Lord i.e. Christ who is to be served by us Indeed if there were many Lords as the Papists set up many Saints in heaven all which have their peculiar worship then no wonder if there were several faiths and worships But the Lord Christ is one he is not divided 1 Cor. 1.13 If Christ be not divided there should be no division in the Church Again There is one Faith i.e. One Systeme of Doctrine to be believed Though there be many particulars yet they make up one entire truth Indeed there be many called Religions and called Churches but in truth there is but one true Church Again There is one Baptism i.e. one Profession of the Doctrine of faith so the Sacrament of the Lords Supper is made an Argument of Unity 1 Cor. 10.17 The Sacraments manifest one body one Spirit why then are there so many Rents and Divisions about the Sacraments which yet are the bodies and seals of Unity and Communion Lastly There is one God and Father of all therefore we ought to be at Unity God being but one cannot be divided in himself he cannot command things to be done or believed contrary to himself upon all these considerations we should endeavour after Unity I might add that there is Unity in hell all the Devils agree against the Church If there be Unity against us shall there not be Unity amongst us Quest Quest Seeing God hath promised one heart and one way and Christ hath prayed so earnestly that they may be one John 17.21 How is it that there are so many breaches amongst the godly A. Answ 1 First Though Unity amongst the godly be so necessary yet that necessarily infers Divisions and Oppositions to the world It s no marvel therefore if the Gospel and powerful dispensing of it make Fractions and troubles in the world For the godly cannot have peace with themselves but they must be at open opposition with the world Hence Christ said That he came to send fire and a sword in the earth c. Luke 12.49 which is not from the nature of Christs Doctrine which is the Gospel of Peace but from the corrupt indisposition of the Subject as the Sun offends soar eies so then the godly and the wicked can have no unity Proverbs 29.27 Secondly Seeing there can be no Unity betwixt these therefore in the Church of God seeing there be so many that still retaine their beastly nature though they are called Christians hence it is that in the Church there are often such deadly oppositions It s no marvel though even amongst those that pretend so highly to Christ there be sad divisions for many of them are in the flesh still and savour not experimentally the things of God Act. 20.30 2 Pet. 2.1 There are false Prophets and why because they are men of corrupt minds and 1 John 2.19 They went out from us because they were not of us c. and 1 Cor. 11.19 There must be Heresies that such as are sound may be esteemed Thirdly There is a Unity in Fundamentals or Essentials and a Unity in Circumstantials or less Principals Now Gods Children though in many things they have not attained the same mind and judgement yet they all agree in those things which are necessary to salvation and this is called All truth John 16.13 and the Unction that teacheth them all things 1 John 2.20 A godly man cannot live and die in a fundamental error Fourthly Even in accessaries and less Principals their Unity shall be consummate in heaven then all the godly will lay aside all their bitterness one against another Fifthly God hath not given his Spirit in full measure to his Church in this life therefore they know but in part they love but in part now all Divisions arise from ignorance in the mind and corruption in the heart as long therefore as there be such relicts there will be Divisions Sixthly The Devil here puts forth his Power and his work is to fill the Church with Divisions and to raise up Instruments to foment the same therefore so long as the Devil dies not though some of his Incendiaries die he will still be thrusting in his cloven foot where God raiseth up any Church Quest Quest What means may be used for preventing and healing Divisions in the Church Answ Answ There are two Remedies suggested but they are both in extreams First The Popish party say that the way to prevent Division is a rigid and imperious commanding of uniformity in every punctilio so that no dissent shall be allowed to a man though humble and peaceable and earnestly desiring to finde out the truth Thus Victor Bishop of Rome made a great rent in the Church about the time of keeping Easter whom Iraeneus gravely opposed It s true the least truth of Christ is precious and we are not to deny it yet may we not violently obtrude it except the contrary be damnable Mat. 9.17 If new wine be put into old bottles the bottles will break So whilest men impose opinions and practices of lesse consequence upon a people not prepared instead of promoting unity they make factions yet this way hath much infested the Church when some have been in power they have pressed unity not so much out of love to Christ as to keep up their interest Aut subscribe aut discede was a speech of old in the Church Secondly there is another false way of unity quite contrary to this maintained by the Socinians and that is a licentious and unbounded toleration of all damnable Heresies and opinions and this Julian the Apostate promoted as the most probable way to overthrow the Christian Religion and as the former was maintained by those that had power in their hands so hath this by the oppressed party But the Scripture prescribes a middle way between these two For Rev. 2.2 6. the Angels of the Churches are commended for not tollerating nor bearing with such as taught false doctrines and such as did suffer them are reproved Rev. 2.14 15 20. and the Apostles in their Epistles do oppose false doctrines and false Teachers with as much earnestnesse as false and corrupt practices 1 Tim. 1 20. Paul delivered up to Satan Hymenaeus and Alexander for their blasphemies and false doctrines and commands Tit. 3.10 that we should reject an Heretick after the first and second admonition Whence its clear that Church-censures should be inflicted upon obstinate offenders in this kinde This unbounded tolleration the Remonstrants themselves who yet cried up a liberty of prophecying as their great Diana did condemn and professed that it was better living ubi nulla licent then ubi omnia where there was no latitude then where all things were allowed this licentiousnesse then doth not heal but encrease breaches for it gives way to mens corruptions to vent themselves Quest Quest What then are the true remedies Answ Answ As the breach of unity may be made three wayes 1. Of the true doctrine by heresie 2. Of godly order
Church as well as a willing people against whom we find severity used by Christ himself and his Apostles Christ scourged the buyers and Sellers out of the Temple Joh. 2.15 Peter pronounced a doleful sentence upon Ananias and Saphira Act. 5.4 5 9. which acts though extraordinary yet they teach us that an Evangelical estate hath need as well of a Rod as of a Spirit of meekness 1 Cor. 4.21 Fifthly It s prophesied of the times of the Gospel that Kings shall be nursing fathers to the Church Isa 49.23 and Paul tells us that they are for a terror to evil doers Rom. 13.3 4. which words respect good and evil in the first table as well as in the second We are taught to pray for Kings and for all that are in Authority that we may under them lead quiet and peaceable lives in all godliness and honesty Now that which is the end of our prayer is likewise the end of their Authority and if it be their duty to provide for quiet peace and honesty it is to provide for godliness too 1 Tim. 2 1 2. Constantine Theodosius Valentinian Justinian c. are highly commended for making Edicts calling Councils prohibiting and punishing Heresies as appears in all Authors Sixthly Whatsoever things are in themselves dangerous and destructive to the prosperity of States and Nations come under the proper cognizance of the Civil Magistrate to prevent But Heresies Blasphemies Idolatries and Impieties against God do as much endanger a State as sins against the second Table And that 1. Because God is as much provoked by the one as by the other yea the great sin alledged for the captivity of Juda was their despising Gods Messengers 2 Chron. 36.16 2. Secondly Because such sins do more divide and untie the bonds of love which Christian Truth doth preserve then other civil differences and so loosen the hearts of men more from one another Seventhly Our Learned Writers have maintained this Doctrine against the Popish Doctors who to maintain Papal Supremacy and to keep all Ecclesiastical power within themselves have excluded the civil Magistrate from it whereby we may know what hands they be which sow such Doctrines amongst us that so they may instill corrupt Doctrines into as many as they find to be fit tinder to catch that fire Object Object Is not this to abridge and anul that liberty which should be indulged to the Consciences of men Answ Answ 1 First God forbid that any should assume Dominion over the consciences of men We are not saith Paul Lords over your faith but helpers of your joy 2 Cor. 1.24 It would be an high and withal a vain attempt 1. An high attempt for no man can give Law further then he can reward and punish accuse and convince But no man can either search or reward or punish the conscience therefore none can give Law to it 2. A vain Attempt For none but a divine eye can see the conscience therefore none but a Divine Law can bind it For Writings words if they be blasphemous and subversive to Church or State and highly derogatory to the honour of Christ Civil restraint can reach them but thoughts it cannot reach they are unsearchable to a humane eye and therefore unreducible to a humane power Again God forbid we should straiten liberty which Christ hath purchased for us Let every man shand first in that liberty wherewith Christ hath made him free and cursed be he that would entangle him in any such yoak of bondage as is contrary to that freedom Secondly Where men agree in fundamental Doctrines of Truth and godliness in the substantials of Faith Worship and Obedience there should be a mutual Love Tolleration and forbearance in differences which are not subversive to Faith and Godliness wherein we differ in such things we are to wait upon God to reveal the same unto us Phil. 3.15 Thirdly Christ did never purchase for any man a liberty to subvert or to endeavour to subvert the foundations of Faith Worship and holy obedience which he hath laid in his Church by blasphemous heretical Idolatrous or wicked opinions Gods great Truths and the Gospels great Interests ought to be dearer to us then the liberty of any blasphemous or impious tongue or pen. Fourthly Magistrates are wisely to distinguish between weak Brethren and wicked malicious disturbers of the Doctrine of salvation and peace of the Church As Paul doth between the bewitched Galatians and the Seducers of them whom he wishes that they were even cut off Gal. 5.12 whom yet he would not have wished so ill to if they had only made use of a lawfull liberty in sowing false Doctrines Fifthly With the word such lenity and moderation is to be used as first to reprove rebuke exhort them with all long-suffering and Doctrine 2 Tim. 4.2 To admonish them once and again and being found unreclaimable then to reject them Tit. 3.10 Sixthly We are to distinguish between the conscience of the Seducer and the spreading of his Doctrine It belongs to the care of the Magistrate to endeavour the reclaiming of the Seducer which if it cannot be effected the next principal care must be to prevent the spreading of his infection Thus the Apostle rejected Hereticks and would have no Communion with them they used effectual means to keep the leaven from the Lump Shew lenity to the persons themselves but be zealous for the purity and peace of the Church which by divisions is weakned distracted and betrayed Quest Quest What are the best means to be used by Magistrates in these seducing and seduced times Answ First Answ 1 They should encourage a godly and learned Minister and the Universities vindicating and protecting them from reproach contempt When Alexander the great sent Ambassadors to Athens requiring them to deliver up their Orators into his hands Demosthenes speaking to the people about it tells them a Fable that the wolves being at war with the sheep sent a message to them that if they desired quietness and to have a firm peace concluded they should deliver up their dogs unto them which as soon as they had done they were devoured by the wolves The like cunning use our Adversaries now that they may make a prey of the people they by all means seek to pull down our Ministry and Schools of learning that the watchmen being removed the sheep may be exposed to ruine Secondly They should take care that all that own the Christian Religion amongst us be required to attend upon the publick Ministry and that they may not presumptuously deprive themselves of the means of grace and salvation as very many do who in these times of licentiousnesse have for divers yeares withdrawn themselves from Christian Assemblies where God is worshipped and his name made known Thirdly they should endeavour to heale and close up breaches amongst brethren that men agreeing in Faith Worship and obedience may no longer be strangers one to another but joyne hand in hand
Seducers God hath promised whatsoever is necessary for our strengthning and bringing to heaven therefore he will not denie us so necessary an aid as this is Fourthly See that thou preserve in thee a holy fear and reverence of God Psalm 25.12 What man is he that feareth the Lord him shall he teach in the way he shall chuse Dr. Sibs on Phil. Quest How do Seducers bring in Quest and disperse their errors Answ By creeping into houses Answ and secretly depraving and corrupting that Doctrine which is publickly taught and acknowledged to be the truth of God 2 Tim. 3.6 They creep into houses and imitating Satans subtilty they set upon women who can least resist and lead them captive who yet are cunning enough to seduce their husbands and thus not one but many houses are subverted Tit. 1.11 Such were the Pharisees Mat. 23.14 So 2 Pet. 2.2 They privily bring in damnable Doctrines Quest Quest Why doth Christ suffer such Deceivers in his Church Answ Answ 1 First To trie the faith of his and their love to the truth whether they will abide with him in tentation Secondly To rouse us out of security that the more snares are laid for us we might be the more circumspect c. For Error is of a very spreading and infectious nature hence it s compared to Leaven Mat. 16.22 To a Gangrene 2 Tim. 2.17 So also is error in manners Gal. 2.13 If Peter dissembles a number will fall with him and Barnabas also will be drawn into the dissimulation Quest Quest What motive do Seducers usually make use of Answ Answ Filthy lucre usually is that which sets them on work whilst the Priests and the Prophets could bite with their teeth i. e. while they are well fed all is peace to the feeders Mich. 3 5 11. but if their greedy apperites are not satisfied they prepare war against them as if they were enemies to God and man So Eze. 13.18 19. The false Prophets polluted the Lord amongst his people for an handfull of barley pieces of bread and would sew pillows under every arm-hole promising them ease and prosperity and made vailes for every head thereby promising Gods protection and so preached peace where God had not spoken it and all to feed their covetousness Such Merchants the Apostle speaks of 2 Pet. 2.3 Who through covetousness with fained words would adulterate the truth and make merchandize of souls so 2 Cor. 2.17 Phil. 3.18 19. Their belly is their God Quest Quest How else will it appear that Magistrates may punish an obstinate Hetick with death Answ 1. There is precept for it Answ 1 as Deut. 13.5 Deut. 17.5 Secondly There is President and Example for it Exod. 32.35 Mâ—ses commanded 3000 of the Leviteâ— to be â—ain for their Idolatry And 1 Kin. 18.40 Elias caused 400 of Baals Priests to be slain when there was no Magâ—â—â— are â—o do it So of Josias 2 Kin. 23.6 Jehu 2 Kin. 10.25 Yea even Nebuchadnezzar made a Decree That whosoever blasphemed the God of Shadrach c. should be cut in peices c. Dan. 3.29 It s foretold that under the Gospel false Prophets should be punished with death Zach. 13.3 c. Quest Quest What danger is there in tollerating Heresie and Hereticks Answ Answ 1 First Hereby the Command of God is broken Deut. 29.18 Secondly This mixture exposeth a Nation to Gods revening hand and it s stil'd Rebellion Josh 22.17 Thirdly It s dangerous to the sound as afore Fourthly It threatens ruine both to Church and State By it publick justice is corrupted peoples affections are distracted and distempered and way is made for tumults and Massacres as experience hath taught Dr. Tailor on Titus Fifthly Such allowance would prove destructive to holiness both personal and domestical Omnis Religio nulla Religio every Religion and no Religion will soon be the same suppose the husband is of one opinion the wife of another children and servants embracing others what shall the Master of the house do here how shall he perform family duties Diveâ—sity of opinions wiâ—l interrupt their prayers 1 Pet. 3.7 New opinions suffered will devoure the old and a tolleration of every Religion will destroy all Religion Sixthly this liberty is inconsistent with civil tranquility the woful condition of our own Nation is a living nay almost a dying witnesse of this whilest every paâ—tie endeavours to support it selfe by the ruine of the rest Seventhly the late Bishops of Irland may shame and silence such as plead for a general tolleration For when a tolleration of Popery in that Nation was proposed by the Lord Deputy and his adherents they gave in their unanimous judgement in writing that it was a grievous sinne to tollerate Popery and would make all that granted it accessary to all their abominations and guilty of the destruction of seduced souls Eightly this indeed is the Doctrine of the Turks to tollerate all religions but though it finde allowance in the Turks Paradise yet it should never be admitted in the Paradise of God It was a prodigious thing in the dayes of Jeremiah ch 2.28 According to the number of thy Cities so are thy gods O Judah Mr. Thorowgoods Parl. Serm. Decem. 25. 1644. Quest Quest What rules are Magistrates to observe in tollerating smaller errours Answ Answ 1 First they must see that the persons tollerated be known to be modest pious and peaceable lest some of an evil spirit should for evil ends lay claime to and so abuse such libertie Secondly that all bitternesse insolency turbulency of spirit all reproachful language and tumultuous carriages be forborn Thirdly that no Church-meetings for worship be allowed but in places known that there may be free accesse for any to them It shewed great prudence and ingenuity in the French Protestants who in one of their treaties of Peace made this motion that some Officer of the Kings might be deputed to be present at their Assemblies for preventing of State jealousies and vulgar calumnies For John 3.21 He that doth truth cometh to the light that his deeds may be manifest that they are wrought in God Mr. Mainard in his Parl. Sermon Feb. 26. 1644. Object Object But we see that the States of the united Provinces allow diversity of Religions Answ First Answ 1 where the will of God is evident the contrary example of men is not to be regarded Secondly the evil example of one State is not to be imitated contrary to the example of all other Protestant Churches Thirdly these States were nver bound to God by such a Covenant for uniformity as we are Fourthly In these States there hath been a connivance at errours by particular Magistrates for their private gaine But to this houre there was never any Sect amongst them so impudent as to offer a petition for tolleration by a Law and when not long since some assayed to do it they repented since of that folly Fifthly hath not the Magistrates connivance without any legal tolleration so
much multiplied Sects amongst them that for this one thing they have beene infamous in the Christian world as men preferring Policy before Piety the godly amongst them have been more grieved with this scandalous sin then with any other and those of them that are wise do see their State in greater civil danger by this peice of impious policy and from it apprehend greater hazards of commotion and ruine to their State then from any other ground However the connivance there at Sects and the multiplication of Sects by connivance is no wayes comparable to what is amongst us at this day Mr. Bailies Parl. Serm. July 30. 1645. Quest Quest How will it appeare that Schisms Heresies and Errors are so dangerous Answ Answ 1 First because error destroys the truth 2 Tim. 3.8 as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses so do these also resist the truth c. 2 Tim. 2.18 Hymeneus and Philetus concerning the truth have erred c. Jer. 23.30 the false prophets stole away the Word of God every one from his neighbour 2 Cor. 4.2 False Teachers adulterate the word of God As in nature darknesse destroys light and sickness removes health so errours destroy and remove the truth Hillarius observes that the Arians made various confessions of Faith that they might have none This is a sore mischief which our Church for the present labours under there is scarce any one truth which by one opinion or other is not directly opposed or indirectly undermined Vincentius Lirinensis observes that when any branch of Divine truth is by any rejected presently another and another and after that another and another will be rejected till at last none at all will be left remaining So we see in the Church of Rome whose errors at first were little in comparison and almost insensible but by degrees she became the Mistris and mother of all abominations and a sink and sea of Heresies the Anabaptists who at first erred but in one particular proceeded some of them in other parts to fourty eight more many of them dangerous and racing the foundation Hence the ancients counted the least alterations in matters of faith to be the extreamest blasphemy and ungodlinesse and were willing to undergo all kindes of death rather then to desert one syllable of the truth the least errour entertained prepares a way for greater and disposeth the heart to reject all truth as the pulling of one stone out of an Arch disposeth the whole to ruine Secondly the Apostle speaks expresly that errors overthrow the faith of some 2 Tim. 2.18 Athanatius observes in his time that new opinions made believers infidels and infidels more adverse to the faith We see it by woful experience amongst our selves that multitudes being unsettled by unsound doctrine have changed their faith either into Sceptichisme to doubt of every thing or into Atheisme to believe nothing Thirdly heresies and errors eat up peace the Legacy of Christ and love the bond of perfection they overthrow the peace of the Church they disturb the peace of the Common-wealth Hence come envy strife reviling evil surmisings c. and where these are what peace can there be Act. 15.2 24. when that false Doctrine was broached at Antioch there was no small dissention and disputation c. the like befell the Churches of Galatia Gal. 5.2 c. and it s confirmed by the Holland Arminians the New England Familists besides our own woful experience Judg. 5.8 when they served strange Gods then was warre in their gates and 2 Chron. 15.5 6. Nation was destroyed of Nation City of City c. and its righteous with God that they which will not maintain peace with heaven shall have trouble upon earth Obj. Object But a Tolleration of all Religions would be a meanes to cure all Dissentions c Answ 1. Answ 1 Would they that so hotly plead for a tolleration if they had power in their hands grant it unto others The Arians at first seemed as earnest enemies to persecution as these men but when they had authority on their side they raised a more cruel persecution against the Orthodox then any of the Heathen Emperors did against the Christians as may be seen in my General Martyrology and Athanasius describes at large the more then beastly cruelty that was used by them against all sexes and ages both living and dead and concludes that he had said lesse then their inhumanity deferved because it exceeded all expressions The Donatists did ordinarily plead for tolleration and seemed implacable enemies to all disturbances for conscience-sake yet when under Julian the Apostate they had gotten power who can declare saith St. Austin what havock they made of the Orthodox All Africa was filled with blood and desolation by them men were rent mattons defiled infants slaughtered women with childe miscarried none were secure in their houses the ways were unsafe for travellers and the letters of them that boasted to be the captaines of the Saints were terrible to all 2. Would such a tolleration establish peace in the Common-wealth hath it ever done it Indeed the equality of powers may possibly for a while perswade each party to suppress their discontents but can tolleration prevent but that upon sensible advantages they will break out Let the experience of former and later times determine this What peace was theâ—e in the Roman Empire upon the tolleration of the Donatists Optatus and Austin tell us that all places were filled with confusion the Circumcellions or furious Sectaries not waiting for a Law to authorize them set the world on fire so that Macarius and others with the forces of the Empire were scarce sufficient to quench the burning was it not so in Germany in France in Irâ—land will a tolleration satisfie Hereticks if they have power in their hand Error may tollerate error but can darknesse agree with light or wolves with sheep Fourthly Heresies and Schismes eat up the power of godliness 2 Tim. 2.16 they will encrease to more ungodlinesse 2 Pet. 2.2 c. Jude 8. where you have the Hereticks of those times described and Paul tells us Rom. 16.18 that they that cause divisions cause scandals and serve not the Lord Jesus Christ but their own bellies A good conscience and true faith like Hippocrates twins live and die together Epiphanius observes concerning the Gnosticks of old that having corrupted the judgements of their Proselites they drew them into fornication uncleanness and such like abominations c. Quest Quest Whence comes this to pass Answ Answ 1 1. Because that time which should be imployed in the examination of conscience is laid out in the examination of opinions they employ all their care about notions of the brain which should have been exercised for the bettering of their hearts As in children that have the Rickets their heads grow bigg but their bodies crooked their chests narrow and their inferior parts pine away So erroneous persons for errors are the Rickets of children in understanding may perhaps
by Schisme 3. Of Christian love by contentions in outward matters so there are peculiar remedies proper to each As first for matters of Doctrine these are uniting principles First so farre as there is an agreement in judgement we should close heartily and embrace one another in that It s a mercy that the difference is not in fundamentals Seeing therefore we agree in these let that unity be nourished and it will be a meanes to produce further union So Phil. 3.15 16. wherein we have attained let us walk by the same rule c. Secondly let private Christians highly esteeme and submit to those godly and faithful Pastors that God sets hath over them When men will not own those officers whom God hath set over them then these runne into by paths Ephes 4.12 13. One end of the Ministry is to keep men from being carried about as children c. the other for our spiritual edification till we all come in the unity of faith c. Thirdly get a pitiful and compassionate spirit to those that go astray Indeed we must be zealous in the things of God but it must be mixed with pity Of some have compassion making a difference Jude 22. Consider how prone we are to receive error for truth and that we stand by Gods strength this will move us to pity others Fourthly we must candidly and truly report the opinions of others that dissent from us Nothing hath made the rents in the Church greater then a malevolent perverting the opinions of others when we make them to hold such monstruous things as with all their hearts they do detest How oft was Christ and his Apostles traduced for preaching such things as they never taught which proceeded from the malice of those who laboured to make them odious and to bring them into danger Thus the Papists represent the Protestants as if they were the greatest Hereticks that ever were The end of such is not to bring dissenters to the knowledge of the truth but to disgrace and defame them therefore it s necessary in all disputations to state the controversie aright without which men may write volumes and bring multititude of arguments and all to no purpose To know therefore the true and proper distance is the best and only way at last to unity Fifthly we must not impose such conclusions and inferences upon the Doctrines maintained by Dessenters that are not the proper and genuine effects thereof To cast that upon them for their Doctrine which is but our owne inference is not fair especially when they do with their soul abhor such conclusions Because the Apostle had taught where sinne abounded there grace abounded much more some wicked persons forced this consequence upon the Apostles doctrine Let us sinne that grace may abound Rom. 6.1 Thus the Papists charge this hideous calumny consequence upon the Doctrine of the Protestants that God is the Author of sinne whereas we use but the words and expressions of the Scripture Indeed what is the evident and plaine consequence of a doctrine that is to be accounted of as the doctrine it self As whatsoever is a clear genuine consequence from Scripture is Scripture but not every consequence that we are apt to deduce Sixthly whatsoever truth God may make known to us or if in our perswasion only we are to be very careful how we publish it This hath always kindled great fires in the Church of God when men have either or in perswasion only some doctrine different from the current way of the Church at that time Now it s a very hard thing thus to be with child as it were and not to be in pain till we have delivered it to the world But such qualifications as these are necessary 1. We should in such cases question and examine our own spirits and not presently believe our own hearts we should have modest doubtings of our own ignorance and pronenesse to erre in every thing that we are so confident of So we see in Paul 1 Cor. 7.12 25 26 40. Wheresoever the Spirit of God leads into all truth there he doth likewise into all humilitie 2. Before we publish it to the world we should communicate it to some able wise and learned persons in the Church of God who have the Spirit of God and his unction as well as we Paul though immediately called by Christ yet went up to Jerusalem to confer with the chief pillars there and though he was miraculously converted yet he must go to Ananias to be further directed So 1 Cor. 14.29 32. those that had extraordinary gifts yet were to submit to the judgements of others Seventhly we must highly prize and delight in the known and plain truths of Christ Paul even after he had been wrapt up into heaven desired to know nothing but Christ crucified Peter thought it not inconvenient to write the same things they knew already Nothing hath caused greater rents in the Church then an affectation of singular and high things To bring in some unheard and unknowne truths It shews great pride when men affect to be accounted the authors of such new notions as the Jesuite of his scientia media Ego primus inveni But to be weary of known truths is to be weary of the same God and the same Christ Quest Quest What will keep up unity in the Churches order and prevent Schism there Answ Answ 1 First if such be the corruptions of the Church that thou canst not keep fellowship with her but by partaking of her sinnes yet before thou leavest her be sure to take the way which Scripture commands Let it not be for some lesser corruptions but for such as eat up the very vitals of Religion Leave not a Church till God leaves it Unchurch it not till God doth Secondly let it be thy endeavour before thou departest in thy place to informe and heale her Plead with thy mother as Hosea 2.2 and if thou must needs depart yet do it unwillingly being compelled to it by the enemies of all godlinesse who will not suffer thee under their power When those in Israel that would not worship the Calves departed from Jeroboam and went to Jerusalem to worship they did not make the Schisme but Jeroboam 2 Chron. 11.13 14 15. the Papists call us Schismaticks because we with-drew from obedience to the Pope as head of the Church but ours was a secession from their errours not a Schisme they are the Schismaticks who fell from the primitive order and the institutions in the Church so that the Pope is the greatest Schismatick that ever was in the Church and drove us from his Church by fire and fagot Thirdly Though there be many corruptions in Government and Administrations yet we are not to make sinfull Rents For these as St. Austin saith do Plus perturbare infirmos bonos quam corrigere animosos malos Only these two things we have to do 1. As our Calling and Relation is so to oppose and reprove the
against dangers threatened from a common enemie Fourthly they should secure and set bounds about fundamental doctrines for which end they should take care and promote the dutie of Catechising Fifthly they should provide that Ministers may be known to be Orthodox in the great and weighty Controversies between us and the Hereticks of our times that woâ—ves may not privily creep in under sheeps cloathing Sixthly they should hinder the printing and spreading of dangerous and infectious books either from Ports or Presses and all other ways of diffusing leaven into the people Dr. Reynolds Peace of Jerusalem A certain friend having sent to Mr. Cotton of Boston in New England sundry Arguments against persecution for cause of conscience Mr. Cotton returned him this answer Quest Quest Your question saith he which you put is whether persecution for cause of conscience be not against the Doctrine of Christ who is King of Kings Answ Answ By persecution for cause of conscience I conceive you mean either for professing some point of doctrine which you believe in conscience to be truth or for practising some work which in conscience you believe to be a religious duty Now in points of Doctrine some are fundamental without a right beliefe whereof a man cannot be saved others are circumstantial and less principal wherein men may differ in judgement without endangering their salvation So in points of practice some concern the weightier duties of the Law so as if it be right fellowship with God is held If corrupt fellowship with him is lost Again in points of doctrine or worship less principal they are either held forth in a meek and peaceable way or in so arrogant and violent a way as tendeth to the disturbance of civill peace Lastly when we are persecuted for conscience sake it s either for conscience rightly informed or for an erronious and blinde conscience These things premised the answer is laid down in these conclusions First it s not lawful to persecute any for conscience-sake rightly informed for then Christ himself is persecuted in them Act. 9.4 Why persecutest thou me Secondly for an erroneous and blind conscience even in fundamentals it s not lawful to persecute any till after once or twice admonition Tit. 3.10 where the Apostle gives the direction and the reason viz. because in fundamental points of Doctrine and Worship the Word of God is so clear that he cannot but be convinced in conscience of the dangerous error of his way after one or two admonitions wisely and faithfully dispensed and then if he persist it s not out of conscience but against his conscience as ver 11. He is subverted and sinneth being condemned of himself If then such a man be punished he is not persecuted for his conscience but justly punished for sinning against his conscience Thirdly in things of lesser moment whether in doctrine or worship if they be held forth in a spirit of meeknesse and love he is not to be persecuted but tollerated till God shall please to manifest his truth unto him Phil. 3.17 Rom. 14.1 2 3 4. Fourthly but if a man hold forth any error or false way with a boisterous and proud spirit to the disturbance of civil peace he may be justly punished according to the quality of the disturbance made by him Obj. Object But Christ commands to let the tares and wheat grow together till the harvest Mat. 13.30 c. Answ Answ Tares are not Briars and Thornes but partly hypocrites like unto the godâ—y as tares are like the wheat or partly such corrupt doctrine or practises as are indeed insound but yet such as come nere the truth and so neere as good men may be taken with them and so the persons in whom they grow cannot be rooted out but the good will be rooted up with them and in such a case Christ calls for a tolleration not for a penal prosecution Obj. Object But Christ Mat. 15.14 would have the blinde let alone till they fall into the ditch therefore he would have their punishment deferred till their final destruction Answ Answ Christ speaks not there to publick Officers whether in Church or State but to his private Disciples concerning the Pharisees over whom they had no power But this makes nothing to the matter in hand Obj. Object But Luk. 19.54 Christ blames his Disciples who would have fire to come down from heaven to consume the Samaritans who refused to receive him Answ Answ This directs Ministers of the Gospel how to deal not with obstinate offenders who sinne within the Church against conscience but either with men without as the Samaritans were and many unconverted Christians in Creet whose conversion Titus was to seek or at best with some Jews and Gentiles within the Church who though carnal yet were not convinced of the errour of their way and so indeed it became not the spirit of the Gospel to convert aliens to the faith of Christ by fire and brimstome nor to deal harshly in their Ministry or private conference with all contrary minded men as either had not entred into Church fellowship or if they had did yet hitherto sin of ignorance not against conscience But neither of these do hinder Ministers from proceeding in a Church-way against Church-members when they become scandalous either in life or doctrine much lesse do they speak at all to the civil Magistrates Obj. Object But the Prophets foretold that carnal weapons should cease in the dayes of the Gospell as Isa 2.4 and 11.9 Micha 4.3 4. and Paul saith our weapons are not carnal 2 Cor. 10.4 and Christ bids his disciples not to persecute but to pray for their persecutors because they who are now persecutors may be converted Answ Answ The Prophets predictions do shew First with what kind of weapons God would subdue the Nations not by fire sword but by the power of the word and spirit 2. They shew what a meek and peaceable temper true Converts would be of not Lions Leopards c. not biters one of another but this forbids not to drive ravenous wolves from the sheepfold and to restraine them from devouring Christs sheep and when Paul saith our weapons are not carnal he â—enies not weapons of justice to the Civil Magistrate but onely to Church-Officers and yet he allows them such weapons as are ready to take vengeance on all disobedience 2 Cor. 10.6 which refers to the censures of the Church against scandalous Offenders 3. When Christ commands his Disciples to bless them that cursed and persecuted them he gives not a rule to publick Officers either in Church or State to suffer gross sinners either in life or doctrine to passe unpunished but teaches private Christians to suffer persecution patiently and to pray for their persecutors 4. Christ indeed would have his Disciples far from persecuting for that is a sinful oppression of men but this hinders not but that he would have them execute upon all disobedience the vengeance required in the word 2 Cor. 10.6
Rom. 13.4 5. Though wicked persons may by Gods grace become Disciples yet we may not do evil that good may come thereof but it would be evil to tollerate seducing Teachers or scandalous Livers Christ blames the Angel of Pergamus for tollerating them that held the Doctrine of Balaam and the Angel of Thiatira for tollerating the woman Jesabel to teach and seduce Rev. 2.14.20 Object Object But some famous Princes have spoken against it as Steven of Poland the King of Bohemia and our King James Answ First Answ 1 We acknowledge that none should be persecuted for righteousness-sake Secondly We say that none should be punished for his conscience though mis-informed unless his error be fundamental or seditiously promoted and that after due conviction of conscience that it may appear that he is not punished for his Conscience but for sinning against conscience Thirdly None ought to be compelled to believe or to profess the true Religion till he be convinced in judgement of the truth of it yet ought he to be restrained from blaspheming the truth and from seducing any into pernicious errors Fourthly It s no sufficient rule what Princes profess and practise they many times tollerate that out of State-policy which ought not to be tollerated in point of true Christianity and sometimes they do it out of necessity when the offenders are too many or too mighty for them to punish Thus David tollerated Joab in his murthers but against his will Fifthly For those three Princes that are named who allowed tolleration we can name more and greater who would not tollerate Hereticks and Schismaticks notwithstanding their pretence of conscience Constantine the great at the request of the council of Nice banished Arius with some of his followers He also made a severe Law against the Donatists and the like did Valentinian Gratian and Theodosius as Saint Austin reports in his Epist 166. Only Julian the Apostate granted liberty to Hereticks that by tollerating all weeds to grow the vitals of Christianity might be choked and destroyed This also was the practise and sin of Valence the Arian Emperour Object Object But many of the ancient Writers yea and the Papists themselves have condemned persecution for conscience-sake Answ It s true Answ 1 The Church doth not persecute but is persecuted but to excommunicate an Heretick is not to persecute but it s a just punishment upon a wicked and damnable person and that not for conscience but for persisting in an error against conscience after conviction Secondly It s true the Apostles did not propagate the Gospel by the sword amongst Pagans which could not be won by the Word yet this hinders not but that if they or any other should blaspheme the true God and his Religion they ought to be severely punished and no less do they deserve it who seduce from the truth to damnable Heresie or Idolatry Thirdly Whereas Tertullian saith that another mans Religion cannot hurt any he means it of private Religion and Worship But a false Religion professed by the members of a Church or by such as have given their names to Christ being tollerated will be the ruine and desolation of the Church as appears by Christs threats to the Church of Asia Rev. 2. Fourthly Whereas Jerom saith that Heresie must be cut down by the sword of the Spirit This hinders not but that being so cut down if the Heretick will still persist in his Heresie to the seducing of others he may be cut off by the civil sword to prevent the destruction of others Therefore Jeroms note upon those words A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump is that a spark so soon as it appears is to be quenched that the leaven is to be removed from the rest of the dough that rotten pieces of flesh are to be cut off and that a scabbed beast is to be driven from the sheep-fold c. Fifthly As for the testimony of Brentius we willingly grant that no man hath power to make Laws to bind the conscience yet this hinders not but that men may see that the Laws of God be observed which do bind the Conscience Sixthly It s well known that St. Austin retracted this opinion of tolleration which he had held in his younger years but in his riper years he recanted and refuted it and shews in his second Book of Retractations and else where that if the Schismatical Donatists were punished with death they were but justly punished For saith he They murther souls and themselves are but afflicted in body they put men to everlasting death and yet complain when themselves are put to suffer a temporal death Seventhly Optatus in his third book justifies Macarius who had put some Hereticks to death saying That he had done no more herein then Moses Phineas and Elias had done before him Eightly Bernard in his sixty six Sermon on the Canticles saith our of doubt its better they should be restrained by the sword of him that beareth it not in vain then that they should be suffered to draw many others into their errors For he is the Minister of God for wrath to every evil doer Rom. 13.4 Ninthly Mr. Calvins Judgement is well known who procured the death of Michael Servetus for his pertinacy in Heresie and defended the fact by a book written upon that argument Tenthly Beza also wrote a book De Haereticis morte plectendis that Hereticks are to be punished with death Arelius also took the same course about the death of Valentius Gentilis and justified the Magistrates proceeding against him in an history written on that Argument Object Object It s no prejudice to the Common-wealth if liberty of Conscience be granted to such as truly fear God Answ Answ We readily grant that liberty of conscience is to be allowed to them that truly fear God as knowning that they will nor persist in Heresie or turbulent Schism when they are convinced of the sinfulness of it But you see it sufficiently proved that an Heretick after once or twice admonition and so after conviction or any other scandalous hainous offender may be excommunicated out of the Church and so examplarily punished by the civil Magistrate as that others may be preserved from their dangerous and damnable infection Thus you see Mr. Cottons judgement about Tolleration Quest Quest What other remedies may we use against infection by Seducers Answ Answ 1. Get fundamental truths into your heart and affect and love them For want hereof the Eastern Churches were given into the hands of Mahumetans and Anti-Christ prevailed over many in these western Churches because they loved not the truth 2 Thes 2.10 None are seduced but such as are cold in love Secondly Labor to practise what we know and then God will give us a fuller measure of knowledge whereby we shall learn to find out and know Seducers John 7.17 If any man will do his will he â—all know Thirdly Pray to God for Wisdom to judg discern of Schisms and Heresies and
our love to others Mat. 19.19 Thou shalt love thy Neighbour as thy self But no man ought so to love himself as to bear with his own sins Holy self-love casts the first stone at a mans own sin therefore it cannot be love to others to bear them in evil yea indeed it is hatred in Gods account Lev. 19.27 Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thy heart but rebuke him and not suffer sin upon him Object Object But. Mat. 13.30 Christ saith Let both grow together untill the harvest Answ Answ 1 First We may not argue from every particular in a Parable but only from the general scope of it Now the scope of the Parable is only this to shew that good and bad will be mixed together to the end of the world It holds forth Gods good pleasure to us to which we must submit not a pattern or rule by which we must walk This is no warrant for us to let tares and wheat to grow together which are in our power to pluck up Secondly Christ only forbids such a plucking up as by which the wheat must be rooted up also i. e. a total extirpation For should God in an instant destroy all the wicked the bands of humane society would be dissolved but we know that the plucking up of many sorts of wicked men is a great advantage to the growth of them that are good So then such acts of justice as will not hinder but promote the growth of the wheat are not at all forbidden in this Text. Thirdly Seeing the Command of God the practise of all good Kings Magistrates Ministers and people in their several places that are recorded in Scripture are clear for this That evil persons and Hereticks must not be born with as is before explained This or the like Texts may not be interpreted against them but by them One Scripture often expounds but never contradicts another Thus you hear Mr. Caryls Judgement about tolleration in his Parliament Sermon upon Rev. 2.2 3. Quest Quest Upon what account may a man be judged to be a false Prophet or a false Teacher Answ Answ He may be so denominated in a two-fold respect First As he teacheth and venteth lies and falshood which is the most common acceptation of the Word Secondly As he teacheth without a commission or calling In the first notion he is a false Prophet that teaches lies or delivers forth the Divisions and Deceits of his own heart which he covers over with Thus saith the Lord Eze. 13.6 Jer. 28.2 and so fathers his false dreams upon God and his chiefest care is not to sting his hearers but to feed his deluded followers with pleasing things and rather to tickle then to prick them saying to Ahab Go up and prosper 2 Kin. 22.12 Or God hath broken the yoke of Babylon Jer. 28.2 And this Character God gives them Lam. 2.14 They have not discovered thine iniquity to turn away thy captivity and they think to cause my people to forget my name Jer. 22.27 Hence it is that they are applauded and spoken well of by all Luke 6.26 They will not mar their own markets by a sharp reproof So false teachers are lying Matters speaking perverse things to draw Disciples after them Act. 20.30 speaking lies in Hypocrisie which they palliate over with It is written or the name of the spirit and therefore are called spirits of error 1 Tim. 4.1 and we are forbidden to believe every spirit 1 John 4.1 i.e. every Doctrine though pretended to be from the spirit they bait also their hook with sweet and pleasing baits They allure as with a bait through the lusts of the flesh and wantonness 2 Pet. 2.18 and they promise liberty verse 19. which are taking things and therefore it s no marvel though they have many followers verse 2. In the second notion he is a false Prophet that runs indeed but is not sent Jer. 23.22 I have not sent these Prophets yet they ran they say I have dreamed I have dreamed verse 25. but they have no mission and such an one is to be accounted a false Prophet sive vera praedicet sive falsa whether he preach true or false These are self-called so that we need not question what such teach but by what warrant As Cyprian answered one that enquired what Doctrine Novatian did teach we need not saith he be carefull to know quid ille docet cum foris doceat what he teacheth when he hath no warrant to teach But of this under another head Quest Quest What may be considered about Heresies Answ Answ 1 First That Heresies are damnable 2 Pet. 2.1 called there Heresies of destruction by way of eminency Judas is called the son of destruction John 17.12 and Anti-christ the man of sin the son of destruction 2 Thes 2.3 because under Christs name he fights against him and therefore shall fall under more eminent destruction so Hereticks who profess Christs name and yet deny him or adulterate his truth for their own ends and lusts shall come under sorer damnation swift destruction 2 Pet. 2.1 their damnation sleepeth not verse 3. They were of old ordained to this condemnation Jude 4. and this mark is set upon Heresie that we may all hear and fear and do no such thing Secondly Damnable Heresies are brought in privily these tares are sown while men sleep in a close and subtil way which men are not aware of as Gal. 2.4 False brethren at unawares privily crept in And Jude 4. Certain are crept in privily meaning Heresie-Masters Heresie is modest at the first and insinuates as the Serpent into Eve by cunning fetches and quaeries Gen. 3.1 or by sweet phrases ye shall not surely die but shall be as Gods c. verse 4 5. they make merchandize of you with fine forms of speech 2 Pet. 2.3 which words composed for the nonce There is a misterie in this trade of corrupting mens minds from the simplicity that is in Christ 2 Cor. 11.2 Eph. 4.14 They draw men as Juglers do a piece of money with a fine invisible hair and mix their dross with good silver that it may pass for currant Quest Quest How manifold is Heresie Answ 1 Answ Heresie is twofold Simple and Complicate Quest Quest What is simple Heresie Answ Answ It s an opinion or assertion holden and maintained contrary to and subersive of the faith by one that professeth the Christian Religion Quest Quest What is complicate Heresie Answ Answ It s that which is attended with Schisme sedition and blasphemy For 1. The Schismaticall Heretick upon his opinion breaks off from the Communion of the Church and runs out into separation setting up his new light as he calls it in a new candlestick 2. The blasphemous Heretick strikes through the name of the great and glorious God or his Truth with despiteful reproaches not fit to be named 3. The seditious Heretick troubles the peace of the Church and State as an Army is troubled by Mutineers 4. The
seducing Heretick enticeth to his bed all he can and goes up and down to vent his poyson to the infection of others privily bringing in damnable heresies Quest Quest Whether may any of these be capitally punished by the Civil Magistrate Answ Answ 1 First the Lutherans generally do deny that simple Heresie is to be punished with death and Calvin saith of Servetus vel sola modestia potuisset vitam redimere that he might have saved his life had he been but modest and to such indeed we rather wish light then fire Let the bloody Papists only have this brand of cruelty upon them to confute errours by fire and fagot Secondly for blasphemous and seditious Hereticks all the Protestant Churches do agree that they may be punished with death Neither indeed can Magistrates answer it to God to be so severe in punishing sedition and treason which is against their own name and dignity and stand still and look on with their hands in their pocket whilest the name honour and truths of God are openly blasphemed and traduced Thirdly for the seducing heretick he is to be prohibited and restrained Magistrates will shut up such as have plague-sores running upon them not to punish them for having the sore but to prevent the infection when a mans house is on fire they will command it to be pulled down to prevent burning the whole Town One way to put out the fire in the Oven is to shut it up Many heresies and errours would die of themselves if they had not free vent False teachers saith Calvin sunt Satanae lenones are the devils Panders Would you suffer Panders to come into your houses to solicite the chastity of your wives and children Would you suffer Mountebanks to sell poison upon a stage to destroy the bodies of your Subjects so you that are Christian Magistrates should not neglect the safety of the souls of those that live under your shadow Damnable heresies can never be prevented if false teachers may have liberty to bring them in and vent them Thou hast them that hold the Doctrine of the Nicholaitans Rev. 2.15 Thou sufferest that Woman Jesabel that calls her self a Prophetesse to teach and to seduce my people was a sore charge laid by Christ against those Churches Mr. Vines his Parl. Sermon March 10. 1646. Quest Quest How will it appear that there is so much danger in tollerating Hereticks Answ First In regard of the Church Every one that is versed in Ecclesiastical Historie Answ 1 cannot but know how notoriously destructive Heresies have been to the Church in every Century robbing her not only of her tender grapes but of many choice and learned members that might have been very serviceable to her as Demas Hymenaeus and Philetus Phygellus and Hermogines Nicholus Ebion Cerinthus Menander Saturninus c. yea what Commotions and confusions have proceeded from them witness that fiery contest of Alexandria between the Arians and Orthodox where they fought together and killed each other like swarms of Gnats in the air How have they defiled the Churches purity with foul pollutions in Doctrine and manners witness those filthy dreamers Jude 8. Who defiled the flesh despised Dominions c. Secondly In regard of the Common-wealth damnable errors destroyes its peace by tumultuous insurrections and horrid out-rages witness that terrible tempest raised by the Donatists and Circumcellions mentioned before How have Errors and Heresies overturned the very foundations of flourishing States Some of them in their very natures having been so opposite to the being or binding of love and to the Authority of Magistrates that where they have taken place the sinews of States have been so miserably broken asunder under a pretense of liberty that had not their extirpation been more speedy they had certainly buried those people where they reigned in utter desolation They tend also to the ruine of States as they engage him who is the God of order and truth to be their enemie and to execute his vengeance upon them sometimes by a more immediate hand as Antioch a nursery of Heresies was first defaced by Earth-quake and after consumed with fire from Heaven And Nichomedia a place where the Arians were appointed to meet was swallowed up of an Earth-quake and often mediatly by the sword of the Magistrate whom God stirs up to take vengeance on his behalf as we heard before in the examples of Constantine Theodesius c. 3ly In regard of particular persons to whom they are no lesse pernicious whether ring-leaders or such as have been perverted by them Often it tends to the ruine of their bodies whilest their erronous opinions either make them by excess and riot to overthrow their health as the Libertines of former and later times 2. Pet. 2.10 12 13. Or by too much austerity to destroy their bodies and bring them to Death But if not so yet God is often so far provoked especially against the founders and chiefe maintainers of Heresies that where man hath neglected to doe it he hath taken the sword into his owne hand and destroyed them by some signal judgement or other Thus Arius in the midest of his pomp and pride voided his Guts in a Common Jakes Nestorius his tongue was eaten with wormes Cerinthus was slaine by an house falling on his head Montanus hanged himself See many more the like examples in my Mirrour p. 246. c. But how ever their bodys speed without doubt they are dangerous and destructive to their soules be-nighting their mindes 1 Tim. 5.6 turning their light into darknesse and leaving them to innumerable by-ways of ruine 2 Tim. 3.8 they are men of corrupt mindes reprobate concerning the faith Heresies corrupt mens minds destroy a good Conscience pollute their lives rob them of beauty peace piety yea of all real spirituall growth and exclude from heaven if not repented of Gal. 5.20 21. 2. Thess 2.10 11. 2 Pet. 2.17 Jude 13. Quest Quest What then is incumbent upon Magistrates to doe against them Answ First Answ 1 they must not hearken to those which plead for and seek a Tolleration of Heresies or that would tye their hands from executing judgement upon Hereticall seducers or from preventing the growth or extirpating of so banefull and pernicious a weed as Heresie is Such would engage them in the guilt of soules the ruine of Church and State would have them lose their reputation and leave their names a curse and by-word to posterity Secondly they must not suffer the Church for any by respect whatsoever to be pestred with unsound or illiterate persons who have not the tongue of the learned Isa 50.4 are not wel taught to the Kingdome of Heaven Mat. 13.52 want Judgement Mich. 3.8 and are not able to â—ivide the word aright 1 Tim. 4.16 Thirdly they must take heed of scandalous maintenance It is the way to breed a corrupt and scandalous Ministry Like Jeroboams Priests 1 Kin. 12.31 Or Micha's ten shekels Levite Jud. 17.5.10 Fourthly they must encourage such
them like the Elephant to muddy the pure waters of Truth that their uggliness may not appear as the Pharisees did the Law by their foolish glosses Mat. 5.21 c. They love darkness more then light because their works are evil John 3.19 They make their lusts their Law and therefore lie open to be seduced by such who bait their hook with what is proportionable to those lusts in them 2 Pet. 3.18 Sixthly Because the time and season much conduceth to help forward this evil It s a time of liberty wherein the reins of Government are laid too loosly upon the peoples neck Nay perhaps the garb and fashion that is in most request is Heresie which finding patronage from persons of no mean rank and power no marvel though it spread apace and flourish weeds appear not till the Summers-Sun revive them So errors if they receive not some gleams of countenance from some in a superior orb would soon wither and quickly vanish Mr. Tho. Hodges Parl. Sermon Mar. 10. 1646. Quest How will Errors and Heresies Quest further appear to be so dangerous Answ Answ 1 First Because the Scripture doth flatly charge sin and perniciousness and damnation upon them Heresie is made a work of the flesh that excludes men from the kingdom of Heaven Gal. 5.20 21. Peter calls them pernicious and damnable that bring swift destruction and saith of the Authors of them that their damnation slumbers not 2 Pet. 2.1 2 3. Secondly Let us consider unto what dangerous things Heresies and Errors are compared in Scripture by what dangerous Creatures Hereticks and false Teachers are expressed As 1. Heresies are compared to a Gangrene or Canker 2 Tim. 2.17 which corrupts one part after another till at length it eats out the very heart and life Sometimes to a Shipwrack 1 Tim. 1.19 20. In what a miserable condition are passengers when their ship is split under them Christ calls them Leaven Paul calls them a bewitching Learned Writers call them a Leprosie Poison Fire a Tempest a flood c. 2. Hereticks are sometimes stiled Foxes Cant. 2.15 Dogs rending Dogs Phil. 3.2 Wolves grievous Wolves which devour the flock Act. 20.29 Sometimes in effect they are called Mountebanks Cheaters and such as beguile unstable souls 3. Christ and his Apostles give special charges and caveats against them which they would not have done had they not been very dangerous Mar. 8.15 Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees Mat. 7.15 Take heed that no man deceive you for many shall come in my name saying I am Christ and shall deceive many Phil. 3.2 Beware of dogs c. 2 Pet. 3.17 Beware lest being led aside by the error of the wicked ye fall from your own stedfastness Thirdly The danger of them is very great Heresies are the greatest and highest of dangers to the Church of Christ worse then the sword prison exile spoiling torments yea and the cruellest death For the Church alwayes gained by these grew more in Purity in Unity in Zeal and Courage not so by Heresies which are a flood cast out of the mouth of the Serpent Rev. 12.15 For 1. They are a corrupting and defiling flood they defile the pure waters spoil the ground leave filth and mud behind them and coming out of the mouth of the Serpent they are poisonous waters and there are four precious things which Heresies corrupt and defile 1. Souls of men which is the noblest and choiest thing in man of more value then all the world Damnable Heresies makes us deny the Lord that bought us 2 Pet. 2.1 2. The leading faculty of the soul It casts poison into the spring Heresies corrupt the Judgement which moves all the other faculties of the soul If the light which is in you be darkness how great is that darkness If the Judgement be infected how dangerous is that infection In how desperate a condition is the whole soul of such an one If it recover not out of its Errors it dies for it 3. The most active faculty of the soul they defile and corrupt the Conscience Now this is amazingly dangerous A wicked Error is blinding when it is in the Judgement only but it s binding also when it is in the Conscience For whatsoever engages Conscience the same engageth all and the utmost of our all If Conscience be made a party against the Truth now all that a man hath all that he can do will be made out against the truth too Such an one with Paul will grow mad and desperate against Christ Pauls erroneous conscience made him consent to Stevens death yea could he in that condition have met with Christ himself he would have done the like against him 4. The Conversations of men Heresie is seldom or never divided from impiety Such make Shipwrack of a good conscience 1 Tim. 1.19 whom Paul calls Dogs he calls also Evil-workers Phil. 3.2 and Tit. 1.15 16. speaking of some whose minds were defiled he adds that they were reprobate to every good work And Christ speaking of false Prophets saith You may know them by their fruits The Doctrine of faith is a Doctrine of Holiness and a Doctrine of lies is a Doctrine of prophaness too He that falls from truth to falshood will quickly fall from piety to wickedness Sleiden in his story of the Anabaptists writes that Errors began in their Judgements but ended with wicked practises Cyprian writing of Novatus saith that he was one who itched after new notions and was beyond measure covetous intolerably proud no man so prying no man so treacherous he would commend you to your face and cut your throat behind your back as false a person as lived a very fire-brand and turned the world up side down that he might carry on his opinion c. 2. Heresies are a drowning and overflowing flood Now there are three things that Heresies overwhelm 1. The glory of all glories the glorious name of God the glorious name of Christ the glorious name of the Holy Spirit the glorious name of divine truths Heresie turns the glory into a lie It gives God Christ and the Holy Ghost the lye Truth the lye the Scripture the lye and he that makes the word of God a Lyer makes God himself a Lyer 2. The Glory of Religion Religion is darkened It grows base and beggerly when it s patched with Errors All Religion is by so much the more excellent by how much the more of truth it hath but when once its adulterated and leavened with damnable Errors now the silver is become dross c. 3. Not only the dignity but the very vital entity of a Church Truth is the soul of that body and Error is the death of it Schism doth much hurt but false Doctrines more Schisms do rent the coat but Heresies do rent the heart those pluck up the fence but these pluck down the building those do scratch but these do kill Thirdly Hereâ—es are a suddenly rising floud and herein lies the greatnesse of the
danger unto a Church by Heresies they are quickly conceived and brought forth Though truth gets on very slowly because of the incapacity of mans Judgment for supernaturalls because of that naturall opposition in man to the things of God because of the subtile interposition of the Prince of darkenesse who blindes the minds of men Lest the light of the Goâ—â—el should shine into them yet errors break out easily and spread swiftly There needs no preparation of the ground for nettles If the seeds do but drop downe you may soone have a full crop How soone doth a litle leaven leaven the whole lump Paul wondered that the Galatians were so soone turned to another Gospel Gal. 1.6 The good man slept but one night and the field was sowen all over with tares How quickly did the world turne Arian How suddenly did the Anabaptists indanger Germany Fourthly Heresies are an encreasing and swelling floud False Doctrines at first seem to be modest they will be but scruples and quaere's and then they become to be probabilityes and then to be tollerable conclusions and then they rise to be unquestionable tenents then first to be made publick Articles and then necessary to be held and then the contrary not to be mantained and held nay to be disdained and reproached yea they do not only rise thus to be greater and greater but they multiply also like circles in a pond one Heresie begets another a lesser begets a greater If you consult Historicall Antiquity it s a wonder to behold the great flames that were kindled out of small sparks what monstrous opinions have been built upon errors which seemed but little at first c. Fifthly Heresies are more dangerous then any other floud by reason of their diverse qualities in them Other flouds are quickly up and quickly down these are quickly up but abate very slowly they are like diseases they come upon us flying but goe from us creeping For one Heretick who hath been poysoned in his judicials you may finde a thousand converted who have been only stained in their morals Heresie is shored up by all the parts arguments shifts and learning of carnall reason and it s born up by an haughty and proud spirit it s so fallacious that when you come to handle it it s so rammed in with obstinatnesse that it s almost a miracle to work effectually upon an Heretick Quest Quest Why what dangerous errors and Heresies are now divulged amongst us Answ Answ Take a brief Catologue of some of them 1. that God is the Authour of sin yea of the very sinfulnesse of the sinfull action 2. That the Saints in this life are fully perfect as omniscient as God 3. That the fulnesse of the God-head doth dwell bodily in every Saint in the same measure as it did in Christ whilest he dwelt here on earth 4. Then when the fulnesse of the Godhead shall be manifested in the Saints they shall have more power then Christ had and doe greater works then he did that then they shall have Divine honour 5. One was complained of for saying that Christ was a Bastard 6. Others that themselves were Iesus Christ the Messias 7. That Jesus Christ is not God essentially but nominally 8. That his humane nature was defiled with originall sin as well as ours 9. That he is not of an holier nature then men 10. That it is as possible for Jesus Christ to sin as it is for a Child of God to sinne 11. That there is no such thing as a Trinity of persons 12. That the Scriptures are but a humane invention a meer shadow a false History and ought not to be the foundation of any mans Faith more then the Apocrypha and other Books 13. That the Scriptures of the Old Testament doe not bind us Christians nor those of the New neither any further then the spirit for the present reveales to us that such a place is the Word of God 14. That God never loved one man more then another before the world and that the Decrees are all conditionall 15. That there is no Originall sin 16. That the will of man is still free even to supernaturals 17. That the Saints may fall totally and finally from grace 18. That Christ dyed alike for all yea that the salvificall virtue of his death extends to all Reprobates as well as to the Elect yea to the very Devills as well as unto men 19. That Christ came into the world not for satisfaction but for publication Not to procure for us and unto us the love of God but only to be a glorious publisher of the Gospell to us 20. That God is not displeased at all if his children doe sin and that its no less then Blasphemy for a child of God to ask pardon for his sins 21. That sanctification is a dirty and dungie qualification 22. That the Doctrine of Repentance is a soule-destroying Doctrine 23. That fastings and humblings are Legall and abominable 24. That the soules of men are mortall 25. That there is no heaven for the godly nor hell for the ungodly 26. That Civill Magistracy is Antichristian and but a usurpation 27. That the whole Ministry of the land as to their ordination and standing is Antichristian 28. That it s as lawfull to Baptize Dogs and Cats and Horses as Infants of Believers 29. That there is noe true Ministery c. This day in the world nor was since the generall Apostacy which they say began at the Death of the last Apostle 30. That there will be none til some Apostles be raised up and sent and when those Apostles come then there will be true Evangelists also and Pastors and not till then Quest Qust What must Magistrates doe in such cases as these Answ Answ They must doe their uttermost to restraine and repress them It was a scornfull speech of Tiberius that the Gods alone must remedy the jnjuries offered unto them O no Magistrates are made keepers of both Tables Are designed to be nursiing Fathers they receive the sword to be a terror to the evil Learned and pious Amesius handling the question whether Hereticks are to be punished by the civill Magistrate Answers that it is his place and duty to repress and restraine them and if they be noxious and turbulent if they be manifestly blasphemous and pertinacious they may saith he be punished with death as Lev. 24.15 16. Now that which is required of our Magistrates at this time is First A peremptory abhoring and crushing that abominable maxime viz a Catholicke liberty and tolleration of all opinions If men may be suffered to step from one Religion to another they will soone fall from all Religion to none Secondly A publick declaration against all Heresies and Blasphemies known to be spoken and printed When Ostorodius and Vaidovius declared their Socinian Heterodoxies in the Low Countries the States Generall banished those seducers and burnt their Books Thirdly Making some standing Lawes against such oppinions
God hath not put his Children into so sad a condition but hath provided better for them Thirdly We find it recorded in Scripture that heathen Magistrates which had only the light of nature to walk by yet interessing themselves in matters of Religion and the Holy Ghost relates it as matter of commendations in them As Ezra 7.26 Artaxerxes interposes his power in matters of Religion and Ezra blesses God for it So Nebuchadnezzer Dan. 3.29 I make a decree that whosoever speakes against the God of Shadrach c. shall be cut in pieces and his house be made a Dung-hill c. This is recorded as a work of the Kings Repentance So Jona 3. The King of Niniveh proclaims a Fast and commands all to observe it Quest Quest But doth not the holy Ghost justifie this power of the Magistrate in the times of the Gospel Answ Answ Yea and that First In the Prophesies of the times of the Gospel for Prophesies the afore-named place Zach. 13.3 cannot be put off and Isa 49.23 Kings shall be thy nursing Fathers c. But their Protection of the civil peace cannot be sufficient to give them the title of Nursing fathers So Isa 60.10 The sons of the strangers shall build up thy walls and their Kings shall minister unto thee to wit by their power So Rev. 21.24 The Kings of the earth shall bring their glory and honor to the Church and surely this is more then meerly to protect their outward peace Secondly In the New Testament Rom. 13.4 He is thy Minister for thy good And 1 Pet. 2.13 14. Magistrates are sent for the punishment of evil-doers c. Now therefore why should we distinguish where the Scripture doth not Non distinguendum ubi Scriptura non distinguit Object Object But the nature of the thing requires that it be restrained to those things that belong to his cognizance Answ It s true Answ the Magistrate cannot command every good thing nor punish every evil The abstruse controversies in Religion come not under his cognisance as a Magistrate only he is to punish such things as are against the rules of Justice and Equity and the common light of Christianity Object Object But those forenamed Scriptures speaking of civil Magistrates speak only of their power in civil things Answ Answ The Magistrate is called civil because the power that he executes is Civil He cannot do the works of a Church-Officer as to administer the Sacraments preach c. by all the power he hath but this hinders not the use of his Civil power and the doing of external acts upon the outward man which are subservient to a spiriual good Though he cannot work in a spiritual way upon mans soul by his power yet he may by the exercise of it upon the outward man restrain it from the external act of evil or bring it to an external good For what Commandment soever requires any duty requires us to make use of all helps that may further the performance of it and if there be civil natural or spiritual helps we are bound to make use of all Object It s granted that Magistracy is Gods Ordinance for our civil good by those Texts of Scripture but how will it appear that he intended it for our spiritual good Answ What naturalness there is in any thing it hath it from God For Nature is Gods work So then if there be a Naturalness in it to work upon the outward man for the furtherance of its spiritual good this is from God Quest How can natural and external things be helps to things spiritual and divine Answ Reason yea sense tells us that the taking away of external hinderances and the puting men upon the external use of divers things may keep from much evil and further much spiritual good Seeing therefore that the New Testament sets out the power of Magistrates and requires submission to them in general tearms we may thence conclude that the Lord intended to leave Christians for their subjection to Magistrates to the light of nature and to the equity of the general rules which were in the Scripture aforetime so that we may boldly say to God himself Lord We found in thy Word that once thou didst make use of the power of the Magistrate in matters of Religion and it s no where forbidden in the new Testament nay it s there said that they are appointed for our good and to be a terror to evil workers whence we gathered that it was thy will that we should submit to them according to those general rules We found also that it was thy mind that we should make use of all natural helps for our spiritual advantage and we found in thy Word that thou didst allow the Exercise of the Magistrates power in matters of Religion even to those that had but the light of nature to guide them and seeing the use reached only to the outward man we did not see it necessary to have a special institution for it therefore we made use of it and without question God will accept of this plea. Consider also further First That when the Apostles were convented before Magistrates about matters of Religion they never pleaded You have no power in things of this nature they belong only to Christ who is our King and to the Government he hath set in his Church but they only pleaded the justness of their cause and that which they preached was the truth of God and that they did it in obedience to him 2. If all men are bound to improve all their gifts and talents for the propagation of the Gospel then the Magistrate that hath more power then others must improve that likewise not only by countenancing the truth but by all other means according to the Dictates of reason not forbidden by Scripture Object Object But Conscience is a tender thing and therefore must not be meddled with Answ Answ For all this the devil must not be let alone when he gets into mens consciences God hath appointed no City of refuge for him If he be got into the Conscience he must be fetched from thence as Joab was from the horns of the Altar or faln upon there Quest Quest What then may be done to a man in such a ease Answ Answ 1 First A man that pleades Conscience may be required to give an account of his conscience and the grounds upon which he goes It s against the light of nature for men that live in a society that they should do such things whereof they need give no account to any whatsoever Secondly Enquire whether the devil indeed be in the conscience it may be he is in some other room in the soul only he pretends to this as to his sanctuary If he should be found in a mans will he thinks he should be hunted thence with violence but he hopes men will deal more tenderly with conscience and will let him alone there Quest Quest But how shall we know whether the