the envious one the devil who delights to sow tares amongst the wheat Gal. 6.20 c. there are two Principles of all mens actions the Flesh the works whereof are Hatred Strife Emulations c. all tending to break Unity And the Spirit whose works are Love Peace Gentleness c. all uniting If thou wouldst then know who is a godly man judge of the Tree by its fruits Hence 1 Cor. 3.3 If there be Envyings and Divisions amongst you are you not carnal c. So James 3.13 14. Who is a wisâ—man Let him shew it by a good conversation with meekness And he devides Wisdoâ— into that which is earthly and devillish the mother of Envyings and Strife and the Wisdom which is from above which is pure peaceable c. therefore if any be given to Division Let not such glory saith the Apostle nor lie against the truth So then though a man pretend to never such singular gifts such extraordinary Teachings of Gods Spirit if he be contentious he is not to glory yea He lies against the truth Such will say It s for the Truth they have made these Divisions But its false the Truths of Christ are to be maintained by the Spirit of Christ For the wrath of man works not the Righteousness of God nor the perverseness of man the Truth of God Quest Quest What doth the word Schism signisie Answ First A Rent Division Breach Answ 1 or cuting off Secondly A Rent in the Church or a Division amongst Christians 1 Cor. 1.10 11 12. That there be no Dissentions amongst you The Original word is Schism Quest What is Schism Answ It s a Dissention Quest or separation in the Church when one Answ or more separate and rend themselves from the outward fellowship of the faithful cutting assunder the Peace Unity of the Church upon dislike of some Rites and Orders therein lawfully received and observed or else upon different opinions about their Teachers For As Heresie is a departing from the Communion of the Church in respect of Doctrine So Schism is a cutting off ones self for external things This St. Paul complains of 1 Cor. 1.10 c. Every one of you saith I am Paul's c. Schism is affirmed also of Division in Doctrine John 7.43 Quest Quest Whence doth Schism proceed Answ First Answ 1 It hath its beginning from Satan that first Schismatick Jude 6. who by his Tentations oft prevails with men to depart from God as he did with Adam in Paradise Secondly From the members of Satan who love to fish in troubled waters though all proceed not from the same cause For some make Rents in the Church through hatred as the Donatists did Some through Ambition and desire of Rule Thus the Papacy increased by great Schisms Others separate out of ignorance as the multitude did John 7.43 52. Others out of a vain admiration of their own worth and holiness as the Anabaptists Separatists c. of old Thirdly The true ground of all Love and Peace of all Concord Agreement can only be upon a motive of Godliness and Honesty Only good men can truly love one another because the motive of it is the Image of God and the cause of it Gods Command and the end of it to do good temporal and spiritual one to another Hence it s called Love in Faith Tit. 3.15 And in the Spirit Col. 1.8 Therefore if Gods people quarrel one with another it shews that their love was not because they were godly but for other ends And as for the wicked the very Heathen could say Amicitia nisi inter bonos esse non potest Friendship can only be upon grounds of goodness and Honesty Therefore if you see men to agree upon evil grounds because others are like themselves or for matter of profit or pleasure here is no sure concord Herod and Pilate cannot agree unless it be against Christ Wicked men never agree long together except it be to oppose Godliness Quest How many sorts of striving Quest or Contentions are there Answ First Good and laudable Answ 1 Thus we are commanded to contend for the faith To be in an Agony for it Juâ—e 4. And we must in our places ever zealously quarrel with wicked men for the honor and glory of God This some call quarrelling and making tumults as Jer. 15.10 Woe is me b cause I am a man of Contention Why so because he reproved them for their sins Secondly Their is a sinfull and ungodly striving and that about a two-fold Object 1. In Civil Worldly things Quarrelling and Wrangling about them 2. In religious matters Thus some desire to be cavelling against the truth and to gain-say the Duties that are commanded or needlesly striving about idle Disputes that make not for godliness Tit. 3.7 A great disease of our times Quest Quest What are the causes of these Contentions Answ First Answ 1 In general The bitter poisonous fountain of corruption within every man Man by nature is a spider a Toad He can spit nothing but venom He is a Bramble that tears every one that comes near him Strife and Contentions are the works of the flesh Gal. 5.20 They come from the lusts in our members Jam. 4.1 Secondly The particular lusts whence they proceed Are 1. Pride Where Pride is there is Contention Prov. 13.10 A proud man cannot but strive as fire cannot but set all on a flame All our Divisions whether publique or private come from Pride Every man would have his Will to be done whereas lowliness of mind keeps all in peace 2. Ambition and vain-glory which comes near to Pride When men are ambitious for earthly Power or High places in the Church This makes many quarrels As did Absolons ambition for the Kingdom This like a great Whale Toon swallows up all the good and welfare of others 3. Malicious froward Dispositions Some are of such turbulent natures that they cannot be quiet but in disturbing others and have not only their tongues but their hearts set on fire by hell Jam. 3.6 These are dangerous persons in a Kingdom For they do to it as the devil did to the possessed body sometimes throw it into the water sometimes into the fire so they are also in Cities and Families If Peace-makers are blessed then strife-makers are cursed 4. Covetous and sinfull love to the things of the world As it s said Those two Pronouns Meum Tuum make all the strife in the world An unjust desire to have more then our own or lusting after other mens or discontent with our own present condition fills the world with strife 5. Impatience when we cannot with godly wisdom and patience pass by wrongs and injuries The Scripture bids us To requite evil with good and if one strike us on one cheek to turn the other Luke 6.29 And to prya for those that persecute us Luke 6.27,28 Quest Quest What are the sinfull effects of striving about worldly things and how arâ— they discovered Answ First
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
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
as are Orthodox and discountenance erroneous persons and opinions cherish truths Champions but discourage erronious hucsters Stop seducers mouths but command the truth to be taught By their punishments to let all the world know that they are sensible of Gods dishonor and that they affect nothing more then to do him service in so necessary a business Object Object But would you have us punish them when many of them are honest and pious men Answ First 2 Tim. 3.5 Answ 1 Many have a form of godliness and yet deny the power of it The wolf in the Fable that he might the easilier deceive and make a prey of the sheep put on a sheeps-skin and did much mischief the shepherd discovered the guile and hangs him up in his disguise His fellow-shepherds blame him for cruelty in hanging up a sheep he to undeceive them wishes them to open his skin which when they had done they found the fraud and justified the fact I need not make application Secondly You will not allow the Plea He is an honest and godly man in the abuse of Coin Theft Treason c. why then should it be of force in this greater and more horrid mischief Quest Seeing Heresies are so wasting Quest dangerous and destructive how come they to be so prevalent and to infect so many Answ First Answ 1 Because of the quallity and condition of those that broach them either they are persons of learning and parts as were Valentinus Socinus Simachus c. Or such as are of Repute for piety They have a form of godliness and in their words and deportments are transformed into Angels of light 2 Cor. 11.14 As were Montanus Novatus Arius and the Munster-Anabaptists who at first exceedingly prevailed by their discourses which were of nothing but mortification fasting praying c. they pretended to more then ordinary piety which made them to be indulged in some perty differences by those that were in Authority pitied by the Reforming Ministers and followed by many pious but inconsiderate persons who were so gulled by their specious shews that they little dreamed of the mischief that some of their Ring-leaders aimed at Or such as have been sufferers for Religion whereby they have grown into esteem with well meaning pious people Thus David Georg at first was cast into prison and bored through the tongue for speaking against Popish Idolatry which made him highly esteemed amongst the godly yet afterwards he became a most blasphemous Heretick affirming that the Scriptures even those of the Apostles were lame childish and ineffectual for the understanding of the things of God that he was greater then Christ in the flesh c. and by reason of his former sufferings he drew many Disciples after him Secondly Because of their manner in dispersing their Errors they have their guiles and Arts to insnare poor souls Eph. 4.14 They study the persons and wait their opportunities to deceive Rom. 16.18 They use fair speeches to beguile the hearts of the simple they profess Love and Charity to be eies to the blind feet to the lame guides to the erring c. and yet they are ravening wolves Mat. 7.15 They seek to gain credit by laying open and rebuking the faults of others which they curiously pry into and like flesh-flies passing over what is sound and right light only upon what is sore and putrid in them They are vehement bold confident and resolute being men of seared consciences and brazen faces that cannot blush like Simon Magus they cry up themselves to be some body yea the mighty power of God Act. 8.9 10. They use swelling words of vanity 2 Pet. 2.18 whereby they gain upon the simple that understand them not and have their persons in admiration They pretend to high Misteries being vainly puffed up in their fleshly minds intruding themselves into things they understand not Col. 2.18 They blasphemously father their Errors on the Spirit of Truth wracking and wresting his Word to their purpose 2 Pet. 3.16 or if they cannot do that then they boast that they have their direction from immediate Revelation c. Thirdly Because of the matter which they broach which perhaps is something new and men naturally have itching ears 2 Tim. 4.3 and Athenian-like are greedy of new things they are weary of old truths being they never saw their beauty nor tasted their sweetness which if they had they could never have sleighted yet many times it is not so much new matter as a new dress in hard and unintelligible words which Paul counsels Timothy to shun 1 Tim. 6.20 and hereby they conceal their meaning lest if it come to light it should appear what adulterate ware they obtrude upon the people for the truths of God Fourthly Because of the negligence of those servants whom Christ hath imployed about his Vineyard to take care that the seed of Truth be sown and every plant of the envious mans planting be plucked up and these are 1. Ministers who should preach frequently hold forth the whole truth clearly confute gain-sayers solidly Tit. 1.9 If after one or two admonitions they refuse to be gained avoiding their perverse Disputes and company and warning others to beware of them 2 Tim. 2.16 17. using gentleness to them that are Seduced 2 Tim. 2.24 c. proving if at any time God will give them Repentance c. 2. Magistrates who ought to suppress and punish Heresies and Hereticks as afore was shewed But if the foundations be removed what can the righteous do Psalm 11.3 O how sad was it with the Church when Arianism had invaded the Throne it self for then the people conforming to the Princes Judgement were easily infected with it Or suppose Magistrates are not tainted themselves yet if they sleight differences in Religion as Festus did the business of Paul Act. 25.19 20. Or if they be afraid to displease of a low spirit backward to enact and execute according to the de merit of the Error or Heresie how can it be expected that either the truth should be righted or the madness of Hereticks repressed Fifthly Because peoples hearts like a prepared soil are ready to intertain these damnable Errors their minds are filled with darkness and therefore they are unable to judge of the things of God For they are spiritually discerned 1 Cor. 2.14 Neither is this only natural but adventitious also frequently because their frozen hearts are void of the love of the truth But in some are the beginnings of knowledge yet do they hang too equally poised between Truth and Error being full of doubts which makes them a prey to Seducers they are very credulous like Solomons fool Prov. 14.25 perhaps through sluggishness being rather willing to take things on trust then to take pains to try what conformity they hold with the truth Sometimes they have corrupt consciences which must be boulstered Ezek. 13.18 20. corrupt affections which must be humoured 2 Tim. 4.3 and corrupt practises which must be concealed which makes
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
good matter without good order is not warrantable The Disciples that would have fire come down from Heaven knew not what spirit they were of Uzzahs dreadfull punishment for touching the Ark should make us look not only to the Duty but to the order of it We must not do evil that good may come of it Rom. 3.8 The damnation of such is just Thirdly A third thing in Division is when men do not keep in their proper places and offices If the foot will be the eye or the hand the head this is monstrous St. Paul teaches every member in the body to keep to its own office and calling And Oh! that our times would learn this lesson we should not have such wofull confusions in Church and State as of late we have had what a blessed Unity and comely Order would Church and State be in if every member would do his proper work What have private men to do in a Pulpit What have souldiers to do in constituting a Civil Government or Governors Where is their Warrant How will they answer it to God or man They are commanded to offer violence to no man and to be content with their wages Luke 3.14 Fourthly I st Division and Faction when the passions of men are sowred and imbittered with any carnal distempers This sin first affects the heart and then breaks out into action Though men be in a good way and are for the Truth and Glory of God yet if they do it in passion and with a froward heart here is a sinful Division Gods Righteousness and Truth needs not our passions Quest Quest Whence else proceed these Divisions Answ Answ First From mens ignorance for so long as we know but in part there will be different opinions and difference in opinions breeds difference in affections Ignorant persons like Children are easily seduced and run into ways of Division Secondly From self-confidence and Arrogancy When men think they have better abilities and more worth in them then indeed they have This makes them bold and disturbers of the Churches peace as we see in Corah Dathan and Abiram Num. 16.3 They thought there was as much in every person as in the Priests that God had set apart for that Office All the Congregation is holy Hence Paul commands us not to mind high things Rom. 12.16 which are above our place or capacity So was it with David Psalm 131.1 Hence 1 Cor. 8.2 If any think that he knows any thing c. Thirdly From worldly hopes and desires of advantage Earthly gain made Judas make such a sad breach Men that judge gain to be godliness soon make shipwrack of faith and a good conscience 1 Tim. 6.5 Many of the Arch-Hereticks formerly made those Divisions because they missed of that worldly Pomp and greatness which they expected 4. Sometimes it proceeds from the Tyranny and scandalous lives of Church-Officers One cause that Tertullian turned a Montanist was the loose lives of the Roman Clergy Q. Quest What are the effects of Division and Disunion in the Church especially in the Ministry Answ First Answ 1 It s apt to beget Atheism and Irreligion in the people It makes them think that Religion is a meer notion or nothing and therefore they will look after it no more But woe to the world because of offences in this kind It had been better for such that they had never been born Secondly It much grieves and unsettles the hearts even of the godly themselves they know not what to pitch upon whilst one godly Minister saith it s a sin others that it is no sin This cannot but exceedingly perplex tender Consciences that would not sin for a world Thirdly At such times prophanness and ungodliness doth exceedingly increase and godliness decaies in the power of it For whereas Ministers should encourage godliness and decry and reprove sin they busie themselves in preaching up their opinions and promoting their particular way which edifieth not Indeed the least Truths of God are not to be neglected yea all things are to be tried but this is not the main business the one thing necessary is to seek the Kingdom of God and his Righteousness Fourthly These Divisions amongst Protestants do exceedingly harden the Papists in their way Quest Quest What then should people do when Ministers and Professors are thus divided Answ Answ 1 First Do not thou by thy pragmatical medling widen the difference and raise more dust the hot indiscret carriages of the Disciples do sometimes make a greater distance amongst the Teachers As Johns Disciples out of envy did what they could to stir up Johns spirit against Christ but he by his humility soon quenched those sparks John 3.30 Secondly Consider that those which are godly do agree in the fundamentals which are necessary to salvation and for other things we cannot expect Unity in this life where some have more knowledge and more grace and self-denial then others Thirdly Labor thou to have thy faith informed and setled out of Gods word The Ministry is that by which we do believe but we do not believe in it the Samaritans believed Christ upon the womans report at the first but afterwards they believed him for his own sake Fourthly Humble your selves under these differences when you see them not to go the same way or to preach the same things acknowledg that it is for the barrenness unteachableness and other sins of the hearers that God hath raised such contentions amongst us Quest Why is Unity so necessary Quest Answ Answ Because all things in Religion are reduced to one If therefore every thing in Religion tend to Unity why should not the people of God embrace it the several unities are made a notable argument to this purpose Eph. 4.1 where the Apostle having exhorted Christians to walk worthy of their Calling he instanceth in such graces as procure unity as lowliness meekness and forbearing one another the end of which graces is set down verse 3. endeavouring to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace then verse 4. he shews the Reason why there should be such Unity there is one body Christ hath not many bodies All the people of God are one body and it s very destructive when one member of the body conspires against the welfare of another Again There is one Spirit there is but one spirit that enlightens and sanctifies the whole Church of God why then should there be so many wayes and opinions yet all pretended to be of the same spirit Indeed there are diversity of gifts and operations yet the same spirit But he doth not say Contrarieties and the same spirit for that is impossible Again There is one hope of our Calling we are called to one inheritance there is but one Heaven why therefore should we be so different by the way when one place of glory must hold all and if one Church cannot now contain us how shall we think that one heaven will Again There is one
from Church Divisions Answ Answ 1 First Hereby Gods name is exceedingly dishonoured and the true Religion ill spoken of Julian railed against Religion in his days because as he said Christians lived together as so many dogs and bears rending and tearing one another who then saith he would be so simple as to become a Christian Secondly It s a mighty hinderance to all Reformation as the building of Babel was hindred by the confusion of Tongues so is the building of Zion also For every one strives to promote his own private way of Reformation and to hinder all others Fpiphanius tells a sad story of Meletius and Peter both Bishops both Confessors of the Christian Faith both of them condemned to the mettle mines for their Profession who upon a smal difference fell into so great a Schism that they drew a partition between each other and would not hold Communion together in the same worship of Christ for which notwithstanding they joyntly suffered which dissention of theirs caused such a Schism in the Church as did it greater hurt then any open persecution Thirdly Hereby our common enemie is much encouraged whose hopes of prevailing is built upon our Divisions 4 ly Hereby the hearts of Gods people are mightily distracted many are hindred from Conversion and even the godly themselves have lost much of the power of godliness in their lives and it cannot be otherwise whilst one Minister preacheth one thing as the truth and another preacheth the quite contrary with as much confidence as the former and many are hindred from Coversion For who will venture into a ship that is tossed with contrary waves and ready to sink and the godly themselves are much hindred in the study and practise of faith and Repentance their time being taken up with unnecessary Disputations so that they have little leasure to repent and prosecute the power of godliness Fifthly By our Divisions godly Ministers are mightily discouraged so that many grow weary of their standings in the Church and are ready to leave their places and retire to a private life Sixthly Hereby a door is opened to all kind of Atheism Do not some say we know not of what kind of Religion to be and therefore we will be of none Seventhly These Divisions open a wide door to the utter ruine of our Nation For they bring in deadly hatred that breaketh all the bonds even of nature it self as Christ foretels John 16.2 They shall kill you and therein think they do God good service Quest Quest How many sorts of discontented persons are there amongst us which nourish these Divisions An. Answ First such as are discontented out of Pride and Covetousness because they cannot get those places of profit and honor that they expect or because they have not the credit with the people that others have hence they dislike the publick proceedings and make parties and factions These Whatsoever their pretences are serve not our Lord Jesus Christ but their own belly and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple Romans 16.18 Secondly Such as are discontented out of a blind zeal and because they think that if matters of Religion were once setled their erroneous ways would be discountenanced therefore they labor to put and keep all things in a confusion that thereby their party may encrease For as Toads and Serpents breed and grows in dark and dirty cellars so do Sects Errors and Heresies grow in times of distraction and division These desire to fish in troubled water because then they can catch most fish These are like unto Sanballat and Tobiah who foreseeing that if the Temple were built their way of worship upon Mount Geresin would be contemned therefore they did all they could to disgrace and discourage that business so do these all settlement Thirdly Such as being discontented persons disturb our peace by way of revenge Quest Quest What may move us to endeavour after unity Answ Answ 1 First Consider how pathetically and emphatically God by the Apostle Paul perswades us to it As 1 Cor. 1.10 Now I beseech you brethren by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ that you all speak the same thing and that there be no divisions amongst you but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and the same udgements and Again Phil. 2.1 2. If there be therefore any consolation in Christ if any comfort of love if any fellowship of the Spirit if any bowels and mercies fulfill you my joy that you be like minded having the saâ—e love being of one accord of one mind c. Secondly Consider those excellent Arguments laid down Eph. 4.3 4 5 6. of which before 3. Consider what an horrible sin it is to divide one from another and to live in hatred and variance one with another It s a work of the flesh Gal. 5.19 20 21. It excludes from the Kingdom of Heaven So Rev 22.15 Such are dogs that intertear one another It makes unfit to partake of the Sacrament Mat. 5.23 It makes God to abhor our fasting days Isa 58.4 yea it turns our prayers into curses For we pray to be forgiven as we forgive therefore if we live in hatred and variance we pray not to be forgiven Pejus est scindere ecclesiam quam sacrificare Idolo saith Cyprian Schisme in the Church is a greater sin then idolatry Austin saith It s a greater sinne then Heresie As God himself declared saith he when he punished Schismatical Corah and his company with a greater punishment then ever he punished Idolaters or Hereticks Fourthly consider the woful miseries and mischiefs that are brought into our Church and State by reason of our Divisions If all the Jesuites in the Christian world If all the devils in hel should joyne together to conspire our ruine they could not finde out a more ready way then this which they have practised of late years to keep up and encrease our division the woful effects whereof are so obvious that I need not mention them Fifthly consider the great happinesse that would accrue to Church and State if our breaches were healed If all the Saints on earth and Angels in heaven should study to finde out a way to save England from ruine they could not finde out a readier way then by uniting us together England is an Island divided from all the world and if it were not divided within it selfe it need not feare all the world Sixthly the very Heathens were careful to maintaine unity and peace in times of publick danger Plutarch tells us that Aristides and Themistocles from their very child-hoods were oft squabling and could never agree together But when a common enemy came against them Aristides went to Themistocles and said to him Sasapiamus omissa tandem c. If we be wise let us now leave off our former contentions and apply our selves unanimously to promote the publick good Seventhly consider that the very Devils in Hell agree to promote their own
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
have great heads much brain-knowledge but their hearts are crooked their affections to goodnesse straitened and themselves so enfeebled that they are not able to go in the paths of righteousness 2. Usually in times of such differences men are esteemed not acording to their godliness but their Faction men enquire not of their precise walking but of their opinion not how lives but how holds such and such a man Optatus declares the strange partiality of the Donatists in this kinde All were Pagans unto them that were not of their way of separation but if any one embraced their way he was presently a Christian though he knew not what belonged to Christianity Athanasius concerning the Arians to their followers tells us that they said in effect to them oppose Christ and take no care to thy manners Thy opinion sufficeth to thy commendation Quest Quest Whence comes it to passe that heresies and errors are of so spreading a nature Answ First Answ 1 it may be ascribed to the subtilty of seducers Hence Ephes 4.14 Children are carried about with every winde of doctrine through the sleight of men and cunning craftinesse of those that lie in wait to deceive Where the Apostle useth three words to expresse deceitfulnesse First Sleight 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 they are cunning gamsters they know how to cog a die to pervert Scripture to their sinister purposes 2. Cunning craftiness 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 they turn every stone watch all advantages 3. Lying in waite to deceive 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 they have all the Arts of cousenage 2 Pet. 2.1 They bring in damnable Heresies privily 2 Cor. 11.3 I am afraid saith Paul lest as the Serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty so your mindes should be corrupted c. Satan arms his instruments with his own Arts of fraud and cousenage and by these introduceth errors and cheats men of their faith peace and piety Isidore Peleusiota compares Hereticks to fishermen that convey their deadly hooks into the most pleasing baites For which end 1. They use sophistical arguments knotty and crooked questions by which they puzzle and ensnare the simple Therefore Paul warnes us Take heed that no man deceive you or make a prey of you through Philosophy or vain deceit Tertullian saith that Phylosophers were the Patriarchs of Hereticks and Sophistry their great engine 2. They use new and strange expressions not to be understood but by their owne Disciples These Paul calls 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 new language 2 Tim. 2.16 and warns Timothy against it 2 Tim. 1.13 Keep the forme of sound words which thou hast heard c. Hillary tells us of the Arians that by their indistinct and confused expressions they eluded the truth and ensnared their unwary auditors by the ambiguity of their phrases and this practice is notably described by Calvin as the practice of the Libertines of his time and as they use old words in new sences so they coine new words and expressions of their own which simple ones admire but understand not 2 Pet. 2.18 they speak great swelling words of vanity and by such sublime notions bring in some old Heresie often confuted and which were it in plain English expressed would be abhorred This Epiphanius tells us was the Practice of the Valentinians who introduced old heathenish Fables as matters of faith onely shadowed under new expressions Thus Cyril of the Nestorians in his time 3. They use faire pretences and glorious speeches Rom. 16.18 By good words and faire speeches they deceive the hearts of the simple and 2 Pet. 2.3 with fained words 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 forged and plaistered speeches they parget over the nakedness and deformity of their opinions sometimes representing them as the onely wayes of God Sometimes representing themselves as the only men of God For 1. They represent their opinions as the ways of God the secrets and Mysteries of Christ but Saint John calls them the profound depths of Satan Rev. 2.24 the Collosians were drawn into errors with such faire pretences Col. 2.18 with 23. the whores cup is of gold Rev. 17.4 but the porion is of rank poison Hence Cyril saith that as strumpets paint their faces and adorne their bodies to hide their filthinesse and to ensnare with their neatness So Hereticks shadow their destructive opinions with the beautiful vaile of godliness and their errors with the flowers of truth 2. They represent themselves and their followers as the most godly holy humble Saints c. the well affected party c. a strong argument to draw simple and well-meaning people into an approbation of their opinions but Rev. 2.2 there were some that called themselves Apostles who upon trial were found liars 1 Cor. 9. and 2 Cor. 11. the Ministers of Satan boasted that they were Apostles of Christ that they would have no pay but would preach freely c. Surely these wanted not many followers but Paul assures us that they were deceitful workers and their end would be according to their works No age afforded Hereticks whose ring-leaders have not pretended to extraordinary godliness Optatus of the Donatists saith that they covered themselves in sheeps clothing and were not knowne till their fangs were felt 4. They use vain-glorious boastings proclaiming the excellency of their knowledge and abilities above others as if with them wisdome began to live and should die with them the affecting of wisdome above what is written Col. 2.18 and a bold intrusion into things they have not seene have caused many to fall from the truth to error and Corah Dathan and Abira◠died not alone in their transgression they were Princes and leaders of others 5. They use subtilty in concealing their opinions from all but their proselytes to whom they discover them in part and with a reserve of changing upon further enquiry or more advantage So Basilides concealed his opinions from such as were able to examine them but made them known to his seduced followers yet charging them to conceale them amongst themselves that they should labour to know all things all men but that no man should knowe them nor what they held Secondly it may be ascribed to their industry and diligence These with the Pharisees will compass sea and land to make one Proselyte They Creep into houses to lead captive silly women there is a strange activity in these men to spread their errours nay in women also the woman Jesabel taught and seduced many Tertullian tels us that their women were audacious even to admiration they dared to preach to dispute c. Satan having long since found the usefulness of that sex for seduction uses their help upon all occasions Apelles dispersed his Heresie by the help of a woman Philumene Montanus his by Maxilla and Priscilla c. Thirdly It may be ascribed to the persons that are seduced who are exposed to seduction 1. Through their Simplicity Ignorance and Ungroundedness when the foundation is not well laid the building cannot stand long A people
ungrounded in the principles of Religion become an easie prey to Seducers being like Children c. Eph. 4.14 The sin 〈◊〉 believe every word Prov. 4.15 Sitty women are led captive that are ever learning but come not to the knowledge of the truth 2 Tim. 3.6 Seducers are furnished with subtilty to deceive and people prepared through simplicity to be deceived 2. Through Curiosity men are not content with sound Doctrine and old Truths but Athenian-like spend their time to tell and hear some new thing Act. 17.21 They have itching ears and therefore heap to themselves teachers after their own lusts c. 2 Tim. 4.3 4. Fourthly It may be ascribed to Gods Providence justly permiting it to be so And that 1. As a Punishment for Luke-warmness and want of love to the truth when the light is undervalued darkness is sent in stead thereof The Gentiles that held the truth in unrighteousness and delighted not to have God in their knowledge God gave them over to a reprobate sense Rom. 1.28 They became fooles their foolish hearts were darkened Ahab hated Michaiah for speaking the truth and therefore a lying spirit was sent into his Prophets to seduce him to his destruction 2 Kin. 22. So Mich. 2.7 12. Prophesie not say they They shall not prophesie saith the Lord but if a man walk in the Spirit and lie he shall be a Prophet to this people 2. As a trial of those that are sound 1 Cor. 11.19 There must be Heresies amongst you that the approved may be made manifest If they had been of us they would have continued with us The house founded on the rock falls not The rising of Heresie is a great trial Deut. 13.1 2. c. The Lord your God trieth you saith Moses and the prevailing of Heresie is a greater It s hard to swim against the stream If Peter dissemble Barnabas is carried away with it Quest Quest How then may we prevent being ensnared by them Answ First Answ 1 Cleave to your own Ministry if godly and wait upon those whom God hath set over you God gives us pastors for this end that we should be no longer Children in knowledge tossed to and fro with every wind of Doctrine Eph. 4.14 God will bless and make effectual his own Ordinance Why should we wander abroad to seek when we have food at home Why should we withdraw our selves seeing the mothers milk is most natural for the Infant The sheep that wanders is in most danger of the wolfe Change of diet is not wholesome for the body much less for the soul Another man may have more gifts then thy Pastor but he hath not more love to nor care of thy soul then he that must give an account of it Children that oft change their Masters seldom prove good Scholers nor they solid and understanding Christians that oft change their Ministers How doth this suit with the Apostles Precept Heb. 13.17 Obey them that have the rule over you c. Secondly Try all things believe not every spirit but try the spirits whether they be of God or no for many false Prophets are come into the world 1 Joh. 4.1 1 Thes 5.17 Shall I saith Athanasius believe unreasonably Shall I not search what is possible or profitable or comely or pleasing to God agreeable to nature and consonant to the truth c. But many will not take the pains to do it we say they hear such as are honest and godly c. but will you not tell money after them and weigh gold after them And will you take their Doctrine upon trust without trial Others pretend want of skill they cannot do it But the most silly Creature from the instinct of nature knows wholesome food from unwholsome and art thou a man a Christian a Professor and canst thou not distinguish between light and darkness To what purpose serves the anointing that we have of God 1 John 2.27 but to inform and teach us about those that would seduce us wariness is required in nothing so much as in matters of Religion the rather because some errors are so like the truth that they can hardly be distinguished bring them therefore to the touch-stone of the Scripture and errors will be known from truth Thirdly Avoid the personal Converse with and the congregational meetings of corrupt and heretical persons In times of infection we not only use Antidotes but shun infected persons and places Hence Rom. 16.17 I beseech you Brethren mark those that cause divisions and offences contrary to the Doctrine that you have received and avoid them and 2 John 10 Bid not such God speed c. St. John would not be in the bath with Cerinthus the Heretick Polycarp abhored conference with Martian as the first born of the devil Antonius detested communion with all such as had corrupted the faith and divided the Church Can a man touch pitch and not be defiled May not Satan seise upon thee finding thee amongst his own as he did upon that woman in the Theatre He that would not be drawn away by the workers of iniquity must hate the congregation of evil doers Psalm 26.4 Mr. Cranfords Mischief of Heresies Quest Quest Seeing the Angel of the Church of Ephesus is commended for that he could not bear with them which were evil Rev 2.2 who are those evil ones that must not be born Answ Answ We must distinguish of evill men First Some are private and close offenders others are publick and scandalous Secondly Some are weak and scrupulous others are obstinate and pertinacious Thirdly Some are evil-doers and evil practisers only others are evil Promoters and evil Plotters Fourthly Some are seduced and misled others are Seducers and Leaders into mischeif Fifthly Some are curable and willing to be reformed others are incurable and hate to be reformed Now such as are publick and scandalous such as are obstinate and pertinacious such as are evil-plotters and evil-promoters such as are Seducers and Misleaders such as are incurable and hate to be reformed these and such like ought not to be born As for the others which are private offenders weak and scrupulous or seduced they being willing to be reformed in some cases I say in some cases Justice may bear with them Quest Quest What doth not bearing with them import Answ First Not to bear Answ 1 is not to like or consent to them Secondly Not to countenance or uphold them Thirdly Not to allow or grant them a toleration Fourthly Not to hide or conceal them Fifthly Not to pity or compassionate them Affirmatively Not to bear is 1. To admonish and reprove them 2. To oppose and resist them 3. To censure and punish them 4. To remove and cast them out 5. In some cases to destroy and cut them off either by the sword of the Law or by the Law of the sword Thus we have it in the case of Enticers to Idolatry Deut. 13. If thy brother c. entice thee secretly saying Let us go
as can be proved to be Hereticall and Blasphemous Fourthly A setting up of Church Discipline in its full power that so it may reach these Heresies and Blasphemies Were this done you should not have an Heresie or Blasphemie shew its head but there would be a timely discovery of it and a spirituall remedy to recover erring persons to prevent their further growth Fifthly An encouraging and heartning the godly Orthodox and painfull Ministers of the Gospell in their assertings and vindicating the truths of Christ and in their oppugning of wicked dangerous and damnable opinions Not suffering them to be abused for opposing the adversaries of the truth Why should the shepherd be discouraged because he keeps off Wolves from the sheep Sixthly Using their Authority in a timely causing to be sent forth more faithfull and able Ministers such as are thorowly tried approved to be sound in the faith and skilful to convince gainsayers and seducers Seventhly Using their Coercive power with such Methods and proportions as the reall safety of truth and soules doth require and the repression of dangerous errors doth need Not under the pretence of sanctity to favour the growth of Heresie Quest Quest What must private Christians doe to prevent infection in these times Answ First be not light Answ 1 or proud Christians Errors are most apt to breed in a proud braine and a gracelesse heart Proud and Blasphemers are joined together 2 Tim. 3.2 It s the proud man that consents not to the wholesome words of Christ but dotes about questions 1 Tim. 6.3 4. Secondly Be not loose Christians If ungodliness be in the heart error will easily get into the head A loose heart can best comply with loose principles Thirdly Be not weak Christians He whose faith is implicit and leaning on man doth often trust out his Judgement and soul The weaker light you have of truth the more easily may you be cheated with error instead of truth Fourthly Be not low Christians A wordly heart is a very low heart It will be bought and sold upon every turn to serve its own turn If thou beest the servant of truth for gain thou wilt be a slave to error for more gain Fifthly Be not rotten and hypocritical Christians Such are given up to believe lyes who receive not the truth in the love of it It s just with God that such should fall into real error whose hearts did never love real truth The deceitfull heart proves at lenth a deceived heart Sixthly Be not tottering and unstable Christians Halt not between two opinions He whose mind is but indifferent about a truth is more then half on his way to Error Seventhly Be not venturous and soul-tempting Christians Julian sipt in his Apostacy by going to hear Libanius Satan is ready enough to tempt you be not forward to tempt him Eve lost all by hearing one Sermon from the mouth of the Serpent That man that will expose himself to hear new truths doth oft come back with old Errors newly dressed Mr. Obad. Sedgwick's Parl. Sermon Jan. 27. 1646. Dr. Amias in his Cases of Conscience propounds these Questions Quest Quest Whether are Anabaptists to be accounted Hereticks Answ Answ They are not properly to be accounted Hereticks which only deny Infant-Baptism yet is this such an Error as is not to be tollerated in the Church But those of them which deny original sin and the humane nature of Christ born of the blessed Virgin c. are Hereticks Quest Quest Whether are the Arminians Hereticks Answ Answ The opinions of the Arminians as they are received and held by the common people are not properly Heresies though they are grievous Errors tending to Heresie but as they are defended by some of them so they are the Pelagian Heresie because they deny the efficacious operation of internal grace to be necessary to Conversion and begeting faith in us Quest Quest Whether are the Lutherans Hereticks Answ Answ Such amongst them as pertinaciously hold the Ubiquity of Christs humane nature cannot be excused from Heresie because that opinion doth directly overthrow the humane nature of Christ But because many amongst them do disown that opinion and others of them defend it rather in the heat of contention then because they believe it to be so therefore they are rather to be accused for stupidity or madness or Schism then for Heresie Quest Quest Whether are Hereticks to be punished by the civil Magistrate Answ Answ 1 First It s an undoubted truth that Hereticks are to be suppressed by all godly persons according to their calling and that power which they have received from God and the reason is because all the godly are called to the Christian War-fare that in their several stations they should oppose themselves to the kingdom of Darkness Secondly The place and office of a Magistrate is that he should as there is need suppress all wicked disturbers of the peace of Church or State by his Authority and the sword which he bears not in vain Rom. 13.4 1 Tim. 2..2 Thirdly Hereticks therefore that are manifest and publick disturbers of the peace ought to be restrained by the publick Authority of the Magistrate Fourthly Such of them as proceed to Blasphemy and are pertinacious and obstinate therein may be cut off by death according to that Law Lev. 24.15 16. He that curseth his God or he that blasphemeth the name of the Lord shall surely be put to death c. For though this doth not bind Christians as it was a Law given to the Jews yet as it was the Command of God himself it serves for direction to Christians what to do in the like cases When therefore the glory of God and the Well-fare of the Church do require that such exemplary punishments should be inflicted the Magistrates may ye ought to make use of this when other means will not prevail to amend them Amesii Cas Consc l. 4. c. 4. Quest Quest Why are Hereticks and false Teachers called the tail Isa 9.15 Answ Answ 1 First For baseness and contempt Let them pride themselves never so much in their wit learning and others admiration of them yet God accounts them base Secondly For their base flattery and playing the Parasites fawning on Princes and Patrons as dogs do on their Masters for a bone or crust Thirdly For their inconstancy as Dogs move their tails easily every way so they in their Doctrine and Conversation are here and there and buzzing every where for advantage Fourthly Especially for their poysonfull and hurtfull disposition and effects For as Serpents hide their venom in their tails by which they do much hurt and mischief so false-Teachers by their Eloquence Sophistry and base shifts hide the poison of their false Doctrines whereby they infect and corrupt the Church of God Hence false-Doctrine is compared to Cokatrice eggs Isa 59.5 which if eaten cause present death Such Doctrines are pernicious Authoribus to the inventers of them and Auditoribus to the hearers and
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