Reformed Religion, Part 1
Of a Right Chriſtian in General.
FIrſt, He is one baptized into the Profeſſion of the Chriſtian Faith, whether in Infancy or afterwards, or whether by ſprinkling, plunging, or dipping, I ſhall not here diſpute; which is the outward badge, or diſtinguiſhing Sign of a Chriſtian, as Circumciſion was to the Jews, and is ſometimes applyed to perſons who prove as flagitious and impious as any that are upon Earth.
And therefore in the next place, beſides this outward waſhing of Water, he hath received the waſhing of Regeneration, and the Renewing of the Holy Ghoſt, Tit. 3. 5. whereby, (conſidered in his firſt Original) he is ſaid to be one born of God, as one Apoſtle ſpeaks, 1 John 13. And born of an incorruptible Seed, as another Apoſtle ſpeaks, 1 Pet. 1. 23. Born of Water, and the Holy Spirit, as our Saviour himſelf ſpeaks, John 3. 5. And is made a Chriſtian, not born ſo by Natural Birth, as that Ancient Father ſpeaks, Tertul. Apolog. Cap. 18. Fiunt non naſcuntur Chriſtiani. And thô outward Baptiſm is ſtyled by the Ancients, Regeneration, Renovation, Illumination, &c. yet it is with reſpect to the inward Grace, which ſometimes accompanies, and ſometimes follows Baptiſm in the right Chriſtian; whereby he is more then a Chriſtian in Name.
Again, He acknowledgeth one only living and true God, the Maker of Heaven and Earth, and gives divine Honour, and Religious Worſhip to him alone, and will not ſo debaſe the Incomprehenſible God, as to make any Image of him, to Worſhip him by. In both which he is diſtinguiſht from the Pagans.
Further, He is one who believes the Revelation made of Chriſt in the …criptures to be true, that he is the Eternal Son of God, aſſumed the Nature of Man, offered himſelf a Sacrifice for the Sin of the World, roſe from the dead, and now makes Interceſſion in Heaven, and will come again to judge the World.
Moreover, as a Chriſtian he is dead to the Law, ſeeks not Righteouſneſs and Life by it, but believes that only through Faith in Chriſt, any Man can be Juſtified, Redeemed, Sanctified and Saved; and that there is no Salvation in any other, whereby a Chriſtian is diſtinguiſhed from Jews, Mahometans, and all Infidels whatſoever.
Again, He is one who embraceth the Chriſtian Religion, not meerly by the Power of Education, or the Example of the place or Countrey where he dwelleth; but by the powerful Evidence and Conviction of the Truth of it upon his Mind, by the Purity of its Precepts, and the tranſcendent Reward it exhibits in its Promiſes to them that ſincerely profeſs and practiſe it.
He knows alſo, That as he is a Chriſtian he is called to Liberty, yet uſeth it not for occaſion to the Fleſh, or to free himſelf from the obligation of any Duty he owes to God, or Man; but to keep his Conſcience free from bondage to the Commands of the Ceremonial Law; or the rigorous Commands of the Moral Law of God, or the ſinful Injunctions and Commandments of Men.
Further, He meaſures not the Myſteries in Chriſtianity, by the Line of his own finite Reaſon, he knowing that the Natural Man diſcerns not the things of the Spirit, but believes them becauſe God hath revealed them, though he cannot comprehend them; yet is daily ſeeking further illumination in the knowledge of Spiritual things, being Spiritually diſcerned, and doth realize to himſelf by Faith the things that are not perceptible by Senſe.
He is one alſo, who, as he bears the Name of Chriſt; ſo he follows him as his Maſter and Teacher, and ſets before him the Example of his Life, as his pattern to imitate. Imitari quem colimus eſt ſumma Chriſtianitatis. Lactant. He having left us an example, that we ſhould follow his ſteps, ſaith the Apoſtle.
He is one who feels in himſelf a daily combate betwixt Fleſh and Spirit, as Jacob and Eſau ſtrugling in the ſame Womb; but is Crucifying the fleſhly part, that he may be like to Chriſt in his Death, and is ſtriving to riſe up into the power of a Spiritual life, that he may be like him in his Reſurrection, and which are both ſignified in his Baptiſm; and by a ſerious Contemplation of the Death and Reſurrection of Chriſt by the eye of Faith, and the help of the Spirit, he is arriving to both theſe; which is a Myſtery only known in the Chriſtian Religion.
Further, He believing that Chriſt is Aſcended into Heaven, and entred the Vail in th… name of all his People, and there ſits at th… right hand of God; it doth raiſe up the Affection of his Heart, and the Contemplation of his Mind to things that are Above; which is peculiar alſo to a Chriſtian, and above the Sphere of meer Morality.
Again, He is no Enthuſiaſt, expecting a Divine Teaching by Immediate Inſpiration; bu… owning, and receiving the Scriptures as the holy Oracles of God; he reads them, and ſtudies the knowledge of them, for his direction in Faith and Practice; Contra Scriptur a… nemo Chriſtianus. Auguſt.
Neither is he a Sceptick in Religion, of a giddy unſetled Mind, toſſed too and fro with every wind of Doctine, but having received the Truth, he ſtands faſt in it, and wherein he doubteth makes ſober inquiry, and doth willingly receive inſtruction that he may be ſound in the Faith, and compleat in the whole Will of God; but reſigns not up his Judgment or Practice in Religion to the Conduct or command of any Perſon, or Church, ſo as not to ſatisfie himſelf in the Grounds and Reaſons of his Faith and Obedience; that his ſerving God may be a reaſonable Service, and not blind Devotion.
Neither is he a Soliſidian, hoping to be ſaved meerly by Believing, or naked Aſſent, but is one Zealous of good Works, as being profitable to Men, acceptable to God, honourable to Religion, and neceſſary to Salvation. Yet he knows they muſt ſpring from Faith, and are not ſufficient of themſelves to his Juſtification in the ſight of God; and therefore he puts not his truſt in them, but in the Mercy of God and perfect Righteouſneſs of Jeſus Chriſt; which Bellarmin himſelf at laſt thought the ſafeſt way.
Further, He being ſenſible of his own inſufficiency, depends upon God for that daily ſupply of his Grace whereby he may have his Heart in a readineſs for every good work, and may ſhew forth his Faith, by his love to God and Men.
He is one who makes all his approaches to God by the one Mediator, the Man Chriſt Jeſus, without making uſe of any Sub-mediators either of Redemption or Interceſſion, not mentioned in the Goſpel; and herein he conſiders God, not only as a Creator, or in the abſolute perfections of his Being, but as reconciled in the Blood of his Son, related as a Father, and ingaged by a ſpecial Covenant.
He is one who waits and prays for the help of Gods holy Spirit to lead him into the preſence of God, and to help his Infirmities therein, and approacheth not to him meerly by the impulſe of natural Conſcience, much leſs by the help of Pictures, or Images, forbidden by the Law of God; but by the Spirit of Adoption, inclining his Will, moving his Affections, and crying Abba Father in his Heart.
Again, He reckons upon Suffering with Chriſt, as well as Reigning with him, of bearing his Croſs, as well as wearing his Crown, and of Denying himſelf as becomes a Diſciple of Chriſt; and therefore Arms himſelf for it, that he may not be ſurprized by it, or faint under it; and as he will not raſhly thruſt himſelf upon ſufferings, ſo neither decline them when neceſſarily called thereunto, wherein he will have reſpect to the goodneſs of his Call, of his Cauſe, and of his Conſcience.
Further, He is one, who when he is Reviled reviles not again, patiently bears affronts and injuries for Righteouſneſs ſake; ſeeks not privately to revenge himſelf, but commits his Cauſe to him that judgeth righteouſly.
Again, He embraceth Religion for its own ſake, and not for any politick end, and abhors to make uſe of it as an Art, to ſerve any Covetous, Ambitious, or Treacherous deſigns.
He is one who believes a Judgment to come, and therefore lives in continual awe of it, and endeavours ſo to manage the whole courſe of his actions, that he may be accepted of the Lord in that day, and not fall under the wrath to come, and thereupon is leſs concerned about being Judged of men, or of mans day.
Again, He believing the Immortality of his own Soul, the Reſurrection of his Body, and hoping for the Eternal Life of the World to come, (Life and Immortality being brought to light by the Chriſtian Religion;) he is ſeeking to make it ſure to himſelf, and thereupon is leſs concerned as to his temporal Life, and his ſhort ſtay in this preſent World, looking upon himſelf as a ſtranger here on Earth.
He is careful to examin himſelf about his State towards God, and to know the inward frame and temperament of his own Soul, and the Actions of his Life in the Principle, Rule and End of them, that he may not be found among Hypocrites, and that counterfeit Grace may not be miſtaken for that which is true.
His Zeal in Religion is not raſh and precipitate, hypocritical and treacherous, violent and cruel, ſo as to tranſgreſs the Rules of Humanity, Charity, and Sobriety; but is grounded upon Knowledge, and regulated by ſound Judgment, Wiſdom, and Diſcretion; and his greatet Zeal is about the great things of Religion, and of the greateſt certainty.
He is one who hath a regular Conſcience, extending to one Duty as well as to another, and therefore will not ſtrain at Gnats and ſwallow Camels; nor be ſcrupulous about Ceremonies, and of conforming to ſome outward Forms of Worſhip, and yet can practiſe injuſtice, oppreſſion, lying, fraud, intemperance, backbiting, malice, and ſuch moral impieties not becoming Chriſtians.
And if he hath a Conſcience of Conformity to the Church, he makes Conſcience of the moral Duties of Religion, and will not be found guilty of ſwearing, curſing, drunkenneſs, fornication, ſcoffing at piety, blaſphemy, falſe accuſation, or perſecution for Conſcience ſake of the truly conſcientious, &c.
And though his practice in Religion is according to his beſt Light and judgment, yet he confines not the Church of God, or monopolizeth Salvation to the narrow limits of his own private Opinion, but judgeth charitably of men who Conſcientiouſly differ from him, as knowing that as in ſeveral Nations, ſo under ſeveral Opinions, He that feareth God and worketh Righteouſneſs, is accepted of him; and therefore he can love and honour true Piety, Sincerity and Goodneſs, and real Worth, wherever he finds them; as the Phyloſophers called foreign, ſtudied to extract the good out of every Sect of Phyloſophers, and rejected the reſt.
Again, He beholdeth the Creator in the works of his Creation, and adores his wiſdom, power, bounty, and goodneſs ſhining forth therein; and as a Chriſtian, he can look upon the Creator of the World, as the Redeemer of it, and as his God and Father in Jeſus Chriſt, and in ſpecial relation to him; and hereupon to have his Heart engaged to love him, honour him, fear him, and truſt in him, which is more than the moſt learned Heathen, by the light of Nature could attain unto.
Further, He conſidering the Dominion God hath given Man over the brute Creatures, he uſeth them with Thankſgiving, but will not abuſe them as a Tyrannical Lord, and is ſtirred up to the more chearful ſervice of God, by thoſe brute Creatures which are daily ſerving him.
He knows that not only Faith is required of a Chriſtian, but outward Profeſſion, and therefore he conforms to all the Ordinances and Inſtitutions of Chriſt in his Church, and attends there diligently for his Edification, and that God may be hononred by the Divine Worſhip of the Publick Aſſemblies of his People, according to the dictates of the univerſal Law of Nature; and therefore as he will not have Communion with any Church in that that is evil, and ſinful, ſo he is ready to hold Communion with all Churches in that which is lawful and good, that he may not fall under the juſt charge of Schiſm or unwarrantable Separation; and ſeeks the maintaining of his whole profeſſion unſpotted and without rebuke, and therefore He keeps his Foot when he goes to the Houſe of God; demeans himſelf with all ſeriouſneſs, and Reverence in Gods publick Worſhip; will not be found talking, gazing, whiſpering, laughing, or ſleeping when his mind and thoughts ſhould be directed towards God, that he may carry himſelf ſuitable to that great Preſence wherein he is, and the ſolemnity of that Service he i… engaged in.
He carefully avoids all Tempting of God, by preſuming upon his Power and Mercy, for the good either of his Soul or Body, without uſing ſuitable and rational means, or ſuch as may be appointed of God for that end; neither will he pray or hope to receive what God hath never promiſed to give, and thereby be alſo a tempter of God.
Again, He being a Chriſtian, is careful to obſerve the Chriſtian Sabbath, not the Seventh day of the Week as the Jews, but the Firſt, according to the example of the Apoſtles, and the firſt Chriſtian Churches; whereby he owns Chriſts Lordſhip over the Sabbath, to change the day, as well as the Ordinances of Gods worſhip therein; and therefore he remembers to keep it Holy by abſtaining from bodily Labours, and by the exerciſe of his mind and thoughts in thoſe Duties of Religion, both publick and private, which are ſuitable to the Day, and required in the moral part of the Fourth Commandment; and we read, that the keeping of the Lords-day was made the Character of a Chriſtian, in the primitive times.
Further, He is an Encourager of good Miniſters who labour in the Word and Doctrine; receiveth them as the Embaſſadors of Chriſt, ſubmitteth to their inſtructions in the Lord, and hath them in high eſteem for their Works ſake, and thinks it his Duty to give his Carnal things to them from whom he receives his Spiritual things, and grudgeth not an honourable Maintenance to ſuch, whoſe Work and Office are both honourable.
He ſhapes not his Religion to the times, and alters it not as his Intereſt alters; but denies himſelf therein, that he may be a true follower of Chriſt, and the Truth, and for the maintenance of a good Conſcience.
Again, He is one who lives not in any ſcandalous Sin, nor allows himſelf in any known Sin; but becauſe he cannot live without Sin, he daily renews his Repentance towards God, and Faith towards the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, to preſerve his peace with God and his own Conſcience, as the Chriſtian Religion doth direct, whereby he doth carefully avoid the two fatal racks of preſumption and deſpair.
Neither is he the more eaſily drawn to any Sin becauſe he eſteems it Venial, or by hope of obtaining Pardon by the Abſolution of a Prieſt, or the Interceſſion of any Saint, or the Expiation of it in Purgatory.
He fetcheth down his Mercies from God by conſtant Prayer, and returns them back to God by hearty Thankſgiving, as becomes a Chriſtian: The Incenſe he offers up is fervent Prayer, and his Peace-offering is a thankful Heart; and this he doth not only in company with others, but in his private Devotion betwixt God and his own Soul.
He loves, honours, and practiſeth true Godlineſs never a whit the leſſer, becauſe of th… weakneſs, folly, or ſinful miſcarriages of ſom… that make profeſſion thereof; much leſs wil… he take advantage thereby to reproach an… ſcoff at it.
But the excellency, equity, peace, and comfort which are in the ways of Religion, make him to cleave to it, though he ſees many falſe pretenders to it, under ſeveral Profeſſions, as knowing there will be ſome Hypocrites under all Forms; and he will not juſtifie ſuch a… make no profeſſion, becauſe many caſt a reproach upon it by an irregular converſation.
Again, What evil he ſees or cenſures in another, he will examine his own Heart and practice, whether the ſame is not found in himſelf, and will therefore endeavour firſt to caſt the Beam out of his own Eye, and not practiſe himſelf what he hath condemned in another, leſt he thereby be ſelf-condemned.
He is one, who placeth not his Religion in Forms, and Ceremonies, or bodily Worſhip; though he is for comely Gravity, and all outward Decency in Gods worſhip, yet his main …re is to ſerve God with a frame of Heart …oper to Chriſtianity, viz. not from ſervile …ar as the Jews under the Law, or the con…aint of humane Laws, as time-ſerving for…al Chriſtians, much leſs out of vain oſten…tion, as the Scribes and Phariſees, but with …ve, and delight, filial reverence, humility, …vency, and ſincerity, as becomes a true Chri…an; and will not cry up holineſs in Places, Al…rs, and Veſtures, &c. and yet deſpiſe it in …ens Perſons.
Neither doth he place his Religion in high …raphical Notions, affected Geſtures, canting …ords, doubtful opinions, or in not conform…g with others out of meer ſingularity; but … ſound Knowledge, Faith, Love, Mercy, Hu…ility, and all Holineſs of Life.
He alſo is one who can take kindly a juſt Re…oof, and prefer a faithful reprover, before … vain ſelf-ſeeking flatterer, being more de…ous to be humbling himſelf, than to be ſelf…alted.
If he meets with Affliction, he juſtifies God, …bmits himſelf patiently to his Soveraign …ill, and ſeeks to turn it to ſome advantage … his Soul; or if it be Perſecution for Righ…ouſneſs ſake, he patiently commits his cauſe … God, will rather judge himſelf than revile …e Adverſary; will uſe no unwarrantable …eans to deliver himſelf, will acknowledge …e righteouſneſs of God in all the unrighte…uſneſs of Men: Yea he doth love his Enemies, bleſſeth thoſe that curſe him, prayes them who deſpitefully uſe him, is not ov… come of evil, but overcomes evil with go… as becomes a Chriſtian.
He is not offended at the Proſperity of wi… ed Men, he knowing it hath been ſo in … Ages, and that they receive all their go… things in this Life, and the time of Recompe… is not yet; neither doth he ſtagger at the A… verſity of the Righteous, as knowing it co… either for a tryal of Vertue, or a chaſtiſem… for their good, that they may not be conde… ed with the World.
He is one who is not Anxiouſly careful ab… the things of this Life, ſeeks not great thi… to himſelf; yet is diligent in his place, a… calling, and commits his Affairs to the cond… and bleſſing of God; ſeeks to eat his o… Bread, and is content with the portion G… allotts him of the things of this World.
Further, He will not extenuate Sin a… Wickedneſs in ſome, and aggravate it in othe… meerly to ſerve a deſign, to gratifie a par… and promote ſome particular Intereſt; … diſallows of evil impartially in all.
Again, He conſiders not only what is La… ful, but what is Expedient, and of good R… port before Men, and is careful to give … juſt occaſion of offence to any; and in … things, wherein he can without ſin, will ſtu… ouſly avoid it, providing for things honeſt in t… ſight of God and Men.
Further, He judgeth not of Right or Wrong, …od or evil, by events or ſucceſſes, but by …e light of true Reaſon, and the Law of Equi…, and the rule of Righteouſneſs; and yet he … obſervant of the courſe of Providence, a…ut all humane Affairs, and gathers inſtructi… to himſelf thereby; but he well conſiders …hat the wiſe man ſaid and obſerved in this …ſe, There is one event to the righteous and the …icked.
He is one who is not forward to cenſure …hers, but ſtill hopeth the beſt; will not un…ertake to judge Mens hearts, which are only …nown to God, and is more ready to Judge …mſelf than he is his Brother, and will take …otice of the Good as well as of the Evil he …nds in any Man, according to the example of …od himſelf.
He doth not Rejoice when his Brother is …vertaken with a fault, will not Glory over …im, but rather with a ſpirit of Meekneſs will …ek to reſtore him, conſidering himſelf, leſt …e alſo be Tempted; much leſs will he lay a …tumbling-block before him to cauſe him … fall.
Again, He is not of a baſe ſelfiſh Temper, …eeking only his own things, but is content to …uffer in his private intereſt, if the publick …ood may be Advanced thereby, and is glad … God is Honoured, and Chiriſts Kingdom …dvanced, though he be any way Eclipſed by ….
He envies not anothers Proſperity, but … joyceth in anothers Welfare, as his own, … becomes a Chriſtian to a fellow Member; W… one member rejoiceth all the reſt rejoice with it, ſa… the Apoſtle.
Again, He carries it Humbly towards a… and in Honour will prefer another before hi… ſelf, and if he be High, yet condeſcends … men of Low degree, as becomes a Chriſtian…
He is one who affecteth not Pride, Vanit… or any ſingularity in Apparel, but conſid… the place, and condition wherein God ha… ſet him, and what is comely and of good … port herein, and what ſobriety, humilit… and modeſty the Chriſtian Religion doth o… lige all unto, and requires both of Men a… Women profeſſing Godlineſs.
He gives not heed to every Report, wiſe conſiders what he Hears, and much more … fore he reports again, that he may not … charged with folly, lying, or defamation.
Again, He is one who Glories not in hi… ſelf, neither in what he is, or in what he hat… or in what he doth, but acknowledging G… in all, gives all Glory to God, as becomes Chriſtian, he knowing well that he hath n… thing but what he hath received, and that i… God alone who makes him to differ.
He lays to heart publick Calamities, a… the Sins which bring them upon the Peopl… and ſtands in awe of God and his Judgments, when they are on the Earth, and is from thence learning Righteouſneſs; but eſpecially he being a member of the Church of God, doth ſimpathize with her afflicted condition, and is not ſatisfied in his own private welfare, and will not omit the extraordinary Duty of ſo…emn Faſting and Humiliation in ſuch extraordinary caſes.
If he be caſt upon Perilous times, he will …ot raſhly expoſe himſelf, but will uſe all …rudent means for his own ſafety, but always …ill joyn the Innocency of the Dove with the Wiſdom of the Serpent, and his dangers do …ake him flie to God for refuge, and to hide …imſelf under the ſhadow of his Wings; The …udent man foreſeeth the evil, and hideth him…elf, ſaith the wiſe man.
He is one who walketh in Love, is a fol…ower of Peace with all men, as knowing …here there is ſtrife and envy, there is confuſion, …d every evil work; and that Men are known … be Chriſts Diſciples by loving one another.
Further, He is no Buſie-body in other Mens …atters, which concern him not, but minds …e Duty of his own place, to diſcharge it …rightly towards God, and faithfully to…ards Men.
If he be a Maſter of a Family, he will up…ld good Government, and the Worſhip of …od therein; allows not Sin in his Servants, yet Rules not over them with cruelty a… rigour, but gives them that which is juſt a… neceſſary. If a Servant, he is Submiſſive a… Gentle, Diligent and Faithful, performs n… Eye-ſervice from fear of Man, but in ſingl… neſs of Heart as to the Lord. If an Husban… he dwells with his Wife according to kno… ledge, Loveth and Cheriſheth her as his o… Fleſh, giving honour to her as the weak… Veſſel, and is ſatisfied in her Breaſts, a… embraceth not the Boſom of a Stranger: ſo t… true Chriſtian Wife is modeſt, meek, prude… peaceable, a keeper at home, guiding t… Houſe, ſubmitting her ſelf to her own H… band, as to the Lord, and is faithful to t… Marriage Bed: and ſo true Chriſtian Pare… will provide for their Children, diſpoſe … their Education to the beſt advantage, w… early teach them the good Knowledge and Fe… of God, and by reproof, counſel, and c… rection, reſtrain the exorbitances of th… Youthful Age: And ſo their Children, if co… to Age, will Reverence and Obey their … rents, endeavour to requite them, hearken … their inſtructions, and perform the ingag… ments they have laid upon them in their B… tiſm; and thoſe that are Young will revere… Age, and be tractable to receive inſtructi… from their Elders, and the Aged will by … gravity of their carriage put an awe upon … Hearts of the Younger.
Again, A right Chriſtian will not allow vain or wicked thoughts in his Mind, (the actual ſins of the life being firſt committed in Mens thoughts) and knowing though they are hid from Men, yet they are all open to the Eye of the omniſcient God, and under the Authority and Cognizance of his Law, as well as Words or Actions; ſo that he being a lover of Gods Law, is an hater of vain thoughts, as the Pſalmiſt ſpeaks.
He is one alſo who watcheth over his Lips, that his ſpeech may be ſeaſoned with Salt, and that nothing that is vain, falſe, fooliſh or unſavoury, may proceed from them; he remembring what the Apoſtle ſpeaks in this caſe, If any man ſeem to be Religious, and bridleth not his Tongue, this mans Religion is vain.
He is one who is Juſt and Righteous in his dealings with Men, will not defraud and over-reach in Bargains, or fraudulently break in others Debts, will not lie, equivocate, or break his Promiſes, betray his truſt, much leſs take a falſe Oath, to wrong another or advantage himſelf, and ſeeks to walk by the Apoſtles rule, Owe nothing to any man, but love one another; and if he hath wronged another, is ready according to his ability to make reſtitution.
He hath a ſacred Reverence for the holy Name of God, will not Prophane it by common Swearing, or take it up rudely in common diſcourſe or talk.
Again, He is pitiful, and compaſſionate to thoſe that are in diſtreſs, will not add Affliction to the Afflicted, but is ready to ſhew mercy, and to forgive others, as he himſelf hopes to obtain forgiveneſs from God.
He will not abuſe the good Creatures of God to any exceſs, his eating and drinking is to refreſh, and not to oppreſs Nature, and will ſtudiouſly avoid all Temptations thereunto; that his Body may be kept in a due ſerviceableneſs, and ſubjection unto his Soul. But confines not himſelf to any Jewiſh, or ſuperſtitious diſtinction of meat, and drink, he knowing as a Chriſtian, that to the pure all things are pure, &c.
And, as he will not prodigally conſume his earthly Subſtance, ſo he hath an Heart to make uſe of it, for comfort to himſelf, and the benefit of others; and will not diſquiet his mind, or perplex his thoughts, with carking cares, groundleſs fears, or endleſs deſires about the things of this World, whereby he cannot enjoy the good that is in his hand.
He is one alſo who is careful to redeem, and improve his Time, and will not conſume it in hearing or reporting News, in unneceſſary Viſits, idle Diſcourſe, much leſs in Gaming, Clubbing, Tipling, Feaſting, or any immoderate Recreation.
His love to Men is without diſſimulation: He will not ſay to another, Your Servant, your humble Servant, Sir, when he hates him in his Heart.
And further, whenever he finds in himſelf an oppoſition betwixt Conſcience and Intereſt, he gives Conſcience the praeminence, preferring his inward peace before outward advantages, and the pleaſing God before gratifying himſelf.
Again, He will not uſe his utmoſt liberty …n lawful things, where it may be a Temp…ation to himſelf, or a ſtumbling-block unto others.
He is not led by the Examples of Men, ap…roves not of any evil, becauſe practiſed by …he multitude, but having found out the Rule …f his walking, he follows it, though againſt the …ream of a corrupt Age.
Again; He ſtudiouſly avoids vain Scoffing …nd reproachful Nick-names, eſpecially about …atters of Religion, as being the Evidence of … frothy mind, and tending to beget pro…haneneſs and Atheiſm in Mens Hearts.
Further, Though his Converſation is civil …nd courteous towards all, yet he eſpecially …onours them who fear the Lord, and chooſeth …ch to be of his more intimate Acquaintance …d Society, wherein he doth delight.
He bridles his Anger, that it may not tranſ…rt him to any exceſs, either in words, or …tions, neither will he ſuffer the Sun to go down upon it, ſo as to lodge with him, leſt it grow up into malice, or inveterate hatred: Remembring herein the wiſe Mans ſaying, Anger reſteth in the Boſom of fools. And he alſo hath that Rule over his Spirit, that he is no… eaſily provoked to wrath.
He will not eaſily take up falſe Report againſt any, much leſs divulge them; moſt o… all, not raiſe them, but ſeeks to preſerve anothers Reputation as his own; knowing tha… he ought to love his Neighbour as himſelf and therefore he will not entertain ground leſs Jealouſies, but puts all things under th… moſt favourable Interpretation, according t… the Rule of Chriſtian charity.
He is not wiſe in his own Conceit, but judging humbly of his own Parts, he readily hearkens to other Men, and over-weens not his ow… underſtanding.
He will not rejoyce and triumph in othe… Mens Calamities, nor trample upon the… when they are fallen, not knowing how ſo… their caſe may be his own; and the trya… which are upon them, may come to his ow… door.
He makes it his care to preſerve Pea… within, in the midſt of all the troubles th… attend him from without, and ſets befo… him the Joys of Heaven as a Relief againſt t… Worlds ſorrow.
He looketh upon the Providence of Go… as ſuperintending, and guiding the Affairs the World, and therefore is not diſmayed by the ſigns of the Heavens; gives not heed to Diviners and Soothſayers, as the Heathen did, and which was forbidden by many Chriſtian Emperours, and becomes not the Chriſtian Profeſſion. Neither doth he aſcribe Events to blind Fortune, the Power of exorciſms, or to the Connection of ſecond cauſes, any further than they are influenced by the firſt cauſe; and therefore he doth not perplex his Thoughts about future things, which are not in his Power, but in the diſcharge of his preſent Duty; leaves them all in the hand of the only wiſe God.
Again, Though he is diligent in the affairs of his Calling, yet he ſuffers not the things of this World, ſo to ingroſs his Time, Heart, and Thoughts, as to be diverted from all Communion with God, and attending the great Concernments of his Soul; and will what he can, avoid the incumbrances of the World, that his Heart may be more free for the Duties of Religion, and the ſervice of God.
And ſeeing that he was not made by himſelf, or for himſelf, he is careful to ſerve the end of his being, which is to gloriſie his Creator, and for that end is diligent to improve the ſeveral Talents wherewith God hath intruſted him, whether natural, acquired, civil or ſpiritual, and conſidering alſo himſelf as bought with a price, he glorifies God both in Soul and Body, which both are his: which is peculiar to a Chriſtian.
And laſtly, He knowing that his Time is ſhort upon Earth, he is making Proviſion for his latter End, that he may dye in Peace: Whereupon he lives not in continual Bondage to the fear of Death, nor hardens himſelf againſt it by a Roman courage, but looking upon Death by Faith in the Death of Chriſt, he ſeeth the Sting of it taken away, and it made a Paſſage into Eternal Life: And knowing alſo that the coming of the Lord draws nigh, he comforts himſelf in the Expectation of it, as hoping to find mercy of the Lord at that day. I ſhould here have added one particular more, which the Chriſtian Religion doth oblige all Men to, which is Obedience to Rulers and Magiſtrates, but I ſhall make it a diſtinct head to ſpeak of afterwards.
Now Reader, By theſe things, and ſuch things as theſe, (for I cannot poſſibly mention all,) thou ſeeſt what it is to be a Chriſtian, and what an Excellency and Purity is in the Chriſtian Religion, and what brave Men it would make us, both towards God, our ſelves, and one another: Whatever moral Vertues the Heathen Philoſophers boaſted of, or whatever Goodneſs or Truth there is in natural Theology, whatever is conſentaneous to the pureſt Reaſon, or whatever moral goodneſs there is in the Law of Moſes, whether Moral, Judicial, or Ceremonial, or in any Religion profeſſed in the World, we have it all comprized in Chriſtianity. Here we have an account of the true Happineſs of Man, and how to attain it: And where an Expiation may be found for the ſin of his Soul: And how he may be ſupported under all the Calamities of this preſent Life, which three things the Minds of the Philoſophers were ſo exerciſed about. It is a Religion, which endows men with higher Principles, and ſets before them higher Motives againſt the practice of evil, and for performing that which is good, than any other in the World; and was it Exemplified in the Lives of Men, inſtead of Oppreſſion, Injuſtice, and Violence, inſtead of Animoſities, Diviſions, and Contentions, inſtead of treacherous plotting and contriving the deſtruction of one another; we might enjoy our ſelves and live together in great Tranquility, Love, and Peace: whereas, now the lives of moſt who are called Chriſtians, are the publick ſcandal of the World, and as great Atheiſm, Prophaneneſs, Irreligion, and all ſorts of Immoralities are found among us, as where the Name of Chriſt and the Goſpel were never heard of: And in many things worſe than Infidels, which makes the old ſaying true, Aut hoc non eſt Evangelium, aut nos non ſumus Evangelici: Either this is not the Chriſtian Religion we profeſs, or elſe we are not Chriſtians. And will not Chriſt be aſhamed of them, who are a ſhame to him, and his Name, that is upo… them? As a Parent who hath a vile and wicked Son, is aſhamed that he ſhould bear hi… Name: And as ſome have probably thought… that thoſe ſhall come firſt to Judgment, ſ… they are likely to fall under the ſevereſt judgment in the day of Chriſt. The Heathen o… old upbraided the Chriſtians with their Name▪ Cajus Sejus bonus vir, ſed Chriſtianus; but now it may be ſaid, Cajus Sejus Chriſtianus, ſed no… bonus vir; which is a real Reproach, which th… other was not. And may we not complai… as Salvian in his Time, In nobis patitur Chriſtus opprobrium, in nobis patitur Lex Chriſtian… maledictum? Chriſt and his Religion do bot… ſuffer reproach in us: Whereas the Primitiv… Chriſtians as they gloried in their Name, an… were encouraged by it under their Perſecutions▪ ſo they were a Glory to it both in their Lif… and Death. Let no Man ſay, that he hope… to be ſaved by Gods Mercy, or by an impute… Righteouſneſs, while he walks not by the holy Precepts of our Saviour, and the Rule of th… Goſpel. And Baptiſm, or a Chriſtian name, o… the Name of Proteſtant, will avail men nothing, where there is not true Chriſtianity if we count it a diſgrace to be called a Jew, … Turk, an Heathen, let us take heed we mak… not the Name of a Chriſtian odious: and a… Euſebius, ſpeaks of the Godly who lived before the coming of Chriſt, that they were foreign though not foreign, Chriſtians; but many tha… …ive now after it, are foreign, not foreign; Chriſtians in Name only, not in Practice: And he is not a Jew (a Chriſtian) who is one outward…y, ſaith the Apoſtle.
I know, 'Tis an eaſie thing to talk of Religion, of a Catholick Church, and to commend morality, and the Excellency of our Saviours Precepts, when Men will not touch the practice of them with one of their fingers. If Love be the fulfilling of the Law, ſure then where there is not love, the whole Law is broken, and there is nothing of true Religion: And when Men walk in ſtrife, envy, malice, hypocriſie, &c. they are quite Strangers to right Chriſtianity.
And though it hath not coſt me much time or pains, to gather theſe many things together, (for I conſidered nothing, but the publick benefit, and the preſent neceſſity of the Times) yet to reduce them into practice, he ſhall find it difficult who will ſeriouſly apply himſelf thereunto, corruption and luſt prevailing in moſt Men, above true Reaſon and Conſcience: Yet every Chriſtian who is upright in his Profeſſion, is ſtriving after further perfection in Chriſtianity, though he finds he yet falls ſhort in many things.
And though I know that the whole Duty of Man may be generally expreſſed in a few words, yet as the ſaying is, Generalia non pungunt; and particulars are more apt to make impreſſion upon Mens Hearts: Though I have not enlarged upon any of them, that may bring the Summe of a Chriſtians Dut… within as narrow compaſs as I could.
And I think there are but few Duties of Chriſtian, but what are either mentioned, or comprehended in them. And I believe the trut… of them will be owned by all ſober Chriſtians carrying their Evidence along with them t… their Judgments and Conſciences. The Proteſtants call themſelves of the Reformed Religion, but how many have unreformed Lives they have good Articles of Faith, but hav… not their Creed in their Converſation.
But methinks we may expect to find tru… Chriſtianity in as high an Elevation, and Eminency in England, as in any part of the Chriſtian World. What Nation hath afforded more Eminent Divines both for Learnin… and Piety? where hath the Cauſe of Religio… been more aſſerted, and vindicated? Wher… have the holy Myſteries of the Chriſtian Religion, been more clearly opened? Where have ſuch Books of practical Godlineſs, been publiſhed and printed, as here? which are muc… valued in forraign Countries, and their young Divines learn to preach by them: I know ſome will ſhrugg their Shoulders, and ſay, It's true, we ought to be ſuch Chriſtians a… are before deſcribed, but alas! where are ther… any ſuch? And we are but as others are; and we would be better Chriſtians if we could, …nd all have their failings: Thus men exeuſe …heir ſin and Sloth; but do their Conſciences …ell them they do what they can, and not ra…her the contrary? were but the Principles of …eaſon and Natural Conſcience more awaken…d in Men, it would reduce them from many Ex…rbitances they run into, and lead them into a …ore ſober and regular Converſation, how …uch more the Principles of Chriſtianity? But …en love their ſin, and hate to be reformed: …nd cannot bear a faithful Miniſtry, of one …ort or another, and truſt to a little outſide …evotion, or feigned Profeſſion, and know …othing of the ſerious part of Religion. Let …en ſeriouſly read the former particulars, and …s they read them, make a ſhort pauſe, and …onſider them; and I have not publiſht them, …ecauſe men know them not, but becauſe they …o know and profeſs them, and that they …ay practiſe what they know, and their …nowledge may not condemn them. And …ould not Men conſider what their Baptiſm …oth oblige them to, and thoſe that profeſs …hemſelves of the Church of England, what …hen their Sponſors undertook for them? That …hey ſhould forſake the Devil, and all his …orks, the Pomps and Vanities of this wic…ed World, and all the ſinful luſts of the …leſh? Words eaſily ſaid, but little regard…d.
And is not this Obligation vouched, and re…ewed afreſh, every time they come to the holy Communion? Hath their Baptiſm no other effe… upon them, but that then they received thei… Chriſtian Name? Surely either all Religion is bu… Nomen inane, a vain Name, as Brutus ſaid of Ve… tue, or elſe it is the moſt momentous thing i… the whole World: we ſhould therefore practi… it in good earneſt, and be Chriſtians alt… gether, as before deſcribed. For I fear, le… in oppoſition to the Diſſenters, who hav… cryed up ſo much the Power of Godlineſs it is grown into Contempt, and we ſatisfie our ſelves in the outward Form, and i… the name of a Church.
And for the people called Diſſenters, giv… me leave (and I hope you will take it well to deal plainly with you, out of love to you perſons, and the honour of Religion, wherei… all good Men are concerned.
The truth is, You not conforming to th… Church of England, as Men of ſtricter Principles in Religion, have thereby contracte… much envy from your Neighbours, and a mo… critical obſervation of your Converſation, expecting more exactneſs and exemplinarineſ… of Life from you than others; and though i… may be more hath been charged upon you, o… ſome of you, than is true, yet too much fear is true: Firſt,
Have not there been found among you ſome who have dealt Deceitfully in their Commerce and Trading, Cheating, Over-reaching, breaking your Word, and ſometime Equivocating, and Lying for a private Advantage?
Have there not been ſome, who have failed and broke in others Debts, and that either through great Careleſneſs, or raſh Adventures, or it may be plain Couſenage?
Have not ſome of you taken too much liberty at Taverns, to Drink and Tipple, and to Diſcourſe at Coffee-houſes, and ſpending your time there at unſeaſonable Hours, when you ſhould have been attending the Duties at home, of your Families? Which thoſe that may like it well enough in others, and practiſe it themſelves, yet caſt it upon you in Reproach.
Have not others been guilty of exceſſive Coſtlineſs, and Pride, and vanity in Apparel, and modiſh and immodeſt Dreſſes, not becoming their Profeſſion; and high living beyond their Quality, their Place, or it may be their outward Eſtates?
Again, Have you not ſome amongſt you who are of unquiet Spirits, unruly Paſſions, given to brawling, ſtrife, and contention in your Family, Parents with Children, Maſters and Miſtreſſes with Servants, uſing reproachful Names and threatning Language, not becoming the Goſpel, and injurious to all good Order and Government?
Have not ſome alſo been guilty of great Covetouſneſs, graſping at great Eſtates, and griping the Poor, and oppreſſing the Needy, and withholding Wages when it was due, an… ſhutting up your Purſe in works of Charity and Mercy, and have had the cry of the Poor thereby againſt you?
Have not ſome of you had itching Ears, now crying up one Man, then another, having Mens perſons in admiration, becauſe of parts, gifts, opinions, and affecting tone, o… ſome peculiar notions in Religion, affecting Novelties more than ſound Doctrine, and hearing them, rather to pleaſe your Fancies, than profit your Souls?
Again, Have not others of you run into extreams in Religion, running ſo far from Juſtification by Works, as to caſt off Charity and good Works, and ſeeking purer Miniſtry and Ordinances, have rejected both, and depending upon the Spirit, have caſt off the Scriptures and negected endeavours; and fleeing from Superſtition are fallen into practical Atheiſm, and from knowing Chriſt after the Fleſh, to know him only as a Light within; and from corruption in the Church to be of no Church, and have run from Prelacy to a popular Anarchy, and from receiving the Sacrament Kneeling, not to receive it at all?
Have not others been Tale-bearers, Sowers of Diſcord, and Raiſers of falſe Reports, it may be of Magiſtrates themſelves, at leaſt have been too credulous to receive them, and divulge them abroad, and ſo enſnare themſelves in the words of their own Mouth?
Have not ſome been guilty of too much Uncharitableneſs to ſuch who have differed from you, and your Opinions in Religion, and confining the Church of God to too nar…ow a compaſs, and making Chriſts Kingdom …o conſiſt in doubtful Opinions, high Notions, forms of Government, gifts of Utterance, …ather than in Righteouſneſs, Peace, and Joy …n the Holy Ghoſt, as the Apoſtle ſpeaks?
Have ye not alſo had great Diviſions and Animoſities among your ſelves, Brother going …o Law with Brother; raſh Cenſuring of one …nother, and broke off your Communion with …ach other, for ſlight, and trivial, and doubt…ul matters, being of fickle Minds, and have …ot any due conſiſtency among your ſelves; …eing uneaſie without Liberty, and when you …ave it, want wiſdom to preſerve it, or im…rove it?
Have not many of you diſcovered great …ant of Wiſdom and Prudence in the manag…g of your Profeſſions, and different Opini…ns, both in your ſpeeches and behaviours …mongſt Men, and towards one another, and …ereby given juſt occaſion of offence?
Have not ſome of you placed much of your …eligion in your particular Opinions, in your ſeparate Churches, without ſeeking as ye ought, that inward Grace which might Sanctifie your Hearts, and Regulate your Lives and ſo ſeparate you from the moral evils o… the World as well as corruptions in Worſhip▪
Have not others of you been guilty of muc… Spiritual Pride, in deſpiſing thoſe whom y… have thought in a Form below you, and di… covered it in contemptuous Language an… Carriage? And have miſtaken the power o… Fancy, and the tranſport of meer natura… Paſſion, ſoon vaniſhing away, for the work … the holy Spirit which abides in the Soul.
Have your Faſtings, and days of Praye… been kept as dayes of true Humiliation fo… Sin, but rather to have your Sufferings removed than Sanctified; or to have ſome particular Opinion prevail, rather than ſincere R… ligion, ſubſtantial Holineſs, and ſolid Piet… in your Hearts and Lives?
Again, Have not the Temptations of th… times made ſome of you to act contrary t… your Conſciences, Principles and Profeſſions to ſave your ſelf from Suffering, and givin… occaſion thereby to your Adverſaries to glor… over you?
Other things I might mention, but the… things may ſerve for Conviction to the Guilt… and for Caution to others. For I am perſwade… better things of many of you, though I th… ſpeak: I know ye have among you many eminent examples of Piety, Prudence, Juſtice, Sobriety, Charity, and ſtrict and ſincere Devotion towards God, and Innoceny towards Men; and that nothing but Conſcience towards God doth make them Diſſenters in Religion; being otherwiſe ready to perform all dutiful reſpect to Magiſtrates, and all acts of Love, Friendſhip, Hoſpitality, and good Neighbourhood towards all among whom they live; and it cannot be denied but that many of your Miniſters and Teachers have been and are, Men of great Learning, Prudence, and Piety, great Textuaries, and eminent Preachers, and ſound Expoſitors, and zealous againſt Popery.
But if any will make an ill uſe of what I have ſaid, and are glad through the ſides of ſome offending Diſſenters to wound all Religion, Piety and Profeſſion, I ſhall only ſay as the Prophet Oded did to the Hoſt of Iſrael, after they had ſlain their Brethren, the men of Judah, with a rage reaching up to Heaven, Are there not ſins with you, even with you, againſt the Lord your God? 2 Chron. 28. 10. Or as our Saviour to the Phariſees concern-in the Woman taken in Adultery, Let him that is without ſin caſt the firſt Stone at her.
Have not thoſe of the Church of England (who have of late been caſting Stones at the Diſſenters) their Sins? May not our Saviour ſay to the Church of England, as to the Church of Epheſus, I have ſomewhat againſt thee? And as it's ſaid to the Church in Sardis, Rev. 3. 2. Srengthen the things which remain that are ready to die, for I have not found thy works perfect before God.
Hath ſhe not expreſt more zeal againſt Nonconformity in ſome indifferent Rites and Ceremonies, ſo accounted by themſelves, than againſt notorious Vice and Wickedneſs?
Hath ſhe not eſtabliſht Church Communion upon other Foundations, than the Apoſtles did in the Primitive Churches; as Profeſſion of Faith, and Repentance, and Subjection to the Commandments and Inſtitutions of Jeſus Chriſt?
Hath ſhe manifeſted the meek and tender Spirit of Chriſt toward thoſe who have i… ſome ſmall Points of Religion differed from her, and ſuch as may juſtly be Scrupled; and herein not done to others as ſhe would he… ſelf be done unto? And ſcoffing at their plea… of Conſcience as vain Canting?
Hath ſhe not in many of her Doctrine Preached, Printed, and Publiſhed, departe… from her own Articles, and ſome forwar… Men have been ſhaping them, and their publick Worſhip and Order, more and more int… a conformity to the Church of Rome, an… thereby raiſed the hope of the Papiſts, and occaſioned many multitudes of Proteſtants in the Nation to diſſent from her; ſhe driving them from her Communion, and then puniſhing them for ſo doing? Hath ſhe not been breaking down the Civil Bounds and ancient Land-marks, and expoſing the holy Sacrament, that ſhe might thereby the better eſtabliſh her ſelf?
Hath ſhe not made it too evident, that Wealth, Grandeur, and Dominion hath been more her deſign than the Glory of God, pro…oting true Holineſs, and the Salvation of Mens Souls?
Hath ſhe not been guilty of Silencing many …undreds of able Preachers, not for Slothful…eſs or Non-reſidency, not for Inſufficiency, …ot for Scandal, not for Hereſie, not for …ebellion to the Civil Authority, but only …on-conformity to ſome unneceſſary Rites in …eligion which they ſcrupled out of their zeal …gainſt Popery; wherein if they have exceed…, I hope it may now be judged a pardon…le Crime; but I fear it hath had no good …fect, but hath tended to the hindering the …ogreſs of the Goſpel, and the Salvation of any Souls, by rigid impoſing of Subſcriptions …d Canonical obedience, and Aſſent and Con…t, and ſtretching Conformity beyond what … was in the former Age? Doth not the in of many Families, and the loſs of ſome …es lie at her door?
Hath ſhe not debarr'd publick Aſſemblies for Worſhip to multitudes in the Nation, unleſ… in ſuch a way as was Offenſive to their Conſciences, and not Edifying to their Souls though ſuch as maintain and profeſs all th… ſubſtantial parts of the Chriſtian and Proteſtant Religion, are blameleſs in their Live… and profitable in the Nation; and thereb… expoſing them to the danger of returning t… Popery, or of being reduced to Paganiſm? D… the Diſſenters differ from her in any of tho… things wherein ſhe differs from the Papiſt… but rather in thoſe things wherein ſhe agre… with them? And what then is that whi… is ſtrictly to be called the Church of Englan… She hath indeed made a ſtrong and honour… ble oppſition to Popery by many Wort… and Learned Men of her Communion, b… hath it not been in thoſe things wherein t… Diſſenters agree with her, and rejoyce … what they have done, and act with her the… in? So that the Church of England conſid… ed as diſtinct from the forementioned Diſſ… ters, is made up only of ſome Additional to … Chriſtian Religion. And if it be Object▪ That ſuch deference ought to be given to … Laws of the Land, as not to have publ… Meetings otherwiſe than allowed: I Anſw… Such Laws are only humane and topical, … ſo cannot ſuperſede the univerſal Law… Nature, which doth dictate to all Nati… publick Aſſemblies for the ſolemn worſhi… God. And let it be conſidered, whether the impoſing of thoſe things which are judged unneceſſary can be juſtified, to the hindering of what is neceſſary both by the Law of Nature, and the written Law of God; and whether this Liberty hath not been taken againſt publick Laws, both in the times of the Heathen Perſecution, and here in England in times of Popery.
Many other things I might mention; but theſe I only lay before her, with the words of our Saviour to the Church of Epheſus, Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and Repent, or elſe I will come againſt thee quickly, and remove thy Candleſtick, except thou Repent, Rev. 2. 5. And if ſhe thinks her ſelf in danger, ſhould not this awaken her to Repentance? And is there any Proteſtant Church, but doth ſolemnly Faſt and Pray in threatning Dangers? But we ſee little of this in the Church of England: Not that every individual Member of that Eccleſiaſtick body ought to be charged, God forbid. I know many of them have been grieved at the ſufferings of their Brethren, Pleaded …heir Cauſe, and Lamented to ſee ſuch a …pirit of Perſecution act in the Church of England; and could ſee a little better than …thers, who they were that puſht on thoſe …evere Perſecutions againſt them, and how …opery crept in upon the Nation under a Pro…eſtant Vizard; and were aſhamed to hear ſome of her Clergy boaſt of the Purity of the Church of England, when (to their great trouble) Corruptions both in Doctrine and Worſhip, and in the Converſations of multitudes in it, was ſo viſibly ſeen to prevail, not only tolerated but too much countenanced; and little Diſcipline exerciſed but againſt Non-conformiſts, though Men of the greateſt Sobriety and Piety, and uſefulneſs in the Nation.
But I mention theſe things not to recriminate, but to help on that Repentance which may prevent Gods controverſie with that Church; and to melt down their Spirits into ſuch a Coalition with their diſſenting Brethren, that the Nation may be ſtrengthened againſt our Popiſh Adverſaries; and that all hands may be at work to make the Bank ſtrong againſt the inundation of the Sea, … mean the See of Rome. I fear whilſt our publick, eſpecially our Cathedral Worſhip is ſhaped ſo like to that which is in Popery, the tranſition will be made more facile to it. It will be never the leſs Decent by being leſs Ceremonious: And I hope the Pulpit-theam of ſome dignified Clergy-men, will be no longer, The Neceſſity of a Publick Conſcience, The Abſoluteneſs of Kings, And Invectives againſt Diſſenters; and that Able, Orthodox, and Learned Preachers will not be ſtarved out of their work for want of Maintenance. Nothing is more likely to ſecure the Proteſtant Religion, than a pious, diligent, and able Miniſtry. Every body knows the influences a corrupt Clergy hath upon the Laiety, and how eaſily under the name of the Church of England, ſuch Men may lead the People blindfold into the Enemies Camp.
But now I hope that both ſides will be ſenſible wherein they have failed, and the more Sober, Pious and Judicious among them both, centring in their preſent Majeſties Acceſſion to the Throne, it will allay all former Animoſities; and we ſhall love and own one another as Chriſtians and fellow Proteſtants; which will diſappoint the Hopes of the common Adverſaries above any thing that can be imagined, who are likely to get no great advantage upon us but by our own Diviſions, and make no Muſick but by our Diſcords, and we may well hope that the Concord that is found in the great Aſſembly of Parliament for the uniting all Proteſtants, will have a happy influence upon the whole Nation herein: but if any will be ſtill grumbling and contentious, ſure they are ſuch Men who love the fiery Element, are the Nations Enemies, and are ſecretly acted by Prieſts and Jeſuits, to bring us back again to Popery and Confuſion.
But I hope by this time the body of the Nation is enlightned and awakened to diſ…ern their Dangers, the Indications of Providence, and their own Intereſt, and that the deſigns wherewith theſe Men are travelling will prove Abortive, or bring forth no other Fruit but Miſchief to themſelves; but it may ſeem ſtrange, that any who have Prayed or Preached for Union, and lamented the want of it, ſhould run from it, when it is now offered to them, and they invited to it. As we would preſerve the Nations Exiſtence and Entity, let us ſtudy its Unity, and follow the inſtincts of Nature herein: Omne ens no… minùs appetit unitatem quam entitatem.
And as Natural Unity upholds the Univerſe, ſo Civil Unity the Common-wealth No external Force can ſhake the Earth, bu… Winds and Vapours within its own Bowels Vis unita fortior, is a true Rule both in thing… Natural and Civil. We can never expect t… have all Men pleaſed, but we ſhould all be ſ… wiſe as to ſubordinate a Private to a Publick Intereſt, and Sacrifice our particula… inclinations to the advantage of the Whole▪ As Air and Water will move contrary to thei… Nature, to prevent a Chaſme and Ruptur… in the Univerſe. Let us be Wiſe before i… be too late, and act like Chriſtians, and rational Men.
And ſeeing our preſent King and his Roya… Conſort have ſo often declared, that o… great end of their accepting the Invitatio… of coming to us, and of the Regal Powe… now in both their Hands, yea, and the Roy… Crown now upon both their Heads, was to Unite all Proteſtants, and thereby ſtrengthen the Proteſtant Intereſt both at Home and Abroad. I hope we ſhall readily fall in with ſo good a deſign, and not diſappoint it by our Diviſions; which nothing I obſerve doth more foment, than Jealouſies among our ſelves.
I think, none will envy the Dignity of the Church of England, if they make not uſe of it to trample others down; as thinking, that Liberty of Conſcience is inconſiſtent with it; and that all that are not with them, muſt needs be againſt them.
That good Old Rule well obſerved would be a Panacaea, a Catholick remedy to Heal us all; In neceſſariis unitatem, in non neceſſariis libertatem, in utriſque Charitatem: Ʋnity in things neceſſary, Liberty in things unneceſſary, and Charity in both. It's true, the Diſſenters are not all of one Piece, yet they are all as One Man againſt the return of Popery, and for the Civil Rights and Liberties of the Nation; and have been great Sufferers upon that account, and have ſtood their ground againſt the Temptations laid before them in the Reigns of the laſt Kings; and made reſiſtance to their utmoſt againſt them that would betray them.
Their Royal Majeſties, our preſent King and Queen, ſeem to have a generous Principle in their Breaſts, not to be Heads of a Party, but of Proteſtants in General, that the Birds of every wing, that are not Birds of Prey, may lodge under their Branches; and I hope we ſhall all ſay them, Our God Speed, and not lay ſome narrow, ſelfiſh Intereſt, in the way of this ſo Catholick a Deſign.