A Plea for the Non-Conformists, To the reader 1
READER.
YOu have here a briefe and I hope Satifactory account (from many Learned Authoritys) of the Riſe and Origanal of many of the Rites and Ceremonys now in Queſtion (which have and do occaſion ſo much trouble, and diſtreſs) the only right way to end diſputes, and which was the method Chriſt took with the Phariſes, Mat, 19. 8. And which Dr. Pierce ſo wiſely obſerves from him, in confuting the Papiſts. Whereby it is eaſely diſcerned what is from above and what from beneath, what from God, and what from Man. This proves their Riſe, and Birth, to be many hundred Yeares before Chriſt, therefore not from him for Chriſtian Service.
The learned Cauſabon in his Original of Idolatry (Writ in French and collected (as his Epiſt tells us) from Elaſopolitanes Commentaryes, Tranſlated by Mr. Darcy) Sayes P. 73.
That the maine and principal parts of the Maſs are digeſted and brought in by Numa Pompilius, [the 2 King of the Romans, a great Magician about 700 years before Chriſt, P. 37.] The farthar Additions were Invented, by other Roman Pontifs, and eſpecially by a Monk called Gregory, the 1ſt of that▪ Name, who attained the Papacy being Inſtructed in Pythagoricall Magick and Philoſephy, haveing alſo ſtudied the Laws of King Tullus Hoſtilius ſucceſſor to Numa, and to the end he might Perpetuate his Name, Inſtituted div ers additions to the Maſs, &c.
You have therefore (for your better Information) this paralell Scheme here preſented to you, of the Pagan and Papall, Rites and Ceremonys, where you find the great Harmony and agreement thatis between them theirin (The Child being not more like the Father, then Rome Papal is to Rome Pagan, in its Eccleſiaſtical Rites and Service) and therefore is it not ſignificantly by the Holy Goſt …liled the Image of the Beaſt? Rev. 13. 14, 15. &c. And did it not prove the healing the deadly wound giv… to the Dragonical Beaſt? verſe 4. And who you'l find not to be in greater Conformity to the Pagan, then in Nonconformity to the Chriſtan Church, of which you have a briefe Proſpect from the Scripture. The true Standard to try and judge all Images and Idols by.
But you'l ſay, why do you give the Heathen the Denomination of a Church, Is that proper? Yes why not? Do not you read of the Church of Evil-doers? Pſ. 26. And Synagogue of Satan? Rev. 2. And I know no reaſon why Rome Pagan the Mother, may not be ſo called as well as Rome Papal, the Daughter, who fetches ſo much of her Eccleſiaſticall Policie, Church Rites, Services, & Ceremonys, from her; But did not Pagan Rome kil Chriſt, and diſown Chriſtianity which Papal Rome did not? It is trve Rome Pagan, did Murther Chriſt in his perſon, and ſo doth Rome Papal in his members, which is kiling him a freſh, and tho in words they ſeem with Judas to ſay hail Mr. And kiſs him, with a Jeſu Jeſu, yet in works they deny, betray, …ell, and Crucify, him and by Blaſphemous Traditions, and Impious Superſtitions, make void his whole Law, uſurp his Throne and Authority, ſit in the Temple of God as God, changing times, Laws, Ordinances.
As to the Authoritys to juſtefy each Particular, which you might have expected under eachhead, I muſt referr you to a larger Piece, treating theirof, which loth it very diſtinctly, this being but in Epitome of it, though in the general you may underſtand the following Authors have been conſulted hereupon, viz. Plutarch in Numa, Tacitus, Titus Livius Decad, Pliny Alex ab, Alexander, Blund De Rom triumph, Durandus, Darcys tranſlation of Couſabon, Dr. Moors, Miſtry of Iniquity. And that late worthy and moſt Excelent piece called Pagana … &c.
Thine in the Service of Truth. T. D.