The Saints Sacrifice, Section 123
§. 123. Of the preſent liberty of the reformed Churches in France.
CHriſtian charity requireth that we be affected with the bleſſings conferred on others: eſpecially ſuch as are of the ſame faith and profeſſion that we are. Let us therefore caſt our eyes on other Churches, and their preſent condition: which if we duely obſerve, we ſhall find Gods gracious providence to be more then ordinarily extended towards them in theſe our daies.
We will begin with the reformed Churches in France.
When Henry 4 ſtiled the great, deceaſed, by that favour he had ſhewed, and peace he had given to thoſe of the reformed religion in his kingdome, they were made ſo ſafe and ſecure in mans opinion, as it was ſuppoſed that no power was able to wreſt their liberty from them.
They had above two hundred walled and fenced townes for their refuge and ſafety.
Many of the greateſt nobility in France were their partizans, and ſeemed moſt affectionate to the religion.
They had troupes and armies of men well diſciplined in armes, with many brave Commanders, and old-beaten ſoldiers.
They were well provided with all ſtore of amunition. Nothing requiſite for defence and ſafety was wanting in mans imagination.
It is to be feared that they were too confident in the arme of fleſh: which that they might the more thorowly diſcerne, the Lord withdrew his protection, and left them to defend themſelves againſt the power of their owne Soveraigne, which at firſt they too much ſleighted.
Soone after that their now Soveraigne had raiſed and brought his forces againſt them, many of their chiefeſt Commanders revoulted, their ſouldiers were ſlaine, their treaſures exhauſted, their cities and townes of defence were violently wreſted from them, or treacherouſly given up: many bloudy maſſacres were made among them: and the miſerable effects of warre ſo depopulated their countrie, and deſtroyed their perſons, as they were left deſtitute without all ſuccour, or hope of reliefe: And ſince the laſt taking in of Rochel, the King, who was of a contrary religion to them, became an abſolute Maſter of them.
What now in mans eye could be looked for, but that utterly they ſhould be deprived of the liberty of their religion, and by little and little be enforced to the idolatrous ſuperſtition of the Romiſh Church: or at leaſt be bred up in blindneſſe and ignorance, being left without the light of the Goſpell to guide, and comfort them in that their miſerable condition?
Yet now in theſe happy daies of deliverances, behold how in their greateſt extremity, when all humane meanes failed them, the Lord of hoſts hath beyond all hope afforded them much peace and quietnes; and provided for them new Churches, built with their Kings good leave, yea and at his coſt and charges, becauſe they had beene demoliſhed by the fury of impious ſouldiers, and by the out-rage of ſuperſtitious people.
Thorow that liberty which now they enjoy, their Churches are diligently frequented, and all Gods ordinances duly obſerved, and their religion with leſſe ſcorne and deriſion profeſſed, then formerly.
Their peace and ſecurity is now greater then when they had the fore-mentioned meanes to embolden them to ſtand upon their owne guard.
This is the Lords doing. It is marvellous in our eyes.
They had no Moſes, no Ioſhua to worke for them.
As they had no power within to defend them from the might and malice of their enemie, ſo they could expect no aid from abroad to encourage them to ſtand out againſt their enemies. All the aid that from abroad was afforded unto them, proved altogether in vaine.
Iſa. 11. 6. &c.God is all in all to them. He that ſaid, The wolfe ſhall dwell with the lambe, and the leopard ſhall lie downe with the kid: and the calfe and the lion, and the fatling together, and a little child ſhall lead them: and the ſucking child ſhall play on the hole of the aspe, and the weined child ſhall put his hand on the cockatrice den, hath wrought this concord betwixt them and the adverſaries of their religion.
Pro. 21. 1.The Kings heart is in the hand of the Lord as the rivers of water: he turneth it whether ſoever he will. To his Churches therefore hath the Lord turned the heart of that King for their good.
What the inward affection of the King to thoſe of the reformed religion is, is a ſecret. Whether the peace that thoſe Churches enjoy be occaſioned by reaſon of that ſupreme power which now he hath obtained over them, or by reaſon of his embroilements at home, and undertakings abroad, little skilleth for the matter in hand. Sure it is that the Lord hath ordered all things that have fallen out in France for the good and peace of his Churches there.
Should not due notice be taken hereof?