The Certainty of the Worlds of Spirits and Immortality of the Soul, Treatise · Conclusion
The CONCLUSION: Concerning Angels.
VVHile I consider these unquestionable Evidences of the certainty of Spirits, and how much they have to do with Men: I cannot but think that we have also much to do with them; with the bad, to resist them as our Enemies, and the Enemies of the Gospel, and the Church of God, against whom we must continually Watch and Pray, lest we fall into the Snares of their Temptations: And with the good, that we may be meet for their Preserving and Comforting Ministry.
But in all our Histories it is observable, that bad Spirits Apparitions and Actions, are far more frequent, and more Sensible than good ones; which may perhaps to some seem strange. Concerning which I consider;
1. That Corporeal Crassitude is an abasement, and therefore fittest for the more Ignoble sort of Spirits: We that dwell here in Bodies, are of a lower Order, than those of the more high and invisible Regions.
2. And the bad Spirits as they have a baser Consistence, have also a more base and Terrene Inclination. And therefore it is the less wonder, that they mind matters of Money and Lands: And no doubt but the Souls of wicked Men carry with them much of the Vicious Habits, in which they lived here: That is, of Covetousness and Revenge; And they that tell us, that such as Dives retain no Love to their Brethren on Earth, speak more than they can prove; and are not so Credible as Christ that seemeth to say the contrary. Some make a state of departed Souls, Good and Bad, out of their own Inventions, which it's very likely Death will Confute.
3. And it is far greater things than Visible Appearances, that we constantly receive from Angels, more sutable to their Nature and Dignity, and to our good. Some Men have long Laboured to attain a Visible or Sensible Communion with them, and think they have attained it: But while they presumptuously desire to pervert the Order of Gods Houshold and Government, it is no wonder if in stead of Angels, they Converse with Devils that are Transformed into seeming Angels of Light, that by Delusion, they may Transform such Men into Ministers of Righteousness.
It is a doleful Instance, of the effect of a perverse kind of opposition to Popery, and running from one Extream to another, to note how little Sence most Protestants shew of the great Benefits that we receive by Angels: How seldom we hear them in publick or private, give thanks to God for their Ministry and Helps? And more seldom pray for it? When hear we any Ministers Teach Believers, what Love and what Thanks they owe to Angels, whereas the Excellency and Holiness of their Natures obligeth us to love them, and their Love and Care of us, bespeaketh Thankfulness: Yea, we have Teachers that would perswade Men that this Savoureth of Popery, and doth Derogate from Christ: And yet if the People Love and Honour and maintain them, they take this to be no Derogation from Christ. As if they were more Amiable then Angels, or Christ may not use the Ministry of Angels as well as their's. The Lord pitty the distracted divided Societies of Christians, who in all Countries are fallen into Uncharitable Sects, that on pretence of saving the Truth, and the Church from the Errours of each other, do corrupt both by the Addition of contrary Errours; so that it's hard to find out many Errours of Popery or Ancient Heresie; which hath not been avoided by contrary faults, in the Corruption of Doctrine, Charity or Concord.
Devils have a greater Game to play invisibly, than by Apparitions. O happy World, if they did not do a hundred thousand times more hurt, by the Baits of Pleasure, Lust and Honour, and by Pride, and love of Money and Sensuality, than they do by Witches! O! that they did not more dangerously Hant the Houses and Souls of Lords, Knights, Gentlemen, and Lustful Youths! Who can Conjure them out of Universities and Pulpits, out of a Malignant Sclanderous Clergy and Laity, out of Worldly self-seeking Carnal Men? I have before told you of the Witch Magdalen Crucia, who got the Reputation of a Saint, by having the Sacramental Bread brought to her Mouth in the sight of all the People, by an Invisible Carryer; Bodin, and many others Record the Story, and how to get Pardon, she went to the Pope himself, and confessed how from twelve years old the Devil had lain with her thirty years, and made her the Abbess of a Monastery: I fear lest the visible Hand of some Priest do play this Devils part, and give the Sacrament to such as more openly serve the Devil all the week, and are forced to receive it to escape a jail, or do it as a Sacrifice to expiate the guilt of an Ungodly Life.
If the Devil can get People (perhaps Lords and Ladies) to spend the Day (their precious Hours) in Cards and Dice, and Feastings, and Stage-plays, and Masks and Musick, and perhaps filthy Lust, he will let you say your Prayers at Night, and cry God Mercy, and perhaps tell him that you Repent, that you may Sin on the more boldly the next day: And it's like he will provide you a Ghostly Father, as bad as your selves, that shall give you the Sacrament as a sealed Pardon, and pronounce you absolved, and that as in the name of Christ.
All these effects of Devils, the World abounds with; but the effects of Angels are observed, but by very few. Because even as the Sadduces, think that all these Vices and Confusions are only the effects of Mens own pravity, and not of Devils, not knowing that all such Births have a Father and a Mother (the Devil and Mens own Hearts) so most good people look so much to God and to Ministers, in all that is done on them, that they take little notice of Angels that are Gods greater Ministers, as if they had little to do with us.
By this, 1. We give not to God the due Honour of the Order of his Works: 2. We are guilty of Unrighteousness, in denying their Due Love and Gratitude to such Noble Agents. 3. We lose the Comfortable Remembrance of our own Communion with them. 4. We lose some helps to a Heavenly Mind and Conversation, when as it would make the thoughts of Heaven more Familiar and Pleasant to us, to think of such a Holy and Amiable Society, and would make us the willinger to die.
As to them that say, that it is enough to know that Christ is all to us, and we must take heed of ascribing any thing to Creatures; I Answer, is Christ the less all to us, for giving us his Mercies? For giving us the Ministry of Angels? Is he the less All to us, for giving Gifts to Men, for giving Comforters and Merciful Relievers to the poor? For giving to Children the Love and Care of Parents? Or for giving Men good Princes and Magistrates to Rule them? Or for giving them Soldiers to fight for them? Or for giving you Ministers to Teach you? Who more praiseth their Teachers, than such Objectors? Will you be unthankful to your Benefactors, for fear of ascribing to Creatures? Will you not praise a Godly Man above a Wicked? Will you not praise and admire the Glory of the Sun and Stars, and the Frame of Heaven and Earth, for fear of ascribing to Creatures? Is the praising of a Work, a wrong to the Workman?
Indeed this agreeth with their Doctrine, who because …aul counted all his Mosaical Legal Righteousness as loss and Dung, in Comparison of the Righteousness that God gave him in and by …hrist, do therefore …y, that we must count all that Righteousness as Dung, which …hrist himsel… worketh in us by his Spirit, even Faith it se… which is imputed or reckoned to us for Righteousness. This enticeth Men to be out of Love with Christian Righteousness, when Christ hath made it our own, if it be no better than Dung? And to fear that some such Men have no better. But they say, they account Faith and Love to Christ to be Dung, only as to Iustification: As if God did not make all Men just, whom he justifieth by Esteem and Sentence: Or, as if that were Righteousness that doth in no part or degree make a Man Righteous: Or, as if any but Christians, as such, are justified: Or any Man were a Christian before he accepteth Christ by a Loving and Thankful Consent or Trust, as his Saviour and his Teacher, and his Lord and Ruler: But this is a Digression, which Mens talk against ascribing to Angels led me to.
We are not for ascribing to Angels (nor to Faith and Love and Holiness) the least part of the Honour proper to God, or to Jesus Christ: They do none of the Work of our Redeemer for us (nor can we do the least of it for our selves unless as the Work of his Instruments and Agents, may be called Christs Work: They save us indeed, but it is but as Timothy was taught by Paul, how to save himself, and those that heard him; and we are bid to save our selves. Christ teacheth us, and Ministers teach us. Christ Feedeth us, and we Feed our selves; yea, he faith that we feed him: And that he will for so doing, say, Come ye Blessed, inherit the Kingdom. Angels and Men do Christs Commanded Work: But no Creature doth the least part of Christs own proper undertaken Work.
Objection. But these high Thoughts of Angels have draw… the Papists to Idolatry, in Praying to them, and Worshipping them.
Answer. It is your denying them the Honour that is due to them, which is a Temptation that hardneth Papists in their Excess.
Must we not Love and Honour Kings, Ministers and Saints, though some herein run into Extreams. We have many Reasons against Praying to Angels, or offering them Visible Corporeal Worship; Because we know not just when they are present: And because it may Countenance the Heathens Demon Worship and Idolatry; And because God hath appointed us no such sort of Worship. But God having largely told us of their Love to us, and their constant eminent Service for us, he thereby obligeth us to answerable Regard, Affections and Acknowledgment.
I have said so much in a small Discourse in Mr. Isaack Ambro…e his Book of Communion with Angels (at his request, who is now with Angels) that I will not here Recite very many particular Texts of Scripture about this Subject: But if you will but look in your Concordance, you may see what abundant mention of Angels there is throughout all the Scripture, while we hear so little of them in our Books or Pulpits. It's true, that in the Old Testament time, they ofter Visibly appeared, than they do now: But that is no Derogation to our Gospel State; As it is more Spiritual than theirs, that needed more Visible means, so our Spiritual Benefits by them before named, are greater than theirs were.
1. How Familiar were Angels with Abraham, who entertained them as Men, till they made themselves better known to him: They were the Messengers of the great promise to him of the Numerous and the Holy Seed. They Reproved Sarah for her Unbelief, that they might comfort her by the promised Seed.
How Familiar were they with Lot, when they came into his House, and took him in, and blinded his Enemies, and told him their Message concerning Sodom, and when they carried him while he delayed to depart? And when they saved Zoar for his sake?
How Familiar were they with Iacob, in his Travels, and his Return; when he saw them as by a Ladder, ascending and descending; And when one of them wrestled with him, and Blessed him, though he made him halt?
I know that many excellent Divines do that one of these called Angels, was Christ. To which I say, 1. If it were so, that doth not deny, but confirm what I am pleading for: If Christ appearing, made Angels his Companions, it was the more for their Honour.
2. But if this be true, either Christ had a Body, yea many Bodies before his Incarnation by Mary, or not. If not, what were all these Similitudes of Men that did eat and drink, and talk, and act? Were they mere …hadows and Delusions? How then could they speak, and act so Potently? If yea, then was the pure God head Hypostatically united to these many appearing Bodies; Or not: Who can prove a difference save as to the Matter and Duration, between his union with these, and with his last assumed Flesh. And yet the Scripture appropriateth Christs Inca…tion, and coming in the Body to the Fun… of Time and to those last days. I am …th to say without proof, that Christ … Bodies, lest any should infer that there have been many Christs: But if this … be held, it will introduce Peter Sterr… Doctrine as most probable, that Christ as the Eternal Word …, God first … the Noblest re…ted Nature ab…e … (or as Dr …ore calleth it, an Eternal …, or as he and Iohn Turner a p…ime Created …e in the pri…e Matter) and did unite …lf to this …| lical Nature, and by it cause all the rest: And that this second Nature appeared to the Fathers by such Temporary assumed Bodies, and at last assumed the Body of a Man: being, say some, it self a Soul to it; but as others, assuming both a Human Soul and Body: And so, that Christ hath three Natures, a Divine, a Superangelical, and a Humane: But of this oft elsewhere. This opinion is reconciling as to the Artans, who have affirmed Christ to be a Creature above Angels: And if God made such a Creature, methinks it should be easie to perswade them, that he that is as the Center, and more than a Soul, maketh all the World to be One (though of unlike parts) doth primarily unite himself with the first and Noblest of his productions.
Objection. But Scripture saith, that Abraham called one of these Lord.
Answer. That Name both Adonai and Elohun, are oft given to Creatures. And if the Name of Iehovah be sometimes used as to Angels, it is only meant to God, speaking by them whom Abraham knew to be present, though Invisible, and to know all that was said.
Yet further, it was an Angel that appeared to M…ses in the burning the Bush, and so that sent him on his work to deliver the Israelites from Egypt, and Fortified him with power of Miracles, and made him his great promises of Success: And yet no doubt it was God; and the Text is true, that affirmeth both: Therefore it must be God speaking and acting by the Ministry of an Angel, Commissioned to use his Name.
It was Angels that gave M…ses the Law in the Mount Sinai: For so saith the Scripture. But it was God by them, who were his Voice and Finger that made and wrote the Tables, and spake all the words; these were all Great and Wonderful Ministrations.
God promised Moses, that his Angels should go before the Israelites, to conquer their Enemies, and bring them into the promised Land: And he chargeth them not to provoke him, for Gods Name was upon him; and he would not forgive their Iniquities. What greater things could be said, than that an Angel shall bear Gods Name, and be their Captain, and Conquer their Enemies, and be their Governour, and not forgive their wilful Sins.
In Ioshuahs War at Iericho, an Angel appeareth, and professeth himself the Captain of the Lords Hosts, Josh. 5. 14, 15. and Joshua fell on his face to the Earth, and Worshipped him, and prayed to him to tell him his Message. If Angels be not the Generals or Captains of our Armies, we are unlike to Conquer.
It was by an Angel, that God brought the Israelites out of Egypt, Numb. 20. 16. It was an Angel that chose a Wife for Isaack, Gen. 24. 7. 40. The Angel of Gods Presence saved the Israelites, Isa. 63. 9. An Angel delivered the three Men, Dan. 3. from the Fire, and Daniel from the Lions: Dan. 6. Angels Preached Christ to the Shepherds. An Angel made the pool in Ierusalem healing. Io. 5. 4. An Angel Preacheth to Cornelius. An Angel delivereth Peter, Act. 12. The Angel of the Lord Encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them, Ps. 34. 7. God giveth his Angels charge over us, to keep us in all our ways: They bear us up in their Hands, lest we dash our Foot against a Stone. Psal. 91. 11, 12. Rev. 1. Tells us, that God first Revealeth his Will to Christ, and Christ to Angels, and Angels to Iohn, and Iohn to the Churches, and the Churches to Posterity. Yea, Angels Ministred to Christ himself, when he was hungry, Mat. 4. 11. And appeared in his Agony, strengthening him. Luke 22. 43. Legions of Angels are at his Service: And all the Holy Angels will come with him at Judgment; and they will be the Reapers at the end of the World.
Above 260 times are Angels mentioned in Scripture, and yet how little notice do we take of their help?
But is it only our Bodies that they help? Can they reach or help our Souls? Answ. If Devils can touch our Souls with their Temptations, are Angels farther from us, or less able to move us to our Duty?
But are they ordinarily present, or know our Case? Answ. They rejoice in our Conversion, and therefore know it: They are present in our Assemblies, as Paul intimareth, 1 Cor. 11. 10. Say not before the Angel, that it was an Errour, Eccl. 5. 6. which intimateth the Angels Presence. Every Believer hath his Angel beholding the Face of our Father in Heaven, Matth. 13 10 and they are not Strangers to their Charge. We feel that the Devil is present with us by his Temptations continually, in all our Duties molesting or hindering us: And are Angels less intent upon their Work? It is Michael and his Angels, that fight against the Dragon and his Angels, to save the Church.
While such Texts make the Papists think that Angels are always, or ordinarily present, if they give them not Divine Worship but such as we would do a Prince, though I have said before why I approve not of their Doings, I dare not, as some late Expositors of the Revelation, judge the Catholick Church to have become AntiChristian Idolaters, as soon as they gave too much Worship to Angels, and to Saints. We are come to the New Ierusalem, to the Innumerable Angels, Heb. 12. and must honour them that fear the Lord, Psal. 15. And we know that we are translated from Death to Life, becau…e we love the Brethren: And is it so damnable Idolatry to love and honour Angels and Saints a little too much while they give them nothing proper to God? I blame their Irregularities, but I dare not judge so hardly of them, and the ancient Church, for this, as some do; nor think them much better, that love and honour Angels and Saints as much too little.
Some now would call a Man an Idolater, that should say as Iacob, Gen. 48. 16. The Angel which redeemed me from all Evil bless the Lads. They say. This Angel was Christ. Answ. Scripture saith it was an Angel: Hos. 12 4. saith, He had power over the Angel. I dare not call God an Angel, though Angels may be called Gods, as Princes be. If Christ had then no Nature but the Divine, I should suspect it is Arianism to call him an Angel, or Messenger of God. If he had a Body, then was it Ubiquitary: Or had he infinite numbers of Bodies? Or could he be but with one in the World at once?
For my part, I have had many Deliverances so marvellous, as convinceth me of the Ministry of Angels in them, (not here to be recited.) But I am satisfied, that there is no less of the Presence and Efficacy of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, when he useth and honoureth any Instruments, Angels, or Men, than if he used no Means at all. As I will not desire so to alter the stated Government and Order of God, as to expect here visible Communion with Angels, nor will offer them any unrequired Worship; so I would not unthankfully forget how much we receive by them, from Christ, and how much we are beholden to them, and to God and our Redeemer for them. And I hope they will shortly be a Convoy to the Soul of this poor Lazarus, to Abraham's Bosom, or to the Paradise where I hope to be with Christ, Amen.
One thing more I think meet to mind the Reader of, that he may not lose the Benefit of these Histories: That is, How to discern a good Spirit from a bad. The Scripture telling us that three things are the Characters of Devils, Lying, Malignity and Hurtfulness, (Ioh. 8.) which include all Uncharitableness, Revenge and Division, we may certainly gather, that it is a Diabolical Spirit that promoteth these, whatever the Pretences are.
1. The Antichristian Errour, called Antinomian, that would set Christ against Christ, and make Men believe that his Death hath made all our Obedience to his Government a thing that shall never do us any good, (being called Works,) and all our Sins against his Grace to be so harmless, that we ought not to think that we shall be ever the worse for them; and that the Elect that live in Perjury, and Murder, and Adultery, or any other Sin, are not perjured, Murderers, Adulterers, because now they are Christ's Sins, and not theirs, (with many such Reproaches of Christ, called by the Crispians, the Exalting of him.) These certainly are from Devils, and God doth notably disown them, as the fore mentioned Instances of the Ranters, and those in New England, mentioned by Mr. Weld, do shew. And the doleful Form of Mr. Davies Congregation, about Rowel in Northamptonshire, of the Madness, Blasphemies, Barkings and Beastility there, I leave to the Enquiry of sober Persons: Though I am no Witness of it, the Reports are such as are not meet to be silenced.
Mr. Samuel Crispe hath published this Week a Book, as against me, in defence of his Father; telling the World, that he understands not what he writeth of, and ignorantly defending what I affirm, and confuting his Father, thinking it a Defence of him.
I deny not but a Crispian may be a Christian, while, through Ignorance, he believeth not his own Words. But he that will but read the Scripture, and particularly, the Texts cited by me in my Confession of Faith, shall see how fully Christ hath confuted Crispe, and vindicated his Mediatorial Office
II. And all those Principles, Passions and Practices that are against the Love and Concord of Christians, whatever pretence of an Angel of Light, or other Ministers of Righteousness, may be their Cloak, are undoubtedly from the dividing Devil.
III. And more evident is it that it is no better Spirit that inspireth all the Slanderers, Silencers and Persecuters of the faithful Ministers of Christ; and those that make and execute the Laws for the imprisoning and ruining of the most cons…ionable Christians, for their avoiding notorious Sin, or, at least, for doubtful Infirmities, incomparably less than these Persecuters (Clergy or Laity) are guilty of. By their Fruits you may know what Spirit ac… …eth these Men. Wolves, Thorns and Thistles are known by Hartfulness Christ's Miracles were, Doing Good, and Healing: But Devil's Work is Hurting, and Destroying.
And let those Men and Women think of it, that cannot forgive, but are set upon Revenge. Mark whether Revenge be not the most ordinary Business of Witches, and of Devilized Souls; most of these Histories tell it you: Therefore Christ telleth us, that if we forgive not, we shall not be forgiven; so contrary is he to the Diabolical Spirit of Revenge, though yet he hath just and punishing Governours.
Were but the Histories of Witches and Apparitions well considered, it would help Men to understand, that Devils make no small number of the Laws and Rulers that are made in the World and have no small number of honoured Servants, and are the Authors of most of the Wars in the World: So that the Phrase, Rev. 3. The Devil shall cast some of you into Prison,] should not seem strange. And I would I had no Cause to say, that this Mark of Lying, Malignity and Hurtfulness tells us, that many Sermons are made by Devils, and too many of the Books written by them, that adorn the Libraries of many learned Men.
And though Demons do good in order to do hurt, yet, by this Rule of Judging of Spirits by their Fruits, I cannot but think that (though there was a Mixture of Good and Bad) there was more of the good Spirit, than of the Bad, in most of the ancient Monks and Hermites, that lived so strict and mortified Lives. And, as I find, not only by Erasmus, but by the Complaint of Protestant Divines, that it was a Desire of Liberty from the Papists Austerities, that prevailed with most of the Vulgar to cast off Popery; so the Case of many Monasteries, their Mortification and Devotion, (though ignorant,) doth make me hope that in many such Monasteries there is more of the Spirit of God, than among the common worldly, sensual sort of Protestants. I that must say so of our well-meaning Separatists here, must say so of such Papists: For I find by the multitude of Instances in Caesarius and others, that just as deep Repentance for former Sin, doth now bring many to think it safest to joyn with the Congregations, which they think are most strict: So before Luther's time, it was ordinary, when God humbled any deeply for their Sin, to think that they must presently joyn with such as renounced the World and fleshly Pleasures, and minded nothing but Religion and Salvation. And thence it came to pass, that among the Papists, the Monasticks were called Religious, in distinction from Secular, and other sorts of Men. And as our separating religious Protestants do now demand of such as they admit to their Communion, an Account of some special Experiences of God's Work on their Hearts, in their Conversion: So did the Monasteries by such as they received. The aforesaid Author Caesarius will tell you of multitudes of Instances how God converted Sinners, and brought them into their Religious Houses.
What can one think of all this, but that, as all that we here do is imperfect and faulty, and yet pardoned through Christ, to the Sincere; so among Papists, and honest Sectaries, there is much that is of God, and shall be accepted, though Satan, by their Ignorance and his Subtilty, do obscure and maculate the Lustre of it, and turn it into Scandal. For such is his Warfare against Christ and his Kingdom in this World.
God is good, and doth good; and will have Mercy, and not Sacrifice: And his Justice doth hurt, for a greater Good.
The Devil is a Do-Evil: And if he do Good it is to greater Hurt.
And Oh that I could get my own, and all Readers Hearts sufficiently affected with this Observation! That as all our Life is carried on in a Warfare, and Satan's Malice is both against Christ and us; so his great Work is, to draw us into some Sins which shall cloud the Glory both of the Grace and the Miracles of Christ, and damp the Comfort which we might have received by all his Mercies.
If he see an honest Christian zealously affected, dra… him by Temptation of the Flesh into some Scandal, or by Ignorance into some false Opinions, and that Glory of all his Zeal is presently turned into Reproach. If he do but fail out with some of his Neighbours, and by Passion, or for Worldly Interest, offend them, all his Piety goeth not only for Hypocrisie, but for a Reproach to Piety it self. Yea, if they fall but into Melancholy, and Impatience, and Discontent, the Devil sets them to affright Men from Religion, as we set up Mawkins in our Corn and Orchards, to affright the Birds.
The sad Bewdley-Story, before related, is an Instance that was sad to me. The African Story, before-mentioned, is more tremendous; of the Bishops whose Tongues were cut out by Hunnerichus the Arrian King's Command, and they spake well when their Tongues were cut out: Victor Vticensis, Gazaeus and Procopius, that all then lived, witness it; and some, if not all of them, I remember, say, that they saw and heard them: And yet (say some of them) the Devil after overcame some of these same Bishops to commit Fornication with Women, and then the Miracle ceased, and they could speak no more.
Oh, how amiable would a holy and heavenly Life appear, were it not conspurcated with the Mixture of its Contraries? How beautiful would the Wisdom of a Saint appear, were it not dishonoured by the Mixture of Ignorance and Errour? How joyfully and thankfully could I review all the Wonders of Mercy that have filled up my Life, to this present Hour, had I not mixed those many Transgressions that must not be remembred without Grief and Sha…e, though through Christ they be forgiven? Though I can say that Pride, Ambition, and Covetousness, and Worldly Preferments, have not been strong enough to cloud my Comforts, yet, alas! what a multitude of Faults; by Carelesness, Incogitancy, Rashness, Passion, and Want of due Watchfulness and Tenderness of Conscience, have done it! Oh, with what joyful Praise to God could I peruse all the History of my Pilgrimage, did not this woful Mixture of my Sins damp and allay my Comforts; and by Indignation against my self, abate my Peace! I believe Forgiveness and Safety from Hell: But if (besides my near sixty Years Castigatory Pains) I did suspect, with Augustine, that there were a Purgatory hereafter, I should fear it; not out of any Doubt of the Sufficiency of Christ's Satisfaction, Righteousness and Merits to their proper Ends, but because I believe that he is my Governour, though by a Law of Grace and Faith, and that he is a Judge, and that he is not indifferent whether we obey him, or disobey him. If I believe not Christ, I am no Christian: And if I believe Christ's constant Doctrine, particularly, Matth. 5. and 6. and 7. and 25. I can no easier be made a CHRISPIAN, than I can believe the grossest Contradiction. And I now think this distinguishing Name as useful as was the Name of Nicolaitans. Rev. 2. & 3.
One thing more I desire to be observed, about the warfare between Christ and Devils; That both sides make great use of Human Instruments, especially of Princes and Pastors or Teachers, and Parents. These are the three great Organes (under Angels) appointed by God, for the Moral, Free Agency in promoting the Kingdom of Christ on Earth: And where these three are Faithful, O! How great a Blessing are they? Therefore it is the grand design of Devils, to Corrupt these three, and to make them Traytors to Christ, that is their Rightful Lord, and Enemies to his Work, and him whom they should Represent. No deadlyer Enemies to Children, then ungodly Parents. No deadlyer Enemies to the Worshippers of Christ, than Malignant, Proud, Ignorant, Worldly Clergy-men? No such Powerful Enemies to Kingdoms, as Ungodly, Ignorant Kings and Magistrates. O! How much Good, or Mischief may One King, … Supream Power do, by the great Advantage that God the Institutor of Government hath given them? Asia, Africa, America and Europe, are doleful Monuments of the Success of Devils, by making Princes, Priests and Parents their Instruments, corrupting them by Ignorance, and by worldly fleshly Baits! Mr. Cotton Mather in the Life of Mr. Eliot the New-England Evangelist, Reciteth this Account of his (p. 93.) why the Lyn Indians were all naught, save one, Because their Sachim (or King) was naught: For they and the Powvowes or (wizards) like Priests, did with Malice, Threatning and Persecution, drive the People from receiving the Gospel, and praying to God. What a dangerous case through Mutual Hostility, and cruel… Persecution, hath sometimes one Law, Political or Ecclesiastical, brought a Nation into, by locking the Church Doors against Unity, Concord, and Mutual Love, and by Stoning the Dissenters from such dividing Snares? And what a Blessing hath one good Prince; yea, one Reforming or Healing Law or Proclamation been to a Land?
What a Blessing to the Church, were such Bishops as Ignatius, Cyprian, Basil, the three or four Gregories, Chrysostom, Proclus, Atticus, Augustine, and such as they: And what Scandals and tearers were the contrary minded: Who by their Ignorance and Pride on pretence of Uniting, cut the Church and Empire into the Shreds, that yet continue, and were a grief to Constantine, and more to Theodosius; 2. To Anastasius, and to many a Worthy Emperour? And when they grew stronger, deposed their true Rulers the Eastern Emperors, and such as Ludovicus Pius, and kept up bloody Warrs against Emperors in the West, till they deprived most Kings of half their Government.
The God that fixeth the Course of Nature, so as that he will not for the Prayers of any make the Sun alter a Minute of its rising and setting time, nor alter the Spring and Fall, Summer and Winter, &c. Hath setled also a Subordinate order of Free-agents for Moral Government, and though he dispose of the Events of all Mens Acts, without causing their Sin, yet will he not usually violate that free order. It's Marvellous the Devils have so much power over Children and Men, as I have here proved, if but a silly wretched Witch consent; And how much more mischief may he do to Church and Kingdom, if he can but get Bishops, Priests and Princes, and Law-makers to consent.
Therefore above all other Resistance of Devils: O! Pray hard for Wise and Godly Kings and Magistrates, and for Wise and Humble and Faithful Teachers, and next for Family Piety. And if ever the Kingdoms, Churches and People be reduced to Wisdom, Unity and Sobriety, this must be the means according to Gods Established way.
FINIS.