Sermon 26 February 1644, Sermon

Sermon 26 February 1644 · Sermon

A SERMON PREACHED TO THE HONORABLE HOUSE OF COMMONS, At their late Solemne FAST, Wedneſday, FEB. 26. 1644.

BY JOHN MAYNARD, Miniſter of the Word of God at MAYFIELD in SVSSEX, and a Member of the ASSEMBLY of DIVINES.

LONDON, Printed by George Biſhop, for Samuel Gellibrand, at the Braſen Serpent in Pauls Church-yard. 1645.

p. 1A SERMON Preached to the Honorable Houſe of Commons, at their late Solemne FAST, Febr. 26. 1644.

PROV. 23. 23.

Buy the Truth and ſell it not.

TRUTH is the great buſines of theſe ſtirring Times; enquiries after Truth, diſcoveries of Truth, contending for Truth. This (I ſuppoſe) all parties pretend to, though never ſo contrary each to other. And among thoſe who doe really aime at Truth, and meete in the maine; no wonder though there be differences in judgement, and conflicts about ſome particulars, the parts of Truth being ſo exceeding numerous, the conceptions of men ſo various, the eye of the inner man ſo dimme-ſighted,1 Cor. 13 12.1 Cor 13:12 and apt to miſtake, whileſt it looketh but through a glaſſe. And indeede that the cauſe of Truth is of a tranſcendent nature, and exceeding high concernement, the Wiſeman here ſheweth, ſo advancing the worth of it, as to be bought at any rate, ſo p. 2heightening the price of it, as not to be ſold upon any termes. Buy the Truth, &c.

This being one of thoſe entire portions of Scripture (as I conceive) which have no neceſſary connexion with that which goeth before or followeth, ſome time may be ſpared, which otherwiſe ſhould have been ſpent, in ſhewing the Coherence.

Neither doe I diſcerne any ſuch difficulty in the words as needeth much to retard our progreſſe.

[Buy] The Originall word may ſignifie either to buy or to poſſeſſe,foreign to get or keep poſſeſſion: and ſo the exhortation may ſuit all ſorts, Thou that wanteſt the Truth, buy it: thou that haſt it, keep it: but the latter is manifeſtly included in the negative, ſell it not.

[The Truth] The Hebrew note uſed for emphaſis,foreign demonſtration, ſpecification, is not in the Text, and therefore I thinke our Engliſh particle [The] (which anſwereth it) may be omitted,foreign and we may read it, Buy Truth, as afterward Wiſdome, &c. Not the Wiſdome: and ſo leave the word Truth in its juſt latitude.

Here then is a point of Heavenly negotiation or Spirituall traffique which the Holy Ghoſt commendeth to all who deſire to make a wiſe improvement of that ſhort ſpan of time allotted them in this world, and to give up their account with joy.

That ſenſe which one Expoſitour giveth▪ Pellican.maketh this place parallell to that, Gal. 6. Let him that is taught in the word communicate, &c. though it be a truth cleerly held forth in Scripture, and may be either included in this Text as a part of the ſenſe, or inferred from it as a conſequent, yet I conceive it is farre ſhort of the full and direct meaning of the place.

I concurre with thoſe who underſtand it thus, Mercerus. Junius. Janſenius.Get poſſeſſion of the Truth whatſoever paines it coſt thee, whatever hazard it may lead thee into, whatſoever loſſe or ſuffering it may bring upon thee. Sell it not: Doe not part with it to gain a world, leave it not, loſe it not, for the greateſt advantage under Heaven.

In the words ye may eaſily ſee two Propoſitions, 1. An affirmative, or precept, Buy Truth. Secondly, A negative, or prohibition, Sell it not. In theſe obſerve 1. The Acts. 2. The Object: the Act enjoyned in the precept or affirmative is, To buy, the Act forbidden in the negative or prohibition, is, To ſell. The object is the ſame in both, Truth.

The precept and prohibition of theſe two Acts in reference to p. 3the ſame object, are both of them abſolute and peremptory, we are abſolutely commanded to buy Truth, peremptorily forbidden to ſell it: and ſo the parts of the Text mutually give light each to other, ſhewing that Truth muſt be ſo bought as never to be ſold: that he who buyeth it, cannot overbuy it, that he who ſelleth it, ſhall be ſure to underfell it. It can never bee bought too deare, it can never be ſold at the true value. He that buyeth it at the higheſt rate ſhall be an happy gainer, he that ſelleth it to the beſt advantage, putteth it off with loſſe, he maketh a miſerable bargaine.

Object. But it may be ſaid, the parts of the Text ſeem rather to croſſe than to cleer each other: for if there be no ſeller, there can be no buyers. If the prohibition be obſerved, forbidding all to ſell, the precept cannot be performed, commanding all to buy. Anſwer. I anſwer, the precept and prohibition are of the ſame extent: all men are commanded to buy, all men are forbidden to ſell: but they are not commanded to buy of men, who are forbidden to ſell, but of God, who is the onelyonly Proprietary of this rich treaſure, and doth not impoſe this Law of not ſelling upon himſelfe.foreign. Rev. 3. 18. Mat. 25. 9.Rev 3:18Matt 25:9 And therefore Chriſt ſaith to the Angel of the Church of Laodicea, I counſell thee to buy of Me, gold tryed in the fire, &c.

But the wiſe Virgins though they had oyl for their owne lampes, yet they had none to fell or give.

From the precept or affirmative part, to which at preſent I intend to confine my ſelfe, give me leave to offer unto you this one point of Doctrine, That

Doctrine. The purchaſe of Truth is of abſolute neceſſity to all who will be wiſe for their Souls.

In trading for things of the world there is a latitude, Merchants have their liberty: they are not limited to one Port, nor reſtrained to one Mart, or to deal in one commodity: ſo they make a good return, it mattereth not much what kinde of wares they bring home. But they who approve themſelves free of that foreign that glorious Corporation in heaven,Phil. 3. 20.Phil 3:20 & trade to purpoſe for the things above, and not prove bankrupts in the great day of account, a neceſſity lieth upon them, and woe unto them if they buy not Truth. Let their Ships ſeeme never ſo well fraighted, their Shops and Ware-houſe never ſo richly furniſhed, yet if they want this pearl of great price, they are broken and undone for ever. The fooliſh virgins had their lampes, and it may be for a time made as faire a blaze in ſhew as p. 4thoſe of the wiſe: but they wanted Truth: their oyl was ſpent, their lamps were extinguiſhed, they went to buy when market was done, they called and knocked when it was too late, the doore was ſhut.

For the cleering and proofe of the point, and our more orderly proceeding, I deſire you to conſider with me theſe four things.

1. What this Truth is, which we are required to Buy?

2. What it is to buy Truth?

3. Of whom it muſt be bought?

4. The neceſſity of making this purchaſe.

For the 1. Of theſe, what this Truth is which we muſt buy, 1. There is veritas rei, 1. Veritas rei.or veritas in eſſendo, The truth of things, the truth of their eſſence or being: and ſo all things that are, are truly the ſame which they are, ſo gold is true gold, oppoſed to that which is falſe and counterfeit, but pretended to be gold. And this truth of things, is the conformity of things to the Divine intellect or knowledge of God. And therefore (by the way) I conceive that thoſe lies are untruths which are called mendacia iocoſa or officioſa, officiouslies, or lies in jeſt, if they be ſuch as in no regard tend to our neighbours prejudice, are not ſo fitly ranked under the 9. Command. as reduced to the firſt: becauſe they contradict that Truth which is in the minde of God: for the Lord in His infinite knowledge comprehendeth, and (as it were) aſſerteth all truth: and every untruth uttered by men is either a deniall of ſome Truth which God affirmeth, or an affirming of ſome falſehood which God denyeth: and ſo no man can utter any falſhood (though concerning matters of ſmall moment) but in ſo doing he giveth God the lie. God His knowledge is the foreign or originall Truth: and the truth of things is their correſpondency thereunto, as the truth of a copy is its correſpondency with the originall. For Truth carrieth a reſpect to knowledge, omne verum eſt intelligibile, every Truth is in a capacity to be underſtood, and the Truth of things is their conformity to a right underſtanding.

Now the truth of things may come under a two-fold Conſideration, 1. Metaphyſicall, 2. Morall: and in both of theſe it ſtill holdeth good, their truth is their Conformity to the knowledge of God. For 1. God knoweth what every perſon, action or thing is, and ſuch it truely is, as God knoweth it to be, and no other: and this I call a Metaphyſicall Conſideration. Secondly, God knoweth what every perſon, Action or thing ought to bee, and ſo farre as any of theſe croſſe this knowledge of God, they are falſe in a morall Conſideration. p. 5They are true in a Metaphyſicall apprehenſion, becauſe they are ſuch as God knoweth them to be, but they are falſe in a Morall notion,Pſal. 1. 6.Ps 1:6 becauſe they are not ſuch as God knoweth they ought to be. The Lord knoweth the way of the Righteous, how? with approbation. This is true: but I think there is more in it: The Lord knoweth what is that good way wherein men are to walk: and the way of the Righteous is ſutable to this knowledge of God, and ſo the Lord knoweth it, that is, looketh upon it as an object conformable to this knowledge of His; on the other ſide, He ſaith to the wicked,Mat. 25. 12Matt 25:12 I know you not. I know what manner of perſons ye ought to be, but ye are men of another ſhape, ye are not objects conformed to this knowledge of Mine.

Secondly,2. Veritas. Scientiae. There is Veritas ſcientiae, or veritas in cognoſcendo, Truth of knowledge, and that in the creature is twofold, 1. Speculative, which is a conformity of the underſtanding to the nature of things, when the underſtanding of man ſo judgeth of things as they are, and the notions or conceptions of his minde are the very images of thoſe things, this Conformity of his underſtanding to the nature of things apprehended by him, is truth. Things are true, as they agree with the knowledge of God: becauſe his knowledge is the Fountaine of all truth, as his eſſence is the Fountain of all being: But the knowledge of man is true becauſe it agreeth with the nature of things. Secondly, The practicall truth of mans knowledge is when together with a right apprehenſion of the true nature of things in the underſtanding, there is a frame of heart and affections toward thoſe things, ſutable to that apprehenſion, when the underſtanding rightly judgeth of things good or evill, and the will and affections are regularly guided by ſuch a right apprehenſion, loving, imbracing, deſiring, delighting in that which the underſtanding rightly judgeth to be lovely, deſirable, &c. Hating, abhorring, ſhunning, &c. According to that true intelligence which the underſtanding giveth in of the nature of things or actions; then there is a practicall truth in that mans knowledge. But when the underſtanding rightly apprehendeth, and yet giveth way to the perverſeneſſe of the will and diſtempers of the affections, this knowledge though ſpeculatively true, is practically falſe.

Thirdly,3. Veritas Signi. There is veritas ſigni, Truth of expreſſion, Speeches, writings, geſtures, Actions, when truth poſſeſſeth the minde and heart within and ſhineth out at the windowes (as it were) when a p. 6mans words and converſation are the very image and Characters of that truth which dwelleth in him, when hee knoweth and loveth the truth, and ſpeaketh and walketh according to that truth which he knoweth and loveth.

Now then what is that truth which we muſt buy? 1. The true knowledge of thoſe things which ſerve for the perfecting of the inner, and for the ordering of the outward man: the true knowledge of God, of Chriſt, of the myſteries of grace, of the wayes of God, of the power of godlineſſe, of the will of God in things concerning the matter and manner of his worſhip, and in thoſe things that belong to our Places, Callings, Relations, in ordinary and extraordinary occaſions. Secondly, The Practicall truth of theſe things, ſuch a frame of heart as ſuiteth with the nature of theſe things rightly apprehended: which cannot be without the poſſeſſion of the things themſelves. Thou muſt have God dwelling in thee, thou muſt poſſeſſe Chriſt and be made one with him, thy body and ſoule muſt become a temple of the Holy Ghoſt, otherwiſe thou haſt not this Practicall, through, and effectuall knowledge of God and Chriſt: thou haſt a ſhadow of the truth rather then the truth it ſelfe. Thou muſt have the truth of all ſaving Graces in thee, otherwiſe thou canſt not have an heart ſuited to a right apprehenſion of Divine truth. Laſtly, thou muſt be ſo poſſeſt of the truth as to ſpeak the truth from the heart, and to walk in the truth.

The ſecond thing to be enquired,2. What it is to Buy Truth. is, what it is to buy truth.

To buy in generall, is, For a conſiderable value with conſent of the owner, to get the propriety and poſſeſſion of ſomething which formerly was not our own. He then that will buy truth, 11. Muſt look upon it as none of his own. A man doeth not buy that which hee is born to. That which hee hath by inheritance he needeth not purchaſe.Pro. 14. 18.Prov 14:18 The ſimple inherit folly. Such ſilly ones we are all by nature: and our inheritance is folly & falſhood. This inheritance we have by deſcent: our firſt Parents changed the truth of God into a lye, forfeited their poſſeſſion of truth, and left us lies to inherit after them: and now if we will enjoy any of theſe forfeited and confiſcated goods, which the Lord hath juſtly ſeized into his own hands, we muſt, buy them as things which are no longer our own. He that is not convinced of this, is never likely to buy. He that wil buy truth indeed muſt be of ſuch a poore and humble ſpirit as Agur was,pro. 30. 2, 3 ſurely I am more p. 7brutiſh then any man: ſo the tranſlation: but (as ye ſee) the word [any] is in a ſmaller Character, not being in the originall: neither doe I think it ought to be ſupplied, but we are to read it thus, I am more brutiſh then man, foreign Pſa. 49. 12Ps 49:12according to that of the Pſalmiſt, man being in honour abideth not: he is like the beaſts that periſh. Man being honoured with the image of God in wiſdome and Holineſſe, his ſpirit ſhining with the Beauty and glory of Divine truth, did not abide in this condition, but loſt the truth, yeelding himſelfe to be ſeduced by the father of lies, and ſo no longer had the wiſedom of man in him, but degraded himſelfe from his created Dignity, debaſed himſelfe to the ranke of brute creatures, enthralled his immortall Soul, and intellectuall nature to his brutiſh ſenſes and affections: and the next words of Agur confirm this ſenſe, And have not the underſtanding of Adam in me: that underſtanding and knowledge of Holy truth which was in Adam, foreignand was properly belonging to the nature of man. He that knoweth not thus much of himſelfe, knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know, and is no fit Merchant to Trade for truth.Revel. 3. 17, 18.Rev 3:17Rev 3:18 Chriſt firſt informeth the Laodicean of his wants, Thou art wretched, and miſerable, and poore, and blind, and naked: and then counſelleth him to buy, verſ. 18. Secondly, He that buyeth giveth a conſiderable value. But alas, what have we to give that is conſiderable? If we offer gold, or ſilver, what can we expect but ſuch an anſwer as Simon Magus had?Acts 8. 10Acts 8:10 Thy money periſh with thee, becauſe thou haſt thought that the gift of God may be purchaſed with money. And Solomon telleth us,Pro. 8. 11.Prov 8:11 This wiſdom of Divine truth is better then rubies: and all the things that may be deſired, are not to be compared to it; which maketh good what I ſaid before, we cannot buy truth too dear: all outward things that can be deſired, are not to be compared to it. And therefore, we may conclude, This buying is not of the nature of common contracts, in which there is a juſt proportion between the price and the purchaſe, but rather ſuch as hath ſome remote Analogy or reſemblance to it: ſuch as that, where the Lord by ſolemn Proclamation offereth a free and open market,Iſai. 55. 1.Isa 55:1 H…, every one that thirſteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money: Come ye, buy and eat; yea come, buy Wine and milk without money and without price. And indeed whoſoever getteth poſſeſſion of ſaving Truth, he hath it by a free gift of meere grace: yet ſo that we muſt give up whatſoever is neceſſary for the obtaining of Truth, and caſt away whatever may hinder us in the receiving or retaining of Truth, or is p. 8inconſiſtent with it. 11. We muſt give up our ſelves, our hearts, ſpirits, ſouls, bodies to the God of Truth. We muſt bee content to part with any outward things for the procuring and promoting of Truth, for the ſupporting and maintaining of Truth: we muſt account our ſelves gainers by every loſſe which we can poſſibly ſuffer for Truth. 22. On the other ſide we muſt renounce and caſt away our luſts, our own corrupt reaſon, blind, carnall notions and prejudices: in a word, we muſt out our ſelves of our ſelves, and yeeld up our ſelves into the entire poſſeſſion of the Truth: and in all this we give nothing unto God: for whatſoever we give up to him for Truth, is his own already, and cannot bee withheld from him, without wrong and robbery, what wee caſt away is worſe then nothing, and if we leave it not, we keep it to our loſſe and utter undoing. It remaineth then, that though we are ſaid in ſome ſort to buy, yet Truth is a moſt free gift of God, and conveyed to man by a meere Act of grace.

3Thirdly, If we will buy Truth, we muſt get the propriety of it, we muſt make it our own, get it into our poſſeſſion, have a ſure intereſt in it and title to it.2 Iohn 2.2 John 1:2 For the Truthes ſake which dwelleth in us, and ſhall be with us for ever. Then hath a man bought the Truth, when he hath ſo owned it, and given it ſuch poſſeſſion of his heart, that it is in him, as in an everlaſting Manſion, ſo as to dwell in him and be in him for ever: when he is ſo poſſeſſed of the Truth, and the Truth hath ſuch poſſeſſion of him, as to denominate and Characterize him:1 Ioh. 3. 191 John 3:19 according to that, Hereby we know that we are of the Truth, and ſhall aſſure our hearts before him. As great Perſons are denominated from their Seates, Mannor-houſes, &c. Such a Lord of ſuch a place: So he that will buy Truth muſt get ſuch poſſeſſion of it and propriety in it, as that he may by good right take a title of honour from the truth, his own conſcience bearing him witneſſe in the Holy Ghoſt, that he is of the Truth.

3Thirdly, Of whom muſt we buy Truth?

This hath been intimated before,Deus eſt ſumm & maxima Veritas. Snarez. even of him who is the God of Truth, who is the firſt, the Higheſt Truth, the Fountain of all Truth, who calleth himſelfe [I Am] becauſe he is in and of himſelfe, the onelyonly infinite perfection of being, and ſo the infinite perfection of Truth. He ſeeth and knoweth his own eſſence infinitely perfect and glorious, with a moſt exact knowledge of infinite perfection: and ſome have conceived that this contemplation of p. 9God the Father reflecting upon His owne Majeſty and glory is the eternall and unſpeakable generation of the Son. But we are to ſpeak ſoberly of theſe myſteries ſo farre above us:foreign. Hebr. 1. 3.Heb 1:3 Howſoever when we uſe Scripture-language, we are warranted by the higheſt Authority, which calleth Chriſt the brightnes of his Fathers glory, and the expreſſe image of his Perſon: and the Son of God ſaith of himſelfe, I am the Truth.Ioh. 14. 6. 17.John 14:6John 14:17 And the Spirit proceeding from the Father and the Son, is called the Spirit of Truth. To this fountain wee muſt bring our empty pitchers if we would be filled with theſe living waters, and take in theſe pure ſtreames of Truth. Rev. 4. 6.Rev 4:6John being in the Spirit ſaw before the throne of God in heaven, a Sea of glaſſe like unto Crystall. The Saints may have their Vials filled with Truth: but here is veritatis plenitudo, An Ocean and full Sea of Truth, and that without mud or mixture, cleere as cryſtall, wherein the faithfull Soule may ſee the glory of God ſhining in the Face of Chriſt. Here is the Springhead of Truth: and they which come not to God, and are not inwardly acquainted with him in Chriſt, are ſtrangers to the Truth, they never looked into this Sea of cryſtall, which is before the throne of God.

And ſo I come to the fourth and laſt particular, to ſhew the neceſſity of making this purchaſe, 4ye ſee it is abſolutely commanded in the Text: and becauſe a threefold cord is not eaſily broken, obſerve how Solomon ſtrongly twiſteth together a threefold charge in a quick and preſſing ſtile.Pro. 4. 13.Prov 4:13 1. Take faſt hold of inſtruction, 2. Let her not go. 3. Keep her: and faſteneth all with this knot, for ſhe is thy life. If thou loſe her, it is more than thy life is worth: it were better to part with thy deareſt heart-blood: if thou get and keep the Truth, it will keep thee alive in the very jawes of death: if thou loſe it, thou art dead whileſt thou liveſt, and in the road-way to everlaſting death. What need we any farther witneſſe? yet if ye pleaſe to hear an argument or two, take theſe briefly.

Reaſon 1 1.Whileſt we are travailing here in this world toward our long home, our way lieth through a wilderneſſe, wherein are many bypathes, multitude of paſſengers wandring out of the right way, abundance of ſnares and dangers, and above all we are wofully benighted with the naturall darkneſſe and blindneſſe of our mindes: now Truth is that Pillar of fire which ſhould guide us in the way wherein we muſt walk, and direct us to the promiſed reſt. And though this Truth be never ſo cleerly held forth unto us in the miniſtry p. 10of the goſpel, yet unleſſe we buy it and get poſſeſſion of it, ſo as to make it our own, and to have it dwelling in us, we are not able to follow it. It is not enough to have the light of the Sun, except withall there be a light in the eye to meet with that light without, and take it in: ſo that lumen externum, that externall light of Truth which ſhineth forth in the word, will never lead us to that reſt which remaineth for the people of God, except there be alſo lumen internum, an inward light of Truth, and principle of ſaving knowledge ſet up in the heart.

The Apoſtle having notably magnified his office,2 Cor. 3. & 4. 2, 3.2 Cor 3 as in other reſpects, ſo in regard of that luſtre and brightneſſe of Divine Truth which ſhined in his Miniſtry, 2 Cor. 3. proceedeth in the next chapter, and ſaith that he had not handled the word of God deceitfully, but by manifeſtation of the truth &c. It muſt be objected, What is the cauſe then that your Goſpel is hidden to many thouſands? his anſwer is ready: If our Goſpel be hid, it is hid to them that are loſt, in whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which beleeve not, leſt the light of the glorious Goſpel of Christ, who is the image of God ſhould ſhine unto them. They want inward light, Satan the prince of darknes hath filled them with darkneſſe within, they will not buy the Truth, and ſo the Goſpel of Chriſt, though it ſhineth out never ſo gloriouſly in it ſelfe, yet it ſhineth not at all to them: as the Sun when it giveth the greateſt light, ſhineth not to the blind.

22. If we do not buy Truth, the Truth will witneſſe againſt us and condemne us.

A neceſſity lyeth upon us, either wee muſt make the Truth our owne, or elſe we ſhall be ſure to have it our Enemy. Conſider that weighty ſpeech of Chriſt,Ioh. 12. 48.John 12:48 He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him, the word that I have ſpoken, the ſame ſhall judge him in the laſt day: Who is he that rejecteth Chriſt? he that doth not receive his words, he that doth not buy Truth, but ſhutteth his eyes or heart againſt that light of Truth which ſhineth from the face of this Sun of Righteouſneſſe. Theſe men perhaps may think in their hearts, We will have nothing to do with this, which they call Truth, for which there is ſo much contention, nor with the way wherein it leadeth thoſe that receive it, we will neither embrace nor oppoſe it. Nay, but ſaith Chriſt, this will not ſerve thy turne, either thou muſt receive it, or be judged by it; if thou doeſt not buy this Truth and embrace it with thine p. 11whole heart, it will condemn thee at the laſt day. If men could apprehend with what Majeſty and authority that Truth of God which now they caſt behinde their backs will appear againſt them in the day of Chriſt, how would their Souls tremble to deſpiſe it? How would they yeeld themſelves convinced that the purchaſe of Truth is of abſolute neceſſity, whatſoever it may coſt them? The proudeſt ſpirits which now may think to out-face the Truth of God, ſhall then not be able to hold up their faces before it.

So much for the proofe and opening of this point: Let us ſee the Uſe of it: and that may be, 1. For Reproofe, 2. For Exhortation.

Uſe 1 Reproofe.1. For Reproofe. 1. of thoſe who are ſo farre from buying truth, that they labour to ſtop the trade: Such were thoſe Expounders of 1the Law,Luke 11. 52.Luke 11:52 to whom the Lord Chriſt ſaith, ye have taken away the key of knowledge, ye entred not in your ſelves, and them that were entring in ye hindred: they kept the ſtore-houſe of truth locked up, and carried away the key. How many have we had of late in this land led by ſuch a ſpirit, who when the truth had many buyers beheld it with an evill eye, like the Phariſees complaining of the multitudes that followed Chriſt?Ioh. 12. 19.John 12:19 the world is gon after him, It was a vexation to their falſe hearts to ſee the ſtreame of trade bend towards the Coaſts of truth: and eſpecially when any upon whoſe habitations was a famine of the word, travailed abroad to buy themſelves a little food.Gen. 41. 56.Gen 41:56 But how are we bound to bleſſe God who hath ſtirred up your ſpirits, like ſo many Joſephs, already to open many, & to indeavour to open all the ſtore-houſes of truth in the Land, that none may complaine of want, who have hearts to buy? No wonder if the enemies of truth oppoſe you in this worke. It croſſeth their maine deſigne. He that doth evill hateth the light, and cometh not to the light, leſt his deedes ſhould be reproved. Can the Blackmore change his skinne, or the Leopard his ſpots? Doe we expect a reconcilement betweene light and darkeneſſe? Let all tremble to give them the right hand of fellowſhip in ſtopping the courſe of the word of truth, and hindring the worke of reformation.

22. Of thoſe that are aſhamed of the truth: what hope is there that ſuch will buy it? He that will buy it muſt looke upon it as his crowne. Rev. 12. ….Rev 12The Church was preſented to John in a viſion, cloathed with the Sun, and the Moone under her foote, and upon her head a Crowne of twelve Stars. The Churches cloathing and her Crown is Light and Truth: Can any true-borne Childe of the Church account that his p. 12ſhame which is his Mothers glorie? Let ſuch weigh thoſe words of him who is not aſhamed to call himſelfe the Truth, Whoſoever ſhall be aſhamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and ſinfull generation, Mar. 8. 38.Mark 8:38of him alſo ſhall the Sonne of man be aſhamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy Angells. 33. Of thoſe who will not take ſo much paines as to reſort to the market though it be neere their owne doores: who groſſely neglect precious opportunities of hearing the word upon ſlight pretences. Did they know the worth of truth, and looke upon it as their life, they would not think every petty inconvenience a juſt excuſe. A little change of weather or diſtemper of body will not keepe thoſe within doores, who are neceſſitated to ſeek out for that without which they cannot live. Thoſe that followed Chriſt ſometimes three dayes together,Mat. 15. 32Matt 15:32 having nothing to eat, might have had a fair plea in appearance to ſhift off their attendance. Such as will ſuffer nothing in this caſe, but make the hearing of the word a meere recreation, when they can doe it with eaſe and at pleaſure, are not likely to go to the price of truth. 44. Of thoſe that come onelyonly as meere ſpectatours rather than buyers, who view many glorious Goſpel-truthes openly propoſed and freely tendred to all, but are content to looke on whilſt others buy. Such are our common ſort of ignorant hearers, compared to the way ſide, who hear the word and underſtand it not. The ſeed lieth above ground: Mat. 13. 19.Matt 13:19then commeth the wicked one and catcheth away that which was ſowne in his heart. The father of lies eaſily robbeth ſuch a one of the word of truth. 55. Of ſuch as ſeem to cheapen, but doe not buy: thoſe who are ſomewhat affected with the truth, and think it worth the carrying home if they might have it at their own price: they hear it, perhaps talk of it, repeat it, &c. And of theſe there are two ſorts: the one compared to the ſtony, the other to the thorny ground: the former would own the truth, were it not accompanied with the croſſe: but when perſecution ariſeth becauſe of the word, by and by they are offended. They never gave the truth rooting in their hearts, and ſo when the Sun ariſeth it is ſcorched and withered. The latter ſuffer it to be overgrown and choaked with thornes: there may be ſome ſtirrings in their ſpirits, ſome ſpringings of their affections upon the receiving of the ſeed of truth, Mat. 13. 22. Luke 8. 14.Matt 13:22Luke 8:14but then their unmortified luſts, the care of this world, and the deceitfulneſſe of riches and pleaſures of this life draw away the ſtrength of their hearts from the truth, and it becometh unfruitfull: they will not p. 13renounce their earthly-mindedneſſe or their voluptuous, ambitious, corrupt affections to make a full purchaſe of truth. Herod did many things and heard John gladly, but would not yeeld ſo far to the commands of truth, as to forſake his Herodias: there was a thorny luſt which choaked all.Mat. 19. 16.Matt 19:16 The yong man alſo ſeemed willing to buy, What good thing ſhall I doe that I may have eternall life? what ſhall I give to buy truth? again, All theſe have I kept from my youth; what lack I yet? Thus much I have offered if this be not enough, I am willing to give more. I beleeve he thought hee offered like a chapman: But when he heard Chriſt raiſe his demands ſo high, Goe and ſell all that thou hast and give to the poore, he brake off, went away ſorrowfull, as if the price had been unreaſonable. I feare, many who countenance the cauſe of truth, ſome who are great actours in it, yea ſome who may venture their lives in the proſecution of it may deceive themſelves. There may be ſome thornes not rooted up, ſome root of bitterneſſe not killed, ſome corrupt principle which may carry men far this way, ſome by-end which may poiſon all. If I give my body to be burned and have not love, 1 Cor. 13. 31 Cor 13:3it profiteth me nothing. A man may ſeem to die for the truth, and yet never buy it.

Uſe 2 Exhortation.2. This is for for exhortation: 1. In generall to us all: 2. In ſpeciall to thoſe whom the Lord hath honoured above others for the patronage and promoting of the great cauſe of his truth. 1. GenerallAnd 1. let me ſtir up you and my ſelfe by all meanes to make this purchaſe.1. to make this purchaſe. 2. Not to think any coſt too much for that purpoſe: concerning the former, 11. Get a cleer and ſolid underſtanding of all the main and moſt neceſſary truthes. Learn to be throughly acquainted with the Fundamentalls of Faith.1 Tim 3. 16.1 Tim 3:16 Great is the myſtery of godlineſſe: And the knowledge of it is of great concernment: it is a great myſtery, and requireth a deep ſearch. An overly, ſlight, and ſuperficiall view of thoſe great ſecrets which the Angels deſired to looke into, muſt not ſatisfie them who will indeed buy truth. Labour for a right underſtanding of the Alſufficiency and infinite excellency of God in all his attributes, as hee hath revealed himſelfe in his word: of the perſon, natures, offices of Chriſt, of the covenant of grace, of the fountain of all ſpirituall bleſſings in heavenly things in Chriſt, the eternall love and good purpoſe of God toward his, and thoſe glorious wayes and meanes whereby the Lord is pleaſed to bring poore loſt ſoules to glory, reconciling them to himſelfe by the death of his Sonne, calling them by his Word and Spirit, uniting p. 14them to Chriſt, adopting them for his children and heires, juſtifying them freely by his grace, ſanctifying, quickning, and keeping them by his mighty power through Faith unto ſalvation. Theſe and the like are eſpecially to bee ſtudied, and wee are to take heed leſt Satan intangling us in doubtfull diſputes about things of an inferiour nature, ſhould cunningly divert our thoughts from ſearching into theſe hid treaſures. I confeſſe the rents and diviſions which follow upon contrariety of opinions are ſad, and ſuch as we have cauſe to lament: but I am perſwaded this is not the onelyonly, nor the greateſt miſchiefe. I feare Satan gaineth much advantage by engaging young beginners and wanton wits in the agitation of controverſies ere they have laid the foundation, much more before themſelves have taken root in Chriſt, or ſo much as proved themſelves to be in Chriſt, and Chriſt to be in them. 22. Let us labour to make thoſe Truths which we underſtand, our owne: 1. By mixing them with faith.foreign Heb. 4. 2.Heb 4:2 The word preached did not profit the unbeleeving Iſraelites, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it: they did but view, not buy the truth; we cannot make the truth our owne, nor truly ſay, we have bought it, unleſſe we ſo mixe and temper it with faith as that it becometh one with our ſoules, or rather our ſoules become one with it, faith ſtrongly cloſing with the word, digeſting it, and ſo leavening all the powers of the ſoule with the truth, and cauſing them to reliſh of it. 2. By receiving the truth in ſincere love. No man buyeth truth, who doth not truly love it. So much truth as thou loveſt is thine owne. Some may haſtily conclude from hence, Then all the promiſes of pardon are mine: for theſe I love from my heart, though not thoſe precepts of obedience, and qualifications of repentance, morification and holineſſe. But know this, It is eaſie to miſtake lies of our owne coyning, for God his holy truth: for thoſe promiſes carrie a reſpect to their qualifications, and are true in relation to them: if thou ſeperateſt what God hath joyned together, thou huggeſt an Idoll of thine own braine and doſt not embrace the truth of God, as the Devill in his temptations mangleth the truth of God,Math. 4.Matt 4 promiſsionem objicit, conditionem abjicit: he objecteth the promiſe,Jun. in Parallel: Res tranſit cum onere. rejecteth the condition. But this is rather to prophane the truth then to buy it. He that will buy, muſt take the commodity with all the appurtenances. This not receiving the truth in love was the roote of that great Apoſtaſie of the world.2 Theſ. 2. 10.2 Thess 2:10 This beggered and undid them, they played with the light, and dallied p. 15with the Truth of God: and did not buy it and enrich themſelves with it, by receiving the love of the Truth, that they might be ſaved. 33. Labour to abound in the knowledge of the truth. A Merchant who hath made a good voyage, finding ſuch a commodity advantagious, is encouraged to new adventures: that man never bought any ſaving truth, who ſitteth down and thinketh he hath enough. If once thou wert poſſeſt of the truth indeed, thy deſires would bee more and more enlarged toward it; many ſeem to think they have got truth enough already, more then they know what to do with, ſo much that they are troubled with it, it diſturbeth their ſlumbring ſpirits, diſquieteth their conſciences: Theſe men are far from buying the truth; rather ſome truthes have ſurpriſed them againſt their wills,1 Kings 21. 20.1 Kgs 21:20 and are as welcome to them as Elijah to Ahab, Haſt thou found me, O mine enemy? But all that will buy truth let them hearken to the Apoſtles Counſell,Col. 3. 16.Col 3:16 Let the word of Chriſt dwell in you richly in all wiſdome. 44. They that will buy truth muſt ſubject themſelves to the power and command of it. A man muſt not buy truth as he purchaſeth outward things, to diſpoſe of it at his pleaſure: thou muſt not buy it as men were wont to buy ſlaves, to keep it in bondage, to make it ſerve thy luſts and ends, or to fetter it and impriſon it by withholding the Truth in unrighteouſnes: but as a man would buy an office at Court, a place of ſervice and attendance upon a Prince: in buying truth thou muſt ſell thy ſelf a ſervant to the truth, give up thy ſelf to be ruled & guided by the truth. Some (I beleeve) are troubled that they have more of the truth than they can well rule: it meeteth and faceth them in many of their crooked bypathes, it is as a lighted torch to them when they are moſt of all retired in acting their works of darkneſſe: it is apt to interpoſe, yea and to controll, it will not ſuffer them to bee private when they would: theſe would have truth enſlaved, and luſt predominant. But to pretend to truth and not to allow it that Soveraignty which belongeth to its place and dignity, is indeed to reject it. Let truth rule thy judgement, will, and affections in all things. 55. Do not reſt in meere notions of truth, but endeavour to have the truth of God realized to thy ſoul. Labour to have thy heart poſſeſt with the ſubſtance and reality of Divine truth, to furniſh thy ſelfe with thoſe very things which thou findeſt cloathed with the truth of God in Scripture.Eph. 5. 8Eph 5:8 Saith the Apoſtle, Ye were ſometime in darkneſſe: but now are ye light in the Lord. He doth not ſay, ye have light, but ye are light, the light is realized in you, ye are transformed into the light, p. 16ye are become ſuch indeed and in truth as the light diſcovereth thoſe to bee who are children of light. The word and truth of God hath many beames of light in it, and we muſt ſeek to take them in ſo, as to find the reall effects of them in our ſelves. Beleeve, and thou ſhalt be ſaved: there is a beame of truth: and then do we buy this truth indeed, when we get that precious Faith of God his elect, that Faith unfeigned which really uniteth the ſoul to Chriſt, taketh root in him, draweth life and ſpirit from him, conformeth and ſubjecteth the ſoul unto him. Take heed of Satans jugling, leſt he ſell thee a counterfeit ſtone inſtead of this precious Pearl: a falſe Faith, a vaine fancy, an empty ſhadow of Faith: how many content themſelves with this, becauſe it is of a low price, or rather may bee had for nothing? But if ever that caution be needfull, it is in this caſe,Caveat Emptor. Caveat Emptor, Let him that would buy truth, beware. It is not in this caſe, as when a man would buy a thing to pleaſe a childe, a ſlight toy of ſmall value will ſerve as well as a better: but it is as if a man were to buy a ſhip to tranſport himſelfe, his whole family and all his goods into a far-country: were it not the extremity of folly to venture all in a rotten veſſell for ſaving of charges, rather then with greater coſt to provide a ſubſtantiall bottome? Oh let us tremble to embark our ſouls (more precious then the world) together with all our eternall hopes in a leaking ſhip of a rotten faith, being to make ſo great a voyage, among ſo many dangerous Rockes and ſands, through ſo many ſtormes and waves, which were too much for the ſoundeſt Faith to breake through were it not kept by the power of God unto Salvation. Luke 13.Luke 13Again, Except ye repent ye ſhall all periſh. Doe not think thou haſt bought this truth, ſo ſoon as thy judgement is informed that this grace of repentance is neceſſary to ſalvation, thou haſt but viewed it yet, thou haſt not purchaſed it. If thou wilt buy it indeed, thou muſt have a through change wrought in thy heart & ſoul, repentance from dead works, repentance unto life: thou muſt look upon thy ſweeteſt ſins as thy bittereſt enemies, and feel them as they heavieſt burthens, fleeing from them as from a Serpent, inwardly loathing, outwardly leaving them. Thou muſt labour for the truth of mortification, the reall deſtruction of thy luſts: as it is ſaid of Caſſius Chaerea, a Pretorian Collonel or Tribune, when he and others conſpired the death of that cruell tyrant Caligula, Suet: in Calig.the ſignall word agreed upon was Repete, ſtrike again: So thou muſt not content thy ſelf to make ſome faint attempts againſt thy ſinnes, or a light skirmiſh as ſouldiers, at a p. 17muſter, but thou muſt do it with all thy might: haſt thou wounded them, and do they yet reſiſt? Repete, ſtrike again and again, hate them, purſue them to the death, give them no quarter, ſpare them not ſo long as thou findeſt them ſtirre or breath. Again, the Apoſtle ſaith,Rom. 14. 17.Rom 14:17 The Kingdom of God is righteouſneſſe, peace, joy in the Holy Ghoſt. This is a moſt ſweet and precious truth: wouldſt thou buy it? If thou doeſt, thou buyeſt a Kingdome, yea a Kingdome more worth then all the Kingdomes of the world. But if thou wilt buy it, indeed, thou muſt have this Kingdome ſet up in thy heart. Righteouſneſſe muſt reigne there, or Chriſt muſt reign there in righteouſneſſe, and thou muſt have a ſoul ſubdued to his Scepter. The Peace of God muſt rule in thy heart: Col. 3. 15.Col 3:15and that is peace in truth: when ſin reigneth, the ſoul hath no peace with God, it may be in a dead ſleep. Then haſt thou this truth of peace with God, when the Peace of God ruleth within thee, ſuppreſſeth mutinous affections, ſubdueth rebellious luſts, when the winds and ſea obey it, and it hath power to calme all the turbulencies and diſorders of thy ſpirit. So concerning joy in the Holy Ghoſt, Thou muſt have thy heart poſſeſt with this joy, if thou wilt purchaſe this truth. How many read and hear of joy in the Holy Ghoſt unſpeakable & full of glory, but yet content themſelves with ſuch joyes and delights as are full of ſhame, at leaſt full of vanity, and end in mourning and miſery? theſe are falſe joyes,foreign. as one ſaith, Voluptates animi febres, earthly joyes are ſoul-feavers, carnall, ſenſuall, ſinfull delights are even the agues of the inner man. For what is the condition of a ſoul given up to pleaſures of this nature but to be in a continuall agitation between hot paroxyſmes or burning fits of luſt, and cold ſhaking fits of ſhame and horrour. Now as there is a great difference between that unnaturall inflammation of a feaveriſh body, drinking up the radicall moiſture, & waſting the ſpirits, and that kindly weltempered heat of an healthy body: ſo there is a vaſt diſtance between thoſe vaine and earthly or impure and ſinfull delights, which waſte the conſcience, and thoſe ſoul-raviſhing, ſweet, ſerene and heavenly joyes which flow from the boſome of Chriſt into the breaſts of beleevers. I might adde many other inſtances, but I forbear.

6Laſtly, if ye will buy truth, ye muſt improve it. It is none of thoſe commodities which a man may buy, and then ſuffer it to lie dead by him:2 John. 4.2 John 1:4 no man buyeth the truth, but he that buyeth it for uſe. I rejoyced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth: as we have p. 18received a commandment from the Father. It is no arbitrary thing or matter of indifferency, but one of the great commandments of God, that we ſhould walk in truth: and Paul having told the Epheſians, Ye are light in the Lord, he inferreth, walk as children of light. Then a man hath bought the truth, when he walketh in the light, and power of Divine truth, when he prayeth, humbleth his ſoul, heareth the word, and performeth every act of Divine worſhip in ſpirit and truth, out of ſuch true principles, in ſuch a manner, with ſuch a frame of heart and ſuch aimes as the truth of God his word requireth, when in his place and calling he improveth the truth of God to all purpoſes. Thoſe things which men buy at high rates, they deſire to make the moſt of. The truth of God being ſo exceeding precious and coſtly, thoſe that buy it ſhould labour to improve it to the uttermoſt. It is none of thoſe things▪ which are the worſe for wearing.

2.2. Part of the generall Exhortation Let us be perſwaded not to thinke any coſt too much that we may buy truth. And firſt, conſider (I beſeech you) what we muſt caſt away, which otherwiſe might hinder us either in getting or keeping truth. 2. What we muſt be content to reſigne and yeeld up into the Lord his hands, that wee may buy truth. The former are ſuch things as are better caſt away then kept, the very loſſe of them will be our gain.

1.Mat. 5. 8.Matt 5:8 In generall our luſts and ſinnes. Bleſſed are the pure in heart: for they ſhall ſee God: an heart cleanſed from the filthineſſe of fleſh and ſpirit, is like a cleer glaſſe fitteſt to give a reflection of thoſe beams of truth, which ſhine from the face of God in Chriſt. The ſecret of the Lord is with them that fear him, and he will ſhew them his Covenant. They that will ſee cleerly, muſt do away theſe ſcales from the eyes of the inner man. 2. In ſpeciall, let us renounce our carnall and naturall wiſdom.1. Cor. 3. 18 &c. Intus …xiflens prohibet ….1 Cor 3:18 1. If any man among you ſeemeth to be wiſe, let him become a fool, that he may be wiſe: for the wiſdom of this world is fooliſhneſſe with God. A ſpirit emptied of all ſelf-ſufficiency, and ſelfeconceitedneſſe is beſt fitted to receive the wiſdom of God, and to purchaſe His truth. 2. Lay aſide all prejudices againſt the truth: and firſt quit all prejudices againſt the dignitie of Truth. Take heede of thinking any Truth of God to be below thee, too meane for thee to ſtoope to▪ Do not thinke thy ſelfe, thy place or parts too high for the leaſt of God his holy Truthes.2 Tim. 4. 22 Tim 4:2 Preach the word, be inſtant in ſeaſon, out of ſeaſon, is a Truth of God which once was given in p. 19Charge to Timothy: but (ſome I beleeve) who pretended to be of Timothy his Ranke, looked upon this truth as a thing below their places. On the other ſide when a cauſe of Religion was brought before Galli…, he cared for none of theſe things, he had no leiſure to ſpend time about words and names, his place ingaged him in Realities, State-matters, ſuch as were worthy of a Proconſuls Cognizance. 2. Take heede of prejudices againſt the neceſſity of truth, looke not upon it as a matter of indifferency. Regard it as that one thing neceſſary. 3. Renounce all prejudicate opinions of dangers or inconveniences, which ſeeme to attend or follow truth, ſuch as diviſions and commotions: theſe (though accidentall to truth) doe ordinarily throng in after it.Luke 12. 51.Luke 12:51 Suppoſe yee that I am come to ſend peace on Earth? I tell you, Nay, but rather diviſion: and that betweene thoſe of neere relations, as it followeth there. Hereupon ſome ſeeme to be as much afraid of the truth, as of a ball of wilde-fire, they dare not buy it: they would rather baniſh it out of their Coaſts: whereas truth is no way the cauſe, though the corruptions of ſome men and their malignity againſt it, and the weakenes and miſtakes of others, often make it an occaſion of thoſe ruptures. That there are oppoſitions betweene the friends and enemies of truth, is not ſtrange: but that there are diſſentions among ſome of thoſe, who unfainedly love and ſeek truth, and agree in the moſt and principall parts of it, is ſad: yet let not this prejudice hinder us from buying and imbracing truth. Amongſt thoſe who in the Apoſtles daies received the Goſpell, and with joynt conſent acknowledged the Lord Jeſus to be the Chriſt, there were differences about the obſervation of Moſaicall Rites, and Ceremonies: this prejudice did not keepe the faithfull from imbracing and holding faſt the truth of the Goſpell. In Luthers time there were controverſies betweene thoſe who were newly come out of Babylon: this prejudice did not ſo far prevaile with the Godly, as to make them preferre their ſlaverie under Anti-Chriſt above the ſweete yoake of Chriſt. Let the unanimous and full conſent of the Godly in many, and thoſe the moſt ſubſtantiall parts of truth, encourage thee to buy the truth: let not their differences about few and leſſe materiall things diſcourage thee. 4. Caſt off that prejudice which Satan may ſuggeſt unto thee, in regard of the meaneneſſe of thoſe perſons who hold forth the truth, either as the Lord his Agents, whom he maketh uſe of to invite buyers, the Miniſters of the Goſpell, or as purchaſers, who having p. 20bought the truth, deſire to commend their penny-worths to others, as Philip did to Nathanael, Joh. 1. 45.John 1:45We have found him, of whom Moſes and the Prephets did write, Jeſus of Nazareth: Come and ſee. If any ſuch be contemptible in the eye of the world, as thoſe were who followed Chriſt, whom the proud Phariſees overlooked with ſo much ſcorne,Joh. 7. 49.John 7:49 This people who knoweth not the Law are curſed: Let not this ſeeme any diſparagement to the Truth of God which needeth not borrow any thing from man: its owne ſoveraigne Authority is enough to command all, its native beauty and proper worth is ſufficient to commend it to all. When King Amaziah had ſet up and worſhipped the Idolls of the ſame people, whom himſelfe had lately overcome in battle: the Lord ſent him this Meſſage by a Prophet, Why haſt thou ſought after the gods of the people, 2 Chro. 25. 16.2 Chr 25:16which could not deliver their owne people out of thine hand? This was a Truth which carried ſo much ſtrength and evidence of Reaſon in it, that it ſeemeth to preclude all contradiction: yet ſee how pride and prejudice againſt the perſon that held it forth, prevailed! ſaith the King, Art thou made of the Kings Councell? forbeare, why ſhouldeſt thou be ſmitten? Art thou a fit perſon to reprove a King? thou art none of the Privie Councell: marke how the Prophet replyeth, and twice deſcanteth upon the Kings words;foreign I know that God hath Counſelled to deſtroy thee, becauſe thou haſt done this, and hast not hearkened to my Counſell Doeſt thou deſpiſe my Meſſage becauſe I am not made of thy Councell? Know this, that in this particular, the King of Kings hath made me of his Councell, and the word which I brought is the very Truth and Counſell of the great God, as thou ſhalt find to thy ruine, inaſmuch as thou haſt deſpiſed it. The Truth of God needeth not receive any reputation from rotchets or ſcarlets, if thou deſpiſeſt it for the meanneſſe of thoſe that bring it, thou deſpiſeſt Him that ſendeth it.

22. Let us conſider what we muſt give up or lay out for Truth when the Lord calleth for it. And here obſerve that although truth be alwaies alike precious in it ſelfe, yet at ſome time the purchaſe of it is more coſtly then at other. Bread-Corne it is as good in it ſelfe, and as neceſſary for the life of man at one time as at another, yet ye know in ſome time of ſcarcity one buſhell may coſt as much as three or foure in times of plenty; but whatever it coſt it muſt be had, Men muſt live: ſo Truth hath its deare yeares, when thoſe that will buy it, muſt give greater rates than ordinary: but whatſoever p. 21it coſt, it muſt be had, we muſt buy it, or elſe we periſh: Now we 1muſt alwayes give up our ſelves to God, that we may buy truth, our underſtandings, wills, affections, our ſoules and bodies to his guidance, ſoveraigne command and diſpoſing. And as it is ſaid concerning God,Rom. 8. 32Rom 8:32 He that ſpared not his owne Son, but delivered him up for us all: how ſhall he not with him alſo freely give us all things? ſo on our part, he that ſincerely giveth up himſelfe to the Lord, to be wholly his, how can he thinke any thing too dear when the Lord requireth it? why did not the young man give up his poſſeſſions upon Chriſts demand? becauſe he had not given up himſelfe. When the Lord told Peter what he ſhould ſuffer for the truth, and by what death he ſhould glorifie God, he queſtioneth about his Fellow-Diſciple, (whether out of curioſity,Joh. 21. 21, 22.John 21:21John 21:22 or ſome ſpice of envie, I know not) And what ſhall this man doe? Jeſus ſaith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? If I will that he live till I come, and call him in an ordinary way of viſitation, and that the Truth of the Goſpell ſhall prove more coſtly to thee than to him, what doeth that concerne thee? If both of yee give up your hearts to mee and my truth, it is no great matter, whether it coſt you more or leſſe in other regards. 22. Then yee muſt buy truth though it coſt yee never ſo much of your treaſures, either to procure the meanes, or to maintaine the cauſe, or to retaine the profeſſion and practice of Truth. All theſe things muſt be looked upon as loſſe and dung in compariſon of the excellency of Chriſts truth.Mat. 16. 26.Matt 16:26 What is a man profited if he ſhall gaine the whole world, and loſe his ſoule? and if he leave the truth, he loſeth his ſoule. It may ſeeme the times are come upon us, wherein the Lord will make diſcoveries, who they are that prize this earthly droſſe above thoſe rich treaſures of his Kingdome. Let us not ſay in our hearts, we could willingly purchaſe truth, if it might be had at ſuch eaſie rates as our Fathers bought it. No, if we will not buy it now at ſuch a price as it may be had, whatſoever it be, neither would we have bought it then, though at a lower rate. And thoſe who lived and died in thoſe times, and purchaſed truth indeed, would have bought it at a farre higher rate, had it beene exacted of them. He that giveth up his heart to God for truth, will never breake off for the price: he that doth not yeeld up his heart, doth never truly buy, though he liveth in the cheapeſt times. 33. Be content to lay out your ſtrength for truth, to take any paines, to undergoe any labour. What if any of you be forced to travell more p. 22miles than others? ſuch a reaſon doth not keepe people from Faires and Markets: although the Engliſh Merchant hath a longer voyage to the Eaſt Indies than the Portugals by many leagues, this doth not make them give over trading. Though it coſt thee more paines in reading, ſtudying, meditation, by reaſon of the ſlownes of thy apprehenſion, weakenes of judgment or memory; more ſtriving in prayers, more fears, more labouring with thine own heart to bring it in ſubjection unto truth, than it doth ſome other, let nothing beat thee off, buy it whatſoever it may coſt thee. 44. Be content to engage all the credit which thou haſt with the world for the purchaſe of truth: Buy it with the hazard, and (if need be) the loſſe of thy reputation.Mat. 12. 42 43.Matt 12:42 Among the chiefe rulers many believed …n Chriſt, but becauſe of the Phariſees they did not confeſſe him, leſt they ſhould be put out of the Synagogue; for they loved the praiſe of men more then the praiſe of God. They valued their credit with men above the truth of God: miſerable folly! though the way of truth ſhould be called hereſie (as in Pauls time) though the truth be ſcorned, reproached, evill ſpoken of, though the wiſe men of the world thinke no better of thoſe that buy truth than of ſuch as pay dear for a trifle, and ſay of them in their hearts,Act. 26. 24Acts 26:24 A fool and his money are ſoon parted, though thou muſt bee counted a fool and a mad man, as Feſtus termed Paul, yet buy it howſoever. 55. Be content to buy Truth with expence of time, though that be very precious, eſteem that time well beſtowed, which is laid out for Truth. Doe not ſay, Wherefore is this waſte? Aelian: foreignThough time cannot be bought with gold, yet it is well ſpent for the purchaſe of Truth. Apelles beholding a curious picture Drawne by Protogenes, admired the wormanſhip: but underſtanding that it had been ſeven yeers in hand, he ſaid the grace of the work was not anſwerable to the time and paines beſtowed upon it. But if thoſe whom the Lord in his providence hath called together, ſhall be able by the good hand of their God upon them, to draw to the life that glorious body of Truth in all its lineaments for matter of doctrine, worſhip, government, diſcipline, I doubt not but in concluſion it would be found time well imployed, though it ſhould coſt more moneths then ſome expected. And as in this more publike enquiry after truth, ſo in particular ſearchings after it, bee carefull to redeem time from other occaſions, that thou mayeſt ſpare it for buying of truth. It is part of the bleſſed mans deſcription, His delight is in the Law of the Lord, and in that Law, he p. 23doth meditate day and night. 66. Peace is one of the great bleſſings of God upon a people, and yet if need be we muſt part with this alſo to purchaſe truth. If peace may be hadwith truth, it is exceedingly to be deſired, as in toher reſpects, ſo for truths ſake, to which (if well improved) it may be very ſerviceable and uſefull towards the opening of a free trade for truth, which is many wayes obſtructed and interrupted by war. But when truth cannot be ſecured but by the ſword, and all wayes are tried which are conſiſtent with the purity, ſafety, and honour of truth, and recourſe is had to warre as the laſt remedie, in ſuch a caſe peace it ſelfe muſt be broken, that truth may be preſerved and purchaſed. Object. Some may ſay, there is no ſufficient cauſe at this day in relation to truth, Anſw. and the buſineſſe of Religion, to ground a neceſſary warre upon. I anſwer, 1. I doe not take upon me to aſſert that this warre was primarily and originally a warre of Religion. But ſecondly, if that were granted, I deſire that caſe betweene the Tribes of Iſrael may be conſidered: The two Tribes and an halfe beyond Jordan built an Altar by the River:Joſh. 22. 10. &c.Josh 22:10 tidings came to the reſt of Iſrael, who apprehended this as an Act tending to the falſifying and corrupting of the Truth of God, and the Ordinances of his Worſhip. This was conceived a juſt ground for a Warre: For the whole Congregation of the Children of Iſrael gathered themſelves together at Shilo to goe up to warre againſt them. But yet deſiring a peaceable accommodation, if it might be had without prejudice to truth, they reſolve to treate with them, and ſend Phineas a man of great eminencie, and ten Princes with him. Theſe deale throughly in the buſineſſe, and preſſe it home upon them: the Defendants make a free and candid declaration of their intentions, ſhewing that this Altar was not erected for Burnt offering nor for Sacrifice, but onelyonly for a Monument of their intereſt in the God of Iſrael: whereupon both the Ambaſſadours and (at their returne) the people were fully ſatisfyed. Now ſuppoſe this Altar had beene built for ſacrifice, as was ſuſpected, and compare with this the many hundred Altars (I beleeve) lately erected in this Land, to the darkning at leaſt of thoſe great Truths of the Goſpel, that Chriſt is the only Altar which ſanctifyeth all the offerings of the faithfull, that His Sacrifice of himſelf once offered by Himſelf is the onelyonly Propitiation: adde hereunto the Idolatrous bowings p. 24and cringings, the Crucifixes and Images ſet up in many places, the indeavours to corrupt the Truth and Doctrine of Chriſt in divers points of great importance, the plots laid to ſtop the courſe of the Goſpell & propagating of the truth, the obſtinate reſiſtance againſt ſuch a Reformation as the Truth of God cleerely revealed in His Word, requireth. &c. And ſee whether there were not many cauſes for a Warre againſt the Enemies of the truth in England, for one which Iſrael had, though that had beene ſuch as was ſurmiſed. Oh, that the Lord would deliver our King from thoſe that are Adverſaries of his Truth, and make him an Inſtrument to execute His wrath upon the great whore, that ſo the Truth of God might have a free paſſage through the ſeverall Regions of the World. I have read of ſome Mariners who being toſſed on the ſea in a Tempeſt, were ſo ſuperſtitiouſly ſlaviſh, as to vow or promiſe at leaſt upon their ſafe arrivall on the ſhore, to build a Temple, the mortar whereof ſhould be tempered with Malmſey: I deſire it may be conſidered whether thoſe be not more laviſhly prophane, who being terrifyed with the ſtormes of warre, could be content to make the ſacred Truth of God (more precious then all the golden veynes in the bowells of the Earth) to ſerve in ſtead of mortar for the cementing or rather daubing up an unſound peace with men. Object. But it may be ſaid, the loſſe of peace implyeth by conſequence the loſſe of life, the expence of bloud: and precious in the ſight of the Lord is the death of his Saints. Pſal. 119. 15.Ps 119:15Anſw. I anſwer, it is true, and doubtleſſe The Lord will make inquiſition for their bloud. And yet in the laſt place, even this precious bloud of God his people is not too precious to be adventured or ſpent in the neceſſary defence of Gods Truth. Did not Chriſt himſelfe ſhed his moſt precious bloud (worth more than all the beſt bloud under Heaven) to ſeal the Truth of the Goſpell, the truth of all the promiſes of the new Covenant? none of all which had been true, if Chriſt had not ſhed his bloud to verifie them.2 Cor. 1. 20.2 Cor 1:20 For all the Promiſes of God in him are yea, and in him Amen. The Law is true, in it ſelfe: but the Truth of the Goſpell and Word of Promiſe dependeth wholly upon Chriſt. The Law hath an intrinſecall and native truth: Curſed is he that continueth not in all things written in the Booke of the Law to doe them. But the Truth of the Promiſe is borrowed: the promiſe of the pardon of ſinne, of juſtifying the ungodly, of being mercifull to p. 25unrighteouſneſſe, paſſing by iniquity, blotting out tranſgreſſions, &c. ſeemeth to croſſe the Truth of God, His Juſtice and Holineſſe, if ye conſider it without reference to Chriſt: It is true then onelyonly in Chriſt: the Truth of this Teſtament dependeth wholly upon the death of the Teſtatour.Ioh. 18. 37John 18:37 To this end (ſaith he) was I borne, and for this cauſe came I into the world, that I ſhould beare witneſſe to the Truth. How many thouſands of God his Saints have drunk of the ſame Cup in ſeverall Ages? It is appointed to all men once to dye: and that is a bleſſed improvement of death, when a man dyeth not onelyonly in the Lord, but for the Lord and His Truth: He that loſeth his life ſhall find it: He ſhall find mortality ſwallowed up of life: His life is hid with Chriſt in God, far above the reach of any weapons of warre, and when Chriſt who is his life ſhall appear, then ſhall he alſo appeare with him in Glory.

And now give me leave,2. A more ſpeciall exhortation. Much honoured Worthyes, to beſpeake your ſelves in the Name of the God of Truth: whom I looke upon as precious Inſtruments▪ of the Lord, for the advancing and promoting of His Truth, Truth of doctrine, of worſhip, of diſcipline, truth and power of Godlineſſe. Ye are farre engaged in this Cauſe of truth already, and it concerneth you to goe on, both in Conſcience and in point of Honour, but chiefely for the Honour of your God, who hath ſo highly dignifyed and ſo many wayes encouraged you by notable teſtimonies of His Preſence. Let it appeare that ye are ſo poſſeſſed with the truth, ſo overpowered by the truth, that ye may juſtly apply that of the Apoſtle to your ſelves,2 Cor. 13. 8. Rev. 3. 14.2 Cor 13:8Rev 3:14 We can do nothing againſt the truth, but for the truth: and then Chriſt will not fayle to make good that title, which he hath aſſumed to himſelf: The Amen, the faithfull and true witneſſe. The People of God have repoſed a great truſt in you▪ and they expect truth from you. And (bleſſed be God) they have had their deſires in great meaſure already anſwered: and the Worke is yet in your hands, theſe firſt-fruits ſeeme to be pledges of a full Harveſt, if our ſinnes doe not blaſt our hopes. One of the cleereſt evidences (I conceive) which ye can give of the truth of your hearts to the Publick Cauſe, is Selfe-denyall and quitting of Private Intereſts. Of this ye have given reall demonſtration in your readines to deveſt your ſelves of militarie and civill dignities, that ye might reſerve your ſelves for your proper worke. Hereupon yee may p. 26with greater Authority exact truth from thoſe whom yee ſhall imploy, a true accompt of the publick ſervice, and for the future (at leaſt) a true accompt of the publick treaſure, though perhaps for the time paſt it may be difficult, if not impoſſible, in regard of thoſe many ſudden exigents, confuſions, unexpected occurrences which have happened: yea, inaſmuch as ye have made your ſelves ſuch eminent precedents of ſelf-denyall, how can others in modeſty refuſe, if you require them not to ſeeke great things for themſelves, in making over much advantage of the publick miſeries: eſpecially ſuch whoſe ſervice is attended with no hazard, and very little labour? ſome redreſſe in theſe things might encourage the well affected to more cheerefulneſſe in aſſiſting the common Cauſe, and ſtop the mouthes of others.

More particularly, let me beſeech you in the firſt place to examine every man the truth and ſincerity of his owne heart in managing the great buſineſſe which yee have in hand. To profeſſe a mans ſelfe engaged in the Cauſe of truth, and yet to be ſalfe-hearted toward it, and to harbour treacherous aimes againſt it, is not onelyonly contrary to the duty of a Chriſtian, but a thing far below the ſpirit and ingenuity of a Gentleman: it ſuiteth better with the baſenes of common cheaters, then with men of place and worth. A man who by his corrupt principles is led out of the way, and put into a poſture of defiance and open hoſtility againſt the truth, is leſſe odious by many degrees then a falſe brother. I am perſwaded there was more of the Devill in one Judas, then in all the High Prieſts Cavaliers, and that Chriſt reſented more helliſh malignity in that one Traytours kiſſe, than in all their ſwords and ſtaves. Wherefore,Gal. 6. 4, 5.Gal 6:4Gal 6:5 Let every man prove his owne worke, and then ſhall he have rejoycing in himſelfe, and not in another. For every man ſhall bear his owne burden. It is not enough to joyne with thoſe who are ſincere in the Worke of the Lord, but every man muſt prove his own worke, with what heart, out of what inward principles, to what end. upon what grounds and motives, in what manner he doth it, that he may have rejoycing in himſelfe, and not in thoſe with whom he joyneth in a good cauſe, nor by comparing himſelfe with thoſe who either directly oppoſe, or baſely deſert it. For in the great day of account every man ſhall beare his owne burden: men ſhall not be ranked on the right hand by whole Companies, p. 27Corporations, Regiments, Brigades, Armies, Houſes of Parliament, but as in that ſearch which was made in Achan his caſe, they ſhall be ſingled out man by man, and every mans worke ſhall be tried in particular.

22. Be united among your ſelves in the great cauſe of Truth: according to that of the Apoſtle,Phil. 1. 27.Phil 1:27 Stand fast in one ſpirit, with one minde ſtriving together for the Faith of the Goſpel. The expreſſions are ſtrong: he ſpeaketh to them as to Champions of the Truth, foreign. i…de Athleta. foreign.as the originall word importeth: and to whom may it bee applyed if not to ſuch …oble Champions as your ſelves? ſtand faſt, keep your ground, Servate gradum (as Beza.) maintain your ſtation, and that in one ſpirit, in the power and ſtrength of that Holy Spirit of Truth, with one minde or one ſoul, wreſtling or ſtriving together, as if ye were a combination of many bodies aſſociated and concentred together by one ſoul, as one man with joynt forces contending for the Truth of the Goſpel, and for the cauſe of Truth: ſo ſhould ye be able to ſtrengthen your ſpirits with that encouragement following,Verſe 28. In nothing terrified by your adverſaries, which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of ſalvation, and that of God. Your uniting would be a terrour to the adverſaries, a ſtrengthening to your ſelves, an encouragement to thoſe who are friends to the truth, and your friends and ſervants for the Truthes ſake. If a noble Heathen out of a morall bravery of ſpirit, could privatas inimicitias reipublicae condonare, paſſe by private quarrells for the Common-wealthes ſake: far be it from any Member of a Chriſtian Parliament not to lay down all private grudges and croſſe deſignes at the feet of this afflicted Church and State, far be it from them not to quit them for the truthes ſake, leſt the cauſe of truth ſhould miſcarry through their default. If the greateſt perſons who will approve their hearts to God, muſt throw down their Crownes at the footſtoole of Chriſt, how much more their corruptions? But eſpecially let every one take heed of raiſing or fomenting diviſions out of a ſecret deſire to hinder the carrying on of the great work. Differences in judgement about things directly relating to conſcience are to be pitied in contemplation of the common imbecillity of mans underſtanding. But when men for ſiniſter ends delight to make rents or cheriſh factions, this is fearfull: let none p. 28ſuch deceive themſelves, God is not mocked. In extraordinary times, ſuch as theſe upon which the providence of God hath caſt us, men have extraordinary opportunities of doing God more then ordinary ſervice: and on the other ſide they have extraordinary occaſion of bringing more then ordinary guilt upon themſelves, and wrath upon their poſterity. This is a time when thoſe who have hearts to improve it, may wonderfully further their account: and a time when men may exceedingly aggravate their condemnation. 33. Let me beſeech you to go on, as you have begun, in opening a free paſſage and procuring a free trade and open market for the truth of God, that all may have liberty and be encouraged to buy and furniſh themſelves. And for this end to remove of obſtructions, in reſtraining the ſpreading of groſſe and dangerous errours and hereſies. I am confident in your wiſedome and piety, that ye are far from entertaining thoſe motions for an unlimited and prodigious licentiouſneſſe, which ſome have ſeemed to plead for.Ve…itatem ſub haſta vendere: vel potius praedae et direptioni exponere. What were this but to make port-ſale of the truth, if not rather to give over the protection of truth, and to expoſe it to be ſpoiled, ſacked, and plundred in a promiſcuous way by all ſorts of enemies? Let it bee free for all ſorts to buy any truth of God, but let not Satans factours and pedlars have liberty to vent his falſhoods.

Object. Object.But ſome may ſay, either ye muſt give liberty to all, or elſe ſhew no indulgence to any, who doe not in every point comply with that which is eſtabliſhed by authority. Anſw. I anſwer, I was never yet able to underſtand this Logick, the conſequence ſeemeth very ſtrange; I am ſure it will not be admitted in Chirurgery: if a man be conſtrained to cut off a limme deſperately infected with a gangrene, muſt he therefore part with an uſefull member for every little inflammation and diſtemper?Agelius, Siſinnius. foreign Soz. lib. 7. cap. 12. Socr. lib. 3. cap 10. Soz. lib. 2. cap. 30. That famous Emperour Theodoſius did not only bear with the Novatians, but countenance and familiarly conſult with ſome of them about Church-affairs (though differing in matter of diſcipline) being ſound in the Faith and having paſtors of eminent gifts and godlineſſe. And it is recorded of Conſtantine, that though he made a law in terrorem which was ſo comprehenſive that theſe were obnoxious to it, yet in point of execution he ſpared them. And the Apoſtle maketh a cleer difference: of one ſort he ſaith, p. 29A man that is an heretike, Tit. 3. 10.Titus 3:10after the firſt and ſecond admonition reject, knowing that he that is ſuch, is ſubverted, and ſinneth being condemned of himſelfe. Of the other he writeth in a far different ſtraine, Him that is weak in the Faith receive ye, Rom. 14. 1, 2.Rom 14:1Rom 14:2but not to doubtfull diſputations. For one beleeveth that he may eat all things; another who is weak eateth herbes. Let not him that eateth, deſpiſe him that eateth not: and let not him which eateth not, judge him that eateth: and the reaſon is very obſervable: For God hath received him. Surely much reſpect is to bee had to thoſe who give forth ſtrong convincing evidences that God hath received them, and that they have received his Truth in love. If thoſe are to bee tenderly dealt with in whom there is aliquid Chriſti, ſomething of Chriſt, how much more they in whom there is plurimum Chriſti, very much of Chriſt, much of that unction wherewith hee was anointed above his fellowes, much of thoſe graces which ſerve for the edifying of his myſticall body, and much of thoſe which accompany ſalvation.Comment. de ſtatu reipub. et relig. ſub Carol. 9. An: 1561: Oſiand Cent. 16 There is a paſſage recorded, which hapned between Anthony of Bourbon King of Navari… and the Ambaſſadour of Denmark: The King being a Peere of France and firſt Prince of the blood, challenged the Regency of that kingdom during the French Kings minority, and told the Daniſh Ambaſſadour that he hoped in ſhort time to procure a free paſſage for the Goſpel throughout the Kingdome of France: the Ambaſſadour ſhewed himſelfe pleaſed with this, but withall admoniſhed him to take care that Luthers doctrine, not Calvins might paſſe for current: the King replyed, Luther and Calvin agree in forty points againſt the Pope, and differ from each other but in one: let thoſe then who follow the ſeverall tenents of theſe two, joyn their ſtrength againſt the common enemy, and at better leiſure, in a more convenient ſeaſon compound their own differences. I am perſwaded, it is far from your Chriſtian Wiſdom and moderation to eſteem alike of thoſe who obſtinately ſhut their eyes againſt the bright beams of truth where it ſhineth out with full rayes, & thoſe who vary from you in leſſer things, wherein Scripture-light is not ſo cleer, but that good eyes may judge diverſly, and hearts cordially affected to the truth, may for a time diſſent. I grant much prudence and many cautions are needfull: as 1. That the perſons be known to be modeſt, pious and peaceable, leſt p. 30ſome of another ſpirit for evill ends ſhould make claime to, and ſo abuſe ſuch a liberty. 2. That all bitterneſſe, inſolency, turbulency of ſpirit, all reproachfull language and tumultuous carriages be forborne: for theſe (I am ſure) are no parts of liberty of conſcience 3. That no Church-meetings for worſhip be allowed but in places known, that there may be free acceſſe for any: in which reſpect I have often commended both the wiſedome and ingenuity of the French Proteſtants, who in one of their Treaties of peace (I take it) made this motion, that ſome officer of the King might be deputed to be preſent at their aſſemblies, for preventing of State-jealouſies and vulgar calumnies. For he that doeth truth commeth to the light, Joh. 3. 21.John 3:21that his deedes may bee made manifeſt that they are wrought in God. Many other meanes the Lord may ſuggeſt unto you, for the ordering of things in ſuch a way, that ſome mens priviledge may not be other mens prejudice, but that brethren may walk together in love, ſo far as they have attained, untill the Lord may pleaſe to give farther light.

44. It is a buſines worthy of your care to encourage the Miniſters of the Goſpel with a competent and comfortable maintenance, that they may attend upon their calling without deſtraction, and that their hands may be ſtrengthened in the work of the Lord: in ſo doing ye ſhall be fellow-helpers to the Truth: for theſe are perſons entruſted by the Lord, as his agents, to call in men to buy his truth. And for the ſame cauſe be pleaſed alſo to vindicate them from the foul reproaches of thoſe,Rom. 3. 13. 1 Cor. 4 3. foreign.Rom 3:131 Cor 4:3 who have The poiſon of aſpes under their lips. A faithfull Miniſter may ſay with the Apoſtle, With me it is a very ſmall (or the leaſt) thing that I ſhould be judged of you, or of mans judgement. But let it be conſidered whether the truth be not concerned in it, if any through their own weakneſſe ſhall be diſcouraged from buying, when they hear thoſe whom the Lord imployeth as his truſtees and factours to be cried downe and ſtigmatized for Baals prieſts, limmes of the beaſt, Miniſters of Antichriſt. The way to bring a ſhop out of cuſtome, is firſt to bring it out of credit.

55. Procced in that worke (wherein ye have already made ſo good a progreſſe) in removing thoſe who are either unskilfull or unfaithfull diſpenſers of the truth, or whoſe fingers are ſo foul p. 31that they fully the truth by handling it, cauſing the word and way of truth to be evill ſpoken of, and diſcouraging men from buying. The very heathens may ſhame thoſe who cenſure you in this: who ſeem to have been very tender of the honour of their idol-gods in this kinde.Livy. Livy (as I remember) hath a ſtory to this purpoſe:As they worſhipped goddeſſes or female gods, ſo they had female Prieſts. Soz l. 5. 15 foreign. Senec. A Veſtall virgine was ſuſpected of incontinency becauſe of her neatneſſe in apparell, courtly deportment or ſome ſuch thing, but being called in queſtion no ſuch crime appeared upon examination, yet was ſhe ſent away with a check or admonition, & willed to remember, Sancte magis quam ſcite colendas eſſe religiones. That the ſervices of their gods required rather ſanctity in thoſe that were actours in them, than any ſuch curious dreſſe as might carry an appearance of evill. And Sozomen inſerteth the Copie of a letter written by Julian the Apoſtate to Arſacius Arch-Prieſt of Galatia, requiring him to charge thoſe heatheniſh prieſts under his ſuperintendency, neither to haunt Theaters, or (according to our times) ſtage-playes, nor to frequent Tavernes, and that upon paine of deprivation. Seneca in his Controverſies hath ſuch a caſe as this. A Virgine being taken captive by Pyrates, was ſold to a Pandour, proſtituted in a Stewes, yet preſerved her virginity, and at laſt ſlew a man in defence of her chaſtity: whereupon ſhe was arraigned, and upon hearing of her cauſe, acquitted: after this ſhe ſueth to be admitted as a Prieſt to attend on one of their goddeſſes: this barre was put in againſt her plea by way of ſuppoſition: Tres petunt Sacerdotium: capta, preſtituta, rea: Suppoſe three ſeverall Virgins ſhould come in competition for the Prieſthood, whereof one had beene captivated, the ſecond proſtituted, the third arraigned, Omnibus nego: I reject them all: much more when all theſe meete in one: and yet in all theſe three was nothing criminall, but rather ſomething of diſparagement. How much more when the queſtion is concerning the admiſſion of men to the Miniſtry of the Goſpell, or retayning thoſe that were formerly admitted? ſuppoſe one of them a drunkard, another a ſwearer, a third ſuperſtitious, a fourth an ignorant perſon, a fift idle, &c. Omnibus nego: none of them ſhall have my voyce, and what ſhall we ſay of them in whom many of theſe meete? It was further preſſed in behalfe of that virgine, that her ſuite ſhould be regarded out of compaſſion to her p. 32ſufferings, it was anſwered, Non facimus miſerandos Sacerdote…: In chooſing Prieſts we muſt reſpect the honour of our gods, not the miſeries of thoſe who deſire the office: the wants and neceſſities of perſons and families in this caſe are not to be looked at, but the glory of Chriſt and the wants and miſeries of poore ſoules: yet I deſire from my heart that merciemercy may be ſhewed them in other kinds, that they may have meanes of ſubſiſtance, and thoſe who are knowne to be learned and ſtudious may not be deprived of their Libraries. Laſtly, I beſeech you, ſhew your ſelves tender of the honour of Truth it ſelfe, in bridling thoſe who caſt foule aſperſions upon it: rich wares troden under feele, and ſpoiled, may lie by neglected: buyers are nice, and will hardly come off, unleſſe that which is tendered to them be ſightly. This the Devill knoweth, and therefore ſtirreth up his Inſtruments to throw dirt upon the beautifull face of truth, not onelyonly in blinde corners, but alſo in pulpits and printed pamphlets. And, if it belong to a Court Martiall to do right to a man of quality in poynt of honour, ſurely it well becometh the ſupreame Court of Parliament to vindicate the Honour of God his everlaſting Truth.

Many motives might bee uſed to ſet on the Exhortation both generall and ſpeciall,Motives. exciting us to this great purchaſe of Truth, and to the promoting of the cauſe of Truth. Much might bee ſaid of the glory, riches, majeſty, beauty and divine excellencie of truth and heavenly wiſedome, for which I referre you as to other Scriptures, ſo in particularly to the eighth chapter of this booke of Proverbs. Give me leave for the preſent in few words to touch upon theſe three things, and ſo conclude, 1. The power of truth, 2. The ſpeciall engagements obligeing us of this Age and Nation to purchaſe and promote it, 3. A ſerious conſideration of what value the truth will be at the laſt. Admirable is the power and ſtrength of truth, for all that buy and poſſeſſe it, againſt all that either oppoſe or neglect it. All the moſt unlikely Propheſies of Scripture, have beene or ſhall be accompliſhed by the power of divine Truth: all the exceeding great and precious promiſes of the Goſpell have beene or ſhall be performed by it: all the dreadfull threats verifyed. The Power of truth rayſed a Seede of the vanquiſhed woman, to bruiſe the head of the Serpent and god of the world. It brought the Son of God to deſcend from His Throne of Supreame Majeſty, to cloath himſelfe p. 33with fleſh, ſubject himſelfe to the guilt of ſinne and curſe of the Law, to the death and ſhame of the Croſſe, to drinke the bitter Cup of his Fathers Wrath, and for that end to ſuſpend the excrciſe of His Authority in calling downe Legions of Angels from Heaven to reſcue him out of the hands of his enemies. The Power of Truth,Dan. 2.Dan 2 which is the Power of Chriſt Himſelfe, rayſed Him from the dead, and advanced Him to the right hand of the Throne of the Majeſty on High, &c.

Yea this Power of truth what wonderfull alterations hath it wrought in the world? how hath it diſſolved the ſeverall Mineralls whereof that Image was compoſed, the gold, ſilver, braſſe, and iron? broken in pieces famous Monarchies and Empires of the world, blaſted, and in great part already conſumed the power of that man of ſin, enfeebled the ſtrength of that Beaſt whom the world worſhipped and wondred at? It is admirable to conſider, how the ſtrength of divine Truth breaketh thorough all oppoſition,Rev. 3.Rev 3 beareth downe all reſiſtance, Pulleth downe the mighty from their Seates, Exalteth the humble and meeke: witnes a late and notable example in this Land, The Ruine of the Prelacy: Truth had long ſince ſpoken it, I will ſpew thee out of my mouth: yea, ſuch is the power of truth that it maketh its very enemies ſerve its ends, and in the midſt of the moſt perplexed concurrence of ſecond cauſes, croſſe interferings and overthwart interpoſings of inferiour Agents, holdeth a ſteady courſe towards its full accompliſhment, and moveth on in a ſtreight line to its finall period: where it arriveth moſt exactly in its owne proper poynt of time. The Power of God his truth brought Iſrael out of Egypt,Exo. 12. 41Exod 12:41 at the end of the four hundred and thirty years, even the ſelfſame day it came to paſſe. All Pharaohs oppoſitions, all his tergiverſations could not prorogue the terme of Iſraels bondage one day beyond that terme which truth had prefixed: nay, theſe ſerved rather to ſpinne out that interim, to fill up that voyde ſpace of time, that the truth might take place in its owne time. Woe to them, who ſtand up againſt the Power of truth at ſuch a time when any of its great workes are to be accompliſhed for the Iſrael of God. Thoſe perſons or what degree ſoever, Meane men, Nobles, Peeres, Princes, who happen to ſtand up as Adverſaries againſt the truth at ſuch a time, ſeeme to have beene borne in an p. 34evill houre. Pharaoh (I am perſwaded) might have gone to his grave with a great deale leſſe guilt upon his conſcience, had he lived and reigned in another Age, and not at that time when the Power of truth was to be put forth in. Iſraels deliverance: ſome of his Anceſtours (perhaps) had hearts as bad, but had no ſuch occaſion in ſo high a degree to treaſure up wrath againſt their owne ſoules: the like may be ſaid of his Courtiers and People, that joyned with him in that deſigne. When the Lord by viſible and glorious ſignes of the times and extraordinary diſpenſations of providence, owneth the cauſe of his People in bondage, and ſaith againe and againe, Let my People goe, let my People goe, that they may ſerve mee according to mine owne minde and direction, then let men tremble to hearden their hearts and oppoſe God, leſt in the iſſue it appeare that for this cauſe they were ſet up, that the Lord might make his Power knowne upon them. On the other ſide the Power of truth is ſtrong for all that embrace it, and labour to promote it. It will carrie them through all dangers and difficulties, and in the end crowne them with Glory. In a word, this Power of truth is ſufficient to deliver poore ſlaves and captives out of the power of Satan,John 8. 31. 32.John 8:31John 8:32 and to make them free. Then ſaid Jeſus to thoſe Jewes which beleeved on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my Diſciples indeed: and ye ſhall know the Truth, and the Truth ſhall make ye free. In a Sea-fight betweene the Spanyards and Hollanders, Triumphs of Naſſau.it is ſayd that a poore captive in one of the Spaniſh Galleyes, had his chayne wherewith he was faſtned, broken aſunder by a Cannon ſhot, himſelfe not hurt, and perceiving that he was looſe, leapt into the Sea with a Peice of his chayne and eſcaped to the other ſhip, by this ſtrange providence regaining his liberty: many ſeeme afraid of the truth, eſpecially when it commeth thundring like a Cannon ſhot from the mouth of ſome Boanerges, but if thou receive it, yeeld and ſubject thy ſelf to it, it will never hurt thee: no, it will breake thy chayne, thoſe chaines of death and darkeneſſe whereby Satan holdeth thee captive, and make thee free, and though thou mayeſt carry a piece of thy chaine with thee to thy dying day, yet it will wholly free thee in the end. Buy Truth, and walk in the power of the ſpirit of Truth, and ye ſhall be mighty in the ſtrength of Chriſt to overcome, and ſhall ſit downe with Him in his Throne, even as he overcame p. 35and is ſet downe with His Father in his Throne.

22. Many and great ingagements lie upon us of this Nation, and in particular upon us of this generation,Motive. to make us buy truth and ſtand for Truth to the uttermoſt. Wonderfully hath the Lord wrought for the bringing in, the reſtoring, preſerving and propagating of the Truth among us. To ſay nothing of the firſt introduction of the light, in or neere the Apoſtles times, How graciouſly did the Lord viſit this Nation about 200. yeers before Luthers dayes, by the miniſtery of Wickliffe and others, raiſing up a ſucceſſion of faithfull witneſſes to ſeal the Truth with their blood in the ſeverall Reignes of our Kings, who according to the blindneſſe of thoſe times gave their power to the Beaſt. Then followed that ſtrange act of Henry the eighth, in aboliſhing the Popes Supremacy: next, the wonderfull workings of our God upon the heart and by the hands of our Engliſh Ioſias King Ew…r… 6. In whoſe Reigne it is very obſervable, that by an admirable conjuncture of providence, the Churches of Germany ſhould be under perſecution, and the Churches in this Land ſhould enjoy a ſhort breathing time of Peace, that ſo England which had need to borrow light from forreigne parts, might be ſupplyed; from Germany Divines were called, both ſuch as were Orthodox, and ſuch (it ſeemeth) who were tainted with the Lutheran errour, one at leaſt, viz: Brentius a man noted to bee much infected aſwell with that great errour of ubiquity, as that of the Corporall preſence in the Sacrament, a perſon of eminent authority for his Learning and manifold accompliſhments, and one who had he accepted of the call,Vocatus a rege Angliae Edvardo ampliſsimis promiſsionibus. Mel: Ad: in vita, Brontii. might have ſowed ſuch ſeed in one or other of our Univerſities as might have overſpread the Land, & perhaps thoſe weeds which might have ſprang from it, would not have been rooted out unto this day, eſpecially if that be conſidered that our leading men Cramner, Ridley, &c. were ſuppoſed not to be wel informed in that point at that time. I conceive there was a gracious overruling providence of God in it, diverting him, and moving him to decline ſo faire an offer, though (it ſeemeth) hee was troubled to finde a place wherein to hide his head with ſafety. On the other ſide the Lord was pleaſed to incline the hearts of Martyr, Bucer and Phagius, three pious and Orthodox Divines to accept the call. What were all our multiplied p. 36deliverances in the Reigne of Queen Elizabeth, among the reſt that of 88. And ſince her time from the Powder-treaſon, and now of late a wonderfull ſeries or large Catalogue of extraordinary events brought about by the mighty hand of God; what are all theſe (I ſay) but the glorious workings of our God for the procuring and continuing unto us theſe precious opportunities of buying truth? and therefore they ought to be mighty provocations to our ſpirits not to neglect ſuch a price put into our hands, unleſſe we will ſhew our ſelves of all people upon the earth moſt unthankfull,Joſh. 10. 12Josh 10:12 and ſo moſt unexcuſable. Let me name one of the laſt ſort: that as in the dayes of Joſh. The Lord hearkened to the voice of a man, ſaying, Sun ſtand thou ſtill upon Gibeon, and thou Moone in the valley of Aialon, and the Sun ſtood still in the midſt of Heaven, and haſted not to go down about an whole day: ſo whereas our Parliaments have formerly been made like fleeting meteors or falling ſtars, giving ſome glimpſe of light and ſuddenly vaniſhing, the Lord ſhould now hearken to the cryes of His people, and give us a fixed Parliament, like the Sunne ſtanding ſtill in the midſt of Heaven, that ſo there might be time for the diſcovery and eſtabliſhment of Truth and for the ſcattering of the enemies of Truth.

33.Motive. And laſtly conſider what will be the value and price of truth at the laſt on the death-bed, in the day of judgement. How many thouſands of gold and ſilver, yea of worlds (if they had them) would the greateſt enemies or contemners of truth give at that day, if then it might be had, if then they could purchaſe the ſaving knowledge of God, of Chriſt, of the Goſpel, the Truth of Faith, repentance, ſanctification? then a whole world for a lamp full of this precious oyl. Certainly Truth is alwayes of the ſame value, every whit as much worth now as it will be then: But now men looke upon Truth as they do upon rich wares in a dark-ſhop, and ſo undervalue it, whereas they take a full view of the things of the world, and look upon them in the open Sun. But then the Truth ſhall be fully diſcovered, men ſhall ſee ſuch a light as they never ſaw, a glorious irradiation, and Divine brightneſſe from the face of Chriſt, and Truth ſhall be exhibited ſub dio, in the broad day-light in the cleer light of that Great Day, to which the light which now we ſee by, is but as a twilight p. 37or evening light. Then the worth of Truth ſhall be fully known: they that would not goe to the price of it ſhall know their loſſe.2. Pet. 3. 10 foreign.2 Pet 3:10 Oh ye that prize your wealth above the Truth, ye will be of another minde when the pillars of the earth are trembling, the heavens gathering together as a ſcroll, and paſſing away with a great or hideous noiſe, the elements dropping or melting, the earth and the works in it burnt up, if yee will ſeeke for that wealth which now yee value above the Truth, ye muſt ſeek it in that heap of aſhes: and ye that preferre your pleaſures above it, as they are but ſhadowes now when they are at beſt, ſo then they will be torments, and ye that eſteeme your honours, credit, reputation and the praiſe of men above the Truth, ye will then ſee that this was but a blaſt, an empty breath when ye enjoyed it, and then it will be nothing, yea, it will turn into ſhame and confuſion of face for ever. On the contrary, the beauty and glory of truth will then ſhine forth in perfection, & they that bought it at the higheſt rate ſhall cleerly underſtand what a bleſſed advantage they have made. Oh that now we could be wiſe for our ſouls! Let us be content to begger our ſelves (if need be) that we may bee rich. Give any thing to buy Truth. The time is ſhort (as the Apoſtle ſaith) it remaineth then that thoſe which buy the things of this world be as if they poſſeſſed not, as men ready to part with them at any time, looking upon them as things that little concerne them, carrying their hearts above them, keeping their ſpirits weaned from them:1 Cor. 7. 301 Cor 7:30 but that thoſe who buy Truth, bee as thoſe that poſſeſſe and improve it to the beſt advantage: For the faſhion of this world paſſeth away: but the Word and Truth of God, and the fruit, comfort and benefit of it endureth for ever.

FINIS.

End of the text · John Maynard, Sermon 26 February 1644 (1645)