the great Bishop of Souls let the great Apostle Saint Paul produce his strongest zele for the honourable support and sustentation of the sacred Order to the worlds end He useth a double Argument A Minori first à Jumentis The Ox not to be muzzled 1 Cor. 9.9 Yet higher from men that labour in carnal works If we sow unto you spiritual things is it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a great matter if we reap your carnal things ver 11. I observe that the same St. Paul giveth out an Injunction Let him that is taught communicate 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in all good things Gal. 6.6 And if the Compensation be onely 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 though 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 yet in his liberal eye those 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 are but a small recompence for our Pastoral pains 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. Is it a great matter if we reap c. In Gods own Law the inferiour office and function of a Levite that was Plebs vulgus Cleri was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 no small thing Is it a small thing that God hath separated you even Levi from the congregation Num. 16.9 But in the liberality and magnificence of the Gospel-Spirit if ye give 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 all your carnal things it must not be written down and put into accompt as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a great matter And yet the discharge of that little debt is a sore burden to break some mens sleeps and backs and hearts also though an Apostle instructeth them that for us to reap their carnal things is not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 no great matter By a just and true and modest collation of both Texts Num. 16.9 with Gal. 6.6 it is an evident conclusion That the lowest Office of Ministery is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 great in Gods account whilest the greatest honorary by carnal and temporal things is not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 any great matter in Gods own eys Let not then thine eye be evil because Gods is good 5. The great Saint Paul again who one while is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Eph. 3.8 less then the least of Saints in his own Heraldry and account yet elsewhere useth a word of pregnancy an Hyperbole and supersoetation of honour and respects to the sacred Order of Ministers 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to esteem them very highly in love 1 Thes 5.13 a compounded decompounded and superlative honour For 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 noteth Abundance yea Superfluity So Rom. 5.17 Jam. 1.21 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 maketh some addition and augmentation But 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 speaketh an exceeding excessive and superlative degree of honour As the same Saint Paul by his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1 Thes 3.10 praying exceedingly intimateth the excessive and constant and violent fervency of his Apostolick affection in begging the blessing of God on the same Thessalonians Now where the Holy Ghost addeth one Iota or tittle in the Book of God it is not to be accounted idle frustraneous or superfluous For as Saint Bernard excellently Si nec folium de arbore nec unus è passerculis cadit c. If not a leaf falleth from any tree nor a Sparrow from the house-top without the providence of our Heavenly Father sure not one apex or Iota falleth from the Spirit of Wisdom without a wise and just and provident election Saint Pauls choice word doth therefore soberly and gravely signifie according to that Rhetorical 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Incrementum as Casaubon calleth it of his and our Lord and Master Luk 6.38 even good measure of honour and respects pressed down shaken together and running over 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 That as in the Office and Function of a Bishop he culleth out and selecteth a word of most exquisite and accurate signification and emphasis Tit. 1.5 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 set in order the things that are wanting c. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 singly and solely is to make straight or right 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is throughly to do it and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to do it not only exactly but over and over again As thus in the discharge and execution of the Work and Function there should be exactness and accurateness ex parte Episcopi so in the retribution and remuneration of that Office there is a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of honour of love of respects ex parte Laici And as the same Saint Paul saith personally of himself that he doth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 not onely stretch himself to the fulness of his measure 2 Cor. 10.14 but as it were tentour himself far beyond his scantling to do service to the Church of God so would he have a compounded and super-compounded love and honour from those he so serveth the Pupils of that holy tuition Yet once more the very same Apostle in the abundance of affliction dishonour and disreputation from an ingrateful world hath another high superlative 2 Cor. 7.4 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a superabundance of joy even in the midst of those sorrows An excellent Lecture which containeth both Doctrine and Use of Joy and Comfort to that holy Order of men in their most abject and despicable condition for Christs sake Lord give me and all of us utramvis fortunae paginam either a supereffluence of their love and honour or else a compounded and decompounded joy and comfort under their dishonour and disgraces Amen 6. Let it not seem strange or a prodigious piece of pride if the Ecclesiastick Minister claimeth even jure Divine at least a Gavel-kind of honor with or above the civil or secular Magistrate It is certainly true that the secular Magistrates even in Scripture-idiome and language are called Elders 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as when we read of the Elders of Israel the Elders of Judah the Elders of the People By which way the notion of the words 1 Tim. 5.17 may justly and truly be construed by way of transit us à Thesi ad Hypothesin as Rhetoricians call it thus Cùm omnes Seniores sive Reip. sive Ecclesiae duplici honore dignandi sunt tamen 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 maximè Seniores Ecclesiastici qui laborant in verbo doctrina i.e. Whilest all Elders deserve double honour specially and signally the Ecclesiastick Elders do that labour in the Word and Doctrine In the beginning of that same Chapter Elder is used in that larger and general sense Rebuke not an Elder but exhort him as a Father the elder Women as Mothers And why not here so also for a civil Elder And both the one and the other were in place of the First-born and therefore a double honour was due to each promiscuously and indefinitely because 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is not Alms but Tribute of honour from the inferiour to the superiour and of the same nature with honour to Princes and Magistrates If that exposition seemeth
Matris famulos nequis stipem cogito At Rome were allowed no Mendicant Priests besides those of the Idaean Goddess Those that make it a sport and pastime to see a Priest blind or lame without integrity of his body or person may blush to hear Seneca say m Declam 4. Sacerdos non integri corporis quasi mali ominis res vocanda Any defect or deformity in a Priest made him ominous in their tender eyes Those that love to plunder the Ecclesiastick Treasury and so to spare their own purses have a worse Divinity then the Romans n Liv. l. 5. who brought much of their own Jewels and Ornaments to the Priests of Apollo at Delphos having regard rather to publick piety then private commodity Those that are most hungry after sacred morsels have more foul stomachs and dogged appetites then the Heathen Romans o Plin. l. 18. c. 2. who did not taste any new Corn or Wine until they had offered their First-fruits to the Priests Just as Gods own peculiar people Deut. 26.13 Those that look on the whole order and society of them as but unprofitable burdens of the earth or as troublers of Israel are worse then those Heathen Cities that gave them respects and veneration as p Plut. lib. Philosoph cum Principib beneficial to themselves to their friends and to the whole Community Lastly unto all sacrilegious Malignants to Sacred Persons or things q De Legib l. 10. the Divine Plato giveth this most Christian Doctrine as if it came from Saint Peter or Saint Paul 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 He is guilty of one of these three crimes either first he absolutely thinketh 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 That there is no God at all or secondly that if there be a God he is supine and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is careless of Man and his actions or thirdly that he is nothing so just and terrible to offenders as is pretended or else so corrupt that he may be easily bribed or in fine that he is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a tame and facile Deity And r Phaedone p. 84. elsewhere he concludeth peremptorily that each sacrilegious man is a dead man both incurable and incorrigible 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 But I hope the vigour and efficacy of so many Laws Patriarchal Israelitical Evangelical English Ecclesiastical Ethnick will give life to him that is dead in that trespass and sin SECT VIII Of the grand Demerits and huge Extravagancies of the Disciplinarians or new Clergy with a Parallel of the New Fanaticks with the Old Pharisees THe new kind of Clergy as King James entitleth them in a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 his Instruction to Prince Henry have this fair Character from his Royal Pen Unruly and fanatick Spirits among the Ministry as bad as Highland or Border-thieves for ingratitude lyes and vile perjuries Their huge enormities are fully and clearly characterized by Bishop Andrews Arch-Bishop Bancroft Arch-Bishop Whitgift Lord Keeper Puckering Doctor Clerk Doctor Saunderson and others all fairly and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 declaring their judgements in b D. Tho. Pierce Answer to M. Baxter ch 5. sect 6. 12 14 c. a modern Author both ingenious and judicious But are not all their faults c Deut. 32.5 the spots of Sons in Scripture phrase very small peccadillos In point of contempt and disobedience to supreme Authority they are Sons of Abiathar the Priest In point of contempt of ancient Fathers they are Sons of Cham In vilifying of the old Priests Sons of Jeroboam the Son of Nebat In point of disuse of the Creed Sacraments and reading the pure Word Sons of Messalian Hereticks or Papists In sacrilege Sons of old Eli In temporising Sons of Ecebolius and the Priscillianists and the like In covetousness Sons of Balaam and Pharisees In titles and pretences of sanctity Sons of Gnosticks Cathari Valentinians In perjury Sons of Zedekiah the Righteous one of God but a perjured subject These all these are the professed subject or Theatre of other Papers of this Ancmymus and therefore I will not actum agere in this place My present Province and Task is to make an exact Parallel 'twixt the old Pharisees and the new Fanaticks and to make it appear that they are both gemelli fratres twin-brothers in point of opinion and practices though not contemporary in their births and productions In pursuance of which design it must be first confessed that in both of them there is such variety contrariety that it may be said of each Pharisee as the Historian doth of C. Caesar Son of Agrippa and Nephew of the great Augustus Tamvariè se gessit ut nec laudaturum magna nec vituperaturum mediocr is materia deficiat There is a perfect Cheequer-work of matter for some seeming grand commendation and for as grand discommendation also As there be in the three learned Languages verba contrariae significationis as SACRUM holy and accursed in the Latine 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the Greek affability scurrility also and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Saint and a Whore in the holy Language So in these two sorts of persons old and modern if you compare semblances and pretences with practices and performances there is perfect contrariety contradictions twisted and accorded together both are viri contrariae signification is Both in their name or titles are Pharisaei i. e. Expounders of the Law of God from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 expandere explicare that is Scripture-men and Scripture-wise or else 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. Separatists by extraordinary sanctity above others not as other men Luk. 18.11 Both Masters of the Rolls and Records of Heaven and even à Consiliis Privy Counsellers to the King of Kings yet not loyal Subjects or Friends to the Text though they kiss the Book Both in the light and lustre of knowledge are Pekochim their own word of opened eyes men of new light One of them forsooth Or hagnolam the light of the first magnitude in his age Another Rabbi Hakkodesh the Holy Teacher All Leaders of the blind Rom. 2.19 20. and have 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a slight and slender superficial knowledge in things less substantial and fundamental Yet even both Lights carried in foul and dark Lanthorns and the true Light that enlightneth every one discovereth their palpable darkness with seven or eight Woes Matth. 23. Both so pure and defecate that they will not eat with Publicans and sinners Matth. 9.11 nor suffer a sinner once to touch Christ Luk. 7.39 These cannot digest even the Lords Supper nor have Communion with sinners and scandalous persons but have fasted seven or ten years upon the same account and score Their word is Touch me not for I am holier then thou Isa 65.5 and Christs own word also Nolite tangere fermentum Pharisaeorum Luk. 12.1 First of all beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees Both their Fasts also were with sowre leavened Matth. 6.
tender and indulgent Husband once said Se cum uxore nunquam in gratiam rediisse That he was never for forty or fifty years once reconciled to his Wife because no jarre or domestick quarrel had been ever betwixt them in the revolution of so many years even so may this Author profess That he was never once reconciled with any one Parishioner nor so much as once convented except before Committees for Plundring Ministers nor did ever convent any one single person except one who was so exorbitant and irregular as he never paid King or Church or Poor almost without a Distringas before any Tribunal Ecclesiastick or Civil The Author much admireth that bond and obligation of the three Britan Kings upon all their Lay-Subjects to wit That all should take the injury of a Priest as an injury done to all and That the best and noble persons should be loco cognatorum patroni such Patrons of the Clergie as if some consanguinity in nature were betwixt both Orders Thus Kenneth the I. King of the Scots Anno 840. the Learned King Alfred Anno 905. and King Edgar Can. 5. How Christian how gratious how gallant would such Lay-Charity be to the Order of the Church But the Author applieth one Canon more proper and pertinent to his own Order even unto his own heart and soul and unto the souls of all the Clergie of the Church as truly adoring that old English word Clâ—vâ—shev Concil sub â—â—uth rio Archiep. apud Spelman p. 25â— Ut praedicator pacis charitatis nullum invidiae aut odii fomitem adversus Laicos nè ad momentum quidem susciperet That is in English Translation and practice too I hope That no Preacher of peace and charity should entertain the fewel fomes of envy and malignity towards any of the Laity even for one single moment or minute Lastly he endeavoureth himself and exhorteth all of Sacred Order to a treble Sacred Ambition or Emulation even in Apostolicall Language 1. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 To be ambitiously emulous of preaching Love and Peace Rom. 15.20 2. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 To be Leaders and Captains in giving honour to others not in snatching to themselves Rom. 12.10 3. Lastly 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1 Thes 4.11 To be ambitiously inquisitive of the true Christian and Clerical mode of being quiet and peaceable and even industrious Students in that Christian Art of unity and love Amen 5. There is yet behind one Article and Impeachment in the Common Pleas of the Age against the Clergie concerning the idleness and laziness of some of the Church-order I must assert and confess it to both Orders that the only definition of a Church-man or Man of God which I find in any page or line of either Testament is most probably that of S. Paul 2 Tim. 3.17 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Minister is the Man of God well jointed and composed or exactly articulated to every good work His soul not dislocated disjoynted or lame and defective in the paths of Piety to God or Charity to his Brother As for Loyterers in Gods Harvest I know not any Animal that liveth moveth and hath a being upon Gods earth that is more despicable or detestable then a Spiritual Shepherd that zelously mindeth the Fleece or Fat of his Flock studieth no Book so much as his easter-Easter-Book and in Saint Pauls words buildeth with Gold or Silver for himself 1 Cor. 3.12 and affordeth only Hay or Stubble to his flock This is not to give attendance to reading to exhortation to doctrine this is not to give himself wholly to them and continue in them 1 Tim. 4.13 15 16. This is not to endure hardness as a good souldier of Jesus Christ 2 Tim. 2.3 There is indeed a Militia imaginaria as the Law in Duarenus calleth it when secular Souldiers do no duty lie still in warm quarters and secure Garrisons and yet receive pay But in the Sacred Militia he that is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 2 Tim. 2.3 and yet miles imaginarius also hath a base and dishonourable Chivalry Super Magnificat p. 837. call him salem infatuatum saith honest Gerson salt that hath lost its savour Mat. 5.13 fit onely for the dunghill and to be troden under foot by men and by Angels also He that lieth still and warm in die Solis on many many Christian Sundayes and doth not â—sal 19.5 as the Sun rejoyce as a Giant to run the course of his Function doth not deserve the blessing of the Priesthood Jer. 31.14 I will satiate the Soule of the Priests with Fatness But that curse rather is his portion His right eye shall be utterly darkned Zech. 11.17 and his Sun shall go down at noon-day Mich. 3.6 and so he shall be a very Sodomite groping at the Door both of the Church Militant and Triumphant also Gen. 19.11 The Hebrew Proverb of each Israelite was Blessed is he that dusteth himselfe in the dust of the Temple And whereas the Minister carrieth Labour and Dust in his name 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Blessed is he that dusteth himselfe in the Dust of the Pulpit And for Honour and Assiduity of that Labour in that Dust ye have the united Votes and Suffrages of severall Councills Concil Tolet. 2. Can. 4. Tom. 4. pag. 800. Constantinop 2. Can. 19. Tom. 5. pag. 328. Aurelian Can. 33. pag. 713. Trident. Sess 24. Can. 4. In fine or Conclusion whereas the Bases of the Temple had Oxen pourtrayed on them and Lions and Cherubim this Anonymous Advocate of the Clergie wisheth H. Pintus in Isa 31. even with a Popish Author that each English Church-man were such a Basis of the Temple 1 Tim. 3.15 a pillar and ground of Truth to his utmost possibility to wit somewhat of the Oxen for constant labour and industry of the Lion for courage against the most daring Offenders and of the Cherub Ob scientiae plenitudinem for fulness of illumination and instruction And such a Church-man as this doth justly merit the complicated decompounded and superabundant honour which Saint Paul enjoyneth 1 Thess 5.13 and which is the whole intendment and design of this Anonymous Author who in an holy and humble imitation of him who wrote himselfe not by the Grace of God nor by the Providence of God Durandi Rationale in Prâ—â—m but solâ Dei patientiâ Episcopus doth justly write himself By the meer Patience of God His Presbyter And Your most humble Servant A. A. The Merit of the Old AND Demerit of the New ENGLISH CLERGY demonstrated SECTION I. An Introduction concerning the Modern Zamzummims and mischievous Agitators against the Clergy To the English Gentry Most generous and courteous Sirs THere have been of late some Zamzummims and sons of Anak amongst you though not of you These as their Name is by interpretation have been Turpia prava cogitantes ac molientes i. e. Great Inventors and Masters of Mischief And the gemination