A papist mis-represented and represented, or, A twofold character of popery the one containing a sum of the superstitions, idolatries, cruelties, treacheries, and wicked principles of the 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 principle grounds and reasons, which hold them in that religion / by J.L. one of the Church of Rome ; to which is added, a book entituled, The doctrines and practices of the Church of Rome, truly represented, in answer to the aforesaid book by a Prote

HIS Church has appointed a great number and variety of Cere∣monies to be used in the Celebrating Divine Service, in the Offices and the Administration of the Sacraments. She has likewise many Observances, Ordi∣nances, Constitutions, appertaining to Discipline and the Government of the Flock. And all these are receiv'd, ap∣prov'd, or instituted by her, every one in her Communion does embrace, ad∣mit, and willingly submit to, without opposition, exception, or calling any into question: because, altho the Par∣ticulars 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 with∣out constraint, accept all that is of their Appointment; without excepting a∣gainst any thing, unless it be manifest∣ly 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 H••gher Powers, or under charge. And therefore, as a Servant, having receiv'd a Command from his Master, is oblig'd to comply with it, in case it be not sinful, altho he cannot find the thing then particularly com∣manded, in Scripture; the general Pre∣cept of Servants being obedient to Ma∣sters

being sufficient to let him know his Obligation, and to remove all scruple. And as Ch••ldren are in Duty oblig'd to perform the Will of their Parents, up∣on the Command, Obey thy Father and thy Mother, whether the thing par∣ticularly willed be in Scripture or no; so they judge it the Duty of all Chri∣stian People to submit without conten∣tion to the Ordinances and Constituti∣ons of their Pastors and Prelates, altho the things particularly order'd by them be not express'd in Scripture; it being a sufficient ground for this their Submission and Obedience, that God has given 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, (Hebrews 13.17.) Remem∣ber them which have the Rule over you, who have spoken to you the Word of God, whose Faith follow, (Hebrews 13 7.) So that to them it seems a very fallacious rule, leading to all Confusion and unchristian Comentions, viz. That the Higher Powers, our Superiours, Pastors and Prelates, are not to be obey∣ed, but only in such things as are express'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 Max∣ims, and following the Advice of the Apostle, chose rather 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 peaceable Obedience to their Decrees; than by a presumptuous questioning of every thing, and raising vain disputes, to take the Rule of the Flock out of the hands of those, to whom God had provi∣dentially deliver'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 pretended to weigh the Ordinances of their Superiors by their own reasoning, 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 observ'd the Sunday instead of the Sabbath; and met together at Pentecost; we don't read that the Faithful then began to turn over their Bibles, to find a Command for

these particulars, but with a prompt Obedience readily followed them in the Ob∣servance. So when Abstinence from Blood and strangled Meats was order'd by the Elders assembled at Ierusalem; (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 abrogating the Law of Moses was thought to have cut off all these Obligations; but they all rejoyced 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 Pray∣ers 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 ob••ig'd to receive his Pre∣scriptions; 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 following their Decrees, and observing their Constitutions. And with this Doctrine of Obedience, Humi∣lity, 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 judg∣ment, and without Divisions; insomuch, that there is not any one thing so of∣ten repeated in their Writings, as Exhortations to this Obedience and Submis∣sion: 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 Ierusalem, (Acts ••6 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 commands the Hebrews; Obey them that have the rule over you. Re∣member them which have the Rule over you, (Heb. 13.7.17.) See with what ear∣nestness St. Iohn 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 Error. 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 Assemblies, he adds; But if any man seem to be contentious, We have no such custom, neither the Church∣es of God, (1 Cor. 11.16.) And now it being 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 Doctrine necessary for all succeeding Ages, and that Submis∣sion 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 Ser∣mons, but also observe it in their Lives, having in all Ages depended on their Elders and Prelates in all matters touching the Discipline and Government of the Church; leaving Rule to those whose Charge and Office it is to Rule; and never believing, that they, who are under Charge and Command expresly by St. Paul to Remember and Obey those who have the Rule over them, can upon any pretence whatsoever, nay, thô an Angel from Heaven should come and Preach otherwise, be discharg'd from this Christian Obligation, and be ex∣empted 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 Divine Service, in all Ceremonies; Holy Rites, Ecclesiastical Constitutions, and Ordinances, 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 averting his Judgments, they never scruple to observe it; if a day of Thanksgiving, in memory of some signal Benefit, they likewise Obey. If these judge it fit, that on every Friday should be commemora∣ted the Death and Passion of our Redeemer in Fasting; and command Lent to be observ'd, in remembrance and imitation of our Lord's 40 days Fast in the Desart, they think it their obligation to do so. If these order such and such days to be set a∣part, and kept holy in Remembrance and Thanksgiving for the Incarnation, Nati∣vity, Circumcision, Resurrection, and Ascension of Christ, and for other such like In∣tentions, they esteem it sinful to oppose it. If these judge it decent, that the Faithful shou'd bow at the Name of Iesus, 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, l••ke the Smoak, ascend d••rectly 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 Decency, greater Solemnity, and that by such exteriour helps the minds of the Faithful may be mo∣ved 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 pe••form'd; they look upon themselves bound to allow and embrace all these things, without Reluctance or Opposition; always 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 In∣stitutions,

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 Iews 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-denial, 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 Iewish Law, by approving 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 ex∣tinct; but only such as were mere Types and Figures of things to come in the New Law, which are now fulfill'd: Whilst others (fit for the raising Devo∣tion, 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 Heaven, Sighing, knocking the Breast, days of Humiliation, Thanksgiving, Watching, Hair-cloth, Singing, Impositions of Hands, Benedictions, using Oyl, Spittle, Breathing, &c. all which ••re as lawful, convenient, and necess••ry for Christians, as they were for Iews; and no more to be neglected, because they were us'd in the Old Law, than pray∣ing, meeting, Reading the Law, Singing Psalms, Humility, and Obedience, &c. are to be laid by, and disown'd by Christians because they were observed by the Iews: 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 disapproved by those of the Reformation. 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 Me∣lancthon. So that since Ceremonies are generally look'd on as commendable 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 govern judge fit to oblige the Faithful to the observance of any in particular, they teach that it is the Duty of the Flock to Obey. Things indifferent, after such Commands, being no lon∣ger of choice but necessary; and no less obliging than the Commands of a Fa∣ther to his Child; where, in case the thing be not apparently sinful, 'tis no Persw••sion of the thing being superfluous, can excuse an obstinate denial from Disobedience. It being more safe and Christian like for all that are under any Government, whether Natural, Ecclesiastical, or Civil, to perform and com∣ply with such things as they judge in their own private Sentiments Unnecessary, m••rely 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 Christianity, and destructive of all Humane Society. And upon these grounds it is, that the Papists founding themselves upon the sure Foundation of Huminity 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 Or∣dinance of God, and they that resist shall receive to themselves Damnation, Ro∣mans 13.1, 2.