those mysteries of Christianity are commonly not at all or negligently taught thence it is that most Christians know not what 't is to be Christians much less are such indeed Adam sways all Christ very few because very few endeavour to put off the old man and to put on the new which is created after God and to be transformed into him and made one Spirit with him 1 Cor. 6.17 and so to become by regeneration the Sons of God and to cease from sin as he doth When as notwithstanding the grace of God which bringeth salvation in Christ hath appeared to all men that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts we may live soberly righteously and godly in this present world looking for that blessed hope of glory at the appearance of Jesus Christ who hath given himself for us to redeem us from all iniquity and to purifie us to himself a peculiar people zealously studious of good works Tit. 2. Therefore it is to be earnestly desired and endeavoured that Christians would at last begin seriously to be a people renouncing the world resigned to God having their commoration indeed for a while on earth but their conversation in heaven Phil. 3.10 Thus as touching the salvation of the Church I have let you understand from § 30. hitherto my desires yea the desires of Christ and all the Saints in heaven and earth and now because there is no effect without its cause and what God ordinarily doth he doth by ordinary means Men I demand now if we saw God at this day looking about for a man which should stop the gap and stand up in the breach he were like to finde any such and whether if he found none he would not pour down the fiery storm of his wrath as of old he did Ezek. 22.30 31. Or if we heard him say Whom shall I send Who will go for us whether or no there will be found an Isaiah which may say Behold here am I send me Jsa 6.8 God have mercy and send some not Jsaiah's only which should in speaking be nothing else but for a witness to further hardness of heart and ruine ib. v. 9. c. but also Elias's which may turn the heart of the Fathers to the children c. Matth. 4.4 O stir up also David's and Solomon's Jehosaphat's and Josias's Zerubbabel's and Constantine's c. to be glorious repairers of the collapsed ruinous condition of the Church And wheresoever in all the world God shall vouchsafe to raise up such they will also in like manner daigne God this honour as to do nothing but according to the prescript of his Will because this is no work of man to be done after the wisdom of man but his who said to Moses Look to it and do according to the pattern which I have shewed unto thee Exod. 25. v. 40. and to Joshua Turn not aside to the right hand or to the left Josh 1.7 That therefore they may be assured and the faithful people with them that 't is the Lord which repaireth his own house they must take that of the Lord for an everlasting rule It was not thus in the beginning Matth. 19.8 i. e. Have a care that that which is not of Divine Institution but contrary thereunto be taken away Matth. 15.13 and what ever is instituted by God but through carelesness of man neglected or hath by guile been changed be restored Matth. 5.17 c. Let things indifferent remain indifferent i. e. things which only custome hath brought in if they be not prejudicial to piety be patiently born and not without urgent necessity taken away Another thing to be piously observed is That nothing be done by Tumult and Violence against the consent of the Church or any part thereof but by the common counsel and consent lest there be given occasion of new breaches Wise is that counsel of wise Elihu Let us chuse us out judgement and see among our selves what is best Job 34.4 Out of which place it is plain 1. That it cannot be otherwise but that men somtimes will be of different apprehensions 2. 'T is not alwayes necessary that they must be divided there being given to men a liberty of choice as to the debating and determining of their affairs 3. That that determination may and ought to be done patiently or peaceably and with a rational deliberation The best way then is when any controversie arises as there are too many arisen among us that the parties be called together and patiently heard and reason compared with reason Scripture with Scripture until coming to the bottome of the thing there remains nothing to any which he can justly desire or rationally contradict I was upon it before § 35. to wish that some greater and more famous Church would try to undertake the business viz. of a more full and holy Reformation then can hitherto be found and I cannot give it over in as much as a beginning must some where and by some be made if we expect a Change of Christianity for the better Now because there is no Church to be seen under the whole Heaven which hath more eyes upon it and which is better supplyed with meanes conducing to so great an affaire nor where there doth sway a more adventuring zeale to seek out the things which are best nor yet to whom God hath given such excellent opportunities as are found in the Church of England I addresse therefore again to thee thou Spouse of Christ and shall pray for happy successe to attend thy proceedings Verily O thou English Church thou art indeed in this our Age a City set upon an Hill which cannot be hid Mat. 5.14 where Christ the light of the World darts his brightest beames and wherein so many lightened Candles Books of profound spirituall wisdome have been held forth in their Candlesticks That of your light so many Christian Nations borrow their light reading your books and striving frequently to translate them into their own Tongues that what the Apostle in his time said of his Thessalonians may be said of you The Gospel of God is amongst you not in word only but in power and in the holy Ghost even in much abundance and you are become the patterns to all that believe 1 Thess 1.5 7. Which grace we must not envie in you but pray for your increase therein and imitate the zeal of your piety I said that you were supplyed with means of a further Reformation before others because you having framed among you now for the space of an whole age Meditations of all the Mysteries of the Kingdom of God and printed Books of all such kinde of subjects you seem to have done as Solomon did the first six years when he was to build his glorious Temple unto God seeking to get stuff in a readiness felling Wood in Libanus squaring Stones casting Vessels and carrying together Gold and precious Stones for the glory of the House of God As therefore the setting up of this at
but now within sight of the Haven of their Rest Greeting in the Lord. THe troubled state of Affairs which is every where to be seen at this day is in it self sad but yet to them which do but heedfully mark the way of Gâ—ds works all along of old it seemeth to speak the hope of some excellent change 2. To wit even as in the beginning of all things God brought light out of darkness a most beautiful order out of the confused Chaâ—s So in the course of his governing whatever he suffers to come to pass to the disturbance of the Sons of men all that he always turneth to good unto them if they be godly at least to exercise them if they be wicked also frequently to bring them out of the darkness of ignorance into the fellowship of the light So that the Church evermore even by her very ruines may grow either bigger or better 3. Even in the many vicissitudes of that one people of Israel if they be observed it is apparent that all their chastisements captivities removals here and there were always onely fresh occasions of declaring the works of God 4. Who is it which seeth not that even Abraham the Father of the Faithful with travels dangers and promises in appearance a long time but vain was therefore so tired out that his faith being thus trained up he might learn to bear up in hâ—pe against hope and that the Church might have a very glorious patern of that Heroick faith which utterly vanquisheth all the difficulties in the World 5. That therefore his seed was in such an horrible manner oppressed by the Egyptian bondage that in Pharaoh there might be taken an occasion to shew forth the power of God and thereby the name of God in all the Earth God himself is his own witness Exod. 9.16 6. What could be more sad to see then that the People of God being overcome by their Enemies the Philistines should lose even the symbol of the Presence of God and the hope of help from Heaven viz. the most sacred Ark of the Covenant that this very Ark being taken by the enemies carried by them in triumphs and brought into the Temple of Dagon should be made such a laughing stock before that Devillish Idol and Idolators and yet even this very terrible disaster and dispensation to what excellent purpose did it serve to set forth the glory of God and detect the vanity of Idols 7. 'T was sad that the people of Judah and in them the seed of David to which so great promises were made even to all generations and also many holy men were led into the Babylonish Captivity yet even there Ezekiel being raised up to be a Prophet with what notable Revelations did he illuminate the Church and Daniel by wonderful works and sufferings in the same place how great and many Kings and people did he bring to the knowledge of the true God as it is to be seen in his Book Chap. 2. ver 46 47. 4.1 2 3. 6.26 c. 8. The Plots of Haman against the dispersed people of God the Jews how far did they proceed they were doomed to perish all in one day and yet this very dismal exploit how great salvation joy honour did it bring to that people for a monument unto all Posterity of the Providence of God as always watchful for the good of his people as is plain in the book of Esther 9. How great was the rage of Antiochus against this people but did it not produce so many glorious Martyrs Maccabean men of valour with so many excellent cordials to the Church for the experience of Omnipotent Divine Providence directing all things according to its own pleasure 10. The dispersion of the Apostolical Church at Jerusalem was very sad and yet it was nothing but the dissemination of the Gospel amongst other Nations Acts 4.8 c. The banishment of John into the Isle of Patmos with how vast a treasure of Prophesie did it enrich the Church 11. Also how many soever any time afterwards either assaults or persecutions without or bickerings and contentions heresies or schisms within brakâ— forth in the Church so many occasions evermore were found either of setting out the most glorious Army of Martys or of compiling the most famous Writings and thereby confounding the wicked by the constancy of the Saints and the further irradiating the godly with the clearer light of the Truth 12. Finally touching the last times of the World which now are although the great Prophet our Lord hath foretold terrible things viz. That it shall come to pass that we shall hear of wars and rumours of wars Mat. 24.6 That Nation shall rise up against Nation and that there shall be Famine and Earthquakes ver 7. yet he hath added See that ye be not troubled for all these things must come to pass but the end is not yet ib. For the Gospel of the Kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all Nations and then shall the end come ver 14. 13. Then let there be even now before our faces through the violence of second causes howbeit to the very great grief of the godly Nation dashing against Nation Kingdoms and Empires falling upon one another Let the earth tremble with horrour and let Cities Churches Schools yea and all places private and publique be piled up in their own ruines yet for all this that same God which formed the most beautiful Structure of the World out of the most rude Vast which also he powerfully preserveth and wisely governeth hitherto for the sake of his Church knowing how to produce even out of these concussions that which is better then we all can think to wit as he hath promised that the Gospel may at last pass away from sharply chastised Christendome to the other Nations of the World That so as it was long ago our stumbling may be the enriching of the World and our diminishing the riches of the Gentiles Rom. 11.12 14. The consideration of this so much to be admired Eternal Providence doth gently allay the grief which I have taken by reason of the ruine of the Church of my native Countrey of the Government of which so long as she kept heâ— station the laws are here described and set forth in view Even my self alas being the very last Supeâ—intendent of all am fain before your eyes O Chu ches to shut the dâ—or afteâ— me And that I may shut it faithâ—uâ—ly I determined by this shâ—â— meditation to justifie the Divine judicial proceedings against us as also to furnish my self together with them which are yet left of mine and whosoever will take heed of miscarrying by our example with some comfort and some advice 15. For the deluge of most raging Peâ—secutions for these forty years hath sâ— defaced us that in all Bohemia and Moravia we have not verily so much as one Church remaining onely some few reliques of the flock dispersed through
Batchelors and Masters betake themselves others both Commons and Nobles learned and unlearned elsewhere thereabout in great numbers giving themselves diligently to the reading of the Scriptures prayer and works of piety Their Pastors were of the Calixtines which renounced the superstitions and addressed themselves after the form of the Apostolical simplicity among which Micael Bradacius Pastor of Zamberg a pious and devout old man was the chiefest These all called one another mutually by the common and to the godly dear name of Brethren and Sisters by which means it was that the title of the Brethren of Bohemia is given to them by way of eminency even to this day 51. They began indeed to call themselves The Brethren of the Law of Christ as well to distinguish themselves from the orders of the Papists as also from the Benedictines Franciscans c. as to insist upon the foundation of Mr. Huss viz. That the Law of Christ is sufficient for the Government of the Church Militant c. But afterward when they observed it was drawn into a calumny the adversaries crying that they founded a new Order of Monks they left it off saluting one another not amiss with the title of THE BROTHERLY VNITED CHVRCHES or the VNITY OF THE BRETHREN For as the Church is the company of them which are called out of the world to partake of salvation by Faith in Christ knit together by the Laws of mutual charity even so Vnity Ecclesiastical is with us the company of Churches knit together in the Laws of mutual love for the mutual edification of one another in the common salvation fully according to the mind of the holy Ghost Psal 133. and Ephes 4. and elsewhere set down in the Scriptures 52. But Satan was wroth with those beginnings of the Church undertaking a Reformation according to the Laws of the Gospel he therefore raised a new and horrible tempest to overwhelm it for the fame of this flying all abroad the Priests every where stirred up the people to hate them Choak they cried choak the spark least it grow into a flame Rokysan himself who one would think strange puts on the disposition of an enemy and accuses them of headstrong impiety for there was no want of such as would traduce them to the King and Consistory with variety of imputations 53. Hereupon it came to pass in the year 1461. that our Brother Gregory with some others visiting the Brethren at Prague they being assembled together in a certain house were betrayed and taken Where take notice of this remark of providence The Governor entring stayed at the door of the room where they were met and bespake them in these words of Scripture All you that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution You therefore that are here follow me to prison for he was a good man and meant well to the business of the Brethren but could not do otherwise because of the command of his betters 54. The King by reason of the complaints the wicked made of them to him was perswaded that the Brethren of the Taborites as they called them had some plot in hand therefore he commanded that that holy man Gregory should be put upon the rack but he falling into a deep Trance or extasie felt no pain and so they left him upon the rack by the tormentors for dead Rokyzan his Unkle coming in to him and finding him dead on the wrack lamented over him with many tears redoubling it I would I were in thy place O my Gregory but he afterward coming to himself related the vision which in this wheel he had seen That he was carried into a most pleasant meadow in the midst of which stood a tree loaden with fruit and many kinds of birds sitting on the leaves feeding on it there standing in the middle a youth governing the birds with a cane so that none of them durst get away out of order In which sight without doubt God intended to give the picture of that Church whereof he was as the Patriarch He saw also other three men keeping the same tree which six years after when they were in very deed chosen by vote to be the Superintendents he remembred and assured us that they were the very same by the very lineaments of their faces in that vision 55. So Gregory by the mediation of Rokyzan was dismissed but then Patents came forth by the Kings order inhibiting all the Pastors the ministration of the holy Ordinances without the ceremonies and threatning the punishment of death to any that should dare to adminster without the said ceremonâ—es to the Brethren known by the now odious name of Piccardi The Brethren therefore being reduced to great streights and as sheep bereaved of their shepherd run to Rokyzan beseeching him by the glory of God and his own salvation that he would not desert that cause which he knew to be Gods nor hinder the turning away of many from the way of error which they were earnestly providing for and that he would not by any means with-hold the known truth in unrighteousness That even the chief of all the Clergy in the Kingdom must give an account of all both things and persons wherewith they are intrusted and the like But when they saw he was hardned at length they took their leaves of him inserting these words in their last letter Rokyzan thou art of the world and wilt perish with the world 56. At which words being vexed he exasperated the King again against them and out comes new Patents in the name of thâ— King and Consistory That those execrable persons should not be tolerated in any place of Bohemia or Moravia But howbeit they were not wanting which would have them taken and put to death yet Jodocus Rosenbergius Bishop of Wâ—atislavia disswaded them from it giving this reason that Martyrdom was as half-raw-rosting which easily breeds worms meaning that the faithful multiplied by being diminished by martyrdoms and that they would be better reduced if they were banished in all parts For when they are come to that pass saith he that they know not which way to turn themselves they will return to their sound mind 57. Upon this a sore Inquisition was resolved and executed upon the Brethren and so hot it was that most of them especially the chief being dispersed into the Mountains and woods dwelt in caves or dens neither yet there being sufficiently safe therefore they dared not to make any fire for kitchin use save only in the night least the smoak going forth should betray them and then sitting about the fire in the sharp cold air they would spend their time in reading the Scriptures and holy conferences and as oft as they came forth in the deep snow to provide them necessaries least they should be traced they trod all in the same foot-prints the last man drawing after him a Turpentine bough to cover all that it might seem to be only the track of some Countryman
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