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THe heads of the Covenant in reference to Reli∣gion* 1.1 are these:
1. That we shall sincerely, really, and con∣stantly indeavour the reformation in Religion, in Doctrine, Worship, Discipline, and Govern∣ment, according to the Word of God, &c.
2. Without respect of Persons, to endeavour the extirpation of Popery, &c. Superstition, Heresie, and Schismes, &c. and
whatsoever shall be found contrary to sound Doctrine, &c.
From which I inferre; that who so doth not sincerely, really,* 1.2 and constantly endeavour these things above mentioned, are guilty of the breach of Covenant.
But that the Presbiterians are guilty of all, or most of these, and so consequently violaters of the Covenant, will appeare, and that most evidently, in these respects, viz.
1. In the matter, or subject which they compose their Church of.
2. In the Pastors whom they make use of, or set apart for Teachers of their Church.
3. In the meanes they use to uphold, or supply their Church with Members.
4. In their manner of governing of it.
And first of the first, touching the quality, or condition of the people whom they compose their Church of, and that is, all the peo∣ple of the Nation, consisting of men, women, and children.
Now that a Church so modelled, is contrary to the precepts of* 1.3 Christ, and the examples of the Apostles, is sufficiently proved by Mr. Saltmarsh, (in his answers to Mr. Lees of the Synod) in his Booke titled, The smoake in the Temple, unto which I refer you; and yet not to leave it without some convincement, I thus argue against their Agents in so doing.
They who wilfully admit of the professed enemies to Christ, as Members of his Church, are peremptory confronters of Christ, and his Church, and so consequently violaters of the Covenant.
But the Synodian Presbiterians doe freely permit, yea rather compell the damme Cavaliers of this Nation, to be members of the Church of Christ, as also their children; Ergo the aforesaid Priests are wilfull and peremptory opposers of Christ and his Church, and so consequently violaters of the Covenant.
YEa I appeale to any rationall man, whether all the people of* 1.4 this Nation be fit materials at the instant, to be admitted Members of the Church of Christ, (which according to the A∣postles expressions, were, or at the least seemed to be, beloved of God, sanctified in Christ Jesus, and called to be Saints) or whe∣ther their Church may not rather be termed a Gallimanfrey,
Medley, or Hodgepodge of all manner of opinions together, (as of him that sweareth, as him that trembleth at an Oath, and so con∣sequently of all manner of vice and vertue) then properly be termed a true gathered Church, for to gather a people out of a people, doth intimate that some are to be left out, as not fit for admission; therefore I admire their presumption, that dare ad∣mit the apparent sinagogue of Satan for the Temple and Church of Christ; For what communion hath light with darknesse, or Christ with Antichrist, so that either must they maintaine that there is no Antichristians in the Nation, either of Clergy, or Layety, or else confesse that they allow of such to be made Mem∣bers, for they have hitherto laboured, and doth yet labour to compell all such, Subjects to their Government, and why under their Government, as if not Members of their Church.
Now, it is very apparent that Christ and his Apostles did ever* 1.5 make a distinction of the true Church, from the men of the world, as in Mat. 18. 17. Tell it to the Church, &c. which was not to the Scribes, Pharisees, Saduces, or Herodians, or to the worshippers of the Calves in Dan, and Bethel, though all of Israel, for the Disciples of Christ (to whom he there spake) was no Members of such Societies, and therefore not to make their ap∣peales to them, in point of difference amongst themselves; it must needs follow then that the Church there spoken of by Christ, was an Assembly of his Disciples and followers, as may clearly be collected from his after expressions to the aforesaid Disciples, in the 19. and 20. verses of that chapter.
AGain, for the further confirmation hereof it is evident, that the Apostle Paul in all his Epistles, whether he writ to Ci∣ties, or Countries, did ever make a distinction, betwixt them whom he had gathered into Church-fellowship, (through the opperation of the Spirit of God) by his preaching (and his fel∣low Apostles) and them who were not of that Brother-hood; instance in his Epistle to the Romans, viz. To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be Saints, &c. these are they in Rome which he writeth unto, and no other; it was only them whom he acknowledgeth to be the called of Jesus Christ, it was for
their peculiar faith (which was spoken throughout the world) that he giveth thankes unto God for, chap. 1. ver. 7. It was only them in Rome which he would make mention of in his prayers. As also to the Church of God which is at Corinth, To them that are sanctified in Jesus Christ, and called to be Saints. It is to them only in Corinth, which he so saluteth, 1 Cor. 1. 2. As also Ephe. 1. 2. Phil. 1. 2. Col. 1. 2. in all which places he doth distinguish them by some speciall marke, from the rest who lived in such places, and were not such like, as to whom he wrot his Epistles.
Now seeing that there was such a distinction betwixt the Scribes, Pharisees, Saduces, and the Church of Christ, consisting of his Apostles, and Disciples, why ought not the Pharisees, and Saduces of this Nation, to be admitted as Members of the Church of Christ, which is now to be extracted out of the world, and Antichristianisme, as it was then out of Judisme, and Hea∣thenisme.
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.* 1.6
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.
BEfore you enter upon this particular, first shew me wherein the Cavaliers are like unto them of the Sect of the Saduces?
Ans. It is reported that the Saduces retained the name of* 1.7 God, mearly for feare, least it might appeare that they should dissipate the policy which was singularly manifested by the bond of Religion, yet notwithstanding they endeavoured to efface out of mens mindes, and understandings, the invocation, and true feare of God, and that men should revive no more after death, neither that any other Judgement was to be expected, wherein the just was to be discerned from the unjust; the names
〈2 pages missing〉〈2 pages missing〉Two heads of the Covenant ••ouching Re∣ligion.
The inference drawne from them.
The Presbi∣terian Church not truly mo∣deled.
All the people of the Nation not fit mem∣bers for the Church of Christ.
Christ and his Apostles did distinguish be∣twixt his fl••ck and the world.
The Presbite∣rians compa¦red with the Pharis••es in three things.
The Cavaliers compared with ••he Saduces.