A DISCOVERY OF False Teachers and Hypocritical Preachers.  
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 ●… ills and all just works do proceed.  
〈◇〉 it be my desire and duty also to love my Neighbour as myself, 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 myself.  
●… 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 red 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 damned, which ●… plain contradiction to our Saviour's words: And also contradicts their own ●… king, 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 publicly, 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, ●… king, 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 revealed 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 christening 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 across, 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 itself.  
And how few of them will or do take the care or pains to catechize them, ●… n they are grown up, as they ought, according to the Canons of the Church; and to have them confirmed by the Bishop according to the Canons 〈◇〉 Orders of the Church; or will take the care or pains to examine them, be they admit them to the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper, whether they 〈◇〉 ever catechized 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 authorised thereunto.  
Yet notwithstanding this, some will dare to change and alter the Lessons contrary to that they are appointed to be red 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 writ this Chapter for such a bad end, for Ministers to red 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 lead 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 entering, 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 lead 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 doctrine, 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 inform 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 signify, 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 red 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 red 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 red, 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 quickeneth, 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 red, and others that can red, 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 doctrine, and to blind Peoples Eyes withal, that it is well enough; although they know that the alwise 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 quickeneth.  
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 red of Diversities of Gifts, but the same Spirit. Also we red, That the Spirit of Wisdom is one of the first Gifts of the good Spirit of God. Again, the same Apostle, Eph. 1.17. preys, 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 prophesy 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 bely 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 called 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 public 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 red, and others that can red, 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 red 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 spoken in a deluding way to persuade Men and Women to come to the Sacrament; if they can but persuade 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 lead 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 merchandise of you, and shall abuse you, and sell you, as they sell cattle 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 myself, 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 red 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 show 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 encouraged, 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 red in 1 Sam. 2, 3. Chapters, concerning old Eli, how he reproved his Sons; but that was not sufficient: But we red 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 profaned 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 calunniated, 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 splendour 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 knowledge which they have declared and written, or at least do their utmost endeavour, that they do but make the greater discovery of their hypocrisy: 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 doctrine, 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 hearty 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 show 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 imagine.  
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 red 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 expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the Faith, giving heed to the seducing Spirits, and doctrines of Devils; speaking Lies in hypocrisy, 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. judas tells us the horrible Punishment that is prepared for them, judas 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 ourselves: 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 red so many places how they are called false Prophets, false Apostles, and false Teachers; and I could not apprehended 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 ministers and Servants; as we have an expamle of God's displeasure against such in Numb. 12. where we red, how miriae and Aaron spake against Moses; therefore I should be very loathe to speak or writ 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 across. 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 red 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 purpose 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 red in the fore quoted place, Mat. 23. How they killed the Prophets is to be red 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 dead? 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 red: But this I believe he spoken out of some self-end, it maybe, 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 margin) as it were an old almanac 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 red 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 red 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 persuasion 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 thyself; for thou that judgest, doth the same things: But we are sure that the judgement 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 judgement 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 joined together in the same Mind and in the same judgement. 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 public 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 practisers, 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 red 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 red 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 judgement now, of a long time lingereth not, and their Damnation slumbereth 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 practise, 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. judas, 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 show what False Teachers a many of them are.  
Now let us suppose that a High-way Man that robs a Man of a great Sum of money, should come to Church and give a small part of that to the Poor, only to be seen of Men, as the Hypocrites do, Will this be acceptable to God think ye? and yet I believe that there are many worse Thieves, that wrongs and oppress the Poor, under a Pretence of their Charity; as the Governours of the Hospital of Bethlem do: For I never heard that the High-way Men do pretend Charity in what they do, as these wicked Men do, to deceive the World by.  
again, There is a Woe denounced against the Rich, Luk. 6.24. I mean against such as get their Riches by unlawful means, as Fraud and Oppression; making themselves Rich, and others Poor: And no less Woe be to them that suffer such Oppression when they are informed of it, and will not do their Duty. Remember what the Bishop saith before; the higher that a Man is in Place and Office, the greater is his Sin again, if they make no good use of their Riches for Gods Glory and the good of others.  
Hear what God Almighty saith by the Mouth of the Prophet Hosea, ch. 5. v. 1. O ye Priest hear this, and harken ye, O House of Israel, and give ye ear O House of the King,( meaning Jeroboam) for judgement is toward you, because you have been a Snare on Mizpah, and a Net spread upon Tabor. And in the margin it is said, That the Priests and Princes catched the Poor People in their Snares, as the Fowlers did the Birds in these Two Mountains. Notwithstanding they seemed to be given altogether to Holiness and to Sacrifices, which here he calleth Slaughter in the 2. v. in Contempt, Though I have been a Rebuker of them all, saith the Prophet: Then how will Magistrates and Ministers answer these things, when the Kings of the Earth, as it is Rev. 6.15, 16, 17. Verses, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief Captains and the mighty men; and every Bond-man, and every Free-man hid themselves in Dens and among the Rocks of the Mountains, and say to the Mountains and Rocks, fall on us, and hid us from the Presence of him that sitteth on the Throne, and from the Wrath of the Lamb: For the great day of his Wrath is come, and who can stand? This is not meant to the Godly, but to the Wicked and Ungodly. Now if I know these things by them, and do not utter them, then I am accessary to their Sins, and so should make myself Partaker with them, in not discharging my Conscience.  
We red how the Prophet Malachi hath pronounced a Curse against such a Deceiver, that hath in his Flock a Male, and voweth and sacrificeah unto the Lord a corrupt thing, Chap. 1.14. And is it not so with those that go to the Church under a Pretence of Religion and Charity, and give naughty money to the Poor, that is to say, Brass or clipped money. Is not that a corrupt thing? for what is given to the Poor, is, or should be lent to the Lord; And will such naughty money be acceptable to God think ye? And yet I see some do give clipped money at the most Holy Sacrament; and as we red more at large in the same Chapter, how the Priest and People were both weary of serving of God, and passed not what manner of Sacrifice and Service they gave to God: For that which was least profitable, was thought good enough for the Lord. So I think it is a great Sin to those that take clipped money, and a greater to those that suffer it to pass, because thereby the Clippers are encouraged to venture their Lives; as they do both venture and lose their Lives: Then are not such encouragers guilty of their Death? For if every one would refuse to take it as I do, then to be sure they would give over Clipping; and it seems to me an unreasonable thing, that they should die for it, when they are so encouraged in it, and it might be so easily prevented.  
Another thing I have observed, how ready some People are to make a lye, and put it into the mouths of their Children and Servants, fearing Men more than God; but Solomon tells us, The fear of man bringeth a snare, Prov. 29.25. Again it is said in the margin, He that feareth Man more than God, falleth into a snare, and is destroyed. Again, the Prophet saith, Who art thou, that shouldst fear a mortal man, and the Son of man which shall be made as grass, Isa. 51.12. Thus we may see what a bad thing it is for any to fear Man more than God, but much worse for Ministers to do so, and to give such bad Examples in their Families; and yet I find none more ready to do so than these false Teachers are, and to make a lye and put into their Servants mouths to deny them to those that go to speak with 'em; although they say in the Church, Come unto me or some other discreet Minister of Gods word: Yet they will not suffer us to come, as they say, to be resolved of some doubts or scruples, as it is their duty so to do. But let such, as will dare to make a lye, take notice what St. John saith in Rev. 22.15. For without are Dogs, and Socerers, and Whoremongers, and Murderers, and Idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lye. Again St. John saith in his 1st Epist. ch. 4. ver. 1. Believe not every Spirit, but try the Spirits whether they are of God; and he giveth a good reason for it, because many false Prophets are gone out into the World. Vers. 2. it is said, Every Spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh, is of God. And in Vers. 3. he saith the contrary, Every Spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh, is not of God. These two last Verses, and other such like Texts, as speak in the general, do these false Teachers make use of to delude poor ignorant Souls withal. The Devil can bring Texts of Scripture to delude Souls with; as he did attempt and do his endeavour to our blessed Saviour Christ, although he knew he was God as well as Man, and knows all things, and cannot be ignorant nor deceived, Matth. 4.6. If thou be the Son of God cast thyself down; for it is written, he shall give his Angels charge concerning thee, and in their hands they shall bear thee up, least at any time thou dash thy foot against a ston. So do these false Teachers, who are the Devils Instruments, bring such Texts of Scriptures as make best for their delusions. Every one say they, that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh, is of God: I believe St. John does not mean every one that says they believe and confess Christ, for the Devils and these false Teachers do confess and profess as much; but it is only they that do their utmost endeavour to live up to what they confess and profess to believe. Our Saviour saith, Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the Kingdom of Heaven; but he that doth the Will of my Father which is in Heaven, mat. 7.21. This seems to contradict St. John, who saith, Every Spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh, is of God; and if I leave it so, some may say that I go about to make St. John a liar; no, I do not go about to contradict the holy Scripture, though I go about to prove these false Teachers liars, like their Father the Devil: But I believe St. John does not mean every one that confesseth Christ in the Church or Pulpit, and then denies him when they are out, by their evil living and bad examples; but rather, every one that confesseth Christ at all times, in all places and upon all occasions, and never for fear of Men deny him in any troubles, sufferings or persecutions whatsoever.  
The like may be said concerning the word All, which some of these false Teachers use more than is right, on purpose to delude poor ignorant People, soothing them up in their Sins, saying, that Christs Birth, Death, Resurrection and Ascension is for the benefit and Salvation of All; which they speak very much against their Consciences: For they know, that it is only to those that do truly and sincerely repent of all their sins, steadfastly believe in his holy Name, and wholly trust and rely on him and his mercy in the forgiveness of all their sins, in his Blood and the Merits of his most precious Death and Passion on the across; and truly love and fear him, and obey his holy Gospel in all things, as near as we can. But instead of dealing thus truly and faithfully with us, they do but flatter and dissemble with us, making the best of things, and making them as easy as they can; seeking to please Men more than God: But the holy Apostle St. Paul saith, If I seek to please men, I am not the Servant of Christ, Gal. 1.10. Again in 1 Thes. 2.4. Even so, we speak, not as pleasing Men but God; not seeking the praise of Men, as these do; but suppose they have the praise of Men, they have not the praise of God, as is to be proved at large in the 23, 24th Chapters of St. Matthew. Now I reckon that the Passion of Christ will be no benefit nor signify any thing to the Salvation of their Souls, that continue obstinate and disobedient to the Commands of Christ; but rather a greater condemnation to all that will not comply and submit to his holy Will: Thus ought these false Teachers to say, rather than to make ignorant People believe, that he died for all.  
It may be, it will be a hard thing to make my Friends and Neighbours believe these things to be true against them; but you may as well say, that you will not believe the Word of God to be true, if you will not believe me. I would have you believe Moses and the Prophets in the Old Testament, and Christ and his Apostles in the New. I will not say as one saith, Blame not me, but blame them that say so, lest I should bid you speak Blasphemy against the Holy Ghost: For St. Paul tells us, that all Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable to teach, to convince, to correct, and to instruct in Righteousness, 2 Tim. 3.16. Therefore he might rather have said, blame not me, but blame the Prophets and Apostles that say so, if you will or dare speak Blasphemy agaist the Holy Ghost: For I suppose he knows, that these holy Men spake by the Inspiration of the Holy Ghost; and so he might have given ignorant People to understand, what it is to speak against such holy Men, as it is his place and office to inform and instruct the ignorant, and not to bid them speak Blasphemy.  
Now I have something against the Clerks: When the Ministers are so bad, ●t is not likely their Clerks should be very good; for I have observed, how they have often set forth such a Psalm, as not only causes themselves, but the Congregation to say or sing a false thing, or against their Consciences: as in the 5th part of 119. Psal. Who is it that can truly say, they love and fear nothing but God? when it is an hard matter to find one that doth so; and in most parts of this Psalm there are such expressions, if seriously considered, very few can truly say them without speaking against their Consciences.  
I heard a Clerk that sung this 119th Psalm throughout, at sundry times, and in the third part there is a Curse he pronounced against those that do not Gods Hests attend upon. Now I think that public Prayers is one of Gods Hests; if this is to be taken in a strict sense, that is to say, to attend on them both morning and evening constantly, then who is it that is not cursed? For I see that neither the Ministers, I mean the head-Ministers, nor their Clerks do so constantly both morning and evening attend this Ordinance, as they should, to give good Examples to others; but rather discourage others by seeing them absent: Neither are they willing to have a Psalm, or part of one, to be sung at Prayers; but as I have seen several of the Readers, not only refuse when it has been offered to them, but forbid the Clerks, although they know the Psalmist says, What a good thing it is to sing Praises to God; yet at several Churches, as I know, they do not sing Psalms at the Sacrament, which is the highest Ordinance of the Gospel, and the principle part of God's Worship; so that I think we ought then more especially to sing praises in way of thankfulness to Almighty God for so great a mercy in giving us his only Son to be a Sacrifice for us miserable Sinners. But I see they do in this, as they do in other parts of God's Worship and Service, as slightly as they well can. Also I see how malicious some of the Clerks and other Servants are, even at the time of the Sacrament before the communicants are gone, which is a very sad sight to see; I pray God forgive them their Malice to me.  
Again concerning the Curse which I heard the Clerk pronounce against those that do not Gods hests attend upon; some may or will think it a very hard saying, if we consider these things following: as first, if a Man be under banishment, and so cannot come to the House of God as he would, as David himself was, as it is mentioned in the 84 Psalm, when he was driven forth of his Country, desired most ardently to come again to the Tabernacle of the Lord, and the Assembly of the Saints to praise the Lord. And also the Apostles, but more especially St. Paul, who was kept under confinement for some years, so that he could not go, as he used to do or would have done: Or if a Man be in a journey, or so tied to days work, that he cannot go, but yet would go if he could; in such cases, I do not doubt, but that God will accept of the Will for the dead; for though a Man be absent in body, yet his heart may be there. But on the contrary, those that have time and opportunity, and might go and will not, but rather spend there precious time in the Ale-houses, otherwise called Hell-houses or the Devil's Schools, where there is such swearing, cursing and game, and a great deal of more wickedness and profaneness used; such, I say, I cannot imagine how they can escape this Curse, as it is in Heb. 2.3. How shall we escape damnation, if we neglect so great salvation? We red Act. 17.11. how the wicked Jews were converted, and received the word with all readiness of mind, and preached the Scriptures daily, whether those things were so: Also we may further understand what was the happy effect of it; for in the next Verse it is said, Therefore many of them believed: and then shall they not rise up in judgement against those that will neither red them at home, nor go to the public Prayers of the Church daily to hear them red, when they might as well go as not?  
Again, I have heard one of our false Teachers say, He that goes to Church and gives not something to the Poor, does but half his duty; then what do those, that instead of giving, rob the Poor of part of that that is given? This I believe he spake out of some self by or base end; for I heard one of the Servants of the Church say, that he can preach to others for Charity, and give none himself. Again, where it is not to be had, God does not require it; although I know that God did require it in the Law of Moses, saying, None shall appear before the Lord empty, Exod 23.15. Deut. 16.16. But that was at the three great solemn Feasts of the year: Thus we may see, how they put others upon those things that they will not do themselves.  
Now I have something to say against the Dissenters or Nonconformists, that behave themselves so irreverently in the place of their Worship: I have seen the Minister go into the Pulpit with his hat on his head, and after the Sermon put his hat on again in the Pulpit, which seems to me a very unseemly thing: But perhaps some will say, where is there any Text of Scripture that speaks expressly against it? To which I answer, if there be none that speaks expressly, yet there are several that speak to that effect: as in Exod. 3.5. where God commanded Moses, saying, Pull off thy shoes from off thy feet, with this reason annexed, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground; and another reason is in the margin, that is, because of my presence. Also God hath said, That wherever two or there are gathered together in my name, Mat. 18.20. there am I in the midst of them: Then is not his presence to be reverenced; and if his shoes were to be put off, is it not likely his hat also? Besides, I heard a Minister say, that it might be meant his hat. Again, the holy Apostle St. Paul reproves Men for praying in their holy Assembly with their heads covered, 1 Cor. 11. and at the 14 ver. he saith, Doth not even nature itself teach you; that if a man have long hair, it is a shane unto him? And so I say, doth not even very Nature itself teach you, that it is a shane for Men to have their hats on their heads in their holy Assemblies, but more especially in the Pulpit? Also they suffer their Auditors to have their hats on their heads in Sermon time; and not only so, but in Prayer time too, as I have seen some, when the Minister begins his Prayer, instead of putting off their hats, put them a little on one side; so that they wear them on their heads still, and might as well be on as they were: They also suffer them irreverently to sit in Prayer time, and neither stand nor kneel, as they ought to do, as it is to be proved in Psal. 95.6. O come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord our Maker. And how disobedient are the Ministers to the Command of Christ in not saying the Lords Prayer, but speaking against a form of Prayer? Now I never red that Christ spake against a set form of Prayer, but when one of his Disciples said unto him, Lord teach us to pray, as John also taught his Disciples, Luk. 11.1. he made no reply against it, but immediately taught them saying, ver. 2. When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in Heaven, &c. For it is likely, if he would ever have said any thing against a form of Prayer, it would have been then; but instead of saying any thing against it, he rather did allow and approve of it; for if he had not, to be sure he would not have taught his Disciples one, and in them, us; and commanded them and us to say it; and when he did say, say it, he did not say, say it on a Book; for if he had said so, then how should a blind Man say it, or another in the dark, or a Man that cannot red? Then it follows, that those that will not say it but upon a book, are too superstitious therein. I have observed, that one of our Ministers would not say the Lords Prayer, but upon his Book, which I could not imagine what should be his meaning, except he did it to countenance a form of Prayer; if it were so, I think it were well enough.  
But another thing is, he would have all the Congregation to say after the Minister, Amen, so as to make the Church ring again; but it is said, that the Prayer of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord; then I would gladly know what it is for us to join in Prayer with such dissembling Hypocrites, as are here discovered, and say Amen to their abominable Prayers? Now, I do not deny, but that we ought to say Amen, if we had true Ministers, such as St. Paul and the rest of the holy Apostles were: But now our false Teachers and hypocritical Preachers, whether they be Confomists or Nonconformists, have great need to pray with St. Paul, That while they preach to others, that they themselves do not become cast aways, 1 Cor. 9.27. which I pray God they may not. So I conclude with the Caution that our Blessed Saviour gives in Matth. 24.4. saying, Take heed that no man deceive you. To all this might be added the Collect that is red on St. Matthias's day; but I do not writ it here, bebause I would not have Men to red it so irreverently with their hats on their heads. I rest,  
Yours in the Lord, Thomas Crossley. Dated Aug. the 20th, 1692.   

These are to be sold over against the Rose and Crown at Puddle-dock in London. Price 2 d.