were in Saint Iude's time These are they that separate themselves Jude v. 19. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the word properly signifieth Separatists such as separated themselves and others from the true Church of God renouncing Communion with it so making of Sects Such were the Donatists some ages after against whom Augustine so strenuously and earnestly contended The founder of which Sect Donatus a Bishop taking an unjust and groundlesse distaste at Cecilianus Bishop of Carthage not unlike that which some among our selves at this day have taken up against the Ministers of the Church of England as also of other Churches being in this respect in the same Predicament with them viz. because he had received his Ordination from the hands of some of the Traditores or Proditores such persons as had in time of Persecution delivered the Book of holy Scriptures to be burnt even as our Ministers are said to have received theirs by or through the hands of Antichristian Romish Bishops thereupon he fell off from the unity of the Church separating himself with his party from all others as if the Catholick Church had been no where else to be found but onely in that Corner of Africk where himself dwelt and that among his Society himself and his followers Thus did that Sect then And the very like have the Anabaptists of the last age done who are not unjustly looked upon by some as revivers of the Sect of the Donatists being therein followed by their Successours among our selves in this Nation at this day who by that one Act of Rebaptization which also they learned from those Donatists of whom Augustine tells us that they did the very like Rebaptize those that were baptized before do at once unchurch all the Churches in the world in as much as they do thereby make a nullity of that Sacrament which the members of those Churches have received in their Infancy which being the Initial Seal of the Covenant and the distinguishing mark betwixt Christians and Heathens none can be looked upon as visible members of the Church without it An Errour which be you ware of It being a Mother-Errour and that a teeming a fruitful one in whose womb ordinarily many erroneous Opinions are conceived So it was to those Donatists the first founders of it who being fallen off from the Church stayed not there but were then carried about with divers and strange doctrines ran into many pestilent Opinions as inveterate Schisme for the most part turns to Heresie besides some desperate practices One of which amongst the rest is very observable viz. that whilest they at the first plead for Liberty of Conscience and an Universal Toleration that no man should be compelled to any Religion nor yet hindred from holding forth any opinion denying the Civill Magistrate though Christian as Constantine the Emperour then was under whom this Schisme had its beginning any power for the punishing or repressing of any Hereticks or Heresies or to take any Course whereby either the broachers or maintainers of them might be brought to Repentance or else the poysonous breath of their Opinions might be stopped from infecting of others which is and not without cause reckoned up as none of the least Errours they were guilty of yet in processe of time they came to that height of rage that if they met any in the field or streets who were not of their judgment they made nothing furiously to fall upon them to assassinate to murder them The like spirit whereunto modern Histories tell us was to be found among their successours in Germany in the last age And God grant England may never have experience of the one Well to draw to a conclusion of this Head take you heed of this so dangerous a defection of this turning from the Church Which being the Pillar and Ground or the Stay of Truth as the Apostle calleth it 1 Tim. 3. 15. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Columna et Firmamentum or Stabilimentum as Beza hath it holding forth and in some sense bearing up the truth of God even as Pillars and Posts are wont to do the Proclamations and Orders of Magistrates which are affixed to them that so all may take notice of them No wonder that they who recede from it turning their backs upon it recede also from the truth and so become subject to this Peripherie to be thus carried about with divers and strange doctrines Even as it is with Deer I do not know a fitter comparison when once they have left the Herd and got out of the Park then though they get into Pikles yet there they are restlesse driven to and fro by every Passenger so as then they leap hedge and ditch Even such is the condition of those who have once given a farewell to the Church which is as Gods Park in the world being once got out of the Pale of it now though they fall into Pikles and severals several Companies yet it cannot be expected that they should rest there but that they will be subject to be driven to and fro by Errour after Errour till at the length they come to leap hedge and ditch to make Shipwrack of faith and a good Conscience as the Apostle saith that brace of Hereticks Hymeneus and Alexander with some others in his time had done 1 Tim. 1. 19 20. But I passe to a third Whilest you thus hold fast the Head and the Body Christ and his Church take heed of turning from the Scriptures The Scriptures they are a Christians light whereby he is to walk in this world Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path saith David Psal. 119. 105. And St. Peter speaking of Scripture-Prophecie 2 Pet. 1. 19. calleth it a more sure Word that is most sure the Comparative put for the Superlative as sometimes in Scripture it is whereunto saith he ye do well to take heed as unto a light that shineth in a dark place c. Such is the Understanding the mind of man in regard of spiritual and heavenly mysteries it is like a dungeon a dark place untill it be enlightned by that light which the Lanthorn of the Scripture holdeth forth Which therefore all Christians are to attend unto Object True say some they are so to do but how long untill the day dawn and the day-star arise in their hearts as it there followeth that is untill their hearts be fully enlightened by the Spirit of Christ who is as the morning-star so called Rev. 2. 28. and the Sun of righteousnesse Mal. 4. 2. But when the Sun is up what need of Canales when Christ is once come into the heart of a Christian dwelling there by his Spirit what need then any more of this Candle-light of the Scriptures This is but to burn day-light A. To this it is answered that true it is the Saints upon earth are thus enlightened They who
Calvin Com. in loc Qu. 1. How cometh it to passe that there should be such Doctrines held forth Ans. 1. By Gods providential and effectual Permission Efficax Permissio Melanct. So disposing hereof for divers ends 1. The manifestation of his own power 2. For the honour of Truth 3. For the manifesting of such as are approved Triticum non rapit ventus nec arborem solida radice fundatam procella subvertit Inanes paleae tempestate jactantur invalidae arbores turbinis incursione evertuntur Cyprian do Unitate Ecclesiae Sic probantur fideles sic perfidi deteguntur sic et ante judicii diem hîc quoque jam justorum et injustorum animae dividuntur et à frumento paleae separantur Cyprian ibid. 4. The Just Condemnation of others Of false Teachers themselves Of those that hearken to them A. 2. This is Satans doing A. 3. This is mans own work Natural Corruption the Mother of false doctrines conceiving and breeding them False doctrines brought forth by 1. Hypocrisie 2. Ambition Vide Grotium Bezam ad loc 3. Covetousnesse False doctrines propagated and multiplyed through the negligence of Ministers and Magistrates Qu. 2. How Christians come to be carried about with false doctrines A. The general Resolution 1. Through Gods righteous Judgment 2. Satans subtlety 3. Mens own Corruption A more particular Resolution fetched from 3. Heads 1. From the Teachers of these doctrines In whom consider 1. Their Activity 2. Their Subtlety Whereby they deceive those that hearken to them Which they do divers wayes 1. By Fallacious Arguments taken from 1. Scripture 2. Reason 3. Custome Bishop Iewel 's Apolog. Pretended Custome a taking Argument with many 2. Pretended Revelations 3. Feigned Miracles Simon Magus deceiving the people thereby till he was arrested by Divine vengeance Antichristian Lying Wonders Other Artifices made use of by false Teachers A Glosse set upon their Doctrines 2. A Vizour put upon their own faces Scribes and Pharisees pretenders to special Sanctity Therein imitated by many false Tea chers As in the Church of Rome So among our selves Two other Qualifications promoting this Seduction 1. Learning 2. Piety From the Hearers and Receivers of these Doctrines who 1. It may be are Chaffe 1. In regard of their natural Levity 2. Or spiritual Vanity 2. They may be Children The case of many in the present Times 3. They may be Blinded 1. Through Blind Zeal 2. Fear 3. Covetousnesse By-respects promoting the embracing of Errours 3. The third Head Taken from the Doctrines themselves 1. It may be they are New and strange Novelty and strangenesse taking Arguments 2. It may be they gratifie the flesh 3. It may be they are consonant to Reason 4. It may be they have a shew of Piety Applic. A just Lamentation over the present state of the Church in this Nation Use 2. A double Caveat to Christians Caveat 1. Be not offended No Reason why Christians should be offended at this 1. This is no other then what hath been 2. No other then what is foretold shall and must be Caveat 2. Take heed of being seduced Arg. 1. For your Ministers sakes Peoples Apostasie the Ministers losse Their Grief Ministers spiritual Parents The Ministers Losse and grief reflecting upon the People Arg. 2. Christians to beware of this for their own sakes Beza Gr. Annot. Errours not all alike dangerous in themselves Yet all dangerous in the Consequence Soul-unsettlednesse in Religion an undoing thing Beza Gr. Annot Arg. 3. For the Churches sake 1. Not despising it Chrysostome Augustine Grotius ad loc Fuller in miscellan Calvin ad loc Beza Gr. Annot in 1 Cor. 11. 18. Pareus ibid. in vers 22. Camero in Praelect de Ecclesiam adversus Bellaminum et Fulleâ—â—â— fusè To despise the Church no small contempt 2. Not shaming it Divers and strange Doctrines tolerated a shame to the Church Arg. 4. For Religions sake Arg. 5. For Christ his sake Q. 1. Preservatives against this spiritual Vertigo A. Direct 1. Christians not to be Over-confident of themselves 1. Not of their own strength Christians alwayes to fear themselves Committing their soules to a Divine Custody Taking hold of their Fathers hand 2. Nor of their own Judgment Particularly in expounding of Scriptures Specially being ignorant unlearned who are apt to pervert it Strange perverting of Scripture in the present Times A Taste of it in the Sect of Quakers Gipsies in Religion See the perfect Pharisee set forth by the Ministers of New-Castle Texts perverted against Ministers Texts perverted against Magistrates Direct 2. Christians not to be over-Credulous so as to take Doctrines upon Trust. 1. Not from any one singular person Pretended infallibility not to be regarded Nor yet pretended Credentials Spirit Word or Letter Spirits to be tryed Merchandizing Spirits 2. Not from any Community or Society of men 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Euseb. Histor. Eccl. lib. 5. cap. 13. Direct 3. Take heed of coming in the winds way Caveat 1. Take heed of High things 1. High thoughts 2. High Speculations Cavat 2. Take heed of Eddie winds Conventicles truly so called Q. May we not try all things A. The Apostles sense expounded The itching ear a dangerous disease Specially in those that are unlearned and unstable Direct 4. Take heed of beginning to turn Object We are going up the Hill Answ. The common Plea of all Sects and Secturies 4. Particular Caveats under this generall direction Caveat 1. Take heed of turning from Jesus Christ to any thing else From Christ to Moses An unsound and dangerous Maxime To fall from Christ a desperate declension A needful Caveat in regard of the present Times See the perfect Pharisee Pos. 7 8 9 10. Caveat 2. Take heed of turning from the Church The Church a Mountain Paramount An unwarrantable and dangerous Separation Donatists and Anabaptists parallelled Maximè quod à Traditoribus Divinarum Scripturarum fuerit Ordinatus August de Haeresibus Tanquam Ecclesia Christi de toto orbe perierit ubi futura promissa est atque in Africâ et Donati parte remanserit in aliis terrarum partibus quasi contagione communionis extincta August ibid. Diu perstitit haec Haeresis etc. Posteà tamen jugulata est atque acquieverat nisi miseri et insani Anabaptistae eam ab inferis hoc nostro seculo revocâsâ—ent Danaeus in Augustin de Haeresib Cap. 69. Audent rebaptizare Cathol cos August de Haeresib Separation a Mother-Error Vide Augustin de Haeresib Danaeum cap. 69. A practice observable in the Donatists Haereticos negant ullo modo Magistratûs quanquam pii et fidelis autoritate coercendos castigandos vel comprimendos ne eorum Venenum latiùs setpat vel ut ipsi Haeretici resipiscant Error 3. Danaeus ubi suprà Obvios sibi quosque in plateis et agris homines a suis erroribus alienâ—s caedunt et jugulant furiose Danaeus ibid. Error 7. The Church the Pillar and ground of truth how The Church Gods Park
allude in the Text whilest he giveth this Caveat to his Hebrews that they should not be thus carried about Be not carried about as Wheeles as Chaffe as Waves as Clouds And thus I have shewen you the Affect or Malady it self Spiritual Unsettlednesse Come we in the next place to take notice of the Ground or Cause of it which we have in the words following With divers and strange Doctrines Here is the wind which carrieth about these Waves these clouds A wind of Doctrine So the Apostle calleth it in that place to which I have had and shall have frequent recourse Eph. 4. 14. Be not carried about with every wind of Doctrine 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Every wind An elegant Metaphor saith Calvin upon it fitly expressing the nature of all those doctrines of men as the Apostle calleth all false doctrines Col. 2. 22. which draw men aside from the simplicity of the Gospel whatever they may seem to be what noise soever they may make in the eares of those that hearken to them and how prevalent soever they may be with them yet they are but wind vain and empty speculations And concerning this wind it is that our Apostle here as elsewhere warneth Christians that they should take heed of being carried about with it Hence is that natural disease in the Head which we call a Vertigo the Turning Sicknesse or Giddinesse it is caused by wind by flatulent vapours affecting the Brain And from a like cause many times is this spiritual Vertigo the unsetlednesse of Christians in the matters of God They are turned and carried about with this wind of Doctrine But what Doctrine That we have here set forth by a twofold Epithet Divers and strange Doctrines Two words as Lapidee noteth upon them fitly agreeing to False and Hereticall doctrines Which are 1. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Various divers So they may be said to be in as much as they differ alwayes from the truth and often from themselves 1. Alwaies from the Truth Being no other but Lyes So Paul calleth Heretical doctrine 2 Thess. 2. 11. a Lye And speaking of Heretical Teachers he calleth them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 teachers of lyes 2 Tim. 4. 2. And so Divers Truth as Aquinas notes upon the Text is but one being like the Center Errors are many like the several points of the Circumference which as they all differ from the Center so one from another And so do Errors all differing from the truth which is but one they differ betwixt themselves 2. Yea and often differ from themselves Such is the guize of Hereticks having no sure ground to stand upon they are often flitting running from one Error to another they do not sibi constare but are often inconsistent with themselves self-contradicting saying and unsaying with the same breath denying and destroying that by Consequence which positively they assert and maintain Thus false doctrines are said to be Divers And 2. Strange 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 So tearmed again in a like double respect Being strange to the Scriptures and strange to the Church 1. To the Scriptures not to be found in the Canon of the Old or New Testament Not known to Christ or his Apostles Were they alive again they would be strange to them They preached no such doctrine They are no other but humane Inventions Commandments and Doctrines of men as the Apostle calleth them in the place forecited Col. 2. 22. not delivered by God in his Word but invented by men And being so they may upon that account well be called strange having no acquaintance with the Scriptures And secondly strange to the Church Such Doctrines as the true Church either never heard of or at least never owned never acknowledged New Doctrines Such was Paul's doctrine to those Athenian Philosophers 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as they call it A new doctrine Act. 17. 19. whereupon they charge him to be a setter up of strange gods vers 18. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Strange deities and a bringer of strange things to their eares vers 20. Strange because new And such are Heresies unto the true Catholick Church of God either not known to it or not known by it And upon that account may well be called strange Now concerning such doctrine it is that the Apostle here giveth this Caveat to his Hebrewes that they should take heed of being seduced of being carried about with them Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines A useful a needful Admonition So it was to the Church at that time when the Apostle gave it And that in a twofold regard 1. In regard that some such doctrines were then abroad 2. Some Christians were then carried about with those doctrines Both which are insinuated in the Text. And so it was 1. Some such Doctrines were then abroad in the world Divers and strange doctrines Such was that doctrine which was then preached by the false Apostles whose design was to make a mixture of the Law and Gospel to joyn them both together pressing the Observation of the Mosaical Law not onely the Moral but Ceremonial Law as necessary to Justification and salvation This did some and many in Paul's time who placed a great part of Religion in Ceremonial Observances Such were those Ordinances which he speaketh of Col. 2. 21. where he blameth his Colossians for dogmatizing for complying with the false Apostles in subjecting themselves to them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Why are ye subject How is it that ye suffer your selves to be so inthralled unto such doctrinal Errors and superstitious Rites and Observances viz. Touch not taste not handle not These were the prescriptions and injunctions of those false Teachers who by crying up these Ceremonial Rites corrupted the minds of those that would hearken to them from the simplicity that was in Christ as he speaketh 2 Cor. 11. 3. drawing off the hearts of Christians from looking onely unto Christ and the free grace of God in him for Justification and Salvation And this was one of those doctrines those divers and strange Doctrines which our Apostle here in the Text hath an eye at So much we may collect from the latter Clause of the verse where he saith It is good that the heart be established with grace not with meats i. e. Not with the choice of meats and drinks using of some as clean abstaining from others as unclean under which by a Synecdoche he comprehendeth all other Ceremonial observances as I shall shew you hereafter This did some of the Teachers of those Times presse upon Christians therein teaching them a Doctrine diverse from and contrary to that which Paul had before taught which was that the Kingdome of God is not meat and drink Rom. 14. 17. The Kingdome of Christ under the Gospel did not consist in such outward observations And besides this there were at that time sundry other Doctrines abroad
may very well be taken literally in as much as Babylons Romes Merchants her Idolatrous Priests and false Teachers do make a spiritual Merchandize of them Now put these together and here you may see how many of these divers and strange doctrines come to be conceived bred and brought forth And being thus brought forth now they come to propagate and increase to spread themselves which they do as by other wayes and means so through the sinful connivance or carelesse negligence of those to whom God hath committed the care of his Church So saith the Parable in the Text forecited Mat. 13. 25. While men slept the Enemy came and sowed tares Whilest those to whom God hath committed the Care of his field his Church which he hath done to Magistrates and Ministers to whom he hath given the like charge concerning Heresies that the King of Egypt did to the Hebrew Midwives concerning the Male children Exod. 1. 16. viz. that they should stifle them in the birth whilest they sleep whilest they are remisse and negligent in discharging of their duties for the suppressing of false and Heretical Teachers with their doctrines by such wayes and means as are agreeable to Scripture and Gospel-rules in the mean time Satan that vigilant Adversary who watcheth all such opportunities he taketh advantage to sowe and scatter these seeds to propagate and spread abroad these divers and strange doctrines And thus you have the former Question resolved How it cometh to passe that there are such divers and strange doctrines abroad in the world and in the Church Come we now to the latter How it cometh to passe that Christians professing the faith of Christ should be carried about with such Doctrines So they are sometimes oft times and yet easily quickly So were the Galatians in so much that Paul could not but wonder at it Gal. 1. 6. I marvel saith he that you are so soon 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 so quickly so suddenly removed to another Gospel And truly so i◠is It is a wonder to see how easily how quickly some Professours are turned about and carried away and that with strange Doctrines Now how cometh this to passe In Answer to this I might again reflect upon some of those generals which I made use of before 1. This cometh to passe not without a special Providence of God who in his most righteous Judgment both sendeth and giveth men over to strong delusion that they should believe a Lye as the Apostle hath it in that forecited Text 2 Thess. 2. 11. And wherefore so and so The verse foregoing renders the reason of it Because they received not the love of the truth that they might be saved Thus it is where the truths of God Gospel-truths are not sincerely and cordially imbraced believed and loved lodged in the heart and the power of them expressed in the life God in his just Judgment giveth men over to the power of strong delusions that they should be deceived by them and carried away with them 2. This cometh to passe through the working of Satan through his subtlety In this way was our first parent our great Grandmother Eve deceived Satan coming to her in the form or rather Body of the Serpent making use of that subtle and insinuating Creature to speak through and convey his temptations by he beguiled her through his subtlety as the Apostle hath it 2 Cor. 11. 3. And in a like way doth that old Serpent called the Devil and Satan the accuser of the brethren and adversary to the Church deceive the world as you have it Rev. 12. 9. the wicked and ungodly world which is the greatest part of it This he doth through his subtlety winding himself into the heads and hearts of men seducing them by his Temptations thereby drawing them as into moral Vices so into doctrinal Errours 3. For this men are beholding to their own Corruption Which is as tinder ready to take fire by every spark that falleth into it Insomuch that if man be left to the inclination and sway thereof it can be no wonder if he be turned aside from the way of truth to the imbracing of the most pernicious and damnable Errours But I shall let passe these Generalls For a more full and particular Resolution of this Enquiry directing you to these three Heads to take notice First of somewhat in the Teachers of these Doctrines Secondly somewhat in those that hearken to them and are carried away with them Thirdly somewhat in the Doctrines themselves whereby this seduction may be either caused or occasioned Begin with the first the Teachers of these Doctrines And in them take we notice of two things Their Activity and their Subtilty Their Activity As Satan so his Instruments are very active in this work St. Peter speaking of him of Satan saith He walketh about as a Lyon seeking whom he may devour 1 Pet. 5. 8. and we may as truly say that he creepeth about as a Serpent seeking whom he may poyson in both kinds Compassing the earth as himself speaketh Iob 1. 7. And our Saviour speaking of some of them his Instruments the Scribes and Pharisees in his time he saith that they compassed Sea and Land to make one Proselyte Matth. 23. 15. They were indefatigable in their endeavours of bringing the Gentiles over to their own Religion of turning them from Heathenisme to Iudaisme which when they had done as our Saviour there further chargeth it upon them they made them twofold more the children of the Devil then themselves i. e. more superstitious then themselves as oft-times Disciples do in the way of Errour exceed and go beyond their Masters And thus for the most part it is with false and Heretical teachers They are very active and unwearied in spreading their Errours not caring what paines they take that way In so much that they are willing to Compasse Sea and Land to go far and near as the Iesuites are notoriously known to do who ttavel into all parts of the habitable world and as some Sectaries among our selves are said at this day to do into all parts of this Nation that they may by spreading their doctrine make Proselytes gain disciples To this end some of them thrust themselves into publick Congregations more of them creep into private houses as the Apostle speaketh of them 2 Tim. 3. 6. Such is their Activity And no lesse in the second place is their Subtilty Wherein oft-times and for the most part they shew themselves to be the children of their father a Serpentine brood a subtile Generation Such a one was Elymas the Sorcerer who sought to turn away the Deputy from the faith and to pervert the right wayes of the Lord as it is charged upon him Acts 13. 8 10. laying false imputations upon the doctrine of the Gospel that so he might hinder the work of Gods grace and obstruct the Apostle in the work of his Ministery
into others to make proselytes they thereby made them twofold more the children of Hell then themselves Matth. 23. 15. Thus do false and Heretical Teachers by their false and damnable doctrines they beget Children of Hell bringing men under the power of Satan to be taken and led Captive by him As therefore you love your selves beware of such seducers such seductions that you be not thus carried about with such divers and strange doctrines And in the third place whilest herein you have respect to your Ministers and your selves have the like also to the Church of God This is a thing which all Christians who professe themselves members of that mysticall Bodie ought to have a special regard unto so as not to despise it nor yet to shame it 1. Not to despise it This is one thing which Paul chargeth upon some of his Corinthians that by their disorderly manner of administring and receiving of the Sacrament of the Lords Supper and Celebrating their Love-feasts before or after it uncertain whether they in so doing despised the Church of God 1 Cor. 11. 22. Or despise you the Church of God Which though some and not a few learned Expositors and that not without some good shew of Reason for it interpret of the place of the Churches meeting which by a usual Metonymie vulgarly is and inoffensively may be so called Ecclesia The Church which place they might be said to have despised in that they put no difference betwixt their own private houses and that which supposing it to be set apart for Religious services ought not without necessary cause to have been imployed to other Civill much lesse Uncivil uses as it seemeth their meetings were Yet others not inferiour to them to whom I professe my self rather to subscribe understand it rather of the Mystical Church the coetus fidelium the Company of believers either in that particular Congregation or elsewhere This Church they by this disorderly carriage of theirs seemed to sleight not regarding the Custome of other Churches nor yet hearkening to the Admonition of their own possibly seconded by some others as Pareus conceiveth of it And this the Apostle there calleth a despising of the Church of God Which he chargeth upon them as a thing most blame-worthy in them Shall I praise you for this I praise you not And so is it in whomsoever shall do the like in any kind Despise the Church of God! that Church whereof they are members and others of the true Churches of Christ. Which they do without regarding the lawful and laudable usages and Customes of those Churches do without any just ground and reason differ from them in matters of concernment Paul in the Chapter last named taxing another undecency in that Church of Corinth viz. their women some of them having their heads and faces unveiled uncovered in the publick Assemblies he presumes this to be Argument sufficient to silence those who ever they were that should appear whether in defence of it or contest about it If any man list to be contentious saith he we have no such Custome nor the Churches of God 1 Cor. 11. 16. And if this be an interpretative despising of the Church not to regard the Customes thereof much more may it be so construed to recede from the doctrine thereof and to run after divers and strange doctrines such as the true Church of God hath not owned but renounceth and disclaimeth Surely this is no other but a despising of the Church of God which who so standeth guilty of let him not look for praise from God or thanks from men 2. Not to shame it This do they who professing themselves to be children of this mother yet desert her doctrine suffering themselves to be thus carried about with such divers and strange doctrines This is no small blemish in the Churches face Even as it is in a field of Corn to see such a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 such a medly in it as sometimes we do in barren soiles such an intermixture of divers and strange weeds and flowers as Cockle and Darnel Poppies and Mayeweed c. all growing among the Wheat this variety of heterogeneous plants what ever their colour be and how pleasing soever they may be in the eyes of Children yet it is no small eye-sore to the husbandman or blemish to the field it self whose best beauty is to be all of one colour And truly so is it in the Church of God where there ought to be but one Faith as the Apostle speaketh Eph. 4. 5. to have divers and strange doctrines put up and take rooting there much more if they come to flourish and spread this is no small eye-sore unto God nor blemish to it Which have you a regard unto that you may not in this way either despise or shame the Church of God In the fourth place having an eye to the Church of God have a regard also to the Religion of God therein professed To the Truth of God which is but one Veritas unica error multiplex Errour is various and may be infinite Truth is but one and that semper eadem ever the same being constant and immutable like unto him who is the Authour of it the God of truth who saith of himself I am the Lord I change not Mat. 3. 6. Now what a dishonour then is this to have the Professours of it so unlike unto it self the children so unlike the mother such Changelings so mutable so changeable As if they were of Pilates race who when Christ spake to him concerning the Truth he replyeth not without some Passion And what is Truth Joh. 13. 38. Truly such Scepticks in Religion are some and many at this day as if they were as some call themselves Seekers not knowing what Truth no not Gospel-truth is which if they did surely they would be more constant in adhering to it and owning of it Fifthly and lastly let me beg this for the sake of your Lord and ours even for Christ his sake His Disciples and followers you professe your selves to be And are you so then hear his voice and no others This will his sheep do My sheep hear my voice Joh. 10. 27. Those that are truly given unto Christ by the Election of God the Father to be made partakers of the merit and benefit of his Redemption to be justified and saved by and through him they will hearken unto him speaking in the Gospel And thus hearing him they will follow him and onely him not so any other A stranger will they not follow saith the fifth verse of that Chapter speaking of the same sheep of Christ but will flee from him For they know not the voice of strangers False Teachers such as teach divers and strange doctrines and in that respect fitly called strangers Christs sheep know not their voyce viz. with a knowledge of Approbation so as to hearken to them to follow them And O
Thessalonians to be by those false Apostles who to insinuate into them and to gain credit and credence unto their doctrines made use of that threefold Artifice viz. Spirit Word and Letter Spirit pretending Prophetical Revelations Word Reports concerning the Apostle as if he had changed his mind recanting what before he had preached and so were of the same mind with them as Grotius I think sitly expounds the word there Letter any counterfeit writing going under the Apostles name And the very like Artifices do false Teachers frequently make use of Pretending sometimes to Spirit Revelations Inspirations Sometimes to Word Reports Traditions Sometimes to Letter forged Records All frequently made use of in the Church of Rome And some of them made use of by some false Teachers among our selves at this day Now let not Christians be shaken in mind or troubled by any of these No not by that which biddeth most for belief in this kind Spirit Pretended Revelation This was the great Argument which the false Prophets under the Old Testament made use of to gain credit to their doctrines by And the like have false Teachers done in the New As in the Primitive times so in most ages since being therein imitated by some in this Nation at this day But let not this pretence gain any Credence from us That is St. Iohn's advice 1 Ioh. 4. 1. Beloved saith he Believe not every spirit But try the spirits whether they be of God because many false Prophets are gone out into the world So it was in his time there were many false Teachers who boasted of the Spirit pretended Revelation and Inspiration by which means their doctrines gained belief with over-credulous soules But St. Iohn forbids to believe them ever the more for that but to Try them So did the Church of Ephesus for which she is commended Rev. 2. 2. Thou hast tryed them which say they are Apostles but are not and hast found them lyars And the like it standeth all Christians in hand to do Not lightly to believe every spirit By this means if reports be true many children have been stollen and carried away by those whom the vulgar call by the name of spirits Being over-credulous and committing themselves to them they have made Merchandize of them Take you heed of doing the like by your soules of committing them to every one that pretend to the Spirit lest they also do the like by you make merchandize of you as St. Peter foretelleth false Teachers would do 2 Pet. 2. 3. But try such spirits whether they be of God Bringing their Doctrines to the Touchstone of the Word That was the Touchstone to which God requireth his people to bring the Prophets under the Old Testament Isai. 8. 20. To the Law and to the Testimony to the Word to the Scriptures If they speak not according to this Word it is because there is no light in them No Morning saith the Original The daystar hath not appeared unto them the Sun is not risen upon them as they pretend they have no light of divine illumination or yet can afford any light of true Consolation And in like manner by the same means try we the like Pretenders under the New Testament Not taking doctrines in matters of faith upon trust from any Not from any one singular person 2. No nor yet in the second place from any Community any Society of men Be it a Church or be it a Synod a Councel Provinciall or National yea suppose Oecumenical General Universal True it is great respect both may and ought to be given to these specially to the last But yet none of them having a promise of infallibility it is too great an honour to yield an absolute credence unto them so as to receive their determinations for Articles of faith without any further discussion Such an implicit faith did that ancient Heretick Apelles plead for Being as Eusebius reports it of him taken in some errors and dealt with for his Conviction he alledged that it was not for him or any other to enquire into the truth of Doctrines professed but every one to abide in that faith which he had received And the very like do they of the Church of Rome Fearing the truth of their doctrines they forbid the people to try them specially if once they have the Churches stamp upon them now it is piacular so much as to question them No wonder that poor souls being over-credulous are in this way carried about whither it pleaseth their blind guides to lead them Would not you miscarry in the like way make use of this second Advice Be not over-credulous in receiving of Doctrines upon trust from others I passe to a third Would you not be thus carried about Take heed how you come in the winds way how you expose your selves to Temptations in this way Under which Head let me give you a twofold Caveat 1. Take heed of high things That is the Apostles Caveat to his Romans Rom. 12. 16. Mind not high things And let it be mine to you If you would not be thus carried about take heed of high things You may remember what I told you of Chaffe upon the Mountains Being there it is presently whirled about with every gust of wind whereas had it been in the valley or upon the floor possibly it might have lyen still and quiet Would not you in like manner be carried about with this wind of strange doctrines keep off from the top of the Mountain take heed of high things In particular of high thoughts and high speculations I shall instance onely in these two 1. Of high thoughts concerning your selves of your own wit your own wisdome your own Judgment as if you were more perspicacious more quicksighted then others This Caveat the Apostle subjoynes to the former Rom. 12. 16. Be not wise in your own conceits Such for the most part Hereticks are they have high thoughts of themselves as if they could seek further then others And with this leaven for the most part their Disciples likewise are sowred And thence is it that having once given entertainment to an opinion they are so hardly induced to part with it again Seeth thou a man wise in his own conceit there is more hope of a fool then of such a one Prov. 26. 12. would not you fall into the like condition Be not in this sense High-minded Have not over weening thoughts of your selves And secondly whilest you take heed of high thoughts take heed also of high Speculations Whilest you take heed of setting the one into your soules take heed how you let out your soules after the other that they do not reach at things above their reach So our former Translation not unfitly renders that of the Apostle Rom. 12. 8. That no man prefume to understand above that which is meet to understand 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Either above that which is meet for any man to
were sometimes darknesse are noon-light in the Lord as the Apostle saith of his believing Ephesians Ephes. 5. 8. having an inward light of the Spirit within them But this illumination is imperfect This light is but a Twilight like that of the morning when the day-star appeareth before the Sun ariseth Now during that time a Candle will not be unusefull in a dark room And of such use are the Scriptures unto enlightened soules illuminated Saints here who though they have some light yet still they have much darknesse within them and so stand in need of a light without them which is Scripture-Light To this Paul directs his Timothy Though he was then illuminated by the Spirit and that in a more then ordinary measure and manner being an Evangelist yet he bids him Give attendance to reading 1 Tim. 4. 13. viz. of the Scriptures the Law and the Prophets And again in his second Epistle Chap. 3. 5. he tells him that the Scriptures which he had known from a child were able to make him wise unto salvation And in the verses following verse 16 17. enlarging himself in setting forth the divers and excellent uses of Scripture he saith It is profitable for doctrine c. that the man of God may be made perfect thorowly furnished to all good works Now if Scriptures contribute so much to Ministerial perfection surely they cannot be uselesse to the most illuminated Saints upon earth This is their Light to see by As also their Rule to walk by Even as the Card and Compasse is to the Seaman so are the Scriptures unto the Christian serving him to stear his Course by And therefore take heed of laying them aside Should the Mariner do so by his Card and Compasse lay them aside and stear by guesse no wonder if his Vessel were carried about to this Coast or that striking upon this Rock that shelf this or that Quicksand And truly so is it with Christians if once they shall come to lay aside the Scriptures and pretending to Revelations and Inspirations as it seemeth too many in this Nation at this day do stear their Course by guesse following their own fancies no wonder they be carried about this way or that to the imbracing of all kind of Errours And therefore as you would be freed from this deception take heed of this delusion of thus turning from the Scriptures Turning from them whether in whole or in part 1. In whole as Anti-Scripturists do of which sort it seemeth there are not a few abroad in this Nation who will allow the Scriptures no such Divine Authority as that they should be called the Word of God above any other Writings but onely look upon them as the writings of holy men setting forth their own and others Conditions Whence it is that they are usually stiled by some The Saints Conditions Moses's Davids Isaiahs Ieremies Pauls Conditions In the mean time they do not look upon them either as a Light or a Rule which they are bound to follow 2. Or yet in the second place of turning from them in part This do they who whilest they receive the New Testament reject and disclaim the Old as being now like an old Almanack calculated for the year past out of date of no more use for Christians under the Gospel And so do they who renounce the Letter of the Scripture as a uselesse Shell or Bark a dead Letter as they ordinarily call it They are all for the pith the inward Mystery To which end they turn every thing into an Allegory as if the Literal sense were not at all to be regarded By which meanes they make no other then as Papists stile it a Nose of Wax or Leaden Rule of the Scripture turning it which way they will to please their own foolish fancies Being so far in love with the pretended Pith as that for it they cast away both Bark and Timber too This be you aware of of offering such force to Sacred Writ Which whilest Origen did God is said justly to have met with him leaving him to offer violence to himself through mis-expounding of one Text in a literal sense who before had done the like to many by turning of them into an Allegorical And which whosoever shall do no wonder if they be carried about with divers and strange doctrines Here is a third of these Caveats To which adde a fourth Whilest you thus hold fast the Head and Body Christ and his Church with the Scriptures the Rule of faith take heed of sorsaking the House of God I mean his Publick Worship and Service This also is set upon the Hill So was the Tabernacle which David erected And so was the Temple which Solomon built the places of Gods publick worship and service the House of God Wherein we find these four precious and sacred Reliques all mentioned by the Apostle in one verse Heb. 9. 4. The Golden Censer the Pot of Manna Aarons Rod and the Tables of the Covenant not unfitly whether intentionally or no I will not say representing those four great Gospel-Ordinances Prayer Word Sacraments Discipline these were seated upon the Hill upon Mount Sion the one the other upon Mount Moriah So as whoever in Ierusalem went aside from this place they went down the Hill And so do they who ever they are that forsake the House of God that forsake Publick Ordinances What ever they may fancy to themselves as too many at this day do whose design it is to get and live above Ordinances as they call it looking upon them as low things fit for Children and so they think that they are flown above the ordinary pitch yet certainly they are gone down the Hill and unlesse mercy step in to them are not far from the bottome O be you ware of this so dangerous a Declension of this forsaking the House of God This did some in our Apostle's time as he giveth us to take notice Heb. 10. 25. where he giveth this Caveat to his Hebrewes that they should not do as some among them had done Not forsaklng the Assembling of your selves together as the manner of some is that is not forsaking the publick Congregations and Assemblies of the Church where publick Ordinances are dispensed where the Word of God is rightly preached Sacraments duly administred Prayers and praises in a publick way presented unto God These Assemblies some Christians in those early times forsook upon what ground it being not expressed is uncertain whether for fear or through negligence or out of Pride Self-conceitednesse and affectation of singularity But what ever it was this practice of theirs the Apostle censures and condemnes And well doth it deservea Censure in whomsoever upon what ground soever True it is where God separates men as by sicknesse or any just and necessary impediment this pleads their excuse but where men shall separate themselves this is a practice both unwarrantable and dangerous In the fear
of God be you ware of it It is Grotius his Note upon the Text Heb. 10. 25. and it is a true one Deserere Conventus est initium quoddam defectionis To forsake the publick Assemblies is the beginning of Apostasie and defection opening a wide door to all kind of Errours and Miscarriages in Doctrine and Practice A truth sufficiently evidenced by many and sad Examples in this Nation at this day Whence is it that so many have been carried about with divers and strange doctrines follow it to the Head enquire into the Original of it and you shall find it for the most part to have begun here in their for saking of the publick Assemblies of the Church falling off from publick Ordinances Let this be a warning to you Take heed how you fall off from attending upon or submitting unto any Ordinance of God which is dispensed and held forth in the Congregations where you live and whereof you are or ought to be members according to the Rule of Gods holy Word And in particular take heed of renouncing a true Gospel-Ministery Which whilest some have done in this Nation being carried forth not onely with groundlesse distastes against the persons of Gods Ministers but also against their office and calling crying that down as Antichristian and I know not what as that poor ignorant Sect forenamed and some others do how have they been whirled and carried about And no wonder it should be so This being the Ordinance which God hath appointed for this very end among others for the establishing of the hearts of Christians to keep them from being thus carried about So the Apostle setteth it forth expresly in that Text forecited Ephes. 4. where having reckoned up divers ends wherefore Christ instituted those Ministerial offices in his Church Extraordinary and Ordinary why he gave some to be Apostles some Prophets and some Evangelists and some Pastours and Teachers among other he points out this for one ver 14. That we henceforth be no more children tossed to and fro with every wind of doctrine Mark it it being worth your marking To this very end Christ instituted not onely Apostles and Prophets and Evangelists extraordinary Officers but also Pastors and Teachers Ordinary Ministers who are to continue to the end of the world as that promise made to them implyes Matth. 28. last that by and through their Ministery his people might not onely be begotten unto God but also confirmed and strengthened edified and built up in their holy faith and so established in it as that they might be kept therein not being carried about as light and empty vessels without a Pilote are upon the waves And if so what wonder if those who throw away the Antidote which is prepared for them and given to them be infected with that disease which it was proper and soveraign against If they who cry down this Ordinance which God hath given them to be a preservative against this Turning Sicknesse be thus carried about as generally they are with such divers and strange doctrines Thus I have done with this fourth Caveat as also with this fourth Direction which adviseth you to beware of beginning to turn of beginning to go down the Hill in particular of falling off from Christ from his Church from Scriptures from Ordinances To which let me yet adde one more which is still upon the Negative shewing you what you should not do what you are further to take heed of and that is of following of false Lights By this meanes men are sometimes oft-times carried and led wild by following of Ignes fatui false Lights insomuch that sometimes they are led into ditches and bogs and riuers And by the very like meanes are unwary and unstable soules often seduced and carried about by following of false lights Which are of two sorts Lights without them and lights within them 1. There are false lights without the man Such are false Teachers of whom I have spoken Teachers are Lights Ye are the Light of the world saith our Saviour to his Apostles Matth. 5. 14. And being true Teachers they are true Lights Such was Christ the Master of whom it is is said He was that true light Joh. 1. 9. So he was Originally as the Sun is which is the fountain of Light And such are his servants his Ministers who hold forth the Word of Truth they are Lights also though by participation onely as the Stars are by which name they are called The seven Stars are the seven Angels the Ministers of the seven Churches Rev. 1. 20. But so are not fale Teachers They are Lights indeed but false lights Not true Stars but Comets blazing Stars So called by St. Iude as some understand his expression Iude v. 13. wandring stars Such as Comets are or Planets that is his word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which have no regular motion Now would you not be carried about take heed how you follow any of these lights how you follow false Teachers That is our Saviours advice concerning them Luk. 17. 23. Go not after them nor follow them Yea and knowing them so to be how you come nigh them how you resort unto them have any unnecessary society much more familiarity with them That is St. Iohns advice to the Elect Lady and her Children Joh. 2. Ep. v. 10. If there come any among you that bring not this doctrine viz. the doctrine of Christ spoken of in the verse foregoing but a doctrine contrary to it Receive him not into your house neither bid him God speed And thus let Christians deal by false and Heretical Teachers keep a distance from them as they would do from those creatures which poyson with their breath not shewing them any countenance not affording them any encouragement not having any unnecessary society with them These are false lights without a man 2. Besides which there are other false lights within him These are of two sorts Supernatural Natural 1. Supernatural I mean going under that notion so apprehended and taken to be by those that are deceived by them Such are Enthusiasmes supposed Inspirations This is the Light which some and not a few it seemeth in this Nation at this day as the Anabaptists in the last age also did pretend to be led by Not by any light without them the Scriptures or any outward teaching No this they renounce as a dimme and uncertain light But a light within them The light of the Spirit This is that which those poor deluded soules forementioned so much boast of as being that which they professe to follow as their onely guide sending all Christians to it for direction All people cease from your outside lights saith one of them and return to the light of Christ within you Which light is not a Chapter without you in a book So do they take men off from Scriptures directing them onely to a light within them This is the light saith the
goeth on heavily though possibly he may be in the right whereas being confident of his way he goeth on chearfully So is it with a Christian in his journey to heaven falling with divers wayes divers doctrines and being in himself unsettled and unresolved which to cleave unto this Amity is to him no small perplexity Whereas going on resolvedly now he walketh comfortably Thus is Heart-establishment a good thing And is it so What then remaines to make a short Application of this threefold Observation but that 1. We be all of us convinced of the want of this Establishment which who so is not surely he is not acquainted with his own heart as he ought to be True it is amongst Christians some are more stable then others having through Grace attained some good measure of this heart-establishment This is that which David saith of the good and Godly man Psal. 112. 8 9. His heart is fixed trusting in the Lord. His heart is established c. So it may be in measure in good measure yet so as still there will be some fluctuations some doubtings some waverings specially in times of Temptation being the remainders of natural Instability And this let every of us be convinced of 2. And being convinced of the thing be withall convinced of the Evil of it that so we may be humbled for it and under it And that as for any actual deviation turning aside from any way or truth of God and being carried away with any divers and strange doctrine which many many I hope well-meaning soules many of them in this Nation that I say not in this place at this day have just and great cause for so for that degree of habitual unsettlednesse which is yet left remaining in us that we should be so obnoxious so subject to be thus carried about as the best of us are if left unto our selves 3. Then in the third place be we exhorted to seek after this blessed frame and temper of spirit never resting untill we have in measure attained it Not resting our selves contented either with that fides implicita or Conjecturalis fiducia that Implicit faith or Conjectural belief which the Doctors of the Church of Rome would have their Disciples to rest contented in As for any certain knowledge or assurance looking upon them as things in an ordinary way not attainable specially for private Christians they would not have them sought after by them And thus do they keep poor soules in a fluctuating doubting condition by which meanes their Consciences can never be quiet not having any sure basis to rest upon but they are continually subject to be carried about A sad and dangerous condition what ever they may think or speak of it An Evil a great Evill So much Pareus writing upon the Text rightly concludes from it against the Iesuites and their Conjectural faith If it be a good thing to have the heart established with grace then it must be an evill thing not to have it thus established And so looking upon it rest we not contented under it but strive after such a Plerophorie such a full perswasion and assurance as the Apostle sometimes speaketh of Thus did the Thessalonians receive the Apostles doctrine as he saith It came unto them in much assurance 1 Thess. 1. 5. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 And the like doth he wish and earnestly desire as for his Colossians so for other of the Saints Col. 2. 2. That their hearts might be comforted being knit together in love and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding to the acknowledgment of the mystery of God c. that is of the doctrine of the Gospel And the like doth St. Peter beg for the Saints to whom he writeth 1 Pet. 5. 10. The God of all grace c. make you perfect stablish strengthen you And this let all of us seek for our selves that our hearts may be established in the Truth of God This is the Commendation which that Apostle St. Peter giveth to the Saints to whom he writeth that they were established in the present truth 2 Pet. 1. 12. i. e. the truth of the Gospel which was then preached unto them And O! that the like could be said of every of us and of all the Lords people in this Nation that we and they were thus established A blessing never more to be desired then at this day Wherein the times the general state of all things both in Church and State being so unsettled Christians have need of stable hearts When the winds are loud and the Sea is up then have Ships need to be well ballasted And truly so is it with Christians as at all times so specially in unsettled and troublesome times when the wind of divers and strange doctrines is up as is at this day among us blowing upon the Church as that wind of the Devils raising did upon the house where Iobs children were which is said to have smote the four Corners of it Job 1. 19. a strange wind to blow so many several wayes at once and such is the wind of false doctrines which the Devil hath raised against the Church in this Nation at this day now they have need to have their hearts established 1. And this let all of us now seek for Seeking it from God who is the God of all grace From him it is that Peter beggeth this blessing in that Text even now cited 1 Pet. 5. 10. Now the God of all grace stablish you This is his work He which establisheth us with you in Christ is God saith the Apostle to his Corinthians 2 Cor. 1. 21. This he can do To him that is of power to establish you saith the same Apostle describing of God Rom. 16. 25. And that he would do it that he would put forth that power upon every of us beg it from him by Prayer That is Davids request for himself Psal. 51. 12. Stablish me with thy free Spirit so the former Translation readeth it And this let all of us beg as a mercy seasonable at all times never more then at this day Lord establish our hearts stablish us in thy truth confirm us uphold us keep us from being thus carried about 2. Which that he may do be directed with care and conscience to attend upon the meanes of establishment Confirming strengthening establishing Ordinances whereby God is wont to convey this grace into the hearts of his people Such is the Word in the publick Ministery of it and such is the Sacrament of the Lords Supper And therefore that your hearts may be established whilest you attend upon the one of these do not neglect the other That which David and Ezekiel say of ordinary Bread in reference to the Body Psal. 105. 16. Ezek. 4. 16. we may in reference to the Soul apply it to Sacramental bread It is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as the Seventy there render it the stay and
Caveat 3. Take heed of turning from the Scriptures How long Christians are to give heed to the light of the Word Saints upon earth enlightened but in part The Scriptures a Christians Light to see by and Rule to walk by Turning from the Scriptures in whole See the perfect Pharisee Pos. 13. In part Letter of Scripture not to be renounced Regulam Lesbiam Nasum cereum Ita Origenes poenam dans merito tot Allegoriarum Eunuchatum planè Allegoricum ad literam paulo servilius interpretatus sibi vim tulit qui non minùs vim intulerat Scripturae virque esse desiit qui non desiit esse malus interpres D. Josephus Hall in Communione ad Synodum Dordracenam Caveat 4. Take heed of turning from publick Ordinances Church-Assemblies not to be forsaken Forsaking publick Assemblies the beginning of Apostasie Take heed of renouncing a Gospel-Ministery Note Direct 5. Take heed of false Lights 1. False Lights without a man False Teachers 2. False Lights within a man Supernatural Enthusiasmes Perfect Pharisee Pos. 12. Ibid. Enthusiasmes for the most part an Ignis fatuus 2. Natural Reason Perfect Pharisee Pos. 11. How Reason may be consulted with in matters of Religion 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Chrysost. Hom. ad Text. Rationi naturali verae nunquam contrariatur Theologia sed eam excedit saepè et sic videtur repugnare Thom. Disp. de fide Artic. 10. Take heed of making Reason our guide Not Grosse Reason Nor yet Reason Refined Philosophy Philosophia Theologiae se submittat ut Agar Sarae patiatur se admoneri et corrigi sin minus pareat ejice ancillam Clem. Str. 1. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Chrysost Hom. ad Text. Direct 6. Get the soul well ballasted Viz. with Grace Use 2. Christians to be careful of their Brethren for the prevention or cure of this Turning Sicknesse in them All in their places Siquis pudor si qua pictas reprimite hanc petulantissimaâ— insaniendi libidinem modum imperate hominum et linguis et calamis Et facite ut qui vera sentire nolunt falsa divulgare non ausint etc. Vide D. Joseph Hall ubì suprà 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Possidens Retentionem Montanus Magistrates to restrain Falle Teachers The Law against false Teachers 2d. Part of the Text. The Reason of the Prohibition Parts two Part 1. The thing commended Heart-Establishment Explic. Q. 1. Heart what it here signifieth The Soul of man Q. What part of the Soul A. The whole soul specially the Mind 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 pro mente et ratione intelligente ponit Homo is est interior et spiritualis Aret. Com. ad Loc. Q. 2. Heart Establishment what A. Oserv. The heart of man naturall unstable Paâ—iter 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Ascendendo Montanus Obser. 2. Heart-unsettlednesse a great evil 1. Such is Actual turning from the way of Truth 1. A sinful Evil. Upon a double Account 2. A penal Evil. 2. Habitual instability a great Evil in two respects 1. Rendring the soul unserviceable 2. Exposing it to Danger Obser. 3. Heart-Establishment a good thing 1. An Honest good 2. A profitable good 3. A delightful good Applic. Use 1. Be convinced of soul-unfetlednesse Use 2. Be convinced of the evil of it aud be humbled under it Use 3. Seek after Heart-Establishment Damnat hic Apostolus fidem Conjecturalem h. e. fluctuationem Jesuitarum quâ necesse est conscientias circumferri dubias Contra asserit 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 fidei c. Pareus ad Text. Heart-Establishment needful in respect of the present Times Directions for the obtaining of it 1. Seek it from God by Prayer 2. By a conscionable attendance upon Establishing Ordinances The Sacrament of the Lords Supper an establishing Ordinance Part 2d. The meanes of Hearr-Establishment Grace Oserv. The best Ballast for the Soul Grace Q. Grace what here it signifieth A. The Doctrine and Habit of Grace 1. The Doctrine of Grace the Gospel 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 pro gratuitâ Dei erga nos benevolentiâ acceptante nos justos pro nunciante propter meritum Christi Aretius ad loc Heart-Establishment not to be expected from the Law Not from the Ceremonial Law Nor yet from the Morall Law Reason Grace like the Authou of it All-sufficient Applic. Use 1. Seek not Heart establishment in any other way Not from Ceremonial observances Nor yet from Moral performances Much lesse from Temporal enjoyments Use 2. Seek it in a Gospel-way making free Grate our foundation Concerning which two Directions Direct 1. See that this foundation be well laid 1. Right set 2. Deep laid Direct 2. Settle the soul upon this foundation Which is done by Faith resting upon free Grace 2. The Habit of Grace Regeneration Quum Cibis opponit Gratiam non dubito quin spiritualem Dei cultum et Regenerationem intelligat hoc nomine Calvin ad loc Iisdem etiam verbis Beza Gr. Annot. ad loc Nomine Gratiae Graeci fidem etc. Atqui nihil verat generatim significari interna ac spiritualia Dei dons quibus homines sanctificantur ut fidem Spem Charitatem caeterásque virtutes Estius Com. ad loc Q. How the Habit of Grace establisheth the Heart 1. By way of Evidence 2. By way of Efficiency 1. Indirectly by freeing it from what might disquiet it As from fear So from other inordinate Affections and Passions 2. Directly by fixing the Soul upon a sure foundation the Grace of God in Christ. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Chrysost. ad Text. Faith compared to an Anchor Applic. Seek after the Habit of Grace Chrysost. ad loc Having an eye to two things To the Quality that it be true 2. To the Quantity that there be a good proportion of it