and a thousand such To what end name I these follies but by Popish and wicked superstition to condemne our heavinesse in Gods Commandements They must shut their eyes of reason and discretion to obey their Superiours Wee must dispute all in our obedience which ought to bee absolute Their wicked commandements must not bee laid in any scaâ—es to bee weighed Wee will weigh all Gods Commandements in our owne false ballances and so they become too light and unworthy of obedience 4. There is not the most hereticall doctrine or opinion that ever was that found not Patronage and protection in the corrupt reason of man Not to speak of damnable Arrians or Nestorians or mad Manichees come to the heresie that now reignes and see the truth hereof in it Quest. Why hath the leaven of Popery spread and sowred the whole lumpe of the Christian world and enlarged and fixed it selfe in all Countries for so many hundreth yeares that even in Countries above a hundreth yeares reformed it gets ground and neither severe Lawes can master it nor time cast it out Answ. Surely because it is a devise of humane reason upholding humane reason and upheld by corrupt reason which first set it up See it in parts and in whole First for the parts 1. Seemes it not good reason to choose defend and stick unto our forefathers religion for so the old Idolaters thought Ier. 44. 17 they would still sacrifice to the Queene of heaven because their fathers did so But Paul would not consult with flesh and blood in matter of religion nor Abraham with human reason This their reason also is as absurd in true reason as if a sonne were bound to put out his eyes because his father was blind or never to enjoy liberty because his father was in prison or dyed in a dungeon 2. The doctrine of merit and justification by works runnes with nature as Luk. 18. 18. in the young Pharisee Master what good thing for faine would it finde some goodnes in it selfe to demerit God Whereas the second Commandement saith God shewes mercy to thousands in them that love him and keepe his Commandements The Lords prayer also teacheth us to pray for daily bread A likely thing that he can merit life eternall that cannot merit a crumme of bread 3. The Intercession of Saints and worshipping Images stands onely on the legs of humane reason against divine wisdome Carnall men would see their god and turne his glory into the similitude of a calfe or other creature And is it no reason we should have Mediators For why should every rude fellow thrust into the Kings presence and not first make way by some of his Court But divine wisdome saith there is but one Mediator and that we must come to the King by the Prince onely and it is high treason to come by any other 4. Carnall reason teacheth that every man is full of doubting and therefore no man can certainely beleeve the remission of sins or be assured of his owne salvation But divine reason teacheth us that this doubting destroyes not faith but exerciseth it and in our Creed we beleeve remission of sinnes and eternall life which is more then to beleeve in generall as devils doe Secondly for the whole doctrine and religion of Popery how plausible is it to the naturall man For 1. What easier faith then to beleeve as the Church doth no matter what without any knowledge or faith of their owne How at one blow cut they off all paynes in getting assurance holding or increasing of faith 2. What an easie principle is it that to be ignorant is to be devout and that it is vaine labour which is spent in the Scriptures as Hosius saith and that they are the bookes of Hereticks and they hereticks that read them What need we be at any paines to read study and meditate in the booke of God night and day as the Saints have done How was the holy Ghost deceived yea and holy men who have studied in Gods Law night and day 3. How pleasing is it to nature to deny it to bee so corrupt as it is to say it is but halfe dead and being a little helped can keepe the Law and come out of Gods debt whereas Eph. 2. 1. 5 what can a dead man doe but rot 4. How pleaseth it nature to offer release from sinne from hell from purgatory for money Who would not whore sweare prophane the Sabbath resist Magistracy riot c. if for a little money he may have licence What hypocrite would not give thousands of rammes yea the first borne of his body for the sinne of his soule Mic. 6. 7 5. Whereas the word laies a continuall care of keeping the heart and thoughts how doth that doctrine please nature that unlooseth it from this care that requires no paine to keepe the heart or to keepe out the first motions of sinne which they say is no sinne Which makes many sinnes veniall in their nature put away with a light sigh a knock on the brest or an Ave Mary that a man may lye in sport or officiously by equivocation that to steale a small thing is but a veniall sinne Salomon saith a foole makes a mock of sinne To conclude that must be a naturall and sensuall religion which any thing but Gods word sets up and holds up but this is neither set up nor held up by it for where Gods word comes downe goes Popery It could never abide the breath of Gods mouth which blasts and destroyes it 5. Where doctrine is truely taught and beleeved naturall reason rayseth strong ramparts against the practise of it For else why doe many Protestants walke after the lusts of their hearts as the Gentiles Eph. 2. 3 but because they captivate the Commandement to their owne reason and limit and confine the wisdome of God within the bounds of their owne carnall wisdome 1. Our Gentry have reason to say that the word in generall is the rule of good life but bring this rule close home unto them to reforme their fashions to leave their strange apparrell and painting their vaine discourses their idle complements their gaming their service of pleasure and unfruitfull spending of their time Oh now they have reason to scorne and chafe against the rule and him that holds it before them What reason he should be so strict lesse reason they should be as strict as he They know how to put on their clothes how to behave themselves every where and are wiser then to follow such rules as would make them as despised as himselfe is Alas that the wisdome of God shall be a rule onely for our judgements but reason must guide our practise 2. Ordinary hearers thinke they have reason to professe religion so farre as they may thrive by it and prosper in the world whose godlinesse is gaine To trust God so farre as they see him in some sort else not To favour religion and
the Moone the Popes ridiculous claime and yet they be sonnes of God heires of heaven brethren of Christ and of the royallest blood that ever was 3. When they ride in progresse they shew their state pompe and worldly glory Great Alexander gets upon his Bucephalus Pompey triumphs upon an Elephant Anthony rides upon Lyons Aurelianus upon Harts and bucks Christ had his kingdome beene of this world could have imitated them But while he was in the world to shew that his kingdome had no similitude nor correspondency with the pomps of earthly kingdomes in his progresse hee gets on an asse and instead of a saddle of state he had poore mens clothes spread under him But when he shall shew his glory he shall ride upon the Clouds as on an horse with such attendants and majesty as all the Potentates on earth were never capable of nor shal be able to behold 6. In amplitude and absolutenesse They will be free Monarchs and commanders their will and every word of theirs must be a Law But never was any kingdome absolutely Monarchicall but Christs al earthly Kings ever held in fee of him By me Kings raigne Never any other included all kingdomes of the world in it and under it but this Never any to whom all Princes were subiect but this Never was there any of them which shall not be broken to peeces by this little stone if it stand in opposition against him Dan. 2. 45. 7. In dispensing justice 1. They must judge by evidence and proofe by the sight of their eyes and hearing of their eares but he shall not doe so Isa. 11. 3. For he shall try and discerne the reynes and secrets of all hearts and shall judge things as they be not as they seeme David judged according to the hearing of his eare rashly against Mephibosheth Christ shall not doe so 2. They can pronounce their subjects just and innocent but he can make them innocent and just communicating his owne righteousnesse to them which no Prince can doe 1. Cor. 1. 30. He is made to us righteousnesse 8. In meanes of upholding and maintaining 1. They must winne holds as David Sions for t and enlarge themselves by force of armes dint of sword multitude of souldiers But Christ sends but twelve unarmed poore men who wonne and subdued the whole world with the word onely in their mouths such a word as was the greatest enemy to the world and corrupt fashions of it This is the weapon mighty under God to cast downe holds 2. They if they want men money munition must despaire of attaining or retaining their rights But Christs kingdome being neither set up nor held up by military power shall be upheld by the invisible and secret power of the spirit If all worldly power be against it never despaire it thrives best in opposition 9. In things to be attained In them the best things are honour pleasure externall prosperity and this for a time But Christs Kingdome stands not in meat or drink but in righteousnesse peace of conscience joy in the holy Ghost in grace here and glory hereafter The wealth of Christs subject is to be rich in grace rich in good works his honour to be of the stock and linage of Christ his pleasure a patient and painfull expectation of the pleasures at Gods right hand And these being eternall the kingdome of Christ must needs be eternal now this being the glory of the kingdom of Christ we have need of faith to discerne it and a great measure of humility before wee can resolve to become subjects of it The theefe on the Crosse asking Christ to remember him in his Kingdome Augustine askes him What Royalty doest thou see Seest thou any other crowne then that of thornes any other Scepter then Iron nayles any other purple then blood any other Throne then a wooden Crosse any other gard then executioners Was there now so great faith in Israel Let our faith touch the top of this Scepter let us submit our selves to his word for the present and cast our eye beyond the present upon his second comming when wee shall see him ride upon a white horse not upon garments but upon the Clouds in power and great glory entring not Jerusalem but the stage of the whole world to render unto every man even Kings according as they have done in the flesh good or evill III. David was called and annoynted to bee King but betweene that and the installing or enjoying of his Kingdome he had many troubles doubts and feares that made him stagger and say I shall surely one day fall by the hand of Saul So was the true David Jesus Christ annoynted with the fulnesse of the Spirit and called to be King of his Church but before his installation into his Kingdome many afflictions persecutions feares yea death it selfe overtooke him for our sakes Isa. 53. Wherein he said My God why hast thou forsaken me So must it be with us who must be content to suffer before we can raigne to be crowned first with thornes as Christ was and stand with Christ on Mount Golgotha before we come to Mount Olivet see Acts 14. 22. It is so ordained by God that we should make our way through a straite to state through thornes to Roses through troubles to rest through stormes to the haven through vertue to glory through conquest to triumph through warre to peace through the Crosse to heaven And this processe God the father strictly observed with his beloved son as was necessary Luk. 24. 26. Phil. 2. 8 9 he was humbled therefore God exalted him And this is the Lords honour to honour his servants raised from the dunghill that they may know the way to glory lyes by humility IV. It was ever the lot of the Church to have in it secret and inbred enemies as David and Christ had even such as eat bread at his table and dipped in the dish and these have alwaies prooved more mischievous then open and forraigne enemies The Church ever had hypocrites and false brethren Satans spyes who professing the same Christ and religion eating bread at the same table of the Lord and making shew of friendship in the communion of Saints joyning in the hearing of the word and prayer yet watch the haunts of Gods servants to spy their weakenesse and where they lye open to advantage Every one sees they advantage not themselves but by all meanes undermine the Gospell and professors so as the silly dove of Christ can find no rest for the soale of her foot And never was the Church so wounded as in the house of her friends Cant. 1. 5. The sonnes of my mother were angry against me This being the estate of the Church to be hunted as the silly hare from one Mush to another and no where safe it must make us 1. more wary 2. desire our rest 3. love that promise Come with me from Lebanon
to see any challenge it but the high Priest our Lord Jesus And hence for ever detest the wicked and abominable Masse with those sacrilegious Priests who usurpe these garments of Iesus Christ and tell us they offer propitiatory sacrifices for the sinnes of the quick and dead The theeves that spoiled Christ of his garments and divided them among themselves did him no such despite as these theeves doe who rob him and disrobe him of all his glory II. Every Christian is made a priest unto God by participation Rev. 5. 10. But not legall and externall for they were dated by the priesthood of Christ but Evangelicall improper and spirituall Neither to offer reall and externall sensible sacrifices which all had end by Christs onely sacrifice upon the Crosse but spirituall sacrifices such as Calves of the lips Heb. 13. 15. The sacrifice of a broken heart Psal. 51. 17. Of almes with which God is well pleased Heb. 13. 16. Of mortification Rom. 12. 1. and of good works and duties of all sorts Of prayer Psal. 141. 2. Now before any of these sacrifices can finde acceptance we must all put on holy and spirituall garments Never was any priest or performance pleasing without his garments the use of which was to cover and adorne Quest. What garments must we put on Answ. Iacob before he could get his fathers blessing must put on his elder brothers garment Gen. 27. 15. so must we put on the Lord Iesus Christ. Rom. 13. 14. Quest. How Answ. Put on whole Christ as the Priest all his garments 1. By making him our owne we must weare our owne garments Speciall faith unites to Christ and marieth us to him that he is ours and we his 2. Cover thy selfe with the sacrifice of his death Adam having sinned covered his nakednesse with skins of dead beasts signifying that all his sinfull posterity must cover themselves with the sacrifice of Christ dead the righteousnesse and perfection of which is the linnen Ephod in which thou being wrapped must offer up thy sacrifice 3. Array thy selfe with his vertues to adorne and decke thee This is the broidered coat which thou must weare of manifold vertues and graces which as jewels and ornaments must shine in thy life as the many glistering stones did in the breastplate So the Apostle Ephes. 4. 24. Put on the new man created after God in righteousnesse and holinesse 4. Put on Christ by Christian profession Our apparell is seene and makes us knowne to others Servants make themselves knowne by their cloth they weare whose they are The Priest must put on the Plate on his forehead and we are commanded to cary the name of God and the Lambe in our foreheads Rev. 14. 1. that men may never see our faces but therein reade the holinesse and innocency of our conversation 5. Put on the girdle Have thy loines girded Luke 12. 35. Stand in a readinesse 1. To all duties of Christianity 2. To all acceptable sacrifices of faith repentance prayer praises obedience 3. To offer up our selves by life or death to the glory and praise of God We had need bee thus begitt that we may stand to the confession and profession of the truth not knowing when or what tryalls will come besides that the world nor pleasure nor lusts seldome finde us unprepared And can he be a good subject who is alwayes unprepared for his Princes service but ever ready to serve his enemy III. From the being arrayed with these garments the poore members of the Church have a ground of much comfort in respect 1. of their head so arrayed 2. of themselves and in respect of themselves considering those garments 1. in the generall 2. in the particulars First in respect of our high Priest Jesus Christ thus gloriously arrayed 1. In the Ephod we see his mighty power who caries his Church upon his shoulders of power and protection Alas I where should wee lie if our Lord did not lift us up and beare us up But now we never need to discourage our selves by casting what shall become of the Church or religion if such and such projects prevaile for so long as we are on Christs shoulders we are safe 2. In the Pectorall behold the ardent and surpassing love of Jesus Christ to his Church For as he caries us on his shoulders by his power so he caries our names on his heart by his love This our true high Priest cannot forget his Saints when he seemes to turne his backe on them but still hath their names before his eye And this is the happinesse of the Church in which she may well rest her selfe that according to her prayer Cant. 8. 6. Christ setteth her as a seale on his heart and as a signet on his arme How is it possible to forget that which is sealed on the heart How can the eye look off the signet on the arme For a signet because it is most precious is most carefully kept and being upon the arm of Christ what arme can pull us off from him Object Oh that I might know my happinesse to bee set on Christs heart Sol. If thou wouldst be set as a signet on the Lords arme become the Lords servant and be faithfull in this service See Hag. 2. 23. O Zerubbabel my servant I will set thee as a signet 3. In his Miter wee see our high Priest crowned with honour and glory above all men and Angels And all the Church must say as Psal. 132. 18. On him let his Crowne flourish And if the dignity of the head be the honour of the members and the power of the head the safety of the members then from hence we have no small consolation 4. In his Plate wee see holinesse ingraven on his forehead that all our senses and thoughts must be fixed in the forehead of our onely high Priest from whom all holinesse floweth to his Church Oh what matter of joy is it to see that we in our selves so foule every way in our nature in our course shut out of heaven where no unclean thing commeth have in him a fountaine of holinesse set open for us For he is made to us of God wisdome sanctification c. Secondly in respect of themselves by meanes of Jesus Christ the members of the Church thus arrayed enjoy sure and stable consolation For 1. In generall they all afford us this comfort that through Christ our high Priest we are beautifull and glorious yea our beauty is made perfect through his beauty Psal. 45. 9. The Queen stands in most royall and costly garments Never had Solomons Queen in all her royalty such sweet perfumed and precious garmēts as hath the spouse of our true Solomon For 1. Those were provided by Solomon Kings daughters in thy precious garments but these provided by Christ out of his wardrobe and will not endure any other garment or ornament brought or procured elsewhere 2. Those were materiall gold silver and precious