Anti-Socinianism, Part 17
Ioannes Sylvanus Inſpector Ladenburgenſis.
Sylvanus ſocius remanens in carcere vinctus.
Praetium perſolvit proditionis ejus.
IT is a ſtrange thing to ſee, how many are taken with meer Novelties, and ſpecious pretences, and how eagerly they purſue them, and how madly they run after them: forfeiting both reaſon and religion, for the pleaſing of a fooliſh humour, in the enjoying of them, and gaining others to bear like affection to them; When we conſider this, we may very well doubt whom we may account free from a touch, or, (at leaſt) the danger of this indiſpoſition to, and oppoſition of, that which is good, yea beſt: and a promptitude and proclivity, to that which is evil, yea worſt, the blaſpheming of Gods Holy name, the trampling upon the bloud of the covenant, and counting it an unholy thing. How many opinions do we ſee raiſed every day, which argue no leſſe, then a meer Spiritual madneſs? ſuch as if they ſhould have been but mentioned, ſome years ago, which now paſſe uncontroverted, or at leaſt wiſe uncontrouled, as if the ſacred truth of religion, could admit of change and alteration, according to the times and ſeaſons, to which in mercy or judgment, we are reſerved; the queſtion would be, out of what Bedlam they had broken looſe? This appears by the Story of Sylvanus, which we have now in hand, who was croſt and troubled with ſuch variety of diſtempers, that he was alwayes in a doubting; many times in a bad, at laſt in a loſt condition. All that we can do, is but to pity and bewaile ſuch as are living, and pray for their recovery; and ſadly lament thoſe that are dead and gone. Among which, this Joannes Sylvanus may be one, whoſe religion was like adulterated Wine, you may call it what you will, who loved to prey upon Novelties and abſurdities, as Atalanta on the golden apples, though he loſt the prize. He was Inſpector or Controuler of Ladenberge, a great friend and aſsociate with Neuſerus, his fellow Renegado, if he had not been prevented: for intending to take flight with him over to the Turks, he was likewiſe apprehended with him, and caſt into priſon: but being not ſo light heeld as his fellow, he was forced to abide by it to his coſt; Of whoſe Apoſtacie from the truth, his execrable opinions againſt the bleſſed Trinity, the Deity, office and merit of Chriſt, of his conſpiracy and rebellion againſt the State, Prince Palatine Frederick, being by letters from the Imperial Majeſty certainly …nformed, he was publickly convented, legally convicted, and juſtly adjudged to be beheaded, which execution was worthily done upon him; For they ſin no leſſe, qui blaſphemant Chriſtum regnantem in caelis, quam quic rucifixerunt ambulantem in terris; that revile Chriſt reigning in Heaven, then they that crucified him living on earth. To hear a man blaſpheme God, or his truth, was a kind of prodigie among the Jews; This man blaſpemeth, ſay they, and preſently, they rent their cloths; ſhould every one of us, when we hear God, and the Goſpel blaſphemed, do the like, we ſhould have more rents, then whole cloths, and ſcarce a whole garment would be found among us. But we are little or nothing affected herewith. Gods Holy name is blaſphemed, his truth traduced, the hearer ſayes, let the Magiſtrate look to it: the Magistrate ſayes, let the Miniſter reprove it: the Miniſter ſayes, let the hearers reform it, they ſay, let the offender himſelf anſwer it, the offender ſayes, curet nemo, let no man mind; Thus we thruſt it from one to another. The Sea breaks in, all the borders contend, whoſe right it is to mend the damme, but while they ſtrive much, and do nothing, the Sea breaks farther in, and drowns the Country. That we may eſcape the like miſery, from an inundation of all falſe Doctrine and hereſy; Good Lord deliver us.