Charity commended, or, A catholick Christian soberly instructed by J.C.

Charity commended, or, A catholick Christian soberly instructed by J.C.

Table of contents

Title page

TO THE READER.

To a Learnd Romanist.

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[Page] [Page]Medici Catholicon.

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CHARITY Commended, OR, A Catholick Christian Soberly Instructed.

By J. C. M. D.

Quicquid deficiunt alia unica supplet charitatis gratia quae in aeternum non deficiet. St. Ber.

LONDON Printed, and are to be sold at most Book-Sellers Shops, 1667.

TO THE READER.

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PAper Kites on all sides fly high, born up with the air of popular applause, and wind off phancy to the admiration of plebeian heads; tho [...]gh the prayer-toyes of idle children while they misuse paper, and mispend time, are of as great value as the elaborate pieces of most polemicks: whose books are the disguises of faction and diseases of Charity, by irreligious disputes of what they miscall religion, drawing that blood which should quicken the heart of Religion from mens hearts into their heads, leaving their hearts destitute of zeal to God and mutuall dilection; and filling their hearts with choler, which produces that phrantick zeal which discomposes the world; or stuffing them with ph [...]egm which lulls them into a Lethargy of indifferency in religion; or raising those melancholy [Page] vapors which cause these Epileptick paroxisms in quaking enthusiasts: Hence comes this morris dance of religions, & the glorious body of Christianity, minced into factions makes but an Olio, distastefull to Jew or Gentile▪ and it would be a wonder to have a Iew converted to Christianity, to what sect soever he was converted, the other would condemn him: and this might not seem a way to come to God, but a path to Belial, & even amougst Christians I have known not a few whose too forward zeal to find out religion hath carried them out of all religion: when their fiery zeal had made a blaze, it went out in the stench of Atheism. The specious name of Catholick hath biassed no lesser numbers to Rome, but the spiders web of papall infallibility spun fine by school wits not strong enough to hold them, finding the lines drawn from bowels poysoned with self-interest: breaking this Cobweb net, they disdain all religions as religations to insnare: and believe religion not above a state trick; or a vizard to fright Children, and cheat the world: since the world varies dssguises as frequently as it changes interests.

A giddy minorage instructed me to make prodigious sallies, & joyn with these [Page] Babell builders, to try if I could elix truth out of so great a confusion of Languages: but the fruits of my curiosity prov'd not above the Apples of Sodom, I was discompos'd by the noise rather then edify'd by the tongues, and taught with Octavian to cry out, utinam nescissem literas: to wish often that I had been ignorant of letters, since they could not furnish me with the knowledge of Christs Cross, I retir'd within to seek that at home which I could not find abroad: and having anatomized others in vain, I now dissect my self rather then be inexperienced: here I find not those antipathies which I meet in others: I seem constellated for all Countries, and could live peaceably under any national Church, though I would not joyn with any schism which is made to colour over a rebellion, while a monstrous zeal, player-like takes a vizard which hee rejects his part once acted: for this indifferency, though Erasmus-like, I am hung up betwixt Heaven and Hell, & renounced of all Communions, yet Conscientiae satisfeci, nihil in famam laborati, sequatur vel mala dum bene mereor. By being charitable to all, I cannot deserve evill of any; and I hope no national Church so ill but may deserve my charity: the [Page] first sally of my pen intended nothing beside an Apologeticall Epistle, and by an autops [...]e, or self-unravelling to satifie my self; and a Romanist of him, of whom he had talk'd much, and knew little (proposing neither order, or method, it being my Province to unravel the mysteries of riddling nature, rather then the disguises of Antick Polemicks, but my glib penne found it easier to ingage then to retreat, and while the multitude of my own thoughts oppress'd me, the fear of my own disability would not suffer me to betray the succours which reason offer'd, even the whole militant Church, lending the weapons of Antagonists, and offering the Canons of the Church against them; which I shall bring in with the flag of defiance to no Christian Communion: neitheir make use of the forces to gratifie any faction, for all carry the Angels motro, glory be to God on high, and goodwil towards men. I introduce Charity, neither maim'd nor mutilated; Since she is inrich'd with a plenteous offspring which she holds within the arms of Christian Communion: I would not deprive herof any of her Children, whom none can truly expresse, it they do not describe her with her arms full; and although the Papist terme; it, it [Page] is mistaken, yet mistaken charity is to bee preferr'd before none, and should heady and shallow Enthusiasts misconstrue it, yet the learn'd and more refin'd spirit, who is more blear-ey'd with prejudice, or squints to self-interest will afford me that charity which I afford all; to whom as Vespasian to A [...]ollonius, I conclude with an [...].

To a Learnd Romanist.

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APologies serve onely to multiply Discourses, and the itch of dispute becomes the Scab of the Church: Controversies being either the Ebullitions of indigested Idleness, symptomes of distemper'd zeale, or inebriations of Passion, while men in distractions ly idle, seriously foolish, or drunke with dispute, forget the Holy Ghost to talke of an holy Church; and by relinquishing their Charity lose the Communion of Saints: most Polemick Divines being no more to be beleev'd then Lawyers, who have least right to that they pleade for, and doe it onely for the fees of promotion, while the people are wrung by the eares, they easily remitt their ear-rings, to reare a golden Calfe to worship, or forge one out of silver, each Country being as able as Ephesus from a silver forge to produce a Diana. Who phancy profit raise Idols of their Phancy: gaine profits by maintaining, & Prophets to maintain them. And no coyne can be so adulterate [Page] as not to passe currant, if it bee but stamp'd with the face of Religion. I would not act high treason against heav'n by adulterating my Kings Coyne, or by an uncharitable clipping of it take away the Crowne, and obscure the Image of my Redeemer; or by a pruriginous affectation of scribling increase the Scab of Church or State; or that the Luxury of my phancy should like the ranknes of other's wanton out into weeds in the garden of the Spouse. If errour would not triumph over tacit truth; silence argues no assent, and introduces no supposition of guilt; though all may accuse the sallies of a prodigious curiosity, none should the excursions of a rasher pen; the spitle cast on me from inane and jejune noddles should only mortifie my quick silver, and it heale the itch of my curiosity, the inke which I have tooke from the pens of all ages be appli'd to cure the tetters of my own dilating vanity and not profus'd on others. Male de te loquuntur sed mali, men speake evill of thee, but evill men, was the comfort of a wise man, which I must not be intituled to whom you can discommend; you for whom ever silenc'd enmity studies commendations, they who cannot approve your judgement, admire your knowledge; say you have a greater Library in you, then you [Page] have lost, yet have you lost a greater Library then the County which you inrich with your selfe a Panoply of knowledge can glory in. I could not bewa [...]le but rather congratulate such a losse: For should the hot zeale of some Iack Straw of Reformation raise a combustion might fire halfe of our Anglican Libraries, (nay was ev'n your Roman Vatican in a flame with halfe of the worlds Libraries, which by kindling the flames of contention by disordering the Vniverse seem to antidate its combustion) if a teare could quench the fire, I should number it among my sinnes at the expense of so much water to redeeme them.

Error is of a teeming Constitution, this Hydra's heads multiply by amputation, there is no end of writing of Bookes the wisest of men dead said, and the wisest of men living lament. Study is a wearinesss to the flesh, I wish most mens studies were not onely a wearines to their own but all flesh the effect of few mens wit & most mens idlenesse, while there is nothing new under the Sun, not onely bookes but men are transcribed, men are liv'd ore againe: the Pythagorean Metempsychy is verified: the revolution of planets reduce the same constitutions, same errors: hence Learning is in the circle and not in the Progresse: error [Page] hath alter'd her modes and garbs with times, someties more gaudy, better painted, trim'd and drest to become more tempting, but still hath carried her old rotten body through all her veils and disguises d [...]scoverable to a curious inquirie. That which sends occasion to opinion to proclaim most men knowing, administers to me no infrequent suspition of their ignorance, multitude of bookes, variety of notions like to Cadmus Souldiers by mutuall quarrells destroy each other. Light and darkenesse both met in the Chaos, but it was a worke of omnipotency to separate them. I cannot bee induc'd to beleeve either the greatest reader or writer, the best Clerk-men write much of little, because they know not how to comprehend much in little: a fly buzzes more about nothing, then a Bee with all her honey; most write much to instruct the world, they know little, the Iliads of their labours may be compris'd within a nutshell, and that nutshell crackt found without a kernel. Uoluminous Tostati dilude the mountains of our hopes with a ridiculous mouse, who plac'd in competition with a single sheeted Mercury may be orevalued, while in floods of words scarce occurs a drop of reason, and these by malice onely impostum'd Authors betray their owne corruption, or their tumid [Page] bodies of controversies are onely symptoms of a drscracy, and show an Hydropsick constitution in Religion.

But while these scrap-gatherers pick reversions from common places, and poore truth imprisoned for her plaine dealing, fed at the Almes basket of vncharitable times is scarce kept from famishing, for you a reputed treasurie of knowldge to cast no mite into her treasury; while these standing pools retaine corruption, you who are an ambulatory Library, not to stream with excellence, & like the Philosophers Elixir have as some say the price of al things in Epitome; yet you your selfe know no value, this is a miracle which may refute yours and their adversaries who can beleeve miracles have a cessation: But lest you Sir should be lost in your Laborynth of your own praises as the world in admiration of your intricate excellence, be pleas'd to know Sir, that the opinion of what you know cannot make you speake wisely of what you know not, and the Prerogative of greatnesse is no priviledge for unworthinesse; he may be evill himselfe who speaks good of another upon knowledge, but he can never be good himselfe who speakes evill upon suspition of any one: though you are pleas'd to say I make a jest of Religion, yet [Page] produce one jest which did not give an earnest of truth. I must confess I have not lov'd a solemnity in folly, or serious Ildenesse, like children to contend with a passions vehemency for cock pins and hobbyhorses; if I have admitted that no [...]i bonum ludere cum sanctis, it was onely when they were dress'd like unto Bartholmew Faire babies in a garbe onely to be made sport with; (honour their ashes which have been temples of the Holy Ghost, treasuries of knowledge, & Cundit pipes of salvation, and neither my pen nor tongue shal bedrible their ashes, which to speake Philosophically may retaine some perfume of their sanctities. I am not ignorant of the stories of Gervase Montanus, Babylas, nor all the names which sanctifie your year, or with their owne bloods are writ in the Rubrick of the Church: But yet I must beleeve, Honorandi sunt Charitate non servitute, and that best honour we can do them is to imitate their vertues and not bely their ashes, and make banquets for the serpent the father of lies, which thus may be said to have food out of the dust, which not to administer cannot intitle me to your livery, viz.

A Heretick in Divinity, a Heretick in Philosophy, and in Physick, but not to a Physitians religion which you can please [Page] your selfe by calling Atheism, but if you were acquainted with much felicity as to be intituled to the knowledge of Dr Brownes Religio Medici, you might bee induced to beleeve a Physitian still may prove an Evangelist, and I hope I shall not prove besse by bringing you the good tydings of the Religion you have lost; and though it be true as you say, I am none of the young men who see visions, yet I am content to give you the honour of an old man who dreameth dreams; not that you have truth reveal'd to you sleeping, but are content to snore in your errours; and please your self with th [...] imaginations of truth, Chymera's of your owne distracted phancy, or the dreame of melancholy Monks: if I recede from any, it shall be by their receding from themselves, and as Apostacy is but a recession, and Heresie which you inculcate an election, I am content with S. Paul after the way you call here sie to worship God by, election of truth without supposing it taken [...] in Thyestiles expugnatio civitatis, but more especially the holy city of God, his holy Catholique and Apostolik Church militant on earth and triumphant in Heaven, yet I may that which is patient in the purgatory of your errors.

And though you are suppos'd a Golia [...]h [Page] able to defy a whole host of Israels, ye a poore contemptible boy whose best company hath been sheepe, silly creatures in a wildernesse of errour, if when a Lyon roar'd on him, one of yours E. S. I. who like a Lyon goeth about seeking whom he may devoure, he tooke him and rent with his owne arguments, shall he not dare to encounter you out of the slender scrip of his owne reason; and with pebbles drawn from a brooke of clearer testimonies aime at your forehead that [...] or [...] pontificiall infallibility in the head of your Church, and then amputate it by the two edg'd sword of verity, and the whole host of delusion your Catholique body of error, cui fumus pro fundamento shall evaporate, yet by wrinkling and shrinking truth, I shall not bring the Church in that narrow compasse to give private spirits leave to ruffle her, or make her lesse Catholick or not infallible, which could she be, she might cease to be holy; nor could I be perswaded that the pontificiall robes carried holiness to the Lord, that Vrim and Thuminim perfection and light were relative to the Miter, and the lips of that high Priest onely carried knowledge, I could fly the bosom of the common mother, but since from distemper'd parents we exuge poyson, not nutriment, you must give leave to decline [Page] those breasts which flow not with the sincere milk of the word, and believe the body distemper'd, and of a richetty constitution: whose head so exceeds the proportion; had infallibilitie a tie above the, intention of a Priest in Collation of orders; to the proof of which, though I cannot expresse the exactnesse of pedantism in quotation, yet I shall not be warp'd from that may expresse ingenuity, and satisfie a pretender to it in a rural retirement, having no book but one of an imperfect edition, forc'd to read my self, ubi multa desiderantur & à desunt nonnulla, but nothing that may inform of truth, though I can make use onely of some confus'd notes for the engraphical part of memory, yet in the agraphical part I shall not show so great a deficiency in the Mnenon [...]cal Art as may render truth suspected; truth shal be my aim, I may fly high, rove, yet never farre from the mark, and perhaps escape the fa [...]lts of most Polemicks, who resemble a piece of Arras, where there is much in representation, and nothing in reality: or Plutarchs heartlesse fish with a sword assimilating body, want both vigor and acutenesse: the discourses of umbraticall Doctors on all sides like bodies bred in the shade, cannot [Page] endure the Sun, or a shower: in their more serious retirements affecting nothing beyond Domitians humour of catching of flies: which I shall without torture inforce them to confesse: Could you but dispossesse your self of prejudicacy; truth is a garment that time can wear; who pretend to greyheaded error, rather d [...]scredit it then patronize it. Lay aside those great names of Seraphick and Angelick Doctors; look not on any Religion through the opticks of blear-ey'd prejudice, as I am confident you make not yours squint to self-interest.

I have neither giv'n up my name to regall or papall supremacy, neither protested, covenanted, or ingag'd to any faction; hee who aims at truth by the Roman, or any other bias, wi [...]l never come nere the mark: the fire of self-love, as it is kindled by the breath of the Father of lies so it partaketh of the quality of his flames, to be without light: since it keepeth us in darknesse to our selves, & an imperception of the true dimensions of others. This liking or disliking of others, is but the spurious issue of philautie which undervalues al, meets not in a compliance with the humour: some natures as Seneca observes, are so shady, as they think every thing turbulent and stormy, that is even, in [Page] a meridian l [...]ght. Some like to old rusticks are content to meet in the Church porch of tradition to talk of mundan a affairs, which care not to enter into the Church to serve God in his Ordinances: others resemble young Novices which creep into the Church by holes to angle and ring the bells backward, neglecting the key of trad [...]tion: others by curious inquiries are put into a whee [...], and are circled so long betwixt proving the Scripture by tradition and tradition by Scripture, till the Devill find a means to dispute them into infidelity; and make them believe neither. Most mens lips and pens open wide like to a monilesse purse; nothing comes out of this▪ and what is worth nothing out of them: yet this nothing must be plac'd in competition with nothing lesse then salvation: the tradition of the Church must be a satisfactory proof to believe by Divine faith, (if we may believe a Papist) Scripture, Gods word. If wee ask why we must believe? it is replied: because the Church is infallibly govern'd by the holy Ghost: if we inquire how? they run to revelation guilty of enthusiasm which they object to others: or if they offer to prove it by Scripture, as most do, it is an acknowledgement [Page] that the Scripture is of higher proof then the Churches tradition: thus these impertinents touch ne [...]ther Heaven nor Earth, in their discourses they open an entry into a room, but shut it presently. Some elate tradition above Divinity: the principles of any conclusion must be of more cred [...] then the conclusion it self: the Articles of Faith, the Trinity, Resurrection and Communion, if the conclusions by which they are proveable is Ecclesiastical trad [...]tion; it must follow that the Churches tradition is of more credit, when the Faith of the Articles must be finally resolv'd into the veracity of the Churches testimony. Others depresse tradition even below humanity; are so far from equalizing it with rational d [...]scourses, as they prefer the dreams of phanaticks before the Churches tradition: without which a rayling Song thrust upon an evil air, is not worse musick then the confused notes which some intitle the harmony of Scriptures; and if they know Gods Law by heart, they have no heart to his Law, and after all these pretences of Knowledge and illumination, like to the Egyptian sages can produce nothing but frogs and blood: Nor doe the Exotique Seminaries furnish us better then the weeds which the ranknesse of our [Page] own soil hath cast up: Apostolicall pruging-hookes are exchang'd for Sanguinary instruments, involving the world in blood, and staining their own lives▪ at the [...]r deaths leaving nothing behind but a memorial of some hideous impietie: while with styles solemnly religious, and even Seraphical devotions we find more principl'd in Caesar Borgia, and Nicholas the Florentine then Elemented in Religion, not erecting a Spiritual Kingdome for Christ, but a temporal for the Pope; which he honest good man, solemnly vows and protests against; for all the Bishops of Rome at their Creation, make a solemn vow and confess to observe inviolably all Ordinances made in the first eight generall Councells, in which is provided that all Causes be determined by the Bishop of the same Province where they are begun.

This might check the exorbitancy of the Roman See, and confine Tibur within her own limits, if sober men having neither the inebriations of passion or self-interest might be judges: Neither might that impertinent question of triflers trouble the world: Where was your Religion before Luther? (retorted ingeniously by S. H. Wotton to a pragmatical Monk) where [Page] yours is not to be found now, in the word of God: But I may modestly and charitably averre, where yours was if you have any, and where much of what you call fundamentall in yours, now is not to be found in the word of God.S. Hie [...] in Psal. 133. Ecclesia non in parietitibus Consistit sed in dogmatum veritate: Ecclesia est ibi ubi fides vera: one impertinent question is not ill required with another, when a Romanist is ask'd where the Churches visibility and their judges infallibility was,S. Hier. ad Lucif. post med. tom. 2. Cum ingemuit totus orbis & Arrianum se esse miratus est; and even the infallible Guide, Liberius even a Pope decoy'd into Arr [...]an [...]sm: or while he was intainted, if a Pope was what you would have him, an infall [...]ble Iudge, is he not to be believed, when he answers the Emperor with an esto quod solus sum,Th [...]od. l. 2. Hist. Eccl. dialog. inter Constant Imper. & Lib. pap. 16.non tamen fidei causa periclitatur: olim tres soli sunt reperti qui regis mandata resisterent. If a particular Nation doe what the whole world did, sigh, and wonder at her self so soon turn'd Leper, it need not be the wonder of a wise man? they who sacrifice their Religion to successes must set up Fortune for a deity; which I believe is the World Idol, who Persian-like adore the rising Sun; and not like Israelites; they will not believe [Page] God as much in the Cloud as in the Pillar, though the one is the more glorious object. Can an intelligent man suppose religion dead in the Primitive persecutions, because buried alive in the Caves? or ours lost because some of ours are necessitated to imitate them, and you, if you have any Religion in this Kingdom? yet this meeting with weak judgements, and strong passions against the time, hath gain'd not a few Proselytes to Rome, and some seemingly learn'd,Vin [...]. Lir. Cont. Haer. c. 23. & 24. whose error like that of Origen, & Tertullian magna suit in ecclesiâ dei tentatios

While the Priest which should bee the lungs of the Church to receive in the influences of Heaven, and temper the heart of Religion, sucking in the contagious air of popular phancies are tainted; and have brought an hectick fever in the body Ecclesiastick, subjecting it to continuall heats by the exasperation of malignant humours, through the obstructions of self-interest, ignorance and the grosse matter of ambition: but I shall endeavour to trie these lungs, and let out the purulent matter which occasions the heat of disputes and cold fits of Charitie, infallible Symptoms of a Consumpti [...]n in [Page] the body of Religion: and though there may be Physitians more experienc'd; yet the Domestick Doctor is alwaies call'd into Consultation, as best acquainted with the Constitution: there may be perfumes which may deceive those who converse with putrid lungs at usuall distances; yet I, who have been intimately Conversant with Priest and Parson, and even protostickler of Schisms, which have attriv'd florent an Age with Civil Warrs, dissected men living as well as dead, having read both men and books, may prescribe opposite remedies, having those [...] mollifying praeparations which Hippocrates requires his Phisitian to have upon all occasions: And though I have arriv'd at Knowledge by prodigious curiosities; yet if we believe Alchymists, he who can fix quick-silver may make gold: and I doubt not God of his mercy will fix me volatile as Mercury, and produce that Elixir, which by its fluxion may convert the most obdurate metall into Gold; and having wandred long out of the Ark, not knowing where' to rest my foot for the deluge of errors, I may from the tops of the Mountains, the holy Fahers, return with the Olive branch of [Page] peace to the Ark, Gods holy, Catholicke, and Apostolick Church; from which onely Ravens fly, those birds of prey, whose delight is in ruine, and [...] devour mankind; which is far from him, who is a friend to all, and yours by an inviscerate dilection,

J. C.

Sect. 1.

MOst Polemick Divines Cometlike rise out of indigested matter, from the vapour of History, tenter'd Scripture, and fragments of Fathers, these exhalations blaze and become portentous to Common-wealths by their apparitions: it is the art of Scripture, which every one challenges to himself; and the body of Religion which every Mountebank dares dissect; and those nobler parts whose discovery should be to the melioration of mankind, are slash'd and Cauteriz'd by cruell ignorance; and similar parts, which should exact a gentle and well experienc'd hand anatomiz'd by the hand of self-conceit, and blinded passion, are so mangled and disproportioned, that there is nothing opened above their own follies, who pretend to anatomize others.

An Anatomist must be able to discover [Page] the order, situation, substance, temper, relations, and confederate entercourses of parts contained, and continent, the different Cells, and different bowels, how roof'd, and how partitioned, know all the wheels and Clockworks of the heart, the mystique causes, what pullies close, and what dilate, what secret engines tune the pulse, when by a well order'd chiming, it showes what time health keeps in the body: Can demonstrate all the Maeanders and by-paths of sporting nature, where obstructions have lodg'd, where maladies bred; and by such patterns instruct how to remove the accretion of malign humours, by prescribing opposite remedies for prevention of such ensuing inconveniences, and rectifying the present purging those impurer humors which convert the food of life into poyson: restoring those windy constitutions which are inflated with their own emptinesse [...]ccasion'd by weaknesse, and the obstructions of ignorance, vent nothing above noise and stench, curing the Hydrophodia in those who fear to look in the waters of life, by teaching to delight in the Scriptures, and healing the sting of the old Serpent, which Tarantula-like produces giddinesse, onely curable by harmony of Fathers, [Page] Councels, Scriptures in the Church. And not having glean'd up a few simples in the garden of times, where weeds and flowers spring up together, poyson as well as physick, observing neither quantity, nor quality, suppose he is inrich'd with Panaces, and Catholicons can cure the distemperatures of constitutions that he understands not: having weigh'd his compositions in the deceitfull ballance of his own lighter phancy, where there is no grain of wit, though some unnecessary scruples may intermix with the composition of folly, which may make it seemingly oreballance truth, and passe currant with the multitude, and weigh all by their owne lead; and easily are induc'd to swallow the most bitter pill, when gilded ore with profit and seeming complacencies.

The people like the Planet Mercury, are good in conjunction with the good, and bad with bad, but to nothing resembling better then to wheels, who by turning round continually, are fit to carry on all designes, if an H [...]resiarch, whose head hath some gingling phancies, lead the way forehorse-like; others as brainlesse as horses follow, the wheels are drawn glibly on while they are well greas'd, when they want the grease of maintenance, onely [Page] creak, make a noise, and disquiet the world.

Sect. 2.

Most Polemicks, while they have too rashly charg'd the body of error, have made themselves her Captives; and lent Antagonists Trophies of their rashnesse: Though truth is a strong fort inconsideration may become a traytor, and expose it to the mercy of an enemy. Most men are so drunk with dispute and inebriated by their passions, that they cast at Antagonists heads all they can lay hold on, not fearing a rebound, or what weapons they administer to their own ruine: show the weakness of their adversaries with so much of their own, that they lend opportunities to error: they permit the wild bore in their Vineyards, would keep out the Foxes; and open a gap for the Foxes would expell the Wild bore: they whose malice nam'd the Bishop of Rome Antichrist, their weaknesse opened a door to the Brownist, to bring in their own orders as rivolets from that See into the premunire of Antichristian. While Rome would prevent dissentious, they are forc'd to dissent from themselves; admit that overgrown monster, tyrannons infallibility, like the Wild Bore of the Forrest to lay wast Gods Vineyard, grown cruelly subtle by age [Page] and confidence in his tuskes, gores all that stand in opposition, [...]oming with mali [...]e, ambition, and Avarice, and wallowing in impurities: they who dissent from these, have not learn'd to agree with themselves: each one hath his distinct Idol, different Concubine, various glosse, on which their phancies set produces a brood of sects. While they adulterate the Scripture, and seem to approve that which they so much decry, while they wed themselves to the Idols of their own phancy, become the greatest Idolaters: or confirm Copernicism with their whimzies, the Earths motion by a continuity of giddinesse.

Sect. 3.

With the Lyrck, Nullius addictus jurare in verba magistri, me quocunque rapit tempestas deferor. Neither shall I put gall in the ink I write of Religion because others sowre their language▪ If I open sores, the launching shall be onely to let out their corruption, or take away the proud flesh that keeps the wounds of the Church from healing. And though I may confess with S.S. Be [...]. Ser. de resurr. Bernard, Non sit major superbia, quam ut unus homo toti congregattoni judicium suum praeferat tanquam ipse solus spiritum Dei habeat: yet 'tis a different thing for a man modestly in some points dis-satisfied to propose quaeres, [Page] not to a Congregation onely, but the Catholick Church: and a sober man may without trenching on irreligion, or the least touch of madness or insolency, dispute a matter of Religion with the Roman, or Church, or Prelate, as Irenaeus with Victor, modesty accompanying,Euseb. l. 5. Hist. Eccl. c. 26. & Socrat. l. 5. Hist. c. 22. and a desire to fist out truth free from vanity and purpos'd opposition, even against a particular Church, though to dispute an [...] Article of Faith, what the Catholick Church hath alwayes believ'd, is what S. Austine calls insolent madness. But in other things, Consent of Nations, Authority confirm'd by Miracles, and Antiquity of S. Peters chair,S. Aug. Cont. Bon. de Bapt. e. 4. Contr. Fund. c. 4. and succession from it, motives to keep in the Catholick Church must not hold against demonstration of truth; quae quidem si tam manifesta monstratur ut in in dubium venire non possit, proponenda est omnibus illis quibus in Catholicâ teneor:Ibid. c. 4.ita si ali quid apertissimum Evangelio [...] they have opened the gates and made the way that went before us: non Domini nostri sed duces fuere: truth lies open to all; it is no mans severall: patet omnibus veritas; nondum est occupata: multum exilia etiam futur is relicta: dissentire licet, sed cum ratione: non mihi credendum sed veritati.

Sect. 4.

[Page]

Though I cannot look upon the Pope with that dreadfull apparition,Papal infallibility sifted. which some affrighted with the horror of their own imaginations, who character him by a Virgils Polyphemus, monstrum horrendum, informe, ingens, cuilumen ademptum. Or some sad and distorted phancies flutering betwixt the twilight of ignorance and self-conceit bandy against the name with prejudice, as it nothing could result from thence might not taint the odour of virtue and innocence; yet could I but believe infallibility to bee the Prerogative of the the pontificial chair; I might believe with the Schoolmen, sin a non-entity, that Pontificial impurities passing for nothing, the chair might be secur'd from rasher imputations,Alphonsus contra hae. lib. 1. c. 4. St. Irenaeus might not accuse a Victor, S. Cyprian a Stephen; S. Athanasius a Pope Liberius for Arrianism;A Martin in Chron. cen 17. all that pretend to goodnesse, Heresie in an Anastatius,H. Blond. dec. 1. lib. 9 Bergomensis Martin in Chron. Sabel. Naucl. Marian Scot. stella, Palmerio; Platina, Blondus, Vincentius, Henricus de Erfordia.Honorius, John 22. Necromancy in a Silvester; Magick in a third Paul; a John the 8th 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17. as if the name which implies gratious, could import a concatenation of mischiefe, they being link'd together in [Page] with the 7th.impurities, Boniface, for the most part entring like Foxes, living like Lyons,Blondus lib. 3. dec. 2. Anto [...]ius 1. 16. c. 1. ex Iohanne de Col [...]a mina Sabellicus Na [...] clerus Platina. and dying like Dogs: & non montes parturient ridiculum murem, sed secundum ridiculum morem, in the eight John, Ranulphus l. 5. c. 3 [...]. Baleus Cent. 2. c. 30. c. 3. 10. Volateranus. and Bened [...]ct the 9th. supposed to appeare in the shape of a Monster after death,Martinus in Chronico, Marianus Scotus Sigeb. Platina Bergomensis, &c. because in all his life hee appeared not lesse then a Monste [...] in all his Actions: a 6th. Vrban could drown five Candinalls for revenge,Martinus Polorues in Chronico, Platina & Petrus Demi [...]nus. andas if this had been too little, let loose a deluge of impiety, the 5. Cardinal virtues suffering for name sake. But these are modest, vey'd with witchcrafts incests, cruelties, of a sixth Alexander; Idolatrous sacrifices in a Marcelln; Diabolicall applications in a Celestine; inhumations and such ridiculous peeces of cruelties in others, that even Paganism is charitable, and Mahometism it self comparatively virtuous: Should I omit a 10th. Leo's (that Father of Christendom in long Coats, who before the times, others do arrive at age, had attain'd to be Father of all the Aged, a Pope at twenty) quantum peperit nobishaec fabula Christi, and after [Page] a dispure, de animâ & redit in nihilum quod fu [...]t ante nihil: but I would sally no further, shrowds best befiit the dead, and by a candid retrogradation, to draw a white veil of innocence over those who should have been nursing Fathers to the Church; yet let mee tell you Sir, [...] how assents he to Christ in his words,Benedict 9. Silveste [...] 3. Gregorius 6. Cent. 11. who dissents from him in his works? Three blazing Comets conspicuous in the Roman Horizon at the same time, it would be strange if they should produce no alteration in the Ecclesiastick body, three Popes cohabiting at Rome, three in diverse Countries, a schism for forty years, Popes at the French and German devotion, Ambition and Corruption to the attaining the Papall dignity (as Platina) being more prevalent then a Christian life it would be a miracle above any Legends pretend to, that Contrariety should r [...]concile, mutuall Contradictions render infallible, while the Church musick must bee onely set out of such discord.

Antipopes not onely in competition for, but opposition to the pontificial dignity; of the Popes infallibility, see your own Gerson, Occham, Almain, Echius, Hosius[Page]Pigh [...]us, Waldensis at quarrell: about Originall of Spirituall power, Abulensis, Turrecremata, Franciscus de victoria, Alphonsus de Castro: men whose very names speak battell aud writings not much unity.

[...] will scarce prove a Rock of defence which implies a stone as well as Rock, and the twelve Apostles were all stones which went to the foundation of Christianity. No man, not warp'd by prejudicate ignorance, but may admit a primacy as great as those Princes, his Holinesse dignifies with the titles of the most Catholique, or most Christian.

Peruse the Spanish Edicts, and you shall find Cardinall Baronius book asserting Papall jurisdiction by King Ph [...]l [...]p, lest it might raise the flames of contention in his Subjects, made it self a Subject of the flames.

Peruse the Constitutions of the Gallican Churches; nay even now see them menacing to ordain Bishops for Portugal, the Pope refusing.

Reslect upon this darling Flanders, and find Bruxels lately tearing his bull for a defamatory scroll, by one rent to prevent many.

Take a view [...]of Germany, her Henries, [Page]Fredericks, 1. 2. here you shall find the story of the Eagle and Fox verifyi'd if the Eaglé touches but a Popeling, the Fox fires his nest.

See the Eastern Empire, whose substance was lost, fighting about shadows nay, the substance of Religion and Christs Image, charity for a wooden one.

Finally, let us look home and sweep our own doors from the [...]irt which would cleave to them: the first appellant here in England was Wilfrid, Archbishop of York in the reign of Egbert and his Son Alf [...]ede; the Popes Nuntio's in his behalfe were return'd with a Complement of honouring for grave lives,Spelman Conc. an. 705. and honorable aspects, but they would not' sent to their Legation.

See Anselms Contest about appeales to Rome,Malin lib. 1. de gest Paul A [...] glor. answer'd with a Consuetudo regni mei est à Patre meo instituta ut null [...]us praeter licentiam Regis papa appelletur: qu [...] Consuetud [...]nem regni toll [...]t potestatem quoque & Coronam Regis violat: Siquis inven [...]us fuer [...]t litter as vel mandatum ferens Domini papae, &c. Capiatur & deo eo [...]cut de [...] Regis traditore & Regn [...], &c. if it was treason then, reason will [...]carce expect thee Reward of loyalty now should atte [...]d his missaries.

[Page]These you will not deny, such as you call Catholick, and cannot wonder if in those times they menac'd ponere murum pro Domino rege, Math. Paris An. 1246. they now place one pro republicá, and better learn'd by time: Now with the Grec: an Church they answer, we know your pride; cannot satisfie your A [...]arice; and therefore leave you to your selves.

For his Patriarchate,B. Bilson. by Gods Law he hath none in this Land; for 600 years after Christ he had none, for the subsequent 600. intent to greater matters, hee would have none, above or against the Princes sword he can have none; to subvert faith, or oppresse his brethren, 'tis fit he should have none; you must seek further for subjection to his tribunall, this Land oweth him none.

Finally to bring you home, and truth home to you; reflect upon your own Rome in the time of budding Christianity, Polycarp in Anicetus time comes to Rome, yet makes no appeal.

Justin Martyr lives at Rome, & lends no suspition of such power: hee names a prefect of the brethren;In Apol. 2. Cont. Triphon. E [...]seb. lib. 5. c, 26. calls all Christians High-Priests; and so he being one, may attain a pontificall dignity. Iren [...]us calls Soter, Anicetus, Hyginus, Pius, Telesphorus,[Page]Xistus Presbyters.Euseb. lib. 4. c. 23. lib. 5. c. 16. Dionysins Corinthius calls Soter a Bishop. Apollinaris tells of Asiatick Churches excomunicating without the Roman. Lib. 5. c. 3. The Gallican Churches in a dissention of Alcibiades and Theodotus not onely appeal'd to,Lib. 5. c. 23. but the Roman Victor was oppos'd by Polycrates, an Ephesian Bishop. Nay, even the name of Universall Bishop was so great a stranger to Rome, S. Greg. lib. 4. Ep. 76. 83. Ep. 78. that a Pope though it designd the comming of Antichrist, was a name of blasphemy, and to admit it, was to lose the Faith; and no Sciolist in History but may discern if the Foxes taile had not been peeld to the Lyons skin, his Holiness might have now been but a petty Chaplain, and squar'd his Religion to some magnifico's trencher▪ and he may thank Saint Pauls sword, which hath more advantag'd him then the Crosse keles of St. Peter.

Sect 5.

Who would be ty'd to that infallibility, which instead of adorning, hath so dawb'd the Gospell, that Christianity may be suspected for a Fable, & al relig [...]on pass for state policy, while quatenus Cathed [...]a doceat, this Nymph Egeria must inform the Roman Numa, and to resist it be no lesse treason, quam tentare arcana imperi? and yet his Holinesse silence such prodigious [Page] pieces of masking foolery, golden Legend, Bridgets Revelations, Metaphrastes Saints, Monkish Chymaera's, and pious frauds, which for excellence and probability may parallel Lucian's true History, render Pantagruel Orthodox, make Don Quixot for the transportations of his phancy passe in opinion for a S. and a Gusman may be canoniz'd for a knave by revelation; as well as a Ronsard tenter our Saviours miracles to an analogy with Hercules labours, and your Divine Ar [...]sto make Saint John a groom to feed an Hippogriph with Celestiall Oates.

Indulgence to vice shames virtue out of countenance: and the threed of falshood interwoven with the gold of verity makes even truth passe in the supposition of counterfeit.

Who would believe the treasurie of Pontificiall merits exceeds his Peters pence, since no penny, no Pater noster, no our Father, the Pope, with Peter sure will scarce hold currant at Heaven gate?

Or believe a Purgatory above unnecessary injunctions, and a fire in it above a Culinary one, which he maintains by it in his Kitchin, since he seems an adversary in the way, and who agrees not with him quickly, is cast into Prison, and scarce gets [Page] out till hee paies the uttermost farthing.

Or the Priests, when they cry edite & bibite de hoc omnes, and devour all themselves, lie not?

Or mumming may not seem Religion, where Religion may seem but a mask of Anticks?

That lies and phancies bee necessary for salvation, since who believes them not, Trent Councell salutes with an Anathema?

Or the Popes have not been the greatest Schismatiques, since they have made more Schisms, then others Churches have Articles of Faith.

That two Popes when they both do contradict each the other, are both of them infallible?

Or injoyning severall Bibles, I must peruse neither?

That the people was not mock'd by subtile divisors, who instead of milk to instruct their souls, milked their purses with the fictitious milk of the Virgin Mary, L. Her. Hist. H. 8. visible in twelve places in the time of Henry the 8.

That Saint Wilfrid's needle which opened to the penitent, and clos'd to the guilty, was not the needle, the Camel, [Page] Cable might passe through, the rich man to Heav'n since, who gave most was alwaies the most innocent.

Or a rood moving like to a Puppet by wyre, and weeping the tears of a bleeding Vine, gain'd not the Priests the blood of the grape, by inebriating the people with folly?

In stead of shewing of our Saviours blood the price of Mankinde, while they took a price for blood, shut up in Chrystal, a darker veil might not better befit their impiety, belying the value of humanity with Ducks blood of no value.

That John the Baptist, the voice and way to heaven, may not be mistook for a po [...]er of hell, since what they feign of their Ceroerus, seem verifi'd of him, three heads shown at three severall places. While a piece of Bechets shirt must impregnate sterile women the mortifications of the flesh may not seem seminal pollutions, which like to Ave [...]rhoes Bath could procreate at di [...]tance, or nocturnal effluxions sanctifi'd by inherency in his vestment, like the unguentum armarium by the effluviums of atoms may do miracles.

Finally, nails, Bechets penknife, boots, dirt, S. Laurence coals, and trash fit onely to be found in Kites nests, must necessarily [Page] shew a green-sickness-like Constitution, and obstructions in Religion.

Sect 6.

These though venial to vulgar constitutions, who cannot go above the capacity of instill'd notions, cannot be pardonable to K. P. W. M. L. B. your self; men who seem constellated for learning, who do nothing if they out-do not others. God expects no splendor from the lesser stars, but if the Sun should not irradiate, it would seem a conspiracy in Nature: it is not sufficient for such to be carried in the stream of every idler fancy, byass'd by lead, but eminent in vertue, fortune and knowledge, propose Excellency for a Mistris, and Perfection for an aim. Amuze not your selves for splendid nothings to gather cockles on the shore, but lanch into the deep, and fetch home treasures above the In [...]es, the everlasting Mines of Knowledge: Place your tabernacle in the Sun, and not in the shadow; in the substance of Religion and not form, lest you lose the essence of Religion, Charity to others in opinion, and the substance of Charity in your fortune; as the shadow of Religion, so gain the shadow of an estate, broken as your knowledge. The people whose credulities illimitable may promiscuously swallow any thing, have Diana's out of every silver forge, are spunges [Page] ready to suck in all the lees of fancy and dregs of ages; may believe in a stock, garlick, onyons, a God for no God, all the absurdities of an Alcoran, a Moon descending into Mahomets sleeve, the Angel Adriels death and Gabriels bridge, Celestial generations by the smell of a Citron, an act of coition prolong'd to a Jubilee of fifty yeares, or any thing while they are tools to a Machiavell and he the Devils instrument may not lend occasion to wonder. But that a Auicenne, a Geber, and the learned Arabians should prostrates their beliefs so tamely to every fardle of foolish impossibilities and you have a vote for those Legends, which make a Ta [...]mud and an Alcoran seem modest, when you have a clew within your self, which may extricate you from this Maze of folly, this is an inexcusable piece of ignorance in you, which might be veniall in me, since the disfigurements on the face of truth, Junior indoctrinations, and minority of years, instructed by the ill complexion'd zeal of most professors, might suffer me to toil in a Labyrinth of error, truth not attained to but by exantlation, having onely time to peep into the Well, and not è puteo latentem eruere veritatem, view truth onely by the glass of vain imagination, measuring truths [Page] image by my own: Finally consider what needed the Fathers Cautions against Haeresie, and hard Conflicts with Hereticks; Christendom torn by distemper'd Councells,Ter. de praej. vincen. Lir. de Haer. as that of Ariminum, and the two of Ephesus, the whole world Arrian to the amazement of it self, and all this time the either envious or ignorant, never call for the necessary assistance of the Pope, and teach the ignorant world how the Bishop of Rome was infallible.

I shall not deny with some Sciolists of ours, Peters residence at Rome, a Bishop of the Jewes, as Paul of the Gentiles; and believe them as little in this as in the two witnesses of the Revelation, Eiph. l. 1. adv. Carpar. l. 4. c. 6. the two Jewish Bishops,pros. de prom. & produe. impren. c. 5. which some please to phancy themselves;Sab. Ennead. lib. 72. some the Albigenses and Waldenses, Euseb. in Chr. pr. 10. Nicronis 14. Ignat. epist. ad Tract. as truly as the fraternity of New England is the woman in the Wildernesse: [...], in Ep [...]phanius, [...] see [...] in Eusebius time, Petrus & Paulus Apostoli in Roma, in Prosper: Peters concertation whith Simon Magus at Rome; his Constitution of Clemens, confessed by such a cloud of witnesses, not easily to be blown away with every wind of phancy.

Our Fencers in Religion, need not make [Page] falsifying stroaks to hit the Roman head, since by rasher overtures their Antagonists by their own play lay their head open to have the infallible brains knock'd out; if they fence not with Saint Pauls sword as well as ward with Saint Peters Keies: Truth is like the Lake in Africk▪ which one time or other discovers all that is cast into it.

Sect. 7.

I cannot bee induc'd to believe the Pope, Antichrist with some, who believe nothing but what is writ in the stories of their own ignorance, and calculate all Religion by their own vertiginous pates▪ weighing not the consequences of bringing their own orders into a premunire of Antichristian: the Enthusiasms of the Lady Elianor Davis, and the prophetique accomplishments of Rice Evans, who makes a Parliament Antichrist, sitting in the Temple of God, viz. the house was once a Chapp [...]ll, are as probable and rationall discourses as most in Brightman, Mede, Napier, Gresner, Witta [...]her, Cotton, &c. or should any one make a Iack daw Antichrist, perking on the Pinacle of a Temple like Belial, and exalting himself above all that is called God. viz. Gods worship in the Church: A Romish Priest some years since inform'd me for a secret that [Page] Antichrist was born and now liv'd in Babylon about twelve years old, disputed Christlike with learned men to admiration, could speak as soon as he was born, having Daemon [...]ack-like learn'd to speak in the belly. Another show'd the time of his comming, his firing of Rome▪ and the Popes name that should oppose him: some believe him with us now,Gaffar [...] mon. curios [...] 152. and is a sending forces against Rome the year 1655. fatall to Italy.

Sect. 8.

If Antichrist shall come, [...] according to the working of Satan, in all power, signs, and lying wonders, Simon Magus [...], Satans first born, as Saint Peter, and as Euseb [...]us [...].Euseb. l. 2. cap. 12. may resemble him, i [...] to command fire to come down bee any property of his?Arnob. adver. Gent. lib. 2. Arnobius will inform v [...]derant currum Simonis, & quadrigas igneas Petri [...]re difflatas & nomin [...]to Christ [...] Evanuisse, &c. if to exalt himself above all that is called God belongs to him?Iust. mart. Ap. 1. Irenaeus, Philaster, Epiphanius, Theodoret. hee said all Nations worshipped him as God, though they gave him various names, do [...]uit seipsum esse qui apud Judaeos quasi filius apparuerit; in Samara auter [...] quasi pater descenderat, & in reliquis Gentibus quasi spiritus Sanctus adventaver [...]t; The God [Page] of the Jewes, one of the Angells, and Simon himself, the Father who made the Angells: if to sit in the Temple of God as God denotes him? the Samaritans call'd Simon [...] worship'd [...] with incense and sacrifice: who can doubt him, by the Samaritans worship'd in places set apart for Gods service, and so [...]. If the man of sin be an opposite tearm for him: hee call'd his wench Helena his lost sheep; having left her in a Brothel, ad hanc descendit pater summus▪ and carrying her back to his Palace, ad hominem salutem respexit, had respect to humane health, & salutem hominis dixit esse liber ationem ab Angelorum imperio, qui-ipsos ad bonas actiones urgerent, nec promitterent agere quae vellent▪ the [...] or mystery of iniquity may quadrate with the impiety of his followers the Gnosticks as well as [...], or [...] man of sin or adversary with Magus, if to deny Christ to have come in the flesh, may be appropriated to Antichrist; the Gnosticks deny'd Christ to have been born, liv'd, or dy'd, but in apparition.

Apostacy may bee applicable to their relinquishing Christianity, to comply with persecuting Jewes, that which impeded the [Page] mystery of i [...]iquity, the Apostles compliance in some judaical observances; the swift destruction, see perform'd,Thes. 1. 5. 2. Euseb. lib. 3. c. 18. [...] in a moment they were utterly destroy'd by the breath of Christs mouth, brightnesse of his coming; one denoting the Evangelicall power in the mouth of Peter and Paul personally opposing him, and Christs comming to take judgement on the Iews, and his favorites the Gnosticks, who adher'd to them in the persecution of Christianity.

Sect 9.

This with our incomparable Doctor Hammond doth carry more probability then the whimzies of Brightman, who wil have the Martyr Antipas antipapas; though he suffered in Domitians time, must be an Antipope, or some mens phantastick humour of Anagrams where Doctor Chatterton may come as near the number of the Beast as Calixtus, whose name the Parsons torture in revenge of their depriv'd lechery: or [...] where they serve the phancy of Irenaeus, to that hee did not apprehend: or Saint Hierom, Tertullian and Chrysostom about the Apostacy: it would be well, if with those Fathers they would ingenuously confesse their ignorance of Antichrist, and not byasse them to their phancies to call what they phancy not Antichristian: [Page] Nor is the whimzey of the Romanists and some Fathers more rationall, who would have him of the Tribe of Dan; and the text of Dan, a Serpent in the way lies like a Serpent in the way to seduce them out of the waies of truth; as if there were any Jew expected a Messiah from that Tribe when there was never any that expected him not from the Tribe of Judah: the ten Asiatick Kings which Daniel saw must be the same withSeleucus, Nicanor, Antiochus, Soter, Anto. Theos. Seleucus. Callinicus, Ptolomaeus Evergetes, Seleucus Ceraunus, Antiochus Magnus, Ptolomaeus Philopator, Antiochus E [...]piphanes. Whit. in thesi pro posit. & defens. in Cant. die Comitiorum. the ten horns in the Apocalyps, and Antiochus Epiphanes must bee the Pope, heaping up gold and silver (id est) adorning the Temples with gold and silver: extolling himself above God, viz. more zealous to have his own constitutions perform'd then Gods: the same arguments being applicatory to all Magistracy as well as the Pope Phanaticks have took notice of them to name them Antichristian, and the Churches have been rob'd out of zeal, while sacriledge hath been incourag'd, the unhappy companion of rash reformation; and if they are usher'd in by rebellion, and attended by sacriledge a wise man need not wonder at either: while all think they are nearer to God by being further from each other: he that deserts the Romanists seldom stops till he hath orerun all Church-fences by renouncing [Page] discipline; and our Precisian Proselytes (as I have known not a few) rarely prove not Jesuited Papists, and out of the phrantick zeal call'd Conscience, brand their brethren with the names of Antichristian, &c. when men should hate corruption which depraves Religion, run from it, and not from Religion: Atheism and irreligion gather strength while the ship of the Church tost with blasts of error indangers splitting in the waves of contention: there is in all national Churches truth enough to save men, but I fear malice enough to damn envn Angels: who resists any of their phancies, hath the spirit of Antichrist, though Antichrist in Divinity resembles the Elixir in Philosophy, many rules are prescrib'd, but few, if any have attain'd the Philosophers stone; and though the Pope in hew and cry for him, might be taken on suspition by the marks a Pope hath set on a him, yet suspition entring the actions-plea, there wants proof to maintain the Plea.

Sect 10.

The motions of these superior bodies was in excellent order and perfection, til exhalations from the gross and putrid matter of ambition produc'd horrid trepidations, and became precursors of prodigious calamities, while they grovel'd here for truth, [Page] and traded away the stock of Christian Charity for fictitious coyn, minted by passion, mutable affection, or seduc'd reason to preferre the pageantry of the world before the simplicity of the Gospell: and to blaze like Meteors with the vapor of an empty name, rather then shine like stars in an Orb of Sanctity, irradiating by their benigner influence, the horizon of Christianity: yet some good patriarches maugre envy, triumph in innocence, the beams of their Sanctity too glorious to be orecast with the mantle of blind malice, though clouded and interwoven with specious pretences.

Sect 11.

I can find Lillies and roses, Popes candid with innocence, and purpl'd with Martyrdom, whose blood became the seed of the Church:D. in vit Pontif. 33. while Christian Rome as well as Pagan had her foundation in red ruines, the foundation of Christianity laid with the blood of Martyrs.

Amongst those, some please themselves by naming Nimrods, Abaddons, and incurable Babylonians; I can find one die for the losse of a terrene Jerusalem, as well as others neglect a celestial. A Peter Marron alias Celestine the 5. so busied about his prayers,Stella & Platina. that he can neglect to bee called O holy Father in Earth, to cry our Father in [Page] Heaven; bee perswaded out of a triple Crown here to ascertain one hereafter.

A third Benedict, Test. Blon [...]. dec. 1. lib. 9 Martinus in Chronic [...] who can weep to bee chosen. A Deodate a Sicilian Monk which being chosen, gave none ever occasion to weep.

Agathon and Theodate reported to cure Leprosies by kissing,Platina & Liber pontificalis Cent. 78. 480. as wel as others by their ill breath cause the Leprosie of Schism orespread the face of the Church.Sigebert Marianus Scotus. Guliel Nubrigensis l. 2. c. 6. Cent. xij.

A John giving sight to the blind, as well as others of the name blinding.

A fourth Adrian, an English man, converting Norway, as well as others perverting Nations.

A Gregory so charitable, as to call Anglos Angelos & de ir a liberandos who call'd us Angels, I have no cause to believe him an evill one▪ Cambdens remains. since an Angel of darknesse would not have sent Angels of light to deliver us from the wrath to come, which he himself might expect in utter darknesse: who sent Ministers to give us light, and both his name and acts speak him to invigilate for the good of souls.

A Stephen whom the Earth was scarce thought worthy to bear,Vid. Iohn Stella Diaconus Plat. carried on mens shoulders, because he supported the Church on his own.

[Page]A Paul visiting Widowes, and Orphans, by night lending light in darknesse. A ninth Leo entertaining Christ, as wel as a tenth casheering with a quantum nob [...]s peperit haec fabula.

Finally, a good as well as a bad Silvester, Constantine,Onuphrius Platina, dec.Honorius, Severinus, a 1 Leo 2. 3. Martin Agapitus. 2. whose religions cannot be named, nor pure, nor not undefiled, since the Apostle names it so to visit the widow and Orphans: conclude, fuit Sergius vir sanctissimae vitae grataeque conversation [...]s, ante pontificatum & in pontificatu,Platina.in pauperes liberalis; in amicos & familiares jncundus, in delinquentes Clemens; in Contumaces modestus, cantae praeterea prudentiae fuit, ut in toto pontificatu nihil reprehenal gubernantis negligentiâ possit; in deum enim omnem mentem Convertens quod facere pontifices omnes deberent juste at (que)C [...]nt. Ma. Cent. xi. p. 5. 20.integrè omnia, ex animisui sententia bene natur a & mo [...]bus inst [...]tuti gubernabat: extant & ejusdem apud Scriptores praeclara encom [...]a: and this by the Confession of the now quoted Pope: Antichrist making Centur [...]ators.

Sect 11.

In Tertullians time, heathens us'd to say, see how these Christians love one the other? now even Turks exprobate us with a See how these Christian dogs are divided! [Page] while most resemble the envious man in the Fable, who would put out one of his own eyes that his enemy might be depriv'd of both; rather deny themselves part of that light, then their Antagonists should have any; like men who have the yellow Jaundise in their eyes, wil apprehend no colour beside; their own superelevated devotion must be Antichristian in the holy Sequestrations of Monachism; and even the Apostles themselves Antichrists, while Episcopacy is the mystery of iniquity: all sides hear either Antichristian or Heretick, manifest truth and reason may be Heresie as to maintain an Antipodes, or the souls traduction, or such an imper [...]inent trifle, as whether the Lord had brethren; in vain Christians may pray that the partition wall betwixt Jew and Gentile may bee taken away, if they take not away these uncharitable partitions between themselves.

Sect 13.

I am so far from hating the Pope, that I would kisse his foot if his nails were but so par'd, that he would not make blood run about all the mouths in Christendom: though I can please my self with their phancie, who tenter Pa [...]a to confesse in Capitall letters like his off [...]nces: a Presbyterorum Ambitiopepe [...]it Ant [...]chr [...]stum, and believe they have made many Antichrists; [Page] not onely men of sin, but adversaries to Christianity: while they have toyld in mysterious iniquity, made titular holinesse band to impiety; or serve onely to obstetricate degenerate actions: producing ill shapen Monsters, whose prodigious births trouble and discompose the world, while instead of the desir'd honor Juno, Ixion-like he grasps a cloud, and begets Centaurs.

Yet some grains of lightnesse must bee allowed, gold having greater occasion of tryall. Ambition is apt to creep into the most refin'd devotions, and persons consecrated to the Altars are not free: while there are men, there will be vices▪ and one common place will serve to declaim against all times: though we may discern cracks in the purest metalls by the lustre that streams from them; yet if our eyes turn inward, wee shall encounter with so much humane fragility, pitty will shame pride, and wee shall rather lament our own then glory in aliene miscarriages: if the Church of Rome like the woman in the Gospel be taken in adultery, and every one hath a stone to cast at her, should wee observe our Saviours rule, and the guiltlesse cast the first, we might all retire into our own dark souls to hide us; and leave her alone to [Page] Christ, who of his mercy may release her with a sin no more.

Sect 14.

Though I am perswaded I may believe in God,Of the Creed. and yet not introduce that Egyptian piece of darknesse, by mantling the the Creator as they their Eneph, an old man in blew circumscribing ubiquity and painting invisibility, and so drawing under line the incomprehensible, and sin against his effence; yet I could as easily bee induc'd to assent to this, as to a fiduciarie Solifidian, have a Creed for servile will, irrespective election and reprobation, which might suggest irreverent thoughts of Divinity; while we affix tyranny to the most just, and partiality to him who is no respecter of persons, and sin against his attributes.

Faith, Hope, Charity, Fear, Confidence, Honor and Worship, Prayer, and praise must be the affairs of that Iacobs Ladder which ascends to Heaven, and learns us to commerce with the attributes and essence of God. I believe all my beliefe will be irrite, my heart unpossess'd with the sincerity of his power; or my life warp'd with a non-Conformity with it in the practise of Celestial virtues; he who gives God not all, gives him nothing at all; to bepiece for God, and a piece for the [Page] world, is to be all for the world: he excludes him from all, who concludes him at all: or can he detest sin, makes God the Author of it? or dread the appearance of evill, who intails a necessity on it? or who believes a parity of sin, can he admit a conscience in any? fear to strain at a gnat or swallow a Camell, who perceives no difference in either?

Sect. 15.

I can believe in Jesus Christ, yet not daily make one with the Pontifician; or think that my phancy can make him mine with the fiduciary.

May wee show him our King while no disloyall sin or rebell lusts holds out against him; but every thought and action paies him the tribute of obedience; and vows good life and repentance, like so many oaths of supremacy, acknowledge our allegiance. May we every day to our high Priest bring the incense of prayer, and odours of good works, think no daily sacrifice Masse, or Popish oblation, no Church sup [...]rogations; nay, not even Christs sufferings or his satisfyings for us, satisfactory, if we abuse his grace into wantonnesse: this will by a clew of piety and humility teach us to extricate our selves from the Labyrinths of impiety, and approach [Page] our reward, the Crown not of our works but of his graces.

While wee acknowledge him a Prophet, bow down and worship, bringing our reason into Captivity to Faith; and since a Prophet like Moses bring him the Jewells of Egyptians riches of nature, give God our strength for buls, sacrifice the Calves of ourlips, and bring the innocence of Doves and Turtles to his service.

May we passe over Jordan in Baptism▪ feed on the Manna of Gods words, and not languish after the fleshpots of Agypt, be seduc'd by fleshly lust? but if the fiery serpent of our sins sting us, look up upon him who was lifted up with healing under his wings; and have respect to the fruits of the land of promise, that blessed Canaan, not being discourag'd by the Gyants of our sins; but lift up our hands with Moses, strengthned by the two Tables, the Commandements of God till we overcome them; and having the Corner stone, Christ Jesus to support us in our weaknesse (who will not fail them who rely on him in all their conflicts with the world, the flesh and the Devill) we may subdue the enemies of our peace, who hinder us in our progresse to the promis'd Land.

Sect. 16.

I may believe him conceiv'd of the Holy [Page] Ghost, yet may safely neither believe the Popes and some Pontificians, nor the conceptions of our Enthusiasticks of the holy spirit.

I can believe Christ born of a Virgin Mary▪ yet need not believe a Virgin Maries Temple born by Angels to Loretto; nor doubting the truth of the Virgins milk, with which the Popish Priests impose on the vulgar, may impose the stigma of infidel on me, and deprive me of the milk of the word of truth.

He who had respect unto her humility, will not have respect unto them who too much humble her; since the glory of Heaven overshadow'd, and the Bridegroom of our souls shined forth from the closet of her womb.

Nor exalt them, who her that was humbled in her own eyes, exalt in theirs above their Creator; Casheer his name to admit hers in the Psalter, while an Ave Mary can bring a Te deum Laudamus out of fashion, and Christ himself must stil be in pupillage.

May we all provide innocent, spotlesse, and Virgin hearts for a Saviour to be born in; so that we all may have by the overshadowing of the holy spirit a right Conception of him, whose Conception could [Page] not be without it,Mat. 12. v. 50. and be accounted for the mother and brethren of the Lord, while wee do the will of his Heavenly Father.

Sect 17.

I could wish that Christ still suffer'd not under a Roman Governor, but instead of a Pilate, he would be a good Pilot, no longer steer by the gales of profit, or the Whirlewind of ambition, which may ingulph the bark of the Church into an Abysse of misery; but calming the troubled Sea of his own lusts into moderation, the winds of error, and waves of false Doctrine may cease; and the leaky vessell of the Roman Church by the pump of Faith, and sincere repentance, may arrive at the Haven of eternall security: in vain like Pilat he may seek to wash his hands from the guilt of Christs blood, while he can embrue them in the blood of Christians, and suffer his Polemicks to plant thorns on Christs brow, spinous questions; and with the mock pageantry of state make Christian Religion ridiculous to Jew and Gentile.

Neither the Clergy though their name implies lot, should as relative to their name and Christian warfare, Souldier-like cast lots for Christs Coat; neglecting internall purity, quarrell about the supervesture, externall ceremonies of Religion, while their tongues sharp as spears pierce Christs sides [Page] through their brethren: who is still crucified by Jews, and betwixt theeves who rob Gods word, while we apprehend, examine, accuse, condemn, shame and crucifie one another; when we should rather crucifie the flesh with the affections and lusts thereof; as pride, envy, malice and contention; conforming our selves to the Image of a crucified Saviour, and not to the crucifyers of a Saviour by our vices: since some truths, though seemingly precious, are not so plac'd in competition with Christian-charity, peace, and communion with all, who are fellow-members of Christs body. Wee must relinquish that which is valuable, rather then him who is above all value: while dissention can renew his wounds in his members.

Dull, phlegmatick and Plebeian constitutions are not only subject to paralytique, but even apoplectick distemperatures: sometimes they tremble and discompose Religion in their jealous furies; and sometimes are superstitious and supine, and stupid in trivial and ridiculous fooleries.

Resembling Apes and Dotterells more apt to imitate mops, mows, and gesticulations then vertues: while others are madder then those who are asham'd of humanity, because Apes have some resemblance with humane nature.

Sect 18.

[Page]

Cannot any one be perswaded Christ descended not into Hell (since a S. Cyprian averrs this Article neither in the Roman or orientall Symbole, and Tertullian takes no notice of it, and Sh [...]ol and his [...] implies the grave,) without descending thither? May I leave the works of Hell, pride, malice, and uncharitablenesse, by works of light treat with God, where he is in Heaven, by believing Christ was in Hell will not much advantage me in the way to Heaven, though my uncharitablenesse to a misconceiving brother may warp me toward Hell: Hell is described by the valley of Hinnom, where sacrific'd children, weak ones in Christ while their tongues are kindled at Hell fire, who with trifling differences make schisms in the Kingdom of Gods Church and Communion, which Saints should have for the service of Christ their King the Lords anointed against the powers of darknesse.

Sect. 19.

May not any one believe in the Holy Ghost, though hee should not phancy the picture or the sencelesse story of the Doves want of gall, or the holy spirits non-appearance in that shape, but onely hovering like a descending Dove? Oh doubt the infallible pontificiall, and enthustiasticks spirit, one being repraesentative of the other, where [Page] murder, revenge, Adultery, and treasons are Cohabitants, and by a necessary illation must passe for the fruits of that all-disposing spirit, consecrate impiety, and make villany precious, while God himself must be introduc'd witnesse to a lie.

May we have the innocency of Doves in our Conversation; the mourning of Turtles in the sorrow for our sins, and a delight in the streams of life, the holy Scriptures as the Dove in the waters; finally all the resemblances with the Dove which imitate the gifts of the holy Ghost, that the holy spirit may dwell in us which is pictur'd in the shape of a Dove.

Sect. 20.

Wil it not suffice to believe a holy Church, and not to believe in it? since a Saint Cyprian informs me, God is onely to be believ'd in: or believe not a Church or Christian can be out of the Catholick Church, since all men and Churches make up but one Catholick: and the notion of Catholick introduc'd in opposition to the Jewish Church, may not as oppositely be oppos'd to the Roman, who like Jews presume a monopoly of Gods mercy? the light of ages, light of nature, supernaturall light of Scripture must onely shine in their dark lanthorns; and all blind who believe things not onely above reason but against it; [Page] while a part must be greater then the whole, a particular Church, the Catholick; resembling the mad-man, who lived in a Sea-port town, called all ships his own which arived at the haven: All Bishops, who have either writ, appealed, or communicated with theirs, must have sworn vassalage to the Papacy.

Sect. 20.

Or that communion of Saints was an article of levelling, taken up pro necessitate temporum, since Saint Cyprian takes no notice of it in his time, and [...]; Praising God, and having all things common was the Saints communion.

May we all be members of one body, while we show a mutuall sympathy; partake of the same head, by obeying Christs directions, cemented together with his blood, and knit by the unity of his spirit: though every part may conduce to the good of the other, none can so supererogate, as the other may be uselesse: similar nor dissimilar breeds no contrarietie, but all parts comply to the service of the whole; no dissimilitude of site, motion, ceremony, divide, but the gangreen of sin only enforces an amputation: ne pars sincera trahatur.

The eyes are not incensed against the [Page] feet for not seeeng; nor doth the ear commence a quarrell with the hands for not hearing; or the back parts about the faces uncovering, since decency of one part is the indecency of another; every part not made for it self but for others, & all to the captivity of the head, in compliance of whose dictates, we must expect an unity in the body: But an uniformity would prove a monster above a sober expectation, above the chymaera's or phantasms of Enthusiasts, who damn all the world, that, weather-cock-like, turns not round with their own vertiginous heads. Scimus quosdam quod semelimbiberint nolle deponere,S. Cypr. 1. 2. Ep. [...]nec propositū; suum facile mutare sed salvo inter collegas pacis & concordiae vinculo quaedam propria apud se semel usurpata retinere; nec nos vim cuique facimus, nec legem damus▪ was the opinion of Saint Cyprian. I could wish those, who pretend most to be of his opinion, would challenge a little of his charity.

Sect 22.

For forgivenesse of sins, I as little believe a Solifidian, as a Romish Priest, that attrition by absolution becomes contrition; the one while he deceives himselfe by a lie, or the other, while he imposeth upon others, secure neither from being deceived: they may send to the father of lies, but lying [Page] will scarce bring to the God of truth, since none can be implanted in the death of Christ, who bring not forth the fruit of this tree of life, nor partake of the resurrection to life everlasting.

He that will be saved must keep the faith, [...], sound in faith and free from reproach in conversation, holy as well as whole; and so his holinesse himselfe may be prov'd the most fallible; and though they violate the sense of the word while they render it inviolate, yet God grant that they may keep it inviolate, no more writh and wrench it to rivet in their own ambitious designes; and we may keep it so undefiled, that Momus himselfe may not carp at our lives: since Christs death is mention'd for our regeneration, birth for mortification, resurrection, for our rising in newnesse of life, that we may enjoy the communion of Saints, remission of sinnes, and resurrection of our bodies to eternall life.

Sect. 23.

There are but a few credenda, petenda, and agenda, where I cannot avoid an Anathema, non credendo, non opponendo: I will seek security, embrace verities, all hold, if I cannot those wherein they differ▪ though sometimes enterlacing discords graces the best Musick, yet a quiet error is [Page] rarely not to be preferred before an unruly truth, and crochets and quavers prove unseasonable, when they disturb the plain songs of peace; and it is better a son of the Church should be unknown, then, what they report of the viper, he should make his way through the bowells of his Mother; or a Milstone hung about his neck, and he buried in the depth of his imaginations, rather then they soar in the narrow way, and keep weak brethren from heaven.

It shall not trouble me with Delrio, whether the old Serpent was a Viper; with Bonaventure and Comestor, a Dragon; or with Eugubinus, a Basilisk: or with others, a common Snake: it shall trouble me rather to continue the delusion of the Serpent, by endeavours of propagating error: that Adam tasted forbidden fruit may trouble me, what fruit, shall not; I shall number it among the fo [...]bidden fruits of knowledge, which so many wiser heads have made disquisitions after, and would have truth satisfied by the relish of their palats.

Sect 25.

Whether our Saviours Crown was made of Paliurus, or a piece of it visited Glassenburie, and the precursor of his death, turns an Angel of his Nativity, [Page] blooming every Christmas day, is not worth a disquisition: I could make a Rose by moistning dilate, and by rendring again insuc [...]ous close: may I rather avoid those thorns, the curse of my sins, which may render me incapable of both.

Whether Durantes distick of the Crosse be true, need be no part of my creed.

Pes Cedrus est, truncus Cupressus, oliva supremum

Palmaque transversum Christi sunt in cruce signum.

May I partake of no corruption like the Cedar, in mourning for sin resemble the Cypresse, by fertility in goodnesse, assimilate the Olive: so shall I flourish like a Palm, even in the storms and pressures of this world, mount upward, by taking up the Crosse, and following, be partaker of him who was crucified. Prudent symbols, and pious applications, may have an influence upon ingenious conceivers, which may elevate devotion: but on the mad rabble, melancholy Monks, and ignorant Priests, they have no other efficacy, beside warping to Magicall applications, and miraculous expectancies:Tho. p. 345. ar. 2. c. persuam essentiam. It shall not trouble me whether the soul of Christ, in triduo mortis, went into Hell really, as Thomas Aquinas believes; or virtually, and by [Page] effects only,Durand in 3 dij. 22. ques. 3. as Durand; or whether the soul of Christ did descend really and in essence into the lowest pit of hell, and place of the damned, or really only into the place or region of hell, called limbum Patrum, Bella [...]. l. 4. de Christo. c. 16. Sect. 25. and then but vertually from thence into the lower hell.

The Father, to him who ask'd what God did before he made the world, (answe'rd) Provide hell for such curious scrutinists as you are. Non per difficiles Deus ad be atam vitam quaestiones vocat, &c. in absoluto nobis & facili est aeternitas Jesum suscitatum à mortuis credere; & ipsum esse Dominum confiteri. I will not procure a certain purgatory to my selfe here to make stranger guesses of an incertain one hereafter: or whether the inventor of it,Orig. lib. 1. [...], cap. 6. Origens purgatory, which could even purifie Devills, & reform them to Angels of light: or the differing purgatory of S.S. Greg. Nis. Orat. demortuis. p. 1066. Cypr. l. 4. Ep. 2. emendari igne. Gregory Nissen▪ St. Cyprian, or St. Austin carry a greater probability, or the Roman purgatory, which took a platform from neither. I can believe, I may find a way to heaven without taking purgatory in my way:S. Aug. lib. 21. civ. dei. c. 17. Greg. Naz. Orat. [...]in. th. [...]. S. Hier. on 66. Psal. credimus. Boetius lib. 4. pros. 4. puro. or else the Fathers before Gregory the great might mistake, [Page] never any one was directed that way with above an ut puto verisimile arbitramur, S. Greg. in Psal. 3. paenitent. Prin [...]. till he came in with a scio: And though I know not as much as Gregory, this I may presume to know, the place in Saint Paul, wracked so often to confesse a purgatory,1 Cor. 3. 12. may be applyable to it, being a building of hay and stubble; and have the charity to believe the foundation laid in Christ, faith in him, and love of him, the ground-work, though in the superstructure may be some light aery phantasms, stubble and straw, which in the day of tryall shall vanish, yet he shall be saved, so as by fire, through, [...]. or out of fire, drosse vanishes, but gold shall abide the fiery tryall in the day of the Lord.

Sect. 27.

‘Rogula fidei una omnino est sola illa immobilis, & irreformabilis,’ according to Tertullian; and if your Occham is to be credited, ‘nec tota Ecclesia, nec concilium generale, nec summus Pont [...]fex potest facere articulūqui non fuit articulus, &c.’ Therefore if any thing be fundamentall after the Church defines, it must be fundamentall before: for deductions are not prime and native principles, nor superstructures foundations: that which is a foundation to all, cannot vary to different Christians, in regard of it selfe, for then it could not be a [Page] common rule to any nor could the souls of men acquiesce on a tottering foundation, a trice foundation, as common to all, must be firm unto all; in which sense the articles of Christian Faith are fundamentall, and not what men please to define; for as Irenaeus, quum enim una & eadem fides sit, neque is qui multum de ipsà dicere potest, plus quam oportet dicit, nec qui parum ipsam minuit: if every thing defin'd by the Church be fundamentall in the faith, the Churches definition would be the Church-foundation, and so by consequence the the Church could lay her own foundation, and the Church have an absolute and perfect being before her foundation laid.

If the too preposterous zeal of the Roman Church since she grew to her in controlable greatnesse, had not rashly determined those things to be matter of belief, which for many centuries pass'd onely for pious opinions: Christendom might have serv'd God in an holy fire of zeal and spirituall fervency, which now sacrifices myriads of souls to Belial in the flames of contention: what a sight is it to see writers committed together by the ears for trifling ceremonies, and beggarly distinctions, tanquam pro aris & focis, incens'd, none are affrighted at [Page] their noises, and loud brayings, under Asses skins; scioli and smatterers, in Divinity onely busie in the skirts and outsides of learning, and yet will admit no salvation but by a compliance with their vertiginous pates: wise men should know, as the body hath certain diseases, that are with lesse evill tolerated then remov'd (as to cure a Leprosie with the blood of a child) so it is better a triviall error should dilate it self, then children of the Church should perish, while some error may be disseminated with lesse inconvenience then discover'd: the use which wise men should make of other mens lapses, is to avoid a precipice: and the advantage pious men should make of these great flaws in Christianity, is not to joyn with them that make them: nor to help to dislocate these main bones in the body, which disjoynted cannot be set.

Sect 28.

The uncharitable dealings of Christians with Christians, cannot induce me to bee uncharitable to any; I must believe with St. Hierom, ‘Haeretici fiunt, non quod Scripturas contemnunt sed quod non intelligunt;’ it is ignorance and not the contempt is the cause of most, if not all of our separations: The Sheba's of separation, all the Trumpeters of sedition may alarm the rabble, [Page] that brainless horse, to battel, to trample down order, and break the rankes discipline with a separate your selves from Idols; curse you Meroz, curse you bitterly: What society hath light with darknesse: Come out of Babylon my people: with a hundred such places of Scripture rack'd, and by an invention, witty in cruelty, tortur'd to confesse, something may patronize their black designes, wringing blood even out of the Gospell of peace.

Which have as little relation to Christian societies as a Lo here is Christ! Lo there, go not out after them! rack'd so frequently to confesse them Antichrists, who correspond not to the whimzies of every phanatique: denoting such as Judas, Theudas, Arthronges, and Barchosba, Impostors, who pretended to be Messiasses sent for the delivery of the Jews out of the hands of the Romans: and if it was possible, would deceive the Elect, the Jewish Christians, which are forewarn'd, but as the Calvinists, it is impossible for them to be deceived, who are the Elect: and as the Romanist who are in their Church, the treasury of all truth, cannot be deceived.

But if the Elect can scarce be saved, what shall become of the ungodly? if the Christian [Page] Jew, who washed with Christs blood, speaks better things then that of Abels, what will become of them against whom it cries worse then that did against Cain? while they themselves could cry, Let it be upon us and ours: if the Elect (as the Papist) the Catholick with all his indulgengencies, masses, rosaries, and abstinences can scarce be saved, what will become of those who are out of the Communicative line of Gods mercy, his Ark, City, our holy Apostolick and Catholick Church?

If the Elect (as Fiduciaries) they that can believe they shall bee saved, can scarce believe it so strongly, but that an intervening scruple of an obstreperous Conscience may damn them, what will become of a Papist, who believes in a God of wood, a God of bread, who saies, wee can have no assurance, since by faith we are saved? thus the stream of life is made the puddle of phanatick interpretations; while all like the Tyrant, who fitted wretches to his bed, hack, maim, and mutilate, or stretch and tenter the Scripture to adequate them to inhumane purposes: and Heaven it selfe must admit no room beyond the capacities of their empty noddles. Vain fuellers fit onely to feed the flames of contention, out of whose embers are even rais'd combusti-

Sect. 29▪

[Page]

Though Heaven gates be narrow, I cannot believe them so strait as most sects would make them, should I not believe one lie with the Fiduciary, or many with the Pontifician, not easily induc'd to believe heaven the purchase of fonder imaginations. Charity would perswade me it is even a receptacle to those, whose uncharitable opinions have mutually condemned and secluded each the other, [...].

The practice of our lives, not tongues must make us Christians: wee must be rather so by entring into imitation of Celestiall virtues then curious inquiries.

May we flourish in verity, which is the root; in humility, which is the flower; and well doing, which is the fruit of the tree of life.

Sect. 30.

Those aëry mysteries which have unhinged so many Cardinall heads, shall not extend my Pericranium. God grant I may for futurity learn to doe something, rather then hear others talk about nothing; which if they bring not into the premunire with the fool in the Psalmist, who said in his heart there was no God; yet I have said in my heart with the Psalmist, all men are lyars, and every one deceiveth his neighbour: I must believe as in Epiphanius [Page] time, [...] and [...] Pietie or impiety must onely distinguish Orthodox or Pseudodox: we glory and are inflated with the names of Churches, while we lose the power of godlinesse, soul of Religion, and prerogative of Christians, Christs Legacy, Charity.

Sect 31.

Faith may lay a Foundation, but wee may hope in vain, for that building which is made without hands, if charity here laies not her hand to make a superstruction: those Babel-builders who think to reach Heaven by another way, produce nothing but confusion of languages; impenitent confidence will shipwrack in an Ocean of infirmity; when penitent despair which expected to bee ingulph'd into an Abysse of miseries, wasted with gales of sighes, and Seas of tears, may arrive at a Port of everlasting security: the Scripture saies, Heaven is taken by violence, but 'tis a strange phancy the world takes up, that it may be taken with impudence: fronti nulla [...]ides, may admit a double sence: though a Judas may veil impiety with kisses, yet if a timely repentance prevents not he may break in two, and discover his black soul naked.

I cannot believe that Faith justifies, works justifie, or both: yet we are justified [Page] by faith, by works, by both: the conditions, not causes of our justification: and the conditions not perform'd, it is impossible without this righteousnesse to see God. I will not say Christ cannot save, though the Scripture saies, Christ could do no miracles in his own Country; not because hee was less potent, but they were more incapable: where impenitence keeps the door; mercy cannot enter: it is not materiall whose Communion they boast of, or disclaim, who have fellowship with the unfruitf [...]ll works of darknesse: since Idolaters, drunkards, liers, Adulterers; no dogs and unclean person shall enter into the City of God; or be partaker of the benefits of his holy Church.

Sect 33.

Of all graces the Apostle makes the greatest of charity, and the world least; of that charity which antidates Christs presence here in his members: and outdates the other graces in futurity, when faith and hope shall bee swallowed up in an abysse of ravishing realties, that which was but a Lamp here, will be then a star inlightned by the Sun of righteousnesse: a Lamp here with the oyl of faith and light of good works, converting sinners from the darker waies of iniquity, shall shine like the stars in glory hereafter, and not such who compass [Page] Sea and Land to make a Proselyte, and make him worse then themselves: who tith mint and annise, boggle at trifling formalities, and forget the greater mysteries of salvation.

Sect 34.

Self-interest opens the floodgates of dissention to drown the humble vallies of peace: men esteem opinions because their own: all adore the Chimaera's of their own private brains; call light darknesse, and darknesse light; presume they have the most glorious stars for their Conductors, when they are onely ignes fatui, which misguide to a precipice of flames. Gods fire gave light and burned▪ Hells fire burns without light; who leave the light of truth, & heat of charity to live in flames of contention, deserve that fire without light: even the best Apostles dissented; knowledge nor piety can amputate all differences; but wisdom and charity must prevent their prejudices.

Sect 35.

Not every light and aery error in disputable Doctrine, and points of curious speculation, can be a just cause of separation in that admirable body of Christ his Church, or of one member from another: He gave his naturall body to be torn on the crosse, that his mysticall should be one: and as Saint Austin, he is no partaker [Page] of divine charitie, that is enemy to this unity.

All these divisions are disguises of charity, and vizards of factions, a pageantry of pompous folly, or preposterously inflated knowledg [...]: and though they mask in the names of Papists, Protestants, Reformists, sub-Reformists, A [...]omist, Familist,Fa [...]san. on Ep. ad Sempr. quare ab haeretico homine noster hac appellatione dividit, cum Catholicus nuncupatur Christianus, mihi nomen Catholicus vero, Cognomen illud me nuncupat, istud ostendit, hoc probor, illo signi [...]cor. Appellatio Catholici congregat homogena &c. S. Aug. int. Cont. F [...]nd. c. 16. S. Cyp. de unit. Eccl. Brownist, &c. the Church of God can have no musick to set out such discords. My name is Christian, and my sirname is Catholick; by the one I am known from Infidells, by the other from hereticks and schismatick [...]: the name of Catholick congregates what is homogeneous, and dissipates what is heterogeneous, both in the Court of heaven, and in the Court of the Church.

He cannot put on the garments of Christ,Vi [...]cent Lirinens [...]s libr▪ adv. Haer. c. 27. who rends and divides his Church. Catholick is every where the same; that which is trusted to thee, not that [...] which invented by thee; which thou hast received, not imagined; a matter not of wit but doctrine: in which thou art not to be Author [Page] but a retainer: not to lead,S. Aug. lib. 4. de bapt. Cont. Donat. c. 24. but follow: that which the whole Church holds not instituted by Councells, but retained, is rightly believ'd Apostolicall tradition, such as the Creed, Sacraments, &c.

The antient consent of holy Fathers is not in all questions of Divine Law,Vincent Lirinen. c. 3. Liban. Haeres. but onely in the rule of Faith by us with exact study to be sifted out and followed: there are some things in which the best defenders of the rule (Salva fidei compage) agree not,S. Aug. Cont. Iul. Pet, c. [...]. but one thinks better and truer then another. Every error denies not Christ the foundation, or makes Christ deny it,Holkot in 1 Sent. q. ad. 4. K. and thrust it from the foundation: not every error in those things which are of faith, is either infidelity or heresie; if men differ; it is no more then they have done ever: pious men even in differences may preserve charity intire: [...]concord which is the effect of charity, est un [...]o voluntatum non opinionum. Some Churches build after the Italian fashion with a flat top;Thom. 2. 24. 37. A [...]. 1. c. others with wide windowes to let in the air, and catch the applause of the world; some build Babel-like and will have their head reach Heaven, and if their confusion of languages impeded not might be near allyed: others of the Synagogue fashion will admit nothing but round, and limit Heaven in their [Page] narrow conventicles: it could bee wish'd that all would bee what the Apostle exhores,1 Cor. 1. 11. of one mind; but it is not to be hoped wh [...]ile the Church is triumphant over humane▪ fragilities, which here hang thick and close about her; the want of peace, and unity even where Religion is pretended, proceeds from men and humours,B. [...]. Cont. Fisher s. 58. rather then things and errors to be found in them▪ Episcopacy squares with Monarchy: Presbyterie with Aristocracy, independency with Democracy; men made Religion lackey to self-interest, and State policy; the great Turk walking in his Garden with a Bashaw, who wonder'd hee would suffer the Christians distracted in Sects to orespread his Empire▪ asked how he liked his Garden? answering, it was admirable for the variety, reply'd: wouldst thou deny me that in my Empire, thou admirest in a Garden? am not I Emperor of them all?

Sect. 36.

I can joyn prayers with a Papist, if his be offensive to God, mine may bee pleasing; can hear a French Hugonot with his hat on, uncover'd; receive with a Dutchman kneeling, while he uses the irreverence of his breech; yet separated in my charity from neither: nor would I be in my mode rather then scandalize any: it is no lesse [Page] then phrensey for the misposition of a trencher to refuse a banquet, or be ingrateful to an Host. Nay, I could take an Host with a Romanist,Hoc totum pendet ex principiis Metaphysicis & Philosophicis & ad fidei doctrinam non esse necessarium Suarez in 3. Theoph. dis. 50. as well as a Wafer with a Calvinist. If he believes a reall body, I believe not lesse in energy, a Communion of the body and blood of Christ, a participation by every reception of his merits and passion, and the virtues really communicated to a worthy receiver.

Sect. 2.

It hath been ever thought convenient saith Saint Gregory, that there should bee in unitate fideid versa Consuetudo, that eating of mea [...]s offer'd to Idols, totally restrained the Churches of Syria and Cilicia, 1 Cor. 10 17. seem'd permitted to the Church of Corinth if no man challeng'd it; and that which was urg'd upon the Cor [...]nthians, was not impos'd upon the Galatians; Gal. 1. 9. Col. 5. 2. 1 Cor. 11. 4. to show every one is oblig'd to observe the rites of his own Church, lest they come under the Anathema of contentious and turbulent: yet this inhibited not that Saint Paul might become all to all, that he might gain some; and who will gain any to Christianity, must not play at petty games in Religion, adhere to Bonatus his humor, confine truth to places, as if she loved corners: or as if [Page] the Church which resembles the Moon, could like Mahomets Moon be brought down to show tricks in a sleeve: the good Monica, Saint Austines Mother,Aug. Conf. who bath'd the Leprosie of her Son in a Jordan of tears (ut non potuit perire tantarum lachrymarum filius) was content to relinquish her African customes at Milan: They who have gigg'd to Geneva for platforms, and Rome for Trinchets, have brought home matter to fewel-contention, none to kindle zeal: May none follow exotick forms here: a Spanish garb is ridiculous with us, and the English mode reputed an affront in Spain: No wise man will be angry if in his travells he meets modes not corresponding with his humour, and he is mad, who returning, will keep none company without they pluck down their house, and rebuild them to the modell of his phancy, who taylor-like travells to dresse Apes.

Sect 38.

The Religion of our Souls must imitate the reason of our bodies;Vinc. Lir. which in the processe of years, may evolve and explicate their numbers; but the bodies are one and the same: there is nothing produc'd in the maturity of age which did not latitate in the minority of children: yet who would endeavour to fit the clothes and shooes of [Page] puerility to a gygantick foot, or body.

The apparell of Christs Spouse is her rites; time and place may produce as great a variety in her fashions as in the worlds garb of clothes, and modes of the world; though some may adorn more, none alters the constitution of the body: it would be a mad humour in the Spaniard to commence a quarrell, because the shorter wiskers of another Nation upbraided his mustachio's: Or the French with the Spanish, 'cause the constancy of their habits might seem in derision of their levity: or both with a Nation which was servile to the phancy of neither.

Those great Calciners of Religion, and reducers to the Primitive patterns need nothing above their own examples to condemn them.

They must joyn with the Levellers in a Communion baptize in Rivers with the Anabaptist; make life a pennilesse pererration with the Franciscan; may spend both oyl and labour, dawb but not cure bodies like the Apostles; have regard to washing of feet, yet continually be defiled in their waies; Confine themselves to Sandals, say, who use shooes are shod with iniquity, and walk in the footsteps of the ungodly; since [Page] they recede from the primitive pattern▪ and call this recession Apostacy: or lean upon one the other at the Lords Supper,Cyp. lib. 1. Epis. 2. lib. 4. Ep. 8. in Ep. ad Caecilium. and lie down at the Table, and take it after Supper.

The same things are not decent at all times: babes milk is unfit for ripe [...]age, and the nurses Gibrish an undecent cialect for a Tutor; the stones of the foundation unfit for roof or walls: Our Master builder Christ, employed tongues, Prophets, Prophetesses, Evangelists his not still employing bids us acquiesce, while his silence exacts ours, which not assented to, introduces nothing but a profitlesse clamour, causelesse malice, and endlesse contention. The Apostles which were forbid to carry mony in their girdles, had afterward a Judas with a bag and the prohibition of clubs and staves was not so strict a rule, but that a Peter was found with a sword. Howsoever the Novati an Bishops [...]rr'd, they could not erre in the Canon of indifferency: for if Anselm is to be believ'd the multitude of ceremonies is so farre from infringing, as they commend the unity of the Church, while all believe in one Christ. In the Primitive Church, somefasted one day,Test. Eusehex Iren [...]o. some two, some more, other forty howers, computing day and night. In Italy [Page] some abstain'd forty daies, others us'd abstinence twenty,In Epist. Theoph. cent. 2. 120. others seven daies, in relation to the creation, and some forty houres, in relation to the forty daies our Saviour fasted: And if Socrates is to be believed,Socrat. Hist. Eccles. lib. 5. c. 22. nor Gospels nor Apostles impos'd observation of daies, but the liberty was referred to the Church.

The Church of Rome and the African distributed Sacramentall bread the Alexandrian Church permitted the people to take it:Tertul. lib. de Cor. militis. Africk and Rome mixt wine with water,Dionysius Alexand. ad Christum Euseb. 1. 7. c. 9. and colder Regions drank it pure.Cypr. lib. 2. Ep. 3. See the contentions about Easter,Euseb. Iraene. till the Roman victor overcame all; but never could subdue the opinion of a proud Prelate, and a disturber of the Churches tranquillity.

Some lifted up their hands to heaven, as if they intended a pious violence; some their feet, quast in coelum podibus ire, Tertul. in Apolog. others threw themselves prostrate, as if they intended a rebound: some cast their eyes up, as if through those windowes,Clemens in ult. stromat. they would let our their souls unto their Redeemer; some fix'd their eyes upon the ground, by contemplation of earth, to have an introspection into their own unworthinesse: some beat their breasts, as if they would dislodge sin, and open a dore to their hearts [Page] for the King of glory to enter. Since the love of God is linked with our neighbour, he who uncharitably condemns him, may lose the link of his own salvation. May none that pretend to the name of Christians, through the faintnesse of the constitution of their Religion, moulder into sects, or through the brittlenesse of their phancies, crumble into division, and then like a heard of silly animals, make a noise, and please themselves with the noise they make, yet know no reason why they make it.

But defisting from fruitlesse and hellfuelling clamors, may we all with the good Polycarpus day and night, with a still voice,Epis. Smyrn. Euseb. lib. [...]. c. 15. like the breathing of Gods Spirit, humbly invoke Gods mercy for the peace of all Churches, spread over the face of the universe. And in our sehismes, neminem judicantes aut a jure communionis si diversum senser it amoventes: entertaining the charity of holy S. Cyprian, nor judging, nor excommunicating our brethren, because they will not permit their reason to be overweigh'd, perhaps with some unnecessary scruples, in the fallacious ballances of lighter imaginations: calling our Brother Racha, witlesse, or vain for dissenting, and thou fool belch'd out so often in virulency, [Page] may endanger judgment and hell: In vain we may repair to the Altar, use outward forms and ceremonies, and neglect love, which is the perfection of the Law.

Sect. 39.

Christs spouse is an Army with Banners: as order to an Army, so is discipline to a Church. Though Troops do not move according to the discipline of Warre, it is not lesse an Army. Confusion may prejudice the successe, it cannot the name. Though discipline is as an hedge to a Vinyard, or resembles the wall to a City, or proportion to a body; yet a Vinyard is not lesse a Vinyard for the defect of an hedge, nor the wall makes a City, or some misproportion or dislocation of parts, bring the body under the notion of incorporeall. I shall not cavill at what we want to the complement of my desires, but praise God for what we have, that may conduce to his glory.

Sect. 40▪

I love to see Lent, the spring-time of sanctified resolutions, and times houreglasse fil'd with the dust of mortified concupiscence, flow in lectures of mortality and repentance; while every good Christian verifies what's feigned of the Phoenix, in a bed of spices, in odours of devotion, kindled by the declining beams of the true Sun of Righteousnesse, can quicken out of [Page] ashes, an acceptable sacrifice to the Father of all lights. Yet if my absteining from flesh will raise an evill spirit in my brother, I will abstain even from that abstinence may starve his soule, and not neglect that devotion which may feed my own.

Sect. 41.

Church musick would elevate my devotion, and make my ravish'd soul in an extasie, treat with the God of harmony; and in my opinion, Religion, like a modest Matron, may make use of those ornaments, which vice misuses; and their zeal is strangely out of tune this can distemper, which if the stories of Hippocrates, Terpander, and Timotheus are to be credited, in the extremities of phranticks could once do miracles: but if that musick which can appease an evill spirit in a Saul, can raise it in another, we must be content without the Kingly Prophets Harp, Lute, and Organ, relinquish that musick which can un [...]une a Brother, and think no harmony good, enterlac'd with such dilcords, as the ill disposing of him for whom Christ dyed.

Sect. 42.

I have no prejudice by Surplice, Cope, Hood, all the Priests garment, may be enterwoven with holinesse to the Lord, putting on of these, may consist with the putting on of the new man, and the Breastplate of righteousnesse, externall glory, with internall holinesse. A Surplice to me [Page] can emblematize innocence, and the keeping the supervesture of my flesh unspotted, that cloathed with virgin purity here, I may keep those virgins company, which in long white robes of innocence follow the Lamb. Yet I think of these ceremonies, as Augustus of the Roman Senator's Glasses, who condemned a slave to his fish-ponds for breaking one of them, whom Cesar rescued, and broke the rest, saying, They are fine things, yet not worth a man. Yet I have observed, none are so ready to take offence, as they who are most proclive to give it; imperious, petulant, and envious sciolists, and to fear to offend them, is not to have respect to the weak in faith, but strong in passions.

Sect. 43.

At the glories of the Church, I am apt with Bonaventure, astonish'd at the sight of the French Queen, to cry out, If an earthly Queen be so glorious, how glorious is the Queen of heaven? Or with the Father at Rome, If an earthly Cities glories be such, how great are the glories of the celestiall Jerusalem? The splendor of these instructing my thoughts to think of him, who is inter'd into the holy of holies: and could not easily believe him to be of any Religion, who could spoyl the glory of houses consecrated to [Page] Gods service, to inrich his own: and could wish, they who seem so much to abhor Idols, would not commit sacriledge; and fear, that Eagle-like, snatching coales from the Altar, they will fire their own nests.

Yet golden Priests, with wooden Chalices, are to be preferr'd before wooden Priests with golden.

All who cannot have the convenience of outward Ordinances, may they have regard to inward holynesse, adorn themselves with graces, fitting the Temples of the Holy Ghost, from the Altars of their hearts, send up the Incense of their Prayers to him, that dwells in a house not made with hands. And we who agree not about a Terrestriall meeting, may meet in a Celestiall; while all worship him whose dwelling is in the heavens: And yet, where two or three meet together in his name, he will not fail (who cannot fail of his promise) to be with them on earth. Yet I could wish, that those, who even appear before men with fear and trembling, would not appear before their Maker like mountains: nor any would rush into Churches,Quis ferat populum in Templum irruente [...] [...] in haram sues? certe non obsunt populo ceremoniae, sed prosunt, [...] modus in eis servetur, & caveamus ne [...] loco [...]abeanture, hoc est, ne praecipuam pietatem in ill is collocemus. like to swine into a sty, there gruntle, and make a noise and run out again, to wallow in a [Page] puddle of impurities;Rhen [...]us annot. in Tertul. de Cor. militis. nor any like idle boyes, when they should be learning a lesson in Christs school, get books they understand not, and look on gayes, make devotion by pictures. The people on both sides may be bells of good mettall, but are so miserably rung out of tune, that they give notice of nothing but combustion: some oreburden Gods service, and others leave it naked, as if, because one man had swelter'd himselfe to death by too many cloths, another was priviledged to starve himself to death with nakedness. God of his mercy grant the rabble may no more ring changes, but all chime in to his worship.

Sect. 44.

I know Episcopacy,Salmas. B. Blondel. the primitive pattern, even the Antagonists by contradicting affirme it, what by their own concessions dilated it selfe over the universall face of Religion, envy not mussitating, or calumny daring to detract, in the beginning or about the middle of the second centurie must necessarily imply it, then no innovation, without we will imagine all the world sopite in error; [...]. lgn. ad [...]. Epist. ad Sempr. sic in Epist. ad Trall. philad & passim in omnibus ep. Vnum scire debes, siquis cum Episcopo non [...]it, in Ecclesiâ non esse S. Cypr. Ep. 69. Filius impius qui contemptis Episcopis & Dei Sacerdotibus relictis constituere audet aliud altare. S. Cypr. de unit. Eccles. & Epist. 76. Ep. 40. &c. and those holyer flames of zeal, [Page] which could transport the Martyrs with fervent desires of being carried in fiery chariots of persecuting adversaries to Heaven, and administer no light to guide them upon Earth; and truth had wanted Champions, if some, like the Fox, who had lost his tail should not have perswaded beasts to a conformity to that which might deform them.

Weak calumny, nor proud ignorance draws so black a veil, as we cannot discern the Lawn sleeves; if their own impious ambition have sullyed them, I have tears to wash, rather then dirt to cast with others; and by going backward, would willingly draw a sheet of Lawn candid with innocence over the nakednesse of these Fathers: and not with cursed Sons expose their shame. Those Foxes which call'd these grapes in Gods Vineyard [...]owr, were they who could not reach them. Doglike in the night of clouded reason bark at the Moon, who could not come near its height and lustre: no rich man turns Leveller, who introduc'd a parity in the Church, were those whose deficiencies lent no possibilities of their office [...] ▪ they call'd to the hills with Mahomet to come down to them; but finding their labours irrite, they would not like him take the pains to go up by degrees [Page] of perfection, but set the rabble to Levell: Episcopacy was made for a remedy to Schism,Hieron ad Evag. In Schismatis remedium factum est quod postea unus Electus qui caeteris praeponeretur unusuquisque ad se trahens Ecclesiae tumcam r [...]mperet. if we will believe Saint Hierom: the remedy taken away, it can be no wonder if Paroxisms of Schism do concusse and discompose the tranquillity of the body of Religion: yet though I venerate Episcopacy as much as I hate a disease, I could not love idlenesse in pompous Pageantrie; solemn ignorance blazon'd with power; ambition and vanity dress'd up with formalities; should I believe a St. Ambrose in a non aliunde haereses abortae [...]ut nata schismata quam inde, quod sacerdotes non veneranur.

Yet a devont Saint Gregory, a holy Polycarp, an indefatigable Saint Austine, a learned Nazianzen, eloquent Chrysostom, a meek Cyprian, and a resolute Saint Ambrose, &c.

Such Bishops as these shining in sanctity of life, and doctrine, in the might of the Bridegrooms absence, would irradiate Christs Spouse; and not in their diocesses like to prodigious Meteors, show more of distance and terror, then of light and Celestiall virtues: if the Primitive Copy be so blotted that it cannot bee taken out, I should be sorry; and those Lawn sleeves I could love whited with innocence, I could [Page] not approve purpled with blood: we [...] bogle at names, neglect poor truth naked; and yet may entertain her in a disguise: superintendent may imply as much overseer as Bishop, and Presbyter, the Elder of the Church was a Bishop; I shall not be troubled by what name wee are instructed to serve God, or what stile we reject: so we reject not him who is the high Bishop of our souls.

Sect. 45.

Men of eminent parts are for Episcopacy, and take away the golden ball of honor and preference, and few will attain to the mark, or any eminency of knowledge. Men of indifferent call for parity, conscious of their own defects, of attaining any degree of excellence. The inferior, whom nature hudled up in hast, and neither Art nor Knowledge rectifi'd are for the huddle: that by violating the well link'd chain of Government, disorder and confusion making inrodes, they themselves indistinguish'd, may passe in the croud; and with these it is no wonder if How the Cobler or pragmaticall Iack the Sopeboyler have more friends, and would find more Suffrages then Bishop Laud.

The people by the Prerogative of nature act simply, lose their judgements, and dislike all but that which is but naught; [Page] and there was not such varietie of beasts in the Ark, as there is of beastiall natures in the rout; but more especially when the beast turns censorious; and even among the gentry there are some scarce a degree above them a company of Plebeian heads, whose difference is in their cloths; not understandings: and therefore it is no wonder, if in a multitude of such Councellors there may not be safety: while folly hath more votaries then wisdom, and voices, not judgements are weigh'd, knowledge may be easily outvoted▪ and had not a Lord Protector interpos'd, we by a fatall experience might have seen Church and State reform'd into nothing, or a strange spirituall Government Hence the wiser Polititian hath made it tentare arcana Imperii treason; and not unpolitick Princes have rather tollerated the Tyranny of Rome, then lent occasion to their subiects to take a platform by Geneva; for these popular reformations are so exact, that if one stone be defective, they seldom leave till they have pluck'd down the whole building,Tacit [...]. ‘in plebe nec veritas nec judicium inter faedam potentiū a [...]ulationem, & praeceps prostratorum odium manibus, stud [...]is & incond [...]tis motibus omnia miscent.’ Most are governed by Crude opinion, and as [Page] they are inform'd like or dislike, they know not what and do all in aemulation. An Aristides, Phocion, Themistocles, Camillus' Coriolanus, Scipio; with whom merit is treason, and virtue is guilt, it is no wonder if they must be sacrific'd to the rabble, as if it was even sin enough to have preserv'd the ingratefull.

He who silenc'd Rome, and check'd the exorbitancy of Popery, our incomparable Primate, by polishing and filling up the Sciagraphy or rude draught of reformation to a lively resemblance of Primitive excellence, falls by those he had preserv'd: hee fenc'd the Church with discipline; wall'd the City of God with Ceremonies against the incursions of irreligion and prophanesse and made the Church militant move in order like an Army with banners terrible to her enemies: while by decent rites hee gave proportion and comlinesse to the Spouse, presenting her to her King in a garment of divers colours.

If in Horace's justum & tenacem propositi virum, nor ardor c [...]vium prava jubentium, mente quatit solidâ, best Characters.

Hee staid till the times grew up to him,S. Edward Deering. (as no friend of his confess'd) and would not be lur'd to the phancies of the times: [Page] natus è q [...]er [...]n non èsalice; and so not complying with every wind of error, like a bending willow, but a sturdy Oak of reformation, giving shelter to the Sons of the Church against Roman tempests and phanaticks blasts, though he was at length forc'd to yield to the Ax, yet not to be cast into the fire: for though he was numbred with the transgressors, like him whom hee followed in the high-way of the Crosse, his red evening I doubt not was the praecursor of a glorious day, illuminated by the beams of the Sun of righteousnesse: and howsoever that excellent, though▪ unfortunate Primate fell, Saint Pauls will be a monument of his Charity; which should the preposterous zeal of time deface his book against Fisher will be an Epitaph to expresse his constancy to Religion, which maugre the iron teeth of time; and black mouth'd Calamy or Calumny will continue: and though many with weak jugdements and strong passions against these times,M Pullein the same at Rome. Mr. Fullam of C. C. in Italy. Mr. Arthu [...] Wilson in Flanders. have stoop'd to the Roman lure, supposing conformity introduc'd here as a Phosphor, or praecurfor of that glorious light call'd Popery: yet I could never meet with any learn'd Romish Priest, though acquainted with not a few, that would not confesse that Rome had lost her greatest enemy; and the English [Page] Church within her head in Laud: too crabbed a piece to be ever brought to square with the Romish building.

Sect. 46.

Preaching brought Religion in, and hath carried it out of the world; some think all Religion in the ears, and none in the hands; to see Christ in the flesh, Jerusalem in her glory, and an Augustine in a Pulpet, was esteem'd a wish of a pious transc [...]ndency: may we feel Christ in the spirit; see Jerusalem the holy City of his Church in her glory; whose walls are of precious stones, piety, chastity, meeknesse, and temperancy, &c. adorn'd with all the glories of Celestiall virtues, and I could be content without satisfying the itch of my ear, though with a Saint Austine: A Boniface could be a traytor to his Prince; a coal of Hell; an incendiary of mischief, by blowing the flames of contention, and raising a combustion in his Country; yet neither the beams of light, effluxions of piety, streaming from this great luminary; nor the living water issuing from this great Fountain in Gods Church could quench the flames of ambition, or kindle zeal in his so pass [...]onate an Auditor. A master would think that servant distracted, who would desire to hear his will often, and alwaies do his own: yet such is the madnesse of the world, if they [Page] hear an Embassador from Heaven patiently, though they list themselves to serve the world, flesh, and devill, they oblige God, and unserviceable to these, Heaven must entertain them, when perhaps instead of a Celestiall Embassador, they have onely heard schisms, trumpeter.

Sect. 47.

Yet such an Orator as a Saint Austin, or Saint Chrysostome migh represent vice so formidable, that frighted at the horror of her own shape, the Camelion vanity which changes into all shapes, but white, may renounce all for the Candor of innocene, the lust-scorch'd Amorist may feel an Icy chilnesse steal through all the veins; a Magdalens legion may depart with all Hell flames; though shee keep her passion, may change her object, and Heaven have a Temple where Hell had a brothel: the wind and Waves may still obey Christs voice, while ebullitions of rage and storms of passions, hearing Gods word in his Ministers are calm'd into obedience: Avarice may scatter her Idol-Gold to entertain the Image of her Saviour; Cast her bread upon the waters, not that they may return; but bring him who is the bread and water of life: Good resolutions might be thus confirm'd; vice eradicated, devotion elevated, and zeal infus'd by the ear, may give it a [Page] durable consistence in the Soul: make it so enamor'd with the Manna of Gods word, that it might not languish after the flesh-pots of Aegypt, and carnall concupiscences. This was the custome of the Jewish Church: in the Christian intimated by a word of exhortation in the Acts to meeknesse, continence, and all the virtues which bracelet-like must adorn Christianity, which the defects of the Auditory, the times or propriety of Text suggested; and not to raise doctrinall points according to the whimzies of every Cockbrain Sciolist, who's seven year at an Academy, hath like Pharoahs dream produc'd nothing but seven years famine: or having sented Doway, St. Thomas, or some Romish fair, where having purchas'd a few trinkets, and a little gibrish may by order tu [...] Hocus Pocus, juggle or make a Puppit-show in Religion; introducing superfluous definitions which fewell contention; excite rebellions, hatred, animosities, calumnies, contempt of superiors, disseminating error, and infusing prejudice; tantum religio potuit suadere [...]

Preachers like winds have influence on the people, compar'd to waters.

[Page]May none think salvi [...]icall preaching consists in state-invectives, but in teaching their auditors, decline the Islands of sin, and thrust into the fair havens of grace and glory.

Sect. 49.

Prayer is that sacred negotiation man hath with God, the art of imparadising our souls, the Iacobs Ladder, by which we may bring down Angells, and wrestle till they blesse us: We may hear God speak in a Preacher, we speak to him in our Prayers. It cannot be obedience to hear our Masters command, but do his will. Thus with Enoch, we may walk in Paradise, and if we cast aside the mantle of mundan employments with Elias, mount up in a fiery chariot to heaven. Gods house should be called a house of prayer, but most make it a den of theeves: Not taking heaven by violence in prayer, but offer violence on earth. Gods word is rob'd of its efficacy, and the Priests by that advantage turn'd mony-changers, and expose Doves to sale, Gods innocent children in the Temple, as if these Doves could not mount up towards heaven, unlesse they were sealed; they are blinded in an unknown tongue, or intitle Gods spirit to blasphemy, or battologie, or ready to offer the sacrifice of fooles, or make fooles a sacrifice.

Sect. 50.

[Page]

I have no prejudice to publick Liturgy because the name may import sacrifice and Nature have some affinities with the Letanies in Masse: I could wish they might not challenge a greater affinity by an ite missa est, a period; and the Roman by an ite missá est ignorantiae pars, might challenge a greater affinity to what was ours; while Physicians have their Catholicons, Panchymagogy, and Panaces Souldiers their Magazines, and Panoplies: that spirituall Physicians should be unprovided, and Christs souldiers unarmed to resist the wounds of sin, or wounded, want balm in Gilead: Could it be inconsistent with faith, it could not with reason: this might cement the body of the Church, preserve the communion of Saints, obstruct vanity, by sealing up the fountains of impurities, taking away the leisure which may administer occasions to sin: But if we cannot all agree in uniformity in Gods service, yet God grant we may introduce no deformity into his worship; but agree all with one minde to serve him: none make long prayers to devour Widdowes houses, or Gods house a Widow, while with zeal, unlike Davids, the zeal of Gods houses [...]ats, them not up, but their zeal eats up Gods houses.

Sect. 51.

[Page]

I shall not deny, a confession may be sometimes necessary to man as well as God.Tertullian urget in lib. depoenitent. ex aliquot Cyprianis locis apparet ut Ser. 5. ae lapsis & lib. 3. Epis. 14. & frequenter fieri jubet lib. 1. Ep. 3. If some sores have fester'd by rash exposures, others have wrankled by unhappy concealments. There may be good Samaritans, who▪ when we fall among theeves, sins which rob us of Gods mercies, may comfort us with the wine of Gods Word, and powre the oyle of his Holy Spirit into our wounds▪ which they cannot, if they be not opened. But these traders in indulgencies, and picklocks of state, instead of curing us of our wounds, have rob'd us of our clothes, the garment of Christs righteousnesse, by teaching us relinquish our own, and then have expos'd our nakednesse to the cold air of an uncharitable world. Though we have Priests that passe by carelesly, Levites which only shake their heads, may we rely on that good Samaritan, who, when we had fallen among theeves, powred the oyle of his precious blood into our wounds, and left us two pence, his two Testaments, for our security, in the Inne of this world.

Sect. 52.

I cannot be so much an Iconomachist, as to think all image making Idolatry, it's eminently true of graven and molten, which after the c [...]remonies of consecration, was by the Gentiles conceived bodies of inspir'd [Page] Deities. Pictures by Gods own appointment lawfull, as the cherubims; or if unlawfull to the Jewes, the commandment is as little relative to Christians, as the Sabbath; as little understood, as the taking Gods name in vain, meant by forswearing: Yet he who keeps the seventh day to praise God for the Creation as the first, in memoriall of the Redemption; or he who is so farre from using Gods name in vain, by forswearing it, as he will not misuse it in vain conversation, or hates so much an Idol, as his eyes will not treat with a picture. I honour him for his zeal, I wish I could as well commend him for his charity, and not misapprove him for his ignorance. We should not offend weak ones, yet some are so weak, that all things offend them: madder then he who perswaded himselfe he was made of butter, the sunshine of the Gospell terrifies them, and the least scintillation of charity seems dangerous. Others have the weaknesse of children, whom nothing but rattles and pictures will please; take away these, they grow querulous, baul and disquiet the whole houshold of faith.

Sect. 53.

The bra [...]en Serpent, the emblem of our Saviour, curing the sting [...] of the fiery Serpents, our sins, while we wander in this [Page] wildernesse of error, may be erected. But if the old Serpent creeps into the body, and tempts to Idolatry, a Monk, like an Idols Priest, can give responses from a rood, and make it move by a wire to induce a puppet-play in religion: a prestò be gone befits both the Jugler and his Hocus: 2 Ephes. Con. 2 Canstan. Eleboris Canon 26. Concil. Carth. had not foure Councels condemned them, and a jury of Fathers, Basils and Eus [...]bius testimonies on their side mistook: Athanasius, Chrysostoms, and Damasus suffrages for them suspected: therefore with Saint Hierom, nos unam tantum veneramur imaginem,Canon 14. Euseb. lib. 10. cap. 4. Hieron. in Ezek. 4. & 16.Jesum nempe Christum, qui est imago patris. Though Basil saies, the honour due to the abstract, is due to the pattern; if any one can show such an image of Christ, as Christ is of the Father,Epiph. haer. 79. A. 34. de moribus Eccl. lib. 1. cap. 10. de Consen▪ Eccles. we will worship, else we may believe with the Father, ‘Errare omnino meruerunt, qui Christum non in divinis codicibus, sed in parietibus quaerunt:’ Or as Irenaeus saith, where Pastors became dumb, there Images became their Pastors.

These books of the unlearned, though made use of by Paulinus Bishop of Nola, since wooden Priests leave the rabble as unlearned as their books, it is better the images of Christ be defac'd in Churches, then the image of Christ should be defac'd in the people, which should be the Temples of the holy Spirit.

[Page]But if any be lawfull, sure the picture of the Father cannot, being a piece of intollerable folly, which in our fecunditie of sects, may tempt a weak brother to reimbibe the humour of an Anthropomorphite. God who loves decency in his spouse, is so jealous of his honour in her, that he cannot approve that fucated face of Religion, which may shame honesty out of countenance: This Italian wash, and Spanish die, disfigures the face of Religion, whose grace is simplicitie. What Caesar of his wife, can we believe Christ should expect lesse of his spouse, to be free not only from crime, but even suspicion.

Sect. 54.

Superstition which makes such a noise, the worshiping of Daemons, or Superstitum Cultus, the worship of the survivor to dead mens souls, as little as Idolatory, an Image inspir'd by a Devill, hath relation to Christians, the part of that commandment which forbids adoration, bowing down, or corporall worship to an Idol seems to intimate a tribute due to God: the worshipping God in spirit and truth, plac'd in opposition only to that in the Mountain and Jerusalem, impugns not this, who redeem'd both body and spirit, expects reverence from both: Our spirits not lesse, such by corporeall allegation, even corporall [Page] worship is in spirit and in truth. Henry Burtons Jesu-worship Idolatry, prov'd the ridiculous non-conformist an Idolater, who could Idolize his own fancy. Most of our Polemick Divines more Andab [...]tarum pugnant, their valour proceeds from their ignorance, hacking and hewing fellowes which play prizes with the two e [...]g'd sword of Scripture, and care not how they maim and mutilate Christian communion, rather then not retain the aery name of Masters in the science of defence. Yet the decryers of Idolatry are the greatest Idolaters, covetous persons, who would be gilded o're with promotion▪ and made worshipfull, like petty theeves, they care not what hedges they break, so they may warm their own fingers: take away the fences of the Church, to fence their own broken fortunes. Ceremonies are the hedge that fences the substance of Relgion, from the indignities which prophanes, and sacriledge too frequently put on it. While the divines of England have preached down ceremonies, they have pulled up the hedge, and not only let in Foxes into their Vinyards, but opened a gap for the sheep to wander out of pasture of the Church, and become a prey to Romish wolves seducing th [...]m in sheeps cloathing. It is true, that [Page] inter [...]all worship of the heart is the greatest service of God; but externall worship of God, in his service, is the great witnesse to the world, that our hearts stands right in the service of God: take away this, and what light is there left to shine before men, that they may see our Devotion like a day-spring from above, or a starre guiding wise men to Jesus, and glorifie our Father which is in heaven? The Kingdome of heaven, his Church, without civill order and comlinesse, religious exercises will be disorderly and confused, like the first Chaos,Ge [...]. I. God made in the beginning void, and without form, and whose face darknesse covered.

Sect. 55.

That Romanists deny Christs humanity by transubstantiation, make irrite his death by merits and satisfaction, Credat Judaeus Apella, non ego. Christian charity will lend me no such deductions. A Chrysostom, Theodoret, Isych [...]us, Euche [...]us, and some Primitive Fathers, with a [...],Vide Cent. Magdebur. Cent. 5 pag. 517. Chrysoft. [...]0 15. Euch. lib. 2. in Genes. if not a [...] transfiguratiō, conversion, mutation, translation, transelementation, transition, if not a transubstantiation, generally believed a mysterie, a matter of faith, not sense, to be believ'd, not grosly phancy'd if they have lent sōe an occasion [Page] of error, shall administer to me an occasio [...] Charity; though both within and without the pale of the Church, it may afford opportunity to scandall, not to be redeemed by a fictitious miracle of an Hoasts conversion into flesh, when Christs body is no longer present then the form of bread remains, how is Christs body in the miracle, when the Species being gone, it is no longer a Sacrament?

I love not such acute disputing about Christs body as the killing of 1000. in a battell, and at Beziers 60000. how can we not dread Christs appearance, who singe his Livery, Charity? who spilt his own blood to prevent the effusion of ours.

Neither was a hudler of reformations tongue lesse cruell to his brethren, then the Papists sword with an Ego Sacramentarios haereticos omnes & aeterna paenà afficiendos duco. That which was given to unite into Christs body should not divide from it: we must not dispute about Seals, while we lose the Covenant: it shall content mee it is an Eucharist, not Axapist.

May Christs body bee present to all by a worthy communication: and none forget him who commands it to be done in commemoration, he dyed for them; and so [Page] crucifie him again by crucifying one the other. Whatsoever the consequences be of subtile brains, the consequences of worthy receiving will be salvation: may wee all have sursum corda, St. Ambros de Sp. San. lib. 3. c. 12. since a Saint Austine believes nemo d [...]gne manducat nisi [...]prius adoraverit; and a Saint Ambrose, wee must worship Christ in the mysteries, as the Apostles him in the flesh.

He who injoins a worthy Communion under penalty of damnation, will not damn me sure for believing too worthily of what I receive: Transubstantiation nor Consubstantiation monopolize the reall presence which no worthy communicant can be without. May all show he is really present, and communicated, while we receiving, praise God, and have charity with all; do become one with him, though not uniform with all: if we agree not in the way of serving him, yet all agree that serving is the way to him: I may be troubled that a brother shall refuse to put on the rob [...] of Christs righteousnesse, but never be angry with him for not putting it on after my fashion: but could wish all would use that which is least offensive to them without a [...], [...]spencaeus lib. 4. de Euchar adoratione. c. 3. & quando Christiani adorant quod edunt, fit an [...]ma cum Philosophis, [Page] may be opinion of not a single Averroes.

Sect. 56.

Most inflated with the opinion of their own knowledge, swell into controversies; others with the impostumations of their own malice are tumid and angry; open the one, and you shall find nothing but flatulency; and launch the other, and there will issue forth corruption: justification, whether by faith or works, or both? hath len [...] such occasion to contention, as men have renounc'd him who can onely justifie, Christ, who is Love: when justification is an acception of our persons, and a remission of our sins, it is an Enigma deserves an Oed pus to unmask, how we accept our own persons, and remit our offences.

May wee all like the wise Virgins provide our selves with the light of Faith, and oyl of good works: being call'd into Gods Vineyard, consider wee are to work, not talk: none suppose the finer threads spun from the Cobwebs of subtiler imaginations can hold Salvation, but all provide that triple cord twisted by faith, hope, and charity, which cannot be easily broken.

Sect. 57.

It hath been the phancy of not a few, that Christ came to fulfill the Law, and nothing hath been reserv'd for Christian duty but a Crede, and in via salutis ambulas, [Page] a magicall Faith may oblige Heaven, and produce no lesse then miracles.

Christs Law is [...] if we may believe the Fathers a new discipline,Loz. lib. 2. Macar. l. 37. p. 442. a spiritual Law accomplishing, extending & painting to the life the sciagraphy, or imperfect draught of Mosaical perfection, that forbids the fires of illegall concupiscences, this to fly even the very smoak by avoiding the occasion: that inhibits the ablation of our brothers blood, this the commotions of our own: the strictest of judaical observance or phylacter'd Romanists, who fringe Christian Religion with ceremonies, may be silenc'd with an except your righteousnes exceed that of the Pha [...]sees, You cannot, enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.

Those which who say, Christ hath fulfilled the Law, and think that the crying a Lord, Lord, may intitle them to Heaven; may be dismis'd with I know you not; if they will not cover their brothers nakednesse, cloth their imperfections▪ give an Alms as well of their knowledge as fortunes, can break a commandement, or teach others to break; though they give up their names to factions: May misse their [Page] names in the book of life. Christ hath not done so much that wee need do nothing: There is a treasury in the Church to de [...]ray humble and penitent sinners; but not to cast away upon Prodigalls: whatsoever the Keys of the Church are of, this I am confident; every man hath the power of binding and loofing, sins bind, and repentance looses; yet though every Christian is intrusted with the keies Christ must be the Door, through which they must enter into salvation: they must unload themselves of iniquity, and knock by a spirituall fervency before they enter the narrow gate, (Peters Keyes without this) and the confidence of a Lord, Lord, encounter with a discedite, nescio vos: and meet with the punishment of the idle servant while they hide their Talent and accuse their master of hardnesse; weak and unstable souls, who wrest the Scriptures to their own damnation, that I do not speak in the person of a Carnall man by Saint Paul, must be tentred to a Saint Paul; could not that they have Saint Patro [...] to impiety, [...] if to live according to nature is the part of one that hath not believ'd not to arive so high is below a Pagan.Iustin.

Sect. 58.

The poverty of Franciscans, abstinence [Page] of Carthusians, zeal of some Recollects, chastity of Nuns, devotion of Pilgrims, Anchorets▪ &c. Support the papall dignity beyond Jesuiticall Sc [...]omachies, Homonyma's, Logomachies, and circulations, and while these ignès fatuì seduce, and are seduc'd into precipices by the Phanatick fires of ther own imaginations, these seal'd Doves may take occasion by their blindnesse to mount toward Heaven: for I cannot be so uncharitable as not to think these empty instruments may make a pleasing sound in the ears of the Almighty. I cannot look on them so, with blear-ey'd prejudice, as I can not discern an Hilar [...]on, Antonius, Paulus, Eustochium, Marcella, Paula, exercis'd with watchings, cloth'd with Sackcloth▪ and fed by fastings with the bread of life: a Sain Hieron, Saint Basil, Saint Chrysostom, Saint Austin sounding an Alarm to the battail, and encouraging to take up these arms of Christian warfare, Emperors Kings, Princes, and Potentates casting down Crowns and honors at the feet of the Lamb, following Christ in the high way of the Cross, Myriads concomitating, who preferring Christian humility before mundan complacencies, in Gales of sighes, and Seas of tears have been transported to an Haven of eternall security: the [Page] partial phancy of the prejudice byass'd centuriators that Monachisms antichristian, or the petticoat zeal of some rash reformers, who intitle the Locusts of the infernall pit, shall not teach my pen a sally out into scurrility, or dash in strains of pollutions; marriage fills the Earth, and if virginity fills not Heaven, I may boldly affirme it prejudices not the way thither. I am neither of Vigilantius, or Jovinians mind, that either riches are to be preferr'd before poverty, or marriage before Virginity: and though I think marriage both honorable, and lawfull in the Clergy, yet I am of the L. Bacons opinion, Charity can hardly water the ground where it must first fill a Pond; a [...]d that many men believe not themselves w [...]at they would perswade others; lesse do the things they would impose; least know what they most confidently boast; they onely set the sign of the Cross over their outer doors, and sacrifice to the gut and grain in their inner closets, and I must suspect the Sun of righteousness declining among these once not impious orders, wher the shadows so far exceed the substāce.

Sect. 59.

Monachism prevails not so much in the sustentation of Popery: as what is call'd Arminianism might against it. I cannot think Bernevelt lesse the tongue and Genius [Page] of Holland, because they could separate both from the body Politick: nor that they inlarg'd not ignorance while they confin'd Grotius, and learning, and excellence suffer'd no lesse then by an Ostracism in this admirable Hugo. Men born to raise the Low-Countries, a pitch of excellence above their neighbours, had not the envy of their neighbours conspiring with headstrong ignorance, cast them below themselves; but that which rais'd a tumult there, and gilded a war here, hath subdued even the Conquerors: There is scarce a souldier but defends it; and by it repels, not introduces Popery into the Land.

Sect. 60.

Calvin lends more occasion to mak Romish Proselytes then Ignatius Loyola: and the Gomarists of Holland expell'd not Popery with Arminanism, but opened a gap for the wild bore to lay wast their Vineyard, whose entrance is by servile will, irrespective Election, and irreprobation paritie of sins, the consequences of which to some more refin'd wits may seem to exceed the absurdities of a Talmud, Alcoran, and Popish Legends: asperse the deiety with Tyranny, jugling, and partiality; intitle goodnesse it self to sin; while God is made Author of iniquity, take away virtues essence by absuming will; the Gospell promises, [Page] and force of Laws, confound the rationall faculties of the soul, adequate humane nature to bestiall, leave us to obey our fate, and follow the duct of stars: and teach such a trumpeter as the Jesuit Campian, who could only sound to battail, set others gether with noise, and have himself no weapon, or Trumpeter-like without a point, not come to the purpose, or can at most but scratch the face of Charity, and disfigure Christian communion with ‘quorsum corruptio & haeretica contagio? ni [...]i ut qui sol [...] side gloriam rapturi sunt, in omnium tur pitudinum caeno volutati, noturam accusent; virtutem desperent; praecepta deonerent:’ as if these phancies were onely broched to vent irreligion and impiety, by accusing nature despairing virtue, and deonerating precepts, ot wallow in the mud of impurities: yet these may be deducible from a Saint Augustine; their own Dominicans; and a stream of interpreters; while the Camells are forc'd to swim by the reason of the depth of the Enigmaticall Apostle; and even the Roman Oracle himselfe dares not bee more confident then the Delphian, gives onely dubious responses, etripode. Nay, 'tis affirm'd in their Angelick Doctor Aquinas, who if the Elogies of three Popes carry credit ‘quot [Page]articulos edidit,Jo. 22. in Literis Canonizat. Vrban 6.tot miracula; in jungimus ut ejus doctrinam tanquam veridicam & Catholicam sectem [...]ni & ecce plus quam Solomon hic:’ who with trifling arguments concludes,Innocent 5. in Serm [...]ne for that the envy of which they would fix on the reformation.

In some distempers, who feed the body, feed the diseases: if the too indulgent hand of some too officious Parent, instead of help, hath reach'd death to her beloved children, while zealous ignorance in a supposed antidote, administers poyson (we know what a discracy the Roman Mother by rasher indulgences, hath reduc'd the body Ecclesiastick, if the preposterous zeal of other Churches, hath begot an atrophy in some constitutions, while ignorantly they take away Laws, terror, perswasions, make us loath food, or think our selves incapable) it would be a strange Law would punish with death the rash zeal of a mistaking parent, in the ruine of a child, with the same medicine she cur'd others. Quos praedestinavit ad finem praedestinavit ad med [...]a. Endeavour to make your Calling and Election sure, may counterprise the poyson in some, and strength of nature work it out in others. God of his mercy send the oyle of his holy Spirit, that by the holy annointing, the tumors of venemous malice, may subside in all.

Sect. 61.

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The Satyr in the Fable, seeing his Host blow his fingers to heat them, and his broth that he might cool it, renounc'd his society. We are all too Satyricall, have too much of a Satyrs nature in us, the beastiall part so farre exceeds humanity, that we renounce communion, for that which might be rectified by reason. That which can infrigidate an Italians zeal, may inflame a frozen Islanders devotion. Urban the eight, demanded by a Cardinall, why he preferr'd one for Nuntio, whose capacities had arrived to no higher eminencies, then the trash and refuse of mankind, before a quick and refined piece, in whom nature, as in an Elixir, had plac'd all that might inrich in the mysterious excellencies of state, replyed: This Eagle would not be lur'd to flies, and those higher elevations of phancy, would only render him incapable of himselfe and others; who measure other mens thoughts by their own, will prove ill Judges both of themselves and others.

Sect. 62.

From those whom I am divided in opinion, I will not prove a Separatist in my charity; I shall contend in nothing, but not to approve my selfe contentious. As I am an English man, I will use the liberty which God hath permitted me: was I a Spaniard, [Page] or Italian, I would think with Erasmus▪ ‘si quid tyrannidis quod tamen non cogat ad impietatem, satius est f [...]rre qu [...]m seditiose reluctare, nec esse pium, nec esse rutum, de potestate, publicâ sinistram concipere aut serere opinionem, &c.’ Singularity not so precious as to cost the quiet of a Mother, neither should I be troubled with those squibs and erackers, the noise and fire that flies up and down, the stories of hell, for not confessing God before men: to confesse the God of peace, the best way is to bepeaceable. I am not of the Gnosticks humour, to deny God in the time of persecution, and worship Idolls, which the mistaken places of these Scripture wire-drawers import. I should suppose I denyed God a common Father, and persecuted the truth, should I so wed my selfe to the Idoll of my own phancy, as not to worship the true God after any form.

Sect. 63.

Errors are more worthy of pitty then hate. Reformations have been so tumultuous and refractory, that quiet error to sober Christian might seem to be preferr'd before unruly truths. All Churches betwixt invitation and menace, would perswade resignation of faith to a simple obedience; to believe our own without enquiring into others, cannot satisfie conscience. Damnation [Page] by all visible Hierarchies (every mouth smutcht with hells fire-brands) is thundred against them, which believe any Doctrine but theirs. It cannot be fit to believe God inspir'd this Church and no other, since mankind is come from the same carnall Ancestors, and God the common Father. Must we believe our Priests call their Doctrine faith, or argue controversies? if argue, how much time and wealth must we expend? by learning languages, reading Authors, unravelling ages, examining Fathers, conferring expositions, and reconciling contradictions, travailing over countries, pilgrims on earth, and at last we may be strangers to heaven; come as short of it, as life of examining all. To embrace all opinions, is as impossible, as to learn or number, since they are as numerous as the sand, which hath an analogy with their foundations. To reject all must relish of a stranger impiety, when one way all other serve God; though it would be a folly to leave a Meridian light to follow the ignis fatuus of every phanatick brain. We then that are Layicks must build upon such infallible grounds, that whatsoever superstructures of faith be raised, these may support them. All conclude vertues so eminent, that it includes the rest, [Page] ceremonies, rites, volumes tend to it, and no Sacrament but finally resolves into it; all essentialls of Religion close in our faith, and love of God, by a pious life, and mutuall charity, by fraternall dilection amongst Christians; among the propitiations for sin▪ contrition for it, repenting to God, and satisfaction to our neighbours, all believe necessary, heaven or hell, recompence or castigation, attendants of good or evill life: with these the Lamb may wade to an haven of perpetuall felicities, while the swimming Elephant cramp'd with difficulties, drowns, or meeting with the quicksands of controversy, is swallowed up in an Abysse. These indubitable verities may not only prevent the inroads of impiety and Atheism, usher in repentance, and reduce men from aery controversy to solid vertue; and dispose to concord, since we agree in eternall causes, why should we disagree in triviall? these common truths being firmer bonds of amity, then any thing emergent out of traditions should dissolve in any, who uses not Religion for a cloak, while profit is as the body, for whose ease he changes it at pleasure: or as the thiefe, whose quotidian prayer was, that God would prosper him in his theevery, which he called the work [Page] of his vocation; and having inrich'd himselfe with spoile, praised God for the blessing his endeavours: Or seek their own, and not Christs, while religion so zealously pretended, is made but a stalking horse to shoot at other foul, upon which their aim is set. While men change Religions more licentiously, then a sober man would his clothes, and put them on, alike asham'd, to seem naked, and in some times perilous, to be found without any.

Sect. 64.

I have not been much troubled with the toy of the worlds Religion, Weather-cock like, to turn round with every gale of profits toties quoties vertitur annulus Politicus, have not sought Religion for ends, but made it the end of my curiosity. I should not think Christ the lesse Christ for being sprinkled o're with blood, or suffering not the scarfe of Christian warfare: but I believe the Jesuites Martyrologie, like our Foxes, where weaknesse and ignorance hath many Martyrs, but God few Saints. Christ is still crucified between theeves; I wish a timous repentance may not only make one, but both good, and poor truth may be rescued from the pillory of phanatick interpreters, nor have her ears bor'd through with a Roman Ecclesia, and a Pontifex maxmimus in Theology, [Page] like the [...] in Philosophy, one bafling Religion, the other cashiering Reason with a contra negantem princip [...]a, take a view of those bulwarks of human knowledge, which have past impregnable in the esteem of ages, elated even above divinity, while divinity by the Schoolmen hath been brought to the touchstone of Philosophy: and when you find these mountains have travelled with a ridiculous mouse, having scarce left an infallible maxime, beside an Humanum est errare, think what 'tis to be infallible.

Sect. 65.

Reflect upon the great Hagarite, who conquered more of the world, then his Master Alexande [...], by his reason subdued ages; yet see this praecurs [...]r Christi in naturalibus sicut Johannes in gratuitis, as some have tearm'd him, discompos'd by Telesius, degraded by Campanella, bills of accusation brought in against him by B. Chartes, Bacon, Digby, Hobs; nay by all pregnant wits, and teeming constitutions, who have deserved to be a secretioribus naturae consiliis, by the nobility of extracts in Chymistry, or arriv'd to the exquisitenesse of parts, by anatomicall inspections, found guilty, and exploded after so great a revolution of ages.

In medicine, see Hippocrates alter the [Page] Antients, Galen him, Paracelsus both, Van Helmont dissenting from all; lacteall veins found out by Asellius, inlarg'd by Pecquer in dogs, by Bartholine in men, and the knowledge of them arrived to the Zenith in the elaborate pieces of that great Master of generation and circulation, Doctor Harvey: the Liver hath lost his office, the Senses their seat, and the use of the Nerves now only found out by Doctor Glisson.

View the decay of nature against the opinion of all ages, contradicted by Doctor Hackwell, whose arguments are so irrefragable, that nature must seem to admit a stranger decay in him assents not to it.

Let us contemplate Heaven, Earth, and Sea, and all of them will instruct us of human fallibility. The Jewes calculated by the Lunar account, Pythagoras by the Solar, and Copernicus rectify'd both. Divert towards Astrology, Astronomy, and Geometry, and see how the Professors by a stranger improvement have verified what they call themselves Mathematicks, see the Sea rul'd by compasse, which the land makes no use of, and the Land prov'd as giddy as her inhabitants, since Copernic [...]sm is aprov'd by all. Unravell Lycostenes Apothegms [...], Erasmus Adages, Cicero's [Page] jests, all the wisdome of Roman, and Grecian, and if you find nothing among Flores Poetarum, Wits Commonwealth, and the Elixir of the Sages, which may outvie the Urbanities of a common wit▪ Cease to be so passionate an admirer of Antiquity.

See the Antipodes confess'd by all, which the poor Bishop Vergilius asserting, by the fiery zeal of Pope Zachary was committed to the flames, to instruct how infallible the Roman Oracle is, in condemning that which all do maintain; and he himselfe maintained an Antipodes in his life, his footsteps being opposite to those of meek and pious Ancestors. If these be dissatisfactory, unspread what elapsed times have rolled up: and as in a piece of Tapestry, you shall see Snakes lasciviating among Roses, and this Linsey-Wolsey interweaving truth with falsity, the fashion of all ages. There hath never wanted some, who blinder then Moles,Vid. D. Brown. Pseud. Epid. have perswaded Moles have wanted eyes, Lampreys have many, Snakes at each horn; Cameleons living by air▪ Ostriges by Iron, Salamanders in fire, Corall obdurate by aire, Chrystal congeal'd Ice, Mandrakes resembling men, with two headed Serpents▪ Centaurs▪ Gryphins▪ and a Phoenix, which Noah took no [Page] notice of, while he took all into his Ark by pairs, Pigeons and Horses without gall, Elephants without joynts, Swans entertaining death with melody, and all the masks of ridling nature in sympathies, and antipathies, Oake and Olive, Walnut and Oake, Cock, Lyon, Spider, Toad, Panther, Hyena,, and the stork, an enemy to Kingdomes▪ and sympathizing with free states, to which by her presence she testifies an approbation. To these, falling of Salt, crossing Hares croaking Ravens, tinckling ears, and burning chins, ridiculous and petty observances, which call for agonies and cold sweats, the glorious sunshine of the Gospell having not dispell'd these darker clouds of benighted ignorance, or lighter mists of aery phancy. Our Saviour with long hair is mistaken for a Nazarite: Saint Hierom is pictured with a Cardinals Hat, as if his head had Prophecied of the invention which should succeed in the time of Innocent the fourth: the story of Goats blood dissolving Diamonds, resembled so often to our Saviours; the figment of the Phoenix, inferr'd to quadrate to his death & resurrection, Hercules labours his miracles: Nay, even the Mythologies of Paganism are induc'd for comments on Christianity, [Page] that it is no wonder if Religion should be suspected for fabulous; Antesignanes of schism and faction, buffet, revile and wound Christ in their brethren; or Hell may have a Factor, neither Turk, Jew nor Christian, who may write of three impostors.

Not onely an Agamemnon sacrifices an Iphigenia, but a Jeptha, by Translators is introduc'd sacrificing a daughter, shewing obedience by disobeying him▪ who abhors the bloody sacrifices of Gentilism.

Who could believe the stories of Saint George, Saint Patrick, Saint David, &c. & might not have a Creed for Homers Rodomontado's? who Saint Benedicts, Saint Frances, and Saint Dominicks Lives, Gregories Dialogues, Saint Bridgets uncouth dreams, like the Apocalyptick accomplishments of Rice Evans, Iacob Israel, Sedgwick, and Hannah &c. and wonder at Ovids Metamorphosis.

To omit the diseases in opinion of Christians, which have brought so strange a distemperature upon Charity it can bee no wonder, if that Charity which Christ left to perfume the world, and those odours of Christian virtues, which should embalm [Page] and preserve untainted the body of Religion vanish: and neither the Haggard of reason, nor lure of Religion keep men upright from reeling into Atheism.

Some are cry'd up for miracles, that hee who would correct, must make but one blot whose chiefest art is to apparell lyes handsomly, that though their nakednesse might seem deform'd, their dressing might attract readers: and these men of eminency by the Prerogative of their parts, seem onely to deserve the highest degree in Bethlem. Colledge, having arrived to the aim of madnesse, though hear nothing lesse then then Angelick and Seraphick, and think with extatick Paul, they have attain'd the third Heaven. Sure this obnubilation of verities, and darknesse of humane nature, was the penalty for the tast of the forbidden fruit; which deprives of Paradise the pleasures of knowledge; that man who desired what was prohibited, should be depriv'd of that knowledge which was granted: and so having introduc'd a multiplication and confusion of Sciences, he should bee punish'd with the amission of true knowledge, which was the same of all things.

This is that Cherub, guarding Parad [...]se [Page] with a flaming sword, which obcaecating the conscious minds of men with the splendor of his light deterrs them from the secrets of nature and verity of the universe: true knowledge even in humane things having no more a being, then the Philosophers mater [...]a prima, which is only in Terms.

Sect. 66.

Now let us retreat from humanity, whose Motto is humanum est errare and review Divinity, ubi verum non variat, yet we shall find variantes de vero: and when Gods word is not a Lanthorn to their feet, and the Church the guide, goe out of the way, stumble and are benighted with error.

See Saint Cyprian a Rebaptist; Origen an Anthropomorphite; Tertullian a Montanist; Saint Na [...]anzen an Angelist▪ Eusebius an Arrian; Papias, Justin▪ Millenaries; Saint Hierom a Mongamist a Saint Augustine need a book of recantations; Concilium Ariminense conclude with Arrius,In cap. quarto. Extr. de divortiis in cap. 1. dist. 31.Ephesinum with Eutyches; a Tyrian condemn an Athanasius: a third Stephen in a Councell rescinding the Acts of Pope Formosus; a tenth John in a Synod at Ravenna, the decrees of Stephen; A Pope Pelagius, and the first Gregory, an Innocent the third, and a third Celestine, [Page] so much contradicting each the other about divorces, that no rationall man would believe infallibility wedded to the Pontificiall chair, should no bill of divorce be issued forth by the Councels of Constance and Basil, both generall, both allowed; the first by Pope Martin the fifth; the second by Eugenius the fourth, their bills be at them, one say, the Councell can erre, not the Pope; the other, the Pope and not the Councell; the Canon of the Council of Ferrara, Decretum de 4. Conclusionibus. contrary to the Councill of Florence; the one, the Council was above the Pope; the other, the Pope above the Council.

Pope Alexander condemn'd Peter Lombard in a Councel of 300. Bishops, Innocent the third acquitted him: Pope Pelagius▪ and Gregory thought the name of Universall Bishop n [...]men Blasphemiae, and to admit it, nihil al [...]ud quam fidem perdere; Boniface and their successors have assum'd the title: if none of these have err'd, error is something, which the World hath not learn'd to define. Stapleton confesses, ‘vix ullum peccatum (haeresi exceptâ) cogitari potest quo illa sedes turpiter maculata non fuerit:’ but if it can't be tainted with Haeresie, in vain their Polemicks [Page] have broach'd those trifling questions,Io. de Turre crem. lib. 4. par. 2. e. 20. Bellar l. 2. de Rom. Pon. c. 30. Cui. tract. de auth. pap. & Conc. c. 20. whether a Pope may be depos'd for Haeresie: but Biel grants they may fall into it: Stella and Almain, that they have fall'n, and ceas'd to be heads of the Church & in the time of his Vicars defection left Christ to look to his cure himself: that Christ promis'd the keyes to Saint Peter is true: but as true that he did it to the rest of the Apostles:Mat. 16. 18. so to their successors as wel as his;Mat. 18. 18. so tis to thee and them,Ioh. 20. 22. and not to thee to exclude them: [...] Theophyl. in Mat. 18. S. Chrys. unlesse some will phancy Heaven-gate so easy, as they might open and shut without the ke [...]es, si hoc tantum Petro d'ctum, non fuit hoe Ecclesia, St. Aust. tract. 50. in St. Io. if a Saint Austine may credited: Christ prai'd that Peters faith might not fail, viz. in application to his personall perseverance;S. Prosper l. de vo [...]. [...]ent. c. 24. if the Fathers are worthy of belief, for papall infallibility had no appearance hence in any except in Popes, whose eyes squinted toward self-interest for a 1000 years.

The Pope infallible, the unnecessary trouble of calling Councells might be spar'd: neither have they wash'd the Aethiop fairer, who have trifled about the infallibility of [Page] Councels: it is one of their maxims, a generall Councell cannot erre, if it be confirmed by the Pope, it cannot be confirm'd till finish'd, if finish'd, it hath err'd, or not err'd; if err'd, the Pope ought not to confirm falshood; if not err'd, it was truth before he confirm'd it; and at best his assent is but signum pro causa: or a Councell must be either infallible by the means, or the prophetick part, the conclusion; the means, humane learning, fallible meanes may have fallible effects, or if by the conclusion, the spirit makes no use of meanes: they must either make means uselesse, or open a gap for Enthusiasts to ruffle the Church.

Where two or three are conven'd, Christ is in the midst of them to concede what he shall think fit for them, not they fit for themselves: a generall Councell may bee supposed not to erre, led by the spirit of truth in Scripture, and not presuming to lead both spirit and Scripture: no Father having to deal with Hereticks, intitled Councels infallible.S. Aust. lib. 1. Bap. Cont. Denat. The letters of Bishops according to Saint Austine may bee disputed by more learn'd Bishops, nationall Councells by plenary; and even plenary may be amended, the former by the later: [Page] that onely which is found in Scripture, may be neither doubted nor disputed. The comforter shall abide with them,Jo. 14. 16, 17. Isid. on Jo. 12.and lead them into all truth, viz. the Holy Ghost that lead the Catholick Church not into all curious truths, in or about the faith, but all truth necessary to salvation, in which the Catholike Church can't erre; for if it could erre, it could not bee holy.

Sect. 67.

Now let us peruse a little of the Elixir of the Fathers, which some Pontificians sure rightly understood, would turn al into Catholike Gold, in which we may believe them, but never that it is able to convert one intelligent man to be a Papist.

Illa Ecclesia quae fuit omnium gentium jam non est periit,S. Aug. in Psal. 101. apostavit? hoc dicunt qui in illa non sunt: O impudentem vocem! illa non est, quia tu in illa non es? vide ne tu ideo non sis, nam illa erit, etiamsi tu non sis. O vocem abominabilem & detestabilem, &c. hanc praevidit spiritus Dei, ecce ego vobiscum sum usque ad Consuminationem seculi.

Sed forte ista civitas quae mundum tenuit universum aliquando evertetur? absit.S. Aug. in Ps. 47. Deus enim fundavit in aeternum; si Deus fundavit in aeternum, quid times, [Page] ne cadat? Portae inferorum non praevalebunt contra eam:S. Chrys. in Ps. 148. quod si non cred [...]s verbo, ipsis operibus crede. Multo facil [...]us m [...]hi persuaderem Christo non esse credendum,S. August. ad Honoratum. S. Aug. in Epist. Ioh. & Cont. Petilium in unit. Eccles. S. cyp. de unit Ecclesiae. quam de illo quidquam, nisi ab his per quos credidissem esse credendum▪ Deus posu [...]t in sole tabernaculum suum, qui contra Lucernam in candelabro positam oculos claudunt, quid amplius dicturus sum quam caecos esse: Quomodo impur [...]ss [...]me Diabole Ecclesiam te posse putas de [...]jcere? adulterari non potest [...] sponsa Christi; incorrupta est, Pudica est; domum unam novit; unius cubiculi Sanctitatem casto pudore custodit: Hoc Ecclesiae proprium est,S. Hilari. us. ut tum vincat cum laeditur, tum intelligatur cum arguitur, tum obtineat cum de seritur.

Haec ergo navis Ecclesia est,S. Ambrosius. quae si quotidie saeculum istud tanquam aliquod pelagus fortiter infestum, nunquam elid [...]tur ad saxum, nunquam mergitur ad profundum; super petram fundata Ecclesia nullâ tempestate Concutitur; nullo turbine ventisque subruitur?

Quorsum haec! S. Hieron. what a flood of Fathers is here without a drop of reason? who ever deny'd God would have a Church spread ore the face of the Earth; yet this implies [Page] that the Roman is only Catholick, a Monopoly of heaven, and mercy by usurpation of the name: or because the Rivers of life shall not cease (while time flowes) to stream in the Citty of God, his holy Catholick Church, they lose their current, if they stream not in the channells of Romish phancies.

Who would not with Saint Austin, rather believe nothing of Christ, then the Gospell of Peter, Bartholomew, Nicodemus, the Acts of Paul and Tecla, &c. ridiculous figments of giddy heresie, where the Devill in an Angell of lights shape, would have brought darknesse in fashion; this implies not sure, we must not believe the true Gospell, without it is ma [...]gin'd with Pontifician notes, and fenc'd with profit-angling baits of phanatick interpreters.

Gods Tabernacle is in the Sun, and he hath a Church like the Sun, shining with light, and eminent in vertues: who see not this light in a candlestick, or so great a mountain as Gods Church, Christianity more eminent then all other Religions, with the Father I could call them no lesse then blind. I should think them hallucinate, could not see through [Page] the disfigurements of truth, and veils of ceremonies; a face of Religion in the Romish Church, but desperately blind, could see no other, and after he had received the phantasticall garb, would shut his eyes, and think it immodesty to view poor truth naked.

I may believe with Saint Cyprian, the Devill cann't deject the spouse, who leaves not Christs bed to lie with Adonis, or exchanges Christianity for Paganism, the joyes of his Spirit, for the salt waters of Mundan complacencies, or the pure stream [...] of life, for polluted puddles of phanatick interpretations.

I can assent to Saint Hilary, Persecution is the Churches seed: to Saint Ambrose, the Church is a Ship secure in storms: to Saint Hierom, a Rock▪ which windes nor waves move. Yet believe these sayings have no other relation to the Roman Church, then the Roman hath relation to the Catholick Church, by being part of the whole body of Christianity, of which Christ is the head.

Sect. 68.

Papists, while they bring in the Fathers in vizards, may terrifie some weak ones; but the vizards once pluckt off from the faces of the Fathers, the children whom [Page] they have afrighted dare play with them, and wise men conclude the cause not honest, which needs a disguise, since the confines of truth is to be naked.

Ignatius called the Roman Church [...],Ignatius on p. 100: [...]. most chast and Metropolis of the Region of the Romans, and wishes those things may be firm which they teach. May the Roman Church be firme to what it then taught, and then may all firmly believe what she teaches; and though not in a power [...], which Ignatius was ignorant of, but [...], which he mentions, be President.

Polycarp communicated with the Roman Church,Polycarp. Anno Dom. 120. Euseb. lib. 5. cap. 24. though disagreed about Easter, was content to passe over rather a trifling formality, then renounce his charity: who instructs us nothing of their Roman power may instruct us in the power of Godlinesse, not to relinquish Christian communion, for triviall observances.

Irenaeus praises the Roman faith,Irenaeus Eus. Anno Dom. 150. lib. 3. cap. 3. succeeding with Episcopacy: yet oppugns Victor: sure he dream'd not of Pontificiall infallibility.

Saint Cyprian saies, the Romans are [Page] such,Navigare audent ad Petri Cathedram & Ecclesiam principalem &c. nec cogitare [...]os esse Romanos, ad quos persidia habere non potest accessum. Cyp. lib. 1. Epist. 3. to whom perfidia cannot have successe, which scarce will imply error in faith or misbeliefe; but malitious falsitie in matter of trust and action, such as Faelicissimus and his complices hasted to Rome with against Saint Cyprian.

Saint Hieroms orbis Major urbe may dismisse him, and his zeal to Presbyterie, confirm no friend to Papal glory. For Saint Austin, he is quoted to call himselfe rash, detestable, and strangely imprudent in a Councell to resist them, with whom Christ could only be to the consummation of the age. Saint Cyprian in a schism is pack'd to hell ‘se judice, macula istanec sanguine abluitur, nec pas [...]ione purgatur, inexp [...]abilis culpa non erit fidei corona sed perfidiae poena.’ He oppos'd Pope Stephen, and Saint Austin, and he, being both of the African Church, dyed excommunicate from the Roman;Baronius Anno 419. Binius in notis ad Epistol. Bonifacii 2. ad Eulalium. and if a Saint Greoories prayers brought them not from hell with Trajan, to bear him company, we may misdoubt a bene esse to those Romanists invoke as Grandees in the Court of heaven; if ‘extra Ecclesia [Page]parietes Romanae non sit salus:’ Hier. ad Evargium Presbyt. But God be praised a Saint Hierom comes to their rescue with a ‘non altera Romanae urb [...]s Ecclesia alteratotius orbis aestimanda est. Gallia & Bithynia &c. unum Christum adorant: unam observant regulam veritatis, si authoritas quaeritur, orbis major est urbe? ubicunque fuerit Episcopus sive Regio, ejusdem meriti est, ejusdem sacerdotii, potentiae, divitiarum, & potestatis gradus & paupertatis hum [...]litas, sublimiorem vel inferiorem Episcopum non faciunt; omnes Apostolorum successores sunt.’

Sect. 69.

If the Roman Church be a branch, she cannot be the Root, though an elder sister, she can be but a co-heir: we need not cry out with Esau, Hast thou but one bles [...]ng, O my father? Nor is it the essence of the Church, nor the representative part in a synod, but the vertuall power in the Pope and his Cardinalls, which are the Elixir, by whose vertue the name of Catholick is derivative. To be blanch'd with Innocence, or gul'd with Martyrdome, to carry the Enfigns of the Lamb, are nothing worth, without the crosse keyes of Saint Peter; the Purple of Christ invaluable should we deny the [Page] Cardinals scarlet Robe: Who mock'd Christ more then the Jewes, who cloth'd him in it with a hail King, while the exorbitancy of their power takes away his, plants Thorns in Christianity, and buffets him in his members; who by uncharitable censures have not only separated Protestants from their communion, but Russian, African, Asiatick, Graecian Churches, where some praise God in the flames, while these lasciviating in the sunshine of Gods mercies, have kick'd against Divinity, and retiring into the shade, bellowing like mad beasts, have preferred forms and shadowes before the light and glory of Religion: yet if we will believe what their Bulls roar, ten times their number is damned for not being Catholicks for sooth, since every Christian under pain of damnation must be subject to the Roman Bishop. Who taught us, Our Father which art in heaven, forbids us an inclosure, and he who intends a Monopoly, will leave out Christ with his brother. The name of Catholick in the Creed plac'd in opposition to the Jewish inclosure of mercy, it will be strange if universall should now turn particular, and by not retaining the phancy [Page] of a particular Church, a man could not be of the universall; and yet every Church hath a particular phancy: and it is probable, all generally phancy by an audi Ecclesiam, and in the Commission, dic Ecclesiae, what Christ never intended.

If thy brother trespasse against thee, tell the Church, viz. a company of Christians; and if he will not hear the Church, let him be to thee as an heathen or a publican; cite him before the Gentiles tribunall, as thou wouldst an heathen or a publican. It is true, there is but one true Faith, one true Church, but both Faith and Church is the Cathol [...]ck Christian, not the particular Roman; and this Catholick Christian Church, he who will not both hear and obey, the particular Church where he lives, so far as it dissents not with the universall in my opinion, is worse then pagan or publican.

Sect. 70.

The Catholick Church is Gods house;Omnis Ecclesia virgo Appellata est. S. Aug. tr. 13. in S. Iohn. all Nationall Churches are in this universall house as so many daughters, to whom▪ as Christs Vicegerents, the care of the houshold is commited by God the Father, and the Catholick Church the mother of all Christians. If sisters disagree in a family, will the Father and the Mother, [Page] God and the Church, eject one child, because that an other is petulant & waspish: or hath Christ given power to Rome, because she is an elder sister, that she, or her steward the Bishop should cast out of the family which she pleaseth of the children of the family, for telling stories of an elder sisters, or stewards enormities.

Romana Ecclesia particularis, Bell. lib. 4. de Rom. Pont. c. 9. according to Bellarmine; and without there be two Roman Churches, there cannot be both a particular Roman Church, and a Catholick. No sense will admit the Roman Catholick▪ she is not universall, so not Catholick in extent; not entire in Doctrine, in things belonging to the foundation, so not Catholick in beliefe, nor the prime Mother Church: Jerusalem was that, so not Catholick as fountain, head or root of the Catholick.

Sect. 71.

‘Catholica autem quae diffusaper universum orbem.’ S. Cyril. Hieros. catech c. 18. That Catholick Church which all Nations shall flow unto, Kings and Queens shall be nursing Fathers and Mothers, shall suck the milk of Gentiles; this is the way which the fool cannot erre, when the wisest may mistake; there's universality, antiquity, succession, and unity here are unquestionable, while all agree, if not in manner, yet matter of beliefe, [Page] have the same limbs of Christian warfare that Constantines [...]. This is the Arke of the Covenant,Cant, 6. Mar. 3. Eph. 5. Cor. 12. 1 Tim. 3. holy City, fructiferous Vine, direct way, sole Dove, excelse mountain, celestiall Kingdome,Iohn 4. S. Aug. de unit Ecc. St. Cyp. de unit Eccl. S. Ambros. spouse and body of Chirst, the house of God, gate of Heaven, a pillar and firmament of verity, a light in a Candlestick, a Tabernacle in the Sun, a ship secure in storms, a rock, which though the winds of schism arise, and waves of heresy beat, cannot be moved: here the sayings of Fathers,, writhed by Papists to rivet Saint Peters tattering chair are all verified:S. Aug. that which was the Church of all ages is apostated, perish'd this they say who are not in her, see lest thou may not be, she will be though thou art not: in vain he sayes▪ he hath God for his Father,St. Aug. who will not acknowledge the holy Catholick Church for his Mother since in the expans'd arms of her charity, she entertains the whole body of Christi [...]nity.

Be wise my soul, lay thee a foundation here: so though storms arise, and waves beat, thou shalt not be moved; the quicksand [...] of heresie shall no more swallow thee up, the waves of schism warp [...]hee to irre [...] l [...]gion, or byasse thee toward Atheisme.

Sect. 72.

There can be no cause, to make a schisme or separation from the whole Church, for [Page] the whole Church cannot universally erre in faith, for if it could, it would cease to be holy: neither can all the members of the militant Church erre, either in the whole, or an Article of faith; if they could, there could be no union betwixt the head and members, and so no body, no Church: The Church of the Elect, is in the Church of them that are called, and the invisible Church in the visible; or else the invisible Church is tyed to no duty of Christianity; for all such duties are required of the Church, and performed as 'tis visible: and consequently, if the whole Church of the Elect cannot erre in fundamentalls, the whole visible Church cannot erre in which the Elect is.St. Aug. Ep. 48. 'Tis manifest out of Saint Austin, ‘ipsa est Ecclesia quae intra sagenam dominicam cum malis piscibus natat,A malis piscibus corde semper & moribus separantur & corporalem separationem in li [...]tore maris in fine saeculi expectant. S. Aug. grana sunt inter illam paleam quand [...] area cum videretur tota palea putabatur.’ There are bad fish in the net of the Lord, from which there must be ever a separation in heart and manners▪ but a corporall separation must be expected at the sea-shore, in the end of the world. And as the spirit of a man doth not quicken any member of the body, but as it is united to it; so neither doth the Spirit of God any member of the Church, but being united in the bond of peace.

Sect. 73.

[Page]

I have weakened the lights of my body to introduce knowledge by by these windowes of my soule; lost my selfe to finde others, to magnifie my age. I will not boast I have outlived Emperours, Popes:Having lived above five times over the time which dispatched five Emperors, and five Emperors, and five Popes, viz. Galba. Otho, Vitellius, Aescus, Pertinax: Anno Do. 1275. 1276. Gregory 10. Innocent 5. Hadrian 5. Iohn 20. vel 21. Nicholas 3. If he lives only long who lives well, I am the shortest liver. I have served twice Jacobs time to a more deceitfull Master then Laban, an impious world: young in years, old in folly, a Labyrinth, riddle, bubble, nothing. The reward of Jacobs servitude was blessed, mine cursed: could produce only spotted actions, checquer'd with the guilt of my own black imaginations, who have been carried about with the air of my own phancy, that I might not be transported with the wind of every phanaticks error; discompos'd my fortune to settle my mind. Amicus Plato, amicus Socrates, sed Magis am [...]ca veritas. If truth be not more my friend then any one my memory can challenge a familiar acquaintance with, I may modestly presume my selfe destitute of any: while I have moved upon quick-silver, and whe [...]l'd upon the incertainties of giddy chance, a Polypire, Ephorine, and Philaetic become all with all, not that I might gain others with the Apostle, or gain of others wi [...]h the world, but gain my selfe: And though this itch of my curiosity may produce [Page] bad blood, by exasperating malignant humours; yet I shall skin my own sores over by so good a conversation, and by no rash exposures of aliene sores to the ayre, I shall endanger the wranckling of any into male-content. I shall not relinquish my part in our elder Brothers legacy, the love that Christ bequeath'd us, for the greatest of Mundan inheritances: for if my barns were full, my soul could not take her ease, should I disease my brother. I might fear with a Thou fool, hac nocte, in the night of error, illuminated by no beam of Gods grace and mercy, from a darker action, to be cast into a darker dungeon, for having no mercy on him for whom the light in darknesse rose. I would snatch a Brother out of the fire with fear and trembling, and not commit to flames with rigour and malice. The Spanish devotion shall prescribe no rule to mine, who hang'd up thirteen Indians to the honour of Christ and his twelve Apostles.

Sect. 74.

I am not of the Tyrants minde, oderint dum metuant: as I would incurre no mans hate, so I would lend an occasion to no mans fear, since invention witty in cruelty should not wrack a confession, that may prejudice another. I would not endanger a Priests life to save mine own. Bellum cum vitiis, Pax [Page]cum hominibus is my motto. I hate no Sect, but pray for all, that like Sampsons Foxes divided by the heads, they may not be tyed together by the tails in the country they reside, to raise a combustion; or Snake-like, return a sting for entertainment: and can wonder, that the twilight of nature, and noctiluce of reason in Heathens, should outshine the Sun-beams of the Gospell in Christians: while History presents us with an Aristodes, a Phocion, and Themistcoles, who though their bodies suffered by an Ostracism, would not exile out of their minds that piety, which was due even to an ingratefull Country. One asked, What he would wish to his country for their ingratitude, answered, Never to want an Aristides. The second commanded his sons to forget their Fathers injuries; and the third dyed rather then he would revenge his own:Ly [...]urgus. and could wish the Athenian Legislator, might even prescribe a Law to Christians, who for blindnesse returned light, who instead of retaliating the losse of an eye, administred light to the Author, by opening the eyes of his understanding.

Sect. 75.

I would convince by reason, make no conviction by Law, make a confiscation of error, not goods, though I seek not their goods, but the good of their souls. Persecution is [Page] a seeds-time of error, as well as of truth. The Norfolk Arian could laugh at the stake; and though none can dye well who live not so; no one can live so ill as cannot dye desperately. The old Roman humour of braving death, sleeps not with Paganisme: Rome hath still her Scaevola's, dare court the flames, and have a hand in every combustion: no part of the earth can make a breach, for which they can want a Curtius, who to make it up, will not ingulph himselfe in misery. Some with Augustus can die in a complement, more with Tiberius in dissimilation: No Priest, but Galba-like, will offer his neck with a feri si ere sit populi Romani; while with Vespasian they can smile with an ut puto Deus fio. A Garnet may be Sainted even for a powder plot. And some resembling Otho's friends, wil die for society, while they, like him, murder themselves, under pretence of being publick victims.

Sect. 76.

I would bring tears to quench, rather then fewell to the flames; not cause others to be disembowelled, but could even disbowell my selfe by an inviscerate dilection. Show ‘excrementatam liquidiora tam crassiora non solùm pectoris sed religionis anatomiam.’ To reclaim these Traitors to reason, who believe heaven can side with factions, and omniscience cannot discover these disguises of charity. He who commands us. [Page] to let our light so shine before men, that they may glorifie our heavenly Father, commands us not to light men for his glory. And though he, whom we must pattern, was a light in darknesse, in usum nocturni luminis: Nero like, non proponit cremandos Christianos: These fires may show hell flames, but to show a way by their light to heaven they cannot, to mortifie the flesh thus, is not the way to quicken the spirit. We must rather inform Eliah like, in fiery chariots of zeal, to mount up to heaven. Lend them examples to live well, not precepts to contend. Christ would not own those spirits who would have fire come down from heaven to destroy adversaries: He sent down fire from heaven to save, not destroy his enemies; in cloven tongues to divide truth, not divide by falshood; who are divided in their waies, show whose footsteps they follow, the Devill, whose feet are cloven. He whose fiery zeal for the least dissention calls his brother to do penance in ashes, it must needs be so far from the spirit of God, as it is manifest his alliance is with the old Serpent, whose food is in the dust. The holy Father told the revenge-meditating Catholicks, against their blood-thirsty enemies, the Arians, in the reign of the good Theodosius, that Christians are not to recompence evill for evill, but blesse them that curse, pray for them [Page]that despitefully use; yet if they cannot arrive to this perfection, yet must at least leave revenge to God, who in his time will repay it. God fan is in his hand, I will not snatch it out: where God hath an Harvest, Belial will have a seeds-time: the wicked one will sow tares by night: men benighted in black, and wicked waies are dispos'd to imbibe the seeds of error: God grant the light of Heaven may so shine in us, that men may be converted from the darknesse of their waies, and we may pluck up error, not them; we must not question his wil, who permits them to grow till harvest: he that knows his own, it shall be my onely endeavo [...]r he may own me for his: and not for raising flames of contention here, be cast into unquenchable fire hereafter. I will not renounce Christ because a Judas bears him company: nor any Christian communion, because a Judas may have his hand in the dish: but rather strive I my self prove no Traitor, draw near with my lips, my heart remote from him & cry hail Master, when I think to recrucifie him in his members: Alasse poor souls, though a Judas may veil impiety with kisses, the irrepentant wretch will dissipate and discover his black soul naked. I will note them that make contentions and avoid the contentions, not the men till three or four times admonition: if [Page] Physitians were to fly from the sick, wee should gain little skill, and have a poor profession.

Sect. 77.

I can converse with a Jew with no passion beside a sorrow; lend tears to mollifie him, and not fire to obdurate; and should he encounter my ear with a buffet, and bid me turn the other to express Christianity, I should not with that Christian, with a do as you would be done by, requite: but by my Saviours example▪ for my sake buffeted, pray for him who knew not what he did: it is a strange humour in some Christians, to pray for the conversion of those Jewes they will not admit into their society to effect it by a peaceable cohabitation. Wee might teach them by their Chàldean Paraphrast their Messiah; and by R. Jonathan, or R. Shimeony Son of Ishas, or R. Moses the Son of Nicar; or R. Haccodesh, shew how R. Shahadiahs 1200. years, R. Solomon and R. Jehudas 1390. R. Elias 4230. years are expir'd, and no Messias come. Judas the Son of Marbaeus; Theudas Arthronges, Barchosba, the Senior and Junior imposing even upon their Rabbies: the Bethlem which they confesse to be the place of their Messiahs birth, having now no being, their groundlesse phancies may vanish like it, while we show him who had a being with it: who dy'd for his people; [Page] whose hands and feet they pierced; and for whose Vesture they cast lots; who was humble and sat on an Asse; after 62. weeks slain; shewing the cause of their miseries, because they sold the innocent for silver, and the poor for shooes.

The same day Christ was taken, their City taken, entred at the Brook Cedron, on the same feast day, same time of the year, thirty Jews sold for the price they sold him. We might show their Rabbines their letter, and learn their grave Fathers Christs Crosse row, we could lend them light out of darknesse, while even a Pagan could confesse aut Deus Naturae patitur aut machina mundi dissolvitur, Dionysius Areop. we could inform them by the rending of their Temple, not to divide from the Church; which open'd wide to instruct them of him, who was ordain'd to enter into the holiest of holies, even Christ Jesus the High Priest, though they trifle about Nazarite and Nazareth, wee could dilucidate who was Natsar, the branch of the root of Jesse: but oh in vain we may tell them of him who is love, when we want it towards one another: how can they believe us to be heirs, when wee have lost his Legacy. Defective not onely in dilection he bequeath'd his, but even that love he commanded to enemies: [...] or ill savor in Jews so often inculcated, as if [Page] lies could sweeten them; and make not Christianity stink in their nostrills worse then they in ours: for crucifying Christ.

May all Christian Churches sweep their own doors from pride and malice, and uncharitablenesse which are ingendred by trifling questions, and unnecessary disputes, the dirt and trash which clings to them; and keeps them from entrance, who are without. Lo the Jews who look for a sign, and Gentiles who inquire after wisdom, may find both: and all Christians by reforming themselves,S. Chrys. Mat. 13. may act no lesse then miracles for the conversion of others.

‘Si ex avaritiae in liberalitatem transieris, s [...]ccam & mancam manum recuperasti: si theatralibus ludis spretis relictisque caetos Ecclesiasticos petieris claudicanti pedi incolumitatem: si oculos tuos ab alienâ forma, & meretricum aspectu revocaveris caecum te illuminasti: si diabolicos cantus despexeris, & eorum loco spirituales Psalmos dediceris tum loqueris qui antea mutus esses haec maxima miracula signa eximia:’ such signes and miracles as these might call home the Jews: and bring in the plenitude of the Gentiles: so may their souls desire to enter into our secrets, and their glory be joyn'd to our assemblies; while all Churches having their Lamps trimm'd with the oyl of good works, by [Page] the light of faith may lead to the Bridegroom, who biddeth the Bride come; and if she hath not the soundnesse of interior charity, all the gummes and spices of alms and prayers do not sweeten her breath to her divine Lover: Odours after which the Bridegroom runneth & smelleth them when he kisses her with the kisses of his mouth.

Sect. 78.

It was the saying of the Doctor of the Gentiles, If any man be contentious, wee have no such custom; nor the Churches of God. I could wish those who call themselves the Churches of God, had no such custom as being contentious: fighting about shadows, forms of Religion, while we lose the essence of it, which is Charity: May every one abound in his own sense, and God of his mercy give every one sense to abound to his glory: May blindnesse bee the mother of devotion in the Papists; and though pious frauds are us'd to induce zeal, may they be zealous without fraud: May light occasion no darknesse in the Reformists, and peeping into the Ark, not strike them with the Leprosie of evill works. May the Motto of both be non loquimur sed vivimus: contend in nothing but who shall most glorifie God: and our light may so shine before men, that they who are without, may be brought to glorifie our Father in Heaven, by being [Page] brought into his Church, the Kingdom of Heaven here on Earth; May all hunger and th [...]st after righteousnesse: and even Enemies by administring thy blessings one to the other, heap coals on each others head, till they melt into mutuall affection, and obsequiousnesse to thy Law.

May none without think worse of Christ because his Coat is divided, embrace those truths all hold; and all hold nothing to differ one from another: may all within seek rather grounds of aquiescence, then excuses of dissatisfaction: truth in differences like Gold in oar, wheat with chaffe; none may neglect Gold because ther's drosse; or grain for the intermixture of off [...]ll: but all united into the same body may become one with thee, who art the bread of life; and refin'd from the drosse of mundan corruption by the fire of this holy spirit bear the Image of our King: May he who boasts of the Church remember, no unclean th [...]ng can enter into the K [...]ngdom of Heaven: and he that b [...]eaketh the least of the Commandements shalbe the least in the K [...]ngdom of Heaven, of little repute in his Church. May they who cry, who shall lay any thing to the cha [...]ge of Gods Elect, live, so that no body may have any thing to lay to their charge: and while they boast, they are above all law, by sin come not under the premun [...]re [Page] of any: while they are Kings (as they pretēd) whose hearts are in Gods hands, may they not be slaves to their own lusts, & the Devils servants: may the Cōmonalty be no more an Oglio of knaves and fools, and tools to the Polititian; nor he the Devils quilted Anvile on which he frames all sin; but both may be instruments of Gods glory; finally may the Gentry have an use for estates above gilding their imperfections: and Papists abov an annuall Composition for their follies [...] and not love to their purses make their Antagonists irreconcilable with their persons: and may I have no emnity with any thing but my self: who though I have not found what I may define friend, I know not what I may truely cal Enemy beside my self: by the rules of Christian warfare, I am oblig'd to fight aga [...]nst the World, the flesh and the Devill: I find a world in my self: and a Devill in my flesh; which if I could but conquer, I could look down on those petty acquisitions of the nicknam'd worthies which were kneaded up with dirt and blood, as something below my self. Legion is not onely renew'd in me, but Legions of Devils, as if they had not a lesser world to conquer and colonize, are entred into me: I find a Lapland, Finland, Gothland, and the storms they raise there in my passions: the various shapes in which they [Page] familiarise with their votaries, do but resemble the disguises of my curiosities, vy'd with which the Mythologies of Paganism, in an Achelous, Proteus; Polypus, Cameleon may seem sober verities.

Nor could I bee lesse then a world in whom all the Monsters of Africa have conven'd, and all the African tincture in my blacker impieties. I have had the blindnesse of America to sacrifice to the Devill ne noceat, by complying with aberrances: having with Asia lost a reall Paradise by Euthymy: could challenge affinity with Mahometism, and dream of a Paradise in carnall concupiscencies. Nor hath any part of Europe been defective to the complement of this Microcosm: Papist, Reformist, Subreformist, Familist, Atomist; all the phancies which crumble into factions, and mince into divisions, while old time is forc'd to chew the cud, and raise up the stubble and chaffe of whimzies, swallowed fourteen ages past have concentred in me: and met in this Masse of antipathies I carry about me.

Lord teach me to know my self, so I shall not d [...] sire to exchange wisdom with a Solomon: lend me the auxiliaries of thy holy spirit, to subdue my self; and I shall be more a Conqueror then Alexander: by hating my self, instruct me how I shall love thee, and by loving thee, I shall be sure not to hate my brother.

FINIS.

[Page]

Information about this book

Title statement

Charity commended, or, A catholick Christian soberly instructed by J.C.

Collop, John.

Edition statement

1667

Publication

Publisher

Text Creation Partnership,

Place of publication

Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) :

Date

2005-10 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1).

ID [DLPS]

A34014

ID [STC]

Wing C5391

ID [STC]

ESTC R16883

ID [EEBO-CITATION]

12394692

ID [OCLC]

ocm 12394692

ID [VID]

61094

Availability

This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal. The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission.

Series

Early English books online.

Notes

(EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A34014)

Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 61094)

Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 958:24)

Source

— Charity commended, or, A catholick Christian soberly instructed by J.C., Collop, John..

Extent

[22], 134 p.

[s.n.],. London :: 1667.. (Reproduction of original in the University of Illinois (Urbana-Champaign Campus). Library.) (Attributed to John Collop by Wing.)

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