be branched into these two 1. The Way profession which is publickly owned by Authority and hath the Law of the Land for its Sanction 2. Those Perswasions or Wayes that are taken up by private persons conâ—â—ary to the Law of the Nation For these latter beginning there first They are as exceeding many so of a very different nature some retaining the Fundamental Principles and Duties of Christianity necessary unto Salvation and differing only in lesser matters controverted in the Church of Christ others that overthrow the very Foundation it self Those that overthrow the Foundations of Christianity and differ about points necessary unto Salvation are too many In which rank we shall place the Papists first of all because most considerable and above all others most formidable It s true indeed There hath been in the Popish Church all a long to this day continued such a System of saving Truths which God hath of his great mercy preserved in the greatest Anti Christian Apostacy as being truly believed and obeyed other Soul-destroying errours in the mean time either not known or not cordially imbraced might be effectuall to the Salvation of many that lived and dyed within that Church But yet Popery it self understanding thereby that Religion which consists of so many new Articles of Faith utterly unknown to the old Church of Rome in its purity but now ratifyed in the Council of Trent and required to be recieved of all men upoâ— pain of Anathema which plainly overthrow many of the great Articles of the Catholick Faith as also of such grosse Idolatries and Superstitious Fopperies c. This I say is such a Religion that none that love their Salvation should close with This Babylon we shold have no communion with lest we communicate in her Plagues As saith the voice from Heaven Revel 18 4. Come out of her my people that ye be not partakers of her sins and that ye receive not of her plagues The grounds of our withdrawing from that Religion are 1. Their many dangerous errors in matters of Faith overthrowing directly the very Foundations of Christiantie To instance in some Their Doctrine of Transubstantiation over-throweth the truth of Christs humane Nature Their proper Sacrifice his only Sacrifice for sin offered once for all Their Doctrine of merits plainly destroyeth the merins of Jesus Christ The multitude of Mediators amongst them deny That only Mediator betwixt God and man the man Jesus Christ 1 Tim. 2.5 Their Sacrificing Priests overthrow Christs Priestly office Their vilifying the Scriptures and setting up their unwritten Traditions to be received with equall reverance with them c. Overthrows Christs Propheticall Offices The Kingly Office of Christ is overthrown by the Popes usurpations dispensing with the Laws of God and setting up other Laws of his own devising and Lording it over the Consciences of Men. The great Article of Remission of sins and free Justification through the grace of God in Jesus Christ is overthrown by their Pardons Indulgences and Doctrine of merit and humane Satisfactions 2. Their abominable Idolatries in point of Worship as Angel-worship Saint-worship Relique-worship Image-worship c. 3. Their prophane Sacriledge robbing the people of the bread of life the holy Scriptures the Cup in the Lords Supper Nay almost of the whole Worship of God causing it to be performed in a Language the Vulgar understand not 4. Their cruelty and blood shed wherein Rome Papal exceeds Rome Ethuicall 5. Their Spiritual Tyranny in exacting blind obedience in matters of Faith as the Philistims pulled out the eyes of Sampson and led him whither they would In burdening Christians with innumerable Ceremonies and Superstitions destroying the substance of Religion 6. Their proud usurpations over Kings and Princes 7. The Notorious Schism they are guilty of worse then that of the Novations and Donatists of old whereby they not only cast off the Reformed Churches but the Muscovites and Grecians in Europe The Aegyptian and Aethiopian Churches in Affrick all these great companies of Christians scatter'd all over Asia even from Constantinople to the East Indies Because they are not the Popes subjects they wil not account them Christs for they declare determine and pronounce it s of absolute necessity unto Salvation for every humane Creature to be subject to the Pope of Rome 8. Add hereunto their unsufferable wickednesse overspreading that Church and their allowance thereof by giving Licences to uncleanness Sodomy prostituting pardons for mony dispensations with Gods Laws c. In all which the Romish Church is incorrigible pretending unerring Infallibilitie and the Pope himself wil be supreme Judge alone in all these Cases For these and the like grounds which cannot all be here enumerated Its necessary for all good Christians to beware of Popery and have no Peace with Rome till she return to her antient Primitive puritie Others there are also that err in Fundamental points and necessary unto salvation as Anti-trinitarians Anti-Scripturists Arians Socinians c. The last of which Sects is esteemed by the learned the very Sink into which all Heresies of former and latter times have emptied themselves and directly leades men to Mahometanism Judaism or Atheism These deny the Doctrine of the Trinity a fundamental Point and necessary to Salvation and the Deity of Jesus Christ and of the Holy Ghost Reject the Satisfaction of Christ and maintain Justification by works Refuse such Articles of the Faith as they cannot comprehend with their Reason c. These Sects as almost all Churches former and latter and Divines in their Syncretisms have banished out of the Lines of Christian Communication so it becomes all persons to avoid them as pests and enemies of Christianity and to have no followship with them I shal instance only in one Sect more of such as err in Fundamental points who in respect of their want of learning and outward accomplishments are contemptible yet in respect of their number and their singular obstinancy in their way whereby they amuse the Vulgar are not to be passed by viz. The Quakers although Quakerism cannot properly be called a Séct of Christians but rather it 's a totall Apostacy from Christianity for excepting it be they have the name of Christ in their Mouths they scarce retain any Article of the Christian Faith The light in all men they extoll as the only sufficient rule to walk by to the apparent slighting of the Scriptures and Preaching so that if the Question be asked what advantage hath the Christian above the naked Indian We cannot answer as the Apostle Rom. 3.2 Much every way chiefly because unto them is committed the Oracles of God The Doctrine of the Trinity they openly deny The Person of Jesus Christ as to his humane Nature with all his Offices assigned to him by his Father they utterly reject though this is an Arcanum that is kept hid from their Novices They call not upon God in the Name and Mediation of Jesus Christ They trust not in his death
A GUIDE TO THE True Religion OR A DISCOURSE Directing to make a wise CHOICE of that Religion Men venture their Salvation upon Seasonable for these Times wherein there are such Diversities of Opinions and wayes of Religion To inform the Ignorant to resolve the Wavering and to confirm the Weak By I. C. M. A. of T. C. C. Josh 24.15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord Chuse you this day whom you will serve whether the Gods But as for me and my House we will serve the Lord. EDINBVRGH Printed by Andrew Anderson and are to be sold at his House on the North side of the Cross Anno 1669. A Premonition to the Reader shewing the occasion and intendment of the Discourse Courteous Reader THere is no good Christian but is ready upon all just occasions to express his sad resentment of the wofull Divisions and dangerous Errors wherewith the Churches of Christ in these Kingdoms have been for many years past and still are so distracted for notwithstanding that our civill Wars are through the mercy of God endid yet our Religious jars and rents are not healed Indeed how can any pious Soul consider the great dishonour done thereby to the Holy Name of God the reproach to the Christian Religion the great scandal to those sometimes famous Churches which are now hereby become infamous through the World yea the apparent ruine threatned by these things and not break out into sad lamentation for the same Surely this 〈◊〉 a Lamentaion and shall be for a Lamentation And although the serious consideration of those evils in order to the repairing and healing of them and the preventing the publick ruine threatned to the Church and State thereby belongeth to the wisedome and zeal of those that be in place of eminency and are vested with power and authority requisite thereunto yet Private Christians in a lower station and capacity cannot but have their eyes upon the sad influence those â—â—ings have upon their dearest Friends and Neighbours with whom they converse and in their behalf meditate upon some remedy for the same Certain it is that the malignant influence these things have on the common sort is very sad whilst gazing on those sad contesting matters of Religion Some continue meer Scepticks ever wavering and not knowing what way of Religion to chuse and so neglect to be of any Some are professed Atheists or profane Wretches Others be seduced into dangerous Errors as Popery Socinianism Quakerism c. Many ingage in contentions they know not why nor for what And the greatest part of Christians wofully stumbled in their Profession The intendment of these Papers is to propose some help against those evils and to guide and direct those that are apt to miscarry through occasion of the diversities of Opinions and wayes found a mongst us Wherein they are first excited to make a wise Choice of that Religion they venture their Eternal Salvation upon and are informed how to do it Indeavours are used to fix and establish them in the truth of the Christian Religion and to acquaint them with the great and Fundamental Doctrines and Duties threrof necessary unto Salvation which have been owned by all Christians and Churches in all places and ages and to perswade to believe and obey them as that whereupon their eternal safety depends Then our discourse descends to points of a secondary and inferior Nature that are controverted amongst wise and godly Christians and directions are laid down how to find out the right and safe way for Faith and practice in such things especially when we are necessitated to hold forth a profession of our selves therein Wherewith is shewed also what tendernesse and respect is to be used toward those that differ from us in those things whilst in the mean time we carry it at a greater distance with those that err fundementally and subvert the Christian Faith and Religion All which counsels being evidenced to be good and wholsome will manifestly declare Those to be the most approved and judicious Christians who under all those great changes and revolutions which have been amongst us of latter times have especially exercised their zeal for the maintaining of the Fundament all Doctrines of the Gospel and the practice and power of Godlinesse as also for the preserving the peace of the Church and love and union amongst Christians whilst in the mean time they have shewed greatest moderation and condescension towards those that differ in controverted Points of a lower Nature even to a degree of complyance also with the stream of the times in some things which seem in themselves less desireable and inconvenient provided in their Consciences they judge them not to be sinful if conducing to the furtherance of the Gospel the peace of the Churches and Salvation of Souls Indeed this will be judged by some rash and censorious Spirits to be Hypocrisie Time-serving er self-seeking and such persons may be branded for Temporizers Turn-coats or Apostates or what not but when things shall be considered in calmness and Sobriety Such will be found the greatest friends of Christ and the Christian Religion and such actions most consonant to Scripture commands and to the examples of the Saints recorded therein whereas such as are found departing from any Fundamental and generally confessed points of faith or Practice These imputations may be more warrantably charged upon them Reader Let these sad and wofull differences errours and debates provoke thee to examine the grounds thy profession is built upon to study more the verity and excellency of the Christian Religion and be better established therein to understand believe love and obey the great and necessary Principles thereof humbly to seek of God the discovery of his mind in things more dark and controverted and to exercise more Christian love and charity those that are not of the same perswasion or practice with thee therein And then thou wilt be secured from the danger of those evils yea they will prove advantagious to thy greatest good although intended by Satan for thy hurt To help thee herein is the intendment and designe of this discourse in order whereunto the blessing of the Lord is humbly implored to go along with the same THE CONTENTS OF The severall CHAPTERS CHAP. 1. REligion the grand concernment of Man in this World Great differences about it Necessity of a wise and deliberate chusing ones Religion A proposition laid down which is the Subject matter of the following Discourse Page 1. CHAP. 2. Shewing wherein this wise Chusing ones Religion stands and what Acts concurr thereunto Page 5. CHAP. 3. Considerations evidencing it a principal Point of wisdome for a Man to make a right Choice of that Religion he professes in the World and ventures his Eternal Salvation upon Page 13 CHAP. 4. Wherein the Practice of this Duty is insisted upon and Directions given how to chuse the true Religion amongst so many as are in the World All other Religions being
where would it be found in the whole World seeing there 's no Church on Earth but hath some corruptions 6. Let it be considered how unchristian it is to depart from the solemn Ordinances of Gods worship in those Churches where the presence of Christ is yet continued in them have you any warrant to leave them before Christ leave them when God was greatly provoked by the Jewish Church so as he was about to remove from his Sanctuary and stood at the Threshold ready to leave them we finde many godly ones mourning for the abominations of the times but none hastening to depart from that Church before the Lord departed Now can you deny the presence of the Lord in the Assemblies of the Church of England wherein as before was shewed the essentials of Faith and Worship be preserved if God should be as unmerciful as man is uncharitable then wo to all the Churches of Christ throgh the World nay wo to your selves But I question not but there are thousands can seaâ— to the presence of Christ in the Congregations of England at this day as well as in former times wherein the same Corruptions at which so much offence is taken now were urged to plead for a separation then Let such as cry out so much of Popery in others beware of that miserable Popish error they restrain the Church and the priviledges thereof the presence of Christ and Salvation c. to their own Sect and Party and in the mean time casting off the far greater part of the Catholick Church that maintain all the Essentials of Faith and Worship 7. I might enumerate the many great mischiefs that follow upon such unwarrantable Separation It plainly tends to the dishonor of Christ and the reproach of the Christian Religion so the hinderance of the success of the Gospel and the Salvation of Souls so overthrow the Worship of God and to open a Gap to Atheism and prophaness to Heresie and Popery c yea to the utter ruine of the Christian Church Mat. 12.25 But it may seem needless to spend more words in so clear a case nor should I have said thus much had not I been compelled thereto by the uncatholick nay I confidently call it unchristian practice of many well meaning people through their too great prejudice in other Temptations who do totally withdraw themselves from the publick Congregations in England and the true Worship of God therein 2. Having given my advice to hold Communion with the Churches of England in the True Worship of God notwithstanding the corruptions supposed to be therein I do next advise on the other hand not to communicate with her nor with any Church in the World in any evil but if any thing professed or practised therein be found really sinfull which may be supposed of any Church upon Earth in that thing to withdraw and have no fellowship in it to keep your selves pure from the same yea I shal add further if there be any thing that shall but appear sinful to thee thy Conscience after humble and diligent searching of the Word telling thee this is sin then to suspend thy consent or practice in that particular till it appear otherwise to thee I would be here so far from urging any to do that act that a truly tender Conscience upon probable grounds may scruple as sinful that I would rather perswade such to suspend their acting therein till they be better convinced of the lawfulnesse of it * Sanders de Juram p. 84. The dictate of Conscience whether right or erroneous ever bindeth not to act against it and supposing it be a thing not in its own nature necessary but among things disputable and tolerable I would rather become an humble Suitor to Authority could my intercession any whit avail herein for Indulgence in such a case then to be a violent inforcer of any by Terrours or Punishments of the Law to go against their Consciences to please men 3. Yet because Conscience may be deluded and my call that sinfull which is lawful and a duty and so induce men to withdraw in such Acts of Communion as neither the Law of God nor men will allow them to withdraw from for possibly the Devil may get into the Consciences of men and delude them And the Conscience may tell one he must separate from Baptism because Infant-Baptism is Anti-Christian Another he must withdraw from the Lords Supper because of mixt Communion therein A third from the hearing of the Word because the call of Ministers is Anti-Christian A fourth he must cast off Sabbaths yea Scriptures and all Gospel Ordinances because abolished All this we have too sad experience of in our times Let therefore every good Câ—â—istian labour for a due information of his Conscience in such points as he Scruples Communion in and not think his bare plea of Conscience wil warrant his total neglect of any duty Though his suspending his own actings till he may satisfie Conscience about them may be granted yet possibly a total neglect in some things will not be granted Impune by the Law of God or man * An erring Conscience cannot discharge any from a duty being not a Law-maker but subject to the Law Parisiens Now here it may be expected I should offer my help toward the satisfying Conscience in such Scruples as commonly do occurr this day to those that withdraw in whole or in part from the Communion of the Church of England in its present State and Administrations But to do this fully would too much disproportion this part of my discourse to the other parts aforegoing I rather chuse to send them to those Treatises of such eminent Non-Conformists as have written fully on this subject-especially to Mr. W Bradshaw's Book of the unreasonableness of separation prefaced to published by Dr. Ames and to Mr. Jo. Ball his tryal of the grounds tending to separation * only recommending a few general Rules which being observed may be useful in order thereunto and so conclude my Discourse * The Reader is Advertised that there is Published in Print an Aswer to that part of Mr. Ball 's Book which is a Discourse of the lawfulness of a stinted Liturgy and set forms of Prayer under the name of Mr. Jo. Cotton The Answer is highly valued by some but by comparing the Discourse and the Answer together it may be seen that great injury is done to Mr. Ball and to Mr. Cotton both and also that the Reader is grosly abused by it for it is not that Discourse Printed at Cambridge 1640. which is therein answered but probably some imperfect Notes before that was published which is evident not only because the number and order of the Arguments answered do differ from those laid down in that Discourse But especially because the principal things given in answer by Mr. Cotton are so fully spoken to by Mr. Ball herein by way of reply to Johnson Greenwood and others that formerly objected the same
Mass Book the truth is this there are several Prayers of Antient Fathers used before Popery was in the World which the Papists corrupting and abusing in their Mass our first Reformers purged out what corruptions the Papists had brought in and did retain those antient Prayers according to their Primitive Institution All this will be readily acknowledged by them that judging this book unnecessary and inconvenient do desire a Reformation therein and is there any thing in all this that shall so affright good Christians out of the Church Concerning the charge of Antichristianism it is so common a word in the mouths of all that list to rayle that it s no scandal to any till the thing be fully proved if Bishops and Ministers c. be judged by any to be Anti-Christian I shal send them to that most excellent piece of Dr. Moore his Mystery of Iniquity where they may see the Idea of Anti-Christianism opened and thence be informed whom this censure best befits IV. Take heed of pretending to greater purity and strictness about Church Communion and Administrations then the Word of God commends or the examples of Christ and the Apostles and the Primitive Church do commend nor be so extremely rigid as not to bear with things that they have Tolerated It is an observable rule laid down by wise and eminent Divines that too much strictnesse and severity often doth injury the Church more then profite it it s the way to overturn Churches not to reform them especially this severity is unbecoming private Christians who having no Authority yet complain such persons and such things are defilements they must separate from them they must not touch the unclean thing such should take heed that they be not righteous over much and not dare to be wise above what is written lest their too much affected purity and misguided zeal hurt more the Church of Christ and their own Souls then the corruptions they so much complain of Calvin adv Anab. Art 2. Cum sub specie studii perfectionis imperfectionem nulam tollerare possumus tune Diabolum nos tumefacere superbia et hypocrisi seducere moneamur V. Have publick Spirits and look not so much on such things as are most desirable in your eyes and conduce to your interest as on what tends to the furtherance of the Gospel and the good of the Church in generall There have been very few in our unhappie dayes but have been so eagerly contending for their private opinions and wayes that the publick interest of the Christian Religion and of the Churches peace and welfare hath been almost forgotten by them from whence have come in such an inundation of Errours Heresies Profanenesse and Atheism that the Church hath been almost ruined thereby In vain do we contend about the greater purity and perfection of the Christian Religion when the verie being and life of it by our contentions and divisions is indangered what will become of our contests for greater reformation in Discipline Worship c. If the Christian Religion it self be lost They are the best and wisest Christians that have most indeavoured that the main Fundamental Doctrines and duties of Religion may be preserved though in the mean time they yield in small matters that concern the beautie and perfection thereof waiting in a wise and peaceable manner til the Lord will grant them their desires therein also in his own way and time VI. Take heed of running into manifest sin and evil upon fears of what is only supposed to be so viz. Of casting off Ordinances neglecting of the publick Worship of God breach of the peace of the Church c. Upon pretence of supposed evils in Communion The commands of God for his Worship and Ordinances the Church peace are clear and cogent the matters excepted against are dark and disputable points of controversie and the far greater part of the Churches of Christ on earth have approved of them therefore be afraid while you would shun an evil supposed you run not into another that is a real and far greater evil A truly tender conscience should fear evil on either hand and on this side rather then that VII Charge not on your selves other mens sins but look to your own wayes and duties If you judge Superiors to sin in their impositions or Bishops in any Command or Ministers in their Conformity if you find sin in laxnesse of Discipline in loose admissions to the Ordinances c. It 's not your sin who still Communicate in the Ordinances of Christ provided you do your parts and Office It were sad living in any Church in the World if the sins of others should be charged on such as have neither calling not power to reform them fitter it is by far to mourn and pray for Redressing of such evils then to run out of the Church for them VIII Take heed of that great and common mistake that nothing is to be admitted in and about the government and administration of the Church of Christ in the least Circumstantials thereof but what is particularly and clearly held forth in the Scriptures This mistake hath occasioned many needless scruples in the minds of weak Christians and much promoted groundlesse separation It is a Rule laid down by a whole Assemblie of Divines Assem Conf. of Faith c 1. many of them not much affected to the present establishment That there are some circumstances concerning the Worship of God and Government of the Church common to humane actions and Societies which are to be ordered by the light of nature and Christian prudence according to the general Rules of the Word And the same is practised among all those that are most averse to the communion of the Church of England who retain amongst themselves many things that they can produce little true-Scripture-proofs for but only practise them prudentially as best conducing to the welfare of their Churches and as they judge to the Order of Gods Worship therein and some have ingeniously acknowledged as much If you search the Scriptures impartiallie concerning Church-government you will finde therein little besides the main Essentials of it as that the Church is to be Governed and that by its proper Officers and directions how they should be qualified and set apart for their Office what the severall duties belonging to their Office are and some general directions about the management thereof All which may sute with the several forms of Government that have been competitors amongst us wherein the power of Christs Officers is further extended or more restrained Stillingf iren pt 2. c 4. c 8. wherein some act in a superior others ina coordinate way and therefore very many learned and godly men have judged that no one form of government was prescribed as necessary in the Church but it 's left to be suted to the condition of those Kingdoms and Nations where the Church shall be planted The like may be said concerning Gospel Worship The main
in their patrimony saith Bucer then in their opinion Besides they may undergo the heavy charge of Apostacy Ep. to Jo a Lasco and deserting the Truth and changing their Religion c. and this deterrs many from wayes of truth and Sobriety But it would be considered it 's no discharge for the wisest holyest and most learned Men to retract in some controversal opinions or practices Augustine who was esteemed the most learned of the Fathers Writes several Books of Retractations and Jerome to Ruffinus saith never blush Man to change thy opinion for neither you nor I nor any Person living are of so great Authority as to be ashamed to confess that they have Erred And as for the charge of Apostacy and changing your Religion in such a case as this is it 's a great mistake to affirm this for if you search the Scriptures Apostacy is a falling away from the main Fundamental confessed Doctrines of the Gospel and duties of godlyness into manifest heresie or wickednesse not the changing a mans judgment or practice in some points disputable amongst the godly and Orthodox saith Mr. Baxter in his Catholick Vnity Be it known to all the Papists in the World that our Religion is not changed at all our Worship is the same whether within Book or without our Prayers are the same for matter with those in the Common Prayer Book and if I shold one day use the Common Prayer Book and another day forbear it I should not change the Worship of God to pray is part of his Worship but whether it be in a Book or out of it is no part at all but a mode or circumstance which may be altered as occasion serveth Elsewhere the same learned and pious person sheweth what yielding in things lawful the Scripture recommendeth to us from the example of St. Paul Five Disp p. 488. when he circumcised Timothy Act 16.3 And when he took the men and purified himself with them in the Temple to signifie the accomplishment of the dayes of Purification c. Act. 21.26 27. So also from what he saith 1 Cor. 9.19 20. I am made all things to all men that I might by all means save some and this I do for the Gospels sake XI I add but one Rule of Caution more against a very common but dangerous mistake which is an occasion to many of running in to Error and Heresie as well as into Schism and Separation viz. Take heed of setting up your own apprehensions and conceits of the sense of Scriptures about controverted points as infallible Oracles that you trust so confidently to that you will indanger the Churches peace and your own safety for the maintaining of them where you have not all those necessary helps and means that are requisite to the finding out the minde of God therein Some that have their minds fore-stalled with an opinion or perswasion getting a Bible into their hands presently conceive what ever they meet withall to make for their opinion and begin to be more confident then an hundred wiser and more discerning persons dare to be who know their own darkness and ignorance and the mysteriousness of the things controverted though they have far greater evidence of Scripture and reason for them This carries men into such wilde fancies strange delusions sometimes as bring them under the just censure of Fanaticism a name which is too unjustly applyed to others more sober and pious Christians Though the Fundamental and necessary Doctrines and duties of Christianity are so plainly laid down in Scripture that the weakest Christians may understand them and therefore have much profit by holy and humble Meditation in the Word of God day and night yet Points controverted are oftentimes hidden from ordinary understandings that know not the Languages and proper Idioms of Scripture and customs of the Church and other advantages of learning that its ordinarily impossible they should find out the minde of God therein It 's a vain delusion to think that the Spirit that some pretend to more confidently then they have cause should discover all deep mysteries and obscure points of controversie to those that have but ordinary understandings and are wholly destitute of outward necessary means and hopes for the gaining knowledge thereby the Spirit of God teaches not by such immediate Enthusiasmes but by irradiating the minde and elevating the reason that is exercised in searching the Truth in all Gods appointed means and doth also help the weak to understand savourily all those plain and necessary Truths that tend to godlinesse and to conform their hearts and lives to the love and obedience of them It were more becoming weak Christians in matters disputable to consult with the Writings of able and learned Expositors that have al those advantages which themselves want and not to presume too much on their own understandings in such things which would be accounted unsufferable presumption in other Arts and Sciences and cannot be less in Divinity wherein the greatest mysteries are contained Other Rules of Caution might here be laid down which to avoid prolixity I forbear to enumerate recommending the serious consideration of these things to the sober and humble Christian as greatly conducing to keep him from the by-paths of unjust separation and here conclude with my hearty Prayer to God even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ that he would grant to the Professors of Christianity in all Nations both Rulers and People to minde more and to be more zealous for the great and Fundamental points of Faith and Worship necessary to Salvation and to contend less about things not in their own nature necessary that high impositions might not occasion violent oppositions nor these again produce further impositions But we may love one another unfainedly for the great things we are united in bear with one another mâ—re in things wherein difference is tolerable and all may seek the unity peace and welfare of the Church and the good of one another c. Then should Religion flourish the Gospel be advanced the fame of God be honoured the Souls of men edified and all may walk in the fear of God and comfort of the Holy Ghost unto which let every good Christian say Amen FINIS
took such rooting that the power craft and malice of men and Devils cannot root it out It s evidenced by the purity and spirituality of its Doctrine By the sublimity of the Mysteries revealed in it wherein the highest wisedom of God shines forth By the greatnesse and excellency of the rewards punishments By the holy Spirit appearing in the serious professors of it such a Spirit of holinesse as is no where else to be found in the world And by the design it hath to glorifie God and to humble Man c. By these and the like evidences the weakest may easily be convinced That the Christian Religion is the only true Religion of all others in the World and so be directed to make choice thereof CHAP. V. Further Directions how to chuse the right and safe way amongst such diversities of Sects and opinions as be amongst Christians A discovery of the fundamental Doctrines of Faith and practical duties of Godliness generally imbraced by al Christians in al times and places with advice in reference unto them HAving inquired into the several Religions this day professed in the world and found upon good evidence the Christian Religion to be the only true Religion men may venture their Salvation upon Wee meet next with no small difficulty whereby weak and ignorant persons are perplexed occasioned by the diversity of Sects and opinions which are found amongst Christians viz. Quest To know after they once be resolved to be Christians how to chuse the right and safe way amongst such various Sects and different perswasions of those called Christians unless a man might be saved in any of these Sects and wayes What directions are there for the safe conduct of such as are at a losse herein Answer Because this is a grand case wherein very many in these sad times of Division greatly need Direction I shall guide them to a safe way wherein they may securely walk and venture their Souls without fear of miscarrying And it is this Let them labour to understand clearly and to imbrace heartily those Fundamental Catholick verities of the Christian Religion which are more clearly laid down in the holy Scriptures and have been owned by the Churches of Christ generally in all ages places ever since the Apostles times to our dayes and transmitted to us in their Creeds and Confessions of Faith and are now owned by all worthy the name of the Christians without dispute through all the Christian World let them so believe them that they influence their Hearts and Lives throughly And also all those Confessed duties of godliness that all Christians are agreed in and walk up to the practice of them and their Souls shall certainly be secured Know that notwithstanding these diversities of Sects and varieties of opinions which are found amongst Christians from which they are not privileged as neither are those other three Religions Heathenisme Mahometanism and Judaism as before was shewed nor shall be fully whilst we be imperfect and know but in part and are in part carnall as well as Spiritual whilst the envious one shall fow Tares in the field of the Church and it shall be the pleasure of God to suffer these things to be that they which are approved may be made manifest Yet know That there are some fundamentall and Catholick verities of the Christian Religion which are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 points generally believed of all having antiquity universality and consent concurring with them which the Scriptures call the foundation 1 Cor. 3.10 11. The principles of the Doctrine of Christ Heb. 6.1 The form of sound words 2 Tim. 1.13 Rom. 6.17 The proportion or Analogy of Faith Rom. 〈◊〉 6. Which have been conveyed down from the Apostles even to us in this last age of the World nor could the gates of Hel ever prevail so far as to extirpate them And these are such Confessed duties of godlinesse as none that have pretended to be Christians have dared openly and directly to gainsay Now these are the points that have greatest influence on our hearts and lives to sanctifie and change them and to promote the life and power of godlinesse and rarely those questions and matters of dispute that are so hotly contested about and these avail to the saving our Souls upon our hearty imbracing and receiving these or our renouncing of them either in heart or life depends our Salvation or Damnation We had need therefore to set our hearts on these things that we cordially believe these Doctrines and practise those Duties and so doing we shall secure our eternal Salvation Now for further improvement of this advice we shal more particularly inquire into these great and necessary Doctrines of faith and duties of godliness and lay down some brief account of them in order to our belief and practice and so consequently to Salvation 1. For the Fundamental Doctrines of the Christian Religion Not that I undertake to give an exact account hereof for to determine this saith a learned man is the master-piece of all the Divines in Christendom but only do declare those truths which being more clearly laid down in Scripture have been generally imbraced by all Churches worthy the Name of Christians setting aside controverted points wherein so much truth is contained as being joyned with holy obedience may be sufficient to bring a man to everlasting Salvation This being premised they may be reduced to these four Articles 1 Concerning God That there is one God of an infinite perfect and spirituall nature Subsisting in three most glorious persons the Father the Sonne and the Holy Ghost who is the maker preserver Governor of all things and intends his own glory in all his Works That the greatest concernment of reasonable creatures is to know acknowledge this God to fear love adore and glorify him and their chief felicity stands in his love and favour in fullest conformity to his Image and nearest communion with him and in no earthly good separate from him This is one Article of Religion necessary unto Salvation to be known and believed and not controverted amongst Christians Believe this throughly and let it influence your hearts and lives so as you study to know this God and to get acquaintance with him to fear love and serve him to own him for your Soveraign Lord chief good 2 Concerning man That God made man at the first in a very holy happy estate from which he soon fel through Satans Temptation and all mankinde became plunged into sin and misery That we are all hainous offenders against the God of Heaven under his dreadful wrath and the curse of the Law barred out of Heaven and happiness and lyable to eternal torments if not speedily reconciled to God and pardoned and by renewing grace sanctified and converted which neither we nor any meere creature is able to do for us This is another Fundamentall Article of Faith so clearly laid down in Scripture as it 's beyond all controversie
matters which yet are disputable amongst the wise and godly and you shall be necessitated to be of the one or the other perswasion or way Then let every one do that which he is fully perswaded in his own minde to be best and most pleasing to God nor daring to go against the dictates of his own Conscience See Ames Cas l. 1. c. 5 q. 1. Sanders Lect 3. de juram Sect. 10. which God hath set up as his Vicegerent in the Soul nor subjecting himself to the judgment or Authority of any other as Lord of his Faith I say Believe and imbrace that opinion and walk in that practice But yet to this 1 Humbly with a due sense of your own weakness and ignorance not proudly censuring and contemning such as differ from your perswasion but ever ready to hear what shall be offered for your conviction especially if it be from the wise and learned and those which by Gods providence are in place of eminency in the Church being rather matter of Affliction to you then of exalting your self that you should differ from them 2 Peaceably and without all Faction and Schism not making parties for you and renting from the Communion of those with whom you agree in the most weighty and necessary Doctrines of Salvation and so disturbing the peace of the Church where you live The evil of which can never be repaired by a violent contention for any truth or practice not fundamental and necessary unto Salvation Here the counsel of the Apostle is seasonable Rom. 14 If thou hast faith have it to thy self and Phil. 3. Whereto we have already attained let us walk by the same rule let us minde the same thing if in any thing any be otherwise minded God wil reveal even this unto them In all those principal points of faith and practice wherein is such perfect harmony it 's a manifest duty to hold communion only forbearing the same in these lesser matters wherein according to the present apprehension the sin and error lyeth 3 Chearfully and confidently not troubling and perplexing your selves about such a perswasion and practice with fears arising from a scrupulous Conscience which are like Stones in the shooe troubling the Feet of him that walketh But with a comfortable perswasion that God is well pleased with you seing you do the utmost you are able to find out the minde of God in such a particular and therefore if you be in the right he will accept it or if through weaknesse there be a mistake yet he will graciously pardon it and in his good time reveal even this unto you For if even earthly Parents or Masters when their Servants or Children do their utmost to know their minds and to do their business so as to please them will accept their indeavours and take all in good part though in every punctìlio they have not done what was expected much more will the gracious God accept of his Children and Servants that desire to please him and pardon what is amiss in them And indeed if not no flesh living could be saved for who is there of the highest form of Christians that are ascertained that in every particular Doctrine and Practice in those things controverted amongst the godly and wise that they be in the right seeing the best of men are imperfect and may and do err offend Therefore go on chearfully with full assurance that the Lord accepts you This Rule the Apostle fully layes down Rom. 14 upon occasion of controversies about points not necessary to Salvation viz. Meats and Drinks and Dayes He bids let every one be fully perswaded in his own mind and act accordingly not judging and condemning others nor breaking the peace and then he should be accepted of God approved of men Thus have we a safe Conduct to lead us in the right way in matters circumstantial controverted amongst pious and wise Christians in points less necessary unto Salvation as well as in matters of Fundamental and of absolute necessity thereunto CHAP. VII A closer Application of the foregoing Discourse to the present State of the Church in England with particular Advice in reference to the different Wayes and professions found amongst us HAving given a more generall advice sutable to all times and conditions of the Church in all places It will be expedient next in behalf â—f those for whose benefite this discourse is principally intended to apply the former directions to the present state of the Church here in England and those many different Perswasions and wayes that are amongst us We are a people that generally do profess the Christian Religion which hath been of long time transmitted down to us from our Ancestors wherein we are deeply ingaged by Education the Laws of the Land and manifold Obligations But it is much to be desired that the Common sort of Christians were better instructed in the grounds and Reasons of the entertainment of this Religion rather then of the other three before mentioned Heathenism Mahometanism and Judaism and that they might gain a clear and distinct knowledge of the great and fundamental Articles thereof and be throughly grounded in the certainty and excellency of it A thing which is much wanting in the vulgar sort through their too great negligence and carelesnesse about things spirituall but of exceeding dangerous consequence to their Souls as exposing them to profaneness and Error if not to totall Apostacy And therefore this duty though before hinted deserves to be reinforced with the strongest perswasions But although we all be Christians in profession We are sadly crumbled into such Diversities of Sects and perswasions occasioned much through the licentiousnesse of War relaxation of Government amongst us of which occasion Satan and our corrupt natures have made too great improvment That is it most difficult for weak and ignorant persons to find out the right and safe way amongst them and to joyn themselveâ— unto This temptation having led very many into errors by-wayes pernicious and others into Atheism We shall therefore attempt to give some directions what course to steer herein what opinions and Sects to shun and avoid and what people and principales we should close withal For it would greatly conduce to the peace and welfare of the Church and to the safety of mens souls to be duly informed What Christians or Societyes of Christians they be with whom communion may be held and how far as also who they be that are utterly to be avoided it being usual with the vulgar sort of Christians who sometimes abound in zeal but are much wanting in knowledge to close with the most pernicious Principales and Wayes where any stronger temptations insinnate themselves then with those that are far more sound and Orthodox if they have taken up a prejudice against them and so have the faith of Christ with respect of persons We shall therefore take a Survey of the different perswasions wayes amongst us which may
those Churches for those evils found in them So that the Scriptures give no countenance to total withdrawing from such Churches where many corruptions are whilst the essentials of Religion are preserved Some Scriptures iâ—deed are very impertinently alledged for this practice which may be cleared from the undeceiving of the weak in a few words such as 2 Cor. 6 14 15 16 17. Which speaks of separation from Infidels and Idolaters in their Idolatries and ungodly fellowships not of withdrawing from Christian Assemblies in the true Worship of God So also 1 Cor. 5.11 and 2 Thess 3.6 14. Which Scriptures shew it a duty to withdraw from private persons living in notorious scandalous sins for shaming the offendors and preserving the Churches but speak not a word of withdrawing from the true Worship of God in the publick Assemblies of the Church because of controversal practises yea for some real evils therein for this will tend to the destruction of the Church which is contrary to the end of all Church-censures being for Edification not for destruction 2 Cor 10.8 As for that Scripture Revel 18.3 Come out of Babylon c. It may warrant a withdrawing from the Idolatrous Worship of Rome and the Abominations of Popery from which we before shewed it 's the duty of every good Christian that loves his Salvation to depart but it 's grosly abused when it 's made to plead for Separation from any of the reformed Churches where through the mercy of God the Fundamentals of Faith and essentials of Worship are maintained so that we see the scriptures will not warrant such Separation 2. Or if you will Reverence the general suffrage of the Christian Church and of the most eminent Saints and Martyrs living therein ever since Christs time to us which surely however some slight yet there 's no smal weight in it else the Apostle would not plead 1 Cor. 11.16 We have no such custom nor the Churches of Christ The most eminent Servants of Christ in in all Ages have constantly held and practised Communion with those Churches where they lived although very often there were far greater corruptions therein then can be found this day amongst us as those that are acquainted with Antiquity know well and have ever blamed those that have left the Churches Communion for such causes as were above named witness the Censures past against the Novatians Donatists Audaeans c. As for our Separation from Rome our Protestant Divines plead the Fundamental errr found therein and gross Idolatries which they must necessarily communicate in if they withdraw not persecution c. and not lesser matters Did not those hinder they profess a readinesse to communicate with her and that they depart from her no further then she departs from Christ 3. Will you regard the judgment of the most eminent Divines of almost all perswasions amongst Protestants that have lived in this and the former Age speaking expresly concerning Communion with the Church of England Then know 1. That all forraign Divines of other Reformed Churches have approved of Communion with her and been ready on all occasions to give their fullest Testimony of their dislike of rigid Separation from her 2. All former Non-Conformists who did dissent in some smaller matters of Ceremonies c. desiring a forbearance as to their practice in those things yet have fully declared against Separation from the Church of England witness the writings of very many of them worthy a serious perusal at this day viz. Cartwright Hildersham Bradshaw Bayne Ball many Others and witness their practice formerly and at this day 3. Independents See Apol Narration of the five dissenting Brethren page 5.6 Who fully testify against the practice of the Brownists or rigid Separatists whose fatal miscarriages and Shipwrack they call Landmarks to forewarn of those Rocks and Shelves they ran upon And declare their sincere profession to God and the World that all that consciousness of the defilements they conceived to cleave to the true Worship of God in the Congregations of England or of the unwarranted power in Church-governours exercised therein did never work in them any other thought much less opinion but that Multitudes of the Parochial Congregations were the true Churches of Christ and the Ministry thereof a true Ministry much less did it ever enter into their hearts to judge them Anti-Christian for so they say they could not but see they should also condemn the Churches of Scotland Holland c. as no Churches which to imagine was an horrour to their thoughts Yea that they always professed and in those times when the Churches of England were the most either actually overspread with defilements or in the greatest danger thereof and when themselves had no hopes of ever visiting this Land in peace that they would hold a Communion with them as the Churches of Christ And yet they add further Besides this profession as a real Testimony some of them after they were actually in the Congregational way did Baptize their Children in the Parishional Congregations and occasionally admitted to the Lords Supper in their Churches some visiting them in their Exile upon that relation fellowship and Commembership they held in the Parish Churches in England It may be some will say they have more light now then those eminent Divines had in former times But they bewray herein too great ignorance and arrogance this point having been far more dissensed in former then in these present times in which the prejudice of most is such they have scarce considered what hath been said against their opinions 4. If you withdraw totally upon this Account you should then separate from all the Churches that now are or ever have been in the World for what Churches are so pure but they have some defects errors or corruptions For the Primitive Church even 1260 years agone and upwards there were as great corruptions in it as any you can finde here and greater also For the Churches of your own perswasion do you think them altogether perfect Wise and understanding men are able to finde some things amiss yea some of your selves have acknowledged all things are not according to their desire so as if you will bear with nothing but reject all parts of Communion because you cannot close in some things you must separate from them too and so turn Seekers or become Hermites or Anchorites and live alone and at length separate from your selves also because some things will appear blame-worthy in you also whither will this lead you 5. Have you no more love to and care of the publick solemn Worship of God then to cast off all publick Ordinances because you dislike some things in the Churches where they are administred It 's the greatest glory God hath in all the World to be solemnly Worshipped in the publick assemblies But if all should withdraw from them for such offence what publick worship should God have in this Nation seeing other perswasions are not permitted to meet nay