Twenty-Nine Lectures, Lecture 28
The eight and Twentieth LECTVRE of the CHVRCH.
WE hauehave, as ye hauehave heard, made our diuiſion of Churches into the Eaſterne and Weſterne Churches; and we hauehave made an end of our diſcourſe concerning the Eaſterne; And hauehave entred into the diſcourſe concerning the Weſterne; And theſe wee ſhewed were of two ſorts; firſt, ſome that receiue and acknowledge the Pope to bee their head, as the Church of Rome and other her accomplices: ſecondly, ſome that refuſe to communicate with her, at leaſt in her abuſes, and are therefore called the Reformed Churches; Concerning the former we hauehave ſpoken of them all in the name of the Church of Rome; for what is ſaid againſt her, is ſaid againſt them; as is the mother, ſo are her daughters.
Now therefore we come to ſpeake of thoſe that renounce the head-ſhip of the Pope,The ſecond part of the diſtribution of the Weſterne churches viz the Reformed Churches. 1 Why they be called Reformed Churchches. and refuſe to communicate with the Church of Rome: And are therefore called the reformed Churches; for whereas the Church of Rome was ſometime a true and ſound viſible Church, but in proceſſe of time did degenerate, and ſtaine her ſelfe with ſundry corruptions and abuſes both in Doctrine and practiſe (as hath beene ſhewed) It pleaſed God to inlighten the minds of many godly and learned diuines amongſt them, that they ſaw and diſcerned theſe corruptions, and withall ſtirred vp their hearts to oppoſe openly againſt them, both by preaching and writing: Now thoſe congregations that by theſe mens labours were called out of Babylon, and embraced a purer profeſſion, did thereby gaine the name and title of reformed Churches, as leauing the Church of Rome, as a deformed Church, ſtill wallowing in her owne corruptions; but themſelues hauing recouered in ſome ſort the ancient Beauty and Integrity of the ancient time, and ſounder Churches.
Firſt, of the cauſes of Reformation.Now to make the way plaine before vsus, wee will ſpeake firſt, of the cauſes of this Reformation; ſecondly, of the manner of it: firſt, for the cauſes of this Reformation, they were waighty and neceſſary, many notorious errors, and groſſe abhominations both in Doctrine and manners (as before we hauehave ſhewed) poſſeſſing the whole body of that Church, yea the head, and all; ſuch as the Chriſtian world hath oft complained of, and the godly had groned ſore vnderunder the burden of them, for many yeeres, and could beare them no longer; ſo then they had waighty cauſes for this Reformation. Secondly, the manner of the carriage of it,Secondly, of the manner of reformation and herein 5. things. was approouable and good, they did nothing herein for the ſubſtance of the buſineſſe, but that which might well beſeeme Gods people, and whereof they had many commendable preſidents of other godly men in like caſes; For firſt, they gaue notice to that Church that ſuch and ſuch corruptions were amongſt them; ſecondly, they made proofe out of the Scriptures, the onelyonly Iudge in matters of Religion, that they were corruptions: thirdly, they beſought the guides and Gouernors of the Church, as they tendred Gods truth and glory, and the peoples Saluation, for ſome ſpeedy redreſſe of theſe things; fourthly, they denounced Gods Iudgements againſt them, if they did not reforme, and that was their vtter ruine both here and for euer, if they did not hearken vntounto them; fifthly, after all theſe meanes vſed, and after long expectation of ſome good euent, and yet nothing d…ne, finding no amendment, but that indeede, matters did waxe worſe and worſe, that old burthens were continued, new impoſed that were worſe, their admonitions reiected, errors & corruptions ſtiffely maintained, & the ſeekers of reformation hated, reproached, perſecuted, excōmunicated, and the like, finding no redreſſe, they left them, & gaue them ouer, & as our Sauiour commanded his Apoſtles, ſo they ſhooke off the duſt of their feete againſt them: As if they ſhould hauehave ſaid vntounto them after this manner. Doe you ſerue what gods yee will, wee and our Congregations will ſerue the Lord, doe yee worſhip God, as yee liſt your ſelues, we will worſhip him after his owne will reuealed in his word, ſeeing we cannot procure a generall redreſſe of theſe corruptions amongſt you; wee muſt and will redreſſe them in our ſelues; what could theſe men doe more then they did? or what fault iuſtly can be charged on theſe proceedings? The Papiſts deride and ſcoffe at this reformation, and deny it to be any reformation at all, but rather ſay they, it is an Innouation made by Heretikes, but till ſuch time as they can proue the truth of God in his Word to be hereſie, they ſhall be neuer able to conuince this for an hereticall Innouation, as they falſely and maliciouſly ſlander it, but in deſpight of their malice it muſt be acknowledged, and ſtand good for a godly and Religious reformation of things amiſſe; another manner of reformation then that of the Papiſts in the Councell of Trent; wherein though ſome things were well and commendably redreſt, yet the whole Tenor of that reformation runnes on this promiſe, that the authority of the Pope be no way impeached; the Councell would hauehave ſome reformation, but yet, ſo as the Popes authority may not be m…ddled withall; wheras that very authority is partly one of the chiefe corruptions it ſelfe, and partly th… mai… occaſion and ground of all the reſt, at leaſt it is th… … hinderance, that the reſt is not reformed … …at except that be reformed, there can be no ſound and through reformation at all; ſo that there is great difference betwixt their reformation and ours: For wee ſquare all by the rule of Gods Word; they by the authority of the Pope. So much of the reformed Church in generall.
The reaſon why theſe churches are called Proteſtant Churches.There is alſo another Title that theſe Churches are ſtiled with, and that is Proteſtant Churches; the reaſon of that name is this: vponupon the firſt ſounding of the Goſpell by Luther in Germany, there was great ſtirre, and much adoe among the people, and not onelyonly there, but generally in all places: ſome embracing the Doctrine of Luther, others ſtill continuing in the Popiſh Religion; the Emperour and the States conſult together, how to pacifie theſe tumults, many meetings they had, and many Decrees they made againſt it: one Decree more famous then the reſt, was made at Spier in Germany, Anno 15 29. where it was enacted by the States of the empire, that men ſhould not aboliſh the Maſſe, nor make any further change in Religion, till there ſhould be a generall Councell to determine theſe differences; which becauſe the people ſhould not thinke they would delude them, they promiſe to call it within a conuenient time, within a yeere or thereabouts; This Decree was much diſtaſtfull to thoſe Princes and States, that had ingaged themſelues with Luther in this worke of reformation; and therefore they made a generall proteſtation againſt it to this effect; That howſoeuer they did vnfainedly affect the peace of the State, both in Church and Commonwealth, and would willingly ſatisfie the Emperor in all that lawfully they might, yet becauſe that reformation in hand was Gods owne worke, it muſt not tarry mans leyſure, for God was to be obeyed before man, and therfore they were bound in conſcience to proceede in it as they had begunne, whatſoeuer Decrees of men were to the contrary; notwithſtanding, if any trouble did enſue of it, it was not their ſinne, nor any fault in the cauſe, but in mens ill diſpoſitions, that would abuſe ſo good a cauſe to their bad purpoſes; vponupon this very proteſtation it was, that then preſently, and euer ſince, not onelyonly there, but generally in all places, theſe Princes and States and all other men and Churches, approuing the reformation, were called Proteſtants: The name we for our parts do neither greatly approue nor much diſlike, yet ſeeing it was impoſed vponupon ſo good an occaſion, that is, that Princely and Chriſtian reſolution to hold out zealouſly for God and his Religion, againſt all Decrees and threatenings of man, wee ſee no harme in it, and ſo are well enough content to beare and weare his Title. And ſo much be ſpoken in generall concerning the reformed Proteſtant Churches.
Now we are to deſcend to a more particular handling of theſe Churches, and ſo to the maine marke,Theſe reformed churches are more or leſſe reformed. which all this while we ſpecially aimed at; of theſe reformed Churches, ſome are more, ſome are leſſe reformed, and each of theſe, either for Doctrine or Diſcipline; for ſome are more reformed in Doctrine then others, but leſſe in Diſcipline; ſome are more diſciplined then others, yet their Doctrine is not ſo ſound as theirs,Churches accounted more reformed. whoſe Diſcipline is faulty: The Churches in Geneua, France, and Holland, and others of that mould, both for Doctrine and Diſcipline are thought by ſome the beſt reformed; and yet I heare, that the Browniſts deny euen Geneua to be a true Church; but firſt I ſee not but that they may ſay as much, and as iuſtly againſt their aduerſaries, as their aduerſaries againſt them: Beſides if it be proued, that thoſe which are leſſe reformed, be true Churches,Churches accounted leſſe reformed, and therrein firſt of the Lutheran churches, and herein of 3. things concerning them. it will neceſſarily follow, that theſe are ſo much the rather, and therefore we need not to beſtow time and paines to proue them to be true Churches: Thoſe that are accounted leſſe reformed, are, as ſome thinke, the Lutheran Churches: The Lutheran Churches are leſſe reformed for Doctrine: firſt we will ſpeake of the Lutheran Churches, they are ſo called, becauſe they maintaine certaine priuate opinions that Luther held, or at leaſt is pretended to hauehave held contrary to the iudgement of other reformed Churches: for our better vnderſtanding, I will ſpeake firſt of their difference in opinion from vsus; Secondly of the tumults that hauehave riſen betwixt vsus and them, by reaſon of theſe differences; And thirdly, I will ſhew what wee are to eſteeme of theſe Churches,Firſt of their difference in opinion. notwiſtanding theſe differences: And firſt of their difference in opinion, they are firſt more eaſie and fauourable in matter of Images then wee are, though they worſhip them not; beſides, they teach that the elect may vtterly fall away from the eſtate of grace, which we deny: but the greateſt and maineſt difference betwixt them and vsus, is partly in the matter of vbiquity, and partly in the matter of the Sacrament of the Lords Supper: For the firſt, they affirme that Chriſt euen according to his humane nature is eueryevery where; whereas we hold and teach, and hauehave Gods Word for it, that ſince his aſcention, his body is contained in one certain place, namely in heauen, Acts 3.21. So in the Sacrament they affirme that his body is really preſent in, vnderunder, and with the Bread and Wine; we ſay that Chriſt is really there onelyonly to the faithfull Receiuer, and onelyonly Sacramentally and Spiritually, and not bodily, as Iohn 6.63. Theſe two be matters of very dangerous conſequence, ſuch as if they were throughly preſt, they would giuegive a ſhrewd blow to the ouerthrowing of the truth of Chriſts humane nature, for if Chriſt hauehave a true body, then it cannot be, but in one place at once. I am not heere to diſcuſſe theſe points, but onelyonly as falling in by the way, haply heereafter I may hauehave ſome fit opportunity to ſpeake of them more fully; onelyonly let it ſuffice for the preſent, that theſe their opinions, nor any of them, doe directly deny the foundation, nor any part thereof. So much for their opinions.
The ſecond thing concerning the Lutheran churches, viz. the tumul…s and vnnaturall contentions raiſed betwixt vsus and them. The Lutherans more bitter againſt vsus, then againſt the Papiſts. And heerein, firſt what exceptions the Papiſts take againſt vsus for them.Secondly, the tumults and vnnaturall contentions raiſed betwixt vsus and them, by reaſon of theſe differences; they are growne to a great heighth, very bitter and vncharitable on both ſides, wee are bitter enough againſt them, but they (as men of fiery ſpirits) are maruellous bitter againſt vsus, as bitter as againſt the Papiſts; yea, they are more bitter againſt vsus, then they are againſt the Papiſts; I cannot thinke or ſpeake of theſe things but with griefe of heart, therefore I will ſuppreſſe them in ſilence; it had beene beſt, if they had neuer beene broacht, but now that they are, it is beſt to bury them in ſilence and perpetuall obliuion; but yet ſeeing there are ſuch diſſentions, I will firſt ſhew what exception the Papiſts take againſt vsus for them: Secondly, what vſe we are to make of them; For the firſt, the Papiſts reioyce greatly at it, it is meat and drinke to them, that we are thus together by the cares, and they inſult ouer both parties, alleaging it as a firme exception, that therefore the reformed Churches are no true Churches, and their Religion, no true Religion; this is a very malicious, but yet a very weake conſequence; it is a malicious practice of theirs to build vp themſelues on other mens ruines, yet when all is done, others ruines will make but a weake and ſandy building: Firſt,Anſwered diuerſly. wee will anſwer to the men, and then to the matter; firſt to the Papiſts we anſwer, what if there be diſſention betwixt vsus, what get they by that? Indeed if they agreed with them in all things that they oppoſe vsus, then it were ſome exception, but the maine difference betwixt the Lutherans and vsus, is in the matter of vbiquity, and conſubſtantiaton, wherein they are as oppoſite to them as to vsus, and therefore they hauehave little vantage by that: Beſides, if diſſention betwixt vsus, make vsus to be no true Church, then they are no true Church, for the Papiſts themſelues are at as great diſſention, and as bitter one againſt another as euer wee were, and that not only of old, but euen at this day, the Ieſuits and Secular Prieſts maintaine a mortall hatred betwixt them; And therefore if this be a ſufficient exception againſt vsus, It is ſo alſo againſt them; and therefore wee anſwer them with Chirſt in the Goſpel, Hypocrite, firſt pul out the Beam out of thine owne eye, &c. Mat. 23.2. Firſt, let them purge their Church of their owne diſſentions and differences, and then let them charge ours: Secondly, wee anſwer to the thing or matter it ſelfe; that conſent doth not alwayes proue them to be a true Church that doe conſent, nor that to be a true Religion that is conſented in; neither doth diſſent alwaies proue them to be a falſe Church that doe diſſent in ſome things, nor that a falſe Religion that is in ſome things diſſented in: Firſt, conſent proues not alwaies a true Church, nor a true Religion; for then the Iewes ſhould be a true Church, and their Religion true, becauſe they all conſented to crucifie Chriſt, and with one voyce cryed, Crucifie him, crucifie him; here is conſent, and yet in the bloodieſt matter that euer was in the world: And ſo on the contrary, Peter & Paul, and Paul and Barnabas, ſhould be of a falſe Church, and a falſe Religion, becauſe they diſſented and contended ſharply, but this was nothing to ouerthrow the truth of their Religion, nor of the Church they were members of; yea, we ſee, oft times, that the worſt matters are carried with the greateſt conſent, and the beſt with great diſſention, as it is in the body, that is the ſoundeſt body, that ſtriues moſt to expell hurtfull humours; ſo that is the ſoundeſt Church, that is moſt exerciſed with bickerings againſt the aduerſaries of the Truth, and in the true Church, it is needfull that there ſhould be diſſentions and hereſies, that thoſe that are approued may be knowne, 1 Cor. 11.18, 19. So much be ſpoken for the Papiſts exceptions which they take againſt vsus for this diſſention.Secōdly, what vſes we are to make of theſe differences Now ſecondly, wee are to ſhew what vſe we are to make of theſe diſſentions and differences; ſurely, though wee will not name them, yet wee may make many good vſes of them; and firſt this ſhould ſtirre vp our bowels of compaſſion to mourne for the breaches of Ieruſalem, and to ſee the Lord diſhonoured, and his truth blaſphemed, and the Church miſerably diſtracted, by mens infirmities, frailties and diſſentions: Secondly, this diſcouers the diuells malice, that cannot not endure to ſee the worke of God to goe on proſperouſly forward, but ſets euen the builders themſelues at variance, to hinder them from building and from ioyning together with one hand, againſt the common aduerſarie, yea, he carries them into ſuch outrage of paſſion and ſpeech, that thereby their perſons and cauſe is much diſgraced before the world; ſo that if they were cenſured by his outrage, they may ſeeme rather to be of the diuell then of God. Thirdly, heere wee may ſee the corruption and weakeneſſe, if not wilfulneſſe of men, that rather then they will diſclaime their errors, and put vp diſgracefull and opprobrious ſpeeches, they paſſe not to ſet the whole Church of God on fire. Fourthly, hence wee learne the nature of truth, that neuer comes forth, but incumbred with many oppoſitions, both within and without, and ſtill mingled with ſome errors, and contentions, euen in the chiefe profeſſors themſelues. Laſtly, hence we learne the power, wiſedome and goodneſſe of God, ſo that doth reſtraine the rage of man, and the malice of Satan, that howſoeuer we differ in ſome points, yet we agree in the chiefe, as in Iuſtification by faith alone; and howſoeuer, we differ among our ſelues, yet each of vsus agree againſt Anti-Chriſt and Popery, with a common hand, though not ſo throughly as otherwiſe we might doe, yet ſo, as neither of vsus yeeld one iot to the Papiſt, though they expected long ere this to hauehave deuoured both them and vsus as a prey, or at leaſt, that they ſhould hauehave ſlept in a whole skinne (as wee ſay) working vponupon the aduantage of our former diſſentions.The third thing concerning the Lutheran churches is, what wee are to eſteeme of them.
The third point is, what wee are to eſteeme of theſe Churches, notwithſtanding theſe errors and diſſentions; Surlev, if we ſhould condemne them as falſe Churches, wee ſhould be very vncharitable and wicked: For they hauehave been the chiefeſt inſtrument vnderunder God of our calling, therefore far be it from vsus to deny them to bee a true Church; Beſides we ſhould wrong them much, for ſeeing they affirme directly the foundation, and eueryevery part thereof, there is no colour why wee ſhould giuegive ſuch hard ſentence againſt them: therefore, let vsus eſteeme them as brethren, and acknowledge them to be Gods owne Churches, and let vsus commiſerate their blindneſſe and ignorance, and let vsus beare with their infirmities, and let vsus paſſe by the wrongs they offer vsus; and let vsus bleſſe God for the good that is in them, and let vsus intreate God to open their eyes, and to pacify their mindes, and to reconcile theſe vnhappy differences that are betwixt vsus, and to knit our hearts together in the bond of peace, that we may be all of one minde and iudgement, and ſpeake one and the ſame thing. And ſo much bee ſpoken concerning the Lutheran Churches.
The ſecond ſort of Churches accounted reformed viz. our owne Church.Now we come to ſpeake of our own Church, which hath beene the ſpeciall reach, and ſhall bee the finall concluſion of this whole diſcourſe; We are generally acknowledged by moſt Proteſtant Churches, that we are as well reformed in Doctrine, as any Church. It is Gods great mercy to vsus, that we are ſo reformed in the beſt and weightieſt things; And it is no ſmall comfort to vsus, that wee hauehave the approbation of other Churches confeſſing for vsus that we are a true Church of God, ſound in the faith: ſo that if we doe faile in diſcipline, as they ſay, yet the ſubſtance being ſound, the danger is the leſſe; Diſcipline makes onelyonly for the Beauty of a Church, but yet neyther do…h the preſence of it make a true Church; nor the abſence of it cannot marre the life & being of a true Church, therfore if wee be not reformed herein as we ſhould (for ſome reformation we hauehave, many points and parts of Diſcipline are farre better amongſt vsus, then in the Popiſh Churches) yet as long as our faith is ſound, the life and being of our Church is ſound and good.
I will deliuer the point by way of Obſeruation, Doctr. and that is this: The Church of England, euen as now it ſtands, though it be guilty of many ſaylings and weakneſſes, yet notwithſtanding it is a true, and, in good meaſure, a ſound viſible Church of God: firſt, I doe acknowledge many faylings & weakneſſes in our church, that I may not bee miſtaken, as if I ſhould ſmooth vp the State of our Church, as many doe, with all is well, when ſome things are amiſſe; or iuſtifie eueryevery particular, becauſe we hauehave many good things amongſt vsus; No, if there be any Baal amongſt vsus, let him plead for himſelfe, I wil not plead for him; Secondly, I ſay, that it is not onelyonly a true, but in ſome good meaſure a ſound viſible Church, to diſtinguiſh it from other,The Church of England if a true and ſound Church too in ſome good meaſure Churches, ſpecially from the Church of Rome, which in ſome ſenſe, as we ſhewed, is a true viſible church, but very vnſound, but ours is true & ſound too, & that in ſome good meaſure; The want of which difference rightly obſerued,The whole company of Profeſſors in England make one nationall Church. And this ſpeech iuſtified by 3 reaſons. hath cauſed many vncharitable cenſures to paſſe from vsus againſt the church of Rome, & from the ſeparatiſts againſt vsus; Thirdly, I ſpeake of the Church of England indefinitely, which ſeemes ſtrange in ſome eares, that the whole company of profeſſors in England, ſhould be called one Church, and ſo make a nationall Church, which, ſay they, is meerely a humane inuention, not warrantable by the Word; but to iuſtifie this ſpeech againſt their exception, take theſe reaſons, Firſt, where there are many particulars of one and the ſame kinde, there muſt bee acknowledged by the rules of nature and reaſon, ſome generall notion or apprehenſion, wherein they all meete together, to beare the name, and to comprehend the nature of all; As for example, there are many particular perſons of men being of one and the ſame kinde, and therefore there muſt be one generall humane nature, in which they muſt all meete and bee comprehended; And therefore whereas we hauehave many Parochiall Churches in England of one, and the ſame kinde, they all may rightly be tearmed, and comprehended vnderunder one name, that is, the Church of England: Secondly, if but two or three congregations liuing in a City, or about it may be ſo called, the Church of that City, as it is very probable, if we compare, Reuel. 2.1. with Acts 20 17. why may not therefore all Parochiall Churches of any one land, bee called the Church of that land or nation; Thirdly, it is not againſt the nature and being of a Church, to be nationall; the Church of the Iewes was directly ſo, vnderunder the former Teſtament, the Iewes being caſt off, the Gentiles are come in their ſteade; and therefore where any whole Nation of the Gentiles doe publiquely and generally embrace the ſauing ordinances of God, as the Iewes did, I ſee not but that they may rightly bee called by the name of a Nationall Church; why may not the Church of England be called a Church of England now, as well as the Iewes were called a Iewiſh Church heretofore? Laſtly, whereas I ſpeake of our whole Church, in generall, that it is in ſome meaſure a ſound Church, it muſt be vnderſtood in reſpect of the better part: the whole taking the denomination from them: for if it be proued true but in ſome parts, that is, in our moſt Religious and beſt ordered congregations, that they are ſo, then I hope charity will grant, I am ſure reaſon will, that the whole Church may lawfully take her denomination from the better part elſe no part … congregation can be rightly affirmed to bee a true and ſound Church, for it is ſo called properly in reſpect of the true beleeuing and liuing members that are therein, though the greater part oft times are Hypocrites; Thus we ſee the note is ſet vpright; Let vsus proceede to the proofes of it.
Reaſ. 1 Many reaſons may be alleadged to proue it; three or foure ſhall ſerue the turne;It is a true Church. The reaſon before mentioned, prouing the Greeke, Romane, and Lutheran Churches to be true Churches, being applyed vntounto vsus, proues vsus ſufficiently to be a true Church, becauſe wee affirme the whole foundation and eueryevery part thereof; But in this we hauehave vndertaken more, that is, that our Church is in ſome good meaſure a ſound viſible Church, and therefore that is the point here to bee holden to:
And the firſt reaſon to proue this,Reaſons to proue it to be a ſound viſible Church in ſome good meaſure. is from the infallible markes of a true and ſound Church; Whereſoeuer the Word and the Sacraments are in publique profeſſion in vſe, ſo that the Word in ſome good meaſure is purely taught, and the Sacraments rightly adminiſtred, and obedience to them both accordingly profeſſed, there is a true, and in ſome good meaſure a ſound viſible Church; But in the Church of England, the Word and Sacraments are in publique profeſſion in vſe, ſo that Word is purely taught and the Sacraments rightly Adminiſtred, and obedience to them both in ſome good meaſure profeſſed; And therefore the Church of England is a true, and a ſound viſible Church. For the propoſition I hauehave handled it before in deliuering the markes of a true Church, and therefore I will referre you thither for the proofe of it: For the Aſſumption none will deny, but wee hauehave the Word and the Sacraments, and profeſſion of obedience to them both: but the Queſtion is, whether wee hauehave them purely or no; for the meaſure of the ſoundneſſe of a Church is eſteemed, according to the meaſure of the pureneſſe of theſe markes; where they are more pure, there is a more ſound Church; and where they are leſſe pure; there is a leſſe ſound Church: But in the Church of England, they are pure without traditions or mans inuentions;The Separatiſts exceptions. Except. 1…. Anſw, therefore the Church of England in ſome good meaſure is a ſound viſible Church: Wee are charged by the Separatiſts that we preach canons, and mans conſtitutions, as Gods Wor…; But wee Anſwer, Theſe are not taught for Doctrines, but onelyonly ſerue for ſome paſſage and carriages touching Gods Seruice,Except. 2. Anſw. ſpecially in Church gouernement: Secondly, they ſay, we ſuppreſſe ſome part of Gods Word, as Diſcipline? I Anſwere, All that we know wee teach expreſly and impartially; if there ſhould be any faylings (as we know there are in all Churches) yet that hinders not, but that they are in ſome good meaſure purely taught; And ſo the truth ſtill ſtands good, that the word taught amongſt vsus, ſo alſo the Sacraments are rightly adminiſtred amongſt vsus, for the ſubſtance of them; if there be any error in circumſtance (as wee know none neyther) yet that doth not nullifie the action, nor ouerthrow the truth of this Aſſumption; Likewiſe obedience is truely profeſſed thereunto, at leaſt by ſome, yea by a great many too, through Gods mercy; And therefore the note ſtands firme and true, that the Church of England, euen as it now ſtands, is a true, and a ſound viſible Church.
Reaſ. 2 The ſecond reaſon, is taken from the compariſon of the viſible Church with the inuiſible; Take it thus, that faith and Religion, which being truely beleeued and obeyed by the whole company of the Elect, makes them the true Church inuiſible; the ſame faith and Religion being publiquely taught and learned in a viſible congregation, and by them profeſſed iointly to bee beleeued and obeyed, & that in ſome good meaſure, makes them a true, and in that proportionable meaſure a ſound viſible Church; for the viſible Church is ſo called reſpectiuely to the Church inviſible, as they publiquely and ioyntly profeſſing the ſame ſauing faith, which the inuiſible in the minde and truth of heart beleeue and obey; But our Church doth ioyntly and publiquely profeſſe, that faith which the inuiſible Church doth truely embrace, and thereby is made a true Church viſible, euen that whole truth that is reuealed in the Word, as by our articles of faith and Religion it doth appeare, which is the ioynt confeſſion of our Church; yea our very aduerſaries may witneſſe for vsus in this; Aynſworthe, ſaith;Aynſw. 11. I doubt not but your Doctrine hath ſaued many, therefore it muſt needs bee the ſame Doctrine of faith, which makes the true Church inuiſible: And ſo Iohnſon acknowledgeth that very many amongſt vsus are true Chriſtians by that knowledge and faith which here they hauehave attayned vntounto, only ſetting them a part from the conſtitutions of our Church; and if any man elſewhere in the world doe truely beleeue and obey that faith which we profeſſe, who can deny him to bee a member of the true inuiſible Church; Our Church therefore profeſſing to beleeue and obey the ſame ſauing faith which the inuiſible Church doth truely beleeue and obey, and which is of ſome amongſt vsus truely beleeued and obeyed; therefore our Church muſt needs be a true, a ſound viſible Church.
The third reaſon is drawen from the effects of the Reaſ. 3 Doctrine and miniſtery of our Church, and is thus framed; That Church whoſe Doctrine and miniſtery by Gods bleſſing is ſo effectuall, that ordinarily it workes ſauing faith in the hearts of the hearers, is a true, and in ſome good meaſure a ſound viſible Church: But the Doctrine and miniſtery of the Church of England by Gods bleſſing is ſo effectuall, that ordinarily it workes ſauing faith in the hearts of the hearers; And therefore the Church of England is a true and a ſound viſible Church; The Propoſi…ion is proued, Rom. 10.17. faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God; where the Apoſtle proues that ordinarily the Word is powerfull to beget faith in the …earers, being preached by ſuch as are ſent of God, Verſe 15. and therefore our miniſtery doing the ſame, is a true miniſtery ſent of God, and ſo our Church a true, and in ſome good meaſure a ſound Church of God; But our aduerſaries except againſt vsus, that our Miniſters are not ſent,Aynſw. 25.26. Except 1 Anſw. nor hauehave a lawfull calling from God; I Anſwer, the place proues that ſuch whoſe Doctrine and Miniſtery doe ordinarily duplicate page duplicate page worke faith, are ſent of God, but ſuch are ours, and therefore they are ſent of God;Except. 2. And that our miniſters hauehave a lawfull ſending; ſhall, God willing, bee ſhewed hereafter; They except againe and ſay, that in their aſſemblies there are many more conuerted, then in our Churches? Anſw. I Anſwer, was there any of theſe aſſemblies ſuch, that in any one of them ordinarily there were ſuch effects? If there were, then that aſſemblie was a church; but if it were extraordinary, then the exception is nothing to this purpoſe:Exept. 3. But they except againe, that others conuert alſo by conference and diſputation, and that out of a viſible Church? Anſw. I Anſwer doth not that argue, that ſuch men embrace the ſauing faith, at leaſt in profeſſion? and therefore when this is done by an ordinary miniſtery, in a viſible congregation; doth it not hence follow, that ſuch an aſſembly dot at leaſt in profeſſion hold the ſauing faith, & is ſo a true, and in ſome good meaſure a ſound viſible Church: But the Doctrine and Miniſtery of our Church workes ſuch effects and that ordinarily, as by daily experience appeares; And therefore our Church is a true, and in ſome good meaſure a ſound viſible Church: But ſay they,Ob: Anſw. It is not ordinary in our churches, but onelyonly extraordinary, as it is amongſt the Papiſts; I Anſwere, what is ordinary? That is ordinary which is vſually done, and that by ſuch meanes as are ordained for that purpoſe; But this is done by our Doctrine and miniſtery, which are the meanes ordained to beget faith, and is ordinarily and vſually done, not now and then, in one or two, but it is done dayly, and many experiments confirme it, as any may be an eye witneſſe of it, that liues amongſt vsus; Beſides when a man is conuerted to God, out of the office of the miniſtery, as by conference, diſputation, &c: that they acknowledge to bee ordinary; elſe this is a meere cauill, not oppoſing our Propoſition; but where one is ſo wonne, many are wonne by our Miniſteries, and therefore to deny this to be ordinary amongſt vsus, which oftentimes produceth ſuch effects, and yet to alledge the other as an ordinary meanes, which yet is but ſeldome ſo effectuall, is not ingeniouſly nor ſenſibly, much leſſe charitably done; Sure I am, if that be ordinary, then ours is much more, there being an eſpeciall promiſe to our publique labours herein. And therefore theſe reaſons conſidered, It follows that our Church is a true, and a ſound viſible Church.
The vſes are theſe; firſt, for inſtruction; Secondly,Vſe 1. for inſtruction diuerſly. for reproofe: The vſes for inſtruction are theſe; firſt, Is it ſo that the Church of England is a true and a ſound viſible Church? Then this teacheth vsus, that lawfully & ſafely it may be communicated withal,We may ſafely communicate & ioyne with the Church of England. without diſhonour to God, or iuſt offence to any of the faithfull, or danger to our owne ſoules, or ſcruple of conſcience; And this we muſt not onelyonly know, but wee muſt practiſe it, all thoſe that liue within this land, and ſo hauehave opportunity to be members of our Church, they may and muſt come and ioyne in communion with vsus, and repaire to our aſſemblies, and heare our Miniſters, and profeſſe obedience to our faith. God requires this, Deut. 12.5. ye ſhall ſeeke the place which the Lord thy God ſhall chuſe out of all your tribes to put his name there, and there to dwell, and thither thou ſhalt come; and as God commands it, ſo his children hauehave practiſed it, as Dauid, Pſal. 26 5, 6, 8, I hauehave hated the aſſembly of the wicked. I will waſh mine hands in innocency, oh Lord, & compaſſe thine Altar; Oh Lord I hauehave loued the habitation of thine houſe, and the place where thine honour dwelleth; And ſo the faithfull that were newly conuerted, Act. 2.42. continued in the Apoſtles Doctrine and fellowſhip, and breaking of bread and Prayers; And in the 47. It is ſaid, the Lord added to the Church from day to day, ſuch as ſhould be ſaued: And therefore ſuch as be not ioyned to our Church, muſt reſolue to ioyne; and thoſe that are already ioyned, muſt continue their communion with her; And there are alſo many particular motiues to induce to it, which I alleadge not as reaſons to proue directly, that neceſſarily we muſt ioyne, but they may ſerue onelyonly as perſwaſions to a man well affected, and not carried away with preiudice,Motiues to moue to ioyne with our Church. that hee may ſafely communicate with our Church: Firſt, if there were no other motiue but this, it were ſufficient, we hould the foundation. The ſecond motiue is this; we hauehave the whole Doctrine of ſauing faith taught amongſt vsus, and in ſome good meaſure truely profeſt if any Church can teach any one ſubſtantial article of ſound Religion that we profeſſe not, then we may more colourably be forſaken; but ſeeing it is not ſo, there is no iuſt cauſe or pretence, but that they may communicate with vsus; whither would they goe, we hauehave the words of eternall life? as Peter ſaid to our Sauiour, Iohn 6.68. Thirdly, we hauehave a powerfull Miniſtery, to exhort, reproue, comfort, &c. to beget faith where it is wanting, to increaſe and confirme faith where it is begun; to perſwade men to holy obedience, and to renounce their ſinnes, and to make reſtitution of wrongs, and to bee ſound in Religion, and to hunger and thirſt after rightouſnes, and to bee zealous for Gods glory, and for all good duties; And therefore wee are …o communicate with this Church where the miniſtery is thus powerfull, and if we forſake her, it were iuſt with God to giuegive vsus ouer to our former errors and worſe courſes; The fourth motiue to perſwade vsus to ioyne in communion with the Church of England, and not to forſake her, is this; we our ſelues here had our new birth, euen in this Church and by this Church; and therefore wee hauehave great cauſe to be louing and kindly affected, and to carry our ſelues dutifully vntounto her; as the child to the mother that bare him; and if we doe not reſt within her communion, but goe from her, how iuſtly may we feare to miſ-led, and eyther relapſe into former, or runne into new errors. Fifthly many of our aduerſaries were here begotten too; the ſoundeſt part of that faith, which the beſt of our Separtiſts hauehave, they learned and attayned vntounto in our church; therefore the greater is their ſinne, firſt, to flye from vsus: ſecondly, to deny her to be their mother: and thirdly, to purſue her with ſo many obloquies and repreaches, as if ſhee were no Church of God. Sixthly, our Church hath beene planted and ſealed vp by the bloud of many precious and glorious Martyrs; which of vsus, is not verily perſwaded, that Bradford, Latimer, &c: are now members of the triumphant Church in heauen? then deſire to be and to continue members of the ſame viſible militant Church on earth, renounce communion with them here, and renounce communion with them in heauen. Seuenthly, conſider what a ſhelter our Church hath beene to many afflicted churches, French and Dutch, &c: if they, being Gods true churches, flye for ſuccour to vsus, and are ſafe vnderunder our ſhadow, ſhal not we ioyfully and gladly continue vnderunder it, but fly away? If perſecution ſhould come, we would be glad in our hearts, that we had ſuch a ſhelter; Let vsus not bee alienated from that good eſtate, becauſe we hauehave it, which if we wanted we would eſteeme moſt precious, and vndergoe any labour to recouer it. Eightly, conſider the miraculous planting, and preſeruing, of our Church, for many yeeres: firſt, planted by King Edward, a childe, then preſerued in Queene Elizabeth time, being but a woman, againſt the whole rable of Gods enemies, Pope, and Spaniard, and Sathan himſelfe, and all his Inſtruments, this is no ſmall token that God tooke notice of vsus, as of his owne Church, and therefore may be motiue to vsus to communicate with her. Ninthly, all other Reformed Churches acknowledge vsus to bee a true Church, and reioyce for vsus, yea euen thoſe that are moſt againſt vsus for Diſcipline, (as Beza) yet pray for vsus, and for the continuance of our State, euen as it is, to many generations, they are wiſe, Religious, Impartiall, yet they approoue vsus; Me thinks it ſhould aſtoniſh the Separatiſts, that all are for vsus, but they as if they were holier and wiſer then all others; ſurely, it ſhould much incourage vsus to keepe our hold, and to hauehave them in great iealouſly, becauſe they hauehave deceiued themſelues, and would deceiue vsus. Laſtly, who are they that condemne vsus? None but Papiſts, and ſome hot turbulent Spirits that hauehave a great felicity in ouerthrowing the Societies of other Churches, and yet cannot throughly agree amongſt themſelues, what is to bee done in their owne Churches; So much for the firſt Inſtruction.
2 things taught in this vſe viz. Thankfulnes in two reſpects.Secondly, this teacheth vsus thankefulneſſe to God, and that in two kindes; Firſt, that God hath beene ſo fauorable to this Land, as to inlighten the people therof, by the preaching of the word, and other meanes of Saluation, ſo that now they are a true and a ſound viſible Church; heretofore they ſate in darkneſſe, and in the ſhaddow of death, in heatheniſme, Popery, & g…oſſe Ignorance; but bleſſed bee God, a light, a bleſſed and glorious Light, euen the Light of the Goſpell of our Lord Ieſus Chriſt, hath ſhined on them, and doth ſhine on them, ſo that they ſee their ſinnes, and the way of Saluation; how many Nations are ſtill ouerwhelmed, ſome with Paganiſme, ſome with Iudaiſme, ſome with Mahometiſme, and ſome with Popery; but our Nation hath the true Religion and ſauing faith, and that not onelyonly profeſt, but in ſome good meaſure practiſed too; this is the Lords doing, and therefore we ſhould bee thankfull to him for it. Secondly, it teacheth eueryevery one of vsus in particular to be thankfull to God that our Birth and life hath beene reſpi…ed to theſe times of Light; if the Lord ſhould hauehave watched vsus a good time, we could hauehave had no better then this; if wee had beene borne an hundred or two hundred yeeres ſince, what times of blindneſſe had wee been borne in? But now …h… wee are borne and liue in this great Light, that is, in the boſome of a true, and in a ſound viſible Church, except we will wilfully neglect ſuch meanes of Saluation, we may bee ſaued: And therefore while we hauehave this Light, let vsus labour to walke in the Light, as Children of the Light; And let vsus bring forth fruits worthy of this Light, let vsus liue more graciouſly and holily, then thoſe that want this Light, that ſo it may appeare to the world, that there is a difference in mens liues, as well as in their Religion. Laſtly,Third thing in this vſe. let vsus pray to God for the continuance of this Light, to ou… poore poſterity, that are yet vnborne, that they may be as well prouided for herein, as we are euen to the worlds end; And therefore it ſtands vsus in hand by Prayers and teares to intreate God, not onelyonly that the Goſpell may bee in our dayes, but that it may continue to our Children, and to our Childrens children, ſo long as the world endures; And ſo much for the vſes of Inſtruction.Second vſe of reproofe. The other vſes for Reproofe, though they hauehave beene handled heretofore by the way, yet in the next Lecture I will handle them purpoſely.