A TRVE CONFESSI­ON OF THE FAITH, AND HVM­BLE ACKNOVVLEDGMENT OF THE ALE­geance, vvhich vvee hir Maiesties Subjects, falsely called Brovvnists, doo hould tovvards God, and yeild to hir Majestie and all other that are ouer vs in the Lord. Set dovvn in Articles or Positions, for the better & more easie vnderstanding of those that shall read yt: And published for the cleering of our selues from those vnchristian slan­ders of heresie, schisme, pryde, obstinacie, disloyaltie, sedicion, &c. vvhich by our adversaries are in all places given out against vs.

wee beleeue therfore haue we spoken. 2 Cor. 4, 13.
But, who hath beleeued our report, and vnto whom is the arme of the Lord reuealed? Isai. 53, 1.

M.D.XCVI.

To all that desire to feare, to loue, & to obey our Lord Iesus Christ, grace, wisdom and vnderstanding.

THou canst not lightly bee ignorant (gentle Reader) what evills and afflictions / for our profession and saith towards God wee haue sustcined at the hands of our owne Nation: How bytterly wee haue been / an yet are / accused / reproched and persecuted wich such mortall hatred / as yf wee were the most notorious obstinate here­ticks / and disloyall subiects to our gracious Queen Elizabeth / that are this day to bee found in all the Land. And therfore / besides the dayly ignominie wet susteine at the hands of the Preachers and Prophers of our tyme / who have given theyr tongnes the rems to spearke despightfully of vs / wee haue been further miserably entreated by the Prelats and cheef of the Clergie:They shut [...] out lyv [...] in the Dung [...] they cast a stone vpon vs La [...]. 3.53. some of vs cast into most vile and noysome prisons and dungcons / laden with yrons / and there / without all piti [...] / deteyned manie yeeres / no man remembring our af­faction: vntill our God released some of vs out of theyr cruell bands by death / as the Cities of Londō / Norwich / G [...]ocester / Bury / and manye other places if the land can testifie. Yet heere the malice of Satan stayed not it self / but raysed vp against vs a more greevous persecution / even vnto the violent death of some / and lamentable exile of vs all; [...] 159 [...]. April. 10. causing heavie decrees to come forth against vs / that wee should forsweare our own Contrey & depart / or els bee slayne therin. This have our adversaries vsed / as their last and best argument against vs / (when all other fayled) followinge the stepps of theyr bloody Prodecessors / the popish Priests and Prelats. Now therfore that the true cause of this their hostilitie & hard vsage of vs may apppecre vnto all men; wee haue at length amyds our manie doubles / through Gods favour / obteyned to publish vnto the view of the world / [...] confession of our fayth & hope in Christ / and loyal harts / to wards our Prince / the rather to stop the mouths of impious and vnreasonable men / who have not ceased some of them / both openly in their Sermons & printed pamphlets / notoriously to accuse and defame vs / as alsoo by all indirect meanes secretly to suggest the malice of their owne evill harts / therby invegling our soveraign Prince and Ru­ [...]s against vs:Gen. 4. Num. 12. that when the true state of the controversie between them and vs shalbe manifested / the christian (or but indifficent) Reader may iuge whether our adversaries haue not followed the way of Cain and a Balaam / to kill and curse vs Gods sernants without cause. For if in this our Confession appeere no matter [...]orthie such mortal immitie and persecution / then wee protest (good Reader) that / to our knowledge / they neyther haue cause nor colour of cause so to entreat vs / the nayneand entire difference betwixt their Synagogs and vs / beeing in these Ar­ [...]cles fully & wholly comprised.

An other motive inducing vs to the publication of this our testimonie / is / the ru­ [...] estate of our poore Contrymen / who remayne yet fast locked in Egipt / that [...]ous of servants / in slavish subjection to strange LLs. & lawes / enforced to beare the burdens and intollerable yoke of their popish canons & decrees / beeing subiect every day they rise toArch B [...]. [...]. Bvs. Suffragan [...] / [...] / Deance / Arch. Deac [...] / Com­missarics / Of­ficials / Doc­tors / Proc­tor [...] / Regi­stres / scribe [...] / Pute chants / Summo­n [...] / Sub­deancs / chap­laines / Part [...]. daries / Can­nons / P [...]i-Canons / [...]os­pellers / pist [...] ­le [...] / Chan­t [...]s / Sub-chanters / Wergiers / [...]. [...]n-players / Qu [...]sters / Persons / Vi­cars / Curats / Stidendarics / Dagrant. Preachers / Priests / De [...]cons / or half Priests / Church war­dens / Sidem [...] Collectors / Clerks / Se [...] ­tins. 38. antichristian ecclesiasticall offices / and manie mot Ro­mish statutes and traditions / almost without number: besides their high transgres­sion dayly in their vaine will worship of God / by reading over a few prescribed prayers and collects / which they haue translated verbatim out of the Mass-book / and which are yet taynted with man [...] popish hereticall errors and superstions / in stead of true spiratuall invocation vpon the name of the Lord.

These and manie other greevous enormities are amongst them / not suffred only but with a high hand mainterned / and Gods servants / which by the powre of his word and Spirit witnes against & condemne such abhominations / are both they & their testimonie / reiected / persecuted & plasphemed. What a wofull plight then are such people in / how great is their iniquitie / how fearfull iudgments doo ab [...] them? wee have therfore / for their sakes / manifested this our Confession of [...] vowed obedience vnto that Fayth which was once gyuen vnto theIude. 3. Daincts / wherby they may bee drawne (God shewing mercy vnto them) vnto the same faith and obedience with vs / that they perish not in their sinnes. For how could wee be­hould so manie soules of our dear Contr [...]inen to dye before our eyes & wee ho [...] our peace? And wheras they have been hecrtofore greatly abused by their tyme­serving Priests / beeing givē to vnderstād that wee were a dangerous people / hol­ding manie errors / renting our selves from the tue Church / because of some m [...] ­mities in men / some falts in their worship / Ministerie / Church gouvernment / [...]. that wee were Donatists / Anabaptists / Brownists / Schismaticks / &c. these few leaves (wee trust) shal now cleere vs of these and such like criminations / and satis­fie anie godly hart / yea every reasonable man / that will but with an indifferent ear heare our cause. For wee have always protested / and doo by these presents tes­tifie vn to all mē / that wee neyther our selves doo / neyther accompt it lawfull for o­thers to seprate frō anie true church of Crist / for infirmities falts or errors what­soever except their iniquitie bee come to such an heith / that for obstinatie they cease to be a true visible Church / and bee refused and forsaken of God.Conferences betwixt cer­teine Prea­chers and pry­soners Marc. 1590. Disco­vercy of the false Church 1590. Refuta­ton of Mr. Gi [...]ed pryn­ [...]d. 1591. And for this their renowined Church of England / wee a have both by word and writing / pro­ved it vnto them to bee false and counterfeit / deceyving hir children with va [...] titles of the word / Sacraments / Ministerie &c. having indeed none of these in the ordinance and powre of Christ emongst them. They have been shewed / that the people in Their Parish-assemblies / neyther were nor are meet stones for Gods house / meet members for Christs glorious body / vntill1 Peter. 1 / 23. Iohn. 3.3 they bee begotten by the seed of his word vnto fayth / and renewed by repentance. Their generall irreligi­ous profanne [...] ignorance / Atheisme and Machevelisine on the one side / & publi­que Idolitrie / vsuall blasphemie / swearing / lying / kylling / stealing / whoring / an [...] all maner of imptetie on the other side / Revel. 21 / 27 2. Cor. 5 / 17. Ezech. 44 / 9. Act. 8 / 37. vtterly disableth them from beeing Citi­zens in the new Hierusalem / sonnes of God & heires with Christ and his Saints / vntill they become new creatures. Their slavish bondage vnto the antichristian [...] tyrannous Prelats / whom they celibrate and honour as their Lords & rever [...]n Fathers spirituall / accepting their popish Canons and Iniunctions for laws [...] their Church / their marcked Priests / Preachers / Parsons / [...]ars &c. unlewe of Christs true Pastors and Teachers / running to their Courts and Confiste­rits at every summons &c. doo manifestRom. 6.16. Mat. 6/24. Reue 13.16 / & 14.9.10. & [...]. whose servants they are / & to whom they yeeld their obedience. Their learned Ministerie even from the highest Arch-pre­lat to the lowest Vicare & half-Priest th [...]th been [...]by the powre of our Lord Ie­sus Christ-cast down into the smoky fornace of that pyt of bottomles diepthSee Revel. 9.3. with their [...]une annota­cation / vpon­that place. 2. King. 16 / 10 11. &c. Reu. 13 / 14. from whence they arose / revealed by the light of his word / to bee strange / false / popish & antichristian / the very same / and no other then we [...]e hatched and advanced in their Metropolitane Sinagoge of Rome / from whence they have feched the very pat­erne and [...]ould of their Church / Ministerie / Service & Regiment / even the very expresse Character and image of that first wild beast of Italy / as all in whom an [...] sp [...]rk of true light is / may easely discerne. With mese and manie other lyke weigh­tie arguments have wee pleaded against that our whorish mother / hir Priests and Pre [...]te / which as a heavie mylstone presseth hir down to hell: [...]pos. 1 / 2. for the vyalls of Gods wrathfull iudgments are powred vpon them / which maketh them so to [Page]storme rage and curse / gna [...]ing their tongues for forrow & payne of these wounds / and not yet finding grace to repent of and turne from their sinnes.Men. 16 / 10. [...]. In Newga­t [...] Mr. Crane a man about 60 yeers of age Richard Iacson / Tho­mas Stevens William [...]owton / The mas Drewe [...] / Iohn Swal­ter / Roger Ryppon / [...] ­bert [...]wobur­ne / Scipio Bellot / Ro­bert Bowle­Iohn Barnes beeingsic / vnto death / was caryed fort [...] depatred [...] [...]f. shortly [...] ­after. Mothor Me­net of 60. yeers. [...] Roc of 60. yeers Mothes Tailont / Iu­deth My [...]er. Margaret Farret-beeing [...]ch vnto death was ca­ried forth / and ended hir lyfs [...] a day or two after. Iohn Purdy in B [...]dw [...]l. Mr. Denford­in the Gate­house about 60. yeers of age. Father Debnham in the white-ly­on about 70. yeers / George Bryty in Counter woodstreet. [...]enry Tho [...] ­sō in the [...] Iohn Chan­dice in the Count. Pou [...] ­ [...]y / beeing sick vnto death was carryed forth & dyed within few dayes. Waltar Lanc in the Fleet. Thomas [...]bewet in Countee Woodstreet. For when wee have proclamed this our testimonie against them / how have they behaved them­selves / but as savage beasts renting and tearing vs with their teeth / never daring to come vnto the triall of the word of God / eyther by free wryting or conference / but greedily hunting after Christs poore lambes / and so manie as they could get into their pawes / misvsing their bodyes with all exqvisite tyrannie in long and la­mentable emprisonment / bedsies despight and reproches without mesure. So that through their barbarous crueltieOch that they were wise / then would they vnderstend this [...] [...]ey would consider their later end. Deut. 32.9. 24. soules have penshed in their prisons / with in the Cittie of London only / (besides other places of the Land) & that of late yeeres. Manie also have they / by their immamtie / caused to blaspheme and forsake the hath of our glorious Lord Iesus Christ / and many mo they terrifie and keep from the same. For all this / yet were not these savage men satisfied / though blood in abonndance ran out of their wyde mouths / but they procured certeine of vs (after name yeeres emprisonment) to be indighted / arrayned / condemned and hanged as scious / (how vniustly / thou Lord iust and true knowest) Henry Barrow / Iohn Greenwood (and Iohn Penry) whose perticular examinations / araignments and maner of execution / with the circumstances about them / if thou didst truly vnder­stand (gentle Reader) it would make thy hart to bleed / considering their vnchristi­ [...]and vnnaturall vsage. About the same tyme they executed also one william De­us / at Thetford in Northfolke / and long before they kylled two men / at Bury in [...]uffol [...] / Coppyn and Elias / for the like testimonie. Others they deteyne in their [...]ysons to this day / who looke for the like measure at their mercelesse hands / yf God in mercye release them not before. Our God (wee trust) will one day rayse by an other Iohn For / to gather and compile the Actes and Monuments of his later Martyrs / for the vew of posteritie / tho yet they seem to bee buryed in obli­ [...]ion / and sleep in the dust. Then will this last infernall Cergie alsoo appeere in their proper colours / and befound nothing inferiour to their bloody predecessours [...]poysoned mal [...]ce and and tyrannie but rather even to exceed them / in regard of the tyme. Alas for our poore Contreye / that it should bee so againe defiled with the blood of the scients / which cryeth lowde from vnder the Altar / and speaketh no leter things for it / then did the blood ofGen. 4 [...]10. Habel. Needs must the righteons Lord referue a scarfull vengeance for such a Land / and make it an example to all Natons / yf speedely they [...]urge not thewselnes by notable repentance. But oh how far are they from this / which harden their [...]arts against vs / as did the Egiptians / and cease not to add vnto their formor iniquities / still pursuing vs with their accusio­ [...]ed hatred / who seeke the welfare of their soules / & Offer them the things which concerne t [...]eir peace / which they refuse. Thy peace o England hat hoorought thy [...]oe / and thy long prosperitie / thy ruin / thou hast been fat [...]thou hast waxed grosse / thy hart is covered / thow hast forsaken the God that made thee [...]and despised the rock of thy falvation / thy sinnes have reached vp to Heaven / & God hath remem­bred thine iniquities to gyue vnto thee according to thy worcks. Behold / the tempest of the Lord is gon forth with wrath / the wirle winde that hangeth over [...]ll light vpon the heads of the wicked / the indignation of the Lords wrath shall not returne vntill hee hane doon / and vntil hee hane performed the intents of his hart: In the later dayes thow shait vnderstand it. • Our God shew mercy to them that are his in thee / and hastely draw them out of the fire / that they perish not [...] [...]hy sinnes. And most af all wee are sorie for our dread sovereigne Queen / whom [...]ee haue alwayed loved / reverenced and obeyed in the Lord that shee should so bee [...]awn by the subtle suggestion of the Prelats to smyte hir faithfullest subieers ha­ving [Page]hir finger so deep in the blood of Gods children / wherby shee hath not only be­filed hir precious soule in the eyes of hir God / but also brought an evill name vpon h [...]r meck and peaceable Government heere on Earth / in all Nations rown about hir who doo with greef behold that Land to persecute and waste true Chris­tians now which was erewhiles an harbour and refuge for Christians perse [...] ­ted in other places. But as wee are verily perswaded that hir Ma [...]s. clemenc [...] hath been much abused by the wretched vnconcionable false reports and instiga [...] ­ons of the Priests / so will wee not cease (though wee bee exiled hir Dommions) with fervent harts to desier hir Nighnesse prosperitie & pray that hir sinnes ma [...] bee forgiven hir / lamenting that Gods benefits / and great d [...]yverances / should [...] foone of hir bee for gotten / & so ill requited / by this hard vsage of his poore servants for his fave. And if shee proceed in this course / alas how shall shee ever bee able t [...] behold the face of hir God with comfort? wherfore our soules shall weep in secret for hir / and wee will not ce [...]se to pray the Lord to shew hir mercy / and open hir eyes before shee dye. And lykewuse for those honorable Peeres hir grave Councellors / who also have consented to this our hard measure / although our innocencie hath been sufficiētly manifested vnto the cōsciēces of some of the cheefest of thē / our hum­ble request is / that they in the scare of God may weigh their proceedings against vs / & remēber their accompt that they shall shortly make vnto the Iudge of hea [...] and earth / where Christ will reckon vnto them al the tribulations of his poore de­spised members on earth / as if they had been inflicted vpon his own glorious per­son / and will render reward accordingly. [...]at. 10.40. [...] & 25.44.45. The Lord giue them true wisdome / th [...] they may learne / at last / to kisse the Soone before hee bee angry / and they prrish in the way.Psal. 2.10. As for the Priests and Preachers of the land / they / of all other me [...] / haue bewrayed their notable hypocrisie / that standing erewhile against the En­glish Romish hierachie / and their popish abhominations / haue now so redely sub­mytted themselves to the Beast and are not only content to yeeld their canonicall obedience vnto him / and receiue his mark but in most hostile maner oppose and s [...]t themselues against vs / not ceasing to add vnto our aflictions / scorning and reviling vs / and alienating the mynds of manie [...] [...]pic harted people / whoe are (wee doubt not) iuchnable enough vnto the truth / were it not that these their lying Proph [...]s did strengthen their hands / that they may not returne from their wicked wayes / by promising them lyfe and peace / where no peace to. These haue long busic [...] themselues in seeking out new shifts and cavills to turne away the truth / which presseth them so sore and hauc at last been dryven to palpable & grosse absurditie [...] / seeking to dawbe vp that ruinous antichristian muddy Wall / which themselves d [...] once craftily vnder mine. And heerin wee report vs to the learned discourses of Do. Robert Some / and Mr. Gistard who haue so refereed their wrytings with reproches / slanderous vntruths / and false collections on the one side / and manifest digressions / shiftings & turnings from the state of the question in hand / on the o­ther side / as wee think the lyke presidents can hardly be shewed in anie wrytings of controversie in these t [...]es and specially Mr. Gistards last answere / which ( [...] secmeth) hee did in haste: wherin [...] boyes play / in skipping over many whol leaves of [...]s abversaries booke / (leaving thē both vnanswered & vntouched) hee hath so wisely caryed hunself in those tuings winch hee professeth to answere as a man afrayd once to come neers the battel and mayne coutroversie in hand / run­ [...]ing our into vaine and frutlesse excursories / never approving by the word of God t [...] places and offices of his Lords the Prelats / with their retinue / Courts / Ci­ [...]n [...] &c. neither the publick [...] ministerie or people of this their Church of England. Fro bee knew well [...] adve [...]aries were fast locked & wa [...]hed in pry­ [...]o [...] [Page]from wryting anie more / and their books intercepted / so that few men could ame to the brew of them: Hee might therfore deale as hee lysted himself for as own best ad vantage / and be are the people in hand that hee had confuted his Brownists and Donatists / for the prynt was as free for him / as the close pryson or them. But God (wee trust) will give meanes one day / that some things / [...]ch as yet are hid / shall come to light. In the meane tyme / thow for thy satis­ [...]ing (Christian Reader) examin the mans wrytings / and see how hee hath an­ [...]ered vnto these criminations / or purged his Church of them. Look what scrip­ [...]es hee hath brought for defence of his spirituall Lords / their places and proce­ [...]gs / their Courts / Cannons / Dignities / &c. what warrant in Christs Testa­ [...]ent hee hath found for his service-booke and all the abhominable rites therin­ [...] his Angelies / Saincts and Lady days / popish Fastes / Lent / Embers and [...]ves: How hee hath approved their English missall Prayers / Letanie / Collects [...]d Trentalls / their mar [...]ng / burying / churching of women / wretched abuse of [...]th Sacraments / their Romish Goss [...]pps / hollowed Font / Crosse / inchanted Collects / their processions / bishopping of children / and a thowsand such like trnm­ [...]es / which were all blamed vnto him. Yea / come vnto their own Ministeric / & [...]hold from whence hee hath fetched the genealogie of those Anakims and horned [...]ds of the Beaste. Arch bbs. Lord bbs. Deanes / Arch-Deacons / Chancel­ [...]s / &c. or of their Mr. Parson / Vicar / Curat / and the rest of that rabit: How [...]e opproveth their offices / ellections / callings / entrāce / ad [...]umst [...] ations / Bishop­ [...]ks / Dcanries / Prebends benefices / &c. by the ordinance of our Lord Iesus in [...] newe TestamentMat. 18. [...]. [...]eb. 1.2. Eph. 4. [...] 13. Gal. [...]. 10. left vnto his Church to the worlds end.

These are some of the innumerable abhominations / wherwith wee charged [...]rr Church / which they must eyther [...]ustifie by Gods word / or cleere their Church of them. Now hee that findeth not these things approved in his wryings / [...]ay easely perceiue how hee hath uever medled with the mayne coutroversie be­ [...]een vs. Wherfore eyther let him dischardge [...]ns Church of these accusations / [...]ne must wee and all Gods children still by the powre of the word of God con­ [...]ne them / and send home againe these Rounsh wares into the Land of Shinar [...] whence they came / and the Lord that condemneth them is a strong God.Zach. 5.1 [...].

On the other side wee desire thē that they wold shew vs by the Scriptures [...]r errors wherwith they chardge vs / & for which they thus hate vs / what they [...]oue in our Doctrine or practise. As for our selves / wee protest with simple [...]ts in the presence of God / and his holy Angelles / vnto al men / that wee doo [...] wittingly & willingly mātame anie one error against the word of truth (though [...]ee doubt not but as all other men wee are liable to error / which our God wee [...]st will in mercy forgiue vnto vs / ) but hold the grounds of Christian Religion [...]th all Gods antient Churches in Iudea, Rome, Corinth, Ephesus, Gala­ [...]a, Pontus, Cappadocia, Asia and Bythinia, and with all faythfull people at his day in Germanie, France, Scotland, the Lovv-Contries, Bohemia, Watmande of Confect. [...] other Christian Churches rownd about vs / whose con [...]essions published wee [...] heere to wytnes the sinceritie of our aith / and our agreement and vnitie with [...]em in the points of greatest moment and controversie between vs and our adver­ [...]ies. And wheras our Preachers were wont to tell vs / that their Church [...]deth the foundation and substantiall grounds of Rilligion / Faith in God and Iustification by Christ alone / &c. and therfore / norwithstanding their wants and [...]ruptions / they had the essence / lyfe and beeing of a true people of God: wet [...]ust now they will let vs that make the lyke plea / find the lyke favour / & accompt [...] as a true Cougregation of Christ / and blaspheme vs no longer by the names [Page]of Broswnists / Donalists / Anabaptists / Schismaticks &c. for will they slay th [...] that Christ gyveth lyfe vnto? shall profession of faith saue them / and shall yt [...] vs lykewise / that make the same profession? Or yf theytake exception at our [...] let them shew what one truth they hold / wher in wee agree not with thē / or wh [...] good thu [...]g they have in practice / that wee do not the sainew. et worship the tru [...] God in spirit and truth / having his word truly taught / his Sacraments right administred (at such tyme as our God douchafeth vs the meanes for administra­tion of thē at all:)Tho [...] Lord preparest a ta­ble before vs in sight of one adversaries Psal. 23.5. That ministerie of Pastors, Teachers / Elders / Deacons / [...] which they somtymes stood for / wee (through Gods great mercy) obteyned th [...] before their faces / which they yet never did. That government of Christ by [...] own lawes / ordinances / & holy cenfures (which they call Discipline) wee fa [...] ­fully obey and execute:Bee. [...].41. receiving into our societie all that with faith and re [...] ­tance come vnto vs willingly:Mat. 18.8.17 / [...]. Cor. 5.4.5 / Tit 3.10. Rom. 16.17. casting out againe / and removing by the powre [...] our Lord Iesus Christ all notorious & obstinate sinners / hereticks / schismatick [...] or wicked lyvers whosoever / without respect of persons. Only wee reiect the [...] bominable Romish reliques which they yet retein and mainteine / to the high [...] ­honour of God. And for the sinnes wherwith wee charge them / they are so app [...] ­rant / as even our forest addersarie somtymes confessed and complayned of them [...] that in great measure openly / muchmore secretly emongst themselves / as is [...] known. But let vs heare themselves speak / as they have published in prynt to the view of the world. Of their people / the members of their Church they gyve this commendation.

[...] Dialogue of the Ocife of their Chu [...]ch Page. 99. The greaeest multitude, by many partes doo not vnderstand the Lords prayer, the ten Commandements, or the articles of the faith, [...] the Doctrine and vse of the Sacraments, in anie competent measu [...] There bee thou vvsands, which bee men & vvoemen grovvne, vvhich if a man aske them bow they shalbee saued, they cannot tell. Are not these meet stones now for gods bous? [...]1. Pet. 2.5.9. Heb. 8.11. As for vvic­kednes in pryde, euvie, hatred, and all finnes that can bee named al­most, yt doth overflow: & yet you are not ashamed to say, are they not Christians? Concerning their own ministerie and government, they haue lykewise Edmonition to the Part. in the Preface / defended by T. C. complayned hovv they lack both a right Ministerie of God, and a right government of his Church, according to the Schrip­tures. More pertienlarlyTable of Re­eicles pro­pounded by the Divinirie Readee in Cambridg. T. C. That that prophane iurisdi [...]tion of Lord­ly Lord Arch. bb s. Bb s. Arch-Deacous, Chancellors Officials, &c. a [...] contrary to Gods government, and vvholly vnderpropt by the Cano [...] and popish law, and withall ioyned with hypocrisie, vaineglorie, lordly­nes & tyrannie, euē for these respects, if ther were no more, are to bee v [...] ­terly rooted out of the Church, except possible wee meane by reconci­liation to make Christ and antichrist friends. Item In the same Table. that that ougly & ylfauored hyerarchie or Church-princelynes, which instituted at the fi [...] by Antichrists devise, did afterward vilely serue the Pope of Rome to [...] complishe the myst [...]rie of iniquitie, and to distroy the Church [...] Christ, and doth yet still at this day serue him, must bee so abolished that no remnants, ne yet anie shew therofremayne, yf so bee wee wil [...] [Page] [...]aue Christ to reigne ouer vs. ItemMartles Marprelat. that the Lord Gouerners of their Church bee Peti-Popes, & Peti-Antichrists, and Bishops of the Deuill. These Testimonies have wee from their own wrytings / & manie such lyke. For these impieties haue wee seperated our selues from those tages of vncleane byrds / [...]llowing the [...] Sen 19 / 14 Isa. 52 / 11. Iir. 51 / 9. Act. 2 / 40. 2. Cor. 6 / 17. Rev. 18 / 4. counsell of the Holy-Gost / lest-wee should communicate with their sinnes / and bee partakers of their plagues. With what equitie now can these Priests so blaspheme and persecute vs for reiecting the heavie yoke of their tyra­ [...]us Prelats / whom they themselues call antichristian & Bishops of the Devill: [...]r forsaking their Priesthood / which they haue complayned is not the right Mi­ [...]erie. with what conscience could Mayster Giffard (of all other men)Answere to the Bro­wni [...]s / pag. 4. & 50. so be­ [...]mently charge vs with intollerable pryde / presumption / and intrusion into Gods [...]dgment seate / to judg and condemne wholl assembles which professe the Faith of Christ sincerely &c. in most sa [...]age and desperate maner to rend and teare vp the [...]eake plants &c. The Lord rebuke Sathan / and iudge betwixt vs. Our enimies [...]fest arguments against vs hitherto / haue been reproch and cursed speaking / with violence and opression. But let them know and vnderstand / that for all these [...]ings God wil bring them vnto iudgment / whē they shall receiue such recompence of their error and wickednes as is meet.

The last and great scandall which offendeth manie and turneth them out of the [...]ay / is the seed of discord which Satan hath sought to sowe emongst our selues / [...]tting variance emong brethren / prevayling mightely in the children of perdition / whom hee hath eyther turned back into apostacie / or dryven into heresie or schisme. [...]eerby hee hath caused the truth of God to bee much evill spoken of / and to suffer [...]eat reproch at our aduersaries hands / whoe haue long wayled for our halting. Such things (good Reader) are neyther new nor stronge vnto vs / (though much is bee laiuented / ) yt beeing the lot of Christs Church to haue such trobles within yt self / and as incident to the same as is the crosse of outward tribulation.Dan. 11 / 34 Ney­ther can anie that knoweth the state of Gods people / or the word of God aright / [...]ke for other things in this world / where wee are but strangers & pylgrims / war­ting against manic and nughtie adversaries / even the Prince of darknes / with his [...] of spirituall wickednesses. Wee are taught of God [...] 1 Cor. 11 / [...]. that ther must bee discen­ [...] & heresies emōgst our selves / that they which are approbed may bee knowne / [...]that greevous woldes should enter in emongst vs / and of our selves men arise / speaking perverse things to draw away disciples after them.Act. 20 / 29.30. By such sukorned [...]sts of satan doth ourDeut. 13.3. Lord sift & trye vs / whither wee love him with our wholl [...]rts or no. wherfore thoughIoh. 6 / 66. never so many forsake vs / & oureLam. 1 / 7. own frends dole [...]faithfully with vs / Psal. 73 / 1. yet wee know assuredly it shalbe well with I sraell / even to the pure in hart. when wee call to [...]ynde / Gen. 4. the murder of Cain.Gen. 9 the deriding of Cham / Gen. 21. the flowting of I sinacl / Gen. 27. the hatred of Esau / Gen 3 [...]. the envie of the Patri­ [...]rks / Num. 16. the rebellien of Corah / 2. Sam. 15. the conspiracie of Absalon / Mat. 16. the treason of Iu­ [...]es / Act. 5. the hypocrisie of Ananias and Saphira / 2. Tim. 42. the Apostacie of Demas / [...]vel. 2. the [...]eresie of Nicholas / and manie suchlike mischevous practises in old tyme with in [...]e housholds of the Saincts / and Churches of God / wee mervell not though in [...]ese last & evill dayes some childrē of Belial / that were of old ordeyned vnto this [...]ndernmation / rise vp in the Church and work the vnrest and sorrow of the same. The tyme is come that iudgment must begin at the house of God / the Lord will [...]oue vs to the vtmost / and suffer Sathan to wynnow vs as wheat / but Peters faith is prayed for that it fayle not / and hee that shall contynue to the end / hee shal­ [...] saued. This is our comfort that God will heerby purge his vine and disclofe [Page]the disguysed hypocrits which come vnto vs in sheeps garments / but his own por­tion hee will brin I thorov. Thes. 2.10.11.12. the fire / and fine them as the Silver is fined / and will trye them as the Gold is tryed / to the prase & glory of his own great name. These things are stumbling blocks vnto the blynde and hard harted worldlings / who haue no loue vnto the truth / nor wilbee brought vnto the obedience of the same. It is [...] with God to let them bee octended by such things. But hee knoweth to dely­uer the godly out of temptation.2. Pet. 2.9. Let him therfore that readeth consider / & the Lord gyue him vnderstanding in all. Weigh all things vprightly in the ballance of the Sanctuarie / and iudg righteous iudgment. Bee not offended at the simplicite of the Gospell / neyther hold the Faith of our glorious Lord Iesus Christ in respect of meas persons. Gods cause shall stand when al that handle yt amisse shall fall before [...].M [...]. 11.5.6. Wee offer heere our Fayth to the view and tryall of all men. Tryall things and keep that [...]ch is good: and yf thou shalt reape anie frute by these our labors (gentel Reader) gyue God the glory.

‘Though Babael should mount vp to heauen, and thou she should defend hir strength on high, Yet from me shall hir destroyers come saith the Lord Ierem. 51.53.’‘Saue vs o Lord our God and gather vs from among the nations, for to celebrate thy holy name, For to glory in thy prayse. Psal. 106.47.’

A TRVE CONFESSI­ON OF THE FAITH, AND HVM­BLE ACKNOVVLEDGMENT OF THE ALE­geance, vvhich vvee hir Maiesties Subjects, falsely called Brovvniste, doo hould tovvards God, and yeild to hir Majestie and all other that are ouer vs in the Lord. Set dovvn in Articles or Positions, for the better & more easie vnderstanding of those that shall read yt: And published for the cleering of our selues from those vnchristian slan­ders of heresie, schisme, pryde, obstinacie, disloyaltie, sedicion, &c. vvhich by our adversaries are in all places given out against vs.
Wee beleeue with our hearts & confes with our mouths.

Art. 1 THat ther is butDeut. 6 / 4. Bos. 13 / 4. Ma [...]k. 12 / 29 32. Eph. 4 / 4.5.6 [...]. Cor. 12 / 13. one God, one Christ, one Spirit, one Church, one truth, one Faith,Rom. 16 / 16. 1. cor. 4 / 17. & 16. [...] Gal. 1 / 8 9. one Rule of obedien­ce to all Christians, in all places.

2 Art. 2 That God is aIohn. 4 / 24. Spirit, whoseExod. 3 / 14. Es [...] 43 / 10 / 11. beeing is of him­self, and [...]om. 11.36. Act 17 / 28. Gen. 1. giveth beeing moving, and preservation to all other things beeing himself1. tim. 1 / 17. Reu. 4 / 8. Es. 6 3. and 66.1.2. Psal. 145 / 3.8.9.17. & 147.5. Rom. 1 / 20. eternall, most holy, every way in­finit, in greatnes, vvildome, povvre, goodnes, justice, truth, &c. And that in this Godhead there bee three1. Ioh. 5 / 7 Mat 18 / 19. [...]ag. 2 / 5.6 [...]eb. 9 / 14. distinct personsPro. 8 / 22. Ioh. 1 / 1 Heb. 9 / 14. coeternall, coequall, &Ioh. 10 / 30.38. 1 Corint. 2 / 11.12. [...]eb. 1 / 3. coessentiall, beeing every one of thē one & the same God, & therfore not divided but distinguished one frō another by their severall & peculiar propertie: TheIob. 5 / 26. 1. C [...] 8 / 6. Father of none, the SonneIoh. 1 / 14.1 [...]. [...] 3.16. M [...]ca. 5 / [...] Psal. 2 / [...]. begotten of the Father from everlasting, the holyIoh. 14 / 26. & [...] 16. Gal. 4 / 6. Gost proce­ding from the Father and the Sonne before all beginnings.

3 Art. 3 That GodEsa. 46 / 10. [...]. 11 / 34.35.36. [...]t. 15 / 18. & 2 / 23. Gen. 45 / .6.7.8. Mat 10 / 10.30. and 20 15. Eph. 1 / 11. hath decreed in himself from everlasting touching all things, and the very least circumstances of every thing, effectually to vvork and dispose thē according to the counsell of his ovvn vvill, to the prayse and glorie of his great name. And touching his chee­fest Creatures that God hath inEph. 1 / 3 4.11. Christibid & wat. [...] / 34 before the foundation of the world,Eph. 1 / 5. [...] 9 / 11.12.13. Mal. [...] / 2. 2 / Tim. 1 / 9. according to the good pleasure of his vvill,Act. 13 / 48. Eph 1 / 4.5. 1. Tim. 5 / 21. Mat. 25 / 31.34. ordeyned som men and Angells, to eternall lyfe to beeEphes. 1 / 5.7.10 Col. 1 / 14.17.18.19. & 2.10. Rom. [...].19.30. R [...]b. 19.10 accomplished through Iesus Christ, to theeph. 1 / 6. to 9 / [...] prayse of the glorie of his grace. And on tho­ther hand hath likevviseIud. vet. 4. before of old accordingR [...]m. 9 / 11.12.13.17.18. with. [...]al. 1 / 3. Exod. [...].16. to his iust pur­poseIob. [...]ee. 4 / [...] [...] 9 / 22. mat. 25 / 41 92. Pet. 2 / 1 [...]. 2. Cor. 4 / 3.4. [...]. pet. 2 / 8. iod. 3.10 ordeined other both Angels and men toe, ternall condemna­tion, [Page]to bee; accomplished through their own corruption to thePro. 16 / 4. rom 2 / 5. and 9.22. prayse of his iustice.

4 Art. 4 That in theGen. 1. Col. 1 / 16 Esa. 35 / 11. Heb. 11 / 3. Revel. 4 / 11. beginning God made all things of nothing very good: andGen. 1 / 26.27. Eph. 4 / 24. accles. 7 / 31. created man after his own image and lykenes in righ­teousnes and holynes of truth. ThatGen. 3 / 1.4.5. 1 Cor. 11 / 3. Ioh. 8 / 4 [...]. streight ways after by the sub­tiltie of the Serpent which Sathan vsed as his instrument2. Pet. 2 / 4. Ioh 8 / 44. Iud. 6. himself with his Angells having sinned before and not kept their first estate, but left their own babitation; firstGe [...]. 3 / 1.2.3.6 1. Tim. 2 / 14. Eccles. 7 / [...]. Gal. 3 / 22. Eva, then Adam by hir meanes, did wittingly & willingly fall into disobedience & transgression of the commadement of God. For the which death Rom. 5 / 12.18.19. and 6.23. with Gen. 2 / 17. reigneth over all: yea even yea evenRom. 5.14. and 9 / 1 [...]. ouer infants also, which haue not sinned, after the lyke maner of the transgression of Adam, that is, a tually: Yet are, all since the fall of Adam begotten in his own likenes after his ima­ge, beeing conceyued and borne in iniquitie, and soo by nature the children of wrath and servants of sinne, and subiect to death, and all other calamities due vnto sinne in this world and for euer.

5 Art. 5 That all mankinde beeing thus fallen and become altogether dead in sinne, & subiect to the eternall vvrath of God both by ori­ginall and actuall corruption: TheGen. 5 / 15. Eph. 2 / 4.5. Gea. 15.6. with Rom. 4 / 2. 3 4. [...]. and 3.14. 25.26. Joh. 3 / 16. elect are redeemed, quickned, raysed vp and saued againe, not of themselues, neither by vvorks, lest a nie man should boste himself; but vvholly and only by God of his free grace and mercy through faith in Christ Iesus,1. Cor. 1 / 30.31 Phst. 3. [...] / 9.30.11 Iit. 23.5.6. and 9 23.24. Gen. 5 / 5. Psal. 51 / 5. Eph. 2 / 3. vvho of Good is made vnto vs vvisdome, & righteousnes, & sanctificatiō, & redemption, that according as it is vvritten, Hee that reioyceth let him reioyce in the Lord.

6 Art 6 That this therfore only is lyfeIoh. 17 / 3. and [...] 36. Isr. 31 / 33.34. eternall to knovv the only true God, [...] vvhom hee hath sent into the vvorld Iesus Crist. And that on the contrarie the2. Thes. 1 / 8. [...]eph. 1 / 6. ioh. 3 / 36. Lord vvill rēder vengeance in flaming fire vn­to them that knovv not God, & vvhich obey not the Gospell of our Lord Iesus Christ.

7 Art. 7 That the rule of this knovvledge faith & obedience, concerning theExod. 20 / 4.5.6. Deu. 4 / 2.5.6. Gen. 6 / 11. Exod. 39 / 42.43. 1. Chron. 28.19. vvorship & service of God &Psal. 119.105. all other christiā dutyes, is not theEsa. 29 / 13. Mar. 15 / 9. Ioh. 5 / 39. [...]. Pet. 16 / 19. 2. [...] 3 / 16.17. opinionis, devises, lavves, or constitutions of mē, but the vvritten vvord of the everlyving God, conteyned in the canonicall bookes of the old and nevv Testament.

8 Art. 8 That in thus vvords Deut. 18 / 18. Ioh. 1 / 18. & 15 / 15. & 4.15. Act. 3.22. Iesus Christ hath reveled vvhatsoever his fa­ther thought needfull for vs to knovv, beleeue & obey as touching histhe whol Epish. le to the webr. the oughout. person & Offices, in2. Cor. 1 / 20. vvhom all the promises of God are yea, & in vvhom they are Amen to the prayse of God through vs.

9 Art. 9 That touching his person, the Lord Iesus, of vvhōZuk. 24 / 44. Ioh. 5 / 46. Act. 10 / 42.43. Moses & the Prophets vvrote, & vvhō the Apostles preached, is thePro. 9 / 22. mica. 5 / 2. Ioh. 1 / 1.2.3. Heb. 1. Collos. 1 / 15.16.17. everlasting Sonne of God, by eternall generation, the brightnes of his Fathers glorie, & the engrauen forme of his Person; coessentiall, coequall, & coeternall, god vvith him & vvith the holy Gost, by vvhō hee hath made the vvorlds, by vvhom hee vphouldeth and governeth all the works hee hath made; vvho also vvhen theGal. 4 / 4. Gen. 3 / 15. fulnes of tyme vvas come, vvas made man of a vvoman, ofWeb. 7.14. Revel. 5 / 5. the Tribe of Iudah,Rom. 1 / 3. Gen. 22 / 18. Mat. 2.1. etc. Luk. 3 / 23. etc. Esa. 7 / 14. Luk. 1.26.17. etc. [...]ebr. 2 / 16. of the [...]seed of Dauid & Abraham, to vvyt of Mary that blessed Virgin, by the holy Ghost comming vpon hir, & the povvre of the most high ouershadovving hir; & vvas also [...] Web. 4.15. Esa. 53 / 3.4.9. Phil. 2.7.8. in all things lyke vnto vs, sinne only excepted.

10 Art. 10 That touching his Office, hee1. Tim. 2 / 5. Web 9.15. & 13.20. Dan 9.14.25. only is made the Mediator of the nevv Testament, even of the euerlasting Couenant of grace be­tvveen God & man, to bee perfectly & fully theDeut. 18 / 15.18. Psal 110.4. Psel. 45 / Esa. 9 / 6.—. Act. 5.31. Esa. 55.4. Heb. 7 / 24. Luk. 1 / 32.33. Prophet, Priest & King of the Church of God for euermore.

11 Art. 11 That heePro. 8.23. Esa. 42 / 6. & 49.1.5. and 11 / 2.3.4.6. Act. 10.38. vvas frō euerlasting, by the iust & sufficient authori­tie of the father, & in respect of his manhood frō the womb, called & seperated heervnto, & anoynted also most fully & aboundantly with all necessarie gifts, as it isIoh. 3.34. vvritten; God hath not measured out the Spirit vnto him.

12 Art. 12 That this1. Tim. 2.5. Wch —.24. Pan. 7.14. Act. 4 / 12. Esa. 4 [...]. 11. Luk. 1 / 33. Office, to bee Mediator, that is, Prophet, Priest and King of the Church of God, is so proper to him, as neither in the [...]hol, nor in anie part therof, it cā be trāfferred frō him to anie other.

13 Art. 13 That touching hisDeu. 16 / 15.18. Act. 3 / 12.13.14. stlat. 3 / 1—. Ioh. 1.18. & 17.8. Eph. 1.8.9. 2. Tim. 3.15.16 / 17. Prophecie, Christ hath perfectly revealed out of the bozome of his father, the vvholl vvord & vvill of God, that is needfull for his seruants, either ioyntly or seuerally to knovv, be­leeue & obey: That hee hath spoken & doth speake to his Church in his ovvnPro. 9 / 3. Ioh. 13.20. Luk. 10.16. Mat. 10 40.41. Deu. 33 / 8.10. ordinance, by his ovvn ministers and instruments on­ly, and not by anie salseMat. 7 / 15.16. & 24.23.24. 2. Pet. 2. 2. Tim. 4.3.4. Rom. 10 / 14.15. [...]er. 23 / 21. 1. ioh. to ministrie at anie tyme.

14 Art. 14 That toching hisIoh. 17 / 18. heb. 5 / 7.8.9. & 91.1. Esa. 53 / [...] 5 / 19. 1. Pet. 1 / 2. Collos. 1 / 20. Eph. 5 / 2. Priesthood, beein consecrated, hee hath ap­peered once to put a vvay sinne, by offring & sacrificing of himsell; and to this end hath fully performed and suffred all those things, by which God through the blood of that his crosse, in an acceptable sa­trifice, might bee reconciled to his elect; & havingEph. 2 / 1 4.15.16. [...]ch. 9. & 10. brokē dovvn the partition vvall, & ther vvith finished & remoued al those legal rites, shadovves, & ceremonies, is now [...] Se [...]. 4 / 14.16. & 9.24. and 10.19.20. entred vvithin the vayle into the holy of Holies to the very heauen, and presence of God, vvhere hee for euer lyueth, and sitteth at the right hand of MaiestieRom. 8 / 34 ap­peering before the face of his Father, to make intercession for [Page]such as come vnto the Throne of grace by that nevv & living vvay And not that only, but maketh his people a1. Pet. 2 / 5. Rev. 1 / 5. [...]. and 8. [...].4. Rom. 12 / 1. Mar. 9 / 49.50. Mal. 1 / 14. Ioh. [...].23.24. Mat. 7 / 6.7.8. Es [...]. 1 / 12, etc. spirituall hovvse, a [...] holy Priesthood, to offer up spirituall sacrifices, acceptable to God through him. Neither doth the Father accept, or Christ offer ani [...] other sacrifice, vvorship, or vvorshippers

15 Art. 15 That touching his1. Cor. 15 / 4. etc. [...]. Pet. 3 / 2 [...].2 [...]. Mat. 28 / 18.20. Kingdom, beeing risen, ascended, entre [...] into glory, set at the right hand of God, al povvre in Heaven an [...] earth giuē vnto him; vvhith povvre hee [...] Iosh. 5 / 14. Zech 1 / 8. etc. Math. 1 / [...]7. [...]eb. 1 / 14. novv exerciseth ouer [...] Angells and men, good and dad, to the preservation and saluation o [...] the elect, to the overruling and destruction of the reprobate;s Eph. 5 / 26 / 27 Ro. 5 / and 6. and 7. and 8. Chap. Rom. 14 / 17. Gal 5 / 22.23. 1. Ioh. 4 / 13. etc. com­municating and applying the benefits, virtue and frutes of his pro­phecy and Priesthood vnto his elect, namely to the remission, sub­duing, and takeing avvay of their sinnes, to their iustification, adop­tion-of-sonnes, regeneration, sanctification, preservation & strēgth­ning in all their spirituall conflicts against Sathan, the vvorld & th [...] flesh &c continually dvvelling in, governing & keeping their heart in his tue faith and fear by his holy spirit, vvhich havingPsal. 51 / 10.11.12 and 89.30.31.32.33.34. Iob. 33 / 29.30. Esa. 5 4 / 8.9.10. Ioh. 13 / 1. and 16.31.32. with Luc. 22 / 31.32.40. 2. Cor. 12 / 7.8.9. Eph. 6 / 10.11. etc. Rom. 11 / 29. Gal. 5 / 17.22.23. once give yt, hee never taketh avvay from them, but by yt still begette [...] and nourisheth in them repentance, faith, loue, obedience, comfo [...] peace, ioy, hope, and all christian vertues, vnto immortallitie, not vvithstanding that yt be somtymes through sinne and tentation, in­terrupted, smothered, and as yt vvere overvvhelmed for the tyme. A­gaine on the contrary,Iob. 1 / 6. and 2. Chap. 1. Ring. 22.19. Esa. 10 / 5.15. Rom. 9 / 17.18. Rom. 1 / 21. and 2.4.5.6. Eph. 4 / 17.18.19. 2 Pet. [...] / 3. 1. Thess. 5 / 3.7. Esa. 57 / 20.21. 2. Pet. 2 / the whol Chapter. ruling in the vvorld over his enimies, Sa­than, and all the vessels of vvrath; limiting, vsing, restrayning the [...] by his mightie povvre, as seemeth good in his diuine vvisdome and iustice, to the execution of his determinate counsell, to vvit to their seduction, hardning & condemnation, delyvering them vp to a re­probate mynde, to bee kept in darcknes, sinne and sensuallitie vnto iudgment.

16 Art. 16 That this Kingdom shall bee then fully perfected vvhen he shal theDan. 12 / 2.3 / Ioh 5 / 22.28.29. Mat. 25 / 31. 1. Cor. 15.24. Mat. 13 / 41.49. 2. Thes. 1 / 9.10 1. Thes. 4 / 17. Ioh 17 / 22.23. 1. Cor. 15 / 2 [...]. second tyme come in glorie vvith his mightie Angells vn­to iudgment, to abolish all rule, authoritie and povvre, to put all hi [...] enimies vnder his feet, to seperate and free all his chosen from then for ever, to punish the vvicked vvith everlasting perdition from hi [...] presence, to gather, ioyne, and carry the godly with himself into end lesse glory, and then to delyver vp the Kingdome to God, even th [...] Father, that so the glorie of the father may bee full and perfect in th [...] Sonne, the glorie of the Sonne in all his members, and God bee a in all.

17 Art. 17 That in the meane tyme, bisides his absolute rule in the world, Christ hath here in earth aIoh. 18.36. Mth 3 / 6. and 10.21. 1. Tim. 3 / 15. Zach 4 / 7. spirituall Kingdome and a canonicall regiment in his Church ouer his servants, which Church hee hathA [...]t. 20 / 28. Tit. 2 / 14. purchased and redeemed to himself, as a peculiar inheritance (not­withstandingMat. 13 / 47. and 22.12. Luk. 13 / 25. manie hypocrites do for the tyme lurk emongest thē)Mar. 16 / 15.16. Col. 1 / 21 / 1. Cor. 6 11. Tit. 3 / 3.4.5. calling and winning them by the powre of his word vnto the faith,Esa. 52.11 / Ezr. 6 / 21. Act. 2 / 40. 2. Cor. 6 / 14. Act. 17 / 3.4. and 19.9. 1. Pet. 2 / 4.5.9.25. seperating them from emongst vnbeleevers, from idolitrie, false worship, superstition, vanitie, dissolute lyfe, & works of darknes, &c; making them a royall Priesthood, an holy Nation, a people set at li­bertie to shew foorth the virtues of him that hath called them out of darknes into his meruelous light,Esa. 60 / 4.8. Psal. 110 / 3. Act. 2 41. Eph 4 / 16. Co [...]. 2 / 5.6. gathering and vniting thē to­gether as members of one body in his faith, loue and holy order, vn­to all generall and mutuall dutyes,Esa. 6 [...] / 6. Ier 3 / 1 [...] / Ezek 34. Zech 11.8. [...]eb. 12 / 28.29. Mat. 28 / 20. instructing & governing thē by such officers and lawes as hee hath prescribed in his word; by which Officers and lawes hee governeth his Church, and byWat. 7 / 15. and 24.23.24. [...]. Tim. 4 / 3.4. Ier. 7 / 30.31. and 23.21. Den. 12 / 3 [...]. Ren. 2 / 2. & 22.18.19. none other.

18 Art. 18 That to [...]v 26 / 11.12. [...]s. 18 / 19.20. vi [...]. [...] / 4. Ezek. 48.35 / 2. Cor. 6.18 this Church hee hath made the promises, and giuen the seales of his Covenant, presence, [...] blessing and protection:Esa. 3 / 16. 1. tim 3 / 15. and 4.16. & 6.3.5. [...]. Tim. 2 / 15 tit. 1 / 9. Deu. 31.26. Heere are the holy Oracles as in the [...] of the Arke, s [...]e [...]ly kept & puerly taught. Heere arePsal. 46 / 4.5. Ezek. 47 / 1. etc. Iob. 38 / 39. all the [...] and sp [...]s of his grace continually replenished and flowing forth. Heere isIsh. 11 / 12. Ioh. 3 / 1 [...]. Isa. 49 / 22. hee lysted vp to all Nations, hither heeE [...]. 55.1. Mat. 6 / 33. & 22.1. Pro. 9 / 4. [...]. Iob. 7 / 37. inuiteth all mē to his supper, his mariage seast: hither oughtDen. 12 / 5.11. Esa. 2 / 1.3. Zach. 14 / 16.17.18.10. all men of all estates and degrees that acknow­ledg him their Prophet, Priest and King to repayre, to beeEsa. 44 / 5. Psal 8 [...] / 5.6. Can. 4.12 Gal. 6 / 10. Col. 1 / 12.13. Eph. 2 / 19. enrolled [...]mongst his houshold seruants, to bee vnder his heauenly conduct and government, to leade their lyues in his walled sheepfold, & wa­tered orchard, to haue communion heer with the Saincts, that they may bee made meet to bee partakers of their inheritāce in the king­dome of God.

19 Art. 19 That asSee the 18. [...]rticle before / and Exod. 25.2. and 35.5. 1. Cor. 12 / 4.5.6.7.12.18 Rom. 12.4.5.6. [...]. Pet. 4.16. Eph. 4 / 16. Colos 2 / 5. all his seruants and subiects are called hither, to pre­sent their bodyes and soules, and to bring the guyfts God hath gi­ven them; so beeing come, they are heer by himself bestowed in their severall order, peculiar place, due vse, beeing fitly compact and knit together by euery ioynt of help, according to the effectuall work in the measure of euery parte, vnto the edification of yt self in loue; whervnto whē heeEph. 4 / [...].10.11.12.13. Rom. 12 / 7.8. & 16.1.1. Cor. 12.4.5.6.7.8.11.14.15.16.17.18.28. 1. Tim. 3 / [...] 5.3.9.17.21. Act. 6 / 2.3. [...] 14.13. and 20.27.28. Phil. 1 / [...] ascended vp on high hee gaue guifts vnto men, [Page]that hee might fill all these things, and hath distributed these guifts, vnto seuerall functions in his Church, hauing instituted and ratified toRev. 11 / 18.19. Mar. 28 / 20. 1. Tim. 6 / 13.14. contynue vnto the worlds end, only this publick ordinarie Mi­nisterie of Pastors, Teachers, Elders, Deacons, Helpers to the in­struction, government, and seruice of his Church.

20 Art. 20 That this ministerie is exactlye described,Pro. [...] / 8.9. heb. 3.2.6. the first worstle to Th [...]o­my wholly. Act. 6 / 3.5.6. & 14.23. & 10.17. etc. 1. pet. 5 / 2.3. 1. Cor. 5 / 4.5.11.12.13. etc. and 9.7.9.14. described, distinguished, limited, concerning their office, their calling to their office, ther administra­tion of their office, and their maintenance in their office, by most perfect and playnes Web. 2.3. and 3.3. and 12.25. etc. 2. Tim. 3 / 14.15. Gil. 1 / 8.9. 1. tim. 6.13.14. Deut. 12 / 32. and 4 2. [...]evel. 21 / 18.19 lawes in Gods word, which lawes it is not law­full for these Ministers, or for the wholl Church wittinly to neglect, transgresse, or violate in anie parte; nor yet to receiue anie other lawes brought into the Church by anie person whatsoever.

21 Art. 21 ThatNum. 16 / 5.40. & 1 [...].7. 2. Chron. 26.18. Io [...]. 10.1.2 and. 2.17. Web. 5.4. Ret. 6 / 3.5.6. & 14.23. Tit. 1 / 5 none may vsurp or execute a ministerie but such as are rightly called by the Church whereof they stand ministers; and that such so called ought to gyve all diligence to [...] Bet. 2. [...]8. 1. cor. 4 / 1.2. Col. 4 / 17. 1. Tim. 1 / 18.19. & 4.12. and 5.11 & 6.11.12.13.14. 2. Tim. 1 / 13.14. and 3.14. and 4.5 / [...]. P [...]t. 5 / 1.2.3.4. fulfill ther ministerie, to bee found faithfull and vnblamable in all things.

22. Art. 22 That this ministerie is alyke given to euery Christian con­gregation, with like povvre and commission to haue and enioy the same, as God offereth fit men and meanes, the same r [...]les given to all for the election and execution therof in all places.

23 Art. 23 That as every christian CongregationAct. 6 / 3.5.6. & 14.23. 2. Cor. 8.19. [...]et. 15.2 / 3.22.25. 1. Tim. 3 / 10. and 4.14 / & 5.22 [...]n n. 8 / 9.10. hath povvre and com­mandement to elect and ordeine their ovvn ministerie according to the rules prescribed, and [...]. Thes. 5 / 12.13. 1. Tun. 5 / 3.17. [...]eb. 13 / 17. 1. cor. 9. Gal. 6.6.31. Tim. 3 / 10. and 5.22. [...]om. 16 / 17 Phyl. [...] / 2.18.19. 1. Tim. [...]3 / 5. Tech. 4 [...] / 1:.13. Mat. 1 [...] / 17. whilest they shal faithfully execute their office, to haue them in superaboundant loue for their vvorke sake, to provide for them,Mat. 28 / 20.1. cor 14 / 33.36. 1. [...]or. 12 / 4 5.6.7. and 4 17. and. 16.1 cyd 4 / 10.11.12.13. 1. cor. 3 / 21.22.23. [...]at. 18.17. see Article. 20. to honour them and reuerence them, according to the dignitie of the office they execute. So have they also1. Tim. 3 / 10. and 5.22. Rom. 16 / 17 Ph [...]l. [...] / 2.18.19. 1. Tim. [...] 3.5. T [...]ch. 4 1 / 11.13. Mat. 13 / 17. provvre and commandement when anie such defalt, either in their lyfe, Doc­trine, or administration breaketh out, as by the rule of the word de­barreth them from, or depriveth them of their ministerie, by due or­der to depose them from the ministerie they exercised; yea if the case so require, and they remayne obstinate and impenitent, orderly to cut them off by excommunication.

24 Art. 24 ThatPsal. 122.3. Act [...] / 47. Rom. 16 / [...] Leb. 0 / 4.5. & 24.14. Num. 5 3. Der. 3 / 9. Mat. 18 / 17. 1. cor 5 / 4. 2. cor. 2 / 6 7.8. Christ hath given this povvre to receiue in or to cut off anie member, to the vvholl body together of euery Christian Con­gregation, and not to anie one member aparte, or to moe members sequestred from the vvholl, or to anie other Congregation to doo it for thē: yet that1. Cor. 3 / 21.22.23. Act 15.1. cor. 3 / 4.5. & 12.20. ech Congregation ought to vse the best help they can heer vnto, and the most meet member they haue to pronounce the same in their publick [...]embly.

25 Art. 25 That euery member of ech Christian Congregation,Lev. 4. P [...]l. 141 / 5. and 1.10.11.12. & 1. [...] 8.9. 2. Chro 26 / [...]0. Act. [...] / 2.4 2. Tim. 5 / 19.20.21. hovv ex­cellent, great, or learned soeuer, ought to be subiect to this censure & iudgment of Christ; Yet ought not the Church vvithout great care & due advise to procede against such publick persons.

26 Art. 26 That for theC [...]rt. 3 / 3. Esa. 62 / 6 Exc. 33.2. Mat. 14 / 45. Luk. 12 / 42. Act. 20 / 28 web. 13 / 17. keeping of this Church in holy & orderly commu­nion, as Christ hath placed some speciall men over the Church, who by their office are to governe, ouersee, visite, watch &c. SoMar. 13 / 34.37. Luk. 17 / 3. 1. Thes 5 / 14. Gal. 6 / 1. Jude. 3 / 20. [...]ebr. 10 / 24.2 [...]. & 12.15. lykevvise for the better keeping therof in all places, by all the members, hee hath giuen authoritie & layd duty vpon thē all to watch one ouer another.

27 Art. 27 That vvhilest the Ministers and people thus remayne together in this holy order and christian communion, ech one endevoring to do the will of God in their calling, & thus to vvalke in the obedience of faith Christ hath promised to bee present with them,Don. 28 / 1. e [...]e. Mat. 28 / 20. Luk. 12 / 35.36.37.38. Mat. 16.18. Zach 2 / 5. & 12 / 2.3.4. Psal. 125 / 2. & 131.12.13. e [...]c. to blesse & defend them against all adversarie povvre, & that the gates of Hell shall not prevayle against them.

28 Art. 28 But when & vvhere this holy order & diligent vvatch was in­termitted, neglected, violated. Antichrist that man of sinne corrupted & altered the holy ordinances, offices,Re [...]. 9. & 13 / & 17. & 18.2. Thes. 2 / 3.4.9.10.11.12. Psal. 74. Esa. 14.13.14. Dan. 7.25. [...]d [...].10.11.12. & 11.3 [...]. 1. Tim. 4 / 1.2. 1. io [...]. 2 / 18.22. & 4.3 & administratiōs of the church brought in & erected a strange new forged ministerie, leitourgie and government & the Nations Kingdoms & inhabitants of the earth, were made drunken vvith this cup of fornications & abhominations, & all people enforced to receiue the Beasts marke and worship his image & so brought into confusion & babilonish bondage.

29 Art. 29 That the present ministerie reteyned & vsed in Englad of Arch. b•• Lobb. Deanes, Prebendaries, Canons, Peti-Canons,Re [...]. 9 / 3 etc. & 13.15.16.17. & 18.1.17. compaced with Rom. 12 / 7.8. [...]ph. 4 / 11.12. 1. T [...]m. 3 / 15. & 5.17. Con [...]ate this Art. with the 1.7.12.13.14.19.20.21.22.23.24.28. Ar­tities aforesaid. Arch-Dea­tons, Chancellors, Commissaries, Priests, Deacons, Parsons, Viccars Curats, Hireling rouing Preachers, Church-wardens, Parish-clerkes their Doctors, Proctors, & wholl rable of those Courts with all from & vnder them set ouer these Cathedrall & Parishionall Assemblies in this confusion, are a strange & Antichristian ministerie & offices; & are not that ministerie aboue named instituted in Christs Testament, or allovved in or ouer his Church.

30 Art. 30 That theirCempare with Articies 1 / 7.12.13.14.19. etc. Rev. 9.3 / [...]c. & 18.14.17. I Joh. 10 / 1. Dan. 7 / 8. [...]. a [...]. and 8.10.11.12. 2 Thes. 2.3.4.8.9. [...] 17 / 4.5.16. Offices, Entrance, Administration and maintenance, with theirK [...]b. 22 / 25.26. Rev. 14.11 & 17.3.4.5. & 13.15.16.17 1. Pet. 5 / 3. with Ioh. 3 / 29. & with Rev. 2.1. 1. Ring. 22.27. [...] 11.15.16. names, titles, privileges, & prerogatiues the povvre & rule they vsurp ouer and in these Ecclefiasticall assemblies ouer the wholl ministerie, wholl ministration and affaires therof, yea one ouer ano­ther by their making Priests, citing, fuspending, silencing, deposing, ab­soluing, excommunicating, &c. Their confounding of Ecclefiasticall and Civile iurisdiction, causes & proceedings in ther persons, courts, [Page]cōmissions, Visitations, the rest of lesse rule, taking their ministerie frō and exercising it vnder them by theirReb. 13 / 15.16.17. Esa. 29.13. Mar. 7 / 7.8. Ga. 1 / 10. etc. and 2 / 4.5. Col. 2 / 20.22.23. Ezek. 8 / 5. & 13.9.10.11.18.19. Mica 2 / 11. mal. 1 / 8.13.14 prescription and limitation, swearing Canonicall obedience vnto them, administring by their de­vised imposed, stinted popish Leiturgie, &c. are sufficient proofs of the former assertion, the perticulars therin beeing duly examined by and compared to the Rules of Christs Testament.

31 Art. 31 That these Ecclesiastiall Assemblies,Rev. 18 / 2. 1. Cor. 14 / 11. Tit. 15 / 19. Mal. 1 / 4.6.8. Wos. 4 / 14. etc. Rom. 6 / 16. 2. Pet 2 / 19. compare with. Art. 1.7.11.12.13.14.15.17.18.19.20.24.28.29.30. aforesaid. remayning in confusion and bondage vnder this Antichristian Ministerie, Courts, Canons, worship, Ordinances. &c. without freedom or povvre to redresse anie enormitie, haue not in this confusion and subiection, Christ their Prophet, Priest, and King, neither can bee in this estate, (whilest wee iudge them by the rules of Gods word) esteemed the true, orderly gathered, or cōstituted churches of Christ, wherof the faithfull ought to beecome or stand Members, or to haueLevit. 17 / Mos. 4 / 15 / 1. Cor. 10.18 19.20. 2. Cor. 6 / 14.15 / 16. Rev. 18 / 4. Cant. 1 / 6.7. anie Spirituall com­munion vvith them in their publick vvorship and Administra­tion.

32 Art. 32 ThatReu. 18 / 4. Esa. 48 / 20. and 52.11. Ile. 50 / 8. & 51.6.45. Zech. 1 / 6. [...]2. Cord. 15 /. and 17.6.2. King. 23 / 5 etc. Rom. 13 / 4. Mat. 22 / 21. rev. 27 / 16. by Gods Commandement all that will bee saued, must vvith speed come forth of this Antichristian estate,Zech. 1 [...] / 2.4.5.6. J [...]. 51 / 26. Psal 119 / 59.60.128. Prov. 5 / 10. Es [...]. [...] / 11.12 and 35.8. Zach. 14 / 21. Pro. 3 / 9.16. psal. 16.3 / 4. compa­red [...] Exod. [...]0.4 / 5. Iudg. 17. [...].4.5. Eyed. 16.17 18.19. 1. Cor. 10.1 [...].10.21.22. com­pared with Hov. [...] / 10. & with [...]. Cor. 2.3.4.5. [...]. Tim. 5 / 17. leaving the suppression of it vnto the Magistrate to vvhom it belongeth. And that both all such as haue receyued or exercised anie of these false Offices or anie pretended function or Ministerie in or to this false and Antichristian constitution, are vvillingly in Gods feare, to giue ouer and leaue those vnlavvfull Offices, and no longer to minister in this maner to these Assemblies in this estate And that none also, of what sort or condition soever, doo giue anie part of their Goods, Lands, Money, or money vvorth to the maintenance of this false Ministerie and vvorship vpon anie Commandement, or vnder anie colour vvhatsoeuer.

33 Art. 33 That beeing come forth of this antichristian estate vnto the freedom and true profession of Christ, besides theGen. 18.19. Exod. 13 / 8 14. Pro. 31 / 26.17. Eph. 6 / 4. Deut. 6 / 7. Psal. 78 / 9.4 instructing and [Page]vvell guyding of their ovvn Families, they areRu [...]. 17.37. Psal. 110 / 3 Mas. [...] / Esa. 44.5. Act. 2 / 41.42. Iis. 50 / 4.5. Neh. 9 / 38. Act. 2 / 41.42. vvillingly to joyne together in christian communion and orderly couenant, and by con­fession of Faith and obedience of Christ, to1. Cor. 1 / 2. and 11.14. Rev. 1 / 20 and 2.1.8.12.18. & 3.1.7.14. Eph. 2 / 19. Ccl. 2 / 19. vnite themselues into peculiar Congregatiōs; vvherin, as members of one body vvherof Christ is the only head, they are to vvorship and serue God accor­ding to his vvord, remembringtoExod. 20 / 8. Rev. 1 / 10. Act. 20.7. 1. Cor. 16 / [...] keep holy the Lords day.

34 Art. 34 That such as1. Cor. 14 / tem. 12.6. 1. Cor. 12 / 7. 1. Pet. 4 / 10. Act. 13.15. 1. Thes. 5 / 20 God hath giuen guiftes to enterpret the Scrip­tures, tryed in the exercise of Prophecie, giving attendance to studie and learning, may and ought by the appointment of the Congrega­tion, to teach publickly the vvord, vntill the people bee meet for, and God manifest men vvith able guifts and fitnes to such Office or Of­fices as Christ hath appointed to the publick ministerie of his church; butNum. 16 / 10.39.40. Rom. 12.7. [...]ch. 5 / 4. Ioh. 1 / 23.25. no Sacraments to bee administred vntill the Pastors or Tea­chers bee chosen and ordeyned into their Office.

35 Art. 35 Thats Rev. [...]. Act. 6 / 3.5.6. & 14.21.22.23. Tit. 1 / 5. etc. 1. Cor. 12 / 7.8.14.15. 1. Tim. 3. vvheras ther shalbee a people fit, and men furnished with meet and necessarie guifts, they doo not only still continue the exer­cise of Prophecie aforesayd, but doo also vpon due tryall, proceed vn­to choyce and ordination of Officiers for the ministerie and servise of the Church, according to the rule of Gods vvord; And that soe theyCol. 2 / 5.6.7. 2. Thes. 2 / 15. Iud. [...] / etc. Mat. 28 / 2 [...]. hold on still to vvalke forward in the wayes of Christ for their mutuall edification and comfort, as it shall please God to giue know­ledge and grace thervnto. And perticularly, thatAct. 2 / 38.39. 1. Cor. 7 / 14. Rom. 11 / 16 / Gen. 17 / 7.11.27. 1. cor­re / 2. Psal. 12 / 30. Exod. 12 / 48.49. Act. 16 / 15.33. 1. Cor. 1 / 16. Mar. 10 / 13 / 14.15.16. Gal. 3 / 29. such as bee of the seed, or vnder the government of anie of the Church, bee euen in their infancie receiued to Baptisme, ond made pertakers of the signe of Gods Couenant made with the saithfull and their seed throvgh­out all Generations. And thatMat. 26 / 26.27. 1. Cor. 11.28. and 10.3.4.16.17. act. 2 / 42. & 20.7.8 all of the Church that are of yeeres, and able to examine themselues, doo communicate also in the Lords Supper both men [...]al. 3 / 28. Act. 2 / 42. with 1.14. 1. Cor. 12 / 13. and vvomen, and inMat. 26 / 26.27. 1. Cor. 10 / 3.4.16. & 11.23.24.25.26.27.28.29. both kindes bread and vvyne in which1. Cor. 10 / 16.17. & 11.23 24.25.26, etc. Mat. 26 / 26.27.29. & 15.17. Job. 12 / 8. Elements, as also in the vvater of baptisme, euen af­ter their are consecrate, there is neyther transubstantiation into, nor Consubstantiation with the bodye and bloode of Iesus Christ; vvhomeAct. 3 / 11.57.56 the Heauens must conteyne; vntill the tyme [Page]that al things bee restored.Sea. 17 / 11. tom. 4 / 11. Exod. 12 / 13. with [...]eb. 13 / 20. [...]. Cor. 11 / 26.27.28.29. & 10.3.4.5. [...]om. 2.28.29. Act. 15.9. Rom. 5 / &. 6.7. & 8. Chap [...]. But they are in the ordinance of God sig­nes and seales of Gods euerlasting couenant representing and offring to all the receiuers, but exhibiting only to the true beleevers the Lord Iesus Christ and all his benefits vnto righteousnes, sanctification and eternall lyfe, through faith in his name to the glorie and prayse of God.

36 Art. 36 That thusLeb. 4.13. etc. 2. Chro. 15 / 9.17. a [...]d 30.18.19. [...]. [...] / and 3.1. Cor. 1.20. Phil. 2 / 1.2.3.4.5.6. and 3.15.16. heb. 10.25. sub. 19. beeing rightly gathered, established, and still procee­ding in christian communion & obedience of the Gospell of Christ, none is to seperate for falts and corruptions which may and so long as the Church consisteth of mortall men, will fall out & arise emong them, even in a true constituted Church, but by due2. Cor. 13.1.2. [...] 2. and 3.1. Thes. 5.24.2. Thes. 3 / 6.14. Mat. 18 / 17. 1. Cor [...] / 4.5. Act. 15.1.2. order to seeke re­dresse therof.

37 Art. 37 That1. cor. 14 / 24.25. Psal. 18.49. rom. 15.9.10. 1. Tim. 2 / 4. 2. Tim. 2 / 25. such as yet see not the truth, may heare the publik doctrine and prayers of the church, and with al meeknes are to bee sought by all meanes: Yet2. Cor. 6 / 14.15.16. Ey [...]. 4 / 3. Exod. 12 / 43. Lev. 21.25. Exod / 34. none who are growne in yeeres to bee received into their communion as members, but such as doo make confession of their faith, publickly desiring to bee receiued as members, and promi­sing to walke in the obedience of Christ. Neither anie i Infants, but such as are the seed of the faithfull by one of the parents, or vnder their education and gouernment. And further not anie2. Deu. 7 / Ese. 44.5. Ect. 19 / 18. from one Congregation to bee receiued members in another, without bringing certificate of their former estate and present purpose.

38 Art. 38 That though Congregations bee thus distinct and severall bo­dyes, every one as a compact Citie in it self, yet are they all to walke by one and the same rule, & by all meanes convenient to haue the coun­sell and help one of another in all needfull affayres of the Church, as members of one body in the common Faith, vnder Christ their head.Lo [...] A [...]ticles 1. [...]2.35. W [...]al. 122 3. Cant. 8.8.9. 1. cor. 4 / 17. and 16.1.

39 Art. 39 That it is the Office and duty of Princes and Magestrates,Exod. 20 / 5.6. who by the ordinance of God are supreme Governers vnder him over all persons and causes within their Realmes and Dominions, [...] Rom. 13 / 3.4. [...]. Pet. 2.3 / 14. 2. Chro. 19 / 4. etc. and. 29. and 34. Chap. Iudg. 17 / 5 [...]. Math. 22.21. Tit. 3 / [...]. [...]. 2. King. 23.5 / etc Psal. 110. Deu. 12 / 2.3, with. 17.14.18 19.20. 2 King. 10.25.27.28. 2. Chro. [...] / 16. [...]ro. 16 / 12. and 25.2.3.4.5. Act. 19 / 27. Reb. 27.16. tom. Cor. 7 / 14. Gen. [...] 7 / 7.12.27. Exod. 22 / 43.49. Act. 16 / [...]. [...] Act. 9 / 26.27. [...]om. 16 / 1.2.2. Cor [...] / 13. Col. 4 / 10. sup­press and root out by their authoritie all false ministeries, voluntarie Relligions and counterfeyt worship of God, to abolish and destroy the Idoll Temples, Images, Altares, Vestments, and all other monu­ments of Idolatrie and superstition and to take and convert to their own civile vses not only the benefit of all such idolitrous buyldings & monuments, but also the Revenues, Demeanes, Lordships, Posses­sions, Gleabes and maintenance of anie false, ministeries and vnlaw­full Ecclesiasticall functions whatsoever within their Dominions. [Page]And on the other handDeut. 17.14 / 18.19.2 [...]. Ios [...]. 1 / 7.8. 2 Chro. 17 / 4.7.8.9. & 19.4. [...] 29. & 30. [...]an. 6 / 25.26. Psal. 2 / 10.11.12. & 72.1. etc. Esa. 49 / 23. Rev. 21.24. Ez [...]a. 7.26. to establish & mayntein by their lawes eve­ry part of Gods word his pure Relligion and true ministerie to che­rish and protect all such as are carefull to worship God according to his word, and to leade a godly lyfe in all peace and loyalltie; yea to en­force al their Subiects whether Ecclesiasticall or civile, to do their du­tyes to God and men, protecting & mainteyning the good, punishing and restreyning the evill according as God hath commanded, vvhose Lieuetenants they are heer on earth.

40 Art. 40 That therfore thePro. 16 / 15. Ez [...] 5. and 6. Act. 9 / 31. 1. Tim. 2 / 2. [...]. 6 25.26. Rev. 21 / 24. protection & commandement of the Prin­ces and Magistrats maketh it much more peaceable, thoughAct. 4 / 18.19. and 5.2 [...].29. Dan. 6 / 7.8 9.10.22. Luk. 21 / 12.13. Mat. 28 / 20. 1. tim. 5 / 21. and 6.13.14. no whit at all more lavvfull, to vvalke in the vvayes and ordinances of Iesus Christ vvhich hee hath commanded his church to keep vvithout spot and vnrebukeable vntill his appeering in the end of the vvorld.Psal. 72 / [...]. etc. [...]. tun. 2 / 2. 2. chro. 25 / 1.2. [...]ay. 1.4.14. and 2.5. And that in this behalf the brethren thus mynded and proceeding as is be­foresaid, doo both contynually supplicate to God, and as they may, to their Princes and Gouernours that thus and vnder them they may leade a quiet and peaceable lyfe in all godlynes and honestie.

41. Art. 41 That if God encline the Magistrates hearts to the allovvance & protection of them therin they acccmpt it a happie blessing of God who granteth such nourcing Fathers and nourcing Mothers to his Church,Psal. 126 / 1. etc. [...]. 49 / 23. and 60 16. Psal. 72 / 1. etc. [...]om. 13 / 3. 1. Tim. 2 / 2.3.4. & be carefull to walke vvorthie so great a mercy of God in all thankfulnes and obedience.

42 Art. 42 That if God vvithold the Magistrates allovvance and furtherāce heerin, they [...]ct. 2 / 40.41.42. and 4.19. [...] 5.28.29.41. and 16.20 etc. and 17.6.7. and 20.23.24. 1. Thes. 3.3. Ph [...]l. 1.27.28.29. [...]an. 3 / 16.17.18. a [...]d 6.7.10.22.23.24. Luk. 14 / 26.27. & 21.12.13 / 14. 2. tim. 2 / 12. and 3 / 12. heb [...]0 / 32. etc. 1. Pet. 4. Rev. 2 / 10.25.26. and. 6.9. and 12.11. yet proceed together in christian couenant & commu­nion thus to vvalke in the obedience of Christ evē through the mid­dest of all tryalls and aflictions, not accompting their goods, Lands VVyves, Children, Fathers, Mothers, brethren, Sisters, no nor their ovvn lyues dear vnto thē, so as they may finish their course with ioy, remembring alvvayes that wees Act. 5 / 29. and 17.6. [...]. ought to obey God rather thē mā, & grounding [...]at. 28.18.19.20. 1. Tim. 6 / 13.14.15.16. 2. Tim. 4 / 7.8. Rev. 2 / 10. and 14.12.13. and 22.16.17.18.19.20 vpon the commandement, commission and promise of our Saviour Christ, vvho as hee hath all povvre in heauē & in earth, so hath also promised if they keep his commandements vvhich hee hath giuē without limitatiō of tyme, place, Magistrates allovvance or disallowance, to bee with them vnto the end of the world and vvhen they haue finished their course and kept the faith, to [...]iue them the crovvn of righteousnes vvhich is layd vp for all them that loue his appeering.

43 Art. 43 That they doo also vvillingly and orderly pay and performe all maner of lavvfull and accustomed dutyes vnto all men,Rom. 13 / 1.5.6.7. [...]at 21.21 2. chro 27 / Ezt 7.26. Tit. 2 / 1. 1. Pet. 2 / 13 etc. submitting [Page]in the Lord themselues, their bodyes, Landes, Goods and lyves to the Magistrates pleasure. And that euery vvay they acknovvledge, reverence and obey them according to godlynes, not because of vvrath only but also for conscience sake.

44 And thus doo vvee the Subiects of God and hir Matie. falsely called Brovvnists labour to giue vnto God that vvhich is Gods, & vnto Caesar that vvhich is Caesars, endevoring our selues to haue al­vvayes a cleere conscience tovvards God and tovvards men: And if anie take this to be heresie, then doo vvee vvith the [...] Act. 24 / 14. Apostle freely confesse that after the vvay vvhich they call heresie vve vvorship God the Father of our Lord Iesus Christ; beleeving all things that are vvritten in the Lavv, and in the Prophets & Apostostles: And vvhatsoeuer is according to this vvord of truth published by this State or holden by anie reformed churches abrode in the vvorld.

45 Finally,Mat. 6 / 9. etc. [...]nn. 11 / 2. etc. comp [...]red with Mat. 14 / 30. and 26.39.41. Act. 1.24.25. and 4.24. etc. [...]. 8 / 26.27. Rev. 8 / 3 / 4. Eph. 6.18 / 19. Phr [...]. 4 / 6. [...]b. [...] / 18.19.20.21. [...] vers. 24 / 25. vvheras vvee are much slandered, as if vve denyed o [...] misliked that forme of prayer commonly called the Lords Prayes vvee thought it needfull heere also concerning it to make knovvn that vvee beleeue and acknovvledg it to bee a most absolute & most excellent forme of prayer such as no men or Angells can set downe the like And that it was taught & appointed by our Lord Iesus Christ, not that vvee should bee tyed to the vse of those very words, but that vvee should according to that rule make all our requests & thanksgyuing vnto God, forasmuch as it is a perfect forme and pat­terne conteyning in it playne & sufficient directions of prayer for all occasions and necessities that haue been, are, or shalbee to the church of God, or anie member therof to the end of the world.

Now vnto him that is able to keep vs that wee fall not, & to present vs faltlesse before the presence of his glorie with joy; that is to God only wise our Sauiour, bee glory, & Maje­stie & dominion, & powre both now & for ever. Amen.

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