The Mystical World Set Forth, Sermon

The Mystical World Set Forth · Sermon

p. 1THE Myſtical VVolfe.

Beware of falſe Prophets, which come to you in Sheepes cloathing, but inwardly they are ravening VVolves,

Math. 7. 15.

IN the former two Verſes, our Lord telleth his Diſciples of two waies, in which all mankind walke. The one a broad way that leadeth to deſtruction, in which many walke. The other a narrow way which leadeth unto life, which few finde. In this verſe, like a moſt loving kind friend, he forewarneth his Diſciples of the chiefe impediments hindering in the way (viz.) Falſe Prophets.

The journey of the Iſraelites to the Earthly Canaan, was a type of our journey to the Heavenly. And did not one falſe Prophet Balaam do them more miſchiefe in their journey, then Og the Gyant, King of Baſhan, Sehon King of the Amorites, and all their enemies beſide? duplicate page duplicate page p. 1p. 2Yea, could the Devil himſelfe in his owne likeneſſe, have beene more noxious and hurtfull to the Church of God, then ſome Hereticks have been? As one Hereticke Arrius denying the deity of Chriſt, in a… manner infected the whole Chriſtian world: The like did another falſe Prophet called Eutyches, denying his… ▪ humanity, (affirming the immenſity of Chriſts divine nature to have ſwallowed up his humane,) now if Chriſt had not been man, how could he have dyed for us ſinners? And if not God, how could hee have wrought the ſalvation of mankind?

Time will not ſerve me to relate what miſchief falſe prophets have done by the inſtigation of the Devill, neither need I. Our poore Church hath ſence enough of it, groaning under the burthen of them at this preſent, and eſpecially they that have cure of ſoules, may with great griefe of heart complaine, of Infants not brought to the Sacrament of Baptiſme, of multitudes refuſing to receive the holy Communion, of the accounting of the Lords prayer abhominable, and the Apoſtles Creed defective, and baniſhing the ten Commandements out of many of our Churches. The miſeries of this time are infinite, and who layeth hand to help? Is not our help only in the name of the Lord: upon whom our mother the Church hath taught us to call, from all falſe doctrine and heriſie, from hardneſſe of heart and contempt of thy Word and Commandements, good Lord deliver us.

p. 3Theſe words are part of our Lords holy ſermon in the Mount, which containeth;

A Premonition, in which there is

A Caution in this word foreign

A deſcription of them whom wee are to beware of, whom hee

1. Deſcribeth generally, by their Title, Ealſe Prophets.

2. Particularly, by their

Externall ſhew, they ſhall

Inward diſpoſition, being Ravening wolves.

1. Intrude themſelves.

2. Inſinuate.

3. Diſſemble.

And of theſe, as God ſhall enable me, & I pray God that this Text may be as profitable to you as fitting.

And firſt I purpoſe to ſpeake of falſe prophets, how dangerous they are, and of the caveat in the laſt place, which will be then more acceptable to you, you ſeeing the great danger that you are in by them foreign of falſe prophets.

The word Prophet is uſed in Scriptures,

Firſt, for a fore-teller of things to come, derived from the word foreign, which ſignifieth to divineFalſe Prophets. A falſis prophetis. foreign or fore-tell.

Secondly, in a larger ſenſe for all Miniſters and Teachers.

Our Lord biddeth us beware, not of Prophets, but of falſe prophets, or ſuch as pretend themſelves to bee Prophets.

p. 4The word ſignifieth lying prophets.

Saint Peter termeth them foreign ▪ lying teachers, 2 Peter 2. 1.2 Pet 2:1who privily ſhal bring in damnablehereſies.

St. Paul calleth them foreign, ſpeaking lies in hypocriſie.

Take heed of ſuch alſo as pretend that they ſpeake immediatly from God by revelation, as the illuminated Anabaptiſts, Familiſts and other Enthuſiaſts (make their proſelytes beleeve:) or from the Oracle of Gods Word by an eſpeciall inſight given them from above, to interpret Gods Word.

Again, from ſuch as turne the truth of God into a lye.Rom. 5. 25.Rom 5:25

The Fryers of old erected their Kingdome by lyes. Walſingham reporteth that they were ſo famous for lying,In Vita Rich. 2 that it was accounted a good argument, hee is a fryer Ergo a lyer.

Do not our lying prophets goe beyond them, they tell lyes, they write lies, they preach lyes, they print lyes, as if God needed lyes: Thou wilt deſtroy all them that ſpeake leaſing, ſaith the Prophet.Pſalme 5.Ps 5

Here I would obſerve two things.

1. That there have beene, and always ſhall be falſe …alſe prophets alwayes in the Church.prophets in the Church.

2. Why God ſuffereth them.

For the firſt, that there have been, and always ſhall be, falſe prophets in the Church.

There ſhal ariſe (ſaith our Lord) falſe prophets, and if Matthew 24.Matt 24it were poſſible, they ſhall deceive the very elect.

I know (ſaith St. Paul) that after my departing, grievous Acts 20. 29.Acts 20:29Wolves ſhall enter in among you. Again, the ſpirit … Tim. 4. 1.ſpeaketh evidently, that in the latter times, ſome ſhall depart from the faith, and ſhall give heed to the ſpirit of error, and doctrines of Devills, which ſpeake lyes through hypocriſ….

p. 5Likewiſe St. Peter affirmeth; But there were falſe 2 Pet 2. 1, 22 Pet 2:12 Pet 2:2prophets among the people, and there ſhalbe alſo falſe teachers among you which privily ſhal bring in damnable heſies, even denying the Lord that bought them, & bring upon themſelves ſwift damnation.

For example ſake, wee read of the Devill the archfalſe prophet, deceiving our firſt parents in Paradice: of Iamnes and Iambres, withſtanding Moſes, and reſiſting 2 Tim. 3. 82 Tim 3:8the truth: In Eliahs time of many falſe prophets deceiving the people: yea, in this very time when our Lord preached upon the earth.

The Church was annoyed with divers pernicious ſects: as with …he Phariſees, who like the Papiſts held Juſtification by works: With the Saduces, who held with the Atheiſts of our time, that there is no reſurrection: With the Eſſens, who like the Anabaptiſts of our time, thought themſelves free from all humane authority. I might ſet down the hereticks that ſprang up in the moſt pure ages of the Church, viz. In the firſt 400. yeares after Chriſt, collected by St. Aguſtine Lib. de haereſibus.out of Euſebius and Epiphanius.

The Apoſtles and holy men ſeldome planted any Churches, but the devill with his falſe prophets went about to ſubvert them. Heare what St. Paul ſaith to the Galatians. O ye fooliſh Galatians who hath bewitched Galat. 3. 1.Gal 3:1you▪ that you ſhould not obey the truth?

Again, to the Corinthians, I fear, leſt as the Serpent 2 Cor. 11. 3.2 Cor 11:3beguiled Eve through his ſubtilty, ſo you ſhould be corrupted from the ſimplicity that is in Chriſt.

The noble Churches of Antioch, Epheſus, Alexandria, and Conſtantinople, were poiſoned by falſe prophets.

In Epheſus were the Nicholaitans, in Alexandria, p. 6Arrius, in Antioch, Samoſatenus; in Conſtantinople, Eutyches and Neſtorius; and i… Britany, Pelagius, called in Welch, Morgan: But how Chriſtian Princes, & holy Biſhops, and learned men beſtir'd themſelves to ſave their flocks from thoſe Wolves, and in the very beginning to ſuppreſſe them, you may perceive by the ancient Councels, in ſome one of which 400. year, 600. Biſhops conve…ed, and ran together, yea among us, to damne Pelagius hereſie; Biſhops came from beyond the Seas, as Germanus and Lupus out of France, St. Auguſtine alſo Biſhop of Hippo in Africa, was aſſiſting to us againſt him, as appeareth by his writings extant among us: Our hiſtories report that our Welch Arch-biſhop Davie was a great meanes to extirpate his hereſie, who wrote a booke againſt it.

As ſorreign Biſhops were ayding to us in ſuppreſſing the hereticks that roſe among us, ſo were we aſſiſting to them, as Eborius of York, Reſtitutus of Londō, Adel…ius of Colcheſter, with other Brittiſh and learned men, ſubſcribed the Councell of Arles. Alſo ſome ofAn … 313. our Biſhops were at the Councell of Nice and Sardis, and with others damned the Arrian hereſie, and abſolved Athanaſius. Our poor Church is at this time oppreſſedJeſuites and other Rom…ſh …m…ſ…ies. with falſe prophets, not only with Ieſuites and other Romiſh Emiſſaries, but alſo with unpure Familiſts, who blaſphemouſly pretend to be godified likeF…liſts. God, whereas indeed they are devillified like their Father the Devill, who would be like the moſt high.

With illuminated Anabaptiſts, who blaſpheme theAnabaptiſts▪ baptiſme of Children, and theſe hereticks, whom in time paſt we burned, wee may heare now in our pul…its …educing the people.

We have alſo Donatiſtical Browniſts, who like theBrowniſts. p. 7Phariſees of old, ſeparate themſelves from other men, counting all men prophane that are not of their Conventicles.

We have alſo Independants, who dream that theyI…ded…. have a perfect model… of Church-government, which Almighty God kept ſecret from the Patriarks, Prieſts, Prophets, Apoſtles, and Doctors of the Church, and now lately revealed unto them.

We have alſo Antinomians, who, whereas the PapiſtsAntinomians. leave out one Commandement of the ten, they null the whole Law, not allowing it to be a rule of life. This opinion ſimple people ſwallow down, having, as they ſuppoſe, found a new way to heaven.

We have Arminians, an after-brood of Pelagius.Arminian….

We have Sabbatarianss, who affirme the old JewiſhSabbatarians. Sabbath to be kept; and not the Lords day.

We have alſo Antiſabbatarians, who would haveAntiſabbatarians. no ſpeciall Sabboth day at all, affirming every day to be a ſabbath to a chriſtian man.

We have Traſkites, who affirme many Jewiſh ceremoniesTraskites▪ to be obſerved by Chriſtians.

We have Arrians, who deny the deity of Chriſt.Arrians.

We have Antitrinitarians, who blaſpheme the holyAntitrinitarians. Trinity.

We have Millenaries, who dream that wee muſtMillenaries. live with Chriſt 1000. yeares here in earth before the reſurrection.

We have Hetheringtonians, who hold a hodg-podg of many hereſies.

We have an Atheiſticall ſect, who affirm that mensSoules ſleepe. ſoules ſleep with their bodies.

We have Socinians, who teach that Chriſt dyed, not to ſatisfie for our ſins, but to give us an example of p. 8patience, with other abho…inable errours.

Alas, what Hereſie have we not? and moſt of theſe are ſubdivided into many Sects: as there are about twenty ſorts of Anabaptiſts, fourteen ſet downe by Alſtedius, and the reſt by Bullinger; ſundry ſorts ofIn Indi…e Po…m. Bulling▪ …dver. An…b…. Familiſts, Browniſts, and of others: every day begets a new opinion, it faring with them, as with the ancient Hereticks, who having once forſaken the truth, wandred from one errour to another; they agreeing onelyonly in this one thing, to doe miſchiefe to the Church of God.

The old Fable may have relation to our times of an overture of peace tendred by the Wolves to the Sheep, but upon condition that they would put away their dogs, that were malignant to them: and doth not all this follow upon the ſuſpenſion of Church Government? Alas, our Church is oppreſſed by falſe Prophets, and we have no government to helpe. The City of God is on fire, and who goeth about to quench it? The plague of Hereſie is among us, and we have no power to keep the ſick from the whole: The Wolves that were wont to lye in the woods, dare come into our Sheep-folds, and roar in our holy Congregations.

O thou Shepheard of Iſrael, why haſt thou broken Pſal. …0.downe the hedges of this thy Vineyard, which thy right had had plantted? the Boare out of the Wood, and the wilde beaſt out of the field doth devour: Oh remember not againſt us our former iniquities, let thy tender mercies prevent us, for we are brought very low.

2. Why God ſuffereth falſe Prophets in his Church.

Reſp. 1. For the puniſhment of the ungodly, as2. Why God ſuffereth falſe Prophets. p. 9St. Paul affirmeth: Becauſe they received not the love of the truth, that they might be ſaved: Therefore 2 Theſ. 2. 10.2 Thess 2:10God ſhall ſend them ſtrong deluſions, that they ſhould believe a lye. foreign That all might be damned that believed not the truth.

St. Baſil hath a Contemplation why the Devill hath ſo many ſervants, who is the enemy of mankinde, and God ſo few, who hath created us and redeemed us, &c. The reaſon he ſaith, is not becauſe the Devill hath ſpoyled God of his Kingdome, but becauſe men loved not the truth, God gave them over to be ſlaves to the Devill. Were it poſsible that men ſhould be ſo carryed away to believe lyes and fooleries, but that they are given over to a reprobate ſence?

2. God ſuffereth falſe Prophets in the Church,1 Cor. 11. 1….1 Cor 11:1 for the tryall of the godly. There muſt be (ſaith St. Paul) Hereſies among you, that they which are approved may be knowne. The Lord proveth you, (ſaith Moſes) whether you love the Lord your God.

The Uſes that we ſhould make of this is,

Firſt in theſe diſtractions to bee more diligent toUſe 1. ſeek after the truth.

If Arrius had not ſo wickedly denyed the Deity of Chriſt, the deep myſteries of the holy Trinity had never beene ſo accurately determined by Athanaſius, and other learned Doctors.

If the Manichees had not ſo ſhamefully railed upon the old Teſtament, the learned Doctor, St. Auguſtine had never taken ſo much paines in anſwering their lewd Objections.

If the Browniſts, and other Sectaries had not ſo imp…dently diſgorged their malice upon our Church, p. 10calling her Whore of Babylon, &c. The learned men of our Age had never by their writings ſo ſufficiently cleared her innocencie in the hearts of underſtanding men.

The ſecond uſe is, that the Shepheards ſhould uſeVſe 2. double diligence, taking heed to themſelves and to the fl…cke, over which Chriſt hath made them overſeers, and to double & treble our prayers to the great Shepheard of ſoules, that he would lead us in the paths of righteouſneſſe for his names ſake. Let no man ſlight prayer which is the armour of the Church, & of greatLib. 4. cap. 4. force: one onelyonly example I will cite out of Theodoret, who reporteth that Alexanders prayers prevailed more againſt the Arrians, then Athanaſius profound learning.

When the Arrian Biſhops with the Emperours power, threatned to bring in Arrius into Alexanders Church, the next day hee prayed all night after this manner; O Lord, if it be thy will to bring Arrius into my Church, then let thy ſervant depart in peace; but if thou wilt be favourable to thy Church, of which I am ſure, then turn thine eye upon the Arrians: The next day when the Arrians came with great p…mp to have taken poſſeſſion of his church: Arrius going aſide, his bowels brake aſunder like Iudaſſes.

Let us earneſtly pray to God to keep theſe hereticks out of our churches, let us call upon him with David, Pſa…m… 80. 4▪How long Lord wilt thou be angry with thy people that pray? And thus much what falſe prophets are, and whyWhich come, …u… veniunt. foreign God ſuffereth them.

Their outward deſcription in which he ſetteth downe

1 their Intruſion.

2 Inſinuation.

3 Diſſimulation.

p. 11foreign their intruſion, they come, they have no calling,Intruſion. theſe falſe prophets are not ſent: Paul asketh how they can preach except they beſent. And this ſtandethRom. 10. 15.Rom 10:15 with good reaſon, every true Miniſter ſtandeth in Gods room, being the Lords Embaſſadour to deliver his wil, who dare do this unſent? This did the Devil in Paradiſe, and the heretick Arrius as the Alexandrian Synod affirmeth: No man taketh this honour to himſelf Hebr. 5 5.Heb 5:5but he that is called of God, ſaith the author to the Hebrewes.

They come! but whence come they, from the ſchoolsWhence come they. of the Prophets? No, but many of them from mechanick trades: as one from a ſtable from currying his horſes, another from his ſtal from cobling his ſhooes, and theſe fit them downe in Moſes chaire to mend all, as Embaſſadors of Jeſus Chriſt, as heralds of the moſt high God. Theſe take upon them to reveal the ſecrets of the moſt high, to open and ſhut heaven, to ſave ſoules. You may reade of ſuch prieſts that Jeroboam 1 Kings 12 311 Kgs 12:31provided, but they were for his calves, fit for calves. As for the Lords Prieſts, the Majeſty of the King and dignity of the Prieſt hood concurred in one perſon (viz. in the firſt borne) from the beginning to Moſes: In the Goſpel Chriſt preferreth St. Iohn Baptiſt before all the Prieſts and Levites before him: and St. Paul commandeth them to have double honour: and ſo they have b…en eſteemed in all ages either chriſtian or prophane, in whom there hath beene any Religion at all.

But to returne to my Text, to heare theſe baſe fellows to diſcourſe of the holy Trinity, of Gods eternal decree, and other deep points of divinity, you may hear the mad men in Bedlam to prate as wiſely as they, p. 12& are not they that run after ſuch men as mad as they?

May not Almighty God ſay to theſe Prophets, what Pſalm 50. 16.Ps 50:16haſt thou to doe to declare my ſtatutes, or that thou ſhouldſt take my Covenant into thy mouth, ſeing thou hateſt inſtruction? But they will aske why they may not preach aſwel as Peter who was a fiſherman, and Paul a Tent-maker, &c. To theſe I anſwer, that theſe were immediatly called by our Lord, and enabled with gifts fit for ſo high a calling, as to heale the ſicke, to cleanſe Leapers, to caſt out Devills; The holy Ghoſt came upon Acts 2. 4.Acts 2:4them, and they ſpake divers languages: They had all manner of learning both humane and divine.

Neither hath Almighty God alwayes left ſuch preſumptuous wretches unpuniſhed: Korah, Dathan, ondNumb. 16. 31Num 16:31 Abiram, and the 250. Princes, who would take upon them to ſacrifice with ſtrange fire, the earth opened & ſwallowed ſome of them, and fire from heaven conſumed the reſt.

Elimas going about to turne the Deputy from theActs 13, 8.Acts 13:8 faith was ſtricken with blindneſſe.

Arrius dyed in a Jakes, voyding his bowels withLib. 1. Eccles. hiſtor: cap: 14 his excrements as Theodoret recordeth.

Manes was excoriated by the Perſian King.Hierom catal. ſcriptor. Niceph. Cal. hiſt. lib. 14. cap: 36. Melanct. lib. 3 Chron. Theod. lib. 2. Cap. 26. Paulus diacon. lib. 15.

Montanus and his two mad propheteſſes hanged themſelves.

Neſtorius tongue was eaten up with wor…es.

Anaſtaſius the Emperour, a great defender of the Eutychian hereſie was ſmitten with a Thunder-bolt.

Nicomedia a place where the Arrians were appointed to meet, was ſwallowed up with an Earth-quake: and Antioch, a nurſery of faction and hereſies, was ſhaken with an Earth-quake, and afterwards burnt with fire from heaven.

p. 13And of late dayes Iohn of Leiden, King of the Anabaptiſts Sl…id. com. l. 10. …ol. 137.with Knipperdolling and Crechting, had upon a ſcaffold their fleſh torne apeices with hot irons?

And Servetus was burnt for his abhominable blaſphemies at Geneva. Examples are infinite, although ſeducers may eſcape puniſhment in this world, yet how can they eſcape the damnation of hell.

To you. To you that are my Diſciples,To you, ad vos. foreign

foreign

No word in vaine [to you] daily experience ſheweth us, whom the Anabaptiſts, Browniſts & Familiſts, goe about to ſeduce, viz. not drankard…, adulterers, ſwearers, gameſters, and ſuch like, but ſuch as deſire to know the right way to heaven: St. Paul telleth us, that they leade captive ſilly women, ever learning that are deſir…us to learne.

foreign: They come not, foreign but to you, not as enemies but as friends, in…inuating themſelves into you, as Councellors under the colour of givingSubſpecie conſulendi …gunt nego…ium ſeducendi Greg. mag. lib. 23. mor. cap. 21 good councell, they ſeduce. This did the Devill in Paradice, councelling our firſt parents to eate of the forbidden fruit, hee promiſed to make them like God. And tempting Chriſt in the wilderneſſe, promiſed to give him all the Kingdomes of the world, and the glory of them; Thus all ſeducers promiſe great matters, yea the kingdome of heaven, and the glory of it.

The Wolfe (ſaith a learned man) when he taketh aLupus cum ovem rapuerit dentibus eam non laedit, ſed ſuper dorſum ſuum …am ſua. viter jacere facit Vincent in ſpecul. Nat. lib. 19. Cap. 83. ſheepe at the firſt, layeth him gently upon his backe, carrying it away with little hurt to the place where he meaneth to worrie it. The Anabaptiſts and other ſectaries do the ſame, when they take ſheepe out of our folds, they pretend to carry them unto Zion, whereas indeed they take them out of the Church to ſtrangle p. 14their ſoules in their prophane conventicles.

Sweetely ſingeth the Bird-catcher when hee would catch the Foul: theſe ſeducers have their ſeveral cals o… notes. Come out of Babylon cryeth one, Chriſt muſt raigne ſaith another, come to the holy Communalty ſaith another, &c. Every one have their ſeverall calls, wherewith they do inchaunt ſilly ſoules.

That you may the better avoid their inchantments,Epheſians 6. 11. foreignEph 6:11 I will ſet down to you the method that theſe ſeducers uſe in deceiving ſimple people.

In the firſt place they go about to ſeparate the ſheep from their Shepheards, and this they endeavour to do by diſgracing them that have cure for their ſoules, & bringing them into contempt with their people: affirming them to be unprofitable, unpowerfull, calling them Baals prieſts, Caini…es, taxing their converſations as prophane, and their doctrine as erroneous, colouring their malice with crying out for Reformation (which God grant) For our infirmities; which they malitiouſly cry up, we muſt confeſſe that we ar… men, and weak men: but for our Doctrine, which they alſo ſcandal, it is Gods truth; would to God ou… lives were as pure as our Doctrine. Our infirmitie… are our owne; the Doctrine we preach is yours; refuſe not for their c…amours, and our infirmities, th… golden treaſure of ſalvation, which we bring unt… you in our earthen Veſſells. Thus they ſmi…in… your Shepheards with their tongues, the Sheep ar… ſcatt…ered and ſurpriſed by theſe ravenous Wolves. The Devill in Paradiſe ſpake ill of God himſelfe, and ſo deceived our firſt Parents, perſwading them tha… he loved them no…, in forbidding them to eat of th… fruit which would make them like God.

p. 15The uſe that we ſhould make of this, is to teachVſe. all true profeſſors, that are Chriſts Sheep, to take heed that they forſake not their ſhepheards, and withIn Sheeps cloathing. Veſtimen…is ovium. foreign Their Inſinua… tion. itching eares run after ſeducers, who have faire outſides, and pretend much love.

In Sheeps cloathing.

In theſe words hee ſetteth downe their diſſimulation: our Saviour may ſeem here to allude to the Wolfe in the Fable, concerning whom the Mythologiſt ſpeaketh. A Wolfe on a time, putting on a ſheepesLupus ovis pelle indutus ovium ſe immiſc…it gregi, quotidieque aliquam ex …is …ccidebat; quod cum paſtor animadvertiſſet illum altiſſimo arbore ſuſpendit: interrogantibus autem caeteris paſtoribus cur ovem ſuſpendiſſet; aiebat, pellis quidem ut videtis eſt ovis, opera autem lupidae. skin, immi…gled himſelfe amongſt the flock, and ſo every day ſtrangled one of the ſheep: which when the ſhepheard perceived, hee took the Wolfe and hung him upon a high Tree: at which, the other ſhepheards wondred, being ignorant of the cauſe, what he meant to be ſo cruell, to hang up a …illy harmeſſe ſheep: he anſwered, His skin you ſee is a ſheeps skin, but his workes are the workes of a Wolfe.

Here we may obſerve, that it is not the manner of Seducers, to ſhew themſelves as they are within: if a Wolfe within, yet a Lambe without: If a Wolfe ſhould come in his owne likeneſſe into the fold, the ſhepheard would reſiſt him, and hunt him away with p. 16his Dogs: but comming in a ſheeps skin he findeth entertainment, and they ſhun him not. Even ſo Seducers, if they ſhould come in their owne likeneſſe, the Magiſtrates and Miniſters would withſtand them: but comming like zealous and holy Chriſtians, they finde entertainment.

Tertullian doth ask, Qu…nam ſunt iſtae pelles ovium▪ St. Paul telleth us, foreign having A ſhew of godlineſſe. 2 Tim. 3. 5.2 Tim 3:5forme, or ſhew of godlineſſe, viz. outward ſanctimo… ny, counterfeit holineſſe.

For example, The Devill transformed himſelfe into an Angel of light.

Baals Prieſts uſed long prayers, they prayed from1 King. 18 20.1 Kgs 18:20 morning to noon, they cryed aloud, and cut themſelves with Knives and Lancers, till the bloud guſhed …ut upon them.

The blaſphem…us Arrians, as St. Baſil reporteth were eaſily believed becauſe of their counterfeit holineſſe. Saint Auguſtine writeth the ſame of the Manichees.

The Romiſh ſeducers have many Faſts, long prayers, they whip themſelves; yea, the begging Friars befool'd the Chriſtian world with their pretended holineſſe, with which they varniſhed their lewd lives. Generally ſeducers come with outward ſanctimony, with a ſeeming contempt of the world, with long prayers, as the Phariſees, to devoure Widdows houſes, faſtings, tears, almeſ-deeds, ſeeming zeale, ſeeming humility, ſeeming harmleſſeneſſe. They can cry, weep, &c.

And this you may ſee in the Anabaptiſts who at their firſt comming into Munſter, ſeemed to be very p. 17holy men. Their talke was altogether of Mortification,Bull. Adver. Anab… fol. 51. lib. 2. cap. 7. Initio humiles & demiſſi fuerunt: nihil ſplendoris & magnificentiae habebant; clamabant & invehebantur in omnem excellentiam, faſtum & magnificentiā, item adverſus gladiū & poteſtatem magiſtratuū. Opes & honores erant illis (ita ſimulabant) nauſea. Nihil loquebantur quam de mortificatione veteris hominis, de renovatione ſpiritûs, de ſeparata & Deo commiſſa a… dicata vita, mundum & cuncta quae in ipſo ſunt plane faſſidi… bant. and holineſſe. Their Apparrell was modeſt and ſimple: They forbad the wearing of rings, pearles, and lace: They made a great ſhew of piety, mercy, and charity: They affirmed, that it was not lawfull to put any man to death, no not for the Magiſtrate in caſe of juſtice; but when their number increaſed, and that they had ſurpriſed the City, they became of all hereticks moſt unpure, and unclean, having not only many wives, for which they pretended to have a ſpeciall command from God, but alſo making the women of their Sect common, caſting aſide all Lawes of honeſty and pudicity.

And for their Apparell, their Prophet Iohn of Leiden arrayed himſelfe, his wives, and followers, like Princes, aſſuming to themſelves glorious Titles, as the foreſaid Iohn the Taylor ſtiled himſelfe▪ King of Syon, and King of righteouſneſſe▪ and in ſtead of mercy and much pi…ty before pretended, they not onelyonly rob'd rich men, but alſo moſt cruelly murthered many, beheading ſome, and p. 18impaling others upon ſtakes: yea one of the Articles of their religion was to kill all the wicked. (That is, all them that were not of their Sect) and to deſtroy all the Kings of the earth, and to make their Prophet Iohn King of the univerſe. In the Hiſtory of the Anabaptiſts of Germany, you may read what faire pretences they made before they ſurprized the City.

The uſe that we ſhould make of this, is to be verySolli… caveamus h…r…ticos qui …nve…ſa…o…is of timae ſunt, quorum …rte vitam non tam Deu… quam Diabo…s▪ loſt▪ …xit b…m▪ 7: in Ezek. wary of theſe Hereticks, who are of the beſt converſations; whoſe lives, ſaith Origem, are poſsibly directed not of God, but by the devill.

Secondlie, this their ſheeps cloathing may be their palliating▪ their errours with the teſtimony of holy Scriptures. I read that the Monſter Arrius pretended to have 42. places of Scripture, to prove that Chriſt was a meere man, and not God; and this the Seducers2. Teſti…o…s of Scripture. learnt of their Father the Devill, who cited the word to the Word himſelfe, tempting▪ him to caſt himſelfe downe from the Pinacle of the Temple, viz. He cited part of the 91. Pſalme, He hath given his Pſal. 9….Ps 9Angels charge over thee, they ſhall heare thee up in their hands, leſt thou ſhouldeſt daſh thy foot againſt▪ a ſtone, leaving out part of the Text, viz. to keep thee in thy wayes. The devill fitted it for his purpoſe.

The Uſe that you ſhould make of this, is, adviſe with your learned Paſtors: and double and treble your prayers to Almighty God to keepe you,I…tre ſec…s … tem Lupi ra…a…s. foreign and to bring into the way of truth all ſuch as do erre, and are deceived.

But inwardly they are ravening Wolves.

p. 20foreign, Wolves. Whatſoever they pretend, they areInward diſpoſition. Wolves: as Wolves are to the Sheep, ſo are falſe Prophets to Chriſts flock.

St. Paul calleth them, foreign, grievous Wolves, Our Lord ſetteth downe their outward ſhew, andActs 20. 19.Acts 20:19 their inward diſpoſition: what outward ſhew ſoever they make.

foreign, Wolves in divers reſpects.

1. As the biting of a Wolfe is venomous, likeAriſt. lib. 1…. the biting of a mad Dog, making them that are bitten by them, mad: ſo falſe Prophets venome men, cauſing them to goe out of their wits.

2. As the Wolves deſtroy more ſheep by craft, then by might; ſo doe falſe Prophets▪ of whom Saint Paul ſpeaketh of ſome carrryed away foreign …ph. 4By the cogging of men, and with craftineſſe, by which they lye in wait to deceive.

3. As Wolves are dull-ſighted in the day, andI…terdi o…a…i… nocte …lari…s. …ide… Giſ…r lib … ▪ … ▪ quadrup. quick▪ ſighted in the night: ſo falſe Prophets are very accute and ſharpe witted to defend their errors; but very dull and blinde to ſee the truth.

4 Make a garment, ſaith Plutarth, of the haire of a Wolfe, & it will prove odious, being louſie, and breeding vern…e upon him that weareth it. So all the profit you ſhall get by falſe Prophets, will be noxious to you.

foreign which ſignifieth dilanio▪ to teare aſunder foreign of foreign to rend aſunder▪ as one Wolf may deſtroy a flock, ſo one Hereticke a Congregation.

…. Lupus quaſi Leopus, followeth the Lyon hunting for his prey; and what the Lyon ſpareth, the Wolfe devoureth.

p. 21So falſe Prophets follow their father the Devill, the roaring Lyon, ſeeking whom they may devoure.

Wolves play with little Children, as Ariſtotle reporteth,Ariſt. lib. 8 N. Animal. and ſometimes ſpareth them▪ as wee read of Ro…ulus brought up by a Wolf; and of late days I read of a man brought up among the Wolves, and ra…e about with them, and preyed as they did▪ but being taken by Hunters, and chained up, he howl'd like a Wolfe; and continuing among men, and having gotten his ſpeech and underſtanding▪ he would complaine, that he lived more carefully among men, than among Wolves.

I never read that a falſe Prophet ſpared any man whom he could ſeduce: and it is not ſo dangerous to live among Wolves in the fields, as with falſe Prophets in a ſtrong City.

Ravening wolves they are by reaſon of their rapacitie,foreign taking away truth from our underſtandings, charity from our affections, and holineſſe from our action.

foreign, grievous Wolves, cruell Wolves: aforeign Acts 20. Cruelty of theſe myſtical wolves. Hebr. 11. 37Acts 20Heb 11:37 Wolfe delighteth in bloud: ſo theſe myſticall Wolves: of the cruelty of theſe ravening Wolves you may read▪ Hebr. 11. 37. By them the Saints of God were ſtoned, they were ſawne aſunder, they were tempted, they were ſlaine with the ſword, &c. In the Primi…ive perſecutions, they opened the Bellies of holy men and virgin…, and filling them full of Corne expoſed them to be eaten of Swine. Cyril of Hierapolis had his breaſt opened, and his Liver taken out, and chewed by theſe ravenous Wolves.

p. 22In cruelty the Romiſh Wolves excell. Call butRomiſh Wolves▪ Martyrs in Q. M…ie… time. to minde the martyrdom of our holy men in Queen Maries dayes, which holy men delivered our Nation from Idoll worſhip, Bread-worſhip, invocation of Saints and Angels, and tranſlated the holy Bible into Engliſh, who reſtored to us the Cup in the Sacrament, the ſymboll of Chriſts bloud, who ſealed their confeſſion with their bloud. Their bleſſed remembrance ſhall remaine for ever.

In the Maſſacre of the Proteſtants in France youMaſſacre in …a…ce. may ſee their Wolviſh cruelty. The Papiſts being not able to quell the Proteſtants in Battaile, they put on ſheepes cloathing, made a League with them confirmed by Oathes, and a publike Edict. And that the Proteſtants might the better confide in them, the Proteſtant King of Navar, our Queens father, was to marry the ſiſter of the then French King. To the which marriage the Proteſtant Princes & Nobles reſorted, invited with great joy and expectation of future happineſſe. The marriage was ſolemnized; but in the night time the Wolviſh Papiſts fell upon their gueſts, and worried them againſt the Law of hoſpitality, promiſes, and oathes. The noble Prince, the Admirall (among others) was murthered in his Chamber, was drawne to the Gallowes, and hanged up by the heeles. And to conſummate this abhominable Treacherie, the Pope (hearing of this their maſſ…cring the P…o…ſtant) went in Proceſſion with his Cardinals, and ſang Te Deum. But what…o…der … need I forraigne examples? Call to minde our powder-Plot, a cruelty ſuperlative, in a moment to deſtroy our King, Queen, Prince, Nobles, Biſhops, p. 23and Patriots. What Devill could have deviſed ſuch a plot, and this to be done, not in open Rebellion, but to be blowne up with Gunpowder, ſitting in the houſe of peace, making the Parliament-houſe like Mount Sinai, Tonitru & fumo, with Thunder and Smoake.

The can bee no agreement between wolves andBarthol de propr. ſheep: ſtrings made of wolves guts, and ſheeps guts, can never agree in an Inſtrument.

I might alſo relate of the cruelty of the AnabaptiſtsPlin. l 11. …t▪ hiſt. in Munſter, and papiſts in Ireland; but this ſhall ſuffice.

There are divers kindes of Wolves.

1. There are Wolves called Cervari, unſatiable Creatures.

2. A Wolfe called Glanos, foreign,Ari… lib▪ S: cap. 5▪ which ſeeks to prey upon men.

3: A Wolfe called Cirucs, who when the mountainsGiſn▪ are covered with ſnow, will venture into Cities.

4. In Ethiopia, wolves that have Maines likeIſod. lib▪ 13. Lions.

5. In India wolves that have three rowes of teeth,Aſiſt. lib. 2 feet like a Lion, a face like a man, and voyce like a trumpet, Taile like a Scorpion, ſwift as a Hart, a like fierce and cruell.

It is not ſo dangerous to live among thoſe VVolves in a wood, as among our myſticall wolves in a ſtrong City: As wee have none of theſe wolves in England, ſo Lord deliver us from theſe myſticall wolves.

O God thou haſt not caſt us off for ever.

Thine enemies roar in the midſt of thy Congregation.

p. 24They have caſt fire into thy Sanctuary▪

O God, how long ſhall the adverſaries reproach us? ſhal the enemy blaſpheme thy name for ever?

O deliver not the ſoule of thy Turtle Dove to the multitude of the wicked.

Ariſe, O Lord, and pleade thy owne cauſe.

Mr. Calvin that admirable man of God, whoſe name is yet terrible in the kingdom of popery, ſettethCharacters. Lib 3. in Perm. Lib. 4. in ſtit. Cap. 1. …. 16. Acts …. 9. downe certaine characters of theſe Impoſtors, taken out of St. Auguſtine.

1. Great boaſters making oſtentation of their own worth, like Simon Magus who bewitched the people, ſaying, that he himſelfe waa ſome great man, like the Gnoſtiks who had a high conceit of their own knowledge, as if they were the only knowing men of the whole world, &, as Eliah, left alone for their faculty to expound ſcripture: Yea, among us ſome Tradeſ-men have a high conceit of their deep learning. As a ſhoomaker being demanded by one of his neighbours whether hee could preach better then the Doctor his Parſon, anſwered with indignation, that he ſhould be very ſorrowfull if he could not preach better then he.

2. Superbia tumidi, blowen up with pride. It is reported by Bede, that when Auſtin the Monke came into Brittany, and that the Brittiſh Biſhops were in doubt of receiving him, an old man gave them advice to obſerve whether hee were humble or no, and that by his humility they ſhould know whether he were of God or no: by their pride you may know them, their talke, being commonly in commendation of themſelves, and caſting dirt and vilifying others. This overweeningEpiphan. cont▪ hereſ. of heritickes hath bred much diſtraction in the Church: In the primitive times Marcion the p. 25heretique, having not that preferment that he expected and thought himſelfe worthy of, demanded what was the meaning of thoſe words. No man pleceth an old garment with a piece of new cloath, forMat. 9. 16. 17Matt 9:16Matt 9:17 that that ſhould fil up taketh away from the garment, and the breach is worſe.

They gave him the true ſenſe of Chriſts words; but the proud heretick applyed the parable to himſelfe, & avouched that he ſhould make a remediles breach among them.

Thereupon he broached his hereſie, viz. That there were two Gods, the one the author of good, the other the author of evill; which errour coſt St. Auguſtine more pains in confuting it then many other. Aerius being denyed a Biſhopricke, wrote againſt the whole order. And among us many proud ſpirits having not theſe preferments which they thought themſelves worthy of, have forſaken our Church, & gone to Rome and Amſterdam.

3 Calumniis inſidioſi, deceitfully ſlanderous, and inCalumniis inſt. di ſi. Browniſts goe beyond all other …ect…ri…s in rayling. this faculty of all others the Browniſts excell; they fill their ſermons, books, and communication with ſcandalous imputations: they ſpare neither government nor church; like curſed children tearing their mother a pieces; which when they have done, they may confeſſe with Nero, who, when he had ript open his mothers belly, affirmed that he never thought his mother had bin ſo fair: The Jeſuits are not ſo bitter againſt our Church as the Separatiſts, compare their writings: Michael the Arch-Angel durſt not give the devil ſuch curſed ſpeaking, nor raile upon him as they doe upon us.

p. 264 Treacherouſly ſeditious, not preaching peace, asTreacherouſly ſeditious. Chriſt commanded his diſciples to doe, but diviſion: yea the Browniſts arrogate to themſelves the name of Separatiſts, which well they may, being ſeparated from their Mother Church, from all the reformed Churches and malitiouſly divided among themſelves. Read Mr. Whites diſcovery of Browniſme, who ſetteth down among other what a fiery contention was among the Iohnſons, the younger brother becomming a libeller, and loading his elder brother with reproaches of ſhame and infamie, and that in print, and the other ſeparated himſelfe, and brake fellowſhip with his brother and father, & curſed him with all the curſes in Gods booke, which he confirmed with the ſentence of excommunication, giving his brother and father to the Devill.

Leſt they ſhould ſeeme to be deſtitute of the light of truth, they arrogate to themſelves the ſhadow of auſterity, a ſhew of holineſſe. The ſubſtance of holineſſe is charity, which they want, 1 Cor. 13. Without which they are nothing: Having a ſhew of godlineſſe, … Tim. 3. 5but denying the power thereof, from ſuch turne away.

Sacrilegious, what the appetite of all ſchiſmaticksSacrilegious. hath been this way is notorious, caring not for the ruine of the whole Church, upon condition that they might get ſome-what. They have ſo taught, that ſome thinke that there is no ſuch ſin as ſacriledge a… all.

For whereas ſacriledge may be committed, 1. Againſt holy perſons, viz Againſt Gods Miniſters, as the wrong done to Zacharias the Prieſt was puniſhed,Mat. 23. 35▪Matt 23:35 not only in the King and people that did it, but upon p. 27the Jewes that lived many hundred yeares after.

2. Againſt holy places; Yee ſhall keep my Sabbaths, and reverence my Sanctuarie.

3. Againſt holy things: Ye have robbed m…, ſaithMal. 3. 8Mal 3:8 the Lord, in detention of Tythes and Offerings.

1. Now for holy perſons, ſome affirme there to be none now: men making no difference between a Miniſter and a Cobler.

2. For holy places: they impute no more holineſſe to a Church than to a ſtable.

3. For holy things: as holy dayes, as Sabbaths, every day alike; and for Tythes, they thinke they are repealed: never by Chriſt, but as the work continueth, and the ſervice of God; ſo alſo the main…ainance: Indeed I finde them forbidden by Muntzer the Anabaptiſt, who alſo forbade paying rent to Landlords, with other things.

It muſt needs follow, if there be no holy perſons, places, nor things, that there can be no ſacriledge. Wha…? have we loſt a ſinne? is that Law abrogated? happy it were for many ſacrilegious perſons (among us) if it were ſo, to avoyd this curſe. If there were no ſuch ſinne in the Goſpell, why doth St. Peter ſo curſtly rebuke Ananias for it? Ananias, why hath the Devill filled thy heart to lye to the holy Ghost, and keepe Acts 5. 3Acts 5:3away part? If the devill were in him, and he and his wife ſtricken dead, who kept back but halfe that hee himſelfe had offered? what ſhall become of them? & what devill is in them, that take away all, no… which they themſelves had given, but which their forefathers with great piety and devotion had offered unto Almighty God? St. Paul …quaileth or preferreth Sacriledge p. 28before Idolatry. Thou that abhorreſt Idols, Rom 2. 22Rom 2:22committeſt thou Sacriledge? An Idolater may have ſome Religion, but the ſacrilegious perſon none at all: an Atheiſt is worſe than the Devill himſelfe.

7. Madly obſtinate, convincere …s poſſum, ſaithM…dly obſtinate. St. Auguſtine, convertere ve…ò non poſſum, He could convince them, but could not convert them, they being given over to a repr…bate ſenſe. From hardneſſe of heart good Lord deliver us.

foreign.

Having before ſpoken of the deſcription of falſe Prophets, and how dangerous they are, I come now to the Caveat, Take heed.

The word is taken in a double ſenſe.

1. In the ſenſe of attending. 2 Peter 1. 19▪ foreign, To which you doe well that you doe attend: So we read in the vulgar, Attendite à falſis Prophetis.

2. It is taken in the ſenſe of bewaring, Mat. 61. Take heed: So it is to be taken in this place. In the Syrian Tranſlation, which tongue our Lord preached in, To be forewarned.

Beware, is the word of a friend: yea the Counſell of our Lord and Saviour, who is our beſt friend: Beware, as if he ſhould ſay, I know my deare, that you hearing of the narrow way that leadeth unto life, will be very deſirous to enquire of every one, but eſpecially of thoſe that ſeeme to be Prophets, concerning this way, for your better direction: But let me forewarne you above all others, to beware of falſe Prophets; for they inſtead of directing you, will ſet you out of the way.

p. 29This Caution he gave his Diſciples whom he loved, Mat. 24. 4. Take heed that no man deceive you. Again,Mat. 244. Take heed of the leaven of the Phariſees.

Let our Lords Counſell be acceptable unto you: Beware Beware precedeth danger.uſually precedeth ſome danger. This doubling, ſome great danger.

Poyſon is very dangerous, but no poyſon ſo dangerousPoyſon dangerous, hereſie worſe. to the body, as falſe Doctrine to the ſoule. Beware of falſe Prophets, more dangerous than men infected with the plague.

The plague is of all diſeaſes moſt infectious to the body; hereſie is as infectious to the ſoule.

This City is much more to be pittied at this time ſwarming with falſe Prophets, then when there dyed in it 5000. a week of the Plague. Then we lamented the dead bodies of our friends departed, whoſe ſouls God had taken to himſelfe; But now we may lament the ſoules of our people who are departed from God.

They are not onelyonly in danger of infection, but grievouſly infected. One poore ſoule cryeth out, no ſet prayers; another no Sabbath; another, no Lords Prayer; another, no Law for a rule of life: and for them that goe about to cure theſe infected perſons, they are in as much danger as they that goe to viſit men ſick of the peſtilence: they being not much unlike thoſe ſwine and dogs, of whom our Lord forewarneth his Diſciples, Give not holy things unto dogs, nor pearles unto Mat. 7. 6Matt 7:6wine, leſt they tread them under their feet, and turne againe, and rend you. We are in danger of them in our houſes, yea, Cordolio I ſpeak it, they enter irreverentlyCordolio. into our Churches: ſome tear our Books, and have beene ready to lay violent hands upon us at the Lords Table, adminiſtring the holy Communion.

p. 30They are worſe than murtherers; a murtherer may kill a man, but one fa…ſe Prophet may deſtroy a wholeWorſe then murtherers. City, or C…untrey; a murtherer deſtroyeth onelyonly the body, but a falſe Prophet both body and ſoule.

The curſes that were to be denounced upon mount Eball, may in part be pronounced againſt theſe ſeduce…s.Cu…ſes of Mount Eball▪ D…ut. 27. 16

Curſed be he that cauſeth the blinde to goe out of the way. Yea, more curſed are they that ſeduce ignorant w…ll-meaning people, from the ſimplicity of Gods truth.

Curſed be he that removeth the marke of his neighbors Land. Yea, more curſed are they thac remove and take away the markes of Chriſtianity from among us▪

Curſed be he that ſetteth light by his father and mother. Yea, more curſed be they that blaſpheme their mother the Church, in which they were begotten, & made members of I…ſus Chriſt.

O Almighty, which ſtilleſt the raging of the Sea, and madneſſe of the pe…ple, in mercy looke upon theſe p…ore ſoules, and give thy people grace to avoyd the infections of the Devill, and with pure heart and mind to follow thee the only God, through our Lord Jeſus Chriſt.

foreign To whom o… Lord giveth this cavea…, not toTo whom▪ his Deſciples only, but to all men: the word is plurall.

1. To us Miniſters, who are the Lords watchmen,Min…ſters▪ Ezek. 33Ezek 33 and are to give an account, not onelyonly for our ſelves, but alſo for the people comitted to our charge. Take heed, ſaith S. Paul, unto your ſelves, and to the flock, over which the Lord hath made you overſeers to feed the A…s …0 38Church of God, which he hath purchaſed with his owne bloud; for I know that after my departure grievous p. 31Wolves will enter, not ſparing the flocke.

Againe, I charge thee before God, and the Lord Ieſus 2 Tim. 4 ….2 Tim 4Chriſt, who ſhall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing, preach the Word, be inſtant in ſeaſon, out of ſeaſon, reprove, &c. For the time will come that they ſhall have itching eares, and after their owne luſts get them a heap of Teachers, and turne their eares from the truth, and be given unto Fables. And againe, In meekneſſe 2 Tim. 2. 252 Tim 2:25inſtructing them that oppoſe themſelves: if peradventure God will give them repentance to acknowledge the truth, that they may recover themſelves from the ſnare of the devill, who are taken captive by him at his will.

Magiſtrates, who as they are nurſing Fathers andMagiſtrates. Mothers to the Church, ſo they ſhould make good Lawes to be as wals to the Church, and alſo put them in execution.

They are called Shepheards (as, Cyrus my ſhepheard)Iſa 44. 28Isa 44:28 and are to yeeld an account to Almighty God for the ſheep committed to their charge; which through their negligence ſhal be devoured by theſe ravening wolves.

A queſtion may be asked, in that our Lord biddethWhether lawful to put falſe Prophets to death. us to take heed, whether it be not lawful for the Magiſtrate foreign. To put falſe Prophets to death: in which queſtion wee are to note whom we are to account falſe Prophets, viz. Not every one that differeth from our Church in opinion, or have ſome naevous opinions.

But by falſe Prophets we underſtand ſuch as hold fundamental errors, and perſiſt therein, after all means uſed for their conviction; yea not onelyonly perſiſt, but alſo endeavour to diſperſe their pernicious errours, to the perverting of others. Again, ſuch whoſe Doctrines are blaſphemous, as the Arrians are dangerous to the deſtruction of the government under which they live▪ p. 32And where all theſe concur they deſerve death, becauſe they corrupt the faith: If ſuch as corrupt and poyſon Fountains of water, at which men and beaſts drink, do deſerve capitall puniſhment: how much more they, who as much as in them lyeth do poyſon mens ſoules?

Againe, we have divers examples of this lawfullExamples. ſeverity executed upon Idolaters: firſt, in Eliah's time,1 King 18 40 2 Kin…s 10. 241 Kgs 18:40 commanding all the Prophets of Baal to bee ſlaine. Secondly, in Iehu, giving the like commandement.

Thirdly, in all the inhabi…ants of the Land of2 Kings 11. 182 Kgs 11:18 Iudah, who deſtroyed all the houſes of Baal, and ſlew Mattan he Prieſt before the Altar.

Furthermore, we have examples in Eccleſiaſticall hiſtories;B…llirg. …ecad. …rm. 8. as firſt in Conſtantine, that fam…us Chriſtian Emperour, who enacted, that if any man did offer Sacrifice upon the Altars, Gladio ultore ſterneretur, He ſh…u…d be pu… to d…ath, and his goods confiſcated. The like alſ… was en…cte b… Theodoſius, Valentinianus, and Martianus, as Mr. Bullinger reporteth. The ground and warrant of this is G…d himſelfe, That Prophet, or … 13. 5dreamer of dreames, &c. ſhall be put to death. If any man object, that this was a judiciall Law; I anſwer, if it were ſo; yet the equity of that judiciall Law remaineth to all. St. Auguſtine ſaith, that there is a puniſhingSicut …ſt m…ſere…ordia puniens, i…a eſt crud…lita… p…r…e…s. Epi. 54. mercy, and a ſparing cruelty. For it is a puniſhing mercy, when Governours doe puniſh dangerous ſeducers for ſafety of the whole: And it were a ſparing cruelty, to let them goe unpuniſhed: for, looke how much mercy is ſhewed to the Wolf, ſo much cruelty is done to the ſheep.

This may ſerve for the reproofe of ſuch Magiſtrates, who, when they have danger…us Wolves diſcovered unto them, wil not lend their helping hands to ſuppres p. 33them. To conclude this poynt: The Romiſh ſeducers are ſeverely puniſhed among us, & kept from our folds, and why not all other falſe prophets, who blaſpheme God & ſeduce our people? What? ſhall we puniſh them only that attribute too much to the Sacrament of baptiſme, affirming Infants un-baptized not to enter heaven? And ſuffer Anabaptiſts who wil not baptize them at all, but blaſpheme the baptiſme of children, calling it the marke of the Beaſt, affirming that it came from Anti-chriſt and the Devill? and ſuffer them to publiſh books in defence of this and other their abhominable errors?

Shall we puniſh them only that attribute too much to the Element of bread in the holy Communion, accounting him no good Chriſtian that will not call it his lord god? And ſuffer ſuch men who mocke and ſc…ffe at the ſacrament of the Lords ſupper, calling it a two-peny banque…?

Shall we puniſh them that give too much reverence to the bleſſed Virgin, holy Apoſtles, and Saints departed,Ma…e…icta …it caro Mariae. and ſuffer them that blaſpheme the holy Virgin, whom all Nations ſhould call bleſſed?

Shall we blame the Papiſts for ſaying too many Pater-noſters, and tolerate the Browniſts and other Sectaries who will not ſay the Lords prayer at all? ſome of them affirming it to be an abhominab…e idol, although it be commanded to be ſaid by our Lord himſelf?

Shall we puniſh them that not only keep the Lords day, but alſo many holy-dayes, and ſuffer them that will neither keep holy-daies nor the Lords day, as the Familiſts and Antiſabbata…ians?

Shall we puniſh them that confeſſe their ſins, and p. 34ſuppoſe that they cannot enter heaven without a particular Confeſſion of them? and tolerate them that will not con…eſſe their ſinnes at all, and affirme that God can ſee no ſin in them? as the Antinomians.

Shall we puniſh them that worſhip God in Trinity, and Trinity in Unity? and tolerate them that blaſpheme the holy Trinity? as the Arrians, and Antitrinitarians. I hope that our Governors wil drive theſe alſo from our folds, as they doe the Popiſh Emiſsaries: foreign,Act … n…l N…c p…rt 1 ap… Cyz…z…. It is fit for us that are Chriſt…ans to avoyd all thoſe who ſpeak againſt Chriſt, and hate them as the enemies of God, and corrupters of ſoules.

This Caveat of our Lords belongeth to every3 To every Chriſtian▪ not to keep co…p…ny with t…en. Chriſtian man.

We are not to keep company with them. It was Eves fault to admit conference with the Devill. In theſe falſe Prophets there is ſuch a malignant ſpirit, that the Devill cannot doe more hurt out of them, then in them. St. Paul counſelleth the Romans, toRom. 18. 28 marke them diligently that make diviſions, and to avoyd them. If we muſt avoyd Schiſmaticks that make diviſions, how much more Hereticks?

St. Iohn in his Epiſtle to the Elect Lady, forbids2 Ioh. 102 John 1:10 all ſociety with them: if there come any to you, and bring not this Doctrine, receive him not into your houſe, nor bid him, God ſpeed.

According to his Doctring, ſo was his practice, he would not bath with Cerinthus the Heretick, nor abide under the ſame roofe with him, but leaped out of the roome, and perſwaded others ſo to doe. Polycarp, St. Iohns Schollar, meeting Marcion the Heretick, p. 35would not ſalute him: Marcion asking him whether he knew him or no? was anſwered by him, Yes, I know thee well to be the firſt borne of the devill.

Would any man entertaine into his family a man infected with the plague? how much leſſe an Heretick, who, without the great mercy of God, may be the undoing of him and his family.

This caveat ſhould keep men from hearing thoſeIohn 5. 10John 5:10 ſeducers: My ſheep, ſaith our Lord, will not heare the voyce of a ſtranger.

Yet ſuch is the folly or madneſſe of theſe times, and men have ſuch itching eares, that if the Devill himſelf ſhould preach among us, I feare that he would have too many hearers.

foreign

But whereas they pretend to be led by the ſpirit, I Led by the ſpirit.beſeech you, ſaith St. Paul, by the comming of the Lord Ieſus Chriſt, that you be not ſo ſoone ſhaken in minde, neither by ſpirit (that is by pretence of the ſpirit) for as there is a holy Spirit, by whom the Prophets & Apoſtles inſpired, ſpake: ſo you may read of a lying ſpirit in the mouths of falſe Prophets. Therefore St. Iohn commandeth us not to believe every ſpirit, but to ſearch and try the ſpirits, whether they be of God, or no.

How ſhall I know Gods ſpirit, but by his Word? ſuch ſpirits as ſpeak againſt Gods word, are the devils1 Iohn 4. 11 John 4:1 ſpirits, and not Gods. I have read that in a Synod in Britain held by Dunſtan, Archbiſh. of Canterbury, who would have had a Decree paſſe againſt Miniſters marriage, a ſtrange voyce was heard out of an Image in the Church for confirmation thereof. But the Britiſh Biſhop cryed out, that that voyce was the voyce of the Devill, and not of God: for God would not ſpeak p. 36againſt his word: And indeed St. Paul calleth forbidding … Tim. 4 1▪of Marriage the doctrine of Devills. We ſhould try all theſe new Doctrines pretended to come from the ſpirit, whether they be againſt Gods word, or no▪ As for example, whereas the Romiſh Prelates forbid the Laity the reading of the holy Scriptures (in the vulgar) which God commands, and the holy Ghoſt commends: is this their prohibition from God, or from the devill? And whereas they command Communion under one kinde, contrary to Chriſts inſtitution; whoſe ſpirit is in them, Gods, or the Devills? And whereas other falſe Prophets forbid the ſaying of the Lords Prayer, with other things commanded in holy Scriptures: thoſe are lying Prophets, who have not Gods ſpirit, but the devills: for God will not ſpeake againſt his Word.

O yee fooliſh Galatians, who hath bewitched you? ſaithGal. 3▪ 1Gal 3:1 St. Paul.

O yee fooliſh Galatians: wee ſee how carefull men are of being deceived in any thing of weight; in buying land they adviſe with the beſt counſell they can get: for health they adviſe with the learnedeſt Phyſitians: in receiving money, if they doubt, they will go to the Gold-ſmith and weigh it and touch it at the ſtone: Let us not be careleſſe only for our ſoules▪ Nay, who hath bewitched you, ſaith the Apoſtle? It is the faſhion of witches, as ſome report, when they Covenant with the devill, to renounce their Baptiſme▪ were it poſſible for a man, except hee were bewitched indeed, to be perſwaded to renounce his Baptiſme?

Were it poſsible for any man, except he were bewitched, to forſake the Church of God, and to dream of a new one, and that Almighty God never had a true p. 37Church, untill ſome fanatick perſons at this time had framed o…e? How could all this their holy frame eſcape all the Patriarks, Prophets, holy Apoſtles, and Doctors, and be revealed onelyonly to Browne, who lik't it ſo ill, that h…e returned againe to his Mother Church. The like antiquitie have the Etonites, and others of our Sectaries.

Our Lord ſending forth his Diſciples, as ſheep among Wolves, giveth them this counſell, Beye wiſe … Mat. 10. 16Matt 10:16Serpe…ts, and harmleſſe as Doves. And why wiſe as Serpents? Like the deafe Adder, that ſtoppeth her eare, Pſal. …8▪ 4Ps 8:4which wil not hearken to the voyce of the Charmer, charm he never ſo wiſely▪ It is written of the Aſpe, that to avoyd charming, ſhee layeth one eare cloſe to the ground, and ſtoppeth the other with her tayle. Thu… the ancient Chriſtians were wont to ſtop their eares, and not heare Chriſts truth adulterated. It is recorded by Theodoret, that when Lucius the Arrian Biſhop came and preached among the Anti…hians, broaching his damnable Hereſies, the people forſooke the Church, and would not heare him, Lib. 4. Eccleſ. Hiſtor. cap. 20. M. Hiſtor. Tripart.

But now they tha… beare the name of Chriſtians▪ & would be accounted profeſſors, r…n a if they were mad to be charmed, to heare the falſe Prophets of our time: Beye wiſe as Serpents, ſaith our Lord, and harmleſſe a… Doves. The Dove as ſhee is innocent, and harmleſſe, ſo ſwift winged to avoyd the danger ſhee may receive from Vultures, and other ravenous birds. O that I had wings like a Dove, (ſaith the Prophet) then would I flye away, and be at reſt. Our ſoules are win…ed▪ …. …5. 6our prayers are our wings: let us fly to the rock where we ſhall finde reſt.

p. 38You have heard of two wayes, the one leading to life, the the other to deſtruction: and that it is a difficult thing to find heaven, and that becauſe of falſ… Prophets, who goe about to lead us out of the way: you have heard alſo what theſe falſe Prophets are, viz. lying Prophets, falſifying Gods Word; and why God ſuffereth them, viz. for the puniſhment of the ungodly, and for the tryall of the godly; and that they come unſent, without any calling, in Sheepes cloathing, counterfeiting holineſſe, pretending Scripture; being indeed ravening Wolves: and as Wolves deſtroy the body, ſo doe they the ſoule. Our Lord biddeth beware of them: and whereas they pretend the ſpirit, try the ſpirits, as St. Iohn counſelleth you, whether they be of God, or no; and being not of God to avoyd them, being wiſe as Serpen…s, who ſtop their eares, and will not heare the voyce of the charmer. Let us be innocent as the Dove and mount heaven with our prayers, and praying, ſay with David, Sew me thy wayes, O Lord, and teach me thy pathes: Open thou my eyes, that I may ſee the wonders of thy law. Lead me forth in thy truth, and guide me, thou art the God of my ſalvation.

And whereas the ſuffering of theſe falſe Prophets may be one of the cauſes of Gods heavy hand upon us, and of the unnaturall war among us, let us uſe all meanes to ſuppreſſe them in our callings, and ſo remove this curſed thing from us.

All you that are the ſonnes of peace, friends of peace and ſervants to the God of peace, double and treble your prayers, that ſome Mediator may ſtand in the gap, to divert Gods judgements from us: and if Almighty God hath otherwiſe decreed, let every one of p. 39us make his owne peace with God, commending our ſoules into his hands who is our faithfull Creator, keeping faith & a good conſcience, of which take heed that you do not make ſhipwrack; which if you keep, you need not feare neither falſe Prophets, nor devills, fire, nor ſword, nothing ſhall hurt you: Although they kill you, they ſhall but deliver your ſoules out of the priſon of your bodyes, to enjoy everlaſting peace; which I intreat Almighty God to bring us all, for his ſonne Jeſus Chriſts ſake, to whom with the holy Ghoſt, three perſons, and one God, be all Glory, Prayſe, Honour, and Donion, &c.

FINIS.

PErlegi concionem hanc de pſeudo-Prophetis, in qua nihil reperio quo minus utiliter Imprimatur.

Ia. Cranford. Nov. 24. 1644.

End of the text · Ephraim Pagitt, The Mystical World Set Forth (1645)