If the heathen Oratour must be seen in all the arts and nooks of learning the Christian Doctor had need bee bard no field of knowledge for the soule he is to look to is thrice more worth than the goods of Fortune Our Brethren of Scotland and all it seems are out who take their Church-men along in their weightyest affaires and their Sermons here in England they say savoured of some thing more than pure preaching of the Gospell The Clergie are men men of liberall education they wade through the Arts ere they come at divinity wherby me thinks they should be capable of human affaires with other men And Divinity can bee no hinderance Perhaps they are better seene in Ecclesiasticall matters and therefore may arrogate them as their peculiar but for us to exclude them our Councells as an abject generation who have the deepest share in Gods promise of assistance and give the best Authority to resolutions comming in the Name of God cannot proceed either from good policy or Religion The Priest-hood amongst the Iewes had a hand in all Temporall affaires and in matters meerely of order and governement and no way Typicall Iewes as hath beene said may bee Presidents for Christians The Apostles perhaps at first exercised none other Authority but the Spirituall power of excommunication to withhold the Ordinances and forbid Communion which delinquents and left further censures to the Secular Magistrate But when Princes received the Gospell they requited the Ministers thereof with a share of their power and magnified their authority with the glory of these Ministers Perhaps it had been sinne in them at first not to have honoured the Gospell but for us to devest it is more out of question Their Voyces in Parliament c may seeme matters of small moment for the publike peace But besides the dishonour to Religion they are of dangerous consequence for the same reason that shall invalid them may as well overthrow the whole Fabrick of the Church And it is to be feared it is some mens aime to effect that by degrees which at once they find not feasable The Prelate spoke not by rote who said they would serve them as High-way men doe honest Travellers first gag and bind then rifle them Thirdly they pretend a convenience in pulling down Order and Government in the Church to buy in Impropriations and set up preaching Preaching in deede and labouring in the Word have high Attributes in Scripture as of introducing grace and working faith c. and the Gospell at first being committed to the bosomes of men the only way then of propagating thereof was Sermon-wise by a kinde of Preaching Christ thus taught the people and instituted his Disciples to this Annunciation But their preaching was not the same in use with us theirs had its Authoritie from the Spirit they spake by which wee borrow from their writings Any way of publishing and promoting the Gospell is preaching in the Scriptures sense as well as our exposition of Scripture the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 involves them all nor can the foresaid Attributes be appropriated to that which we call preaching Saint Paul laboured in the Gospell before there was a Gospell written hee laboured by word and writing by constituting Canons and in seeing them observ'd and now not only extemporary Expositions but all effectuall meanes for the propagation of the Tenor thereof is the Ordinance of God and no doubt his free Spirit accordingly conferreth grace and faith by them Whether they bee Doctrinall by word and writing by catechisme to young beginners by reading of the Scriptures Apochryphall Bookes divine Homilies or other profitable discourses or after institution magisteriall by enacting and establishing good lawes as Kings and Emperours we know being converted by their Edicts in an instant more advanced the Gospell than private Preachers with many Sermons in many ages though otherwise they had extraordinary assistance of the Spirit The Gospell may and must be preach'd in every Court that is Christs law must be there preserved and though that bee not the proper place for teaching there may happen to bee as effectuall Sermons for the promotion of the Gospell from the Bench as from the Pulpit where men of power meet and draw things to a point there there is preaching powerfull Thus some particular Bishops have had the oportunitie to doe more good than all the Clergie in their Diocesse againe Neither in words alone but in workes of pietie and businesse of State Christ may be advanced Lay-men may but Ministers more especially must thus Evangelize Our preaching and practising and writing and Government are all twines of that Mother preaching in Scripture Let preaching be the eldest and the fairest sister their dowties and their vertues may be alike we must not set too great a price on one to disparage the rest or because preaching was first of all reduce Christianity to its principles and hold there This were as if because Writing was before Printing and then had high elogies amongst the ancients we should renounce the benefit of Printing to hold to Writing only or prefer it before Printing This is the grand imposture and illusion of the Age. Preaching is cryed up nought but Preaching God knowes a sorry kind of Preacding when nobler helpes should share It s to bee feared they would serve the Clergie as the Fox in the fable did the Crow commend their voices till they let goe their morsells where wee heare knowledge is confined wee cannot thinke libertas Prophetandi shall have its scope As in Reason we excell beasts Elocution whereby we readilyest conveigh our conceit to others exalts us amongst men Sermons may be most apposite to the maladies of the hearers and best fit for their affections they most readily catch and transport furthest The Preacher like as skillfull Physition can varie his recipe according to the exigence of the patient hee can cast his discourse into what mould or forme he please he can insinuate and creepe upon particulars how ever prepossess'd and as occasion serves invade or surpâ—ise the Affections he can give food to healthy and physick to diseased minds And the very act of Preaching the countenance and gesture adde life to words and have a singular energie over bare reading for thus they make all they deliver new as it were and their owne when the other way it seemes but flat and borrowed they set forth Christ and his Doctrine with more pompe unto our soules and in pressing Scripture make it like bruised Spices more ravishing Yet its long of us and our corrupt affections if Sermons carry it we are more for sauce than meate more tickled with the momentany dresse and relish of the workeman than the meate which endureth As diseases are commonly alike in different men the same remedies were wee attentive might serve our severall soules as doe our bodies God no doubt was both able and willing to prescribe Catholike Remedies for all our Maladies in his Word
that they maintain'd it after their dissolutions As the twelve were call'd first the Evangelists make speciall mention of their names and their families as whom they ought to honour They were more conversant with Christ and more instructed by him and continued with him unto the end And after his Resurrection he applyed himselfe especially to them Then hee renewed their Commission with a Sicut misit me Pater to boote which may extend to Jurisdiction and Ordination Ordination of the Clergie and Jurisdiction over the whole Church and to enable them for such service he made good his promise of the Holy Ghost and gave them power of binding and loosing sins Saint Paul I am sure assumed this Authority to himselfe hee counted himselfe a Master-builder whose office is to order the worke and command inferiour Workmen hee exercised a Legislative power hee excommunicated for instance the Incestuous Person and againe restored him as may bee seene in his Epistles which all abound with Canons and Constitutions Ecclesiasticall This power of ordering Church affaires hee further propagated to Timothy and Titus as appeares in the Rules and directions to them And so for it would be tedious to name particulars it would seeme to have beene derived to our times Whether our forme of Church Government came from the light of nature and the Iewish patterne for reason extols it See B. Andrews Anal. and * there is a correspondence between the Jewish and the Christian Hierarchie or from a speciall Illumination and motion of the Spirit of God which the former times exceld in it is as needlesse as hard to distinguish perhaps all concur'd however Christ we see See Archbishop of Armaghs Orig Apoc. 1.20 * approves of such Bishops and honours them with the Title of Starres and Angels as Diabolicall as some would make them and * Calvin and Luther themselves could not but approve of this Government See Masons additions and waveing the name came as neere unto an Episcopall forme as the iniquitie of their times would admit Though we determine not whether Iure Divino or humano It will suffice us Episcopacy is rightly constituted It were to be wished indeed our Doctrine had still the same Primitive Testimony The Primitive assistaÌ„ce of the Spirit to bee wisht not expected and our Ministery that visible Assistance of Divinity the first times of the Church enjoyed which a Simon Magus could prize above riches which shewed men nearer favourites with God than riches make them with Kings which might confound and stop the mouthes of all gainesayers and all men be wholly convinced and compelled to obedience But we can no more expect these now than they at first could challenge our Priviledges Such assiduity and open violence of the Spirit though necessary for times otherwise anticipated where Christianity hath once advanced its banners and engaged the world would render our Faith not worth God ha' mercy That humble temper and exemplary lowlinesse of Spirit could our Church assuredly bee furnished with it hath a winning grace and bravery above State Heathens have seene its beauty and beene enamour'd on it But its chiefest efficacy is with minds already pious which God knowes is the smallest part of mankinde and such Ornaments being at no certainty no not in Church-men such supplements as may bee had for establishing Religion are to bee allowed it It was our Saviours owne Precept to his Disciples Be wise as Serpents but innocent as Doves Christianity and Policy the wisedome of Serpents and the innocence of Doves may stand together and while wee are but as sheepe amongst wolves it is but necessary they should The leaders that are upon such hard service had need have the best provision and the best order that may bee the best to preserve themselves and advance the Church Forreigne plants we know are choyce and require a speciall care and Christianity being such a supernaturall stem will need and being so Noble will deserve our best fostering When God sends Angels Embassadors to men hee puts them in humane shapes the better to comply with human nature But when men are to act Gods part they had need put on all the Divinity that may be Riches and honours are not opposite to humility but make more conspicuous Though a Divine shew more sacred without either staffe or scrip as hee that hath wholly cast off this world for his hopes in another a knap-sacke and sword now is thought no luggage whilst we are men and most part flesh and bloud the Elements we consist of would find some likely nuâ—riment and the supports of this life not wholly bee neglected It was a sad but sage consideration of the Poet Quis virtutem amplectitur ipsam Praemia si tollas We would have a Learned and Religious Clergie otherwise wee have small hopes they should make others such but we shall hardly find learning or Piety flourish without these encouragements To passe by the improbity of Poverty which is far above that of plenty Though knowledge as the light of the soule for it selfe be desirable men steare not thitherward unlesse their other desires be otherwise satisfied or learning seeme the meanes to satisfie them Or how forward soever they may bee to learne to make them teach they must yet have some further incentive Or though good natures might so farre exalt their mindes experienced Parents while it is in their power will be wary how they dedicate and breed up a son to a studious beggery We must expect Priests with a curse of the lowest of the people or the halt and the maimed out of greater families if Divinity and the service of God cannot advance like the Law or the sword or one of the twenty foure companies The gifts of miracles of infallibility and Prophesiing cease and expect wee the Spirit of selfe-denyall as fresh as ever The wisest Law-givers have beene wont to consider men In massa corrupta averse from all good and only to be reclaimed by reward and punishment and hath this last thrifty Age discovered a new way to put these accounts upon the world to come Or only to be liberall in her punishments Those that travaile to Rome or Ierusalem what satisfaction soever they promise themselves at their Journies end are glad to turne in sometimes by the way and refresh themselves in other Cities and meaner Innes and by such discreet stayes hasten their course Such a Journey have wee to that heavenly Canaan a Journey I account it not an anxious Pilgrimage though the rest we promise our selves there be above all the repasts of the way and those especially that convert sinners have the assurance to shine like Starres in the Firmament to support fraile nature and keepe a sense of what wee expect the hospitality of this world is intended us Though our devotion lye for Heaven Riches Honours and pleasures all the glories of this light may bee our bayting places so wee make this world but as the City
and Men usually more sufficiently expresse themselves by writing than by word of mouth upon deliberation than on the suddaine nay extemporary discourses like our actions are subject to extravagancy and oft times derogate from the Majestie of Scripture and the evidence of the Spirit therein So that Government and good lawes had need to order all and the Scripture is that all must bee ordered by It is bare Text alone that gives the minde repose and grounds beliefe As we confine not our selves only to set formes of doctrine to stint the Spirit It is good we should have some things set and fixt to stint humane extravagancies lest Religion become meerely matter of Phansy and the Church be converted into a Babel It were ingratitude against the Spirit to slight such grounds as he hath laid us and presumption still wholly to relye on him but the middle way to hold some thing certaine and attend his further motions is safe Preaching and practice and writing and government are all usefull in the Church towards others yet where wee have but the Gospell it selfe read none of them is absolutely necessarie to salvation But if wee must compare them though they are best together government to us now is no lesse necessary than that which we call preaching It extends it selfe to a larger forme and it is that must keepe preaching and all in order Preaching may bee more necessary for the planting of a Church but government as it is more noble is more necessary where a Church is planted The Church of Christ is never so setled but it is militant here on earth and had need of the best marshalling in ranke and fyle The enemy will finde a gap or where to make one if there bee not some Generall to overlooke some Commander to ride the round and see the watch set one that for place and power need not feare the face of man Unlesse we dislike our Religion there is no reason we should find fault with our Government If Religion have not much of the image of justice in it a sword sometimes to determine us aswell as a ballance to weigh truth her ballance will be despised As I have no faith in charmes I am not wholly for preaching that bare talking way without the Spirit is not like government to settle men in an habituate course of pietie It rather puzzels the beliefe than actuates our obedience But with degrees of promotion industry and learning and so preaching it selfe must necessarily fall And the more ordinate Church Government and the more concentrate to unitie it is it agreeth better with Monarchy and holds better harmony with its head which is Christ In the office of a Bishop an Archbishop or a Patriarch as strange as it may sound Calvin himselfe could see no hurt while they were subject unto Christ an Emperour and a generall Councell Inst 4.4 4. And how far the like were not againe to be endeavoured were a disquâ—tision becoming states truly Christian for by this means as the promise of Christ to the Clergie should have its regard states might enjoy the deliberaâ—ions of the whole Church though they retaine the liberty of admitting or rejecting their Counsels It is seene in all estates Quae communiter possidentur communiter negliguntur the very dividing is the destruction of power what can an ordinary man do or who will care for shewing himselfe in commotions when the danger shall be his owne and many must share in the honour Let not men flatter themselves too much in their project of changing the use of riches without taking them from the Church though things perhaps may be better carried both amongst Bishops and downe to the inferiour Clergie there may be rapine in honours aswell as in riches If we take them from God and Religion though we cannot convert them to our-secular uses If there be lesse of private advantage there may be more of malicâ— in it but there may be of advantage in pulling downe others to get into their places Absalon himselfe had other pretences when in his heart he said O that I were made judge in the Land But it concernes them that but alter things consecrate to be sure it be to the better for the scandall of innovation goes further than the thing reformed Mutato Sacerdotio mutatur etiam Lex saith the Apostle and the dishonouring of the Priest hood will expose it to contempt and in the end it s to be feared prove the bane of Religion I condemne not Chuâ—che which have not or cannot arrive at our happinesse for there is great odds inter Ecclesiam constituendam constitutam Pietie is the principall and as we condemne no Church that holds but that unum necessarium of Pietie so mee thinkes none should condemne us for asserting of Pietie by so regular government But it is fitter they aspire to our state than think of reducing us to their condition with us that of Peter to Ananias must take place Act. 5.4 While it remained was it not thine owne but now thou hast deceived not men but God It is a fearefull sentence of God to Samuel upon the Israelites Sam. 8.7 Hearken unto the voice of the People for they have not rejected thee but they have rejected mee that I should reigne over them If Nemo potest mutare concessum in alterius praejudicium shall wee without licence from God take away what was truly given him This breach how small soever at a part will open a gap to all the Churches patrimony And though it bee but matter of Discipline we talke of I pray God such dishonour to the discipline entrench not soone upon the Doctrine it selfe and bring that in question Though our neighbours of Scotland and the Low Countryes though the emulation of adversaries as yet keepe upright with their forme of government When in cold bloud we shall feele the inconveniences even of the reformed discipline as they call it and consider how much we have been out I pray God we come not to begin again at Rome or Palestine or Palestine as now it is so find the way to us For who shall animate Princes for Religion when the Priest must keep at distance This question in England will be of dangerous consequence in Christendome Lastly such prophane ones as spoyle for the booty how ever they please themselves in their fury will one day finde a curse goe along with their prey which like Achans execrable thing will ruine themselves and their families They forfeit their confidence in a providence and that comfort in their brethren and their own breasts which should be their life and stay in time of trouble They usually dye forlorne of God and men miserable disconsolate and detested and yet have more to answer for in the world to come IX The Conclusion The Church of England God be thanked yet retaines the face of a Church How ever for riches and honours she comes short of her selfe in former times she comes behind few Churches in Christendome We have tythes and oblations Bishops and governours rich Colledges and Cathedrals large priviledges endowments such as might make men that like not our Doctrine fall in love with our discipline and in admiring these glories adore the Divinity that provok'd them She is like the Vine of God in the 80. Psalm O let not the wild Bore out of the Forrest breake downe her branches nor the little Foxes devoure her grapes If we have neither so much Piety nor Policy as to contribute to the propagation of our order abroad nor the promoting of Religion at home nor to make satisfaction to the Church as the Lord Bacon would have it for the wrongs of our forefathers Let us not be guilty of so much Atheism as to withdraw its maintenance Let us not let goe our anchorage and cast our selvs upon the fluctuations of people If the Clergy in its height have abused these blessings to their worldly ends as all estates on earth are subject to abuse If their happinesse have made them wanton If to the keyes and their spirituall sword they be catching at the Temporall and there be something in their honours which may occasion them to looke to Rome-ward Let the curbe of Law hold them to their way and the Trienniall Review look as austere on them as on Projectors What restivenesse soever they have contracted let provision bee made by wholsome discipline to reclaime them but withhold not their provender to abate their service Let us not pursue Vices or Persons so far as to violate offices offices which have not contracted such guilt but they may be regenerated Let us not defeate the charity of our pious Predecessors Let us not dishonour our State and the Age we live in Let us not rob Religion of its Ornaments the Priest of his Reverence and God of his Glory In a word let us not so flye from Rome as to fall into the mouth of Hell and rob God to enrich the Devill againe FINIS