The glory of the true church, discovered, as it was in its purity in the primitive time also, a manifestation how and when the apostacy came, and how long it hath continued in the Church of Rome, proved to be in it, because she differs in doctrin & practice from the Church of Christ in the Apostles dayes : published for this end, that people may be informed, and their understandings opened to discern of the times and seasons, and see the difference between the lambs wife and the mother of harlots / by one who desires that all may come to the knowledge of the truth and be saved, and walk in the light of the Lord, Francis Howgill.

CHAP. XIX. Respecting of persons and Complemental bowings and worshipping one another, and flattering ti∣tles no good manners, but are in the transgres∣sion, and hath been antiently reproved and con∣demned. (Book 19)

ALthough this Generation have so far run after e∣very invention and vain custome and tradition, into complements and flattery and deceit, and re∣specting of persons, which is a thing in high esteem, as a piece of good breeding and education, and good manners accounted not only among the prophaner sort, but even among Christians so called, who have conformed unto every vain custome of the Nations; Yet they that know the life of Christ, cannot do so, and they that abide in his doctrine must not do so, though things be never so applauded by fallen men, whose glory is in that which is earthly; Yet God be∣holds not nor looks not as man, but his thoughts are contrary to mans in that state, and that which the Sons of men in the fallen estate do highly esteem of, is disesteemed by the Lord.

The best manner of walking is, that which the

Lord directs and leads into, which is pure and holy and incorrupt, and the Saints practise who were taught of God, is the best example to follow, and their manner and deportment among the Sons of men are chiefly to be followed; Although that which is from below, doth and hath ever disesteemed their way and the honour that comes from above, although the Heathen had many Lords and many Gods, Yet it was said to Israel, thy God is but one, and him shalt thou bow unto alone and reverence his Name; Israel was not to follow the vain customes of the Nati∣ons, neither follow their example who served not the living God with their hearts, & multitudes are not to be followed in doing evil; Custome without Truth is but a bad plea, antiquity with unrighteuosnesse is but bad proof, that which leads into degeneration is not to be minded, but that which leads into restora∣tion and innocency.

The Redeemed of the Lord and the Israel of God, now who works after the directions and leadings of Gods holy Spirit, upon whom peace resteth, are other∣wise taught then to follow vain customes which begets one another into pride and deceit, and unbelief, Christ reproved the Pharisees for seeking honour one of another, and told them they could not believe who sought it; Was it reprovable then, is it com∣mendable now? are there not many that seek it now? Yes, that which is offended when it is not comple∣mented and bowed unto, seeks it and would have it, and is in the unbelief; what capping and cringing, what bowing and scraping, in which many spends much of their time, what complements and fained speeches is daily invented, and gestures and Ceremo∣nies, of which there is hardly any end, which people runs into now, who calls themselves Christians, many generations before cannot paralel it, and yet this must

be counted good manners and be reckoned as such; Oh! The Lord is grieved with these things, and they are abominable in his sight, & will provoke the Lord to anger, if they be persisted in, and the honour which is from above they despised; And what invented words and names which puffs up the proud minds, is people run into, and like Ephraim in the transgression seeds upon wind, and that which will vanish as a buble and pass away as a morning dew; God will stain it all, and the pride and glory of all flesh, and bring con∣tempt upon all the honourable of the Earth, for the Saints knew who were come out of the respect of persons, that the fashion of the world and the custom•• and manners, and glory, and honour, and esteem there∣of should pass away, and that all that come to the beginning again, to union with God, must die to all these things which is got and entred into the hearts of men since the transgression, and while these things are loved they alienate the mind from the Living God, and from the Honour due unto his Name.

And Oh what strangers are men to the Doctrine & practice of Christ and his Apostles and to the primi∣tive Saints, that it is even become a dispisable thing in their eyes, and then practise and manner of wal∣king is now become an offence and reckoned unman∣nerly; and 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 but it is counted such an of∣fence and a crime as diserves punishment; O•• for shame look back upon the Saints practise for your ex∣ample, unto their manners for your ••mitation, and not unto the vain custome of the N••••ions, not unto Mou••tibanks, S••••ge pl••iers, Fidlers, Roysters and Ru••∣••••••••, who make a mock of sin; and live by the sins of the people.

Will it be a good plea do you Judge before the Lord (when the secrets of all hearts shall be opened, and every action brought unto Righteous Judgment)

that you have followed the fashion of a Nation, the custome of a Court, City or County, or the most in the world? doth not the Scripture say, that the Saints should not fashion themselves like unto the World, neither be conformable to it, but rather be transfor∣med in your minds, & seek the things that are above? for where the mind is transformed and changed from the earthly to the Heavenly, there the actions will be new and the works new; did the Pharisees say truly of Christ in this, we know thou respects no mans per∣son, yes they knew it, though they tempted him; And did not Peter say of a truth, God is no respecter of persons; and did not Solomon say lie that respecteth persons will transgress for a morsel of bread; And did not Elihu say I know not to give flattering Titles to men, in so doing my Maker would soon take me away: Is not this a flattering Generation and full of hypocrisie and deceit? Flatter∣ing one another, when in a moment they are like to kill one another, hating one another, and speaking e∣vil of one another when as soon as one is pa••ted from another, these things are an abhorrency in the eyes of the Lord.

Consider what James saith the Apostle of Christ, Jam. 2. ver. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10. My Brethren, have not the ••aith of our Lord Jesus Christ the Lord of Glory with respect of persons, for if there come into your assembly a man with a Gold Ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile rayment, and ••e have respect to him that wear∣eth the gay Cloathing, and say to the poor stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool, are ye not then partial in your selves and are become Judges of evil thoughts; Hearken my beloved Brethren, hath not God chosen the poor of this World rich in faith, and Heirs of the Kingdome, which he hath promised to them that love him? Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the Judgment seats? Do not they blaspheme that worthy Name, by they which you are▪

called? If you fulfil the Royal Law of God according to the Scriptures, thou shalt love thy Nighbour as thy self, ye d•• well, but if ye have a respect to persons▪ ye commit sin and are convinced of the Law, as Transgressors. And the A∣postle concludes whosoever shall keep the whole Law, and offend in one point is guilty of all, and such is the respecting of persons, and giving flattering titles unto men, and they that do it are Judges of evil thoughts and transgressors of the Law, and is guilty of all.

Marlorat out of Luther and Calvin saith upon this place, to respect persons here, is to have regard unto the out∣ward habit, garb and attire, and accordingly to esteem or undervalue him, love or dread him, and that such respect of persons is repugnant unto true Faith, and is inconsiste•••• with it, and concludes that none ought to be honoured up•••• the account of Riches; But this Generation of hypocrites are gone further into the Transgression of the Law, in∣to honouring or disesteeming of men because of the•••• Cloaths or habit, a gold Ring, a gay Cloak, a Fan or 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Fether, are become the only cognisa••ce or badge 〈◊〉〈◊〉 honourable persons in this age among professors, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 it was not so in the dayes of old, but Modesty, Gravi∣ty, Sobriety, Temporance, Humility were the toke•• of one truly honourable.

Jerome writing to a great person in the world name•• Celentia, directing her how to live in the midst of h•• riches and honours, saith thus, Heed not your Nobility nor do you thereupon take place of any, repute not them w•• are of a lower extraction to be your inferiors: Our Religi•• admits no respect of persons, nor did it lead us to value t•• outward condition of men but their inward frame of spiri•• it is hereby that we pronouce men Noble, and base with Go•• not to serve sin is to be free, and to excell in vertue is to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Noble; Besides it is folly for any to boast of Gentility, sin•• all are equally esteemed by God, nor is it material in wh••

estate a man is born, the new Creature hath no distinctions; Or was this the Doctrine of one single person alone, for Paulinius Bishop of Nola reproved Sulpitius Severus for writing himself in the title of a Letter to Paulinius (your servant,) he saith In the title of my Letter, I have not imitated your excellent Brotherhood; because I thought it more secure to write truth; Take heed hereafter how you being from a servant called out unto liberty, do subscribe your self servant unto one who is your Brother and fellow-servant, for it is a sinful flattery, not a Testimony of humility to pay those honours unto a man, which are due to the one Lord, one Master, one God; So this is no new Doctrine to deny respecting of persons, and flattering titles and comple∣ments, although it seem strange to this generation, in whom the corruptable part is exalted, and that which is below, the truth and the power of God elevated in their minds, which dispiseth the honour which is from above, and the humility and lowlinesse of the Saints, and their plainness and innocency; But all that comes unto Christ and to believe in him and fol∣low him for their example will come out of all these vain complemental flattering titles and respecting of persons, and give all honour, and Glory, and Reve∣rence unto him alone unto whom it is due, and to respect him who is their life, and have a respect un∣to all his Commandments, and unto that which leads out of the vanity of the World and to the beginning again, before deceit, pride and flattery had a being in the pure innocency and uprightnesse, where truth is spoken from the heart without flattery and dissimula∣tion in all plainness.