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

CHAP. VIII. The eighth Chapter, treateth of Prelaci••.

SECT. 1.

IN the next place (by the same assistance) I* 1.1 intend to prosecute the discovery of all the Reliques of Popery, which is yet harbou∣red in any other opinions now extant a∣mongst us in this Nation, in hope that each ••pinionist will be as willing to imbrace the truth, as it is willing to offer it selfe unto him; and in regard the chiefe cause of the quarrell amongst us (in matters of Religion, consisteth in obser∣ving or not observing of Ceremonies, which in respect of their long continuance, is the greater cause that mens mindes are hardly per∣swaded from them; as also in regard of the outward ••stentation, or Aronicall glory which they retaine, I will therefore take some paines to discover the ridiculousnesse of those needlesse Ceremonies, which is yet fostered amongst many thousands in this Nation, being ve∣rily perswaded, that after they once see the vanity of them, and how punctually they are against the precepts of Christ, and his Apostles, they will utterly renounce them, albeit they have hitherto so much delighted themselves in them. By which meanes (their consciences

being convinced) they may use the Apostles word, (in the Apostles sence) and say, What pleasure had we then in those things where∣of we are now ashamed. And contrariwise, if any (whom I have, or shall convince) remaine refractory, and obstinate, it will be a meanes to leave them without excuse, in regard they refuse to have their understandings eluminated, loving darknesse rather then light, because their deeds are evill, Joh. 3. 19.

SECT. 2.

ANd in the first place I will incounter with such who call* 1.2 themselves Protestants, being ashamed of the name Chri∣stian, which the Apostles and Disciples of the Primative Church tooke upon them, as an ornament of their profession, being de∣rive•• from their Masters name whom they professed to serve; these Protestants, or rather Prelatticants (in regard of their deare affections to Bishops, and their Popish Ceremonies, and su∣periority) being over-ruled by Satans pollicy (which is, to draw us to the outward imitation of Ceremonies, that thereby we might leave the substance) have under pretence of decencie and order (and as it were to step out of the way, to bring the Papists in, to them,) maintained these their superstitions, but by wofull experience they have found a contrary effect; for instead of so doing, the Papists have caught the most of them, so that now they would rather be deprived of their Lives and Fortunes, then part with such Toyes.

Now in regard I would shew them the vanity of each of their* 1.3 errours, I will first begin with their opinion touching the sancti∣ty, and inherent holinesse which they attribute to that place which they call the Church, which indeed is not the Church, but meerly a Meeting-place for the Church. The true Church of Jesus Christ being a company of Men, or Women, or both, ac∣knowledging or worshipping the true God, (being gathered in∣to* 1.4 a Body, or Fellowship by the Word, and Baptisme) whom Christ doth regenerate and sanctifie here with his Spirit, and purposeth afterward to glorifie in his heavenly Kingdome.

SECT. 3.

ANd as they are mistaken in the Church, so are they also in* 1.5 the sanctity, and holinesse which they attribute to that place (which they so terme;) for though before Christs comming in the flesh, the Lord had chosen one speciall place where he would have Sacrifices offered unto him, and not in any place be∣side, and so was priviledged with a legall kinde of Sanctity more then others; yet now since Christ hath every where opened Hea∣ven to the prayers of the faithful, (as appeareth by his owne words, Mat. 18. 20. Wheresoever two or three are gathered toge∣ther in my name, I am in the midst of them, that distinction hold∣eth not. And for further proofe of which, we have a further evidence from Christ and his Apostles, who neglected no oppor∣tunity to gaine Soules to God, witnesse our Saviours preaching on the top of an Hill, Matth. 5. 1. out of a Ship, Mark 4. 1, 2. Paul in an upper Chamber, Act. 20. 8. and by a river side, Acts 16. 13. Peter in Cornelius house, Act. 10. 27. and in Solomons▪ Porch, Act. 3. 11, 12. Philip in the Ennuchs Chariot, Act. 8. 31, 32. yea, the Apostles went from house to house, Act. 20. 20. that distinction of holinesse doth not therefore remaine in pla∣ces, nay even Bethel it selfe did not retaine an inherent holi∣nesse; for we read, that after that Jeroboham had defiled it by Idolatry, it was no more Bethell, the house of God, but Beth∣aven, the house of iniquity, Hosea 19: 5. Againe, the Apostle willeth men every where to lift up holy hands, 1 Tim. 1. 8.

Obj. The Lord willeth Moses, to put off his shooes from off his feet, in regard that thē place whereon he stood was holy ground.

Ans. It was holy for the present, in regard of the apparision* 1.6 and presence of God; but this was no inherent holinesse anexed continually unto the place, but when the cause of this holinesse ceased, (viz. the heavenly Vision and apparision) the effect also, (viz. the holinesse in the ground) was suspended. The Temple of the Jewes was likewise holy, and because of it Jerusalem was was called the holy City, so long as they continued in the true worship of God, but after they had Crucified the Lord of life, hoth the Temple, and City, as prophane was destroyed. And herein also appeared the errour of the former times, when such

bloody battels were fought for the recovering of the holy Land (as it was called) by the evill successe whereof it is evident; that Christians were too much addicted to the holinesse of the place, and therefore to attribute religion, or holinesse to such places, is absolute superstition.

SECT. 4.

NEither ought the glorious pompe of the Temple or Taberna∣cle* 1.7 to be imitated by us under the Gospel, and that for these reasons. 1. Because that was prescribed to the Hebrewes be∣cause of their infirmity, and to win them from the glorious pompe and vanity of the Heathen. 2. Most of them things had their proper use in the Temple, which being now abolished, there is no further use to be made of them. 3. Neither was they sim∣ply necessary for Gods Service, for if they had he would not have suffered them to have been carried into captivity. 4. They had a direct command from God to make that Tabernacle in that glorious manner, but no such charge is given to us under the Gospel, our bodies (as the Apostle saith) being the temple of the Holy Ghost, 1 Cor. 6. 19.

Again, as they erre in their judgements concerning the place which they terme the Church, as also concerning the sanctity and holinesse which they attribute unto it; as also in the ado∣ring,* 1.8 and beautifying of it; so doe they also erre exceedingly concerning the Book (which they so Idolize) termed the Com∣mon Prayer Booke, and the rediculous ceremonies therein con∣tained; against which Book I thus argue.

That which is taken out of the Masse-Booke of the Pope, who is an Idolater, is the Liturgy, as is most evident; which being Popery in Latine, doubtlesse is the same in English. Again, eve∣ry thing that is necessary to salvation is commanded in holy Scripture, as our Saviour affirmeth, Joh. 5. 39. but set Prayer is not commanded in holy Scripture, ergo not a thing necessary to Salvation. Again, no part of Gods Worship ought to be imposed by mans authority, but such is the Liturgy, ergo.

Notes

• * 1.1

  A preface to the Prote∣••••ant.
• * 1.2

  Ch••istians the most proper ••itle of the Disciples of C••••••st. Act. 11. 26.
• * 1.3

  Their mistake in the Church▪
• * 1.4

  A diffinition•• of the Church of Christ.
• * 1.5

  Their mistake in the sanctity ••r inherent holinesse they attribute to their Steeple∣houses.
• * 1.6

  What caused the then holi¦nesse in the ground.
• * 1.7

  Against ado∣ring of Chur∣ches.
• * 1.8

  Against their Common Prayer-booke, or Liturgie.