back slidings that had been made Oh say they The People must be regarded and one way or other we will please them But what says our well-resolved Apostle These insinuating Zealots have a kind affection but it is not well let them talk never so much of Comprehension the result of all must needs be Exclusion either they will Exclude you or us for the whole and sole Designe is that you might affect them Let no man blame me therefore that I will not in the least give way but still I will keep the right hand of fellowship for I have laboured more then all the rest that I am so exceedingly zealous for the Gospel which I have preached unto you that you should stand in it because I have delivered no more then what I received and that according to the Scriptures and is there not a Cause that I should be thus earnest especially is not the cause good Yes surely it is good to be always zealously affected affected provided it be in a good thing why not we as well as they in that which is bad I could wish even you my Galatians in the same circumstances with my self and that not only out of Fear because of my Authority when I am present with you but out of love to the thing it self when I am absent from you This is the Scope and Coherence of the words in which an account is given us both of a good and a bad Zeal as they are contradistinguished from and to each other the one is condemned and the other is commended and that in general because of these two qualifications in each of them 1. That which is bad is commonly of Persons either to make a party they affect you to be added to their Number or to Magnifie themselves they would that you should affect onely them 2. That which is good and commendable is always 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in a good thing that is it is guided by a good Rule managed upon a good matter and directed by a good intention To be a little more close and particular The two Verses will be the Subject of two Discourses for the first which is a Description of a bad or a wicked zeal it is described to us to be not as it should be in these particulars First In relation to the Object Zeal is reprehensible when it is of Persons not of Things 〈◊〉 of Men and not their Graces 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 they zealously affect you you your very selves not any thing that is good in you nor any good that is toward you Secondly In relation to the Subject when the Affectators of this kind are not rightly qualified either as to affection or intention 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Adverbs either crown or debase our Actions They Zealously affect you but not well Thirdly In relation to the Zeal it self when it is such a kind of Zeal as does directly in its consequence tend to Separation 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 they would either exclude you or us that is separate us from you and you from us Fourthly Yet once more Zeal is Bad in relation to the Zealots themselves 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 when they would fain set the Church on Fire to warm themselves by the flameof it by thus gaining Disciples not so much to their Cause as to their Party yea chiefly in this every Zealot plays a private game by himself alone from the rest of his Company whilst they thus many times supplant one another in gaining Proselytes each man to himself wishing that the people might affect them And is not all this exceeding wicked in such a Maze of Ungodliness a Mystery of iniquity as this how shall they that are approved be made manifest we had need to look about us seriously and to bethink our selves who may be in the company conversing with us such as may have a Zealous affection for us but not well since their Design may be altogether Exclusion onely that they themselves might be affected But notwithstanding this let us hearken to our Blessed Apostle see him here watching for the souls of these Galatians even in their own way counter-working the Designes of the enemy far he is from approving a Laodicean temper of being neither hot nor cold the temper of such whom God shall one day spue out of his mouth and whilst they live they are a loathing to all good men he would not have us be like Ephraim a Cake that is dough baked but he takes Occasion from the industry of the Adversary to recommend to them and to us all the like Diligence and that with as great an earnestness assuring them that it is good to be always zealously affected in a good thing and so much the better and the more commendable if it be not only when their Apostle is present with them In which words in order to the commendation of a pious and a holy zeal we have Two parts 1. Approbatio ipsa The Approbation it self 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 It is good to be zealous 2ly Ratio Approbandi The reason of that Approbation and that taken First Ab Objecto From the Object 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it must be in a good thing Secondly Ab Habitu The Habit must be as unlimited as the Object is universally good 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it must be always Thirdly Ab Occasione From the Occasion of expressing 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to shew that it is a fixed habit unalterable it will chiefly take that occasion to express it when there is most need of it when the Spiritual Apostle or great Pastor is out of the way it is nor an eye Service before men but it is pleasing God as our Apostle here to his Galatians Not only when I am present with you This is the sum of the Text and of what I have to Discourse from it First Let us stand a while and as it were from the Pinacle of the Temple behold our danger let us be careful that we do not in the least miscarry in slipping aside or in falling away from our own steadfastness zeal at the best is but the excrescency of Love when it may either be true or false and therefore we find it no where commanded as a Duty but if it be rightly qualified it is praise worthy as being Good it is a pure flame kept alive and bright in the Ocean it is that fire of Love which many waters cannot quench And yet sometimes it is the overflowing of the Gall and the result of bitter cruel hatred it is as it were fire under the pot when the Stomach boils and the mouth foams out of the aboundance of the heart the mouth does speak and whilst wicked envious and malicious thoughts do blow the coales both tongue and face are on a flame the hands are ready to smite with the fist of violence and the feet are swift to run the wayes of Mischief whilst the passionate zeal
for its succession whilst it burns it self at the rays of the Sun is but one single embleme of this if any such instance can be given whilst in the Primitive Persecutions the Piles of Wood were made high and the flames reached up to heaven by the sweet influences of the Sun of Righteousness upon the sacred dust of Martyrdom there was a strange unaccountable prolifick virtue Sanguis Martyrum semen Ecclesiae Christianity did receive as it were a new-birth sent forth into the world a numerous off-spring too great to be incountred with in the mean time the slaughtered witnesses for the Faith of Christ did as it were anticipate their own Resurrection living again in the pious conversation of such who taking advantage of their stout behaviour unto Death did embrace the Faith of him who is the Lord of Life And after all this true zeal is not onely upon such extraordinary occasions an incouragement unto others but even in the ordinary Occurrencies of humane life it has many times the like influence upon such as have the least overtures after holiness and piety as the backsliding of many eminent professors from the paths of Truth and holiness has been the sad occasion that others have totally fallen away so the observance of those who have passed through a fiery trial of affliction who daily are acquainted with little else but unkind surmises and hard speeches who are the mark that every one shoots at because they are more righteous then their neighbours they are indeed the lights of the world held forth at noon day exposed to the blast of every foul mouth to the scoff and derision of all that are round about them yet I say closely to observe such persons as these how piously they walk with God how humbly they converse with men not being froward against others onely keeping themselves close up to the rules of their Duty and the strictness of a holy life it cannot but inkindle some good wishes in the worst of those that hate and revile them insomuch that the most Atheistical persons when they are serious will reflect upon themselves and say Oh! That we were in such a mans condition Religion shall never want Proselytes for such mens sakes as these for strange is the influence which a Holy Zeal has upon the Lives of men it being not only bonum jucundum a pleasant good that is contentation and satisfaction to a mans self but comfort and incouragement unto others for in the Second Place Zeal is good Bonum est Honestum it is honest in the sight of all men it is lovely and of good report it is the usual Character that we give of a zealous person Poor man he is concerned for that which he can never help the world will be bad do what he can yet doubtless he himself is a very honest and a well meaning person and truly so he is as he is not over-sollicitous of being counted singular or as the prophane phrase it over-righteous more nice then wise so neither is he in the least censorious of others the faith which he has he keeps it to himself neither will he disturb another mans liberty by his own conscience he is contented with this private satisfaction that he doth not in the least condemn himself in that which he alloweth and since he hath tied himself up to the strict performance of some certain rules of duty he desires to be excused that he cannot dispence with himself he makes himself no Judge of another mans liberty Only you must bear with him if you find him not a little concerned when he cannot have the same liberty which others take in that which is worse and be permitted an undisturbed Piety when they who either have not the leisure or the will to be religious want ordinary civility and will not forbear their taunting reproaches and their ungodly scoffing at the strictness of a well-ordered Conversation when he finds his Devotion nick-named for superstition and the periodical revolution of his Canonical hours to be branded with the title of a Mechanical Sanctity It is not absurd surely but acceptable in the sight of God and commendable before all good men to reckon upon Months Weeks Days and Hours wherein to serve our good more strictly and closely than at other times and to be as well acquainted with these seasons for religious performances to know these stations for a holy Devotion as well as the Sun it self knows his own going down for since acts of Religion must be done at some time or other or in one posture or other so long as we are in the body why not rather in such a posture and at such a time which Holy Church has consecrated and commanded at such a time in which we may hope there are other Christian people putting up the same petitions and so the Devotion being united is the more prevalent I refer to the Canonical hours of prayer every day and yet since all have not leisure and in some cases God will have mercy rather then sacrifice he that is piously and Devoutly zealous as he hath no evil thoughts upon the Omissions of his Brother so he could wish that his Brother would forbear evil speaking and slandering his strict perfomances since surely he walks by a rule the Churches practice at least is his prescription without censuring therefore he blesses God for the opportunities he hath of Dedicating himself unto his service that God hath put into his hand a price and given him a heart to use it I speak this the rather because of late Devotion has been obliquely accused as if it rendred men crabbed and censorious Men of Devotion says one amongst us when they have once formed in themselves a perfect modell of the will of God and have long confirmed their mind by a continual thinking upon it are apt to condemn all others that agree not with them in some particulars This accusation is cunningly and closely laid First as if the model for devotion were of private conception after they have formed to themselves a perfect model of the will of God No such matter it is well known that the Devotion thus struck at is of more universal practice it is the Devotion of such who according to that way which some count superstition and a mechanical Religion worship the God of their Fathers and then they who addict themselves to such a Devotion are apt to condemn those that agree not with them in some particulars no such matter neither it is not upon every little piccadilloe that the stomach â—iseth it is not here or there a particular thing which causeth these eager grudgings but holy Zeal thinks it self concerned when things in their direct consequences all together tend to the exploding of Primitive and of pure Religion when the strictness of all Discipline and Order is become a by-word and a Proverb the reproach of such who watch their opportunity totally to cast off the Yoke who care not much to be contained within the limits of their Duty the Boundaries that are set them for a holy life in an exact obedience to government both sacred and civil however that zeal which
made manifest unto all there are mollisma tempora certain times and seasons in which it is most amiable and it is part of Christian prudence so to exert it that it may appear beautiful and lovely unto all in its proper season the present circumstances are to be consulted seriously least our Moderation do degenerate into a sordid and a sneaking compliance an Holy Zeal must sometimes have its perfect work as well as Patience when once Remissness gets the upper hand of Order God himself is neglected whilst his Divine Offices are perfunctorily carelesly and slubberly performed when the publike Solemnities of Religion are if not laid aside yet so managed as if they were altogethar needless and to no purpose the Moderate Man may mourn in secret and by his silence at such a time manifests his prudence because it is an evil time but this seems to be rather an opportunity for courage and constancy in the Resolute that the world may see that we are neither afraid nor ashamed of that which some count madness and folly that we are neither to be complemented by the sly Polititian nor Hectored by the prophane Atheist out of that Faith which we have professed and wherein we stand In a word this is our Moderation when in affliction we are not froward under discouragements we are not discontented when we can love those who persecute us and are ready to do good to those who do despightfully use us when we count it all joy that for righteousness sake we are evil thought of or evil spoke of when we are not over-sollicitous of every ones good word but should God and his Truth require it we can venture through a bad report to shew our Constancy and Perseverance and though the Moderate Man walks circumspectly not as a fool but as wise endeavouring to approve himself to the Consciences of those with whom he has to do yet his heart doth neither mis-give him nor reproach him as his humility is conspicuous so his integrity is solid if he does approve himself it is that the Lord may commend the singleness of his heart and the integrity of his Soul even the Lord who is at Hand And so I press to the Third and Last thing propounded to wit How the Coming of Christ either in the Flesh or to Judgment is an Argument to us to improve this Grace of Moderation The Lord is at hand just now gone from us lately appearing in our Flesh And he is at hand in like manner to come again the day is approaching in which God will Judge the World by the Man whom he hath ordained even the Man Christ Jesus and the Apostle doth in another place joyn both these together to wit that the consideration of Christs first Coming should have this effect upon us that we live in a continual expectancy of his Second Tit. 2.11 12. The Grace of God which bringeth Salvation hath appeared unto all men teaching us that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts we should live soberly righteously and godly in this present evil world Moderation is but one comprehensive word for all these looking for that blessed Hope and the glorious appearance of the Great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ First Let your Moderation be known unto all men the Lord is at hand not far from every one of us lately appearing in our flesh having Sanctified our inclinations and affections whilst he was subject unto like Passions with us being in every thing tempted as we are yet without sin we might indeed sometime have been foolish deceived by and deceiving one another Status Naturae status Belli in this sense we were by Nature the Children of Wrath not only in relation to God whom we had provoked but also in relation to each other delighting in violence and oppression But Tit. 3.4 After the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward Man appeared we are freely justified by his Grace and made Co heirs together according to the Hope of Eternal Life and this is that which we must Persevere in since we have believed on God that we be alwayes careful to maintain good works and those such which are not in the least Destructive but every way profitable unto men let every one that nameth the Name of Christ Jesus our Lord depart from all iniquity Our Saviour in the Flesh God incarnate in his Birth throughout his Life but chiefly at his Death was not only a most successful example but a prevailing argument for our Moderation First His Birth was the Son of Righteousness arising with healing in his wings it was through the tender Mercies 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 through the Bowels of the mercy of our God that the Day-spring from on high did visit us and this is our Happiness consequential hereupon that being delivered from our Ghostly and our carnal Enemies we may serve God without fear in holiness and righteousness before him all the daies of our lives this was the Angelical Hymn at his Birth that as his coming into the World was Glory to God in the highest so it was in Earth Peace 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and good will towards Men nay further that our Love upon this occasion might be raised to its due pitch those words are not unfitly rendered by the Vulgar In terris pax hominibus bone voluntatis On earth Peace unto Men of Good will And now shall our Saviour empty himself of his honour that he may accommodate himself unto us and we be puffed up one against another are we not all of us now Brethren doubtly dear unto each other both in the Flesh and in the Lord or rather in the Lord who was made Flesh Secondly Nay yet again not only the fruit of his holy Mothers Womb at his Birth but the whole course of his Life was nothing else but a continued labour of Love could he do any good were it to the poorest and the meanest to the basest and unworthiest it was his meat and his drink he loved much and therefore all along though loaded with indignities he forgave much he had not where to lay his head and yet he wrought Salvation wheresoever he came how glad was he though in a crowd that vertue wentout of him in this chiefly was his humility conspicuous in that he confessed and he denyed it not that He though the Son of Man and so the first born of the whole Creation came not to be Ministred unto but to Minister and to give his Life a Ransome for many And are not we likewise to tread in his steps is not this the Lesson which hence we are to take out that the greatest amongst us be in all good and vertuous offices as it were a Servant unto all remembring alwayes the words of our Lord Jesu Christ that it is better to give than receive we should therefore from his example be ready to give and willing to communicate Thirdly Yet once more and chief of all his Death was
that there was a Toleration of each Service and yet the Jew counted the Samaritan a Devil and the Samaritan would not entertain a Jew no not a stranger for no other reason but because his face might look as if he were going up to Jerusalem the distance was so great and that because of their way of Worship though both were Tolerated yet they had no dealings one with another no not to eat and drink hardly to speak or discourse Thus Toleration is causal of that which Excommunication it self never pretended to in a well constituted Church tollit officia domestica it will not suffer a man to ingage himself in good offices of love and charity to those of another perswasion no though there be a Family-relation all Family-obligations are cancelled where falsly so called a Family of Love is set up this is that which is destructive c. Destructive of all civil society and commerce nay of Trade it self the popular reason why some would have it promoted for to be sure each party will inrich it self make a Monopoly of gain only to its own consistory whilst fractions are promoted factions will increase the Combination is the stronger only to give the greater blow with the fist of wickedness and to be sure the weakest shall be crushed against the Wall In the name of God therefore and in the love of one another let us Assemble our selves together in the places of Publick Worship with one accord laying aside all passion evil speaking and slandering let our outward behaviour an uniform Communion in the service of God be expressive of that inward affection which we bear to one another both as we are men and as we are Christians and if there be a froward and peevish generation amongst us that will contend both against the Laws of God and of the King all that we can reply is this That we have no such custome no nor the Church of God A holy Familiarity that is a Conformity in Religion is not in the least a cause of contempt external communion of all together with one accord is not the way to Levelling in the Sanctuary there is Order some go before and some follow after and in the midst of all God is glorified those lines which are drawn from the point of Vnion as their Centre to improve the similitude which I but now borrowed from a Royal Pen to the several parts of the Circumference round about keep their equal and their due distance they are called Parallels the word speaks a mutual congruity not a promiscuous contiguity they have a kind similitude one unto and a loving aspect one upon another yet each line keeps its fixed station without any the least interfearing Brotherly love does there continue where every man abides in that Calling in which he is called This is the happy result of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Concord in the text especially in the service of One God who has declared his Vnity to be his Essence there is but One Lord and as but One Lord so in the confession of him there is but One Faith and for an admission into that Faith there is but One Baptisme and but One Church in which is to be the Outward Visible and Uniform Administration of all the result of which Unity and Uniformity is this Phil. 2.2 3. The joy of all is full when all are like minded and of one accord hereupon nothing is done through strife or vain glory but in lowliness of mind each one doth esteem of others better than himself which brings me to the next part of the Text The Convention we see is every way Holy First the Persons holy the Apostles and the convert Disciples Secondly the Place that was Holy 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Oecumenie in loc They left their own Houses and frequented the Temple we find them most an end assembled either at the Gate called Beautiful the more Beautiful because they were there whose feet were Beautiful bringing the glad tidings of Peace or else as in the Text in Solomons Porch Thirdly their Behaviour there that was Holy Solemn and Devout reverent even to outward appearance they were with one accord and where there was so much love so great a concord it could not be but there must be some respect some honour too which is the Subject of our next Discourse The Second SERMON The Convention as it was Holy so it was Regular Brotherly Love continued and yet a promiscuous parity was avoided there was a due Distance kept in this Solemn Assembly 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of the rest whither they were friends or whither they were enemies whether they were within or without the pale of the Church the Apostles having took their seats no man durst to joyn himself to them Of the rest durst no man joyn himself to them In which words Three things are to be considered 1. BY whom this distance was kept 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of the Rest 2ly What was the present frame and temper of their minds 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 No man durst 3ly What was the Act which they did not dare to ingage themselves upon 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 To joyn themselves unto them I confess that this Division at the first may seem somewhat nice but upon a second search we shall find it very useful for the illustration of the matter in hand 1. By whom this distance was kept 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Of the Rest And these might be of three sorts First none of the convert Disciples 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Of the rest as distinguished from the Apostles ver 11. Great fear came upon all the Church Secondly None of those that were with the mixed multitude though they themselves might be distinguished both from the Apostles and the People ver 11. Even as many as hear those things ver 12. By the hands of the Apostles were signes and wonders wrought amongst the people but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of the rest though amongst yet to be distinguished from both durst no man joyn himself unto them Thirdly No not the adversary himself ver 25. He doubts whitherto this might grow ver 26. The Officers bring them without violence fearing the People lest they should have been stoned and the wisest man in the Council gives his advice to discharge them ver 25. Gamaeliel was in this a Master of reason as well as a Doctor of the Law this is some further addition to his reputation in that he wished them to beware and to take heed what they did with those men lest they be found to fight against God ver 38. Thus the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 those that are the rest here may be reckoned up as they are distinguished from the Apostles in the fore going verse from the People in the latter end of this verse and from the Adversary throughout the whole context the Adjective Masculine put absolute in its due regiment without a Substantive 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉
in order to opposition 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Hesych Pitch the closer it sticks the worse it defiles there are those who cleave to a mans company onely to sit upon his skirts to be a snare and a greater disturbance to him like the Pestilence Deut. 28.21 which cleaves that it may consume 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the originial word is rendred by the Septuagint 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a compound from that in the Text and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 persecutus est in the Hebrew signifies persecution 1 Mac. 6.21 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Some ungodly men joyned to those which were escaped out of the Seige that they might betray them But it was not so in the instance before us The Adversary withdrew wondring to see himself defeated all his designs of Malice blasted wherefore he gives back in a dumpish melancholy admiration of that which he was not able in the least to hinder From all which I might raise and prosecute this Observation That the Gospel of God is then glorified and the word of it accompanied with power when it creates reverence and respect to those that are the Dispensers of it and that from all sorts of persons though of different perswasions and upon different accounts be they of what quality soever Christ never intended that his Priests should be themselves of much less made a Scoff and Derision to the meanest and lowest of the People No he will be honoured in his servants and he hath given it in special charge to his Disciples that they should as it were in scorn and indignation or which is worse as a Priestly Malediction shake off the dust from their feet against that City or House which are not worthy of their Peace that is of a Priestly Benediction who know not how to receive a Prophet in the name of a Prophet of Christ that great Prophet who appeared in the flesh a Minister of Righteousness who say not Blessed is he that cometh to us in the Name of the Lord. This observation might the rather be insisted on because of this Unmannerly Uncivil Age in which we live to say no worse of it in which as to this particular there is a notorious want of ordinary breeding and courteous behaviour whilst persons who by their office are Sacred are the Scoff and Derision of almost every one they meet to avoid which some have been forced to lay aside their habit but surely Elisha must not cast off his Mantle because the unruly untaught and uncatechised children and servants make him their pastime and sport as he goes along the streets But what does he amongst them a private retirement is both his business and security were the Distance farther and the Converse less the respect would be more A Priest should not be overmuch amongst the Multitude farther then the Ministerial acts of Piety and Charity do oblige him he must be careful that his conversation be neither supercilious nor precarious that he neither be arrogant nor contemptible neither haughty nor despicable he should neither proudly overlook nor timorously cringe to those that are about him he must be affable and courteous to all in a Spirit of Love and yet keep that station to which God and the Church has called him in the Spirit of a Sound Sober and of a resolved Mind in a word let the Man of God in the diligent discharge of his duty Magnifie his own Office so shall he have a good report of those that are without such as was the respect which was given here to the Apostles the very ordinary sort of people Magnified them And this is the Subject of the next Discourse The Third SERMON IN which I shall have occasion to prosecute the Observation now started where a due Distance is kept betwixt Priests and People there likewise an awfull reverence is exhibited as the result of that Distance notwithstanding the awe and dread which was at this time upon the Spirits of those who were assembled with the Apostles the Humility and Modesty of some exercised a timorous misgiving raised in others Fear and Astonishment surprising all so that they did not dare to joyn themselves unto them yet the Apostles wanted neither praise nor admiration from those that were round about them some withdrew themselves and gave back others would not come too near nor press forward yet there was company enough and all to very good purpose they stood off that they might have the more room to admire notwithstanding the remote distance which was kept the place was full and the applause was great the very common people magnified them which is the third General in the Text to wit An awful Reverence exhibited upon the due Distance observed But the People magnified them Sufficit plebi Simpliciori integriorique eos laudibus attollere sed iis familiariter uti non ausi sunt The People in whom at this time simplicity and integrity were vertues highly commendable might satisfie themselves in giving due praise and honour unto those from whom because of the present Dispensation they could not but keep their distance neither were they to be over familiar with them it was not Ignorance but Reverence which was the Parent of the Devotion and that Devotion was increased even to Admiration so that the Praise which was here perfected was so perfected as it was the result of a due distance observed at a solemn and holy Convention and that in a due and consecrated place where the service was celebrated after a due manner whilst they were all with one accord It is Mr. Calvin's note upon this part of the Text Est in Disciplina sancta in sincero pietatis cultu arcanae quaedam 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quae multos etiam invitos distringat sed qualis ea est hodie nescimus c. There is in holy Discipline and the sincere administration of Gods worship he speaks there of a Regular solemnity and of a solemn Assembly of holy men altogether in one place in such sacred Conventions a kind of innate secret Majesty All solemnity is Majestical and the Beauty of Holiness is both lovely and Triumphant it creates awe and reverence in the hearts of those that are Assembled their souls are discovered they are seen of all and convinced of all and falling down on their faces they worship God and have a reverend esteem for holy men reporting God to be amongst them of a truth But where there is no solemnity no external Beauty where order is banished and a kind of slubberly service is performed as it were a Deformity unto holiness there they who are assembled neither fear God nor regard Man Gods sacrifice is many times abhorred and he that waits at the Altar despised Veneration is the due result of splendor in a visible dispensation and we may safely pass this judgment upon the that Church she is all glorious within when we see her clothing to be of wrought gold even outward pomp and
next Generations sake which is to come they would not further promote the establishing of this iniquity by law lest whilst they do gredily catch at the portion of meat which is upon Gods Altar they unawares bring a burning coal along with it not to cleanse their lips but which will burn their nests and kill their young ones destroy their whole Family Whosoever thinks to raise his House upon the Churches ruines let it be in a literal or a metaphorical sense both the Ground is holy and so is the portion likewise that is alloted for the maintenance of the Building lays his Foundation if not upon Sand yet in Fire the Fire from Gods Altar hid as it were in its own Embers at the bottom sometime or other will break out afresh the ruine and destruction will be inevitable a sad Desolation not at all to be withstood Not unlike this were in a great measure the Signes and Wonders in the Text which were causal of a reverent esteem in the people of the administration of Gods service to wit Gods sore displeasure manifested against the sin of Sacrilege and this should have the same effect now were there not a Generation of Vipers amongst us who delight in nothing but in Eating through the Bowels of their Mother-Church who notwithstanding the judgments of God so visibly terribly in the earth will not be perswaded to learn righteousness 2. Signes and Wonders still and those the occasions of a great Veneration being there were Wonders of Mercy to all those who stood in need of healing whilst the People took so great a delight under and found so much benefit in St. Peters shadow they could not but have respect for the substance nay though Multitudes came out of the Cities round about bringing sick folks and those that were vexed with unclean Spirits they were all healed every one Thus from the beginning the fruit of the Tree of life was for the healing of the Nations that so the people might find a place of rest under and at the same time satisfie themselves in admiration of the Branches of it The Gospel of the Kingdom was ordained of God in the hands of Jesus as a Mediator in the Mouths of the Apostles as the Dispencers of it to be for health both unto Body and Soul forgiveness of sin to the one taking away all manner of Distempers from the other and so a perfect salvation unto Both whilst unto those who fear and reverence the word of God which is to be magnified above all his name Christ as the Son of righteousness his Apostles and their Successors as the Stars in his right hand they have their sweeter influences and He Himself ariseth nothing less from all but healing in their wings And although at this day these extraordinary benefits are with-held there being no need of such wonders now to confirm that word of life into which we are no sooner born then baptized and we all of us may or should suck in the sincere milk of the Word with that which we draw from our Mothers brests our parents according to the flesh being as Tutors and Governours to bring us to God our Father to Christ our elder Brother and to the Church our best Mother yet methinks there are some Wonders of Providence like those antient Miracles of Mercy still continued to consider that outward peace plenty and prosperity which God usually gives in as a Temporal advantage to that Nation or people amongst whom his worship is celebrated in the Beauty and Glory of it when the Tribes of Israel go up to the Mountain of God to serve the Lord in that place which out of all the Tribes he has chosen to himself lo in the same City where is the Temple of God do they behold with admiration and count her Towers mark well her Bulwarks and reckon up the Fortresses thereof this the security and strength of the City but then for its glory and splendor see there also Majesty as most excellent there are the seats for judgment and the throne is there established for the House of David But on the contrary whence come wars and tumults intestine broils or hostile invasions are they not most usually directed providentially as to the ultimate end of them in order to the removal of the Candlestick from those who do not value it who care not to rejoice in the Light that is fixed in it hence the Kingdom of God is taken away from those who lightly regard it given to those who will reverence its Dispensation bringing forth the fruits of holiness in Patience and Sobriety Where is the Church of Corinth now or where are the seven Churches of Asia what is become of Antioch where our Religion was first Christened the name of our Lord called upon his followers I might mention the rest to whom St. Paul writes his Epistles how were they once exalted unto heaven in their glorious and great injoyments but now they are almost reduced to their former Gentilisme for surely they did not continue stedfast to the goodness of their God Nay closer yet to make the case our own if the Administration of the Gospel of peace doth not still keep along with it as its concomitant the miraculous gift of healing all manner of diseases and bodily infirmities yet certainly it continues health where it doth not restore it or at least the prophanation of it is that which kindles Gods wrath against us and provokes him to plague us with divers Diseases and sundry kinds of death as our Liturgy in the preparatory exhortation to the Communion most piously observes to consider what ruines have been made by Pestilence Famine and Sword in Christian Common wealths may we not say with the Apostle that for this cause many have been sick many weak and many have fallen asleep so that in some sense it is manifest that the due and right ministration of the Mystery of Godliness has the continuance of this Life as well as the promise of that which is to come would we have our days prolonged in the Land which the Lord our God has given us this is the Commandement and it is the first with a Promise Remember we the performance of it as of children by our holy Church we have been taught That we submit our selves to all our Governors Teachers Spiritual Pastors and Masters that we order our selves lowly and reverently to all our betters in a word which is the sum of all the rest that we magnifie that Religion the due solemnities of which in its wonted beauty is under God who to be sure will take care of his own worship either to vindicate or promote it the only means to make us externally happy if the fence be well set about the Sanctuary this will heal all our other breaches and restore us places to dwell in to be sure provide for us everlasting habitations God will upon this account onely delight in us to build and to
we have as good reason to believe them as we have to give our assent to any thing that has been performed in former Ages Our Fathers have told us the mighty works and the noble acts which God did in their daies and in the old time before them hence from the Psalmist our Church has taught us to make this our humble and hearty request That God still arise in the Defence of his Gospel to help and Deliver the Professors and Dispensors of it for his names sake and for his honour He that shall call into question or suspend his belief to the History of Redemption as from an Vniversal Tradition it has been delivered down faithfully by the Church in the Oracles of God and yet at the same time does not in the least boggle at many things more fabulous in the Annals of his own Country or it may be in the descent of his own pedigree such a person may think himself wise in his own Generation and yet a very fool in that upon the meer account of an uncontroulable Tradition he will give credence to that which because of the manner of its conveyance is of it self questionable rather then to the Gospel of Peace confirmed by Miracles and in the nature of the thing thus delivered to posterity from one age to another that from the beginning they were wrought by an Almighty Power that so from the Father to the Child in the Generations to come there might not be wanting an infallible convincing argument to raise and as it were to propagate and preserve a most firm belief And after all this we have a more sure word of Prophesie to which we shall do well if we take heed with Reverence and that is the outward and more Visible administration of this Gospel thus confirmed which is the Third thing causal of the Great Benefit bestowed here upon the Church and is to continue to the end of the World viz. because of the publick Convention the place of their meeting and their Behaviour there all which were holy therefore Believers were added to the Lord and those Multitudes Gods institution and the Primitive practice of the Apostles is to be embraced in order to Salvation It was Gods command to his people Israel though they were in the Wilderness that they should make him a Sanctuary Exod. 25.8 even the Tabernacle it self was so called and the reason added is this That I may dwell among them nay even at this time God Almighty did in some sort declare that he would restrain his acceptance only to such solemnities Exod. 20.24 immediately after the Law was given this was Gods promise upon the observance of it in all places where I record my name will I come unto thee and bless thee And with the Apostle we may argue in a literal sense 2 Cor. 3.7 If the Ministration of death written and engraven in stones were glorious how shall not the Ministration of the Spirit be rather glorious if the Ministration of Condemnation be glory much more doth the Ministration of Righteousness exceed in glory if that which was to be done away was glorious much more that which remaineth is still glorious To be short and plain for I have already instanced upon this at large Neglecting the Assembling of our selves together turning our backs upon the places of publick Worship and an irreverent behaviour at such solemnities is all one as if we should deny our selves the means of our Salvation how can you expect in faith that God should go out of his way to meet you when you turn aside from those paths which he has declared do lead to him What reason is there that we should now have a recourse to and make a vertue of that which onely under Persecution was a Necessity is it not absurd as well as impious in the nature of the thing it self to imagine that when the Churches are open the Truth must betake it self into corners it is something surely to be in the way in the ready road to happiness that which has been for so many hundred years successful in order to Conversion we have good reason to believe that it will be so still and it is frowardness and pievishness against a Community Presumption and that in a high degree of Providence for those who are but men to venture upon an extraordinary success and that in opposition to and against those ordinary usual means which ever since our Christianity have been certainly and surely established that which is Gods honour is our Benefit and so we may safely apply that of the Apostle Eph. 3.20 21. It is God alone who is able to do exceedingly above all that we ask or think even according to the effectual power which he worketh in us and yet notwithstanding this most effectual power working in us above and beyond all our thoughts and requests To him saith the Apostle We do ascribe Glory in the Church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages World without end Fourth and Fifth Things causal of this great Benefit bestowed upon the Church both these joyned together for brevities sake and indeed they cannot well be separated being so joyntly productive of this Benefit in the Text viz. because of the Distance here kept which was Solemn because of the awful Reverence exhibited which was beautiful and glorious therefore Believers were the more added to the Lord and those Multitudes Familiarity is causual of contempt but the farther from parity the nearer to and the closer the Communion so consequential as formerly instanced are these Three Articles of our Creed upon each other The Catholick Apostolick Church The Communion of Saints and the Forgiveness of Sins Faith as it comes by hearing in a publique Solemnity so it with Love is increased by that due reverence which is given to such who Minister in that Solemnity the Message can not chuse but be received which is accompanied with honour An equality either amongst Sacred Persons themselves or between them and the People does not in the least tend to edification there is neither order nor peace in levelling and when once the murmuring complaint arrives to this much That the whole Congregation are as holy every one of them as Moses or Aaron no wonder if the fire offered upon the Altar prove to be a strange fire not a fire to baptize and purifie but to burn and consume the whole Assembly in a moment It is the Apostles advice that we give unto all their dues Rom. 13.7 Fear to whom fear honour to whom honour so shall we not be wanting in our love to any and that love will be the fulfilling of the whole Law 1 Cor. 7.24 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Let every man wherein he is called therein abide and abiding therein this is to be with God No wonder therefore if one reason assigned for the decay of Christian Piety be Disputes in general and those most an end in Opposition to Authority when in such things that either
gladness Act. 2.41 The same day the General reception of the word was already past and in the same day the Seal of the Covenant was conferred in that there were added to them as they were an Apostolick Church about three thousand souls and to warrant me this remark upon the Addition here in the Text and those other places we have it expressly Chap. 2.47 The Lord added to the Church daily such as should be saved from all which this inference is obvious That out of the Church we are not to presume for Salvation or to give it you in as modest terms as may be and those naturally deduced from the Text They that shall be saved with the Lord are first of all supposed to be added by the Lord to the Church Faith though it be the gift of God in the Heart unto Salvation yet he giveth unto every man a certain measure no otherwise than by an Ecclesiastical Dispensation For to make a summary rehersal of that Creed into which we are Baptized this is the compendium of the whole The Creed which with good reason we call the Apostles Creed or at least Apostolical is in our Church-Catechisme distinguished and divided into the Belief of the Father our Creator of the Son our Redemer and of the Holy Ghost the Comforter ruling in all our hearts in order to a thorow Sanctification now in the assurance of this Holy Ghost as he is a Spirit of Prophesie we do believe a Catholick and Apostolick Church in that Church as it is Apostolick and Catholick we must acknowledge a Communion of Saints the result of which Communion in this Church from the Holy Ghost is the forgiveness of our Sins whatsoever is loosed on Earth is loosed also in Heaven whence we do further believe and hope for the Resurrection of our flesh and the Life in the World to come And therefore to the Doctrine of the Trinity the Father Creating the Son Redeeming and the Holy Ghost Purifying as also to those Articles of the Church Administring in a visible holy Communion the Remission of Sins unto all such as look for the Resurrection to eternal Life we in the assurance of our Faith are to say Amen I would at length fain put it to the question what people generally have in their thoughts when they stand up at their Creed and say that they Believe a holy Catholick and Apostolick Church in effect it should be thus much that they do confess there is a Congregation and Corporation of Christian people though dispersed throughout the whole world that this society is united in a holy Communion under Christ the supreme and onely Head that it is assisted moved and directed by the Holy Ghost that it is Matriculated as it were into one holy Congregation and fraternity by Baptisme sustained by the word of Catechising which is milk for babes nourished by the Lords Supper which is meat for stronger men that it is continued by an holy Apostolical Succession by which the Keyes of the Kingdom are faithfully administred whatsoever is bound on earth is ratified in heaven and after all this does the promise of Christ signifie nothing that he will be with his Church so universally and every way holy that so whither he as the Head is gone the Members may follow after every one in his own order Christ the first afterward those that are Christs both before and at his coming And if this be the meaning of the Article as had I time might soon be proved from several Scriptures and our Separatists themselves do not deny but that this Summary Compendium of Faith is both antient and a sound Confession we thank them that at the same time when they thrust it out of our Churches they were pleased to annex it to the close of their Calvinistical Catechism I would demand of them and put it to the Conscience of those who are deluded by them how they can expect salvation in another world when they avoid the communion of the Saints in this and that against their vow in Baptisme against their solemn Profession of Faith I might I perswade my self urge it against their own inward sentiments whenever they do seriously think upon it what this Article of their Creed does mean or else they must be notoriously hypocritical before God against their own reason somthing or other they must believe when they do confess that there is such a thing as a holy Catholick and Apostolick Church and what can they believe to their souls good but that in the Communion of this Church they do expect salvation Let them if they are so fool-hardy excommunicate themselves and so put themselves into the condition of Heathens to be saved without a law and beside the Gospel if God so please to be sure there is great safety in the Christian institution as the Church is a holy society if with our hearts we believe and with our mouths we make confession of that Faith which was once delivered to the Saints to wit that there is a Holy Catholick Church and in that Church a Holy Communion of Saints and the result of both these is the forgiveness of sins and that because of the Churches Catholick Faith that there shall be a Resurrection of the Dead for unless it be so we are still in our sins when both soul and body are to be united together in order to be made partakers of everlasting life undoubtedly we shall be saved I know there are some who quarrel at the Athanasian Creed though they have subscribed to it for these words in it however I am not afraid to cite them to our present purpose whosoever will be saved that is in the unity of the Church before all things he must be careful that he hold the Catholick Faith for the Church is Catholick which faith except he keep whole and undefiled without doubt he shall perish everlastingly And so I pass to the Second instance of this great Benefit here accruing from the present Dispensation and that is a due qualification internal in the heart but still in order to an outward profession 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 they were Believers in the Lord which were now added to the Churches Communion holding the Faith as from the Apostles at this time it was delivered By Faith here not to spend time in the ordinary Definitions of it we may securely understand the pious and fiducial application of all the circumstances of this outward administration to each mans particular and private concerns whatsoever was publickly dispensed was in the heart of those that were assembled digested in an humble assurance of salvation there-from So that upon this account Schism from a Visible Communion is the result of Infidelity it is an evil heart of Unbelief that departs from God our Father or the Church our Mother in that whosoever he be that separates he cannot or he will not make due and sober reflections upon outward services in order to his own private