be suffered to be prophaners And for his Third The Preaching of the word generally corrupted that shewes a mind to cavill rather then any cause seeing that corrupting of the Word was against the Churches Lawes by particular persons and all such decrees against Laws are declared invalid But in this he hath an if at the ministery which he further proposeth in his Fourth particular in these words And to these Curates consideration I refer it whether they be able truely out of good premisses to conclude themselves the Ministers of Christ lawfully called when all of them doe immediatly derive their Ministry from the Antichristian Hierarchy as the sole foundation thereof and under the name of Curates he comprehends all the Godly and learned Pastors in the Church and dare he say that the sole foundation of their Ministry is the Antichristian Hierarchy Are the precious guifts and graces that Christ Jesus hath bestowed upon them and blessed and honoured with the conversion of many soules no part of the foundation of their Ministry Is the free choice of their people desiring them to take the oversight of them no part of the foundation of their Calling Will not these in some mens judgments and it may be of this disputers serve the turne without any thing else Have they any thing from the Bishops but as it were an externall authorising to exercise their guifts in a publique way amongst their people which if it be in som respects corrupt shall this corrupt complement make void the call of God of the people God forbid undoubtedly Christ would never so ordinarily worke by them as he doth were they not his Mimsters but Antichrists Besides I beleeve this disputer knowes that by Law the Bishop ought to have divers grave Presbyters with him and then the imposition of hands is by the Presbytery as was Timothies not of Episcopacy only But having answered his Objections Printed its needfull I answere some others occasioned by him Object Oh but say some if these things be not included in the Protestation of what use then is the Protestation Ans Very great Is it not a great matter to fulfill that great charge laid upon the Church of Thyatira Rev. 14. Hold fast that which thou hast God hath given this Church some light whereby almost all the erroneous Doctrines and superstitions of Popery are removed which light by the audaciousnesse and corruption of some Innovators hath beene greatly obscured our Churches Doctrine in matter of Iustification Free-will Free Grace Gods eternall decrees c. hath beene almost utterly overthrowne Altars Images c. brought in and the adversaries were as great as nought and had proceeded far to worke disturbance in the present proceedings whereupon it pleased God to move our wise and Religious Parliament ever blessed be his name for it to make this Protestation to maintaine the truths and purity by Law established which was an excellent meanes to hold fast that they had and prevent apostacy give me leave to illustrate this by an homely comparison When men are lifting up a thing of great weight or Horses are drawing some great burthen up a steep hill when either are at a stand wisdome teacheth them to under-prop the burthen and stay it where it is till breath is taken or more help added to raise it to a desired pitch So was it with our worthy Reformers they were tugging to heave an heavy weight and were at a dead lift This Protestation to defend our Doctrine that is pure was an underpropping that things might not goe backwards till they could add more strength to raise things higher which God be blest they are busily indeavoring and if men will but waite I hope they shall see the Reformation raised as high as the Doctrines of Scriptures which ought to be the only rule and I doubt not but is theirs Q. But if they were in the Protestation ought we not with violence to pull them downe and so deale with all superstitious pictures c. A. To the consideration of the matters Protested against we must joyne the manner how we protest to oppose them and that is lawfully This Protestation gives men no leave to breake their Ranks it puts not a sword of authority into every private mans hand but every thing is to be don in a lawfull way without breach of that order that God hath appointed in the world or our Laws have ordered in our Land To answere this then distinctly Things Protested against are either private things or publique as for instance some Crucifixes and other superstitious Pictures are our owne at our own full dispose some are in publique places and as it were of publique interest things that are private in a private mans power this Protestation doth bind him to a present Reformation of without further leave from any But for things that are publique private persons are to make their addresse to Magistracy and intreat them to proceed and then the private persons may follow as Assistants Againe Some coâ—ruptions are in our owne persons as our owne bowing to or before the Altar some are in others that in our owne we are presently to Reforme but if another continue corrupt practises we may admonish them Protest against them but not lay violent hands on them but detect them to the Magistrate who by his Protestation will be bound to punish and Reforme them thus Gods worke will be done in Gods way with more beauty safety and certainty and suteable to the mature Iudgments of the wise Compilers of this usefull Vow After he hath done thus with the Protestation he proceedes to other objections to overthrow all subordination in the particular Churches of a Nation not only to one another which was never dreamt of but to any generall government by Officers gathered out of all and so set over all and so he laies a ground for independant Separate Churches which he desires may be erected in this Nation but this taske of his is undertaken and performed with better order and strength by another Author in the Presbyteriall Government Examined And yet that hath received a solid Answere by the Assertor of the Scotch Government and that not only in the generall by the grounds there layd downe but by a particular view and answere to the Arguments of the examiner and therefore thither I shal remit the Reader that wil take paines for satisfaction in those points The full discussing of these things is also besides my purpose who do only undertake the Answere of it in reference to what is sayd touching the misinterpretation of the Covenants as impeaching the Doctrine that in the preceding Sermons I desired to publish yet because I perceive many are much unsettled and that even of those to whom I have some relation with the things that are scattered in this discourse I will indeavor briefly to run over the things here that are materiall especially such as have not a full answere in the aboue-mentioned Treatise
still layd upon the godâ—y but never that in this case they should separate themselves or if they cannot separate the wicked but do their part discovering them desiring their ejection will not that free them from guilt I thinke it will and if not I beleeve he must not long keepe in any of his new Churches But the Apostle saith 1 Cor. 5 6. A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump so those that are corrupt will leaven all A. That is If they be accessory to the corruâ—tions of others not else againe how doth leaven leaven the lump but by diffusing a reall quality into it now there being two things in sinne the guilt which is a relation and in this case must come by imputation and the staine or vitiousnesse which is a quality and in this respect the corrupt will leaven only thus when he is suffered and countenanced he is apt to infect others with his ill qualities Thus this sentence must be expounded Gal. 5 9. in egard of infection with the same evils from which they shall be safe enough that bewaile and distast his ill qualities though they be at the Sacrament with him yet if they can get assistance one effect of their distast should be excommunication But the Apostle applies it to mixt Communion ver 8 but he misapplies that Text which others more suitably interpret of ieading our lives not eating the Sacrament And for that verse the 9. not to company with fornicators it s meant of familiarity not of the Sacrament For you may see by the two following verses such an accompanying is there forbidden to a Brother which is allowed with an heathen and therefore cannot be meant of Communion in the Sacrament But I hope by the pietie of our Parliament every godly Minister wil be enabled to keepe off all that be guilty of such crimes if that will serve the turne and remove that objection The place Ephes 5 5 7. Be not partakers with them is clearely meant in regard of their sinnes not the Sacrament as appeares by the following verse In Answering the next objection he brings two places to prove that the holy thing of God should not be prophaned but against what adversary whosoever taught so but that the prophaning of them by one should prophane then to others it s denyed his place Isa 1 1â— will only prove that God rejected their service whose hands were full of blood not the sacrificers of the good else how will he excuse Isaiahs Communion with that Church or Christ Iesus after him when they were as bad or where is his inference made or practised by the Prophets or Christ from this place of necessity of separation where the prophane be In answering his next quaere he tells us that to Communicate with evill doers is to partake of their evill deeds This is affirmed but not proved nor doe I thinke it ever will that my doing a good action well upon command of God with one that doth the same good Action will make me guilty of his sinne sure I am then Christ and his Prophets and Apostles were all sorely defiled His proofe 2 Thes 3 6. is quite misapplied for it s spoken of withdrawing from him in regard of company and respect which is free and Arbitrary not of the Sacrament wherein they were not to withdraw from him but if the quality of the offence did require it were to put him away In his next Answere he affirmes that no Communion can be had in our Parish Assemblies possibly without setting up new Churches But I hope in this he is much deceived as in the rest He compares us to Sardis formerly yet I hope there Communion might be had without this medicine of new Churches Nay let there be shown any example or any precept in the Scripture that in our case new Churches should be erected and not the old repaired and brought back to the rule from which they have swerved and we will yeeld the cause but if there be no such precept nor example then in vaine are all such pleas as he useth for things which Christ hath neither left precept nor patterne of And when we see God hath heard the Prayers and blest the Nation for the prayers of the godly in our Churches as now they stand and hath made us a people saved by the Lord who is the shield of our helpe and the sword of our excellency more we shal not expect by his new Churches unlesse he convince the necessity of them by better evidence out of the word which when he hath proved we will never put him to trouble to answere inconveniences but will with him buckle our selves to digest them but we will not cast our selves nor will the wisdom of the state suffer it to be cast on inconveniencies for good mens fansies without Christs command Nor wil we ever object it to be too strickt pure or perfect if the rule for it be convinced but we will affirme that being its strayter then the counsell which Christ gave to Sardis and different from it too the pretence of purity and perfection is not to be hearkned to for it is not such in truth but shew because it is not after Christ Col. 2 8. The like we say for envying at them we will blame them that envy at them if they discover the rule for what they doe but till then we shall censure them we hope by this Parliament The Discipline of Christ wil be set up in every Congregation and this will be a better or weaklier managed as the Ministers and members are growne in Christ if then any Christian be where great scandalls are they may remove to other Congregations that have attained a better degree of Reformation and this without any breach His next quaere is what Nationall government shal be set up by the Parliament for which he heartily prayes that God would direct them in so glorious a work and blesseth God for such instruments for such a worke I thanke him for his affection but yet if his Doctrine of the independancy of Churches be sound this prayer cannot be of faith for a man cannot pray in faith that men should meddle with that which is not within their sphaere or Calling and sure if independancy be a liberty of Christ all the Parliament hath to doe is to assert this liberty and what is more is but usurpation Then he tells us that the government of a Nationall Church hath no patterne in the word the full answere of that I refer to the assertion of the government of the Church of Scotland which I doubt not but will give good satisfaction to the indifferent Reader Afterward he discovers me thinkes too much uncharitablenesse and selfe love When he affirmes let them have their liberty and do for the rest what they will t is indifferent to them a litle more care of the soules of Christians might better suite with those that so far transcend others in outward reformation His last objection is inconveniency of independant Churches if they erre as they may they want meanes of reâ—â—â—yming which is better set on by the Scotch Assertor yet he hath said more then he hath well answered for having named all the meanes which their independancy is capable of and being conscious it seemes that they were too weake He adds 2 other that quite destroy the independancy As first that other Churches may excommunicate them how are they independant if under the Iurisdiction of other Churches or how can they be excommunicated by those under whose Iurisdiction they are not sure this is worse dependance then under the Presbytery where a part is only subiected to the whole but here a part is subiected to a part And this second is no better for if they be under the Magistrate for any Haeresy why not for all those that are guilty will not confesse any of their Haeresies for knowne Haeresies but assert them for truth and so chalenge exception for them aswell as any and if that be a known heresy which is such to the judgment of the Magistrat theÌ„ for all heresy they are to be subject to ceÌ„sure their indepeÌ„daÌ„cy is a nullity Thus have I gon through this whole discourse without indeavouring to stifle but rather sincerely to search out what is truth in every particular It is my desire and prayer that I might doe nothing against but for the truth rather would I desire that God should bring me forth to the severest sufferings for the truth then leave me though in simplicity of heart to oppose any the least trueth What remaines but that while we that minde the same things Christs honour in the salvation of his people and right performance of his Ordinances and differ only in the way labour to keepe Vnity of heart till we have unity of judgment and let our Prayers be united at the Throne of Grace though our persons be in different Societies that God may perswade the wanderers into the Tents of those to whom he hath vouchsafed the better light That God may have the more honour and we the more strength comfort by our free and scruple-lesse consociation Which mercy the Lord vouchsafe for Jesus Christ his sake by the helpe of the Spirit of truth leading into al truth to whom be glory for ever Amen FINIS
extent Alâ—uda 3 the Object The Oath the Covenant for cleaving to the true God true Religion This is registred for our learning hence then All that are truly Godly Doct. should rejoyce at a Nationall Covenant made for the suppressing of the false and the preservation of true Religion 2 Chro. 30 21 23. We see joy at the restauration of Religion then how much more when it is done by Covenant yea after they counselled to keepe other 7 dayes not another Passeover but to spend seven days in the service of GOD and who knowes whether this counsell were not such as Ezra's by Covenant Ezra 10 3. It s most probable it was and it was with joy how ever we may argue a maiori so also from that of the Psalmist Psal 122 1. But more full to our purpose is that 2. Chro. 23 16 17. Where you have the Covenant the fruite of it and how it was entertained with joy ver 21. so 2 Chro. 29 10. And this was not personall but without question Nationall He did it as a King and so the Kingdome with him as appeares by the Issue ver 20. The Elders goe along v. 28. there 's a Congregation and was not this with joy See verses 25 28 30 36. Because this is a signe of the graces of God Reason 1 not only residing but excelling in the people of God To keep up Religion in purity requires grace but to renew it that by Covenant argues zeale and undaunted and unconquered resolutions as it was sayd of Iehosaphat 2 Chro. 17 6. his heart was lift up in the wayes of God caried on the growne wings of Faith and zeale over all impediments And should not we rejoyce in this to see such signes of grace in a Kingdome I am sure had we Davids Spirit we should 1 Chro. 29 9. See what joy there was for that one discovery of good affection to God Phil. 4 10. The Apostle rejoyced greatly that their care of him did flourish againe not for the profit he reap't but for the grace they shewed in such a Nationall Covenant mens care of God doth flourish againe care of his service and should not we much more rejoyce sure we should and will if wee be not wicked and so hating grace or proud and envying it which far be they from us A Nationall Covenant for reformation Reason 2 is an excellent meanes of reformation of suppressing the false and setting up the true Religion so it is to be rejoyced at That it is a meanes of reformation experience may shew Where ever was it undertaken that it fayled See here in Asa in Hezekiah in Joash or Jehoaida's time when this was made Idolls and Idolatry went presently downe and the service of God as fast up see 2 Chro. 15 16 and 2 Chro. 23 17 18 and 29 10 35 36. and 34 31 32 33. So Ezra 10.3 5 17. And how should it be otherwaves For entering into Covenant shewes zeale courage and resolution and when it is Nationall there is outward strength added to strength of Spirit and what can let 2 Chro. ult he did it with all his heart and prospered When men Covenant they do it with all their might and will prosper when men come to this to renew their Covenant with God he will renew his Covenant with them and blesse their undertakings And if God be â—ith us who can be against us Iosh 1 5 6. There be two promises made to Ioshua one subordinate to the other The maine the Apostle makes common and with the same reason we may infer the latter the Condition is this ver 7. Be strong Now the Covenanting shewes this strength of Spirit or resolution and therefore all lets come downe and reformation will come up and if reformation be effected then there is cause of joy Reformation is a thing that the people of God have alwaies and should rejoyce in Nehem. 8. the restauration of one ordinance what joy it caused ver 17. So likewise 2 Chro. 30. and if any thing be cause of joy Reformation is That which removes causes of sorrow and brings many causes of joy that will be rejoyced in But this reformation doth It removes causes of sorrow for it removes sin It 's an healing of our backslidings which is cause of sorrovv so of all corruptions in Religion novv vvhat cause of sorrovv these be see Ezra 93. Pet. 10. 1. Ezek. 36 33. It removes feares and feare hath torment 1 John 4 18. When vve are in our sinnes vve have cause to tremble at the threatnings as Ezra 9 3.4 It removes Iudgments so Hezekiah aymed and found 2 Chor. 29 10. and 2 Chro. 15.2 3 4 5. Againe it brings causes of joy For hereby God is glorified God is exalted vvho vvas before neglected false vvorship is a provocation giving his glory to another going a whoring Reformation is a setting up his word for rule and giving him the worship he requires Now when God is glorified should not we rejoyce Psal 97. 1. Psal 42 10. He that was so wounded at Gods dishonours would not he as greatly rejoyce at Gods glory without question and nothing else was the cause of the joy 1 Chro. 29 9. Againe the good of mens soules is furthered for hereby men are brought into the way of life and salvation Poyson is taken out of their food leaven out of their services their Soules will be edified services respected persons saved and that we should rejoyce in There 's joy in heaven for this if for one soule much more for many Act. 11 18. 3. This is the way to prosperity to have God blesse us in all we put our hands unto for now we keepe Covenant with him he will likewise keepe Covenant with us and that is to blesse us in all we put our hands unto Deut. 28. So 2 Chro. 15 15. And so in Hezekias time the Land recovered its pristine honour and strength lost by wicked backsliding Abaz So then there is great cause to rejoyce in a Nationall Covenant of Reformation because it will produce Reformation which is comfortable many wayes It s the regeneration of a Nation A Nationall Covenant is a thing that in time of need all Godly hearts do earnestly desire and pray for therefore they will rejoyce at it Reason 3 they see the need of it because without it the worke will not be done The opposites while the standers for purity stand single are too hard for them by some way or other they see the use of it in examples as hath been layd out they see it is an ordinance of God and being regulate by the word they cannot but desire and pray that God would stir up the hearts of men to it how often have you in this place heard and joyn'd in prayer with this Petition that God would move our Soveraigne with Josiah to bring us into a Covenant of reformation Now what we pray for we should praise God for and can we praise God
substance with Satan so som there be that be in word with us in heart with Rome Now these will take the Protestation if urged so that cannot discover them but they will not rejoyce in it they will not be Cordiall this will convince them A Iew indeed will not only take it but rejoyce at it he that loves a thing will rejoyce at the promotion of it and no man is Religious indeed but he that loves Religion 2 Thes 2 10. Now this Covenant is a meanes to promote Religion Never did Shiboleth better distinguish an Ephraimite then this Ioy an Hyppocriticall professor of our Religion He may offer to take the Protestation but he wil say but siboleth he wil lispe he will not speake out cordially rejoycing at the Oath so is layd open This is for reproofe of such as doe not joy at the Oath Vse 3 at our Nationall Covenant that have not their hearts in larged with consideration of the graces of God shining in our Parliament-men with the hopes of the flourishing of Religion to see the expectation of Papists utterly dashed be not these matters of greatest joy Are you not then like those that dreame doubting whether these things be so because they are so transcendent If not if you want Ioy then tell mee where is your zeale for GOD Where is your love to Religion See you not your desires fulfilled your prayers returned and are you yet heart-bound What will then in large you Our Brethren of Scotland when they renewed their Nationall Covenant they of them especially that had seene the making the breaking and renewing of their Nationall Covenant wept as fast for joy at the renovation as ever they had for griefe at the breach of the Covenant And shall we have no inlargement of heart what shame what sinne is this When we bring a man some speciall thing which we suppose he highly prizeth If he looke disdainfully nay carelesly upon it we will presently repent that we have done it for him Is not this Covenant a mercy that God lookes England should prize Will not sleighting of it in not being affected with it show an unworthinesse of it and make God blast it curse it Oh then let them be grieved and ashamed that joy not in it It shewes a cold Spirit a carnall Spirit not like that of the godly whose praise is in the Scripture Hence we may draw a threefold Exhortation Vse 4 1 To rejoyce in this Covenant was there ever such a worke in the Church without joy Let not us degenerate Doe you love God Rejoyce to see him glorified Doe you love the Parliament Rejoyce to see their zeale and other graces flourish Doe you love your selves Rejoyce to see salvation coming to you Doe you love the Nation Rejoyce to see Gods displeasure removed his favor procured feare of judgments vanishing peace and prosperity approaching Do you love your Brethren Rejoyce that the evil shall be restrained the weake preserved the good protected If Ministers now be silenced against Law for Preaching downe Innovations or people vexed for refusing subjection to them they may goe to any Peere or Parliament-man and by his Nationall Covenant he himselfe having first taken it require and enjoy his assistance to be righted and to have his oppressing persecutor punished what ever he be lay-man or Prelate Nay if thou canst not looke so high as these Spirituall considerations yet our Covenant is such as may make thee glad For if any shall now come upon thee with unlawfull taxes will streyne thy goods imprison thy person c. thou mayst goe to any Peere or Parliament-man and by vertue of this require assistance and is not here cause of joy Oh then be joyfull all the People of the Land and serve the Lord with gladnes But because it is the worke of our Office not to have dominion over your faith but to be helpers of your joy 2 Cor. 1 24. Give me leave to lay downe a few meanes to further this joy in you Then ponder the benefits of this Covenant Meanes 1. It s the head that must move the heart holy motions flow from holy notions the more you apprehend and ponder the cause of any affection the more it stirs what the eye sees not the heart rues not it is true in evils and it is as true in goods What the minde apprehends not the heart joyes not Psal 63 5 6. David was satisfied as with marrow and fatnesse with joy in God but it was by meditating on him So we by meditating on this Covenant and the benefits of it may have our hearts delighted as with marrow and fatnesse you may be helped in pondering to see the good in it by the reasons before alleaged which are convincing 2. Looke upon the examples of Scripture in this and other places and that will worke upon you affection is very catching seeing others griefe or joy is very apt to move us and so will the consideration of the affection of the Saints in Scripture The Scriptures are a glasse but they are a strong glasse a transforming glasse that changeth our soules to the likenesse of that we see 2 Cor. 3 18. But we all with open face beholding as in a glasse the glory of the Lord are changed into the same Image from glory to glory so is the worde to us when in it as in a glasse we behold the gracious affections of the Saints Sure I am they will make us blush if we be far short and unlike them and shame will stir us up to reforme as 2 Chro. 30 15. The forwardnesse of the people did shame the Preists and Levites and make them sanctify themselves 3. Excite and stir up your hearts you know though a man finde a dampe on his Spirit sometimes yet if he see cause of joy and set himselfe to be cheerefull he may attaine it as they did Nehem. 8.9 10 11 12. Call upon your hearts then to be merry in the Lord and say it 's not a time of drooping but of rejoycing 4. If you finde any of this holy flame inkindled in you by this Sermon cherish it blow it up keepe it up The word is moving for the present but the impression will not stay long without renewing it Repeate it therefore in your houses in your minds rub it againe and againe upon your Soules 5. Pray Joy is the fruite of the Spirit pray for the Spirit to worke this affection to annoynt you with this oyle of gladnesse to inlarge you to rejoyce in this good worke this will be acceptable to God and no lesse to us for when we rejoyce in Gods service God will blesse us as may be seene 2 Cro. 30.26 27. We should praise God for it alwaies Exhor 2. that which is matter of joy is matter of praise too For they are both for good things wherein we are interested That praise is heartlesse that comes not from joy and that joy is carnall which ends not