The Godly and Faithful among the Jews, might not refuse to hear the Scribes and Pharisees, when they had no power to cast them out, and yet they were thieves and robbers, who corrupted the Law, and without question spake most reproachful things against the way and worship of God. The godly could not be sure that the Pharisees would not deliver such things, neither did they offend in being present at the worship of God: and yet it will not follow, that a man may hear any one, or any where. Thieves and murderers in the Church of the Jews, sprung up with them, and continued amongst them, and neither departed themselves, nor were cast out by others that had authority. In the Christian Church divers false ⟨p. 17⟩Teachers, ravening Wolves, Antichrists rose up, 1not from among the heathen, or Jews, but in and from themselves, whereof some went out from the Church, and separated themselves, others were cast out by excommunication, and delivered up to Satan, that they might learn not to blaspheme. Others were tolerated in the Church, either because their heresies were not so pernicious at the first, or the better side had not power to cast them out, or they preached the fundamental Truths, but of evil minds. These in respect of outward order, were lawfully elected or called, but false Prophets discovered by their doctrine, not by their calling, 2and some of them continuing in the Church, the Faithful are not forbidden to partake of the Ordinances of God, because they are present, but to beware of their errors, that they be not infected by them. But, if by strangers we understand only such as did arise from without, and brought blasphemous doctrine, directly contrary to the foundation of the Faith, or such as are justly cast out by the Church, that they might learn not to blaspheme, then the Faithful might neither communicate with them in public, nor receive them unto house, but fly from them both in mind and body. But thieves, who lead not in by the door, Christ, who have strange voices, which the sheep acknowledge not, who bring another foundation besides Jesus Christ, 3these are not to be enrolled with such as teach the doctrine of Faith truly: for they are not strangers either in respect of Sect, Religion, or Laws, they are of the household of God, they serve the Lord as he hath prescribed, and walk according to his Law.
The Godly and Faithfull among the Jews, might not refuse to heare the Scribes and Pharisees, when they had no power to cast them out, and yet they were thieves and robbers, who corrupted the Law, and without question spake most reproachfull things against the way and worship of God. The godly could not be sure that the Pharisees would not deliver such things, neither did they offend in being present at the worship of God: and yet it will not follow, that a man may heare any one, or any where. Thieves and murderers in the Church of the Jewes, sprung up with them, and continued amongst them, and neither departed themselves, nor were cast out by others that had authoritie. In the Christian Church divers false ⟨p. 17⟩Teachers, ravening Wolves, Antichrists rose up, 1not from among the heathen, or Jews, but in and from themselves, whereof some went out from the Church, and separated themselves, others were cast out by excommunication, and delivered up to Satan, that they might learne not to blaspheme. Others were tolerated in the Church, either because their heresies were not so pernicious at the first, or the better side had not power to cast them out, or they preached the fundamentall Truths, but of evill mindes. These in respect of outward order, were lawfully elected or called, but false Prophets discovered by their doctrine, not by their calling, 2and some of them continuing in the Church, the Faithfull are not forbidden to partake of the Ordinances of God, because they are present, but to beware of their errours, that they be not infected by them. But, if by strangers we understand onely such as did arise from without, and brought blasphemous doctrine, directly contrary to the foundation of the Faith, or such as are justly cast out by the Church, that they might learne not to blaspheme, then the Faithfull might neither communicate with them in publike, nor receive them unto house, but flie from them both in minde and body. But thieves, who lead not in by the doore, Christ, who have strange voices, which the sheep acknowledge not, who bring another foundation besides Jesus Christ, 3these are not to be enrolled with such as teach the doctrine of Faith truly: for they are not strangers either in respect of Sect, Religion, or Lawes, they are of the houshold of God, they serve the Lord as he hath prescribed, and walke according to his Law.
- 11 Joh. 2.19. Tit. 3.10. 1 Tim 1.20. 2 Thes. 2.3, 4. Phil. 1.15.
- 2When the Apostle exhorteth Timothy, not to partake in other men• sins, doth he not intimate that unfit, unable, unworthy Ministers might be ordained in the Churches, though unlawfully?
- 3Atha. ad solitariam vita agents, complaineth against Constantius, That whereas the Bishops in those days were wont to be lawfully chosen by the people of the place, and sufficiently examined, and allowed by other Bishops, ad joyning, and openly created in the Church, Constantius in stead of the Church, would have his •alace succeed, and for the multitude of people, and right Assemblies (to elect) he commanded three Eunuchs to be present, and three of his Spies (or Prolers) for you cannot call them Bishops; that they six in his palace, might create one Felix a Bishop. And noting what manner the Emperor and his Eunuchs made, he saith, In illorum locum juvenes libidinosos, e hnieos, ne catechismo quiaem imbutos, ne• non & bigamos, & maximis crimin bus male and entes, modo aurum darent, ves•i emptorese for• ad Episcopatu summiserere. Bilson Christian Subj part 2. pag 255.Atha. ad solitariam vita agentes, complaineth against Constantius, That whereas the Bishops in those daies were wont to be lawfully chosen by the people of the place, and sufficiently examined, and allowed by other Bishops, ad joyning, and openly created in the Church, Constantius in stead of the Church, would have his •alace succeed, and for the multitude of people, and right Assemblies (to elect) he commanded three Eu•uches to be present, and three of his Spies (or Prolers) for you cannot call them Bishops; that they sixe in his palace, might create one Felix a Bishop. And noti•g what manner the Emperor and his Eunuches made, he saith, In illorum locum juvenes libidinosos, e hnieos, ne catechismo quiaem imbutos, ne non & bigamos, & maximis crimin bus male and entes, modo aurum darent, vesi emptorese for ad Episcopatu summiserere. Bilson Christian Subj part 2. pag 255.
