THE mark at which all good Designs and Acts take their aim is the Glory of God , and the Good of Man in order to his Glory , and to advance God in his honour , and to promote the welfare of our Souls ; and it is from God that all such holy desires , all good ●… ils and all just works do proceed .

〈◇〉 it be my desire and duty also to love my Neighbour as my self , then it is 〈◇〉 duty to do my utmost endeavour that my Neighbour should not be de●… by false Teachers no more than I would be deluded by them my self .

●… w for the better way and manner of burying the dead , that there may be ●… ence made between the godly and the ungodly , and that the good word ●… d may not be so much contradicted as it is , when they bury a wicked 〈…〉 ungodly man or woman they say the same words that they do for most godly , that is , In sure and certain hope of the Resurrection to eter●… Life . Which is very much contrary to the holy Scripture , that saith , 〈◇〉 righteous person shall inherit the Kingdom of God ; as we read more at 〈◇〉 in 1 Cor . 6.9 , 10. And again , If the Righteous scarcely be saved , where 〈◇〉 the Ungodly and the sinner appear ? 1 Pet . 4.18 .

To hear some of them preach agreeable to our blessed Saviour's words , that 〈◇〉 shall be saved ; but according to their saying over the dead Corps , in sure ●… rtain hope of eternal life , there shall be few or none to be damn'd , which ●… plain contradiction to our Saviour's words : And also contradicts their own ●… ing , and also it encourageth the By-standers that knew them to be such 〈◇〉 as themselves , Swearers , Drunkards , Sabbath-breakers , and the like . They 〈◇〉 say , when the Minister says so by them , we need not fear but that we shall 〈…〉 eternal Life as well as they : But perhaps some Minister will say , I did not 〈◇〉 that this man was such a bad liver , or such a wicked and ungodly man .

To which I answer with the words of Solomon , Prov. 27.23 . that Pastors 〈◇〉 to know the state of their Flocks ; and not only so , but to be diligent to 〈◇〉 it : And also to imitate St Paul , Act. 20.20 . who kept back nothing that 〈◇〉 profitable , but shewed and taught publickly , and from house to house ; 〈◇〉 that would be a good means to know the state of your Flocks .

And in the other place , where they also speak against their Consciences , ●… ing , As our hope is this our Brother doth . How can a Minister say , I hope , ●… e knew him to be a wicked and ungodly man , except he will at the same 〈◇〉 say , I hope that the Word of God is not true , or that God is not such 〈◇〉 God as he has reveal'd himself to be ; but he must as it were make God a 〈◇〉 . But I say as St. Paul saith , Rom. 3.4 . Let God be true , and every Man a 〈◇〉 , as it is written . Again I say , I do not deny the Resurrection of the Body , 〈◇〉 the Sadducees do , Act. 23.8 . but I deny , that all shall arise to eternal Life .

Another thing is concerning their Christning of Children , as some of them 〈◇〉 after such a slight manner , so much contrary to the Canons of the Church , 〈◇〉 is , christening them in the House without Godfathers and Godmothers , 〈◇〉 without signing them with the sign of the Cross , and without receiving them 〈◇〉 the Congregation of Christ's Flock ; and when they have Godfathers and Godmothers according to the Canons of the Church , they ought to be such as 〈◇〉 received the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper ; but they do not ask them 〈◇〉 question as they should do . And those that are christened in the Church , it ●… er the Sermon is done , and all the Congregation is gone , except a very few , ●… des those that come with the Child . And how can that Child be said to 〈◇〉 received into the Congregation of Christ's Flock , when the Congregation ●… one ? They ought to christen them in the time of Divine Service before ●… on , according to the Canons of the Church : for the Manner ought to 〈◇〉 observed of any religious Duty , as well as the Matter it self .

And how few of them will or do take the care or pains to catechise them , ●… n they are grown up , as they ought , according to the Canons of the Church ; and to have them confirm'd by the Bishop according to the Canons 〈◇〉 Orders of the Church ; or will take the care or pains to examin them , be●… they admit them to the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper , whether they 〈◇〉 ever catechised and confirmed by the Bishop or no , as they ought to do .

〈◇〉 all things be done decently and in order , saith St. Paul , 1 Cor . 14.40 . 〈◇〉 as I find no man ought to take in hand , or presume to alter any common ●… der in Christ's Church , except he be authorized thereunto .

Yet notwitstanding this , some will dare to change and alter the Lessons contrary to that they are appointed to be read in the Church , and that for malicious and revengeful ends , as it does appear in one reading the 26th Chapter of the Proverbs of Solomon on the 11th day of Novem . on purpose to abuse and call me Fool and Tale-bearer . But I believe , that Solomon did not write this Chapter for such a bad end , for Ministers to read it for revenge of their own cause , returning evil for good , and to discover their malice in the Congregation , as it is in the 26th Verse of this Chapter .

But St. Matthew writes in the 12 Chapter of his Gospel , Vers . 42. saying , A greater than Solomon is here . Who saith in Chap. 5. Ver . 22. that he that shall say thou Fool , shall be in danger of Hell fire . And in Chap. 23. has denounced no less than 7 or 8 against such hypocritical Preachers , which say and do not , as it is in the 3d and 4th Verses , Binding heavy and grievous burdens to be born , and lays them on mens shoulders , but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers , &c.

The Evangelical Prophet saith something like to this , Chap. 9.16 . That the Leaders of this People cause them to err , and they that are led of them are destroyed . And those that will take the pains to look into the foregoing and following Verses , may gather out of both something to this purpose . And as it is in Matth . 23.13 . They shut up the Kingdom of Heaven against Men ; for they neither go in themselves , neither suffer they them that are entring , to go in . And although our Saviour Christ commanded us in the beginning of this Chapter , saying , Whatsoever they bid you observe , that observe and do . And when I did compare this and that where the Prophet saith , That the leaders of this People cause them to err , and they that are led of them are destroyed ; I thought it was a plain contradiction to our Saviour's Command ; and it was some difficulty for me to reconcile them together , or to understand our Saviours meaning : For it did seem strange to me , that he should denounce so many Woes against them in this Chapter , and yet commanded us to observe and do whatsoever they bid us , whether it be right or wrong .

But with the Assistance of God's Grace , and Holy Spirit , I did find out the true meaning in the Margin of the Bible ; the meaning is this : provided always , that they do deliver Moses's Doctrin , which the Metaphor of the Seat sheweth , which they occupied as Teachers of Moses's Learning . Also the Holy Apostle St. Paul doth further assist or enform me , saying , Phil . 4.8 . Whatsoever things are true , whatsoever things are honest , whatsoever things are just , whatsoever things are pure , whatsoever things are lovely , whatsoever things are of good report : all which does signifie , that our Saviour doth not say or mean , whatsoever they say whether it be true or false .

Again , God saith to the Wicked , Psal . 50.16 . What hast thou to do to declare my Statutes , or that thou shouldst take my Covenant in thy mouth , seeing thou art but a Hypocrite , as it is further to be proved in the Margin ; and again in Ver . 17. Seeing thou hatest to be reformed , and hast cast my words behind thee ; and so on four or five Verses more .

I have heard several Ministers describe an Hypocrite and a Man of a filthy Spirit , saying , Such a Man , or this Man , is of a filthy Spirit , when it is to be feared , that they or he might say to himself , as Nathan the Prophet said to the Royal Prophet , 2 Sam . 12.7 . Thou art the Man ; or , thou art the Man that puts on the Picture of a Christian , for an Hypocrite is no more .

I read and hear several of these false Teachers say , That he that eateth and drinketh the Flesh and Blood of Christ hath eternal Life , and he will raise him up at the last day ; as it is in John 6.54 . and several other Verses to that purpose in the same Chapter . But we read in Vers . 60. How many of his Disciples , when they heard this , said , This is an hard saying , who can hear it ? And in the next Verse we read , When Jesus knew in himself , that his Disciples murmured at it , he said unto them , Doth this offend you ? And in Vers . 63. he doth explain it to them , saying , It is the Spirit that quickneth , the Flesh profiteth nothing ; the words that I speak unto you are Spirit and Life .

But these false Teachers will take no notice of the latter , which doth explain the former , as Christ doth , who is the true Teacher ; because the latter doth not make so well for their purpose , as those former Verses do , to delude poor ignorant Souls that cannot read , and others that can read , and do not so much mind , as they ought , to prove and try the Truth of what they say . And thus they speak against their own Consciences ; for they cannot be ignorant of it , that have it in the Chapter before them , That the Flesh profiteth nothing . But they think , that if they can but bring a Text of Scripture to cover their false Doctrin , and to blind Peoples Eyes withal , that it is well enough ; although they know that the All-wise God knows their meaning , in bringing such Proofs and leaving others . Thus you may see , that it is not Whosover eateth and drinketh Christ's Flesh and Blood in a gross manner , as they say , For the Flesh profiteth nothing , it is the Spirit that quickneth .

I heard another very false Teacher , say , That the good Spirit of God does not make us wiser , but better ; which is a very false thing : for I can , with the Assistance of the good Spirit of God , prove that it doth make us wiser , as well as better . 1 Cor . 12. We read of Diversities of Gifts , but the same Spirit . Also we read , That the Spirit of Wisdom is one of the first Gifts of the good Spirit of God . Again , the same Apostle , Eph. 1.17 . prays , That God would give them the spirit of Understanding and Revelation in the knowledge of him ; where I gather , that the Apostle would not pray for the Spirit of Wisdom , if it were not attainable : A third proof from the Prophesie of Isaiah 11.2 . And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him , first , the Spirit of Wisdom and Understanding , the Spirit of Counsel and Strength , the Spirit of Knowledge , and of the Fear of the Lord . These three Proofs are sufficient to prove , that the good Spirit makes Men wiser , both in Spiritual and Temporal things , as might be further proved by Solomon's Workmen , that had the Spirit of Wisdom given them to do such curious work for building of the Temple .

And thus we may see what a wicked thing it is , for Ministers to belie the good Spirit of God . I pray you , what is this better than Blasphemy against the Holy Ghost ? Is it not pity that suah a false Teacher should be suffered to go into a Pulpit ? Also he speaks against reading of Books for a Preparation of the holy Sacrament , saying , It is no matter of reading Books ; and he that sticks close to his Work does God as good Service , as he that goes to Church to Prayers : And then in another Sermon puts us upon imitating St. Matthew , who , when Christ call'd him from the Receipt of Custom , left all to follow him ; as it is Chap. 9.9 . And then again contradicting himself , puts us upon going to the Publick Prayers of the Church : also he makes little or no difference between going to the holy Sacrament , and going to hear a Sermon , saying , Men make a difference where God makes none . Again he makes as if poor ignorant People , that know not their right hand from their left in matters of Religion , believe that they may come with little or no Preparation to the Sacrament , saying , What Preparation had the Apostles , when they received every day ? as if they that cannot read , and others that can read , that are as ignorant as they , should be compared to the Apostles ; and all this to delude poor ignorant Souls for self-ends .

I heard another false Teacher say , That he could prove that the Sin against the Holy Ghost may be forgiven upon Repentance ; which is contrary to what our Blessed Saviour saith in Matth . 12.31 , 32. Wherefore I say unto you all manner of Sin and Blasphemy shall be forgiven unto Men : but the Blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto Men . And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of Man , it shall be forgiven him : but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost , it shall not be forgiven him , neither in this World , neither in the World to come ; where we see , that there is no such condition mentioned , as upon Repentance . Also I have read and heard several say , that those that have sinned that Sin , can never repent ; so let him first prove whether ever any did repent of that Sin .

This he spoke in a deluding way to perswade Men and Women to come to the Sacrament ; if they can but perswade them , they do not much matter how they come , prepared or unprepared . Although they can dissemble , preach and set forth Books for a Preparation ; yet , for as much as I know by them , they do but dissemble and speak far from the Heart , which is to be feared , that it is for some by-ends and for filthy lucres sake , more than for the Glory of God and the good of Souls , which should be their chief aim , if they had a good meaning . And this is agreeable to what our Blessed Saviour saith in John 10. calling them Hirelings , that feed them only for their own profit and gains , but forsake them in time of danger : Also he calls them Thieves , which feed not the sheep , but kill them : By this and what the Prophet saith before , That they that are led by them are destroyed , is plain that they are no better than Murderers of Souls . To this purpose St. Peter saith in his 2 Epist. 2.3 . how they make Merchandize of you , and shall abuse you , and sell you , as they sell Cattel in a Fair , if you have not a care . This I can prove by the Margin to this place .

Another of these false Teachers told me betwixt him and me , That we have nothing to do with the Law of Moses : But since that time I considered with my self , must the Ten Cemmandements be laid aside ? For our Saviour Christ saith in Matth . 5.17 . Think not that I am come to destroy the Law or the Prophets ; I am not come to destroy , but to fulfil : Again in Vers . 18. he verefies it further , saying , Till Heaven and Earth pass , one jot or tittle shall in no wise pass from the Law , till all be fulfilled . For although the Ceremonies were abolished at Christ's coming , yet the Precepts were not , but rather confirmed : Why then do Ministers preach out of it , and why are the first Lessons of the Church read out of it , if we have nothing to do with it ?

I observe many things which these hypocritical Preachers speak in the Pulpit against their own Consciences in a dissembling way , putting us upon doing those things , that they will not do themselves ; neither would they have us to do them , bidding us to have a holy Conspiracy against Wickedness , saying , If we let them alone , how is it to be imagined that God should let us alone ? And yet they can let them alone for this many years , to set forth things to sell in the open Streets on the Lords Day . And when such as I go about to hinder them and amend it , as they bid me ; yet , I find none more against it , and against me for doing so , than they are ; although they know how God himself complains by his holy Prophets , That none goes about to amend it , or that dare defend the Truth and shew Mercy to the oppressed ; but most Professors , so that they be not prejudiced in their Names and Commodities , they care not what be done against the Glory of God : an evident argument , that they never loved him .

Again how will these Ministers , that put us upon doing such things , answer it , when they will neither suffer us , nor do it themselves ? But when they see them sit in the open Streets , or in their Houses , Shops or Cellars selling things , can pass by and let them alone , winking and conniving at them ; and so they are incouraged , when they see Ministers , especially their own , pass by and let them alone ; and if they do sometime reprove them , yet that is not sufficient , as we read in 1 Sam . 2 , 3. Chapters , concerning old Eli , how he reproved his Sons ; but that was not sufficient : But we read further , because he did not restrain them , how God punished him . So these Ministers know that they ought to restrain those that are under their Charge , from evil , and constrain them to good . They know this day should be kept so strict , that we should not speak our own words , Isa . 58.13 . then how can such buying and selling be suffered on this day ? Also they know how that God Almighty has both blessed and hallowed this day ; but such Hypocrites , as they and we , do , as much as in us lies , to unbless and unhallow it : For the Prophet Isa . Ch. 9.17 . saith , Every one is an Hypocrite ; then what will it be to Ministers and Magistrates that suffer such things ? As a Bishop writes and confesses , saying , The higher the Sun is , the less it seems ; but the higher that I am in place and office , the greater is my Sin , both in the Eyes of God and others .

Now who can judge these to be good Men , whether they be Conformists or Nonconformists , that can endure to see the Lord's-Day thus prophaned in buying and selling and working , by those that are under their Charge and Tuition ? As another of them writes , saying , When the Name of Christ is blasphemed , or his Truths , Ways , Servants are evil spoken of , contradicted or calumniated , then ought we to stand up in defence of Christ , and of what is Christ's person or things , to speak as much for them , as others speak agninst them ; yea more , to out-speak them and put them to silence , else we should betray Christ and his Cause by our Silence , for that would seem to be a consent , and they would thereby be emboldened to continue , yea to multiply their evil speakings ; and weak ones would be occasioned to fall from the Faith , and strong Christians would be much offended , and the Glory of Christ and the Splendor of his Truth would be greatly darkened thereby . These are very good Sayings , it cannot be denied , and such as ought faithfully to be done ; but that which I gather from them is this , that if they do not according to this knowledg which they have declared and written , or at least do their utmost endeavour , that they do but make the greater discovery of their Hypocrisie : For he that knows his Masters Will , and does it not , shall be beaten with many stripes , Luke 12.47 . By many stripes I understand is meant the greater punishment they are like to have . Also I gather from it , that they make our Saviours words good , who says , That they say , and do not ; and where is there a Man to be found , that does do as they say ? Therefore in so saying , they do but as it were , lay heavy and grievous Burdens upon other Mens shoulders . Our loving Redeemer has told us twice in one Chap. Matth . 7.16 , 20. How we shall know them by their Fruits ; and that is , by their false Doctrin , evil living and bad Examples ; and in the Verse foregoing , bids us beware of false Prophets , which come to you in Sheeps clothing , but inwardly they are ravening Wolves ; and more at large in the 23 , 24 Ch. of this Gospel : so that he has left us without excuse . I heartily wish all good Christians to have a great care , that they are not deluded by these false Teachers , but take heed how you hear ; as our Saviour gives us a caution , Mark 4 . 2● . and believe not every Spirit . But many are so careless in hearing , that they hear and hear not , being half asleep and half awake , while these false Teachers preach their Souls to Hell : And if they come but once a Week to shew themselves at Church , they think it is enough ; and many more there are that come not once a Month , nor once a Year to hear a Sermon ; and yet they are let alone to live as they list : But how these Ministers , that have the charge over them , and should be diligent to know the state of their Flock , will or can answer this , I cannot imagin .

Notwithstanding all this wickedness is done and suffered by them , yet these hypocritical Preachers can have the confidence to call themselves the Ministers of Christ . Let a Man so aecount of us , saith one , not only as it is appointed to be read as a Lesson in the Church ; but he could have the confidence to make choice of it for his Text , saying , 1 Cor . 4.1 , 2. Let a Man so account of us , as of the Ministers of Christ , and Stewards of the Mysteries of God . Moreover , it is required in Stewards , that a Man be found faithful : Let a Man so account of us , saith he , of us false Teachers . Now I shall tell you how a Man does account of such as them , I mean St. Paul , as it is 1 Cor . 11.13 . For such are false Apostles , saith he , deceitful workers , transforming themselves into the Apostles of Christ . Again he saith , 1 Tim . 4.1 , 2. Now the Spirit speaketh expresly , that in the latter times some shall depart from the Faith , giving heed to the seducing Spirits , and Doctrins of Devils ; speaking Lies in Hypocrisie , having their Consciences seared with a hot iron .

Although the holy Apostle St. Paul doth say , Let a Man so account of us , that is , of us , that are indeed the true Ministers of Christ and faithful Stewards of the Mysteries of God ; that will be faithful unto death , as indeed they were ; yet he doth not say , Let a Man so account of false Apostles that transform themselves into the Apostles of Christ ; nor of false Teachers and hypocritical Preachers . Also St. Peter gives a large account of them in his 2 Epist. Ch. 2. throughout , comparing them to bruit beasts , and to Wells without water , because they seek to withdraw Men from God to their old Filthiness . Also St. Peter and St. Jude tells us the horrible Punishment that is prepared for them , Jude vers . 14 to 20. Also it is shew'd before , how our Saviour does account of them in the 7.23 . and 24. Chapters of St. Matth .

Again , this hypocritical Preacher saith moreover , It is required in Stewards , that a Man be found faithful , and that we are forced to commend our selves : But Solomon saith , Prov. 20.6 . A faithful Man who can find ? Thus we may see , that if a Man would so account of them as they would be accounted of , and let them alone in their boasting themselves , they will have the confidence and boldness to say , as Christ himself says , I am the good Shepherd , Joh . 10.11 . and so make themselves equal with him , that was really so . But then they will not , as it is in the latter part of the Verse , give their Life for the Sheep , as this good Shepherd and his true Apostles did , for his sake and the Gospels . Now if I should so account of them , and call them good , that are bad ; then there is a Wo denounced against me and others that do so , Isa . 5.20 . Wo unto them that call evil good ; and good evil . As I have had too good thoughts of them a long time , I pray God forgive me and others , that have better thoughts of them , than they deserve . I must confess , I have rather had hard thoughts of the good Word of God , wherein I have read so many places how they are called false Prophets , false Apostles , and false Teachers ; and I could not apprehend them to be so , until it has pleased God , by his good Providence so to order it , that I should find them out what they are , and so by his good Spirit hath opened the eyes of my Understanding , for which great mercy , I give God humble and hearty thanks ; also I desire that all others should have the Benefit of it . Another thing I know to this purpose , what a bad thing it is to speak against God's Minsters and Servants ; as we have an expamle of God's displeasure against such in Numb . 12. where we read , how Miriam and Aaron spake against Moses ; therefore I should be very loath to speak or write against these Men , if they were God's Servants and Ministers ; but it is sufficiently proved before to the contrary , that they are not so as they profess to be : For what I speak against them , it is for God's Cause , and in his behalf , and for the good and benefit of others , according as some of them have bid me do these three things , saying dissemblingly to this purpose ; Seek the Glory of God , the Salvation of others , and the Good of the Realm .

I heard another False Teacher say , That we must do according to the Custom of the place where we live , for Peace and Quietness sake : But I say that this is very much contrary to the Holy Scripture , as may be proved by many Texts of Scripture ; but Two or Three may be sufficient . As first , St. James saith in his Epistle , ch . 4. v. 4. Ye Adulterers and Adulteresses , know ye not that the Friendship of the World is Enmity with God ? Whosoever therefore will be a Friend of the World , is the Enemy of God . And in another place it is said , Be not conformable to this World , but be transformed into the Image of Christ . And St. John exhorteth us to Contemn the World , in his 1 Epist. 2.15 . Love not the World , neither the things that are in the World ; If any Man love the World , the Love of the Father is not in him , v. 16. For all that is in the World , the Lust of the Flesh , the Lust of the Eyes , and the Pride of Life , is not of the Father , but is of the World . Another Reason he gives in the 17. v. The World passeth away and the Lust thereof . And elsewhere it is 〈◇〉 That the Godly Followers of Christ , must as it were , go out of the World , beari●… his Cross . These Proofs I think are sufficient to prove that we must not do according to the Custom of the place where we live , for Peace and Quietness sake .

Now I pray you , What Peace and Quietness had Christ and his Apostles when they were in the World ? For going about to do good , were so much hated of the World , as we read in the 15. ch . of St. John's Gospel , and the 18 , 19 , and 20. Verses ; and so on , If the World hate you , ye know that it hated me before it hated you . If ye were of the World , the World would love his own , but because ye are not of the World , but I have chosen you out of the World , therefore the World hateth you ; and as it follows , The Servant ●s not greater than his Lord . If they have persecuted me , they will also persecute you ; but all these things will they do for my Names sake . All this they did without a cause , as it follows in the 25 Verse . And who were more cruel and malicious Persecutors of Christ and his Apostles , than the Priests , the Chief Priest , and the High Priest ; who least ought so to do : And yet they most cruelly persecuted them to Death , or were the chief Causers . And it is to be feared , that if they were upon Earth again , now in these our days , that they would find no better Usage from these malicious Priests , and false Teachers of ours , than they did then . As I find them to be so malicious and spiteful , to such as go about to imitate Christ and his Apostles .

Another False Teacher , much to the same pupose saith , No Peace with Men , no Peace with God ; then how does he judge of those that are persecuted to Death for Righteousness sake , as these Holy Apostles , and the Prophets that were before them were ? as we read in the fore quoted place , Mat . 23. How they killed the Prophets is to be read at large . Now when I did afterwards Meditate on it , I thought it to be a very hard Saying ; for if I seek to be Reconciled , and to be at Peace with others , and they will not , Shall I have no Peace with God therefore ? will not God accept the Will for the Deed ? as it is 2 Cor . 8.12 . Again , the Royal Prophet saith , When I seek , and speak for Peace , they are for War , Psal . 120.7 . There is no Peace to the Wicked , saith God , Isa . 57.21 . Neither is there any Peace to be expected with them as I read : But this I believe he spoke out of some self-end , it may be , because others were not at Peace with him , or he with them .

Now these Hypocritical Preachers , can dissemble and speak against the Church of Rome , for withholding the Bible from their deceived Laity , and training them up in Ignorance and blind Devotion , when they themselves are as bad ; but only they would not be seen to be so . It is to be feared , that if Popery should come in amongst us , which God forbid it should , that many of these False Teachers , otherwise called Swearers , that can turn as the Wind turns , would turn , rather than burn for God and his Religions sake . And also it is to be feared , that they would rather have it so , than not , according to what I have heard of them . Nay , it is farther to be feared , that if it should be so , that they would be ready to vote that we might have our Bibles taken from us ; although they , some of them , can dissemble and say ( part with your Lives rather than your Bibles ) against their Consciences ; as part of the Bible is kept from us , and laid aside ( I mean the Margent ) as it were an old Almanack out of Date ; because there are such things in it against them , that they would not have us to know , and so they keep us as ignorant as they can , that we may not find them out what they are : As they say , it is for that reason that the Papists do withhold the Bible from their deceived Laity , that are so much deluded by them : Yet they can Pray and Preach against them as they do . I do not question but that the Papists can say something against them ; if they cannot , I can , as is here to be seen : And I have read something what they say against them again : They say that the Papist both adds , and diminishes from the Word of God . First , they add in making Seven Sacraments , that is Five more than we read of in Holy Writ that Christ has instituted ; and then they diminish , in leaving out the Second Commandment , and splitting another in Two , to make up the Number Ten .

They may say the same of us that are of the Church of England , for a great many of us , if not the most part , doth add and diminish from Gods Holy Word and Commandments , to my Knowledge , as I can make it appear with Gods Assistance ; for God has allowed us Six days for our Worldly Business , and left himself but One day in Seven , for his Worship and Service : Yet how many of us are there that do not diminish and rob God of that One day , and add it to the Six days that he has allowed us ? And I think the like may be said of all the rest of the Commandments in one respect or other .

Thus we may see that one Perswasion needs not judge and condemn another so much as they do : For as the Apostle Paul saith , Rom. 2.1 , 2 , 3. Thou art inexcusable O Man , whoever thou art , that judgest , for wherein thou judgest another , thou condemnest thy self ; for thou that judgest , doth the same things : But we are sure that the Judgment of God is according to Truth , against them which commit such things . And thinkest thou this O Man , that judgest them which do such things , and doth the same , that thou shalt escape the Judgment of God ? Also the Apostle in his 1 Epist. to the Cor . 1.10 . beseecheth all by the Name of Brethren , and by the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ , that ye all speak the same thing ; and that there be no Divisions among you , but that ye be perfectly joyned together in the same Mind and in the same Judgment . And not to contradict one another ; as they do not only contradict one another , but themselves also , both in their Preaching , and in their Lives and Conversations also , as I see and hear , by their frequenting the Coffee-Houses , and other Publick Houses , so much as they do both Day and Night ; so that the Watchmen of the City , find them out at One or Two of the Clock in the Morning : But for Modesties sake , I will not say the worst that I could say . But these things contradict their Preachings , and make it no better then Nonsense : As they can tell us , to be Hearers and not Doers of the Word , is Nonsense ; so I say to them , to be Preachers and not Practicers , that is Nonsense . I think the best Preaching , would be for Ministers to walk more circumspectly themselves , and to give good Examples to others , and no bad ones , as they do a many .

Some indeed , as the Apostle St. Paul saith , Preaches Christ , even out of Envy , Strife and Contention ; not sincerely , Phil . 1.15 , 16. saying , Let a Man abide in his Calling wherein he is called , 1 Cor . 7. Twice in this Chap. 20. and 24. almost the same Words , saith one , which I know his Meaning was to me , A ●… rm and no Man ; as it is in Psal . 22.6 . in comparison of some Men . ●ut in comparison to Almighty God , I may say as Abraham said , but Dust and Ashes , Gen. 18.27 . Yet saith he , Let a Man abide in his Calling ; as another before said to the same Purpose , endeavouring to Preach us away from the Prayers of the Church : Thus they Preach out of Self-ends , out of Envy , Strife and Contention ; not sincerely . But although St. Paul doth say , Let a Man a bide in his Calling , yet he doth not forbid us to do other Christian Duties for God and our Neighbours , but puts us upon it , saying , Let no Man seek his own , but anothers Wealth ; as it is in this same Epist. Chap. 10.24 . But what I do here , is for the good of others ; yet every one that I speak with about it , is against me , and not only against me , but against God ; so that I may say as the Psalmist saith , Who will rise up for me against the Evil Doers ? or who will stand up for me against the Workers of Iniquity , Psal . 94.16 .

I read what the Prophet Malachi saith in his First and Second Chapters , chiefly against the Priests , for being Seducers of the People , and their Unkindness and Profaneness , Irreligiousness , Negligence , Covetousness , and Evil Examples ; and that they served God after their own Fantasties , and not according to the Prescript of his Word , as they ought to do . And elsewhere I read of the Scandalous Neglect of Ministers : And who brings a greater Scandal upon Gods true Religion than they do ? And in another place , What is worse then a covetous Man ? And St. Paul saith Eph. 5.5 . For this ye know , That no Whoremonger , nor Unclean Person , nor covetous Man , who is an Idolater , hath any Inheritance in the Kingdom of Christ and of God .

Again , 2 Pet . 2.3 . Through Covetousness , shall they with feigned words , make merchandise of you , whose Judgment now , of a long time lingreth not , and their Damnation slumbreth not . And in the 14. v. Having Eyes full of Aduldultery , and that cannot cease from sin , beguiling unstable Souls ; an heart they have exercised with covetous Practice , cursed Children : Which have forsaken the right way , and are gone astray , v. 15. following the way of Balaam the Son of Bosor , which loved the wages of unrighteousness . And the Prophet Jeremiah , hath pronounced a Curse to them that do the work of the Lord , negligently or deceitfully , Ch. 48.10 .

Another thing that I observe is , How these False Teachers , when they Preach Funeral Sermons , and in the behalf of the Poor , how they will then stretch their Consciences . First in the Praise of the Deceased Party to please their Friends , and as they speak against their Consciences when they bury them , so likewise when they Preach their Funeral Sermons .

The next is in the behalf of the Poor , much like the Papist , that makes them believe that they merit by their Good Works , and by their Charity . So do our False Teachers say , that our Charity covers a multitude of Sins ; when it is the Charity of Christ that covers a multitude of Sins : Then what is that , but as much as to say , That we merit by our Charity ? For what is given to the Poor is lent to the Lord , say they ; whitout putting in the word if . As they should say , If you come lawfully and honestly by it , and if you do all other Religious Duties that Almighty God requires of you , as Christians ought to do ; and do no wicked thing that God has forbidden you , then I say , if they did say thus , then they would not speak against their own Consciences as they do , both in the Pulpit and at the most Holy Sacrament ; using such like Expressions , without saying if : But as it is said , You that are Teachers of others , have need that some should teach you , As St. Peter and St. Jude , in their Epistles before mentioned , comparing them to Beasts , and charging them with Ignorance ; saying , They speak evil of those things which they know not . But in this it is not so much through Ignorance , as it is against their Knowledge ; which is far worse . Again , They say that our Righteousness hides a multitude of Sins , when it is the Righteousness of Christ ; and so derogates from God . Now what is our Righteousness , the best of us but as filthy Rags , in comparison of Christs Righteousness ? Again , when we have done all that God hath commanded us , we must confess that we are but unprofitable Servants : For we have done but that which was our Duty to do , Luke 17.10 . How then can they say , or we think that we merit ? Now I do not mention all this to hinder the Poor , For with such Sacrifices God is well pleased , if they be done as they ought to be , with Holiness and Righteousness of Life ; but I do mention this , to shew what False Teachers a many of them are .