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TO MY HONOURABLE BRETHREN the Filomathons of the Clergie OF THE CHURCH of ENGLAND.
To whom can the Prophets more properly belong to the sons of the Prophets, the Lords Clergie, or chosen singu∣larly from amongst many Brethren, to minister imme∣diately to him in his Sanctuary? But if the Reader shall marvel, why I put this Title (My Brethren) upon you, I would wish him to have recourse to 1 Tim. 5. 17. The Presbyters or Elders that rule well are worthy of double honour, especially they labouring in the Word and Doctrine, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, although the world now saith, the most con∣temptible of all other sorts of men; and some most audacious Prognosticators of late, call them a company of prating Priests, and an Antichristian Ministery, because exclaiming against their Heathenish Astrological Art, by all the most * 1.1 godly and learned Theologues that ever have written, and cried down as Ars nugatoria, because the main ground hereof, the Position of the heavenly Bo∣dies in their various Aspects and Houses, is only imaginary. And Astro∣logers never hear or reade any thing spoken well, but alwayes ill of them by the Prophets of old, whose word we know, is a sure word, whatsoever the Astrolo∣ger * 1.2 boastingly prateth of his being for his skill of more worth then all Sion-Co∣ledg, but they shall one day answer to God for this their Rabshakeh-like language against his Angels; when as Michael the Archangel durst not bring a railing accusation against that evil Angel the Devil of hell, as Jude testifieth. And * 1.3 for the Commonalty of this Land, who joyn in the same sinne, as they are blindely lead by a new generation of Preachers, I would wish them to look into 2 Chron. 36. 15, 16. where the miserable end to which the Jews came by the Caldees is ascribed to this, That they mocked Gods messengers, and de∣spised his words, &c. But to return to the Text alledged, hereby it is mani∣fest, that such as vilifie the Ministry of Christ, as hath been said, or com∣bine together against them to deprive them of their dues, oppose God in his Word, standing for the honouring of them with double honour, which what is it, but The honour of estimation as it is set forth, 1 Thes. 5. 13. That ye highly esteem of them that labour in the Lord for their works sake. 2. The honour of maintenance, as in the next verse, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the Ox that treadeth out the corn; and the labourer is worthy of his hire; whereby if it shall be thought some stipend only can hence be pro∣ved to be due unto them, this is checked Gal. 6. 6. Let him that is instructed make him that instructs him partaker, or communicate to him in all good things; and if in all, then surely he that imparts but a little towards the rai∣sing