The Principle of Protestant Truth and Peace, Treatise 3 · Objection 7

The Principle of Protestant Truth and Peace · Treatise 3 · Objection 7

p. 63Object. 7. Order and Government in the Church, or National Religion, cannot be preſerv'd without ſuch Guards upon both Piety, Order, and Unity; for beſides that Publick Authority hath thought them fit, there are many private Chriſtians zealous of them, and that would be ſcandaliſed, if they were taken away, as if the Precept of the Apoſtle were broken, Let all things be done Decently, and in Order; and of them greateſt care is to be had, as owning the Publique Authority moſt.

Anſw. I have already aſſerted, in anſwer to ſome parts of this Objection;

1. That Religion and Piety are its own beſt Guards, and Devotion to God preſerv'd moſt awful, as well as moſt pure, in its own Spirituality and Truth.

2. That all Natural and Neceſſary Order and Decency, are always to be ſecured, as much as may be, as being above the Scale of meer Indifferents.

3. That Unity is to be preſerv'd in the Inviolate love of Chriſtians to one another, center'd in thoſe principal p. 64Things, Love of God and Chriſt, and keeping his Commandments; and not in one Face of Ʋniformity; which is, if plac'd upon Ceremonials, in its own Nature, as variable as the Phaſe of the Moon.

4. I add, The more Publick Societies in Religion are intended, and deſired to be, the more Comprehenſive the Forms of Union muſt be. The Prudence, and holy Caution, of that firſt Council we read of in the Chriſtian Church, is always to be followed: When the Jews and Gentiles were to come into the neareſt Union, and as great an Ʋniformity, as was any way neceſſary, either in the ſeveral Churches, or the whole Church; when Doubts and Diſputes had ariſen concerning the Terms of their Union, was that prime Canon made, (happy had it been, if that Pattern had been ever ſince kept to) It ſeemed good to the Holy Ghoſt, and to us, to lay upon you no other Burden, than Theſe neceſſary Things; one neceſſary by a perpetual Morality, one other in the fear and danger of Idolatry, or Scandal: The other two neceſſary at that time, but by alteration of Time they dropp'd off, as to any Religious Import; except as general Nature may check at them.

5. The Banding of Societies in unneceſſary Rites, is rather of Eccleſiaſtick Intereſt and Domination, than of the Concerns of Chriſtian Religion.

6. If there are ſuch Varieties, that ſome cannot ſerve God, without adorning their Worſhip with theſe Arbitrary Rites of Order and Decency, they muſt ſtand or fall to their own Maſter: If they have ſuch a Faith, ſeeing the Danger of Scandaliſing lies moſt on the ſide of Ceremonies, they are thoſe that ſhould have it to themſelves before God, not they that doubt; or, becauſe it is the Publickly Eſtabliſhed Order, they ſhould carry the Happineſs, the Priviledge of their full Perſwaſion humbly, and compaſſionately, being not high minded, but fearing, leſt in ſome parts of that, wherein they ſeem ſo clear, Cauſes of Condemning p. 65themſelves lye hid at preſent, and afterwards ſtart out.

But all this cannot be a Standard for others; they that are doubtful ought not to be ſcrewed up, by Engines and Pullies, to this Happineſs: Seeing then there are ſome that dare not ſerve God in this way, we muſt ſeek out other Terms of Union, and they are very near us; the vital Union of Chriſtianity, our National Reformed Religion, which may ſubſiſt well enough, if we would let it, in theſe leſſer Diſtinctions.

It did not make diverſe Churches in Primitive Rome, that ſome Chriſtians diſtinguiſhed Meats and Days, and others did not.

Yet the aſſerting the Rights of the Goſpel-Freedom from Judaick Bondage, was of more concernment to the Chriſtian Church, at that time, than all the Order and Decency of Deſpotick Ceremonies can be worth to it now.

Let us therefore, as the Concluſion of this Head of Scandal, always remember, upon the point of Indifferency, That, All that it is, hath been nam'd already, and it is known to be Indifferency, and it may not contend with Scandal, that is mightier than it; for Scandal is Scandal, real Miſchief, and lays about it from every Quarter with Miſchiefs. How much better then is it, that indifferent things in Religion were taken away, even while the World ſtandeth, than that they ſhould be kept up as the Sconces of Scandal?

For Indifferent Things let not the Work of God be deſtroyed, nor any for whom Chriſt dyed in danger to Periſh; the more we eſteem our Church, our Religion, our Worſhip of God, the better and purer they are, the more it is pity any ſhould be divided from it, ſhould be ſo far ſcandaliſed, as to be Schiſmaticks from it, either in our account, or if it be that Sin, in the real danger of it, and of periſhing in it. The more excellent our Church is, the more the Apoſtles Rules take hold of us. Let not the good of our Church p. 66be evil ſpoken of, as if it was Ceremonial; Let us not loſe any from our Church, for Meat and Drink: Increaſe not the Woe of Scandal any way, for ſo mean Things, as Indifferents.

Let us not indanger our ſelves into the Woe of him, by whom Scandal comes, for Elements.

But beſides all theſe Conſiderations, there is not ſo abſolute a ſecurity in adding any thing, under any Name whatever, to the pure Worſhip of God, any more than to his Word, leſt we be found Lyars to him, miſmatching with it, what will not endure the Fire. Greateſt Peace have they that Prov. 30. 5, 6.Prov 30:5Prov 30:6love thy Law, O Lord, and that only; nothing ſhall offend them, in nothing will they offend others. Obſerving Rites that had been Divine, was not ſo ſafe to the firſt Chriſtians, having to do with Rites that had been corrupted Idolatrouſly, and Superſtitiouſly, proved very Fatal. Ceremonies are but Shaddows, Superſtition eaſily pervades that little thin Eſſence they have: They have not the Right of being Gods Creation to bring them off, to lye lower than their Corruption, and commend them: There is no ſuch Cauſe to be over-zealous of ſuch things, in regard of which, a late **Father Simmons's Critical Hiſtory.Romaniſt hath ſaid, The true Religion of the Church of England, differs little from the Romiſh, in outward appearance.

The Argument ſtrikes all ways, if our Conſtitution be ſo good, and injur'd not at all by Ceremonies, let us, as Chriſt, Seek, and ſave that which is loſt; thoſe we look upon, as the leaſt, that believe in Chriſt, let them not be loſt for Ceremonies. The Love and Compaſſion of a Saviour, triumphs towards theſe leaſt, eaſily Offended, narrow-ſoul'd, moroſe, ſuppoſe them; Smoaking Flax, bruiſed Reeds, yet deſpiſe them not, if Chriſtians, if Proteſtants. Their Angels behold the Face of the Father, of Chriſt in Heaven. Let them not be Offended, Scandaliſed from Union with our National Church for Ceremonies.

p. 67If on the other ſide, our Ceremonies in Gods account ſhould be blemiſhes of our Church, and Imperfections; or if they may be turned into ſuch by an ignorant uſe of them, or if they cauſe Diviſions and Scandals; if the Miſchiefs of thoſe Scandals fall upon Strangers to true Religion, and keep them at diſtance: All theſe conſiderations weigh heavy againſt a Zeal for them.

But if none of theſe can be laid to their Charge; yet if Men doubt concerning them, what muſt they do? How ſhall they eſcape that of the Apoſtle? He that doubteth is Damned if he Eats. Whatever is not of Faith is Sin. Why ſhould this be hazzarded for Indifferents? And when the Tyde of Advantages, Preferments, Publick Approbation, are on one ſide; Deprivation of all thoſe, Cenſures and Penalties on the other; who dares anſwer for many Men, that they do not offer Violence to their Principles, much more venture over their Doubts? And yet in thoſe very Doubts has the Apoſtle laid his Doctrine.

Or Laſtly, Wo can reaſonably ſuppoſe, Men would ſtem this Tyde that is againſt them, if they had not real Conſcientious Doubts, or higher than Doubts, to conteſt with in prejudice of their Complyance.

Upon the whole then, I cannot but conclude, Impoſing Indifferent Things in Religion, by a violent Example; much more by ſevere Ways, is very contrary to the Apoſtles Doctrine in that Caſe; and that upon Reaſons, that till I ſee them anſwered, I muſt ſuppoſe unanſwerable.

I have now thus far diſcourſed of Scandal in the more ſtrict, and particular Caſes, Scripture hath given us the notices of; but in the remaining Heads to be treated of, I ſhall conſider it in that largeſt and moſt comprehenſive Graſp of it, Religion in general.

And there is nothing that requires greater Wiſdom, and the prepoſſeſſions of a more Religious Prudence, than to ſit, and count the Charge of undertaking ſerious Piety, as p. 68the Lord hath bidden us in relation to one Branch of Scandal, Perſecution; ſo with reſpect to the whole Negotiation of Scandal in the World.

It is the great both Wiſdom and Goodneſs of God in the Scripture, that he hath given full and ample warning before hand, of all the Diſadvantages we are to encounter in our Faith, Love, and Obedience to him; as when we are aſſured, There ſhall be Falſe Prophets, There muſt be Hereſies, There ſhall be Perſecution, There ſhall be an Apoſtacy, or general Defection from True Symmetral Chriſtianity, within Chriſtianity it ſelf: And ſo in the preſent Caſe, it muſt needs be that Scandals come. For the Knowledge of theſe things is one greateſt Defence againſt the Evil predicted, as alſo againſt the ſtaggering of our Minds, concerning the Truth of Religion it ſelf.

Let any man then enquire, and ſearch this thing out, both in Scripture and cloſe Reaſon, and he will find Scandals muſt come; though he may at firſt think, Religion, if it be ſo great and excellent as is given out of it, ſhould not be darkned and clouded with Scandal, but ſtand clear from it; and it be impoſſible it ſhould be any way liable to it.

Now that it is in it ſelf Juſt and Right, even to Perfection it ſelf, is every where recorded and publiſhed of it. Wiſdom ſpeaks excellent things, and the opening its Lips are Prov. 8. 6.Prov 8:6Right Things: It ſpeaketh Truth, and Wickedneſs is an abomination to its Lips: All its Words are in Righteouſneſs, and nothing froward or perverſe in them: They are all plain to him that underſtandeth, and right to them that find Knowledge. The Righteouſneſs of thy Teſtimonies is everlaſting, give me Ʋnderſtanding and I ſhall live. Gods Precepts are right concerning All Things, and ſecure from every Falſe Way. Pſal. 119. 104. &c.Ps 119:104His Law is the Truth. By the Word of his Lips Men are kept from the Paths of the Deſtroyer. Amidſt all the ſcandaliſing, Pſal. 17. 4. Hoſ. 14. 11.Ps 17:4Hos 14:11and intangling Works of Men, The Ways of the p. 69Lord are all right, if Men have but right Feet, right Intentions, Affections, and Motions. And yet when all this is granted, let any Man caſt the thing in his ſevereſt Thoughts, and he will find it impoſſible, as things are, Religion ſhould be free from Scandal, and that therefore, as if any Man cannot deny himſelf, he cannot be Chriſt's Diſciple, ſo if any Man cannot Encounter Scandal, and overcome, he cannot be the Servant of God, the Diſciple of Chriſt.

Let us then reſume the Notion of Scandal, and fit it to this general Proſpect over Religion, I am now upon, and we ſhall find, as the Lord ſpeaks, that Scandals muſt come.

Scandal then is any Falſe Pretence or Appearance, whereby Religion, or any of the nobler Objects, Parts, Rules, or Reaſons of it, are expos'd to Diſadvantage and Diſguſt, as unreaſonable, unjuſt, untrue, weak and empty; moroſe, unlovely, and undeſirable; or the contrary, Sin, Irreligion, and Diſobedience to God are gloſs'd over, and preſented, as in all regards, more chooſable, and to be deſired than Religion; and all things ſo intangled and perplex'd among themſelves, that Men are ſeduc'd from the eſteem of the Divine Law, and Obedience to it, and inſnar'd in Sin; even by that juſtle, and diſorder Scandal makes in the ſeveral Laws and Rules of Religion among themſelves; and the blending with them the pretences of Sin; upon which great diſhonour to God and Religion, ſharp Conflicts of Conſcience within it ſelf, Miſchief to the Souls of Men, and a general Diſaffection to Religion enſues.

And now, how this muſt needs be, I ſhall undertake to ſhew, having only obſerved; Firſt,

That there are ſome main Things ſo neceſſary for our Knowledge, Faith, and Practice, that they are made exquiſitely clear, and moſt eaſie to be underſtood. He p. 70that runs, may read them; wafaring Men, though Fools, cannot err therein; the entrance of the Word of God, concerning them, giveth Light, it giveth underſtanding to the Simple.

Again, There are ſome Things of very great advancement to the Soul, and its Happineſs, that are the reward of a holy, humble diligence to know, in ſuch a Meaſure, as they ought to be known, and of a preceeding Obedience in thoſe ſo plain things, that (as the Reſurrection of Chriſt) are not ſhewn to all the People, but to choſen Witneſſes: Thus the ſecret of the Lord is with them that fear him, and he will ſhew them his Covenant: What Man is he that feareth the Pſal. 25. 12, 14, &c.Ps 25:12Ps 25:14Lord? Him ſhall he teach in the way, that he ſhall chuſe: The Meek will he guide in Judgment; and the Meek will he teach his way. If any Man will do his Will, he ſhall know of John 7. 17.John 7:17my Doctrine, whether it be of God, or not: On the other ſide Ignorance, and Diſobedience to thoſe Divine Truths, that are neareſt, and moſt plain to us, are puniſhed, either with concealment of, or leaving us to Injudiciouſneſs, and Inſenſibleneſs, in higher Divine Manifeſtations; where alſo that Injudiciouſneſs and Inſenſibleneſs are Condemned. For to him that hath ſhall be given, and from him that hath not, Luke 8. 18.Luke 8:18by improvement and good uſe, ſhall be taken away, even that which he hath: And this is the Condemnation for not believing John 3. 19.John 3:19in Chriſt (that ſupernatural Revelation) becauſe they loved Darkneſs rather than Light, as a Cover for their Evil deeds.

But beſides thoſe plain Truths, written with a Sunbeam in Nature it ſelf, beſides thoſe of clear Revelation, there are neceſſarily ſome deep Truths, concerning the Divine Nature, the Attributes of God, his Decrees, and Acts, ſome Myſteries of Chriſt, of Providence, and the Government of the World, that command Awe, Reverence, and Modeſty, and are not to be fathom'd and fully underſtood, and yet cannot be ſo divided, nor ſeparated from thoſe p. 71Truths that are neceſſary to be known; but that the Underſtanding muſt, and ought to have an obſervation of, and ſearch after them; though with Fear and Trembling, and with a Wiſdom to Sobriety, yet to know as much of them, as it is made to know by Scripture.

Theſe things now being premiſed, I come to ſhew, That in the firſt and beſt ſtate of Things, Scandals might come; and that in the corrupt and degenerate ſtate they muſt come.

And firſt how they might come; and there muſt the ſame Original be aſſigned to Scandal, as there is to Evil and Sin it ſelf; for neither Sin nor Scandal can derive themſelves from the Holy, Wiſe, and Good Creator, who made all Things juſt and even; He, moſt upright, weighed out the Path of the Juſt by his own Eternal Perfect Way, and made the Angelical, and Humane, the whole Rational Nature, according to it, upright and perfect, ſo that there was no Scandal from this firſt beginning of Things. But when God made Creatures of Reaſon and Underſtanding, and of Free Will and Choice; Underſtanding in the very Nature of it could ſearch and pry, and range every way; and look not only upon Things that are, but by Things that are, they could collect Things poſſible; from the Nature of Wiſe, Good, and Juſt, they could deſcry Folly, Evil and Wrong; and in Happineſs and Bleſſedneſs, they could behold, as in privation from them, Miſery and Unhappineſs, or the Tranſcendency and Infiniteneſs of Happineſs; and the Degrees below it; they could trace and find out the Lines by which there roſe up a Supremacy of theſe, and back again, by which there was Declination of Degrees from this Azimuth, or inſuperable Height.

And as theſe Underſtandings are ſo great, ſo they are ſuited with Wills and Appetites as great, by which they could aſpire to be whatever they ſaw above themſelves; and to diſlike in whatever they found themſelves below. p. 72So that it was poſſible for them to diſlike their firſt Eſtates, to forſake their proper Manſions or Habitations, and leave them, as if they were not loughty, large, and roomthy enough for them. Thus the Angels left their Eſtate in Heaven, and Adam his in Paradiſe, aſpiring to ſomething higher; and this through mutability, from miſapprehenſion, jealouſie, and diſguſt, ariſing from perfect miſtake, falſe appearance, and miſ-judging, which is perfect Scandal. Thus not being Infinite, not being Omniſcient, nor able to find out the Almighty to perfection, nor reſting in the Love and Obedience of God in thoſe things moſt certain, evident, and undoubted to them, but projecting beyond their own Sphere, they might come to charge Gods Holineſs, Goodneſs, and Wiſdom fooliſhly; to raiſe ſuſpitions they were not high and well enough; obſerving how Evil lay from Good, they might in Diſcontent draw the Line of Evil upon Good, and charge Imperfection upon Perfection it ſelf; they might diſorder the moſt orderly Alliances, and confuſe the juſt Diſtances between Things and Things.

This they might poſſibly do, except God did interpoſe with his Immutability of Perfection for them, and ſecure them: But God permitting things to liberty, this muſt be poſſible to fall out.

This poſſibility of Change was the Folly God charged the pureſt Angels with, and in regard of which, the Heavens were not clean in his ſight.

From the miſerable Conſequences of this Poſſibility coming into actual Event, the Good Angels were Elected, and into them the Bad Angels fell, who abode not in the Truth, but fell into curſed Scandal, and are wrapped up in Scandal, fettered in it, even in Chains of darkneſs, which are Chains of Scandal, till the Judgment of the great day; that Jude 6.Jude 1:6it may then be decided, whether they had juſt cauſe of Offence or not: Thus the Devil was a Lyar from the beginning, p. 73and the Father of it, of the Lye of Scandal: For all Scandal is a Lye, John 8. 44.

And now, when there was an actual Fall, a Defection of any of the Rational Creatures, actually come to paſs, God ſtill permitting things to their own Liberty, then it cannot be, but that Scandals come; For when once the Activity of an Underſtanding, carried with a perverſe and diſorderly Will, is in motion, then it traverſes all ways, cuts all thoſe Lines of Allyance and Connexion betwixt Things and Things, ſcales the heights, dives down into the bottom, fills all things with Confuſion and Perplexity, that it may Scandaliſe, miſ-repreſent, and miſ-report God, and Supream Goodneſs, extols forbidden Pleaſures and Enjoyments, and an imaginary Happineſs, as if enviouſly denied, and that denial unreaſonably, and to no benefit complyed with.

And the more Agents there are thus perverted, and ill diſpoſed, the more Scandals muſt needs ariſe and ſhew themſelves; when therefore Angels fell, or if ſome Principal fell firſt, there muſt needs be Scandals in motion from them, and they drew down innumerable leſſer Stars with them; when they propagated Scandal to Men, as we read in the Hiſtory of the Fall, and Men grew numerous and wicked, Scandals muſt needs come amain, and multiply themſelves: For ſo many ſinful and impure Underſtandings at work, and hurried on by extreamly bad and unholy Wills, Scandals muſt become like a Deluge, and cannot but increaſe to a kind of Infinite, and muſt be preſſing every where; for there is no Light ſo clear, but a dim and dark Eye may report it black and obſcure, there is no way ſo ſmooth and even, but Lame Legs, Crooked Feet, being themſelves unequal, may ſtumble and fall in it: When a Man, as Solomon ſays, is caſt into a Net by his own Feet; when his Feet are a Net to themſelves, he muſt be Scandaliſed, and Catch'd wherever he goes. There is no Senſe ſo p. 74grave, and ſeriouſly compos'd, but a vain Fancy, that is full of odd and antick Shapes and Images within it ſelf, may traveſtee, and turn it into Ridicule. Even the plaineſt Senſe, by Ignorance, or Malice, may be ſo tranſpos'd, as to be made moſt unintelligible Non ſenſe, and by ſeparating the parts from their due order one to another, may be perverted into Falſhood and Blaſphemy.

Thus therefore, by the Darkneſs of Mens minds, by the Maliciouſneſs and ill Deſigns of corrupted Intellectuals, enraged by impure Luſts and Paſſions, the plaineſt things in Religion may be miſ-underſtood, miſ-repreſented, miſ-reported, and diſguiſed out of themſelves; much more the more ſecret, retir'd, and even unfathomable parts of Divine Truth, Providence, and Government.

God hath made every thing good, that he hath made, and his very permiſſions of Evil, are all over-ruled by him to Good; and even to us they may be Medicinal, and of uſe, if taken by the right Handle.

On the other ſide, Scandal turns the very beſt things into Evil, to the Perſon Offended, and nothing can be ſo Good, that it both not ſo abuſe: The Spies it ſends out upon the Land of Promiſe, bring up an ill Report of it.

Indifferent Things, that are by God prepared, and intended to turn each way, either to uſe or not to uſe, according as Circumſtances lead, and both ways to be advantages for Good, Scandal hath a great hand over, and turns them to Evil all ways.

Things that are Evil, the Sins, and Falls of Men, either Good Men, or Bad Men, or Men ſeemingly Good, and inwardly Bad, are as the proper Dominion and Territory of Scandal, and it raiſes what it can againſt Religion by them.

Thus every thing, by the not only Permiſſion, but Juſtice of God upon the faln World, is ſubjected to Scandal, not willingly, for all things work together for good, as they p. 75are impreſſed with Motion from the Divine Hand; but deſerted by that, but ſo much as permiſſively, Scandal violently tranſports them upon Evil.

Now things ſtanding thus, there is the God of Scandal and his Angels, the Angels of Scandal; the Divel, and the whole Hoaſt of faln Spirits; the Great Reaſons, and Wits of this World, the Prophets of Scandal; the Ambitious Powers, and Intereſts of Worldly Greatneſs, Secular Policy, Eccleſiaſtical Domination, Debauched Religion, and in one word, the whole Univerſe of Luſts, all at the ſervice of Scandal, and employed by it.

From hence are all thoſe Atheiſtick Diſcourſes, thoſe Heretical Opinions, thoſe Monſtrous Idolatries and Superſtitions; thoſe Burleſques of Lucian Wits, thoſe Bold and Authoritative Examples of general Wickedneſs, Prophaneneſs, and Irreligion, that have ſpread themſelves over the whole Earth, thoſe Severities in matters of Indifferency.

And where there is in any Time, or Place, ſuch a ſenſe of Truth and Religion, that any of theſe Evils, plain and bare-faced, take very little, but are hated and hooted at, every thing, that is better, is borrowed againſt it ſelf, the Mantle of Law and Right is put on, pretences of Religion are made the Rayment of things moſt contrary to it And in all times, True Religion, Piety and Vertue expulſed under the worſt Names, and covered with the ugly Vizor of Evil; it being hard to bring Goodneſs into miſ-repute in its own likeneſs, under its own appearance.

To this purpoſe beſides every Man, being the firſt and worſt Scandaliſer to himſelf, beſides the lower and leſſer Miniſteries of Scandal, within privater Communities, there are in all Times and Places, the publick Councels of Scandal, and the Cabals of it, that are neither Idle, nor Lukewarm, but purſuing all things to the utmoſt.

p. 76And the Men of this World are always greedy of Scandal, of receiving it, either through miſerable Ignorance, and Inapprehenſiveneſs, or from Propenſions of their own, and to ſerve their particular Occaſions; or as they embark their Intereſts in the Bottom of a Common Scandal, as moſt ſafe, and of the richeſt Return: or if it were no more, they are always ſo near of Kin to Degeneracy, and Depravedneſs.

Now lay all theſe together, and we may eaſily find, Scandals muſt come, not only leſſer Scandals, but greateſt and moſt prevailing ones, that do as it were ſweep the World before them.

If any thing therefore can be added to Scandal, it will be, we muſt expect it; though there hath been ſo much done upon it to improve it, and eſpecially ſince the Riſing, Progreſs, and yet ſurviving Conteſt of the Weſtern Antichriſtianiſme. And whether there may be yet a Reſerve in the Counſels of God for Scandal, before its Final Abolition, to unite and ſummon all its Strength, and become in a ſort Oecumenical; I mean the Scandal of Antichriſtianiſm eſpecially; theſe latter Days muſt diſcover.

In the mean time I will not be afraid to ſay, There is a very horrible Scandal riſing at this very time, even a Proteſtant Popery, placing ſuch an abſolute Dependence upon Succeſſion from the Apoſtles (without cautioning for any thing of their true Spirit) and which ſo hangs Salvation at the Girdle of thoſe that would be their Succeſſours, as turns Chriſtianity into a moſt Arbitrary and Tirannick Party.

But they that know the Scriptures, know aſſuredly, Chriſt hath founded no Rule, Government, or Authority in his Church, whatever, but whoſe whole diſplay of it ſelf is in Teaching, Inſtructing according to his Word: If that be not clear and evident, the whole Authority and Power falls to the Ground. This Word appearing in and p. 77with it ſelf, though by the Miniſters of it, hath the ſole Power over Conſcience: They that would Rule without this, as Rulers appointed by Chriſt in his Church, are but Lay-Elders, Lay-Biſhops, or indeed they leave the Word of God, and ſerve Tables.

But in this Univerſal Rage of Scandal, God hath not ſo forſaken the World, but that his Spirit lifts up a Standard againſt it.

Evil is not Infinite, but is at all times ſtopp'd by Evidences of God, and true Goodneſs environing it on every ſide, and bounding it, that it cannot do what it has a mind to do, and is therefore forced to leave it undone; for it can go no farther than the Beings that carry it can go, and God is always above them, and hems them in on every ſide.

Scandal hath only a permiſſion from God, a Diſpenſation to manifeſt it ſelf; it is always ſubject to Truth, as Night is to Day: It is ſubject to be reduc'd, and contracted, as God pleaſes.

And thus have I finiſhed the Third Head of Diſcourſe concerning Scandal, It muſt needs be that Scandals come.

I come to a brief Diſpatch of the Fourth Head, The Demonſtration of the World's Woe becauſe of Scandal.

1. Let the Scandal be never ſo fair and plauſible in its Pretence, or Reaſons of Seduction from God and our Duty, there is ſo great a Force of Truth and Higher Reaſon againſt it, that our Guilt and Condemnation is unavoidable in not reſiſting the Temptation: Nothing can juſtifie a Plea againſt the Divine Law, not an Angel from Heaven; we muſt pronounce Anathema upon him, if he undertakes it. There are ſuch Foundations of Truth laid by God, that cannot be moved; and they have ſuch Evidence and Aſſurance to all ſincere Minds, that there is no excuſe againſt the Guilt of being taken with Scandal.

p. 782. There is therefore always ſome moſt Guilty Cauſe of Scandal, and its prevalency within every Man that is taken by it: Some Luſt and love of Evil that betrays him, and on which he is condemned. When Scandal rages moſt abroad, and comes with lying Signs and Wonders, and with all deceivableneſs of unrighteouſneſs, it is becauſe Men have pleaſure in unrighteouſneſs, and receive not the Truth in the love of it.

3. Scandal is it ſelf Miſery and Ruine: A Man cannot fall, and be ſnared, he cannot be wounded and broken, but he muſt be miſerable. Life, Health, Salvation are only in Obedience to God, and Conformity to his holy Will. Who hath Woe? Who hath Wounds? Who hath Grief? But he that hath received Scandal againſt the Divine Truth. This is a deep Ditch, he only that is hated of God falleth into it, as not to recover. It is vain to pretend the Force, the Power, the unavoidableneſs of Scandal, when it ſelf is Death and Ruine: How many are pleaſed with their Scandals, and will by no means part with them? Many excuſe themſelves, they could not withſtand their Deceipt and Violence, and will not apprehend their Caſe. The firſt cloſely embrace Death, or, as Solomon ſays, love Death. The latter can have no other Pity at the higheſt, but that they are undone; their Scandals are upon them, and they pine away in them, as they ſpeak in Ezekiel, and how then ſhould Ezek. 33. 10.Ezek 33:10they live? God hath no pleaſure in their death, yet ſtill they dye, except reſtor'd by Repentance.

4. Were it not for Scandal, were it not ſome unhappy and miſchievous miſ-repreſentation of Divine Goodneſs and Truth, were there not ſomething that impoſed upon the Underſtanding, and ſeduced the Will, with a falſe appearance of Truth and Good, Rational Beings could not reſiſt Truth, nor fall out with Infinite Goodneſs; or on the other ſide, entertain Falſhood, or fall in love with Evil, and ſo would be every way ſecure from Deſtruction: Surely, p. 79were it not for Scandal, ſome moſt miſchievous poſſeſſion upon our Minds, while there are any hopes of Mercy, we could not refuſe and reject it, nor cleave ſo faſt to ſin and death, which can have no deſirableneſs, but to the deceived Soul; as Holineſs and the Favour of God cannot be diſguſtful to any, but the Scandaliſed: Were it not for ſome indiſſolvable Scandal, even the ſin againſt the Holy Spirit might be repented of, and forgiven; ſome irreconcileable prejudice retains both the ſin and ſo the puniſhment. And in Hell there is that Eternal Scandal for ever holding faſt the Damned, That a Creature deprived of God juſtly hate and rebel againſt him: Or it is beſt for it in that Circumſtance ſo to do. Were it poſſible to be looſed from this Snare of Death, this Everlaſting Chain of Darkneſs, there might be an eſcape out of Hell it ſelf: Were there not an Eternal Diſcontent and Diſguſt to God, Hell could not be Hell, nor Devils Devils any longer; ſo miſerable a thing is Scandal.

The fifth Head in this Diſcourſe is the accumulative Woe to him by whom Scandal cometh; the Woe by way of Tranſcendency.

1. The Deſigners of Scandal muſt be as ſo many Satans in the World, of the juſt contrary Spirit and Action to God and Chriſt, and the Holy Spirit in the World; and therefore ſhall be for ever ſeparated from that Bleſſed Preſence, into that Fire prepared for the Devil and his Angels; the God, and the Angels of Scandal.

Some have in all Ages been brandedly infamous herein, but none like him, whoſe coming is after Satan, with lying Signs and Wonders, and all deceivableneſs of Ʋnrighteouſneſs.

All thoſe Atheiſtical Defamations of God, and Religion, and the Scurrilities of Prophane Wits, are deeply dyed in this Guilt. They are like the throwing of Firebrands, Arrows, and Death; ſo is the Scandaliſing of Men in ſuch ſports of Wit, to their Ruine.

p. 80They that offer themſelves, as Coppies and Patterns of Wickedneſs, in defiance of Heaven, dwell near to this inſupportable Woe.

They, whoſe Laws Armed with cruel Penalties, are ſo many deſtructive Traps, and Engins of Miſchief, againſt all that are Profeſſors of true and ſincere Religion, ſhall be gathered out of Gods Kingdom, their Scandals, and themſelves, that work iniquity by them.

They that in Indifferent Things, that they themſelves acknowledge Indifferent, uſe a violent Example, that muſt be anſwered with Conformity, though Men do with greateſt Seriouſneſs and Solemnity proteſt their Doubt in the Caſe, and though Scandal be planted every where in their Indifferencies, had need, as our Saviour bids them, take heed, they offend not, they deſpiſe not, though they ſhould be but the Little ones in Chriſtianity.

Let them ſit down, and count their danger, a Milſtone about their Necks, and the bottom of the Sea, is ſafer in our Lords Judgment of the Caſe.

Wherever the Inſtruments of Cruelty are in any Habitations, upon the account of leſſer Differences in Religion, Oh my Soul come not thou into their Secret: Oh my Honour be not thou united to their Aſſembly: In their Anger they dig down Walls of Defence and Security to Religion, Proteſtant Religion: Ʋnhappy, very unhappy is their Anger, for it is fierce, and their Wrath, for it is cruel: They divide Jacob, and ſcatter Iſrael.

2. They that are the Authors of Scandal, by their great Miſtakes in Religion, by their unhappy and miſerable Falls into Sin, by their involving others in their own Sin, without conſidering the ſad Conſequence and End of both; they have this great Aggravation of Guilt, that Scandal, Miſchief, and Death, have ſpread from them, and faln as a Snare upon others.

p. 81Yet their Guilt is meaſured by the proportion of the Scandal in its own Nature, the malignancy of the Intention, the ſtupid, or ſeared careleſneſs of the Event, but not by the Event it ſelf; whether the Scandal prevail upon others, or not; or whether they that are Scandaliſed, repent, or not.

Becauſe the Guilt of the Scandaliſed is reckon'd to him, by his own Degrees of Light, his circumſtances of defence againſt, or extream danger of falling into the temptation, by his own love of Sin, or enmity againſt the Divine Law, in which every Man is the principal Scandaliſer to himſelf; and his recovery out of the Scandal, depends upon his own Repentance, or Obduracy againſt the means of Repentance.

The Guilt of the Scandaliſer is meaſured alſo, by his own ſtate in Sin in general, his ſtate in relation to that Sin of Scandaliſing, his Continuance in it, or Repentance from it, and not by what befalls the Scandaliſed; elſe the Apoſtle Paul's Salvation had been hopeleſs, without the certain Repentance of all thoſe he compelled to Blaſpheme.

Repentance, and Faith in Jeſus Chriſt, and the Mercy of God in him, are the only means of recovery out of this Snare of Death, both to the Scandaliſer, or Scandaliſed, and a certain means it is to either.

Before I come to the laſt Head of this Diſcourſe, viz. to draw down the whole Meditation ſo, as that it may be moſt fitted to Practice, I will endeavour to reſume the whole diffuſive Notion of Scandal into one Uniform Repreſentation, deſcending from the General into the Particulars of it.

Original Scandal is that diſlike, and exception, the Rational Creature took to the Creator's Supream diſpoſe over it, and its diſguſt to that State wherein infinite Wiſdom and Goodneſs had placed it; ſo that inſtead of a thankful acquieſcency in it, to its happineſs; it hath proved a Fugitive and a Vagabond from it, to its Ruine.

p. 82Reaſon of this at firſt there could be none, but a diſdain to have its large Capacities of Underſtanding confined, or dictated to, or its Freeborn foreign bridled, or reſtrained, its Liberty of Will manacled, or fettered by a Divine Law: As if it were not indeed greateſt Underſtanding to be conformed with Truth; and nobleſt Liberty, to adhere to Infinite Goodneſs; or as if Underſtanding were not Underſtanding, if it could not take meaſures of Truth for it ſelf without God Authoritatively ſuperintending it; nor Free-will be Free, if it could not chuſe wholly for it ſelf, and owe no account to God.

And whether this Scandal is firſt in the Underſtanding, or Will, is not material; for the Union is ſo Vital between them both, that what is in one, is at the ſame time, and as they ſay, ipſo facto, in the other.

The Devil at the ſame time he abode not in the Truth, had, as our Saviour tells us, ſwelling Luſts in his Will, ſuitable John. 8. 44.John 8:44to his Prevarication from the Truth.

The very ſame may be obſerved in the fall of Adam, there was in one Act a deception upon his Underſtanding, deſerting Truth, a ſenſual Eye upon the Fair, but forbidden Fruit, and the Luſts of the Mind aſpiring to an imaginary Gen. 3. 6.Gen 3:6more mounted condition, than God had placed him in, to be as Gods knowing Good and Evil.

This then is the firſt great Scandal, at which the Angels and Adam fell, a diſcontent at a ſtate of Obedience, and Subjection to God, and his Commands, how Holy, Juſt, and Good ſoever; as if it were too Arbitrary upon Beings, that could underſtand and chuſe for themſelves, to be ſo limitted.

They did not like to conſider, to retain upon their Reaſons, not only that they had their Beings given them, and that their Obedience was an abſolute Due to the Creator, but that it was Obedience to an Infinitely Good and Faithful Creator, truer to the Intereſt of his Creatures, p. 83than themſelves could be: This Scandal therefore prevailing upon them, drew along the whole Tain of miſery with it.

Scandaliſed Spirits always report ill of God and his Laws, ſo far as they are Scandaliſed, and they that are entering into Scandal, too contentedly hear ill of him, as appears in the Dialogue betwixt the Serpent, and the Firſt Man and Woman.

Spirits utterly loſt by Scandal, act in defiance of God, and are the more enraged by finding the Miſery of their Scandal preſſing upon them, even to deſpair, as we ſee in the Devils. Humane Nature, is more modeſt and tender, being ſuccoured by Grace, and the promiſed Seed, in our firſt Parents: and their Poſterity preſerved from the utmoſt miſchief of Scandal, by that Great Reſtorer from Scandal; Not perfectly recovered, but in a ſtate of ſecond Probation, of riſing after ſo great a Fall, or being moſt unhappily again ſunk below thoſe hopes, and made for ever the prey of Scandal, even after Grace offered.

This State of Humane Nature is waved, and various. In ſome things Men are more clear and free, in others hooked, and ſtaked with Scandal; and wherein they are Right in the Generals, they are often inſnared in the Particulars, and ſo that their freedom in the one, giving them more room and ſpace to ſtir, inwraps them more in the Scandal of the other. By degrees, if not reſtor'd, men loſe the modeſty and tenderneſs preſerv'd to them by Grace, and fall into the very Scandal of the Devils themſelves, or very near to it.

However in all Scandal there are ſome of the Lineaments of Primitive Scandal; and the greater the Scandal, the more, and the more apparent, are thoſe ſtrokes of the firſt Scandal.

There is in every Scandal an Underſtanding that will be wiſer than God is for it, a diſguſt to ſelf Reſignation into the Divine Will.

p. 84There is ſome Luſt that clouds and darkens the Mind and there is ſome falſe Principle that imboldens Luſt.

Scandal always wraps up ſin with it ſelf, elſe it were not Scandal; ſin hath always Scandal to introduce it, elſe there could be no ſin: Although therefore, when we come to particular Caſes, there are many ſins lye wholly naked, and uncovered of any pretence, according to acknowledged Principles of Natural Religion, and the Word of God, yet they are not without the Shelter of ſome Scandal, and if they are driven out of all elſe, they yet retire under this; It is an undeſirable ſtate for a free-born Underſtanding and Will to be under Subjection; there is ſomething Tyrannick and Oppreſſive in it, that they may not know and chuſe what is beſt for themſelves; and ſo there is a reſolvedneſs in corrupt Nature to do whatever goes out of its own Mouth.

The Apoſtle obſerves, The Carnal Mind is Enmity to the Law of God, it is not ſubject to it, neither indeed can be. Rom. 8. 7.Rom 8:7It is always offended at it, it always pretends ſome Cauſe againſt it, and, if there be no other, that it is too Arbitrary: A pretence, a ſhew of Reaſon, ſeems▪ neceſſary to a Rational Mind and Will, that is ſo made under the power of Truth and Goodneſs, it cannot ſin, but by being deceived, and graſping at ſome forbidden, appearing Good. Hence even the Devils think their Caſe juſtifies an eternal quarrel againſt God, their Miſery is to them a juſt Cauſe. But the various Degrees, Kinds, and Shapes of Scandal are ſo many, ſo confuſed, ſo perplexing, that the very view of it would enforce a thinking Soul, to cry out, I have waited for thy Salvation, O Lord; as the Patriarch Jacob, in a Prophetick Proſpect upon Dan, out of whom ſome have fanſied Antichriſt ſhould ariſe, deſcribes him as one would deſcribe Scandal, and therefore near enough to Antichriſt that Man of Scandal and Son of Perdition, that yet will be as Dan, Judge over the Tribes of Iſrael.

p. 85Scandal is a Serpent by the Way, an Adder in the Path, that biteth the Horſe heels, ſo that his Rider ſhall fall backward; moſt miſchievous Ruine. Conſidering therefore the Danger, the Multitude of Scandals, We wait for thy Salvation, O Lord.

Scandals then in particular Perſons and Caſes are Infinite; but the more general may be reduced. In Perſons of no ſenſe, no true love to Religion.

1. To the almoſt Univerſal Inſolency of Wickedneſs in Humane Nature, bearing away with the force and authority of ſo bad Example, all before it. And if defended by Atheiſtick Boldneſs, wicked men clap their hands among themſelves, and multiply words againſt God, they go in Company Job. 43. 7.one with another, and fulfill, or juſtifie and make good, the judgment of the Ʋngodly. They drink ſcorning like Water, and add Rebellion to their ſin.

2. To the Ignorance, Sottiſhneſs, and Unconcernedneſs in Religion of Vulgar Minds, which reſts under ſuch Shadows as theſe, God is Merciful and will not Damn his Creatures; All have their Faults, even the Beſt, the Wiſeſt, and the moſt Religious. There is more ado than needs, Religion drives Men out of their Wits.

3. To a Falſe, a Formal Religion, Damnable Hereſies, or a Superſtition in place of Religion, raging with great ſhew of Zeal, and Devotion againſt True Religion, which while men bloodily purſue they think they do God good ſervice.

From thoſe that are more ſerious in the True Religion, theſe Scandals eſpecially ariſe.

1. All Immoralities, impure Intereſt of Ambition, Pleaſure, or Coveteouſneſs are very Offenſive, and expoſe Religion both to Strangers, and even among themſelves, it being ſo very difficult, or almoſt impoſſible in this Scandalis'd ſtate to ſever in our Cenſures Religion it ſelf, from the miſcarriages of thoſe that profeſs it; men will know the Religion, and not only the men by the Fruits they p. 86bring forth; though Religion be the firſt, and moſt ſevere, in condemning what ever is bad, and ſo ſhould be judg'd only by it ſelf.

2. The great and many, and ſharp Differences among thoſe, that are the Profeſſors of Religion, made moſt remarkable by the high Feuds, and furious Rencounters that give ſport to the Enemies of it, in traducing it, and every way enfeeble it among themſelves, are great Scandals.

3. The ſtrange Antipathy in Religious perſons againſt permitting the due Liberty to Conſcience in things indifferent, or in all things that are not expreſly commanded, or forbidden by God, that men either upon the known Principles of Natural Religion, or their own Principles, and acknowledged Conſequences from them, cannot deny; which is many ways deſtructive of the true power of Religion, wherever it takes, being the Scandal of acting againſt Senſe or Conſcience. The Apoſtle, as hath been ſhewn, ſo remarks upon, and is however a great diſcouragement to the entrances into, and loſs of Reputation to the profeſſion of it, by the Claſhes between thoſe that cannot comply becauſe they Doubt, and thoſe, that either will not believe them, when they ſay they Doubt, or think them not able to underſtand whether they doubt, or not; or would drive them againſt the expreſs Rule of the Apoſtle, though it be allowed they do doubt.

Thus I have deſcribed Scandal, in which the whole unconverted Nature of man is Seated, though ſome are deeper than others in it.

The very beſt men are under the Remains of it, and are never perfect from it, till in the ſtate of Juſt Spirits made perfect, where Scandal cannot enter.

In Hell it remains for ever, even under the Convictions of Everlaſting puniſhment.

There is an Eternal Diſlike, and Diſcontent at, a Reply againſt God and his Government, as not worthy of love, p. 87and ſubmiſſive Reverence, but to be rebelled againſt, in the very midſt of thoſe Convictions: Could there be that humble deference ſo due to God, it would be Repentance and Recovery to Heaven.

And now the miſery of Scandal runs along with it: All Diſobedience to the Divine Commands, which are Eternal Life, is Scandal in the Deception firſt, and after falls down into the miſerable ſtate, in which it always remains, but never ends, expreſſed by the Worm that never dies, the Fire never quenched, the weeping, wailing, and gnaſhing of Teeth for ever. Every one that maketh, and he that receiveth the lye of Scandal are caſt into the Lake that burneth with Fire and Brimſtone, which is the ſecond Death, but he that maketh that …ye, ſinks deepeſt; for though they are ſo miſerable, ſo great a Woe is to them that receive it, yet ſtill Woe in an Eminency to him by whom Scandal cometh, hath been pronounced by the Lord, and cannot be reverſed.

And now I am more immediately, and nearly, to fall upon what concerns us in a way of Practice, from the conſideration of Scandal.

1. Let us ſeriouſly apprehend the great Folly of taking hold of Scandal, and making advantage of it againſt any of the Rules, and Laws of Religion: It is no other, than ſucking in a Common Infection, or Contagion, becauſe it is common, or taking into our ſelves a Reaſon, or a pretence of Reaſon, to be Eternally undone and miſerable, becauſe the moſt are ſo. The Scandaliſing, and the Scandaliſed World periſh together; they that bring the Peſtilentitial Contagion, that runs deep in their own Veins, and they that draw it in to themſelves from others. What recompence, or allay of Anguiſh will it be to us, that there were ſuch and ſuch Offences, or Cauſes of Exception to Religion, and the Ways of it? And that we ſaw they took mightily in the World, that they were generally received? When p. 88all is but making a Covenant with Death, and binding over our ſelves to it: Can there be any Cauſe juſt enough, why we ſhould be Damned, and loſe our ſelves for ever? Or will it ſatisfie us for our Souls, that others periſh with us?

2. It is therefore every Mans Intereſt, to arm himſelf with all the Reaſons he can againſt Scandal, (as there are ſufficient) and to reſiſt this Enemy at the very Gates. It is only that we are deeply Scandaliſed firſt againſt Religion, that we go up and down, as it were inquiring for Scandal, for ſome to Scandaliſe us, and to give us further ſhew of Reaſon againſt being Religious: Were our Hearts but true to Religion, we ſhould eaſily find, they are more, and ſtronger, that are with it, than that are againſt it. If our Eyes were opened, the Reaſons for Religion are like a Mountain full of Charriots and Horſes of Fire, that cannot be reſiſted. Our buſineſs therefore is not, if we ſincerely reſolve, that we and our 2 kings. 6. 17.Houſe ſhall ſerve the Lord, to ſearch every where for Offences Joſh. 24. 17.Josh 24:17againſt ſuch a reſolution; but to find out the preſſing and undeniable Arguments why we ſhould ſo reſolve to fortifie our ſelves againſt all the ſeeming pretences to the contrary, by ſetting them before us, as Joſhua does before the People of Iſrael, to animate our ſelves the higher againſt them. That we are ſo unequally poiſed, ſo propenſe upon Scandal, is, becauſe our Hearts are firſt bribed toward Sin, and Apoſtacy from God.

3. This ſhould engage us to take heed to our ſelves, to beware of our own proper Scandal, the motion, prejudice, and paſſion that grows from our own falſe Underſtanding, or Luſt, and does and will ſcandaliſe us, though there were no other Scandal in the World; theſe will make us fall into Diſlike or Diſcontent with any of the ways of Holineſs and our Duty, when they do not ſatisfie our particular Apprehenſions, Affections, or Deſires. Let us commit our ways wholly to the Lord, and he will give us the deſires p. 89Pſal. 37. 1. &c.Ps 37:1of our hearts, a hundred fold, in our Deſign of Good, even in this Life, in the room of what we would purchaſe with Scandal. Let us reſt in the Lord, and wait patiently for him, and he will bring it to paſs for us. But let us not fret our ſelves in any wiſe to do Evil, becauſe any thing in our Duty lies croſs to our inordinate Concupiſcence: We cannot do well in being angry to Scandal, for that is indeed, to be angry to our Death; we fooliſhly pervert our own way, when ever our hearts fret againſt the Lord. If we love the Law of God, nothing can offend us. If we love God and our Brother, we can have no occaſion of ſtumbling or Scandal in us.

4. Seeing Scandals are ſo every where abroad, and our own Hearts ſo weak on the part of Scandal, it is moſt neceſſary to commit our ſelves to Infinite Grace, and the Divine Spirit, as our greateſt Security and Protection; without which no Fleſh could be ſaved, not the very Elect: If we ſet our love upon God, and place our truſt in him, we ſhall dwell in the ſecret place of the Moſt High, and reſt under the Shadow of the Almighty, and he will deliver us from the Snare of the Fowler, from noiſome Scandal, though a thouſand Pſal. 91.Ps 91fall at our ſide, and ten thouſand at our right hand. They that be planted in the Houſe of the Lord, ſhall flouriſh Pſal. 92. 13. &c.Ps 92:13in the Courts of our God; they ſhall ſtill, being unſcandaliſed, bring forth fruit in their old-age; they ſhall be fat and flouriſhing, not blaſted with Scandal's Eaſt Wind, to ſhew that the Lord is upright, a Rock of Security, not of Scandal, and there is no unrighteouſneſs, no cauſe of Scandal in him. Oh how great is thy Goodneſs to them that fear thee, to them Pſal. 31. 19.Ps 31:19that truſt in thee before the Sons of Men. Thou ſhalt hide them in the Secret of thy preſence, from the Pride of Scandal that compaſſeth men as a Chain, yet they are proud of it, from the ſtrife of Tongues, the Tongue of Scandal, that are a World of Inquity, that are ſet on fire of Hell, that are ſet againſt Heav'n, and walk through the Earth.

p. 905. We may from hence learn the great unreaſonableneſs of being Scandaliſed; that there are ſo many Scandals againſt Religion not marked with Vengeance. If we conſider well the ſtate of the World, how can it be otherwiſe? It is neither a Heaven, nor a Paradiſe upon Earth, that immediately ſpue out Scandal, and having once ſpued it out, never receive it any more for ever. Nor is it a Hell where there is Scandal, all Scandal and no Religion, but Scandal under Divine Vengeance, Scandal all in a Flame with the Wrath of God, diſcovering what it is, ſo that it can intrap none any longer, but thoſe that are its Vaſſals for ever.

This World then is a World of Scandals, and ſcandaliſed; only it is under a Diſcipline, an Adminiſtration of Grace, like an Hoſpital, a Bethlehem for Lunaticks, the Lunaticks of Scandal, the Infani, as Holy Writ calls them. They are under a gracious Proviſion of all Neceſſaries, and a Method for Cure: In the mean time, that they, that are at the height of this Lunacy, ſhould throw about Scandal with all their might, is no more ſtrange, than that there are Mad Men in ſuch a Bethlehem at the height of Diſtraction: Indeed the Patience, the Bounty that God uſes to theſe is greater, than of the moſt compaſſionate Hoſpitals generally in this world; yet no doubt they have the cruel twinges and laſhes of Conſcience in order to their Cure, if they might proceed to their Effect; but that their Cure grows deſperate, is no more to be wondered at in the one Caſe than in the other. Many never come to themſelves. They truly have Devils, and are Mad, Devils that are never caſt out.

Others there are that are brought to a more quiet, but ſullen ſtate; others that have their lucid Intervals; others again that have generally fair appearance of Reaſon, yet not in their Right Minds; and laſtly, ſome that are reduced beyond danger of relapſe, but not perfect.

What Reproach is it now to Right Reaſon, to Sobriety, p. 91that Lunaticks of all ſorts erre from it, or that ſome rally at it, or that the very beſt among them do ſome things unbecoming to it?

No more is it that Evil Men, or Imperfect Men, not ſanctified to the Perfection of Paradiſe, or Heaven, do unſuitable to Religion, according to their ſeveral ſtates, though they do inſanire cum ratione, ſeem to be in their Wits and Reaſon while they do ſo.

Or that there are Infamous Malefactors, Male-contents, under the moſt wiſe and ſage Government; or Wits ill employed, that Lampoon it.

6. Let us continually look to Jeſus, who in himſelf ſubdued the whole power of Scandal, keeping ſteady and uniform Obedience to the Divine Will, and did always the things that were pleaſing to it, though Scandals of all ſorts preſſed in on every ſide. Who being in the Form of Phil. 2. 6.Phil 2:6God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God, yet made himſelf of no Reputation, but took on him the Form of a Servant, and was made in the likeneſs of Men; and being found in faſhion as a Man, he humbled himſelf, and became obedient to death, even to the death of the Croſs.

Hereby, even by the Dignity of his Perſon, and the Profound Humility of his Obedience, he hath not only done that Honour, given that Glory to the Divine Soveraignty, and Righteouſneſs, the Glory of that Supreme Authority, as hath made Recompence for all the Scandals of Angels and Men, ſo far as that Soveraignty or Righteouſneſs are abſolutely concerned, whether any ſhould believe in him or not; but hath alſo made Attonement, perfect Attonement, and Reconciliation for all that do believe in, and obey him; into a ſhare of which, I make no doubt, the Holy Angelical Nature immediately entred, according to their ſtate, even from the time he was declared the Lamb ſlain from the foundation of the World; Through his Obedience and Meditaion ador'd, and applyed to, they have perſever'd p. 92free from Scandal, by which ſo great a part fell, upon account of which, when the Firſt begotten came into the Heb. 1. 6.Heb 1:6World, all the Angels of God Worſhipped him. The virtue from himſelf, as the Exemplar, as the Firſt-born among many Brethren, Rom. 8. 29.Rom 8:29to whoſe Image they are Predeſtinated to be conformed, does by degrees extirpate all the very remains of Scandal in his Church; and he preſents it without blame, ſpot, wrinkle, blemiſh, or any ſuch thing, (even by real and efficacious operation) before the Eyes of Glory. His Example alwaies ſtands before them, as the moſt abſolute and ſublime Pattern, to which, they daily are exerciſed in faſhioning themſelves. Thus our Lord does every way diſſolve the Works of the Devil, and deliver them, who by reaſon of Scandal were all their lives time ſubject to bondage, by deſtroying Scandal, and him that hath the great Power of it, the Devil.

7. This ſhould make Heaven deſirable to us, where no Scandal dwells, nor any more, ſince the Angels of Scandal were caſt out of it, can ſo much as once enter; where there is perfect light, without any variation or ſhaddow of turning. The Holy ones there are vext with Scandal's Wiles no more, with the Wiles of the God or Miniſters of Scandal, or thoſe that by his Stratagems are made any way ſerviceable to it.

8. It makes Hell more dreadful; the ſeat, and Center, the Fund of Scandal, where all the good Principles men have had, or ſeem'd to have while they were in the World, or the Church, the beſt ſtate of this World, and their Temporary good Actions are all ſwallowed up, and by the great power of Scandal turned all into it ſelf; wherein all the temporary, partial Righteous men of this World, whoſe being Scandalis'd as to the main, the true love of God, and his Children, turned their beſt things now into a ſort of Splendida peccata, better complexioned ſins, have then all that they ſeemed to have taken from them. And by p. 93reaſon of that great Stumbling Block, the Eternal loſs of God, They turn from all their Righteouſneſs, and all that they have done is not remembred to them any more for ever. They ſink into that unpardonable Blaſphemy againſt the Holy Spirit, whch is an irreconcilable Enmity to what is known to be of God, undeniably of him, and that Enmity expreſſed in the proper language of Scandal, Blaſphemy; and is never forgiven, whether committed in this World, or that which is to come.

Now what is there more dreadful to the mind, that hath any thing remaining of an Ingenuous ſenſe towards God, that hath but ſo much Love, and Reverence towards him, (though too faint for true ſaving Grace) as will anſwer a profeſſion of God, and the Lord Jeſus, but will be horribly afraid at the ſuppoſition of ſuch a hatred of God, ſuch a Blaſphemy of him, and ſo of Hell on this account, that every ſin boils up there into this Height of Scandal.

9. We are dreadfully warned from being the Miniſters of Scandal, either through Deſign, or through great Falls, and Miſcarriages in our Religious Courſe; this we ought to take care of, in Relation to the World in general, but eſpecially towards the Little ones, that believe in Chriſt; ſtronger Chriſtians are moſt out of our danger, who grieve, or have a juſt Zeal againſt our Scandals, but in the mean time themſelves grow ſtronger, and ſtronger, as Trees that caſt their Roots the deeper, for being aſſailed with the Winds: But the Little ones are, in the Eye of Chriſt, of the tendereſt concern, becauſe they need it moſt.

While we are in the way of our Duty, if any receive Scandal, and are reſolved to do ſo, they create it to themſelves, we muſt let them alone; but in all things wherein we can ſave a Soul from Scandal, let us conſider the Recompence, we ſave a Soul from Death, and hide a multitude of Sins; a glorious Reward without any more.

p. 94And herein let us always remember, we have an Eminent Seat of Doctrine, not to Scandaliſe for the ſake of Indifferent Things, a Doctrine prepared on purpoſe for all Ages of the Church of Chriſt, concerning Indifferents, one of the Eminent Seats of Doctrine of the New Teſtament, and more particularly in relation to Scandal, and therefore by no means to be lightly regarded.

To Conclude all; that we may neither give nor receive Scandal, three things are moſt neceſſary, to which I ſhall ſubjoin great Counſels of Scripture in each Caſe.

1. That we have our Judgments well ſettled within our ſelves, in all the ſubſtantials and neceſſary points of true Religion, upon a Divine, and not an Humane aſſurance only, that in that part we may neither Offend, nor receive Offence, for which Solomon's Advice is our great Security. Bow down Prov. 22. 7.Prov 22:7thine Ear to the Words of the Wiſe, and apply thy Heart to my Knowledge: For it is a pleaſant thing, if thou keep them within thee, they ſhall withal be fitted in thy Lips: That thy Truſt may be in the Lord, I have made known to thee this day, even to thee: Have I not Written to thee excellent things in Counſels and Knowledge? That I might make the know the certainty of the words of Truth, that thou mighteſt anſwer the words of Truth to them that ſend unto thee.

Or thoſe Admonitions of the Apoſtle Paul.

That we henceforth be no more as Children, toſſed to and fro, and carried about with every Wind of Doctrine, by the ſleights of Men, and cunning Craftineſs, whereby they lye in Eccleſ. 4. 14.Eccl 4:14wait to deceive. But following the Truth in Love, we may grow up into him in all things, who is the Head, even Chriſt; From the whole Body fitly joyned together, and compacted by that, which every Joint ſupplieth, according to the effectual working, in the meaſure of every part, maketh increaſe of the Body, to the edifying it ſelf in Love. Be not carried about Heb. 13 9.Heb 13:9with divers and ſtrange Doctrines. For it is a good thing p. 95that the Heart be eſtabliſhed with Grace; not with Meats, which have not profited them, that have been exerciſed therein.

2. That we have a true and ſincere Love of the Divine Law, and our Obedience to it; the Bleſſedneſs of which, and its great preſervation from Scandal, the Pſalmiſt thus deſcribes. Bleſſed is the Man that walketh not in the Councel of the ungodly, nor ſtandeth in the way of Sinners, nor Pſal. 1. 1.Ps 1:1ſitteth in the Seat of the Scornful: But his delight is in the Law of the Lord, and in that Law doth he meditate Day and Night: And he ſhall be like the Tree planted by the Rivers of Water, that bringeth forth his Fruit in due ſeaſon; his Leaf alſo ſhall not wither, and whatſoever he doth ſhall proſper.

3. That we order all things of Indifferency in Religion aright, both as to the Senſe of our own minds, and the Edification of others. To which purpoſe, the Apoſtles Directions ſhould be always before us.

The Kingdom of God is not Meat nor Drink, but Righteouſneſs, Peace, and Joy, in the Holy Ghoſt.

Let every Man be fully perſwaded in his own Mind.Rom. 14. 5, 17. 1 Cor. 10. 22.Rom 14:5Rom 14:171 Cor 10:22

Give no Offence neither to the Jews nor Gentiles, nor to the Church of God, even as I pleaſe all men in all things, not ſeeking my own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be ſaved: Whoever thus ſerveth Chriſt, is acceptable to God, and approved of Men.

FINIS.

ERRATA.

Several miſ-pointings, and litteral miſtakes, the Candid Reader is deſired to obſerve, and pardon; and what is moſt injurious to the Senſe, thus to Correct.

PAge 6. line 32. for an read all. p. 13. l. 22. for they r. the. p. 17. l. 12. dele not. p. 18. l. 11. for at r. with. p. 25. l. 30. for he r any one. p. 27. l. 30. for purity r. party. p. 38. l. 4: for Righteous r. weak. p. 44. l. 24. dele them. p. 48. l. 17. for rule r. rate. p. 55. l. 22. after are r. not. p. 61. l. 9. for Sacrifice r. Sacraments. p. 76. l. 29. for Party r. Polity. p. 79. l. 11. after juſtly r. may.

Printed for Tho. Parkhurſt.

THE whole Duty of a Nation, or National True Religion, Argued and Perſwaded upon greateſt Motives of Scripture and Reaſon; Conciliated to all moderate Apprehenſions, though differing in ſmaller things; and to the ſtricteſt Notion of Churches.

(II Book,) Liberty of Conſcience, in its order to Univerſal Peace; Impartially Stated; and proved to be the juſt Right, and genuine effect of True, Natural, and Chriſtian Religion, in Immunity from Penal-Laws, Church Cenſures, and private Animoſities.

A CATHOLICK CATECHISM SHEWING THE IMPOSSIBILITY THE CATHOLICK RELIGION Should be varied to the Degree of a Thought from the Measures left Sealed by the Apostles, WITHOUT THE LOSS of TRUTH And therefore The Impossibility POPERY, or whatever else is not found in Scripture, should be CATHOLICK.

Composed to the Capacity of the Meanest, that will but Consider; that they may know and be ready, upon un-movable Reasons, to give an Apologie, or Defensive Answer, for the Catholick Religion, if they are indeed of it; and be secured from Temptation in Times of Danger.

2 Pet. I. 12 The Present Truth.

Prov. 22. 21. That I might make thee know the Certainty of the Words of Truth, that thou mightest answer the Words of Truth to them that send unto thee.

LONDON, Printed for Tho. Parkhurst and Will. Miller at the Bible and Three Crowns in Cheapside, and the Acorn in St. Paul's Church-yard. 1683.