with the Turkes the scourge  of Christendome and at length the Lord with the Sword of his mouh set vpon the Antichrist of Rome as in the next state of the Church is cleerly shewed d Eutrop. l. 13. Blond l. 1. Decad. l. 2. 3. Oros l. 7. c. 37. Procopode bello Goth. e Blond l. 10. Hee that hath an care let him eare what the Spirit saith to the Churches for great shall be their reward who ouer come euen to eate of the hidden Manna to haue the White Stone and a new name written therein And thus much for the state of the Church from Gratian to the yeare 1100. and odde set out by the Church of Porgamus CONSIDERATIONS FOR INSTRVCTION AND VSE FIrst that Sathan will striue for Dominion hee will haue his Throne neither he nor his are willing to bee vnderlings Secondly that where the very Throne of Sathan is there yet may bee some people belonging to the Lord. Thirdly that the faithfull hold fast their profession in the midst of persecution and will not deny the Truth Fourthly that the Enemies of the Truth are of a murthering disposition they will slay and shed the bloud of the Saints Fiftly that it is a fault in a Church though otherwise prayse worthy to haue such in her as openly teach contrary to the Truth to corrupt the true Worship of God and a Christian Conuersation Sixtly That the Sword of CHRISTS mouth is the weapon to fight against false Teachers with THE FOVRTH GOLDEN CANDLESTICK THE FOVRTH CHVRCH In the Type In the Antitype The Church of Thyatira The Thyatirean state of the Church 1. THis is next to Pergamus situate from it East-ward and so turning towardes the Sunne 1. THis state is next the former and becommeth better then it was beginning from after the 1100. and odde yeares when the Lord raysed vp the Waldenses vnto Luthers time 1516. 2. To this Christ sheweth himselfe to bee the Sonne of God with eyes of flaming fire and feet of Brasse 2. Because in this state of the Church he shewed himselfe to be so and for that hee would giue light of vnderstanding to many and expel the grosse darknesse from them and tread down powerfully his enemies make his seruants to abide durable like Brasse in the furnace of afflictions against the Iesabel of Rome 3. This is commended largely for vertues and to be better at the last then at the first contrary to Ephesus 3. Such God raised vp in this space of time worthy praise whō he qualified with many Graces Charity Seruice Faith Patience and Works worthy amendment of life as may bee seene in those Waldenses and Albigenses who spred the Truth into all parts of Europe so many of all sorts embraced the same and stood constantly in the Truth and were readie to dye for it against the Pope and his tyrannicall power pursuing them with fire and sword but when the Lord raysed vp Iohn Wickliffe and after him Iohn Husse and Ierome of Prage the Church of Christ became much more excellent and daily better and better the Lords hand at this time helping by the Art of printing found out by a Germane in Anno 1440. Acts Monu of the History of the Wald. p. 209. Doctor Vsher lib. de Eccles Christ Succes c. 8. 9. 10. Of the Martyrs then see Fox his  Acts Mon. p. 387. Funct Chron. p. 159. 160. Bucholtz Chronol Nauclerus Catal. test veritatis Sleid. de 4. Imp. l. 3. p. 346. Polydo Virg. l. 2. c. 7. de inuentione rerum 4. Heere was the woman Iesabel seducing the people to Idolatry corporall vncleannes 4. Heere was the Romane Church now become a Iesabel abusing Kings to take her part setting vp Baals Priests and Prophets but putting to death the Prophets of God murthering the Saints of God but vpholding as before Idolatry and allowing fleshly vncleannesse as is shewed in the Pergamine state for this see Sixtus quartus his allowance of Sodometry but for the spirituall Adultery of this Whorish Church euery stocke and stone their madde running on pilgrimage to this hee that she-saint proclaimeth the shame thereof to the World La. Osiand Epit. Centur. l. 3. c. 4. cent 15. Agrip. de vanit Scient c. 64. de leonina Wesellus Gron. de indulg Papalibus cited by Morn  in propos 64. of his Myst of Iniquity 5. This was threatned to bee cast into a Bed her Fauourites Louers into great afflistion and to kill her children with death 5. And indeed this Harlot at this time fell sick of a Consumption of which euer since shee hath languished vpon Kings and Princes her Louers the Lord brought great afflictions sometime through the factions of the Popes sometime by their taking vpon them to take Kingdomes from one and to giue them to another other-while by Kings and Princes falling out one with another among themselues neither was it a light tribulation that fell vpon the Kings and Princes subiect to the Pope whē at his command they must arme themselues either one against another if he pleased to hold any for Heretickes or did excommunicate any or held any to bee disobedtent to his lusts or ioyne all against the Saracens to regain Ierusalem whilst the Pope played the false-hearted Wretch at  home which cost the liues of aboue ten Millions of people the children of that Iezabel of Rome And after these the LORD brought the Turkish fury vpon those Antichristian Kingdomes Morn in his Mystery of Iniquity sheweth these things at large Acts Mon. 183. 603 p. 675. Synodus sub In. 3. PP Anno 1204. apud Lateranum pro recuperanda Hierus Chron. Chronicorum Plat. in vita Inno. 3. 6. In this Church there were such as knew not the depths of Sathan to whom if they hold fast what they haue receiued a promise was made that they should bee rewarded 6 In this Church there haue bin and yet are vnder that Antichrist and wicked Iesabel such as know not that Mystery of Iniquity the depths of that Romish doctrine to whom there is hope of mercy and victory in the end if they hold fast the Truth which God hath reuealed vnto them 7. There is rule and power promised heere vnto such as shall preuayle euercome 7. Heere it began to come to passe for the true Church long hidden beganne powerfully to preuayle of which the LORD gaue strong perswasions to many  who so confidently deliuered their mindes of the decay of the honour of this Iesabel of Rome and how the Word of God and the true Church of Christ should flourish as that their speeches were held as Propheticall See Morney his Mystery of Iniquity in the Opposition after the 64. Proposition who mentioneth Sauanarola Wessellus Ioh. Osterid Paulus Scripto Ioh. Keiserb Andr. Proles Ioh Hilton which last foretold plainly the yeare of Luthers beginning to preach Morn his Myst of Iniquity Acts Mon. p. 768. 769. 580. Hee that
hath an eare let him heare what the Spirit saith to the Churches And thus much for the state of the Church from yeares aboue 1100. vnto Luthers beginning to preach 1516. set out in the Church of Thyatira CONSIDERATIONS FOR INSTRVCTION AND VSE FIrst that now in this time the depth of Sathans policies began to bee vsed Secondly that maugre his malice and mischiefe the true Church getteth strength Thirdly that when God purposeth to better the estate of his Church hee will qualifie his Seruants with better gifts to further his purpose Fourthly that in a sound Reformation the Church is not the best at the first but groweth better and better so as the last workes thereof are more then the first Fiftly that the tolleration of a Iesabel false Doctrine and false worship is a foule fault in the true Church Sixtly that the end of Sathans Instruments is to seduce the godly and to bring them to commit wickednesse Seuenthly that though God giue the wicked space to repent yet will they be nothing the better for it Eighthly that not only the chiefe Authours of euill but such as consent to them are lyable to the same iudgement except they repent Ninthly that neither Iesabel with her Abettors nor yet the depths of Satan can hinder the Churches increase in wel-doing when God wil aide her with his Grace Tenthly that there may be many where the false Church is which may bee ignorant of the depth of that sinfull state Eleuenthly that the Truth which we receiue must be held fast vnto the end THE FIFT GOLDEN CANDLESTICK THE FIFT CHVRCH In the Type In the Antitype The Church of Sardis The Sardine state of Christs Church the first of the Reformed Churches 1. THis was next after Thyatyra still East ward farther from the North. 1. THis was the next after the Thyatirian state at the end whereof this beganne more cleerely to breake out by the light of Truth about the yeare 1516. when Luther began to preach and continued to the yeare 1558. 2. In this is no mention as in the former of Balaam Nicolaitans thron of Sathan or Iesabel 2. Because now the Church was come out of Romish Babylon for neither Balaam that false Prophet of Rome nor the filthy Nicolaitans of that Seate nor that Iesabel the Church of Rome had any thing to doe with this Church of Christ which the Lord by Luther and other famous  men brought out from that Spirituall bondage as before hee did the Children of Israel out of Egypt by Moses and Aaron with a strong hand and out-stretched arme Sleid. Comment Fox his Acts Mon. p. 767 768. c. 3. In this Christ setteth out himselfe by the seuen Stars and seuen Spirits of God 3. For that now hee would rayse vp many learned Ministers of the Gospell who as Starres should shine and giue light to such as should sit in darknesse and to whome hee would giue plentifully the Graces of his Spirit to set forth his Truth as he did to Luther Zuinglius Melancthon Oecolampadius Bucer and to many bright Starres of his Truth in Wittenberge in Heluetia and other places Sleid. Comment Lu. Osiand Cent. 16. Fox his Acts Monuments p. 773. 4. This had a name to bee aliue but was dead 4. This comming from vnder Antichrist had a name to be aliue and to bee a Reformed Smyrna had not so good a name as shee deserued but this a much better then she is worthy of Church in Luthers dayes but she became as dead being farre from that life of Grace which should haue beene in her and from that liuely reformation which the Lord required at her hands For howsoeuer the Lutheran Churches acquite themselues of the Pope and were no more the children of that Iesabel of Rome yet retayned they such corruptions and errors and at this day so vphold them as their state is rather dying then liuing except they returne See the Booke of Concord and the Augustane Confession 5. The workes of this were imperfect 5. So was and is this of the Lutherans reformation as may appeare by the difference betweene them and other Reformed Churches in that which is commonly called Lutheranisme the points whereof may bee gathered out of their Bookes of the body of Diuinity their Augustane Confession and Disputations  against vs by which may appeare their imperfect workes vnworthy a Church Reformed and that blessed Instrument Luther that Lucifer and bright Starre of Light who did shine well in the dawning of the day before the Sun-shine of Truth arose and spred out his beames to his after followers for them to see more cleerly if they would not haue winked and shut their eyes against the Light shining vpon them See Reneccius his Panoplia Brentius Iac. Andraeas Seluec Chemnisius Lu. Osiand Epit. Cent. l. 3. cent 16. c. 30. 6. This is threatned for the defects and the Lord saith that hee will come suddēly vpon them 6. And indeed so did the Lord come vpon these Hee sent a new and strange kind of sicknesse called the Sweating Sicknesse which in a short space with an incredible swiftnesse passed through almost all the parts of Germanie they were also greatly troubled with Warres as may bee seene in that which is called  the Smalcaldicke Warre made by the Emperour through the Popes instigation Saxonie receiued moreouer great losse by Fires and also by horrible Tempests of Thunder and Lightning and thus came the LORD vpon them Sleid. Comm. Funct Chron. Bucholc Chron. Lu. Osiand Epit. Cent. l. 2. l. 3. c. 2. 7. In this Church were some few which had not defiled their garmēts 7. In this imperfect state begun by the Lutherās there were some which acquit themselues more cleerely from the Errours and Superstitions of Antichrist who set forth a Confession more agreeing in all things to the truth then that Augustane Confession these were called by the Lutherans Sacramentaries and Zuinglians and afterwards Caluinists for opposing their Consubstantiation and other their Errours Sleid. Comment Lu. Osiand Epit. Cent. 16. 8. These in this Church were most 3 So these few then hath the Lord giuen honour vnto and approued of Christ accounting them worthy to walke with him in white approoued as worthy of his fauourable acceptance and grace for soundnesse of Truth and that by the consent of many Churches agreeing therein See the Harmonie of Confessions 9. In this is promised to them that ouercome the reward of Victory 9. Now this was very needfull for those times for that many were put vnto the tryall not a few suffered banishment and imprisonment for not consenting to the Booke of Interim set out by the Emperours Authority to whom many through feare yeelded as those of Wittemberge and Lipsia who for the meane which they sought to hold as appeareth by the forme of Religion which they published were called Adiaphorists and Intermistickes Persecution was raised here in England by Queene Mary by whom many
were put to death for the Gospell of Christ out of Bohemia were banished aboue two hundred Ministers of the Gospell and in France was a  grieuous Persecution raised against those which were called Waldenses But for all this they shrunke not from the Truth therefore the Lord will cloath them with the white garmēt he will not blot out their names out of the Booke of Life but will confesse them before his Father and his holy Angels Sleid. Com. Lu. Osiand Epit. l. 2. cent 16. c. 70. 71. 72. 73. Lu. Osian l. 3. cent 16. c. 20. Hee that hath an eare let him eare what the Spirit saith to the Churches And thus much for the state of the Church from the yeare 1516. to 1558. set out in the Church of Sardis CONSIDERATIONS FOR INSTRVCTION AND VSE FIrst that such as bee come from vnder Antichrist may yet bee in a dying condition Secondly that there may bee a name of life by profession when such parties may bee dead in practice Thirdly that where there is no care to strengthen that which is good it will dye and euill grow vp in the roome thereof Fourthly That God alloweth not of the workes which are not perfect before him Fiftly that to amend and to be reformed is to call our selues backe to the Truthes receiued Sixtly that God will surely punish his if they will not otherwise be reformed Seuenthly that some are kept pure and vndefiled when others be stayned with vncleannesse Eighthly that the better part are euer the fewest Ninthly that God in mercy holds them worthy of reward which will not pollute themselues with others in sin Tenthly that the better men be though neuer so few the more accepted be they with God THE SIXT GOLDEN CANDLESTICK THE SIXT CHVRCH In the Type In the Antitype The Church of Philadelphia The Philadelphian state of Christs Church being the second of the Reformed Churches beginning from the Reigne of Elizabeth our late Queene of happy memory in the yeare 1558. at which time we may begin this sixt state of Christs Church for that the Popes power began now more to bee diminished then euer before and to be cast into such a consumption that hitherto he languisheth thereof in all these parts of Christendome God adding the Wisdome and Zeale of our learned Souereigne by his Pen to pierce thorow the heart of his vsurped Supremacie The period of this not yet come the yeare as in all the former states of the Church cannot bee set downe 1. To this Christ setteth out himself to be holy and true to haue the Key of Dauid to open and 1. BEcause now Christ at this time would chiefly exalt Piety exalt his Truth and shew that as he is King and as power belongeth to him so would hee none to shut and to shut and none to open now exercise the same that the Church might know that hee hath taken to him his great power and hath reigned And indeed in what age since the Apostles time hath true Pietie and the Truth beene more liuely set forth I say true Pietie and holinesse not that fained and counterfeit Sanctitie so much extolled when that Romane Beast did beare rule ouer all How hath the Gospell shined foorth to vs the wayes of darkenesse most powerfully hath the Lord shewed himselfe by his faithfull Seruants and great fruit haue they reaped of their labours Blessed be his Name cap. 11. 17. 2 Heere the LORD openeth a doore and none shutteth 2. For now the Gospell hath gotten free passage which the Enemies by their Tridentine Councell by their Iesuiticall or rather Iebusiticall Sect by their Seminarie Priests by their Conspiracies Trecheries Treason raysing of Rebellion in England  and Ireland by their murthering of Princes by their bloudy Persecutions in France and most cruell Massacre by their Spanish Inuasion by their Hellish Gunpowder-plot haue not beene able to hinder so wide hath the Lord opened the hearts of men to receiue the Truth as no plot nor police of that man of sinne hitherto hath beene able to shut them against the Truth as it is well knowne to vs all at this day William of Nass Prince of Orenge Hen. 4. K. of France his Predecessors before 3. This is commended for keeping Christs Word and for not denying his Name hauing but a little strength 3. Little was the strength of the Reformed Churches in this state for not a few yeares in respect of the power of Princes true vnion of hearts Diuision being great betweene Lutherans and others and Wisedome of policie in comparison of the Papists who were strongly vnited Pope Kings and Princes combining in league together and vsing  all subtile wayes and forcible meanes to ouerthrow the Professours of the Gospell who yet keepe the Word of God and did not deny the Doctrine and Worship of Iesus Christ to bee brought backe againe to Popery French Histor Mer. Gallobelg Lu. Osiand cent 16. 4. Christ to make his Lona knowne promiseth to this that the counterfeit Iewes and Synagogue of Satan shall come worship at his Angels feet so much is now the differēce of this from the Pergamine Angell who did dwell where Satans thron was 4. This Philadelphian state of the Church through the loue of Christ euen of mercie and not of any merit shall become most honourable The Lord will subdue all her Enemies those counterfeite Catholiques who did reigne in the Pergamine state who as Iewes bragge that they are the only people of God and will cause them to submit themselues humbly vnto the true Ministery of his Seruants which wee are to expect how contrarie soeuer it seemeth to mans reason and earnestly let vs pray for the same 5. To this is 5. There remayneth for made a promise of deliuerance in the time of temptation which is fore-told to come ouer all the World Christ his Church in this Philadelphian state a time of tryall yet to came our sinnes deserue it this so vniuersall a peace so abused by carnal security may make vs looke for troubles what this temptation is and when it shall be is not so certainly to be defined except it bee that in cap. 16. 18. but be it what it may bee let it come whensoeuer God shall sent it the Church hath a promise of deliuerance and shall escape the perill of it 6. To this Christ promiseth to come quickly and exhorteth it to hold fast that no man take away the Crown of reward 6. Because as may seeme by these words the Church in this her last time of tryall shall bee greatly assaulted and in danger to perish through the power and force of that temptation therefore as the Lord promiseth deliuerance so hee promiseth not to deferre it off but will quickly set her free 7. The Conquerer here is promised to bee made a 7. All this fore-sheweth after the deliuerance from this Temptation sore-spoken of that faithfull Pillar in the Temple so as hee shall goe no
eare let him heare what the Spirit saith vnto the Churches Thus much for the state of the Primitiue Church vnto the dayes of Constantine the Great liuely set out in this Church of Ephesus CONSIDERATIONS FOR INSTRVCTION AND VSE WHerein wee may obserue these things First Where God so weth the Seed of his Word by his Apostles there Sathan would thirst in his false Apostle to sow Tares Secondly That in those Primitiue Times there were excellent Angels full of good workes patient and laborious Thirdly That the faithfull Angels could not endure or beare with those which were euill so zealous were they for the Lord and his Truth Fourthly That Sathans instruments will assume to themselues faire Names and Titles Fiftly That therefore the Church will try and examine them and so either admit them or reiect them as shee shall finde cause Sixtly That excellent men may decay in their first Loue. Seuenthly that euen the decay of loue may cause God to remooue his Candlesticke except men repent THE SECOND GOLDEN CANDLESTICK THE SECOND CHVRCH In the Type In the Antitype The Church of Smyrna The Smyrnean state of Christs Church 1. THIS was the next to Ephesus Northward and so in degree worse in respect of the wicked in it For Sathan in Ephesus had but his seeds-men false Apostles but heere the Deuill hath a Synagogue 1. THIS was the next to the Primitiue Church from Constantine the Great to Gratian the Emperour Anno 383. The Primitiue Church was troubled with Seeds-men of Sathan but here within this space were Assemblies and Synods of Deuillish Heretickes Socrat. Scholast l. 2. c 5. Histor Tripart l. 2. cap. 10. Funct Chronol Sozem. l. 3. c. 11. 2. The LORD setteth out himself first in his Diuinitie in more hidden termes and then in his humanity plainly 2. For that at this time his Diuinitie was questioned denyed of many but no doubt made of his Humanitie though one Apollinaris held the Humanitie and Diuinitie one Nature both distinctly Socrat. Schol. l. 1. Hist Trip. l. 9. c. 3. Basil Epist 74. Aug. l. de Haeres 3. The Angell of this Church was laborious greatly afflicted and poore 3. There were at this time painfull Pastors but much afflicted by the fury of the Arians as may bee seene in that one renowned Athanasius withstanding Arius his Associates also in Macarius Marcellus Paulus and other Bishops companions with them in the Truth and in affliction Eustathius with many Priests and Deacons sent into banishment Ruff. l. 1. Ruff. l. 2. c. 7. Hieron in Catal. Ammianus l. 15. Basil de Trinit Socrat. li. 1. c. 20. 21. l. 2. c. 7. 8. 10. 12. 4. 13. 14 17. Athan. Apol. 2. Athan. Epist. ad vitam solitariam agentes 4. But this Angell was rich towards God 4. So these men were endued with great graces as appeared by their Learning Zeale and holy Constancie so as taking Athanasius the Standard-bearer for an instance they became honorable and were highly esteemed  of wanted not entertainment Socrat. Scho. l. 2. 18. Hieron in Chronol 5. This Angell was blasphemed by counterfeit Professors calling thēselues Iewes and were not but the Synagogue of Sathan 5. So these Angels were not abused by Heathen Tyrants as formerly but by hereticall Christians Arian Bishops counterfeiting sometime to bee of the Orthodox Verity but were damnable instruments of Sathan of whose blasphemies and slanders against the true Pastors and especially against Athanasius Eustathius Bishop of Antioch Macarius and others wee may reade in diuers Authors Socrat. Scho. l. 1. c. 10. 18. 25. Hist. Magd. cent 4. c. 9. Socrat. l. 1. c. 20. 21. 23. Atha Apol. 2. Theod. l. 1. c. 26. l. 2. c. 8. 9. 10. Sozom. l. 2. c. 25. Hieron in Catal. Atha in Epist ad vitam solitariam agentes 6. This Angel is encouraged and willed net to feare 6. So the Lord encouraged and raysed vp godly men of an vndaunted Spirit not fearing troubles to maintayne the truth as Atha Alexander of Constan.  Osius Bishop of Corduba Paphnutius Spiridion Basil and many others cited by Lu. Osiand in those troublesome times vnder Arian Emperours and among furiously raging Heretickes Socrat l. 1. c. 5. 18. 25. l. 4. 21. Niceph. Atha in Epist ad solitariam vitam agentes Histor Magd. cent 4. Ruffi l. 1. c. 4. Theod. l. 1. c. 7. in Epit. cent l. 1. c. 3. cent 4. 7. This Angel was foretold of imprisonment and persecution by the Deuill but yet the persecution should not continue long 7. This came to passe vnder Constance and Valens the Arian Emperours led by Satan to practise and to permit to bee practised all crueltie against the Orthodoxe Fathers and true Christian Beleeuers of which wee may reade at large in diuers Authors But the Lord suffered not long this cruell persecution nor the Persecutors to reign long for this cruel Valens reigned but 13. years An. 381. Atha in Ep. advit solit agentes in Apol. ad Constan Sozom. l. 3. 4. 6. Theo. l. 2. 4. Socrat. l. 2. 38. 4. 2. 6. 13. 14. 16.  17. 19. Greg. Nazi Orat. ad Episcop ad Arian in laudem Basil Hieron Socrat. l. 4. c. 13. 8. This Angell was exhorted to bee faithfull to the death and was promised to bee rewarded with a Crowne of Life 8. So there were many most valiant and faithfully constant to the death as is before shewed in Athanasius and others and heere I cannot but mention Basil and his most vndaunted Spirit before the Arian President of Antioch Valens the Emperour beeing there present by which holy and faithful resolution they haue gotten heere the Crowne of Prayse and in Heauen the Crowne of Glory Socrat. li. 4. c. 21. Sozom. l. 6. 16. Theod. l. 4. c. 19. Hee that hath an eare let him heare what the Spirit faith to the Churches He that ouercommeth shall not be hurt of the second death Thus much of the state of Christs Church from Constantine to Gratian set out in this Church of Smyrna CONSIDERATIONS FOR INSTRVCTION AND VSE FIrst that when the Church decayeth Sathans Kingdome increaseth In the former Church were onely Seeds-men of Sathan but the Church decaying in loue here Sathan hath his Synagogue Secondly the troublesome estate of his Church is well knowne to Christ Thirdly That such as be vnder affliction and poore in outward estate may yet bee inwardly rich before God Fourthly that very Enemies and Blasphemers of God and his people the very Synagogue of Sathan would yet bee held and taken for true Worshippers of God Fiftly that God permits sometime the Deuill and his Instruments to vexe his people but yet both the manner and time is set downe by the LORD And therefore no cause to feare THE THIRD GOLDEN CANDLESTICK THE THIRD CHVRCH In the Type In the Antitype The Church of Pergamus The Pergamine state of Christs Church 1. THIS was next Smyrna and the most
not the meere iudgement of other see into the Glasse of the Word by thy owne sight without other mens Spectacles and hold what thou iudgest truth only in loue of the Truth beware of by-respects hold so constantly the Truth as one neuer to be remoued but euery errour be willing both to see and to be reclaymed from though thou happenest to erre by frailtie yet become not an Hereticke by obstinacie Thirdly Witnesse the Truth for the Truths sake informe other louingly desire that they may see the Truth but neuer vrge them beyond their iudgement neither take it grieuously if thy words doe not preuaile but waite with patience Beware of rash iudgement neither condemne nor contemne other that are not as thy selfe Thinke not to make thy gifts anothers guide nor thy measure of grace their rule for to euery man is allotted his portion Fourthly Whomsoeuer thou doest see to doe amisse iudge it not to bee of wilfulnesse but either of ignorance and so offer to informe them or of infirmitie and so pitie them them and pray for them Be charitable so shal not his sinne hurt thee and much shall thy Charitie aduantage thy selfe in the end and adde this withall Bee slow to anger let neuer another mans distempered passion bring thee to disorderlines in affectiō Fiftly Loue not to bee in Controuersies it argueth Pride and a spirit of contention but if thou beest drawne vnto them and called therevnto vndertake the right and chuse the Truth How a man ought to carrie himselfe in handling of Controuersies FIrst Neuer come to it with a preiudicate opinion but with a mind to find out the truth not of contention Secondly Take words doubtfull in the better sense as the cause and circumstances will beare euident Truth imbrace willingly manifest errours deny plainly likelihood of falshood eschew friendly likelihood of Truth bend them the best way peruert nothing wilfully acknowledge thy ignorance and error when thou seest it and yeeld the victory for the Truth sake to an Aduersary and seeke not to wrest it from him by wicked Sophistry Thirdly Be sure in answering that thou hast the Authors meaning eyther by which or to which thou doest make answere Alledge no testimonie rashly and especially beware of this euill in quoting Scripture Wresting of Scripture is a great abuse of the Word and if thou bee in errour and doest by the Scriptures presume to maintayne it thou wouldest haue the Truth to vphold falshood and wickedly doest make the Holy Ghost a maintayner of a lye Fourthly Follow the matter strictly auoid idle excursiōs passe by weak nesse take heed of hasty passions in defending a cause abuse no mans person How a man ought to carry himselfe in things indifferent and what to doe inscrupulositie and doubtfulnesse of Conscience IN things indifferent make no question for conscience sake so it bee that neither holinesse merit nor necessitie bee put therein nor vsed for any part of Gods worship but for decency order and edification If thou be in a doubt and thy conscience as thou thinkest doth trouble thee about the vse of a thing indifferent I. Quaere Whether this doubt ariseth simply of a tender conscience from iudgement conuinced or that it be but a nicenesse of dislike comming from a desire not to bee troubled with them or for that thou hast not vsed them or because some cannot away with them or from a godly iealousie and suspition only for from hence will scruples arise so also from a continued custome likewise from ignorance and the want of certayne knowledge and a setled perswasion of the lawfulnesse of a thing If the Note well ground be not a iudgement inlightened and conuinced it is not trouble of conscience but a dislike working discontentednesse vpon some of these former grounds which thou maist easily remoue by setling thy iudgement vpon the Word and sound reason II. Quaere Whether this doubting ariseth through thy own default by looking out reasons to encrease thy dislike and neglecting to search for arguments to giue thee satisfaction If thus thou hast offended as many doe take as great paynes in Gods sight to resolue thy selfe as thou hast done to bring thy selfe into doubting else dealest thou but partially III. Quaere If it bee trouble of conscience indeed and yet the thing bee not plainely forbidden nor so commanded why where a speciall warrant to a particular is wanting a generall rule or a generall commandement to obey may not giue thy conscience satisfaction IV. Quaere Why a man should bee more scrupulous to seeke to haue warrant plainly for euery thing hee doth in Ecclesiasticall causes euen about things indifferent more then about matters politike in ciuill affaires Men in these things know not the ground nor end of many things which they doe yeeld vnto vpon a generall command to obey authoritie knowing them not to bee directly against Gods will and yet euery particular obedience in ciuill matters must be first of conscience secondly as seruing the Lord so must euery Seruant his Master which cannot bee without knowledge and perswasion that wee doe well euen in that particular which wee obey in which men vsually for conscience sake inquire not into but doe rest themselues with a generall commandement of obeying lawfull authoritie so it be not against a plaine cōmandement of God What therefore doth let but that a man may so satisfie himselfe in matters Ecclesiasticall The curious searching so particularly into euery thing to haue full satisfaction hath so wrought in these dayes vpon mens wits to bring distinctions that the more men seeke in doubts for resolution the further are they from it Oh dayes full of distractions what counsell shall I here take and giue How to settle a mans conscience to preuent scrupulositie and perplexitie I. KEepe all mayne truths in the Word which are most plainly set downe and are by the Law of nature ingrauen in euery man II. Beleeue euery Collection truly and necessarily gathered by an immediate consequence from the Text. III. Follow euident examples fit for thee either as a Christian or as thy speciall calling requireth IV. Auoid that which is plainely forbidden or followeth necessarily by an immediate consequence V. Entertayne true Antiquitie and follow the generall practice of the Church of God in all ages where they haue not erred from the euident Truth of God VI. If thou suffer let it bee for knowne Truth and against knowne wickednesse for which thou hast examples in the Word or examples of holy Martyrs in storie suffering for the same or the like But beware of farre-fetched consequents or for suffering for new deuices and for things formerly vnto all ages vnknowne seeme they neuer so holy and iust vnto man If yet thou doest iudge a thing commanded a sinne and not to be obeyed for thy helpe herein consider How a thing vnlawfully commanded may bee lawfully obeyed I. QVaere Whether that which is wrongfully or sinfully commanded may not yet