THE Schismatic Sifted THROUGH A SIEVE of the largest size: BUT Is now more purely dressed. WHEREIN The Chaff, the Froth, and the Scum of Mr. JOHN VICARS his Sift and Paintings prove him to be a lame Draughts-man, a smearie Washer, his Colours falsely mixed, and his Pencil as course as his Colours. Collected out of his own words, and under his own hand. By T. C. a Well-willer to Truth and Peace. For Sions-Sons sake I cannot hold my peace. Published according to Order. LONDON, Printed by R. A. for S. W. 1646. To the impartial Reader of these few Lines. Ingenious Reader, IF ever it was a time to speak a few words in behalf of Truth, and those that sincerely profess it, now is the time, when under a fair pretence of honour done to God, such a cursed Treatise should be vented, which speaks worse language than the Devil, for he durst not bring railing accusations: but the Author brings false accusations: but the Devil doth all by God's permission, and so doth he. His plea is, he doth it to stop their mouths; and it is to be feared, he would stop their breaths also, could he obtain his design. He would have an orderly confusion, and yet will not be content therewith, unless all swim down his stream. This his valour for Truth, clothed in so black a habit, Truth will never own. My desire is therefore to all that love the truth in sincerity, to take notice of this whole Work, which is made up of nothing but raiing reviling vilifyings of those godly, faithful, zealous, dissenting Ministers of the Gospel, purposely to open the mouths of the foul-mouthed multitude against them; as also (if it were possible) to make way for a stream of vengeance, filled up with malice, to overwhelm these faithful men, who are as much interested and engaged in England's sad condition, as also the other Kingdoms, and have expressed as much faithfulness towards God, and performed all their relations both to Powers and Kingdoms, as any Presbyterians whatsoever; and therefore, as through pride and envy this contention was raised, so undoubtedly it will receive a speedy downfall. The Schismatic sifted; OR HIS Shifts discovered: by way of Reply to Mr. JOHN VICARS. Worthy Sir, I Have ever much respected your gravity, knowing the grey head is an honour, when found in the way of righteousness; and I persuade myself, you would never have gone so far out of that way as you have done at this time, had not your interest out-swayed your judgement. Thus to sift out, or rather to shift out such a filth and froth of scummie disgrace, against those whom God hath preserved abroad, and honoured at home, for their faithfulness; insomuch, as all the wiles of envy could never yet really produce one unjust act committed by them. You add to Zion, baseness, instead of beauty, and acknowledge truths which you afterward gainsay. And now to come to your Charge; and had your Witnesses been as ready as that is, I had been silent; it is a very ridiculous thing to bring in a Charge, before the Witnesses are either known or borne. 1 Pag. 2, 3. But say you, Many godly Presbyterians dare not think ill of them, because they preach sound Doctrine: Of whose mind I also am, as not derogating from the Rule of Scripture, and right Reason. But Schismatics (say you) Salamander-like, love to live in the fiery heat of heady disputes. Pag. 3. Shall I grant, they would rather dispute it out, then rail it out, I think no wise men will gainsay that disputation. But, say you, Independents spread their false Doctrine by their licentious and unlimited Government. Which of the two, Independent Congregations, or Parochial, in conscience (think you) are the most licentious? should you have the examples given in you would be ashamed to own the Parallel. It would prove a harder task for you to prove sound Doctrine and Sacraments purely administered in your Parishes, Pag. 4. than you take it to be, where children of near a hundred years old may be found with more ease, then able selfe-examining men. But your judgement is more infallible than Scripture or right Reason, should I take your word for what you say. O say you, Let not this trouble you; but stride over this difficulty with me, and behold what false doctrines they teach, and how they broach their damnable plea for toleration for all. Sir, For all? what all do you mean? If by all you mean all of contrary judgements to them, that is false. But if by all you mean all truths grounded upon Scripture-foundation, which is their endeavour, I also am of that all. But Sir, What do you mean by their damnable doctrine? is it because they teach not so sound Presbyterian Government as you? 2 Your second stumbling-blocke is their piety, Pag. 6. which (you say) causes many to think well of them: but you remove this as easily as the former, and upon as good a ground; for, say you, This is Satan's old cloak, with which he covered Arrius, Pelagius, and Arminius, who were men of extraordinary outward holiness, and admirable for their parts. But say you, The Devil doth not show his horns and cloven feet at first. You might as well have said, The Bishops and Popes of Rome did not act all their power at first. But where is your Witness? these men are Arrians and Pelagians: either recall your Inference, or produce your Witness: But this is the devil's method, where he cannot fasten a blemish, there he will lay a reproach. But say you, Pag. 7. holiness of life is a false touch-stoneto try men by. This you prove out of these words of Paul Be ye followers of me, as I also am of Christ; upon which place saith this learned Expositor, follow me no farther than I follow Christ, in sound Doctrine, and Holiness: First and principally sound Doctrine, and then Holiness to strengthen that. Learned Sir, doth Paul here set himself out as an example, or Christ whom he here mentions? if Paul mean himself, than you shall find him a chosen Vessel, before he ever preached sound Doctrine, but if Christ be his example, than he was ever perfect in both. But you undertake to justify, Pag. 8. That it is more safe and sweet for a soul to love, like, and to follow and imitate a Pastor sound and Orthodox in Doctrine and Judgement, though subject to much weakness and humane infirmity, then him that seems to be most exact and strict in his outward walking and conversation, if he premed tatedly (against all perswastions and convictions) go on in public profession of Error. Sir, what do you mean by this sound Doctrine? If a servant in seven year's apprenticeship attain more perfection in his trade then his Master, will any be so ridiculous as to say, he is a false workman, because he works better than his Master. The Scribes and Pharisees in their seeming holiness and perverting of the Law, Pag. 6, 7. were always as ready as you have been at this time to vilify, rail at, and oppose all those new Doctrines then, whose sincerity outstripped their formality. And if you have attained such a perfect sight in your last age, that you can see through many godly men, to be mere dissemblers, and sly deceivers, your perfection is a miraculous work. But we know now miracles are denied, and therefore I shall conclude with denial of the same, because you would have seen to have written a fare more moderate work, had you been so quick-fighted, or rather none at all of such a nature as this is. But in a word you say, Pag. 7, 8. Soundness of life is not so much to be noted as soundness of Doctrine; for, follow Christ in his Doctrine, and let holiness of life strengthen it. What need you set the cart before the horse, were not your design in this, to draw backward? For will you lay a stumbling block where never yet any lay? where throughout the whole Word of God was real holiness, a stumbling block, but that he that doth sincerely the will of God, he chief shall know the Doctrines of God; Christ promised blessedness to the doer of his Word. You say, Pag. 9 He that desires to hear a Sermon which is Satan's music, let him go hear M. Peter: But well now may it be said, he that will read a book that speaks the Devil's language, let him read M. Vicars his Schismatic sifted. You thought much M. Peter should say, the picture of Independents was all nought; but certainly now your very friends will have cause to say, this is all worse than nought. And shall I tell you, notwithstanding such requitals as you return him, yet hath God honoured him so fare as to be an instrument of much praise to sound in Zion. Thirdly, you proceed according to your former method, concluding before your proof, passing sentence before the Judge, that Independents are no Christians by two Scripture Characters. 1. To speak all the truth from their heart. 2. Having promised or sworn though to their loss, yet not to break their covenant. Now to this I say, make good your charge, which you do as well as you can. And thus you proceed, That they are notorious dissemblers, and deceivers, for in their Apologetical narration they call themselves Gods poor exiled and banished ones, Pag. 1, 2. whereas they went into the very fattest part of all Holland and could spend two or three hundred a year, and better: but where is your witness? M. Edward's saith so: But neither he nor you proves the contrary. Herein the good pleasure of God being manifested unto them that as he called them out into a strange Land, so he shown himself there to be their God alsufficient. Further, Pag. 12. but say you, In their Apologetical Narration, they acknowledge the Congregations in England where they were converted, the true Church and Body of Christ, and Parochial Ministers true Ministers, never judging them Antichristian, but now they separate from us, as Antichristian. Quaere. Why may not they now separate from you, since you have now separated from them; were not these men nearer to your affections, while they were in exile, which you then acknowledged and prayed for their return, how could you thus affect these men who were famous for God in a strange Land, and now thus endeavour to estrange them from that God in their native Land, in the enjoyment of his pure Ordinances? They little thought so many faithful Ministers left behind in England under Episcopal Tyranny, when they should come to have power in their hands, they would have proved so violent for so poor a formal way, had they the equal power the former had. But further, Pag. 14. you say, They resolved deeply not to vent their own opinion through pride, and singularity, which you say, M. Burroughs, M. Simson, and Master Bridge hath done. Where is your witness? M. Edward's saith so in his excellent Worke. Are you not both afraid and ashamed to speak so great an untruth? is the Word of the eternal God become man's opinion, hath God showed them his Word and his Will, and that more especially in a strange Land, where they were not ill entreated, although they followed the rule of that Word there, and shall not they be as free to close with God at home? o strange mystery of iniquity! 4. Now to your great Charge, Pag. 16. or to the chief chaff of your sift, wherein you seem to carry all on your side, to the disgrace of the Independent-party, taxing them disgracefully of breach of Covenant, which was confirmed (say you) by an Instrument, or Writing subscribed by both parties, left by their consent in the hands of M. Calamy for a Witness at all occasions to see: but say you, M. Nye borrowed the said Writing of M. Calamie under pretence to view it, but never would return it, pretending he left it behind him at Hull. And first give me leave to deal piainly, since you deal so wisely, and declare plainly who was the first contriver of this defigne. Secondly, why was the agreement left wholly in one man's hand, and he no moderator? but a chief opposer of the dissenting Party, who as yet have ever been on the weaker side, in reference to earthly powers: For although you say, you have not stirred, yet you have stirred up others for procuring a power which you have got; witness, the ground you have got of your dissenting Brethren. 5. Pag. 8. Say you, The Inependent party have oft been desired to give in their Model, but they have refused and delayed it time after time, both to divers abroad, as well as to us at home. Well Sir, here is your charge again, but did not M- Edwards say this also? Why should it seem so strange, that their form is not so soon ready as yours? truly the Reformed Churches never did so much for them, as they have done for you; there is more power upon their spirits, than ever yours in its dead letter can attain; why are you so earnest to see all of that, a part of which you so cry out against? witness Mr. Burroughs, Mr. Simson, and Mr. Bridge, for their discovery in their Expositions and Sermons, which truths have so shaken your desired government, that a farther discovery certainly would yield you but small comfort; for God's design is to make Christ glorious in his Kingly Office, who is the only King of Saints, Churches, and Kingdoms: and when he shall possess himself of his royal Sovereignty, all powers shall be subjected and subdued to him; and then shall the glory of all other powers under him appear. Farther, Pag. 22. you tax Independents, saying, They were opposers of the powers of Parliament until the late Election of new Members, which (say you) they think hath set them upon the wing of hope, to attain their desire, that either the Presbytery shall not be settled, or if it be, their power shall be so clipped, as it shall do them no harm. Sir, in what work have these good men sought to hinder the Presbytery, farther than they have endeavoured to deprive them of their Liberties? and let me tell you, that if your Presbyterian friends countenance this your work, and approve of your languages therein; it is very well for them that you thus vilify, that their enemies have not so much power, as some wish they had: for in the whole story of the Bishop's tyranny, there will not be a work of 39 pages found out to parallel this, written by any Sophysticall Chaplain, or Papal Priest, to stir up all powers then against the strictest Puritan of those times. But blessed be God, you cannot prevail, and the blessing of the eternal God be multiplied upon them that have power in their hands, and reserve that power in their hands, to those that merit such an exercise of it from them. But you further proceed, Pag. 16. taxing these Independents, saying, That they make the solemn League and Covenant a snare to your consciences, by their subtlety, saying, the literal sense is not to be taken. Sir, I would feign be resolved in this doubt, concerning which I have not thought a little. Quaere. Whether the literal sense of the Covenant, without any private presumed interpretation, be not fully as much to strengthen the Parliament and the Kingdoms in their just Rights and Liberties, as the establishing and furnishing of the Governors and Government of the Church with their desired power? The Reason of this Proposal is, because many are so violent for the Church, that it is to be feared, they neglect the State. If all things be well considered, when this happy Parliament began first to sit, was not the current of Justice more stopped up by fare, than the current of Discipline? and hath not the settling of Justice, the Power of the Parliament, and the Liberty of the Subject, proved far more difficult than ever any Government in the Church can be; the Privileges of the State and Kingdom being so opposed by the Sword: but (praised be GOD) now something near overcome? whereas the other may speedily be moderated, and sweetly concluded, by the good Word of God, that safe and unerring Rule. Some of those that suffered great persecution in the Bishop's times, have confessed that it was not so much for opposing Prelacy as Tyranny, which the Prelates (by their encroaching upon the power of the State) proved themselves the chief disturbers of the Subjects Liberty. And I appeal to all the truly godly, whether the design of our bloodthirsty enemies yet up in arms, be not more to establish a tyrannical Government in the State, than an Ecclesiastical Discipline in the Church. And thus I leave to your considerations the design of those that stir more for the Government, than the distressed three Kingdom's settlement in a blessed peace, with all their Privileges. But I find a light here that much offends your eyes, it is a strange light to you, as well as a new light; I persuade me, it is a hot light also, and you love a middle temper: I would fain know what light enlightened you so fare, Pa. 34, 35. as to be for a Reformation that should be very glorious, are your eyes now grown weak with looking too steadfastly, insomuch as your desire is now to leave one old light, and take another? or because one small candle is burnt out, will you light up another of the same size? And now to draw up a conclusion, Pag. 38. he that is righteous, let him be righteous still, though taxed with deep dissimulation. And he that is a railer let him not be a railer still: And he that is holy let him be holy still, though he be accounted never so unholy; For behold, he that is to come, will come quickly and his reward is with him to render to every man accordng to his work: then shall he discern betwixt the righteous and the wicked; betwixt him that serveth God, and him that serveth him not. FINIS.