thus instead of honouring the Lord they honour themselves with their substance and instead of serving him they even serve their lusts with the first fruits of all their encrease 5. Ground A fifth reason for Saints reforming their apparrell is taken from the manifold great temptations and evills Saints often fall into to get that which is so lightly parted with in superfluous ornaments Is it not easie to be seene and sadly to be lamented that to provide and maintaine costly apparrell stately houses rich house-furniture delicious fare and such like things according to the fashion of this world those crying sinnes of covetousnesse deceite injustice with other like evills (f) What evill fire is that which must be fed with such fewell act their parts in some professors of an high straine to the great dishonour of the glorious name of God And why is it that precious opportunities of assembling together and visiting one another are so often neglected by the Saints And oh whence is it that there is so little looking after and preparing for the great day of Christs comming the hearts of professors being surfeited with the cares of this life and that day ready to overtake them unawares and they in danger to be found without their wedding garments Is it not so with many or most because their endeavours are over-much laid out and precious time not to be redeemed with gold unprofitably spent (g) Is this to walke wisely redeeming the time thus to spend it in vaine adornings and wasted in providing and putting on costly and curious apparrell whereas to provide convenient garments without such ornaments and to procure other accommodations in and about their houses sutable thereunto so much time need not to be taken up nor carefull thoughts (h) How many careful thoughts doe some take to provide and put on needlesse deckings how doe such obey that word of Christ Mat. 6.28 Take no thought for rayment 6. Ground forbidden by Christ laid out for themselves or their Children after them Observe that word Mat. 6 28. Why take yee thought for rayment and vers 32. After all these things doe the Gentiles seeke A sixth ground is taken from the glorious things promised to the people of God who deale their bread to the hungry and bring the poore out-casts to their houses Isai 58. 7 8. c. viz. That their light shall rise in obscurity their darknesse shall be as the noone day they shall call and the Lord will answer Those high enjoyments are here promised to a people who make another use of their outward substance then to lavish it on needlesse ornaments as the manner of some is Unlesse there be a reformation in this thing what singular works of this kinde before-mentioned can be done by the Saints which may be good Evidences that God hath sett them in the ready way to those high attainments They who waite for such glorious things and expect such large measures of the Spirit must learne to be good Stewards of the things of this life (i) They who waite for the Spirit must be content to part with all their fleshly delights and act as the wise Merchant man who having found one pearle of great price sold all and bought it Mat. 13.45 46 He that hath an eare let him heare what Christ saith If yee have not been faithfull in the unrighteous Mammon the riches of this world who will commit to your trust the true riches Hee that is unjust or unfaithfull in that which is least is unjust also in much Luk. 16.10.11 The people whom God will use and honour to raise up the foundations of many generations to repaire breaches and to restore pathes to dwell in Isaiah 58.12 They shall not as others have done seeke great things for themselves but shall be a mercifull holy humble selfe-denying people as may appeare by comparing with the 12th verse the five foregoing verses of that Chapter And if God will doe such great things by them without doubt the Spirit of the Lord shall be early and abundantly powred out upon them These things duely considered it appeares that those precious promises together with the Saints earnest expectation of such great and glorious things to be fullfilled in this generation doe lay a strong engagement upon us to cease from our superfluous ornaments and all things else that hinder Saints from doing those singular things before expressed Isai 58.7 8 10. 7. Ground Seventhly The day and time we live in calls to this reformation Is it not a time of trouble a day of great rebuke and grievous blasphemies (i) See how Hezekiah though he were a king humbled himselfe put on sackcloth and how the Lord takes notice of his so doing Isa 37.1 2. wide breaches still remaining among Gods people glorious things brought to the birth and no strength to bring forth And is not this a time for Saints rather to be rending then decking their garments (k) Observe the practise of Josoah and Caleb when the people speke of making them a Captaine and returning again into Aegypt Num. 14.4.6 And see also the practise of Barrabas Saul Acts 14.14 Undoubtedly the day calls to mourning and humbling our selves laying aside our vaine ornaments Is it a light thing to turne a deafe eare to Gods call by such dispensations And when he thus calls to a people to deny themselves of their liberty (l) Are there not many such professors who minde their liberty more then their duty in outward things then to stretch to the utmost bounds thereof Isai 22.12 13. In that day saith the Prophet did the Lord of hosts call to weeping and mourning and girding with sackcloth and behold killing of sheepe and staying of Oxen c. And what followes verse the 14 And it was revealed in mine eares saith the Lord of hosts This iniquity shall not be purged from you till yee die With this let the Reader compare diligently that noted word in Amos 6.5 6 7. Where those are severely threatned who dranke wine in bowles and forgatt the afflictions of Joseph (m) Let the women professors in London and elsewhere who spend so little time in private praying and humbling themselves and so much in adorning themselves with costly aray and plaiting the hayre let such I say reade and marke well Isaiah 3. From the sixteenth forward Can they choose but blush or rather tremble at that word And can they escape much longer without correction who doe such things at this day Doe not Saints put farre away the evill day when they put on their vaine ornaments and appeare with badges of pride and not the marke of mourners upon them (n) Who that beholds the appartell of most professors at this day would take them to be such as sigh and cry for all the abomination of Gods people Is not pride in apparrell one abomination their partaking in it so apparently plainly shews them without
things and nothing aileth us I shall not here meddle with that question What times to come may allow of onely let mee allude to the words of Haggai the Prophet Hag. 3. Is this a time for you O yee to dwell in your ceiled houses so is this a time for Saints to be decking themselves with costly ornaments whilst so many of their brethren abroad are wounded and lye as it were bleeding even to death (a) Mark how Moses reproves the children of Gad and of Reuben when they would sit downe before their brethren were put into their possession Shall your brethren goe to warre and shall yee sit here Numb 32.6 Might it not rather become a true hearted Israelite with a tender eye to these things to say with Vriah 2 Sam 11.11 The Ark and Israel and Judah remaine in tents and the servants of the Lord are encamped in the open field c. shall I then goe into mine house to eate and drinke c. May not this his saying shame many professors now who abate nothing of their superfluities upon the account of all the wants sorrowes and sufferings of the people of God (b) As those who are not grieved for the afflictions of Joseph give thēselves great liberty to drinke wine in bowles c. Amos 3. So on the contrary they who are grieved for Josephs affliction are led to deny themselves to such things and all that reproach which is cast upon the glorious name and cause of God Thirdly Hath God blest his people in this Nation with the first-fruits of those promises should they first serve and adorne themselves and not rather honour the Lord and adorne his Gospel by relieving the poore Saints and others with the first-fruits of all their encrease (c) God required of his people of old that they should offer to him without delay the first fruits of all their encrease Exod. 22.29 With which compare that word in Ezek. 20.41 Which relates to latter or last dayes As for the late warre wherein the cause of Christ and his Saints was pleaded with such great resolution and wonderfull successe was it not at first promoted by the free offerings of the godly and well-affected people who brought in their money plate and jewells and kept not backe their lives when they were cal'd for (d) Did not the people as in the dayes of old offer themselves and their's willingly to the worke of the Lord asserting with their lives in their hands that the cause was the Lords The people went out as they were called thereunto to helpe the Lord against the mighty Let it be considered whether the rich spoyles gotten by such a warre should not have been brought into a publique treasury to be faithfully disposed of for the benefit of the cause and people of God (e) Joshua 6.18 19. the gold and silver taken from the enemy converted to private ends and use became a curse and a trouble to the Campe. the instruments imployed taking to themselves food and raiment convenient for them not laying up for themselves nor laying out for their lusts How well would such a course agree with that remarkeable word Isai 23.18 The merchandise of Tyre which in respect of her fornication with the Nations doth fitly resemble mysticall Babylon and her hire shall be holinesse to the Lord it shall neither be treasured nor laid up but it shall be for them that dwell before the Lord to eate sufficiently and for durable Cloathing (f) Doe not some to maintaine gay cloating binde heavy burdens on the backs of Saints And if these things ought to have been done and are not but that which is contrary to them may wee not conclude that the costly apparrell and the great treasures of many who are inriched by the late warres considering the state of affaires civill and spirituall in these nations (g) Fasting and prayer are commendable things but the breaking off hard yoakes is that which is more acceptable to God Isa 58.5 6. and the condition of thousands of Saints at this day in the world are more like Achans golden wedge Babylonish garment (h) Are there not some Achans to be discovered and punisht before the Lord will give his presence in the Campe Doe not his late dispensations speake with a voice like that Josh 7.13 There is an accursed thing in the midst of thee O Israel thou canst not stand before thine enemies untill c. Reade the 6 of Josh 18 19. and the 7th Chapter throughout and compare diligently the things that have been with the things that are and take heed of being taken with goodly Babylolonish garments gotten by the spoyles of the enemies Josh 7.21 then like the great riches Saints shall possesse and the golden ornaments as is supposed they shall put on in the day of Jerusalems perfect prosperity 5 Object Others say we feare least by forbearing to put on such ornaments wee should give occasion to the world to charge us with covetousnesse Answ By the exercise of your liberality in relieving the poore Saints by entertaining strangers and such like workes such censures may easily be prevented (i) Whether they who commit the keeping of their soules to God in well-doing ought in like manner to commit the keeping of their good names to him If any forbeare the wearing of costly aray in designe to reserve the gaine thereby for their covetousnesse they are justly serv'd if that reproach fall upon them Yet all this makes nothing against a conscientious reformation in apparrell which is a speciall helpe against covetousnesse an evill practised by most men to uphold their pride Wherefore let them both fall together and this objection will be gone 6 Object What say some wee feare least by leaving off our superfluous ornaments wee should bring our selves into danger of being numbred with the Quakers seeing they are observed to speake much against pride in apparrell Answ I answer First May wee not as well on the same ground cease to declare against false worship and to speake of the Spirit because they who are called Quakers doe such things and others who shall so doe are like to be so accounted Secondly Some men doe good things on evill grounds to promote bad designes wee may not therefore refuse to doe the same things on good and righteous grounds Thirdly (i) How few doe shew Gospel-faith by their obedience to that Command of Christ which bids them to rejoyce and leape for joy when men shall reproach them for his sake Luk. 6.22 23. If this thing be of God as hath been before shewed at large we ought not to be discouraged therein on any such account see Isa 51.7 But herein rather to rejoyce k if we be counted worthy to suffer that or any other shame for righteousnesse sake for Christ hath pronounced such sufferers greatly blessed Mat. 5.10 11 12. Luke 6.22 23. Fourthly Consider whether this peoples standing up to plead
ARROWES AGAINST BABYLON OR Certaine Quaeries serving to a cleere Discovery of the Mystery of Iniquity Whereunto are added Endeavours for Reformation in Saints apparrell With some Quaeries for the people called Quakers By JOHN PENDARVES a well wisher to Sion Put your selves in array against Babylon round about shoote at her spare no arrowes c. Jerem. 50.14 v. Flee out of the midst of Babylon and deliver every man his soule be not cut off in her iniquity for this is the time of the Lords vengeance hee will render unto her recompence Jere. 51.6 v. And I heard another voyce from heaven saying Come out of her my people that yet pertake not of her sins and that yee receive not of her plagues Rev. 18.41 v. O Daughter of Babylon who art to be destroyed happy shall he be that rewardeth thee as thou hast served us Psal 137.8 v. LONDON Printed by M. S. for Livewell Chapman at the Crowne in Popes-head-Alley 1656. The Epistle Dedicatory To the precious Sonnes of Sion who minde the work of their generation and to all the faithfull and beloved Servants of God small and great THe fall of Babylon being decreed in Heaven and declared on Earth and the time said to be neare at hand a This is one of the things of which John saith They must shortly come to passe Rev 1.1.8 so many hundred yeares agoe as have past since the revelation was given to John b Much neerer now Why should it be thought beside the work of this day to seek her down-fall and to cry aloud unto Gods people to come out of her Hath not God and man of late yeares appeared against her oppressing powers spirituall and civill in these Nations Her maine Pillars the Archbishops Bishops c. with their grand supporter where are they Did not the sure word of Prophecy against Babylon take hold of them since those Pillars have been removed hath not that unhappy building been as a falling house out of which many thousands of Gods people have hasted forth the Lord going before them by many wonderfull signall providences opening a wide doore unto them If the remnant of old who preferr'd Jerusalem above their cheife joy which holds forth a true Character of Sions lovers were so bold in her behalfe to tell the daughter of Babylon to her face Thou art to be destroyed calling them happy who should be the Instruments to reward her cruelties to Gods people Psal 137. If they speak thus whilst yet remaining captives let it not seeme strange if we who are in so great a measure delivered doe in the same spirit of faith declare openly the approaching fall of the daughter of mysticall Babylon which that wee may not shoote at rovers I have in the ensuing Quaeries laboured to discover the mother and her daughter the mark at which those arrows are shott The mother being more notorious for her bloody persecutions and filthy abominations may soone be discovered her daughter having putt on a new dresse appeares fresh coloured and well-liking and hath her lovers amongst great if not good men They who drinke of her wine and eate of her dainties praise her beauty as shee is now reformed Shee hath it seemes painted her face with more art and better successe then Jezebell or else some have had lesse zeale then Jehu who having no great power on his side yet commanded that painted Jezebel to be thrown downe With this Jezebel the daughter of Babylon men formerly of great note for zeale and piety preferring peace before purity c The wisdome that is from above preferres purity before peace Jam 3.17 Its first pure then peaceable the wisdome from beneath is quite contrary opposing truth under a pretence of peace in that true wisdome they who have acted of old and of late are accounted troublers of Israel become confederate to oppose a thorow reformation who seeme well content with the old garment some new peices put to it which as our Saviour saith makes the rent worse they cannot beare to have the axe laid at the roote How doe many in our dayes like Herod heare good men gladly till their lusts and wills be crost their hearts cleave to some worldly interest which being as the right eye they will not part with Such can take Law and Covenant in their mouth pray and preach well with much excellency of speech but their spirits may be discerned by this one thing They like not to reform or to be reformed with a thorow reformation which is the onely right reformation according to the word of God to which our solemn Covenant binds us as also with subordination thereunto to the example of the best reformed Churches which are such undoubtedly as stand at greatest distance from Antichristian pollutions Is the Religion of this Nation so reformed if not why doe they not presse forward Nay doe not many sit downe and take up their rest as if they had attained and as if the worke were perfected Hath mysticall Babylon been rased to the foundation thereof If not ought not that remnant of Gods people who retaine their first zeale against Babylon to proceed to pray against her as the remnant of the faithfull of old against the Children of Edom d Is it not the duty of Gods elect to cry day and night for vengeance upon Babylon see Luk. 18.1.7 and 8 verses Psal 137.7 Remember O Lord the Children of Edom in the day of Jerusalem who said rase it rase it even to the foundation thereof Let us take heede of concluding such prayers though put up by godly men of like passions with us to be the fruite of their passions and peevishnesse If here were need of further Apology for this work and for the Saints zealous praying and declaring against Babylon in a right spirit sufficient might be offered not onely to justifie the practise but also to invite thereunto from this one consideration that the glory of God and the comfort of his people are so highly concerned in her fall as the Scriptures largely shew Oh what joyfull Hallelujahs shall be sung by the Saints when they shall see the judgements of God on the great Whore which corrupted the Earth Rev. 19.1 2. c. If men of great light see not how this matter concernes the glory of God Is it not because they study to promote their owne interest more then his have they no better insight into the things that make for their owne glory It is the joy of my heart in the midst of many causes of griefe that God will forme yea he is forming a people for himselfe which shall shew forth his praise e And the people which shall be created shall praise the Lord Psal 102.18 Esay 43.21 The naked single designe of the people of this new Creation shall be that the Lord the Lord alone may be exalted which if the Author know his heart is the one thing aymed at in spending those Arrowes upon
Babylon as also in those endeavours for reformation in apparell wherein opposition is made against one not the least of her evills That which is added in those Quaeries to the Quakers serves for the discovery of Satan transforming himselfe into an Angel of light It is no new thing for scornfull men to set light by plain testimonies against their abominations and lay a snare for him that reprooveth in the gate f Isay 29.20 21. making a man an offender for a word if such shall count mee vile for this work I shall not thinke it strange If the Lord shall make it appeare that the least of the poore of his flock receive light and reape benefit hereby and give the glory to him I shall rejoyce therein Although my service to Christ in this or any thing I can doe be but small I am comforted in beleeving that there shall a time come and that it s not farre off when God shall reward his servants not onely the great but the small g Rev. 11.18 The high esteeme I have of the prayers of the Saints together with a deepe sence of my need of fresh supplyes of grace put mee upon this humble suit to you who are the seede of Jacob that after your supplications to the Lord for all Saints hee may obtaine a speciall remembrance who is unworthy to be accounted The least of those who follow the Lambe J. P. A word of Exhortation To the people of God in Babylon Deare Friends I Beseech you in the bowells of Christ consider that like as it was a singular act of Gods grace to warne Lott to come out of Sodom when fire and brimstone was ready to come downe upon that Citty so is it now no lesse but rather a more eminent act of his rich grace to warne and wooe you to come out of Babylon lovingly engaging you thereunto even as though he did beseech you by and for all the interest he hath in you saying Come out of her my people Rev. 18.4 The mercy to you may appeare farre greater the judgement of God upon Sodom being more tolerable then the grievous torments and spirituall plagues belonging to Babylon whose sins reach unto Heaven Rev. 18.5 and her judgement is lifted up unto the skies Jerem. 51.9 Herein is his great goodnesse to you that he hath not onely given you timely notice before the Decree bring forth but in this also that he hath condescended to afford many helpes in his Word for the discovery of Mysticall Babylon which with so much serpentine wisdome transformes her selfe with such faire pretences that shee is least suspected to be what shee is by most who dwell with her That little light which the Lord hath lent me concerning this Mystery I here impart it to you as your right considering my selfe as in the body of Gods people one with you though not so in respect of a visible orderly Church-state and worship wherein the name of God is greatly concerned Beware of that which is a common evill among the people in the broad way whom you joyne hand withall to speake evill of the things they understand not * Pet. 2.12 Yee are bought with a price be not yee in such bondage to men as not to try their way opinions and sayings by the Spirit and the word of God whereby David was made to understand more then all his teachers and more then the ancients Psal 119.99 100. Why should it be thought unlikely that God should reveale unto babes and sucklings that which he hides from the wise and prudent Oh read and weigh these Scriptures Mat. 11.25 1 Cor. 1.27 28. Psal 8.2 Isa 29.14 15. My bowells being troubled and my soule in travell for your deliverance I have as a learner by way of Quaerie presented divers weighty things backt with Scriptures to your consideration whereof the meditation hath been sweete to me the Lord make the reading so to you And whereas God doth and will by men as instruments call to his people to come out of Babylon before her utter destruction which is not farre off As the day which hath already dawned comes on upon us wee may expect cleerer light and better helpes In the meane time accept of use and improve such as you have and the Lord command his blessing that his name may have glory So prayes The Lords unprofitable servant J. P. Arrowes against Babylon OR Certaine Quaeries serving to a cleere Discovery of the Mystery of Iniquity 1 Quae WHether Israells going into Aegypt their bondage there and their deliverance were not all typicall to set forth the state of the Church and people of God under the New Testament And whether this hath not been by the tongues and pens of all parties of the godly in England who have publickly contended for Reformation in Religion of late yeares generally confessed and asserted 2. Whether the Church of Rome and principally the head of that body her Ecclesiasticall powers the Pope with his Cardinalls Arch-Bishops Bishops c. be not that Mysticall Babylon the Great the Mother of Harlots described in Rev 17. who is said to be the Whore sitting upon many waters commiting fornication with the Kings of the Earth c. Having in her hand a golden cup full of abominations c. drunken with the blood of Saints and Martyrs of Jesus And whether those Characters with others there layd downe by the blessed Spirit of God for our information That the church of Rome is no true Church of Christ have not divers Martyrs sealed it with their blood Reade Acts and Mon. doe also fitly agree and may be applyed to any Church or State whatsoever as to the Church of Rome And if the Church of Rome be Mysticall Babylon then whether is shee any more worthy to be accounted Syon or a true visible Church of God then was Babylon of old her proper type 3. Whether the Church of England the Nation considered as a Church with the Parochiall Congregations as Churches be not a Daughter of that Babylon the Mother of Harlots and their Ministry in point of Ordination the off-spring of the Pope Have they at any time even to this day either by word in any solemne Declaration or by practise in gathering a Church out of the Nation as out of the world disclaimed that Church-state which in its grossest corruption was avowed and maintained by the Popish Ministry and people of this Land in Queene Maries dayes Is it not apparent that some new peices onely have been put to that old garment that old Church state yea whilst first the same and since the like people without any visible Marks of Conversion with their Romish Baptisme and Ordination of Ministry are still retained And whether the aforesaid Characters in the second Quaery describing the Mother of Harlots the Church of Rome and her Ministry doe not in like manner in their measure appeare upon her Daughter the Nationall Church of England and her Ministry
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
who strike in with that deadly interest at the latter end of the day to act their part against Christ and his Cause Should not all men take heede how they touch or take part with that interest least they come under the guilt of all the former bloody persecutions of Gods Saints Whether are not the opposite interests of flesh and Spirit now at warre the same interests which were at variance in Cain and Abell the seeds being the same two as formerly though brought forth in severall ages though the controversie betwixt them not alwayes upon the same part or point of truth or errour ENDEAVOVRS FOR REFORMATION IN APPARRELL OR Some reasons rendred for Saints forbearing to put upon their Garments such trimmings and ornaments as are alltogether superfluous and apparently uselesse With Answers to severall Objections Put on the Lord Jesus Christ and make no provision for the flesh to fullfill the lusts thereof Rom. 13.14 Moreover the Lord saith Because the Daughters of Sion are haughty and walke with stretched forth necks wanton eyes walking and mincing or tripping nicely as they goe and making a tinckling with their feete Isa 3.16 Therefore the Lord will smite with a scab the crowne of the head of the Daughters of Sion c. vers 17. In that day the Lord will take away the bravery of their tinckling ornaments c. vers 18. Behold the day commeth which shall burne as an Oven and all the proud and all that doe wickedly shall be as stubble and that day that commeth shall burne them up saith the Lord that it shall leave them neither roote nor branch Mal. 4.1 If yee will not heare my soule shall weepe in secret places for your pride Jer. 13.17 LONDON Printed for Livewell Chapman in Popes-head Alley 1656. I shall gladly submit to the judgement of such touching these following Endeavours knowing full well that they dare not so turne the grace of God into wantonnesse as deliberately to slight on the account of liberty the least hint of truth clearely convincing them of duty yet seeing such may be tempted for a worldly interest to stifle their light in this thing my Counsell is that they bare in minde the great price of their Redemption from a vaine conversation which if they doe they will not thinke it much to suffer losse in their names and trades for righteousnesse sake in this fiery trying day which is growne so darke to some who not long since rejoyced in the light that now they complaine in the words of the Prophet Isaiah 59.9 We waite for light but behold obscurity c. Whilst knowledge seemes to be desired is not doing omitted And are there not many who will not see the things they have no minde to practise But precept must be upon precept line upon line here a little and there a little that they may goe and fall backward as men doe who begin to reforme and then when their interest is struck at fall backward and be broken snared and taken Isa 28.13 Courteous Reader I shall not hide from thee the rise of this discourse and the occasion of its publication The Lord having eminently appeared to a considerable number of his people in their waiting on him together in severall solemne Meetings clearely witnessing to their Consciences against their superfluous ornaments on their apparrell in so much as diverse did forthwith repent and reforme Some calling for a reason for this reformation I thought it needfull to avoyde much speaking of this matter to put pen to paper and since that to prevent the labour of transcribing Copies to put my papers to the presse If God teach thee to profit by them give him alone the glory As for scorners let them delight in scorning but let the wise heare the whole matter and then give judgement And as for such who are strong and by reason of use have their senses exercised to a cleere discerning between good and evill let such beare with my rude Endeavours and bring forth a better testimony against that abomination of pride in apparrell wherewith most professors are so spotted and the profession of godlinesse by reason thereof so much evill spoken of that if all should hold their peace a man might expect according to the words of Christ in another case Luk. 19.40 The stones would immediately cry out Who knowes but the least of the flock by an holy zeale accompanied with many infirmities which love should cover may provoke some great Preachers to looke more narrowly into this matter Rom. 2.14 and to examine themselves why seeing there was never more occasion given to declare against pride they have no more discovered this iniquity which now it is to be feared they winke at in others because so much of it cleaves to themselves and theirs The Lord who is faithfull and true hath promised That he will purely purge away all the drosse of Syon and take away all her tinne then will he restore unto them Judges as at the first and Councellers as at the beginning Isai 1.25 26. Which good thing that the Lord may speedily performe is the hearty desire and dayly prayer of The Lords most unworthy servant whom he hath pluckt as a brand out of the fire JOHN PENDARVES ENDEAVOVRS FOR REFORMATION IN APPARRELL OR Some Reasons rendred for Saints forbearing to put upon their Garments such trimmings and ornaments as are alltogether superfluous and apparently uselesse With Answers to severall Objections THe first reason or argument First Ground or Reason takes its rise from the death and resurrection of Christ and the Saints fellowship with him in both and first from his death The Crosse of Christ is that by which every true beleever is taught with Paul to be crucified to the world and that not onely as his faith presents to him the glory of a crucified Christ hidden from an eye of sence Gal. 6.14 1 Pet. 2.11 Tit. 2.11 12. 1 Pet. 1.8 9. farre exceeding all outward worldly glory but also as it teacheth him to warre against all sensuall worldly lusts in confidence that Christ dyed to redeeme him from them And herein doth the vertue and glory of the sufferings of Christ on the Crosse Phil. 2.6 7 8. wherein he is commended to us as amost glorious patterne of selfe-deniall eminently appeare in his followers in crucifying the lusts of the flesh the lusts of the eyes Gal. 5.24 and pride of life Rom. 6.4 all which stand in opposition to that newnesse of life Saints are called to walke in Now seeing the lusts of the flesh were found warring against Christ on the Crosse and doe dayly warre against his Spirit in the hearts of Saints and Christ warred and doth warre against them Gal. 5.17 Rom. 13.14 his Souldiers ought not to make provision for them by such superfluous deckings least in so doing they be found feeding and cloathing Christs enemies whilst they neglect to feede and cloath his members and least thereby they
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