Mysteries and our knowledge of them A Text in my indgement as befitting this auditory as my selfe for this my first assay Wee sit all here by the well-spring of Wisdome and science most of vs may hereafter serue at the altar in Gods owne house It is not amisse that we know our limits as also consider our strengths Vnder the old law the Levite might goe farther into the Temple then the Lay and a Priest then the Levite so in these points concerning the mysticall temple Apoc. 21. 22. One may wade farther then another but as there none could enter into the chiefest sanctuary saue onely the high Priest so neither here hath any full accesse into the secrets of these mysteries but only our high Priest and Saviour Christ In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdome and knowledge Colos 2. 3. As for vs as long as we abide in this life we must be satisfied with a meaner knowledge of such things with certaine glympses at most like benighted travailers who if the moone hap to be ouerclouded are content with star-light Now to the only wise God who is able to doe aboue that which we can either speake or imagine be ascribed all glory power praise and dominion this day and foreuer Amen FINIS TOVCHING CHVRCH-SCHISMES ROM 16. VER 17. Brethren marke them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which yee haue learned and avoid them SCarcely had our Apostle here laid the grounds of Christian religion but it presently meetes on each side with strong opposers The Diuell was straight wayes ready to excite erroneous and factious spirits against the truth What Poets faigne of hate and contentions beside their Iupiter's palace is really true of the house of God 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Eager debates closely still as 't were environ the Church Alwaies there bee who like the Dragon Apoc. 12. 4. are ready to devoure it euen in its birth Neither yet doth this so inbred enmity betwixt the patrons of truth and errour happen without God's especiall allowance For first hereby hee sifts and winnowes all alike As many as settle firmely together he takes for solid graine but those who are carried away with each blast of new doctrine for fruitlesse chaffe They neuer were sincerely orthodox but either temporizing formalists or at most coldly devoted Againe by this he keepes his elect from rust and an over secure ease out of loue hee permits them not to slumber in such a tranquility as might at length produce some hurtfull effect Calamitas saith he in Minutius virtutum disciplina est Crosses and all kinds of opposition doe not so much afflict Gods Saints as truely exercise them Thus doth the Lord effect the good of his chosen by the hands of malignant Schismaticks But notwithstanding though he deale so in prouidence yet their offence and guilt is nothing thereby abated For in the third to the Philipp the Apostle plainely affirmeth such to be evill workers very dogges v. 3. In the 18th v. he termes them enimies of the crosse of Christ whose end is destruction v. 19. and here in my Text he iudgeth them vnworthy euen of the solace and benefit of humane commerce Brethren marke them which c. My Text like to those shafts of the holy candlesticke vpon euery word beares knops of flowers please you then to take notice of First the thing here spoken against namely divisions and offences in the Church Secondly their more especiall property which is to be contrary to some doctrine afore learned thirdly the persons or those who cause them Fourthly the manner how such disturbers must be delt with First marke then avoid them Lastly on the other side the entire and mutuall agreement among true professors or as it is here their brotherhood Of these orderly in that method I haue proposed and first concerning divisions and offences themselues There is nothing which doth more preserue the world in being then vnity and agreement It is the stay and bond of every thing by how much the neerer they participate of this by so much the more they enioy a certaine existence Zoroaster as implying God that first and chiefest vnity termes it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the matrix or fountaine within which all things be originally concluded Except in nature the heauens did embrace this globe below vnlesse here the elements did combine thus louingly as they doe so stately a fabricke could not long subsist it must needs loose its being because it should loose its harmony In matter of policy consent of minds legally disposed makes a state without this it remaines no longer a state but a rude and vngoverned desart To speake in the phrase of moderne Philosophy mutuall concord is forma totalis that which wholy giues a body politicke both life and beauty But aboue all in the house or Church of God seemes this vnitie of greatest value One Lord one Faith one Baptisme wee finde commended Ephes 4. 5. As in the structure of the old tabernacle by loopes taches were the curtaines aptly conioyned so in the antitype namely the Church doth this spirit of Vnity diffusing it selfe throughout the parts knit them vp into an entire frame This being so sithence each where a concord is so requisite but most in the Church how fowly doe they trespasse that breake this bond with what sharpnesse deserue they to be handled who breed diuisions The Fathers amidst their writings doe presse no one point more frequently or eagerly then this Every where they take occasion after St Pauls manner as well to condemne all rents and Schismes as extoll a Christian like accord Optatus in a word makes such diuisions Summum malorum a crime so heinous as that none can match it And indeed if you rightly weigh the examples of Gods wrath and punishments you will not much mislike his iudgment In the 4th of Gen. when Cain had slaine his brother God onely markes him and lets him goe nay hee is iealous least any might kill Cain v. 15. To that great and sacrilegious city of Ninive what doth he Only Ionas is sent to teach and warne them Insteed of ruine comes a gentle embassage But for Corath and his complices those mutiners in the tribe of Levi behold a suddaine destruction the earth openeth and entombes them aliue whence it followes not without some shew of probability that Church-Schismes more displease the Lord then either murther or sacrilege Austin yet goes farther for in his 50th Ep. discoursing about the obstinacy of the factious Donatists he chargeth them with no lesse a sinne then with that of the holy ghost But the heinousnesse of divisions will better appeare if we examine them First in their obiect It is no slight or vulgar argument perchance in the disquiry of such points dissent may afford greater profit namely by exercising the wit then a present accord But it is religion that prop of mans conscience and path to blisse Vpon
this narrow way doe men lye daily striuing and iustly in opinions not without much hindrance in their intended iourney Religion indeed of it selfe is rather a ground of common agreement Religio thinke some a religando from binding the hearts of the professors as well in a mutuall affection as in obedience to God yet if happily it bee made the subiect of strifes and debates they no where burne more fiercely nullae infestae hominibus bestiae could Ammian Marcellinus an heathen say vt sunt sibi ferales plerique Christiani No beasts are so violent as Christians be when once they iarre in points of doctrine The reason may bee men for the most part hug their peculiar tenents with a too ouerprizing loue And as they doe thus in all other arts so especially in matters of Christianity faith Having then fancied some opinion here as greatly appertaining to the soules health they must necessarily abhorre those who so ere oppose it Next in a second place consider the vsuall and hurtfull diffusion of Schismes Saint Paul compares them to a Canker now a canker resteth not but eats forward till the member bee consumed on this manner doe false and erroneous doctrines being once broached they creepe from man to man vntill they haue corrupted the Church throughout Of this our forenamed Apostle had a feeling experiment for as one forsaken 2. Tim. 1. hee complaineth that all in Asia were turn'd aside So naturally apt are men to admit of a fancy nere so vnprobable if once on foot Neither so only falshood too alwaies is more fertile then truth it straightway multiplies into seuerall and diverse streames beyond the head Those manifold blasphemies wherewith the primitiue Church was pestered what were they saue so many branches of Simon Magus his doctrine that first hereticke Arrius indeed saith Ruffinus vented one single heresie touching the natiuity of our Saviour but ere long this one becomes a triple monster As then Lev. 13. v. 8. if the plague in a mans flesh spread not otherwise the Priest pronounced him leaprous and vncleane so here there is no plea against Schismes more aggrauating their foulnesse then because thus strangely they both spread and multiply Lastly consider their irksome and long continuance how they persist not for a day or yeare but commonly for length of ages It were some happinesse if as easily as they burst forth and ouerflow they could as quickly bee stopped Those tares Mat. 13. v. 24. sprang vp on a sudden but as for the extirpation and rooting them vp wee finde it deferred till the great haruest Errors in truth are by nature 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 very obstinate what once is vented falsely is here maintain'd if but for credits sake As much as wants in strength and cleerenesse of argument they supply with a colour of perseuerance giue them leaue to take but root they will flourish of themselues without either watring or attendance so that as Sulla spake of warres sumi facile caeterum acerrimè de sinere the same is true of refractory Schismes Any man neuer so meane may sow a fond opinion but to represse and curbe it seemes a taske of the highest skill You haue heard briefly concerning diuisions in grosse how execrable they bee whether you attend their obiect or boundlesse diffusion but chiefly for their long and obstinat continuance cleauing almost as lastingly to the Church as the leprosie did to the house of Gehazai This is there condition this their nature It followeth methodically in my 2d point that I handle their especiall property which is to be contrary to some doctrine afore learned Euery art and faculty hath some maine ground to rely vpon Some chiefe axiomes by which it is guided in its inferiour positions no otherwise then by a card or polestar These axiomes ought alwaies to be sure and firmely establisht for if they also bee exposed to doubtfull enquiries the whole science straight begins to shake In this respect as the Grammarian prettily descants the alphabet in all languages stands indeclinable because it 's the foundation of that first art Christian religion although no perfect science yet likewise it supposeth certaine principles a few grounds and rules vpon which the minde may rest Now as wee speake in Philosophy of a double measure there is mensura actiua that which is so primarily and in it selfe againe there is mensura passiua such a one as being measured before measures something else so in case of religion you may discerne of a twofold rule one principall namely the holy writ another with reference vnto this to wit the constitutions and Cannons of the Church Against these two doe the authors of heresies and schismes particularly aime their forces First the Heretique as subornde with a bolder malice is wont more directly to oppose the very text In former times we finde them so impudent as that they durst change and mangle it as seemde them best witnesse the Cerinthians Marcionists with the rest of that franticke crew not enduring so pure a light should shine vpon their monstrous blasphemies they either wrongfully concealed it vnder a bushell or quite renounc't it Indeed the Papists now a more refined ofspring deale with greater caution yet in effect they performe as much whilst they groundlesly enlarge the sacred Canon or else countenance against it their idle traditions for by adding superfluously vnto the old what doe they lesse then create a new word Thus doe Heretiques some way still infringe the text But now for Schismaticks they meddle in those points which fall more properly within the Churches verge And here they vary and swarue from the right on either hand vpon one stand such as conspiring with vs in doctrinall grounds differ onely touching the outward surface As children who otherwise mutually well disposed yet wrangle about their nuts toyes Concerning these externall rites what tumults haue beene raised How frowardly doe men still stand forth against the Church in termes point blanke Fasting almost with the Manichees of old vpon such daies as that keepes feast Not a bare diuision hath serued here vnlesse a locall secession were made Except at lestwise by some peculiar notes of sanctity they as yet remaine distinguisht like to those seeming Philosophers among the heathen who had their 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 some odd habit or other to exempt them from the rout But I leaue this soare as too too hardned for a plaister A rent so great in our Israel that well nigh ten tribes I feare me be this way fallen off Those more neerely concerne my drift who impugne some reall points of doctrine Now some doe this expresly and without a glosse Before Arminius let loose his tenents he first questions openly the Belgicke Catechisme Consentaneum rationi c. it is meet saith he and very expedient that such Constitutions be newly reuewed As long as they stood fast and plausible well he knew his acuter doctrine could hardly
gaine entrance But as the Lord commands touching land-markes Deut. 10. v. 24. not to remoue them because they haue there beene anciently erected so in Church affaires 't is best that old and authenticke decisions doe still prevaile Are wee wiser then our Fathers Or is our vnderstanding beyond the ancients If in a common weale as the Philosopher noteth former lawes should not hastily giue place to new 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 least by often changing their respect be somewhat impaired much lesse in positions of a Christian beliese It causeth the mindes of men to wauer much it begets scruples and offences which our Apolstle also here condemneth Others at least in shew approue the receiued Cannons but no otherwise then for their own advantage vnder pretext of those generall rules they vent some priuate and moderne conceipts It was a diuise saith Seneca concerning his times of many lewd and riotous liuers to cloake their luxury by pretending to the Epicurean sect Thus they shrowd their wrong and false opinions in the Churches bosome not deriving a meaning from thence but fastning there one vpon it how much better were it if they left the Cannons free and still vnbounded For by thus drawing them downe into a more particular sense they haue troubled the Church with needlesse disquiries Constantine the geeat speaking vnto the Nieene counsell is bold to call those disputes betweene Arius and Alexander 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a vaine and fruitlesse debate Rather then the catholique peace should suffer disturbance hee disliketh an exact discussion euen in a point of faith I dare not prescribe vniuersally an implicit beliefe not such an one as seales vp the vnderstanding whilst it kindles a blinde zeale yet happily in doubts which grow besides the foundation it may well suffice The woman diseased of a bloody flux Mark 5. v. 25. couets onely to touch Christs garment shee stands not vpon circumstances how or whence an healing vertue should flow neither need wee perchance to dig so particularly into those positions which our forefathers haue left vndetermined At once it costs more anxiety then it can afford either content or gaine Well then let both principles of Church tenents Scripture stand in force as Aarons rod eat vp those wherewith the Aegyptians contended they will discountenance and consume any vpstart issue of falshood for by the way you may note errors and truth doe not spring vp alike this leasurely and with a lingring encrease that hastily like the sunne in his westerne course which cuts most nimbly about the line but as there the sunne proceeds but slowly in degrees farther distant so here doe errors after their first bruit and flourish if the ancient grounds be still vpheld if we retaine this defence to withstand their onset I haue shewed you the maine property of Schismes a dangerous quality you see in a Christian estate for as Sampson did to ouerwhelme the Philistins Iud. 18. 29. it puls away both Pillars wherevpon the Church is founded Now afterwards you haue thus had their property it remaines that in my third point I decypher their subiect to wit the persons or those which cause them It is true that as the Lord hath planted a vineyard so hath he hedged and fenct it rouud But what can possibly keepe out malitious Schismaticks Euer and anon they breake through this fence dispoyling miserably so precious a ground plot And this they doe either from an inward corruption of nature or else induced by some externall motiues concerning their nature you may note them to haue beene men commonly of a fierce abrupt temper St Paul I am sure describes them so 2 Tim. 3. Of this humour as Tertullian witnesseth was Hermogenes of old naturâ turbulentus a fit materiall to frame an hereticke Not vnlike vnto him wee finde Novatus in Cyprian one who more esteemed his owne will and fancy then the quiet of the Church such men goe on in a violent course whereso ere they appeare raising some storme or tempest they carry indeed fire in their Censors yet not to sacrifice but to kindle publicke debates Farre better doth S. Iames instruct such with patience and and meeknesse of wisdom Iam. 3. 13. Neither yet as I said want they outward fewell to encrease this inbred aptnesse First here occurs an hope of honour advancement This as one speakes of beauty hath 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it distorts and drawes the sight besides the truth when Alcimus 1 Mac. 7. affected the high-priesthood hee calls in the Syrians to backe his suite not without extreame hazard of the Iewish estate no otherwise doe they rather then misse of dignities they 'le endanger the Church with forren tenents any way shall helpe before they will sit vntitled We reade of Arrius as otherwise of a good honest man his fault was somewhat too aspiring a minde It is so with most they square not their drifts by religion but religion by their drifts of eminency or profit Secondly by this as they conceaue they much enhance their fame To bee the author or revivour of some nicer Doctrine must needs seeme a master peice of no vsuall knowledge Indeed the Apostle himselfe Rom. 15. 29. forbares to build the Gospell vpon grounds forelaid This hee did to avoide emergent scandals but they for by respects least they bee thought a meere accession of anothers wit or credit Yet here obserue their grosse mistake Truth saith the Philosopher as likewise vertue is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a thing of small and narrow extent But as for errors they ly in multitudes and troupes round about If then in so vast a number of fashoods they pitch vpon one what glory is it If missing the center they pricke each part of the circle else To bolt an errour then is no hard exploit And as its beginnning is thus prompt and easy so also is the maintaining of it once begun Insooth falshhood in point of religion commonly someway toucheth vpon the deepest mysteries it will be sure of a cause pregnāt enough wherein to deale Pelagianisme how doth it in close those large queries concerning gods power and hidden decree As therefore marriners wont for to say giue them winde and Sea roome they feare no shipwracke so in such open and boundlesse disputes it may argue a shallow braine that is quickly graueled if nere so prest he finde not still scope as well to decline the aduersary as to reinforce his tenents A last incentiue here may bee an itching desire in men of seeming actiue rather then rest vnbusied they will doe some vnnecessary mischiefe It pleaseth them greatly in their pride of wit to behold those combustions which themselues haue caused The associates of Catiline in his conspiracy against Rome were the more forward saith the historian vt quiet a mouerent that at least they might vnsettle a state so well composed many endeauour a disturbance of the christian peace for no serious intendment