A papist mis-represented and represented, or, A two-fold character of popery the one containing a sum of the superstitions, idolatries, cruelties, treacheries, and wicked principles of that popery which hath disturb'd this nation above an hundred and fifty years fill'd it with fears and jealousies and deserves the hatred of all good Christians : the other laying open that popery which the papists own and profess : with the chief articles of their faith, and some of the principal grounds and reasons, which hold them in that religion / by J.L. ; to which is annexed, Roman-Catholick principles, in reference to God and the King.

HIS Church has appointed a great number and variety of Ceremonies to be used in the Ce∣lebrating Divine Service, in the Offices and the Administration of the Sacraments. She has likewise many Observances, Ordinances, Constitutions appertaining to Dis∣cipline and the Government of the Flock. And all these are re∣ceiv'd, approv'd or instituted by

her, every one in her Commu∣nion does embrace, admit and willingly submit to, without op∣position, exception, or calling any into question. Because, although the Particulars thus appointed or commanded, be not to be found in Scripture: Yet there being in the Scripture, an express and absolute command given to the whole Flock of Christ, of following and being obedient to those, that have thus order'd these things, in virtue of that command they voluntarily, and without constraint, accept all that is of their appointment: with∣out excepting against any thing, unless it be manifestly sinful. And this they look on, as a Christian Duty belonging to all such, that are, by God's Pleasure, in subje∣ction to the Higher Powers, or under charge. And therefore, as a Servant having receiv'd a Com∣mand from his Master, is oblig'd to comply with it, in case it be not sinful, although he cannot find the thing then particularly com∣manded, in Scripture; the gene∣ral Precept of Servants being Obe∣dient to Masters, being sufficient to let him know his obligation, and to remove all scruple. And as Children are in Duty oblig'd to perform the Will of their Parents, upon the Command, Obey thy Fa∣ther and thy Mother, whether the the thing particularly willed, be in Scripture, or no, So they judg it the Duty of all Christian People to submit without contention to

the Ordinances and Constitutions of their Pastors and Prelates, al∣though the things particularly or∣der'd by them, be not express'd in Scripture; it being a sufficient ground for this their Submission and Obedience, that God has gi∣ven them a General Command; Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit your selves: for they watch for your Souls, as they that must give account, (Heb. 13. 17.) Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken to you the Word of God, whose Faith follow, (Heb. 13. 7.) So that to them it seems a very fallacious rule, leading to all confusion and unchristian contentions, viz. That the Higher Powers, our Superiors, Pastors and Prelates, are not to be obey'd, but only in such things as are ex∣press'd in Scripture; and as for any other particulars, whosoever upon examination, cannot find what is commanded by them in Holy Writ; may lawfully refuse submission; nay, he is oblig'd to resist. For however this seems to bear much of the Word of God in the face of it, yet certainly 'tis wholly destructive to it; and under pretence of adhering close to the Scripture, undermines the very Author of it. This the Primitive Christians understood so well, that they detested all such Maxims, and following the Advice of the Apostle, chose ra∣ther to trust their Souls in the hands of those, whom God had plac'd over them, by an humble Submission to the Government; and a pea∣ceable Obedience to their Decrees; than by a presumptuous questio∣ning of every thing, and raising vain disputes, to take the Rule of the Flock out of the hands of those, to whom God had providentially deli∣ver'd it, and place themselves Judges over the Church, their Elders Prelates and Pastors, whom God had commanded them to hear, and be in Subjection to. So that we never read, that they ever preten∣ded to weigh the Ordinances of their Superiors by their own reaso∣ning, or to bring them to the Test of the Word of God, before the acceptance; but alway judg'd it conform to the Word of God, that their Governours should Rule, and they Obey. Thus when the Apostles ob∣serv'd the Sunday instead of the Sabbath, and met together at Pente∣cast; we don't read that the Faithful then began to turn over their Bi∣bles, to find a Command for these particulars, but with a prompt Obe∣dience readily followed them in the Observance. So when Absti∣nence from Bloud and Strangled Meats, was order'd by the Elders As∣sembled

at Jerusalem; (Acts 15.) the multitude of Believers having heard the Decree, never murmur'd at it, or call'd it into question, however seemingly contrary to the intention of Christ, who in abroga∣ting the Law of Moses, was thought to have cut off all these Obligations; but they all rejoiced for the Consolation, (ib. v. 31.) So when St. Paul gave orders to the Corinthians, (1. Cor. 11.) in what manner and posture, they were to behave themselves at Prayers in their Assemblies, both Men and Women; we don't hear, that he was challeng'd by any, to shew by what authority of Scripture he thus reprov'd and prescrib'd in these particulars, or by what they were oblig'd to receive his Prescriptions; but with a prompt submission accepted his Orders, not doubting, but since it was God's Will to place Rulers and Governours over them, it must be God's Will that they should be obedient to them, in follow∣ing their Decrees, and observing their Constitutions. And with this Doctrin of Obedience, Humility and Submission all the Primitive Christians were train'd up by the Apostles, who zealously laboured by this means, to preserve them in peace and Unity; that so they might think all the same thing, and be of one mind and one judgment and without Divisions: insomuch, that there is not any one thing so often repeated in their Writings, as Exhortations to this Obedience and Submission: See, how, going through the cities, they deliver'd to them (the Faithful) the decrees for to keep, that were ordain'd by the Apostles and Elders which were at Jerusalem, (Acts 16. 4.) See how St. Paul commands the Thessalonians, to hold fast the traditions, they had been taught by word, or by Epistle, (2 Thess. 2. 15.) See how he comands the Hebrews; Obey them, that have the rule over you, Remember them, which have the rule over you, (Heb. 13. 7. 17.) See with what earnestness St. John urges this; He that knoweth God heareth us, he that is not of God heareth us not, (1 Joh. 4. 6.) hereby, know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of errour. And then again, does not St. Paul commend the Corinthians for their Obedience; Now I praise you, Brethren, that you remember me in all things, and keep the Ordinances, as I deliver'd them to you, (1 Cor. 11. 2.) And then, having given them directions as to their behaviour in their As∣semblies, he adds; But if any man seem to be contentious, We have no such custom, neither the Churches of God, (1 Cor. 11. 16.) And now it be∣ing thus evident, that the Church of Christ in the Apostles time was founded, and preserv'd by a Submission and Obedience of the Flock to their Pastors; the Papists teach and believe; that, what was taught and commanded by the Apostles to the Faithful then living, ought to be receiv'd, as a Doctrin necessary for all succeeding Ages, and that Submission and Obedience ought to have been as much the Duty of Believers, ever since, as it was then; the Commands and Practice of that

time, being undoubtedly the best, and only Pattern for the Faithful for all times, even to the End of the World. And they do not only teach this Doctrine of Submission in their Books and Sermons, but also observe it in their Lives, having in all Ages depended on their Elders and Prelates in all matters touching the Discipline and Goverment of the Church; lea∣ving Rule to those, whose Charge and Office it is to Rule; and never be∣lieving, that they, who are under Charge and Command expresly by Saint Paul to Remember and Obey those who have the Rule over them, can upon any pretence whatsoever, nay, tho' an Angel from Heaven should come and Preach otherwise, be discharg'd from this Christian Obligation, and be exempted from Remembring and Obeying, whom thus by God, speaking by his Apostle, they are Commanded to Remember and Obey. And upon this ground it is, that in things concerning the Order to be observ'd in the Di∣vine Service, in all Ceremonies, Holy Rites, Ecclesiastical Consti••utions, and Or∣dinances, they have neither Nill nor Will of their own; but always receive, and think that the best, which is Order'd and Appointed by those, to whom, by Divine Law, they owe this Submission and Obedience, and to whom the Ordering and Appointing these things, appertains. And therefore if these appoint a Day of Humiliation, for imploring God's Mercy, or aver∣ting his Judgements, they never scruple to observe it; if a day of Thanks∣giving in memory of some signal Benefit, they likewise Obey. If these judge it fit, that on every Friday should be commemorated the Death and Pas∣sion of our Redeemer in Fasting; and command Lent to be observ'd, in remembrance and imitation of our Lord's forty days Fast in the Desart, they think it their obligation to do so. If these order such and such days to be set apart, and kept Holy in Remembrance and Thanksgiving for the Incarnation, Nativity, Circumcision, Resurrection, and Ascension of Christ, and for other such like intentions, they esteem it sinful to oppose it. If these judge it decent that the Faithful should bow at the Name of Jesus, stand at the reading of the Gospel, prostrate, or incline themselves at the Confession. If they appoint Tapers and Lamps to be used in Churches, to represent our Saviour, who came to enlighten the World; and Incense to be used, to mind the people, that their Hearts and Prayers, should, like the Smoak, ascend directly toward Heaven: If in the Administration of the Sacraments, in Exorcisms, in the Offices, and the Celebration of the Mass, these determine several Rites and Ceremonies to be observ'd, for more De∣cency, greater Solemnity, and that by such exteriour helps, the minds of the Faithful may be mov'd to the contemplation of the Sacred Mysteries, and rais'd more sensibly to the apprehension of the Majesty of God, in whose Honour all is perform'd; they look upon themselves bound to al∣low and embrace all these things without reluctance or opposition; al∣ways

thinking, that to be most proper, which is instituted by such, who have the Rule over them. And if any endeavour to raise Disputes, and be contentious concerning the Necessity of these Institutions, they have no such Custom, neither the Churches of God. One thing they know to be necessary, that is, that they should be Obedient; and that in the Service of God, they must not honour him as the Jews did, Isa. 58. 13. by doing their own ways, finding their own pleasure, and speaking their own words; but as Christians are Commanded, in a true Self-denyal, a sincere Humility and Obedience, submitting to those whom God has left to rule and govern the Flock. Neither is there any danger of falling back into the Jewish Law, by ap∣proving the allow'd Ceremonies of the Church; it being certain, that in the Abrogation of the Old Law, all Ceremonies were not at the same time extinct: But only such as were meer Types and Figures of things to come in the New Law, which are now fulfill'd: Whilst others, (fit for the rai∣sing Devotion, and expressing the affections of the Soul, and other such ends,) are still commendably retain'd as lawful, and equally necessary now, as heretofore: such are, Kneeling, Fasting, lifting Hands and Eyes to Hea∣ven, Sighing, knocking the Breast, days of Humiliation, Thanksgiving, Watch∣ing, Hair-cloth, Singing, Impositions of Hands, Benedictions, using Oyl, Spittle, Breathing, &c. all which are as lawful, convenient and necessary for Chri∣stans, as they were for Jews; and no more to be neglected, because they were us'd in the Old Law, than praying, meeting, Reading the Law, Sing∣ing Psalms, Humility, and Obedience, &c. are to be laid by, and disown'd by Christians, because they were observed by the Jews. Especially, since these, with many others, have been recommended to us by the practice of Christ and his Apostles, and of all Primitive Christianity. Neither has the use of Holy Ceremonies been wholly dis-approved by those of the Refor∣mation. The English Profession of Faith, publish'd in the year 1562. allows them in the 34th Article. The Bohemick Confession in the 15th Article, Anno 1537. The Augustine, Tit. de Miss. Anno 1530. as it was penn'd by Melancthon. So that since Ceremonies are generally look'd on as commen∣dable and lawful amongst Christians; the Papists judge it proper to those who have the Rule, to Order and Dispose of them, and declare to the Flock, how, when, and where they are to be observed. And if they who go∣vern, judge fit to oblige the Faithful to the observance of any in particu∣lar, they teach that it is the Duty of the Flock, to Obey. Things indif∣ferent, after such Commands, being no longer of choice but necessary; and no less obliging, than the Commands of a Father to his Child; where, in case the thing be not apparently sinful, 'tis no perswasion of the thing be∣ing superfluous, can excuse an obstinate denyal from Disobedience. It being more safe and Christian-like, for all that are under any Government, whe∣ther

Natural, Ecclesiastical or Civil, to perform and comply with such things, as they judge in their own private Sentiments, Ʋnnecessary, meerly upon the account of being Commanded, than upon such considerations, to disturb the order of Government, and fly in the Face of Lawful Autho∣rity: than which nothing is more opposite to the Principles of Christia∣nity; and destructive of all Humane Society. And upon these grounds it is, that the Papists founding themselves upon the sure foundation of Hu∣mility and Obedience, have in all Ages acknowledged Overseers and Rulers over them to watch and feed the Flock, to whom God hath given Power; there being no power but of God, and that whosoever resisteth the Power, resisteth the Ordinance of God, and they that resist, shall receive to themselves damnation, Rom. 13. 1, 2.