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A51743
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Some considerations towards peace and quietness in religion. In answer to the question, whether the multitude are fit readers of Holy Scripture.
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Manby, William.
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1680
(1680)
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Wing M389; ESTC R31159
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11,498
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26
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Word Yes They were brought out of the darkness of Popery into a great many lights the light of Presbytery the light of Independency the light of Socinianism of Anabaptism Muggletonianism Quakerism Fifth monarchy men c. None of these lights I confess arising out of the Bible but out of the unstable noddles of the People mistaking and perverting that Bible Into what distraction this Variety of lights in process of time would turn was not then foreseen Anno 1536. It was said moreover That nothing would more effectually extirpate the Popes Authority and I am afraid in time the King's Authority These arguments saith the Historian enforced by the power which Ann Boleyn had in Kings Henry's affections were so much considered by him that he gave order for setting about the Translation immediately Doubtless his intention was good but the fruit of it he saw in a few years For his Trading Subjects generally not having temper or capacity to understand it were converted from the blind obedience and merits of Popery into a World of envy malice and jealousie one of another Of this the King himself takes notice in his Speech to the House of commons Anno 1545. the words are these viz. He could not but observe That instead of charity and concord discord and division ruled everywhere He cited St. Paul's words That charity was gentle and not envious nor proud But when one called another Heretique and the other called him Papist or Pharisee it was no sign of Charity Some said he are too stiff in their old Mumpsimus others are too busie and curious in their new Sumpsimus He proceeded to reprove those of the Laity who railed at their Bishops and Priests For though they had the Bible given them in their Mother Tongue yet said he That was only given them to inform their own Consciences and instruct their Children and Families not to rail against Priests as some vain persons did He was sorry that such a Jewel as the Word of God was so ill used but much more sorry that men followed it so little For charity said he was never fainter and a Godly life never less appeared and God never less Reverenced and Worshipped Therefore he exhorted them to live as brethren in charity together to Love Dread and Serve God One passage more of this Speech I cannot but observe The fault of all this saith he I must impute chiefly to the Fathers and Teachers of the Spiritualty who preach one against another without charity or discretion Few preach the Word of God truly and sincerely And how can the poor People live in concord whilest their Teachers sow debate among them Therefore he exhorted them to set forth Gods Word by true preaching or else he as Gods Vicar and high Minister would see these enormities corrected This was excellently spoken The distractions of those times were to be attributed in a great measure to Preachers I wish I could not say so of ours One thing I understand not That to prevent indecency contradiction and disorder in Gods publick Worship the Clergy are obliged to the use of one Liturgy or set Form of Prayer and at the same time every Novice left to the liberty of his own discourse in the Pulpit provided he quote Scripture for it St. Paul leaves not Timothy himself to his own invention to collect Gods Word out of the Scriptures No but hold fast the Form of sound words which thou hast heard of me in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus and the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses the same commit thou to faithful men who shall be able to teach others also 2 Tim. 2. The seed of Gods Word were perhaps better prepared by the Church than left to the liberty and discretion of every sower to mistake tares for wheat Then would folk come to Church not to admire such a Preachers good memory or good parts but to Worship God and hear his Commandments gravely and materially expounded by his Church Bishop Bramhall was a discerning Person and tells Mr. Baxter in his answer to him about Grotian Religion that it 's true Homilies may come short of preaching in point of popular efficacy but far exceed it in point of security There is no comparison betwixt the Harangues of Episcopal men and those of the Fanaticks Yet will the Fanaticks by the help of tone and elocution ever out do them in point of popular estimation One of the Emperours of Muscovy as I have been credibly inform'd being weary of the variety and infinite jarrings among Preachers and of the distractions thereby fomented among his Subjects utterly forbad Preaching throughout all his Dominions and instead thereof commanded his Clergy to read certain Homilies to the People exhorting to the practice of Christian Religion without adding one word of their own upon pain of death He saw otherwise no likelihood of quietness or friendship among his Subjects In these Kingdoms at this day I speak it with all humble submission the Christian Religion is not preached to the People under its proper heads which are the Creed the Lords Prayer the Ten Commandments and the Sacraments but handled in confusion on this and â—'other Text and mingled with their own Philosophy and Reasonings The end of it is The People are ever learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth as St. Paul speaks FINIS