nec Homines debere nec audere colere essentiam divinam non una colere tres personas ut supra probatum hoc idem Athanasius ait detestandos ac procul abigendosesse Arianos dicentes ac si ipsi interfuissent angelos illos in primis vocibus exclamandi sanctus maxima voce usos esse in secundis autem non tam magna voce in tertia adhuc submissiori ac primam sanctificationem propriam legittimamque esse secundam autem inferioris notae tertiam adhuc gradatim deterioris conditionis esse In eandem sententiam scribit Caesarius Gregorij Nazianxeni frater dialogo primo responsione ad interrogationem 13. Epiphanius in ancorato § 10. 26. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 hic hymnus Isaiah 6. 3. quem Gre. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 vocant canitur in liturgijs Basil Chrisostom Gregorij ut Damascenus lib. 3. Orthodoxae fidei cap. 10. interpretatur quod ter sanctus sit tribus personis trinitatis 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in ordine baptismi secundū Aethiopes habetur Sanctus Sanctus Sanctus Pater Filius Spiritus Sanctus nunc semper in secula seculorum Amen Anno Dom. 451. Hic hymnus trisagius in Concil oecumen Chaledon 630. Episcoporum fuit cantatus inter actu hujus Concilij refertur postea Ecclesia universalis to hymno est usa ut colligitur ex Constantinopolitana Sinodo 5. Praesidente Menua ejus sedis Patriarcha ubi Petrus Gnapheus Antiochiae Episcopus damnatus quod in suae Ecclesiae Lyturgia Heretice trisagio Sanctus Sanctus Sanctus addidisset qui pro nobis crucifixus est ubi per ter sanctus interpretantur tres Personas Trinitatis ut videre est in Epistola monitoria ad eundem Gnapheum prioribus consentiunt Theodoretus sermone 2do de curandis Grec affecto Cyrillus in tum textum Augistinus sermone 38 de tempore Et haec eadem est sententia theologorum modernorum Calvini institut lib. 1. cap. 13. Is 6. cap. § 11. 15. 28. Zanchij tomo 1. lib. 1. cap. 2. Isa 6. cap. Seraphim occinunt Patri Filio Spiritui Sancto quod etiamsi Antitrinitarij Transilvanij negent hunc textum nunquam mihi eripient Polani syntagmate lib. 9. cap. 15. Professores Leidenses disp 7. thesi 16. Bucan loco 3. § 7. Ames meduli lib. 1. cap. 5 § 17. The second Part of the Chapter containing the twelfth Reason it is taken from Isaiah cap. 6. v. 1 2. 3. The Prophet Isaiah in a vision saw the Lord sitting on a Throne and the heavenly seraphims crying one to another holy holy holy is the Lord of hosts the whole earth is full of his glory Here the learned prove that this song is sung to the Sacred Trinity as if these Seraphims had said Holy Father Holy Son Holy Ghost for that same Lord of Hosts in the 8. v. speaks in the plural number who will go for us just so Gen. 1. 26. And God said let us make man after our likeness which speech the learned agree to be spoken by the Sacred Trinity Secondly We shall prove that glory to the three distinct Persons of the Trinity is meant here First That glory to the Father is meant none will deny no not the Arian nor Socinian Secondly we prove that glory to the Son is also meant here for God the Son was also here for the Prophet Isaiah saw His glory here which is proven John 12. 41. The Prophet Isaiah saw Christs glory and spake of Him even then when the Lord blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts Verse 40. which commission Isaiah received Isaiah 6. 10. after he had seen Christs glory then if God the Son was here the 2d holy is to him Thirdly the Holy Ghost was here which I prove it was the Holy Ghost here which spake to the Prophet Isai 6. 9. The Lord said go tell this people but Acts 28. 25. That same Lord is the Holy Ghost well spake the Holy Ghost by Isaiah the Prophet unto our Fathers saying Go unto this people and say hearing ye shall hear and shal not understand c. Then seing the Scriptures prove the three Persons expresly were here it cannot be denyed but the three holies were to the three Persons therefore the Doctors of the Ancient Church and universal Councills and approven Orthodox Divines unanimously teach that here the Seraphims in their Chore are singing a Doxology to the blessed Trinity and consequently this Doxology is a Scripture Song therefore the Divines of Westminster Synod in their Notes upon Revel 4. at the 8. Verse singing the like three Holies with them in the 6. of Isaiah 3. Verse which they also quoat and coment thus They contiually praise God and set out the Trinity of the Persons in the Godhead Did not the Angels in this 6. of Isaiah sing the Doxology to the Glorious Trinity The universall Church in their General Councill have taught so and also practised accordingly The Fathers both before and after that Councill with Calvine and the rest of the reformed Church teached so and the Synod of Divines in their Notes on the Revelation teached so will ye not then go along with the Universall and Reformed Church or will ye go along with the Synod of Divines on the Revelation to that Synod you gave the Credit to draw up your Creed or Confession of Faith and Catechisms and will ye not give them credit in the matter of the Doxology that the Heavenly Seraphims sang Glory to Father Son and Holy Ghost shall the Angels come from Heaven to Earth to give you a good example to sing the Doxology will neither the Universal Church on Earth nor Angels in Heaven move you to follow their holy example I answer it will move all these on whom that Judgement hath not fallen pronounced Isaiah 6. 9 10. Hear indeed but understand not make the heart of this people fat As ye love your Souls bewar of that Judgement which is my prayer for you at the Throne of Grace CHAP VIII 13. Reason from that Song Revel 5. 9. 14. From Gods Command 1 Chr. 16. 20. Illustrat by Councils and Fathers THe thirteenth reason is taken from the 5. Chap. of the Book of Revelation thus collected John the Divine saw a vision in Heaven and heard them sing a new Song vers 9. continuing to the end of the Chapter and vers 13. Every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and such as are in the sea and all that are in them heard I saying blessing honour glory and power be unto him that sitteth upon the Throne and unto the Lamb for ever and ever Here the university of singing is so great that it comprehends the universal Church of all Christians yea of all the Angels in Heaven and all Saints in Heaven and Earth both the Church Militant and Triumphant 2. What are they singing Blessing honour glory and power 3. To whom do
Trojano anno dom 120. formulam catechizandi catechimenos addisceret nam inducit Christianam siccine Ethnicos catechizantem licet animo blasphemo Deum alte regnantem magnum aetherium atque aeternum fiilium patris spiritum sanctum ex patre procedentem unum ex tribus ex uno tria Patres Concilii Constantinopolitani anno dom 383. mittunt libellum Synodicam Romam at Damasum aliosque Episcopos ibidem convicatos in quo exhibent fidei suae Confessionem Fidei Nicenae consentaneam 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 consentaneam baptismati 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Nazianzenus his contemporaâ—â—us orat 32. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Socinus anno dom 1604. scribit epistolam Smaltio itidem Sociniano de baptismo ut non necessario remittendo atque ad synaxin excipiendis hominibus vitae honestae ac probatae religionem christianam professis quamvis nunquam baptizatis adeo abhorrent acfloccipendunt baptismum Satan ut fidem nostram ab ipsis radicibus convelleret partim de divina filii Spiritus Sancti essentia partim de personali distinctione ingentes pugnas semper movebat Calvin Institut lib. 1. cap. 13. §. 21. Servabat tamen Dominus in Papatu renascituri suo tempore populi semen manebat salvus baptismus in Patris Filii Spiritus Sancti nomen quamvis perigrinae linguae usu multis aliis conspurcatus superstitionibus manebat frustra toties oppugnatum unitatis essentiae trinitatis personarum fundamentum manebat doctrina de duabus Christi naturis Beza epist 81. Mysteries of Christian Religion which it hath pleased God in His infinite Wisdom Mercy Goodness to reveal to His Church on Earth on which they are to build their Faith and Salvation the Mystery of the Sacred Trinity one God in three Persons is the first in order and of great concernment even the three that bear record in Heaven the Father the Word and the Holy Ghost and these three are one 1 Joh. 5. 7. These three bear witness to the truth of all the Scriptures then assuredly to this truth also that they are three Persons in one Godhead and among the twelve Articles of the Apostolick Creed this Mystery of the Trinity takes up three This sacred Mystery is most clearly manifested in our Saviour's Baptism Mat. 3. 16 17. Luk 3. 21 22. John 1. 32 33. The Father speaks from Heaven this is my well beloved Son while at the same time the Son is baptized in Jordan and the Holy Ghost came down from Heaven in the likeness of a Dove and lighted upon God the Son and abode upon Him Moreover The Sacrament of Baptism being ordained of God Father Son and Holy Ghost the first Sacrament of the Covenant of Grace in it all the Promises of Mercy and Salvation are sealed to Believers and by it Christians are solemnly entered into the Church and House of God so that the Contemner of this Sacrament debarreth himself from Salvation Therefore God Himself hath appointed this Program to be prefixed upon the Porch of His Church that this Almighty God in whose Name we are baptized and in whom we Believe is Father Son and Holy Ghost and It cannot be supponed but that these Men and Women who were Proselyted and being Pagans before admitted to the benefite of Christian Baptism behoved to take a time to learn the Grounds of their Religion therefore the the Doctors of the Church not only wrote Catechisms for these young Christians who therefore betwixt their first offering of themselves to the Christian Church until the time they were baptized were called Catechumeni These Doctors also wrote certain short Sums of Christian Faith commonly called Creeds that before these Pagan Catechume in received Baptism they were to give a confession of their Faith contained in their Creed in all which Creeds written by the Church whether longer or shorter and in their Catechisms the Doctrine of the Trinity was a special part and accordingly that Synod of Divines at Westminster in their lesser Catechism have not omitted the Trinity So the reformed French Church in Geneva have a little Catechism containing only twenty one short Questions on which they examine these who are at first to be admitted to the Lords Table which little Catechism begins with the Trinity and is bound in with their French Version of the Bible printed at Geneva 1567. The Sacred Trinity being the Program of Christian Baptism proved the strong and invincible Fort of the Christian Faith in the Trinity of Persons in the Godhead against the Arrians and other Antitrinitarian Hereticks wherefore Socinus who hath drunk much deeper in the poysonable Cup of Blasphemy against the blessed Trinity then the old Arrians hath very slightingly written of the Sacrament of Baptism The second great Mystery of Christian Religion is that the Word was made Flesh Joh. 1. 14. and this the Holy Ghost calls the great Mystery of Godliness God manifested in the Flesh 1 Timoth. chap. 3. vers 16. which Mystery viz. that the Word the second Person God the Son was incarnate and not the Father or the Holy Ghost this cannot be known and believed aright until first we know believe that there are three distinct Persons in the Godhead therefore our Saviour Joh. 17. 3. joyns these two together This is life everlasting to know thee the only true God and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent and the Apostle Paul Coloss 2. 2. to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God and of the Father and of Christ. If it be objected that it seems to be a hard saying That the Knowledge and Faith in God and three Persons Father Son and Holy Ghost and in Christ God and Man in one Person is necessary to Salvation Seing both these are profound Mysteries so far above Humane Reason and Capacity I answer first Not only these two are great Mysteries but also the whole Gospel is a Divine Revelation of a continued tract of Mysteries Mark 4. 11. Rom. 16. 25. 26. Eph. 3. 9 16 19. Coloss 1. 26 27. called the great Mystery of Godliness 1 Tim. 3. 16. for there is no other Name under Heaven given among Men whereby we must be saved but the Name of Jesus Acts 4. 12. who is the Captain of our Salvation Heb. 2. 10. the Author of Eternal Salvation Heb. 5. 9. and the Gospel is called the Knowledge of Salvation Luk. 1. 77. the Word of Salvation Acts 13. 26. the Way of Salvation Acts 16. 17. the Salvation of God Acts 28. 28. the Power of God to Salvation Rom. 1. 16. the great Salvation Heb. 2. 3. so that whosoever will not believe these Gospel Mysteries is damned I answer secondly that to Divine and Saving Faith as such demonstrative knowledge in the Logical Sense far less comprehensive knowledge is required but the Lord condescending to Mans Humane weak Capacity accepts of Faith albeit apprehensive Knowledge go before it not alwayes requiring that they know how such a thing is true
meek and lowly Matth. 11. 29. So in all due humilitie as one of the least of the Sons of my Mother Church what I have written on this Subject in submission I lay it down at her Feet fully resolving to obey the Law of my Father in Heaven which is not to despise or forsake the Law of my Spiritual Mother on Earth Prov. 1. 8. and Prov 6. 20. That our Father in Heaven may have all the Glory His Church Edification and the Lambs of Christ their Milk which shall be my desire and Prayer at the Throne of Grace THE CONTENTS of the Several Chapters Chap. I. PRoveth the great Fundamentality of the Doctrine of the most blessed Trinity from the Sacred Scriptures and illustrateth it by Fathers and Councils and modern Divines and answers the common Objection Chap. II. Containeth a Catalogue of the chief Blasphemers of the Blessed Trinity the first 400. Years with the many evils of Sin and misery that followed thereupon and how the Lord from Heaven and His Church on Earth gave effectuall and prevalent Testimony against them Chap III. Containeth the rise of the Arian Heresy in the Fourth Century their Persecution and Activity their Fashood Injustice and Cruelty and the Testimonie both of God and His Church against them Chap. IV. The unanimous Practice and Appointment of the universall Church for Singing the Doxologie be Occasion of Satan and his Supposts great Opposition to the Doctrine of the Trinity and in that their War against God Chap. V. The cause of the continuance of the Doxologie in after Ages viz. The continuance of the Churches Persecution and Temptation from Arians and other Blasphemers of the Trinity as Eutichians within and Mahumitans without the Church and the Rise and Growth of the Socinian Heresie notwithstanding Gods witness against them and the Church and Magistrats endeavours in many Kingdoms these Blasphemous Antitrinitarian Hereticks remained and nested with Anabaptists and Quakers all three Blasphemous Antitrinitarian Hereticks which gives sufficient cause for the continuance of the Doxologie Chap VI. The lawfulness of Singing the Doxologie proven by these Arguments 1 Because all Christians are Baptized in the Name of Father Son and Holy Ghost 2. They believe or profess their Faith in Father Son and Holy Ghost 3. They believe Father Son and Holy Ghost to be their Creator Redeemer and Sanctifier 4. Their Faith and Hope of Eternal Glory is from Father Son and Holy Ghost 5 God Father Son and Holy Ghost made all things and especially for His Glory 6. This Lord of Glory often calls mans tongue His Glory 7. From the practise of the Saints and Angels 8. From Gods Command 9. The Appointment and Practice of the universal Church 10. The indivisibility of the Worship we give to God one in Essence and three Persons Illustrat by Fathers and Councils Chap. VII The lawfulness of singing the Doxologie proven by the induction of all it's Parts 12. from the three Holies Isa 6. 3. Chap. VIII 13 Reason from that Song Revel 5. 9. 14. From Gods Command 1 Cor. 16. 20. Illustrat by Councils and Fathers Chap. IX 15. Reason from the necessar Difference of the Christians worship as in reading of the Word Prayer and Sacraments they exceedingly-diffet from Christians shal not then also be a difference betwixt the Christian singing of Psalms and the Jewes by singing the Doxologie 16. As the Jewes in their Psalms of David close many of them with a Doxologie answering to the measure of their Light dispensed to them in the Old Testament So it becomes the Christian to have a Doxologie answerable to their greater measure of light of the Trinity in the New Testament 17. Reason founded upon the signification of Jehovah Elohim which is often in the Doxologie of the Old Testament Chap. X. A Reason given for singing the Doxologie satisfactory to every strong Christian and that born in also upon the weak Christian by Scripture Reason Chap. XI The Reasons why the General Assembly was not in power to lay aside the Doxologie proving their great reluctancy to their own deed with several other circumstances alleviating the same Chap. XII That invalid Scruple answered because the Doxologie is not to be found altogether in one place of Scripture and the conveniency of singing is proven Chap. XIII The many evils that flow from the refusing to sing the Doxologie Chap. XIV An exhortatory conclusion to the strong and orderly Christian to receive and imbrace with all Christian Love and tenderness every weak Christian who shall return from their wandring in Error to live in Order and Unity in the Bosome of their Mother Church THE DOXOLOGY Approven CHAP. I. The great fundamentality of the Doctrine of the most blessed Trinity proven from the Sacred Scriptures and illustrated by Fathers Councils and Modern Divines and the great Objection answered AMongst all the Divine In symbolo Athanasil ab ecclesiae universali recepto utpote in principio fine fidem in trinitate personarum esse necessariam ad salutem 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 his asseritur Zanchius de Deo lib. 1. part 1. cap. 1. §. 2. quaestio de Trinitate ut est omnium in Theologia creditu maxime necessaria ita omnium cognitu dissicillima Meisnerus contra Socinianos scite probat plurimis argumentis primum magnum articulum fidei christinae esse unum Deum in Trinitate personarum quibus argumentis adstipulatur Hoorn Beek Socinianismi confutati 1. lib. 1. cap. 9. à pag. 226. ad pag. 243. Voetius select disp theol par 1. pag. 472. dogma de trinitate est fundamentale 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 imo fundamentum fundamenti quia fundat alia dogmata fundamentalia quod multis ibid probat Melanct. loc commun cap. 27. summa Evangelii erudite comprehensa est in verbis baptismi Eusebius Pamphilus in conc Niceno fatetur symbolum Nicenum paucis solum verbis differre à symbolo quod inquit nos ab episcopis antegressis accepimus cumque lavatro baptismatis abluti essemus audivimus Socrat. hist eccles l. 1. c. 5. Theodoret. lib. 1. cap. 12. Socrates Hist lib. 7. cap. 17. Judaeus requirens baptizari ante baptismi participationem multis diebus fidem christianam addiscere cum precibus jejuniis praecipitur idem cap. 30. lib. 7. gens Burgundorum à Paganismo conversa petit Baptismum quae post septem dies in eis catechisandis impensos cum praece jejunio votum obtinuere hinc canon 46. Conc. Laodicen anno dom 364. Baptizandos oportet fidei symbolum discere baptizanti reddere Symbolum Con. Nicen. anno dom 325. Constantinopolitani anno dom 381. Chalcedon anno dom 451. Symbolum Athanasii Symbolum quod habet Irenaeus lib. 1. adversus Haeresis cap. 2. primum concilium Toletan conc Lateranum in omnibus praedictis symbolis habetur articulus trinitatis tanta cura Paganos Catechimenos articulum trinitatis docuerunt ut Lucianus qui vixit sub
abhorred them the more So I wish every Christian Reader of this Little Catalogue to make the like good use of it for the Learned read them at length in the large Volums and from this Catalogue the Learned may Collect the Reason why the subtill Serpent the Enemy of Gods Glory and Mans Salvation was so much set against the Doctrine of the Trinity even because of it's great fundamentality in the Christian Saving Faith In the second Part of the Chapter follows the manyfold and sade evils both of Sin and Misery that were caused by these Blasphemous Hereticks 1. The Lord of Glory was in a High Degree dishonoured and greatly provoked to anger So that the Learned and Pious in there consuming Zeal and holy Indignation did admire the Lords long Suffering Patience crying out O God how long shal the adversary reproach shall the enemy blaspheme thy name for ever Psal 74. 10. 2. Too many followed those Blaspheming Hereticks and their Pernitious wayes and that often in the particular Kingdom where their Blasphemy was first invented and sometimes their Pestilentious Breath spread abroad and infected moe Kingdoms with their Poyson 3. Satan and the power of Darknesse sometimes seemed to triumph and Wickedness to lift up it's horn on high and the smoak of the Bottomless Pit to darken the Face of the Earth 4. Many weak Christians and tender Lambs of Christ staggered and stumbled being troubled with the Words of Hereticks almost to the subverting of their Souls now in a fainting condition their hearts being moved as the Trees of the Wood with a mighty Wind and many in danger to perish for whom Christ died 5. The sade condition of these Flocks no doubt moved their Pastors in holy Zeal like St. Paul to wish these incorrigible Hereticks who did what in them lay to destroy the Flock of God Accursed from the Lord as they were cut off from the Church Gal. 5. 12. even these wandring Stars to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness-for ever Jude v. 13. 6. Sometime unstable Church men were Deceived and Insnared who when Learned Eloquent or both they prevailed mightily both in City and Countrey Like that time when the Great Red Dragons Tail did draw the third part of the Stars of Heaven and cast them to the Earth Revel 12. 3 4. Hence a fearfull Rent and Schisme was made in the Church Hence came Biting Devouring and Consuming one another Gal. 5. 15. 7. The Jew and Pagan were hardened in their Errors and a stumbling block insuperable laid in the way of their Conversion 8. The Jew and in after Ages the Turk joyning with them did gladly â—rasp at the opportunity to increase the Fire of Conâ—ention by joyning with the Hereticks and Apostats and strengthning their hands against the Orthodox And took the more boldnesse to Blaspheme that worthy Name by which we ate named Iam. 2. 7. 9. The frequent and beautiful meetings of the Flocks of Christ being Seduced Diminished and Scattered caused their Faithful Pastors to offend Mourn and Lament these of their Flocks that had fallen Like the Loving Mother weeping over not One only but Many of Her Children dying together And to lyâ— all night in Sackcloath and weep betwixt the Porch and the Altar to be in great heaviness and continual sorrow of heart and almost to wish themselves accursed from Christ for the welfare of His Church and their Flocks therein Rom. 9. 21. 10. When sometime the Faction of Hereticks grew strong as in particular of the Arians having by the subtility of the Serpent obtained the Secular Power to joyn and side with them and so did many Years Persecute the true Church of Christ not only to the spoyling of their Goods Imprisonment or Banishment but also many thousands having suffered Cruel Torments at last Sealled the True Faith of Christ with their Blood and Death Of which Arian Persecution against the true Church of Christ we intend hereafter to give you a more particular accompt Follows the third part of the Chaâ—ter wherein we shall give you a Compendious accompt of the Good and Holy Means which the God of Truth who walks in the midst of the seven Golden Candlesticks and His Church the Pillar and Ground of Truth 1 Tim. 3. 15. Having the Truth dwelling in them and therefore were Fellow-helpers to the truth in this time of Jacob trouble Windowing and Fiery Tryal The Lord stirred up and inspired the Learned Doctors of His Church to plead the cause of their Mother against these Wolves and Foxes who made Havock of the Church which Doctors in their Generation were Burning and Shining Lights did earnestly contend for the Faith once delivered unto the Saints Jude 3. Were valiant for the Truth and suffered it not to fall in the Streets but gave those Hereticks publick Disput as they found Opportunity Refuted them by their Writings left to the Church in their several Volums to this Day wherein they Refuted not only the Heresies that rose in their own Dayes but also all the Heresies that Blasphemers had spread before their time and by Painfull and Zealous Preaching of the Truth they Confirmed their Flocks and furnished them with Powerfull preservatives against the Poyson of Seducers a Ignatius Justinus in suis Epistolis Justinus epistola ad Philippenses Dominus mittens Apostolos jussit baptizâ—re in nomen Patris Filij Spiritus Sancti 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Epist. ad c. Philadel-Phienses 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quod ad Ignatium in suis maltis epistolis ad varias Ecclesias perquam erudite omnes Hereticos se priores confutat confundit praesertim antitrinitarios 3. Irenaeus justo volumine summo labare scripsit polemice adversus Hereticos se priores contemporarios 4 Cyprianus justo itidem volumine multus est in veritate christiana stabilienda quam hi quatuor heroessanguine consignarunt A second Mean Beside the thousand thousand Christians that Sealed the Christian Faith of the Trinity with their Blood and Death among them many Pious and Learned Bishops not only defended the Truth of God by their Pen and Writings as a foresaid but also Sealed that Truth which they had Written and Preached by their Blood and Death As Ignatius Justin Irenaeus and Cyprian and many others who wrot learnedly in defence of the Sacred Trinity against Blasphemous Hereticks The third Means As these glorious Martyrs for the Glory of their Lord Father Son and Holy Ghost Sealed His Truth with their Blood So the Almighty who only does wonders appended His own Seall to His own Truth in their Death by many miracles of diverse sorts First of stupendious Courage and a Ignatius a militibus Romam conductus in Epist quam ad Romanos praemisit vehementer christianos hortatur Romanos adjurat ut eorumnullus solicitet magistratum Romanum ut Ignatium a morte liberate fassus se exultaturum tormenta mortem pro Christo submenta martyrium
reason and cause to sing Glory to the Father Son and Holy Ghost for His merciful Providence to them who knowing their weakness better then themselves hath preserved them from such an hour of temptation and fiery tryal not suffering them to be tempted above that they are able But furthermore I give you this warning that if ye affirm with the three Children you would sing in your fiery trial but refuse to sing now when ye are preserved from it Look to your selves that ye be not tempting God to cause you suffer Arian Persecution that then ye may praise the glorious Trinity better which now ye refuse because the Lord frees you from Arian Persecution this sore Trial the Lord avert In the last part of this Chapter we shall observe the Testimony given by God and His Church in this fourth Century chiefly against the Arian First As for the true Church they were not deficient to bear witness to the Truth but as opportunity served they conveened Orthodox Councils and among others one at Sardica a Socrat. lib. 2. cap. 16. of 370. Orthodox Bishops where the Arians Accusations against Athanasius and other Orthodox Bishops were examined and all found false and forged Another Council at Jerusalem b Socrat. lib. 2. cap. 19. Anno Dom. 351. A third at Millan of 300. Bishops c Theodoret. lib. 2. cap. 15. in which Councils they ratified the Orthodox Truth and Nicen Creed and before that Anno Dom. 363. a Council of about 200. Bishops at Ariminum ratified the same Orthodox Nicen Creed As the Orthodox Church during the time of the Arian Persecution notwithstanding of all the cruelty used against them the Church-men gave Testimony against the Arian by Preaching Writing and Disputes and both the Church-men and their Flocks by valiant suffering of Martyrdom and sealing the Truth with their Blood So the Lord Himself from Heaven divers ways did bear Testimony against the Arian and for His Truth first in granting Signs and Wonders to be done by the Orthodox Church in this fourth Century and in the Arians hottest Persecution when in the mean time the Arians had no Miracles amongst them nor did they pretend to any and although they had pretended to work Miracles yet the Arians Miracles had been nothing but Satans lying Wonders But God honoured even the persecute Orthodox to work glorious Miracles for instance the Arians having banished some Orthodox Christians to a remote Island in the Sea where the Pagans worshipped the Devil seated in a Grove these banished Orthodox Christians first cast a Socrat. lib. 4. cap. 19. out the Devil out of the Pagan Priests Daughter then converted her and her Parents and at last the whole Pagans of that Island to the Christian Faith So the Devil could not stand before these Orthodox Christians A second instance Moses an Orthodox Christian was famous for working of Miracles who coming to Alexandria refused to receive Consecration to a Bishoprick from Lucius Bishop of Alexandria b Socrat. lib. 4. cap. 29. because he was an Arian but reproved him sharply proving him to be altogether void of the true Principles of Christian Religion but that same worker of Miracles received Consecration from the Orthodox Clergy to the said Bishoprick As the Lord did bear Testimony to the Orthodox Christians and their Faith by giving them the gift of Miracles and not to the Arian so did that Lord as Judge of the World declare and manifest His Wrath against the chief Arian Persecuters in this Century First instance Constantius the first Arian persecuting Emperour who as he was false to God in turning Arian so his kinsman Julian whom he choised to be General of his Army turned false to him who having rebelled Constantius leads an Army against him but died by the way in Silicia sore lamenting and repenting of his Arian Heresie c Theodoret. lib. 2. cap. 32. Second instance The other Arian Emperour Valence was Satans evil Instrument perverting the Goths to Arianism of which Poyson they were not cured some hundreds of Years therafter d Socrat. lib. 4. cap. 27. and for the Emperours reward the Goths rebelling beat him and his Army in Battel and he flying to a little Tower they burnt the Tower and him with Fire a Theodoret. lib. 4. cap. 3. Hieronimus chronico ad annum 382. Third instance The Wrath of God was remarkable in the death of George the Arian Bishop of Alexandria whose cruelty is mentioned in this same Chapter before in the sixth instance of the Arian Cruelty where this Arian George was Ringleader for not many Years after the foresaid instance of Persecution the Pagans in Alexandria raised a seditious Tumult against the said George pulled him out of the Church by the Ears tied him to a Camel then did tear him in pieces and burnt him and the Camel to Ashes b Socrat. lib. 3. cap. 2. CHAP. IV. The unamimous practice and appointment of the universall Church for singing of the Doxology because Satan and his supposts mad and stupendious opposition of the Doctrine of the Trinity and so warring against God THe Glorious Trinity of Persons in the God-head being the great fundamental Article of our Christian Faith and that Christ is the Son of God the second Person of the blessed Trinity upon which Rock the Christian Church is built Matth. 16. 18. By which Name they are saved Acts 4. 12 Even the great mystery of godlinesse God manifested in the Flesh which Mystery cannot be known nor believed aright to Salvation unless we first know and believe that the Son sent by and from the Father was incarnat and not the Father John 17. 3. To this point we have spoken in the first Chapter Therefore Satan in the three first Centuries stirred up most Hereticks against the Sacred Trinity and the Incarnation of the Son of God to which we have spoken in the 2d Chapter Thirdly The Arians who rose in the Fourth Century being more Active and Subtil False Bloody and prevalent then any Hereticks which were before them persecuted the true Church of God in an Hellish manner for this cause the then Orthodox Church as they used many good means for strengthening the Christians in the Faith and confuting confounding of Hereticks as Preaching Disputs Writtings Councils and Church Censure by Excommunication all which Means the God of Heaven Countenanced and Blessed with good Success So in that Fourth Century the True Church in their Publick Worship did appoint that at the close of singing the Psalm they should sing this Doxology Glory to the Father to the Son and to the Holy Ghost in which Deed they have imitate the Lords own Example commanding Moses now therefore write ye this Song for you and teach it the Children of Israel put it in their mouths that this Song may be a witness for me against the Children of Israel Deut. 31. 19. So the Primitive Church perceiving by sad experience Satans incessant
Storm yet therefore he provided two excellent Pilots in this Century and indued them with so great a measure of Piety Learning undaunted Courage and Prudence that the one succeeding to the other in the Eastern Church where the Arian Storm did most rage by Dispute and Writing and couragious Sufferings they faced the Enemy and kept the Flock of Christ together Athanasius Patriarch of Alexandria and after him Basil Archbishop of Caesarea both which keep the Styl of Great untill this day for they got it because of their worth Athanasius even from the Arian Emperour Constantius and Basil from the Apostat Emper or Julian As is to be seen in both their Letters of record with St. Basils Letters of sharp rebuke which did become a pious Bishop to Julian an Apostat As for the Arian as ye read in this Chapter before in singing of the Doxology shuned to sing it according to the Scriptures Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost but by the Son in the Holy Ghost which was a deceitfull Invention and the Church History tells us the thing it self but does not unfold the intrigue and mystery of it which St. Basil hath done at full length for that their singing in that their new devised way was a subtil trick of the Devil for under it they couched their Error and Blasphemy only giving Glory to God the Father and for the Son considering him only as the Fathers Instrument but not equal with Him in Glory and far less the Holy Ghost which depths of Satan are found out by St. Basil to the shame of the Arian of which he writs at large which the Learned do read a Basil tomo 2. lib. de spiritu sancto contra Arianus cap. 2 3 4 5. and 25. cap. 7. 10. And that they were so obstinat in their Errors that nothing could prevail to gain them to sing the Doxology according to the Scriptures b lib. de spiritu sancto cap. 25. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 scilicet isti Citius abjectarent linguas quam hanc vocem recipeant idem cap. 25. Doxologiam Ariani recitat tibi Patri honor gloria per unigenitum filium tuum in spiritu sancto qui sermo nunc usitatior est istis ipsa ut ita loquar respiratione cap. 29. in oriente Orthoaoxi dignoscunt suos ab Arianis signo Doxologiae That they would as soon quite their tongue as quite that form of Doxology which they used where St. Basil grants that their way of singing the Doxology might be exponed in an Orthodox sense according to the Scriptures but was not to be suffered in these Hereticks because it was well known they sang them in an Heretical and Blasphemous sense against the Son and Holy Ghost Yet reflecting upon the Arian practice observe that they did choise it as a less evil and scandal to sing the Doxology with some change of the short syllabes of interjections conjunctions then not to sing it at all For to have refused the singing of it had been a shorter cut but the reason was publick shame would not suffer them altogether to seperat from the Orthodox Church in that so unquestionable a duty and so well known a part of the Christians publick worship then let these in Scotland who call themselves Orthodox and refuse altogether to sing the Doxology either one way or other see to it and I beseech them to commune with their own hearts and smit upon their own Breast and amend They who are pleased to read the History of the Arian Persecution in this fourth Century will perceive the true Church of Christ at a very low ebb and under one of the greatest eclipses that ever it suffered since the two Disciples said we trusted that it had been He Luk. 24. 21. and the eleven Apostles were weeping in secret Mark 16. 10. yet the Lord who brought David out of his Deeps and Daniel out of the Lions Den and the three Children out of the seven times hotter Furnace Jonah out of the Whales belly and Lazarus out of the grave and commanded the dry scattered Bones to stand up a strong Army Ezek. 37. 10. and in the beginning commanded Light to shine out of Darkness and bringeth Good out of Evil out of the Churches Persecution and low condition brought the more glory to His own Name and more strength of Faith to His Church whereby the Arians ungodly way of proceeding when they got the Power in their hand they declared to the World what they were even not the true Church of Christ but the Seed of the Serpent promoting their Religion by Injustice and Perjury the Children of Abaddon and Apollyon that Liar and Murderer from the beginning John 8. 44. promoting their hellish Religion by cruel tormenting and murdering of the Orthodox they being the first that usurped the name of Christian withall intending to propagate their Religion with Fire and Sword which is not Christs way nor of His true Christians but of Antichristians and therefore in persecuting of the true Church as they had learned it at the Pagans who lived before them so they were glad to take the help of the Pagans who lived with them therefore the Lord at last brought the Arian to confusion and put their lying Lips to silence so that ever thereafter they were hated and abhorred and despaired ever to prevail any more as they had done The second Good which the Lord brought out of this Evil was the perfite setling of the Christian Faith the Lord bestowing on the Orthodox such Courage to suffer such Faith and Constancy and heavenly Joy that the Arian was confounded thereby yea and while the Orthodox were suffering for the Glory of God and His Truth the Lord from Heaven did approve and seal His Truth which they believed and professed even making them His Instruments to work glorious Miracles but in the mean time the Arian wrought no Miracle nor so much as pretended to work any lying Miracle as Jannes and Jambres did against Moses to the hardning of Pharaoh wherein I observe the Lord 's wonderful Providence so over-ruling the Arian that they did not so much as mint to a Miracle whereas the Miracles of the Orthodox Church were undenyable and thus the Lord from Heaven did dicide the Contraversie betwixt the Arian and the Orthodox in favours of His Church and this the Lord 's doing did so confirm them in the true Faith of the blessed Trinity that the gates of Hell ever since was not able so to brangle it and also His Church which had used the Doxology to the blessed Trinity in their publick Worship before that time was now more confirmed in their Practice and resolute to make use of it without fail ever thereafter especially in the publick Worship In this Chapter at Page 24. we spoke anent the addition put to the Doxology mentioned in the Council of Vauson as it was in the Beginning If some object that
parte 2. Bishops some he burnt to Ashes and some of them their Tongues were pulled out who flying to Constantinople spoke miraculously as if they had had Tongues g Evagrius lib. 4. cap. 14 15. Anno 448. The Eutichians in Alexandria slew the Orthodox Bishop Proterius in the Church harled his body throgh the Streets and gnashed his Bowels with their Teeth a Evagrius lib. 2. cap. 8. Anno 496. Many Manicheans who also were Blasphemers of the blessed Trinity were detected at Rome and their Books burnt Honoricus King of the Vandalls in Africk being Arian banished at once 5000. Orthodox Christians b Centuria Magdeburgesis Anastasius the Emperour Anno Dom. 520. Commanded not a Trinity but a Quaternity to be worshipped he was smitten with a thunder bolt and so dyed in his wicked Reign 300. Orthodox were killed and some Orthodox Bishops banished c Petrus Diaconus Platina d Centuria Magdeburgensis Centuria 6. cap. 8. Theodoricus Arian King of the Gothes in Italy persecuted the Orthodox there and the King of the Arian Gothes in Spain slew his own natural Son for turning Orthodox e Magdeburgensis Centuriâ—s centuria 6. cap. 9. The Gothes in Spain who had long persecut the Orthodox Christian they were at last converted to the true Faith Anno 585. In the seventh Century the Monotholites which were a Branch of the Eutichian Heresie troubled the true Church for the Emperour Constance was a Monotholite and also Heraclius Arjovaldus King of Lambards was an Arian Anno Dom. 640. Rotharius another of their Kings was Arian also in the seventh Century beside the trouble that the Church endured from the Eutichian and Monotholite Hereticks which were chiefly in the Eastern Church at Constantinople and Alexandria so be the Arians in Italy In this Century arose Mahamet and composed his Alcaran Anno Dom. 622. In which Blasphemously they deny the blessed Trinity These not only spread and prevailed mightily in Asia and Africk but also crossed the Hellespont and molested Greece both with the Sword and Blasphemies yea also they crossed the Mediterranian over against Spain and Italy at last Anno Dom. 829. came over with a Navy from the Coast of Barbary and spoiled Rome and returned to Africk with the Prey and again Anno Dom. 845. f Palmerius in chronico came over and spoiled Rome the 2d time and Anno Dom. 933. came over the third time and spoiled Genoa In the 7th Century the Orthodox Church gave Testimony against Hereticks in a Council held at Rome Anno Dom. 650. of a 100 Bishops and upward where the Monotholites and the Antitrinitarians were condemned and another there of 125. Bishops and a third at Constantinople Anno Dom. 681. of 150. Bishops And as the true Church gave Testimony against the Antitrinitarian Hereticks so the Lord from Heaven by His signal Judgements For First Honoricus King of Vandalls in Africk an Arian and cruel persecuter of the Orthodox was long tormented with Venemous Boils at last was consumed with Worms and so ended his wretched Life Secondly in this same Century Theodoricus King of the Gothes in Italy a vile Arian having murdered an Orthodox Noble Man Senatour named Symachus thereafter shortly sitting at Table the head of a great Fish dressed in a Dish set before him which he imagined to be the head of Symachus and was so stupified that he dyed with fear Abaliardus a professor in Paris about the year 1143. wrot Blasphemously against the blessed Trinity whom Bernard refuted and then there conveened a Council of Church-men in France where he was confuted convinced converted a Caranza folio 258. In the Year 1215. in the Council of Lateran Joachim Abbas his Erronious Book against the Trinity was condemned to which he submitted b Caranza folio 260. If it be objected that seing in the Church History and Councils from the seventh Century to the fifteenth there is only mention of two Antitrinitarian Hereticks and consequently these Blasphemous Heresies being now banished and buried and seing it is granted that the Doxology was first appointed to be sung in the Church by occasion of Antitrinitarian Hereticks for confirming in the Faith the Lords People against their Blasphemies why then was it any longer continued after the cause was removed I answer because the Church then perceived by comfortable experience that the constant singing of the Doxology in the Publick Worship of God had proved an excellent mean to confirm Christians in the Doctrine and Faith of the Trinity and to guard them against the temptations of Satan and his supposts and their own corruption who were all yet lying in wait to blow at the Ashes of the little spunks of the said old Blasphemies that seemed to be buried many hundred years before This is Calvins Metaphore and accordingly it came to passe for in the year of Christ 1531. Satan did fill the heart and furnished the pen of a Spaniard Servetus with the Blasphemies and black Venome of that Old Serpent and now we intend to begin the 2d Part of this Chapter and to manifest to every Christian Reader that if the universal Church had good cause to appoint the singing of the Doxology because of the Blasphemies of the Arians against the Sacred Trinity So now in this old and doting Age of the World the Church have much cause to continue that ancient practice for the new and late opposers of this blessed Trinity in this Age are more blasphemous then ever the old Arian was of which the rise and growth in Europe we intend to give you a summar account First That Spaniard Servetus being a Physician by profession travelled 30. Years in Pole Hungary and Transalvania practising Medicine but infecting Souls with his Blasphemies a worse disease then all his Bodily Cures For which he was first apprehended and imprisoned at Lions in France but escaped Prison there afterward having written some Books against the Sacred Trinity he was apprehended at Geneva for his Blasphemies and obstinancy in them was condemned by the Magistrat and burnt quick Anno Dom. 1553. a Beza Epist 81. Genevas just punishing of him is approven by the Cantons of Tygurie b Calvin Epist 157. Scaffusium c Calvin Epist 158 Melancton and d Calvin Epist Aecolampadius rcfuts him and Calvin also in his Institutiones Opuscula and Melanthon in his Fourth Volumne who in the Year 1556. writs to the Vesalians vulgo the Veisle that if any maintained Servetus Errors he should be expelled out of their Town and Cardinal Hosius one of the three that presided in the Council of Trent in his Works follo 352. Writs that Servetus justly deserved so to die for his Blasphemies and Beza gives a just but black Testimony of him e Beza Epist 81. In unico Serveto revocati sunt ab inferis Somasatenus Arius Eutiches Marcion Apollinaris quod ibidem erudite probat inductione comparativa Servetus having strongly fermented
pag. 58. Thus he writs all men may see that many in England are Arians and Antitrinitarians he writs also pag. 136. a Letter from Holland to London dated 1646. Here we burn the Books of the Socinian Errors and they dare not be sold in these parts but at London is taught Blasphemy against God and his Christ and a Minister in Holland wrot a Letter dated October 18. 1646. to some Ministers in London that diverse English Merchants were seeking to buy Socinus Works and Crellius c. from a Stationer in Holland and when the Stationer answered that these Books were prohibit by the States General the Merchant replyed nevertheless you may transport them from other Nations and we shall give you for them what you will and the Generall Assembly in Scotland Anno Dom. 1648. Sess 43. Writs thus Socinianisme is now spread in England As for our sentiment upon the Socinian there was in the ancient Church two Heresies that were most dangerous and prevalent First the Arian then the Pelagian both which the Orthodox Church zealously opposed and justly condemned but the late Socinian hath drunk in all the poyson both of the Arian and Pelagian and much more Secondly That as the Ancient Church did condemne Arius and Pelagius in their Councils and being obstinat Excommunicat them So the Ancient Fathers b Athanasius oratione prima contra Arianos multis probat Arianos non debere dici christianos Idem scribit Theodoretus lib. 2. cap. 16. Fulgentius Hilarius ad Imperatorem Constantium denyed the Arian to deserve the name of Christian yea the moderns both Papists and Lutherians that wrot against the Socinians deny them also to be Christians the same doth Gomarus and Doctor Forbes in his Theological Instructions lib. 10. cap. 13 Sect. 14. denyes the Socinian Baptism to be valid The Professors of Leyden Anno Dom. 1598. gave their judgment of Osterodius the Socinian his Writs that they led Men very near to Turcism and Grotius writing of the Piety of the States of Holland saith Seing Heresie is the Venom of the Church and that suddenly working yet there are degrees in Heresies whereof some are more hurtful then others but a worse Heresie then Socinianism is not to be found at the very mentioning of which all the godly should shrink Against this Heresie not only the Civil Magistrate and Church but also the God of Heaven by His immediate Hand of Providence hath given Testimony the Magistrate hath put them to death not only in the reformed Church but also the Roman Church Thus the Parliament of Pole being informed Anno Dom. 1638. that the Socinians in Racovia had begun to print a Book of Blasphemies against the Sacred Trinity a Libri titulus Tormentum Throno Tritnitatem deturbans they did take from them their Bibliotheck Printinhouse and Press and being many banished them the Town As for the immediate Hand of God upon the Socinian it is remarkable both in Temporal and Spiritual Judgments that some of them were their own Murderers and others of them died in Despair others renunced Christ and turned Mahumetan Thus having spoken of the Socinian remains a word of the Anabaptist and Quaker who also are Blasphemers of the Trinity That the Anabaptists are such the Professors of Leyden are sufficient Witnesses b Profess Leidens disp 23. in antithesi Sabellius Praxias hodie libertini Anabaptistae quidam trinominem Deum statuentes personarum realem distinctionem tollentes modumque tantum patesactionis varium inducentes Patrem incarnatum passumque revera statuunt As for the Quakers who not only are in England and Jreland but even some of them scattered in Scotland It 's well known by many of their own printed Pamphlets and by the Books of others their mad Pranks and Blasphemies and Disputes against the Sacred Trinity for instance The Phanatick History printed at London Anno Dom. 1660. pag. 54. In a publick Dispute at Cambridge they denied the Sacred Trinity with Blasphemies that I abhor to write And Anno Dom. 1657. a Book printed at London by John Stalham called the Reviler rebuked wherein he refutes Quaker Richard Fairnworth who printed and spread a Pamphlet about that time wherein he denied the Holy Ghost to be a Person in the Trinity Therefore as the Universal Church of old did piously and wisely appoint and practise the singing of the Doxology to confirm the Flock of Christ against the dangerous Blasphemies of Arius and other Antitrinitarian Hereticks so to this day the Universal Church do still continue that practice to guard their Flocks against the Blasphemies of Anabaptists and Quakers but especially Socinians who in horrid and hellish Blasphemies out do the old Arian CHAP. VI. The lawfulness of Singing the Doxology proven by these Arguments 1. Because all Christians are baptized in the Name of Father Son and Holy Ghost 2. They believe or profess their Faith in Father Son and Holy Ghost 3. They believe Father Son and Holy Ghost to be their Creator Redeemer and Sanctifier 4. Their Faith and Hope of Eternal Glory is from Father Son and Holy Ghost 5. God Father Son and Holy Ghost made all things and especially for His Glory 6. This Lord of Glory often calls Man's Tongue His Glory 7. From the practice of the Saints and Angels 8. From God's Command 9. The Appointment and Practice of the Universal Church 10. The indivisibility of the Worship we give to God one in Essence and three Persont illustrate by Fathers and Councils IN the former Chapters I having described the occasion upon which the Universal Church did appoint the singing of the Doxology to wit The abounding of Blasphemers against the Trinity proven in the first three Chapters Secondly The unanimous Agreement of the Church for singing the Doxology in the fourth Chapter and the reason of its continuance in the Church to this day even because the Church ever since hath never altogether wanted some blasphemous Hereticks within the Church besides the Turk and Jew both deniers of the Trinity without the Church Follows the second part of this Treatise which is subdivided thus First I prove by many Arguments the lawfulness of the singing of the Doxology in the sixth seventh eighth ninth and tenth Chapters Secondly I answer some Objections in the eleventh and twelfth Chapters Thirdly I show the many Evils from the refusing to sing the Doxology Lastly I close with an Exhortation to receive with all tenderness all that shall return from their Errors In this and some following Chapters I have accumulate Arguments because I supponed I did write to some Christians weak in Knowledge I say weak in Knowledge because I am loath to judge that any Christian strong in Knowledge will deny its lawfulness unless their Judgement be strangely overclouded by prevalent Prejudice and if any such there be we have also brought Arguments for their perusing We begin with Arguments for the Weak All who are baptized in
with his Hand to hold by the hand or arm a younger Brother learning to Walk and count it his Glory to speak with him in his own childish Dialect and take little steps with them then I beseech you in the bowels of Jesus reproach them not for bygones but pass an act of Oblivion and in time coming use all gentleness and forbearance and so gain them to love you and in all things indifferent and undetermined if he be not clear for the one way condescend to him and follow his way bear with his infirmities rashness incivilities and ignorances and others overweaning themselves as if they were strong in Knowledge this is an infirmity of many weak and yet for Peace sake the strong ought to bear with it Now this Duty of the Strong in bearing with the Weak the Lord presseth much in His Word Rom. 15. v. 1 2. Why hath the Lord given thee more Knowledge Mortification Patience c. then to the Weak but for this end to bear with their Infirmities for their Spiritual good for which St. Paul gives you his holy example 1 Cor. 9. 22. For the weak became I as weak that I might gain the weak I am made all things to all men that I might by all means save some and Chap. 10. v. 33. I please all men in all things not seeking my own profite but the profite of many that they may be saved Here is a great placebo and yet no Flatterer but in his converse acceptable both to God and Man The Spirit of Christ is not a sowre censorious sullen and carping Spirit but meek gentle and easie to be intreated When the Child as yet but an intrant in the World and learning to speak will ask the Parents some childish question will the Parents be incensed to inflict Chastisement or rather will they not pass it with this Meditation When I was a child I thought as a child I understood and spake as a child 1 Cor. 13. 11. So if any weak Babe in Christ propone or start any question in Religion to which many Babes are too ready do not think that ye are always bound in Conscience to answer them for many times our Saviour did it not Act. 1. 6. Jo. 21. 20. And the Apostle to Timothy speaks of foolish and unlearned questions which produce strife and no edification 1 Tim. 6. 4. then let the strong wave the question with a general answer Jo. 16. 19. or instead of speculation leading to practice and holy life Luk. 13. 23. Yea thirdly It may be waved if it be beyond the sphere of the Larger Catechism for Questionators that furnishes their common Discourse with Questions are unsavoury company to the Godly and the weak Christian should not be entertained by the strong Christian with Questions it is expressly against the Apostles rule Him that is weak in the faith receive ye but not unto doubtful disputations Rom. 14. ver 1. then let neither strong nor weak Christian especially in Company move any question of Religion especially these that belong to the present Differences least the Strong touch the Weak on the old Sore and so but grieve and irritate which no doubt grieves the Spirit of God and is not the healing way As for the Weak I intreat them who have been wandring in Mistakes to resolve in the strength of Christ in all time hereafter to live orderly as to the Church and loyally as to the King and Rulers under him and then he is a cursed Man that will not be loving and kind to thee Then let the strong imitat their Father in Heaven who when his prodigal Son returns no word of his sin with which the elder Brother did upbraid him but ran and met and kissed him gave him new cloaths and shoes adorned him with a Ring feasted him and made merry Luk. 15. 20. He ran and met him and fell on his neck and kissed him and imitate the Son of God the great and good Shepherd who brings home on his shoulder rejoycing one wandering sheep does he not rejoyce much more now then in reduceing so great a flock And the Fathers kindness to his returning Prodigal is so sweet a subject that I delight to mark in it further that when the elder Brother uncharitably endeavoured to exasperat his Father against his younger Brother casting up his old sins the Father rejects the elder Brothers bitter Libel See both the last and 24. verses his Brother was dead and is now alive he was lost and now is found its gemination shews Emphasis he was lost when dead in sin but now alive to God to righteousness he was the lost and wandering Sheep he is come home a penitent sinner And compare the 24. verse with the last yet more my Son thy Brother he is sibb to thee but sibber to me which the words imply therefore though ye would let him go as he came yet will not I O dear younger Brother be not afraid to return nor scarr to come home but first see that thou make thy peace with thy Father verse 21. And although some churlish elder Brother like Eliab too young David would unchristianly chide thee take courage it is not that bitter Brothers house thou art coming home to but thy Fathers meditate and think on these things for to be a ready antidote against the bitter Pills of some and albeit some of the stronger Brethren be not so kindly comfort thy self here is thy Father pleading for thee and so is thy elder Brother in this same Chap. Luke 15. 6. who when he hath brought home his wandering sheep rejoycing calls together his friends and neighbours and sayes rejoyce with me then assure thy soul that Christs real friends will rejoyce at thy return welcome thee imbrace and love thee as their own bowels Then let us in this great act of charity and tender love to the weak returning Lambs imitat our blessed Redeemer and elder Brother who came from Heaven to Earth to seek and save the lost sheep Luk. 19. 20. who bears the Lambs in his bosome and leads them gently that are with young Isai 4. 12. and will be more loath to over-drive them then Jacob his young Children and Flocks Gen. 33. 14. Then be thou compassionat towards them Is the Saviour bearing them in his bosome then grieve them not for he cannot but see it and be grieved Is he leading them gently then dare thou beat them back with word or reproach like the piercings of a sword The Lord leads the lame and the blind in the way they do not know to Zion weeping the woman with child and she that travelled with child Jer. 31. 8. Mark the four sorts in the world the fittest objects of mans compassion and help lame and blind the woman with child and travelling with child and the first two most despicable yet the Lord despises none of them but seing they are weeping and coming to Zion he is eyes to the blind
Doxologie when he who is greater then thy Conscience knows thy false and seigned words Ah! thou wilt rather be speechless then Mat. 22. 12. as now thou art when thou shouldst sing the Doxologie Therefore to prevent that disaster I intreat you be not silent now but sing the Doxology least in that day the Judge of the Quick and Dead declare to thy confusion that thy refusing to sing the Doxology was not Conscience nor Religion but vain Glory Interest Self-seeking and Faction As for you who livâ— in oppen scandalous sins as Drunkennesse Whoredome c. and yet dare say we cannot sing the Doxology because of Conscience towards God To you hear the Lords answer Psalm 50. 16. Unto the wicked God saith what hast thou to do to declare my statutes Seing thou hateâ—â— instruction being partaker with the thief adulterer and sclanderer 2dly Doth not thy own heart smyt thee as a mocker of God and all Religion when thou pretends Conscience and when it is seared long agoe as with a hot iron 1 Tim. 4. 2. 3ly You may indeed increase the number of your party but you diminish their credit then let all who pretend Conscience depart from iniquity and sing the Doxolowy When was it that the General Assembly laid aside the Doxology even when the Army of the English Rebells who had proved false to God in the matter of Religion false to the King in matter of Loyalty false and perfidious to Scotland in stead of thankfulness to them for their assistance came in against them with the Sword having established a vast toleration so that that Army was made up of the dross and dregs and scume of England and even then when Religion in Scotland and England was in greatest danger then to lay aside the Doxology was like that inference the enemy is approaching therefore put out your Matches then consider the evils that immediatly and inevitable came upon Scotland after they laid aside the Doxology what glory we lost First the purity of Religion by their vast tolleration which with their Sectarian and Blasphemous Army they brought into Scotland Secondly We lost our Liberties for no man durst wear a Sword or Weapon for his defence but this was a just judgement to take a Sword from a man when he had killed his Father a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Quis potest haec absque genetu commemorare annon ideo manifestum est ut vel puer intelligat haec quae nunc fuit esse proemia defectura fidei And last of all St. Basil looks upon it as a fearfull prognostick of departing from the truth when he perceived the Arian not to quite the Doxology altogether but to change it from the right words he greatly feared a falling from the Faith to follow so as long as ye refuse to sing the Doxology ye continue in the begun seperation which is a fearfull evil it keeps a door open to more sin and sorrow to follow for by that separation ye keep in your heart a disgust at your Mother Church as faulty and assure your selves through ye had no more Errors at present but that one that ye refuse to sing the Doxology yet that Error will not be alone for Error begets in the Soul a Sinfull inclination to more Error as the Apostle speaks of Erronious Spirits they grow worse and worse are not now too many turned Quakers and some sweet Singers whose beginning in Error was but small And to put a close to the Roll of the evils that follow the refusing to sing the Doxology Is it not both sin and shame to offer to God a lame Sacrifice of worship for they who refuse to sing the Doxology offer to God a lame Sacrifice of praise and they are cursed by God who offer to him the Sacrifice that hath blamish when they have better and will not offer it As for these that refuse to sing the Doxology and think it needless or evil these in their heart and by their deed condemn their Neighbour Christians for offering to God a mostruous Sacrifice as having a Leg more then enough in the 2 Chron. 5. 13. When was it that the glory of the Lord filled the house of the Lord even when the singers verse 13. were or one to make an sound to be heard in praising and thanking the Lord but this is far from the practise of these who will noâ— joyn in the praises which discord in the Lords Song cannot be but displeasing to him So that such practise of singing and not singing at one time yea worse singing and grieving at one time for no doubt he that sings not grieves at him that sings and looks very like the confusion that was after the return of the Captivity at the laying of the foundation of the Temple of Jerusalem when one part was praising and rejoycing another part weeping and howling and the last continued evil Is a continued Heart-burning and discontent in the hearts of these who refuse to sing and keeping a door open still for more seperation To close this Chapter as Mr. Calderwood said in great zeall in that foresaid General Assembly That he hoped to sing the Doxology in Heaven So let no Christian think it a paradox for the learned do know that it may be proven by sound Divinity for if in Heaven our praises to God shall be perfect which is most surely true then we shall praise him in all his Attributs in all his mighty Acts especially in his Word and everlasting Gospel then we shall eternally glorifie the infinitly glorious Essence in the mysterious Trinity of the Persons for seing in Heaven there will be neither Petition nor Prayer nor Preaching which make up a great part of our worship on earth and so all our worship in Heaven shall be praises and that to all Eternity and seing our knowledge of God in Heaven shall be far more perfect then it was on Earth and then we shall see God face to face and know him in Essence and Persons more perfectly then we do now on Earth and consequently our love to Father Son and Holy Ghost much more perfect so the perfection of our praises and incessantnesse without wearing shall answer to our greatest perfection in knowledge and love to God therefore it may be christianly supponed that we shall joyn in Heaven with these four living Creatures Revel 4. 8. who rest not day nor night singing Holy Holy Holy Lord God Almighty who was and is and is to come where was this trisagium uttered The first two Verses of this Chapter affirm that it was in Heaven who were the living Creatures that kept this Chore of laus perennis the Assembly Notes upon it sayes it was the Ministers of the New Testament 3dly What was the subject of their praises the Assembly Notes say they continually praise God and set out the Trinity of the persons in the God-head If any please to object the Church appointed the Doxology to be sung to
guard the Flocks of Christ against Antitrinitarian Hereticks but in Heaven there is no danger for no Devil nor Antitrinitarian will be there to tempt and the glorified Saints will be made perfect in Holinesse I answer when Isaiah 6. 2 3. The Seraphims cryed one to another by way of Authem Holy Holy Holy is the Lord of hosts the whole earth is full of his glory Here I hope was neither Arian nor Antitrinitarian yea I affirm according to the Seraphims singing a Doxology to the Trinity that although there had never been Antitrinitarian Heretick nor danger of Devils to tempt them to that heresie seing the Angels in Heaven did sing a Doxology to the blessed Trinity which is granted by the universal Church then shall it not be lawfull expedient and comely for Christians to sing Glory to Father Son and Holy Ghost whose motto in Baptism is to be Baptized in Name of Father Son and Holy Ghost Therefore to conclude this Chapter these who have Scruple or Doubts to sing the Doxology for want of knowledge my prayer is to God Father Son and Holy Ghost who is the Father of Lights to reveal even this unto them that we may with one Mind and with one Mouth glorifie God even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ Rom. 15. 6. Now to God Father Son and Holy Ghost be glory in the Church by Christ Jesus throughout all Ages world without end Amen Ephes 3. Chap. at the last verse CHAP. XIV An exhortatory Conclusion to the strong and orderly Christian to receive and imbrace with all Christian love and tenderness every weak Christian who shall return from their wandring in Error to live in Order and Unity in the Bosom of their Mother Church BEing now to conclude this little Treatise As its scope and aim is for healing and helping home of the wandring Sheep so my work in this Chapter is to remove all Stones and Stumbling-blocks out of the way of the weak Lambs returning to their Folds again and I beseech you put not the blame so much upon these Lambs as upon these Men wâ—o drew them away and missed them and let all good Christians rejoyce in their return and welcome them home and that because of the manifold Evils that this Kingdom was groaning under which now God in His Mercy hath almost removed Was not in many Families the Father against the Son and a Man's Enemies these of his own Houshold did not many Flocks forsake their Fold and resting Place and strayed in the gloomy and dark Day was not the empty Walls of many empty Paroch-Churches mourning and the Stones of-emptiness crying out and Pastors lamenting that their Flocks were departed and a few left yea sometimes the Pastor so evil intreated by his Flock turning Wolves that he must needs convey himself away out of that place some being spoiled some wounded some killed some like desolate Widows mourning in secret in a desolate Retirement like Jeremiah in his wished Cortage in the Wilderness Jer. 9. 2. and for a long time the Magistrate loath to use rigour which made them the more inexcusable and at last they display an open Banner of Rebellion whereby they wilfully run themselves into a Labyrinth of Miseries to be killed and spoiled and many impoverished and not a few suffered death by the hand of Justice whose infatuate Souls with that four leaven of their dangerous Doctrines was at their death a far more sad spectacle to the Godly then their bodily death which remembers me of David's bitter mourning for his traiterous son Absalom's death and this Malady and sore Disease came to so great a height that it threatned death which was more then once prevented by opening of a Vein and many thought our Disease incurable and that it would turn at last to be a rooted Hectick to the consuming of the Marrow but blessed be our kind Samaritan who beyond the expectation of many and much more beyond our deservings hath pitied us for it was a time of love and when we were lying in our Blood he said Live again he said Live Ezek. 16. 6. even when the Enemy was saying there is no help for him in God yet he hath poured in Wine and Oyl in our Wounds and letten us by sweet experience know that there is both a Physician and Balm in Gilead and the God of our Health hath rebuked that Feaver and hath commanded and created deliverance Then let every one of us rejoyce in God and count it our glory to be workers together with God Is this a time of healing let us concur and contribute our help Is the Lord's Flock returning then cast up cast up gather out the Stones Hath the Lord Jesus awakened out of sleep and rebuked the Winds and Seas so that now there is a great Calm then let us all help to row to bring the Vessel to a safe Harbour when the Lord is bringing back the captivity of His People let our Mouthes be filled with laughter and our Tongue with singing behold and see not one Dove alone returning to the Ark of their Mother Church with an Olive branch Gen. 8. 11. but a whole cloud of these Doves are flying to their Windows Isa 60. 8. Are not the Pastors returned to their Flocks with joy who went away weeping returning with the full blessing of the Gospel of Christ now to bring forth the peaceable fruits of Righteousness of their sad and desolate retirement and widow-head Lam. 3. 27 28 29. like St. Basil returning from the Desart and St. Athanasius from his Exile and now that promised Blessing shall be given them Isa 30. v. 29. your eye shall see your Teachers And now my Brethren who had precious retirement to read meditate and pray and a sad cross to put you to it then with Timothy 1 Tim. 4. 15. let your profiting appear to all Ye know what Luther writes Prayers Meditation and Temptation made good Theologues and the Flocks that have been mispending their time had the more need to redeem the time Now I turn my speech unto you in this Church who are strong and have overcome that evil one and have obtained Grace to live orderly before God and His Church during the time of these Confusions as your compassionate Souls did grieve for Sin weep in secret before the Lord to enlighten inform and reform them to reclaim and reduce them therefore hath the Lord given you a gracious return of your Prayers in returning them then open your loving Hearts and embrace them and these hands that were with outstreached arm lifted up to God for them let your arms embrace them and by word and deed and contenuance express the sincerity of your love to them and as the Lord hath given you more knowledge then to them let it be your generosity not to insult over them or despise them but with all tenderness not to look down but to stoop down to their Weakness and let the strong elder Brother stoop down