Nature appear in time and succession so have their errours done yet to answer directly we are not ignorant when their Principal Deformities befel them the Councel of Trent with many Acts before and since fay enough to this but I wave this at present only this much let me say He is no studied Scholler that is not acquainted with the grounds of an unreconcilable difference betwixt us and Rome See Bishop Hall Dr. Gauden c. Thus let old Rome take the Glory of Religion as of old but now statu quo as it is a Religion made up only of Heathenism Judaism and antient Heresies they are become more then the parallel of Scribes and Pharisees whom yet they do much resemble in many things 1. None pretend to more piety and devotion and to the honour of Christ then they None perform less or do more dishonour Christ then they 2. The reject the Commandment of God to observe the Popes Decretals What he saith must be good though against the express Word of God 3. The Pharisees were very quarrelsome about their Ceremonies and superstitious observations so are these to the height 4. They presecuted the Lord Jesus the great Shepherd of the Sheep and at last put him to death as an Imposter Deceiver These persecute the Pastors of Christs Flock and slaughter the sheep of Christ from Generation to Generation in the most cruel and barbarous manner imaginable Thus do they imitate the Jewes the persecuting Priests the hypocritical vain-glorious Scribes and Pharisees of those times But yet our Papists stay not here but having rejected the Scriptures the word of God and betaken themselves to their unwritten verities as they call them c. To gain credit to these they have recourse as much as any to Dreams and Visions to Apparitions and Revelations to Extasies and Enthusiasms yea and Diabolical Delusions for many amongst them have been and are the most skilful and exquisite Conjurers and Necromancers in the world And all this is only by such tricks and lying Miracles to gain credit and reputation to their own inventions and de 〈…〉 These things do sufficiently evidence to all that and how the Romanists are fallen from being amongst the first of Christians To be the prime Fanaticks of the world and indeed the principal Authors Patrons and Incouragers of all those kind of people wheresoever For if Fanaticks do pretend much piety and devotion reject the Holy Scriptures be zealous of their own Superstitions and be very violent against them that oppose them and persecute them to the utmost and if they do lean to visions revelations strange miracles c. more then to the Word of God The persecuting Popish Priests c. do act all these things to the utmost ☞ And yet further if I should descend to their Devotions and Religions Performances c. I should lead you into an endless Labyrinth of Idol-imaginations and ridiculous inventions in which they out-strip the very Pagans c. there you shall see such Congies and Crowching such Beads and Babies such Altar-worship and Image-worship such Crossings and Cursings with book bell and candle such advancement of mans and abatements of Christs merits such Adoration of holy Reliques of I know not whom for they have their holy bones and holy stones holy rags and holy bags holy wells and holy bells c. holy graves and holy knaves For some of their Saints were never men and others no better then monsters of men surely never honest men at the best In a word for why should I be endless in this they have so much Vanity and Foppery in their divine service as doth far exceed either Pagan Jew or Hereticks other then themselves in their Religious performances 4. If you add their most unwarrantable uniting the Apocriphal to the Canonical Books of holy Scripture a if of the same Authority and Spirit And that intollerable errour of Transubstantiation rightly styled A Subabomination above all other evils as being a complicated errour against Reason Sense the nature of subsistences and things real in being Against Faith Scripture and the limits of true Religion an Errour of Blasphemy Cruelty and abominable absurdity in changing the food of our souls into corporal food making us Cannibals and Deniers of the true humane nature of Jesus Christ with some antiekt Hereticks In a word The vanities of their divine service are innumerable and their abominations intollerable They have maimed the ten Commandments wounded the Sacraments turned prayer into vain babling and Preaching into legendical lying They defile whatsoever they touch Even the best things that remain amongst them what with their Additions Diminutions strange Interpretation and injurious concealment from the people they do plainly dicover themselves to be the right successors of those Hypocrites the Scribes and Pharisees that did shut up the Kingdom of Heaven against men so that they did neither go in themselves nor suffer them that would to go in Mat. 23.13 Thus have they lost their wheat corn in a heap of chaff their Needle in a bottle of straw or mow their Pearl in a Dung-hil their true first and best Religion in a Colluvies a Sink a Quagmire a Quick-sand of Ceremonies Superstitions and humane Inventions so that upon the whole matter they are the greatest Schismaticks Fanaticks yea and Hereticks now throughout the whole world Now to conclude with these whose Errours admit no period and their Superstition no conclusion If God be well pleased with such toyes and trinkets with such fine babies and rattles fit to please Children c. then no doubt they are in the best way to please God and far beyond any others whose Devotions are not so attended with Pageants and brave shews as these be 1. But if the Lord shall say as to them of old Isa 1.12 Who hath required this at your hands to do as you do to sacrifice and to serve me in such a strange manner and then shall proceed against them as there he did against Judah and Jerusalem see vers 21.25 of that Chapter How is the faithful City c. 2. And if Christ shall say of them as he did of those hypocritical Pharisees saying In vain they do worship me teaching for Doctrines the Commandments Decrees These things do sufficiently evidence and Traditions of men and turn them off with an Ironical speech a scorn saying Full well i.e. full ill ye do reject or frustrate the Commandment of God that ye may keep your own Tradition as it is in Mat. 15.9 Mark 7.9 And then proceed against them with all those woes thundred out against Scribes and Pharisees their Compeers by our Saviours own mouth and inflicted and executed accordingly Mat. 23. per totum Alas What will then become of all 1. Their Will-worship ceremonious and superstitious Devotions 2. Their Tantalogical repetitions of the name of Jesus c. 3. Their Innovation of Saints Images and holy Reliques all will then prove to be no better then vain-babling or
dicamus qui fingunt se divino afflatu regi quique posthabitis divinis literis ad Revelationes commentitias aut Diabolicos suggestus convolant Hence it is manifest why we call those men Fanaticks and Enthusiasts who fain they are guided by a divine inspiration and setting aside the Holy Scriptures that Holy Divine and Heavenly inspired Writ and Rule they all fly together and have a unanimous recourse to feigned and counterfeit revelations and diabolical suggestions Mat. Mart. lex p. 775 776. Thus the name Fanatick was first used by the Gentiles in several senses viz. 1. In good sense to them that were more serious in the service of God 2. In bad sense to them that were more furious and frantick in the Worship of God In both senses the word doth reflect upon this Object viz. The Worship or Worshippers of God The first soberly and seriously and these bear the name in the best sense The second madly and furiously and these gave the word the worser sense even among them for which you have a full Jewry of witnesses of Poets Orators Comedians Tragedians Historians and Etymologists c. and some of them of great antiquity viz. of above 1800. years standing From them the name is transferred to Christians by whom it is used only in the worser sense in reference to them who are somewhat wild Worshippers we have better words for better Worshippers and the name name doth fix most and soonest upon them who do act something like heathens in their divine worship and service leaving the Oracles of God and learning to their own fancies and imaginations or other inspirations The Authors for the proof of these things are cited by Mat. Mart. Cicero and Livius c. Thus much for the Explanation of the the word Fanatick and this being premised you may easily understand whom I do mean by Fanaticks viz. 1. Negatively Not in any person in whom appears the power of godliness though he may be of another opinion or perswasion in some things from my self But 2. Affirmatively By Fanatick I do mean those persons who setting the Rule of Gods Holy Word aside do follow their own fancies the devices and imaginations of their own heads and hearts in the service visions and inspirations c. as a new rule besides the Word of God And here you may take a view of all the Will-worship and Worshippers in the world Col. 2.20.21 c. 1. If you look abroad into the world and take a view of both the Indies and all the adjoyning Countries What a world of strange Worship shall you find amongst those Pagan-Infidels and Heathens and all for want of a Rule the direction of Gods Holy Word which we have Some adore one sole God whom they paint with three heads but can give you no reason for it Others worshipping the Sun Moon and Stars in America Others adoring Nature as the Canary Islands And others the Devil himself as in Puana Japan c. Somewhat they meet first in a morning as the Tartarians Should you look into Arabia China Africa Ethiopia Egypt and Babylon c. you shall find as many strange gods and strange worships as men have fancies faces and strange imaginations in their heads and hearts Some worshipping a Toad or a Serpent a Dog or black Sheep an Ox or a Calf and what not Ap. All these follow their own Imaginations and perish for want of a Rule But I leave these to be pitied most See Acts 17.30 This God regarded not so as to destroy them presently 2. If you look into Asia and the parts adjacent once the glory of the world where now that Flagellum Christianorum the great Turk doth tyrannize and domineer and in their Mahometan worship what a world of strange fancies minnick gestures and childish not to say Apish and Monkish-like fooleries may you observe They reject the Law and Gospel the Word of God for Mahomets Alcaron 3. To come nearer if you look into the Holy History and take a view of the Jews Scribes and Pharisees c. None could pretend to more devotion then they did Their Alms Prayers Fastings Phylacteries and Borders of their garments all specious yet our Saviour tells them That they had rejected the Commandment of God and made his Word of none effect that they might keep their own Traditions See Mat. 15.1 2 to 10. Mark 7.1 2 3 to 14. Here was a great deal of verbal and seeming Sanctity amongst these men but the main was wanting the Life and power of Godliness in as little set by or esteemed and so our Saviour told them plainly but this was strange Doctrine to them and they regarded it not And therefore Though he the Son and Heir were sent unto them who taught as having authority who spake as never man spake and did what none ever did or could do yet this Christ could never gain credit with the Priests c. but ever and anon they are quarrelling with him about the observation of the Sabbath according to their Rule and the neglect of their own Traditions And in the end they violently persecuted and put him to death Thus they crucified the Heir and Prince of Life Acts 3.15 For which how heavy is the Judgement of God upon them till this day 4. Come we nearer home yet and look we next amongst Christians and see if we have no Fanaticks here as well as amongst Pagans Turks and Jews Scribes Pharisees And here I presume those of the Romish profession will claim the first place as the most numerous and unanimous Christians And the first of these Western parts converted to the Christian Faith yet with their leave or without it England received the Christian Faith some years before them whilest Rome remained Heathen of which we have a seven-fold testimony of very good credit and Authority and better then such as they usually produce to us in like cases Nevertheless we shall easily grant them what they would have so that they will but grant us a reasonable demand 1. For we yield that they were a very famous Church when the Apostle wrote unto them and testifies of them That their Faith was spoken of throughout the world Rom. 1.8 2. Our Demand is only this to them Let them but reduce their Church to the same state of Doctrine Faith and Life which then they had when the Apostle wrote and so testified of them and the contention betwixt us is at an end all is well But now that they have swarved from the Rule forfeited the Apostles praise and lost the faith But they will say When did we loose the faith swarve from the rule c. I retort and ask when did every gray hair begin with an antient head and every infirmity with an aged man When did all the flowers fruits or weeds in a field appear in one day When did the Stars all appear in an instant or your own sins to your selves in a moment Things of this
as Isa 49.15 16. and 65.24 may will quicken us hereto if we have any sense in us 2. Scienter with knowledge and that of God who is near unto us and in us And for what we ought to pray with good warrant and for whom in charity only those that sin against the holy Ghost are excepted But these are hard to be known 3. Attente with intention of heart and ardency of desire Ap. These as I have said are the only prevalent prayers as of Moses Elijah David and not with lip-labour Yea the very Heathens at their solemn devotions did proclaim Hoc agite do this to excite intention and to invite to an united strength in devotions Tanquam in celeusmate as Mariners do when they draw the Anchor And shall not we do so as they did in Solomons time 2 Chron. 5.13 14. 4. Sancte in an holy manner The holy God must be sought with an holy heart both for spirituals and temporals Not what we but what he will and all earthly things are to be asked and sought for so as may be suitable with his glory and our good 5. Humiliter humbly and with a contrite heart 1. Out of the sence of our own misery and unworthiness as Dan. 9. 2. And an earnest desire of the grace of God which is the fountain of living waters Psalm 42.1 2. and 143.6 ☞ This Humility is wrought in us by a due sence of Gods properties and attributes his Immensity Omnipotency Sanctity and the effects of the same to us-ward as he is our Creator Redeemer Sanctifier And of our own four-sold Estate 1. Integrity 2. Misery 3. Grace 4. Glory Then let us pray with the prodigal Son and say as he Luke 15.21 Father we have sinned against heaven c. 6. Fidenter believingly with confidence That we shall be heard in our prayers because of the Truth Goodness Omnipotency of God who is able to save to the utmost And with an acknowledgement that Christ is the only Mediator and Intercessor Use Hear then the Doctrine of Papists c. concerning the Doubting of our salvation resting upon the Intercessions of Saints and Angels and boasting of their own merits and the Churches stock of works of supererrogation All these fall to the ground as Dagon did before the Ark of God 7. Obedienter obediently submitting our selves to the Will of God without exception observing diligently what is suitable with his mind what is lawful and permitted to us to ask And what he hath promised to give And Contra what is not thus suitable lawful or attended with promise It is intollerable arrogance in man to dare in any degree to subject or subjugate the good pleasure and will of God to our lust And let us learn to practise what we pray and to do what we say in our prayers We say as Christ hath taught us in his prayer viz. Hollowed be thy name Thy kingdom c. Ap. But do we practise it Do we glorifie not dishonour his name promote and hasten not hinder his kingdom of grace and glory Obey not rebel against his Will c. If we do thus then indeed we pray obediently and may expect an answer accordingly Contra 8. Perseveranter perseveringly importunately not fainting or giving over to pray but persisting still herein This our Saviour directs us to by a Parable of that unjust Judge Luke 18.1 to 9. David prayes and waits upon God Psalm 40.1 and 130. per totum till he was weary with crying his throat dried and his very Eyes did fail Psalm 69.3 with expectation and yet he renewed his Suits Moses was importunate Exod. 32.10 and Jacob prevailed by wrestling with God in prayer c. Gen. 32.26 Hos 12.4 The woman of Canaan would not be stav'd off nor discouraged with Reasons or Reproaches Mat. 15.25 27. The blind man when check'd cryes the more Mark 10.48 Paul prayed thrice i.e. often at last obtains support only 2 Cor. 12.8 9. and thus should we be instant in prayer and then we need not doubt but that we shall be prevalent at the last But now comes in Sathans temptation and our own corruption appears also and both conjoyn to suggest something to make us weary of praying and to give over Oh saies the weak Soul I have prayed yea and that often and a long time yet no answer comes Nor have I obtained what I have so often and so long prayed for Answ This is a temptation usual and frequent and prevalent with many to hinder instance in prayer even for the best of blessings and most necessarie to Salvation 1. Why doth God many times defer to hear the prayers of his children Answ To try them to exercise their Faith to make them acknowledge the gifts and blessings prayed for to be of God and not from themselves to prize blessings the more when not presently or easily obtain'd That their hunger and thirst after Grace might encrease 2. Consider that he hears the prayers of his people several wayes By granting what they ask according to his Will by way of exchange not giving us what we ask but something that is better he denies temporal but gives spiritual and Eternal blessings he removes not the Crosse the affliction but gives strength to bear and by suffering to conquer in the end as he did to Christ in his Agonie Luk. 22.42 43. To S. Paul 2 Cor. 12.9 3. Why God doth not hear the prayers of men many times Answ For many Reasons Because we ask amisse James 4.2 3. we ask what God will not give or what is not fit for us to receive like children that ask for poyson which the parent denies we ask for things good and useful in themselvs but may be hurtful to us as a Child asketh a Knife but is denied because we many times ask coldly perfunctorily without that zeal affection devotion requisite in prayer but God by deferring us warms whets us and fits us to more thankfulnesse when we have obtained We often pray without that due submission patience acquiescence in the good Will and pleasure of God which we should have We often murmure under the Crosse and are impatient under afflictions We do not blesse God as Job did in distress hence we are not heard or deliverance is deferred we are too hasty and do not wait as we should for the Lords fittest time to help us which is only known to himself God often hears us non ad voluntate sed ad salutem as Bernard not to our Will but to our Salvation So to Elisha who in the time of Jezabels tyrannie and persecution requested to die 1 Kings 19.4 This was not granted he desired but soon after he was translated to Heaven without any death at all 2 Kings 2 11. in a glorious manner The greatness and multitude of our sins which are not very quickly removed and subdued do often cause this An old Oke is not cut down with one stroke of the Axe
him being abominable disobedient and to every good work Reprobate Tit. 1.16 Ap. Now if we do strictly examine our selves about these things Alass for grief how many are there that do entertain mean thoughts of God and do speak of him too slightly if not Blasphemously yea and do deny him in their practice insolently and impudently If we do consider aright of these things we have much cause of lamentation and who is it that hath not cause to Repent Reform and keep a strict Watch over his own heart in this particular case Thus much of Atheists in heart word and works of which the world is too full and this Age too much inclinable to 2. The next are Sensualists such who live so as their Sences lead them and walk by Sence and not by Faith These are said to live after the flesh Rom. 8.1 6 12 13. to which Death is annexed and not to the Spirit Jude 19. They are meerly Animal and Natural and Bruitish without any true holinesse in them or part in Christ Rom. 8.9 and their sensual wisdom which is not from the Spirit of Grace 1 Cor. 2.14 is also said to be Earthly and Devilish James 3.15 For they mind only earthly things their God is their belly their glory is in their shame and their end destruction Phil. 3.19 which the Devil doth aim at with his utmost wisdom and they by this wisdom do effect If you would have a more particular view of these Sensualists in their condition and practice then do you peruse these ensuing Scriptures in which see an exact description of them Job 21.7 to 16. Men that live are mighty and prosperous and abuse all c. Psalm 73.3 to 12. That are proud violent and talk highly Amos 6.3 to 7. That put away the evil day mind their beds and bellies which you may briefly sum up thus viz. They are men accomplished with all earthly Accommodations have Health and Wealth Honour and Power and what not they abuse all to luxury and vanity are all for mirth and pleasure whilest God is set aside and his Service contemned and because they have no afflictions they are proud and violent and talk highly and loftily against Heaven and Earth they care for none hereupon they put the evil day far from them with those Ezek. 12.27 28. For they have made a covenant with Death and with hell are they at Agreement so that no harm can come nigh them Esay 28.14 15. They scorn the Message of God and his Messengers and make Lies their Refuge the power and purity of Religion is the Object of their Derision the Affliction of Joseph the troubles of the Church are a non-concernment to them as to Haman of old Esther 3.15 But all this while they consider not what 's coming viz. that they are going to the Grave and how soon they know not in a moment The word Sheol signifies also Hell and misery c. see the Annot. that interim thay stand in slippery places as men upon Ice and some cast down into destruction c Psalm 37.17 18 19 20. That an overflowing Scourge shall disanul their League with Death and Hell and they shall be trodden down Esay 28.18 19. and the captivity even of Hell is upon them for the evil day to them is approaching and at hand and the effect of every Vision and the Word of the Lord shall be done Ezek. 12.22 to the End then shall they feel the truth of that Word which they believed not Should we apply these things to our Times Alas how many especially of our Gentry and wealthier sort do live thus as meer Sensualists men given up to pleasures as if they were born to no other purpose then to jovialize and wantonize to eat and drink and play in the World like Leviathan in the Ocean Psalm 104.26 to spend their time in sleep and idlenesse being altogether unprofitable to any good work until they dye and perish and fall into utter perdition and destruction which is the proper end of an unaccountable uselesse and fruitlesse life 3. Timists or Temporizers or if you will men-pleasers and time-servers of all Ages who if they can please men and suit with the times in which they live they think themselves well and safe enough whether the Lord be pleased or not and many such have been and are in every Age and upon every Change of Religion especially if Religion be up and in credit all will honour it but if it be discountenanced every one will trample upon it See all the holy History and Ecclesiastical Writers for this If Jeroboam will set up Calf Idolatry he shall have flattering fools enough who to please him will promote his design and run with the stream of the time If Julian the Apostate seem to favour the Christians many others will do so but if he Apostatize as he did and become a hellish Devilish persecutor of what before he professed all run after to curry favour with him c. Many that believed on Christ did not confesse him for fear of the Pharisees and for the love of their praise and honour from them the fear and favour of men are great stops to Religion but what saith our Saviour How can ye believe that seek honour c. and they loved the praise of men John 5.42 43 44. Consider those two places well viz. John 5.44 Thus it is with Landlords and Tenants Ap. But in these times Alas how many will transgress for a morsell of Bread Pro. 28.21 they do so much respect persons and fawn upon greatnesse a meals meat a Coppy of a great mans Countenance a Complement c. And if a Gardiner or Bower of abhorred memory were now alive how many to please them would persecute the Truth with violence the Apostle did not so who had been a great Time-server Acts 7.58 Gal. 1.10 13 14. For saith he Do I perswade men or God i.e. that you should obey men or God or do I study seek to please men to approve my self and my Ministry to men or God for if I yet please men viz. the Jewes or my own Nation as I did formerly when I was zealous of Traditions c. Gal. 1.13 14. and persecute the Church of God extreamly to gain their favour I should not be the servant of Christ but an abominable Dissembler with God and the World Gal. 1.10 13 14. I speak none of this but that we all stand bound to please one another for their good to Edification Rom. 15.2 i. e. to further their growth in godlinesse which tendeth to Eternal salvation in the Life to come this will please best at last For he that rebuketh c. prov 28.23 But we must take care that we neither please men nor suit with any Times so as to dispease God For if we do let all Temporizers consider that men in Affections saepe in time semper are but for a moment and time will have an End there
is an 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a punctum temporis a point of time upon the Confines of Eternity When suiting our selves with Men or Times otherwise then in well-doing will stand us in no stead nor do us any good at all But then they that please the Lord shall find that his Favour and mercy endureth to Eternity Mal. 3.18 which the good Lord grant unto us This walk of a Christian is his whole Life and the End of his Life is to please God This is the main Duty of a Christian The great and good Lesson which he is to learn And hence the Doctrine which you have heard before is viz. Doct. A Christians life is to be ordered so that he may please God This is every mans work in his Generation and Conversation Quest How can this be done and who do perform it you may soon see viz. Answ Such as walk with and before God as Enoch Noah Abraham David Elijah and the Prophets have done These being known you may easily discern and know who they be that do not please God in their way of Life viz. Such as set not God before them but set him aside from their way Such as walk after the flesh and follow their sensual Lusts Such as walk in the way of the people the men of the World generally Such as walk after their own devices and imaginations These four things do answer the Question who do not please God and these do reach all the wicked of the World whom you may divide into four Ranks viz. Atheists Sensualists Timists Fanaticks Of the three first hath been spoken I do now descend to the fourth sort of persons that do not please God 4. Fanaticks the Word is but lately taken up amongst us and made of common use and I believe not very well understood by every one I shall therefore explain it to you for we must break the Ice before we can drink the Water and break open the shell before we can eat of the Kernel This being done we shall the better discern how that oft-times Conveniunt Rebus Nomina saepe suis Names do suit with the nature of the things to which they are designed The Name Fanaticks was first used be Heathens and by them in a better and in a worser sence 1. In a good Sence and honest esteem with them the Gentiles did apply it to those Qui in fanis sacra curabant c. who did attend the holy Services in their Temples and did frequent their Churches and consecrated places to consult the Heathen gods and to receive Answers from them touching their Affairs and in this better sence such persons were called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 sacris usibus destinatus sacris inserviens Men appointed to holy Uses and attending holy Services Thus in the best Sence 2. Afterwards the same Word became to be used for Insanus furiosus which signifies Witlesse and Furious and accordingly it was applyed to people that were besides themselves that were Rapt Ravished or inspired with some Fury possessed with a Spirit Or to such as were Foolish Mad or Frantick And this change of the use of the Word began upon this occasion The Sybels or Bellonas Priests who were called and indignitated by that Name In the time of their predictions and prophesyings and performances of their Devotions and holy Services did use to turn about their heads to dishevel and tosse their Hair c. like Bedlams with many other strange postures and gestures Erantick like to cut lance and wound their Armes and shoulders that they might sacrifice their Blood to their beloved Goddesse just like Baals Priests 1 Kings 18.28 Or those Nazarenes or Samaritans that are said to have Devils Or those superstitious Romish Flagellants that have learned of the former and do act the same things For they are the Apish imitators of Heathens Jewes ancient Hereticks in their holy Services to conform Ap. Now from these strange postures gestures and actings in their Devotions it is manifest why the word Eanatick was first used for a frantick person Fanaticus insanus dicitur quoniam Sacerdotes cùm Responsa dabant furore pleni insanire videbantur prout hinc patet quare Fanaticus pro infano dici caeperit Thus one describes him Another describes him thus Fanaticus Numine Afflatus Bacchabundus Hadr. Jun. one raging ripe with a Fury A third thus Fanatum quod in Fanis consulentes oraculum Sacerdotes Laureum tenentes termitemspiritum conciperent baccharenturque all to the same purpose in effect Hence it befel that by reason of such strange behaviour of the men thus inspired and possessed with this Fury and Rage this humour was accounted as well a Disease as an Errour Ap. So that as the Hebrews of old and the Romans afterwards did avoid and abominate the Leprosie Scab Morphew and other the like deforming diseases which infect deface and hurt the skin c. Ap. So did the Antients fly from and avoid this Fanatick disease or errour and from those that were taken with it Vt mala quae scabies morbus regius urget aut Fanaticus Error Hor. and that for the fierceness and terribleness of the disease as in some Quakers Fear of the mischief hurt blows or stripes that the Enthusiast may do or give in the fit of his fury And for that it was a Disease Errour or Misery inflicted upon them whom God was very angry with and marvellously displeased or else who had greatly offended or wronged Almighty God himself or his Attributes in his Soveraignty divine power Majesty and Authority his Will Might and Vertue ☞ The Greek Poets c. do give us in divers Names very suitable with their postures and practises in divine Worship 1. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. Qui captus tenetur 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 peculiariter dicuntur Afflati Instincti Numine Scap. l. p. 550 551. 2. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 In quo Deus est seu Afftatus aut Instinctus Dei Divinus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Fanaticus Furor c. Impetus numine afflatorum 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 More eorum qui furoris Fanatici instinctu aguntur Scap. l. p. 627. 3. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Deum ferens 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 qui divino monitu fertur numine afflatus Scap. p. 1735. 4. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Lauri Comestor Epitheton Vaticinantium quoniam Comestor lauro numen haurire credebantur unde fatidica laurus dicitur a Lat. The Bay that foretells things to come 5. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 qui ab Oestro ictus in gyrum se agit qui Oestro agitante quasi rotatur Scap. p. 407. such as are wheel'd about with a fury a Fly a Gadbee the Bees c. as the word doth signifie Ap. All which Descriptions Names and Properties of these persons do reduce us to this conclusion and inference Hinc jam liquet cur Fanaticos Enthusiasticas eos
and a little man a slender Tree may be very active and fruitfull yet every tree and man must attain to that fulness and perfection of stature allotted him by Nature and then they are of full growth Ap. So it is with true Christians the Trees of the Garden of God all have not the same measure of grace some have more some lesse as of faith hope patience and other perfections yet all must endeavour to a full growth unto a perfect man unto the measure of the stature of the fulnesse of Christ Eph. 4.13 Now this fulnesse of stature this high measure of growth doth refer to 1. particular persons as members or 2. the whole Church as the Body 1. For particular persons the members of the Church you must know that all are not of the same stature growth and perfection in godlinesse some are of one and others of another dimension Some are Babes in Christ weak Christians that must be fed with milk Others are strong and tall in perfections who feed upon strong meat having their senses exercised to discern both good and evil Heb. 5.12.13 14. Yet nevertheless this Disparity all have their growth and measure of grace proportioned for them though this measure or stature of a Christian in grace cannot be stated in this life because here we can never attain to perfection the babe hath his fulness and the strongest his wants other things attain to their Achme of Nature the top of perfection the Christians top-stone is in Heaven Ergo whilest we be here let us be still growing and learning to abound more and more 2. As this stature doth refer to the whole Body of the Church together Note That in Heaven every member shall be filled with perfection of grace and godliness and the knowledge of our Lord Saviour Jesus Christ and then the whole mystical body of Christ shall be compleated in Glory by the addition of every member in perfection To which end the Ministry is singularly useful to the end of the World Eph. 4.8 11 to 17. You do know the point under-hand the confirmation application of it the Uses are five all which are dismist but the last which I do now enter upon 5. Use is of Consolation the comfort cannot but be very great to all that find this growth and strength this proficiency and ability in themselves the measure of this stature in so large a proportion Each proof and Argument Instance and Illustration of the point cannot but fill them with abundant consolation and joy in the holy Ghost The very sense and conscience of well-doing is full of Comfort The experience of a well-grown Christian of his own danger and deliverance Conflicts Conquests besides the manifold promises of God to them that overcome that fight the good fight of Faith and run the Race set before them that hold out to the end and are faithfull to the Death Rev. 2.3 Heb. 12.1 2. Rev. 2.10 These are streams of comfort that refresh the souls of such with continual comforts that will never be dryed up so that to such light looks in at every crevise and joy at every loop-hole A window is opened into the Ark of their Breasts to assure them that the waters of Tribulations c are asswaged and a wide door is opened to them into the everlasting kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ 2 Pet. 1.11 Therefore I need not speak much to comfort them that are thus abundantly comforted of God and endowed with such fulness 2 But this Use of comfort is especially intended to all such as write bitter things against themselves and deny their own mercies nevertheless that they haue much interest in the Comforts of God They are full of fears and doubts and are apt to object against themselves in this or the like manner 1. Touching this fulness measure and stature of perfection I fall so far short of it because of my corruptions and evils remaining c. that I do even despair of ever attaining to it 2. And as for growth I fear Grace decayes and Ebbs in me because I am not so affected and earnest in the pursuit of it and love of it as I have formerly been at my first conversion 3. Besides I do want that sense sight and feeling of Gods Favour and Loving-kindness which he usually bestoweth upon good Proficients as also of my own full assurance of salvation 4. Yea I am exposed to Satans Siftings Buffettings and Temptations as it befell Peter Luke 22.31 32 33 34. Mark it and Paul that indefatigable Apostle in the Work of Christ 2 Cor. 12.7 These and the like are the usual complains of very precious Christians Answ I answer 1. By way of concession that all this may be For God is pleased sometimes to withdraw his own presence and to withhold our assurance c. for special ends viz. 1. To make us see our own weakness in doing good or bearing evil how that without him we move as Pharoahs Chariots did without Wheels and when storms and troubles arise and appear as imminent we sink or deny as Peter did Mat. 14.30 and 26.7 2. To seek support and strength of him as Infants do to be upheld by the Parent or Nurse as David did Ps 51.12 and of which he was very confident Psa 27.14 c. and which God hath promised so freely Isa 41.10 Fear them not for I am with thee be not dispaid for I am thy God I will strengthen thee yea I will help thee yea I will uphold thee with the right hand of my Righteousnesse 3. To be more watchfull against occasions Temptations to sin ictus piscator sapit sayes the old Proverb the Fisherman that hath touch'd a Torpedo or Cramp-fish will be more wary afterwards and the burnt-child will fear the fire say we and he that hath hurt himself by a Fall will look to his Feet hereafter This is case and the end of Gods withdrawing his Comforts 4. For Correction as to David psalm 51.8 12 whose bones were so broken joyes so eclipsed you know for what that he prayed heartily to God to splint and to restore his joyes again 5. For tryal of their Faith patience c. as 1 Pet. 1.6 7 c. Thus the Lord dealt with Job Hezekiah c. See Rom. 5.3 4 5. Tribulation produceth patience Experience and Hope 6. For prevention of pride self-confidence and other-like sins Thus the Lord dealt with Paul 2 Cor. 12.7 Least he should be exalted above measure because of his Revelations the Messenger of Satan was let loose to buffet him c. v. 7 8 9 10. And thus with Peter Mat. 26.31.33 34 35. who was so very confident of himself that though all men yet he would never be offended but would rather die with then deny his Master 7. To work in us Commiseration and pitty towards others that are fallen Not to insult over but to help and restore such persons Gal. 6.1 2 3. if a man
of the hope that is in us 1 Pet. 3.15 with meekness and fear 2. And to preach the Gospel when lawfully called thereunto 1 Pet. 5.1 2 3 4. Rom. 10.14.15 You know that the whole course of our lives is often compared to a Way Walk or Journey and also to a Warfare and for either of these men do make such provision and preparation as is necessary and so we must do here as the Text here teacheth us the point is That Doct. We who are Christian Soldiers must make diligent preparation to profess and practise the Gospel and also to preach and publish the same as we shall be lawfully called thereunto ☞ This point doth consist of two branches The first of which concerns all and the second concerns only the Preachers of the Gospel We shall take them a sunder and begin with that which is universally necessary for all Christians viz. To profess and practise the Gospel of Christ. Exp. The Gospel is so called q.d. a Goodspel or Gods-Spell viz. of Christ Gal. 1.6 7. and 3.8 which was preached unto Abraham long since and it doth contain 1. The History and Narration of the things which Christ spake and did which are of excellent use for our Instruction Imitation and Consolation Mark 1.1 2. The whole Doctrine of the Word both of Law and Grace and whole matter of instruction to rule to guide us under Christ Who Mark 1.14 Came preaching the Gospel of the kingdom of God And thus we stand bound and hear believe profess and practise the same 3. The glad tidings of remission of sins and eternal salvation the Doctrine of Free grace and obtaining righteousness by faith and teaching the true way how to attain perfect Righteousness and Eternal Life This was manifested of old in referrence to Christ to come to Abraham Gen. 12. In the Covenant Gal. 3.8 To us in respect to Christ already come Luke 2.10 Rom. 11.27 18. This is my Covenant c. as concerning the Gospel they are enemies for your sakes c. This Gospel we are commanded frequently to hear and believe Mark 1.15 Acts 1.57 To yield obedience to it Rom. 16.17 16. Titus 2.11 12. And to walk uprightly according to the truth of it This is styled 1. Glorious 2 Cor. 4.4 1 Tim. 1.1 2. The power of God to Salvation Rom. 1.16 3. Childrens bread Mat. 15 26. Milk for babes 1. Pet. 2.2 4. The word of Gods grace Acts 14.2 5. The word of Faith Rom. 10.8 6. The Savour of his knowledge 2 Cor. 2.14 15 16. 7. The ministration of the Spirit 2 Cor. 3 8. and of Reconciliation 2 Cor. 5.18 19. 8. The Word of Truth Ephes 1.13 9. Of life Phil. 2.16 10. The Doctrine which is according to godliness 11. The form of sound words 2. Tim. 1.13 12. The good word of God Heb. 6.5 Reasons which may be added to these honourable appellations of the Gospel are because by this we are begotten to God 1 Cor. 4 15. And in it we have our legacy of peace and salvation Isa 52.7 and of all things conducible thereunto This requires Faith Love Repentance Self-denial Crucifying the flesh a new Creature the putting off the old man and putting on the new man Thus we have heard what the Gospel is viz. it is good tidings and what it doth contain How we ought to hear believe and obey it walking uprightly according to the truth of it and that from divers motives wrapt up in the manifold Honourable Appellations wherewith God hath crowned it in reference to our great benefit by it and these do induce the main Reasons by which we are induced hereunto And likewise we have heard what it doth require of us that we may be saved Concerning all the particulars which it doth require It doth concern us to enquire whether our selves or our Conversation be as it becometh the Gospel of Christ walking worthy of the Lord who hath called us out of darkness into his marvellous light and also unto his Kingdom and Glory and of our heavenly Vocation wherewith we are called Ephes 4.1 Ap. If we walk regularly answerable to any one of these then we are rightly said To walk worthy of them all or else we walk worthy of none of them I. To walk as it becometh the Gospel is to lead a life agreeable to the Gospel of Jesus Christ and that because 1. The Gospel may not be evil spoken of through us young women must be so qualified that the word of God be not blasphemed Titus 2.5 So also Propfessors and Instructers of others must take heed of breaking the Law lest the name of God be blasphemed through us Rom. 2.17 as those Captives of Israel profaned the name of the Lord among the Heathen Ezek. 36 19 2. The Gospel may be adorned by them in all things as those good servants did Titus 2.9 10. And those whom the Apostle so exhorteth 3. And that we may be exemplary to others and instruments of their Conversion This is to walk as becomes the Gospel and those that do walk so shall be blessed Gal. 6.16 Have peace and salvation at the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ Tit. 2.11 12 13. For the grace of God i. e. the Gospel that bringeth salvation hath appeared c. II. To walk worthy of the Lord is in a conformity to his Image our relations to him as of a good Wife to so worthy a husband dutiful Children to so good a Father loyal Subjects to such a Magnificent King who is the blessed and only Potentate the King of Kings and Lord of Lords 1 Tim. 6.15 Ap. Every of which doth conclude us in all the Duties of each Relation and doth discover unto us the Iniquity Folly and Misery of all such who do desert this husband for any other or disobey so good and tender a Father or rebel against and revolt from this blessed Potentate and do become voluntary Subjects to the prince of darkness you will all say This is a bad change yet how many are guilty of all these transgressions referring to each relation and do make this change usually III. To walk worthy of the holy and heavenly Vocation which Christ hath given us by the Gospel wherewith we are called by Christ in the Gospel and by which we receive the Spirit whereby we are sealed to the day of Redemption Ephes 4.30 This Vocation or Calling is holy and heavenly because it is a voice descending from heaven infusing heaven into us here and inducting us into heaven at the last all which it doth effect by calling us to Holiness which it begetteth and cherisheth in us here and crowneth with perfection for ever in Heaven This Vocation is either external by the Preachers or internal by the Spirit as Acts 2.10 Both are the fruit of Gods Free Grace and of his love to mankind And this holy Calling teacheth us how to walk worthy of the Lord and this Vocation it self and the Gospel
by which we are so called and they do walk worthy of all these who walk in the sight of Gods presence and in a lively sense of the same do make an holy progress in the ways of God from strength to strength that walk suitably with the nature of God and example of Christ by rule in integrity with constancy as Zachariah Elizabeth Luk. 1.5 6. In the light whiles they have it wisely and honestly toward them that be without neither giving nor learning any evil example Ap. But alas for Grief how many do not only forget and vary from but do walk quite contrary to all the forenamed particulars I should now descend to the Uses and improvement of all these and the Subject of this piece of Armour being as broad as the whole Gospel of Peace by the knowledge and practise of which we are thus shod and prepared to walk on and go forward in our spiritual journey heaven-ward as also to war and march on in this spiritual warfare with the more confidence and comfort in hope of victory over such potent and prevalent enemies I say the whole Gospel being useful to both these ends the Uses would be exceeding large and the improvement of these shooes might be as long lasting as the shooes and other Apparrel of the Israelites was in their journey from Egypt to Canaan which was forty years Deut. 8.4 Ap. But this hath been my work so long already in my publick imployment to teach men to be thus shod and prepared and I trust both you and I shall make it the work of our whole lives and be so shod and prepared by the Gospel of Christ that we may comfortably finish our Walk and our Warfare heaven-ward and at last get home and enter into an everlasting peace therefore I shall not hoise Sails in so vast an Ocean nor undertake the discovery of so large a Continent in the improvement of this particular This being the drift of the whole Gospel and the labor of the longest life ☞ I shall only give you a few keys with which you may open doors and enter into certain gardens or fields of meditation where you may take a view of your souls from time to time and may there see 1. How the good fruits corn or seeds do prosper 2. And how the weeds tares or brambles do encrease 3. And so apply your selves accordingly for the cherishing of the one or the checking of the other Is it so then That we Christian Souldiers must make diligent preparation 1. To profess and practise the Gospel And 2. To preach and publish it when lawfully called thereunto Then the Uses of all sorts fall under these keys or heads viz. 1. How few are their wills and affections which as the Feet are the beginners of motion and action thus shod i. e. thus furnished fenced and strengthned with the Gospel of Christ to march and pass on in their way to heaven through all difficulties and opsitions Ap. Hence it is viz. through the want hereof that so many stumble and slide and fall from the right both in opinion and practise 2. How few do hear believe and obey the Gospel as we should which we are so often commanded to do or do care to know and be well acquainted with it but do wilfully remain ignorant although we should be therein as it is said of Apollos That he was a man mighty in the Scriptures Acts 18.24 To each of these keys or heads you may subjoyn Uses of Information Exhortation Reproof or Comfort as you please 3. How few do prize the Gospel and value it according to its names and Analogies our Legacy contained in it our new birth effected by it Children should honour their Parents by whom as Instruments they have a natural being a temporal provision and proportionable Legacies suitable with the Parents Ability Ap. How much more should we honour our Spiritual Parents and regard our new birth and spiritual being which is effected by the immortal and incorruptible seed of the World of God 1 Pet. 1.23 And value our Legacies of Grace and glory contained in the Gospel 4. How little Faith Love Repentance Self-denial Mortification and Renovation can be found in most men 5. How few do live as becomes the Gospel honour it and adorn it and shine according to it but do rather cause it to be evil spoken of and shame the profession of it by the deeds of darkness and by the works of the world the flesh and the devil do give evil examples to others and alienate them from walking according to the truth of the Gospel 6. How few do walk worthy of the Lord either in the imitation of his Image or in answering our many and near Relations to him as a good Wife Children Servants Subjects a people like Israel redeemed and saved by the Lord who is the only Refuge Shield of help c. And should we not answer these things with duty 7. How few do walk worthy of their holy and heavenly Vocation according to the forenamed marks i. e. As in the sight of God making an holy progress suitable with the nature of God and example of Christ by Rule with integrity and Constancy in and according to the Light wisely and honestly toward them that be without Ap. But instead of walking thus how many do not only forget and vary much from but do walk quite contrary to all the forenamed particulars 8. And lastly How irregular in general is mens practise to the rule of the Gospel with which we should be thus shod and prepared 1. Rulers inverting Authority to wrong ends 2. Soldiers exceeding their limits Luke 3.14 3. All people of all sorts ranks and qualities breaking their bounds and transgressing against the directions of the Gospel Ap. In consideration of all which we may well complain and say What a bare-foot world do we live in ☞ All these keys do open doors affording abundant matter for Information Exhortation and Consolation to all those that are so shod and do thus walk as you have been taught For they shall be sure to share in all Legacies Comforts Promises and Performances of the Gospel which are innumerable invaluable and far beyond all our thoughts Ephes 3.20 Thus I have done with the first branch of this Doctrine viz. That we who are Christian Soldiers must make diligent preparation to profess and practise the Gospel of peace I do now descend to the second branch of it which only concerns Preachers viz. Doct. That some of us Christian Soldiers must make a like diligent preparation to preach and Publish the Gospel of Christ when we are lawfully called thereunto 1. This I think no man makes doubt of but that there must be some Preachers of the Gospel 2. And that this some or number of Preachers must themselves be Christian Soldiers yea as Commanders and Leaders in an Army to march with and before others in this spiritual Warfare 3. And that they must