Graphautarkeia, or, The Scriptures sufficiency practically demonstrated wherein whatsoever is contain'd in Scripture, respecting doctrine, worship or manners is reduced to its proper head, weighty cases resolved, truths confirmed, difficult texts illustrated and explained by others more plain.

Complaints of, and threatnings against evil Officers, or Ministers of the Church.

His watchmen are blind, they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs: they cannot bark, sleeping, ly•…•…ng down, loving to slumber: yea, they are greedy dogs who can never have enough, and they are shepherds who cannot under∣stand: they all look to their own way, every one for his gain from his quar∣ter: come ye, say they, I will fetch wine, and we will fill our selves with strong drink, and to morrow shall be as to day, Isa. 56. 10, 11, 12.

The Priests said not, Where is the Lord? and they who handled the law, knew me not: the Pastors also transgressed against me, &c. Wherefore I will yet plead, &c. Jer. 2. 8, 9.

The Prophets prophesie falsly, and the Priests bear rule by their means, and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof? Jer. 5. 30, 31.

From the Prophet unto the Priest, every one dealeth falsly: they have healed also the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, peace, &c. when, &c. Jer. 6. 13, 14. chap. 8. 10, 11.

The Pastors are become brutish, and have not sought the Lord: therefore they shall not prosper, and all their flocks shall be scattered, Jer. 10. 21.

Many Pastors have destroyed my vinyard, they have trodden my portion, &c. Jer. 12. 10, 11.

Wo unto the Pastors who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture, saith the Lord: therefore thus saith the Lord, &c. against the Pastors who feed

my people, Ye have scattered my flock, and driven them away, and have not visited them: Behold, I will visit upon you the evil of your doings, Jer. 23. 1, 2.

Her Priests have violated my law, and have profaned mine holy things: they have put no difference between the holy and profane, neither have they shewed difference between the unclean, and the clean, Ezek. 22. 26.

Wo to the shepherds of Israel who do feed themselves: should not the shep∣herds feed the flock? ye eat the fat, and ye clothe your selves with the wool, &c. ye feed not the flock: the diseased have ye not strengthned, neither have ye healed that which was sick, &c. but with force and with cruelty have ye ruled, Ezek. 34. 2, 3, 4, 10.

The Priests thereof teach for hire, and the Prophets thereof divine for mo∣ney, yet will they lean upon the Lord, &c. therefore shall Zion, &c. be plowed, Micah 3. 11.

Her Priests have done violence to the law, polluted the Sanctuary, Ze∣phan. 3. 4.

Wo to the Idol-shepherd who leaveth the flock: the sword shall be upon his, &c. Zechar. 11. 17.

—O Priests, who despise my name, &c. ye offer polluted bread upon mine altar, &c. if ye offer the blind and the lame, (ye say), It is not evil, &c. Malachi 1. 6, 7, 8.

The Priests lips should keep knowledg, &c. but ye are departed out of the way: ye have caused many to stumble at the law, ye have corrupted the cove∣nant of Levi, &c. therefore have I also made you contemptible, &c. before the people, Malachi 2. 7, 8, 9.

He who is an hireling, &c. seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep, &c. John 10. 12, 13.