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

SECT. 8.

Obj. Suppose none of the Magistrates of the Kingdome, will joyne with you in your Church Government, will you therefore e∣steeme them no Christians?

Ans. There is but one perfect rule of worship, and the rest* 1.1 are false, and therefore all that doe not practice that rule, are false worshippers, be it in part, or in whole, according to the measure of the degree, wherein they differ; yea so farre they may be termed Antichristians, for he that is not with Christ, (in that sence) is against him, and he that gathereth not with him, scattereth abroad; in which respects, they ought to be distin∣guished, from such as are conformable. Againe, it was, is, and ever will be, that a very few of the Gallantry of the world, were, are▪ or wil be followers of Christ, in his commands, which the Apostle Paul affirmeth, where he saith, Not many wise after the flesh, not many mighty, &c. are called; no doubtlesse, to be good and great, is very rare, few of the first magnitude of greanesse, are called, converted, or goe to Heaven, it falleth chiefly to their Lot, who are contemned, and dispised, of such proud ones; as Christ himselfe affirmeth, where he is said to thanke his Fa∣ther, that he had hid such things from the wise, and prudent, and had revealed them unto babes; aluding, to the learned Scribes and Pharisees, who out of their pride, malice, and disdaine, did contemne his glorious Gospel, and divine Messeng••••s, in regard, they were a company of poore Fisher-men, and some few other neglected underlings; What (say they) have any of the Rulers of the Pharisees beleeved on him? Alas no, they were so blinded with the opinion of their devout, and deeper Learning, so puft up, with the pride of their high places, so swolne with selfe-con∣ceitednesse of their owne forme, and false glosses, and so possest with prejudice of Christianity, that even the Publicans, and Har∣lots, goe to Heaven before them, viz. when they goe not.

And what lively Emblemes, them Scribes, and Pharises, (against* 1.2 whom for their pride, dissimulation, and cheating of the peo∣ple our Saviour pronounced eight woes,) were, of our Magi∣strates, Lawyers, and Ministers, in their now condition, I appeale

to all Christians, and therefore all contentious people (who de∣sire to be freed from such corrupt men, and meanes,) are hereby invited to relinquish them, and to joyne themselves to that so∣ciety of Saints, who are congregated together, according to that rule, which Christ, and his Apostles prescribed, and are the nea∣rest representation of that Church, (in the primative purity,) which is now in the whole world; for otherwise, to expect re∣dresse of grievances, from such p••rties, in their now condition, is as much as to imagine that Grapes may be gathered of Thornes, or Figgs of Brambles; for a Black-a-Moore to be made white, or for Hell to become Heaven.

Notes

• * 1.1

  But one per∣fect rule of worship.
• * 1.2

  Scribes and Pharisees, live¦ly emblemes of our Priests, and Lawyers.