And first , I shall shew a little concerning the signification of the term Phauatick , as of late used ; and the first use of it in these late dayes ; and the exchange of the word from one sort to another ; and in whose mouths it now remains ; and who are now so accounted .

1. Not to discuss the Etymologie and signification of the word Phanatick in it self , and what its original is , and from whence derived , this I shall not now proceed to do , as being not needful to my occasion , though there is difference of Judgement amongst some in this matter ; and some say the original and root of the word is from Phanos , a false god ; and some say otherwise : and they are not in unity among themselves that do most of all use the word , concerning the derivation and signification of the word in it self : Neither shall I spend time to seek out a Judgment , and to give it in this case , as counting the recompence that can be obtained , not answerable to such a work ; but the signification of it , as now used at this day among people , is this ; All that differ in Judgment and Practice of Religion and Worship from the generality of People , and cannot conform unto such way of Religion as generally practised in the Land , such are called Phanaticks : and this signification the word bears amongst people , as now practised , such as meet together to preach and pray out publick places , and cannot either out of knowledge or conscience conform to the Publick Way of Worship held forth , such are called Phanaticks , and reproached by that name , from the mouths of Scorners and Revilers of the wayes of God , ( numbers of whom do now abound ) and also such who make Conscience of their wayes , and cannot run on in the wayes of Iniquity , in Lying and Drunkenness , and such like , but have been and are more sober , and do walk more in meekness and the fear of God , and have separated themselves from the evil company of men , and from all evil wayes , and could not run into the same excess of Riot with the multitude : Such have been called of these late dayes , Phanaticks , by the Scorners Generation . And thus much in brief of the signification of the word , as used of these late dayes .

2. As for the first use of the word Phanatick in this Age , it is but of very late use , for till within these two years , or lesse , we had very little or no use of the word Phanatick , until about the time of then General Monk's Army coming out of Scotland to London , when the Army was new model'd , and many of the Sectaries ( so called ) were turned out of places , about the Eleventh Month , 1659. then began the common use of this word Phanatick , and the Anabaptists , and such as were turned out of the Army , and all called by the name of Sectaries , that were different from the publick way of Worship , then held out ( which was for the most part of it Presbyterian ) these were called Phanaticks , and then the use of the word so common began about this time ( as I have said ) as now practised in our dayes ; for the rage and indignation of the then Presbyterians ( so called ) and that party , was such against the Anabaptists , and such as differed in Judgment and Practice from them , that scornfully they called them in derision Phanaticks : and , so far as I know , this was the time and occasion of the first use of this word , as of late practised ; or at least it was the first time and occasion of my observation of the common use of the word Phanatick .

3. And now as concerning the exchange of the word , from one sort of People to another , and how it hath been used by divers sorts of people against others , that have differed from themselves , this is also observable ; That the word Phanatick hath not so much proper relation to any one sort of people , as that it is only perfectly true to one sort of people more than to others ; but the properness of the word Phanatick , is only as Scorners & Revilers will wickedly use it , and as they will turn it to this sort of people , or to the other , to scorn them by it whom they have an enmity against , and whom they list to abuse by reproaching : And this is the end of the use of the word at this day , and not of any truth or verity in it to any people , but only it 's used as a term of reproach and scorning , by the mouths of ungodly men against such as differ from them and their wayes , though they are better in practice of Life and Conversation than themselves : And the term hath been changed divers times , and divers sorts of people reproached by it by others , since its first use : as first , The people called Presbyterians ( as aforesaid ) they used it towards such as were otherwise-minded than themselves , and reproached the Anabaptists and others that differed from them in Judgment and Practice of Religion , by the name of Phanaticks , and then they reproached many by that name that differed from them , and did not conform to their way of Worship and Religion ; but this continued not long , for when others came over them , and they grew under Reproach , then they themselves were reproached by that name Phanatick , by which they had roproached others not long before ; and many that are for the Government of the Church under Episcopacy , they now reproach the Presbyterians ( so called ) by the name of Phanaticks ; so the word is used in scorn to them by Scorners , as they used it to others that differed from them in the like scornful spirit : And thus the word is made use of only in derision and reproach to any that differ from the Publick way of Religion in the Land : for when the Publick was generally Presbyterian , then they that would not conform to that , but opposed it , were called Phanaticks ; and now when the Publick is Episcopal , even the Presbyterians themselves , and all that differ from that way and cannot conform to it , are reproached by the scornful name of Phanaticks . And thus the word hath been exchanged from one sort of Scorners to another , and used reproachfully towards divers persons ; so that , as I have said , the word Phanatick is truly proper to none of the Sects more than others , but only proper to be used by Scoffers and Scorners against any whom they have a mind to villifie ; and it 's exchanged from one to another , and used by divers sorts of people , according as Times and Religion do change by the Powers of the Earth . So the term Phanatick is changed into the mouths of Scorners , to reproach all that differ from the common general Way of Profession and Practice of Religion .

4. Now , last of all , it is changed yet once more into the mouths of the Papists , as by Semper Iidem doth appear , now under my explanation : and now the Papists have gotten the word Phanatick both from the Presbyterians and Episcopals , and all must now be reproached by that name , that differ from them and their Way and Religion ; and they have already begun to cry Phanatick to the Protestants , that differ from them in Principles and Practices . And thus it 's manifest , that the word Phanatick is truly proper to none , but only used by Scorners , to all whom they will revile and hold in derision , as different from them in Religion , such they villifie by the name of Phanaticks : First , the Presbyterians used it to such as differed from them ; then Episcopal men ( so called ) used it towards all that differed from them ; and now , last of all , the Papists have got it from both , and use it to all in derision that differ from them . And thus I have shewed , first , the beginning of the use of the word Phanatick , and upon what occasion , and its true signification , as used at this day . Secondly , Concerning the Exchanging of the word from one to another , and how that it 's truly proper to no People , but Scorners only use it , to deride and reproach such as differ from them , and cannot run in the same excess of Vanity . Thirdly , How the Papists now , last of all , have got it , and use it against the Protestants ; and in their mouthes now it remains : and the Protestants ( so called ) are now the Persons and People that are accounted Phanaticks , because they differ from the Papists in Principles and Practices of Faith , Worship and Religion : and this is manifest by the scope of Semper Iidem .

Secondly , I shall now shew how maliciously the nameless Author of Semper Iidem hath slandered the Martyrs and Sufferers for Righteousness sake in former Ages ; and how he hath accused the Protestants ( now living ) and what effect this would work in England , if the Author's Intent were fulfilled .

1. He hath slandered , accused and rendred the Martyrs of old , as Infamous as he possibly can , even termed them by the scornful name of Phanaticks , even the Protestant Martyrs ( so called ) who are said to be the very Fathers of the Protestant Church ; as Bishop Latimer , Cranmer , Ridley , and many others , who have been accounted honourable in England for their faithfulness against the Church of ROME , who , because thereof , were martyred and burned by the Cruelty of the Papists : yet these persons , with Robert Woodman , Thomas Hawks , and many more of the Antient Protestant Martyrs , are slandered by the villifying term of Phanaticks ; and that they were men of mischief , and licentious tongues , and seditious behaviour , and they were erroneous and obstinate , as in the ninth Page of Semper Iidem doth appear : and in pag . 16. Latimer is again called one of the Antient Phanaticks . And thus the main work of this nameless Author throughout his Book is to accuse the Protestant Martyrs that suffered in Queen Maries dayes , to be rebellious seditious Hereticks , and he villifies them by the very title of Antient Phanaticks ; and this is apparent through the whole Pamphlet , even by his Calumnies , Reproaches and Accusations against the Protestant Martyrs , who suffered for bearing Witness against the Church of Rome . And thus the very Fathers of the Protestant Church ( so called ) stand now in reputation to be Hereticks , seditious , rebellious , and judged Phanaticks ; and this is for the Protestants ( so called ) even the very Bishops themselves in England to consider of .

2. The Author of Semper Iidem hath accused some of the Protestants , even of the King's Friends now living , and villifieth them by the name of Phanaticks , as William Pryn , &c. whom he calls one of the Modern Phanaticks : And no doubt but the Intent of this man , with whom I am now in contest , reputes even all the Protestants of this present Age , to be Phanaticks , and such as the Antient Phanaticks , to wit , the Protestant Martyrs , as before-mentioned ; for he having accused Ridley and Cranmer , and many more , being such who were some of the first Promoters of the Protestant Religion in England , and the very Instituters of that Book , called the Divine-Service-Book ; it must needs follow consequently , and may be concluded from his words , and by his meaning , That all the Protestants now are such , even the present Prelates of England ; and durst the Author have spoken plain , it is likely he would have said the same , but that he hath minced the matter a little , as well as concealed his name , though his work be cryed up and down London ; which all sober People may indeed well take notice of , seeing that the Martyrs of old , who have to this day been of good report and fame for their Piety and Faithfulness in London , and through these Lands , are now accused , slandered and reproached up and down the Streets of London by the name of Rebels and seditious , and by the term of Antient Phanaticks . Is London so blind that cannot see what is in the bottom and intent of such a work , as renders the very Fathers of their Church Hereticks , and no better than Phanaticks ? And as for William Pryn , who is also accounted one of the chief Modern Phanaticks , I shall leave him to answer for himself , not doubting but he is sufficient to say something in the Case ; only may mind him , with many others of his Principles and Familiarity , how they have cryed out Phanaticks against such as have differed from them , and this not long since ; and now themselves are under the same Reproach by others , as they have reproached others ; and now he and they are reckoned the Modern Phanaticks and no better .

3. What can possibly be the Author's intent in his proceedings ? First , in relating of the burning , destroying and martyring of the Martyrs , whom he wickedly calleth Antient Phanaticks . And then , secondly , intimating the Protestants now living to be Phanaticks by this Parallel , the purpose and end of the man must needs be , that he would have Fire and Faggots up again , Burning and Martyring up again in England ; and all that shall differ from this man's way ( whom we find by Calculation to be chiefly a Papist ) should be burnt , martyred and destroyed now again , as in the dayes of Queen Mary ; this effect would follow : and this Semper Iidem is but as a little Item or Intimation beforehand , cryed up and down London , to prepare its own spirit , where it shall meet with it , into Fury and Rage , even to the destroying of all the Protestants : And as this Semper Iidem may possibly work such an effect among the people of that spirit , that love to murther and burn for difference in Religion , It may also and ought to work an effect in the other party , to be considerate and diligent , and to regard the signs of the Times , even the sign of Semper Iidem , which seems to be a little black Star predicting a bad Effect , if the course of Heaven alter it not again . And Semper Iidem is indeed to be taken notice of in London , because the like hath not been for above an hundred years , nor any one ever durst to appear in such a publication of villifying the Protestant Martyrs with Reproaches and Callumnies of Rebels , Seditious men and Phanaticks , as this nameless Author hath done : which gives us cause to say the Times are changed , and may yet change further , if the Effect of Semper Iidem be not diverted : for the Effect of his work is , to bring all to Fire , Faggot and Martyrdom that shall differ from the Church of Rome , of whom the Author is a Member , as by all signs and tokens doth appear .

Thirdly , I shall now shew how this spirit in the Papists , that burnt the Martyrs , ( which is the same spirit that endited Semper Iidem , that is again moving its Countenance now adayes ) I shall shew how that spirit was not , nor is of Christ , but of Antichrist and the Devil .

1. It was not the way of Christ and his Apostles , neither did they give Command or President for it , To kill , burn , or destroy their Enemies , and such as were Hereticks , as the false Christians do , and as the Papists did in Queen Maries dayes ; who burned and destroyed many hundreds of the Protestants who dissented from them in their Profession and Practices of Religion : and this was not Christ's way , for he commanded To love Enemies , and not to kill them , and it was his practice ; He did Good to them that did Evil to Him , and so did his Apostles ; and there was no such thing in the Churches of Christ in the Apostles dayes , as killing and burning of Hereticks , and putting them to Death by Cruel Torments ; but Christ and his Apostles did Convince Gainsayers by Love and Sound Doctrine ; and did walk peaceably towards all their Enemies , and did not seek their Destruction , nor to be revenged on ther Persecutors : but the Papists and false Christians , contrary to Christ's Doctrine and Example , do burn and kill , and destroy their Enemies , such whom they judge to be in Error , though yet their Judgment be utterly false , and their Killing and Burning , grounded upon such Judgment : and this hath been the Papists way of proceeding , as is related in Semper Iidem ; wherein is mentioned the burning and destroying of a great number of such as they then called Hereticks , whom Semper Iidem now calls Antient Phanaticks : and he hath justified their Martyrdom to be Right , and condemned the Martyred as Phanaticks ; and this is published in London .

2. All Persecution about Religion , and killing and burning for differences in matters of Spiritual things , hath been and is of the Devil and Antichrist , both in the Papists and other false Christians , though it hath long been practised in the World , for to destroy the workmanship of God , the Persons and Creatures , by Fires and Cruel Torments : This is not of God , but of the Devil , especially when it is done upon such an unjust occasion , as to destroy mens Persons by cruel Tortures for the Error of their Minds ; This is of the Beast and Dragon , spoken of in the Revelations ; For the Beast killed all that would not worship him , Rev. 13. For it was the Dragon that persecuted the Woman the true Church , and made War with the Remnant of her Seed , and cast floods out of his mouth , after the Woman had brought forth the Man-Child ; and he pursued her into the Wilderness , and then he gave power to the Beast , his Seat and his great Authority , as you may read ; and then that Beast , to whom the Dragon gave Authority , forced all to worship him , and killed all that would not worship him , and made War against them , and overcame them : And so it is manifest that this Practice , which the Papists and false Christians have used , of Burning and Killing all such as will not worship after their manner , is of the Devil the Dragon and Antichrist , and hath no foundation in God , but is of the wicked One to all intents and purposes . And thus I have shewed the Papists Practices in Queen Maries dayes , ( and at all times before and since , of burning and destroying of such as differ from them in Religious Matters ) are of the Devil and Antichrist , though the Author of Semper Iidem seems to justifie the Death of the Martyrs , and hath reproachfully villified them , above an hundred years after they are dead , by the scornful name of Phanaticks .

Fourthly , I shall now shew something concerning the Cause of the Publication of Semper Iidem , which the Author saith , is from the late Insurrection in London , and comparing them with their Predecessors , he thought fit to publish the same ; as in his Epistle .

Now in Answer to this . As for the Insurrection in London , I shall not justifie it , nor speak a word in vindication of the said Persons proceedings , but shall leave them without giving my Judgment upon them further than this , That it was an Evil Occasion , administred against such as were no way guilty thereof , who are deeply suffering this day Imprisonment and Perfecution , and their peaceable Meetings broken up , and they violently dealt withal in many particulars , and only upon the occasion of that Insurrection aforesaid ; And how unjust it is , let all the World judge , that any should suffer for the faults of others ? and how unequal it is that many should be Imprisoned , fined , and taken out of their own houses and Meetings to Goals and Prisons , as at this day , upon the Occasion of that Insurrection , whereof they were clear and innocent both to God and men , though they are dealt withal as Plotters , Conspirors and Rebellious , when as hereof they are not guilty ? And this is all that I shall say at present as about that Insurrection , and the Occasion of Semper Iidem its Publication .

And whereas Sir John Oldcastle , and Sir Roger Acton , with divers others , are mentioned , and their Deaths related , whom this Author saith , were put to death for Treason and Rebellion , and making Insurrections . Concerning the Carriages and Death of such , I shall say little , nor can I justifie any in so doing , neither in Ages past , nor in this present time , if they were put to death only upon that Account , for rebelling with Carnal Weapons , and rising up in Conspiracies against the Authorities which they were under , or for Evil-doing to their Neighbours ; I say , such neither in this Age , nor in Ages past , do I justifie nor will vindicate their Practices , nor condemn their Death , but shall leave them to be justified or condemned of God according to their doings , and according to the end and intent of their hearts in their proceedings : but many others are mentioned in Semper Iidem , who suffered and were put to Death , burned and killed , only for and because of their Principles and Practices in Religion , while yet they lived peaceably , and were of a harmless Conversation amongst men ; the Persecution and Death of such , upon that account , I do condemn , and do charge it to be Murder in the sight of God , of such who were burned and destroyed because of their difference in Religion from the Church of Rome , when as no unrighteousness nor double-dealing , as to men , could be charged and proved against them ; such ( I say ) as died and suffered for that Cause , have been murdered by the power of Antichrist among the Apostate Christians , and the Blood of such will the God of Heaven avenge one time or other .

Now I come to search some particulars , which are stated pag . 3. which it 's said John Wickliff held ; which Doctrines the Author of Semper Iidem seems to say are Errors , by his condemning such for Hereticks as held them for Truths .

The first , That the Sacrament of the Altar is nothing but a piece of Bread . This the Lollards ( so called ) are said to affirm , for which the Papists condemned them as Hereticks .

Answ . As for the Sacrament of the Altar , so termed by the Papists , we find nothing of it in all the Scriptures , not Sacrament of the Altar nominated ; only we find , That Christ took Bread and brake it , and gave it to his Disciples ; not as Himself , for He only gave it them to eat in Remembrance of Himself . As oft as ye do it ( saith Christ ) do it in Remembrance of Me . Where it is manifest , that there is a distinction to be made , and a separation in expression to be put between that Bread which Christ gave his Disciples to eat , and his own Body ; for they were to eat the Bread , not as Him , but in Remembrance of Him : and this shews that the Bread which Christ gave his Disciples , was Bread to be eaten in Remembrance of Him ; and so it is no Error , but sound Truth to affirm , That the Bread , called the Sacrament of the Altar by the Papists , is but indeed a piece of Bread , and may safely so be called : But suppose it were Error in men so to believe and say ; yet it is Murder , Cruelty , and not of Christ , but of the Wicked One , so to deal with them for their Errors sake , as before-mentioned .

Doct . 2. That Priests have no more Authority to administer Sacraments then Lay-men ; Held by the Lollards ; Condemned as a great Error by the Papists .

Answ . As for the Name and Order of Priests , we find none such among the Apostles in the Christian Churches in their dayes ; Pastors , and Ministers , and Prophets , and Teachers we find , but not Priests by that Name , as a particular Order of men in the Church , saving that all the Saints are called Kings and Priests unto God ; neither do we find such a thing , as Consecrating a piece of Bread into a more holy quality then it was in it self before ; nor any Commission given by Christ to a particular Order of men to administer Bread to the People as His Body ; we read that the Saints brake Bread when they were met together , and somtime from house to house , but that there were particular persons , by an Office among them , that did administer the Bread in the form and manner as among Papists , we read not of this in all the Scriptures ; And as for Lay-men , as Papists tearm them , this Word we have not in all the Scriptures , but Saints we have of divers growths ; but the Papists have made many inventions of Offices , Titles , and Names in their Church , for which they have no example at all in the Scriptures .

Doct . 3. That all things ought to be in Common ; Opposed by Papists as a great Error .

Answ . It is a great question what signification may be put upon the Word Common ; So I shall not vindicate for Truth , the Doctrine as it lyes , and leave the Interpretation of the Word Common to my Adversaries , and so I pass it ; onely do mind , that it is said in the Acts , That they that believed , had all things Comm●● ; Though the Word Common there , I understand not Absolute , but with Restriction .

Doct . 4. That it is as lawful to Christen a Child in a Tub of water at home , or in a Ditch by the way , as in a Font-stone , in the Church ; Opposed by the Papists as a great Error .

Answ . As for the Baptizing of Infants , by Dipping or Sprinkling , and calling it the Baptism into the Faith , and into the Church , as Practised and Held by the Papists , we have cause to question the Lawfulness of the thing in it self at any Place ; For , we find no Command or President of Christ , nor among his Apostles in the Primitive Churches , for this thing of Christening Infants ; and therefore we question , whether the thing in it self is lawful at any time or place ? Suppose the Papists could prove the thing lawful , and that it ought to be done by virtue of any Command or Example of Christ or his Apostles : Then again we question , why not as lawful to be done at any other Place , as in a Font-stone ? ( so called , ) Of what holiness or purity is that , more than other places ? and of whose invention is it , of all the Christians since the Apostles days , seeing we find nothing at all of it in the Scriptures ? But suppose the Principle to hold indeed absolute Error , the Papists yet do still wickedly in racking men , and burning them because thereof .

Doct . 5. That it is as lawful at all times to confesse unto a Layman as to a Priest ; Opposed by the Papists as great Error .

Answ . As for that manner and form of Auricular Confession , ( so called ) practised among the Papists , we have no Command or Example for it in all the Scriptures ; only the Apostle exhorted to Confess your faults one to another ; but no mention of distinction of Persons , as if there was an Order of men among the Saints , Ordained for Confession to be made unto , as is among the Papists practised : But such kind of Inventions , are among them , and all that gainsay them in their wayes , must be burned as Hereticks ; and this is the way that the Papists do uphold their Religion , not by sound Arguments , and by the Spirit and Power of God , but by killing such as will not Believe , and Practise as they do .

Doct . 6. That it is not necessary or profitable to have any Church or Chappel to pray or performe Divine Service in ; Opposed by the Papists as a great Error .

Answ . As for the Church , it is in God , 1 Thes . 1. and the Body of Christ is the Church , Ephes . 1.23 . The Saints of Christ , that have Believed in Him and Received Him , wheresoever or whensoever met together , they are the Church of Christ ; for the Church was in Aquillas House , as may be read : and in this Church of Christ , wheresoever come together , is the Divine , Holy , Acceptable Service of God , performed in the Spirit and in the Truth ; And as for Houses of Wood and Stone , builded and called Churches and Chappels , which Papists have builded to perform their Service in , these are Idolatrous Places , and not True Churches ; God dwels not in Temples made with hands , as it 's written : And though a man affirm , that God may be worshipped and served as well in any Place , as in your Churches and Chappels , and that such Places are not necessary , but God may be served in other Places ; This is no Error , deserving Fire and Faggot , as the Papists do Affirm and Practise .

Doctrines . 7. and 8. That burying in the Church-Yard is unprofitable and vain . That Holy Days , Instituted by the Church , are not to be observed and kept in reverence , in as much as all Days are alike ; Opposed by the Papists as Errors .

Ans. There is no respect of Places with God , neither are the Dead more or less acceptable to Him , notwithstanding the place of burial , whether it be on the Land or cast into the Sea , if occasion so happen , as sometime it doth ; The Patriarchs of old , had Places appointed and purchased for burial of their Dead , as it is at this day among the Lord's People ; but that the Church-yard ( so called ) is more Holy than another place , as the Papists do account , This we believe not , nor can it be proved to us , by Scripture or sound Reason . And as for Holy Dayes instituted and observed , is but a meer Invention of the Romish Church , without any ground from the Apostles , and it is no sin against God not to observe them , & all days as to God are alike holy in His sight , without respect of one or another ; And for the Papists to invent Practices , without Example in the Scriptures , as Religious , and then to Impose them by force upon all People , and to Kill and Burn such as Hereticks as cannot conform there-unto , How Impious , Oppressive , and Antichristian this manner of work is , let all sober People judge ? And this is but a mocking of God , for the Papists to profess Holy Dayes , and with a pretence of God's worship to observe them as Holy , when as more Rudeness , Drunkenness , Wantonness , and Ungodliness is usually committed that Day , which they profess to keep Holy , man is on the other Dayes beside ; And this is manifest to all People , that thus the Papists do mock God , in their exercise of keeping Holy Dayes .

Doctrines 9. and 10. That it is sufficient to Believe , though a man do no Good Works at all . That no Humane Laws or Constitutions do oblige a Christian ; Opposed by the Papists as Errors .

Answ . It is sufficient to Believe in Jesus Christ , and that Believing is a Good Work , and if a man truly Believe , he cannot but bring forth by that Faith Good Works ; and it is impossible for a true Believer in Christ but to do good Works ; If a man do no Good Works , he is not a Believer , For Faith without Works is dead , and that is no true Belief , which is without Good Works ; and a Christian , one that is truly so , is obliged and bound by the Law of God , to do all Good , and to forsake all Evil ; and the Laws of men , they are subject to them all for Conscience sake , by performing them , or suffering under them . And as for Humane Inventions of the Papists , which they bind on the Consciences of men , upon losse of Life , or Estate , or Damnation ; These things , we say , do not oblige the Conscience , nor any Laws or Constitutions of men do oblige Christians to Obedience , which are not truly grounded upon the Law of God .

Doct . 11. That God never gave Grace or Knowledge to a Great Person , or Rich Man , and that they in no wise follow the same .

Answ . This is a false Doctrine , for God gives Grace to all ; The Grace of God which brings Salvation , hath appeared unto all men , as it is written , which Grace teacheth the Saints to deny all ungodliness ; and the wicked turn the grace of God into wantonness : but the true knowledge of God is given but to a few ; and not many Wise men after the flesh are called , but God chooseth the Poor and Contemptible ( as saith Paul ) to confound the Wise and Mighty of this World ; and yet God gives Knowledge to Rich and Poor without respect of persons , as it pleaseth Him .

Doct . 12. That any Lay-man may Preach by his own authority , without Licence of the Ordinary ; Opposed by the Papists as a great Error .

Answ . All in the true Church , and that are of the Church may Prophesie and Speak in the Church , one by one , ( as Paul saith , without distinction of Titles , such as the Papists use , Clergie and Lay-men , and such like tearms of their own Inventions , without Example from the Churches of Christ in the Apostles days ) For the Apostle saith , If any thing be revealed to another that standeth by , let the first hold his peace ; for ye may all Prophesie and Speak one by one , that all may be edified : And again , Peter saith , As every man hath received of the gift of the Spirit , let him administer the same one to another . Thus it is manifest by the Scriptures , That every Member of the true Church of Christ may Preach by the Authority of the Spirit of God , as that moveth and leadeth ; And this was the Example of the holy men of God declared in Scriptures ; Elisha that was a Plowman , and Amos that was a Herds-man , and Peter that was a Fisher-man : These and such as these , whom the Papists would have called Lay-men , did Preach and Teach , without any Licence from men , but as the Lord Commanded them , who said , Jer . 23. He that hath my Word , let him speak my Word faithfully , and this without respect of Persons , and without distinction of Names , of Lay-men , or otherwise ; though contrary to this , the Papists would limit the Holy One , to such and such kind of Persons , whom they name Clergie men ; as if they knew all Religion , and might onely Preach , and all besides themselves might be in Ignorance , and know nothing , nor can be fit to speak of the matters of God's Kingdom ; which is contrary to the Scriptures and Example of Saints in former Ages .

As for the 13. and 14. Doctrines , about Baptism of Infants , I have spoken somewhat to it in my Answer to the Fourth Doctrine , so here I pass them .

Then Semper Iidem goes on and saith , Who sees not among these , the principal Tenets of our Anabaptists , Fifth-monarchymen , Levellers and Quakers , &c.

Answ . As for the Anabaptists , Fifth-monarchy-men , and Levellers ( so called ) I shall not now plead their Cause , but shall leave it to themselves , to do it against Semper Iidem ; neither shall I Condemn them with him , nor Justifie them against him ; But as for the Quakers ( so called ) I have a few Words to plead for them against their Adversary , though I shall be brief at this time : They are neither Rebellious , Seditious , Hereticks , nor Phanaticks , though accused at this time of these things ; and accounted by the Author of Semper Iidem , as such ; though neither he , nor any of their false and envious Accusers , that have ever risen against them , can prove any such matters , nor ought against them , saving that they are an Innocent harmeless People towards all People ; and though Sufferers by Injustice and Cruel Imprisonments , under all Authorities , yet not Rebellious nor Seditious against any , but Peaceable and Quiet under all ; This is their Practice since they were a People . And as for their Principles of Faith , and Worship , and Doctrine and Religion , they are according to the Scriptures , and Example of Saints in former Ages , and not ever yet Convicted by any either Protestants or Papists , of Error , false Judgement , or Heresie ; though all manner of Evil hath been spoken against them in that Case , yet never to this day truly detected , or reprehended concerning the same ; And they desire no better way to be made manifest in their Doctrines , and to be approved or disproved therein through the World , than to have free egress and regress among the Papists and Protestants , and all others , in the way of sober Arguments and Disputations , and Reasoning out the Truth of what they hold and profess ; and if they can possibly be Convicted , that their Way , and Doctrines and Religion are not sound Verities but Errors , then it is time to forsake them ; But all the Persecution , that is already , or can be acted upon them , will never make them change their minds till Death , nor renounce the things which the Spirit of God in their own hearts doth bear witness to the truth of : And therefore let the Church of Rome lay down her cruel Weapons of Persecution , by Burning and Destroying of such as differ from them in Religion , and let her admit of Disputation and sound Arguments , to uphold her self thereby if she be able , and to Confute and Convince such as are contrary-minded to her , even the Quakers ( so called ) if she can ; and let her cease her Fire , and Faggot , and Inquisition-Disputation , of Murders and cruel Tortures against such whom she calls Hereticks , and let her appear in the soundest Arguments of Reason , and Soripture , and Antiquity , that she can adorn her self withall ; And the Quakers ( so called ) will not doubt nor fear , to advance towards her , and meet her , and answer her in the same , for the true and legal Trial of both ; That all the World may see and understand the difference between these two , and whether the Papists Religion or the Quakers Religion , is of more Reason , Verity and Antiquity ; and the Quakers are willing to try this Case with the Papists , engaging upon the adventure of certain proof or disproof of their Religion , in the view of the whole world : And this is the most I shall say at present on their behalf , and in the mean time 〈◇〉 this be performed , let the Church of ROME and all her members cease to persecute and accuse such , whom they know not , but by the evil reports of others ; and the Tenets and Principles of the Quakers , ( so called ) will be Justified , where the false Christians cannot stand nor appear in Judgement .

Then Page 7. The Author of Semper lidem , Complaines of some Phanaticks , as he calls them , that Nick-name what they dislike ; Saith he , They call the Church , a Steeple-house ; the Surplice , A Rag of Popery ; the Organs , Grumbling Pipes , &c.

Answ . As for the True Church , it is in God , 1 Thes . 1. The People of God that are Regenerated and Sanctified , wheresoever come together , are the true Church of Christ ; for the Church was in Aquilla's House , as it is written : So that it is the People that are the Members of Christ , the True Church , and not the House or Place wherein they Assemble at any time . And as for Calling the Publick Meeting Places , ( which some call Churches ) Steeple-houses , this is no Error ; For the Form , Fashion , and Service of the Place proves it to be so ; A great House made of Wood and Stone , and a Steeple with Bells , erected at the end of the House , may properly be called a Steeple-house without Error , and cannot at all be called a Church , but in Error . And as for the Surplice , which the Priests put on , this is without question an Invention of the Church of Rome ; because there is no such thing in the New Testament , nor was there any Surplices worn by any of the Ministers of Christ in the Apostles days ; but is an Invention introduced into the World by the Church of Rome ; and so is , and may be called a Piece or Rag ( if you will ) of Popery . And as for Organs , and the practice of them , as held forth for the Worship of God , there was no such thing among the Apostles , neither did the Saints of the Primitive Church hold forth the Worship of God , by playing on the Organs ; But the true Spiritual Gospel-Worship , is more Heavenly and Spiritual , even in the Spirit and in Truth is God Worshipped , as Christ said , and not by outward Musick , on Organs and such like ; But this is also an Invention of the Church of ROME since the Apostles dayes . And Organs having Pipes of different sounds , may be called , Grumbling Pipes without offence .

Again , Page 11. It is charged as a great Error in some that held , It was not lawful for a Christian to take an Oath .

Answ . To deny all Swearing , and taking of Oaths , is according to the Doctrine and Command of Christ Jesus , who hath said , Swear not at all ; so it 's manifest , that the false Christians accuse and condemn such for Hereticks as abide in the Doctrine of Christ , and keep his Commands : And thus both Papists and Protestants are found in Error and Heresie themselves , and breaking the Command of Christ , and walking contrary to his Doctrine , in Swearing and taking Oaths , and condemning such as Hereticks as cannot take an Oath for Conscience sake : and so such as refused to take any Oath , walked in the Doctrine of Christ ; and such walked contrary to his Doctrine as did condemn them . And thus it is manifest , that Papists and false Christians are fallen from the Doctrine of Christ , and are calling Good , Evil , and Evil , Good ; and putting Light for Darkness , and Darkness for Light : for they account such as will take Oaths and swear , good Christians , who are breakers of the Commands of Christ ; and such as abide in the Doctrine of Christ , and cannot take any Oath , but keep the Commands of the Gospel , they are accounted Erroneous and Hereticks , and such like .

And whereas the Author of Semper Iidem hath censured , judged and condemned in his work , John Wickliff and John Lambert , Thomas Evison and John Waddon , William White , Cornelius Bunge , John Maundrel , John Trankerfield , George Eagles , Hugh Latimer , Bishop Cranmer , and Bishop Ridley , Thomas Hawkes , Richard Woodman ; all of whom were martyred and put to Death , because they dissented from , and denyed the Papists Religion : These by name , with a great many more , this nameless Author , with whom I am now dealing , hath condemned for Hereticks and Erroneous Persons , and made void , as much as in him lyes , their Blood , and justified the Papists in putting of them to Death . Now every particular Case of these particular men that he hath named and accused as Phanaticks and Hereticks . I shall not seek to shew or demonstrate , so as to justifie every man's particular Case against this nameless Author of Semper Iidem ; but this is evident , that these men are reputed by Fox in his Monuments , as Martyrs of Iesus , and they have been reputed in England for many years as such , and have been held of great Estimation , and have been accounted as the Fathers of the Protestant Church ; and my Judgement of them is this , That their Death generally was for the Testimony of Iesus , and because of their faithfulness in denying the Church of Rome : for I do believe , that God did awaken these men , with many more , and stir up their hearts in their day against the Idolatries and Superstitions of the times they lived in ; and many of them were sincere men , according to their Light and Knowledge in their day ; though I shall not justifie every particular man in every particular part and act of his Faith and Conversation , but shall leave that at this time reserved in mine own heart ; and still I say for the most part they , suffered innocently on their part , and without Cause , and cruelly , inhumanely , and unjustly on their Enemies part ; and they martyred them , and put them to Death , by Fires and Tortures unrighteously and as Cruel Murders on their part that Executed them : And in as much as their Sufferings were only and because of denying the Church of Rome , dissenting from her , and denying of her ; and wherein only and alone their Sufferings were in this Cause , and for this End , they suffered as Servants of God ; though , as I have said , I shall not justifie every particular man of them in his whole Faith and Conversation . And for a further Relation of these Persons who were put to Death , mentioned by my nameless Author , whom he accuseth for Phanaticks and Hereticks , and such like , I leave it to be read in Fox's Acts and Monuments , where it may be read concerning the Martyrdom of every one of these particular men , with their Examinatiens , Tryals and Executions , as they are reported by Fox , who hath alwayes been reputed a faithfull Chronologer of the Protestants Cause , till this Semper Iidem seems to accuse him for a Lyar and false Reporter , and such like ; And whether the People of England have not better cause to believe his Relations of these persons , than they have to believe they know not whom , viz. the Author of Semper Iidem , a nameless Author , who hath reviled the Protestants Cause , and accounted the Martyrs and faithful Witnesses thereof , Phanaticks and Hereticks , let themselves be Judges ? But I shall leave this , only with desire , that these men whom he hath named , their particular Cases may be read in Fox's Acts and Monuments , which if ye look in the Table at the end of the Second Volumn you shall find the mens Names , with the Pages disciphered , where their Cases may be read ; and when you have read them , then judge whether Semper Iidem hath not falsified their Cases , and wickedly reviled them by the name of Antient Phanaticks , thereby seeking to supplant the whole Protestant Religion , and all that dissent from the Church of Rome . And thus much in brief concerning the Martyrs , whom in the fourteenth Page , Semper Iidem saith , That a notable part of the Sufferers , whom Fox makes relation of , were Phanaticks and Sectaries , and mad Saints , and such like naughty words , by which he accuses a notable part ( these be his words ) which is the chiefest part of the Martyrs , related of by Fox ; and accuseth Fox himself of double Injuries in his Relations , in that he hath Canonized Phanaticks and Sectaries and mad Saints , for Saints and Martyrs ; and in that he reviled and accused Queen Mary and the Papists in those dayes , of greater Persecutions than they were guilty of , and saith , they did no more than Henry the Eighth , and Edward the Sixth , and Queen Elizabeth did to the Papists . Thus it is manifst , that that well reputed of and credited Historian , FOX , is reputed a Lyar , a false Reporter , and so the Book of Martyrs made worth nothing , and Queen Mary and the Papists justified in what they did , in martyring and putting to death the Protestants in their dayes ; and also , Queen Elizabeth is secretly condemned in what she did against the Papists : On that these dayes should ever appear in England , which once was not thought of ! These things are published and suffered , in this Old Government newly revived ; Let the Protestants of England take notice of it , and see how the Records of their Martyrs are made null , and of none effect , and the Martyrs themselves slandered as Phanaticks , and the Martyrers justified as Righteous in what they did ; and these things published and proclaimed with open face up and down London !

These things I cannot but observe , as full occasion is given me by Semper Iidem , how that the Papists Cause seems to revive and to lift up its head again in England , in villifying and reproaching the Cause of all the Protestants of all sorts , who seemingly begin to be crow'd over again , and the Death of their Martyrs made of none effect ( as aforesaid ) And this is only in love towards the People of England , to make them consider what attends them , and what Invasion is coming upon them , if it be not prevented ; not that I wholly justifie the Cause of the Protestants against the Papists , though Semper Iidem pleads , That Queen Mary did no more to the Protestants , than Henry the Eighth , Edward the Sixth and Queen Elizabeth did to the Papists : as the one persecuted , burned and martyred the Protestants , so the other did persecute and destroy the Papists ; by which he would reason a Justification of Queen Mary and the Papists , by the example of others against them . Now , I say , the Wickedness of one will not justifie the Wickedness and Cruelty of the other ; for neither party of them are justifiable in the sight of God , but condemnable in such proceedings ; and it was doubtless of Antichrist and the Devil , in both Papists and Protestants , to destroy and burn one another , only for and because of difference in Religion ; and wherein the Protestants did put any of the Papists to death , only for and because of difference in Profession and Practice of Religion , and because they were Papists , herein the Protestants were acted by the same persecuting spirit of the Devil , as the Papists were acted by against them : So that I am not an absolute party with the Protestants against the Papists , for I know that there is Error of Judgment amongst them , both in Faith , Worship , and their whole Religion ; only my end is at present in pursuing Semper Iidem , to confound his bloody spirit of Persecution and Exuelty , which I find him possessed withal , as by his discourse is apparent ; and also to put the Protestants in mind how their Cause begins to be repreached , villified and dispised even in their own Land publickly in the Streets of their Chief City ! which hath not been the like for above an hundred years ; And this is the end of my pursuing Semper Iidem with this Answer , and I shall not much enlarge further , onely in the Eleventh Page there is one passage worth observing .

There is instanced one Richard Woodman of Sussex , who affirmed that he had the Spirit of God ; and can prove , said he , by the Scriptures , that Paul had the Spirit of God , as I my self , and all God's Elect have . Now , saith Semper Iidem , No Arguments nor Reasons could reclaim him from his Errors ; and so he was burnt at Lewis , because he said he had the Spirit of God , and could prove that Paul had it .

Answer .

There it is manifest , that this Martyr suffered for Truth and Righteousness sake , as a Saint and Servant of God , and for witnessing the Truth according to the Scripture , which saith , If any man have not the Spirit of Christ , he is none of His : which is manifest in the Scriptures , that all that are Christs , and Members of his Church have ; and it is also manifest , That the Papists have not the Spirit of God , because they burn such as do witnesse and testifie that they have it , as here Semper Iidem himself hath given us an Instance , that they burn and destroy such for Hereticks as say they have the Spirit of God , he not believing that Paul had it , but saith it is an Error to affirm it : and yet this work seems now to be justified up and down London-streets , which is the double-Iniquity , and that which once many looked not to have seen , that any being condemned and burned as Hereticks for saying they had the Spirit of God , that this should be justified now in these glorious dayes of Light ; this seems almost incredible , but that our eyes behold it ; and causeth wonder in many what will be the effect of such a bad sign appearing , as a Justification of putting to Death the Innocent for no other cause , but in that he affirmed he had the Spirit of God! And by this we learn to know how great the Ignorance , Darkness and Blindness of the Church of ROME is , and deserveth not the name of a Church , if they be all of this mind , to condemn men , and burn them for Hereticks for saying they have the Spirit of God , and then an hundred years after justifie the doing of it ; to their shame and confusion let this be rehearsed , who have themselves denyed that they have the Spirit of God , and Condemning and Destroying others for saying they have it : And this I leave to the Consideration of all the Protestants , who must either deny that they have the Spirit of God , or be Condemned , and [ may be ] killed as Hereticks for affirming it , if so be the Church of ROME recover her desired Power and Purpose in England . It 's worthy to be minded while it may be mended , lest the time come when it cannot be prevented .

And thus I have run thorow the main part of Semper Iidem , and briefly hinted at the principal matters worthy to be taken notice of , ( though much more might be said ) but that it is my property in all cases to be as brief as may be , for that is the best for the Understanding to contain what is spoken or written , only shall not forget William Pryn , who is stated in Pag . 18. as one of our Modern Phanaticks , I would not forget to mind him , I say , to answer his part , and to clear himself , if he can , of the Aspersion of a Phanatick , by which tearm he stands reviled , though Semper Iidem fawneth upon him , and flattereth with him , and telleth him , he is the only person in this unhappy Parrallel who hath given testimony of his Reconcilement . But what better is William Pryn for this Flattery ? I hope he is not yet reconciled to the Papists , and become one of them : if he be , I desire he would let us know it ; and if he be not , then Semper Iidem accounts him a Phanatick . I shall say no farther , but shall leave him to answer for himself .