The Due Right of Presbyteries, To the reader
To the Reader.
THere be two happy things (worthy Reader) as aCassian. de incar. lib. 1. c. 4. Primum est errores penitus non in curr…rc, sec…ndum bene repudiare.one sayth, The one is not to erre, the other is to escape from the power of error. Times wombe bringeth forth many truths, though truth be not a debter to Time, because Time putteth new robes on old Truth; But truth is Gods debter, and oweth her being to him only. It is a great evil under the Sun, and the sicknesse of mans vanity, that the name of holy men should be a web to make garments of for new opinions, but the errors of holy men have no whitenesse, nor holinesse from men. And it is a wrong that mens praise should be truths prejudice, and mens gaine, truths losse. Yet I shall heartily desire that men herein observe the art of deep providence, for the Creator commandeth darknes to bring forth her birth of light, and God doth so over-aw, with a wise super-dominion, mens errors, that contrary to natures way, from collision of opinions, resulteth truth; and disputes, as stricken flint, cast fire for light, God raising out of the dust and ashes of errors a new living truth. What mistakes, errors, or heresies have been anent Church government, that vigilant and never slumbering wisdome of Providence, hath thence made to appeare the sound doctrine of Gods Kingdome. So here Satan shapeth, and God seweth, and maketh the garment. Error is but dregs, by the artifice of all compassing Providence, from whence are distilled strong and cordiall waters. And what Antichrist hath conceived for a Hierarchy and humane ceremonies, hath put Christ in his two witnesses in Brittaine to advocate for the truth and native simplicity of his own Kingdom.
But I heartily desire not to appeare as an adversary to the holy, reverend, and learned Brethren who are sufferers for the truth, for there be wide marches betwixt striving, and disputing. Why should we strive? for we be Brethren, the Sonnes of one father, the borne Citizens of one mother Ierusalem. To dispute is not to contend. We strive as we are carnall, we dispute as we are men, we war from our lusts bJames 4. 1.we dispute from diversity of star-light, and day-light. Weaknesse is not wickednesse, a roving of wit must not be deemed a Rebellion of will, a broken inginne may part with a dead child, and yet be a Mother of many healthy children. And while our reverend and deare Brethren, fleeing the coast of Egypt, and Babylons wicked borders, aym to shore upon truth, wind may deceive good Sailors, naturall land-motions (as when heavy bodies move downward, toward their own (clay Countrey) are upon a straight line. But Seamotions of sailing are not by right lines, but rather by Sea-circles. We often argue and dispute, as we saile. Where grace and weight of Scripture make motion, we walke, in a right line, toward God. But where opinion, a messenger only sent to spie the Land of lies, and truth, usurpeth to conduct us, what marvell then we goe about truth, rather then lodge with Truth. And Christ his Kingdome, Scepter, Glory, Babylons fall, be the materiall object of opinions, on both sides; And yet the word of God hath a right lith, that cannot suffer division. In Gods matters there be not, as in Grammar, the positive and comparative degrees, there are not here, truth, and more true, and most true. Truth is in an indivisible line, which hath no latitude, and cannot admit of spleeting. And therefore we may make use of the Philosophers word, amicus Socrates, amicus Plato, sed magis amica veritas. Though Peter and Paul bee our beloved friends, yet the truth is a dearer friend: The Sonnes of Babylon make out-cries of divisions and diversity of Religions amongst us, but every opinion is not a new Religion.
But where shall multitude of Gods be had, for multitude of new wayes to Heaven, if one Heaven cannot containe two Gods, how shall all Papists be lodged after death? what Astronomy shall teach us of millions of Heavens, for Thomists, Scotists, Franciscans, Dominicans, Sorbonists? &c.
But I leave off, and beg from the Reader candor and ingenuous and faire dealing, from Formalists, men in the way to Babylon, I may wish this, I cannot hope it. Fare-well.
Yours in the Lord, S. R.