Brownish Turn Inside Outward

The outside is described and set forth by themselves on this manner.

1 AS there is but ^a one God, and father of all, one Lord over all, and one Spirit: So is there also but ^b one Truth, one Faith, one Salvation, one Church, called in one Hope, joined in Profession, guided by one ^c Rule, even the word of the most High. ^a Gen. 1.1. Exod. 20.3. ^b 1. Tim. 2.4. Phil. 1.27. Ephes. 2.18. John. 8.41. ^c Deuteron. 6.25. Rom. 10.8. 2. Tim. 3.15. John. 8.51. 1 John. 2.3.4. &c.

The In-side is turned outward; and fet forth by those that have lived long among them and know their lives, doctrines, and conversation.

1 As there is but one God, and Father of all, one Lord over all, and one Spirit: so is there but one Truth, one Faith, one Salvation, one Church, called in hope, joined in one Communion. Therefore the Brownists being ^a schismed from this one Communion of Saints, cannot be that true ^b Church, by this word of the most high, alleged by themselves. Gen. 1.1. Exod. 20.3. 1. Tim. 2.4. Phil. 1.27. Eph. 2.18. John. 8.41. Deut. 6.25. Rom. 10.8. 2. Tim. 3.15. John. 8.51. 1. John. 2.3.4. &c. ^a See the profane Schism of the Brownists, Sect. 1 Chap. 2. ^b See the profane schism. Chap. 7.

Ergo, the Brownists are not the Church of God, by their own construction of these Scriptures.

2 This Church, as it is universally understood, containeth in it all the ^a Elect of God, that have been, or shall be: But being considered more particularly, as it is seen in this present world, it consisteth of a company and fellowship of ^b faithful, and holy people, ^c gathered in the name of Christ Jesus, their only ^d King, ^e Priest, and ^f Prophet, ^g worshipping him aright, being ^h peaceably and quietly governed by his Officers and Laws, ⁱ keeping the unity of faith in the bond of Peace, and ^k Love unfeigned. ^a Gen. 17. chap. 1. Pet. 1.2. Reu. 7.9. 1. Cor. 10.3. John. 17.10.20. ^b Psal. 111.1. & 149.1. Esa. 62.12. Ephes. 1.1. 1. Cor. 1.2. Deut. 14.2. ^c Deut. 12.5. John. 6.37. & 3.14. & 12.32. Luke 17.37. ^d Gen. 44.10. Psalm. 45.6. Zach. 9.9. Heb. 1.8. ^e Rom. 8.34. John. 17. Chap. Heb. 5.9. & 8.1. & 4.14. ^f Deut. 18.15. Mat. 17.5. Heb. 1.2. Gen. 14.18. ^g Exod. 20.4.5.6.7.8. Luke. 10.5. John. 4.23. ^h Math. 11.29. 1. Cor. 11.16. Mark 13.34. Reu. 22.9. ⁱ Ephes. 4.3. 1. Cor. 1.13. Mark. 9.50. ^k John. 13.34. 1. Cor. 13.4. 1. Pet. 1.22.1. 1. John. 3.10.

2 This their Description, as it is universally understood, &c. But according to their application of it to themselves, considering their In-side more particularly, as they are to be seen in this present world, in the City of Amsterdam; They consist of a Company, and Fellowship of ^a irreligious and profane people, gathered together in ^b Schism, ^c abusing CHRIST, and all his Offices, profaning his worship and Ordinances, through their ^d contention, and bitter envying, and wrangling; neither keeping unity of Faith in the bond of Peace, and but feigned love. ^a See the profane Schism of the Brownists, throughout. ^b They never admit any man into their Communion, but with protestation to reject communion with the Churches of Christ. ^c None of Christ's Offices belong unto Schismatics. ^d See Geo. Johnson, his discourse.

Ergo, By these Scriptures, they are not the Church of God, Gen. 17. 1 Pet. 1.2. Reu. 7.9.

3 Most ^a joyful, excellent, and glorious things are everywhere in the Scriptures spoken of this Church. It is called the ^b Citty, ^c House, ^d Temple, and ^e Mountain of the Eternal God: the ^f chosen Generation, the holy Nation, the peculiar people: the ^g Vineyard, the Garden enclosed, the Spring shut up, the scaled Fountain, the Orchard of Pomegranates, with sweet fruits: the ^h heritage, the Kingdom of Christ; yea his ⁱ Sister, his Love, his Spouse, his ^k Queen. and his Body, the joy of the whole earth. To this society is the ^l covenant and all the promises made, of ^m Peace, of love, and of ⁿ salvation: of the presence of God, of his graces, of his power, and of his ^o protection. ^a Psal. 87, 3. ^b Ibid. ^c 1 Tim. 3.15. Heb. 3.6. ^d 1 Cor. 3.17. Esa. 2.2. Mich. 4.1. Zech. 8.3. ^e 1. Pet. 2.9. ^f Esa. 5.1. & 27 2. ^g Song. 4.12. Esa. 51.3. ^h Esa. 19.25. ⁱ Mich. 5.2. Mat. 3.2. John. 3.5. ^k Song. 5.2. ^l Psal. 45.9. ^m 1 Cor 12.27. Eph. 1.23. ⁿ Gal. 4.28. Rom. 9.4. ^o Psa. 147.14.2. Thes. 3.16. Isaiah. 46.13. Zach. 14.17. Isaiah 60. Eze. 47. Zach. 4.12. Eze. 48.35. Math. 28.20. Esa 62.

3 Most fearful & terrible things are everywhere in the Scriptures spoken of this society: It is called ^a a cursed generation for cursing God's people': They are for their contentions ^b threatened to be no inheritors of the kingdom of heaven; for raging out their own ^c shame, for them is reserved the black darkness forever. Enoch ^d prophesied of such, that the Lord would come in judgment against them, to reward both their deeds and words. Peter prophesied of such, that should ^e privily bring in damnable heresies, and bring upon themselves swift damnation. These are makers of ^f Sects, fleshly, having not the spirit. They shall be ^g ashamed at the last day, for hating & excommunicating God's people. ^a Gen. 12.3. ^b Gal. 5.20.21. ^c Iud. 13. ^d Iud. 14.15. ^e 2 Peter. 2.1. ^f Jude 19. ^g Isaiah 66.5.

Therefore it appeareth by these Scriptures, that they are not the Church and people of God. Psal. 87.3. &c.

4 And surely if this Church be considered in her parts, it shall appear most beautiful, yea most wonderful, & even ^a ravishing the senses to conceive, much more to behold; what then, to enjoy so blessed a communion. For behold! her ^b King and Lord is the King of peace, and Lord himself of all glory. She enjoyeth most holy & heavenly ^c laws, most faithful and vigilant ^d Pastors, most sincere & pure ^e Teachers, most careful & upright ^f Governors, most diligent and trusty ^g Deacons, most loving and sober believers; and a most ^h humble, meek, obedient, faithful, & loving people; every ⁱ stone living, elect, and precious: every stone hath his beauty, his ^k burden and his order, all bound to edify one another, exhort, reprove, and comfort one another, ^l lovingly, as to their own members, ^m faithfully, as in the eyes of God. ^a Song. 6.4.9. ^b Isaiah 62.11. John. 12.15. Heb. 2.7.8. ^c Mat. 11.30. 1 John. 5.3. ^d Eph. 4.11. Act. 20. ^c Rom. 12.7. ^f 1 Cor. 12.28. Rom. 12.8. ^g Acts 6. ^h Rom. 12.8. Mat. 5.5. Eze 36.38. Esa. 60, 8. Deut. 18.9.13. ⁱ Pet. 2.5. 1 Kin. 7.9. Zec. 14.21. ^k Gal. 6.4 ¹ Cor. 12. Rom. 12.3. &c. ^m Heb. 10.24. Leu. 19.17. 1 Thes. 4.9. Col. 3.23. 1. John. 3.20.

4 And surely if their Church be considered in her parts, it shall appear most ^a abhominable, yea most ^b detestable, & even to be ^c abhorred of every true Christian to conceive, much more to behold, what then to be entangled with such a crooked generation? For behold! they are led by the spirit of ^d schism, error, and confusion: they are annoyed with the abuse of God's law, and perverting the rules of Christ most lamentably: with a most ^e frailfull, and vilanous Pastor, a most simple and piteous Teacher, most careless & ^f vnright Governors, most negligent and untrusty ^g Deacons: there were no believers while I lived among them, but a most ^h haughty, proud, disobedient, dissembling, and spiteful people: many of the stones seemed dead in religion, no tokens of God's election on them, no ⁱ virtues apeared in their life, none bound to edify other, but rather to dehort, disprove, and cast down one another spitefully, as to their enemies; fraudfully, ^k as if God saw it not. ^a See testimony of T. White. (proph. schism) pag. 27.c. Sect, 2. ^b See the profane schism of the Brownists. ^c See Parallels between Manssield and Studley, profane Schism, c.6. ^d See Cut. Huttons work, Proph. Schis. c.9. ^e See his fathers Articles against him. Proph. Schism. c.11. ^f See Geo. Johnson's discourse. ^g See the first part of the hunting of the Fox. ^h Witness Bowmans robbing the poor, for which he was called Judas the pursebearer. His theft is recorded in the City-rolles of Amsterdam: for there was it handled before the Magistrate. ⁱ See George Johnson's discourse; hunting of the Fox: See proph. schism. c. 11. pag. 64. ^k See Generation of slanders, Proph. scism. c. 12. See George Johnson's discourse.

Ergo. By these scriptures they are not the Church of God. Song. 6.4.9. &c.

5 No ^a Office there is ambitiously affected, no ^b law wrongfully wrested, or ^c willfully neglected, no ^d truth hid or perverted, ^e everyone here hath freedom and power (not disturbing the peaceable order of the Church) to utter his complaints and griefs, and freely to reprove the transgression & errors of any, without exception of persons. ^a 2. Cor. 2.17. 3. John. 9. ^b 1 Tim 4.2.3. & 5.21. & 6.14. Gal. 12. ^c 1 Cor. 5. ^d Ier. 23.28. 1. Tim. 3.15. ^e 1. Cor. 6. & 14.30. Col. 4.17.

5 No Office is here attained by ^a lawful means, no ^b law faithfully practiced, or willingly executed, no truth rightly sought out, & discovered, no people in greater ^c bondage to their Officers, no Church more ^d disturbed frō peace. None dare utter his complaints and griefs, nor freely to reprove the transgression and errors, for fear of the ^e partiality & exceptions of their Officers. ^a See H. Ainsworth's answer to M ^r Stone his Sermon, his abuse of scripture for this purpose. pag. 26. ^b See proph. schism, ch. 1. sect. 1. p. 3. ^c See proph. schism. chap. 13. ^d See hunting of the Fox, first part.

Therefore by these scriptures they are not the Church and people of God, 2. Cor. 2.17.

6 Here is no ^a intrusion or climbing up another way into the sheep-fold then ^b by the holy and free election of the Lord's holy & free people, and that according to the Lord's ordinance, humbling themselves by fasting and prayer, before the Lord, craving the direction of his holy spirit, for the trial and approving of gifts, &c. ^a John. 10.1. ^b Act 1.23. & 6.3. & 14.23.

6 Here all are intruders, and climbers up another way into the sheep-fold, namely, by the election of scismatiques, and that contrary to the Lord's ^a ordinance; not humbling thenselves by fasting and prayer before the Lord, in the communion of his Saints; not craving the direction of his holy spirit, in the mouth of his Ministers of the reformed Churches, for the trial and approving of gifts, &c. ^b Their schism both deprives thē of the offices of Christ, & also peruerts all his ordinances in the use of them.

Therefore by these scriptures they are not the Church of God. John. 10.1. &c.

7 Thus they orderly proceed to ordination, by fasting and prayer, in which ^a action the Apostles used laying on of hands. Thus hath everyone of the people interest in the election and ordination of their Officers, as also in the administration of their Offices upon ^b transgression, offense, abuse, and having an especial care unto the inviolable order of the Church, as is aforesaid. ^a 1. Tim. 4.14. & 5.22. ^b Luke 17.3. Rom. 10.17. Col. 4.17.

7 Thus they ^a unorderly proceed to ordination, abusing the ordinance of God, and ^b assuming that unto their confused multitude, which only belongs to the Ministers of Christ, making them Ministers by the imposition of hands of common people: And be theyonce in office, live they never so ^c wickedly, they are still retained, and also preferred to ^d higher place in office; such confused order is in their Church. ^a Witness M ^r . Halies Intrusion. ^b See H. Ainsworth's answer to M. Stone, pag. 26. ^c See profane Schism, pag. 16. ^d Bowman being a chief Deacon, is now made an Elder.

Ergo. By these scriptures they are not the Church of God. 1. Tim. 4.14. &c.

8 Likewise, in this Church they have holy ^a Laws, as limits and bounds, which it is lawful at no hand to transgress. They have laws to direct them in the choice of every Officer, what kind of men the Lord will have. Their Pastor must be apt to ^b teach, no young Scholar, ^b able to divide the word aright, ^d holding fast that faithful word, according to doctrine, that he may be able to exhort, rebuke, improve, with wholesome doctrine, and to convince them that say against it. He must be ^c a Man that loveth goodness; he must be wise, righteous, holy, temperate; he must be of life unreprovable, as God's Steward; he must be generally well reported of, and one that ruleth his own household under obedience, with all honesty: he must be modest, humble, meek, gentle, and loving; he must always be careful and watchful over the flock, whereof the Lord hath made him Ouerseer, with all willingness, and cheerfulness, not holding his office in respect of persons, but doing his duty to every soul, as he will answer before the chief shepherd, &c. ^a Math. 5.19. 1 Tim. 1.18. ^b Deut. 33.10 Mal. 2.7. 1 Tim. 3.1. &c. ^c 2 Tim. 2.15. ^d Tit. 1.9. 2 Tim. 4.2. ^e Tit. 1.7.8. ^f Numb. 12.3.7. Isaiah 50.4.5.6. Ier. 3.15. Ezech. 34.18. Acts 20. 1. Pet. 5.1.2.3.4. 1 Tim. 5.21.

8 Likewise, in this Church they have ^a vngadly Laws, as limits and bounds, which at no hand is lawful (for their people) to transgress. They have laws to direct them in the choice of every Officer, what kind of men the Lord forbiddeth. Their pastour being so apt to teach error, that in forsaking one, ^b he runs into two or three, forsaking that faithful word, according to doctrine, whereby he doth dehort from the truth, and lahbour to disprove and convince the same: He is a man that loveth ^c vice: he is ^d foolish, unrighteous, unholy, ^e intemperate: he is of life reproueable, as all the Churches of God do testify; and so generally evil reported of: one that ruleth his own house ^f dishonestly; he is immodest, ^g haughty, proud, cruel, and ^h unnatural: he is always careless and negligent over the flock, whereof he pretends to be Ouerseer, with all unwillingness, ⁱ grudging for maintenance, holding his office in respect of lucre, but doing his duty to never a soul, for which he must answer before the chief sheep heard, if he prevent it not by repentance. ^k It is Apostasy for any of their people to hear a Sermon in any of the reformed Churches; yea, and they shall be more diligently brought to repentance for it, then for whoredom, theft, bribery, or the like ^a See his exposition of Mat. 18. ^b Geo. Johnson's discourse (upholding his wives pride, wickedness, and folly) ^c See proh. schis. c. 11. ^d See prop. schis. c. 1. ^e See Geo. Johnson's discourse. ^f See Proph. schism. cap. 11. ^g See John. Johnson's 14. Article, Prop. schis. cap. 11. ^h See Geo. Johnson's discourse.

Ergo, By these scriptures they are not the Church of God. Math. 5.19.

9 Their Doctor or Teacher must be a man apt to teach, able to divide the word of God aright, and to deliver sound and wholesome doctrine from the same, still building upon that sound ground-work: He must be mighty in the Scriptures, able to convince the gainsayers, and careful to deliver his doctrine pure, sound, and plain; not with curiosity or affectation; but so, that it may edify the most simple, approving it to every man's conscience: he must be of life unreprovable, one that can govern his own household: he must be of manners sober, temperate, modest, gentle, loving. &c. 1 Tim. 3. Tit. 1. chap. 2 Tim. 2 15. 1 Cor. 1 17. & 2.4.

9 Their Doctor, or teacher is a man unapt to teach (and unable to divide) the word of God aright; and he delivers unsound and unwholesome doctrine (of schism) from the same; he is weak in the Scriptures, unable to ^a convince his gainsaiers, & careless to deliver his doctrine pure, sound, and plain, but with curiosity, or affectation; not so, that it may edify the most simple, or aprouing it to every man's conscience: therefore of life reproueable: one that cannot govern his own household out of schism, vn-christianly rending from the communion of Saints, to the ^b great grief of many good Christians. ^a Those that have left their schism; to wit, C.L. & R.B. have sundry times gone unto him, desiring conference, but never could obtain it of him. ^b Many good Christians do lament his fall in the place where he lived in England, commending his innocent life, praying for his enlargement from his miserable schism, which God grant, if it be his will.

Ergo, By these scriptures they are not the Church of God. 1 Tim. 3. &c.

10 Their Elders must be of wisdom and judgment, endued with the Spirit of God, able to discern between cause & cause, between plea and plea, & accordingly to prevent and redress evils; always vigilant, and intending to see the statutes, ordinances, & laws of God kept in the Church, and that not only by the people in obedience, but to see the officers do their duties. These men must be of life likewise unreprovable, governing their own families orderly. They must be also of manners sober, gentle, modest, loving, temperate, &c. Num. 11.24.25. 2. Chron. 19.8. Acts 15. chap. 1. Tim. 3. & 5. chap.

10 Their Elders are void of wisdom & judgment, endued with the spirit of error, unable to discern between cause and cause, between plea and plea, without ^a partiality: which accordingly nourish evils; always vigilant in contending to see their statutes and Canons kept in the Church. And thus they do ^b keep not only the people in bondage, but see the Officers sins and ^c wickedness cloaked & hid. These men are also of life reproueable, governing their own families ^d unorderly; also of manners rude, cruel, ^e lascivious, spiteful, intemperate, &c. ^a See hunting of the Fox, the first part, ^b see G. Johnson's discourse. ^c Witness Studleyes uncleanness, and de Cluse his drunkenness, so long smothered up among them. ^d See M. Hintons testimony given in Dutch, proph. schis. c. 4. ^e See Saund. Artic. proph. schism. c. 1. Sect. 2. p. 15.

Ergo, By these scriptures they are not the Church of God. Num. 11.24.25. &c.

11 Their Deacons must be men of honest report, having the mystery of faith in a pure conscience, endued with the holy Gost. They must be grave, temperate, not given to excess, nor filthy lucre. Act. 6.3. 1. Tim. 3.8.9.

11 Their Deacons also be men of ^a scandalous life, having the mystery of iniquity in a putrefied conscience, being endued with the spirit of ^b schism: some vain and intemperate, some given to ^c excess and filthy lucre. ^a See disc. of T. White. ^b witness M. Halies protestation to get into office. ^c Judas the purs-bearer was one.

Ergo, By these scriptures they are not, &c. Act. 6.3.

12 Their Relieuers, or Widows must be women of 50 years of age at the least, for avoiding of inconveniences: they must be well reported of for good works: such as have nourished their children, such as have been harborous to strangers, diligent and serviceable to Saints, compassionate and helpful to them in adversity, given to every good work, continuing in supplications and prayers night & day. 1. Tim. 5.9.10.

12 As for their Relieuers or Widows, there never was any in the Separation, till now, since their divisions. And now ^a one part of them hath chosen two widows, against whō I can say nothing but this; that they are simply led by the rest into schism, and there kept in such bondage, as themselves do greatly ^b complain of, lamenting and bewailing the abuses of that Church in supplications and prayers night and day. ^a The Franciscan side. ^b They have often bewailed the bitter rejection of good people, unto some, whom they durst make their minds known unto; yet for fear of their leaders, they dare not show themselves familiar to their loving friends, fearing to be rebuked for the same.

Ergo, By these Scriptures they are not, &c. 1. Tim. 5

13 These officers must first be duly proved; then if they be found blameless, administer. 1. Tim. 3.10.

13 These their Officers, some of them were ^a suddenly admitted, and not duly proved; others, that be found blameable, administer, &c. ^a Braithwait was not in electiō for his Deacons office two hours before he was installed in the same.

Ergo, By these scriptures they are not the Church of God. 1 Tim. 3.10.

14 Now as the persons, gifts, conditions, manners, life and proof of these Officers is set down by the holy Ghost; so are thir offices limited, severed, and diverse. 1 Cor. 12.12.18.28.

14 Now as the persons, gifts, conditions, manners, life and proof of these officers is set down, & turned the In-side ^a outward, so shall their offices, how they are limited severed, and diverse, &c. ^a Faire without, & foul within.

Ergo, By these scriptures they are not the Church of God. 1 Cor. 12. &c.

15 The Pastors office is to feed the sheep of Christ in green and wholesome pastures of his word, and lead them to the still waters, even to the pure fountain & river of life: he must guide and keep those sheep by that heavenly sheep-hook, and pastoral staff of the word; thereby drawing them to him; thereby looking into their souls, even into their most secret thoughts; thereby discerning their desceases, & thereby curing them, applying to every disease a fit and convenient medicine; & according to the quality and danger of the disease, give warning to the Church that they may orderly proceed to excommunication. Further, he must by this his sheep-hook, watch over, and defend his flock from ravenous beasts, and the wolf, and take the little Foxes, &c. Psal. 23. Leu. 10.10.11. Numb. 18.1. Ezech. 44.23. & 33. & 34. John. 12.15. Acts 20.28. 1. Peter. 5.4. Zach. 11.7. Reu. 22.2. Luk. 12.2. 2 Cor. 10.4.5. Heb. 4.12. John. 10.11.12. Song. 2.15.

15 Their Pastors office is to ^a fetter the sheep of Christ in the miry & unwholesome pin-fold of Separation, and lead them to the waters of ^b strife, even to the filthy fountain of Pharisaical folly he must guide and keep those sheep by that hateful hook, and pestilent ^c staff of schism; thereby drawing them unto him; thereby tyrannizing over their souls, prying into their most secret thoughts, thereby discerning if any do begin to mind and consider their schism, & desire or go about to reconcile himself unto the Curches of Christ; thereby (if he cannot persuade them from so doing) strait ^d cursing them; applying to every such penitent sinner, a falce and unjust censure, quite contrary to the quality and condition of the estate; and give warning to the Church, that they may unorderly proceed to Excommunication. Further, he must by this his sheep-hook, watch over, and defend his flock from ^c those that labor to draw them out of their errors and schism, seeking to ensnare, reproach, and scandalize those faithful servants of God. ^a Many lie shackled in this pinfold, being unable to clamber over those untempered walls of Separation, which S ^t . Francis, with his associates have so advanced with their Sophistry. ^b See generation of slanders, Proph. schism, c. 12. ^c See Geo. Johnson's discourse, (pleading for authority) ^d Witness their many excommunications of those that forsook the schism. ^e See. Proph. Schism, chap. 1.2.3. Sect. 1.

Ergo, By these scriptures the Brownists are not the Church of God. Psal. 23. Leu. 10.10.11. &c.

16. The Doctors office is already set down in his description: his special care must be to build upon the only true ground-work, Gold, Silver, and Pretious stones, that his work may endure the trial of the fire, and by the light of the same fire reveal the Timber, Hay, and Stubble of falce Teachers: he must take diligent heed to keep the Church from errors. And further, he must deliver his doctrine so plainly, simply, and purely, that the Church may increase with the increasing of God, and grow up unto him which is the Head, Christ Jesus. 1. Cor. 3.11.12. Leu. 10.10. Ezek. 33.1.2. & 44.24. Mal. 2.6. 1 Cor. 3.11. 1 Cor. 1.17. 1 Tim. 4.10. & 6.20. Eph 2.20. Heb. 6.1. 1 Pet. 2.2.

16 The Doctors office is already set down in his description: his special care must be to build with untempered mortar upon their schismatical groūdworke, ^a be it timber, hay, stubble, and polluted stones, that his work may endure the trial of their fire, and by the light of that same fire, reveal the Gold, Silver, and Pretious stones, such as discern the false-hood of false teachers: he must take diligent heed to keep the Church from communion with the Churches of Christ: Further, he must deliver his doctrine so sophistically, and peeuishly, that the Church may increase in contention, shifts, and cavils, to maintain their error, and so grow up in schism from all the Churches of Christ Jesus. ^a whosoever will come & acknowledge that England is a falce and Antichristian Church, they do receive them, whereby they have many, not only ignorant of religion, but of lewd disposition. See the testimony of M. White, Proph. schism, c. 5. pag. 27.

Ergo, By these scriptures they are not the Church of God. 1 Cor. 3.11.12. &c.

17 The Office of the Ancients is expressed in their Description: their especial care must be to see the ordinances of God truly taught and practiced, as well by the Officers, doing their duty uprightly, as to see that the people obey willingly and readily. It is their duty to see the Congregation holily and quietly ordered, and no way disturbed, by the contentious, and disobedient, froward, and obstinate; not taking away the liberty of the least, but upholding the right of all, wisely judging of times and circumstances. They must be ready assistants to the Pastor and Teachers, helping to bear their burden, and not intruding into their Office. Numb. 11.16. Deut. 1.13. & 16.18. 2 Chron. 19.8. Exod. 39.42. 1. Tim. 3.15. 2. Tim. 1.13. 1 Cor. 11.16. & 14.33. Gal. 2.4.5.14. Col. 4.16.17. Acts 20. 1. Pet. 5.1. Rom. 12.8.

17 The Office of the Ancients is expressed in their Description: their especial care must be to see the Canons of their schism trimly taught and practiced, as well by their Officers, doing their endeavors vnrightly, as to see the people kept in bondage, though unwillingly. It is their ^a doings, that the Congregation is wholly disquietly ordered, and many ways disturbed by the contentious, disobedient, froward, and obstinate, not taking away the injuries of the weak, but upholding their ^b favorites against all, wickedly judging of times and circumstances. They must be ready assistants to their Pastor and Teachers, helping them to defend their errors, and schismatical standing ^a The Leaders of the people cause them to err. ^b See Studleys letter against Sam. Fuller.

Ergo, By these scriptures they are not the Church of God. Numb. 11.16. &c.

18 The Deacons Office is faithfully to gather & colect, by the ordinance of the Church, the goods and benevolence of the faithful; & by the same direction, diligently and trustily to distribute them according to the necessity of the Saints. Further, they must inquire, and consider of the proportion of the wants, both of the Officers, and other poor, and accordingly relate unto the Church, that provision may be made, Acts 6. Rom. 12.8.

18 The Deacons office is ^a fraudfully to gather and collect, by the ordinance of their Church, the goods & benevolence of their frail folk; and by the same indirect course, negligently & untrustily to distribute them, according to the necessity of their Saints. Further, they must require & complain to the people for more contribution, extorting it even from poor men's labors, that provision may be made for some drones among them. ^a It is fraud to colect men's goods to maintain schism. Those that are somewhat remiss in their separatiō, do oft endure great misery, yet not relieved by them; but those that are most perverse in the rejecting of others, be they never such drones, yet they must be fed.

Ergo, by these Scriptures they are not the Church of God, Act. 6. Rom. 12.8.

19 The Relieuers & widows office is to minister to the sick, lame, weary, & diseased, such helpful comforts as they need, by watching, tending and helping them: further, they must show good example to the younger women, in sober modest, and godly conversation, avoiding Idleness, vain talk, and light behavior, Rom. 12 8. 1 Tim. 5.9. &c.

19 The Relieuers & widows office is to minister to the sick, lame, &c. which they impose upon the ^a aged & helpless women, which greatly increase their misery; not having maintenance of the Church, according to God's ordinance, 1 Tim. 5.16. but increasing their grief like Pharaohs Taske-masters. ^a These women (one in special) have lived very hardly & very laboriously, long with them vnrelieued; and now have they increased her labor, but not added to her means as yet.

Ergo, by these scriptures they are not the Church of God. Rom. 12.8. &c.

20 These Officers, though they be diverse & several, yet are they not severed, lest there should be a division in the body; having the same care, one of another, jointly doing their duties to the service of the Saints, and to the edificatiō of the body of Christ, till we all meet together in the perfect measure of the fullness of Christ; by whom all the body being thus coupled and knit together by every joint, for the furniture thereof, according to the effectual power which is in the measure of every part, receiveth increase of the body unto the edifying of it self in love: neither can any of these offices be wanting, without grievous lameness, and apparent deformity of the body; yea violent injury to the head Christ Jesus. Luk. 9.46.47.48. John. 13.12.17. 1 Cor. 12.12.25.28. Eph. 4.11.12.13.16.

20 These officers, though they be diversely sinful, yet are they not severed, lest there should be a reformatiō in the body, having the same care one of another, jointly doing their endeavors to the service of their ^a schism, & to the dissolutiō of the body of Christ, till they all meet in that perverted manner of the rules of Christ, by which all their body being thus crooked, & tied together by every joint, for the flourishing thereof, according to the effectual power of sathā, which is in the measure of every part, receueth decrease of the body unto the defying of it self, & hateful ^b separating one part frō another, unto the gricuous lameness & apparent deformity of that schismatical body which hath done such injury to the head Christ Jesus. ^a They compass sea and land to make one of their professiō, Mat. 23.15. ^b See the testimony of C. Hut. Proph.schism. c. 9. Ergo, by these scriptures they are not, &c. Luk. 9.46. &c.

21 Thus this holy Army of Saints is marshaled here in earth by these officers, under the conduct of their glorious Emperor Christ, that victorious Michael. Thus it marcheth in this most heavenly order, & gracious array, against all enemies both bodily and ghostly; peaceable in it self, as Jerusalem, terrible to the enemy, as an army with banners; triumphing over their tyranny with patience, their cruelty with meekness, and over death it self with dying. Thus, through the blood of that spotless lamb, and that word of their testimony, they are more thē Conquerors, bruising the head of the Serpent; yea through the power of his word they have power to cast down Satan, like lightening; to tread upon Serpents, and Scorpions; to cast down strong holds, & everything that exalteth it self against God. The gates of hell, & all the Principalities and powers of the world shall not prevail against it. Rom. 12. chap. 1 Cor. 12 Revel. 14.1.2. Song. 6.3. Revel. 12.11. Luk. 10.18.19. 2 Cor. 10.5. Math. 16 18. Rom. 8.38.39.

21 Thus this hateful army of schismatiques is marshaled here in Amsterdam by these officers, under the conduct of the clamorous enemies of the Church of Christ, the notorious Schismatics. Thus it marcheth in this most hateful disorder & grievous array, against ^a all the Churches of Christ upon earth; peevish in it self, as Jerusalem against Christ; troubling the Church, as presumptuous enemies; triumphing over the Saints patience with tyranny, their meekness with cruelty, and over truth it self with lying. Thus do they shed again the blood of that spotless lamb, by the word of their testimony, in slandering both the life and communion of his Saints; yea through the power of the same, they cast out God's ^b children from among them, erecting their strange holds of separation, that exalteth it self against God, as though the gates of hell, and all the Principalities & Powers of the world should prevail against him. ^a See the testimony of the French & Dutch Churches, Proph schis. c. 11. ^b Mat. 25.40. See John. Johnson's Artic. Proph. schis. c. 11.

Ergo, By these scriptures they are not the Church & people of God. Rom. 12. 1 Cor. 12. &c.

22 Further, he hath given them the keys of the kingdom of heaven, that whatsoever they bind in earth, by his word, shall be bound in heaven; and whatsoeuen they loosen in earth shall be loosed in heaven, Mat. 16.19. John. 20.23. Mat. 18.18.

22 Further, they unjustly assume the keys of the kingdom of heaven, to bind and ^a loose sins on earth; but they have rather the keys of hell, to broach errors & schisms. ^a And most lamentably do they abuse God's ordinance hereabout. Ergo, By these scriptures they are not, &c. Mat. 16.19. &c.

23 Now this power which Christ hath givē to his Church, and to every member of his Church, to keep it in order, he hath not left it to their discretions and lusts, to be used or neglected as they will; but in his last will and testament he hath set down both an order of proceeding, and an end to which it is used. Mat. 16 16.19. & 18.15.16.17.18. & 28.20. Deu. 12.31 32. Reu. 22.18.19.

23 Now this power which they assume to this Church, doth keep it in such ^a disorder, and confusion: for the father of contention hath not left it to their discretions to be used, but so reigns & rules among thē, that manifold ^b ruins, rents and distractions do daily break forth, and increase among them. ^a See W. Simpson, and ^b C. Hut. their testimonies, Proph. schis. c. 10. &c. 9. Ergo, By these scriptures they are not, &c. Mat. 16.16. &c.

24 If the fault be private, holy & loving admonition and reproof is to be used, with an inward desire, and earnest care to win their brother: But if he will not hear, yet to take two or three other brethrē with him, whom he knows most meet for the purpose, that by the mouth of twoor three witnesses every word may be confirmed: and if he refuse to hear them, then to declare the matter to the Church, which ought severely & sharply to reprehend, gravely to admonish, & lovingly to persuade the party offending; showing him the heynousnesse of his offense, and the danger of his obstinacy, and the fearful judgment of the Lord, Levite. 19.17.18. Math. 18.15. Deut. 19.15. Mat. 18.16.

24 If the fault be private, privy whispering, without reproof, is often used: but if (happily) some two of the brethren do fall out, & be angry one with another, then if either ^a party can call to mind any offense of the other, it is their manner to prosecute it with great diligence, though the faults weere done sundry years before. Then shall he soon pass the first places, & be brought to the Church, & then, if the Elders take against him, he is like to have the bowels of his offense ripped up, and corrosiued to the quick: but contrariwise, if their Elders be on the other side, oftentimes there is some fault found with the dealer in his proceeding, and so the reproof returns upon the head of the Innocent. ^a Witness Tho. Cooky, and Iac. Johnson, their going to one & thirty for lies: upon a falling out between them, one studies up and calls to mind 15 lies that he at several times had heard from the other; whereupon he also falls to his study, & in short time brings in his register of 16 lies against him. Se Proph. schis. pag. 83.

Ergo, By these Scriptures the Brownists are not the Church of God. Levite. 19.17. &c.

25 All this notwithstanding, the Church is not to hold him as an enemy, but to admonish him, and pray for him as a brother, proving if at any time the Lord will give him repentance. For this power is not given them to the destruction of any, but to the edificatiō of all. 2 Thes. 3.15. 2 Cor. 10.8. & 13.10.

25 All this notwithstanding, the Church doth not holding him as a brother, to ^a assist and comfort him against injury & oppression, rather using this power to the destruction of any, then to the edification of all. ^a See Geo. Johnson's discourse.

Ergo, By these scriptures they are not, &c. 2 Thes. 3. &c.

26 If this prevail not to draw him to repentance, then are they in the name of the Lord Jesus, with the whole congregation, reverently in prayer to proceed to excommunication; that is, unto the casting him out of their congregation, fellowship, covenant and protection of the Lord, for his disobedience and obstinacy, and committing him to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus, if such be his good will and pleasure, Math. 18.17. 1 Cor. 5.11.

26 If this prevail not to make any acknowledge sin for ^a well-doing, then do they threaten him irreverently to proceed to excommunication; that is, to the casting him out of their Schismaticall society for his faithfulness and constancy in a good cause, enrsing them whom ^b God blesseth, profaning his ^c Name and Ordinances thereunto. ^a See Profane schism. cap. 2. pag. 11. See Geo. Johnson's discourse. ^b Gen. 12.3. ^c Isaiah 66.5.

27 Further, they are to warn the whole congregation, & all other faithful, to hold him as an Heathen and Publican, and to abstain themselves from his society, as not to eat or drink with him, &c. unless it be such as of necessity must needs, as his wife, his children & family; yet these (if they be menbers of the Church) are not to join to him in any Spiritual exercise. Mat. 18.17. 1 Cor. 5.11.

27 Further, they use to warn the whole congregation, and all other of their schism, to hold him as an Heathen and Publican, and to abstain, &c. as not to eat & drink with him, unless it be such women, as some of their ^a Elders have formerly found such kindness of, as still for their necessity do use their company; yet these are not to join in any spiritual excercise, but carnal. ^a Witness Dan. Studleys society with mistress May and mistr. Smith. Ergo, by these scriptures they are not, &c. Mat. 18. 17. &c.

28 If the offense be public, the party is publicly to be reproved, & admonished; If he then repent not, to proceed to excommunication, as aforsaid. 1 Tim 5.20. Gal. 2.14. Joshua. 7.19. 2 Cor. 7.9.

28 If the offense be public, yet such kind ^a women must be privately dealt withal, and private acknowledgement may prevent an excommunicatiō. ^a Witness their bringing Mistr. Smith her offenses (known to many Churches and rejected for them) again to private admonition. Ergo, by these scriptures they are not, &c. 1 Tim. 5. &c.

29 The repentance of the party must be proportionable to the offense, viz. if the offense be public, public; if private, private: humbled, submissive, sorrowful, unfeigned, giving glory to the Lord. Levite. 19.17.18. Pro. 10.12. Rom 12.19 & 13.10. & 14.1.

29 Their repentance is so preposterous, viz. if the Elders take part with the offēder, then a bare recital of these words; Well, I am sorry for it, what will you have more? ^a must serve, though it be spighfully & proudly spoken against the admonisher, not giving glory to the Lord. ^a If the admonisher be not therewith satisfied, they will deal with him for contention; and if he repent not (of well-doing) cast him out also.

Ergo, by these scriptures they are not the Church of God. Levite. 19. &c.

30 There must great care be had of admonitions, that they be not captious or curious, finding fault where none is, neither yet in bitterness or reproach: for that were to destroy, & not to save our brother. But they must be carefully done, with prayer going before: they must be seasoned with truth, gravity, love, and peace. Math. 18.15. & 26.8. Gal. 6.1.2. 2. Tim. 2.24. Mark 9.50. Ephes. 4.29. James 5.15.19.20.

30 In their admonitions they be so captious or curious, ^a finding fault where none is, in bitterness or reproach, rather to destroy then save their brother: so maliciously taken in hand, neither seasoned with truth, gravity, love, nor peace. ^a Witness their ungodly dealing with some for hearing the word of God preached both in the English and Dutch Churches: see Prophan schis. cap. 3. Sect. 2.

Ergo, By these scriptures they are not the Church & people of God. Mat. 18.15. &c.

31 Moreover, in this Church is an especial care had, by every member thereof, of offenses; The strong ought not to offend the weak, nor the weak to judge the strong; but all graces are here given to the service and edification of each other, in love, and longsuffering. Luk. 17.1. Pro. 10.12. Rom. 14.13.19. Gal. 6.2.

31 Moreover, in this Church is a ^a partial care had by the Officers in defense of their favorites; that the strong offend the weak, and the weak therefore judge the strong, but ^b fear to reprove thē, knowing their partiality, violence, and injury to those that reprove their impieties; and to their favorites, love, and longsuffering. ^a See first part of hunting the Fox. ^b See Geo. Johnson's discourse (brethren's fear to assist him.) Ergo, by these scriptures they are not, &c. Luk. 17.1. &c.

32 In this Church is the truth purely taught, and surely kept: here is the Covenant, the Sacraments, the Promises, the Graces, the Glory, the Prefence, the Worship of God, &c. Gen. 17 chap. Levite 26.11.12. Isaiah 44.3. Gal. 4.28. & 6.16. Isaiah 60.15. Deut. 4.12.13. Isaiah 56.7. 1 Tim. 3.15. Isaiah 52.8.

32 In this Church is the truth neither a purely taught, nor surely kept: here is the Covenant, the Sacraments and Promises of God abused; the Graces, the Glory, the Presence, the Worship of God profaned. ^a For all their doc̄trine tends to the maintenance of their schism, no application of God's judgment against their impieties. See Proph. schis. c. 1. Ergo by these scriptures they are not, &c. Gen. 17. &c.

33 Into this Temple entereth no unclean thing, neither whatsoever worketh abominations, or lies; but they which are written in the Lambes book of life, Isaiah 52.1. Ezek. 44.9. Isaiah 35.8. Zach. 14.21. Reu. 21.27.

33 Into this Temple enters no ^a clean thing, but many that work abominations, or lies, such are they which are written in the Church-book of their schism. ^a All are polluted with schism: for all must profess to reject other Churches, before they enter.

Ergo, By these scriptures they are not the Church of God. Isaiah. 52. 1.&c.

34 But without this Church shall be dogs and enchanters, whoremongers, murderers & Idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh lies. Romans. 2.9. Revel. 22.15.

34 But without this Church are innumerable ^a servants of Jesus Christ: unto whose holy Communion again, the Lord in his good time call those wandering schismatiques, so many as belong unto him. Amen. ^a whose lines and conversation they slander most abhomi • ably. See the Profane Schis. Generation of slanderers, cap. 12.