on their backs or must they be our 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a lustration or expiation for those curses which are due unto us all Can they make and impose Laws Were the Liturgy Canons and other decrees established by their Authority alone Do not we own the King Supream upon earth Have not the Laws the superscription and stamp of his Royal Assent Are they not the product not as your Covenant of a part but the whole Parliament King Lords and Commons And yet by a wilful kind of Sophistry you are still casting all the Odium as you intend it upon the Bishops who are but the Trustees Heb 3.2 to see the execution of those Laws Therefore as Moses was faithfull to him that appointed him in all things concerning the Lord's House so these Aarons must be men of fidelity in discharging that trust which is reposed in them by the supream Authority of this Kingdome concerning the affairs of the Church according to the pattern which they have received in the Mount I mean from the Legislative power of the Land Indeed should they coyn Articles of Faith like that Romish Dictator and impose them upon the Church then there were just cause of complaint But whilst like Ahasuerus they only inquire what they may do according to law to those that break the Commands of the King take heed lest whilst you level your darts at them you hit the Throne But why do you impute the Plague unto the Bishops Esth 1.55 Doth this savour of a Christian spirit I had thought that in general calamities every man should have laid his hands upon his own heart and suspect himself to be that Achan that troubles the Camp that Jonah which occaons the storm and say with the Apostles though innocent Master is it I And not like Solomons Harlot wipe our mouths or with guilty Ahab lay the fault of troubling Israel on good Elijah Will you still be the worser sort of Conformists resembling the murmuring Israelites if any thing went amiss with them If they wanted water or meat for their lusts then Moses was in all the fault in bringing them from the flesh-pots of Egypt Will you needs conformyour selves to those idolaters that Jer 44.18 looked upon them that reclaim'd them from offering incense to the Queen of Heaven to be the cause of the Sword and Famine or those Heathens that sent the Christians to the Lyons if Nilus did not swell high enough to make their fields fruitful or if their Legions miscarried in the Field So unhappy are our Fathers if their teeth must be set on edge as oft as the people eat sour Grapes This will make their backs crack though made of steel if every mans burthen must be laid on their shoulders they are objects of pity rather then envy if our faults must be whipt on them and they must be piacular oblations for us Good Sirs learn more candour morality justice and charity hereafter and see that ye speak every man the truth to his neighbour Some of you have so blackened these reverend Fathers and put them into such a strange and monstruous dress by calling them the Members of the great Whore of the Beast of Babylon Idolaters Haters of God and Godliness the verymystery of iniquity and those principalities and powers which Christ came to cast down or as this Scribe does more then insinuate page 53. Esteeming Ceremonies above Souls That I dare boldly aver that some of the seduced Herd who are ignorant of their Integrity eare of the Churches bounty publick spirits Piety and Loyalty do scarce believe them to be men or if so yet that they are some terrible Cannibals that came out of some strange Land I was not long since desir'd to Preach to a Congregation that had been instructed by one of your selves A Gentleman told a Country-man there after Sermon that his Son was an hopeful youth and might in time be a Bishop The man startled presently with fear or indignation I know not whether saying God-forbid that ever my Child should be a Bishop Sure this man thought his Child should be transformed into some strange shape have been converted into an Egyptian Mammaluke or paid as a tribute-Child to the Grand Signiâ—r and so have been brought up in the Mahumetan Religion and made a Janizary to that Emperour Thus the spies to the intent they might disgrace the Land of Canaan said The Land did eat up the Inhabitants thereof Numb 13.33 And in our remembrance even at the beginning of these late times some malicious Poers told the World that the Royalists eat up Children and train'd their Horses under ground c. Can such weapons prosper as are sharpned at the Forges of the Philistines Can such Champions hope for success that go dewn into Egypt for help Cutting and lancing with lyes as with sharp Razors Is there no way to undermine the sacred order of Bishops but by digging as low as Hell in slandering the footsteps and traducing the Persons and Government of those servants of the Lord of whom this treacherous World is not worthy Gal. 5.20 If this be your zeal it never came down from Heaven Calvin Episâ— 3. but it is a meer work of the flesh it is such a zeal quo nunquam arsit Elias which never inflamed the hearts of Gods faithful servants There were just such zealots indeed in Jerusalem a little before its Conquest by the Romans And I wish you may not shew your selves to be their off-spring and so become as ominous to us in ringing the knell of our Native Country CHAP. IV. Subordination of Presbyters to Bishops and the Honorary Title of Lords given to the Bishops are no just impediments to Conformity YOu are not a little troubled that you must truckle under Bishops Nor will you own any such distinction betwixt you and them Whence this ariseth as to the sublimity of your spirits I have touched upon before I desire still to be serviceable unto you by removing and dispelling such clouds which interpose their gross bodies betwixt you and us It is not my business to dispute this Polemical Article at large which my betters have done so fully that there is nothing to be gleaned after them What can he do that comes after the King Their Arguments stand like a firm Mountain against the popping squibs of all Arrius's Disciples Only let me reason with you in a word or too according to my own observation and reading Was not Aaron above the Priests Levites Nethenims Were there not Archiflamines amongst the Romans by the very light of nature Were not the Disciples think ye inferiour to the Apostles Were not the Ministers in Ephesus and Creet subordinate to Timothy and Titus What think you of the superintendants in the Lutheran Churches of the leading Presbyters in Geneva and here at home Did they go so equally hand in hand with their Brethren without advanceing one step before them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉
from their chaff in unsettling them from their Lees and securing them from the common Mass These discern not the Image of God upon the King They smell none of Gods Oyl upon him but look upon him as an ordinary person and so they conceive not themselves under an obligation of Conscience to pay that reverence and obedience which is due unto him These are apt to mistake Manassey for Ephraim Eli for the Lord Eliab for David What is this but to open a flood gate to let in all manner of confusion I am not afraid to say that those that are good men will have War with this Amalek from generation to generation But that which yet increases the earthquake in my Bowels and makes my knees justle one against another is that men pretending to be refin'd and more than ordinary spiritual and religious should break their allegiance and teach men so That after such a shipwrack as we have seen they should still refuse the plank of repentance whereby they might sail safe to shore and are so far from retracting this pernicious errour by declaring and swearing that 't is not lawful to take up Arms against the King that so they might make some satisfaction for their former misâ—â—riaâ—e Stop the sluces of future rebellions 〈…〉 deluded followers who are 〈◊〉 even sworn to follow the dictates of 〈◊〉 Masters and count it part of their service to God to do what disservice they can to the King Methinks such incendiaries when they see any of their followers going to execution for their traiterous exploits they should see themselves executed in them and say to the executioners in nos convertite ferrum Methinks they should also fear lest this guilt should follow them after this life into another World For 't is no new opinion that punishment will increase as men grow worse and worse thorow our examples and doctrines which we have left behind I say the paroxism of my sorrow is the more heightned when I see men even justifying their former actings as Jonah did his anger Challenging all men to charge them with doing the least personal injury to any Vâ—ndâ—â—â—â—â— on of Fâ—at Luâ—â— pâ—â—â— and professing to give satisfaction to any that can justly claim it they are the words of Doctor Owen As if it were possible to carry on a War to act under our revolutions with the greatest zeal and vigour and to keep many many persons from the injoyment of their rights were not to be guilty of personal injuries And if he should give satisfaction to all that might justly claim it let his estate be what it will I dare with a better grounded confidence averre Non est solvendo But if this be no answer to the Doctors challenge I could whisper in his ear some notes of a thansgiving Sermon preach'd in christ-Christ-Church in London upon the overthrow of the Leyellers at Burford which must needs abate his confidence The circumstance of time and place may probably quicken and refresh his memory Nos utinam vani I have no ill will to the person of the man but rather have cause to own some civilities from him much less have I a purpose to insult over Bajazet in his cage or any others that are descended to the bottom of the wheel I well remember what Lewis King of France is reported to have said when he was counselled to demolish the Duke of Bedfords Tomb What Honour will it be to spoyl his Monument who being alive would have disquieted the proudest of us all Speed in H. 6. My scope is according to the purport and tenour of this discourse to invite my Brethren and O that I could thorowly perswade them not only to an 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a confession of their errors in general but to an 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 A confession of this particular in taking up Arms that they have been out of the way themselves and have also misled others Such a Palinodia would be more acceptable to God and good men than all evasions wiping of mouthes or writing Tostatus his Volumes in a way of justification of their actings Though by this course Sirs you may seem to consult your own shame yet it would preserve your names better than Brass and Marble This would be a means to attone God to make the King sleep securely in the lap of his people to prevent jealousies to take off the former scandal from our Church and to ease your own souls if you are sensible of that crude matter which lies upon the stomacks of your Consciences For Torah which signifies confession comes from a root which signifies to cast forth because it eases an aking heart as vomit doth an oppressed stomack Quid hoc mali est this is a strange kind of sin quod naturalia mali non habet timorem pudorem Tertuâ— Apologeâ— p. 18. tergiver sationem poenitentiam deplorationem Quid hoe mali est cujus Reus gaudet Cujus Accusatio votum est paena felicitas If you slight mine take the Prophets counsel Take unto you words and turn unto the Lord Say unto him take away all our iniquity and receive us graciously-Ashur shall not save us Hof 13.2.3 we will not ride upon Horses neither will we say any more to the work of our hands ye are our Gods What the Lord himself spake to Job's friends give me leave to speak unto you Job 42 8â— Take unto you now seven Bullocks and seven Rams and go to my servant Job the King and offer up for your selves a burnt offering and my servant Job the King shall pray for you for him will I accept least I deal with you after your folly in that ye have not spoken the thing that is right If you shall return me the same answer as Rich Chremylus did when he heard the commendations of poverty 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Arislâ—◠〈…〉 say what you will wee 'l none of your advise 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Antoninus in vita sua 1.6 I am resolved to be avenged of you For I will never be like you If I do amiss I will acknowledge it and though I may erre yet I will not be an Heretick though could I prevail with you in this suit the comfort would be the Churches and therein mine the glory Gods but the greatest advantage would be your own for repentance as well as love will cover a multitude of sins I have read of an African Theif condemned to dye by Mauritius Eutichiuâ—â— Tomo socundo p. 199. before he was executed he prayed that God would pardon his sins as he did Peters Hezekiahs the Thief on the Cross his eyes ran down with tears and his handkercheif was thorowly drench'd with the same When he was dead the fiends came to challenge him for their own they weighed down the scale with a black catalogue of his sins which they had ready prepar'd At last there appeared two Angels in white and they put the
be wished there were not some untoward Zac. 1 15. unhappy children which did not help forward her affliction So the perfideousness of the Donatists and Manichees in Hippo were the cause that it was made a prey to the Vandals But who will put any confidence in such undutiful and unkind Sons who have lift up their heels against so tender a Father so indulgent a Mother I beseech you Sirs Remember the womb wherein ye were born and the paps that gave you suck Rev. 2.5 Remember from whence ye are fallen and repent that our breaches may be once more made up and we may see England a quiet habitation Let us by our mutual love to each other and by our joynt labours in the Church so endeavour to please the Lord That he may make our very enemies to be at peace with us Let us discover Satans siratagem for the hand of this Joab is in all our quarrels in busying men of parts and sobriety in by-matters that he may divert them from following the unum necessarium In keeping them disputing and scrambling about Ceremonies mint and Cummin that they may neglect the greater things of the Law obedience to God and the King and the edifying the church in love He dreads those battering Rams of his kingdom sound-preaching and regular praying therefore what possible he can he obstructs these When Pyrrhus propos'd to himself to win Rome Sicily and Carthage Cyneas asked him what he would do at last Pyrrhus said be merry Cyneas replied so you may be already if you would be contented with what you have I know you will say could we settle that discipline we desire and moddle the Church according to our platform then we might be religious indeed I must like another Cyneas tell you if you would be contented with that liberty which is allow'd you already You may be as religious as you will or can who hinders you It is observ'd of Pigeons that they are most fearful when they fare best Let us not be like Doves in this jealous and querulous when we are by the Waters of comfort in the midst of Manna Why should we then suspect Popery and superstition Charity thinks no evil A strong suspition where there is no evident cause to back it doth either proceed from or argue guilt Therefore all surmises being laid aside let every one of you endeavour to answer the sounding of my bowels towards you with the same eccho I mean the same readiness and singleness of heart as Jehosophat did the King of Israel I am as thou art 1 Kings 22.4 my people as thy people my Horses as thy Horses But alass I perceive that all this while I have been beating the Aire or labouring in vain in perswading you to march in our ranks for I perceive you are resolv'd to stop your ears against my counsel 'T is part of your vow that is your Covenant Never to suffer your selves by what perswasion soever to be withdrawn from that union Thus a Serpent never becomes a Dragon until it hath devoured a Serpent However Whether you will hear or whether you will forbear Liberavi animam meam I have discharg'd the office of a Brother in warning you of your duty If in your cooler blood and more serious thoughts you see no cause to retract that resolution I must refer the issue of this perswasive to him that can perswade Japhet to dwel in the Tents of Sem who can overpower the wills of men and stop Saul in his carreer to Damascus who can make those that are most wilful even by one glance of his eye as the Charriots of Aminadab A willing people in the day of his power Suadere hominis persuadere Dei Paul may plant but God gives the increase Therefore I must appeal to his throne by prayer And God forbid that I should cease praying for you Pray therefore I will in those words of that excellent Bishop of Winton Bishop Bilson p. 414. The Lord make you mindful to keep the bond of peace which he hath left you and mindful to shew that lowliness of heart which he hath taught you that you wax not so wise in your own conceits as to despise all others besides your selves and so resolute in your private perswasions that you enforce your devices upon the Church of God under the name of the Holy and Heavenly preeepts Even so O Lord for Christ Jesus sake Amen Qui errare me existimant etiam atque etiam quae sunt dicta considerent nefortassis ipsi errent Augustinus in coronide libri de bona perseverantia Si quid in hoc opere dixerim quoà placeat non est indigentiae meae sed divinae sufficientiae Siquid vero forsan dixerim ut nec sufficere possit nec placere non est sufficientiae divinae sed indigentiae meae Fulgentius ad Probam p. 669. Fidem nolle asserere poene id est quod negare plerumque mi'es ignavus Regia Castra somnolento Corpore depressus oppugnantibus tradit dum competentibus excubijs non defendit Fulgent p. 393 395. In ijs rehus de quibus nihil certi statuit Scriptura divina mos populi Dei vel In stituta majorum pro lege tenenda sunt de quibus si disputare voluerimus ex aliorum consue tudinealios improbare orietur interminata luctatio quae tempestate Contentionis serenitatem charitatis obnubilet Augustini Epist 86. ad Casulanum vid. etiam Epist 118. ad Januarium In those things which are indifferent we are more bound to follow the command of the Magistrate than our own Conscience Weems on the fifth Commandement It is not so much the tenderness of Conscience and weakness of braines as the Iron sinews in mens necks which makes them so clamorous and scrupolous Causes of the decay of Christian Religion Pag. 331. No wise man mislikes reading of prayers Mr. Hildersham on Ps 51. p. 810. In not maintaining the Laws Rulers ruine themselves Dr. Manton on Jude v. 8. and in the same Commentary he saith there are but two lawful causes of separation from the Church First Persecution Secondly A general corruption of Doctrine FINIS ERRATA PAge 13. Line 26. For as Read our P. 16. l. 12. blot out to P. 19. r. one P. 18. l 20. r 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 l. 27. r. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 P. 20. r. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 P. 21 r. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 P. 36. r. Aecius P. 41. r. indicitur P. 46. r. Moâ—cion P. 57. r. Davenant P. 58. l. 10. r. aiming P. 69. r. deliquium P. 73. marg r. nimis P. 87. l. 12. r. drives P. 90. l. 25. r. John 17 l. 33. r. feigning P. 107. l. 14. r instance P. 115. r. assert P. 122. l. 16. r. pâ—w P. 127. 1. 13. r. indicare P. 130. l. 4. add out l. 25. r. lapp P. 132. r. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 P. 138 l. 26 r Anthem A Catalogue of Books Printed