The Trade of Truth, Text

The Trade of Truth · Text

p. 1A SERMON PREACHED AT the Faſt before the Honourable Houſe of Commons.

PROVERBS 23. 23.

Buy the truth, and ſell it not.

THE eternall Happineſſe of our immortall ſouls is to be found only in union and communion with Ieſus Chriſt; Religion is that which gathers and binds up the ſpirit to cloſe fellowſhip with Him; This bond is twiſted out of thoſe materials, which the ſeverall pen-men of Holy Scriptures have prepared; Wiſe Solomon hath contributed a good ſhare to this bleſſed work in his three Books, Proverbs, Eccleſiaſtes, Canticles.

I will not confidently with Hierome and others, entitle Salomons three books, to his three Names; Hierom. in Eccleſ. Cornel. a L…p. in Prov. Argum.As he was Salomon peaceable (ſay they) he ſcattered p. 2Proverbiall ſentences among young men, to diſcipline them in wayes of righteouſneſſe and peace; As he was foreign, Eccleſiaſtes, the Preacher, he wrote the book of Eccleſiaſtes, a pithy Sermon, teaching men of riper yeers, the vanitie of vanities in all worldly excellencies. As he was Iedidiah, 2 Sam. 12. 25. Beloved of the Lord, he acquainted greateſt proficients, with the ſweet communion betwixt Chriſt and his Spouſe in the Song of Songs.

But of this I am ſure; The book of Proverbs is ſutable to its Title, worthy of Wiſe Salomon the ſonne of David king of Iſrael, Prov. 1. 1. In the firſt book of Kings, Chap. 3. verſ. 9. 11. Salomon was an earneſt ſuiter unto God for underſtanding; and becauſe he ſought it from God and for God, (ſo much doth the Lord love to ſee a publike ſpirit in our private prayers.) He gave him a large portion of wiſdome, with an overplus of other rich advantages; he obtained both the wiſdome of a Prophet and of a King, whereby he ſpake both Propheticall and Kingly ſentences. So much the Originall word foreign rendred, Proverbs ſeemes to import; raiguing commanding ſentences, being ſo full of wiſdome gravity and authoritie; and that ſtile of being Maſter of the foreign, ſive dignitates, hae doctrinae quae ſuo merito vitae noſtrae veluti dominae & moderatrices eſſe debent, Cartwr.Sentences, may well be tranſlated from Peter Lumbard, unto King Salomon, who was the Author of ſo many Maſter-ſentences.

Much of the wiſdome of a Nation, is oft found in their Proverbs; and much of Salomons in this book of his Proverbs, it being a cabinet of ſuch Jewels, as is fit for the cloſet, of ſo wiſe a King, p. 3full of ſhort and pithy ſentences, like Jewels indeed, containing magnum in parvo, much value, vertue, and luſtre in a little roome.

And for the better diſcovery of their excellencie, it is obſervable, that herein they differ from moſt other Scripture; Their Harmony is in diſcord, their beautie in a kinde of contrarietie. If you would underſtand our Saviours parables, minde the ſcope; if you would reach many other places of Scripture, attend the dependance, but if you deſire diſtinctly to apprehend the Proverbs in them, conſider the oppoſition; which though it appeare not ſo full in this my Text, as in many other of theſe Proverbiall ſentences, yet here you may finde two diſagreeing parts.

Firſt an Injunction, Buy the Truth.Parts of the Text.

Secondly, a Prohibition, Sell it not.

This oppoſition, ſuch as it is, begets two Propoſitions.

1. All the ſons of wiſdome, muſt be carefull to buy the Truth.

2. Though all muſt be buying, yet none may ſell the Truth.

I will follow the method of the words, beginning with the firſt propoſition.

All the ſonnes of wiſdome, muſt be carefull to buy the 1. Propoſition.Truth.

Herein by Gods gracious aſsiſtance, I will take a view of ſeverall branches, enquiring by way of explication and confirmation.

1. What is the commoditie it ſelf, this Truth that muſt be bought?

2. Into the nature of the purchaſe, with the price of it.

p. 43. What Reaſons may engage us to trade in this commoditie.

And then ioyntly ſhake them altogether in the application, trying what ſeaſonable fruit they will affoord this grave Aſſembly on this ſolemne Day.

Every one will be euquiſitive concerning the commoditie Explication.it ſelf: What is this Truth? I anſwer, Not a Metaphyſicall Truth, thats for Speculation only, not a Logicall Truth, thats chiefely for diſputation; nor a Morall Ethicall Truth, thats but one ſprig of ſpeaking; [veracitas rather then veritas] Salomons Truth here muſt needs be Theologicall. And that not veritas 1^o prima, God himſelf, no creature can compaſſe ſo great a purchaſe, if God were willing to ſell it, but veritas 2^o prima, derived from that firſt Truth, this may, and muſt be bought. This is veritas objectiva, as it lyes in the Scriptures, both in the principles of it, and concluſions deduced from it; Truth Originall and Truth Derived. And veritas ſubjectiva ſeated in us, which we ſucke from the word of Truth. Indeed Truth of Religion in us, grounded upon the Holy Scriptures the Rule of Truth; which comprizeth Truth in our Iudgements, when ſoundly informed; Truth in our wils and affections, when obedientially conformed; Truth in our converſation, when ſeriouſly reformed according to the word of Truth.

There are things in Truth well worth our Buying, firſt libertie of Truth, that the True Religion may have 1. Libertie of Truth muſt be bought.free paſſage, and not be impriſoned in corners or clogged with difficulties. Veritas nihil erubeſcit praeterquam abſcondi. Truth bluſheth at nothing ſo much as to be concealed. Paul deſireth the Theſſalonians to pray for him, Sylvanus and Timotheus, that the word of p. 5God may run and be glorified. It is a diſparagement 2 Theſſ. 3. 1.2 Thess 3:1to Chriſt and his Goſpel, when that hath ſo much adoe to creepe, which ſhould run and ride in triumph from congregation to congregation, from kingdome to kingdome. But a moſt beautifull and honourable ſight to ſee Chriſt at the opening of the firſt Seale, Revel. 6. 2.Rev 6:2with a bow and a crowne, going forth conquering and to conquer, ſubduing the Heatheniſh world to the obedience of his Goſpel by the preaching of the Apoſtles. What though a river be full of good water, yet if frozen, if not an open paſſage, men may die for thirſt.

It is the motion of the Sun of righteouſneſſe, that diſperſes both light and heat. Libertie of the Goſpel makes it a Goſpel to us. The Church in the Acts Acts 12. 5.Acts 12:5knew how to value this libertie of Truth, and therefore when Peter was impriſoned inſtant and earneſt prayer was made; the anſwer was as effectuall. Peter releaſed, Herod confounded, and truth ſet at libertie. Of all famines, the Soul-famine, Goſpel-famine is the moſt grievous, threatned as an heavy Judgement, Amos 8. 11, 12. But a moſt ſweet mercy to feel and taſte the accompliſhment of that promiſe, Iſa. 30. 20. Though the Lord give you the bread of adverſitie, and the water of affliction, yet ſhall not thy teachers be removed into a corner any more, but thine eyes ſhall ſee thy teachers.

Secondly, Puritie of true Religion, is a good purchaſe as well as libertie. That we may have an incorrupt 2. Puritie of Truth muſt be bought.Religion, without ſinfull, without guilefull mixtures; not a linſey-woolſey Religion. All new borne babes will deſire foreign, 1 Pet. 2. 2. Word-milke, Purum eſt plenum ſui & immixtum alieni.Sermon-milke without guile, without adulterating p. 6Sophiſtication of it, of which Paul glories, 2 Cor. 2. 17. For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of ſinceritie, but as of God, in the ſight of God ſpeake we in Chriſt. Whoſe zealous care it was, 2 Cor. 11. 2. to eſpouſe the Church of Corinth to one Husband (no polygamy in the ſecond marriage) that he might preſent them as a chaſte virgin unto Chriſt. This he endeavoured by pure Goſpel means, and by perſwading to puritie and ſingleneſſe of heart in the uſe of thoſe means. The Devill is as buſie verſ. 3. to corrupt peoples minds from the ſimplicitie that is in Chriſt; well knowing the ſimplicitie that is in Chriſt, is the beſt Rule for the Churches conformitie, to this we may ſubſcribe without any checke of conſcience.Quot ſupererunt mixturae ex hominum ingenio prolatae, toridem extabunt pollutiones quae homines diſtrabant à certo eorum uſu, quae Dominus in corum ſalutem inſtituerat. Calv. Ep. Prot. Angl. Totalis & adaequata regula eſt ſcriptura & traditio ſimul. Traditio parem habet autoritatem ſcripturae, Becan.

And indeed, what are falſe Religions, but Humane compoſitions. The Alcoran compounds Mahomets fond devices with ſome fragments of Gods word.

Popery compounds unwritten Traditions moſt preſumptuouſly with Holy Scripture; yea it rakes up Heatheniſh cuſtomes, revives old Jewiſh Ceremonies which are now mortuae & mortiferae dead and deadly, compounding them with the inſtitutions of Chriſt.

You may diſcerne ſuch mixtures in many errors, about the great myſteries of the Goſpel, even in every linke of the golden chaine of Salvation, Rom. 8. 30. Arminians in the Decree of Election compound foreſeene faith, with the Soveraigntie of Gods will. In vocation, ſo compounding mans Free-will with Gods Free Grace, that with them in the act of converſion prima cauſa depends upon ſecunda, the power of Gods grace muſt wayte upon the concurrence of our good nature.

p. 7Popiſh Doctors doe ſtrangely compound works with faith in the act of juſtification; and in glorification, ſo compound the merits of the Saints with the merits of Christ, that by a condignitie they become meritorious of eternall life▪ let the Devill affect vaine compoſitions; the whore of Babylon muſt paint her wrinckled face with ſome borrowed beautie, to cover her inward deformities; Chriſt and his Truth, will glory in no verniſh ſo much as native ſimplicitie and puritie.

Thirdly, Truth muſt be purchaſed as well in the 3. Power of Truth muſt be bought.power, as in the libertie and puritie of it. There ſhould be ſuch a ſtreame as runs purely without mud, and that in a ſtrong torrent. Hypocrites will ſwarve in the laſt age, when moſt Goſpel-light breaks out, many painted profeſſions will borrow ſome luſtre from it; This Paul foretels, 2 Tim. 3. 5. In the laſt dayes together with many ſtreames of wickedneſſe, there will be a generation of men having a forme of Godlineſſe, but denying the power of it; a good deſcription of hypocriſie. Hypocriſis eſt ſignum ſine ſignato.But the Lord beſpeaks power, both in the diſpenſing and the profeſſing of Truth. Paul deſired to preach in the demonstration of the ſpirit, and of power, 1 Cor. 2. 4. as well knowing that the kingdome of God is not in word, but in power, 1 Cor. 4. 20. It is not wording, but working the power, that will evidence to ſpeaker or hearers, that they are ſubjects in the kingdome of Grace and heires to the kingdome of glory. This Paul made an argument of their election, 1 Theſs. 1. 5. that the Goſpel came not to them in word only, but in power and in the Holy Ghoſt; much power appearing in the diſpenſation of it, and the Theſſalonians hearts ſo fully poſſeſſed with the power of the Truth, that their carnall p. 8principles were confuted, their paſſions moderated, their luſts mortified, and their ſelf-ends confounded.

Moſt men affect in Religion, either a dull moderation, or an outſide pompe, both enemies to the power of Truth. Moderation doth better in other things, then in the practiſe of Religion, where there cannot be a nimium. God requires totum cor and totum cordis, the whole heart, and the totalitie of it; that we ſhould love him with all our heart, with all our ſoul, and with our ſtrength, Luk. 10. 27. Indeed moderation hath its ſeaſon, but with Calvins caution; I confeſſe (ſaith he) there ought to be moderation, yet this I conſtantly affirme, Fateor quidem moderation …ocum eſſe oportere, ſed non mi…us conſtanter offirmo videndum eſſe ne ſub illo praetextu toleretur q…cquam quod à Satanâ vel Antichriſto prefectum ſit. Calv. ep. Prot. Angl.care muſt be had, that under pretence of moderation, nothing be tolerated, which proceedeth from the Devill or Antichriſt.

Neither muſt we ſo affect the outward pompe of Religion, as to neglect the power of it. Hilary his counſell was good, who writing againſt Auxentius Biſhop of Millaine, complained that the Arrian faction had confounded all, and therefore admoniſhed all men to take heed, how they ſuffered themſelves to be led with outward appearances. It is not well (ſaith he) that Hilarius contra Aux…ntium. Male vos parietum amor cepit; malè eccleſiam Dei in tectis aedificuſque veneramini; malè ſub his pacis nomen ingeatur; annè ambiguum eſt in iis Antichriſtum Seſſurum?you are in love with walls, that you eſteeme the Church in reſpect of houſes and buildings, and in, and under thoſe ſhewes and appearances pretend and urge the name of peace. Is there any doubt of Antichriſts ſitting in theſe places? This makes Popery ſuch a Religion as pleaſes mens eyes, and humours their eares, rather then rectify their mindes, and heale their hearts, becauſe they ſeeke not ſo much to purchaſe the power, as the pompe of Religion.

Having layed open before you the Commoditie it ſelf to be purchaſed; Truth in the libertie, puritie, and p. 9power of it; Its neceſſary further to enquire into the nature of the purchaſe, with its price.

As all other markets, ordinarily begin at home; ſo indeed our trading for Truth. The ſpirit of Purchaſe of Truth. 1. Begins in Deſires after it.God, having convinced the heart, how farre it is come ſhort of the glory of God by ſin, Rom. 3. 23. and that men are alienated from the life of God, through the ignorance that is in them, Epheſ. 4. 18. withall, giving the ſoule an hint and taſte of the excellencie and ſweetneſſe of Divine Truth, the only Soveraigne Scientia viſut, and guſtus.means of its recovery, it groanes moſt ſeriouſly, and pants moſt affectionately after acquaintance with the truth and poſſeſſion of it. And that not only by ſome cold velleitie, by ſome dull wiſhing and woulding; but by a peremptorie Iſa. 55. 1.. Luk. 18. 1. 7. Prov. 26. 15.Isa 55:1Luke 18:1Luke 18:7Prov 26:15choice; not by wandring and flaſhy, but conſtant and fixed deſires; not by lazie and ſlothfull, but operative and buſie deſires; Truth I would have, yea Truth I muſt have, els I am everlaſtingly undone.

Affectionate deſires, as they live and move in opinions; ſo they produce actions, inclining 2. Promoted by Diligence.us to take pains for the obtaining of that we would poſſeſſe. They adde wings to the ſoule, making us to flie like buſie Bees from flower to flower, from ordinance to ordinance, that we may ſucke the ſweetneſſe of Truth, which is ſweeter then honey, and the droppings of honey combs. Pſal. 19. 10.Ps 19:10The purchaſe of Truth, is carryed on by ſuch an active diſpoſition, as the Spouſe in the Canticles had to enjoy her Beloved; I will riſe now and goe Cant. 3. 2.Song 3:2about the ſtreets, and in the broad wayes, I will ſeeke him whom my ſoule loveth. Every buyer of truth, p. 10muſt be willing with little Zacheus to get up into Luk. 19. 3, 4.Luke 19:3Luke 19:4any Sycomare tree, to take all Goſpel advantages, to gaine a ſight of his Saviour, to behold Chriſt who is Truth it ſelfe. Truth is an hidden treaſure, Matth. 13. 44. ſometimes hidden from us by the difficultie of Scripture wherein it is contained, God thereby putting a value upon it, and an edge upon our ſtudies and prayers; ſometimes hidden by differences amongſt learned men. Law may be clouded by a multitude of booke Caſes; and Divinitie obſcured by a multitude of Schoole utrums.

Many times truth is hidden by the ſcandalous lives of ſuch as profeſſe it. Carnall ſpectators being much more quick-ſighted to apprehend the deformity of Religious men, then the beauty of Religion it ſelfe. And too often hidden under great diſgrace in the world, being ſtiled, Hereſy, Schiſme, Faction. Yea Religion it ſelfe accounted C. Sej…s Bonus vir, ſed Chriſtianus.the greateſt Crime. This Treaſure lies often ſo deep, you muſt be content to ſweat in digging for it before you can obtaine it.

All they who would purchaſe Truth, muſt not onelyonly be like Merchant men ſeeking goodly 3. Managed by Prudence.Pearles; Matth. 13. 45. but withall, be able to diſcerne when they have found a pearle of great price, verſ. 46. to know whether it be a pearle or pibble; that it is not droſſe, but gold bearing the ſtamp of truth.

There is much doubtleſſe in that of the Apoſtle Paul, Col. 4. 5. Walke in wiſdome toward them that are without, redeeming the time. All good Merchants muſt be redeeming time, improving all p. 11hints of doing good, of enjoying Gods ordinances, wherein you may trade for truth. Obſerve the connexion; walke wiſely towards them that are without, redeeming the time. The Church was then under perſecuting Governors, and vexed with bad neighbours, both enemies to the trade of truth; yet you muſt be purchaſing; only wherein walke ſo wiſely towards them without. 1. That you violate not the peace and puritie of your owne conſcience. 2. That you deface not the ſtamp of Divinitie upon Authothoritie. 3. That by a rigid auſteritie you alienate not others from truth. 4. Nor by a complying familiaritie with them in their ſins, harden them againſt the truth.

The Soule that thirſts after Truth, having taken 4. Tranſacted by paction.paines, how according to the rules of godly providence, it may be poſſeſſed of that it ſo dearely loves, is now willing to conclude the bargaine by paying the price. Solomon here mentions no price, Haec optima commutatio, da res tuas ut acquiras veritatem; non alienabis à te veritatem, ut acquiras res altas. Cajet.becauſe he would have us buy it at any price. Sometimes it may coſt us credit, and libertie, as it did the Apoſtles, Acts 5. 41. Sometimes it may coſt us the loſse of goods, as it did thoſe Chriſtians, Hebr. 10. 34. Yea, ſometimes life it ſelf, muſt be the price of Truth. We muſt be content to follow that cloud of witneſſes, which appears in that little booke of Martyrs, the 11^th Chapter to the Hebrews, we muſt write after that heroicall copie which our owne Worthies have ſet us, who ſacrificed their deareſt lives, to the crueltie of Bonners flames, that they might poſſeſſe the Truth.

p. 12Truth is ſo precious a Jewell, you muſt never Truth ſeldom bought upon cheap tearmes.expect to have the markets cheape. The Devill at firſt laid ſiege againſt the Truths, which were moſt Fundamentall, that ſo he might have ruined all the buildings; he would by the ſubtiltie of ancient Hereticks have huckſtered up thoſe Truths, which concerned the Natures and Perſon of Chriſt, this coſt very deare, before the foure firſt Councells could ſettle Truth againſt the Hereticks of thoſe times. Afterwards, when Poperie invaded all the Offices of Chriſt (ſuch a dangerous gangreen is it) undermining him, as the Prophet, as the Prieſt, and as the King of his Church, it coſt no little blood in England and Germanie, to vindicate the Doctrine of Divine worſhip, and of the Holy Sacraments, from ſuch errors as oppoſed the Propheticall and Prieſtly Office of Chriſt. That branch of Truth about Church Government and Diſcipline, ſo much concerning the Kingly Office of Chriſt, is of rich value, if the Markets ſhould riſe, we muſt drive on the bargaine what ever it coſt. No price too great for the obtaining ſuch a Purchaſe, to ſee our Deare Saviour advanced in all his Offices; as the Churches Prophet, without being beholden to unwritten traditions; as the Prieſt of his Church, without the ſatisfactions of any Meritmangers, without any Purgatorie, any Bridewell of the Popes making; as the King of his Church, above Miters, above Canon-laws, or any Church uſurpations whatſoever.

p. 13After the diſcovery of the nature of this purchaſe and the price of Truth, its fit to conſider Confirmation.what Reaſons may engage you all to trade herein; which are divers, according to the various reference▪ Truth hath to things of high concernment.

Never expect to have the ſpirituall and eternall good of your owne immortall ſouls effectually 1. Reaſon.promoted, unleſſe you buy and be poſſeſſed of Truth.

1. The Word of Truth, is the ſeed by which we are begotten againe, Iam. 1. 18. Yea incorruptible Seed, which liveth and abideth for ever, 1 Peter 1. 23. untill the Truth hath delivered us, what are we poore ſinners, but an heape of dry bones, ſo many dead carkaſes rotting in the grave of corruption.

2. It is the Milke, by which new borne babes are nouriſhed, 1 Peter 2. 2. by this they grow in the habits, in the degrees, in the exerciſe of Grace. Strangers to the Truth, like the Prodigall, live upon husks, and lay out their money for that which is not bread, Iſa. 55. 2.

3. Naturally, as the ſonnes and daughters of Adam, we are ſtained with many ſpots, ſteeped in corruption, polluted with filthineſse of fleſh and ſpirit, 2 Corinth. 7. 1. Truth is the water by which we are cleanſed, Ioh. 15. 3.

4. When we goe groping up and downe in in the darke, expoſed to errors, beſieged with terrors, Truth affoords us direction and conſolation, Pſal. 119. 105.

p. 145. Truth is the Armour, by which you are defended againſt your ſpirituall Enemies, and enabled for offenſive warre. Amongſt the ſixe peeces of our ſpirituall Armour, three of theſe have ſpeciall dependance upon the Truth. You muſt have the girdle of Truth, Epheſ. 6. verſ. 14. beſhod with the preparation of the Goſpell of peace, verſ. 15. and take the ſword of the ſpirit, verſ. 17.

6. And indeed the word of Truth, is the Goſpell of your Salvation, Epheſians 1. 13. The Charter by which the Corporation of Saints, challengeth ſuch rich priviledges; the Articles of that Covenant, which doth entitle them to ſuch bleſſed hopes.

You cannot hope to finde Gods gracious acceptance 2. Reaſon.of your ſervice, nor enjoy any Soule-refreſhing communion with him in the duties of his worſhip, unleſſe Truth direct and animate your ſpirits therein. When David was engaged in a pious and plauſible ſervice, in fetching the Arke from Kiriath-jearim, 1 Chronicles 13. he conſulted, verſ. 1, 2. the people conſented, verſ. 3, 4. there was much confluence and triumph, verſ. 8. The Oxen ſtumbling, Vzzah upon a faire pretence, put forth his hand to uphold the Arke, yet God would not accept of his faire intention, but ſmote him that he dyed, verſ. 10. the reaſon is rendred, 1 Chronicles 15. verſ. 13. becauſe God was not ſought after the due order, his Truth was not obſerved, in the carrying of the Arke, as verſ. 14. with reference to this p. 15Story, Peter Martyr commends it, to the care of Queene ELIZABETH, that Church Governors P. Martyr. Ep. 36. Regni. Eliz.endeavour not to carry the Arke of the Goſpell into England, upon the Cart of needleſſe Ceremonies.

There are two flyes which marre the moſt precious pots of oyntment. Hypocriſie and Superſtition, as Iſaiah 29. 13. Wherefore the Lord ſaid, foraſmuch as this people draw neere to me with their mouth, and with their lips doe honour me, but have remooved their heart farre from me, and their feare toward mee is taught by the precept of men. In both a great defect of Truth. Hypocriſie is lip-labour, and lip-labour is loſt labour; no dutie acceptable without truth of heart in it; Superſtitious worſhip, taught by mens precepts, may be devout enough, yet becauſe it wants the Authoritie of Gods Truth to Steere it, how marvellouſly doth God curſe it, verſ. 14. Therefore behold, I proceed to doe a marvellous worke amongst this people, a marvellous worke and a wonder: the wiſdome of their Wiſe men ſhall periſh, and the underſtanding of their Prudent men ſhall bee hid. When the Devill hath made men Superſtitious, God will make them fooliſh, he takes no pleaſure in them.

The beſt of our Practicall Chriſtianitie, even our moſt ſolemne addreſſes to God (upon ſuch a day as this) Iooſe their vigour and bleſſing, if cuſtome only or formality act us herein, and not conſcience to Gods Truth. What are good Chriſtians, but Rules of Truth, become examples, p. 16yea living, walking pictures of Divine Truth. When the wantonneſſe of humane wiſdome, will multiply Will-worſhip, and Wit-worſhip, thinking to pleaſe God with better deviſes then his owne, it turnes to groſſe folly, and ends in much miſchiefe, rather then acceptation. Witneſſe Gideons Ephod, Iudges 8. verſ. 27. Yea, ſuch men take much paines to looſe their labour, and Matthew 15. verſ. 9. In vaine doe they worſhip God, teaching for Doctrine, the commandements of men.

Never expect the gracious preſence of Chriſt in his Churches, unleſſe you purchaſe Truth, 3. Reaſon.and ſet it upon the Throne, Revel. 2. 1. He walketh in the middeſt of the golden Candleſticks, whoſe office it is to hold forth the Truth.

The beautie and efficacie of Church Government and Diſcipline, depend upon their Conformitie unto Divine Truth. It muſt Regulate Church Power, and Diſcipline Church Adminiſtrations, elſe they will ſoone looſe their Luſtre and Authoritie; Degenerating either into emptie Formalitie, or into Church Tyranny, which of all other is moſt grievous, becauſe ſo oppreſſive to the Conſcience. Hence ſuch uncouth Catalogues of Church Officers amongſt the Papiſts: Pope, Cardinals, &c. Hence ſuch ſwelling Volumes of their Canon Law, becauſe not Divine Truth, but carnall wiſdome drew the platforme. Hence ſo many of our Temples, made houſes of Merchandize, wherein, as in the darkneſſe of Popery, Indulgences were, Abſolutions p. 17are bought and ſold. Yea, hence the ſword of excommunication which was wont to be formidable, Gladius Eccleſiae venerandâ raritate formidabilis. Petr. de Alliaco.becauſe drawne with ſo much ſolemnitie, is now made contemptible, becauſe ſo familiarly abuſed upon trifles; and all this, becauſe Divine Truth hath had no more power in our Conſiſtories. And this doubtleſſe doth much foment the preſent diſtractions of the Church, that either fancie or affection ſhould put ſuch high claimes upon things, as ſuddenly to ſtyle them Inſtitutions of Chriſt, or uſurpations of Antichriſt, not ſufficiently conſulting with Divine Truth. If our Prelaticall Power, and Cathedrall Pompe, be of Divine Right, let us ſee a Divine word for it; what need we ſuch violent arguments to maintaine them, oath upon oath, ſubſcription upon ſubſcription?

Let Chriſt himſelfe be acknowledged as King in his Church, as Lord in his houſe, let the word of Truth be our Booke of Canons, our Books of Diſcipline, and then if. Paul were our viſitour, he would rejoyce to behold our order, as Coloſsians 2. verſ. 5.

Yea, then we ſhall undoubtedly find the Broad-Seale of Heaven, confirming what is done, when we follow the guidance of Chriſt in his owne Truth, Matth. 18. 15, 16, 17, 18.

The beſt way to promote the moſt publique good of all the Churches, is by advancing the 4. Reaſon.trade of Truth. This publique counſell ſhould move in the moſt publique ſphaere, ſeeking good for themſelves and others, both at home and abroad. The eyes of all the three Kingdomes, yea, p. 18of the Proteſtant world are now upon you, expecting much from your influence. You can never contribute fully to the worke, of Reformation here, unleſſe you ſet Truth at libertie; neither ſhall you be ſo effectually helpfull to all the Proteſtant Churches, though you ſhould recover their lands and regaine their territories, unleſſe you re-eſtabliſh their Religion, by opening a free trade of Truth amongſt them.

Truths advancement is one of Gods great deſignes; Kingdomes are for Churches, and Churches golden Candleſticks to hold forth Truth, that therein Chriſt may appeare in his moſt glorious luſtre; when the banners of Truth are univerſally and victoriouſly diſplayed, The Kingdomes of this world ſhall become the Kingdomes of our Lord, and of his Chriſt, and he ſhall reigne for ever and ever, Revel. 11. 15.

How came Popery to be advanced to ſo great height, but by ſuppreſſing Truth; The myſtery of 2 Theſſ. 2. 7.2 Thess 2:7iniquitie wrought in the Apoſtles times; It went on by ſteps; the Pope was firſt Antichriſt naſcent, then Antichriſt creſcent, after Antichriſt regnant, but when he was made Lord of the Catholike Faith, ſo that none muſt beleeve more, nor leſſe, nor otherwiſe then he preſcribed, he became Autichriſt triumphant. The Pope is guiltie of the groſſeſt theevery, he robs the See Crakanthorp of the fift Generall Councell, chap. 13.Sacrament of the Cup, the Scriptures of their Authoritie, and the Church of the Scriptures; as theeves blow out the candles, the better to conceale themſelves, and carry on their deſignes; ſo He ſuppreſſeth, as much as he can, the light of p. 19Truth, that with more advantage, he may play his pranks, and creepe undiſcerned in the darke.

If you would lay ſiege to the Devill or Popes kingdome, and undermine all the crutches and ſupporters of it, ſet Truth at libertie. Zachary 4. verſ. 6. the great mountaine of oppoſition muſt be moved, not by humane power and might, but by the ſpirit of the Lord of Hoaſts, not only by his power but by his ſpirit, becauſe Church works muſt be carryed on in a way of enlightning and revealing the Truth. Thus the wiſe providence of God wrought formerly, when a Generall Councell (though by many groaned after) could not be obtained with the conſent of the Clergy and Court of Rome, to whom Reformation would be a certaine Ruine, He ſtirred up divers Heroicall Worthies, Waldus in France, Wickliffe in England, Luther in Germany, Knoxe in Scotland, to deſpiſe the light of Truth; And Revel. 14. verſ. 6. After the flying Angell, having the everlaſting Goſpell to preach unto all that dwell on the earth, then verſ. 8. there follows another Angell ſaying, Babylon is fallen. Doubtleſſe the Pope muſt fall not only by the Sword of Princes, but by the Sword of the Spirit, 2 Theſſalonians 2. verſ. 8. That wicked One muſt be revealed, and conſumed with the Spirit of the Lords mouth. If you would have the myſtery of iniquitie unmasked, ſee the Popes Triple Crowne tumble, and the thicke miſt of Popery vaniſh, help forward the bright Sun-ſhine of Gods Word, promote the libertie, puritie, and power of Truth.

p. 20You have had a diſcovery of ſome few ſprigs, growing upon this firſt Propoſition, let us in the Application.Application, gather the wholeſome fruit which hangs upon them.

It is the good hand of God upon us, when ſo many of our brethren in Ireland, are ſtill 1. Vſe. Self-examination.bleeding under their enemies crueltie, that we are at libertie in this ſolemne Ordinance, to plead with our God for merciemercy. Oh that this day of Self-humbling, might be to us in the uſe of it, according to its nature, a ſelf-ſearching, or ſoul-purging day.

My Commiſſion is, to hold forth the Glaſſe of Gods Truth before your eyes, that you may may diſcover your ſpots and defects. Let it be your worke, to reade over your ſelves, as well as your Bibles; to ſpeake and write retractations of your former errors, and confeſsions of your miſcarriages (I wiſh we could all be Auguſtines herein.) The Lord knoweth what Volumes many of us might fill, if we were but well ſtudyed in our ſelves. And together with the long Catalogue of all our other ſins, our neglect of Truth muſt come in, as having a great influence into the reſt: for this we may bluſh and bleed, yea rivers of teares are too little to bewaile this, that in all our deſignes, we have ſo little minded to purchaſe the Libertie, the Puritie and Power of true Religion.

Adam and Eve began to make very bad markets, to ſell themſelves and poſteritie, for the forbidden fruit. Prophane Eſau, ſold his Birth-right p. 21for a Meſſe of pottage, Heb. 12. 16. How many with Abſalom, to humour their vain-glory, will ſet the Peace of a Kingdome to ſale? How many with Haman, to gratifie proud revenge, will ſet a whole Church to ſale? Some with Iudas, will ſet up their Saviour to ſale for thirtie pieces. Others with Diotrephes (the firſt Cocke of the game) that they may fill their ſailes with Church-pompe, and Church-power, will ſet the Keyes of Church and Ordinances of Chriſt to ſale. Lay your hands upon your hearts. To be purveyours for your luſts, as the prophane, Romanes 13. verſ. 14. To be Merchants for the Pope, as the ſuperſtitious Innovators. To be Proctors for the Devill, as Goſpell-oppoſers, what ſaith conſcience? Is this to buy the Truth.

Give me leave (Honourable and beloved) to come neerer you, with three plaine Queres. I ſtudy not alta but apta proferre.

Have you gotten your owne hearts poſſeſſed 1. Quere. Concerning the perſons.with the power of the Truth? Hath Gods word a throne in your Conſciences, Coloſsians 3. 16. Let the word of God dwell richly in you. If it dwell there. Firſt, it muſt intrare, then reſidere: it muſt dwell and abide there, exerciſing a ſoveraigntie over you, ever drawing open into an humble familiaritie with it. What fruitfull knowledge have you gotten in the myſterie of Doctrinall and Practicall Godlineſſe. They who know the Grace of God in Truth, will bring forth fruit, Coloſsians 1. verſ. 6. Doth the Truth of your Religion appeare in your relations, in the p. 22uniformitie of a Goſpell converſation? as Phil. 1. verſ. 27. Aske your hearts, whether in all your undertakings you move upon Religious grounds, and for Religious ends. God doth not onelyonly number, but weigh our actions, and obſerves not onelyonly what is done, but why it is done. The The word of Truth muſt be our judge; therefore now let it be our Counſellor. It is Philpots Gloſſe upon Iohn 12. verſ. 48 (The word that I have ſpoken ſhall judge him in the laſt day) if the word ſhall judge us, then much more ought it to be a judge of our doings now.

Have you ſet up Truth in your owne families? 2. Quere. Concerning your Families.It is moſt odious for a Miniſter of Chriſt to flatter, to dawbe with untempered morter at any time; but moſt abominable upon a Day of Humiliation. You reckon your houſe, your little Common-wealth; by what law is it governed? Doth the word of Truth, the Scepter of righteouſneſſe beare ſway there? Whence then ſo much licentiouſneſſe tolerated in the ſervants? ſo much diſſoluteneſſe in the children? ſo much oppreſſion, tyranny, and (too often) other wickedneſſe in your ſelves, and ſuch diſtempers in family relations? Pſal. 101. verſ. 2. David would walke in his houſe with a perfect heart. Such as ſerved him, he would either finde them, or make them Gods ſervants. You would have others thinke your houſes are Churches. What thy houſe a Church to God, and thou a covetous idolater? Thy houſe a Church to God, and thou Epheſ. 5. 5.Eph 5:5an uncleane ſonne of Belial? What concord hath p. 23Chriſt with Belial? what agreement hath the Temple of God with idols? The argument is as ſtrong 2 Cor. 6. 15, 16.2 Cor 6:152 Cor 6:16for Magiſtrates as for Miniſters, 1 Tim. 3. 5. If a man know not how to rule his owne houſe, how ſhall hee take care of the Church of God? How can you be good Reformers both of State and Church, unleſſe you be firſt Reformers of your ſelves, and your owne Families? Light is a great advantage to an houſe, eſpecially the light of Truth. The Father of Lights, is not pleaſed to dwell in a darke habitation, ſuch a corner is fitter Delicata res eſt ſpiritus Dei.for Satan, the Prince of darkneſſe. It was a very honourable report, which Melancthon giveth of Prince Anhalt, Cubiculum ejus erat, Academia, curia, Templum; His Bed-chamber was an Academie, a Court, a Temple. The Lord gives you a ſhare in this honour. Let not your Chambers be Academies onelyonly, for the advanocment of learning; or Courts, for the daily diſpatch of publique affaires; but Temples for the worſhip of God, and calling upon his name. Give the people not onelyonly Rules, but examples of Reformation. Let Religion be firſt advanced in you, it will the ſooner bee ſetled by you.

Have you imployed and improved your publique 3. Quaere. Concerning the publique.intereſts to help forward the trade of Truth, to promote Religion in the Libertie, Puritie, and Power of it? Never was any Parliament the ſonne of ſo many prayers and teares. Never had any a larger ſhare in that bleſſing of the Lord upon Ioſeph, Deut. 33. verſ. 16. feeling the good p. 24will of Him that dwelt in the buſh, ſo often burning, yet not conſumed. What reciprocall reall love have you expreſſed unto God, and the Cauſe of his Truth.

When Moſes propoſed that queſtion, Exod. 32. verſ. 26. Who is on the Lords ſide? The ſons of Levi gathered themſelves together, verſ. 27. and by their zeale, obtained a bleſſing in Moſes his Catalogue, when their brother Simeon was left out, Deut. 33. verſ. 9. We live in ſhedding, diſcriminating times, it is a frequent queſtion, quarum partium? On what ſide are you? If this be the queſtion, who is on Truths ſide, what eccho, what anſwer will you returne, oh you great Counſellors? Suppoſe this day, God and thy Conſcience held a Cloſet Committee, the Lord ſaith, I have put ſuch a rich price into thy hand; I have betruſted thee with an influence in the Grand Affaires of the Church? what ſaith Conſcience? What haſt thou done? what wilt thou doe, by ſpeaking, voting, by hand, heart, purſe, for the Truth? Davids queſtion is moſt ſeaſonable, 1 Chron. 29. verſ. 5. Who is willing to conſecrate his ſervice this day unto the Lord? Oh that you might returne the ſame pious anſwer, with the chiefe of the Fathers, and Princes of the Tribes; who all offered willingly, verſ. 6. Could you finde this fruit upon your Self-examination, Doubtleſſe though you may ſerve this day in ſorrow (as you ought to doe upon a Soul-afflicting day (in ſighes, in groanes, in teares) yet you ſhall reape in joy.

p. 25To engage and quicken your utmoſt endeavours for the happy purchaſe of truth.Uſe 2. Exhortation.

You may pleaſe to looke upon your ſelves (Honourable and Beloved) in a double capacity.

Firſt, as Merchants, trading for your owne everlaſting good.

Then as Publique Factors, betruſted with the beſt good of many hundred thouſands.

In a Merchant or Factor there are ſome ſpeciall Requiſites,

1. Wiſdome.Three Requiſites in a Factor

2. Activity.

3. Reſolution.

Firſt, Wiſedome, to diſcerne both the Commodities 1 Requiſite, Wiſdome.themſelves, and opportunities of trading.

The firſt uſe of Wiſdome is to diſcerne the Commodities themſelves. Religion muſt not be taken 1.upon truſt. Faith is Gods way to ſave us, credulity the devils method to undoe us. 1 Theſſ. 5. 21. Try all things, hold faſt that which is good. And by ſound knowledge poſſeſſe your ſelves moſt carefully of ſuch truthes, as are moſt neceſſary. Thoſe that are Fundamentalia in fide, or in Praxi, buy them at any rate, but ſell them at no rate. There are Magnalia, and minutula legis. It will argue much hypocriſie to be ſubſtantiall in circumſtantiall truthes, and circumſtantiall in the ſubſtantials of Faith and Repentance. Maximis diſſidiis non ſunt minores iſtae redimendae veritates. Acontius de St. Sat.Let us wiſely proportion our zeale, according to the nature of the truths themſelves. This Counſell Paul giveth his Titus. Matters of conſequence, he muſt affirme conſtantly, but, avoid needleſſe queſtions, Tit. 3. 8.

p. 26It were a ſeaſonable improvement of your Wiſedome and Power, to hinder the Devils or Popes Chapmen, from opening their packes of adulterate wares, and to put an high value upon ſuch precious parcels of Truth, as have a great influence both into Doctrinall and practicall Religion. Give me leave here in the behalfe of Truth, to ſuggeſt ſome briefe hints.

Firſt, Put in caveats againſt Arminian errours, 1.which doe ſo extenuate originall ſinne, and magnifie the power of nature, that they feed our hereditary diſeaſe of pride, and eclipſe the glory of Gods grace. Oh trade for the doctrine of free grace. Maintaine the King of Heavens Prerogative. In the ſpirituall building, grace laid the firſt foundation, in Gods free, eternall purpoſe. Grace erecteth the wals, yea and addeth the top-ſtone. Eternity will be little enough to admire, to adore, to cry grace, grace; Therefore carefully poſſeſſe your ſelves of this truth againſt the enemies of grace.

Secondly, Minde the promoting of thoſe Truthes which juſtifie The purity of Divine Worſhip, according 2.to Gods owne will, againſt Popiſh and ſuperſtitious innovators. There is a bewitching pompe in the out ſide of popery, which intangleth ſome. Ancient Writers uſed many wanton Metaphors, and ſuch a liberty of expreſſion, before the myſtery of iniquity was diſcovered, which deluded others. There is a diſpoſition in all corrupt natures, no leſſe to ſpirituall then bodily fornication. Vindicate therefore the ſecond Commandement, which Papiſts have expunged, and others ſo much clouded. Where p. 27God hath profeſſed himſelfe jealous, let us be zealous, of trading for ſuch Truthes.

Thirdly, Put a value upon ſuch Truthes as diſcover the dangerous errours of Socinianiſme, which is 3.no better then a Complication of many antient hereſies, condemned by ancient Councels. A Doctrine that undermineth the merit and ſatisfaction of our Saviours death; that will ſcarce allow faith to ſwimme, where reaſon cannot wade; that will ſo farre bring downe Religion to reaſon, that we muſt beleeve little more in Divinity, then we can ſee in reaſon. Arminianiſme gratifieth the pride of will; Popery the pride of outward ſenſe, and Socinianiſme the pride of carnall reaſon.

Fourthly, Let Truthes for the ſanctification of the Lords day, be pretious truthes. Gods inſtitution 4.of that day, bringeth with it a ſpeciall Character of holineſſe, and an influence of a peculiar bleſſing, God hath ſanctifyed and bleſſed it. Yea, in the primitive times it was a badge of Chriſtianity. When the Exod. 20. 11.Exod 20:11queſtion was propounded, Servaſti Dominicum? Haſt thou kept the Lords day? The anſwer was, Chriſtianus ſum, intermittere non poſſum; I am a Chriſtian, I cannot neglect it. There was no little danger in the Anti-ſabbatarian doctrine; ſeeing upon Gods owne day, we profeſſe publiquely our communion with God in his Ordinances. Then we expect to enjoy the richeſt influence from him. And if men could diſpute away our Chriſtian Sabbath, we ſhould ſoone loſe the vigour of our practicall Religion. God having Ezek. 20. 10.Ezek 20:10made it holy by Inſtitution, by Ordination, let us keepe it holy by Obſervation.

p. 28The ſecond uſe of Wiſdome in Factors, is to know and conſider their opportunities. Epheſ. 5. 15, 2.Opportunitas eſt maximum talentum.16. See that ye walke circumſpectly not as fooles but as wiſe, redeeming the time. Hieruſalem in this was, as unwiſe, as unhappy, that ſhe knew not the day of her viſitation, Luk. 19. 41, 42. Who did expect ſuch nutus providentiae, hints of divine providence, as God hath afforded to unworthy England in theſe two laſt yeares, to repoſſeſſe her of that Truth which many thought departing? The Philiſtins had almoſt taken our Arke. Our friends, our enemies, our ſelves, our owne guiltineſſe paſſed a ſentence of death upon us. We diſcovered ſo many leakes in ſhips of Church and State, as if both were ſinking. The tempeſt was great, our Saviour ſeemed to be aſleepe, our onelyonly refuge was to cry, Lord ſave us, we periſh, Mat. 8. 25. The ſword hath rid circuit for above twenty yeares in Germany; many Candleſtickes of Truth thence removed; that Paradiſe almoſt turned into a Wilderneſſe. Poore Ireland is in danger to loſe that Religion they had, with their eſtates and lives, Preachers hanged, Profeſſors murdered, Bibles burnt, and all with prodigious cruelty and blaſphemy, &c. Yet ſinfull England, like Gideons fleece, dry in compariſon, when others ſleeped in their owne blood. Obſerve, I beſeech you, like wiſe Factors, the ſeaſons to trade for the ſetling true Religion. It Judg. 6. 40.Judg 6:40is true, we are now full of ſad diſtractions; blacke and bloody clouds beginne to gather; yet, may not Faith (through them) ſpy out the Sunne of righteouſneſſe ſhining graciouſly upon unworthy England? As Hag. 2. 7. I will ſhake all Nations, and the deſire of p. 29all Nations ſhall come; and I will fill this Houſe with glory, ſaith the Lord of Hoſts. Hiſtorians report, that about the yeare 1517. when Leò the tenth was making ſome thirty Cardinals, there was ſuch a terrible tempeſt in the Church, that ſhaked the Babe out of the Virgin Maries armes, and the Keyes out of Saint Peters hands, which they interpreted as ominous, and indeed ſo it proved; ſhortly after Luther aroſe, who ſo much battered the Popes power. The ſword is already ſhaken out of our great Church-mens hand, by Parliamentall power, the keyes doe not hang ſo faſt under their girdle, as they did, &c. We dare not but hope, theſe are engaging providences of God, earneſt-pennies of ſome great payment yet behinde. Oh therefore know, and redeeme your Opportunities to Trade for Truth.

Activity, to purſue occaſions, and follow all advantages. 2 Requiſite, Activity.If you would be fully poſſeſſed of the knowledge of the Truth; you muſt ſeeke for her as for Silver, and ſearch for her as for hid Treaſure, Prov. 2. 4. By a moſt unwearyed induſtry, ſearch every Mine. Plato calleth Merchants, Planets, that wander from City to City. You will never trade for Truth in good earneſt, till you expreſſe an inquiſitive, active diſpoſition, in the cauſe of Religion, knocking at every doore, plying every M…ket, where you may purchaſe any acquaintance with the Truth.

Firſt, Goe not onelyonly to the ſhop of Nature, or the Schoole of Philoſophy. The candle which Nature affordeth us, is good; but it will be burnt out before p. 30we come to our journeyes end. Philoſophy may ſeeke Truth, Theology findeth it, Religion doth Veritatem Philoſophia quaerit, Theologia invenit, Religio poſſidet. P. Mirand.poſſeſſe it. Philoſophy is not the field wherein the pearle of Truth lyeth, but rather a hedge and ditch about the field, to defend it, from the invaſion of ſubtill Diſputants.Clem. Alexand. Licet Chriſtus poſt caenam inſtitue rit & ſuis Diſcipulis adminiſtraverit ſub utraque ſpecie panis et vini hoc venerabile Sacramentum; tamen hoc non obſtante Sacrorum canonum autoritas, & approbata conſuetudo Eccleſiae ſervavit & ſervat. Caranza ſum. Concil. Seſſ. 13.

Secondly, Neither muſt we ſeeke Truth, onelyonly in the decrees of Councells, in the Traditions and teſtimonies of the Church. Councells are like Rivers of water, very profitable, ſo long as they hold themſelves within the compaſſe of the banckes, but if they ſwell and overflow (as too often they have done) they prove very hurtfull to the field of the Church, even to Truth it ſelfe. The Councell of Conſtance commeth in with a non obſtante againſt Chriſts inſtitution, with-holding the Cup from the Sacrament.

Our Faith and Truth was at firſt delivered to the Saints, Jude ver. 3. And we hold it ſtill per Eccleſiam, though not propter Eccleſiam; by the Miniſtery of the Church, though not for the Authority of the Autoritas Eccleſiae eſt autoritas numeris, non juriſdictionis. Camer.Church, John 4. 42. All they who are genuine children of the Church, not onelyonly by the Mothers ſide, but by the Fathers alſo, will not onelyonly beleeve as the Church beleeveth, but as their Heavenly Father teacheth them, and becauſe he teacheth them.

Thirdly, But in ſearching out for the Truth, goe to Chriſt himſelfe, who is Truth it ſelfe, John 14. 6. Ego ſum via, quae ad veritatem duco; ego ſum veritas, quae vitam promitto; ego ſum vita, quam do. Bernard.Jeſus ſaith unto him, I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Attend upon Chriſt in the uſe of his Word, which is a Word of Truth, Prov. 8. 34. Bleſſed is the man that heaneth me, watching daily at my p. 31gates, Waiting at the poſts of my doores.

If ever God ripen your Councells about a Synod, we hope to receive the ſame direction from you, that Conſtantine the Great gave the Councell of Nice. Take foreignthe Reſolution of things in queſtion, out of Divinely inſpired writings. Doe not onelyonly bid us enquire what Reformation was in our▪ Joſiahs time, King Edward the ſixth; nor what in our Deborahs dayes, Queene Elizabeths, (though we muſt for ever bleſſe God for the light that appeared in thoſe times) Doe not onelyonly put us upon inquiry what Ignatius ſaid, or what Cyprian did; they muſt be very wiſe Children who know their Fathers faces and writings, after ſo many of their adverſaries ſcratches. Rather bid us give you an account, what Luke holdeth forth in his ſtory of the Acts of the Apoſtles, what Paul intimates in his Epiſtles, that ſo divine Truth may triumph, and we enjoy a Scripture Reformation. In divine things we may attribute ſomewhat to antiquity, yet in matters that concerne Church pompe, and Church power, we muſt be jealous how we truſt the Ancient Fathers, becauſe (good men) they ſaw the myſtery of iniquity but darkely, and at a diſtance, which wrought ſtrongly, not onelyonly in corrupting Doctrine with errours, but Divine Worſhip with Ceremonies and Church Government with tyrannicall uſurpations. Then, and then onelyonly, is Truth like to triumph in Church-Aſſemblies, when Gods Word is there advanced. Cyrill ſaith, in a Synod at Epheſus, upon a high Throne in the Temple, there lay, Sanctum Evangelium, the holy Goſpell, to ſhew that Chriſt was both preſent and preſident there.

p. 32Reſolution, to backe a publique Factors wiſe Activity▪ 3 Requiſite, Reſolution.This would make you willing to grapple with difficulties, to expoſe your ſelves to troubles and hazzards, and to be at any coſt and charges, that you may poſſeſſe your ſelves and the Kingdome of the true Religion.

Poore England hath long beene in a travelling condition, felt many bitterpangs, findeth now twins in her wombe, Jacobs and Eſaus, wraſtling for the birth-right, high conteſtations betwixt Eliah and Baalls Prieſts; now it is a day of trouble and aſtoniſhment: 2 Chron. 29. 8.2 Chr 29:8Great things are come to the birth, onelyonly there wanteth ſtrength to bring forth. What will you reſolve to lay out to poſſeſſe this diſ-joynted Kingdome of the Truth? Imagine the caſting of the ballance, the compoſing of all Church difference depended upon thee alone, what wouldeſt thou contribute to purchaſe Truth? Nazianzen put this price upon his Athenian, learning (wherein he was very famous) that he had ſomething of value to part withall for Chriſt; Oh that you could ſay the ſame of your Honours and Eſtates, reckoning this the goodneſſe of all your good things, that you are enabled to doe good with them in the cauſe of Chriſt and his Truth. It was Heroicall zeale in Baſill, who for his conſtant and bold defending of the Truth againſt the Arian hereſie, being threatned death by Valens the Emperour, anſwered, foreign, Oh that I might dye for the truth!

I beſeech you (Noble Worthies) by the many Petitions you have had from men, by the ſolemne Proteſtations you have made to God, by his wonderworking p. 33Providence about you, and by the dependance the Proteſtant cauſe abroad hath upon you, ſtirre up your Reſolution in the behalfe of Truth. Would you have the name of this Parliament embalmed with everlaſting perfume? Improve your power for the true Religion. Juſtifie our Magna Charta, the grand Charter of Scripture truthes, that doth entitle us to Salvation. Confirme unto us our Petition of Right, eſtabliſh upon Paſtors and Churches, ſo much intereſt in the power and uſe of the Keyes, as the Word of Truth doth allow them. Maintaine amongſt us a free courſe of trading for eternall happineſſe, ſet and keepe open thoſe ſhops, ſuch Pulpits, ſuch mouthes, as any Prelaticall uſurpations have, or would have, ſhut up. Secure to us not onelyonly liberty of perſon and eſtate, but alſo liberty of Conſcience from Church tyranny, that we be not pinched with enſnaring oathes, clogged with multiplyed ſubſcriptions, or needleſſe impoſitions, which will rather increaſe then compoſe diſtractions. Together with Priviledges of Parliament, let us have Church-priviledges vindicated, helpe us to purge out that old leaven, whether of Doctrine, of Diſpoſition, or Perſons, that we may have Sacraments more purely adminiſtred, according to the rule of Truth; let us be ſure of this Militia, inviolably ſetled, the ſword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, Epheſ. 6. 17. Guard that Magazine, wherein are laid up the weapons of our warfare, that are mighty through God, to the pulling downe of ſtrong holds, 2 Cor. 10. 4. So ſhall we be put into a good poſture for Reformation.

p. 34Act undaunted reſolution, in the proſecution of theſe religious Deſignes, then may you confidently expect Chriſts glorious and gracious preſence amongſt you. Luther would aſſure you thereof, Where the Word of Chriſt doth raigne, ſaith he, there are the eyes Lu…her de abrog. miſſ. privat.of Chriſt fixed on the holy Profeſſors of Truth, but where the Word of man reigneth, although there were as many Popes, as there be leaves in the wood, and as many Card…nals, as graines of Corne, &c. As many Biſhops, as drops of water in the Sea, and all of them glittering in Gold and Jewels, Gemmati, purpurati, mulati, & aſinati, to maintaine their owne Lawes, yet are Chriſts eyes turned away from them.

Truth, though it muſt be bought; yet it may not be 2 Propoſition.ſold.

The Wiſedome of Scripture directs us to ſeverall purchaſes, Iſai. 55. 1. Every thirſty ſoule is invited to Come and buy Waters, Wine, and Milke; Seeke to Chriſt upon his termes, for variety of ſweet Soulemercies; Rev. 3. 18. We are counſelled to buy of Chriſt, Gold tryed in the fire, the pure graces of Gods Spirit, and the purity of Ordinances; Epheſ. 5. 16. We muſt be redeeming the time, not only taking opportunities of doing and receiving good when they are offered, and ſeeking them when they are wanting, but buying them at any price. And indeed Chriſtians ſhould be Chapmen to buy, rather then Salemen to ſell. We are commanded to buy, that we may poſſeſſe, the end of this poſſeſſion is uſe; what Spirituall commodities we have purchaſed, we p. 35muſt Improve for God and our Soules, but not alienate them from our ſelves.

There are three ſorts of Huckſters will be ready to Three ſorts of of Huckſters.engroſſe the Truth from you, if you be willing to ſell it.

Malignant perſecutors, are engroſſing Huckeſters, 1. Sort of huckſters of Truth.who watch to interrupt the liberty of the Truth. Theſe, even as Jannes and Jambres withſtood Moſes, reſiſt the Truth, men of corrupt mindes, Reprobates concerning the Faith, 2 Tim. 3. 8. And indeed, therefore reſiſt the Truth, becauſe their mindes are ſo corrupt. Such the Apoſtle cals foreign, abſurd, men, Qui foreign faciunt, quae minime conventunt. Piſc.2 Theſſ. 3. 2. Men compact of meere incongruities, ſolaeciſing in opinion, ſpeeches, actions, and whole life, yea unreaſonable men, For all men have not Faith, ver. 2. Religion is the higheſt Reaſon, nothing more irrationall then irreligion. From ſuch ſpirits aroſe thoſe conſpiracies againſt the Apoſtle, endevouring Acts 4. & 5. ch.Acts 4to ſcotch the Charriot-wheeles of Truth, when they began firſt to move. No ſooner did Steven plead for Truth, but ſome were ſuborned againſt him▪ Act. 6. 11. No ſooner did Saul beginne to Preach the Truth, but oppoſers began to conſult to kill him, Act. 9. 23. Though not long before he had beene a buſie Apparitor and Purſevant, to Arreſt the Saints, and dragge them to their High-Commiſsion, Act. 9. 1. [A ſtrange and ſuddaine change in them, as well Origen, Num. hom. 27. in hoc corum omnis flamma eſt, in hoc uruntur incendio.as in him.] Origen ſaith of the Devils; No greater torment to them, then to ſee men addicted to the Scriptures. The ſame temper of ſpirit appeares in the p. 36devils agents upon the killing of the witneſſes, Rev. 11. 10. They that dwelt upon the earth ſhall rejoyce over them, and make merry, and ſhall ſend gifts one to another, becauſe theſe two Prophets tormented them that dwell on the earth; And therefore they will adventure peace of Conſcience, and hope of Heaven, yea, the whole ſtocke upon it, that they may buy up Truth out of the Churches hands; and ſometimes malice riſes to ſuch an height, that even in England the Bible muſt be burnt, as ſtrange Doctrine.Tanquan Doctrina peregrina.

Seducing Heretickes, whoſe endevour is to corrupt the purity of Truth. The great Apoſtaſy from the 2 Sort of Huckſters of Truth.Faith, 1 Tim. 4. 1. is brought about by giving heed to ſeducing ſpirits. The Pope hath many Emiſſaries abroad, who joyne with the Devill, ſtudying a method of Soule-deceiving, and Truth-betraying. Compare Ephe. 4. 14. foreign, with Epheſ. 6. 11. foreign, you ſhall find the devill and deceivers artificially methodizing their ſnares to draw us from the Truth, 2 Pet. 2. 1▪ Falſe teachers have alwayes practiſed to bring in damnable hereſies. The beginnings of groſſe errours may be modeſt; yea, the fouleſt Hereſies may at firſt appeare with faire faces. The Serpent creepes into the Paradiſe of the Church by degrees: as 2 Cor. 11. 3. his plot is to corrupt peoples mindes, From the ſimplicity that is in Chriſt; Firſt, he will puzzle them with a queſtion, as he did Eve, put a command of God, a knowne Truth to be diſputed, then helpe them to mint ſome diſtinctions, (which are not alwayes ſo happy in Divinity as in Philoſophy) thereby to relieve and helpe in an error.

p. 37And here it may be obſerved, though theſe men have the ſame deſigne with malignant perſecutors, to engroſſe the Truth, yet cunningly they will buy it up by parcels, that they may be the leſſe diſcerned. They will trade firſt in names, then in things, firſt habituate us to call our Miniſters Prieſts, our Communion Tables, Altars, before they impoſe ſuperſtitious geſtures. This was the Rhemiſts ſtraine of policy. Rhem. Teſt. 1 Tim. 6. 20.1 Tim 6:20Let us keepe our old words, and wee ſhall eaſily keepe our old Faith.

This graduall Huckſtering up the purity of truth, is moſt cleare in Image worſhip. At firſt, Images and pictures of Saints were uſed in private, for Memory, Hiſtory, or Ornament onelyonly; Afterwards with like colour of pretence brought into the Church in Gregories dayes, yet with expreſſe prohibition of worſhipping them; Afterward the ſecond Synod of Nice enjoynes it, though more modeſtly, and reſpectively onelyonly in regard of that which they repreſent; But ſince the councell of Trent, it's riſen to groſſe Idolatry.Bellarm. de Imag. Sanct. l. 2. c. 21.

Neutrall Politicians, who will be buying Truth out of our hands, by formalizing and enervating 3 Sort of Huckſters of Truth. Plut. in vita Solonthe power of it, till at laſt they leave us an heartleſſe and ſapleſſe Religion. Among the Lawes of Solon, there was one which thundred againſt ſuch, who in a civill uproare amongſt the Citizens, ſit ſtill as neutrall ſpectators. It were happy for the Church, if there were a more ſtrict courſe taken againſt all lukewarme Machivillians, who by their neutrality undermine Religion; of this ſtraine was Jeroboam, that grand Politician, who created to himſelfe a State p. 38Religion; out of Love to his Crowne, he ſet up golden Calves, he hindred the people from going to worſhip God at Jeruſalem, leſt they ſhould turne againe unto their Lord, unto Rehoboam King of Judah. 1 King. 12. 27 28.1 Kgs 12:27Worldly wiſe men, as they are time-ſervers, ſo they are ſelfe-ſervers, and whatſoever become of Chriſt and his truth, ſelfe ſhall be advanced into the Throne; ſuch mens heads over-match their hearts, their policy out-runneth their Religion; when the glory of Chriſt and his Goſpell come in competition with their ſelfe ends, ſelfe ſhall firſt be gratifyed; moſt unlike to Paul, who Phil. 1. 20. foreign, ſtood as it were on up-to, looking earneſtly after the magnifying of Chriſt, what-ever became of himſelfe, Whether in his life, or in … death.

I may produce three Reaſons to fortify you againſt felling Truth to any Huckſters.

Truth is in it ſelfe a precious Jewell, of moſt incomparable worth, gained into the poſſeſſion of the 1. Reaſon.Churches, not without much difficulty; and therefore cannot without great diſparagement to its excellency, and to the zeale of others, be alienated and chaffered away.

Goſpell Truth at firſt coſt the blood of Chriſt, then watered with the blood of many Martyrs, which made it throng up ſo plentifully. It is obſerveable, the Church hath beene ſeldome fully poſſeſſed of any Grand Truth, without much debate, Niltam certum quam quod poſt dubium certum.without ſome bloody ſufferings. How deare did it coſt Athanaſius to juſtifie the Divinity of Chriſt, againſt the Arians? and ſhall we ſuffer any of that p. 39kindred to buy it againe out of our hands▪ How couragiouſly did Auguſtine reſcue the Doctrine of Grace, from the Pelagians hands, whom he cals the Enemies of Grace? and ſhall we ſuffer it to be betrayed to their Brethren the Arminians!

How farre did Luther hazzard himſelfe, to advance Juſtification by Faith in Chriſt? It is a groſſe ſhame that ſweete Truth ſhould be loſt in the language of any Innovators, who will have workes to concurre in eodem genere cauſe, to ſhare equally with Faith in the very act of juſtifying.

Many of our ancient Worthies, like Wiſedomes Children, Matth. 11. 19. ſet themſelves to juſtifie Wiſedome; they have endevoured with much ſweat, and many teares, yea, with their deareſt lives, to ſettle the Churches Land-markes by evidence of Scripture Arguments, and to bound the Truth by Decrees of Councels; we muſt not prodigally diſpoſſeſſe our ſelves of ſuch a Treaſure.

We reape the fruite of our Reformers zeale, who beſtirred themſelves ſo much againſt Popiſh Altars, and other Church uſurpations for the purging of Religion in England.

God forbid, that we ſhould ſell for trifles, what they poſſeſſed us of with ſo much difficulty. It concernes us rather to concurre with them, yea, to promote their beginnings with all our might, that we may have ſuch Churches, ſuch Officers, ſuch election and ordination, ſuch juriſdiction, ſuch exerciſe of Church power, and all ſuch adminiſtrations as are moſt agreeable to the Truth.

Truth is the Churches Talent; committed to her p. 40truſt, and therefore muſt not be ſold. Truſt being a ſtrong obligation to fidelity. Upon this ground 2 Reaſon. Rom. 3. 2.Rom 3:2the Apoſtle, Jude ver. 3. Exhorts Chriſtians to Contend earneſtly for the Faith, once delivered to the Saints. You muſt never expect another edition of the Faith, (God reſerved that ſolemne change from Jewiſh to Evangelicall worſhip, for the Inauguration of his Sonne) zealouſly ſtrive for this Faith you have, againſt all oppoſition. In that knowne place, ſo much abuſed by Papiſts, 1 Tim. 3. 15. The Church of Epheſus (this cannot be appropriated to the Church of Rome) is the pillar and ground of Truth. Not a pillar foreign not ſenſu architectonico but forenſi.to uphold, but to hold forth Truth, not ſo much foreign, the ſeate of Truth; every pure Church being a depoſitory of Truth, where it is to be found, as the candle in the Candleſticke. All the fonnes of Wiſedome have a ſhare in that of Paul to Timothy, 1 Tim. 6. 20. O Timothy keepe that which is committed to thy Truſt.

This made the primitive Worthies ſo conſcientiouſly zealous in the cauſe of Truth; and that not onelyonly of many Truthes, but even of formes of ſpeeches, of ſyllables, yea of Letters. The difference betwixt the Councell of Nice and Arius, was but in a Letter, whether foreign. The controverſie whereupon the Greeke and Latine Churches broke, touching the proceeding of the Holy Ghoſt, depended upon two prepoſitions, foreign and foreign. The monſtrous hereſie of Neſtorius lay but in one poore letter, foreign, when he would not gratifie the Church therein, as Cyrill deſired him, many Biſhops roſe up againſt him, ſo religious were they, that p. 41that they would not exchange a letter, or ſyllable of the Faith, wherewith their Saviour had betruſted them.

Selling Truth is the worſt, the moſt undoing 3 Reaſon. Selling Truth opens a doore,Trade; it ſets to ſale both Gods glory, and your owne Salvation, being it opens a doore to both extreames in Religion, to Prophaneneſſe, and to Superſtition.

The Schoole of Chriſt is indeed a Schoole of affection, 1 To Prophaneneſſe.and of action, but firſt of knowledge; we muſt have ſcience before we ſhall make conſcience of our wayes. This makes the god of this world, the Devill, beſtirre himſelfe to blinde peoples mindes, Leſt the Light of the glorious Goſpell of Chriſt ſhould ſhine into them: he well knew that darkneſſe of mind, betrayes us to workes of darkneſſe. When men walke in the darke, They know not at what they ſtumble, Prov. 4. 19. They will ſtumble at Chriſt himſelfe, at the ſtrictneſſe and purity of his wayes, and ſoone plunge themſelves into the groſſeſt wickedneſſe.

In a Synod at London Anſelme forbad Prieſts Marriage Alſted. A…n…. 1102.in England, and in the next yeare were diſcovered a great company of Sodomites amongſt them. Such is the wofull fruit of ſelling Truth, which would be a ſpur, quickning to good, and a bridle reſtraining from evill. It is no wonder to find ſuch treacherous practices amongſt the Papiſts, their erroneous doctrines open the ſluces unto them. Upon a ſleight confeſſion of ſinne, they may receive a cheape abſolution, and thereby are emboldned to renue the commiſſion of it. That Taxa poenitentiaria, amongſt the Papiſts, p. 42that low rate which is put upon the greateſt ſinnes in the Popes Cuſtome houſe; ſo contrary to the word of Truth, Rom. 6. 23. The wages of ſinne is Death, encourages people to the greateſt prophanneſſe.

Ignorance of the Truth is a fruitefull mother and helpefull nurſe, both to prophaneneſſe of practice, 2 To Superſtition.and to ſuperſtition in devotion. See it at Athens, Act. 17. 22, 23. There they were fondly ſuperſtitious, where their Altar had this inſcription, To the unknowne God. Aquinas attributes the inchoation of Idolatry it ſelfe, To the inordi…acy of our affection, and our Ignorance of the true God. Whence came ſuperſtition ſo much to ſwarme in the darke ages of the Traditiones pontificiorum ſunt pandectae errorum et Superſtitionum. Chemnit.Church? becauſe they neglected the word of Truth, and followed Tradi…ions. Hence it is obſerved that Learning and Religion have falne and riſen together. When the light of Truth hath beene eclipſed, by the decay of learning; the heate of Religion hath much declined. The weedes of ſuperſtition, ſponte naſcuntur, will grow of their owne accord in darke corners; as having advantage of the ſoile, ſo much connaturallneſſe to peoples corrupt hearts. The Popes Chaplaines need not take much pains to teach ignorant ſoules to be ſuperſtitious; If Orthodoxe Preachers of the Truth be but ſuſpended, we ſhall ſoone have reaſon to complaine with that great man in the Councell of Lateran; Piety is almoſt ſunke into Superſtition.

Beware of expreſſing any indulgence unto ſuch, or 1 U…e of caution.holding any complyance with them that ſell the Truth. The whole Tribe of Benjamin came to be p. 43extinguiſhed, except about ſixe hundred, onelyonly for countenancing a few ſonnes of Beliall in Gibeah, who had abuſed a Levites Wife, Judg. 19. and 20. chap. Chriſt was angry with ſome of the Churches, not onelyonly for being active in evill, but paſſive of evill, Rev. 2. 14. 20. The Wiſedome of this great Councell hath beene inquiſitive after monopoliſts, or any that encroach upon the Common-wealth. Give me leave to diſcover an unhappy Church-confederacy, whereby Truth hath beene ſhamefully ſold in many places.

There are foure ſorts of perſons, herein deepely engaged.4 Sorts acceſſary to the ſelling of Truth. 1 Scandalous profeſſors.

Firſt, Scandalous apoſtate Profeſſors of the Truth, who alienate the Truth from themſelves, and alienate the mindes of others from the Truth. They make the word of God blaſphemed, Tit. 3. 5. Such are deſcribed with blacke Characters by Jude verſe 12, 13. Theſe are ſpots in your feaſts of Charity, when they feaſt with you, feeding themſelves without feare; clouds they are without water, carryed about of windes; trees whoſe fruite withereth, without fruite, twice dead, plucked up by the rootes; Raging waves of the Sea, foming out their owne ſhame, wandring ſtarres, to whom is reſerved the blackneſſe of darkeneſſe for ever. They are employed in evill workes, and they receive anſwerable wages. What unhappy markets ſuch carnall Goſpellers make for the Truth, you may read in many ſtories; amongſt the reſt, an American Noble-man, being perſwaded to embrace the Chriſtian Religion, demanded, Firſt, what place was ordained for ſuch as were Baptized? Anſwer was p. 44made, Heaven, and its joyes. Secondly, what place for them who were not Baptized; Anſwer was returned, Hell, and its torments. Thirdly, which of theſe places was allotted for the Spanyards, it was anſwered Heaven; whereupon he renounced his intended Baptiſme, proteſting he would rather goe to Hell with the unbaptized, then be in Heaven with the Spaniards. Many fall out implacably with the Truth, becauſe they finde many profeſſors ſuch unſavory ſalt.

Secondly, Ignorant and vicious Miniſters. Some 2 Ignorant and vitious Miniſte…even idoll Prieſts, like the Idols of the heathen, The worke of mens hands, they have mouthes but they ſpeake not; eyes have they but they ſee not; they have eares but they heare not, neither is there any breath in their mouthes; they that make them are like unto them, ſo is every one that truſteth in them, Pſalm. 135. 15, 16, 17, 18. And indeed it is too often true, like Prieſt, like People, Ier. 5. 31. Such a creature is not to be found in Chriſts catalogue, who gave ſome Apoſtles, Prophets, Evangeliſts, Paſtors, Teachers. No Prince ever ſent dumbe Embaſſadors. Bernard reckoneth Ephe. 4. 11. Bernard.Eph 4:11up theſe foure as ſtrange things, Speculator caecus, praecurſor claudus, praeco mutus, doctor inſcius; a blinde Watchman, a lame Harbinger, a dumbe Cryer, an ignorant Teacher; And indeed a Miniſter of a vicious life, though not groſſely ignorant, is as dangerous an enemy to true Religion, if not ſometimes worſe, as not barely with-holding, but corrupting and perverting Truth, like Elymas the Sorcerer, Act. 13. 10. Yea like Eli his Sonnes, 1 Sam. 2. 17. who made the Offerings of the Lord to be abhorred; their p. 45ungodly lives are often ſuch confutations of their owne and other mens Sermons, that many thereby are hardned againſt the Truth, Ezek. 9. 6. the deſtroying Angell was to beginne at the Sanctuary, and there, too often, beginnes prophaneneſſe. There hath beene long expectation, as there is indeed great need, of a Parliament viſitation; to finde out thoſe Chapmen, who will ſell Gods Truth, peoples ſoules, Church-purity with State-liberty, for the ſatisfaction of their luſts.

Thirdly, Such Prelates as ordaine or ſupport theſe 3 Prelates ſupporting Ignorant & vitious Miniſters.ignorant and vicious Miniſters, I appeale to you, what groſſe betrayers of Truth they are. How happy had it beene for the Church in England, if they who pretend to ſucceed Timothy, had walked by that rule which Paul commended to him, 1 Tim. 5. 22. Lay hands ſuddenly on no man? but alas! many are apoſcopi, rather then Epiſcopi, as Eſpencaeas, by-ſeers, rather then over-ſeers; hence ſuch ſwarmes in the Church of backe-friends unto truth.

If you enquire when ſo many groſſe deformities crept into the Church, Damaſus will tell you; even Field. on chap. l. 5. c. …9.then when the Biſhops put over the care and performance of Church affaires to others, that they might take their owne eaſe; like Harlots that put out their owne children to be nurſed by others, that themſelves in the meane time might ſatisfie their luſts; by ſuch remiſſeneſſe Truth was much ſmothered, with a multitude of weedes, that overgrew the Church.

Fourthly, Selfe-ſeeking Patrons are many times 4 Selfe-ſeeking Pations.deepely acceſſary to the betraying of Truth, in preſenting p. 46moſt unworthy Miniſters. The Lord knoweth how many are ſo farre from conſidering the concurring conſent of judicious Chriſtians (which was much valued in primitive times) that they neglect Plebs ipſa maxime habet poteſtatem, vel eligendi dignos Sacerdotes, vel recuſandi indignos: quod & ipſum videmus de divina autoritate deſcendere. Cyp. ep. 63their truſt for the good of others, and their own ſoules. They will obtrude, too often, one of Jeroboams Prieſts, one of the loweſt of the people, 1 Kings 13. 33. They would not chuſe a Cooke to dreſſe their meate, that were like to poyſon them; nor a Phyſitian (though a Kinſman) which would probably kill them; but, too often, preferre a dawbing Chaplaine, that will comply with their covetous, or licentious humour, though in the meane time the people be betrayed, and the Truth be ſold. Will you pleaſe to conſider what a ſad meeting this unhappy fraternity will have at the day of Judgment, if ſtill they perſiſt in truth-betraying. Scandalous profeſſors, will curſe their wicked Miniſters, whoſe examples poyſoned them. Wicked Miniſters, will cry woe, woe upon ſuch Prelates, who were indulgent to their unworthineſſe; and doubtleſſe the Prelates will be as ready to complaine of many Patrons, who firſt made the livings ſcandalous by withholding maintenance, and then by importunity thruſt a ſcandalous Miniſter upon them.

Oh let it now appeare, that you will not ſuffer Religion to be betrayed by the leaſt indulgence to any of theſe evils. Conſider what Sigiſmond the Emperour ſaid in the Councell of Conſtance, where the Councell pretended to make a Reformation; one ſtood up and ſaid the Reformation muſt beginne at the Fryer Minorites; No, ſaid the Emperour, Non à p. 47Minoritis, ſed à Majoritis incipiendum eſt, Let Reformation reach Patron, and Prelate, as well as Miniſter and People.

If you would diſcourage ſcandalous livers, ſuppreſſe ſcandalous Miniſters; if you would prevent a ſucceſſion of them, regulate the power of the keyes, tooke to ordination and juriſdiction: though your Bill againſt ſcandalons Miniſters were ripened and executed, yet if the doore of admiſſion into the Church, continue as large as now it is, the next age will ſwarme againe with the like Drones. And for the Truthes ſake, that you may ſilence all clamours, as if Reformation would diſcourage learning, and undoe the Church, make good your owne Orders. For the ſupport of an able Miniſtery; let Patrons and others deny themſelves, to raiſe a ſufficient and certaine maintenance, at leaſt open a vent to others Pietie and Charity, who will concurre with you, to afford oyle for burning and ſhining lampes, by reviving the hopeful deſigne of the Feoff…es, or what other wayes, your zealous wiſdome ſhall ſuggeſt. A great Civilian telleth us how Churchmaintenance Sir Tho. Rid. View of Civill Law. part 3. c. 4. Sect. 3.came to be appropriated to the Cloyſters of Monkes, and how ſuch lands as they held, in ſundry Pariſhes, were freed from the payment of tithes to the Miniſters thereof; namely, it ſprang from this roote, they inſinuated that Preaching was not ſo neceſſary for the ſalvation of mens ſoules, as their Praying, in their Religious Houſes; Preaching, they ſaid, breedeth Schiſme, Diſputes in Religion, &c. It lyeth as a blot upon them, That by their undervaluing Preaching, many Congregations were robbed of p. 48their Miniſters maintenance, Let it be Your Honour, who have expreſſed ſuch a high eſteeme of Preaching, to endevour the re-endowing thoſe places with ſuch meanes, as may encourage faithfull witneſſes unto the Truth.

To awaken Your compaſsionate affection towards many perſons and places, where truth is chaffered away; 2 Vſe of direction.Religion is a riddle, a paradox, yea, a reproach among them. We ſhould appeare this day, as publique mourners, laying to heart, not onelyonly perſonall, but State evills, even Parliament ſinnes. Is not this juſt matter of griefe, that in ſo many former Parliaments, the liberty, the purity, and the power of Religion hath beene ſo much neglected? Ancient Lawes have eſtabliſhed Church pompe, Power, Dignity, and Revenues; theſe are twiſted into the ſeverall Statutes, as if they would put in a politicke caveat againſt after alterations, without ſhaking the very Foundation, which is now one of the great objections againſt Reformation. Yea, how much hath Truth ſuffered by the indulgence that Old Parliament Lawes have expreſſed to Non-reſidency, Pluralities, and Inſufficiency of Miniſters. It hath beene enough if Legit ut, Clericus; if he can ſay the Confeſsion in Latine, he muſt be betruſted with ſoules. Allow ſomething to the neceſſity of theſe darker times; yet now the very reaſon of ſuch being altered, God forbid that truth ſhould any longer be betrayed by an unwarrantable latitude. Oh pity your many thouſands of expecting Petitioners, who have had many yeares of ſad Sabbaths, and ſit downe ſtill in much ſorrow, complaining for want of Truth. You may p. 49heare their groanings in the words of the Prophet Jeremiah, chap. 8. 22. Is there no balme in Gilead? Is there no Phyſitian there? Why then is not the health of the daughter of my people recovered? What? cannot, will not, the Parliament heale us?

It was a ſtrange and dolefull viſion that Ezekiel had from God at Hieruſalem, when he ſaw ſo many ſinfull ſpectacles; an image of jealouſy, Baals Idoll, Ezek. 8. v. 5. then, a company of grave ancient men, every one in the Chamber of his Imagery, ver. 11, 12. Ezek. ….the Jewiſh High-Commiſſion, according to ſome, in thoſe times deepely corrupted; poore Women weeping for Tammuz, ver. 14. weeping for the death of Polan in locum.Oſiris, King of Egypt, and idolatrouſly adoring his image, which Iſis his wife had advanced; and worſhips towards the Sunne, ver. 16. Would it pleaſe you in your ſerious thoughts, to runne over this Church, this Kingdome, you might ſee in many places ſuch objects, that Your eyes would much affect your hearts. Though in all abominations, wee doe not runne parallell with Hieruſalem, in Ezekiels Viſion, yet ſuch wofull fruites of truth-ſelling, and truth-betraying, as may ſtirre up your affection, and awaken your Parliament actions.

Firſt, Caſt your compaſſionate eyes upon the Schooles of the Prophets, the Churches Nurſeries. Doe 1.not petitions informe you that divers have there chaffered away Truth for errors; were Whitaker and Reinolds then in vivis, doubtleſſe they would bluſh to ſee Bellarmine and Arminius juſtified by many, rather then confuted. If no Chambers of imagery be there, yet are there not ſome Chappels, polluted rather p. 50then adorned with Images, Altars, and Crucifixes. If no worſhipping of the Sunne there, yet doe not too many pleade for, and practiſe, an ungrounded worſhiping toward the Eaſt? It cannot be thought unnaturalneſſe in a Sonne to repreſent the diſtempers of his Mother, to a Colledge of Phyſitians eſpecially when the experience of the deepe infection, which ſome of your beloved Sonnes got there, of the corruption of judgements, prophaneneſſe and ſuperſtition of practiſe, which many of your Miniſters brought thence, will witneſſe the ſame, that Truth hath beene ſhamefully betrayed, by too many in the Univerſities.

Munſter reporteth, That the Jewes were baniſhed out of many Countryes of Chriſtendome, principally for poyſoning Springs and Fountaines. All Friends to Truth had need pray that God would either remove or heale ſuch as have poyſoned the Schooles of the Prophets, the Fountaines of the Land. Our hopes are that God will put upon you (Noble Senators) the ſpirit of Eliſha, and helpe you to caſt into thoſe waters, ſuch ſalt, that the Waters be healed, that there be not from thence any more barrenneſſe, or cauſing to miſcarry, 2 King. 2. 19, 20. In Exod. 15. 23, 24, 25. when the people were come to Marah, They could not drinke the waters, for they were bitter, and murmured aga…nſt Moſes, ſaying, what ſhall we drinke? ver. 25. The Lord ſhewed him a tree, which when he had caſt into the waters, the waters were made ſweete, Plant, and uphold wholeſome Lectures, in the Pulpit, as well as in the Chaire, (A Service worthy of the Wiſdome and Power of a Parliament.) Such Trees will ſweeten the p. 51waters there, and drop ſuch fruite, as will much promote the trade of Truth abroad. How many living ſtones, yea how many Builders did famous Perkins hew, by Preaching a Lecture in Cambridge? many Children and Fathers begotten by his Miniſtery in a few yeares, to the great advancement of the Truth.

Secondly, Behold with the ſame compaſſion, Cathedrall Churches, and the wofull effects of ſelling the Truth in too many of them; The ſtrange Veſtures and Geſtures, Images, &c. in ſome of their Quires, intimating too much affinity with thoſe Chambers of Imagery, in their abominations, mentioned Ezek. 8. 10, 11, 12. Former Reformations left ſuch nettles growing there, that have ſince unhappily ſeeded many other Churches; yea, left ſo much duſt, not onelyonly behinde the doore, but even in the very Quire, as hath beene eaſily blowne about into many corners. They glory in being called the Mother Churches, but they have too often proved Stepdames to their Daughters, engroſſing the maintenance, that ſhould provide the word of Truth for their Soules. What pity is it that Cathedrall Societies, which might have beene Colledges of learned Presbyters, for the feeding and ruling City Churches, and petty Academies, to prepare Paſtours for neighbour places, ſhould be ſo often Sanctuaries for non-reſidents, and be made Nurceries to many ſuch Multitudine leviſſimarum ſeremoniarum pene eſt extincta pietas et vis ſpiritus Sancti. Gerſon.Drones, who can neither Preach nor Pray, otherwiſe then reade, ſay, or ſing their Prayers; and in the meane time Truth much obſcured in a Non-edifying pompe of ceremonious ſervice. It was a notable deſigne p. 52of thoſe Biſhops at Bononia, that gave Pope Julius the third this very Counſell, how to eſtabliſh the Roman Religion; Let the people (ſay they) have pompous Prayers, Images, Tapers, Organs, and divers muſicall inſtruments in their Temples; Theſe are things with which the people are much delighted, and being taken up with theſe, they almoſt forget that doctrine Hae… …uus quibus vulgus praecipue del…ctatus, et quo… gratia doctrinam …llam quae …ol…s … eſt fere obliv…itu…. p. 4.which is ſo deſtructive to us. Let your compaſſion move you to counter-worke all ſuch plots; as Church-deformers ſought to corrupt Cities, and places of confluence; ſo let thoſe that profeſſe themſelves Church-Reformers, when the Harveſt is greateſt, expreſſe the greateſt care to ſend forth moſt faithfull Labourers for the Truth, Matth. 9. 36, 37. This were to reſemble your Saviour.

Thirdly, Behold with weeping eyes the many hundreds of Congregations, in the Kingdome, where 3.millions of Soules are like to periſh for want of Viſion; Truth is ſold from amongſt them, either by Soule-betraying-non-reſidents, Soule-poyſoning-innovators, or Soule-pining-dry-nurſes. In too many places the very Image of jealouſie, the Idoll of the Maſſe is ſet up, yea, the Comedy of the Maſſe acted, becauſe there Miſſae Comoedia in P. Martyr.wanteth the light of Truth to diſcover the wickedneſſe and folly of it.

Do not ſome of you that live on the Welch coaſts; cry out with your Neighbours, Woe is me that I ſojourne in Meſeck, and that I dwell in the tents of Kedar, Pſalm. 120. 5. Doe not ſome of you inhabit the North parts, where you may complaine (in the word of Nicholas Clemang. pag. 15.) How many Prieſts came to their Benefices, not from the Schooles, p. 53and their ſtudy, but from the Ploughes, and ſervile Occupations, which could neither Reade, nor Underſtand Latine? Where in many miles, not a Miniſter that can foreign, and foreign, Preach, and live, Sermons. I wiſh every Parliament-man had a map of the Soule-miſery of the moſt of the Ten thouſand Churches and Chappels in England; I hope it would draw forth your compaſſions, and ſtirre up your endevours to reſcue Truth out of their hands, who would ſell it, and ſet up the trade of Truth in poore darke Countries.

Had I the favour to preferre a Petition unto You in the name of Univerſities, Chiefe Cities, Country Congregations, yea, the whole Kingdome, and were ſure of a propitious eare from you, I would ſumme up all in this clauſe, in this one breath: Improve Your Power to helpe forward the Word of Truth, that it may 2 Theſ. 3. 1.2 Thess 3:1runne and be glorifyed. This would maintaine love and loyalty to our Soveraigne. Where hath he moſt hearty Prayers, but where Truth moſt prevailes? This would teach men to juſtifie the power, and comply with the Authority of Parliaments. Who have more undermined and maligned Parliaments, then ſuch Miniſters as firſt betrayed Truth? This is the way (if any) to reduce ſeduced Papiſts. Humane Contra Pontificies pa…um … gibus aut libris profici, quouſque firmum etidoneum miniſterium in eccleſiis conſtitutum fuerit. Whitak.Lawes will pinch their purſes. Send divine Truth amongſt them, that may ſatisfie their conſciences. This is the moſt Soveraigne meanes to compoſe Church-differences. Why doe we contend? (ſaith Auguſtine) are we not Brethren? Our Father dyed not inteſtate, let his Will be publiquely produced, and all men will be quiet. This is the beſt way to make the p. 54Reformation thorow and laſting, becauſe this would engage the peoples hearts. 2 Chron. 20. 32, 33. Jehoſaphat did that which was right in the ſight of the Lord; Howbeit the high places were not taken away; for as yet the people had not prepared their hearts unto the God of their Fathers. Joſiah, a good King, did much, yet becauſe the peoples ſpirits were not wrought to concurre with him, the worke ſoone vaniſhed, and Gods Judgements brake in upon them. Goe on, therefore (Honourable Worthies) improving your influence to prevent the ſelling of Truth.

Firſt, Provide that every Congregation may have an able Trumpet of Truth.1.

Secondly, Eſpecially let great Townes, places of confluence, have Lectures, Markets of Truth.2.

Thirdly, Afford any faithfull Paul and Barnabas incouragement, yea, Power, if Sergius Paulus deſire 3.to heare the Word of God, to goe and Preach, Act. 13. 7. 8Acts 13:7Acts 13:8though Elymas the Sorcerer ſhould be unwilling; ſuch ambulatory exerciſes have brought both light and heate into darke and cold corners.

Fourthly, What if there were ſome Evangelicall, Itinerant Preachers, ſent abroad upon a publique 4.ſtocke to enlighten darke Countries? Thus might you reape glorious fruits of all your Counſels, teares, prayers, and paines, in ſeeing Dagon fall downe before the Arke of truth.

I have endevoured, (though in much weakneſſe) 3 Vſe of Dehortation.with words of Truth and ſoberneſſe, to plead the cauſe of Truth. I muſt end as an importunate Sollicitor: O ſell not the true Religion upon any termes. Much of my Rhetoricke to perſwade you is within you. I p. 55ſpeake to your ſelfe-love, as you are Men; to your conſcience, as you are Chriſtians; to your Wiſedome, as you are Stateſ-men; to your Honours, as you are Noble: Be alwayes buying, but never ſelling the Truth. England hath had an happy taſte of your zeale for Truth, and againſt the corrupters and betrayers of the true Religion. The Lord from Heaven hath appeared mightily for you, when you appeared much for him in the cauſe of Truth. God forbid that ever this Parliament ſhould loſe any of it's firſt love to Religion, and the Reformation of it, then may you expect to drinke of Solomons bitter cup, The Lord was angry with Solomon, becauſe his heart was turned from the Lord God of Iſrael, which had appeared to him twice. God forbid that Rhehum the Chancellor and Shimſhai the Scribe, ſhould outſtrip Zerubbabel; That 1 Kings. 11 91 Kgs 11:9Tobiah and Sanballat, ſhould outbid Nehemiah in any cauſe of God. Rather let the malignancy of malignant oppoſers enflame your zeale for the Truth. O that we could now all cloſe this day of humiliation, with the proper worke of the day, covenanting with our God, making it our ſealing day; Nehem. 9. 38. At a ſolemne Faſt, Princes, Prieſts and Levites, did make a ſure covenant, write and ſeale unto it. Let us this Day, not onelyonly give earneſt, for the purchaſing of Truth, by the fixed purpoſes of our hearts, but even give as it were hands and ſeales, that we will never ſell the liberty, purity, or power, of Religion upon any termes.

W…ll you pleaſe to theſe particulars?

Firſt, That you will not ſell Truth out of carnall feares; you have a good … it, Rev. 21. 7, 8. foreign, he p. 56that is over-comming, not he that hath overcome, ſhall inherit all things, and I will be his God, and he ſhall be my ſonne, But the fearefull and unbeleeving ſhall have their part in the lake that burneth with fire and brimſtone. Read over the ſtory of Francis Spira with trembling, who out of ſuch feare betrayed the Truth. After he had gon to Venice to the Popes Legate, with whom, out of carnall feare, he complyed, craving pardon of him, and yeelding to recant that religion he had publickely proſeſſed; when he returned to his houſe, he could not reſt an houre, no not a minute, nor feele any eaſe of his continuall anguiſh; from that night he was much terrifyed with horror, and as he confeſſeth, He ſaw plainely before his eyes all the torments of hell and the damned; and in his foule did heare the fearefull ſentence, being drawne before the Judgement ſeate of Chriſt. Hold faſt the Truth, let faith triumph over feares. If Peter will deny and forſweare his Maſter, at beſt he muſt returne by weeping croſſe: many are irrecoverably ſmitten with that Thunderbolt Matth. 26. 74,Matt 26:74from the Lord, Heb. 10. 38. If any one draw backe, my ſoule ſhall have no pleaſure in him.

Secondly, That you will not ſell Truth for your own private advantages. It was a wretched carriage in Demetrius, and his fraternity, who out of love to Act. 19. 24, 25.Acts 19:24Acts 19:25their owne gaine, did combine and conſult how they might undermine and betray the Truth. Sirs, ye know that by this craft we have our wealth; This made them ſo zealous for their Diana; and ſo fierce againſt the Goſpell; If Truth doe prevaile, Diana muſt downe, and then farewell their profit. Reſolve rather to reſemble Moſes then Demetrius, who, Heb. 11. 25. Choſe p. 57rather to ſuffer affliction with the people of God, then enjoy the pleaſures of ſin for a ſeaſon. His Faith did ſo rightly enforme his Judgement, that he counted the Reproaches of Chriſt, (which ſeeme the bittereſt thing in Chriſtianity) greater riches then the treaſures in Egypt, ver. 26. How much did he then preferre the Conſolations, which come by Religion, before all worldly excellencies? Such a ſpirit was in Luther, who when he was offered to be Cardinall, if he would be quiet, replyed, no, Not if I might be Pope. He had an holy ſcorne to be put off from his Religious deſignes, by ſuch withering petty things.

Thirdly, Sell not Truth for politicke State ends.

When you come to ſettle Religion doe not deale onelyonly like politicians, but like Chriſtians. Worldly wiſedome in the things of God is a rule too ſhort, too 1 Cor. 3. 19.1 Cor 3:19crooked, too partiall, yea fooliſhneſſe with God. Ieroboam would play the politician in Religion, he ſold the true worſhip of God for his State ends, and for ever inherits this as a blot upon his name, 1 King. 15. 30. Becauſe of the ſins of Jerohoam which he ſinned, and which he made Iſrael to ſin, by his provocation wherwith he provoked the Lord God of Iſrael to anger. Moſt renowned was the zeale of King Edward the ſixth for the Truth, when upon reaſons of State he was preſſed by Cranmer and Ridley, to give way to the Maſſe; he refuſed it with ſo much reſolution, with ſo many teares, that they acknowledged he had more divinity in his little finger then both they. In things about meum & tuum, that concerne our owne intereſt, we may be more liberall, but in Church affaires the word of truth muſt guide us. It is not in p. 58our power quicquam hic aliis dare, aut in aliorum gratiam Calv. Epiſt. prot. Angl.deflectere; we may not therein gratify one another.

Fourthly, Sell not Truth for pretences of Church peace▪ I confeſſe the name of peace ſmels very ſweete; and now eſpecially (in the midſt of ſuch Church diſtractions and ſuch wantonneſſe of opinions) were to be purchaſed at any rate, except with the loſſe of Eph 4 3. 13.Eph 4:3Eph 4:13Truth; It is a moſt lovely ſight to ſee unity of peace imbrace unity of faith; to behold the houſehold of faith, the family of love; O that we could all obſerve the preſent breaches with the ſame affectons He… …nth…, qui vos … ſimul inventre non poſſum. Aug. Ep. 15.that Auguſtine did the differences betwixt Hierome and Ruffine. Woe is me that I cannot find you both together, I would fall downe at your feete, with much love and many teares I would beſeech you for your ſelves, and for one another, and for weake Chriſtians for whom Chriſt dyed, that you ſuffer not theſe diſſentions 2 King. 17 33.2 Kgs 17:33to ſpread, &c. But, in the meane time, we muſt not be ſuch reconcilers, as to bring in a Samaritan Religion, an Interim, an uncomfortable mixture. We muſt not receive Babyloniſh inmates into the Lords Houſe. Light and darkneſſe, Truth and error, will never long dwell quietly together.

Fifthly, Sell not Truth for the pompe of humane Ceremonies. Admit that Ceremonies were firſt let into the Church, with the faire intention of the guiders and leaders; and entertayned by the credulity of well-meaning people, before the myſtery of iniquity was much knowne; yet ſince, being ſo ſuperſtitiouſly abuſed by the Pope and his party, and ſo rigidly preſſed, for the upholding the pompe of Prelacy, p. 59with no ſmall diſadvantage to the Truth; let us part with them, rather then ſell any ſparke of Truth for them.

Never ſay they are ancient. Jeſus Chriſt is my antiquity, foreign. Ignat. epi. ad Philad.ſaith Ignatius. We muſt look for antiquity of Inſtitution not onelyonly of Cuſtome. Never ſay, they are indifferent. If indifferent onelyonly, and not expedient, they may the better be ſpared. Others will ſay, our Doctrine takes off the Scandall of the Ceremonies. However, better have the ſtumbling blocke removed Quid ſi vel pigri vel non ſatis attenti ſint monitores, vel fruſtra pleroſque moneant? Beza, ep. 8. Grindal. Anno 1548.out of the way, then to have a monitor appointed to give you warning of it, he may fall aſleepe, and then you are in danger. Many tender conſciences wiſh the ſame ſucceſſe about our Ceremonies, that was in King Edward the ſixth his dayes, about the Images. Some people contending for one Image, others for another, gave occaſion, that the King tooke downe all. Who knoweth whether God hath called Eſter 4. 14▪you to this Parliament to accompliſh this amongſt other ſervices?

If you doe fully come off, to give in your hands, your hearts, yourſealing actions, that you will not upon any termes ſell the Truth, as you tread in good Hezekiahs ſteps, I doubt not but the Lord will Crowne your piety and paines with his Diadem, 2 Chron. 31. 20, 21. Thus did Hezekiah throughout all Judah, and wrought that which was good and right, and Truth before the Lord his God, and in every worke that he began in the ſervice of the houſe of God, and in the Law, and in the commandements to ſeeke his God, he did it with all his heart and proſpered.

FINIS.

End of the text · Thomas Hill, The Trade of Truth (1642)