off that slender Objection which some inconsiderate persons are wont to make against our excellent Liturgy as if it were the worse because derived as they say from the Roman Missal For what if the Reformers of our Religion took that very Book which was then the Rule of Divine Service throughout the Kingdom and after a serious Enquiry into all its Parts and Offices razed and blotted out whatever deserved the Spunge shall we blame them if after they had thus proved all things which is the first Command in the Text they did also in obedience to the second hold fast that which is good When Solomon was to build the Temple I do not find that he liked his Materials one jot the worse because they were fetcht from Hiram who was a mere Pagan and an Idolatrous King no the Cedars being good though presented by a wicked hand yet Solomon liked them and so did God Almighty too The case is much like ours When those eminent Persons of our Nation under the happy Reigns of Edward the Sixth and Queen Elizabeth had leave and opportunity to rebuild God's House and repair the wofull Ruines of his Religion their great care was to furnish themselves with good Materials not much regarding whence they had them Their business was not to erect a new Church but mend an old one and in so doing they did no more then what is usually done by those persons who are not so much to build as to repair Put the case that a man take a ruinous house in pieces with a design to contrive and raise it better shall we condemn this man for a fool if throwing away whatever Stones and Timber prove to be naught and rotten he do use such old Materials as do appear firm and sound even as new ones Thus stood the case with the Reformers of our Church They were encouraged to new mould that old Religion which had been corrupted well they took it in pieces they considered all its Parts whatever was naught and vicious they laid aside but whatever was good they still retained and who can justly blame them Pray tell me if Gold be right if it be cleansed and scoured what is it the worse for being found upon a Dunghil And if the Liturgy of our Church be such Gold indeed if it be so well purified and so throughly reformed that it exceeds all Liturgies besides what is it the worse if perhaps some parcels of it were borrowed from the same Rome from which peradventure after the Invasion of the Pagan Saxons we recovered by the hand of Austin the Monk our very Bibles too What our Concern is my Text informs us Prove all things search try examine that Service of our Church which our Reformers have recommended to us and when once that 's done if we find it innocent good and holy here 's our duty Hold it fast III. Consider how much to blame those persons are who out of Ignorance or Debauchery from Hopes or Fears or the prevalence of such and such Examples have deserted the Reformed Religion and embraced the Roman Religion shall I say or Superstition Such persons in stead of obeying the great Command of my Text have most shamefully broke it in stead of holding fast that which is good they have very unworthily let it goe That the Reformed Religion is certainly good that the Roman Religion where it differs from ours is certainly naught many pious and learned Divines of our own and other Churches have proved by such Arguments as the Pope and all his Councils can never answer without Sophistry and with Satisfaction They have proved the Reformed Religion to be that very Religion which Christ and his Apostles taught the world that Religion which the most Ancient and wisest Councils ratified that Religion which the most early and judicious Fathers have confirmed that Religion which Pagan Tyrants persecuted that Religion which enabled the Martyrs with Comfort and Joy to kiss the Stake and embrace the Flame that Religion which teacheth man to serve his God obey his Prince and love his Neighbour And if so if the Reformed Religion be indeed the Religion of God whereas that of Rome in many things is but the mere Invention of man if the Reformed Religion teach us the Worship of God alone whereas that of Rome requires the Adoration of Creatures too if the Reformed Religion teach us to obey and honour even wicked Rulers whereas that of Rome teacheth the deposing and assassination of all Princes how good soever that do not please them if the Reformed Religion doth protest against the Breach of sacred Oaths and other Sins whereas that of Rome dispenseth with them in a word if the Reformed Religion be certainly good and that of Rome stark naught I beseech you by all that tender respect which you have for your Comfort in this world or your Interest in the next by all that regard which you have for Christ and his Church for the honour of God or the Soul of man Be stedfast be unmovable be not trepanned out of your Religion be not surprized nor cheated nor yet be scared and frighted out of your most holy Faith O remember what my Text commands Hold fast that which is good Why Sirs my soul for yours your present Religion is such 't is good 't is holy 't is a Religion that advanceth Vertue and beats down Vice 't is a Religion that exalteth Christ and layeth the Creature low 't is a Religion that pleaseth God and saves man and if so will you cast it off and change it for a worse Shall we be so much like Aesop's Dog as to exchange Substances for mere Shadows Shall we be such Naturals and perfect Fools as to exchange Pearls of value for splendid and gawdy Trifles It s true indeed the Religion of Rome doth transcend and out-shine ours in external Pomp and bravery but what then 't is not this which takes with God and why should it take with man There is many a dissembling Hypocrite that makes a more glorious shew then the real Saint the dirty Comets do outblaze the real Star and yet shall we like them better no 't is not for men but children to be taken with Babies and Puppets Secure your selves that the Religion of Rome though it be magnificent and pompous yet 't is naught though it seem never so fair and fine yet 't is rotten be confident that if you change you change for the worse you cannot change but you must dishonour God and undoe your selves I tell you again 't is worse far worse to be made and turned a Papist then to be bred one The man that is so bred from his Infancy though his case be dangerous enough yet here is something that extenuateth his Sin he neither doth nor perhaps for want of all better means can know any thing that 's better and upon that score as he may justly plead so peradventure God may mercifully spare his Ignorance But however it fares with him it will be worse with that person who being bred in the Reformed Church where no means are wanting for his Confirmation in the Protestant Faith which he there embraced doth notwithstanding upon this or that Pretence cast it off turn Romanist and thereby doth at once become an Idolater and an Apostate too How God may deal with those who are born and bred in the Roman Church that are devout in their way and think themselves right I cannot tell but as for the Protestant who might know and yet is ignorant if he be betrayed by that supine and inexcusable Ignorance of his or tempted some other way to the Change of his Religion his Sin is greater his Shame is greater and his Danger is greater too and so great that 't is more then probable that whosoever doth thus remove from the True Church of England to that Corrupted one of Rome without a timely Repentance and a serious Recantation his next remove will be from Earth to Hell Δόξα Θεῷ FINIS * Euseb Hist l. 5. pag. 196.
O what a dangerous person is every mistaken Zealot Sure it is of all Villains in the world the Religious Villain is the worst As for other Villains who are inwardly convinced that what they doe is naught and wicked they cannot chuse but now and then find some remorse regret and such checks within them as must needs damp their spirits and gall their souls and put some little stop to their Iniquity But as for the Devout and Pious Villain what Trouble can possibly invade his spirit what Pangs of Soul can he feel within him what can make him so much as once demurr and pause in the least when his own Conscience being misinformed and sadly deluded doth so far chear him as to bid him expect a reward for that Sin which it doth not onely represent but commend and applaud as a Duty which God requires and will certainly bless We need no other Instance in this case but that great one of Saint Paul Whilest he believed the old Religion of the Jews to be the onely true one whilest he was possessed with Prejudice against Christianity and took the Gospel to be but a meer Juggle a new Imposture and a false way of worship what strange havock did he make of the Church of Christ and that in the defence of a wrong Religion and the Persecution of a right All the excuse which he pleads for himself is onely this I did it through Ignorance Yea had but Saint Paul's knowledge then been as great as his zeal he would rather have laid himself then others in the Gaol had he but examined matters a right and found Christianity to be indeed the Religion of God he would have been so far from shedding other mens bloud that in the defence thereof he would ten thousand times rather have lost his own But O the direful effects of a mistaken Zeal This is the thing to which we must ascribe the most inhumane actions that the world ever saw From hence proceeded that bloudy Massacre of Paris and that unparallel'd and hellish Powder-Treason from hence hath proceeded the Assassination of Princes the Subversion of Empires and the Ruine of Churches And what if I tell you that misapprehensions of Religion have hung the Son of God upon the Cross and laid his Servants in the flames It cannot be imagined that the Jews would ever have crucified the Saviour of the World and their own Messias too had not an ignorant Zeal inclined them to it Nor can we reasonably conceive that the Papists are such Monsters rather then men that they would ever have burnt so many Martyrs had they not thought that Religion did require it And if so if the Consequences of a mistaken Religion be so dreadfull then surely we are highly concerned to make sure of the Truth of ours lest perhaps an Errour in our choice should put us upon the Commission of those horrid Crimes which none but a Religious and Zealous sinner dares attempt 2. That person who is mistaken in his Religion is very like to lose that which is the blessed fruit reward and end of that Religion which is sound true and right 'T is such a Consideration as methinks should mightily quicken us to the duty in the Text Prove all things But why so why alas a mistake here would utterly undoe us That the Consequences of Religion are of the greatest concern imaginable 't is beyond dispute so great that it cannot be a thing indifferent whether our Religion be right or wrong unless it be a thing indifferent too whether we are blessed or cursed whether we shall to Heaven or Hell That Religion which is right is the onely way through Christ that leads to Heaven and that Religion which is wrong is one of the nearest and quickest ways to Hell I remember the Scriptures mention the Doctrine of God the Doctrine of Christ the Doctrine of the Apostles these being embraced and obeyed will surely make us happy but on the other hand the same Scriptures mention other Doctrines strange Doctrines the Doctrines of men yea and the Doctrines of Devils too which being entertained will surely make us miserable But you 'l say how shall we know them how shall we pass a judgement whether such and such a Doctrine be indeed the Doctrine of God Devils or men I answer 1. All matters of Religion must be examined proved and determined by the written Word of God This is the onely sure Balance to weigh and Touchstone to try all matters of Faith and Worship To this the Prophet directs Isa 8.20 To the Law and to the Testimony To this our Saviour sends his hearers Joh. 5.39 Search the Scriptures and again How readest thou And which is remarkable the Ignorance of Scripture doth he make the onely occasion and ground of Errour in Points of Faith so he tells the Sadducees Ye erre but why not knowing the Scriptures It seems that it is the written Word of God which must be our Guide in matter of Religion 't is this which is the onely infallible Rule and unalterable Standard to measure all the Doctrines and Practices which such or such a Church doth teach recommend or require from us But 2. The Decrees of General Councils those I mean that were convened in the first and purest times before the Superstitions and Idolatries of Rome that crept in by degrees through Carelesness Vice and Ignorance had overspread the Church are of great use in this case too True it is the Scripture is man's onely authentick Rule to walk by and this Rule of ours in the most material and concerning Points of Faith is obvious plain and easie but yet there are some other matters of Religion though not of absolute Necessity yet of considerable Import and moment about which the Scriptures are not so intelligible at least to ordinary Readers but that they want some good Interpreter And who more fit to declare the sense of doubtfull and difficult Texts then the first and best of Councils I reade of the Council of Nicaea called by Constantine the Great against the Heresie of Arrius the Council of Constantinople summoned by Theodosius the first against the Heresie of Macedonius the Council of Ephesus called by Theodosius the second against the Heresy of Nestorius the Council of Chalcedon called by Martian against the Heresy of Eutyches These Councils occasioned by these early Heresies and consisting of some hundred Bishops having the Glory of God in their Hearts the Settlement of the Church in their Eye and the Bible in their Hands did establish several Canons for the extirpation of Errour and the confirmation of the most concerning Truths of our Religion And certainly the Determinations of these Councils whether it be in the great or some less Concerns of our Religion being made up of Persons so exemplary for their Piety and so eminent for their Learning who resolved on nothing but with mature Advice and Deliberation are of as great Authority and afford as much
to continue the Defender of that Faith which past all per adventure is truly Ancient and Apostolicall II. Consider what abundant cause we have to be jealous of that Religion which will by no means submit to this great Command in the Text which fears to be examined and dares not stand the Test Certainly we have all the reason in the world to suspect that Religion which doth so manifestly suspect it self 'T is a great Argument that a man doth doubt his Cause and question its merit when he sheweth himself exceeding loath to come to a Trial and 't is a shrewd sign that Wares are corrupt and naught when they are produced and shewed onely in the dark What our Blessed Saviour Joh. 3.21 saith of Persons may fitly be said of Religions too He that doeth truth cometh to the light that his deeds may be made manifest The man that is honest vertuous and learned doth rather hope then fear to be searched into but he that constantly lurks in corners and walks under a disguise doth give the world sufficient ground to suspect that he is some broken Bankrupt or Knave 'T is thus with Religions too That Religion which dares appeal to the Tribunal of God and man that Religion which desires to be examined by Scriptures Councils and Fathers that Religion which doth publickly expose all its Doctrines and doth not onely allow all its friends but provokes its utmost enemies to fift and try them 't is easie to think that such a Religion is sound right and true 't is full weight that fears not the Scales and right metall that doth not dread the Touchstone But now if there be such a Religion found within the Church that is jealous of it self that fears its own Proselytes that dares not endure the Scrutiny no not of its own friends have we not a sufficient reason to suspect it Now shall I tell you such is the Religion of the Roman Church which dares not suffer its own Members so much as once to peep into the Bible lest perhaps that clear and Sacred Glass should immediately represent even to vulgar eyes those foul and by them as yet undiscerned Spots which that corrupt and scabby Religion hath upon its Face I remember Chemnitius who hath somewhat narrowly enquired into the Council of Trent and discovered to the world the nakedness of their Decrees is for that very Reason styled not a Saucy fellow but a down-right Heretick and so for making some considerable Inquisition into their Religion was thought to deserve at least their Great one As for the Religion of the Reformed Church 't is otherwise with us the examination of our Doctrines is not onely allowed but required too we put the Scales into your hands and bid you weigh them we set the Touchstone before your eye and bid you try them we translate we print we put the Bible into your bosom and bid you thence examine what our Church doth hold what our Ministers do preach and what you your selves must believe and doe I can tell you this fair dealing is not to be found at Rome no there the Holy Bible that dangerous Book must be withheld And the truth is though there be Sin and Sacrilege in their so doing yet there is a great deal of Craft and Policy too for where the Cause is naught if there be some material Witness whose Testimony will certainly overthrow it if he cannot be bribed 't is great Prudence to remove him out of the way And this course takes the Roman Church 't is that miserable Shift which a bad Cause drives them to what ever comes of it the Scriptures must be withdrawn for should they permit their people to peruse them they have just cause to fear that at first sight they would dislike such and such gainfull Doctrines and upon a serious review abjure them quite And upon this score do they find themselves necessitated as to withdraw the Bible so likewise basely to corrupt the most Ancient Councils and Fathers acting methinks like some knavish Merchant who sells bad Wares and that by false Weights and Measures and therefore is concerned to see that there be no Standard near him What is the great Axiome of the Roman Church Estius a Friend Champion and Son of theirs doth thus inform us 2. Thes 5.21 Tenendum quod tenet Ecclesia What the Church believes what the Church requires i. e. whatever the Pope and his Council thinks fit that and onely that without more adoe must be believed and done 'T is evident that they require little more of their Proselytes then a bare implicit Faith and a blind Obedience And that they ground upon this fond Presumption and rotten Principle That their Councils at least if confirmed by the Pope cannot erre how vicious soever the Pope may be in his Conversation yet when he sits in Cathedra in his Chair he must be Infallible in his Judgment still as if the Golden Mitre and triple Crown which adorn his Head must needs inspire it too But if these things be so indeed what need they fear the severest Trial If Councils cannot erre what need they fear the strictest Search If the Pope be really Infallible what need he dread the closest Scrutiny Search the Scriptures saith Christ himself to all his Hearers Search not the Scriptures saith his pretended Vicar and yet Infallible Try the spirits saith the Apostle Try not the spirits saith the Roman Bishop and yet Infallible Prove all things saith Saint Paul Prove nothing saith the Successour of Saint Peter and yet Infallible No they manage a bad Cause that are afraid to see it opened 'T is not Religion and Conscience but Craft Guilt and Fear that make them withdraw the Bible and so decline a Trial for had but the poor people that live under the Tyranny of Rome liberty means and knowledge to examine those Doctrines which now they are constrained to take up upon Trust and were but the Princes of Europe whom the Pope hath sometimes used and still accounts as his Slaves and Vassals were they but once at leisure to mind the things of God and the Concerns of his Church would they but once impartially and throughly examine matters of Religion and bring them to the Rule we should quickly see the Pope unmasked Kings undeceived and the whole Christian world become Protestant And as this should be the subject of our earnest Prayers so must the Duty required in the Text be the matter of our Obedience too what the Protestant asserts what the Papist pretends examine both The Grand difference betwixt us and them lieth in their affirming and our denying the Doctrines of Infallibility Transubstantiation Purgatory Indulgencies Invocation of Saints Adoration of Images works of Merit and Supererogation c. Now if any of these or the like Doctrines shall be commended to you by the plausible Insinuations of some subtle Jesuit O remember what my Text commands Prove all things bring them to your Bibles