Rome ruin'd by VVhite Hall, or, The papall crown demolisht

To the Assembly of Priests and Lay-Elders, who were lately met together (as a Provinciall Synod.) London, Novemb. 2 1649. Being a lightning before the finall ruine of their present Hierarchy.

Gentlemen Presbyters,

THe reason why I have printed this sheet, was because (when my book was printed off) I hapned to meet with a book published by you, (titled, The▪ Vindication of your Government and Ministry, &c.) which in regard mine being to succeed, and not positively intended as an answer to yours, I thought it requisite to write some what, whereby you may take notice that I have beene at the charge of one of them books (so published by you) to the end I might discover how farre providence had provided you of an answer to your thoughts, before they were either published, or penned: As also to take notice what that An∣tichristian Spirit (which is yet so predominant in you) had di∣ctated unto you, as a preparative for its own Ruine, and your perpetuall shame, and disgrace. To which purpose, I have taken notice of some passages in your booke, which clearely tend to that purpose. As first, in that great over-sight, in not proving you had a Church. Did you never heare that the Schismaticks and Hereticks (you so much gape to devoure) did as well op∣pose your Church, as your Government, and Minstry. Could you thinke they were now satisfied in the lawfulnesse of it, more then formerly, viz. That the whole frame of it is Antichristi∣an,

as also the appurtenances thereunto belonging. Certainly you thought your book would have hapned in the hands of none, but such silly people you dedicated it unto, whom you have so long blinded by your Lucifer-like Lustre, or Janes, and Jam∣bres-like delusions: But if so, providence hath otherwise dispo∣sed of it, to the end you might deceive them no longer. It ap∣peares, you would gladly now content your selves with them you have under your Churches, in London; but I hope they have ••ither more wit, or grace, then to be any longer deluded by you. And for the other Sectaries, &c. they adjure you to beguile your auditors no longer with such vaine pretences, and seeming shewes of the purity of your Church-government, and Ministry; but that you would prove them to be of such like mettall, as you boast them to be. And that not only (as you have done) from your infallible tongues, pens, sic volo, sic jubeo, or from your old Grandam at Rome; but from the institution of Christ and his Apostles, (not legall, or politick observations of the Jewes, &c.) And untill you have so done, (whsch I am confident you will never doe) they are all fooles, or mad-men, that will har∣bour a conceit that you have either a true Church-Government, or Ministry. And therefore in the name of all such as desire to practise Religion in the primitive puritie thereof, I pronounce and declare, whatsoever you have said in that booke, to be of no more esteem, than a Castle built in the Aire, or a Ba∣bell of confusions. For where doe you find in the New Testa∣ment, a Church meerly composed of Officers, or any part of the Church, termed by the name of Laytie, or Lay-Elders, Lay-peo∣ple, &c. Or where such sorts of people were admitted to Church∣fellowship, as there was a need to examine them touching their faith before the receipt of the Lords Supper. Or where in any Act of Judicature, or advice, that the brethren were exempted from their vote, and consent, or had not a joynt interest, and concurrence therein. Or where read you (there) of A Classi∣call, Provinciall, or Nationall Synod, or Nationall Church, or of one sort of Pastors, that were Superiour to others, being of the same calling, whether mediate, or immediate. I might insert many other things, but I conceive these few particulars will serve you billing at. In the next place, I observe your notable

juggle, in that you would clearly put upon them whom you call Schismaticks, &c as that they have abused, or slandered you, (with a matter of truth) and dealt with you, as the Old per∣secutors dealt with the Christians, by putting them into Bears∣skins, and then baite them with dogs; or, as the Papists dealt with John Hus, when they painted a picture of a Red Devil upon his head, and then exposed him to the laughter of the peo∣ple. Gentlemen, this was never your owne practise, witnesse the Mild and Modest books of your late Champion Edwards, &c. And truly them that deale so with you, are too blame in being at such paines about you, in regard your nature of it selfe is sufficient to discover what you are, without such Badges, or Cha∣racters: And therefore you see I did not Muffle, or disguise you in that Manner, in the Frontispeece, where I have also given my reason for it. After which your Prologue, you begin the Comedie, by rehearsing what they tax you with, which chiefly consisteth in these ensuing Particulars, which are as follow∣eth. 1. As to be such as are Lordly, and Domineering Men. But your Classicall, Provinciall, and Nationall Synod, argue the contrary. 2. Such as would Lord it over the people of God, more than ever the Prelates did. But the Act you procured to punish Schismes, &c. Argueth the contrary; yea, the truth is, you have been, and yet would be, as Mild and Modest, as Wolvs or Ty∣gers. 3. Such, as instead of one Bishop, would have set up ma∣ny hundreds. But your fore-mentioned Synods argue the contrary. 4. Such as would erect A Tyrannicall and Cruell Government, had you power to establish it. I shall want Rome to excuse you in this particular. 5. Such as would Fine and Imprison all, that would not yeeld unto your Church, and Government. Tush, the Afore-named Act doth cleare you in this particular. 6. Such as would erect an Arbitrary Power, and Challenge an unlimited Jurisdiction. But the thousands of Parishes, subject to your Tri∣ple Synod, doth clearly free you of Any such purpose. 7. Such as would rob the Congregationall Churches of their power and liberty. But your Dis-affection to Tithes, as also your Affecti∣on to Such Churches, sheweth the contrary. 8. Such as would not change domininum, but dominum. Doe you and the Prelats cleare this Scruple amongst your selves. 9. Such as seek for

unitie, but not for puritie. Your Nationall Church proveth it clearely (not) to be otherwise. 10. Such as will not assent A Jus divinum, but depend upon a Jus humanum. But your se∣verall Edicts and Injunctions shew the contrary. 11. Such as depend more upon an Ordinance of Parliament, than an Ordi∣nance of God. Tush, the Afore-mentioned Ordinance cleareth you. 12. Such as are the Only troublers of Israel, and the On∣ly hinderers of a Blessed Reformation. Witnesse your late book Against the present Government, to the Contrary. 13. Such as are Pestilent fellowes, and Movers of Sedition. Are they such Mr. Lilly? 14. Such as are Pulpit Incendiaries. Witnesse your Billingsgate divinitie, quoted by Mr. Lilly, to the Contrary. 15. Such as have separated their Consecrated lungs, to blow up the fire of A second Warre. I should have said A third, should I not Mr. Lilly, 16. Such as were bringers in of the numerous Army of the Scots, to invade the Parliament, and Army of England. But did your Astrologie tell you so, Mr. Lilly? I must tell you, they doe not love you for telling such Schoole-tales of them. 17. Such as were the great Par∣liament-Assertors, and are now the only Parliament-Oppo∣sers. But the second particular in your late booke, proveth the Contrary. 18. Such as seeke their owne Ease and Inte∣rerests, and not the things of Jesus Christ. O fie! how they wrong you. 19. Such as are Notorious Hypocrites, Baals Priests, Limbs of Antichrist, &c.

Mr. Lilly I pray say, are they such? doe they not deserve Bridewell, do they? Twentith such whose reasons of dislike, and unsatisfiednesse with these times, and alterations therein made; is because they feare that their great Diana of tythes, will be pul∣led down, and that their gain will be lesse, and their pains grea∣ter; as also that they cannot so Lord it over the people, as they have done. Gentlemen you see I haue endeavoured to excuse you, as well as I may. I will assure you they have scored you up, a very large reckning, pay it how you can. And I must further tell you, that if these be the Beare skins they put upon you, and the red Devils they pin on you, I fear they will cleave as close to you, as the skins to your backs; therefore I advise you to beware how you offer to dis-case your selves of them, least you teare the flesh

off also, which would be a greater mischef, then the wear∣ing of them with pat••ence; I presume this last pull you made at them, will be a warning to you for the future. I shall tell you how, you may bestow your time much better, which will be in numerating up the Errors committed by the Composi∣ter of my Book, (which I presume he committed to that very purpose, as also in the Frontispiece) against your second part to the same tune. But it is to be feared that you have sung your Swan-like ditty, in the late praise of your Government, yea, I perswade my selfe it will be the very last Inconium of your Heirerchy that ever will be chanted by the Pro∣vinciall quire in London, or elsewhere in this Nation, (if not in Scotland) will it not Mr. Lilly? will they make an other betwixt this and the 132. day, prefixed by you? Thus I think I have served your turne, and yet spared paper, which rather then It shall lye all bare, I will e••ver it with my judgement in relation to Astrology, which Art, or Science, I deeme of much exellency; yea, as the Princes to the rest of the Sci∣ences. My reasons are these;

First, in that it is said, The Heavens declare the glory of God and the Firmament sheweth His handy Work Psa. 19. From which words, I thus argue, That which God declareth, or manifesteth, ought to be observed by them, to whom they are manifested unto; But they are declared or manifested unto ra∣tionall creatures, as men, &c. Ergo,

If it be demanded, how they declare, or shew such things.

I answer, By their illumination, and influences, the one is made good to us by their glorius Splendour, and the other by their powerfull influence, or effects, which are also made out unto us by the ebbing and flowing of the Waters, or in mad people (such as the Presbyterians, whose finall exit Mr. Lilly saith will jump with the last quarter of the Moon.) Now as these observations requireth an observer; so the observer requireth a judgement in the thing to be ob∣served, and judgement is obtained by practice, and experi∣ments.

Ergo, It is lawfull to study and practice Astrologie as any other Art.

If that Text of Isay 47. 12. 13. &c. be objected.

I answer, Them Texts are spoken of such as depend upon the Aspects of Starres, and confide in their Influences, as inevitable causes of joy, or sorrow. But shall we therefore reject a thing that is lawfull in it selfe, because some people abuse it? Because Papists give Almes by way of Merit, shall we therefore give none at all? Because Ordinances are slighted by some, and Adored by others, shall we therefore despise them?

Again, if the Presbyterians look well unto themselvs, they will be found the very Sorcerers, &c. for that Prophecie al∣ludeth unto Rome, of which they are Members.

If it be demanded, what good is got by the knowledge of Astrology.

I answer, It is the same to the outward or externall man, as Divinity to the inward or internall. And therefore as a man doth labour to know the minde of God (by studying the Scriptures) in relation to his soule: So may he pra∣ctice the other, in relation to the preservation of his body.

Againe, He that is well read in Astrology, hath these advantages above other men.

As to know the Inclinations of the Heavens towards him, which if he discerne to be good, it will, or at least ought, to procure thankfulnesse in him to the Creator of that meanes by which he obtaineth that knowledge; as al∣so to stirre him up to a pious life and conversation, lest he should be deprived of that good portended unto him, in re∣gard he knoweth, they are not so irrevocably fixed, but that his sinnes may divert his enjoyment of them.

2. If they presage evill towards him, he is also thereby stirred up to petition the disposer of such events, that they may be diverted from him; so that there can no harme happen by the knowledge of Astrology, to a Beleever, but rather, much good.

If it be demanded whether we may or ought to con∣fide, or depend upon Astrologie, or Astrologers? I answer, that we ought to have respect to them, as we have to Phy∣sicians, who by Symptomes doth discover the condition of thy body, as also will tell thee that God hath ordained such and such hearbs, &c. for the healing of thy infirmi∣tie, &c. Now, albeit his judgment is such, thou art 〈◊〉〈◊〉 therefore positively to conclude that these things will 〈◊〉〈◊〉 thee, because he telleth thee so; for a Believer knoweth, that God is able to divert the operations of such things, as in their proper natures are good for us. So is it in Astrolo∣gy, the Astrologer discovereth unto us the Predictions of the Heavenly Bodies, telleth us such and such things seemes to be intended by the Creator, (in regard he discovereth them by the Conjunction and operations of the Heavens;) yet are we not positively bound to beleeve that they shall so come to passe: We ought therefore to confide in neither, as sole∣ly to depend upon them, neither are we to reject them.

Againe, we are not bound absolutely to depend upon such as teach Divinity, and yet the Profession is lawfull; and so of any other Art, or Science. But yet where experience teacheth us, that a man is an able Divine, Physitian, &c. we ought to confide in them, more then in others of their Fun∣ction, or Science. And in the same sence I approve of Mr. Lilly, as an able Artist in his Science, in regard that experi∣ence hath taught me, that he is an inge••••ous Profi••ient in the same. If that Prediction of his cited in the beginning of the moneth of January be applyed to my book (where he saith, that it will beginne with mutanous Paradoxies, by means of a froward, repining, and seditious Clergy, or men pretending Religion, indeavouring to affront our State, which must stand though not statu quo.)

I answer, That I take Mr. Lilly (if he be of the aforementi∣oned judgement) to be a better Astrologer then a Divine, for otherwise he would not have given so dubious a construction of that passage. I desire therefore he would more fully am∣plyfie his judgement in that particular.

As to what he hath predicted against the Presbyterian Government, and the prefixed time he hath set down, as A full period to it, time will make manifest; but as to my own particular, I am fully satisfied, that it will be as pun∣ctually accomplished, as he hath said it, (unlesse it be upheld, more out of obstinacy, then Affection.) Yet I am verily perswaded that God hath endued that man with a know∣ledge above other of his Science, to the end he may discover how the Stars in their Courses fight against all that oppose the true Church of Jesus Christ, under what form, or notion soever, I shall therefore add one question more to the Pro∣vinciall Sinnod, in Mr. Lillies behalf, (whose Person and Pro∣fession they so much vilifie) which I desire they would satisfie me in, viz. How, or by what manner, Deborah and Barack (Iudg. 5. 20.) knew that Sisera, was fought against from Heaven, or by the Stars in their courses (if not by their influ∣ences.) And if so, why may they not be observed now, as then?

In the interim, I take my leave of the Provinciall Synod, And Master Lilly the Prince of the Astrologers.

In that he hath prefixt the precise day, That Presbytrie shall passe, fade, and decay, In that he hath avowd, Its Consummation, Or banishment, out of this State, and Nation.