A Brief Discovery of the Corruption of the Ministry of the Church of England

p. 1The first Parrallel. BETWEEN The JEWISH Priests and Levites: And those of our times.

The Jewish Priests and Levites, and those of our times are as like, as if they had indeed been all the Sons of one Father, the Tribe of Levi; they say the Lot of Gods own Inheritance, although in truth, there is no such thing.

1. THe Jewish Priests were to offer Sacrifice, to make Peace and Reconciliation for the sinnes of the People; and herein they were a Type of Christ, Levit. 9. with Hebr. 9. This hath been one principall work of the Priests of these latter times to offer Sacrifice, to make peace and reconciliation for sinne; this hath been their end in praying, and pressing others to pray, that so they might make peace and reconciliation for transgression, although not positively, yet circumstantially, there it ends, though Christ be often mentioned, yet not p. 2without prayers, teares, reformation, &c. to fit the Soul for Christ.

2. Hence it is, that sinners are so often prest to weeping and mourning, that so they might weep and mourn out sinne, and never tell of believing, till sinne be wept forth, and then believe; nay, that there is no ground of believing till then: a meer delusion, a very lye. Hence it is likewise that prayers, dayes of Humiliation, have been so much exalted, as peace-makers, and the glory of both of internall consolation as of externall deliverances hath been given unto it, and the Priests must have the greatest share of that honour. Why? Because they pray most, and best, they doe it by office; it is their trade to offer Sacrifices, to make peace: others may pray wel, and doe much, but they can pray better, because they doe it by office; this I have heard ascerted by them, therefore affirme it; and thus they have not only been peace-makers themselves in their own apprehensions, but have directed others to the same work, to the same way: what is the conversion taught by them but only a legall conversion from sinne to duty. If thou canst forsake thy sinnes, pray, hear Sermons, walke holily, my soul for thine thou shalt be saved; thus setting up self-reformation, duties, &c. in the roome of Christ, making peace.

p. 2Oh wonderfull and horrible delusion! And People, look well unto your selves, if you build upon this foundation, and so live and die, you are like to be undone for ever; If the blinde lead the blinde, both are like to fall into the pit.

2. The Jewish Priests were to interpret the Law, Nehem. 8. 7, 8. Hence it is that Christ cals them Lawyers, woe be unto you Lawyers, &c. and this hath been the work of the second Tribe a long time, to interpret p. 3the Law, to set people a working for life, Preaching the Law, and threatning judgement, to drive to Christ, and not to draw with the cords of love, which is sutable unto the Gospel. True it is of late, that many of them have learned to say something of the externall part of the Gospel, because else they cannot be esteemed, neither will their wares goe off any longer, people having received some farther light; but this they doe with much confusion, some times almost loosing themselves; and some-times thwarting, and contradicting themselves often in a Sermon Although it be well known that not many years since, it was a matter of fact, and deserved censure, to preach Christ freely, justifying sinners without themselves, duties, prayers, tears, reformations, to fetch in love, consolation, &c. not acting to God from the enjoyment of life, peace, love, power, &c. so that they might enjoy Communion with God, and receive from him what is their own in him.

3. The Jewish Priests were to purifie their women, Levit. 12. They were to be accounted unclean, untill the time of their purification: this is likewise the work of the Priests of these times, to purifie the women, until which time they are accounted as formerly, unclean. I wonder what is become of the Lamb and the Pigeon, commanded for a burnt and a sin offering, vers. 6, 7. It's like, the Priests-prayer must passe in stead of it; only note, in one thing they passe the Priests then, though they come short in the Pigeon and Lamb, (that is) they provide a purifying Sacrifice, and sell it unto the women instead of a Lamb, a praier or two for four pence, although skarce worth it.

p. 34. The Jewish Priests were to live by Tythes and offerings, they had no portion given them in the p. 4land of Canaan; and this hath the Priests of our times appropriated to themselves, they are Priests of the Tribe of Levi, as themselves say, and they doe the worke of Priests, and therefore they must have the maintenance of Priests: to wit, Tythes and Offerings, and this they plead for by Divine▪ Right, from the Old Testament, because set a part for the Priests then under the Law. It is true, some of them plead for it from humane right, because the Parliament (say they) have given it unto them: but it seems it matters not much with them, whether it be of Divine, or Humane right, so they have it, they desire not much to dispute the businesse; take him Gaoler is the strongest syllogisme they desire to make use of, for confirmation of this, as of all other their Divine Humane rights.

I shall a little examine the busines about Tythes, before I passe this particular, Numb. 18. 21. You shall finde that Tythes were given to the Tribe of Levi; And behold I had given the Children of Levi all the tenth in Israel for an inheritance, for the service which they serve, even the service of the Tabernacle of the Congregation, &c. Where you may take notice:

First, That Tythes were set a part by God, Levit. 27. 3.