The Growth and Spreading of Heresy, Sermon

The Growth and Spreading of Heresy · Sermon

p. 1A SERMON Preached before the Honourable Houſe of COMMONS at Margarets Weſtminſter, on the tenth of March 1646. being a day of publique Humiliation for the growth of Errours, Haereſies, &c.

2 PETER 2.2.

And many ſhall follow their pernitious wayes, by reaſon of whom the way of truth ſhall be evill ſpoken of.

MY Learned and Reverend Brother hath ſet before you the (a)(a)2 Tim. 3.82 Tim 3:8Jannes and Jambres that delude and pervert ſoules. It is my taske, to ſhew you the havock they make of Gods inheritance. Hee hath diſcourſed of the Pandoraes box, and I ſhall ſhew you the miſchiefe that p. 2comes by the opening thereof. You have ſeen by this diſcourſe the black face of damnable error; and one would think that ſuch ſtuffe ſhould ſcarce bee own'd in the world: Yet here in the words of my Text behold the peoples madneſſe, many ſhall follow their pernitious wayes, &c. In which words obſerve.

1 The thriving and growth of Hereſy; many ſhall follow their pernicious wayes.

2 The ſad ſequel or fruit of this; by reaſon of whom the way of truth ſhall be evill ſpoken of.

Firſt, In the growth of theſe damnable errors, obſerve,

1 Their Nature and Character, ſtiled here in the Text foreign Deſtructions.

2 Their attraction or rather infection and faſcination; And in that take notice of,

1 Their efficacy, they ſhall ſo prevaile, and overcome the wills of ſome, that they ſhall follow their pernicious wayes.

2 Their ſpreading; Not a few, but Many ſhall be perverted by them.

Secondly, in the ſad ſequel of this perverſion, obſerve

1 An Epithite given by the Apoſtle to Chriſtian Religion, Tis the way of truth.

2 The foule carriage of many wicked men towards it, or the courſe uſage it finds at the hands of ſome in the world, foreign i. e. It ſhall be blaſphemed or evil ſpoken of.

3 The reaſon, or root of this, By reaſon of whom, i. e. of thoſe that are by theſe damnable errors ſeduced and led aſtray by theſe falſe teachers.

p. 3But firſt I ſhall ſpeak of the firſt part, viz.

Obſerve, 1. The Character and Nature of Hereticall courſes, rightly here in this Text ſtiled by our Apoſtle Deſtructions. Hence compared to a life-deſtroying, ſenſe-devouring (b)(b)2 Tim. 2.17.2 Tim 2:17Gangrene, to a terrible (c)(c)1 Tim. 1.19.1 Tim 1:19ſhipwrack, to a horrible (d)(d)Rev. 12.15.Rev 12:15flood, by which (e)(e)Med. in Apocal. in cap 12 & vers. 15. cum al is.ſome learned expoſitors underſtand eſpecially the Arrian hereſy, not excluding others alſo. O who is able to reckon up the ruins they bring, the ſad deſtructions they produce to Societies or particular perſons!

Firſt, look into the Church, there is no man that is moderately ver'ſt in Church-ſtory, but muſt needs take notice, that theſe damnable errors have been almoſt in every Century notoriouſly deſtructive there; robbing, and diſpoyling her of not only her (f)(f)Cant. 2.15Song 2:15tender grapes, but many choice ornaments, learned inſtruments, who might have been more uſeful to her, alienating them from her, nay many times ingaging them as ſoreſt oppoſites againſt her peace and verity: Witneſſe of old (g)(g)2 Tim. 4.10.2 Tim 4:10Demas, (h)(h)2 Tim. 2.17.2 Tim 2:17Hymeneus and Philetus, (i)(i)2 Tim. 1.15.2 Tim 1:15Phygellus and Hermogenes, Nicholas, Ebion and Cerinthus, Menander, Saturninus, with many others. And in later time Muncer, Swenkfeild, Servetus, David George, Socinus, and divers others.

What horrid exacerbations of mind have they raiſed, which have grown to provoking language, and have not reſted there, but proceeded to blowes, yea blood; witneſſe that hot conteſt at Alexandria between the Arrians and the Orthodox; where (to uſe **Euſeb. in vita Conſtant. lib. 3. cap. 4.Euſebius his words) they fought together, and kil'd each other like ſwarmes of gnats in the ayre. p. 4How have they defiled her purity with lothſome pollutions in Doctrine and manners? witneſſe thoſe filthy dreamers in St. (l)(l)Iude 8.Jude 1:8Judes time who defiled the fleſh, deſpiſed dominion, and ſpeak evill of dignities. Thoſe abominable beaſtly men, whom no leſſe title then (m)(m)Some cald them Bort orites, from their beaſtly life.Gnoſtici would content, as if they had been the only inhabitants of Goſhen, and all the world beſide had been benighted in Egyptian darkneſſe. And I beſeech you, how much in later times have our Germane Anabaptiſts, or Engliſh Libertines in their aſſertions, or lives faln ſhort of their monſtrous predeceſſors? How have they like fumes out of the bottomleſſe pit clouded her verity? In the Church of (n)(n)Gal. 3.1. and 5.7. &c.Gal 3:1Gal 5:7Galatia, was not the ſoule-ſaving Doctrine of Juſtification almoſt totally eclipſed? and in the Church of Corinth (o)(o)1 Cor. 15.1 Cor 15the article of the reſurrectiō ſhrewdly ſhaken by theſe? did not the wretched doctrine of Balaam, & the Nicholaitans paſſe with many for currant in ppRev. 2.14.20.Rev 2:14Rev 2:20Pergamus? And was not the bright ſhining of truth offuſcated by thoſe in Thyatirus? How did truth ſeem to have forſaken the Church in the dayes of Athanaſius, when the world (to uſe Jeroms expreſſion) groaned to ſee it ſelfe become an Arrian, when a whole (q)(q)Socrates. ſch. Eccleſ. hiſt. lib. 1. cap. 25.Synod of Arrians at Tyre condemn poor Athanaſius for maintaining the eternall Diety of Chriſt? How have theſe damnable errors when once they have got footing in the ſpirits of men turn'd them into beaſts of prey, cruell (r)(r)Phil 3.2.Phil 3:2dogs, ravenous (s)(s)Act. 20 29.Acts 20:29wolves, devouring lyons; not reſting ſatiſfied where their power could reach and prevaile, without the inflicting of the ſaddeſt cruelties, and foreſt deſtructions they could invent, upon the moſt Orthodox profeſſors of truth? We need to p. 5ſeek for proof of this no further than the (t)(t)Socrat. hiſt. Eccleſ. lib. 2. cap. 22. Athanaſ. Apolog. Victor. de perſecut. Vandal. lib. 3.Arrian haereſy; how cruell and bloody were they to the ſervants of Chriſt; exciting the Magiſtrate to exturpate them, loading them with ſlanders, baniſhing them from their Countries, ſcourging, and impriſoning them, cutting out their tongues, nay not ſatiſfied without their precious lives. Thus we ſee that whether wee look at theſe damnable errors in their own nature, or in their ſubject in whom they reſide, they are truly by the Apoſtle in the Text ſtiled Deſtructions.

Secondly, but fares the Common-wealth any better where theſe take place? Have not theſe damnable errors deſtroyed its peace by tumultuous inſurrections, and horrid outrages? what a terrible tempeſt was raiſed by (x)(x)Aug. Epiſt. 50. ad Bonif. & Epiſt. 68. ad Januar. & lib. 3. cont. creſcon.Donatiſts, and Circumcelliones, men of the ſame humor with them, and what outrages were committed by them; who pretended to more piety than others, but expreſt the contrary, by their rapines, robberies, and miſcheivous courſes? Nor could they bee taken off, till Honorius the (y)(y)Paul. diac. lib. 14.Emperor was fain to ſend Dulcius with an army to ſuppreſſe them. How have theſe errors many times ſubverted the very foundations of States, while ſome of them in their own nature have been ſo directly oppoſite to the being, or binding of Lawes, to the authority of Magiſtrates (as the Moniches of old, the Munster faction of late) that where they have taken place, the ligaments of States have been (ſo far as theſe have prevailed) ſo miſerably broken, and left in ſo ſad a confuſion under a pretence of (z)(z)Quidam ut imperium ſubvertant, libertatem ſi ſubverterint ipſam aggredientur. Corn. Tacit.liberty, that had not their extirpation been the more ſpeedy they had certainly buried thoſe people where they p. 6reigned in utter confuſion and deſolation. Not only making them acceſſory to their own deſtruction, whilſt with their own hands they ſhould effect their ruine; but alſo ingaging him who is the God of order and truth to become their enemy, and pour out the teſtimonies of his vengeance from heaven upon them: Somtimes by a more immediate hand, as (x)(x)Paul. Diac. lib. 15.Antioch, a nurcery of hereſies was firſt ſore ſhaken, and after with fire from heaven conſumed; Nichomedia a place where the Arrians were appointed to meet, ſwallowed up of an earth-quake. And frequently by the mediate hand of men, who are his ax, rod, and ſtaffe of his indignation; whoſe ſpirits hee ſtirs up to take vengeance on his behalfe; ſuch in former times were Conſtantine the great, who baniſht Arrius; (z)(z)Socr. ſchol. hiſt. eccl. l. 5. c. 10. Evagr. hiſt. eccl. l. 4. c. 11.Theodoſius expeld all hereticks that were againſt the faith of one ſubſtance; Juſtinian publiſhed ſharp edicts, and ſorely puniſhed hereticks, with divers others. And in later times Charles the fifth againſt the Weſtphalian crue; alſo the Magiſtrates of Geneva burning Servetus for his Antitrinitarian hereſie, with many other examples of this. Thus you have ſeen, how deſtructive theſe damnable hereſies are in ſocieties.

Secondly, but are they leſſe pernitious to particular perſons, whether ringleaders, or ſuch as are perverted by them? Certainly no; but I may truly take up the words of the Prophet (a)(a)Eſay. 59.5.Isa 59:5, They hatch Cockatrice egges, and weave the ſpiders web: hee that eateth of their egges dieth, and that which is cruſhed, breaketh forth into a viper. In which place (b)(b)Hieron. in Epiſt. ad Cypri.Jerome thinks the Prophet Eſay doth lively ſet forth the nature of hereſies, and the work of hereticks. p. 7How is it often the deſtruction of their bodies, whilſt their erroneous mind puts them upon the aſſerting or practiſing that which either by too much exceſſe and riotous courſes ruines nature, as the **2 Pet. 2.10, 12, 13, &c.2 Pet 2:102 Pet 2:122 Pet 2:13Libertines of former and later time; Or elſe on the contrary, by too much (c)(c)Coloſſ. 2.21, 22.Col 2:21Col 2:22auſterity and ſelf-elected rigidity, ſink in time the Body, and bring it to the duſt of death?

But if none of theſe take place, how often is the God of heaven ſo far provoked, eſpecially againſt the founders, or principall abetters and maintainers of them; that vengeance marks them with ſome eminent and notorious badge of Gods diſpleaſure, by ſome ſad and diſmal ruine? (d)(d)Theodoret eccleſ. hist. l. 3. c. 14.When Arrius was in the midſt of his pomp and pride, the hand of Heaven allots him a death-bed, and death loathſome like his Opinion. (e)(e)Evagr. hiſt. eccl. l. 1. c. 7.Neſtorius his tongue was eaten with worms; Anaſtaſius a great defender of the Eutychian hereſie, was ſmitten with a thunder-bolt; (f)(f)Palmerieteron.Olympius who publickly deteſted the Trinity, was ſtruck with three lightnings whereby his body was burnt.

Yet however their bodyes ſpeed, moſt certainly they are alwayes deſtructive to their better part the ſoul; (g)(g)1 Tim. 5.6.1 Tim 5:6benighting their minds, turning their light into darkeneſſe, and leaving them to innumerable by wayes of (h)(h)2 Tim. 3.8.2 Tim 3:8ruine and deſtruction. Many times ſpoyling their (i)(i)2 Theſſ. 2.10, 11, 12. 2 Tim. 4.2.2 Thess 2:102 Thess 2:112 Thess 2:122 Tim 4:2Conſciences of peace, by overthrowing the very grounds and roots thereof, as Chriſts ſatisfaction; the comfortable doctrine of Juſtification, by the Papiſts and Socinians; which being taken away, what is left to a poore diſtreſſed ſoule afflicted with the ſight and ſence of ſinne, p. 8a knife or halter, the too too ordinary refuges of dark diſtracted minds?

But however an Erring mind may enjoy a ſeeming peace, (which for the moſt part is rather to be ſtiled ſottiſh ſtupidity, or carnal ſecurity, then Chriſtian tranquillity) Yet alwayes, anſwerable to the degree of falſhood in the haereſie aſſerted, there is a pollution and ſtain thereby derived to the perſon maintaining (c)(c)Lev. 13.29, 30, 42, 43, 44.Lev 13:29Lev 13:30Lev 13:42Lev 13:43Lev 13:44it. Leproſie in the head as truly made a Leper, as on any other part; neither doth it reſt in the head, but as defluxions from the brain overthrow the ſtomach, ſo haereſies corrupt the other faculties of the ſoul, and frequently diſcover themſelves in the filthy ungodly practiſes of thoſe that entertain them; Some haereſies directly militating againſt all piety in life and converſation; as that of the Libertines of old, who conceived that the diſtinction of Works into good and bad, was but an invention of men; and that no works were really bad in their own nature, but were to be reckoned evil only ſo far forth as he that wrought them thought them ſo to be. And in our dayes, the Libertine aſſertions that ſo much prevaile upon unſtable ſpirits; as, That there is no reſurrection of the fleſh; That the works which are wrought by the body ſhall never be accounted for; That God is the author of evill works, as well as of good; That men are freed that believe, from obedience to the Moral Law and the like.

Thus haereſies (d)(d)1 Tim. 6.5.1 Tim 6:5corrupt mens minds, deſtroy good Conſcience, pollute their Lives, rob them of beauty, peace, piety, indeed all reall ſpirituall worth. As rottenneſſe in an apple, or a flaw or cloud in a precious p. 9ſtone, ſo far as theſe prevail, all real value ceaſes; ſo we may juſtly aſſert, that look how far haereſie prevails, ſo far forth the ſpirit of ſuch a one is little, yea nothing worth; (o)(o)2 Tim. 2.20.2 Tim 2:20making them veſſels of wood, ſtone, diſhonour: (p)(p)Cypr. l. 3. ep. 3. l. 4. ep. 2. Aug. l. 3. de bap. cont. Donatiſt. c. 18, 19, &c.(ſo Cyprian, Auſtin, and divers others underſtand that place in Timothy concerning ſuch kinde of perſons as theſe.) But that which is worſt of all, the height of miſery, and dregs of vengeance; (q)(q)Gal. 5.20, 21.Gal 5:20Gal 5:21The nature, and neceſſary conſequent of Haereſie unrepented of, is to deprive the ſoul of happineſſe. And moſt certainly, though it may bring a man into an imaginary ſenſual heaven, like that of Demaes here; yet will it bring them, if obſtinately perſiſted in, into a (r)(r)2 Theſſ. 2.10, 11.2 Thess 2:102 Thess 2:11hell hereafter. And however they may blaze and ſhine in the opinion of their own Faction, or others here; St. Peter tells you, like ſhooting gliding meteors, there is an eternal (s)(s)2 Pet. 2.17 Jude 13.2 Pet 2:17Jude 1:13night of darkneſſe abides them in the other world for ever.

Ʋſe 1 See then (I beſeech you) worthy Senators, in what rank to reckon them that patronize, plead for, or ſeek a Toleration of Haereſies of you; or that would tie your hands from executing judgement upon Hereticall ſeducers of the people; or from preventing the growth, or extirpating of ſo banefull and pernicious a weed as Haereſie is. What, would they ingage you in the guilt of ſoules? or the ruine of Church and State, which you ſeek to preſerve? The Lord rebuke thee Satan, who hath pulled theſe men as a brand out of the fire. Look therefore, I beſeech you, upon ſuch, as men, That care not for your reputation, though you leave your names for a curſe and by-word to poſterity; Regard not your p. 10ſecurity; Have no bowels of pity to poor ſoules; Are void of Publikeneſſe of ſpirit; Not regarding to ſee Jeruſalem in proſperity, nor peace upon Iſrael. But as an Antidote againſt their oratory, I beſeech you conſider, the greatneſſe of your truſt for the Peoples ſafety; the ſtrictneſſe of your Covenant-engagement; the frequencie of your Declarations and Remonſtrances againſt them; your Replies to reproaches that have been caſt upon you, as if you favoured them; And laſtly, I beſeech you conſider the ruining and deſtroying nature of Hereſie, to Church, Commonwealth, Souls, Bodies. (t)(t)Cant. 2.14.Song 2:14Therefore take us the Foxes, the little Foxes that ſpoile the Vines.

Ʋſe 2 I beſeech you take notice, 'Tis no ſmall judgment for a people to be (u)(u)2 Theſſ. 2.10, 11.2 Thess 2:102 Thess 2:11given up to believe a lye; to be ſo far deſerted by God, as that Hereſies ſhould prevaile over them: (w)(w)2 Tim. 2.26.2 Tim 2:26'Tis as the Devil would have it, (x)(x)2 Theſſ. 2.10.11.2 Thess 2:102 Thess 2:11A trophie of his victory, a ſigne of Indignation, a Prognoſtick of Ruine, (y)(y)2 Tim. 2.17.2 Tim 2:17a deadly diſeaſe, a mark of (z)(z)Rev. 13.8.Rev 13:8Reprobation; a terrible ſhipwrack, a certain ingulf of them in the (a)(a)Rev. 14.9, 10.Rev 14:9Rev 14:10participation of the ſaddeſt plagues and vengeance. O how can we weep enough this day for the daughter of our people; The Lords people are led captive; the Church is ecclipſed, and looks like a (b)(b)Jer. 12.9.Jer 12:9ſpeckled bird amongſt the nations; The Commonwealth rotters; Soules are defiled; And hell is, I feare, too much filled with theſe Erring creatures.

We Miniſters have need to weep, for want of courage, watchfulneſſe, zeal. Chriſt may complain of us as (c)(c)Euſeb. eccl. hiſt. l. 3 c. 20.St. John did of that Biſhop, I have made a ſweet keeper of my brothers ſoul.

p. 11You Magiſtrates had need to weep for want of (d)(d)Vt laudanda patientia, ſic timendum ne culpetur in nimium tolerandis negligentia. Aug. ſerm. 14. de verb. Apoſt.Warmth, Heedfulneſſe, Expedition, and for your cruel mercy towards Seducers. Are not you ſtiled (e)(e)Pſal. 47.9.Ps 47:9Sheilds, (f)(f)Nch. 9.27Saviours, (g)(g)Iſa. 44.18.Isa 44:18Shepherds, (h)(h)Iſa. 49 23.Isa 49:23Nurſing Fathers to Church and State? And God forbid you ſhould be (i)(i)Pſal. 115.6.Ps 115:6like Davids Idol, have eyes, and not take notice of theſe; eares, and not heare the ſad cryes of a diſtracted afflicted people againſt them; hands, and ſhould not ſmite and cut off ſuch wicked workers (k)(k)Pſal. 101.8.Ps 101:8from the city of our God. Parents and Maſters had need to weep, for their heedleſneſſe, and perfunctorineſſe; that they have no more watcht over their tender ſpring, nor made it their buſines to (l)(l)Epheſ. 6.4, 9.Eph 6:4Eph 6:9ground them in the Principles of religion, for want of w^ch they have eaſily been (m)(m)Eph. 5.14.Eph 5:14ſeduced & cheated by theſe hereticall Impoſtors who lie in wait to deceive. And have they not abundantly obtained their purpoſe? Did ever the former ages produce more hideous Monſters than wee have riſen up amongſt us in this poor Iland? Are there not many Arrians, who hold that damnable error againſt the eternall Deity of Jeſus Chriſt? Some Valentinians, who oppoſe the reality of his taking fleſh of the Virgin Mary? Marcionites, who deny the verity of his ſufferings? Gnoſticks, who pretend to new lights and revelations, but are too much like them in the wildneſſe of their Opinions, and profaneneſſe of their Lives? And very many, of whom wee may ſay as (n)(n)Multiferme monſtrum. Epiphan.Epiphanius of Ebion, that hee was a Monſter of many ſhapes, holding all errors together; The Samaritans abomination, the Jewes name, the Nazareans opinion, the Cerinthians forme, the Corpocratians p. 12improbity, and the Chriſtians profeſſion, and is not here cauſe to weep?

(m)(m)Luk. 19.41Luke 19:41Chriſt wept over Jeruſalem, out of a contemplation of thoſe ſad confuſions and ruines that were at hand; and have not we juſt cauſe to mourn for our ſelves and for our children, when we may juſtly in a very true ſenſe take up the (n)(n)Pſal. 80.13, 14.Ps 80:13Ps 80:14Pſalmiſts ſad complaint: Thou haſt broken down their hedges, ſo that they that paſſe by devoure it; the Bore out of the wood doth waſte it, and the wild beaſt of the field doth devoure it. Is not here cauſe to weep?

Ʋſe 3 See, 'tis no ſmall mercy to be preſerved from Haereſie in erring times, and to ſtand on the vantage ground of Truth, from thence taking view of the dangerous encounters, fierce charges, boiſterous blaſts and billows which indanger the utter deſtruction and ingulfing of poor ſouls in everlaſting ruine, whileſt we our ſelves dwell in the ſerene aire and ſafe fort of Truth, freed from that giddineſſe and deſtruction which lights on others. But let me tell you, We muſt take heed that this view we take be with abnegation and humility: Not to us O Lord, not to us; or with the (o)(o)1 Cor. 15.10. Non est devotionis dediſſe prope totum, ſed fraudis detinuiſſe minimum. Proſp.1 Cor 15:10Apoſtle, Not I but the grace of God that was with me. With praiſe and thankſgiving, for this mercy to our ſelves; with prayer and ſupplication for poore ſoules, that either are in danger to be inſnared by them, or are already captivated, that they may eſcape out of this ſnare of the devil; With pity and commiſeration towards them, taking notice that we our ſelves are but men, and may be (p)(p)Quid de me talis …atio feciſſet, &c. Aug. Gal. 6 1.Gal 6:1tempted; With help & adjuvation, (q)(q)Jude 22, 23yet putting a difference, ſome pulling with feare, as it were out of the fire.

Ʋſe 4 p. 13Exhortation to People. You ſee there is no dallying with Haereſies, for they are Deſtructions: Therefore (r)(r)1 Joh. 4.1.1 John 4:1try before you truſt, whether the ſpirits be of God or no. Thus did the religious (s)(s)Act. 17.11.Acts 17:11Bereans, they ſearched the Scriptures, whether the things St. Paul preached were ſo or no. Poiſon is not a thing to be dallied with, ſeeing it deſtroyes nature, and cauſes death: what's matter though it be tendred in a golden cup? Beware, I beſeech you, of that fool-hardineſſe which is found in too many in our dayes, who venture to complement with pernicious errors and erroneous perſons, reſolving either to keep their minds free from engagement to them; or if they go ſo far as to ſip, and out of curioſity take a taſte of them, yet they determine to maintain in themſelves a mind free to fall off at pleaſure. But (t)(t)Sed enim febrem ut malum & de cauſa & de potentia ſua, ut notum eſt, abominamus potius quàm miramur, & quantum in nobis eſt praecavemus, non habentes abolitionem ejus in noſtra poteſtate. Haereſes verò mortem aeternam & majoris ignis ardorem inferentes, malunt quidam mirari quòd poſſint hoc, quàm devitare nè poſſint, &c. Tertul. de praeſcript. haeret.I beſeech you conſider, they are of too (u)(u)Rev. 17.4.Rev 17:4intoxicating a nature, filling the ſoule with a ſpiritual vertigo, deſtroying by degrees the light of the mind, (w)(w)Gal. 3.1.Gal 3:1faſcinating and bewitching the ſpirits of thoſe that ſwallow them. Neither is it a thing unuſuall, but common with God in his diſpenſation, to (x)(x)2 Theſſ. 2, 10, 11.2 Thess 2:102 Thess 2:11deliver up ſuch to ſtrong deluſion that believe a lye, that receive not the truth in the love thereof. Oh then, how is it poſſible they ſhould ever ſcape, (y)(y)Libera voluntas ſine gratia, tota vitioſa cupiditae eſt, Aug.when grace is with-held, whereby they ſhould eſcape out of theſe ſnares of the devil, and they left to his depths and wiles, under the conduct of an erring mind. If therefore thou throweſt thy ſelf off from the pinacle of the temple, never think thou canſt ſtop where thou pleaſeſt: But as Solomon cautions his drunkard againſt that vice, (z)(z)Prov. 23, 31.Prov 23:31Look not upon the wine when it is red; when it giveth his p. 12duplicate page p. 13duplicate page p. 14colour in the glaſſe, when it moveth it ſelf aright. So ſay I to thee, take heed of being flattered into a liking of untruths, either from the glorious colours and pretences of more ſanctity, New light, clearer diſcoveries of Truth, Chriſtian liberty, or the like: for if Haereſies had not ſome plauſible varniſh to ſet them off, they would be contemned and deteſted by all, being in themſelves of horrid hue, of an ugly viſage and hag-like countenance; but it is their paint that makes them paſſable. (a)(a)Haereſes ornatu, non viſcuribus pulchrae ſunt; foris extrinſecus ni… nomine juſtitiae ſe dea…ant, &c Aug. ſerm. 50. in Job.Their cloathing is fair, but their inward frame is monſtrous; they outwardly ſhine with the gilt of truth and righteouſneſſe, but inwardly there is nothing but darkneſſe and impiety in them, being conceived in the womb of (b)(b)1 Tim. 6.3, 4.1 Tim 6:31 Tim 6:4a dark elated mind, cheriſhed by vain imaginations, ſelf-eſtimation and ends; produced, moſt frequently, to (c)(c)2 Pet. 2, 3.2 Pet 2:3gain reputation and the like advantages; but alwayes terminating (if perſiſted in) in ſad (d)(d)2 Theſſ. 2.10, 11, 12. 2 Pet. 2.3.1….2 Thess 2:102 Thess 2:112 Thess 2:122 Pet 2:32 Pet 2:1ruines and deſtructions. Yet ſee the madneſſe of the people; Not a few, but many, ſayes our Apoſtle, ſhall follow their pernicious wayes. Which is the ſecond thing in my Text.

Part 2 2. The attraction, or rather infection and faſcination of theſe pernicious Errors: they are ſo efficacious, that they overcome; and ſo ſpreading, that not a few, but many are conquered and led captive by them. This [ſhall] in my Text, is far from a precept; for it is prohibited to follow the falſe (e)(e)Deut. 13.1, 2, 3, &c.Deut 13:1Deut 13:2Deut 13:3Prophet of old, or the falſe (f)(f)Jude 19.20, 21, &c. Epheſ. 4.14.Eph 4:14Apoſtles and erring Teachers in the New Teſtament. Nor is there in it the leaſt ſhew of a Toleration from heaven, which God abhors, threatning ſad judgments and breathing flames againſt the (g)(g)Rev. 2.15.Rev 2:15Church of p. 15Pergamus, for the Nicolaitans; and againſt the Church of Thiatyra, for ſuffering Jeſabel to ſeduce his ſervants. But 'tis an infallible Prediction: for God was (as it were) the active underſtanding to this bleſſed Apoſtle, by whoſe revelation he foreſaw this ſad prevailing Apoſtaſie deſtroying not a few, but many. (h)(h)Baron. Annal.This Epiſtle was written about the year of Chriſt 65. not long before his death, as himſelfe hints in his firſt chap. of this Epiſt. and 14. verſ. Knowing (ſaith he) that ſhortly I muſt put off this earthly tabernacle, even as our Lord Jeſus Chriſt hath ſhewed me. Which fell out about the year 67. And how ſoon after, according to this Prophetical prediction, did ariſe Cerinthus, Baſilides, Carpocrates, Saturninus, Marcion, Valentinus who drew no ſmall numbers, but multitudes in thoſe Eaſtern parts became followers of their blaſphemos monſtrous Tenets. Epiphanius within the compaſſe of about 400 years, wri…es of the riſe of almoſt fourſcore ſects and ſorts of Haereticks; ſome more, ſome leſſe differing from each other, but all of them enemies to the truth. By theſe, alas, how ſoon was the Lords field, his Church ouer run with tares and weeds? How ſwiftly did Haereſie run from Eaſt to Weſt, like fire in ſtubble?

But this [Many ſhall follow] in my Text, is not to be cōfined within the narrow compas of ſome few Centuries of years after the Apoſtles death, but is extenſive to the end of the world, as may appear by a due conſideration of the laſt chap. of this 2. epiſtle. 'Tis true, the Eaſt firſt bred haereſies, as having the riper and more nimble wits, the Devil alſo bending his power betimes to make them adulterate Truth, p. 16and ſtrangle it in its infancie: And oh happy had it been for thouſands of ſouls, if Haereſies birth and funeral had been at the ſame place & time together: but the old Serpent uſed all his skill to make it long-lived; endeavouring by his huckſters to convey it from place to place; that thus it living in many ſoiles, and ſoules, there might be the leſſe danger of its utter extirpation. He quickly found choice Agents for his purpoſe: Some out of ambition, as (i)(i)Act. ….Simon Magus, (k)(k)Joh. 3.9. Euſeb. hiſt. eccl. l. 2. c. 3.John 3:9Diotrophes, (l)(l)Euſeb. hiſt. eccl. l. 7. c. 29. l. 6. c. 42.Paulus Samoſatenus, &c. Others out of covetouſneſſe, as (m)(m)Ibid. l. 5. c. 25.Natalius, and thoſe in the (n)(n)Tit. 1.11. Rom. 16.18.Titus 1:11Rom 16:18Apoſtles times: And not a few out of diſcontent and revenge, as (o)(o)Socr. ſchol. hiſt. eccl. l. 2. c. 36.Apollinaris, Donatus, Marcion: Some of little learning, but more then ſufficient boldneſſe, as Aetius, and very many doting dreamers; and others whoſe braines he had garriſon'd and magabined for his own uſe, full fraughting them with Philoſophy, and unſubmitted principles to higher truths, as Valentinus, Photinus, with divers others. And by theſe huckſters he drove ſo great a trade, that no few cuſtomers were gained by them: ſo that Haereſie in many places might well boaſt againſt truth, as Theodata in Aelian againſt the Philoſopher, That her followers far exceeded the number of his.

(p)(p)Mat. 14.…, 11.Matt 14Chriſt, before his death, predicted it ſhould be ſo, That many falſe Chriſts and falſe Prophets ſhould after his departure ariſe, and deceive many. (q)(q)2 Tim. 3 6.2 Tim 3:6St. Paul in his time ſaw them like ſome terrible tempeſt or horrid Harocan, (r)(r)2 Tim. 2.182 Tim 2:18ſubverting whole houſes, overthrowing the faith of many. (s)(s)Euſeb. hiſt. eccl. l. 3. c. 11.S. John who lived the longeſt, ſees Cerinthus, Menander, and Ebion, againſt whoſe haereſie he writes his goſpel; p. 17and foreſees in Prophetick viſion the (t)(t)Rom. 13.3Rom 13:3Beaſt who pretends to be Chriſts Vicar, the ſucceeding dragon of Rome, & all the earth wandring after him. And in later times, was ever that Counteſſe more fruitfull in her prodigious birth of three hundred ſixty and four children at one time (if the Holland-ſtory abuſe us nor) then theſe pernicious Errors have been in ſundry places? witneſſe Poland, and the neighbouring Territories, abounding with Socinians, and other haereſies of all ſorts and ſizes; Germany, famous for fruitfulneſſe in miſ-ſhapen monſtrous Opinions; The Low-Countries have not been much behind the forementioned places for fertility in theſe noyſome weeds; And now at laſt poor England hath too large a ſhare in the ſad infection and ſpreading of this deſperate Malady: witneſſe the increaſe of Familiſme, Antinomianiſme, Socinianiſme, and many other deſperate Tenets, ſo far prevailing amongſt the People, that except ſome ſpeedy courſe be taken to prevent their further ſpreading, they threaten a terrible inundation, to the loſſe of Truth, and utter ruine of the Nation.

Queſt. But may ſome ſay; Seeing the wayes of Error are full of waſting, deſtruction, and of ſo deformed a ſhape and ugly viſage in themſelves, how come they to be ſo prevalent with many, ſo that not a few, but many are infected with them?

Anſw. 1. One reaſon for this may be, The quality and condition of thoſe that broach and divulge them:Reaſons of the ſpreading of Haereſies. Either they are perſons of parts and learning, as Valentinus, Socinus, Simachus, and divers others: Or ſuch as are of reputed Piety; they have a p. 18(u)(u)2 Tim. 3.5.2 Tim 3:5form of godlines, and in their words and deportments are transformed into (w)(w)2 Cor. 11, …4.2 Cor 11:4Angels of light; as Montanus, Novatus, Arrius, the Munſter-Anabaptiſts, who in the beginning exceedingly prevailed by their diſcourſes, which were at the firſt of nothing but (x)(x)Bulling …. Anabap. l. 2. c …7.Mortification, Faſting, and other Religious exerciſes; and their pretence in their deportments was to more then ordinary piety: This made them to be indulged in ſome petty differences in Opinion, by thoſe that were in Authority; pitied by the chief reforming Miniſters; adhered to by many ſingle-hearted, but inadvertent pious people, who ſo much liſtned to and believed their words, and were ſo gull'd by their ſpecious ſhews, that they little dreamt of the miſchief that ſome of their ringleaders aimed at, or the progreſſe they intended to make, till many of them had brought themſelves into ſuch a trap, that there was ſcarce any hope or means left to them to evade a moſt deſperate and utter ruine: Thus, they having the repute of faire and conſcientious Dealers, could not want Cuſtomers, who with too greedy a mind would receive and take upon truſt their Errors. But to cloſe this; There are many likewiſe, who have not only ventured, but ſuffered for Religion, whereby they have growne in eſtimation with well-meaning pious people: I might give many inſtances in the Primitive times hereof, but I omit them; take only an example of latter dayes.Hiſt. David. George. David George, at firſt a citizen of Delph, was caſt into priſon, bored through the tongue for ſpeaking againſt and withſtanding Popiſh idolatry, by which he came to be in high eſteem with the godly; yet afterward became one p. 19of the worſt, and moſt blaſphemous Haereticks in any age of the Church I have read of, aſſerting the Scriptures, yea thoſe of the Apoſtles, were lame, childiſh, and ineffectuall for the underſtanding of the things of God; that he was greater then Chriſt in the fleſh, &c. But by reaſon of his ſufferings for truth in former times, he was in ſo great repute, that he eaſily ſeduced many unſtable ſouls to become of his Opinions.

Reaſ. 2 2. There is much to be attributed to the way and manner of diſpencing of theſe pernicious Errors. (z)(z)Eph. 4.14.Eph 4:14They want not their guiles and arts to inſnare poor ſouls; They ſtudy the perſons, and wait their opportunity to deceive; (a)(a)Rom. 16.18Rom 16:18They uſe fair ſpeeches to beguile the hearts of the ſimple; profeſſions of love and charity, To be eyes to the blind, feet to the lame, guides to the erring. Brother, ſay they, (b)(b)Mat. 7.4.Matt 7:4let me pull out the mote that is in thine eye. The wolf layes the ſheep, when he ſeizeth on him, upon his back gently, as if he meant but only to eaſe him; whereas indeed his purpoſe is to take his opportunity that he may devoure him. So for all the ſheeps cloathing, yet are ſeducers inwardly but (c)(c)Mat. 7.15.Matt 7:15ravening wolves. And becauſe they conceive, to lay open and rebuke the faults of others, is no ſmall means to conceal their own, and render themſelves unſuſpected to thoſe they deale with; Therefore how do they curiouſly pry into the faults of others, and like fleſh flies paſſing over what's ſound and right, light only on what's ſore and putrid in them? (d)(d)Flavian. epiſt. ad Leon. Pap.Eutyches confutes Neſtorius, that he might gain repute to himſelf, and falſe opinion. Neither want they vehemency and p. 20ejulation, confidence, boldneſſe, and reſolution, being men of a (e)(e)1 Tim. 4.1.1 Tim 4:1ſeared conſcience, and brazen forehead, that cannot bluſh. To ſet their Errors home, and to commend them the better to thoſe they intend to make their diſciples, they practiſe the old trick of one of the prime perſons of their order, I mean Simon Magus, who to gain the greater repute of himſelf, and credit to his blaſphemies, perſwaded the poor Samaritans (f)(f)Act. 8.9, 10.Acts 8:9Acts 8:10that he was ſomebody, no leſſe then the mighty power of God; which teſtimony of his being too eaſily believed by thoſe poor creatures, gaind the attention & reſpect of ſmal and great in that place to him. After him (g)(g)Jactabat ſacram Scripturam ſe ſolum & primum intelligece. Vinc. Lyr. c. 42Neſtorius trod in his ſteps of pride, boaſting, That he alone knew the meaning of the Scriptures, and was the firſt that rightly underſtood them. And this hath been from time to time the ſtrain of theſe Seducers, to caſt out (h)(h)2 Pet. 1.18. Jude 26.2 Pet 1:18Jude 1:26ſwelling words of vanity, whereby they gained on weak mindes ſufficiently, who uſe to judge of doctrines, rather by the conceit they have of the perſon that vents them, then by their conformity to the Word of truth. So Eunomius likewiſe boaſted, That he knew God with the ſame knowledge wherewithall God knew himſelf. They pretend to high (i)(i)Col. 2.18.Col 2:18myſteries and depths, being vainly puft up in their carnal minds, intruding themſelvs into things they underſtand not; & have anſwerably their canting language, which may rather amaze their auditors, and lead them into miſts of darkneſſe and giddineſſe, then into the leaſt true notion of heavenly truth. They leave not here, but that their Authority may be beyond all queſtioning, (k)(k)Euſeb. hiſt. eccl. l. 5. c. 25.They boaſt of the preſcriptions of p. 21Apoſtles, and the prime Pillars of Chriſtianity: So did the Haereticks of old, and the Papiſts ſtill to this day with great impudencie; but ſcarce ſo much as any colour of truth, except it be fetcht out of ſpurious writings and legends falſly attributed to thoſe holy men, and nothing agreeing with their genuine writings. But, becauſe Divine teſtimony is of higheſt authority, and moſt infallible, therefore they will rather father blaſphemouſly their Errors on the Spirit of truth, then not gain belief; (l)(l)2 Pet. 3.16.2 Pet 3:16either wracking or wreſting his Word to their purpoſe, abuſing the Scriptures; or elſe they will boaſt (if no warrant, ſo much as ſeemingly probable, can be found in His book for their unworthy aſſertions and practiſes) that they have their direction from immediate Revelation and Inſpiration; as the Montaniſts of old; and not long ſince, John of Leyden and his followers at Munſter, for their abominable doctrine and lothſome courſes.

3. The matter they broach, is no ſmall cauſe and reaſon of their ſo much prevailing with multitudes. For perhaps it is ſomething New, ſuch with which they have not had the leaſt acquaintance before: now naturally men have (m)(m)2 Tim. 4.5.2 Tim 4:5itching eares, are true (n)(n)Act. 17.21.Acts 17:21Athenians greedy of new things; They are quickly weary of old Truths, becauſe they never ſaw their beauty, nor taſted their ſweetneſſe by an intuitive knowledge; for if they had, they would have found ſuch pleaſure and profit in them, as not to have been at all weary of them; Truths beauty alwayes laſting as freſh as at her firſt appearance to us, and alway ſpringing gloriouſly in greeneſſe and pleaſant fruits, not capable of being ſlighted by the p. 20duplicate page p. 21duplicate page p. 22ſoul that knows her. But what if (as it fals out too often) theſe new Truths prove but old Errors new varniſht over? As in theſe giddy times wherein we live, who would not almoſt give credit to that old Pythagorean fable, of mens ſouls paſſing when they die, into other bodies? There are ſome do ſo much reſemble Arrius, Donatus, the Gnoſticks, and other ancient Haereticks; that were we not aſſured the ſame Power of darkneſſe that acted the former, ſtill living, is vigorous in theſe alſo to the ſame ends and purpoſes, or elſe we might ſuppoſe the ſouls of the former haereticks had taken up the bodies of the latter for their dwellings.

And many times, I muſt needs confeſſe, it is not ſo much new matter, as a new dreſſe in new-found language and unintelligible words, when they moſt boaſt of new Lights & Doctrines, which Paul **foreign. 1 Tim. 6.201 Tim 6:20counſels Timothy to ſhun and avoid. So that we may truly ſay concerning many of their Ringleaders in our dayes, as an Hiſtorian ſpeaks of the Ligurians of old, who dwelt amongſt bogs and buſhy places, (p)(p)Major erat aliquanto labor invenire quam vincere.That it was a greater labour to find them out, then to conquer them; So theſe men, they have ſuch gypſie, fuſtian Language, in which they endeavour to lie hid, and conceal their ſenſe and meaning, for fear that if they ſhould come to the light, it would quickly appear what adulterate ſtuffe they endeavour to obtrude for Goſpel upon poor ſouls; therefore it is their pretence, That what they ſpeak is (q)(q)Deſiderant ut iniquitas eorum ſit myſticae, religionis nomine palliata. Anſelm.myſtical, rather to be received by an implicite faith, and adored with admiration, then pryed into by reaſon, or examined by comparing it with the Law and Teſtimony, to p. 23which (r)(r)Eſay 8.20.Isa 8:20God ſends his people. Yet I muſt needs acknowledge alſo, that many times there are ſome of this ſeduceing crue, who run as much wild on the other hand, endevouring to bring down Religion in the higheſt myſteries thereof to the ſcanning and judgement of humane reaſon; (s)(s)Credere aliquid eſſe verum, quod ratio non poteſt apprehendere, nec intellectus intelligere, levitatis ſignum eſſe dicimus. Averroes, qui ſubinde chriſtian is ogganiebat. ſic Socinus, & multi haeretici, &c.and what fals not within the approbation of this, they reject as ſpurious. Hence came the Antitrinitarian error; the opinion of the death of ſouls; the deniall of the bodies reſurrection, and the like. (t)(t)Patriarchas haereticorum. Tertull. lib. cont. Hermog.Hence Tertullian rightly ſtiles the Philoſophers, the patriarchs or heads of haereticks. And becauſe they will not faile to overcome, and prevaile with the people; it is not the leaſt part of their care, and cunning, to proportion their doctrine, and ſhape their tenets to the peoples humour; they propheſie (u)(u)Eſay 30.10Isa 30:10ſmooth things, and (x)(x)2 Pet. 2.192 Pet 2:19promiſe them liberty, as (y)(y)Euſeb. lib. 4 cap. 6. hiſt. Eccl.Barchochebas did the inſlaved Jewes, or life and ſuch immunity from death and evils (z)(z)Juſt. Mart. Apol. 2. pro Chriſt.as Menander the haereticall ſorcerer did to his diſciples; hereby they take with the people, who cry them up for ſweet Goſpel Preachers, their new light beſt agreeing with the carnall affections, and earthly deſigns and reſolutions of their fleſhly auditors: Lyes, like candle-light, beſt ſerving to ſet off the maſques and mummeries of the world, whereas the (a)(a)Eph. 5.23.Eph 5:23bright day-light of heavenly truth would mar all. Yet becauſe if they ſhould diſcover themſelves in a conſtāt divulging of new and ſtrange opinions, it might ſtartle the people they deale with, and make them more cautious how they give up their ſpirits to be leveaned by them; therefore they have got this trick and ſlight, to hold forth ſome known truths, p. 24which managing to their own advantage, they make the means to attract the belief of the people the eaſier to what they ſhall afterwards hold forth of their own unto them. Somewhat (e)(e)Strabo. lib. 15.like the deſcription of Ape-catching in the Indies. The perſon that watches to take that creature, firſt brings a baſon or veſſell of pure water; which when the ape perceives (the man being retired out of ſight) down comes hee, and having gaz'd on himſelfe, and beheld his face in the water a while, hee begins to dab, and waſh himſelfe therein; which when hee hath done ſufficiently, hee gets up into the tree again; which when the man perceives, hee takes away the baſon or veſſell of water, inſtead thereof conveying a veſſell of bird-lime; the poor ape ſuſpecting nothing, the heat prevailing over the waters refreſhing coldneſſe, comes down from the tree again, and fals to patting of himſelfe about the face and head as before; by which his eyes being clos'd with the bird-lime, hee becomes a prey to his wily catcher. So hath it been, nay is at this preſent day with many ſeducers amongſt us, &c. They know that their doctrine like adulterate coyne could not paſſe unleſſe there were ſome mixture of the gold or ſilver of truth with their baſer mettal of error; therefore they gild over their more horrible opinions with Orthodox truths, or at the leaſt with ſuch expreſſions as ſeem to ordinary capacities to be very innocent, and little or nothing different from the minde of the Church of Chriſt, when in truth they mean nothing leſſe: But (f)(f)Geſner. hiſt. …iſ…. lib. …. Plin. lib. 9. cap. 29.as the fiſh called Calamarie, or by ſome the Sea-clerk, when hee is in danger to be taken, caſts forth an inky black ſubſtance, p. 25in which concealing himſelf from the ſight of the fiſher, in that night of darkneſſe he paſſes away undiſcovered and evades the danger. Even ſo do theſe Seducers eſcape the being diſcovered what they are, by their dark expreſſions and ambiguous words, which either are not underſtood, or elſe in them they ſeem to many, that they ſpeak but the ſame things with us (as Irenaeus ſays) when indeed they mean nothing leſſe then truth:foreign. Iraen. whereby it comes to paſſe, that even as poyſon given in honey enters the veines quickly, and piercing the deeper, kills the ſpeedier, and more ſurely; ſo their deſperate Errors being covered in the (g)(g)Rom. 16.18Rom 16:18pleaſing words of ſeeming and approved Verity, are entertained into the Peoples mind with approbation, and there received as the truth of God with greateſt liking, and held faſt with ſo much obſtinacie, that (as we ſee by ſad experience) (h)(h)Gal. 4.6.Gal 4:6they reckon them their ſoreſt enemies that tell them the truth, nay will rather periſh than ſuffer theſe cords of death to be taken from them.

4. The fault many times is much in the (i)(i)Mat. 13 25Matt 13:25ſervants whom Chriſt hath imployed about his vineyard, to take care that the ſeed of wholſome Truth be ſown, and every plant that is contrary thereunto of the envious mans planting, according to the power wherewith he hath betruſted them, eradicated and plucked up. The Miniſter in his ſphere, by (k)(k)2 Tim. 4.2, &c.2 Tim 4:2frequent Preaching, holding forth the whole truth of God cleerly, (l)(l)Tit. 1.9.Titus 1:9confuting gainſayers ſolidly, if after two or three admonitions they refuſe to be gained, (m)(m)2 Tim. 2.16, 17.2 Tim 2:162 Tim 2:17avoiding and ſhunning their perverſe diſputes, and company, warning others to beware of them; (n)(n)2 Tim. 2.24, 25, 26.2 Tim 2:242 Tim 2:252 Tim 2:26uſing all gentleneſſe and patience to them that are ſeduced, p. 26proving if God at any time will give them repentance, that they may eſcape out of this ſnare of the devil. And if all will not do, but ſtill this gangrene ſpreads, and threatens ruine to the whole; (n)(n)1 Tim. 1.20.1 Tim 1:20Then ought they to exerciſe that dreadfull Cenſure of the Church; that neither this (o)(o)1 Cor. 5.6, 7.1 Cor 5:61 Cor 5:7leaven for want of caſting out may ſoure the lump, nor (p)(p)Heb 12.15Heb 12:15this root of bitterneſſe ſo ſpread, by being amongſt the profeſſors of verity, as that many ſhould be perverted thereby; nor they be partakers of Seducers ſins, by an unrighteous ſilence, of unjuſt with-holding that Ordinance of GOD, which poſſibly may tend to the making even the ſeducer ſenſible of his crime, by Gods bleſſing and concurrence; but however, it is like to put a ſtand to their madneſſe, make others (q)(q)1 Tim. 5.20.1 Tim 5:20fear, and be very cautious, how either they receive their doctrine whom the Church of Chriſt declares deceivers, or run their courſe which may bring them into the ſame condemnation with theſe their ſeducing guides. But however, the Miniſters of Chriſt have diſcharged their duty, and may have much peace and comfort therein, whatever the event and iſſue thereof prove to be.

There is another ſervant whom Chriſt hath intruſted in this great buſineſſe, and that is the Magiſtrate; Although there be (r)(r)Stapleton, in Relect. controv. 2. queſt. 5. art. 1. p. 253. Bellarm. l. 1. de R. P. cap. 7. Tannerus, Becanus, cum multis aliis.ſome that would limit and reſtrain his power to ſecular affairs: yet is this doctrine ſo little anſwerable either to the practiſe of moſt pious (s)(s)1 Chron. 23. 1 Chr. 31. 2 King 23. Vos eſtis epiſcopi in eccleſia; ego extra eccleſiam ſeu templure epiſcopus à Deo ſum conſtitutus. Euſeb.1 Chr 232 Kgs 23Governours, to the opinion of (t)(t)Aug. epiſt. 50. ad Bonif. ep. 48 ad Vincent. l. 3. cont. Creſc. gram. c. 51. Leo epiſt. 9. ad Theodoſ. &c.Antiquity, or to (u)(u)Deut. 17.18. cū 2 King. 11.12. 1 Tim. 2.1, 2. Rom. 13.1, &c. Eſa. 49.23.Deut 17:182 Kgs 11:121 Tim 2:11 Tim 2:2Rom 13:1Isa 49:23Scripture verity; that were not theſe men abundantly ignorant, or exceedingly impudent, they would never maintain an opinion ſo plainly oppoſite to truth as this is. But alas, here is the ſad root of this miſery: That either the Miniſters are (x)(x)Iſa. 56.10.Isa 56:10ignorant, p. 27and unable to maintain the truth, confute and ſtop the mouths of gainſayers; or they are wicked and ſcandalous, like (y)(y)1 Sam. 2.13, &c.1 Sam 2:13Elies ſo…, whoſe prophane and ungodly courſes loſe all repute to the Truth, making the things of God (by thoſe who meaſure truth by the lives and carriages of them that maintain it) to be abandoned and abhorred. If neither of theſe, yet perhaps they are (z)(z)Rev. 2.20.Rev 2:20careleſſe, negligent, & inadvertent, nothing heeding how Truth thrives, or how Error ſpreads, as if to them it were of very ſmall or no concernment: In point of benefit they are greedy dogs, zealous enough for their profit, (a)(a)Iſa. 56.11.Isa 56:11looking after that from every quarter; but in point of duty they want heat, (b)(b)Rev. 3.15.Rev 3:15the fire of zeal for Gods glory is not in them, therefore they love their eaſe, to ſleep, ſlumber, and take their reſt; whereby they give not only an opportunity to the Evil one to ſow his tares, but to thoſe tares to take root and proſper.

Or laſtly; They are magiſteriall and proud, teſty and froward, whereas they ought to be (c)(c)Gal. 6.1.Gal 6:1lowly and meek, (d)(d)2 Tim. 2… 24, 25.2 Tim 2:242 Tim 2:25gentle towards all, apt to teach, waiting with patience: but this their courſe and carriage is no ſmall means to alienate poor ſeduced ſouls from the truth, making them believe that truth hath but ſmall ſtrength of reaſon and wiſdome to ſupport it, and therefore ſtands in need of the weak and loathſome props of Pride and paſſion. Thus verity is diſgraced. But, many times the Miniſter may do his duty, and yet by reaſon of the Magiſtrates miſcarriage theſe Haereſies may flouriſh; becauſe, perhaps, they have conquered himſelf: Now (e)(e)Pſal 11.3.Ps 11:3if the foundations be removed, what then can the righteous do? O how ſad was the Churches condition, when Emperours, Kings p. 28and Governours were infected with the Arrian haereſie; when Arrianiſme (e)(e)Vincent. Lyr. cont. haereſ.like a helliſh fury, laid hold on the Throne it ſelf; the People imitating and conforming to their Princes judgement and manners, were quickly and eaſily infected with it. Or ſuppoſe they be not tainted themſelves, yet if they be irreligious and profane, who make as ſlight of differences in Religion, as **Act. 25.19, 20.Acts 25:19Acts 25:20Feſtus did in the buſineſſe of Paul; Or timorous to diſpleaſe, of a low and inferior ſpirit, ſlothfull to erract, or execute according to the demerit of the Error, or the Haeretick; how can it from ſuch be expected, either that Truth ſhould be righted, or a ſtop put to the madneſſe of people by them?

5. This is too often occaſioned through the various differences in Judgement about things not much material, that are amongſt different Miniſters and Profeſſors of Piety and Religion, whereby they are ſo divided in affection and exaſperated againſt each other, that their bitter words and carriages too often diſcover that fire of hell which burns within, though at the ſame time they agree in fundamentals, and things that are abſolutely neceſſary to eternall happineſſe. There are no few examples of this might be given in Primitive times; **Euſeb. hiſt eccl. l. 5 c. 21, &cas about the time of Eaſter, maintained with no ſmall heat, and ſuch like petty differences breaking forth by degrees into horrid flames. The like hath too much happened in the Church of Chriſt in latter times: The Miniſters and Profeſſors of Religion not long ſince in this Iſland, were like a goodly Mirrour, all of one peece, glorious in truth and piety, by reaſon of the bright beams of the Sunne of Righteouſneſſe, that Fountain of true light and holineſſe, p. 29ſhining on them: But oh how are they broken all to ſhivers, and who can expreſſe the ſad conſequents of their diſſentions! The Profane are detetred from looking towards Religion, becauſe they conceive it to be a thing of ſo great uncertainty, that it will be impoſſible for them to attain to any aſſurance of what is truth, ſeeing ſuch perſons of parts and piety cannot agree about it. The weak, contrary to the Apoſtles (f)(f)Rom. 14.1.Rom 14:1canon, being received to doubtfull diſputations, or hearing ſo much of differences amongſt thoſe that are reckoned more then ordinary in Religion, lie down in deſpondencie of ſpirit, and are ſubjected to ſad temptations of misbelief and error: That which (g)(g)Heb. 12.13.Heb 12:13halts, in ſtead of being healed is clean turn'd out of the way of truth: The ſtrong are grieved; and the Devil laughs to ſee his work go forward, his kingdom increaſe, his tares ſo readily entertained, by the means of thoſe whom he lookt upon as his moſt mortall enemies.

6. All the former cauſes of the growth of haereſie would not be effectually operative, were it not that Peoples hearts are like a prepared ſoile, ready to entertain theſe damnable errors. Look into their minds, they are filled with darkneſſe; how then ſhould they be able to underſtand, or judge of the things of God? they cannot, (h)(h)1 Cor. 2.14.1 Cor 2:14for they are ſpiritually diſcerned, in heavenly light, only manifeſt to an enlightned mind; all colours in the dark are alike. Neither is this only Naturall, but adventitious; frequently from a cold frozen heart void of Truths love, which like cold weather thickens the clouds, cauſing darkneſſe; and darkneſſe prevailing by the clouds being thickned, increaſes p. 33the cold: ſo is it here: A cold frozen ſpirit clouds and darkens the mind; and the mind being darkned, heighthens and increaſes the coldneſſe and benummedneſſe of the heart, in reſpect of that affection which it owes to the truth. But yet in many, (bleſſed be God) there are beginning of Knowledge; which in moſt of theſe being but very beginnings and embrioes of Truth, they hang too (i)(i)Act 26 28.Acts 26:28equally ballanced between it and error, being full of doubtfulneſſe, and are not freed from jealouſies and ſuſpitions, (k)(k)Mar. 13.21Mark 13:21which are apt to take fire, break forth and ſhew themſelves, when Seducers queſtion the truths they pretend to hold, but in truth are far from any firm and determinate aſſent upon any right ground; which makes them ſo eaſily let them ſlip, and barter them for ſuch counterfeit ware as theſe ſoul-deſtroying Errors be. They are very credulous, like (l)(l)Prov. 14.25.Prov 14:25Solomons fool, perhaps many times out of (m)(m)Taedio inveſtigandae penitus veritatis, cuilibet opinioni potius ſuccumbere maliit quàm in explorando pertinaci diligentia perſeverare. Minut. in Octav. Malunt credere quàm judicare. Sen.ſlothfull ſluggiſhneſſe, being rather willing to take what they hear on truſt, then to trouble themſelves and take pains about it, to try what conformity and proportion it holds with the unerring, undeceiving Word of truth, the Scriptures.

Many have corrupt Conſciences, that muſt be (n)(n)Ezek. 13.18, 20Ezek 13:18Ezek 13:20boulſtered (o)(o)2 Tim. 4 3.2 Tim 4:3corrupt Affections, that muſt be humoured; corrupt Practiſes, that muſt be like blemiſhes concealed and hid. This will make them, like the Elephant, to mud the pure water of the doctrine of truth, that they may not ſee and be convinced of their uglineſſe; as the (p)(p)Mat. 5.21, &c.Matt 5:21Phariſees did the Law by their fooliſh gloſſes.

Corrupt and pervert the Truth, that they may avoid torture of Conſcience. When the Athenians had loſt Salmis, they made a law againſt the naming of it: p. 31So, whatever may torment them before their time, they rather flatly deny it, or ſome falſe way or other they take to avoid the force and conviction thereof. Witneſſe thoſe people in the Church of Corinth, that began to ſay, There is (q)(q)1 Cor. 15.12.1 Cor 15:12no Reſurrection. (r)(r)2 Tim. 2.17, 18.2 Tim 2:172 Tim 2:18Himinaeus and Philetus, that affirmed it was already paſt. Indeed they could wiſh it were ſo, becauſe of its conſequent, The laſt Judgement; which doctrine, if they ſhould rightly conſider, would make them (s)(s)Act 24.25.Acts 24:25tremble: therefore they chuſe that doctrine to maintain, which may beſt ſute with their credit and reputation, peace and quietneſſe, (t)(t)Joh. 3.19.John 3:19They love darkneſſe more then light, becauſe their works are evil. (u)(u)1 King. 22.8.1 Kgs 22:8Michaiah is too plain and tart, He ſpeaks no good concerning me, ſayes wicked Ahab. (x)(x)Mat. 5.13.Matt 5:13The ſalt of truth, though it hath wholſomneſſe, yet hath it tartneſſe in it, which they will not endure. (y)(y)Strabo l 17. num. 565.The Aethiopians curſe the Sun when it riſes, becauſe it ſcorches them. (z)(z)Rev. 11.10Rev 11:10The Earth cannot beare the two Witneſſes, becauſe they vex the inhabitants thereof: So doth Truth the ungodly ſpirits of theſe people, **2 Pet. 2.18.2 Pet 2:18therefore they are very willing to entertain that which may better agree with their frame and temper of ſpirit, with their carnal tranquility of mind and (a)(a)Mich. 2.11Mic 2:11wayes which they are reſolved to walk in; and making their luſts their law, (b)(b)2 Pet. 2.182 Pet 2:18lie open to be ſeduced by ſuch who bait their hook with what is proportionable to thoſe luſts in them. Yet perhaps they may pretend, that they ſeek for, and love the Truth; which certainly if they did, they would make it more their buſineſſe to be acquainted with it, and would not let it lie ſo careleſly and ſuperficially on the ſurface of their ſouls without any watch or guard upon it, (c)(c)Luk. 8.5.Luke 8:5like the ſeed on the high-way page missing p. 32There are too too many who are ſo greedy of New lights, that old truths will not down: They are like the old **Sceptici philoſophi quaſi quaeſitores & conſideratores, qui omnia in ſuſpenſo relinquentes, nihil definiunt. Gell. l. 15. c. 5.Scepticks, accounting it no ſmall bondage to fixe a belief of any truth almoſt, but delight in a vagrancie of mind without law or limit. And to make their miſery compleat, they are ſo unhappy as to fall in love with their own underſtanding ſo farre, as to make it the ſoveraign Judge of controverſies, and Rule of truth, contrary to the adviſe of (e)(e)Prov. 3, 5.28, 26. 1 Cor. 3.18. 2 Cor. 10.5.Prov 3:5Prov 3:28Prov 3:261 Cor 3:182 Cor 10:5Scriptures: by which means, becauſe their mind is full of (f)(f)Eph. 5.3. 2 Pet. 2.18. Jude 16, 18, 19. 2 Pet. 3.3.Eph 5:32 Pet 2:182 Pet 3:3darkneſſe, and erroneous principles, naturally being byaſſed by perverſe and carnal affection, which mould and modelize their apprehenſions; therefore they cannot chuſe but erre, and miſtake in their choice, and deciſions of truth and error. Many times like the Abiſſines, who becauſe they are black, when they picture Angels they draw them in the ſame colour with themſelves: Even ſo do theſe; whatever is tendred to them, if it agree with their humour and fancie, they imbrace and cry it up for truth. Now therefore theſe things being duly conſidered, it is no great wonder, though not a few, but Many are perverted by Seducers.

7. We may adde to the former reaſons, very often, the concurrence of the time and ſeaſon, which very much conduces to help forward this evil. Perhaps it is a time of Liberty, ſuch a ſeaſon wherein the reines of Government are laid too looſely upon the Peoples neck; Nay, perhaps the garb and faſhion that is moſt in requeſt, is Haereſie: which finding patronage from perſons of no mean rank, and encouragement, no marvell though it ſpread apace and flouriſh. Flies, Swallowes, and ſuch like creatures, remain as dead in the p. 33Winter; and Weeds appeare not, till the Summers ſun revive and draw them forth: ſo Errors, if they received not ſome gleams of countenance, or at leaſt connivence from ſome of a ſuperior Orbe, would (in all probability) ſoon dwinder, and quickly vaniſh.

8. 'Tis Gods juſt judgement on them who (g)(g)2 Theſſ. 2.11.2 Thess 2:11receive not his Truth in the love thereof, to give them up to the (h)(h)Pſal. 81.11Ps 81:11writhings of their own hearts to walk in their own counſels; to ſend them ſtrong deluſion to believe a lye; to deliver them up to Satan, who hath power to ſeduce and captivate thoſe whom God deſerts and leaves. But we muſt rightly conceive of this; that God is not the cauſe efficiently, for he is not the author of what he is the revenger; But as a righteous Judge, he gives liberty to that Arch-enemy of mankinde to tempt; with-holds or denies that grace, through the preſence of which they might be ſecured againſt his fiery darts; nay many times withdrawes the grace they have, which did back-biaſſe Natures inclination to ſuch or ſuch an Error; which rub being once removed, the temptations of theſe haereſies here mentioned, too eaſily prevail. And thus you ſee how Haereſies come to captivate, not a few, but many, as in this Text.

Ʋſe. O how ſad a ſight is it in your thoughts, to behold the ſpreading of this infection, the ſhoales that being perverted follow theſe pernicious wayes: (i)(i)Mat. 13.38Matt 13:38to ſee how faſt theſe Tares thrive, this (k)(k)Mat. 16.11 1 Cor. 5.8.Matt 16:111 Cor 5:8Leven ſpreads, this (l)(l)2 Tim. 2.17.2 Tim 2:17Gangrene frets! The Kingdom looks like a Lazar-houſe, or field fought in many p. 34places, by reaſon of this: How many are there of all ages inſnared by them? The hoary head that is ready to deſcend to the grave; and your hopefull Spring, that ſeemed to promiſe life and happineſſe to Church and State; Almoſt all ranks and degrees have felt the poiſonous blaſts of damnable Error; which like that haile in the (m)(m)Rev. 8.7. Gerhard. in Apoc. 8.7, &c.Rev 8:7Revelation, hath ſmitten tall trees, as well as low graſſe; by trees ſome underſtanding perſons of power and place, by graſſe inferior people. Nay, this miſchief hath lighted not only upon the Prophane, to be rid of whom the Church and State might be glad, as wennes, ſores, and putrid members, except they would mend; but alſo upon Profeſſors of godlineſſe, that have looked ore-night like an early ripe apple, yelow & red above the reſt, yet in the morning have been (n)(n)Gal. 5.7, &c 3.1, 2, 3, 4.Gal 5:7found under the tree; this accurſed Haereſie hath thrown them out of their place: truth is, there is cauſe to fear that ſome worm, ſome boſome-ſin or other hath devoured their moiſture within, whereby they are viſibly the ſooner ripe, but indeed rotten. So that you have cauſe to complain of divers, as (o)(o)Euſeb. vita Conſt.Conſtantine did of many in his time, That thoſe by whom he hoped to have cured others, were brainſick themſelves, and needed cure. Nor are there amongſt theſe Many only an ignorant rout, but men of excellent naturall endowments, and tolerable acquired abilities: Alas, the temple of the Church is full of ſmoak, the ſhip of the Commonwealth is full of water, All is on fire. Oh the ſad cries from many parts of the Kingdome to you! If there be any help in your hand, (ſay they) deliver us.

Obj. p. 35But why (may ſome ſay) all this ado? 'Tis no new thing, but uſuall in time of Reformation, to be troubled with Errors; was it not ſo, not only in the Primitive time, but alſo when Luther and others were ſtirred up to purge Gods floor? What ſhoals of Haereticks were raiſed up by hell to blaſt their work, and render it odious to the world, as if it were a ſeed producing monſters and enormities, rather then reducing things to Primitive purity and regularity?

Anſw. 1. I know and confeſſe indeed, the (p)(p)Mark. 9.26.Mark 9:26Devil moſt roars and rends when he is caſting out, and expreſſes moſt rage when he (q)(q)Rev. 12.12Rev 12:12feeles his paſſion drawing on, becauſe hee knowes his time is ſhort.

2. But yet, I hope our Reformation is not in Fundamentals: we have long enjoyed as cleer light, & as full diſcoveries of fundamental truths, as any Church that I know under the cope of heaven; Others have gladly lighted their tapers more at our flame, then we at theirs. And oh, what ſober religious ſpirit bleeds not to ſee, that after the enjoyment of this bleſſed Sun-ſhine for more then fourſcore years, not a few, but many ſhould be ſeduced to run ſo willingly, ſwiftly, furiouſly, obſtinately, into ſuch deſperate Errors?

Ʋſe 2 O worthy Senators, I beſeech you help, help. You cannot anſwer as the King of Iſrael to the crying out complaining woman, (r)(r)2 King. 6.26, 27.2 Kgs 6:262 Kgs 6:27Whence ſhall I help thee? for God hath furniſhed you with power, are you not the Supreme Court? And hath ſtrengthened your hand with deliverance, ſubduing your enemies under you. Doth not the Church and State p. 36repoſe in you as Phyſitians of skill, and will? Oh deceive not their truſt, fruſtrate not their expectation; Spend not their Coyn and Blood, and yet leave them in a more dangerous Labyrinth then where you found them, in point of Haereſie. Before they were afflicted by Men in the ſhape of beaſts, Perſons of Learning, parts, and birth; But now by Beaſts in the ſhape of men, Muſhromes, the birth of one night and darkneſſe; Of whom many could wiſh, that the courſe which **Socrat. ſchol. hiſt. eccleſ. l. 3. c. 11.Julian took with the Chriſtians, might be yours, To ſhut up the Schools of Learning, that all might be reduced to the ſame degree of Barbariſme with themſelves. Oh how can you endure to ſee ſuch Troops ingulf themſelves in ruine? Hath not Salus populi, the Peoples ſafety, been your profeſſion? What, is it only of the Sheaf, and not the Soul? and that of no ſtrangers neither, but of thoſe that breath in the ſame Climate with you, live on the ſame ſoyle, are governed by the ſame Law, have the ſame Name, profeſſe the ſame Religion, pretend to the ſame GOD. Nor can you certainly forget, and ſo be cruell to yout own bowels. **Fincel. l. 1. de miraculis. Lovic. Theat. hiſt. in praecept. quart. Manlii loc. com. cum multis al….There be many reverend Authors tell a ſtrange ſtory that fell out at Hammel in Saxony, viz. That there came one in the ſhape of a Piper in a patcht pide coat, who when he firſt piped made all the Rats and Mice leave their holes and follow him out of the Town; but when he came again and piped, troops of the Citizens Children followed him dancing, till comming to a mountain not far from the city, the mountain opened, and neither he nor they were ever ſeen after. Hath not this pyde piper Haereſie, perhaps led thoſe p. 37that are neare and deare unto you, you know not whither? Is it not dangerous to ſuffer Rats-bane to lie in ſight, or Conduit-heads to be poiſoned? May it not be juſt that thy wife or children ſhould be the next that are poiſoned by it? Is it not juſt, that ſuch as make it not their buſineſſe to maintain Truth in Gods houſe, ſhould have no peace in their own? What a ſad ſight will it be, to ſee thy poſterity in hell through thy negligence?

Honoured Senators, give me leave to ſay, That if Poſterities care be an intangling argument when death comes, making men deſire life for their ſakes; certainly it never was more prevalent with wiſe and affectionate Parents, then at this time; wherein, if death takes us away, we are like to leave them (without Heavens protection) to be a prey to the worſt of miſchiefs, theſe damnable Errors. What profit, I beſeech you, is it, if now you have foiled our Enemies, the worſt of enemies foile ours, and lead them captive into a worſe captivity, then that of the body is or can be? In Plague-time you are carefull to keep the ſound and ſick aſunder, you have appointed diſtinguiſhing marks and badges: And in this worſt of plagues, will you ſuffer them to herd together?

Have pity, I beſeech you, on the Church of God abroad, whoſe affliction it will be to ſee, and danger to feel the ſad effects of Haereſie, if like that woman in the **Zach. 5.11.Zech 5:11Prophet, it be ſuffered to build for it ſelf a houſe in England.

Have pity, I beſeech you, on the Church of God at home; Once the greateſt eye-ſore to Haereticks, envy of Papiſts, refuge to the Orthodox, glorious p. 38for Doctrine, a praiſe in the Earth, the mother of many Stars of the firſt magnitude, famous Martyrs, faithfull Confeſſors, and innumerable ſoules in Heaven.

Have compaſſion on your ſelves, your honour and reputation. Your outward and inward peace and tranquillity, your truth and fidelity under the profeſſion of ſo many Declarations, Remonſtrances and Ordinances, which I forbear to ſpecifie, are all deeply concerned in this.

And laſtly, have pity upon, and I beſeech you ſhew mercy to lovely Truth, that beame of glory, daughter of heaven, (t)(t)Pſal. 43.3.Ps 43:3that Clue of mercy let down into this dark erring World, to lead us through the many Labyrinths of a benighted Mind, erring Thoughts, miſleading Examples, dark Temptations, to bliſſe and happineſſe. For ſhe ſuffers, and is here like to periſh from us, and be utterly loſt, or at leaſt ſhrewdly ecclipſed, if you relieve her not: For, Through theſe the way of Truth is evil ſpoken of, or blaſphemed. And that is the Laſt part of the Text.

Part 3 In theſe words, By reaſon of whom the way of truth ſhall be evil ſpoken of— You have,

1. An epithete given to Chriſtian religion; 'tis ſtiled The way of truth.

2. The foul carriage of many wicked men towards it; It ſhall be blaſphemed, or evil ſpoken of.

3. The cauſe and root of this miſchief; By reaſon of whom. Which words ſome referre to the Seducers; but I rather, as agreeing beſt with the words and ſcope of the Apoſtle, with the moſt and p. 39learnedſt Expoſitors referre it to the Seduced.

But of each of theſe in their order; And firſt, very briefly of the firſt.

1. An epithete given Religion, Tis the way of Truth. So ſtiled likewiſe by the (u)(u)Pſal. 119.30. Pſal. 60.4.Ps 119:30Ps 60:4Pſalmiſt, I have choſen (ſaith he) the way of Truth. The (x)(x)Iſa. 26.2. Jer. 9 3. Dan. 8.12.Isa 26:2Jer 9:3Dan 8:12Prophets very frequently give Religion this epithete; So likewiſe doe the bleſſed (y)(y)2 Cor. 13.8. Gal. 3.1. James 5.19. 1 Pet. 1.22. Joh. 3.12.2 Cor 13:8Gal 3:1Jas 5:191 Pet 1:22John 3:12Apoſtles, yea (z)(z)Joh. 18.37.John 18:37Chriſt himſelf. It may well challenge this glorious title,

Firſt, from its parentage and originall, who is the (a)(a)Pſal 31.5. Rom. 3.4.Ps 31:5Rom 3:4God of truth, the (b)(b)Joh. 14.6. Summa veritas nulli quicquam debet, ſed omnia debent ci, & ipſa eſt cauſa omniū aliarum veritatum, &c. Anſel. de verit. Jam. 1.17.John 14:6Jas 1:17firſt, infallible, immutable, eternal Truth, the fountain of all kinds and degrees of truth, whether in this world, or that which is to come.

Secondly, 'tis ſtiled the way of truth, by way of oppoſition to (c)(c)Pſal. 119.104.Ps 119:104lying falſhood and deceit. What ever other wayes and courſes pretend in reference to the making of us holy or happy, they are but lying wayes, not able to effect really in the leaſt degree what they hold forth to us.

Thirdly, in reſpect of efficiencie, It not only requires truth of us, but is Gods inſtrument whereby through the concurrence of his Spirit he works it in us, (d)(d)Joh. 8.32. Pſal. 119.John 8:32Ps 119freeing our minds from ſad deluding Errors, and our affections from every falſe deceiving way; thus working (e)(e)Pſ. 51.6.Ps 51:6truth in the inward part, which he requires and delights in.

Fourthly, in point of Termination; it brings thoſe that ſincerely imbrace and practiſe it, to the enjoyment of Truths fountain, the God of truth: being his way to us in point of communication and impartment; for he conveyes himſelf in his emanations p. 40in beames of Truth to us, (f)(f)Pſal. 36 9.Ps 36:9In his light we ſee light, as the Pſalmiſt ſpeaks: And 'tis our way to him; for (g)(g)1 Joh. 1 7.1 John 1:7if we walk in the light as he is light, we have communion one with another, ſaith St. John. And thus briefly you ſee ſome few, of the many Reaſons that might be given, why Chriſtian Religion is ſtiled The way of Truth.

2But ſecondly, See the courſe uſage Religion meets with from many in the world: It ſhall be (h)(h)foreign.blaſphemed or evil ſpoken of, ſaith our Apoſtle; be uſed like him that is Truth it ſelf, in the dayes of his fleſh, (i)(i)Luk. 2.34.Luke 2:34who was a ſigne that was ſpoken againſt, as S. Luke expreſſeth it. If I ſhould rake in the dunghill of the writing of Heathens, or repeat thoſe horrid words which they have uttered againſt the truth of God; or if I ſhould look into latter times, and mention thoſe baſe aſperſions, fooliſh ſcornes, ſcurrilous ſpeeches, that have been made uſe of by Atheiſtical ſpirits, dark-minded Pagans, or erring Papiſts, I might ſooner offend your eares, then want matter to inſiſt on.

1. How have profane ſpirits detracted from it, by decrying its birth and original to be ſo high and honourable as indeed it is? while they have aſſerted, (a)(a)Act. 17.32.Acts 17:32That it is not of God, nor came down from heaven, but is the product of Mans brain, and that an ill one too; deſpoiling and deveſting it of all real value, as if there were (if their blaſphemous ſpeeches might be believed) neither wiſdome, beauty, holineſſe, comfort, or happineſſe to be found in conforming to it. And the like.

p. 412. There are many, who being acted by hell, have yet gone further; attributing to Religion ſuch things as are inconſiſtent with it, nay egregiouſly falſe, and directly oppoſite to the glory, nature, and being of it: as, That it came from hell; Takes with none but (b)(b)Joh. 7.47, 48, 49.John 7:47John 7:48John 7:49baſe, ſhallow, fantaſtick people; That it makes thoſe that entertain it, proud, peeviſh, moroſe, (c)(c)Act. 21 28, &c.Acts 21:28rebellious, Libertines, unjuſt, and the like; That it will bring them to beggery, miſery, diſtraction, ſome violent death, and everlaſting ruine. Thus do they ſet their months againſt the God of heaven, while they blaſpheme his truth.

3. There are others that yet go a ſtep further then the former, who do not only ſpeak evil of the Truth, but when they have rob'd Religion of her glory, they deck and adorne their doting, deſtroying Errors with Truths (d)(d)Act 19 27, &c. 35.Acts 19:27ornaments; attributing to them, as Numa and other deceivers to their Lawes, the title of Divine oracles, (e)(e)Euſeb. eccl. hiſt. l. 4. c. 6.Depths of wiſdome, Rules of piety, Saving truths, High and myſtical excellencies. Thus did Saturninus and divers others. He that would ſatisfie himſelf farther concerning theſe particulars, may take a view of Porphyrie's railing books againſt the Chriſtians; or later horrid Pamphlets exceeding his in blaſphemy, as that De tribus Impoſtoribus mundi; Popiſh railing libels; Haeretical writings, as that of Paul Beſt, The Mad-mans Divinity, and ſuch like ſtuffe.

And thus briefly you ſee the truth of this ſecond particular, viz. The courſe uſage Religion meets with at the hands of ſome in the world, It is evil-ſpoken of or blaſphemed. But how comes this to paſs? p. 42Indeed it is mens baſeneſſe and prophaneſſe ſo to do; but yet there is ſeeming cauſe for it, which the Text holds forth in thoſe words, By reaſon of whom, i.e. of ſuch as are ſeduced. Which is the third and laſt Particular of this ſecond generall Part.

3A main cauſe and root of wicked mens blaſpheming or ſpeaking evil of Religion, is, the following of Seducers by multitudes, who pretend to Truth, yet imbrace their pernicious wayes and errors.

Thus was in the Primitive times the people who bare the name of Chriſtians, yet being ſeduced, profeſt ſuch doctrine as could no way agree with the Chriſtian verity, and walked in an anſwerable practiſe to their erroneous tenets, raiſed (f)(f)Euſeb l. 4. hist. eccl. c. 7.no ſmal perſecutions againſt the Church. For when the profane atheiſtical ſpirits of the world took notice in thoſe people either of their monſtrous and abſurd opinions, as that of (g)(g)Epophan. haereſ. 37. Aug. de haereſ.the Ophites, who worſhipped the Serpent that ſeduced Eve, believing it was Chriſt: and the (h)(h)Epiph. haer. 38. Aug. de haer.Cainites, who honoured Cain as their father,(i)(i)Euſeb. hiſt. eccl. l. 3. c. 26. Epiph. haereſ. 21 & 25. highly eſteeming Eſau, Chore, Dathan, Abiran, and Judas, &c. Their beaſtly tenets, as that of the Nicholaitans concerning community of wives: or of the Simonians, concerning liberty to all licentiouſneſſe. Which when they take notice how contrary and oppoſite to Juſtice, Order, Modeſty, ſuch aſſertions are; this makes them taxe Religion as the Devils product, carrying ſouls headlong to eternall ruine. Or elſe they look upon their inconſtancy & levity, frequently ſhifting opinions, and changing Sects, (k)(k)Mat. 11.7.Matt 11:7like reeds ſhaken to and fro, or empty (l)(l)Jude 12.Jude 1:12clouds carried hither and p. 43thither by every wind: As (m)(m)Socr. ſchol. hiſt. eccl. l. 3 c. 11.Eccebolius the Sophiſt, who in Conſtantines time was a Chriſtian, in Julians a Pagan, after his death a Profeſſor of Chriſtianity again; and hath this blurre left on him, That he was conſtant in his unconſtancie to his death. How many ſuch weather-cocks are there in the world who turn with every wind, conforming themſelves to the time, not truth: Well, hereby worldly men charge Truth with fallibility and uncertainty. Or elſe they take notice of their egregious Pride and Cenſoriouſneſſe, (n)(n)Hermogenes erat natura turbulentus, &c. Tertul. Jam. 3.17.Jas 3:17moroſity and ſelfiſhneſſe; ſtiling their own Conventicles the Elect of God, the Spouſe of Chriſt, the only pure and undefiled one, rejecting all others as polluted creatures, Reprobates, fuel for hell, and the like; as the (o)(o)Euſeb. hiſt. eccl. l. 6. c. 42.Novatians of old,foreign who ſtiled themſelves the Pure ones, and divers other Haereticks both in former and later times, I might inſtance in. This makes them tax Religion with pride & unmannerlineſſe, with ſelf-ſeeking and uncharitableneſſe, &c.

And laſtly, Their diviſions and differences that were amongſt them; which made Pagans take notice, that (p)(p)Amb. in 2 Tim. 2.20.2 Tim 2:20there were many Sects and Factions amongſt the Chriſtians; and hence conclude againſt the Religion it ſelf, as a thing breeding and nouriſhing diviſions and diſtempers.

But give me leave to tell you, their miſtake may be taken notice of to ariſe from theſe two things:

Either, firſt, their not diſtinguiſhing between Truth and Haereſie, as if they were one and the ſame ſeed, producing the ſame fruit in all whom they poſſeſt. Thus they ſpeak evil of the things they (q)(q)2 Pet. 2.12.2 Pet 2:12underſtand not, as the Apoſtle ſpeaks.

p. 44Or ſecondly, Their not putting a difference between the Orthodox and Heterodox profeſſors of Religion. Which error in the (r)(r)Euſeb hiſt. eccl. l. 4. c 7.Primitive time was no ſmal occaſion of ſlanders caſt upon the Chriſtians, and of ſad perſecutions raiſed againſt them. And hence it was that thoſe Primitive fathers were ſo much put upon it, to pen Pemonſtrances, Confeſſions of faith, Apologies, and Confutations of Haeretical tenets; that they might vindicate Religion, and cleer the Church of Chriſt from thoſe calumnies and falſe aſperſions that were occaſioned by their words and courſes, who were ſeduced by heterodox opinions.

Ʋſe. And is not here new cauſe of mourning, to hear Truth blaſphemed? This is that which ſads the ſpirits of good men; It is a day of trouble to them, becauſe a day of (s)(s)Eſa…. 37 3.blaſphemy; And that too frequently procured by them who pretend to more light, piety and religion then others do. So that Chriſt may well take up thoſe words in the (t)(t)Zach. 13.6.Zech 13:6Prophet, I am wounded in the houſe of my friend; for ſuch they are in pretence, though in reality enemies. What pious ſpirit can chuſe but grieve to ſee the Daughter of heaven reproached; the Jewel betruſted with the Saints, abuſed; the generall and onelyonly true Medicine of ſoules contemned; the Mirrour of Heaven ſpet upon; the Image of Gods mind moſt deſpitefully uſed: To hear Innocency charged with guilt; Simplicity, with deceit; Sincerity, with falſhood; Antiquity, with novelty; Light called darkneſſe, Divine called humane, nay diabolical; Who can abſtain from tears? What have we (I beſeech you) to leave Poſterity, ſo precious p. 45as this Way of Truth? If that be gone, the (u)(u)1 Sam. 3.1 Sam 3glory is departed from Iſrael, and farewell all. Have we received it from our anceſtors in luſtre and purity, and is it not grievous to us, that in our time it ſhould be ſo mangled and defaced, that our children after us (except it be timely prevented) will ſcarce be able to diſtinguiſh 'twixt it and Error? Why did the valiant Martyrs ſhed their precious blood, but to maintain this way of truth? & ſhall we loſe and let it go at ſo cheap a rate, and not mourne for it? (w)(w)Eſa. 36, 22, 37, 1.Isa 36:22Isa 36:37Isa 36:1The Jewes of old, when they heard blaſphemy, uſed to rend their cloaths, to teſtifie the inward rending of their hearts: Can ours be whole when the fooliſh people ſo much defame Gods truth, and blaſpheme his (x)(x)Pſal. 74.18.Ps 74:18name?

Well, this I am ſure of, That by this morris-dance of Haereticks, Gods truth is rendred in the opinion of carnal men, as a thing of ſo much uncertainty, vanity and deformity, that thoſe who otherwiſe would imbrace it, are kept back (like that Indian King from baptiſme, by beholding the Spaniards ungodly oppreſſing courſes); The weak are ſcandalized and laid open to temptations, (y)(y)Mat. 18.6. Mark 9.42. Luk. 17.2.Matt 18:6Mark 9:42Luke 17:2but woe to them that offend thoſe little ones that believe in Chriſt; it were better for them that a milſtone were hang'd about their necks, and they were caſt into the bottom of the ſea: The ſtrong, (z)(z)2 Sam. 2.23.2 Sam 2:23like the army, ſtand at a gaze, as when Haſael lay dead before them, and are retarded in ſtead of making progres to cleanſe theſe(a)(a)Pauſan. l. 5. Augean ſtables, & purge out this leven, which elſe would leven the lump; their righteous ſoules are vexed, to ſee Religion made a coat for the Moon, or a Shipmans hoſe to ſerve all p. 46turns and purpoſes: The prophane are heartned againſt this way of truth, and their mouths wide-opened in ſcorns, ſcoms and reproches of it. Theſe things moved the bleſſed Apoſtle to that ſevere deſire, (b)(b)Gal. 5.12.Gal 5:12I would, ſaith he, they were cut off that trouble you. And laſtly, God himſelf is provoked to wrath and indignation: For if (c)(c)Cedr…. p. 168.Theodoſius the Emperor was ſo much offended with the people of Antioch, for abuſing the Statue of his Empreſſe Placilla, that he devoted the place to ruine, and themſelves to ſlavery; what think you will become of thoſe that abuſe Religion, then which there is not a more excellent Image of Himſelfe in heaven or earth. And is not here cauſe to mourn?

Vſe 2 Are not you a people whom God hath hedged in from the large Common of the world, for a part of his own Peculiar? You are famous in your pious Progenitors, who by their pleadings, writings, ſufferings, have ſtood like mighty bulwarks againſt Truths enemies. Are you not renowned in your Atchievements? glorious for Deliverances? envied for Mercies? And what, ſhall all this ſet in a dark night of Error, and render you infamous to Poſterity? Shall famous England become an Amſterdam of Mixtures, an Iſland of Monſters? Hath God done ſo much for you, and will you ſo ill requite him, in expoſing his Truth to ſcorn? Do you not know the charge of Papiſts againſt the Proteſtant truth, becauſe of Diviſions and Errors? we formerly have been able to retort this, by bidding them look at home; and muſt we now be ſilent?

Beloved, were it ſome new, and not an ordinary tryal, that where (d)(d)foreign. Macar. hom. 17.Truth is, the devil ſeeks to p. 47extinguiſh, or at leaſt ecclipſe its glory, by ſetting up Error to cloud it, or at leaſt to conflict with it and diſturb Truths quiet poſſeſſion: were this, I ſay, ſome ſtrange and uncouth thing, it were the more tolerable to be enſnared by it. But when 'tis a thing ſo ordinary, that leſſe or more, the Devils malice in every age of the Church hath been ſufficiently diſcovered againſt the Truth; nay, God hath permitted ſuch blaſts and ſtorms to ariſe, for to put his people upon a ſtricter enquiry after truths confines; and that the light chaffe, and weighty wheat, the chaſte ſoule, and unchaſte fickle ſpirit, may be (e)(e)Deut. 13.3.Deut 13:3diſtinguiſhed, diſcovered, and difference put between them. And now, when it is a thing ſo common; to be conquered by it, what will it argue at the beſt, but great inadvertencie and heedleſnes of ſpirit in you, and render you unexcuſable before Gods tribunal.

Therefore I beſeech you, (f)(f)Eph. 6.10.Eph 6:10be ſtrong in the Lord and in the power of his might; (g)(g)1 Cor. 16.13.1 Cor 16:13Quit your ſelves like men; (h)(h)Jude 3.Jude 1:3Contend earneſtly for the faith: alwayes remembring that ſpeech of (i)(i)Fraus & malitia haereticorum vel dolenda eſt tanquam hominū, vel cavenda eſt quam haereticarum; vel irridenda tanquā imperitorum & ſuperborum. Aug. cont. Adric.Auguſtine, The fraud and malice of haereticks is either to be bewailed, becauſe they are men; or taken heed of and avoided, becauſe they are Haereticks; or to be laught at, becauſe they are either unskilfull and fooliſh, or elſe proud & lofty; but alwayes to be ſhunned and avoided, as the means & way of everlaſting ruine.

Q. What (may ſome ſay) ſhould we do, that we may eſcape their Seducements?

A. 1. Get your minds furniſhed with ſaving, wholſome fundamental principles of Religion, out p. 48of Truths record, the Word of God: for unballaſed ſhips are ſoon oreſet, empty clouds whiſt to and fro by every blaſt; chaffe carried hither and thither with every breath of wind; and unfurniſhed, unprincipled ſouls with heavenly truth, are eaſily like children for want of knowledge ſeduced and plunged in error: (k)(k)Humana caecitas ad deum non dirigit viam, niſi ipſe lucernam legis oſtendat, &c. Cyp. ſer. 5. de lapſ. Col. 3.16.Col 3:16Therefore let the Word of Chriſt dwell plentifully in you in all knowledge and ſpirituall underſtanding. What is a Goldſmith without his Touchſtone, or a Carpenter without his Rule? or a Chriſtian without the Word?

2. Reſt not in a bare literal knowledge, without the ſealing light of Gods ſpirit, affecting your ſouls with a proportionable love and liking to what is diſcovered in his Word unto you: for what we find not pleaſure, profit, or ſome reall worth and benefit in, we are eaſily inticed and prevailed with to let it go: but if once heavenly truths unload their treaſures of glory into our ſouls, ſo that we find and feel their vertue and influence in our ſpirits; beams of light enlightning, (l)(l)Pſal. 15.7.Ps 15:7delighting, and making glorious our minds; (m)(m)1 Cor. 10.5.1 Cor 10:5Subduing power, throwing down Satans forts in our hearts; (n)(n)2 Cor. 3. ult.2 Cor 3transforming grace, changing the whole man into the Lords image; Conſcience comforted, rectified, ſanctified; in a word, the ſoul (o)(o)Eph. 3.19.Eph 3:19filled with Gods fulneſſe; It begets ſo great an aſſurance in the ſpirit of Religious verity, and ſo great an affection towards it becauſe of its goodneſſe, that Seducers loſe their labour and are fruitleſſe in their endeavours to rob ſuch ſouls of Truth, becauſe they know its reall worth, and that there is nothing ſo good to them, in exchange for which they ſhould barter p. 49and let it go. Only take care to grow and increaſe in this ſweet (p)(p)Col. 1.2.2.Col 1:2Experimentall knowledge, and moſt inward acquaintance with the way of truth, for(q)(q)Nemo putet bonos poſſe de eccleſia diſcedere: Triticum non rapit ventus, nec arborem ſolida radice fundatam procella ſubvertit. Inanes paleae tempeſtate jactantur, invalidae arbores turbinis incurſione evertuntur. Cyp. tract. 3. de ſimpl. praelat. thereby you ſhall find your ſelves eſtabliſhed and ſtrongly rooted in the ſame, ſo that when others ſhall diſcover their levity, and in time of temptation ſhall fall away, you ſhall ſtand like mount Sion that cannot be moved.

3. (r)(r)Rom. 16.18. 2 Tim. 3.5.Rom 16:182 Tim 3:5Mark them that cauſe diviſions, and avoid them, ſaith St. Paul, for they ſerve not our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, but their own bellies. Whether they ſeek to divide you from the Chriſtian verity by pernicious haereſies; or from the unity of Chriſts church and people, by peace diſturbing ſchiſmes and ſeperations; Mark them with a note of infamy, as notoriouſly (s)(s)1 Tim. 6.3, 4.1 Tim 6:31 Tim 6:4proud, baſely ſelf-ſeeking, fooliſhly erring, Truths enemies, adverſaries to Peace, deſtroyers of Souls. And do not only mark, but alſo (t)(t)1 Tim. 6.5.1 Tim 6:5avoid them after two or three admonitions: ſhun and avoid their diſcourſes and diſputes, which ſerve to no good purpoſe, but as foiles to their pride, riſes to their ſlanders, and (when they are more publike) as baits to deceive and delude poor ſouls; being like Fencers challenges, inventions to give the better advantages to Cut-purſes to act their prizes. And as for their perſons, avoyd them too: O how zealouſly affected againſt Seducers were the Primitive (u)(u)2 Joh. 10, 11.Chriſtians! John the Evangeliſt would not endure (w)(w)Iraen. l 3. c. 3.in the Bath at Epheſus with the haeretick Cerinthus; nor Polycarpus would entertain communion with Marcion, but defied him as the firſt begotten ſon of Satan. So zealous were the Apoſtles and their diſciples, ſaith Irenaeus, that they p. 50would not communicate with haereticks in word, but were anſwerable to (x)(x)Tit. 3.10, 11.Titus 3:10Titus 3:11St. Pauls admonition, Eſchew him that is a Haeretick, after the firſt and ſecond admonition, knowing that ſuch a one is perverſe and ſinneth, being condemned of his own conſcience.

4. Forſake not your faithfull Paſtors, (y)(y)Heb. 3.17.Heb 3:17but obey them that have the rule over you, and ſubmit your ſelves, for they watch for your ſouls. The fable is well known, of the Wolves that offered to make a league with the Sheep, conditionally that they would put away their dogs; I need not make the application: but this I am ſure of, That the Devil, and Seducers who are his inſtruments, make it one of their firſt and chiefeſt deſignes, to alienate the hearts of people from their faithfull Guides; which if they can once effect, on the ruines of their reputation they uſe to lay the foundation of their own eſteem. Thus dealt the falſe Apoſtles with the Corinthians in the caſe of Paul, (z)(z)2 Cor. 10.10.2 Cor 10:10His bodily preſence ſay they is weak and contemptible; (a)(a)2 Cor. 11.6, 11, 12, 13.2 Cor 11:62 Cor 11:112 Cor 11:122 Cor 11:13That he was rude in ſpeech; did not love and eſteem them as themſelves profeſt they did; and ſuch like ſtuffe to foment and increaſe jealouſies in their hearts, as do our Seducers now adayes, that they may make way for themſelves in the peoples eſtimation.

5. Deſpiſe not the (b)(b)1 Cor. 11.16.1 Cor 11:16Churches of Chriſt, eſpecially in the Doctrine which they unanimouſly hold forth: For is not the (c)(c)1 Tim. 3.15.1 Tim 3:15Church the ground and (c)(c)1 Tim. 3.15.1 Tim 3:15pillar of truth, whereon God hangs forth to view that ſound direction to the world, which may guide their feet in the way of peace, to the reaching of everlaſting bliſſe?

6. Forſake not the (d)(d)Heb. 10.25Heb 10:25aſſembling of your ſelves p. 51together; be not a ſtranger to the publike Congregations, as the cuſtome of ſome is, who think Chriſt is not to be found except in a wilderneſſe or in a chamber: (e)(e)Mat. 24, 26.Matt 24:26but go not after them, ſays he.

7. Endeavour after a greater meaſure of mortification of corrupt paſſions and affections, which (a)(a)Si vis lumine claro cernere verum, gaudia pelle, pelle timorem, spent que ſugato, nec dolor adſit: nubila mens eſt vincta que fraenis haec ubi regnāt. Boet. l. 1. de conſol. philoſ. metro 7.ſo cloud the mind, that Truth cannot in its luſtre appear unto it; and makes the heart, like thoſe that are (b)(b)Ecclus. c 27.Sir 27Lunaticks, full of changes from (c)(c)2 Tim. 3.132 Tim 3:13bad to worſer, but never right; never ſetled, but full of motion, (d)(d)Camerar. Hor. Succiſ. par. 1. c. 36.like a horſe ſtung with waſps that runs, capers and curvets, to little purpoſe. Corrupt paſſions and affections prevailing, the ſoul is like to an (e)(e)Prov. 25.28.Prov 25:28unfenced city, open to rapine and ruine by every enemy. They are, in a word, ſuch a complying party with whatever is evil, that if Seducers can but find a way to parley with them, and proffer them what is proportionable to their nature; if they have but the art to ſute their bait to thoſe (f)(f)2 Pet. 2.18, 19. Jude 16, 17, &c2 Pet 2:182 Pet 2:19luſts or paſſions that have domination and rule within, be it (g)(g)3 Joh. 9.3 John 1:9ambition, (h)(h)Tit. 1.11.Titus 1:11covetouſnes, feare, or whatever it be; That ſoul is eaſily made a prey of by theſe Haereticks. Therefore, if ever you would be ſafe, be not content without the death of theſe.

8. Grow in grace, (i)(i)2 Pet. 1.5, 6, 7, 8, 11.2 Pet 1:52 Pet 1:62 Pet 1:72 Pet 1:82 Pet 1:11Adde vertue to vertue, as St. Peter preſſes, that an abundant entrance may be adminiſtred to you into the everlaſting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jeſus Chriſt. If you would not be led away with the error of the wicked (ſaith the ſame Apoſtle) (k)(k)2 Pet. 3.17 18.2 Pet 3:17grow in grace, for 'tis that is only able to (l)(l)Heb. 13.9.Heb 13:9eſtabliſh the heart againſt temptations and ſeducements. (m)(m)1 Cor. 14, 20.1 Cor 14:20A ſilly child is eaſily p. 52cozened with copper inſtead of gold; but as (n)(n)Heb. 5.14.Heb 5:14knowledge and diſcerning increaſes in him, he is free from that deluſion. A (o)(o)Eph. 4.14.Eph 4:14weak body reels to and fro, and every blaſt of wind is ready to throw him down, but as ſtrength grows he becomes more able daily to endure its ſtrongeſt blaſts: ſo is it with the ſoule, according to the meaſure of grace it is endowed with, 'tis able to reſiſt and ſtand out againſt ſeducements.

Above all, endeavour to increaſe Humility, which is the (p)(p)Jam. 4.6.Jas 4:6womb of vertue; (q)(q)1 Pet. 5 5.1 Pet 5:5a ſweet adornment and an excellent fence againſt this monſter Haereſie: which had ſome cheriſht, the Church had not been peſtered with this evil, nor had this plague of Error found ſuch footing in this our Iſrael.

If any ſpark of this helliſh fire at any time light on your ſouls, dally not with it, but be ſure to call in help betimes to quench it: there's many a houſe hath been conſumed to aſhes, by the inhabitants (r)(r)Et neglecta ſolent incendia ſumere viris. Horat. 1. ep. 19. Facilius eſt excludere pernicioſa quàm regere, & non admittere quàm admiſſa moderari. Sea. l. 1. de ira, c. 7.inadvertencie, not heeding the firſt kindling of this miſchief in their ſouls; and others by an overweening opinion of their own ability to extinguiſh it at pleaſure; and perhaps ſome few out of an over-tenderneſſe of their own repute, as being loth that others ſhould take notice what fooliſh, dark, heterodox reaſonings they have had within, (for as ſuch, at their firſt encounter, there are many have lookt upon them, though afterward they have changed their opinion.) Whatever the pretence and colour be, deal in this buſineſſe as you uſually do in your own dwellings: If you ſpy within your doors a ſtrange face walking up and down at pleaſure, you fall to queſtioning what he is, whence he p. 53comes, what he would have? Which not being able to ſatisfie you in, if you be not able your ſelf, help is called in, (s)(s)Scintillae ſtatim ut apparet extinguenda eſt & fermentum à maſſae vicinio removendum, ſecandae putridae carnes, & ſcabioſum animal à caulis ovium repellendum; ne tota domus, maſſa, corpus, & pecora, ardeat, corrumpatur, putreſcat, intereant, &c. Hier. in Gal. 5.Gal 5and you thruſt him out of doors; Or if you find his intention be theft, or murder, he is delivered up to the Magiſtrate to receive condign puniſhment to his demerit. So I beſeech you, if ſtrange Opinions look into your ſoules, and in your thoughts walk up and down, let them be (t)(t)1 Theſſ. 5.21. Iſa. 8.20.1 Thess 5:21Isa 8:20examined and brought to the teſt of Law and Teſtimony; thereby you will find they are miſchievous both in their nature, and in their intent and purpoſe, they come not but to devoure; therefore harbour them not in your ſpirits, but call in aid from your faithfull Shepherds, and able Chriſtians; alſo cry for help from Heaven to deliver you from them, to deſtroy and root them out, that they may no more take place in mens hearts to their ruine and deſtruction.

And laſtly, worthy Senators, give me leave in all humility to make my addreſſe to you in the behalf of Truth. Are not you Truths guardians, foſter-fathers to whoſe protection God hath committed Truth? Doth he not ſtile you (u)(u)Pſal. 47.9.Ps 47:9Shields, in his Word? and I hope He ſhall never have cauſe to complain of you, as that Warriour did of his, (w)(w)Clypeus meus me ſefellie Cauſ.My ſhield hath deceived me. Oh what ſhall we do, if Truth be blaſted and blaſphemed! if that once faile! (x)(x)Prov. 29.18.Prov 29:18Where there is no viſion, the people periſh. And can you be ſafe? will the God of truth protect you? No; from the (y)(y)Ezek. 9.3, 5. Rev. 8.5.Ezek 9:3Ezek 9:5Rev 8:5Altar comes revenging fire. Or will thoſe that deſtroy Truth, ſpare you? Certainly no; (z)(z)Haeretici, quos non poſſūt ſermone decipere, eos putant gladie eſſe feriendos. Hier. in orat. in Auxen. de non trad. Baſil.There are none ſo keen as theſe, to ruine whatever oppoſes them. I p. 54beſeech you, without offence give me leave to tell you, We have juſt cauſe to feare, if Truth be not ſupported and inthroniz'd, having enjoyed ſo cleer and long diſcoveries thereof as we have done; that God will ſend a darker Night on this poor Iſland, then ever was the Marian Perſecution.

Q. But perhaps you may ask me, what is the way whereby Error may be ſuppreſt, and Truth eſtabliſhed?

A. 1. Command and haſten, I beſeech you, the buſines of Catechiſing, whereby poor ſoules may be taught the principles of Religion in the plaineſt way and manner, that there may be milk for babes.

2. Plant a good peece of Battery in every eminent place, eſpecially there where Errors already begin to thrive and proſper: I mean ſuch Miniſtry, as may be able to manifeſt the folly, falſhood, and danger of ſuch Errors as do ariſe, and diſcover the madneſſe of Seducers, that their (a)(a)2 Tim. 3.9.2 Tim 3:9fooliſhneſſe may appeare to all, and their (b)(b)Tit. 1.11.Titus 1:11mouths be ſtopt, or at leaſt their danger prevented, that they deſtroy not the precious ſoules of people. And here give me leave to ſuggeſt unto you, That there are many learned men in this Kingdome, whom God hath not gifted with Elocution and other the like abilities for Pulpit-work, yet would be very fit to maintain the Truth by their Pen, againſt deſtroying Errors, might they but have encouragement, and by convenient maintenance be inabled thereunto.

3. Settle with all convenient ſpeed your Confeſſion of Faith, wherein people may take notice what is allowed for Truth, upon mature debate: whereby you ſhall not only ſettle that good opinion p. 55the Churches of Chriſt have alway had ſince the Reformation, of this poor Iſland; but alſo put ſuch a help into the hands of people, that they ſhall with little paines diſcern what's right or wrong; And as a common Standard being ſet up, and ſtrengthened by your Sanction, there's hope our Differences may vaniſh.

4. Permit not (c)(c)Prov. 22.28 Blandimenta vagae fugies novitdtis. Grat.Prov 22:28old Landmarks to be removed without abſolute neceſſity: for, beſides the muſe it breeds in peoples mindse, and great advantage it gives to incredulity in point of Truth, there is alſo another evil in it, which is, That changes are very dangerous in point of (d)(d)Eventus varios res nova ſemper habet.event and iſſue.

5. Suffer not Fundamental truths, as, Chriſts deity, The reality of his incarnation, paſſion, or ſatisfaction, The bleſſed Trinity, Scriptures authority, verity, and the like; to be queſtioned by every jugling Sophiſter, or vagrant itinerant Huckſter, nor toſt on the tongue of every profane debauched perſon, nor much leſſe to be libel'd and pamphleted againſt by every unſavoury, ignorant, blaſphemous wretch. All theſe kindes of people are like the (e)(e)Cauſin. l. 12 c. 58.glaſſe that was in the temple of Smirna, which preſented thoſe things that were exceeding lovely in themſelves, in moſt horrid miſhapen forms: therefore they are fitter to be broken in ſhivers then maintained and countenanced.

6. Take heed how you tolerate Schiſme; for in a little time, without great care, it will open the door to Haereſie; as little theeves creeping in at the window, unlock the gate for greater to enter in. And be confident, that looſe Government is frequently the mother of looſe Tenets in higher matters. p. 56(f)(f)Gaudet rotus orbis de unitate catholica praeter partem Affricae, in qua incendium de ſcintilla con … tum eſt, (de Donato loquitur) Op…at. Mile….Donatus was firſt a Schiſmatick, and afterwards ſomewhat worſe: He that expects to find a Church in this world void of blemiſh, had beſt (as **Euſeb. hiſt. eccl. l. 1. c. 7.Conſtantine tels Aceſius the Novatian Biſhop) get a ladder and climbe alone into heaven.

7. Take ſpeciall care of our fountains, the Univerſities; that Learning may be encouraged, and Doctrines contrary to ſoundneſſe of faith, or holineſſe of life and manners, be wholly there ſuppreſt. For want of this, becauſe there have been Errors in the firſt concoction, they could never in many be mended to this preſent day; but many Congregations have been poiſoned with Arminianiſme, Socinianiſme, yea downright Popery: it was the milk they ſuckt at the Univerſity from ill Tutors, and their people muſt either take that or none, for they have no better to give them. It were not a little to be wiſht, that what (h)(h)Euſeb hiſt. eccl. l. 2. c. 17.Euſebius writes concerning the Primitive Chriſtians in Egypt, were practiſed there; I mean, that reading the Scriptures, and pious exerciſes, might be more in uſe amongſt them. (i)(i)Euſeb. hiſt. eccl. l 6. c. 16. Nullis tutius infirma at as cōmittitur, quā his qui & piè docti, & doctè piiſunt. Hyper. opuſc. c. 4.What a flouriſhing School was Alexandria, by reaſon of Clement, Ammonius, Panthenus, Origen, Heracles, Didymus, and divers others; who being men of extraordinary piety and learning, were Inſtruments to breed not a few, that were famous men for Learning and Religion in the Church of God.

8. Suffer not the Church, for relation or by-reſpects, to be peſtered with unſound or illiterate perſons, who have not the (k)(k)Iſa. …0 4.tongue of the learned, are not well (l)(l)Mat. 13 52.Matt 13:52taught to the Kingdom of heaven, (m)(m)Mich. 3.8.Mic 3:8want judgement, (n)(n)2 Tim 2.152 Tim 2:15and are not able to p. 57divide the Word of God aright, (o)(o)1 Tim. 4.16 foreign. 2 Tim. 3.13.1 Tim 4:162 Tim 3:13Take no heed to their doctrine, but are deceivers, being deceived.

9. (p)(p)1 Cor. 9.14 1 Tim 5.17, 181 Cor 9:141 Tim 5:171 Tim 5:18Take heed of ſcandalous Maintenance, 'tis the way to breed a baſe & ſcandalous Miniſtry in time; like (q)(q)1 King. 12.31.1 Kgs 12:31Jeroboams Prieſts, or (r)(r)Judg. 17.5, 10.Judg 17:5Judg 17:10Micha's tenſ…ekels Levite.

10. Encourage Orthodoxneſſe, but diſcountenance Erroneous perſons & opinions: And that not only in verbal, but alſo in real encouragements, as, by your Proviſion and Maintenance.(s)(s)Theodore. l. 1. c. 11. (y) So Conſtantine did, and divers pious Emperors, who cheriſhed Truths champions, but diſcouraged Errors huckſters. By your Lawes and Ordinances, ſtop Seducers mouths, but command that Truth be taught: 'Tis a Princely work to make it your imployment, that people may know the ſacred truth of God. By your Cenſures and Puniſhments, let all the World take notice you are ſenſible of Gods diſhonour, and that there is nothing more you affect, then to do him ſervice in this great buſineſſe: If nothing elſe will do it, (t)(t)Deut. 13.5.10.Deut 13:5Deut 13:10the Seducing Prophet muſt die the death, for offering to thruſt Gods people from him; Eliah ſlayes (u)(u)1 King. 18.40.1 Kgs 18:40Baals prophets, the like doth (w)(w)2 King. 10.24.2 Kgs 10:24Jehu, (x)(x)2 King. 11.18.2 Kgs 11:18The people of the land ſlay Mattan. If any offer ſacrifice to Idols on altars, let him be (y)(y)Gladio ultore ſterneretur.cut off with the ſword, ſayes Conſtantine; Valentinian, Theodoſius, Martian, were alike diſpoſed againſt ſuch perſons. I confeſſe, ſuch executions ſhould be after other means made uſe of, all endeavour fruſtrated; deſperate Doctrines broached, with Haereſie, Blaſphemy, or Sedition mingled. (z)(z)Fulmina paucorum periculo cadunt, omnium metu.The thunderbolt ſmites few, but frights many.

p. 58Obj. But ſome may object and ſay, What would you have us do, there are many of them are holy and pious men?

Anſ. You hear what the Apoſtle ſays, that many may have (a)(a)2 Tim. 3.5.2 Tim 3:5a forme, and yet deny the power of godlineſſe. The wolf in the fable, that he might not be ſuſpected, but the more eaſily make his prey of the ſilly ſheep, put on a skin of theirs: The ſhepherd diſcovers the guile, and hangs him up in his diſguiſe; his fellow-ſhepherds blame him for hanging the ſilly ſheep; To cleer himſelf from cruelty, he wiſhes them to open his skin, which having done they eaſily diſcover that he was not miſtaken as they conceived. I need not trouble you with making application, 'tis obvious to your view.

2. Why ſhould you think, to ſay, He is an honeſt or a pious man, ſhould be a fooliſh plea in caſe of abuſing Coyne, Theft, Treaſon, or the like; and yet ſhould be of weight and force in this farre greater buſineſſe, and more horrid miſchiefe?

Well, I ſhall ſay no more: but to conclude; Bleſſed be God who hath put it into your hearts to humble your ſoules this day before him, and command the Nation ſo to do: In the ſence of that Oath of God that lies upon you, to extirpate Popery, Superſtition, Haereſie, Schiſme, Profaneſſe, and whatſoever is contrary to found doctrine, and the power of godlineſſe: In the apprehenſion of Gods protection of You, but miſery that lies on the Land, by abominable Blaſphemies and damnable Haereſies, tending to the ſubverſion of the Faith; whereby reproach and contempt hath been caſt upon p. 59Gods name, and ſaving truths, the immortall ſoules of people in danger of ſwift deſtruction, and the Kingdome brought into a perilous condition. Bleſſed be the God of heaven who hath cauſed you to take notice, That not to uſe your power to ſuppreſſe this miſchief, is to make your ſelves partakers of theſe mens ſinnes and puniſhments. And now (worthy Senators) what remaines, but that according to your profeſſion you imploy and improve the utmoſt of your power, That nothing be ſaid or done againſt, but for the Truth.

I beſeech the Rock of Eternity to act and enable you by his grace, to put under his everlaſting arms and beare you up in the putting into Execution this your Ordinance and reſolution; Make you like thoſe (b)(b)Rev. 4.6.8.Rev 4:6Rev 4:8glorious creatures full of eyes, that you may ſet about this buſineſſe; (c)(c)Hoc pietatis genus eſt, coercere infantiā criminis, ne juveneſcat augmentis. Caſſiod. l. 5. ep. 39.Timouſly, before it be too late; Conſcientiouſly, as a duty; Affectionately, as a thing of glory to God, concernment to your ſelves and this poor Kingdome; Unanimouſly, as a way of ſtrength; Fully, with due reſpect to every Truth, without reſpect to any Perſon; Couragiouſly, not fearing oppoſition. Conſider, you have a good God to ſupport you; 'Tis the way to have a good Conſcience in the ſenſe of duty to cheer you; Good men will bleſſe God for you; And if you ſtrive (d)(d)2 Tim. 2.5…2 Tim 2:5lawfully, you may expect confidently that Heaven will crown you.

(e)(e)Vid. Cauſ. l. 1. c. 71.Clemens Alexandrinus tels us a ſtory, That amongſt the Magi in Perſia, there were three hills; when people came to the firſt, they heard a claſhing of arms; when they came to the ſecond, they heard a confuſed noiſe; but when they reached the third, p. 60they heard nothing but ſongs of triumph. The terrible noiſe of Arms you have heard already; God grant, if it be his will, our cares in this poor Iſland may never more be acquainted with thoſe dreadfull ſounds: You are now come to the ſecond hill, the confuſed noiſe of Error, the language of Babel: Be now but valiant, go on with reſolution, and I doubt not but ere long you ſhall hear the voice of Victorious ſongs of triumph, Halelujahs to our GOD.

FINIS.

End of the text · Thomas Hodges, The Growth and Spreading of Heresy (1647)