A Staff of Comfort to Stay the Weak, Part 1
Of Religion.
Obiection.
There is much talking & strife about that, which men call Religion: but to this day I could neuer know certainly, what it should be.
Answ. It is that,What that is, which we call Religion. which is prescribed in the holy Scriptures, called, the way of the Lord. Act. 18.25. the old way, and good way. Ier. 6.16. the path of life, Psal. 16.11. the perfect way, Psa. 101.2. the way of wisdome, Prou. 4.11. the right way, 2. Pet. 2.15. the way of vnderstanding, Prou. 9.6. the way of life, Ierem. 21.8. the way of God, Matth. 22.16. Act. 18.26. the way of saluation, Act. 16.17. the way of truth, 2. Pet. 1.2. and the way of righteousnesse, 2. Pet. 2.21. This Religion, pure and vndefiled before God, and the Father, is also to visit the fatherlesse and the widowes in their affliction, & to keepe our selues vnspotted of the world, Iam. 1.27.
Obiect. It may seeme by this, that Religion is but one way: and yet there are many religions, that I know not which way to turne me.
Answ. There is but one true Religion.Indeed there is but one true religion, as there is but one true God and Father of all, one Lord, one Spirit, one body, one faith, one hope of our vocation, and one Baptisme, Ephes. 4.5. Therefore turne neither to the right hand, nor to the left, Prou. 4.27. For know, that hee which wandreth out of the way of vnderstanding, shall remain in the congregation of the dead, Prou. 21.16. but they that walk in the good way, shall finde rest vntounto their soules. Ier. 6.16.
Obiect. But so many, though they be of diuers and differing opinions, doe challenge to themselues this one Religion, and do so condemne one another, as I, (an ignorant man) cannot tell what to doe, or how to know the truth.
Meanes to know the truth.Answ. Dearely beloued (saith Saint Iohn) beleeue not eueryevery spirit, but trie the spirits, whether they are of God, 1. Ioh. 4.1. despise not prophecying; trie all things, and hold that which is good, 1. Thessal. 5.20.21. and then if any man will doe the will of God, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God. Ioh. 7.17.
Obiect. Among the professors of that Religion, which some take to bee the best, there are not wanting, errors, sects, and schismes.
Answ. There must bee heresies, that they which are approued may be made manifest, 1. Cor. 11.19. for from without shall arise grieuous Wolues, & enter into Gods Church, not sparing the flocke: and from within shall arise vp men, speaking peruerse things, to draw Disciples after them, Act. 20.29.30. Let not therefore this offend thee; for it must needs be, that offences shall come, Matth. 18.7.
Obiect. Me thinkes Religion is but a phansie, or a policie; because the most, of what Religion soeuer, do liue, not answerable to their profession, but cleane contrary.
Answ. Doe not for this, condemne Religion it self: but consider, that many are called, but few are chosen, Mat. 20.16. That wide also is the gate, and the way broad, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be that goe in thereat: because the gate is strait, and the way narrow that leadeth vntounto life, and few there be that finde it, Mat. 7.13.
Christianity is no grieuous yoke.Obiect. Nay, the bondage, and burthensomenesse of Religion may seeme to bee the cause hereof, which is too heauie for any man to beare.
Answ. The law of Christ is a perfect law of liberty, Iam. 1.25. by which hee hath made vsus free, Gal. 5.1. who exhorteth vsus to take his yoke on vsus, and we shall finde rest vntounto our soules; for his yoke is easie, and burthen light, Mat. 11.29.30. and his Commandements are not grieuous, 1. Ioh. 5.3.
Obiect. I was (I may tell you) of that Romane faith, spoken of through the world, as Saint Paul speaketh, Rom. 1.8. and 16.19. but now am of this, called the reformed Religion; I feare me, that I hauehave done much amisse, in forsaking that, which the Apostle hath so commended.
Answ. He is happie that forsaketh Poperie.Thou hast not forsaken that true and ancient Catholicke faith, taught by Saint Paul, but now dost professe the very same, then taught by the Apostles, as that Same Epistle of Saint Paul, and the rest of the Scripture teach. But this present Romish religion thou hast done well to forsake, therein obeying Christs commandement, shewing thy selfe thereby one of Gods people. Reuel. 18.4. and sauing thy selfe from that fearefull vengeance, and those horrible plagues, which are to bee powred out vponupon that Antichristian state. Reuel. 14.9.10.
Obiect. This our Religion hath not so many goodly Ceremonies; nor holy Church ordinances, to keepe the people in deuont exercises for the seruice of God, as that hath.
Answ. Poperie is onelyonly mens precepts.In vaine they worship mee (saith Iesus Christ) teaching for doctrines mens precepts. Mat. 15.9. They worship they know not what:2. Cor. 3.17. Heb. 9.14. we know what we worship: the true worshippers worship the Father in spirit, and in truth; for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a spirit, and they that worship him, must worship him in spirit and in truth, Ioh. 4.22.23.24.
Ob. But yet this reformed Religion is eueryevery where spoken against of many: and this I can say, that men very wise in the world, men of great place, and very learned too, like that Religion, & cannot away with this, but for the present state.
Why wise men of the world cannot away with the true spiritual worship of God.Answ. Christianity in the Apostles time, was eueryevery where spoken against, Act. 28.22. was it therfore not ye Truth? And as for these wise men of the world, liking that, and disliking this spirituall worship of God, maruell not at it. For not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, nor many noble are called. 1. Cor. 1.26. And the naturall man receiueth not the things of the spirit of God; for they are foolishnesse vntounto him: neither can he know them, because they be spiritually discerned. 1. Cor. 2.14
Obiect. Many among vsus now adaies fall to that Religion.
Answ. They are gone out from vsus,Who they be, that fall to Poperie from vsus, and the reasons why. because they were not of vsus: for if they had been of vsus, they would (no doubt) hauehave continued with vsus: but they are gone out, that they might bee made manifest; that they were not at all of vsus, 1. Ioh. 2.19. And this is come to passe, because they professing the truth with vsus, yet receiued not the louelove of the truth, that they might be saued. Wherefore God hath sent them strong delusions, that they should beleeue a lie, 1. Thessal. 2.10.11. And for this cause also, when with vsus they knew God, they did not glorifie him, neither were thankful, they became vaine in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened, and by professing themselues wise, they are now becom fools, Rom. 1.21.22.
Obiect. But that Religion hath been spread mightily abroad, many Monarches of the earth hauehave with one mind giuen their power and authoritie to that See; and kindreds, tongues, and nations, hauehave worshipped the same.
That whereof the Papists doe boast, is a marke of the Beast.Answ. This is the power of the beast, Reuelat. 13.7. and of the whore sitting vponupon the waters; that is, people, multitudes, nations, and tongues, Reuel. 17.15. worshipping that beast: whose names are not written in the booke of life, of that lambe, which was slaine from the beginning of the world, Reuel. 13.8.
Obiect. If this were so, men of wisedome and learning on that side would see it, without all doubt.
Answ. I may say with the Prophet:Why it is, that Idolaters cannot see their very damnable and grosse Idolatrie. Stay and wonder; the Lord hath couered them with a spirit of slumber, and shut vp their eyes: the Prophets and the chiefe Seers hath he couered, the vision of them al is become as the words of a book that is sealed vp,Esa. 29.9. which cannot bee read, Esa. 29.9.10.11. They know not, they vnderstand not,Deut. 29.4. because hee hath shut their eyes that they cannot see, and their hearts that they cannot vnderstand nor consider, Esa. 44.18. and for that Satan worketh with all deceiueablenesse of vnrighteousnes in thē that perish, that they might be damned,Many see and know the truth, which yet they will not imbrace; but with Scribes and Pharisies wilfully resist it. who beleeue not the truth, but take pleasure in vnrighteousnes, 2. Thessal. 2.10.12. Yea, they seeing, will indeed not see; and hearing, will not vnderstand, because their hearts are hardened.
Obiect. Those of that Religion hope to aduance againe that supreme head (as they call him), and some with vsus feare that he wil preuaile, and get dominion ouer vsus.
Answ. Feare it not, their hope is vaine; he is that man of sinne now in a consumption.That Antichrist of Rome shall no more preuaile to rule ouer vsus. 2. Thessal. 2. his fall is certainly determined. Reu. 14.8. and 18.2. The Angell hath sworne by him that liueth for euer & euer. There shall be now no more time for him to encrease his strength, and to rise vp againe. The little booke is eaten, the witnesses hauehave prophecied, Reuel. 10.5.6.10.11. and 11.3. The seuenth Angell hath sounded his trumpet, & so the kingdomes become the Lords, by little and little, Reue. 11.15. The viols hauehave also a good space since, begun to bee poured out, which are the last plagues of Gods wrath. The Angels that poure them out, come out of the Temple, & so are for ye Church, & against the enemies thereof, whose power now they feele, & shal so do now for euer, Reu. 15. & 16. The Lord hath giuen them blood to drink, for they are worthy, Reu. 16.6. Of the ten horns, some hauehave begun to hate that whore: & in the time appointed, they shall make her desolate & naked, & shall eat her flesh, & burn her with fire, Reu. 17.16.
Obiect. But in the meane space they murther many of Gods Saints.The Saints sufferings comfortable.
Answ. Great is yet the Saints comforts: for whosoeuer will loose his life for Christs sake, shall saue it, Luk. 9.24. Mat. 10.39. and 16.15. Mar. 8.35. yea blessed are such, for they die in the Lord, and their workes follow them, Reuel. 14.13.Reu. 16.18. Mat. 24.
Obiect. These bee good comforts; yet I reade, that before the great ouerthrow of this romish state, & before Christs cōming, there shall be terrible daies; in which mens hearts shal faile them with feare, which may make vsus greatly to bee dismayed.
Answ. Oh,The flocke of Christ hauehave no cause to feare. yet feare not little flocke (saith our Sauiour) it is your Fathers pleasure to giuegive you a kingdome, Luk. 12.32. In patience possesse your soules; for there shall not an haire of your head perish, Luk. 21.18. Looke vp therefore and lift vp your heads: for euen when these things begin to come to passe, the day of your redemption draweth neare, Luk. 21.28.
Obiect. Many thinke it an idle thing, to contend and striue about Religion, and to bee so zealous for good things, as some hote spirits be.
It is meete to be zealous for Religion.Answ. Striue to enter in at the strait gate, for many will seeke to enter, and shal not bee able, Luk. 13.24. I follow hard, or presse towards the marke (saith the Apostle) Philip. 3.14. who exhorteth to bee feruent in spirit, seruing the Lord, Rom. 12.11. And Christ Iesus gaue himselfe for vsus, that hee might redeeme vsus from all iniquity, and purge vsus, to bee a peculiar people to himself, zealous of good workes: and Saint Iude doth exhort vsus also to contend earnestly for the faith, which was once deliuered vntounto the Saints, vers. 3.
Obiect. There is for all this, small profit in keeping Gods Commandements.
Answ. In keeping of them there is great reward,Religion wants not a reward. Prou. 2.10-12.16.20. and 3.2.4.22.23.24. and 4.22. Psalm. 19.11. And godlines is great gaine, 1. Tim. 6.6. It is profitable to all things, which hath the promise of this life, & the life to come, 1. Tim. 4.8.
Obiect. I hauehave had now and then a mind, to hauehave become á diligent reader of the Scriptures, but that againe I thought thus: What profit is there in it?
It is good to studie the Scriptures.Answ. The whole Scripture is giuen by inspiration of God, and is profitable to teach, to conuince, to correct, and to instruct in righteousnesse, 2. Tim. 3.16. It conuerteth the soule, maketh wise the simple, reioyceth the heart, enlighteneth the eyes, Psal. 19.7.8. It is a lanterne vntounto our feete, a light vntounto our pathes, Psal. 119.105. Making absolute and perfect the man of God vntounto all good workes, 2. Tim. 3.17.
Obiect. These meere Bible-Clerkes, that hauehave nothing but Scripture, & such as addict themselues thereunto, making it their chiefest studie, are held men vnlearned, of weake apprehensions, without vnderstanding and iudgement.
Answ. Dauid, Psal. 19.7. & 119.130. Prou. 1.4. The word of God maketh men wise.the King of Israel, a man of warre, valiant, and wise, saith: Oh how I louelove thy Law! it is my meditation all the day, Psa. 119.97. through which hee did get vnderstanding, vers. 104. and became wiser then his enemies; and got thereby more vnderstanding then his teachers, and the ancient, vers. 98.99.110. a good vnderstanding hauehave they, that do thereafter, Psa. 111.10. It is the wisedome and vnderstanding of Gods people; and for their knowledge & obedience to this, they are accounted an vnderstanding and wise nation, Deut. 4.6.
Obiect. But the studie of this maketh men to erre, to become Schismatickes, and Heretickes, and vnquiet persons in the State.
Ignorance of the Scripture causeth errour.Answ. It is a sure word, to which while wee attend, wee doe well, 2. Pet. 1.19. and men erre, not knowing the Scriptures, Mat. 22.29. Psal. 95.10.
Obiect. Many yet that reade the Scriptures, doe run into by-paths.
Who they be, that run into by-paths, and why.Answ. The vnlearned, and vnstable, doe wrest the Scriptures to their own destruction, 2. Pet. 3.16. because to some it is giuen to know ye secrets of the kingdome of heauen, and not to other some, Mat. 13.11. to whom God giueth not eyes to see, nor hearts to perceiue, Deut. 29.4. for he resisteth the proud, and giueth grace vntounto the humble. 1. Pet. 5.5.
Obiect. If religion were so good, so comfortable a thing as men say: then many that hauehave seemed most forward, and zealous, would not forsake their such godlinesse, zeale, and sincerity, for earthly pleasures, which they once condemned; for profits, which they once neglected, and for honours, which seemed to bee greatly despised, and which they formerly hauehave inueighed against. This is to mee a great stumbling blocke, and maketh me verily to thinke, that men, which speake so much of the comforts, and ioy in Religion, doe but counterfeit, and talke of more then either they feele, or Religion indeed can affoord them.
The godly feele comfort in Religion.Answ. The kingdome of God is righteousnes, peace, and ioy in the holy Ghost, Rom. 14.Psal. 119.72.103.127. and 19.9. Dauid felt Gods word sweeter then honey, and the honey combe; and saith, they are more to bee desired then gold, yea then much fine gold, Psal. 19.10. Hee reioyced in the way of Gods testimonies, as much as in all riches, Psalm. 119.14. and such ioy and comfort found he in the exercises of Religion, that hee wished to dwell in the house of the Lord,Psal. 84.1.2.3.4.10. and 122.1. all the daies of his life, Psal. 27.4. Now hee being a man after Gods owne heart, did not counterfeit; and therefore Religion giueth singular comfort to the truly godly. As for the backsliding of some from their godlinesse, zeale, and sincerity;Religion it selfe not to be the worse esteemed of, because men fall from it. it ought not to make vsus to bee offended with Religion it selfe, to thinke it affoordes no comfort: for there be that heare and receiue the word with ioy, & yet for want of root, endure but a season, Matth. 13.20.21. Demas for profit forsooke his profession, 2. Tim. 4.10. and zealous Iehu, for honour, left the true seruice of God, and worshipped Idols, 2. King. 10.31. Salomon the wise, that loued the Lord in the beginning, 1. King. 3.3. afterwards through fleshly pleasures, had his heart in his old age turned to vanity, 1. King. 11.4.
Obiect. These sorts of men, thus declining from goodnesse, do often prosper in this world: they get preferment in the Church, and in the Common-wealth: Matth. 12.43 Luk. 11.24.46.and are not the least aduersaries to that their own former shew of goodnesse; and therefore it may seeme, that God is not offfended with them, neither is it any great matter, whether we be religious or prophane so be it, that we walke wisely after the world.
Ier. 15.6.Answ. It had been better for these persons, not to hauehave knowne the way of righteousnesse,Backsliders are in a most fearfull condition. then after they hauehave knowne it, to turne from the holy commandement deliuered vntounto them. For it is happened vntounto them, according to the true prouerbe: The dog is turned to his owne vomit againe, and the sow that was washed, to her wallowing in the mire, 2. Pet. 2.21.22. Howsoeuer they enioy the world, as Iehu did, yet God taketh no pleasure in them, Hebr. 10.38. and vnlesse they doe repent with Peter, and returne, confusion shall light vponupon them, Ier. 17.13. Psalm. 125.5. for the righteous shall not liue for his former righteousnesse, in the day of his transgression, Ezech. 33.12. If he be turned away from his righteousnes, & doth commit iniquitie, according to the abominations that the wicked man doth, his righteousnesse that hee hath done, shall not bee mentioned; but in his transgression that he hath committed, and in his sinne that he hath sinned, in them shall he die, hee shall die euen for the same, hee shall euen die for his iniquitie that hee hath done, Ezech. 18.24.26.
Obiect. Seeing this is so, that a man may enter into the profession of Religion, and afterwards slide backe, and bee plagued of God for the same, it maketh me fearefull to begin to enter into that strait way, lest being wearie of well doing, I fall away, and my last state bee worse then the first, Luk. 11.26.as Christ himselfe tels vsus.
Answ. The foundation of God remaineth sure,The elect cannot vtterly perish. and hath his seale, the Lord knoweth who are his, 2. Tim. 2.19. they heare his voice, and follow him, Ioh. 10.27. for all that the Father giueth him, shall come to him: and him that commeth, will he in no wife cast out: because he came down from heauen, not to doe his owne will, but the will of him that sent him: and this is the Fathers will that sent him; that of all which hee hath giuen him, hee should lose nothing, Ioh. 6.37.38.39. for he giueth to them eternall life, and they shall not perish, neither shall any pluck thē out of his hands; his father which gaue them to him, is greater then all, and no man is able to pluck them out of his Fathers hands. Ioh. 10.28.29. Therfore feare not to come to him; for if thou bee the Lords, thou shalt also euer remaine with him.