words even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ and to the doctrine which is according to godlinesse 1 Tim. 6.3 Do we ferret out these vermin these vipers that eat out our mothers bowels Do we catch the foxes that destroy our grapes Do not we wink at them nay nourish them embrace and hug them in our bosomes nay suffer them to nestle among us so far are we from casting them out hunting them away discountenancing of them that we invite them to breed and burrow and kindle and kittle in our houses heads hearts I wish we keep not birds to pick out our own and childrens eyes O let us be wise at last take heed of a snake i' th bosome (o) Toleration â—n Religion is not to be tolerated this overthrew Solomon Valentinian c. The Church of Thyatira is blamed for suffering the woman Jezabel to teach and to seduce Gods servants Rev. 2.20 't was the fault of Theodostus to suffer the Arrians to have their meetings in chiefe cities 'T wil be a foundation to the Devils Kingdom to al generations like gun-powder blows up both Church and State at one blast Saint Paul opposed it Gal. 1.8 9. The primitive bishops would not suffer Arrians Donatists Jerome Ambrose Chrysost reproved even kings for conniving at them So Luther Calvin and the reformed Churches so Bishop Iewell Bilson Bahington Mr Perkins c. would not endure a Toleration of Popery And should we tolerate more damnable heresies Papists are no enemies to Devotion to Scripture to Order to Learning they have some forme of Religion many truths preached beleeved among them The Word of God Christ Jesus a Saviour a heavn a hell but we have those that bring in confusion subvert fundamentals overthrow Religion Learning Order al yea that blesse God they never trusted in a crucified Christ nor did beleeve him to be the son of God nay for themselves to say they were equal to Christ was no robbery See Mr Edwards Gangraena from whence these and other passages also Antapolog p. 280. 292. Give a timely antidote against this killing poyson A spark neglected may burn down to the cold ground both our own and our neighbours houses in any wise keep your selves from the accursed thing lest ye make your selves accursed when ye take of the accursed thing and make the camp of Israel a curse and trouble it John 6.18 There be wil be Achans among the Israel of God to trouble the Churches peace but let them be Anathema account them execrable 2 Special Exhort to Magistrates Ministers People And 1 the Magistrate ought to let the leavening sectaries know that he beareth not the sword in vain he may yea must 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Tit. 1.11 dit up their mouthes (p) corrigi cos cupâ—mus non necari sic ergo corum peccata compesce ut sint quos penireat peccavisâ— This was Saint Augustine favourable opinion ad Donat. Procons Africae Ep. 127. but experience afterwards altered him See Master Edwards Ant. 291. by his coercive and restraining power and cause the false prophets and unclean spirit to passe out of the land Zech. 13.2 In the Old Testament false prophets were to be punished even with death and that by Gods own command Deut. 13. 5. because they sought to thrust Gods people out of the way c. see the place And none of them pleaded to the religious and reforming Magistrate Sir it is our conscience you ought not to trouble us for it I confesse a tender regard should be had of tender consciences and God forbid God forbid we should exasperate authority against such as are indeed tender conscienced But the crafty Devil when he is hunted and cast out elsewhere will take sanctuary even in conscience it self * 't was conscience the Papists pleaded in K. Edw. and Q Elizabeths time Antapolog 286. and as Rachel when she had stolen her fathers idols Gen. 31.35 plead for liberty you must not disease or molest him But shal he therfore play Rex must he be suffered to hold possession doubtles he will then bring seven other devils worse then himself and the latter end of those men into whose consciences he is crept wil be worse then the beginning He wil fil them ful of all iniquity and under pretence of being suffered he will infect pervert poyson destroy the whole Church S. Paul therefore Gal. 5.12 wisheth that seducing sectaries that troubled that Church were even cut off (q) Do you think heretiques were not conscionable in the Old Testament as now If any man had a conscience to turn men from God he would have men of as much conscience to cut them off Mr Cotton on Vial. 3. 4. p. 17. 21. Paulus non tam furoris in adversarios quam ardoris in Dei gloriam et sanctam ecclesiam verba loquutus est videbat quippe totanâ— provinciam quam ipse Marlorat exp eccles haec maledictio profecta est a Spiritu Sancto non eâ— privato affectu yet Saint Paul was no persecuter of tender consciences no man more tendered them perswaded and wrote more in their behalf Rom. 14. the whole chapter is upon that point yet how severe is he in his reprehensions animadversions against leavening and seducing teachers he calls them Dogs evil workers Phil. 3 2. he likens them to witches Gal. 3.1 How doth he rate and rattle up Elymas who sought to turn away the Deputy from the faith O full of all subtilty and all mischief thou child of the Devil thou enemy of all righteousnesse wilt thou not cease to pervert the right wayes of the Lord And struck him blind Act. 13.8.10.11 2 Ministers must preach pray down heresie and whatsoever (r) commonefaciens tam superiores quam inferiores sui officij Superiores quidem nefermentum errorum in doctrina aut vitiorum in moribus licet modicum videatur in republica ecclesia scholis oeconomia vel quavis societate invalescere sinant sed legitimis rationibus mature praecaveant vel expurgandum cuâ—ent antequam plures inficiantur Inferiores vero ut fermentum Pharisaeorum Papistarum haereticorum pravorum hominum h. e. falsa dogmata hominum commenta consortia vitiorum tanquam pestem fugiant Paraeus in 1. ad Corint c. 5. v. 6. is contrary to sound doctrine exhort perswade rebuke Tit. 1.13 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 what have we our tongues for our places for what are we lieger ambassadours for here in the Church but for intelligence to let our Lord and Master know what affairs of Church and State are transacted what molitions machinations are against his crown and dignity how men conspire against him break his bonds in sunder and cast away his cords from them will not be regulated under his discipline What are we watchmen set (Å¿) Excubias agere adversus supos fures ut si ad gregem accedere voluerint eos magnis clamoribus altis vociferationibus quam
in Scyllam sive in Charybdim incidentes fidei naufragium patiantur Chemnit Harm cap. 82. 3 In regard of the Doctrine it self 3 Their Doctrine is plausible which false teachers broach and deliver it stands us in hand to be very carefull for it is Probable plausible pleasing to corrupt nature and the itching humours of ungrounded unsanctified men (h) potest quidem Satanas suum fermentum melleâ dulcedine inficere Quid enim falsa doctrina suavius amabilius Chemnit Harm â—â—61 Thus was the leaven of Pharisaicall Sadducean and Herodian sectaries it took much with the common people Such is the leaven of our dayes it savoureth well to the common palate to have liberty of conscience none to controll them no covenant to bind no law to command or condemne c. Nothing but Christ Gospell Spirit revelations new light no tying of men to Duties of piety familie-prayer c. such they opprobriously nickname Duty-mongers formalists There needs no fixt time place persons for any publick ordinances of God for they are all taught of God able to preach pray minister a word in season need not must not be servants of men pay tribute to Caesar tithes or maintenance to an Antichristian ministerie let them labour with their hands as Saint Paul did that all things must be common (i) Sleidan lib. 3. that all men all creatures shall be saved at the last c. Is not this gallant Divinity must not such Doctrine as this needs take And have not we need to take heed and beware of such leaven The point thus proved by Scripture and Reason affordeth unto us a twofold Use of Exhortation Reproof 1. Use of Exhortation 1 For Exhortation And are these things so Why then Let all Christians take out this lesson which our Savior taught his disciples here and suffer not a company of cunning giddy self seeking sectaries to undo them believe not any seducing spirit Be not turned aside after another Gospel Gal. 1.7 Take not on trust what the leavening Pharisee delivereth out of Moses chaire receive nor any venemous tenet under the pleasing notion of Gospel and new light but prove all things 1 Thes 5.21 Search the Scriptures as those noble Beraeans Acts 17.11 Blind men swallow many a flie Look well about you therefore have your eyes in your head lest in any kind or degree you admit such How wary are you in taking money how advisedly exactly do you weigh gold refusing it not only when the mettall is base brasse and drossie but also when it wants the least grain of due weight 'T is a rule you have tell money after your father to turn every suspected penny you take especially when much bad money and copper coin is stirring abroad Believe me brethren there is not now so much bad silver in the world as there is bad doctrine Look to your selves that ye lose not those things which ye have gained 2. John 8. so some copies read the place that pretious depositum of sound truth and wholesom words Let not the Devil or his hereticall imps cheat you with their new counters though glistering and glorious you know the proverb All is not gold that glistereth Be henceforth no more children tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of Doctrine by the sleight of men and cunning craftinesse whereby they lie in wait to deceive Eph. 4.14 All seducers say they are of Christ come from him preach in his name The Devill never comes to deceive in his own likenesse All fanaticall phrensies that ever have beene broached in Gods Church to this day do pretend to some degree of new light (k) Audias etenim quosdam ipsorum dicere venite o insipientes miseri qui vulgo Catholici vocitamini discite fidem veram quam praeter nos nullus intelligit quae multis ante saeculis latuit nuper vero revelata ostensa est sed discite furtim atque secretim delectabit enim vos Et item cum didiceritis latenter docete ne mundus audiat nec ecclesia sciat paucis namque concessum est tanti mysterij capere secretum Vinc. Livin cap. 26. though it be indeed mere darknesse ye therefore beloved seeing ye know these things before beware lest ye also being led away with the errour of the wicked fall from your own stedfastnesse 2 Pet. 3.17 2 This Doctrine of cautelous circumspection lest Christians be leavened perverted falleth foul upon 2. Vse of Reprehension to people sharply chides and reproveth 1 Foole-hardy adventurous people that love to be nibling at every leavened loaf that will be sipling of every sugred cup though full of deadly poyson as K. John of the Monk of Swinshed his Wassail though it should cost them as it did him their life They will run a madding after mountebank teachers their mouth waters after bread of deceit because it is sweet though afterward the gravel stick in their teeth Pro. 20.17 Unsetled professors (l) cum quaeque novitas ebullit statim cernitur frumentorum gravitas et levitas palearum tunc sine magno molimine excutitur ab area quod nullo pondere intra aream tenebatur Vincent Lir. cap. 25. of the tribe of Gad as one wittily calleth them like rambling beasts though they have never so green and good pasture will over hedge and ditch into fresh grounds and like silly sheep love to feed on fresh lushious though rotting grasse Very weather-cocks every wind of Doctrine turns them unballasted ships every wave shakes them (m) Heu miseranda conditio quantis illi curarum aestibus quantis turbinibus exagitantur Nunc etenim qua ventus impulerit incitato errore rapiuntur nunc in semetipsos reversi tanquam contrarij fluctus reliduntur Vincent Lirin Ibid. They have a penny to bestow with every pedlar Assoon as they heare of a new merchant they will take up his wares on trust Alas poore soules are you such children such fools heedlesly and greedily to swallow any leavened morsell know you not that these scorpions have stings in their tail Rev. 9.10 and yet will you play on the hole of the aspe 'T is Solomons advise for the avoiding of drunkennesse Prov. 23.31 Look not thou upon the wine when it is red when it giveth his colour in the cup when it moveth it self aright At the last it biteth like a serpent and stingeth like an adder Take heed of leavening seducers they have an intoxicating cup to pervert make giddy and poyson your souls Their wine is the poyson of dragons and the cruell venome of aspes Deut. 32.33 (n) Wine here signifieth the corrupt doctrine and heresies wherewith the Iews poysoned themselves their disciples poyson of dragons that is their doctrines and actions are venemous and deadly to soul and body as being doctrines of devils and the poyson of the old dragon Ainsw in loc 2. Magistr This also blameth the negligent and unregarding
Leaven corrupting the Childrens Bread OR Christs Caveat to beware of Sectaries and their dangerous Doctrines IN TWO SERMONS on Mark 8.15 The former preached in the Cathedrall Church of Lincoln at the Lecture on Wednesday October 1. 1645. The latter in another Auditorie By JOHN CLARKE B. D. and Pastor of the Church of Fiskerton neere Lincoln 2 Tim. 3.13 14. But evill men and seducers shall wax worse and worse deceiving and being deceived But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of c. 2 Tim. 4.3 4 5. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers having itching eares And they shall turn away their eares from the truth and shall be turned unto fables But watch thou in all things Aug. ad Hieronym Resecandae sunt putridae carnes scabiosa ovis ab ovili repellenda est nè tota domus Massa pecora ardeant corrumpantur putrescant â—â—â—tereant Arrius in Alexandria una scintilla fuit sed quia non statim oppressus est totum orbem ejus flamma populata est LONDON Printed by John Macock for Luke Fawne and are to be sold at his shop at the sign of the Parrot in Pauls Church-yard 1646. The Epistle to the Reader Christian READER ALthough I be neither so obscure in the world as not to know or be known unto some great and good men too some Theophilus unto whom I might perhaps with acceptation dedicate and entitle the following sermons nor so badly beloved befriended that either my pains or person need fear slighting discountenance or contempt Yet I chuse rather at this time as one not ashamed or afraid in this particular to be counted Independent to let these plain sermons passe abroad withovt ambitious affecting wooing the patronage wearing the Liverie of any great name but onely thine Christian who art truly great and honourable yea of the blood royall partaker of the Divine nature whose father brother hope happinesse inheritance crown are all in heaven It is the truth of Iesus Christ which I preach and will I doubt not be entertained by such with due respect who know and follow Christs voice Every truth ought to be precious unto us What is truth if not this which issued out of the mouth of truth it self The sad experience we all have of the present distempers of our Church in regard of a perverse spirit of errour mingled among us tels us our need of being charged to take heed beware of Leaven Abundans cautela non nocet I and thou have lift up our hands unto the Lord the most high God the possessor of heaven and earth Gen. 14.22 and by the solemne nationall covenant stand â—ouâ—â— without respect of persons to endevour the extâ—ipatâ—on of poperie superstition heresy schism profanesse and whatsoever shall be found contrary to sound doctrine and the power of Godlinesse Who shall can disengage us of this Bond How ever in the preaching of these Sermons I pleased not some who with a shie discontented countenance a maligne disdainfull eye since have looked on me over me as the Dâ—vil looked over Lincoln according to our country 〈◊〉 Yet by men judicious godly orthodox what I preached 〈◊〉 â—â—en accepted accounted a word in season profitable 〈◊〉 through whose importunity now at last it is thâ—◠〈…〉 presented to thine eye If it may do any good to the common cause and bâ—â— bucket to quench the scare-fire an Antidote against the infection of the times I shall be glad 'T is not my purpose to exâ—â—â—â—â—tâ— I wish rather to heal the canker sore I desire to be faithfull to Christ and his peoples souls not to please men or for itch their itching eares to move planctum rather then plâ—â—sum to speak to their hearts not to feed their humourous fancies Plain dealing is a jewel yet they that use it die beggars I matter it no for if I yet pleased men I should not be the servant of Christ Gal. 1.10 The Lord stir up the spirit of every found truly good Christian to stand up as Gods witnesse and greatly to contend for the faith which waâ— oâ—â—e delivered to the Saints So prayeth Thy servant in his ministerie John Clark Leaven corrupting the childrens Bread OR Christs caveat to beware of Sectaries and their dangerous Doctrines MARK 8.15 And He charged them saying Take heed beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the leaven of Herod UPON occasion of the late miraculous feeeding of four thousand people with seven loaves as we finde in ver 6 7 8 9. of this present Chapter Our blessed Saviour whose manner usually was (a) Sican enim Joh. 6. Christus ex miraculo quinque panum occasionem sumpsit docendi de pane caelesti qui vitam assert mundo ita hic ex miraculo septem panum nuper edito eorum fermentatione occasionem sumit Apostolos instituendi de fermento Pharisaeorum Sadducaeorum quo illi sinceram doctrinam verbi divini quod est panis vitae corrumpunt Chemn Harm Evan. c. 82. to improve earthly sensible obvious objects to spirituall advantages draweth off the minds of his hearers raiseth up the hearts of his Disciples to more high and heavenly meditations minding them of another kinde of bread fore-warning them of another kind of leaven than was used and eaten ordinarily in their houses and set on their tables viz. False Doctrine (b) fermentum Pharisaeorum in doctrina consistit falsa Chemnit Harm cap. 61. fermentum Pharisaeorum Sadducaeorum non corporalem panem sed traditiones perversas haeretica significat dogmata R. Mont. poysonous positions soul-damning principles (c) impia Pharisaeorum doctrina fermento comparatur propter vim noxiam seducendi homines praecipitandi in exitium Paraeus in 1. ad Corinth cap. 5. v. 6. broached broken among the people dropped here and there and crumbled into the Bread of Life the Word of God by sundry pernicious Sectaries of those times Pharisees Sadduces for I take in them too as I am warranted from Mat. 16.6 and Herodians who did shamefully vitiate grossely corrupt the sincere (d) est hic sermo metaphoricus Chemn harm cap. 82. denotat id quo nativa rei puritas inficitur opponitur puro ac simplici Dei verbo genuine truth of the Word of God soul-bread with their erroneous glosses and traditions for so without all metaphor the Disciples understood That he bode them not beware of the Leaven of Bread (e) non ex panibus sed ex cordibus vult fermentum expurgari Paraeus ibid. but of the Doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadduces Mat. 16.12 2. Parts In the Words observe two particulars 1. A Duty charged on the Disciples 2. Reasons pressing it 1. Duty 1. The Duty charged upon them is this viz. Carefully to heed whatsoever Doctrines they might occasionally heare as a businesse
perceivable 1 Cor. 5 6. So erroneous doctrine is but little at the first Heretiques have tricks of cleanly conveyance can by scraps and piece-meal steal in here and there a bit now and then a crumb among other orthodox and unleavened truths They are cunning enough to mix and blend it not to let it fall all together on a lump lest it haply should be descryed which if it be Then 't is but a slip in judgement in utterance and delivery a private opinion of no great moment what great harme can it do in being vented (l) An vos viros tam sapientes ignorare convenit illud vulgo tritum ex pistrino sumptum proverbium modico fermenti fermentari totam massam Epitheton modicum tacitam includit 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 si forte dixerint modicum hoc est Imo et modicum nocet Paraeus in 1. ad Corinth cap. 5. v. 6. Fermentum enim videtur res non magni momenti sed tamen intra conspersionem admissa totam massam acidam reddit Sic leviculum nullius momenti videtur esse hoc vel illud doctrinae addere Quodnam enim periculum ex additiuncula aliqua enasceretur sed corruptela etiam minima semel recepta serpit ut cancer Chemnit Harm c. p. 82. O ye beloved it leaveneth people draweth Disciples breeds a faction separates hearers into private conventicles and makes rents and schisms in the Church One is for Paul another for Apollos 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1 Cor. 1.13 A little pin may kill mortally Behold how great a matter a little fire kindleth Jam. 3.5 3. Like 3. In regard of the Quality Like Leaven is like the dough is of the same grain of the same meal leavings of the same lump the scrapings up of the kneading trough very like it differeth but in age sowrenesse c. So is the corrupt leaven of heretical doctrine scraped up raked together 2 Pet. 3.6 out of the Scriptures but perverted wrested sophisticated adulterated sowred with rotten corrupt mis-interpretations and glosses so seemingly sound true probable Heb. 5.14 holy good that he had need of senses exercised that should discern the hidden poyson of the abominable opinions of hereticall leaveners (m) Seria praemâ—nit one utitur qua declarat Christus non esse cuivis datum discernere falsam doctrinam ab illa sibi caverâ— Bucer 4. In regard of the Spreading property 4. Spreadeth that is in Leaven for it speedily secretly suddenly unperceiveably diffuseth it selfe through the whole lump of dough (n) fermâ—nci nomine significatur id quod late serpit eâ— alia quoque ad se trahit Chemn Harm cap. 82. till all be leavened creepeth into every corner of the kneading trough so doth this mysticall leaven of false doctrine this scab of error like an universall leprosie (o) Arrianorum venenum non portiunculam quandam sed pene orbem totum contaminaverat Vinc Lir. cap. 6. over-spread and disperse it selfe over the whole Church and Kingdome from old to young from Minister to people from one Christian to another One scab'd sheep marreth the whole flock one rotten apple tainteth those that lie next unto it (p) uvaque contactu livorem ducit ab uva One pestilent fellow may breath death into a thousand And therefore Saint Paul warneth Timothy to shun prophane and vain bablings for they will increase to more ungodlynesse And their word will eat as doth a canker of whom is Hymeneus and Philetus who concerning the truth have erred 2 Tim. 2.16 17. When men have once forsaken the right way they wander in infinitum Thus we see many fall from schisme to heresie (q) Master Hooker eccles polit in the prefaci from being Separatists to Anabaptists Antinomians Arminians Socinians Libertines Atheists Seekers and so they may be all their dayes and yet shall never find that old and right way which for some toy they forsook formerly God penally giving them over to strong delusions and leaving them to a spirit of error Ye shall seek me and shall not find me Joh. 7.34 Ye shall seek me and shall dye in your sins Joh. 8.21 as Christ there telleth the Pharisees Uno absurdo dato mille sequuntur God knoweth where such men shall stop themselves nor we know not * Master Edwards Antapolog p. 295. some of them had gone far by this time of the day till they be over head and ears ingulfed from the puddle of heresie into the bottomlesse pit bank-less bound-less 5. In regard of the Effects Leaven 1. sowreth 2. heateth 3. swelleth 1 Sowreth 1. Leaven sowreth the whole lump 1 Cor. 5.6 a crumb of leaven mingled with the pure meal (r) fermentum hâ—nc vim habet ut si farinae mixtum fâ—erâ—tquod parvum videbatur crescat in majus ad saporem suum universam conspersionem trahat ita doctrina haeretica si vel modicam scintillam in tuum pectus jecerit in brevi ingens flâ—mma succrescit ut totam hominis possessionem ad se trahat Hieronym knod among the dough moulded up into the loafe leaveneth vitiateth altereth the first simple pure sweet nature of it makes it smell sowrely taste saltly savour rammish unpleasingly So doth this corrupt Leaven of erroneous doctrine (Å¿) humana commenta traditiones Evangelio Christi adminâ—tas id totum adulterare subveâ—tere fidem conscientias turbare Sicut enim modicum veneni totum cotpus inficit sic vel modicum de humanis commentis Evangelio gratiae aspersum totum corrumpit Paraeus in Galat. cap. 1. Lect. 8. adulterate and sowre the unleavened truth and pure Word of God and therefore was odious and abominable unto God who cannot endure humane mixtures (t) Quemadmodum in moneta regia qui aliquam partem de impressa imagine amputaverit totum numisma reddit addulterinum ita quisquis vel minimam particulam sanae fidei perverterit vid. Para. ibid. ex Chrysostom and sophistications Amos 4.5 expresly forbidden the Iewish Church in all their sacrifices Levit. 2.11 2. Heateth 2 Leaven heateth and thence in the three learned (u) Our English Leaven is from the leavings of the batch usually made up reserved as the other Hebr. word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 comes of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 reliquum esse to leave languages hath its denomination 1. fermentum a ferveo 2. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quod fervendo crescat 3. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 calefactus fuit incaluit he was hot every house-wife that layeth Leaven (w) Mulierum erat opus panes coquere sicut ex historia Sarae patet Gen. 18.36 Plinius testatur Romae per annos ab urbe condita quingentos octoginta nullos pistores fuisse Chemit Harm cap. 61. knoweth this heating quality to be in Leaven and therefore they cover and keep warm their dough lest the bread should be sad No leaven
longissime summoveant Calvin praefat adv fanatic sect Libertin upon the walls of Jerusalem and will not blow the trumpet when the slie enemie under false colours a feigned word which he can give shall pretend he comes as a friend and so cut our throats Alas alas poore England thou hast many malignant watchmen that pretend to descrie and discover danger that are themselves most dangerous that have and do undo thee by daubing cursed silence in such a time as this Est 8.6 that are of thy enemies counsel are at a fee with him his pensioners If it were not so they would not betray the truth of God to vile sectaries as they now do O these carriages would make dumb stones speak It is irremissibile peccatum a sinne against the Holy Ghost saith Luther (t) In Epist ad Spalatin to be mealy-mouth'd when such pernitious leaveners poyson the bread of the houshold of faith 3 Every private Christian look to one look well about you Believe not every spirit but trie their doctrines whether they be of God or not 1 John 4.1 If any come that bring not this doctrine receive him not to house bid him not God speed 2 John 10. say thou of their clandestine meetings and adjure thy self as Jacob of Simeon and Levi Gen. 49.6 O my soul come not thou into their secret unto their assembly mine honour be not thou united Pray God by his power to keep thee to salvation Lead not thy self into temptation Julian the Emperour became an Apostate by going to heare Libanius the sophister declame against the Christians Come not near the doore of their house knowest thou not that the dead ar there and that their guests are in the depths of hell Prov. 9.18 If corrupt doctrine be so dangerous take thou heed to thy self in leavening times and places and companies heedfully mind every sermon opinion tenet every book and discourse thou hearest seest readest carefully look unto every bit of bread the least morsell thou puttest into thy mouth lest some unsuspected crumb of unsound leaven be mingled therewith And this is the second point which we are fallen upon and now followeth in order to be handled viz. that Doct. 2 The people of God must with all possible caution and circumspection preserve themselves from being leavened corrupted and seduced Take heed beware (u) Tribus verbis utitur quo Apostoli reliqui omnes intelligant rem illam a qua ipsos tam sancte et serio dehortatur esse modis omnibus detestandam Deus enim etiam levissimas purioris suae doctrinae corruptelas nullo modo ferre potest vult ut sui discipuli Christiani non instar caetorum mox cuivis spiritui applaudant sed spiritus probent Chemnit Harm cap. 82. Deut. 13.3 Thou shalt not hearken to the words of that prophet (w) vid. Vincent Lirin cap. 15. upon that place of Deuteronomy chap. 13. who excellently paraphraseth thereon for the Lord your God proveth you to know whether you love the Lord your God with all your heart 8 thou shalt not consent unto him nor hearken unto him read the place from vers 1. to the 14. Jer. 23.16 Hearken not unto the words of the prophets that prophesie unto you they make you vain they speak a vision of their own heart Matth. 7.15 Beware of false prophets (x) also on Math. 7.15 read Vinc. Lir. cap. 36. Mar. 4.24 Take heed what you heare Acts 20.28 Take heed therefore to your selves and to the flock 29 shall grievous wolves enter in among you 30 also of your own selves shall men arise speaking perverse things to draw away disciples after them 31 Therefore watch and remember that Phil. 3.2 Beware of dogs beware of evil-workers beware of Col. 2.8 Beware lest any man spoyl you through And good reason have we to be thus carefull in regard of 1 our Own souls 2 Sectaries and leavening Teachers 3 Doctrines delivered by them Reasons 1. In regard of our selves 1 In regard of our selves Because it is a matter which much concerneth us a businesse of great consequence our immortall souls which are more worth then all the world are in danger lie at stake may come to be perverted poysoned destroyed damned through our base neglect Matth. 23.15 they make him viz. The Pharisaicall leaveners make their proselytes two fold more the child of hell then themselves 2 Pet. 2.1 who privily shall bring in damnable heresies even denying the Lord that bought them ver 2. and many shall follow their pernitious wayes ver 3. with feigned words make merchandise of you The Apostles words are emphaticall and weighty 1. will not a wise Christian take heed of that which will bring upon him an irrecoverable losse that may undo him for ever and break his back heresies are damnable 2. would a man walk in a way which would bring him to some ill end these are pernitious wayes 3 would a wise and free-born man be bought and sold Like a slave or beast (y) Bez. not Major in 2 Pet. 2. tanquam pecoribus ad nundinationem these with feigned words make merchandise of you As therefore in fairs we look to our purses take heed of cheaters as in times of warwe gird on our swords and will not be unprovided for an enemies encounter as in times of infection we provide Antidotes comfort and preserve our spirits fence and corroborate the vitals so should we take as great care of our souls and blesse our selves out of the company of smitting and contagious leaveners seducers Touch not that pitch which will not easily be got off S. John that beloved disciple accidentally being in the Bath where Cerinthus was (z) Cerinthus maintained that the world was made by Angels that circumcision and other legal rites were to be observed that Jesus Christ was a meer man not risen again but should rise that Christ should reign a thousand years on earth and men should enjoy al sensual pleasures vid. Augustin de Haeres 8. he leaped out of the Bath unbathed because he feared the Bath should have fallen seeing that enemy to the truth was within Such feare and zeal had the Apostles saith Irenaeus that they would not communicate a word with them that adulterated the truth as Master Fox relateth it Acts Mon-vol 1. P. 48. Secondly because of the number nature of corrupting seducing Leaveners 2 In regard of false teachers 1 For number many false prophets are gone out into the world 1. John 4.1 not as many which corrupt the word of God 2. Cor. 2.17 many walk enemies of the crosse of Christ Phil. 3.18 Therefore as a man that hath a charge of money 1. Many in a way where many robbers haunt in a faire where many cheaters and cut-purses come had need look well about him be very wary and circumspect or as in times and places of the Pestilence where many be infected shut up and die of
Herodians must be taken heed of Deut. 13.6 If thy brother son daughter wife friend which is as thine own soul entice thee 9 thou shalt surely kill him 10 because he sought to thrust thee away from following the Lord. Gal. 1.8.9 though We or an angel from heaven (p) etiamsi Petrus etiamsi Andreas etiamsi omnis Apostolorum chorus Evangelizet vobis aut angelus de caelo h. e. si fiat quod non potest fieri quisquis ille traditam semel fidem mutare tentaverit anathema fit Vinc. Lir. cap. 12. vid. cap. 13. Paulus meras flammas loquitur tamque vehementer ardet ut Muscul preach any other Gospel unto you then that which we have preached unto you let him be accursed And the Reasons are Reason 1 1 Because great men are not alwayes good men gracious and sanctified men The Pharisees Sadduces and Herodians were eminently great and greatly honoured among the Jews yet odious and vile sectaries very hypocrites and incarnate Devils none of the Rulers except Nicodemus believed savingly on Jesus Christ John 7.48 Unsanctified great ones like great trees in an orchard overdrop the smal and young and more fruitfull plants that they do not cannot thrive or prosper under them Like rank weeds they choak the profitable grain the great men are great hinderers and blocks in the way of piety Poyson is often tempered in golden cups then doth most harm to such as hoped for a wholesome refection not mortall infection from such precious and refined mettal Reason 2 2 Because good men the best men are yet but men still and have too often their failings faults errours (q) Venerabilis quondam memoriae Agrippinus Carthaginensis Episcopus primus omnium mortalium contra divinum canonem rebaptizandum esse censebat Quae praesumptio tantum mali invexit ut non solum haereticis omnibus formam sacrilegij vid. Vinc. Lir. cap 9. and observable imperfections They know 1. Cor. 13.9 but in part are good but in part There is a posse errare falli decipi a possibility of errour of deceiving and being deceived in the very best (r) Quicquid vero quamvis ille sanctus doctus quamvis episcopus quamvis confessor et martyr praeter omnes aut etiam contra omnes senserit id inter proprias et occultas privatas opiniunculas a communis publicae ac generalis sententiae auctoritate secretum sit ne cum summo aeternae salutis periculo juxta sacrilegam haereticorum et schismaticorum consuetudinem universalis dogmatis antiqua veritate dimissa unius hominis novitium sectemur errorem Vincent Lirin cap. 39. Peter himself was not in all things imitable nor walked uprightly according to the truth of the Gospel Gal. 2.14 so that Saint Paul withstood him to the face because he was to be blamed ver 11. get thee behind me Satan for thou savourest not the things that be of God but those that be of men Mat. 16.23 Never look for a moon without spots the best fruits have kernells cores stones parings the purest wheat hath chaffe bran Never yet was there among ministers or private Christians any so eminent in parts sound in graces orthodox in opinions regular in practises that durst challenge imitation or belief in all things and therefore Saint Paul modestly saith 1 Cor. 11.1 Be ye followers of me as I also am of Christ. Saint Augustine the soundest among the fathers could not did not justifie himself in all things even after his solemne rerractations and serious review of his own works some want failing errour did perhaps stick still by him Reason 3 3 Because the Devil can and often doth make use of great and good mens opinions judgements speeches doctrines manners practises to his own bad ends and devilish designes There is a tang of errour and imperfection in them that are the ablest gifted best graced saints the Devil can turn their wine into water make the gold dim Eccles 10.1 can corrupt a whole box of precious ointment with one dead and stinking flie that it shall become unwholesome loathsome Thus he hath used or rather abused the great learned Rabbies among the Jews to be perverters and poysoners of their nation till this day Some great men of place and parts in the Primitive Church were thus made use of by Satan (Å¿) So was blessed Cyprian by the cursed Donatists Vincent Lir. c. 11. ut etsi in errore concipiendo Origenis non fuit sensus ad errorem tamen persuadendum Origenis auctorita valere videatur Vinc. Lir. de Orig. cap. 23. to be leaders of a faction fathers of sects and heresies Luther that worthy instrument of God and heroick oppugner expugner of Papists Anabaptists and other erroneous sectaries yet is made in Consubstantiation and some other points by Satans policie authour and founder of the Lutherans (t) Mr Fox Acts Mon. vol. 2. p. 87. Vse 1 Therefore see and learn from hence the unsafenesse of too much affecting any man Instruct or addicting our selves to the opinions doctrines principles practises of the best teachers Take we heed how we have mens persons or parts or performances in too great admiration There will be something sometimes that may be said or done amisse Saint Paul himself would not glory but in his infirmities lest any man should think of him above that which he saw him to be 2 Cor. 12.5 6. 'T is a great folly for us to look for more in men to promise our selves more from creatures then we shall ever find in them 'T is not safe to pin our faith on any mans sleeve (u) Et profecto magna tentatio est cum ille quem tu prophetam quem prophetarum discipulum quem doctorem adsertorem veritatis putes quem summa veneratione amore comâ—lexus sis is subito latenter noxios subinducat errores quos nec cito deprehendere valeas dum antiqui magisterij duceris praejudicio nec facile damnare fas ducis dum magistri veteris impediris affectu Vinc. Lirin cap. 15. though they sit in Peters chair as the seducing Pharisees did in Moses's and arrogantly pretend to a more then Papal infallibility Leaven may be in their dough (1) infaelix ille Nestorius subito ex ove conversus in lupum gregem Christi lacerare coepisset cum eum hi ipsi qui rodebantur ex magna adhuc parte ovem crederent ideoque morsibus ejus magis paterent See and read the whole cap. 16. Vse 2 2. Hence then is deservedly taxed the indiscreet credulity of many plain meaning honestly minded Christians now a dayes that are too light of belief and so are unawares engaged and engulfed in errour from whence they cannot so easily extricate and deliver themselves When they heare of some affecting wel-gifted preacher (2) Photinus erat et ingenij viribus valens doctrinae opibus excellens eloquio praepotens sed bene quodcommissae ipsi
text answered the Germane Anabaptists which was onely truly and fully accomplished in and applyable to the Apostles and Primitive disciples as Saint Peter expounds it Acts 2.16 And now I come to the Practicall part of my discourse to apply and make Use of the point delivered and that for Information Exhortation And is corrupt doctrine like leaven 1. Use of Information 1 See then from hence a reason of the so speedy growth and sudden spreading of pernitious opinions damnable heresies and doctrines of Devils It is no news to see a little leaven sowre heat heave and disperse it self speedily through the whole lump of dough (g) ejusdemfarinae hominibus Chemn The least dram draught drop of deadly poyson spreades from stomach to veins arteries seiseth the vitals and soon dispatcheth a man So doth heresie poyson mens brains spirits and possesseth them with a spirituall phrensie and madnes and this contagious too infecting others which is no wonder in Divinity though it be in Physick mad-men smit not others If there were no other reason to suspect the upstart Sectarie and his new Divinity this might be one enough to stop his mouth that his doctrine conversation practice cannot be right good of God because they but touch and take every one ignorant athiest profane old young boyes wenches all from every quarter hang upon them follow them as proselytes and like tinder take fire at every spark of new pretended light walk in the light of your fire by the sparks that ye have kindled This shall ye have of mine hand ye shall lie down in sorrow Isa 50.11 Questionlesse it is erroneous doctrine hellish heresie that like ill weeds grows so fast It is unsound Divinity that is so soon believed received that Mushrome-like or as Jonah's gourd springs up in a night True grace saving knowledge lie warm at the heart sanctifie the spirit soul body the grain of Paradice lieth long under the clods and groweth but slowly what a while was our Saviour in hammering sundry divine truths into his disciples heads how dull and slow of heart were they to believe Be sure then that must needs be naught that is so soon learned embraced believed It is strange now to see but it would not have been believed some few years agoe as a thing possible in the Church of England that there should could be such an overflowing jaundice of unsound opinions brain-sick whimzies such an overspreading leprosie and gangrene of schisme heresie sects [h] ut sit ibidem deinceps impiorum ac turpium errorum lupanar ubiâ—erat ante castae incorruptae sacrarium veritatis Vincent Lirin c. 31 as now with sad hearts we every where see That a small contemptible handfull of corupt leaven one or two firebrand-factious sectaries in a country like Moses handfull of ashes from the furnace which sprinkled became a boyl breaking forth with blains upon man and beast Exod. 9.8.10 should spoil a whole countrey Church Kingdome and like an impetuous torrent carry all before them cum stabulis armenta [i] So that as holy Polycarpus of the buding heresies in his time each godly Christian might ought to look up to heaven and say 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Good God unto what times hast thou reserved me that I should live to see this The cloud is broken and wets to the skin which was little in the rise but like a mans hand 1 Kin. 18.44.45 So did Arrianism overspread the face of the Primitive Church the whole world became Arrian So Pelagianism Donatism after that And at last Mahometism like an overflowing deluge soul-killing pestilence hath poysoned the Eastern as Popish leaven hath the Western Church Rev. 13.3 all the world wondred after the beast 2. Pet. 2.2 Many shall follow their pernitious wayes but they are unstable souls that are gulled and beguiled by mounte bank teachers Mr Edw. Antapol p. 211. Errours readily enertained truth may stand out of doors long enough quacsalving sectaries that vapour and brag of great things and disparage the grave learned experienced physician Children are taken with every toy rattle hobby-horse guegaw Idle people in a fayre flock after players throng about Ballad singers and so do simple ungrounded credulous Christians after leavening seducers 2. Use of exhortation 2 Is corrupt doctrine like to leaven Let us then do with this mysticall as the Jews at the Passeover did with materiall leaven * Physicum fermentum Par. Natural which being strictly and under severe penalty by God himself forbidden them Exod. 12.18.19 as Pharisaicall and Doctrinall Leaven is Vs in this Text with a most deep Charge and ingeminated Caveat by Christ himself who had a religious custome 1. General Inquirendi Exterminandi Execrandi fermenttum to search out cast out curse out leaven from their houses and habitations (k) Weemse Christian synagogue lib. 1. ca. 6. Scaliger Emendat temp in Prolegom 1 Inquisitio fermenti there was a searching after leaven throughout all the rooms of their houses even to the very mouse-holes (l) Buxtorf Synag Judaic cap. 12. p. 317. 320. on the fourteenth day from Sun-rising they began betimes till ten of the clock usque ad quartam horam post ortum solis 2 Exterminatio a purging out of leaven casting it away burning of it not so much as looking on it or naming it nor 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 bread lest they should stirre up in their children a desire to leavened bread to which custome Saint Paul is thought to allude Eph. 5.3 Let it not be once named among you and this ceremonie lasted from ten till twelve of the clock 3 Execratio fermenti a formall and solemne cursing of leaven thus Let all that leaven or whatsoever leavened thing is in my power whether it were seen of me or not seen whether clensed by me or not cleansed let all that be scattened destroyed and accounted as the dust of the earth (m) Buxtâ—rf Synag Judaic cap. 12. page 325. These were the Jewish religious ceremonies about leaven constantly performed by them at the Passeover now Christ our Passeover is sacrificed for us and we should therefore purge out the old leaven not of wicked manners only but of corrupt doctrine also 1 Cor. 5.7 from the first day we believe in Christ throughout the whole course of our life (n) Mr Wilson s Christian Dictionary in the word Leaven both every singular person should purge himself from evill doctrine and corrupt manners noted by old leaven and every congregation should excommunicate from among them men of scandalous behaviour But alas the pulse of our zeal beats not so high so strongly we may cry shame to our selves that in Gods and his Churches yea in ou rown souls cause we are so negligent and remisse did we ever make search after false teachers and hereticall leaven did we ever question those that teach otherwise then the truth of Christs Gospel and consent not to wholsome