An enquiry into the original, nature, institution, power, order and communion of evangelical churches.…

This Authority was first usurped by Synods, or Counsels of Bishops; Of what use they were at any time, to declare and give Testimony unto any Article of the Faith, which in their days was opposed by Heretics; I shall not now enquire. But as unto the exercise of the Authority claimed by them to make Laws and Canons, for the Rule and Government of the Church; It is to be bewailed there should be such a Monument left of their Weakness, Ambition, Self-Interest, and Folly, as there is, in what remaineth of their Constitutions. Their whole endeavour in this kind, was at best but the building of Wood, Hay, and Stubble on the Foundation, in whose Consumption they shall suffer loss, although they be saved themselves. But in making of Laws, to bind the whole Church, in, and about things useless and trivial, no way belonging to the Religion taught us by Jesus Christ, in, and for the Establishment or Increase of their own Power, Jurisdiction, Authority, and Rule, with the extent and bounds of their several Dominions; in, and for the Constitution of new Frames and States of Churches, and new ways of the Government of them; in the Appointment of new Modes, Rites, and Ceremonies of Divine Worship, with the Confusions that ensued thereon, in mutual Animosities, Fightings, Divisions, Schisms, and Anathematisms, to the horrible Scandal of Christian Religion, they ceased not until they had utterly destroyed, all the Order, Rule, and Government of the Church of Christ, yea, the very nature of it▪ and introduced into its room, a carnal; worldly Church-State and Rule suited unto the Interests of Covetous, Ambitious, and Tyrannical Prelates. The most of them indeed knew not for whom they wrought, in providing Materials for that Babel which by an hidden skill in a Mystery of Iniquity, was raised out of their Provisions: For after they ⟨p. 25⟩were hewed, and carved, shaped, formed, and gilded, the Pope appeared in the Head of it, as it were with those words of his mouth, Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the House of the Kingdom, by the might of my Power, and for the Honour of my Majesty? This was the fatal Event of mens invading the Right of Christ, and claiming an Interest in Authority to give Laws to the Church.

This Authority was first usurped by Synods, or Counsels of Bishops; Of what use they were at any time, to declare and give Testimony unto any Article of the Faith, which in their daies was opposed by Hereticks; I shall not now enquire. But as unto the exercise of the Authority claimed by them to make Laws and Canons, for the Rule and Government of the Church; It is to be bewailed there should be such a Monument left of their Weakness, Ambition, Self-Interest, and Folly, as there is, in what remaineth of their Constitutions. Their whole endeavour in this kind, was at best but the building of Wood, Hay, and Stubble on the Foundation, in whose Consumption they shall suffer loss, although they be saved themselves. But in making of Laws, to bind the whole Church, in, and about things useless and trivial, no way belonging to the Religion taught us by Jesus Christ, in, and for the Establishment or Encrease of their own Power, Jurisdiction, Authority, and Rule, with the extent and bounds of their several Dominions; in, and for the Constitution of new Frames and States of Churches, and new ways of the Government of them; in the Appointment of new Modes, Rites, and Ceremonies of Divine Worship, with the Confusions that ensued thereon, in mutual Animosities, Fightings, Divisions, Schisms, and Anathematisms, to the horrible Scandal of Christian Religion, they ceased not until they had utterly destroyed, all the Order, Rule, and Government of the Church of Christ, yea, the very nature of it and introduced into its room, a carnal; worldly Church-State and Rule suited unto the Interests of Covetous, Ambitious, and Tyrannical Prelates. The most of them indeed knew not for whom they wrought, in providing Materials for that Babel which by an hidden skill in a Mystery of Iniquity, was raised out of their Provisions: For after they