Apology of Certain Christians, Chapter 12
CHAP. XII. Of the Church of England.
THere remains one, and that a great matter of exception against us, and the same the fountain well nigh of all our calamitie: to wit, that we seem evill-affected towards the church of England, and so averse from the same, as that we do no lesse then make a plain secession, and separation from it.
I answer, First, that our fayth is not negative: as Papists use to object to the Euangelicall churches, nor which consists in the condemning of others, and wipeing their names out of the bead-…oul of churches, but in the edifying of our selvs: neither require we of anie of ours in the confession of their fayth, that they either renounce, or in one word contest with the church of England, whatsoever the world clamours of us this way. Our faith is founded upon the writings of the prophets, and Apostles, in which …o mention of the church of England is made. We deem it our dutie what is found in them to beleev with the heart to righteousnes, and to confesse with the tongue to salvation.Rom. 10, 10▪
Secondly, we accord (as far as the Belgick, and other Reformed churches) with the Church of England in the Articles of faith, and heads of Christian religion published in the name of that church, and to be found in the Harmonie of the Confessions of fayth.
Thirdly, if by the Church be understood the Catholick Church dispersed upon the face of the whole earth, we do willingly acknowledg, that a singular part thereof, and the same visible, and conspicuous is to be found in the land, and with it, do professe and practise what in us layes, communion in all things in themselvs lawfull, and done in right order.
But and if by the word Church be understood a spirituall politick body, such as was in her time, the Church of Israell; and in hers the church of Rome, Corinth, the seven churches of Asia, and others with them partaking of the same Apostolicall constitution, and as unto which do apperteyn the Oracles of God, Sacraments, Censures, Government, and ministerie ecclesiasticall, with other sacred institutions of Christ; I cannot but confesse, and professe (though with great greif) that it is to us matter of scruple, which we cannot overcome, to give that honour unto it, which is due from the servants of Christ to the Church of Christ, rightly collected, and constituted.
And, that there may be place left in the eyes of the prudent Reader for our defence in this case, so far forth as equitie and reason will permit, he must once, and again be intreated by me, seriously to weigh with himself, and in his heart, this one advertizement following.
That a man may do a thing truely pleasing, and acceptable to God, it sufficeth not, that both the door in his person be accepted of God, the thing done commaunded by God, and that he do it with good, and holy affection before God, except withall, and first he be possessed of that state, & condition of life, which may affoard him a lawfull calling to that work. That a man, though never so good, with never so good a minde, should exercise the office, or do (though the best) works of a Magistrate, father of famillie, housband, steward, citizen, or messenger, except he were first lawfully called, and preferred to the state of a Magistrate, maister of sam…lie, housband, or the like; so far were he from deserving anie praise for so doing, as on the contrarie he most justly incur…ed the censure of great rashnes, and violation of all order in familie and common wealth; as taking unto himself that honour, unto which he was not called of God. He…. 5. 4.The same houldeth, and that specially in course of Religion, which is the specially state of mans life: so as if anie either as a Pastour dispence the holy things of the ministeriall Church, without a lawfull pastorall calling going before; or participate in the same, out of a just, and lawfull Church-state; neither that dispensation, nor this participation can be warranted, but both the one, and other are usurpations, and in which is seen not the use, but abuse of holy things, and confusion of order. And as it behoveth everie person first to beleev, and know, that he is truly a Christian, and partaker of the grace of Christ, before he can hope to please God in the performance of this or that particular Christian work; so doth it also concern everie Christian to provide, that he be first possessed of a just, and lawfull Church-order, before he so much as touch with his least finger the holy things of the Church thereunto proper, and peculiar. Proper, I say, & peculiar, amongst which I do not simpl…e reckon the hearing of the word, which both lawfullie may, and necessarily ought to be done, not onelyonly of Christians though members of no particular church, but even of Infidels, prophane persons, excommunicates, and any others: as being that in which no communion spirituall passeth, either ecclesiasticall, or personall, between the teacher, & heater, but according to some union ecclesiasticall or personall going before: seeing that Christian saith comes by hearing the gospell, by faith union, & from union communion.
This thus prem sed, I will speak a few things of the Church of England; not by way of accusation of it, but for our own purgation in the eyes of the godly, and equall Reader, of the imputed c…ime of Schism, so far as truth, and equitie will bear.
And first, seeing that the people of God is materially (as they speak, the church of God, it is required to the constitution of a holy Church of God,Rom 1, 7. 1 Cor. 1, 2. 2 Cor. 1, 1. that the people be holy, or saints and sanctified i… Christ Iesus: truely, and internally in regard of God, and their own consciences; externally, and in appearance in respect of others, whom it concerns to discern and judg of them, according to the word of God, and rule of charitie. And considering that our question is about the Church externall, and visible, as it is called, we are not so fond, or raitha… frant…ck, as to require, in respect of others, other holynes in the members thereof, then that which is visible and externall.
Now how marvaylous a thing is it, and lamentable withall, that amongst Christians anie should be found so far at ods, with Christian holines, as to think that others then apparently holy at the least, deserved admittance into the fellowship of Christs church, and therewith of Christ? Do, or can the grat…ous promises of God made to the Church, the heavenly blessings due to the Church, the seales of divine grace given to the Church, apperteyn to others then such? Are others to be admitted into the familie of God, the kingdom of Christ, and as it were the suburbs of heaven? The Church of God is by him called, and destinated to advance his glorie in the holynes of their lives, and conversations;Calvin in 1 Conn. c. 5. what then have those to do with it, or it with those, who, as Calvin saith,Idem in Rom. 2, 24. live not but with Gods dishonour? For they, as the same author both truly and holily affirmeth) who are called, and accounted the people of God, do bear as it were in their forheads, the name of God, whereupon it cannot but come to passe, Revel. 4. 8.that before men even God himself after a sort should be steyned with their filth. And this I deem the raither to be observed, seeing that there are to be found, and these not a few, who would thrust upon the churches of our thrice holy Lord, a verie stage-like holynes: stoutly striveving to make it good, that to constitute a true, and lawfull member of the visible church, no more is required, then that a man with his mouth confesse Christ, although in his works he plainly declare himself to be of the synagogue of Sathan.Tit. 1, 16. But what saith the holy spirit of these impure spirits? They professe they know God, saith the Apostle, but in their works they deny him, being abhominable, and rebellious, and to everie good work reprobate. Are abhominable persons to be brought into the temple of God? rebellious persons into the kingdom of God? such as are reprobate unto everie good work into the familie of God,1 Cor. 5. which is as it were the Storehouse of all good works? If anie one that is called a brother, be a fornicatour, or covetous, or idolatour, or rayler, or drunkard, or extortioner, or anie waie a wicked one, such a one by the Apostles direction, is to be expelled, and driven out of the churches confines. And seeing that, as one truly saith, It is a matter of greater contumelie to thrust out, then to keep out a guest, with what conscience can such plagues be receaved into the church, to the purgeing out wherof the same church, furnished for that end with the power of Christ, stands in conscience bound? or by what authoritie I pray, can such persons be compelled into the bosom of the spouse of Christ, as for the expelling of whom far from her fellowship,1 Ioh. 1, 6. & imbraceing all authoritie ought to conspire? He that saith he hath fellowship with God, and walks in darknes is a lyer, and doth not truly. Profession of Christ therefore with the mouth,Ioh. 8. 40. in those that work the works of darknes, and so by consequence, that by which a man is raither branded for a naturall child of the divell, then marked for a true member of the Church.Psa. 101, 7. Lastly, David that holy man of God, and tipe of Christ, doth holily professe, that he who works deceipt, shall not continue in his house: And shall the workers of decept, and of all wickednes not onelyonly be admitted, but even constreyned into the house of the living God,Psal. 93, 5. which the church is: O Iehovah, holynes becometh thine house to length of dayes. Which notwithstanding (a sicknes desperate of all remedie) that so it stands with the Church of England, no man to whom England is known, can be ignorant: seeing that all the natives there, and subjects of the kingdom, although never such strangers from all shew of true pietie, and goodnes, and fraught never so full with manie most heynous impieties, and vices (of which ranck whether there be not an infinite, and far the greater number, I would to God it could with anie reason be doubted) are without difference compelled, and inforced by most seveere lawes civill & ecclesiasticall, into the bodie of that church. And of this confused heap (a few, compared with the rest, godly persons mingled among) is that nationall church, commonly called the Church of England, collected, and framed. And such is the materiall constitution of that church. But if now you demaund of me, how it is formally constituted; & whether upon profession of fayth, and repentance (in word at least) made by them of years, any combynation, and consociation of the members into particular congregations, (which consociation doth formally constitute the ministeriall Church, and members thereof, as both the Scriptures and reason manifest) either is, or hath been made since the universall and Antichristian apostasie and defection in poperie? Nothing lesse; but onelyonly by their parrish perambulation, as they call it, and standing of the houses in which they dwell. Everie subject of the kingdom dwelling in this or that parrish, whether in cittie, or countrie, whether in his own or other mans house, is thereby, ipso facto, made legally a member of the same parrish in which that house is situated: and bound, will he, nill he, fit, or unfit, as with iron bonds, and all his with him, to participate in all holy things, & some unholy also in that same parrish church.
If any object, that yet the minister of the parish may suspend from the supper of the Lord flagitious persons, and so by complaint made to M. Chancelour, or M. Officiall, procure their excommunication; to let passe, that this is meerly a matter of form for the most part, and a remedie as ill, as the disease, I do answer, that even by this is proved undeniablie that which I intend: viz. that all these parrishioners before mentioned, are not without, 1 Corin. 5, 11, 12.but within, and members of the Church (and the same, as before constituted) whom she judgeth.
There is besides these a third evill in the way, and the same as predominant, and overtopping all other things in that church, as was Saul higher then all the rest of the people: and with whose Rehoboam-like …inger we miserable men are pressed, and oppressed: and that is, the Hierarchicall church government in the hands of the Lord Bishops and their substitutes: (the verie same with that of Rome, the Pope the head onelyonly cut off, upon whose shoulders also many, though not without notable injurie, would place the supreme Magistrate) and administred by the self same Canon law.
Now this vast, and unsatiable Hierarchicall gulfe, swallowing up and devouring the whole order,Park. eccles. pol 3, 35. and Hier. generally. and use of the presbyterie, and therewith the peoples libertie, and withall, by M. Parkers testimonie (with whom a Bishop in England is the Pastour of the whole diocesse, and the Priests or ministers, onelyonly his delegates and helpers) the verie office of the Pastours themselvs, as did the seaven lean, and evill favoured kine the seaven fat, and the seaven wizened ears the seaven full that went before them, Gen. 41.and so by consequence, not being of Christ the Lord,2 Thes. 2, 4. but of him rayther, who opposeth and advanceth himself against whatsoever is called God, or is worshiped; so as he sits in the Temple of God, as God, 1 Chran. 29, 11, 12, 13, 19.(for unto God alone dwelling in his Temple it apperteyns to appoint the offices of the ministers, & to prescribe the peoples bonds) our hands are bound by that supreme, and sole authoritie of Iesus Christ in his Churches, upon which both the order of Presbyterie, and libertie of people, and office of Pastour are founded,1 Cor. 5, 4. and from whom as the one onelyonly Lord, all ecclesiasticall power floweth,ch, 12, 5, 28. and by whom all ministeries are instituted, from giving any the least honour or obedience to the same hie…archicall exaltation in it self, or its subordinates, which (as phylosophi… teacheth) are one with it.
Wherein yet I would not so be understood, as if we were at anie defiance with the persons of the Bishops, much lesse with the kings civill authoritie whereof they are possessed, whether in matters civill or ecclesiasticall.Rom. 14, 14 Of their persons their own Lords shall judg, to whom they stand or fall. There have been of that ranke who in our Marian da…es have preferred the profession of the truth of the gospell before their lives: I hope there are also of their successours, who, if pressed with the same necessitie (which God forbid) would give the same testimonie, though at the same rate, unto the same truth of God revealed unto them.
Now as concerning their civill authoritie; albeit we do not beleev, that the same is at all competent to the true ministers of the gospell, especially in that eminencie, externall glorie, and pompe of this world, in which they far exceed manie worldly princes, and rayther seem to represent the tryumphant, then the militant church; yet for so much as they both obteyn the same by the gift of the king, and exercise it in his name, we do not unwillingly yeald honour, and obedience unto it, and to his majestie in it.
But whereas it seems unto manie plain, and evident, that we may adjoin our selvs to the Church of England without any subjection, or relation unto the spirituall government, and governers thereof; that is altogether beyond our capacities: neither can we comprehend it, how it may be that he, who subjects, and joyns himself to anie publique, and politique bodie, or communitie, whether spirituall, or civil, becomes not in so doing, ipso facto, subject to the publique government, and governers thereof, and undergoes not a relation, and respect actually unto them. They raither are with all seriousnes to consider, how faythfully, and sincerely they quit themselvs, and their consciences before God, and men, who contending, and proving in and by so manie words, and arguments, that the hierarchicall government is papall, and Antichristian, do neverthelesse submit themselvs thereunto both in the respect, and relation politicall formerly mentioned, and also in acts properly ecclesiasticall, into which the ecclesiasticall government, and spirituall policie of the church doth necessarily diffuse it self. Now I do earnestly entreat thee, whosoever thou art, acquainted with Belgick, or raither Christian libertie,Theodoret. Dial. 1. and either free from the mists of prejudice, or if anie way prejudiced, yet not chusing raither to serve a preconceaved opinion, then to follow an apparent truth, that thou wouldest truly & ingenuously tell, whether if the Magistrates here (from which they are far) should by publique edict, under severe penaltie constreyn all, and everie the native subjects of the countrie into the bosom of the church, without anie difference made, either in respect of fayth or manners, according to the place of their habitation, and should set over this church so collected and constituted, an Hierarchicall Bishop provinciall or diocesan, in whose hands alone, with his Officials, Chauncellours, Commissaries, Archdeacons, and other Court-keepers, canonicall authoritie should be placed, to constitute and depose ministers, excommunicate, and absolve both ministers, and people, yea whole churches (yea with the living the dead, that they may obteyn Christian buriall): whether now in this confused heap, and under this spirituall Lordship, thou wouldest endure to remain either Pastour or member. I suppose not.Colos. 2, 5. You (brethren) have not so learned Christ; whom you acknowledg both for the author of your faith, and instituter of your order ecclesiasticall. Neyther yet we, having learned otherwise by the grace of God. Christ the king doth gather, and form unto himself another kinde of kingdom amongst men, and the same to be administred by other officers, and according to other lawes. And if no place upon the face of the …ruth should be free for us (poore creatures) refusing upon meer conscience of God (as thou God the judg, and searcher of hearts knowest) to commingle, and prostitute our selvs in and unto this confusion, and domination hierarchicall, we have most assured hope, that heaven it self is open for us by Christ, who is the way, and whom in this dutie also we do serve, in which we shall at the length be fully free from this, and all other incumbrances.
Our adversaries bear in hand not onelyonly others, but even us our selvs also, that we do for certain trifleing matters, & as they speak, circumstantiall corruptions, sequester our selvs from the Church of England. And as nurses use to lisp with children, so they, that they might discend to our capacities, do oft and much instruct us, that unworthie members must be born in the church, especially of private persons; that some corruptions at least in the discipline and externall rites, are to be tolerated; that there may be the temple of God, though prophaned; the holy cittie though without a wall; the feild of the Lord, though the enemie sowtares amongst the wheat; also a heap of wheat, though much chaffe commingled therewithall. And that we, dul-bayards as we are; may at the length conceav those things, they verie seriously inculcate & whet upon us in these & the like considerations: as that the Israelitish church in its time was steyned with almost all enormities, both for manners and fayth: that …nto the same all Israelites and Iewes whatsoever without difference, were violently compelled by King Iosiah and others; as also, that in the parable, all were compelled to come to the mariage, good and bad, that the house might be filled. Lastly, that in the Apostolick Churches themselvs, there were not wanting some who practised, and others who taught vile, and evill things: that in one place the discipline was neglected, in another the verie doctrine of fayth corrupted, and manie the like matters, which it were to long to repeat.
Surely, foolish were we if we knew not these things, impudent, if we denyed them to be true for the most part; and lastly, unequall, if we acknowledged not, that manie the same, or like blemishes after a sort, will, and do creep into the Churches of our dayes: which yet to disclaym as unlawfull for the same, stood neither with wisdom, nor charitie. But the prudent Reader may plainly observe by the premises, that they are other matters, and of greater weight, for the most part, wherewith we, and our consciences are pressed.
We do not judg it an evill intollerable (though greatly to be bewayled) that evill men should be suffered in the church; but that all of most vile, and desperate condition, that such, and so great a kingdom affoards, should thereinto will they, nill they, be compelled: nor that the discipline (as they call it) or ecclesiast call government instituted by Christ, is neglected or violated, but that another plain contrarie unto it is set up by law, and fully, and publiquely everie where exercised: Neither lyes our exception against any personall, or acc…dentarie profanation of the Temple, but against the faultie frame of it, in respect of the causes constitutive, matter and form: Neither strive we about the walles of the cittie, but about the true, and lawfull citizens, the policie and government of the cittie of God, and essentiall administration of the same.
But to give more ful satisfaction to the indifferent reader, it seems worth the labour to descend particularly to a few, and the same the cheifest objections made on the contrarie behalf. And of them, that which may and ought to be said touching the Church of Israel, & its condition compared with the christian churches seems to deserve the first place. And touching it; first, the constitution of the Church of Israel is not to be considered in that whole, much lesse apostaticall, nation, but in holy Abraham, from whom it came, & in whom it was holy, as the lump in the first fruits, & the branches in the holy root: Rom. 11, 16.and that by vertue of the gratious covenant, I will be thy God, & the God of thy seed, Gen. 17. 7.first contracted with Abraham himself, & after renued with his seed, whole Israell. But now to affirm any such thing of the whole English nation were foolish; to prove it impossible.
2. God doth not now a daies select,Exod 10. 6. L…v. …0 25. & seve… from others as his peculiar, anie whole nation or people, as sometimes he did the people of Israel, both ecclesiastically, & civilly:Act. 10, 35. but in everie nation they who feare God, & work righteousnes are accepted of him. These, in what natiō soever combyning together in holy covenant, and worshiping God after the prescript of his H. word are that holy nation, the common wealth of Israel, 1 Cor 5, 10.the Israel of God, the temple & tabernacle of the living God, in which he hath promised to dwell: these he would have scattered in all places of the world, & to hould intercourse with the men of the world in the common affairs of this life, for their gaming if it may be unto Christ:Act. 2, 42. God adding dayly unto the church such as should be saved. Whereas on the contrarie, unto the church of England, whereof all natural English are together, & at once made members, it can hardly be, if at all, that anie at anie time should be added.
3. The verie land of Canaan was legally holy, … 19, …, 25. Gen. 14. ….& the land of the Lords inheritance, & whose fruit was to be circumcised, & her sabbaths kept, by the Lords appointment: & in which alone by divine …ght … were to be payed. And as holy things are not to be mingled with, or prost…tuted unto prophane, so neither was anie place in this land to be permitted unto prophane persons to dwell in. The seven prophane nations, which formerly had inhabited it,… 7, 15 Num. 1…. 13. were altogether to be destroyed by the Israelites being to possesse it for their inheritance, neither was merciemercy to be shewed them. After, if any, whether born in the land, or strangers, did ought with an high hand, he was to be cut off from among his people. … 15. 12 1….Herewith accords that of David the king, I will betime destroy all the wicked of the land. Lastly, …e that did not seek the Lord God of Israell with all his heart, was to be put … death, whether small or great, whether man or woman. Far be it from Godly princes, & other potentates in the world, to think, that it behooveth them in this rigorous manner to deal with their subjects: although there want not, who partly from a preposterous, & Iudaizeing zeal, & partly to serv their own ambition, cease not to inculcate unto the kings of the earth, above that is meet, the examples of the kings of Iudah.
4. It is not true that the kings of Iudah or Israel did const…yn any into the church by force, or compel them to undergo the condition of members, but only being members, to do their dutie. All the Israel…tes and posteritie of Iakob, had their part in the Lords covenant: unto which also they were bound to stand under perill of cutting off from the Lords people, both spiritually & bodily, according to the dispensation of the ould Testament in the land of Canaan. But of this our question is not for the present: That neither is to be considered, whether king David, Salomon, Iehosaphat & others did force circumcision, & other Mosaicall institutions upon the Edom…tes, Ammonites, and others by them subdued, & held in civill subjection; or whether they compelled them by coactive lawes, would they, nould they, fit or unfit, into the Church of God. That this was so, cannot be affirmed with modestie: which yet except it so were, hath nothing in it, which e…ther can hurte our cause, or help our adversaries.
Lastly, he who well weigheth with himself what legall, and typicall holines was in use of old in Israel, shadowing out the true, & sp…ritual holines; and withall by how much, both the more clear revelat on of heavenly things, & more plenteous grace of the spirit …s afforded to the churches since Christ, then was formerly to Israel, he shall see manie things making for the tolerating of much in Israel; which in us … plainly intollerable:See Rev. 2, 5. and 3, 16. & …thall Par…u… on 1 Cor. 7, 11. and that God will not use that patience & long-suffering towards any church now, nor permit, or wink at those things in it, which for the hardnes of their hearts, he bore in that ancient people.
The parable of the tares Matth. 13. followeth; with which as with some thunderboult, men both learned, and unlearned think us beaten all to fitters.
But first, these words, Let both grow togither till the harvest, v. 30. (frō which alone they do dispute) Christ the Lord doth not expound nor meddle with, in the opening of the parable: from them therefore nothing firm can be concluded. 2. Christ him…elf interprets the feild, not the Churh, but the world v. 38. as also the harvest not the end of the Church, but of the world, v. 39. And if by the world, you understand the Church, you must needs say, that Christ in the expounding of one parable, used another. 3. Both the text it self,vers. 28, 29, 30, 31. & reason of the thing do plainly teach that he doth not speak at all of excommunication, which servs for the bettering of the tares, but of their finall rooting up to perd…tion. Lastly, admit Christ spake of men apparently wicked in the Church,Se… S…ee. of ch. di…cip. 2 part m…th. 2. p. 24, 27, 25 28. either not to be excommunicated in certain cases (which with Gellius Snecanus I confidently denie) or not excommunicated as they ought to be, & therefore to be born of private members; the former of which is too ordinarie, especially in Churches enjoying peace, & prosperitie: the latter of which (the Church not being desperately bent on evill) I easily assent to, yet doth this place affoard no medicine for our grief; which ariseth not from any corrupt, or negligent administration of the Churches discipline, thorough the car…lesnes or want of wisdom (it may be too much wisdom such as it is) of the administers thereof, which are personall things; but from the verie constitution of the church it self, & subject of ecclesiasticall both government and power. Yea, I ad unto all these things, that we for our parts are willing in the busines, and controversie in hand to appeal unto the tribunall of this verie parable, and that expounded by our adversaries themselvs, & do willingly condiscend, that by it alone judgment be given in this matter.
Our Saviour Christ doth plainly teach, that this feild was sown with good seed alone; & that after, whilst men slept, the enemie, the divel came, & sowed …ares amongst the wheat. But on the contrarie, in the sowing the English f…ld, whether we respect the nat…onall or parochiall churches, together with the wheat the tares, & that exceeding the other infinitely, were at first, & yet are sown, & that of purpose, & under most severe penalt…s. And hence is the first & princ…pall pr…judice to our English harvest, & frō which I conceav all the rest to come. For unto this Ch. thus clapped, & clouted together of all persons of all sorts, & spirits without difference, no man equally & prudently weighing things, can denie, but that the pompous & imperious Hierarchicall government, together with all its accessories doth right well accorde.
To the things objected from the parable of the mariage Luke 14. & Mat. 22. I onelyonly answer, that those servants were the Prophets and Apostles; the son Christ himself; the compulsion to be made no otherwise, then by the preaching of the word: by which, as Calvin hath it, God doth importunately sollicit our slo…thfulnes, not onelyonly pricking us with exhortations, Calvin in Math. 22, 9.but cōpelling us with threatnings to come unto him: which word of God as it is by some wholly contemned, so doth it extort from others, onelyonly an externall & hypocritical obedience, but by manie is receaved, through the blessing of God, with al holy & devout affection.
Now unto these pa…ables of Christ manie are wont, and that very busily, to annex one of their own. A heap, say they, of wheat although it have much chaf mixed with it, & the … more in quantitie then the wheat is, … notwithstanding truly, & is rightly termed a heap of wheat; according to the Phylo…ophers rule, The den…mination to not of the greater, but better part.
I answer; first, that this axiom is not simply true: for if in the church, or any other convention popular, or in which things passe by voyces, the greater part hap to exceed the better, the denominat on of that passage, or decree, and so the whole processe of the matter, is according to the greater, though the worser part.
2. The chaf in that wheat is either of the same wheat, or of other, & brought from els where: if of that same, then it makes nothing to the present purpose, since wicked men appe…ein not to the persons of the godly, no… are their chaf: if of other, & from els where, it may easily be added in that quantitie & proportion, as that neither it may deserv the name of an heap of wheat, but of chaf; nor he that sels it for wheat, of an honest merchant, but of a deceiptfull impostour.
4. The things objected from the Apostolicall Churches are altogether personall, & accidentall; from which that the churches gathered of men, and by men governed, should be exempted, is …aither to be desired, then hoped for. But for us, the things which most afflict us in the Ch. of England, & presse us in the respect fore-mentioned to a secession from the same, do concern the verie materiall, & formall constitution of the ministeriall church, together with the essentiall administration of the Church-policie. And how different these things are, who seeth not?
Lastly, it is objected, that in the Ch. of England lively faith, & true pietie are both begotten, and nourished, in the hearts of many, by the preaching of the gospell there. God forbid, that we should not acknowledg that, & withall, that infinite thanks for the same are due to Gods great power & goodnes, both in respect of our selvs and others: Who notwithstanding the great confusion, both of persons, and things there to be found, vouchsafeth to his elect so plentifull grace, covering under the vayl of his superaboundant goodnes & mercy, by their …ncere fayth in Christ Iesus, their sins & aberrations, whether of ignorance, or infirmitie. What then must be done? should we continue in sin, that grace might abound? or shall we against knowledg go on to walk inordinately, because in our ignorance God hath vouchsafed us of his grace in that disordered state of things? without the ministerial church (of which we speak) the preaching of the gospell both may, & useth to be had, & by it sayth to be ingenerated, except christian churches be to be gathered of infidels & unbeleevers. Besides, what Minos, or Rha…amant will deny, that even in the bosom of the Romish church some fa…thfull persons may be found? how much more in that of England, in which the main truths of the gospell, the most & greatest errours of poperie being banished, are taught by so manie godly & learned men, with such zeal, and earnestnes? Now what of these things? Is it therefore lawfull for a Christian, eyther to content himself with himself, without joyning to any christian congregation; or to continue still in the bosom of the church of Rome, as a member under the Pope th… head? I therefore conclude out of M. Brightman, whose words I had raither use then mine own,M. Bright on Rev ch vers. 26. speaking of the government & ministerie of the Church of England, The fruit, to wit, of the word preached, doth no more exempt from blame our corruptions, then a true child doth adulterie.
And here thou hast (Christian Reader) the whole order of our conversation in the work of Christian religion, set down both as breifly, and plainly, as I could. If in anie thing we…er, advertise us brotherly, with desire of our information, & not (as our countrimens manner for the most part is) with a minde of reproaching us, or grat fying of others: and whom thou findest in errour, thou shalt not leave in obstinacie, nor as having a minde prone to schism. E…re we may (alasse too easily): but heretiques (by the grace of God) we will not be? But & if the things which we do, seem …ight in thine eyes, (as to us certainly they do) I do earnestly, & by the Lord Iesus admonish and exhort thy godly minde, that thou wilst neither withould thy due obedience frō his truth, no… just succour from thy distressed brethren. Neither do thou indure, that either the smalnes of the number, or meannes of the …ondition of those that professe it,Ter…u… pre…er … Heret. should prejudice with thee the pro…ssion of the truth: but have in minde that of Te…tullian, Do we measure mens faith by their persons, or their persons by their faith? as also that of Austin,Austin against Maxim. 3, 14. Iames 2, 1. Let matter weigh with matter, and cause with cause, and rea… with reason: but especially that of the Apostle, My brethren, have … the faith of our glorious Lord Iesus Christ in respect of persons. But now, it so come to passe (which God forbid) that the most being eyther forestalled by prejudice, or by prosperitie made secure, there be few found especially men of learning, who will so far vouchsafe to stoop, as to look upon so despised creatures, and their cause; this alone remaineth that we turn our faces & mouths unto thee (o most powerfull Lord, & gratious father) humbly imploreing help from God towards those, who are by men left desolate. There is with thee no respect of persons, neither are men lesse regarders of thee, if regarders of thee, so the worlds disregarding them. They who truly fear thee, and wo… righteousnes, although constreyned to live by leav in a forrain land, exiled from countrie, spoyled of goods, destitute of freinds, few in number, and mean in condition, are for all that unto thee (O gratious God) nothing the lesse acceptable: Thou numbrest all their wandrings, and puttest their tears into thy bottels: Are they not written in thy book? Towards thee, O Lord, are our eyes; confirm our hearts, & bend thine ear, and suffer not our feet to slip, or our face to be ashamed, O thou both just, and mercifull God. To him through Christ be praise, for ever, in the Church of Saints; and to thee (loving and Christian Reader) grace, peace, and eternall happines. Amen.
FINIS.
End of the text · John Robinson, Apology of Certain Christians (1625)