OUR Heavenly Sower makes all mens hearts his field by inward teaching, to beget in them an humble submission to his will, with all other spiritual fruit, Mat. 13. 3, 4. Rom. [...]. 14. Col. 1. 6.

Secondly, Out of this field he National­ly culled the Jews for a Vineyard, by mira­cles, to outward teachings, for the aforesaid end, in profession of the Levitical Law, Deut. 7. 6, 7, 8. Isa. 5. 1. Rom. 3. 1, 2, 3. Heb. 7. 10.

Thirdly, Out of Field and Vineyard, he personally culls Disciples into Churches (as it were Gardens) by outward teaching, for the same end, under profession of Christi­anity; in which profession

First, Christ only is High Priest, and chief Bishop: All Disciples, Preachers, and Hearers, are Brethren, and fellow-servants; [Page 2] none to be called Lord, Master, or Doctor, Heb. 3. 1. 1 Pet. 5. 3, 4. Mat. 23. 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, & 24. 49.

Secondly, Christs Command is the on­ly rule to walk by; what is imposed more, is vain worship, John 15. 14. Mat. 15. 9.

Thirdly, Beside the Ten Commands, and standing Ordinances, Praver and Praise, he ordered Disciples by preaching and baptizing to Disciplise others in all Na­tions, and that they also observe the same things, which he had commanded them to enjoy his spiritual presence to the worlds end, Mat. 28. 16, 17, 18, 19, 20. John 20. 23. (not meaning Spirit Baptism, as some say,) that is Christs gift, and our enjoy­ment; only water Baptism is his Com­mand, and our duty, and part of Discipli­sing, Mat. 3. John 3. 22, 23. & 4. 1. Also he bad them Break and eat bread, blesse the Cup and drink, to remember him, 1 Cor. 11. 24.

But contrary to expectation, his Field bore Weeds, his Vineyard wilde Grapes, Isa. 5. And his Gardens, the chief weed, selfship.

That, culled out of his Vineyard, bore disputings for greatnesse, but Christ cut it down, and other Gardens bore the same weed, with buds; for Diotrephes, loving pre­heminence, prates against the Apostles, rejects the Brethren, and excludes them that received them; but John cuts it down, 3 John 9, 10.

In his Garden at Rome, it grew so nu­merous, and rooted so deep, before the A­postles dyed, that Paul could not fell it; wherefore he bad the faithful to mark and avoid such as caused divisions and offences, con­trary to received truth; because pretending to serve Christ, they served their own bellies, and by fair speech deceived the simple, Rom. 16. 17, 18. And now, these being avoided, the faithful become Separates of Separates.

But the outside Christians claim Church­ship, and reckon the faithful Schismatiques. Yea like the fallen Tribes of Israel, they take to themselves Authority to make Bishops. For in Anno 68. they make Linus their first Bishop, and he ordains. That wo­men come covered into the Assemblies.

Now self-ship is knuckle high, and hath two great arms, to wit, a worldly Church, and a carnal Ministry. In Christianity each Assembly is a visible Church: And a Church could come at one time, into one [Page 4] place, 1 Cor. 11. 20. But Linus his Church contains several Assemblies 2. Christ requires all aged men in his Churches, to watch over, and guide the younger, at least by example, if they cannot by preaching; and many Elders or Watchmen were in one Assembly, 1 Pet. 5. 1, 2. 5. Phil. 1. 1. But this Church will have but one Bp. (not to watch, but) to rule over many Assem­blies.

And so Titus 1. 5. is turned aside like soft wax. Paul bad Titus stay in Crete, to set things wanting in order, to order Watchmen to be blamelesse, as Gods Stewards, not to be self-will'd, or be scon angry, no wike-bibber, striker, or covetous person; but they dare order who shall be their Bp. and who not; and from these armes of self-ship sprout many worldly Ordinances; for,

70. Their second Bp. Anacletus ordains, That each City or Village, have a Priest openly made to teach, and administer Sa­craments, and excommunicates such as hinder visiting Saints Sepulchres.

Christ makes all faithful Christians a Royal Priesthood, 1 Pet. 5. 2, 5, 9. But con­trary wise, he divides his Saints into Cler­gy and Laity. 2. Christ commissionated men, as Disciples, to preach, baptize, bind, [Page 5] or loose, John 20. 19, 21, 23. But he bounds these things to his new fashion'd Priests. 3. Jew-like, he hates Saints, but honours Sepulchres. And more buds yet; for Anno

92. The third Bp. Clement, divides Pari­shes in Rome, adds Oyl and Cream to Bap­tisme; but Infant Baptisme is not yet thought on.

118. Alexander will have Communion-Wine mixt with Water, brings up purging water to sprinkle people after Masse, to make them holy, and to be reserved to drive the Devil out of mens houses, and out of the hearts of the faithful; and yet not holy enough to touch holy things; for Anno

130. Sextus ordains fine Linnen for Masse, and that Lay-men or women touch not Church-Ordinances, or hallowed things.

139. Tillisphorus ordains three Masses for Christmass day, and Lent to be fasted, and that Priests fast a week longer. And the next buds are wooden Churches, and child­ish Baptism; for

150. Higinus hallowed Churches, brought up Godfathers in Baptisme, but childrens baptisme was not yet in force, not tised by considerate people; for

Pancrates a Christians Son, 15 years old, was by Cornelius Catechised 20 dayes, and then baptized. And Pontus the son of Mar­chus a Christian, was by Bp. Pontianus first instructed, and then baptised.

Anno 233. And Nazarius son to Perpetua a Christian, was first instructed, then bap­tized. And Lionella a Christian had three Grand Children, Sosippus, Cleosippus, and Me­losippus, first Catechised, Anno 244. And thus they write: The Primitive Church used to baptize at Penticost, and all the children of the Church, which in the whole year were by the Word moved, gave in their names at Easter, and till Penticost were in­structed in the rules of Faith, and then bap­tized.

Augustine thus preach't, Juniors, Before we dipt your bodyes in sacred water, we asked you, Be­lieve you in God the Father Allmighty? believe you in Jesus Christ his Son, conceived of the Ho­ly Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary? believe you in the Holy Ghost? And to each question every one answered, I believe. This we did according to our Saviours Command, Mat. 28. &c.

154. Pius brought up keeping of Easter, ordained, That if Sacramental Wine be spilt, the Priest must lick it up; and brought the Font into the Church, but not so small [Page 7] a Font as now is; for Ciriachus Marcellus his Deacon baptizing Tobia the King of Persia's Daughter in a silver Font; asked her, Tobia, believest thou in God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost? she answered, I believe; Ciriachus ask­ed, Believest thois the Resurrection of the body? she said, I believe; then being dipt, and list­ed out of the water, she said, Jesus whom Ci­riach preacheth, is God.

195. Victor commands that Baptisme be not administred till Easter, except need be; then at any time, and by Lay-men, or wo­men, and in hallowed, or unhallowed water.

203. Zopherimus brought up glass Chal­lices, because Christs blood might soak in­to wood; and ordered that all called Chri­stians receive the Sacrament at 12 years of age. The wine is now turned bloody, but not yet confirmed for an Article. But more buds still. For

218. Calextus brought up hallowing of Church yards; and Ʋrban their 16 Bp. appoints Silver and Gold Challices.

233. Pontian ordains, That Psalms be sung in Churches night and day; and that none but Priests, may accuse a Priest.

258. Steven condemns Church-robbers, as man-slayers.

261. Sextus 2d ordains, That the Com­munion be celebrated on an Altar. And

273. Foelix will not have it on an unhal­lowed Altar, or any unhallowed place; nor by any but a Priest, except need be.

275. Eutichianus blest new fruits, as Grapes and Beans on the Altar. And more buds still. For

283. Gaius decreed none to be made Priest, that hath not been 1. A Door-Keeper. 2. A Reader. 3. A Conjurer. 4. A Candle-Carrier. 5. A sub-Deacon. 6. A Deacon; and then a Priest.

312. Melciade their 31 Bp. brought up Bishoping of children, as a greater Sacra­ment than Baptisme.

314. Silvester makes Wednesdayes and Frydayes fasting-dayes.

And now is self-ship grown knee-high into an Arch-Bishop, but a Pope or univer­sal Bishop is not yet thought on.

336. Marchus their first Arch-Bishop, brought up singing the Nician Creed, and Julius brought in singing Athanasius Creed; and that the Bread and Wine be received severally. And self-ship buds still. For

352. Liberius the third Arch-bishop, or­dains Procession against plague, famine, rain, or drought. And

367. Damasus appoints Gloria Patri to end every Psalm, and two Quires to sing; one to sing one verse on one side, and one to sing another verse on th'other side; set Jerom to appoint every dayes Service, and how many Psalms for each day, and that all do use that form. And more buds yet. For

385. Severius admits Monks into holy Order, un-Priests such as marry twice, or a widow; decreed that Priests have not all their Orders at one time.

398. Their Arch-Bishop Anastatius or­dains standing when Gospel is read.

404. Innocent their eighth Arch-Bishop, makes Infant-Baptisme a Law, and that the people kisse the Paxe, and Priests to kiss each other; and that the sick be not anoin­ted with unconsecrated oyl.

417. Zosimus brought up Tapers.

419. Boniface a Miraculist, brings in fa­sting on Saints Eves; and none to be Priest before 30 years of age. And more buds yet. For

423. Celestinus the eleventh Arch-Bishop will have none Christned, till the Priest by breathing, drive the Devil out of them.

461. Iberius brought in the Letany.

467. Anacetus forbad Priests to have heards, or long side-hair, but shaven [Page 10] crowns, Not four corner'd like Simon Magus; but round like Simon Peter, (saith he) to mind them of the Crown of Glory.

492. Galatius ordains, That the Priests in Mass stretch out their arms, and hold up their hands; and by Council Enacts Bap­tism to be administred, but at Easter and Whitsuntide, except need be; and then on new-born Infants; and to be done freely.

499. Simonachus their last Arch-Bishop, ordered that Pascutia's soul be chastised in Purgatory.

Now is self-ship grown middle-high, and turned Patriarch.

514. Hornesday their first Patriarch will have no Altar set up without a Bishops consent.

526. Faelix 4. and third Patriarch, divi­ded Church from Chancel.

531. John 2. wrote for equality of Fa­ther and Son.

534. Agepetus, will have people on Sunday follow the Cross in Procession.

537. Vigillius their eighth Patriarch, will have Masse said with faces Eastward.

556. Pelagius ordains Deriges, and that dayes Mattins for the dead.

559. John 3. and tenth Patriarch, de­crees that none have the title of chief, or universal Bishop.

591. Gregory their 13. Patriarch, stiled himself, Servus Servorum, opposed John of Constantinople for claiming title of Ʋniversall, yet he hallowed candles, ashes, and palms, ordained Candlemas day for people to car­ry lighted candles in, and ash-wednesday to be sprinkled with ashes, to mind them that they are dust and ashes, and to carry palmes on palm-sunday; he put the Pater Noster to the Mass, and a candle to burn on the Altar in Mass-time, held Images to be Lay-mens books, but not to be worshipped, revoked his Decree against Priests marri­age, because 6000. infants skulls were found in a Fish-pond: many buds at once, and yet more still; for,

604. Sabian the last Patriarch, decreed bells ringing to gather people to hear Di­vine Service.

And self-ship is now grown head-high, and turned Pope.

606. Boniface 3. and first Pope obtai­ned chiefship of the Emperour Phocas, and that the Church of Rome he recko­ed the Mother-Church; now begins we will and command you, and now Mahomet schismed from him, and joyned with Ser­gius a Monk. Little thought Phocas that Emperours would at last be subject to [Page 12] Popes: but more buds yet; for Boniface 4. and second Pope, fatted Monks in a Mona­stery for his lust.

614. Deus dedit wills Gossips not to marry, and

618. Boniface 5. ordains Sanctuary for Men-slayers, and that none below a Dea­con touch Saints reliques: and Honorius or­dains a feast for exalting the Crosle.

642. Theodorus wills none to marry that Maid, to whom his father was God-father: and yet more buddings; for,

649. Martin the ninth Pope, deckt Churches, appoints more holydayes, and Priests to keep single, and sing Mass aloud, and no man to lie with his wife, till a Priest bless them, and hallow their bed.

654. Eugenius ordered Bps to imprison bold Priests.

665. Vitalian brought into the Church Organs, and Prick-song, and Latine Ser­vice in England.

669. Deo, or Theodatus, hath Mass sung in Latine, and debarrs Ravena Bps of Chri­stian burial, for not stooping to Romes Sea.

678. Pope Agatho subjected Ravena-Churches, and put out the Bps eyes that withstood it.

683. Leo 2. and 15. Pope, opposed We­stern Priests marriages.

684. Pope Benedict got the stile of Christs Vicar.

688. Sergius, or Swines snout, settles Can­dlemass-day Customs, gets Shrines to put reliques in: and lofty budding yet, for,

708. Constantine permits Justinian to kiss his feet.

731. Gregory 3. decreed that people offer derige groats, and mass-pence, for their dead friends souls, and that Priests do pray and sacrifice for the dead, and that Images be worshipt.

752. Steven 2. was the first carried on mens shoulders.

757. Pope Paul made legends for Saints, and Service for Lent.

767. Steven 3. setled Image-worship.

772. Adrian the 30. Pope, wrote a Book for Images, and will have Western Chur­ches put off all fashions of massing, save that fashion that Gregory 1. had ordained.

792. Pope Leo 3. brought up Cen­sers.

817. Pascalis put Saints reliques to sale. and Gregory 4. wills Priests to go homely like Christ, without Rings or costliness.

844. Sergius 2. the first that changed his name for the Popedome, and selfship is now full crown-high; for,

847. Leo 4. brought up Peters penny, of­fers Princes his feete to kiss, lets none come in the Chancel while Mass is saying.

855. Pope Joan, and 862. Benedict 3. gives security that he is a male, orders the Clergie to be at the burial of Bps, and sing derige for their souls, and Bps to do so for the Clergie.

864. Nicholas complains of neglect in registring Popes, and orders Baptism, ad­ministred by pagan or infidel is not null, and that Popes decrees be equall to Scrip­ture.

891. Formasus, and 896. Steven 6. took Formasus up, cuts off his consecrating finger, and casts him into Tyber.

910. Sergius 3. took him up again, cuts off his other right hand fingers, and casts him again into Tyber, and new ordains whom he ordained.

939. Steven 8. cuts off mens hands, and pulls out their eyes for inclining to Otho, made boys Bps for money, defiled his fa­thers Concubine, put out his ghostly father Benedicts eyes, brake windows in the night, set houses on fire, drank healths to Satan; but a resolute man found him nought with his wife, and dispatcht him; but,

965. Leo 8. Crowned Otho, and admitted him right to choose Popes.

965. John 14. began to name and bap­tize bells.

999. Silvester 2. and 73 Pope, defeats a Sarazen of a conjuring book, agreed with Satan to be wholly his, if he bring him back and promote him: and did return, and taught the black art to Theophilact, Lawrence, Braesutus, and John Gratian, by whose help he came to be Bp of Reames, then Archbp of Ravena, and next Pope of Rome; used the art secretly, till asking how long he should live, was told, till he said Mass at Jerusalem; he thought to live long, but in Lent, said Mass at St Crose (sometime called Jerusa­lem) where Satan seised on him.

1003. John 18. made a fast for all souls, took the people from choosing Popes, say­ing, The people must be taught, and not followed: and now Purgatory sprouts a­pace: for,

1003. John 19. called also Fastinus, is said to raise souls, and

1012. Benedict 8 is said to be seen a hors­back after death, telling a Bp he was tor­mented, wishing that Odels would pray for him, and bad that his brother John take a treasure hid in such a place, and distribute it to the poor for his soul.

Benedict 9. made Lawrence and Gratian [Page 16] (his fellow-conjurers) Cardinals, invo­cates Satan in a Wood, makes women run after him, was selling his Popedome, and in the interim steps in Silvester; then Gregory gets the keys; three Popes at once, called the twenty schism; but Benedict fled, Gregory was banisht, and Silvester stood.

1047. Clement 2. makes the Romans for­swear a right to choose Popes; but the Em­perour quelled him.

1049. Leo 9. appoints Priests to dwell nigh the Church.

1075. Gillibrand, or Gregory 7. and 89. Pope, by causing fire to come out of his sleeve, the people cryed, Peter hath chosen Gillibrand; he had poysoned six or seaven; he decreed that people come not to Mass empty-handed; he threw the Sacrament in the fire, not answering his demands, as the heathen Gods did theirs; he made the Em­perour and Emperess in cold weather come barefoot three dayes for audience, yet, at last was banisht, and died miserably.

1088. Ʋrban 2. excommunicates two Emperours, and Clement the Emperours Pope, and the people quarreld which Popes side to take; and more buds still; for▪

1110. Petrus devised beads to say their Ladies Psalter on, and setled tithes on the Priests; but

1119. Calextus excommunicates the Emperour, makes his Pope ride backward, excommunicates all Priests that took mo­ney for baptizing or burying.

1124. While Honorius sent to forbid Priests marriage in England, himself was found in bed with a slut.

And selfship hath over-grown the Em­pire; for,

1154. Adrian 4. chid the Emperour for holding the wrong stirrup; also excommu­nicated him for writing his own name be­fore his; he seeking admission, Adrian sets his foot on him, and said, On the Adder thou shalt tread, &c. also he made Consulls powerless.

1191. Silestin 3. sets on the Emperours Crown with his feet, saying, Per [...]me regis regnum: and yet selfship buds apace, for,

1198. Innocent 3. settles Oricular con­fession, and takes the Cup from the laitie, burnt a hundred in one day, decreed that men believe that the words in their Mass-Canon were used by Christ, and are equall to Scripture, and that the Bread and Wine is after consecration the very flesh and blood of Christ, and not Bread or Wine; that sins be confest to a Priest once a year, and if he publish their faults, to do pen­nance [Page 18] in a Monastery till he die.

1216. Honorius 3. commands that when the Bread is lift up over the Priests head, all people fall down and worship it, and that a woman declaring in three years af­ter marriage, that her husband cannot give her due benevolence, shall be separate from him; and

1227. Gregory 9 orders a sacring bell to ring while the Priests lifts up bread and challice, to stir up the people to worship it.

Silvester 4. was poysoned, and the place lay voyd 21. weeks.

1243. Innocent 4. brought in begging Friers, Dominicans, Carmalites, and Au­stines.

1271. Gregory 10. held the Holy Ghost proceeding from Father and Son, twelve times withstood before: And yet selfship buds; for,

1275. Clement 4. Granted three years pardon to all that could devoutly say some Latine Horisms; and

1277. Nicholas 3. caused a massacre in France by the tole of a bell.

1281. Martin 4. kept Nicholases Con­cubine, and rid from his Palace all pictures of Bears, least she beholding it, bring forth a Bear.

1294. Boniface 8. is said to enter as a Fox, rule as a Lyon, and die as a Dog, brought in the Jewes Jubilee: went one day in Imperial another day in Popes robes, and two Swords carried before him.

1316. John 22. Sainted Thomas Aquine, and in their register was now found 5555. Canonized Saints; he flaid a Bp, and then burnt him, decreed that bels tole every E­ven, and that people straight-way kneele, and say Avi Maria three times.

1334. Benedict 12. gave a great sum for a woman to make use of.

1352. Clement 7. made a holy day for the Speare that pierced Christ.

1362. Ʋrban 6. and 130. Pope, oppo­sed France, and they chose Clement, which schism lasted nigh forty years; Clement plundred Rome, and one Popes Buls roared against the other.

1389. Boniface 9. could not sing or say, nor understand what was discust before him, but could admit dolts for money.

1406. Benedict succeeds Clement.

1417. In Martin the fifth's time, a Coun­sel was decreed above a Pope.

1447. Nicholas 5. Celebrates a Jubilee, in which Croud were 136. slain: and now the Turks took Constantinople.

1458. Pius 2. would have Priests to marry.

1464. Paul 2. had Jewels for his Dia­dem.

1470. Sextus 4 covered his concubines shooes with pearl, built Stewes in Rome, which brought him in yearly 2000. duc­kets, he granted St Lucy a Cardinal to use unnaturall lusts, each June, July, and Au­gust.

1492. Alexander 6. Plagued them that chose him, heapt up for his bastards, be­trayed his brother for money to a Turk, lay with his own daughter, gave himself to Satan, &c.

1503. Julius 2. better at warr than preaching, dispenced with our Henry, who married his brothers wife, bugger'd two youths, Sainted mother Frances for pre­serving her chastity with melted lard.

1512. Leo 10. told a Cardinal, that Christianity was a profitable fable: in ma­king thirty Cardinals, a tempest rose, and struck the keys out of his hand, and Christs Statue out of his mothers armes: for being stiled the Lion of the Tribe of Judas, Luther sell from him.

1524. Paul 3. used his own sister, also his own daughter, and poysoned her hus­band, [Page 21] but pressing on his Neece, her hus­band taking him in the act, gave him a mark that stuck to him till death.

1550. Julius 3. buggered a boy, and gave him a Cardinals Cap; his Cardinals asking his reason for it, asked them, What reason they had to make him Pope? (in his time John Cassa printed a Book to maintain So­domy; and Francis Spira revolted) he said, He had more cause of anger, for keeping back his cold Peacock, than God had to cast Adam out of Paradise for eating of an Apple. He gave the Mothers Blessing in Queen Marye's dayes.

1555. Marcellus 2. counts Luther worse than a Turk, discharged one Bp. for hold­ing Scripture above Traditions; and ano­ther, for saying the Council was above the Pope.

1555. Paul 4. had stoutly opposed abu­ses, but the case is altered, he patronized Jesuites, and the Inquisition.

1560. Paul 5. institutes that an Oath be not kept with Heretiques.

1572. Greg. 13. had a massacre in France celibrated with triumph at Rome, the Governour of Malti sang to him, For mine eyes have seen thy salvation.

1580. Sextus 5. excommunicated Henry [Page 22] of France, praised a Monk that killed him, comparing the act to the work of Creation, and Incarnation, and without success, blest Spains Banner against England.

More Popes have been, and more these Popes did, enough to tire the Reader; as is shown in my chief Authors, Thomas Becons Collection, dedicated to Francis Earl of Bedford, one of Queen Elizabeths Privy Council.

And in an Introduction to the reading of Historyes, out of the writings of Mat­thias Prideaux, sometime Fellow of Exeter Colledge. But this is the poor mans penny, and enough to teach us to avoid self-ship.

From what is written, I ask,

1. Why have Popes hundreds of Ordinances that Christ commanded not? Was it from Christs ignorance, or unfaithfulnesse, or from Popes arro­gancies?

2. Is their pretended succession a vain notion? or have they had no Church or Ministry, since the place lay 21 weeks void.

3. Is that Body a Monster, or no? that hath sometime a Male, sometime a Female? sometime one, sometime two, sometime three heads?

4. How are they infallible, sith some Popes and Consuls too, oppose what others maintain, and build what others pull down?

[Page 23]5. How are they Catholique? whose Daugh­ter Mahomet hath more children than she.

6. Where is their antiquity? sith by their Re­gister, Bishops were five hundred years older than Popes? Protestants say they, began with Luther; but they know that the way of Protestants was long before Popedome, though not called Protestants, till they protested against Popes novelties.

7. How can they know what Religion they are of, sith Popes alter and adde what they please; and who knows the next Popes fashion?

8. Why should their Deerees be equal to Scrip­ture, sith themselves heretofore held otherwise?

9. Was that consecrated Wine, the very vein-blood of Christ, which poisoned Pope Victor?

10. Did the Bell that tolled for a massacre, drive away the Devil?

11. If Bishops be not like Christ, except they go homely, who are Popes like that wear Jewels? &c.

12. Have the worst of Heathens exceeded Popes in idolatry, murther, whoredome, buggery, or witch-craft? &c.

13. Who can best judge of the sence of Scrip­ture, whether ambitious Popes, or humble lay­men? Ps. 25.

14. How sit they in Peters Chair? For 1. Their first Bp. Linus was mounted two [Page 24] years before Peter dyed. 2. Peter had a wife, but they must have none. 3. Peter beat down that Lordship which they have. 4. Peter had learnt of his Master to sheath the Sword, but they are bloody. 5. Peter for Conscience God-ward, submitted to Powers, but they hastened to over-top Kings, and Emperours. In a word, Peter was the Jews Apostle, and Paul to the Ro­mans, Rom. 11. 13.

COurteous Reader, whether Papist, Pro­testant, Presbyterian, Independant, Qua­ker, or Baptist, 'tis thy eternal good I aim at; and so doth God also: for, He desires not the death of him that dyeth, but rather that all would repent, that they might be saved, Ezek. 18. 23, 30, 31, 32. 2 Pet. 3. 9. There­fore be timely advised,

1. Not to take mans Traditions, for Christs Commands; laying on of hands cannot make a Youth an Elder, nor con­firm in Christ, the baptized person. If Paul (Jew-like) circumcised, and laid hands on Timothy, purified himself, vowed, &c. it [Page 25] was beyond Christs command, and before himself was perfected; for afterward, he yeelded not a jot to such Jewish Ceremo­nies, Gal. 2. 3, 4, 5.

Salted water, a Bell tolling, or a mans breath, cannot drive away Satan, a Popes three years pardon avails not. Christ hath hallowed no day, save that which follow­eth our six dayes labour; Popes hallowing of garments, persons, places, or times, is not worth a straw.

Plot not against Powers, but obey them in all things lawfull; submit to them in eve­ry thing, revile them not, resist them not; for, if thou dost, thou art condemned of God, Rom. 13. 1 Pet. 2. 13, 14. & 2 Pet. 2. 10.

Christs pure Ordinances, are but as Shells, and perfect purity is the Kernel? for preaching, and Church-meeting, yea, the gift of Prophets, Apostles, Gospelisers, or Teachers, is for this end given, to make men perfect, to bring them to the same ful­nesse that is in Christ, Col. 1. 28. Eph. 4. 11, 12, 13. Therefore

Rule not over mens faith, 2 Cor. 1. 24. Imprison not, kill not, fight not for shells, much lesse for mens inventions, which are but shaddows of shells; for carnal fight­ing [Page 26] bereaves (not others, but) thy self of the kernel, which is righteousnesse, for thy Iust causeth it, James 4. 1. And

Christs thousand years Reign will not be set up by mans weapons; but the Lord will shortly and totally end warrs and Warriers in the valley of Jehoshaphat, Joel 3. 10, 11, 12. He that kills with the Sword, shall surely perish (if repentance prevent not.)

Secondly, Yet slight not Christs pure Ordinances, for the Pearl is to be found there; buy the Field for the Pearls sake; let Ordinances be as the one thing needful, thereby to enjoy the Lords beauty, to wit, righteousnesse, Psal. 27. 4.

Thirdly, Yet rest not (as many do) in the bare purchase of the field, but therein dig for the Pearl; the form of Godlinesse without the power (that is, the practise of Righteousnesse) avails not To conclude.

To make sure work for eternity, keep the Ten Commands, Matth. 19. 17. Rev. 22. 14. Rom. 13. 8, 9. And use Ordinan­ces. Baptisme is one part of righteousness, Matth. 3. And they that are one bread with Christ, are to eat of the Bread, and drink of the Cup, which Disciples are (in Christs name) to blesse, &c. 1 Cor. 10. 16, 17.

Therefore trust not to bare believing, (though thou believest truth, (which few do) but to thy belief, adde all vertue, and therein abound, and thou wilt not miscar­ry, Psal. 15. & 2 Pet. 1. 5, 6, 7, 8. Which is the desire of thy Friend,