cadent omnia quae terrena sunt ac mundus ipse subvertetur saith Origen such an Earth-quake might ensue as should remove those Mountains of earth that oppose in our way to heaven and level the world under our feet and bring down the Comforter to inlighten and assist us Let us therefore approach the Ark of God with unanimity and this will make us inclinable to the last part of our duty in our demeanor towards the Ark. 4. To approach it with uniformity for our unanimity is to terminate and center there in uniformity Hence the Apostle is so pathetical 1 Cor. 1.10 Now I beseech you brethren by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ that ye all speak the same thing and that there be no divisions or Schisms among you but that ye be perfectly joyned together in the same mind and in the same judgment And why so why that ye may with one mind and one mouth glorifie God even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ Rom. 15.6 That promise of God Jer. 32.39 Ezek. 11.19 I will give them one heart and one way that they may fear me for ever hath reference certainly to the Christian Church But this is such a promise as implies our co-operation for the accomplishment of it I demand then whether God hath perform'd his Engagement to the Christian Church whether he hath done his part in giving his people one way if not then we are to expect some new Revelations for the discovery of that way for how shall it be set open to us otherwise But this is not only contradicted by the Apostle but sentenced too with the dreadful commination of an Anathema for thus he saith though we or an Angel from heaven Gal. 1.8 9. preach any other Gospel unto you then that which we have preached unto you let him be accursed And for the greater verification of this truth he doubles his asseveration as we said before so say I now again if any man preach any other Gospel unto you then that ye have received let him be accursed I am the way saith our Saviour and the truth too and that can be but one we have the mind of Christ 1 Cor. 2.16 saith the Apostle and no man can no man dare deny that to be the one way that God hath promised and this is set open to the world Acts 16.17 by the Ministry of the Apostles and Evangelists These men are the servants of the most high God which shew unto us the way of salvation And if you ask me why some men refuse to walk in this way I must refer you to some of their stubborn fellow travellers for answer Thus saith the Lord Stand ye in the ways and see and ask for the old paths where is the good way and walk therein and ye shall find rest for your souls but they said we will not walk therein Jer. 6.16 And why not why here lies the quarrel God hath appointed certain Guides to direct us and point out the way to us and we are offended at this we make our Guides our stumbling-blocks God hath also given a general Order to these Guides to set up some shades for our better accommodation and to hang up some lights for our more safe and regular walking in this way leaving it to their care and prudence what these shades shall be made of and where these lights shall be set up and here having an over-weening conceit of our own worth and wanting that due reverence for our Guides and Governours which we ought to have we fall out in and about the way too pride and prejudice Envy and Animosity strike in and make us NON-CONFORMISTS The Apostle foresaw this or rather had a present intuition of it in some Churches of his own planting and therefore when he injoyns this accord and uniformity for securing this duty he prescribes also these Caveats Let nothing be done through strif Phil. 2.2 3. or vain-glory but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better then themselves And the same charge he gives to the Ephesians Ephes 4.1 2 3. I therefore the prisoner of the Lord beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called with all lowliness and meekness with long suffering forbearing one another in love and by keeping this temper especially towards our Guides endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace Uniformity is this bond of the Churches peace and 't is that that makes her terrible as an Army with Banners which attribute no society of men can boast of Cant. 6.10 but where they all keep the same posture and observe the same motions and obey the same word of command under their respective Officers In obedience therefore to the Apostles command as well as for the honour and advantage of Gods Church Let us as many as be perfect be thus minded Phil. 3.15 that is as it follows in the next verse Let us walk by the same rule let us mind the same thing And I must add to take away an objection that may arise from the words intervening it may be very justly expected that we should be so perfect as is there required for though some novices in the Faith who were then but newly crept out of the darkness of Heathenism or the shades of the Jewish observances though these I say might then expect some further Revelation to inlighten them more clearly in that which by reason of their ignorance or prejudice they were not for the present satisfied in yet we are to expect no such matter we have already attain'd to the utmost we can expect of immediate Revelation a Gal. 2.8 9. Jud. ep 3. and it is our duty Divine Revelation and Command hath made it so in all doubtful matters to resign our judgments up to the conduct of such Guides †Heb. 13 7 17. as God hath set over us and for the truth of this Position I appeal to the declared doctrine of Mr. Baxter for thus he saith * In his Unsavoury Volum◠against Mr. Crandon or his Nosegay presented to Mr. Joseph Caryll page 83. ante finem Let me be bold to tell my opinion to my Brethren of the Ministry that though I deny them to have either credit or Authority against the known Word of God yet so great is their credit and Authority even as Teachers and Guides of the Church in Causes agreeable to the Word and in Causes to the people doubtful and unknown and in Causes left by the Word to their determination the Word determining them but generally that I think the ignorance of this truth hath been the main cause of our sad Confusions and Schisms in England and that the Ministers have been guilty of it partly by an over-modest concealing their Authority and partly by an indiscreet opposition to the Papists errour of the Authority of the Church and I think that till we have better
the next Verse by this remarkable acclamation Behold the Tabernacle of God is with men and he will dwell with them and they shall be his people and God himself shall be with them and be their God Upon the whole matter therefore it is evident that it is not an Hierarchy that is a sacred Government consisting of Bishops Priests and Deacons setled in a state of inequality and subordination nor an establish'd Liturgy consisting of set Forms for the administration of the several parts of the holy Office nor a linen Ephod or Surplice nor a Quire with a pair of Organs nor reverend gestures in our attendance upon it it is none of these that will overthrow our present Church or drive away the Ordinances of Gods worship from us no more then the like did drive that Ark and Tabernacle from the people Israel If these be the gray hairs which some that pretend to be more quick-sighted discern upon the Gospel upon the matter Christ himself hath stuck them there and if the Bridegroom himself be pleased to see his Spouse wear these marks of Antiquity it becomes us who are her Children to reverence such for her gray hairs rather then reproach her for them Certainly whatever that means this is not a setting up of Gods Ark in the House of Dagon but in that decent Tabernacle which David out of a true devotion and by the direction of Gods Spirit hath pâ—epared for it 2. But have we not other Prognostications of our approaching ruine and the removal of Gods Ark as a prolusion or preface to it what think you of the discontentments and divisions that are in the Nation is not that an Omen that does boad as much for Christ himself hath said That a Nation divided against it self cannot stand But let me awaken your attention to consider how unjust how unreasonable some men are in their complaints and accusations First they themselves raise the discontentments make and foment Divisions in the Kingdom and then they make those Divisions the Prognostications of the ruine of it This is just like the practice of Barabbas make the insurrection first and then commit Murder in that insurrection * Mar. 15.7 Here lies all the difference there the Felony was committed but upon a single person here 't is upon Christs Church and three whole Kingdoms But if men were wise Ibid. Vers 11. if they would not cry out to have Barabbas acquitted and Jesus delivered up to be crucified if they were considerative and would obey the voice of God and hearken to their lawful Guides and Governours they might easily with Gods blessing prevent this mischief Take away the tale bearer saith Solomon and strife will cease you have heard of Sanctuary-sins of Church and Sermon-sins and such there are indeed there are Pulpit-tale bearers too that make it their design and practice to raise and foment jealousies to sow the seeds of discontent and sedition and if they may not be allowed to Act this part upon the publick Stage then they creep into houses and find it a matter of much advantage though of no great difficulty to triumph over such silly souls as are willing to be led captive But God hath provided for his Church a sufficient remedy against this mischief an Antidote against such infusions Now I beseech you brethren mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned and avoid them for they that are such serve not the Lord Jesus Christ but their own belly and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple Rom. 16.17 18. it is your part and duty as far as in you lies to apply this remedy and make use of the Caution 3. But is not the Ark in great danger of being lost amongst us upon another account is not that an unchurching of a people when they want the power of the Ministry a soul-searching Ministry when we want a faithful Minister to go before us I must confess we have extream need of such a Ministry such as will not draw a fair skin over our old sores but will take pains and be faithful to launce our impestum'd Ulcers and Probe them to the very bottom for there lies very much Pride and Hypocrisie Schism and Sedition Malice and Treason in our hearts it lies so neer unto our eyes we cannot see it it is so natural so customable to us we have no sense or feeling of it Away then with those false Prophets that have dawbed so long with untempered morter that have strain'd at a Gnat and swallowed Camels that have preach'd Placentia and sew'd Pillows under mens Elbows and cry'd peace or go up and prosper when the design was flat Rebellion and yet they humour'd the inclinations of the people calling them blessed †Isa 9.16 and a godly people that by such flatteries they might seduce them to run on in errour with them wo unto them for they have gone in the way of Cain and ran greedily after the errour of Balaam for reward and perished in the gainsaying of Corah Jud. ep v. 11. if they repent not away with them And give us and God of his mercy continue to us such a disingaged ingenuous Ministry as may resemble his own incarnate Word Heb. 4.12 one that is quick and powerful sharper than any two edged sword piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit and of the joynts and marrow and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart God grant us such a Ministry that there may follow the like conviction of sinners to that mentioned by the Apostle 1 Cor. 14.25 If all prophesie and there come in one that believeth not or one unlearned he is convinced of all he is judged of all and thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest and so falling down on his face he will worship God and report that God is in you of a truth God knows this Kingdom in general hath need of such a faithful soul-searching Ministry as this is But there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers as St. Paul tells Titus whose mouths must be stopped who subvert whole houses teaching things which they ought not for filthy lucres sake Tit. 1.10 11. the silencing or degrading such popular Priests and seditious Levites will not indanger the Ark of God at all And if Abiathar does complot with Joab to promote the intended Usurpation of Adonijah as great a Priest as he is it is fit he should be sent to Anathoth and confined to his Country Village lest he make the City by his Conspiracy too hot for Solomon and in his absence as well the Ark of God as the person of the King will be so much the more in safety 1 Kings 1.5 7. with Chap. 2.26 4. But there is a fourth Prognostication of this sad Calamity that is the abundance of Popish Priests and Jesuites that are in the midst of us the
3. We must submit to this Settlement in regard of that Ministry under which it is setled these are not like those false Prophets which come in sheeps clothing but inwardly they are ravening wolves We know them well enough by their fruits these are contented to subsist upon that portion which the Laws of God and man allow them and would not be Pensioners to your Purses lest they should be tempted to flatter you and betray your souls for they seek not yours but you These are none of Jeroboams Priests the meanest Mechanicks amongst the people set up by an Usurper to entertain the devotions of the people in the worship of his Calves left by having recourse to Jerusalem to the Ark of God and the Priesthood that does attend upon it they should be invited to their duty and return their Allegiance to their Sovereign This Hierarchy that now attends the Ark and worship of God did not arise up of it self as the heads of Factions many times do or out of the bottomlesse pit which is no better a Pedigree but it derives its Mission and Authority as it should do in a visible line of succession from Christ and his Apostles and is most Consonant to the pattern in the Old Testament where as we are told by the Apostle the Synagogue was a Type or Shadow of the Christian Church Heb. 10.1 where likewise God did promise that for the service of this Church being made up for the most part of Gentiles He would take of the Gentiles and make them Priests and Levites to himself Isa 66.22 by which legal name of Priests and Levites what doth he understand but such as we call Presbyters and Deacons upon which grounds the Antient Fathers presum'd a correspondence between that Hierarchy of the old and this of the New Testament And if we look into the Degrees of this Hierarchy we shall find they run parallel in their agreement See Clavi Trabales p. 117. with those designed of old to Minister unto the Ark of God There was Aaron answerable to Christ Eleazar a Numb 3.32 Neh. 11.10 11 14. to Archbishops Princes b Ezr. 8.24 29. of Priests b to Bishops Priests to Presbyters Princes c Neh. 11.16 22. of Levites c to Archdeacons Levites to Deacons Nethinims to Clerks and Sextons Is it not probable then that God will bless and accept of a Ministery of his own institution and allowance 1 Chron. 15.12 rather then one of our fond contrivance and seeing the saving efficacy of the Ministery depends wholly upon Gods blessing and gracious acceptation are we not highly concern'd to submit to that Ministry which derives its Original regularly from God and upon that account hath the fairest title to his blessing and acceptation if this be not inducement enough we have an obligation laid upon us from his command Heb. 13.7 Remember your Prelates your guides which have the rule over you who have spoken unto you the word of God whose faith follow considering the end of their conversation and Vers 17. Obey them that have the rule over you and submit your selves for they watch for your souls as they that must give an account that they may do it with joy and not with grief for that is unprofitable for you 4. There is one Consideration more that should induce you to submit to this Settlement of the Ark and that is the solemnity with which it is setled Besides the Type and Pattern for it in the Old Testament there are four general Rules left upon Record by the Apostle for the direction of Prelates and other Superiours in setling the Ark of Gods solemn worship 1. That all be done to the glory of God a 1 Cor. 10.31 2. That all be done to the edification of the Church of God b 1 Cor. 14.26 3. That all be done decently and worthily c 1 Cor. 11.27 29. as becomes the service we perform and the Majesty we adore d 1 Cor. 14.40 4. That all things be done 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 according to order e 1 Cor. 14.40 These Rules are observ'd in our Settlement 1. And first of the last of these It belongs unquestionably to the Office of Ecclesiastical Governours to set things in Order so St Paul in the Church of Corinth 1 Cor. 11. ult The rest will I set in order * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 when I come so Titus in Crete an Island that had 100 Cities in it for this cause I left thee in Crete that thou shouldst set in order †〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the things that are wanting or left undone Tit. 1.5 and it was not left to every mans choice whether he would submit such as did not observe these Orders were punished by the censures of the Church 2 Thes 3.6 14 15. Now we command you brethren in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ that ye withdraw your selves from every brother that walketh disorderly * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and not after the tradition which he received of us But when Order is kept it is matter of satisfaction to the Apostle so he tells the Colossians for though I be absent in the flesh yet am I with you in the Spirit joying and beholding your order It cannot be denied Col. 2.5 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but this Rule is observed amongst us in the Settlement of the Ark the solemn worship and service of God is setled by Order And 2. It is setled decently is it decent to be uncovered in the presence of a Magistrate and is it not decent to be so in the presence of the eternal God is it decent to kneel when you tender a Petition to your Prince and is it not decent to do so when you Petition the King of Kings is it decent to rise up and bow the head when you make an acknowledgment to your Superiours and is it not decent to use the like reverence when you address your recognitions and homage to him who is Lord over all blessed for ever is not external bodily worship required in the second Commandment Is it not your duty are you not called upon in holy Scripture to worship the Lord in the beauty of holinesse And what doth the Church of England require of you but this in her solemn service And 3. Is not the Settlement of the Ark according to the third Rule for edification I hope there are none so impudent as to deny it of the Prayers themselves and those Portions of Scripture Hymns appointed in this Service these are not non-sense they are intelligible and for edification and for the rest the Gestures and Ceremonies I shall make it clear to you We kneel at our prayers to signifie that we are in want and that we are humble Petitioners to a Divince Majesty We stand up at the Gospel and the Creed out of Reverence not only to signifie that we will stand fast in the profession of
shall be offered unto my name and a pure offering For my name shall be great among the Heathen saith the Lord of Hosts This is that solemn Commemorative Oblation of the Sacrifice of the Cross with our Adorations Laudes and Prayers in that Sacramental Eucharist of Christs own Institution Christ is given us in pretium saith that Learned Bishop * Bishop Andrews Ser. 2. of the Nativity for a price a price either of ransome to bring out de loco caliginoso or a price of purchase of that where without it we have no interest the Kingdom of Heaven For both he is given Non habentes oblationem majorem neque puriorem quae Deo posset offerri quà m Eucharistiam eam in omni offerunt loco Dignam planè Deo oblationem cujus respectu jam holocaustae bostiae omnes antiquae Deo non placent tantopere illa placet sc Eucharistia Paul de Palacio in Mal. 1.11 offer we him for both He was given us to that end we might give him back We wanted we had nothing valuable that we might have this he gave us as a thing of greatest price to offer for that which needeth a great price our sins so many in number and so foul in quality We had nothing worthy God This He gave us that is worthy him which cannot be but accepted offer we it never so often Let us then offer him and in the act of offering ask of him what is meet And a little after This his flesh he gave for us in sacrifice and this he giveth us in the Sacrament that the Sacrifice may by the Sacrament be truly applied to us What an irreligious what a scandalous neglect of the Ark of God in respect of this part of our Solemn worship hath been throughout this Kingdom I need not tell you you cannot but remember it But I wish there were and I pray God there may be such a sense of our miscarriages in these particulars as may produce a Salutary shame a Cordial and thorow humiliation There is nothing else can fit us for so lovely a prospect as is the external Beauty of Gods house and solemn worship To this purpose it is very remarkable what the Lord saith to the Prophet Ezekiel Chap. 43.10 11. Thou Son of man shew the house to the house of Israel that they may be ashamed of their iniquities and let them measure the pattern And if they be ashamed of all that they have done shew them the Form of the House and the fashion thereof and the goings out thereof and the comings in thereof and all the Forms thereof and all the Ordinances thereof and all the Forms thereof and all the Laws thereof and write it in their sight that they may keep the whole Form thereof and all the Ordinances thereof and do them And this will lead me to the last Stage of my Discourse which is the end of my Design viz. to give you some directions how you are to demean your selves in reference to the Ark of Gods solemn worship But these Directions should be usher'd in with a word or two of admonition to such as are in highest Authority over us 1. The First is To support and countenance the Hierarchy that Order of men who are set apart by a special act of Consecration to attend the service of the Ark the Ark of God cannot appear glorious under the Ministry of a contemptible Priesthood It is the Learning and Piety the Prudence and Gravity the Splendor and Authority of the Episcopal Order that must keep up the Ark in a steady posture amongst us Aspiring Novices will run it into bogs and precipices and leave it without a guard to be overlaid with Superstition or exposed to the rude hands of Sacriledge and Prophaness Where there is such a Hierarchy as keeps every one to his Station and Office there the people are instructed by the example of their regular subordination to keep their Order and Decorum and this is the Apostles Bulwark opposed to seduction Col. 2.5 and such as keep to it are impregnable For as that Reverend and Learned Bishop observes Bishop Daven ad Colos 2.5 Rarò in errores praecipitantur qui ordinem obedientiae Praepositis debitum observant è contrà ubi ordo praecipiendi parendi negligitur ibi tanquam per disjectam aciem facile perrumpitur They seldom fall into Errours that observe the order of obedience due unto their Prelates * Not one Ranter or Quaker or Anabaptist of all that adhere to the Bishop nor an Antitrinitarian c. but on the contrary where the order of commanding and obeying is neglected there the enemy easily breaks in as into a routed Army To this purpose we may observe that Holy Martyr St. Ignatius very full and pressing 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Be ye subject unto the Bishop as unto the Lord For he watcheth for your souls as he that must give account Epist. ad Trallian And a little after 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 It is necessary that you do nothing that you attempt nothing without the Bishop And a while after 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Reverence your Bishop even as Christ according to the precept of the blessed Apostles For he that is within the Altar within the communion of the Church is an intire pure Christian and for this cause obey your Bishop and the Priests But he that is not within this communion he that acts of his own head without the Bishop not in conformity with him and the Priests and Deacons is polluted in his Conscience and is worse then an Infidel * 1 Tim. 5.8 thus Ignatius The Hierarchy therefore of the Church is by all means to be kept up and all due veneration and obedience is to be paid to it But this belongs chiefly to the Higher Powers and yet something you may all do towards it It is Recorded that when Chrysostome was to be banished from Constantinople the people were so affected with him that they all went to the Emperour and Petitioned for Chrysostome professing they could no more miss Chrysostome then they could miss the Sun out of the Firmament and yet which I desire you to observe and carry home with you Chrysostome was not the peoples mercenary Curate or flattering Heb. 13.17 Lecturer but the Bishop of the Diocess and his See was Constantinople And I suppose this might be one reason why Mr. Calamy as he saith was so loth fully to tell that story But 2. There is a second Admonition directed to all that are concern'd herein to take care that this Hierarchy be really such as the name importeth A Holy Order or Governance Holy in their persons and conversation and holy in their ministration and address Lev. 10.3 God will be sanctified of all those that draw nigh unto him Be ye holy ye that bear the vessels of the Lord upon the bells of the horses Zach. 14.10 saith the Prophet shall be