New-England Pleaded With, Text (2 of 2)

New-England Pleaded With · Text (2 of 2)

p. 334. Consider what will be the latter end of that great Pride that is among us. Who doubts but that Pride is a prevailing, spreading sin in New-England? p. 34Now pride expresseth it self variously. There is pride appearing in the Garb, in garish attire, in affected trimmings and adornings of the outward man, that Body of Clay that is going to the dust and worms. How are men and women garnishing those dishes, Bodies I mean, that must shortly be set upon the worms Table, for them to feed sweetly upon? Though this may seem a small matter: yet the Holy Ghost takes notice of the pride of gate and Garb. Isa. 3.16.17. &c. And of strange Apparrel, for which the Lord threatens to punish the Princes and Kings Children (that one would have thought might have worn any Apparrel, and swaggered at any Rate cum Pr…vilegio) Zeph. 1.8. This kind of pride is very much unbecoming a people circumstanced as we are: a poor people in a wilderness condition. Hath God brought us into a wilderness, and caused us to dwell alone, and separated us for a peculiar People to himself, that we should imitate the Nations in these vanities? I know very well that there is a lawful …ure of Rich and Costly Apparel, of Beautiful Garments, of these and those Ornaments. To be cloathed in Scarlet, and put on Ornaments of Gold was not unbecoming some of the Daughters of Israel, 2 Sam. 1.24. Nor am I so Severe, or Morose, as to exclaim against this or that Fashion, provided it carry nothing of Immodesty in it, or Contrariety to the Rules of Moral Honesty. The civil Custome of the place where we live i… that which must regulate in this case. But when persons spend more time in trimming their Bodies then their Souls, that you may say of them (as a Worthy Divine wittily speaks) that they are like the Cinamon Tree, nothing good but the Bark: When they go beyond what their State and Condition will allow, that they are necessitated to run into Debt, and neglect works of mercy and charity, or exact upon others in their dealings, that they may maintain their Port and Garb; or when they exceed their Rank and Degree (whereas one end of Apparel is to distinguish and put a difference between persons according to their Places and Conditions) and when the Sons and Daughters of Sion are proud and haughty in their Carriage and Attire in an humbling time, when the Church is brought low, Ierusalem and Iudah is in a Ruinous Condition, and the Lord calls to deep Humiliation: This is very displeasing to God, and both Scripture and Reason condemn it. These are the most gross, and fantastical, and foolish buddings of Pride. But that which I principally intend▪ is more spiritual and less observed: A Fond and Foolish Admiration of Self, Pride of Parts, Gifts, Graces, Priviledges, Haughtiness because of Gods Holy Mountain, any Over-weening conceit of a mans self, because of any thing that God hath conferred upon him. This is a close p. 35and secret evil, bred in the bone, in some cases not easily discerned or discovered, …, and occasions a great deal of trouble in Churches and other Societies. Hence men the up against the order that is established according to God, and …bel against the Authority that is set up in Church and Common-wealth. Men have great Apprehensions of their own Wisdome, and Grace, and Abilities, and Fitness to Rule and Order every thing (though it is their place to be ruled) and nothing is well done if they be not at one end of it. Factious men are Proud men, Self admiring men: they look on themselves through their own magnifying Glass, and admire that every body doth not admire them, and wonder that all the World doth not wonder after them (as it is said, They did after the Beast when his Deadly VVound was healed Rev. …3…3.) and that all the Sheaves in the F…d about them do not fall down and make ob…ysance to their Sheaves. Such men are in their own apprehension, good enough to rule, and too good to obey: and can pick holes and find as many faults with our Rulers in the management of Civil and Ecclesiastical affairs, as the mutinous Israelites with Moses and Aaron, or proud Absolom with his Father David in his Government. Hence men are rebellious against the Word of God, and the voice of his Messengers. The proud men would not hea…ken to the Prophet, Ier. 43.2. Hence also Men are stiffe in their Opinions, and confident in their perswasions even about things of doubtful Disputation, to such a degree that they cannot bear with any that do not comport with them in their Apprehensions: And if they have imbibed this or that Heterodox Opinion, that is never so much against the sense of the generality of Gods People, Wise and Judicious; yet they hold in … will not let it go: but will rather separate from Churches▪ part with the communion of Saints, lose their interest in Ordinances, yea, … all Order, and hu…l… into a disturbance and confusion, then lay down the Darling notions they have taken up. Hence men carry it as though they were infallible, they cannot be in an errou… and impeccable too, They cannot be in a fault. Hence mens hearts rise and swell against faithful Admonitors, and they must not be reproved or contradicted. Hence men contend eagerly for disputable things, so as to impose their belief on other men, and make their Apprehensions the Measure and standard of theirs, and conformity to them therein, the condition of their Communion with them; whereas Humility would teach Placid… ferro contra sentient…, … Moderation and Forbearance in such cases, without which there will be justling and endless contention. Only by pri…e comes contention, Pro. 13.1…. There are many occasions of Contentions: But Prias, if there were nothing p. 36else, would occasion and produce Variance and Contentions. And what will the latter end be? Why, Pride goeth before destruction, and dishaughty Spirit before a fall, Prov. 16.18. If this be the general sin of this Country, we may well fear that destruction is coming, and that we are in a tottering, ruinous, falling Condition, Pride hath budded, the Rod hath Blossomed, Ezek. 7.10. Unless this Pride be nipped in the Bud, it will certainly thrustforth the Blossome of a Rod. God hath smart Rods for the back of a proud People.

5. Consider what will be the latter End of those bitter Contentions, and unchristian Distances and Divisions among us. All sober and considerate wise men have great thoughts of Heart about them. Sad it is, if there should be Contentions and Divisions, sides and parties and factions in Courts and Churches, and almost all Societies amongst us. This is very much unbecoming a people in our circumstances: Embarked in, and ex…es for, the same cause and interest in this wilderness. And that which renders it more sad is, that the Contentions which are among us are not meerly sudden exacerbations or ebullitions of anger and passion occasioned by these or those emergencies; but that there seems to be a Froward & perverse spirit mingled among us: which was the judgment of God upon the Egyptians before their destruction, Isa. 19.14. May not the Lord charge us as he did the Israelites, Deut. 32.5, 20. that we have too much of the spirit of that crooked and perverse Generation, even in this respect? Hence good Counsels are defeated, & all manner of Good almost obstructed in the…e & those Societies. And these contentions are not only as a paroxism, and fit of a Fever, that spends it self and goes off in a little time: but like a Chronical distemper, they are perpetuated, and drawn out from year to year, and there is no end of them. Either they refuse healing, and are the more Exasperated by the best means that can be administred by the ablest hands▪ or admit only of a palliative cure that doth not eradicate the disease, but give some check to it, and yeild present relief, and leave the patient in continuall danger of R…cla…vation, or relapsing (with lost hope of recovery into the same Distemper again. We abhorr and punish (& that justly) Adultery, Witchcraft, Murders, and such like abominations: but do we not make too little conscience of Hatred, Variance, Wrath, Strif…, Emulutions, Seditions, or Siding … which are …l works of the flesh also, and to be abandoned Gal. ….19, 20. It is a lamentable thing that w… should be thus … our selves, when Herod and P…late can make themselves friends in order to the crucifying of Christ in his Interest and Members, and the enemies of the Church of God, though of very different p. 37Interests and Apprehensions in many things can cement and unite and combine to subvert the visible Kingdom of Christ upon Earth. When Ge… and Ammon and Amalek, the Philistines with the Inhabitants of Tyre can consult together with one consent, and are confederate against the Church of God; when the League and Combination of the Anti Christian party in the World against the Interest of Christ is so evident, their Advantages so great, their Successes so notorious, their Rage such as reacheth up unto Heaven: Then for a professing people to be contending and quarrelling, biting and devouring one another is most unseasonable, most unreasonable. Your differences will make way for those that will make no difference between Synodists and Antisynodists, Old or New-Church men,

Tros, Tyriusve illis nullo diserimine agetur.

The Hatred of your Adversaries is not derived upon you as you are thus & thus distinguished and diversified among your selves: but upon one common account. The Enmity of the seed of the Serpent is against One and All of the seed of the Woman, of what Complexion soever they are; and their Hatred is foreign against the whole Race and Generation of Religions and Reforming professors among us. These Divisions will open a wide door to your Adversaries. Those that let out these waters of strife and fill their streames with bitterness; that kindle these flames and encrease them, or hinder the quenching of them, do thereby gratifie them, exceedingly that wish ill to our Sion.

Hoc Ithacus velit, & magno merceniur Atrida.

And indeed it would be very strange, if the Industrious and indefatigable …esuites (that compass Sea and Land to do mischief) and other sly, and subtile and malignant Enemies should not Improve and Graffe upon the Stock of our Divisions.

Our Conten…ious render us weak and despicable, and obnoxious to great Danger; they make us hang loose one from another, and from the general interest of Religion and civil Liberty, and render us like… Fig trees with the first ripe Figs, which if they be shaken will even fall into the mouth of the eater, Nah. 3.12. Yea, they do as it were, Arm our Adversaries against us; and in a manner tempt them to set upon us. A Mutinous Army and a Divided People are easily made a prey to their Enemies. Scripture, Reason and Experience attest unto the truth of what I say. Again, well it is, if whilest we are contending about the preservation of the purity of Churches, and Church-Administrations, we are not laying a foundation for the corruption of them: and that our Contentions and Divisions (which naturally lead men in policie to endeavour the enlarging of p. 38their respective interests) do not make more Church-members, then the conviction or evidence of their fitness for such a priviledge. May not that be the issue of these differences, that Adherence to a party, or to be a Darling of the Faction, will become as p…ssant a Qualification with this or that party or Faction for admission into the Church of God, as visible Saint-ship hath been among us? And that, Who are you for, will be in reality the only Test and Tou…h stone of the sufficiency of persons for Communion with us in Church ordinances? Nay further, as I remember it hath been said of Lawyers, and too much verified in the men of that profession, that Contention maintains them, and they maintain Contention: so may it not be truly said of many men in Churches (that have few commendable Qualities in them, whether you consider them as men or Christians) that Contention maintains them in Credit and Reputation with their party: and they maintain Contention in heart and vigour among us? This is the way whereby some men (that are men of no remark for the practice of Piety, or real Worth and Abilities in any respect) do signalize themselves with their Brethren in Con…ention: even by floating upon the top of these waters of strife, and appearing with the foremost in the Defence of the Divided, narrow Interest of this or that party amongst us. Moreover it is a very great provocation to the God of peace, that you should strive and contend, judge and despise one another, and fall out so unreasonably about lesser matters, and such things as are forreign to the Bond of Christian-Communion. When you should be blessing God that you agree so far, you are wrangling because that you disagree a little: when you should thank God that you agree so much, you quarrel because you agree no more. Certainly God is displeased, Christ dishonoured, Religion (as to the Course and Race, Reputation or Glory of it, 2 Thess. 3.1,) Disadvantaged, Malicious Enemies Encouraged, the World Offended, the Rising Generation, and your own Souls unspeakably prejudiced by these Divisions. And what will the End be? It is commonly observed by those that are conversant in Ecclesiastical Histories, that in the Primitive times, when the Churches had Peace and Rest, and Respiration from the heat of Persecution, they soon grew Quarrelsome and Contentious: And the… God in a little time raised up some Persecutor or other to chastise them for their faults in that kind, and whip them together again: and then, SEE (could their Enemies say) how these Christians love one another! the contentions of Gods people in times of liberty make way for Persecution or some dismal Catastrophe. The Divisions among us (some whereof seem to admit no Help or Healing, but are rather heightened and exasperated p. 39by the best Applications) are in my eye like any Comet, or Blazing-star, or Prodigious Apparicion, direfully portending woful Calamities. What the Latter End will be, our Saviour hath told us, Mat. 12.25. Every Kingdome divided against it self is brought to Desolation: and every City or House divided against it self shall not stand. Divisions are sad presages of misery, and lead the way to dreadful Desolations.

6 Consider what will be the latter end of your unreasonable Iealousies, abusive calu…nie…, or other ill Vsage of persons of great worth, use and Interest▪ among you. Consider (I beseech you) in the fear of God, what will be the end of the ill entertainment of the best men among you. Who sees not (that is not wofully blind) that no men are more suspected and taken up in the lips of talkers. Ezek. 36.3. calumniated and-abused, then pious and faithful Magistrates and Min…sters? Moses and Aaron of old, as Meek and Humble and Faithful and Innocent as they were, yet were suspected and traduced by many Male-Contents in Israel: You take too much upon you. Numb. 16 3 Good Moses must still bear the murmurings of that discontented, unruly people. If the Lord cross them in denying them any thing they wanted or lusted after, Moses presently must pay for it. If they wanted flesh or water, then presently they fly out against Moses; We may thank you, Moses, for this: would God we had stayed by the flesh-Pots in Egypt and dyed there; have you brought us into this wilderness to starve us to death, and kill us wi…h hunger? Exod. 16 3. And if the Lord vindicate the cause of Moses and Aaron against any Rebels among them, and destroy them in such a miraculous and extraordinary manner, that one would have thought it should have for ever silenced all their murmurings, and taught the survivers submission to the Authority of God vested in Moses and Aaron, yet soon after, the very next morning, in cold blood, as it were, they are making head against them again, and charging them with the murthe… of their Brethren: Ye have killed the people of the Lord. Numb. 16.41. It is the hard condition of Magistrates and Ministers that they must bear all the murmurings of discontented people, and belo…d…d with all the obloquies and injurious reproaches that can be. They had need be men of great meekne…s and patience, able to bear much, that are Pillars in the Church and Common-wealth. But great is the sin and unworthiness of those that put them to such an exercise of meekness and patience, And are not many among us guilty in this respect? It is a sad time when a lying Spirit is gone forth into the mouths of many Professors; when lyes are invented to the disparagement of Rulers, and Ministers, and calumnies and base Reproaches are vended and put off and dispersed p. 40through the Countrey with much subtlety and industry, as if there were some Lying Office set up in New England. It hath been my observation since I came among you, that almost all the … in this poor Countrey is made and carryed on by Lying. Tale-bearer or Slanderer in the Hebrew [RACHIL] hath its Origination from [ROCHEL] a word which signifies a Merchant, quasi fame as honoris p…oximi nu…ator (Buxt… ) one that sets to …a…e the name and honour of other men. We have many such Merchants, or Pedlars rather, that go up and down the Countrey with this kind of Commodity; and it is a lamentable thing that they should have so good a Trade of it, and meet with so many Chapmen that are ready to take their ware off their Hands. — Hinc illa Lachrima! There are many that walk with Lies and Slanders. Ier. 9.4. I wish it were not too manifest that many men among us have the art of telling a Ly with a great deal of gravity and seriousness, and have gone to School to Machiavel, that instructs his Scholars …alum…ari fortiter, to calumniate stoutly, and tells them for their encouragement, Aliquid haerebst, something will stick. Many pregnant Instances of this evil Spirit might be produced to confirm what I say: but herein I shall spare the guilty. Only, who knows not (that is no stranger in our Israel) that the Ministers of Christ among you indefinitely have been deliberately and solemnly charged with a Declension from Primitive Foundation work, I…novation in Doctrine and Worship, Opinion and Practice, Invasion of the Rights, Liberties and Priviledges of Churches, Vsurpation of a Lordly Prelatical Power over Gods Heritage, and with the like things which are the Leven, the corrupting Gangrene, the Infecting, spreading Plague, the provoking Images of …ealousie set up before the Lor…, the accursed thing which hath provoked Divine wrath and further threatens Destruction? I need give you no other instance of this evil spirit of Jealousie and Calumny then this. Here is good measure pressed down, shaken together, and running over. Enough and enough to demonstrate the disaffected and embittered Spirit of some men; and what unkind usage from some hands, those your poor Ministers find among you. Such men (whom I wish either that they were better enformed and affected, or less considerable in the Common-wealth) impute all the Blastings and Droughts and Iu…gments of God upon the Country to the Defection and Apostacy of their Ministers. As if the confident Accusers themselves were men of such unquestionable innocency, as not to contribute any thing to the Sins and Sorrows of the Country; or as if there were no other sinners among us that are kindling the wrath of God against the Land, and pulling down his Judgements, p. 41but a few despised Ministers: Or as if there were no other sins against the Lord our God found among us, to provoke the wrath of a jealous God, but the supposed Deviations of pious, conscientious, learned men, truly studious of Truth and Reformation, and a due progress therein. Such Accusers of our Civil and Ecclesiastical Rulers, do in effect and by consequence (according to the just interpretation and construction of their words, without wringing blood from them) say thus much, That it were happy for the People of New England if they were rid of such Leaders in Church and Common wealth.—Tantane Animis celestibus Irae? Strange! that any good men should be so far transported with passion or prejudice, as to cast fire brands, Arrows and Death in this manner; and not to say, are we not in sport? but are we not in sober sadness, in Religious good earnest? There is a spirit of persecution in such men: they discover Sanguinary thoughts towards the Servants of Christ▪ For when they have Achanized the Body of the Ministers, and found the accursed thing in their Tent, what should they do but stone them? when they have calumniated them to such a degree, and put them into such Bear skins: what should they do but b…t and worry them? when they have represented them as abominable Apos…tes, and the prime incendiaries of Divine wrath: what should they do, but deal with them, as foreign. …acular and devoted persons that must be cut off by the hand of justice for the purging of the Land, and putting away evil from Israel? The Pagans of old attributed all their Deaths, and Plagues and Droughts, and unseasonable weather to the Christians that cohabited with them. Hence, if any evil befell them, they thought the Gods were angry with them, because of the tolleration of the Christians among them: and therefore their out cry was, Christianos ad L…ones, Away with the Christians to be devoured of the Lions. And truly such a notion as some have of the Ministers of Christ carries this in it; that it were expedient that they should be made a Sacrifice, and thrown to the Lions: but that some of you have in some places a severer way to punish some of them for their supposed Apostacy, viz. To keep them short in their maintenance, to distress them and their Families, or drive them to such shifts for a livelihood, as men of Liberal Education can hardly buckle to, or else to tire and weary them out with vexatious contentions. And bet…er it were for a man of logenuity to come under the Paw of a devouring Lion, that will destroy him mercifully because suddenly; then to be stretched upon the Rack and tortured to death with ill usage, or to live under the continual droppings of a contentious froward people, that will waste and wear him out by p. 42Degrees, ut sentiat se mori, as the Bloody Tyrant said, It is not very long since, upon occasion of the Defamation (as it is said) of one Minister among us, that … Prov. 19 5. A false witness shall no…ce unpunished, and … Lyes shall not escape, was uncour…ed and improved. But … we say then of the persons that are guilty of the De…amation of the Ministers of the Countrey in general, that are no less … then He was? What Atonement can be made for those men, and their Demerit? I will not …ay that it is revealed in mine Ear… by the Lord of Hosts, surely this iniguity shall not be purged from them, till they dy: But this I will say, because I judge it … enough, that it is a grievous provocation, and calls for deep and solemn Repentance, and other manner of satisfaction then yet hath been given.. But what wrong, on New England, have thy Magistrate, and Ministers done thee? For which of their good works art thou St…ning of them? Have they Prayed for thee? Have their Souls wept for thy Pride and Vnbelief and Hardness of Heart, and Vnruliness? Have they Watched over thee, in their several Capacities? Have they given thee Faithful Warning of approaching Calamities? Have they served thee with all their might, with very little advantage accruing to themselves in outward respects? Have they loved thee more then thou ha… loved them? Brethren and Friends, forgive them. I beseech you) this wrong. I confess I have used some sharpness in this Discourse: And I believe I have sufficient warrant for it. There are some that are to be rebuked sharply; and they are the foreign ▪ The Cretians are always Liars. This Witness is true, wherefore rebuke them sharply, or cuttingly, as the Original Word imports, Tit. 1.12, 13. And the truth is, I look upon this practise of Reproa…hing and Fraunting your Leaders in both Orders, as greatly prejudicial to the prosperity of the Country, tending to the some…ting and perpetuating of our Dissentions, and rending all our Hopes and Endeavours of Peace and Reconciliation …rustrate and fruitless. As he said, What peace, so long as the Whoredoms of thy mother Iezebel, and her Witchcrafts are so many. 2 Kin 9 21. So may I say, what peace can be expected so long as this trade of Lying and calumnating men of piety worth and Authority is continued and driven on among us? And ind…ed though it may be thought by some that these wretched practises are but the small Devices of some petty Politicians and little creeping States-men among us that have no very considerable influence into our publick affairs: yet I must needs say, that I look upon this course of calumniating your best men, as the very Gun-powder-Plot that threatens the destruction of Church and State. Nothing (as experience shews) is more advantagious p. 43to the designs of Innovators, then the right knack of kindling and fomenting jealousies and fears in the minds of men concerning Magistrates and Ministers. Such men are wont to make and improve false Alarms of danger, that people may believe that Religion and liberties are at the Stake, and in danger to be lost! Designers are wont to impose upon the credulitie and easiness of well meaning people this way. And that men are generaly disposed to receive such impressions, and suspect evil of their Superiors and Leaders, is but too manifest. Moreover these Calumnies are Immoralities, and scandalous evils, and it is the duty of Gods servants to lift up their voice as a Trumpet, to cry aloud and not spare them that are guilty whatever the issue be: yea, to cry to God and man for redress. And I would humbly commend it to our Honourable Rulers, upon whom the lot of this days Election shall fall, that they would take it into serious consideration and fixe upon some expedient, to put these lying lips to silence, and to find out the principal Authors and Fomentors of these mischievous calumnies. They are certainly moral evils, and God is angry with us for them, (for he is very tender of the name and reputation of pious Rulers and Ministers) and many good people are deceived and drawn in the simplicity of their hearts, into a disaffection to their Leaders; yea, and the people of God abroad are abused and misinformed, and these Calumnies (to my knowledge) are handed and transmitted over Sea; insomuch that many good people take it for granted that most of the Leaders in this Countrey are meditating a Revolt from the good old principles and practises of their worthy predecessors: And how prejudicial this is to this poor Countrey to lose their reputation and their Room and Interest in the hearts and prayers of the people of God abroad, I need not say: me thinks those things should be looked into. A Committee of enquiry or discovery might do well: for it is a matter of very threa…ning consequence. Ob Consider what the end of these things will be. It is sad when people are jealous of the best men they have, and those that are truest to their Interest, and when h…s are disseminated, and base calumnies spread abroad, and must be believed against men of known piety and worth, and zeal, and Faithfulness. VVhat will the end be, but that the Magistratical Office will go a begging, men of worth will be loth to appear on the Stage of Government, and wise men will say, make us not Rulers over this people, and that those that despise the waters of Shiloah that go softly, shall have the waters of the great River, strong and many, come up upon them. When a Spirit of Jealousie concerning Rulers is growing and spreading in any place, That there is a diffidence of the people in their Magistrates; It is an ill p. 44Omen, a sad sign, portending some great Alteration in Church and State. When people are afraid of, and disaffected to their best Friend, that pity them, that pray for them▪ that mourn in secret for them, that watch for their good, and consult for their comfort, as to Soul, Body, Estate, and all their Concernments: It is a great evil, and greatly provoking to God. If men will be despising, and censuring, and reproaching, and abusing the Gods among them (as Magistrates are called) and the Angels of Churches (as Ministers are called▪ God can send Devils or Evil Angels among them to torment and terrifie them, I mean, unreasonable men to rule over them in a Tyrannical way: and then they will in vain wish that they had those again, whom they have thrust away from them. The end of these things will be, that you will weary Magistrates and Ministers, and break their hearts, and send them to their Graves, and God will take you into his own hands and walk contrary to you in fury, and cause those that hate you to rule over you. If you are jealous of those that are men of Worth and Integrity, that mean you good and no harm: It is just with God to give you Rulers and Ministers that shall be as bad to you indeed, as you injuriously fancy those you have to be; that shall really wrest away your liberties, oppress your Consciences, and bring in not Presbyterianism, but worse, and spread their hand… upon all your pleasant enjoyments. Be Instructed O New England, be instructed; and know that this will be the latter end of thy unreasonable …ealousies, Calumnies, & ill usage of thy Best men, if timely, nay speedy Repentance prevent it not.

7. Consider what will be Latter end of Receding, or making a Defection from the way of Church Government established among us. I profess I look upon the Discovery & Settlement of the Congregational Way as the Boon, the Gratuity, the Largess of Divine bounty, which the Lord graciously bestowed upon his People, that followed him into this Wilderness: And a great part of the Blessing on the head of Ioseph, and of them that were separate from their Brethren. Those good People that came over shewed more Love and Zeal and affectionate Desire of Communion with God in pure Worship and Ordinances, and did more in order to it, then others: and the Lord did more for them, then for any other people in the World, in shewing them the pattern of hi… House, and the true Scriptural way of Church Government and Administrations. I have often adored the wisdome▪ and goodness and Faithfulness of the God and Father of our Lord Iesus Christ in this respect. God was certainly in a more then ordinary way of favour present with his Servants in the laying of our Foundations, and in settling the way of Church order according to the will and appointment p. 45of Christ. If Things were to begin now, how many minde, and what discord would there be? But God shewed them the Form and Fashion of his House, as to all the substantials of it (for I do not think that they were at a Ne plus ultra, and that nothing was left to the discovery of after-times; but beginning-work was substantially done by them: They were set in the right way, wherein we are to proceed and make a progress) And he made them unanimous about it, and bl…ssed what they d…d marvelously: It will be our Wisdome, Interest, and Duty to follow them, as they followed the Guidance of the Spirit of Christ. Oh consider what will be the sad issue of Reovlting from the Way fixed upon, to one extreme, or to another, whether it be to Presbyterianism or …rownism. As for the Presbyterians, it must be acknowledged, that there are among them as Pious, Sober, Learned, Orthodox men, as the World affords; and that there is as much of the Power of Godliness among that party, and of the spirit of the good old Puritan, as among any People in the World. And for their Way of Church-Government it must be confessed that, in the day of it, it was a very considerable step to Reformation. The Church of God hath been recovered by degrees out of the Antichristian Apostacy. When our Lord Jesus wrought the Cure on that Blind Man, Mark 8.23, 24, 25. He first saw men as tree… walking, and then saw every man clearly. Great Blindness had happened to the World for many Ages, and the cure was performed by the Hand of Christ gradually, and to see men walking as Trees, to have any Glimmerings of Truth, was a good degree of Recovery, and a far greater mercy then to be sta…k b…iud, and should be so acknowledged. The Reformation in King Edward's dayes was then a blessed work: And the Reformation of Geneva and Scotland wa… a la…ger step, and in many respects purer then the other. And for my part I fully believe (the Reasons of which Belief cannot be rendred here▪) that the Congregational way far exceeds both, and is the highest step that hath been taken towards Reformation, and for the substance of it is the very way that was est…blished and practised in the Primitive times according to the Institution of Jesus Christ. And indeed it hath been and is my perswasion from what I have read and observed, that those that will forsake the Congregational and pass over to the Presbyterian-way, because of some diffe…ences of notion among our Congregational Divines, or difficulties in the practise and way of the Congregational Churches, shall find that they make but a bad exchange, and that there are as many or more Differences, Difficulties and Entanglements in the Presbyterian Principles and Practise. And I must needs say, that I should look upon it as a sad p. 46degeneracy, if we should leave the good old way so far as to turn Councils and Synods into Classes and Provincial Assemblies, and there should be such a laxeness in Admission of Members to Communion as is pleaded for and practised by many Presbyterian…, and Elders should manage all themselves in an Au…ocratorical, absolute way to the utter Subversion or Overthrow of the liberty and priviledge of the Brethren. Our Worthies that are gone off the Stage allowed the Priviledge of the Brethren without any infringement of the Rule and Authority of the Presbytery, and knew how to reconcile them together. Whatever influence the concurrence of the Brethren hath into Church Acts, clear it is that it is necessarily required to the exercise of Church Authority, that all Ordinances may be admininistred in a way of Edification. The Expressions of the deservedly Famous Dr. Owen are very considerable. The Reason (saith he) why the consent of the Church is required unto the Authoritative Acting of the Elde…s therein, is not bec…use from thence any Authority doth acerue unto them a new, which vertually and radically they had not b…fore: but because by the Rule of the Gos…el this is required …o the orderly acting of their power, without which it would be contrary to Rule, and th…refore ineffectual: as also it must needs be from the n…ture of the thing it s…lf; for no act can take place in the Church without or against its own consent, whilest its Obedience is voluntary an… of choice. And in case the Church refuse to consent to such Acts a… are according to Rule, the Elders must instruct them in their Duty, declare to them the danger of Dissent, wait patiently for the concurrence of the Grace of God with their Ministry in giving Light and Obedience to the Church: and in case of the Churches continuance in any Failure of Duty, to seek for advice and counsel from the Elders and Brethren of other Churches. Thus that Man of Renown in his excellent Treatise of Worship and Discipline, Pag. 130, 131. If this be attended, the Congregational way is so far secured. I know there are many that are bold to Affirm, that the Ministers among us are generally revolted, or revolting to Presbyterianism. If I were perswaded that any such thing were done or designed, I should account it my duty with all due respect to give in my Testimony against it at this time. This indeed would be a real Degeneracy and Defection from a better way, that God hath by an High Hand of Providence set up among us, and signally ow…ed and blessed. But I am fully perswaded, that such Representations of you… Elders… as to far the greatest part of them) are injurious, groundless Calumnies, which some men m…st answer for. It was candidly and truly said by that Reverend Servant of Christ (sufficiently known to be no Presbyterian) p. 47that Preached on this solemn occasion two years ago, that …ting some Eccentricks, we are all generally agreed in the Principles of Purity▪ and Power of the Churches, Mr. Oxenbridge his Election Sermon, Pag. 45. that is, we are all generally Congregational men. And none will say otherwise but those that have profit by the Fable. If the Doctrine of Discipline drawn out of the Scriptures, and delivered to us in the Platform as well as in the writings of famous and blessed, Cotton, Hook…r, Mather, Shepard, and the rest of ou… Worthies be Congregational: I doubt not but you have, for the substance of it, the hearty Consent of the most, if not all your Elders to it. I cannot find upon my utmost enquiry, that there is any reall Foundation for such Invidious Reports, or any thing that answers the great Cry which some make. Differences indeed there are among godly learned men about some Apices or less considerable particulars, and ever were among your Famous Leaders, and yet they walked sweetly together, and never branded one another with the name of Presbyterians. There is doubtless a Latitude in the Congregational Way, wherein good men may walk a Breadth: and Degrees do not vary the Species. And I am perswaded that if many of the Clamorous or loud Accusers of the Ministers of Christ would examine themselves Impartially, the verdict of their ow… Consciences would be, that the Reason why they charge their Elders with Presbyterianism is, because they themselves are revolted to the other Extream, or never came up to the true Congregational way, as it is delineated by our Worthies out of the Scriptures. Else what do those mean that speak of the Rule and Government of the Church ves…ed in the Brethren, of the Governing Vote of the Brethren, of a Moderator to be set up by the Brethren, when the Elders (that are Recti in For… ) are unsatisfied to put this or that to Vote, of allowing the Officer his single Vote, and no more? what means that disgust that some men have against the very Name of Rule and Authority (truly so called) in the Eldership; against Councils and Synods, and the decisive power thereof, as it hath been stated by the Leaders of the Congregational-way, both in Old and New-England? I will be bold to say, (and indeed there is no great haza…d in the Assertion) that these notions are as opposite to the Principles of our Congregational Worthies, as darkness is to Light: Yea, they are the Reproach of the way of these Churches, which our Divines have industriously rolled off it. Those that laid our Foundations were directed of God, to sta… a middle course between Rigid P…esbyterianism and Levelling Brownism There is a sweet Temperament in the Congregational way; that the Liberties of the people may not be overlaid and oppressed, as in the p. 48Classical way; nor the Rule and Authority of the Elders rendred an insignificant thing, and trampled under Foot, as in the way of the Brownists; but that there may be a Reconciliation or due Concurrence, and a Ballancing of the one justly with the other. And herein the wisdom of our Lord Iesus in the Frame of Church Government (for it is not any politick and prudential Contr…vance of man, but modelled by the great Law-giver, the Lord Iesus) is greatly to be admired by us: and those that have not seen & acknowledged this, never yet beheld the beauty and glory of the Congregational way … P…esbyterianism in the Rigour of it, should obtain among us, there will be an Oppression of the liberties of the people: If Brownisme be introduced, there will be a rising up & rebellion of the people against the Authority of Christ conferred on Church-Officers. Whether the Oppression of Church Guides, or Rebellion of Church-Members, be the greater Evil, I shall not concern my selfe to enquire. I beg that we may keep the Kings High way, the way that Christ himself hath cast up for us, and that ou… worthy Predecessors have travelled in before us: the way that hath been Stated, not in the private modells of some fancyfull and conceited men, but in the Platform of Church Discipline (O that it were more generally recived and attended!) and in the writings of our Ablest and most judicious Divines. The truest understanding of these things is from the Platform (deduced out of the word of God) and the Polemical writings of our Blessed worthies. For men generally speak warily and accurately, when they have to do with Adversaries, and know they are like to answer and account with them for every expression that falls from them: whereas those very men in practise are apt to take more Liberty, and are sometimes driven by …cessity, and for peace sake to comply fu…ther then they would. As there are necessities of State that Politicians are forced to comply with for avoiding of publick inconveniencie… : So there are also Church necessities, which Officers must concede unto for peace sake. I would much rather judge what is the true Congregational way in the judgment of our Divines from their writings, then by what was practised by them in this or that Congregation, where they might be necessitated to give way and comply (and that in Christian prudence with respect to peace and edification) to such Things as did not in every respect satisfie them. There were Sons of Zerviah that were too hard for wise and just and holy David (2 Sam. 3.39.) And if he let them take their course sometimes, and things went not so well in the Government on that account, It argues Davids desire of peace and Davids necessity, not his judgement or Principles. In like manner it comes to pass through the H…adiness and Wilfulness p. 49of some people, that cannot be contradicted in practise without hazard of peace; or the weakness of others who cannot bear what is every way right) that must be tendred and da…dl…d & dealt gently with, that Church Officers cannot in the course of their practise alwayes come up to their Principles. The unpreparedness of this or that people for a full Scriptural Reformation many times is a great Clog and R…mora to pious Rulers and Ministers that are vigorously pursuing it, 2 Chron. ….33. Labour therefore to inform your selves aright in this matter: and Consider what will be the sad end that will attend and follow a Revolt from the established way of Church-Government among us.

8. Consider what will be the Latter-End of Contempt of, weariness under, or Disaffection to the Civil Government established among us, whether as to the Constitution or Administration thereof. When God hath so graciously settled us upon to good Foundation… : now to kick and spurn at our Corner Stones, to be given to Change, & ready for Innovations and Alterations is great Ingratitude to God, and a very irreligious thing. For here (according to the Design of our Founders, and the Frame of things laid by them) the Interest of Righteousness in the Common wealth, and Holiness in the Churches are inseparable. The prosperity of Church and Common wealth are twisted together. Break one Cord, you weaken and break the other also. They are like Hippocrates his Gemelli, that do ridere simul, & flere simul. They that are weary of, and disaffected to this Government that God hath established among us, and shall betray and give up the Civil Interest of New-England will have more to answer for then they are aware of. He is a mad man that will hope for the Continuance of our Spiritual Liberties, If the Wall of our Civil Government be once broken down. Those Beasts that break down the Hedge of our Civil Government, do not d…sign, or do it meerly because they are angry with the Hedge, but because they would break in and devour all that is precious and dear to us. The change of our Government will inevitably introduce a sad change in our Churches To divide what God hath conjoyned, viz Civil and Ecclesiastical Liberties, to deliver up Civil, and yet hope to keep Spiritual Liberties, is folly in its Exaltation. I look upon this as a little model of the Glorious Kingdome of Christ on Earth. Christ Reigns among us in the Common wealth as well as in the Church, and hath his glorious Interest involved and wrapt up in the good of both Societies respectively. He that shall be Tre…cherous and False to the Civil Government, as he is injurious highly to the present and succeeding Generations; So he is guilty of High Treason against the Lord Jesus, and will be proceeded against p. 50as a rebel and Traitor to the King of Kings, when he shall hold his great Assizes at the End of the world And if there be any such Iudas…s among us as have received their Sop, and are going forth to betray Jesus Christ (I meane the Interest of Christ here among us) with a kisse (…b…lous pretences of love and good affection) or to force him (if need be) with swords & staves? Le… them know that they are hastning their own Ruine, & it had been better for them that they had never been born. Certain…ly they that long for a Change, or that would not do all that may be done, with a good Conscience, to prevent it, may have time enough to repent their F…lly. I am no States man, nor Politician; It is neither my Profession, nor Ambition: nor do I love to Discourse of things that I do not competently Grasp and Comprehend. Therefore I shall only say further: it hath been very sag… Counsel that hath been often given you; Keep to your PATENT. Your Patent was a Royal Grant indeed, befitting a Great Prince to make, and that which our Worthies that are gone to rest have many a time blessed God for: and it is instrumentally your defence and security. Recede from that one way or other, and you will expose your selves (for ought I know) to the Wrath of God, and Rage of Man. Fixe upon the Patent, and stand for the Liberties and Immunities conferred upon you therein, and you have God and the King with you, both a good Cause and a good Interest, and may with good Conscience set your Foot against any Foot of Pride and Violence that shall come against you. I shall only adde, that my Hearts Desire and Prayer is, that the E…ctors this Day may use their Priviledge well in chusing men fearing God, and duely Accomplished for Government, acquainted with the Worth & Glory of the Interest of Christ among us in Church and Common wealth; And that the Elected may have foreign, suitable and seasonable Help and Grace to manage all affairs they are intrusted with to the Glory of God and good … this Plantation: And that the People under them may be so far from weariness of and Disaffection to the G…v…rnment, that they may thankfully enjoy the sweet fruits of a good Mag…stracy, and that there may be a Covering or Defence upon all our Glory.

9. Consider what will be the Latter End of an inordinate Affectation of Liberty. I am farre from speaking against due care to maintain our Liberties. It is the property of English me…, much more of Religious English-men, and should be most of all of Religious New English-men to be tenacious and tender of their Liberties. Religion doth so ennoble and heighten the spirits of men, that a Christian, though he can be cont…nt to bear the Yoke and be in bondage, when God will have it so: yet he cannot p. 51willingly prostitute his Liberty, and basely enslave himself. You are bought with a price, Be not servants of men. 1 Cor. 7.23. Religious people will bear as long with Tyranny and Oppression as any people: but when God and Reason calls for it, they are wont to be as stout Assertors of their Liberties as any men. I am farre from condemning or perswading to Jealousies concerning men of piety and principles, that are sober and modest and conscientious Assertors of their Liberties. But I would disswade from an extream and undue affectation of Liberty. Here is a grea… Cry in the Countrey as this day about our Civil Liberties: these and those (in the frightful Imaginations of some men) are about to rob us of our Liberties. I doubt not but the Jealousy and complaint (at least as to many of them that are thus censured) is utterly groundless. And therefore take heed what you do. Out-cries for Liberty are popular and plausible, & make a pleasant sound in the Ears of Injudicious and unexperienced persons: but to those that have been abroad in the World and observed; or acquainted themselves with the Histories of States and Kingdoms, nothing is more suspected. Commonly th…y that raise the loudest Out-Cry against Governors for Robbing the people of their Liberties, either design, or eventually prove to be the greatest Oppressors of them, When they come to be Masters. The World hath been long imposed upon, and accustomed to these Impostures & yet is not old, or wise enough (as to the generality of the Inhabitants of it) to be cautious in this matter and to repose confidence in those that they have experienced for Faithful Conductors before the pretended Assertors and Conservators of their Liberties. See saith Absalom, thy matters are right, thou hast a very good cause, that would admit a quick and easie dispatch: but my Father David is a careless man, and minds not the good of his Subjects, Thou maist wait long enough for justice to thy great charge and Trouble; for he hath deputed none to hear thee. Oh that I were judge in the Land! I would do every man justice without delay. He kissed and courted the people to get into the throne. 2 Sam. 15.2, 3, 4, 5, 6. But what do you think would that dissolute young man have been in the throne for all his Courtships and flatteries? good David with all his partialities, Injustices and infirmities, was farre better (and the deluded people would have found it so) then aspiring Absolom with all his Complements and fair promises. Nothing is more ordinary with Ambitious men in a Popular State then Affectation of Popularity, seeming▪ Sympathizing with the people, and complaining of the Defection, Apostacy, and evil Intentions of their Governors. Take heed of such Impostors, though Religious in pretence and appearance, Acting all with p. 52a Theatrical Gravity. When you have pious Rulers, of whose Faithfulness you have had experience, Do nor easily suspect them. Verily none are more like to wrest away your Liberties, then those that make the greatest Out-cry for them; when there is no Reason no greater Engine to embondage and enslave a people, then such causless Out-cries for Liberty. I would know them very well that I would trust in that Case. In Popular States the great danger is of a Licentious, Pa…sions, Vngovernable Spirit, that kicks and spurns at Authority; and this makes way for Anarchy and Confusion, and that for Tyranny. For though it may seem a Paradox to some, yet it is an experienced Truth, that nothing makes way more for Tyranny and Oppression, then an undue Affectation of Liberty. This certainly genders unto Bondage! Our Liberties are so sweet and precious, that its pity we should lose them by needless Jealousies and Murmurings, Unthankfulness to God and Men who have been the Custodes and Keepers of th…m, or by catching at a shadow instead of the substance.

There are the same Out-cries in Churches also for their Liberties. And God forbid but that our Brethren should enjoy the Priviledge and liberty which Christ hath conferred upon them. But take heed Brethren, of complaining without cause. It grieves my heart sometimes to think how shamefully many good people are cheated and befooled in this matter. Many of those Brethren that give out themselves to be the great Assertors of the liberties of the Church, that make such tragical complaints of the Presbyterian Vsurpations and Encroachments of their painful, faithful Officers, that oppose them in their Government; and bind their hands that they cannot act according to their Commission from Jesus Christ, under pretence and colour of securing the Churches power, and priviledge, and liberty: It is but that they may grasp all the power in their own Hands and in effect Lord it over Gods Heritage, and that the Church may in truth and reality be governed by three or four F…ling (you may call them, if you please, Presbyterian) Brethren, rather then by the Officers that the Holy Ghost hath made Overseers and Rulers. This is the goddly way whereby our Brethren are wont to provide for their own Liberties. Do but open your eyes and look about you, and mark it in any Church where the Authority of the Elders is disowned and opposed, and tell me whether it be not so indeed: that a few Pragmatical and Loquacious Men (Concionales Hommes, as Livy calls some of the Turbulent Tribunes that opposed the Consular Authority with that specious pretence of the Peoples liberty) do boldly usurp and inva… the Church power and Authority, and Rule their Brethren and their Rulers also. They must w…nk hard that do p. 53not see this. And just it is that those that will not obey them in the Lord that have the rule over them, should be thus enslaved to the imperious and uncertain Humours of these and those usurping Brethren. And it is to be feared, that many of our Brethren (such is their weakness, and the power of prejudice) will never come humbly and kindly to submit themselves in the Lord to the Government …f Jesus Christ in his Church, till they have been soundly scratch'd with this Bramble Government of some aspiring and domi…eering Brethren. But I beseech you, Observe the mischief of this practise. It is a staple Principle of our ablest Congregational-men, that as there is a liberty and priviledge appertaining to the Brethren; so the Rule and Government (properly so called) is appropriated to the Elders by the appointment of Jesus Christ. Now the Promise and Blessing goes with the Institution. So that where the Elders are in effect set by, and three or four heady Brethren lead the Church and rule all: They are in such Administrations under the wing and shadow of no promise or blessing; which to a gracious heart is a dreadful consideration. Again the loud Out-cry of some is for Liberty of Conscience: that they may hold and practise what they will in Religion. This is the Diana of some men, and great is the Diana of… the Libertines of this age. I remember Iulian the Apostate, that malicious and implacable Enemy to Christianity have observed that the Christian Religion prospered the more for the severe persecution in Dioclesian's Time, and that the Christians grew up thicker and faster for being Mowed down with the Sythe of Bloody Enemies; He did for a while abstain from severities against the Christians, and suffered all men to use what Religion they would: And Austin saith of it, Libertatem perditionis permisit, He gave men liberty to destroy themselves. Such is that liberty of Conscience, even a liberty of Perdition, that some men are so unconscionably Clamorous for. But remember, that as long as you have liberty to walk in the Faith and Order of the Gospel, and may lead quiet and peaceable lives in all Godliness and Honesty, you have as much liberty of Conscience as Paul desired under any Government, 1 Tim. 2.1, …. He that is allowed without molestation to walk with God, and serve him with all good Conscience, hath liberty enough. Never complain, when that is your condition, that you may be as good as you will. Oh take heed in all Societies, and in all Respects of an inordinate and undue Affectation of Liberty. The latter end of it will be Bondage and Slavery.

10. Consider what will be the latter end of a Licentious Toleration of all Opinions and Religions among us. I profess I am heartily for all due moderation. p. 54I have a real compassion towards the Infirmities of the minds of men, the Ignorance, and weakness, and Errours of their understandings, as well as the passions and other distempers of their Wills and Affections. I know many men are very weak and injudicious, and want Natural Logick; and have Cor bonum, an honest Heart (are foreign … the Apopostle speaks, Rom. 16.18. simple and no ill meaning men) that want Caput Regul…t…m, a judicious and well regulated Head. Many a man hath a good Heart and Affections under the bad conduct and ill steeridge of a very weak Head. Yea many ingenious and witty men are yet very injudicious. I am far from the Barbarous Spirit and Humour of that Giant and Robber Procrus…es, that was wont cruelly to cut shorter such as were too long, and stretch out those that were too short for his Bed. A tender consid…ration of the weakness of men, and due moderation in this case is the Duty of those that cannot but be conscious to themselves of their own infirmities. Nevertheless I must adde (as I have great reason) that I look upon an unbounded Toleration as the first born of all Abominations. If this should be once born and brought forth among us, you may call it God, and give the same Reason that she did of the Name of her Son, Gen. 30.11. Behold a Troop cometh, even a Troop of all man…er of Abominations. This would be not only to open the Wicket, but to …ling open the great Gate for the ready Admission and Reception of all Abominable Heresies. It is excellently determined by that Judicious and Blessed Man, Mr. Norton; That Vnity in …udgement is to be endeavoured, because Truth is one and indivisible; yet some Difference touching the Truth must be endured, because of the weakness of men. To tolerate every Thing, and to tolerate nothing, are both intolerable. A toleration is not an approbation. Those Distinctions between mixtures in Religion, and Errours in those that profess the same Religion, between Fundamentals and Non-Fundamentals, between Errours held sorth by an Erroneous Conscience and a contumacious Will, between persons peaceable in Israel, and Disturbers of the State, between points that are clear, or orderly decided with due time for conviction, and such as are disputable and of depending disquisition, being prudently applied, may be of special use. Thus that excellent Man in his excellent Preface to his Treatise of the sufferings of Christ.

I doubt not but it is the duty of the Civil Magistrate to tolerate what is tolerable, and that some Errors are tolerable as to the practice of them. For the Conscient…ous pers…si…n about them is not immediately under the Magistrates Cognizance.— He … neither be said to tolerate or prosecute men p. 55for the Errors of Conscience that are no way manifested: And yet no Errour is tolerable mee…y … Cons…ience sake, or because it is conscientiously maintained by the Erroneous person, and he can truly say that he believes …t in his Conscience. For then a Conscientious Papist or Socinian, or Quaker (the most notorious Haretic… in the World) must be connived at and suffered; yea, all manner of Idolatry and Heresy must be tolerated in some persons. The Tolerableness therefore of an Errour must be measured & judged either from the nature of the Errour it self, or some other circumstances Sometimes the Errour is not onelyonly Extrafundamental, but so small and inconsiderable and the manner of holding it forth so modest and peaceable; and the Condition of the State such, as that the Magistrate may keep his Sword in the Scabbard, and no hurt don…. Hence that may be tolerable in one State, that is not in another. As it was well said by a very worthy person in this case: A weaker Body ought not to suffer that upon it self, upon the account of Charity to Another, that a Stronger may. No doubt but it belongs to the Magistrate to judge what is tolerable in his Dominions in this respect. And the Eye of the Civ…l Magistrate is to be to the securing of the way of God that is duly established. And if any where, this be the Concern and Duty of Rulers, Surely it is most of all so in New England, which is originally a plantation not for Trade but for Religion. Peace & Truth (H…zekiahs mercies. Isa. 39:8.) have been the great mercies of this Countrey. Lose we Truth (of Doctrine Worship and Order) and the design of our Founders is ruined and we are an undone people. So that it is a most unreasonable and importune Thing in those that unchurch us, that deny our Churches to be true Churches, that anti-Christianize our Magistrates, Ministers, Churches and Ordinances, and must do so in Faithfulness to and pursuance of their principles and opinions, to demand or expect a free Toleration. They may as well ask liberty to destroy us. We may justly swear the peace against them (If I may so speak) and say we go in fear, not of our Lives, but, of our Religious Liberties and Enjoyments, dearer then our Lives, because of such men; and supplicate our Rulers that they may be bound to their good behaviour. Boundless Liberty will expose us to great danger, Charity begins at home: and the Charity of a Christian begins at Christ; I mean the Truths, Wayes, Ordinances, Name and Honour of …esus Christ. We must not be so com…ssionate to Sc…ismatical, Turbulen…, Errours is persons, as to be cruel, injurious, or unkind to the precious Interest of Christ among us. Nature teacheth a man … reservation▪ Grace should … Magistrate (If you will allow me the word, Christ preservation; I mean, the preservation of the Truth p. 56Ordinances, and Interest of Christ. And I make no question but our Lord Jesus, that in the great day of Account will recount and reward the kindnesses of his people to himself (in his members) in that they gave him meat, when he was hungry; Drink when he was thirsty; took him in, when he was a Stranger; clothed him, when he was naked; visited him, when he was sick or in prison: Math. 25.34, 35, 36. will in like manner remember and remunerate at that day the kindness and good affection of our pious and faithful Rulers, in that they preserved and secured him (with respect to his Truth, Ordinances, Interests and Concernments of his Kingdome) from the Insolencies and Enchroachments of Erroneous & unruly persons. And if it be said, God is to be trusted with the preservation of his Truth. I Answer, So he is to be trusted with the propagation of his Truth: Must Ministers therefore neglect to preach the Truth? or Magistrates to see that the Truth be preached and propagated in their Dominions, and devolve it wholly upon the immediate hand of Christ? God is to be trusted with the preservation of thy Life: wilt thou not therefore in Case of Ilness, bleed and vomit, and purge out the peccant and noxious humours? God is to be trusted for the preservation of thy Corn in the Field, when it is growing up: wilt thou not therefore weed thy Corn, and take away what offends, and hinders the thriving of it? If it be replied; But this is no means of God's Appointment. Magistrates have nothing to do with matters of Religion, to interpose and exercise their coercive power in and about the things of God. I Answer. This is a meer begging of the Question, and was never yet proved. But I must not dispute or further expatiate here. I shall only say for an Issue of this point, that Apostacy is the great Crime that many of you brand your Magistrates and Ministers with. What was the judgement and practise of our first Worthies in this matter is sufficiently known. Let the world then judge who are the Apostates in this Case, Those that are for, or those that are against a Licentious boundless Toleration.

11. Consider what will be the Latter End of the neglect of the Encouragement and Advancement of Learning among us. It is the Observation of wise men, and indeed a general, sad Complaint, that the Schools languish, and are in a low Condition in the Countrey. And what the end of this will be, who cannot apprehend? Though there are doubtless many Reasons of the languishing of Schools; Yet I am very apt to think that the bottom of all is …he want of due Encouragement to Scholars when they are come to maturity, and fitted for service in the Churches. If there be no considerable encouragement, when Scholars are br…d up, parents will p. 57have no heart to breed their children to Eearning. Rich men will not, because they have better wayes before them to provide for the comfortable subsistence of their Children: and persons of a meaner condition cannot, or at least are discouraged from expending all they can upon their Childrens Education, because when that is done, and they are ready for service, there is no Encouragement, through the Slenderness and shortness of the Ministers maintenance in most places in the Countrey. I have nothing to offer by way of Advice. I would be loath to bear too hard in this Case upon the people, that are generally poor and low enough. But I would Humbly tender it to the Consideration of the Honourable Court, that so farre as may be without Injury to the people, there may be due provision made in all places. Jesus Christ will take it kindly at your Hands: For it is one of his great Concernments in this Christian Common-Wealth. Not that I speak in respect of want. I am the Freer to speak this, because it is not my own Concern. Through the Goodness of God and the kindness of a good people, and their professed Subjection to the Gospel of Christ, I have a comfortable Subsistence; which I desire to acknowledge with all Thankfulness. But I cannot but sympathize with, and commiserate the Condition of many others, their Family Straits, and Difficulties, and the many discouragements they labour under. And it is a matter of sorrowful and sad Resentment with me, that the Nurseries of Piety & Learning, & liberal Education should languish & dye away, as they do, (in my Apprehension) on this account. If this were well considered and provided for, I doubt not but our Schools would revive & flourish again. You have done wel for the New Colledge. Thanks be to God as Paul speaks in a Parallel Case. 2 Cor. 9.15.) for his unspeakable Gift. Now therefore perform the doing of it, that, as there was a readiness to will, so there may be a performance also out of that which you have. 2 Cor. 8 11. You have done very well for the Reverend President. I beseech that the Fellows may be remembred also: that there may be a competent, comfortable, and certain allowance made for their Encouragement, who are, next to the President, the Props and Pillars of that. Society, and have a c…reful and Laborious Life of it. Think not that the Common Wealth of Learning may languish: and yet our Civil and Ecclesiastical State be maintained in good plight and Condition. The wisdom … Foresight and Care for future Times of our first Leaders … nothing more conspicuous and admirable then in the planting of that Nursery: and N…w-England is enjoying the sweet fruit of it. It becomes all our … and Worthy Patriots that tread in their steps, to water what they have planted, to superstruct p. 58on their Foundations to support and cherish and go forward with what they have begun, and to carry it on to greater perfection. Otherwise who sees not what Ignorance, and Rudeness, and Barbarism will come in like a Floud upon us? Where there is a contempt or neglect of Learning there is a degeneracy from the Primitive Spirit and Way, as you call it.

12. Last…y, Consider what will be the Latter End of that great neglect of the Rising Generation among us. The Word in my Text, which is translated Lat…er End [Acharith] is sometimes rendred posterity: as Psal. 109 13. Let [Acharitho] his Posterity be cut off. It is the very same word with that in the Text, which is rendred Latter End. And it would be happy if we could be wise to understand this, to consider Posterity. We make very solemn Complaints to God, and one to Another of the Degeneracie of the Rising Generation. But are not we to blame? Do we not grievously neglect them? to instruct them, to cherish and promote any good in them, to go before them with a gracious Example, to watch over them according to the mind of Christ? we teach them, (I am afraid) by our Examples to sleight Magistrates, to reproach and vilify Ministers, to be proud, and worldly, and Factious, and Contentious: as if we meant to leave Contention for a… Inheritance to our Children, and to provide for the perpetuation of our Brubbles and Divisions to succeeding Generations. As if men were so much in love with Contention, that it were not enough for them to contend while they live, but they had a mind to do it when they are dead: I mean to transmit and make over their Strifes and Variances, and Emulations, and Wraths, and Divisions, and pe…y Enmities to after Ages; And so to contend and quarrel, in respect of the vertue and influence of their Example; to the end of the World. But alas! What good do we do them? Our Children are little beholden to us. We own them so far as to baptize them: But then Fare ye well, Children, we have nothing more to do with you. This is (as a wise Man said ingeniously) just as you are wont to Brand you Cattel, and then turn them into the woods: Or as the Popish Priests in the Indies drive scores of Indians to the Wa…r, and Baptize them, and set down so many for Christian Converts they have made, and then let them run wild into the Woods again to their old Pagan courses. I fear God is angry with us on this account. Certainly something should be done. If we are not agreed in all particulars, as to the way and manner and other circumstances: yet let us practise so far as we have attained; and Fast and Pray, and Consult the Scriptures, and discourse out things in a Brotherly way (without Heats and Animositics) and wait upon God for the further and fuller Discovery of his mind to us, p. 59and be willing that Truth should be Truth, how contrary soever to any of our apprehensions. Sad it is to consider how many poor Children have their Souls overgrown with Ignorance, Atheism, Security, and Prophaness, and are going to Destruction without controll, whilest we are contending and quarrelling about these things. Oh consider (with bowels of Affection and Compassion) how sad the latter end of our shameful neglect of Posterity will be.

Thus (Honoured and Beloved in our Lord) Let us be perswaded in this our day to consider what will be the latter end of our sinful and unsuitable Depor…ments before the Lord: and be sure to make a right Judgement of it. To that purpose take these Directions.

1. Consult and credit Scripture-Testimony in this matter. The good Word of God informs you what the end of these and those wayes will be, and is able to make you wise in this respect, if you listen to it. The Scripture tells us, that the end of false Teachers will be according to their works, 2 Cor. 11.15. And of those that blindly follow them to fall into the Ditch (or Pit of Destruction) with them, Mat. 15.14. that the end of Worldly- mindedness will be Destruction, Phil. 3.19. the end of Back-sliding and Apostacy will be the loss of Gods Favour, and Perdition, Heb. 10.38, 39. The end of unfruitfulness will be to be cut down, Luk. 13.7, 9. and burned, Heb. 6.8. That the latter end, and wages of sin (one word in the Hebrew signifies both end and wayes) will be Death, Rom. 6.21. The end of the wayes of sin depends upon the constitution of God in his Law and Covenant, and the sanction thereof: and the Scripture acquaints us faithfully with it. If you would understand the end of man, you must go into the Sanctuary, Psal. 73.17. To hear Gods Counsel and Instruction in the Scripture is the way to be wise in and about your latter end, Prov. 19.20. Make Gods Testimonies the men of your counsel (as David phraseth it, Psal. 119.24.) in this matter.

2. Consult instructing Examples and Experiences in order to a right Vnderstanding of the latter end of your wayes. The Scripture furnisheth you richly with considerable instances. The way of Sensuality, Security, Neglect of Gods Worship, Degeneracy of the Children of the Church, and corrupting their way ruined the old World. The way of Uncleanness and of unnatural Lusts ruined Sodom and Gomorrah, the Cities which God overthrew and repented not. The way of Persecution and Oppression of the Church of God ruined Pharaoh and his Co-partners and Followers. The way of Rebellion against Civil and Ecclesiastical Authority ruined Korah and his Company: when they were too hard for Moses p. 60and Aaron (being Princes of the Assembly, Men of Renown and Famous in the Congregation) God Himself took them into his own hands, and d…stroyed them in a stupendous and dreadful manner. Contempt and ill usage of the Lords Messengers, and Idolatrous practises ruined the State of Israel and Iudah. Contempt of our Lord Jesus Christ and his Messengers, and putting away the Gospel, brought unparalleld Calamities upon the Iews. Nay call to mind all your own experiences. Have you not known or heard of these and those Professors abroad, that in the time of their liberty and prosperity were wanton, proud, worldly, despisers of Gods Ministers, contentious and quarrelsome? And do you not know the end of it? such Examples are instructing, and for our Admonition.

3. Consider wisely the natural Tendency of the wayes themselves. Some wayes of sin do in a way of Physical efficiency, directly and in their own natural Tendency lead to misery and ruine: as Intemperance to the Destruction of Health and Life; Prodigality to Poverty and Misery, that it comes on like an Armed man, violently and irresistably; And so Idleness and Neglect of a mans Calling and Business naturally works that way, and hath the like issue. So Divisions among a people lead the way to ruine. It is a proverbial expression of our Saviour, a Kingdome divided against it self will not stand. So any Common-wealth, where the Leaders and People are divided, any Church or Churches divided, any Societies divided; they must fall, cannot stand: Not only Because God is angry with them, but also from the nature of the thing it self. Divisions pull down Societies, open a Door and make a Gap for Adversaries and Oppressors to break in at, that are watching all Advantages. En quò Discordia Cives Perdu…it Miseros! The fall of Schools and contempt of Learning will make way for Rudeness, Ignorance, Want of able Instruments to manage Church and State Affairs, Irreligion and Ruine to this poor Country. This or that miserable Event and End lies in the Womb of these and those wayes. Some wayes of sin naturally breed, are pregnant, and will in time travel with, and bring forth this or that woful-issue. Oh Read your End in your way. You may do it certainly in some cases. As there are foreign, Heb. 6.9. things that accompany Salvation, and have a coherence with it. So there are also foreign Things that have connexion with Destruction, not only in respect of the positive constitution of God, but also in regard of the Nature and Frame of the things themselves: The due consideration whereof may be of great use in your passing a Judgement upon the end of your wayes.

p. 614. Beg of God to make you wise in this matter, and to give you understanding and considering hearts. God only hath a perfect and infallible knowledge of events, and of the latter end of things. It is his Prerogative Royal which he assumes to himself as his own peculiar, Isai. 41.22, 23. Oh therefore rest not in your own Guesses and Conjectures, and weak apprehensions, but Address your selves humbly to the God of Wisdome and Knowledge (who gives liberally to such as ask him) for thi… understanding and judicious consideration, that you may be able to make a true judgement of your Latter End. The Lord saith in the Text: Oh that they were wise, that they understood this, that they would consider their latter End. Now the best Reply and Return that can be made to it, is, O Lord, that we were so wise indeed! Dost thou wish it for us? So do we through thy Grace wish it for our selves. But thou alone art able to make us wise, and thou givest wisdome and grace with a liberal hand and upbraidest not. O make us wise indeed in this matter, and help us to an understanding, serious consideration of our Latter end. Da quod jubes: Give us that Wisdome, and Understanding-Consideration thou requirest of us. Let thy Word be Operative to Work it, as well as Optative to wish it in us.

And now (much Honoured and Beloved) Let me tell you plainly, that the great sense I have of the Displeasure of God against us, and the sad Apprehension, and Ab…ding of approaching calamities, unless speedy Repe…tance and Reformation of our wayes obviate and intercept them, hath opened my mouth to you in this manner. God is certainly angry with New-England. Thence many wise men are infatuated, many good men are become perverse and froward, Counsels carried headlong, all manner of good almost obstructed in all Societies; our Chariot Wheels are taken off, we d…ve heavily along, scarse any thing goes forward as it was wont to do among us. As if no longer the Light, but now the …ark and black side of the Cloud were turne… towards us, and the Lord were casting such a dreadful look upon us, as he d…d upon the Egyptians in the morning-watch when he troubled them. Exod. 14.2…, 24. And which is worst of all, there is no A…pearance of any Help or Remedy. Oh the Depth of the Counsel, and the Eff…cacy of the D… of God! When misery is determined, nothing shall intervene or stand in the way to hinder it. Verily, unless the Lord help us to Consider our wayes and repent and return to him, from whom we have deeply revolted, and recover our standing under the wonted …nfluences of his Favour and pleasant Beauty that hath been upon us, we may certainly look for sad Times. What should I say then? But, Rejoice Oh you Adversaries of the Cause and Interest of Iesus Christ; p. 62of the Liberties and sweet Enjoyments of the people of God in New-England. We are doing your work for you; we are putting a Staff in your Hands even the Indignation of the Lord (Isai. 10.5.) which is kindled against us by our sins: We are making God our Enemy, our Defence and Glory is departing from us, that strong hedge of Protecting Providence that hath been about us is breaking down, we are pulling up the Stakes of it with our own Hands, and saying our selves open to your In…odes and Incursions. The day of Edoms Sons, who would not only deface the beauty, break down the ba…tlements and uncovert… Ro…f of our Sion: but ras… our Ierusalem to the ground; even your day, which you have looked for, plotted for, longed for, is now coming apace, wherein you shall mo…k at our Sabba…hs, break down the carved work of our Sanctuary, roar in the midst of our Congregations, spread out your Hand… upon all our pleasant things, and say, Aha, thus would we have it. Yet rejoice not against us, Oh our enemies; For when we …all, we shall arise; and when we s…th Darkness, the Lord shall be a Light unto us. And when he shall have performed his whole work upon our Mount Sion and Ierusalem, He will arise, and awake to our judgement, and plead our Cause, and punish the Fruit of the stout heart of Adversaries.

But Oh you dear People of God in New-England, however affected or engaged, Hear, and give ear unto the Word of the Lord, and be not Proud: Give Glory to the Lord your God (by Confession, Humiliation, Repentance and Reformation) before he cause Darkness, and your Feet stumble upon the dark Mountains, Jerem. 13.15, 16. So Consider with Understanding and Judgement what is like to be the Latter end of your sinfull Dep…rtments before the Lord, as to put an end to your way of sin, and provocation, and to return to the God of your Mercies whom you have forsaken; and the Rock of your Salvation, whom you have too lightly esteemed. Jerusalem remembred not her Last End, therefo…e she came down wonderfully and had no comforter, Lam. 1, 9. Not considering aright the Latter End of your Wayes will bring you down, though you had set your Nest among the Stars ▪ but the due consideration of it will be the way to wonderful Exaltation.

I am not without some Hopes (though many of your wise and faithful Ministers and Watchmen are almost weary and hopeless) that men of all parties (that are truely pious and serious) will at last consider and reform what is ami…s, and accept well what hath been spoken by way of Reprehension and Admonition. And indeed it would be sad with us, if our times should be like those which the Historian complains of, Q… bus p. 63nec vi…ia nostra, nec Remedia, pati possumus: Our Distemp… such as will ruine us, and yet our Temper, Disposition and Frame such, that we cannot bear the Application of the Remedy. Then indeed we do infeliciter agrotare, and may conclude that our sickness will be terminated in the Death and Dissolution, in the Loss and deserved Bereavement of those Enjoyments that are dearest to us. But if the Lord give you Hearing Ears, and obedient Hearts, that you Consider and Repent, and turn to the Lord your God: then will he be with you, as he hath been with your Fathers and Predecessors (those Worthies of the Lord that are now at rest, whose Memory is blessed and whose Names shall be had in everlasting remembrance) and no Weapon that is formed against you shall prosper. Whether there shall be secret Plottings, or open Assaulting and Running upon your Civil and Sacred Liberties: God will either defeat the Counsels and frustrate the Attempts and Hopes of Adversaries; Or turn all that may befal you in a way of Affliction to your singular good, the great Furtherance of the Gospel, and Advantage of the Glorious Interest of Christ among us.

Humbling and Sorrowful times may come upon you: But the Lords design in humbling and proving you will be that he may do you good at your Latter End: Though the Earth should tremble and reel to and fro, the Sea roa…, the Mountains be cast into the midst of the Sea, and there be a Day of Gloominess and thick Darkness coming upon the Reformed Churches, and there should be a Day of trouble and Treading down, and Perplexity in this Valley of Vision: yet I have Commission from the Lord to say, It shall be well with the Righteous. Isai. 3 10. Oh saith Baldam (when enlightned) Let me dye the Death of the Righteous, and let my last end be like his, Numbers 23.10. Mark the Perfect Man (saith David) and behold the Vpright: for the end of that Man is Peace. Verily, verily saith our Saviour to his Disciples, Iohn 16.20. You shall weep and lament, but the World shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy All the Sorrows, and Afflictions, and Sufferings of the People of God shall end in joy. They may sow in Tears but they shall reap in …, Psal 126…. … their Troubles shall undoubtedly be concluded and issued in everlasting Consolation. … in the end will be the portion of such and we in pleasure … but it will be the happiness of the Children of God to receive their Good Things at last, Luk. 16.25.

Whatever Dayes may come upon a sinful and secure World that lies in wickedness, or upon a slumbring, Slothful, licentious Generation of Professors: yet it shall undoubtedly go well with the humble, waking, faithful p. 64Servants of God, that maintain or recover their first love to the person, Truths, Ordinances, Messengers and wayes of Jesus Christ, and walk with God in a course of Evangelical Obedience, according to the Tenor of his Covenant; having a sorrowful sense of the Sufferings of Gods people abroad, and the Sins and provocations at Home. Verily the Latter End of such men and Women, shall be Vnspeakable peace and Happiness.

FINIS.