AND the Angel cried mightily with a strong voice, come out of her my people, &c. Rev. 18. 4. this Baby­lon is to be understood spiritually for Sodom and Egypt, Rev. 11. 8. and 17 5. and as they went cleane out from the shaddow, as appeares Gen. 13. 1. Esa. 52. 11. Ier. 51. 6 45. So should all that are the Lords come out of Babylon, So­dom, Egypt, spiritually, it being the substance, Gods Command is to every one, every man flye, Esa. 52. 8.

Obj. This is ment of Rome locally from which Countrey they were to come out, because of the Judgements and Plagues that were to come upon them?

Answ. You grant more then I affirme; for,

1. If they were to come out of the Country, then much more from their worship rules, it be lawfull to do that out of Rome, which is forbidden in Rome, Rome in her latitude recheth as farre as her power and jurisdiction, which is as farre as the power of the Beast reacheth, and how farre that is, see Rev. 17. 24. 7. 15, 16, 17. with 18. 3. which is as farre as the power of the ten Kings reacheth.

[Page 2] And all those have not forsaken Rome, that retaine any thing of hers, what the matter of the false state is you may see Rev. 18. 2. with 21. 8. she constitutes her Church by houses in the boundes of the parish, by which all sorts of prophane are made members, so that if the Divell dwell in the parish, they will make him a member of their Church, so do her daughter, Psal. 137. 8. and do not some make all England a Church, and so farre as England agrees with Rome in her constitution, matter, Lawes, Ordinances, Cerimonies, Offices, Officers, Ordination, Doctrine, Government, so according­ly do more or lesse partake of her, and is in substance one and the same, and if I must come out of the false state, then must I come fro [...] their worship and Officers, and if I may stay with them, why not also with the assembly, and if with both, how shall I obay Gods Command; Rev. 18. 4. 2 Cor. 6. 17. &c. and seeing God hath called me forth, I dare not appeare there againe with my person all pre­sence,

2. It cannot be ment of the Country, because the Command is generally to all Gods people, and therefore is not to be confi [...] to those who dwell in the Country of Roome locally, 2 Cor. 6. 17.

3. These words were spoken to the Corinthians that beleeved, 2 Cor. 6. 17. and Corinth standes not in Roome locally but is [...] from it.

4. If it were to be understood of Roome locally, then such as be­leeve might not dwell there though they should worship God pure­ly, nor may any beleever goe into tha [...] Country upon any lawfull occasion, which were unreasonable to affirme, Rev. 2. 13.

5. Because such a distinction of Nations is now dissolved; so that in every Nation he that feareth God, and worketh righteousnesse shall be accepted of him, Rome is a part of a Nation, and therefore this were not so if none may dwell there.

6. Christ commends his Servants for keeping the Faith where Satans seate is, Rev. 2. 13. and that is in Roome as well as other Countries, and therefore they sinned not in dwelling there.

7. If they were to leave the Country because of those plagues, they neede not to be marked in their foreheads to escape the Judge­ments they being out of the Country, &c- Reu. 7. 3. Ezek. 9. 4. God saves his in the midst of Judgements, as Z [...]ph. 3. 12.

8. If they were to leave the Land, because of their sinnes, th [...] by the same reason if the same sinns be found in other places, we m [...] [Page 3] leave them also, and seeing all Nations have drunke deeply of th [...] Cupp of her fornication as appeares Rev. 18. 3. and so we must go out of the world, therefore Babylon is not confined within her walles, but it comprehends all her Merchants that trade for her and vende her Commodities, and all that symbolize with her.

So we are commanded to come with me from Lebanon my Spouse: looke from the top of Amana, from the top of Shiner, and Hermon, from the Lyons Denns, from the mountaines of the Leopards, Song 4. 8. compared with Judge 3. 3. Esa. 2. 29. 17. Song 3. 9. 2 Kings 14. 9. & 4. 12. Deut. 3. 9. 11, 12, 13. it was a type of the Cage, Rev. 18. 2. 3.

2. The Saints are commanded to separate from strangers Judge 19. 12. Nehe. 9. 2. by a stranger is ment one of another Nation, Mat. 17. 25. So by a strange woman is ment, one that is not a mans own wife, Prov. 5. 3. 20. and 7. 5. so other Officers and Ministery that is not Christs, and so not our own, 2 Cor. 11. 14. 15. are strangers to us and such as are under a strange Government, Office, and entrance, and meanes of worship, and unheard of in Gods word, and contrary un­to it; and therefore we may not heare them when they execute their strange Offices, and Christ commends his, that they will not heare nor follow a stranger, Iohn 10. 5. and how hearing is to be un­derstood, see Iohn 10. 5. with Mat. 17. 25. and 5. 10. heare and un­derstand, and how following is to be understood, compare Iohn 10. 5. with Mat. 4. 22. 25. Iohn 1. 37. 38. 40. drinke water out of thine own Sesterne, and not a strangers, with the Prov. 5. 15. 17. the contrary God doth sharply reprove, Jer. 2. 18. 19. 36. Lev. 22. 25. Ezek. 44. 7. 9. Therefore to heare an unlawfull Minister in the execution of their Office, is to imbrace the bosome of a stranger, and to commit Idola­try with it, is spirituall adultery and contrary to 2 Cor. 11. 2. Ephes. 4. 11. to 15.

3. We are commanded to separate and save our selves from a fre­ward Generation, as Acts 2. 40. we esteeme those to be froward that cannot be spoken unto without perill, and when men are used to heale them that are so farre from being healed, that they are more hardened in their sinne, Jer. 51. 9. yea, and that are so froward that they cannot be satisfied untill they have persecuted those that would heale her, and also persecute them that walke in the truth, although they meddle not with her, we do not reade in the word of God, that the Sheepe of Christ did ever persecute the wolves, nor that the [Page 4] persecuting Church, was the Church of Christ, but they were the Church of Christ who were persecuted, Mat. 5. 10. 11. 12. 2 Tim. 2. 12. and 3. 12. Gods Command compells us to leave them, so that we have not separated our selves as they accuse us, but God hath se­parated us.

4. We are commanded to avoide such as cause divisions and of­fences contrary to the Doctrine we have heard and learnt, Rom. 16. 17. and seeing we are to withdraw from a brother that walkes disor­derly and not according to the rule of Christ, then much more must we withdraw from those who are no brethren; for if we may [...] with any, then with our Brethren.

5. We are commanded that those that refuse to heare the Church should be unto us as Heathens, and Publicans, Mat. 18. 17. they are so farre from hearing the Church of Christ, that they despise her, ye [...] denye her to be the Church of Christ, and their practice declares they will not have Christ in his government to rule over them, and such Christ calles his enemies, Luke 19. 14. Psal. 2. and for any to affirme that the people of God, the Saints and Church of Christ should go to Heathens, Publicans, and the enemies of Christ to be taught, it strange Doctrine, and to as good purpose as for the Sheepe of Christ to go to wolves for instruction, which were like to be their distru­ction, also they reject the Councell of God themselves, as Act [...] 7. 30.

6. We are commanded not to heare such Teachers; Cease my [...]onne to heare the instruction that causeth to err from the words of know­ledge, Prov. 9. 27. they teach Doctrines contrary to the practice of the Saints, recorded and commended to us in Gods word, they teach that beleevers are not to be separated from the world, but ought to continue together in fellowship with them, contrary to 2 Cor. 6. and they teach Infants are to be baptised: concerning which the Scrip­ture is silent, and many such Doctrins they teach, with which our mindes and conscience might be defiled if we did heare them, and although they teach many truthes, yet seeing they teach heresies, al­so we must avoide them, Titus. 3. 10. Zach. 13. 3. 2 Epist. [...]. 9. 10.

Consider 1 Tim. 6. 3, 4, 5. Gal. 1. 7, 8, 9. 2 Epis. Iohn 10. 11.

7. We are commanded to heare what the spirit saith unto the Churches, Rev. 2. 13. and this we cannot do, unlesse we be there to heare it.

[Page 5] 8. God hath commanded his people to go to Sion, compare Deut. 12. 5. 6. 11. and with Jer. 50. 5. and 51. 9. and 2. God hath said gather my Saints together to me, Psal. 50. 1. 5. then it is not his will that they be scattered in false Churches.

The Lord hath chosen Sion, so must I, he hath desired it for his habitation, so do I, this is my rest for ever here will I dwell, so say I, Psal. 132. 13. 14.

The Lord is there, Ezek. 48. 35. 2 Cor. 6. 16. Christ is there, and it is his will that his be with him, Father I will that they which thou hast given me be with mee where I am, &c. Iohn 17. 24. here, and hereafter Christ tells his, that he is gone downe into his Garden, [...]. 5. 1. with 6. 1. 2. 11. and 4. 16. and that there he will stay and dwell, Song. 8. 13. consider 2 Sam. 15. 21. there was a day when the Sonnes of God came to present themselves before the Lord, Iob. 2. 1.

Also the Saints love to Sion causeth them to go thither, I was glad when they said unto me, come let us go to the House of the Lord, Psal. 122. 1, 2. 3. Mica. 4. 1. 2. Esa. 22. 3. then not glad to goe to Babylon.

9. We are commanded to let them returne to us, but we may not returne to them. Jer. 15. 19. we must owne them, and walke with them that are the Lords, and owne the truth, else how do we profe the Gospel, Mat. 10. 11. &c.

10. We are cōmanded to stand fast in the Liberty with which Christ hath made us free, Gal. 5. 1. Christ purchased our deliverance out of Egypt spirituall, Rev. 11. 8. therefore we may not returne thither a­gaine, no not so much as looke back, Gen. 19. 17. 26. with Rev. 11. 8. what Christ hath purchased for his people it is their priviledge to injoy, and knew we the worth of it, we would prize the lest part of it, and be thankfull for it, and dye before we would with part any part of it.

11. We are commanded to let them alone who have joyned them­selves to Idolls, and mixed themselves among the people H [...]s. 7. 8. and 4. 17. they have joyned themselves to an osis of ministery to a Church, and Ordinances that are not Christs, but onely Images and similitudes of his, but not his, and therefore their ministery, Church, and ordinances are all Idolls, and we are commanded to keepe our selves from Idolls, 1 Iohn 5. 21. God calles such Idoll [Page 6] Sheapards that go for true and supply their place, but are not such Iodlls, Zack. 11. 17.

12. We are commanded not to be like Idolaters, Lev. 18. 3. 4. Deut. 12. 30. 31. the Lord complaines saying, you have made your Priests after the manner of the Nations of other Landes, 2 Chron. 13. 9. 10. The Lord hates all the monuments of Idolatry, but Antichrists Priesthood and Temples are principle parts of the Idolaters wor­ship, and are some of the Divells Antichrist worships; that they should not worship Divells and Idolls. Rev 9. 20.

We dare not heare these Priests, because their Priesthood is from the Pope and his Bishops (made by him and this themselves con­fesse) we denye not that we are Ministers by Rome, and that they may as truly be instruments of our ministery as of our baptisme, see Yates Moddel of Divinity pag. 25. and so they are the Image of the Beast.

Now an Image is nothing else but a certaine figure, having relati­on to the example; so this Priesthood is a figure, and hath relation to the Popish Priesthood, if it were not the very same, and as the nature of an Image is to represent and to put us in minde, so this Priesthood represents to us the Popish Priesthood, and so puts us in minde of the beast, Antichrist which is not a particular person, but is mistically the whole body, viz. from the Pope to the pariter, and all that belongs to her, and as a beast consists in all the parts of her body, so here the Dragon is the head, the rest of this beast consists of the Priests and layity, and this Priesthood is a great part of the Beast, as 1. this is the mouth of the Beast, and this is the mouth that is given to the Beast, by which she prophisieth and is called the false Prophet, under which is included all the false Prophets of Antichrists Kingdome, Arch-Bishops, Bishops, full Priests, halfe Priests, and this Priesthood is scattered almost in all places, and so is ever at hand to speake for the Beast, viz. the false Church; by this mouth God is blaspheemed and his temple, and them that worship in it, Rev. 11. 1. this mouth calles customers to Antichrists warehouse, and shewes her Commodities, extolls her Marchantdise, and vends her wares at two deare a rate.

Also this Priesthood is the leggs of the Beast, which beares [...] and carries the Beast, neither can the Beast go without them, and where this Priesthood leaves her, she can go no further, but falles to [Page 7] the ground, and all that passe by may trample upon her, also this Priesthood is the taile of the Beast, the taile you know is, that which covereth the filthy part, so doth this Priesthood cover the filthy part of Antichrist, who is called a Beast, because of her filthinesse and uncleanenesse, she being a most abominable whore, and is defiled with Idolatry, which is the greatest whordome and uncleannesse that is, so that every thing that belongs to this beast is uncleane, unsanctified, unholy, and prophane order of Priesthood, and this taile covereth all the filthinesse and abominations of the whore, with cleane and pure ends, holy and pure names, and forsooth, she calles the Divells and Popes prophane Priesthood, Gods Ministers consecrated, a holy order of ministery, Divines, &c. and thus she covers all over with specious titles, all her Idolatry and whordomes must be no lesse then Gods Ordinances, and the pure worship of God; by no meanes she will not indure they should be called Idolls, Idolatry, their right name, and thus all is covered by the taile of the Beast, and they are the head of the Beast; for they must rule and master all, and what is left more of the Beast, but the body which is the multitude: the place where you may see this Beast is the Cage, Rev. 18. 2. and the mouth of the Beast is her Commands, license, and authority; shut the mouth of this Beast and she will decay, and take away the leggs of this Beast, and she falles, and can rise no more; let them cease to do the Offices of a taile to her, and her filthinesse will soone be discovered, and she shall be abhorred by all that see the Mystery of her iniquity, yea she shall deceive the Nations no more.

These Offices of Priesthood keepes out Christ and a speciall bles­sing with him, and in part, shuts out the Kingdome of God, these Priests have power and authority originally from the Dragon, fun­tioned and associated with him and his, and is from hell Rev. 9. 2. 3. yet they are neither afrayd nor ashamed to say they are Christs Mi­nisters, and yet are sworne Servants to Antichrist, and him they have and do obay, whose Servants they are, they serve not Christ, for no man can serve 2. Masters, they say they are Christs Servants, and yet obay Antichrists Commandes; weare his livery, count his marke a priviledge and seeing it is not fit to alow, no not in the least degree, him that assumes a lawfull Office without a lawfull calling as Heb. 4. 5. 4. what detestation is sufficient then thinke ye for him, who dare enter and take an Office of Antichrist which is [Page 8] on purpose set in opposition against Jesus Christ, and sweare allegi­ance to Christs greatest enemy: oh that they would do as Moses did, refus [...] to be called that which the Bishops made them, and fling of his Livery, burne the black box, and cease to do any thing by that power, and come in now at last, (though the day be farre spent and worke in Gods vinyeard) and kisse the Sonne and sweare allegiance to him, this would be for Gods glory, their honour and comfort; [...] this were a sweet thing indeed, and much to be desired.

If it belong to the Lord-Bishops, &c. to make Ministers as some affirme, then there is no lawfull Minister, unl [...]sse he be so made by them, and so they are driven to make that essentiall to a true Mini­ster which yet was never appointed by Christ, and seeing the Pop [...] Priesthood is not any of those Offices Christ hath appointed, as ap­peares Ephes. 4 11. 12. we ought to reject it, and therefore we ought not to be edefied by them in those Offices; for nothing can be pro­fitable in Religion but what God justifieth, and to receive or use any other meanes of teaching, besides Christ would imply some imper­fection in Christs meanes, and so in Christ; also it were to receive another Teacher besides Christ which were in effect to reject Christ; for he will be our onely Teacher (by himselfe and his meanes) or not at all, and because Christs meanes is sufficient, we neede no other, so we d [...]re not use any other; for that were to change Christ with want either of power that he could not, or want of will that he would not, or want of wisdome that he knew not what meanes were best, or want of love that he would not afford us meanes e­nough, or not good enough; this is no lesse then to change God to be worser then an Infidell, in not providing for his Family, what they neede, and if God affords meanes sufficient for his, to what end should we use more, also I desire to know. 1. whether any thing can be profitable in Religion that is not appointed by God, seeing we have but one Lawgiver as Jam. 4. Jesus Christ; whether to receive a new Ministery be not to receive a new Teacher. 3. how the execu­tion of the Popes Priesthood can be truly accounted ministeriall teaching under Christ. 4. how we can use or acknowledge any re­ligious teaching with Faith, except it appeare to be appointed by Christ. 5. The administrations and ministeriall teaching of Antichrists Priesthood be such good meanes of teaching whether we are not bound in Conscience to submit to those Offices and Officers, and to those that made them such, because he is greater that sends, then he [Page 9] that is sent Heb. 7. 7. for the originall of any good is much more good, and seeing this Priesthood is from Satan, whether we are not inga­ged to him for all the good we receive by it, this may serve him that invented it, but as for God he will not be served by it, see Ez [...]k. 44. 13. and seeing the borrower is servant to the lender, we by borrow­ing any thing of the Divell or Antichrist, or the whore of Rome, in so doing become their Servants, Prov. 22. 7. 7. seeing these Ministers are reputed by themselves and others to be the Ministers of Christ, and none but such are permitted by Law to preach, and they preach as such, whether my hearing then is not (a seeming at least) an aprobation that they are such as they are reputed, and see­ing they preach as Officers as they are together in hearing them, I serve not at least to acknowledg that office to be appointed by Christ to teach his people, also my action of hearing them cast some shew of honor (at least) upon such Officers which is to worship; for Reverence, honour, and worship is the same, and so I secretly confes the originall of i [...], is to be worship­ped much more; for the cause is greater then the effect, also in saying they are Ministers of Christ in so doing I call the Divell Christ, whose Ministers they are. 2. set Christ in the place of Satan, and Satan in Christs. 3. that Christs spirituall or misticall body is imperfect without them; for if they be Christs Ministers they are a part of his Body, & is not this grosse Idolatry to a dore Satan insted of Christ; for they are called Ministers of Christ, when they are the Divells, Rev. 9. 20. so their Idoll, Temples, are called the houses of God, the Popes Priesthood, the Ministers of God, the Divells they are, and if it be intollerable to take a Member of Christ, and joyne it to a harlot, is it not as bad or worse to take a Member of a harlot in a false Office to joyne it to Christs Body.

7. I desire to know by what Rule, and principle of Religion, we may admit of the Popes Priesthood, (or Ministery that is not Christ) if we must hate all that belong to a false Religion, yea even the gar­ment spotted with the flesh Iude 23. Harding answers in the a­pologie in Preface Belar­min up Supra.

Our retaining any thing of Romes trash hinders our confession a­gainst it, and they judge our retaining of any thing of theirs an apro­bation of what they do; and confirmes them in their Religion which is a hard thing to confirme them in their Idolatry by the use of any thing of theirs, and is it also a disparagement to our Religion as it is a gracing of Popery, the Papists cry out and beast that we are not a­ble [Page 10] to serve God without their Priesthood, Temples, and Ceremo­nies, Bellarmin saith, God takes such delight in their Temples, that he takes the charge bestowed on them in better sort, then if it were bestowed in mony upon the poore, and if we may receive their Priesthood and Temples, and sprinkling of Infants, will it not follow the rest of the same kinde may be received also?

Zeale cannot indure the coupling of any thing of Christs with the things of Antichrist, because God will have them divided, God will not have any thing come neere him, but what he hath sanctified, wit­nesse Nadabs and Abihus strange fire, Lev. 10. 1. what agreement hath light with darknesse, Christ with Beliall, &c. 2 Cor. 6.

Tell me, can Zeale indure that any thing that is the Divells should come neere them, much lesse the Lord, we should flye from all [...] is the Divells, as we would flye from the Divell himselfe, what zeale, expresse they against what is his when they use it, in use religious [...] most honourablest use, and the use he appointed for them, how do such avoid them who go to them; did we hate Idolatry, we could not by no meanes be brought to digest one dram of it; for all [...] belongs to it is alike uncleane, and so alike to be hated, it doth vex their Soules who have Zeale to see the markes and signes of Idolatry and Idolls of Antichrist, therefore we protest all that hath [...] shew of Popery, we abhorre, and to the Popes Priesthood, we [...] depart from us, get ye hence we know you not, Esa. 30. 22. Oh consi­der this Priesthood is invented in opposition to Christ, and that by his greatest enemy, such as can beare this, are they not luke-warme, and as a cake halfe baked, Rev. 3. 16. Hos. 7. 8. beare this and [...] any thing, and bid Zeale farewell for ever.

Consider what names God gives to Antichrists Priesthood, as lo­custs Rev. 8 3. like horses, their faces like men, teeth like Lyons, tailes like Scorpions; and like Serpents, Froggs, Rev. 16, 13. S [...] ­serers, Rev. 19. 23. if they have the names of men, then the [...] of men, and as we would fly from such kind of Creatures, both in body and minde, so should we from Antichrists Priesthood, they have been the professed and sworne slaves of Antichrist, wore his Livery and counted his marke a priviledge.

So it hath been their practise to slight some, contemn vilify dis­grace and reproach us, calling us simple, ignorant, and illiterate and seduced people; because we refused to assent to those things they said without proofe, and when we have gone to them to be infor­med, [Page 11] and to informe, they would oft say they, are not at leisure, and that it was our pride to offer to contradict them, to dispute with them, and that they were willing, yet because we were ignorant, and so could not understand, nor distinguish, and so conceited and wilfull, that it is to no purpose, and when this would not availe then they would make the thing in question, the ground of an accusation taking it for granted before it were proved, that it is a grievous error when it was the truth, and when they did admit of a discourse, they would so continue their speech, so that we could not have time to answer, or else they would fill their discourse with Greek or Latin, Logick, So­fistry, and vaine distinctions, and save fetcht consequences, by which meanes they darkened the truth, and hindred their consci­ences, and others from receiving the truth, one while they would put [...] to prove the negative, and being put to it, they would aske our meaning, and wonder at our ignorance, and in the meane time they would study a shift, and that which made most against them, they would say it made most for them, or tell us it was not worth the an­swering; also they would draw us from the word of God, to their wisdome and descretion, and carnall reason which they knew would prevaile with the others.

Also we have found it their practice to frequent their Companies who were rich and honourable in the world, and serve themselves in­to their affections for their own ends.

So it is common among them not much to care for the Sheepe, but suffered the wolfe to take them; so when they have professed their be­ing cleerly called by God to a people, yet they would leave them for a greater living and professe, they were called thither, and after leave them for a greater, when the first was enough, yea we have heard of, that one of them who was not of the worst amongst them, said unles he might be sure of 3. or 4. hundred a yeare, he would not be their Minister, whereby they plainly declare they serve not the Lord Jesus, but their owne bellies, and sell their Sermons, and make a trade of Religion, esteeming gaine godlinesse.

Also how do they seeke to hinder the publishing of any thing but what come from themselves, as if the word of God came onely to them.

Also they are so proud that they thinke themselves wronged, and complaine because we will not heare them preach.

14. We have separated from them, because we found those places the [Page 12] houses of Bondage, because whatsoever corrupt Doctrine or blasphe­mies were taught, we were enjoyned under a great penalty to be silent: so that we must either sin or suffer, and to suffer for witnessing against what they teach, when we are forbidden to be there to heare them is not safe.

To be present and silent when they taught lies, and spake against the truth, were to partake of their sins, breake Gods Command, de­file our soules, hazard our peace, incourage and harden them in their sinns.

For 1. Because it is Gods Command that those who sin rebuke be­fore all, 1 Tim. 5. 20.

2. Because it was the practice of the Saints to do so, and that with great zeale as you may see Acts 13. 16. 10. Ezra 9 2, 3, 4. Psal. 119. 136. 139. Numb. 25. 11, 12, 13. and have not they more cause to be re­proved, who alleige the word of God to justifie errors and lies, and to condemn the way of God, and people of God for walking in it: as we have heard them do.

3. God commends it for a vertue in the Church of Ephesus, that they could beare with them that are evill, Rev. 2. 2. to see or heare sin committed with silence is to beare it, and if Ely was guilty al­though he did reprove sin, because he did not do it zealously, as ap­peares 1 Sam. 2. 22, 23, 24, 25. 27 29. and 3. 13. how shall they e­scape or be excused, who reprove not sin at all, their saying it is not my place, it belongs to the Magistrate or the Minister or the Officers of the Church, or he is not my brother, I am no Member, these shifts are too short, so that neither love to God, his truth and people, the good of the soules of men, nor their own peace, nothing moves them; surely such love not the Lord as they should, nor so much as the Saints have done; doth a friend love as he ought who heares him wronged and is silent, and shewes no dislike; oh offer not this to God.

4. We ought to reprove sin (if we be present where sin is com­mitted in case none else reprove it) because God hath appointed it to be a meanes of preventing sin, sin being very contagious, 1 Cor. 5. 6. therefore he saith, them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may feare, 1 Tim. 5. 20. and that ye do so to all men, great or small friends or enemies, spare none, so much is implyed in these words, I charge thee before God and the Lord [...]esus Christ, and the elect An­gels that thou observe these things without prefering one before an­other [Page 13] doing nothing by partiality, verse 21. must we take care for the Oxe or Asse of an enemy as appeares Exod 23. 4. 5. then much more for the good of the soule of an enemy.

5. This was Iobes comfort, that nothing could cause him to keepe silence Jobe 31. 34. now if he might have been silent when sin had been committed, [...]and yet not have sinned, his not being silent could not be any comfort to him at all.

6. Because presence and silence, God esteeme a doing of the action as 1 Cor. 11. 4. 5. with 14. 24 every man prophesiing: yet all spake not, every woman that prophisieth &c. that is by consent, for women are not allowed to speake in the Church.

So God chargeth Ahab with murder when Jezebel did it, and he onely by consent 1 Kings 18 19. compared with 7, 8 9, 10.

Silence is conformation, as appeares Numb. 30. 14. he confirmeth them because he held his peace when he heard them: so it was not enough that they shed not blood, but that they did not see it Deut. 21. 7. therefore God deales with those who were present and silent, where sin was committed as if they had done it themselves, see Lev. 5. 1. and 20. 4. 5.

7. If we reprove not sin we have fellowship with it, Ephes. 5. 11. Hag. 2. 13. Rev. 2. 20. see Iosua 22. 18, 9, 20. therefore the Saints are to come out from them, that they might not be partakers of their sins Rev. 18. 4. 2 Cor. 6. I was almost in all evill in the midst of the Con­gregation and Assembly, Prov. 5. 14.

8. God in describing a good man saith of him, he stoppeth his cares from hearing of blood, and his eyes from seeing of evill, Esa. 33. 15. 16, that is, he cannot by no meanes endure it.

Consider impartially these things, and resolve whether you may heare Gods truth, and people preached against, and be silent, and not sin; for my part my conscience was so overpowred with the evill thereof, that if there were no other reason against hearing the Bishops Priests, then this, I was not able no longer to heare them having often found the most eminent amongst them often condemning the truth and people of God.

15. We have separated from them, because God hath made them no promise of his presence and blessing, and we are not to expect a­ny blessing where God hath not promised it, and seeing all the pro­mises of Gods presence blessings, and exceptation are made only and peculiarly unto the Church of Christs, as in the Law the promises were [Page 14] made to the Tabernacle, Temple, Ark, Exod. 29 42. 43. Lev. 25. 2 [...]. Exod. 25. 21. 22. which are to be applyed to the Church of Christ under the Gospel, Mount Sion figured the Church of Christ, Heb. 12. 21. 22. there will I meete with thee, Numb. 17. 4. there I will command my blessing upon thee, the Lord will blesse thee [...] of Sion, and abundantly blesse her provision, Psal. 134. in all place [...] where I record my name there, will I come unto thee, and blesse thee Exod. 20. 24. thou shalt put the blessing upon Mount Gazerim, [...] Mount Sinai, Deut. 11. 29 and 33. 16. the glory of the Lord abode there, Exod. 24. 16. my beloved came into his garden to eat his plea­sant fruits, I have gathered my mirrh with my spices which is Christs acceptation of his Churches services by his graces, and it is called his, because he commanded it, Song. 4. 16. and 5. 1.

But Mount Eball was a type of the false Church, and the curse was there, Deut. 11. 9. & 27. 15. 18. 25. Josua 8. 33. 34. what portion have we in false Churches or inheritance in the Sonnes of it, to thy tents [...] Israel, viz. the Church of Christ.

The Church of Christ is a resemblance of heaven; therefore it is called heaven, Rev. 6. 14. and by the rule of Contraries the false Church must be hell, and as hell is the habitation of Divells, so is the Cage the false Church, Rev. 18. 2. and as those who are in hell have plagues and torments continually, so they have no rest day nor night who worship the Beast, Rev. 14, 9, 10, 11. thou didst debase thy selfe even unto Hell, Esa. 57 9. thou knewest not that the dead are there, & that her guess are in the depth of Hell, Prov. 9. 18 by the gates of H [...]ll, in Mat. 16. 18, is [...] the power of the false Church, and we desire you would not be angry in that we have no minde to go to Hell.

16. We have departed from them because Gods word do not command us to go to false Churches to heare unlawfull Ministers, and God forbids what his word commands not; therefore God much complaineth, that they did that which he commandeth not, see Jer. [...]. 5. & 7. 31. & 32. 32. 35. Lev. 10. 5. Deut. 17. 1. & 18. 20. Mat. 28. [...]0. Marke 7. 8 9.

If we suffer our selves to be beaten from this hold, we shall be taken captive by our enemies the papist, tell me, did God ever com­mend or accept of the doing of that he never commanded, [...] whe­ther any thing can be well done that is not commanded to be [...] say the former, and bring in traditions, grant the latter and bring [...] workes of supererogation, monkes, merits, &c. [...]hould we then to [...] [Page 15] principle, Mr. Rob: saith, in a treatise for hearing in false Churches, it is confessed that hearing in false Churches is not commanded by Christ.

17. Because to heare them in the execution of their unlawfull Offices & Church is to uphold them, because if none did heare them, they would not administer, and so their Church, State, would be dissolved: So then the people establish them, because persons to administer unto, is es­sentiall to administration, and it is much to be desired that their Church were dissolved, because then the Saints would come to Sion, and then Christ should have more glory; for the glory of a King con­sists in the multitude of Subjects; therefore I thus reason, if the whole ought not to go, then no part of the whole; for the whole con­sists of the parts, for every Generall includes all the particulars and although it be granted, that if one part go, the rest in not going do not dissolve the Church; yet that part that goeth not doth well, be­cause it hath done its part; also it is a meanes to cause the other part to do so also, seeing actions speake also there not going dishonoureth & weaken the rest that go, & so much as we uphold the false Church, we dissolve the true, & so far are enemies to Christ, as we are enemies to his Church; oh consider this you who are for hearing in false Church­es: I being convinced of the falsenesse of the ministery and Church of England, left hearing them yet conceiving as some do, that they might be heard as gifted men, and that hearing was no Communi­on, &c. I returned to heare them, beleeving, and professing their ministery to be false and Antichristian: yet at my hear­ing them, the weake were stumbled, the strong offended, and some of the parish gatherings were confirmed in their practice, and pro­fessed they liked their Church and Ministery the better, because I heard them, and hoped I began to see my errour, (as they called it) in denying their Church and Ministery, &c, so my practice encou­raged them, and so upheld their Church by participation, but when I saw my errour and the fruit of it, I was filled with much bitter­nesse, griefe & sorrow, I knew not how to be revenged on my selfe, and had not God preserved me, I had made my selfe a terrible ex­ample to revolters, I wish this may be a warning to others to take [...], let him that thinketh he standeth take heede least he f [...]ll from his steadfastnesse, as 2. Pet. 3. 17. oh consider, is it a small mat­ter [Page 16] to sin against God to loose peace of conscience, to incourage and harden others in their sin, to say no more.

It seemes the Church of England & the Popes Priesthood are so mar­ried together, that they cannot be divoursed, this strange marriage, was figured out, Neh. 9. and as Paul calles marriage a secret Myste­ry, & that Marriage was a signe or figure of joyning together Christ and his Church, Ephes. 5. 32. so Song 6. 8. Rev. 21. 9. so strange mar­riage figure, the joyning the Pope and his Church, we are to waight for wisdome at wisdomes gate, and not in an Idolls temple, nor in [...] Idolatrous assembly, nor for Christs voice at the mouth of a harlot, [...] is objected Christ hath been found there. Answ. true, to call his a­way, Ier. 51. 6. 45. Rev. 18. 4. 2 Cor. 6. 17. 18. after which call [...] warning, let such take heede how they stay and meddle there, and consider, Rev. 14 6. to 11. and be sure ye attend where Christ had promised his presence, as Mat. 18. 20. Esa. 33. 21. Psal. 87. 7. and if it seeme small, so as ye finde not that plenty ye desire, see that ye d [...]spise no [...] the day of small things, Zack. 4 11. consider Psal. 132. 15.

18. Because it is a dishonour to Jesus Christ for his people to go to Antichrist, Priesthood to be fed; it is a dishonour for the Kings Sonne to go to the house of his greatest enemy for bread: if Christ pro­vides not for his Family, he is worser then an infidell, in my Fathers house is bread enough, Christ hath provided choyce dainties, and e­nough; Christ is in the midst of his Church, his eye is upon his to know their wants, and supply them, Mat. 18. 20. Christ will worke a miracle before they shall want; Abraham would not receive so much as a shooe latchet from the Heathen, least they should say they made him rich, see 1 King. 17. 12. to 18. and 19 4. 6. 8. and shall [...] from Christs enemy? Abrahams case is ours: wherefore we abho [...] to be provided for by them; Gods love, care, and bounty, call us from you to stand by and waite to see a full end of Antichrist, and his Priesthood, &c. and so to sing halalugia, and for you who are fed by them, so as you cannot live without them, tell me how shall you rejoyce in her ruin; what shall you get by her fall, whose ruin is your losse, you cannot spare her now, what will ye do here after? her destruction hasteneth, stand still a little, and ye shall see the Lords Salvation of Sion, and the utter downfall of Babilon, Rev. 18. 19. 20. 21. and 19. 1. 2. 3.

[Page 17] 19. Because the Scriptures declare to follow them, it is an un­reasonable practice to heare such as are not the Ministers of Christ, [...] so much is implyed in Song. 1. 7. 8. tell me o thou whom my soule [...], where thou seest, where thou makest thy flocks to rest at noone; [...] why should I be as one that turneth aside by the flocks of thy Compa­ [...]: there can no reason be given for such a practice.

Therefore Christ answers it; if thou know not o thou fayrest a­mong women, go thy way forth by the footsteps of the flock and feede [...] kids besides the Sheaperds tents: Song. 1. 8. follow the foot-steps of the Saints gone before you recorded in Scripture: what hast [...] to do in the way of Egipt, nothing at all, except onely to drinke [...] water of Sihor, 2. [...]er. 18. which God condemns.

20. Because those which I may heare I may maintaine as 1 Tim. 5. 18. but Satans Priesthood nor any other false ministery I may not maintaine for that were to uphold them in their evell way: there­fore I may not hearethem.

21. That ministery that is not from God, we may not pray to God to inable them in the execution of it; for he that biddeth them Godspeede, is partakers of all their evill, 2. Epis. Iohn 10. 11. and if we may pray to God to blesse the Priesthood, why not the Prelacie the Pope and Dragon, Rev. 9. 11. for it is unreasonable to blesse the branches and not the roote, and if I may pray to God for a good successe of actions done by a false power, and Office, then I may thanke God for the meanes of that good and then I may pray for the continuance of it, and of that Church, and for any so to pray, were to pray against the fulfilling of the promise of the down­fall of Babylons power and Priesthood, we pray for the fall of Baby­lon, and for the rising of Sion, and to pray otherwise, were to build [...] that God distroyes and to take his name in vaine, yea to make our selves transgressors and to mock God.

22. Because we cannot approve of such a preaching as tends to the dishonour of Christ in slighting the rest of the Ordinances of Christ, for so doth their preaching not onely. 1. honour the cage, [...] 2. hinder the Saints going to Sion, by which they hinder their [...]joying the rest of the Ordinances of Christ. 3. Christ is deprived of his Kingly glory in the want of the presence of his Saints. 4. their preaching hinders them, and blinds them that they cannot see the mystery of iniquity, its their preaching that is the strong cord that [Page 18] bindes Gods people to Babilon, the Cup of gold which she holds forth to intice the people to admire her and to follow her, is the word of God which she hath stolen, and I may not be partaker with her in her theft, Psal. 50. 17. 18.

It were better for them and others that they taught no [...] at all the [...] should they not by it keepe so many in errour as they do, the harlots smooth mouth and hony drops, hath be witched many, and drawn [...] them aside from the way of God, as Prov. 5. 3. [...]. 7. 21. Neh. 3. 4. with Gal. 3. 1.

God of old tryed his peoples love to him, by suffering false Pro­phets to arise, and give them a signe, and although it came to [...] yet when he went about to draw the people from the worship [...] God, they were not to heare that prophet but reject him, Deut. [...]. 1. to 7. with Deut. 18. 20, 21, 22. God is still the same, and layeth [...] like charge upon his people as he did then, as Gal. 1. 8. 9.

The Lord may say to them, ye are they that forsake the Lord, that forget my holy mountaine that prepare a Table for the [...], and that furnish the drinke-offering for that number, Esa. 65. 11. [...] they are guilty of usurpation in taking upon them to [...] the people, and whereas the lesse is blessed of the greater, Heb. 7. 7. viz. greater in power and Authority, whereas they have neither the Office of Christ nor the power of Christ.

23. Because the way they walke, is not the way that God [...] appointed his people to walke in, they may not go to them for [...] ­fit, for great guifts and parts are not to be countenanced out of Gods way, some thinke they are safe, so long as they say they [...] them as guifted men, but seeing they stand there as Ministers, [...] intention alters not their standing, nor lessens their sinne, if [...] have guifts, let them bring them to the Church of Christ for [...] glory, and his peoples comfort, see Deut. 1. 12. Ephes. 4. 16. as [...] Mica 4. 1. 2. so now the Law is to go forth of Sion, see Ephes. 3. [...] the greater their gifts are the greater is their sin, and your [...] in that they lay them not out for Christs advantage, see Luke [...]2.

Are their guifts from God that are layd out so contrary to [...] and the good of his people? see Ephes. 4. 11. 1 Cor. 12. 12. 13, 1 [...] 14. Mat. 28. 18, 19, 20. the arts of men are oft taken for the [...] of God.

24. The Church State make all the publike actions [...] [Page 19] done by vertue of it to be formally good or evill according to the Law and false power, and so accordingly become lawfull or unlawfull to pertake of them, Mat. 23. 17. 19. the true Church hath the true power, true worship, true Offi­cers, true administration, the power being true, all actions done which naturally flow from it, are good and lawfull, and so unlawfull, if done i [...] and by a false Church and pow­er, for power puts into Offices, office into administration, which is the execution of it, so that if the Office be unlaw­full, the administration of it is unlawfull also, because its a part, yea the chiefest part of the Office; for the end is ever greater then the meanes, because the meanes is for the end, the Office is for the administration, which is the power of it, so to partake of the administration, is to pertake of the power of it, Rev. 9. 11. it followes that an evell power and Office cannot have a lawfull administration, and thus it is in divine and civill States, when the State is not allowed, the power of that state is not allowed, nor any administration done by it, and though the action for the matter of it be good, and he good that doth it, yet it is not allowed, apply it: so then.

So farre as I allow of any administration done by a false Office and power, so farre I vilifie the true in that (I seeme at lest to) equall them, and so it is to be interpreted, when the outward action is the same with his, that approves of the Office and power of the State; for presents and silence is to be interpreted aprobation, what men are inwardly, it be­longs not to us to determine.

Also that place and calling that hath tyed unto it the breach of any Command of God, so as the calling cannot be separated from the sin, that place and calling is unlawfull; but the Ministery of England hath tyed to it the sprinkling of Infants, and giving holy things to dogs, &c. ergo.

And seeing teaching and hearing are relations that go to­gether: therefore where he may not lawfully preach, I may not heare.