Presbytery; all Constitutions, Methods, Frames of Doctrin and Discipline
seem to be as wyers with nets in them. Set cross the whole stream of civil
and religious conversation, to catch every discovery of Christ, every
manifestation of the Gospel, which comes up against the present
Tyde, the general current of Principles and Positions. They labour
as to hedg in the winde, to binde up the sweet influences of the Spirit,
they will not suffer it to blow where it lifts, because they know not
whence it comes, or whither it goes.
5. Agreement in aunexing the Spirit to outward formalities. Like
Simon Magus, both seem to believe, that the Gifts, and Ministry of the
Spirit may be purchased by the coyn of Education, Parts, Morall honesty,
formall qualifications, Ceremonious Observations of outward
Rites. So is their way laid, so are all their practices managed, as if by
a kind of Simoniacall Magick, that power which alone can awe, or
secure us from, the devil, were shut up within the circle of their customary,
and solemn Forms. When the lord faith, Neither on this
Mountain nor in Jerusalem, but in Spirit and truth shall all men worship the
Father: Yea, say they, but Spirit and truth dispense themselves within
the Jerusalem of this Church-order, on the Mountain of these rituall
observations, these consecrated forms.
6. Agreement in making Religion a rise to civil pomp, and power.
Jesus Christ faith, My Kingdom is not of this world But say these two
Factions, Our Kingdom is over this world, we rule in earthly things, by
an earthly strength, though not from an earthly title. The Heavenly
power of the Spirit is the Scepter in our Hand: but the [unr]ly
power of the Magistrate is the Sword in the hand of our Minister, and
Guard, which is to be subordinate to our S[unr]pter. By this means they
bring all manner of [unr] the compass of their cognisance,
by vertue of their spiritual Judicatories: They dispose of Governments,
Nations, Crowns by vertue of their Ecclesiastick censures.
Now what hath been said of this form of this form of Presbytery, by that pious
man, is apliable to any other form or forms, through never so refined,
that [unr] the same Papall and Antichristian Principle. ------ So
here is an end of the whole discourse, having with [unr]rity run over
all the principall points of policy, in fortifying you with Reasons, refuting
[unr] Rules, and Cautions, and nothing the prime
Errors; whereby suppose that all being put together have made sufficient
proof of my position, which was this; that a Free State or Government
by the People; setled in a due and orderly Succession of their Supream
Ass[unr], is much more excellent then any other form whatsoever. ------ And
yet, being confined to a few pages weekly, I have been able to give you
but the bare hints of things done in haste, which may (perhaps) appear
abroad in a more accomplished manner hereafter.