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

SECT. 4.

Obj. WHo are those whom you terme the Pharisees, and Sa∣duces of this Nation?

Ans. The Presbiterians, and Cavaliers of this Nation.

Obj. Wherein doth the Presbiterians resemble the Pharisees?

Ans. In three particulars, viz.* 1.1

1. In that it is reported of them Pharisees, that they maintai∣ned, that the promise made to Abraham, recited by Jacob, and often repeated by the Prophets (concerning the promised Me∣siah) was spoken only of a Politicall Kingdome, and that the Mesiah should come like another Alexander the Great, to rule the whole Empire of the world, the people being subject un∣to him.

And in this particular, let all that have a discerning eye in the promise of Christ, touching the renovation of his Church out of Antichristianisme, viz. concerning that Spirituall comfort be∣twixt the seven-headed Beast and the Dragon, against the Lambe, and the Saints (where the conquest is to be effected by the Sword which proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lambe Christ Jesus, Rev. 19. 21. viz. by the power of the Word) judge, how neare these Presbiterians are in judgement with them Pharisees,

in that they think the victory (there spoken of) which is now to be effected, viz. the subduing of Antichristianisme, and re∣novating the Church of Christ, shall be accomplished by a Politi∣call Government, and power of the civill Magistrate, which they chiefly make use of to that purpose; witnesse the severall Votes and Orders, which they procured from the two Houses of Par∣liament to bring men into a Spirituall obedience, by their tempo∣rall power, which is to no more purpose then to wash a Moore, to make him white, and as much rediculous, as I shall hereafter make appeare.

2. As the Pharisees thought it much better to give somewhat to the Temple, then to releeve and nourish their owne poore Pa∣rents, Mat. 15. 6, 7. so in like manner doe the Presbiterian Clergy, for so as their Parishioners pay them their Tythes, (or Church dues, as they call them) they matter not whether they have another penny to buy their Children bread or no; certainly if their intents was to suppresse Prelacy, that themselves might reigne in their stead, they have not as yet failed in their designe.

3. It is manifest, that the Scribes and Pharisees was ignorant of the truth it selfe, albeit, it were amongst them; as also instead of the true interpretation of the Scriptures (being carnally min∣ded) they corrupted them by their false glosses, adding many tradissions of their owne forging; and in this respect they are one and the same with the Pharisees, which to make appeare more at large, wil be an occasion to treat upon the second branch, concerning their manner of composing their Church.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The Presbite∣rians compa¦red with the Pharis••es in three things.