Minds who cry out How beautifull are the feet of those that bring the glad tidings of peace which none can effectually and authoritatively do but those that are sent and set apart to the Ministry as the Apostle shews Rom. 10. 14 15. And if it be so why are we thus thus removed from our ancient stability and commendable Christian curiosity that in stead of adoring God in his gifts of Arts and Languages to Men we cry up only those men who like Egyptian Temples fair without but within full of Cats Serpents Crocodiles and other inglorious Creatures are full of scorns superciliousness and what not which may conclude them to be such as our Saviour approves not though they seem in his Name to prophecie but not cast out Divels no not that of Division by which the Church is spoyled of her Unity Order and External comelinesse yea many discouraged to continue in that Communion in which there is a kind of necessity to be alwaies in dispute or else to be captive to vulgar Errors And VVho in S. Ieroms words can sleep secure that bordereth so upon the Viper who if he sting not surely solicites and endangereth our seduction I know not what the Reason is but both the Church and her Ministry are unnaturally disowned by many who if they live Christian lives here and ever come to heaven may next to the mercy of God thank the Church and her Administrations for their direction and instruction She as the Father saies well carried them long in her womb nourished them bore the Petulancies of their infancie cleansed them from their filth and yet they now cast dirt in that face which hath often kissed them with kisses of love and hugged them in the arms of holy discipline It is a great unnaturalnesse for Christians to disown their spiritual Fathers who have begotten them to God by the Gospel 1 Cor. 4. 15. Whence O whence is this blindnesse fallen upon many of Israel that they prefer Garlick and Onions before Manna Beads and Glassie bables above Gold and Pearls rather will they hear the chatterings of Cranes and clamours of Owls then the sweet notes of Nightingals and birds of Paradise which in their Musick keep time and touch sweetly which speak not words more acceptable then upright words of truth as the Preacher hath it Eccles. the last v. 10. I hear these cracklings of thorns every day bold to perswade men from hearing Ministers to hear men of the Spirit as they call them these say they are taught of God not Heathenishly learned after the rudiments of the world Our Lord Jesus feedeth amongst the Lilies he converses with the poor and humble he despises not the day of small things he hath looked upon the low estate of his servants there is a holy Teaching and Unction say they which the Learned and great ones of the World know not the god of this world hath blinded their eyes that they cannot see Christ through the thickets of prophane Learning and unprofitable speculation thus do they with the Pharisee condemn wisedom which is justified of her children and justifie themselves to be vain deceivers of themselves and others For suppose Christ feeds among the Lilies yet 't is the Lilies of the vallies Cant. 2. 1. What is that to the proud and haughty who cry stand off I am more holy then thou Isai. 65. 5. whose mouthes drop not sweet smelling Myrrh Cant. 5. 13. but utter proud swelling words speaking evil of those dignities which they ought not to think upon without honour Are these the Lilies of the vallies the poor and humble whose hearts are so lifted up in them that they despise their Mother and smite their brethren and fellow servants with reproaches and injurious falshoods boasting of an holy Unction while they prove themselves without natural affection truce-breakers ashamed of the Baptisme and Covenant which was made betwixt God and their Souls by the Ministry which brought as it were God and them together If this be the way of God if this be the path of holinesse which the redeemed of the Lord should walk in then is the learned and holy Ministry of the Church at a losse then is Christ and his glorious manifestations hid from them then are they yet to seek what the good and acceptable will of God is then may they sit down in sackcloth and ashes mourning to God in the Prophets words Thou hast deceived us O Lord and we were deceived But if to preach the words of Truth and sobernesse and not to speak things of nought the deceit of mens hearts be to honour Christ and not to betray him with the Courtship of Hail Master and the civility of a kisse then are the faithful Ministers of Christ secure then may they comfort themselves that their witnesse and reward is in heaven and their labour not in vain what ever their usage here be for as the Father said well Gratias Deo lingua Petiliani non est ventilabrum Dei O my soul mistake not thou thy way by leaning in the least degree on these dangerous though specious fallacies which are strong temptations to those who have no foundation of God in them but stand thou fast in the Truth revealed to thee and listen not to any voice besides the word which saies to thee Lo here is Christ Lo there is Christ for many false Christs shall arise with lying wonders and strong seducements which thou art not to believe or follow be thou studious of thine own duty and thy Makers will according to the discovery of which do thou walk Look unto the rock whence thou art hewn to the hands that instrumentally polished thee to be a stone in Gods spiritual building the Church blesse the womb that bare thee and the paps that gave thee suck and set thou thy seal to the Truth of that Ministry by which thou wer't first admitted into and since confirmed in the Church Look not upon the wandrings of men whom thou lovest and from whom thou hopest to have received assistance in thy Christian course to heaven those that forsake thee while thou keepest close to God are happily parted with Comfort thy self O my soul That greater is he that is in thee then he that is in the world that thy companions the glorious company of the Prophets and Apostles the noble army of Martyrs the holy Church Ministers and Professors who continued steadfast and would not be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ transcends these trifles which are but children of a day and as the Orator saies Ficta omnia celeriter tanquam flosculi decidunt Cicer. 2. Offic. that are ever learning and never come to the knowledge of the truth that will not endure sound doctrine but after their own lusts heap to themselves teachers having itching ears that turn away their ears from the Truth and are turned to fables and
some Prophets who are not the Lords people those that are such carry their condemnation with them their consciences will lay load on them There are many stripes prepared for servants that know their Masters will and do it not The faithfull Ministers of Christ cast not in their lot have not one purse with these miscreants they do not fish in troubled waters sell the Truth make merchandize of faith and a good conscience they dare not say to unlawful practisers Go and prosper nor forsake their stations to avoid opposition they have heaven in their eye and a necessity is laid upon them to be true to the trust God and his Church have deposited with them and if times come that they mnst give a reason of the Faith that is in them they will do it boldly effectually perseverantly and in so doing they are gainers in Tertullians opinion 'T is saith he a good exchange that for a little lent and ventured returns much And those Ministers that thus endeavour to do and suffer can in no sense justly deserve any charge as covetous negligent humorous active in disturbances for they knowing the harvest is great and labourers few have no leisure to be at every nod and in every corner at this triumph and that Hearing they are up early and late consult with Authors ancient and modern read books Divine Moral Natural search out Tongues and their Criticismes supply theiâ—… ministerial charges with their own labours are eveâ—… seeking how they may serve God acceptably at the last day say to their Master Behold Lord here am I and the souls that thou hast given me as the return of my prayers preachings studies and example of holy life If the Sea have water if the Elements have Air what if the Cistern what if the bladder want them If there be true Evangelical endowments in many Ministers amongst us as blessed be God yet there are such so qualified let us allow them regard and not take offence at their failings as men wherein it is infirmity and weaknesse that causes them to step awry let every man have his grains of allowance ready and his ignosce too since as Pliny well saies There was no man yet whose virtues did not border upon vice and was not harmed by that neighbourhood and for their sakes that with Moses stand in the gap and are eminent in holiness and learning Let our Indignation be turned away from those others that are not alike furnished provided they be not scandalous And so long as God makes them Instruments to give light to those that are in darkness let us not cast them away as Reprobate silver though their Light be set in the Dark lanthorn of frailty But remember what our Lord Jesus said of the Scribes and Pharisees who said but did not All whasoever they bid you observe observe and doe For that they preach well is our Comfort that they live ill their Condemnation the first is Ours to grow by the latter theirs to groan under the first may bring us to sight of sin the latter will exclude them from the blissfull sight of God for as the Candle that gives light to others wasts it self and at last departs with a stink so is he who speakes to others with the tongue of men and Angels and has not Charity to his own soul in seeking to save himself as well as those that hear him For those Ministers then who are lucifugae virtutum Trees without fruit Hives without honey barren wombs and dry breasts that sterve all which depend on them and their Ministry that are a shame to their calling and a bane to the Church doe I not engage my pen God forbid I should dishonour the Church by writing for and presenting to mens respects sons of Belial who know not God as were Elyes sons 1 Sam. 2. 12. I apologize for the worthy Ministry and Ministers by what names so ever they are known to us and if I were called to characterize the Minister of Christ for whose honour I so much contest I would do it thus and no otherwise He prayes for peace because he knows what an evill War is He loves concord because he sees the sad Issues of Dissention He cryes to God day and night that he would have mercy upon Zion because he knoweth the Divel hath nothing more in his envie then the Churches growth and continuance He gloryes more in a holy power of forgiving then returning injuries He obeys his Masters commands rather to pray for persecutors that God would convert then confound them He does not curse his Governours no not in his thoughts because hee knoweth that God commandeth he should pray for those that are over him He dares not listen to the worlds delusions because he knowes the servant of Christ heareth not the voyce of a stranger He is Patient under Crosses because he knowes it is the will of God that through many tribulations he must enter into heaven Hee is humble because he reads Christ the inviter to it and the example and rewarder of it When the world reviles him he takes up the Crosse and follows Christ not reviling again but committing the judgment to God When the World applauds him he cryes out God forbid that I should glory in any thing but Christs sufferings and mine own infirmities If Riches come come in he sets not his heart upon them If Poverty come he prayes for contentation under it and a sanctification of it to his soul. He is more ambitious to enjoy God then himself and to master himself then to Conquer Kingdomes He knows 't is his duty to preach the Gospell and he Watches all opportunities thereto dreading nothing more then to be found not so doing he conforms himself in things lawfull and indifferent to the times wherein he lives that by being all to all he may gain some He dishonoureth not his master by lying against the truth or suffering sin to goe unreproved as time and place serves He is more pious then politique rather covetous of the recompence of reward though he suffer affliction with the Children of God then to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season He is valiant for the truth but not factious Precise but not rigid chearfull but not loose either in discourse or action Put him in prison he 's Christs freeman and can say The Lord is my help I will not fear what man can doe unto me Court him to take the preferments of the world and he replies No man can serve two Masters and if I am the servant of Men I am no more the servant of Christ If troubles come on him for the gospel he joyes that he is counted worthy to suffer for Christ If his Friends and Kindred forsake him because he will not part with his integrity he sayes with the prophetick King When my
if there be any sorrow like my sorrow We pity the fond zeal of carnal men and giddy professors who begin well but are hindred in their way by wiles of men crafty and by their own lusts regnant in them who have a clamorous Magnificat for Diana and an Hosanna for Christ who are contented with nothing but discontents changes and every thing that fights against the power of godlinesse and proclaim a Treaty with all the infernal Furies the Divel the world and the flesh And in fine we pray for Charity which the Apostle calls the bond of perfection and terms greater then faith or hope because more durable the grace that only accompanies us to heaven there stays with us and the grace that makes us live heavenly upon earth without which all grace is but as sounding brasse or a tinkling cymball yea without which the gifts of Prophecying understanding mysteries and all knowledge faith able to remove mountains distribution of all we have to the poor yea martyrdom it self is nothing 1. Cor. 13. These and other things we professe to concur in with all sound Protestants and if this to believe and thus to do be to be scandalous Popish disaffected we would not be of good report nay we pray we may carry this Crosse of Christ to our graves and account this Reproach great Glory We can comfort our selves in these buffetings revilings contempts as in the sufferings of Christ which are to be fulfilled by us as by the holy men of all ages foregoing members of his body the Church Col. 1. 24. For as S. Ierom saies 'T is a great glory to reach from earth to heaven from dust and ashes to a being of immortality of Servants to be made Sons and of beggars heirs heirs of a Kingdom and that of heaven too the most durable and supream dignity our nature is capable of For we can through the power of Christ wish our selves accursed for his sake and resolve to be and suffer his rebuke without smiting again though we had power and command thereto since thus God hath allowed Religion to be defendedâ—… non saevitiâ sed patientiâ non scelere sed fide and we hope while we thus walk to Sion with our faces thitherward we shall be suffered to passe safe and if we fall with the good man in the Gospel into the hands of men cruel and inhumane shall have Powers like good Samaritans to restore what is unjustly taken from us and pour oyle and wine into our wounds yea we pray though not for preferment not for gain by wording godlinesse yet for permission to worship the God of our Fathers though after the way which some men mis-naÌ„me Superstition Formality Will-worship not thereby intending Rivalry with any other way of worship but desiring to attend upon Gods discovery in the use of that means which we are perswaded is according to the word of God written in the Law and in the Prophets and to which the judgments of many holy Martyrs and men have given testimony and this we trust your favour will permit since to others no more nor no truer Protetestants then we this liberty is indulged as a means to propagate the Gospel and since that of Casiodore ought to be in the mindes of Governours Neminem gravare debet Imperium quod ad utilitatem debet respicere singulorum This O Powers is the sense of those who are well-willers to learning who would not have troubled the world with any taste of their fears and sufferings or defence of their innocency did not their silence amidst the many provocations of bold and defamatory challengers in some sense and in easie peoples opinions though not in Truth confesse them guilty impunitatem consequuntur mali dum modesti tacent yea did not they fear Crowns of thorns preparing if some may have their wills for their captive heads for which Crowns of gold and silver for a memorial in the Temple of the Lord are I hope appointed as the Phrase is Zach. 6. 11. 14. so true is that of the Orator Nihil est tam sanctum quod non aliquando violetaudacia For mine own part I professe before God Angels and men I am moved to this service to the Muses not out of Passion not out of Vain-glory not to gratifie any party I Love or displease any party with whom in principle I coÌ„ply not these would be uningenious motives and receive their defeat and brand to be unproper foundations for so Christian a work that which rouses me up is that glory of God peace on earth and good will to men all which are propagated by Learning and the promise of God to own those that in a right and pious way own him I look upon the primitive Fathers and Christians who thought not so meanly of their faith and art as to forbear owning them for fear they might be lost with their party or lie too open to the worlds knowledge of them I love a sober freedom in a cause that concerns whatever is dear to man his soul his eternity his fame all which are in hazard if Learning and Learned men grow obsolete Our Lord says If the blind lead the blind both shall fall into the ditch There is nothing so great a spur to me next the glory of God as the Presidents of former times and the courage of holy men who were more ready to suffer then deserve so ill requitall of their integrity Synesius tells us nothing is more rhetoricall then sufferings the blood of Martyrs was seed to the Church and made their persecutors turn admirers yea sometimes sufferers it is surely a great distrust of God which makes men faint in a good cause how much more Evangelical and Christian were the minds of Polycarpus Athanasius Cyril Cyprian Iustin Martyr Arnobius Epiphanius Luther Melancthon and all the holy Fathers and Reverend Bishops of the Church who dealt with men like Solinus his Agriophagi who fed upon Panthers and Lions and breathed out nothing but bloud and wounds then are ours while we are to deale with Christian Magistrates well disciplned souldiers and common people who have heard of Christ and seem to cry a daily Hosannah to him Why should we not believe that God will protect and men pardon if not be perswaded to love those who call to them as Ionas did almost out of the Whales belly in the language of the Disciples to their Lord and Master Carest thou not that we perish Who O who knowes the mind of God perhaps God is now dealing with our Governours as with Artaxerxes to contribute to the restoring of the destroyed places of religion and learning It may be not by might nor by power but by his Spirit by a jawbone by rams horns all the rampiers raised against learning may with Iericho's wals fall down and therefore it concerns us all to wait the good pleasure of God and to cast our bread upon the waters to do
of the North parts VVilliam Longchamp Bishop of Ely Chancellour In Henry the second 's time Thomas a Becket Chancellour Sylvester Giraldus Bishop of Saint Davids and Daniel Eccles of his Privy Counsell Gilbert Foliot Bishop of London Baldwin Arch-Bishop of Canterburie and Hugh Bishop of Durham Ambassadours into France and the Bishops of Ely VVinchester and Norwich principal Justices of his Courts In King Iohn's dayes Gray first Bishop of Norwich then Arch-Bishop of Canterburie and Lord President of the Councell also Peter Bishop of VVinchester after Governour to Henry the third Temps Henry the third Gray Lord Deputy of Ireland Stephen Langton Arch-Bishop of Canterburie and Iohn Derlington of the Privie Councell Temps Edward the first Hugh Manchester and VValter Winterbourn the one Ambassadour into France the other the Kings Confessor Temps Edward the third Iefferie Hardebie and Iohn Grandison of the Privie-Councell Iohn Hilton his Ambassadour to the Pope and Thorsby Arch-Bishop of York Chancellour Temps Richard the second William Wickham Bishop of VVinchester Chancellour VValtham Bishop of Salisburie Treasurer Thomas Cardinall the Kings Confessor and Richard Lavenham and Richard Waldeby his Favourites Temps Henry the fourth Iohn Colton Arch-Bishop of Dublin Stanburie Bishop of Bangor and Dr. VValter Hunt Temps Henry the fifth Thomas Arundel Bishop of Yorke Chancellour Stephen Portington Thomas Crawley Arch-Bishop of Dublin and Lord Deputy of Ireland Robert Mascall the Kings Confessor and an Ambassadour abroad VVilliam Linwood Dr. of both Lawes and Divinitie Ambassadour to Spain and Thomas VValden Ambassadour to Poland and Delegate to the Councell of Constance Temps Henry the sixth VVilliam VVainfleet Bishop of VVinchester Chancellour and Iohn Love Bishop of Rochester both of his Councell Temps Henry the seventh Prudent honest faithfull Morton amicus certus in re incerta Arch-Bishop of Canterburie and Chancellour one worthy of whatever his Majestie had to give for he loved much Fox Bishop of Exon Ambassador in Scotland Fisher Bishop of Rochester Alcock Bishop of Ely and Dr. Henry Hornby all in great esteem Temps Henry the eighth this was the squint-eyed time when a stranger coming over hither cryed out Bone Deus qualis religio in Angliâ hîc suspenduntur Papistae illic comburuntur Antipapistae Even in this time many Bishops and Clergy-men were in high place Fox Bishop of Hereford Longland Bishop of Lincoln the Kings Almoner Aldridge Bishop of Carlisle Leigh Arch-Bishop of York VVest Bishop of Ely VVarham Arch-Bishop of Canterburie and Chancellour Ruthall Bishop of Durham all or most of these of the privy Councell Gardiner Bishop of VVinchester Ambassadour into France and Dr. Pace Dean of Pauls Ambassadour to most Princes in Christendome I say nothing of the five last reigns as pregnant of favours to the Church as any preceding them our memories excuse their recitall here and so long as the book of Gods remembrance is kept their kindness will be had in mention before God That which is the most pertinent conclusion to this I shall borrow from that very worthy and judicious Knight Sir Henry Spelman That amongst the many Chancellours of England there hath been no lesse then 160. Clergy-men amongst the Treasurers 80. almost all the Keepers of the Privy Seal all the Masters of the Rols till 26. Hen. 8. all the Itinerant Justices and Judges of the Courts till Edw. 3. time Clergy men Now God forbid the Clergy and faithfull Minsterie should in these big looking times of reformation grow contemptible who have in all times hitherto whether of peace or warre born away a very great share of worship and valuations but if the dayes of visitation are come and the dayes of recompence are come wherein the Prophet is counted a fool and the spiritual man mad as the phrase is Hosea cap. 9. v. 7. If the Messengers of God are with the holy Apostles made a gazing stock both by reproaches and afflictions Heb. c. 10. v. 33. Then may they safely crie with the woman in the siege of Samaria Help O King of Saints and with the Kingly Prophet David My God make hast for my help Psal. 71. v. 12. and in those cries assuredly they will be heard and the time will come when that promise shall be fulfilled to them All they that are incensed against thee shall be ashamed and confounded they shall be as nothing and they which strive with thee shall perish 41. Isa. v. 11. Let no man condemn this humble interposition either as unnecessarie or unseasonable for truly it highly becomes any Gentleman who hath had his breeding from a Clergy man as most persons of any quality in this Nation have had Tutors in Universities and great houses being for the most part of this Tribe and who knows what the use and pleasure of Learning is to imploy his utmost interest in mediation for them as the great instruments of literature and instituting youth for there is no Parent that in generation doth so much to the Childs felicity as doth the Tutor in his cultivation and nurtriture the Fathers of our bodies may leave us honours and riches but they cannot make us pious wise valiant civil intelligent eloquent these next the blessing of God grow from institution conversation and example of our Instructors 'T was wel said of Diony sius to Helidore Caesar can give thee honours and wealth but he cannot make thee an Oratour Experience of this made all ages eye with gratitude and veneration their Philosophers and religious men as eminent benefactors and devote themselves and theirs to their service and acCommodation Philip of Macedon gave more thanks to the Gods for Aristotle in whose dayes his renowned Sonne Alexander was born then for his Sonne and heire then born because he hoped that by his education under so renowned a Tutor he would become so learned that he might be worthy to be his Sonne and to succeed to his Commands Pericles the great Athenian Prince so doted on his Master Anaxagoras that being sick he went to him and prayed him to be carefull of his life if not for his own yet for Pericles sake and the better to counsell him how to rule wisely Did not Dionysius the Tyrant send for his Master Plato in a royall vessel riding to the Sea-side to meet him in his triumphing Chariot bringing him into the City not like a Philosoper but a Conquerour Did not Alexander honour Phocion and doe all by his advice when he was present with him Was not that the best time of Nero wherein his Master Seneca and Burrus Captain of the Pretorian bands were as powerfull so most wise and learned Had not Octavian his Mecoenas and Agrippa by whom he was guided and counselled Had not Trajan his Plutarch whom he loved as his other self Did not Scipio Africanus honour his Master Panaetius and give to Polybius the title of his Companion at home and abroad what think you Had Domitian good regard to Quintilian the
of Humane or Civil constitution but of Divine and Supream Ordination flowing not from Aarons Priesthood but the Eternal Law made by the Majesty of Heaven and wrote in the Tables of mans heart from the beginning God the great Maker of all things not onely ordering the whole world of mankind to attendance at large on him but also the best and choicest of them to be his special train to whom he gave his own portion for Maintenance this appears in Melchisedeck who hundreds of years before the Levitical Priesthood was setled received Tythes of Abraham as he was Priest of the most high God and this not as many of the Ancients to whom I do reverence and in opposition to whom I would not be understood say as a requital of that honour which Melchisedeck had done him in giving him bread and wine but as instructed by God and specially required to take that as the Res Dominica substantia Dei census or Lords Rent which Abraham was to pay in in ackowledgement to him who was the supream Majesty and by whose power and permission he was then a Conquerour over those Kings and Armies which disturbed the holy seed Now because God knew that in time devotion would flag and Ieshurun spurn with the heel against his Maker when he was fat therefore God in probability conjoyned the Kingly and Priestly Office in the same persons to wit the Patriarchs and Heads of Familie that both might seem to accomplish the end of God the Priesthood sanctifie the Kingly Office and the Kingly Office secure the Priesthood that as the one hath right to receive so the other should have might to compel what is due to be paid from the greatest contrarient Mistake me not I intend no controversie I am to offer my thoughts as an Orator not to dispute as a School-man I shall leave debates to Theologues It becomes me onely to evince the reasonableness and necessity of a Ministry from what is obvious to me in Reason and Authors So ancient is the Office of Priesthood that a Learned man of our own saies That as Melchisedeck Priest of the most high God in Gen. 14. is said to have neither Father nor Mother neither begining nor end of days so may it fall out in search after the Antiquity and dignity of Priesthood that we shall not find out its Original and first Rise it being Primaeval and beyond mention of Record yet in the holy story I read that before the Law there was a Priesthood the Patriarchs were of this In the Law there was a Priesthood Levi and his Posterity in their Families were of that thus amongst the Jews And to this for a long time was appended ths Office of Government and Civil distribution So careful was God to intrust power in pious hands that he took away all fear of their abusing it out of the peoples mindes and gave them a lesson by what they saw in the Temporary Priest to expect with admiration the Eternal Priest and Law-giver Christ Jesus who should be compleatly furnished to all purposes of power and purity that he might perfume their Sacrifices and prostrate the enemies of his Church and this onely in a Spirituall way for his Kingdom is not of this world But a Ministry he has ever had since his departure and I am sure ever will so long as his Word abides which saies The Gates of Hell shall not prevail against the Church Nor did the Jews and Christians onely set apart persons for holy employments giving them Priviledges Tyths and Honour but the very Heathens did thus perhaps from the instinct of Nature The Egyptians chose their Priests and Kings from amongst Philosophers Alex. ab Alex lib. 2. cap. 8. The Greeks Kings and Priests were both one And we read of Iethro Priest of Midian and of the Priests of the Philistims of Baal Molech Ashtaroth and other mentioned in holy Writ and prophane stories In our Nation while the Samothei Sarronites or Druydes continued they had great Priviledges their persons and all that repaired to them were exempted from all secular Services and Taxes all Laws made and Judgements stood to which they declared the best of every thing offered to them Plutarch saies That the Laws did enjoyn reverence and Honour to Priests and holy men because they impart the holy things of the Gods not onely to themselves their children friends and families but to all men indifferently And Plato brings in Socrates affirming That amongst the Egyptians no man could be a King 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 unless he were a Priest and if any man got Rule or by Usurpation obtained the Kingdom he was compelled after such obtainment to be Priested that he might be what the Law required both King and Priest Romulus the Founder of the City of Rome Empress of the world set apart Priests and highly priviledged them So did after him Numa his Successor and so did all times downward that were orderly observing the Maxim of Plato which surely he had by Tradition from the Jews as well as by dictate of Nature Not to remove or change those Priesthoods which were ancient and preserved by our Progenitors From the times of the Apostles Christianity held the Order of Priesthood or Ministry sacred And those Emperors and Princes who were good and virtuous did their Duty to them as their Spiritual Fathers Socrates tells us That the Emperour Constantine the Great would not sit down in the Council of Nice with the holy Bishops there convened before they besought him to sit and Sozomen affirms That he refused to give Judgement against the Clergy and when the Arrians brought Accusations against the Orthodox Bishops he took and burned them not permitting their publication saying These Accusations will have proper hearing at the last day of Iudgement Yea Eusebius testifies that he would make great Feasts for the Fathers of the Church set them down with him at the Table largely reward them when they departed command observation of their Canons kiss the wounds of those Bishops and Presbyters that had been tortured and lost their eyes in times of Persecution and would often say If he saw any sin committed by a Priest he would câ—…ver it with his Imperial Robe So writes Theodoret What Honour has been done the Church since appears in stories Emperors Kings and Princes did take their Crowns from the hands of the Clergie for such Bishops were receive Institution from them pertook of the Sacraments of the Church from their hands made them of their Council and Closet employed them on Embassies and other high affairs of State out of pure love and zeal and out of experience of their fidelitie and fitness and not from that pusillanimity and manless subjugation which by many in our Age scornfully is called Priest-riddenness as I may so say their term being Priest-ridden when they express a man addicted to the
part of the water the people will become wormwood bitter and cruel so that many men dye by their heat and passion but a third part of the Sun Moon and Stars to follow the Metaphor 8. Rev. will be darkened farewel learned Counsellors Parliament men Souldiers then comes the Woe Woe Woe to the inhabitants of the Earth verse last I need not say from them come the learned Preachers and Disputants many think them better lost then found better disbanded then kept in pay they are among the Supernumeraries for a pinch and no more but from them proceed the Learned Physitians a sort of men incomparably Learned and at this day so famous for all humane Science that I think I may boldly say the Colledge of them at London with the several Doctors and practisers of Physick throughout the Nation are as knowing as the Physitians of any Nation in Europe and as well deserve honour and respect as any their Predecessors in that faculty yea from them come the grave and knowing Lawyers both Common and Civil Men of no Trite note hitherto whose breedings for many years have been Academick and for the most part of them Generous For our Laws were not heretofore written nor discoursed on by vulgar pens or green heads but grand Sages Reverend Bishops learned Scholars I find Egelrieus B. of Chichester long ago a most expert man in our Laws Nigellus B. of Ely and Treasurer to Henry 1. had most incomparable knowledge in Exchequer Rights and wrote thereof dexterously Bracton Britton and Glanvil noble Writers skill'd in the Laws two of them said to be Doctors of the Civil Laws and who so reads the well composed year-books the notable Abridgement by Fitzherbert the Reports by Sir Edward Cook and Sir Iames Dyer the Commentaries of Littleton Plowden and other the judicious Tracts and Arguments of Law which have been authoritatively published will confess if passion and prejudice do not Obfuscate his Reason and Judgement that the compilers of them were not men meanly bred or loosly seen in Arts but opiparously accomplished and were there no other of that Noble Societie to plead for Learning there is one Selden whose pains and proficiencie will out-live to his Honour and Students profit the Furie of all Gain-sayers so true is that of Plato Learning and good institution will make the Egyptians more wise and Famous then their power for it is approved the best prescript by which to recover Wisedom and Fame Nay from these come almost all Gentlemen of Parts and Qualitie the ground of whose after improvement and eminent Fulnesse is there laid Without these we shall have in aftertimes but Lean and Letterless Parliament men Pithless Justices Hair-braind Governours t will be a sad time when that of the Bishop of London in Queen Maries daies of the Lords may be said of Rulers with more truth Those Lords understand no Latine Monstrum horrendum informe ingens cui lumen ademptum In a word a general failing of Vital and Animal Spirits by which the Commonwealth should be actuated and the glory of the Nation preserved which will not be if the Mothers breasts yield no Milk wherewith to suckle her Babes For my part I wish their Renown and pray for their continuance and encrease Peace be O Lord within their walls and Prosperity within their Pallaces And no less wish I to the Clergie and their yet left Portion Tythes or Legal Maintenance though this Pittance be everywhere Maligned and begrutched them by some of the Covetous and ignorant Laiques of the Nation as if forsooth it were Popish Oppressive and to be cast out with other parts of Church-Trash and useless Trumperie as they call what I doubt they understand not 'T is a loud cry they make but to little purpose The Orator tells us That how much easier it is to make then to heal a Wound so much easier is it to accuse then to defend yet I hope the Arduity will not be unconquerable nor the defence of them be wholly waved as I hope by those whom it immediately concerns the learned heretofore giving great helps to succeeding endeavors I intend no controversie I propose no Antagonist but the Hydra-headed multitude whom I shall answer as the Arch-Angel did the Divel The Lord rebuke thee I shall offer but a Widows Mite let it not be refused while I come with my Turtle Dove let me be received to Sacrifice Tythes as Maintenance are very Ancient Gods quit-rent from mankind in testimony of his Dominion and Soveraignty over them called by the Ancients Vectigal Dei in the Old Councels 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The goods of the Church 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Church Offerings and of later times Patrimonium Crucifixi The Tribute and portion of God the patrimony of the Crucified They were paid as is thought by some of the Learned by Abraham to Melchisedeck King of Salem and Priest of the High God Gen. 14. 20. Not onely as an Honorarium quoddam as some of the Learned aver but according to Lyra a Due Cui debebatur tanquam Sacerdoti saith he on that Text and S. Paul to clear that Tythes as Maintenance were Moral and Perpetual not Ceremonial and Levitical neither Commencing nor determining with the Jewish Paedagogie and Priesthood saith Levi also who received Tythes payd Tythes in Abraham for he was yet in the loyns of his Father when Melchisedeck met him Heb. 7. 9 10. So then if Tythes were paid before Levi was and paid after to Levi as descending from that Priesthood which was Antecedaneous and must be perpetual as to the main to the end of the world then are Tythes as Maintenance no more Jewish and Temporary then Scripture is or any thing else that was in use amongst the Jews and ought to be in use in the Church to the end of the world I apply not this to the Quota pars the manner of decimation but to Tythes so far as they are maintenance plentiful and proportionate to the Service required from Ministers for them I urge the Apostles Canon I Cor. 9. 13 14. Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live upon the things of the Temple and those which wait at the Altar are partakers with the Altar even so saith he hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the Gospel should live of the Gospel And if the Priests Levitital were to Live by their labour and attendance shall not the Priest-hood Evangelical and perpetual subsist it self upon the Gospel and its Professors that would be unreasonable and sensless for God requires no more then he gives if he expect the Labourers pains he will think the Labourer worthy of his hire So saith our Lord Iohn 10. 7. applied by St. Paul 1 Tim. 5. 18. to the Ministers of the Gospel who who ought to be rewarded for their pains and travel where he saith The Scripture saith Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth
that those men who have some gifts and think they are rich in them having need of nothing when alas they are blind and naked Rev. 3. 17. make Calves of those gifts they have and by them tempt the people to Idolize them and their gifts yea and to contemn the Ministry and Ordinances of the Church crying up themselves as the instruments that brought men from Superstition into the glorious light of Truth and liberty of the Gospel Thus they thrust their sickle into anothers Harvest and reap where they sowed not Alas every man is not a lawfull Labourer in the Vineyard that breaks through the hedge and toyles therein without and against the leave of the lawful Master of the Vine-yard No man in the Church is to do any thing but he that is a Church-man upon penalty of presumption Good intents do not warrant bad actions nor do ready Wills alwayes argue just Calls The Priests onely were to touch the Ark What had Uzza the Levite to do with it 'T was enough for him to touch the barres of itâ—… though the Ark was agitated to and fro yet had he not warrant to take hold on it He should have minded the Ministration he was appointed to but his care out-runing his Call his life was taken away God struck him with death who first assaulted him by a bold presumption 'T is a wonder to me that any man should think his own Arrogancie warrant for his actions especially in matters of the highest and most important consequence whereas in secular and civil affairs not a mans own word but his Superiours authority and qualification enables him Who dares take upon him to raise Forces lay Taxes levy Contributions punish offenders or negotiate with Forraign States but those who are the designed Officers thereto and yet in the matters of God in the dispensation of his holy mysteries every man will be a Priest and a Prophet as if it were pardonable onely to be disorderly in Religion and as if God had connived at lawlesse Liberty where the danger of miscarrying is most fatal The Apostle speaking of the Priesthood saies No man taketh this honour upon him but he that is called of God as was Aaron asserting thereby that Aarons Priest-hood was not by his own assumption he was not a Priest because he would be so but he was so because God called him thereto and honoured him thereby yea our Lord Christs Priest-hood and the glory of it was from his Father who said unto him Thou art my Son this day have I begotten thee which Priest-hood of Christ continuing in the Churches Succession by virtue of that of our Lord to his disciples As my Father hath sent me so send I you is also to exclude all men from Lawful officiating who are not Called thereto in a Church Order and by Church hands And if Uzziah a great King and a good man in the sight of God 2 Chron. 26. transgressed against God in taking the Office of the Priests on him Why shall we think they of a meaner degree may And therefore let not the people say of the Ministry of this once glorious Church which some men would rejoyce to see with Christ Jesus on the Crosse exposed to shame and torment as the Rebellious and Idolatrous Israelites did of Moses when he was in the Mount with God Exod. 32. 1. As for this man Moses we know not what is become of him crying out for gifted men as they call them in opposition to their learned Ministers as they did for their molten Calfe let them not venture Eternity upon the Prescripts of blind Guides who have no better warrant no other Credentials to entitle them to Church labour then their own impudence having a yearly and a monthly faith a faith of times not Gospel as Turtullian elegantly on such to trust is to build on stubble and straw and lean on Egyptian reeds which will falter and deceive us in our greatest need being like those Flores horae which I have seen very pleasant but dead and withdrawn in a trice for this to do were to provoke God to remove our true Teachers into corners and to make the word of Life a dead letter to us To make the Gospel hidden to us as to those that are lost For my part my repair shall be to God and his holy Ministers in all spiritual doubts and disconsolacies and from them I shall never be ashamed to receive correction and instruction I am of his mind who had rather be a Member of the Church then head of the heathen Empire I admire those Ages most which had greatest devotion to the Church and condemn that wherein the Clergy is decried I love to see Solomons throne guarded with learned worthies smile who will at the decay of Schools and scorn of Presbyters mine eye shall pity my tongue shall speak my pen shall write for them yea were I as happy as Solomon was for wealth I would make their tables be full and their cups to run over This were indeed to help the Lord against the mighty the mighty Goliahs of Rome who by this way of vilipendency hope to give our Clergies flesh to be food for the birds of the Air whose triumphs rife from the Churches viduation from her learnings contempt and prosternation Hence are thy Jubilies O Church once beloved but not now beloved hence your Ovations O children of the Papacy to see the Protestant Clergy miserable and poor and blind and naked to see them hopelesse to out live the wildernesse of hardship and probable to dye issuelesse if no after-springs should grow to disquiet you is much your interest This evil to deprecate and as far as in us lies to prevent were indeed to help the Lord against the mighty hoasts of Atheists which are come forth to revile the armies of the living God these no less mischievous then the former subject faith to reason and proclaim the Ministry and all Church administrations secular deceits and subtile frauds invented upon rules and designs of state policy What Calderinus said of the Masse that say they of Churches Sermons Sacraments Let us go to the common errors these dispute heaven hel Scripture conscience severity of life into meer nullities giving them no better footing then civil symbolizing with people amongst whom we live and with whom converse and making them obligatory and restrictive to us as we understand them or as others may to whom by contrary living we are to give no offence not allowing them that power and Energy which God hath imprinted on them and which are experienced to be in them by the attestation of the Saints Martyrs who have found these working on them to a grand provocation of holy caution and circumspection checking them when they were ready as it were to engage in actions displeasing to God and detractful from the honour of their holy profession It is a sad and inglorious note of ingratitude
waters But if God shall suffer men to grow cold in their loves and to look askew on men Learned and nip their bud then will their gray hairs appear and men shall cry out How art thou fallen from heaven O Lucifer son of the morning Then will Harps be hung on willows the voice of Turtles be no more heard in our Land Winter will then be upon us gemmulas et pubescentes herbas interficit et adurit nocentissimum frigus saith Arnobius This straight yet we are not blessed be God put to the tree of true Learning is not felled though the Ax be laid to the root of it Paul's prayers to be delivered from unreasonable men may speed as much as Peters sword fair intreaties Humble Petitions are more in fashion then Church Censures I will beg of God and our Governours for the Learned a writ of Priviledg that they may be secure and not the Chase of every spoiler and that they would grant that petition which they offer to them as once was offered to Iupiter 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Great Iove the good thou hast to give Whether we ask't or no Let 's still receive no mischiefs thrive To work our overthrow This granted and that suddenly too Affectio omnis impatiens etiam justae legitimae tarditatis I shall hope to see good times again and enjoy ingenuous companions here still else England will be no more terrarum decus flos finitimarum as of old was said but a Nation not worthy to be beloved because a step-mother to her best and most beautifull children who will say to her as Marius did to Minutius While our Country cherishes us we pay it love but when it injures us we forsake it Not place but Convenience causeth Love My hopes are prayers shal be that God would keep Learning as the Apple of his eye that he would protect this his servant in the fire and in the water that by the Golden scepter of Mercy and bounty he would call this Hester to her Ahasuerus and set her by him on the Throne that he would preserve his Church and be unto it a Sun to enlighten and a shield to encompass that out of the rock he would make waters to flow not bitter like those of Marah but sweet such as make glad the City of God And this in his due time he will doe For he hath not forgotten to be Gracious nor shut up his loving kindness in displeasure yea he will return and leave the blessing of peace to us and to our Posterity Without which Conquests and Crowns powers and wealth will be but mens vexations No man envies the poor Cottager the hireling who labours early and late in wet and dry day and night the fat Oxe goes to the shambles the Tall Cedar has the winds in his branches the priceless unicorn must to wrack the good durable is that which is internall King Hezekiahs comfort Isay 38. 3. Remember now O Lord I have walked before thee with an upright heart and in truth and have done that which is good in thy sight this will accompany men to all places in all conditions at all times and make them rich in poverty civil in rudeness patient under provocation at liberty when restrayned in comfort when distressed owned when neglected nay conquerors when conquered And a help to this is learning while it teaches us the knowledg of God and our selves and restrains us from all those disorders that our nature without it unprepared would break out into I have read of many men who have repented their greatness and deserted their earthly Honours and Crowns Philip the Second of Spain was wont to say that the best fruit of being a King was to bring him to repent hee was so And the great Pope Adrian the 6. had this inscribed on his tomb by his own direction Here lies Adrian the 6. whose greatness Government was the greatest burthen he complained of and of Thales 't is said he left the affairs of state to become a Philosopher and to contemplate as accounting his life of action an estrangement from himself Our own stories tell us of many Kings and Queens of this Land who voluntarily to enjoy a Religious and private life have resigned their Crowns within the space of 200 years 30 at least twelve of whom have bin Martyrs for relgion 10. of whom are Calendred for Saints so that in Capgraves words It was a rare thing then to see a King and not a Saint Yea a learned Man tels us That he found more pious Kings of this Nation then in any other part of the world though never so great the cares crosses and emulations which attend Mundane honors being such as made them quere what Ease was as Pilate did what Truth was and therfore no wonder if they bethink their lives led in so unpleasing a wilderness But to all learned men Learning is so delightful that no pleasure no not that of life is like it Eudâ—…xus would be contented to burn with Phaeton so he might but take the figure and height of a Star and leave the knowledg of it to after-ages Archimedes would not desist a Mathematicall Experiment to save his life Few men have ever bedewed their cheeks with tears or accused their expence of time in searching after sober and commendable Art I have heard of some who upon accident and speciall occasions have bemoaned their Learning When a Favourite must die by warrant of his unwilling Prince then perhaps a Utinam nescirem literas may be heard when learned men have in their Studies propounded more their own applause then Gods glory more to know then be good then God may touch them and they may cry out as he did Scientia mea me damnat or in holy Isay's words Wo is mee I am undone for mine eyes have seen the King the Lord of hoasts I have seen his mercy love power goodness faithfulness have had many discoveries of him and much attraction from him but I more doted on words and flowers on the curiosities of dispute then the beauties of reall holinesse I rather desired to hear Ambrose the eloquent then Ambrose the holy rather Paul brought up at the feet of Gamaleel then the Apostle of Christ glorying in the cross accounting al things dross and dung in comparison of Christ Jesus upon these accounts and by occasion of learning misâ—…sed I have heard of out-cryes and bemoanings but when God gave grace to use these golden talents aright where the gifts of Iulian were not accursed by his wickedness where the souls Dan and Bethel do not occasion disobedience to God 1 King 12. 28. Where the beauty of them doth not make the heart fall in love as did Solomon with strange religions and vices deserting the true use of learning the knowledge and fear of God there did