Mass Book the truth is this there are several Prayers of Antient Fathers used before Popery was in the World which the Papists corrupting and abusing in their Mass our first Reformers purged out what corruptions the Papists had brought in and did retain those antient Prayers according to their Primitive Institution All this will be readily acknowledged by them that judging this book unnecessary and inconvenient do desire a Reformation therein and is there any thing in all this that shall so affright good Christians out of the Church Concerning the charge of Antichristianism it is so common a word in the mouths of all that list to rayle that it s no scandal to any till the thing be fully proved if Bishops and Ministers c. be judged by any to be Anti-Christian I shal send them to that most excellent piece of Dr. Moore his Mystery of Iniquity where they may see the Idea of Anti-Christianism opened and thence be informed whom this censure best befits IV. Take heed of pretending to greater purity and strictness about Church Communion and Administrations then the Word of God commends or the examples of Christ and the Apostles and the Primitive Church do commend nor be so extremely rigid as not to bear with things that they have Tolerated It is an observable rule laid down by wise and eminent Divines that too much strictnesse and severity often doth injury the Church more then profite it it s the way to overturn Churches not to reform them especially this severity is unbecoming private Christians who having no Authority yet complain such persons and such things are defilements they must separate from them they must not touch the unclean thing such should take heed that they be not righteous over much and not dare to be wise above what is written lest their too much affected purity and misguided zeal hurt more the Church of Christ and their own Souls then the corruptions they so much complain of Calvin adv Anab. Art 2. Cum sub specie studii perfectionis imperfectionem nulam tollerare possumus tune Diabolum nos tumefacere superbia et hypocrisi seducere moneamur V. Have publick Spirits and look not so much on such things as are most desirable in your eyes and conduce to your interest as on what tends to the furtherance of the Gospel and the good of the Church in generall There have been very few in our unhappie dayes but have been so eagerly contending for their private opinions and wayes that the publick interest of the Christian Religion and of the Churches peace and welfare hath been almost forgotten by them from whence have come in such an inundation of Errours Heresies Profanenesse and Atheism that the Church hath been almost ruined thereby In vain do we contend about the greater purity and perfection of the Christian Religion when the verie being and life of it by our contentions and divisions is indangered what will become of our contests for greater reformation in Discipline Worship c. If the Christian Religion it self be lost They are the best and wisest Christians that have most indeavoured that the main Fundamental Doctrines and duties of Religion may be preserved though in the mean time they yield in small matters that concern the beautie and perfection thereof waiting in a wise and peaceable manner til the Lord will grant them their desires therein also in his own way and time VI. Take heed of running into manifest sin and evil upon fears of what is only supposed to be so viz. Of casting off Ordinances neglecting of the publick Worship of God breach of the peace of the Church c. Upon pretence of supposed evils in Communion The commands of God for his Worship and Ordinances the Church peace are clear and cogent the matters excepted against are dark and disputable points of controversie and the far greater part of the Churches of Christ on earth have approved of them therefore be afraid while you would shun an evil supposed you run not into another that is a real and far greater evil A truly tender conscience should fear evil on either hand and on this side rather then that VII Charge not on your selves other mens sins but look to your own wayes and duties If you judge Superiors to sin in their impositions or Bishops in any Command or Ministers in their Conformity if you find sin in laxnesse of Discipline in loose admissions to the Ordinances c. It 's not your sin who still Communicate in the Ordinances of Christ provided you do your parts and Office It were sad living in any Church in the World if the sins of others should be charged on such as have neither calling not power to reform them fitter it is by far to mourn and pray for Redressing of such evils then to run out of the Church for them VIII Take heed of that great and common mistake that nothing is to be admitted in and about the government and administration of the Church of Christ in the least Circumstantials thereof but what is particularly and clearly held forth in the Scriptures This mistake hath occasioned many needless scruples in the minds of weak Christians and much promoted groundlesse separation It is a Rule laid down by a whole Assemblie of Divines Assem Conf. of Faith c 1. many of them not much affected to the present establishment That there are some circumstances concerning the Worship of God and Government of the Church common to humane actions and Societies which are to be ordered by the light of nature and Christian prudence according to the general Rules of the Word And the same is practised among all those that are most averse to the communion of the Church of England who retain amongst themselves many things that they can produce little true-Scripture-proofs for but only practise them prudentially as best conducing to the welfare of their Churches and as they judge to the Order of Gods Worship therein and some have ingeniously acknowledged as much If you search the Scriptures impartiallie concerning Church-government you will finde therein little besides the main Essentials of it as that the Church is to be Governed and that by its proper Officers and directions how they should be qualified and set apart for their Office what the severall duties belonging to their Office are and some general directions about the management thereof All which may sute with the several forms of Government that have been competitors amongst us wherein the power of Christs Officers is further extended or more restrained Stillingf iren pt 2. c 4. c 8. wherein some act in a superior others ina coordinate way and therefore very many learned and godly men have judged that no one form of government was prescribed as necessary in the Church but it 's left to be suted to the condition of those Kingdoms and Nations where the Church shall be planted The like may be said concerning Gospel Worship The main
A GUIDE TO THE True Religion OR A DISCOURSE Directing to make a wise CHOICE of that Religion Men venture their Salvation upon Seasonable for these Times wherein there are such Diversities of Opinions and wayes of Religion To inform the Ignorant to resolve the Wavering and to confirm the Weak By I. C. M. A. of T. C. C. Josh 24.15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord Chuse you this day whom you will serve whether the Gods But as for me and my House we will serve the Lord. EDINBVRGH Printed by Andrew Anderson and are to be sold at his House on the North side of the Cross Anno 1669. A Premonition to the Reader shewing the occasion and intendment of the Discourse Courteous Reader THere is no good Christian but is ready upon all just occasions to express his sad resentment of the wofull Divisions and dangerous Errors wherewith the Churches of Christ in these Kingdoms have been for many years past and still are so distracted for notwithstanding that our civill Wars are through the mercy of God endid yet our Religious jars and rents are not healed Indeed how can any pious Soul consider the great dishonour done thereby to the Holy Name of God the reproach to the Christian Religion the great scandal to those sometimes famous Churches which are now hereby become infamous through the World yea the apparent ruine threatned by these things and not break out into sad lamentation for the same Surely this 〈◊〉 a Lamentaion and shall be for a Lamentation And although the serious consideration of those evils in order to the repairing and healing of them and the preventing the publick ruine threatned to the Church and State thereby belongeth to the wisedome and zeal of those that be in place of eminency and are vested with power and authority requisite thereunto yet Private Christians in a lower station and capacity cannot but have their eyes upon the sad influence those â—â—ings have upon their dearest Friends and Neighbours with whom they converse and in their behalf meditate upon some remedy for the same Certain it is that the malignant influence these things have on the common sort is very sad whilst gazing on those sad contesting matters of Religion Some continue meer Scepticks ever wavering and not knowing what way of Religion to chuse and so neglect to be of any Some are professed Atheists or profane Wretches Others be seduced into dangerous Errors as Popery Socinianism Quakerism c. Many ingage in contentions they know not why nor for what And the greatest part of Christians wofully stumbled in their Profession The intendment of these Papers is to propose some help against those evils and to guide and direct those that are apt to miscarry through occasion of the diversities of Opinions and wayes found a mongst us Wherein they are first excited to make a wise Choice of that Religion they venture their Eternal Salvation upon and are informed how to do it Indeavours are used to fix and establish them in the truth of the Christian Religion and to acquaint them with the great and Fundamental Doctrines and Duties threrof necessary unto Salvation which have been owned by all Christians and Churches in all places and ages and to perswade to believe and obey them as that whereupon their eternal safety depends Then our discourse descends to points of a secondary and inferior Nature that are controverted amongst wise and godly Christians and directions are laid down how to find out the right and safe way for Faith and practice in such things especially when we are necessitated to hold forth a profession of our selves therein Wherewith is shewed also what tendernesse and respect is to be used toward those that differ from us in those things whilst in the mean time we carry it at a greater distance with those that err fundementally and subvert the Christian Faith and Religion All which counsels being evidenced to be good and wholsome will manifestly declare Those to be the most approved and judicious Christians who under all those great changes and revolutions which have been amongst us of latter times have especially exercised their zeal for the maintaining of the Fundament all Doctrines of the Gospel and the practice and power of Godlinesse as also for the preserving the peace of the Church and love and union amongst Christians whilst in the mean time they have shewed greatest moderation and condescension towards those that differ in controverted Points of a lower Nature even to a degree of complyance also with the stream of the times in some things which seem in themselves less desireable and inconvenient provided in their Consciences they judge them not to be sinful if conducing to the furtherance of the Gospel the peace of the Churches and Salvation of Souls Indeed this will be judged by some rash and censorious Spirits to be Hypocrisie Time-serving er self-seeking and such persons may be branded for Temporizers Turn-coats or Apostates or what not but when things shall be considered in calmness and Sobriety Such will be found the greatest friends of Christ and the Christian Religion and such actions most consonant to Scripture commands and to the examples of the Saints recorded therein whereas such as are found departing from any Fundamental and generally confessed points of faith or Practice These imputations may be more warrantably charged upon them Reader Let these sad and wofull differences errours and debates provoke thee to examine the grounds thy profession is built upon to study more the verity and excellency of the Christian Religion and be better established therein to understand believe love and obey the great and necessary Principles thereof humbly to seek of God the discovery of his mind in things more dark and controverted and to exercise more Christian love and charity those that are not of the same perswasion or practice with thee therein And then thou wilt be secured from the danger of those evils yea they will prove advantagious to thy greatest good although intended by Satan for thy hurt To help thee herein is the intendment and designe of this discourse in order whereunto the blessing of the Lord is humbly implored to go along with the same THE CONTENTS OF The severall CHAPTERS CHAP. 1. REligion the grand concernment of Man in this World Great differences about it Necessity of a wise and deliberate chusing ones Religion A proposition laid down which is the Subject matter of the following Discourse Page 1. CHAP. 2. Shewing wherein this wise Chusing ones Religion stands and what Acts concurr thereunto Page 5. CHAP. 3. Considerations evidencing it a principal Point of wisdome for a Man to make a right Choice of that Religion he professes in the World and ventures his Eternal Salvation upon Page 13 CHAP. 4. Wherein the Practice of this Duty is insisted upon and Directions given how to chuse the true Religion amongst so many as are in the World All other Religions being
wisedom is it to make a good choice 4. Because else if one should happen on the true Religion he would never be True unto it unless he take it up on such a right choice as before was spoken of we cannot be Serious Christians nor through Christians but by halves only nor Constant holding out to the End without this right choice 1. Not serious Christians Such as take up a Religion they know not what and on grounds they know not why will be but sleighty and formal in it a little of outside profession they may have but the power of it will be wanting Thus the common sort of Christians that take not up Religion on a wise choice understanding what it is and discerning the verity and excellency of it but because it is professed in the countrey where they live injoyned by the Laws of the Land and commended by the example of Others whom they esteem wise and holy alack how formal and sleighty are they therein not considering the glory of the great God that made them and redeemed them is concerned therein and that the Salvation of their own souls depends on it Whereas such as make a wise choice out of knowledge and discerning serve God with all their heart and strength and soul they rest not in the former but labour in the power of godlinesse Religion is their main business in the World 2. Nor thorough Christians but only by the halves as Agrippa almost perswaded to be Christians They will follow Christ a little way and perform some of the out-side and easie parts of Religion but when they hear some hard sayings as the Capernaits or some difficult duties pressed on them that cross flesh and blood and worldly interest they will except them and say in this thing the Lord be merciful to me c. These are like the Scribe not farre from the Kingdome of Heaven but never shall come there like Herod that reform many things but not at all will pick and chuse where they please Oh that this were not the case of many called Christians And this because they understand not aright what the Christian Religion is and take it not upon good grounds therefore they fall short whereas he that understands what an holy Religion it is and what great duties it requires and casts up before hand the inconveniences losses andl sufferings he may meet with comparing them with the recompence of reward the far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory he will go through-stitch will follow God fully and will be altogether a Christian 3. Not Constant but turning away from it upon every Temptation Such are ever wavering and halting betwixt two as the Israelites of old betwixt Iehovah and Baal If heresie seducement and the power of delusions come amongst such how do they turn away from that Religion they have imbraced by companies and turn Runnagados or if the heat of persecution scorch them they wither away because they have no Root Mat 13. We have had too sad experience of this amongst the giddy unstable sort of Christians in our times when God had let loose errors and heresies amongst us to try who were sound and sincere and who not how many were carried away as with a flood And if Popery should prevail again or Mahometanism through the conquering Sword of the Turks one may tremble to think whither such ungrounded Christians may be carryed Whereas on the other hand the Christian that takes up his Religion on good grounds through a wise choice knowing what and in whom he hath believed wil through grace stand strongly as the House built upon the Rock Mat. 7. When the Winds blew and the Waves beat he stands The gates of Hell shall not prevail against such Therefore we see what a great point of wisdom it is for a man to make a wise choice of that Religion he takes up else he will not be true unto it he will not be a serious Christian nor a thorough nor a constant Christian and then as good be none at all It will nothing avail them unto Salvation to imbrace the true Religion no more then it did profite the Israelites of old to have the Temple of the Lord amongst them or the Philistims to have the Ark of the Covenant with them it will but increase their condemnation These considerations are sufficient without insisting upon any other to evidence the truth of our proposition and to commend to us this great duty viz. The wise chusing of that Religion we professe in the World that we mean to live and dye in and to venture our Eternal Salvation upon CHAP. IIII. Wherein the Practice of this Duty is insisted on and Directions given how to chuse the true Religion amongst so many as are in the World All other Religions being rejected The Christian Religion is evidenced to be the only true Religion WE are now come to the practicall part of our discourse to shew how this may be reduced into action that we have been treating on but in words hitherto let every one that God hath given the understanding of a man unto be induced to make a wise choice of that Religion he ventures his eternal Salvation upon This discourse is intended only for such as be resolved to be of some Religion and will not live as Atheists As for them that will not be of any Religion at all but live without God in the World only live to eat and drink and work and sleap and mind their sensual pleasures they degenerate from the Nature of Men and are even turned unto Beasts foolish are they and ignorant to use the Psalmists words Psal 73. and even in this point as Beasts as far below men as Nebuchadnezzar was when he did eat grasse as the Oxen and couched amongst the Beasts for such violate the very Law of Nature which hath taught all Nations however rude and barbarous to take up some profession of Religion They transgresse also the written Law of God which he hath given in his Word and will judge men by at the last day which requires solemn worship and service from the Sons of men They bring themselves directly under the curse or imprecation Jer. 10.25 Pour out thy fury upon the Heathen and upon the Families that call not on thy Name The wicked shall be turned into Hell with all the Nations that forget God Psalm 9.17 As they say to God now depart from us we will not know thy wayes so they shall hear God say to them shortly Depart from me ye cursed c. Nor do I speak to such base and low Spirits as take up their Religion on trust from others and pinne their Faith upon the sleeves of those to whom they have subjected their judgements and consciences upon account of any worldly or corrupt interest But to such noble Spirits as with the Bereans will take pains to fearch the Scriptures and use all Gods appointed means to inform themselves that they may
took such rooting that the power craft and malice of men and Devils cannot root it out It s evidenced by the purity and spirituality of its Doctrine By the sublimity of the Mysteries revealed in it wherein the highest wisedom of God shines forth By the greatnesse and excellency of the rewards punishments By the holy Spirit appearing in the serious professors of it such a Spirit of holinesse as is no where else to be found in the world And by the design it hath to glorifie God and to humble Man c. By these and the like evidences the weakest may easily be convinced That the Christian Religion is the only true Religion of all others in the World and so be directed to make choice thereof CHAP. V. Further Directions how to chuse the right and safe way amongst such diversities of Sects and opinions as be amongst Christians A discovery of the fundamental Doctrines of Faith and practical duties of Godliness generally imbraced by al Christians in al times and places with advice in reference unto them HAving inquired into the several Religions this day professed in the world and found upon good evidence the Christian Religion to be the only true Religion men may venture their Salvation upon Wee meet next with no small difficulty whereby weak and ignorant persons are perplexed occasioned by the diversity of Sects and opinions which are found amongst Christians viz. Quest To know after they once be resolved to be Christians how to chuse the right and safe way amongst such various Sects and different perswasions of those called Christians unless a man might be saved in any of these Sects and wayes What directions are there for the safe conduct of such as are at a losse herein Answer Because this is a grand case wherein very many in these sad times of Division greatly need Direction I shall guide them to a safe way wherein they may securely walk and venture their Souls without fear of miscarrying And it is this Let them labour to understand clearly and to imbrace heartily those Fundamental Catholick verities of the Christian Religion which are more clearly laid down in the holy Scriptures and have been owned by the Churches of Christ generally in all ages places ever since the Apostles times to our dayes and transmitted to us in their Creeds and Confessions of Faith and are now owned by all worthy the name of the Christians without dispute through all the Christian World let them so believe them that they influence their Hearts and Lives throughly And also all those Confessed duties of godliness that all Christians are agreed in and walk up to the practice of them and their Souls shall certainly be secured Know that notwithstanding these diversities of Sects and varieties of opinions which are found amongst Christians from which they are not privileged as neither are those other three Religions Heathenisme Mahometanism and Judaism as before was shewed nor shall be fully whilst we be imperfect and know but in part and are in part carnall as well as Spiritual whilst the envious one shall fow Tares in the field of the Church and it shall be the pleasure of God to suffer these things to be that they which are approved may be made manifest Yet know That there are some fundamentall and Catholick verities of the Christian Religion which are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 points generally believed of all having antiquity universality and consent concurring with them which the Scriptures call the foundation 1 Cor. 3.10 11. The principles of the Doctrine of Christ Heb. 6.1 The form of sound words 2 Tim. 1.13 Rom. 6.17 The proportion or Analogy of Faith Rom. 〈◊〉 6. Which have been conveyed down from the Apostles even to us in this last age of the World nor could the gates of Hel ever prevail so far as to extirpate them And these are such Confessed duties of godlinesse as none that have pretended to be Christians have dared openly and directly to gainsay Now these are the points that have greatest influence on our hearts and lives to sanctifie and change them and to promote the life and power of godlinesse and rarely those questions and matters of dispute that are so hotly contested about and these avail to the saving our Souls upon our hearty imbracing and receiving these or our renouncing of them either in heart or life depends our Salvation or Damnation We had need therefore to set our hearts on these things that we cordially believe these Doctrines and practise those Duties and so doing we shall secure our eternal Salvation Now for further improvement of this advice we shal more particularly inquire into these great and necessary Doctrines of faith and duties of godliness and lay down some brief account of them in order to our belief and practice and so consequently to Salvation 1. For the Fundamental Doctrines of the Christian Religion Not that I undertake to give an exact account hereof for to determine this saith a learned man is the master-piece of all the Divines in Christendom but only do declare those truths which being more clearly laid down in Scripture have been generally imbraced by all Churches worthy the Name of Christians setting aside controverted points wherein so much truth is contained as being joyned with holy obedience may be sufficient to bring a man to everlasting Salvation This being premised they may be reduced to these four Articles 1 Concerning God That there is one God of an infinite perfect and spirituall nature Subsisting in three most glorious persons the Father the Sonne and the Holy Ghost who is the maker preserver Governor of all things and intends his own glory in all his Works That the greatest concernment of reasonable creatures is to know acknowledge this God to fear love adore and glorify him and their chief felicity stands in his love and favour in fullest conformity to his Image and nearest communion with him and in no earthly good separate from him This is one Article of Religion necessary unto Salvation to be known and believed and not controverted amongst Christians Believe this throughly and let it influence your hearts and lives so as you study to know this God and to get acquaintance with him to fear love and serve him to own him for your Soveraign Lord chief good 2 Concerning man That God made man at the first in a very holy happy estate from which he soon fel through Satans Temptation and all mankinde became plunged into sin and misery That we are all hainous offenders against the God of Heaven under his dreadful wrath and the curse of the Law barred out of Heaven and happiness and lyable to eternal torments if not speedily reconciled to God and pardoned and by renewing grace sanctified and converted which neither we nor any meere creature is able to do for us This is another Fundamentall Article of Faith so clearly laid down in Scripture as it 's beyond all controversie
Entertain it not in the notion only but let it be so digested that you feel your sin and misery at your heart and dare not to continue a day longer without reconciling and pardoning mercy and renewing and sanctifying grace lest you perish that you despair of any creatures help and feel your selves eternally undone if the God of Heaven help not 3 Concerning Jesus Christ our Redeemer That the Lord Jesus Christ the only begotten Son of God coessential and coeternal with his Father upon the appointment and designation of his Father voluntarily undertook the office of a Saviour and Redeemer to Mankinde being made Man took on him our sins and the curse of the Law and giving himself up a Sacrifice and an offering to God for us purchased by his death all things conducing to grace and glory and having by his own power arisen from the dead and ascended into heaven he is become an alsufficient Saviour and will effectually confer pardon grace and Salvation on all those who shal truly believe in him And that there is no other name under Heaven to be saved by but by the name of Jesus Christ This is a great and necessary Doctrine of Salvation so clearly held forth in Scripture that it 's beyond controversie 1 Tim. 3.16 Let this Catholick verity be received not in the Nation only but dwel in your hearts that you may see the infinite worth and excellency of Jesus Christ prize him as the only Savior close with him on all those glorious accounts and end she was sent upon by the Father and yield up your selves to be saved by him in his own way and upon his own Terms 4 Concerning the application of Redemption That our Redeemer the Lord Josus Christ having all power in Heaven Earth given to him hath made a new Law or Covenant of grace caused it to be proclaimed to the world wherein he promises pardon and Salvation to all that shal sincerely accept and own him for their Saviour and Lord Redeemer and tâ—uly repenting of their sins shall rest on his death and merits alone for life love him above all things and sincerely obey his Gospel Laws and Commundments shal persevere in these duties to the end And after he shal have sent his holy Spirit to work Faith and conversion in his Elect He will certainly come again from Heaven in the glory of his Father with his mighty Angels and by his mighty power shal raise the dead and convene all both Quick dead before his Judgment Seat and then such as did truly repent them of their sins and sincerely believed in his Name and obeyed his Gospel he will adjudge to Eternal glory and happinesse with himself and his Father and the holy Angels but unbelievers and impenitent persons to eternal torments in Hell with the Devil and his Angels This is an unquestionable Article of the Christian Faith expresly delivered in the holy Scriptures and imbraced by the Catholick Church Let this truth be received not notionally but heartily Let it influence your hearts and lives so as you sincerely obey the Gospel and live in the dayly expectation of the coming of the Lord and give deligence to be found of him in peace without spot and blamelesse I shal add no other Doctrinal verities besides these fundamental Articles They are the very substance of the Christian Creed imbraced by the Church in all ages and places 2. For those Practical Duties in which all true Christians are agreed for as there are in points of Faith fundamental Articles so there are in the point of practice fundamental Duties Now these are either 1 Those Moral duties of the Law or Ten Commandements promulgated on Mount Sinai and written by the finger of God in two Tables of stone which Christians are obliged to observe as well as the Jews though the Ceremonial Law which was altogether typical and shadowed good things to come be abolished Yea wee are bound to keep it in a more strict and spiritual manner then the Jews did interpret it formerly as appears by Christs Sermon Mat 5. This contains all duties of piety toward God immediatly required in the first Table viz. to take and accept the God of Heaven that made us and gave us Life and breath and beeing for our God alone to know and acknowledge him to fear love and trust in him and seek his glory to give him that external worship he requires in his Word publick private and secret as invocation of his Holy Name by prayers and praises hearing and reading meditating and conferring on his Word receiving his Sacraments sanctifying his Sabbaths Doing all this in an Holy reverent manner so as Gods name may be sanctifyed by us in his ordinances as also in our ordinary communications and conversations It likewise contains all Duties of righteousness and charity towards Man required in the second Table viz. The preserving as well as not injuring of the honour and authority of the life and chastity of our neighbour in thought word and deed as also his estate good name c. And loving him even as we love our selves doing good unto all c. These are general Duties all Christians are agreed in Make Conscience to practise these 2 Those Evangelical Duties or Commandements of the Gospel For besides these Moral Duties of the Law which the Gospel doth inforce also by renewed and more indearing arguments there are peculiar duties required by the Gospel as True repentance for every sin and transgression of Gods righteous and holy commands for the Law gives no place to Repentance but threatens death for every offence Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ for pardon through his blood and Salvation through his merits Fervent love to God and the Redeemer who loved us and gave himself for us who hath washed us in his blood made us Kings and Priests to God and his Father Sincere indeavours to promote his glory upon the new obligation of Redemption and living to him as his peculiar People being not our own but his bought with a price Love to all the Saints and Members of Christ and communion with them as we have opportunity on account of that near union in Christ which should make us bear with smaller differences that do not violat the bond of union whilst they hold of Christ the head and are of the same body c. These are confessed duties all Christians are agreed in Practise them Conscionably The Apostle gives us the sum of all these together Tit. 2.11 12. The grace of God that bringeth Salvation hath appeared to all men teaching us to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts and to live soberly righteously and godly in this present world This then is the Counsel I would give to such as are resolved to be Christians but are stumbled at the variety of opinions and perswasions amongst the professors of Christianity that they know not what to believe or what to practis That they would believe
things that there seems nothing more requisite to be said by way of reply thereunto Thus much was needfull to be certifyed because some have slighted Mr. Balls Book not deeming it worth reading because sufficiently answered by Mr. Cotton whereas indeed this Book may serve for a sufficient reply to his Answer CHAP. IX Wherein are laid down some general Rules of Caution to preserve Christians from rash and unjust separation The Conclusion of the Discourse ALthough the answering all objections and satisfying every scruple that may occurr about this point of Communion with the Congregations in England is a work too large to be undertaken in these Papers and indeed needless in respect of that abundant pains taken therein by those Writers before referred to yet because I may not leave the sober and humble Christian altogether without help that is desirous to find something here that may satisfy his Conscience about the premises I shal lay down some general Rules of caution which being duly considered and improved may through the blessing of the Lord much conduce to prevent or heal rash and unjust separation which are these that follow 1. Do not rashly separate for such things as have been found in almost all the Churches of Christ upon Earth both in former and latter times the reason is because though we say not the Church is so absolutely Infallible that it cannot err in the least particular yet we may easily defend That the Universal Church in all places and ages cannot err so dangerously so as good Christians ought not to keep communion with her but are bound to make separation from her for this would inferr that she hath wholly fallen from Christ and her bond of Union with him is dissolved and he is no longer present with her for till then Christians are not wholly to separate from her yea that Christ hath no Church in the World c. And if so what will become of the promises of Christ that Hel gates shal not prevail against her that he will be with her to the end of the World that he will send his Spirit to lead her into all Truth and it shall abide with her for ever which promises though directly and primarily they were made to the Apostles who had the special presence of Christ and the guidance of his holy Spirit in the most eminent manner yet were made to them for the behoofe of the Church Universal and shal be verified to it This duly considered would much prevent the scandal taken at Bishops at forms of Prayer c. For who is there if acquainted with the State of the Church that knows not that Bishops even in a superiority of power and jurisdiction over other Ministers have been in the Church of Christ almost universally from the Apostles times to our dayes and that set Forms of Prayers have been of exceeding long continuance in the Christian Curches through the World Therefore such as separate for these things now must have been led by the same principle to have separated from almost all the Churches of Christ upon Earth which thing how dangerous it is needs not much to be spoken to her to manifest the same 2. Let not inconveniences defects additions or errors Circumstantial cause you to withdraw Communion wholly from the Churches of Christ in the substantial duties of Gods Worship where the essentials are preserved though some lesser evils may be found do not utterly refuse Communion there The Lord Jesus wil not reject such Churches therefore do not you Ames eas Lib 4. Cap 24. This hath passed for good Divinity generally amongst Non-Conformists who acknowledge Communion may be maintained where some divine institutions are wanting and some humane additaments meerly extrinsical are joyned to Divine Worship Commis papers p. 3.12 They say that where the substantials of Worship are preserved Bayne on Eph 2.15 though the external forms and modes be more inconvenient disorderly and defective Hilders on Ps 51. Lect. 35. yet it s lawfull yea a duty to offer such Worship to God rather then none at all That what ever is not in our power to reform it shall be our zeal and piety to tolerate and with patience to bear in such Churches there may be more cause to rejoyce then to grieve Indeed the contrary practice would lead to separation from all the Churches of Christ upon Earth for which of them all is perfect 3. As Christians should fly from what is really Idolatry Will-worship Antichristianism Popery c. So let them not be affrighted with those names when imposed on things without good grounds lest they be scared from necessary duty and Worship for these terrifying names have been abusively applyed to deterr weak people from the true Worship of God E. G. Idolatry Will-worship imagery hath been charged upon set forms of Prayer and they have been censured to be forbidden in the second Commandement But what Christian not prepossessed beforehand with prejudice against them can finde them therein condemned or in any of the Commentaries of the Prophets or Apostles or in any Exposition of antient or modern Writers till some few of latter times May not any simple plain hearted Christian to whose apprehensions the Scriptures are suted in all necessary duties Psal 19.7 profess he is not able to see any such thing but on the contrary he findeth set forms not onely used and prescribed in the Old Testament but also in the New he finds Jesus Christ giving a form to his Disciples as John did to his and how can he then resent those charges of Imagery Idolatry Superstition but as meer Scare-crows The like may be said of the charge of Popery drawn up by some against the present forms of Prayer by Law established that they are taken out of the Mass Book are Popish Prayers c. which affrights some poor weak Christians they are afraid to come near them When as it cannot be denyed that 1. they were compiled by sundry godly men of the Reformed Religion some of them afterwards Martyrs in Queen Marys dayes were ever highly valued by them 2. The Papists have ever had them in detestation Queen Mary is reported to have razed them out of the Parliament Records so as it could not till some hath late Acts passed be well known which was the authorized Book and Harding their great Champion saith of it in his dispute with Bishop Jewel on Art 3. That it 's such a service as their good Catholicks cannot joyn with us in not only because it is in the vulgar Tongue but because saith he many necessary things are wanting in it and many things repugnant to the Faith and custome of the Catholick Church 3. Popery cannot return upon us whilst the said Common-Prayer-Book is kept unaltered how can their proper Sacrifice Communion in one kind Prayers to Saints c. come in whilst this is kept up and observed and as for the taking these Prayers out of the
rejected The Christian Religion is evidenced to be the only true Religion Page 23. CHAP. 5. Further directions how to chuse the right and safe way amongst such diversities of Sects and Opinions as be amongst Christians A Discovery of the Fundamental Doctrines of Faith and practical duties of Godliness generally embraced by all Christians in all times and places with advice in reference unto them Page 30 CHAP. 6. Other directions in Points of a Secundary Nature that are not so clearly laid down in Scripture nor unanimously received by all Christians but are Problemaical and yet there is a necessity to be of the one or other Perswasion how to make a right choise in such a Case 4. Rules about this Page 41 CHAP. 7. A closer application of the foregoing discourse to the present State of the Church in England with particular advice in reference to the different Wayes and Professions found amongst us Pag. 50. CHAP. 8. Wherein the great controversie of Communion with or Separation from the Church of England is discussed A view of what is therein Praise-worthy and of what is disallowable in the Judgement of those that scruple Communion with her Directions suited thereunto Page 81 CHAP 9. Wherein are laid down some general Rules of Caution to preserve Christians from rash and unjust Separation The Conclusion of the Discourse Page 89. CHAP. 1. Religion the grand concernment of Man in this World great differences about the necessity of a wise and deliberate Chusing ones Religion The counsel of Joshua to the Israelites applyed to us A proposition laid down which is the Subject matter of the following Discourse THE business of Religion is the grand concernment that all of us are sent into the World to mind and therefore God hath in the very framing of mans nature laid so deep an impression thereof in us that there 's no Nation so barbarous and inhumane but doth place this amongst the greatest matters that they judge themselves to be interressed in insomuch as some observe Religion is more proper to man then reason All men and only men have a smatch of Religion whereas some shew of reason is found in many Beasts Lactant. de ira Dei Solus home sapientia instructus est ut Religionem solus intelligat hac est hominis atque bruterum vel pracipua vel sola distantia But as it is a thing all do profess themselves interessed in so there 's nothing in all the world men are at greater differences about some taking up one Religion and some another as pleases themselves best yea each Nation almost have chosen a peculiar Deity as we find in Scripture one serving Baal another Dagon others Moloch or Ashtaroth c Some worshipping the Sun others the Moon or Starrs and almost every Creature whence they received any benefite and some have not been wanting that have adored the Devil himself How greatly then doth it behove every one to make a wise choise of that God he intends to serve and of that Religion he means to profess in the World and to live and die in That he may first chuse the true Religion and true God and then cleave to him with full purpose of heart as Barnabas exhorts Acts 11.23 And the rather because of the great importance thereof Mans eternall happinesse or misery depends on the right knowing and acknowledging God and serving him or his mistake about it according to the witnesse of Christ himself Iohn 17.3 This is life eternall to know so as to acknowledge unto godliness Thee the only true God Iesus Christ whom thou hast sent We read in the story of the Israelites the vanity of mans nature in matters of Religion though no Nation under the whole Heavens had greater discoveries of the true God then they had both by his Word and Oracles instructing them from Heaven and giving them his Law on Mount Sinai and teaching them by his Prophets the infallible interpreters of that Law as also by his mighty works bringing them out of Egypt by his out-stretched Arm working signes and wonders dividing the Red-Sea giving them water out of the Rock and bread and Flesh from Heaven in a Wildernesse and guiding them by a Cloud of smoake and a Pillar of Fire yet how apt were they to turn away from God and to worship other Gods even of the Egyptians and Canaanites whom God cast out before them A pregnant instance whereof we have in the business of the Golden Calf though but forty dayes before they heard the Law proclaimed in the greatest solemnity that ever was even by the Ministry of Angels with Thunder Lightning and Earthquake which wrought such plyableness in their Spirit that they professed whatever the Lord should speak to them That that they would doe Deut. 5.27 Yet when Moses was but a while withdrawn from them upon the Mount they quickly turned and made them a Calf to worship after the manner of Egypt This being observed by Joshua his Successour he became jealous over them with a godly jealousie and being fearfull that when he was gone from them they should do the like He indeavours to establish them in the true Religion and to bind them to the Lord in the strongest bonds Josh 24. He bids them verse 15. Chuse deliberatly what God they would serve directing them by his own example and then when they had deliberately chosen Jehovah for their God he binds them unto him by a solemn covenant verse 25. And sets up a lasting remembrance of it These things are written for our instruction and do shew what a Spirit there is in us even an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God as well as in them formerly as the Apostle shews Heb. 3.12 Though we have as full discoveries of God as they had and greater means of knowledge by Gospel-light to know God and Jesus Christ Yet our hearts are equally fickle and ready to forsake God and the true Religion and as the Apostle taxeth the Galathians to turn to another Gospel and another Christ then we have received yea to another God the World our Lusts or Satan to serve them more then the true God Therefore this counsel of Joshua may be as seasonable to us now as to them formerly viz. To chuse deliberately and seriously what God we will serve and then to resolve to cleave unto him for ever or wisely to chuse that Religion we will professe in the World and venture our salvation upon and then to labour to be established and fixed therein so as by no storms of temptation we be removed The urging of this Counsel upon unsettled and wavering Souls being the intendment and design of this discourse suited to these fluctuating and shaking times It may be contracted into this insuing proposition which shall be more fully dilated on in the following Chapters viz That it is a great point of wisedom for a Man to make a right Choice of that Religion he means to take
up and professe in the World that he intends to live and die in to venture his eternal Salvation upon CHAP. II. Shewing wherein this wise Chusing our Religion stands what acts concur thereunto HAving laid down the proposition which is the ground of our Discourse in the former chapter we come now to inquire concerning the nature of that choice wherein it stands and what things necessarly must concurre to make a wise choice of that Religion we intend to profess in the World Election or chusing in a generall sense is an act of the will proceeding from the previous knowledge and judgement of the understanding whereby amongst diverse wayes or means propounded for the attainment of some End it doth resolve upon some one above the rest that it will ad here unto and make use of for that purpose In particular Chusing ones Religion is also an act of the will arising from the previous knowledge and judgement of the understanding discerning the nature of the thing whereby amongst the many different Religions or wayes of serving and pleasing God and of attaining unto happinesse with him that are found in the World a man doth pitch and resolve upon one above all the rest and with rejection of all others with full purpose to adhere unto it to live and die in it and even venture a mans salvation and happiness on it Here are 3 Acts wherein this right chusing ones Religion doth stand to be explained in order 1. An act of the understanding judging and discerning the nature of the thing that the will chuseth and its excellencie above al things that come in competition with it for to a right choice of the will the understanding and judgement must proceed it must know the nature of it and discern it good or else it s but a blind choice not becoming a reasonable creature and a man may else imbrace evil as well as good The will when is acts regularly follows the Dictate of the understanding this tells what is good and then what chuses as the Palat judgeth of what it tasts and then the stomach or appetite craves it so must the understanding go before her discern the nature verity and goodnesse of that Religion as also the falsnesse vanity and dangerousnesse of other Religions before the will can make a right choice of it Man being a religious creature by the common instinct of his naturall conscience is moved strongly to worship and serve a Deity as we see in all Nations of the Earth much more when he is further stirred up by a divine instinct Now we should consider as men as the prophets phrase is and not exert actions of highest importance without understanding and reason worshiping we know not what as Christ taxes the Samaritans John 4. but give God a reasonable service knowing what God we serve and what Religion we take up and not taking up the next at hand at adventure as most men do that Religion professed where they live commended to them by Education example c. but understanding what we do therein And therefore men that act according to reason will look into the Religions in the World and judge which is best among them or rather into the Word and Oracles of God himself for they best discover what God is and how he will be worshipped Therefore if there be any such thing as Divine Oracles in the world wherein God hath revealed his will concerning matters of Faith and worship we should have special recourse unto them Now that the holy Scriptures commonly called the Bible are such that is the Oracles of the God of Heaven wherein he directs us in the knowledge and worship of himself and in the way of Religion This may appear even to those that have not yet taken upon them any profession of Religion by such Infallible demonstrations as reason cannot contradict viz. From these characters imprinted on them which shew them to be of God from the miracles wrought to confirm them from that spirit of holinesse seen in such as seriously believe them from the accomplishment of a great part of those things revealed therein even such things as were utterly invisible and improbable to created understandings c. And therefore there should be an exact consideration in the judgement and understanding of a man of that Religion revealed in the Scriptures He should 1. Take a particular view of the principal Doctrines the great mysteries of faith and duties of godliness taught therein not taking all in the lump together but having a distinct knowledge of them He whose Religion is in the gross only and hath no distinct apprehensions of the particular doctrines of faith and duties of godlinesse which that Religion teaches he hath no Religion at all for how can these Doctrines influence his heart and life to make him fear and love God truly and lead him to the power and practice of godlinesse if not distinctly known and discerned by him Then 2. Hee must discern the verity and certainty of these Doctrines that he may venture his soul upon them knowing him in whom he hath believed for which and it 's exceeding necessary to be conversant in those Treatises which prove the verity of the Christian Religion and of the Scriptures wherein it is set down of which many be extant in our own Language Without this a man shal never hold fast his Religion especially in trying times 3. He should know the excellency thereof that its such a Religion as tends most to the magnifying of God and giving glory unto him to the advancement of man to true happiness in the love and favor of his God and nearest communion with him and fullest conformity unto him He should often look upon the sublimity of the mysteries the purity of the precepts excellency of the rewards and dreadfulness of the punishments And thus the understanding preceeding in discerning and judging the Religion which is to be chosen is one Act in this Election 2. Act After the understanding doth thus present the true Religion before us in the certainty glory and excellency of it Then the next Act is for the Will to elect chuse and imbrace it solemnly to espouse this Religion and say It shal be mine It 's that I am resolved to professe and to venture my eternal salvation upon what ever inconveniences I may meet with in the profession thereof what ever disgraces reproaches losses Persecutions c. yet this Religion I will be of and this God I will serve We must sit down and consider what it will cost us to be Christians and then espouse the Christian Religion and take it for better for worse embrace the crosse it threatens as well as the Crown it promises For so our Lord warned his Disciples telling them He that will come after me and will be my Disciple must deny himself in his dearest lusts sins nay in his estate and life sometime and take up his Cross of
venture their souls on a sure bottom Consider as men and make a wise choice of that Religion you venture your Salvation upon It s not sufficient that it be delivered to you by Tradition from your Ancestors that you yave learned it by education from Godly Parents that it is commanded by the Laws of the Land wherein you live and commended by the practice of wise and pious persons whom you reverence but make a wise choice for your selves Labour to understand distinctly the several Doctrines and mysteries of Faith and duties of Godlinesse contained therein and to know the verity and excellency of it and so take it up upon deliberation weighing both the conveniences and inconveniences so it Comparing the sufferings losses reproaches persecutions you meet withall with the reward and Crown promised and so make a wise choice of your Religion resolving to live and dye therein to adhere to it to the end and be faithful even to Death This is a duty necessary and seasonable to be pressed some have not yet chosen their Religion It 's to be feared ther 's too many not only of the younger sort but of the more antient who according to the proverb have their Religion to chuse Some have made some kind of choice but need to be confirmed and established therein upon good grounds and to be stirred up to be true to the true Religion they professe even to be serious thorough and constant Christians Make this choice then speedily for this is the businesse you come into the World about to know and acknowledge to worship and glorifie God and your Salvation depends upon it Live not without God any longer but acknowledge him that made and redeemed you that feeds and preserves you and learn how to serve him acceptably Do it wisely lest you be deluded there being such diversities of Religions and so many false wayes in the World you had need to have your eyes about you erring herein will not stand with the safety of your souls your external hapinesse or misery depends upon it And then be True to that Religion you chuse play not fast and loose with it It 's a businesse of highest concernment to be serious in Religion what ever you trifle in be not false herein what ever you be faulty in Let the Doctrines and mysteries of Faith you receive influence your hearts and lives sanctify and change them rest not in the form of godlinesse without the power of it Men may as well miscary in the true Religion as in a false if they be false unto it Quest But here a question must be resolved in order to the practice of this duty which is this Some may say Seing there are such diversities of Religion in the World How shal we be able to make a right choice amongst so many of the true Religion especially such of us as be weak and ignorant when great and learned men differ so much about it amongst themselves Answer This is a question of very great importance and indeed deserves a serious Answer I shal speak to it in two particulars 1. It is a mistake to think because of the differences of opinions amongst men that there is such a multitude of Religions in the World for every different opinion is not a different Religion There are to speak properly but four Religions in the World although there be different Sects parties amongst each of these viz. Heathenism Mahometanism Judaism and Christianity Indeed these four disagree much amongst themselves In Heathenism some worship one God some another some multitudes joyntly as may beseen in Scripture and in all Histories In Mahometanism all follow that Impostor Mahomet but yet there are great differences amongst themselves so that they are at deadly Feud often one with another for their Religion sake as is storied of the Turkish and Persian Mahometans In Judaism all worship the true God the maker of Heaven and Earth and receive the Law from Moses serving God according to the Ordinances thereof yet have they different Sects amongst themselves as the Pharisees Sadducees Essens c. In Christianity all worship God in Christ although there be diversities of Sects and Heresies amongst them So that indeed there are but four Religions in the world 2. There 's a great difficulty to discern which of these four we should chuse for our Religion even the weakest understanding that indifferently weighs them may be convinced 1. For Heathenism It s evident to reason their Religion is not true to worship so many Gods and them also creatures as the Sun and Moon yea mortal men that are dead such as Jupiter Juno Saturn c. Yea the worst of Men Their own Poets have branded them with black notes of infamy for Adultery Theft Murther c. It was Gods just judgment as the Apostle observes Rom. 1. To give them up to such delusions to worship such gods because when they knew the true God they did not glorifie him as God Many of their own Religion were convinced they were not in the right and therefore Cicero in his Book De naturâ Deorum saith I would I could as well finde out the true Religion as convince others to be false 2. For Mahometanism though it hath spread far over the World yea further then Christianity is spread at this day yet it s most easie to prove that to be a false Religion Their Prophet was a deceiver and a very flagitious person and wrought no miracles their Alcaron is most barbarous and without sense their Doctrine impure as wel as their Lives their Religion promises a carnal Paradise in the world to come full of sensual pleasures not spiritual and suitable to rational immortal souls It was propagated in the World by the Sword and maintained by ignorance and suppressing all humane learning 3. For Judaism the third Religion in the World That was indeed of God confirmed in the Old Testament But it was to continue for a time till Christ came of whom Moses and the Prophets witnesse abundantly then at the time of Reformation it was to be abolished Heb 9.10 Their whole worship Ceremonies had respect to him on whom because they would not believe but rejâ—cted and crucified him the wrath of God is come upon them to the uttermost They and their Temple was destroyed and the worship of it abrogated and to this day so continues 4 It remains therefore that the Christian Religion is the true Religion or else there 's none in the World And it indeed is witnessed to both in Mahomets Alcoran and in the Jewish Old Testament which speaks fully of Jesus Christ his birth and parentage with the circumstances of time and place his death resurrection c. This was confirmed by many signes and wonders and real miracles wroght by the first planters of this Religion Heb. 2.4 By the means and wayes of propagation of it by weak and unlearned men by whose preaching it soon overspread the World and
those fundamental and Catholick truths of the Christian Religion about which there is no dispute amongst us and let them be so believed that they influence their hearts and lives and sanctify them And also that they would conscionably practise those known and confessed duties that all are agreed in and then there will be no cause to question their salvation and eternal happinesse But it is unseasonable to be contending violently about disputable points of Faith and external forms and modes of worship and discipline and such like questions about things not so clearly revealed in Scripture no◠imbraced so generally by all true Christians and Churches nor indeed easie to be comprehended by the weaker sort of Professors whilst those weighty things before nam'd are neglected and disregarded Such will hardly evade the imputation of Hypocrysie being so like the Pharisees that Tithed Mint Annise and Cummin and neglected the weighty things of the Law CHAP. VI. Other Directions in points of a Secondary nature that are not so clearly laid down in Scripture nor unanimously received by all Christians but are Problematical and yet there is a necessity to be of the one or other perswasion How to make a right choice in such a Case Four Rules about this But what Are not the least truths of Religion worth contending for and the smallest circumstantials of Faith or worship Doth not God stand upon smal matters in his service Yes verily in their due place and after a Christian manner we may and ought to inquire after them When we have yielded that Faith and obedience that is due to the great and more necessary points of Salvation We are then to study the mind of God in other things of a secondary and more inferior Nature nor is the most minute truth to be despised or neglected by us That therefore we may make a wise choyce of the true and right way in such circumstantial and lesse necessary points as truly pious and wife Christians differ in which are marters non fideì sed questìonum Aug de peccat orig chap. 23. as St. Augustine speaks not properly points of the Catholick Faith but problematical and disputable in the Church and yet are necessitated to be of the one or other perswasion I come in the next place to give some directions about them for which end observe these few Rules which will be usefull to us herein 1. Humhly seek God by daily and fervent prayers and supplications to make his mind and will known to you herein Lean not to your own understanding and wisdome but confesse how weak you are and full of error and darknesse Beseech him to take away the vail from before your eyes to give you understanding and teach you good judgment and knowledge that what you see not he would teach you and wherein you are otherwise minded he would reveal the truth unto you Plead his promises of leading you into all truth that you shall be all taught of God that he will reveal his secrets to such as fear him and guide the meek in the way and lead you by his Spirit Hang upon the Lord daily for his guidance in such difficult cases as you are at a loss in 2. Search the Scriptures John 5.39 and look well to them they are your chard and compass to steer your course by try all things by them to the Law and to the testimony Take nothing on trust from men for the best of men may err I think there is hardly any error in Doctrine or corruption in Worship but hath been brought into the Church by following the opinions and practices of some reputed godly men more then the Scriptures when a Peter shall Judaize and not walk uprightly he may not only seduce by his example many ordinary Christians but a Barnabas also may be carryed away from the truth by his dissimulation Gal. 2. Hold close therefore to the Scriptures those infallible Oracles the word of truth and inquire daily into them 3 If yet after prayer and searching the Scriptures we find not the minde of God insome opinion or practice because it is but darkly laid down in Scripture or at least through the darknesse of minde in godly men who cannot so well discern it Then observe this further Rule There are some general criteria or marks whereby we may discern any Doctrine or practice whether it be of God or no We shall find them laid down in the Scriptures and may thereby try any Doctrine or practice when we can not so clearly see them in the particulars viz. 1 Such Doctrines and practices as are not repugnant to but agree and correspond with the fundamental Articles of the Christian Religion or the first principles that be according to the proportion or Analogy of faith Rom. 12.6 They be of God receive and imbrace them but if they be not consonant thereunto then reject them 2 Such Doctrines and practices as tend to holiness Tit. 1.2 Doctrines according to godliness they are of God for he is a God of holiness follow them But such as tend to loosenesse and profaness are to be shun'd as not of God This mark discovers the evil of such opinions as teach men to cast off Sabbaths Ordinances Scriptures family and closet devotions and other libertine principles yet here beware on the contrary of a pretended holinesse above what is written of being righteous over much above and beyond the rule of the word this was the occasion of Monkish or solitary living amongst the Papists of their pretended holy Orders Vows c. And amongst others it hath caused Separation Superstition and many other irregular Actings 3 Such Doctrines and waies as tend not to division and faction but to peace love and union amongst such as fear God those are of God and to be followed by us 1 Cor. 1.10 Phil. 2.1 2. Eph. 4.3 4 5 6. But the contrary to be shunned and avoided Rom. 16.17 4 Such things as tend to edification and to further the Salvation of our souls are to be received as of God 1 Cor. 14.26 Rom. 14.19 But those things that Minister Questions and cause strife and contention rather then godly edifying are to be avoided 1 Tim. 1.4 5. 5 Such Opinions and practices as tend to the glory of God and of Jesus Christ and to the setting up his righteousness and grace and to the humbling and debasing of man and casting him down from all high thoughts of his own excellency and abilities they are to be received as from God for this is the great design of the Gospel 1 Cor. 1. a fin but the contrary is to be rejected These general Criteria or Marks may be some guide to find out the right and safe way in some Doctrines and Practices that you are at a loss in because you cannot read them so plainly in the word of God Rule 4 After you have thus done the utmost you are able to find out the mind of God in these controverted
for pardon and Salvation but in a pretended sinless perfection they deny any necessiy of the Special grace of the Spirit to Conversion and Sanctification saying I charge not every particular quaker with all these Errours for many understand not what they hold But mention what I finde asserted in their printed Pamphlets the Light within them is sufficient hereunto and scoff at them that pray for more bidding them heed that only and it will lead them from sin to God Sabbath and Sacraments and all instituted Worship they cast off the great Doctrines of the Resurrection Last Judgement Heaven and Hell they turn into Allegories c. These and other things considered it appears that they plainly overthrow the foundations of Christianity therefore Christians can have no Communion with that way Thus where differences are in Points destructive to the Foundations of Religion and against the Essentials of Faith worship and obedience There can be no closure and agreement but a total withdrawing is necessary so far as civil Relations and Offices will permit We come next to consider these other Perswasions and Parties among us that agreeing in all the necessary points of Salvation yet differ in things that be less necessary though some be of greater and some of less moment then others These differences be either in Points of Doctrine or â—n matters of Worship and Discipline In Poiâ—ts oâ— Doctrine we have Arminians Antinomians c. In matters of Worship and Discipline we have Anabaptists I mean such as be sound in the main Doctrines of faith but err only in the point of Baptism Independents Presbyterians c. Now about these differing wayes Take these brief Directions sutable to those generall Rules before lay'd down 1. Account them all as Christians if they be serious in the matters of Religion and their lives answerable let not any evil representations of their opinions or waves or odious and invidious consequences drawn from their Principles but disowned by them so far alienate your hearts from them as not to account them Christians Brethren seeing they retain the Fundamentals of Christianity and hold the head Christ though they build on the precious Foundation Wood Hay Stubble Who is in all things free from Errour What Church or person upon Earth 2. Have the greatest respect and the most intimate friendship for those in whose Principles is greatest purity that come nighest the rule and who most follow after peace holinesse and lay out themselves more to promote the greatest truths of the Gospel and the power of Godlinesse then their private perswasions But as for them who with the Wilde fire of their Zeal will set the Church on a flame and are more for making Proselytes for their own way then for seeking the welfare of the Church and the edification and Salvation of souls avoid them 3. If God cast your lot into these places or Countreys where those Professions or Wayes are set up you cannot enjoy that way of serving God that you approve as most pure it s an unqueâ—â—inable duty to hold Communion there in France Holland with the Presbyterians in Germany with the Lutherans in other Countreys with those other perswasioÌ„s before named provided the condition of thy communion be not to give thy allowance to any thing that is evil but in that particular thou mayest be forborn Communion with such Churches where many corruptions and abuses are if the foundations of faith and essentials of worship be preserved ought to be maintained with a due care to keep our selves only from the sins of such a Church else the Apostle would have enjoyned separation from the Church of Corinth for the corruptions found there and the Novatians Donatists and others in the antient Church were unjustly taxed for withdrawing from her Communion for laxness of Discipline or other corruptions which they apprehended to be therein This duty our Church of England hath taught by her own practice who hath ever owned the reformed churches beyond Sea for Sister-Churches given them the right hand of Fellowship though differing from her in some matters of an inferiour nature CHAP. VIII Wherein the great controversies of Communion with or Separation from the Church of England is discussed A view of what is therein praise-worthy and what is disallowable in the judgment of those that scruple Communion Directions suted thereunto WE have spoken of those different wayes and perswasions found amongst private persons without and against the owning and approbation of Authority and given advice in reference to them We are next to consider of that proâ—ession publickly set up by Authority and â—hat hath the civil Sanction of the Laws of â—his Land No sober person can gainsay But this deserves a most serious and impartial consideration partly in respect of that Duty we owe to those in Authority to whom God hath committed the care of Religion and the settling of it in their Dominions in such a way as they think most agreeable to the Rule of the Word and hath injoyned us obedience to them in the Lord partly in respect of our own welfare who may else suffer the penalty of the Laws and had need to see to it if we obey that we do it with a good Conscience and if we suffer that we suffer for the Truth and not as evil doers And partly in respect of the peace and welfare of the Church that we do not groundlesly make a Rent therein and thereby as much as in us lyeth to procure the ruine thereof for all Division tends to Destruction It would therefore seriously be inquired Whether it be a duty for Christians to hold Communion with the Church of England according to its present state and administrations or Whether Separation from it is warrantable and necessary and how far For the Resolving of which Question we shal take an Account of those things that are commendable in the said Church in the judgment of those that scruple Communion with her and also of what things they disallow and dislike in her And then cast up Whether it will warrant separation or how far according to the same Rules of Concord we have proceeded upon with those of the other Professions before named And first it will not be denyed by all Dissenters that have understanding and sobriety in them But that here is to be found 1. A clear profession of all those Fundamental points of Faith which are accounted amongst Christians necessary unto Salvation yea such a poor Confession of other points of a Secondary and more inferiour Nature as that there 's scarce any other Church in the World that God hath blessed with a greater purity in point of Doctrine then the Church of England 2. Here also is the Christian Sabbath imbraced with much greater honour then in many other Reformed Churches Homily of time and place of Prayer Part 2. the publick Ordinances of preaching Prayer Sacraments administred and all the Substantials of
those Churches for those evils found in them So that the Scriptures give no countenance to total withdrawing from such Churches where many corruptions are whilst the essentials of Religion are preserved Some Scriptures iâ—deed are very impertinently alledged for this practice which may be cleared from the undeceiving of the weak in a few words such as 2 Cor. 6 14 15 16 17. Which speaks of separation from Infidels and Idolaters in their Idolatries and ungodly fellowships not of withdrawing from Christian Assemblies in the true Worship of God So also 1 Cor. 5.11 and 2 Thess 3.6 14. Which Scriptures shew it a duty to withdraw from private persons living in notorious scandalous sins for shaming the offendors and preserving the Churches but speak not a word of withdrawing from the true Worship of God in the publick Assemblies of the Church because of controversal practises yea for some real evils therein for this will tend to the destruction of the Church which is contrary to the end of all Church-censures being for Edification not for destruction 2 Cor 10.8 As for that Scripture Revel 18.3 Come out of Babylon c. It may warrant a withdrawing from the Idolatrous Worship of Rome and the Abominations of Popery from which we before shewed it 's the duty of every good Christian that loves his Salvation to depart but it 's grosly abused when it 's made to plead for Separation from any of the reformed Churches where through the mercy of God the Fundamentals of Faith and essentials of Worship are maintained so that we see the scriptures will not warrant such Separation 2. Or if you will Reverence the general suffrage of the Christian Church and of the most eminent Saints and Martyrs living therein ever since Christs time to us which surely however some slight yet there 's no smal weight in it else the Apostle would not plead 1 Cor. 11.16 We have no such custom nor the Churches of Christ The most eminent Servants of Christ in in all Ages have constantly held and practised Communion with those Churches where they lived although very often there were far greater corruptions therein then can be found this day amongst us as those that are acquainted with Antiquity know well and have ever blamed those that have left the Churches Communion for such causes as were above named witness the Censures past against the Novatians Donatists Audaeans c. As for our Separation from Rome our Protestant Divines plead the Fundamental errr found therein and gross Idolatries which they must necessarily communicate in if they withdraw not persecution c. and not lesser matters Did not those hinder they profess a readinesse to communicate with her and that they depart from her no further then she departs from Christ 3. Will you regard the judgment of the most eminent Divines of almost all perswasions amongst Protestants that have lived in this and the former Age speaking expresly concerning Communion with the Church of England Then know 1. That all forraign Divines of other Reformed Churches have approved of Communion with her and been ready on all occasions to give their fullest Testimony of their dislike of rigid Separation from her 2. All former Non-Conformists who did dissent in some smaller matters of Ceremonies c. desiring a forbearance as to their practice in those things yet have fully declared against Separation from the Church of England witness the writings of very many of them worthy a serious perusal at this day viz. Cartwright Hildersham Bradshaw Bayne Ball many Others and witness their practice formerly and at this day 3. Independents See Apol Narration of the five dissenting Brethren page 5.6 Who fully testify against the practice of the Brownists or rigid Separatists whose fatal miscarriages and Shipwrack they call Landmarks to forewarn of those Rocks and Shelves they ran upon And declare their sincere profession to God and the World that all that consciousness of the defilements they conceived to cleave to the true Worship of God in the Congregations of England or of the unwarranted power in Church-governours exercised therein did never work in them any other thought much less opinion but that Multitudes of the Parochial Congregations were the true Churches of Christ and the Ministry thereof a true Ministry much less did it ever enter into their hearts to judge them Anti-Christian for so they say they could not but see they should also condemn the Churches of Scotland Holland c. as no Churches which to imagine was an horrour to their thoughts Yea that they always professed and in those times when the Churches of England were the most either actually overspread with defilements or in the greatest danger thereof and when themselves had no hopes of ever visiting this Land in peace that they would hold a Communion with them as the Churches of Christ And yet they add further Besides this profession as a real Testimony some of them after they were actually in the Congregational way did Baptize their Children in the Parishional Congregations and occasionally admitted to the Lords Supper in their Churches some visiting them in their Exile upon that relation fellowship and Commembership they held in the Parish Churches in England It may be some will say they have more light now then those eminent Divines had in former times But they bewray herein too great ignorance and arrogance this point having been far more dissensed in former then in these present times in which the prejudice of most is such they have scarce considered what hath been said against their opinions 4. If you withdraw totally upon this Account you should then separate from all the Churches that now are or ever have been in the World for what Churches are so pure but they have some defects errors or corruptions For the Primitive Church even 1260 years agone and upwards there were as great corruptions in it as any you can finde here and greater also For the Churches of your own perswasion do you think them altogether perfect Wise and understanding men are able to finde some things amiss yea some of your selves have acknowledged all things are not according to their desire so as if you will bear with nothing but reject all parts of Communion because you cannot close in some things you must separate from them too and so turn Seekers or become Hermites or Anchorites and live alone and at length separate from your selves also because some things will appear blame-worthy in you also whither will this lead you 5. Have you no more love to and care of the publick solemn Worship of God then to cast off all publick Ordinances because you dislike some things in the Churches where they are administred It 's the greatest glory God hath in all the World to be solemnly Worshipped in the publick assemblies But if all should withdraw from them for such offence what publick worship should God have in this Nation seeing other perswasions are not permitted to meet nay
where would it be found in the whole World seeing there 's no Church on Earth but hath some corruptions 6. Let it be considered how unchristian it is to depart from the solemn Ordinances of Gods worship in those Churches where the presence of Christ is yet continued in them have you any warrant to leave them before Christ leave them when God was greatly provoked by the Jewish Church so as he was about to remove from his Sanctuary and stood at the Threshold ready to leave them we finde many godly ones mourning for the abominations of the times but none hastening to depart from that Church before the Lord departed Now can you deny the presence of the Lord in the Assemblies of the Church of England wherein as before was shewed the essentials of Faith and Worship be preserved if God should be as unmerciful as man is uncharitable then wo to all the Churches of Christ throgh the World nay wo to your selves But I question not but there are thousands can seaâ— to the presence of Christ in the Congregations of England at this day as well as in former times wherein the same Corruptions at which so much offence is taken now were urged to plead for a separation then Let such as cry out so much of Popery in others beware of that miserable Popish error they restrain the Church and the priviledges thereof the presence of Christ and Salvation c. to their own Sect and Party and in the mean time casting off the far greater part of the Catholick Church that maintain all the Essentials of Faith and Worship 7. I might enumerate the many great mischiefs that follow upon such unwarrantable Separation It plainly tends to the dishonor of Christ and the reproach of the Christian Religion so the hinderance of the success of the Gospel and the Salvation of Souls so overthrow the Worship of God and to open a Gap to Atheism and prophaness to Heresie and Popery c yea to the utter ruine of the Christian Church Mat. 12.25 But it may seem needless to spend more words in so clear a case nor should I have said thus much had not I been compelled thereto by the uncatholick nay I confidently call it unchristian practice of many well meaning people through their too great prejudice in other Temptations who do totally withdraw themselves from the publick Congregations in England and the true Worship of God therein 2. Having given my advice to hold Communion with the Churches of England in the True Worship of God notwithstanding the corruptions supposed to be therein I do next advise on the other hand not to communicate with her nor with any Church in the World in any evil but if any thing professed or practised therein be found really sinfull which may be supposed of any Church upon Earth in that thing to withdraw and have no fellowship in it to keep your selves pure from the same yea I shal add further if there be any thing that shall but appear sinful to thee thy Conscience after humble and diligent searching of the Word telling thee this is sin then to suspend thy consent or practice in that particular till it appear otherwise to thee I would be here so far from urging any to do that act that a truly tender Conscience upon probable grounds may scruple as sinful that I would rather perswade such to suspend their acting therein till they be better convinced of the lawfulnesse of it * Sanders de Juram p. 84. The dictate of Conscience whether right or erroneous ever bindeth not to act against it and supposing it be a thing not in its own nature necessary but among things disputable and tolerable I would rather become an humble Suitor to Authority could my intercession any whit avail herein for Indulgence in such a case then to be a violent inforcer of any by Terrours or Punishments of the Law to go against their Consciences to please men 3. Yet because Conscience may be deluded and my call that sinfull which is lawful and a duty and so induce men to withdraw in such Acts of Communion as neither the Law of God nor men will allow them to withdraw from for possibly the Devil may get into the Consciences of men and delude them And the Conscience may tell one he must separate from Baptism because Infant-Baptism is Anti-Christian Another he must withdraw from the Lords Supper because of mixt Communion therein A third from the hearing of the Word because the call of Ministers is Anti-Christian A fourth he must cast off Sabbaths yea Scriptures and all Gospel Ordinances because abolished All this we have too sad experience of in our times Let therefore every good Câ—â—istian labour for a due information of his Conscience in such points as he Scruples Communion in and not think his bare plea of Conscience wil warrant his total neglect of any duty Though his suspending his own actings till he may satisfie Conscience about them may be granted yet possibly a total neglect in some things will not be granted Impune by the Law of God or man * An erring Conscience cannot discharge any from a duty being not a Law-maker but subject to the Law Parisiens Now here it may be expected I should offer my help toward the satisfying Conscience in such Scruples as commonly do occurr this day to those that withdraw in whole or in part from the Communion of the Church of England in its present State and Administrations But to do this fully would too much disproportion this part of my discourse to the other parts aforegoing I rather chuse to send them to those Treatises of such eminent Non-Conformists as have written fully on this subject-especially to Mr. W Bradshaw's Book of the unreasonableness of separation prefaced to published by Dr. Ames and to Mr. Jo. Ball his tryal of the grounds tending to separation * only recommending a few general Rules which being observed may be useful in order thereunto and so conclude my Discourse * The Reader is Advertised that there is Published in Print an Aswer to that part of Mr. Ball 's Book which is a Discourse of the lawfulness of a stinted Liturgy and set forms of Prayer under the name of Mr. Jo. Cotton The Answer is highly valued by some but by comparing the Discourse and the Answer together it may be seen that great injury is done to Mr. Ball and to Mr. Cotton both and also that the Reader is grosly abused by it for it is not that Discourse Printed at Cambridge 1640. which is therein answered but probably some imperfect Notes before that was published which is evident not only because the number and order of the Arguments answered do differ from those laid down in that Discourse But especially because the principal things given in answer by Mr. Cotton are so fully spoken to by Mr. Ball herein by way of reply to Johnson Greenwood and others that formerly objected the same
in their patrimony saith Bucer then in their opinion Besides they may undergo the heavy charge of Apostacy Ep. to Jo a Lasco and deserting the Truth and changing their Religion c. and this deterrs many from wayes of truth and Sobriety But it would be considered it 's no discharge for the wisest holyest and most learned Men to retract in some controversal opinions or practices Augustine who was esteemed the most learned of the Fathers Writes several Books of Retractations and Jerome to Ruffinus saith never blush Man to change thy opinion for neither you nor I nor any Person living are of so great Authority as to be ashamed to confess that they have Erred And as for the charge of Apostacy and changing your Religion in such a case as this is it 's a great mistake to affirm this for if you search the Scriptures Apostacy is a falling away from the main Fundamental confessed Doctrines of the Gospel and duties of godlyness into manifest heresie or wickednesse not the changing a mans judgment or practice in some points disputable amongst the godly and Orthodox saith Mr. Baxter in his Catholick Vnity Be it known to all the Papists in the World that our Religion is not changed at all our Worship is the same whether within Book or without our Prayers are the same for matter with those in the Common Prayer Book and if I shold one day use the Common Prayer Book and another day forbear it I should not change the Worship of God to pray is part of his Worship but whether it be in a Book or out of it is no part at all but a mode or circumstance which may be altered as occasion serveth Elsewhere the same learned and pious person sheweth what yielding in things lawful the Scripture recommendeth to us from the example of St. Paul Five Disp p. 488. when he circumcised Timothy Act 16.3 And when he took the men and purified himself with them in the Temple to signifie the accomplishment of the dayes of Purification c. Act. 21.26 27. So also from what he saith 1 Cor. 9.19 20. I am made all things to all men that I might by all means save some and this I do for the Gospels sake XI I add but one Rule of Caution more against a very common but dangerous mistake which is an occasion to many of running in to Error and Heresie as well as into Schism and Separation viz. Take heed of setting up your own apprehensions and conceits of the sense of Scriptures about controverted points as infallible Oracles that you trust so confidently to that you will indanger the Churches peace and your own safety for the maintaining of them where you have not all those necessary helps and means that are requisite to the finding out the minde of God therein Some that have their minds fore-stalled with an opinion or perswasion getting a Bible into their hands presently conceive what ever they meet withall to make for their opinion and begin to be more confident then an hundred wiser and more discerning persons dare to be who know their own darkness and ignorance and the mysteriousness of the things controverted though they have far greater evidence of Scripture and reason for them This carries men into such wilde fancies strange delusions sometimes as bring them under the just censure of Fanaticism a name which is too unjustly applyed to others more sober and pious Christians Though the Fundamental and necessary Doctrines and duties of Christianity are so plainly laid down in Scripture that the weakest Christians may understand them and therefore have much profit by holy and humble Meditation in the Word of God day and night yet Points controverted are oftentimes hidden from ordinary understandings that know not the Languages and proper Idioms of Scripture and customs of the Church and other advantages of learning that its ordinarily impossible they should find out the minde of God therein It 's a vain delusion to think that the Spirit that some pretend to more confidently then they have cause should discover all deep mysteries and obscure points of controversie to those that have but ordinary understandings and are wholly destitute of outward necessary means and hopes for the gaining knowledge thereby the Spirit of God teaches not by such immediate Enthusiasmes but by irradiating the minde and elevating the reason that is exercised in searching the Truth in all Gods appointed means and doth also help the weak to understand savourily all those plain and necessary Truths that tend to godlinesse and to conform their hearts and lives to the love and obedience of them It were more becoming weak Christians in matters disputable to consult with the Writings of able and learned Expositors that have al those advantages which themselves want and not to presume too much on their own understandings in such things which would be accounted unsufferable presumption in other Arts and Sciences and cannot be less in Divinity wherein the greatest mysteries are contained Other Rules of Caution might here be laid down which to avoid prolixity I forbear to enumerate recommending the serious consideration of these things to the sober and humble Christian as greatly conducing to keep him from the by-paths of unjust separation and here conclude with my hearty Prayer to God even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ that he would grant to the Professors of Christianity in all Nations both Rulers and People to minde more and to be more zealous for the great and Fundamental points of Faith and Worship necessary to Salvation and to contend less about things not in their own nature necessary that high impositions might not occasion violent oppositions nor these again produce further impositions But we may love one another unfainedly for the great things we are united in bear with one another mâ—re in things wherein difference is tolerable and all may seek the unity peace and welfare of the Church and the good of one another c. Then should Religion flourish the Gospel be advanced the fame of God be honoured the Souls of men edified and all may walk in the fear of God and comfort of the Holy Ghost unto which let every good Christian say Amen FINIS