The Bloody Tenant Yet more Bloody, Chapter 25
Examination of CHAP. XXV.
Peace.
IN this Chapter Maſter Cotton affirms, that hypocrites (even) they that are diſcerned to be ſuch, yet they are not to be purged out, except they break forth into ſuch notorious fruits of hypocriſie as tend to the leavening of the whole lumpe: for otherwiſe (ſaith he) we may roote out the beſt wheate in Gods field, &c.
Truth.
I anſwer, ſ… hypocrites and all hypocriſie is ſo odious in Gods ſight, and ſo vehemently inveighed againſt by Chriſt Of hypocrites in profeſſion of Chriſtianity.Jeſus, what ſhould be the cauſe why the leaven of the Phariſees, which is hypocriſie, ſhould finde greater favour and connivence in the church of Chriſt, then the leaven of any other ſin, ſince all ought to be purged out? 1 Cor. 5.
2. Contrary to what Maſter Cotton ſaith, [to wit, That no man meerly for hypocriſie and want of life and power of Godlineſs ought to be proceeded againſt] the Spirit of God by Paul ſaith, That ſuch kind of profeſſours of the name of Chriſt ſhould ariſe, that ſhould pretend a form of godlineſs, but not ſhew forth the power thereof, from which he commandeth us to turn away, 1 Tim. 3.
Peace.
But Maſter Cotton excepteth, Except (ſaith he) they break forth into ſome notorious ſcandalous fruits of hypocriſie.
Truth.
How ſhall an hypocrite be diſcovered and known to be an hypocrite or traitor in church or civil ſtate, but by ſome ſuch notorious ſcandalous fruits as tend to the leavening of the whole lumpe? Come to particulars; was Iudas, Ananias and Sapphira, Simon Magus, Demas, or any other diſcovered to be Hypocrites, when they broke forth into treachery, lying, covetouſneſs? and might the church proceed againſt ſuch? If it be denied, I ask to what end the Lord hath given thoſe holy rules of admonition? &c. will it prove ought but prophaning of the name of the Lord, to pretend our clear diſcerning of the Scripture and ordinances, and not to practiſe them? If it be yeelded againſt theſe fruits of hypocriſie, diſcovering men to be hypocrites, why do we plead for a diſpenſation, and (not for the wheat of the Field, and flowers of the garden, but) for the moſt ſtinking and loathſome tares and weeds to be continued in the holy garden of Chriſt Jeſus?
Peace.
But many hypocrites (ſaith Maſter Cotton) fall not within the cenſure of that Scripture, 2 Theſſ. 3. 6. Withdraw from every brother that walketh diſorderly; for many hypocrites follow their callings, and are ſo far from being burthenſome unto others, that they are after choaked with the cares and buſineſſes of the world, and yet are not behind in liberal contribution to pious uſes.
Truth.
But is not this halting between God and Baal? yea is not this pleading for Baal, for hypocriſie, hypocrites and diſſemblers, falſe and Antichriſtian counterfeits, to be permitted not onelyonly in the wilderneſs of the world (which I contend for) but alſo even in the Garden, Houſe, Bed, and boſome of God? What if men be civil and follow their callings? Men that know not God, ſo do. What though they be liberal to pious uſes (millions of Papiſts are and have been ſo according to their conſciences) when as yet they are choaked with cares and buſineſſes of this world?
How expreſs is the charge of the Lord Jeſus, to with-draw from ſuch, notwithſtanding their forme of Godlineſs, and contribution to Godly uſes, when they declare not the power of godlineſs, 1 Tim. 3. 2. Not to eate with them, and therefore to ſeperate from ſuch a brother as is covetuous, 1 Cor. 5. as well as from an idolater, drunkard, &c.
The Church of Chriſt is a congregation of Saints, a flock of ſheep, humble, meek, patient, contented, with whom it is monſtrous and impoſſible, to couple cruel and perſecuting lyons, ſubtle and hypocritical Foxes, contentious biting dogs or greedy and rooting ſwine, ſo viſibly declared and apparant.