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Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
religion_n	christian_a	time_n	true_a	2,835	4	3.9950	3	false

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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A11606	A threefold preseruatiue against three dangerous diseases of these latter times 1. Non proficiency in grace. 2. Fals-hearted hypocrisie. 3. Back-sliding in religion. Prescribed in a sermon at S. Pauls Crosse in London, September, 17. 1609. By William Sclater, Batcheler in Diuinity, and sometimes fellow of the Kings Colledge in Cambridge.	Sclater, William, 1575-1626.	1610 (1610)	STC 21847; ESTC S116857	29,329	42

proficere Non Vis ergo deficere Nequaquam What then Where I am I will hold my selfe Nec peior fieripatior wee melior cupi● c. Beloued he could not haue spoken fitlier to the state of these times Nee peior fieri patior nec melior cupio Would God it were not the Embleme of our Church But I leaue this Polypus come to our people Marueilous hath God bene in his mercy towards vs in this kingdome granting vs meanes of knowledge such as our fathers desired to inioy but could not inioy them And as Paul speakes of this people for the time we might haue bene teachers and would God it were not so euen in congregations where the word hath bene most plentifully preached that they had neede to be taught againe the very first principles and rudiments of Christian Religion I will tell you strange things yet true in places where the Gospell hath long bene taught are people notwithstanding found so grossely ignorant of Christ Iesus that they know not eyther what he is or why sent into the world what he wrought to procure redemption or how they may be partakers of him Neyther need we wonder there should be weakenes where is so grosse ignorance after such plentifull instruction What then should be the reasons Impediments of proficiency of this so little or no bettering in grace One is Opinion of sufficiency Semper tibi displiceas sayth Saint Augustine No maruell if there be so little care of proficiency where there is so proude a conceit of perfection I striue forward to perfection Phil. 3.13 sayth the Apostle what was his spurre Opinion that he was not perfect A second is Comparing of our selues with inferiors or equals where yet meanes of bettering are not equall Our fathers with their modicum say some were saued why not we I will tell you in few words where men commit much Luk. 12.48 Pro. 4.18 they expect the more where lesse committed lesse is expected Proceed we The way of the righteous shineth as the light that shineth more and more to the perfect day It was a wonder in Iosua his time that the Sunne stood still a greater Ios 10.13 2. Reg. 20 11. Gal. 5.7 Apoc. 2.4 which befell in the dayes of Hezekiah when he went backe so many degrees Strange that our Church should stand at a stay more wonder me thinks and horrour also that shee should go backward You did run well sayth the Apostle who did let you I haue a few things against thee that thou hast lost thy first loue Me thinks when I but mention these things we should iudge our selues the people here meant For what is become of that ancient detestation of Antichrist and his corruptions while we begin to thinke we may separate too farre from Antichrist as Antichrist and to study as some to-fore compounding of the two Religions Cassander when as soone shall we compound light with darknes Christ with Belial as CHRIST with Antichrist Gods pure worship with Popish superstition Shall I adde this one particular further let it not be offensiue Time was when we knew to put difference betwixt professed enemies and friends to vs in affection though peaceably dissenting from vs in some small poynts of iudgement And then seuerity ran her course against the greatest and most Capitall enemies How is it now that Iustice knows no epiegcegan towards friends is so full of conniuence towards obdurate enemies Me thinkes yet the sword of Magistracy should be distomos two-edged if it pearce so deepe as the flesh and bones of friends it should bee sheathed in the bowels of vnreconcileable aduersaryes 1. Thess 5.13 1. Tim. 5.17 Mortmaine Let me come now to our people That singular loue to Ministers for their works sake what is become of it that double honor for them that labour in the word and doctrine Moses of old was faine to proclaime a Sufficit and statutes were once made with vs to restraine ouerlauish contribution Those were the times of giuing these are of withdrawing And brethren at that first rising of the Gospell amongst vs how did the kingdome of heauen suffer violence The word of God was precious in those dayes 1. Sam. 3.1 As the Israelites when they first saw Manna cryed out in wonder Man-hu what is this so excellent food that the Lord hath vouchsafed vs so we of the Gospell admiring the rich grace of God that began to shine vnto vs in the face of IESVS Christ How are we now sated with the plenty of it and cry out contemptuously Nothing but this Manna The world pestered with preaching To say nothing of that temper which many of vs begin to hold euen in Moralities and to be halfe perswaded there may be Virtutis nimium too much precizenes euen in morall dutyes and abstinence from euill But leaue we these vlcers come to the second thing in the text The second member of the text The first step of a Reprobate The progresse of Reprobates for so I iudge it because their fall is without recouery Their degrees are fiue First Illumination that whereas naturally men know not the things of GOD nor can know them walke in the blindnesse and vanity of their minds embracing errour for truth darkenesse for light the Lord thus farre vouchsafeth grace euen to Reprobates that they see and acknowledge the truth of Religion distaste errours discerne acknowledge approue that which is truth in Iesus Christ That Castawayes go thus farre Peter playnely affirmes speaking of some men 2. Pet. 2.18 20. cleane escaped from those that are wrapped in errours who yet are intangled againe and ouercome What need many instances Come not very Reprobates in the last day professing that they haue prophecied in Christs name Mat. 7.22 Mat. 10.1 and was not Iudas as his fellowes instructed in the truth of the Gospel when dismissed with the rest to preach the Gospell I might be infinite this way How then is knowledge by our Sauiour made a pledge of eternall life Ioh. 17.3 Ans Knowledge of God in Christ admits sundry differences according to Measures Mannor Efficacy First there is a confused knowledge of Christ much like that light 2. Pet. 1.9 Mu●paxontes which men poare-blind haue of things farre distant Such for the most part is the knowledge of Reprobates To heare how fluently those men can discourse of the secrets of Nature how distinctly they vtter things which naturall reason apprehends it many times breedes admiration in the mindes of the hearers But when they come to speake of the mysteries of Religion alas how confusedly tumble they out their little or no apprehension that euery man may see they are but smatterers in the secrets of Christ The knowledge of Gods children is much more distinct Secondly there is a generall knowledge of CHRIST and Redemption by him wrought and there is another particular In generals some castawaies go farre perhaps beyond the Elect

A Threefold Preseruatiue against three dangerous diseases of these latter times 1. Non proficiency in grace 2. Fals-hearted hypocrisie 3. Back-sliding in Religion Prescribed in a Sermon at S. Pauls Crosse in London September 17. 1609. By William Sclater Batcheler in Diuinity and sometimes fellow of the Kings Colledge in Cambridge Heb. 3.12 13. Take heed brethren lest at any time there be in any of you an euill heart and vnfaithfull to depart away from the liuing God But exhort one another daily while it is called to day lest any of you be hardned through the deceitfulnesse of sinne Imprinted at London by S. S. fox Richard Bonian and Henry Walley and are to be sold in Pauls Churchyard at the spred Eagle neere the great North doore 1610. To the right worshipfull Master IOHN COLLES Esquier at Wilchcombe in Sommerset mercy and peace be multiplied SIR I haue often catched at some opportunity to giue publike testimony of my thankefull remembring your deceased Fathers kind euery performed to me A duty it was to present freely to me a Kindnesse that I was selected The recompence expected I haue carefully made good by instructing my people with what industry God knowes with what fruit I thanke God many soules can witnesse This kind of testimony I the rather embraced for that it afforded occasion to cleare my selfe of some fond imputations and of stopping the mouthes of vnreasonable men that euen for paines haue made me their by-word It were long to reckon vp all slanders of the malicious These are the chiefe Vnlearned singular turbulent factious As touching Learning I neuer much vaunted but by the grace of God I am that I am He knowes much Phil 3 10 1. Cor 2.2 Act. 7.22 that knowes Christ crucified and the vertue of his resurrection yet had I the learning of Moses who was skilled in all the learning of the Egyptians yea the knowledge of men and Angels I would endeuour in preaching to obscure my selfe that the power might bee knowne to be of God For Singularity this is mine Apology single I may go more shame for those should keepe me company singular I am sure I am not sith neyther I affect lonenesse would God all the Lords people were Prophets all Prophets labourers and the course I held is prescribed with a thundering adiura●ion hauing euer also bene holden by all faithfull Pastours The way of trauell is indeed least trauelled Gen. 49.15 and Issachar loues his ease yet thus I resolue rather then lose heauen to go alone and neuer to be so good a fellow as to run with Idlers to hell for company My Turbulentnes let these things witnes my parting with many rights for peace sake disgesting iniuries I say not onely without Reuenge but euen without seeking for iust defence raylings slanders assaults hazard of life indeed what not and vnlesse they will indite mee for not admitting sicam totam into my bowells Cic. pro Rosc Amerin I know not what show of turbulentnesse they can accuse me of For Faction let my courses speake in regard of the Church for doctrine I teach none but what she professeth for discipline throughout conformable to the orders prescribed If this be the matter that the multitude is deuided the cause would be inquired whether mine or Gods Not where dissentions are there presently is the Preacher factious It hath euer bene one Accidentall effect of the Gospel to worke seperation Luk. 12.51 shall I say betwixt a man and his neighbour nay betwixt a man and his child nay betwixt a man and himselfe And let others please themselues in their peaceable Ministery I shall neuer thinke hee knowes the vse of the Fanne Mat. 3.12 that is alwaies tossing and makes no seperation My comfort is in the middest of these trialls Mat. 5.12 Thus persecuted they the Prophets that were before me Concerning this present Sermon your Worship may thus vse it with profit as 1. a spurre to Proficiency 2. a whip for Security 3. a preseruatiue against Apostasy The Lord graunt you and yours me and mine the whole Church of God a right vse of it And thus iudge of the Authour Hee wisheth you more good then he can do you and rests euer Your thankfull obseruant fauourite William Sclater From your Pittmister October 10. 160● A THREE-FOLD preseruatiue against three dangerous diseases of these latter times 1 Non-proficiency in grace 2 Fals-hearted hypocrisie 3 Back-sliding in Religion Heb. 6.4 5 6. 1. For it is impossible that they which haue bene once enlightned and haue tasted of the heauenly gift and haue bene made partakers of the holy Ghost 2. And haue tasted of the good word of God and of the powers of the world to come 3. If they fall away should be renewed againe to repentance seeing they crucify againe to themselues the Sonne of God and make a mocke of him THIS Scripture was of old peruerted by Nouatians to the establishing of their desperate heresie denying pardon and place for repentance to men falling through infirmity after baptisme Ambros de Peniten lib. 2. cap. 2. and at this day through misunderstanding hath proued the racke of many a weake conscience herein Nouatians against themselues that they thinke pardon cannot be obtained for any sinne against knowledge and conscience Bellar. de iust lib. 1. Cap. 14. Hun●ius vbiqu● Of late it hath bene wrested to proue that euen cast-awaies may be by faith vnited vnto Christ truely iustified as truely sanctifi●d as Gods owne children prepared to g●ory with this difference onely permanency of penitency or recouerablenesse in the elect instability in reprobates And with as great confidence though lesse probability vrged to proue that Gods children chosen to saluation called according to his purpose may at least for a time fall from the state of grace lose iustification not onely in foro conscienciae and in respect of feeling but euen before God lose sanctification both in respect of exercise and measure as also the very habit The more diligence is required of vs in the vnfolding of it For the context therefore it lyeth thus Cap. 5.12 c. is set downe a sharpe reproofe of the people for their non proficiency in knowledge and obedience that hauing had so long time plentiful meanes of bettering themselues in grace they still stucke in the rudiments and very elements of Christian Religion In this Chapter verse 1. is an exhortation to greater progresse Let vs be led forward to perfection The Argument perswading it is layd downe in this text taken from the danger of standing at a stay for hereby they hazard themselues to vtter Apostacy and falling from grace receiued And how fearfull that state is it here showne euen desperate and past recouery wherfore to auoide it they must hastē to perfection In forme thus If by not proceeding we incurre dang r of reuolting then must we be led forward to perfect●on But the first is true Therefore

more honourable Heare the same Apostle 1. Tim 5.17 Chrys ad locum The Elders that rule well are worthy of double honour Call it Reuerence or Maintenance or both how euer a specialty in it belōgs to them that labour in the word doctrine sure it is more soūd honour is there to be gained in the hearts of our people by preaching then by all outward helps whatsoeuer Thirdly what sayd I honour amongst men yea more comfort to our Consciences and glory in Gods Kingdome Heare Salomon He that winneth soules Pro. 11.30 Dan. 12.3 is wise and Daniel They that turne others to righteousnesse they shall shine as the starres in the firmament and Paul 1. Thess 2.19 What is our hope our ioy our crowne of reioycing are not you it in the presence of our Lord Iesus Christ at his comming What comfort like this when a Minister comes before the Lord the great Shepheard of the Sheepe with the words of Isaiah Is 8.18 applyed to our Sauiour Lo mee and the children that thou hast giuen mee the sonnes daughters which by thy blessing I haue begotten vnto thee in the Gospell Fourthly I would haue added hereto the example of their worthy predecessours Beloued I am so farre from thinking that there were Lay-Elders in the Ancient Church hauing the care of Church discipline that I begin to be of opinion they were all Preaching-Elders that had to do in ordination and iurisdiction Ecclesiasticall The Apostles we know from whom our Reuerend Bishops haue more then probably deriued their succession were all laborious this way One of them on whose shoulders lay the care of all the Churches 1. Cor. 9.16 yet cryes Wo to him selfe if he preach not the Gospell And Timothy I presume was a Bishop yet hath that charge layd on him with an heauy adiuration 1. Tim. 4.1 2. To preach the word And for succeeding ages those Reuerend Bishops S. Ambrose Augustine Chrisostome c. what monuments haue they left vs more venerable then their pithy Sermons and exhortations to the people Let vs all therefore euen Superiours be exhorted so much as infirmities of age and the waighty affaires of Church-gouernment will permit to stirre vp the gift of God that is in vs that if it be possible we may strengthen the weake knees and keepe that which is halting from being turned out of the way Generall preseruatiues for all I come now to priuate Christians that they also may haue wherewith to preserue themselues from this fearefull and discomfortable estate of Apostasy Their most soueraigne antidotes are these Obedience according to their measure of knowledge receiued This is the Christian built on the Rocke Mat. 7. ad fin that heareth the word of God and doth it On such a man let the winds blow the flouds beate the raine fall he stands neuerthelesse vnmouable for he is built vpon the Rocke Our Aduersaries boast much of their thousand Proselytes I am perswaded if they were enquired of they should be foūd such as neuer made any Conscience of their wayes Now sure we are beholden to them that they haue receiued like a Draught the Excremēts of our Church Let them reioyce and applaud themselues in their Thousands for this yet take my warrant They shall neuer winne credit to any Religion whatsoeuer it is they professe Syncerity and vprightnesse of the heart before God Beloued I neuer knew right Nathaniel true Israelite indeed that proued a Reuolt Nor euer could read of Hypocrite but became Apostate if euer trouble arose for the Gospell It 's a true position He that begins Religion in hypocrisy ends in Apostasy 2. Par. 25.2 Verse 14. Amaziah did many things sauouring of vprightnesse in the eyes of the Lord but not with a perfit heart What was his Issue Returning from the slaughter of the Edomites he brought the gods of Se●r and set them vp to be his gods and worshipped them and burnt incense vnto them There is an Art in these times that hath more Students then any other of liberall or Manuall sciences the Art of seeming especially in Religion City and Country almost nothing but vizars Now would God we could remember what Chrysostome sayth Hypocrite is it good to seeme good in Matth. oper imperfect it's farre better to be good Is it euill to seeme euill it's farre worse to be euill c. and the saying of Christ me thinks should not be forgotten To him that hath shall be giuen Luk. 8.18 and whosoeuer hath not from him shall be taken euen that which it seemeth that he hath Labour for assurance and certaine perswasion of the Truth in your owne minds especially for that which is armour of proofe against Apostasy Experimentall sense of Gods holy truth Phil. 3.10 Thou shalt neuer feare infection in the poynt of Iustification if thou know the practise and experience of Iustification As on the other side when men rest onely vpon the authority of their Teachers and gouernours hauing no better reasons of beliefe and worship no maruell if they turne with the wind and run current with the Current and streame of the times And this is the lamentable vnsettlednes of our people that they looke no farther for proofe no not of faith and worship then the Authority of the Magistrate Now blessed be God that hath giuen vnto his Maiesty a right iudgement in matters of Religion and the Lord that hath begun that good worke in him perfect it vnto the day of the Lord Iesus Christ But if which be it farre from vs to surmise if I say the Lord should suffer him to fall To cagro dou leuontes me to Kurio Rom 12.11 or in his wrath depriue vs of his gouernmēt if he should permit vs to a Popish Ruler who seeth not how indifferent our people are such temporazing is euen now rife and that reading best pleaseth seruing the time not the Lord. Fors●ke not the assemblies and gatherings together of the Saints Heb. 10.25 1. Thes 5.19 Exod. 27.20 as the maner sayth the Apostle and we may say too of too many it Quench not the Spirit wouldst thou not quench him Despise not prophecying that 's the holy oyle for the lampe of the Sanctuary not being supplied therwith thou shalt soone perceiue it to grow dimme and by little and little to an vtter extinction Now brethren to omit both Popish and profane Recusants Is it not to be lamented that amongst those who seeme most to bewaile the declinings of our Church there should be some found so eyther nice or humorous that they refuse to arme thēselues against that which they so much feare and pity in others by diligent attendance to the worke of the Ministery One forsooth is too learned another too plaine a third too elegant or else too rude some too formall some too scrupulous none pleaseth but some one whom our parciall conceits haue made our Idoll So wanton are we growne