exactly compleatly sent down from Heaven with laws and cautionary precepts for the just observance and to these under the Gospel the notions in Scripture of Kingdom City Family Officers Offices Church-censures Administrations Applications with many things of spirituall policy both in principles and practice with necessary inference from Gods first method On the other side all this is acknowledged yet in a little more latitude and godly prudence is let in for making up someâ—hing where there is not a deficiency suspected but no clear principles or rulâ—s revealed Pretended Heresies Divisions AS we should not go about to excuse or defend any errour clearly convicted so not to condemn any thing for errour which seems not to beare up equally to our received principles and here wee must observe that there are many who when the notion of errour or heresie is abroad are only Pentioners to the multitude and measure the errour or heresie by those that are for it or against it and are resolved however to write that way that they see the most condemn and these are such who though they do not kindle yet they blow the fire amongst us and I have observed that these do so overwrite a cause that at length they improve an errour and arme it more against the truth then it was before by charging things on the wrong side of it as we have seen of late and thus while we think to gain by letting in such a promiscuous stream of opposers we rather lose as in the case of some present controversies who coÌ„plain that they are rather oppressed then convinced and boâ—n down then writ down certainly that wch makes us on all sides so far from peace and issue or successe the more we dispute is our intemperancy and unnaturall heats in which we spend as much paper as in the cause it self and I am sure in some differences I could name the truth stands by while we wrangle beside it and the dust that we raise in arguing makes the truth lesse discernable and that which is considerable amongst us here is the exceeding prejudice received against difference of judgement and divisions not considering that it is Gods secret or engine for discovery as well of truth as errour and for advantaging the one as well as disadvantaging the other To instance in our late debates about Government it will appear that truth is improved and hath received advancement froÌ„ those very principles that seemed to oppose it and I am sure in the case of the Antinomians that errour about Free-grace hath drawn our Divines into more studying and preaching it then before and stating it clearer and the very Heresies almost of all times have accidentally 〈◊〉 advanced some particular Scripture truth And that very controversie about the Ministery received from Bishops hath brought forth some advantage amongst many of the godly even a deep humiliation because it came to us with a mark of the beast with it and let not any jealousie or fear of derogation or disparagement cause us to fold it up without any Nationall contrition or acknowledgement now in a season when we are laying new spirituall fundamentals as in that late Act for Ordination let the Prelates own designes of connivence whose principles dare not look the Light in the face Selfe indulgency with the right use of Heresies and Errours FIrst it is impossible but Heresies and Errours should be though there be a woe upon the Authors and Abettors so as one would think this prediction of Christ should coole us in the heat of our tumults about them and we should make no wonder at that which Christ hath prepared us so long before hand to receive yet here we should do as the Disciples did when their Lord had foretold them of a treachery to befall him every one said Master is it I this reflective disposition or selfe-jealousie I finde much wanting in many while every one rather â—its armed at his own door and will neither search his house himself nor suffer another to go in without opposition and thus all count their opinions truth and will not do so much as suspect their own judgements which was not the Disciples practice and so we are forced to confute one another while no man will confute himself and thus differences are inflamed And be it that the things we condemn for Heresies and Errours be so then there is this left us to work up to Gods designe in such cases and to turn them into advantages for the truth and such a work is next to Gods who takes in every sinne and distemper and makes it act something to his glorious ends He hath commanded light to shine out of darknesse Are they Anabaptists as they call them Let it provoke us to awaken the Scriptures more for what we do let us study the substance of the Covenant more let us study Scripture inference and deductions more let us study the correspodency of the Seals under both dispensations more and we shall gain this to be able to do what we do upon clearer and stronger principles Are they Brownists or Separatists as they call them Let it stir us up to look to our Fundamentall truths better to our Ministery to our Churches to our Practices and sure while these controversies involve us more into the Scriptures we shall only come forth more refined and clearer in judgement and practice and what we might possibly have taken in under the notion of Tradition or Authority and so have engaged our selves implicitely to the truths we professe we shall now give up unto God a more reasonable sacrifice Are they Antinomians as some cal them or these that cry down Law or duties Let us draw this advantage to seek out how the riches of Free grace are offered and how the Law is established by the Gospel and what power of it is annulled how Christ is to be advanced above all and how he is all in all and the true Fountain in whom our life is hid and that our being in him and he in us is the cause of all graces and duties in us and that our life now in grace ought to be in conformity to that we shall live hereafter in glory where being filled with Christ we shall only live to the obedience and praise of him for that work of justification and redemption we had by him and let us study to give duties their right origination order and end Prayer Repentance Obedience c. as grâ—â—â—s that flow from Christ into his and back again from his into Christ and that we interpret all Scriptures that concern either Christ or the Law or Sin or Obedience or Duty into the glory of God in Christ that all our conclusions may exalt him whom God had in designe only to exalt To be a Prince and a Saviour And thus we should drive on Gods ends more then we doe in making every thing serve his glory and our own edification and not dash
DAVVNINGS OF LIGHT Wherein the true interest of Reformation is opened in generall and in particular in this Kingdome for the establishment of weaker judgements AND Many other things impartially Hintted to a further Discovery of Truth and Light in many or our present controversies With some Maximes of Reformation 1 Cor. 13.11 For now we see through a glasse darkly now I know in part 1 Cor. 13.10 But when that which is perfect is come then that which is in part shall be done away By JOHN SALYMARSH Preacher of Gods Word at Brasteed in the County of KENT London Printed for R. W. and are to be sold by G. Calvert at the black-spred-Eagle near Pauls 1646. To the Honourable The Knights and Burgesses for the County of Yorkshire in the Commons House of Parliament viz. The Lord Generall Fairfax Sir William Strickland Sir Philip Stapleton Sir Henry Cholmley Sir William Alison Mr. Henry Darly M. Hoyle M. Alured M. Pelham c. I Should exceed an Epistle to speak of you in your severall spheres of activity for the advancement of the cause of God Some of yee have jeoparded your lives in the high places of the Field Some of yee offered your selves willingly among the people When the great work of God is finished the names of those shall be sought for that have acted for him and it shall be said What honour and dignity hath been done to Mordecaâ— for this You that work both for God your Countrey shall bee recorded both in the Chronicle of Heaven Earth And ye are the more eminent in this that ye have sate out the Apostaâ—ies and unfortunate failings of so many preserved through the power of Christ They went out from ye because they were not of yee And such is the quality of your employment that ye may learne to be at once both Saints and Statesmen in this work for the daily opening of the secrets of affairs before ye both religious and civill may make your house a Senate and a Temple and the more spiritually ye work in State-affairs ye act in a higher capacity then common Statesmen or former Parliaments My prayer is for ye That ye may be stedfast and unmoveable alwayes abounding in the work of the Lord knowing that your labour shall not be in vain in the Lord So prayes your Servant John Saltmarsh To the Worthy and Eminent Committee in the County of KENT I Have through the providence of God been seated in the influence of your government where I have enjoyed as others of that place have done a peace and security while many places of the kingdome hear the Alarms of War and put on garments rolled in blood The Lord who is the mighty Counsellour hath poured out a spirit of wisdome and counsell upon you and so long as you act in the strength of him and in relation to him you see you have salvation for Wals and Bulwarks You have much experience of God as I have observed in the conduct of your affairs which hath not only been advantagious to the publick and to the peace of your own Countrey but exemplary to others abroad and the more you go on to involve your selves into the cause of God the greater share you may look for in the Honour and Happinessâ— and Successe of it You know well nor need I remind you how the interest of your County is wrapped up in that publick and Parliamentary association wch while you preserve through the blessing of God as you do in that constitution you may expect to live by the same line of prosperity you have done And so prayes Your Servant Iohn Saltmarsh To Mr. Tho. Fuller the Author of a Book entituled Truth maintained at Oxford or elsewhere AS you accused me once of haste in my Observations upon your Book so you may now charge a delay upon me for the Answer I am preparing to your second Treatise my interruptions have bin many yet the Truth I defend I hope will overtake you at length though you set forth long before me I shall deale better with you then you have done with me to let you see our usage on this side of Oxford hath more charity for I shall fairly interpret the good and candidly reject the bad I could wish you would prevent me in comming over to our present Reformation and so you may satisfie the question better Yet Sir we might both do better to hearken to our learned Umpire Mr. Herle who tels us How needlesse further dâ—sputes were about Reformatian by how much Reformation is necessary The Preparatory I Have in this short discourse lalaboured to give you rather the spirits and extractions of things then to write at large and to point only to the advancement of truth amongst us for I saw so many plunged in the controversies of our times that it had been good some of them were either well out or had never come in for the disputes which only before warmed us have now set us all on flame and we have reasoned our judgements much beyond those boundaries in the Word of godly peace and edification Discourses of this nature ought to be free and peaceably bold for the soule is more at liberty for debating where the lesse ingagement or interest appears else the enquiries can be but narrow and impartiall I hope I need make no larger Apology for my plain dealing with all I have writ little conclusive or positive Determinations being not the proper work of us that stand below who only aime at oyling the wheeles in this great work And whilest we are but on the way to Reformation in peremptory conclusions and finall inferences there may be more haste then good speeed I thought that openings and discoveries of this nature would help to a more solid and clear firmation in the truths received for there is nothing brings greater unsettlement then arguing things halfe way and therefore our Reverend Assembly are not to be accused of any unnecessary delay in things of so high consideration I have writ in expressions not popular for we should not be too much the peoples till the light we hold out were well quit of the vapours that darken it not that I decline the multitude save only in order of time and there are certain cautions in the VVord for not revealing or communicating too suddenly Hast thou faith â— have it to thy self before God Rom. 14.22 Take heed left by any means this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to them that are weak 1 Cor. 8. I have yet many things to say unto you but you cannot bear them now Iohn 16.12 And he communicated only privately with some that were of reputation Acts If I be thought by any to speak too favourably of things so generally dissented from I desire such to take notice in what capacity I write not as one that delivers positions to the world but as one that would fain see what is the grounds or secret that the Prelates
administrations God took up for such seasons and how far such administrations were intended to be answerable to each other both before the Law and under the Law and how the Law is fulfilled in the Gospell and whether there be not a fulfilling by way of eminency and if so then whether there be any such speciall or particular relating in the Ordinances under Christ Abraham and Moses and this done the subject and circumstances of one Ordinance which fals under so peremptory a precept I mean Circumcision will sooner clear up to the weaker judgements And in this it would be observed what latitude such proof allows whether Papists can take any of the same shadow to sit under for proving any thing of their Hierarchy Ceremonies and musick to be a fulfilling of that part of the Law the Priesthood and Service All these things deserve large and powerfull discourses because from these such consequences spring up as may trouble our ages more then they yet have done especially we being now laying our corner stones and beginning to build and this I should recommend to the pens of the most godly learned of our age by way of speciall advancement to the cause of God at this present The contemplation of this Interest very strengthening and the higher the more safe I Intend at this time but to let out a glimpse of this Interest of Reformation to awaken us into a closer pursuit and enquiry after it for I know not any that have taken pains in this except godly Bucer and he hath not pursued this Interest under this notion nor higher then into the next organicall part of it concerning the Kingdom of Christ in its severall administrations and believe it if this part were rightly and supreamly discussed and held forth in such ages as this when God is casting out new beams every day to the world till at length all be on a pure light and our day be like the first day of the Creation when God said Let there be light as if all the stars and luminaries of heaven were disbanded and let out from their Orbs when the light of the Moon shall be as the light of the Sun and the light of the Sun as the light of seven dayes If this part I say of the the Reformation were methodically heightned and drawn into principles and Aphorismes it would raise up the soules of Gods people in all seasons and would be a subliming and strengthening to faith even the very substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things that are not seen and such a spiritualizing to the soul that we might live in the same region with the Apostle whose conversation as he sayes was in heaven in the same region with Enoch who walked with God and with all the blessed Saints Patriarchs who studied the science of this interest more then any and therefore it is that they stood firm higher then all the lower regions of Providence even in a serene firmament all the time of losses and tempests and miscarriages declinings as seeing him who is invisible and looking for a City which hath foundations whose builder and maker is God But this is not the interest we look so much after in this age men are carried by lower and more naturall interests which draw and entice the soule into the senses and so incarnates the contemplations and graces of the soul and when we should live a life even hid wiâ—h Christ in God we are hiding our life in the things below rising and falling ebbing and flowing with the ordinary Providences not being able to attain to that spirituall consistencie of soule which the former agents in Reformation had Nay you shall see that even the holy men of God while they let themselves down into these outward Providences they would often decline some degrees as David I shall one day perish by the hand of Saul and as Paul Sirs I perceive that this voyage will be with hurt and much damage not only of the lading of the ship but also of our lives but when he had conversed more above and had seen a vision from God he then could say Sirs I now exhort you to be of good cheer for there shall be no losse of any mans life among you for this night there stood by me the Angel of God whose I am and whom I serve The reason that there are so many doubtings and despondencies and discouragements is only this Many look too much upon the naturall interest of Reformation not upon the supernaturall and that which is the more hidden and secret which though it be invisible and not so discernable to a carnall eye yet it is the only unchangeable eternall sure interest hid and involved in God himself and in his power and wisdome but the soul and spirit of man being in union and correspondencie with something more corporeall then it self the body inclines after interests that are corporeal too as outward power and forces and successe and excellencie of agents and instruments and strength of contributions and auxiliaries and whatsoever may conduce to the advancing and propagating the cause below and if once they look about and see not the workings the relations advantages contextures and fulnesse of things below as they expect and saw usually before they are presently cast down and never on the wings of comfort but when things have a strong and naturall interest and are on wing too as the weak Spouse could then only delight her self abroad when she could see the floures appeare on the earth and heare the singing of birds and the voâ—ce of the turtle and see the figtree putting forth and the vines with the tender grapes These puttings forth and blossoms and outward appearance and visibility of things is the support and only comfort of the Spouse thus she was raised too when she saw but her lover putting in his finger at the holes of the door So it is with the Spouse now with the Church and people of God now they can only delight themselves abroad in the Providences of God then and to look about towards Reformation then when the grapes appear and the fig-tree putteth forth and the singing of birds is come when there is any chearfull budding and blossoming providence and any musick of successe and advancement this was Gideons errour an overlooking and neglecting the spirituall and supernaturall interest and fixing his eyes too much on the naturall Oh my Lord sayes he 〈◊〉 God be with us why thâ—n 〈◊〉 all this befallen us and where he all the miracles our fathers told us on But now the Lord hath forsaken us and delivered us into the hands of the Midianites and yet we know even then the Divine and supernatural interest was working most strongly for their deliverance from the Midianites But I shall set down before I take off my pen my Observations concerning the naturall and politicall interest which
our selves meerly one against another and go out only in vapours of heat and opposition which too many do Trials of God amongst us THat which is an argument of trouble and distraction to carnall judgements ought to be the only confirmation and strengthening to Gods people who live in a higher region and stand on the vantage ground above the men of the world and see how the designes of Heaven are managed and are able to discern that in the creature which others are not even a providence work which shines sorth in the contexture of things and affairs like the Sun beams on the wall and first let it be no wonder that God is in the midst of troubles and tumults I will shake all Nations sayes God and then it follows the desire of all Nations or Christ shall come before me and when he was with Israel he was in a cloud and fire at one time in lightning and thunder at another and when with his Prophet there went a whirlewinde and fire before kim and the Spirit of God which knowes Gods manner of presence best sets him forth thus Our God shall come a fire shall devoure him and it shall be very tempestuous round about him when he was with Gideon and his people it was so as he could see little of him If the Lord be with us why then is all this befallen us when with his people in captivity it was so as the Prophet could say Can these dry bones live When with his Disciples it was so as there was no comelinesse in him he was not desirable when with his Apostles he strook the room with a whirlewinde and enlightned it with fire See Gods method and goings before amongst his people and you shall trace him now in the same spirituall and providentiall impressions First in our Parliamentary Divine Assembly and the rising of people to build the Temple of God so it was before when the Temple in type was raised and the Lord stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel the sonne of Shelathiel Governour of Judah and the spirit of Joshua the son of Josedech the high Priest and the spirit of all the remnant of the people and they came and did work in the house of the Lord In the beginnings of the war when a few Delinquents drew in so great a party to the Kings party when so many revolted from the work so it was before in that of Gibeâ—â— which got in the Tribe of Benjamin to their quarrell against all Israel And in that of Abijah and Jeroboam when Jeroboam was four hundred thousand men more then Judah but there were gathered to them vain men the children of Relial who thought to withstand the kingdom of the Lord with whom was a great multitude and golden Calves who cast out the Priests of the Lord But with Abijah was the Lord God and the Priests which minister unto the Lord and they which burn sacrifice morning and evening and which sounded trumpets to cry alarm against ye O children of Israel In the Contributions brought into the work of the Lord as the Plate Money Jewels Levies Loanes So it was before when some of the chiefe of the Fathers gave unto the work and the rest of the people twenty thousand drams of gold and silver In the divers successe the enemies had in the proceding of this War So it was before when the Sons of Belial in Gibeah involved a whole Tribe into their quarrel and got the better of it in divers battels In the battels and victories we had in many places as Edge kill York where our multitude did not deliver us So it was before in Gideons when God took off his Army to three hundred and then gave him the successe against his enemies In other particular deliverances of besieged places as Bradford Hul Lime Glocester So it was in Ziph. in Keilah in Jerusalem when God caused Saul and Senacheâ—ib to hear a rumour of war to divert them from the siege In our divisions about some â—cripture truths in our murmurings and disputings and our wayes of conciliation by an Assembly So it was before amongst the Brethren till a Councell at Jerusalem reconciled them So amongst the Grecians and the Hebrewes till the Brethren were called together to consider of it In the discoveries of Conspiracies and Plots against Parliament and City and Armies So it was with Israel when Elisha discovered the councels of the Syrians So with Nehemiah when Sanballats and Toâ—iabs plots were revealed So with the Iewes when Hamans was discovered and defeated So with Absolons when Achitophels was tuâ—â—â—d into folly The Lord is known by the judgements that hee executes the wicked is snared in the works of their own hands In stirring up the younger sort into attempts against the Armies and enemies of God So it was before when Ahab said By Whom And he said Even by the young men of the Princes of the Provinces In raising up new Armies after discomfitures and losses as in the generall rout we had throughout the Kingdome not long since when our Southern Western and Northern Armies were scattered So it was before when Israel had losse after losse in their way to Canaan and still recruited by the power of their God In carrying on the cause through windings turnings through losses and victories making us a mutuall scourge to one another dashing us both in pieces and repairing us again and thus keeping up a standing affliction amongst us till his work be finished on Mount â—ion his judgement on his enemies So it was before when Israel and Iudâ—h were engaged against each other â—o it was with Ionahs ship when they rowed hard to shore but they could not for the winde blew and was tempestuous against them God standing in these times THey that would see God in this work must consider the spiritualnesse of the designe and Gods way of mysterious acting and not let themselves down into the creature and think that the breaking of an Army or a Party breaks Gods designe for it remains the same yesterday and today and the same for ever and God takes in miscarriages disadvantages and improbabilities and seeming impossibilities and treacheries and enemies workings and makes them all work into his purpose He took in a treacherie at the compleating of the spirituall designe of our redemption and a Iudas must accidentally though wofully help in the work of our salvation So that if we would but study Gods designe concerning his Church and method and rise up higher then the creature the creatures method in our conceptions and look on the other side of it we should not be at such losses and stands and in such despondencies and discouragements as we are And while we grasp at the creature too fast either at Agents or Armies or Counsels God many times as we experience drawes them either off from us or us from them