The Authors which you quote, are ofttimes abused, you mangle their words and make them seem to speak what they never meant or intended. 1The truths they teach (you say) speaking of the Ministers of the English Church) are from God, but the office which gives them power and charge to speak them is from Antichrist, and a special character or mark (as the learned write of the beast). 2Thus said John Chaydon a Martyr of Christ: The Bishops licence to preach the Word of God, is the true character of the beast, that is, of Antichrist, The like M. Bale and others: But no word sounding that way, is to be found in M. Simons, Since their law of Confirmation was made (saith he) the Bishop with the Chrism doth sign the party in the forehead with the character of the cross, And since they made their new office or sacerdotal, thus they make their cate chumine. The child or party is brought to the Church doors, where the Priest maketh a cross with his thumb on the forehead of the child, and at the font, the priest maketh a cross in the right hand of the child, &c. Thus this Author, but to your purpose not one word. M. Bale was so far from condemning the office of Bishops simply as Antichristian, that he himself was Bishop of Osiris in Ireland: And how likely it is then, that he should absolutely condemn a Bishops licence to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the Churches of Christ, as the mark and Character of the beast, let any man judge? What he might condemn, in some respect and consideration in popish bishops, as they stand sworn slaves, to that Antichrist of Rome; that ⟨p. 134⟩cannot be drawn to the testimony of Bishops 3who have cast off the authority, and renounced the doctrine of Antichrist: And the same may be answered to the testimony of John Ch•ydon.
The Authors which you quote, are oftimes abused, you mangle their words and make them seeme to speak what they never meant or intended. 1The truths they teach (you say) speaking of the Ministers of the English Church) are from God, but the office which gives them power and charge to speake them is from Antichrist, and a speciall character or marke (as the learned write of the beast). 2Thus said Iohn Chaydon a Martyr of Christ: The Bishops licence to preach the Word of God, is the true character of the beast, that is, of Antichrist, The like M. Bale and others: But no word sounding that way, is to be found in M. Simons, Since their law of Confirmation was made (saith hee) the Bishop with the Chrisme doth signe the partie in the forehead with the character of the crosse, And since they made their new office or sacerdotall, thus they make their cate chumine. The child or partie is brought to the Church doores, where the Priest maketh a crosse with his thumb on the forehead of the childe, and at the font, the priest maketh a crosse in the right hand of the child, &c. Thus this Author, but to your purpose not one word. M. Bale was so farre from condemning the office of Bishops simply as Antichristian, that hee himselfe was Bishop of Osyris in Ireland: And how likely it is then, that he should absolutely condemne a Bishops licence to preach the Gospell of Jesus Christ in the Churches of Christ, as the mark and Character of the beast, let any man judge? What he might condemn, in some respect and consideration in popish bishops, as they stand sworne slaves, to that Antichrist of Rome; that ⟨p. 134⟩cannot be drawn to the testimonie of Bishops 3who have cast off the authoritie, and renounced the doctrine of Antichrist: And the same may bee answered to the testimonie of John Ch•ydon.
- 1CAN Stay sect. 3. p. 57.
- 2Simon on Rev. pag. 120. Acts & Mon. edit. 5. pag. 588. On Rev. ca. 14.9. Though Priests & Deacons for preaching Gods word, ministering the sacraments, with provision for the poor be grounded on Gods law, yet have these sects no manner of ground thereof, L. Cobh, Act. and Mon. p. 514 5•5.Simon on Rev. pag. 120. Acts & Mon. edit. 5. pag. 588. On Rev. ca. 14.9. Though Priests & Deacons for preaching Gods word, ministring the sacramets, with provision for the poor bee grounded on Gods law, yet have these sects no manner of ground thereof, L. Cobh, Act. and Mon. p. 514 5•5.
- 3CAN Nieces. of separ. p. 25•.CAN Neces. of separ. p. 25•.
