Instructions to a Son, Chapter 1
CHAP. I. Religion.
THis being your greatest concernment the director of all your actions, I cannot use my Paternal Authority to better purpose, then in adjuring you and straightly charging and requiring you, to be constant and zealous in the Religion now left established in this Kingdome. I will not take upon me now to decide controversies arisen betwixt ours and the Church of England in matters of Discipline, they agreeing altogether in Doctrine; all that I shall say is, that their Ceremonies have not been used here, and you have been bred up without them, and the Nation of Scotland otherwise affected, and therefore, you shall do well to continue in this Kirk, though I would rather have it your own choice, then any other consideration whatsoever. Diversity in any thing distracteth the mind, and leaves it waving in a dubious perplexity, and then how easy is it to sway the mind to either side; this is most true and experienced in Religion; you must therefore obfirmate your eares, and confirm your judgment, being once satisfied of the Excellency of your profession, and having received the true and sincere Doctrine.
Neither would I have you only fixt and constant in your Religion, but also very devout in the practise of it; that as heretofore your ancestors have been eminent for Honour, you that come short of them by this deliquium or Eclipse of it in me, may nevertheless exceed them in the true way to it, by your Zeal and Piety: and remember this, that he that is not truly religious, will hardly be esteemed such, since nothing is of less continuance then Hypocrisie and dissimulation, and if your religion be such, such will your greatness and honour be, a fained thing and a meer shadow.
The observance of Religion, and the exercise of good manners, do become none so much as illustrious persons, other glories have lifted them beyond the pitch and reach of men, but this is a ray of the Divinity which advanceth them neer to the Diety, and like the Diamond out-shines the lustre of all other Jewels. A religious heart and a clear conscience will make you truly conspicuous; it is as the mother of all other vertues; what brave effects of obedience to Princes hath it wrought in Subjects? look back to the primitive times and the Emperors, how courageous were they in all enterprises, hardy and resolute in dangers, liberal to their necessities, ready to do their utmost devoir in the distrest affairs of the Empire? and this from one pious principle, that in serving their Prince, they served God, whose Leiutenant he is, nor was there any difficulty over which their faith did not triumph.
Nevertheless, some have taxed, and it hath been along and strong imputation, that this Kirk of Scotland, doth teach sedition against, or at least the diminution of the Authority of their Princes. For my part I know no such matter, nor did I ever embrace or adhere to such opinions, though censured for them; if any mans entemperature hath vented such dangerous Tenets, or his rash presumption ventilated such questions, I have nothing to do with them, I disown and disclaim them; and therefore to remove this prejudice from you also, I charge you to make your duty to your Soveraign one of the chief points of your Religion, so far forth as it may consist with your obedience to God, who ought to be served best, and in the first place. There is such a reciprocation between both those services, that commonly they go together.
Whatever the late miscarriages have been by the peoples strugling for their Liberty of Conscience, as they are past, so they have left the means whereby they may be prevented for the future: and no doubt the good temperament of the King, with an easie indulgent hand of his Ministers, will keep Religion from the scandal of a Civil War.
'Tis a maxime of State, that where Princes and People are of a different Religion, they will not well agree; yet Modern experience, and since the Reformation arrived to a setled constitution and Church Government, evinceth the contrary; as at present in the Kingdome of France, and in Germany, where the quite opposite religions are peaceably and quietly profest. But God be thanked, there is no such contrariety in the religion professed in these two neighbouring Kingdomes, which may not (without animosity and interest keep the breach open,) be reconciled, All impatient zeal being turned into an aemulation of Loyalty to the King.
Cherish and maintain the Ministers of the Gospel, especially, painful able Preachers. Nothing brings more contempt upon, or aviles religion, and the service of God, in the eyes of the vulgar, then the necessities, wants and miseries, of Churchmen; what esteem you confer upon them, will soon redound and reflect again upon you. What the Heathen said of their Poets, that by their means and writings, famous men▪ were transmitted to immortality, who otherwise would have lain un perpetual oblivion; is very true of Evangelical Doctors, their prayers, and their instructions, and their recommendations of you, together with your own endeavour after Holiness, which is the only Fame and Glory, will transmit and place you hereafter in Heaven, and establish you here living and dead in the good will and praise of all men.
Let charity be a chief ingredient in your religion, both in giving and forgiving. As you shall have abilities, indulge the poor, and let them in some measure partake with you in your outward blessings and enjoyments. For the other, as you are always liable to offences, so be always as apt and prone to pardon or pass them by, which in the greatest adversities you can undergo, will never be out of your power to do.
Frequent the Church and the Houses of God, let no business invade or intrude upon your religious Houres; what you have destined to the Service of God, is already sacred to him, and cannot without great profaness be alienated from him, and conferred upon others; use private prayers, as well as go to the publick Ordinances.
For other duties necessary for a Christians practise, I refer you to the discipline and instructions of the Kirk, it being needless to repeat them here, being so exactly laid down by her, whom I take to be the purest Church.
For search all religions through the world, and you will find none that ascribes so much to God, nor that constitutes such a firm love among men, as does the Establish'd Doctrine, (I except the Schisms amongst us) of the Protestant Church among you: In whose Armes I leave you, and Her to the everlasting protection and guidance of God.