The Perfect Pharisee Under Monkish Holiness, Title page – To the reader
The Perfect Pharisee UNDER MONKISH HOLINESSE, Opposing the Fundamentall Principles of of the Doctrine of the Gospel, and Scripture-Practises of Gospel-Worship manifesting himselfe in the Generation of men called QVAKERS. OR, A Preservative against the Grosse Blasphemies and horrid delusions of those, who under pretence of perfection▪ and an immediate Call from God, make it their businesse to Revile and Disturbe the Ministers of the Gospel.
Published, for the establishing of the People of God in the Faith once delivered to the Saints. And in a speciall manner directed to BELEEVERS in Newcastle and Gateside.
Isay 8. 20. To the Law, and to the Testimony: if they speake not according to this Word, it is because there is no light in them.
2 Epist. of John, ver. 8. Looke to your selves, that we lose not those thing… which we have wrought.
Gateside, Printed by S. B. and are to be sould by Will: London Book-seller in Newcastle 1653.
Christian Reader.
THe great Designe of that old and subtill Serpent in the latter dayes, doth eminently appeare to be, to over-turne the Faith of Soules▪ For what else is the Reason of so many monstrous shapes, and varieties of appearances into which he transformeth himselfe, but that he may have somewhat more probably successefull, to intangle, according to the diversities of the temper of hearts? Yet such is the wise, and good dispensation of our God, that even when Satan would appeare most like an Angell of light; yet something ever doth breake forth in his closest contrivances, that makes the designe of the Serpent very visible.
There is indeed something which pretends to holinesse in this upstart Generation of men; as the meannesse of their Apparrell, sometimes more then ordinary Abstinence, their forsaking the World (though to a sinfull neglect of their Callings and Families) and many triviall observances, which the Apostle calls, The rudiments of the World, Col. 2. 23▪ (in which they yet place a great part of their perfection) These things have indeed, as Paul said, A shew of Wisedome in Will-Worship and Humility, and neglecting of the Body; But alas, are narrower coverings then can conceale the wickednesse of the Blasphemies, Cursings, and Raylings, which under these are ushered in, to destroy the foundation of the Saints.
Seeing therefore their folly is very fully, by the demonstration and witnesse of the Scriptures, made manifest to our selves, and their Principles and practises (hereafter specified) undeniably known to some of us. We are as those that Watch for your soules, as those that must give account, Pressed in Spirit to Publish the ensuing Discourse; With our Prayers, that as their folly is made manifest herein, so it may proceed no further.
This is the Method of our proceeding in this Tractat. First, we lay downe their Doctrines. Secondly▪ prove them to be theirs from their own Words and Writings. Thirdly, confute them from the Scriptures.
Tho. Weld. Will. Cole. Rich. Prideaux. Will. Durant. Sam. Hammond.