AN EXHORTATION OF THE Churches of Bohemia TO THE Church of England Wherein is set forth The good of Unity Order Discipline and Obedience in Churches rightly now or to be CONSTITUTED WITH A Description premised of the Order and Discipline used in the Churches of the BRETHREN of BOHEMIA Written in Latin and Dedicated to his most Excellent Majesty CHARLS the Second in Holland at his Returning into England If possible it may be for an Accommodation amongst the Churches of Christ By J. AMOS COMMENIVS the onely surviving Bishop of the Remains of those Churches LONDON Printed for Thomas Parkhurst at the Three Crowns over-against the great Conduit at the lower end of Cheap-side 1661. The Second CHARLES Heire to the Royall Martyr Who for Religion and his Subiects Charter Spent the best blood that unjust sword ere dy'de Since the rude Souldier peircd our Saviours side Who such a Father hadst art such a Son Redeeme thy People and assum thy Owne C R II TO THE High and Mighty Great Monarch of GREAT BRITAIN CHARLES II. All Happiness from above Most Serene King AS there is no such happy estate to be found in the affairs of men wherein there is not some thing wanting even so that Happiness of your Britany with which your return to your ancient Kingdom through the procurement of the right hand of the most High hath blest it is somewhat defaced as by the overcast of a cloud which yet through the mercy of God and your wise and pacifick Solomon-like moderation there is life in our hopes may be dispelled the Cloud I mean upon the Church of Christ amongst you now by the blessing of God in a very flourishing condition to which the sole controversie viz. of the best Form of Church Government vexatiously agitated for the space of one whole generation doth even yet although unanimous in the rest threaten some distraction unless both the Governors of the Churches among themselves and your Self superintending in Gods stead the affairs of your World together with the great Senate of your great Council do prudently by moderate Counsels dispose all things unto peace We Foraigners in reverence to your Church which the Everlasting Bridegroom hath decked for himself with most excellent gifts beyond many others are onely able to pray for you though yet we cannot but feel our selves obliged unto more real offices of communion of Saints also if any thing lay in our power which might conduce thereunto And indeed some excellent Persons of your own of both parts have requested of me who am the least in the House of God yet amongst the Petitioners unto God on your behalf not the last some such thing viz. To Communicate of what kinde the Government of our Churches hath been ever since it hath been if any thing may be received from thence which may be of use unto peace and edification I have done it communicated and sent it dedicated to your Church of Britain But because it is not convenient that matters which concern the publique good be attempted by private persons and the Great God hath appointed you Great King the Head of the Nations of your World and the Umpire of differences as also the Defender of his Church and Faith I lay down this small Essay whatever it is at your Majesties Royal Footstool most humbly beseeching that you would be pleased to comend this endeavor in my name to the busie sticklers of the said Controversie among you that they may peruse it and see if any thing may be gathered even from thence to the asswaging of animosities and the enlarging of good affections But in the publique name of the Churches and for the sake of Christ I entreat that your Majestie would not suffer this one onely remaining difference in your Churches to burst out into a new Schism for the glory of God for the salvation of the Church for your Kingdoms and your own peace for good example to the Churches of the whole world So shall the King of Kings establish your Royal Throne and bless your self with your Family and Kingdoms to flourish and endure To whose Eternal Protection he with most earnest prayers commendeth your Majestie who is An Exile of Christs but Your Majesties most humble Servant Iohan. Amos Comenius The unworthy and onely surviving Bishop of the Remnants of the Church of the Brethren of Bohemia TO THE READER Good Reader IF thou art a Son of the Church indeed here is a Legacy fallen to thee viz. A Copy of a real Reformation A Legacy you 'll say that occasions an enquiry for Funeral Lamentation who then is dead or dying alas alas one of the ancientest soundest purest Churches in the World This is saith our Author Contra Haeres l. â— c. 3. and Reginvolcius and Aeneas Sylvius who proved afterward P. Pius and differ but little from him that Illyricum planted by the great Dr. of the Gentiles Rom. 15.19 this is that Dalmatia watered by his Son and Evangelist Titus 2 Tim. 4.10 This is that people which Ireneus their neighbour commends with this Elogy that they never did either believe or teach otherwise then as the Apostles and Disciples This is that afterward called Slavonick Church where Hieronym was born and where he and some of the Greek Fathers Cyril and Methodius bestowed their pious labours in the service of the Gospel Of this came those oriental Churches out from which by the means of the said Worthies the Gospel was transmitted into Croatia Bosnia Moravia Polonia and Bohemia where this Church took root most till in the year 1450. it ran up to an head and fruit and was formed into the unity of the Brethren of Bohemia by Wickliff Jerome of Prague and especially John Huss from whom they were called Hussites One of them in the name of the rest calls J. Huss Father in these words Hussi Sancte cinis gaude gaude inter arenas Per sobolem toto vivis in orbe tuam Vivis ostendis tandem hostibus ignea Verum Tollere quod nequeat flamma minaxque rogus Dust of St. Huss rejoyce in thine urn In us thy Seed thou dost to life return Thou livest to shew to th' world that thou canst burn Nor can dire flames truth or thy zeal adjourn As for their severe Orthodoxy simplicity purity in the truth as also withal their unity and integrity in the bond of peace and love I refer thee to the Testimonies of Bucer Luther Calvin P. Martyr Musculus Zanchy Beza Lasitius Olevian Vergerius c. wherewith thou wilt finde this Author as it were adorning this Churches Herse page 32 33 37 49 50 52 c. even Maximilian the Emperour though induced by such as in the Courts of Princes have the arts to tie their hands and sway their Scepters for them to afflict this people by some Edicts yet page 49. acknowledgeth them before all other the nearest conforming to the Apostolical Church They were branded by the mouth of prophaness and
might be an Admirer of our Order and which would give more ample satisfaction in these things But my friends were instant with me and unanimously urged the putting out of the formerly mentioned work so that I made them a promise I would satisfie their desire in this matter 23. I therefore save my credit and behold here I send that which I was requested with manifold Copies in the substance of the matter I have changed nothing it being not mine but the Churches publique piece Onely where it was judged pertinent and to good purpose to set down some things of special reference that the close bands of that Order might be the better perceived and the practice more easily observed I have there added some notes more fully explaining that which was briefly spoken 24. And because the Preface seemed something dry and insufficient for the information of Foreigners I have premised a short Historical Narration viz. How that the Churches of Slavonia being planted by the Apostles themselves propagated by Hierom Cyril Methudius took root especially in the Countrey of Bohemia and run up to a head and ripened in the Vnity of the Brethren of Bohemia So that this may be useful for the better understanding of the sequel 25. Farewel Holy Brethren and best w but the use of a double hour upon me while I acâ—uaint you with the conflicts and sorrows of my Church and especially the ways of our Ecclesiastical accord I commend you to the Spirit of Grace may he by that of the Apostle Let a l things be done decentâ—y and in oâ—der being written on your heart compose câ—ncorporate consolidate you all even the whole body with his most glorious Head and all the members of his Political and Mystical bâ—dy with one anâ—ther with the band of faith love and eternal concord even indissâ—luble that as Brittain hath been behold of late the sad tragical stage of Contentions so now it may be a lively pattern of Concord to the perfecting of the power and glory of Gâ—d and the happy treading down of the Enemies under your Great Constantine not called out of but recalled into â—ritain in sâ—ite of the Maxentians and Licinianus Finally to make your Châ—rch by the assistance of God after so many shakings fair as the Moon clear as the Sun and terrible as an Aâ—my in Battel-Array even the mirrour of all the Churches in the World Amen Jesus Christ Amen So prayeth from his whole heart The most vehement Sollicitor of the Peace Order and Salvation of the Church I. A. Comenius of Moravia A SHORT HISTORY OF THE Slavonian Church PLANTED By the Apostles themselves enlarged by Jerome Cyril Methodius taking root principally in the Countrey of Bohemia and running up to a head in the unity of the Brethren of Bohemia Pious Reader THose words of Christ the Everlasting Brideâ— groom touching his Bride the Church spoken as with admiration Cant. 6.9 are well worthy of our consideration WHO IS THIS WHICH COMETH FORTH AS THE MORNING FAIR AS THE MOON CLEAR AS THE USN TERRIBLE AS AN ARMY OF BATTLE IN GOOD ARRAY as which whether taken in a divided or a conjoyned sense afford us very excellent Lessons 2. If we take them in a divided sense of the Catholick Church divided into particular Churches it is plain that the Churches may and ought to be so distinguished and reckoned of as they are really and truly in the account of God That is to say as some Churches are novel coming up but of late the Light whereof is as the Morning so there be others of longer standing having the advantages of clearer light as the Moon Others also joying in the full day of Faith Love and Hope of Eternal mercy even as the Sun Others again over and above this glorious light within sparkling terror outwardly to thâ—m which are round about as an Army well marshalled â—â—riking horrour into the Enemies the very Battel being set and Colours flying 3. If we take the words in a conjoyned sense of the one onely entire Catholique Church of which Christ speaks in the former verse My Dove is but one entire without doubt we have insinuated the several ages and statures of it viz. that the light of the infant Church newly come forth in the Apostles times was verily the Morning the godly mostly glorying herein that the night was far spent the day was at hand and it was now time to awake from sleep Rom. 13.11 12. 2 Pet. 1.19 at which time the truth is Divine Knowledge was not improved as it was afterward Neither was there such a clear and distinct understanding of the mysteries of Faith as there was after that the dotages of the Hereticks had exercised the wisdom of the Church yet it sufficed them even now as to this effect viz. to cast off the works of darkness and put on the armour of light and to walk honestly as in the day Rom. 13.13 as their then zealous piety shining in their Martyrdomes plainly sheweth 4. After this came the time of priming and waining light as of the Moon in the days of the Hereticks with whom the Churches conflict was with various success one while the truth prevailing against errour another while errour against the truth until the time that it suffered an horrid eclipse under Antichrist 5. But there was by the Grace of God and the benefit of a Reformation a restoring of the light which was extinguished in the Church with a new addition and that was according to the promise made Isa 30.26 The light of the Moon shall be as the light of the Sun There being a more through search made after the truth even to the very lowest foundations then was ever known in former ages 6. Yet because the very Sun in our firmament though nothing is more bright may and sometimes doth fail Eccles 17.31 and by the permission of God even the Reformed Churches still again suffer the hour of darkness the goodness and wisdom of the everlasting Bridegroom gives us hope that it shall come to pass that the Church shall at last become terrible to her enemies and intimateth in what way this shall be effected to wit if through Gods blessing differences being ended the Church shall sometime at length so unite it self on every side within it self and knit together by the bands of Order as that after the manner of a well set Array of battel she shall be impenetrable by her enemies but run through rout and quash all contrary forces or powers whatsoever that rise up against her 7. And this is none other but that which the Apostle urgeth upon the Ephesians and requireth of the Church now grown up saying Endeavouring to preserve the Vnity of the Spirit in the band of peace c. then further Ascending up on high he gave gifts to men some Apostles some Prophets some Evangelists some Pastors and Teachers for the compacting of the Saints for the work of the Ministery for the edification of the body
of Christ until we all come in the Vnity of the Faith and the knowledge of the Son of God unto a perfect man unto the measure of the full stature of Christ that we be no more children tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of Doctrine by the slight of men c. but carrying it sincerely in charity may grow up into him which is the head even Christ From whom the whole body fitly joyned together and compact by all the joynts contributing from the inward working-power according to the measure of every part obtaineth encrease suitable to the body unto the building up of its self in love Eph. 4.3 c. 8. Whereof seeing we are in expectation from Divine goodness why should we not be rationally enquiring out the way of that Union and Order on which there is laid so great adress for the salvation of the Church and mutually afford one another participation and improvement both of Light and Order It is pious and praise-worthy not to be found slack in this matter 9. As for me into whose haâ—d is now come an opportunity of bringing forth to light in a new edition the Order of the Church of the Brethren of Bohemia I apprehend it much to the business to set before your eyes in the example of this very Church by what steps God is wont to lead on and perfect his people which whosoever of the godly readeth will easily finde occasion seriously to consider the admirable method of Divine Providence about himself as well as about the Church 10. God hath done all things well and made every thing beautiful in its season saith Solomon Eccles 3.11 implying that the works of God do always proceed in a certain order and step by step from less to more even the work of Creation the work of Redemption the work of Sanctification and the whole course of Divine Providence about all things teach us this very thing and especially the wonderful wisdom hereof in enlarging the Tents of his Church which we have now in particular taken under consideration evermore either unto greater bulk or beauty 11. The Son of God could indeed being come into the world in Humane flesh have made his Gospel known by himself to the whole world in the full and compleat mysterie of Redemption but he was not pleased to do so but ordained some certain men Apostles which going through the world did publish among the Nations those Treasures of Divine Grace and they committed the same Office to others to succeed them and they again to others and so to the end of the world Mat. 28.20 2 Tim. 2.7 Tit. 1.1 12. For howbeit the light of the Gospel was even then by the very Apostles sprinkled throughout the world even to the ends of the earth as Scripture and Histories report yet that light in some of those first ages may seem to have been rather as sparks catching upon some persons and families here and there then the full enlightning of the Nations In the fourth Age indeed in Constantine the Greats time whole Nations began to Convert and renouncing Paganism openly to profess the Christian Religion and then afterward the Faith having been first received in the Empire of Rome and other places went on constantly for twelve Generations one Nation after another giving up their names to Christ in Baptism throughout Europe Asia Africa and America 13. The succesful work of Divine Providence was very evident and remarkable in founding the Churches of the Slavonick Counties scituate all along on the Eastern parts of Europe Among whom the plantation of the Gospel being planted in the Apostles times proved a fair crop in the fourth Century by degrees extended it self in those parts making the Churches there sometimes bigger sometimes better it faring also with them now and then as with the Moon still to have their light impaired by wainings spots and misty overcastings Let me briefly summe up the whole evidence hereof as may serve to quicken us even at this time to go forward from good to better till we take up at length with some attainment worth the acquiescing in 14. That the Gospel was planted in those Countreys in the Apostles times we have the Apostle of the Gentiles for a witness who writes thus to the Romans c. 15. v. 19. I have filled all places with the Gospel even from Jerusalem to Illyricum round about And he tells Timothy 2 Tim. 4.10 that Crescens went into Galatia Titus into Dalmatia Now both Illyricum and Dalmatia are parts of the Slavonick Countrey to this day and that that Plantation did not come to nothing it is evident in that Jerome being born at Strido a City in Illyricum to advance the success of the faith received in his own Countrey translated the Books of the Divine Scriptures into their Mother tongue by means whereof the Slavonians were the first of all the parts of Europe that were intrusted with the Oracles of God in their Mother Tongue At this very day do these Countreys glory in that Translation and will use no other although the language of that people be so much altered that the common sort of them in many things do not understand that ancient form of speech Therefore their Priests the Ruttenians and the Moscians are fain to study that ancient Language as we do the Latine 15. That the Churches in these Countreys did very much encrease we may easily gather from the sixth Synod of Constantinople held in the year of Christ 680. making very remarkable mention of the Slavonians in these words This Council being at the best but low and obscure expected the help of all neither ought that which one part doth be hid from the other especially for that it is well known that in the heart of the Countreys we have very many Fellow-servants both Longobards and Slavonians which are still busily scrupulous and inquisitive about this matter c. Whence it is plain the Slavonians were at this time Christians and also such as abhorred Image-worship in as much as they durst not joyn with that Synod which stickled for Images 16. Moreover in the Age next following God opened the Door of the Gospel to whole Countreys of the Slavonians and the occasion was this The Bulgarians a Countrey of Slavonia infested the neighbouring Empire of Constantinople with continual wars till Michael the third being Emperour made a peace with them in the year 845. restoring to the King of the Bulgarians his Sister which the Gâ—ecians had taken in battel Now this Lady being in her Captivity seasoned with the Christian Religion prevailed with her Brother to renounce Heathenism and turn Christian Hereupon his subjects following his example embraced the same faith By this means the Bulgarians became the first fruits of the Slavonian Nations unto Christ Other people in those Coasts or Regions about Danubium Greece and Italy of the same Language presently treading in their steps viz. the Moesians Rascians Servians
relate how the Hussian Churches in Bohemia and Moravia being by degrees turned to Lutheranism as they call it retained indeed the Doctrine of the Gospel but reformed indeed nothing as to the endeavour of a Christian Conversation That this redounded much to the prejudice of our Churches so well approved of by Luther and his Colleagues for the care of Discipline Whilest the Libertines boasting that without the yoke of Discipline they could bring it so to pass to enjoy the Gospel pure in any other place so that there are none that any more joyn themselves to us yea and some depart from us They therefore demand Whether so great an abuse of the Gospel may be suffered Luther replied in the presence of all the whole Colledge of Divines That Popery could not be subdued but by rooting out all those usages which savour of the yoke of Humane Superstition and violation of the liberty of Conscience and that at this time especially when they take notice that all the world is making head against them it must needs be granted a matter of necessity for us to withstand them what we can and to repair Discipline That to this end he would seriously attend the business as soon as ever he could get any breathing time For the Pope was at this very time in confident expectation of a new Councils making disturbance in all places c. to the like purpose The Brethren then added that they could not expect their endeavours should come to any good effect as they had formerly said in their Letter to Luther Anno 1523. as long as they saw that in their Universities and â—chools so much care was taken of Science and so little regard had unto Conscience entreating them that whilest they set themselves to obviate impendent dangers they would seriously minde those more specially which as to the matter of Conscience warlikely break in upon the Church and overwhelm it c. After this when they had had about two weeks most familiar converse and mutual conference about their whole business with Luther and the rest of the Divines being now ready to return from Witteberg Luther entertaining them with a feast and in the presence of many of the Professors of that University taking his solemn and last farwel of them gave the whole Unity of the Brethren the right hand of holy Fellowship parting with these words Be you the Apostles of Bohemia and I with my Colleagues will be the Apostles of Germany Do you the work of Christ as opportunity shall be given you there and we will do it in like manner here as we may have opportunity 82. Some moneths after the same year Luther writing to the same Augusta inserts these words following Moreover I charge you in the Lord that you hold out with us to the last in the Communion of the Spirit and Doctrine wherein you have begun and strive with us by word and prayer against the Gates of Hell c. Commend me c. respectfully unto all the Brethren in the Lord at Strasberg the day after S. Francis Anno 1542. This great soul'd Luther notwithstanding all the importunities of the Brethren for the restoring of Discipline and the life of Christianity not at all displeased with them persisted in friendly correspondency with them to the end expressing a gracious dear affection towards them and toward the business Lasitius produceth notorious witnesses taking from the mouth of Luther these words following There hath not arose any people since the times of the Apostles whose Church hath come nearer to the Apostolical Doctrine and Orders then the Brethren of Bohemia and again Although these Brethren in purity of Doctrine excel not us all the Articles of Faith with us being sincerely and purely taken out of the Word of God yet in the ordinary Discipline of the Church which they use and whereby they happily govern the Churches they go far beyond us and in this respect are far more praise-worthy And we cannot but acknowledge and yield this to them for the glory of God and of his truth whereas our people of Germany cannot be perswaded to be willing to take the yoke of Discipline upon them 83. Absolutely without doubt this excellent man saw the mischief of the first Errour and was very desirous it should be amended but could not being constrained to divide his attendance between this and other conflicts with so many monstrous abominations sufficiently dispatch all things as true hearted men frequently apologize for him Yea and our Lasitius himself too as was said before Sect. 77. and for certain he commended to God and his Successors prayers and hopes of a further and more perfect degree of Reformation to be attained Howbeit the accomplishment of his Hope hitherto fell short of his prayers For wthin three years and four moneths after these Transactions with the Brethren he departed this life There followed upon his death saith Bucholcer the â—hronologer a double War of the Divines and also Civil wars of the Evangelici among themselves Alass that we rested in vindicating the Theory of the Doctrine of the Gospel without the practice of Discipline God bless us I could wish the Brethren of Bohemia had been proved false Prophets when at the very beginning of this Reformation in Germany in their first Letter to Luther dated 1523. and frequently afterward they foretold these sad events viz. upon this ground because it prevailed in their Schools and Churches contrary to that Apostolical Protestation 1 Cor. 1.1 2. to study knowledge rather then Charity and Edification So that notwithstanding all that Bucer Melancthon Hemingius Saubertus Arnd. J. Valent the Andreas's and many other faithful men acted by the Divine Spirit could do no remedy could take place to rectifie this distemper Not that nothing at all was effected by the endeavours of these holy men but that nothing they could do was sufficient to quench the general flame of malice and prophaneness God amend it even at least by this his smart and general overflowing Discipline of his scourge 84. To return to the Brethren I will briefly touch that Persecution whereby after the Scmalcaldick war was ended they also in Bohemia were oppressed When the Pope had reconciled the King of France to the King of Spain the same being now also Emperour Charls the fifth upon this Article or Condition amongst the reâ—â— that both parties should turn their Forces against the Lutherans it came to pass in France not long after that the Waldenses in the Province of Narbon were cut off and destroyed Caesar also prepared war against the Germans which beginning just â—fter the death of Luther ended the year following in the overthrow of the Protestants At which time Ferdinand dragged the Bohemians to execution for that they had refused to assist Caesar against the Prince Elector of Saxony punishing the chief of the Nobles with imprisonment banishment or confiscation of goods He raged most of all against the Brethren commanding their
offerings of the people every man with whom was found gold and blew purple scarlet or fine linen goats hair and red skins of rams c. and that the Lord inspired and moved the workmen to frame their works therewith Exod. 35.23 and even now that we hear that men of understanding are consulting about the erecting in the Churches the Throne of Christ viz. Discipline and even the most excellent form of Church Government why should not every man finde in his heart as Moses speaks v. 29. freely to offer what he hath no man being able to offer what he hath not that so the Artificers which the Lord doth and shall raise up selecting digesting and polishing these preparations may erect a Tabernacle to the Lord 134. I believe verily that Luther Bucer Calvin Musculus Zanchy Beza Olevian Vergerius c. were Besaleeâ—â— and Aholiabs filled with the Spirit of God and able to judge what is more or less fit for the Divine work But yet do not you that are entred into their labours suffer their judgements to forestal or prejudice you but judge impartially and freely of all things that shall be offered to you onely withal remembring that what is spoken or propounded by the Apostolical Spirit must be discerned by the same Spirit i. e. here is no place to seek for sublimated speech or speculation of humane wisdom but the evidence or demonstration of the spirit and power thereof c. 1 Cor. 2.1 135. But more of this after the matter it self hath been premised We will speak as to men of understanding judge ye what we say Dan. 9.7 TO thee O Lord belongs righteousness but to us confusion of face even to all that are near us and them which are afar off throughout all the Countreys whither thou hast driven us because of our iniquities Vers 15. And now O Lord which hast brought thy people out of the Land of Spiritual Egypt and hast gotten thy self renown as it is at this day Vers 16. Let thy anger and fury be turned away from the Christians which are thy people Vers 17. O our God hear the Prayer of thy Servant and his Supplications and cause thy face to shine upon thy Sanctuary for it is desolate for the Lords sake Vers 18. Encline thine ear O God and hear open thine eyes and behold our desolations for we do not present our supplications unto thee for our own righteousness but for thy mercies sake which are very great Vers 19. O Lord hear O Lord forgive O Lord hearken and do and defer not for thine own sake O my God for thy people are called by thy Name Amen An EXHORTATION To the CHURCHES PARTICULARLY And by name that of England now piously solicitous for the most excellent Forme of Church-government THus have you had an account of the Slavonick Churches especially that of Bohemia and the maine of that the unity of the Brethren of Bohemia to what end was also touched towards the end of the History § 132 133 134. viz that those who endeavour the Reformation of Church-affaires may even from hence be furnished with some thoughts conducing thereunto I shall now renew my address to you with whom I began O! you the Churches of the Britane World Amongst whom your controversie about the most excellent way of Church-government hath been in agitation for the space of an entire generation and that even to the violent shaking of the whole State or Secular government Who would have thought it that such a question so very inconsiderable at first sight could produce so great tempests earth-quakes and flames Herein it hath appeared what the force of zeale is which is once set on fire for God and Liberty of Conscience whether it be right or wrong and how Circumspect they had need be that look to hear the whispering of the still Calme and the wholsome instructions of God himself When ever you shall once have an opportunity to determine among you this affaire of your so great concernment and it is the Interest of whole Christendome to have it rightly determined You and by your means the Churches must call upon God that you all viz your Pious David restored to you with the great Senate now sitting and the Ecclesiasticall Synedrim to be convened and whoever shall be entertained for Counsell in these sacred things may be governed by his holy Spirit that your Consultations may have a good issue such as may be for the glory of God and yours and the Churches salvation Amen And because God in his ordinary course works by ordinary Means and trust on Divine Providence doth not exclude but include humane Prudence It will be needfull after the seeking of Grace from above that wheresoever any thing of sober Counsell may be had it may be prudently sought out modestly communicated and diligently pondered that so at last in the depth of wisdome that which is found most excellent may be chosen decreed and setled Nor can there be wanting hope of good success when it once appears that you are willing seriously to traverse the business not to huddle it over but to heare the many preparatory deliberations both those at home and elsewhere offered and then after all things be truly sifted to come to a Conclusion For the sighs of holy men unto God for you will not be wanting as also neiâ—her good Counsells from all Corners to be suggested God also will come in with his direction and blessing Now because the Catholick Church is one whereof we are Citizens even all that beleeve in Christ in whatsoever particular Churches or Nations they be dispersed Communion of Saints requireth that upon occasion we make a common Collection of desires and prayers votes and judgments for the comfort and advantages of undertakings for the common good In confidence hereof I though a Stranger have yet adventured to speak my mind and yet not mine but the Judgment of my Church and of some pious wise men Luminaries of the Church which have given Testimony to the Constitution of Affairs amongst us as they were viz that this way of Church-government is the very same which Christ instituted and Apostles used or else the nearest to it and therefore 't is to be wished it were setled in all Churches See the premised History § 76. 79. 80. 82. 85. 90. 94. 96. 106. 107. 108. 111. 112. 113. 115. 122. But is it so indeed We boast not of Perfection which we know is not to be found on this side Heaven neither doe we prefer our selves before others being conscious of our own defects But that we may not be wanting to the Cause we have undertaken and verily that which is any where good ought to be made common we say they which have given their approbation of this Church-government may seem not to have been deceived in that First so reverend men cannot easily be said to want Judgment nor yet to be led aside by affection such as sought to please some obscure
persons in the World giving us just cause to fear that in extolling such they did the rather impaire their own reputation This is evident in Erasmus Hist 70. Yea and if any man will but seriously weigh these things in the ballance of his own Judgment he will scarce evade his being of the same mind Viz. If he considers a that not any one but many began this Unity Histor 45. Annot p. 78. b and these not lead by self conceit but the zeale of salvation c not out of luxuriancy of wit but sensible and tender conscience ibid d not precipitantly but with manifold deliberations for many years Hist 47.99 e not with presumptuous confidence of themselves but with fear and trembling making many and heart-breaking Prayers to God to this purpose 48.50.60 f and with great respect had to Judicious men seeking counsell whereever any could be hoped or looked for The Romans Greeks Waldenses Hussites Lutherans c. 61.66.68 g also with full purpose to try all things and hold fast that which was any where found good insomuch as they ordained it a Canon among themselves if any appeared any where better reformed they would be obliged to joyne themselves to them 67. In no wise therefore doth this Unity savour at all of Schism h Now all this while whatever they had collected among them they so diligently and closely stuck thereunto in their practise that it may be said to be throughly proved by the fire of Persecution for the space of two generations without interruption Neither yet hath any thing to this day been found which is better viz. more consonant to the Scriptures and the practise of the Apostles or more for the satisfaction of the Conscience But moreover we want not for these things more weighty and as it were demonstrative Arguments As First that this Church of the Brethren hath all along been such a body as the Apostle would have the body of the whole Church to be a Conjunction of Saints by the work of the Ministry for mutuall edification in the Unity of faith and unto the exercise of unfeigned Charity fitly framed together and compact by that which every joynt supplyes from the inward working power Ephes 4.12 for here all are in this manner some being members of others knit together by common Lawes unto common edification not by the charmes of any outward Splendor Wealth or Honour or chaines of any compulsory violence but set together only by the inward working power and glew of the same Faith Love and Hope Secondly because such a Polity as is that of the Brethren-Church is of that nature that however it submits it self to the Polities of the World yea to all men for good yet it will lose nothing of that Church-liberty which Christ hath purchased for it with his own blood as Mr. Olevian observes Hist 115. and which is more that it alwayes comports with every well-constituted State and never disturbs it that which is altogether to be wished seeing that the State and the Church both combining for the welfare of humane Society must differ only as Outward and Inward For such a Church-government as this is sutable to a Monarchical State because it hath Episcopacy to an Aristocratical because it hath a Senate to a Democratical because it hath Synods Therefore Calvin and Bucer both for the Order of the Brethren Hist 79 80. being called unto divers Places to reform the Churches each of them so applied himself that he accommodated with the Secular government Calvin in the Commonwealth of Geneva constituting a Presbyterie Bucer in the Kingdom of England leaving there what he found Episcopacy to continue and remain But whether or no they did well to part asunder things which when joyned together have a better operation those thence arising and unto so much mischief among the Brethren molesting controversies and contentions give too much evidence Perhaps if they had hearkned to that of Solomon a threefold cord is hardly broken they would not have had so much sad experience of those breaches Thirdly Another Argument of much validity for such a Form of Church-government as this is It carries within it self antidotes against the evils which may annoy it viz. Order and Discipline whereby it either prevents disorders or else if they steal in suppresses them v. g. a that there is no place open for Ambition and Simony no man running of himself or before another but all coming when they are called and going when they are sent not otherwise to another place or at another time Nor is any preferred to any function at the pleasure of any one with acceptation of Persons but of all there being less hazard in the common judgement of all then of any one and because all are as any one in their lyableness to erre they alwayes faithfully make him of their Counsel which cannot erre i. e. God First in all their Synods before the Election of any Ministers Pastors or Bishops making prayers unto God joyned with fasting an whole day as Acts 13.2 3. b As for Covetousness the Antidote here is their very poverty unto which they are all accustomed both by necessity it self they being not allowed any large stipends and by the Laws forbidding them the care of scraping riches See Annot. p. 98. 6 7. c the bar which is here put to Arrogancy is that this vice of pride being discernable as hateful who ever bewrayes any swelling thereof puts a stop to himself in that very thing as to his own preferment d an Antidote against contentions is not wanting here being the endeavour of brotherly love in all Or if any thing breaks out of humane infirmity some friends are alwayes at hand for the reconciling thereof e nor is here any place for Heresie or Heterodoxie where none use to have any thing singular but all frame all things unto Consent and Harmony and where all are exercised rather in the practise of Christian love then in subtile speculations about Faith f Neither doth any one by disputing or writing rise up against another whereof there are sad examples in other places because of the common bands of Order he neither dare nor can g Lastly there are no occasions of curiosity such as are vast Libraries wherein busie bodies may at their pleasure tumble and dangerously involve themselves for all are here taught most what to delight themselves in books of Divinity Besides the Apostle pronounceth those Churches blessed where the servants of God are received as the Angels of God yea as Christ Jesus himself Gal. 4.14 15. Now it is Mr. Altingius's observation reading the Order of the Brethren that all things are there among them directed with singular care unto Piety and due Reverence of the sacred Order But if it be so we have the true Picture of the Kingdom of God and hope of that blessing and life for ever promised to Brethren that dwell together in unity and having all the ointments and dews of divine
grace in common If I had scope I might write a large Commentary how Christ founded that spiritual Kingdom of his which he is pleased to have in the World indeed but not of the World and how it was administred by the Apostle the easier to let you see the enormities of those Christians which dis-figure this spiritual and celestial Kingdom by trans-figuring of it into so many worldly earthly corporeal and carnal Forms and what good hath at any time to this day been done or not done by so many new transformations and reformations but I may not dilate my self I therefore bend my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ that for the riches of his glory he would give you to be strengthened with might in the inner man by his Spirit that being rooted in love you may comprehend with all Saints what is the breadth and length and depth and heighth and to know the Love of Christ which passeth knowledge that you may be filled even unto all the fulness of God Ephes 3.14 Some may say by so much extolling the state of your affairs what would you have would you perswade us to them I answer If these things be good surely they are communicative of themselves and that they should be made common ought not to be matter of displeasure but desire and if it be well with my soul I cannot but say with Paul I would to God you were all as I am excepting these bonds of my Affliction Acts 29.29 I seek nothing herein for my Church which now is not nor for my self which am entring upon my grave But for thee O Catholick Church the Mother of us all whom I so love and reverence that I cannot but wish it were still better with thee whereever however and in what part soever it may be better I was not born to be factious nor have I lived such nor will I dye such but will adhere to Christ only together with them which he hath given to be my guides or whereof he hath made me guide I would it were given to all that call on the name of Christ to perswade the same thing that having Christ only Christ bare Christ for their leader they may not know Paul Apollo Cephas or any whomsoever and fixing to themselves the mark of that one salvation and eternal glory they may supersede other vanities contentions about Primacy Predominancy Titles Revenues as worldly impertinent vile rubbish But dare you so mean a Person move such things I answ Give me leave to indulge my grief which consumes my bones for the ruine of my Church and the Fear of yours I say the ruine of the Church both mine which is now already in its rubbish and yours which is in great danger unless the tender mercies of God prevent you O Christians the love of Christ and the desire of the common salvation compels me thus to speak unto you I do that which Job did when cast on the dunghill saying to his friends about him I teach you being exercised by the stroke of God upon me Job 27.11 If I take the boldness so to exhort you I adventure upon no more then is enjoyned a duty to all Christians 1 Cor. 14.31 2.13 11. Heb. 3.13 should I give counsel too yea by the same Law with that very poor Citizen and of no account who yet his countrey being in danger was bound if he knew any thing to bring relief thereunto by counsell Eccles 9.17 and with that Maid-servant which durst counsel her Lord the General 2 Kings 5.3 Hear ye me which fear God my words shall not be wind but substance they shall not utter any private matter but that of the common salvation I well know the Genius of humane nature how incident it is to every one of us to please himself in his own and to despise others in comparison with himself The Cedars will admire their heigth the Oakes their strength the Palm their handsomness the Figs and Vines their fruit but the Whin is contemned for its shrubbedness that even the beasts of the field can tread it under their feet Judg. 9. Be it then that the Bohemian Nation were the least of Nations the Bohemian Church the least of Churches and the Bohemian Church of the Brethren the least part of that Country what then will follow that he that is great can learn nothing of a little man hear Christ that Eternal Wisdom what did he when the great Apostles contended for the Prerogative of greatness in the Kingdom of Heaven he takes a little child and setting him in the midst said Verily I say unto you unless you be converted and become as a little child you shall not enter into the Kingdom of Heaven Mat. 18.1 2 3. Make application thereof and you shall be your own teachers O ye great Doctors I hope you all believe that Christ is still with us and will be to the end of the World to behold our behaviour and to hear our contentions about greatness yet continuing Nor must there be wanting some little ones to be set in the midst of the Great ones and appointed to be their pattern Contend then O Great Churches among your selves if you please about the Preheminence whether the Grecian or the Roman the French or the English the German or Helvetian be the greater Church strive about the notion of faith for Ceremonies or Hierarchy as fiercely as you can Behold Christ presents you in the midst with a little child and as Zanchy hath it an Infant stript of all pomp and dressing considerate for nothing but simplicity knows not any thing of preferring it self to others quarrelling with any coveting wealâ—h and honours only skill to keep at home to do its own business not to intermeddle in other mens matters to serve God in spirit and truth to look up to Heaven to renounce trust in the Earth and to fear and take heed of nothing so much as not to offend God or man by neglect of any duty and being taken up with these things hath learned to brook privacy of life and to bare contempt In this manner if any man humble himself the Lord promiseth him a majority in the Kingdom of Heaven ver 4. and saith whosoever receives such a little one in the name of Christ Christ will receive him ver 5. but on the contrary if any offend such an one he threatens him with a burdensome stone and the bottom of the sea ver 6. and with all at once denounceth an eternal woe to all which avoid not scandals when they can ver 7. And what else did the Apostle inculcate on his factious Corinthians striving about fading to yes and that even before Infidels If we have saith he any cases of things pertaining to this life to judge why set you not them to judge who are least esteemed in the Church I speak it to your shame 1 Cor 6.4 What if the same Apostle to our shame should say even
to you as there to them O! O you Corinthians that are wise that are rich that raign without us ver 4 8. For truly the things for which you contend are only of this life Rank Eminency Possessions Revenues Authority Repute and the like Prerogatives but how small a thing is all this for you which shall judge the world v 2. 3. which are in expectation of the Throne of Christ and his blessed Kingdom to Eternity Apoc. 3.21 So that whilst you that are so great contend about things so small behold God sets before you some that are contemptible and of the lowest form that you may begin even of them to learn to do better Those I mean which groaning under Christ's Cross may thus address to you that shine in glory God hath set forth unto you us as appointed unto death for we are made a spectacle unto the world to Angels and to men we are fools for Christ and you are wise in Christ we are weak but you are strong ye are honourable but we are vilified to this very time we both hunger and thirst and are naked and buffeted and have no certain dwelling place and labour working with our own hands being reviled we bless being made as the filth of the World and the off-scouring of all things c. 1 Cor. 4.9 c. Thus Paul minds them of these things in 1 Epist to Cor. and what heed they gave to him herein appears in the second Epistle where he once and again reproves them that they despised his Apostolical meanness and suffered themselves to be led away from the simplicity of Christ by them which were addicted to pomp and great swelling words and full fed with large fat morsels and no wonder for so it was with the Lord of the Prophets and Apostles that by reason of this meanness and meekness â— Jsa 42.1 2. his cross and afflictions he was so contemned that he was counted unworthy to be lookt upon Jsa 53.2 3. the World alwayes looking after nothing but power pomp and splendor doth so love to deceive it self and let the Godly take heed and beware of it For the foolishness of God is wiser then men and the weakness of God is stronger then men I God making choice of those things which are base to the world and nothing worth yea even those things which are not to abolish those that are that no flesh might glory in his sight 1 Cor. 15.28 29. However then I heartily wish you O! you great Sticklers in the great Churches some great Joseph which may bespeak his brethren with authority why fall ye out in the way of Heaven Gen. 45.24 or a Moses to cry out to you men and brethren why do ye wrong to one another Acts 7.26 or an Hezekiah to charge you as he did with royal Majesty the Levites and Priests My sons do not swerve any more for God hath chosen you c. 2 Chron. 29.11 Or else a great Constantine who gently reproving his Bishops the Ministers of Christ burned all the books of controversies Yet what forbids that I should not tread in the footsteps of Christ and setting before you great Apostles a little child in the midst and shew you what lesson you must learn of him What hinders also but that the Apostles counsel may be urged that quarrel being arisen among you about those things which concern this life only the judgement hereof may be committed to them that are the lowest in the Church This will be of Divine right whatever otherwise reason of State may suggest to them which understand not nor will understand the State of the Kingdom of Christ In confidence then of this Divine right the Bohemian though the least of all Churches and oppressed intreats You the Churches of greater Magnitude to supersede your contentions about matters so small so fading and of no value What will you contend for the Prerogative of Place and dignity when Christ did so straightly forbid his own all desire of honour and commanded that he that affected the primacy should be thrust back to the last place Mat. 20.26 23.11 12. for titles when the meekest Lord condemned the Phylacteries in the Pharisees as a piece of stinking pride ib. 5. and would have his own count themselves sufficiently honoured with the mutual compellation of Brethren ver 8. Do you strive about the higher understanding of the Mysteries when we are here all but infants scarce understanding the least part of that which by the goodness of God we shall know when we come to the state of Perfection Why may not the one of them that have an imperfection in speech have a good understanding of the other or at least bare with him Doe you contend for the right of Prebends when Christ affirmes it better to give then to receive Act. 20. and interdicts all his own which he sent forth to preach the Gospel the charge of the purse Math. 10.9 subjoyning this rule ye have received freely give freely And verily that was matter of glorying to the Apostles that they preached the Gospel gratis even to the richest Corinthians that they might not be burdensome to any 2 Cor. 11.7 9. and it was the Character of a mercenary Preacher to strive to be rich of the Gospel ib. 20. and elsewhere often Let the sincere Servants of Christ then imitating Christ and the Successors of the Apostles treading in the steps of the Apostles glory in the Lord. If you still stick at our smallnesse we must say with Syrac The Bee is small among winged creatures yet the fruit thereof is the beginning of sweetness Syrac 11.3 What more despicable then the Aunt yet how often are we sent to her as the Mistress of Prudence And may not a little Common-wealth be in greatest Order and so a mirrour to another which is greater Be the boat greater or less I am only but one still and the same as any understanding man will say Verily bigness is of no vertue unless happily to sink with its own weight all action flowes from the forme My Predecessors did adventure in the contentions of the Brethren of the Evangelici in Germany Helvetia Polonia in a brotherly way to interpose and by the assistance of God did there doe some good Why may not we the relicts of them cry out against the Relicts of contentioners They durst move Maximilian the Emperour to a Reformation of the Church Hist 108. why may not we the last reduced to the last entreat the same Our blessed Martyrs Hus and Hieron in the midst of the flames sung Psalmes unto God in confidence of the goodness of their Cause Why may not we be as them which inherit the same Cause to the last man being to triumph with Christ by his power not only in the Babâ—lonian flames but beyond them also and the last flamâ—s of the World in the Judgment day But what would you have may some say I answer compassion Compassion I
enamoured me with the love 1. Of Unity especially that of the Church 2. Of Order especially in the Church 3. Of Settlement especially of the Church 4. Life and Vigour especially of the Church cannot but be in pursuit of those things with all my desires and having lost the less our Unity Order Bands Life I cannot but pray for the greater even the Unity Order Bands and Life of the whole people of Christendome in as much as Unity in the Community is far better then community in paucity I would some greater and more famous Church which is as a City set upon an hill Mat. 5.14 yea lifted up above the Hills Jos 2.2 would begin and set an example to the rest I mean of perfect co-implantation perfect Co-ordination perfect connexion and perfect reformation after the life of Christ as much as may be on this side heaven for in these doth the perfection beauty and salvation of the Church consist We ought to pray for the Unity of the Church because he which could not desire but that which was best even he who is our Saviour sanctifying himself to be a Sacrifice for us prayed for this and that with tears Father I sanctifie my self for these that they also may be sanctified in thy Truth Joh. 17.19 even all that shall believe in me 20. That they all may be One as thou Father art in me and I in thee and that they may be One in Vs 21. I have given them the glory which thou gavest to me that they may be One even as also We are One 22. I in them and thou in me that they may be made perfect in One and the world may know that thou hast sent me 23. Alas Christians be afraid having lost Unity we have lost that whereby the world should know that we are God's people and that Christ was sent of the Father to be the Saviour of the world had we kept this we might have gained a thousand worlds O then that yet yet we may return unto Unity that the world may know c. But what Unity do you desire Even that which the Apostles began by the Command and Example of Christ under whom the Church was one Heart and one Soul Acts 4.32 i. e. there was no study to make and maintain parties but the same sentiment and consent in all and the same designe of common edification as among the members of the same body O that God would please so to give to us one heart and one soul that all the Pastors with their several Flocks and all the Flocks with their several Pastors the whole Clergie among themselves and the people among themselves all the Rulers with their subjects and subjects with their Rulers and every Church with it self and all the Churches of the same Kingdom and Province within themselves may all be but one body and one soul Open but your eyes O Christians how without Unity there is in the very foundation of the whole Fabrick of the Church no strength at all but all to tumble and running to ruine In all things Natural Artificial and Moral the only Base of Peace and Prosperity is Unity unto which all things first and last above and below on the right and left hand must be so reduced that if one goes all go In such a frame hath God made the world and all and every thing in the world to wit the body of every living creature yea and every Plant too hanging together still with certain ligaments in every part To the like form of necessity must all humane Society and the Church also be reduced because where ever multitude is there is confusion unless that multitude by vertue of Order be brought to an Unity break but Unity it 's unpossible but that the multitude should fall in pieces and so to ruine For it cannot be otherwise but that plurality not united together with the band of Union must come to division and from division to contention and from contention to confusion 2. But Unity is not enough for the full safety of the Church and therefore Order must be added because the Church is not a Body made up of Similar parts all of like nature and name with themselves and the whole as an heap of Sand or a stack of Wood or a flock of Sheep or the body of a Snail where 't is not enough that the parts are together but such as consists of divers members of distinct places scituations forms and offices as we see in a House City Army and the Humane body where every thing the top and the bottome the end and the end the middle and the middle according to their degree contains it self in its own place and acts what it hath in special charge in its own sphere and it must be thus or else all is in a despairing case But what Order do we wish in the Churches Such again as Christ hath instituted and the Apostles observed viz. That there should be some to govern and go before and some to follow and obey in a legitimate subordination of the lowest to the highest and especially that every one abide in the Calling wherewith he is called not forsaking his station nor intrenching upon anothers 1 Cor. 7 17. Christ hath set us an example herein who executing the Office of a Prophet in his life of a Priest in his death and of a King in heaven whilst he was yet in the exercise of his Prophetical Office and they would make him a King he declined it John 6.15 they would have him take upon him to distribute outward possessions he refused it Luke 12.14 and he commanded the like to his Apostles not to intermeddle with secular affairs Luke 22.26 It is then confusion in the Church when persons called to Ecclesiastical Offices shall entangle themselves in Civil Ministrations Possessions Dominions Judgments Wars or contrariwise hereto Of the former way of confusion all see a plain instance in the Papacy where Church-men having gotten into their hands the power of both swords exercise Spiritual and Secular Government Of the latter they which are any thing well-sighted may see it true in part of the Reformed Churches where those of the Civil Power have forced away the power of the Spiritual Sword out of the hands of the Pastors of the Church and do not indulge them the exercise hereof To this purpose Olevian that godly Divine hath an observation which gives me occasion to give a seasonable and useful warning to the Church of God and indeed such is the abominableness and mischief of the danger I would give warning of that a kinde of necessity is laid upon me so that I must speak Thus Olevian as before Hist Ps 53. § 115. When I behold the sad face of the Reformed Churches in Germany plainly I am all over set in a trembling I perceive Secular Powers have been the Accommodations of the Church but now in many places they are turned into Dominations and they Lord
Leprosie Numb 17.10 11. King Vzziah again on the other side casting off the Authority of the Priests usurps their office and he is also punished by the same hand with Leprosie 2 Chron. 26 16. Now then whilst among Christians both these offences are committed shall we wonder if those of both the extreams be avenged with a spiritual Leprosie and other plagues Would to God the Roman Aaron with his Miriam his Regulars would confess their errour and render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's contenting himself with that which is allotted to him the spiritual charge and care of Christ's Flock John 21.15 But behold in Aaron and Miriam some hopes of pardon Numb 12.15 which comfort we finde not for the Imperial-Papacy for it is written The Leprosie cleaved unto Vzziah the King unto the day of his death 2 Chron. 26.16 I would therefore they would make haste to get them out of the Church v. 15. i. e. to restore the power of the Keys of the Kingdom of Heaven which is given to the Church from above but by the corruption of men and the policy of the Devil now taken away from it Verily 't is high time to repent and repair the impaired Order of the Church 3. I pass on to Discipline as the Mean Ligament and Bond ordained from heaven to keep the Church in Unity and Order Christ calls it Salt Mark 9.50 because as salt resists putrefaction and makes food savoury and wholsome so the Discipline of manners heals corrupt manners and makes us careful to keep our selves within the bounds of our duty and therein to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling It was not without cause that our Lord said Every man shall be seasoned with salt and every sacrifice shall be salted with salt v. 49. and it must of necessity be understood of the Discipline to be extended to every man which offers himself up a sacrifice unto God For the command of God is strict Lev. 2.13 Whatsoever thou offerest to the Lord thou shalt season with salt Thou shalt not with-hold the salt of the Covenant of thy God from thy gift in every offering thou shalt offer salt I would those Imperial Papists which would have their Churches to be without all Discipline and their sacrifices themselves without all salt would seriously consider how in despight of God exempting themselves from all Discipline they affect a most dangerous licentiousness of spirit But who shall administer this Discipline Who shall apply this Salt to the Sacrifices of God to sanctifie all souls to God Christ makes the answer to his Apostles You are the salt of the earth Matth. 5.13 They are then to be the Pastors of the Church the Successors to the Apostles in their Office They therefore that wrest out of their hands the Church Discipline would have them to be salt without all savour What is it to deceive a man's self if this be not it To have food sweet rather then wholesome After Christ had said Ye are the salt of the earth he addes immediately but if salt shall be as if were not rendred insipid or lose its savour wherewith shall it be seasoned it is henceforth good for nothing but to be cast away to be trodden under foot Consider I pray which of you would have your Salt your Apostles to be without salt such as yet you do what in you lies to make them to be in the sight of God O how deserving these things be of our utmost consideration But granting the necessity of Discipline in the Church of what kinde would we have it I answer Such as Christ instituted and the Apostles observed Watchful strict and severe wholly spiritual and for edification Watchful to be extended to all that are exorbitant though yet according to the degree of the offence Mat. 18.15 Severe to be exercised without respect of persons even them that are dearest to us or them which are the principal members of the Church and seem to be most necessary Concerning which very remarkable is the Order which Christ gives that no man is to be spared which gives a just cause of offence If any shall be to thee as thy right hand saith he to the Church directing and governing all thy actions viz. the Presbyter himself or Bishop or Pope or as thy foot bearing thee up as the Magistrate and those in Power or as thy Eye giving thee light as all the sublime Doctors whosoever cut off both those and pull out this saith he for it is better for thee maimed lame and with one eye to be preserved unto life then to perish with all thy members full and entire v. 8 9. It is better then that by the vigour and strictness of Discipline the Church preserve it self from scandals should be small obscure and lame than tolerating scandals and enormities to advance her self to never so much largeness wealth honour and glistering pomp in the world Finally the Discipline of the Church ought to be proportioned to the Kingdom of Christ which is altogether spiritual and therefore revilings banishments pecuniary mulcts prisons stocks gibbets or capital punishments which are the kindes of Civil punishment are not the weapons of our warfare but admonitions shame terrour and last of all delivering up to the Divine judgement and to Satan the Executioner thereof Yet all these things not without an holy designe viz. That others in the Church may fear 1 Tim. 5.20 and they themselves which offend may be snatched with fear out of the flames of sin and death Jude v. 23. It remains only that and how the body of the Church being well united well ordered and well knit together with the bands of reverence must over and above this be all filled with the Spirit of Christ This is yet a further matter and differing from the former For any Philosophical Colledge or Secular Commonwealth the Lacedemonian or some other yea and Ants and Bees too and the Synagogue of the Pharisees may be a company well united and well ordered and knit together and yet not be the body of Christ the Church being destitute of his Spirit For if any have not the Spirit of Christ he is none of his Rom. 8.9 What then is the Spirit of Christ Even the Spirit of the life of God quickning them that are dead in Adam 1 Cor. 15.45 i. e. turning to God them which are turned from God and them which are transgressors of the Law to be obedient to the Law and they that are fierce to be milde humble patient in a word making men new brought off from Satan the world and the flesh and offering themselves up to God alone to do and suffer all his Will This verily is the meaning of that which Christ speaketh If any man will come after me he must deny himself and take up his Cross and follow me Matth. 16.24 and whoever cannot or will not do so he denies that he can be his Disciple Luke 14.26.32 Because
in the day of Christ I commend to you in particular a glittering pearl of Mr Olevian out of the premised Hist 115. The late extream corruption of this generation saith he moveth me and my Colleagues not a little to have some conference with you about the best way of Governing the Church for we would so build that our Fabrick may stand firm unto posterity We see what great differences and how sudden changes are made in those Churches which their Right and Priviledges being taken away are wholly at the devotion of the Civil Polities Unless provision be timely made for the stopping of these evils many of the godly even the greatest part will conclude they have run in vain and so on there many golden sentences following most deserving not only reading but our serious considerations And here even you also may take notice of some excellent pearls worth your observation 1. That in the design which you also now drive whether of Reformation or Confirmation you should be fixed and resolved that what you do may be firm and durable for the generation to come 2. To tremble at that word what differences what sudden changes are made where the Churches are deprived of their Right and Power 3. That unless some timely course be taken to withstand these evils as indeed we did not timely obviate them in Germany the godly will think c. Ah! they do think and feel it and Luther while he was yet living felt it that they that were under the grace of the Gospel were become worse then they that were under the rigour of the Papacy as if the unclean spirit were returned with seven spirits worse then himself c. And how could it be otherwise no bounds of Order and Discipline being set for preservation and the keyes of Christ being more perniciously curtailed then the Eucharist in the Papacy 4. As to which matter we ingeniously acknowledge what God hath conferred upon you and desire still more fully to acknowledge it c. and that in things of such concern counsels are by no means to be precipitated but exquisitely laid together and God from heaven is to be called upon for counsel with greater vehemency then in any other thing that can be named As for that question which is chiefly controverted amongst you concerning the best way and Form of Governing the Church I will say no more having in the Tractate of Independency said what ever I thought could be said in this case for accommodation and peace Only thus much That that golden rule of Christ of a Reformation in Life first rather than in faith and outward Ceremonies John 7. v. 17. is of golden use in this business for that man who-ever he be which seeks not himself and his own Interest but Christ only and in him salvation his own and another's will more easily discern what tends more or less hereunto being taught by that anointing within himself which he hath from the holy Ghost 1 John 7.20 27. But yet I query Whether or no if a Civil Society be well and rightful preserved in one place by Monarchical Government where the people commit their safety to some one person as the ablest and the wisest In another place by Aristocratical Government where the care is committed to some few of their own as able and wise In another by Democratical Government where the people govern themselves by turns Religious Society may not be in like manner so provided for i. e. whether Episcopal Government may not as well be endured where it hath long been as Consistorial where that obtains and Presbyterial or Classical where that is in use It seems probable it may be so for as much as every one of these Governments hath some good in it conducing unto the publick good so it be guarded from abuse v.g. The goodness of Monarchy is an uniting vertue preventing the ruine that may quickly arise from differences by reason of the multitude of counsels The goodness of Democracy is a diffusive vertue suffering no member to be easily overslipt in the dispensation of the common Cause or Interest The goodness of Aristocracy is a collective vertue knitting together Superiours with Inferiours and Inferiours with Superiours and causing many Members to keep themselves under one and one to diffuse himself unto many .. Hence some Nations have pleased themselves with one others with this or that and so it is at this day and they all keep up themselves in their several Forms of Government the one and the other which is an argument that there is in each one of them a proper and peculiar vertue to contain humane Society within its due bounds by the bonds thereof Only indeed through abuse admitted Monarchy easily degenerated into Tyranny Aristocracy into Oligarchy and Democracy into Anarchy which is worse than any Tyranny But againe of all these 3 kinds of Government may there not be a contemperation or temperature which may make for the improving of that which is good in each of them and correcting of that which is evill It may seem possible by the Rule of Christ This doe and leave not the other And that of the Apostle Try all things and hold fast that which is good Viz by holding in each of these Governments that which is excellent that of a threefold good may be made one very good v. g. of Monarchy and Episcopacy the uniting good of Aristocracy and Church-Sâ—nat the Collective vertue of Democracy and Presbitery the diffusive good Of such a kind of temper was the Common-wealth of the Lacedemonians having one King but to whom they put their Ephori as the Overseers of Actions and the power of chusing residing in the Common-people So in the Roman Empire which was of great strength the power and strength was in the peoples hands the counsel in the Senate and the executive part or execution belonged to the two Consuls The like prudent temperation is at this day to be seen in the Venetian Commonwealth and in some Kingdoms especially that of England and Polonia There is a King for Majesty yet therewithal a Senate consisting of the Optimates or the Nobles and there is also the very Commonwealth it self by the Commons their Legates or Representers suffering nothing to be enacted touching themselves without themselves And this course seems to excel all others for stability having remedies alwayes in readiness in reference to all grievances whatsoever Now whether or no we may not see such a temperature also in the Ecclesiastical State under the Apostles when as there were for the management of businesses and deciding of controversies 1. Apostles 2. Seniors 3. The Church Acts 15.22 And whether or no it be any where more evident in our Age then in the Churches of the Bohemian Fraternal Unity under Bishops Consistories Synods I leave it to the Churches to judge It is queried further Whether or no those inconveniences and hazards which have been found in this and the other
and the third Government and the abuses and scandals of each of them hereupon may be taken away I answer Physitians will not think that there be any diseases of the body incurable if there be a skilful Physitian at hand timely to relieve Nature therefore neither let Christians despair as to the diseases of the Church provided only that the counsel of the heavenly Arch-Physitian be hearkned to and taken they advise to care and caution that the disease get not a head by long continuance crying withstand the Beginnings but our High-all-Healer is able to cure even the most inveterate by reducing things to their beginnings Matth. 19.8 by vertue of which Rule Let that be taken away from Episcopacy which was not in the beginning and the Disease is cured But what is that 1. Secular Domination 2. Earthly Riches 3. Pomp of Ceremonies for Christ hath said 1. Kings exercise Lordship c. But you shall not be so Luk. 22.25 2. Possess not you gold nor silver nor money in your purses nor have you two coats Matth. 19.9 As also God forbad earthly Possessions should be assigned to the Priests in the old Testament giving the reason also I will be their portion and inheritance Numb 18.20 Deut. 10.9 18.2 3. Christ also taught them to serve God in Spirit and Truth not in Ceremonies John 4.23 which thing the Apostles very much pressed But they assert themselves in respect of their Wealth and Domination by the Donation of Constantine He adorned the Church with such splendour for the honour of Christ and therein set a good example of holy zeal for other Christian Kings to follow But the answer hereunto is manifold 1. Do they not know can they not tell the story of a voice which as at this time was heard This day is poyson poured out into the Church What-ever any may make of the voice the thing is certain That those endowments being given and accepted beside the Will of God turned unto poyson Let the poyson then be taken out and the Church will be well again 2. Again Grant it were Constantine's pious zeal yet 't is evident that it was not according to knowledge for it was not lawful for him to dispense with the Interdict of God much less ought the Servants of Christ to admit such things against their Lord's Will Naaman the Syrian in pious zeal offered Elizeus money but with better zeal he refused this Lumber Gehezi took it but it turned unto Leprosie upon him 2 Kin. 5. I would the servants not of Elizeus but of Christ would at this time but understand what a foolish choice they have made of an earthly instead of an heavenly inheritance and would begin to think of some course to cleanse the Church of this Leprosie 3. I answer Constantine could not foresee the abuse of this Donation and the mischief that thereby would fall upon the Church Now the whole world sees it and if he were risen again and should see it undoubtedly his desire to restore the Church to her integrity would put him upon it to retract what he gave with a better good will then ever he gave it As haply Moses himself would have broken the Brazen Serpent if he had seen how it would be abused as when he saw the Idolatry of the people he brake the two Tables of the Law written with God's own hand and in as much as Hezekiah coming after him did it piously as it were for him 2 King 18.4 why may not godly Kings at this day piously also retract the liberal donations of their pious Ancestors now perverted by abominable abuses and improve them to better purposes As for the pomp of Church Ceremonies God indeed in the old way of Worship ordained such a thing therein by shaddows to set forth the spiritual mysteries of salvation which Christ at his coming was to disclose but seeing that since the coming of Christ they have been demolished and levelled by so many Apostolical strains as claps of thunder and flashes of lightning directed against them why should we bring them up again still to make use of them Under the Papacy perhaps where the light of the Gospel is once obscured by and in the barbarous generations they may have seemed or seem to be of some use at least with some colourable pretence but in a Reformed Church I beseech you what use can be made of them Those which have been hitherto retained in England under the Reformed Bishops have not the very Pontificians themselves laughed at them unto scorn and derision It is plain to be seen in that Edward Weston's Theater of Life Civil and Sacred Printed at Antwerp 1626. p. 564. c. where having said that the Religion of the Protestants is without all Religion because they have no Sacrifice Priesthood nor Sacred Ceremonies he adds Some Protestants indeed that they may not appear absolutely impious and irreligious use our Missal and Breviary selecting what they please thereof for the Rubrick of their Liturgie and to make the Form of their worship appear the more goodly they have their Canonical persons forsooth and their Arch-DeaconS and so after the mode and custome of the Church of Rome their Caps and Hoods and Holidayes and such like stuff and lumber which they say they found in the Synagogue of Antichrist By which very thing it is apparent that the Religion of the Protestants stands guilty of stealth and robbery by which it first came into the world or if they will not be taken for thieves let them still go for our Apes and Antichrists c. and so he goes on These with all their whole service are derided and scorned not only by ours but also by their own c. at last he set down the judgement of one to this purpose The English seem to have driven the Pope out of their Kingdom in such haste that they compelled him to leave his clothes behinde him which they as fools in a play put on with a kinde of pompous Ceremony of triumph and so lead their Quite O how we are abused by their dallying and colloguing they being Reformed but not to any purpose A goodly Reformation it is that they dare not carry it through It will therefore be a glorious thing for the Reformed Churches to come back to the practise of Christ and his Apostles leaving off the baubles of earthly riches honours and pomp both Ecclesiastical and Civil to be taken up look after and busie themselves about matters of an higher nature Seek the things that are above saith the Apostle where Christ sitteth at the right hand of God Set your affections upon and let your care be for things above not things on the earth for you are dead and your life is hid with Christ in God Col. 3.1 2 3. which if it be enjoyned all Christians much more them which are set next under Christ to be leaders unto others from earth to heaven and to whom the King of
Kings hath said All power is given to me in heaven earth go you 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 make all Nations my Disciples Matth. 28. i. e. advance my kingdom both by outward preaching unto all Nations and by the inward power of my Spirit learning of me to live not an earthly but a heavenly life O how invaluable and incomparable would this be if you did but know how much you are advanced above all earthly things but alas the highest of the Bishops at this day stick in the very first rudiments of the Apostles not aspiring unto any degree of high Apostolical perfection What was their first rudeness To dream of Earthly Kingdoms and Thrones with Christ where to sit on the right hand and on the left What their high perfection To count all things here as dung for the excellency of Christ and casting all Worldly Interests behinde them to press forward for the prize of the High Calling Phil. 3. and so to rejoyce in the hope of future glory and glory in Affliction the Cross Martyrdoms c. I would here lay down my Pen but that this swelling excrescence of the Church by tract of time hath gotten such an extreme hard crust upon it that it seems needful to ply it with oft-renewed-mollifying applications Let it be taken therefore how it will I offer in the sight of the Church my desire of things of the better sort Now that which God makes and ordains must needs be better than that which man institutes for the works of God are perfect Deut. 32.4 that which he establishes for ever and the decrees which he makes no man may pass over Psal 148.6 behold then whosoever they be among men which God doth appoint to be guides of others unto heaven all those he absolutely declares in both the Testaments that he would have them altogether free from earthly cares first straitly forbidding his people Israel by Moses to allot to them any inheritance amongst them and then severely charging the Priests themselves that they should not admit of any such terrene possession And Christ did the same for those which he chose for himself to be Messengers to the Gentiles he made leave their Nets Customs and all wayes what ever of getting gain yea and himself also being about to discharge his Commission in reference to mankinde laid aside even his heavenly Riches Honours Thrones to reach that these at least are utterly incompatible and became poor contemptible and low having not upon earth whereon to lay his head Verily it was to be fulfilled which was typified in David who had no hopes to triumph over Goliah till he put off the Royal accoutrements and addressed himself in the habit of a Shepherd and in Gideon who being to discomfite the Midianites was first to dismiss his numerous Armed Forces reserving to himself nothing but his Lamps and Trumpets and then as Gideon said to his company As I do so do ye Judg. 7.17 So Christ bespeaks his I have set you an example that what I do ye may do also John 13.15 Why do we not then imitate him if we would perswade our selves that we are the Sub-Delegates of that Legate from heaven He though they made him an overture of Regal Dignity accepted it not John 6. though they would proclaim him King Luke 19.38 yet he persisted taking to himself no Title but that of Master 22.11 being asked whether he was a King He made answer My Kingdom is not of this World Being assured that there was reserved for him a Royal Throne in Heaven Why not we in like manner having a promise of the same Throne Howbeit not unless we first overcome Apoc. 5.21 Most certain then it is that Episcopal pre-eminence consists not in this to possess vast Demesnes to shine in Gold to be surrounded with a Retinue to be carryed in Coaches or lie on Beds of Doun to be clothed in Scarlet c. but to be deep in inward Piety of the heart and profound in Divine Knowledge with Zeal for the Glory of God and the Salvation of the Church as also of improved experience in the things of God renouncing and abjuring our own private profit these are the things which make up the Pourtraiture or Essence of a true Bishop and his outward Characters are many to be much in Labour and Travel in Watchings in Hunger and Thirst in Fastings and Solicitousness for all the Churches to be weak with them that are weak and to burn when others are offended 2 Cor. 11. and so to bear about in their bodies the marks of the Lord Jesus Christ Gal. 6.17 and when he meets with one sick of the spiritual Palsie to say Silver and Gold I have none but such as I have I give thee in the name of Jesus Christ arise out of the bed of vain and sinful state and walk in the wayes of Christ Acts 3. In a Word not at all to savour Earthly things for he which talks of the earth is earthly John 3.31 but to shew in word and works that he is the Messenger of the Lord from Heaven who gives life to all 1 Cor. 15.45.47 If Bishops and all they that discharge any Embassie for Christ hope to be such verily their worldly additaments earthly dominions and secular honours must be taken away for these are baits which prophane persons swallowing and being caught withal croud themselves into Ecclesiastical preferments shutting and thrusting out their betters For it is vain that Bellarmine saith The Sea of Rome either admits them which are Saints or makes them such It is more truly retorted by another that it either embraceth them that are wicked or makes them such For men cannot reach to such an height but they must be very worldly ambitious subtle to deceive by a thousand tricks more than are good Yea if it be so that haply some of the better sort fly so high yet it is almost impossible but they will be taken wiâ—h a spirit of giddiness by reason of the very heighth of their condition And the same must be said of every Bishops Sea set out with such pomp and riches that these things either are possessed by such as are ambitious covetous idle drones and effeminate or else they soon make them such These sweet poysons the pomps of Riches and Honours can hardly be drunk deeply off by any one and he remain innocent Let no man say within himself the Mendicant condemns them that have riches because he hath none himself for indeed he which is out of the mist can the better see the cloud nor yet need we to be so indigent if modesty and fear of venomous dregs stood not in our way I could tell you the spirit of zeal hath somtime raised up them among us also that by liberal Donation would have setled sufficient large Revenues upon our Church for ever as in Moravia B. B. of Z. in Bohemia Pr. of Rosenberg they were only finding out a way how these Demesnes might with some colour be made over to be possessed by some others so as yet the rents might be paid to the Antistites of the Unity But it was not accepted both because it could hardly be concealed but and if it should have been known it would have provoked envie and because our Ancestors dreaded the not returning footsteps reckoning themselves to be but men and so liable also to abuse this worlds goods but most of all because of the Divine Inhibition and Command God grant the Successors of the Apostles the Spirit of the Apostles that being fully perswaded that there is nothing urged but that which is Apostolical if haply the Church shall think fit otherwise to dispose of her Benefices yet none dare to have a thought of raising tumults or wars upon that account as they Mich. 3.5 or cast off their charge But rather be so much the more instant and cheerful in the work of their Divine Calling in as much as any fight or work is managed with the greater ease when clogs and incumbrances are removed Did not the Apostles of their own accord committing the care of inferiour matters to others Acts 6. chuse to be Dispencers of the Divine Word and not of Tables Let then the followers of the Apostles do the same esteeming it that they are Stewards of those Spiritual Heavenly and Eternal Treasures a thousand times more than if they had the charge of earthly riches Nor doe these things tend thereunto That the faithful Servants of Christ should be defrauded of their Rewards and Honours but that they should learn how to estimate as well their labours as the rewards thereof better then they seem to know how to do it which gaping so greedily after these outward things are carried with a cursed negligence and indifference as to the internal and eternal matters God indeed liberally provided for his Ministers under the old Covenant appointing that the whole people should bring in to them all the First Fruits of their increase and all the Tenths with their Free-will offerings besides even all the best of their Oyles and Wines and Corn as God himself saith Numb 18.12 and yet he commanded them to look after somthing higher saying v. 20. I am thy part and thy possession and commanding the people that they reverence and esteem them as his Angels Mal. 2.7 therefore let all Christian people know that there is due to the Messengers of God maintenance Mat. 10.10 and reward Luke 10.7 and reverence as to the Angels of God yea as to Jesus Christ Gal. 4.14 in whose name and stead they perform the Office of Ambassadors 2 Cor. 5.20 O! how happy the Church would be if we could get back to the times of the Apostles Come Lord Jesus repair us after thy own good pleasure Restore to thy Church the Bands of Unity Restore the beauty of Order Restore the reverence of their Government Restore the fervour of thy Spirit that the Kingdom of God may suffer violence as of old Or if this last age be past cure and incorrigible irreformable take down the stage of the world that we may enter upon that Blessed Kingdom where shall be Unity without Distraction Order without Confusion Love without Intermission and God shall be all in all for ever and ever Amen FINIS