Mr. Cottons letter lately printed, examined and ansvvered: by Roger Williams of Providence in New·England.:

CHAP. XIV.

Yea but it is said, that Jewes weake in Christian liberties, and zealous for Moses Law they were to be received.* 1.1

I answer, 2 things must here carefully be minded:

First although bondage to Moses would separate from Christ, yet the difference must be observed between those Ordinances of Moses which it pleased God himselfe to ordain and appoint, as his then only Worship in the world, though now in the comming of his Son, he was pleased to take away, yet with solemnitie; and on the other side the Institutions and Ordinances of Antichrist, which the Devill himselfe inven∣ted, were from first to last never to be received and submitted to one moment, nor with such solemnitie to be laid down, but to be abhor'd and abominated for ever.

The Nationall Church of the Jewes, with all the shadowish typicall Ordinances of Kings,* 1.2 Priests, Prophets, Temple, Sa∣crifices were as a silver candlestick, on which the light of the Knowledge of God and of the Lord Jesus in the type and sha∣dow was set up and shined. That Silver Candlestick it plea∣sed

the most holy and only wise to take away, and in stead therof to set up the Golden Candlesticks of particular Chur∣ches (Revel. 1.) by the hand of the Son of God himselfe: Now the first was silver (the pure will and mind of God, but intended only for a season:) the second of a more precious la∣sting nature, a Kindome not to be shaken (that is abolished as the former) Heb. 12. 28.

Therfore Secondly,* 1.3 observe the difference of Time (which Mr. Cotton himselfe confesseth) after Instruction and Con∣viction (saith he) Moses Law was deadly and would separate from Christ, therfore, there was a time when they were not deadly, and did not separate from Christ, to wit untill Moses was honourably fallen asleep, and lamented for (as I conceive) in the type and figure 30. dayes (Deut. 34.) Therfore at one season (not for Timo••hies weake conscience, but for the Jews sake) Paul circumcised Timothy: at another time when the Jews had sufficient instruction, and obstinately would be circum∣cised, and that necessarily to salvation, Paul seasonably cries out,* 1.4 that if they were circumcised Christ should profit them nothing, Gal. 5. Hence the Christians at Ephesus conversed with the Jewish Synagogue, untill the Jews contradicted and blasphe∣med, and then were speedilie separate by Paul, Acts 19. But to apply Paul observed a Vow, and the ceremonies of it, circum∣cised Timothy, &c. may therefore a messenger of Christ now (as Paul) goe to Masse, pray to Saints, perform pennance, keep christmas and other Popish Feasts and Fasts, &c.

Againe, is there such a time allowed to any man, uniting or adding himselfe to the true Church now, to observe the un∣holy holy dayes of Feasting and Fasting invented by Anti∣christ? yea and (as Paul did circumcision) to practise the Po∣pish Sacraments?* 1.5 I doubt not, but if any member of a true Church or assembly of Worshippers, shall fall to any Paganish or Popish practise, he must be instructed and convinced, be∣fore Excommunication: but the Question is, Whether still observing and so practising, a person may be received to the true Christian Church, as the Jewes were, although they yet practised Moses ceremonies.

These things duly pondred (in the feare and presence of God) it will appeare how vain the allegation is, from that ten∣der and honourable respect to Gods Ordinances now vani∣shing

from the Jewes,* 1.6 and their weake consciences about the same, to prove the same tendernes to Sathans inventions, and the consciences of men in the renouncing of Paganicall, Tur∣kish, Antichristian; yea and I adde Judaical Worships now, when once the time of their full vanishing was come.

To conclude, although I prescribe not such a measure of sight of, or sorrow for Antichristian Abominations (I speake in respect of degrees, which it pleaseth the Father of Lights to dispence variously to one more, to another lesse) yet I beleeve it absolutely necessary to see and bewaile so much as may a∣mount to cut off the soule from the false Church (whether National, Parishional or any other fasly constituted Church) Ministrie, Worship and Government of it.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Difference between Gods own holy in∣stitutions to the Iewes, and Satans Paga∣nish or Anti∣christian in∣stitution to the Gentiles, as concerning the manner of comming forth of them.
• * 1.2

  A comparison between the Iewish and Christian or∣dinances.
• * 1.3

  Moses ordi∣nances at one time pretious and holy, at another time beggarly and deadly.
• * 1.4

  The first Christians communicated in the Iewish Synagogues until the Iews contradicted & spoke evill, &c. then they separated.
• * 1.5

  A member of a true Church falling into a∣ny idelatrous practice, not presently to be excommuni∣cated.
• * 1.6

  Not one de∣gree of sight of, or sorrow for Antichri∣stian abomi∣nations, yet a necessity of cutting off from the false, before union to the true Church, Mi∣nistery, wor∣ship, &c.