A42469:53
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.
The Scottish Nation, he saith, began first the late War, and that only upon pretence of a Semipopish Common-Prayer Book imposed upon them. Concerning which business, being neither Statesman, nor desirous to deal in State-affairs, I shall say nothing, but refer my Reader, if he desire to be acquainted therewith, unto the writings of those, who seem to have faithfully and accurately related the original, progress and issue of the affairs concerning that war with Scotland▪ which who so ist to read, may find at large recorded in the History of the ⟨p. 20⟩late affairs in Scotland, set forth under the name of Irenaeus Philalethes.
The Scottish Nation, he saith, began first the late War, and that onely upon pretence of a Semipopish Common-Prayer Book imposed upon them. Concerning which busienes, being neither Statesman, nor desirous to deal in State-affairs, I shall say nothing, but referre my Reader, if he desire to be acqainted therewith, unto the writings of those, who seem to have faithfully and accurately related the original, progres and issu of the affairs concerning that war with Scotland▪ which who so ist to read, may find at large recorded in the History of the ⟨p. 20⟩late affaires in Scotland, set forth under the name of Irenaeus Philalethes.
As for the Original of the War here with us, by whom was it on the defensive part begun? was it by the Ministry, or the Magistracy? by the Ecclesiastical Hierarchy, or by the Civil Authority? was it not by the joint Vote and concurrence of both Houses of Parliament? or was it by them undertaken (as this vain prattler speaks) upon the prating and pretended Glosses of those we call Ministers? See what aspersions this fellow sticks not to cast upon the whole body of the State, so that some of his gall and venom may withal light upon the Ministry; as if in this late War, wherein so large an expense of blood hath ben spilt, they had taken up arms, upon the mere motion only of the Ministry by some prating and pretending Glosses inciting them thereunto. It is true indeed, that an Assembly of Divines was called to meet: but to what end? to debate of military matters? nothing less. but to consider of Ecclesiastical affairs, and the settling of matters concerning Doctrine and Discipline according to the rule of Gods Word. Its true likewise, that while the Assembly sat, the War being now not begun only, but pursued with much heat, and grown on either side to a great height, some of the Ministry were with some other Commissioners sent into Scotland, to treat with the Scots, about conjoining with our State, and entering into a joint League for mutual defence with us: nor were they of the Presbyterian party alone (as they are commonly termed) that were employed in that business. But that the Parliament took up arms, and embroiled themselves in such a bloody war, upon the motion of the Ministry, by their prating and pretending glosses incited thereunto, as this hath proved, it is a notorious calumny in regard of the Ministry, and a foul imputation laid upon the State, as having raised a War of that importance on so weak and unwarrantable a ground, and a charging of the guilt of so much blood, as hath in that intestine and unnatural War ben shed, upon both.