perfidia cannot have successe which scarce will imply error in faith or misbeliefe but malitious falsitie in matter of trust and action such as Faelicissimus and his complices hasted to Rome with against Saint Cyprian Saint Hieroms orbis Major urbe may dismisse him and his zeal to Presbyterie confirm no friend to Papal glory For Saint Austin he is quoted to call himselfe rash detestable and strangely imprudent in a Councell to resist them with whom Christ could only be to the consummation of the age Saint Cyprian in a schism is pack'd to hell se judice macula istanec sanguine abluitur nec pasâ—ione purgatur inexpâ—abilis culpa non erit fidei corona sed perfidiae poena He oppos'd Pope Stephen and Saint Austin and he being both of the African Church dyed excommunicate from the Roman and if a Saint Greoories prayers brought them not from hell with Trajan to bear him company we may misdoubt a bene esse to those Romanists invoke as Grandees in the Court of heaven if extra Ecclesia parietes Romanae non sit salus But God be praised a Saint Hierom comes to their rescue with a non altera Romanae urbâ—s Ecclesia alteratotius orbis aestimanda est Gallia Bithynia c. unum Christum adorant unam observant regulam veritatis si authoritas quaeritur orbis major est urbe ubicunque fuerit Episcopus sive Regio ejusdem meriti est ejusdem sacerdotii potentiae divitiarum potestatis gradus paupertatis humâ—litas sublimiorem vel inferiorem Episcopum non faciunt omnes Apostolorum successores sunt Sect. 69. If the Roman Church be a branch she cannot be the Root though an elder sister she can be but a co-heir we need not cry out with Esau Hast thou but one blesâ—â—ng O my father Nor is it the essence of the Church nor the representative part in a synod but the vertuall power in the Pope and his Cardinalls which are the Elixir by whose vertue the name of Catholick is derivative To be blanch'd with Innocence or gul'd with Martyrdome to carry the Enfigns of the Lamb are nothing worth without the crosse keyes of Saint Peter the Purple of Christ invaluable should we deny the Cardinals scarlet Robe Who mock'd Christ more then the Jewes who cloth'd him in it with a hail King while the exorbitancy of their power takes away his plants Thorns in Christianity and buffets him in his members who by uncharitable censures have not only separated Protestants from their communion but Russian African Asiatick Graecian Churches where some praise God in the flames while these lasciviating in the sunshine of Gods mercies have kick'd against Divinity and retiring into the shade bellowing like mad beasts have preferred forms and shadowes before the light and glory of Religion yet if we will believe what their Bulls roar ten times their number is damned for not being Catholicks for sooth since every Christian under pain of damnation must be subject to the Roman Bishop Who taught us Our Father which art in heaven forbids us an inclosure and he who intends a Monopoly will leave out Christ with his brother The name of Catholick in the Creed plac'd in opposition to the Jewish inclosure of mercy it will be strange if universall should now turn particular and by not retaining the phancy of a particular Church a man could not be of the universall and yet every Church hath a particular phancy and it is probable all generally phancy by an audi Ecclesiam and in the Commission dic Ecclesiae what Christ never intended If thy brother trespasse against thee tell the Church viz. a company of Christians and if he will not hear the Church let him be to thee as an heathen or a publican cite him before the Gentiles tribunall as thou wouldst an heathen or a publican It is true there is but one true Faith one true Church but both Faith and Church is the Catholâ—ck Christian not the particular Roman and this Catholick Christian Church he who will not both hear and obey the particular Church where he lives so far as it dissents not with the universall in my opinion is worse then pagan or publican Sect. 70. The Catholick Church is Gods house all Nationall Churches are in this universall house as so many daughters to whom as Christs Vicegerents the care of the houshold is commited by God the Father and the Catholick Church the mother of all Christians If sisters disagree in a family will the Father and the Mother God and the Church eject one child because that an other is petulant waspish or hath Christ given power to Rome because she is an elder sister that she or her steward the Bishop should cast out of the family which she pleaseth of the children of the family for telling stories of an elder sisters or stewards enormities Romana Ecclesia particularis according to Bellarmine and without there be two Roman Churches there cannot be both a particular Roman Church and a Catholick No sense will admit the Roman Catholick she is not universall so not Catholick in extent not entire in Doctrine in things belonging to the foundation so not Catholick in beliefe nor the prime Mother Church Jerusalem was that so not Catholick as fountain head or root of the Catholick Sect. 71. Catholica autem quae diffusaper universum orbem That Catholick Church which all Nations shall flow unto Kings and Queens shall be nursing Fathers and Mothers shall suck the milk of Gentiles this is the way which the fool cannot erre when the wisest may mistake there 's universality antiquity succession and unity here are unquestionable while all agree if not in manner yet matter of beliefe have the same limbs of Christian warfare that Constantines 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 This is the Arke of the Covenant holy City fructiferous Vine direct way sole Dove excelse mountain celestiall Kingdome spouse and body of Chirst the house of God gate of Heaven a pillar and firmament of verity a light in a Candlestick a Tabernacle in the Sun a ship secure in storms a rock which though the winds of schism arise and waves of heresy beat cannot be moved here the sayings of Fathers writhed by Papists to rivet Saint Peters tattering chair are all verified that which was the Church of all ages is apostated perish'd this they say who are not in her see lest thou may not be she will be though thou art not in vain he sayes he hath God for his Father who will not acknowledge the holy Catholick Church for his Mother since in the expans'd arms of her charity she entertains the whole body of Christiâ—nity Be wise my soul lay thee a foundation here so though storms arise and waves beat thou shalt not be moved the quicksandâ— of heresie shall no more swallow thee up the waves of schism warp â—hee to irreâ—lâ—gion or byasse thee toward Atheisme Sect. 72.
of our sins sting us look up upon him who was lifted up with healing under his wings and have respect to the fruits of the land of promise that blessed Canaan not being discourag'd by the Gyants of our sins but lift up our hands with Moses strengthned by the two Tables the Commandements of God till we overcome them and having the Corner stone Christ Jesus to support us in our weaknesse who will not fail them who rely on him in all their conflicts with the world the flesh and the Devill we may subdue the enemies of our peace who hinder us in our progresse to the promis'd Land Sect. 16. I may believe him conceiv'd of the Holy Ghost yet may safely neither believe the Popes and some Pontificians nor the conceptions of our Enthusiasticks of the holy spirit I can believe Christ born of a Virgin Mary yet need not believe a Virgin Maries Temple born by Angels to Loretto nor doubting the truth of the Virgins milk with which the Popish Priests impose on the vulgar may impose the stigma of infidel on me and deprive me of the milk of the word of truth He who had respect unto her humility will not have respect unto them who too much humble her since the glory of Heaven overshadow'd and the Bridegroom of our souls shined forth from the closet of her womb Nor exalt them who her that was humbled in her own eyes exalt in theirs above their Creator Casheer his name to admit hers in the Psalter while an Ave Mary can bring a Te deum Laudamus out of fashion and Christ himself must stil be in pupillage May we all provide innocent spotlesse and Virgin hearts for a Saviour to be born in so that we all may have by the overshadowing of the holy spirit a right Conception of him whose Conception could not be without it and be accounted for the mother and brethren of the Lord while wee do the will of his Heavenly Father Sect 17. I could wish that Christ still suffer'd not under a Roman Governor but instead of a Pilate he would be a good Pilot no longer steer by the gales of profit or the Whirlewind of ambition which may ingulph the bark of the Church into an Abysse of misery but calming the troubled Sea of his own lusts into moderation the winds of error and waves of false Doctrine may cease and the leaky vessell of the Roman Church by the pump of Faith and sincere repentance may arrive at the Haven of eternall security in vain like Pilat he may seek to wash his hands from the guilt of Christs blood while he can embrue them in the blood of Christians and suffer his Polemicks to plant thorns on Christs brow spinous questions and with the mock pageantry of state make Christian Religion ridiculous to Jew and Gentile Neither the Clergy though their name implies lot should as relative to their name and Christian warfare Souldier-like cast lots for Christs Coat neglecting internall purity quarrell about the supervesture externall ceremonies of Religion while their tongues sharp as spears pierce Christs sides through their brethren who is still crucified by Jews and betwixt theeves who rob Gods word while we apprehend examine accuse condemn shame and crucifie one another when we should rather crucifie the flesh with the affections and lusts thereof as pride envy malice and contention conforming our selves to the Image of a crucified Saviour and not to the crucifyers of a Saviour by our vices since some truths though seemingly precious are not so plac'd in competition with Christian-charity peace and communion with all who are fellow-members of Christs body Wee must relinquish that which is valuable rather then him who is above all value while dissention can renew his wounds in his members Dull phlegmatick and Plebeian constitutions are not only subject to paralytique but even apoplectick distemperatures sometimes they tremble and discompose Religion in their jealous furies and sometimes are superstitious and supine and stupid in trivial and ridiculous fooleries Resembling Apes and Dotterells more apt to imitate mops mows and gesticulations then vertues while others are madder then those who are asham'd of humanity because Apes have some resemblance with humane nature Sect 18. Cannot any one be perswaded Christ descended not into Hell since a S. Cyprian averrs this Article neither in the Roman or orientall Symbole and Tertullian takes no notice of it and Shâ—ol and his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 implies the grave without descending thither May I leave the works of Hell pride malice and uncharitablenesse by works of light treat with God where he is in Heaven by believing Christ was in Hell will not much advantage me in the way to Heaven though my uncharitablenesse to a misconceiving brother may warp me toward Hell Hell is described by the valley of Hinnom where sacrific'd children weak ones in Christ while their tongues are kindled at Hell fire who with trifling differences make schisms in the Kingdom of Gods Church and Communion which Saints should have for the service of Christ their King the Lords anointed against the powers of darknesse Sect. 19. May not any one believe in the Holy Ghost though hee should not phancy the picture or the sencelesse story of the Doves want of gall or the holy spirits non-appearance in that shape but onely hovering like a descending Dove Oh doubt the infallible pontificiall and enthustiasticks spirit one being repraesentative of the other where murder revenge Adultery and treasons are Cohabitants and by a necessary illation must passe for the fruits of that all-disposing spirit consecrate impiety and make villany precious while God himself must be introduc'd witnesse to a lie May we have the innocency of Doves in our Conversation the mourning of Turtles in the sorrow for our sins and a delight in the streams of life the holy Scriptures as the Dove in the waters finally all the resemblances with the Dove which imitate the gifts of the holy Ghost that the holy spirit may dwell in us which is pictur'd in the shape of a Dove Sect. 20. Wil it not suffice to believe a holy Church and not to believe in it since a Saint Cyprian informs me God is onely to be believ'd in or believe not a Church or Christian can be out of the Catholick Church since all men and Churches make up but one Catholick and the notion of Catholick introduc'd in opposition to the Jewish Church may not as oppositely be oppos'd to the Roman who like Jews presume a monopoly of Gods mercy the light of ages light of nature supernaturall light of Scripture must onely shine in their dark lanthorns and all blind who believe things not onely above reason but against it while a part must be greater then the whole a particular Church the Catholick resembling the mad-man who lived in a Sea-port town called all ships his own which arived at the haven All Bishops who have either writ appealed or communicated with
puto verisimile arbitramur till he came in with a scio And though I know not as much as Gregory this I may presume to know the place in Saint Paul wracked so often to confesse a purgatory may be applyable to it being a building of hay and stubble and have the charity to believe the foundation laid in Christ faith in him and love of him the ground-work though in the superstructure may be some light aery phantasms stubble and straw which in the day of tryall shall vanish yet he shall be saved so as by fire through or out of fire drosse vanishes but gold shall abide the fiery tryall in the day of the Lord. Sect. 27. Rogula fidei una omnino est sola illa immobilis irreformabilis according to Tertullian and if your Occham is to be credited nec tota Ecclesia nec concilium generale nec summus Pontâ—fex potest facere articuluÌ„qui non fuit articulus c. Therefore if any thing be fundamentall after the Church defines it must be fundamentall before for deductions are not prime and native principles nor superstructures foundations that which is a foundation to all cannot vary to different Christians in regard of it selfe for then it could not be a common rule to any nor could the souls of men acquiesce on a tottering foundation a trice foundation as common to all must be firm unto all in which sense the articles of Christian Faith are fundamentall and not what men please to define for as Irenaeus quum enim una eadem fides sit neque is qui multum de ipsà dicere potest plus quam oportet dicit nec qui parum ipsam minuit if every thing defin'd by the Church be fundamentall in the faith the Churches definition would be the Church-foundation and so by consequence the the Church could lay her own foundation and the Church have an absolute and perfect being before her foundation laid If the too preposterous zeal of the Roman Church since she grew to her in controlable greatnesse had not rashly determined those things to be matter of belief which for many centuries pass'd onely for pious opinions Christendom might have serv'd God in an holy fire of zeal and spirituall fervency which now sacrifices myriads of souls to Belial in the flames of contention what a sight is it to see writers committed together by the ears for trifling ceremonies and beggarly distinctions tanquam pro aris focis incens'd none are affrighted at their noises and loud brayings under Asses skins scioli and smatterers in Divinity onely busie in the skirts and outsides of learning and yet will admit no salvation but by a compliance with their vertiginous pates wise men should know as the body hath certain diseases that are with lesse evill tolerated then remov'd as to cure a Leprosie with the blood of a child so it is better a triviall error should dilate it self then children of the Church should perish while some error may be disseminated with lesse inconvenience then discover'd the use which wise men should make of other mens lapses is to avoid a precipice and the advantage pious men should make of these great flaws in Christianity is not to joyn with them that make them nor to help to dislocate these main bones in the body which disjoynted cannot be set Sect 28. The uncharitable dealings of Christians with Christians cannot induce me to bee uncharitable to any I must believe with St. Hierom Haeretici fiunt non quod Scripturas contemnunt sed quod non intelligunt it is ignorance and not the contempt is the cause of most if not all of our separations The Sheba's of separation all the Trumpeters of sedition may alarm the rabble that brainless horse to battel to trample down order and break the rankes discipline with a separate your selves from Idols curse you Meroz curse you bitterly What society hath light with darknesse Come out of Babylon my people with a hundred such places of Scripture rack'd and by an invention witty in cruelty tortur'd to confesse something may patronize their black designes wringing blood even out of the Gospell of peace Which have as little relation to Christian societies as a Lo here is Christ Lo there go not out after them rack'd so frequently to confesse them Antichrists who correspond not to the whimzies of every phanatique denoting such as Judas Theudas Arthronges and Barchosba Impostors who pretended to be Messiasses sent for the delivery of the Jews out of the hands of the Romans and if it was possible would deceive the Elect the Jewish Christians which are forewarn'd but as the Calvinists it is impossible for them to be deceived who are the Elect and as the Romanist who are in their Church the treasury of all truth cannot be deceived But if the Elect can scarce be saved what shall become of the ungodly if the Christian Jew who washed with Christs blood speaks better things then that of Abels what will become of them against whom it cries worse then that did against Cain while they themselves could cry Let it be upon us and ours if the Elect as the Papist the Catholick with all his indulgengencies masses rosaries and abstinences can scarce be saved what will become of those who are out of the Communicative line of Gods mercy his Ark City our holy Apostolick and Catholick Church If the Elect as Fiduciaries they that can believe they shall bee saved can scarce believe it so strongly but that an intervening scruple of an obstreperous Conscience may damn them what will become of a Papist who believes in a God of wood a God of bread who saies wee can have no assurance since by faith we are saved thus the stream of life is made the puddle of phanatick interpretations while all like the Tyrant who fitted wretches to his bed hack maim and mutilate or stretch and tenter the Scripture to adequate them to inhumane purposes and Heaven it selfe must admit no room beyond the capacities of their empty noddles Vain fuellers fit onely to feed the flames of contention out of whose embers are even rais'd combusti Sect. 29 Though Heaven gates be narrow I cannot believe them so strait as most sects would make them should I not believe one lie with the Fiduciary or many with the Pontifician not easily induc'd to believe heaven the purchase of fonder imaginations Charity would perswade me it is even a receptacle to those whose uncharitable opinions have mutually condemned and secluded each the other 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The practice of our lives not tongues must make us Christians wee must be rather so by entring into imitation of Celestiall virtues then curious inquiries May we flourish in verity which is the root in humility which is the flower and well doing which is the fruit of the tree of life Sect. 30. Those aëry mysteries which have unhinged so many Cardinall heads shall not extend my Pericranium
God grant I may for futurity learn to doe something rather then hear others talk about nothing which if they bring not into the premunire with the fool in the Psalmist who said in his heart there was no God yet I have said in my heart with the Psalmist all men are lyars and every one deceiveth his neighbour I must believe as in Epiphanius time 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Pietie or impiety must onely distinguish Orthodox or Pseudodox we glory and are inflated with the names of Churches while we lose the power of godlinesse soul of Religion and prerogative of Christians Christs Legacy Charity Sect 31. Faith may lay a Foundation but wee may hope in vain for that building which is made without hands if charity here laies not her hand to make a superstruction those Babel-builders who think to reach Heaven by another way produce nothing but confusion of languages impenitent confidence will shipwrack in an Ocean of infirmity when penitent despair which expected to bee ingulph'd into an Abysse of miseries wasted with gales of sighes and Seas of tears may arrive at a Port of everlasting security the Scripture saies Heaven is taken by violence but 't is a strange phancy the world takes up that it may be taken with impudence fronti nulla â—ides may admit a double sence though a Judas may veil impiety with kisses yet if a timely repentance prevents not he may break in two and discover his black soul naked I cannot believe that Faith justifies works justifie or both yet we are justified by faith by works by both the conditions not causes of our justification and the conditions not perform'd it is impossible without this righteousnesse to see God I will not say Christ cannot save though the Scripture saies Christ could do no miracles in his own Country not because hee was less potent but they were more incapable where impenitence keeps the door mercy cannot enter it is not materiall whose Communion they boast of or disclaim who have fellowship with the unfruitfâ—ll works of darknesse since Idolaters drunkards liers Adulterers no dogs and unclean person shall enter into the City of God or be partaker of the benefits of his holy Church Sect 33. Of all graces the Apostle makes the greatest of charity and the world least of that charity which antidates Christs presence here in his members and outdates the other graces in futurity when faith and hope shall bee swallowed up in an abysse of ravishing realties that which was but a Lamp here will be then a star inlightned by the Sun of righteousnesse a Lamp here with the oyl of faith and light of good works converting sinners from the darker waies of iniquity shall shine like the stars in glory hereafter and not such who compass Sea and Land to make a Proselyte and make him worse then themselves who tith mint and annise boggle at trifling formalities and forget the greater mysteries of salvation Sect 34. Self-interest opens the floodgates of dissention to drown the humble vallies of peace men esteem opinions because their own all adore the Chimaera's of their own private brains call light darknesse and darknesse light presume they have the most glorious stars for their Conductors when they are onely ignes fatui which misguide to a precipice of flames Gods fire gave light and burned Hells fire burns without light who leave the light of truth heat of charity to live in flames of contention deserve that fire without light even the best Apostles dissented knowledge nor piety can amputate all differences but wisdom and charity must prevent their prejudices Sect 35. Not every light and aery error in disputable Doctrine and points of curious speculation can be a just cause of separation in that admirable body of Christ his Church or of one member from another He gave his naturall body to be torn on the crosse that his mysticall should be one and as Saint Austin he is no partaker of divine charitie that is enemy to this unity All these divisions are disguises of charity and vizards of factions a pageantry of pompous folly or preposterously inflated knowledgâ— and though they mask in the names of Papists Protestants Reformists sub-Reformists Aâ—omist Familist Brownist c. the Church of God can have no musick to set out such discords My name is Christian and my sirname is Catholick by the one I am known from Infidells by the other from hereticks and schismatickâ— the name of Catholick congregates what is homogeneous and dissipates what is heterogeneous both in the Court of heaven and in the Court of the Church He cannot put on the garments of Christ who rends and divides his Church Catholick is every where the same that which is trusted to thee not thatâ— which invented by thee which thou hast received not imagined a matter not of wit but doctrine in which thou art not to be Author but a retainer not to lead but follow that which the whole Church holds not instituted by Councells but retained is rightly believ'd Apostolicall tradition such as the Creed Sacraments c. The antient consent of holy Fathers is not in all questions of Divine Law but onely in the rule of Faith by us with exact study to be sifted out and followed there are some things in which the best defenders of the rule Salva fidei compage agree not but one thinks better and truer then another Every error denies not Christ the foundation or makes Christ deny it and thrust it from the foundation not every error in those things which are of faith is either infidelity or heresie if men differ it is no more then they have done ever pious men even in differences may preserve charity intire â—concord which is the effect of charity est unâ—o voluntatum non opinionum Some Churches build after the Italian fashion with a flat top others with wide windowes to let in the air and catch the applause of the world some build Babel-like and will have their head reach Heaven and if their confusion of languages impeded not might be near allyed others of the Synagogue fashion will admit nothing but round and limit Heaven in their narrow conventicles it could bee wish'd that all would bee what the Apostle exhores of one mind but it is not to be hoped whâ—ile the Church is triumphant over humane fragilities which here hang thick and close about her the want of peace and unity even where Religion is pretended proceeds from men and humours rather then things and errors to be found in them Episcopacy squares with Monarchy Presbyterie with Aristocracy independency with Democracy men made Religion lackey to self-interest and State policy the great Turk walking in his Garden with a Bashaw who wonder'd hee would suffer the Christians distracted in Sects to orespread his Empire asked how he liked his Garden answering it was admirable for the variety reply'd
Charity who spilt his own blood to prevent the effusion of ours Neither was a hudler of reformations tongue lesse cruell to his brethren then the Papists sword with an Ego Sacramentarios haereticos omnes aeterna paenà afficiendos duco That which was given to unite into Christs body should not divide from it we must not dispute about Seals while we lose the Covenant it shall content mee it is an Eucharist not Axapist May Christs body bee present to all by a worthy communication and none forget him who commands it to be done in commemoration he dyed for them and so crucifie him again by crucifying one the other Whatsoever the consequences be of subtile brains the consequences of worthy receiving will be salvation may wee all have sursum corda since a Saint Austine believes nemo dâ—gne manducat nisi â—prius adoraverit and a Saint Ambrose wee must worship Christ in the mysteries as the Apostles him in the flesh He who injoins a worthy Communion under penalty of damnation will not damn me sure for believing too worthily of what I receive Transubstantiation nor Consubstantiation monopolize the reall presence which no worthy communicant can be without May all show he is really present and communicated while we receiving praise God and have charity with all do become one with him though not uniform with all if we agree not in the way of serving him yet all agree that serving is the way to him I may be troubled that a brother shall refuse to put on the robâ— of Christs righteousnesse but never be angry with him for not putting it on after my fashion but could wish all would use that which is least offensive to them without a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quando Christiani adorant quod edunt fit anâ—ma cum Philosophis may be opinion of not a single Averroes Sect. 56. Most inflated with the opinion of their own knowledge swell into controversies others with the impostumations of their own malice are tumid and angry open the one and you shall find nothing but flatulency and launch the other and there will issue forth corruption justification whether by faith or works or both hath lenâ— such occasion to contention as men have renounc'd him who can onely justifie Christ who is Love when justification is an acception of our persons and a remission of our sins it is an Enigma deserves an Oed pus to unmask how we accept our own persons and remit our offences May wee all like the wise Virgins provide our selves with the light of Faith and oyl of good works being call'd into Gods Vineyard consider wee are to work not talk none suppose the finer threads spun from the Cobwebs of subtiler imaginations can hold Salvation but all provide that triple cord twisted by faith hope and charity which cannot be easily broken Sect. 57. It hath been the phancy of not a few that Christ came to fulfill the Law and nothing hath been reserv'd for Christian duty but a Crede and in via salutis ambulas a magicall Faith may oblige Heaven and produce no lesse then miracles Christs Law is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 if we may believe the Fathers a new discipline a spiritual Law accomplishing extending painting to the life the sciagraphy or imperfect draught of Mosaical perfection that forbids the fires of illegall concupiscences this to fly even the very smoak by avoiding the occasion that inhibits the ablation of our brothers blood this the commotions of our own the strictest of judaical observance or phylacter'd Romanists who fringe Christian Religion with ceremonies may be silenc'd with an except your righteousnes exceed that of the Phaâ—â—sees You cannot enter into the Kingdom of Heaven Those which who say Christ hath fulfilled the Law and think that the crying a Lord Lord may intitle them to Heaven may be dismis'd with I know you not if they will not cover their brothers nakednesse cloth their imperfections give an Alms as well of their knowledge as fortunes can break a commandement or teach others to break though they give up their names to factions May misse their names in the book of life Christ hath not done so much that wee need do nothing There is a treasury in the Church to deâ—ray humble and penitent sinners but not to cast away upon Prodigalls whatsoever the Keys of the Church are of this I am confident every man hath the power of binding and loofing sins bind and repentance looses yet though every Christian is intrusted with the keies Christ must be the Door through which they must enter into salvation they must unload themselves of iniquity and knock by a spirituall fervency before they enter the narrow gate Peters Keyes without this and the confidence of a Lord Lord encounter with a discedite nescio vos and meet with the punishment of the idle servant while they hide their Talent and accuse their master of hardnesse weak and unstable souls who wrest the Scriptures to their own damnation that I do not speak in the person of a Carnall man by Saint Paul must be tentred to a Saint Paul could not that they have Saint Patroâ— to impiety 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 if to live according to nature is the part of one that hath not believ'd not to arive so high is below a Pagan Sect. 58. The poverty of Franciscans abstinence of Carthusians zeal of some Recollects chastity of Nuns devotion of Pilgrims Anchorets c. Support the papall dignity beyond Jesuiticall Scâ—omachies Homonyma's Logomachies and circulations and while these ignès fatuì seduce and are seduc'd into precipices by the Phanatick fires of ther own imaginations these seal'd Doves may take occasion by their blindnesse to mount toward Heaven for I cannot be so uncharitable as not to think these empty instruments may make a pleasing sound in the ears of the Almighty I cannot look on them so with blear-ey'd prejudice as I can not discern an Hilarâ—on Antonius Paulus Eustochium Marcella Paula exercis'd with watchings cloth'd with Sackcloth and fed by fastings with the bread of life a Sain Hieron Saint Basil Saint Chrysostom Saint Austin sounding an Alarm to the battail and encouraging to take up these arms of Christian warfare Emperors Kings Princes and Potentates casting down Crowns and honors at the feet of the Lamb following Christ in the high way of the Cross Myriads concomitating who preferring Christian humility before mundan complacencies in Gales of sighes and Seas of tears have been transported to an Haven of eternall security the partial phancy of the prejudice byass'd centuriators that Monachisms antichristian or the petticoat zeal of some rash reformers who intitle the Locusts of the infernall pit shall not teach my pen a sally out into scurrility or dash in strains of pollutions marriage fills the Earth and if virginity fills not Heaven I may boldly affirme it prejudices not the way thither I am neither of Vigilantius or Jovinians mind that
either riches are to be preferr'd before poverty or marriage before Virginity and though I think marriage both honorable and lawfull in the Clergy yet I am of the L. Bacons opinion Charity can hardly water the ground where it must first fill a Pond aâ—d that many men believe not themselves wâ—at they would perswade others lesse do the things they would impose least know what they most confidently boast they onely set the sign of the Cross over their outer doors and sacrifice to the gut and grain in their inner closets and I must suspect the Sun of righteousness declining among these once not impious orders wher the shadows so far exceed the substaÌ„ce Sect. 59. Monachism prevails not so much in the sustentation of Popery as what is call'd Arminianism might against it I cannot think Bernevelt lesse the tongue and Genius of Holland because they could separate both from the body Politick nor that they inlarg'd not ignorance while they confin'd Grotius and learning and excellence suffer'd no lesse then by an Ostracism in this admirable Hugo Men born to raise the Low-Countries a pitch of excellence above their neighbours had not the envy of their neighbours conspiring with headstrong ignorance cast them below themselves but that which rais'd a tumult there and gilded a war here hath subdued even the Conquerors There is scarce a souldier but defends it and by it repels not introduces Popery into the Land Sect. 60. Calvin lends more occasion to mak Romish Proselytes then Ignatius Loyola and the Gomarists of Holland expell'd not Popery with Arminanism but opened a gap for the wild bore to lay wast their Vineyard whose entrance is by servile will irrespective Election and irreprobation paritie of sins the consequences of which to some more refin'd wits may seem to exceed the absurdities of a Talmud Alcoran and Popish Legends asperse the deiety with Tyranny jugling and partiality intitle goodnesse it self to sin while God is made Author of iniquity take away virtues essence by absuming will the Gospell promises and force of Laws confound the rationall faculties of the soul adequate humane nature to bestiall leave us to obey our fate and follow the duct of stars and teach such a trumpeter as the Jesuit Campian who could only sound to battail set others gether with noise and have himself no weapon or Trumpeter-like without a point not come to the purpose or can at most but scratch the face of Charity and disfigure Christian communion with quorsum corruptio haeretica contagio niâ—i ut qui solâ— side gloriam rapturi sunt in omnium tur pitudinum caeno volutati noturam accusent virtutem desperent praecepta deonerent as if these phancies were onely broched to vent irreligion and impiety by accusing nature despairing virtue and deonerating precepts ot wallow in the mud of impurities yet these may be deducible from a Saint Augustine their own Dominicans and a stream of interpreters while the Camells are forc'd to swim by the reason of the depth of the Enigmaticall Apostle and even the Roman Oracle himselfe dares not bee more confident then the Delphian gives onely dubious responses etripode Nay 't is affirm'd in their Angelick Doctor Aquinas who if the Elogies of three Popes carry credit quot articulos edidit tot miracula in jungimus ut ejus doctrinam tanquam veridicam Catholicam sectem â—ni ecce plus quam Solomon hic who with trifling arguments concludes for that the envy of which they would fix on the reformation In some distempers who feed the body feed the diseases if the too indulgent hand of some too officious Parent instead of help hath reach'd death to her beloved children while zealous ignorance in a supposed antidote administers poyson we know what a discracy the Roman Mother by rasher indulgences hath reduc'd the body Ecclesiastick if the preposterous zeal of other Churches hath begot an atrophy in some constitutions while ignorantly they take away Laws terror perswasions make us loath food or think our selves incapable it would be a strange Law would punish with death the rash zeal of a mistaking parent in the ruine of a child with the same medicine she cur'd others Quos praedestinavit ad finem praedestinavit ad medâ—a Endeavour to make your Calling and Election sure may counterprise the poyson in some and strength of nature work it out in others God of his mercy send the oyle of his holy Spirit that by the holy annointing the tumors of venemous malice may subside in all Sect. 61. The Satyr in the Fable seeing his Host blow his fingers to heat them and his broth that he might cool it renounc'd his society We are all too Satyricall have too much of a Satyrs nature in us the beastiall part so farre exceeds humanity that we renounce communion for that which might be rectified by reason That which can infrigidate an Italians zeal may inflame a frozen Islanders devotion Urban the eight demanded by a Cardinall why he preferr'd one for Nuntio whose capacities had arrived to no higher eminencies then the trash and refuse of mankind before a quick and refined piece in whom nature as in an Elixir had plac'd all that might inrich in the mysterious excellencies of state replyed This Eagle would not be lur'd to flies and those higher elevations of phancy would only render him incapable of himselfe and others who measure other mens thoughts by their own will prove ill Judges both of themselves and others Sect. 62. From those whom I am divided in opinion I will not prove a Separatist in my charity I shall contend in nothing but not to approve my selfe contentious As I am an English man I will use the liberty which God hath permitted me was I a Spaniard or Italian I would think with Erasmus si quid tyrannidis quod tamen non cogat ad impietatem satius est fâ—rre quâ—m seditiose reluctare nec esse pium nec esse rutum de potestate publicâ sinistram concipere aut serere opinionem c. Singularity not so precious as to cost the quiet of a Mother neither should I be troubled with those squibs and erackers the noise and fire that flies up and down the stories of hell for not confessing God before men to confesse the God of peace the best way is to bepeaceable I am not of the Gnosticks humour to deny God in the time of persecution and worship Idolls which the mistaken places of these Scripture wire-drawers import I should suppose I denyed God a common Father and persecuted the truth should I so wed my selfe to the Idoll of my own phancy as not to worship the true God after any form Sect. 63. Errors are more worthy of pitty then hate Reformations have been so tumultuous and refractory that quiet error to sober Christian might seem to be preferr'd before unruly truths All Churches betwixt invitation and menace would perswade resignation of faith to a simple
obedience to believe our own without enquiring into others cannot satisfie conscience Damnation by all visible Hierarchies every mouth smutcht with hells fire-brands is thundred against them which believe any Doctrine but theirs It cannot be fit to believe God inspir'd this Church and no other since mankind is come from the same carnall Ancestors and God the common Father Must we believe our Priests call their Doctrine faith or argue controversies if argue how much time and wealth must we expend by learning languages reading Authors unravelling ages examining Fathers conferring expositions and reconciling contradictions travailing over countries pilgrims on earth and at last we may be strangers to heaven come as short of it as life of examining all To embrace all opinions is as impossible as to learn or number since they are as numerous as the sand which hath an analogy with their foundations To reject all must relish of a stranger impiety when one way all other serve God though it would be a folly to leave a Meridian light to follow the ignis fatuus of every phanatick brain We then that are Layicks must build upon such infallible grounds that whatsoever superstructures of faith be raised these may support them All conclude vertues so eminent that it includes the rest ceremonies rites volumes tend to it and no Sacrament but finally resolves into it all essentialls of Religion close in our faith and love of God by a pious life and mutuall charity by fraternall dilection amongst Christians among the propitiations for sin contrition for it repenting to God and satisfaction to our neighbours all believe necessary heaven or hell recompence or castigation attendants of good or evill life with these the Lamb may wade to an haven of perpetuall felicities while the swimming Elephant cramp'd with difficulties drowns or meeting with the quicksands of controversy is swallowed up in an Abysse These indubitable verities may not only prevent the inroads of impiety and Atheism usher in repentance and reduce men from aery controversy to solid vertue and dispose to concord since we agree in eternall causes why should we disagree in triviall these common truths being firmer bonds of amity then any thing emergent out of traditions should dissolve in any who uses not Religion for a cloak while profit is as the body for whose ease he changes it at pleasure or as the thiefe whose quotidian prayer was that God would prosper him in his theevery which he called the work of his vocation and having inrich'd himselfe with spoile praised God for the blessing his endeavours Or seek their own and not Christs while religion so zealously pretended is made but a stalking horse to shoot at other foul upon which their aim is set While men change Religions more licentiously then a sober man would his clothes and put them on alike asham'd to seem naked and in some times perilous to be found without any Sect. 64. I have not been much troubled with the toy of the worlds Religion Weather-cock like to turn round with every gale of profits toties quoties vertitur annulus Politicus have not sought Religion for ends but made it the end of my curiosity I should not think Christ the lesse Christ for being sprinkled o're with blood or suffering not the scarfe of Christian warfare but I believe the Jesuites Martyrologie like our Foxes where weaknesse and ignorance hath many Martyrs but God few Saints Christ is still crucified between theeves I wish a timous repentance may not only make one but both good and poor truth may be rescued from the pillory of phanatick interpreters nor have her ears bor'd through with a Roman Ecclesia and a Pontifex maxmimus in Theology like the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Philosophy one bafling Religion the other cashiering Reason with a contra negantem principâ—a take a view of those bulwarks of human knowledge which have past impregnable in the esteem of ages elated even above divinity while divinity by the Schoolmen hath been brought to the touchstone of Philosophy and when you find these mountains have travelled with a ridiculous mouse having scarce left an infallible maxime beside an Humanum est errare think what 't is to be infallible Sect. 65. Reflect upon the great Hagarite who conquered more of the world then his Master Alexandeâ— by his reason subdued ages yet see this praecursâ—r Christi in naturalibus sicut Johannes in gratuitis as some have tearm'd him discompos'd by Telesius degraded by Campanella bills of accusation brought in against him by B. Chartes Bacon Digby Hobs nay by all pregnant wits and teeming constitutions who have deserved to be a secretioribus naturae consiliis by the nobility of extracts in Chymistry or arriv'd to the exquisitenesse of parts by anatomicall inspections found guilty and exploded after so great a revolution of ages In medicine see Hippocrates alter the Antients Galen him Paracelsus both Van Helmont dissenting from all lacteall veins found out by Asellius inlarg'd by Pecquer in dogs by Bartholine in men and the knowledge of them arrived to the Zenith in the elaborate pieces of that great Master of generation and circulation Doctor Harvey the Liver hath lost his office the Senses their seat and the use of the Nerves now only found out by Doctor Glisson View the decay of nature against the opinion of all ages contradicted by Doctor Hackwell whose arguments are so irrefragable that nature must seem to admit a stranger decay in him assents not to it Let us contemplate Heaven Earth and Sea and all of them will instruct us of human fallibility The Jewes calculated by the Lunar account Pythagoras by the Solar and Copernicus rectify'd both Divert towards Astrology Astronomy and Geometry and see how the Professors by a stranger improvement have verified what they call themselves Mathematicks see the Sea rul'd by compasse which the land makes no use of and the Land prov'd as giddy as her inhabitants since Copernicâ—sm is aprov'd by all Unravell Lycostenes Apothegmsâ— Erasmus Adages Cicero's jests all the wisdome of Roman and Grecian and if you find nothing among Flores Poetarum Wits Commonwealth and the Elixir of the Sages which may outvie the Urbanities of a common wit Cease to be so passionate an admirer of Antiquity See the Antipodes confess'd by all which the poor Bishop Vergilius asserting by the fiery zeal of Pope Zachary was committed to the flames to instruct how infallible the Roman Oracle is in condemning that which all do maintain and he himselfe maintained an Antipodes in his life his footsteps being opposite to those of meek and pious Ancestors If these be dissatisfactory unspread what elapsed times have rolled up and as in a piece of Tapestry you shall see Snakes lasciviating among Roses and this Linsey-Wolsey interweaving truth with falsity the fashion of all ages There hath never wanted some who blinder then Moles have perswaded Moles have wanted eyes Lampreys have many Snakes at each horn Cameleons living