The Church Wounded and Rent by a Spirit of Division, Section 5
SECTION V.
AFter ſome thoughts on this ſad and unpleaſing ſubject of the late differences in our Church. I would deſire yet in the ſhutting up thereof to ſpeak a few words, on a more practicall concern, that might lead in, and leave the Reader on another ſent, and inquiry, which I fear in this ſtrange croud and noiſe hath been of publick debates, by too many be much loſt, and ſhall touch this in thes 4. particulars: O that with a bleſſing from him who can ſerve himſelf of the meaneſt things it might be made a word in ſeaſon to my in ſuch times.
1. To conſider what may moſt contribute to a Chriſtians joy and ſolid peace upon, an after reckoning with their own conſcience as to their way, in this winnowing time when ſuch hot contendings hes been in the Church, for which I would humbly offer theſe. 1. what ſweet peace will then be in having been kept cloſs at home with a tender and jealous eye over the frame and temper of their ovvn ſpirits, ſince we cannot but ſee where the ſtrength of theſe ſtrange paroxiſmes, of heat, and bitterneſs, amongſt Profeſſors of the truth does now moſt lye, that it is from theſe jarring corruptions upon the heart, more then from any differences of light and judgement and which no eager diſputes but a tender and lively practice in being exerciſed to Godlineſs can effectually cure, & then we might both hope for a bleſt healing compoſure under theſe different meaſures of light amongſt Chriſtian, and for a tender and humble reaſoning in things wherein they differ, when thus a more near conformity to the Spirit, and rule of the Goſpell, is once reached, which muſt needs ſubject the Soul, to account it our greateſt honour, to be overcome by the truth. 2. That they have been kept from any ſuch precipitant judgment of others, as uſually follow on ſuch debates; and their ſpirit kept under ſome bleſt aw, and reſtraint, of theſe ſuddain, violent, commotions, and truptions of paſſions as runs ſuch unto moſt ſad undecencies, to diſcredit the profeſſion of the truth, diſcompoſe themſelfs, and wound their own conſcience. 3. That they have been tender of practiſing that themſelves which they have condemned in others by any ſuch aime more how to revile, then reclaime; and to a heightning, rather then healing of this ſtrange breach. 4. That the fleeing of one extream, hath ſtill been with ſome regard of being kept from running on any other & of there having had impartial reſpect to entertaine what ever is juſtly approveable, and according to the rule, upon eitheir hand; yea not only with a humble ceding in perſonal injuries, and ſuch a tender managing of their own neceſſar vindication upon the revilings of others as might tend to convince more then to provoke; but that they have this teſtimony, they did in earneſt pray for ſuch, and ſeek their mercy, and reclaming from the Lord 5. That no pretences or perſonal reſpects hath shut their eyes upon any viſible hazard to the truth, and of having been kept on a ſerious watch agaiſt the dephits and ſubtility of Satan, on the right hand, no leſſe then on the left; which we might have ſeen too evidently in this late amazeing breach. 1. By an overbending to break, and take of from unqueſtionable duty by ſomes exacting on the conſcience of others, according to their meaſures and dictates, beyond the expreſſe bounds and warrand of the word.
2. By ſuch a ſtrange coincidence of ſeeming extreams; that what hath been intentionally followed by open adverſaries ſhould be no leſſe vigourouſly carried on by others ex intentione operis ſo as to run thus croſs (I doubt not) to their own thoughts; to obſtruct the ſpreading of the goſpel and bring the truth and profeſſion thereof under diſcredit, and I muſt add a too viſible tendence of this way, to ſuch a precipice of reſolving their light, and confidence on extraordinare motions; without a humble enquiry, and tryall thereof, by the Scripture; ſo as ſome in outrunning, the revealed rule of duty hath ſtumbled on the dark mountaines ere they were aware; and loſt their feet, in ſeeking of wings to flee; as may be for a ſad warning to after times.
2. This were a moſt ſuteable ſtudy in ſuch a day; how to walk wiſely, towards ſuch as are without, and what might moſt tend to gaine reſpect to the truth; to convince, and prevaile with mens conſcience, even of known and publict adverſaries now in a time of ſo great reproach; and it is ſure theſe ſhould be ſpecial advantages for ſuch ane end. 1. When the truth of holineſs, in convincing and viſible realities of a Chriſtians practiſe, as are preſent before mens eyes does appear, which was the glory of the Church in the primitive times, who were then the firſt fruits of the Goſpel among the gentiles, that it was ſaid, they did not ſpeak great things, but live them; and which was then ſpecially noted by adverſaries: ſee how the Chriſtians love, one another; for then did the love of Chriſt bear rule in his peoples heart; but how ſad an account is recorded in ſome ages after, that no times had been more fertile of religions; than theſe and of great conteſts this way, but none more barren of religion; in the truth and ſolidity thereof; whilſt it ſeemed rather the notion of religion, moſt converſed with in ſuch a Day, then with the thing it ſelf. 2. When this doth appear, under great tribulation; for it is then both religion, and theſe who profeſse it, are at once proved; and is aſſuredly one of the choiceſt opportunities of a Chriſtians life to convince the world; but oh it ſeems ſuch a proſpect of Chriſtianity, is now rare, as the ſaints have had in former times or; or ſuch a conjunction, as this when they received the word under great affliction, but with a greater joy, and comfort of the Holy Ghoſt. 3. When a ſerious and tender way, is followed by chriſtians, to gaine more upon mens judgment, by a humble, and rational account from the Scripture of their hope, and practiſe, then by a more confident, and ſevere impoſing, upon their faith ſince it is ſure, the premiſſes, and concluſion muſt be ſtill relative, and the truth much more hurt then helped when it is not in a convincing way, commended to the conſcience even of adverſaries. It is not ſufferings; but the cauſe that makes the martyre; that it be indeed for the truth, and no juſt ground of offence, be by any given to darken the credit thereof, and here there muſt be no redeming of the perſonall repute of any, at ſo high a rate, as a publick daſh, and prejudice to the honour, and credit of the way of the Lord, in this day. 4. This alſo were a ſpeciall advantage, for gaining reſpect to the truth, when in the room of ſore and bitter compleanings; the voice of joy, and thanksgiving, may be heard, amongſt ſuch as own the way of the Lord this day; even under all their griefs and preſſures other wayes. I write this under ſome conviction, how rare ſuch a ſtudy, ſeems now to adorne the profeſſion of the Goſpel: though it is ſure, none ever ſought to finde the comfort, and mercy of their lot, for an excitement to this bleſt excerciſe of praiſe; but found cauſe for it, and how to be faithfull, in a leſſer meaſure, but they found more added; and how great a want this is, and hinderance to the prayers of the Church, this day is more then we ſeem to lay to heart; yea how much thus the world is tempted, to judge religion, only a dead forme; and that Chriſtians do not in truth beleeve, what they beleeve, yea that they are few, if any, on the earth, who walk ſuteably to ſuch a hope, and aſſurance of the glory, which is to come. I am ſure, as no ſerious and wiſe obſerver, but might finde their being under ſome ſingular engadgments from what hath been the way of the Lords dealing with them; ſo it is ſad when theſe are more buried almoſt and forgot, then ſearchd out under preſent and new trouble. Some would judge a ſuteable acceſſe, to give in their mite, to this treaſure, a ſpecial enlargement; and to own a peculiar debt, to ſo great a duty, for putting their ſeal, to the truth, and faithfulneſs of God this day, and to bear a honourable witneſs to his way, amidſt all the changes, and remarkably ſearching tryals, have occurred, in the courſe of their pilgrimage. He is the rock his work is perfect, and all his wayes are judgment, a God of truth, juſt, and true, is he. Deut. 23. 3. O that men would praiſe him, and that one generation, would declare his works, to another, and tranſmit the memory of his goodneſs; yea that ſuch a bleſt conformity to the doctrin of Chriſt in humility, love, meekneſs, bowels of compaſſion and overcoming evill with good, might this day more appear; as the world thus, might be both judged, and condemned in their own conſcience thereby:
3. This alſo might be a ſuteable and edifiing ſtudy for Chriſtians in ſuch a time, for getting a clear ſight, of the way of the Lord, amidſt all theſe ſtrange and amazing things, which are before us, both for their own ſtrengthening, and to juſtifie his holy and unſpotted righteouſneſſe, and thus to conſider, that what ever, we now ſee yet it is ſo clear. 1. That the glory of the Church militant, and greateſt triumph, which the Goſpel hath had ſince its firſt dawning in the world, was yet never by any outward clam, or proſperous ſtate here, but under tribulation, and diſtreſſe, in ignominy, and contempt, els I muſt confeſſe, I have miſtaken the Scripture; and that thus the moſt Lucide intervals, and ſunshine hath been moſt uſually ſhort, and not only a dark cloud but a ſeen neceſſity thereof, hath ſtill followed. 2. And how ſweet, and confirming might ſuch a clear proſpect be, now to a ſhaken Chriſtian, of the ſingular congruity, of ſuch a providence, both to the revealed truth, and infinit wiſdom of God, in his dealing with his people; that ſo ſtraite, and wearyſome away, ſhould be here to an eternity of glory, in that life; which is to come; and no getting there but thorow ſome degrees, of ſore breaking, and anguish, and going through a ſtate of tryall, befor that of enjoyment; when they conſider, how unconceiveably great and excellent, that ſtate which is above, is; and their being trained in ſo ſharp a a ſchool of tribulation here, ſhall at length tend to an unexpreſſible joy, and comfort, that ever they had ſuch an occaſion to prove their love and adherence to Jeſus Chriſt and of crediting his truth againſt all viſible grounds, and in having with patience and hope got through ſuch a throng of temptations, when they thus ſee, the moſt bitter grieving, and difficult part of their warfare, was but to make the victory more full, and triumphant. 3. Thus we might have a more clear, and confirming look of the holy judgment of the Lord, in the product of theſe ſad breakings, in our Church that when ſo ſtrange a ſpirit, hath been aloft, and a ſtrong affection in ſome, without a humble and deliberat judgment, it ſhould at laſt reſolve in a fervor of error and deluſion, yea to come that length of breaking down what they ſuppoſed to be bulding up, and to adventure with greateſt confidence for engadging the Holy God, to a concurrance in theſe wayes which his word doth expreſſly teſtify againſt, whilſt ſo impatient to be touched herein, as they have been ready to turne again and tear ſuch, who hath with tenderneſs, ſought their recovery. But tho ſuch ſad things ſhould deeply affect us yet, there is no cauſe for ſtumbling to any; pure religion and undefiled is the ſame this day that ever it was; and the redeemed of the Lord, are a broken, and diſeaſed company, whielſt here by the way full of ſores and Diſtempers, but all under cure, which will ere long be perfyted, and I hope through grace, there is a generation of tender, ſolid, and humble Chriſtians yet in our land (who ſhall be owned and accepted at the appearance of Jeſus Chriſt) as this day I know on the earth; and many much hid there; but what is too viſible the temper and complexion of this age, may cauſe much fear, upon theſe peculiar hazards, profeſſors now ſeem to be expoſed to; beyond former times, when a forme of knowledge, and the theory of practical religion hath ſo farr outgone tenderneſs and practice, and become ſo much a matter of art, and Invention, whilſt Chriſtians formerly with a ſmaller meaſure of light and in a plainer dreſſe, walked in the love and ſimplicity of the truth; a bold and profeſſing age, where a too eaſy and ſuddain growth to a forward appearance amongſt many, hath ſo viſibly out run a ſolid rooting in the truth, and that fear and ſerious exerciſe on their own ſoul, about their ſpiritual ſtate and the ſoundneſs of converſion as hath ſometimes been; an age where it may be feared that not at a common rate many are like to adventure on the furtheſt hazard of periſhing amidſt theſe ſtrange diſtempers in our Church, but with higheſt pretences ſeem to out darre all means of conviction; even while with greateſt tenderneſs and love to their ſouls followed, yea an age when that dreadful engine of Sathan is now ſo diſcernibly on foot and in ſuch different formes and shape, by the ſpirit of error and deluſion, to turne men off all ſetled perſuaſion of the truth and give the credit and intereſt of the Goſpel a ſorer wound, then the open violence and rage of others, hath yet ever done; and is not here one ſad influencing cauſe of ſo deplorable a State of the Church this day, that many profeſſing godlineſſe in this age are not more taken up with the great and weighty things thereof, and in theſe retired exerciſes which hath the cloſſeſt communication with the vitals of Chriſtianity; and ſo indiſpenſibly neceſſar to a honourable appearance for the Lord, in any publict duty and ſervice of the time.
4. What a choiſe ſtudy in ſo extreme an exigence now of the Church ſhould this be to know, and bring near, by ſome more deep reflection thereon, how great theſe things are, which a humble and ſerious Chriſtian hath to converſe with, and to oppoſe all his griefs and fears this day, even when they ſeem to preſſe above meaſure; which this might not only confirme but overcome the heart with unexpreſſible joy, when he but thus alone reaſons with himſelf. 1. What ever ſhaking winds now blow, almoſt from evry airth, yet hath he firme and ſureſt, principles of truſt for a ſafe founding the reſt and peace of his ſoul, and his ſecurity here is full though not his enjoyment, yea what ever want now be of the certainty of adherence in reſting on the truth with ſuch full repoſe and quiet of minde he is called to: yet he knowes thereis no want, of furtheſt certainty of evidence. 2. That not in a dream, but in the moſt ſerious compoſure of ſpirit, he can retire into the Goſpel of Chriſt: and there ſee how unexpreſſiblie bleſſed poor loſt man is made by a redeemer: on whom he hath choiced to have the exceeding riches of his grace ſhewed forth to all eternity, yea this in ſo marvelous a way when no poſſible help could be found in us, that the Holy God, would take ſatisfaction to himſelf by himſelf, not only to ſave his people but to preſerve the rights of juſtice inviolable: yea hath thus brought us under a Law to come and be bleſſed in his Son, to whom he bears record that in him is life, and an eternall ſalvation made ſure. 3. That the clear intent of this aſtonishing miſtery is not only to ſave his people from wrath, but to make them meet by the ſpirit of holyneſs, for that ſtate, which is above: ſince it is not pardon alone, or a heaven without us, can make any bleſſed untill the ſoul once be framed for it, and this firſt begun and wrought there, and now, what hath a Chriſtian this day to converſe when amidſt the multitude of his ſaddeſt thoughts, he can with ſuch aſſurance retire into the Goſpel, and thence look up to an eternity of glory as that which ere long he ſhall know and enjoy. 4. That this is ſo ſure, for his confirming, that ſuch a ſignature and Impreſs of the Goſpel, in the truth and reality of holineſs is to be ſeen this day in the earth, I hope yet in innumereable inſtances even in theſe declining times with ſo viſible an aſſimilation and likneſs to a higher ſtate herein, that if men but exerce reaſon, they might ſee, it is Sure a marvelous transforming power, could ever make ſuch a change, and that miracles (if rightly conſidered) does not this day ceaſe in the Church, whilſt ſo great a witneſs to the power and truth of godlineſs is continued. 5. He thus ſees that tho no reſemblance of our bleſſed head hath been left to the Church, of his human appearance whilſt he was in the earth; yet is his undoubted Image and portraiture drawne to the life, to be ſeen here, in the truth and reality of holyneſs; and how much ſhould this commend and indear truth, in the inward parts, and tender walking with God unto chriſtians, that thus not only the reflection of his image on ſuch may be convincing to the world in whom as ſo many mirrours he hath choiſed to ſhine forth, and appear; but that in this ſtate of diſtance, whilſt they ſee him not whom their ſoul loves, they may yet ſtill wear his bleſſed portrature within on their heart, and thus diſcerinbly ſee him there, until they be taken up to himſelf for ever. 6. Thus he can intertaine his ſoul in ſo diſmall an hower, that he knowes aſſuredly, there are comforts here, which have no riſe or affinity with the flesh, unexpreſſibly above all the griefs of time, and ſeeks no credit from any on report but to be found upon ſureſt tryall, ſuch as no grief, paine or preſſure was yet ever at that hight in the lot of any of the ſaints, which the ſpirit of the Lord cannot make ſweet and eaſy to endure, yea hath oft looked them out of paine with a preſent ſenſible outgate on their ſoul before any outward deliverance broke up. 7. He knowes alſo that the greateſt comforts within time are aſſuredly in the life and exerciſe of godlineſs; when thus a ſincere reſignation, is reached, and a feeling of themſelfs to offer freely yea with joy their Iſaac, and moſt indeared indeared intereſts to the Lord; in having credit his truth againſt viſible grounds of hope, and their being helped to croſſe ſome preſent deſireable intereſt of ſenſe, on the alone incouragement of faith and when ſome remarkable ſharp triall hath been thus got well through; upon this ſweat reflection alſo of having gained a ſeaſon, and opportunity for the Lord, that may be for ſome fruit to his praiſe, and of a ſtreight and ſerious aime to pleaſe him, when the viſible diſpleaſure of men, hath come in competition therewith, O what pleaſure and an abundant entry to a chriſtians peace will be then felt. 8. He hath this to be confirming, what unexpreſſible delight and pleaſure is found on diſpleaſing the flesh, even in its moſt impetuous, and violent motions, in tryall of their obedience, and love to Chriſt (what ever paine may be for a little in that conflict) as lets him ſee, reſistance to ſin is the moſt gainefull, and rationall act of his life; whilſt with any ſinfull delight, which in a moment is gone, an imbittering ſting and inward shame upon the guilt thereof, does then only abide, yea is ſo tried that the way of ſin, can never ceaſe to be a way of paine, and torment if the ſtrenght and malignity of the diſeaſe did not take of all ſenſe thereof, which as a bone out of joint, hath no eaſe, nor does ſuffer the whol body to be at reſt; whilſt on the other hand in cloſſe following the rule, and reſiſting a preſent temptation, what ſweet peace, humble confidence, and comfortable acceſſe to God, with inward rejoycing is moſt ſenſibly then found, and how here only is the way of his relief; and a great ſeal thus to the truth, when he ſees ſo firme and indiſſoluble a tie betwixt peace, and holineſs, as the worſt of times can never break of. 9. He knowes that if no ſearching tryal, there could be no triumph and in ſo farre ſhould be ſhut out from the overcomers joy, to which the foreſt wreſtling of a chriſtian when ſanctifiingly exerciſing muſt ſtill make way. 10. And what thoughts might theſe be on a more deep reflection, upon the truth, and reality of prayer, that here is no conjecturall thing but ſuch a paſſage, is ſure, knowne, and tryed, betwixt heaven, and a Chriſtians ſoul; which hath had ſo wonderfull effects, and certain returns, in the greateſſ exigence and ſtrait; and is not only an inſtituted dutie, but mean of their reliefe, yea not only the ſweeteſt way of converſe with God here on the earth; but is the moſt effectual to prevaile and obtaine.
I ſhall but add, a few words more, now in the cloſe, and deteane the reader no further; that it would have been judged, the appearance of the time, in this extream exigence, with what may be ſeen of the deplorable ſtate of the Church of Chriſt, not only in Brittain, but almoſt univerſally, might ere now have allayed theſe high diſtempers, hath been of late, when popery is on ſo preſent and dreadfull an approach as threatens to ſwallow up all, and when that mine, which hath been ſo long in the dark, and digging under the ground, ſeems ſo near to ſpring, yea hath got too viſible advantage, to enter at ſuch a breach (as hath been of late) and gain ground this way. It is true, it may ſeem not eaſy to comprehend and is ſurely one of the greateſt dephts of the judgment of God this day, how in one and the ſame age where the truth hath ſo brightly ſhined, both in purity, and power, there can be a ſubjecting of ſo many with their own conſent, to ſo viſible and notour an Impoſtur, as popery is, and after all we have ſeen, this Surpriſing darkneſſe, ſhould now-come to ſuch a hight, as men are turned thus cruel againſt themſelves, and the Poſterity, to deliver up all that ſhould be deareſt to them, to ſuch a party: yea engadge in a way that ſo clearly enervats the whole intent of the Goſpel, and where there is no conceiveable acceſs for ſeduction, by any arguments to mens reaſon, and judgment; or on other termes then to ſhut their eyes firſt on the Bible.
But what ever length this tryal, may now come, and tho it ſhould yet once provaile againſt all viſible profeſſion of the truth in the Church of Brittain and Ireland, we ſhould adore the ſpotleſs righteouſneſs of God herein in delivering mens reaſon and judgment up to ſo ſtrong deluſion, ſince as the greateſt of bleſſings which ever came to the world is the pure light of the Goſpel; it needs not be ſtrange that the greateſt of judgments follow on a peoples contempt, and rejecting thereof, ſo as nothing is ſo abſurd and irrationally groſſe which theſe will not drink in who have once rejected the truth. But ſince the proſpect and impreſſion of this time, is like to be more fainting, then to confirme, or awake to duty, I would but touch this a little, though there can be no poſſible ſtumbling, for want of light, when the truth and doctrine of the reformed religion is ſo fully cleared; and tho this might ſeem incongruous with the forgoeing ſubject, yet I am ſure not unſuteable to the time when ſuch hazard is now of much ſtumbling, and men do unſenſibly weare at a diſtance from under theſe former impreſſions of the truth, and the way of the Lord, which they once had; yea that a few dayes may come the Churches way more remarkable for tryal, then all hath yet ever been in this age; I ſhall but offer ſome ſpecial reflexions now ſutable to ſuch a day, and of ſo known publick, and unqueſtionable evidence, to the Church that when brought near to our thoughts, may let us ſee how farre the advantage, and meaſure of theſe confirmations of the truth, given in to this generation, does exceed that of former times; and I ſhould hop ſuch an exerciſe, might be of uſe and bleſſed through the Lords gracious concurrence for Chriſtians furtheſt confirming, thus but to reaſon with themſelf, and have more deep reflectings thereon.
1. What ever hight this preſent aſſault from popery, may come to yet we know how ſolemne a triumph, the Goſpel hes had, and that ſurly it is the ſame truth, and cauſe of the reformed Church; for which ſo great things, hath the Lord wrought, when that bleſt revolution once came, after Antichriſtian darkneſs had overſpread the face of the World for many ages; ſo as the full ſtroak, and down fall of that Kingdome, ſeems not more marvelous, and above all humane appearances, when now at a diſtance; then what we have already ſeen. 2. That it is clear, how extraordinare a power did attend this bleſt work of the Churches riſing and that aſtoniſhing ſwift progreſs thereof, as nations ſeemed to be borne at once, and the earth to bring forth in one day; Churches was then both planted, and confirmed betwixt the Year 1521. and 70. like a new Chriſtian World, thus brought forth and ſetled, yea how farre this was above viſible means and how little intereſt inſtruments had therein as it may be ſtill ſaid, let none fear or ſtager at the promiſe of God, though difficulties in an ordinare way, ſeem inſuperable; after we have now ſeen what the Lord hath don theſe laſt ages. 3. That it is ſo evident, how with the firſt ſhining forth of the truth, and doctrine of Chriſt, in the purity thereof, the life and power of Chriſtianity came alſo therewith to the world, and how this bleſt light, did lead in, to greateſt tenderneſs in the walk, and practiſe of Chriſtians, which we might ſee yet as ſtill preſent before us, how extraordinare an effuſion of the ſpirit of God, this was, which cauſed then ſo marvelous a change, and luſtre on the Church. 4. Have we not ſeen to confirme us of the truth, theſe prodigies of cruelty hath been acted, by the popish party ſuch as ſome immediat power and incitement of the Divell, can only anſwer and hath ſo farre outgone the ordinare rate of humane cruelty, as if Infernall ſpirits, had then come and aſſumed human ſhape, to act this way; yea is evident that no ſuch meaſures can be found under the heathenish perſecution againſt the Chriſtian Church and in that ſtrange way and manner followed as the French, and Irish maſſacre, hath been. 5. That ſuch horrid practiſes alſo, hath been conſequentiall to their doctrine, and principles, ſo as this hath not only been diſpenſed with … by that Church, but accounted as highly meritorious, that it may be now eaſy to judge where that ſpirit, and way tends and what might be expected where this long … fury ſhould but once get a vent. 6. Have we not ſeen alſo no poſſible m… ſecurity, from ſuch whoſe greateſt ſtrength hath thus been to move ſtill in the dark; and by ſurpriſe, to make their greateſt aſſault, yea whoſe very religion, does ſo evidently ſubvert all truth, and mutuall confidence amongſt men. 7. But have we not alſo ſeen, amore excellent ſpirit, and invicible power, hath been, to bear up againſt all this cruelty, and rage, and how great a ſeal, thus hath been to the Proteſtant …ſe, and doctrine in theſe late times, by innumerable witneſſes, who even in their extreameſt ſufferings, did ſo convincingly evidence, a joy unſpeakable, and undoubted ſealing of the comforts, of the Holy Ghoſt, on their ſoul. 8. That theſe likewiſe were rare examples, of the truth, and reality, of holyneſs in their day; and of humility, and ſubduedneſs to the flesh, yea of tenderneſs, and bowels of compaſſion to their perſecutors whom the Lord did thus call and prepare for ſuch a ſacrifice. 9. That no precipitancy, or ſtubbornneſs, in the leaſt was in their way, but as with great aſſurance of minde; ſo with a tender, humble and deliberat acting, their ſtudy then was by rationall conviction to deall with the conſcience of adverſaries, in a willing rendering, the reaſon of their faith, and ſuffering, with all meekneſs, from the ſcripture, with a reference thereto before the world, to be tryed and ſearched out in what any could object. 10. Have we not ſeen the power, and wiſdom of God, moſt brightly ſhine forth, in that day, in the weakneſs of means, and that no ſpeciall peice of ſervice, was then called for, but a moſt ſurpriſing and diſcernible call, and excitement of inſtruments thereto, who in the ſame ſpirit, by which others were helped to ſuffer, was remarkably then carried out to act in defence of the Goſpel much above themſelves and their ordinare reach. 11. Have we not ſeen alſo, that no great thing was by the Lord, then brought forth for his Church, but ſome remarkable hight of trouble, went before, and how every ſtep of her riſe, and prevailling over Antichriſt hath been ſtill uſhered in with ſome ſore conflict, and down caſting lyke the Pangs, and throwes, of the birth before a delivery. 12. Have we not clearly ſeen, that no humane power ſince the breaking forth of this bleſt light of the goſpel, could yet ever reach its end, againſt the reformed Church; though no poſſible way, and chainge of weapons, have been left untried, but how moſt viſibly the work of their own hands, hath enſnared them herein, and tended more to the furtherance of the goſpel. 13. And might it not be confirming what hath been ſo clear to ſee, the reformed Church of France, get ſo ſweet a clam, yea fixt in a ſetled ſtate, with outward peace, and legal ſecurity, by the Catholick league there, andby ſuch a formidable conjunction as was therein of perſons and intereſts for her utter ruine. 14. To ſee four Kings of France, ſucceſſively taken away in 30 Years, all upon the ſame deſigne; and in a vigorous purſuite to deſtroy the Proteſtant intereſt there, and in them that race of the houſe of Valois wholy extinct of whom two, were by a violent death Henry the ſecond, and third, and this laſt ſo remarkably from that very airt with whom he had moſt concurred and joyned in counſell, as particularly with the Duke of Guiſe, for the maſſacre but both falling and deſtroyed by other in a ſhort time. 15. To ſee the Netherlands fixt both in a ſetled ſtate, and Church by that bloody engine of the Spanish inquiſition, ſet up there and ſevere cruelty of Philip the II., as the very mean made moſt ſubſervient thereto. 16. To ſee the Proteſtant doctrine, more effectually promot and rooted in England, by the bloody dayes of Queen Mary, then the peace full calme of King Eduard who had gone before. 17. To ſee the violence and falshood of Queen Douager, and inbringing, of the French to Scotland, to bear down and deſtroy the Proteſtant intereſt there, ſuch an effectual mean and advantage for its riſe and further eſtabliſhment. 18. To ſee the blood, and cruelty by Ferdinand the II. in Bohemia, in ſo very ſhort a time moſt viſibly returned on himſelf, to a making Germany almoſt deſolate, and for many years, to ſume in its own blood, by the Swedes, and their confederats. 19. To ſee that horrid late Irish maſſacre, in a few years after reſolved in an utter rooting out almoſt of that cruel party, who had moved therein with ſuch a diſcernible ſunſhine of the liberty of the Goſpel, as did follow after in that land. 20. I muſt here add which may be clear and confirming this day how ſo ſtrange a falling in with popery hath been now theſe 20. Years paſt in Brittaine, and what ground that intereſt hath gained there, hath ſo viſibly had its ſtrength from that airt of atheiſme, ignorance, and the getting up of a prophane Spirit, which as a prodigie, and deluge hath thus broke forth in theſe lands, once bleſt both with the purity, and power, of the Goſpel beyond moſt of the Churches; and how ſuch hath indeed found it eaſy to quite the truth, who yet never knew it, beſides the influence, and ſuting of ſuch a baite, as this way is to the temper of ſo licentious a time, and for ſome private intereſt, when that hath been under ſo favourable an aſpect.
FINIS.
End of the text · Robert Flemming, The Church Wounded and Rent by a Spirit of Division (1681)