Inference.
Whence we may infer, That the Vindication, though it pre∣tend, in the general or face of it, to be for Presbytery, yet it is very clear, that, in aspersing the Government of all those Re∣formed Kingdoms where the practice and power of it hath been, it secretly wounds the glory of it, in the opinion of the world; and though it pull not down the Government quite, yet it wea∣kens the Posts, or Judgements of men, on which it stands. I name not here the other Texts that the Vindication hath pull'd out of the building of the Presbyterial Government; for the taking out the Scriptures, are like the pulling out the nalls and pins from the house, and a loosning of the frame. This I ob∣serve, because the Vindication professes so for that Government; though I suppose many such friends, in time, might do as much harm, if not more, then those of the Separation, whom he calls their enemies. Surely, I do believe, France, Germany, Scotland had rather such Books were not writ in their behalf, that opens the evil, corruption, and grievances of their Go∣vernment so much.
But I shall argue further: What need such comparing of the mixt Congregations of several Kingdoms, ours and theirs? Surely they are all corrupt enough, and mixt enough; and a Law for all sorts of sinners to communicate, as the Vindication would have, would not much more reform, because it would then be a kinde of Church-priviledge to be a sinner, or a scan∣dalous person; and to be something notoriously wicked, would be a way of enrighting them to Church-Ordinances, according to the Principles of Vindication, however some fair pretences and Colours are laid on, that we should believe the contrary.
But what of all this? I believe there is another reason why the Government hath brought forth no more power of godli∣nesse upon the Kindoms then the Vindication observes; because neither the Parishes are constituted, nor yet the Government,