A42469:39
Thomas Gataker B.D. his vindication of the annotations by him published upon these words,…
Thomas Gataker B.D. his vindication of the annotations by him published upon these words, Thus saith the Lord, learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven, for the heathen are dismayed at them, Jer. 10. 2 against the scurrilous aspersions of that grand impostor Mr. William Lillie : as also against the various expositions of two of his advocates, Mr. John Swan, and another by him cited, but not named : together with the annotations themselves : wherein the pretended grounds of judiciary astrology, and the Scripture-proofs produced for it are discussed and refuted.Thomas Gataker B.D. his vindication of the annotations by him published upon these words, Thus saith the Lord, learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signes of heaven, for the heathen are dismayed at them, Jer. 10. 2 against the scurrilous aspersions of that grand imposter Mr. William Lillie : as also against the various expositions of two of his advocates, Mr. John Swan, and another by him cited, but not named : together with the annotations themselvs : wherein the pretended grounds of judiciary astrologie, and the Scripture-proofes produced for it are discussed and refuted.
London: printed by J.L. for Richard Thrayle, 1653
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
4. But the truth is, this mans malice, tho he do not every where so openly manifest it, is as much against the one party of his two Twins as against the other, howsoever he be more cautelous in dealing with the one, as deeming them more acceptable to, and powerful with the State at present then the other▪ else why doth he complain more of Presbyterian, then of Independentian Charity, when as yet himself takes notice of those on that side, who in express terms condemn his practice as Diabolical? Yea apparent enough it is, that his rancour is not so much against the persons of either party, (tho he be the rather incensed and enraged against both, because some of either side have nettled him, by descrying themselves and discovering to others, the wickedness of his wiles and impiety of his practises) but his spite is not so much at the men, as at their Ministry,1 the Clergy of England, as he there speaks, whom under the odious terms of Priests, and Praters, and Black-coats, and those of the Long Robe, he doth so frequently traduce.2 No treason can be managed without a Priest ▪ and, There is a people yet in being, 3pretending unto godliness and Religion, which men in our plain English call Divines, Ministers, Preachers, Ecclesiastical men, or men conversant in holy things; in foreign parts they are called Bishops, Cardinals, Abbots, Monks, Friars, &c. men that step up sometime into Pulpits, and pretend to ⟨p. 11⟩instruct our souls, with the doctrine of Christianity, but indeed obedience to their own Constitutions. And in his Preface to Astrolog. Predict. of 48. &c. Oh these Priests! this sinful people of Levi do hunger and thirst after the fat fleshpots of Episcopacy; if they were assured that Deans and Chapters Lands should not be settled on the Church, God knows what Religion they would be of. Woe unto you Priests. And to bring our Ministry in general, which you see with whom he here ranks, into hatred and jealousy with the State, he gathers forsooth from the former of the late Lunar Eclipses, 4