Thomas Gataker B.D. his vindication of the annotations by him published upon these words,…

I am not ignorant that divers both with us and abroad, have not spared to tax the Presbyterian Government, as transcending its due bounds, and encroaching upon the Civil Power; as appears by the writings of the Erastian party, whom the Arminians also in part seem to side with against the Contra Remonstrants, or Netherland Presbyterians. But that they are justly so charged, will not easily be made good, so long as they keep within compass of Ecclesiastical Censures, which with good warrant from Gods Word, were in those times also exercised, wherein no Civil Power embraced the Christian Profession. Whereunto may be added, that when some not long since among us, thinking thereby to ingratiate themselves with the State, had broached some things bending and tending to the Erastian way, its well known, that they were as eagerly opposed by the Independent party, as by any of those that go under the title of Presbyterians. But this mans main end, his malice being equally against either, is, as plainly appears, to disgrace the whole body of the Ministry, and to bring them, as much as in him lies, into hatred with the people, as regarding nothing at all of their spiritual good, but aiming only at their own pride and profit, to make a gain of them, and ⟨p. 22⟩to tyrannize over them at their pleasure. But let him take heed, lest by withstanding Gods faithful Ministers, as Jannes and Jambres did Moses, 2 Tim. 3.8. and by opposing himself against them in this base scoffing manner, as Elymas the Sorcerer did to Pauls preaching, Act. 13.8. he procure to himself from God that heavy doom that Paul passed then upon Elymas, and that dismal judgment, or the like, if not a worse and more dreadful, that was thereupon presently inflicted on him, Vers. 10, 11.

I am not ignorant that divers both with us and abroad, have not spared to tax the Presbyterian Government, as transcending its du bounds, and encroaching upon the Civil Power; as appeers by the writings of the Erastian partie, whome the Arminians also in part seem to side with against the Contra Remonstrants, or Netherland Presbyterians. But that they ar justly so charged, will not easily be made good, so long as they keep within compas of Ecclesiastical Censures, which with good warrant from Gods Word, were in those times also exercised, wherein no Civil Power embraced the Christian Profession. Whereunto may be added, that when some not long since among us, thinking thereby to ingratiate themselvs with the State, had broached some things bending and tending to the Erastian way, its wel known, that they were as eagerly opposed by the Independent partie, as by any of those that go under the title of Presbyterians. But this mans main end, his malice being eqally against either, is, as plainly appeers, to disgrace the whole body of the Ministerie, and to bring them, as much as in him lies, into hatred with the people, as regarding nothing at all of their spiritual good, but ayming onely at their own pride and profit, to make a gain of them, and