7. One example herein may serve for many , to shew that false opinions touching the will of God to have things done are wont to bring forth mighty and violent practises against the hinderances of them ; and those practises new opinions more pernicious then the first , yea most extreamely opposite unto that which the first did seem to intend , where the people took upon them the Reformation of the Church by casting out Popish superstition , they having received from their Pastours a generall instruction , Mat. 15.13 . that whatsoever the heavenly Father hath not planted must be rooted out , proceeded in some forraigne places so farre , that downe went Oratories and the very Temples of God themselves . For , as they chanced to take the compasse of their Commission stricter or larger , so their dealings were accordingly more or lesse moderate . Among others , there sprung up presently one kinde of men ; Anabaptists . with whose zeale and forwardnesse the rest being compared , were thought to be marvellous cold and dull . These grounding themselves on rules more generall ; that whatsoever the Law of Christ commandeth not , thereof Antichrist is the Authour , and whatsoever Antichrist or his adherents did in the world the true Professours of Christ are to undoe ; and found out many things more then others had done , the extirpation whereof was in their Conceipt as necessary as of any thing before removed . Hereupon they secretly made their dolefull complaints every where as they went , that albeit the World did begin to professe some dislike of that which was evill in the kingdome of darknesse , yet fruits worthy of a true repentance were not seene ; and that if men did repent as they ought , they must endeavour to purge the truth of all manner of evill , to the end there might follow a new World afterward , wherein righteousnes only should dwell . Private repentance they said must appeare by every mans fashioning his owne life contrary unto the custome and orders of this present World , both in greater things and in lesse . To this purpose they had alwayes in their mouthes those great things , Charity , Guy des Bres contre l'erreur des Anabapt. pag. 4. Faith , the true Feare of God , the Crosse , the Mortification of the flesh , All their exhortations were to set light of the things in this World , to count riches and honours vanity , and in token thereof , not only to seek neither , but if men were possessours of both , even to cast away the one and resigne the other , pag. 5. that all men might see their unfained conversation unto Christ . They were sollicitours of men to fasts , to often meditations of heavenly things ; and as it were conferences in secret with God , pag. 16. pag. 118. pag. 119. by prayers not framed according to the frozen manner of the World : but expressing such fervent desires as might even force God to hearken to them . Where they found men in diet , attire , furniture of house , or any other way observers of Civility and decent order , pag. 120. pag. 116. such they reproved as being carnally and earthly minded . Every word otherwise then severely and sadly uttered , seemed to pierce like a sword through them . pag. 124. If any man were pleasant , their manner was presently with sighs to repeat these words of our Saviour Christ , Luk. 6.12 . Woe bee to you which now laugh for you shall lament . So great was their delight to be alwayes in trouble , that such as did quietly lead their lives , they judged of all other men to be in most dangerous case . They so much affected to crosse the ordinary custome in every thing , pag. 117. that when other mens use was to put on better attire , they would be sure to shew themselves openly abroad in worse , the ordinary names of the dayes in the week they thought it a kind of prophanenesse to use , and therefore , accustomed to make no other distinction then by number ; the 1 , 2 , 3 , day .

8. From this they proceed unto publique Reformation . First , Ecclesiasticall , and then Civill . Touching the former they boldly avouched that themselves only had the truth . pag. 40. Which thing upon perill of their lives they would at all times defend ; and that since the Apostles lived , the same was never before in all points sincerely taught . Wherefore that things might be brought againe to that ancient integrity which Iesus Christ by his word requireth , they began to controule the Ministers of the Gospell , for attributing so much force and vertue unto the scriptures of God read ; whereas the truth was , that when the word is said , to engender faith in the heart and to convert the soule of man , or to work any such spirituall divine effect , these speeches are not thereunto appliable as it is read or preached , but as it is ingrafted into us by the power of the Holy Ghost , opening the eyes of our understanding , and so revealing the mysteries of God , according to that which Ieremy promised before should be , Ier. 31.34 . saying , I will put my law in their inward parts , and I will write it in their hearts . The book of God they notwithstanding for the most part so admired , pag. 29. that other disputation against their opinions , then only by allegation of scripture , they would not heare , pag. 27. besides it they thought no other writings in the World should be studyed , insomuch that one of their great Prophets exhorting them to cast away all respects unto humane writings , so farre to this motion they condescended that as many as had any Bookes , save the holy Bible , in their Custody , they brought and set them publiquely on fire .

9. When they and their Bibles were alone together , what strange fantasticall opinion soever at any time entred into their heads , their use was to thinke the spirit taught it them . Their frensies concerning our Saviours Incarnation : the state of soules departed and such like , are things needlesse to be rehearsed . And forasmuch as they were of the same suit with those , of whom the Apostle speaketh , saying , 2. Tim. 3.7 . They are still learning but never attaining to the knowledge of truth , it was no marvaile to see them every day broach some new thing never heard of before , which restlesse levity they did interpret to be their growing to spirituall perfection , and a proceeding from faith to faith . pag. 65. pag. 66. The differences among them grew in a manner infinite , so that scarcely was there found any one of them , the forge of whose braine was not possest with some speciall mystery . Whereupon , pag. 135. although their mutuall contentions were most fiercely prosecuted among themselves , yet when they came to defend the common cause , common to them all against the Adversaries of their factions , they had wayes to lick one another whole , the sounder in his owne perswasion excusing The deare Brethren , pag. 25. which were not so farre enlightned , and professing a charitable hope of the mercy of God towards them , notwithstanding their swarving from him in some things . pag. 71. Their owne Ministers they highly magnifyed , as men whose vocation was from God : the rest , pag. 124. their manner was disdainfully to terme Scribes and Pharisees , to accompt their calling an humane creature , and to detaine the people , as much as might be , from hearing of them . pag. 764. As touching Baptisme administred in the Church of Rome , they judged to be an execrable mockery , and no Baptisme , both , because the Ministers thereof in the Papacy are wicked Idolaters , lewd persons , Theeves and Murderers , cursed creatures , ignorant beasts ; and also , that for to baptize is a proper action belonging unto none but the Church of Christ , whereas Rome is Antichrists Synagogue . pag. 748. The custome of using God-fathers and God-mothers at Christnings they scorned . Baptizing of Infants , pag. 512. although confest by themselves to have been continued even sithence the very Apostles owne times , yet they altogether condemned , partly , pag. 518. because sundry errours are of no lesse antiquity : pag. 722. and partly because there is no commandement in the Gospell of Christ which saith Baptize Infants , but he contrariwise saying , Goe preach and Baptize , doth appoint that the Minister of Baptisme shall in that action first administer doctrine , and then Baptisme , as also in saying , whosoever doth believe and is Baptized , pag. 688. he appointeth that the person , to whom Baptisme is administred , shall first beleeve , and then be Baptized ; to the end that beleeving may goe before this Sacrament in the receiver , no otherwise then preaching in the giver , sith equally in both , the law of Christ declareth , not only what things are required , but also in what order they are required . pag. 38. The Eucharist they received ( pretending our Lord and Saviours example ) after Supper : and for avoyding all those impieties which have beene grounded upon the mysticall words of Christ , This is my body , this is my bloud , they thought it not safe to mention either body or blood in that Sacrament , pag. 122. but rather to abrogate both , and to use no words but these , Take , eat , declare the death of our Lord ; Drinke , shew forth our Lords death .

In Rites and Ceremonies their profession was , hatred of all conformity with the Church of Rome : for which cause they would rather endure any torment , then observe the solemne festivalls which others did , in asmuch as Antichrist ( they said ) was the first Inventor of them .

10. The pretended end of their Civill Reformation was , that Christ might have dominion over all ; that all Crownes and Scepters might bee throwne downe at his feet ; that no other might raigne over Christian men but he ; no Regiment keep them in awe but his discipline ; amongst them no sword at all to be carried besides his , the sword of Spirituall Excommunication . For this cause they laboured withall their might in overturning the Seates of Magistracy , because Christ hath said , pag. 841. Kings of Nations ; in abolishing the execution of Iustice , because Christ hath said , resist not evill ; in forbidding Oathes the necessary meanes of Iudiciall Tryall , because Christ hath said , Sweare not at all ; finally , in bringing in community of goods , pag. 849. because Christ by his Apostles hath given the World such example , to the end that men might excell one another , not in wealth , the pillar of secular authority , but in vertue .

11. pag. 40. These men at the first were only pittied in their errour , and not much withstood by any ; the great humility , zeale and devotion , which appeared to bee in them was in all mens opinion a pledge of their harmlesse meaning . The hardest that men of sound Iudgement conceived of them , was but this , Lactant. O quàm honestâ voluntate miseri errant ; with how good a meaning these poore soules doe evill ! Luther made request unto Frederick Duke of Saxony , that within his dominion they might be favourably dealt with and spared , Just. lib. 5. cap. 19. for that ( their errour exempted ) they seemed otherwise right good men . By meanes of which mercifull toleration they gathered strength , pag. 6. much more then was safe for the state of the Common-wealth wherein they lived . They had their secret corner-meetings and assemblies in the night , the people flocked unto them by thousands . The means whereby they both allured and retained so great multitudes were most effectuall ; Pag. 4.20 . first , a wonderfull shew of zeale towards God , Pag. 55. wherewith they seemed to bee even rapt in every thing they spake . Secondly , an hatred of sinne and a singular love of integrity , which men did thinke to be much more then ordinary in them , by reason of the Custome which they had to fill the eares of the people with invectives against their authorized Guids , aswell Spirituall as Civill . Thirdly , the bountyfull releife wherewith they eased the broken estate of such needy Creatures as were in that respect the more apt to be drawne away . Fourthly , a tender Compassion which they were thought to take upon the miseries of the Common sort , over whose heads their manner was , Pag. 6.7 . even to powre downe showrs of teares , complaining that no respect was had unto them , that their goods were devoured by wicked Cormorants , their persons had in contempt , all liberty both temporall and spirituall taken from them , that it was high time for god now to heare their groanes and to send them deliverance : Lastly , a cunning slight which they had to stroake and smooth up the minds of their followers , as well by appropriating unto them all the favourable Titles , the good words and the gratious promisies in Scripture ; as also by casting the contrary alwaies on the heads of such as were severred from that retinue . Whereupon , the Peoples common acclamations unto such deceivers was , These are verely the men of God , these are his true and sincere Prophets . If any such Prophet or man of God did suffer by order of law condigne and deserved punishment , were it for Fellony , Rebellion , Murder or what else , the people ( so strangely were their hearts inchanted ) as though blessed Saint Stephen had bene againe Martyred , Pag. 27. did lament that God tooke away his most deare servants from them .

12. In all things beeing fully perswaded , that what they did it was Obedience to the will of God , and that all men should doe the like ; there remained after speculation , practise , whereby the whole world thereunto ( if it were possible ) might be framed . Pag. 6. This they saw could not be done without mighty opposition and resistance : against which to strengthen themselves , they secretly entred into a league of association . And peradventure , considering that although they were many , yet long warrs would in time wast them out ; they began to thinke whether it might not be that God would have them doe for their speedy and mighty increase , the same which sometime Gods owne chosen people , the people of Israell did . Glad and faine they were to have it so : which very desire was it selfe apt to breed both an opinion of possibility , and a willingnesse to gather arguments of likelyhood that so God himselfe would have it . Nothing more cleare unto their seeming , then that a new Ierusalem beeing often spoken of in Scripture , they undoubtedly were themselves that new Ierusalem , and the old did by way of a certaine figurative resemblance signifie what they should bee and doe . Here they drew in a Sea of matter by applying of all things unto their owne company , which are any where spoken concerning divine favours , and benefits bestowed upon the old common wealth of Israell , concluding that as Israell was delivered out of Egypt , so they spiritually out of the Egypt of this Worlds servile thraldome unto sinne and superstition ; as Israell was to root out the Idolatrous Nations , and to plant instead of them a people which feared God , so the same Lords good will and pleasure was now , that these new Israelites should under the Conduct of other Ioshuas , Sampsons , and Gideons performe a worke no lesse miraculous in casting out violently the wicked from the earth , and establishing the kingdome of Christ with perfect liberty : and therefore as the cause why the Children of Israell tooke unto one man many wives , might be , least the casualties of warre should any way hinder the promise of God concerning their multitude from takeing effect in them , so it was not unlike that for the necessary propagation of Christs kingdome under the Gospell , the Lord was content to allow asmuch . Now whatsoever they did in such sort collect out of Scripture , when they came to justifie or perswade it unto others , all was the heavenly fathers appointment , his commandement , his will and charge . Which thing is the point , in regard whereof I have gathered this declaration . For my purpose herein is to shew , that when the minds of men are once erroniously perswaded , that it is the will of God to have those things done which they fancy ; their opinions are as thornes in their sides , never suffering them to take rest till they have brought their speculations into practise ; the rests & impediments of which practise , their restlesse desire and study to remove , leadeth them every day forth by the hand into other more dangerous opinions , sometimes quite and cleane contrary to their first pretended meanings ; so as what will grow out of such errours as goe malked under the cloake of divine Authority , impossible it is that ever the witt of man should imagine , till time have brought forth the fruits of them ; for which cause it behooveth wisdome to feare the sequells thereof , even beyond all apparent cause of feare . These men in whose mouthes at the first sounded nothing but only mortification of the flesh , were come at the length to thinke they might lawfully have their six or seven Wives a peece . They which at the first , thought judgement and justice it selfe a mercylesse cruelty ; accompted at the length their owne hands sanctified , with being imbrued in Christian blood ; they , who at the first were wont to beat downe all dominion and to urge against poore Constables , Kings of Nations , had at the length both Consulls and Kings of their owne erection ; finally , they which could not brooke at the first , that any man should seek , no not by law , the recovery of goods injuriously taken or withheld from him ; were growne at the last to thinke , they could not offer unto God more acceptable service , then by turning their Adversaries cleane out of house and home , and by inriching themselves with all kind of spoyle and pillage , pag. 41. which thing being layd to their charge , they had in all readinesse their answer , that now the time was come , when according to our Saviours promise , The meeke ones must inherit the earth , Mar. 5.5 . and that their title hereunto , was the same which the Righteous Israelites had unto the goods of the wicked Egyptians . Exod. 11.2 .

13. Wherfore sith the World hath had in these men so fresh experience how dangerous such active errours are , it must not offend you , though touching the sequell of your present misperswasions much more be doubted , then your owne intents and purposes doe happily ayme at . And yet your words allready are somewhat , when ye affirme that your Pastours , Mart: in his 3. libel . P. 28. Elders , Doctours , and Deacons , ought to bee in this Church of England , whither his Majesty and our State will , or no ; when for the animating of your Confederates , yee publish the Musters which yee have made of your owne bands , and proclaime to amount unto , I know not how many thousands ; when yee threaten , that sith neither suits to the Parliament , nor supplications to our Convocation . House , neither your defences by writing , nor challenges of disputation in behalfe of that cause are able to prevayle , wee must blame our selves , if to bring in discipline some such meanes bee used hereafter , as shall cause all our hearts to ake . Demonstr. in the Preface . That things doubtfull are to be construed in the better part , is a principle that ought not to be followed in matters concerning the publique state of a Common-wealth . But howsoever these and the like speeches be accompted as arrowes idly shot at randome , without either eye had to any marke , or regard to their lighting place : hath not your longing desire for the practise of your discipline , brought the matter already unto this demurrer amongst you ; whether the people and their godly Pastours , that way affected , ought not to make separation from the rest , and to begin the exercise of discipline , without the licence of Civill powers , which licence they sought for , and are not heard ? Upon which question , as ye have now divided your selves , the warier sort of you takeing the one part , and the forwarder in zeale the other ; so in case these earnest ones should prevaile ? what other sequell can any wise man imagine , but this ; that having first resolved , that attempts for discipline without superiours , are lawfull , it will follow in the next place to be disputed what may bee attempted against superiours , which will not have the scepter of that discipline to rule over them ?

14. Yea even by you , which have stayed your selves from running headlong with the other sort , somewhat notwithstanding there hath bene done , without the leave or likeing of your lawfull Superiours , for the exercise of a part of your discipline amongst the Clergy thereunto addicted . And least examination of principall parties therein , should bring those things to light , which might hinder and let your proceedings ; behold for a barre against that impediment , one opinion yee have newly added unto the rest , even upon this occasion , an opinion to exempt you from takeing Oathes ; which may turne to the molestation of your Brethren in that cause . The next neighbour opinion , whereunto when occasion requireth , may follow for dispensation with Oathes already taken , if they afterwards be found to import a necessity of detecting ought which may bring such good men into trouble or damage whatsoever the cause bee . O mercyfull God! what mans witt is there able to found the depth of these dangerous and fearfull evills , whereinto our weake and impotent nature is inclinable to sinke it selfe , rather then to shew an acknowledgment of errour in that , which once wee have unadvisedly taken upon us to defend , against the streame , as it were , of a contrary publique resolution ? Wherefore if wee any thing respect their errour , who being perswaded even as yee are , have gone further upon that perswation then yee allowe , if wee regard the present estate of the highest Governour placed over us , if the quality and disposition of our Nobles , if the Orders and Lawes of our famous Vniversities , of the profession of the Civill or the practise of the Common-Law amongst us , if the mischieves , whereinto even before our eyes , so many others have fallen headlong from no lesse plausible and faire beginings , then yours are : there is in every of these considerations most just cause to feare , least our hastinesse to imbrace a thing of so perillous Consequence , should cause posterity to feele those evills , which as yet are more easy for us to prevent , then they would be for them to remedy .

15. The best and safest way therefore for you , The Concl. of all . my deare Brethren , is , to call your deeds past to a new reckoning , to examine the cause yee have taken in hand , and to try it even point by point , Argument by Argument , with all the diligent exactnesse yee can ; to lay aside the Gall of that bitternesse wherein your minds have hitherto overabounded , and with meeknesse to search the Truth ; thinke yee are men , deeme it not impossible for yee to erre ; fift unpartially your owne hearts , whether it bee the force of reason or vehemency of affection which hath bred and still doth feed these opinions in you . If truth doe any where manifest it selfe , seeke not to smother it with glosing delusion , acknowledge the greatnesse thereof , and thinke it your best victory when the same doth prevaile over you .

16. That yee have bene earnest in speaking and writing againe and againe the contrary way , shall bee no blemish nor discredit at all unto you . Amongst so many so huge volumes as the infinite paines of Saint Augustine hath brought forth , what one hath gotten him greater love , commendation , and honour then the booke wherein he carefully collecteth his owne oversights , and sincerely condemneth them ? Many speeches there are of Iobes , whereby his wisdome and other vertues may appeare : but the glory of an ingenious mind hee hath purchased by these words only , Iob. 39.37 . Behold , I will lay mine hand on my mouth , I have spoken once , yet will I not therefore maintaine argument : yea twice , howbeit for that cause , further I will not proceede . Farre more comfort it were for us ( so small is the joy wee take in these strifes ) to labour under the same yoake , as men that looke after the same eternall reward of their labours , to bee injoyed with you in bands of indissoluble love and amity , to live as if our persons being many , our Soules were but one , rather then in such dismembred sort , to spend our few & wretched dayes in a tedious prosecutiō of wearysome contentions , the end whereof , if they have not some speedy end will bee heavy even on both sides . Brought already wee are , even to that estate , which Gregory Nazianzene mournfully described , saying .

G. Naz : Apol. My mind leadeth mee ( sith there is no other remedy ) to fly and to convey my selfe into some corner out of sight , where I may scape from this cloudy tempest of maliciousnesse , whereby all parts are entred into a deadly warre amongst themselves , and that little remnant of love which was , is now consumed to nothing . The only godlynesse wee glory in , is to find out somewhat whereby wee may Iudge others to bee ungodly . Each others faults wee observe , as matter of exprobration , and not of greife . By these meanes wee are growne hatefull in the eyes of the heathens themselves , and ( which woundeth us the more deeply ) able we are not to deny , but that wee have deserved their hatred . With the better sort of our owne , our fame and Credit is cleane lost . The lesse wee are to marvaile , if they Judge vilely of us , who although wee did well , would hardly allow thereof . On our backs they also build , that are lewd , and what wee object one against another , the same they use to the utter scorne and disgrace of us all . This wee have gained by our mutuall home-dissentions . This wee are worthyly rewarded with , which are more forward to strive , then becometh men of vertuous and mild disposition . But our trust with the almighty is , that with us , contentions are now at their highest floate , and that the day will come ( for what cause of dispaire is there , ) when the passions of former enmity being allayed , wee shall with ten times redoubled tokens of our unfainedly reconciled love , shew our selves each towards other the same , which Ioseph and the Brethren of Ioseph , were at the time of their intervew in Egypt . Our comfortable expectation , and most Thirsty desire whereof , what man soever amongst you shall any wayes help to satisfie ( as wee truely hope there is no one amongst you but some way or other will ) the blessing of the God of peace , both in this world , and in the world to come , be upon him , more then the starres of the firmament in number .