Jesus Châ—ist wâ—ll be the Same in the world to come is in part declared with a Caution premised p. 284. 1. He will continue to be the Same for ever in the Hypostatical union of his two Natures Divine and Humane p. 285. 2. He will continue to be the Same for ever in his mystical Vnion with his Church p. 286. Where is to be seen First How Christ will be over his Church then as a Head 1. As a Head alone without any subordinate power Celestial or Terrestrial ibid. 2. As a Head he will preserve and uphold the members of his mystical Body in their glorious Being p. 287. 3. As a Head he will keep the members of his said mystical Body in a perfect Vnion ibid. 4. As a Head he will shew unto them those glorious mysteries which in this life are beyond their reach and capacity ibid. Secondly Jesus Christ will then be in his people by love p. 288. The Doctrine proved by Scripture p. 290. And by the Testimony of Divines Ancient and Modern ibid. An Objection taken out of the Apostles words 1 Cor. 15.24.28 concerning Christs delivery up of the Kingdome to God even the Father c. Answered at large p. 291. An Exhortation to look unto Jesus p. 295. In the Appendix these following Scriptures proving the certainty of the Calling and Conversion of the JEWS are Quoted and Expounded DEut. 4 30 31. p. 300. Esaiah 11.11 12. p. 301. Esaiah 43.5 6. p. 302. Jeremiah 3.18.23.4 p. 303. Jer. 30.3.31.1.4 ibid. Ezekiel 37.21 22. ibid. Daniel 9.24 p. 306. Hosea 1.10 p. 316. Hosea 3.4 5. p. 318. Luke 21.23 24. p. 319. Acts 1.6 7. p. 324. Rom. 11. p. 328. An Objection answered viz. The Calling of the Jews shall not be till the very instant of the Consummation of all things p. 342. Another Objection answered viz. Their Pertinacy in despising the Gospel makes them the Object of Gods perfect hatred p. 344. Another Objection answered viz. They are enemies unto God not onely in a Passive sense but in an Active also p. 3â—â— Another Objection answered viz. The Jews are now so embodyed with other Nations that it is impossible they should ever any more become a Nation distinct from the Gentiles p. 350. Another Objection answered viz. To maintain this Doctrine of the Jews Restauration is to put the world into a carelesse security concerning the end p. ibid. A word of Exhortation to all the Churches of the Gentiles to pray earnestly unto God for the conversion of the Jews and to eschew those sins among our selves which may probably be a hinderance to the bringing on of so glorious a work p. 352. AN ASCENT TO THE HOLY MOUNT To see JESUS CHRIST in his Glory OR A PERSPECTIVE to help the Weak Sight to behold the Eternity and Immutability of the Lord Jesus Christ Taken out of the words of S. Paul Hebr. 13.8 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Jesus Christ the same Yesterday to Day and for ever Adsis O JESV JESVS CHRIST whom we still preach unto you and in whom you do believe else our preaching is vain and your faith is also vain The Lord Jesus Christ I say as he is the Object of your Expectation in this Service we are now about So is he you see by my Text the subject of my intended Business at this time When my Discourse therefore shall answer your expectation you will I hope afford your diligent attention thereunto The words at first sight seem to be the sudden efflux of the Spirit added here in the close as the result of that which had been said before and as the Total Sum of the Epistle shutting up the whole as in a Parenthesis implying that all that was written amounted unto this viz Jesus Christ the same yesterday to day and for-ever Or else they are inserted as a reviving Cordial to the poor Hebrews who might seeing the Gentiles were received into Covenant with God fear themselves to be quite cast off from Grace because their Nation had so generally with much pertinacy refused that great Salvation which was brought unto them Upon which account the Apostle inferreth this short and sweet Epiphonema to comfort them with now at parting Jesus Christ is the sams yesterday to day and for ever As much as to say Jesus Christ is the same to you as he was from the beginning who as he was at first sent to seek and to save the lost sheep of the house of Israel so now also notwithstanding former unkindnesses and though his grace is not to be confin'd as it hath been but must extend to all Nations yet he abideth still a Saviour unto you if you abide in the faith and he will be so likewise to the end of the world Thus may this Verse seem to carry this sense within its own Verge not having any intercourse with the Contexture bordering upon it But it is generally conceived by Expositours that these words are coincident with those immediately before-going where an Exhortation is given to the Hebrews to be mindful of their Guides who had taught them the way of God truly not according to the Mosaical but Evangelical Pattern and to imitate them in the holiness of their lives and in their constancy to the faith which they sealed with their death The words are these 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Remember them which have the rule over you or are your Guides who have spoken unto you the word of God whose faith follow considering the end of their conversation The force of example we all know is very great to induce likeness of Manners and the greater the example is the greater power it hath to draw to similitude It was wont to be said Facile transitur ad plures We are easily moved to go after a Multitude but it may well be added Facile transitur ad majores It is no hard matter to make us imitate great Authorities be the patterns good or bad for the vices of Rulers are commonly the rule of Vices and the vertues of Leaders will also lead unto Vertue Hereupon it is that the Apostle proposeth unto the Hebrews the example of their Leaders to the end that they might not as he saith V 9. be carried about with divers and strange Doctrines where they had their instruction there also they might receive establishment by their imitation in whose example Quiddam memorabile designat Apostolus saith Calvin the Apostle noteth some memorable matter worthy of their saddest thoughts implying thus much that their Teachers had in defence of that Word which they had spoken unto them gone through much affliction not loving their lives unto death for that was the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the issue and Exit of their Conversation which the Hebrews should consider that when they saw how stedfast and invincible their Leaders were in the faith their example might the better move them And now to set an edge upon this Exhortation the Apostle sheweth in the words of my
and our Vision of him For when we shall see him as he is we shall be like him to the full extent of our susceptibility of his Likeness and the immediate irradiation of his Light and Power shall overshadow us and transform us into the same Image both in soul and body This this I say is the complement of our future happiness the perfection of our eternal glory And this the Apostle clearly testifies concerning our vile bodies that even they shall be made like unto his glorious body Phil. 3 21. Phil. 3.21 From whence we may safely collect that as the Image of Christs body shall possess our bodies so shall the Image of his soul possess our souls and the Image of his spirit our spirits Whereupon it will follow we shall be wholly possessed with his Glory when we shall see him as he is in the Glory of the Father He shall then be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Same in himself respecting his Existence which as I have said will infinitely tend to the advancement of the Saints happiness and then also the Same to his Church respecting his Power though in the exercise and administration of it he be not the Same His Power I say both over us and in us Over us he is now as our Head to guide and govern us so he will be then for his Headship over his Church as his preheminence over the creatures he will not relinquish neither will the Father deprive him of it even when God shall be all in all And this I conceive to be undeniable though it may sound strangely unto some for the Humane nature of Christ being eternally united to the Divine it is not to be imagined that as Man he should be in an equality with the Saints but have a superiority over them and to be the Head of that Triumphant Church unto all Eternity without doing any office that belongs unto that Honour is inconsistent with the dignity and wisdome of the Sonne of God If any should now require an account of the particulars wherein Christ will hereafter do the office and exercise the authority of a head over the Church Triumphant in Heaven I must tell them They are to stay for an answer to their too curious question till in Heaven we come to see him as he is for then and not before shall we know even as we are known 1 Cor. 13.12 1 Cor. 13.12 Nevertheless in the generall this we know for the present Jesus Christ shall then be the head of his Church alone without any Power subordinate unto him as now For saith the Apostle All Rule and all Authority and Power both Celestial and Terrestrial shall then be taken away 1 Cor. 15.24 No humane Ordinance or Government of whatsoever Creation it be shall there be of any use no nor the Angels 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 though now as some conceive they have divers offices assign'd unto them according to the diversity of their names and titles for the discharge of their Ministery to which they are appointed of God 1 Pet 2.13 for those who shall be heirs of Salvation Hebr. 1.14 yet when all the heirs are settled in their Inheritance they shall then be devested of all their Rule Authority and Power Bruno their very Titles of distinction utterly cancelled and disannulled for to the Angels shall not be put in subjection the world to come and the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day Furthermore As a Head he will preserve and uphold all the members of his mysticall Body in their glorious Being for as all things visible and invisible both in Heaven and in Earth were made by him and for him so by him must they consist Col. 1.16.17 Col. 1.16.17 Again As a Head he will keep them in a perfect unity together that they may be one according to the Divine Patterne before them As the Father is in him and he in the Father Joh. 17.21 Joh. 17.21 Lastly As a Head he will shew unto them those glorious Mysteries which for the present are beyond their reach and capacity so as they shall be plain and obvious unto them To which particular Saint Augustine whose judgment in the Interpretation of holy Scripture is worthy of all acceptation beareth his witness whom I find giving the sense of our Saviours words in his Prayer to his Father Joh. 17.26 in this manner Clarificavi illis nomen tuum c. I have Declared unto them thy name that is saith he In this World so far as they are able to receive it And I will Declare it that is saith he In the world to come more perfectly Yea give me leave to add one Meditation more touching this weighty matter which I confess I received long since from a Divine of eminent Note in his writing unto me In Glory saith he The Relation of Head and members between Christ and us shall not cease but shall be rather perfected by the enjoyment of that for which God did appoint it which is the shedding abroad of his love upon those that are made conformable to the Image of his Son Rom. 8.29 For the end and aime which God hath in the decree of Election is to make those whom he did fore-know and predestinate to be conformable to the Image of his Son that he might be the first-born among many Brethren Now when God shall have accomplished this aime and we shall be fully conformable to the Image of his Son then shall we be susceptible of the Love wherewith he loveth his Son as he is Man for the love wherewith he loveth him as God none can partake of but he alone and when by this conformity to his Image we shall be susceptible of this Love then the brother-hood between Christ and us shall not cease or be made void nor shall then his Prerogative of being the first-born among many Brethren be taken from him but it shall rather be most gloriously compleated when not onely the Fathers Love wherewith he loveth the first-born shall be extended to all those that are fully conformable unto his Image but also the Love of the first-born himself shall have its full and glorious Influence upon his younger Brethren By all which it is clear Jesus Christ will be over his Church Triumphant in Heaven as he is now over his Church Militant here on Earth Again As he will be then over us so likewise he will be in us In us he is now by Faith but Faith which gives him entertainment in our hearts and Hope which attends upon him there shall vanish with this Life and expire in their Service as being of no use in Heaven for Faith is of things not seen and therefore ceaseth when vision cometh Hope also if it be seen is not Hope onely Love remaineth to be the constant Bond of an eternal Union betwixt Christ and us and by love it is that he will take Possession of our hearts
was before the Creation thereby setling him upon the Throne making him co-eternal with God and to be of the same nature with him and the first begotten of every creature by which words he puts the Crown upon his head giving him the Sovereignty and Dominion over the whole Creation The length in that he is before all things and that by him all things consist The bredth in that he is the head of the body the Church extending his Influences Wisdom Care and Providence as the head useth towards all his Members The depth in that he became in time the first begotten also from the Dead that as he was the Creatour and Lord of all Living so when poor Creatures had by their rebellion against him brought themselves under the power of Death even then did he by his dying and triumphant rising again become their Restorer and Deliverer also that so in all things saith the Text he might have the preheminence Now then when the Apostle is in so high an elevation taken up with such a glorious description of the Lord Jesus ascribing unto him his several Excellencies according to his several Relations wherein he standeth to his Father to his Church to the whole Creation is it fit for low-spirited men loaden with lumpish thoughts of the creature to force him to stoop unto them by obtruding a sense upon him which never entred into his thoughts once to imagine Yea which would make him contradict himself as we say in the same breath for to be the uncreated everlasting Image of the invisible God and to be a Creature in one and the same Nature are teto Coelo directly opposite each to other as the East is to the West But without controversie there is truth in the Apostles words and no lye at all Whereas therefore he saith of Christ That he is the Image of the invisible God the first begotten of every creature He makes the latter Clause the consequent of the former connecting the whole in this manner The right of Primogeniture is in Christ because he is the Image of the invisible God and in that regard do all Creatures visible and invisible derive their Being from him some having more noble impressions of his Image upon them then others according to their rank and order in the Creation as it hath been contrived and established by the wisdom of the most High For example such as have life in them by an internal principle of Nature are in a higher degree of honour by their conformity unto Christ then those Creatures that are without life for life in whatsoever subject it be whether intellectual rational sensitive or vegetative is a Rivolet springing from that divine Fountain that is in Christ amongst which sorts of living creatures there is also a gradual Propinquity to the Fountain according to which propinquity they have all their several quicknings and vital operations The Evangelist S. John intimates so much when he saith In him was life and the life was the light of men John 1.4 Haec vita est lux non Brutorum c. ad quae ilâ—a non pertinet sed hominum Sic Musculus That is that Christ had a special care and respect towards Mankind and that the life which is in him is not so gloriously manifested toward the other creatures that are inferiour to man And now to speak freely my poor judgment concerning this Primogeniture of Jesus Christ by way of instance as it hath respect to Angels and Men. Whereas Christ is called the first born doth it not imply that he is Intellectus Primogenitus the first begotten Intellect in reference to the Angelical Nature becoming thereby the first Mover thereof and giving it a Being according to the counsel of his own Will Doth it not signifie also that he is Ratio Prin ogenita the first begotten Reason in order to the Rational in which respect it may be probable he is called by the Holy Ghost in Scripture 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Reason rather then the Word displaying his Beauts in every particular Soul as seemeth good unto him 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 John 1.10.14 Which Intellect and Reason were indeed originally of the Essence of God derived unto Christ by an eternal and unconceivable Generation the Image whereof was from him devolved upon Angels and Men though not in that manner as was upon Christ himself the Essence of God being that way incommunicable to any creature for as he is the first begotten of every creature giving unto every Species his proper portion of Entity Rom. 8.29 John 1.18 and the first begotten among many brethren giving them the priviledge of Children so is he the onely begotten of the Father reserving to himself his own natural Interest and peculiar Prerogative According to this sense which I have here given the Apostle is I conceive to be understood in the fore-cited place of the Epistle to the Colossians to which I confess I do the more willingly incline because the Original word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is not only to be rendred first born or first begotten but by a transposition only of the Accent as appears here in the Margine which is allowable it doth signifie also The first Bringer forth of every creature 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Pario making Christ thereby as he is indeed the Ens entium the Original of all Beings in the world and to be as he is called Rev. 3.14 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The efficient Principle or Authour as the word also means of the Creation whereof more shall be said hereafter And now to conclude let that which hath been said suffice to shew the invalidity of this Objection also drawn from the mis-construction of the Apostles words concerning the Primogeniture of Jesus Christ I grant there are some Writers both ancient and modern who to avoid this Objection which hath been here alledged maintain it to be meant of Christs Humane Nature but the truth is it is not so to be understood as it hath been here made to appear but of the Divine for Christ is not properly the Son of God according to the flesh and therefore never in that sense said to be begotten and yet notwithstanding the aforesaid Heretical Cavil over-thrown likewise Thus briefly as I was able poorly enough God knoweth yet according to the grace given unto me have I insisted upon this great Mystery Let us now improve it for our edification A threefold improvement may be made of this Doctrine considering it 1. With a reference unto Christ himself 2. With a reference unto his People 3. With a reference unto his Enemies First In respect of himself it concerns us to be very wary and to keep our distance not presuming to speak of what we have not seen Therefore as for Yesterdaies work what was done before the foundations of the World were laid it is not expedient doubtless to search into Clouds and thick
uncharitably condemn the Churches order for doing the very same thing in publick to the same good ends and purposes amongst many other as if their private Incurvations were more warrantable from the word of God then our publick Genu-flexions Certainly as publick prayers are more acceptable unto God then private so publick reverence in the place and time of Gods Worship and Service will better become us and more adorn our Christian Profession then any thing can of that kinde in private whatsoever It is usual amongst us for men in token of reverence to be uncovered when they enter into the Congregation and it is generally look'd upon as a bold impiety if any should be so voyd of shame as to presume to do otherwise Judge then whether it be not as lawful to bend the knee or bow the body as to uncover the head in such a time and place since those gestures are more solemnly reverential then this and the more reverence we use that is sutable to the quality of the service we are about the more comely doubtless is it in the sight of God and man Our blessed Saviour would have his Disciples when they entred into an house to salute it And if the Sonne of Peace were there to let their peace at their departure rest upon it How much more then when we enter into and depart from the house of God for such are our Churches notwithstanding the malicious prating of profane scoffers as well as the Synagogues of old were amongst the Jews should we shew the affection of our hearts towards it by the gesture of our bodies Especially when we know that it is the Tabernacle of Meeting between God and his people Shall our God then the God of love and peace be there and we not aware of it And shall his people there assemble together in obedience to his Command To adore his goodness To praise his name To hear his word To receive his blessing To testifie their faith To pour out their requests To joyn together in a holy communion as becometh members of one and the same mystical body And should not we be ready as those that are obliged to the same obedience at our Entrance among them and Departure from them to give testimony by the bowing of our bodies of the bending of our souls to the same service and of our cordial rejoycing at our fellowship with them therein Nay more Are the glorious Angels there present as the holy Scriture once and again hinteth unto us they are desiring to look into our manner of the publick service of our God and willing to be our guardians in it And should not we from first to last so demean our selves therein with a respect unto their presence that they may rejoyce to behold their God and our God worshipped on earth as he is in heaven according to our capacities with reverence and godly fear Surely If these things were considered aright as they ought to be they that have hitherto been so stiff in their prejudices against the holy Church for requiring these externall Genu-flexions would be more flexible then they have been They would not say It sufficeth that our hearts are right towards God though we do not shew it and because God requireth truth in the inward parts Therefore it is enough that we do with our souls love the assemblies of Gods people and delight in the Law of our God in the inward man thereby thinking to palliate their want of reverence which is due to God and his Church But the wisdome of the Wise checks them for this their folly telling them that open rebuke is better then secret love This by the way in the vindication of the Order of our Church concerning these two particular Ceremonies Let us now proceed more generally as we began in answer to the before-mentioned Objection Secondly Admit that it was Will-worship which brought on those Ceremonies and Liturgy at first and hath now restored them yet it wil not follow that they therefore are superstitious For what is that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that Will-worship which the Apostle makes mention of Col. 2.23 Col. 2.23 And which these Objectours so much insist upon Great out-cryes indeed have been made against it But what if in the end it do appear that there is not a mark of dislike set upon it by the Holy Ghost but rather an approbation given unto it Let the place be consulted and we shall finde that the Apostle there joyns Will-worship with humility and beating down or mortifying of the Body both which are required in those that will be Disciples of Jesus Christ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 not sparing If Will-worship therefore be to be condemned how comes it to be ranked with those things that are so good and commendable Again the Traditions that the Apostle speaks of are said in respect of Will-worship that is pretended to be in them to have a shew or pretext of wisdom that is of true spiritual wisdom otherwise what advantage would the shew be unto them And can any thing be said to have a shew or shine of such wisdom in Will-worship if all kinde of Will-worship be in it self sinful Hypocrites make a shew of Holiness and false Prophets will make a shew of Truth Zach. 13.4 putting on a rough garment to deceive so to make a shew of wisdom in Will-worship implies clearly that Will-worship is a thing good and acceptable unto God Else what shall we judge of the free will offerings among the Jewes which were not required by any particular Law but were left to every mans liberty and so were spontaneous not necessary And what else was the Celebration of Purim The fast of the fourth moneth kept for a memorial of the taking of Jerusalem by the Chaldeans the ninth day of that moneth Or the fast of the fifth moneth for the burning of the Temple the tenth day of that moneth Zach. 8.19 Or the fast of the seventh moneth for the death of Gedaliah upon which followed the utter dispersion of the remainder of the Jews into Egypt c. Or the fast of the tenth moneth for the seige laid before Jerusalem in the tenth day 2 Reg. 25.1 Moreover what were the abstinences and austerities of the Rechabites which are so commended by God Jer. 35. and yet were over and above the proportion that was required in the Law What the feast of dedication or restitution of the Jewes Temple and Religion which Antiochus had corrupted Mac. 4.59 instituted by Judas Maccabeus and his brethren and yet observed by Christ himself Joh. 10. All these and many more of the like nâ—â—â—â— which the Scripture makes mention of reckoned up by Docâ—â—â— Hammond in his Annotations on the Epistle to the Colossians whom I acknowledge to be the Authour of this Exposition what were they but Will-worship being supra statutum which some vainly conceive to be all one with Superstition not under any positive
as they stand in their several relations to the Church wherein the wisdom of God and his good Providence hath placed them to bear up as with one shoulder the glory of Christ's Name against sin the World and the Devil Look now unto JESUS First It hath been his constant design to bring all those who believe in him into a Brotherly fellowship one with another not onely to unite them in several Societies as some would have it but to gather those Societies into one Body And the more there is of this Union among thern under Himself who is the sole head of the Body which Dignity none can challenge if it be but by way of Resemblance without Anti-Christian Usurpation and a presumptuous encroachment upon him it hath ever been most agreeable to his mind and will This I say hath been the product of his eternal wisdom for the establishment of his Kingdom in the midst of the Nations Secondly It hath always been his work to settle a Government in his Church for the well being of it that peace and love might be preserved amongst his people punishments inflicted upon the unpeaceable and unruly and that all things especially in the duties of his publick worship and service might be done according to the variety of emergencies arising in several Nations and Ages Decently and in order For that is decent and orderly in one place and time which by experience proveth to be uncomely and disorderly in another Which government being de facto to say nothing of it here de jure enough hath been said of that before continued from the beginning he hath been pleased to bless and prosper with a most happy success to the enlargement of his Kingdom and the propagation of his Gospel Which we may well presume he would not have done in so long a succession of time and so many vicissitudes of troubles and deliverances that have come upon his Church if it had not been according to his minde but since it is so and the Apostle here telling us that he is the Same for ever we may probably conclude that as he hath not left his Church without a care of her well-being in this particular so he will not digress from it but that such a Government so continued and made successful by him shall be perpetuated as own'd by him to the end of the world Let us then I say again look unto Jesus and see his goings in his Sanctuary in the midst of his people from the beginning Let us see also and acknowledge his Immutability therein for the Eternity of Israel is not as man that he should lye or the son of man that he should repent As in all other things that he hath undertaken for the advancement of his kingdome so undoubtedly in this he will be the Same for ever If therefore this hath been his work and design to establish unity and order in his Church and to settle and prosper this very government in it which is this day so much contradicted will it become those that pretend to have an interest in him to walk contrary to him Or will he cease to be the Same in the carrying on of his own work in his good old way to please those unquiet people that will never be satisfied but make the world believe they do him the greatest service when they do what they can to hinder his work What though some mens Tongues and pens run riot crying out still for liberty Liberty of Conscience not considering that to serve the Lord in a chearful submission to his sweet yoke wherewith he hath always kept his Church in good order is perfect freedom nor being willing to know nor understand that Conscientia in tantum libera in quantum ab errore liberata Conscience is so far free as it is freed from errour Yet we may be sure Jesus Christ will still keep on his course because he is the Same for ever And let Conscience it self for which all this clamour is made wheresoever it is not enthralled to lust or errour judge in this case Whether it be a liberty which Christ hath purchased for those that believe in him to cross him in his work which he hath hitherto wrought for the good of his Church I speak not here of what he hath permitted a long time for the trial of his people and the advancement of his truth as being able to bring good out of evil but what he hath alwayes acted as the King of his Church and which the very nature of his office did indeed require should be done For any to quarrel at his actings and to call in question all that he hath hitherto done in that kinde as if he had been ever since his ascension onely a spectatour of his Church to see how well she could shift for her self in her own preservation without the exercise of his power by settling a government in her what is this but to tax him with negligence in his office and to make him a Saviour but in part which in effect is to be none at all What though there be some things that are circumstantial to this Government and some Ceremonies in divine worship that have not an immediate stamp of Divine authority upon them to make them currant which will never be found in the whole institute and order of any Church should we therefore reject all that is in them good and warrantable Because people have not their desire in things indifferent should they not consent to that which is necessary for the honour of Christ and the welfare of his Church Two things that should be dearer to us then our lives much more are they to be preferred before a self-satisfaction in some scrupulous niceties the bare using 1 Cor. 8.8 or not using whereof as the Apostle speaks of meat commendeth us not to God But alas these things are not regarded as they ought to be Mens novel apprehensions of the Kingdome of Christ and their particular interests therein must counter-ballance all the publick concernments of Christ and his Church But O yee poor deluded people consider Hath not the Lord Jesus Christ been already too much dishonoured by your needless dissentions but that you will have him to dishonour himself by varying from his wonted course in the ordering of his Church Hath not the peace of his poor Church been too much disturbed and Christian Charity too much violated heretofore in the late times of Schisme Mr. Vines when as one of the prime Leaders amongst you said then too truely It was almost Popery to speak of it This was indeed the old mark for by this shall all men know that ye are my Disciples said Christ if yee love one another But the truth is it was almost worn out and instead thereof Infelix Lolium unhappy Feuds Quarrels Divisions Rents abounded What fruit had you then in those things whereof you have been ashamed that you will now return unto them