slothfull but operative and busie desires Truth I would have yea Truth I must have els I am everlastingly undone Affectionate desires as they live and move in opinions so they produce actions inclining us to take pains for the obtaining of that we would possesse They adde wings to the soule making us to flie like busie Bees from flower to flower from ordinance to ordinance that we may sucke the sweetnesse of Truth which is sweeter then honey and the droppings of honey combs The purchase of Truth is carryed on by such an active disposition as the Spouse in the Canticles had to enjoy her Beloved I will rise now and goe about the streets and in the broad wayes I will seeke him whom my soule loveth Every buyer of truth must be willing with little Zacheus to get up into any Sycomare tree to take all Gospel advantages to gaine a sight of his Saviour to behold Christ who is Truth it selfe Truth is an hidden treasure Matth. 13. 44. sometimes hidden from us by the difficultie of Scripture wherein it is contained God thereby putting a value upon it and an edge upon our studies and prayers sometimes hidden by differences amongst learned men Law may be clouded by a multitude of booke Cases and Divinitie obscured by a multitude of Schoole utrums Many times truth is hidden by the scandalous lives of such as professe it Carnall spectators being much more quick-sighted to apprehend the deformity of Religious men then the beauty of Religion it selfe And too often hidden under great disgrace in the world being stiled Heresy Schisme Faction Yea Religion it selfe accounted the greatest Crime This Treasure lies often so deep you must be content to sweat in digging for it before you can obtaine it All they who would purchase Truth must not onely be like Merchant men seeking goodly Pearles Matth. 13. 45. but withall be able to discerne when they have found a pearle of great price vers. 46. to know whether it be a pearle or pibble that it is not drosse but gold bearing the stamp of truth There is much doubtlesse in that of the Apostle Paul Col. 4. 5. Walke in wisdome toward them that are without redeeming the time All good Merchants must be redeeming time improving all hints of doing good of enjoying Gods ordinances wherein you may trade for truth Observe the connexion walke wisely towards them that are without redeeming the time The Church was then under persecuting Governors and vexed with bad neighbours both enemies to the trade of truth yet you must be purchasing only wherein walke so wisely towards them without 1. That you violate not the peace and puritie of your owne conscience 2. That you deface not the stamp of Divinitie upon Authothoritie 3. That by a rigid austeritie you alienate not others from truth 4. Nor by a complying familiaritie with them in their sins harden them against the truth The Soule that thirsts after Truth having taken paines how according to the rules of godly providence it may be possessed of that it so dearely loves is now willing to conclude the bargaine by paying the price Solomon here mentions no price because he would have us buy it at any price Sometimes it may cost us credit and libertie as it did the Apostles Acts 5. 41. Sometimes it may cost us the losse of goods as it did those Christians Hebr. 10. 34. Yea sometimes life it self must be the price of Truth We must be content to follow that cloud of witnesses which appears in that little booke of Martyrs the 11th Chapter to the Hebrews we must write after that heroicall copie which our owne Worthies have set us who sacrificed their dearest lives to the crueltie of Bonners flames that they might possesse the Truth Truth is so precious a Jewell you must never expect to have the markets cheape The Devill at first laid siege against the Truths which were most Fundamentall that so he might have ruined all the buildings he would by the subtiltie of ancient Hereticks have huckstered up those Truths which concerned the Natures and Person of Christ this cost very deare before the foure first Councells could settle Truth against the Hereticks of those times Afterwards when Poperie invaded all the Offices of Christ such a dangerous gangreen is it undermining him as the Prophet as the Priest and as the King of his Church it cost no little blood in England and Germanie to vindicate the Doctrine of Divine worship and of the Holy Sacraments from such errors as opposed the Propheticall and Priestly Office of Christ That branch of Truth about Church Government and Discipline so much concerning the Kingly Office of Christ is of rich value if the Markets should rise we must drive on the bargaine what ever it cost No price too great for the obtaining such a Purchase to see our Deare Saviour advanced in all his Offices as the Churches Prophet without being beholden to unwritten traditions as the Priest of his Church without the satisfactions of any Meritmangers without any Purgatorie any Bridewell of the Popes making as the King of his Church above Miters above Canon-laws or any Church usurpations whatsoever After the discovery of the nature of this purchase and the price of Truth its fit to consider what Reasons may engage you all to trade herein which are divers according to the various reference Truth hath to things of high concernment Never expect to have the spirituall and eternall good of your owne immortall souls effectually promoted unlesse you buy and be possessed of Truth 1. The Word of Truth is the seed by which we are begotten againe Iam. 1. 18. Yea incorruptible Seed which liveth and abideth for ever 1 Peter 1. 23. untill the Truth hath delivered us what are we poore sinners but an heape of dry bones so many dead carkases rotting in the grave of corruption 2. It is the Milke by which new borne babes are nourished 1 Peter 2. 2. by this they grow in the habits in the degrees in the exercise of Grace Strangers to the Truth like the Prodigall live upon husks and lay out their money for that which is not bread Isa. 55. 2. 3. Naturally as the sonnes and daughters of Adam we are stained with many spots steeped in corruption polluted with filthinesse of flesh and spirit 2 Corinth 7. 1. Truth is the water by which we are cleansed Ioh. 15. 3. 4. When we goe groping up and downe in in the darke exposed to errors besieged with terrors Truth affoords us direction and consolation Psal. 119. 105. 5. Truth is the Armour by which you are defended against your spirituall Enemies and enabled for offensive warre Amongst the sixe peeces of our spirituall Armour three of these have speciall dependance upon the Truth You must have the girdle of Truth Ephes. 6. vers. 14. beshod with the preparation of the Gospell of peace vers. 15. and take the sword of the
sword hath rid circuit for above twenty yeares in Germany many Candlestickes of Truth thence removed that Paradise almost turned into a Wildernesse Poore Ireland is in danger to lose that Religion they had with their estates and lives Preachers hanged Professors murdered Bibles burnt and all with prodigious cruelty and blasphemy c. Yet sinfull England like Gideons fleece dry in comparison when others sleeped in their owne blood Observe I beseech you like wise Factors the seasons to trade for the setling true Religion It is true we are now full of sad distractions blacke and bloody clouds beginne to gather yet may not Faith through them spy out the Sunne of righteousnesse shining graciously upon unworthy England As Hag. 2. 7. I will shake all Nations and the desire of all Nations shall come and I will fill this House with glory saith the Lord of Hosts Historians report that about the yeare 1517. when Leò the tenth was making some thirty Cardinals there was such a terrible tempest in the Church that shaked the Babe out of the Virgin Maries armes and the Keyes out of Saint Peters hands which they interpreted as ominous and indeed so it proved shortly after Luther arose who so much battered the Popes power The sword is already shaken out of our great Church-mens hand by Parliamentall power the keyes doe not hang so fast under their girdle as they did c. We dare not but hope these are engaging providences of God earnest-pennies of some great payment yet behinde Oh therefore know and redeeme your Opportunities to Trade for Truth Activity to pursue occasions and follow all advantages If you would be fully possessed of the knowledge of the Truth you must seeke for her as for Silver and search for her as for hid Treasure Prov. 2. 4. By a most unwearyed industry search every Mine Plato calleth Merchants Planets that wander from City to City You will never trade for Truth in good earnest till you expresse an inquisitive active disposition in the cause of Religion knocking at every doore plying every Mâ—â—ket where you may purchase any acquaintance with the Truth First Goe not onely to the shop of Nature or the Schoole of Philosophy The candle which Nature affordeth us is good but it will be burnt out before we come to our journeyes end Philosophy may seeke Truth Theology findeth it Religion doth possesse it Philosophy is not the field wherein the pearle of Truth lyeth but rather a hedge and ditch about the field to defend it from the invasion of subtill Disputants Secondly Neither must we seeke Truth onely in the decrees of Councells in the Traditions and testimonies of the Church Councells are like Rivers of water very profitable so long as they hold themselves within the compasse of the banckes but if they swell and overflow as too often they have done they prove very hurtfull to the field of the Church even to Truth it selfe The Councell of Constance commeth in with a non obstante against Christs institution with-holding the Cup from the Sacrament Our Faith and Truth was at first delivered to the Saints Jude ver. 3. And we hold it still per Ecclesiam though not propter Ecclesiam by the Ministery of the Church though not for the Authority of the Church John 4. 42. All they who are genuine children of the Church not onely by the Mothers side but by the Fathers also will not onely beleeve as the Church beleeveth but as their Heavenly Father teacheth them and because he teacheth them Thirdly But in searching out for the Truth goe to Christ himselfe who is Truth it selfe John 14. 6. Jesus saith unto him I am the Way the Truth and the Life Attend upon Christ in the use of his Word which is a Word of Truth Prov. 8. 34. Blessed is the man that heaneth me watching daily at my gates Waiting at the posts of my doores If ever God ripen your Councells about a Synod we hope to receive the same direction from you that Constantine the Great gave the Councell of Nice Take the Resolution of things in question out of Divinely inspired writings Doe not onely bid us enquire what Reformation was in our Josiahs time King Edward the sixth nor what in our Deborahs dayes Queene Elizabeths though we must for ever blesse God for the light that appeared in those times Doe not onely put us upon inquiry what Ignatius said or what Cyprian did they must be very wise Children who know their Fathers faces and writings after so many of their adversaries scratches Rather bid us give you an account what Luke holdeth forth in his story of the Acts of the Apostles what Paul intimates in his Epistles that so divine Truth may triumph and we enjoy a Scripture Reformation In divine things we may attribute somewhat to antiquity yet in matters that concerne Church pompe and Church power we must be jealous how we trust the Ancient Fathers because good men they saw the mystery of iniquity but darkely and at a distance which wrought strongly not onely in corrupting Doctrine with errours but Divine Worship with Ceremonies and Church Government with tyrannicall usurpations Then and then onely is Truth like to triumph in Church-Assemblies when Gods Word is there advanced Cyrill saith in a Synod at Ephesus upon a high Throne in the Temple there lay Sanctum Evangelium the holy Gospell to shew that Christ was both present and president there Resolution to backe a publique Factors wise Activity This would make you willing to grapple with difficulties to expose your selves to troubles and hazzards and to be at any cost and charges that you may possesse your selves and the Kingdome of the true Religion Poore England hath long beene in a travelling condition felt many bitterpangs findeth now twins in her wombe Jacobs and Esaus wrastling for the birth-right high contestations betwixt Eliah and Baalls Priests now it is a day of trouble and astonishment Great things are come to the birth onely there wanteth strength to bring forth What will you resolve to lay out to possesse this dis-joynted Kingdome of the Truth Imagine the casting of the ballance the composing of all Church difference depended upon thee alone what wouldest thou contribute to purchase Truth Nazianzen put this price upon his Athenian learning wherein he was very famous that he had something of value to part withall for Christ Oh that you could say the same of your Honours and Estates reckoning this the goodnesse of all your good things that you are enabled to doe good with them in the cause of Christ and his Truth It was Heroicall zeale in Basill who for his constant and bold defending of the Truth against the Arian heresie being threatned death by Valens the Emperour answered {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} Oh that I might dye for the truth I beseech you Noble Worthies by the many Petitions you have had from men by the solemne
pretence brought into the Church in Gregories dayes yet with expresse prohibition of worshipping them Afterward the second Synod of Nice enjoynes it though more modestly and respectively onely in regard of that which they represent But since the councell of Trent it 's risen to grosse Idolatry Neutrall Politicians who will be buying Truth out of our hands by formalizing and enervating the power of it till at last they leave us an heartlesse and saplesse Religion Among the Lawes of Solon there was one which thundred against such who in a civill uproare amongst the Citizens sit still as neutrall spectators It were happy for the Church if there were a more strict course taken against all lukewarme Machivillians who by their neutrality undermine Religion of this straine was Jeroboam that grand Politician who created to himselfe a State Religion out of Love to his Crowne he set up golden Calves he hindred the people from going to worship God at Jerusalem lest they should turne againe unto their Lord unto Rehoboam King of Judah Worldly wise men as they are time-servers so they are selfe-servers and whatsoever become of Christ and his truth selfe shall be advanced into the Throne such mens heads over-match their hearts their policy out-runneth their Religion when the glory of Christ and his Gospell come in competition with their selfe ends selfe shall first be gratifyed most unlike to Paul who Phil. 1. 20. {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} stood as it were on up-to looking earnestly after the magnifying of Christ what-ever became of himselfe Whether in his life or in 〈◊〉 death I may produce three Reasons to fortify you against felling Truth to any Hucksters Truth is in it selfe a precious Jewell of most incomparable worth gained into the possession of the Churches not without much difficulty and therefore cannot without great disparagement to its excellency and to the zeale of others be alienated and chaffered away Gospell Truth at first cost the blood of Christ then watered with the blood of many Martyrs which made it throng up so plentifully It is observeable the Church hath beene seldome fully possessed of any Grand Truth without much debate without some bloody sufferings How deare did it cost Athanasius to justifie the Divinity of Christ against the Arians and shall we suffer any of that kindred to buy it againe out of our hands How couragiously did Augustine rescue the Doctrine of Grace from the Pelagians hands whom he cals the Enemies of Grace and shall we suffer it to be betrayed to their Brethren the Arminians How farre did Luther hazzard himselfe to advance Justification by Faith in Christ It is a grosse shame that sweete Truth should be lost in the language of any Innovators who will have workes to concurre in eodem genere cause to share equally with Faith in the very act of justifying Many of our ancient Worthies like Wisedomes Children Matth. 11. 19. set themselves to justifie Wisedome they have endevoured with much sweat and many teares yea with their dearest lives to settle the Churches Land-markes by evidence of Scripture Arguments and to bound the Truth by Decrees of Councels we must not prodigally dispossesse our selves of such a Treasure We reape the fruite of our Reformers zeale who bestirred themselves so much against Popish Altars and other Church usurpations for the purging of Religion in England God forbid that we should sell for trifles what they possessed us of with so much difficulty It concernes us rather to concurre with them yea to promote their beginnings with all our might that we may have such Churches such Officers such election and ordination such jurisdiction such exercise of Church power and all such administrations as are most agreeable to the Truth Truth is the Churches Talent committed to her trust and therefore must not be sold Trust being a strong obligation to fidelity Upon this ground the Apostle Jude ver. 3. Exhorts Christians to Contend earnestly for the Faith once delivered to the Saints You must never expect another edition of the Faith God reserved that solemne change from Jewish to Evangelicall worship for the Inauguration of his Sonne zealously strive for this Faith you have against all opposition In that knowne place so much abused by Papists 1 Tim. 3. 15. The Church of Ephesus this cannot be appropriated to the Church of Rome is the pillar and ground of Truth Not a pillar to uphold but to hold forth Truth not so much {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} the seate of Truth every pure Church being a depository of Truth where it is to be found as the candle in the Candlesticke All the fonnes of Wisedome have a share in that of Paul to Timothy 1 Tim. 6. 20. O Timothy keepe that which is committed to thy Trust This made the primitive Worthies so conscientiously zealous in the cause of Truth and that not onely of many Truthes but even of formes of speeches of syllables yea of Letters The difference betwixt the Councell of Nice and Arius was but in a Letter whether {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} The controversie whereupon the Greeke and Latine Churches broke touching the proceeding of the Holy Ghost depended upon two prepositions {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} and {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} The monstrous heresie of Nestorius lay but in one poore letter {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} when he would not gratifie the Church therein as Cyrill desired him many Bishops rose up against him so religious were they that that they would not exchange a letter or syllable of the Faith wherewith their Saviour had betrusted them Selling Truth is the worst the most undoing Trade it sets to sale both Gods glory and your owne Salvation being it opens a doore to both extreames in Religion to Prophanenesse and to Superstition The Schoole of Christ is indeed a Schoole of affection and of action but first of knowledge we must have science before we shall make conscience of our wayes This makes the god of this world the Devill bestirre himselfe to blinde peoples mindes Lest the Light of the glorious Gospell of Christ should shine into them he well knew that darknesse of mind betrayes us to workes of darknesse When men walke in the darke They know not at what they stumble Prov. 4. 19. They will stumble at Christ himselfe at the strictnesse and purity of his wayes and soone plunge themselves into the grossest wickednesse In a Synod at London Anselme forbad Priests Marriage in England and in the next yeare were discovered a great company of Sodomites amongst them Such is the wofull fruit of selling Truth which would be a spur quickning to good and a bridle restraining from evill It is no wonder to find such treacherous practices amongst the Papists their erroneous doctrines open the sluces unto them Upon a sleight confession of sinne they may receive a cheape
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
still they persist in truth-betraying Scandalous professors will curse their wicked Ministers whose examples poysoned them Wicked Ministers will cry woe woe upon such Prelates who were indulgent to their unworthinesse and doubtlesse the Prelates will be as ready to complaine of many Patrons who first made the livings scandalous by withholding maintenance and then by importunity thrust a scandalous Minister upon them Oh let it now appeare that you will not suffer Religion to be betrayed by the least indulgence to any of these evils Consider what Sigismond the Emperour said in the Councell of Constance where the Councell pretended to make a Reformation one stood up and said the Reformation must beginne at the Fryer Minorites No said the Emperour Non à Minoritis sed à Majoritis incipiendum est Let Reformation reach Patron and Prelate as well as Minister and People If you would discourage scandalous livers suppresse scandalous Ministers if you would prevent a succession of them regulate the power of the keyes tooke to ordination and jurisdiction though your Bill against scandalous Ministers were ripened and executed yet if the doore of admission into the Church continue as large as now it is the next age will swarme againe with the like Drones And for the Truthes sake that you may silence all clamours as if Reformation would discourage learning and undoe the Church make good your owne Orders For the support of an able Ministery let Patrons and others deny themselves to raise a sufficient and certaine maintenance at least open a vent to others Pietie and Charity who will concurre with you to afford oyle for burning and shining lampes by reviving the hopeful designe of the Feoffâ—es or what other wayes your zealous wisdome shall suggest A great Civilian telleth us how Church-maintenance came to be appropriated to the Cloysters of Monkes and how such lands as they held in sundry Parishes were freed from the payment of tithes to the Ministers thereof namely it sprang from this roote they insinuated that Preaching was not so necessary for the salvation of mens soules as their Praying in their Religious Houses Preaching they said breedeth Schisme Disputes in Religion c. It lyeth as a blot upon them That by their undervaluing Preaching many Congregations were robbed of their Ministers maintenance Let it be Your Honour who have expressed such a high esteeme of Preaching to endevour the re-endowing those places with such meanes as may encourage faithfull witnesses unto the Truth To awaken Your compassionate affection towards many persons and places where truth is chaffered away Religion is a riddle a paradox yea a reproach among them We should appeare this day as publique mourners laying to heart not onely personall but State evills even Parliament sinnes Is not this just matter of griefe that in so many former Parliaments the liberty the purity and the power of Religion hath beene so much neglected Ancient Lawes have established Church pompe Power Dignity and Revenues these are twisted into the severall Statutes as if they would put in a politicke caveat against after alterations without shaking the very Foundation which is now one of the great objections against Reformation Yea how much hath Truth suffered by the indulgence that Old Parliament Lawes have expressed to Non-residency Pluralities and Insufficiency of Ministers It hath beene enough if Legit ut Clericus if he can say the Confession in Latine he must be betrusted with soules Allow something to the necessity of these darker times yet now the very reason of such being altered God forbid that truth should any longer be betrayed by an unwarrantable latitude Oh pity your many thousands of expecting Petitioners who have had many yeares of sad Sabbaths and sit downe still in much sorrow complaining for want of Truth You may heare their groanings in the words of the Prophet Jeremiah chap. 8. 22. Is there no balme in Gilead Is there no Physitian there Why then is not the health of the daughter of my people recovered What cannot will not the Parliament heale us It was a strange and dolefull vision that Ezekiel had from God at Hierusalem when he saw so many sinfull spectacles an image of jealousy Baals Idoll Ezek. 8. v. 5. then a company of grave ancient men every one in the Chamber of his Imagery ver. 11 12. the Jewish High-Commission according to some in those times deepely corrupted poore Women weeping for Tammuz ver. 14. weeping for the death of Osiris King of Egypt and idolatrously adoring his image which Isis his wife had advanced and worships towards the Sunne ver. 16. Would it please you in your serious thoughts to runne over this Church this Kingdome you might see in many places such objects that Your eyes would much affect your hearts Though in all abominations wee doe not runne parallell with Hierusalem in Ezekiels Vision yet such wofull fruites of truth-selling and truth-betraying as may stirre up your affection and awaken your Parliament actions First Cast your compassionate eyes upon the Schooles of the Prophets the Churches Nurseries Doe not petitions informe you that divers have there chaffered away Truth for errors were Whitaker and Reinolds then in vivis doubtlesse they would blush to see Bellarmine and Arminius justified by many rather then confuted If no Chambers of imagery be there yet are there not some Chappels polluted rather then adorned with Images Altars and Crucifixes If no worshipping of the Sunne there yet doe not too many pleade for and practise an ungrounded worshiping toward the East It cannot be thought unnaturalnesse in a Sonne to represent the distempers of his Mother to a Colledge of Physitians especially when the experience of the deepe infection which some of your beloved Sonnes got there of the corruption of judgements prophanenesse and superstition of practise which many of your Ministers brought thence will witnesse the same that Truth hath beene shamefully betrayed by too many in the Universities Munster reporteth That the Jewes were banished out of many Countryes of Christendome principally for poysoning Springs and Fountaines All Friends to Truth had need pray that God would either remove or heale such as have poysoned the Schooles of the Prophets the Fountaines of the Land Our hopes are that God will put upon you Noble Senators the spirit of Elisha and helpe you to cast into those waters such salt that the Waters be healed that there be not from thence any more barrennesse or causing to miscarry 2 King 2. 19 20. In Exod. 15. 23 24 25. when the people were come to Marah They could not drinke the waters for they were bitter and murmured agaâ—nst Moses saying what shall we drinke ver. 25. The Lord shewed him a tree which when he had cast into the waters the waters were made sweete Plant and uphold wholesome Lectures in the Pulpit as well as in the Chaire A Service worthy of the Wisdome and Power of a Parliament Such Trees will sweeten the waters there and
your publique interests to help forward the trade of Truth to promote Religion in the Libertie Puritie and Power of it Never was any Parliament the sonne of so many prayers and teares Never had any a larger share in that blessing of the Lord upon Ioseph Deut. 33. vers. 16. feeling the good will of Him that dwelt in the bush so often burning yet not consumed What reciprocall reall love have you expressed unto God and the Cause of his Truth When Moses proposed that question Exod. 32. vers. 26. Who is on the Lords side The sons of Levi gathered themselves together vers. 27. and by their zeale obtained a blessing in Moses his Catalogue when their brother Simeon was left out Deut. 33. vers. 9. We live in shedding discriminating times it is a frequent question quarum partium On what side are you If this be the question who is on Truths side what eccho what answer will you returne oh you great Counsellors Suppose this day God and thy Conscience held a Closet Committee the Lord saith I have put such a rich price into thy hand I have betrusted thee with an influence in the Grand Affaires of the Church what saith Conscience What hast thou done what wilt thou doe by speaking voting by hand heart purse for the Truth Davids question is most seasonable 1 Chron. 29. vers. 5. Who is willing to consecrate his service this day unto the Lord Oh that you might returne the same pious answer with the chiefe of the Fathers and Princes of the Tribes who all offered willingly vers. 6. Could you finde this fruit upon your Self-examination Doubtlesse though you may serve this day in sorrow as you ought to doe upon a Soul-afflicting day in sighes in groanes in teares yet you shall reape in joy To engage and quicken your utmost endeavours for the happy purchase of truth You may please to looke upon your selves Honourable and Beloved in a double capacity First as Merchants trading for your owne everlasting good Then as Publique Factors betrusted with the best good of many hundred thousands In a Merchant or Factor there are some speciall Requisites 1. Wisdome 2. Activity 3. Resolution First Wisedome to discerne both the Commodities themselves and opportunities of trading The first use of Wisdome is to discerne the Commodities themselves Religion must not be taken upon trust Faith is Gods way to save us credulity the devils method to undoe us 1 Thess. 5. 21. Try all things hold fast that which is good And by sound knowledge possesse your selves most carefully of such truthes as are most necessary Those that are Fundamentalia in fide or in Praxi buy them at any rate but sell them at no rate There are Magnalia and minutula legis It will argue much hypocrisie to be substantiall in circumstantiall truthes and circumstantiall in the substantials of Faith and Repentance Let us wisely proportion our zeale according to the nature of the truths themselves This Counsell Paul giveth his Titus Matters of consequence he must affirme constantly but avoid needlesse questions Tit. 3. 8. It were a seasonable improvement of your Wisedome and Power to hinder the Devils or Popes Chapmen from opening their packes of adulterate wares and to put an high value upon such precious parcels of Truth as have a great influence both into Doctrinall and practicall Religion Give me leave here in the behalfe of Truth to suggest some briefe hints First Put in caveats against Arminian errours which doe so extenuate originall sinne and magnifie the power of nature that they feed our hereditary disease of pride and eclipse the glory of Gods grace Oh trade for the doctrine of free grace Maintaine the King of Heavens Prerogative In the spirituall building grace laid the first foundation in Gods free eternall purpose Grace erecteth the wals yea and addeth the top-stone Eternity will be little enough to admire to adore to cry grace grace Therefore carefully possesse your selves of this truth against the enemies of grace Secondly Minde the promoting of those Truthes which justifie The purity of Divine Worship according to Gods owne will against Popish and superstitious innovators There is a bewitching pompe in the out side of popery which intangleth some Ancient Writers used many wanton Metaphors and such a liberty of expression before the mystery of iniquity was discovered which deluded others There is a disposition in all corrupt natures no lesse to spirituall then bodily fornication Vindicate therefore the second Commandement which Papists have expunged and others so much clouded Where God hath professed himselfe jealous let us be zealous of trading for such Truthes Thirdly Put a value upon such Truthes as discover the dangerous errours of Socinianisme which is no better then a Complication of many antient heresies condemned by ancient Councels A Doctrine that undermineth the merit and satisfaction of our Saviours death that will scarce allow faith to swimme where reason cannot wade that will so farre bring downe Religion to reason that we must beleeve little more in Divinity then we can see in reason Arminianisme gratifieth the pride of will Popery the pride of outward sense and Socinianisme the pride of carnall reason Fourthly Let Truthes for the sanctification of the Lords day be pretious truthes Gods institution of that day bringeth with it a speciall Character of holinesse and an influence of a peculiar blessing God hath sanctifyed and blessed it Yea in the primitive times it was a badge of Christianity When the question was propounded Servasti Dominicum Hast thou kept the Lords day The answer was Christianus sum intermittere non possum I am a Christian I cannot neglect it There was no little danger in the Anti-sabbatarian doctrine seeing upon Gods owne day we professe publiquely our communion with God in his Ordinances Then we expect to enjoy the richest influence from him And if men could dispute away our Christian Sabbath we should soone lose the vigour of our practicall Religion God having made it holy by Institution by Ordination let us keepe it holy by Observation The second use of Wisdome in Factors is to know and consider their opportunities Ephes. 5. 15 16. See that ye walke circumspectly not as fooles but as wise redeeming the time Hierusalem in this was as unwise as unhappy that she knew not the day of her visitation Luk. 19. 41 42. Who did expect such nutus providentiae hints of divine providence as God hath afforded to unworthy England in these two last yeares to repossesse her of that Truth which many thought departing The Philistins had almost taken our Arke Our friends our enemies our selves our owne guiltinesse passed a sentence of death upon us We discovered so many leakes in ships of Church and State as if both were sinking The tempest was great our Saviour seemed to be asleepe our onely refuge was to cry Lord save us we perish Mat. 8. 25. The
Shimshai the Scribe should outstrip Zerubbabel That Tobiah and Sanballat should outbid Nehemiah in any cause of God Rather let the malignancy of malignant opposers enflame your zeale for the Truth O that we could now all close this day of humiliation with the proper worke of the day covenanting with our God making it our sealing day Nehem. 9. 38. At a solemne Fast Princes Priests and Levites did make a sure covenant write and seale unto it Let us this Day not onely give earnest for the purchasing of Truth by the fixed purposes of our hearts but even give as it were hands and seales that we will never sell the liberty purity or power of Religion upon any termes Wâ—ll you please to these particulars First That you will not sell Truth out of carnall feares you have a good 〈…〉 it Rev. 21. 7 8. {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} he that is over-comming not he that hath overcome shall inherit all things and I will be his God and he shall be my sonne But the fearefull and unbeleeving shall have their part in the lake that burneth with fire and brimstone Read over the story of Francis Spira with trembling who out of such feare betrayed the Truth After he had gon to Venice to the Popes Legate with whom out of carnall feare he complyed craving pardon of him and yeelding to recant that religion he had publickely prosessed when he returned to his house he could not rest an houre no not a minute nor feele any ease of his continuall anguish from that night he was much terrifyed with horror and as he confesseth He saw plainely before his eyes all the torments of hell and the damned and in his foule did heare the fearefull sentence being drawne before the Judgement seate of Christ Hold fast the Truth let faith triumph over feares If Peter will deny and forsweare his Master at best he must returne by weeping crosse many are irrecoverably smitten with that Thunderbolt from the Lord Heb. 10. 38. If any one draw backe my soule shall have no pleasure in him Secondly That you will not sell Truth for your own private advantages It was a wretched carriage in Demetrius and his fraternity who out of love to their owne gaine did combine and consult how they might undermine and betray the Truth Sirs ye know that by this craft we have our wealth This made them so zealous for their Diana and so fierce against the Gospell If Truth doe prevaile Diana must downe and then farewell their profit Resolve rather to resemble Moses then Demetrius who Heb. 11. 25. Chose rather to suffer affliction with the people of God then enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season His Faith did so rightly enforme his Judgement that he counted the Reproaches of Christ which seeme the bitterest thing in Christianity greater riches then the treasures in Egypt ver. 26. How much did he then preferre the Consolations which come by Religion before all worldly excellencies Such a spirit was in Luther who when he was offered to be Cardinall if he would be quiet replyed no Not if I might be Pope He had an holy scorne to be put off from his Religious designes by such withering petty things Thirdly Sell not Truth for politicke State ends When you come to settle Religion doe not deale onely like politicians but like Christians Worldly wisedome in the things of God is a rule too short too crooked too partiall yea foolishnesse with God Ieroboam would play the politician in Religion he sold the true worship of God for his State ends and for ever inherits this as a blot upon his name 1 King 15. 30. Because of the sins of Jerohoam which he sinned and which he made Israel to sin by his provocation wherwith he provoked the Lord God of Israel to anger Most renowned was the zeale of King Edward the sixth for the Truth when upon reasons of State he was pressed by Cranmer and Ridley to give way to the Masse he refused it with so much resolution with so many teares that they acknowledged he had more divinity in his little finger then both they In things about meum tuum that concerne our owne interest we may be more liberall but in Church affaires the word of truth must guide us It is not in our power quicquam hic aliis dare aut in aliorum gratiam deflectere we may not therein gratify one another Fourthly Sell not Truth for pretences of Church peace I confesse the name of peace smels very sweete and now especially in the midst of such Church distractions and such wantonnesse of opinions were to be purchased at any rate except with the losse of Truth It is a most lovely sight to see unity of peace imbrace unity of faith to behold the household of faith the family of love O that we could all observe the present breaches with the same affectons that Augustine did the differences betwixt Hierome and Ruffine Woe is me that I cannot find you both together I would fall downe at your feete with much love and many teares I would beseech you for your selves and for one another and for weake Christians for whom Christ dyed that you suffer not these dissentions to spread c. But in the meane time we must not be such reconcilers as to bring in a Samaritan Religion an Interim an uncomfortable mixture We must not receive Babylonish inmates into the Lords House Light and darknesse Truth and error will never long dwell quietly together Fifthly Sell not Truth for the pompe of humane Ceremonies Admit that Ceremonies were first let into the Church with the faire intention of the guiders and leaders and entertayned by the credulity of well-meaning people before the mystery of iniquity was much knowne yet since being so superstitiously abused by the Pope and his party and so rigidly pressed for the upholding the pompe of Prelacy with no small disadvantage to the Truth let us part with them rather then sell any sparke of Truth for them Never say they are ancient Jesus Christ is my antiquity saith Ignatius We must look for antiquity of Institution not onely of Custome Never say they are indifferent If indifferent onely and not expedient they may the better be spared Others will say our Doctrine takes off the Scandall of the Ceremonies However better have the stumbling blocke removed out of the way then to have a monitor appointed to give you warning of it he may fall asleepe and then you are in danger Many tender consciences wish the same successe about our Ceremonies that was in King Edward the sixth his dayes about the Images Some people contending for one Image others for another gave occasion that the King tooke downe all Who knoweth whether God hath called you to this Parliament to accomplish this amongst other services If you doe fully come off to give in your hands your hearts yoursealing actions