. No w the ^ Temple of God, prope rl y, accor • 
 ding to the New Teftament ( the ancient Temple of the Jeivs being $ j Cor. 3.16V 
 Mbolishcd ) is the Sortie and Conference of every beleevtr : or true 17. (St 6. 1 o,,. 
 Chriftian, namely a Spirttuall temple. Kow all that beare but 2Cor.6,i6> 
 thebearename o't Cbriftiam, as Papifts doe, doe alfo participate 
 of the bare Name of. (iich , as are the trtte Temples : and fo in 
 that refpeel, Antichrifl is faid to jit in, or upon or over the Temple of 
 God.Forjtfttwg, argues a Seat, Chatre, or Throne, which Antiehnft 
 lets up in the Soulesznd Confidences of all Papifts , Sitting and 
 raigningzs *£wg over them mall matters of fmh. So as thus he 
 makes himfelfe zSpiritualt Lord,o\- King over them. And thus 
 by Antiehrifts fitting is underftood his *aingni»g f zsihz Scripture 
 dothoftenufethisTerme : as J{evel. 17. i. 3. if. and i#. 7. 
 And fo in other places of Scripture, by fitting, is underftood 
 ¥Aigning y zs Heb. 1.13. i.f(ev. 1. 13. Now that the Pope doth 
 thus fet up his throne,&nd fit and raigne in the Conferences of men, 
 Who are the Subjects and "vaflalls of his SptruuaU Kingdome? 
 fcimfelfe cannot, will not deny. Aad he fits, as God, that is, af- 
 fumes and exercifes that power and authority over the Confidence, 
 which appertaines to God, to Chrift alone. And thus he makes 
 fiiew, thatheisGW, as to whom God hath committed all his 
 Voim and authority unto. As the Pope calls him felfe Vice- God, 
 Chrsfs Vicar, and the like, ufurping whatever Ticks of Po&*r- 
 
 Qhri$ 
 
Lord Eiibepri ChapX' 
 
 CJjrifl hath in the Scripture-, . as we read of Leo t o, in the Coined 
 oj La/era*, calling himfelre the Lyonvf the Tribe of ludJj, and the 
 like. And Bcl/armine blufiieth not to fay> and therein to Blaf- 
 Pheme > th.it whatsoever a attributed to Chrtjl m the Scripture , » 
 communicated, to /.« Vicar , the Pope. And thus is fullrilled that, 
 ^ which C/>vi/Mbretoldi * Many shall ceme in my Same, faying, I 
 M.tf. *4"jT' am, or I am Chriji , and shall decttre many. Thus for the Pope, that 
 . r 'V W4W f$ mn€ > t W Swe p/ Perdition, who ovpcj, th and vx.iltt th litn- 
 
 Lul^.Zl . 5- fife .Above all that u called God,or that H worshiped^ that LawUjJc one, 
 that di God fits in the Temple of God, shewing himfelfe, that he h Gock 
 Now lor our Prelates, arc they not herein alio, as m all the reft* 
 at leait petty Gods Sttmg 'in the Temple of God , (hewing them- 
 felvs to be to mans Gods ? As For their materiall Princely Thrones 
 in material Temples , the> have them let up in great State. But 
 this is nothing 'to that Tonne , which they have let up , 
 and wherein they fit and raigne , over the Confcienccs and Soulti 
 or Gods people ■ their multitude of Canons and Ceremonies being 
 fomanv L<m'jby which they rule over them , and fo many 
 bonds or Chaines , wherebv'they hold them in Spirit uall bon~ 
 dage. And thus they fit alio <n God, in the Ttmple o/GW,(hcwing 
 themfelves to be God, in laving they are Chnfls Vice- Roys, and 
 the Apojlles SucctJJurs , having '/Authority ft am Chriji to exercifi 
 that then lunjdiilton and Power over Gods People, who are the 
 Lvwg Temples of the living God. Thus we lee all along, how 
 this ArmyofPrtefs (as Gregory and others call them ) tkeP/r- 
 lates, do iollow their Captain and King Anttchnjl flep by ftep, in 
 all his properties here defcribed by the Apoflk. 
 
 The laft thing we propounded hereto fpeake of, is, That 
 A poft act e mu(t goe before to ftrcw the way , to the jullrevealatwn of 
 the Myftery of b.tquity , and fo of Antichnjl , which Apojlacie was 
 partly and primarily the Prehcte. I fav, partly and primarily. For 
 fartly the removallof ihc Imperial! Scat , from i\cme tc Conjlan- 
 tinople by Conjlantmc , and partly the decaying and di clyning of the 
 Umpire , and partly the defection of fundry Kingdom:; from the 
 Empire , made way for Antxhrijls greatneiTe, to which he grew 
 not but bv .degrees, and that through many Ages Yet the prime 
 foundation bi his Babylonian Tower wasiaydin the Apojiles own 
 times, they labouring to hinder it all they could, but not pre* 
 vailing herein, they preached and writ againft it, and io fore* 
 warned Gods people to beware of it. And this foundation fo long 
 agoe begun to be layd , was the Prtlacie , or rather the Spine 
 ef Prelaw, which had a time ofwcrkjng even while die Afoftlea 
 
 lived* 
 
Chap.S. tone of the LoRiS Bishop, 
 
 lived > and became to be as it were an Embrio or little WUffel 
 but did not receice the forme of a body, till af terwards, and w &s 
 long a growing up , untiil it came to the full flame. Now (I 
 fayjthejf hit of Prelacie was the very beginning of the Apoftacie t 
 which was Anticbrifts way-maker. 
 
 But how doth it appcare,that this# iritof the Prelacie began 
 to work? in the Apoftles dayes * And then fecondly } how will ic 
 appeare , that this jpint of the Prelacy was and is an Apoftaeie t 
 Foranfwere : Fn it, that the Prelacie began to get life in the 
 Apoftles time , ft is ma miftft by fundry pi aces 01 Scripture. As 
 2 Cor. 1 1. 20. Ye fuffcr (faith the Apoftltio the Corinthians) if 
 * man bring you into bondage, if a man devour eyou , if a man take of 
 youyifaman exalt hmiftlfe, if a mmftmteyouon 1 h face. Now the 
 Apoftie meanes here of thofe immediately mentioned before, 
 40 wit , falfe Miniflers , whom he ctihfalfe Apoftles , deceitful? 
 W*k. r * transforming them ft Ives into the ApofiUs ofChrift, v. 1 J . 1 f . 
 Thefe ( as young Prelates) would be Apoflolicllmen ; andthey 
 have the qualities of Prelates , they Capttvate Gods People (as be- 
 fore) they devoure, take, exalt themfehes, fmite^ juft prelat e~\ikc f 
 And for brevity ( to omit fundry other places j we find one 
 pretty briske Prelaticall man in 3 lob. 9. 10. his Name wasDw- 
 trephes , and he did beare himfelfe according to his Name , as 
 one oilupitcrs nurflings : his qualities are thefe : 1 . He loveth t* 
 hive the preeminence. 2. he receweth not the Apoftles ,and brethren : 
 3 . he prate th againflthem with maliciom words : 4. lie neither recei* 
 veth the brethren, and f or biddeth them that Wfttld ; c . he cafteth them 
 -out of the Church. Loe here a pretty well grown Prelatica/J Child* 
 a pregnant- Sparke to make a Lord Prelate of. For all His Pro- 
 perties are proper to a Prelate : for a Prelate, firft, loves the pree- 
 minence : 2. though he pretend to Succeed the Apoftles , yet his 
 deeds fhew, that he bates both their Doflrine, and Example, per- 
 fecuting them in their true Sncccjjors ; 3 . he received not the bre- 
 thren : yea 4. he fo hates the very name of holy brethren, that he 
 forbids aU men to receive them : and f. he caflethtbem out of the 
 Chrtrchybe playes fy gib tvitb his tlxmderbolt of Excommunication. I 
 might infift more, and inlarge all thefe particulars: but this 
 may fu&ce to (hew , that the Spirit of the Prelacie was ftirring 
 in the tvombe of the C/>nrc6,even while the Apoftles lived. 
 
 Nuvv for the Second , it is no lefle true , that the Spirit of 
 the Prelacy was and is an Apoftacy from Cbrift. This firft ap- 
 peares by the Apoftles former words of falling away firft, which 
 made way for Anticbiift. And this began m the Preksi* ; fot 
 
 I the 
 
i-wa msuopr y cnap .& 
 
 the Prefcy is the fating up of a new Church , a ™»# Kingdome, 
 
 f ruining ChnjU heavenly iiingdomc into an <w.'/j/y , and the Spirt- 
 
 ttuHinto a carnally and the t\ingdomc of Grace, into aKtngdomt of 
 
 terrene g!*ry> aud the Church militant into a Ohmab malignant and 
 
 triumphant ( as before is noted ) and the * r»c Catholicise dxtrch 
 
 which we beleeve ro confift of all the £/t# onely, Chnjh Iwmg 
 
 members ) into a new Catholic!^ m'fible Cburcbot'ril nommali Qbn* 
 
 Jlians, tagge and ragge, Paoijis and others : and in a word, the 
 
 Church of Chriji into the Church and Synagogue of Antichnft. Is 
 
 not here then afearefull Apoftacie , and falling from Cfcri/?? 
 
 Time calls me off, and therefore I rauft be very briefe. I will 
 
 adde therefore but one place more for the proofeof tkis, That 
 
 Prelacy k Apoftacy from Chriji. It is in i lob. 2 . 1 8. Little children, 
 
 U n the lajl time, and as ye have heard that Ajitichrift shall come, ivtn 
 
 now are there many Amichrifts , whereby we know that it is the laft 
 
 time. They went out from ui ; hut they were not ofut: for if they had 
 
 teen ofut, they would no doubt have continued with us : but they went 
 
 out, that they might be made mamfeji, that they were not all of us. 
 
 Loe, here js an Apoftacie , and it is of certaine Anticbrifts, that 
 
 t were then iprung up»even many Anticbrifts. But how dorh this 
 
 i concerne our Prelates t Let us looke but a little lower, and as 
 
 before we found them wrapped in the Swadling Clouts of 
 
 the Myjiery of Iniquity t So here we lhall behold them in the 
 
 very robes of Antichnft. For v. 22 . Who is alyar, but he that deny 
 
 <eth, that lejus is the Chriji ; He & Antichnft ,&c. Now what is it 
 
 to deny lefus to be the Ctyifti SureLy we muft fo take thefe words, 
 
 as we hold the An-alogte of faith, and fo , as they crofie not the 
 
 Myftery of Iniquity ', which we (hewed before to be a denying of 
 
 Chrifty under a colour of conferring him. Now then there is 1 
 
 twofold denyall ef Chriji : one in iw>r<fr,another in worlds. So the 
 
 » X& 2. i6« -Apoftle faith of fuch, +They porjefjc that they know God } but in work? 
 
 they de?iy him, being abominable and dif obedient, and unto every good 
 
 tverke reprobate. So as there is a- denyall of Chriji in deeds, cut 
 
 what it is to deny, that lefus is the Chriji i This is a point indeed 
 
 Very confide rable. To deny that lefus is the Chriji , is to deny, 
 
 that lefus is the Aminted King, Prieft and Prophet; So, as never any 
 
 tfc PA/ A? were anointed, to all thefe $ Offices. And thsrefoie Chriji was 
 
 * 7 '4)« fc& to be-$ anointed above his fellows. And for thatcaufe he is 
 
 called here, o< Knfios, The Anointed. Now then to deny that 
 
 lefus is the Cbrift > is to deny , that lefus is the oneli King , the onely 
 
 High Prieft, aud the onely Prophet of ha Church. But (to apply 
 
 Chis ) doth the Pope, and fo our Prelates, deny that lefut is thus tU 
 
 ™ y : Chriji { 
 
Chap.8. mne efihe L0HD5 llisbqi. 
 
 Cbirfi < Yes, they do. Firft, for the Pope, it is manifcft, that he 
 (knyes Jcjw to be the cnlyKwgof hit Cpurch ; becaufe himfelfc 
 takes upon him to be King over the Church, fitting as God tn tbi 
 Temple ofGod^bemng hinfilfe,th4t he ti God^s before is frewed. 
 Secondly, he not onely lets up other Higb-Prtefts in heaven, as 
 whom he makes Mediators oflnterajficn: and fo hedenyes Cbrtfts 
 Uigbpuefthoodin heaven, vvhofe Office alone it is to make inter - 
 ctjpon mtbm tte vetle, as was typed by the High Prieft, Heb, 9. 
 but the Pope a\£o rpakes himfelfe the High Prieft on Earth , in 
 forgiving of Sins, and in Sacrificing and offering up a B*eaden 
 thrift for a propitiatory Sacrifice, wherein atfo every Mafte- Prieft 
 ufurps Chrifts Prieftbood on the CroiTe. A n& Thirdly, he dfwjfffc 
 J<r/w to be the onely Prophet to teach his Church, taking Upon, him 
 to be the Sole Oracle, and unerring ludge in matters of Faith. 
 Thefe might be inlarged, but J haiten. And a word in things 
 fo cleare,is fufficient. Now for our Pre/am : Do not th^y too 
 deny, that Iefii is the Cbrtft ! Doe not they deny him to be the 
 • nly King of his Church , by their ufurping of his throne and do* 
 fntr.icn over the Confciences of Gods peopie in matters of faith 
 and Religion, by impofing their manifold Canons , andCere« 
 monies,as before is if he wed *. And Secondly, do they not deny, 
 that lefus is the onely High Prieft, while themfelves with the 
 Pope,and their falfe Prieftbood, take upon them to forgive Sins i 
 Yea and doe they not labour to come home to Home , in fecring 
 up their Altars, with their Prsefts, which muft needs have a fu- 
 table Sacrifice, fome Hop: : fo as thereby C&r*/ris denyed to be 
 the onely High Prieft , who offered up himfelfe on the Croffe 
 T)»ce for all t Thirdl y,and Laftly, doe they not deny left* to be 
 ibe onely Prophet of his Church, while themfelves ufurpethfi 
 Office of being Judges of the Srriptttte , «rad of the Controverftes 
 x>f Faith, making their Diilues to be received for Dc&rines, and 
 their determinations ( though in things erronious in the Faith ) 
 to bind all men to peace and obedience $ Which being fo: the Con - 
 cluiion is , that as the Pope is the grand Antichnft , fo Prelates 
 are fo many Antkhrifts. For ( faith the Afoftle ) Who u a- Iyer, but 
 he that denyetb, that lefui ts the Chrift } He is Antichift. And thus 
 we fee, how thefe hypocrites, who are fo Superftitioufly and 
 Jdolatroufly devout in their worfhiping of the Name J £ s u £, 
 prove themfelves notorions Antichnft s , i* denying Jefui to be ths 
 Chrift ,to be the only Kwg,?ricft and Prophet efbu Church, 
 
 I 2 CtfAft 
 
r lord Bishpt, Chap. ^ 
 
 Chat. IX. 
 
 Wbe&m the Prelates ufuaS Allegations out of the Scriptures , b} 
 them perverted, or other by them pretended, are anftvered. 
 
 A 
 
 S there hath been no Herefie> nor Hcrettcfa Co groflfe* 
 but he could alledgefome Scripture or other tonne 
 maintenance of his Herefie , it his own carrull fenfi 
 might be the Intepreter and ludge : So our Prelates > 
 though their pretended Title of lurifditlton be in fomeeleare 
 Scriptures Co exprefly condemned both by Cbriftxid his /tyo- 
 * files (as hath been fhewed) as were fufficient to confound them,, 
 
 and put them to perpetuallfilence: yet they leave no Stone 
 unturned , under which they might find but fome ttmme for 
 a baite to deceive the Simple F>sh. And therfore where they 
 find but the leaft fhadowjor appearance orrefemblancc, which 
 mayprefent to their fancy and imagination fome aery image of 
 their Hierarchie, that they let up for ail men to adore. Now let 
 i us fee whatjlarting holes they find out for themfel ves in the hoi? 
 
 j Scripture. Fu ft>they al ledge thofe Poflfiripts in the end of Pauls 
 
 i Second EpifUe toTimotby, and of that to Titui : where in the 
 
 , one ,Timothy is laid to be firjl Bishop of Eplxfis : and in the other, 
 
 Titmfirft Bishop of the Church of the Cretians. Thefe ( fay they ) 
 were Dtocejan Bishops, ordained by the Apofile. And here (fay 
 they ) we have Scripture for it. Ergo we Bishops have our Autho- 
 rity Lure Diwm 1 b both which places, I anfwere :. Firft,That 
 thofe two P^?/cnp// are no pjr< 01 Canonical! Scripture, orofths 
 holy. Text, tor fas the learr.ed Be%t haih. well obferved) they 
 were not found in che<noft ancient Greek Copies : nor yet m 
 the vulgar Latin Trarfation > no not to this das; Thefe'wera 
 additions of fome Monks , that were mad* fome hundred 
 yeares after the Apoftles. So as in Iqromes time they wee not 
 \ extant, as the Tranflation that goes in his Name can teftine, 
 
 Which hath no fuch Pojtfcnpr. Secondy , our former and anci- 
 enterEngliihTr^/kttWM, though thev have thofe Pojlfcripts, 
 yet they are put in afmall character , different from that of the 
 Text, that all men may take notice they are no part of the Text. 
 Although our AW- Innovating Prelates* of lare,have in the newer 
 lmprejfimt'm\&gzd their Pbyta8eries> in putting thofe Poffrtpts 
 in the fame full charaBer with that of the Text, that the Simple 
 might beleevethey are Caaenkall Scripture. Thirdly, Timothy 
 
 and 
 
Chap.?.* nme of the L O R D S Bishopr. 
 
 and Titus, are no where in Scripture called Btshops. Fourthly, 
 Soppofe they were fuch Btshops , as the Scriptures approve or, 
 as before is fhewed : doth it therefore follow, that they were 
 Viocejan Bishops, Lording over the Presbyters, as our Lord Prelates 
 «loc < Let them fhe w us that. But fiftly,it is cleare by Scripture, 
 •that Tmartfy and Ti>w were neither Diocefan Bishops - y nor yet 
 Bishps of a particular Congregation , fuch as the Scripture, com- 
 mends unto us. Not Dtocejan Btshops : for firft,as yet there was 
 no difributkn of Diocefe;t\m came in afterward. Andiecondlv, 
 they were not tyed to any t%efidence either Diocejan, or Parochial! . 
 And neither as yet was the Church divided inxo Parishes. Now 
 the reafon why Timothy and Tim were no fuch Bishops, is, be- 
 caufe they were * Euangelifis, whofe Office was to attend upon * 2 j, m a «£ 
 the Apojiies, and tabe fent by them now to one Church, now to- 
 another , and thar in remote Countries , and farre diftant one 
 from another, where they flayed no longer , then the Apojlles 
 thought expedient, having oceaSon to impl#ythemin other 
 places^as we may read Tit. 1.7. and 3.12. Phil. 2.19.23. 2C0K 
 8. 16. i8>i9.an'd 12.17,1.8. Col. 4-7>8. iT/^.3.2. 5*. and in 
 fundry other places. So as Timothy and T//w> and other Euange^ 
 iiftsy their Office was to rtater thofe Churches, which the 4/>o- 
 files had planted, to comfort, confirme, efabluh the &e<irfj 0/ C/?/i- 
 j?m»j wer^ converted to the /**//> 0/ C/?r*/?. So as it Timothy and 
 Xifw had been Bishops, either Diocefan, or Parochiall , then the 
 Apofle in fending them to this and that Countrey y to this and 
 that Church in ferre diftant Countries , fhould have been an Au- 
 thor of Non.nfidence,2. thing much controverted in the $ Coun- $ H*jr\ Gtoci/, 
 eel of Trent, 2vA the beft learned did maintaine, that Bgfidence of 
 Bishops-wzsdejuredivino. They were no Bishops therefore ,but 
 Euangelifis. And thus the Scripture it felfe (hews plainly, that 
 thofe forefaid Pojlfatiptszre meere forgeries , and counterfeit • 
 ftuffc .; though our Pr*/af« are glad of any fhred to patch up 
 their Pyde Motley Coat withall. 
 
 But they alledge againe for themfelves, that Titm iv<u left in 
 Creet to ordaine BistMfs tn every City. UrgpiOrdinationofMimJitri 
 belongs properly. and folely to BuhopSi For Anfwere : Is this a good 
 Argument : Tttm Ordained Minifters- in Creet : Ergo Ordination 
 of Minifters pertames to the Office of every Diccefm Biihop i But 
 they muft bring.be' ter prooie, that Tim was a Diocefan Bishop .« 
 otherwife,I deny their Argument. Secondly, Suppoic,that Tim 
 did alone ordaine : yet this being a cafe of necejpty , and in the 
 infancy of the Church , is it thcrforeto be made a Generalt Rule t 
 
 Thirdly y 
 
I ord Eislopj, Chap. 9; 
 
 Thinii i ,if they were Dicctfen Bishops, whom Titus obtained in 
 
 rverv Cirv m Crr/<*, then Titm was an Arch-iishop at leaft 5 and 
 
 no fmal! one neither, for there being an' hundred Cities in 
 
 Creet, called there lore e kjt6>npohi, the hundred-Cu Y- He. But 
 
 for Arch- bis hops our Arch- prelate con telle ih they are not lure Di+ 
 
 vino. Or els, for Tutu to ordaine fuch B7shops , as the Prtlate 
 
 meaneth he could according to ancient Cononjcf Councils ,havc 
 
 had 2 or 3 other Bishops jo* tied ft uh him. But if they had bee« 
 
 Bishops, whom he is fay d to Ordaine , the word (hould rather 
 
 have been teleiosai, or fo to Ccnf crate, then k.ataftesai, to-ordamei 
 
 becaufe a Diocefan Bishop is n©t crd.iined, but conjecrsted, as they 
 
 call it • fo as fuch a Bislvp is not an Oder , or Calling, as before 
 
 is fhewed. But to (hut up this : Ttfw was no Bishop, and ther* 
 
 fore our Prelates Argument from Ti'ui his Ordaining of AJjhi- 
 
 ^/rerj , is too vveake a foundation , to build their high Towring 
 
 Hier archie upen. 
 
 Againe, they alledge the powei that Timothy andl7/««had 
 to Geniure delinquents : Ergo Prelates Courts art iure Divine. 
 This Argument is like the former, and concluds nothing for 
 them. Nor had Timothy 2nd T/tta their Cwr/r afid CcnftjiorieSy 
 their Apparitors , and \urfuixams , {heir dumbPrtefs to fit in 
 Ow to T.xcon.mmicate, and the like. Nor were their Cerfures 
 like to thofe of cur Prelates ; a* before w-e have (hewed about 
 Usconmmmcation either for the natter, or nanner,os end. 
 
 But 77m had a Com million takipontaepidiorthosni, to /rt« 
 
 or^r //;* //?m^J //;<*) *rf wanting What then ? Ergo *'/« <*n 0$k* 
 
 0/ Prelates t ojet the Church tn Order , £7 ^drf;j yi c/j O rm>£ w* j or 
 
 * Efj'/?. Dedi.€ amtiJ > ***** wanting. As the Prelate faith in his faidBooke* 
 
 /Wo 2C* * r ^ ac ^ e nat * * /rt< ^ w ^ '^"f^" /***" Ordtrly Settlement in the 
 
 <*' I Chmch. But befides the realms aforefaid, that T*/w was no 
 
 Dtoctfin Bishop, for cur Prelates to make their pattern by '. they 
 
 muft coi.fiJer , t hat the full latitude oltlte fenie of eptdiorthosai 
 
 { winch our Englilh turnes^JJ* m Order } is, to let thole things 
 
 in Order,or in integrum refitutre, to reflore and reduce them to 
 
 their former efhte , whticin at the Hi ft they w ere ordered. 
 
 Now Tim had received his lttle firm ihe Ajoftle fcrwhatfoe- 
 
 ver he was to let in Order , which rule comprehended fuch 
 
 things as were fronting- The Apflc left it rot to Titm to doc 
 
 what he would, but c-s ego sotdiapslimtn, ?s / had appanted thee. 
 
 Thus nothing will frame well, the Scupturr will not fpeak one 
 
 gcod word for cur PreLues. 
 
 But rhev take their wires, andrlicto the RgveUtrm, where 
 
 the 
 
Chap.^. w»* of *l' e Lords Bishops. 
 
 the Bishops are called Angels , as figv. I. 2o. and 2. t 3 &c. Tfo 
 An^elof the Church of Ephejia (lay they) n'^ //>* B«Zwp , to wit, 
 the Diocefin Bishop. But tirft they muft prove that EphefuAud. . 
 a Diocefan Bishop, before they can conclude he was that Angeh 
 For every Angel-is not a Diocefin Bishop. For then All Ivhmjters- 
 being called .4wge/,i,becaufe Gods MeJJengers, fliould be Diocfan 
 'Bishops, which our Prelates cry out againit : but if they be fiilfe 
 Mmtfiersy or counterfeit Bishops, though they be Angels, yet they 
 are of thofe Angels of darkneflTe, which transforme themselves 
 into Angels of light, as the Apoftle [pzzkes , and which we men- Cor ' T *> *$ 
 tioned before. But hath Epbefits now gotten a Diocefan Bishop t *4»- 
 What's then become of all thofe Bishops oiEpbefm, whom the 
 Apofik called together,) /.&. 20. 17, 28 i Of which we -fpake 
 before. How come they now all to be moulded up into one 
 Angel t one Diocefan Bishop t But our Prelates muft bring us bet- 
 ter proofe twin Scripture 7 thenfo, for their Dice efan Bis hop, 
 unleiTe they will have him ionic Angel dropt from the Clowds, Q a { y ^ 
 And ( fakh the Apofle) if an Angel from heaven preach ether Wife, 
 then what the Scripture teacheth, let him be aecurfed. 
 
 But they imagine this Angel is the Diocefan Lord Bishop, be- 
 caufe he ftands Tingle , and alone , To the Angel of the Church of 
 Epbefui,not To the Angels, as many. But doe they no: know, that 
 it is familiar with the Scripture toufe the lingular number fot 
 the .plural t Doth not every one of the ten Cowman dements 
 run thus , Thou shah not, &c. when every Mothers Sonne is 
 meant i And why riot Cohere? Nay it is fd here: for though 
 he write as to one, v.i. yet v. 7. he concludes the Epiftle thus* 
 He that hath an ear e, let him heare what the Spirit faith to the Church' 
 <s. AndCuch is theflyle and manner of every one o-f thofe 7. 
 Bpiftles to the feven Churches : Jo as unier "tone is meant every 
 one, yea all the Churches. Now wi/1 ouzrrelatcs hence con- 
 clude , that becaufe an Angel heie is named, and that which is 
 written particularly to one , concerneth all the Churches ; that 
 therefore this Angel was the Dkcefan Bishop * purely then, he 
 mull bean Arch- bishop , as comprehending all the Churches. 
 And Co alCo muft every one of the other Angels of the Churches ; 
 •which would make a confujion. But if the Prelates were not 
 ■fclfe-blinded, they might difcerne the reafon , why *he Holy- 
 Ghoft puts an Angel for many. For *hus it holds proportion with 
 the Vilion fhewedfo John , Chap. 1. 12.20. This Villon of 
 *he Seven Starres, and Seven Candleflicks, and Seven Angels, and 
 Seven Churches, is called a Myflery, And a. Myftery is a Secret,. 
 
 whicfai 
 
Lord Wuhap] Chap. J. 
 
 ^hich Comprehends more, then is expreffed. And fo here, when 
 
 one Angel is named, we are to understand all the Angels of that 
 
 Chuuh , to whom , in the name of one, the Epijile u written z 
 
 norpnely to all -the Angels, bat to the Churche s, under the 
 
 *iame of one Angel. So as in oneare-comprehended many, for 
 
 it is a Myftery : vet one is mentioned (Chap. 2.1 . •be-caufc'I fay) 
 
 it holds proportion with the vifioji. Againe it by the Angel 
 
 here, they would have to be undedtood a Diocefan Bishop* thea 
 
 they muft prove, that this Dwefanhadi a Jawiull Calling, as 
 
 Sent of God. Otherwife he 15 no Angel, that is, no Mtjftnger, no 
 
 Angel fetu ofGcd. Or if they fay> This Angel wzsfent of God, let 
 
 them prove him to be a Diocefan Bishop. And thus they arc 
 
 brought into a Circle, and cannot tind the way-out. 
 
 Butthes alledge againe, That one here nores a»;'y, which 
 cannot be without a Diocejan Bishop. And therefore a Diocefan 
 Btskp was fee up for that end , to be a Head of unity , for the 
 confervation okOrdcr and Peace , in Schifmam remedwm , for a 
 remedy o/Schifme. lnfomuch as oor Arch-pelate{ as is before 
 noted • holds a neceflity of one Ordine Pmnm , for the unity mA 
 peace of hit CathelickeChmch. Now for anfvvere briefly (this be- 
 ing partly touched before) true it is, that one here is a myfticall 
 note of unity , foas in the Angel oi the Church of Ephefw , is 
 comprehended the whole Church ofEpbefiu, both Mimfters and 
 People. But one here doth'not fignific one Diocefan Bishop. Nei- 
 ther is one Diocefan BuLwp in a Diocefe , nor one Metropolitan in s 
 Province or Kingdome , nor on e Or dine Primm in the whole C4- 
 tbolhkf ChurchyOi neceflity to preferve unity in the Church. Tis 
 true indeed , that the Prelates netv Catholuke Church , which is 
 Prelaticall , may need fuch a Head as one Ordine Primut , to pre- 
 ferve it in unity and peace : this t?eing alio verv ufefull for the 
 inla; ging of the Tesver of Babel , for which the Prelate hath fo 
 laboured for Peace in the Church of England under the Headship of 
 his Primacy : i© as had he none to oppofe or contradict his 
 wicked praftifes, for the letting up of Popery, but all did qui- 
 etly fubirnr and con forme to his Canon, his Babylon woukl goe 
 up apace, and profper: even as * when the old tcorldtvas aHtf 
 Gen. 1 1 • oT . g faiguage , the Twer of B.tbel went up a maine , till God con- 
 f tmded their tswrk? in the divificn of tmgucs : but the tiueCa* 
 tboheke Church cf lejm Chnfi hath one Bishop of their Souler % 
 E bet ! K "kich is C/^y? ; who is that Ordine Primut, that $ unites the 
 * pr*J'-T' )y pholebcdy, every joynt, and every member, thatis, notonely 
 l& * ever) vx:vxxh: believer , but every particular Chnitian Con- 
 
 gregation 
 
nSneoftbe LORDS ''Bishops, 
 creation is knit to the whole, in and under that one Head 9 
 [And fo tnis Body groweth , and this building goeth up , not- 
 withftanding all the mouths of eontradi8ion , and of malicious 
 Sandballetsshzt feek to hinder it. Whereas it is not fo with the 
 building of Babel. Foronefmall breath ut the mouth of God m 
 his word , breached bv one poore Minifler , is able to blaft the 
 huildinOiVid therefore 'the builders cry out agamft fuch Fellows, 
 as troutlers of the Sute, and movers of Sedition. 'And they cannot 
 be in quiet, nor their building gee up , untill fuch make-bates 
 befilenced, or made out of the way. And therefore they la- 
 bour with the Prince (when chemfelves want power and LavyJ ^^ 
 to d e with fuch as Confimtwe did with Athanafm. AthanajM £ ^ ^ ^ _ . 
 \vas the onely man , that retufed to holdj Communion with » ■' *** 
 
 fort of ArianBishops ; which caufed a great gappe in that unity 
 and peace in the Church t which ConfUntine lb much dehred. 
 Well, what's the remedy? He thereupon was eafily moved to 
 fend Athanafiuf away into banishment , and then ks thought all 
 would be quiet and in peace. But by the wasfTrttth muft be locked 
 with m tbefirfi place .-otherwife what/arcc i For that a ialfe peace, 
 and the moeher of farther difcord, for the which truthis loir. 
 And even our Prelate himfelfe in his faid Booke doth often 
 harpe upon thefe two firings together,Tr«^and Peace : a good- 
 harmony, were they rightly meant,2nd that his Truth were not 
 made of a TVolfes gu^which will never agree with a firing made 
 of a Sheepsgut, as he pretends his Pra*to be. But this by the 
 way. And whereas they alledge the Prelacie to be a remedy of 
 Sehijme ( Heare v heavens, and hearken 6 earth ) is not the Prelacy 
 the grand Schifmaiickjs ? I mean, notonely in being the moft 
 bufieandufuail make-bate in all CW States, dividing Prince 
 and P«o;?/<?,but in letting up a new and falfe Catholicise Church, al- 
 together feperate from, and holding no communion with , yea 
 excluding all Reformed Churches not Prelaticall , as no members 
 of the Catholic^ ( as indeed they be not of the filfe Catholicke) 
 all Prelacie drawing to one Headot the Papacy , *nd that by a 
 neceffity of one Ordine Prw;rw> as before is noted. 
 
 But to draw to a Conclufion . The laft Allegation which I note 
 thev make,is,that S.Marke was Bishop of Alexandria. Ergo Epif- 
 copaU lurifditlion , is an Apoftolicall Tradition , and to jure divino. 
 And for "this they alledge the Teftimony of lerome where he faith, Comfit {**17& 
 At Alexandria from Marke the Evangehft , the Presbyters alwayes 
 chufmg one from among tbzm , andptacing him in a mvre eminent de- 
 gree,ca!!sd him Bisbjf. Whereupon the Prllate thus inferres. So 
 even according to S, Jerome; Bishops had it very ancient And honoura- 
 
 K hie 
 
U Dijcent in*he Churchfrom S x . Marke the Etungertft , and this 
 (faith fcrorw) *•# 4 Tradition Apoftoltcke. So the Pn/j/e.But Hrik 
 tor lerome, we nored his words before of fuch Bishops, faying, 
 They were fit up by humane prejumption, and not by divine Inftitution t 
 ■ and consequently not by Apoftobkg Tradition. For A poftolicke Tradi- 
 tion is farre from humvne prefumption^o as it is hurrianeprcfump. 
 * Eufeb. Hifl ti0n co m < lke - tnat Apoftolicke Tradition. And for S. Marks, * £-- 
 Ecdlib.'za ' cl€ f l *ft lc 'U S'oV rells us > tl ^t MtfrA? was the firft, that preached 
 ' ' > the Gojpell ( which alfo he writ ) at Alexandria. But the Story 
 foith not, fib*/ Math was Bishop of Alexandria. And the Prelate 
 muft marke , that he was an Evangelift (as alfo lereme faith J for 
 & IW, 1. 1 4, nc wrotc tne G#?/. And the Hiilory faith, he wot + a follower of 
 Peter the Apoftle. Which if true,it makes it more probal>Ie,that 
 it was that Babylon in Egypt , whence Peter wrote his Ep iftle* 
 where he faith , The Church that « at Babylon fahtteth you, \andfi 
 doth Manut my Son : then that Peter was then at fyme, which the 
 Papifts (to ma&e Peter to haye been at Bgme) are content fhould 
 be that Babylon ,from whence he writ. And if they will needs 
 have it fo , let them have it , with the whore of Babylon to boot. 
 But this by the way. But be it,that Marks was at Ahxandria,\\z 
 was there onely as an Euangelift, and to doe the Office of an Ett~ 
 «» angeliftyof which we have Spoken before : 2to£o/>hew2snor» 
 as the Prelate* would have him 5 for that we have already pro- 
 ved to be in their fenfe conde mnc 4 both by chrift , and by his 
 Apoftlejy and therfore is neither an Inftitution of Chrift , nor ay 
 Tradition Apoftolickfi. And therefore what ever the Presbyters at 
 Alexandria began to pra&ife after Marks the Euangefift ,in chufwg 
 and exalting one over them > whom they called a Bishop, w hence our 
 Prelates derive their Ancieut and Honourable defcent : fure we are* 
 they cart never prove, that ever either any ifyo/?A?delivered this 
 to Mark, or Mark? from the Apoftles to the Presbyters, to make it 
 3 Tradition Apoftolicks* Yea this is a fure and infallible Bute tn 
 Divinity, That whatever the Apoftles exprefly fet down in their Sacred 
 p/rittng, they never delivered the contrary by word of mouth. As the 
 Apofile writes to the QorintbiamSv]w& , $ As God is true y eur word 
 towards you, was not yea and nay. Now (as we have fufficiently 
 proved before)the Apoftles' &$ Chrift their Mafterj forbad themf 
 jtorbid Prelacy to others, they exercifed it not themfelves, they 
 difclaimed dominion over tbefaithofChriftimt , they brand it for 
 Antichnftian : therfore Prelaticall Iursfiitlion w»o ApoftolkkTra* 
 dithn : and fo no wry of divine Inftitution, And thus the Truth 
 and Title agreeing together, I end> as I began, Lord Bishop s t tstt 
 Wntoj tbt JL.O&D S Bisfops. 
 
 - - ^ FINI S- 
 
GOOD 
 
 COVNCEL 
 
 For The 
 
 PRESENT STATE 
 
 ENGLAND. 
 
 Call that Cottnfel onely good, which Qed him- 
 felfegiveth in his Word : and fuch is tkis Coun- 
 fel , which is here given, as being taken from 
 the mouth rf God fpeaking in his Word, 'Tis a 
 dangerous thing, and impiom too, for Men to 
 tiegleti'Gods Councci, and follow their own. This is a figne of a 
 People given up of God : As the Lord faith, * Mypooplc would + p^ g t ; frj 
 not hearken to my vo)<ce, and lfrael would none of me : So I gave them * ' *""** 
 up unto their own heaxts luft , and they talked in their own Ccunfels. x2. 
 And what's the iffue or luch Couofils ! DavidxeMs us, and that 
 with an imprecasion, $ Deftroy thou them, o God, let them fall by p r». ^ 
 their own CouneeU. And this is meant of fuch Councils efpeci- * * *j* x wi 
 ahjjj as are caken not onely without the Lord, bat againfitbe Lord. 
 Or which D^v^alfo faith, t Why doe the Heathen rage, and the + pc/* %jtf 
 people imagine avaine thing «J The Kjngsof the earth fitfhtmfeJves, * ■» * * * 
 *wi fib* f<«/eri take Councel together againji tbetwd , and againfthit $ ''' 
 C/tj/* •' Saying, La tubreake t bar bonds a f under ■> and caftamy 
 their cords from m. And what^olloweth * hie that flttet bin tbt 
 heavens shall laugh, the Lord shall have them in derifion. Then sbaH 
 bejpeake unto them in bts wrath > and vex them in before dflleafure. 
 
Good COUNCEL 
 For Godfuithfel his King, even the Lord lefbi Chift, Upon b& holy 
 hill of Sfon. This Qng hath all power in heaven and iri earth 
 given into his hand. And he hath, as a golden Scepter fweetly 
 to governe and protect his own people, [o an Iron Rod to break 
 in pieces his enemies, whenipon the Kingly Prophet concludes 
 thus, Be wife now therefore 6 ye Kings, be injlruRea ye ludges of the 
 Hearth : Serve the Lord in fear e ana trembling : Kiffe the Son, leafi 
 be be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath « kfnMed but 
 a little. And what doth more kindle Gods wrath againit a State y 
 ©r Nation ithen to Slight aad Scorn his Ccuncels,md with thofe 
 Giants of old to cmfult, and confederate , and even make Warre 
 againft the Lord and his Chrift <* 
 
 And now, 6 England, thou at t making a great preparation for. 
 
 Warre. But of whom hail thou taken Councel } Of the Lord I 
 
 From his mouth ? Haft thou ccnfttlted his Oracle, his Word ? If 
 
 g- .. not, what ever other Conncel thou takeft, or folio weft, it is but 
 
 *I ^J«-3 3 • I °> fuch, whereof David thus fpeakes > * The Lord bringctb the Conn- 
 
 **• eel of the Heathen to nought , be m.iketh the devifes of the people of 
 
 none ejft~l,and cafleth out ttie Counfels of Princes. The Councel of the 
 
 , Lor djiandeth for. ever, the thoughts of his heart to \all generations. And 
 
 $ Vm * &> 17* ^ Tbere is no Kingfaved by the m ultiiude of an Hoft , a mighty man & 
 
 not delivered by much fir ength. An Horfe is a vame thing for fifety, 
 
 neither shall he d'eltvey any by Im great firzngth. Solomon faith, By 
 
 w\c Councel thou shalt make thy Warre. And no Councel can be 
 
 Wife-, whicli is not taken of God, and much lefle, what is taken 
 
 of enemies againft God. 
 
 Of whom then doft thou take Councel for thy Warre * 
 Heare, 6 England, examine thy fel re. J know the Councel of thjn 
 f Fto* 20,5* I beartfas Solomon faith is as + deep water jvinio the bottome wiier- 
 of a vulgar eye cannot elfiiy pierce. Buc yet a man of nnder- 
 ftanding will draw it out. Butir thou wilr not ducovc; • .-.■_ is 
 thy Counfellour , certainly thy intended aftions wail L -. - ray and 
 | publifh to the world. 
 
 And therefore in the Second place > confider the Caufeof 
 thy Warre, that it be/«/?. I do not mease made feeminglyya/? 
 by fdfe colours , and pretences , but that it be really and truly jufi 
 before God an Men,Otherwife, thou haft two grand Caufes of 
 feare, that the iflue (hall not be profperous; to wit, not takiug 
 Councel firft of God for thy Wane ; iecondly >not undertaking it 
 npon ijuftCaufe or quarrell. 
 
 But ( to come a little nearer home to the point) is the Cauft 
 Juchf as it vviH beare any Confutation^ or Communion with God, 
 
for the prejem State &f England. 
 So as thou mayft with a good heart and Conscience feek unco 
 God, to maintaiue thy Caufe t And for what ever Caufe thou 
 indendeft thy Warre, or againft whom, furely the Caufe being 
 publicke, and fo concerning the whole Land.fuch a feeking of, 
 God is required, as is folemne, publicke, and univerfall. And 
 we are fure, that as yet, 6 England , thou haft not fought God 9 
 for the good Speed of this thy great and warlike preparation 
 And then, what good ifTue canft thou expeft for i \m 
 
 But thou wilt fay , how fliall I feeke Counfel and helpe of 
 Godi For this, I will propound but one example. The whole 
 Tribe of Binjamin flood up m maintenance of a moft wicked 
 and prodigious fact, as that towards the Levites Wife. He lent 
 her being dead in 12 pieces to all the Tribes of lfrael : who 
 abhorring fuch a Fact>firft fent to their Brethren the Benjamins 
 to punilh the Malefactors. They refufed. Whereupon all the. 
 Tribes affembled. And rlrit they aske Counfil of the Lord 
 which of , the Tribes , (frail goe up rirft against Benjamin. He 
 An£w ers,±udab. And though the Caufe was jufl, and God coun- 
 celled them,, yet they were expulfed with the lofle of 22 thou- 
 sand men. They confttlt God the Second time ; and that with 
 tveeping before the Lord untill even: the Lord anfwers them? 
 Goe upi yet this time alio they were beaten, and loft 1 8 tlioufand 
 men. Strange i Well they inquire of the Louche third time, 
 but in a better manner then before : for all the People of lfrael 
 affembleto'theHoufe of God, weeping and faftmg the whole 
 day untill even , and offered burnt offerings , and peace ojferings 
 before the L«rd ; and then asking the Lord, shall 1 yet againegoe to 
 battaile againfi Benjamin, or shall 1 ceafe. The Lord anfwers them 
 the third time , Goe up, for tomorrow 1 will deliver them intj thy 
 hand. Whence it is to be noted, that till this Third time, that 
 they make their peace- with God by burnt -offerings , and peace* . 
 offerings, God doth not give them an anfwere of peace, and projpe* 
 rous fuccejje. Hence then, 6 England-, take thy patterne of feeking . 
 God,and asking Counfel of Him. Firft,doe not rirft refolve with 
 thy felfe to fight, and then goe aske of God, not, whether thou 
 {halt fight, or no,butont\y, [who shallgoe up firji. For then thou 
 mayiUpeed^astheydid. Secondly, thinke it not fufficient to 
 powre forth teat a of worldly Jbrrow 'for thy ^fc0w/we,and there- 
 upon refolve to renew the battaile, for which alfo,. though they 
 had an Anfwere of God for it , yet it was without any Profnife 
 of good SuccefTe. But Thirdly, a Generall Faft muft be Pro- 
 claimed over the Land > and'aSolemne Day muft be kept in 
 
 '"^ r offering 
 
G»a councu 
 
 offering up the burnt offerings of an humble and untrite heart, and 
 feace offerings of reconciliation with Go<f through faith in C6r*/?> 
 Joyned with a thorotv Reformation of thy not or tout 5ms and fr4w£ 
 greffons^ wherewith the whole Land is burthened and <k#*i 
 "1 hen,then v I lay; and not before ( alwayes provided the Caufe 
 of Warre be known to bey«/?,as that of the Ifraelttes was againft 
 the Benjamites their Brethren ) mavft chou with a good Confci* 
 encemd lure confidence m God make thv Warre. 
 
 But what Sins are thole, which thou muft reforme * In brief, 
 thou muft (6 England) callinthofe tricked and ungodly Bookes, 
 O ders } Edifls, Declarations, wherebv the Do8rinesof Grace have 
 becnfupprcjjid, ihe Sanftification of the Sabbath cried dctvn, A4/W- 
 jhrs persecuted , and put out of their places , much innocent bhod 
 hath been fhed , efpecially ofthofe 3 banished Ciofe Pnfonerss 
 and to Summe up all in one head-Sinne, to caftout thofe,who 
 are the iname Irjhtnnmts and movers of allthefe and other ouu 
 rages in theLand*,to wit, the Prelates, who ( as the limbs of 
 Antichrijl, and fc Chrifts adverfaria ) doe of late efpecially chal- 
 
 • M*t.2o.2?« lengetneir Lordly Jurifdichon from Chrtfi alone, ¥ which not- 
 JAark. 10. 42. Withftanding he huh exprefly forbidden as heathenish , and tj~ 
 LuJ^lLZ^. renmcaU : and which his $ Apoifles branded tor Antichnfian^ 
 ± 2 T/*/T. 2. ^ tne Myftery vf Iniquity. So as till thefe ufurpers oichrijb 
 \, 7 .(3 ' Throne, be caftout, with all their Baggage and Trumpery of 
 2 lokq, 10' their Cermonses and trill'tcorshtp, befure, ^England, thoucanft 
 
 * not look toprofperin any thy undertakings , be they never fo 
 juji : for in maintaining thy Prelates , thou maintaineftopen 
 
 Warre againft C/>r*/r,and his Kingdome,and (hadft thou eyes to 
 fee it ) againft thine own Kingdome too, and the peace and prof- 
 peritj thereof. 
 
 But it wilbe alledged that thv Reverend Prelats hate a Pub* 
 lick Faft,as being Puntamcall, and confequently any fuch ^for- 
 mation, as aforefaid, as being all Puritamca'd : that their Order 
 is moft Cbrtftian, and conlbnant to Civil Government, and molt 
 agreeable with the Monarchy- and the like. And therefore,thac 
 thou art bound to defend them , yea though it be by making 
 open Warre againft all thofe, that doe withltand their Htearcby, 
 If this be thy resolution, 6 England, then know this for a certainty 
 that thou canft not long ftand : feeing thy fo maintaining of that 
 Jtntichriftian Tyranny u to wage open lYitne againft Iefus Chrift, the 
 onely K}ng ofhn Church. And therrore if rhis be the caufe and end 
 of thv warlike preparations , be fure thou fhalt not prajper in thy 
 m2\ how art thou fo Wind, as not to fe,how thy projferity muft of 
 
 . ntctjfttf 
 
for the prefent State o/EnGLAND. 
 
 ntceffity be thy ruine. For as Chrijl faith , * A Kjngdome di i ided* Mat. 1 2. 2 f. 
 agawjl it fclfe cannot Jland. And fo if the Hand which confifts or 
 two Kingdomes Under one King be divided againft it felre, and. 
 theoneKingdomedeftroy the other 3 is it not as with the £0^ 
 when the right hand cuts dffthe left ? And fhalt not thou>6 Eng- 
 land , be hereby expofed to thy falft friends , and deadly enemies 
 tcithfiut, who could not wifh a better opportunity for the effecting 
 ©f their long wiflieddefire , then to lee this goodly Hand to 
 imbrue her hands in her cwn bowels and blood i And therefore, 
 if thou haft any fuchdefigne 6 England, who could 5 who woufd 
 ccunfihnd inftigate thee unto it,but the Spirit of le^ebel of l{ome, 
 poflfeflingthy r relates , who as thofc ffiUft Prophets, bidtlxets * l Xl K &- * 2 ' 
 goe up againft Rgmvth Gilead, andprcjper. 
 
 Butit \\i\bt pretended , they are Rcbells whom rhou wilt 
 Warre againft. Wherein Rcbells < For cafting out Cf>njls cie- 
 i7;>'f/,thofe Antkhriftian ufmperj the Prelates { Jndeed thus thou 
 didft deale with thofe 3 above faid, as SedmouiVerfons, becaufe 
 they convinced the Prelates of their ufurped title of lurifdiBion 
 from Chrijl, wherein they did »ot in the leajl point tranjgiejfe, or 
 yetfo much as trench upon any ©f thyLavvs,DHt defended them 
 againft the Prelates. And if in fo doing any ihalbe accounted of 
 thee to be Rebells 3 certainly they which doe it not, are neither 
 good Chriftians, nor good Subjects. But if indeed thou wilt 
 Warre againft any fuch,as Rebells, let the Cafe firit be trved in 
 a faire and Judiciall way , a better then which cannot be," then 
 the prefent Parliament. ' And becaufe the Prelates are Parties, let 
 them be excluded out of the Court, till the matter be.decided. 
 For no Reafon, that Parties fhould fit as Judges, as the Prelates 
 did in the Centering of thofe former three, though they ex- 
 cepted againft them in open Court. And if [indeed by (ach a 
 faire tryall any flialbe found judicially to be Rebells againft 
 their King, then make Warre againft them, and fpare not, and 
 I could wifli to be the foremoft in the fight. But if they onely 
 ftand to defend their ancient fyghts and Liberties 2nd fhofe good 
 Laws of the Land , which as fhe Ligatures doc bind, unite, and 
 faftcn t he Head and Body, me King and his Sub/efts /oge/her : 
 and which bo/h Prince and People are bound by mutual! Ceve- 
 nant % and Sacred Oath to maintaine, kt * ha Parliament determine, 
 \vhe/her *ha# be Rebellion, or no. 
 
 Which, tillit be determined, lc/ me crave thy fatience , & 
 
 England, in a few words; and hearken *o *he Cotmfel ,/h« I fhall 
 
 give mee in Gods own Name and w»rds. And becanfe /he pre- 
 
 1 • hs$ 
 
KiOOd UOUNCEL 
 
 fent Parliament i$ the Representative Body of the whole .Stater 
 ot the Land,let me hi ft add re fie mv speech to it, now Aflfem- 
 
 * Pro.'* 4.6. klcd ip both the Houfes. Now where Gods word faith, * B/ iri/* 
 
 Ccunfci thou shah make thy Jftire : he immediately addeth, And 
 m a multitude ofCounteBei s there « Safety. And you, inoft Noble 
 Senate, are a multitude of CoimceHers, whole wifdome and Counccl is 
 requifite at this time for the making of Wane , or not, and 
 touch more , for the making of Wane againfl jour Brethren, 
 andintheven bowellsof the Land. W luch Warre if it be 
 
 * luog. 6. 3 1. f or ^ prelates HterarcbyM me fay,as he did, t If Baal be a God, 
 
 let him : lea .1 /,/• himflft. b or other wife, the nuking of fuch a 
 Warre cannot be for /*/?# ■• and therfore 1 hope a multitude of 
 Cuch&urijcflers Vvill never give their cot fent , much lefTe their 
 Ccunfel for luch a Warre. Yea becaufe as the wife Heathen 
 Statefman and Orator faid , Iniquiffima pix juflifpmo BeVo ante* 
 fonenda efi ; even an unecjuall Peace is to be preferred before a 
 jult Warre : how much more is a molt jufl and Chrijlian Peace 
 to be preferred betorc a molt unjujl and Antichrrjitan Wanes 
 Such as is-undertaken tor the maintenance of the Hierarby , 
 whichis meerlv Anticbriflian. And miferable are thofe War- 
 ners, that fight for the BeaftsKingdome, and for the Dragon 
 againft the Lambe, Je/w Chrtfl. And therefore to prevent this, 
 • hearken to Chnfts words , blcjjed *re the Peace-makers : for they 
 ikalbe called the Children of Gcd. And if any be charged of Re- 
 bellion, if it be found fo by you, let the Civil Sword of Jufticc 
 be drawn, and not the bloody Sword of Warre, by which the 
 in-.cccnt mav as foone fuffer, as the nocent. And for the better 
 making of way for Peace : let the make. bates be removed,thofe 
 Ackans of Ifrael, the troubltrs and incendiaries of all Eftates botii 
 CiZ U and Chriftian. And who are thofe but the Prelates i Solo, 
 mon faith , f Takeaway the wicked from before the King >• and bit 
 drone shalbe efiabhshed in righteoufneffe. This he compares there 
 tv.4. ) to the dteffe purged awav from the filver • which is not 
 done, bat by the fire. So this Seperation of thefe wicked from 
 the Ktr.g cannot be , but by a firor.g and a holy %ea!e. And till 
 this Stpexadonbe the things throne cannot be tftabUsbed in rigb- 
 d as ( Pro 26.20 . 1 where no wood u, there the fire goetb 
 out : So 0I ere there is no T.ile. bearer, thejlrife cetfeth And furely 
 if thefe Sycophants and Eare-wiggs were removed,* e ihould 
 neither heave oi Warre be ween Prince and People , nor feare 
 a. a iNvafion of Foreign Power. 
 
 But the PreteefiimMmtfq) are.bv the Laws of the Land 
 
 auttbortjed. 
 
for the prefent State of E tf G I A N $1 
 
 tttthorijed, and fo incorporated into the Eo.dy of the State : $6 3$ 
 *tis no eafie matter to make this Separation. 'Tis true indeed, 
 that an old inbred malignant burrow, or incorporated Wenne (as 
 lunim calls the Popedome, and Hierarchic) is not eafily removed 
 from the Body. But to yout comfort j moft Noble Phyfuians) 
 the Wenne hath of its own accord ftarted out of his placej, So 
 as it is but doling it up, that it returne not. For oflate the Pre- 
 lates have by their very claim of holding their lurijditlion from 
 Chrijl, fallen off from , and difclaimed their dependance upon 
 either Kings Prerogative, or Law. And how feverely have they 
 \n their Courts of late Cenfured thofe , that have withftood 
 this their ufurped Title,as Dr. BaJlwicke,Mr.Burton, Mr. Pryn. 
 Yea and but the other day, and within the very fmell of the 
 approaching Parliament, was not a Learned Reader in the Law 
 in the TempIe,now a member of the Parliament, inhibited and 
 fufpended from his Reading , becaufe he undertook to prove, 
 that PreUticaU lurifdiBion was not lure Divino , fey D '. vine Au- 
 thority i So as now they having withdrawn themfelves, and 
 flown off/iom under the protection of tyall Prerogative, and 
 Law , and having no one Evidence in Scripture for this their 
 Title> which they are able to produce : they lye naked and ex- 
 pofed to this prefent Parliament, quite to caJheere and abandon 
 them, and fend them with all their Pompe, Pride, Tyranny, 
 and Antichriftian Titles to Rgme, from whence, with the great 
 Amichrifty they had their firft Rife and Originall. Therfore in 
 Godi Name caft *hem out,as notorious Innovators, and enemies of # TJeTT S 
 all Laws of God and Man- for as that * o r anomos, that Lawlefle z lJ J# 2 i 
 ©ne,they"wilbe tyed to none, but tramble upon all. How have 
 they trampled on the ftntlification of the Sabbath , and the mor- 
 tality of the 4*6 Commandement , polluting it with their foule 
 Pawes *. How have they dared the Courts of Civil Juftice, 
 that no Prohibitions can be obtained for the moft innocent 
 Caufes, to fetch them off the hooks of their High Cemmifli- 
 on ? How have they trampled upon Gods *w«l,and all the Do- 
 ctrines of Grace, utterly prohibiting them to be preached, 
 without which Doctrines there can be no true Preaching < 
 How doethey trample upon all godly Minifters and People, 
 hunting them out of every hole , with their Beagles , So as 
 what a kind of Convocation is now in beeing , and what Canons 
 they will make, if they be fuffered judge you, efpecially when, 
 they have fuch a Lawleffe Pope over them, as now tfeey have. 
 Out with them therfore, out of hand, 
 ^ L ' But 
 
vwa OUUNCEL 
 
 But Tome will fay, tliey are grown potent in Court> and they 
 have a ftrong Fa&ion and' Party , fo as they are become a Noli 
 me tangere : and no fooner ftull the Parliament begin to meddle 
 with them , but they will procure a hand to knock them off 
 aridbreakeupall. 
 
 Is it fo 1 Will they do thus i It is not unlikely, becaufe they 
 have been fuch expert pra&ifioners in fuch kind of feates. For 
 all the world flialbe fet in a flame and combuttion, rather then 
 one Sparke fhall cindge their Coat. And if fo, what then? 
 Surely then, woe to thee, 6 England, never look for Parliament 
 more, but prepare thy necke for the Prelates Iron Yoake. Woe 
 to thee,6 Scotland,[vi}C2,fe thy Prelates return by a forcible reentry^ 
 which fbalbe my earnert Prayer , they may never doe. Nay I 
 hope,for all their purer and pride, their Kigdom is near ax 3n end 
 in this Jland. For Cbriji hath ftirred up all the good Peoples 
 hearts againft them,and their Tyranny. And now,moft Noble 
 Senate > Cbrifi requires , your helping hand , and unanimous 
 votes to caft them out. Which to efFett , firft let a league be 
 renewed between Cbrift and this Kingdome, by humiliation, by 
 Reformation, by purgation of the Land from all Romifh Altars, 
 Images, and other Superstitions in Churches, and from ail 
 manner of humane Inventions and Ceremonies whatfoever to 
 bind the Confcienceof any man in the fervice and worship of 
 our God, Then Secondly (the Prelates being caftieeredj ftand 
 clofTe to the King , and let him know and feele the boundlefle 
 sffeftions of his People , in their free and liberall Contributi- 
 ons , for the HecefTary maintenance of the State of the King- 
 dome. For nothing can Seperace Prince and Peoples affe&ions, 
 but Prelates, 
 
 But for conclufion abruptly, if their malice and power pre- 
 
 vailc fo farre, as to caufe an untimely and unhappy beeaking up 
 
 of this Parliament^ formerly they have done,which hath been 
 
 and is the onely caufe of all the Calamities of the Land, which, 
 
 now is drawi.ug on to titter ruine and confufion , if not at this 
 
 time through Gods mercy, by the meanes of this prefent Parlv* 
 
 amsnt prevented I now or never take heart and courage unani- 
 
 monily to doe your wemoft for the preferving both of your 
 
 King and Couatrey. And therfore before you be di(Tolved,if 
 
 you cannot attame to the efhblifhing of fo many Acts , yetac 
 
 leaftlet thefe particular Protejls be left recorded for perpetual! 
 
 memory , andaTeftmiony to all che world , to Angels and 
 
 Men, of your %tak for God, of your loyalty to your King, and of 
 
 your kvc to you* Co mure v • Fir ft > 
 
for the frefent Stale c/EWGLAmS 
 
 Fkft, Proteft agatnft the Hierarchy, as an Antichriftian Tyrant? 
 Wtr the Scutes, Bodies, and Eftatts of ati the Kings Subjects , and 
 therefore ought to be rooted out, and net fuffered in any Chriftian 
 Churchy or Common Weale, 
 
 Secondly, and confequently, Proteft againfi all Altars, Ima- 
 ges , andfuch like Popiih Idolatrous Relty** , utterly unlaw full to be 
 trefiedinany true Chriftian Church. 
 
 Thirdly, Pro! eft againfi all humane Rites and Ceremonies what* 
 joever impofed upon mens Confchnces in the worship of God , at being 
 4ll of them Antichriftian, bringing into bondage mens Soules , which 
 Chrift hath redeemed with bts precious blood , who U the onely Lord 
 of the Conftience , and the onely Law-giver to lm Church for aU mat- 
 ters of Faith, and of the worship of God. 
 
 Fourrhly, Proteft agatnft all fuch general! Taxes layd upon the 
 Subjetls^t whereby both their ancient Liberties, and the fundament all 
 Laws of the Kjngdome are overthrowne , and fo vindicate the Honour 
 bothofthe King, and ofthii noble Kingdom?, that it may not be recor* 
 ded to Poflerityfor a State of Tyranny and Slavery. 
 
 Fiftly,and confequently, Proteft agatnft aU thofe wicked ^dges, 
 tchich have in fuch wife declared their opinions for intolUrabk Taxes 
 txprejly contrary to the Laws and Liberties of the Kingdome, as there- 
 by they have given occafionfor the betraying of all , and the bringing of 
 the whole Land under per pet u.ill Slavery. 
 
 Sixtly, Proteft againfi that Prelaticall Declaration Jet forth in the 
 Kings Name before the 39 Articles , wherein thofe Articles of the 
 Doslrmes of Grace , are made voyd, and fb all preaching of them fuf- 
 freffed. 
 
 Seventhly, Proteft againfi that Bcoke fir Sports on the Lords 
 Hayes, as whereby both the fottrth Commandement , and the fifth are 
 moft dffperately overthrown : as alfo againfi all thofe Bcckes that have 
 beenfet forth for the maintaining ofjuch profanation, <a whereby God 
 is greatly dishonoured, and his wrath provoked even to the Spcwino out 
 of fuch a Naticn out of hu mouth. 
 
 Eighth, Proteft againfi all that Prelaticall Tyranny in cppreffirtg 
 the preachingpf Gods Why don thehords dayesin the afier-noone, 
 and other dayes in the week, , and their Antichrijlian ferjecyting and 
 putting out of all godly and painfull Mimfters, fuch as will not conform 
 to the}r hwlcfte Ordinances. 
 
 Ninthly, Preteft againft that moft terrible and odicus sheddingof 
 the innocent blood of thofe 3 forerr.entimcd, now perpetual! Exiles and 
 ClofJePrifomrs , even their very Wives moft lawUfly detained from 
 tbcm 3 With ail tlxir other jezere punishments, one eft hem being a M*- 
 
 l* 3 nifterf 
 
Good COUUCEL 
 
 W*/?f r, mho in discharge of bu duty firjl preached in his own ChurtTy 9 
 and then published hn Sermons in Print againfl the Prelates noto-. 
 liout pratlifes and Popish Innovations , for winch he underwent pu- 
 tiisbnunts fo great ,fi many, at no Age no Chrijiian State can parallel/; 
 jo as their blood doth inzeflantly cry againfl this whole Land , as guilty, 
 thereof ( though shed onely by the Prelates inftigatian as aforefaid ) 
 tmtiliit be purged* 
 
 Tenthly, Proteft againfl that accurfed "Booke , Relation of * 
 C onfeience, &c. published in Print , and Dedicated to the King* 
 by the now Prelate {/Canterbury , wlxrein be belyes y and Jb blaf- 
 phcmcsGod, Chrift, *fo Holy Ghoft, the /^Scriptures, the 
 Church of England y in faying it u one and the Same with that of 
 Rome , of the fame Faith and Religion with that Whore of 
 Babylon > and many fuch like impious affertions, the whole Booke 
 pofejfediy tending to reconcile England and Rome , and fo to bring 
 the whole Land backe againe to Popery. 
 
 Eleventhly 1 , lfthn great and Warlike preparation be by the Pre- 
 fates Diabohcall Infligation [ as by no other it can be, except by the 
 Pope and his lejuitev, and his Nuncio's Negotiation have alfo a hand 
 in it ) togoe againfl the Scots , and if t\x eaufe shalbc found to be na 
 other, but that they have abandoned,and Rgmaunded to Rome all their 
 Prelates, as the grand Enemies of Chrift, and his Kingdome, and of 
 the peaceable and profperot* eflate of the Realme , and confidently of, 
 the Kings Crown and Dignity - t and that they fland for the m untenan :e 
 ef their juji Laws and Liberties, the continuance whereof is the King* 
 honour, and the cflablishment of his throne: lf{ Ifay) no other caufe can 
 fujliybealledged , and yet they shalbe invaded, as Rebclts : Proteft 
 againfl aH.ayd and ajfiftance of fuch an Inv*fion t as being againfl the 
 Law ofCod,o\ Nature, and of Nations, and as being a Warre directly 
 againfl Jefus Chrift, in the maintenance of Antichnft, and his An* 
 ttchrifiian Hierarchy ; and fo fitch, as mufl needs recqyle, and that in 
 divine fury upon England V< felfe , which having burned her neigh-, 
 hours houfi ,expofetb her owne to the flames. Yea for England to In- 
 vade Scot land for no otfxrcaufi in truth, then before mentioned) 
 namely, fir their maintaining of the true Faith and Religion of Ctrifl x 
 and their jufl Lawes and Liberties , which all true Cbrifltans, and 
 Civil States ought to lay down their very lives for ; (as the light cf 
 ■Nature taught the very Heathen, Pugnare pro Aris ac focis ; and: 
 that Grecian couldfay , A c iresomaiteleutan mallon, 'e a'neleu- 
 ' t hero s^un '. I ehoofe rather to dye, a Free-man, then to live a Slave » 
 And the Monarchical! eftate, governed by good Laws, was ever prefer- 
 ted, and oppefd to Tyranny ) were to renounce and give up her own 
 
 ancient 
 
for the preftnt State of ENGLAND^ 
 ancient Liberties , and to betray, and perfe cute , and deflny the true 
 Faith and t^ltgum of Chrift , and fo jit up and profeffe the Infidelity 
 and Idolatry 0/ Antichrift , andfi with him and hn cur fed Crua, to 
 goe into perdition. The Primitive Chrijiians itnder Julian the Apt* 
 ftata, pned him in the ffarres againfi his Enemies .- but when he 
 Commanded them togie againfi Chrijhans, who refufed to worship, or 
 offer Incenfe to hu Idols, they caft down their Weapons, acknowledging 
 the Emperour of heaven. And when Saul * commanded his Servants * x Sam.iz} 
 to fall upon the Lords Priefis, none of them would doe it. And I read 
 of a Secretary to an Emprefle, who heing commanded by her to draw an 
 Editlagaingthe Chrijlians, he fill found delay es ; but at length she. 
 growing infiant upon him for it , foashe could no longer delay it , he. 
 too!$ off hu Military girdle ( the Enfigne of hkftrvke ) and cajl it at 
 herfeet,andfo difcharged himfelfe from her Court. 
 
 Thus, if you make>andieave thefe ch'ifiian, tfalom, and jufjL 
 Vrotefiations among the Recods of Parliament , in cafe it fhalbe 
 by the W4/ic^and inchantmentsol the Prelates, unhappily difTol- 
 vedjberore you can produce them into a full Aft, and eftablifli 
 them for a Law : though ocherwife ye cannot ef£& a reall /<*- 
 formitionofall the mifchiefes and maladies, which the Prelates 
 in fpeciall have filled the Land withall : yet foraf much as you, 
 have thus publiekly , both for your own perfons , and as the. 
 Body reprefentative of the whole State of the Land, folemnly 
 prptefted againft all thefe things : there is no queftion to be 
 made , but that God in his mercy and favour will accept of your 
 tvillforthedeedit&lfe, and will ftill preferve both you and. 
 .yourpoflerky, and the whole Land from definition, and will 
 find out fome other way for the rooting out of the Hierarchy i 
 according to thofe Prophefiesinthe Revelation, the fulfilling, 
 of which cannot be farre off. 
 
 Now the Lord Iefus Chrift guide and govern the. Kings heart 
 to the love of God, and of his truth, and let him clearely lee how 
 miferaby he hath been abufed by thofe notorious hypocrites, his 
 flattering and Sycophantifmg Prclates,znd Co take offand divide 
 his Noble heart from them ,that being reconciled to God in refrm~ 
 ing the manifold and horrible abufes, which the Prelates,w the 
 dishonour oCGod, and of the King, have been the Authors and 
 Inftrurnents of, and being united to his loving and loyall Peo- 
 ple's the Head to the Body, in this Body reprefentarive, the 
 Parliament: he may long raigne over this Land,and all his other 
 Kingdomesinmuch peace and projperity. And the fame Lord 
 kfui Chrift [9 unite the hearts of this Parliament unto God, and to 
 
Good C O U N C T £ 
 the King , and among themfelves , and Co guide them by the 
 wifdome of hii Spirit and Grace, that they iQTjfi*, 2nd conJult> 
 and conclude fuch > ighteout A ft s and Decrees , as may be for t he 
 honour of God , and of the King , for the advancement of Cbrifts 
 Kjngdomc,and the eftablifhment of the Kings Throne upon the 
 Pillars of good Government with jvjlice and mercy, in punishing 
 the iwt%d , and relieving the affliftedznd tppreffed lnnectnts , as 
 Z>aWm chat Pfaime penned for his Sonne Salomon , atvpe of 
 
 * Pft/ 72« Cfcri/), prayed, laying, * Give the Kjng thy judgement , 6 God t and 
 
 J ' ' thy rightcoufnefj. unto tht Kings Son. He shall judge thy people With 
 right eoujhejje^and thy poore with judgement. He shall judge the poore 
 eftlx people, he shaH have the children o\ the needy , and shall break? 
 inpieces the opprcjjors. Even as the Heathen alfo laid of the duty 
 or Kings, which was , ParcerefubjeBa, et debellare fuperbos : To 
 fpare his Subjects, and the proud beat down. And as they faid 
 otluliui Cdtfvr 3 €(eptf dando.fubhvando>igncfccnde.gloriam adeptui eft: 
 C<efar by giving, relieving, and pardoning, got himfelfe a glo- 
 rious Name. And laftly, the fame Lord Iefus Chrift, power his 
 Spirit of Grace and Supplication upon all the people of the 
 Land,that being fenfible both of their own Sins , and of the 
 Nationall Sins of the Land, as alfo of the heavy yoakeof Anti- 
 crhtft, and the burthens of Egypt, wherewith thofe Taskema- 
 fters,the Prelates, haveprefled them down", and broken their 
 backs , and made their lives bitter unto them , they may truly 
 repent and re forme their lives , and cry alowd to the Lord, as his 
 People in Egypt did aeainft their Taskmafiers , and pray incef- 
 . {antlv for the good fucccife of this Parliament , that it may be 
 
 * Cum tyh'asz 'Mofes tent of God. in the * doubling of [their Bricks ', to 
 cantur Latere*, deliver them , from the Spintu all Egvptian bondage of the 
 tunc venit Mo- p re f a tes : and davly to pray for the King" their Soveraigne, and 
 f a : ^ for his happy and truly Religious Raigne over them, that they 
 
 Xitfa.2.2. may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godlinejje and hone- 
 
 fly. ' Amen Evenfo come Lord Iefm and helpe thy poore England) 
 and thy poore People therein. Amen, J 
 
 FINIS. 
 
*~N 
 
ca 
 
 tu 
 
 p 
 
 JV-v 
 
 "r r~* fz/i 
 
 * p 
 
 m