The Cry of a Stone, Section 7
It is in vaine to ſeeke the reformation of a Church, when the materialls are naught.
THe Church being a building or houſe, if it ſo fall out that the SECT. 7.maine pillars and materialls are rotten, and that it is founded but upon Briers, brambles and rubbiſh, how ſhall this houſe ever be mended or made ſound, otherwiſe then by a quite demoliſhing of the frame, and building another of other and ſounder ſtuffe?
Many have ſought divers wayes to reforme and amend this Church, but all helpeth not, except the matter were more ſound and ſolid.
Some cry out vehemently upon the Prelates and Governours of the Church, thinking, that if they were away, all would be well, wherein The Biſhops in England better then the generall multitude of the Land.how much they are deceived, appeares in this: firſt, The Prelates are not worſe, nor in any ſenſe ſo evill, comparatively, as the generall multitude is, either for ignorance, prophaneneſſe, inhumanity, &c. ſo as there were ten times more reaſon to deſire to be freed from the generall multitude then from them: ſecondly, Neither is it poſſible to governe this rude and unbroken multitude by an Elderſhip, or Presbyteriall policie; for they would laugh them to ſcorne, and except Chriſtian Elders muſt have no carnall weapons.they had ſecular power conferred upon them, or attending on them (which were the way to make every Pariſh a high Commiſſion) their counſell, admonitions, and cenſures, ſhould be in as baſe eſteeme as Lots counſell was among the Sodomites; ſo that the Prelates Gen. 19. 9.government is the beſt that can be for ſuch a tumultuous and unbroken multitude.
Others there are, that would faine cry downe the Ceremonies; as Cap, Surplice, Croſſe, kneeling, &c. and perſwade themſelves, that if they might not be urged, all would be well. And moſt true it is, they are matters neither commendable nor uſefull, but might well be ſpared, without any danger that I know of, but what ſhall we ſay? they are The ceremonies are fit ornaments for a carnall multitude.ſuch ornaments and jewels, as this multitude and their forefathers brought with them out of Egyptian darkneſſe and they are ſtill good enough for a people, whoſe Religion ſtands more in formes and figures, then in truth and ſubſtance▪ and if there were no wiſer then 2 King. 17. 33. 34I, they ſhould keepe them ſtill, and be halfe Proteſtants halfe Papiſts, which is juſt neither▪ untill they had reformed their morall vices, which are againſt the cleare light both of Scripture and Reaſon, and as for the godly and right informed Chriſtians they ſhould in their Church eſtate, be farre enough from ſuch vaine aſſemblies or vaine ordinances.
Others there are, who thinke, that if every Pariſh might chooſe their owne Miniſter, all would goe well, but theſe are but vaine ſuppoſitions without ground; For, firſt, if the Pariſhes had that liberty The Pariſh aſſemblies not fit men to chooſe their Miniſtersfreely given them, and that the body of the multitude might come together to caſt up their caps at ſuch an Election, there were like enough to be entertainment for all the looſe and idle Schollers and blacke Coats, that any of our well governed Schooles ſhould ſpew out, of which, though ſome now be entertained ſhamefully, yet then doubtleſſe many more would be, elſe how could there be like Eſay 24. 2. Hoſ. 4. 9. Iohn 8. 7.people like Prieſt? ſecondly, What have ſuch men to doe, to give voyce or ſentence to chooſe or refuſe any man about the ſervice of God, who care not for God, neither know either him or themſelves? thirdly, with what comfort could any godly man ſtand Miniſter unto them, to whom in equall proportion (ſince they have choſen him) hee muſt proſtitute the holy things, whileſt they remaine diſobedient and unfaithfull?
Some others there are, who ſtumble at the Eccleſiaſticall Courts; others are offended at the forme and Ring in marriage; ſome are troubled about the croſſe; others at the ſurplice; ſome will not have their The pariſh multitude worſe then any ceremonies.wives Churched; others will not kneele at the Sacrament, &c. and ſo one in one thing, and another in another thing, even as they affect and have ſet their mindes, ſtumbling at a ſtraw, and leaping over a blocke, like Ionah, who was angry to death for the Goard, but the Ion. 4. 8. 9. 10. 11death of a thouſand people never grieved him: or like little children which leave open the doores, that thieves may come in, and then cover them under the bed cloathes. Alas, what ſafety is there in amending theſe trifles, when the body is naught, and can brooke no perſon or thing that is good? were not he a fooliſh man, that having a rotten carkaſſe, ready to drop in pieces, would yet ſend for ſome furbuſhing Surgeon to take off the warts, and helpe the wrincles of his face; can any ſuch thing make an evill tree an evill man, or an evill multitude Mat. 7. 20.good? If all humane inventions were taken from them, and all Gods pure Ordinances executed among them, were they any thing the better; or were they not indeed ſo much the worſe, and the further in the guilt of taking Gods name in vaine?
And therefore I conclude, it is a ſequeſtration, and not a reformation that will heale us, helpe us, and give us a right Church eſtate for to joyne unto.