of all ranks Orders and Conditions not only of ignorant or private men but of the most learned and wise not a few leaving their ancient and countrey-rites and Religions in which they were born and bred without any hope of any Earthly advantage nay but rather with a certain expectation of afflictions ignominy and all manner of dangers and miseries did most constantly adhere and cleave thereunto yea so far did the force hereof prevail that all other Religions else although every where establisht by humane power and force the Jewish only excepted because that was of God did almost wholly vanish and became extinct at the rising brightness of the same A Prolepsis or prevention and answering of an objection touching the Testimony of the Church 8. And although indeed the primitive Church which was in the Apostles days might most certainly know and undoubtedly also did know that these †Luk. 1. 1. Col. 4. 16. 1 Thes 5. 27. and 2 Thes 3. 17. Books were written or at least approved of by the Apostles and delivered as it were from hand to hand the knowledg hereof unto us and deposited or left the same with us as a certain pledg in trust yet do we not therefore hold these Books for True and Divine because the primitive Church hath by its uncontrollable Judgment judged them true or that they contain in them Divine Sences or Meanings and hath by its infallible Authority decreed that they be held or accounted for such For first it was not necessary that the Church by its Judgment should define and by its Authority determine that those Books which were written or approved of by the Apostles were true and Divine or of God or no for that both before and without all such manner of Judgment was altogether certain and undoubted of by all Christians both in general and particular insomuch that assoon as any one of them knew that any thing was written or approved of by the Apostles he might even | Eph. 2. 20. Act. 2. 42. 1 Thes 2. 13. thereby and of right ought to know that the same was true and of God or Divine and needed not any other Judgment in the case In the next place neither indeed could such a judgment of the Church suffice seeing no Man can be certain no not so much as probably of the being of any Church unto which such an Authority is said to belong except he be first assured that those books wherein the said Authority is said to be given or assigned to the Church are true Divine and seeing he cannot know and determine for certain that any Church is the true Church of Christ * Rom. 10. 14 15 16 1â— Joh. â—0 3 4 27. 1 Pâ—t 1. 23 24 25. chap. 2. 1 2 3 c. if he be not already undoubtedly sure and certain before that whatsoever is contained in the said Books the same is true and from God for by vertue of that very Faith or Belief whereby the Church embraceth or receiveth that as true â—he her self finally obtains and hath her being a true Church And if indeed such an Authority as this agrees not with the very first primitive Church it self much less ought we to believe that it belongs to any Church at this day or any indeed succeeding that first and primitive one 9. The Doctrine therefore contained The Authâ—â—ty of the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 †〈◊〉 1. 2 3. Heb. 1. 1. in these Books is of it self altogether Authentick and indeed of Authority Divine and †uncontrollable and by reason of the infallible vâ—racity of God deserves altogether and challengeth undoubted Credit and Belief and by vertue of its autocratorical or absolute and supream Power most humble Obedience Dâ—â—t 4. 2. â—â— 32 â— Tim. â— 15. â— Pet. â— â— from us And whatsoever ‑ Doctrine or Tradition wants this priviledg of being of a Supream and Divine Revelation it hath not by any Right either the same or the like Authority with it much less that which either decreeth any thing else either contrary to it or diverse from it and that by an usurpt Authority | Mat. 15. 9. 16. 6. Gal. 1 8 9. or at least otherwise than is contained in writing in these Books commandeth it to be declared or being declared to be believed upon the pain and peril of the loss of Salvation since God can neither contradict himself and no Authority either Humane or Angelical ought to be equalled to the Divine 10. And now because such Divine-like The Sacred Scripture is the only Rule of Controversies of Faith Authority as this belongeth unto and agreeth with these very Books only it is therefore even withal necessary that by them * Isa 8. 20. Act. 17. 11. alone as by Touchstones and firm and umovable Rules we examine and try all Controversies and Debates in Religion and by them only to reason discourse and judg of them and so to leave them to God alone and to Jesus Christ as the only supream and infallible †Jâ—m 4. 12. Mat. 23 8. Judg peremptorily to be decided for we are not to think that it was any ways God's will and pleasure in the least that they should be decided by any judicial or authoritative right by any visible Judg and one ordinarily speaking in the Church sith it hath pleased him to leave us in his Word a rule only directive or to judg only | Psal 19. 8 9. 119. 105. Luk. 16. 29 31. directively by and not withal coactively or by way of constraint but that there ought to be an infallible Judg always speaking in the Church he hath no where signified nor hath he in his Word pointed out who he should continually be but hath expresly commanded all every one alike * Deut. 6. 6 7 c. chap. 11. 8. so on to search his Laws or Judgments and Statutes to †1 Joh. 4. 1. so on â— 1 Thes 5. 21. try the Spirits whether they be of God yea to try ‑ all things and to hold fast that which is good and moreover hath promised to such as search into his * Prov. 2. 2 3 4 c. chap. 3. vâ—â—s 13. so on Psal 1. 2. †Act. 17. 11. 2 Pet. 1. 19. Laws and seek the understanding of them his Grace and Holy Spirit and †those who have searched the Scriptures and examined Controversies of Faith by them yea who have diligently tryed by the Rule and Square of the Scripture those things which have been spoken by the Apostles themselves he hath commended and praised them with singular Elogies 11. Therefore they who do freely And not the Church or a Synod c. give themselves or suffer to be given by others this irrefragable Authority of peremptorily deciding of Differences and Controversies of Faith or Religion either all or some either to some certain Church or Synod of Doctors or to any Society
our own Abilities and of the Benefits and Mercies we have received CHAP. XV. Of special Callings and of the Precepts and Traditions of Men. 1. ANd this indeed is the sum of Kinds of special callings those Commandments which are injoyned us of Jesus Christ in common or which are necessary for all Christians to observe alike for to obtain Salvation Besides which notwithstanding every Believer hath his particular calling which every one is diligently to mind As for instance * Rom. 13. 1 c. of Magistrates †1 Pet. 2. 13 14. Subjects Parents Children Masters | Eph. 6. 1 c. Servants also * Eph. 5. 22. 1 Pet. 3. 1 c. of Husbands Wives †1 Cor. 7. 8 c. single Persons | 1 Cor. 7. 25 c. Virgins * 1 Tim. 9. 3 c. Widows of †1 Tim. 6. 17. c. Jam. 2. 1 c. 5. 1 c. Rich Poor c. Of all which we have already before in some part treated of in our exposition of the Decalogue and of the rest there are special instructions or admonitions but proportionable to those already spoken of and agreeable to every mans state in particular every where easy to meet with in the Holy Scriptures 2. Of these in general we must hold The Rule that is to be held concerning these that rule of the Apostle Let every one abide in | 1 Cor. 7. 20 c. that Calling wherein he was called The which notwithstanding if we can with the salvage of piety better it is free for us so to do For all these conditions of themselves are indifferent * Col. 3. 11. and therefore do neither commend us unto Christ nor make us hateful or or less acceptable to him Wherefore for instance there is no greater Sanctity to be attributed to Virginity †1 Cor. 7. 25 c. or a single estate or life than unto a married estate nor to Poverty than to a wealthy estate c. Neither are rash vows to be made unto God concerning these things whereby to wit we perpetually tye our selves to this or that yea whereby we tempt God and cast a snare upon our selves and our own liberty 3. But all other works especially Of the Commandments of men such as are merely outward which are counted Religious and which are devised by man's | Mat. 15. 2 c. Gal. 4. 9 c. ch 5. 1 c. Col. 2. 8 c. Spirit besides and without the Word of God whether they be imposed upon mens consciences with or by the authority of others especially of the Church under the pretence of Traditions or whether they be freely and voluntarily performed by us with an opinion of Worship if not altogether necessary yet at least meritorious or satisfactory they certainly are not necessary to Salvation Yea further they are in no wise to be thought worthy of the specious or goodly title of works truly good or of divine worship much less of supererogation or of any excellent and singular strain of Religion for that they cannot come under the august or sacred name of true * 1 Joh 2. 17. Mat. 7. 21 c. ch 15. 16. 23. 23. Obedience which is of it self acceptable and of right due unto God and Christ our only Lawgiver and therefore is commanded under the promise of Eternal life yea also which are not seldom a great hindrance to the †1 Tim. 4. 8 c. ch 6. 3 c. T it 3. 8 9. principal and main part of divine Worship to wit the loving of God and our Neighbour and hurtfull to true Piety especally if as it often falls out they be not only equalled with but also preferred before the Commandments of God CHAP. XVI Of the Worship and Veneration of Jesus Christ the only Mediator and of the Invocation of Saints 1. ANdhithertoindeed we have chiefly The Majesty that is proper to Christ as Mediator treated of the knowledg and Worship of God only Now followeth and succeedeth the Knowledg and Worship which is proper and peculiar to Jesus Christ as he is Mediator For in the said Knowledg and in the Worship which follows from thence even eternal life also is expresly said to consist Joh. 17. 3. For unto Jesus Christ as the only Mediator of the New Testament is * Mat. 28. 18. given all power in Heaven and Earth and all judgment †Joh. 5. 22 23. 3. 35. 17. 2. or an universal Government is delivered unto him of the Father that all men should honour him even as they honour the Father and | Joh. 5. 17. Authority is given him to execute Judgment because he is the Son of man Therefore also God * Heb. 2. 7 8. hath crowned him with glory and Honour and put all things under his feet * Eph. 1. 21 22. and hath made him head of his Church over all c. And furthermore hath given him the Name above every name †Phil. 2. 9 10 11. that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow both of things in Heaven and things in Earth and of things under the Earth and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the Glory of God the Father c. Which indeed proper and peculiar Majesty of his was conferr'd on him by God the Father | 1 Pet. 1. 21. 3. 22. 1 Cor. 15. 27. Act. 2. 36. 5. 3◠10. 36 42. Rev. 1. 5 c. ch 3. 11. chiefly for our comfort and is to be acknowledged by us with religious and thankfull Hearts and continually to be spoken of and praised unto the glory of God and Christ himself 2. Therefore he that holily and religiously Religious worship due unto him worshipeth Jesus Christ as he is our * 2 Tim. 2. 5. 1 Joh. 2. 1. 2. Mediator with God especially since the time he was advanced †Phil. 2. 9 c. to that supreme Right and set | Heb. 1. 3 7. 26. 8. 1. Rev. 3 21. in the Throne of his Father at his right hand that is he that * Heb. 1. 6. Joh. 5. 23. Phil. 2. 10 11. adoreth calleth upon placeth his †Act. 7. 59. 9. 13 14. 1 Cor. 1. 2. hope and trust in him and humbly giveth | Joh. 14. 1 c. 1 Thess 3. 11. 2 Thess 3. 5. him thanks and blesseth him for the * Rev. 5. 8 9. 12 13. Salvation purchased by him for us doth altogether well and according to the most certain Will of God And he that doth not acknowledg the foresaid Majesty and Glory of his and therefore refuseth to yeild unto him this Veneration and Worship he doth both to God and Christ great wrong especially if he accuse or rather defame and disgrace it under the name of Idolatry or false Worship and Superstition 3.
longer have or account them for his people and therefore doth righteously withdraw from them the †Joh. 12. 35. Luk. 13. 24. 17. 22. Mat. 10. 14 c. Act. 14. 16. Rev. 2. 5 c. Grace of his holy Spirit which hath been so often despised by them yea sometimes also he thinks not meet to bestow upon them those outward means which he is wont ordinarily to make use of for the Salvation of his people to wit by leaving them in their own darkness and sins without true Pastours Godly Teachers or Monitors and diligent Searchers out of Truth 3. Next followeth Blinding and 2 Blinding Hardening | Isa 6. 9. Mat. 13. 14 15. Joh. 12. 40. Act. 28. 26. Hardening to wit when these sinners being now left destitute of the light of Heavenly Truth are by Gods permission and just judgment deeply involved in * Rom. 9. 18. 11. 8. gross ignorance and errours and in wonderful and divers manners seduced and when they are given up to their own †Rom. 1. 24 26. c. unclean lusts or left to their vile or filthy affections or are on every side exposed to the temptations delusions and snares of | 2 Cor. 4. 4. 2 Thess 2 11 12. Satan also when their wicked counsels endeavours and * Psal 10. 4 c. 71. 4 c. Jer. 44. 17 18. Deut. 32. 14 15. practises are suffered for a time to go on with some happy success and themselves for a while to sin scot-free lastly | Ezek. 14. 5 9. Isa 63. 16 17. when manifold occasions of erring and sinning are presented to them and their †Eph. 4. 19. Rom. 11. 8. Consciences in the mean while are not pricked or troubled with any sad remorse or serious sorrow for their sins committed c. All which things indeed and very many other more of like sort profane men are wont to turn to their own destruction From whence there groweth or encreaseth more and more a strange blindness of mind an obstinate hardness of heart and filthy greediness of sinning and finally a thick and gross darkness that is a certain brutish ignorance of God and secure profaneness of life 3. Exemplary punishing doth wholly seize and possess them And sometimes indeed those acts are seconded and followed even with | Exod. 9. 16. Act. 12. 21. 5. 5. 1 Cor. 10. 5 c. 2 Pet. 2. 5 6. Jude 4 5 6. 4 Eternal Damnatiou some exemplary also and publick punishment of these men in this life and such as is visible or obvious to the sight of all 4. The penal acts that pertain to the life to come are most usually contained under the words of the Wrath and Vengeance of God also of * Mar. 3. 29. Rom. 2. 5. 2 Thess 1 5. 2 Pet. 2. 9. 3. 7. Jude v. 7. Judgment and Condemnation †Rom. 5. 16. 8. 1. whereby God will not only by judgment irrevocably pass or give away | Mat. 8. 12. 22. 13. 25. 41 46. from the wicked and unbelievers immortal glory but will also inflict upon them the torments of Hell and eternal punishments Which indeed shall be done openly at the last day when he shall throw them together with the Devil and his Angels into everlasting fire * Mat. 25. 41. Jude v. 7. 2 Thess 1. 9. that there they may be punished with everlasting destruction being banished from the presence of God and his glorious power 5. And these things being thus finished The new World to come there shall immediately †2 Pet. 3. 13. Rev. 21. 1 c. 22. 1 c. arise that new World wherein dwelleth Righteousness and where Jesus Christ our Lord and King having wholly or utterly destroyed all his Enemies shall deliver up or restore the Kingdom to | Rev. 2. 3. 1 Cor. 15. 24 c. God and his Father that from thenceforward God may be all in all CHAP. XXI Of the Ministry of the Word of God and of the Orders of Ministers 1. ANd this indeed is the Will of The use necessity of the Sacred Ministery God which is necessary for us to know for that it consists of such like most holy Precepts and so excellent Promises the which that it might become known unto miserable mortals and be continually set before their eyes it pleased that great Pitier or Compassioner of mankind that it should not only be tacitly insinuated or conveyed into them * Mat. 28. 19 20. Act. 10. 41 c. Rom. 10. 14 15. 2 Cor. 5. 19 20. 2 Tim. 4. 2 c. The immediate Election sending of Ministers by private reading of the sacred Scripture but also that it should by open and publick preaching be every where proclaimed and daily and openly as it were implanted and inculcated or beaten in to them 2. And that it might be rightly or duly performed there was first of all necessary a solemn and immediate both election or separation †Rom. 10. 15. Eph. 2. 20 c. Rev. 21. 14. and mission or sending forth of some certain men for the discharge of the said office and the same indeed accompanied and backt with an infallible instruction and a certain irrefragable authority or spiritual power Wherefore the Lord Jesus pitched upon or designed him | Act. 1. 8. 10. 41 c. 1 Cor. 12. 28 c. Eph. 4. 11. certain Ambassadors extraordinary as eminent and singular Ministers of his and furnished them with all gifts * Mar. 16. 15 c. Act. 2. 1 c. 2 Cor. 12. 12. Heb. 2. 3 4. and virtues of the Holy Ghost necessary for the discharge of this their Embassage and †Act. 13. 1 c. ch 16. 6 7. continually so ruled governed strengthned and confirmed them that they did not only once alone openly publickly declare this Will of God and solidly by all kinds of signs and miracles establish and confirm the same but also every where gathered them | Eph. 4. 12. Act. 14. 21 c. 15. 36. 19. 8. Assemblies or Congregations of pious men among whom the preaching of this his Will as far as might be might always flourish and be preserv'd whole and entire to wit for the continual edification or building up of all that were called in the true and saving Faith of Jesus Christ 3. And indeed these first and chief The singular authority of the Apostles Preachers were * Mat. 10. 1 c. 28. 19 20. 1 Cor. 12. 28. the Apostles who as in teaching and gathering Churches so in the governing and keeping them together used such Authority †1 Cor. 5. 3 c. 2 Cor. 10. 1. 2 c. 13. 10. 2 Thess 3. 6 14. as they had immediately received from the Lord Jesus to wit | 1 Thess 2. 13. 2 Thess 2. 19. 2 Tim. 3. 14. such
as was uncontrollable and unquestionable and to which all Believers were bound to yield and obey And to these indeed were joyned both * Act. 15. 32. 21. 8. 1 Cor. 12. 28. Eph. 4. 11 12. Prophets and Evangelists and Teachers and Pastors and other such like who also themselves used and bestowed their utmost diligence and pains either for the gathering of new Churches or Assemblies or afterward for the nourishing and feeding and further instructing of these that were already gathered by the Apostles 4. But when such Foundations and Their following success first beginnings had now been laid by these lest when they were either absent or dead those Congregations should be scattered and decay again or come to nought and so by this means this divine and saving Doctrine by little and little should vanish away and be lost they every-where in those places where Churches were already gathered appointed them their successors to wit †Act. 14. 23. 20. 28. Heb. 13. 7 17. Phil. 1. 1. 1 Tim. 4. 16. 5. 17. Bishops Elders and Deacons by whose help endeavour and care those Churches might continually be preserved and as much as might be also encreased in number and gave express advice and command that the same afterwards at all times and in all places should be done in all Congregations giving withal an | 1 Tim. 3. 1 c. Tit. 1. 5. 6 c. exact description what manner of persons they ought to be who were thenceforth to be set over the Congregations for this end 5. And they indeed therefore appointed Bishops and Elders * Act. 20. 28. 2 Tim. 2. 24 25. 4. 2 5. Tit. 1. 9 c. 2. 5 17. Bishops and Elders that both of them by preaching the Gospel by teaching wholesome or saving Truth by confuting errors contrary thereunto also by exhorting comforting reproving correcting ruling and lastly by going before others by †1 Tim. 4. 12. Ti◠2. 7. 1 Pet. 5. 3. their example c. might preserve or keep together the Churches already planted and by a continual succession to their utmost power might propagate the same And they ordained Deacons | Act. 6. 1 c. 1 Tim. 3. 9 10 c. that after they had been first proved or tryed they might diligently employ themselves in gathering and distributing alms and in pious and tender care-taking of the poor in the said Congregations From whence ariseth the perpetual necessity and manifold use of the whole Ministry of the Church 6. But because after the Apostles days The authority of those limited and those first Preachers of the Gospel or Founders of the Church when the doctrine of the Gospel had now already been fully enough proposed and in the judgment of God himself abundantly confirmed and lastly clearly committed to writing that immediate sending of Ministers ceased together with infallible instruction and the undoubted assistance of the Holy Spirit therefore an irrefragable Power or infallible Authority in teaching and ruling hath no more place also Which also even the Apostles themselves were minded to testify when they gave and left unto the Bishops and Elders a certain * 2. Tim. 3. 10 14. Act. 15. 24. 1 Cor. 14. 37 38. Tit. 1. 5. and perpetual rule of Doctrine and form of Discipline according unto which these were to teach and rule the Churches for the future by and expresly commanded them and seriously charged them that they should diligently keep the †2 Tim. 1. 13 14. pattern or form of sound words which they had heard of them and that they should remember and hold fast that | Tit. 1. 9. faithful doctrine which they had learned and therefore bade an * Gal. 1. 8 9. Anathema to those who brought any doctrine contrary to or differing from that which they themselves had delivered †Rom. 16. 17. and withal injoyned the Churches that they should receive or admit of no other doctrine besides that which they had received from the Apostles no although even an Angel from Heaven brought it 7. But since it is the Duty and Office Of degrees and order among them of all Bishops and Elders | 2 Tim. 1. 13. to teach and * 1 Pet. 5. 2 3. govern the Churches according to that form that is laid down by the Apostles it appears manifest enough that they have not by any divine right any †Mat. 20. 25 c. 23. 8. Command Power or Authority properly so called one over another And yet do we not therefore notwithstanding altogether disallow of much less proudly reject those degrees of Teachers and Rulers which have now long since been appointed and every where hitherto taken place in diverse Churches of Christ for order and decorum's sake or for preserving good order For indeed God is not the | 1 Cor. 14. 33 40. 1 Tim. 3. 15. Author of Confusion but of Order if so be they do not at length degenerate into Tyranny and make shew of some worldly Dignity and Power rather than of a spiritual Ministry and of that modesty and moderation which becometh the Disciples of Christ 8. But if any one shall abuse the pretence Against the manifold abuse thereof of this order unto pride haughtiness and in particular if any by these degrees shall not stick to climb so high as arrogantly to assume unto himself not only a supreme Right to determine in matters of Religion and to decide all Controversies of Faith * Mat. 24. 49. Luk. 12. 42. c. 3. Joh. 9. 2 Thess 2. 4 c. 2 Pet. 2. 1 c. 2 Cor. 11. 20. Rev. 11. 7. 13. per tot Gal. 4. 29. but also to usurp Lordship over the Lords Heritage and over his fellow-servants yea over Kings and Princes yea further whether directly or indirectly to usurp a coactive power that is armed with outward force or upheld by the secular arm to punish others yea to punish them with the Sword and with Death who cannot out of Conscience attribute this Authority unto him or who refuse to subscribe to his Determinations Decrees and Statutes though in all other respects they be good and loyal subjects to the Common-wealth if any we say shall under this pretence usurp such a power in the Church of Christ or any other whatsoever like it or at least attribute to himself the same in words or suffer it to be attributed to him by others truly he seemeth unto us to recede very far from the Office of a true Bishop CHAP. XXII Of the Church of Jesus Christ and its marks or notes 1. FUrthermore those Congregations The Church of Christ and the Communion thereof or Assemblies which either by the publick pains or labour of these Ministers or otherwise by the word of the Gospel any ways whatsoever preached read or heard are gathered as it were into one body all and every of whose members have
Blasphemies and Crimes which through Calumny were by men ill-imployed fastened upon them And certainly if all Declarations and Confessions had at all times kept within these bounds they had not indeed at any time obtained any Dictator-like Dignity or Authority much less greater than or equal to the Scriptures in the Church Wherefore that the Church may in the first place alway hold this firm unalterable we are to endeavour again and again and therefore est-soon upon all occasions to inculate upon Churches and in the very Forms of our Confessions and Declarations accurately to express That they indeed ought not to be received for certain Judices or Discoverers much less for Judges of the true Sences or Meanings viz. of Scripture but only for the Indices of those Sences or Meanings which the Authors thereof have held for true and that they were published to that end If that be done these three abuses will sufficiently and easily be avoided 1. None will flee to the said Forms to Of their three-fold abuse draw and take from them as from Fountains with a Faith void of doubting those things that are to be believed and further he will not run unto them in doubtful Sences of Scripture as the Indices of what is streight and crooked nor try and examine dark and controverted sences by them as by a touch-stone 2. None will be tyed or suffer himself to be tyed to their Meanings upon any other terms than so far and so long as he himself doth certainly find and is convinced in his Conseience that they accord with the Meanings of the Scriptures 3. In Disputations Conferences Examinations or Tryals men will never appeal to them neither will controversies of Faith be brought to the Anvil thereof but they will all wholly without fear or danger be brought to and examined by the Word of God alone as the only Rule beyond all exception and the true form of sound words which our alone Master Jesus Christ and his Apostles have left unto us And thus indeed there will be nothing that can justly be desired to detract Divine Authority from them and to give it wholly to the Sacred Scriptures Neither shall we then need to fear lest idols be made of them to be set up in the Church of Jesus Christ and placed in equal degree with the Scriptures or honoured with any like honour with them or lest bands should be knit of them whereby the Consciences of men should be bound or lastly lest poysons should be prepared of them whereby the sincerity of Faith might be infected or the Truth of Doctrine adulterated For a moderate liberty to examine them This Foundation therefore once rightly laid and this Principle firmly supposed there will alwaies remain in the Church of Jesus Christ whole and entire liberty whereby any one may preâ—rving safe the Laws of Christian Moâ—esty Charity and Prudence without anger inquire into those Forms and â—ithout scruple contradict them that â—y this means there may be always a â—anifest difference between them and â—e Word of God to which alone that â—riviledg ought to remain sacred and inâ—iolate that it alone is above and beyond â—ll Controversei and Contradiction and â—hat the Consciences of Believers are to â—e tyed to it only And yet is not this â—berty to be extended so far as to turn â—â—to a dissolute and irregular licentiousâ—ess whereby every Man may unadviâ—edly speak what he please For he as â—uch abuseth liberty who too much at â—leasure loosenth the button thereof as â—e who fastneth it too strait All exâ—eams are to be avoided and we to saâ—rifice to moderation which consisteth â—â— the midst between Tyranny and a Wild and Unbridled Licentiousness Therefore Prudence and Charity are always to be taken into Council which will â—asily dictate when and how this liberty may profitably and without the Scandal of the Godly be made use of It is the part of Prudence to weigh things and to consider fit times and places wherein this or that Opinion either by word or writing may commodiously be proposed It is the part of Charity to have a regard of persons that they be not offended or troubled who ought to be edified It is not the duty of a Prudent and Pious Man and one truly Charitable to use promiscously upon every occasion with all Persons or in all Places when he so thinks fit the liberty of contradicting nay nor alwaies everywhere patiently to bear with all the Contradictions of others Against the unbridled Licentiousness of some There is often a regard to be had both of the Things or Opinions which are contradicted and of the Persons with whom such Contradictions are propounded For there are some things of so great Weight and Moment that they cannot be gain-said without the extream hazard of our Salvation Freely to contradict these or quietly to suffer them to be contradicted by others would be the farthest from Prudence and Charity possible There are some things of that nature that they may without the danger of any Mans Salvation suffer indeed contradiction but which yet to contradict is not necessary for the sake of the publick good and to be contradicted every-where and at all times is not expedient For not every thing that is lawful is presently also expedient and edifying Very often the weakness of others ought to give law to our liberty and not seldom also the importuneness of others who have an itch after or unto variances brablings and contradictions and are pleased with the opportunity of strife contention upon every occasion To the one we must not give occasion of offence lest they fall From the other we must withhold all encouragements lest they hurt themselves and others For in this manner we ought alwaies to shun all endangerings of the Faithful especially of the weak lest we abuse our liberty to the destruction of any one but use it aright and to the edification of all But in things not altogether necessary and amongst those whom the Scripture calleth perfect and who have their sences exercised in the Scriptures to discern between what is true and false or who are more then ordinarily desirous of Truth that is more abstruse this liberty may alwaies have or take place without offence or danger For their industry indeed is sharpned by moderate contradictions which are as it were the Whetstones of Truth and from which as from the striking or beating of Flints against each other this Fruit is drawn or produced that either they see clearly that errour that formerly lay hid or are more solidly confirmed in the truth they hold Which fruit cannot but afterward redound unto the whole Church and that to the eminent promoting of truth and the glory of Gods name But to digladiate or strive with gain-sayings before the people out of the Pulpit and to desire or endeavour by the vellications or twitchings of publick Forms and Obtrectations or Back-bitings out of the Desk
to be everlastingly saved he must of necessity first of all * Heb. 11. 6. believe that God is and that he is a bounteous rewarder of those that seek him and therefore must conform himself according to that Rule and Square which it is †Mat. 7. 21. Gal. 6. 16. undoubtedly manifest was delivered and prescribed by the true God himself the supream Law-giver and established upon the promise of Eternal Life 2. That God is | Heb. â— 1. 1 Joh. 1. 18. and that he hath at The Revelation of the Godhead in the Old New Testament sundry times and in divers manners spoken in times past unto the Fathers by the Prophets and that he hath at length in the lastâ—â—â—mes most fully declared and manifested his last Will by his only-begotten Son hath been a thing confirmed by * Heb. 2. 3 4. Deut. 29. per totum Act. 2. 22. 1 Thes 1. 5. 1 Joh. 1. 1 3. so many and great Proofs Signs Wonders mighty Deeds or Works Gifts or Distributions of the Holy Ghost and other wonderful Effects and certain Events of several Prophesies and Testimonies of Men worthy of belief that any more certain more substantial and more compleat cannot be given or justly desired 3. The whole Declaration of the Divine The Canonical Books of the Old Testament Will which pertaineth unto Religion is contained in the Books of the Old and New Testaments and indeed authentically only in those which are called Canonical or which it can upon no just ground be doubted but that they were written or approved of by those Men †2 Tim. 3. 15 16 17. 2 Pet. 1. 20 21. who were inspired with and instructed and guided by Gods Holy Spirit such as in the Old Testament are | Luk. 16. 29. 24. 27 45 46 47. Act. 17. 2 3. 24. 14. 26. 22 23. Rom. 1. 2. the five Books of Moses the Book of Joshua Judges Ruth the two Books of Samuel two of the Kings two of the Chronicles or Paralipomena i. e. things omitted or past by Esdras Nehemiah Ehster also Job the Psalmes of David the Proverbs Ecclesiastes the Song of Songs the four greater Prophets to wit Esaias Jeremiah with his Lamentations Ezekiel and Daniel the twelve lesser Prophets to wit Hosea Joel Amos Obadiah Jonah Micah Nahum Habakkuk Zephaniah Haggai Zechariah and Malachi 4. In the New Testament there are The Books of the New Testament the four Evangelists * Luk. 1. 1 2 3. Joh. 19. 35. 20. 31. Act. 1. 1. divers other places Matthew Mark Luke and John the Acts of the Apostles the Epistles of Paul to wit †2 Pet. 3. 15 16. 1 Thes 2. 2. Eph. 2. 3. 17. to the Romans the former and latter to the Corinthians to the Galatians to the Ephesians to the Philippians to the Colossians to the Thessalonians two two to Timothy to Titus to Philemon also the Epistle to â—he Hebrews one Epistle of James | 2 Pet. 3. 1. 1. Joh. 1. 1 2 3. 4. two of Peter of John three of Jude one lastly the * Rev. 1. 1. 22. 18 19. with other places The certainty of both Revelation 5. That all the said Books were written or approved of by Men Divine and noâ— to be excepted against hath in formeâ— times been clearly found and proved by so many and so certain and evident Testimonies and Proofs that there can nothing further justly or reasonably be desired For though at sometimes therâ— hath been made some doubt of some feâ— of them to wit whether they were penn'â— or approved of by those very Authourâ— whose names they bear yet at length thâ— matter being more narrowly examined and the truth searcht into it hath been abundantly evicted that they were indeed and in truth penn'd or approved oâ— by Divine Men and those whose Authority was infallible and credit undoubted of with all Believers 6. Besides the said Books of the Old The Apochryphal Books Testament there are others also which have been now long since had in great esteem with many commonly called Apochryphal the which although they are not of force to confirm Doctrines of Faith yet may they though some more some less profitably be and are usually read for the proficiency of Faith and Life such as are Tobie Judith Baruch Wisdom Ecclesiasticus the third and fourth of Esdras three Books of the Maccabees and certain additions unto Esther and Daniel which are commonly known 7. That the Doctrine contained in Arguments for the certainty and truth of the Scriptures the Books of the New-Testament by which also the Truth and Dignity of the Old Testament is abundantly establshed and confirmed is altogether True and Divine is not only clear and evident from its being written or allowed of by the said Divine Men we named before and its being delivered by them unto the Churches nor from its being confirm'd and establisht or ratified by | Act. 5. 11 13 14 15. Heb. 2. 3 4. Act. 10 37 38 39. divers and innumerable miracles and mighty deeds Signs and Prodigies exceeding all humane and Angelical Wisdom and Power and furthermore by the * Act. 2. 14 c. Act. 5. 29 30 31 32. glorious Resurrection from the dead of the first Author of it even our Lord Jesus Christ and his Exaltation asserted by many irrefragable Testimonies and Proofs but also even chiefly from its containing precepts so transcendently †Mat. 5. 6 7 8. chapters perfect righteous just and holy that any more perfect just equal and holy cannot be devised or thoughâ— of and promises | 2 Pet. 1. 4. Heb. 8. 6. 2 Cor. 7. 1. so exceeding Great Rich and Precious that neither thâ— mind of Men nor Angels can conceive of any more Excellent more Divine anâ— Worthy of God To which the admirable * Rom. 10. 18. 1 Cor. 2. 3 4. 2 Cor. 3. throughout 2 Cor. 4. 2 3 4 5. c. 2 Cor. 6. 4 5 c. Col. 1. 6. 23. Act. 5. 14 c. Act. 19. 11 12. and so following force and efficacy of the Doctrine it self addeth no small weight to wit thaâ— it although such an enemy and so ungrateful to the flesh was by a very few Apostles and they plain simple weak Men Men most aliene or free from noâ— only the crime but also the very suspicion of all simulation and forgery Meâ— advantaged by no helps of Worldly Eloquence of no renown upon any accounts of humane Authority without force without arms only by the perswasion of Reasons and Arguments and demonstration of the Spirit withal by men armed meerly with Innocency Sanctity of Life and Patience in a very short time in all places though the whole Kingdom of Satan and all the World almost made resistance and head against it was wonderfully disseminated and so spread it self far and wide on every side into all quarters that innumerable myriads of men