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duty_n	apostle_n	church_n	time_n	1,048	5	3.6359	3	false

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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A35043	Fraterna correptio, or, The saints zeale against sinful altars delivered in a sermon preached on a day of humiliation for the error, heresies, & schisms of our times and nations / by Z.C., minister of the word.	Crofton, Zachary, 1625 or 6-1672.	1655 (1655)	Wing C6994; ESTC R23793	70,876	177

backsliding from the worship and Altar of God by such as were joyned under the visible administration of his Covenant was with a Spirit of zeal and a strong hand to be restrained Is not this in this very story so very clear that he that runs may read See we not the people of the ten Tribes generally assembled with power in hand and purpose in heart to impede the suspected sinne and so to keep in due order of attendance on Gods Altar Is it not to this end that God hath invested his Church with authority and censures and requires the due execution thereof that by fear men may be forced from sinne Is not the cutting off the troublers of Gods Church rejection of hereticks casting off and delivering up to Satan for the buffetting of the flesh the very act of this resistance Was it not the discharge of this duty that emulated the Apostles in their dayes 1 Cor. 5. and succeeding faithful Ministers of the Gospel by the Authority of Christ to withstand the false Apostles Gal. 5.12 Tit. 3.10 and seducing teachers of their times as sinful Altar-builders that this lies as a duty on the authority of the Church is generally granted by all even by such as deny the same to be a duty in the Magistrate which at this time is not my part or purpose to disp●re having been done by more able men and that very fully that onely which I would dictate is that in general every professed sincere worshipper of God is to approve himself such not onely by cautionating against or counselling from but also in his place and according to his capacity in contending against the sinne of Altar-building as private Christians by friendly objurgations and discountenancing the same even by drawing from communion and otherwise when duly called Ministers of the Church by reproving condemning and censuring nay if thereunto called defending the place of Gods worship against their entrance into the same to correct their sin as did Alexander that famous Bishop of Constantinople and undergoing not onely censures of bitternesse and violence but even banishments and saddest sufferings as did Athanasius Bishop of Alexandria in withstanding the Arrians and when I consider Christian Magistrates waiting on the Altar of God by the fulnesse of their power and influence of their authority on the sons of men to be in the sittest capacity to manage to the purpose this resistance I cannot see whatever others say to the contrary how to exempt them from the approving themselves sincere worshippers at Gods Altar by the faithful and zealous discharge of this duty Thus then I have done with the second thing to be illustrated and have shewed you what duties he on the sincere worshippers of God in seeing to the sin of Altar-building and you see they must 1. See it 2. Be sensibly affected with it 3. Speedily cautionate from it 4. Seasonably remove accidental occasions as farre as may be 5. Zealously resist when other means will not availe that so they may not share in their guilt I now come to the confirmation of the Point thus illustrated by giving the reasons of it The reasons why the building of Altars besides the Altar of God is to be so seasonably seene unto by the sincere worshippers of God I shall briefly comprehend under one general head and that is this To build Altars besides the Altar of God is a sinne exceeding sinful it is sufficient to emulate a sanctified heart against it to assert it simply to be a sin though of the lowest order for saving grace doth militate against sinne as such not as it is more or lesse grievous yet how much more fervently and fully will it bend it self against sinne as it appears aggravated vile and exceeding sinneful more eminently and immediately dishonouring God provoking fury scandalizing religion and sadly dividing the Churches of God of which nature to the emulating of zeal and engaging the strength of sincere worshippers of God against it I shall labour to let the people of God see this sinne of Altar-building to be and that in the consideration of the grounds actings effects and sad aggravations thereof F rst Altar-building besides the Altar of God will appeare a sin exceeding sinful if we consider the sinneful grounds from whence it springs and ariseth amongst others we may specially take notice of these three common causes thereof First shameful novelty that frame Ground 1 of spirit which for its vilenesse is noted to be the effect of idlenesse and want of serious imployment which might six * Variam dant otia mentem the soul this is that frame of Spirit which renders a man weary of every thing though in it self never so good whereby men become Athenians to give up themselves to things as they are new rather then as they are good and enquire after Pauls Doctrine as new Acts 17.19 and so suitable to their curiosities rather then as true and saving to their souls the which although noted as an occasion of Pauls preaching yet is taxed as an evidence of their vanity who minded nothing else but novelties which might be vanities according to the Greek proverb 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Novelties commonly are vanities This is that shameful sinne which brings a distaste on the most pleasont object * Apparet etiam quare tantopere novae res placeant quoniam mens cum primum quippiam nobile ac p●aestans affert se contemplandum acriter attente ipsum int●●etur quo cognito de studio remittit ideo voluptas definit verum si priori objecto aliquid recens supponatur denuo intelligentia contendit studium ea contemplando voluptas redit atque hoc pacto semper rebus novis obiectamus Pet. Mart. loc com p. 330. and placeth affection on that which is more base a disposition more fit for babes and children then men of discretion who should embrace by reason this novelty is the mother of sedition in States and Republicks which a wise Lycurgus will labour to anticipate by his perpetual absence from his Lacedemonian subjects engaged to constancy of obedience till his return and chiefest polliticians by assenting to Plato his directions and seeing that ne quid in rebus ad religionem attinentibus innovetur that novelties in religion be not admitted In a word such is the vilenesse of this novellous temper that Satan cannot endure his wayes and doctrines to be charged with novelty which he therfore cloaks with the plea and brings in with the loud cry of Antiquity whilest he makes the truths and wayes of God distastful with the charge of * Paulus Samosatenus cast the Psalmes out of the Church as new found figments of late Writers Euseb Hist lib. 7. cap. 29. novelty which need no clearer proof then the Papists contention for their shameful absurdities and horrid innovations with the pretence of antiquity whilest their common captious calumniating question against the true Churches doctrine and

Fraterna Correptio OR THE SAINTS ZEALE AGAINST SINFUL ALTARS Delivered in a SERMON Preached on a day of Humiliation for the Errors Heresies Schisms of our times and Nations By Z.C. Minister of the Word Utinam talis z●lus in nobis ess●t quidem non unum Altare erectum videmus sed innumera Ferus in decl●m in Iosh 22 Because Ephraim hath made many Altars to sin Altars shall be unto him to sin Hosea 8.11 And they arose and took away the Altars that were in Ierusalem 2 Chron. 30.14 We have an Altar whereof they have no right to eate who serve the Tabernacle Heb. 13.10 Imprimatur Edm. Calamy London Printed by T. R. and E. M. for Robert Gibbs in Chancery lane near Serjeants-Inne 1655. TO THE RIGHT WORSHIPFUL Mr. Daniel Andrewes Esquire ALDERMAN of the Honourable City of LONDON Right Worshipful DEdications of Books being a custome no lesse commendable then common did engage my prefixing of your worthy name to this small Treatise and simple I dare not so call it for the matter declared in it but the management of it by the Author Sermon preached in obedience to the commands of Church-Officers some moneths since and now published to the provoking of more general zeale against sinful Altars then our times afford Worthy Sir the aimes propounded to my self in this present Dedication are such as are common to all Dedications First to expresse my thankful acceptance and acknowledgement of your undeserved respect to me a meere stranger in your frequent attendance on my Ministery and fervent expostulations with some in my behalf in matters wherein I have been concerned and many other wayes expressed Secondly and chiefly to excite your zeal for and engage your attendance on Gods one only Altar distinct from nay in opposition to all false Altars of human erection Sir I do not in the least tax you of lukewarmnesse or suspect your recession from Gods Altar no my self and many others that minister to the Lord having observed your constant attendance on the Ordinances of the Gospel your countenance to the Ministers of the Gospel your complaints against the Errors Heresies and Schismes of the times with your careful turning away from such as innovate new and false principles and practices of Divine worship must needs bear witnesse that you are very fit to be one of the ten Princes of our English Israel to be delegated to expostulate with separate brethren concerning their seeming at least building of an Altar against the Altar of the Lord. Sir though I speak this without flattery yet I cannot but observe you obnoxious unto danger and a fit object of the Apostles Caution Let him that thinks he stands take heed lest he fall ●or 10.12 and that not only as you are a man subject to infirmity as are your brethren but also as you are eminent by your place a Ruler in our Israel capable of being more serviceable to God whilest you stand and to Satan if you fall We see Corahs rebellion and formall Altar-building-sin drew in two hundred and fifty Rulers famous in the Congregation and men of renowne Satan well knowes he is a meane man that drawes not after him some Clients and that the multitude like Bees follow their master Hence his policie is to make the Leaders of the people leaders of them into sin May I therefore be bold to commend to your reading this small Treatise as an antidote to temptation and guard against all the assaults of Satan by which he may labour to batter in pieces your present zeale to the Lords Altar And now Sir I cannot passe over the third common aime of Dedications wherein you may be serviceable to the Author nay to God and the soules of men that is that your eminent Name may commend this poore Sermon to publick acceptance and your report of the words of the Lord therein spoke may provoke a desire in others the Rulers of this sinful Citie to read and hear it Sir it is worth observation that Baruchs roll written against Altar-building Jerusalem Jer. 36.13 114 15 16. from the mouth of the Prophet Jeremiah by the favour of Michaiah the son of Gemariah the son of Shaphan obtained an audience from all the Princes nay an accesse into the presence of the King of Israel If in this respect this small Tract may become a Baruchs roll It may be they will present their supplications before the Lord and returne every one from his evil way for great is the anger and the furie that the Lord hath pronounced against this people Sir I will no longer trouble you but leave it under the shadow of your Worships favour not doubting your readinesse to cover the infirmities of it and its Author with your scarlet robe and beg of God that it may be useful to your counsel and comfort in constant attendance on and contentions for Gods one only Altar This Sir shall be the daily prayer of him who is SIR Yours to serve you in all Gospel-Altar-ministrations Z. C. TO THE Reader Courteous Reader THou hast here a Sermon some monetths since preached at the command of some in authority in the Church on a day of Humiliation for the spreading Errors Heresies and Scismes of our place and times It was then by some sincere worshippers at Gods Altar desired to be made more publike but was by the Author denied and adjudged to remaine in silence yet revived importunity hath reversed that sentence and presented it to thy view and censure if thou hast as doth become the sons of Zion beene observant of what hath past in our English Israel thou canst not but have seene Church against Church Ministery againe Ministery Baptisme against Baptisme Fast against Fast and Thansgiving against Thanksgiving some worshipping God one way ●thers in a way direct contrary Certaine it is both cannot be the way of the Lord one must be humane invention will-wors●ip an Altar against Gods Altar and s● the object of zealous resistance receive then this small Tract as that which may by the grace of God be in some measure useful to discover the sinful Altar and direct thy duty towards it Two things I desire to premise to thee at the entrie of the work The first is an answer to an objection of which in the preaching of the Sermon I had not time to take notice neither have since as I might have done inserted it but think convenient to note to thee in this place It is this If God will be worshipped at one only Altar how came it to passe that the Patriarchs and holy men of God did worship at various and distinct Altars To this I answer First these various and distinct Altars were used before God had pitched his Tabernacle and the visible Arke of his presence and fixed his Name and people in a setled station such were the Altars of Abraham and the Patriarchs in their pilgrimage and travels but when God had setled Israel we read

Tabernacle and afterwards by Solomon in the Temple which as Piscator observeth laid a necessity on the ten tribes to make war with the two tribes by reason of which they did not consult whether they should do it or no but the manner how to manage it so that the standing Ordinance of God for adherencie to one only Altar as the * Voluit Deus unicum tantùm esse altare in suo populo ut esset typus unici Mediatoris Christi tum ut esset nervus unitatis in Religione Par. in loc signe of one only Mediatour and the bond of unity in Religion was by the ten tribes contended for when they conceived their brethrens erection of another Altar in a place distinct from that prescribed by the Lord to be the violation thereof and this occasioned the dehortation in the text Rebell not against the Lord nor rebel against us by building you an Altar besides the Altar of the Lord. So that from the words thus generally considered and briefly opened I shall commend to your Christian and serious consideration this general Observation or Point of Doctrine Erection of Altars besides the Altars of God Doct. is a sin to be seasonably seen unto by the sincere Worshippers of God The zealous discharge of this duty by Hezekiah and Josiah 2 Kings 18.4.23.12 in the demolishing of Altars besides the Altar of God and reducing the people to the unity of worship is in sacred Records specially mentioned as the lustre of their religious reforming times 1 Kings 15.14 whilest the neglect thereof is singled out and set up as the black butt of blemish to religious Asa Amaziah Azariah and Jotham 2 Kings 14.4.15.4 35. sincere Worshippers of God But for the more full prosecution of this truth I shall propound this method to speak to you by way of Illustration Confirmation and Application First by way of Illustration and shall endeavour to open to you two things First how Altars may be said to be built besides the Altars of God and that even in Gospel-dayes Secondly how and wherein sincere Worshippers of God are to act and approve their duty in seeing to this sin of Altar-building First then to speak to the first of these viz. how Altars may be built even under the Gospel besides the Altars of God I shall desire you to consider the terme Altar is in Scripture-phrase properly or improperly and figuratively significant 1. In a proper sense it signifies organum divini cultûs praecipuum the chief instrument of the divine worship ordained to be built before the Tabernacle or in the Temple on the which the Priests were to wait that they might offer the sacrifices the people were bound to present in that very place of which we reade in Deut. 12. where God commands an Altar to be built and the people to worship him there even an instrument of his worship and thus it is generally read in the Old Testament for that very instrument of Gods worship in this sense the Heathens generally use the word and thing and the Papists contend for the same thing by imposing on us the proper and restrict sense of the word perswading and practising the building of Altars distinct places of divine worship for the Sacrament of the Lords Supper to be offered on whence they call that Ordinance the sacrifice of the Altar What man of but mean capacity and knowledge in the Scriptures observing the Lord Jesus the Antitype of both Sacrifice and Altar sees not their assertion as well as argument to be Jewish but I intending an illustration not confutation This having been by many of the Learned confuted shall not stand upon or spend time to do it only I desire you to note that in this proper sense God under the Gospel requiring no sacrifices requireth no Altar of stone or brick or the like matter to be built unto him Heb. 13.10 but a sincere and spiritual apprehension and adherence to Christ Habemus Altare videlicet Christum sacrosanctum ipsius sacrificium Hun. in loc Inep●i sunt qui hinc alta●ia lapidea vel lignea in Templis Christianorum requirunt Par. in Heb. as our real and proper Altar as wel as sacrifice to which every believing soul is privilegio not officio a spiritual Priest to offer prayer praises c. unto God 1 Pet. 2.5 So that to build material Altars of wood stone and the like must needs be a sin to be seen unto and withstood as opposite to Christ our one only Altar unto God and that to contend for Altars in this sense is so farre from my intent that I with Pareus declare them foolish and simple that so do 2. In an improper and figurative sense the word is more strictly and allegorically used by the Fathers as Augustine Optatus and others Ecce qualem Ecclesiae sententiam audire merebit ● qui ad convivium nupt●ale id est ad Alta●e Domini aut ebriosus aut adulter c. praesumit accedere Qui agnoscens reatum suum ipse se ab Altari Eccl●siae subtraxerit ab aeterno illo coelesti convivio excommunicari penitus non timebi● Aug. in Christum De signis ejusdem fractis Aug. ad Bon. ep 50. when they do by this word denominate the Table Instrument or seat on which the bread and the wine at the Lords Supper was placed the Altar and so did vulgarly call that Ordinance the Sacrament of the Altar the which terme of theirs the Papists taking advantage or occasion by labour to justifie their Altars impose it on us on paine of heresie to be received Ad Altare visibile quod in Ecclesia ponitur multi scele●ati accedere possunt ad illud coeleste quo praecursor pro nobis introivit Iesus nullus eorum accedere possunt Aug. de necessitate poenitentiae Hom. 1. much advancing the Fathers above the Scriptures authority the which their persons and judgements were subject to and whosoever observes the expressions of the Fathers doth clearly see the opposition of Altar in the Temple to our Altar in Heaven the denomination of it the wedding Supper and in expresse termes sometimes the Table and the Lords Supper cannot but confesse that they did allegorically use the terme Altar and in their complaints of the furious carriage of the Donatists and Arrians cry out of their breaking down of the boards of the Altar and many times expressely of the tables and burning the wooden board c. for many of them at last seeing the corruption which began to grow by the use of the word Altar Subscellia thronum mensam ligneam Tabulis Ecclesiae caetera quae poterant foràs elata combusserunt Atha ep ad solitariam vi●am agentes quid est Altare sedes corporis sanguinis Christi where the thing was denied did more warily and improperly use 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a table for the place of the elements so that in this sense