Certain Observations, Section 1
CERTAIN OBSERVATIONS OF THAT REVEREND, religious and faithfull ſervant of God, and glorious Martyr of Ieſus Chriſt, M. RANDAL BATE, which were part of his daily meditations in the time of his ſufferings, whilſt he was priſoner in the Gatehouſe at Weſtminſter.
THE FIRST SECTION.
Every part of Wiſedom is from heaven, from the father of Lights.
MOſt glorious and eternall Lord God, which haſt vouchſafed by Ieſus Chriſt in all times, to publiſh thy counſell and holy wil to thine own people, & raiſed ſufficient witneſſes againſt ſuperſtition and wilworſhip. For the clearing of thy truth, vouchſafe thy preſence with thy weak ſervant in this buſineſſe, that deſires thy glory, and the good of thy people. That ſo much of thy truth as is needfull for our times may be plainly made manifeſt, to the conſcience and heart of all that belong unto thee. Lord, thou haſt appointed Ieſus Chriſt to be our Shepheard, and promiſed thy Word and Spirit ſhould not leaue thy people: Thou haſt brought us to be partakers of the firſt reſurrection, and drawn us out of the world to know thee in part, and louelove thy name. Oh therfore ſend thyne annoynting eye-ſalue and cauſe ſuch a light from heaven to ſhine in our dark hearts, as all contrary thoughts and conceits that rebel againſt Chriſt his Kingdom may be ſubdued, all lukewarmeneſſe may be expelled, and that all with one heart and free perſwaſion of minde, may worſhip thee the onelyonly King and Lawgiver of the Church, according to thy will in the unity of the Spirit, Amen.
IN all times (deare brethren and much beloved) it hath been found true, that ſatan ſowes tares, where the Lord hath ſown wheat: which come up in the night ſo ſec…etly, and are ſo like the wheat, that they are ſcarce diſcerned by any, till they hauehave overgrown the corne and choaked the ſame: nay which is more; Errours never want men very buſy and dilligent in tending and nouriſhing them, ſo that if they hauehave not the chiefe place, and be kept with all obſervance, you ſhall ſee their Patrones fly in mens faces for the leaſt neglect. This too lamentable experience of the Churches condition ſufficiently proveth amongſt both Iewes and Gentiles: For the lying ſerpent, though he ſtudy to poyſon all mens ſoules with damnable doctrine, yet more principally the viſible Church, wh ch being a fountaine of living waters troubled by him, filthy ſtreames muſt needs flow thence to all the world. Beſides, when the Church corrupts Gods worſhip, in whole or in part, deviſing any thing of her own, it greatly hardens wicked men in their ſuperſtitions and deviſed Religions; who ſeeing the ſame outſide in the Religion of God which they themſelues follow, are hindred from diſcerning the graue and ſimple Majeſty of Gods true worſhip, thinking this to be but like their own, an invention of men; or at leaſt, that men are not altogether taught of God in this way, nor receiue all that they profeſſe from him alone, but doe borrow many things, and deviſe ſome of their owne to beautifie that which by forra gne beauty is evermore deformed, ſowcing an old patch of a different colour into a new garment which makes a rent, where all was well before. To prevent wh ch offence, though unfitteſt I acknowledge of any, I hauehave undertaken th s ſmall Treatiſe, wherein farre be t from me, to ſeek any diſgrace of the State, becauſe I d ſcover ſome corruptions in the Church; for it is the Miniſte s duty to reproue. With much thankefulneſſe we all acknowledge Gods mercy towards us in the light and liberty we hauehave injoyed by meanes of three renoumed Princes, whereof two are fallen aſleep, and one now the Lords annointed, ſurviveth: on whom the Lord multiply all graces of his Spirit. Neither doe I thinke that men of any reaſonable underſtanding wi… think the publi hing of the t uth in a plaine manner any diſgrace, if it be done in way of exhortation: for ſuppoſe I ſhould erre in judgment, yet the thing being done in louelove and humility, with all reſpect and due regard unto the State, I doubt not but his Majeſty and the State under him, wil take it as a fruit of louelove from him that unfeynedly ſeeks their peace, and happineſſe.
I know it will be ſaid we are factious, and ſowe diſcord, and therefore deſerue ſharpe puniſhment for troubling the quiet and peace of the State. But mens cen…ures doe not feare me; nor is my life precious unto me, ſo as my race may be run with joy and a good conſcience; whether I …iue, it is unto Chriſt, and for h m, or whether I dye, it is unto him and for his Glory. And let not any of our oppoſit…s dream but the Lord will raiſe up ſuch by his Spirit that ſhall rep…oue th…ſe remainders of ſuperſt tion more and more …a…ply, till he come himſelf in his own perſon. He will not be overcome by men, but will ſet up his Chriſt in all his Ordinances.
As for troubling the State, I profeſſe I doe not trouble the land; for we adhere to Chriſt, and walk by his light onelyonly; And let all men know it is farre better they ſhould heare the ſharpeſt reproofes that doe moſt cut, then fee…e the ſma…t hand of God for continuing unreformed: which men cannot but look for, if they goe on in this way, which the Lord hath …o often reproved and dehorted us from.
Many, I ſuppoſe, on the other hand, will blame and cenſure me, becauſe I t ach not an utter depa…ture from a corrupt form of worſhip, whom I doe ſeriouſly deſire to peruſe the grounds herein conteyned for their ſatisfaction in this point.
Wherfore, conſidering no juſt cauſe of offence is given to any, for the ſubſtance of the matter eſpecially, and the neceſſity there is to witneſſe the truth, I hauehave publiſhed this to ſettle the judgement, and informe the conſcience of them that want better means. I know, and ſee what an hinderance it is to many in mayn points and duties of Religion to doubt in matters of ſmall moment, in ſhew and circumſtantiall; I know how many mens hearts are torn each from other, and divided about theſe things. Many going further on the right hand in deteſtation of errours then they are called by the Lord: Doe not theſe call upon every man for the uſe of his tallent, that the hey and ſtubble built on the foundation may be removed by the approach of the light, and all may walk in one way making truth and peace to kiſſe each other.
OnelyOnly there are two things yet queſtionable; 1 For the maner of handling theſe controverſies, it ſeemes nothing fit, that ſuch plain and ſimple ſtuffe ſhould be brought to the building of the Tabernacle eſpecially there be ng ſo many men of excellent parts, furniſhed with all manner of learning and ſound judgement, that might travell with more ſucceſſe in this buſineſſe. To which I anſwer from my heart, that I could with it to be ſo; and …f they be not otherwiſe imployed, I doe deſire them to perfect and goe through w th what I hauehave rudely begun. For mine own ſatiſfaction in th s doubt, this hath perſwaded me to doe that which I hauehave done, through Gods aſſiſtance.
1 The light and reſolution I hauehave attayned, through Gods bleſſing, by theſe grounds following.
2 How wonderfull the Lord is to glorifie himſelfe in weake meanes, when men goe not beyond their calling, and the gifts beſtowed upon them.
3 The comfort ſome hauehave had in the reading of theſe things.
A ſecond doubt is, that many may be hereby b ought into danger if they will follow theſe ruſes taught, and diſſent from the common cuſtomes and received orders.
To which the anſwer is eaſy.
1 The fire doth ever follow Chriſt, where he is truely Preached, and his Ordinances deſired and followed.
2 It is better Gods people be troubled by men, then by their own conſcience, and liue in the leaſt ſin againſt God.
3 Trouble is raiſed already, and this is but to adviſe men for what willingly to ſuffer trouble.
Let no man therefore maligne this poore fruit of my prayers and meditations, but reade it with the ſame ſpirit of louelove I write it, and ſo doing doubtleſſe thou ſhalt gaine ſomething that may profit thee in a good way.
Chriſt himſelfe is a rock of offence, for the riſing and fall of many in Iſrael: witneſſe all ages wherein many in the viſible Church hauehave been offended, and ſtumbled at ſome part of his doctrine, ſacraments and government, Many are not the ſheep of Chriſt but belong to another Kingdome, ne ther can they beleeue becauſe we tell the truth. It is not to be expected therefore th s poore writing of mine ſhould finde any better intertainment in the world then the great Shepheard himſelfe, and all true Prophets that followed him, Nevertheleſſe my deſire and humble prayer is that men may not ſtumble and daſh themſelues in peeces by their falls, and make others ſt mble to.
Wherefore (deer Chriſtian) thou that tendereſt thine own and others good, take heed to thy ſelfe of falling upon this ſtone. It is no ſmall nor light matter, either to deride & ſcoffe at the truth when it is brought unto thee; or to be made worſe, or turned further in affection from Chriſt and his ſervants; reade Math. 18, howſoever men thinke by their witty and nice diſtinctions to evade the plain light, and caſt miſts before their own and others eyes, and joyning herewith power and authorized credit, uphold their Kingdome, yet the truth is they ſhall be broken in peeces, and the Kingdome of God ſhall be taken from them, and given to a people that will bring forth the fruit of it. It is not poſſible to hold the Goſpell among us and reject th…ſe truths and the like, and perſecute the ſervants of God for them. Nay further danger then this comes, for men ſtumbling before others come to be ſcandals and offences to others, and ſo Mat. 13, ſhall be gathered by the Angels and caſt into eternall fire.
Contrarywiſe bleſſed is the man that is not offended in Chriſt, but receiues him as he offers himſelfe in his Word, to be the true and onelyonly King, Prieſt and Prophet of his Church.
Wherefore to prevent that which the wiſeſt are in danger of (for the builders caſt away Chriſt) and all others by them, I deſire thee before thou judge of theſe things following, ſee thou be one fitted for this buſineſſe, And therefore
1 See thou hauehave learned ſo…ndly the maine grounds of Religion, m lk muſt be well d…geſted, afore men can d…geſt ſtrong meat. It is a ſhame indeed that m…n ſhould be ſo …gnorant in ſuch times, as God hath given under Chriſt an Princes, and it is one ſinne that brings captivity and deſolation. Learn theſe Principles well therfore, & thou …na…t be the better able to diſcern of every ſpirit: otherwiſe he that cannot reade nor ſee the great things of the Law, it is not poſſible he ſhould ſee any leſſer points.
2 See thou be well acquainted with thine own blindneſſe and brut…ſh folly, for ſuch ſhall be made wiſe by Chriſt that become fooles in themſelues: a man that knowes not this ſhall be like the Phariſies, that when Chriſt is preached moſt plainly, their eyes ſhall not ſ…e, nor their ea…es heare the things of God.
3 Men muſt be ſuch as turn from their ſinnes at the correction and reproofe of God, that profit by the word and judgements they hauehave been under: then the Lord will be their Teacher, and powre out his minde unto them, and cauſe men to underſtand his wayes, till then the vail covers them. The naturall man diſcernes not theſe things; ſuch therefore as deteyne the truth in injuſtice, liue in ſinnes againſt their conſcience, or goe on in a ſecure courſe, being never changed; let them never expect that further truths ſhould be made known to them, but that which they hauehave ſhall be taken from them.
4 Such as exerciſe themſelues in prayer much, and often med tation, with feeling and hunger after knowledge, Iam. 1, It is well known this is the key to open the cloſet of God, and where ſhould men ſee the truth but in the preſence of God? Such therefore as through their unbele…fe, and prophane contempt of this Ordinance of God, ſet themſelues to ſchoole to men onelyonly, and think by a little ſtudy at furtheſt to comprehend any truth, deceiue themſelues, as well as the ignorant and impenitent perſon that cannot or dare not come to God, whoſe heart reſpecting wickedneſſe accuſeth and daunteth him, if not ſeared up, or benummed, Prov. 2.1.
5 See thine heart be not ſet much upon theſe earthly treaſures and wordly happines, for ſuch an heart will neither cry nor call earneſtly for, nor eſteem of the truth but ſell it for a morſell of bread: It is well known affection corrupts the judgement, and a man for the preſent evill world will make the Lord ſpeak pleaſing th ngs, and entertain any lye for the truth that may br ng earthly poſſeſſions and proſperity, Phil. 3, 2 Pet. 2.14.15.
6 Such as make conſcience of ſmall matters n…their own practice, as petty othes, juſting, lyes, idle ſpeeches, which is the true ſea of the Lord, Prov. 3, Pſal. 25, For as for men of the Phariſies judgement, to w t, that the Lord onelyonly forbids great ſinnes; no marvell, if they ſwallow ſuch leſſer matt rs. Thou muſt therfore exerciſe thy ſelf in this, namely n all things to keep a cleer conſcience towards God and man, eſpecially herein that thou be carefull to giuegive no offence, through the uſe of thy Chriſtian liberty, to thy brethren, Rom. 14.13, 1 Ioh. 2.10, and account nothing ſma… that God commands, Math 5.19.
7 That thou hauehave a ſound louelove of the truth and Chriſt eſpecially, 1 Cor. 8, for the divell will pluck treaſures from thy minde, and rob thine underſtanding, if thou doe not receiue the truth in louelove, 2 Theſſ. 2. The truth therfore muſt be deerer then thouſands of gold or ſilver; unto thee the Goſpell and every branch of it, as the pearle. As for them that reſpect the Word, as they reſpect an other hiſtory, or never buſie themſelues about either knowledge, faith or p…act…ſe: From theſe, Truth, the heavenly Manna ſhall be taken away, and chaffy Traditions which w ll damn their ſoul…s ſhal be ſent them. Thou therfore muſt louelove the truth rather then thy cred te, be content to change thy minde when the light comes, buy it at any rate.
8 That thou be reſolute to walke in the truth, Ioh. 7.17, though it coſt thee all thou haſt: For he that hates not father, mother, houſe, lands, and all for Chriſts ſake, cannot be his diſciple; men muſt caſt up their accounts afore what the truth will coſt, and reſolue to giuegive the full price even to hate their life for Chriſt: All muſt deny themſelues therfore, take up their croſſes and follow Chriſt, Math. 6. All that e…de to know, and reaſon onelyonly, all fearfull ones that dare not follow the light, darknes ſhall cover them, they ſhall be l ke Pauls companions, Act. 9, that heard a ſound but ſaw not Chriſt, neither heard what the Lord ſaid unto him.
9 That men hate the whoore of Babell throughly, & all her abominations, Apo. 14.4, it is …hewed who ſhe is, & how dangerous a thing it is to communicate with her, Apoc. 14.9.10, elſe how ſhall they come out from her: Such therefore as th nk it no way ſo dangerous to communicate with Antichriſt, and are of ſuch quiet diſpoſition that they can well enough brook Popery, ſhall be like the ſcorners that ſeek wiſedom but ſhall not finde it, for men muſt hate all vain inventiventions that will hauehave the truth dwell with them.
10 Such as judge not of Religion, and the worſhip of God, either by the pleaſing of our ſenſes, liking of our own heart, or judgment of carnall reaſon, Numb. 15.39, for theſe are not admitted to judge of the Lord nor his wayes: nothing but the Lord, and that which is from him, can or may judg of the Lord. As for ſuch as ſeek for carnall delight, rather then true edification, and judge by themſelues what the Lord requires and approues, no marvell if they like a ſtrangers face better then of their own husband. For nature goes a whoring after mens deviſes, and is ever fond of it own inventions, Math. 15, like the Iewes that would offer up their children to Moloch, but robbed the Lord of his tithes.
11 Such are willing to be inſtructed of very babes, becomming little children like eloquent Apollos, that was content to be catechiſed by Aquilla and Priſcilla, men muſt learn the truth eſpecially where it is practiſed, and many Truths from them that are weaker, and farre more ignorant happily …n other things then thy ſelfe; hum…ity and wiſedom dwell together: Paul though he had ſeen Chriſt …n the way, he muſt goe to Ananias to learne further what hee ſhould doe. Act. 9. Such therfore as deſpiſe learning of any, ſaue the great Rabbins and ancient Fathers, and will not be beholding to any …eane perſ…age, for moſt dif…cuit truths, are like the proud Cor…thians, 1 Cor. 12, doubtleſſe ſuch ſhall goe aſtray with the Phariſies, Ioh. 9.
12 Such as by the ſpirit of God in themſelues underſtand the Scriptures in ſome meaſure, and try the ſpirits both writings and ſpeeches, not depending upon any, 1 Ioh. 4, 1 Theſſ. 5. For every man is a lyar and may er…e, and the Church muſt be built upon the foundation of the Prophets and Apoſtles, upon the Rock Chr ſt: Wherfore ſuch as ground onelyonly on mens opinions, or the Traditions of the Elders, are mens Diſciples, and God may juſtly deny them the knowledge of ſaving Truths. Let all men take heed of this Popiſh evill, of an implicite faith; for it is naturall to all men, it giues way to all ſuperſtition: it is groſſe negligence not to reſpect what ſeed is ſown in thy ſoule. And to end all, remember theſe two things. 1 That men depending on others ſhall ever be uncertain, for men doe change and vary: 2 In all times ſome points of Religion very needfull to be known, are myſteries to the learned world, hid from the wiſe and prudent, Math. 11.
13 Receiue each truth for conſcience, nothing for ſingularity or novelty, to content the ſtate preſent, or to pleaſe men, for ſuch are hypocrites, that Chriſt is an offence unto. For though in ſome things corruption be reſireyned, and the branches cut off for a time, yet hereby corruption is dangerouſly nouriſhed, and more deeply lodged in the heart, which will break out at laſt with much violence, to the great diſcredit of the profeſſion; witneſſe Iudas, Saul, and them that goe out of the Church in all times, ſuch hang upon the Church, but are dead members; neither let any thinke we deſire ſuch ſchollers and followers, nor let the world imagine they hauehave gotten a great prey, when they hauehave perverted a learned ſcholler: For he is but as a withered branch, that Chriſt hath cut off, fit enough, and for nothing elſe fit, but to build up the Kingdom of Satan. Nor let Gods ſervants be diſcouraged as though they were quite overcome, when they looſe a ſeeing Champion: for his ſpirit that was good he leaues behind him in the Church, an other ſhall inherit it, and injoy his Talent, even he that had moſt afore, and is found moſt faithfull.
See thou be not content with a form of Religion, denying the power thereof: ſuch a one as comeſt neere the Lord with thy lips, and honoureſt him with thy mouth, but thy heart is farre from him. Such the world is full of in all ages, which makes men ready to entertain will-worſhip, and any deviſe of man: if therefore thou ſeek not to proceed by ſound judgment in Gods ſervice, doing nothing but what thou haſt warrant for from the Word; or coldly worſhip God without any zeale or chearfulneſſe, or without true reverence of his great Majeſty, and faith in Chriſt; Never expect the Lord ſhould manifeſt his will unto thee, in theſe Truths following.