Truth Maintained 2, Discourse · Second commentary 1 – First commentary 3
Treatiſe.
A. The Policy of the Sermon.) Such carnall Policy wherein the ſubtilty of the Serpent ſtings the ſimplicity of the Dove to death, I utterly diſclaim in my Sermon. Chriſtian Policy is neceſſary, as in our Practice ſo in our Preaching, for Piety is alwayes to goe before it, but never to goe without it.
B. But it ſo moderates and modificates.) The moſt Civill Actions will turne wild, if not warily moderated. But if my Sermon clogges Reformation with falſe or needleſſe Qualifications (till the ſtrength of the matter leakes out at them) my guilt is great. I am confident of my Innocence, let the Evidence be produced and the Reader judge.
C. That Reformation can advance but little in this way.) Know that Zoar a little one that is laſting, is better then a great Babel of Confuſion. That Reformation which begins ſlowly and ſurely, will proceed cheerfully and comfortably, and continue conſtantly and durably. Builders are content to have their Foundations creepe, that ſo their Superſtructures may runne; let us make our Ground-worke good, and no more haſt then good ſpeed.
D. They put the Sunne into an heavenly Labyrinth and learned perplexity with their imaginary Lines.) This your ſtrong line more perplexeth me to underſtand it: OnelyOnly this I know, that you might have inſtanced more properly in any other Planet which is more loaden with Cycles, and Epicycles, whilſt the Sunne hath found from Aſtronomers this favour and freedome, to be left to the ſimpleſt Motion.
E. Such a Zodiack you would make for the light of the Goſpell.) were I to ſpread the Zodiack of the Goſpell, it ſhould ſtretch from Pole to Pole, and be adequate to the Heavens. There ſhould be no more Pagans in the World then there were Smiths at one time in Iſrael;2 Sam. 13. 19. not that I would have any kild, but all converted; yea the Sunne of Reformation ſhould not have ſo much darkneſſe as a ſhadow to follow it. To effect this, my wiſhes are as ſtrong as my power is weake. I will (God willing) pray and preach for it, and therefore doe not ſlander me to be an Hinderer of the Word.
F. G. H. Of the Jewes adverſaries. J…ſuiticall way. The old Prophet.) What you ſay is as true in the Hiſtory as falſe in the Application to me. You compare me to the Ammonites (Adverſaries to Gods people, to Jeſuits, to the old lying Prophet. I hope the God of Michael the Arch-Angell will give me patience,Jude 9. when he that diſputed with him ſhal furniſh him others railing. And now torture me no longer with your Accuſation, come to the proofe.
Examiner.
I find there are three Principles animates the Sermon.
1 How imperfect I a Church will be and a Reformation doe beſt you can.
2 That the light which the K Fathers had formerly, was as full and glorious as the light of theſe dayes, or rather brighter.
3 That none but the ſupreame Authority, or Authority L Royall, and that alone ought to begin and act in this Reformation.
Treatiſe.
I How imperfect a Church.) I ſaid it and I ſay it againe; it was a Truth before your Cradle was made, and will be one after your Coffin is rotten.
K That the light that the Fathers had formerly, was as full & glorious. Shew me ſuch a ſillable in all the Sermon and I'le yeeld the cauſe: Not that this Poſition is falſe, but becauſe I never ſaid it; except you collect it from thoſe my words where I ſay, that the Moderns had a mighty advantage of the Ancients who lived in the Marches of Paganiſmes and in the time wherein the Mistery of Iniquity began to worke.
L. None but the ſupreame Authority or Authority Royall.) I ſaid that the ſupreame Authority alone in thoſe reſpe…tive places wherein it is ſupreame, hath the lawfull calling to reforme. Thus of the three Principles which you reck…n in my Sermon. The firſt I ſaid I will defend it: The ſecond I ſaid not, and doe deny it: The third I ſaid otherwiſe then you doe alleadge it. And yet even for the two latter (that you may not complaine for want of play) in due time as occaſion is offered, I will fully diſcover my opinion, that ſo we may eitheir freely agree, or fairely diſſent.
Examiner.
Theſe are your principles, and let M any judge if this be a Qualification fit for him, that judges or writes of ſuch a Truth. For firſt, he that conceits there can be no Perfection in a Church, will N ſcarce labour to make that Church better, which he is ſure will be bad at all times: Nor will he care for any new light, whilſt the old is beſt reputation with him: nor will be ſeeke to advance the worke, but ſtay for a ſupreame Authority alone: A good policy to ſtay the Reformation till His Majeſties returne, and there is hopes it may coole in their hands.