THE CHRISTIAN CONFLICT A TREATISE Shewing the Difficulties and Duties of this Conflict with the Armour and speciall Graces to be exercised by Christian Souldiers Particularly applied to MAGISTRATES MINISTERS HUSBANDS WIVES PARENTS CHILDREN MASTERS SERVANTS The Case of Vsury and Depopulation and the errours of Antinomists occasionally also discussed Preached in the Lecture of Kettering in the County of Northampton and with some enlargement published by IOSEPH BENTHAM Rector of the Church of Broughton in the same County LONDON Printed by G. M. for Philemon Stephens and Christopher Meredith at the golden Lion in PAULS Church-yard 1635. TO THE RIGHT HONOVRABLE EDVVARD Lord MOUNTAGUE of Boughton in the County of Northampton increase of grace in this life and the full fruition of glory and happinesse in the life to come Right Honourable my very good Lord and singular good Patron IT being an easie and no difficult thing for Momus to picke quarrels in another mans tale and tell it worse than himselfe it being a lesse practice and performance to finde faults than to mend them A strange savage and uncharitable humour inclining to mis-judge off and mis-interpret other mens actions rather than to give them a Christian and charitable construction too much abounding in the world so that nothing can be so well done but it shall be contra 〈…〉 d of the evill it being a thing incident and almost certaine in all mens natures to be hold with fore eyes the new growne felicities of others and to exact a sharpe account of their doings especially whom they have seene either inferiour or in equality with themselves And writing of Bookes in this learned and laborious age being as souldiers in peace chimneyes in summer-season and as setting of corne to sale in the yeare of plenty wherein it was disdained and despised by many desired but of few I thought it frivolous if not a folly for me once againe to adventure upon the common-stage and the worlds theatre in this kind Yet in regard of that allowance and approbation my former Booke of the Society of Saints hath found amongst grave and godly learned and judicious men that the world might not sinisterly suppose me to be more carelesse and lesse diligent at Broughton than I was at Weekly like Saint Hieroms zealous Monke but a luke-warme Abbot or like unto such faint or faithlesse fishers who having caught that which they coveted hang up thâ—ir neâ—s and leaye off to labour any longer That I might manifest mine earnest desire to imitate although afarre off him whom I succeed who living was my patterne I pitched upon for imitation my famous predecessour M. Bolton whose singular rare parts noted in him have won and wâ—dded to him as great reputation and respect as any man living this day carrieth or can have of his degree and quality A man of blessed memory yea such a one that they who knew him could not sufficiently esteeme him and they who did not esteeme him did never sufficiently know him whom living I loved and admired and being dead I desire to follow That as I do not envy and repine at other mens rich gifts with an evill eye so to signifie and shew that I do not despise mine owne poore mite with a wayward and wicked heart but do desire to get and gaine something with my small talent unto my good and gracious Lord blessed and bountifull Master That I might a little unwinde my selfe out of that so intricate a labyrinth in which my heart and best thoughts are and have beene a long time much intangled and inthralled I having often exactly examined and throughly tried and pared my thoughts to the quick how to testifie and tell abroad my humble and hearty my true and unfained thankfulnesse for your Lordships redundant and reduplicated favours munificently heaped upon mee I much abhorring their too bad disposition which neither affoord love nor requite it which neither offer it with kindnesse nor accept it with acknowledgement not onely in placing and planting me at Weekley nor only in countenancing me and my Ministerie being there seated and setled whereby I was much animated and encouraged and continually and copiously contributing to me so often and in such abundance that I my no little charge and great family lived with comfort contentment and plenty even to admiration if not astonishment of all such who did not advisedly consider Gods secret blessing multiplying and making to abound a little meal sensibly and plentifully where and when himself pleaseth and who were not acquainted with the ever-running fountaine of your Lordships liberality flowing over not onely to our refreshing but enriching But also after foureteene yeares triall and experience of me in transplanting mee to Broughtâ—n to succeed M. Bolton of whom I may truly say as Saint Augustine did of Saint Cyprian Multi erat meriti multi pectoris multi oris multae virtutis He was worthy wise eloquent and religious I have presumed to publish this small Treatise not expecting by thus doing to gaine either riches or preferment I having of the former to content me and of the latter by your Lordships favour to the utmost pitch if not further that I expected nor hunting after or hoping hereby to have credit and applause I usually Iohn 7. 14. living solitarily and retiredly at home well knowing that reputation is but a weake and wavering foundation and that peoples affections oft raise mens hopes and ruine their persons and that wise men are not moved by rumours since they grow by reports and diminish by experience and since that long continuance of a thing slakes the wonderment and makes the wings of report to flag But for the aforesaid causes and considerations as also to do or attempt the doing of good in the Church and my native Countrey well knowing that good intentions except from selfe-perswasions against Gods commandements which are meere impieties have such a sympathy with Gods own disposition that he will both assist them for their better encouragement and for others example and well knowing that as a scout may upon an occasion heare and know what a whole host hath no present notice of so I who am no more a stranger in diverse difficulties and distresses of Christianity and in many miseries of this Common-wealth than he who in a ship as a passenger when it is in danger declares the same although no Pilot have assayed what in me is the good of others desiring and yet it is a folly to wish where there is no hope that this which I have penned for publike profit might please all But alas to have expected to please all men I might rather have wished as I do no more than imagined any possibility Neither shall I much regard the malevolent bitings of envious carpers of other mens Writings May it please your Lordship to take in good part this unfained testimony of mine obsequious love officious service and humble thankfulnesse unto your Honour which I hope you will
their sallies surprisalls stands and stratagems in their fighting or forbearing in their marching Zâ—zom Hist Eccl. lib. 6. Chap. 6. and other military proceedings Answerable hereunto was the speech of valiant Valentinian It was O you souldiers saith he in your power to choose me to governe but nâ—w I am chosen of you it is in my power onely to elect not in yours to choose him partner of the Empire whom you desire Moreover it is meete that you who are now subject to my governement to be quiet and for me who am Emperour to consider what is to be done Aemilius the Romane Generall likewise Car. Chroâ— lib. 2. said publikely to the people that had they chosen a man more fit he would have obeyed but if they would have him to bee Captaine hee desired that the army would obey him and not take the office of the Generall to themselves nor hinder him with their curiosity and fables The souldiers of Tamerlane durst not turne their backes in fight it being contrary to his leave and liking The souldiers of the famous Romane Scipio were so obsequious and obedient to him their Generall that at his wish and willing charge and commanding they would adventure upon and attempt imminent yea unconceaveable difficulties and dangers so as not onely to encounter with much hazard and little hope upon uneven and unequall termes fierce and furious foes but also violently to throw and tumble themselves from of the tops of steepe and craggâ— rockes and mountaines Atto 〈…〉 s actor 〈…〉 esse 〈…〉 Spem retulit 〈…〉 plures serva 〈…〉 The Persian souldiers were so faithfull to Zerxes that many of them speedily and voluntarily cast themselves into the sea to safeguard and preserve him Hector Mochintâ—sâ—h a Scottish rebell had two hundred such faithfull Captaines that life and liberty being offered to them after their apprehension and arraignement as they were going to the gallowes conditionally that they would declare and tell where Hector was they answered they could not tell and if they could yet they would not by any paine or terrour of death bee induced to breake their faith or betray their Marian Franc. de â—â—ri master Those licentious Locusts and luxurious Loyalists the Iesuites at the will and command of their barbarous and bloudy unnaturall and irreligious Superiours murther Facinus 〈◊〉 Marian. lib. 1. c. â— and massacre the Lords annointed ones Kings and Princes as a most memorable enterprise The servants of Absolom and the soulders of Abimelech do as they are directed put in execution what by them as their commanders was enjoyned Iudg. 9 49. 2 Sam. 13. 27. The young men of Ioab and Abner at their assigning and appointment arose and acted such sad and sorrowfull parts in that terrible and cruell tragedy where each man sheathed his sword in his fellowes side so that they fell downe dead together 2 Sam. 2. 16. Yea disobedience and unfaithfullnesse of souldiers to their Chiefetaines and Leaders is so odious and opprobrious so criminous and culpable that by the law of armes such are to suffer even death it selfe which hath beene executed upon delinquents not onely by renowned Commanders for faults oftentimes Knol Tâ—rk Hist not many and meane Witnesse Charles Count Maunsfelt who in his wars against the Turkes hanged an Hungarian horseman because he refused to carry a faggot to damne up the trenches at Stragoniam a Flens Tamerlano queritur pauperâ—ula maâ—no Vnum è militibus lac rapuisse sibi Innumer as jubet ille slatim consistere tuâ—mas Raptorem lactis qu crat ut illasui Intento at tetricus rescindit pectora ferro Qud justa an fuerit neone querela sciat Dick. Spec. Frag. Knols Turk Hist Moris Hist of Ireland Stowe And Tamerlane the great who put a souldier to death for stealing a little milke from a maid at her complaint contrary to his military precepts But also by enemies themselves who having made use of and taken advantage by the trecheries and treasons of such unfaithfull and fraudulent fellowes have rightly repayed them with losse of life as a condigne and convenient recompense for such false-hearted execrable and abhorred persons Witnesse the strange and dreadfull death of Nicholas Kereischen who by the commandement of Selimus was put into a hogshead of nailes with this inscription Heere receive the reward of thy avarice and treason Gynto thou hast sold for gold if thou be not faithfull to Maximilian thy Lord neither wilt thou be to me Witnesse the death of Parese Foster-brother to Kildare who having the custody of Mainoth in Ireland betrayed it to Breretan for reward which was faithfully paid and then presently the untrusty traytor beheaded Canute the Dane commanded the traytor Edrike of Stroton Earle of Mercia to be put to death who by flight had purposely betrayed Edmund the King with the English into his hands according to his treacherous promise In the Barons wars against King Iohn they sent into France for Lewis the son of the French King to whom they Stowe in King Iohn joyned against their Soveraigne c. The Vicount of Melin who came with the Prince into England before his death at London told the Barons that if Lewis did get the Kingdome he would banish out of the Realme for ever all those which now doe take his part and persecute King Iohn as Traytors to their King Thomas Gourney and Iohn Maltravers the more Stowe R. 3. then barbarous murderers of Edward the second had also a condigne reward for their trechery Banister who betrayed Stowe his master the Duke of Buckingham to Richard the third His son and heire waxed mad died in a boare-stie his eldest daughter was stricken with leprosie his second son made lame his youngest drowned in a small puddle himselfe in his old age arraigned for murder and for a thousand pound promised by King Richard received not one farthing the King telling him that hee which would be so untrue to so good a master would be false to all other Worthy to this purpose is the saying of Philip King of Macedon If any Athenian living in Athens doth say that he prefers me before his countrey him verily would I buy with much money but not thinke him worthy my friendship But if any for his countrey sake shall hate me him will I impugne as a castle a strong wall and bulwarke yet admire his vertue and reckon the city happy in having such a one Bee we therefore who are the servants and souldiers of the Lord Iesus dutifull and diligent observant and obedient firme and faithfull in our generall and particular stations and standings to the precepts and prescriptions the doctrines and directions the instructions and injunctions to the royall rules and divine commandements of our Supreme Soveraigne and chiefe Commander Christ Iesus Ephes 6. 14. Stand therefore The word there used is a word of conflict implying not one onely but many and divers
children 1 Tim 5. 14. 3. Principally in piety in things concerning a better life 1 Cor. 7. 5. 1 Pet. 3. 2. winning and woing them to the obedience of the Word as by seasonable and pious perswasions so by your chaste and godly conversations 4. As also in matters of thrist in ordering and taking care for houshold affaires thus did Sarah Geneses 18. 6. thus the Apostle adviseth 1 Tim. 5. 14. and therefore commands wives to keepe at home Titus 2. 5 6. to bee like snailes carrying their house on their heads For this the good women is commended and by this described Pro. 31. 11. The heart of her husband doth trust in her so that hee never doubts of her chastity secrecy or care in looking to her family Hee shall have no need of spoile for shee will furnish and fill his house with things needfull and delightsome so that hee shall want no necessaries for which hee needeth to rob or spoyle shee will doe him good For shee is constant in her love to him in youth age prosperity adversity sickenesse and health and will do him what good shee can in his body soule goods and estate shee providing such food which may nourish him shee stirring him up to serve God shee saving his goods as much as is possible shee not lowring on him with her lookes shee not crossing him in her words shee not vexing him by her deeds If shee know any thing please or profit him shee going about it speedily If shee perceive ought to offend him shee carefully avoiding it SECT 6. Servants in theirs reverencing their masters perswading them to good obeying of them how and motives to the particulars SErvants be you continually carefull conscionably in your proper and peculiar places to serve the Lord Christ Col. 3. 14. and to war this good warfare 1. Reverencing and respecting honouring and highly esteeming of your masters whether they bee poore or rich good or bad Thus did Iakobs servants Gen. 33. 6 7. Naamant servants 2 King 5. 3 13. Ahashuerus his servants Ester 3. 2. and this is the will and command of our good and gratious God Gen. 16. 9. 1 Tim. 6. 1. Mal. 1. 6. 2. Pressing and perswading your masters to things honest and necessary pious and praise-worthy 1 Sam. 28. 23. 2 Sam. 19. 5. 24. 3. 2 King 5. 13. 3. Serving and obeying them in all things Col. 3. 22. namely which are lawfull Gen. 39. 7. which are possible Gen. 24. 7 8. which are profitable 1 Chron. 11. 17. and proportionable to your abilities Exod. 5. 7. or in a word in all things wherein you are to be subject and ought to obey Impious injunctions of masters maâ— not 1 Sam. 22. 17. impossible need not to be obeyed serve therfore you Christian servants your masters 1. Whether they be good and gracious 1 Tim. 6. 1 2. for as such masters are more worthy of reverence respect submission and service so are you more obliged to be obsequious and officious unto them not only by their charitable and Christian usage of you but also by the Lords precise precept 1 Tim. 6. 2. 2. Or bad cruell crosse and unconscionable 1 Pet. 2. 18. the ordination of God and not the worthinesse of your masters being the primâ— and primary fountaine and foundation of this your service and office And do you serve and obey them 1. With all diligence Thus did Iakob serve Laban with all his power Gen. 31. 6 18 40 41. and thus should all doe service Pro. 31. 15 18. and with all carefullnesse Thus did Abrahams servant obey him Gen. 24. 33. 18. 7. Thus the Centurions servant Mat. 8. 9. And thus ought all to serve their masters Ps 123. 2. Rom. 12. 11. not being slothfull in businesse 1. For thus doing you shall enrich your masters Prov. 10. 4. 2. You shall be profitable and advantagious unto them Pro 14. 23. 3. Which you ought to bee you being wholly your masters 4. And by so doing your masters although cursedly covetous and miserable muck-wormes will be loath and unwilling to forgoe you being gainefull and thrifty 1 Kings 2. 40. Acts 16. 19. 5. Neither can you your selves be loosers in so doing Pro. 13. 4. 6. Whereas on the contrary by corrupt and cursed idlenesse sloth and negligence servants 1. Become brethren to those who are great wasters Pro. 18. 9. 2. They make themselves to suffer penury Pro. 13. 4. 19. 15. 3. They are ever kept lowe Pro. 12. 24. their course of life being as an hedge of thornes slow and hard they being pricked and stayed with feares and griefes as with thornes and briars Pro. 15. 19. 4. They occasion also unto their masters continuall griefe and vexation like tart viniger to the teeth and smothering smoake unto the eyes Pro. 10. 26. Secondly with all fealty and fidelity Truly and faithfully doing service Thus did Abraham servant obey his masters repast giving place to faithfullnesse Gen. 24. 33. so Luk. 17. 7 8. Thus did David serve Saul 1 Sam. 22. 14. 26. 8 9 10. 11. Thus diâ— Ioab serve David 2 Sam. 12. 27 28. Daniel the King Dan. 6. 4 and thus should all you obey your masters Num. 12. 7. Ephes 6. 5. Titus 2. 10. 1. Abhorring and avoiding all fawning flattery and direfull dissimulation 2. Shunning and eschewing all loathsome lying and diabolicall deceitfull dealing 2 Sam. 16. 1 2 3. 19. 26 27. 2 King 5. 22. 3. Not being wicked wasters of your masters substance Mat. 24. 40. Luk. 16. 1. 4. Nor theevish and untrusty pilferers and purloyners from your masters Titus 2. 10. 1. Such unfaithfull servants being of their father the divel Ioh. 8. 44. 2. Being worse then high-way robbers cheating and cousening those who confidently commit their substance into their hands 3. And taking the ready roade and trac'd way to blast their other substance begger their posterity such goods of fraud wanting a blessing to thrive unto posterity and damne their owne soules Object Perhaps the subtill serpent and your cursed corrupt nature sollicites and perswades you to proceed in such pestilent and pestiferous pilfering courses by such like serpentine seducements and supplanting sophistications as these following 1. None knoweth of or is privie unto your fraudulent and guilefull cursed conveyances of your masters wealth into your owne purses for you may sell of your masters goods and reserve part to your selves they nor any else taking notice thereof 2. You may take these and those things which may well be spared there being water enough in the sea your masters having so great abundance may well part with such triviall and trifling matters without any great detriment or dammage if any at all unto them 3. And although they being but light matters the losse of them â—eing so little as not to be missed in such abundance damnifieth little or nothing your rich masters yet they much advantage and profit you who want abundance 4. Besides such and such things are but trifles and of no
great moment goe on therefore and walke in these gaiâ—efull and advantagious paths leading to profit and enriching and bee not discouraged or disheartned from the same by the practice or perswasion of the preciser sort of people Answ Yet be not you misled by these or such like sirenian and sinfull inchantments 1. For admit that no mortall eye beholds neither doth any man take notice of or is acquainted with these damnable dissimulations deceitfull dealings lyes fraudes and forgeries yet all these cursed carriages are open and apparent to the thought searching Iehovah whose eye is in every place Pro. 15. 3. and to their own consciences which if they condemne them God is greater 1 Ioh. 3. 20. 2. Neither may any mans abundance encourage and excitate others by fraude or force to appropriate their allowance unto themselves 1. For you are not able neither doth it belong to you to iudge what other men may well spare 2. Should every man who may as lawfully take from your wealthy masters such like things they would be disabled from much or any sparing 3. And although rich men may spare much yet this makes it not lawfull for others to apply and appropriate their substance to themselves in whole or in part indirectly and unjustly 4. Neither should men be their owne carvers no not of those superfluities which may well be spared 5. Achan might well have pleaded this plea affirming that he took nothing but that which might well be spared yet he and his perished and worthily Iosh 7. 6. Neither can any mans substance be resembled rightly to the sea The water of it being common And there being no possibility for all the world to evacuate and exhaust the same 3. As for the gaine they get the profit they procure by such accursed additions it s like the Eagles stolne sacrifice from the altar which cruelly consumed both nest and young like an infected garment stolne out of a plagued pest-house suddenly sickning and sweeping away the whole family or like a flaming firebrand thrust into the thatch which presently runs over and ruines a beautifull and well built house Zach. 5. 3. 4. And whereas some thinke them toyes and trifling matters 1. They are trifles only comparatively as for example a shilling with some is but a trifle with others great treasure thus Achans theft although the gold and silver was an 100l was but a trifle in comparison of the extraordinary abundance that was in Ierichâ— yet for this trifle he and his did miserably perish Iosh 7. 25 26. 2. Are they but trifles And will you for trifles offend and dishonour God will you for trifles wound your owne consciences will you for trifles hazard the losse of your owne soules monstrous and barbarous basenesse 3. Such who stick not unjustly to take trifles will not bee squeamish and scrupulous to steale greater matters when opportunity offereth occasion of so doing Luk. 16. 10 11 12. 4. Such surreptitious seazing on other mens substance is theft therefore sin and cannot be a trifle all sin being infinite Whereas on the contrary faithfullnesse of servants towards their masters 1. Makes them as health Pro. 13. 17. 2. And will establish them for ever Pro. 12. 19. Thirdly with chearefullnesse readinesse and willingnesse Thus did Davids servants 2 Sam. 15. 15. Thus did Ionathans lad 1 Sam. 20. 39 40. Thus the Centurions servants Mat. 8. 7 8. And thus should all doe service Ephes 6. 7 8. Col. 3. 23. Fourthly with wisdome prudence and discretion wisely doing service Thus Gen. 41. 33. Let Pharaoh looke out a wise and discreet man Matth. 24. 45. Who is a wise and faithfull servant Be not therefore like such sottish servants who can doe nothing but what is commanded them but so wise as to prevent your masters Psal 123. 2. acquainting your selves with and well knowing your masters inclination Luk. 16. 3. Doing their businesse in due season Gen. 31. 38 39. like unto Ioseph Gen. 39. 3. 1. For such shall find favour Pro. 14 35. 2. Such shall find much good Pro. 16. 20. 3. And beare rule yea over sonnes which cause shame Pro. 17. 2. Fiftly with patience mildnesse and much meeknesse Titus 2. 9. 1 Pet. 2. 20. 1. Thus doing you shall appease and asswage wrath Pro. 15. 1 â—8 2. Such obedience being acceptable unto and approved of the Lord 1 Pet. 2. 20. Sixthly With minde and body both so that 1. You must love your masters more then other ordinary men 2. Your mind must be towards the persons goods credit comfort and welfare of your masters and their families 3. And your memories must be imployed to put your masters matters in Seventhly Not with eye service or for wages only but for conscience sake Col. 3. 22. as unto the Lord Ephes 6 5 6. eye servants who will do nothing longer then they are looked on the masters eye feeding the horse or who slubber over things for the eye onely 1 Are unfaithfull and evill servants 2 Rebelling against Gods most holy will Be perswaded O you who are servants thus to do service Motives First Since our good and gratious God doth so fatherly and favourably regard you as to order and appoint 1. That you may sometimes rest from toylesome labour sweetly and savingly to enjoy and use the gratious and gladsome savoury and soule-ravishing meanes of reconciliation spirituall repast reparation and refection 2. That you may be guided and governed without harshnesse and horrour with all comfort and conveniences concerning the good and welfare of your soules and bodies Lev. 25. 6 7 39 40 41 42 43 46 53. Deut. 23. 15 16. Secondly Since in so doing you shall purchase and procure credit honour and estimation unto your selves Pro. 17 2. Thirdly Since such servants have many sweet and soule-ravishing promises annexed and ascertained unto them Matth. 24. 46. 25. 21. Fourthly Since also in thus doing you are the Lords freemen 1 Cor. 7. 22. and in your stations and standings you fight the battels of Christ doing him service Col. 3. 24. for which he will richly reward you Ephes 6. 8. SECT 7. Masters in theirs In well choosing and well using their servants MAsters you are or ought to bee the Lords servants 1 Cor. 7. 22. The Lord hath set you higher then your brethren that you should the more honour him Doe you therefore in this place wherein you are called abide with God doing the Lord service and fighting his battells in your particular stations and standings First In making a wise and wary choice of servants to martiall and mannage as Christs souldiers in your families respecting regarding and requiring 1. Not onely aptnesse and ability to execute their office and performe that service whereunto they shall be put although this is necessary Gen. 47. 6. 1 Sam. 14. 52. 16. 16 17. 17. 33 39. 2. Not onely wisdome discretion truth fidelity diligence and such other praise-worthy properties and commendable qualities in service although these are
convenient expedient and to be desired Gen. 41. 33 38 39. 1 Sam. 18. 5. 3. But also if not chiefly principally and above all the feare of God true and sound religion not onely in regard of profession but also in regard of practice Gen. 24. such was Abrahams servant such Iosephs 43. 23. thus were the Iewes servants to be qualified Exod. 12. 44. such servants only would David have and harbour Psal 101. 6. such were the servants of Cornelius Act. 10. 7. and faithfull men are such as you should and ought to choose namely 1. Not onely men loyall true and trusty Proverbes 11. 13. 25. 13. 1. These being alwaies carefull like Ioseph Gen. 42. 40. 2. And painefull ever as Iakob Gen. 31. 38 39 40. Secondly But also men who are religious fearing God of sound judgement and sincere affection Pro. 20. 6. Hos 11. 12. Acts 16. 15. 1. For faithfull in that place are opposed to so many severall sorts of sinfull men 2. The generall comprehends the speciall 3. And these who are religious are said to walke in the perfect way Ob. 1. Say not beloved brethren Godly servants are hard to come by for who can find a faithfull man Pro. 20. 6. Mat. 24. 25. therfore we will not seeke them Answ 1. For although it is true quae chara rara precious things are hard to come by yet they who seeke them may find them 2. The fewer there be of such manner of men the more we should seeke them 3. Do you who are parents and masters your duty in teaching and instructing of your families and then there would be greater plenty Bad masters and fathers causing scarcity of good and godly servants Ob. 2. Say not beloved brethren that prophane servants are profitable and more gainefull then others Answ 1. For godlinesse is the greatest and best gaine and therefore godly men are most gainefull 2. And as for others although they seeme to be yet they are not so gainefull for how can they who are not faithfull to God be faithfull or gainefull to you Ob. 3. Say not beloved brethren a deare friend commended such and such a servant to mee Answ 1. For the commendations of men will not justifie those whom God condemneth 2. We ought to please one another to edification Rom. 15. 1. 3. And we are to gratifie our friends in the Lord. Object 4. Say not beloved brethren I must take such and such because they were and have beene old servants to my father Answ For being bad the elder the worse It is apparent they are the more incurable continuing corrupt And the elder they are the more hurt they will doe by their bad and evill example Ob. 5. Say not beloved brethren we will choose such who are tall and proper fellowes lustie and able men who can fight for and defend us if need be Answ For such excuses might well serve for rogues amongst whom in prisons and at the gallowes a man may find much man-hood Ob. 6. Say not beloved brethren that religious men are not resolute mortification kills a mans man-hood and conscience cooles mens courage Answ 1. For religion and manners make a man 2. A man may have man-hood although he neither swagger nor sweare stampe nor stare man-hood is one thing madnesse another 3. Men of conscience are men of greatest courage Phil. 3. 6. Pro. 28. 1. witnesse David encountring Goliaâ— 1 Sam. 17. when none of Sauls army durst But reason and resolve as followeth 1. Have godly men ever beene carefull to have religious servants Gen. 13. 14. 17. 23. 15. 2. Iosh 24. 15. Ester 4. 16. Psal 101. 6. 2. Is every good mans house Gods house Col. 4. 15. therefore an habitation for Christ his spirit his servants and not for the limnes of Satan 3. Is every mans family his body whereof himselfe is the head and will no man willingly be pestered with lame rotten putrified stinking and corrupt members 1 Cor. 6. 15. 4. Doth the choice of servants shew the nature and disposition of masters for like will to like birds of a feather will flie and flocke together therefore religious men will desire religious servants 5. Doth the curse of God hang over the heads of wicked men and therefore over the house where ungodly men doe dwell one Achan being a trouble to all Israel 6. It is not probable that they will ever be faithfull to men who are not faithfull to God Gen. 21. 11. 39. 7. 1. For how can he feare to offend him who can only hurt the body who feares not him who can destroy both soule and body 2. How can he make conscience of the second table who is carelesse of the first Rom. 2. 3. And certainely no band doth hold and tie so strong as that of grace and godlinesse 1. Not of children towards parents as we see in Absolon and Adonijah to David 2. Not of friend to friend as in Achitophel to David also Psal 55. 13. 3. Not of wives to husbands as in Potiphars wife Gen. 39. 12. and the harlot Pro. 7. 19. 7. Is it a credit for a man to have godly men and gracious to serve him Yea such than which what greater these excelling and out-stripping other men in regard of qualities for what are comparable to Gods graces And in regard of parentage for who is to bee compared to the Lord whose children these are 8. Is it a great comfort to haue such servants with whom a man may conferre of the way to heaven and with whom he may walke in the way of godlinesse 9. Is it a great commodity and advantage to be served by such selected ones Labans sheepe prospering for Iacobs sake Gen. 30. 27 29 30. Potiphars affaires for Ioseph Gen. 39. 1 2 c. And Sauls army for Davids 1 Sam. 18. 14. 10. Are all men continually carefull not to plant their orchards with briars and brambles but with the best trees they can procure or purchase Not to store their commons with scabbed rotten and infected but with the best and soundest cattell Not to furnish their fish-ponds with newts and frogs but with the best fishes And are not families more to be regarded than these 11. Are wicked and ungodly servants exceedingly hurtfull as scab'd sheepe ready to infect all as fire-brands to set all on fire and as deadly poyson and plague-sick persons ready to impoyson and infect a family with evill counsell with cursed and diabolicall deeds and practises 12. Doth Gods curse hang over the heads of all wicked men and is it a discredit to bee served by the Divels favourites Then surely we will either wholly keepe out of our houses and families such sin-sicke persons as swearers swaggerers and other prophane people from being members of our oiconomicall body Or after triall made and finding our endeavours frustrate and fruitlesse to their amendment and reformation we will rid our selves of all manner of railing Rabshakehs profane Esaus scoffing Ishmaels and all others who will not serve God
9. Sect. 1. Christian souldiers must follow Christ our Captaines directions standing in those stations wherein hee sets them to war this good warfare 279 Sect. 2. Parents in their stations and standings 245 Sect. 3. Children in theirs reverencing obeying and gratifying their parents how and why 284 Sect 4 Husbands in theirs loving their wives giving them due benevolence giving them honour and wisely guiding of them how and why 292 Sect. 5. Wives in theirs Reverencing their husbands being subject unto as also helpers after what manner and why â—97 Sect. 6. Servants in theirs Reverencing their Masters perswading them to good obeying of them how and Motives to the particulars 304 Sect. 7. Masters in theirs In well choosing and well using their servants and why 311 Sect. 8. Against Depopulators and Inclosers shewing the hurt and harme they do to themselves and others 317 Sect. 9. Against greedy ingrossers of commodities hurters of the Common wealth 327 Sect. 10. Against those who have no lawfull calling 328 Sect. 11. Against Vsurers condemned by 1 Fathers 2 Councells 3 Lawes 4 Their owne pretended patrons 5 Religions of all sorts 6 And sacred Scripture in the Old and New Testament 15 Objections answered and divers disswasives from this sin 329 Sect. 12. Against changers of Callings unwarrantably as to leave trades to turne Manlsters How change is lawfull how not 360 Courteous Reader pardon I pray smaller faults escaped and amend these greater as following Page 4. line 10. read wicked ones p. 26. l. 13. r. five hundred p. 81. l. 4. r. possessour l. 30. r. imputed wrought for us p. 82. l. 3. r. infused p. 93. l. 9. r. unbelieâ—ers p. 117 l. 20. r. comminations p. 144 l. 14. r. enjoyning p. 167. l. 1. r. about you p. 168. l. 28. r. wicked works p. 178. l. 10. r. justice p. 193. l. 1. r. consort p. 200. l. 8. r. Idolatry l. 12 r. abhorred p. 224. l. 30. r. deâ—ers p. 230. l. 34. r. â—arcing p. 241. l. 11. r. more true p. 242. l. 11. r. Ambrose brings in p. 246 l. 16. r. because p. 259. l. 1. r. have then p. 270. l. 20. r. mediately p. 282. l. 37. r. considerately p. 289. l. 37. r. Exo. p. 297. l. 27. r. sell p. 345. l. 35. r. is not necessarily p. 348. l. 2. r. forbidden Marginall faults Pag. 2. r. Chap. 8. p. 22. r. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 p. 160. r. lib. 1. p. 341. r. vi 〈…〉 p. 343. r. iltâ— p. 344. r. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Doctrine 1. Christianity is a warfare .. pag. 5. 2. Christianity is a good warâ—are 10. 3. Christianity is a necessary warfare 11. Therefore 1. They who thinke it an easie matter to bee a Christian and certaine others deceive themselves 14. 2. Christians must endure hardnesse 22. 3. Christians must bee armed 65. 4. They should bee strong 149. 5. They should be couragious 157. 6. They must take heed 179. 7. They must be watchfull 184. 8. They are to pray for helpe 206. 9. They must fast and sight 265. 10. They must follow Christs directions stand in such stations â—e sets them in 279. 1. Not thrust meâ— out oâ— their standings as 1. Depoâ—ulators 317. 2. Ingrossers 123. 2. Not want lawfull callings as Vsurers 329. 3. Nor unwarrantably forsake them as divers 360. THE CHRISTIAN CONFLICT A TREATISE Shewing the Nature together with the Difficulties and Dignity therof and the Motives to encourage Christians to undertake this Warfare I. TIM I. XVIII That thou by them might'st warre a good warfare CHAP. I. Shewing the drift and occasion of this Discourse THe life militant spirituall or temporall in former times was neither disdained nor dreaded The Iewes went voluntarily to the battell the quarrellous Ephraimites contended with Iephta Iudg 12. 1. because he did not call them to fight against 1 Sam. 17. 13. Diol pâ—in prol the children of Ammon The three eldest sonnes of Iesse followed Saul to the battell Our predecessours saith Dâ—n Antony of Guevara fought in the field with their launces but young men now adayes fight at the table with their tongues Pythias the Lydian when he had feasted Xerxes and his whole Army with great magnificence profered moreover to give him treasure not onely for provision but also for wages to have his sonne discharged of the warres which was so dâ—â—pleasantly taken of Xerxes that he caused the young man iâ— hâ—s fathers sight to be cut in peeces Kings and Princes wâ—re â—ot backward to adventure themselves to fight Witnesse the many Kings of Canaan against Ioshua Witnesse the two and thirty Kings with Benhadad 1 King 20. 16. Witnesse David Iehoshaphat c. Witnesse our owne and forraine historicall narrations In like manner the Primitive Christians as Ecclesiasticall Histories report of their owne accord did thrust themselves into the hottest brunts of the Christian sight and combat where they were sure to meet with bitter yet honourable martyrdome To name but one of many Lucius a by-stander beholding the cruell dealing of Vrbicius said What is 〈…〉 c. 17. p 38. the cause I pray that thou commandest â—en to bee put to death not for adultery misleading or murder but onely for being Christians These things do not beseeme an Emperour Vrbicius answering and thou seemest to be a Christian When Lucius had repâ—ied I am indeed Vrbicius commanded him alâ—o to be put to death to whom Lucius said I thanke thee for releasing me from most wicked masters and sending me to God a good and the best Father and King of all Yea in such honourable repute was the martiall man that all or most of the titles of honour had their originall from the field Witnesse the title of Dukes for their valour in leading Dux 〈…〉 Mar 〈…〉 Pr 〈…〉 w 〈…〉 〈…〉 B 〈…〉 〈…〉 1. M 〈…〉 A 〈…〉 G 〈…〉 oâ— 1. Ar 〈…〉 â— Of Marquesse from defending some bounds and frontiers Oâ— Barons for being the strength of the warre witnesse the title of Knight signifying a souldier of Baronet or Banrette because his father was dubbed in the field under a banner Of Esquire for being an Armour-bearer to a Knight Of Gentleman for puissance and courage And witnesse mens Armes which had their beginning from bearing armes in the field And of such honourable esteeme likewise was the Christian There was no word so grievous and injurious to a Citizen of Rome in ancient time as to say go thou hast never beene brought up iâ— the warres Diâ—l l. 1. c. 1. warfare that the glorious names of Christian Church Militant Protestant c. had their birth and beginning from the pious courage of the Christian souldier Times were once thus but now alas as in the former most men are desirous of and applaud themselves in the warriours honourable titles of Duke Baron Knight Esquire Gentleman In hearing their fore-fathers armes worthily given them for their valour in the field and to be pictured like souldiers in harnesse when they are
obedience of the Law For even the regenerate or justified are debters not to the flesh to live after the flesh but to the Spirit to mortifie the deeds of the flesh Rom. 8. 12. Chaâ—ierus saith It is â—â—nifest by the things fore-going Tom. 3. lib. 1 cap. 6. Th. 4. that an exceeding great injâ—â—y iâ— d 〈…〉 uâ— whâ—â— wâ—e are said to denie that wee are b 〈…〉 to the Law before God Wherefore if Bellarmine doth know those which say that the saithfull are subject to uâ— law before GOD and that Th. 5. the Decalogue of Moses doth n 〈…〉 belong to us hee shaâ—â— have us not adversaries but follo 〈…〉 iâ— disputing boldly against such Againe The fulfilling of the Law can by 〈…〉 meanes bee accounted by the part but by the whole For the whole life not some one moment thereof is bound and it is bound to all not to one Hence the saying of Iames Hee is Ibid. l. 11. cap. 11. Th. 16. guilty of all which offendeth in one Neither can it otherwise bee understood because hee is not guilty of murther who doth onely steale but of theft onely Yet hee is guiltie of the breach of that whole Law part whereof is Thâ—â— shalt not steale and another part whereof Thoâ— shalt not kill Now whereas the adverse Antinomist will I suppose reply all this is not Scripture I do confesse that these words in so many letters and syllables are not in the Scripture Yet I dare avow that this doctrine of the Lawes binding the regenerate to obedience being the doctrine not onely of our Church but of all other Christian Churches some few contentious Sectaries excepted who deserve not the name of a Church and of all sound solid and substantiall Divines is the expresse doctrine of sacred Scripture And that it is so I will now manifest and make perspicuous by pregnant places in the New Testament Mat. 5. 18 19 21 c. Christ 〈…〉 not to destroy the Law c. Yea he confirmes the continuance of it in every iotâ— or tittle till the heavens be no more and presseth punctually to a precise particular observation of it Rom. 3. 31. Do we then make void the Law through faith God forbid yea in establish the Law Faith therefore doth not evacuate but establish the Decalogue Rom. 7 7. By the Law we come to the knowledge of our sinnes Rom. 7. 22. 25. S. Paul delighted in the Law of God with his mind he served the law of God 1 Cor. 9. 21. Being not without law to God but under the law to Christ. Eph 6. 1 2. Children obey your parents Honour thy father c. 1 Tim. 1. 5. The end of the commandement is charity out of a pure heart and of a good conscience and of â—aith unfained Iam. 2. 8. If you fulfill the royall law of liberty c. S. Iamâ—s shewes what Law namely the Decalogue Do not commâ—â— adultery c. Vers 11. 1 Ioh. 2. 4. He that saith I know him and keepeth not his commandements is a lyar 1 Iohn 3. 4. Sinne is the transgression of the Law Hence I conclude 1. That if ever the Law bound the regenerate to obedience which I suppose they will acknowledge it still doth Mat. 5. 18. Rom. 3. 31. 2. That since Christ Iesus the best expounder of Scripture doth so copiously confirme and corroborate the Morall Law in his Sermon on the Mount doth peremptorily pronounce that the breach thereof doth defile a man Mar. 7. 20 21 c. and so often inculcate that the keeping of the commandements is a sure and infallible signe of our love to him Ioh. 14. 15. 21. 23. 24. and of his love to us Ioh. 15. 10. 3. Since faith doth not supplant but strengthen the law 4. Since the holy men of God doe often urge and presse to do the duties commanded in the Law in their Epistles which they would not have done had not regenerate Christiane beeâ— bound to the obedience of the same 5. Since the Apostle S. Paul acknowledged that he served the Law of God with his mind and that he was under the Law to Christ 6. Since the Law of God hath not relinquished its regality and regiment being stiled by the Holy Ghost the royall Law 7. Since by the Law we come to the knowledge of sinne yea and all sinne is the transgression of the Law 8. Since the carelesse contemners and transgressours of Gods Law have no communion with God not sâ—ving knowledge of him 9. Since the end of the commandement iâ— charity c. therefore the Law is no enemy to purity of heart â—â—ith unfained or Christian liberty this being the royall Law of liberty I may warrantably conclude against the absurd and erroneous ambiguous Antinomists That the Law of God doth binde the conscience of the regenerate Christian to obedience Furthermore because I suppose these cavillers will carpe against all these allegations as insufficient and weake because in none of them we are said to be bound by the Law to obedience I will therefore shew them these expresse words in sacred Scripture if that will satisfie and salve their seduced soules 1 Corinth 7. 15. A brother or sister is not under bondage in such cases namely to performe matrimoniall duties to unbelieveing yoke-fellowes which will depart from and forsake them Vers 27. Art then bound to a wife Seeke not to be loosed Vers 39. The wife is bound by the Law as long as her husband liveth Hence I inferre That since the Law of God doth binde the believing husband and wife to performe all manner of matrimoniall duties to their unbelieving yoke-fellowes which are pleased to dwell with them and that since the husband and wife being regenerate are bound by the Law each to other so long as they live together therefore that part of the Law which doth comprise and comprehend the duties of husbands and wives each to other namely the fift and seventh commandements doth bind the conscience of the regenerate to obedience therefore either all the Morall Law doth bind or els that this branch of the second Table is more authenticall and of more absolute authority not only than all the second Table besides but also than the first Table yet our Saviour saith the second is but like unto the first stiling it the first and great commandement Mat. 22. 38. Oh that I could perswade them to take notice how they confront contradict contend against the concordant confessions of the reformed Churches the sound solid and substantiall truths taught and defended by the ancient and moderne Worthies and the infallible and undeâ—iable truth of Gods Word Oh that men would cordially consider that such vile and vicious positions make men unfit not onely for Christian but also for common commerce and company with mankind For how can Kings and Princes be seâ—â—red from rebellion of such subjects How can masters and fathers be assured of reverence and obedience from such children and servants
neither will we much regard if for weeding out of our houses such noysome or hurtfull brambles and stinking dung we should be censured and condemned 1. Since paying them their covenanted due we do them no wrong 2. Since no man is bound to keepe a servant longer than the covenanted time 3. Since such servants by their vicious and ungodly actions wrong themselves constraining and compelling their carefull and conscionable masters to be rid of them 4. Since no man would keep a traitor a cut-purse or high-way side robber or such like miscreants because he would not be counted and called cruell in expelling them out of his family as is expedient Neither will we continue and cherish in our houses and families the limbs of Satan traitors against the most high God who rob him of his glory and service upon such poore and peccant pretences Then surely we will make diligent enquirie and search after we will make much of countenance encourage and entertaine such who are faithfull 1. Since these being obedient to God will bee obsequious to us 2. Since for such manner of men we may be countable with joy 2. In using your servants be you also circumspect carefull vigilant and watchfull 1. Not onely to command things lawfull possible Gen. 24 8. Profitable and proportionable Exod. 5. 7. Not overcharging their strength but respecting their willingnesse 2. Not onely to do them right Iob 31. 13 14 15 38 39 40. Col. 4. 1. 1. Providing them fitting and convenient food Prov. 27. 26 27. And wages 30. 21. Or answerable and equivalent to either or both paying them duly their wages and hire Gen. â—0 28. Deut. 24. 14. Lev. 19 13. 1 King 5. 6. 2. Defending them and their right Iob 31. 13 14 15. 3. Correcting them doing amisse with Christian counsell for their amendment Pro. 20 30. 29 13. 4. Preferring and commending them doing well Levit. 19. 13. Deut. 15. 13. Pro. 17. 2. 5. Taking notice of their gifts of mind and body to imploy and improve them of their weaknesses and wants to salve and supply them 3. Not onely that you doe not rule rigorously and tyrannically over them Lev. 19. 33. 1. Remembring that they are men and of the same nature with you Iob 31. 15. Masters command your servants Lib. 10. Epist Epist 82. Contubernales humiles anici conservi Senec. as subject to you in condition but so that you remember that they are of the same nature with you saith S. Ambrose 2. Remembring that they are humble friends and your selves servants you having a Master in heaven Iob 31. 15. Eph. 6. 9. 3. Remembring that you must be countable to their and your Master as for other things so for your cariage towards them Iob 30. 14. 4. Remembring that you should do as you would be done to 5. Remembring that to handle them gently seeking rather to be beloved than feared is the testimony of a good nature 6. Remembring that God will revenge injuries done to them 4. But also that they continue in true religion Gen. 18. 19. Iosh 24. 15. Ester 4. 16. Acts 10. 2. Frequenting and favouring the meanes sanctifying the Christian Sabbath Exod. 20. 8 10. Praying privately and with you in your families praising God at meales both before and after meat living holily righteously and blamelesly you disswading dehorting and with-holding them from wickednesse and sinne 1 Sam. 24. 7 8. 2 Sam. 16. 11. 19. 22. Thus doing you also serve the Lord Iesus fighting his battels in this your proper place and particular station SECT 8. Against depopulators and inclosers the hurt and harme they do to themselves and others c. FVrther must we continue fighting the Lords battels in our peculiar and particular callings Then woe 1. To all such who thrust men out of the same 2. To all such who neither have nor will have any 3. And to all such who through pride selfe-love and discontent run out of forsake and leave them 1. Woe to all such who tragically thrust men out of those stations and standings wherein the Lord hath set them to fight this good warfare 1. To those savage supplanters of the solacing societies of mankind Those dreadfull desolating depopulators which like stupified if not a M. R. of C. being certified by a familiar friend of his that the people said hee would go to the Divell for inclosing replyed If I do I shall go for as good ground as is in England Related to mee by M. F. H. a Preacher When M. D. of C. had consented to inclose C. she and her husband heard as they conceived a fearefull and hideous noise of men women and children bitterly bewailing which wrought much in her but could not restraine the man from his evill enterprise to his own and others ruine The relater M. S. a neare kinsman to her irreligious and besotted Mammonists heedlesly and foole-hardily rush upon those keene and cutting judgements of God which inevitably have consumed most of those who have formerly erred in these their wicked wandrings yet these incredulously and inconsiderately will not by other mens harmes learne to beware no not although the Lord hath precisely presaged by pensive predictions his irefull indignation and dreadfull displeasure against such pernicious and perillous plots and projects such perverse and perverting profane and peevish practices O you misbeliâ—ving and misled men into those cruell courses accursed by God and men consider 1. That as you are guilty of the want of so many multitudes of people which in probability might and would have beene had your ruined townes still beene populous which then as well set orchards caused their inhabitants to fructifie and spread which being transplanted into other and wanting roome smother up themselves and other 2. As you are guilty of much dishonour to almighty God B. Towne and Church gone hindering him of much service and worship which pristinely hath beene performed you leaving few people and them oft times scarce a Church to assemble in for this end and purpose 3. As you are enemies to the Church driving it as much as in you is out of our coasts and countrey 4. As you are enemies to our dread Soveraigne depriving him of the honour of many subjects of profit and protection 5. As you are enemies to your selves and your posterity haling and hastening Gods fearefull plagues denounced in Isa 5. 8. upon your selves and them 6. So are you a plague and pest to the common-wealth 1. Exposing it to sorrowfull subversion and utter overthrow for what can your sheep-coats and hedges doe against an enemy 2. Procuring upon every scarcity and scantnesse dearth and penury 3. Occasioning racking and raising of rents by meanes of your thrust out inhabitants shouldering abroad to live which makes the subjects lives more uncomfortable to themselves and more uncharitable to others 4. Furthering whoredome and uncleannesse for people multiplying and habitations decaying diverse people who would cannot live in lawfull wedlocke and so the