those fundamental and Catholick truths of the Christian Religion about which there is no dispute amongst us and let them be so believed that they influence their hearts and lives and sanctify them And also that they would conscionably practise those known and confessed duties that all are agreed in and then there will be no cause to question their salvation and eternal happinesse But it is unseasonable to be contending violently about disputable points of Faith and external forms and modes of worship and discipline and such like questions about things not so clearly revealed in Scripture no◠imbraced so generally by all true Christians and Churches nor indeed easie to be comprehended by the weaker sort of Professors whilst those weighty things before nam'd are neglected and disregarded Such will hardly evade the imputation of Hypocrysie being so like the Pharisees that Tithed Mint Annise and Cummin and neglected the weighty things of the Law CHAP. VI. Other Directions in points of a Secondary nature that are not so clearly laid down in Scripture nor unanimously received by all Christians but are Problematical and yet there is a necessity to be of the one or other perswasion How to make a right choice in such a Case Four Rules about this But what Are not the least truths of Religion worth contending for and the smallest circumstantials of Faith or worship Doth not God stand upon smal matters in his service Yes verily in their due place and after a Christian manner we may and ought to inquire after them When we have yielded that Faith and obedience that is due to the great and more necessary points of Salvation We are then to study the mind of God in other things of a secondary and more inferior Nature nor is the most minute truth to be despised or neglected by us That therefore we may make a wise choyce of the true and right way in such circumstantial and lesse necessary points as truly pious and wife Christians differ in which are marters non fideì sed questìonum Aug de peccat orig chap. 23. as St. Augustine speaks not properly points of the Catholick Faith but problematical and disputable in the Church and yet are necessitated to be of the one or other perswasion I come in the next place to give some directions about them for which end observe these few Rules which will be usefull to us herein 1. Humhly seek God by daily and fervent prayers and supplications to make his mind and will known to you herein Lean not to your own understanding and wisdome but confesse how weak you are and full of error and darknesse Beseech him to take away the vail from before your eyes to give you understanding and teach you good judgment and knowledge that what you see not he would teach you and wherein you are otherwise minded he would reveal the truth unto you Plead his promises of leading you into all truth that you shall be all taught of God that he will reveal his secrets to such as fear him and guide the meek in the way and lead you by his Spirit Hang upon the Lord daily for his guidance in such difficult cases as you are at a loss in 2. Search the Scriptures John 5.39 and look well to them they are your chard and compass to steer your course by try all things by them to the Law and to the testimony Take nothing on trust from men for the best of men may err I think there is hardly any error in Doctrine or corruption in Worship but hath been brought into the Church by following the opinions and practices of some reputed godly men more then the Scriptures when a Peter shall Judaize and not walk uprightly he may not only seduce by his example many ordinary Christians but a Barnabas also may be carryed away from the truth by his dissimulation Gal. 2. Hold close therefore to the Scriptures those infallible Oracles the word of truth and inquire daily into them 3 If yet after prayer and searching the Scriptures we find not the minde of God insome opinion or practice because it is but darkly laid down in Scripture or at least through the darknesse of minde in godly men who cannot so well discern it Then observe this further Rule There are some general criteria or marks whereby we may discern any Doctrine or practice whether it be of God or no We shall find them laid down in the Scriptures and may thereby try any Doctrine or practice when we can not so clearly see them in the particulars viz. 1 Such Doctrines and practices as are not repugnant to but agree and correspond with the fundamental Articles of the Christian Religion or the first principles that be according to the proportion or Analogy of faith Rom. 12.6 They be of God receive and imbrace them but if they be not consonant thereunto then reject them 2 Such Doctrines and practices as tend to holiness Tit. 1.2 Doctrines according to godliness they are of God for he is a God of holiness follow them But such as tend to loosenesse and profaness are to be shun'd as not of God This mark discovers the evil of such opinions as teach men to cast off Sabbaths Ordinances Scriptures family and closet devotions and other libertine principles yet here beware on the contrary of a pretended holinesse above what is written of being righteous over much above and beyond the rule of the word this was the occasion of Monkish or solitary living amongst the Papists of their pretended holy Orders Vows c. And amongst others it hath caused Separation Superstition and many other irregular Actings 3 Such Doctrines and waies as tend not to division and faction but to peace love and union amongst such as fear God those are of God and to be followed by us 1 Cor. 1.10 Phil. 2.1 2. Eph. 4.3 4 5 6. But the contrary to be shunned and avoided Rom. 16.17 4 Such things as tend to edification and to further the Salvation of our souls are to be received as of God 1 Cor. 14.26 Rom. 14.19 But those things that Minister Questions and cause strife and contention rather then godly edifying are to be avoided 1 Tim. 1.4 5. 5 Such Opinions and practices as tend to the glory of God and of Jesus Christ and to the setting up his righteousness and grace and to the humbling and debasing of man and casting him down from all high thoughts of his own excellency and abilities they are to be received as from God for this is the great design of the Gospel 1 Cor. 1. a fin but the contrary is to be rejected These general Criteria or Marks may be some guide to find out the right and safe way in some Doctrines and Practices that you are at a loss in because you cannot read them so plainly in the word of God Rule 4 After you have thus done the utmost you are able to find out the mind of God in these controverted
up and professe in the World that he intends to live and die in to venture his eternal Salvation upon CHAP. II. Shewing wherein this wise Chusing our Religion stands what acts concur thereunto HAving laid down the proposition which is the ground of our Discourse in the former chapter we come now to inquire concerning the nature of that choice wherein it stands and what things necessarly must concurre to make a wise choice of that Religion we intend to profess in the World Election or chusing in a generall sense is an act of the will proceeding from the previous knowledge and judgement of the understanding whereby amongst diverse wayes or means propounded for the attainment of some End it doth resolve upon some one above the rest that it will ad here unto and make use of for that purpose In particular Chusing ones Religion is also an act of the will arising from the previous knowledge and judgement of the understanding discerning the nature of the thing whereby amongst the many different Religions or wayes of serving and pleasing God and of attaining unto happinesse with him that are found in the World a man doth pitch and resolve upon one above all the rest and with rejection of all others with full purpose to adhere unto it to live and die in it and even venture a mans salvation and happiness on it Here are 3 Acts wherein this right chusing ones Religion doth stand to be explained in order 1. An act of the understanding judging and discerning the nature of the thing that the will chuseth and its excellencie above al things that come in competition with it for to a right choice of the will the understanding and judgement must proceed it must know the nature of it and discern it good or else it s but a blind choice not becoming a reasonable creature and a man may else imbrace evil as well as good The will when is acts regularly follows the Dictate of the understanding this tells what is good and then what chuses as the Palat judgeth of what it tasts and then the stomach or appetite craves it so must the understanding go before her discern the nature verity and goodnesse of that Religion as also the falsnesse vanity and dangerousnesse of other Religions before the will can make a right choice of it Man being a religious creature by the common instinct of his naturall conscience is moved strongly to worship and serve a Deity as we see in all Nations of the Earth much more when he is further stirred up by a divine instinct Now we should consider as men as the prophets phrase is and not exert actions of highest importance without understanding and reason worshiping we know not what as Christ taxes the Samaritans John 4. but give God a reasonable service knowing what God we serve and what Religion we take up and not taking up the next at hand at adventure as most men do that Religion professed where they live commended to them by Education example c. but understanding what we do therein And therefore men that act according to reason will look into the Religions in the World and judge which is best among them or rather into the Word and Oracles of God himself for they best discover what God is and how he will be worshipped Therefore if there be any such thing as Divine Oracles in the world wherein God hath revealed his will concerning matters of Faith and worship we should have special recourse unto them Now that the holy Scriptures commonly called the Bible are such that is the Oracles of the God of Heaven wherein he directs us in the knowledge and worship of himself and in the way of Religion This may appear even to those that have not yet taken upon them any profession of Religion by such Infallible demonstrations as reason cannot contradict viz. From these characters imprinted on them which shew them to be of God from the miracles wrought to confirm them from that spirit of holinesse seen in such as seriously believe them from the accomplishment of a great part of those things revealed therein even such things as were utterly invisible and improbable to created understandings c. And therefore there should be an exact consideration in the judgement and understanding of a man of that Religion revealed in the Scriptures He should 1. Take a particular view of the principal Doctrines the great mysteries of faith and duties of godliness taught therein not taking all in the lump together but having a distinct knowledge of them He whose Religion is in the gross only and hath no distinct apprehensions of the particular doctrines of faith and duties of godlinesse which that Religion teaches he hath no Religion at all for how can these Doctrines influence his heart and life to make him fear and love God truly and lead him to the power and practice of godlinesse if not distinctly known and discerned by him Then 2. Hee must discern the verity and certainty of these Doctrines that he may venture his soul upon them knowing him in whom he hath believed for which and it 's exceeding necessary to be conversant in those Treatises which prove the verity of the Christian Religion and of the Scriptures wherein it is set down of which many be extant in our own Language Without this a man shal never hold fast his Religion especially in trying times 3. He should know the excellency thereof that its such a Religion as tends most to the magnifying of God and giving glory unto him to the advancement of man to true happiness in the love and favor of his God and nearest communion with him and fullest conformity unto him He should often look upon the sublimity of the mysteries the purity of the precepts excellency of the rewards and dreadfulness of the punishments And thus the understanding preceeding in discerning and judging the Religion which is to be chosen is one Act in this Election 2. Act After the understanding doth thus present the true Religion before us in the certainty glory and excellency of it Then the next Act is for the Will to elect chuse and imbrace it solemnly to espouse this Religion and say It shal be mine It 's that I am resolved to professe and to venture my eternal salvation upon what ever inconveniences I may meet with in the profession thereof what ever disgraces reproaches losses Persecutions c. yet this Religion I will be of and this God I will serve We must sit down and consider what it will cost us to be Christians and then espouse the Christian Religion and take it for better for worse embrace the crosse it threatens as well as the Crown it promises For so our Lord warned his Disciples telling them He that will come after me and will be my Disciple must deny himself in his dearest lusts sins nay in his estate and life sometime and take up his Cross of
those Churches for those evils found in them So that the Scriptures give no countenance to total withdrawing from such Churches where many corruptions are whilst the essentials of Religion are preserved Some Scriptures iâ—deed are very impertinently alledged for this practice which may be cleared from the undeceiving of the weak in a few words such as 2 Cor. 6 14 15 16 17. Which speaks of separation from Infidels and Idolaters in their Idolatries and ungodly fellowships not of withdrawing from Christian Assemblies in the true Worship of God So also 1 Cor. 5.11 and 2 Thess 3.6 14. Which Scriptures shew it a duty to withdraw from private persons living in notorious scandalous sins for shaming the offendors and preserving the Churches but speak not a word of withdrawing from the true Worship of God in the publick Assemblies of the Church because of controversal practises yea for some real evils therein for this will tend to the destruction of the Church which is contrary to the end of all Church-censures being for Edification not for destruction 2 Cor 10.8 As for that Scripture Revel 18.3 Come out of Babylon c. It may warrant a withdrawing from the Idolatrous Worship of Rome and the Abominations of Popery from which we before shewed it 's the duty of every good Christian that loves his Salvation to depart but it 's grosly abused when it 's made to plead for Separation from any of the reformed Churches where through the mercy of God the Fundamentals of Faith and essentials of Worship are maintained so that we see the scriptures will not warrant such Separation 2. Or if you will Reverence the general suffrage of the Christian Church and of the most eminent Saints and Martyrs living therein ever since Christs time to us which surely however some slight yet there 's no smal weight in it else the Apostle would not plead 1 Cor. 11.16 We have no such custom nor the Churches of Christ The most eminent Servants of Christ in in all Ages have constantly held and practised Communion with those Churches where they lived although very often there were far greater corruptions therein then can be found this day amongst us as those that are acquainted with Antiquity know well and have ever blamed those that have left the Churches Communion for such causes as were above named witness the Censures past against the Novatians Donatists Audaeans c. As for our Separation from Rome our Protestant Divines plead the Fundamental errr found therein and gross Idolatries which they must necessarily communicate in if they withdraw not persecution c. and not lesser matters Did not those hinder they profess a readinesse to communicate with her and that they depart from her no further then she departs from Christ 3. Will you regard the judgment of the most eminent Divines of almost all perswasions amongst Protestants that have lived in this and the former Age speaking expresly concerning Communion with the Church of England Then know 1. That all forraign Divines of other Reformed Churches have approved of Communion with her and been ready on all occasions to give their fullest Testimony of their dislike of rigid Separation from her 2. All former Non-Conformists who did dissent in some smaller matters of Ceremonies c. desiring a forbearance as to their practice in those things yet have fully declared against Separation from the Church of England witness the writings of very many of them worthy a serious perusal at this day viz. Cartwright Hildersham Bradshaw Bayne Ball many Others and witness their practice formerly and at this day 3. Independents See Apol Narration of the five dissenting Brethren page 5.6 Who fully testify against the practice of the Brownists or rigid Separatists whose fatal miscarriages and Shipwrack they call Landmarks to forewarn of those Rocks and Shelves they ran upon And declare their sincere profession to God and the World that all that consciousness of the defilements they conceived to cleave to the true Worship of God in the Congregations of England or of the unwarranted power in Church-governours exercised therein did never work in them any other thought much less opinion but that Multitudes of the Parochial Congregations were the true Churches of Christ and the Ministry thereof a true Ministry much less did it ever enter into their hearts to judge them Anti-Christian for so they say they could not but see they should also condemn the Churches of Scotland Holland c. as no Churches which to imagine was an horrour to their thoughts Yea that they always professed and in those times when the Churches of England were the most either actually overspread with defilements or in the greatest danger thereof and when themselves had no hopes of ever visiting this Land in peace that they would hold a Communion with them as the Churches of Christ And yet they add further Besides this profession as a real Testimony some of them after they were actually in the Congregational way did Baptize their Children in the Parishional Congregations and occasionally admitted to the Lords Supper in their Churches some visiting them in their Exile upon that relation fellowship and Commembership they held in the Parish Churches in England It may be some will say they have more light now then those eminent Divines had in former times But they bewray herein too great ignorance and arrogance this point having been far more dissensed in former then in these present times in which the prejudice of most is such they have scarce considered what hath been said against their opinions 4. If you withdraw totally upon this Account you should then separate from all the Churches that now are or ever have been in the World for what Churches are so pure but they have some defects errors or corruptions For the Primitive Church even 1260 years agone and upwards there were as great corruptions in it as any you can finde here and greater also For the Churches of your own perswasion do you think them altogether perfect Wise and understanding men are able to finde some things amiss yea some of your selves have acknowledged all things are not according to their desire so as if you will bear with nothing but reject all parts of Communion because you cannot close in some things you must separate from them too and so turn Seekers or become Hermites or Anchorites and live alone and at length separate from your selves also because some things will appear blame-worthy in you also whither will this lead you 5. Have you no more love to and care of the publick solemn Worship of God then to cast off all publick Ordinances because you dislike some things in the Churches where they are administred It 's the greatest glory God hath in all the World to be solemnly Worshipped in the publick assemblies But if all should withdraw from them for such offence what publick worship should God have in this Nation seeing other perswasions are not permitted to meet nay
Mass Book the truth is this there are several Prayers of Antient Fathers used before Popery was in the World which the Papists corrupting and abusing in their Mass our first Reformers purged out what corruptions the Papists had brought in and did retain those antient Prayers according to their Primitive Institution All this will be readily acknowledged by them that judging this book unnecessary and inconvenient do desire a Reformation therein and is there any thing in all this that shall so affright good Christians out of the Church Concerning the charge of Antichristianism it is so common a word in the mouths of all that list to rayle that it s no scandal to any till the thing be fully proved if Bishops and Ministers c. be judged by any to be Anti-Christian I shal send them to that most excellent piece of Dr. Moore his Mystery of Iniquity where they may see the Idea of Anti-Christianism opened and thence be informed whom this censure best befits IV. Take heed of pretending to greater purity and strictness about Church Communion and Administrations then the Word of God commends or the examples of Christ and the Apostles and the Primitive Church do commend nor be so extremely rigid as not to bear with things that they have Tolerated It is an observable rule laid down by wise and eminent Divines that too much strictnesse and severity often doth injury the Church more then profite it it s the way to overturn Churches not to reform them especially this severity is unbecoming private Christians who having no Authority yet complain such persons and such things are defilements they must separate from them they must not touch the unclean thing such should take heed that they be not righteous over much and not dare to be wise above what is written lest their too much affected purity and misguided zeal hurt more the Church of Christ and their own Souls then the corruptions they so much complain of Calvin adv Anab. Art 2. Cum sub specie studii perfectionis imperfectionem nulam tollerare possumus tune Diabolum nos tumefacere superbia et hypocrisi seducere moneamur V. Have publick Spirits and look not so much on such things as are most desirable in your eyes and conduce to your interest as on what tends to the furtherance of the Gospel and the good of the Church in generall There have been very few in our unhappie dayes but have been so eagerly contending for their private opinions and wayes that the publick interest of the Christian Religion and of the Churches peace and welfare hath been almost forgotten by them from whence have come in such an inundation of Errours Heresies Profanenesse and Atheism that the Church hath been almost ruined thereby In vain do we contend about the greater purity and perfection of the Christian Religion when the verie being and life of it by our contentions and divisions is indangered what will become of our contests for greater reformation in Discipline Worship c. If the Christian Religion it self be lost They are the best and wisest Christians that have most indeavoured that the main Fundamental Doctrines and duties of Religion may be preserved though in the mean time they yield in small matters that concern the beautie and perfection thereof waiting in a wise and peaceable manner til the Lord will grant them their desires therein also in his own way and time VI. Take heed of running into manifest sin and evil upon fears of what is only supposed to be so viz. Of casting off Ordinances neglecting of the publick Worship of God breach of the peace of the Church c. Upon pretence of supposed evils in Communion The commands of God for his Worship and Ordinances the Church peace are clear and cogent the matters excepted against are dark and disputable points of controversie and the far greater part of the Churches of Christ on earth have approved of them therefore be afraid while you would shun an evil supposed you run not into another that is a real and far greater evil A truly tender conscience should fear evil on either hand and on this side rather then that VII Charge not on your selves other mens sins but look to your own wayes and duties If you judge Superiors to sin in their impositions or Bishops in any Command or Ministers in their Conformity if you find sin in laxnesse of Discipline in loose admissions to the Ordinances c. It 's not your sin who still Communicate in the Ordinances of Christ provided you do your parts and Office It were sad living in any Church in the World if the sins of others should be charged on such as have neither calling not power to reform them fitter it is by far to mourn and pray for Redressing of such evils then to run out of the Church for them VIII Take heed of that great and common mistake that nothing is to be admitted in and about the government and administration of the Church of Christ in the least Circumstantials thereof but what is particularly and clearly held forth in the Scriptures This mistake hath occasioned many needless scruples in the minds of weak Christians and much promoted groundlesse separation It is a Rule laid down by a whole Assemblie of Divines Assem Conf. of Faith c 1. many of them not much affected to the present establishment That there are some circumstances concerning the Worship of God and Government of the Church common to humane actions and Societies which are to be ordered by the light of nature and Christian prudence according to the general Rules of the Word And the same is practised among all those that are most averse to the communion of the Church of England who retain amongst themselves many things that they can produce little true-Scripture-proofs for but only practise them prudentially as best conducing to the welfare of their Churches and as they judge to the Order of Gods Worship therein and some have ingeniously acknowledged as much If you search the Scriptures impartiallie concerning Church-government you will finde therein little besides the main Essentials of it as that the Church is to be Governed and that by its proper Officers and directions how they should be qualified and set apart for their Office what the severall duties belonging to their Office are and some general directions about the management thereof All which may sute with the several forms of Government that have been competitors amongst us wherein the power of Christs Officers is further extended or more restrained Stillingf iren pt 2. c 4. c 8. wherein some act in a superior others ina coordinate way and therefore very many learned and godly men have judged that no one form of government was prescribed as necessary in the Church but it 's left to be suted to the condition of those Kingdoms and Nations where the Church shall be planted The like may be said concerning Gospel Worship The main
duties and Ordinances of it are prescribed and those things wherein the Essence of them stands are more fully and clearly expressed but their circumstances and manner of performance are only couched under general Rules This may be shewed abundantly by instances in the several parts of Worship as Prayer Preaching Sacraments c but it is done by others sully and must be omitted here because of the brevity of these Rules Nor doth this derogate from the sufficiency of the Scriptures nor argue want of wisdome and faithfulnesse in Christ as some plead if he should not prescribe every Particular as Moses did even to the Pinns of the Tabernacle for the Scriptures are sufficient for that end God gave them to make wise to Salvation and in order thereunto to instruct us in all necessarie points of Faith and Practice and for Church-government and Worship there 's enough in these Essentials laid down in Scripture for the preserving the welfare of the Church in the World and securing of the true and pure Worship of God among men those being duly observed And wherein then are the Scriptures to be argued of insufficiencie if they leave some particular circumstances undetermined And for the charge of unfaithfulnesse in Jesus Christ if he should not particularize those things it 's strangely presumptuous Such should rather shew where Christ hath particularly determined all those circumstances then impute unfaithfulnesse unto him if he do not what they wold have to be done There is not the like Reason to determine all circumstances in the Christian Churches as was in the Jewish Church the one being in its Minority the other grown up to a state of greater libertie and perfection Gal. 4 1 2 3 4 5 10. A Boy that goeth to School hath his Lesson set him and in every particular he is stinted to his work but when he goes to the Universitie he only hears Lectures hath general Rules for his study and is left to his own disposition for order and manner of his studies Besides the Jewish Church was confined to one Nation that had its civil government and Laws from God as wel as its Church instiutions but the Christian Church being to spread throughout the World under different civil governments different circumstances might best sute with the state and condition of different People IX Take heed of Resisting the ordinances of God whilst you profess to oppose the institutions of Men. My meaning is whilst you withstand humane inventions as you suppose them in the Worship of God beware you oppose not lawfull Authority which is the Ordinance of God in what they injoin in and about the Worship of God according to the power given them of the Lord. That Magistrates have the care of the Churches in their Dominions committed to them should see to the due administration of the Worship and Ordinances of God therein as well as to the outward peace and prosperitie of the civil State may be manifest to all that are willing to see it by the laudable examples of godly Kings in former times such as David Solomon Asa Jehosaphat Hezekiah c. Whose chiefest care was about Religion and the Worship of God in their Dominions Indeed they are not to make any new institutions of Worship nor alter any thing that is particularlie injoyned in the Word of God But they are to see that all things be administred according to the same And in the particular circumstances undetermined by God they have a power to order and settle things according to the generall Rules laid down in the Word and however you plead you are not to be the Servants of Men you must be therein subject to them in the Lord. It hath been a Notion taken up by some That as in former times the Saints have suffered in giving Testimony to the priestly Office of Jesus Christ so they must bear witness to his Kingly Office what ever they suffer and not yield to any Commandments of men in and about the Worship of God But let such take heed that they oppose not his Kingly Office when they seem to stand up for it For if Magistrates and Rulers be his Vice-gerents as certainly they are and there is a care of his Worship delegated unto them and some power for ordering affairs in his Church in matters of outward conveniency and order where he hath not expresly determined in withstanding them in such things they may resist Jesus Christ himself Indeed it may be a further Scruple in case Magistrates injoyning things inexpedient and inconvenient and so swerve from those general Rules that they are to go by whether they are to yeeld to them in such things or no But if the judgement of Non-Conformists may be taken herein Baxt. five Disp p. 460 c. they determine in such cases it's better to obey then to withstand they may sin in commanding such things and yet subjects not sin in obeying them when commanded they are Judges in such particular cases to determine what is expedient as the Word of God determines what is necessary and herein they follow the judgment of Calvin Ep. 379 which have been ever approved by them who speaking of things of this Nature Saith some things neither right nor profitable but scandalous and drawing evil Consequences with them yet not being repugnant to the word in any express determination of it must be borne of the godly Brethren when they cannot help it and the Churches of Christ not forsaken And indeed if this should not be admitted but so often as any shall judge such or such matters inexpedient they might withstand the Axe seems to be laid at the roots of all government and there wold be little order in the Churches of Christ There is no society in the World but a yielding in some things is necessary for the peace and welfare of that Society X. Let not any principles or practices that you have inconsideratly taken up so far ingage you as to make you loath to teturn to wayes of Truth and soberness Some have it may be unwillingly and with reluctancy only through the violence of some of their own party been led into the wayes of rigid separation to condemn all other Churches but their own however sound in all the main Fundamental and necessary Doctrines and duties of Christianity and to refuse any Communion with them though this hath been condemned by the most wise and knowing â—o their own profession T. G. Mr. Cotton stiled by some the bitter root of separation the way God nere blest with peace and holiness c. And now to return to wayes of sobriety and own such as they have formerly so hotly contended against they know not how to do it There is naturally in man a tenaciousnesse of those wayes and opinions they have once professed that they are loath to recede from them especially if they have contended for them this is a great piece of denyal Men would rather yeeld
in their patrimony saith Bucer then in their opinion Besides they may undergo the heavy charge of Apostacy Ep. to Jo a Lasco and deserting the Truth and changing their Religion c. and this deterrs many from wayes of truth and Sobriety But it would be considered it 's no discharge for the wisest holyest and most learned Men to retract in some controversal opinions or practices Augustine who was esteemed the most learned of the Fathers Writes several Books of Retractations and Jerome to Ruffinus saith never blush Man to change thy opinion for neither you nor I nor any Person living are of so great Authority as to be ashamed to confess that they have Erred And as for the charge of Apostacy and changing your Religion in such a case as this is it 's a great mistake to affirm this for if you search the Scriptures Apostacy is a falling away from the main Fundamental confessed Doctrines of the Gospel and duties of godlyness into manifest heresie or wickednesse not the changing a mans judgment or practice in some points disputable amongst the godly and Orthodox saith Mr. Baxter in his Catholick Vnity Be it known to all the Papists in the World that our Religion is not changed at all our Worship is the same whether within Book or without our Prayers are the same for matter with those in the Common Prayer Book and if I shold one day use the Common Prayer Book and another day forbear it I should not change the Worship of God to pray is part of his Worship but whether it be in a Book or out of it is no part at all but a mode or circumstance which may be altered as occasion serveth Elsewhere the same learned and pious person sheweth what yielding in things lawful the Scripture recommendeth to us from the example of St. Paul Five Disp p. 488. when he circumcised Timothy Act 16.3 And when he took the men and purified himself with them in the Temple to signifie the accomplishment of the dayes of Purification c. Act. 21.26 27. So also from what he saith 1 Cor. 9.19 20. I am made all things to all men that I might by all means save some and this I do for the Gospels sake XI I add but one Rule of Caution more against a very common but dangerous mistake which is an occasion to many of running in to Error and Heresie as well as into Schism and Separation viz. Take heed of setting up your own apprehensions and conceits of the sense of Scriptures about controverted points as infallible Oracles that you trust so confidently to that you will indanger the Churches peace and your own safety for the maintaining of them where you have not all those necessary helps and means that are requisite to the finding out the minde of God therein Some that have their minds fore-stalled with an opinion or perswasion getting a Bible into their hands presently conceive what ever they meet withall to make for their opinion and begin to be more confident then an hundred wiser and more discerning persons dare to be who know their own darkness and ignorance and the mysteriousness of the things controverted though they have far greater evidence of Scripture and reason for them This carries men into such wilde fancies strange delusions sometimes as bring them under the just censure of Fanaticism a name which is too unjustly applyed to others more sober and pious Christians Though the Fundamental and necessary Doctrines and duties of Christianity are so plainly laid down in Scripture that the weakest Christians may understand them and therefore have much profit by holy and humble Meditation in the Word of God day and night yet Points controverted are oftentimes hidden from ordinary understandings that know not the Languages and proper Idioms of Scripture and customs of the Church and other advantages of learning that its ordinarily impossible they should find out the minde of God therein It 's a vain delusion to think that the Spirit that some pretend to more confidently then they have cause should discover all deep mysteries and obscure points of controversie to those that have but ordinary understandings and are wholly destitute of outward necessary means and hopes for the gaining knowledge thereby the Spirit of God teaches not by such immediate Enthusiasmes but by irradiating the minde and elevating the reason that is exercised in searching the Truth in all Gods appointed means and doth also help the weak to understand savourily all those plain and necessary Truths that tend to godlinesse and to conform their hearts and lives to the love and obedience of them It were more becoming weak Christians in matters disputable to consult with the Writings of able and learned Expositors that have al those advantages which themselves want and not to presume too much on their own understandings in such things which would be accounted unsufferable presumption in other Arts and Sciences and cannot be less in Divinity wherein the greatest mysteries are contained Other Rules of Caution might here be laid down which to avoid prolixity I forbear to enumerate recommending the serious consideration of these things to the sober and humble Christian as greatly conducing to keep him from the by-paths of unjust separation and here conclude with my hearty Prayer to God even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ that he would grant to the Professors of Christianity in all Nations both Rulers and People to minde more and to be more zealous for the great and Fundamental points of Faith and Worship necessary to Salvation and to contend less about things not in their own nature necessary that high impositions might not occasion violent oppositions nor these again produce further impositions But we may love one another unfainedly for the great things we are united in bear with one another mâ—re in things wherein difference is tolerable and all may seek the unity peace and welfare of the Church and the good of one another c. Then should Religion flourish the Gospel be advanced the fame of God be honoured the Souls of men edified and all may walk in the fear of God and comfort of the Holy Ghost unto which let every good Christian say Amen FINIS
Worship owned viz. That God only is to be Worshipped no Creatures Saints or Angels That he is to be Worshipped only in and through Christ as our only Mediator and Advocate that he is to be Worshipped in Spirit truth to be Sanctifyed of them that come near unto him 3 As for Fundamental Duties and Points of Practice here is a Profession of Faith in Jesus Christ alone for Salvation of Repentance from dead works and love to Jesus Christ and to all that are his and obedience to the Moral Law of the Yen Commandements Here is a professed Renuntiation of the Devil the World and the flesh with all their sinful works and Lusts All these call for an ingenuous and candid acknowledgment How would our fore-Fathers that lived in former times of Popery have rejoyced to have seen such things in England We should bresse God that hath vouchased such a mercy to us Honour our Defender of the Faith under whose protection this Profession is made and shew more Reverence to the Church then many do who will pettishly slight all this because they have not all they would have Secondly we are next to consider those things that are disliked by such as scruple Communion which are especially reducible to three Heads 1. Government and Discipline which though it be various in the Reformed Churches yet notwithstanding they hold mutual Communion with each other as Sister-Churches and many particular wise and godly Members of those Churches hold Communion in the Ordinances of God administred in the Churches of different wayes occasionally when they reside amongst them 2. Forms of Prayers and Ceremonies concerning which some disallow all set and imposed forms whatsoever others only dislike the form by law established accounting it inconvenient disorderly and defective and rejecting the Ceremonies yet wise and sober persons generally Non-Conformists as well as Conformists reckon external forms and modes of Divine Service not of the Essentials of Worship but adjuncts thereunto belonging Ames Cas l. 4. c. 14 c. 17. Prestons daity Exercise E. G. The Essence of Prayer lies in lifting up true desires to God in the name of Christ for things agreeable to his will in the elevation of the heart or mind to God c. Words are but the outward clothing of these desires and holy affections or the Chariot wherein they mount up to Heaven And for the Ceremonies used in England they are utterly denied to be any parts of Worship and declares only circumstantial appendants thereunto see the Preface to the Common Prayer and Canons c. 3. Corruption in manners and that both in People and in Ministers which when found in the latter makes the offence far greater as when the Sons of Eli were wicked they made the offerings of the Lord to be abhorred These things premised We shall now offer our advice in this great Controversie and annex such Reasons thereto as shall evidence it both safe and profitable We lay it down in three particulars 1. To beware of a Total withdrawing from the publick Assemblies in the Church of England and the worship of God therein whilst the Fundamentals of Faith and essentials of Worship are therein maintained because you apprehend therein some corruptions defects additions or errors which are circumstantial This advice though it might be urged with manifold arguments yet the Brevity I intend in this Discourse requires me to give but a few 1. If you will make the Scripture your Rule herein you may see so clear a Beam of Light all along through the same witnessing hereunto That it is a wonder any should be found to Question this duty Consider the Prophets and people of God in the time of the Old Testament did they separate from the true Worship of God in the Jewish Church or teach any to do it when there were very great defects corruptions therein There was at some times a defect of some Solemn Ordinances for a long time together as Circumcision the Passeover c. Some Monuments of Idolatry remaining amongst them and the People many of them defiled therewith Very great corruptions of manners not only in the People but in the Priests as in Eli's Sons c. Yet whilst the true Worship of God was continued amongst them there 's neither precept or practice to be found of total withdrawing therefrom Indeed the godly Levites People did withdraw from the Idolatrous Worship of Jereboams Calves leaving their dwellings and going to Jerusalem 2 Chro. 11.14 16. but no mention is made of withdrawing from the true Worship of God for such causes as were before named About the time of our Saviour Christ and his Apostles the State of that Church was greatly corrupted by many degrees more then any sober person can judge the present Church in this Nation now to be The Interpreters of the Law had taken away the Key of knowledge and that little knowledge that remained was miserably corrupted not only with the Leaven of the Pharisees but with the damnable Heresie of the Sadducees The Worship of God much prophaned and the Temple polluted and made a Den of Theeves A multitude of Superstitious Ceremonies introduced that were a burden too heavy to bear The power of godliness subverted whilst small things were exactly minded the weighty things of the Law as Judgment and the love of God were neglected a general over spreading of sin not only amongst the Vulgar but the Priests themselves and that in their Ministration and calling as well as in their Lives c. Yet did not the Godly withdraw from the Communion of that Church for the same We read that Simeon Anna and Others continued in the Temple Worshipping God daily Holy Zachary forsook not his Priestly Office but Ministred in his course in the Temple And Christ himself was circumcised and presented to the Lord in the Temple with the accustomed Sacrifices offer'd for him according to the Law of Moses he kept the Passeover and other Feasts of that Church was frequently in the Temple and in the Synagogues with his Disciples allowed of the hearing of those that sate in Moses's Chair only gives caution against their Errours and bad lives sent divers to the Priests to Offer their accustomed Offâ—rings required in the Law Nor did he in the dayes of his flesh wholly forsake the Communion of that Church nor his Disciples after him untill the Jews did contradict and blaspheme the Truth obstinately refuse to owne the Lord Jesus for the Christ and persecute to death the Professors of the Name of Christ In the Churches of Corinth Galatia c. We read of great and dangerous Errors in Faith grievous pollutions in Worship sad miscarriages in Manners yet concerning withdrawing from these Churches we find not a word but many reprehensions of their Schisms and Divisions In the Churches of Asia there were several things they were blamed for as well as some things commended in them But no hints of Separation from