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

CHAP. VI. Treateth of the Presbiterian Clergy, &c.

SECT. 1.

Objection. HAve you any objections against the Presbiterian Mi∣nisters?

Ans. Yes, they are within the compasse of the two last Simptomes of the false Prophets, and Apo∣stles, viz. in preheminence, and Covit••usnesse.

Obj. Wherein consisteth their preheminence or superiority?

Ans. In three degrees of Majority, which they exercise, one* 1.1 over another, viz. in their Classicall, Provinciall, and Nationall Sinods, or Assemblies; as the Classis being superior to their vul∣gar Clergy, the Provinciall, superior to the Classis, and the Na∣tionall, the superlative, or most Supreame. And that these de∣grees of superiority one over another, is contrary to the wil and appointment of Jesus Christ, and so consequently a breach of the Covenant, I thus prove.

SECT. 2.

ALl superiority, where there ought to be an equality, is con∣trary* 1.2 to the wil, and appointment of Jesus Christ, who commanded his Apostles not to insult, or be authoritative one over another, Mat. 20. 26. in these words, But it shall not be so amongst you.

But the Ministers of the Presbitery (being equals by the afore∣said example) notwithstanding that injunction aforesaid (and so consequently to them, they claiming to be their Successors) doe yet retaine that superiority, which Christ denied his Apostles. Ergo the Ministers of the Presbitery, doth peremptorily con∣front that command of our Saviour, in establishing a thing con∣trary to his injunctions, and in so doing, they are also violaters of the Covenant, (it being to establish things touching Religion, ac∣cording

to the Word of God, as I have formerly shewed.)

And further to inlarge the Sinods guiltinesse (of the breach of Covenant,) in this particular I thus argue.

All inventions of men, ought to be ejected the Church of* 1.3 Christ, whether in Doctrine, or Discipline, Mat. 15. 9. In vaine doe they worship me, teaching for doctrine the tradissions of men.

But those three degrees of superiority, not being found in Holy Writ, is contrary to the precepts of Christ, yea it is ac∣knowledged by themselves, in their answer to his late Majesty in the Isle of Wight, pag. 8. at the second and third line, and at the close of their answer.

Ergo those three degrees of preheminence, is contrary to the wil, and appointment of Jesus Christ, (and that by their own con∣fession) and so consequently a breach of Covenant. And further,

Whatsoever is contrary to the Word of God, is Antichristian,* 1.4 and consequently contrary to the Covenant, in regard the Co∣venant is punctually against it.

But those three degrees afore mentioned, are contrary to the Word of God, ergo Antichristian, &c.

Note also that superiority was a chiefe thing, which the Sinod* 1.5 endeavoured to suppresse in the Bishops, and their O••••iates, and now entertained by themselves.

SECT. 3.

Obj. THese degrees of superiority, is not of so high a garbe or nature, as that of Lordly Prelacy, and therefore may be the better dispenced with.

Ans. Popery is Popery, albeit in the least degree, and though* 1.6 it be not so great a ••ish, yet it is manifest to be of the same fry, and if this lesser Fish, may enjoy its freedome and pleasure in the pleasant river of Presbitery, (whose gliding streames like them of Jordan into Mari Mortuum) take their course into the Sea of Prelacy, and so into the maine ocian of Papacy; I say, if it may enjoy its liberty of growth, for a small season in the gliding river of Presbitery, it wil in a short time approach the narrow Seas of Prelacy, if not the maine Ocian of the Romish Hierarchy.* 1.7

Now the very truth is, that all majority, and preheminence a∣mongst the Ministers of Christ, is utterly forbidden by Christ

himselfe, as I have formerly proved; as also by the example of his Apostle Peter, who did not only disclaime pride in majority, but majority it selfe, 1. Pet. 5. 1. And albeit that our Saviour sometimes told his Disciples of thrones of glory in the Church tri∣umphant, yet did he never acquaint them with any in the Church militant (it being rather a place of suffering, and persecution for his name sake, as his expressions to that purpose is very plentifull. But if any such throne, whether of Eclesiasticall authority, or perpetuall precedency, had been lawfull, certainly he would at some times have taught them, what it was, and with what cauti∣on, or limitation they were to possesse it; as that they should have precedency of degree, but not of power; of dignity, but not of authority, &c.

SECT. 4.

AGain, we must, and ought to understand the Commande∣ment* 1.8 of Christ in the Gospel, according to the rules agreed upon in the interpretation of the precepts of the Law, as we have them interpreted by our Saviour. Matth. 5. 19, 20, 21. 27. 33. 38. 45. And if so, then not only the tyranny, the pride, the pompe, the priority, and power of Lord Bishops, &c. are forbidden, but even all the parts, all the degrees, meanes, causes incentives, oc∣casions, provocations, beginnings and appearances of these evils, are also forbidden; yea we are to stop the way with thornes, as in Hosea 2. 6. least they returne to their former Lovers, and with Jacob to hide all their eare-rings, that they may not be found againe.

For otherwise, those degrees of order, and primacy, by which* 1.9 some of the Ministers are lifted up above their Brethren, cannot be separated from some primacy of power; and when it meeteth with ambition, and opportunity of advantage, it will gather strength againe, and regaine what it hath lost by the rasor of reformation.

So that the time which the Sinod hath hitherto spent to that* 1.10 purpose, of disthroning the Prelates, and of establishing those three degrees of superiority, may fitly be compared to the dis-heading of an Hidra, where the separating it from the Body (as Histo∣rians say) produceth, an hundred like unto it selfe; so their

taking off Prelacy from 26. Bishops, wil be the cause of producing of so many hundreds, yea if not of so many thousands, which wil, (if suffered,) be as Pontifficall, as they were, if not worse. And thus have I done with the second branch.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The Presbi••e∣rian Clergy guilty of pride
• * 1.2

  1 Instance of their pride.
• * 1.3

  2 Instance.
• * 1.4

  3 Instance.
• * 1.5

  They con∣••m••e that in others which they allow in themselves.
• * 1.6

  Presbitery is Popery though in a lesse de∣gree.
• * 1.7

  The Apostles disclaimed majority one ever another.
• * 1.8

  How the com∣mands of the Gospel are to be under∣stood.
• * 1.9

  Primacy in order cannot be seperate from a prima∣cy in power.
• * 1.10

  They suppress one, to erect a hundred as ill, or worse.