obscure or hide the glorious power of the death of Christ which should appeare to the eyes of all men in the visible selfe-deniall of beleevers (a) What is there that is more visible to all that behold the Saints then their apparrell Phil 3.20 Secondly As in consideration of his death the Saints are called to dye to this world so with respect to his resurrection all those who are risen with him ought to seeke those things which are above Col 3.1 And having their conversations with Christ in heaven to mortifie their members which are upon earth (b) Doe they mortifie their members who seeke so much to please their eye Joh. 15.19 Col 3.5 And thus plainely declaring by their words and actions behaviour and apparrell that they are not of this world but are strangers to it in so doing they shew forth the power of Christs resurrection drawing up their affections to himselfe As the corruption of mens hearts doth appeare as it were written in their foreheads in their vaine wanton fashions (c) How doe these or their sureties for them keepe their promise at the 〈◊〉 to forsake all the pomps and vanities of this world 1 Thes 5 22. so on the contratrary the grace of God in man doth appeare and shine in his Saints in their abstaining upon pure Gospell-grounds from all appearance of pride and vanity in apparrell and cloathing themselves with humility as becomes the selfe-denying followers of Christ (d) Such selfe-denyall doth become those who say they are 〈◊〉 with Christ in Sapâ—isme But as Paul complaines sadly of some who minded earthly things that they were enemies to the Crosse of Christ Phil. 3.18 May wee not take up a light complaint of many now who in adorning themselves shew that they minde earthly things by heaping on vaine superfluities are not such enemies in this thing or at least apparent non-conformists to the Crosse of Christ Great reason there is therefore that they who have otherwise learned Christ dead and risen should make it appeare by putting off or at least forbearing to put on such things which are not only unbecoming their profession but also are abused by most men for an occasion to the flesh and as they are commonly borne about are apparently uselesse to all Eph. 4.17 20 21 22. 2 Ground or Reason As the first reason chiefely respects the crosse of Christ the se-second in like manner relates to his yoake to which all beleevers owe subjection and ought to manifest the same by a visible universall obedience to him whom wee are bid to heare in all things Acts 3.23 Who as he hath by his owne mouth spoken to his followers to deny themselves Math. 10.38 Mark 8.34 So hath he by the mouth of his Apostles in the holy Scriptures which he hath given to furnish the man of God to every good worke prescribed profitable and precious directions for regulating the Saints practise in apparrelling themselves These are either first more expresse and perticular as to this one thing of adorning as in 1 Tim 2.9 Where not onely is forbidden to beleeving women that vanity they who have wherewith are too prone unto to adorne themselves with gold or pearles but also the adorning themselves with costly aray is there forbidden that aray being there counted costly which men crucified to this world 2 Cor. 6.4 2 Cor. 11.27 28. and often in necessities and sensible of the wants of others as Paul and Timothy with others like minded accounted costly Secondly There are directions which are more generall of which I have here set downe some of the principall as Rom 12.2 Be not conformed to this world 1 Pet. 1.14 Fashion not your selves according to the former lusts of your ignorance Make no provision for the flesh to fulfill the lusts thereof Rom. 13.14 Moreover we are commanded to lay apart all filthinesse and superfluity of naughtinesse Jam 1.21 And in the 1 Pet 4.10 we are required to be good Stewards of the manifold grace of God which relates not only to spirituall gifts but also to things of this life Now with that speciall rule before-going let us take these generall rules and well apply them (e) Those Rules with many more such are assented to in generall but seldome applyed to any one thing in particular 1 Joh. 2.16 3. Ground to the particulars of evills forbidden and dutyes enjoyned in those Scriptures and this doubt may soone be resolved Whether Saints are called to refraine from further expence in such vaine superfluities which the men of this world procure and put on to satisfie the lusts of the flesh and the lust of the eye The third ground is made good from the present apparent wants and streights of divers poore precious Saints that lack to be supplyed with things necessary who by reason of sicknesse weaknesse or want of Stock to manage their honest trades are unable to provide for themselves and theirs so that they may attend on God without distraction Is not the supplying of their neede the feeding and cloathing of Christ in his poore members for so he accounts what done to them done to him Math. 25.40 to be preferr'd before providing such needlesse trimmings Let the tender-hearted sober Christian consider it well should not Saints lay to heart these things with a due respect to their receivings from Christ and engagements to Christ not forgetting the Law of their relation as fellow-members with the meanest in that body whereof Christ is head The third ground thus briefely laid downe with the case of the poore Saints unrelieved stated truly as it is I leave this to the judgement of those who are spirituall and proceede to the fourth 4. Ground The fourth ground is That by ceasing to cast away their substance on such superfluities Saints may be in a better capacity to adorne by their good works the doctrine of God our Saviour the credit whereof ought to be much dearer to us then our lives and how much then to be preferr'd before our needlesse ornaments How few of the men of the world are convinc't at this day by the Saints liberality to the poore their seeking out the widdow and the fatherlesse the blind and the lame to relieve them in their distresse How few I say are convinct on this account viz. of such good works done by professors that God is in them of a truth and that the doctrine of grace they hold to and maintaine is the true doctrine Doe not many great professors on their part leave the Gospell naked without those good works of mercy and bounty which should adorne it whilst their flesh is gorgeously arayed Have not such need to be put in remembrance of their duty To honour the Lord with their substance and with the first fruits of their encrease Prov. 3.9 No sooner doe they abound in wealth and riches but suddenly they abound in costly superfluities not in good works proportionable to their ability
4.3 the substance of the Legall shaddowes is come in the flesh See Quae the third And whether the pretended reformed Church of England retaining the old Romish Church-state and confused mixtures maintaining the same things in substance with them be not to be esteemed as a painted Jezebel 16. Whether the Mystery of iniquity which wrought in Pauls time were not the same which now workes in the Church of Rome and her Daughter-Churches Did it not then worke mainely to bring the Saints back under the bondage of Moses his killing doctrine and his rudiments and shaddowes And whether the Apostle as a faithfull Witnesse and Watchman did not bend his doctrines and discourses in his Epistles especially to the Romans Corinthians and Galatians against this way of confounding the grace of God with mans works in justification and confounding Moses his old Lawes with Christs New Testament Ordinances The same mystery being at worke now not onely in Rome but in this Nationall Church Is it not the duty of Gods faithfull Ministers and Watchmen to warre against it by preaching and discourse with the sharp sword of Christs Word warning Gods people to beware of being seduced with this iniquity which being discovered in many things more grosse putts on a new dresse and works most mysteriously so that the workmen say who seeth us Isa 29.15 The mystery of 〈◊〉 is now 〈◊〉 with a 〈…〉 17. Whether the Mystery of iniquity that now workes be not founded upon the will of man confederate with Satan And is it not promoted and upheld by humane and Serpentine wisdome with worldly power and pollicy opposing and counter-working the Gospel-graces of God and Spirit of Christ exalting the creature above the Creator And whether the Abettors and promoters of this Mystery may not be discovered and discerned in our dayes by their prizing men much more for their naturall and acquired parts and abilities then for the anointing looking more at a mans learning and prudence then at the teachings of the Spirit minding excellency of speech more then the power of godlinesse seeking more after their owne honour from men then to bring honour and glory to God 18. If so then May wee not well expect that God who hath laid by so many instruments whose designe is to exalt his owne grace his Son and Spirit will choose and use most unlikely instruments in mens account as the weake and foolish in respect of worldly wisdome even the younger brethren even as David amongst the sons of Jesse spiriting them through faith and prayer to bring to passe those things which by humane power and pollicy could not be effected Whether then are not many and some good men like to be deceived who looke as did Samuel on Eliah on some wise expert prudent men to be the onely prime instruments for Gods great and strange worke 1 Cor. 1.26 27 28. which will not be done by power or might but by the Spirit of God Zach 4.6 19. Whether the faith and prayers of Gods people were not once as the Chariot-wheeles to the great worke of God in this Nation but now of late since our enemies have been subdued have not many good men slacked their hands to those duties and by looking and leaning to mans wisdome power and pollicy turned aside to crooked wayes and so have lost the footsteps of the Lord in his worke And whether can they come to a cleere sight of them againe except they humble themselves and returne to a diligent exercise of faith and prayer And if they will not be otherwise provoked thereunto may it not be just for God to reduce them unto sore straites that so they may learne to seeke him early Hos 5.15 20. Whether the continuance of divers godly men in Babylon and pertaking with her be not one great occasion of stumbling many weake Christians with some other enquirers after truth And ought not such then in the feare of God to consider and examine their standing and to lay to heart how great service they doe to Antichrist and disservice to Christ and his cause And doth not the deceiver suck no small advantage from godly men serving his designe which puts a faire face thereon though they doe it ignorantly or inconsiderately May we not observe that since godlinesse is in some request Satan puts on such a dresse as may most take with the godly to seduce them And if these should flee out of Babylon would shee not soone appeare to all good men to be what shee is and the judgements of God would they not come suddainly upon her as did the fire and brimstone upon Sodome the day that Lot came out Whether that which hinders many from comming out be not a slavish feare of man and the flattery and friendship of this world Whether such onely will not be found fit to follow the Lambe even whither soever he goeth who first sit downe and count the cost and so build the Tower of their profession upon Gods grace alone as held out in his Covenant trusting him with all their concernments If they onely are said to overcome who loved not their lives unto the death as Revel 12. What becomes of all the other professors Remember the hand of God against the rebellious Scots at Dunbar the fearefull and unbeleeving c If Gods servants shall abide there notwithstanding all the warnings they have had and all Gods patience towards them may he not justly slay them with the wicked though he save their soules at the last 21. Whether the Antichristian Ministry in the Nations which derive their Church-state from Rome are not found committing fornication with the Kings of the earth No Bishop No King And whether this fornication be not by interweaving their interests for the upholding one another thus by flatteries and by force bringing the people and keeping them in bondage to their wills enslaving their bodyes and insnaring their soules 22. Whether seeing the greatest judgements belong to Babylon may not God in justice to aggravate their sins who receive not the love of truth lend them so much light as that many of them shall be found willfull Apostates after all their other persecutions at length persecuting the Spirit of Christ so bringing upon themselves swift destruction Are not many found persecuting that light which they once profest Is not that word made good in them They shall goe and fall backward and be broken and snared and taken and if it be so is it not high time to bid them take heede lest they sin willfully after they have received the knowledge of the truth 23. Whether by that sure rule of justice that all the blood from Abel should come upon the persecuting generation in Christs time Math. 23.34 35. And that in the Revel 18.24 that in Babylon was found the blood of all the Saints shed from the foundation of the earth Doth there not lye a heavy load of blood-guilt upon the Antichristian faction
If so then 4. Whether is it not the duty of all Gods people in this Nationall Church and in the Parochiall pretended Churches to seperate from that false Church-state and their professed Church worship in all the exercises thereof together with their Church-Ministry as they stand and act on the account of office in that false Church And whether the Commands of God to his people to come out of Babylon Rev 18. To flee out of the midst of her Jer. 51. To depart thence and touch no uncleane thing Isa 52.11 Let such as 〈◊〉 at the Word read and weigh those Scriptures quoted in this Quaery be not a sufficient Scripture-warrant for their so doing And whether Gods people neglecting to come out of Babylon doe not thereby doe great disservice to the cause of Christ against Antichrist and expose themselves by their disobedience in this thing to the danger of receiving of her plagues by pertaking of her sins Rev 18.4 v. This Quaery with the two following may afford some help to discerne the times and to resolve the 〈◊〉 Question what is the work of the day 5. Whether the strange and wonderfull providences of God in the late Warrs in England Ireland and Scotland have they not in their courses not in one single act onely agreed with his word to cleere the call and open the way to his Saints to come out of Babylon Hath not the Lord eminently appeared against King Bishop and Scotch-Presbyter who refused to let Gods Israel goe free from the hard bondage of a forced Conformity to the Nationall Church-worship And did not God who put it into the heart of Cyrus to give liberty to the Jewes to goe up to Jerusalem to build Gods house Ezra 1.1 put it also into the hearts of our Rulers after great and signall successes given their Armies to grant liberty to his people to walke according to their light without restraint and confinement to the Parish-Churches And was not the hand of God strong upon them to vouchsafe that release from our bondage notwithstanding the uncessant provocations of some to compell us to their way If wee aske our Fathers can they shew us our Elders can they tell us of such a deliverance wrought out with so high a hand for Gods people in this Island 6. Whether if wee look at inward impressions on the hearts of Gods praying people which when they agree with the word and providences of God are speciall helps whereby to judge of our dutie and the season thereunto belonging may we not observe how the hearts of Saints have during the late warres Let such as have lost their first zeale against Babylon remember from whence they are fallen and repent The people had a minde to the work as in the dayes of Nehemiah Neh 4.6 Such are more like the Children of Hagar the bond woman then Sarah the free mother Some are so filled with prejudice against Seperation that they will not heare a word of it Doe not such speak and thinke evill of the things they know not Is it because they have no need of this Ordinance or because they have not living enough to bury their dead Are not many theeves murderers adulterers such as are publickly convicted of such offences harboured in the parochiall Churches without any Church censure upon them And if this be so there is little cause why they should blame those who leave such a company of corrupt men O horrible hypocrisie Do not some Parish-Ministers act as if they were willing to slide out of their old way not fai ely taking their leave taking to themselves the shame of their abominations Let such as speake against Babylon take heed that they doe it in a right spirit Rev. 18.6 Jer. 15.14 Shall not the steps of the poore 〈◊〉 downe the lofty City Isa 36.6 Even the steps of those who walke by the footsteps of the flock been stirred up to a great zeale against the whore of Babylon Hath not God cast that false Church state and worship roote and branch out of the hearts and affections of very many of his people who being dead to mens traditions minde a pure way of worship cleerely discovering to them the confusions and corruptions of that way causing them to protest against it and forsake it though to the hazard of their credit and profit suffering great opposition on that account from their neere relations Have not few yeares brought out of that way many thousands in this Land who have turned their back to Babylon with their faces towards Syon enquiring the way thitherward And of those who remaine behind are not many held back by worldly interests and slavish feare of man The more ingenious of them blush to affirme being driven to it in defence of their staying there that their Congregations are true Churches either in respect of matter or forme yet some there are who are so affrighted with feare of errour that they are not free to enquire after the truth in this thing 7. Whether the zealous and tedious labours of the Parliament and Synod for reforming of the Nationall Church-Discipline hath not proved like the washing of a Blackmore and answer not to that saying Wee would have healed Babylon but shee is not healed What followes as the Saints duty then but to forsake her Are not the people in their Parish-Congregations so incorrigible that their Physitians despaire of the cure In stead of cutting off the corrupt part have they not even rejected for some yeares that Ordinance of Excommunication which serves to keepe a true Church pure If one wicked person must be cast out with his wickednesse least a little Leaven might leaven the whole lumpe may wee not thinke their lump is long since leavened who have in their Congregations so long retained as members without rejection so great swarmes of prophane ones Is not their Nationall Church if wee denominate them ought with respect to the greater number rather a Cage of uncleane birds and a hold of every soule spirit then a true visible Church of God a spirituall house consisting of lively Stones Some indeed exclude the rude rabble from partaking in the Supper which is but one act of Church-worship but Doe not many professing to be Ministers of their Churches make large shew of zeale for Ordinances as if they strained at a gnat and yet in this thing easily swallow downe a Camell taking no notice in any way of practise of so great an Ordinance which being duely practised by a true Church tends to the destruction of the flesh and the saving of the soule in the day of the Lord 1 Cor 5.8 If men take not to themselves the shame of these their abominations in the matter of worship what grounds have they or their followers to beleive that God will shew them the patterne of his house the goings out and commings in thereof c. Ezek. 43.11 And if these things be so 8. Whether then the Saints
and servants of God ought not to declare the Nationall-Church of England viz. the Nation pretending to be a Church to be indeed no Church of Christ but a Daughter of Babylon And is it not their duty to discover her abominations in such Language in speaking of Babylon either the Mother or her Daughter as the Spirit of God makes use of and commends to us in the holy Scriptures Doth not that command to Gods people to reward her as shee hath rewarded them extend to a full reward both in words and deeds And if through flatteries of men slavish feare or foolish pitty Gods Archers his Ministers withhold to shoote such arrowes against Babylon in preaching or printing as God hath put into their Quiver for that purpose may they not be justly rebuked for it 9. Whether a bare forsaking of the Nationall Church and a verball declaring against it be a sufficient witnesse-bearing for Christ against Antichrist in the matter of Worship or whether besides all this are not Gods people called by a bold profession and visible practise of the ordinances of Christ according to the Gospel pattern to hold forth a true Baptisme Church-worship and so by a contrary practise to beare their testimony in the strength of Gods Spirit and truth against that false way And in so doing though the worke of Zions building may appeare now in its beginning as nothing in comparison of that glorious patterne in the Apostles dayes is there not ground to beleive God will vouchsafe his presence and helpe to his people in the work according to his good word Haggai 2. 1 2 3 And when the Saints come out of Babylon ought they not then to call upon one another to flow to Zion and there to declare the worke of the Lord Jer. 1.6.9 10. And if this be the season for the former duty why not for the latter and having with and amongst them the Word and Spirit according to that stable Covenant to beleivers in all generations Isa 9.21 Neh. 2.18 What hinders but they should rise and build 10. Whether many zealous Ministers and people in the Parish-way by reason of their ignorance of the times and seasons and the great worke of God at this day to bring his people out of Mysticall Babylon may they not be in danger of fighting against God and kicking against the pricks as did many devout Jewes who were zealous of the old legall Worship not knowing or considering that the time of reformation from Jewish rudiments Heb 9.10 was come And doe not many now as they then little consider Gods call to his people to reforme thorowly from all Antichristian pollutions and to touch no uncleane thing in this day of the Lords controversie for Sion And may wee not see as then so now the things which God winked at in times of ignorance hee will not winke at but witnesse against in times of light And is there not a very great security upon many professors Can yee not discerne the signes of the times Mat. 16.3 and darknesse upon their right eye that notwithstanding all the signes of the times and all the late wonderfull workes of God they are not awakened to discerne and doe the speciall duties which God by his strange dispensations calls them to And is it not apparent that many who should instruct others in the duty of the day It is the duty of the wise Steward to give the Children of God the portion of Doctrine sutable to the season Luk. 12 42. doe discourage them from enquiring into such things telling them of the danger of mistakes and the great difficultie of finding out truth referring them in many things to the footesteps of the flock in times of Popish darknesse But is it not high time for Gods people to goe a step beyond such Watch-men enquiring after Christ in the further discovery of truth And seeing God hath chosen the weake and foolish things of the world to confound the wise ought not even such to search into the booke of revelation seeking God by faithfull fervent prayer for his promised Spirit to lead them into all truth remembring the words of David Thou through thy precepts hast made me wiser then mine enemies I have more understanding then all my teachers Psal 119.98 99. 11. Whether the Parish-Ministry in their standing and acting as such are not found taking part with Babylon and warring against the true visible Churches of Christ and all others who withdraw from and witnesse against the Common polluted way of worship And if so whether those who are enlightened may warrantably upon the account of the gifts and godlinesse of such Teachers follow after them so as to have fellowship with them in their broad Church-way And is it not to make Idolls of them and preferre them before Christ and set them above him if they choose rather to follow after such Ministers in that way which hath no word of God for it then to follow Christ in that despised way of worship which hath the sure word of Scripture for its warrant Mark how Satan makes use of Eminent instruments sometimes to promote his wicked Designes If Peter that eminent Preacher might be and was so farre captivated by the Tempter as to oppose by rebuking Jesus Christ himselfe when he spake of his suffering death Mat 16 21 22 23. And againe denied him shamefully when he came to suffer with cursing and oathes saying he never knew the man And after all this at another time the same Peter who was so famous an instrument in Gods hand for converting so many soules even he becomes a misleader in a way of dissimulation Gal 2.11 12 13 14. so that Barnabas an eminent Minister of Christ If some who see such dissembling tell them that dissemble that they are to be blamed they do but as Paul did who told Peter of his fault Gal. 2.14 and divers others were carried away with his dissimulation If so it were with Peter is there not ground enough for the good people in that way to feare that their Ministers even the choicest of them may be fallen into temptation to be prejudic't against the worke of a thorow-reformation seeing their preferments livings and honours seeme to be struck at and so being offended labour to draw in others to be one with them in their offence and opposition against the Saints in their present warfare for Christ against Antichrist 12. Whether the greater number of people in the Parish-Assemblyes are not in danger of eternall Damnation through their high presumption that they are in Christ and in a good estate And whether have not Englands Church-Ministry much to answer for who have begotten and cherished this confidence in them by declaring them in their old Catechisme To be regenerate in their Baptisme made Members of Christ and inheritors of the kingdome of Heaven If this be true and no lye they have taught them who thus exalted them unto heaven
griefe for it And should it not be a Lamentation that which is yet more unbecoming Christian profession some glory in such things which are indeed their shame He that feeles not the force of this reason taken from the hand of God upon us and the many abominations and grievances before-mentioned and hath no heart-bleedings because of the reproach that is dayly cast upon the name of God and his people c. let him examine himselfe whether hath he * Psal 28.4 5. due regard to the worke of the Lord at this day And whether he be a reall mourner for Sion (o) See those promises to them that mourne in Sion Isa 61.2.3 66.10 8 Ground and one that preferres Jerusalem above his chiefe joy The eight is derived from that duty incumbent upon the Saints to walke as lights amidst a crooked generation Phil 2.15 and as the Lords holy remnant whom he hath reserved to witnesse against the evills of the times And who sees not that pride in apparrell is now a raigning sin in this Land even among professors who in their adorning themselves differ little or nothing from the world that wallowes in wickednesse and vanity 1 John 5.19 That which aggravates this evill and renders it more odious and should set Saints at the greater distance from it and from all appearance thereof is that there is a troope of evills as covetousnesse defrauding lying oppression grinding the faces of the poore c. with many such like sinnes which doe attend it Can wee be zealous and jealous for the Lord of hosts and refraine from bearing a testimony of our dislike of this abomination And how can this be done except we first begin at home putting from us all appearance of that evill which wee condemne in others Gods people Rev. 18.4 who are called to come out of Babylon are straitly charged not to partake of her sinnes (p) Christs witnesses doe torment the beast not onely by word but conversation Did not Noah by his practise in building an Arke condemne the old world One reason is because God will make use of them to declare against them Now that the Saints may beare a full testimony against this evill of pride in apparrell which is one of the sins of the times and one of Babylons sins as appeares Revel 18.12 and 15 16 verses It behoves them to cleere themselves from it by a contrary practise (q) In such away wee ought to man fest our dislike so that he may runne that readeth it 9 Ground to this corrupt generation in their proud manner of adorning themselves Ninthly The presence of the Lord with his people encouraging them to this reformation affords another ground (r) As God goes before his people to bring them out of Babylon so to bring them off from her sins His hand as they are perswaded having strongly set it upon their hearts in severall Assemblies solemnly waiting on him to reforme without delay accounting that now God is purging away all the drosse of Syon he will not leave such worldly superfluities long remaining upon the garments of Saints It s confest that inward impulses and perswasions of good men are not alwayes good arguments to prove a matter yet when a praying people such as desire to tremble at the Word and labour to walke exactly are unanimous in a perswasion or motion which hath such Scripture-grounds for it as hath been alledged for this Such an argument in its place well accompanied with other weighty reasons deserves to be considered by such as feare the Lord. 10 Ground The tenth and last ground is because of offence which is taken by those who sigh and cry for all the abominations of professors (s) God hath great regard to such as sigh and cry for all the evills of professors though men make light and puffe at them See consider well Ezek. 9.4 5 6. They cannot but mourne to behold such needlesse costly deckings upon the apparrell of Saints They also declare their conscientious offence thereat If Paul would not eate flesh while the world was to stand rather then put a stumbling block in the way of his weake Brother 1 Cor 8.13 should not Saints much rather refraine from those needlesse things then give offence and cause griefe to the tender hearts of those for whom Christ dyed And whereas it may be said some good men are offended at the leaving off such ornaments (t) Wee may justly refraine from our liberty to avoid offence but we may not neglect our duty to God for feare of offending good men Is it from their goodnesse Is it not rather because some private interest of their owne or their friends is thereby struck at If they be conscientiously offended the reasons before-going may suffice to shew that the offence is unjustly taken at those who on the grounds layd downe cease from putting on upon their garments such superfluous ornaments and in conscience towards God choose to walke in that way of reformation whereon so cleere a light of truth shines Now for as much as all reformation meets with opposition it cannot well be expected that this which runs so contrary to the streame of the common opinion and practise and is so opposite to mens fleshly lusts and interests should easily take place I shall therefore proceed to consider and answer severall Objections which are or may be made against the reformation pleaded for and the grounds before laid downe 1 Object Did not Sarah and Rebeccah weare rich Jewells and if so why may not beleivers in these dayes weare such ornaments if their abillity will extend to provide them Answ First Wee finde not that there were at that day as now there are many poore Saints on every hand needing to be relieved Secondly Neither was provision made for their costly ornaments by such notorious abominations of covetousnesse and extortion c. nor the pride of professors their pride in apparrell growne up to that height as that there needed then as now there doth such a loud sounding-testimony in word and practise to be borne against it Thirdly Some things practised by Abraham and David with as much approbation as the wearing of Rings and Jewells (u) Did not their ear-rings soone become a snare unto them else why did Jacob take them away and hide them under an Oake when he reform'd his family see Gen. 35.2 3 4. With this compare Exo. 32.2 3 4. See what use the Israelites made of their golden ear-rings And did not golde eare-rings prove a snare to Gideon and his house Judg. 8.26 27. by Sarah and Rebeccah it becomes not Saints to practise Had not Abraham his Concubines and children by them Gen 25.6 And did not David take unto him many wives and Concubines 2 Sam 5.13 Would not Saints blush to be found walking in their steps in these things now Fourthly In those dayes of ignorance in the infancy of the Church God dealt with