the State what you have given to quench these sparkes ere they brake out into devouring flames And I question not but when ever the Chronicles of these times shall come to be written the zeale the fidelity the self-deniall the courage the diligence of this famous Citie will fil whole Pages with your just and due commendation Not only families but houses of Parliament not onely Countries but Kingdomes are sensible of your forwardnesse and doe daily blesse God for it Well! give mee leave now as a poore Minister of Jesus Christ to presse one thing more upon you viz. that you would erect some further monument holding a proportion with what you have done already something worthy of this religious this renowned Citie That you would lay a traine how to reduce poore soules that goe astray and how to bring them into a good way that leads to eternall rest It is my advantage that I have the opportunity to speake in such an auditory upon such an argument There is great reason that wee should take notice of what cost and charges you have beene at this last yeare in the foure Hospitalls of this Citie and in the maintenance of the great number of poore children and others I need not goe over all the particulars they have been read againe and againe to your honour many whose wounds have been healed by you are blessing God for you and many hungry bellies which you have fed are magnifying him and many children I hope are learning to blesse the name of that God that hath put it into your hearts to do so much good for them and I am confident you will heare comfortably of it hereafter at the day of Judgment Possibly all this may be done and yet some further care to bee taken for the reducing of soules into such a good way that might lead them to their eternall rest and to this purpose I will be bold to suggest some few directions First Lay a traine for the education of youth in the knowledge of this good way for the multiplying of such faithfull guides as may discover and lead others into this way It is a peece of Luthers counsell if ever you would have a good Reformation looke to the education of Children You cloath their bodies and you feed them It is mercifully done it is good Gospel fruit it is worthy of Christianity But I beseech you withall take care for their precious soules Acquaint them betimes with Gods wayes And you more especially that have the government of this famous City look to your Citie Schooles looke that there be principles of Religion as well as Learning laid and sown and scattered among these young Generations So you will lay a traine indeed to bring their soules into the good way and to this purpose provide that there may bee more faithfull guides to steere and direct them in this way That were indeed an enterprise worthy of such a Citie as this is Let us not bee ashamed to learne any thing from the Jesuites which is fit to bee learned from them who are most studious in this art they goe up and downe and observe what youths are most pregnant who are likely to bee good disputants and who are likely to bee good Statesmen and who are likely to bee good Oratours and out of each of these they will take a number whom out of the publique charge they will maintaine that their parts and abilities may bee improved to the greatest advantage both to themselves and the Common-wealth I doubt not but this City might honour God and honour themselves in some such course as this is In all your Hospitalls in all your Schooles let there bee a wise observing by those that are able to discerne what is the proper genius spirit and disposition of young Youths where is any of speciall parts that hath not onely seeds of piety but singular indowments of nature And though I would bee loath to presse upon so bountifull a City as this any thing that might adde to your vast charges which you have been already at yet I could wish with all my heart that some publique Stocks were raised in some way most suitable that such as I speake of might bee maintained and consecrated to the study of Learning and being sent to the Universities might prove in their generations faithfull guides in this good way God hath beene pleased already to shine upon us in the hopefull beginning of Reformation of Universities and every one of us in our way and place are to further that worke wherein we are all more or lesse especially concerned This will most Succesfully bee done by sending such persons thither as may bee most capable of improvement there which may not for want of parts bee discouraged from following those studies which shall there bee required of them and then for want of imployment in their studies runne-out into such vicious courses as may make them to rue the day that ever they came thither The rule which Parents have gone by formerly in making such and such Children Scholars has beene a respect to their owne education They have been Scholars it may be themselves and therefore thinke that their Sonnes however qualifed must needs be so also and others by very sinister respects Gentlemen if they have divers Children to make Scholars of those which are the youngest as a shift rather then a calling and somewhat whereby they might rather provide for their worldly subsistence then for the service of the Church Common-wealth Now that which I commend to your Wisdomes in this point of publique Education is to bee carryed by another Consideration to wit of the pregnancy of parts and capacity in Children such being cherished and promoted in Learning they may by Gods blessing prove able guides to bring others into the good way Secondly looke to your Family Religion For as your Schools have a subordination to Universities so Families to Schooles The reformation of the one will not so much availe without reformation of the other And both have a subordination to the Church To this intent let Masters let Parents Oh that Husbands and Wives likewise would love one anothers Soule so well as to bee quickning and helping forward one another in this good way I say let Masters let Parents catechise their Children and Servants and instruct them in the principles of Religion Doubtlesse this is the way to make them fit to bee usefull Church-members You expect the Minister should doe all truly there will not so much bee done unlesse you maintaine an harmony of Ordinances When a Minister shall Preach and Catechise and instruct in Publique and when a Father shall deale with his Children when hee commeth home in private and call them to an account of their profiting by the publike administrations Oh this harmony being maintained it will still lay a better traine how to reduce those that goe astray It is a most unhappy
THE GOOD OLD VVAY GODS VVAY TO SOVLE-REFRESHING REST DISCOVERED In a Sermon Preached to the Right Honorable the Lord Maior and Court of Aldermen of the Citie of London at their Anniversary meeting on Wednesday in Easter Weeke at Christ-Church Apr. 24. 1644. being the day of the Monethly publike Fast By THOMAS HILL B. D. Pastor of Tychmersh in Northampton-shire Prov. 14. 2. There is a way which seemeth right unto a man but the end thereof are the wayes of death Psal. 139. 23 24. Search me O God and know my heart try me and know my thoughts And see if there be any wickkednesse in me and lead me in the way everlasting Isa 2. 3. And many people shall goe and say Come yee and let us go up to the mountaine of the Lord to the house of the God of Jacob and he will teach us of his wayes and we will walke in his paths Imprimatur Charles Herle London Printed by Ric. Cotes for John Bellamie and Philemon Stephens 1644. TO THE RIGHT HONORABLE The Lord Maior and Court of Aldermen with other Citizens of the Renowned City of LONDON I Doubt not but there are many amongst you Right Honourable and Worthy Citizens yea very many who seriously set their faces towards Sion The whole Kingdome hath abundantly tasted the excellent fruites of your reall forwardnesse in this good way Travellers are usually as glad of Guides as of Companions especially in doubtfull wayes And wee are fallen among so many Questionists and such thick mists of strange Doctrines obscuring the good way so much that we had need seeke cleere direction otherwise wee may soone be at a losse We heare of Antinomians who deny the Law to bee a rule of life to Saints Wee heare of Socinians who in a manner overthrow the Gospel denying the satisfaction of Christ We heare of Arminians who undermine the Covenant of Free-grace that they may gratifie Free-will We heare of Anabaptists who with-hold Baptisme the Seale of that Covenant from the Infants even of such as are in Covenant We heare of others who question the Truth of our Church and of our Ministry in and by which so many thousand soules have been new borne to God Yea we heare of some grown to that desperate height that they say there is no need of Ministry or Ordinances flattering us with hope of new Apostles glorious discoveries by them Hereby Religion is much mangled and well meaning minds not a little distracted which way to take It is the Ministers worke to warne against enemies to direct against errors to carry the Lanthorne and Candle of Gods Word before people in the darke that they may find the best way What sparkes of light this plaine Sermon holds forth were at first blowne up by your desire and now by your importunity being made Publike are kept burning The good Lord who despiseth not the day of small things quicken your Spirits hereby in Heaven-way I shall heartily rejoice if your attention in hearing shall be seconded with intention in acting over that Counsell which was given you from the Word of God This is the best commendation of a Sermon to walke in the light and heat of it in your conversation what is wanting in the strength and lustre of this Discourse will in part be supplyed by its seasonablenesse In these times of Reformation we should bee often put in mind to stand see inquire As in building we beware of mistakes in the foundation In Physicke of errors in the first concoction in both these they are dangerous because hardly corrigible So in journeys we should wisely watch against erring both at our first setting out and especially when we come to a great turning if then we mistake the right way we shall not easily recover How carefull was Ezra to seeke of God a right way when he was going from Babylon to Jerusalem Hee proclaimed a Fast for that purpose at the River Ahava and that a most religious ground Ver. 22. We in England are now engaged in counsels of Reformation that wâ—e may remove further from Babylon towards Jerusalem And by the good hand of God upon us we are under his owne Ordinance an Assembly of Ministers is called to discover the Scripture way It is worth much importunity in Fasting and Praying that being come to so great a turning upon so grand a change in the Church of England wee may cleerly find the good old way Wee must expect Satan who stood at Joshuahs right hand to resist him when hee was about Temple-worke will now use all his methods to pâ—rplexe and to mis-lead us to involve us in difficulties and in angle us with errors If he cannot wholly turne us out of the good way he will indeavour to cast stumbling-blocks in it and by variety of opinions to multiply divisions about it yea hee knowes how by faire pretences and by good words to cousen us into bad wayes New-England affords us a sad instance of this policy A worthy Divine of their owne tells us by what sleights the Antinomians Familists and Libertines infected the Churches there As they would lift up themselves saith hee so also their opinions by guilding them over with specious termes of Free grace glorious light Gospel Truths as holding forth naked Christ c. and this tooke much with simple honest hearts who loved Christ especially with new Converts who were lately in bondage under sinne and wrath and had newly tasted the sweetnesse of Free-Grace being now in their first love to Christ they were exceeding glad to imbrace any thing that might further advance Christ and Free-Grace and so dranke them in readily Yet be not discouraged I beseech you your wise and powerfull Saviour hath the Government upon his owne shoulders he can easily rebuke Satan well knowing how to confute errors resolve doubts and compose differences hee can conquer the greatest difficulties or remove them with advantage to his owne Cause and your Soules Doe not despaire but Gods Counsels are ripening towards such a time when you may find rest after your long motion stability after your many shakings and when you shall reape the harvest of all the prayers and good indeavours you have sown and receive rich interest for all the blood and Treasure you have expended in his Gospells Cause Who knowes but London by the Free-Grace of God after all these blacke and bloody clouds may have cause to coine Money as they did in worthy Mr. Farrells time who had been so much opposed and threatned in reforming Geneva and other Cities with this Posie on the one side Light after a long darknesse and on the other side Our God fights for us You have had many visible Providences as well as precious promises encouraging you to persevere in the good way Hee hath wrought wonderfully for you and by you his good hand remaine upon you till he bring you to ervelasting rest The Lord refresh London with the
of our happinesse this the Patriarchs and Prophets have beene discovering from time to time our thoughts should bee active how to find it out Herein we must not sodainly take things upon trust but with much circumspection consider and enquire after it the necessity whereof will appeare by these following Reasons The Lord would have you carefully inquisitive after the good way because there are sâ— many wrong and by-wayes wherein you may miscarry Matth. 7. 13. Our Saviour tels us the gate is strait the way is narrow which leads to Heaven the passage is so difficult the passengers are but few But the way to Hell is a broad way having a dâ—câ—itfull latitude naturally we love elbow-roome for our lusts in this broad way there are by-paths and secret turnings many poore soules too too many walke herein A thousand crooked paths into which deluded sinners turning aside like lost Sheepe goe wandring up and downe till at last they bee irrecoverably intangled in a Wildernesse It is observed by the Learned if you divide the world into thirty equal parts nineteen of those thirty according to their computation are still over-grown with Heathenish Idolatry Six of the eleven remaining are overspread with Mahumetisme then there remaine but five parts of thirty where christianity hath taken possession Amongst those Christians many seduced Papists who are led captive in by-wayes and of the remaining Protestant Party how few that are Christians and Protestants indeed Some have a forme of godlinesse but deny the power others though they glory in the name of Christianity yet scarce so much as any externall shew of Pietie still the most walk in a way that is not good This more fully appeares in that excellent parable of Christ concerning the sower who went out to sow his seed upon foure sorts of ground some fell by the high-wayes side upon prophane Atheistical spirits where it made no impression this word sunke no more into their hearts then seed into a troden path ver. 19. some fell upon stony ground they receive the word with some joy ver. 20. yet because they were not deeply humbled to make sin their greatest sorrow and Christ their greatest joy in time of persecution they are offended and fall off vers. 21. some seed is sowne upon thorny ground a generation of Professors that make some further progresse in entertaining the Gospell for a time yet at last the riches and cares of the world choakes the word in them they become unfruitfull prosperity is as great a snare to them as adversity was to the stony ground The fourth which is the good ground is but one quarter I wish it were so much in every Christian Congregation few receive the seed of Gods word with good and honest hearts bringing forth fruit unto perfection This is but a little spot in comparison look into most Families most Congregations not a fourth part ordinarily that lookes like good ground enclosed and set apart to bring forth fruit to God but rather like a common wast over-growne with weeds like a Wildernesse sine culâ—u sine fructu sine ornatu Here is a multiplicity of by-wayes wherein the most doe lose their God their Soules their Hopes their Happinesse therefore you should bee carefully inquisitive There are many false guides as well as crooked by-wayes which will cunningly indeavour to mislead you into self-undoing courses upon this ground also you had need bee the more carefully inquisitive after the good way The Apostle Peteâ— assures us there were false Prophets among the people even among the people of God there shall also be false Teachers among you who shall privily bring in damnable heresies they mingled noisome weeds with some sweet flowers scattered their poison upon Gospel truths And ver. 2. many shall follow their pernicious wayes scil. their corrupt doctrines and evill examples they loose the reines to all manner of licentiousnesse of the flesh under the pretence of Christian liberty ver. 18. by reason of whom the way of Truth shall bee evill spoken of the Gospel much reproached by the adversaries and so others diverted from the right way as long as the Devill hath a Kingdome here hee will send abroad his Emissaries acting this part to draw people into pernicious wayes How came the man of sin to rife from so small beginnings to so great an height looke into 1 Tim. 4. 1. the spirit speaketh expresly in the latter times some shall depart from the faith giving heed to seducing spirits The Devill and the Pope have had many industrious Chaplainâ— who boasting as if they were inspired and sent by God pretending devotion and by insinuating straines of Rhetorick have first scrued themselves into mens consciences then pickt their purses first cheated them of their Religion of their Salvation and then consened them of their Estates got their Kingdoms to enlarge the Popes Territories And all this carried on {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} by the Hypocrisie of those who speake lies with most cunning devices deluding many poore creatures obtruding guilded errors upon them in stead of Truths Possibly you may bee seduced by such spirits unlesse you bee vigilant and inquisitive It 's worthy your observation in 1 King 22. 20 when ever the Lord intendeth to suffer any poore creature to bee deluded you shall find the Devil is alway at hand No sooner did God speak these words in Verse 20. The Lord said Who shall perswade Ahab that hee may goe up and fall at Ramoth Gilead God had a quarrell against Ahab and he was resolv'd to suffer him to engage himself in such a Warre and to goe up that he might be there undone But the Question is now how this should bee brought about In Verse 21. There came forth a spirit and stood before the Lord and said I will perswade him No sooner doth God expresse any intention to suffer any one to bee seduced but the Devil is most ready to bee imployed in the service The Lord saith unto him Wherewith In Verse 22. hee saith I will goe forth and I will bee a lying spirit in the mouth of all his Prophets And hee said Thou shall perswade him and prevaile also goe forth and doe so The Devill knew Ahab had a company of Trencher mercenary Chaplaines that would easily bee wrought upon to say any thing to the King so the Devil undertakes them and hee knowing the length of their foot that hee could prevaile with them saith hee I will goe and bee a lying spirit in the mouth of all his Prophets Hence it commeth that Ahab himselfe was seduced to those waies that lead to his owne destruction Vnhappie King hee had such corrupt Chaplaines that were false guides and there was a Devill that was very ready to make use of all advantages how to mis-lead them that they might mis guide Ahab Such engines as these are the Devil in all ages sends abroad who come like ignis
fatuus to poore people in the darke and carry them headlong sometimes till they stumble and fall and if not breake the neck of their salvation yet hazzard it very much dishonour God wrong themselves and cast stumbling blocks before others Therefore still let us see observe and take counsell not receive things upon trust without exact inquiring being there are many false guides that will mis-lead you into dangerous wayes Wee have all so much of that sin within us which doth easily beset us betraying us into by-wayes and unto false guides which may yet lay a further obligation upon us to bee vigilant and inquisitive after the good way Three things there are within us which expose us to bee mis-led First there is in us much blindnesse of mind much ignorance of Jesus Christ and soule-saving Mysteries whereby wee are both alienated from the life of God Ephes. 4. 18. and likewise alwayes ready to erre in our hearts nâ—t knowing Gods wayes Heb. 3. 10. As also hereby more subject to bee deluded by Satan Ephes. 6. 12. It is an easie matter to abuse any one in the dark you may cousen him with Copper in stead of Gold with a counterfeit Jewell in stead of a true one The Devill knowes how to take advantage of the darknesse of our minds to entangle us with corrupt opinions to engage us in licencious practices thereby mis-leading us till at last hee hath plung'd us into utter darknesse Secondly there is in us deceitfulnesse of heart as well as blindnesse of mind which layes us more open to bee seduced from the good way It is a full expression discovering the depth of deceit in our spirits Jer. 17. 9. The heart is deceitfull above all things and desperately wicked who can know it There are many deceitfull things in the world false weights false measures deceitfull coyne deceitfull bookes but the heart is deceitfull above all things A deceitfull heart is the greatest Impostor in the World So many anfractus such reâ—â—ssus so many sly corners and turnings and windings that none can know it none can find it out but God who hath an all-seeing all-searching eye The ignorance of our minds fils us with self-conceit our sinfull heart is as full of self-deceit as of sinne and where there is a selfconceited mind and a selfe-deceitfull heart 't is no wonder to see such mis-led Thirdly There are also in us many prejudiâ—es against the goâ—d way which make us more apt to bee seduced It is one of the great Engines whereby the Devill manages his designes a part of his strong 〈◊〉 2 Cor. 10. 4. to fill people with prejudicate opinions against the wayes of God as if they were either Melanâ—holy and dis-consolate wayes never considering that the wayes of wisdome are wayes of pleasantnesse Prov. 3. 17. or as if they were unprofitable wayes not minding 1 Tim. 4. 8. That Godlinesse is profitable unto all things having the promises of this life and of that which is to come This is the language too many speake from this distemper of spirit Mat. 3 14. It is vaine to serve God and what profit have wee that wee have kept his Ordinâ—nâ—â—s This prevailed to mislead people in Christs time Job 7. 48. Have any of the Rulers or of the Phâ—â—â—sees beleeved on him And afterward when Paul preached Christ cruâ—isied 1 Cor. 1. 23. Unto the Jewes hee was a stumbling blâ—ck they stumblâ—d because they did not â—ind so many miracles under this Gâ—â—pell as under the Ministery of Moses To the Gentiles hee was a râ—â—ke of offence they were so fond of Philosophicall subtilties and humane Eloquence that they were offended with Apostolicall simplicity in preaching Christ crucisied As there are many by-wayes many false guides divers evils within us which betray us to mis-leading so consider the good way is not easily found out our blessed Saviour presseth this Luke 13. 24. Strive to enter in at the strait gate for I say unto you many shall seeke to enter in and shall not bee able It is an awakening expression if seriously minded Strive to enter in strive to overcome thy selfe strive to overcome the Devill strive to overcome the World and all little enough many shall seeke and shall not bee able the â—ivill Hypocrite hee seeketh by complying with duties of the second Table and the religious Hypocrite hee will seeke by correspondence with duties of the first Table the Papist hee will seeke in the wayes of superstitious devotion and all kind of people in the world that have any sense of a deity and any apprehenâ—ion of the immortality of their soules they will seeke after some kind or other but all seeking will not serve many seekers shall not bee able to enter and therefore saith hee Strive Two things increase the difficulty in finding out the good way First This good way lies deepe 't is a hidden way Religion is the greatest Mysterie in the world In any ordinary trade before a man can bee acquainted with the secrets of it you bind him Apprentice for six or seven yeares truly there are so many mysteries in Religion that require the service of divers Apprentiships to bee well acquainted with them Religion it seemes a Paradox a Riddle and that 's the reason that so many out-stand out-sit so many Sermons out-live so many Ministers one after another and yet are where they were it may bee ten or twenty yeares agone grow more wise for the world and more provident and more politicke for their owne secular advantage But still as great strangers to the power of godlinesse as ever How commeth this to passe The way lies deepe there s nothing in Religion but it hath a mystery in it Paul when he speaketh of chastity useth this expression that every one should know how to possesse his Vessell in holinesse and honour 1 Thes. 4. 4. There is a virginall and a conjugall chastity not easily learned And he tels you Phil. 4. 12. I know both how to be abased and I know how to abound every where and in all things I am instructed both to bee full and to bee hungry both to abound and to suffer need There was a mystery in all this to know how to avoid the sinnes to resist the temptations and exercise the graces of all these conditions was a lesson not easily learn'd Therefore Paul saith here {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} I am initiated in this mystery As in regard of the doctrine of the Gospel without controversie great is the mystery of godlinesse 1 Tim. 3. 16. So indeed it's very true in practicall godlinesse in all the duties that you and I are to practice in Religion there is a mysterie To know how to live by faith to act selfâ—-deniall to performe duties so as to enjoy communion with God therein requires a secret and heavenly skill Many a man hath meerely an outward shell and huske of duty a carcasse of Religion but wants
he observes what converse his soule hath with Jesus Christ therein what God lookes from him what influence from Heaven what holy impâ—â—sâ—on upon his spirit by duty Hee knowes that in this good way God brings downe part of Heaven into his people before hee advance them unto Heaven Hee hath happily tasted that a day of Humiliation may prove a soule-melting day a day of Thankesgiving a soule-cheering day a Communion day a healing and healing day a Sabbath a day of blessing and sanctification so directly doth the good way lead unto God Thirdly the good way comming from God leads unto God and that according unto God according to the will of God tending unto his Honour and the magnifying of his Name That is undoubtedly the best way which leads to happinesse by holinesse Heâ—r 12. 14. The soule-saving way will bee a soule-sanctifying way In 2 Thes. 2. 13. God chose the Thessalâ—nians to salvation through the sanctification of the spirit and â—eâ—eâ—â—e of the Truth In the execution of his eternall counsels this is the Method No satisfying evidence to us that we were chosen to salvation from eternity unlesse wee have within us this undoubted pledge of his electing love and spirit of sanctification That way which is not a way of sanctification as well as of Justification is not the good Scripture way to Salvation It lies as a great disparagement upon any new way however many may ignorantly cry it up when peoples opinions marre their practises if whilst they contend for justification they weoken the power of sanctification if in their entertaining the Gospel of Christ they turne out the holy love of God from being a rule of life without question that is not the good way wherein peoples spirits grow dry and barren which opens a back-doore to Sabbath-breaking and other licenciousnesse Suspect your selves and wayes I beseech you if by any of your opinions practicall Christanity wither if therby you become formall and loose in the duties of your places and relations The good way is a soul-emproving a spiritaâ—lizing way In the 1 Tim. 6. 3. Paul directs Timothy thus to judge of Teachers and their Doctrines and accordingly to owne or decline them as they teach and consent unto the wholsome words of Jesus Christ and the Doctrine which is according unto godlinesse clearly holding forth that Christs words are wholsome soule-saving words his doctrine purifies the heart it is according to godlines This age is very fruitfull in multiplicity of opinions If you would know how to judge of them together with your examining of them by the word of Truth observe diligently what influence peoples opinions have upon their spirits and upon their conversation Under the Tyranny of the Prelates many congregations had almost lost the power of Religion in a crowd of needles Ceremonies and now in too many places the vigour of practicall piety is much abated to say no more by multitudes of dispute about some such opinions as might well bee spared This renders the way very suspitious because it is no more according unto godlinesse I confesse if wee should judge of peoples way by their language onely good words are very frequent many mouths are full of Christ Free-grace light liberty c. God forbid that such sweet and precious words should bee abused to countenance either darknesse of error or licenciousnesse of practice Yet alasse how many speake the highest Gospell language who live farre below Gospell priviledges and below Gospel hopes The subtill Devill knowes how to hide his snares under the most speciâ—us even under Scripture words Try therefore over and over it much concernes you O that it might appeare that the way wherein you walke is the good way being according unto God expressing the reality of godlinesse in the course of your conversation These things being laid downe for the awakening of your vigilancy in enquiring after the good way something must be added concerning your asking for the old paths Herein you shall doe like wise travellers to consult with such as have discovered and trodden the good way before you The good way is an old way Aske then First what is the good old way of Doctrine what is the old patterne of wholsome words 2 Tim. 1. 13. Enquire what Truth Jesus Christ who is the same yesterday and to day and for ever Hebr. 13. 8. did reveale unto his servants and vers. 9. hold that fast and bee not carried about with divers and strange doctrines new and uncouth Doctrines not recommended to us by the Apostles O Timothy saith Paul 1 Tim. 6. 20. keep that which is committed to thy trust Depositum serva that which hath beene committed to thee not what thou hast invented that which thou hast received not that which thou hast found out wherein thou must not bee an Author but whereof thou art a Guardian not an ordainer but a Disciple not a guide but a follower what tâ—ou hast received in gold re-deliver the same in gold c. Hee had this trust for the Churches use let us diligently enquire after it that wee may bee guided by it Secondly what is the good old way of divine Worship Here you must consult not with the precepts of men but with the word of God revealed of old unto his Church The not minding of this ancient Land-marke hath brought in many superstitious Innovations into Gods service and mis-led thousands of simple soules out of the good way A Statesman of our owne could observe divers causes of superstition 1. Pleasing and sensuall Rites and Ceremonies 2. Excesse of outward and Pharisaicall holinesse 3. Over great reverence of Traditions 4. The Stratagems of the Prelates for their owne ambition and lucre 5. The favouring too much of good Intentions which opens the gate to conceits and novelties 6. The taking an aime at Divine matters by humane which breeds mixture of imaginations In all which there was a neglecting of the holy will of God the onely rule of pure Worship And all this while alasse poore hearts people taking much paines to little purpose In vaine doe they worship mee teaching for doctrines the commandements of men Matth. 15. 9. They over-looke Gods will hee over-lookes their devices so indeed the new way proves a bad and uncomfortable way you must enquire for the good old way if you desire to please God in his Worship Thirdly what is the good old way of practicall piety The beauty of Religion much appeares in the duties of our places and relations to have such a conversation as Paul expressed 2 Cor. 1. 12. in simplicity and godly sincerity not with fleshly wisdome but by the grace of God would much commend the Gospel and fill us with rejoycing in the testimony of our own conscience much of this practicall godlinesse might bee learned as from Scripture precepts and practices so both from the Doctrine and examples of Ancient Worthies Amongst others there are two
afford you a good word go mourne over them and if it bee possible by a contribution of prayers recover their sinking soules this is to bee Christians indeed adde to your brotherly love charity lay not out all your love to the Saints there is a love due to them as members but when you delight in the people of God the household of faith yet withall pity them that goe astray and bee charitable to them and trie all conclusions how you may winne them on and ingage them in the good way Christianity is sometimes called a way it is other times called a race Heb. 12. 1. Let us runne with patience the race that is set before us a Christian should move so fast that hee should be running making swift progresse that were walking to purpose The Lord knoweth how many even among those that would bee accounted good Christians are still dwarfes in Religion still novices children tossed to and fro with every wind and many that thinke their penny good silver yet it appeares they are but dead creatures they are but hypocrites in that they doe not grow as a Picture though never so lively drawne it groweth not it stands at a stay so many that are formall professors they shew indeed they are but pictures they doe not increase not out-grow corruptions nor over-grow their wonted passions nor grow above common temptations If you would approve your selves good travellers in the way to Sion you must bee walking it were an excellent thing that now as wee have monethly Sacraments and monethly dayes of humiliation to be drawing pictures of your selves compare your selves with yourselves observe how much more humble and broken hearted you are how much more weaned from the world you are and what fruitfull walking you expresse after so many heavenly showers falling upon you Thousands in England would bee glad of the very crummes of your Gospel comforts The more sad will your account bee if when the Lord shall reckon with you for so many yeares soule-quickning-liberties it shall appeare that neither Sabbath nor Sacrament-opportunities nor dayes of Humiliation nor dayes of Thanksgivings have engaged your hearts to walke on in this good way The Lord perswade your spirits that in an holy revenge of your former negligence you may now mend your pace and double your diligence in Sion way yea and quicken not onely your selves but one another as they in Jer. 50. 5. Come and let us joyne our selves to the Lord in a perpetuall Covenant that shall not bee forgotten Let us endeavour as those that have a minde to dwell in heaven together hand in hand to make constant progresse in this good way Quest Is there but one good way to soul-refreshing rest must all travellers towards Sion come into the very same way Answ. Without doubt Jesus Christ is the one way Joh. 14. 6. by his blood that one new and living way is opened Heb. 10. 20. there is one way of repentance for our sinnes of faith in Gods promises of obedience to his commands in which all Christians should walke as being the onely way that leades to communion with Jesus Christ and to an heavenly rest by him It concernes all Christians of all rankes of all sorts to come into this one way and with onenesse of heart to walke herein In it selfe it is a mercy very desirable that wâ—e might injoy the blessed fruit and accomplishment of that promise in the full extent of it Jer. 32. 39. I will give you one heart and one way This being part of the Covenant you should have it in your eyes make it the matter of your Prayer and the object of your indeavour The happy conjunction of purity and unity Zeph. 3. 9. was an argument that God was making a restauration of his Israel Then I will turn to the people a pure language that they may call on the name of the Lord to serve him with one consent In the Hebrew pure lip and one shoulder This is most lovely to see the people of God having a pure lip in his Worship and one shoulder in doing his Worke This promoted Temple worke not a little after the return from the Captivity when the people gathered themselves together as one man to Hierusalem Ezra 3. 1. This was the beauty of the Primitive Church that there was such an Harmony of spirits amongst the Christians of those times Act. 2. 1. It is an observation of a Learned Divine from that passage in 1 Kin. 6. 7. while the Temple was in building there was neither hammer nor axe nor any toole of iron heard in the house that thence wee should learn in Church affaires in matters of Religion to manage all with sweet peace and unanimity That no noise of contentions and schismes saith hee might be heard O that God would grant this mercy that in his house wee might all thinke and speake the same thing But it was a great blemish to the Church of Corinth that the Church which should have preserved unity within it selfe broke into divers parties into severall little Corporations some crying up Paul others Apollo others adhering to Cephas 1 Cor. 1. 12. notwithstanding those strong reasons against divisions mentioned ver. 13. Is Christ divided was Paul crucified for you or were yee baptized in the name of Paul how uncomely then are such divisions amongst you Paul was very serious and affectionate Rom. 16. 17 18. I beseech you Brethren marke them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which yee have learned and avoyd them for they are such as serve not our Lord Jesus Christ but their owne belly and by good words and faire speeches deceive the hearts of the simple Church divisions doe both weaken friends and strengthen enemies and so much disparage Religion that they discourage commers on to it and make some candidates some probationers fly off Yea too many are ready to resolve to bee of no Religion because they see so many Religions in England It were worth rivers of teares could wee obtaine that mercy from God that these differences amongst us might bee reconciled that all you in London who inquire after the good way might once come into the same way Quest Though unity joyned with purity bee very desirable yet what if there should bee a toleration of divers ways in a Church in a Kingdom why not Answ. First Here wee must wisely distinguish betwixt opinions and practices It cannot bee expected that all good men should ever come to bee of the same opinion in every thing Neither indeed doe all Truths equally concern us There are severall degrees of necessity about matters of Religion which will admit variety of opinions in some of them 1. Some things are alwaies and simply necessary as necessary meanes and causes by which wee must bee saved Thus faith in the Trinity 2. Other things are necessary as requisite conditions without which a man cannot bee saved Thus conversion from sin to God
3. Some other things are onely necessary in that they are commanded by God or may bee deduced from his Word and therefore are to bee obeyed according to that knowledge a man hath or may have of them About some of these such as are of the lowest degree not beeing fundamentall godly and learned Divines may differ in some opinions Againe these opinions are either kept private or made publicke Doubtlesse when they are not published and propagated to the disturbance of others much indulgence may bee showne to dissenting Brethren who peaceably injoy their owne opinions And as divers Truths admit a latitude so likewise some practises into which those Truths lead in both which some differences may bee borne It is observed Paul and Barnabas jarred yet both Preached the Gospel Cyprian and Cornelius differed in judgement yet both pillars of the Christian Faith Chrysostome and Epiphanius disagreed yet both Enemies to the Arians Indeed if men will vent their own conceits as commonly they are bigge with them longing to bee delivered whereby they puzzle and distract others it much alters the case and makes them more uncapable of connivence and that especially when their opinions tend to such practises as undermine the power of godlinesse or peace of the Church Christ blamed it in the Church of Pergamus that such were suffered there Rev. 2814. who held such doctrine as taught one to cast stumbling-blocks before others Quest May any compulsion bee used by Magistrates to draw people into the one good way Answ. It is concluded by most able godly and sober Divines that in some cases power may lawfully and seasonably bee imployed in matters of Religion 1 Power may and must indevour to hinder the blaspheming of the True Religion and to suppresse the propagating of a false Religion Consider Deut. 13. Inticers to Idolatry were to bâ—e stoned to death and that doubtlesse in a judiciall way 2. Though men cannot bee compelled to the profession of the True faith yet by Authority they may bee even constrained to attend upon the meanes of knowing God and that good way which leads to him Consider zealous Josiahs example 2 Chron. 34. 33. If you cannot perswade men to bee good Protestants yet strive to keepe them from acting Popery bring them into the light of the Sunne of Righteousnesse possibly they may learne thereby to abhorre Popish darknesse And now especially when wee have so solemnly Covenanted for the extirpation of Popery far bee it from any to dispute for a toleration thereof or to give way to any such Principles as will by naturall consequence infer it Quest What then shall wee doe with all those in England who are ingaged in different waies both in regard of their opinions and practises Answ. It should make us lye in the dust and melt into teares that wee have so many distractions in the Church by reason of differences amongst us One extremity hath begotten another Many desiring to runne farre from Popery and Prelacy which formerly oppressed their spirits have now before they were aware ingaged themselves in the very quarters of the Arminians and Socinians joyning with them to undermine the Civill Magistracy the calling and power of the Ministery to enervate the Sacraments and question the immortality of the soule Witnesse a dangerous Book lately written pleading for the mortality of the Soule which will open the flood-gates of prophanenesse and so poore hearts are in danger to lose the good way Yet alasse how much doe they perplex themselves and discourage others as if the Reformers in Parliament and Assembly were acting the part of the Hornes Zach. 1. 21. to scatter Judah and Hierusalem uttering these sad expressions Wee shall not bee tolerated wee must bee banished the persecution is like to bee as hot as under the Prelates and so much more inflame the present troubles I shall briefly suggest two things for resolving this great doubt proposed which puzzles so many First Before wee speake or think of tolerating or banishing let us all both Minister and people labour to reduce all those from their errors who are gone out of the good Way Too many weary themselves and others in projecting what shall become of people who are of this and that way but rather let us lay out our most serious thoughts how wee may recover them who are seduced Jam. 5. 19 20. It is an high act of Mercy to convert a sinner from the error of his way wee shall save a soule from death and shall hide a multitude of sins doe what you can to save them as Jude directs ver. 22 23. Secondly Let us indevour not onely to reduce some from their grosse errors into the good way but also seek such a reconciliation of lesser differences with others that Brethren who hope to spend eternity in Heaven together may walke peaceably and lovingly in this good way Inquire what latitude in opinion and practice the Scripture allows No good Christian will desire more Some things the Apostles commanded as being necessary some things they commended and advised as being expedient some other things which were meerely indifferent they left indifferent without the least violation of the Churches Liberty Let every one of us please â—iâ— neighbour for his good to edification Rom. 15. 2. O that wee could all indevour to keepe the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peaâ—â— Paul presseth this upon us by seven strong reasons in three short verses Ephâ—s 4. 4 5 6. and indevours to ingageus hereunto with most sweet affectionate expressions in Phil. 2. 1 2. If therfore any consolation in Christ if any comfort of love if any fellowship of the spirit if any bowâ—ls and mercies fulfill yee my joy that yee may bee like minded having the same love being of one accord of one mind A reducing of some into the good way that leads to Soule-refreshing rest a composing of differences amongst others who walk therein will so answer this question as to prevent the inconvenience of such a toleration as some desire and the danger of that banishing which others feare Give me leave Right Honorable and beloved to bespeake the improvement of your wisedome and zeale of your interest and influence for the carrying on of this soule-refreshing designe Doe not satisfie your selves that God hath brought you into the good way It is indeed an admirable mercy worthy of everlasting praises that when your faces were Devill-ward and Hell-ward hee hath turned so many of them Christ-ward and Heaven-ward I hope you love the soules of your children friends servants and people so well that you wil easily be perswaded to bestirre your selves seriously how to bring them who yet goe astray by ignorance prophanenesse or security into the good way that they may all find rest with you therein It will stand upon record for the honour of this renowned Citie what you have done since these publique troubles began for the good of the Church and for the good of
thing that many times the Master and Mistris come to Church themselves when it may bee the servants in the mean while are in Tavernes and Ale-houses and up and downe in one corner of the Suburbs or other and possibly you never so much as question them at night where they have beene and what accompt they can give of the Sermon which has been Preached what Manna they have gathered this day if you would reduce your Servants Soules if you would have them obtaine happy rest love them so well as to bee preparing them by Religious principles to walke in this good way Dâ—ale not with your Servants as you doe with your Horses let them work out their strength spirits when they have served you so long there is an end what becomes of their soules and eternall condition many of you care very little whereas indeed you should rather consider you are as well intrusted with their Soules as they intrusted with your Estates may bee thy Servants Sinnes stand upon thy account some of them may now bee roaring in Hell for those offences which either they learnt from thee or were borne in by thee O bee intreated to have an eye upon your Families too many of them looke too like the Devils Chappels give diligence rather that they may bee little Churches to the great God How sweet will this Rest bee if after thy praying and use of all good meanes that thy Children may bee found Gods Children thy Servants Gods Servants walking in the good way Parents and Children Masters and Servants may keep house together eternally in heaven Thirdly incourage your faithfull Ministers not onely in Preaching but in short Catechising briefe expounding the Scriptures such exercises might prove a very compendious method to lead many into the good way Let able Ministers study to Preach plainly yet ordinary hearers are not at the first capable of the series of a set Discourse unlesse they bee prepared for this by teaching them the A. B. C. of Christanity in the very principles and by giving them line upon line and precept upon precept in some easie and familiar manner If the Lord please to blesse us with this fruit of Reformation that reading of long Liturgies bee turned into short expounding of Scriptures when they are read in the publike Assemblies by some briefe hints to cleare difficult and presse most seasonable places upon the hearers doubtlesse it might reduce many and much edifie other peoples soules in the good way Many parts of England have already tasted the sweetnessâ— of this exchange I know no place which might more easily obtaine this precious advantage then this City where you have so many able Teachers who know how to divide the word aright Why should not you have such morning Exercises in London as are lately set up in your Neighbour City wherein your good Scribes might open their Treasures bringing forth new and old to the enriching of your soules Hereby you might recover much precious time out of the hands of sleepe and sloathfullnesse and without making any great breach in your ordinary employments get a good Gospell breakefast next your heart in the morning You would trade the better all the day if you begin first to trade with Christ in the morning Yea hereby your Soule-Nurses giving you the sincere milke of Gods word drop by drop you would be better prepared for strong meat and inabled to walk actively in the good way Fourthly forget not to throw stumbling blocks out of the good way If ever you would reduce soules represent Religion as a lovely and beautifull thing that so you may commend it to the hearts and consciences of them among whom you live O this might gaine many into the good way People judge of Religion as they find you may spend many houres in your Closet and they taste it not You may spend many dayes in publike Fasts they tast not that presently but now if your Religion makes you also just and maketh you mercifull and good Neighbours and good Landlords and good in your Relations all you deale with will taste of your Religion but though such a man or woman heareth so many Sermons and such a Lord and Lady frequents so many Fasts if still as hard hearted and as proud and as censorious and as vaine as ever here you cast a stumbling blocke in the way of Religion O that this might be the varnish of every ones Religion the more you professe the Gospell labour to bee the more exact and just in your walking expressing a Gospell conversation It is a great scandall to the Gospell when every good man is not a good husband to his wife and every good woman is not a good wife to her husband nor every good man when he is called to it is not a good governour nor every good Christian in his place is not a good servant why there are graces fit for every condition there are conjugall graces a spirit of government a ministeriall spirit now I heartily commend this to you as you would commend Religion and winne reputation to it throw all stumbling blocks out of the good way expreâ—sing such a gracious carriage as your relation and condition requires In Col. 3. 12 13. see what a chaine of graces there the Apostle linkes together Put on as the elect of God bowels of merciâ—s It were an excellent thing for al good Christians to have a mercifull disposition Oh pity poore wounded men pitie poore blind soules pitie those that go astray And as you should have bowels of mercy so kindnesse have not onely a meere pitie of them but also do kindnesse to them And withall put on humblenesse of mind towards them It may bee if you are able to doe them good and kindnesse you will proudly insult over them therefore put on humblenesse of mind and if you bee kind to them and they injurious to you adde meeknesse to it and what if they bee very injurious put on long-suffering here is Christianity in that you will have bowels of mercy and kindnes and though you be able to be kind you will not bee proud of it and if they bee not so thankefull as they should yet you will bee meeke and if they goe on to adde injury to injury you will bee long-suffering And I pray forget not the rest and forbearing one another and forgiving one another if any man have a quarrell against any even as Christ forgave you you will say you will forbeare at least for a time but though you forgive you will not forget but you will watch an opportunity to revenge Oh but you must both forbeare and forgive one another thus to represent Religion that it may bee knowne In such an house there dwels such a people they are famous for Religion and blessed bee God not onely religious but just and mercifull and meek and not rash and censorious and precipitant and the like doubtlesse