to him in well doeing as unto a faithfull creator Truth will yet Triumph Babylon and all her Crutches must downe the fight of faith is a good fight because such souldiers are sure of the victory The kingdome of Christ shall prevaile though second causes be impotent yet the zeale of the Lord of Hoasts will perform this Isa. 9. 7. When Hierusalem is restored it will be a city of Truth Zach. 8. 3. O that all our Parliament worthyes might bee so valiant for the Truth that England might become a kingdome of Truth following Chronicles will then give you a share in that Honour of being the Churches Saviours as Obad v. 21. and God will put Zerubbabels high dignity upon you making you as Signets Hag. 2. 23. The Good Lord guide unite act and blesse your counsels And think upon you for good according to all you have done or shall doe for his people So prayes He who desires to be found Your faithfull servant for the Truth THOMAS HILL A SERMON PREACHED AT the Fast before the Honourable House of Commons PROVERBS 23. 23. Buy the truth and sell it not THE eternall Happinesse of our immortall souls is to be found only in union and communion with Iesus Christ Religion is that which gathers and binds up the spirit to close fellowship with Him This bond is twisted out of those materials which the severall pen-men of Holy Scriptures have prepared Wise Solomon hath contributed a good share to this blessed work in his three Books Proverbs Ecclesiastes Canticles I will not confidently with Hierome and others entitle Salomons three books to his three Names As he was Salomon peaceable say they he scattered Proverbiall sentences among young men to discipline them in wayes of righteousnesse and peace As he was {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} Ecclesiastes the Preacher he wrote the book of Ecclesiastes a pithy Sermon teaching men of riper yeers the vanitie of vanities in all worldly excellencies As he was Iedidiah 2 Sam. 12. 25. Beloved of the Lord he acquainted greatest proficients with the sweet communion betwixt Christ and his Spouse in the Song of Songs But of this I am sure The book of Proverbs is sutable to its Title worthy of Wise Salomon the sonne of David king of Israel Prov. 1. 1. In the first book of Kings Chap. 3. vers. 9. 11. Salomon was an earnest suiter unto God for understanding and because he sought it from God and for God so much doth the Lord love to see a publike spirit in our private prayers He gave him a large portion of wisdome with an overplus of other rich advantages he obtained both the wisdome of a Prophet and of a King whereby he spake both Propheticall and Kingly sentences So much the Originall word {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} rendred Proverbs seemes to import raiguing commanding sentences being so full of wisdome gravity and authoritie and that stile of being Master of the Sentences may well be translated from Peter Lumbard unto King Salomon who was the Author of so many Master-sentences Much of the wisdome of a Nation is oft found in their Proverbs and much of Salomons in this book of his Proverbs it being a cabinet of such Jewels as is fit for the closet of so wise a King full of short and pithy sentences like Jewels indeed containing magnum in parvo much value vertue and lustre in a little roome And for the better discovery of their excellencie it is observable that herein they differ from most other Scripture Their Harmony is in discord their beautie in a kinde of contrarietie If you would understand our Saviours parables minde the scope if you would reach many other places of Scripture attend the dependance but if you desire distinctly to apprehend the Proverbs in them consider the opposition which though it appeare not so full in this my Text as in many other of these Proverbiall sentences yet here you may finde two disagreeing parts First an Injunction Buy the Truth Secondly a Prohibition Sell it not This opposition such as it is begets two Propositions 1. All the sons of wisdome must be carefull to buy the Truth 2. Though all must be buying yet none may sell the Truth I will follow the method of the words beginning with the first proposition All the sonnes of wisdome must be carefull to buy the Truth Herein by Gods gracious assistance I will take a view of severall branches enquiring by way of explication and confirmation 1. What is the commoditie it self this Truth that must be bought 2. Into the nature of the purchase with the price of it 3. What Reasons may engage us to trade in this commoditie And then ioyntly shake them altogether in the application trying what seasonable fruit they will affoord this grave Assembly on this solemne Day Every one will be euquisitive concerning the commoditie it self What is this Truth I answer Not a Metaphysicall Truth that 's for Speculation only not a Logicall Truth that 's chiefely for disputation nor a Morall Ethicall Truth that 's but one sprig of speaking veracitas rather then veritas Salomons Truth here must needs be Theologicall And that not veritas 1o prima God himself no creature can compasse so great a purchase if God were willing to sell it but veritas 2o prima derived from that first Truth this may and must be bought This is veritas objectiva as it lyes in the Scriptures both in the principles of it and conclusions deduced from it Truth Originall and Truth Derived And veritas subjectiva seated in us which we sucke from the word of Truth Indeed Truth of Religion in us grounded upon the Holy Scriptures the Rule of Truth which comprizeth Truth in our Iudgements when soundly informed Truth in our wils and affections when obedientially conformed Truth in our conversation when seriously reformed according to the word of Truth There are things in Truth well worth our Buying first libertie of Truth that the True Religion may have free passage and not be imprisoned in corners or clogged with difficulties Veritas nihil erubescit praeterquam abscondi Truth blusheth at nothing so much as to be concealed Paul desireth the Thessalonians to pray for him Sylvanus and Timotheus that the word of God may run and be glorified It is a disparagement to Christ and his Gospel when that hath so much adoe to creepe which should run and ride in triumph from congregation to congregation from kingdome to kingdome But a most beautifull and honourable sight to see Christ at the opening of the first Seale with a bow and a crowne going forth conquering and to conquer subduing the Heathenish world to the obedience of his Gospel by the preaching of the Apostles What though a river be full of good water yet if frozen if not an open passage men may die for thirst It is the motion of the Sun of righteousnesse that disperses
both light and heat Libertie of the Gospel makes it a Gospel to us The Church in the Acts knew how to value this libertie of Truth and therefore when Peter was imprisoned instant and earnest prayer was made the answer was as effectuall Peter released Herod confounded and truth set at libertie Of all famines the Soul-famine Gospel-famine is the most grievous threatned as an heavy Judgement Amos 8. 11 12. But a most sweet mercy to feel and taste the accomplishment of that promise Isa. 30. 20. Though the Lord give you the bread of adversitie and the water of affliction yet shall not thy teachers be removed into a corner any more but thine eyes shall see thy teachers Secondly Puritie of true Religion is a good purchase as well as libertie That we may have an incorrupt Religion without sinfull without guilefull mixtures not a linsey-woolsey Religion All new borne babes will desire {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} 1 Pet. 2. 2. Word-milke Sermon-milke without guile without adulterating Sophistication of it of which Paul glories 2 Cor. 2. 17. For we are not as many which corrupt the word of God but as of sinceritie but as of God in the sight of God speake we in Christ Whose zealous care it was 2 Cor. 11. 2. to espouse the Church of Corinth to one Husband no polygamy in the second marriage that he might present them as a chaste virgin unto Christ This he endeavoured by pure Gospel means and by perswading to puritie and singlenesse of heart in the use of those means The Devill is as busie vers. 3. to corrupt peoples minds from the simplicitie that is in Christ well knowing the simplicitie that is in Christ is the best Rule for the Churches conformitie to this we may subscribe without any checke of conscience And indeed what are false Religions but Humane compositions The Alcoran compounds Mahomets fond devices with some fragments of Gods word Popery compounds unwritten Traditions most presumptuously with Holy Scripture yea it rakes up Heathenish customes revives old Jewish Ceremonies which are now mortuae mortiferae dead and deadly compounding them with the institutions of Christ You may discerne such mixtures in many errors about the great mysteries of the Gospel even in every linke of the golden chaine of Salvation Rom. 8. 30. Arminians in the Decree of Election compound foreseene faith with the Soveraigntie of Gods will In vocation so compounding mans Free-will with Gods Free Grace that with them in the act of conversion prima causa depends upon secunda the power of Gods grace must wayte upon the concurrence of our good nature Popish Doctors doe strangely compound works with faith in the act of justification and in glorification so compound the merits of the Saints with the merits of Christ that by a condignitie they become meritorious of eternall life let the Devill affect vaine compositions the whore of Babylon must paint her wrinckled face with some borrowed beautie to cover her inward deformities Christ and his Truth will glory in no vernish so much as native simplicitie and puritie Thirdly Truth must be purchased as well in the power as in the libertie and puritie of it There should be such a streame as runs purely without mud and that in a strong torrent Hypocrites will swarve in the last age when most Gospel-light breaks out many painted professions will borrow some lustre from it This Paul foretels 2 Tim. 3. 5. In the last dayes together with many streames of wickednesse there will be a generation of men having a forme of Godlinesse but denying the power of it a good description of hypocrisie But the Lord bespeaks power both in the dispensing and the professing of Truth Paul desired to preach in the demonstration of the spirit and of power 1 Cor. 2. 4. as well knowing that the kingdome of God is not in word but in power 1 Cor. 4. 20. It is not wording but working the power that will evidence to speaker or hearers that they are subjects in the kingdome of Grace and heires to the kingdome of glory This Paul made an argument of their election 1 Thess. 1. 5. that the Gospel came not to them in word only but in power and in the Holy Ghost much power appearing in the dispensation of it and the Thessalonians hearts so fully possessed with the power of the Truth that their carnall principles were confuted their passions moderated their lusts mortified and their self-ends confounded Most men affect in Religion either a dull moderation or an outside pompe both enemies to the power of Truth Moderation doth better in other things then in the practise of Religion where there cannot be a nimium God requires totum cor and totum cordis the whole heart and the totalitie of it that we should love him with all our heart with all our soul and with our strength Luk. 10. 27. Indeed moderation hath its season but with Calvins caution I confesse saith he there ought to be moderation yet this I constantly affirme care must be had that under pretence of moderation nothing be tolerated which proceedeth from the Devill or Antichrist Neither must we so affect the outward pompe of Religion as to neglect the power of it Hilary his counsell was good who writing against Auxentius Bishop of Millaine complained that the Arrian faction had confounded all and therefore admonished all men to take heed how they suffered themselves to be led with outward appearances It is not well saith he that you are in love with walls that you esteeme the Church in respect of houses and buildings and in and under those shewes and appearances pretend and urge the name of peace Is there any doubt of Antichrists sitting in these places This makes Popery such a Religion as pleases mens eyes and humours their eares rather then rectify their mindes and heale their hearts because they seeke not so much to purchase the power as the pompe of Religion Having layed open before you the Commoditie it self to be purchased Truth in the libertie puritie and power of it It s necessary further to enquire into the nature of the purchase with its price As all other markets ordinarily begin at home so indeed our trading for Truth The spirit of God having convinced the heart how farre it is come short of the glory of God by sin Rom. 3. 23. and that men are alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them Ephes. 4. 18. withall giving the soule an hint and taste of the excellencie and sweetnesse of Divine Truth the only Soveraigne means of its recovery it groanes most seriously and pants most affectionately after acquaintance with the truth and possession of it And that not only by some cold velleitie by some dull wishing and woulding but by a peremptorie choice not by wandring and flashy but constant and fixed desires not by lazie and
and supporters of it set Truth at libertie Zachary 4. vers. 6. the great mountaine of opposition must be moved not by humane power and might but by the spirit of the Lord of Hoasts not only by his power but by his spirit because Church works must be carryed on in a way of enlightning and revealing the Truth Thus the wise providence of God wrought formerly when a Generall Councell though by many groaned after could not be obtained with the consent of the Clergy and Court of Rome to whom Reformation would be a certaine Ruine He stirred up divers Heroicall Worthies Waldus in France Wickliffe in England Luther in Germany Knoxe in Scotland to despise the light of Truth And Revel. 14. vers. 6. After the flying Angell having the everlasting Gospell to preach unto all that dwell on the earth then vers 8. there follows another Angell saying Babylon is fallen Doubtlesse the Pope must fall not only by the Sword of Princes but by the Sword of the Spirit 2 Thessalonians 2. vers. 8. That wicked One must be revealed and consumed with the Spirit of the Lords mouth If you would have the mystery of iniquitie unmasked see the Popes Triple Crowne tumble and the thicke mist of Popery vanish help forward the bright Sun-shine of Gods Word promote the libertie puritie and power of Truth You have had a discovery of some few sprigs growing upon this first Proposition let us in the Application gather the wholesome fruit which hangs upon them It is the good hand of God upon us when so many of our brethren in Ireland are still bleeding under their enemies crueltie that we are at libertie in this solemne Ordinance to plead with our God for mercie Oh that this day of Self-humbling might be to us in the use of it according to its nature a self-searching or soul-purging day My Commission is to hold forth the Glasse of Gods Truth before your eyes that you may may discover your spots and defects Let it be your worke to reade over your selves as well as your Bibles to speake and write retractations of your former errors and confessions of your miscarriages I wish we could all be Augustines herein The Lord knoweth what Volumes many of us might fill if we were but well studyed in our selves And together with the long Catalogue of all our other sins our neglect of Truth must come in as having a great influence into the rest for this we may blush and bleed yea rivers of teares are too little to bewaile this that in all our designes we have so little minded to purchase the Libertie the Puritie and Power of true Religion Adam and Eve began to make very bad markets to sell themselves and posteritie for the forbidden fruit Prophane Esau sold his Birth-right for a Messe of pottage Heb. 12. 16. How many with Absalom to humour their vain-glory will set the Peace of a Kingdome to sale How many with Haman to gratifie proud revenge will set a whole Church to sale Some with Iudas will set up their Saviour to sale for thirtie pieces Others with Diotrephes the first Cocke of the game that they may fill their sailes with Church-pompe and Church-power will set the Keyes of Church and Ordinances of Christ to sale Lay your hands upon your hearts To be purveyours for your lusts as the prophane Romanes 13. vers. 14. To be Merchants for the Pope as the superstitious Innovators To be Proctors for the Devill as Gospell-opposers what saith conscience Is this to buy the Truth Give me leave Honourable and beloved to come neerer you with three plaine Queres I study not alta but apta proferre Have you gotten your owne hearts possessed with the power of the Truth Hath Gods word a throne in your Consciences Colossians 3. 16. Let the word of God dwell richly in you If it dwell there First it must intrare then residere it must dwell and abide there exercising a soveraigntie over you ever drawing open into an humble familiaritie with it What fruitfull knowledge have you gotten in the mysterie of Doctrinall and Practicall Godlinesse They who know the Grace of God in Truth will bring forth fruit Colossians 1. vers. 6. Doth the Truth of your Religion appeare in your relations in the uniformitie of a Gospell conversation as Phil. 1. vers. 27. Aske your hearts whether in all your undertakings you move upon Religious grounds and for Religious ends God doth not onely number but weigh our actions and observes not onely what is done but why it is done The The word of Truth must be our judge therefore now let it be our Counsellor It is Philpots Glosse upon Iohn 12. vers. 48 The word that I have spoken shall judge him in the last day if the word shall judge us then much more ought it to be a judge of our doings now Have you set up Truth in your owne families It is most odious for a Minister of Christ to flatter to dawbe with untempered morter at any time but most abominable upon a Day of Humiliation You reckon your house your little Common-wealth by what law is it governed Doth the word of Truth the Scepter of righteousnesse beare sway there Whence then so much licentiousnesse tolerated in the servants so much dissolutenesse in the children so much oppression tyranny and too often other wickednesse in your selves and such distempers in family relations Psal. 101. vers. 2. David would walke in his house with a perfect heart Such as served him he would either finde them or make them Gods servants You would have others thinke your houses are Churches What thy house a Church to God and thou a covetous idolater Thy house a Church to God and thou an uncleane sonne of Belial What concord hath Christ with Belial what agreement hath the Temple of God with idols The argument is as strong for Magistrates as for Ministers 1 Tim. 3. 5. If a man know not how to rule his owne house how shall hee take care of the Church of God How can you be good Reformers both of State and Church unlesse you be first Reformers of your selves and your owne Families Light is a great advantage to an house especially the light of Truth The Father of Lights is not pleased to dwell in a darke habitation such a corner is fitter for Satan the Prince of darknesse It was a very honourable report which Melancthon giveth of Prince Anhalt Cubiculum ejus erat Academia curia Templum His Bed-chamber was an Academie a Court a Temple The Lord gives you a share in this honour Let not your Chambers be Academies onely for the advanocment of learning or Courts for the daily dispatch of publique affaires but Temples for the worship of God and calling upon his name Give the people not onely Rules but examples of Reformation Let Religion be first advanced in you it will the sooner bee setled by you Have you imployed and improved
Die Mercurii 27. Iuly 1642. IT is this day Ordered by the House of Commons now Assembled in Parliament That Sir Christoper Yelverton doe returne thanks to Mr. Hill from this House for the great pains he took in his Sermon this Day Preached at the Intreatie of this House being the Day of Publique Fast at Saint Margarets Westminster And that he doe likewise intreat him from this House to print his Sermon And that no man presume to print it till the House shall take further Order but whom he shall appoint H. Elsynge Cler. Parl. Dom. Com. I appoint Iohn Bellamie Philemon Stephens and Ralph Smith to Print my Sermon THOMAS HILL THE TRADE OF TRUTH ADVANCED IN A SERMON PREACHED to the Honourable House of COMMONS at their Solemne Fast Iuly 27. 1642. By THOMAS HILL B. D. Pastor of the Church at Tychmersh in the Countie of Northampton Published by Order of that House IOHN 17. 17. Sanctifie them through thy Truth thy word is Truth 2 COR. 13. 8. For we can doe nothing against the Truth but for the Truth LONDON Printed by I. L. for Iohn Bellamie Philemon Stephens and Ralph Smith 1642. TO THE HONOVRABLE HOVSE OF COMMONS NOW ASSEMBLED in PARLIAMENT WHen I first heard that I was designed for this solemne service being conscious of my own insufficiencie to Preach to so awfull an Assembly I couldnot entertaine it without trouble yet resolved with Luther rather to undergoe others censures then to be reproved for ungodly silence in such times when the Lord suffereth And now I have as much reason to be full of blushings to thinke that this plaine Discourse should be exposed to more publique view but herein I must resigne up my self unto your disposings to whom I owe quod possum quod non possum much more then my meanenesse can performe This Sermon such an one as it is I humbly tender to your Gracious Acceptance who have adopted it I put it into your Honourable Protection who have listed it I commend it to your Practicall observation for whom I intended it heartily desiring Gods Blessing upon your spirits in the perusall of it that you may read and act it turning words into works that you may repeate it over in your lives which is the best repetition of Sermons Our present breaches call for a contribution from every one for the repairing of them but much is expected from you who are called to be publique Counsellors and thereby obliged to expresse a publique frame of spirit which is the beautie and strength of a Great Councell swallowing up your private interests in the publique Welfare Not with Baruch seeking great things for your selves which is most incongruous to Stormy times but rather resembling Melancthon who professed though he had many Domesticall troubles yet the publique wounds of the Church most deeply afflicted him England is more bemoaned by many with that language in Austin over the poore man Quomodo huc cecidisti Alas how camest thou into these distractions She may answer as the poore man there standing in more need of reliefe then discourse Obsecro cogita quomodo hinc me liberes Thinke how I may be rescued out of thâ—se troubles Towards this blessed Worke I have cast in my two mites moving in the proper sphaere of a Divine as an Agent for the Truth perswading you who are betrusted by others and have farre engaged your selves in the Reformation of Religion that with all your might you would promote The Trade of Truth It is not for me to suggest a Methode in the execution of your counsels He whose name is Counsellour guide you yet I shall still pray that in your Intention the purging the setling the advancing of True Religion may be most Dear unto you It is one maine end and a pretious fruit of government that wee may lead peaceable and quiet lives in All Godlinesse and honestie This is well worth peoples wrastling prayers and your most active endeavours The stabillity of all our blessings must come by the True Religion Gods presence is the best security who is most powerfully present where there is most power and purity of Religion Would you have a flourishing Kingdome advance the Kingdome of Christ in it Let the State maintaine Religion and Religion will blesse the State could you settle all our State liberties yet if the Arke of Truth bee taken from us Our glory is departed we may write these mourning characters upon all our Comforts ICHABOD where is the glory It is too high a complement in the Lord Cordes a French Commander who often said that he would willingly lie seven yeeres in Hell so that Callice were in the possession of the French againe We blesse God for that reall selfe-denyall and activity ye have expressed abating so many personall and family contentments in your long attendance upon publike affaires Be not weary of well doing in due season ye shall reape if you faint not Never had any PARLIAMENT more work to do Ireland still bleeds the affaires thereof find unhappy obstructions To subdue Rebellion to plant Religion there are great matters England is very much out of frame The Church cals for Truth the State cryes for Peace they who sowed in hope reape in feare out sickles are turning into swords Now to effect an happy correspondence betwixt our Soveraigne and his people a blessed compliance betwixt England and Religion here 's work for the strongest shoulders Never had any PARLIAMENT greater opposition As Nehem. 4. 17. our builders worke with one hand and hold a weapon with the other Achitophels plot Rabshekahs raile Sanballats mocke Yea since councels of Reformation there is a more malignant antipathy appears against truth in many places As 2 Tim. 3. 13. evill men and seducers waxe worse and worse deceiving and being deceived Yet be encouraged Worthy Sirs Never had any PARLIAMENT so many Thundring Legions of praying Christians to assist them when others insult and blaspheme Iacobs posterity are wrestling with God for you resolving not to let him goe till he blesse you And whilst you are pursuing peace allow this plaine Sermon that humble boldnesse as to whisper you in the eare beseeching you still to maintain your former zeale in the cause of Truth When did your counsels prosper more then when you were most active about religion When you were building the Lords House For hee builded yours as Hag. 2. 19. from this day I will blesse you Be pleased therfore more and more to engage your selves for the Truth so shal you engage God for you let your cause be His cause then his Attributes will be yours his providence will work for you his spirit wil work in you then will you have more with you then against you though the Devill and the Pope combine Do your owne work trust God with his duty is ours Events successe are his Commit the keeping of your soules of the Church of the state
spirit vers. 17. 6. And indeed the word of Truth is the Gospell of your Salvation Ephesians 1. 13. The Charter by which the Corporation of Saints challengeth such rich priviledges the Articles of that Covenant which doth entitle them to such blessed hopes You cannot hope to finde Gods gracious acceptance of your service nor enjoy any Soule-refreshing communion with him in the duties of his worship unlesse Truth direct and animate your spirits therein When David was engaged in a pious and plausible service in fetching the Arke from Kiriath-jearim 1 Chronicles 13. he consulted vers. 1 2. the people consented vers. 3 4. there was much confluence and triumph vers. 8. The Oxen stumbling Vzzah upon a faire pretence put forth his hand to uphold the Arke yet God would not accept of his faire intention but smote him that he dyed vers. 10. the reason is rendred 1 Chronicles 15. vers. 13. because God was not sought after the due order his Truth was not observed in the carrying of the Arke as vers. 14. with reference to this Story Peter Martyr commends it to the care of Queene ELIZABETH that Church Governors endeavour not to carry the Arke of the Gospell into England upon the Cart of needlesse Ceremonies There are two flyes which marre the most precious pots of oyntment Hypocrisie and Superstition as Isaiah 29. 13. Wherefore the Lord said forasmuch as this people draw neere to me with their mouth and with their lips doe honour me but have remooved their heart farre from me and their feare toward mee is taught by the precept of men In both a great defect of Truth Hypocrisie is lip-labour and lip-labour is lost labour no dutie acceptable without truth of heart in it Superstitious worship taught by mens precepts may be devout enough yet because it wants the Authoritie of Gods Truth to Steere it how marvellously doth God curse it vers. 14. Therefore behold I proceed to doe a marvellous worke amongst this people a marvellous worke and a wonder the wisdome of their Wise men shall perish and the understanding of their Prudent men shall bee hid When the Devill hath made men Superstitious God will make them foolish he takes no pleasure in them The best of our Practicall Christianitie even our most solemne addresses to God upon such a day as this Ioose their vigour and blessing if custome only or formality act us herein and not conscience to Gods Truth What are good Christians but Rules of Truth become examples yea living walking pictures of Divine Truth When the wantonnesse of humane wisdome will multiply Will-worship and Wit-worship thinking to please God with better devises then his owne it turnes to grosse folly and ends in much mischiefe rather then acceptation Witnesse Gideons Ephod Iudges 8. vers. 27. Yea such men take much paines to loose their labour and Matthew 15. vers. 9. In vaine doe they worship God teaching for Doctrine the commandements of men Never expect the gracious presence of Christ in his Churches unlesse you purchase Truth and set it upon the Throne Revel. 2. 1. He walketh in the middest of the golden Candlesticks whose office it is to hold forth the Truth The beautie and efficacie of Church Government and Discipline depend upon their Conformitie unto Divine Truth It must Regulate Church Power and Discipline Church Administrations else they will soone loose their Lustre and Authoritie Degenerating either into emptie Formalitie or into Church Tyranny which of all other is most grievous because so oppressive to the Conscience Hence such uncouth Catalogues of Church Officers amongst the Papists Pope Cardinals c. Hence such swelling Volumes of their Canon Law because not Divine Truth but carnall wisdome drew the platforme Hence so many of our Temples made houses of Merchandize wherein as in the darknesse of Popery Indulgences were Absolutions are bought and sold Yea hence the sword of excommunication which was wont to be formidable because drawne with so much solemnitie is now made contemptible because so familiarly abused upon trifles and all this because Divine Truth hath had no more power in our Consistories And this doubtlesse doth much foment the present distractions of the Church that either fancie or affection should put such high claimes upon things as suddenly to style them Institutions of Christ or usurpations of Antichrist not sufficiently consulting with Divine Truth If our Prelaticall Power and Cathedrall Pompe be of Divine Right let us see a Divine word for it what need we such violent arguments to maintaine them oath upon oath subscription upon subscription Let Christ himselfe be acknowledged as King in his Church as Lord in his house let the word of Truth be our Booke of Canons our Books of Discipline and then if Paul were our visitour he would rejoyce to behold our order as Colossians 2. vers. 5. Yea then we shall undoubtedly find the Broad-Seale of Heaven confirming what is done when we follow the guidance of Christ in his owne Truth Matth. 18. 15 16 17 18. The best way to promote the most publique good of all the Churches is by advancing the trade of Truth This publique counsell should move in the most publique sphaere seeking good for themselves and others both at home and abroad The eyes of all the three Kingdomes yea of the Protestant world are now upon you expecting much from your influence You can never contribute fully to the worke of Reformation here unlesse you set Truth at libertie neither shall you be so effectually helpfull to all the Protestant Churches though you should recover their lands and regaine their territories unlesse you re-establish their Religion by opening a free trade of Truth amongst them Truths advancement is one of Gods great designes Kingdomes are for Churches and Churches golden Candlesticks to hold forth Truth that therein Christ may appeare in his most glorious lustre when the banners of Truth are universally and victoriously displayed The Kingdomes of this world shall become the Kingdomes of our Lord and of his Christ and he shall reigne for ever and ever Revel. 11. 15. How came Popery to be advanced to so great height but by suppressing Truth The mystery of iniquitie wrought in the Apostles times It went on by steps the Pope was first Antichrist nascent then Antichrist crescent after Antichrist regnant but when he was made Lord of the Catholike Faith so that none must beleeve more nor lesse nor otherwise then he prescribed he became Autichrist triumphant The Pope is guiltie of the grossest theevery he robs the Sacrament of the Cup the Scriptures of their Authoritie and the Church of the Scriptures as theeves blow out the candles the better to conceale themselves and carry on their designes so He suppresseth as much as he can the light of Truth that with more advantage he may play his pranks and creepe undiscerned in the darke If you would lay siege to the Devill or Popes kingdome and undermine all the crutches
Protestations you have made to God by his wonder-working Providence about you and by the dependance the Protestant cause abroad hath upon you stirre up your Resolution in the behalfe of Truth Would you have the name of this Parliament embalmed with everlasting perfume Improve your power for the true Religion Justifie our Magna Charta the grand Charter of Scripture truthes that doth entitle us to Salvation Confirme unto us our Petition of Right establish upon Pastors and Churches so much interest in the power and use of the Keyes as the Word of Truth doth allow them Maintaine amongst us a free course of trading for eternall happinesse set and keepe open those shops such Pulpits such mouthes as any Prelaticall usurpations have or would have shut up Secure to us not onely liberty of person and estate but also liberty of Conscience from Church tyranny that we be not pinched with ensnaring oathes clogged with multiplyed subscriptions or needlesse impositions which will rather increase then compose distractions Together with Priviledges of Parliament let us have Church-priviledges vindicated helpe us to purge out that old leaven whether of Doctrine of Disposition or Persons that we may have Sacraments more purely administred according to the rule of Truth let us be sure of this Militia inviolably setled the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God Ephes. 6. 17. Guard that Magazine wherein are laid up the weapons of our warfare that are mighty through God to the pulling downe of strong holds 2 Cor. 10. 4. So shall we be put into a good posture for Reformation Act undaunted resolution in the prosecution of these religious Designes then may you confidently expect Christs glorious and gracious presence amongst you Luther would assure you thereof Where the Word of Christ doth raigne saith he there are the eyes of Christ fixed on the holy Professors of Truth but where the Word of man reigneth although there were as many Popes as there be leaves in the wood and as many Cardâ—nals as graines of Corne c. As many Bishops as drops of water in the Sea and all of them glittering in Gold and Jewels Gemmati purpurati mulati asinati to maintaine their owne Lawes yet are Christs eyes turned away from them Truth though it must be bought yet it may not be sold The Wisedome of Scripture directs us to severall purchases Isai. 55. 1. Every thirsty soule is invited to Come and buy Waters Wine and Milke Seeke to Christ upon his termes for variety of sweet Soulemercies Rev. 3. 18. We are counselled to buy of Christ Gold tryed in the fire the pure graces of Gods Spirit and the purity of Ordinances Ephes. 5. 16. We must be redeeming the time not only taking opportunities of doing and receiving good when they are offered and seeking them when they are wanting but buying them at any price And indeed Christians should be Chapmen to buy rather then Salemen to sell We are commanded to buy that we may possesse the end of this possession is use what Spirituall commodities we have purchased we must Improve for God and our Soules but not alienate them from our selves There are three sorts of Hucksters will be ready to engrosse the Truth from you if you be willing to sell it Malignant persecutors are engrossing Huckesters who watch to interrupt the liberty of the Truth These even as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses resist the Truth men of corrupt mindes Reprobates concerning the Faith 2 Tim. 3. 8. And indeed therefore resist the Truth because their mindes are so corrupt Such the Apostle cals {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} absurd men 2 Thess. 3. 2. Men compact of meere incongruities solaecising in opinion speeches actions and whole life yea unreasonable men For all men have not Faith ver. 2. Religion is the highest Reason nothing more irrationall then irreligion From such spirits arose those conspiracies against the Apostle endevouring to scotch the Charriot-wheeles of Truth when they began first to move No sooner did Steven plead for Truth but some were suborned against him Act. 6. 11. No sooner did Saul beginne to Preach the Truth but opposers began to consult to kill him Act. 9. 23. Though not long before he had beene a busie Apparitor and Pursevant to Arrest the Saints and dragge them to their High-Commission Act. 9. 1. A strange and suddaine change in them as well as in him Origen saith of the Devils No greater torment to them then to see men addicted to the Scriptures The same temper of spirit appeares in the devils agents upon the killing of the witnesses Rev. 11. 10. They that dwelt upon the earth shall rejoyce over them and make merry and shall send gifts one to another because these two Prophets tormented them that dwell on the earth And therefore they will adventure peace of Conscience and hope of Heaven yea the whole stocke upon it that they may buy up Truth out of the Churches hands and sometimes malice rises to such an height that even in England the Bible must be burnt as strange Doctrine Seducing Heretickes whose endevour is to corrupt the purity of Truth The great Apostasy from the Faith 1 Tim. 4. 1. is brought about by giving heed to seducing spirits The Pope hath many Emissaries abroad who joyne with the Devill studying a method of Soule-deceiving and Truth-betraying Compare Ephe. 4. 14. {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} with Ephes. 6. 11. {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} you shall find the devill and deceivers artificially methodizing their snares to draw us from the Truth 2 Pet. 2. 1 False teachers have alwayes practised to bring in damnable heresies The beginnings of grosse errours may be modest yea the foulest Heresies may at first appeare with faire faces The Serpent creepes into the Paradise of the Church by degrees as 2 Cor. 11. 3. his plot is to corrupt peoples mindes From the simplicity that is in Christ First he will puzzle them with a question as he did Eve put a command of God a knowne Truth to be disputed then helpe them to mint some distinctions which are not alwayes so happy in Divinity as in Philosophy thereby to relieve and helpe in an error And here it may be observed though these men have the same designe with malignant persecutors to engrosse the Truth yet cunningly they will buy it up by parcels that they may be the lesse discerned They will trade first in names then in things first habituate us to call our Ministers Priests our Communion Tables Altars before they impose superstitious gestures This was the Rhemists straine of policy Let us keepe our old words and wee shall easily keepe our old Faith This graduall Huckstering up the purity of truth is most cleare in Image worship At first Images and pictures of Saints were used in private for Memory History or Ornament onely Afterwards with like colour of
drop such fruite as will much promote the trade of Truth abroad How many living stones yea how many Builders did famous Perkins hew by Preaching a Lecture in Cambridge many Children and Fathers begotten by his Ministery in a few yeares to the great advancement of the Truth Secondly Behold with the same compassion Cathedrall Churches and the wofull effects of selling the Truth in too many of them The strange Vestures and Gestures Images c. in some of their Quires intimating too much affinity with those Chambers of Imagery in their abominations mentioned Ezek. 8. 10 11 12. Former Reformations left such nettles growing there that have since unhappily seeded many other Churches yea left so much dust not onely behinde the doore but even in the very Quire as hath beene easily blowne about into many corners They glory in being called the Mother Churches but they have too often proved Step-dames to their Daughters engrossing the maintenance that should provide the word of Truth for their Soules What pity is it that Cathedrall Societies which might have beene Colledges of learned Presbyters for the feeding and ruling City Churches and petty Academies to prepare Pastours for neighbour places should be so often Sanctuaries for non-residents and be made Nurceries to many such Drones who can neither Preach nor Pray otherwise then reade say or sing their Prayers and in the meane time Truth much obscured in a Non-edifying pompe of ceremonious service It was a notable designe of those Bishops at Bononia that gave Pope Julius the third this very Counsell how to establish the Roman Religion Let the people say they have pompous Prayers Images Tapers Organs and divers musicall instruments in their Temples These are things with which the people are much delighted and being taken up with these they almost forget that doctrine which is so destructive to us Let your compassion move you to counter-worke all such plots as Church-deformers sought to corrupt Cities and places of confluence so let those that professe themselves Church-Reformers when the Harvest is greatest expresse the greatest care to send forth most faithfull Labourers for the Truth Matth. 9. 36 37. This were to resemble your Saviour Thirdly Behold with weeping eyes the many hundreds of Congregations in the Kingdome where millions of Soules are like to perish for want of Vision Truth is sold from amongst them either by Soule-betraying-non-residents Soule-poysoning-innovators or Soule-pining-dry-nurses In too many places the very Image of jealousie the Idoll of the Masse is set up yea the Comedy of the Masse acted because there wanteth the light of Truth to discover the wickednesse and folly of it Do not some of you that live on the Welch coasts cry out with your Neighbours Woe is me that I sojourne in Meseck and that I dwell in the tents of Kedar Psalm 120. 5. Doe not some of you inhabit the North parts where you may complaine in the word of Nicholas Clemang pag. 15. How many Priests came to their Benefices not from the Schooles and their study but from the Ploughes and servile Occupations which could neither Reade nor Understand Latine Where in many miles not a Minister that can {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} and {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} Preach and live Sermons I wish every Parliament-man had a map of the Soule-misery of the most of the Ten thousand Churches and Chappels in England I hope it would draw forth your compassions and stirre up your endevours to rescue Truth out of their hands who would sell it and set up the trade of Truth in poore darke Countries Had I the favour to preferre a Petition unto You in the name of Universities Chiefe Cities Country Congregations yea the whole Kingdome and were sure of a propitious eare from you I would summe up all in this clause in this one breath Improve Your Power to helpe forward the Word of Truth that it may runne and be glorifyed This would maintaine love and loyalty to our Soveraigne Where hath he most hearty Prayers but where Truth most prevailes This would teach men to justifie the power and comply with the Authority of Parliaments Who have more undermined and maligned Parliaments then such Ministers as first betrayed Truth This is the way if any to reduce seduced Papists Humane Lawes will pinch their purses Send divine Truth amongst them that may satisfie their consciences This is the most Soveraigne meanes to compose Church-differences Why doe we contend saith Augustine are we not Brethren Our Father dyed not intestate let his Will be publiquely produced and all men will be quiet This is the best way to make the Reformation thorow and lasting because this would engage the peoples hearts 2 Chron. 20. 32 33. Jehosaphat did that which was right in the sight of the Lord Howbeit the high places were not taken away for as yet the people had not prepared their hearts unto the God of their Fathers Josiah a good King did much yet because the peoples spirits were not wrought to concurre with him the worke soone vanished and Gods Judgements brake in upon them Goe on therefore Honourable Worthies improving your influence to prevent the selling of Truth First Provide that every Congregation may have an able Trumpet of Truth Secondly Especially let great Townes places of confluence have Lectures Markets of Truth Thirdly Afford any faithfull Paul and Barnabas incouragement yea Power if Sergius Paulus desire to heare the Word of God to goe and Preach though Elymas the Sorcerer should be unwilling such ambulatory exercises have brought both light and heate into darke and cold corners Fourthly What if there were some Evangelicall Itinerant Preachers sent abroad upon a publique stocke to enlighten darke Countries Thus might you reape glorious fruits of all your Counsels teares prayers and paines in seeing Dagon fall downe before the Arke of truth I have endevoured though in much weaknesse with words of Truth and sobernesse to plead the cause of Truth I must end as an importunate Sollicitor O sell not the true Religion upon any termes Much of my Rhetoricke to perswade you is within you I speake to your selfe-love as you are Men to your conscience as you are Christians to your Wisedome as you are States-men to your Honours as you are Noble Be alwayes buying but never selling the Truth England hath had an happy taste of your zeale for Truth and against the corrupters and betrayers of the true Religion The Lord from Heaven hath appeared mightily for you when you appeared much for him in the cause of Truth God forbid that ever this Parliament should lose any of it's first love to Religion and the Reformation of it then may you expect to drinke of Solomons bitter cup The Lord was angry with Solomon because his heart was turned from the Lord God of Israel which had appeared to him twice God forbid that Rhehum the Chancellor and