'■^vf**?-'^
PERKINS LIBRARY
Duke University
Kare l5ooks
.///• MOh
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Lf^ ^"^
i IMPRIMATUR, i
4^ Hie hher were Chrifiidttus qm fi Prtm^- ^^
'^^ vdmj}>eBes pietatem, Summam Eloquenti- ^^
"^S ^^y Rationum pondus ftihil in eo deefi quo W^,
2^' minus pofflt nos Omnes quales tarn accurate ^^
♦^S defcrihity ruere Chriflianos efficere; Furiori SC^
^^ £vo fane dignij/tmus efi nife quod tarn pot ens ^^
4^ fit qui vel nofirum Speculum transformaret in ^,
4^ melius, Benedicat Deus OperitS" Juthori. ^ir
^i THO. TOMKYNS. i^
**^ R.Rmo.inChrifto Patriae Domino Dno. ?g^
<^ GiZ,££JirO Divina ProvidentiaAr- 'M>
■^^ chiepifcopoCantuarienfiJ SacrisDome- ^S-
4m fticis. ^j.
4^ «>
Alie^i^
THE
CAUSES
OF THE
2Detap of C|)?iaian i&ietp:
OR AN
IMPARTIAL SURVEY
Of the Ruines of
C H R 1 S T I J ]};[ RELIGION,
^ Undermin'd by Unchriftian Praftice.
Written hy the ^Author of
rHE WHOLE DUTY OF ^MANl
INIMICV\y HOMO rfiCIT HOC n,^m ,
LONDON,
Printed by jR. AWo/; for 7\GaYthjX'ait, in S.Bartho-
lomervsl^oi^lt^h muSmitkfieldj^ l66j.
I<
M''' Garthwait,
H
"AVING in my hands a PraMical
Treatife concerning Ihe Caufes of the
_ _ Decay ofChriftian Ptety fo vifible in this
our Age ; written by the Excellent jiuthor of
The WHOLE DUTY OF ^lAN: and
having obtained periniflion to make it publick,, I
was in fome doubt whether the prefent difturb'd
State of afJairs, would not make it reafonable to
delay the Edition : but confidering that times of
difficulty and trouble bring thoughts of Vertue
into their minds, who forgot their Duty and their
God in affluence and quiet: I am apt to think
a Difcourfe of this Kind feafonable enough at
this time.
Almio;hty God give you fome re- ^^.
• r :'^ 1 J^ \r^ y • "*■ the late F\re
pair for your ' late great Calamity : ,„ London.
As it was the ^Authors kindnefs that
you fiiould have the offer of this Trail, what-
ever it prove, fo I think it will be a little the
more feafonable, that it comes as a New-years
Gift, tS'c.
Jmuaryy 166 j.
Tour utiy lot'ui'^ Friend,
H. E,
*^ "^ "^^ ''S^ '^^ 'i'^ '^S^ *^^ '^i'^ ''Ik^ '^^ "^^^ '^ *^ "^
THE PREFACE
THOUGH thu le the firfi appedrance this
Tra^ has mdde in the norldy yet 7ts Being i< of
fomewhat a mere ancient date; it having re-
ceived its lineaments and perfect form fome years fince :
when the Author not having partiality enough to think it
worthy piihlick view ; had adjudgd it, if not to perpe-
tual darknef?) yet at leafi to a long indefinite fuj^enjion
from feeing light. In this interval, 'tis more than pro-
laUe fome paffages may have loft much of their propriety
to the prefent ft ate of affairs, they having been adapted
to circumftances which may fince haze received fome
change", and herein I mu ft hej^eak the Readers candor,
to make fuch allowances a^ the matter ft:all require ; of
which yet Ifuppofe there will not occur very many, or ve^
ry important occafions,
BUT would God I were to apologize for d yet fat
greater ahfurdity, that our fcene were fo ft^ifted, that
the whole defign of the enfuing difcourfe, might become
one entire impertinence^ and that our more eminent con-^
formity to the rules of our Chriftian in ft it ul ion, might
fuperfedt thefe difquifitioris above our faildnces and
aberrations. But ala(s,lfind I have pitch t uponafuh-
jeB not like to be out-dated ; vice daily gaining not only
ftrength, but impudence : nay we are not only become
witneffes againft our felves by declaring our Sin as So-
THE PREFACE.
dom> hut Tve have forced God alfo to attefi a^ainji us by
funijhwg us in a manner no lefi con/pic uous and manifeJL
lAnd furely then 'tis more than time for us to taketha
Ptephets advice y Hag. 1.7. to confider our ways^fe? re-
fle^i not only on thofe robufi,^y4nt-like provocations vrhich
have thus bid defiance to Heaven ; but alfo to fift out
thofe fecret incendiaries that have inflamed us to this
mad daring ; to exatnine what that '\un,that inflamable
bitumen:, the untemperd morter is with which we build
our Babel, by difcovering thofe mifperfwafions andfalfe
confidences y whereinmany of our other guilts are found-
ed \ inorder to which this flight Tra5i offers its feeble ,
yet well meant aiduS J being forced out of its retirement y
and like Crsefus his dumb Sony compelled toffeak by im-
pulfe oftheptefent exigent : and how defficable foever
the Mite contributed be in its f elf y yet if it may provoke
the more wealthy to cafi in richer giftSy it may prove no
unprofitable agent for the Corban. 'Tis evident this is
afeafon which not only warrantSy but exaBs the moft im-
portunate endeavours ofperfivading men to thofe things
that belong to their Peace.
.FOR although 'tis true that every fiate of fin, fets
us alfo in a ftate of hofiility with God, yet ourprefent
■ condition fesms to have advanced us beyond the common
degrees even of that. 'Tis we know, high infolence
againfi a Prince to deffife and violate his laws y but
'when to that are fuperadded contumelies y and defignd
affronts to his perfony this is /uch an accumulated out-
rage y as will vanquijh the mofl refolvd Patience. And
this ala(? appears to be our cafe : we have long indulged
to our felves the breach of all Divine lawsy gratified
every appetite y every pajfion and luji with the forfeiture
of
THE PREFACE.
of our allegiancey dnd a^ ifth'u irottld not ferve to render
as trreconcilahle enough to Godr we are now groivn tofuh-
joyn malice to licentioufne(i\ projeB not fo much to pleafe
our [elves y as to dil^leafe him ; profefs a contempt not
only of his commands ^ hut himfelf; and fee k nolef?to
dethrone Himy than abrogate thofe, Ihm have rre
made it a kind ofperfonal quarrely and ly thofe impious
hlajphemies we daily dart againji Heaveny do as it were
dare the Divine Majefly to vindicate its f elf Whether
his great longanimity may have given our Hedlors a fan-
cy y that they had vapour d God ( as they are us'd to do
men ) into a tamenef^y I JI?all not examine : hut his late
proceedings with us fufficiently teflifie that he means no
longer to decline our challenge. He now appears to avow
the enmity as openly as we have done ; and has already
given us competent effaysy how fearful a thini^ it is to
fall into the hands of the living God, Heh. lo. 31.
"lis true indeed that he h^u formerly own d his contro-
verfie with our Landy and ky a long feries cf great and
heavy calamities at te fled himfelfihe God to whom ven-
geance belongeth, Pfal. 94. 1. Tet as great Monarchs
ufe to quell leffer infurreBions by their Lieutenant Sy and
fubordinate OfficerSy hut when the rebellion grows high
and dejperatey then to encounter it in their ownperfons ;
fo is it here obfervahls that God then Chafiifedy and tri-
ed to reduce us by inferiour infrumentSy found us out
Licftors among ourfelveSy and made one mans fin thepu-
nijhment of another s : but now as if he had the fame jea-
loupe for his honour Tr/;/V/? Joab had at the fiege o/Rabba
for Davids, 2 Sam. tl.zS.as if he fear d to be rivaled
in the glory of our ruine, he takes us into his own handy
marks us outy as he did Pharaoh^fo he the Trophies cfhis
J 2 cwH
THE PREFACE.
own peculiar vengeance , appearing fi^f^^l^y againfi iis in
all the dreadful folemnities of an enraged enemy.
FORjirfty has he not as "hS.oks freaks, Deut.32.4i.
rphet hk glittering Sword f Nay ^h as he not moreover {in
the Scripture ffyle ) made it drunk rrith hlood ? by fweep-
tng away multitudes cf u^ in a raging PESTILENCE,
which^tarcht from one part of the Nation to another
in a kind of Triumphant progress, as if it had received-
the fame mandate God gave Abrahanij, Gen. 13. 17.
Arife walk through the land, in the length thereof
and in the breadth thereof, for unto thee will I give
it. Whether it may not thus fatally complete its courfe,
notvp'tthflanding the halt it feems to make, and paj? from
our Dan to our Beerlheba, if a quefiion that can with no
probability be refolv^d. in the negative ; for as it if not to
he doubted but there were in Judea as great pnners as
thofe on whom the Tower of Siloam felly Luke 13. that
thofe who have hitherto efcaped have an equal foare in
the provoking caufe of the "Judgement : So alfo that
jfr^^^ unfenfiblenefs many ofusjhew of what others groan
under, is a very ominous abode ; it being not only a dan-
ger ens fymptome, but a probable means of drawing that
calamity to our [elves. When God fees we will fuffer no-
thing by way ofconfent and fympathy with others y 'tis
hut equal we have our part in a more direB and imme-
diate injliBiony and feel what we would not coinpajjio-
nate. Thucydides mentions it as the ejfe5l of the great
Plague at Athens that it had extinguifht humanity ;
brought in a kind of ferity and barbaroufnefS among them,
rendring them openly villanotis to men, and blafphemotis
againfl God ;• di^^v ®cCof,« cti/Op&'V©!/ vo(ao< ovS^h^ d'TTH^i'iy there
was no refraint of law or religion y one part being deffe-
rate
THE PREFACE.
rate upon proJ^eB of their dangery the other pre fumptu^
Otis upon the contemplation of their Efcape ; and fur e if
we look impartially y ours will appear to have had foyns-
rphat of the fame operation, Ihofe compajficns which
the novelty itfeems at firfi gave p.s to fufferers in this
ktndy feems now quite extintl ; fo unconcern d are we
grown to every thing that touches m not in our individu^
als,as if we owned no relation to the fpecies of mankind,
though hackt alfo with that clofer tyey which the fbiritu--
d confanguinity has fuper added, A pregnant indicati-
on of this mayy I doubt noty he colleBed ( asfrorn many
other circumftancesy fo particularly) from the great ha(l
has m many places been madcy to lay afide thofe publick
Humiliations g^ inter cejfions which were recommended
to lis as well by the command of Authority y as the com-
mondiftre^; hut have been cajl of without the fubfira-
ehon of either of thofe motives. Wjether we are duly
mindful of the afflidtions of Jofeph, that cannot afford
one day in a moneth for a folemn reflexion on them, I
mufl leave to every ^ mans confcience to difcufi. But furs
we are no le(? wanting to ourfelves than them in this ne^-
lea ; the office being no lej? defigned for Antidote than
curcy to prevent the Judgement where it is not, than to
remove it where it is: and if we will neither deprecate
on our own behalf Sy nor intercede on others ; we are fure
as improvident, as uncharitable y and may iuffly expett
the fatal event of both,
IK the interim, although theprefent re (pit from de-
firuBion, and our own deceitful hearts flatter us and fay
Peace y Peace ; we have all reafon to conclude that God
ts not attonedy the quarrel and hoftility ^oes on, and his
hand is ftretcht out ftill, Ef.j. 25-. Andfo indeed we
^^ 3 find
THE PREFACE.
find it in other difmal events. Sldughter we know is not
the only effect of W^r ; which as it deflroys the lives of
manyy blafls thefupports and Joys of more, Ithis confe-
qitence cfhofiility wefind^ well e r pre Ji hy the Prophet Joel
2. 3 . The land is as the Garden of Eden before them,
and behind them a defolate wildernefs, and herein
alfo hath the Lord ofllofisy the great God of battle fiew-
ed himfelf mighty again jl us, he has invaded us not only
with Sword) but FIRE : and infoftupendous manner de-
folate d the glory of our Land, that no humane fury , could
have procured, or even have wijht the like v aflat ion and
rulncs. That City which was great among theJSTa-
tions> and Princcfs among the Provinces, Lam.i.i.
lies buried in her own A/hes, and is both Funeral-pile
and lime to her f elf y and what neither foreign nor dome-
jiick enemies could in afucceffion of many ages ejfe5ly one
hi afl of the breath of his dijpleafurey Pfal. 1 8. has per-
formed in a moment. So verifying even in a literal
fenfe the Jpoflles affinnationy Heb. 12. 2^. that our
God is a confuming fire. Plutarch tells us when Fa-
hlus fackt Tarentumj, he took not away their Images,
but f aid y tiTjKH'Tray.iv nrii ^i^i Tct^AVTiiot^ K?.yjK^fA''^i-, let US
leave the Tarentines their Gods that are offended
v/ith them. 'Tis our Calamity to be fignally under the
indignation of our incenfed God, which in that great
Captains judgement y wasfomewhat more dreadful than
the worft infliBions of War : for what indufiry foever has
been ufed to entitle either the negligence or deflgns of men
unto our overthrow y yet fure never any judgement had
more legible marks of Gods immediate hand : fuch as
fl:ew he meant to revenge the abufe of his former gentle
methods : that thofe who would not he reformed by the
Jlighter
THE PREFACE.
flight er correBions wherein he dallied vrith them^ might
find a judgment worthy of God, Wifd. 12. z6. And
fttrefuch was this, rchich both for itsgreatne^ and irre-
fiftihknefi does well own its Author, and /hews his wrath
wasaccendedtoaTery exceffiz^e heat, that thus poured
out its felf not only like y hut in Fire y Lam. 2. 4.
Ijhall not here ajfume the Polititians party and weigh
the detriment we hazefuftained hy it in our civil inter eft,
of which perhaps nothing hut time and experience can
giveMsafullc{iiw,ate\ it rather fuits my defign to oh-
ferve what reUtes to our f^iritual concerns y w hi left Gods
dwelling places were involved in the fame ruine with
ours J his own peculiar portion not exemptedy hut as the
Prophet cGT/iplainsy Ef.(54. 11. Our holy and beauti-
ful houfes where our fathers praifed him are burnt
with fire : this though perhaps leaft confideredy is fure
not the leaft fad circumftance, had only the fcenes of our
luxury, or our fraud been deftroyedy it might havefent
iis with more fervency to the places of our devotion, and
we might have frequented Gods houfes the better y for
being deftituted of our own ; but when thefe alfo are made
parts of the common heapy 'tis afadteftimonial that our
very religion was provoking ; That that pageant-like pi-
ety which we depofited in our CHURCHESy only to make
a fhewwithon holy -day Sy ferved only to defile thofe holy
placesy and rendred them fo polluted as required no
flight er purgation than that of FIRE, 'lis we know not
longy fince thofe manfionsf acred to the Prince of Peace,
were even in the vulgar obvious fenfey made magazines
for War-, hut yet more fo in reference to that Pulpit-
wild-fire, whichfet the Nation in combuftion; whether
thatftrange Fire which fome of our Nadabs and Abihu's
4 4 introduced
THE PREFACE.
introduced there, may not ( even at this diftance ) have
done its part to the drawing down this FIR£ from He a-
"veuyl leave to their ferious refleBion.Bttt neither theHy-
pocritc nor the Seditious muji ingrof^ the guilt of this
mine : Tha Atheift i^yes with both ; for alafiwhatjhould
God do with Temples among thofe, who pay him nowor-
/hip? or. why jhouid he let thofe facred monuments re-
main among them, to whom all memorials of him ferve
hut as occajions, and incentives to blaj^heme htm ? They
have long/aid with thofe injoh. Depart from us, for
we defire not the knowledge of thy ways ; and now
'tis hut equitable ( I had almoftfaid Civil ) to take them
at their wor."^, and no longer re fide among thofe who fo
avowedly difclaim him,
AKD this, 'tis much to be feared, may he the portent
^fthis difmal vacation : we know men ufe not to deface
thofe houfcs, where they intend to inhabit : andfure this
abhorring his Sandluary, and cafting off his Altar,
J-^am, 1, is a dreadful fign, that he means no longer to
continue his refidence among us ; indeed we find in Scrip-
ture that his promife of cohabiting is always limited to
thofe who own themfelves his people ; and therefore when
fo many of us have openly renounced that relation, we
xan with no juftice expetl the hie filing appendant to it,
BUT perhaps this will feem to fuch no formidable
thing ; Godsfo withdrawing of himfelf is but agreeable
to their wifl^es, a kind of quitting the field to them, and
fo rather matter of complacency than regret : but 'tis to
he confideredthat there is another prefence of God that
will iyjfallibly fucceed this ; when he removes that of his
grace, 'tis to make way for that of his anger", like the
VhxVi&incs we fl^all know the God of \{i2it\ is among us
b
THE PREFACE.
hy his Plagues f I Sam. 5. or to make a yet more dread-
ful compart f on y we fhall like the damned in helly difcern
his pre fence only in the punitive effe&s ofity and read his
^earne(sin ourfufferings. ^ArJd fure this will he but an
ill exchange y eventotheprofaneftofusy thofe that have
mofi dej^tfed or loathed the foft breathings of his Word
and Spirit ; will find it yet harder to endure the whirle-
winds of his wrath, which willfnatch from us thofefecu-
lar advantages for whofe purfuit we have negletled the
better part^ Luke 10. 42. and leave us as little of
worldly enjoyments, as we de fired to have ofj^irituaL
OF this our late Calamities have given us a fad Pre-
ludiuiTij, and God knows how foon we may fee the laji
fcene of the fatal Tragedy y it being too probable that this
is Gods lafl Experiment upon us y like the Caufiicks and
Scarify ings to a Lethargick patient ; // this bring us not
tofenfe wg are like to fleep on to defiru5lion : Jnd alas
what uncomfortable fyrntomes appear even in this point
alfo. Who is there that ( unlefs awakened by hisperfonal
concernments^ feems at all toftartleat the noife of pub^
licJeruine? When God in dijp lea fure threatned the Ifra-
elites that he would remit their conduH to his Angel,^;;^
not go himfelfwith them, ' The text faysy they mourn-
ed and no man put on his ornaments on him, Exod,
33* 4* ^^ ^^ ^^^ LXX, v.a.Ti'7iiv^\)<jiv\v ^^v^ivSi^^ and the
Syriacky %^a\c:^^ olx.*) V-^^^ CL^niL JJ, they
flript themfelves of their Armour, their ruffling
garb of War, and appeared in the penitential drefs
of fackcloth and aflies : but now that we dre given up
not to a conducing but defiroying ^Angely what pgns ofre-
morfe do wefloew ? What vanity ( I fear I may ask what
'uice ) have wefubjlra^ed, upon thefenfe of Gods anger ?
Wh^t
THE PREFACE.
Jihat nicety in d oaths or diet have jre cut offinfympathy
with the nakedne(ia7td hunger of our ajjlitied brethren i
Nay, do not the unreafonahle Jollities of too many among
us, lookasifwetriumphtin their mi/eriesy found<i!IMu-
Jick in the difcordant founds of their groans, and our ovph
laughter ; and emulated that infamous barbarity of^c-
xoy who play edvrhile Rome burned i 'Tis mentioned by
the Prophet as a moftprepoflerous thing, a kindofi^npi-
ous Solecifm to revel under the menace cf judgements.
Thus faith the Lord, A fvvord, a fvvord, it is fliarp-
ned to make a fore flaughter^ it is furbijQied that it
may glitter, fhouldwe then make mirth t Ezek. 21.5;,
1.0. and certainly it lefi befits us against whom God has
fiof only prepared, hutufed his fwordy who are not only
under the threats, hut aBual Execution of his vengeance,
and what is it hut interpret atively to prompt him, to
yet /harper infliBions, by [hewing hi^n that thefe have not
edge enough to penetrate us ? With how much indignati-
en God refents this perverfe, this contumelious behavi^
our, we may read, tfay 22. IZ:» 1 5, 14. In that day did
the Lord call to weeping, and mourning, and to
baldnefs, and to girding with fackcloth, and behold
joy and gladnefs, flaying Oxen and killing Sheep,
eating Flefh and drinking Wine; eating and drink-
ing for to morrow we (hall dye : Upon which follows,
that fevere denunciation : Surely this iniquity fliall
not be purged from you till you dye. Offo deep a
tinBure is this guilt, that 'tis as lafting as our lives, and
like the fretting leprofie in the houfe, Levit. 14. 45". can
he removed by nothing hut its dijjolution.
O then let us not adde this to the heap of our other pro-
vocations, mifiake impudence or defter at ion for courage ;
and
THE PREFACE.
andfrantickly defie that omnipotence which we arefure we
can not rejifi : hutfince it has pie a fed God even in wrath
to remember mercy, let us tranfcrihe his copy, he as kind
to ourfelves as he has been to usy and Hop in our career
4s he has done in his y rwtfo madly affect a full parallel
with Sodom and Gomorrah, as to force him to defiroy
that remnant, Ef. i.^. which alone difiinguifhes our
cafe: hut rather takepattern from Nmcweh; cry, and
cry mightily to God^joyn humiliation to our prayers yand
reformation to both, Jnd could we he perfwaded to do
this with the fame fncerity, and univerfality, we might
hope it may be with the fame fuccefS alfo : would every
one who has contributed to the accendingy as induHrioufly
contribute to the appeafing of Gods wrath : would all
who have brought their fire-brands bring alfo their tears
to quench them, as there would he no dry Eyes in the Na-
tion at theprefenty fo might it prevent as great a Gene-
rality of weeping ones for the future ; fecure us fuch a
tranquility here, as may calmly convoy us to that impaf-
pble Hate, where all tears fhall be wiped from our
eyes, where there fliall be no more death, norfor-
row, nor crying, nor pain, K^^. 21.4.
The
THE TABLE
OF CONTENTS.
Chap* l.f'T^ He char a ffer cf Christian Religion, de-
JL monHrating^ its aptitude to plant exem-
plary Vertue and SanBity,
Chap.2. The charaSler of Chrifiian-mens praBlce,
jhewin^ their multiplied failance, both from
the rule of that holy FrofeJJion, and its ge-
nuine effeB,
Chap.3. ^Afurveyofthe mif chief s arifmg from Incon-
pderation.
Chap. 4 . From partial Conjideration,
Chap.5'. From carnal Gonfideration.
Chap.5. From partial Obedience.
Chap. 7. From mistakes concerning Repentance.
Chap. 8. Fro7n mi^akes concerning Ahnighty Godjj
and the methods of his Providence*
Chap.^. From difyutcs in general.
Chap. 10. Fro7n its fupplanting Charity.
Chap. 1 1 . From its engaging upon ill Arts and Scanda-
lous praBices to fultain the ejpoufed caufe
andparty.
Chap.i2. From its ill effeBs on Civil peace.
Chap.13 . Of the caufes of dilutes. Firit, JPride^
Chap.14. Secondly^ Curiofity.
Chap. 15. thirdly, Inter eh.
Chap.13. Fourthly, PaJJton.
Chap. 1 7. Fifthly, Zeal.
Chap. 1 8. Sixthly, Idlenep.
Chap. 19. The Conclution drawn from all the Fremifes.
Chap.20. TheClofe. CHAP.
^JxijH:nf af rvttte^^ rmi c/^ivn mi^ie t'^t:/'
nt^n JQ^n n^ tni/ -^aur .
EZEKJEL
KZEKIBT,. c/icuj. 3:7. T. ^
dljap^i
CHAP. L
the CharaSler ofChrislian Keligioih demon^rating its
aptitude to plant exemplary Vertue and Sanility.
TH E holyPfalmiH gives it as part of the Cha-
radler of Pious perfons, and therewithal a
defcription of their felicity, Pfal. gz, 13.
That they (hall hring forth more fruit in their jige : and
what he thus obferves of the members disjundlively
and apart, reafon fuggefts to be in a higher, and more
eminent manner appliable to the whole body united :
And it being as well the mark as duty of every finglc
Chriftian to grow ingrace, 2 Pet, 3.18. we may by all
rules of Proportion, conclude that the colledlive
mafleoffuch, the whole Church is by this time near
attained to the meafure of the ftature of the fulnejs
of Chrifly Eph.^,2, And indeed this is fo regular an
inference, thatwnileft the premifes ftand firm 'tis
impoflibletofhakethc conclufion, the entire body
muft neceflarily augment anfwerably to the growth
of its feveral parts. And if we fhould fo far let loofe
to fpecuiation as to forget our experience : If we
meafure the eflFe(5T: only by the power and energy of
the caufe, we fhould furely be as far from doubting
the premifes alfo. Chriftianity is in its felf offer
prolifick a nature, fo apt to impregnate the hearts
and lives of its profely tes, that it is hard to imaging*
that
2. The Characier of Christian Religioti) &CC. CE|)ap* I.
that any branch fliould want a due fertility that is
engrafted into fo vigorous a ftock.
FOR firft, initsfpring and original it is moft-
fupernatural and divine> derived immediately from^
him, who had nothing more of man than he purpofe-
ly allumed to draw us the nearer to him as God. He
it was that difleminated this docilrine;, and that in
order to the purifyijig to himfelfa peculiar people zea-
lous of good works ; and certainly his choice abundant-
ly juftifies its propriety to that end, and his defcent
from Heaven on that errand puts fo venerable afo-
lemnity upon it, that though his defcent were very
aftonifhing, yet it will be much more fo, that it
fliould fail of the defigned eftedt.
AND indeed did our Faith give us no clue to
lead us to the author, yet its compofition w^ould
fpeak it to be of no humane extracftion, its precepts
are fo excellent and refined, fo agreeable to the more
fpiritualpartofour temper, andfo apt, astofore-
ftall, fo to cleanfe and fublimate the more grofs and
corrupt, as fhews fiefh and blood never revealed it.
Nay farther, fo efFedlually providing for all thofe
advantages to mankind, which the wifeft of mens
laws have in vain attempted, that methinks they all
ftand before it like the Magicians before (^Mofesy and
by their impotence tacitly confefs it to be the finger
of God. Twere too large a Theme to confront
them in the feveral inftances, let it fuffice to obferve
one which has a common influence on all; and that is
the immaculate cleamef? of heart, which Chrifts,and
only Chrifts law requires. This is .the only proper
bafis on which to fupenlrudl, firft innocencyy and
then
(J^ap^ 1 . 7he GharaBer ofChriHian Religion, &c. 5
then vertuey and without this the moft rigid ex-
acftors of outward purity^ do but tranfcribe the folly
of him, who Pumps very laborioufly in a Ship, yet
negledls to flop the Leak : or the worfe tyranny of
'Pharaoh in requiring Brick without Straw : fo far is
it from a feverity in our law-giver, thus to limit and
reftrain our thoughts, that it isanacfl of the great-
eft indulgence : by no means the laying on a new
burden, but the furnifliing us with an Engine to
bear with eafe that weignt which otherwife the
ftouteft Atlas muft fink under. And were but this
one precept fincerely conformed toj it would not
only facilitate but afcertain the obedience to all the
reft. If the firfi j^arks of ill were quencht within,
what poffibility is there they fliould ever break out
into a flame ? How /hall he kill that dares not be
angry? Be Adulterous in acft, that did not firft
tranfgrefs in his defire ? How fliall he be perjured
that fears an oath ? Or defraud that permits not
himfelf to covet ? In the like manner all pofitive aSls
of vertue? are but the natural efle(5ts of the interior
habit. Where the love of God is feated in the
Heart, 'twill operate in all the faculties, keep them
in a bufie endeavour of doing acceptable fervice :
when fear is planted there, it will break forth in out-
ward reverence and duty ; and fo proportionably
'twill be in every other inftance, Tis therefore an
advice well becoming the wifdom of Solomon, Prov.
4. to keep the heart with all diligence : but then it is
withal the work of him who is greater th:in Solomon,
to teach us how to do this : for unlefihe keep that Ci-
ty the watchman waketh but in vain* If he inftrucft
not
'4 T^he Charaaer ofChriHian Religion, &c. €(japa.
not to fecure thofe ifliies of life, they will betray
and ruine, appear indeed the favour of death unto
death. Now of this divine art of Ta^icks and de-
fence, Chriftianity is the only School, and there-
fore moft fitly qualified for the producing all thofe
fupernatural excellencies to which the timely pre-
poflefllon of the heart, is the rudiment and prin-
ciple.
AND as the preceptive part enjoyns the moft
exadf , and elevated vertue, fo is it moft advantage-
oufiy enforc't by the Promiffory, which both in re-
fpecflofthe kind and value of the rewards; andalfo
the manner of propofing them, is moft exquifitely
adapted to the fame end.
FOR firft, if we confider the nature of the
things promifed, we fliall find they are not grofs and
carnaly fuch as may court and gratifie the bcftial
part of us ; but fuch as are proportioned to the fu-
pream and leading principle, asfeaft a Soul, and
fuit with the capacities of an intelligence. All the
beatitudes the Gofpel tenders to its votaries, either
relate to the purity or peace of the mind in this life ;
or elfe to its completer felicity hereafter. And
though 'tis true, the body is not wholly unconfider-
ed, though the addition of all temporal neceflaries
be promifed, yet even thofe are for the Souls fake,
either to fecure it from the fin of folicitude and di-
ftruft, or to preferve it a ufeful inftrument for the
others fervice. And as for the future glory in which
the body is to partake, 'tis to be obferved, that flefli
and blood can not inherit it ; that load of earth
which now engages to corruption muft be putoff^
muft
(jjh^P^l. 'the ChdYa5ler ofChriflian Religion, &c. §
mull be calcin'd and fpiritunliz'd ; and tV i made
glorious, be clothed upon with Glory, -r^o that
in all the Gofpel difpenfation, there is noprdzi-
fan for the flejhy its lufts and fenfualities. And
then fure there cannot be a more unanfwerable ar-
gument againft our providing for it, than to fee
it left out of Gods care. Indeed had we propofals
of a (^Idhtimetan Paradife, were we to expect our
blifs only in the fatiating our appetites, it might
be reafonable here to whet them before hand, to
ftretch them to the utmoft widenefs, or in the
Prophets phrafe, to enlarge our defaes as Heily
and by frequent anteparts excite our gufi: for that
profufe perpetual meal. Or were we only to have
our portion in this life, to enjoy an uninterrupted
affluence of outward comforts, 'twere but good
husbandry to improve them to the height, and
the Wife mans advice would then ceafe to be Ei-
rony, Ecclef. il. 9. Re Joyce O young many and let
thy heart chear thee in the days ofthyycuthy and
walk in the ways of thy hearty and the fight of thine
Eyes, Had we only the profpedt of a Canaany
filch an eternal inheritance as a conquering
Sword could give, as the falvation of a Jofl:ua,
and the affluence of milk and hony could produce.
'Twould be no wonder, if we never voluntarily en-
dured the thirft and famine of the w^ldernefs, but
be always as they defiring meat for our lull, pro-
jeifling the gratifying thofe defires in whofe re-
pletion we placed our happlnefs. But when our
Religion makes us no fuch tender, when all its
hopes are of another make, invite to thole Diviner
B iovs
6 tljeChardBe'rofChriftianKeligionyScc, C()apa.
joys of *hich fenfuality has no capacity or taftc.
What pretence can we have to cheriih that here,
which we muft wholly be divefted of hereafter,
thofe immaterial felicities wx ex{>ec5t, do natu-
rally fuggeft to us, the neceffity of preparing our
appetites;, and hungers for them, without which
Heaven can be no Heaven to us : for fince the
pleafure of any thing refults from the agreement
between it and the defire, what fatisfadlion can
Spiritual enjoyments give unto a Carnal mind ?
Alafs;. what delight would it be to the Swine to
be wrapt in fine Linncn, and laid in Odours : his
fenfes are not gratified by any fuch delicacies, nor
would he feel any thing befides the torment of
being with-held from the mire. And as little
complacency would a brutifh Soul find in thofe
purer and refind pleafures, which can only up-
braid, not fatisfie him. So that could we by an
impoffible fuppofition phancy fuch a one aflumed
to thofe fruitionsj, his pleafure fure would be as
little as his preparation for it was. Thofe iy'^x
which have continually beheld vanity, would be
dazled, not delighted with the Eeatifick vifion ;
neither could that Tongue y which has accuftom-
ed its felf only to Oaths and Blafphemies, find
Harmony or Mufick in a Hallelujah, 'Tis the pe-
culiar priviledge of the pure in heart, that they
Jhall fee God ; and if any others could fo invade
this their enclofare, as to take Heaven by vio-
lence, itfurely wouldbeaveryjoylefs poUeffion
to thefe men, and only place them in a condition
to which they have the greateft averfation and
Antipathy.
Cn^J^P*!* TheChara^ierofChrifiianReligionyScc. y
Antipathy. So that holinefs hercj, is not only
necejflfary to the acquiring, but the enjoyment of
Blifs hereafter : and therefore unlefs men will
contrive to annihilate their joys, and affecfl the
monftrous riddle of being tormented in Heaven,
they cannot but from this Spirituality of the pro-
mifes, infer a neceflity of purifying themfelves>
and being capable at leaft of innocent Celeftial
joys : and fince that only can be done by vertuous
practice here on Earth, the Obligation thereto
muft needs be very prefling and indifpen-
fable. And as the nature o£ the promifes direcfls
to this, fo does the great tranfcendent value en-
courage and animate. Hope is the grand exciter
of induftry, and as the objccft of Hope is more or
lefs de fir alley fo is the endeavour more intenfe or
reinifi; and upon this ground wc muft conclude
the Chriftian has all reafon to be the m^oft indefa-
tigable, feeing his expecftations are thenobleft
and moft encouraging. That they are fo, we
cannot but acknowledge, if we admit of the de-
fcription which the Spirit gives*: that Spirit
which as he feals us to it, fo is him.felf the earn-
eft of that Inheritance. He in the Sacred Scrip-
tures has drawn us a Map of the Countrey which
we are to enter : and fure we rtiay fay of it as Ca-
leb and Jojhud did of Canaan, JSFumh. 14. 7. the
land is an exceeding good land. For firft, if we
confider the Negative advantages it has, we fhall
find there is an abfence of all the Ills, deftrudlive
or afJrightful unto humane Nature. Ihere fhall
be no more deathy nor fjrrow^ nor crylngy nor pain^
h z Re'Vel.
8 TheCharaBerofC/mfiidnReligiof7,8cc, djap*I«
Revel. 11. n^. Here alafs we are infefted by all
thefe. Sorrow and Pdifh prey and infult on all
the comforts of our lives ; leave us not a Gourd,
which is ^ot like that of Jonahy fmitten with
thefe Worms : and then comes deathy the grand
devourcr, and fpares not life it felf Nay, thofe
little refpites which we have from thefe, are fo
embittered by unpleafant expedlations and Pre-
fages, that we are fad before we aicaffli&ed: in
pain without a difeafe, and in death in the midft
oilife : and then a State exempted, not only
from the Calamities but the Fears of thefe, may
well deferve to be lookt upon with appetite.
BUT Heaven is defigned for our reward, as
well as refcue, and therefore is adumhrated by
^\t\\o{cpofitive excellencies \\\{iQ\i can endear or
recommend. It is a Crowny and that not of
thorns y fuch as our Saviours was, and fuch as the
more afifedled Diadems of the world oft prove un-
to the wearer, hut one cf Glory : nor is that Crowny
nor that Glory like omfMunary fplendors, which
fuddenly vanifli, and leave the pofleflbrs to the
greater obfcurity and contempt: but 'tisperma-
nenty fuch as fades not awayy i Pet. $. 4. or in
St. Pauls phrafe, an eternal weight of Glory. But
to give you its more comprehenfive Characfter,
'tis a being with the Lordy i Theff. 4. 17. Nay? 'tis
a poflefTmg even God himfelf He Jhall he their
Cody 1?^77. 21. 3.and what can he want whopof-
fefles him who is all things ? How can he fail of
of the moft ravifliing delight, that ftands before
him in whofe prefence is the fulnej? of Joyy and at
whofe
COaP*I. TheCharaHcrofChriftianReligioftyScc, 9
whofe right hand arcpleafuresy and thofe not fhort
or transient, hut for evermore r* So indefeifible is
our eftate in thofe Joysy that if we do not like
mad prodigals fell it in reverfion, we fliall when
we are once invefted, be beyond the poflibility of
ill husbandry, not have it in our power to undo
our felves. Now furely thefe are great and pre-
cious promifesy fuch as may well fuftain the
weight of that inference the Jpcfile builds upon
them; and engage us to clear^fe our felves from
all filthitJeJ^hoth of flejh and jfirity and to perfedl
holinefiinthefear of God, 2 Con 7. i. for theyad-
drefs to that Pr//;a>/e which is confeftly Predo-
minant in our Ndture ; (o that if the love o£Chrifi
cannot, yet the love of out felves may conftrain
us. How muft it then affront and baffle the en-
ticements of fin, when we compare its empty
yaniMn^pleafures with thofe folid and durable
joys ? What a forcftalling will it be of Satans
markets, that God bids fo much fairer for us:
offers us that to which his 7cti'',a.rr^if]ctaotUcr,,^ll
this will I give ( could he make fuch a whole- fale )
can bear no proportion, and how then fliall we
ever barter it away for thofe little petty commo-
dities he retails to us ; or make any other reply
to his profers, than a get thee behind me Satan f
For alas ! can we remember that we are candi-
dates for a Kingdom, and yet retain the abjecft
fpirits offlaves r* Do we ex:pe(ft to reign hereaf-
ter, and yet depofe our felves before hcind here ?
Suffer every the vileft luft to rule over us ? Is fo
glorious a prize annext to the yi^iory, and will
B 3 it
lO The CharaBer ofChriftian Religiony&cc Cfiap.I-
it not animate the fainteft heart, and feebleft
hands to the combate ? What Lions can we fear
in the way which this hope is not Sd7npfon enough
to encounter ? How light are our heavieft, how
momentary our moft lafting Afflicftions, if ba-
lanced with that eternal weight of Glorj ^ Are we
fpoil'd of our goods, here is a referve oftreafure
which no T/;/>/, neither the Ilye, nor the avowed,
the pilferer, nor the fequeftrator can invade.
Are we reduced to our Saviours deftitutiop^ not
to have where to lay our heady yet we haz^e a building
vfGody an houfe not made with hands eternal in the
Heavens. Are we reproacht for the name of
Chrifty that Ignominy ferves but to advance our
future G/(?r)/, every fuch L/i'^/ here, becomes P^-
negyrick there. Nay, are we perfecuted to death,
that fends us but to take poffeffion of the Crown
of Life. Upon fuch fure grounds does our Chri-
ftianity fet us. While we make good its condition
it puis out the fting of all that is moft deadly.
And in a more comprehenfive kni^ty poflelles us
of thepriviledgepromifed the Difciplesy that no-
thing fhould hy any means hurt them, Mar.i6. The
moft adverfe chances being but like the ploughing
and breakmg the ground, in order to a more plen*
tiful harvelt. And yet we are not fo wholly
turned oflTto that reverfion, as to have no fup-
plies for the prefent ; for befides the comfort of
lb great and certain an expecflation in another
lifey we have promifes alfo for this. Even of all
^ thofe internal and fpiritual fatisfadlions which
^ttend the praSlice offiety. The feaft of a good
Confcience
^t^ap^l- T^^ CharaBer ofChrifliun Relfgmi,'8cc, il I
Confcience is the true Cfmjiuns daily diet> and
fure whatever the rich men of the world think,
he only can be faid to fare delicioufly : nay, he
has yet more fupernatural food, ^danna rain'd
down immediately from Heaven : the Holy Spirit
fent on purpofe to refrefti and fupport him : thofe "
Joys which differ rather in degree than kind, from
thofe which are to be his final portion. And
that the Soul may not be too much incommoded
in her houfe of clay, there is provifion made for
thatalfo, fuch neceflaries fecured to the body,
as may keep it in Tenantable repair : we have
Chrips exprefs promife for it, that to thofe that
feek the Kingdom of Gody and his right eoufuef^y dll
thefe things jhdll be added: if not that fuperfluity .
which may opprefs and load, ( render the body ra-
ther the Tomb than Manlion of the Soul ) yet fuch
as may fuftain and fupport us : and fure 'tis eafie
to decide which is the happier lot. In fliort, we
are fure of enough to defray the charge of that
voyage, which lands us at Eternal Blifi: and
certainly he muft be of a very fluggifh or queru-
lous humour, that fhall demur upon fetting out,
or demand higher encouragements.
A N D as the nature and value of the Promifes'
gender them moH proper engagements and incen-
tivcsi to a\l vertue 'y foifwe confider the manner
of propofing, we fhall find them in that refpedt
alfo highly contributive to the fame end. For
firft, they are clear and exprefs, not wrapt up in
dark^/;/^^m^r/r^/infinuations, wherein men muft
exercife their ftgacity afwell as their faith : but
B 4 fcvealed
12 the CharaBer ofChrifltan Reli^ion,&ic,(}l\)^)fi^i,
revealed with that plainnefs, that 'tis impoflible
for any who knows but the letter of the Gojpel to
be ignorant of the Eternal rewards it propofes.
And herein the difference belongs to Chrijtianity
above all other Religions y fome whereof have left
men fo much in the darkj, that many Secis among
them have denied the immxOrtality of the Soul, and
fure they were but faint encouragements they
could propofe unto that vertue which was to pe-
riHi with them. What fliould animate them to
the rugged fevere tallies of reftraining appetites,
fubduing paflionSj, eradicating habits who dif-
cerned no rewards for blamelefs Souls, 'Tistrue
indeed vertue is in her felf perfecflly amiable,
though fhe brought no dowry, but experience
fhews us flic has not many Platonick lovers: and
when fo few are ambitious to wed Her, v hen flie
brings an Eternal inheritance with hpr, v/e may
eafily guefs how little flie will be trmght without
it. When men once conclude that their Spirits
ftiall vanifli into the foft Air ; the inference is ve-
ry obvious. Come orty let us ufe the creatures ds in
youth ; as we find it elegantly purfued, Wifd. 2.
But of thofe who acknowledged a future being,
their preceptions w^ere very mifty and obfcure.
The Heathens had fuch confus'd notions of their
Elyfium, that the Epithet of (hades belonged more
properly to the darknefs than the refrefliment, and
was a reward fit for the votaries of thofe ambigu-
ous Oracles they confulted. And proportionably
to the obfcurity of their hopes were the Exercifes
of their vertue ; their JPiety was even overwhelmed
nnd
CID^P* I.T/;^ CharaBer ofChriflian Reltgiony&zQ. 1 5
and confounded by the multitude of their Deities ;
nay, which is yet ftranger;, their Gods themfelves
feem to have been loft in their own croud : elfc
fure the Athenians would never have infcrib'd an
Altar to the unknown God : and indeed their offi-
ces were generally fuch, as if they had been devo-
ted to no otherj, they having as little difcerning of
their WorJJ:ip as of their God. 'Twas wrapt up ia
clouds and darknefs ; had myfterious recelies to
which the common vvorfhipper had no admit-
tance ; fuch as were to acquire a veneration only
by not being underilood : and though this muft
needs deprive their fervices of that fpirit and
quicknefsj, which conftitutes the uertue of devo-
tion, yet alas their Religion had more than that
negative contrariety to Vertue, Many of their
vporjhips being nothing but a folemnity of the
fouleft vices : and their Divinity taught them to
violate Mor^/zV^. A deceit Sat an could not pro-
bably fo long have triumpht in, had they had the
Gofpel notion of Heaven, for fure tliey could not
have fuppos'd their Ge?^y of fuch mutable inclina-
tions, as to affciipmity in their cohabitants, and
pollution in their Votaries : or fuch incongruous
difpenfers of rewards, as to apportion an impec-
cable ftate hereafter to the moft flagitious crimi-
nals on Earth.
A S to the Jews 'tis true, they derived their
light from a clearer Fountain, were under the
Oeconomy of immediate Revelation, and therefore
might be fuppos'd to have had a freer profpedl in^
to that Heaven, from whence their jL^tt defcend-
ed.
14 Ihe Characier ofChriliian Reli^iony &c.^|iap^l.
cd, yet even they were in this, as in many other
particulars^, under Mofes his veil, had rather dark
adiimbratiom^y and thofe too overwhelmed with
the multitude of exprefs temporal promifes.
The earthly Canaan lay fo fair and open to their
profpecfk, as eafily intercepted their view of the
Heavenly ; and their faith muft remove, at leaft
overlook, th2,t mountain before it could come to
any fight of the Horizon and extended Sky, Nay,
when 'tis remembred that the Sadduces a great
and learned part of their Dodtors denied all fu-
ture being, we muft think the intimations of it
were very obfcure ; it being fcarce imaginable,
that any confidering men fliould think the S'o/^/i-
cxpir'd with the Body upon any other ground, but
that they knew not what after State to affign it.
So that though they wanted not figures a,nd Jha-
dowf, or as the Apoftle calls them, patterns of
Heavenly things, Heh.^,2^. yet they feem'd not
to have been well underftood, and the generality
of men were not only in their Perfons, but their
Underftandings denied entrance into the holy of
holies ; penetrated not that myftical reprefenta-
tion^ which was within the Veil : and anfwerable
to this dimnefs of their perceptions, was the
Viholc Jyfteme and body of their Religion, which
rather entertain'd its felf in thofe external hodily
performances, which affecSled the fenfe, than in
thofe Divine and Spiritual raptures, which puri-
fied and elevated the Soul Tis the Jpofiles affir-
mation, Heh. p. that the facrifices there offered
could not make him that did the fervice perfeSi, as
pertaining
(Jj^^P^i. Ihe ChdraBer of Christ an Religion^ &c. 15'
pertaining to the confciencey and he gives the rea-
fon in fubjoyning, that they ftood only in meats
and drinksy and carnal ordinances, Alas what
propriety had all their legal purifications towards
the ckanfing of the mind ? That might be in the
Mire while the body was in the Laver : and while
the furface of the man was fprinkled with blood,
the heart might be more beaftial than thofe crea-
tures who lent the ablution. And indeed if we
confider rheir morality, w^e /hall find that outfide
formal ceremony had proceeded to infedl and
poyfon that alfo. The outward reftraint, the
bare forbearance of an a(5lual commiffion;, being
by them thought a fiill compliance with all the
Negative precepts : fo that we fee Chrift is fain
to aflert the Internal part of the Obligation, and
extend the duty to the thoughts and inclinations.
Befides, thofe adls oivertue they performed were
commonly fuch as had an Afpecft, rather on their
temporal well-being, thandiftant and unfeen re-
wards their Juftice, and Charity confin'd to their
own Nation, direiled to the flouriihing of their
own Common-wealth : whereas Aliens were devo-
ted to their rapine and defpight ; fo that if they
were vertues, they were rather Political than Mo-
raly and indeed while they placed fo much of
their hopes, on Earth, lookt on fecular plenty and
tranquillity as their reward, 'twas but confonant
they ftiould fquare their endeavours bythatmea-
fure, and confider things not fimply in their na-
tive properties of good or ill, but according to
their tendency towards that they efteem'd their
felicity. BUT
l6 The CharaHer ofClrriftian ReligiorJyScc,<S,t^\^,i,
BUT God has provided, as the ^poflle faysj,
Heh, IT. 40. better things for nsy has not only
made a better Covenant with usj, but has eftMijht
it upon better pYomifes, Cap. 8. 6. given us clearer
revelations, not only ofour^^///)', but our recom-
pencey the veil in Chrift is done away, and we all
with open face. Behold as in a glafi the glory of the
Lordy 2G?r. 3.18. The Gofpel puts the evi-
dences of pur inheritance into our own hands,
feafdby his explicite and diredl promife, who
cannot lye : and that not only engaged by way of
munificencey but bargain and contradt, as the
purchafe of that price, which our Redeemer fully
paid in our behalf And fure this is in the
Jpofiles phrafe firong confolation ; and if fo, it
muft be forcible encitement likewife, he cannot
but run alacrioufly, who has the prize in his Eye,
nor can S. Paul ufe a more prefling argument to
his Corinthians, To be ftedfaft, unmovable, always
abounding in the work of the Lord, than this aflii-
rance. That their labour fiall not he in vain in the
Lord, I Cor. 15*. 5*8.
A N D as this clear propofal of the promifes
is moft proper to encourage and infpirit our en-
deavours, foisthe conditionality moft efficaci-
ous to neceffitate and engage them. Had Hea-
-27^^ been only promised as a largefs, and with a
blind promifcuous bounty difpenc'd without dif-
crimination, how much it might have rais'd our
gratitude, I know not, but fure it would not
have excited our induftry, which in all inftances
we find is whetted by intereft : and where that is
otherwife
^|jap, I . Tiffe CharaSier of Chrijlian Religion, See. 1 7
otherwife fecur'd, men generally eftimate it a part
of the benefit that their labour is fuperleded ;
andpleafe themfelves no lefs in a lazybequeft,
than a full enjoyment. So that indeed it is this
circumftance of the promifes that muft give life
to all the reftj, and make them operative toward
the producing o£good life ; for admit the joys we
expedl never fo Divine and Spiritual for their
kind ; never fo great and tranfcendent for degree,
and thefe alfo reprefentcd to us in the molt clear
and convincing manner, yet if they be tendered
not as objefls of our choice, but the certainty of
our fate, felicities%hxc\\ we are only concerned to
enjoy, but not to acquire, they may make us glad,
but furely not diligent ; it being but a cold in-
jducement to any undertaking to be aflur'd 'tis per-
fecflly needlefs : we have therefore all leafonto
confefs it our grcateft advantage towards vertucy
that God has fo linkt our hopes and our duty toge-
ther : and indeed when we confider the great aif
proportion between the one and the other; the
infinity of the rewardy with the defpicablenefs of
thcfervicey we muft refolve that he had no other
defign in making his promifes conditional, than
to engage us by our intereft to that holinej?, to
which he faw our inclinations did not bind us :
that it was an artifice of his love to enfnare us in-
to two felicities by propofing of one, enforce us
to take one good in the way to another, vertue in
paflageto^/o/)'.
AND indeed who would not think this me*
thod fo invincibly efficacious, as might fuperfede
the
1 8 the Character ofChriftian Relij^ionydcc, CTl^OTfT-
the neceflity of any other, but God who under-
ftands our thoughts, long before, Ffal, 135. i.
forefaw, that notwithftanding this propofal of a
CanadTJy there would be Rubefiitey and Gitditeh
who would fet up their reft on this fide of Jordan;
fo intent on the commodity of their Cattle, as to
be content themfelves to be part of the Herd, and
hecome like the Beaffs that per iJhiThat there would
be men of fo ignoble, difingenuous tempers, as
none of thefe cords of a man would be able to
draw ; and therefore there is another part of the
Gojfel-Oeconoyny fitted to thdr capacities ; the
threats and interminations, tnofe terrors of the
Lordy which as Goads may drive thofe brutifh
Creatures who will not be attracted: that thofe
"who think themfelves perfedlly unconcern'd in
Davids queftion, who fhall afcend unto the hill of
the Lordy Pfal.z^,-^, may yet ftartle at Efays,
who among us can dwell with everlajiing burnings ?
Of fo formidable a kind are thofe menaces, as is
fufficient to awake the moft drowfie ftupid Soul,
and are moft apt to operate upon that part of
their temper, which evacuated the gentler me-
thod : that very fenfuality which made them de-
f^ipikHeaveny may help to enhanfe the dread of
Hell ; the lack of a drop of water will be moft in-
fupportable to him who fared delicioufly every
day; thok flames will be yet more fcorchingto
thofe bodies, who by ftudious eflfcminacies and
foftnefs have fuperadded an artificial tendernefs
to the natural ; nor will the gnawing of the worm
appear more intolerable to any, than thofe who
here
^^ap.i- ^f^^ Charddier ofChrifiian Reli^ion,&cc, ig
here make it their bufinefs to tye up its Jaws,
gag or ftupifie that Confcience which would now
admonilh, but will there torment. And when
to this is added the perpetuity of tht^cpaiitSy that
thevPoYmjhall fiezer diey the fire never he quencht,
certainly this puts fuch an edge upon the terror,
as may well make it in the ^Apojlles phrafe^ quick
and powerful^ fearchingeven to the dividing d fun-
derofthe Soul and Spirit^ the joynts dndrndrrovr.
When we are aflur'd that the jixe is thus laid unto
the root of the tree, and that every tree that brings
not forth good fruit mujl he hewn down and caft into
the fire y we fhall fure be warn'd to bring forth meet
fruits of repentance, and fly from the wrath to come.
BUT becaufe neither invitations nor threats
can avail with thofe who are anyway invincibly
impeded to apply them to their benefit : fince
t\\Q,moik glorious prize, themoft formidable dan-
ger, is infignificant to him, who wants power to
run unto the one, or from the other ; it has plea-
fed God to infpirit and adluate all his Evangelical
methods, by a concurrence of fupernatural
ftrength, makes it not only eligible but poflible,
I may fay eafie and pleafant for us to do whatever
he commands us : and notwithftanding our natu-
ral debility, makes us through Chrifi which
ftrengthens us, able to do all things : by his Spirit
he prevents, aflifts, reftrains, excites, comforts,
convinces ; gives grace and adds to that the hap-
pier largefs of a will to ufe it, and knowledge to
difcern the want of more : infufing to the Soul an
ardent thirft of greater powers, and readier means
of
20 The CharaHer of Christian Religion, &c.C()ap*l.
of fervice, which the performance actuates to
greater ftrengths, and yet enflames to new de-
fires, and more importunate purfuits, whileft
God at once beftows and crowns his own donati-
ons ; ftill giving unto him that has, till that at
laft he gives himfelf; and gr^tce is fw allowed up in
glory. And to allure us of this aid, he has been
pleafed to oblige hirafelf : defccnds to the folem-
riity oi^Fd5i and Covenant -^ has indented with
us, and conllituted it a principle part of the new
and everlaftino* Covenant made with mankind in the
Hood of the Son of God, to fend the comforter , his
Holy Spirit y to he nith us till the end of the world,
and do all this. So that the Gofpel is at once the
afTigner of our tasks, and the Magazeen of our
ftrength; fomuch Spirit goes along with that
Letter ; fo much internal grace is annexed to its
outward adminiftration, as will to all, who do
not refill: it, infallibly render it the power of G»d
tofahation. For 'tis not the fole priviledge of a
S. Paul, but the common portion of all Chrifiians,
That Gods grace (hall he fufficient for them ; which
is fure a more Gofpel-like promife, than that it
fhould be too ftfong for them : fo violent and ir-
refiftible as to commit a rape upon their Spirits ;
fuch a mighty wind as drives them headlong upon
'dut)\ Indeed this competency is of all other pro-
portions the mofi: incentive to induftry ; we fee
in Temporals, too little makes men defperate, and
too much carelefs ; and certainly 'twould be the
fame in Spirituals : but now when we have flock
enough to fet up with:, and that too of fo impro-
vable
<I0ap*2..'I'^^ CharaBer ofChriftian PraBicey &c. 21
vable a nature, that is capable of infinite ad-
vancement, and yet on the other fide no lefs ca-*
pable of total decay alfo> it beirg given with
this exprefs condition, that upon neglecSl it fliall
be withdrawn : fo that our own floth may m.ake ns
poor, but nothing elfe can keep us from being
abundantly rich : what can be imagin d more ani-
mating to diligence and endeavour. ''And this being
the condition wherein our Chrijiianity has placed
ns, added to the former confidcrations, will be-
yond exception or /^^^^yf//^6^, evince its perfecft
aptitude and fitnefslot the End to which it was
aim'd, theFlantingattd nourijJnng all true Vertue
among meriy the introducing the tree of life into
the world again, and fo forming us a Faradife
even amidft the briers and thorns of our Exifd
ftate. '
CHAP. 11.
the CharaBer of ChrijUan-mens PraBicey (hewing
their multiplied failance both from the rule of
that holy prof ejjiony and its genuine ejj^B.
AN D now who can fufpecft that a caufe fo
rightly difpos'd, fliould mifs of its effeB ?
That this fo auf^icious Planet fliouId be
Gounter-ihfluenc't by any malevolent Star^ Or;
that what has fo many tenures in us, fliould be
finally difleis'd ? For, admit we have not the Piety
G to
22 the CharaSler ofChrifiian PraBiceyScc. CtlOpa.
to be prevail'd upon by the reverence of the Ju^
thor ; yet the excellency of its compofition does fo
much recommend it to our reafon, that we muft
put ofiPthe beft part of our Nature to evacuate
the force of our Religion: nay^, fuppoling us to
have done that too, to have ftruck our felves
out of the lift o( Rationals, yet if v^e keep
but the rank oiAnimah, if we have not extin-
guiftit paflion and fenfe> it defcends even to
them ; addrefles to our hopes and fears with moft
importunate folicitations, and convincing mo-
tives : So that unlefs w^e have the abfurd ill luck
to have much of the Stoick, and nothing of the
JPhilofopher, 'twill be impofTible to refitt its im-
preflions, and fure he that comtemplates thpf,
will be apt with fome confidence to conclude
Chrifiendom to be the Go/hen of the world, not on-
ly in refpedl of its light, but of its immunity from
all thofe Locufis and CaterpiUerh thofe fwarms of
mean and fordid Vices which both cover and de-
vour the reft of the Earth.
BUT this muft be the inference of a meer
contemplative^ a Reclufe that converfes only with
his own meditations : for let him be fo muchy^cw-
lar^ as on^ to look abroad> the moft tranfient
glance will ferve to unravel all this hopeful j(^^c«-
lation,dc{hc\v him thatChrifiendom may be as much
Heathen as America : whereas 'tis ufually faid,
that ill Manners produce good Laws, we have re-
verft the ^Aphorifm, and our good Law has intro-
duced the moft corrupt manners. Our holy faith
which like a foundation ihould fupport good
works.
Ct>ap*^« ^^^ CharaBer ofChriftian FraBke,6cc, 22
works, has like a gulf /tt^/Zott^^ them up. And
fo univerfal a depravation is there among us,, that
we have fcarce any thing left to diftinguifh us
from the moft barbarous people, bat a better
name and worfe vices.
AND here, what terms of wonder or of grief
can be fignificant enough to exprefs or to bewail;>
fo ftrange and fo perverfe degeneration, that the
light of the world fhould thus darken it : the fait
of the Earth be the means of putrifylng and cor-
rupting it : that thofe who were by God drawn
out from the Heathen world fliould fo outvie the
Gentiles crimes, as if they had forfaken them,
only becaufe they were too innocent. T'hif indeed
is one of Satans fubtillefl: ftratagems, to fill
Chrift's Camp thus with his Souldiers, by whofe
inteftine treacheries, he has been more trium^
phant than by all his open aflaults and avowed
hoftilities. What a late States-man faid ( Pro-
phetically y if we may judge by the event ) o£ Eng-
land, that it rrof a vivacious animal that could ne^
ver dye except it killed it felfy is no lefs true of the
Churchy which has always been invulnerable
againft all dartSy but what have been taken out
or its own quiver. Of this the Primitive times
Were pregnant teflimonies, where all the moft
witty cruelties, the moft bloody perfecutions,
never made any breach in her : but ftie ftood fir-
mer for all thofe batteries, and like an Arch'd
Building, became more ftrong and compacft, by
that weight which was defign'd to crufli her : but
the Vice of Profejfors undermines her very founda-
C 2 tion,
24 ^^^ Character ofChriftian Fr.iffice^Scc,(!l[){\\},l,
tion^ and does as much exceed the deJirifBive-
f/^/j of the molt hoftile affaultSj, asinteftine trea-
chery is more ruinous and fatal, than foreign vio-
lence.
A S long as the lizes of Chriftians were the
tranfcripts of their dodlrine they rendered it vene-
rable to all^ and gave a prefumption there was
fomething more than humane in it, that could
work fuch fignal effe5isy that could fo transform
men as to make the adulterer chafte, the drunkard
temperate, the covetous liberal, the contentious
peaceable, nisy this was the way to adorn the
doBrine of God our Saviour in all things, 2lS the Apo-
ftle fpeaks, T/V. 2. 10. And then the rule of contra-
ries airedls us to conclude very diftant ejfeBs
from our nowfo diO:o.nt praBices, that our very
religion {hould partake of the /V/^^y of our lives,
and be thought rather a my fiery of iniquity than
godlinefs.
THUS is C6r//? wounded in the houfe of his
friends^ and has more reproach caft on him by
thofe that profefs his name, than by the loudeft
blafphemies of thofe that oppofe it. For when
thofe who have not opportunity to examine our
faithy fee the enormoufnefs of our works, what
fhould hinder them from meafuringthe Mafter,
Si
^^...x.^. ^^ ^.j. .w..^^ ^ j^. « . For
let any foher Heathen look upon Chrifiendom, as
it is at this day weltring in the bloud,not o£ Mar-
tyrdom hut War, and will it bepoflible for him
to
by the difciples ? it being fcarce imagM^c that
any one SeB of men iliould fo univerMfc run
Ct?at)*2.T/?(? Chara5ieY ofChriftian Pra5iice,Scc, 1^
to think it owns a Gofpel o? Peace ; or that thofe
who fo perpetually do thofe outrages they are
unwilling to fuflfer^ profefs obedience to the
the Royal Law of love thy neighbour as thy felf,
•Jam. 2. 8. Can he fee the violence and oppreifi-
ons, the frauds and underminingSj, the bufie
fcramhlings for little parcels of Earth ; and yet
believe we count our felves Grangers and pilgrims
in it^ and have laid up our treafure in Heaven ?
Can he ohferve the ftrange and almoft univerfal
diffcortion of fpeech, whereby it has loft its na-
tive property of being interpreter of the mind,
and under intelligible words fo far exhibits the
J5^^^/ confuiion, that no man underftands ano-
thers meaning ? And can he imagine we have any
fuch Precept, as lye not one to another, or any
fuch penalty upon the infringer, as escclufonfrom
the new Jerujalem ? Shall he hear our God men-
tioned more frequently and earneftly in our im-
precatiom than out prayers, and every part of our
crucified Saviour, recruciSed in our horrid oaths ;
and /hall he not think that his fecond executio*
ners bear him as little reverence as his firft :
or that he has given no fuch command SLsfwear not
at all i When he difcerns/J/f prefervation bow'd
to as the Supreme Law, can he ever dream of ano-
ther fo inconfiftent obligation as that of taking up
the crofs^ Or that fuffering for right eoufnefs faka
is one of our greateft /^//V/V/Vx when he fees us
run fo affrighted from it, that no crime, perjury,
rebellion, murder, is block enough in our way to
ftop Qur flight ? In fine, when he confiders how
Q 3 much
z6The CharaBer ofChrifiianFra^ice,8cc. C|>ap»2-
much of our bufir.efs it is, firft to excite, and
then to cloy the fiefh, to fpurr it on to riots even
beyond its own propenfions, that the whole year
is but one mad carnival, and we are 'voluptuous not
fo much upon defire or appetite, as by way ofex-
plait and bravery : when 1 fay he confiders this,
can he poffibly guefs our infiitution direcfts us to
beat down the body, to mortifietbe flejh with the
affeBions 'and lups, interdi(fl:s us all rioting and
drunkennefsy chambering and wantonnefsy and all
provifion for the flefh to fulfil the lujis thereof Cer-
tainly all rules of difcourfe will dire(5l him to
the quite contrary conclufion. And when he fees
a Set of men that have enhans'd the common hu-
mane pravity, he will be apt to infer their Prin-
ciples have taught them the improvement : And
upon that fuppofal he wanted not temptation to
his Option that faid. Let my foul he mth the Philo-
fophers,
AND while we thus mifreprefent our holy pro-
feffion to others, it will be no wonder if we finally
Ao it to our fehesy that we forget its native fhape,
and look on her only in the ugly drefs our felves
have put on, and that efifedl feems already too
vifible among us : our lives have fo long confuted
it that we triumph over it as a baffled thing ; and
like Amnon loath it becaufe we have raviflit and
defifd it Many of us take notice of the bet-
ter Morals of Turks and Infidels not in reproach
of our felves but our Religion, and becaufe
we have fo many Lepers, think Ahanah and
iharphary better than all the waters of Ifraely
this
Cf)ap*^» T^^ CharaBer ofChriftian Fradiicey&cc, 27
this is openly in the mouths of many^but is fo pro-
digioufly irrational as well as unjufi^ that one can
fcarce think it poflible to be in their hearts, un-
lefs they be purfued by the fate of habitual
lyars, that at laft come to perfwade them-
felves.
CERTAINLY there is no other parallel
inftance wherein men conclude fo perverfely : he
that fhews a man that precipice upon whofe
brink he ftands^ that intreats^ yea importunes
him to retire from the danger ; nay bribes him
with the greatefl: rewards to chufe fafety, has
done all that can be expedted from a friend, or
charitable man : and if after all,the wretched per-
fon fo advisMj, fliall caft himfelf headlong upon
ruine ; afluredly no Inqueft would return his mur-
der in any other form than that of Felo de fe.
And why then fliould our Chriftianity be accus'd
of thofe ills which it would infallibly averf>
if our obftinacy would permit it : indeed the
charge is fo wilde, that it feems rather defign'd as
an artifice of diverfion, a fprout of that firft
fig-tree which was to hide the nakednefs of lapfed
jidam. Men think it policy to transfer their
guilts, and are willing, the violence of their lufts
fliould pafs for the impotence of their religion.
Like irregular patients blaming their Phyfician
for thofe ill accidents which they know owing
only to their own unrulinefs. A pregnant tefti-
monyofthe reproachful nature of fin, that men
are content to betake themfelves to the moft
forlorn fliifts to avoid the owning it; but the
C ^ * ion-
xS the Characler ofChriftian PrJi9/V^,&c.Ct)ap*2.
confcioufnefs is fo prefling and intolerable, that
with many it drives on to yet higher outrages :
'tis not encugh for men to decry their Chrtftia-
nity as a feeble infignificant thing, but they load
it even with con trad idlory imputations^ and that
which fometimes they call the foolifhnefs of preach-
ingy to bring it in fcorn and contempt, , fliall at
another be ftiled an Art and trick to bring it into
fufpicion and hatred, be arraigned for impofture
^nd deceit, a projecfl of impofing upon credulous
fouls, and gaining real advantages to the mana:
gers while they feed the {\\\y Frofelyte with ima-
ginary ones, How groundlefs a calumny this is,
as it appears from the fandlity, and eminent fim-
plicity of Chriftian Religion, which above all
things excludes fraud and falfhood ; fo alfo from
the de/ignments and aims of its iirft promul-
gators, who as they can not be fuppos'd dextrous
enough to Jay fuch a fcene of taking Pageantry ;
fo all theit vifiible acquefts were fcourgings and
imprifonments^ perfecutions and death. If this
were the cafe it would indeed go near to reconcile
the before mention'd contradicftory imputations,
whilft the impofing upon credulous fouls at this
dear rate, would be in very deed the foolijhnefs
rf Preaching f the greateft madnefs in the world.
Men of common reafon would be afliam'd to ufe
fuch frivolous cavils : but who can without hor-
ror hear them from profeft Chriftians? that
while Infidels are modeft in their reproaches, look
upon our Dodlrine only as erroneous, Difciples
/hould be bitter and charge it as infiduous and
trea-
iciMV*^^^'/^^ CharaBer ofChrifttan Fra^iice,&cc^ 29
treacherous. Thus does the Church experiment
the truth of her blefled Lords Fredi^ionsy and
finds her foes are thofe of her own houfe : and
though flie be Chrifts Dove, yet is fubjeifted to
the fate of the Viper, and has her bowels torn out
by thofe that fpring from them.
THESE are the growing confequences of
refolute impiety y he who will not be kept with-
in the bounds of duty, feldom contents him-
felf with that bare violation : he not only breaks
the bor.ds in funder, but cajis them away too ; is
impatient they fhould keep a reputation to up-
braid him;, when he has rob'd them of the power
of reftraining him : and this fure is the bottom of
all that deep reafoning, by which men have learnt
to argue themfelves and others out of their Creed :
And though this be indeed the great ^Arcanum the
Philofophers Stone they aim at ; yet they have met
with another good experiment by the way : and
have, by I know not what ChimifiryyCxtraiicd a re-
putation put of thefe moft unapt materials. He
pafles for a confidering man that difputes princi-
ples, and is thought moft to own his reafon that
leaft owns his faith : and then 'twill be no won-
der if this fuccefs animate, and give them not on-
ly confidence, but vanity to avow what is thus cre-
ditable.
Indeed Satan is too fubtle a manager to lofe
this advantage, and the event fadly fliews, he has
not negledled to improve it, as appears not only
by the number of fuch pretenders unto reafon,
but even by their advancing to higher degrees.
The
30 Ihe ChardBer ofChrifiian PraBice, &c.^^ap*2.
The Toluptuary who likes his portion in this
world, anii fears that in another, is at firft on-
ly prompted by his intereft to quarrel the lafi
^/4rticleso(t\\c Creeds andfo in his own defence
denies the life everlajiing: but when he finds
his necefTity made a vertue, and himfelf ftruck
into the repute cf a wit ; upon that account he
doubts not, his fame will encreafe with his ir-
religion, and fo proceeds ftill to unravel far-
ther, till at laft he leaves not fo much as / be-
lieve in Gody that many have advanc'd fo far is
too evident : and by fome fo own'd that they
will not thank his charity, that fhall hope better
of them.
'T W A S once the triumph of infant Chriftia-
nity, that it filenc'd all the Heathen Oracles, and
within a while demolini'd even the Synagogue
too : but alafs its mature age gives us that ef-
fecfl in a moft inverted fenfe, it now has ferv'4
to fupprefs even the common notions of a Deity,
turn'd out the one as well as the many Gods, and
inftead of Polytheifis and Idolaters has made J-
theifisy and that which Chrift tells us was de-
fignd toperfeB and fill up the Law, has by the
ftrange pravity of its profeflbrs at once oblite-
rated both haw and Law-giver out of mens
minds,thereby exemplifying the old Axiom, Cor^
ruptio optimi e(i pefjlma ; and the Saint as well as
the jfngely if he defert his innocence, com-
mences Feind and Devil, Thefe are fuch fad,
fuch direful tranfmutations as excite not fo
much wonder, as grief and lamentation ; and
what
^|)^P^2. Tihe Chara5ler ofChrifiian PraBice, &C.3 1
what rivers, what Oceans of Tears are competent
to bewail fuch unutterable evils.
THE removal of the Candleftick is fo for-
midable a judgement that the threatning of it,
is us'd by Chrift as the moft awaking menace to
the Seven Churches Revel, 2.3. but the remo-
ving it by our ov^n hands is yet an enhanfment
ofthathigheft calamity; when men are come to
fuch an infenfate objuration, that they court
their Plaguesy become their own Li&ors and
make that their choice which is their extremeft
punijhmenty they are certainly too fecure of that
ruine they call for; And may we not fear it
may prove^^w^K^/, and involve us all: that while
fo many cry out to be deliver'd from their Chri-
ftianity as their load and preflure, and fo few ex-
prefs their diflent to that demand : God may in
judgment grant it, hearken to thofe that cry
loudeft, refcue his Gofpel from our profane and
impious violations and give it to others that may
bring forth the fruits of it.
N O R is this to be fear'd only from the ex-
plictte importunities of the blafphemous, for it
is interpretatively the vote of many others ; who-
ever give themfelves up to the dominion of any
luft, do implicitly renounce their obedience to
Chrift, and fay we will not have this man to rule
over us. And when he is thus depos'd from his
regal and direcflive power, we have reafon to be-
lieve he will defpife a meer titular foveraignty,
not fufFer the Scepter of his Word to remain as
an Empty Ce'/^mcf^j' among thofe, who pay it no
real
3 2 The Chara5ier cfChriftian Pratiice,8cc,(^Ydi\^. 2.
real obedience : nor be again cloath'd with Pur-
ple, crovvn'd, and falutei King to advance the
triumph of his fcorn and crucifixion.
Nor will the fawning Profeflions of the de-
mure hypocrite az'erty but accelerate this Fate*:
He that makes the Golden Scepter in Chrifts
hand, a rod of iron in his own, that thinks his
Saintjhip licenfes him to all the fevere cenfures,
and the yet feverer (becaufe m.ore eftecflive)
opprejjions of others, he is certainly to be lookt
on not only as a Rebel, but an Ufurpcr too, and
is of all others the higheft provoker. He that
tramples under foot the Son of God, does not
fomuch violate him, asht that pretendx to eredt
him a Throne upon bloud and rapine, on per*
jury and facriledge : nor does he that accounts
the Bloud of the Covenant an unholy thing, fo
much profane it, as he that ufes it as a Varnijh
to paint over his fouleft lufts. The Apoftle has
long fince told us, there is no concord between
Chrifi and Belial, and can we think he will be
patient thu? to be made fubfervient to his ene-
my : or fuffer his jirk to be fet for the fupport,
which fhould be the confufion of Dagon, Do
we find him fo feverely upbraid- the hypocrifie
of the Jews y that flole, murdered, committed adul-
tery, and [wore falfly, and yet came and flood he-
fore him in his houfe, Jer. 7. 9. and ftiall we hope
he will connive at it in Chriftians ? Was it into-
lerable profanation in them to account his houfe
a den of robbers, and fliall we be permitted to
make it fo : they are fent to Shiloh to rqad their
^i)8p,2. The CharaBer ofChriflian Praffice.&c. 35
own deftiny, and furely we are as likely to find
ours there too ; to be deprived of thofe advanta-
ges which we have fo unworthily abus'd : nor can
we expedl, that though God caufe the natural
Sun to rife ftill as well on the evil as the good , yet
that the Sm ofrighteouffie^fholl continue to fliine
on thofe who will only bask themfelves in his
RayS;, grow <LMthiops from his neighbourhood',
but will not work by his light,
W H E N all this is confider'd, what a fad
abode does it make ? When the hlaj^hemies of the
Profane, the/^/^/J/^Z/V/V/of the Voluptuous, and
the mockeries of the HypocritCj, fend, as it were,
daily challenges to Heaven, we cannot but look
it fhould at laft overcome its long-fuffering, awake
God to vindicate the honour of his Name, and
not fuflfer it any longer to be thus proftituted and
polluted : that when he fees his light fcrve only
to aid us the more fubtilly to contrive our deeds
of darknefs, he fliould withdraw it, fmite us with
blindnefs like the Sodomites^ whom he finds in
fuch impure purfuits : and were that hlindnej?
fuch as our Saviour fpeaks of, J'c?. 9. 41. that in-
ferred the no fin, 'twere a defirable infii(5lion,
but alas it has none of that property : That which
is defign'd for the punifliment can never be the ex-
tenuation of our guilt; but as in Hell there is an
happy Separation of effeBsy the fcorching of
the^^w^ without the light, and the blacknefsof
night without the refl : fo in this nearelt ap-
proach to it ; this Portal to thofe Chambers of
death, there is the ignorance without the excufe,
the
^j^The CharaBer ofChriftian Fradiice^Scc. (Et)$p^t*^
the darknefs divefted of its native quality of hi-
ding : and when we are enter'd among Heathens
here, we muft yet expedl the fadder portion of
Jpofidtizd Chriftians hereafter.
A N D O that this confederation might at laft
have its proper operation, roufe and awake us
timely to prevent thofe evils which it will be im-
poflible to cure. That by bringing forth fome
xnoic genuine and kindly fruits, we may avert that
difmal kntcncc, Cut it down, why cumhreth it the
ground. That men would generally lay to heart
both the^J^ and infamy of being promoters ofpuh-
lick ruine ; and quench that fire with their tears
which their fins have kindled, that thefafting
and prayers, the fighs and groans of the Primi-
tive Chriftians may fupplant the profane luxu-
ries, the carnal Jollities of the Modern : and that
Sackcloth and Aflies may become the univerfal
mode, the only fa[hionable drefs among us. 7his
both Reafon and Religion fuggeft as matter of
our moft importunate wifhes ; would God our
hopes were but half as pregnant.
BUT the le(s appearance there is of this uni-
verfal reformation, tht more jealoufly ought every
fingle perfon to look on himfelf, left he be one
that obftrucft it : for fo he does who ftays till it
be afa/hion, but neglecfls to contribute his part
to the making it fo. Men are willing to difcou-
rage themfelves from attempts of this kind, and
with an unfeafonable modefty can refledl what a
nothing one man is to fo many millions, when
alas all that vafc Empire Vice has got in fhe
world.
CtoP 2. Tihe Chara£ler ofChrifiian FraBice,&cc. 35;
worlds is founded in the pravity of fingle perfons>
& would certainly be ruin'd by their reformation^
The more reafonable Collecflion would be^ that
he who confiders himfelf but as oney Ihould not
fufFerhimfelfto grow into /^y?; to fall from that
tinit to a Cypher y oy permitting floth or cowardize
to enfeeble and Emafculate him, but on the con-
trary fliould recoUecfl his fpirits, ailuate all his
ftrength, and therefore be fure to do his utmoft,
becaufe that titmojl is but a little.
A N D to this certainly there want not encou-
ragements, we fee in common affairs the wonders
that induftry and refolution are able to effedl, and
a fingle courage being exerted has often without
Romance y overcome giant ly difficulties. *Tis a
great prejudice is caft upon vertueby the pufilla-
nimity of thofe that like^ but dare not ahet her.
When moft men commit all impieties daringly,
and openly, and thofe few that do mourn for it,
do it but in fecret/ ^:he example of the one is con-
tagious, but the other has no means to diffufe its
felf. Would men ftoutly own dutyy and not like
Peter y follow Chrifi afar off'y they might yet hope
to make a party and gain ground in the world.
And how noble an attempt were this, thus to en-
counter Satan in his higlieft triumph, and recover
a lofi field : and methinks thofe who have any
jr^r-m^^ of Piety glowing within, may eafilythus
improve it into ^ flame y i-rrix'^^w^^irau h r? ^i5-« t\jj^ *p2-
tIo?, adde to their faith vertuey as that Cgnifies
courage : and then readily would fucceed, that
train of Qhiriftian excellencies reckoned up by
St.
3^ the Charaaer ofChrislian FraBice, 8cc.(ll\)apa.
St. Peter, zEp.i.S' knowledge , temperance, pa-
tience, godlinef, and fuperftrudl on thefe, as it
there follows, brotherly kindnefi, and the moft
comprehenfive charity. We fliould be not only
devout towards God, but zealous towards Men,
endeavouring by all prudent means to recover
them out ol thofe fnares of the Devil/ whereby
they are taken captive. And fincq among all
thofe fnares there is none more entangling, than
the creditablenefs and repute of cuftomary vices,
to fct themfelves efpecially againfl: that over-
grown covering and ornament ; thofe Locks
wherein its great, its Sampfon-like firength lies :
and ftrive to render it as contemn d as it is bafe :
and to this purpofe nothing is fo apt, as the.ex-
alting its competitor, fetching vertue out of the
Dungeon, that darknefs and obfcurity wherein it
has long lain forgotten, and by making it illuftri-
oufly vifible in their own pradlice, put it into the
poflibility of attracting others. Indeed there on-
ly it appears in its true fplendor, they are but
dead colours the Sublimeft fpeculation can
put on it, he that would draw it to the life, muft
imprint it upon his own. And thus every pious
perfon may, nay ought to be a Noah, a preacher
of righteoufnefs : and if it be his fortune to have
as imperfwafible an Auditory, if he cannot avert
the deluge, it will yet be the providing himfelf ait
^/(rk, the delivering, yea advancing his own foul,
if he cannot benefit other mens.
NAY, this being a JVoah may qualifie him to
be a Mo/is too, give him fuch an intereft: with
Heaven,'
Cfjap*^- 'f'^^ CharaMer ofChnfiian JPraBke, &c. } 7
Heaven, that he may be fit to ftand in the gap, to
be an intercejfor and Mediator for a provoking
people. Aad God knows nevci any generation
more needed that ojfice : nor any part oFthis more
than our finful Nation, which having long been
in the furnace y is indeed now come out, but fo
unpurified, that we have all reafon to expecfta
return, and that not upon the former fruftrated
defign ofrejinif'^ ; but upon that more infallible
and fatal one of confuming us. This is fo dread-
ful, but withal fo jufl: an expevftation, that if
there be any Jacobs among us ; any, jrho can
wrefile and prevail with Gody there never was fo
prefllng need of their interceflion. O let all that
are thus fitted for it, vigoroufly undertake this
pious work, let no ^Icfes's hands ever wax hea-
vy, but be always held up in a devout importuni-
ty, let them tranfcribe that holy Oratory, which
he fo often efJedtually ufed, plead to God his
own caufe, with a what wilt thou do to thy ^reat
Name, and when there is nothing in us that can
pretend to any things but vengeance, ranfact
Gods hofoniy rifle \\W hoirels for arguments o{
eompafftony repeat to him his ow^n title f, that he
is long'fujfering and of great mercy y forgiving ini^
quityy tranfgrefjlon and fin, JSfumh. 14. 18. And
by thefe folicite, yea, conjure him to pity. And
how great an ardency is required to this intercef
fiori? What y?r(9/;^ cries mufl they be that ftiall
drown £ojoud a clamor of impieties. And how
does it reproach the llightnefs of our fleepy heart-
lefs addrsfles ? Can we hope to bind Gods hands'
D with
38 7he Charddier ofChriftian Pr/t£iice,&:c. Cftap*2,
with VViths and Straws ? To arrefl: his vengeance
with fuch faint and feeble aflaults ^ And whea
nature and danger fuggeft to Heathen Ninevehy
not only to cry, but cry mightily to God, ihall
the fuperaddition of our Religion damp ours into
awfjijper, a foft uti audible found. A ftormwill
teach the profane Mariner to pray in earneft? and
alas, we have not wanted that difcipline. 'Tis
not long fince we might have faid with thofe.
Acts 27. Nofmall tempefi has lovg lain on us, nei-
ther Sun nor Stars in rnary days, nay in many^^^ri"
appear ingy nothing but black and difmal portents
of afinalTrr^c^ to a poor weather-beaten Church ,
and then fure 'twas time to be importunate, to
learn fo much of inftrucflion from the waves that
toflcdus, as to make our prayers keep pace with
them, in fvvift uninterrupted fucceflion, in loud
and not to be refifted violence. That we did fo
then 1 dare not affirm, but fure I am the neceflity
of it is not yet out-dated; for though the Sky
however black with clouds carry no thunder in it,
though the impetuous wiiTJ-s that blow from eve-
ry quarter, fhould not br^k out in tempeft, and
bring fhipwrack to us ; yet we too fully exempli-
fie the truth of the Prophets Axiome, Ihat the
wicked are like the troubled Sea, that cannot refl :
we have within us a principle of ruine, which can
operate though nothing from without excite it.
A tempeft is not always neceflary to fink a Ship,
one treaclicrous leak may do it in the greateft
^ calm, and what fecurity can there then be to our
tornVeflel, whofe rents our continued divifions
do
^6SP*5 • M.ifchiefs arifing from Inconfideration, i^ 9
do ftill keep open. Indeed our prefervation muft
be as our refioration was, the work of Omnipo-
tence; thither therefore let us addrefs with
St. P^^^rj patheticfc Prayer, Save Lord or we pe-
rijh. O that all who are concerned in the grant
of that Petition^ would qualifie themfelves to
prefentit. Lift up fuch pure hands, that God
who hears not finners, 'Jo. g, may yet hear them,
afJbrd a gracious car, and give an anfwer of
Peace,
CHAR III.
'jffurvey of the Mi/chiefs arifitJg from Inconfide-
ration.
TH E laft Secftion having defeated all the
promifing hopes of the former, by /hew-
ing us how fadly we have fruftrated all
the defigns and engagements of our profefHon,
enervated all thofe apt and powerful methods,
and how perfecftly contrary our practices are to
our rulesy mere curiofity would m.ore prompt us
to enquire what are the hidden caufes of thofe fo
Arrange effeBsy what unhappy propriety there is
in the foil y that after fo much culture and husban-
dry it fliould produce nothing but wild Grapes :
and by what arts and wi les Satan has not only eva-
ded, but even retorted thofe blows which were
aim'd at him. But as in difeafes the pains and
D 2 languifli'
40 Mifcbiefs driftfi^fro7n Inconfideration, Cl)cip*3»
languifhings are obvious to the grofleft fenfcj, but
t\ic firings and originals of them moil: frequently
lye deep; and are fo complicated and interwoven,
that they require much art to fcarch and to di-
ftinguifh them : nay^, do often mock the moft
fubtile inquifitor, and fend Hm back with meer
conjedtures and uncertain guefles : fo in this
Epidemick Spiritual dirtemper, the malady is no-
torious and vifiblc:, but the caufes of it not fo ea-
fily determined, yet that not fo much from the
darknefs as the number of them ; fo many do pre-
tend, and that with very good colour, to this un-
happy, this monftrous birth, thataS'o/67>7^;;him-
felf muft have made the propofal of dividing it,
as not being able to have aflign'd it entire to any
one Mother.
INDEED fo many are the concurrents to-
wards it, that it would far exceed the limits of
this little Tradl:, but to point at them: I fliall
not therefore undertake any fuch exaB enumera-
tion, but fhall only take notice of thofe which
either for the generality or degree of their effica-
cy appear the moft eminent,
AND firft the great and ftupid Inconfiderati-
on which moft men have concerning their Religi-
on, may w ell pafs for a main caufe of its fruftra-
tion. Chrifiianity may make Jr chime des his chal-
lenge, give it but where it may fet its foot, allow
but a fober advertence to its propofals, and it
will m.ove the whole ircrW : it comes with moft
invincible and controuling arguments, but ftill
they are arguments, and thofe muft firft obtain
attentioi^T
CftatI ^. Mifchief^ art fin^ from Iticonfideration. 41
attentiotiy before they can force afjent ; they will
moft infallibly weigh down thcfcales, though the
whole world were the ccunteT'halanceyhwt then
that muft prefuppofe their being put into thofe
Scales : being entertain'd with fo much of delibe-
ration, as may try and examine their weight.
In a word;, they addrefs to us as men^, that is crea-
tures endued by God;, with rational Souls and
difcurlive faculties, but if we will fupprefs thefe,
andfetup only the brute to give audience, w^e
muft not expedl Balaams proaigy iliall be every
day repeated, that the ^^^/^ fhould be wiferthan
the ridery and confequently cannot wonder if the
Succefs vary with the Auditors.
AND 'tis to be fear'd, this is the ftate of
moft of us, that all the convincing Log^icky that
demonftration of the Spirit y as St. Paul calls it :
and all the perfwafive Rhetorick of the Gofpel,
find us fo ftupid and unconcern'd, that they can
make no impreffion : all the avenues are fo
bloekt up, that they can find no way of approach-
ing us. We are like the Indian Serpents Phylo-^
firatus mentions, proof againft all charms, but
fuch as with thdr glittering fplendor aflault our
Eyes : nothing moves us but what courts our
Senfes, and what is not grop enough to be feen, w^e
think too nice to be conlider'd. The form and
name of Chriftianity men find ready to their
hands, and it cofts them no labour to put it on :
but fhould they be interrogated of the import and
fignificancyofit, I fear many wo^ald be atalofs
what to anfwer. Men call themfelves Chrifctans
P 3 ^5
42 Mifchiefs art fwg from Inconfideration, d)BP»3-
as they do French or Englifh, only becaufe they
were born within fuch a territory, take up their
Religion as a part oit\\tii fate, the temper of their
Climate, the entail of their ^Anceflors, or any
thing moft remote from their choice, the profel-
fion of it defcends to them by way of inheritancej,
and like young carelefs Heirs, they never are at
the charge to furvey it, to inform themfelves ei-
ther of the Ifliies, or Revenues of it ; what bur-
dens it lays or what advantages it promifes. Eve-
ry man fees they are vaft multitudes that have en-
tered the Bdpiifmal vow, and I fear no fmall num-
bers of them, that weigh it as little when they
fhould perforin it, as they did when they made it.
Have no other notion of B^/7///m, but as acujiom
of the place, or a tir/ie of feitivity : confider no
farther fignificancy in thefe fpiritual bands, than
they do in the Swadling-cloaths of their infancy,
and can give no better account why they took on
thcmChrifis livery, than why they wear fuch^^r-
ments as the common fajhion of their Country pre-
fcribes them.
THIS is in many the effe(5l of grofs igno-
rance, that really know nothing that borders upon
Religion : and where that is the principle, we can-
not think it ftrange to fee their praBices propor--
tionable ; this returns them into the ftate oFHea-
thenifm, and while they walk in that darknefs, it
is no wonder if they often fall: the only matter
of admiration is, that there fhould be any fuch
darknefs among us ; that the glorious light, as
St. Fdul terms it, of the Gafpel of Chrifiy fhould
not
not long ere this have difpell'd it out of our Horr
z^on^ ani certainly that it has not, muft be ow-
ing to fome very great guilt, fo that concerning
fuch perfons the Difciples gueftion, Jo. 9. is very
pertinent. Who did fith this man or his Parents ?
Where men are fo ignorant it muft neceflarily
infer their Parents negligence in infufing;, or their
own ftubborn pervefenefs in refifting inftrudlion,
but 'tis more probable to conclude the former,
fince if Children w^ere early inftituted,knowledge
would infenlibly infinuate its felf, before their
years had arm'd them with obftinacy enough to
make head againft it : but when by the Parents
remifnefs the proper Seeds-time is loft ; the foil
grows ftiffe and untradtable ; the lahotir of learn-
ing averts their Childhood, and the jhame of it
their Manhood, and fo they grow old in their ig-
norance, are ready to leave this world before they
come to know any thing of that which is to fuc-
ceed it. This is a common, but certainly a moft
deplorable cafe, and as it loudly accufes thofe Pa-
rents, who thus wretchedly hazard their Chil-
drens greateft concernments, fo certainly it re-
fledls not very laudably upon thofe, who by
flighting that excellent Order of Confirmation m
this Church, have befides all other advantages of
it, robb'd them of that happy referve, which the
care of their Spiritual Parent, had provided to
repair the negligence of their Natural ; but guilt
has a miferable kind of infinity, and leflens not
by being communicated ; and therefore though
thefe unknowing perfons may with juftice enough
D 4 acctife
44 Mi/chiefs arififi^ from hiconjider/itiprr. Cl&^P»3«
accufe others, yet can they never the more ahfolve
themfelves. indeed they cannot tax others omif-
fions towards them, without a tacite reproach of
their own : for if it were a fault in the Parent , to
let their infancy w^ant thofe neceflary infufions,
'tis furely fo in themfelves, to let their riper years
continue in that destitution. And fure 'tis not
probable there could be a more irrational motive
to the formsr, than that w^hich prevails with the
later ; to wit, the fear of fliame, which certain^
ly much more properly belongs to him that lies
ftupidly under his want, than he that induftri-
oully fets to cure it : fo that while they go thus
prepofteroully to ^T'^r^ reproach, they invite it;
nay, and do belides betray one of their moft im-
portant fecrets, difcover themfelves more folicir
tous about appearances than realities; to be
thought knowing than to he fo. A ftrange kind
o^jfeculative llypocriRty which yet leads to all
the praBical profanenefs incident to thofe, vrha
live without God in the nor Id.
BUT would God the unchatechiz'd were the on-
ly perfons we had to complain of in this matter:
There is another fort as ignorant, who have not
that plea; who by a wretchlefs Inconjideration,
have made a fhift to unlearn what they had once
been taught. That this is naturally very poffible
no man can quejftiQn, that obferves how defuetude
will rob a man of any Science, or other habit.
But in this cafe there is yet a farther concurrent
towards it, Chrifts parable tells us of Fowles that
devoured the Seed, which himfelf interprets to be
the
_ _____—— — J I ■ ■■
^l)ap>3. Mifchiefs arifingfrom Inconjideration. 45*
the wicked oney which catcheth away the word
fow'n in mens hearts : When that fpiritual feed
lies loofe and fcatter'd upon the furfacej, and is
not by deep and ferious meditation^ harrowed as
it were into the ground;, it offers it felf a ready
prey to the devourer, and God knows the event
is too ready to atteft the truth of the obfervati-
on : For do we nor fee many whofe childlioods
have wanted nothing of Chriftian nurture, that
have had all advantages to the making them wife
untofahatiorj, yet fulfer their manhood to wear
out and obliterate all thofe rudiments of their
youth ; and that not only out of their practice y
but even out of their memory too : this (would
we be patient to have the experiment m^ade )
would j,l doubt not;, be found too true in divcrs,and
they would appear lefs able to approve themfelves
not only to the Coufejfor, but even to the Cate-^
c/?//? in their /idult agey than they were in their
Minority : as having fcarce ever thought of the
principles of their reUgion;,fince they conn'd them
to avoid corredlion ; and then 'tis no wonder if
they pafs into the fame forgetfulnefs with other
the occurrences ofthtitjlippery age.
B U T if with fome the memory have been fo
invincibly faithful, as not to have refign d its
depofitum : if it do happen obftinately to retain
thofe early impreilions which were made on it.
Yet alafs that alone will be of little avail:
'tis true that is theftore-houfe, and 'tis good to
have that well replenilht ; but if its plenty be
only withia its felf uncoixmiunica ted j- ifrfie^y^-
tiary
/^.6 Mifchiefs arifingfroinlrJConfideYatioti. ^^p^j.
nary though never fo full, be fcaFd up, it gives
no fecurity againft a famine : a mans remem-
brance of liis Creed may tell him there is a
God, and that he is Almighty ; but it his reafon
be fo much a fleep, as not to inferr from thence
the neceffity of reverencing and obeying him
vs^ho is all powerful to revenge our contempts :
he ifiay repeat the ^Article every day and yet ne-
ver the lefs ^Atheijiically, In like manner he may
go on to the Birth, Death, and Refurredlion of
Chrift, but if he weigh not the obligations to
gratitude and duty which devolve on him from
thence he may remember his Birthy and yet never
be regenerate : his Death , and yet not dye to fin :
and his RefurreBion,. and yet lie rotting in his own
corruption, and not rife with him to luwnefs of
life. So he may proceed to his coming to Judge
the quick and the dead, but if he refledt not on
his own particular concernment in it, if he con-
fider not that for every the fecretefi thing, EccL 1 1.
God will bring him, as well as others to judgment :
he may talk of Dooms- day as men do of fuch Af
fizes as they have no trial at, but it will never fet
him a trembling, or give him the providence to
anticipate his fentence ; fo judge himfelf here,
that he may not be judged of the Lord. And fo
proportionably in all tne parts of our Ghriftian
Faith : he that does not extracfl from them their
proper and juft inferences, ftiall never feel their
efficacy. He has indeed in that excellent Sy-
fieme, a moft infallible C^^^(?//c(?/i, againft all his
fpiritual Maladies, but* 'tis a Medicine, not a
Charm ;
^&^P*3 • ^^^fi^i^fi arifing from Inconjideration. 47
Charm ; to be taken, not laid by him ; and if he
fail in applicationy he will as certainly mifs of
the cure : and this gives us one too clear a rea-
fon, why fo manyy in the moft fatal fenfe, are
weak and fick among us, and fain a/leep; are firft:
lethargicky and then ftark dead in trefpaffes and
jim. Men do not by fober confideration fuck
out the vertue which would heal them : they
look on the Creed as Chrifis badge, and fo long
as they bear that they think none mult queftion
their Chri(lianity : whereas 'tis indeed more pro-
perly his Military Symholum, or recognition of
the caufe, and General they fight for; an en-
gaging them to all the obedience, fidelity and
conftancy of refolutefouldiers: and tothispur-
pofe it is that we ft and up at the recital of the
Creed, as owing our Baptffmal promife to fight
manfully under our Saviours Bannerixg%in{k Sin,
the Worldy and the Devil ; and if we do not thus,
'tis not material what profeflions We make, we
are the fame defertors whether we ftay in our own
Camp, or run over to the enemies ; throw an ay
our Arms, or not ufe them; renowice our Chri-
ftian faith, or not improve, it. Sloth is as miA
chievous in war as treachery or cowardize, and
he that keeps his [word in the Jheath, is as un-
formidable an enemy, as he that brings none into
th^field.
AND how many fuch infignificant comba-
tants are there in the Chriftian Camp : that on-
ly lend their Names to fill up the (tMufter-ro/l : \
but never dream of going upon fervice. 'Tis
certain
A'
•48 Mif chiefs arlfingfrom Inconfi deration. Cfc^P ?•
certain there are as many fuch, as there are care-
lefs unconfidering Profellbrs : and thefe 'tis to
be fcar'd make fo great a number^, that were the
Church put to eftimate her forces, and examine
what efft:(fl:ively her ftrenph is, Ihe would find
the deceit offalfe muflers as great among the Spi-
ritual as the CivH Souldiery. It is indeed a
moft amazing thing to fee, that that which is
the one great and important intereft: of all men,
Jhould of all other things meet with the leaft
regard. If we make a propofal of worldly pro-
fit, though incumbred with many difficulties and
liable to many uncertainties, we fliall not only
have an attentive hearing, but acflive care and di-
ligent purfuit of the delign, it will be driven to
tlie laft glimpfe of hope and if the firft attempt
mifcarry, the nex.t occafion is laid hold of; but
here where the prize is rfo rich, the conditions fo
eafie, the acquefi fo certain, yet (as if thefe were
deterring, averting qualities) we cannot be got
to take the matter into our deliberation. Alas,
what ftupid folly has pofleft men ? and by what
meafures do they make their eftimate s ? how are
their precious Souls become fo vile in their eyes,
that they are the only part of them, which they
think below their regard i In an Epidemick dif-
eafe every man looks out for jintidote or Me-
dicine for his own peculiar, and does not ac-
quiefce in that filly confidence that he fliall do
as well as other men: yetin this greater danger,
that is their avowed comfort, and keeps them as
cheerful as if they ha4 the mofl: folid grounds of
-,' " fecurity,
^t'ftP*3* ^^fi^^^ft drijingfrcm hconfideratioti, 49
fecurity. AlaS:, can numbers ow^/^c^ damnation,
or do men hope that by going in troops to hell
they ihall mafter the native inhabitants^, fuhduc
thofe legions of tormentors, and become con-
querors in ftead of fujferers ? This is fure too
wild an imagination for any to entertain, yet
what more loberone can any pretend, in favour
of fo fiupendous an improvidence ?
BUT 'twill be much more feafonable to re-
form than ^Apologize or Rhetcricate ; and there-
fore 'twill import thofe men, who like the inha-
bitants of LaiJJpy dwell carelefs, quiet, and fe-
cure, to look about them : to enter into fericus
confultation how they may avert that ruine
which w^aits upon fuch a fupine temper, not to
fuflfer themfelves to perifh in the midft of fuch
poflibilities, nay folicitations to be faved : but
at laft ajffbrd an audience to that Embnflle which
is fent them from Heaven. Ponder well thofe
eajie terms of reconciliation which aie propos'd:
the inefiimahle advantages confequent to the em-
bracing that amity ; and the as inefiimahle detri-
ment or refufing it : in a word, not to pleafe them-
felves with the empty title, but to penetrate the
full purport and fignificancy of their Chriftianityj,
and when they have done this foberly and atten^
tively : having removed this firft and mioft gene-
ral obfl:ru(5lion to piety, they will find them-,
felvcs aflaulted by fuch force of reafon that they
muft either be very ill Logicians, or very good
Chrifiians,
CHAR
so Mifchiefs arifing €l^ap*4.
CHAR IV.
A Survey of the Mifchiefs arifing from Partial Con-
fideration,
NE X T to the ftupid and meerly vegeta-
ble ftate of total incogitancy: we may
rank that partial and peece-meal con-
lideration, by which Chriftianity is mutilated and
deform'd, depriv'd of all its force to attradl and
fubdue mens hearts: for as in artificial Move-^
ments, there is fuch a dependance of one part
upon another, that the fubftradting of any one
deftroys the whole frame : fo in this jfiritual
Machin defign'd to raife our dull mortality to
heaven ; the divine wifdom of its maker has
combin'd its feveral parts, that he who fevers
mines, he that applies it not in its united
ftrength will find no aid from its unjoynted
fcattered particles. S.Paul tells us i Cor, 12.
that in the natural body the making it all Eye,
or Hand, the reducing the many members to one
is deftrud^ive to its iJeing ( if they were all one
member where were the body v. 20.) and we
in reafon muft expecft the fame event will fol-
low here. If we advance one part of our Chri-
ftian Faith to the annihilation of the reft, 'tis
impoffible that fhould fupply the place of the
whole ; but the more that member is fwoln
above its native fize, the more tinwildy, not the
moicflrong it grows : and lofes that acftlve vi^or,
which
Ci&SP 4* f'^'^ Partial Con fider at ion. 5*1
which it receiv'd by a fecial communication with
the other parts.
T I S Gods charge againfl: the Priep, Mal^ 2.
that they have been partial in the Law, C2>tyJ
CD^S lifters up of faces in it ; preferr'd feme
more agreeable parts,and difcountenanc'd others ;
were not only judges of the LaWj, but tmjufi
judges too. And I fear the enditement may now
run more generally againffc the People alfo ; that
they have been partial in the Gofpel: culled
and chofen out thofe fofter and more gentle
dictates which fhould lefs grate and difturb
them : like well the Oil that makes them have
a cheerful countenance, but are not fo forward
to deal with the Wine which fhould fearch and
cleanfe their fores. We make all our addrefles
to the promifeh hug and carefs themj, and in the
interim let the commands fland by neglec5led. A
divinity indeed fitly apportion'd to the devotion
of thefe times, which loves to make an offering
to God of that which cojfs them nothing, and yields
a preference to that way o£ worjhip which af-
fures Salvation hefi cheap, and at the eajiefi terms ;
but would men confider, they w^ould findj, that
the commands are the fupreuic and mofl eminent
part of the Evangelical Covenant, the promifes
come but as hand-maids and attendants : an ho-
nourable retinue to invite the more refpedlful
entertainment:, and it fhould be remembred that
of this /or^ are the threatnings too; and there-
fore they have furely an equal right to our regard
cfpecially when many of them have the acceflion
of
SZ Mifchiefs arifitig €{)a}jf^4.
of Gods Oatlh to bind and ftrengthen their per-
formance. And what a fcandalous and abfurd
partiality is this, that when the precepts come
with this folemnity the more to command our
reverence, we fingle out this one part of the
Train and pay our homage unto it ; lay hold on
the Promifes, not thofe that fpeak damnation to
impenitence, but the other half of them which
give ajfurances of favour. And like the Benja-
mites to the daughters of Shiloh, run away with
them, pofTefs our felves of thefe by rape, in
ijpight of all the incapacities we lye under; though
God has fworn^ that no difobedient provoker,fliall
enter into his reft.
THAT this is really the cafe of many is
more than probable, for by what other artifice is
it poflible for them to reconcile their large
hopes, with their no purifying, their confident
expecflaticns of heaven, with their greedy rapa-
cious purfuits of Earth : their fecure dependance
ontheBloudof their S'^i^/W/' with their remorf-
lefs eflfufions of that of their Brethren ? did they
confider the infeparable connexion betw^een the
Precepts and the Promifes, 'twere hard for them
to be fo mckedy but impoflible to be fo fanguine.
Did the unclean perfon believe that none h\xt the
pwre in heart jhall fee God, if he could be fo much
Swiney as ftill to chufe the mire : yet fure he could
not expecfl to be Rapt from thence into heaven.
Did the Drunkard confider the fentence of the
Apoftle excluding all fuch from the Kingdom of
God. I Cor. 6, lo. if he can be content fo fadly
to
€I&^P*4' ^^^^^ Partial Confi deration. 5*3
to oberbuy his fin; as to pay that Kingdom for his
/hot: yet certainly even he cannot be fot enough
to expedl the pofleflion of what he has fo foldj, or
hope that from one of his drunken trancesy he
fliall awake to glory : did the Covetous extortioner
obferve that he is involv'd in the fame fentence,
remember that fuch Violents /;//// take not heazerj,
hvit\\Q\\y by force 'y if the terrors of the Lord could
not have force enough to melt his bowels;,to un-
clutch his griping hand, or difleize him of his
prey: yet fure it muft difcouragc him from
grafping of heaven too, from hoping to defraud
God as he has done meny and ftriking himfelf into
an eftate in the land of the living : and in like
manner all other hoping finners if they would
ruine, yet muft ceafe from flattering them.felves>
muft chufe damnation bare-faced, and not fancy
that their pofting on in the broad way (hall ever
bring them to life. And fure this difcovery of
their eftate, were a very good ftep to the curing
it : for though "'tis poflible fome few may be of fo
fiurdy an impiety as to chufe their fin with all
its confequents, yet fure all finners are not of
that ftrong complexion, ajnd therefore Satan is
put to his wiles and artifices, is fain to hoodwink
, thofe that are apt to fiart : and difguifes the dan-
ger when he fees the true appearance of it will
terrific and avert. This was his old policy with
our jirfi parents ; he dazles tlieir eyes with the
glorious but ahufive propofal of becoming like
Godsy that they might not difcern how near they
were approaching to become like Devils : and
E this
5^4 Mifchiefs arifing Ct)ap>4.
this under the pretence of confidence and friend-
ship, difcovering as it were a fecret to them, that
God envied them that promotion;, which his grea-
ter kindnefs was folicitous to procure for them.
And as if the ruine of mankind;, in Ma/fa had been
too flight a Trophey for that one Stratagem, he re-
peats it again to the individuals, permades men
that the path of obedience which God has chalkt
outisftrait, and narrow, rugged and incumbred;
that there is a fliorter cut,an eafier pallage to life :
that they may be led into Canaan a nearer way,
ftep into it immediately from the flefli pots of
Egypt y and fcape the tedious weary March in the
Wildernefs : never fo much as call at Mount
Sinaiy or be affrighted with the Thunders of the
Law. In a word, they need not vcork out their Sal-
vatioHy but be they never fo flothful they may in-
herit the promifesy Heb. 6. 12. this is his one
grand Con clujio ft, though he has feveral mediums
to infer it by : wherewith as with fo many tools A^^
and Engines he furnifhes men for the filing or
breaking of that facred link between duty and
reward ; and of thefe he has great variety fitted
to the hands, and skill of thofe that manage
them. I fhall not undertake to ranfack his work-
houfe, or give an inventory of his utenjils, but
Ihall rather m general befeech all thofe, who
have made this unhappy feparation to remember
from whofe Forge they took their Inftruments :
and then confider whether his ofBcioufnefs in
fupplying them, can argue any thing but that
'tis his work they are about. Can any think that
he
Ctl^P*4* f^^^ Partial Confideration, 5:5*
he whofe eternal paftime it will be to torment
men, can really be folicitous of their eafe that he
would chufe out for them the pleafanteft paths,
were it not that he knows they lead to the cham-
hers of death ? when Chrijl whofe fole bufinefs it
was to fave mens fouls> has prefcrib'd us a courfe
which fliall afliiredly condu^ us unto happinefsy
what can it be but phrenfie to refort to Jhaddon,
the deftroyer for an eafier method, or expecft
more gentlenefs and compaffion from the roaring
Lion than from the Lamb of God,
NAY indeed this is rfot only to attribute to
him more tendernefs, but fidelity too : to believe
him in oppofition to all the exprefs affirmations
of God ; and when he who is truth its felf has
told us, that ex^cept we repent we jhall all perijhy
Luk. i>. 5*. and that without holinefs no ^nanflyall
fee the LordyUch, 12. 14. to disbelieve this only
upon his bare credit, who w^as a lyar from the
beginning : This indeed is a prodigious compofiti-
on of blafphemy and folly : a ftrange contumely
to Gody but fatal treachery to our f elves : For
alas Satan entertains us all this while but with a
trick of Leger de main, and as Jugkrs make us
believe we have cut the firing, which yet pre-
fently after they fliew us whole : fo he perfwades
tis he has thus fever d the Condition from the Frc-
mifes, when to our grief it will finally appear
their union was inviolahle, 'Tis not all our vain
confidence that can reverfe the immutable di-
vine Law, we may, tis true, delude our felves,
keep up our fpirits high > in a fecure jollity eat
E 2 and
f6 Mifchiefs arifwg Ctop.4»
4nd drink y and rife tip to phiy, and fo not only loy-
tcf> but revel out our day^ till the night overtake
us wherein no man can work, but v^e fliall never be
able to pi'opagate the deceit, v^here only it could
avail us, to perfwade God to pay the hire to
thofe that have been no labourers, or give the
prize to any who have not run to obtain it. Let
every nian therefore in a juft tendernefs to his
own Soul, ftricflly examine his hopes, try not
how high they towre, but how deep they are
founded ; whether on the [and or on the rock ;
the flattering delufions of Satan, and the dreams
of his own Phancy, or on the Promifes of God;
for though all pretend to build on the latter, y-et
God knows, a multitude of foolifli jirchiteBs
there are, which miftake their ground, take that
for aflurance that is not : ana this truly is a
thing deferves to be foberly confider'd, they that
moft greedily catch at the Promifes, do often
embrace a cloud inftead of the Deity which they
fo eagerly grafpj, and thereby think to enjoy.
But /^/V/;/t^/ obedience, and not infolent hopes,
commend us unto God. The Gofpel indeed de-
fcribes to us great and ineftimable felicities, but
he that can think this gives himTitle to them,
may as well pretend to the whole World, becaufe
he has the Map of it in his houfe : for though it
mentions them to all, yet it promifes them ta
none but the obedient. And thofe Ifraelites
which fled from the fight of Goliah, I Sam.±
17.25. might as reafonably challenge the re-
ward proposed to the vi(5lor, as men can pretend
to
CCtiaP 4* from Partial Confi deration. ^j
to enter into life without keeping the Command-
ments : this then is the one Criterioriy by which
amanmayjudgeofhishopes; if they be but pro-
portionable to his obedienccj, they are then regu-
lar, and fuch as will not make him afliam'd, but
prove incentives and engagements to every good
work. Let him obey as much as he can, and
then he need not deny himfelf the comfort of ho-
ping as much as he can too. But if his hopes ex-
ceed this meafurcj, and fquare themfelves only by
hxswijhes'y if he look for Heaven;, not becaufe he
is qualified for it, but becaufe he wants or covets
it ; this is rather to dream than hope, and fuch
ivhimfies will as foon inveft the begger in wealthy
the defam'd in honour y the fick in healthy or any
man in any thing he has but a mind tO; as com-
pafs Heaven for the bold fiduciary,
I T is indeed like thofc Lunacies wherein mens
fancies adopt them Heirs to thofe Kingdoms,
they know nothing more o£ than the names : and
fure the Analogy holds as well in the cure as the
difeafe ; let thefe Patients awhile be kept dark,
taken from the dazling contemplations of their
imaginary priviledges, to the fad reflection on
their fins : and as God expoftulates with Ifraeh
Ezek. 33. z6, Tefiand upon the fwordy ye work aho-
minationy and ye defile every man his neighbours
wifey andfhallyepojfef the land? So let them re^
cite to themfelves the Catalogues of their impie-
ties, and then ask their own hearts, whether
thefe hz the qualifications of thofe that Ihall reft
in Gois holy hill ? Whether thefe marks of the
E 3 Beafi^
5-8 Mi/chiefs arifing €|)ap*4-
.Beaji can ever rank them among the followers of
the Lamb i And let thefe Confiderations be preft
home> reiterated fo often, till by repeated
ftrokes they have made good the other part of the
method;, made their Souls bleed, and by that Spi-
ritual Fhlebotomy, tempered their fwelling veins,
allayed the over-fanguinefs of their conftitution :
and then there remains but one thing more to
complete thecourfe, and that is bringing them
into the Work-houfe, fetting them really to nork
oit their fahation ivith fear and tremhling, which
they had fo near played away by confidence and
prefumption : And when they have done thus:,they
nav^. verified their hopes, and then may fafely
reaffiime them : They are returned again with ad-
vantage to their firft point, and are that in fober-
neJS o,rid real ay ) which they then were only in ^-
£licn^,nd imagination,
AND now would God men would once be
content to be thus difabus'd, that they would not
be fo ia love with deceit, as in the Prophets
phrafe, Jer, 8. $. to hold itfaft : that they would
not chufe Chym£ra's ^ndphantafiick Images before
real and fuhftantial Felicities : and prefer that
hope which will be fure to fl?ip-wrack them, before
that which will be an jinchor of the Soul, fare and
fiedfafly Heh. 6, I p. and if this fo reafonable a
propofal may be embrac't ; if theWorld fhould,as
the Spaniard faid, but rife wife one morning, what
a deal of dead merchandize would Satan have up-
on his hands : Many of thofe they call the com-
fortable Dodlrines wouU want yent, which are
now
C^ap* 4- /Vo?^ Partial Conjideration, 5'p
now the ftaple commodity of his Kingdom-
What thofe are, 'tis no part of my defign to exa-
mine^ it will be every mans particular concern to
do it for himfelf; which he may do by this one
teft ; whether they more animate men to hop^
\vc\\, than to Ihe well ? Whether they bring
Alexanders fword to cut afunder the Gordidn knot,
to fever between the promife and the condition ?
Or the fword of the Spirit to fubdue all to the
obedience of Chrift ? If the former, we may ex-
pedt the fruits of fuch will be all that licentiouf^
nefs which St. P^///dcfcribes, as the works of the
fiefhy G^/. f. 19. it being not to be imao^in'd;, that
th^ -precepts of the Gofpel, which they divide from
the ^r(?m/y^x only, that they might fall ofE fhall
then be ^7?/w;7f/^r//)' taken up in meer goodnature
and heroick Generofity ; that thofe wno are fo in-
duftrious to avoid the neceflity of Chriflian pra-
Bice, \N\\\iXi3kQitt\\d'\.ifree-Tvill-ojfering. If there
fhould happen to be fome few of fo ingenuous a
gratitude; yet 'tis certain, that is not ofir com-
^mon mould ; few men will be better than they
think their intereft bids them be, and therefore
f fuch principles are dangerous Seminaries of Li^
hertinifm : and 'tis mens very important concern-
ment not to admit them. Let not then their
cheerful af^e5l recommend them to our embraces ;
men may be kiird with too much Cordid; that
which feems to refrefli the Spirits miy enflame
the Bloody and though cold poifons have <;;otten the
fame of being the moft malignant, yet there are
hot tlyxt q,te as infallibly mortiferom. Let it be
E 4 pwr
6o Mi/chiefs drifmg Ci^W^i"*
our care in oppofition to both> to keep our felves
in that moderate, equal temper, which belongs
to heakhy Souls : and fince that is the vitalleft
heat which is gotten by exercife, fet to our bufi-
nefs, employ our felves diligently in all thofe du-
ties the Gofpel exacfts, and then we fliall not
want fuch an hope as may warm our hearts, keep
us in a cheerful expedlation, till we come to the
glorious fruition of that Eternal Salvation which
God has promifed to all therviy and only them that
ohey him. And till we do thus, till we confider
as well what we are to do,^s what we are to receive:
there will be no hope of reftoring Chriftianity to
its native vigour ; we fliall make it evaporate all
its ftrength in unfignificant hopes, convert it into
Air, to bear up our Bubbles, inftead of thtitfirm
ground, whereon we fliould build virtue here, and
glory hereafter.
CHAR V.
J furvey of the Mifchiefs arifing from Carnal Con^'
fiderdtion.
AFTER the difadvantages of partial
Confideration^ may fairly be fubjoyn d
the ills of that advertency, which is im-
pregnated by /^^yj^^//V^ and floth, and makes pre-
tence unto right reafon, but tends indeed as much
as any thing to the fruftrating the defign, and en-
feebling
Cftap^i*' from Carnal Confideration, 6i
feebling the force of our Religion: fuch clofer^-
ferves of deceit and malice have men to their own
Souls, that wheri they quit e?;^^ ftrong hold of Sa-
tans, 'tis only to retreat to another. When they
are not fo brisk and Aerial, as lightly to skip over
thofc precepts, that lye in their way : they are fo
grofs and umvary as to fall at them ; if they may
not pafs for Straws and Chaflfe, fuch as every
blaft of vain confidence may blow away, they fhall
then be improved into Heaps and Mountains, be-
come ftones of {tumbling and rocks of offence;
and when they are call'd upon to Confider them,
they do it in fo perverfe a manner," as if they
meant to revenge themfelves on that unwelcome
importunity : their confider ation is worfe than neg-
le^h They look into them infiduoufly, not as
Difciplesy but as Spies ^ not to weigh the oblige-
ingnefs, but to quarrel the unrealbnablenefs or
difficulty of the injuncflions, not to diredl their
pradliccy butexcufe theh prevaricatiofis.
FROM this unfincere kind of infpecflion it
is, that the Precepts h:ivc got fo formidable ap-
pearance with many, that they have fallen under
fuch heavy prejudices,- as torefolve them intole-
rable yokes, infuperable tasks : that this Canaan
is a land that eats up its inhabitants, wherein
there is fo little oi enjoyment that it fcarce affords
a being. Men count a life under fuch reftraints,
fo joylefs and uneafie, that it differs from death
only, by being more pa//ive. They think Zeal
like a Heclick Feaver, in a flow but certainly fatal
Fire exhaufts and confumes the Spirits. Morti-
fication
6l Mif chiefs arifing Ci^apfi*.
fication and felf-denial macerate and decay the
Ifody ; and liberality diflipates and waftes the
e^ate: and with thefe Apparitions which them-
lelves have conjur'd up ; men run frighted from
duty,, refolve the burden is unfupportable, or at
ieaft grievous to be born, and therefore, as our
Saviour fays of the P/^^r//^f.r, will not touch it, no
not fo much as vrith one of their fingers^ Mat, 25,
4. never make any attempt to try what indeed
they are ; but take their meafures from their
own, or perhaps other mens prejudicate opini-
ons, and thence take out an Authentick Record
and Patent for floth, fancy the journey too long
for them, and therefore fit ftill; firfl: call
Chrifts commandments griez'ous, and then im-
prove that flander into a manumiffion; abfolve
themfelves from obeying them. And unlefs they
may have the Gate to life cut wider, made capa-
cious enough to receive them with all their lufts
about them, will never effay to enter it.
BUT if the Prince ofdarknefi have enacfted it
aLajPy that difficulty fhall pafs for excufe, yet
if r^^/uneafinefs may be admitted to be as deter^
ring as imaginary ones, his own decree will retort
the moft ruinoufly on himfelf, and men may
plead it as their difcharge, from all thofe bafe
drudgeries, thofe tyrannous impofitions where-
with he loads them. The Drunkard may experi-
mentally tell him, the/?^/«of anaking head, of
an overcharged ftomack, the ruine^ of a wafted
Eftate, and claim a difpenfation from purfuing
that uneafie and coftly Ca. The Wanton may
bring
CO^P*^- from Carnal Conjideration. 6z
bring his macerated body like the L^t/V^j Con-
cubine J^ud, and urge it as an evidence how cruel
a Mafter he ferves ; and from thence emancipate
and free himfelf: and indeed every fin carries in
it fo much of vifible toil, or fecret fmart, as
would by force of this rule fupplant and under-
mine its felf; andfure Satan would never have
arm'd men with fo dangerous a weapon^ had he
not difcern'd them foin love with Jlazery, asfe-
cures him it fliould never be us'd againft him ; for
ifitfliould, nothing could give him a more mor-
tal wound, more irrecoverably fhake his King-
dom. Nor would only that infernal Region feci
the force of that deffnitlive principle ; it would
make as Arrange confufions in fecular Regiments,
FOR if fuch^/e^xas thefe maybe admitted,
they will eafily cancel all Humaney as well as Z)/-
i^/WLaws, and CYCiy malefaSor will transfer his
guilt on the feverity of the Legijlator : the Ty6/V/
may fay it is too great a difficulty for him to re-
lift the temptation of an apt opportunity ; a rich
prize that his fingers are too flippery even for
himfelf, and he cannot reftrain them, and then
quarrel the flrricTtnefs of the Law, which has
rais'd fo high a fence about mens properties, that
he who climbs it muft endanger his neck. The
JR^J^/ may complain that the bands ofJllegiance
are too ftrait, the yoke fits too clofe, galls and
frets his tender flefh, exclaim loudly at the 1}-
ranny of thofe thatlaiditon, and in that out-cry
drown the noife of his own Treafon. And fo eve-
fy other tranfgreflbr may accule the rule, as ac-
ceflary
64 Mif chiefs artfing Cfcap f.
ceflary to his fwervingSj, till at laft the haws be
made the only Criminals,
I leave every man to judge both of the equity
and confequencies of fuch difcourfings in Civil
matters, and fliall only defire he will apply them
to Spiritual alfo, where certainly they are neither
more juft^ nor lefs ruinous ; and whileft fuch ab-
furd pretenGes as thefe pafs currant, no wonder if
Chriftianity languifh and grow impotent, want
ftrength to imprefs its felf on the lives of its pro-
feffjrs. The moft infallible receipt can work no
cure on him, who upon the fufpicion of its bitter-
nefs, refufes to tafte it. The moft excellent
Laws muft look their regulating power y where the
execution of them is obftrudled ; and we may as
reafonably look for the efficacy of Chriftianity
among thofe who never heard the nayne, as among
thofe, who owning the name^ do yet difclaim its
precepts 'y and fo all thofe interpretatively do,
who by accufing them of too great rigour, avert
both themfelves and others from their Obedi-
ence.
THAT the Charge is fcandaloufly unjuft
will appear to any, who fliall allow themfelves
the juft means of information ; but alas the way
of Proc^/? men take in this affair is fo inequitable,
as certainly prefages the partiality of the fentence,
what Perfon ever was there fo innocent, fo excel-
lent, who if arraign'd at the Tribunal of his mor-
tal enemy could be acquitted, Chrifi himfelf fliall
be pronounc'd a BlaJ^hemer, when a Gaiphas is to
examine him : and no wonder if his precepts find
propor-
(SbSD*^' fvom Carnal Gonfideratiorj, 6^
proportionable dealing, if they be decried as im-
pojfible, tyrannicah perhaps ridiculous too, where
thefcanningofthem is referred to thofe, whofe
intereft it is to defame them. Aien enthrone
thcAilufisy ktthcu\\x^mt\\tiudgementfeaty and
none can expe(ft they fhall pafs fuch a ftntencey
as fliall include tlieir own condemrhUion : if they
own the Commandment to be Ijdly, jufl and^^oo//,
they muft tacitely accufe themfelves to be impure,
mjufi and wickedy and as fuch to be confign'd to
wrath and judgment.
' HERE then we have the true account how
Chrifts commands, which are in themfelves Co far
from grievouSj, have gotten fo unkind a refutation
among us ; this is fo diredl a courfe for it, that
,wemayceafeour7ro;7^^rj, though not ovlt grief to
fee it, for we behold them ftand to the award of
thofe with whom they have a profeft enmity : the
Goal gives fentence on the Bench ; the Bar ar-
raigns the Judgment Seat. Certainly when that
Law which is Spiritual is fubmitted to the arbitri-
itient of grofs carnality, the Law of liberty is tax-
ed and rated by thofe worft hondmen who are fold
under fin ; 'tis impofTible to find any fairer treats
ment. That which comes on purpofe to dethrone
fin, difpoflefs it of the Empire it has ufurpt, will
certainly be entertain'd with the fame exclamati-
Of/ the Devils us'd to Chrift, Why art thou come to
torment iis? But as if this ^^;/^r/// Antipathy were,
not enough to afcertain the rejedlion of Chrifts
command; as if the iV^^/Vi;^/ feud, as I may call
it, between Heaven and Hell w'ere not thought
irrecon-
6^ Mifchiefs arifing CtJ^P* f*
irreconcilable enough, men offer yet harder
meafure, call in the aid of /?^r/c?f;^/ quarrels, and
when the precepts come to be confider'd, refer
each of them fingle to that particular Vice to
which it has the direcfteft contrariety.
THUS when Chrilis command of meehefS
and forgivenefSy cf loving enemies, and turning the
cheek, hearing the Crofs, ov f elf-denial calls for au-
dience ; they confult ( as Rehohoam did with his
young hot-fpurs ) with their anger and malice,
their rankor and revenge, and they foon give
their VerdiH ; that to be meek is to be fervihy a
temper fit only for the abjecfl. That to forgive
enemies is a principle of cowardize that would
Emafculate the world ; to love them a piece of
Spaniel-like favpnpng ; but to turn the Cheek ;
not only to hazard, but invite new injuries by
owning them as benefits, paying blefling for cur-
fes, kmdnefs and good-turns for hatred, is fuch
Z ridiculous patience, as muft expofe to the info-
lence of many, and the fcorn and derifion of all
men. And then the refoluticnls ready they, will
be no fuch fools for Chrifts fake. So when the
precept of humility and lowlinefs comes to be
confider'd, their Pride is deputed to hear its plea,
and then though it bring the authority of Chrifts
example as well as his command, it will be judg'd
invalid : Chriji indeed took upon him the form of a
Servant, and to that humility was a proportion-
able Adjunct ; but what is that to them whofe af-
piring humour abhors fubjedlion, 'tis not calcu-
lated for their Meridian, they are of another man-
ner
Cil^P^i*' from Carnal Confideration. 6j
ner of Spirit, and would not have it embafed by
the admiflion of fo m^ an a quantity: and though
Chrift have putpovertiy of Spirit among his Beati-
tudes> they refolve he fliall not enfnare them
with that artifice^ they will not take his meafures
of felicity; or refign that pleafure they have in
valuing themfelvesj, for any thing he propofes in
exchange. In like manner the precepts of tem-
perance, fobricty and chaftity, are not permit-
ted to the judgment of fober reafon, nay, nor of
rneer natural ^^/r^ ; but to appetites vitiated and
inflam'd, by radicated habits ; and then the Glut--
ton thinks to eat moderately, is to be flrj^rv'd ;
and will as foon put a knife y Prov. 23 . /o his throaty
in the vulgar fenfe of cutting it, as in Solomons
notion of reftraining his excefs. Thus the Drun^
kard with his falfe thirfts looks on fobriety as a
kind of Hell, where he fhall want a drop to cool
his tongue, and thinks the abandoning his de-
baucht jollities is an implicite adieu to all the
comforts of life. The Unclean perfon when his
blood is high fcoflfs at Chaftity as a religious kind
of impotence, and only fo far confiders the pre-
c£pt oi pulling out the Eye, as to infer that it were
as eafie literally to part with it, as to reftrain its
luftful range : not look at all, as not look to luft.
And ptroportionably it fares with. Charity and
bounty, which though our Saviour recommend,
iVl/mmo« arraigns of robbery, and ftigmatizesas
a Thief th^ct picks the Purfe, and riffles Coffers.
But amidftall thefe the taking up the Crof?^ fuffer-
ing for righteoufnej? fake, and the doSlrineoffelf-de-
nial,
68 Mifchiefs arifirtg €l;ap^5'.
nialy fall under the heavieft prejudice. Thefe
are oppos'd not by fome one fingle vice, but the
confederate arms of all ; even thofe whofe inte-
lefts are flatly oppofite do here unite : Herod
and Pilate, Saduces and Pharifees accord againft
Chrift, and all are freely fuffer'd, nay invited to
exhibit their complaints againft thefe Mandates.
Covetoufnef^ cries out that this is the moft ruinous
prodigality, cafts away an eftate in a lamp, and
lays all open to forfeiture and confifcation : and
Prodigality takes it as ill to be foreftall'd, and
have nothing left for it to diffipate. ProphaneJS
avowsacontempt ofit asa folly, and moft open
madnefsto part with real pleafure for an empty
name, or profit for that Bankrupt thing calfd
Confcience : and Hypocrifie has a more fecret ha-^
tred ofit, as its detedlor ; that which will bring
it to a Teft which it cannot pafs. Malice puts in
a Caveat y that this is to gratifie enemies, and
lofe the latisfadlions of revenge: sind Self-Love
puts in another, that it is to deftroy ones felf
In fhort, every limb of the body of fin difcharges
a blow at this innocent and Divine Sancfkion ; as
if they meant it ftiould exemplifie its own do-
dlrine by afluming that paflive temper it recom-
mends.
BUT alas, who can expe<fl any more upright
verdi(5ls from fuch paB, fucli corrupt Juries, and
why may not Chrift be permitted to claim the
common benefit of our Laws, to make his chal-
lenge and exceptions againft this fo incompetent
impanel, Tis the counfel of the Wife man, not
to
^l^aPo* /^^^ Carnal Confederation, 6^
to advife in common aflairs with thofe whofe
tempers may be fuppos'd to biafs them^, confult
noty faies he, with a coward in matters of war, nor
withafluggardofmuch hujlnefs, Eccl. 37. II. and
fure if they be ill Counfellors, they muft be worfe
Judges : but why then do we fet pride to judge of
humility, lull of purity, covetoufnefs of libera-
lity: and make our vices the arbitrators- of thofe
Laws which fliould reftrain them ? This is fuch
a grofs injtijlice as common humanity abhors ; we
deal by other meafures with men, the moft noto-
rious and flagitious criminals : and referve this
way of procefs for thofe things only wherein our
God may be concerned. 'Tis a fevere exprob rati-
on of a prophane ^co^\c,Malach, 1.8. Where God
accufes them for treating him with lefs reverence
than they would do a mortal Prince. Offer it
nov^ to thy Prince : butalafs we Ihall force himto
defcend far lower in his expoftulation, fofar we
are from paying him the iw^y and regard belong-
ing to a Prince, that we yield him not the rights
of- common men: force him to ftand to thofe
meafures which we think too unequitable to
prefs upon a murderer, a thief, or rebel at the
Bar.
BUT this wMving of common rules is a plain
confeflion that we need more indulgence, than
thofe will allow: when mens lufis thus ufurp
thoTribunal and judge in their ow^n caufe, 'tis a
palpable difcovery they dare not remit themx-
felves to any more equal determination. And in-
deed in this point of their intereft, they pafs a
right
70 Mifchiefs arifwg Cfiap.i'.
right judgment : for 'tis certain were the cafe re-
ferr'd to any competent Judge, indeed to any
but themf elves they would inevitably be call: ; and
fure 'tis high time that fome ftiould a/lift appreji
verttie in its appeal ; find it out fome Court of
equity where its plea may be heard : and vt'e need
not travel far for that purpofe, every man may
do it in his own hreajl, where in his little Com-
mon-wealth he fhall find a Court of Gods erect-
ing : let him but draw the Caufe thither , difcufs
the matter in his own confcience ; and he will
foon find the former unrighteous fentences re-
versed : let him but ferioully reflecfl: on his viola-
tions of thofe facred Precepts of Chrift ; and ob-
fervewhata fling and fecret remorfe every fuch
Ireach leaves within him : and that will be a
competent atteftation of the equity and obliging-
nefs of thofe Mandates : for from whence elfc can
the regret arife ? thofe things that are either im-
poflible in their nature, or unconcerning to us
cannot beget it. No man accufes himfelf for
not flying in the airy or walking upon the water :
nor owns himfelf guilty in the non-obfervance of
any Lam, but fuch as have power to oblige him :
and therefore thefe clofe pangs and checks of
Confcience are an irrefragable evidence, that men
do inwardly affcnt to the juftice and authority
of thofe divine rules ; which their aSiions, yea
often their words too, do moft oppugn.
BUT over and above the throws and after-
pains of confcience,when fin is brought forth,the
felf-accufation of the Criminal, when none be-
fide
fiTtJ^P^i*' from Carnal Gonfideration. ^x
fide controuls, nay many flatter and commend :
I fay beyond this fecondary and rdiext ^c/c^^^^
for Chrifts Law, owed to the foregoing prevari-
cation of it ; there is an early and immediate ver-
diB paft in its behalf, in the efteem and lilrfhg
which thofe documents command, where ere they
pafs : creating an affent and veneration not only
when obeyed, but from profeft defpifers ; who
cannot chufe to think well of th.it vertue they
defert, and the neceffity of their aflFairs compel
them to fpcaie ill of An event vifible in the con-
demnation of our Saviour, where the Judge who
gave Sentence againft him, at the fame motnent
wajht hif hands, and openly profeft he found no
fault in him.
AND indeed this very reflexion on the ^Au-
thor of thefc precepts, if well confider'd would
fuperfede all other arguments. T\iQ ^Aandates
of the Gofpel on this one fcore, that they are
Chrifts, are certainly both pure in themfelves,
and pojjihle to us : and fo moft worthy not only
of all Ohediencey but all Love too. He who is
our Lord upon both the titles of Creation and Re-
demption, may certainly with all juftice impofe
what laws he pleafes on us. Yet he, who laid
down his life for the redemption of the tranf-
greflions which were under the firft Teftamenf^
■cannot be imagin d fo inconfiderate of our frail-
ty which himfelf had fmarted for, as to intro-
duce another of equal rigor, or be fo prodigal of
his bloud, as to pour it out for thofe who by a
•new fet of impolT^^le commiands fhould infalli-
Yz bly
72; Mifchiefs arifin^ €bap£-
blyreforfeit themfelves again: and if this can-
not be fuppos'dj, the contrary may be concluded,
that he hath fo far condefcended tp our imbecil-
lity, as not to prefer the us any thing which he
either finds or makes us not able to jperform.
'Tis true indeed^ his Lans are above thf reach of
our corrupt and debafed nature ; and they
were unfit to be his^ were they not fo: but
when he by his grace offers to elevate and re-
fine this nature, bring it up to the pitch and pu-
rity of thofe Laws, this is a far greater mercy
than if he had defcended to our corruption ; fo
he might have contaminated himfelf^ given laws
unworthy of him : but alafs what advantage would
it be to us, to have the BUfphemy mention'd,
PfaL 5*0. fo verified to have our God in this fenfe,
fuch a one as ourfelves ? but by this other Method
he purifies, and exalts us : puts us in a capacity
of being like unto himy in which is fumm'd up
at once, aWhoth vertue and felicity.
AND on this glorious end every particular
command of his, has a diredl afpeil, every one
of them tending to r^-/Vw^r^y} on us fome part of
that divine /m^^fi* which was raz'd out hy the firft
fin : and this one would think enough to recom-
mend them to our higheft value. Certainly, if
Confidence may be Judge, it will be fo : there be-
ing in this cafe no middle between dez'out reve-
rence, and horrid blafphemy ; for he that de-
fpifes fuch an afitmulationy muft neceffarily alfo
dcfyifc him w^ho is {o refiemhled: he who thinks
meeknefs, purity, humility, £3^c. un/tmiaMe qua^
Uties
dfiap 5*- fi'om Carnal Conftderation. j^
litiesy can have little efteem for himj, in whom
they are fo tranfcendently emineiu)d\xt will take the
Prophet at his wordj, and fay, there k iw form tier
comelinefs in him, Ef. 5*3 . But this fure can never
be the VerdiB of Confcience ; he that can thus
pronounce^ muftbefuppos'd to have fuppreft and
flencd that. It being one of the moft indelible
fictions therej, that all that is in Gody is fubli'mely
excellent. But becaufe 'tis indeed too poflible
that confcience maybe put under fuch an un-
due reftraintj, fuffer the violence of a Frifoner,
when it fhould fuftain the place of a Jtidge : be-
caufe many men dare not permit their confciences
to fpeak, left they fhould fay more than they are
willing to hear. And laftly, (ince thefe perfons
make tneir appeal to reafon, pretend the aids,and
boaft in the advantages of that> it m,ay not be
amifs to bring the Caufe unto that Bar : whofe
Empire and ^Authority none muft difclalm that
own the Style, and leaft of all thofe Scepticks in
Religion with whom we have to do : who will al-
low of no convidlion but from it.
AND Gody who as the Apoftle faies^, leaves
not himfelf without witnefs, has fo tempered and
difpos'd his Pr^cc^^^fias to qualifie them to pafs
even this Teft alfoj, they being not the contradi-
Bions but improvements of natural Reafon : and
fo moft apt to recommend themfelves to all that
is Man, not Brute about us. Indeed they have
the very fame aim and dcfign with that. It has
ever been the grand bufinefs o£ foher reafon firft
to difcover, and then to attain that one fupr erne
F 5 good^
74 Mi/chiefs arifing €^^^S'
^goody which would give reft and felicity to the
foul: in this inquifition have the Fhilofophers
and greatelt Matters of Reafon^, laid out their
iiioft ferious ftudies and deepeft contemplations;
and in their indefatigable purfuits feem joyntly
to figh out David's queil:ion> Who will /hew us
any good ? aod now the Gojpel comes a folu-
tion of this fo important a Query, brings thefe
glad tidings: of joy to all people, and that not on-
ly in its credenda, by informing us what that
Goad is: but in its ^^^?^^^ too, by tracipg us out
the IVay to it : beating us a path which will cer-
tainly lead us to that fummum honum which our
very Mature implicitly gafps after; and furc
- Reafon can never jar with this, which comes thus
as a happy Auxiliary to fuccour its impotence:
a5 an infallible Guide to condu(fl its fteps : and'
as a glorious Light to give it a clear view, of what
it before blindly groped after. 'Tis a certain
indication oiMadnefi, to tear and mifchief thofe
things that would be ufeful to us, to curfe and
revile a friend, or fly in the face of thofe whofe
charity brings them to our aid ; and therefore 'tis
moft evident that Reafon muft firft ceafe to be
reafon,and commence Phrenzy, before 'tis poflible
it can fet its felf in defiance of thofe Laws of
Chrift, which are thus accommodated to its grea-
teft Interefts.
AND as the accord is thus obfervable in the
ultimate, fo is it in the intermediate defign alfo.
Reafon had by its twilight difcern'd thrA that So-
yeraign Blifs it aim'd at, would neve^e hit by
an
0Lf)&V*S- from Carnal Con fider at ian. 75*
an unfteady hand ; by him who was perpetually
toiled and agitated by his turbulent inordinate
appetites. Therefore young men, yet in the
heat and ferment of their bloud were folemn-
ly profcrib'd and baniftit from the Schools and
Lecflures oiPhilofophy ; therefore luftrations and
Cat har ticks of the mind were fought for, and all
endeavour us'd to calm and regulate the fury? if
not extirpate (which fome contended for) the ve-
ry heing of the PafTions : that fo a preparation
might be made fir fl for the knowledge and then
the attainment of felicity : Now the Gofpel Pre-
cepts have vifibly the fame end and purpofe : eve-
ry one of them exprefly fingling out fome irre-
gular affedlion to combate and fubdue : fo that
right Reafon and They are evidently of a Se£l and
Party, infomuch that feveral of the ancienteft
Fathers of the Church attributed the excellent
documents of Heathen Fhilofophers to the D/-
"vine hiyoc, the reafon and efientftil Word of God
which after was incarnate upon earth; and
brought auxiliary ftrengths oi Grace, to aid the
weaknelles o£ Nature, The blefled Jefus whofe
bare word Checkt the Sea in its higheft fury, ajid
by that Miracle attefted his Divinity ; as much
exerts himfelf in filencing the louder Tempeftsj.
and calming the inteftine ftorms within our
breafts. And certainly -R^^/i// will not quarrel
to have been thus relieved, it being the property
only of prpud Folly to chufe rather to lofe a vi-
iflory than ovpe it to the aid of an AUie.
FROM this general view, it were eafie to
Y 4 defccnd
']6 Mifchiefs arifing Ci&ap.j'.
dcfcend to obferve the exacfl concurrence of par^
ticulars. God loves a r eafonaHe fervice, andhas
fo tempered his commands, that every Adt of
obedience we perform may be fo qualified : and
gain unto its votaries the Elogium promis'd in
the Law o£MofeSy Deut. 4. 9. Surely this people is
d wife and mderftanding People, And firft that
the commandof M^^^'/^^/i-isamoft rdtional Pre-
cept can never be doubted by any who remember
but the common definition of Anger, that it is
Furor brevity and fure 'tis very reafonable not to
be mad, and he that has obferv'd the unmanly
tranfportations of that wilde paffion, how that
the firft violence it offers is to the man within
him> will certainly think it the intereft, not only
of his Religion, but common prudence, and right
Reafon to fupprcfs it. And the like is to be laid
of the more folemn P/'r^^//^ of deep malice and
deliberate Revenge,' where the fury wants the
allay of being tianfient and fliort liv'd, is emr
bodied into Complexion and temper, and grows
inveterate into Nature. Jnger indeed is a Jire^
and he that touches it though but lightly, wilt
find it fcorch him : but the Malicious lays himfeif
as it were to roafi at it; prolongs and fpins put
his own torment as if he meant to anticipate his;
Purtifhment in his very crime, and comuicnce hi$
Hell here, in unquenchable fire. Truly no fm does"
more reprefent that ftate of horror to which it:
tends ; it gives a man not only a certain Titky
but an ample Earnefl, pays him part in hand of
thofe difmal wa<^es. This was fo well under-
flood
Cftap^i"- /^^^^ CdYtidl Confideration, 77
ftood even by the Heathens that we fee the Foets
knew not how more Emphatically to defcribe the
future torment of an envious and malicious per-
fon,, than by the rcprefentation of his fin. Fro-
methem Vultur begins her quarry in this life;every
malignant Ihoughty every fpightful Wijh preys
upon his Heart that harbours it : every revenge-
ful projedl puts him in the pangs of labour till
it be brought forth ; and when it is, it common-
ly rebounds fo mifchievoudy upon the Parent,
that the birth feems like that of Jgrippina when
ihe bare Nero that murdered her. And furely not
only reajony but common fenfe, will fay this is a
ftate to be detefted, and confequently muft give
its fufJrage to thofe Laws ofMeekncfs and Cha-
rity which are the only expedients to prevent it.
F^dce is defervedly reckoned among the highefi
hlefjings of communities, and fure it has a pro-
portionable value, in every fingle member of thofe
greater bodies, it being that which is indifpenfa-
ply requifiteto the enjoying of any other good..
A W^^ we know interrupts at once all the profits
^.ndfleafures of a Nation: and this hoftile Tern-
per in a mans mind does the very fame, and like
Choler in the ftpmacb, takes oft ^\l ^uji of the
moft delightful things, and fo becomes a Hell in
the posna damniy as well a^ that oiSenfe : and then
how abfurd an impatience 15 it,'; for men to think,
every the flighteft injury from another infup-
portable, and yet heap fuch heavy preflures up-
on themfelves, like froward Children roar out
for the leaft touch from another hand, yet
knock
78 Mi/chiefs arifing ^tjap^i*.
knock and batter themfelves without complaint :
as if their only contention wercj, that they may be
the folc ^Authors of their own Calamity. And
that which adds yet more, if it be poifible, to
add to fo vaft a folly, is, that B^venge never re-
pairs any Injury : if I have been reproacht or de-
Fam'd, 'tis not the wounding of my enemies bo-
dy that will heal my fame, imay by that means
help to fprcad the Libel by inviting many to en-
quire the caufe of our quarrel : but that is no Me-
dium to prove him a flanderer, the world* being
too well acquainted with the nature of revenge
to imagine it an argument of his innocency that
adlsit: fo far it is from being fuch, that it gives
amoft violent prefumption of guilt, according
to that notable Ohfervation of the Hifioriatty Con-
"vitia Jpreta exolefcunty fi itdfcare /t^nita videntfir.
In like manner fuppofe me hurt in my body. Re-
tali at ion brings no haJm to my fores: my pains
abate not by his having the like or greater ; nor
would my Wounds fefler the le^ though his
ihould Gangrene, So if I am endammag'd ii;i my
goods, I may contrive to repay him that ill turn,
And yet not recover my own lofs ; and generally
the fpightful fpoils that are made, are of that na-
ture. 'Tis true, the Law may in fome cafe^ re-
pair the injur'd perfon : but then that is owing to
the Juftice of the Law^ not to the malice of the
Plaint iffe: for he that fues upon the naked intui-
tion of recovering his Righty without any afpecfl
of Revenge on the invader,has as fully the benefit
o£ the Law (and indeed none can innocently have
^fydiP^S- from Carnal Confideration, ^p
it otherwife) and then to what ferves the vindi-
cative humorj, what increment or advantage can
the fuperaddition of his revenge bring him in ?
'Tis fure in all thefe inftances it often does the
quite contrary: plunges him in farther troubles
and dangers, and when all this is confider'd, we
may certainly pronounce Chrifls precept of Meek-
nefs, partakes as well of the Serpetitus the Dove,
is Q.S well prudent as innocent : nor is this Conclu-
[ton at all Ihaken, by that Obje^iion which men
make from the danger of inviting more injuries
and affronts by this tamenefs : for firft fuppofe
there were truth in it ; that hazard could not bal-
lance the many certain mifchiefs which have been
evinc'd infeparably to follow the contrary tem-
per : and it were certainly lefs penal to endure
multitudes of light and tranfient Jbufes, than
thofe far more uneafie waies of Redrefs, which
mens revenges- fuggefl: to them : and then 'twill
be perfectly reafonable, 0/ thefe two evils to chafe
the lefi. As for the greater and more important
violations, there are legal waies which may prove
redrefs in fome cafes^, or prevention in otners:
He that is flandered or impoverifhedj, may take a
courfe to clear his Innocence y or recover his Goods :
he that is hurt or maim'd, though he is uncapable
of reparations, yet the Law provides for his fu-
ture fecurity, by awarding fijch Penalties, as may
difcourage the Offender from repeating the vio-
lence: and to thefe aids, a man may relort with
thefe Ptovifosy firft, that he abftra<fi: from all de-
fign o^ Revenge ; and fecondly, that the matter be
of
8o Mifchiefs arifing CljaP-i'.
of Weight ; and certainly he that by thefe legal
tiit'dns cannot be fccur'dj, can be much lefs fo by
any private attempt o£ his own : For he that de-
fpifeth the coercive power of Laws, will much
more contemn the enmity of a fingle perfon. The
only difficulty in this cafe is, when a ftate is in
fuch a confulion that there is no lawful Judica-
ture to appeal to> but that implies fo many fad-
der miferies, than the want of fuch a redrefs
amounts to, that every man may patiently
enough caft this into the heap of greater evils ;
and not confider that one preflure, when fo much
weightier calamity exadls his grief: But fure the
Sujf enjion of Law in this i^zvtiQ}x\2ii does no more
qualifie a private perfon to be his own Revenger ,
than it invefts him in any other part o£ Authority,
and he may with as good right place himfelf on
the Bench, and become a Judge in ether mens
caufes, as thus become both Judge and Executi-
oner inhis ovpn,
B U T in the lajl place, the ground of this ob-
jection feems weak and fandy ; for thatmeeknefs
is not the way to expofe a man, generally fpeak-
ing, to more fufiFering : 'tis poffible indeed
through the barbarity of fome few infulting co-
wardsy who love to vapour good cheap, that they
may trample on thofe who give leaft refiftance ;
but this is not the common bent of humane Na-
ture, ( which ought to be the meafure in tkis
cafe) we find men ufually exafperated by Oppofi-
tion, whoarecalm'd and appeas'd by Gentlenefs,
\Anger is not of the nature of that monftrous f w
thQ
CtlJdP*^' /ye?w Carnal Confideration, 8 1
the Hifiorian tells us of, which nothing hut blows
could extinguijh. It is the Ohfervation of the wi-
feft of Men, that ^/^/i^ ^/^/rr^r turneth away wrath,
and mens Fafjions are like Bullets which batter
the walls which ftand inflexible, but fall harm-
lefly into Wool or Feathers ; and I doubt not
common experience will attelt it, that none do
generally fall under fewer of thefe ftorms than
they, wh^ are thus prepared to bear them. Let
a meek and an angry perfon call up their Ac-
counts together, and compare the number of af-
fronts and contumelies they have met with, and I
believe the Odds will be ViS great, as between Sauls
thoufands and Davids ten thoufands. 'Tis cer-
tain that the return made to the firft injury pro-
vokes a new one ; men being fo partial to them-
felves, that he who receives a harm by way of i?^-
taliation, never refledts on his own firft guilt,
but looks on it as a naked Injury, and fo purfues
his Revenge, which has again the fame effecft on
the other, and fo this ir/'/S-^r^ runs round, till it
havefetallina^//m^; made the faddeft vaftati-
ons, not only in mens (HJ^/Wi*, but their outward
Concernments too^ in the many fatal outrages,
which thefe eager contentions occafion, all which
would be avoided by a meek difregard of the firft
provocation : So that although fome injuries may
fall upon the Paflive man, yet infallibly there
would be no broils and quarrels, which are alone
the great accumulators and multipliers of inju-
ries; which alone demonftrates how unjuftly
Meeknef^is charg'd with fo much as an accidental
produ<5li-
8z Mifchiefs arifing €^t)^* f .
- — — — — •-___^_____^^_^_^__^__
produdlion of them ; and vindicates th^t precept
o£Chrifi which has fain under fo niuch, not only
Cavil but Scorn ; it appearing that to abftain from
revenge, and refer the hazards of that to Gods
providence ( which is the importance of his com-
mand to turn the Cheek ) is the greateft even moral
Security againft Violence y and fo approves our Law-
giver ( in this fo decried particular ) to be as well
the wonderful Counfellour^ as the Prince of Peace.
I N the next place, if we weigh the precept of
humility and lowlinefs in the balance of fober dif-
courfe, we fhall certainly find it hold ajujl weight.
Indeed Pride is nothing but Deceit y a meer cheat
anddelufion, and fo every man can'difcern it in
another, we there are able to trace the windings
of this Serpenty and fay thif man thinks himfelf
more wife, ^^^more learned, a third more holy
than he is : yet alafs in our own breads we difcern
not the ^Ahu fey fufferhim to perfwade 114- what he
but promised to our firfi ParentSy that we are as
Godsy fomething fo fuper-excellent, that all
muft reverence and adore : And herein we take
bim at his word, never fufpedl thefe glorious ^At-
tributions may be no more than . Complement or
Flattery; or what is no lefs obvious, Derijion and
Scorn. To a confidering man 'twould be a flirew'd
prefumption againft whatever Pride fuggefts, that
'tis attended always hy f el f-lovcy which is, as it
were> the common fetter to all thofe cheats which
circumvent and fool us : But there want not alfc>
more convincing proofs of its deceit and unfince-
rity. When e*re we overween and believe well of
our
A
COnp^i*. from Carnal Con jider at ion, 83
our felves, it is in contemplation of fome imagi-
nary or elfe real good ; fomewhat a Man has not,
or fomewhat that he has : If we do it upon the for-
mer account, that is undeniably agTofsDelujion;
a kind of deceptio vifm, a filling the Eye with
phantaftick ^Aerial Images, which have no folid
Being: And God knows, fachFhafmeSy fuch Ap-
paritions are moft of thofe excellencies which men
applaud in themfelves ; things conjur'd up by the
^tagick of a fcrong imagination, and are only
feen within that Circle in which the Enchanter
ftands : And though Satan be the grand Mafier of
thUhlack jfrty yet his Pupils are now grown fo
dextrous, that he feldom needs to he calFd in ;
our own partialities and fondneflcs to our fclves,
are abundantly fufficient for the purpofe. But if
in the fecund place we fuopofe the things to be re-
ally exiftent in us, yet Pride tuns us upon an other
error no lefs dangerous than the former^ for it be-
trays us to miftake the true Owner of them, em-
boldens us to fet our own mark upon thofe rich
Wares, in whofe acqueft we have not been fo
much as Factors ; God is the one great Author
and proprietor of all that is or can be valuable in
us ; to his Providence or his Grace we owe all the
accompUfhment of our outward or inward man,
and though he allows us the ufe and benefit of
them, yet the Glory is a fpecial Royalty, w^hich
( as the Gold or Silver Mines of a Nation ) is re-
fervedtohis Crown, an incommunicable piece of
his Regality. And how wofully does our Pride
befool us, when it brings us in fuch falfe Invento-
ries
84 Mifchiefs arifmg €l)dip,S'
r/Vx of our goods^ make^ us dream our felvesrich
by anothers wealth ; like Children that call every
thing theirs "which looks Jplendidly, or the mad Jt he-
man celebrated by Horace for his happy phrenfie,
that refolvd all the Ships and Wares his own that
came into the Cities harbour : But how more fadly
does it betray us, when It thus puts us upon the
invafion oihis propriety, who is not as the impo-
tent Monarchs of the earth, unable to affert his
own Rights, but can certainly Vindicate> himfelf
to our Confiifion, againft whom no rebellion can
be any longer profperous than he w^illingly per-
mits it, and who has folemnly avowed he will not
give his glory to another : And when our Pride
makes us thus both ridiculous and miferable,
when it feduces us not only into the folly o^ Chil-
dren and extravagancies oihunaticks, but at once
into the guilt of bold, and punilhment of improf-
perous Rebels: Certainly Reafon can never be-
Qomcits Advocate, or put in any demur to that
Sentence which excludes fo treacherous aguefi out
of mens hearts; which is the fole aim ofthofe
laws of humility which Chriji has given us.
NOR will the Precepts or Temperance and
Purity find any worfe doom at this Bar, the con-
trary Vices being fuch indignities and contumelies
unto humane nature, as can never find any coun-
tenance from this Supreme part of it : 'Tis ths
prerogative of our Reafon, that it difcriminates
us ff only and elevates us above beafts : Nor can it
ever be brought to refign this fo glorious a privi-
Icdgc, afTent to the admiflion ofthofe brutifli ap-
petites
^^SPo* from Carnal Cotifideration. Sf
petites which would over-run the Souly level its
fuperior with its inferior faculties ; confound the
diftindlion of Rational and Scnfitive, and in a
word, render the Beaftfo ravenous as to eat up
the Man, Yet thus it is in thofe fordid Sins of
Intemperance and UncleanneJSy unlefs perhaps they
are fo much worfe th^n Beafiial that 1 wrong the
generality of the Brutes in the comparifon, it be-
ing only fome few of them, the very Eeajh of the
Beafts that are guilty of any fuch Exceffes, fot
generally their Jppetites do not tranfgrefs the re-
gular ends of Nature y they know no fuch difeafe
as Surfettin^y but eat to fatisfie Hunger y and
couple at fuch feafons as beft tend to preferve
their kind ; and then 'tis to be conlider'd how
bafe, how degenerous a defcent it is for us to
ftoop, not only below our orcn nature, but theirs ;
what afolitude thefe vices reduce us to, that not
fo much as the nobler fort of Beafts will bear us
company, we rtiuft wander upon the mountains to
court a Goaty we muft rake the mire to find a
Smney before we can furnifli our felvds with any
^Affociates : And fure all this fo open an Hoftility
againft Reafon, that it can by no means be her
intereft to abet it. Ask her whether Ihe would be
preji to death with loads cf meat, whether ihe
would be drojK'hd in floods cf drinky whether flie
would he fuffocated with the noifome vapours cfpu-
trefaBion ^ndiTOttcnncky and the an fiver flie gives
to thefe tells you her fenfe of Gluttonyy Drunken-
nef? and Uncleannefi : Alas fhe fuffers from them
the moll barbarous outrages, is invaded not only
G in
86" Mifchiefs arifmg Cf^ap^f.
inhtv ^Authority, but her very Being, and there-
fore even upon the fo celebrated principle of felf-
prefervationj, muft mufter all her forces to vindi-
cate the injury and defend her felf And then
certainly Chrifts Commands o( Sobriety and Purity
muft needs be entertain'd with all Alacrity and
Gladnefi, as an acceflion of/r^/^^/^^ to her party,
an aid to affift her in that juft and neceflary War.
A N D as Reafon thus pronounces againft the
fins of the Flefh, fo in the next place does it cer-
tainly againft thofe of the World, (iMammon
himfelf willnotbeableto bribe this Judge, but
when Chrijls Precept of Charity and liberality
comes before this tribunal, it will infallibly be
not only acquitted but magnified and applauded,
becali'dfromthe JB^rtothe Bench, Commiflion-
ed like the Jews, Hefi. g. To hear rule over them
that hated them, to diffipate at once the wealth
and the covetoufnefs of the Worldling ; have the
Keys put into its hand> that it may have free ac^
cefs.to his Coffers; this certainly muft be the
event of this trial, for 'tis confefledly the part of .
Reafon to di^ofe every thing to thofe ufes which
are moft proper and advantageous, fuch as may
bring in moft real benefit to the owner. Now ^
what other employment o£ wealth is there ( after
competent accomnwdations are provided ) which
can contribute to a mans Felicity ? If it be laid
out like the Rich mans m the Gofpel in delicious
Fare, or Purple and fine Linnen ; certainly it
makes no leaft approach towards it. Firft, for
exceflive Fare, if a man be /;e?^ ^r^^^i;^ too in the
eating.
(SI)Slp^S- from Carnal Confider.^t ion. 87
eating, what does he <?moy of it? Meathfisnon^
tural propriety to the Kye^ and can make no im-
prelEons of pleafare there 5 but if he be veracious
and intemperate, 'tis then fo far from making
him happy y that it dejecfts him into t\it forlorn con-
dittany even now mentioned, fets him at odds
with his teafon, his very manhoody nay> I may
add with his wcsy fenfe too; the difplacencies that
he receives by the confcquencies of his excefs,
far outweighing all that is grateful in it. This
is well dcfcrib'd by the \Vf many Ecclm, 3 1. 19.
AS ioTth^ gay lity of ^Apparel that can never in
■fober judging be thought tuny advantage y 'tis that
which only Touth and Folly puts a value upon, and
as we out-grow the one^ fo we do the other : All
that is convenient in Cloaths is as well, nay, bet-
ter provided for without it : A vich fuit « is only
heavier, not warmer than a plain ; and it is a
kind of prodigy to fee how heavily vanity y which
Hs in its feif fo light, fits upon fome men; who
Are content even to make themfelves Forters, fo
their 'tailors may lay on the burthen : And thus in
many other inftances the finenefs of Cloaths de-
-firoys the eafe, fo that it often helps men to painy
but can never rid them of any ; the body may be
' languifliing and infirm linder the mofl: fplendid
cover : Herods royal apparel fecures him not from
h€in^ eaten with Worms y and Lazarus his Ulcers
would have been never the lefs painful, though
they had been wrapt in Dives his fine Linrie,-!.
O R if the Wealth be laid out on any Other part
o£that the world calls greafnefi, as an Honourable
G z retinue.
88 Mifchiefs arifing Ct)ap*5*
retiniiey Troops of attendants, and the like ; the
return will be no lefs eynpty : Multitudes of un-
profitable 5'^rx'^f^^i' being a geat burthen, but no
device oi advantage y alas does my Meat reliih '
ever the better^ becaufe my Table is furrounded
with Waiters ; or when I go out, does my train of
followers make the Air the more refrejhing to me,
does not rather the Dufi they raife make it lefi, an-
noy and ftifle me ? As for matter of bufenefi, the
number of Servants tends rather to hinder than
advance it ; daily experience attefting, that in
crouds of domefticks every one of them thinks his
idlenefs will be hid : The care of doing and the
guilt of e?mi^^/^^ is transferred from one to ano-
ther, and none has any farther thought, than how
he may quit himfelf either of the burthen or the
blame ; fo that upon the final account all that
accrues to a Mafier by thcgreatnefi of his family is
the encreafe of his care in the regiment of it : A
great deal of vigilance and circumfpedlion being
required, to keep it in any tolerable order, and if
it be not fo kept, his Houfe becomes a nildernej?,
andhimfelfa^r^jtotheBeaftshe feeds: The li-
centioufnefs of the Servant redounding more
ways than one to the damage of the Mafter.
I F we fliould now proceed more minutely to
every other fingle expence which vanity ar\d pride
fuggefts, we ftiould certainly find the like fuc-
cefs of our inqueft ; nothing o( real felicity, but
on the contrary the vanity fo interwoven and in-
corporate with vexation of Spirit, that 'tis impot
fible to fever them : So that tha^ to employ ones
riches
CCteP 5'- from Car n dl Coil ftder at ion. 89
riches is rather to fujfer than enjoy them ; but if
we fuppofe a man on the other fide fuch a Reverer
of his wealthy that he dares not employ it at all> un-
lefs it be at the ^^A/^, for the bringing in of more,
that keeps it as men do beafts referv'd for breed,
manumit them from all work but that of propa-
gation, Suehaperfonis furelyof all others, the
tartheft from receiving any advantage by it : he
converts it from a Servant into a Tyrant ? and fad
experience fhcA's us the calamity of fuch a tranf-
mutation. It has been always held the feverejl
treatment of Slaves and MalefaBors damnare ad
Metalld, force them to dig in Mines ; now this
is the Covetous mans loty from which he is never
toexpecfl a releafe^ as being his on^n rem.orfelefs
and more than Egyptian task-mafler : and the pa-
rallel holds too, in the gainlefnefs as well as la-
borioufnefs of the work ; Thofe wretched crea-
tures buried in Earth and darknefs were never the
richer for all the Ore they digg'd, no more is the
infatiate Mifer, he has no power to di/pofe of any
^ of his acquefts ; and though he calls them his, yet
*alafs he pojfeffes them no otherwife than a Prifo^
tier does his Goal, a Mad-man his Chains y they are
only Inftruments of his Thraldom, and the getting
more ferves only to add more weight to his
Shackles; and certainly Wealth can be no way
worfe difpos'd, than thus to buy fo bafe a Ser^
vitttde,
AND now fince neither the luxtmous fpend-
ing, nor the covetous keeping can advantage us
one ftep towards any thing that can be caird
G 3 happy ;
(^o Mi/chiefs arifing €t)ap.5-
happy ; but do on the contrary engage us upon toil
^Lndim-fery: IVealih feemstobe a very oppreffive
hurt hen, fach as we can neither cafi off, nor faiely
hear; and truly fo it is till Charity comes into our
Aid ; which as the proper Element of Wealth, ren-
ders that light which gravitates elfewhere^ and
as the Elixir unto (^Metals transforms them into
Qold, ftamps purity ^and price upon them : by fre&-
ly giving, endows the Donor with what ever he
beicows ; enriches him, and what is morCj^enriches
-fpealth its felf. Without this Art of ufing, and
difpofing our eftatesj, we are thofe Indians who
change their Geld for G////? : that filly FiJJ;er--man,
who having found a ^la(? of ^Ambergreecey cm-
pioyd it to the licfuoring of his hoots ; are foolifli
to the height of ilf/(i^ in the Fablcj, who being
promised to have what ever he would wifp, made
his demand that every thing he toucht might
prefently be Gold, and run the hazard that he did
of being fiarvd by our unhappy affluence : men
fay indeed that Gold hy preparation becomes a
foveraign Cordial, but certainly it never does re-
joyce the heart fo much as when Charity is the
Chymifi, the poor mans hand is the beft Limheck to
extracft this ^lagi(iery ^ndtinBure, the flames of
love will really perform thofe Miracles, they of
the Furnace boaiT: of^ and would they employ
themfelves in this laboratory^ they would find the
omnipotent efficacy they dream o£, fooner in this
way oi dijjipating, than in all their Arts, or rather
Fancies of generating Gold. 'Tis certainly a
fnoft generous and enlivening pleafure which re-
fults
Cl^jap*?- from Carnal Confider at iofi, pi
fults from a feafcnahle liberality : When I fee a
man ftrugling with wanty his very fpirit as well
as body ftooping under thg prefliire ; if I then
relieve hinij, the humane nature within me w^hich
is common to us both, does by a kind of Sympa--
the tick motion exult and raife up its fell> but if I
have any piety that muft do it much more ; for as
the fo^rmer Ihew'd me my own image in my poor
brother y fo ///; fhews me Gods -^ and how tran-
fcendent a fatisfadlion muft it be, to have thus
refcued him who bears fo divine an imprefs^ to
have paid fome part of gratitude to my Creator
for my own being, by making my felf in my low
fphere the giver or preferver of that life, which
he firft breath'd into another. Ihis, and this only
is the way to raife a felicity out of wealth ; and
furely fince the attaming of happinefs, is the
one grand purfuit of our Reafon, that m.uft even
before it has fubjecfted its felf to the Faith of
Chrifi, give aflent to the Prudence of his Com'-
mand in this as well as t\\c former inftances.
BUT there remains a Precept of our Savi-
ours allied to this ; which feems by no means to
comport and hold a correfpondence with the dicflates
of right Reafon : the taking up the crofi, and fuf
fering for righteoufnefs fake ; which contradicts
the fundamental law of felf prefervation ; and
the great end of being, felicity and happinefs.
But this fiiggefticn, how fpecious foever it appear,
is utterly fallacious ; for 'tis no good confequence,
that becaufe Reafon aims at our being happy,
therefore it fo^tids us all voluntary fujferings yimcc
G 4 that
9^J Mi/chiefs arifwg C^oM-
that the cafe may be fo ^ct, that fuch a fujfering
may be the fair efi medium left us to our happinejs,
'Tis a known rule that of two eztls, the leaft is to
he chofen\ and the eledlion of the jeflcr ill,
though it be no ahfolute, yet is a comparative
good ; and its attainment as far as the neceflity of
our affairs permit, is our felicity : and reafon
can provide no farther. Now this is the eftate
of the prefent inflanee i two evils are proposed, a
J!^aturalo.vA^ Moral '^ the Natural, though in its
felf to be averted, yet much inferiour to the Mo-
ral, and then Reafon foon refolves the Dilemma,
that the Natural is to he chofen : all that can be
queftion a in this afifair, is whether Reafon define
the moral evil to be the greater y but this can bear
no long difpute with any who confider but the
Nature of Reafon, which being feated in the upper
foul of a man, is no way concerned in thofe Ills,
which make their impreffion on the fenfiiive part,
but Moral ills ftrike higher, invade the mind,
cloud the reafon ; nay, often depofe it from its
regiment, as is too frequently exemplified in the
force of vicious habits,and therefore by how much
our reafon is fuperior to our fenfe, fo much are
thofe to be accounted the greateft evtls, v^hich
affault that nobler part of us. This certainly
will now be the determination o£Kcafon, if flie
may be permitted the freedom of her vote : for
thus was it formerly where fhe bare the moft
fway, and uncontrouled rule: The wifeft and
beft conudering of humane, as well as divine ^Au-
fhors having eftabliftit it as an undoubted Jpho-
rifmj
Crtep*5'* from Carnal Conjideration. 95
rifmyt^it honefiis to he prefer/ d before both gain-
fill and pie af ant : fo that nothing renders a man
fo deplorable, as that which violates his integrity ;
nay they have generally gone higher, exhorted
men to become voluntiers in vertues warfare, not to
fujj^end their fufferings till they were forct out by
the competition of a crime ; but ojfer themfehes
free oblations. Thus to fuffer for ones Countrey
OT ones Friend, was thought fo Tror%, fo heroick
iithino,tha,t noble ^nd ingenuous f^ir its were amu-
lotis oi it : and it was fo ftated a cafe that Epi-
^letus forbids a man, on fuch an occafion to con-
fult with the Oracle, whether he ftiould do it or
no, it being necejfary to be done, what ever ill fuc-
cefs or ruine be predidled, oTio^dvctjofffnfxah/lcuyij
^n^sxTtf f/4pK< <raV-A]o<, » (p^yri, and how ferious they
wereinthefe perfwafions, fomeofthem have pra-
Bically evidenced, as h^Lwin^fujfered very inconfi-
derable preflures, nay death its felf rather than
they would bow to the predominant vices of their
Age, or omit the occafion of eminent vertue, Jri-
fiides would be juft in fpight oiOflracifm. Regulus
obfervant of his Oath made to a faithUfs Enemy,
though Death and Torment attended the Fer-
formance. Lycurgus to perpetuate to his Citizens
the benefit of his good Laws, as fubtly defigns
perpetual Banifhment unto himfelf, as others ufe
to contrive for Honour and for Empire there.
Codrus redeems the fafety of his Army with his
own Death : Curtius makes himfelf a Martyr for
his Countrey,^ndL Socrates in the ftridler fenfe be-
comes one for his Cod : laid down hi^ lif<^ in at-
lix^... ' ^ teftation
^4 Mifchiefs arlfrng
tcftation of that moft fundamental truth and
leading article of Faith y ^/fiveiu HfiucL-^iovy the he-
liefoi^ one God, And yet we find not that thofe
Times y which were fo tH as to flied his Eloud, were
yet fo had as to defame his Memory, he's not
recorded either as fool or hypocondriack ; nor.
have his fufferings ftruck him out of the lift of
Fhilofophers : but he ftands there the more con-
fpicuoudy in thofe hlot^dy CbaraBers ; and how-
ever the credit of the Oracle may be otherwife
difparaged, it never was on this account^ that
it had declared Socrates to be the mfeft of Men.
And yet both he and the reftj, had cither none, or
very imperfeS confus'd apprehenfions of a fu-
ture rewardy when they engaged on prefent Suf-
fering, and death its felf: So that we might be
tempted to imagine^ that fome ft range change
and tranfmutation has now befaln Vertue, that it
has put on fo much a difiant appearance from its
ancient felf^ that the acceffion of new obliga-
tionsj, and higher hopes^, fliould abfolve, avert
and utterly difpirit us ; infomuch that what was
Conftancy in a Heatheny fliould be Folly in a
Chrifian. Certainly this is a ^letamorphofis of
our own making, we look through deforming
optick glaffesy fuch as our Avarice or efleminate
Senfualities convey into our hands, which give
not only ftrange and gaftly;, but withall ridicu-
lous Jhapes; but if we would confult our Reafony
that would fliewus things in their proper forms,
Vertue andReafon are both the fame they were fo
many hundred years ago, and where the ObjeB and
the
fiCD^P^i*- from Carnal Confideration. ^^
the faculty admit of no mutation, 'tis impoflible
there fliould really be any fach variable ap-
pearance, \i Socrates were fo zealous for the one
God, that he chofe rather to relinquifli his life,
than to confent to, or but connive at the profane
rivalry of Polytheifme, and yet be no Fool ; cer-
tainly we may as fucurely tranfcribe his copy :
and though the particular Article may not be the
fame ; yet if it be any thing wherein vertue is
concerned, the caufe is no lefs warrantable : he
that fuffers for a praBical Point, is no more a
prodigal of his pains, than he that lays them out
on the higheft Speculative, The Commandments
may have as good ^lartyrs as the Creed ; for the
fame Authortty has required our Obedience to the
one, that exacfls our Faith of the other. Nor is
there any neceflity of Heathen or Jewijh Tribu-
nal, to convert our fuflferings to ^lartyrdom ; we
may receive that crown from the hands of thofe
that own the fame faith with us. Thofe that
fay with the moft feeming vehemence let the Lord
he glorified, may yet hate and caft out their bre-
thren for his name fake, Ifa, 66. 5. He that tells
me 1 fear not God fo much as he, may yet perfe-
cute me for honouring the King more ; and my
Eloud pour'd out upon that account, becomes an
acceptable Sacrifice to him, who has commanded
my Subje(n:ion to the Higher Powers. He who
x:alls Chrift his Head, may yet rend and tear his
Body ; and if I love its communion fo well, as
to take my iharc in the ^laffacre, I approach to-
ward that dignity and comfort S. P^w/ fo glories
■' in^
^6 Mifchiefs ariftng Cll^p S*.'
in, of filling up that which is hehindy of the dffli^
itions of Chrifl in my flejhy for his bodies fake
which is the Church yCol. I. 24. He that muldls the
more Indeliberate Oathsj, may yet enjoyn a fo-
lemn Perjury : and if I chufe he fhould rather
make havoek of my Goods than my Confcience ;
my Spoils become not more monuments of his
rapiney than my piety ; they plead my Innocetice
before him who will not hold him guiltlefs that ta-
keth his name in vain : and how profanely foever
my Wealth is difpos'd by him that feizes it : 'tis
accounted to me as caft into the Treafury ; and fo
'tis poflible I may at once vie with the Rich-men
in the greatnefs of the oblation^, and with the
poor Widow too in that higher circumftanceofits
being all. In fumj, the opportunities of ^lar-
tyrdom are not reftrained to thofe points wherein
Chrijlians differ from Jervs or Heathensy but ex-
tend to all wherein we Chriftians differ from our
rule, the commands of our bleffed Mafter. If I
fuffer for m.y C(9f^y?^/;c)' to any of them, I have cer-
tainly my place in Gods ^JVlartyrology y as well as
if I had fain under any of the ten Perfecutions.
God was not fo partial to the ^Wm/V/W Chrijlians
as to allow them the ^Monopoly and enelofure
of that dignity ; if they as our elder Brethren had
a double portion, yet there is ftill a childs part
left, for every one of us enough to teftifie our Le-
gitimation, and fecure us from the brand o^Baftar-
dy, Hch.iz. 'twas S.Pauls indefinite Affirmati-
on, and ail times fince have born witnefs to the
truth of it. That all that will live godly in
Chrifi
dlSP^y* /r<9m Carnal Confideration. .g'j
ChriH Jefus /hall fuffar perfe cation. Some un-
fafhionable Vertues there have been in every Age,
which have whetted, if not the Swords y yet the
Tongues of men : and thofe that happen not to fall
under Abels perfecution, muft not hope to cfcaps
that of Ifaac : if they meet with no Gain to ktU,
they will undoubtedly with an Ipmael to mock
them. But in what dr^^^ foever our Sufferings
appear, a good Caufe dive/cs them of their frightful
fhape, pulls ofFthe ugly vizard, and fhews us a
Beauty that lay there conceal'd ; and that not on-
ly to the Eye of our Faith but our Reafon too.
Fortitude was a Vertue before Chrifiianiiy had a
name in the world ; and the very inftindl of our
Nature whifpers within us, the hafenefs of being
baffled out of a Truth or Vertue ; yetfuch ade-
fpicable Covpardy is every man that wants this
paffive Valour y without which the aBive muft find
another name,Rage or Phrenfie it may be, in fome
perhaps natural Courage, or fanguinenefs of tem-
per in others, but true Valor it is not, if it knows
not as well to fuff'er as to do. That mind is tru-
ly great, and only that which ftands above the
power of all extrinfick violence ; which keeps its
felf a diftinct principality independent upon the
outward man, fo that it is not fubjeiled to its
fate, that can be free, when the body is faft bound
in Mifery and Iron, found and healthy when that
groans under torture, and is never more ftrong
and vitaly than when that langui/hes and expires ;
and this is fo defirable, fo tranfcendent a prrii-
ledgey as Reafon cannot but aj^ire to : and this is
it
^8 Mifchiefs arifing Cl^ap* f.
it to which this excellent Precept of Chrift ad-
vances us when we thus fuffer for right eot:fneJSfake>
our Minds are all light what darknefs foever in-
volve our exterior part, and is like Go/hen ex-
empt and fecure, when that falls under all the
Plagues o{^^ypt,
AND what reafon thus embraces for its felfi
'tis not imaginable that it Ihould rejedl, becaufe
'tis richly clad;, that the Race fliould feem the
more tedious, becaufe there is a Crown within
view; or that the glorious Rewards ourGhriftia-
nity propefes to our conftancy, ihould be efteem-
ed as Menaces and Threats^ Temptations to defert
or turn Apoftates. No certainly, Reafon cannot
difpute, and make an /i^/^r^/^c^ fo utterly Iliogicaly
but will rather ufe it as an enforcement of its fo;^-
mer Conclupan, eftablilh it the more firm and ini-
movable by having the Bafis thus enlarged, ha-
ving Reward added to Vertue, and HappineJ? en-
taifdon Duty, If in the competition betweeh
two Evils, Reafon pronounce the leffer ehgihte :
Much more will fhe refolve, when the conteft is
'twiKt^ood and evil, the greateft Evil and th^
greateftGood; ^ndi c\mk th^it Excellence which
though Superlative in its felf, is more endear d
and heightned by Comparifon, If I violate my
Reafon, if I renounce T^r/^^^, though bare and na-
ked, then furely I do it yet more when fhe is thus
accompli(ht and adorn'd ; when beautified on ptir-
pofe to allure the eye tu^vdit^kc the Heart, When
over and above the pofitive donation of Happineft,
Ihe adds a refcue and releafe from ^tMiferyy. and
equally
CftHp-i*' fvom CdYfidl Confideration. p9
equally obliges by the diftant profpecfls of a Hdl
and Heaven, So that not only the Go (pel promt-
fesy but even menaces and threats become a Wea-
pon in the hand o£R^//yi//;,when flie ftands upon her
guard, and fights for Vertue. \£fm prefent its felf
as my Frote5ior from a temporal Calamity, Rea-
fon will tell me hence, that the prefer is infidu-
ous> it expofes me to that which is infinitely wcrfe
than what it pretends to fave me from ; and that
not only in the former refpecfl of Guilty but in
that of Funifiment alfo. What a cheat is it to
keep me out of the Dungeon^ and fend me to the
bottomlefiPity to fave me from a temporary Fircy
and thereby mark me out as Fuel for eternal
Flames ; to take me out of their hands who can
kill the Body y to put me into his who can deftroy
both Soul and Body in Hell. Reafon tells me I am
to abhor the Turpitude and foulnejs of a Crime ;
and it tells me tooj, I am to dread the ^lifery and
Smart of it alfo. It would not have me wallow
in the mire, though it \verc fafey much lefs when
it is fullof J/^yand fipersy which will infallibly
fting me to death. It cries out with Jofephy How
fhall I do this great wickednef^y and fin againft God?
And it cries out with Y^fay too, UT^o can dwell with
everlafiing Fire ? In a word, by the domeftick
native light of the CandJe of the Lord fet up within
our hreafly it fliews the uglinefs of Sin ; and ihews
it too by the affiightful difmal hlaze of thofe un-
quenchable flames it kindles : Thus by the diffe-
rent Arguments of terror and endearment, of love
and fear, of intereft and duty, Reafon^{{hTtsthi^
fcortfd.
lOO Mifchiefs arifin^ djiap^i'*
fcorn d, decried, negledled Precept : Take her
as meer Faynim abflradling from the expectation
of reward or punifliment ; or take her as a Pr^y^-
lyteto Chrift, contemplating his promifes and
threats, if there be Honefy or if there be Religion,
in either inftance the Soul muft ftill conclude,
that jijflidiion if to be chofen rather than Iniquity.
AND if it be reafonable thus to refifi even un-
to blood ftriving againft fin, if Reafon blow the
Trumpet y found the jilarm to this folemn War,
then furely it prefcribes fomething of ^tMartial
difcipline to prepare and difpofe us for thofe Com-
bats. No expert General will bring a company
of raw untrained men into the Fieldy but will by
little bloodlefs skirmifhes inftrucft them in the
manner oithc Fight, teach them the ready mana-
gery of their Weapons ; and of this fort are all
thok voluntary Self-denials, and lighter aufteri-
ties which Chriftianity commends to us, which
become neceflary not fimply for themfelves, but
as inftruments towards a higher end. The Mi-
litary fame the Romans had in the world was at*
chieved by the exadt difcipline of their Camps,
enuring their Souldiers to labour and hardfhip.
And, as Tacitiis tells us, when a long Peace had
flaokned the reins of difcipline, that a5iive Hu-
mo«r, which was wont to be fpent on the Enemy,
recoifd, and flew in the face of their Comman-
ders, begat nothing bat <i!Mutinies and diforders ;
and certainly 'twill be the fame in our Chrifiian
-warfare, if we abandon our felves to Eafe and
Sloth, never attempt to wreftle with a difficulty,
but
^i^HPO' from Carnal Con/ider at ion. TOI
but keep our felves in the pofture the Ifraelhes
Camp was in at Mofes's defcent from the Mount*
eating and drinking, and rifing up to play ; our ap-
petites will grow licentious and infolent;, palt
our controle and guidance. IF we treat them
with fuch an indulgence as i'S recorded oi David
to jidoniahy never lay fo much :iswhy haft thou
done this ; 'tis not to be expedled but they will
Rebel though a Solomon fit in the Throne, For
alas, how is it imaginable:, that he who never de-
nied himfelf any the/m^//e^y? or moft trifling plea-
fure he had a mind to> fliall on a fudden deny all
inthegrofi; he who has projecfted m^;?)', but never
wav'd one Opportunity of ihewing his Wit, how
fliall he find in his heart to become a Fool for
Chrift, He that has gratified his Palate with all
that pretends to be gultful to it, how fliall he de-
fcend to the bread of Jjfliclion ; or he that never
tried to mifs a Meal, how will he entertaia the
unwelcome contrariety of not knowing whereto
get one. He who has never abated any thing of
the utmoft Pomp he could reach, how will he
hrook the want o£neceJfaries ; or from his Houfe
feifd with Cedar, and painted with Vermiliony be
content with his S'^i^/Wry Lot, not to have where
to lay his head. In fhort, how fhall he who never
could pare ofFany of the Excrefcencies, themecr
Vanities and Gaieties of an eftate, part with it all ;
or lay down that //fd?/ir Chrifis fake, from which
he never fubftracfled one fmalleffc Pleafure, Suf-
fering is a thing to which the fenfitive part of us
has an Innate Jverfion, and Averfions are not to
H be
I02 Mifchiefs arifwg Ctiap.i'-
be fubdued at once, but by gentle and eafie^<?-
grees ; and cuftom muft have introduced a fecond
nature, before that original part of our temper
will be fupplanted. As 'tis therefore highly rea-
fonable for every man to afpire to the Dominion of
himfelf, to keep his ^Ajfe^iions within his own Po-
wer and Command ; and though he have no Inter efi
at all in the greater y enjoy a foveraignty in the
le^er World : So in order to that, 'tis as reafon-
able to difcipline and tame them by fome volunta-
ry J^/x of r^/y^/;^/^, like Hannibal, fometimes to
paJShj that water to which his thirfis do 7noJi impor-
tunately invite him. To try by little skirmi/hes
what ^r^^^^/' and skill he has, before he runs the
fatal/^^i^^r^ofa jB//^^J. To deny himfelfinthe
leffer inftances, that fo when the greater come>
they may not have the dif advantage of Uncouth-
nefs and perfecfh Strangenefs to inhanfe their Dif-
ficulty ; and this muft certainly be acknowledged
reafonahUy orelfe we muft condemn almoft all
the received Rules of humane tranfaBionSy which
generally have this for their ground-work, that
men muft pafs through thcfirji Principles and low^
eft Rudiment soi^ny Art, before they can arrive
at its height. Men ferve Apprentijhips to Trades,
and think not themfelves the firft day Maftersoi
their craft; we advance in -Le/^r///«r^ by leifurable
and {low fteps, and skip not from the A B Cto the
^JMetaphyJicks : And certainly the skill of Chrifti-
/tnfuffering is not the eafieft of all Trades ox Sci-
ences ; but will require fome time of Initiation,
many repeated Trials and Eflays to bring us into
an
(Sif)diP*S- /y<?w Carnal Confideration, I03
an acquaintance with it : To convince our Under-
fiandingSy and perfvvade our Wills y that to lofe our
lives is to fave it ; and to he faithful unto the
death y is the beft way to gain a Crown of life.
I F I fliould now proceed to every other Pre-
cept o£C\\niky and examine it by the Rules of fo-
her Difcourfey we fhould inlalUbly find them fo
rational as befits the Laws of him who is the eter-
nal Reafony but having made thefe Effays mfome
of the moil oppos'd Inftances, I fliall prefume
thefe may pafs as the Reprefentatives of all the
reft ; and the acquittal thefe have received at the
Tribunal of Reafon virtually involve them all.
AND now fince both Confcience and Reafon
have pronounc'd the fame of Chrifts Laws that
Pilate did of his Perfon, that they find in them no
fault at all; methinks Judges fliould have the
(amc priviledge thQ.t is allowed to private ^J\ten,
that in the mouth of two every word may he ejtahlilht :
Butifanymanbefo fcrupulous as not to reft in
the fentence of /t^j? than a Triumviratey let hirn
//; Gods name bring in a Thirdy and when his vici-
ous Appetites ( which were before excepted to as
parties ) are fet afide, he cannot be diftradled in
his Choicey there being but One more that can
poflibly be calFd in, and that is Experiencey
which being a Judge that himfelf muft create^, he
can not fear it fliould be prejudiced againft him ;
fo that he may entertain full confidence of its In-
tegrity : And no lefs may he do of its Ability , this
being the moft infallible of humane determinati-
ons, fuch as often corrects the error of Speculati-
H 2 on ;
I04 Mi f chiefs art ftng djap*^*
on ; and fhews us the vanity of co7icludhig what is
praBicable in matter from being demon fir at ed in
the Scheme or Diagram : The guidance of an illi^
terate Traveller in the way that he has gone, be-
ing far more ufeful to a Stranger in his journey,
than the beft (^laps and moft exadl Defcriptions .
o£ Geographers, Butthenitmuft be indeed JEr-
perience, and not only fome flight and tranfient
Ellay. We call not him an experienced Fhyfician
that has had one Patient, or a Lawyer that has
pleaded one Caufe. Experience is the daughter of
limey and is made up of manyyj/cc^j!/?i7^ TV/Wj-, as
a Habit is of multiplied Acls : And to the Verdict
of fuch an Experience Chrifts Precepts will not
fear tofiand ; let a man put himfelf into a fetled
courfe of Obedience to them^, abffcain fo long from
all prohibited Commifjionsy as may wear out the
rank Tafle wherewith his Palate has been feafon'd,
and leave it free and difengag'd, and then infalli-
bly he will find fuch o. favour and frreetne (sin thofe
"vertues, that he will wonder how he came to be
cheated into an opmion of their being bitter and un-
favory ; and will have no appetite to return to hU
Onions and his Gar lick after he has thus been fed
with Quails and ^lanna. That this will be the
event of this experiment there is all ground of cer-
tainty, and when the trial is once made, fo irre-
fragable an evidence will follow, that it will fiot
leave a man the power to doubt : Only in the inte-
rim fo much belief is requifite, as may let him in
to the demon(lraiion, make him fet to thatPrsi-
cflice from whence he is to reap all this: And if
any
^teP 5*' from Carnal Confideratioft' 105'
any man be fo much a Sceptick^ as not to have
faith enough to put him on the adventure, I fliould
at once for his convi5lion and punipmienty wifli but
that he might a while extend the fame diftrufi to
Affairs o{ cmnmon life : Let him doubt whether
his w^^f be favory and refufe to eat; whether his
cloaths be warm and fo^<? naked ; w^hether his houfe
be firm and lye without doors : and when he has a
while thus fmarted under his own difcipline, let
him but apply the wifdom he has thus bought to
the prefent infiance, and it will unqueftionably re-
folvc his fcruple ; or if he be Itill too Impatient to
attend the ripening of his own Experience, let
him make ufe o£ other mens. Let him appeal to
any who has inur'd his neck to Chrifts yoaky and
ask him whether it be galling and plnchingy or
whether it be not eafiey nay gracious. Let him
ask one who by repeated reftraints hath fubdued
and tamed his natural rage or pride^ how he likes
the change y and undoubtedly he will tell
him, 'tis no lefs happy than a calm is after the
noife and danger of a violent Tempefiy or theeafe
oltthrokcn Impofthumey after the painful gather-
ing and filling of it. Let him ask one who has
diveftedhimfelfofall his fenfual fins, whether by
their ahfence he now difcern not their neceffity, and
he will tell them, 'tis but the fame the primitive A*/
C^f/^/Wj had of thofe 'Eeap skins wherein their
/7^r;/Jc«^orj- had clad them, whofe only ufe was by
deforming to fit them for devouring. Let him
come to the converted Mammonifi:, and ask him
which he finds the better 2V^^//^r)^, his own Coffct:
H 3 or
jo6 Mif chiefs arifing (I|)ap*5-
ox the poormansBowds, and he will be able to
aflurehini, he is become much richer by having
lefiin fiore. Let him come to the devout Afcetick,
and ask him what tajfe he finds in Daniels unplea-
fant^r^^<^, Dan, 10.3. and he will tell him //:[^-
nttely more than ever he did in Dives delicious fare,
that cloy'd and furfeited thefleflyy this nourilhes
and fupports the jfirit. Nay finally, let him
come to him that is ^iikxx^Wy fujferingfor right eouf-
tjef^fake, and he will exemplifie to him the Bea-^
titude which Chrift has pronounc'd of fuch : Let
him vifit Faul and Silas in the prifon and he fliall
hear them finging ; Peter and the other Jpoftles
after their ftripes and beating, and he fliall find
them rejoycing : And Stephen amidft the Throng
of his murderers and Tempeft of their ftones, and
he fliall obferve him overlooking them all, and
entertaining himfelf with a moxc pi eaf ant projpe5ly
feeing the Heavens opend and Jefus ftanding at the
right hand of God ; and why fliould not other
mens fuccefles animate our endeavours here ? In
temporal affairs it feldom mifles to do it. The
Trophies of ^liltiades at ^JVlarathon difturb'd
Themifiocles his fleeps, till he had rais'd unto him-
felf and Countrey more glorious ones at Salar
mine : C<cfar while he views Jle!^anders Image up-
braids his own flacknefs with the memory of his
conquefts, and infpirits himfelf to great at-
tempts. He that returns with a richfraight from
a new-fuund'Land encourages others to Trade thi-'
ther ^Ko: Nay, even a hegger fpeeds not well at
mHof^itahledqory but f^e is able to fend /;(?/^i' up-
on
CtlftP* S*- fyom Carnal Confideration. 1 07
on the like hopes : Much lefs does he that has
found a treafure need to ufe his Oratory to invite
partakers ; and why then fliould thole few that
have made this more precious difcovery be forc'd
to monopolize ity as not being able to draw in part-
ners ; yet God knows^, thus it is^, thofe that hear
of no rarity but they long for it, as Daznd after
the waters of Bethlehemy can yet hear the fame
David cry out, how fweet the Lord is ! and yet
have no curiofity to tafte it : Thofe whom rhe
very name oi Liberty fo captivates, that they fa-
crilice all that is really valuable to that Chimera ;
can hear the Jpojile fpeak of the glorious liberty of
thefonsofGodf and yet like hardned Gally-jlaues
defpife the ikanumijfion. Thofe that hunt after
pleafiires till the very purfuit become an unfup-
^oit'xhlQ pain y can be told of thofe rivers of plea-
fures wherewith God offers to quench their thirft,
and yet inflidl on themfelves the rich mans tor-
menty and deny fo much as to dip the tip of their
finger toyN:ivdit\\Qcoolingthe\s: oy^n flames. Good
God what ftrange infatuation is this, that while
there is fo much oi vicious envy in the world, there
fhould be nothing of vertuous emulation : That
mens heat and vigour fliould all fpend its felf in
childifli purfuits, and leave them thus cold and
ftupid to their great and ferious concernments.
And what remains to him that ponders this Epi-
demick folly, but to breath out Mofes's Wifli ;
O that men were wife ; or if that be too hopelefs a
vote, O that men were not fo deflruUively foolifh ;
that their raflmefs and Error might be confined to
H 4 tbeir
'Io8 Mif chiefs arifmg C&ap.i'.
their lower interefts : And as fools are treated,
be kept from dealing in things of confequence ; that
they would not govern their Souls by fuch an ab-
furd kind of manager y, as they will not truft with
the meaneft of their outward concerns. And if
this might but be obtained, if this fatal Ofcitancy
which has benumm'd and frozen them were but
cafl offf they would then from the report of the
good Ldnd be animated to thcix journey; and rather
chufe to make the concurrent Teftimonies of
others arguments to encourage them, than leave
them as Hand-writings to appale, or Witnefles
to condemn them. And he that fhall thus borrow
other mens experience with this defign of copying
it outy and lays it as a foundation' for his own,
thereby poflefles himfelf of one of the greateft
advantages of the communion of Saints ; kindles
himfelf at their j^r^ till he grows bright and high
as it; combines his flame with theirs, and fo
encreafes the Ardors of them both ; follows Ex-
ample till himfcif growls exemplary, and in one
Adt receives and gives. But he that thus fets out,
muft remember, that it is more than the Journey
of one day he has to go;he muft not think (as I faid
before ) that every littlcfuperficial attempt is that
Experience which he is in queft of: He that thus
phanfies will be expos'd to a very dangerous de-
ceit, for 'tis fure there is in all habits fuch a force,
that they are not to be difpoflefl^but by a contrary
violence, and therefore he that has been under
the power of any vicious cujlom, enters at firft in-
to a ftate olhofiility, has fuch a tough qppofttion,
4IS '
€6ap. i*- ff^^ CdYfidl Confideration. 109
as rather finds him Work than Pleafure : Now if
he fliall upon this firft Eflay pronounce, he is
like to pafs a very unjujl fentence : Let him fight
on a while till he have got fome ground, and then
though the War afforded him Utile pleafure^ the
Vicflory will yield him much. Every repeated
defeat he gives his Adverfary will be a new tri-
umph to Iiimj, and what the Romam courted as fo
great a Dignity he may every day enjoy. But
then as he advances farther to the completing of
his ^iBoriesy fo he does of his Pleafures too:
when his irregular appetites are fo fubdued:, that
they rartly mo.kc hfurreclion^ this is fuch aftate
oitYdnqiiillity as gives him leifure to difcern, and
enjoy the delights of Chriftian vertue, and will
teach him to reproach the higheft Pane^yrick he
ever heard of it as flat and imperfecft : fo infinite-
ly will he find it exceed the utmoft defcrippion,
that he will fay with the Queen of Shehay the one
half was not told him. This is the rich prize which
they fhall obtain that run the race, but it is nofr
awardedto the firft fiep ; and hence it is fo many
fail of it, that when they find the uneafinefs
which attends the breaking off a cuftom; this is
fuch a Gyanty a fon oi^Anaky as turns them back
difcourag'd from the Canaan they went to view.
But alas this difcovers how fmall a ftock of Refo-
lution they carried out with them ; for where
men fet out with heart and appetitey 'tis not fuch
little difficulties t\ht will difmay them : if it be
but their jf^or^x they are engaged in, it ferves to
deceive the fenfe of many uneafinefles, nay often
dangers.
no Mifchiefs arifmg ^Il^ap^i'.
dangers, he that is but in chafe oF a filly Hare is
fo keen upon it, that he feels not the wearinefs
of a whole days motion, and if he meet with a
hedge in his way will rather leap it with hazard
than be diverted from his Game. But 'tis fure in
their fins they fufler far greater hardfliips without
difcouragement. The puny drunkard is not dif-
heartenedby the firfi qualm, but repeats \\ysex-
cejfes till he have overcome his queafinef?. The
caft Litigant fits not down with one crof^ verdiB,
but recommences his fuit, pafles it through all
Courts, and confiders not his own pains, fo he
may either weary or force the other out of his
right. The Unclean per/on falls not out with his
fin, how fadly foever it hath macerated him, but
fteps out of the hot-houfe into the Stews, and fliall
men be fo indefatigable in their purfuits of Infeli-
city, buy one Torment with another, and drive
on the year in a circle of fuch woful Traffick, and
fliall vertue and pleafure be thought not worth the
fmalleft labour ? Can they keep themfelves in a
perpetual contention with their eafe, their reafon,
and their God ; and can they not endure a ftiort
comhate with a finful cuflomy which if it have fome
uneafmefs, yet its both infinitely ftiort of what
they have fuffered in the contrary compliance,
and befides carries its remedy in its hand : For if
the Difficulty arife only (as doubtlefs it does)
from the confirm'dnefs of the Habit, every Adt
of refiflrance as it weakens the Habit, fo it abates
the Difficulty. It is therefore a moft mreafon-
able inference, from the trouble of the firft oppofi-
tion.
^b^P^S*- from Carnal Confideration> iir
tion, to conclude the Impoffihility of the futur© ;
for if the firjl were but troublefome and not im-
poflible, the fecond will have yet lefs of the
trouble^ and fo be yet farther remov'd from im-
pofUbility, and the third than the fecondy and fo
on till the difficulty vanifli and difappear. And
if men would but afiiime fuch a moderate courage,
as but to keep the field, and not to run away upon
the firil gun-iliot, they would foon find how im-
potent AjfaiLtfits they had to deal with, who can
never fubdue any man by y?r^//^f^, who isnotfirfl:
Emafculated by his o^Nn fears. Let us therefore
to fliun the reproach of fo diflionourable a Defeat
awake and roufe our fe Ives, put us in a pofture of
defence : And Satan, who is as cowardly as any
thing in the world but we, will as St. James af-
furesus, fly from us. Let us upbraid our felves
with our unfeafonable hardinefs and refolution in
our impieties, till we have chang'd the fcene,
grow impatient of thofe fervile drudgeries, and
ambitious of thefe honourable adventures. And to
animate us the more, let us fix our ^jy^j upon the
glorious^r/;i^of the viBory; and that not only
the final and eternal in future Glory ; but that
/w^erme^//^^^ which offers its felfas the earnefio£
That, the calm and pleafure of a conquering pie-
ty. The Roman ftory tells us that the TTavia-
nifts had fo poffeft their minds with the ^oils of
Vienna, that they grew infenfible of all dangers in
the way to it, and even forc't their General Anto-
nio to put them upon thofe hazards, w^hich his
wifer conducfl would have declined. And why
fhould
112 AUf chiefs ariftng CfcaP-S'^
fliould not our more worthy Hofes excite as great
an earneftnefs .'* why fliould not we have as great
an Appetite to the pillaging of Satavs Campy
plundring that infernal Magazein of all its En-
gins both of Mine, and battery, its ftores of arms
and Ammunition, leaving him naked and de-
fencclefs;, unable to make any impreflion upon
us ^ and this he certainly does, who by a fteddy
practice ofvertue^ comes to difcern the cgntem-
ptihlenefs of thofe baits wherewith he allures us.
He thatfeeks only the praifeoiGod, looks upon
the appldufe o£men as a hlafi of Air, which pofll-
bly may demoli/h and deftroy ^glorious huildingy
but cannot give foundation or materials to it ; and
therefore will not feek for, or folicit its unhap-
py courtfliips. He who defires to h^ great only
in the Kingdom of Heaveny laughs at the bufie
Ajpirings to fecular great nefsy and wonders at the
force of that enchantment, which engages men
with fo extreme toil, to climb a tottering pin-
fiacle, where the ftandingis uneafie, and the fall
deadly. He that covets to be rich towards God,
and has inur'd his eyes to that divine Splendor
which refults from the heauty of holinefs, is not
dazled with the ^^//V^^K/;;^y^/W o£Gold: confiders
it as a vein of the fame earth he treads on, and
defpifes that abfurd partiality whereof the Pro-
phet accufesL/c?/^^^yx, to employ one part to the
meaneft ufes, and fall down to the other. In a
word, he that looks on the eternal things that are
not feen, will through thofe Opticks exacftly dif-
Qern the vanity, and inconfiderablenefs of all that i$
vifihle
(EbSO^S' from Carrjal Confederation. 113
--
'vifible o.nd temporary; andfo will be equally un-
moved with the terrors or allurements of the
world, and neither frighted nor flattered out of
his duty. And he that is thus fortified difcou-
rages and wearies out his Tempter, deprives him
not only of weapons but of heart too, and drives
even i'^/^^/^himfelfto'defperation; and when the
Enemy is thus beat out of the field, there remains
nothing but to enjoy the vUiory, When that
reluctance and refifiance of the corrupt Appetite is
fo weakned and fubdued that a man adts with
freedom, he a(5ls with plea fur e too. A heart
thusfet at liberty, alacrioufly runs the ways of Gods
commandments: it faring with it as with a Pa-
tient that is prefcrib'd exercife for health ; who at
firft perhaps finds laffitude and trouble in it : but
when the ohfiru5lions are remov'd, and nature diC
burthened of thofe noxious humors that encum-
bred her, that which was at firft his task, be-
comes his recreation. For we are not to think,
that it is any innate harfhnefs in piety that renders
the firft ^j9^//;^j"of itunpleafant, that is owing on-
ly to the indifpofednefi o£oux own llc9,rts. We
are in the Prophets phrafe bullocks unaccuftomed to
the yoke ; and if we be galled and fretted by it,
'tis becaufe of our impatient ftrivings, and irre-
gular motions under it, the yoke is really no hea-
vier than it is afterwards when it is more tamely
born: and yet the Eafe is very different and un-
equal. And this teaches us a ftiort way to that
felicity we now fpeak of, to wit. That we com-
pofe our felves to fuch a fubmifs and malleable
temper
1 14 Mifchiefs arifing Ci^ap* f .
temper, that Chrift may come only to govern
us txsjheepy not to be put to tame us as Tigers.
let us withdraw all fupplies from our hfts, and
not by any fecret referv'd affe(flion give them
clancular aids to maintain their llehellion, and
then they will not be abb^ long to make any vi-
gorous oppofition, nor confequently much to di-
fturbthe tranquillity of thofc who have thus re-
fign'd themfelves to the government of the
Prince of Peace : and if this cannot be done in
fuch an inftant, but that there will be fome
previous difplacencies, and uneafie ftruglings^yet
even thofc like the Scorpion, carry Antidote
againft their one ///^^i", when 'tis conlider'd that
they arebutthe/?^^^x of the f;e?7r-^/V//^> they will
become very fupportable by the expedlation of
that Joy to which they tend. An enflaved people
think themfelves fairly advanced to happinefs, if
they can get but to make head againft their op-
preflbrsj, though they muft expecfl: many fore
conflicts and fliarp engagements before they become
ViBors : and certainly 'tis matter of incftim^able
joy to him, who has be'en under that fad fpiritual
flavery to be fet thus upon even terms, with his
fword in his hand againft thofe, who once had him
in fuch vaffalage that he durft not lift up a
thought againft them ; but efpecially when 'tis
remembred with what invincible aids he is backt,
fuch as will afcertain him of viBory, if he do not
treacheroufly defeat himfelf And furciy he muft
be of a ftrange phlegmatick temper, whom all
thefe confiderations will not enliven, convey in-
to
<Z'0^V-5' /row Carnal Confideration. iijT
to him fo much fpirit as to make an attempt,
and engage him to do that upon fo prefling, fo
great a concern which meer curiofity prompts
men daily to in common affairs. And he that is
not moulded of this cold and ftubborn clay, he
that has not loft one of the elements of mans com-
pofition> and has but afpark o^ fire in his temper,
will furely have fome warmth towards this foin-'
viting an experiment : and when he has once
made itj, I doubt not, it will then joyn with the
fuffirages both of reafon and confcience in ap-
probation of Chrifts Lawsy and will with Solomon
pronounce of this fpiritual wifdom, her ways are
ways of pleafantnefsy and all her paths are peace j
Prov. 3. 17.
AND now it muft be a ftrange Violence of
impiety, that muft break this threefold cor dy that
ftiall difannul the joint fentence of all that are
competent Judges in this matter. This is not
the ftrength oiSamfon that brake withs and cords,
but of the Legion that puUd in pieces fet-
ters and chains ; and though too many men
make it their own work ; yet certainly 'tis only
the Devils Intereft : he afpires to the rule and
government of us ; and to that end nothing can
be more contributive than thefe prejudices we
take up againft Chrifts condudl. A Soul like
a Nation, can neither bear two Legijlators, nor
be without one: And Satan having but that fin-
gle competitor, our quarrelling with Chrifts
Laws, is virtually an embracing of his. When
wcfend Chriji that rebellious meflage, Nolumus
hunc
Il6 Mi/chiefs arifing Cj^ap^i*.
hufjc regnare, we fay to the other as the Trees to
the Bramble, Jud. 9. 14. come thou and reign over
us. And to this defiance of the one> and invita-
tion of his oppofite, he very nearly approaches,
that thus defames Chritts commands as irratio-
nal or fevere. The traducing of a government
being, we know, the immediate praludtum to the
calling it off'; libelling the forlorn-hope to rebel-
lion. But would God men would foberly weigh
whither fuch a mutinous humor tends ; and when
our outward Condition has given us fo many preg-
nant and coftly Proofs of its ruinous ejfe^isytako
caution that it make not the like wrack within
us : that we do not madly exchange Chrifts gentle
fervice, and glorious Rewards ; for Satans cruel bon-
dage,ind crueller Wages : the golden chains of the
one which do more adorn than tie us ; for the Iron,
the jidamanttne links of the other, which bind
us till they deliver us over to thofe Chains of
darkneji, where our captivity fliall be irreverfible.
If this foreafon able, fo neceflary a care may be
admitted; 'twill certainly confute the profane
fophijiry of our Age, filence our impious Cavils,
and inftead of providing us of the colour of an
auftere Mafier tv/ excufe our floth : will engage
us to that diligence that ihall fuperfede the ufe
of fuch y^/f>i-, and then we may hope to fee Chri-
fiianityhave a RefurreSion day again, aflume a
Body fomewhatof folidity and fubftance; which
now wanders about like a ghofl 01 fpeBre, a (hade
orvanifliing apparition which leaves no footfteps
behind it : and to the re-union,, O let us all emu-
loufly
<Ei)W*^' /Vom Fartial Obedience, 1 1 7
loufly contribute, take up every one of us his
dry Bones and bring it to the Prophet, or rather
to Him who fpake by that Prophet, to breath
upon them, till at lafl: they be cemented and in-
fpirited in adlive Duty to fliew forth the Fraifes cf
that God who hath called us out cf darkneJS into his
marvellous light, 1 Pet. 2. p.
CHAP. VI.
'ji furvey of the t^lifchiefs arijin^ from Partial
Obedience.
ANOTHER fort of prepofterous Con-
fiderers there are,by whom the power and
force of Chrijiianity is no lefs Gbfl:ru(5led :
and tnofc are they that contrive not how they may
mojft comply with it, but how they may belt bend
it to comport with them. That rebate its edge,
or turn it only againft fuch of their corruptions
I as they have leaft kindnefs for. That weigh the
Precepts with no other defign but that of taking
the light eft: thofe to whicn their conftitutions
or other circumftances carry leaft repugnance;
and come unto the Gojpel not to as a law, but to a
Market ; cheapen what they beft like, and leave
the reft for other cuftomers.
THAT thus it is with, many needs no other
proof than the variety vifiblc in the lives of feve-
ral profeflbrs. One man behaves himfelf mo-
I deftly,
i
1 1 8 Mi/chiefs arifmg Ctiap/^l
dsftly, and tells you his religion commands him
humility y yet at the fame time t ran fgrefles the as
ftricSl precept of Juftice, and will defraud him he
bows to. On the contrary another is Juft but In-
folentj, and though his Sentence do not bend,
cn^uuif expedls his Clients fliould. That man owes the
purity of his religion in vifitingthefatherlefsan^
widows, yet difclaims it again by not keeping
him/elf unj^otted of the world. This perfon is
Abftem.ious but Uncharitable, will drink no-
wine but thirfts for hloud. He prays much, yet
curfes more ; whileft he is meek but indevout.
Now while the Rule is one and the fame, how
ihould it come, that mens Practices fliould fo
vary,were it not for the unequal Application : did
they take it entire, though there might be diffe-
rence in the degrees, yet fure not in the kinds of
their Vertues, and as men would not difler fo
from one another, fo neither would they from
themfelves, there would be then no fuch thing as
a charitahle Drunkard, a devout Oppreflbr, a chap
Mifer ; Monfters engendred by this unnatural
commixture of light with darknefs, but Pietjt^
would be uniform and extenfive, and hring inU
captivity every thought unto the obedience of Chrifi,-
2 Cor. 10. jr. And till it be thus, Chrifiianity cao;.
never be thought to have atchiev'd any part of its-
defign, which was not aim'd againft any onejm^
gle limh, but againft the whole body of fin. AlaS^-
'tis not the lopping offone of the remote mem-
hersy that will render the remaining ones any.
wliitthelcfs vital, the having a part lefs to ani-
mate.
CR)ap*^« /^^^ Partial Obedience, I ip
Hiate> will rather ferve to concenter the fpirits,
and make them more acftive in the reft: as we
fee the pruning of Trees^ makes them more pro-
lifick. And this effedl is very obvious among
men: he who has no general diflike to vice; if he.
repudiate o//^/tis commonly that he may cleave
clofer to another ; and what he defalks from fome
dry, injipid fin^ is but to make up Ci Benjamin s
Mefs for fome other more guftful. If the Wan-
ton hcfoher, 'tis odds he thinks excefs a Rival to
his lufiy ifthe Proud man be //^^r/^/, 'tis becaufe
co'vetoufnejs is inglorious ; fuch unevennefles are
caus'd not by an unkindnefs to any Sin (unlefs pof-
fibly that averfion which natural conftitutioa
raifes in fome ) but by a partiality to one or
more favourite Vices, for whofe better accammo-
dationy and fecurer reign, not only Vertue, but
other Vices alfo muft give place.
AND this 'tis much to be fear'd will upon a
true account, be found to be the fum of many
mens pietyy fomething they think they muft
pay to the importunity of their Religion, which
upbraids them fo loudly that they are willing to
flop its mouthy but yet would do it with as much
frugality, and good managery as may be, and fo
confider what 'tis they can beft fpare : what re-
fufe Sin which brings them in little of fatisfacfbi-
on, and is perhaps in competition with fome other
more agreeable : and this they can be content to
devote to the /laughter, fet it to receive all the
impreffions of the fword of the /pirit ; and fo ufe it
as a buckler to their darling lufis, to ward oft thofe
I 2 blows
I ZO Mifchiefs driftng Cl)ap*^«
blows which muft elfe fall heavy on them ; but
alas this is not to oheyy but to delude : to ranfom
^greater Sin with a lefsy and to tranfcribe in this
matter the Counfel of Caiphas : to let one die for
the People, that the whole nation Perifh not. To
make one forlorn guilt a Patriot to the reft,
whileft in the tempeft which threatned a general
{hipwracky the precious wares are preferv'd, by
throwing the le(^ valuable over board.
AND truly that is commonly the event, men
are fo jolly and triumphant when they have worft-
ed a trivial inconfiderahle fin, as if they had de-
feated the whole army ; this poor defpicable fpoiU
is fet up as their Trophe, and muft they think wit-
nefs for them both to God and man> that they are
good fouldiers of Jefus Chrifi : they can like Saul
with full confidence meet the Prophet, and tell
him they have fulfilled the Commandment of the
LordyZ^2Lm, 1 5". 13. though ^gag and thebeft
c^^^/^, the reigning and fatteft/;7j be fpar'd: and
while they are thus fecure> their fins will certain-
ly be fo alfo, have no difturbance or difquiet from
them;, but lie at Eafe and reft, feed like Canihals
upon their own kind, be nourifht by the car-
kafles of thofe unlucky vices, on whom the ex-
terminating lot hapned to fall: and by that
means grow to a prodigious bulk and corpulen-
cy. And upon thefe terms Satan himfelf will
allow us to mortifie feme fins, nay will hinifelf
caji the firfi fione at them : and like a rooking
gamefter purpofely lofc thefe petiy flakes, that
he may afterwards fweep the hoard,!
FOR
d^dP»^* ffom Partial Obedience . 121
, F O R if men fliould give themfelves up uni-
verfally to all forts of 111, if they ihould fet them-
felves in a total oppofition to all the documents
of their profefion, he would lofe one of his mofl:
ufeful engins'y there could be no fuch thing as a
falfe delulive hope : they might poflibly by ob-
ftinacy harden, or by divcrfion gag Confcience,
but they could not bribe and corrupt it, make it
fit down well pleas'd and fatisfied with its felf.
For when the threats againft difobedience fliall
occurr to the mind of one who has in allinftances
difobey'd, 'tis impofllble he fliould find any
falve, any way of Evading the Thrcats,they make
fo directly at him. : but he who can alledge for
himfelf that he obeys in fomc things, confronts
that to all Objections, and refolves he is not
in the lifi of the difohedient : One or two fuch
comfortable inftances are as mighty; as God
promised the Ifraelites fliould be, Deut. 32.30.
one able to chafe a thoufand, and two to put ten thou-
fand to flight ; all fears and mifgiving thoughts
are diffipated and fled before them : and as once
the French King in his return to the numerous
fwelling titles of the Spaniard, thought the bare
repetition of France, France, France, was a fiill
ballance to them all ; fo when whole files of great
and fcandalous Crimes prefent themfelves, one^
fingle vertue is thought ii fufBcient counterpoize.
He whofe Confcience upbraids him with all
Profanenefs towards God, and in Sobriety to-
wards himfelf: yet if he can but anfwer that he is
jpfi to his neighbour, he thinks he has quit f cores,
♦ I 3 and
J22 Mifchiefs aripng €t)aPt^»
^nd fears no farther reckonings : he who is im-
merft in all the filthinefs both oi flejh and Jpirit,
has abandoned his Mind to pride and envte, ms Bo-
dy to lufi and intemperance ; and fo facrificed both
thofetd Devils: yet if he caft hntfomeg^^rainso?
this efbte upon the Altar; devote any finall
part ofthattoGodj, for the ufes of P/V/)/ oi Cha-
rity J he concludes that Incenfe will fend up a
Cloud thick enough, to obfcure the other from
the JE;'^ of Divine Jufl:ice> and yield fo fweeta
iavoui: as will perfume him in fpight of all that
Noifomnefs : fo extending old Tohits words be-
yond his meaning, that alm^y though alone y delir-
fvereth from deathy and cleanfethfrom all fin. He
who is deep in facriledge and rehelliony that can
daringly fwallow repeated deUberate /?^r/i<r/>j ;
yet if ne can get but the demure tendernefs, to
fear afudden oath^ he is Chymifi enough to ex-
tracft a confidence out of that feary and prefumes
that /t?rw/!j/ Civility toGodsname> fhall expiate
all the real Violations and Contempts of him ;
and while- men make fuch ufe of their partial
peecemeal obedience, it can never be the Devili
interefi: to difturb them in it, to awake them out
of their pleafant dream, or to exadl of them to
<iepofite thofe poor unfignificant remains of their
Ghriftianity, which ferve only to make them more
Supine y not more Safe, > k,
NAY' indeed his afifairs are fo ftated, that to
fome he can and does, and without danger allow
a yet far greater indulgencey he can permit therti
fo bid ni^ch fairer than this for Heaven, an4
■ yet
d),Sp*^- from Fttrtial Obedience, 123
yet knows the purchafc is far from being made;
he can fee them cafhier not ibme one ftngle fin,
but whole troops together;, and yet not fear the
iinking of his Caufe : He can truft them fo
far;, that as the youu^ man in the Gofpel, they
may be pronounc'd. Not far from the Kingdom of
God: yet as long as there is but one unmortified
Luft;, that can lend them away fad from ChriM,
his tenure is firm enough. Herod may hear
John Baptifl gladly, n:\,yio many things upon it>
yet let him but keep Herodiasy andfhe will foon
be able to fecure both her f elf ^n^ 5"^^^^^ againft
the danger of that Competition. This is indeed
his main advantage that he can hold faft by the
fmallefi threed; and whereas to our blifs a con-
fpiration and union of all Vertues is required ;
our ruine can fpring from any one folitary Crime:
many rounds make that Ladder wherewith we muft
fcale heaven : whereas oneftep ferves to precipi^
tate us into the Ahyffe ; fo fadly vei^ifying the Poe-
tical Axiome, Facilis defcenfus jiverni. In fum,
while there is hut any one fwgle fin indulg'd to:
that is the Devils tedder ; and though it fhould
be imagined fo loofe^as to give men fcope to range
Over all other forts of Vertues, to tafte the fweet
and feed liberally on them; yet flil! the heajl is
in the power of him who has fixt the line, not
only to be finally led away to flaughter, but alfo
to have the length Jhortned, and be either put out
of the reach, or quite removed from the view of
thofe pleafantpafiures,
1 4 FOR
124 Mi/chiefs arifmg S5ilP^'
FOR though the fecurity raised by fuch an un-
uniform piety is in many fo cxa<5lly apportioned
to Satans interesly that he has no caufe to wilh
the change of his tenure ; yet where the circum-
ftances are fuch, as will make it ufeful> he can
cafily tvvift his threci into a Cdhle. When he thinks
one Mom,rch Lufl: too mild a legiment, he can
fct up an ^Athenian Tyranny, or which is yet
wcrfe, let in the whole populacy of Sin upon the
Soul, which like the Egyptian Loculis fhall over-
run and devour it, not leave any green thing on
the groundy and that this is in his power we have
too machreafon to conclude. He is we know a
cunning fophi^er, and if he has abus'd us fo far
as to impofe one fin upon us, he may thence very
regularly deduce many more, as one falfe Pre-
mife admitted, may be improved into thoufands
of falfc Conclufions. Indeed fuppofing a man
refolute to adhere to one fin, he may with very
good Logick perfwade him to multitudes of
others. There are but two Objeffions ufually
made to any Temptation ; either the offence, or
the danger \ andthefe are ufually objedlable to
one fin as well as to another ; fo that this dilemma
readily offers its felf : either it is reafonable to
buy a pleafure at that price, or it is not: If it
be, then contrive that the crime be pleafant, and
that brings its dij^enfation with it : If it be not>
then why doefb thou live in this one fin in de-
fpight of both guilt and punifliment ; the later
part of the Dilemma 'tis no part of Satans bufi-
nefs to prefs, but the former he has too much ad-
vantage of purfuingfucceflefuUy; if he can but
drefs
(Etiap 6- fi'om Partial Obedience. iz^
drefs up a temptation to look invitingly, the bu-
finefs is done. So ridiculous a thing is an uneven
Piety, that it even laughs it felf out of counte- '
nancc;, and wants only temptation to become uni-
ferm Vice. How abfurdly looks it, to fee a man
run away with Jofeph from the embraces of his
f^Miftrefip and yet with full as great a fpeed ac-
company Gehazi in the parfuit of a hrih ; and
how obvious is it to conclude that the former
aflault was improfperous only becaufe not man-
aged with the r/^^^ weapon; that he might have
been bird that would not be woed ? What a
mockery is it for a man to be zealoics for God, and
rehel/ious againft hi< King ? as in the reverfe, for
a man to be true to his King, and a rehel to hif
God : and w^ho can but think, that had either of
the averted Crimes been cookt to their Palats,
they might have chang'd ^leffes. Indeed 'tis
not imaginable by what rules of difcourfe, he
that embraces one fin fliould rejedl another : if it
be done only uponphancy and humour ^as the repulfi
vice will have realon to complain of great partia-
lity, when as bad as its felf is received and che-
rifli'd ; fo it points out a way to attacque him
more profperoufly : let it fhape its felf to the
phancy, and fure Satan, who can transform him-;
felf to an jingel of light, can foon w^ork that eafie
change : let the younger Brother get on the cloaths
of the favourite Efau, transform its felf into
the fhape and intereft: of the darling fin, and
it need not doubt of a free admiffion, . But all
this while to pretend confcience for fuch an ahfi:i-
nence, is of all other pleas the inuil abfurd, for ^«^^
why
1Z6 Mifchiefs aripng CE|^apf(^.
whyfliouldhc fcruple at one, that abandons him-
felf to another. As S. James argues concerning
the guilt, fo may we for the aB of Sin : He that
faid do not commit adultery y faid alfo do not kill ;
and 'tis abufive mockery, the Souldiers Aije Rex^
to bow to his authority in the e?;7^,and refill: it in
the other. Thus unhappy is the cafe of him who
entertains one fin, his enclofure is broken down,
and he's a common for all : he is left deftitute of
a reply to any temptation, and like a hafhful per-
fon will be in danger o!i yielding, becaufe he is
afham'd to deny : and this I doubt not, many have
found experimentally true, fomefins have been
committed not fo much upon the force of incli-
nation, as to be confentaneous to themfelves, to
filence the upbraidings of their underftandings
foradlingfo unevenly, it being impoflible to give
a reafonable account, why thts and not that, or
that ; for when by one hold wilful Jin a man enter'd
into a ftate ofhoflility with God, 'tis not a tender-
ttefs in all others will make up the hredch: and
then they think the rule of known enemies takes
place, where all civilities are difclaim'd, and
the quarrel manag'd to the moft advantage.
The refolv'd ^Adulterer could perhaps without
much difficulty be juft, but when he confiders
that that one Helena of his, will certainly make
a war, he thinks 'tis an impertinent nicenefs to
lofe a good prize, or difmifs his covetoufnefs while
he refolves to ret^n his lujf.. The incorrigible
drunkard could perchance eafily enough be r^///e,
but when he remembers that drmkennefs ex-
<JE&61P*^' from Partial Obedience. 127
eludes him from the Kingdom of Heaven : having
made that fale of his eternal inheritances, he
thinks 'tis V)Ut good husbandry to get as much as
he can for it : So treacherous a guefi is any one
5"/^/ admitted, and iodg'd in the heart, it def boils
it of all its armour of defence, leaves it notiiing
wherewith to» guard its felf ag^inft any aflailant ;
and be it never fo [mall a one^ 'tis like thofe lit-
tle ^/>/Vt;^j which being put in at the window fet
the doors open to all the reil".
BUT perhaps this danger may be thought
in fome degree warded by the natural temper and
conftitution of men, which neceflarily renders
them unapt to contradiHory vices, and £b will fe-
cure them at leaftirom fo many as are difagreea-
ble to their Temper : but if this fliould be granted,
yet it confefledJy leaves them open to all others,
and that were certainly bad enough: he that is
as wicked, as his compkx'ion can not only encline,
but permit him to be, will not want much of the
utmoft number of fins : but whatever we can fup-
pofe that to ftrike ofF from the tale ; yet in the
fecond place, 'tis very much to be fcar'd, that
will defalk nothing of the weight; he that fins
to the height of his appeiite, perhaps power, fliall
he be ever the more innocent becaufe there were
fome naufeatedfins which he had not Self denial
enough to commit. Godabfolves us in propor-
tion to the reBitude of our Wills, not the ;?ot-
nefs of our Complexions : he that wills to pur-
fue whatever he can find guflful, how impious foe-
yer ; fliall it be vertue inliinri that fome Sins are
128 Mif chiefs arifing Cbap 6
unfavoury and difagreeing to his Palate ; if it
ihould, theij may fo many cxtrinfick things be by
Analogy brought in> cither to fwell or abate the
accounts of our fin, that we fliall be much to feek
in the eftimate of it.
B U T in the third place, even thefe very aver-
fions are no infallible prefervative^ for if they
happen to be more moderate and remifs, than the
love of fome other fin ; that predominant incli-
nation will fubdue thofe diflikes, when ever its
intereft is to be ferv'd, by thofe otherwife not
guftful commijjions. There is nothing more or-
dinary than to fee one appetite purfued to the
violation of another. A man perhaps hates
drunkennefsj not only as a he^ialy but uneafie vice ;
yet if his /oz'^ to Gain exceed his diflike to that;
when that is requifite to make up the price of a
good bargain^ that averfion muft ftoop, and give i
way. A man defpifes /ji'^^r/V^, ti^ ^n inftpid im-
pertinent Sin, yet if he fet any great value upon
heing in the mode, and complying with the gentile
Dialed, that will foon debafe him to what hefo
much contemned: and truly there is fcarce any
other account to be given of that great and foolilh
fin. But in no other inftance is this fo notori-
oufly vifible as in that of duelling, I need not
fingle out any one mans particular inclination,
the nature of mankind doth certainly avert both
killing and being kill'd: yet when that Phan-
tafmy that Chimera honour, has once poflfeft the
mind, no reludlance of humanity is able to make
head againftit: but it commands as uncon-
troul'dly
! ^ap^d. from Partial Ohedience. lig
troui'dlyj, as the Centurion in the Gofpel, fayes to
this mango and he goes, to another come and ha
comes : nay as Tyrannically as the great Cham
oitartaryy who as an Eflay of his Soveraignty
commands whole t roofs to ride down precipices ;
nay thefe Averfions are not only thus violently
fubdued by fome foraign lufl, but arc many times
deftroy'd even by force of that very ^vicious prin-
ciple which gave them hirth : for we miftake if
we think they are alwaies vertuous, or fo much
as innocently founded ; Vice is often at civil wars
with its felf ; and the vehement inclination to
one, ingenders a dij^lacency to another ; but yet
fuch a riddle is this myfiery ofhiquity, that upon
the very fame hafis is built both the abhorrence
and commiffion of the fame Sin. For example, a
Proud man as much hates to fawn and flatter
others, as he loves to be flattered himfelf; yet let
his pride but once work the other way:» and fet
him upon an ambitions projeB, then all the mean
condefcentions imaginable are with eafe digeft-
ed, he can crouch and proftrate, and as the rfal-
mifi fpeaks, fall down and humble himfelf, that by
that defcent he may rebound to the height he
aims at: but ft ill pride is the common caufe of
thefe fo diftant eflfecfls. In like manner the Rio-
tous Prodigal detefts covetoufnej?, looks upon it
as fo fordid and bafe, that he brands even pru-
dent frugality as approaching too near it; yet
let him but once find the firings to grow dry
which fliould feed his luxury, when he feels his
Riot begins to exhauft and prey upon its felf,
theu
13 O Mifchiefs arifing C!)ap¥^-
then even that dejpifed Covetoufnefi fli^iU be calFd
in to its aid, to dig mettal for the Furnace to
melt, and fo by a ftrange Antiperiftafisy prodigality
fhall beget rapine. Tlius unhappily prolifick is
every Sin, that it carries in its bowels the feed
:ind principle even of thofe that feem the moft He^
terogeneous ; and then how fhall a man that has
admitted but any one fuch teeming lult be fecur'd
that it lliall not thus propagate, till his Soul be-
come a meer defarty fiU'd with all forts o£wild
and noxious creatures,
THERE is but one hope imaginable to inter-
pofe, and that is that Gods grace ftiall prevent this
exorbitant growth of impiety in him, and I ac-
knowledge that is fufBcient to do it, where iC
may have its kindly operation ; but where it has fo,
it will uniformly fupprefs all fin, and therefore
where any one continues in Force 'and Vigour, 'tis
manifeft that operation of Grace is obftrudled,
and fuch a man I fliould defire foberly to confider
what aflurance he has, that he who has fo evacu-
ated Gods grace in one imftance, fhall not do fo in
another ? \?in flight of that grace he can be luft-
fiil, why (hall he not be as able to refift it in fa-
T(>«r of Drunkennefs, Sacriledge, Rebellion/ or
any other crime to which he fliall at any time have
appetite. Can he imagine that God fends forth
an irrefiftible ftrength againft fome fins, whileft
in others he permits meai a power of repelling his
Grace? That were to tranfcribe the Syrians db-
furd Phanfie, that he isr a God of the hills and not
of the valleys: Nocertaanly, he who has his own
unhappy
Cljap*^- /Vom Partial Obedience. Ijl
unhappy experience to atteft the poflibility of
fruftrating the Divine fuccours in one particular^
has too fure grounds to infer the like in others.
Nay alas, it does not only infer it by way o£argu^
ment and deduBion, but it is very apt to produce
it by way oicaufe and efficiency ; We gain a readi-
nefs to any thing by cuftom and afluefacftion, and
he who has habitually oppos'd Grace in the de-
fence of a Lufty has delivered himfelf from that
modefty vrhich makes the firft deFance uneafie,
and fo runs on with eafe and boldnefs to future re-
fiftance. It faring with men in this violation of
Gods ^r ace as it does in that of his Patrimony y the
firft Sacriledge is lookt on with fome horrour,
and men are fain to devife arguments and colours
to delude their reludling Confciences ; but when
they have once made the breach^ their fcrupulo-
fity foon retires ; one draught of that impious
gain, has fuch a ftupifying effeBy that they can
without check fwallow on, till the Sin flame (o
fiercely, that nothing but meer want of Matter
can extinguifh it But admit it were poflible
for a man to be fecur'd of his own compliance with
fome parts of refrraining grace whileft he im-
pugnes it in others, yet who fhall afcertain him^
of that grace? It being Gods, implies 'tis not in
our power, he may furely do what he will with
' his own, and though his promife has made a fure
^///^^//ofittoallthofe, who humbly feekand dili-
gently ufe it : yet it no where engages that it fhall
be the portion ot any other ; much lefs that it fliall
importunately and endlefly renew its aflaults on
thof^
I3'2 Mifchiefs arifin^ <!L\)diTp*6,
thofe who have often repulft and put it to flight :
In that cafe Gods vefolution concerning the old
world becomes appliable. My jpirit /hall not al-
ways firivs with man \ and C6r//? who forbids us to
cap our pearls before fwine, will certainly never
proftitute what is infinitely more precious^ his
Grace to thofe^ who have fo long trampled it un-
der their feet ; and fo thofe muft be concluded to
have done, who have perfevered in any one fin :
for Grace is uniformly oppofite to all, and there-
fore the cleaving to any is defiance and affront to
it. But we need not the help of inferences and
deducftion, the threats of God are exprefs in this
matter: The f^/^;^^ is decreed to betaken from
the unprofit/tble fervanty who has not imployed it
to the proper ufe, and fuch infallibly is evrry man
whohasnotadluatedtheGr^ce given him to the
fubduing of every reigning fin \ and the reprobate
mind mention d in Scripture as the moft difmal
of allPlagueSj the rif aVo;t/juo^, which yields not
to the melting and the purging force of Fire, and
therefore does confign to tnat of Hell, is found-
ed upon the voluntary rejedlion of God in parti-
cular inftances, Rom, I. How then can he, that
in any one fingle thing fo rejedls him, aflure him-
felf that fhall not be the event of it : That he who
would not have Ghrift rule entirely in his heart,
fhall at once be put out of his Government and^re?-
tedlion : have all thofe fpiritual aids withdrawn,
which fhould either aflifl: him to ^00^, or fortific
him againft /// ; and like an outlawed perfon be
exposed to the outrage of all that will aflault
him. AND
(S,i)S[p^6. from Partial Obedience, 133
AND now would God this might be fadly pon-
dered, that men woul d not be their own Sirens,
and entertain themfclves with thofe deceitful me-
lodieSy which will end in howlings andgnafhings of
teeth '^ that they would not think their having
fomefew vertues, and but fome few vices will
ferve to fatisfie the defign, or procure them the
rewards of their Chriftianity: for if they Ihould
continue in this pofture, and not be tempted to
grow worfe, they may certainly conclude 'tis be-
caufe Satan finds they need not. And can they
be/7ro«^ofthat Vertue which the Devil himfelf
will allow them ? And think themfelves good
enough when they are as bad as he wiflies them i
But even in this they have no other tenure than
his Will. When he pleafes for his intereft, or
even for his divertifement and recreation he may
hurry them to all that is moft enormous ; con-
vert their Hypocrifie to profdnenejs, their partial
Piety to univerfal Ungodlinefs ; they have no-
thing to interpofe in tfieir ow^n Defence, not fo
mucn as a reafonable Argument to oppofe to him,
they have made a voluntary fale of themfelves for
one or more beloved fin, and now as his vaffals
he may impofe on them what others he pleafes :
and by their doting affecHon to their Rachel take
advantage alfo to obtrude the defpis'd Leah upon
them. And how wretched, how deplorable is
this ftate ? What a Fiety is this that we muft
owe to the Devil, while we can be no better than
he will let us ?
YET this is without Hyperhole", the condition
K ' ' of
I J 4 Mif chiefs artfmg Cbap*<f .
of every man that is not fincerely uniformly
Chriftian ; every indulg'd fin gives Satan livery
and feifin of his heart, and a power to difpofe of
it as he pleafe. I know men are apt to flatter
themfelves with other hopes, and think that thofe
obediences they pay to God fhall like a pre-in-
gagement difannul all after contrails made by
guilt, and put them into the pofleffion of Him
who is able to hind that ^rong man. But God
will not be acceflary to fuch a fraud, even to-
wards the Devil while they keep the price, enjoy
that pleafure or profit wherewith he bought
them, God will never interpofe to defeat him of
his purchafc.
AND as God will not thus forcibly wreft
them out of his hands, muchlefs will hedefcend
to a capitulation and compofition with him. God
is a jealous God, and what jealous husband did ever
by compacfl divide his right with the jidulterer.
Where he finds a perfevering difloyalty he gives
a bill of divorce and difclaims his relation. Yet
fo befotted are men, as to hope God willratifie
that alienation they have made of one part of their
heart, and contentedly enjoy the reft ; and as
competitors ufe fometimes to do, fhare with his
Rival. But alas that immortal quarrel will not
be thus taken up, the diflference between thefe irr^
reconcilable ^Antagonifts will not be fo compremi-
fed. God difdains fuch a Treaty, nor will ever
come fo much as to an interview with his enemy,
within the lifts and recedes of one Heart. And
while men labour fuch an accord, they are but
combining
fiCtlSP*^' from Par ttal Obedience. I> j-
combining with 5"^^^// agai lift G^^ and their own
Souh : he knows well that while he holds any
part, God will have none, and fo the whole falls
to him, and then he may very fafely be modeft,
and demand but moderately, and by that feeming
difference and yielding, gain more than by all his
moft eager contendings. I fuppofe every man
will difown the having this ridiculous defign of
compounding the ftrifc between Heaven and He//;
but certainly it is the natural interpretation of
fuch partial obediences, when two Litigants con-
tend for fomething which I have in my keepin^^,
ifl divide it between them, is it not obvious to
conclude I defire to compofe the difpute and la-
tisfie both parties, and is not this the very cafe
here ? 'Tis true indeed, it carries a very abfurd
found, but then how more abfurd is it for men to
acft at fuch a rate, that when 'tis reprefented to
them in the trueft colours, themfelves are aflia-
med to own what they have done ? And this calls
loudly upon them to put themfelves out of the
lafli of their own difcipUne : to recover fuch an
innocence that they may not be forc't with David
to fentence themfelves, when that their crimes
appear in the light difguife of a Parab/e.
AND this indeed is the only proper ufe of all
thefe confiderations, the danger and folly are as
unufeful as unpleafant fpeculations, unlefs it be in
order to the reforming that wherein both are
founded. Let men confider themfelves, as enga-
ged in thofe wild projedls which even themfelves
look on with fcorn ; as enfnar'din that unhappy
vK z contradl
1:^6 Mifchiefs drifwg Cljap-^^-
contracfl: which has rendred them part of the De-
vils pofleflion, and contrive how they may obli-
terate that reproach;, and difentangle their Mort-
gaged Souls.
AND for this there is but one way imagi-
nable> and that is by quitting their hands of that
which they took as the valuable confideration in
that mad bargain ; reftoring Sat arts coyn to him^
not only ^r/W/7^/ but ufeaKo: calling away the
main fin and all the little appendages, which like
offefets have fhot out from that root ; retaining
nothing that has his mark and imprefs upon it,
that fo ne may not pretend to any thing of theirs
by right of barter or exchange. This, and this
only is the way to diffeife him of his Eftate, to
cancel thofe fatal Indentures which bound them
to him, and till this be done, as long as they keep
any part of his wages of iniquity y his title remains
in full force, they are Hill his fervantSf his vaf
fals,
EVEN that redemption of Chrift has no effi-
cacy towards the enfranchizing of fuch, for
though it proclaim a univerfal Juhile, yet it for-
ces liberty upon none, he that will nail his Ear
to the door-poft and defie a manumiflion, may
continue his flavilh ftate ftill, and indeed though
Chrifts death was defign d to refcue us from the
power of Satan ; yetthefirft eflay of that refcue
was to redeem us from our vain converfation: And
where that is not done, which is fo eflcntially
fundamental to all the reft, 'tis not poflible any
other pait of that Redemption fliould be atr
chiev'd>
Ct)^P*^' from Partial Obedience . iij
chiev'dj, unlefs we will confound the order o? Na-
ture as well as Grace, and make the confequent
precede the antecedent.
L E T no man therefore upon any vain hopes
delay the one only expedient to his fecurity^ but
pay back the ear nefi-penny he has received from 5"^-
tany fling away his fin, how pleafant or profitable
foever, with the greateft Abhorrence, as know-
ing'tis the price of blood, and that not only his
Saviours y but his ojvn too ; and this immediately,
left the forfeiture be irreverlible. We know the
danger of lapfing time in cafe of Mortgage, but
here our danger is greater, becaufe the time is fo
uncertain, for though God had nothing elfe to
do in the whole tranfacftion ('twas wholly our
own work ) yet 'tis he that adigns the time of for-
feiture : he alone knows how far w^e may go in
fin, before we pafs the poffibility of a retreat ;
hov7 long he will be provok'd before he fufiferhis
whole difpleafure to arife ; and how many repel-
lings of his Grace, and quenchings of his Spirit
they are to which his defertions are apportioned.
Pharaohs- htart was hardened by God after the
Eighth refiftance, and we have no fecurity but ours
may he fooner : yet if that fhould be taken as the
ftanding meafure, how dreadful an abode would
it make to many of us ? Who is there that has
efpoufed any one beloved fin, that has not much
oftner repeated the atls of it, every one of which
is a refiftance and a contumacy againft God ?
Who is there that has not done it againft fo many
C"xprefs warnings and loud calls of God in his own
K 3 Confci^
Mi/chiefs arifing €|)ap*^«
Confctencey which renders it yet a fuller paraliel,
and 'tis to be fear'd^too many agree with it even in
the Lift and higheft circumftance, that of the
Plagues too, by an obftinate perfifting after fo
many Judgements fent to moUifie and reclaim
them ; and then where the premifes are the fame,
'tis too likely the conclufion may be fo alfo.
I S H A L L not wifli any Perfon fo ftridlly
to apply this cafcj, as to conclude, that he is al-
ready in this ftate, but I fhould wifli all men
would apply it fo far^as to infer how poffihle, nay
how prohahle it is, that the very next refiftance
iliall put them in it. 'Tis not Pharaohs being a
Heathen and they Chriftians that will give them
anyfccurity; it being no part of the Gofpel-Co-
venantj, that men fhall be ever the longer allowed
to trample upon Grace. All the difference it
makes is rather on the other fide ; the contempts
areenhans'd to a higher guilt, and confequently,
the fewer aifls may now ferve to fill up themea-
fure. And if their experience teflrifie to them,
that in their particular God has us'd a greater
long fuffering, than he has given any grounds to
expecft, ifthe guilt of their Confciences teflrifie
that they have committed many more acfts; and
yet fome remaining tenderneflcs and regrets wit-
nefs alfo,that they are not yet given up to an ut-
ter hardnefs and obduration, O let them not pre-
fume themfelves fafe, becaufe they are not utter-
ly defperate ; but lay their hearts open to be
ftampt and imprefl: by grace, before they grow
utterly inflexible ; timely confider what is the
defign
Cliap*^- from Partial Obedience. ijp
defign of this longanimity , and without any more
ftrugiings and refiftance fufJer it to attain its aim
and lead them to repentance.
FOR though their Souls be not yet wholly
petrified^ yet how know they in what an inftant
that unhappy (^etamorphofis may be wrought,
or if it fhould not be fo ludden, yet 'tis certain
every acfl of fin makes gradual approaches to-
wards it: fo that if God fhould not inHicl it by
way of punifhmenty yet the meer force of Habit
would produce it by way of natural efficacy : And
to be convinced of this, I fhould require no more,
but that men would refledl:, and fee what effetSls
it has already wrought, how far it has advanced
towards that fatal point. Let them fend their
thoughts back through every flage and period of
their fin, and obferve whether as that has grown,
fo their tendernefs and reludtance of Confcience
has not abated and decreased : Let them but recol-
Iccftwhat regrets and difquiets they had, when
they ventured upon the firft unlawful commifllon,
and compare it with their prefent, and I doubt
not they will difcern a great inequality ; they
will find that every acft of fin hath allayed fome-
what of the fharpnefs of thofe pangs, and pro-
portionably to the frequency of the repetition
they approach toward infenfible: and then let
him whofe older Habit has multiplied thofe ABsy
fadly confider how few fieps he has to the end of
his unhappy journey, though no extrinfick con-
current fhould haften his pace. But when Gods
defertion fhall, as for ought he knows, it may the
K 4 next
140 Mi/chiefs arifing Cl^aPv^".
next minute fupervene : that as a full and violent
Wind drives him in an inftant^, not to the Harbour,
but on the Rock where he will be irrecoverably
fplit.
NOR let any man fortifie himfelf againft
thefe terrors^ by hoping that his one finj^le ( per-
haps fmall ) fin (hall not have this deftrucftive
force ; for if it be vptlful it carries in it that which
is properly the malignity of all fin, to wit, a re-
fiftance and oppofition againft God, and this is
fo mortal a Venome, that the leaft Dofe of it is
deadly y as a man may as certainly be poifon'd by
a dram ofjrfenicky as with the largefi draught,
THE more natural inference lies the other
way, ifitbebutafingleor pettyfin, 'tis fo much
the eafier to part with ; he that is bound with a
firong Cable, or with a multitude of lefler Cords,
may pretend fome necejfity of his Captivity from
the ftrength of his bonds ; but he that is tied
with ofie flender firing, fuch as one refolute
ftruggle would be fure to break : he is prifoner on-
ly to his own floth or humour, and who will pity
his thraldom, where 'tis fo apparently his choice ?
Do not therefore fay my fin is inconfiderable and
therefore I need not relinquijh it, but my fin is in-
confiderable therefore I need not keep it. So
flight a pleafure I m^y part with and find no mifs :
this pedling profit I may refign and 'twill be no
breach in my Eftate. And ifChrifi require a re-
nunciation of ^/^(?/^y//7x which are as the Hand and
Eye, ftiall I fcruple to depofite thoje which are but
AS the Hair or Nails,
■ NAY
Ctep.^* from Fartial Obedience. 141
NAY he may yet argue higher^ and from the
fmalnefs of the fin deduce the enhanfement of the
Guilt : great acquifitions carry fome temptation
in their face, but defpicable prizes do rather
avert than tempt. 'Twas the fign of a common
harlot to be hired with a Ktd, Gen. 58. and fure he
muft be of a ftrange proftitute Soul, that can
adulterate for fuch low trivial wages . To diflio-
nour Godj, though the whole world were to be ac-
quired by it, were great impiety y but to do it for
handfuh of Barley and pieces of Bread, EzeL 13.
19. himfelf brands as a yet higher pitch. And
fure it argues a very light efteem of God, when
one poor contemptible luftfliall be able to over-
poize him in our hearts.
N O R is the folly lefs thaa the profaneneff,
when there is but one Jonah to be caft over-board,
'tis the greater madnefs to hazard a wrack ; and
let fuch a man pretend what he pleafes in extenu-
ation of his fin, make that appear never fo minute
and defpicable, yet 'tis apparent all the love
which other men fcatter and diftribute upon feve-
ral, he has united and concentred in this one luft.
The moft doting affeBion when it is fummed up
can amount to no more than this, that it makes a
man expofe himfelf to the greateft pain, the
greateft lofs for the thing beloved. And this is
moft vifible here. Hell is as certainly acquired,
and Heaven as certainly forfeited by one fin as ma-
ny \ and then though there may be odds in other
refpedls, yet what is there in this, between this
Hiore modefi and the moft licmtious Sinner, but
that
142 Mifchiefs arifing C|)ap*6'.
that xS\^ former puts the fame value upon one^, that
the other does upon many finSj, and fells his Soul
fo much the cheaper.
AND now would God fuch men would review
their hargain, foberly confider what there is in this
Idolized fin of theirs, which fliould exac5t fuch coft-
ly facrifices. Let him whofe long intimacy and
experience has given him accefs to its moft fecret
recelles, that has rifled its bowels, and knows the
utmoft whether of pleafure or profit that lies
there conceal' d. Let him I fay, that is thus qua-
lified for it, make an exacft inventory of its
wealth, and then let him compare it with what he
is to pay for it ; weigh its flat and momentary Plea-
ftires^ with thofe moft tranfcending and perpetual
Joys which are at Gods right hand ; its bafe and pe-
riihing commodities, with thofe unfailing trea-
fures in the Heaven ; and then judge of his pur-
chafe in refpecft of that part of his prize : And
if that be not convincement enough, let him
weigh the other alfo ; thofe fad pains which are
too intolerable to be fufJer'd, and yet fo eternal y
that they can never ceafe to be fuflfer'd, and think
whether that be not too dear a rate for that plea-
fure, whofe guft is fo little, and whofe duration
is lefs : or mi^itprofit he will have in the revenue
of his fin, thut Gold and Silver which will finally
eathisflejhas it were fire, Ja.$.'^. and prove the
unhappy /^^/ of his flames.
FROM all thefe premiffes, certainly Reafon
and Religion do equally infer the fame conclufion,
to wit, that men fliould not tolerate themfelves
one
Cij^P*^' ftom Partial Obedience. I^j
one minute in any known fin of how fmall a fize
foever it be; nor fo impertirxntly betray their
Souls to ruine for that which they call light and
trivial; and is fo indeed in refpecft of the acqnefi,
but overw^helmingly ponderous in regard of the
effeBs and pernicious confequents. And O that ,
mens pracftices might evince them to have made
this juft dedudlion, that thofe who have in many
things preferv'd an innocence y would not be fo ill
husbands as to forfeit all the advantage of that
Care for want of extending it a little farther^
norfufferthe whiter parts of their SoultobediC-
coloured or tintfled by the refledlion of one crim-
fonfin; but rather let their tears wafh that into a
whitenefsjjthat they may be uniform and of a piece.
For though Jacob clad his darling Jofeph in a par-
ty-colour'd garment ; yet God owns none either
for favourite S"*?/;:, or fo much as Servant that he
finds fo arrayed. The followers of the Lamb are all
clad in white, and in that attire we muO:. be fure to
put our felves if we mean to go in with him to the
marriage. And fince the Gofpel is the invitation
to that feaft, let none imagine he has complied
with it till he have thus fitted himfelf: till then
he affronts and baffles his Chriftianity^ fends it
away empty without its errand ; nay, which is
worfe proflitutes and profanes it, makes it fervc
only for a G(?i/r^, that he may fit under the fha-
dowofit, and commit his fins the more undifl:ur-
bed; but let j him remember that he is all this
while breeding that worm, which will fmite this
Gourd, and leave him un/heltred to that fcorch-
ing
144 Mifchiefs arifing Cfcap
ing7rr//^/?ofGod, which will make the improve-
ment o^Jo7jahs pajfTionate Wifh, that God would
take away his lifc his moft rational Defire; ren-
der not Death only, but Annihilation alfo, as
eligihle as it will be impoffihle.
I CHAP. VIL
'^A fuYvey of the Mifchiefs arifing from ^Ufiakes
concerning Repentance,
34 N O T H E R dangerous Underminer of
LjL Chriftian Pracftice is the many afiFedted
Jl^ \^ miftakes in the bufinefs of Repentance.
Men look upon that as the grand recipe of the Go-
fpel, an infallible C^ij/'d^/ico/^ againft all their fpi-
ritual maladies ; and fo far they judge right, for
fo indeed it is. But when they proceed to com-
pound this fovereign ^ledicine for their own ufe,
they do it moft deceitfully ; leave out the princi-
pal and moft operative ingredients : and by being
fuch ill ^Apothecaries defame the Gofpel as the
DiJ^enfatory, and Chriji as the Fhyfician, and like-
wife ruine themfelves as the Patients. But of
thofe who make this imperfecft and Defecflive
compofitiony all do it not alike ; fome leave out one
part, fome another, and fome fo many that they
retain nothing of its fubftance and reality. Eat
out all the heart and vertue of it, and leave only
an empty /hell, the gilding as it were of the Pill,
the
^|)8P*7- from Mifidkes concerning Repentance. 145'
the Form and meer outfide of Repent-
ance.
I N this later rank I place thofe who fuficr
repentance to pafs no farther than their Frontiers,
and Outworks ; afllgn it its quarters in the fu-
perficies of the n:ian, the Face^ or tongue^ or Ge-
fture ; but if it attempt to penetrate any deeper,
if it fend but one ferious thought to alarm the
heart, then like the Edomttes againft Ifrael,
Num. 20. all the forces are muftered to impede
its paflage ; fuch formal Penitents as thefe all
ages have produc't. Chrift tells of thofe who dif-
figured theirfdceh^^^t.6, 16. put on as it were
a vizard only toacSl this part: and Efay 58. 5'.
long before defer ibes them, by the bowing down
rJie head like a bull-rufh^ and certainly the race
of them is not worn out in our dales ; a de-
mure or rather a lugubrious looky a fad or
whining tone, makes up, 'tis to be fear'd, the fum^
of many mens Humiliations. Nay as the world
has of late gone, that alone were but a modeft
pretence: fuch theatrical /brmj ftickle hard foi?
the prize, not of that one part but of all religion :
adiftorted countenance is made the Mark of an up-
right hearty and none is thought to fpeak tne
Language of Canaan, that drefles it not in an
uncooth found: and then what wonder is it
that they are impatient others fhould war-
fhip Gody as David invites, in the beauty, while
themfelves chufe to do it in the Deformity of
holinefs,
BUT
14^ Mifchiefs arifing €f)ap»7. ^
BUT others make fomewhat a fairer advance
towards repentance, by taking in fome of thofe >
things which are indeed its neceffary concomitants ;
of this kind is in the firft place confefiion of Sin :
and this after fome fort is ftuck at by few ; no
man who hath not herded himfelf with the worft
fort of Fanaticksy imagines himfelf finlefs, or
pretends to be thought fo by others, but will ve-
ry readily acknowledge to all the world that he is
a finner : and as to meny fo efpecially and more
folemnly to God. Every man that but oifers at
praying at all^, thinks confeflion a neceffary
Branch of his devotion: all publick /(^rmj- have
ever carried that in the front y as fuppofing it the
moft principal;, univerfaU and daily requifite to
the lapfing ftate of humane corruption : And
perhaps 'tis the general innate perfwafion of this,
that hath fecur'd that part of our Liturgy y from
thofe impertinent cavils, which have particu-
larly aim'd at moft other members of it
And I fuppofe this is as frequent in the Clofet Ks
in the Church : the only fear is, that there it is
as loofe and general too : that thofe private and
particular guilts which are neither fit nor pofli-
ble to be diftincflly inferted in puhlicky do many
times lofe their place even in private ConfefH-
ons alfo. The Ihortnefs and the eafe of general
forms being very likely to recommend them to
thofe whofe numxrous fins threaten too great a
length, and whofe confus'd fnarfd confciences
render it diiRcult, thus to pull out thread by
thread : but where Sins are thus moulded up in a
COHP 7* from Mifiakes concerning Kef entance, 147
lumpy they will like great majfes of Pills or con-
fedlions keep the more undecay'dj, retain more of
their firength and "vigor. So th^it fetch Confefllons
are very indulgent to Satans inter efty who fears not
the impreffions that can be made upon him^while
his body remains entire : the great execution
then beginning when 'tis broken and fcatter'd,
and each fin is fingled out for a particular pur-
fuit: and where that is not attempted, the war
can never be fuccefsful, nor thought in ear-
neft.
BUT fuppofe this be done; and by exacft
enumeration, each fin is parted from its fellows,
as when a conqueror purfues the flying troops of
routed Enemies : yet if this be all, if quarter he
allowed, and any mercy given, no real pri::^e is
gain'd by this atchievement. He who recounts
his fins with milder purpofe towards them than
utter excifion, he makes no approach towards
the eflential part of Repentance. He may bring
out large Catalogues of his fins, and call them
confe/sions ; but he may better exprefs his own
fenfe, if he term them rather inventories of his
goods, for fuch 'tis apparent he reckons them,
whilefl: he refolves to keep them. Indeed there
is not a more abfurd piece of Pageantry^ than
thefe formal Confefllons, and fuch as Ihews
how little, God is confider'd in his great Attri-
bute the fearcher of hearts. 'Tis certain no man
would hope to attone an offended fuperior, by
a fubmif s acknowledgment of his fault, did he
know that his purpofe of reiterating it were
aifcern'd :
148 Mif chiefs arifin^
difcern'd : and what a tacite hlaj^hemy is it then,
to treat God at fuch a rate as prefumes him as
deceivahle as a poor ^lortal ; and fure this were
a ftrange Ingredient in repentance. We look on it
as a high pitch of impiety boaftingly to avow our
finsj, and it deferves to be conlider'd whether this
kind of confelTing them have not fome affinity
with it. Should 1 tell a man I have injtir'd and
provok'd you thus and thusj, and fo I refolve to
do again at the next opportunity : I refer it to
common conftrudlionj, whether this were not to
juftifiey not retra5i the unkindnefs. Now what I
fuppofe thus faid to man^, is in the fecret pur-
pofe of our heart, no lefs articulately fpoken to
God, \\\\o needs not our words to difcern our
meaning. Therefore whoever intends to repeat
his fins, nay does not ferioufly intend to for fake
them, does in truth maintain and defend his vi-
cious practice, how loudly foever his Tongue
accufes it. And fuch clamors are but like the
feigned Quarrels of combined cheats ^ in order to
delude fome third perfon. But alafs, the fcene is
here unluckily laid, for God will not bemock'd,
nor will the Me^cy promised to him that confef-
feth ahd forfaketh^ ever reach him that confef-
feth and retaineth, Confeffion is no farther ac-
ceptable than as it either flows from, or tends
to beget an abhorrence of Sin, and abftrailed
from thofe qualifications it becomes loathfome
arid diftafteful to God. Alafs, can we think our
Hiflorical vein fo pleafant, that he fhall be de-
lighted with the narrative of thofe crimes, whofe
perpe-
^ftW*7* f^^^ Mtfiakes concerning Repent ance^ T49
perpetration he detefted. Can it be hcenfe in
his noftrils, to have our Dimghils difplayed ? or
can his pure eyes be gratified with luch polluted
profpedt^ ? True indeed, he gladly deicends to
all this as a Fhyficim ; nau feats not our foulefi
ulcersy when we bring them for cure : but when
like beggars we make them openly our form of
addrefsj, and dread nothing mort^^than their heal-
ingj certainly their View will only excite his
indignation y not his pify, Andthisj, 'tis to be fear'd
abodes fadly to many of us, 'tis our vulgar Ob-
jedtion to the Romanifi, that they make their
confeflions contributive rather to their confidence
than to their reformation: what their fliare is
in that guilt, I Ihall not here examine, but I
may too truly pronounce they have not enclos'd
it, that black circle of Sin and confefsy Confefs
and finy encompafles as well Protefidnts as Fa-
pifis ; if poflibly not quite fo many, the caufe
'tis doubtful is (what we need not boaft) not
that More of us confefs aright y but that Fewer
confefs at all. But of thofe that do, if we may
but crofs, examine, and interrogate their actions
againft their words, thefe will foon confefs (and
that not auricularhy but in a loud and audible
voice) the invalidity of their folemneft Confeffi-
ons. When we fee a man that yefierday kept ^
Humiliation, to day trampling on the necks, in-^
vadingthe pofleffions of his Brethren, we need
no other proof how vainly and unprofitably , if
not ho\V hypocritically and provokingiy, he con-
fefled his Pride, or Covetoufnefs ; and the like
L W9
I^O Mifchiefs arifing Cbap.7.
we may infer when we fee any man perfevcre in
any grofs wilful fin. And of fuch, God knows
there are fuch multitudes, as will give us in-
ftances more than enough, how wide a difference
there is, between a meer Coi7fitent &c a true Peniient.
BUT in the next place, a pajfonate re-
gret at Sin, a grief ancl fadnefs at its Me-
mory, more fpecioufly pretends to enter us
into Gods roll of Mourners : Sorrow has ( in
vulgar acceptation) fo engroffc the whole notion
of repentance, that men are apt to fecure them-
felves, that the Wind of a penitential Sigh is fo
mighty, as will blow away the guilt of the moft
mountainous Sin : that if they have but nept a lit-
tle upon their crimes, they have quite extin-
guijht the wrath they kindled : but alas thefe are
vain dreams, God who delights not to grieve the
children of men, does not projedt for our forrow,
but our innocence ; and would never have in-
vited us to the one, but as an expedient to the
other. 'Tis natural even to meer Animals to fhun
that by which they have fmarted, and therefore
forrow for fin is a very proper means to avert . our
appetite from it : but if we have learnt the un-
happy skill of feparating the ejfe^ from the Cdufe,
if our Grief abate net our Love ; if we can caft
kind looks at our fins, even through thofe Tears
wherewith our Eyes are gJas'd, this will furc be
as far from accomplifliing our deiign, as Gods ;
leave us equally unpardcn'd, as unreformM.
NAY alafs, fuch Sorrow;: as thefe will ra-
ther ferve to enhanfe than Expiate our guilts ;
they
^1j^P^J*from Mifiakes concernhg Repentance, i f i
they are loud witneffes againfl: us that we know
the malignity of thofe fins we commit ; that we
have pois'd them, and find them as a talent of lead
upon our Souls, and yet prefer them before
Chrifts light burthen : that we have outvied that
perverfe Elevllion wherewith Elihu charges Job,
and chofen affliBion rather than innocence, job
^6,21. and though we have felt the gnawing of
the Worm, yet flrill refolve to cherifh it, till it
gain its woful Concomitant o^ unquenchable fire,
and fure this refolvednefs, this high fortitude in
Sin, can with no reafon be imagined a prepara-
tive to its remiflion, 'twill rather ferve to
lift us among Satans Martyrs, than Gods Peni-^
tents.
AND indeed if we examine the original of
this kind of Sorrow, what is there that can with
any face pretend to an acceptation? alas, 'tis
apparent there is no difiike to the fin ; for the na-
tural effedl of that, would be the abandoning it.
If I have fain into the mire, common reafon di-
recfts me, not to fit down and cry that 1 am fo de-
filed ; but to cleanfe and wafli my felf, and be-
ware of fuch another mifadventure. Now Gods
enmity is purely with the fin: and if we think to
contradl a league with him ; we muft efpoufe his
quarrel, hate what he hates : But in this cafe 'tis
quite otherwife, we difiike only the confequence,
not the crime; are diflfi-tisfiedtofee that what is
fo pleafant,will notbefafe: deteft thofe tempo-
ral or eternal miferies, which God has annext to
it : which is upon the matter to grieve,not becaufe
t. 2 we
■ ;
1 5*2 Mifchiefs arififjg Cijap»7'
we arc guilty y but God is jufi; and to avert only
that part of the evily of which he owns to be the
author, that of Ftinifiment : whileft that of Sw,
as our own creature we dandle and carefs. And
canwethi«k it fufEcient to atone an incenfcd
Majefty;^ that we love our own eafej» while yet we
love our fin fo much better? is it a Tertue to
have fome ineffedlive regrets to damnation, and
fuch a Vertue too, as fliall ferve to ballance all
our vices ? this were indeed a compendious
courfe to block up Hell gates, and leave none a
poflibilityofever getting thither, but thofewho
fcaled the wall and defperately refolved to pof-
fefs themfelves of that place o£ Torment. But
alafs, they are other fruits of Repentance that
muft deliver us from the wrath to come : for
though I deny not, that the dpprehenfion of Dan-
ger, is extreamly both reafonable and ufeful, yet
"tis only by way o? preparative: 'tis like the
Trumpet that gives the Alarmy and fets us to the
hattaily but it muft not pretend to be like thofe
of Gideon that atchiev'd the whole vicftory. To
fee our danger, may occafion, but does not caufe,
or neceflarily infer an efcape, I may madly leap
into that pit which I fee gaping to fwallow me,
and then my fore-fight ferves only to render me
.my own murderer. In fhort, if that formidable
iifpe(5l of our Sins, make us run from them, it
has done us the happieft office ; pluckt us as
S. Jude fays, out of the fire : but if our love be fo
doting, aii to counter-charm our fear ; if we be
fo bewitcht with the deceit fulnefs of fin, that we
will
(^^^^^ J. from Mifidkes concerning Repentance. 15*3
will have its Embraces, though we know them
deadly ; ifwe weep that we have finn'd, and yet
go on to fin; our wilful Giiih will defile our
Tears^ but our tears will never cleanfe our guilt.
We only aflift in the judicature againft our
felves ; and to Gods condemnation add our own :
and what we call our Penitence, becomes a fad
Atteftation of our Incorrigiblenefs.
AND as this meer Sorrow will never avail, fo
neither will a partial and imperfeB reformation,
and that whether it be dcfedlive in refpecft of the
kindy or o£ the Duration: to the former we have
fpoken elfewhere, and fhall not need to repeat :
but of the later there will need no lefs cauti-
on ; men being apt to obtrude fiUacies on
themfelves in this as much as in the other. Eve-
ry tranfient gleam of Piety is concluded to be
th^t flame in which the Holy Ghoft defcended,
and though it want the main circumftance of
refting on them,yet ferves to perfonate the Com-
forter. He that whileft the forenefs of his late
pangs of confcience remains, finds himfelf a little
indiipos'd for a new car^r in fin, prefently con-
cludes repentance hath had its perfecfl work^'ih
him, made that change and tranfmutation, Vv^hich
certainly denominates him a new creature, and
pronounces his vicious appetites extinB and mor-
tified: when alas they are but ftrew'd over with a
little penitentialJfJjes, and will as foon as they
meet with comhujlible matter, any apt temptationy
flame out as fierce as ever, and God knows the
event does too often adlually atteft this after aii
L 3 the
15*4 Mi/chiefs arifing^ Ct^OP^?'
the ablutions, and purification of their repen-
tance;, their next work is to diveft themfelves of
their white robe, and thofe whom yefterday you
faw in the laver, to day you fhall find wallowing
in the mire : and as with far the more guilty fo
fometimes with much the greater confidence, for
having been fo waOit : yet fo ttrongly are fome
mens phancies poflclt with their imaginary puri-
ty, that they are the laft that take notice how
the fcene is chang'd: they comfort themfelves,that
fin and they have had fome little skirmijhesy
though but preparatory to a clofer league ; that
they had fixt good purpofes, though there remain
nothing vinble but their violation ; r^d fo will
call themfelves Chriits Sheep, though their no-
torious impurities witnefs them to belong on-
ly to that herd into which the Legion en-
tred.
THIS is a deceit which biie would think
fliould immediately detedl its felf, but 'tis Arrange
to fee, how our wip^es can prefcribe to out faith ;
and what a more than omnipotent power our felf-
love has in reconciling contradicSlions : yet I can
fcarce think this innate ftrength of corruption
had been fufficient for the purpofe, had it not had
the ;iuxiliary aid of fome commodious dodlrines.
My prefent defign is fo far from controverfial,
that I am loth to point out any to which I muft
exprefs unkindnefs: yet upon this occafion, I
fhall refer it to confideration, whether that me-
thod which has been us'd to quiet fome Confci-
gnqesj, be not very apt to ftupifie 'more, 'VYhen I
fee
Ctep*7- /^^^ Miftakes concerning Repentance, 155"
fee one who from his prefent reigning fins, regu-
larly infers the illnefs of his itate ; that is yet by
his Cafuift., diverted from that profpedt, and bid
look back to fee, whether no part of his life af-
forded any Evidence of true Grace, and if he
can but remember any fuch time ; is warranted
to make that his Epoc'ha, from whence to date his
infallible ajfurance; is told that that iinmoYtal feedy
though it may be covered,yet cannot be choaked ;
but will moft certainly fpring up unto Eternal
life : When I fiy I fee this eafie remedy prefcrib*d
to his fears/twill be obvious for me to compound
my felf an Antidote from the fame Ingredients',
Tofixmy Eyeupon fome 7>7^r^ of Regeneration
which at fome time or other, I either have, or
phancied to have had upon me, and with the fted*
faft beholding of that, as of the brazen Serpent
be fortified againfl: all the venome of my fiery lufis,
Cafl: in this one fi:ick, and with it fweeten all the
waters of Maraby fecure me againfl: all the bit-
ter effedls of my prefent guilts. How fatal an
influence fuch difcourfingsas thefe are apt to have
on practice, is too obvious both in the caufe, and
effedl : I need not examine the authority of that
grand Principle on which they are founded ; fince
if that were admitted, yet it will not jufl:ifie the
before mentioned Superfl:ru6lure : for fuppofe it
received as an infallible truth, that grace if true
cannev:;rbe loft:: yet 'tis, by the confeflion of
all, fo eafie to be deceiv d in judging what is fo,
and our partialities to our felvesarefo likely to
betray us to that deceit; that thefe Coral/aries
L 4 men
1^6 Mif chiefs drifing Ctl^P*?-
men deduce thence for their perfonal aflurance,
can never partake of the fuppos'd infallibility of
thofe premifes they derive from, and confequent-
ly are much too flight a hafts for men to truft v*^ith
fo great a TT^/^/^^ as is that of their ^r^/^;/^ comfort
and f uture fiat e,
^ SEVERAL other pernicious errors there
arc in the matter o£ Repentance which men fall in-
tOj, fhall I fay, or rather afpire to ; make it their
ambition to be under their covert and patronage,
and with extreme Violence to their reafon as well
as religion) climb up to thofe caftles in the air, and
there fortifie themfelves impregnably againffc all
the facred Artillery of Divine threats. Their
falfe confidences ferve them as feather-beds, not on-
ly to fleep fecurcly in, but to dead all bullets that
^re {hot againit them. But of all thofe deceitfiil
refages^thtrc is none more treacherous,& yet more
confidently and univerfally reforted to, than that
oi ^Repentance in r ever fion, to commence nobody
knows when, fome moneths or years hence, when
this bufinefs is difpatcht, that lufb fatiated ; or
indeed to bear the fame date ( if not a later ) with
their lafl: Will and Teftament. This is that un-
happy retreat to which thoufands fly as the route4
Syrians to Apheky i Kings 20. 30. till they are en-
tomb'd in that wall, vv^hofe fhelter they folicited :
How defperate the hazard of fuch procraftination
is, hath been fo convincingly demonftrated by
better Pens ; that trumpet hath been blowed fo
loud by all our fpiritual watchmen, that there re-
?iiains nothing feafonable, but to wonder whence
men
C]&ap.7- /^^^^ Miftdkes concerning Repentance. 1^7
men have got that Lethe which fecures them their
fleep in fpight of that .///^rm : and certainly 'tis
matter of the greateft aftonifliment to obferve
the ftupidj, yet common boldnefs of men j, who fo
fearlefly expofe themfelves to this moft formi-
dable of perils ; who yet in things of far lefs dan-
ger and lighter confequence are fo nicely timo-
rous, that no fecurity is thought enough, every
the remoteft danger to their outward concerns,
excites their prefent vigilance to avert it : but
here that order is moft abfurdly inverted, and the
prefent eminent danger is affign'd and put ofF to
thch future care. Let the Phyfician tell them he
obferves fome Symptomes of a latent Malady,
fome aptitudes or firft Caufes of a Difeafe ; what
haft is there made to meet that Enemy in the fron-
tiers, before it advance too far? All Arts of pre-
vention are us'd, and fuch uneafie remedies fubmitr
ted to, as perhaps out-bid the p^in of the Difeafe.
In like manner let a Lawyer tell them he has fpied
fbme defecft in an entaily which may perhaps in
the next age give fome interruption to their de-
fign of having their houfes endure for ever, Ffal.
47. how folicitous are they to repair that error,
and leave nothing to the mercy of a Law-quirk ?
And in both cafes thank the vigilant care of their
informer that gave them notice of their danger :
but let the Divine tell them he fees their Souls
langui{hing under the moft mortal difeafes ; that
they have actually forfeited their inheritance in
the land of the living, they can hear it uncon-
Cjsrnedly ; fay, or at leaft think thofe cares are to
be
158 Mif chiefs arijing ^t^ap^J.
be remitted to f^/fV his more convenient feafon,
that when their Bodies are as infirm as their Soulsy
then care may be taken for both together. That
'tis enough for their f^iritual Life to commence
when the natural is expiring, and then to provide
for everlaftif7g Habitations, when they are putting
ofFtheir Earthly Tabernacle : as for the thanks
they give their ^!J\^lonitory 'tis generally the fame
that St. Faul received from the Galatians, to
count him their enemy for telling them the truths
Gal. 4. \6, but alafs he has no reafon to refent the
injury, fince 'tis but the famethpy offer to their
neareft and moft intimate ffie^Kl, that Angel guar-^
dian which God and Nature has placed within
their own breafts, I mean their Conference : let
that at any time whifper the fame admonition,
and immediately they cry out as Jhah to Eliah,
Haft thou found me O my Enemy. All arts are us'd
to convey themfelves out of its Reach? Bufmefs,
or Company, or Drink, or any thing is folicited
to come in to their refcue, that in that throng
they may deceive its purfiiit, or at leaft in that
louder noife drown its voice ; and is not this to
look on it as their Enemy, while they fliun it as
a ^lalefa&or does the Officer. Yet I appeal to
thebreaftsof thofe, who lean upon the broken
xeedo£3.l^te Repentance^ whether this be not the
cafe with them : let them tell me whether they
dare truft themfelves alone with their Confcience,
give it opportunity of fpeaking freely to them, of
laying before them the mad adventure they make
oftheir precious &^/j; which they do not only
expofq
^j)3P*7* /^^^ Miflakes concerning Repentance. I5'p
expofe to as many hazards of a fwift damnation,
as there are accidents which may furprize their
hdiey with afudden death ; but do bcfides by this
refiftance repel and quench that Spirit, without
which they can never hope to eflfecfl that fo necet
fary, fo difficult a work ; nay, I may, I fear, ask
fome of them whether they have not fo often fhun-
nedthefe parleys, that their Confciences like an
ahus'd Friendy has at laft given them over, ceaft
to purfue them with more of thofe unwelcome im-
portunities ; and by its filence left them fecur'd
from all noife which may difturb that treacherous
fleep into which they have lulled themfelves. To
thofe who are thus given up to thcjpirit offlumher,
I cannot hope to fpeak loud enough to roufe
them ; but to thofe that are but of the former
rank, that havo not yet fo profper'd in their un-
kind defign againft themfelves, as quite to have
alienated their bofom friend, that are yet w^ithin
the reach of thofe ^m/V^ ^verherdy the ftripes and
reproofs of their own Confcience ; to fuch I
would addrefs with this mofl: affecflionate petiti-
on, that they would not feek to remove them-
felves from that wholfome difcipllne ; that they
would not fly that Chyrurgion whofe Lancet threa-
tens none but the impofihumated parts ; but ra-
ther chufe to belhewed the formidablenefs of their
Danger, than by a blind embracing it, to pcrifli
in it. And if they have but any general confus'd
inclinations to this fo reafonable a requeft, I
ftiall then put on more folemnity, alTiure to come
as an Envoy ftpm thofe dreaded Confciences of
theirs.
l6o Mif chiefs arifing Cfcap.y-
theirsj, to mediate an enterviewj, to propofe the
fixing fome time of parley, andbefpeak thciifa-
tience to hear it out : And let them but grant thisj,
let them but dare to do fo much in order to their
own fafety, and I can fcarce think it poflible they
fliould after retain that daring, which only tends
to their ruine. In a word, let men ferioufly and
attentively liften to that voice within them, and
they will certainly need no other medium^ to con-
vince them either of the error or danger of thus
procraftinating their Repentance, which them-
felves acknowledge mujfb not upon their utmoft
peril be finally omitted, and yet nothing but an
immediate difpatch can fecure it fliall not.
'TWILL be needlefs to defcend to a particular
view of more of thefe deceits, they will eafily be
detecSled by this one general Rule, that whatfoe-
ver falls fliort of a prefent, univerfal, permanent
Change, falls as much fliort of Repentance. All
the pretences that are made upon any other fcore
are but the Garments of the elder brother put up-
on the back of the younger, which though they
might delude a blind Ifaac, will never be able to
Receive an all-feeing God. All that remains is to
oflSrto the Readers confideration, how nearly
he is concern d to guard himfelf againft alldelu-
fions in this fo important an afjair. It was an an-
cient Stratagem of War to poifon the waters in
an Enemies Camp, thart fo they may drink their
own deaths : but Satan has here far out-vied that
Policy. Were but our Nourirtiment infecfted,
wehadftillarecourfe left us to Medicine, bvit
here
^j^gp^y. from Mifidkes concerning Repentance, i6l
here he has envonom'd our very Phyfickj, and
what cure remains for thofe whofe very remedies
are their difeafe : when that Bath which was de-
lign'd to cleanfe uS;, is its felf polkitedj, we may
well cry out as Dyonifius of the corrupted River of
A}^o KA^cl^(nov, what Flood fhall cleanfe thefe Wa-
ters ? Where can we be fecure, when our Repen-
tance ( which the Apoftle, i Tim, 2. i6, fuppofes
the Means of difentangling us ) is its felf become
our Snare. This as it loudly proclaims our dan-
ger ^ fofurely in all re.nfon it ihould awake our
care, teach us not to fuflfer our felves to be abus'd
with delufive appearances and fliadows o£ Repen-
tance, left we finally find that Ixion-like we have
embraced a Cloud. What an amazing defeat
will it be to him^ who prefumes his Tears have
blotted out the hand-writing againft him ; to find
the full Bill brought in at the great Affize;, and
thofe he calfd his penitential forrows here, to
prove but the Prologue to that Tragedy which
ends in weeping andgnafhing of teeth. And there-
fore let every one timely provide againft that fa-
tal furprize^, ufethis excellent receipt, not as a
Cofmetick only to beaut ifie the face, give him
fome fair appearance to himfelf, but as Medicine
to reftore health ; reduce him to fuch an Athle-
//c^ vigorous Habit, as may evidence its felf in
all vital Actions, which will prove the beft evi-
dences in our laft trial, where the inquifition will
not be fo much upon our Mouths or Eyes, as up-
on our Hands : not how many confejjions we have
made.
l6l Mifchiefs arifing from Mifiaies ClD^P* 8.
made, or how many tears flied, but what d^s of
Vertue we have fubftituted in the room of our Vi-
ces : whether we have broke off our Sins by righ-
teoufnej^y and our Iniquities by /hewing mercy to the
Poory and without this 'tis infallibly certain, our
Chriftianity will be as ineflfedlrual to our £///?, as
it is to our Piety : if w^e will not permit it here to
bring us to the obedience of Servants, it fliall ne-
ver inftate us hereafter in the inheritance of Sons.
CHAP. VIII.
Jfurvey of the <$3Iifchiefs arifing from Mifiakes con-
cerning Almighty God, and the methods of hif
Providence.
TO thefe Miftakes of our felves and inte-
refts, w^e have added others alfo concern-
ing God, which are no lefs deftrudlive to
Chriftian Pradlice, for as the right knowledge of
God Uhy our Saviour y Jo, 1 7. 3. put as the Epi-
tome and fumme of all that leads to hlij^y foour
mifprifions and mifapprehenfions of him, are no
lefs remarkable for the contrary efledls ; nor can
we fuppofe it otherwife, when we remember that
this is the grand work and hafis of all Religion,
and therefore li this foundation be deceitfully laid,
thefufferftruBure nyaft necellarily fink and peri/h :
and in this fenfe 'tis poflible for us at once to
build on the Rock and the Sand too^ we may fix
our
Cf)Hp 8. concerning Almighty God &c. 16^
our faith intentionally on God, and yet by abfurd
notions and unwarranted conceits oFhim, defeat
in the particulars what we eftabliflit in the grofs :
reprefent him fo utterly diftant from what he is,
that under that difguife he will not much appear,
either an Encouragcr or Rewarder of our Fiety,
and then we may guefs how 'tis like to fliourifli,
fince the Apoftle gives it as a Fundamental ^/xi-
rme, Heb. 12. 6^. That he who comes to God mufi
litve that he is a rewarder of them which diligently
, iek him.
OF thefe Miftakes concerning God, there
are divers ; many more than the defign'd brevity
of this difcourfe will admit me to examine. I fliall
only mention three, thofe are, Firft, concerning
his Decrees, Secondly, his Attrihutesy Thirdly,
his Providence.
BY his Decrees, I mean not thofe ftanding
rules which he has in his Word fet forth as the
meafures by which he will diftribute rewards and
punifhments ; but thofe kcict purpcfes of his Will,
which he neither commands us to fearch after,
nor will permit us to know. That there are
many Miftakes concerning thefe, the numberlefs
Difputes that have been rais'd about them will
fufficiently atteft, it being impoffible for two
Contradidlory Opinions to be both true, though
in things of this abftrufe nature 'tis verypoflible
both may bcfalfe. 'Tis not my purpofe to wade
into thofe bottomlefs controverfies, which like
aGulphhavefwallowedup fomuch time andin-
duftry of learned men : I fhali only in general
commend
:d4 Mif chiefs arifirtg from Mi flakes Cftap^S.
commend it to the Readers confideration, whe-
ther it be. probable or indeed poflible for thofe
Opinions to be true which infer faljhood in God :
And then let the fecond enquiry be, whether that
be not too evidently the refult of thofe difcourfes,
which fet an Oppofition between his rezealed and
his fecret Will, his Commands and his Decrees,
making the one a blind for the better executJon
of the other, as if all the Tranfportation and Zeal
heexprefles/i?rus, all the pafllonate enamoring
invitations he makes to us, were only to fport
himfelf with our credulity: like the divertife-
ment of thofe Men, who court them for Wives,
whom they would abhor to marry : nay, as if all
the proteftations and moR' folemn oaths of God,
were defign'd but, to advance the delufion, and
raife expectations meerly to defeat them. This
is fuch a fevere fort o£ Irony, as we would all think
not only unkind but unjuft in a man ; and 'tis not
pofTible that God, who appeals to us concerning
the equality of his ways, fliould fall ftiortof the
ftridf eft meafures among us, or exemplifie to us
an unfincerity he forbids us to follow.
HOW very inaufpicious influence fuch do-
Brines are apt to have on pratlice is too vifible^
for fince 'tis as well the inftincft as duty of our na-
ture to afpire to an aflimulation with God, even
that moft laudable and generous ambition fliall by
this means become our fnare ; for when God fhall
be thus mifreprefented to us, drawn out by the
black Lines, not only of fever ity, but deceit^
rendredaFalfifierofhis Wordy nay Oath) 'twill
give
^ft^P^S. concerning Ahnighty God, &c. 1 6^
give not only temptation but warrant to the like
Fracflices : we ftiall eafily fwaliow up all the par-
ticular commands of God> in that fundamental
one of being like him; as we are taught hnnfelf
has done both his commands and promifes in his
hidden Decrees. This is lo natural a piece of JLo-
^gick, that 'tis very unfafe men fliould be trufted
with thofe premifes whence 'tis derived. And
though we are not over apt to tranfcribe that Co-
py God does really fetus, yet this fpurious one
will not mifs to be taken out : that pravity of our
nature which hinders in the one, exciting and
fpurring us on in the other. This is a way to re-
concile our Vices with our reputation, and fin
cum Prhilegio ; and there is little doubt of mens
aptnefs to ufe that advantage, we fee it in lower
inftances. The Vices of a Prince draw fliouls of
followers, when his z'ertue leaves him the more
eminent, becaufe fingle, and renders him rather
revered than imitated : And certainly 'twas none
of the Devils llighteft Hratagems on the GentiU
world, to give thcmfuch Gods as might exempli-
fie to them all thofe odious crimes , wherein he de-
fir'dto immerfe them. Whether this may not be
a^r^A7c/?ofthe famelUufion, I wifh the Propug-
ners of this docftrine would ferioudy confider.
AND as feveral ills are hereby countenanc'd
and authorized, fo is all vertue in general difcou-
raged and difheartned ; this benumbs us in our
Chriftian courfe, fubftradts that fpirit and vi-
gour, which fhould carry us through the weary
ftagesofduty: indeed it cuts the very fincws of
M ' induftrv.
l66 Mifchiefs arifwgfrom Miftakes Ct)ap*8.
Induftry, baffles and makes ridiculous vXlpurpo-
/ex of Labour; for what iOiould invite a man to
ftrive for that, from which he knows he is either
irreverfibly precluded, orelfe fo infallibly afcer-
tain^d, that his negligence cannot defeat him.
Thefe are fuch extremes as aifford no middle,
wherein the vertue of induftry may exift, hope
being equally out-dated by the defperatenefs or
unnecefiarinefs of an undertaking: and how ne-
ceflary hope is to excite endeavour we may learn
of St. Pauly I Cor, 1 5*. $. where he prefles his Co-
rinthians to the conftancy of Chriftian Pradlice
upon this ground, that their labour fhall not he in
"vain in the Lord, But according to fome mens
docftrine, 'tis fcarce poflible for a man to know
J-' whether his labour be in vain or no ; fince the ef-
fedl: of it depends not upon the revealed promife
but fecret purpofe of God, and who knows whe-
ther there may not lie fome dormant Decrees
againfthim, which when he thinks he has run his
race /hall yet defeat him of his Crown, Whether
a reward thus ftated will much animate mens dili-
gence, I may leave every man to judge by the like
circumftances in their fecular concerns ; and if
they find they would there damp their courage,
difpirit and difhearten them from attempting,
there will be fure more reafon to conclude it in
thefe f^iritual Affairs, wherein our induftry is
commonly much lefs indefatigable.
B U T 1 fhall not farther infift on the ill confe-
quences of particular miftakes ; there is one fan-
damental error, which if it could be cured, would
fuperfede
€^6^Pf8 . concerning Almighty Gody &c. 16 j
fuperfede all the reft> I mean our bold Folly in
medling with Gods Decrees y which we call hidden,
and yet lidiculoufly confute that Epithet by pre-
tending to know them. This is fo much an info-
lence as forfeits the comparifon^ which might be-
long to it as an error; we Ccc fecular States jea-
loaAy ickrvc their private Councilsy and iliallwe
think God fo fcrutable, orourfelves fo penetra-
ting, that none of his fecrcts can efcapc us :' or
if we think him, as indeed he is, unfathomahle,
why do we thus madly attempt what we confefs
impoffihle ; efpecially lince we lliall not only iofe
the thing we fo vainly purfue, but others which
we might elfe enjoy. 'Tis as if a man fhould be fo
tranfported with a bufie earneftnefs of knowing
his Princes SecretSy as quite to forget his Laws,
and incurr capital punifhment. God has given us
rules of life, which upon the fevereft: penalties he
requires us to ffcudy and pracftice ; and we divert
from thefe, and make it our buiinefs to trace his
Counfels, We are gazing at the Stars to read our
deftiny, and look not to our feet ; and by that
negligence experiment the worft fate they could
have portended : for I think we may fay our wild
Phancies about Gods Decrees, have in event re-
probated more than thofe Decrees upon which
they are fo willing to charge their ruine, and
have bid fair to the damning of many, whom
thofe left falvable. And indeed 'tis to be expell-
ed from Divine juftice, that fuch bold Inquifitors
fhould find nothing but their own Deftrudlion.
That JVrk which devoutly reverenced brought hlef-
M 2 fi^^g^f
1 6S Mifchiefs art fwg from Mtflakes Cljap*8.
pngs, when curioully pried into diflus'd Pefti-
lence and Death, i Sam. 6. 19. Nay the very Po-
ets will tell us, that if we will ha.\c Frometheus
his Fire, wc muft take Fandoras Box alfo : and
fure Induftry cannot be worfe laid out than thus
to fetch home Plaguesy and while fo much of it
runs wafte to fuch unhappy purpofes, 'tis no
wonder if we want for better ; forget our calling
hy Qonttm^l^^tm^OMX predejlination J and let the
Opinion of our fate be at once the Encourage-
ment and Excufe o£oux Jlothy than which nothing
can more evacuate the purpofe and defign of our
Chriftianity, which Divines have truly defin d to
be not a contemplative but aBive Science.
T O the fame unhappy Effedl concur our Mi-
ik'xktsoi Gods ^Attributes, if I may callthemMi-
ftakes, which feem to be rather wilful Nefcience,
they being fo delineated to us both in his Word
and his Providences, that 'tis not want of light,
but winking againft it that muft leave us igno-
rant. What "the j^eculative errors are in this
matter concerns not my prefent defign to exa-
mine: but there feem to be fome Mifperfwafions
concerning the Divine Jttrihutesj which do re-
markably tend in their confequence and efJe(3:,
to the corrupting mens manners ; nay, look as if
they were defign d, and affedtedly chofen for that
purpofe; I mean efpecially thofe concerning his
Jufice^mdLMercyy which being the Attributes in
which wc have the moft immediate Concern, the
Errors in them are the more noxious and deftru-
cfiivc. Of this fort is that narrow fcanty notion
too
^^dp*8. concerning Almighty God, Sec. i6g
too many have of Gods Jufiice^ which we meafure
not by him but our felves, and therefore propor-
tion it not according to his infinity, but our own
concerns. That is an Attribute from which we
promife to our feives no advantage, and therefore
we are willing to contract and flirink it up, make
it ferveonly as a Cypher to advance mercy , but
are unwilling to underftand it in its proper Ex-
tent ; think it'a word of form put in to compleat
the greatnefs of Gods Stile, rather than any in-
trinfickpart of his nature, which he muft deny him-
ielf to put off
• THUS do wc facrilegioudy fteal from God
a part of his being, and while other Sacrileges
invade only his patrimony, this commifs a riot
upon his very nature, yet as if we meant the Pro-
verb fhould indemnifie us, and Exchange extin-
guifh the Robbery y we add to another attribute
what we have defauldl from this, and amplifie and
extend his Mercy, as much as we confine and li-
mit his Jujiice ; that is the one infinite Ocean,
wherein not only we, but himfelf muft be fwal-
iowed up. We will think of him under no other
notion, nor allow him to be any other thing, but
what fliall be in fubferviency to this : we will have
him Powerful to relieve our Diftrefles, but not
to revenge our: Crimes; Wife to defeat the ma-
chinations of our Enemies, but not to circumvent
our own indirccfl or impious Policies ; All-fee-
ing to behold our Wants and Griefs, but not to
difcern our clofer Guilts ; True to perform his
Promifes, but not his Threats. In Ihott^ wc
M 3 model
I70
Mijchiefi arifmg from Mifiakes (SJI)ap*S.
model all that is in God to our own wifties ; and
inftead of believing him what he is, phancy him
what we would have him. Like Michay Jud. 1 7.5'.
making us a God for our own peculiar ufe, and
forming the Deity we mean to worfhip. A ftrange
bold Inverfion, for Creatures thus to fafliion their
Creator, put their own ftamp and imprefs upon
him, and fhape him to their Phancies. And in-
' deed 'tis nothing but Phancy that has to do in this
Attempts and accordingly it mull vanifli as the
eperations of that illufive Faculty ufe to do. We
may reprefent God to our felves as we pleafe,
but that has no more real mfluence on him, than a
deforming Optick-glafs has on the OhjeH it dif-
guifes, he is ftill the fame amidrt all our wilde
conceits of him, and will alwaies make good the
titky by which he deliver'd himfelf to Mofesy
Ex. 3. 14. lam that lam. All that is in him is
equally immenfe and infinite, his mercy need not
invade his ju(lice to gain its felf a larger field of
adlion, wHicKis already (as the Ffalmifi fpeaks)
over all hit works y neither his pftice encroach upon
his mercyy that having alfb a Province wide
enough ; all impenitent finners being within its
Verge, and God knows how much foever we
ftreighten it in our opinionsy we do it indeed too
much extend it in its real force y by rendring our
felves the proper objecfts of it. In fliort, God
who is the author of order and peace, cannot be
fuppos'd to be in confupon within himfelf; the di-
vine Attributes are not in ftrifey but perfecft har-
mony-y 'tis we only that have rais'd this more
than
Ctiap*8 . concerning^ Almighty God, &c. 171
than Gygantick war, not only ag^infi Heaven, but
in it. The feveral Luminaries purfue the regular
motions of the Spheres ; but we confound at once
the Lavps oftheir Creation, and their ^//wf^or too,
ftrive to eclipfe and darken the father of light.
But if the removing of an earthly I-^and-mark be
a crime punifliable both by God and man, what
Thunder-bolts belong to thofe who thus attempt
tofet new Boundaries in heaven, to limit and
meafure out even the divine Nature by the pro-
portions of their own Fhancies, and indeed fuch
temerity as this, is too like to confute its felf,
and feel that Juftice it will not believe : yet as
great and daring a crime as it is, I fear there are
few that can totally acquit themfelves of it : for
though all avow it, yet he that /hall narrowly
fHarch his own heart, will fcarcc find it clear
from all degrees of it : We are all apt to cherifh a
flattering hope, that God is not fo fevere as he is
reprefented, or that if in refpedl of his Juftice
he be a confuming fire, yet that* Mercy will be
fure to fnatch us out of the burning ; like the An-
gels to Lot, aflift our Efcapes, and provide us a
Zoar,that our fouls may live : and this Hope though
founded only in our wi/hes, is very apt to Aide in-
to our/^/f/?, and make us believe what we would
have : by which means this becomes a kind o£ Epi-
demic k Herefie, the moft frequent and common
mifperfwafion that occurs concerning the divine
Attributes.
I T would be a work more long than ufeful to
recite the feveral errors that have fprung from
M 4 this
1*72 Mi [chiefs drifmg from Mi flakes CibftP*^.
this one. That oiOrigen, that the Devils Jhould
finally be faved, is a noted and pregnant Inftance,
which could be deriv'd from nothing but this
unequal apprehenfion of Gods Juftice and Mer-
cy : And befides all other ancient^ we have many-
branches of a later growth, that fpring from the
fame root, a fet of pkufible fallities>which would
quench the unquenchable iire, and kill the never
dyingWorm\ I mean thofe allaying foftning de-
fcriptions fome of this age have made of Hell,
fome changing the kind, others abating the in-
tenfnefsy or at leafl: the duration of^ thofe Tor-
ments, each fubftracfting fo much from this to-
phety that they have left Jtheifm an eafie task to
take away the reft : and may give fufpicion they
mean to vifit that place, which they are fo in-
duftrious to make eafie.
BUT whatever they do themfehesy 'tis fure
this is the way to fend others thither, to take ofF
their fears of it, to make them think it not fo
dreadful a place as they once fuppos'd, and con-
fequently lefs careful to decline the ways that
lead to it. 'Tis indeed too obvious that fuch per-
fwafions do mightily impugn Chriftian pradlice,
and embolden men in fin: and God knows we
need no fuch encouragement ; the more general
fallacious hopes of Mercy being too fufficient
for that purpofe without thefe fupernumerary
deceits : but between the one and the other, Li-
hertinifm is like to outgrow all reftraints, and
the Opinion of Gcds gondnefs inftead of leading
men torepentanceymll flacken thofe reigns where-
with
C&ap*8. concerning Almighty God^Scc. 17^
with our bruitifli Nature fhould be bridled and
rcftrain'd, and we thus left unto the fway of
luft and paffion, muft run headlong upon ruine,
as the Horfe rufheth into the Battel, For alafs, we
are not fo generous as to do well for Vertues
fake, nay nor fo provident as to do it for Re-
ward, 'tis our fear that is the moft prevalent in-
centive, and accordingly we find religion gene-
rally makes her firfl: impreflions there. They are
the terrors of the Lord that do moft ufually, and
moft effedlually p er f wade men y 2 Gor. >. ii. our
Hearts muft be pricked, and at thofe Orifices pie-
ty enters. Now when all thefe terrors fhall be fu-
perfeded by the opinion of an overwhelming mer-
cy, when//^//lhall either be annihilated, orfup-
pos'd fo to annihilate us, that we fliall lofe our
paflivenefs with our being, and be as uncapable of
fufFering, as even Heaven its felf can make us,
what will be left to engage us to vertue, or deter
us from vice : Alas, do we not often fee a daring
Luft bid battel to all the artillery of Heaven,meet
God m his loudeft Thunder, and venture on -dam-
nation in its dreadfuUeft form ? and can we think
it will be more modeft, when it fliall be told that
they are only edgelefs weapons it hath to encoun-
ter? that GodsThunder amidft all its noife carries
no holt ? and that the Flames of the bottomlefs
pit, are but a painted fire, that at a diftance may
fright but not hurt us, oratJeaftfo hurt us, that
we fliall not feel it ? When thofe rubs which
fear interpos'd are thus removed, there is no-
thing to ftay the courfe of headlong riot, but
pre-
174 Mif chiefs arifingfromMiftakes (It)ap*8.
prccipicioufly it will on, where ever flrong defire
ihall dxivcy or flattering lufi allure: he that loved
his fin:, even when it threatned him nnne, ferv'd
it affiduoufly, when it promifed no other wages
than deaths Rom. 6. 23 . how will he hug this vi-
per when he thinks 'tis ftinglefs, and give up his
ear to be bored by that M^/^r, which affords him
prefent pleafures without future ftripes : we fee
even in Civil matters the prefumption of Impunity
is the great nurfe of Diforders, and if it were
not for the coercive power of Laws we fhould
foon fee how little the direSiive would fignifie ;
and doubtlefs 'tis the fame in fpiritual or rather
worfe, by how much we are more bent upon the
breaking of Gods Laws than mens, and confe-
quently will be the more apprehenfive of any En-
couragement.
OF the truth hereof our experience gives too fad
proo£ none rufliing fo boldly upon Godsjufiice, as
thofe who have moft fortified themfelves againft
the dread ofitj,as if they meant their/? r^S/V^inould
experiment the truth ofthtir /peculation,and make
the utmoft trial whether God can be provoked
or no. Indeed men ufe mercy as amaz'd Pafl£ngers
fomctimes do a plank in a fhipwrack, lay fo much
weight upon it, as finks both it and themfelves;
fo peri/hing by. too great a confidence of their
refcue, ancf finding a G«//?/? where they expecfled
an Jrk : not that I fuppofe Mercy unable to fup-
port the weight of all the Perfonsy nay, and of all
the fins- in the world, which have not the one pon-
derous adherent of Impenitence fuperadded ; but
that
Cl^BP*8. concerning Almighty Gody &c. 175'
that is a burthen which even the divine Clemency
finks under, refufes to plead fuch a caufe, and
refers it to Juflice as its proper Court : And there-
fore to fin on, in hope of mercy, is to undermine
our felves, and commit a folly as abfurd as rui-
nous,! wifh I could fay 'tw^ere not alfo as frequent:
but God knows 'tis every where too apparent;
men openly avow it, fo that 'tis become the vul-
gar Anfwer to every convicfling Reproof> that
God is merciful : And furely they that obferve the
growth of vice, fince our new descriptions of Hell
came abread, will have caufe to think the one has
had no fmall influence on the other, and that
while fome have made it borrow the uncafinefs of
our humane ftate to make up its torments ; they
have taken care it fhould be juft, and lend us back
fins of a greater magnitude : This mifcrable traf-
fique have thefe Fadlors fetled, between the pre-
fcnt world and the infernal region, that Hell
ihould have Earths /y^^/wi", and Earth Hells wick-
ednefs ; the later alas we are too fully pofleft of,
which is like to fend too many fouls to difcover
the deceitof the other. In fine, our groundlefs
confidences of mercy, and thofe other Chimeras
we forge out of that, are certainly the mofl: fre-
quent and dangerous underminers of Chrifl:ian
pradtice : thefe like the Sun give heat and vigor
to thofe inordinate lufl:s, whichajufl:/^^r6?/T'^;;-
^(*^«c^ would as a winters froft nip, and deftroy:
And till wx lay by thefe eafie flight thoughts of
God, and confider him in thofe more awful attri-
butes which exac5t our reverence, his mercy will
only
176" Mifchiefs ariftng from Mi flakes 'C^fiP*8.
only ferve to ripen us for his judgment, that
fmooth and gentle property in Godj, which to all
who abufe it not is indeed the oil cfgladnefs, will
thus perverted acquire the more fatal quality of
Oil, ferve only to intend our flames^ and remove
us as far from the rewards of Piety, as our bold
fhancies have done iiom the practice.
A third fort of raiftakes there are by which
Piety is obftrudled,and thofe are fuch as concern
Gods providence y about which the world has long
fince had many difputes ; fome entirely denying
it, as'prefuming God fo wholly taken up with the
contemplation and enjoyment of his own felici-
ty, that he w as utterly inconfiderate of that of
his creatures, and an unconcern'd ffeBator of hu-
mane affairs ; others limiting and reftraining it
to thofe things only which themfelves vvere
pleas'd to think worthy of the divine infpe(3:ion
and condu6l : But thefe queftions have been more
bandied among Philofophers than Chrifliansy and
therefore are beyond our prefent enquiry. Yet
give me leave by the way to exprefs my fears,that
thefe errors have yet fome fecret rooting in too
many hearts ; that there are many who rather
formally y^/, then cordially helievey that God go-
verns the World, and difpofes as well of humane.
as divine things ; a fufpicion that is rendred too
probable by thofe indiredl arts men ufe, to pof-
fefs themfelves of fecular advantages ; for did
they ferioufly think that all thofe things are in
Gods hands, from whence they are neither ftrong
nor cunning enough, either to wreft or pilfer
themj
^]^ap,8. concerning Almighty God, &c. 1 77
them, 'tis fcarce imaginable they fliould attempt
fuch painful impoflibilities, dif'quiet themfelves
in vain as the Ffalmifi fpeaks;, and which is worfe,
forfeit all title to them as Gods giftSj, by thus af-
fuming to make them their own. But this is a
difquifition I muft leave every man to make in
his own heart ; only let me fay, that he that has
tiiere any doubt of Gods univerfal or particular
providence, has alfo in it the root of all unchrijii-
an Sins, of Diftrufl:>Solicitude> and Fraud : there
be ujg nothing that can eflEcftually fuperfede our
ov. ! / caikings and contrivances for our felves, but
the affu ranee that God cares for us. Men being
liiii apt to fcramble, where there is none from
whom they expcdt an orderly and fufBcient di-
ftribution, and therefore this error where ever
it is found,may well be reckon'd among the impe-
ders of Chriftian duty.
BUT befides thofe who thus doubt of Provi-
dence, there are others liable to great miftakes,
I mean thofe who to their jufi belief o£ Gods Pro-
vidence, fuperadd a groundlefs confidence of their
own skill in fathoming it, that are not content
to know it in its produB and event, but pretend
to difcern it in its moft fecret defignments and
purpofes; and do not fo much refers Gods
difpenfations, as interpret them : I do not here
mean to condemn all particular applications of
providential Events, which are fometimes fo ex-
traordinary and remarkable, that they are their
own expoptors, and point out the conflruBion wc
are to make : and an humble advertence unto
• fuch*
178 Mifchiefs arifing from Mifiakes C&^P* 8.
fuch, is not only innocent but neceflary: but
when men ftiall attempt to read every line in
Gods hand, to make their own inference from eve-
ry efflux of Providence ; thefe pretenders to di-
'vine Pahniftryy feem to difJer only thus much
from thofe who make a trade of the natu-
Ydly that they Cheat themfehes as well as 0-
thers.
YET there want not fome who have gone
yet farther;, and think not only to underfiand Pro-
vidence, but affifl it : not only trace it in all its
intricate windings, and concealed intendments,
but help it in the execution, and give birth to its
conceptions : Of this fort efpecially are thofe, who
having pofleft their brains with fome conjecftural
expofitions of obfcure prophecies, will admini-
fterto providence, and call out thofe events they
expecfl : and as if they were confcious that God
would not make good their dreams, endeavour to
do it themfelves. This Age has afforded too ma-
ny inftances of this, when the fulfilling of Pro-
phecies has by fome been made the folemn fum-
mons to rebellion and blond : and in order to the
hating and deftroying the whore, Rev, 17. 1. Men
have been animated to hate and deftroy all who
were not infedlcd with their own Phrenfie. This
we know has been call'd the helping of the Lord
againfi the mighty y and fomething more than vo-
tive Curfes awarded to thofe who refus'd to affift.
Thus have they firft wildly miftaken, and then no
lefs wildly out-run Gods defigns : as if like Baal,
Jud.6. he were unable to plead for himfel£ to
vin-
C^ap.S. concerning Almighty Gody &c. 179
vindicate his own caufe, or efledl his purpofcs
without their help: and having refolved what he
fhall doj, obtrude themfelves upon him as his in-
ftruments ; how repugnant fuch anticipations of
Providence are to the interejfs of Chriftianity is
too apparent from the many deteflable ejfeHs they
have produced.
BUT fctting afide thefe, let us return to
thofe we fpake or before ; who prefuming to ex-
pound providential Events^ make them the Cri-
terion by which to judge both of perfons and of
caufesy concluding the one loved or hatedj, the
other approved or difallowed by God^ according
to their projferous or adverfe Succefs. The firft
of thefe was by our Saviour exploded, as an un-
due way of procefs in the Jews, in the cafe of the
Galileans^ and before him Solomon had given it
as a Maxim, that no man could know love or hatred
hy all that is before him : Eccl. 9. 2. And if under
the Jewijh Oeconomyy where temporal Bleffings
made up fo great a part of their Promifes, it was
fo ; much more is it under the GoJ^ely whofe frame
and compofure is quite diftant ; which infteadof
propofing fecular profperities to its profelyteSyaC-
fures them the contrary ; fets up the Crofs as the
Standard under which they are to fight, and af-
fords no temporal Hopes but with an allaying /^ro-
vifo of Perfecutions and Afflidlions ; nayythe A-
poftle to the Hebrews goes farther, makes them
not only incident but neceffary to Chriftians, the
badge and cognizance of Sonfhip, whileft the no
c^/5r^m/;^ is the fatalleft Sign, a token of baflardy
and
l8o Mif chiefs arifin^ from Mi flakes C()ap*8.
and abdication, Heh. 12. 7, 8. And doubtlefs the
experience of every Chriftian aflerts the do-
ctrine ; we are all apt with the Prodigal to forfake
©ur fathers houfe, and as long as we can have the
riot and not the wants, fliall never think of re-
turning ; we muft be famifht into confideration,
^nAoMtbmks alone will fend us home to the fat-
ted Calf And can there be a greater indulgence in
God, than thus to make our Iniquity our^Punifh-
ment, that it may not be our Ruine ; to embit-
ter thofe fenfualities whofe lufcioufnefs ferves to
intoxicate us, and to clip thofe wings which he
fees carry us from him. Stories tell us that the
Irojan Wives after the deflruBton of their Coun-
trey, being wearied with their refliefs vagrant
life, neceflitated their Husbands to a fettlement
by burning their Ships. And the fame kind ftra-
tagem God has upon us : he fees that our worldly
acceflions do rather enlarge than fill our appe-
tites, and carry us on to farther puifuits, and by
drawing us ftill more from him the Center of
reft, expofes us to endlefs wandrings, and then
what can be kinder than to refcue us from fuch a
condition, thatCurfe of Cain, to be a fugitive,
and a vagabond in the earthy to deprive us of our
treacherous profperities, and fire thofe Ships
wherein we are preparing like Jonah, to fly from
theprefenceof the Lord: fo by a happy neceffity
forcing us to fix our felves on him. And this is
the worft God defigns us in every adverfity : and
did we mean but as well to our felves, we fhould
not mifs of receiving the happieft EfJedts, even
that
(^^ap*8. concerning Almighty Gody &c. 1 8 1
that peaceahle fruit of right eoufnefi the Apoftk,
fpe i .:s of, Heb, 12. This holy men fo well un-
derftood, that we find them dread nothing fo.
much as an uninterrupted profpeiity ; they like
the Mufcovite Women^, grew jealous of Gods love
when he forbare to ftrike, upon which fcoreitis,
that in the Ancient Fathers, there are fo many
folemn petitions for ftripes ; fuch importunate
folicitations for thofe medicinal correHions, where-
in they judg'd both Gods kindnefi and their own
fafety toconfiit.
AND then how perverfe, how prepofterous
are our mea'fures, when we conclude quite the
other way, eJlimate Gods love only from outward
fucceffesy and think he is never angry but when he
fmites : a Perfwafion, which as it is very falfe in
it^ grounds y fovery pernicious in its ejfedlsy and
creates hopes and fears, as fallacious as its lelf.
For firft, if we apply it to our felves, it produces
mifchiefs proportionable to the divers Hates un-
der which we are. If a man he full and projperotisy
it makes him proud and fecurey for when he has
not only the poffeffion of thofe things the World
values, but takes them as an atteftation of Gods
peculiar kindnefs and approbation, what fliould
make him either confider or reform his guilts ?
If he have fandlity enough to poflefs him of Gods
favour, and all thefe profitable effedls of it, he
will not eafily be perfwaded he needs more : and
any man that fhall tell him he does, fhall be heard
with the fame indignation wherewith Cr^fus en-
tertained Solon, when he found him queftion that
N happinefs.
1 82 Mif chiefs arifingfrom Mifiakes C!}ap*8.
happinefs, which he expecfted he fliould have ad-
mird. Profperity is in its felf an emboldening
thing, but when backt by this Opinion of it,
grows into all infolence, till at laft it even re-
coil in the face of the Donor, and dare God by all
thofe enormous riots, to which it enables Men.
-ON the other fide, this Opinion prefents a lefs
merry y but not lefs dangerous Temptation to thofe
in adverfity ; for when they fliall look on them-
felves only as the Jnvil for Gods ftrokes> they
will be too apt to complete the parallel by anfwer-
ing it in hardnejs and inflexibility ; have the
! aVI/twttck t/2'p, as the Father calls it, w^hich reverbe-
rates the blow on him that gave it. Perfevering
wickednefs is fo naturally the iflue of Defperati-
on, that we find the J<?Tr J take up the onemeerly
to countenance the other, pretend hopelefnefi to
avoid reformation: Thus w^e find it, EzeL ^^.lo.
Our iniquities are upon us, and we pine away in
themy how jkouldvpe live ~i And again more plain-
ly, Jer.iS. II. There U no hope y and then the In-
ference is ready, let us walk every one in his own
ways. Endeavour is the child of hope, and we at-
tempt not to attone one whom we conclude im-
placable, fo that Wrath may confumey but will
never melt us, 'tis Love only that has that foft-
ningy diflblving Power, and unlefs we difcerna
mixture of that in Gods infliBionsy they will ne-
ver render us malleable to his impreffions. We
kifs a Fathers hand and rod» when an Executio-
ners ftroke we fuflfer rather than bear.. St. J^ohn
tells us we love God becaufe he loved usy I J^ohn 4.
19.
Cftap^S. concerning Almighiy God, &c. 183
19. Iwifliall men would make good the Infe-
rence; but 'tis fure they are too apt to do it in
the reverfe, and will hate if they apprehend
themfelves hated ; a llate which at once exempli-
fies, and anticipates the worit part oi' Hell tons,
yet very incident to thofe who interpret every
ftrofce of Gods, as the ericCT: of enmity and utter
averfion. This is to do that to our felves which
the Devils fo deprecated from Chrift:, to torment
us before our Time, it being peculiar to the venge-
ance of the other World to be meerly punitive,
that here being rather difcipline than vengeance de-
fign'd to reduce, not deftroy us : and indeed be-
fides the/?///// <?//f;//^ which this Error creates, it
does ( to perfedl the Hell ) give that cf lofs alfo ;
deprives us of one of the great Evangelical felici-^
tiesy that of rejoycing in Tribulaticns, which our
Saviour thought fo confiderable, as to infert
amongft his Beatitudes ; and his Apoftles fre-^
quently mention triurnphantly as the great privi-
ledge 3.nd prerogative of a Chriftian. For if all
adverfe fuccelles be a note of Gods disfavour,
there will be no place for joy even m the moft pi-
ous fufJerings. St. Stephens ravifhing profpecl
will be intercepted, and a ^Tartyrs death be as
uncomfortable as a MalefaSors, But if thefe
were the only fuflferings to which joy were an-
next, there would be but too few concerned in the
deprivation ; thofe wherein we are more univer-
fally interefled, are thofe Chaffcifements of God
which our Guilts provoke ; which though in re-
lpe<5t of their caufe they are Matters of the great-
N 2 eft
1 84 Mifchiefs drifwgfrom Mifiakes Cljap^S.
eft fadnefsjr yet in regard of their fignificaney and
ejfeB, they are Grounds of comfort, theyfignifie
that God ( however difpleas'd ) yet has not aban-
doned the care of us ; thinks us worth his coYre-
Biorty and defigns our reducement : and the EfFecSl
will ( if not obllrudled by us ) be anfwerable to
that defign : our Chaftening here refcues us from
the (ins y and confequently the condemnation of the
worldy I Cor, 11.32. and this is fure no flight mo-
tive of rejoycing ; and we are very unjuft to God
and our felves, if we will exchange it for the ful-
len murmurs of a defperate incorrigiblenefs.
AND as this perfwafion is thus pernicious in
reflec5lion on our [elves y fo neither is it more in-
nocent when applied to others ; for firftj, if we look
on the men that profper m the world, as the
Ffdlmifi {pciiksy JPfaLy^. iz. we Ihall too often
find them anfwer the character he gives them in the
former part of the Pfalwy and when from their
temporal affluence, we fliall conclude Gods fa-
vour to th6m, 'twill be hard refifting the tempt a-
//ow, which ( without that Argument ) the Pfalmifi
was under, of thinking it vatn to cleanfe our heart Sy
or vpajh our hands in innocency. Nay, we fliall be
apttojoyn our fufJrage to thofe in Malachy 3. 15'.
and call t\\cproudy happy : and if we efteem them
fo, 'tis natural to delire to be like them ; fo w^e
Jhall quickly grow to defpife a poor or affliBed In-
nocence, and embrace all thriving projperous Jins.
O N the other fide, if we look on others in an
adverfe calamitous ftate, this Opinion fuggefts
hard and fevere fentences concerning them, in-
clines
C^^P^S. concerning Almighty Gody &c. 185-
clines us to judge where we fhould fuccour, and
how great an accumulation of Mifery that is, we
may learn from 7^^, whom we find not fo often
nor fo paflionately complaining of any of his ^r^/-
furesy as of the unkind cenfures of his Friends,
who weighing in this deceitful balance of tempo-
ral fuccefleSj, made very falfe judgements of him,
and as if they were to Glean after Satan, endea-
voured to defpoil him of that only comfort his
malice had left, the Confcience of his Innocency.
This is as the Pfalmifi fpeaks, to perfecttte him
irhom God has fmitteny and to talk to the grief of
thofe whom he hath wounded ; a thing repugnant to
the common temper of humanity, and much
more to that tendernefs, thofe afJeclions and
bowels Chriftianity requires ; and therefore in
this refpedl alfo, we may reckon this perfwafion
very injurious to Chriftian duty.
NOR is it lefs fo when applied to Caufes, in
which it is full as deceitful a Rule as it is in Fer-
fom : God has defign'd us another meafure of our
undertakings; his word and law, by the general
proportions whereof, we are to fquare and ac-
commodate our particular anions : he fends us
not to his providence, and the various diftributi-
ons of that, or allows us to judge of the Juftice,
by the SucceJS of our Attempts. If that were the
trial, 'twere impoflible for any enterprize to be
lawful, fince that which Ihould legitimate it, is
fubfequent to it, and can have no influence on it,
to the making it good or bad : and as it (ioes not
m^ke, fo neither does it infallibly fignifie it to be
N 3 cither:
S6 Mif chiefs arifwg from Mifiakes (IJap^S.
either: and of thofe who prefume it does, I
fliould ask whence it came to do fo ? If by any af-
fip-nation of God let them produce it; and if not
thence> Trae fure it can make no pretence to cer-
tainty, God having no where obliged his Provi-
dence to make good our phanfies and conjeBures.
Nay, if we look into Scripture examples, we
{hall find this irrefragably confuted; the fame
Caufe ha^/ing at feveral times differing fuccefs.
Thus the Ifraelites were difcomfited at their firft
aflault upon Aiy and yet fuccesful after ; 'twas
fomething extrinfick to the caufe that made the
variation, that ftill continuing the fame. The
like we find in the cafe of the Benjamitesy w^ho
though in as ill an engagement as can well be ima-
gined, had yet two vidlories over the other Tribes>
Judg. 20. But there is one inftance that may
ferve for all, and that is the taking of the Ark by
the Philiftineh he that fliall contemplate that,
will fure never think fit to meafure caufes by fuc-
cefs, unlefs he will give the difference alfo to Da-
gon, who then trium.pht in the fpoils of the God
oflfraeL In fliort, 'tis evident vidlories are not
foentail'd upon the jufteft caufes, but that they
maybe, and often are cut oflP, either by the guilts
of the undertakers, or by fome other fecret difpo-
fal of the Divine wifdom ; but the former is fo
frequently the obvious caufe of it, that we are
not often put to refort to the later. 'Tis no
flrange thing to fee all Ifr^el troubled by an Jchdn,
or ha v^the >/-^ taken captive from ofFthe flioul-
ders of a Hophniand Fhineasy nor will it ever be
Ct^ap* 8 . concerning Almighty Gody &cc, 187
poffible for the belt caufe to fecure its felffrom
the blafting influence of its Abettors crimes.
THIS is fo clear and evident a Truth, that
'tis matter of fome wonder, how the contrary
perfwafion fliould ever infinuateits felf; and in-
deed it is not probable it ever had, if Intereft,
that grand Sophifier, had not introduced it. Men
engage in dcfigns not on intuition of their lavrful-
nefi, but profit, and when they are fuch as nothing
can warrant a prior e, their only referve is to make
them good a pojleriore ; to bring a licence after
the fadl, and juftifie their beginning by their end ;
which how ridiculous foever it may feem to fober
reafon, yet fuch is the natural fliame, or fecular
inconvenience of owning an unju^ AB, that men
will wrap themfelves, though in the thinneft and
molt diaphanous veilsy make ufe of the abfurdeft
pretences, and fainteft colours to fliadow their
Guilty and whileft confcioufnefs bids them fay
fomewhat for themfelves, and the cafe aflbrds no
folid plea, they are driven to thefe deplorable
fleights and fubterfuges. Indeed this is an argu-
ment that ftands fingle, and is feldom us'd but
in thofe caufes that admit of no better ; which we
may reafonably conclude to be the reafon, why it
was fo much infifted on by our late difturbers,
who in fuch abundance of light, as they own'd,
could not be fuppos'd ignorant enough to believe
themfelves : 'twas certainly the deftitution of
better arguments that caft them upon this, forc't
them to ranfack the Alcoran, and rifle a piece of
turkifi? Divinity to make good their Saint jhip.
N 4 They
l88 Mi/chiefs arlfing from Mi flakes Cl&ap*8.
-They now difcern the unskilfulnefs of that plea,
which a little time has converted to an accufation.
The great change it has pleas'd God to make
among us, retorting their conquering Syllogifmesy
and making them need a new fuccefs to juftifie
their vaunts of the old. God grant we may not
here relieve them again, and by our perfonal fins,
help them to that which the juftice of their Caufe
never^did, nor is like to acquire them.
BUT though this plea of fuccefs be frequent-
ly urg'd in ^(?//9', yet it prevails with many who
Jcnownot that it is fo ; indeed the vulgar are fo
much fubje(5led to then fen fesy that generally the
conclufions draw^n thence are eafily embrac'd,
when thofe from Reafon and Confcience have a
double difficulty, firft to be underftood, and
next to be admitted, and the moft elahorate dif-
courfe fiiall not convince them of the right of that
cauf'ey which in the laft appeal to Gods Tribunal
by War, has been openly condemned ; whileft the
j(^d?/7j- of vicSlory as much fatisfie the Underftand-
ingo£ the juftice of the Prize, as the Defirewith
the wealth or glory of it. And this is it which ren-
ders fuch kind of arguings very pernicious, they
being fo fitted to the common temper, that they
feldom mifs to be efFedlual ; and engage the hea-
dy multitude in the Profecution of the worft^^-
fignsy that are recommended to them by the one
Catholick vertue of Succefs. This is indeed as the
Frophet fpc^ksy Ez-, 13.2Z. toftrengthenthe Hands
of evil doers, that they turn not from their wicked-
nejs; to dazzle their Eyes fo with the fplendor of
profperoizsf
O^ap.S. concerning Almighty Gody&cc, 189
profperous iniquity, that they can never come to
take an exacft view, and difcern it in its true
form : And doubtlefs this was none of the lefs-pre-
vailing arts of feducement among us, and drew
in many to abet thofe feditious pradlices, w'hich
all Laws of God and Man prohibited, and where-
by Chrifiian Religion has at once been violated and
defam'd ; has not only her precepts broken, but
^^r/J/afperft with the foul confequences of that
difobedience, and fo buys one injury with ano-
ther ; the contempt of her ^Authority with the lofs
of her Reputation.
W E have now feen the ill confequences ifluing
from thefe miftakes of Gods Frovidencey but we
muft take notice that there remains yet as great
or greater danger on the other fide ; and that a
total negleB is worfe than an erroneous confiruBion
of it. For though God have fecluded us from
that more exadl minute difcerning of hispurpo-
fes, yet he means not his dijpenfations fliould be
lookt on as wholly infignificant, and therefore has
given us the genera] fcope and meaning of them,
according to which w^e are to limit and reftrain
our wandring gue/fesy and alfo judge o£ particular
events. Now as Gods original and primary defign
in the creation of Man, was to render him afub-
jeB capable of eternal happinefi; fo alfo have all his
fuhfequent JBs toward him aim'd at the fame end :
and becaufe there is nothing removes man fo far
from that grand purpofe of his being as Sin ;
therefore God has made the fuppreffing of that,
the uniyerfal intendment of his difpofals concern-
ing
IpO Mif chiefs arijing from Mi flakes ^t)ap*8.
ingus: fothat the moft dijSerent difpenfations
do feverally purfue that one end ; projjperity and
adverpty in their fucceflive changes are fent to re-
claim us from the error of our waj/s, with this only
difference, that the one leads, the other drives*
This is aflerted by St. Fatil^ who tells us, that
the goodnejs and long-fujfering cfGod is to lead ms to
Repentance, Rom. 2. 5'. And alfo that when we
are judg'd, vpe are chafiened of the Lord, that we
may not be condemned with the World, 1 Cor. 11.32.
And indeed the whole Scripture runs in the fame
{train ; and both from profperous and adverfe
fucceffes urges the obligation to obedience. This
is the notice God expe&s we fhould take of all
his dealings towards us. And the want thereof
we find often fliarply upbraided by God to the
Jews', how often does he recount his redeeming
them from ^gypty his enftating them in Canaan,
and all his wonderful works for them, with an ac-
cufing refle(5lion upon their ingratitude; and
that we may know his Judgements are no lefs to
be accounted for than his (^lercies, we find him,
^Amos 4. making a Catalogue of them, and clofing
every period with this Fathetick reproof of their
obftinacy, Tet have ye not returned to me faith the
Lord, In fhort, God requires that we fliould ob-
ferve every turn of his hand, in order to the re-
forming our own lives, and by the feveral m^^/-
«wx of Gratitude or fear, infer that necejfary Con^
clupon of a fincere univerfal Obedience ; and the
negledl of this is the crime the Pfalmift mentions,
Pfalm 28, 5. with fo fevere a menace, they regard
not
^^j^P^8. concerning Almighty God, &c. i^I
not the works of the Lord, nor the operation ofhU
hands.
A N D as this is requir'd from fingle perfons,
fo alfo from focieties and communities, which
as they are in their publick capacities the moft
eminent fubjecfts of Judgements or Mercies, fo
are they the moll eminently accountable for both.
And though the Negk(5l and Abufe of Gods me*
thods be a very provoking ^«//^ when 'tis only
per f anal y yet is it much more fo, when it becomes
national : And therefore as it is every mans con-
cern for his own peculiar to examine how he has
anfwered Gods methods towards him, fo is it an
enquiry very pertinent in relation to the Puhlick
alfo ; efpecially where the difpenfations have been
remarkable and extraordinary ; in which refpecft
the Inquijjtion cannot appear more neceflary for
any than thps Nation ; upon which confideration
I hope the Reader will think it no unpardonable
digreflion, if we awhile turn afiderafter it.
1 T is the affirmation of our Blejfed Saviour, that
where much is given, there /hall he much requir'd ; a
thing fo confonant with natural Equity, that we
all give our fuffrage to it, by making it the mea-
fure of our expectations in fecular tnings, where-
in every man looks for returns proportionable to
his expence or Induftry. The Husbandman ex-
pedls a CVfl|^ anfwerable to his Seed and Labour i
and in the nobler cultures of the Mind, we juftly
exacfl of our Pupils to let their manners atteft the
difcipline they have been under: According to
which eftimate w^ muft refojve, that Gods expe-
dlations
ipz Mifchiefs arifing from Mi flakes ClWP^S*
cftations from iis o£thu Nation cannot but be very
high, there being no people under the Sun, whom
he has more fignaliz'd as his own immediate care^on
whom the Divine Oeconomy has more conftantly
and even folicitoufly attended in all the variety of
feafonable and powerful applications.
I SHALL not afliime the work of a Chro-
fiicky by giving a feries of all thofe mercies, we
received in the loins of our Anceftors ; and of
which we have provided one unhappy memorial,
I mean our naufeating and defpifing them ; it ha-
ving been the bufinefs of our days, to difentail
thofe two moft ineftimable Bleffings, of a pure
Religion and outward Peaccy which our immedi-
ate Progenitors left us ; and to derive to our po-
fterity the contrary mifchiefs of impiety and con-
fufion.
BUT not to ravel fo far back, I fliall confine
my reflecSlions to fo late a date, that I fliall not
need to befpeak the faith afJbrded to Hiftorians ;
fcarce any that can be my Reader, but is qualified
to be my witnefi too ; and muft acknowledge that
there has on Gods part been no Method wanting,
that might purifie us to.himfelf /^ Peculiar people
z^ealous of Good works. To that end of refining
and cleanfing us it was, that he kept us fo long in
th^ furnace, permitted us to thofe many Fiery trials
of our late calamitous days. Twere impertinent
here to give a Defcription oi thofe fujferings, which
every mans Memory canfo readily reprefent to
him ; or to paint that Flame whofe fcorchings we
have felt; 'tis enough to fay, that God appeat'd
in
(I|JW*8. concerning Almighty God, &c. ipj
in them, earneftly induftrious to have reduced us ;
like a skilful Captain befieg'd us clofely, ftraitned
us fo in all our interefts, that it was fcarce pof-
fible for us to fly any where but to himfelf. In-
deed he that would make up an exadl Catalogue
of our Calamities muft calculate in how many in-
ftances humane nature may be paflive ; there be-
ing fcarce any of our fufiering capacities, to
which they were not liberally apportioned, our
Efiates, our Perfons^ our Friends, and which is
more than all our Cw/c/V/zc^x, all groaning under
the weight of that Ib^^, which our own Sins pre-
pared, and other mens fins put on. Which way
foeverwe lookt, we faw nothing but that which
mightconfumeourjE)'^j-and grieve our Heart: If
on the Church, we faw that torn by Schifm,
fpoifd by Sacriledge ; the abomination of defola-
tion {landing in the Holy place, and the houfe of
Prayer made in the moft literal fenfe a den of
Thieves. If on the State, we faw the hreath of
ourNoftrils, the ^Anointed of the Lord taken in
their Pits, Imprifond, and Arraign d, and barba-
roufly (iMurderdy by thofe who flew him like
the Heir in the Gofpel, that they might feize on
his Inheritance. We faw this and all other Mif-
chiefs eftabliflit hy a Law, and made as irrever-
fible as powerful malice could render them. And
now in fuch a diftrefs, who would not think that
fuch a neceflity fliouldhave become ourvertue?
And fo perfedl a deflritution compelfd our refortf
to the Divine aid. And as little opprefl: States
us'd to make themfclves homagers to the Rdmans,
15^4 Mifchiefs arifing from Mifiakes Cftap* 8-
to engage their protedlion ; fo we fliould have
made an entire furrendry of our felves to God,
that we might have gain'd a title to his refcues
and deliverances.
THIS genuine and kindly eflfedl I doubt not
but it had in fome, I would fain think in many ;
but we are not now confidering particulars^ but
the community ; and therefore how fincere foever
fuch perfonal reformations were^ they muft not
come under the account of publick and general,
unlefs for their Number and Eminency they had
been fufEcient to have overwhelmed the contrary
perverfnefs : ^ Many there might be whofe hearts
( as 'tis faid of Jofiahsy 2 Chron, 3 4.27. ) did melt,
and yet the far greater number of the obdurate,
ftilljuftly denominate us a ftiff neck'd people ; an
Epithet wherewith God often reproaches the
J^ewsy and fure we have no lefs evidenced our title
to it ; for alas, as if we had meant to -revenge the
inexorablenefs of our oppreflbrs towards us, in
our obftinacy to God ; as if when we could keep
nothing elfe, we had yet referv'd this fuUen com-
fort, of having our hearts impregnable, we made
a fhift to hold out againft all thefe batteries ;
there was little appearance, and lefs reality of Re-
pentance; and if fome of our /«/?j were at all lefs
raging, 'twas only becaufe they were ftarved into
a little tamenefs, the fupplies cut ofF which
fliould maintain our Riot : but when any recruits
could be had, they were devoted that way, and
even in the worft of times we mift not to be as lux-
urious as we were able : and as though we refolv'd
that
Cft^P 8. concerning Almighty Gody &CQ, ip^
that 'vice like the i'^^^fhould gain in one part what
it loft in another ; we took order that what was
thus inevitably defalkt from tYiokex-penjiTJeSms,
fhould be made up in the cheaper : we could curfe,
and fwxar, & blafpheme in fpight o? Sequeflration,
and this wretched Immunity we made abundant
ufe of, till we even became Proverbial for it;
and gave our enemies pretence, to faften it on us
as our diftincftive Character. Yet to ftiew our
felves generous finners, there was one vice we
bought at a dear rate, I mean our as imprudent,
as unchriftian animofities, and picques among our
felves ; a fin that helpt to revenge all the reft :
and was as well upon a humane, as divine account
a grand inftrument of our ruine. To thefe we
may add our impatient murmurs at our fuffer-
ings, which did in fome v/ork fo prepofteroufly,
as to reconcile them to the inflidlers, made them
unworthily defert that caufe, they found charge-
able to maintain, and contrary to the advice of
Solomon^ Chufe the ways of thofe opprefTors
whofe profperity they envied, Frov, 3 . But of
thefe real Jfpofiates the number I hope was not
great, I wilh I could fay fo alfo of thofe fecm'wg
defertoTSy whofe knees bowed to Baaly though
their hearts did not : who belied their own loyal-
tyy and in a flicw of compliance proftituted con-
fcience in feveral Engagements as inconfiftent
with each other, as they all were with duty ; and
fuch as they pretended no excufe for their takingy
but their refolutions of breaking, I was indeed a
fad fpedlacle to fee what Ihouls every menacing
Edi(5l
1^6 Mifchiefs arifingfromMiflakes d;ap*8.
Edidt brought in; while men ran in as much
hafte to take the opportunity of Perjury,
as the primitive Chriftians were wont to do of
^J^artjrdom : Indeed herein we feem'd to invade
our enemies peculiar, would not fuffer them to
enjoy thofe marks of diftindlion, they had framed
to themfelves ; fo that as far as Oaths could figni-
fie we wxre all one Party. And yet while we thus
difclaim'd Gods reliefs by thefe indirect attempts
of our own, we took it very ill that he left us -to
the fuccefs of them : That he profper'd not thofe
methods heliadinterdi(fledj,andmadeus Trium-
phant, not only over our Enemies but himfelf
too : and upon this fcore many mutinous hlaf-
phemies were utter'd and perhaps feme more
thought, though I confefs, generally we were
not fo modeft, as to ftick at faying the worft we
could think, and indeed they that heard the fre-
quent doubts men own d of Gods juftice, pro-
vidence, nay his very being, would not think
they fuppreft any thing as too ill to be fpoken :
we laid boundlefs expecflations upon the juftice
of our caufe, and as if we had extremely oblig'd
God by not being Traytors, or Schifmaticks,
thought hewrong'd us extremely that he made
us notFiBors. Samuel tclh Saul that Rebellion
was like Witchcraft , but we feem'd to think Loy-
alty was fo ; that like a fpell it was to keep us
invulnerable, not only againft our enemies but
our Selves : and fo countercharm all our crimes,
that they fhould only be adlive to pleafe, not hurt
us. But if in the laft place we reflcdl on our
felves
Ct)HP*8. concerning Almighty God, 6cq, ipy
felves even in relation to that caufe in which we fo
much confided, 'tis to be fear'd all men will not
be able to evince they fuffcr'd for God and the
Kingy though they did it in then quarrel : 'tis the
Intent muir denominate whofc Martyrs they
were, it being too frequent for private paffions
and intereftsj, to march undeu the banner of con-
fcience ; and we call that fometimes taking up
the Crofs, which is oaly the taking up an anirno-
fity or humor. Indeed 'tis not poilible for any to
be Gods Martyr^wiio is not firfc his Servatit : none
of us will fufFer the greateft things for a perfon
for whom we will not do the leail ; and 'tis ab-
furd Hypocrifie for a man to pretend he has left
////for God, who we fee cannot be woed to leave
the moft defpicable //// for him. He that will
not part with the noife of a loudOathy the plea-
fure of an intemperate Cup, the applaufe of a
profane JejiioT God, wiUfurely much Icfs cx-
pofe his liberty y his eftate, his life for him: and
therefore what hazards foever any man ran in any
ofthofe,he can with no juftice ict it upon Gods
account, unlefs he can produce fuch other acfts
of obedience, as may witnefs this to be true and
genuine. And upon this trial, I fear God's party
will appear to have been but fmall among us,and
perhaps the King's not much greater, it being not
very probable that thofe fliould have any great
fenfe of duty to him, that had none td God : or
that thofe fliould religioufly revere one Com-
mandment, who defpifed the other nine. But we
neqd not the help of inference and probability iri
O thi^
ipS Mifchiefs drifrngfYomMiftdkes Ctiap^S.
this matter^ the mutinous and infolent behaviour
of many who profeft loyalty, did too clearly
evince it : And as it is faid of Jodb, that he
turn'd after ^Adonijdhy though he turn'd not after
Ahfdlomy I King. 228. and fome of ours had lit-
tle private rebellions of their own even while they
oppos'd the more publick. I love not to pafs
cenfures on mens thoughts^ yet I doubt fome
would be too confcious to confute me, if I fliould
fay there vvanted not thofe, who owed their zedl
to their Spleen, and did not fo much love thofe
they fought for, as hated thofe they fought dgdinfi.
And it may perhaps deferve enquiry, whether
that demure pretence of holinefs their Adverfaries
had put on, did not more avert fome of our Li-
bertines from them, than all th^ir redl crimes :
They perhaps fo far miftook them, as to fufpedl:
they might be in earneft, when they profeft to
advance the power of Godlinefsy and at that took
tin Jldrmy and fuch Men (if fuch there were)
contended not for the Liberty -of their Countrey,
but their Lujis ; and could with no juftice, ex-
pedl either a reputation, or fuccefs from that
caufe which they at once helpt to defame and de-
feat. I am loth to go farther, and fufpecfl that
even fome of the devouter fort were infpir'd more
by the Spinto£ oppofition th^nFietj^ yet I con-
fefs 'tis hard to refill: that furmife, when 'tis
confider'd that our Lm/r/j/ never had its due ve-
neration, but when the DireBory was fet up a-
gainft it. Indeed he that fliall remember how
our private Oratories were then throng'd and
crouded ;
(Ii^^P*8. concerning Almighty God, &c. jgg
crouded ; and ftiall now compare it with our empty
Churches, will be tempted to think our devotiott
was of that fort, which is excited by interdiB,
and deadned by invitations ; a pervcrfe kind of
Zeal kindled only by Antiperiftafis or collision ;
none of that pure flame which defcends from hea-
ven. And then as our Saviour in another cafe
faieSj, if the light that is in thee he darknefs, how
great is that darknefs. Mat. 6, If this fairer and
more fpecious part of us were thus reprovable,
how obnoxious were the other ? and if our Ear-
neftnefs in a righteous caufe, by its Sinifter mo-
tives or adherencies be unable tojuftifieits fell>
how fliall it bear that heavier task we laid on it,
and plead for our other Guilts.
THIS is the true though not full account of
our behaviour under Gods Difcipliney thus did
we frucftifie upon his pruning us ; brought forth
indeed, nothing but degenerom fruit. The ho-
ly Writ leaves it as a brand of mcft inveterate
Impiety upon Ahazy that in the time of his di-
ftrefs he fnndyet more a^ainfi the Lord, 2 Chron.
28. 22. and fure we have too juft title to the
fame Charadler of infamy; thoft fuflpering^
which were fent to chaftife our fins, ferv'd but
to encreafe them, and like the Ifraelites in the
Brick-kilns, they multiplied the more for their
oppreffion; we debaucht even our Executic-^
nersy and made every new calamity fupply us
with fome new vice. And now when Gods rod
was thus defpis'd, we were in all reafon to ex-
pedt he fhould draw his fword, revenge our re-
O 2 fiftaiie^
zoo Mifchiefs arifwg from Mifiakes Cl)ap 8 .
fiftance of his methods^ by fomewhat we could
not refill:, make our Plagues as obftinate as our
[elves ^ and involve ns in hopelefs inevitable ruine.
"this certain fearful looking for of Judgment , Heb.
10.27. was all we had left our felves, of all the
rich patrimony we were once poffeft of; and our
prefent mifery feem'd impoffible to expire any
way but by dying into greater.
BUT as great artificers are us'd to magnifie
their Art, by choofing the moft unlikely materi-
als ; fo did it pleafe God in this total indifpofed-
nefs of ours, when we were fo unapt fubjecfts to
illuftrate his mercy, and as if he defign'd this na-
tional deliverance ftiould (in its proportion) be
the Tranfcript of our more univerfal redemption,
he vifited us not only in this ftate of mifery, but
enmity ; when v^e had fet our felves in defiance
of his judgments, he laid as it were an Ambufh of
mercy for us, and furpriz d us with fafety : by
fuch undifcernible ways return d the captivity of
our Sion, that rpe trere indeed delivered like them
that dreamy'P{aliz6.i, g^wcus a viBory without
a war : without the intervention o? garments rolled
inhloudyEfo..^. S' invefted us in our Triumphant
robes, and in a word, made us infenfibly to glide
into our long forgotten profperity.
AND now who can imagine, but this mira-
culous Mutation without us, muft alfo work a
Change within us. Indeed they muft have a very
ill opmion of humane nature, that can think it
poffibleitfliouldhaveperverfenefs enough to re-
fill fuch endearments ; fuch kindly Heat muft
needs
C^dP*8. concerning Almighty Gody &c. 20 1
needs be fuppos'd to melt us ; and if before our
Pride difdain'd to be compelVdy yet even that
ftubborneft part of us can not obje(5t asainft the
being courted into amendment. So that when
God has thus yielded to our terms, left us not
fo much as a Punctilio in our way to Piety, 'tis
but a reafonable expectation we fliould etnhraca
it with as great an Earneftnefs, as it was former-
ly rejeBed by us.
AND would God we could fay we did fo ;
but alas, we ftill aflfedl; prodigies, take a kind of
wantonjoy in defeating Gods defigns, and as if
we afpired to vye Miracles with him, have made
our returns as unparallcl'd as his mercie^s; fo
that the fum of our account is this. No Nation
was ever more fignaliz'd by Gods goodnefs^ or
its own perverfenefsy it being hard to determine in
which of thofe refpecfls it is molt eminent. That
this is in the general perfedlly true, there are
too many particulars ready to teftifie, indeed a
whole cloudofWitnefles do concurrtothe pro-
ving the charge, 1 Ihall not undertakjc to examine
ally yet/om^ of the principal it will not be amifs
to take notice of
BEFORE we enquire into the tt/^ we have
made of Gods Mercies, let us a little confider
what our fenfe of them is ; and fure of all the in-
terrogatories we can put to our felves, this ap-
pears the eafiefty the moft gentle favourable Teft,
that even our own partialities could ele(5l for us ;
it being fo natural to men in mifery to value a re-
fcue, and celebrate their deliverers, that the
O 3 con-
^ Mtf chiefs arifingfromMifiakes C^ajp".
contrary would be the only wonder : we fee
even the Jews, who were none of the moft mal-
leable peoplcj^ yet deliverances made imprefli-
onsoii th m, fet them to their devout proceffions
and foleran hymns in praife of God : nay fuch a
piece /of native Religion is this? thrt the Hea-
thens exemplifie it to us. The Philifiins when
they had taken Samfon, "magnified their Dagon, as
having delivered their enemy and the deflroyer of
their conn trey into their hands, Judg. l6. 24. So
upon the vicftory over Saul, i Sam. 31. 9. they
fent round about to puhlifh it in the houfe of
their Idols. And in all ftories v/e findj, the Hea-
then Altars were never fo loaden with Sacrifices,
as upon fuch occafions : and the Gofpel tells us
that thofe on whom Chrift bellowed miraculous
cureS;, were fo tranfported withthem;, that their
gratitude fupplantred their obedience, and made
them notvvithilanding his prohibition proclaim
the wonders he had done for them : But I fear if
we refledl upon our felves, we fhall not be able to
match any of thefe inftances. 'Tis true our late
change was entertained with a Joy /7r<?/J//^ enough j,
but not enough religions. \Ve faw that great
things were done for us> and thereof we rejoycedj,
but we did not fo much confider that the Lord had
done them^JP/ 114. andfo were rather afle(5led
with the rarity and profit ablenefs, than the mer-
cy and kindnefs of the Difpenfation : and though
the care of our . Governours have provided for the
religious part alfo, aflign'd days of Purim for the
perpetual commemoration of oijr deliverance,
yet
^f)^P^8. concerning^ Almighty God, 8cc. 203
yet our flight obfervance of them does too fully
evince our Joy was meerly fecular ; and furely
he that obferv'd the numerous and loud acclama-
tions in the ftreets, and the few faint Hallelujahs
in the Temple^ muft needs fay they were very dif-
propoitionate? and that how much foever the
moltof nsrejoyc't, it was not in the Lord: and
then we are not to wonder that it was fo tran-
fient ; fince it was meerly earthly it muft need«
partake of the fadingnefs of its original : where-
as had we deriv'd it higher^,, it would have been
lafting and durable ; it could not fo fuddenly
have expir'dj, h:;id we fetcht it from him, in whofe
prefence is fulnefs of joy y and at nhofe right hand are
pleafiires for evermore. But alas, our tranfports
were fuch as exhaufted themfelves in their own
noife, we expreft our Joy in Bonfires, and it va-
pour'd away in the fmoke ; there wanted that
mixture of Piety which fhould have fix'd that
volatile pajjion, and we who at firft were much
more glad than thankful, within a very flioft
time ceafed to be either.
AND then as violent Heats when once ex-
pired, are fucceeded by the extremefi Cold, fo
has it fared with us ; we fell from our Extafies
not to the mean, but the contrary extreme ; our
vaft complacencies rft their parting, carried with
them, even ordinary contentation, and left us
not only joylefs, but impatient. It was indeed
matter of Equal fliame and wonder, to fee a fcene
fo fuddenly changed, wherein as in many other
inftances, we feem'd to have tranfcrib'd the co-
O 4 py
204 Mifchiefs drifwg from Mi flakes C&Hp»8.
py of the ip.utinous Jfraelitesy who we find in the
very fame Chapter, Ex. ly. triumphing and re-
pining ; and no fooner were the Timbrels out cf
their hands y but Complaints were in their mouths,
verf. 24. I'Phai^ flntll we drink ? and in the begin-
ning of the next, with the fame querulous im-
portunity they require meat. But not to wrong
them in the comparifon, their Murmurs had
fome extenuating circumftances which ours have
not ; they lookt indeed with fome appetite upon
^.^y^ty and made fome propofals of Return, but
it was while they fujffered the hardfhips of the
Tvildernefs ; they preferred a repleted flaveryy be-
fore a hungry freedom ; but even they were not
fo frantic]^ in their mutinies^ as to make any fuch
offer in Can a an y or have any Emulation to the
Garlick and Onionsy amidft the affluence of Milk
and Honey : No 'tis we Alone that have the un-
happy skill of reconciling the fins of Canaan y and
the Wilder nefs ; murmur as much under our Vines
and Fig-trees y?^s at Rephidimy or ^SKarahytind mr^ke
all the outcries of want and flavery, whileft we
wallow in the utmoft luxury o£ plenty o^ndfree-
dom, I need not hear fpecifie the particulars of
our Murmurings, this difcourfe being not like-
ly to find many whofe innocence will need that
information, this malignant humcr having fpread
fo, that 'tis now become almolt a fcandalous
(becaufe a fingular) thing to be contented. And
certainly a confidering Foreiner,that fliould come
among us, could not but be aftoniflit to fee a Na-
tion fo full of all tliofe things which ufe to create
tem-
^toP'8. concerning Almighty God, 6cc, 205*
temporal fatisfadlions, and yet to find no body
in it fatisfied ; to fee fo many parties among us,
and none profperous. This is fuch a riddle as
would tempt a man to fufpedl his fenfesy and
think we had all this while but dreamt of a refto-
ration : been under the delufion the Frophet de-
fcribes of the hungry and thirfty man, that at his
vrakingy finds he is empty and his foul hath appetite,
Efayzp. 8. 'Tisafad, but vifible truth, that all
that God has done' for us, hath been fo far from
filling our defires, that it has only ferv'd to en-
large them : for I appeal to any of our loudeft
mutineers, whether if fome years fince the pre-
fent ftate of affairs had been reprefented to them,
dreft in the worfl: circumftances they now com-
plain of, they would not then have thought it
extremely amiable, worth Rachels prize of feven
years more hardfliip ; rw.y whether they would
not willingly have made fome abatements, relin-
quifiit part of what they now enjoy, to have had
the reft fecur'd ? And when God has granted us
all we then askt, fliall we murjTher becaufe we
coxxldinovp perhaps ask fomething more ; and like
ingrate Debtors, pick a quarrel to evade pay-
ment? Was it not enough that he engag'd his
Omnipotence for us, but muft his Omnifcience al-
fobepreft upon the fame fervice? and provide
all he could forefee we would wifli? Alas, do
we think we have the fame hank upon God that
fome Gallants have on their trufting Merchants,
that upon Peril of lofing all former fcores, he
mvift ftill go on to fupply us ? ihall we tjiink no-
thing
2o5 Mifchiefs arijing from Mi flakes (El^ap^S.
thing fit for oblivion but qui obligations, and in
this pervcrfefenfetranfcribe S.P^^Z, Phil. 3. 13.
forgetting thofe things which are behind, reach for-
ward to the things that are before : this indeed too
fully fpeaks us the off-fpring of our firft Parents,
we can find no gait in all the fruits of Paradife,
if any one be denied us ; and ft ill look not on
what we ha^e, but what we want ; and as it is ob-
ferv'd of the j2 reedier fort of creatures that they
relifh not one bit for the vehement expedlation
of another: So is it vdth us, we devour^ but do
not enjoy our Bleffings ; and to require him to fa-
tisfie us, is to aflign him the Poets Hell, fct him
with Belus daughters to the task of filling a
/^i;^ with water, or rolling Syfiphm's ftone; our
growing appetites ftill keeping us empty and
reftlefs amidft all endeavours to make us other-
wife ; fo that whereas God ufes to commit his
favours to Men, as feed to the Earth, in expedla-
tion of an harvefly fome fruits of gratitude and
obedience ; they feem with us rather to be flung
into a Gulph, whofe property is only to fw allow ne-
ver to fruHifie,
I KNOW mensM/Wx are fo pofleftwith
their difcontents, our daily mutinous blafts have
puft up and fwelled our grievances to fuch a vaft-
nefs, that he muft expeA to be very impatient-
ly heard, that /hall attempt to reprefent them
in a lefler fize ; yet fure 'twere not impofRble
even upon a diredl view, to demonftrate them ve-
ry light and moderate : but upon a comparative,
perfedlly trivial and imonfiderahle ; and 'tis a
little
^|)^P^8. concerning Almighty God, &c. 207
little ftrange^ that we who bare our late fuffering
efiate with fo much Impatience, fliould not have
impre.7ions enough left in our memory;, to con-
front to all Gurprefent regrets. Do we not quiet-
ly now poflefs the fruits of our own, or our Pro-
genitors indtiftryy without danger of any S-^que-
Itratiou;, but what our own Luxuries iniiidl ?
Are not our Ferfons at freedom ; delivered from
that kind word> and unkind thing, SECU-
RING? So that when we rife in the Morning,
we need not fear our next lodging fhall be in the
G<?^/ or dungeon ; nor when we fit down to our
Meal, fufpe(ft the intrufion of armd uninvited
Giitfisy who, ere whiles we know, were wont to
furprife us, as the Plague did the Jpraelitesy even
vrhile the meat WiU yet in our mouths ; are not our
Lives under the cuftody of known L^TT J, fo that
no man is in danger that will but keep himfelf
within thofe BctwJaries ; nor need fear to be
mockt into his grave by fliews and Pageantries of
Juilice ? And befides thefe real efcapes from fla^
very, are we not refcued from the moft im.bitter-
ing circumftance of it, the liaving fervants rule
cveruh a thing which rendred our fubjedlion as
mean and fervile, as it was fiiarp and prefling,
and which we were then fo fenfible of, that
it never mift to bring up the rear of our Com-
plaints. Laftly, if we refledl upon our higher
fpiritual concerns, are we not freed from thofe
boiftrous robuft temptations, which with the vio-
lence of Famine and Sword, Beggary and Death
aflaulted our ccnjfancy, and left no mean between
Martyr-
2o8 Mifchiefs arifing from Mi flakes Cl}ap*8-
Martyrdom andApoftafie? Are we not alfore-
ftor'd to all thofe fpiritual advantages which we
once profeft fo much to value ? That well of life
now lies open before us, after which we once
panted like the Hart after the water-Jprings ; our
ancient irorfloip is revived, and wants only our at-
tendance to make it folemn ; whereas the dbomi-
nation of Defolation 9lOoA. in the holy place, our
prayers were turned to fin ; needed, but were de-
nied the Liturgy to pray againft them, or atone
their guilts. We have no longer fiones given us
for hread^ nor experiment that fad riddle of being
at once cloyed and ftarved amidft excefs of
preaching, fujflering a Famine of the Word.
And now are all thefe worth no regard, if they are
not, why did we exclaim fo loudly when we want-
ed them ? if they are, why are we ftill as queru-
lous now we have them ? 'Tis fure, thefe include
all our great and fubftantial interefts as men, and
Chriftians, and thofe being provided for, 'tis not
eafily imaginable what others we fliould have im-
portant enough to make us querulous, unlefs it
be thofe of Paflion and Humour. One mans am-
hition perhaps wants a fatisfacftion, another mans
avariccy a thirds fpleen ; and this dijcord makes
up the very unmufical Harmony of our murmurs.
If we fee but a (iMordecai in the Kings gate
whom we wifh removed, we can like Haman find
noguftin anything we enjoy. If we fee fome,
who we think have born lefs of the burden and
heat of the day, rewarded equally or perhaps a-
\)0WQ our felves, we are fure to make out the Pa-
yable,
^8. concerning Almighty God, &c.' 209
rable, by murmuring at the good man of the
houfc : Or i£JSfmeveh be fpar'd, if all be not exe-
cuted to whom we have denounc'd deftrudlion,
we like J^?;;^/? fit down in a fuUen difcontent, and
grow weary of our lives, becaufe others are per-
mitted to enjoy theirs. To thefe and other heads
of the like nature, 'tis apparent our grievances
may be reduced ; and then if the balance be put
into any difpaflionate hand, 'tis fure they can ne-
ver become a counterpoize to the other real bene-
fits we enjoy, but will in the Frophets phrafe, ap-
pear lighter than vanity and nothing.
BUT I fuppofe fome will fay, 'tis not only
prefent uneafinefles of which they are impatient,
but the pofllbility oifutiirey a fear of relapfing in-
to our former eftate by the ill managery of our
' prefent: To thefe I fliall anfwer. That admit it
werefo, yet fure 'twill be no wifdomto antici-
pate our miferies, to foreftall difcontents, and
make forefight as painful as a(5lual fuffering. In
other forbidden inflrances we chufe to enjoy the
prefent, and with an Epicurean Indifferency cry.
Let us eat and drink for to morrow we dye, 1 Cor. 15*.
3 2 . How is it that we here become fo unluckily
fagacious, unlefs it be that murmuring is a Sen-
fuality we count equivalent, nay fuperior to all
rational fatisfacSlions ; and therefore that we may
have no intermiffion of that delight, fuborn our
phancies to find occafions, and fetch in from the
future thofe fupplies which the prefent affords
not : But befides this, I fhould in the fecond
place ask thefe great Diviners^ why th«y do not
alfo
2IO Mifchiefs arifing from Mifiakes Ct)ap* 8.
alfo forefee, that this very mutinot*^ temper of
theirs is the moft direcft and infallible means of
bringing thofe mifchiefs they pretend to fear;
that it is fo, is moft evident, and fo well obferv'd
by our Jdverfaries, that there is little doubt, they
have not only pleafure, but defigns upon it ; and
to that purpofe have their Engins on work to blow
up the hot Spirits among us, in expedlation from
thence to raife 2. flame. So blind a thing is Fafji-
on, that it liurries on to the things which in their
iffue we moft abhor; makes us our Enemies.
drudges y and the forgers of our own fliackles ; and
whileft we cry out of petty Indulgences, we our
felves give them in the lumpy what we grudge
themin/7/^rc^/j": This is a miferable infatuation,
and while we adl thus unreafonably, we are fure
no competent declamers againft ill managery.
But befides this natural efFedl of our murmurs,
we are^alfo to remember that there is a Divine
vengeance attending it: when houNties and Urgef-
fes are quarrelfd at, we neceffitate God to ano-
ther Method, nay indeed, not only his uengeancey
but even his kindnef? £ccms to fuggeft it, when he
fees our conftitutions fuch, that his gentle ap-
plications work contrary efJecfts : 'tis very appo-
fite for him to try whether the ^Antiperifiafis will
operate on the other fide ; if we fmart thus under
lenitivesy *tis but fit to eflay, if corrofives will
cafe us ; and the only remaining experiment for
the making us ^z^/?/?)', is to make us miferable,
BUT Would God we might yet prevent the
need of fuch unkindly expedient s^ and by a fdber
efiimate.
Cfjap.S. concerning Almighty God, Sec. zii
eftimate, and thankful fenfe of what we have,
provide to conferve it: not faftidioufly defpife
great and eminent blejjitigs, becaufc perhaps they
come not home to every part of our wijhes. Alas,
thofe plenary fatisfacflions agree not with the na-
ture of Earthly things : 'tis an obfervation lon^
iince rais'd from the Globular and Triangular
form ofthe World and our Hearts, that 'tis im-
poffible the one ftould be fill'd with the other
there will ftiU be fome angles, fome vacuities
left ; our very iicceffions create new wants, and
like an unfound limb, the healing o? one Sore is
the breaking out oi another. Every thing under
the Moon partakes of her vicijjitudef, augments
and decreafes only with this DiiFerence, that
though their w^/«x be to as Iowa degree as hers,
they never are perfectly at the full. There never
was, nor never will be a State here completely
happy : And as the Philofopher handfomly re-
proacht the impatience ofthe Perfian King for the
death of his Wife, by undertaking to revive her.
It he could help him but to the names o£ three men
that had never griev'd to write upon her tomh ; fo
Jurelywemay make the like offer to our male-
contents, ^ni engage to redeem all their uneafi-
nelles, if they can point us out (I fay not three,
but ) one age wherein there were no complaints.
What then are our clamorous Repinings, butfo
many loud /Wf^wfxagainft Gods decree; aDe-
hre to fubvert his fundamental Larv, and con-
tound the difiinaion he has irreverfibly fet be-
tween our Earthly and our Heavenly ftate : and
alas.
212 Mif chiefs arifing from Mi flakes Cljap*8.
alas. What mad infelence is this, to expe(5l that
the whole Oeconomy of the world muft be changed
only to humour us ? that God muft replant us a
Pdradife, pluck up every one of the Briers and
Thorns which were our native curfe ? nay, bring
down Heaven to us, and enftate us in undifturb'd
unmix'd felicities ? This is indeed fimply confide-
red a very wild expedlation, but yet more fo
when 'tis confidered how we qualifie our felves for
fuch a privi ledge : for let me ask, are we as eager
to anticipate the holinefi^ as the happinefio£ Hea-
ven ? Do we as paffionately defire to do Gods will,
as that God fhould do ours ? And simulate the Jn-
gelical obedience and purity, as much as ^///??
Thefe are Interrogatories which need no verbal
Anfwer, our lives do too fully refolve them in the
negative, and then how fhamelefs a partiality is
it, thus to carve to our felves, and chufe out of
either ftate what we beft like, referve all the fen-
fualities of this world, and yet cry out for the /m-
paffihlenefioC the next ; but alas, thefe are pre-
tenfions as inconfiftant as they are bold, our vi-
ces having fuch a native infeparable adherency of
pain and vexation^ that 'tis not the moft dexte-
rous managery of a fin that can ever fever them,
but if we will retain the one^ we muft the other al-
fo : A Truth which might be exemplified to us
throughout the whole Catalogue even of fenfual
fins ; but it is m®ft eminently vifible in this of
murmuring, which ftays not as others do to take
Pain at the rebound, and by way of refult, but has
it as its firft Element and principle ; it being its
felf
CCt^aP^S- concerning Ahnighty God, 6cc. 213
felf almoft as great a pain, as any it can betray
us to : and yet to fecurc an advance ^ni perpetuity
of Torment, every Event ferves to foment and
heighten it, and the mofc defperate things are
equally combuftible to that flame. Indeed he
that is pofleft v^ith that humour, has a kind of fu-
ry within him, that will never let him reft : And
alas, what Legions of fach evil Spirits are now
among us ^ How are we as it were infpir'd with
Mutiny, it being the tiniverfal diaU^i of the Nati-
on ; and of many in it, who cannot be fuppos'd
to found it in any obfervation of their own, but
are led by the common genius, and bellow rather
by confent with the reft of the herd, than for any
uneafinefs, at leaft of injufiice and opprejfton ( for
fuch only give pretence for Mutiny ) that thern-
felves feel. And fince 'ti s become a Plebeian vice,
would God our Gentry would ufe it as they do
their fdjhions, and leave it ofF ( if for no better
reafon ) for its being vulgar : And indeed 'twere
but aequitable, that thole who have taken up fo
many fins upon punBilio, ftiould for once lay
down one upon the fame fcore. The Jthenian
State put down theit Ofiracifme ( which otherwife
they were fond enough of) becaufe it was debafed>
by happening to fall on Hyperholus, a defpicablc
and abjecft perfon : and there feems not much dif-
ference in the cafes, fave only that we are more
tenacious of 5'/V^i", thunthGy o't Funijhmentsy add
1 fear we {hall fo long retain this, till we find it its
own LiBor, not only in the prefent unedftnefi^ but
in that more fruitful harveft of MifGhiefs> where-
P ©f
214 Mifchiefs grifingfrom Mifiakes Cl)ap.8.
of it has now fown the feeds. We fee here
what our thankfulnefs is, for thofe eminent mi-
raculous mercies we have receiv'dj, and the ac-
count of that is an unhappy Jpecimen, what we
are like to find, when we furvey the ufes we have
made of them, which God knows have been fo
unnatural and perverfe, as does too fully parallel
the former inftance.
FOR firft, if we refledl upon our J^iritual
hleffmgs, what has the enjoyment of thofe advan-
tages produced, but the contem.pt of them ; we
have an eafie free accefs to God in his Sancfluary,
our Churches are no longer Garrifons to keep out
the worfhlp, to which they were devoted, but
like hofpitahle doors y are open to the regular piety
of any that will enter. And now we have this li-
berty, now the flaming fjvord is removed, we have
loft all appetite to the Tr^^ of life, can willingly
let thofe Eruerlafiing g^tes ( as the Pfalmifi ftylcs
them ) FfaL 2i,fiand as everlaftingly open ere we .
enter them : And though the Fabricks are by
Gods providence refcued from their duft and
ruines, yet many of us endeavour to reduce them
to a yet worfe defolation, ftrive to depopulate
thofe facred Manfions, and execute againft them
that prophetick threat concerning Nineveh, Na-
hum,i. Leave them empty, void and vfdfle. And
indeed fo they are, if not in an abfolute, yet in a
Comparative fenfe; for could we at any time of
Divine Service make an eftimate of alltht perfons
that are abfent;, 'twould fcarce be difcern'd that
any are there ; were all corners ranfackt, what a
multitude
CEI^aP^S. concetnitig Jlmighty Gody &c. 2 1 >
multitude of -R^cw/^/?^j- fliould we find upon a far
differing account from that of Confcience ? Some
we fhould fee ftretching themfelves upon their
bedsj, keeping a Sabbath indeed;, but to twciijUth,
not their God ; others perhaps we may find rous'd
from their Couches, upon the fumraons not of
Religion but fanity ; fome new garment is to be
fitted, fome exotick drefs ediyed, and they who
grudge one hour to the Preachers glafs, c^w fpend
many at their own ; where they arc (o lMi.en up
with their Idolatries to themfelves," that they
think of no other worfmp ; nay, as the world
goes, 'twere well this were the worft diverfion>
that fome did not keep from Church, that they
might in the interim, dctile thofe lefler Temples
of God they carry about them, and cut them-
felves ofFfrom the Communion oiChrifts bodyy to
make themfelves memhers of ^n Harlot', or that
others were not 5. /cc/'/* J' his Votaries when they
fhould be Gods, fpend that time in their firantick
revels, and fing a Dithyramhick iniread of 2V De-
urn. As for the Ma7mnonift) if he keep any holy
day, 'tis like the Ifr a elites to his Gods of Goidy
Eocod.^z.:^!, He is looking with veneration on
his Idoliz'd treafure, numbring thofe bags he
dares not ufe, or perhaps with a more acftive Zeal
purfuing the means of encreafing them. Thus
alas, may we go from one to another, and as it
was in Ezekiels vifion, fee flill greater abomina-
tions, Ezek. 8. And certainly that All-feeing
Eye, which difcerns what multitudes do thus
bulie themfelves, at the times ev^n of his foleixin'-
P z di
Zl6 Mifchiefs arifwgfrom Miftakes Ct)ap*8.
eft worfhipj, cannot but adjudge us moft profane
defpifers of his mercy in reftoring it : Yet would
to God 'twere only the abfent upon whom that
fentence would fall ; but alas, the behaviour of
many in the Church does too loudly teftifie how
little of devotion brings them thither, and at how
mean a rate they value all that is done there :
Thofe Eyes which there fliould wait on God, as
thofe of a Servant on the hands of his ^SMafier,
Pp/. 123.2. are rolling about to fetch in all the
vanities and temptations which can occurr to
them, and look every way, but towards Heaven.
Our Tow^w^x which fliould be toucht with a Coal
from the Altar, devoted wholly to Hymns and
Prayers, are bufied in private Colloquies with
thofe about us : Bufinefs, News, nay, all the
impertinent chat of our moft vacant hours, is
then taken up to entertain us ; fo that he who
would know the talk of the Town or neighbourhood,
need go neither to Exchange nor Market, the
Church will as certainly fupply him : And this ill
employment of our longuesy engages the like of
our JE^yy, which when they fliould be hearkening
what the Lord God will fay concerning us, are
liftening to thofe vain difcourfes we hold with one
another, from all which outward indecencies we
may too furely coUedt the inward irreverence of
our heart. And is it poflible that this fliould now
be the Temper o£thofey who not long fince feem'd
to bewail their exclufion from thofe facred Affem-
blies : Did we long for them as Davtd for the wa-
ters of Bethleherriy when they appeared unattain-
able.
Ctet3*8. cone erningr Almighty Gody &CC. 217
able, and when they are brought to uS;, refufe to
tafte them, poure them out not as he did in devo-
tion, but in contempt ? 'Tis true indeed, in tem-
poral Delights foffeffton ufually proves a naufeat-
ing thing, and takes off our appetite ; but it ufes
nottobefo inj^/V/V/W, whofe peculiar property
it is not to fatiate, but excite by fruition : But
alas, though the Things we converfe with are
spiritual, our Hearts are carnal, and that is the
caufc why inftead of crying out with the Pfalmifi,
When {hall I come to appear in the pre fence of God,
Ffai 42. We, like thofe in <iMalachyy Chap. i.
1^, Snuff at hii fervice, and fay. What a wearinefi
if it? A wearinefs indeed it appears in the literal
fenfe with many, who fleep at it as men over-la-
bour'd, and fcarce take fo found repofc in their
own houfes as in Gods ; indeed fuch is the variety
of rude behaviour that is there us'd, that fliould
an unbeliever come into their Aflemblies, he muft
furely (as St. Paul fuppofes in another cafe,
I Cor, 14. 23. ) fay we are mad ; to fee fome ga-
zing, fome whifpering, fome laughing, others
fleeping, and perhaps the far fewer number pray-
ing; is fuch a w^^//, as the moft brutifh Wo/^^^ri"
never admitted in their wor/hips ; and the way of
worlhipping Mercury, by throwing ftones, or
Hercules by curfing, is a fober and decent kind
of fervice compar'd with this. And now alas,
when will the Church recover its ancient Title,
and become the houfe of prayer ; 'tis fure according
to the prefent appearance it may have many more
proper name?, that being the leaft part of thebu-
P 3 Cnefs
2i8 Mi/chiefs arijtng from Mifiakes Cl^ap^S.
finefs done in it : 'Tis true,, there are fome that
m^kcitti Sanctuary y but 'tis only againft the pe-
nalties of the Lawy or reproach of errant Atheifm ;
they come to fave their money or their credit ;
others perhaps fhun the folitarinefs of being at
home, and come not as to a place o£ Devotion,
but Concourfe ; and 'tis to be doubted, fome vifit
that place as rhey do many others, becaufe they
have nothing elfe to do : They want their week-
days diver fion, and fo are driven thither upon
meer deftitution of more grateful entertain-
ments ; make it a kind of Sunday play-houfe, fit
there as Specftators or Judges, to fee the camp my,
OT cenfure the Freacher. but never remember that
themfelves have sny other part to act ; or are be-
held by Hiyyiy who will not always be patient of
fuch profanation; but will, as the Scripture
fpeaks, Repdy ihem to their face, fpho thus contemn
him to Im, We know among men, every one
counts his Houfe his fortrefs ; and an Affront
offered him there, doubles the Injury, and is not
only a contempt, but an invafon : and fhall it hot
beapropottionable enhanfement with God alfo,
thus to defie him within his own doors, and ap-
proach his prefence in an impious bravery, the
mere fully to fhew him, how little we regard him.
At this rate while we addrefs our felves, we may
as ill manner'd Guefts be for hid his houfe : Inter-
rogated by God as the Jews were. If. i. Why doefi
thou tread my Courts^ A total abandoning of
Worfhip being more fair and ingenuous than fuch
Devotion : wherein like the barbarous fouldiers,
we
C^ap* 8. concerning Almighty God, &c. 2 1^
we bring Chrift a Scepter only ^(? [mite him on the
head with it ; and make a preface of homage to
giveourfelvesthe fport ofthe mockery, nay, 'tis
fadiy to be fear'd, that God may thrufi us out of
hisHoufe, fhut his Doors againfl: us, refcue his
Service and himfelf from our profanation, and
put us again under the fame, ( or a worfe inter-
dicft than that ) which lately lay upon us.
HAVING now feen our fcandalous Irreve-
rence towards Gods worfhip in general, 'tis too
ealieto make Application to the fever al parts o£
it; everyone of which muft necefTarily partake
ofthe contempt which falls upon the whole; for
while we bring no thoughts but fecular with us ;
thofe are equally difagreeing to all the Divine
offices : 'twill be needlefs therefore to trace our
wandrings in each of thofe, fince our whole ^^-
haviour in the Church is one great deviation from
the bufinefs we fliould come about : yet that fu-
perfedes not to every guilty perfon himfelf the
neceflitycf a more diftindl and particular reflc-
dlion. 'Tis fure at the laH dreadful Audit, we
muft account for every of thofe fpiritual advanta-
ges we have abus'd; and alas, what a difmal
reckoning will many of us have then to give up,
when our prayers which we now turn into Sin,
ftiall be turn'd into perdition : and We who would
not fupplicate our God, fliall in vain invoke the
mountains and hills to hide us from the face. of the
lamh, when that Word which we now fo faftidi-
oufly defpife, that it muft be dreft up in the co-
lours of humane Rhetorick, to make us at all pa-
P 4 tient
220 Mi/chiefs arifwg from Mi flakes Cl^ap*8.
tient of it, and becomes then only tolerable to us
when it is fartheft removed from being Gods :
when that wordy as our Saviour fpeaks, jhall judge
usy and that gracious invitation to life end in that
fatal fentence^ Goye Curfed, Nay, when our ve-
ry Propitiation fiiall plead againft us, and the
crucifiedBody of our Saviour, which we have in
£j^^/> fo often recrucified, in our unworthy ap-
proaches, or impious negledl of the holy Eucha-
rifly fhall7r/V/;^j?again{t us as its m^/r^^y^rj, when
we /hall be found not j^rinkled as with the blood
o^^facrificey but imbrued as with that o? flaugh-
ten when all thefe means of our falvation, fliall
thus miferably convert, and from the favour of
lifey hccorno thtit unto deathy 2 Cbr. 2. id", then we
fhall to our amazement find, how diflFering our
eftimates of them were from Gods ; and in his
vengeance read the value he put upon them.
What then have we now to do, but to anticipate
our dooms-day y and judge our f elves that we may not
hejudgd of the Lord : To make an impartial ac-
count of all thefe our profanations, and accufe
our felves before his mercy featy that fo we may
prevent the arraignment at his bar of Judgement,
And as Offenders are ufually enjoyn'd to acknow-
ledge their guilts in the very places where they
committed them ; foletus make the Church th^
Scene o£ our penitence y as we have o£ our faults:
By our ftrong crying and tears, deprecate our
former indevotion, and by an exemplary Reve-
rence, redrefs the fcandal of our Profanenefs.
This, and only this is the way to fecure us againft
the
C6bP^8. concerning Almighty God, &c. 221
the final Vengeance of thefe fins ; nay,and againft
the intermedial alfo : for we are not to expedl
that fo unkind abufe of mercy fliall be wholly re-
fpited to another world, it being fo exafperating
a crime^ as muft in all probability awake Gods
furyy and pull down prefent Judgments, I wifh
the Event do not too foon atteft the reafonable-
nefs of this fuppofal.
I F from our jpiritual Bleflings, we now de-
fcendto o\xt temporal, wefhallnot appear much
better managers of thofe; they being general-
ly employed to purpofes the molt diftant from
thofe, for which they were given. And firft for
our peace, that great comprehenfive enjoyment,
upon which all others are dependent, and which
is to our civil Capacities, the fame that health
is to our natural ; the thing by which we relifli
and tafte the reft of our comforts, we may from
the Song of Zachary, Luk. i. learn for what in-
tent Godbcftowsit: Deliverance from enemies i^
to no other end, but that we may ferve God in
holinefs and righteoufnefs all the daies of our life:
But alas, he that obferves liow we employ our
quiet, muft furely fay it ferves little to the ad-
vancement either of Holinefs or Righteoufnefs :
Forthefirft of thefewe have already feen, how
little of holinefs we fliew even in that place
where nothing elfe fhould be admitted ; and we
are not fo prepofteroufly religious, to fliew
more in others. That Piety which is fo cold and
benumn'd under the warm breath o£ the puhlick
Ordinances ; we may well prefume ftark frozen, ia
oi|r
22Z Mifchiefs arijing from Mi flakes C^ap^S.
our more retired offices : and if it thus faint and
fink in Gonfort^ 'tis fure more liable to the Wife
mans V<£ foliy and utterly dies when we are alone.
'Tis true indeed^, thefe Clofet tranfaciions are im-
mediately vifible to none but the fe archer of
hearts y yetintrue Devotion there is fuch a 5)'m-
metry and proportion^that the Inferences we make
by analogy may be very irrefragable ; nay;, 'tis
to be fear'd many lye open to a yet clearer con-
lidlioriy and may be proved to have few or none
of thofe private intercourfes with heaven ; for
though a negative be not fimply evincible, yet as
in civil cafes we prove a man not to have been at
this tim.e in fuch a place, by his having adlually
been in another; fo were the whole Week,
Moneth, perhaps Year : of fome men exa(5lly
traced, we Ihould find them fo engrofled with
other diver [tons y that there will fcarce be found
any Minute for devotion to interpofe : Mens
w^orldly orflefhty Concerns fo divide their timey
that God from whom 'tis all deriv'd can be af-
forded no tribute out of it. Yet alas, 'twere well
if this privative fort of impiety were all we. had
to anfwer for : but 'tis too apparent we do hot
only negleB God, but reproach and violate him :
what elfe are thofe bold and infolent hlafphemies
wherewith we daily aflault him, making him the
mark at which all our wild Paffions are fliot^
Do we want any thing either for our ufe or de-
lighty prefently God is accufed, his providence
or his goodnefs queftioned ; and he declaim'd
againft either as impotent or illiberal. Does any
body
CEJ^ap^S. concerning Almighty God, &c. 225
body vex or difquiet us, God rruft have his
fhare of our difpleafure, his facied name muft be
profaned, and we count our fierceft Revilings of
men, faint and infignificant, if not infpired w^ith
the moft dreadful and horrid Oaths \ Nay, he
ftands obnoxious to all the difplacencics we re-
ceive even from inanimate creatures, if a Die or
a Card run amifs, our refentments are prefent-
ly vented upon him ; he is profaned and vilified,
as if he were the Cheat that rookt us of our mo-
nejy becaufe he does not fecure us from thofe
lofles, to which we wantonly expofe our felves ;
nor is it only our eager and warmer paffions that
thus invade him : Our pleafanter moods do the
very fame, and we blafpheme by way of divertife-
ment ; every impertinent ftory or infipid Jefi,
muft have the haut-^gouft of an Oath to recom-
mend it, as every incredible Narration has to at-
tefl it : to fay nothing of /thofe more folemn and
deliberate perjuries^ wherein we impioufly fu-
born Gods venerable and dreadful name, to be the
Engin of our fraud and Itialice: and as if we
thought he would forfwear as well as w^e, bring
him to countenance thofe Crimes he has vowed
to punifh. Thus do we with a prodigious impie-
ty contaminate even divinity its felf, make it
the fink for all our puddles to mn into ; and pro-
ftitute that name which as the Ffalmtfi fpeaks, is
great) wdnderful and holy, to all the uhholy pur-
pofesy ourPaflfions,ourIntereft, or our Phancies
can fuggeft to us.
THIS
224 Mifchiefs arifing from Mi flakes CljBp.S.
THIS profanenefs is fo proper a foundation
for jitheifm^ that we are not to wonder to fee
fo many advance from the one to the other;, they
pay fo little of the reverence due to Godj, that at
laft they turn their impiety into argument y and in-
fer him not to be God, whom they treat fo unlike
one. And truly this feems to be the grand piece
of Logicky which has difputed many, not only
out of Chrifiian, but all native Religion. How
unhappily fuccefsful it has proved among us is
too apparent in thofe impious difcourfes which
are every where heard, wherein men are arriv'd
to fuch a licencioufnefs, that Davids Atheifl was
a modeft Puny, who only faid in his Heart there
is no Gody and perhaps upon that account Ihall by
fome be adjudged to deferve the Epithet the
PfalmiH gives nim, and be indeed thought a fool
that would not own what would now a-daies fo
certainly denominate him a Wit, or in the folemn
ftile a (iMdfler ofReafon. And indeed they will
atteft the propriety of the ftile, they rather go^
verning Reafon, than hcm^governd by it ; other-
wife 'twould be hard to difcern, how from diffe-
rent premifes the fame conclupon fliould be in-
duced : and thofe who in the late adverfe times
denied God in revenge of their fuflerings, fliould
now pay their gratitude alfo in the fame manner,
and renounce him as (or more)loudly fince his fig-
nal atteftation of that righteous cdufe;his not own-
ing whereof was then their principal plea. The
truth is, 'tis a little ftrange how Atheifm could
admit fuch enhanfing acceflions as we find it has ;
for
(J]^8p,8. concerning Almighty God, Sec. 22 f
for it being the completion and higheft ftep of
111, and that to which all others do but fubordi-
nately tend, one would think it fliould from its
firft appearance in the world, have been fo ma-
ture and full grown a fin, as could be capable of
no improvement ; but fo fubtilly wicked are thefe
later dales, that we can never be brought to a
mn ultra, butftill findfomething to add to the
compleateft fin : therefore though of thofe that
are really Atheifts, one cannot be faid to be more
fo than another, yet fome may be more daringly,
and mifchievoufly fo; and fure in that refpecfl
our modern, furmount all former : They were
generally on the defenfive part, took up the tenet
as a buckler againft the unwelcome invafions and
Checks of confcience, and defign'd nothing but
the more peaceable enjoyment ot their lufts ; but
now men do not only ufe, but love it ; make them-
felves its avowed Champions, feek to win it Frofe-
lytes ; and in fhort, appear fo zealous for it, as
if they made it their religion to have none. And
God- knows, too many fuch reverfed kinds of
Evangelifis we now have, who with as great de-
fign unteach Divinity, as the firfl: Propugners
taught it, and their number and boldnefs have fo
encreas'd fince the return of our peace, that fure
the next Age will have little caufe to think Re-
ligion had any fhare in the Refioration. Thus have
we done our parts to fuperfede that obligation of
ferving God in holinefs, by leaving no God to
ferve ; and after the moft fignal atteftation of
his Deityinour refcue, we do like thofe ingrate
perfons^
226" Mifchiefs arifing from Mifiakes (Il^ap* 8.
ferfom, who feek to fubvert thofe by whom them-
felves were eftabliflit, and deny him becaufe he
has ovrnd us.
THIS is the holinefs wherewith we have
ferv'd him, fince our being delivered from the
hands of our Enemies, and our righteoufnefs has
been very proportionable, for if we look into the
dealings of all ranks of men ; we fhall find the
fame vein of deceit run through all tranfadtions.
A few years fince Sequeflrration and plunderings,
thofe Tvholefiile robberies had fo over-topt the
reft, that like an Epidemick difeafe they had over-
whelmed, if not the kind, yet at leaft the notice
of all other Injuftices: but fince thofe Levia-
thanscLze withdrawn, the lejfer Devourers fupply
their place ; Fraud fucceeds to Violence ; and in
all places, all occafions of commerce, we ftill
meet with Scqueftrators. The adulterated wares,
and falfe meafures in Shops ; the dilatory pro-
ceedings, and evafive tricks in Law ; the various
and unworthy Cheats oi Creditors, and the mean
and diflionefl: advantages which are watchtinall
forts of Contracts, are too irrefragable proofs
hereof. Nay, not only , our Bufinefs, but our
very recreations expofe us to thefe deceits, as
fome of our bankrupted Gamefters can too fadly
witnefs, what troops of Harpy es attend thofe
fports is every mans obfervation : 'Tis Arrange fo
many fliould yet be to learn the prudence to
avoid fo known a danger, wherein a man is at
once made acftive and pafllve in the fame Rob-
bery, and docs himfe If defraud his /^m//v of that,^
whereof
d):ip 8. concerning Almighty God, &c> 227
whereof he is defrauded by another. But atnongft
thefe many injuftices;, there is none wherein Men
feem generally to find fuch a guft and fenfuality,
as thofe wherein God is conceril'd ■ twenty Lay-
booties humor them not fo much as one from the
Clergy ; and if the Quakers fliould be muftered
according to that one Tenet of not paying
Tythesj, we fhould indeed find their numbers
formidable. How fubtle even the rudeft per-
fons are in defaulking thofe dues> v/e fee by every
dales experiment, the over-reaching their Mini-
fter being the grand Triumph of a Rufticks wit ;
fo that not only their covetoufnefs but their va-
nity is concerned in it: 1 know 'tis the ufual apo-
logy £01: this kind of Sacriledge, that either the
maintenance of the Clergy is too much, or their
merit too little ; for the firft;, I think it may be
demonftratedj, That there is no liberal Science,ind
but few ($3lechanick trades^ from which a man may
not hope as plcntiiul a fuhJJjiencey as this aflfbrds
to the generality of its prcfejfors : However I
fliall leave thofe that make this objedtion to dif-
pute it with that authority, which has allotted
them this proportion ; defiring them to confider,
that whatever the fupport of the Clergy is, it
cofts them nothing; no man having Purchaft
more, than what remains of the Eftate, after his
Tyth is paid. As to the fecond, I confefs 'tis
extremely to be wiflit^that the negligence and vice
of Some did not give too much pretence to the Al-
legation ; and to fuch I cannot but apply the
words of our Saviour, Mat. 18. 7. woe be to the
man
2Z8 Mifchiefs arijingfrom Miftakes Cjiap^S.
man hy whom the offence cometh ; yet certainly 'tis
very incompetent, to juftifie the detention of their
legal rights : for till the Law which has aflign'd
theln^delegate the Forfeiture to mCj, the greateft
enormities of my Paftor, cannot entitle me to any
thing that is hi^ : And indeed what blame foever is
really due to fome^ we muft expedl it fliould ex-
tend to alif if the Accufers were to have the be-
nefit of the Mulcft ; and (as in the late confufions)
all Minifters fliould be made fcandalous, in order
to the making them poor.
'T W E R E eaiie to draw up a far larger Ca-
talogue of thofe injufiices we daily commit ; for
as a man has divers other concerns befides his
goods^ fo he may be injur'd in all thofe : and tru*
ly the iniquity of thefe dales, feems fully com-
menfurate to all the fuflfering capacities of man-
kind : we weigh our own and others Concerns, in
very differing halancesy and offer thofe Injuries
without any regret, which we can with no pati-
ence fuffer : How nicely Jealous is every one of
us of his own Repute, and yet how malicioufly
Prodigal of other mens ? fo that Defamation is
become oneofGurmainro|/?/c^yofdifcourfe, fur-
niflies entertainment to all companies ; the pre-
fent owe their Divertifement to the ahfenty and
many would be drein'd quite dry, were it not for
this referve, which like an unexhauftible fpring,
ftill fupplies frefli matter of talk. In like man-
ner how carefully do we avert any hurt or mutila-
tion of our own hodiesy and yet how barbaroufly
inconfiderate are we oi others, to whom we do th^
> greateft
diap^S* concerning Almighty God, 6cc. zz^
greateft outrages rather than ufe any violence to
our Paflion, or reftrain an angry Humor : on-
ly I confefs there is one Infl:ance> wherein though
we are tmjufty we are not {o partial -y but expoie
our felves alfo, and that is in the cafe of Due Us,
a barbarous cuftom wherein 'tis hard to define,
whether the Wickednefs or Folly be greater ; yet
it maintains its way in fpight of all the methods
God has us'd to make us better or wifer : Of
this there are too many, and too noted inftances
fince our reftoration, asifwewerefoenamour'd
of deflru5liony that when we are prevented of it
from our Enemies , we feek it from one another, or
thought publick Peace fo intolerable, that when
'tis call upon us (as fure ours, if ever any may be
faid to be) we are fain to take in private quarrels,
as our refcue from that dull quiet, and court the
utmoft mi/chiefs, to avoid the oppreflion of the
greateft happinefs. Thus perverlly do we coun-
termine Gods purpofes of kindnefs, and when he
has fecur'd us, folicitoufly feek to be delivered
from our fafety ; projecH: new dangers, and dare
his power with a yet harder Task, the delivering
Uffrom our felves : And whiltt we thus avert our
quiet, 'tis no wonder that we produce no better
eflfedls of it ; nor frucftifie under that, which we
will not permit our felves to enjoy.
A N D as upon this general view, we appear
very ill managers of our Peace, fo fliall we much
more, if we refledt on thofe many particular
bleflings which are wrapt up in that, of which
we make fo perverfe ufe, that we therein no lefs
Q. violate
1 3 O Mif chiefs arifingfrom Miftakes C^ap^S.
violate Sobriety , than we have already appear'd to
do piety and right eoufiiefs\io filling up the meafure
of our iniquity by tranfgrefling all the fudamen-
tal rules of Chriftianity, living neither foberly,
righteoujly, nor Godly in this prefent world. Tit.
2. iz. And of thofe ^ii/^/^f^^^j which are the ap-
pendages to Peace, there are two moft eminent ;
Plenty and Liberty y- both of which are the more
remarkable in our prefent quiet, by how much
the deprivation of each was the greater. For the
firft, we know the late times of rapine, had torn
from many among us their whole fubfiftcnce, fo
entirely defpoil'd them that they were reduced to
Jo^y condition, andconnedled the two extreme
points of Birth and Death, by a middle ftate of
the like nakednefs and deftitution : and to fuch,
our late refloration was a kind of Civil refurreSii-
on ; rais'd them like Eli/has dry bones, from the
moft hopelefs ftate, and by a fucceffive poflef-
on of their own Inheritances, made them heirs to
themfelves. And though all were not fo wholly
divefted, yet like thofe Canaanites whom the
Jews did not extirpate, they were put under Tri-
bute : and while perfons who knew fo well how
to exadl were Lords Paramount, a bare being
was all could be expedled, they feem'd rather
Stewards than Owners of their fortunes, and had
rather the trouble than advantage of their Mana-
gery : And who would not think that this fo long
want of plenty, fhould have taught us fobriety
in the ufing it ; that defuetude fhould have worn
out the skill o£ luxury, and we Ihould not have
known
(E^SiVS' concerning Almighty Gody &c. 23 1
known how to be riotous: but alas, our memo-
ries have been too fiithful to us in this particu-
larj, no one of our vanities is falFn into oblivion,
but on the contrary the art of Voluptuoufaefs fo
improved, as if all the time that was loft from
the PraBicky had been fpent in the Theory y and
we had for fo many years been contriving new
kinds and degrees of excefs. Indeed it is too
fure we retained the affeBion when we had loft the
power of rioting; and 'tis not our profperity fe-
ducesus,but we it. For as the Sun though it
lends itsrayesto the begetting of the vilell In-
fectsy yet makes no fuch producflion but upon
apt matter, jlime and putrefaBion: fo reither
would the moft opulent fortune make us fenfual,
did it not find us difpos'd and prepared for it.
How forcible thofe propenfwns are, appears by
the multitude of ohjeBs on which they work ;
For they had need be ftrong Inclinations that
take in all Opportunities, nay poflibilities of
a^uating themfelves, and fuch 'tis evident ours
are, there being nothing capable of miniftring
to luxury, which we ufe not to that purpofe.
OurMeat is no longer apportioned to our Hunger,
but our Tafts : fo that the Stomach is made meer-
]y paflive in the matter of Eating ; ferves only to
receive thofe loads we charge it with, whileft its
ElecTtions and Choices are foreftalfd by the pa-
late or phmcy ; nay, 'tis not permitted fo much
as a negative voice, not allowed to refufe what
is either for kind or quantity deftrudlive to it:
We do with ftudied mixtures force our relucting
Q 2 appe-
23 i Mifchiefs arifttigfrom Mtfiakes Cijap^S.
appetites^ and with all the Spells of Epicurifmy
conjure them up that we may have the pieafure ot*
laying them again. Thus unworthily tr cache-
rotis are we to Nature, which while we pretend to
relieve, we opprefs, by giving her not only beyond
her need, but fuffeiance : And to fliew we are no
lefs dextrous in mixing (ins than meats ; our ve-
ry Pride (though in its felf an intelledlual vice)
mingles with our Gluttony) every thing is infi-
pid that is not coftly ; and it is thought an ignoble
Peafant-like thing to eat a plain meal : Nor is
he now to be lookt on as a Gentleman, whofe
fingle Ordinary cofts not as much as would be
(and himfelf would perhaps fome years fince
have thought) a fair exhibition for fome whole
families. And that we may not be charg'd with
partial interaperance, we go not lefs in that of
drink, wherein we are fo nice and critical, that
'tis become a fpecial skill and faculty to judge of
liquors: But how great foever our curiofity be,
'tis fure our excefs is greater, and does not only
over-match but fupplant it ; there being no drink
fo unpleafant which the love of a debauch will
not reconcile us to. So great a malice do we
bear to our reafon, that to opprefs it, we are con-
tent to expofe our darling, and do violence to our
very fenfe. How unhappily predominant this
bruti/h Vice is, need not here be told, fince it too
evidently attefts its fclf, to every mans obferva-
tion, it no longer feeking the flielter of night
and darknefs, but impatient of fuch delay, ap-
pears in the broadeft light ; and he is now a
florp'
Ctl^l3*8. concerning Almighty God, Sec. 23 5
flow-paced drunkard, that has not finifht his courfe,
perhaps begun another, before the Sun has ended
his : nay, fo is the Scene changed, that fohriety is
become the reproachful thing, fuch as even thofe
who value it dare not own, and are either driven
to preferve it by lliifts and artificesror elfe chufe
to abandon it rather than hazard the fcandal. And
certainly this is the great advantage this fin has
for the propagating its felf, for 'tis impoflible
Beffiiality fhould be fo univerfally agreeable to
mankind, that all fhould purfue it out of appetite
and liking : 'tis this Fear that engages many in
it; and though it have too many voluntiers, yet
fure 'tis this prefs that helps to make up its num-
hers, which as it fpeaks the great bafenefs of
thofe who are thus afham'd both of Piety and Hu-
manity, and had rather ceafe to be meny than ap-
pear to be Chrijlians ; fo is it a fad indication of
National impiety, a fatal Symptome that we
have neer filfd up the meafure of our iniquities,
and are ripened for the woes denounced againft
thofe who call evil good, and good evil: Efa. ^.zo*
which fure was never more palpably done than
in this inftance, wherein temperance is branded
for ill nature, and dulnefs of humor ; whileftthe
moft fwinijh Excefs muft pafs for fociahlensfs,
friendjhip, and hojpitality ; names which have
been fo long proftituted that they have loft their
native ufe, and men have forgot thofe very di-
ftant things to which they originally belonged,
yet fure fuch once there were : God made usy2>c/-
4hh creatures, and we might ftill continue fo
234 Mtfchiefs arifing fromMifiakes C|iap*8.
upon the ftrength of that firft principlcj, and need
not owe our wtercoarfe to our debaucheries ; no,
nor our friendfhips neither, which have been fo
far from being preferv'd that way, that there is
nothing more obvioufly, and frequently violates
them ; nay, indeed the whole fpecies of real
Friendfliips feems to be extincl, fince this Jtili-
tioiis fort took place. Men think it enough (as
indeed 'tis too much) to damn themfelves with
their friends^ and all other communications are
tranfmuted into that of Sin,fer we daily fee thofe,
who cleave the moft infeparably in this kind to
each other, will yet neither do nor fuflfer any
thing elfe : And fn^re if this he friend/hip y 'tis fuch
areverftkindofit asmuft have as prepofterous a
Definition ; for none that have yet been given by
Divims or Fhilcfophers will fit it. The like may
be faid of hajpitality^ which fure is in its proper
nature ofa very diftant make from this; defign'd
to relieve Strangers, not burthen them ; to cure
their wants indeed, but not by the worfe ex-
change of a Surfet : So that the ancient and the
modern Hofpitality, difJer as much as that o^Mel-
chizedeck from that of Circe ; the one refrefhes,
the other transforms : And how great a fliew foe-
ver of liberality this later may have, yet he is not
to be thought to have drunk ^r^^/V, that has paid
his reafonfoxhis/hot,
AND to both thefe parts of Intemperance,
our Uncleannefs bears full proportion, the one
makes provipon for the flefh, and the other fulfils
the lufts thereof. To how brutifh an impudence
this
d)^P*8. concerning Almighty God, &c. 235'
this fin is grown is too vifible : we need not trace
men into their privacies and recefles, themfelvcs
willingly proclaim their guilts ; nay, dread no-
thing fb much as the opinion of being innocent :
yea lo out-dated a vertue is Modefty now become,
that even that Sex to which it was once account-
ed the greatefl: ornament, have put it offy look on
it as a piece of Ruftkityy and countrey breeding :
whether this pulling down the fence be an Indi-
cation they are willing to lie commony 1 lliall not
determine : but fure that very free, and confi-
dent behaviour now in ufe, is too apt to invite
aflaults, and takes off all that Extenuation of
crime, which was wont to be allowed that Sex
upon the fuppofition of their being feducedr* Thus
do we publilh our fin as Sodomy and if w^e confi-
der how much boldnefs it has gain'd fince the
return of our proj^eritj ; twill be probable that
oursalfo has been fomented by fulnefs ^of bread y
and abundance of hllenefy, Ez, i. 6, That our
Plenty is very fubfervient to it, appears by the
'vafi expence wherewith many men m.anage this
vice : And that our Idlenefs is fo too, is no lefs
evident by the large portions of time that are fpent
in thofe purfuits, it being as the great defign,
fo the efpecial bufinefs of too many mens
lives. As for the remedy which God has af-
fign'd, it ferves now only to exafperate the
difeafe. Marriage with too many only advances
fimple-fornication to adultery, and fuperadds
perjury to uncleannefs ; thofe facred bands are
like Samfons withs, broken upon every aflault of
.Q4 ^^^
2^6 Mi/chiefs arifingfrom Miftakes Ci&ap*8.
the Philiflinsy and the very thought of being con-
fined makes men more apt to range ; For alas, 'tis
not their needs hut their Phancies they are to pro-
vide for, and that is fo endlefs, that the greateft
liberty of Polygamy would never fatisfie it : the
fame quarrel would lie then to multiplied wives,
which does now to fingle ; I mean, that they were
their own : And how numerous foever their flock
were, 'twould aot fecure their poor neighbours
only Larnh, efpecially when 'tis confider'd, that
in this they gratifie two fins at once, their uaniiy
as well as their ///J? ; their complacence in twder-
mining the Husband, being generally as great, as
that in enjoying the Wife. And if Pride ab-
firradledly and in its own nature be, as Solomon
fays, an abomination to the Lordy certainly when
'tis thus complicated, it mufl: be infinitely more
fo, and afcertain a concurrence of thofe Judg-
mentSy w^hich are fingly threatned to each of thofe
Sins ; wTiat thofe are, I wifli guilty perfons would
ferioufly ponder, and then they would furely
think their momentary pleafures much over-
bought. But alas, fuch a fafcinating fin this is,
as allows men no liberty of confideration , they
go on as the wife-man fays, Prov. 7. 22. with the
fame {bi^idiity th^it an Ox goeth to the flaughter:
or, a fool to the correBion of the flocks ; and while
every body elfe obfervesthe Effe^s of their Vice
in their waflred bodies, and ruin'd eflates; them-
felves are the lafl: that difcern it, purfue the
courfe till the very lafl: remains of flrrength and
wealth arc exhauftcd, and nothing left them but
difeafe
Cftap. 8. concerning Almighty God, &c. 23 7
difeafe and beggery. Of the truth of this, there
have been too many fad examples, though it
feems not yet enough, to give caution to others.
And to thefe lufts of the flejh, we fpare not to
add thofe of the Eye alfo, for fo furely we may
properly call all thofe Luxuries which adapt
themfelves peculiarly to that Faculty, fuch are
the gaity of Apparel, richne(? of Furniture, and
alltiic^lendor of Equipage, which has no pro-
priety to any other fenfe, but that of feeing, and
is loft if it be not lookt on : And though thefe
feem to diflfer much from that Covetoufnefi which
St. John is fuppofed to comprehend in that Phrafe,
the one being the f^/i/^c/V^, the other the profufion
of Money; yet they are but feveral branches of
the fame Sin, and are diverfified only by a various
application to the 0^j>^ : for in ftri(5l fpeaking,
he that covets Gold and Silver to lay on his hack,
is as properly covetous, as he that dcfigns it only
to fill his coffers. But befides the propriety thefe
exceffes have to that title, they have no lefs claim
to that enfuing, the Pride of Life ; it being evi-
dent that they are both Effe(5ls and Fomenters of
Pride: and fure this fets but an ill CharacSler up-
on them, that when the Jpofile has divided all the
lufisofthewoild into three forts, thefe bid fo fair
to two of them, I would not here be underftood to
condemn that Decency and moderate Expence,
which agree to the feveral ranks and qualities of
Perfons, there being not only a Uvrfulnef?, but
fome kindofc/i;//;7^c6'j^()'for fuch Diftincftions :
nor is the levelling principle fitter to be admitted
in
238 Mif chiefs arifing from Mifiakes ^tiap^S.
in Habit, than in Title or Eftate : That which I
accufe is quite another thing, it being that inor-
dinate profufion which does not only exceed the
ability and fortune of the Perfon, but the pro-
f)ortion of his rank and condition ; and fo con-
bunds that diftincftion it fliould preferve, and le-
vels us the wrong way : it being more tolerable
that all fhould be Pe/fantSy than all Lords. And
this is the irregularity that many feem toafFec5t,
there being not only an emulation of pomp and
bravery among equals, but thofe of the moft di-
ftant qualities, there feeming now no other m^^-
fure than the utmoft extent of their money or cre-
dit'^ the later whereof is often fo ftretcht, that it
not only cracks its felf, but by an unhappy conta-
gion, breaks thofe it deals with, and like a Gra^
nado tears Towns in pieces : The many ruin'd Fa-
milies of Tradefmen do too fadly atteft this ;
would God our Gallants would confider how un-
equal it is, that many fliould want neceffary cloath-
ing, only to maintain the yi//^^y^^/j^^ of theirs; an
Injuftice which not only upon areligiousy hutpo-
litick account deferves the fevereft Reproof, and
fince Divine Laws will not reftrain it, 'twere well
if Humane were provided : though I confefs,
'twere not eafie to find out penalties to deter
thofe whom the wants fo ufually attending thefc
excefles will not difcourage. This fort oi vanity
was once thought peculiar to women, and though
I cannot fay that the fexes have exchang'd faults,
( becaufe each ftill keeps its own, together with
thofe of the other ) yet 'tis evident they have com-
municated
Ci^ap*8. concerning Almighty Gody&cc, 230
municated them, and as the women of this Age
have tranfcrib'd m/^/c(///W Vices, fo the men\\2,\c
feminine J this particularly, whcj-ein they fcem
fully to anfwer the Copy, they being as Critical-
ly knowing in all the myfteries of vanity, and as
diligent in reducing their Jfeculations topra5licey
as any the moft extravagant female. Indeed both
the one and the other purfue this folly with fo
great an expence of Care, Time, and Money, as
ifto be fine and happy were the fame thing, and
their bodies had been defign'd for their Cloaths,
rather than their cloaths for their Bodies.
AND now when all thefe luxuries are to be
ferv'd, it had need be an exorbitant plenty that
fhall fupply them ; and that will unfold the riddle
fo frequent among us, of fo many being poorer
fince they recovered their eftates, than when
they wanted them : Our revenue how large foever,
is fo clogg'd and encumbered with our vices, that
they moulder away, and only ferve to carry other
mens with them, by giving credit to run in debt.
There are indeed no fuch unmerciful exaSlors as
our own Lufts, the one gleans after the other,
till they induce fuch a fcarcity as the Prophet Joel
defcribes i. 4. That which the Palmer-worm hath
lefty hath the Locuft eaten, and that which the Lo^
cuft hath left, hath the Canker-worm eaten, and that
which the Canker-worm hath left, hath the Caterpil-
lar eaten : So that in efJecft we have only chan-
ged our opprefTors, and are as much or more ex-
naufted by our fins, as we were before by other
mens; with this woful circumftance that now
we
240 Mifchiefs arifingfrom Miflakes Cl}ap 8.
we have the guilts as well as the fujferings : Thus
do we rob our felvesj, and create want in the midft
of all that ahundAHce God has given us, ufing our
plenty as the Benjamites did the Levites Concu-
bine, Judg, 19. force and proftitute it till we de-
ftroyit; and the fimilitude holds in this alfo,
that what we thus violate is not our own ; for let
usphancy whatwe will> certainly our fuperflui-
ties are more the poors Right than oursy aflign'd
to them by God the grand Proprietor. So that
our Excefles have belidcs their proper ^w/7^, that
oiinjuftice fuperadded ; and when the cry of the
poor fliall be joyn d to thofe of our riots, they will
certainly be too clamorous to let vengeance any
longer fleep.
THIS is the account we can give o? out plen-
ty 9 and that of our //i^r^^ is not much better ; 'tis
not long fince that arbitrary tyranny expir'd,
which gave us no other meafures of our duties or
punifliments, than the tt/V/ or avarice of the Im-
pofers : And then how did we gafp to be under
the conducfl and Prote(5lion of known determinate
Laws ? Yet now we have them, who confiders
them, or is regulated by them ? Between the licen^
cioufnefi o£ln£cnots, and the remifnefio£ Superi-
ors, they are rendred things only of /<?rm, not
ufe ; for while the one violates, and the other
connives, what can they fignifie, and though
there be never fo many new Utiws made toaflert
the old, yet we fee they ferve for little but to par-
take of the fame contempt with the others, and
are but like the Chimeras of an Utopian State, fage^
♦8. concerning Almighty God, &c. 24 1
lycontriv'd, but to no purpofe. 'Tis the Exe-
cution of Laws that gives them a real and effe-
dlive being, and without that, amidft our great
volumes we are yet deftitute, and may too proba-
bly experiment the truth of that Jxiome, that Vrir
better to live where nothing u lavrful, than where all
things are. Indeed if we remember how the Sta-
tutes of Omri were kept, with what a tamenefs
the fevereft Impofitions of the late Ufurpers were
fubmittedto, we have reafon to think c(?^ra^/^ is
the fureft Principle oi vulgar obedience; though
withal it fets but an ill mark upon us, who know
fo much better how to be (laves than fuhjeBs.
And as we are reftor'd to our civil Liberty, fo as
a branch or confequent of that, we are to our per-
fonal alfo : We were lately in the condition
Chrift foretold to St. Feter, carried by others
whither we would not, Jo. 21. 18. but now we
gird our felves and go whither we will ; and alafs,
what ufe do many of us make of this freedom ? Is
it not vifible, that neither our publick or private
afl&irs are the better attended : But on the con-
trary we are in a reftlefs purfuit of impertinent
or vicious pafiimes, go pilgrimages to oniplea^
fares, wander about from this fport, that meet-
ing to another, till many of us forget we have any
other concerns in the world, and are as much
ftrangers to our own homes, as when we were for-
cibly detained thence : And for fuch I know not
whether the former reftraintbe not eligible, to
he a prifoner being a kind of refcue to him, that
would otherwife be a vagrant*
THESE
242 Mifchiefs arifing from Miftakes ^l^ap* 8.
THESE are the ufes we make of thofe ad-
vantages whereof God has repoffeft us. I know
'tis too envious a task to diftribute thefe accufati-
ons to every Rank and Order of men among us ;
I have here given them in the lump, and wifh that
not only fuch degrees, but each perfon would
adapt to himfelf his /7ff^//^r/^^r^, wherein con-
trary to other dividends, I fear the only Immode-
fty and Injuftice too will generally be^, for every
one not to carve liberally for himfelf However,
'tis fure in the grofs they make up the Charadler
of a moft barbaroufly tmgratefid Nation, God
was pleafed to return our peace, before we had
forfakenourJ//7j, as if he meant to try our inge-
nuity ; that we who had been fo much worfe than
beafts under the former method, that no ftripes
would difcipline us, might have this advantage to
redeem our credit, and be drawn with thefe cords
of a man: but we have put off not only piety hut
humanity y and are equally untradlable to all me-
thods. And now who can refrain from ^^ofes's
pafjionate ^Apofirophe, Do ye t/m^ requite the Lord
O fooli(h people and unwife, Deut. 32. 6. Unwife
indeed, that from the moft benigne purpofes of
God, extracft nothing but our own mifchief: are
the poorer for his Liberalities, and the worfe for
his Goodnefs ; by a prepofterous ufe fo wear out
our Bleffings, that they ceafe to be, atleafttobe
Blefflngs: And if they once fall from that, there
is no middle form for them to aflume, they con-
vert into the direcft contrary, and become the
fatalleft Curfes, more heavy than thofe which
^ were
Ci^ap, 8. concerning Almighty God, &c. 24}
were originally defign'd as fuch ; that degenera-
tion adding malignity, and no Fury being fo ex-
treme, as that which bottoms upon repell'd and
irritated Love. Gods mercies are like thofe^/-
BureS) which according to the different pofition
of the beholder, carry different Reprefentations,
if we will ftill ftand on the wrong fide, and not
take them in their more amiable appearance, we
Ihall find they can put on a dreadful : his Good-
nefs will not be finally unoperative, if we will not
permit it to lead us to repentanccy tx^iW drive us to
defiruBion, I am fure we have all reafon to ex-
pecfl he fliould exert his power as eminently
againjft us, as he has done for us, unlefs perhaps
he fees that is not neceffary to our ruine, for in-
deed let him but ftand by and not interpofe his
omnipotence for us, he may truft us to be his Ex-
ecutioners y our Vices having a natural as well as
moral EflScacy to deftroy us. And who knows
whether that be not the reafon of his feeming con-
nivance, that he forbears to ftrike us, to give us
up to thofe more fatal wounds we inflidl on our
felves ; this alas we have too much caufe to fear,
for 'tis fure 'tis not our innocence that gives us Im-
punity, but 'tis more than probable 'tis our incor-
rigihlenefi; that God gives us over with a why
Jhouldye he [mitten any more ? Will not proftitute
his Judgments, but as the bafeft of MalefaBors
leave us to the bafeft of Executioners y and let our
iniquities become our ruine. This as it is the fe-
vereft purpofe God can entertain towards us, fo
*tis our moft important concern to avert. And
O
244 Mif chiefs arijiffgfrom Mifiakes ^(japfS.
O that we, who have fo perverfly refifted all the
defignsofhis/o'z;e, would now try to defeat that
of his anger, rob him of thofe inteftine avengers
within our own breafts, thofe flejhly lufts which
fight againji the Soul, i Fet. i. lo. which do not
only provoke, but execute his Wrath, and make
us more miferable than Hell its felf could do with-
out them ; and God knows 'tis more than time for
us, to feek an efcape from Co formidable mifchiefs :
O let us not contract one minutes delay, let us
caftour felves at the feet of our offended God,
and as thofe who are condemn'd to difgraceful
Executions, ufe to petition for fome death of lefs
Infamy, as a hoon and favour, fo let us beg, that
he will pleafe to think us worth his own correction ;
that whatfoever we fuffer from his hand, yet that
we may not ( like to Herod ) be deliver'd up to the
loathfome fortune of being devoured by our own
putrefaction. In a word, let us form Davids
choice into an importunate prayer, and earneftly
beg that we m^iy fall into the hands of God, and not
into the hands of men, at leaft not o£ our felves, who
are more to be dreaded than all our other Ene-
mies.
INDEED till we do thus, ourprofperities
are far from real, and do in this juftifie our moft
mutinous repinings, that we are never the better
for them, nay, much the worfe, yet fince 'tis on-
ly we that have enervated them, they will ftand
upon our account in their proper weight and va-
lue: When our r^c^/p^x are fummed up, God will
charge us with them, not as thofe empty ufelefi
things
^t)3P*S- concerning Almighty Gody 6cc, 245:
things we have made them, but as thofe great and
folid hleffings he intended them. And certainly
this is moft deplorable ill managery, to referve
nothing to our felves but the burthen and account
of our good things ; to enjoy nothing, and yet be
anfwerable for all. In fecular things men ufually
pay with fome regret, for thofe things of which
they have only anticipated the ufe : But with
what difmal relucSlancies iliall we come to
pay for thefe, of which we have made no advan-
tage, and muft therefore pay the dearer becaufe
we have not ; it being not fo much the things, as
our employing of them to our benefit, whereof
God will exail account. His anger is then only
incens'd, when we refill: his love ; and his only
quarrel to us is, for fruftrating his defign of ma-
king us happy. And fure thofe well dcferve his
wrath, that will provoke it on fueh terms ; yet fo
perverfe is the choice, as of all finners in gene-
ral, fo efpecially of this Nation at this time;?
who have all before us which might make us hap-
py in both worlds, if we did not Madly affecft to
be fo in neither, God grant we may recover the
Sobriety to make wifer eleBions, before it be out
of our power to make any, and we be found to
ftand to the mifchiefs of our own wild Option.
THE Reader will perhaps think, I have gone
beyond the limits of a moderate digreffion, but
the too great copioufnefs of the Theme, muft be
my excufe : fuch overgrown Vices cannot well be
drawn in little, and where there is fuch a multi-
tude,' the moft fuperficial view of Each, is rather
R proper-
Z/^6 Mifchiefs arifwg Cl^ap^p.
proportional to a diftin^ traBy than to the few
Pages it has borrowed in this. My greater fear
is, that the event may prove it impertinent,
there being not much hope that a private whij^er
fliall be heard by thofe, v^ho are deaf to the loudejl
c^Z/j of Heaven, and have made no other ufe of
thofe various and fignal Providences we have been
under, than to defeat the defign of them.
CHAP. IX.
\^ fuYVey of the Mifchiefs arifing from DiJ^utes in
general,
THESE are fome of thofe many artifi-
ces, whereby Satan like a cunning Fick-
locky flyly robs us of our grand treafure,
the power and efficacy of our Chriftianity, and
leaves us only the empty Casket^ the name and
formal Profeffion, that which ferves only to make
us proudy not rich, confident y not fafe : And God
knows, fo many are daily thus befooled by him, fo
many fall as preys to thefe his Stratagems, as
might, one would think, glut the eagereft malice,
and fuperfede all farther defigns : but fo infatiate
is this grand Devoured, that ret at I -prizes, though
never fo frequent, do rather enrage than fatisne
his appetite : He i s Enemy not only to this or that
man, but to mankind in grofs, and therefore as if
he fcar'd that even his malice might not prove in-
defatigable
CEtldP^P- fr om D if put es in general, 247
defatigable enough for fo many diftindl: purf aits,
he contrives more compendious methods of de-
fl:ru(5lion : Frames fuch Engines as t::ke offwhole
ranks> nay^, troops; con pounds fuch rjflivePoy-
fony as like a Peftilence, kills oiultitudes at once.
It is too trivial a Mifchief to annoy the ou^vcard
partsy it is his Maftery to £]3read an imfeen ve-
nome in the Borreh, thence to diffufe its felf
through' t, mix with the vital fpirit, and convert
that kindly heat which {hould animate;, into thofe
wild irregular flames which ravine and confume.
And this is done, by that Peftilential fpirit of i^
vijiony that heat of dif^utationy which has for fo
many ages poffeft and wafted the Catholick
Church ; and by an unhappy kind of Magick tranf-
form'd the zeal of Chriftian pra5licey into an itch
of unchriftian Dilute ; made the queftions about
our Creed more numerous than the letters of it ;
and by multitudes and contrariety oiParaphrdfes
fo confounded and obfcur'd the iexty that what
was anciently the badge and teffera of Chriftian
Communion;, ferves us for no other purpofe but
as an occafion of breaking it.
S O long as the Church retain'd the fimplicity
of Chriftian docflrine;, lookt on hci faith as the
Foundation of her obedience, and endeavoured to
propagate to her Children fuch an underftandmg
of the one, as was irioft apt to promote the other ;
She happily made good the title Chrifi gives her.
Can, 6, of his love, his dovey his tmdefil'd one :
but when the Serpent had once got into this Para-
dife, infus'd his fuhtiltiesy and nice intricacies
R 2 into
24 8 Mifchiefs ariftng Cljap 9-
into mens Brains ; and leafl: that ftiould not be
ruinous enough^ his venome alfo into their
Hearts : Then began all thofe unhappy Met amor-
fhofes, incomparifonofwhich, thofe of the Po-
ets are as trivial sls they are Fabulous : then that
faith which was once infeparably joyn'd with the
patience of the Saints, forfook that tame compa-
ny, and linkt its felf with the moft contrary qua-
lities of wrath and hitternej^j and thofe whofe
Profeffion it was to refijl unto blood, ftriving
againft fin, purfued to blood thofe that refiftea
them in any of their fpeculations : Then that
paflive Valour which had rendred them fo vene-
rable to their Heathen Enemies, converted fome,
tired out others, and amaz'd all ; fadly degene-
rated into that acflive malice, which from perfecu-
tedChriftiansy cntituled them to that monftrous
ftyle o£ Chriftian perfecutors. And that ardent
love, which had offered up fo many Holocauifts
to God, was fupplanted by that jJ^r^ hatred, that
made no lefs acceptable oblations to Satan.
THIS miferableand deftru(5live c^^;7^^was
fo much the intereft of the Enemy of Souls, that
we cannot wonder he fliould fo ftudioufly pro-
mote it ; and indeed never did he at once fo ap-
prove his malice and fuhtiltyy I would I could not
fay fuccefs alfo, as in this defgn ; in comparifon
whereof, all his other Projetfts fpeak him but a
Puny, this is his one Goliah Stratagem which has
ferv'd him not only to defie, but even defeat the
Armies of the living God. •
N O R is his Sagacity more obfervable in the
choice.
dJtiP^P- f^^^ Difpiites in general, 249
choice, and main drift of the Defign, than in the
rpays of Eflecfting it ; had he brought into the
Primitive Church thofe large fcrolls of difpu-
table points, wherewith he has filFd the Modern ;
that more charitable Age muft needs haveftart-
led and difeern'd, that that feeming Jealoufie for
Truth;, was indeed nothing but a real dejign
againfl: Peace, and would furely never have parted
with that facred depofitum^ that precious legacy
fo lately bequeath'd by Chrift, for thofe vain
janglings, thofe School fubtilties which now en-
tertain the world. But as he that would divert
a man from the gud^d of fome important Trea-
fure, alarms him in fome other of his greateft in^
terefis ; fo he at firft raifes up Here fie s of the grea-
teft magnitude, whofe blafphemous confequen-
cies fo ihook the whole Fabrick of Religion, that
what was Uzz^ahs Rafhnefs feemcd then every
mans advifed Duty, to put bis hand to the uphold-
ing of the tottering Ark, How could thofe who
had been baptiz'd into the faith of the Elefled Tri-
nity, fufler the ^Arians to rob them of the Second
Perfon, the Macedonians of the Third, the Va-
lentinians and Manichees fo to defpife the Firft,
as to fet up againft him a Rival principle of be-
ing: How could thofe who had fo folemnly re-
nounced the World, the Flefli and the Devil, fee
them all bowed to by the temporizing, unclean,
idolatrous Gnofiicks ? thefe were fuch invafions as
feemed to commifilonate all that could weild the
fwordofthe Spirit to take it up, and engage in
this Warfafd. But all this while 'twas a fad D/-
R 5 (emma
250 Mifchiefs arifing Cl^ap^p.
lemma to which the Church was driven ; if flie
gave countenance to thckfeducers, Ihe betrayed
hcT faith ; if flie entred the contefi flie violated her
unity ; the one would undermine her foundation,
the other would make a breach in her walls,
AND the Devil was too old an Artift to lofe
the advantage, he knew well that even a juft and
neceffary defence, does by giving men acquain-
tance v/ith War take oiFfomewhat from the ab-
horrence of it, and infenfibly difpofe them to far-
ther Hojtilitiesy and therefore he faiFd not to pro-
vide i^arks for that matter, which was now grown
fo combuftible ; nor did he always fend them
from the bottomlefi pit, but fometimes borrowed
fire from the Jltar to confume the Votaries, and
by the mutual collifion of well meant zeal fet
even Orthodox Chriftian in flame. A memo-
rable inftance of this was the dispute ahout Eajier^
wherein while the veneration they had of the glo-
rious Refurre<fl:ion of Chrifi, prompted them to
commemorate it in the exadteil manner they
could, the Serpent creeps into this Paradife, and
though they had the fame common end, yet on
occafion of ibme little diflenting in the way, the
he3t_o£ devotion infenfibly degenerated into that
o( contention ; and by being very tenacious of a cir-
c\xmOLiincco£th2it celebration, they loft the more
eflential requifite that o£ Charity : kept the Feaft
indeed, but with the leven of malice, and abfurd-
ly commemorate the redintegration of hisiV^^^-
ral Body, by mutilating and dividing his ^IMyfti-
•fal. So likevv^ife in the bufinefs of Rebaptizatit
Ctiap*9- /^^^ Difputes in general, 2jf i
on, while one fide in a pious abhorrence oiHere-
fie, thought the ftain like that of Original Sin
could not be done away by any Purgation lefs fo-
lemn than that of Baptifm, and the other in a juft
reverence of ancient a//?^w, and jealoufie oi inno-
vation oppofed it : the Difpute lafted till the
Scene was changed, andthofewho deliberated of
the manner of receiving^ Hereticks into the
Church, were themfelves as fuch turnd out of it.
Nolefs well meant were the Originals of the JSfo-
vatian and Donatifl Herefies, as equally unhappy
were their ijfues: For in them all, when bitter
Zeal was once fermented, through its aptitude
to receive, and the Devils vigilance to adminifter
occafions, the Orthodoxy or Herefie of lives foon
became terms out-dated, and men weremeafur'd
only by opinions : That fword of the Jpirit which
was at firfl: defign'd againft vigious pradlices had
its edge turn d againft fpeculative notions, in fo
much, that at laft like that oijoaby 2 Sam, 28.8.
it had got fuch an aptnefs to fall out, that it was
always a ready inftrument of Execution, till
even a Philofophical point, as that o£ the Jntipo-
des was refolv'd with an Jnathema, and not to
know the Syfteme of this prefent World, made
forfeiture of that to come,
BUT alas thefe, though great defections
from Primitive unity, were but modeft eflays,
and feeble afl&ults, compared with thofe which
infefted the fucceeding ages : This root of hitter-
f^^j? was then but a probationer in thefoyle, and
though it fent forth fome offefets to preferve its
R 4 kind,
XJZ Mi/chiefs aripng Cl)ap*9«
kind ; yet Satan was fain to be at fome pains to
cherifli and nurfe them up, placed them under
the fliadow of the Sanctuary y and got them like
the treacherous Ivy^, fupported by that piety
they were defigned to deftroy ; but it was not
long ere they had got firmer rooting and ftrength,
not only to propagatCj, but multiply. Every
Difpute in Religion grew prolific aly and in ven-
tilating one queftionj, many new ones were
ilarted : And as quefiions grew numerous^ fo
did Sech too ; every Opinion almoft confti^
tuted a new party, and thofe again fubdivided
into^ many others, fo that of all the firfc Viola-
tors of Primitive unity, we fcarce find any,
who did not revenge their Schifm upon them-
felves, by feparating from one another, as they
had all done from the Church ; till at laft the
progeny both of Sedls and Opinions grew fo
numerous, that he who would exadt an account,
muft be fent like Ahraham, to the Sky or to the
Shore : The Stars or Sands, being as apt a fub-
jedl of Arithmetick as they. Whence it is
brought to pafs, that Satan now may leave his
toiifome labour of compafling the Earth ; men
do his bufinefs for him, giving him leifure to be
only a Cheerful SpeBator of their Divinityr
prizes ; the bloody .combates of Ecclefiafiick Gla-
diators.
AND that he may be fecur'd never to want
that pleafing divertifement, the later ^Ages have
been careful to train him up ComhatantSy it being
Aovy become z diftin(5]t fort of Learning, a new
Species
Cfiap 9- /^^^ Dilutes ingeneroL 25^
Species of Divinity, to raife nice queftions, create
new difficulties y branch out with fond difiin5lions
our holy Faith, which the pious Simplicity of
the firft Chriftians, received to practice; not to
read upon as an Anatomy y unbowel and diflecfl to
try experiments, much lefs to bring into the
Hheatrey there made to fight and bleed, to fliew
men fport, and try the skill of the unhappy
fword-men, and Mailers of defence, the form
of found words y which in its native frame and coo-
ftitution, was moft enlivening and Salubrious ,
diflblv'd and melted by Chitnical preparatsorjyCGzks
to be nutritive; and after all the labours of the
Jlemhecky and hopes of an Elixir y infenfibly eva-
porates, and vanilhes to Air ; or leaves in the re-
cipient a foul Empyreumay or fretting corrofive.
An endlefs dotage about names and words, and
then as endlefs quarrel for them ; appearing the
commenfurate effedl of the long ftudies of thofe
Difiiller^ in Divinity, who boaft its Sublima-
tion.
I T is indeed a thing worthy of the greateft
both wonder and lamentation to fee how the
plaineft, and moft Jimple propofitioriy when it falls
into the hands of thefe 'Artiflsy is mangled and dis-
jointed, is rarified, exalted^ and refin'd : He whofe
ieifure, or indeed whole life, would ferve him to
furvey all the fubtile Divifions, and Diftin(5lions
of the School-meriy would fure refolve, they had
the power of working Miracles, Queftions in
their hands multiplying in the breaking, like the
loaves in our Saviours, But fure the event of the
Miracles
254 Mr/chiefs arifing fiCfjap^p.
Miracles are very defperate, no folid nourifhment
being derived by the one, bat on the contrary.
Stones given us in ftead of Bread, and thofe too
for the worft purpofes;, even to fling at one ano-
ther:, as if becaufe ftoning vv^as the death of the
firffc Chriftian ^lartyty v^e defign'd his Charity
to the fame fate with himfelf ; that divine Go-
Jpel grace having fince fain under as thick a
jTiowT;, and with this fliarp aggravation tooj, that
whereas he fuiSered from JevrsyChriftiatis are be-
come its executioners: whileft thofe who pre-
tend to be Champions of the Faith, Irrefragable,
Angelical? and Seraphical Do6lors, not only fill
the Church with quarrels whileft they live, but
bequeath them in their writings to pofterity ; as
Zifca is faid to have done his skin, to be made an
Incentive to war and confufion.
I T was the policy of Julian to lliut up the
Fountains of humane learning from the Chriftian
youth, left they fhould there gain fuch acutenefs,
as might render them the more formidable Ad-
verfaries to Paganifm : but could he have forefeen
that they would have employed thofe Weapons
not againft the common Enemy y but one another, he
would furely have reversed the Stratagem, free-
ly opened thofe ^!Magaz^eens whence they might
furnifh themfelves for their mutual ruine, and
have as folicitoufly promoted their Learning, as
ever he ohftruSted it. I am very far from abetting
their arrogant folly, who either decry humane
learning in general, or make it fuch a MoahitCf
pr jimmonite, that however it be admitted in ci-
vil
(J^gp^p. from DiJ^utes in general, z^S
vil Converfe^ ihuft be interdidled the SanBuary.
Our Religion prefcribes us rational not brutifli
Sacrifices, and Therefore defpifes not any of thofe
advantages which may improve our reafon, exalt
the man and deprefs the beajl in us : yet fure we
Ihall derogate very impioufly from Chrifts pro-
phetick omccj, ifwe allow not divinity to be the
Supreme and nobleft Science ; fuch as is to be
ferv'd and attended, not regulated and governed
by thofe inferior : but that juft order feems now
to be inverted ; divine learning is brought down
to humane ; the Simplicity of Chriftian dodlrine fo
perplext and confounded with Philofophical nici-
tiesy that Plato and Jriftotle are become the Um-
pires of our Religion, and we muft go ask Hea-
thens how far we (hall be Chriftians, Thofe deep
things of God as the Jpoftle calls them i Cor. 2.10.
and of which he pronounces the natural man an
incompetent Judge, are yet brought before that
trihunaly fubje(5Ved to be fcanned by rules of Art :
but alas, our line is too fliort to found thofe
Depths. Men raflily undertake to underftand
-incomprehenfihley to order infinite^ define inejfa-
hie things : and then no wonder if their concepti-
ons differ ; for where there is no vifible truth,
wherein to Center, error is as wide as mens Phan-
ciesy and may wander to Eternity : while multi-
tudes run cariers in the dark, it is not Arrange
to have them juftle, and overthrow each c-
ther.
AND doubtlefs were thcControverfes which
have fo long harrafed the Church throughly exa-
min 4
2f6 Mifchiefs arip.ng Ctiap.p.
min'd, many of them would be found of this na-
ture. An humble belief ho,s been judged tooflug-
gifliandduUan exercifefor men of acute parts,
and therefore they would not take faith's word
that fo it is, unlefs reafon will be her furety, and
fliew them how ; but fure it had been much for the
peace of the Church and fafety of Souls, if Myfte-
ries had been permitted to be Myfleries ; that
thofe fublinier parts of our faith had been enter-
tained with more veneration, and lefs o^ difqui-
fitiotty and that while even thelearned'ft do ac-
knowledge them to be Abyffesy they would
not confute that confeflion, by attempting to
fathom them. But alas, fo prepofterous has
been the /procedure, that thofe things which
were indeed inexplicable, have been rackt and
tortur'd to difcover themfelves,while in the mean,
the plainer, and more acceffible truths, as if
defpicable while eafie, are clouded and obfcur'd ;
fo many fubtile queries rais'd about them, that
the Theorick of Chriftianity is become harder
than the PraSlick ; a grace is much more readi-
ly acquired than defined, and that key of know-
ledge which ftiould give us entrance into the
clofets and recefles of religion, is by fo much
tampering and wrenching made ufelefs ; ferves
only to bufie us at the door, and fo in efJedl
proves rather a harto keep us out, than a key to
let us in. Thus perverfe are the contradiBions of
humane deprav'd nature, which like our firfi
parents take it unkindly, that God has referv'd
any thing from us, and boldly attempt to break
down
Ct)8P<.^* f'^om Dijputes in general. 25*7
down his enclofuresy to rob him of his peculiar ;
and yet in the mean, as induftrioufly contrive to
rob our felves of our own, to cancelling both
parts of Gods diftribution, neither leaving fe-
cret things to the Lord our Gody nor the repealed
en€s to us and our children, Deut. 29. 29. Cer-
tainly the firft propagators of our Faith, pro-
ceeded at another rate, they well knew that not
the brain but the hearty was the proper foil for
that celeftial Plant, and therefore did not amufe
their Profelytes with curious queftions, but fet
them to the acftive part of their religion. We
fee what brief and plain inftrucftions S. Feter
gives his Catechumeniy ^<S. 2. 38. Repent and ha
baptizd' every one of you for the remiffion of jimz
and this it feems as a full preparation for the
gift of the Holy Ghoft, which he there promifes
upon thefe only conditions. This was that vi-
gorous Seed which at once Jprung up fuddenly,
and rooted deep too, and produced the liberal har-
veft of that day : but fure had thofe three thou-
fand fouls, been Catechiz'd by our modern Ca-
fuiftsy we had feen a wide difference, not only in
the expedition but fuccefs. In like manner we
fee A5i. 8. how fliort a Creed qualified in S. Phi-
lips ya^^m^nt for the Eunuchs baptifm: and we
find S. Paul whofe education enabled him for the
fubtileft definitions, yet delivers his whole do-
iilrine in this compendiumy kOi. 20. 21. Re-
pentance towards Gody and faith towards our Lord
Jefus Chrifi ; and 'tis obfervable how he intro-
duces this with a profeffion that he had kept hack
nothing
25*8 Mifchiefs arifing ClJ^P^p.
mthing that was profitable for them, Verf. 20. and
feconds it V. 27. with another, that he had not
Jhunned to declare unto them the whole councel of
God; from whence 'tis obvious for the fhalloweft
difcourfer to inferr, that the whole councel of
God as far as it is incumbent for man to know, at
leaft necejfttate medii is compriz'd in that one
breviat of Evangelical truth: and certainly
whileft all the devifion of thefe generals, was the
diftributing them into praSiice, they were found
moft fertile feminaries of all Vertue ; but when
they came to be dichotomic d, and cantond out
into curious aerial notions, they loft their proli^
fick nature : that fruitful land became a wilder-
nefs, a wild and intricate maze, where men
fooner lofe themfehes than find either truth or ho-
linefs,
WHEN Chriftianity firft attefted its felf
by miracle Sy it produced in the hearts of its con-
verts, a firm aflent to the truth of the DoBrine^
and an awful reverence and adoration of that
God, who had given fuch power unto men, awa-
king them to an Enquiry after duty, fo to pro-
pitiate that omnipotence whofe Fury it appeared
impofUble to bear : And this fure was a much
more genuine effeBy than if they had bufied them-
felves in thofe many unprofitahle curiofities, nice>
yet bold enquiries into the divine attributes
which now a-daies ferve only to fupplant that pi-
ous veneration we owe to them.
I N like manner the comprehenfivc enuncia-
tion of Chrift, Mar. 16. 16. He that helieveth
fhall
Cftap 9' /yow Dijputes in general. Zjp
fhall be Jdvedy and he that helieveth not /hall he
damndy was received by the firft Chriftians, as
the condition on which the two fo diftant ftates
of Salvation or damnation depended, and ac-
cordingly excited their diligence, to attain the
oncy and avoid the other. And this certainly was
a much more concerning employment, than to
have entertained themfelves with the modern
difpute, whether fome antecedent decree of God
had not irreverfibly determin'd them, to the one
or other; a difquifition that has ferv'd only to
keep us Idly huftey fet our heads a working, but
folds up out hands V\kc Solomons fluggard in our
bofoms. So alfo when S. Paul affirms it the de-
fign of Chrifiy giving him fe If for i^, to pur ^ fie to
him/elf a peculiar people y zealo^cs of good irorks ; the
Primitive Chriftians had no other defign than to
comport with that his purpofe ; to be what he
died to make them, and to attefl: their Zeal to
good works, by being actually rich in them.
They took Chrifi's word, that he that gave the
meanefl dole for his fake, fhould not lofe his reward ;
thought themfelves fure enough upon his pro-
mife, and never difputed the proportion either of
Worth or Congruity between the work and
wages ; and had the ^lodern done the like, our
vporks had not fo unhappily evaporated into words,
we had talkt lefs and done more.
'TWERE eafie to draw the Parallel
through all the points which bufiedthe devotion
of the firft Ages, and the curiofity of the later :
By all which it would be evident, how much Chri-
ftian
z6o Mifchiefs arifirtg Cl^aPip.
ftian dodlrine has lofi in its Efficacy, fince it
gaind in its Bulk : how we have embafed our
Coin by multiplying it ; and have divided our fum
intofo many, and fo fmall Fractions, as our
Arithmetick can fcarce number y never unite. We
fliould think him very ridiculous, that fliould
hope to advance his cropy by grinding the corn
he fowes : yet methinks, this has bin the Me-
thod of our Spiritual husbandmen, who have
fcarce fuffered one grain of our faith to fcape En-
tire. 'Tis faid that the Anty when flie lays in her
winter ftock, bites the ends of the Corny as
being Naturalift enough to know that will cer-
tainly prevent its fprouting : And fure that lit-
tle contemptible creature whom Solomon ap-
points to preach induftry to the jluggardy may
in this point read Fhilofofhy too, to our greateft
Do5iors ; convince them that that feed which they
mangle with fo many Diftincftion sand Divifionsy
will never fpring up into Chiiftian praBice : It
will rather be like the Dragons teeth, Cadmus is
faid to have fown, whofe immediate produ(5lioit
w^as a hoflile hand combating one another. A/k-
hle which God knows we have found too fadly
moralizd in our School contentions, only with
this unhappy difference, that ours are more im-
mortal, our Serpentine breed fight but never die,
oppofe but deftroy not one another.
AND then 'twill not appear ftrarige to fee
the firft feeds of difcord, fo prodigioufly en^
creas'd, that they now overfpread the face of the
Earth : for whereas in all other things thera
is
^f)SP*9' ffom Dsjpules in gainer at, x6i
is a fucceflion, one generation goes and another
comes, and fo though the /pedes continue:, the In-
dhiduals perifli ; thefe feem to have the aceuift
Priviiedge of propagating and not expiring, and
to have reconcii'd the procreativenefs ot ccrpo-
realy with the duration o^ incorporeal Subftances :
This is fuch an advantage toward their multiplier-
//Wj,thal3we may grievCj, but cannot wonder to
find them Svparm ; not like Bees to bring
profit, but like Locufls to devour every green
thing in the land; nor is it now in the
power of all the Magicians cf q^gypt to caft
them out ; for were it poflible ever to become 5'.^-
tans intereft to fupprefs them, be would certain-
ly find himfelf in the cafe of one of his young
Conjurers, to have rais'd more fpirits than he
could lay, Aiens now irritated PaJJionsy and
formed interells, the great fomenters of difputes,
v/ould prove too ^^turdy Derils, even for Beel-
:^ehiib himfelf to Exorcife.
BUT 'tis too fure his Kingdom will never fo
divide againfi: its fclf; itfuits not only with his
Naturey but with his ^nds to perpetuate our
Strifes, and therefore as if our dodlrinal debates-
were not enough to fecure his purpofe, he has
an auxiliary troop of ritual differences to at-
tach us. The Leprojie which infeffcs the foliider
parts of our Religion, has paft from the body to
the vety Garments; the moft exterior adheren-
ciesy Habits, Geftures, Days, every thing that
has but the remoteft fubferviency to Piety, are
become the ohj'zcls of fierce Contcflrs, and have fo
S encreas'd
26l Mifchiefs arifwg C^ap.p.
cncreas'd the number and heat of our quarrels,
that 'tis unneceilary:, perhaps impoflible to add
more if he can but keep up thefe, as God knows
he is too like to do, his Kingdom will be compe-
tently guarded, they being his greateft facurity
againft th^tpowerof Godlinefs, that vital force of
Chriftianity, he fo much dreads : that they are fo,
is obvious enough to him that takes but the grof-
feft confus'd view of them. But that we may
better difcern the degrees of his ddvantage
and our own mifchiefy 'twlW not be amifs to con-
fider them more attentively, make fome diftincft
obfervations, not of ally for that were endlefs, but
of /im^ oftheir moft eminent EjfeBs, which we
fhallfind fo pernicious and deitrudlive, as fuffi-
ciently fpeak their relation, and fubferviency to
the great Ahadclon.
A N D in the firft place if we confide r them on-
ly privatively as they fupplant and juftle out
our greater concerns, we fliall find them fadly
mifchievous, indeed to fuch a degree that were
they not chargeable with any pofithe Hi, they
were by this their meer negathe Force, compe-
tent Inftruments of our ruine. Did they actu-
ally convey no venome, yet while they fub-
ftradl our nourifliment, their efFedls will be
fure to be deadly ; Grace as well as Nature being
liable to be ftarv'd as well as poyfoned. Chrifiia-
nity is not a dull unacflive, but ftirring bufie
State, a.id therefore we ftill find it in the Gojfel
reprefented under the Metaphors which imply
the grestell Induftry and A\5livity ; tis a trade^ a
Tvatchy
Cri^tipip* f^^^^ Difputes in general. 263
watchy a race^ a combat y and it affigns us tasks
enough to juftiiic the propriety of the Tropes: Aijd
therefore as on th.e one hand the fleepy Profef-
for will atlaft find he has but dreaait of thofe
glorious Rewards he expecfts ; fo on the other,
he that frames himfelf another Scheme^ that la-
bours but not in Gods vineyard, that bufies
himfelf in things extrinfick to that one great
Sphere of motion the Evangelical Precepts, will
finally difcern that he has but rolled 5)'//; /6^f his
HonCy efpous'd a toyle under which he may indeed
be 7reary andhc2ivY ladeny but will never find reji
to his Soul.
AND then whit can be more perfectly
adapted to his aim, who defires to propagate
his own eternal reftlefnefs unto us, than thus to
commute our tasks, exchange thcCcpleafatit and
gainful ones y which God affigns us, for thofe tin-
eafe and fruitlefsy we impofe on our feives. 'Tis
true we find too many of thofe unprofitable
works of darknefs to bufie and employ us : but I
think no one, nay I am apt to fay not all others
together, have proved fo effectual to his purpofe,
as this of raifing and maintaining parties in Reli-
gion. 'Tis too ufijal a policy of States to fecure
themfelves from the fear of a potent Neighbour,
by fomenting a civil c//ycor^ in his Kingdom : Sa-
tan has in this inftance found it a lucky Strata-
gem, it having proved the moft pow^erful re-
vulfive of his danger. I will not examine,
whether he borrowed it from, or lent it to
our ^Machavilions, but fure he may from his
S 2 own
2^4 Mifchiefs arifing Ctjap 9>
own experience recommend it with the atteftati-
on of a Frohattim eft,
INDEED this art of diverfion gives him a
full fecurity againft all he fears in ourChriftiani-
ty, for 'tis not the title he envies to us, or dreads
himfelf; we know he long fince had courage to
contemn the name even of Chrift when invoked
bythofewhofepra(5licesjoyn'dw'ith him in defy-
ing it ; while we are but Jewifh Exorcifts^ make
no other ufe of Chrift, but to get us a reputation
and a trade, he can deal well enough with us.
Seven fons of Sceva^ie not halffo terrible to him
as one St. F^uly 'tis him only he fears, that to the
form has joyn'd the power of Godlinefs : That Ex-
orcifme he knows he cannot refift, and therefore
has very dexteroufly found a way to divert it, by
engaging us in thofe contentions which allow us
not to think of the pradlical part of our profeffi-
pn. By the corf us d noife of Battel, quite drown-
ing that voice behind asy which fays, 17;^ uthe
way walk in it. Nay, by this fubtilty he does not
only divert, but foreftall alfo ; like the Phili-
fiinesy allows no Spear or Sword that may be us'd
againft himy but takes up all thofe Inftruments
by which w^efliould work the work of God, We
know to all affairs of Importance there are three
neceflary Ci^z/a/rr^/^^j- without which they can ne-
ver be difpatcht ; limey Induftry, and Faculties ;
and the m.ore weighty and difficult the Bufinefs
is, the greater t)egree of each ofthefe isrequi-
fite. Now certainly the intereft of our Souls is
not the fiightefl concern we have : the avoiding
eternal
SteP*9' f^^'^ Difpiites in general, 265*
eternal mifery, the aaquiring endlefs blifs is not
fo trivial, or fo eafie a matter;, as to be the Work
of a momenta the purchafe of fome few yawning
wiJJ'jeh or volatile phancies : He who is to difpenfe
the Rewards., has propos'd us other Conditions,
nflign'd us Work v/hich takes up no lefs time than
that of our tt/^;?/^ lives; no lefs intention than of
our whole powers : And then if we fuf?er any thing
clfe to interpofe, and defliulk what is thus en-
tirely rcquifite, if we cut new Channels for that
which fhouid run in this one fit II current, 'tis eafie
to divine what the Event will be : For man being
finite both in his nature and operations, the time
and attention he beftows on one thing, muftne-
ceffarily be fubftradted from another. And
therefore if ourDifputes about Religion enter-
tain and bufie us, they muft unavoidably inter-
rupt our attendance on pracflick Duties; andfo
whileft we quarrel with one another, give our
great <i!!Mafier too juQ: ground of quarrel with us
ally by neglecting the great, and indeed only Bu-
finefs entrufted to us.
NOW indeed that our contentions do thus
divert us,is too apparent to any that fhall confider
it in any of the three foremen tioned particulars ;
for, firft for our time, they do not only infenfthly
jfteal aw^ay much of it (a modefty which moft
other diverfions do ftill retain ) but Magifieriatly
exadl it, aad accordingly have large parcels of it
folemnly and avowedly devoted to them ; the
/canning old quefrionsy and raijing new ones, having
b^en the profefl: Bufinefs of many mens lives ;
S 5 their
^66 Mif chiefs arifing €|)ap*9-
their very Vocation and Trade wherein they have
arrived to fuch eminence y:is fhew^s they made liberal
ohl at ions o^itX-iclx Time to it: And of this every
age has left fo many Records, as the meer read-
ing them vi^ould allcfw few vacant minutes to the
fucceeding : iVnd had not time a little reveng'd his
own quarrel, and confum'd many of thofe wri-
tings y by which himfelf was wafted, the Hyper-
hole w'Qwldi not be very extravagant in this cafe,
which we find w^arrantably us'd in another, Jo,zi.
that even the world its [elf could not contain the
Books which have he en written. As it is, there are
more than enough to employ, nay, devour time ;
for when men once launch into the valt Seaoi
Controvcrfie, they are tolled there endlefly, and
feldom recover a harbour y Difficulties like waves
crouding one upon the neck of another ; And ac-
cordingly we fee in Folemick Difputesy how every
rejoynder fvvells bigger and biggery till like Geha-
zies cloudy from a hand breadth it over-fpread the
Heavens ; every little Manual becomes the Pa-
rent of vafl: Volum.es ; and unlefs the evil cure its
felf by majoration, unlefs the greatnefs of the
task bring in defpair to fupplant curiofity, and
keep men from reading, the fpeBators will have as
little refpite, as the ComhatantSy both Writers
and Readers will be fo ingroft, that they will
have little leifure for any thing elfe. And I dare
in this appeal to any that have engaged deep^either
way, whether they have not found it experimen-
tally true : I wi/h they would but fnatch fome
broken parcel as a plank from the common fhip-
' W((tck
Cfidp^P- f'^^'"^ Difptites in gcneraL 267
wrack of their time ; refcue a few minutes for i.
fober reiiedtion, and audit what real Profit ac^
crucb to them, from theexpence of fo many pre-
cious Hoars ; how much it advances that grand
bufinefs for which their Time here was allotted,
and according to which- their Eternity hereafter
will be awarded : always remembring, that if it
promote it not, it hinders it;, by diverting that
time w^hich fhouW have been fo employed: And
indeed there cannot be a more comprehenfive iyrif-
cAr^/than this of the lop of timey it being that
which virtually contains the fruftrating of all
other Advantages, whei^by we ftiould work out
our Salvation. The operations even of Chrifi
himfelf were, he tells us, limited to a certain
feafon : / mujt work the work of my F^itherfu^hilefi it
is day, the night cometh when no man^n work ;
and ifthe Night overtake us, it matters not how
we are ftored with inftruments of Acfcion, fince
they all at once then become ufelefs. Our Laws
anciently fet a greater -penalty upon the ftealing
Eeafis of breed, than on other Cattel of the /^/we
(pedes, as calculating the dammage by the pofli-
bilities of which the Owner was robb'd. Time is
the univerfal womb of things and acflions ; and
therefore when we lofe that, we fuffer an accu-
mulative prejudice, forfeit our K(i^/7/^x /V^ reverpon
tis Vidian our PoJfeJJions, o\ii capacities as well as
enjoyments. As in an x\bortion the unhappy Mo-
ther, befides the frultration of her hopes, and
child-birth pains fuftatn'd, acquires an aptitude
to mifcarry for the future, and never to be abk to
S 4 bring
26S Mi/chiefs arifwg Cfji^P^p-
bring forth a vital birth: And thus God knows
multitudes oil.mhryon purpofes perifli, and the
mifery of it is, they are our beft that do fo. We
generally purfue our frholom proje5is with an
/t5iive vigour y but keep our great and concerning
^j^/rr only in dejRgn till <^£?*^/'/:' come and furprize
us, which like th'cfitial^^lefamorphofes the Poets
talk of, fixes us in the potture it finds us, and fo
prefents us to Judgment. Now I would know of
the moft eager Contender, whether he w^ould not
chufe then to be found with his hands ftretcht out
in prayer to God, cr alms to the poor, rather than
dealing blows amongil: his fellow fervants ; if he
would, certainly 'tis his concern to puthimfelf
into that form he would then appear in, to huf-
band his 4ittle fpan of time fo, as may ftand him
in ftead \#en time (hall be no more.
BUT if men will needs be improvident, yet
why will they be ridiculous too, if they will barter
away their time, methinks they fhould at leaft
have fome eafe in exchange : but to be induftri-
ous ill-husbands, to lofe all their advantage y and
none of their ^6? i/, isfuch afolemn piece of folly,
as is at once miatter of Scorn and Wonder ; yet
this is the very cafe here, our wr anglings do not
only exhauft our m^^, but our/r^/T^f/' too : Wc
purfue them with fo vehement an intention, as if
our Faith propos'd not to us any other victory,
but over this, fort of Opponents : , We run our
felves breathlefs in this race, where the prize is
only a few fading Leaves, or what is more tranfi-
toxY)2ilittlc popular /tppUufe ; ^nd make not tOr
wards
<£l}ap>9- frcmDijftites in general. 269
wards the incorruptible Crowns, till we are grown
too feeble and decrepit for the other purfuit.
Men macerate their Bodies^, andwafte their Spi-
rits in Folemick ftudiesy prefcribe themfelves no
time of difcharge from that Wary till they are
able no longer to weild their weapons, and then
whenmeerlJnpotence makes them feaceahle, be-
gin to cry out of contention, fnatch up Devotion
when Controverfie begins to be too heavy for
them, and at their Death pray for that peace of the
Church, which they have made it the bufinefs of
their life to difturb. This as it fufficiently at-
tciks what mens thoughts are in their cool blood,
what apprehenfions they have of the way when
they draw near their journeys End ; (o does it
abundantly evince the unfpeakable prejudice. Pie-
ty receives from our Difputes ; Thofe have the
active and vi^oifous Jbettors, while That is turn'd
oflfto languifhing bed-rid Votaries, So that the
divijion between tliefe two, is like that of the Cat-
tel between Jacob and Laban, all the ftronger to
the one, and feebler to the other : Would God
the Scene were not in one refpedl changed, and
that the Syrian had not here got the better fhare.
But in the mean time what greater advantage can
Satan wifli for, our ftrength and induftry is di-
verted upon thefe foreign expeditions, and Sion
is left to be guarded by the lame and the blind,
fuch only as are not able to follow the Camp, and
then 'tis not Arrange to fee what fuccesful allaults
he has made, that that true fraUick vertue which
once made fuch vicftorious falleys on the heathen
World,
270 Mif chiefs arijing €^ljap*9-
World, is now baffled in its own Quarters, bea-
ten from its Works, and driven to feck ihelter
in obfcure corners, immures its felf in fome few
private breafts, and fo like an dxifd Prince,
makes only fnift to live when it fhould reign.
But alas, fhall we for ever fuflfer our felves to oe
thusbefoofd, Ihall this his ftale ftratagem aiber
fo many hundred years ufe, nay, and deteclioti
too, lofe nothing of its Efficacy? Muli weal-
ways waftc our ftrength in forging fliackles for
our felves ? This is fuch an infatuation as Hofea
fpeaks of. Chap. 9. 7. Ihe Prephet if a fooly the
Spiritual inan u mad : Would Gdd we would once
put our felves under tjie difcipline of ferious re-
colledlion, it might perhaps cure the Phrenfie :
Let him who has with unwearied diligence
watcht all advantage againft his Antagonift ;
rack'd and tortured every period of his difcourfe,
to make it confefs an abfurdity : Let him, I fay,
conlider, how much better that indufiry had been
employed in difcoveringthe//^////c/Vi- of our com-
mon Adverfary, that old Sophifter, who puts the
moft ahufive Elertchs on us, whileffc we are moil
bufie in putting them upon one another. Good
God, how might true vital Ghriftianity at this
day have flourifht, if we would have beftowed our
pains the right way ? At how much a cheaper rate
might we have cherijht, than we defiroy her. All
parties pretend to be very careful oiFthis Viney are
very bufie in fetting traps for the little Foxes ^ all
whom they are pleas'd to call Hereticks ; and in
the mean time take no care of the wild Boar, let
that
_- — < — I — -i
^l^dP*5)- f^^'^^ Dilutes ingeneraL 27X
that not only fpoil her branches^ but ftockupher
roots, fiiffer the moft favage beaftial vices tode-
ftroy both Power and Form of Godlinefs toge-
ther. Thiis unhappily do we divert our intenti-
ons, from our moft important concerns. And
as Jn7;/mf^^j"isfaidto have been fo vehemently
intent upon a Geometrical figure, that he heard
not of the taking of the City, till an Enemy gave
him his information and death together : So do we
fo bufie our felves in drawing our feveral Schemes
of Religion (every of which will pretend to no lefs
than Demonftration ) that in the mean, that which
alone is true Religion, is expos'd to the fury of the
Enemy, fack'd, ruinated, and like the ploughed
up JeTviJJp SanBuary, not one ftone left upon ano-
ther. Certainly moft of the quefiions which at
this day difturb Chriftcndom, have in refpecl of
their matter no Propriety tow\ard the propagating
good Life, but, in reference to their way ofmanage-
ry, all aptnefs to hinder it ; how much were it
then for our Eafe as well as profit, to turn us into
the plain road, where none of thefe Thorny diffi-
culties will encumber us. Alas, why fhould the
Romanifi fo fweat to maintain his Purgatory flame,
as if he already felt its heat, and would in this
world antedate thofe pains, when the fame Indu-
ftry beftowed here to purifie himfelffrom all filthi-
ne^offlejhandfpirit, would fubftradl the matter
of that Fire, and leave little for that furnace to re-
fine; which were doubtlefs a much fecurer way,
even according to his own principles, than to truft
to the uncertain devotion of others, to fetch him
out
272 Mifchiefs ^riftvg d/tip p.
out when once deeply ingulph't : 'Tis furely much
better to ftarve that Fire, by ones own innocence y
than to leave it to be extinguifiit by the Tears and
Piety oi furvhing friends. Why fhould the Sc-
cinidn fo eagerly contend for the pofiibility of
keeping the Law, when one example would con-
vince more than a thoufand drgiimenls. Let hirr*
bend his ftudy to make himfelf an. inftance of his
own docftrine ; and then though he do finally fail
in proving his /:^'/?(9//7^y/.r, yet, if he do his utmoft,
he will not fail of a better iritimphy than that
which the Schools can give ; and fo will even
from his error extradl advantage, his wciy ftray-
ing will by a happy Antiperiftafisy lead him into
the way. Why docs the Predefiinarian fo adven-
teroiifly climb into Heaven, to ranfack the cele-
ftial Jrchivesy read Gods hidden Decreesy when
with lefs labour he may fecure an ^Amhentick tran-
fcript within himfelf; let himx according to Saint
Peters advice, add to his faith vertuey and to ^er-
tue knowledge y and to knowledge temper anccy &c.
and that chain of vertues will ftand him in much
more ftead, than if he could as infallibly ( as fome
have confidently ) demonftrate every link of Pre-
defiination : 'Tis the affiduous practice of Duty
will make his calling and ekdtion fure ; and un-
lefs he can confute that divine ^Axiomcy that
vpithout holinefs none fhall fe^ the Lord', he cannot
but confefs he may more profitably bufie his
thoughts in labouring to become holy, than in
difputing whether he can chufe to be fo or not.
Orlaftly^ why do\vc Chrifiians of feveral perfwa-
fionsjf
€|)8p*5^- /^^^ Disputes in general 275
fionh fo fiercely argue againft the falvahility of
each other, as if i% were "not only our Opinion,
butourlntqreft and our Willi, that all jhould he
damnd, hut thofe cf our particular ScB ; when God
knows not only every fociety, but every fingle
pcrfon has enough to do, to nork out bis ownfal-
nation, which if we will take the J/^o/f/^x word, is
to be done with fear and trembling, Phil. 2. 12. A
temper very widely diftant from that of cenfuring
and judging. And fure we fliould not think that
mahfaHcr more meriting,- or more likely to be
acquitted, who fliould leap from, the Bartot\\^
Benchy and there condemn the whole Goal but
himfelE 'Twas a fobcr and Chriftian reply of a
late learned Gentleman, who being askt by one
whether a Papifi might be faved,anfwered, you may
he faved without knowing that. And would we con-
fine our cares and enquiries, to thofe things which
concern that one great Interelt, we might take
lefs pains y and yet do more work, belefs bufie-ho-
diesy but more fruitful Chrifiians, and then fure
'tis time we ask our felves the Wife mans queftion,
'Ecclef. §.16. What profit hath he that lahcurethfor
the wind ; and at laft give over this unthriving di-
ligence, and not fo emulate the moft flupid of
Beafts, as to make our felves burthens, only that
we may couch under them.
AND were this only Ijfachars lot, 'twere the
lefs to be regretted, but alfo Zahulon herein in-
vades his portion ; 'tis they that handle the pen
of the Writer, that have engroft this error, and
will not fufFvi it to be a Plebeian one. None do
i9
274 Mtf chiefs arifi^g Cl^ap^p.
fo much this way mif-employ the two vulgar ta-
lents oF Time and Induftryj, as thofe who have a
third fuperadded to them, that of Extraordinary
Faculties and endowments which they do as pro-
digally lavifh as either of the former. The Be-
ginners or Abettors of contentions have generally
been Perfons of the moft acute refind nits and ex-
cellent learningy which has enabled them for thofe
quirks and fubtiities, of which grofler under-
{landings would have remained more happily ig-
norant : A ftrange produdlion that the grcatefl
beauties of Nature and Art, fhould ingender the
foulefi deformity in Religion. Thus alas have 5"^-
tans altars tlie pre-emption of Gods, the fatteft
Oblation brought to feed the fire of contention,
whileft that of ^e^'o^/c^/; expires for want ofNou-
rifnment. It v/as indeed no wonder, that the
blind zeal of P/g^^^; J had made him fo wantonly
nice, that none but the choiceft vidlimes would
ferve his turn ; none but an Andromeda and an
Iphigenidy Royal and Virgin facrifices propitiate
his infernal Deities : but that among Chrifiians
he fhould ftill have the fame EkBiony have the
richeft treafures of thofe, who fay they war
againft him, laid at his feet, have his choiceft
weapons out of his Enemies magazeen, is a riddle
that can fcarce be folved, but by concluding Ido-
latry has only chang'd its form, and that he fits as
fecurely enfhrin'd in 7nens pajjions and animofitiqs,
as ever he did in an Idol Temple ; fo that he feems
rather to have loft the po7npy than the porrer of
Regiment. But admit, that he were not herein
fo
Ctep 9' /y^wx DiJ^utes in general, zyjT
fo immediately Gods rival, tkat thefe (fecuhtiva
debates had none of thole adherencies, which do
fo direcftly gratifie him, yet (till he is fecur'dof
gaining fomewhat at rebound ; for alas, when
mens faculties are thus employed, what Wea-
pons are there left for the defence of true pra^iick
^ertuey and God knows, file needs them but too
much : Mens lufls are grown fiibtile Difputants,
fo that themoft improved reafon may find work
enough to manage the Conteft ; And furely would
men of parts timely have bent their endeavours
this way, vice could not have got fo ftrong a par-
tv. Men are afliamed to be jPro/^/)'^^! to a weak
Arguer, as thinking they muft- part with their r^-
futatiouy as well as their///: and certainly no-
thing is a m.ore general dtfcouragement from Pie-
ty, t\\2^ the opinion of its "vot dries net being Per-
fon? of Parts, and exalted Llnderftandings ; a
Trejudice as old as the time of our Saviour y as
may appear from Jo. 7. Would God our greateft
Kdhlies would fadly confider how much they have
contributed to this fcandal, while by laying out
their parts on Polemick niceties, they have nei^-
lecfled the more weighty part of their bufinefs,
& given too much Atteftation to that fcandalous
Maxim, thtLt Ignorance is the mother of Devotion:
Certainly this is quite to miftake their Commijji-
on, which is not that of a Herauld, to proclaim
War amongfl: men, but that of an Embajfadory
to reconcile them firft to holinefs, and by it to
God : And doubtlefs one foul gain'd to Piety,
would more promote their account, than many
thoufands
Z'-j6 Mif chiefs arifing €{;ap»9.
thoufands fecur'd to a SeCl or Party. We find
how fad the doom was of that Servant who wrapt
up his Talent J, but we have no caufe to think
it would have been at all eaiier^ if he had melted
the Talent into bullets^ to maintain the skirmilh
with his fellows : Whether that be not the cafe
offome who have received not the one Talent but
th^fiveyl leave it to be difcufled between God and
their ovvn Confciences ; but in the interim, 'tis
fad to fee how unhappily m.en engage their en-
deavours^ which feems to reprefent the reverfe
of Efays Prophcficy we having beat our plouglv-
ftiares into fvvords, and our pruning hooks into
fpearS:, all the Inftruments of fertility and
growth in Gracey into Engins of War and dif*
cord; and then itmufi: needs be a moft deplora-
ble condition to which Chrifliianity is reduced ;
which feem-s in this to be under the fame cala-
mity, which her diftreft profeflbrs fuflfer from
the Turkifi tyxannyy whilefther hopefuUeft and
moft pregnant Children, are like Janizaries and
Timariots trained up to fight againft her. And
let none w^onder that I call it fighting againfl:
her, when yet perhaps none of them do formally
renounce her ; for that Circumftance only de-
term^ines the War to be intefiine, not foreign ;
and if our own fad Experiences had not too
much qualified us to judge, I might appeal to
the univerfal vote of mankind, which of thofe
were the moft deftru(£live. Indeed were there
no other Adl of hoftility difcernable, but that
which we have hitherto infifted on, the inter-
cepting
^^^P^IO. from Dij^utes in general, 277
ceptijagher fupplies, the cutting oft' from her
that time, indultry and gifts, whereby fhe
Would be nouriflit and fupported, that were ir-
reparably injurious to her, and confequently
moft grateful to that grand Enemy who as hath
been fhew'd, makes advantage of our Wranglings
of Diflentions with one anot her y toreakhis n>ore
inveterate Malice on u$ all.
CHAP. X.
J Survey of the ^Mifchiefs arifing from difputes,
as they fupplant Charity.
BU T alas, the mifchief of thefe debates,
can never be defcrib'd by bare negatives,
there are multitudes of pofitive ills, that
infeparably adhere to tli^m, and thofe of fo de-
ftrudlive a force, that if Chriftianity were he-
leagred and famijht by the former, fhe is florm'd
and hatter d by thefe, and fo is afcertain'd to
fink under all the methods of ruine. In the
front of thefe we may well rank thofe difplacen-
cies and animofities which are the produ(ft of our
fpeculative differences, and which do indeed fo
naturally refult from them, that 'tis not to be
hoped fo long as the one continues that the other
will ever ceafe. For though in practice we often
fee a bewitching Sin dethrone the Reafon, and
make men a^ as if they had no fuch fuperior
T principle
278 Mifchiefs dYtfingfromDifputeSy Ctiap^lO.
principle to guide them, yet in matters of Specu-.
lation their ajfeBions are generally ftrongly in-
fluenced by their underjiandings. Wc do not
only approve, but love thofe notions wherewith
we are prepofleft, which kindnefs as it propa-
gates its felf to the abettors oi tho fame Tenets,
10 alfo it infinuates diHikes to the oppofers. And
as that oppofition advances, fo the difguft does
too, till at laft the Scene fhifts, and the Ferfons
are at a greater war than the Opinions, But we
need not thus derive a proof from the caufesy when
the thing does too demonftrably atteft its felf by
the effeBs; for what iflues are there of themor-
talleft hatred, which do not plentifully flow from
this fountain. Humane nature we know has but
three waies of adluating its Paffions ; by thought y
by wordy and by deeds ; and we may furely con-
clude the feud very bitter that employes all
thefe Engins, as 'tis too vifible this does ; for
though t\iQ former of thefe be in their own na-
ture infcrutable, to all but omnifcience, yet the
two later are, according to Chrifls own Rule o£
the *Iree by the fruitSy infallible Criterions of
them; and thofe make fuch liberal difcoveries,
that I think I may appeal to any who have-
efpous'da/7^r/>', whether they have not with the
firft difcriminating rudiments of their own Sedt,
imbib'd a fecret confus'd prejudice to all others.
Nay, I fear there are but few of fo mortified paf-.
fions, as to have ftopt there, and not advanced to
a diredl averfion, and alienation qf mind. In-
deed were it not for this, 'twere fcarce pofHblc
for
Ct>ap*io. astheyftippldtit Chanty, 279
for fo many of the vulgar, to be fuch Bigots in
their feveral fa<ftions ; for alas, their Intelledls
are generally too gro^, to have any deer appre-
hcnfion of the Points they contend for ; their
Leaders only give them fome general confus'd no-
tionsy juft enough to excite their difpleafure
againft all Diflenters, and then their anger mulTr
prefently be call'd zeal, and inftead of the more
uneafie task of fupprefling their pafllon, this ex-
pedient ferves at once to hallow and gratifie it :
Nay, fo ridiculous have fome mens prepoflefltons
of this kind been, that they v^ould fcarce allow
thofe to be entire men whom they thought not
found believers, but have phancied I know not
what bodily as well as mental Monftrofities in
thofe they were pleas'd to call Hereticks ; a piece
of childifli credulity which the emifiaries
of fome factions have not difdain'd to make
their advantage of But thefe mward difgufts
and rancours are but the firft bound of this ball
of contention, when this leven is once in the
heart, it will quickly dijffufe its felf, and both
tongue and hands will be tainted with it. Hence
comes it, that difputes in religion are m.anaged
with fuch virulency and bitternefs, that one
would think the Difputants had put off much of
Humanity, before they come thus to treat of Di-
vinity, The government of the Tongue is a piece
of morality which fober nature didlates, which
yet in this inftance many even of our greateft
iScholars fecm totally to have unlearnt ; For whe-
ther we confider the unfeemly reproaches, or ri-
. T2 gid
%60 Mifchiefs arifwgfrom Dij^utes, Cliap* 1 0«
gid cenfures, wherewith almoft all parties purfue
their Antagonifts, we have reafon to fay with
S. James, 'ihe tongue U an unruly evil, full ofdead-
ly Foyfcn: w^ould God their ^«/7^ oFthis kind,
did not fo loudly proclaim its felf, as to fuper-
f-de the need oi proof, 'Tis too obvious that the
Satyr has ufurpt the chair, and polemick Dif-
cc^/r/ei- are degenerated into liheh and inveBiveSy
our Controvertifts fall from arguments to r^-
proaches, 2iS if their Zeal lay more to blafl: their
adverfaries fajne, than confute his error; and
were this only in perfonal extemporary debates,
it might have the excufe of an indeliberate paffi-
on. Indeed it were to be wiflit that all words
of this fort, might vanifli in that breath that
utters them ; that as they refemble the Wind
in fury and impetuoufnefs, fo they might do alfo
in tranJJentnefs, and fuddett expiration : But alas,
a courfe is taken to immortalize them, they
become records, and our moft elaborate contro-
vevtial writings, like the Earth after the curfe,
over-run with thefe briers and thorns, Sarcafms,
contumelies and invecftives filling fo many Pages,
that were thofe weeded out, many volumes would
be reduced to a more moderate hulk as well as
temper. Nor are our cenfures any thing more
modeft than our reproaches, every petty diffe-
rence is ri:iutually upbraided, to each party as a
defed .en from the faith, fo that we fcarce know
a milder name than Herefie, nor doom than
Dairmation. And as if the vifible obliquities of
errors would not afford us inditements enough
againft
ClBCflO. as they fupplant Charity. 281
againft one another, there is a ciofer infpeaion
made, every poption is ript up, and curioufly dif-
fedled, to fee what £w^r;/o is in its womb, what
feeds there are of monftrous produdlions, which
though perhaps the native ftrength of the Prin-
ciple would never have animated^ yet the preter-
natural heat of an Antagonift can quickly hatch
them (like the Chickens at r^and-Cairo) into life,
and vigorous being: and if bv a long chain of
(perhaps fallacious) Inference-, iome fuch Im-
putation is faftned upon a 7hefisy then all who
embrace that, arechargd r^Iib with all this ^«-
notis broody though they never fo folemnly re-
nounce and difclaim them. A pradlice fure very
uncharitable, for fuppofe fuch confequencies ne-
ver fo regularly deduced from my opmotty yet fo
long as I feriouCy difavow and deteft them, I
may indeed be thought umvife in not difcerning
the connexion, butVure noi: impicus. So that
unlefs want of Logick be a damning fin , no man
can hence be authorijz'd to pronounce me repro-
hate : and I cannot think that God, whofe rigor
bends againft the faults of opr wHisy rather than
our underftandingsy and who at the laft great af-
fize will aflumeour own confciences into the ju-
dicature upon us, will ever fentence meforthofe
deduBions how horrid foever which I never made
mine, or that I fliall ever find my felf in Hell
for a mifperfwafion which I never entertain'd.
But there are fome whofe Cenfures are not fo ar-
tificialy yet no lefs fe'verey who beg their Poftu-
latay and taking it for granted that fuch and
T 3 fugh
2 82 Mi/chiefs arifingfrom Diffutesy Cljap^lO.
fuch are the only fandlified opinions, make them
the Shiboleth by which to difcriminate not only
their own Friends;, but Gods too, lock up heaven
gates againil any who bring not that Ticket for
iadmittance ; and though they make the way wide
enough to receive the moft overgrovpn Sinner of
their own Opinion, yet they pronounce it impof-
fible to the firiEieji ptety of a Diflenter. And up-
on fuch grounds as thefe do we mutually doom
one another to perdition, never confidering that
whileft we fo briskly prefage others Damnation,
we really prepare for our own. Alas, our eager-
nefs to heat the Furnace [even times hotter for all
that bow not to our diciatesy does but expofe us to
the fate of Nebuchadnezzar s officers y Dan. 3.
to be our felves confum'd in that flame, wherein
we caft them. 'Tis indeed to be wiflit we w^ould
ceafeto invade Gods peculiar, by judging thofe
that muft ftand or fall to him : but if we will
needs take his officcy 'tis but equitable, we take
his rules too -^ and in our ^^a^^^ remember Mi^rc^:
But God be blefled 'tis the Judgment of our up-
right y yet gracious Mafter that fhall finally deter-
mine us ; and not that of our paflionate fellow-
fervants : If thefe were irreverfible, and the Key
of the bottomlefs pit were in our cuftody, we
might give Satan a writ of Eafey difcharge him
from his perambulations, he would need no
more to walk about as a Liony but might ftill
lie in his Deny and we fliould bring in jfjr^* enough
to glut the Devourer: For could we execute all
we condemn, we might ask the Difciples queftion.
Mat
Ctl^P^iO- ' astheyfupplant Charity, 283
Mm. 1(),z^. Who then can be fai;ed ? But as thefe
fcvere cenfuresy are a prefent violdtion of Chanty,
fo they tend to the perpetuating it by obftrucfling
a return to that unity of Judgment y which might
make up the very original breach : for while men
reciprocally load each others opinions and per-
fons witli deteftable imputations;, if they really
fpeak what they think;, they do ftill more deeply
imprcfs upon themfelves the prejudice to that
which they accufe : ( hatred as well as love ga-
thering ftrength by being a(5luated) : but if they
do indeed not believe their own charge ^yct having
once made itj, either upon Intereft or Paflion^
'tis not probable they will want pride to main-
tain it; and w^hen we confider how ruling a
pie^ of carnality thatisj, we can not wonder if it
indifpofe men to retraBations. I wifli we had
not too many, and too late inftances of fome
whofe weiglitieft ohje^lim againft a caufe^, has
been their own former violence againft it. When
men have once faftned the brand of Herefie, Pro-
phanenefs or Blafphemy upon an opinion^ they
think they cannot afterwards become its Profe-
lytes, without either feeming to affume thofe
GuiltSj, or at leaft that of having faljly charged
them upon others : and the Horns of fuch a
Dilemma do fo gore their reputation, that it often
tempts to falve that with the wounding of confci-
ence, and per f wades them rather to rejedl their
convtdlions, than expofe their credits And cer-
tainly were this the only ill confequent of our
rigorous accufations, it would be enough to pre-
T 4 judico
284 Mtfchiefs anfmgfYoxnDijputeSy Cftap*lO.
judice them as unfit Inftruments in a Gofpel de-
fign ; but though they fuit not with that work to
which they folemnly pretendy they are moft ac-
commodate to that they really produce : For if we
examine in the third place, what influence thefe
our eager contefts have upon our actions, we fhall
find them fully proportionable to our vrords. And
firft negatively;, 'tis apparent in too many, that
they are apt to confine even the common offices
of humanity to their ovv^n Sedl : and others who
do not fo, yet fhew fo great partiality in difpen-
fing them, as difcovers the Name of Chriftian is
not half fo charming, as that of their own parti-
cular FaSlion. Were Inftances of this kind as
needful as they are numerousy 'twere eafie to give
multitudes : but I think none that has liv'd in
pur late ponfafions can have wanted occafions of
obferving it in others^ at leafl:^ if not in himfelf.
But [alas, omiffions are fcarce worth our notice,
when there are fo many pofitive IBs of unkind-
nefs fo vifible among us : They know little of
ancient and lefs of modern Times, that are unac-
quainted with the mutual perfecut ions y which al-
moft all parties have alternately rais'd, one
agq.infl: another among Chriftians : Confifcations
and banijhmentSy Gibbets and flames ; Weapons
God knows much too carnal for a fpiritual war-
fare, yet much more in ufe than thofe S. Paul
recommends to Timothy y gsntlenefsy and meek in-
firuBing of Oppofers, 2 Tim. 25', 26". And when
'tis confider'd that thofe Oppofers too were Hea-
thens, 'twill be more than 'va little jftrange, that
Severity
C^ap. 10. as theyfupplant Charity. 28^
Severity fliouldbc allowable to Brethren^ which
was interdicfted againft ^liem. Is it an eafier
crime to rejecft the entire body of that Faith which
was once delivered to the Saints^ than to differ
in the explication of feme one branch of it ? nay,
perhaps only of fomc corollary ^nd deduBion fronr
it, w^hich as far as it is humane may be fallible,
and therefore can no more command my affent
than it fatisfies my judgment ; yet this is general-
ly the moft that can be affirmed of our diffe-
rences ; For almoft what Party is there which
do not avowedly own all that Faith which con-
ftituted the firft Chriftians ; would God we did as
uniformly embrace the Charity too; and then
moft of our difputes would be fuperfeded, at
leaft fo calm/d, that there fhould be none of
thofe deftrucflive effedls which they now pro-r
duce : For alas, how many funeral piles has this
prepofterous zeal kindled i So that what fome
faid of Draco's Laws may too juftly be applied
to our arguments, that they have been writ ra-
ther in bfoud than Ink. But as Chrift when he
forewarned his difciples of the enfuing perfecu-
tion, tels them not only they fhall be kilFd, but
theylhallbeput out of the Synagogue: So now
as if Chriftians were aemulous of every branch
of Jewijh cruelty, we tranfcribe that part of the
copy too, and either by cauflefs excommunica-
ting others y or f^paratipg omfehesy we deny the
benefit ofpublick communion to each other : And
this is a greater feverity than the former, by how
much more implacable our hate i^ againft what
we
286" Mifchiefs aripngfrom DiJ^^utesy C^ap* 10.
we count error y than what we know to be vice ;
and by how much the concerns of the Soul are
more eftimable than thofeof the Bot^y. Thein-
veteratenefs of thofe Feuds which rife frorti
Opinion, may clearly be difcovered in this
inftance; let a man have committed all the
outrages which may render him unworthy
to livc^ yet when we profecute him to deathy we
willingly alTbrd him all helps towards his future
fiatey and no man is fo inhumane as to refufe to
pray, either/br or nith a Malefa<5lor ; yet fome
(c\\ fpecuUtive differences are fuch a gulph betwixt
usj, thatwe cannot meet even in that we all ac-
knowledge our common Duty> the vrorjhip of our
God. Certainly among all the accurfed iffues of
OMTcontentiony there is none more malignant and
criminal^ than this o£Schifm and Sepdrationy and
would men judge difpaffionately, more irrational
neither : For doubtlefs were our cafe Hated to
any fober Heathen, he would never be able to
guefs:, why they who equally acknowledge the
advantage and neceffity of prayer y confefs the
fame God, have the fame common wants in this
world, and hopes in the next, may not ask in the
fame formy and in the fame place, Alas, is it
not enough to be at diftance where we differ, but
muft we be fo alfo where we agree ? Is unity fo
dreadful to us, that we liiuft adt contradidtion'^
to efcape it. Surely this is a fir anger fafcination
of the fpirit of Divifion" than that in the Gofpel
Demoniacky which enabled him to break all bonds
in funder, and like it, abhors the approaches of
€!tiap*lO- ^ theyfupplant Chanty, 287
^Saviour, crying out> What have we to do with
theey thou Jefus the Son ofGody art thou come to tor-
ment us ? Who knows what a powerful Exor-
cifm the united interceflions of the Chriftian
world might have been ; hadwe joyntly depreca-
ted our quarrels, God might have found a way to
have compos'd them;, though we could not; and
our tears might have cemented thofe breaches
which our diffents made, but our feparation wi-
dens. I know the venerable names of the Sancftions
o£Holy Churchy the hundred thirty feventh Ca-
non of the Code of the univerfal Church, which
fays in exprefs terms, "On ^j^e^cupiTiaoh » crx/^uetjiKoU
ffiwd>'x^.<ta./, that we ought not to pray with Heretickf
or Schifmaticksy and very many warm expreffions
of the Fathers y are producible in this cafe : But
till w^e Excommunicate with the Tears and Sor-
rows, and publick concernment of the Primitive
Chriftians, who refused allacfts of kindnefs only
out of love, and the moft ardent Charity , we
may by no means lay claim to their pattern, whofe
eftrangements only flow from malice and invete-
rate hate. Would we indeed comport with the
Example of thofe happy Jimes, we ftiould have
fear'd tht guilt of Schifm in our felves fo much,
as not to have lightly charged it upon others ; we
ftiouldhave prayed for the converfion of Diflen-
tcrs, not laid Anathemas upon them, and prayed
for their cojifufion. St. Paul we fee, Beb. 10. 25*.
reckons the forfaking of Jffemhlie'S',' as a de-
gree, at leaft preparative of J/7(?y?^y/^; and from
bis time throughout all the purer ages of the
Church
fc I ■ ■ " ' — ■ ' ■
288 Mifchiefs arifingfromDifputes, ^j^apao.
Church the holy Fathers have generally branded
it, as the higheft impiety ; and no marvel, for
it is one of thofe Gyant-like fins, which not only
oppreffes meriy but invades even God himfelf,
'Tis the mangling and aflaflinating that body to
which Chrift owns an infeparable connexion; the
putting him to head fcatter'd limbs, inftead of
an entire compadl body, as if we meant to refute
St. Fatil^ fliew him tis poffible that Chrijl may bs
divided. Good God, what fliall we fay when we
fee Heathen Souldiers eftimate Chrifts coat high-
er than Chriftians do his body ! they thought the
one too good to be parted, but we ceafe not to
tear and mangle the e?^^rr, and which is yet more
monftrous, make it apart of our Religion to do fo.
We name our 0/7/V^/W our Faith, and when un*
der that Title we have enlhrin'd them, we make
more barbarous Immolations than ever the moft
favage Heathens did. They facrificed fome few
pbjedls of their Love, their Children^ but we fa-
crifice the very affeSiion, and think our Zeal luke-
warm till it have reduced our Charity to ajhes.
And now if we compare thefe our Divifions, Wrath
and BitternefSy with thofe fundamental, Gofpel
precepts of Unity y Love and MeekneJ?y we muft
lurely fay we have not there fo learn d Chrift.
And then how ridiculous is it, to pretend ^lTjCsJl
to that Gofpel, whofe very foundations we un-
dermine. Peace is at once the blefjing and duty of
Chriftians, and thofe heats o£ j^eculative Con-
tefts which violate it, will certainly never ferve
to make us cither good or happy, And thejgefore
till
♦II. a^ they fupplant Charity. 1 89
till Charity ceafe to be an Eflential partofChri-
ftianity (which certainly we muft burn our Bibles
ere we can fuppofe ) we muft conclude, that our
DifputeSj, and the ways whereby we manage
them, how much foever they pretend to Preferve,
do indeed evacuate and deftroy true, that is,\Pr<i-
Bick Chriftianity.
CHAP. XI.
Afurvey of the Mi/chiefs ariftng from Difputesy as
they engage upon ill Arts and Scandalous FraSli- \
cesy tojufiain the efpoufcd Caufe and Party,
AND yetfo unhappily are many men mi-
ftaken, that thefe irregular heats which
thus wafte the vital fpirits of Religion,
are thought the moft Soveraign Cordials to fup-
port them. The hi^heft Paroxifm of this Feaver
are deem'd the perfedleft Health, Men efteem
the overflowing of their Gaily the exuberance of
their Zeal, and then all the Promifes to the faith-
ful combatant in Chrifts camp, they confidently
appropriate to that their fo eminent Grace;
though indeed it can with no more propriety be
calFd fo, than Pharaohs lean Kine might be faid
to be faty becaufe they had devoured thofe that
were fo. In plain terms, men lay fo great weight
upon their being of right opinions, and their ea-
gernefs of abetting them, that they account that
the
2<>0 Mifchiefs arifingfromDiij^uteSy Cf)ap*II.
thtufiumnecejfdnum^ and think the propagating
oithokio important a ferbice to Godiy as willju-
ftifie the ufe of the moft interdiBed inftruments,
legitimate the moft enormous Commijjtons, that
they can phancy contributive to that pious End :
And fnoreovci commute for the negledl: oiPra-
Bick duties in the general tradl of their lives, I
fliall not here urge the hazard of mens erring in
the choice of opinion Sj, nay, the certainty that
of many oppofite^ one only can be the right; and
then to all fuch as mifs;, that their very ground-
work fails them. I fliall only confine myfelfto
the malignant influence this Perfwafion has on pra-
Bicdy and in that refpedl I cannot but affirm it a
moft pernicious delufion, which as it tends ex-
tremely to the enhanfing the bitternefs of our
contefts, foitmayjuftlybe reckoned among the
worft cflfecfts of them, and is a moft irrefragable
proofhow much they obf^xudl the vital efficacy of
Religion in our hearts. Nor is it any new thing
for men thus to deceive themfelves, for we find
fuch Confidences as thefe frequently upbraided
to the Jewsy both by the Prophets and Chrifi him-
felf, they thought their Zeal to the Temple and
ritual obfervances, fo invincibly meritorious, as
no Crime could defeat, and that their legal purifi-
cations would render them acceptable in Gods
Eyes, in fpight of all their <iMoral pollutions :
But how fallacious a hope this was, the many fe-
vere increpations of God do fuflficiently atteft.
Yet certainly their guilt was far below ours, the
things they fo depended on were parts, though
not
not the whole of their Duty ; thofe Ordinances,
though perhaps fomewhat adulterate^ by Rabhi-
;^/V^/ mixtures, yet for the main were infiituted
by God himfelft and that with a defign of difcri-
minating, and feparating them from the reft of
the world ; and fuch peculiarities and priviledges
as thefe> might have an aptnefs to excite that
prefumption : But alas, the cafe is otherwife
withmoftofus; they are not the Revelations oi
Gods will> not the Tefiament of our dying Re-
deemer, but fome Codicils and Annexes of our own
we fo earneftly abet. 'Tis not the text (for
then 'twere impolfible for any that received the
fame Canon of Scripture to differ ) but our glojfes
to which we pay fuch Reverence ; and when on
that account we fever our felves from thofe to
whom the Commands of God, the Blood of our
Saviour have moft clofely united and cemented us :
We can yet make a fhift to think that there is fo
much of Sacred in this, as ftiall not only render it
highly rewardable, but alfo hallow all other pro-
fanations of our lives ; and in our Jehu march up-
on fuch an expedition, can turn all regrets of
confcience ( like Jorams meflengers ) behind us.
That this is fo, none can doubt who obferve with
what boldnefs men rufli upon the moft unchriftian
fmsy in purfuit of what they Phancy a Chriftian
caufe.Wcrc it not for this amulet, how were it pof-
fible for any to think they may venture upon Per-
jury, Sacriledge, Murder, Regicide, any thing
without impeachment to their 5'^/A7f/Z?//? ; nay, to
think that the only danger lies on the other fide,
in
292 Mifchiefs arifingfrom DiJ^utes, ^j^ap*
II'
in being remifly wicked, that to flack any thing of
the utmoft f j>eed, is to do the work of the Lord neg-
ligently. Yet that this has been a prevailing
Perfwafion, we have had too many, and too fad
inftances ; and God grant we may not find them
fo repeated, that out fenfe may fuperfede the ^/^
of our memories concernrng them ; nor has this
been peculiar to one only Secft, but thofe who are
otherwife at the widcft diftance unite in this
Principle. They arc not only Phanaticks that
can {ay grace over the fouleft crimes y and confe-
crate them to the ufe o£ agood caufe\ if we exa-
mine the Dypticks either of Conclave or Confifto-
ry, we fliall find fome Saints upon that account,
who could never have been fo upon any other.
And when we eonfider how often Heaven has been
mortgaged to gain Auxiliaries from Helly how
men have been encouraged to the moft damning
fins, by promifes of being certainly faved ; we muft
either think that a Holy caufe is omnipotent
enough to reverfe Gods decrees, to fave whom he
woulcl damn, or elfe that this pretence is one of
the moft ruinous deceits, the moft fatal Trea-
chery to fouls that ever Satan contriv'd, who
though he do in all inftances play the ^JVtounte-
hank, yet fure never more than when on confi-
dence of this Antidote he perfwades us thus to
fwallow down his deadliefi Poyfon,
I MUST not here attempt to enumerate all
the unchriftian praBices, that have on this fcore
been made, not only lawful h\xt ineritorioivs) yet
there is one of fo frequent ufe, that I muft needs
advert
Cltiap^l I. ^ ^^^y engage upon III Arts, Sec. 2p >
advert unto it^ and that is, thofe calumnies and
faljhoods, which are now become a piece o^Eccle-
fiafiick as well as fiate policy ^ and a great part of
that oflfcnfive armour wherewith our controver-
tifts affault one another. Indeed if we confider
how manyp^;^^^" are daily going for thefe Engines,
WT fhall have reafon to think:, all Parties have an
high efteem of their ufefutnef?. Of thefe Calum-
nies there are too many forts and degrees to be
here particularized : And indeed thofe, who per-
mit themfelves to ufe any;, can be fuppos'd to have
no other boundaries than the advantage of their
caufe: And accordingly as that feems toexacft,
they lay their Scene ; fometimes they traduce the
perfons of their oppofers, and by raifing prejudi-
ces againft them^, hope fome of it will reflecit up-
on their docftrine : did men generally know how
to diftingui/h. between reports and certainties, this
firatagem would be as unskilful as it is uningenuous :
But confidering the vulgar temper, ics not unapt-
ly fuited to it. This it feems was anciently un-
derftood, it being the old Greek advice,
ctsuVm to 'ih}tot; 0 J^ihiyfA'^of^ H dvKv /xV« t5i? J^iaCox'^^. ±0 ca-
lumniate jloutl), for that how perfeBly foever the
wound of reproach he heal'd, there will remain a
fear ; and though we wipe away with never fo much
care the dirt thrown at us, there will he left fom^
fuUiage behind: And accordingly this was the;
Expedient the Pagans us'd againft the Primitive
Chrifiians, to put them thiis in the skins of beafts,
andfhapesofmonfters, and then worry them fa
294 Mi f chiefs arifing from Difputes, Cftap* 1 1 •
death. And this is the method ftill, though
heightncd and improved:, and our Religion has
fuftered infinitely more fince we us'd it againft
each other y than when they manag'd it againft the
whole community. But befides this defamation of
PerfonS;, another branch of this black Art is the
depraving of Writings, both in the fenfe and very
letter, and diredl words ; for the former of thefe,
whofoever obferves the ftrange perverfions^and af-
fecfled miftakes of mens meanings vifible in many
ofour J?o/^m/c^dJfcourfeSj, will fure refolvethat
a mans intentions y as well as his vpords and aBions
may be* calumniated : Nor does the letter fcape
better, every period which threatens danger to
the caufe muft be mutilated and difmembred>
and as Samp f on was by the Fhiliftines, lofe its Hair
and Eyes, and then be made fport for the whole
party. And I fear there are too few, who do not
in this cafe take the J^^//^ reparation, an Eye for
anEyey &c. retaliate to the adverfary the foul
play they receive. But fome advance yet higher^
and think it not enough to make an Argument or
Teftimony ufelefs to the 'Enemy y unlefs they
draw it over to themfehesy make it hetray the fide
it was to maintainy and as a Conqueror ufes to re-
ftore Arms to fuch of the adverfe party, as will
turn to his, fo after they have by fatisfacftions fe-
cured themfelves of its aid, it fliall then be made
as potent as is poflible, and with fuch kind of if e-
negado troops as thefe, fome caufes have been much
fupported. Yet were this ^violation offer 'd only
to the writings of living men, who might vindi-
cate
♦II.
as they engage upon III i4rts, 8cc, igj!
cateitj, 'twere not fo tranfccncjently ignoble^ but
it moft frequently falls upon thofe> who have
made their beds in the duft ; who have chang'd
their own Fcrmy and cannot fecure their Writings
from the fame//^/^e : Nay, 'tis yet more frequent-
ly thofe, w^hom w^e have all reafon to fuppofe, and
moft of us profefs to believe, glorified Saints ;
and this fuperadds a daring prefumption to all
other circumftances of the guilt, and heightens
an injuftice into Sacriledge. It has always been
held the moft deteftable fort o? forgery to counter-
feit f^//^»7^/;f.r, though the !ri?/?^^(?r were of never
fo low a quality, or his bequefls of never fo mean a
value: And lliall it now pafsfora piece of cow-
mendahle dexterity y an art of manage to faLfifie
thofe writings by w^hich the Fathers of the Church
defign'dto entail truth and piety y not fir if e and
fdBion upon her. We know Necromancy has
juftly been reputed one of the moft horrid forms
o? Sorcery y becaufe it enforced dead men to fpeak
what the living were inquifitive to hear. I leave
it to be confider'd w^hat this wants of that, be-
fides the dreadful ceremonies of the Incantation ;
certainly 'tts a guilt which nothing but our too
familiar acquaintance with it could make unfor^
midable. And indeed this whole method of fer-
ving a caufe by fuch Jinifer means is fo utterly re-
pugnant to the Principles even of ingenuous na-
ture, that we can fcarce caft a greater fcandal up-
on an Opinion, than to (hew it needs fuch Aids.
. 'Tis by Hifiorians branded as an execrable fadl in
him; who to fecure himfelf from a neighl?our
U % Prittc^^
Zg6 Mif chiefs drifwgfrom Dijfutes, Cljap , 1 1*
Prince y call'd in the Hurk into Chriftendom : But
fure thofe who to fortifie their fide have brought
in this Artifice o? calumniating anifalfifying, have
done an Adl no lefs impious; the conftitution of
Chriflianity agreeing full as well with the Alcoran
as with thefe Fi^fraudes ; as fome of them who
perhaps mean the fraud more than the Piety are
pleas'd to call them. Nay indeed, they accord
not much better with Philofopby than Divinity y
every man knows the nature of contraries is to
combateand expel, not to cherifh and fupport
one another. How abfurd is it then for thofe,
who fay they defign to advance truthy to make
falfhood their Inflrument. I wifh they would ex-
periment to accommodate their fecular concerns
at the fame rate, let them cool them in the Fire,
warm them in the Froft, and feed themfelves by
perpetual Fafting, and when they find caufeto
commend the efficacy of that Method, they may
with fairer pretence in this higher inftance recon-
cile the feuds of Reafon and of Nature, and make
a lye the Evidence of Truth, In the interim, it
may well pafs for Sophifiry as well as fin ; and
doubtlefs whatever advantages are hop*d for to
private Sedls and Parties by this art, Chriflian
Religion in general is hugely prejudiced by it;
For when men fhnll compare the veracity of Hea-
thens with our falfhoods ; learn from Hiftoriansy
that among the Perpansy aixt^ovio -^.d^^i^At vivoy.t-cLi^
to lye was deem'd a fault of the greatefi turpitude,
and they therefore laid an ill Charadler upon per-
rons in debt, QTidvcL^Kmov Qp^hovTA)L^ to 4^Vo^At>eiy,
hecaufQ
C^Jdp* 1 1 • ^ ^f^^y ^^g^g^ ^^p^^ ^1^ ^^th &c. 297
hecaiife he that ufo mufl needs tell lyes : And when
they ftiall fee in the Laws of Cingu a barbarous
Tartar, Lying made a capital crime, and yet
among Chriftian Cafuifis made a holy artifice, they
will be tempted to think our end as fidlitious as
our way ; and that our Religion has little counte-
nance from tri^th, which is thus fain to make lyes
its Refuge. Thus unhappily do thefe Arrows
tevert;, not only on thofe who fhoot them, but in
the face oiChrifiianity its felf, which is defam'd,
and traduced by thotcjlanders, wx aim at our pri-
vate adverfaries,
BUT befides this direB, there are other more
oblique Wayes of making z'ice fubfervient to Reli-
gion, or to fpeak more properly ,» of making Reli*
^^/o;^ fubfervient to wc^ ; for fome Zealots offe-
veral parties, w^ho more regard the numeroufnej?
than purity of their Profeffors, difcerning how
much the fen fual part of mankind ftartle at the
ftricflnefs of Gofpel precepts, are induftrious to
take ofFthat difcouragement, not by convincing
them of the real divine fwcetnefs and pleafantneis
of them, but by debafing and accommodating
them more to the carnal appetite : Yet here men
proceed not all alike, fome ufeChrifts yoke, as
jH^//^w/^^didthat of J^r^wry, break it quite ofT;
others only eflay to flacken and alleviate it, that
it may not pinch the lufts o£ libertine Frofelytes:
Of the firft fort are fuch, as having made the ad-
herence to their Party, the infallible mark oiSan-
Bification, and that Sandlification o£EleBion, do
from thence proclaim to all who are fo qualified
•U 3 a
298 Mi/chiefs ^rifwg from Difputes, C|iap*l I •
a general Jubilc and manumiflion from the bond
even o£CkrijTz as well as Mofes's Law : or if fome
of them allow it to remain an impotent direcflor,
yet while they affinn that God fees no fin in hii
EleB, or if he do, beholds them as a Father does
the harmlefs falls of his Child, rather with fmiles
than ^nger, they make the ^violations of it fofafe,
that they are too fare to be many, and between
abrogating and thus enervating a laWj, the diffe-
rence is meerly verbal.
O F the fecond fort are fome, who by indul-
gent and partial glofles, feek to mollifie the feve-
rity of Chrifts commands. That contrive for
their Clients not the w^^/zj- of Obeying, but the
arts of Efcaping them. Like the unjiTjl Steward
teach their lords Debtors to write fifty infieadof
4 Hundred ; and decide Cafes of confcience more
according to the interefts and pa Jfions ol mcn^ than
the will of Chrift. There are a generation of
men of whofe Dexterity in this faculty the world
has taken fo much notice that I need not name
them, a fort of eafie Cafuifis who feem to have
crecfted a Court of Equity to relieve men againfl:
the ri^or of divine Law ; and there is little
doubt but they fliall find enough ready to make
fuch appeals : Men love to be Chriftians as Cheap
as they can^, and therefore will clofe with that par-
ty, which offers the eaiSefl: terms: And then
while thefe fpiritual Fioneers do thus enlarge the
narrow way, make it a road as well for the Beaft
as the Man, the hrutifh fenfual, as wxll as rational
divine Part of us, no wonder though Shoals of
Converts
Converts throng in to thero. But 'tis to be con-
fider'd that all this while this is winning Profe-
lytcs to themfelves not to God : the gaining them
to a Se5i not a religion ; at leaft not to that pure
religion, and undeiiled which the grand Author of
our Faith has both exemplified:, and proposed to
us ; for how much that faflFers by this way of pro-
pugning private opinions, is more than enough
apparent. Yet fo ambitious are our prime lea-
ders of fuch Trophies that in order to them fome
are faid to afcend yet a ftep higher, and befides
this general encouragement they give to mens
lujfts by taking ojf Reftraints, do in fome cafes
adlually promote and excite them. For when
they fee a licentious perfon whofe acquefi they
judge beneficial to their caufey they have artifices
of fomenting his riots, do not only take off the
bridle y but ufe the fptir alfo, hoping that at the
rebound it may conduce to their End. If any
think it impoflible it fliould do fo, let them
confider that among our various Opinions fome
there are which fell heaven much cheaper than
others darej, that fallow fuch eajie attonements as
the moft habituated finner need not defpair of :
and then the moft infallible means to afcertain
fuch to that fide, is to make them too bad .for any
other. For when a man is refolute to keep his
Jim while he lively and yet unwillmg to relin-
quifli all hopes when he diesy 'tis more than pro-
bable he will embrace that profeffion which bids
faireftto the reconciling thofe fo diftant int^-
refts; and therefore the greater malefaSior he is,
U 4 thq
3 OO Mi [chiefs drifMgfrom Dij^utes, Cftap* 1 1.
the more fure he will be to fly to the horns of this
Altar ; the nearer finking, the apter to catch at
thefe reeds ; fo that the Project is not impolitickj
though God knows fo impiom that 'tis much fit-
ter for the School of ^Mdchiavil than of Chrifl ;
and feems to verifie that imputation as to a part
of Ghriftians, which Julian once as falily as ma-
licioufly afnxt upon the whole: that their
Church was an Afylum and fancluary for the mojl
flagitious offenders, and proteBed thofe guilts to
rrhich no other religion allowed any Expiation. 'Tis
indeed fo horrid that I cannot think there are
many conferences fo cauteriz'd by this fiery zeal
as to admit it;, yet that fome have done it, there
is too much certainty, and therefore 'tis no im-
proper inltancein our prefent argument, for if
mens eagernefs to fupport their feveral fides, can
tranfport them to fuch attempts as thefe, 'tis
abundant Evidence how much Chriftianity lofes
by thefe contefts of under fadlions, which while
they pretend toguard^do indeed invade her under
her own Colours.
BUT befides the faults men commit with
this immediate avowed af^eB upon their religion,
there are others which llily fliroud themfelves
under the skirt of its mantle : I mean thofe Sins
of common life, which though they pretend not;
to advance the caufe, yet when a(51:ed by a Zealot
are thought to be overwhelm'd by his heroick
Fiety, Indeed men who make themfelves fo much
work about others ////V/?, arefeldom at leifure to
regulate their own praBke, and fo have no way
of
Cftap. 11.^ they engage upon 111 ArtSy^c. 301
of ftating their accounts with God, but by ba-
lancing the excefs of the one againft the defeats
of the other : How fuch reckonings will pafs
the grand Audit, 'tis I think not hard to divine,
but in the interim, it keeps them very cheerful
and fecure, teaches them a Receipt to retain all
their Sins, and yet lofe none of their confidence ; fo
that when they have immerit themfelves in all
filthincfs both of flefli and Spirit, they cantruft
their zeal to refine them from all that Drofs.
Nor does it only thus reconcile them to their own
vices, but to other mens alfo,whofemoft brutilh
fenfualities they can look on with perfe(51: pati-
ence, nay even Atheifm its felf can have fair
Quarter : They are not much difcompofed to fee
men have no Yeligion, *tis only the having one dif-
ferent from their own that awakes their indigna-
tion ; then like Saul when feiz d on by the evil
j^irity they cafl: about their Javelins, think no ri-
gor too great on fuch a provocation, yet even
here they have intervals, and the very fame per-
fons who are thus at odds upon a religious, can
unite upon a vicious account. Thofe who mutu-
ally denounce damnation to each other, can with
full accord combine in thofe praBices which will
afcertain it to them both,as if they fo much fear'd
to have their prediBions defeated, that they
would be each others convoy to the land of dark-
nefs, Thofe that will by no means meet at the
Churchy know not when to part at the taTern,
and though they will not joyntly partake of the
Cup of the Lord) are yet very fociable at the Cup
of
3 OZ Mifchiefs arifirjgfrom Dij^titeSy ^jjap* 1 1.
of Devils; I mean thofe exceflive debauches,
which are a moil acceptable drink-offering to
thofe infernal fpirits. Have we not feen many
whofe diftant opinions have faftned upon one
another the brand of ^Antichriftianifmy who have
yet like Gog and Magog joyn'd againfl: the holy
city: and thofe who could never agree on the
way of fetting up Chrifts throne^ have yet been
very unanimous in pulling down the Kif^gs. Thus
alasdowejuftle one another out of the narrow
path that leads to lifcj, but can hand in hand run
our Carier in the broad way of deftrudlion.
And doubtlefs this great unevennefs:, thefe fpiri-
tual feuds, and carnal endearments between the
fame perfons ; this impetuous zeal, and as impe-
tuous lufts in the fame breafts could never be, did
not men depend fo confidently on the oncy as to
think it will commute, and fatisfie for the other.
But alas, how groundlefs a Prefumption this is,
the whole tenor of the Gofpel does abundantly
witnefs. In all that grand Charter where is there
the leaft Claufe importing fuch an immunity. I
am fure there are multitudes that aflert the
contrary. Indeed the whole frame of the Evan-
gelical covenant is totally againfl: it : That requi-
ring an entire uniform Sandlity, and allowing no
other priviledge to the fins of the mofl: knowing
Profeflors, but a preheminence in punifhmenty the
being beaten with many /^W^^j. And when 'tis con-
fider d that the end of all religion is but the draw-
ing us to a conformity with God, the imprefling
on us fome Chara(5ler of his eternal goodnefs and
holinefs.
Cl&ap^i I- ^ ^^9' ^^&^g^ ^P^^ III Arts y&ic, 303
holinefs, 'twill be as abfurd as impious to be-
lieve that our zeal to any Religion can abfolve us
from that purity which is the end and defign of
all. And while this is the way men take to ap-
prove their piety, 'tis no marvail to find fo ma-
ny Chriftians, and fo litth Chriftianity in the
world : for that is not to be eftimated by the num-
her of its profeflbrs, but by their obedience to its
Rules, and he that gives up his name to it and
not his heart, will receive as little advantage by
it, as he brings honour to it, and how little that
is in rcfpedl of its internal Efficacy, is I prefume
competently evidenced.
BUT that we may more throughly difcern
how univerfally deftrucftive our wranglingy are
to it, in all its concernsy let us a little examine
whether they do not endammage it even in re-
fpecft of outward profeffion alfo. This may feem
a ftrange Quaere to thofe who think their dej^utes
about Religion are to denominate them the
great confejfors of the Age : yet certainly there
is but too much ground not only for the enquiry,
but to refolve it in the affirmative. And if it
prove fo, 'twill infer but fadly to thofe who ha-^
ving laid the whole ftrefs of their Hopes upon
their zeal to advance their Faith, will be found to
have puird down more than they have huilt up, ,
Now Chriftianity may in rcfpedl of profeflion
decay two waies, either in its hopes, or in its pof-
feffion, the one in relation to ^Aliens, the other to
Difciples, The firft by hindring the accefs of
new Converts, the fecond by ftaggering or aliena-
ting
304 Mif chiefs arifingfromDij^uteSy C{}ap*ll«
ting the oldy and both thefe waies fhe vifibly ap-
pears to fuffer by our divifions. And firft if we
confult but our experience:, if we truft but our
own obfervations, we cannot but confefs that the
Gofpel has long been at a great ftand. That
that Sun which at its firft arifing was like Da-
"vWsy Pf, 15). furrounded the world in a vigorous
efBcacious motion, is fince become like Jo(huasy
Jofh, 10. 12. arretted in its courfe : Nay like He-
zekiah's:, gone backward. If* 38.8. Mahumetifm
(i£ not Pagdmfm) having long taken up its feat in
divers of the moft flourilliing Apoftolick planta-
tions. A fad change,that from the daily and nu-
merous acceffion of the firft times, it fliould now
become a kind of Prodigy, a piece o^news, fcarce
heard in an Age, that one fingle Profelyte is gain'd
to the Churchy yet that thus it is, is too obvious
to be denied. And truly it is not much lefs ap-
parent that our diflentions have ih a great degree
contributed to it. For firft, as to the extirpation
of the Eaftern Churches, he that fliall examine
the records of thofe times, will have caufe to fay
their Janglings and Divifions were not only in a
moral 01 divine y but even in a proper natural fenfcy
the Inftruments of it. The furk only coming in
at thofe breaches which themfelves had made, nor
.had their Cl^f/^/^/zV^ probably been removed, had
they not firft abus'd its light y to the fetting them-
felves in Comhuftion, That the fame caufe has not
yet had the fame effeSl among us, is owing not
to its maptnefs to produce it, but to the admira-
ble patience and mercy of God, who yet withholds
that
that fatal Judgment, which we do our parts to
pull upon our felves ; our mutual violences a-
gainft one another herein unhappily combining
and making one united force againft us all. But
though the divine goodnefsh^LYC hitherto fo coun-
termined our treachery to our felves;, as not to
fuffer us to enjoy that ftate of darknefs we have fo
courted, yet certainly our contentions are ex-
tremely acceflary to the continuing it upon
others, our many //^rr and wandring lights^ howe-
ver they fail of having that Property of the Pillar
cffiye, Ex. 14. of illuminating and condudling
the Ifraelites^ yet too much anfwer its other, in
becoming cloud and darknefs to the ^^gyptians ;
there being fcarce any thing more apt to intercept
the beams of the Sun of righteoufnefs from the
Heathen world, every of thofe little enclofures our
Fa^flions have made in the Church, becoming a
great partition wall to keep others out of it. This
may be made evident in feveral refpecfts. As firft,
in relation to thofe many moral oUiquities in
which our eager difputes do (as hath already been
fhewed) betray us, which cannot but give fo
much fcandal to any confidering man, that we can
fcarce hope any can turn to us as to a better Re-
ligion^ but will rather think it the way to relin-
quifli all ; to obliterate thofe native impreffions of
Piety and Honefty they brought with them into
the world, fo that if we expedl any Frofelytesit
muft be only fuch as would live vrorfe than meer
nature allows them.
BUT
3 o6 Mi f chiefs arifingfrom DiJputeSy (E.f)B\^^ 1 1 .
BUT this though as important a confidera-
tion as can well be, 1 fliall not here infift on, ha-
ving in the fecond Section given fome inftances
how apt our ^lorality is to defame our Divinity^
and confirm men in Oppofition to it. But though-
this be a great) yet 'tis not the only means by
which our Diffentions hinder the progrefs of the
Gofpel, for they do not only make infidels lefs
inclinable to receive it, but as to propagate it.
Thofe do fo bufie and engrofs us, that there is
neither leifure nor heart left for this. Our
dBivefi fpirits are fo engaged at home in aflerting
their private quarrels^ that all {nch foreign de-
jigns are forgot. For as in CivUy fo in Ecclefia-
fiicat concerns, every one is more induftrious to
advance his peculiar interefl: than that of the com-
munity, accordingly we find innumerable pro-
mulgers of every new Opinion. No SeB wants
its Jpoftles to propagate and diffufe it ; but where
are there any that have the like care for the main
Root of Chriftian Religion, which they have for
thefe little Hwigs and Ojfefets which they have
planted in their own Gardens; how many ages
muft we look back to find a man that has made it
his bufinefs to convert Infidels to the Faith. 'Tis
true indeed there are fome- very magnificent re-
lations of modern attempts this tvay, of great in-
duftry fome have us'd to bring the moft favagc
nations to the obedience of Chrift : but if we exa-
mine 'twill be obvious, the main defign was to
fubjecftthem to themfelves. 'Twas not fo much
their JJeathenifm as their territories they invaded,
and
IT. as they engage upon III Jrts, &c. 3 07
and fuch Apofiles as thefe are ill qualified to make
S. Paul's profeflion, 2 Cor. iz. 16. Ifeek not yours
hut you. And the fuccefs of fuch Eflays have
been anfwerable to the motive ; they have won
riches but not Souls, The Gofpel in one hand and
tifivord mtho other has made mixny jlavesy but I
fear few Chrlftians. Indeed, what encourage-
ment had thofe poor creatures to receive a Re-
ligion from their Oppreflors f why ftiould they
think that thofe who tortured and kilf d their bo-
dies, were really concern d to fave their Souh ?
or that thofe who would not permit them to en-
joy what was their own, meant to help them to
any thing better ? And while the felicities of ano-
ther world were recommended to them only by
fuch, as had deprived them of all in this, we cannot
wonder at their little appetite to embrace them ;
or to find the oppreft ///^/^/^x proteft againft that
heaven where the Spaniards are to be their coha-
bitants. In fhort, this is fure fuch a method of
Evangelizing, as too widely differs from that
which firft planted the Church, to be likely to
advance its growth: fo that notwithftanding all
pretences of this kind, we may refume our af-
fertion, and conclude that our inteftine difcords
(perhaps not thofe alone) have diverted theZeaf
of this more Chriilian undertaking, and left a
great part of the world under that invincible Ig-
norance S. Paul mentions, Rom. 10. 14. Hotp
Jhall they call on him, in whom they have not believed,
and how Jhall they belteve in him, of whom they have
not heard 'j and how jhall they hear without a
preacher :
3o8 Mifchiefs arifingfrom Dijfutes, Cljap* I !•
preacher : and God knows whether we have not
herein provided better for their Excufe than our
own.
THERE is yet another way by which our
divifions impede their converjion, and that is by
giving them prejudice to that Dodlrine about
which our felves cannot agree. 'Tis an univerfal
Maxim that truth is alwaies confonant to its felf;
and therefore where they fee fo little unity they
have too much temptation to doubt of Truth.
He thatwandringfliould meet a Company that
offer to conducft him to his journeys end:, might
reafonably incline to deliver himfelf up to their
guidance ; but if he find them unagreed upon the
way^one Difputing for thisj, and another for that,
and every one protefting againft all but his own ;
he would fure retradt his confidence y2,ni think they
ofler'd him only more variety of miftakes, re-
folve it as fafe to truft himXelf to his own Errors
as" other mens. And this alas feems to be too
exacl a parallel of the prefent cafe; weChrifti-
ans do fo mutually damn one another, that a
poor Turk or Heathen will think, he rather mul-
tiplies than ends his Danger by affbciating him-
felf with us ; for there being fo many parties,
which foeverhejoyns himfelf to, there will bc^
abundant odds againft him ; fo that if he could be
fecur'd the truth were among us, yet the great ;
difficulty of finding it out, would be a verydif-
heartning confideration. Befides men love in
tranfaBiofjs of great Importance to have as many,
and as credible Vouchers as may be, and upon
that
that fcore 'twill furc be but a cold inducement, to
any to turn Chrifiian to forefee, that when he has
done fo, he fliall be difownd by far the greater
part of that number, and that at his entrance in-
to the C6«yc^, he Ihall be met with almoft as ma-
ny J^^/^/'^m^w, as when he was an Infidel, Nay,
I fcarce know whether I may call it an entrance
into the Churchy or rather into a Conventicle y or
particular Congregation, our Schifms and Se-
parations having hardly left a poffibility of
external communion with the univerfal Church,
fince the Communicating with one part of it,
does infallibly Excommunicate from another.
Thus have we placed our flaming Sword
(though God knows no Cherubim) at the gate of
ourParadife, and when God calls all men to the
waters of life, our Contentions have made them
like thofe ofMarah, fo bitter and unpleafant, asr
deters and averts men from them : Which as it is
in the higheft degree injurious to them, fo is it
contumelious to him, whofe invitations are by
this means fruftrated ; 'tis in fome degree the
evacuating one of the main purpofes of Chrifts
coming into the World, which was to call men
out of darknefi into hpf marvellous light, and as He
was thus fent by his Father, fo alfo were the
j4poftles folemnly commiffionated by him to
preach to the Gentile world, who with indefati-
gable induftry and refolute fuflferings purfued thd
charge ; and fure this is competent evidence, that
the defign was of the greateft and moft weighty
importance, and fuch as can never be out-dated,
X till
3 1 0 Mif chiefs arijing from Difputes, Ci^ap* 1 1 .
till there ceafc to be objedls of it, unbelievers to
convert: And by that let us meafure the guilt of
obftrudling it, which if we would impartially do,
I aflure my felf the moft pafjionate Bigot of any
Party muft confefs, that it infinitely out-weighs
all the Piety his dodlrine can pretend to, that liis
f peculiar Church gains not fo much as the Catholick
ofes: And that now confiidently foever he have
Canoniz'd his quarrels, they are indeed but the
worfi: fort of Heathens, andferveto keep out the
better. Yet befides the mifchief they do in rela-
tion to thofe that are without, they are extreme-
ly pernicious to thofe that are within, and that
not only to fome one Sect, but like an univerfal
poyfon, that is equally deadly to the moft contra-
ry compledlions, they operate on the moftdi-
ftant ranks of Profeffors, the tender and the obdu-
rate, the fcrupulous and the profane. And firft for
the tender tremulous Chriftian, 'tis eafie to dif-
cern how much he muft be diftracfled andamaz'd
by them, for while he hears each Se(5l thunder
out I>/^mf;4^/o^ againft each other, he cannot but
be ftartled at the danger of adhering to the wrong,
and though that may a while excite his diligence
to difcover the right, yet when he comes to
that inquifition, he will meet with fo many Pole-
mick Intricacies to entangle him, that after many
turns, firft to one fide, and then to another, he
will be apt to think the only clue to extricate him
out of tms labyrinth of many Religions, is to aban-
don all. Nor is this meer Speculation and Conje-
Bure, God knows we have had fuccefllvely
through
— I — ^ — ■ — ■ ■ - '■
through the whole round of Error too munypra-
Hick experiments of it. Several perfons there
have beenj» whofe Zeal to find out truth by an un-
happy rule of Fdlfe^ direcfted them to allow of
every Error : While likefick metJywho defire to die
goodrcheap, they put themfelves into the hands
of any Empiric k ; follow each bold pretender^
that has the impudence to talk of Truths till Su-
perltition ends in Profanation, Gcdlinefs proves
Atheifmy and by having been of m^;;^ SeBsy at laft
have no Reli^^ion, And furely this is a moft un-
happy Eflecfl of our difcords, thus to be ftuin-
bling-hlocks in our brothers way, and when we re-
member the w^oes pronounc'd againft thofe that
fhall Scandalize any of the little ones, 'twill be
ffcrange how men can think to approve their C^r/-
flianity, by the ruine of their Brothers, orfecure
themfelves of fli^^x^^w by keeping Others thence •
For though Chrift tells his Difciples there fhould
be fome that fliould think it afervice to God to kill
their BodieSy yet to phancy the defiroying cfSouh
fo tooy is a Deception of which we have neither
record nor prediSiion in Holy Writ, and is a fu-
perfaetationof thefpirits ofdelufion, peculiar to
thofe who have placed their own fancflity in thefe
religious wranglings, which ferve to deftroy it in
other men. And as they thus ferve on the one
fide to fliipwrackthe/^///^ of thefe weak unliable
Souls ; fo do they on the other advance the impie-
ty of the daring finner ; for as they are Tempta-
tion to the one, fo are they Pretence and Excufc
to the^^^^r to bid defiance to all Religion. He
X 2 whofe
312 Mifchiefs arifw^from Dijfutesy Cfjap.H"
whofe dillblute ajfeBions have fo long been court-
ing his tmdsrfidnding to turn Atheiil, will fure
not lofe the advantage of fo plaulible an Argu-
ment as our divifions afJord him ; and fince his
Itifls engage him in an irreconcilable War againft
the praBick pdrt of Piety, he will moft gladly em-
brace this occafion of quarrel againft the theory
alfo : So making himfelf entire, and extinguifti-
ing thofe uneafie regrets and mifgLvings arifing
from the repugnancy of his life to his belief. It
w^ere not hard to give a compendium of thefe mens
luPgicky and draw out thofe Schemes of Difcourfe,
by which from our differences in Religion they
infer the dtfcarding of all. But I fear thefe are
already too well known, and where they are not,
I ihould be loth to be any mans Inftrucflor. This
is I am fure too palpable, that how fallacious foe-
ver thefe Reafonings are, they have been very
operativ^y as appears by the number of thofe
avowed Atheijls among . us, who placing them-
felves in the feat of the fcorner, give themfelves
muchpleafingDivertifement by deriding om c:i'
ger/c^_/^^j-. about that which they think nothing.
If any man thinks that the Church is no lofer by the
defedlion of fuch Libertines, I muft be allowed to
diflent from him : For firft, there are examples
of the moft vicious Perfons, that have been redu-
ced, and while they retain their Chriftian he lief, ^
that lays fach undeniable obligations to good life,
that whenever they refume their reafon, they
muft take up vertue alfo with it ; fo that there is
an equal poffibility of their bc'mggood, that there
" is
Cl^aP* II. ^ they engage upon III Arts, &c. 215
is of their being rational : But when all hope and
fear of a future eftate is difclaim'd^ when thofe
cords are broken which fliould pull them up from
the Dungeon, then, and not before is their ftate
vifibly defperate. But befides this poffibility of
recovering theniy the danger oUofmg others is to be
confidered. Bold Jtheifm is like a raging Pefii-
lencey which taints the very Airy fo that thofe im-
pious difcourfings which are the effe^s of fome
mens Vices, may be the caufe of others; and we
too often fee that thofe who afcended themfelves
hy degrees y do in an inflant advance their Profelytes
to the height of Irreligion, as appears by the
Arrange proficiency of ibme, whofe Years allow
them not to have arrived to it otherwife than^^r
Saltum, And fure this fpreading Contagion has
been fo deftrudlive to the Church, that it were
tobewiflit, the meer titular Chriftians had ra-
ther remain d fuch, than thus to. have averted
others from being fo much.
AND now if all thefe fcandals be worth our
regret, if the emboldening and exafperating the
hady the corrupting the ^ innocent y and the decay
ofChriftian/7ro/^^o//confequent to both be /or-
midahle Evils y we know where to charge the guilt.
Our contentions muft be arraigned as accejfariesy
if not principals in the cafe : And then fure it will
befit our angry Zealots to confider, whether this
be the way of advancing Gods truthy or what ac-
count they wiUgive to the Lord of the Vineyardy who
while they pretend to drefs and prune the hran-
fhesy do thus debilitate and deftroy the roots,
X 3 Nay,
3 14 Mifchiefs arifmgfrom Difputes, Cfjap^H-
Nay, indeed in this they are treacherous even to
their own pretenfions, for all thofe feverai Reli-
gions which they (p tenderly cherifh, have no pro-
per roof of their own, but like Excrefcencies,
fpring out of the main ftock of Ghriftianity,
live by its juice and moifture, and confequently,
can never hope to furvive it. And then certainly
there can be nothing more ridiculous, than to
exprefs their kindnefs to the one, by ways that
are fo ruinous to the other. 'Tis as if a Pajfenger
in a Ship fliould to fortifie his private Cahin, tear
up the planks and expofe the whole Veflel to fink-
ing : Yet thus prepofteroufly do many of our
chief Pilots apply their care. In the mean time,
it cannot but be a very delightful proj^eB to the
grand Enemy of Souls, to fee us thus bufily pro-
mote his /W^r^/?, \iiy fnares ioT ourfelves, and by
our o'^n folly do that which all his fuhtilties could
never compafs. Nor can we think but he will be
as officious to us as is pofllble, while we are thus
employed, will help us to contrive our turrets,
whilft he fees we pluck out i^o/i^x from the foun-
dation to build them with ; nor fhall we ever want
new models of Churches, fo long as they thus help
to deftroy the old ; and how aptly they are fitted
for that Purpofe, needs (I fuppofe) no farther
Demonftration,
CHAP.
Cl^ap*!^' ^^ reference to Civil Peace, 3 1 j^
CHAP. XII.
'jt furvey of the ^^ifchiefs aripngfrom Dilutes ^ in
reference to Civil Peace,
A
ND now fure we cannot but conclude
our Contentions highly injurious to Chrifii-
anityy that thus allault it both in the Pra-
eitck and theory : And indeed how fierce foever
our quarrels are with one another, the heavieft
blows are fure to fall on that, which as in its con-
ftitution is of the moft Pacifick temper inoagi-
nable, fo it has the common fate of reconcilers to
fuffer from all parties. But Godlinejs having the
promife as rvell of this life as of that which k to comcy
it often happens that there is fuch a confent be-
tween ourjpiritual and fecular Concerns, that the
Mifchiefs that opprefs the one do refledl on the
ether: And indeed Religion when entire and uni-
ted, is one of the beft: bonds o£ Civil as well as
Ecclejiaflical Peace,( as even thofe atteft, who de-
fying all other ends of it, do yet admit it a ufeful
ftate Engine ; ) from whence 'tis confequent,
that the difir actions and divifions in that muft have
proportionably a contrary influence, and infedt
communities with Difcord, Tumult and Difor-
ders. And this is an effe5l with which I think not
unfit to bring up the rear of the foregoing Mif-
chiefs, it being not fo purely cJecular as not to
X 4 fuit
316" Mif chief s ^rifirig from Dilutes y Ci^ap^IZ.
fuit our prefent fubjedl ; for outward order and
unity can never be fo innocently difturb'd, but
that Chriftianity mufl: be wounded in it alfo : And
befides, it may perhaps obtain more confideration
than the former, as being of a nature wherein the
generality of men will think themfelves the moft
concerned ; for though there be many that can
look on the ruine both of Chriftian pradlice and
profeflion, with Gallio's indifference, J^s 18.
17. and care for none of thofe things, yet when
the fiege draws clofer, when they find themfelves
begirt in their worldly interefts, and that the
fame Deluge that overwhelms Churches^ may bear
dov/n Palaces alfo, perhaps they may think the
matter not fo contemptible. And firft, as to the
truth of the obfervation the World has too long
groaned under the Experiment to need farther
proof. That hitternefi which firft tainted the
waters of the Sanctuary ^ hath from thence difJus'd
its felf into our common fireams^ and like the
Egyptian Flaguey left none uncorrupted : For
whether we look upon Families, Neighbour-
hoods, Kingdoms, any the leafty or any thcgrea-
teji Societies, we find the miferable Trophies of
our holy Warsy in Facftions and Confufions; I
wifli I could not fay Rapine and Blood alfo. For
the fir fi of thefe, the domeftick Jarrs caus'd by dif-
ferent Opinions, the Infiances are numerous, or
rather innumerable, which our own age and nation
afiR)rds us. How many Servants have on this
fcore been at defiance with their Mafters? Chil-
dren with their Parents ? nay. Wives with their
Husbands ?
Ct)BP«^ 12. if^ reference to Civil Peace, 317
Husbands ? Such an unhappy force is there in
miflakenZealy that it diflblves the clofejl horjds,
violates all obligations natural or civil, while un-
der pretence of fervice to God, like the Fharifees
Corban, it evacuates all duty to man ; and this
has made fuch ruptures and divifions in Families^
that that delightful profpedl the Pfdlmifi fo much
commends, that of Brethrens dwelling together in
unity y Pfal. 133. is fcarce any w^here to be met
w^ith; but inftead of that, fuch rancor and bitter-
nefs, treachery and malice, as if men either mi-
ftookChrifts prediBion, Luke 12. 52. for a pre-
cept y or at leaft were willing to advance his Pro-
phetickOfRcc upon the ruine of his Kingly, and
to verifie his pr^tfage by breaking his command.
And as the Oeconomical order and peace is thus
difturb'd, fo if he that mifles quiet at home fliould
feek for it ahroady he will foon find himfelf difap-
pointed, and difcern that as the focieties grow
greater, (oAothcdiforders2\.foy and that private
Strifes do as much combine to make parties and
faBionsy as Families do to make Cities and Corpo^
rations. By this means that mutual communica-
tion by which the Members of civil bodies fliould
not only benefit one anotherj, but fecure the
whole is interrupted, and men live not as neigh-
horns but jpiesy always upon defigns of Entrap-
ping and Enfnaring, for while they look on one
another as enemies to God, they think that re-
fcinds all obligations of friendship among them-
felvesy and when Religion bears the Standardy
the War will be concluded neceflary and honour-
able.
3 18 Mifchiefs arifingfrom Dijfutes, dtiap^iz.
able. But though it be fo in imagination only, 'tis
fure there are fomsj, who make it really profitable ;
for as in moft Camps, the greater Number are at-
trailed rather by hope of booty than concern for
the caufe ; fo here^, many men lifi themfelves un-
der one Party, that they may have pretence to
frey upon the reft. And to that End feveral very
commodious Axioms have been taken up. As
that no faith u to he kept with Hereticks ; that Do-
minion is founded in Grace y &c. by fuch meafures
as thefe the goods of the (?>^^^^^/^//T become law-
ful prizes to any, that pleafe to call themfelves
Ifraelites ; and indeed Jews they may be call'd in
that notion we vulgarly ufe it of unjuji and cruel
extortioner: But fure not fuch //r^e//>^x asChrift
defines Nathaniely Jo. i. 47. without guile : For
having thus confecrated their frauds, and found
an expedient of ferving God and Mammon toge-
ther, there is no piece oi deceit either too big, or
too little for them ; no tranfaSlion fo important,
which can oblige thidt fidelity ; none fo trivial as
to difcourage their rapine : Opportunity is the
only meafure and rule of their attempts, by this
means no Obligation of Contrail, no Laws of
Commerce can efcape unviolated, every thing is
lawfiil that may weaken the wicked, and that
;s^^/ which m^ikes men Saint r in the Church or
Conventicle, can make them thieves in the Shop
or Market. Thus is Piety made an Engine of ra-
pine, and by thefe religious riots, all boundaries
wherewith Laws or Equity have fenc'd mens di-
ftindl properties, are thrown down : And furc
this
CEbSP^l 2^* ^^ reference to Civil Peace. ' 3 ip
this is a moft carnal confequent of our fpiritual
debates, and bids fair towards the reducing us to
that ftate of con:jmon Hoftility, which fome have
phancied to be the Original condition of mankind :
For it renders commerce fo dangerous, that men
may within a while think it fafer to truft their
own ftrengthsy than to the ftielter of thok Lawy
and Civil company ^ which they fee fo avowedly
evacuated. And upon this account, though the
Injury be immediately done to private perfons, it
becomes a /7«^//V^mifchief: Yet alas, thefe are
but the more moderate effe£ls of our Diffentions ;
they aflfbrd more expedite and compendious ways
of publick ruine ; the defrauding or undermining
of a few Neighbours, are petty prizes for thofe
that think they have the fole right to the Crea-
ture> and are thofe Meek w^ho are to inherit
the Earthy and every fuch acqueft only ferves to
flefli them for a farther chafe. The j^oils of a
broken Kingdom will afford fomething worth
the fcr ambling for : And nothing more fit to break
it than a pretence of Religion, which like the
fione that fmote JVebuchadnezzars Image, has ihi-
vered the moft goodly Monarchies. And accor-
dingly, we fee no £/;^/W is more conftantly us'd
by men of Seditious fpirits, to difturb and fub-
vert Governments : Indeed there can be nothing
fo advantageoufly fitted for the purpofe. For
lliould fuch perfons unmask their dejign^ and ftiew
it in its native tiglinej?, fliould they avow the Iha-
king of a Kingdom meerly to eftablifh themfelves
in a condition of wealth and grandeur, the new
rpoulding
320 Mifchiefs ^riftngfromDiJputes, Cl)ap»I2.
moulding of a Government only that they might
ftiape their own fhares in it, 'twere impoflible
theyfliould find any abettors; for though the
multitude are always in preparation for change,
yet 'tis not on Intuition of benefit to fomc private
ferfonsy but of fomewhat wherein themfehes may
partake : Nor is even the madnefs of the people
mad enough, to expofe all their (pt??/; inter efi, and
moft important concerns only to promote thofe of
others. It has therefore always been both the rule
and pradlice for fuch dcfigners to fuborn the puh^
lick interest to countenance and cover their pri-
'vate ; to cry up Diana to fecure their own gain,
and to make the feduced Populacy like the Jackcal
to the Lion, hunt that prey which themfelves
mean to devour. And of all thofe artifices by
which fuch Incendiaries have fet Kingdoms in a
flame y none has been more univerfally fuccesful
than the pretext of Religion, which is thought fo
creditable a caufe to cngfigQmy as can convert the
infamous titles of Rebel and Traitor into thofe of
Patriot and Saint, and confequently, take off all
difcouragementarifingfrom the difreputatioaof
fuch an enterprize: And no lefs potent is it in
folvingthefcruplesofits unlawfulnefs; for by a
dexterous anticipation, it makes Confcience a
party, that it may exclude it from being judge,
and by that one fallacy of fuppofing Religion to be
ajujigroundofquarrely make way for all the wild
confequences deducible from that falfe principle :
And indeed where that is throughly faftned, the
mifchiefs are not only great but incurable, 8c yet the
morq
- —
Cljap*!^- i^ reference to Civil Peace. 321
more fo by how much the perfon is more zealous.
For alas, what will it avail to tell fuch a man/tis a
fin to fight againfi his King : when he will tell you
'tis a greater not to fight for his God : That he
contracts a heinous guilt in violating the peace of
the Church, when he with as great confidence
believes, he merits in propagating its truth. That
he is accountable for the hloud of his Brethren ;
when he thinks he has like the L^^/>ex,Ex. 32.
confecrated himfelf in it, and offer'd it an ac-
ceptable facrifice to God. Thus unhappily are
thefe mxn fortified in their fin, by prefuming it
their Vertucy and while the furious zeal of fucn is
made fubfervient to the tt/VI^^^^ cr^//^ of others, 'tis
a moft apt infirument of publick Mifchief, there
being no attempt fo defperate, which fuch may
not be put upon, who are methinks us'd as Hani-
bal is faid to have done thofe Oxen, whofe herns
he firfl: fired, and then fent them to difturb the
Roman camp : Thefe men as thofe heajis are found*
very ufeful for the molefting of others ; but
commonly all they acquire to themfclves, is the
[mart of their own flames. Few of thofe who
thus in the fimplicity of their heart follow an Ah-
folom or a Sheba, that do not either mifcarry to-
gether with the defign, or elfe live to difcern how
much their credulity was abufed ; and that both
religion ( however pretended ) and thofe that
fought for it, were only made properties to pro-
mote the lufts of thofe who defpifed both. But
'tis unneceflarytoinfift farther on the efeBs o£
fuch religious Fury, of which we of this JSf at ion
have*
322 Mifchiefs arifingfromDij^uteSy ^fjap* 12-
have had fo many and fo cofily evidences, as far
tranfcend the moft tragical defcriftiom. God
grant we may never have other than our pafi ex-
feriences to meafure them by : But certainly there
is little reafon to be fecure, fo long as the root
of them, our J^eculative differences daily encreafe ;
for unlefs we could fuppofe an Age of fuch in-
nocenccthat there fhould be none who would take
any undue Advantages, 'tis fure there will be
enough given: And indeed when we refiedl upoa
ourpaft Diftracitions, and confider how trivial
the matter of moft of thofe Debates was, whofe
manner has been fo cruelly folemn ; how our
flighteft prohlemes have been writ in hloud, that
many Thoufands have been made naked to keep
the Surplice off a few mens backs, and w^e have
pulled down our Churches in difpleafure at the
windows, when I fay thefe and a Thoufand the
like are confidered, we muft conclude that there
can never want Occafion to them that (in the Jpo-
files Phrafe) defire Occafion. The light eft diftempers
in the Chuch being contagious, and moft apt
(when fomented by ambitious defigners) to beget
an tmiverfal Plague in the Common- wealth;
And now who can without horror confider thefe
miferably perverted ^jf^Sj of Chriftian Religion,
that that which< was defign'd the moft inviolable:
hand of unity, ihould like thofe curies of entangled^
fnakes with which Erinnys is faid to have infuria-
ted Athemas and Ino, become the fatal incendiary of
the rnortaUeft hatred. That that O economy which
was mxant to regulate, fhould be the Inflrument
of confounding and embroyling the World ; and
a
Ct)Ep*l^' ^^ reference to Civil Peace. 325
a Gojpel of Peace fliould thus be made the Incen*
five to wary and create fiercer quarrels than
thofe it was to have composed. To turn th^
Grace of God intowantonnefs, is juftly branded as
a great Crime, but fure to turn it into malice is
yet agreater. And though every fin offers violence
to our religion, yet this is of all others the moft
harharowy thus to make it Aflaffinate its felf, be-
come a kind of Felo de fe, and contribute to its
own ruine. And that this is the cafe, is I pre-
fume fufEciently evident in all the foregoing in-
fiancesy which as they are moft obvioufly the ef-
feB of our eager Difputes, fo are they no lefs
vifibly deftru5iive to Chriftianity in all its inte-
refts, leaves it neither root nor branch, neither
inward Vigor, nor outward Lufter ; fo at once ren-
dring it both unfertile and unamiable. 'Twas a
piece of hoftile Severity againft Moah, to fill the
land with fiones, thereby to render it barren, 2 King.
3.25'. The flingers went about, and fniote it:
but what that fuffered from profeft Enemies, the
Church daily fuftains from thofe that call them-
felves her hcA friends. Our Eenjamites are fo in
love with their skill of flingling to a hairs breadth,
their nice Criticifms, DiftinCtions, and Subtil-
ties, have caft abroad fo many fiones of contention,
that the Church is become perfedl quarry, utter-
ly ^m/ and unfruitful, as to all thofe good works
for the production whereof, flie was fo peculiar-
ly fenced and cultivated by God ; nay, 'twere
well if barrennefs were the worft, and that flic
had not on the other fide acquired an unhappy
degenero'M
3 24 Mif chiefs arifingfrom Dij^uteSy ^()ap* 12.
degeneroui fertility : But what a numerous and ac-
curfed Iflue fpring from this unpeaceable tem-
per, the foregoing conliderations do t©o fadly
demonftrate ; and I doubt not every attentive Ob-
ferver will be able to add more ( though not
truer) Inftances ; and befides to difcern that this
fpurious brood like that of Hagar is grown fo
wantonly infolent as to defpife the right heir of
the Promife. The true Gofpel Graces of Meek-
nefs;, Peaceablenefs and univerfal Charity are ac-
counted Earthy phlegmatick qualities ^ we difclaim
that Holy Ghofl which defcends in the appearance
of the Dovcy nay or in fire either, unlefs it be
like that oiElijahy to confume all that difguft us.
Nor do we meafure our Religion fo much, by the
oppofition it makes to our lufisy as to thofe
whom we firft make, andTthen call our enemies.
Thus miferably have we changed the Scene, and
hy calling e%jil good) and good evil, have accumula-
ted injuries upon our opprefled Chriftianity, not
only rob'd it of its rulcy but of its reputation alfo.
And do we daily thus fee Ijhmael mocking Ifaacy
andfiiall we not think it time to caft out tho
Bond-woman and her Son ? fhall we for ever che-
ri/h this generation of Vipers to tear out the
howels of our common Mother? I pray God the
Queftion have not as much o£ prd^f age as expo flu-
lation. For if we confider the prefent ftate of
things, how our contentions plead not only right
but prefcriptiony there feems not much hope of
difpoffefling them, and yet lefs, when 'tis re-
membred, how they have entwifted themfelves,'
noc
^|^ap*l3* ^^ reference to Civil Peace. 32 J
not only with the pajpojtsy but interefis of men ;
two fuch potent Abettors as will buoy up the moft
forlorn caufe. The truth is, there are many/«^-
terraneous' firings which feed this Ocean, and
though religion and piety be on all hands de-
murely pretended;, yet as we have feen the ejfe^s
of our debates very difconfonant to fuch a Pro-
feflion; fo if we examine the originals and
caufesy we fhall find them for the moft part as
widely difidnt. It may not be amifs to take a
fhort view of fome of them ; for though I cannot
hope the difcovery of the Caufes will contribute
to the general cure, yet perhaps it may prove Jn-
tidote to fome particular perfons, who will be the
lefs apt to admire the verdure of the leaves (the
flourifliing appearances of zeal and piety) when
they find both fruit and root of fo poifonous a
quality.
CHAP. XIII.
J Survey of the Caufes of Dijj^utes ; and firfi^
Pride.
AND in this inqueft we find Pride al-
ready arraigned to our hands, by the
wifeftofMen, Prov. 13.10. only hy pride
Cometh contention. It is indeed a moft prolifick
vice, and there are few ///i* to which it is not ei-
ther a parent or mrfe : but there is fcarce any
Y which
3 25 Of the Cdufes ofDifputes ; C^ap*i 5 .
which does more betray its immediate defcent
from it than this o£ftrife and debate, which has fo
many of the lineaments and features of the de-
formed Mother^, as fufficiently atteft its extra-
Bim. And as this is true of all ftrifes in gene-
ral, fo particularly of thofe whereof we now
treat : for Pride being its felf an internal fin,
it has fuch a neighbourhood with all the notions
and fpeculations of the mind, that it eafily makes
impreffions on them : Nor are we to wonder that
the Sacrednefs of divine things is not Amulet
enough againft its Charms, when we remember
thtitthcfirfiaB of Pride that ever was commit-
ted, was levelled even at God himfelf ; and as it
tookupitsfirft feat in a fpiritual fubftance, fo
has it ever fince, never adled moi^ naturally, and
therefore more 'viaoroufly than about fpiritual
matters. Of this the Church in all ages has had
many coftly Experiments, for if we trace the
Catalogues of Herefies from Simon ^SMagus his
dales down to our own, we Ihall find Pride aprin-
cipal J5lor in every Scene, though perhaps in ua-
rious drejfes. For though Pride be alwaies in the
general an aflfedlation of fome tranfcendency^
yet it differs as to the particular objedl, accor-
ding tothefeveral cftimates men make of excel-
lencies. So that the propugners of new Opini-
ons, though they have this common aim, that they
feek their own exaltation, yet do not alwaies do it
in the fame inflances. For example, fome have
coveted the repute o£ profound inquifitors, and this
Vanity has prompted them to dive fo deep into
tlie
^ap*13- -^^^fi' Pride, 327
the bowels of every the plainejt doBrwe, till at
lafl: they have twilled and entangled them into
the moft perplexing difficulties. Thefe Naviga-
tors think they have never fail'd fuccefsfuUy till
they have found out a terra incognita^ though
God knows they bring nothing from thence for the
benefit of the habitable world; nor make it their
bufinefs to refolve Doubts^, Wat ft art them. Anc"
therfort of men there are of lb faftidious and pe-
tulant wits, that they difdain an opinion of which
themfelves are not the jiuthors ; they love not t;o
have their underftandings prefcrib'd tOj, by the
preconceptions of others, how divinely foever in-
fpir'd, and will rather have a Religion of their
oven making, than of his whom they pretend to
worfliip. And this, 'tis to be doubted is the bot-
tom of the great veneration fome have paid to
Reafon, which they have fet up in the Throne, not
only in defiance of blind implicit ajfent, but even
of divine revelation. But in the mean time 'tis
to be obferv'd, that 'tis not reafon in general, the
common excellency of our nature that is thus
advanc'd, but every mans own private and indivi-
dual ; which upon a juft fcanning will often be
found the. moft diftant thing from what it is
caird : Paffion and Phancy, by that omnipotent
advantage of being a mans own, often pafling for
deep difcourfe and ratiocination : and what a fruit-
ful harveft of Tares fu<i^ feed is apt to produce,',
our reafon would inform us if our experieme did
not. To thefe we may add another rank of men,
who vehemently thirfting after a name in the
Y 2 worlds
Of the Caufes ofDijputes ; Cljap* 13
world, hope to acquire that by being the diffemi-
nat or soi novel doHrines y they think while they
go on in the heaten track y they /hall be obfcur'd
in the throng ; the only way to make themfelves
confpicuous is to be lingular : Thus fondly chu-
fing to be eminent) though by the infamous Cha-
radlers of Heretkk or Schifmatkky and (like him
that fired Dianas Temple to fecure himfelf from
oblivion) build themfelves ^lomiments of the
Churches mines : and fure this Iheuda^ his ambi-
tion of being fome body^, has helpt to raife more
opinions than he did r/'?^/?. Yet commonly it an-
fwers it even in that circumftance alfo ; for when
by feparating themfehes from the unity of the
faith) they have rendred themfelves remarkable,
their next aim is to have others joyn to them ; and
fo they may have the honour of being leaders, care
not though it be into the ditch. To be calFd of
men Rahhi Rabbi, is enchanting Mufick to any
Pharifee, and ferves like the Timbrels in tophet
to drown the cries not of their Children, but Mo-
ther fcorching in the flames of their contention.
Indeed fo impetuous and uncontroulable is this
kind of vanity, that like a mighty torrent, it
bears down all before it;, overwhelms not only the
oppolite vertuesy but even all vices that are not
of its own confederacy. Men can in this cafe
lay fevere reftraints upon their moft intimate
fenfualitiesy when they fmfpecfl them treacherous
to this grand Defign. The Wolf {hall be muz-
led and made to behave himfelf with the meek-
nefs befeeming the Sheeps cloathing. The Swim
fliall
€l^ap.I?- F^^fty Pride, 329
fliall be waflit and by an unnatural violence with-
held from the mire : All their rapacious and be-
ftial appetites controuFd and made tamej,that they
worry not their reputation. And all this for a
little naked popularity, for whofe dear purchafe,
very many have thought fit to diveft themfelves,
both of lawful and unlawful enjoyments ; and have
thought the tumultuous applaufe of a few fadli-
ous fpirits worth all that felf-denial. But all
Pride is not fo perfectly Camxlion as to fubfift
upon this meer air, there is another kind of it that
propofes to its felf fomething beyond this : fuch
is the affedVation of rule and dominion^, which
though in refpedl of any real good to the ruler,
is as very a Chimera as the former; yet common-
ly they that are under fuch a JurifdiHion, find to
their coft 'tis more than Imaginative. And God
knows this ^iJ^/V/W^ humour y has been no lefs fa-
tally adlive in Ecclefiaflick than in Civil affairs ;
nor has the Church ever been in more danger of
Anarchy than by thofe who moft impatiently co-
veted a fhare in its government ; for where this
fpirit of ambition is the Impellent,, it does like
the Demoniack in the Gofpel, burft afunder all
fetters and chains, violates the unity both of do-
ctrine and difcipline, nor is any attempt too
bold for men thus animated : They who long to
be in authority think the door opens not quick
enough for their entry, and impatient of fo te-
dious an expedlatiou:, chufe rather to make
breaches in the walls (nay fometimes to under-
mine the foundation) than to want an accefs to
. Y 5 their
^Y^" Of the Cdufes ofDifputes ; CtJop^-
their Defires. Neither is there any thing fofa-
cred;>which upon this occafion they cannot profti-
tute;when DiotrepheSy^Joh.^Secks preheminencc,
the Didlates even of an Apoftle fhall be rejecfl-
cd, and even the divinity of Chrifi, God hlefftd
for every be trampled on, virhen Arius wants a foot-
ftool to climb up to his aflfe(5led greatnefs. In a
word, if we Examine the occurrencies of all ages,
we fhall find that either the eagernefs of ac-
quiringy or the Revenge of mijjing dignities y have
been the great /Vy?/^/^^cri- of Ecclefiaftick Feuds ;
and fure our ^Modern ftories, are not likely to
fall fhort of the Ancient, in examples of this
kind. And as Pride makes fome thus paffio-
nately defirous of rule, fo it makes others as im-
patient of being ruled, and even thofe who can-
not hope to arrive to give Laws, will not endure
to /^^ «;7^^r thofe already eftablifhed. That this
is indeed the Chriftian liberty for which many in
our dales have fo unchriftianly contended, is too
apparent, the fundamental quarrel has been againfl:
fubjeBion : Yet to countenance and abett that,
whole Armies of frivolous cavils have been rais'd,
and the Church attacqued in every its remoteft
concern, and though there be nothing farther
from that unity of mind, to which the fimile was
firft afExt, yet in a perverfe fenfe it imitates the
Ointment o£ Aaron in defcending from the head to
the skirts of the cloathing: not only the fupreme
and more eminent partSp but the moft flight ex-
trinjick and inferior relatives to Religion being
•afperft and depraved; and the mpft innocent Ox-
cumftaixces
(Jt)ap4l3- ^^'^fi' Pride, 33 1
cumftances of Civil or Natural adtions madem-
minaly when applied to Divine things. A
Arrange infective power ^ which thefe men have con-
vey'd into Gods fervice, that it muft thus pol-
lute every thing that approaches it. That the
place where his Honour dwells, muft become a
Fefthoufe, ^nd^ddffnk contagion to all in it. (I
wifh by the way their Sacriledge had not
been too valiant in defpiling the Danger ofthofe
infeSied utenfihy which may perhaps ladly verifie
the reproach, and prove treacherous prizes^ and
when mens zeal operates thus unkindly, when
the pretence of internal fanUity devours all out*
ward decency y and God is to be honoured and exalt-
ed by thofe ways, whereby men would think them-
felves affionted, and vilified ; we have too great
reafon to think fuch a zeal as little according to
godlineJSas know I edge y and that it is not fo much
the tendernefs of their Gonfciences, no nor gene-
rally the weaknefs of their Brains, but the Iron ji-
;/^n? in their Necks, which makes them at once fo
fcrupulous, and fo clamorous ; for though the
former might be fuppos'd owing to Error, the la-
ter can fureiy proceed from nothing but Pride.
Several other inftances might be given to fhew
how that pernicious temper has contributed to
the rife andfirft being of our divifions; and ha-
ving thus given them birth, it does not like the
Oflrich abandon its Brood, but has as great an in-
fluence in the cherijhing and maintaining^ as it had
in creating them. Of this there need no other
proof than the meer nature of Pride, which as it
y 4 averts
3 3 3t Of the Caufes of Dilutes ; Ct)ap*i5.
averts nothing more than felf condemnation ; fo
upon pain of that appearance^, 'tis irreverfibly
engag'd in the purfuit of its firft undertakings,
any dejijiing being interpretatively a co;7/(?/^(?// ei-
ther of an Error or a Defeat^, both which are in-
fupportable to an affuming temper : So that be-
fides the original incentives forementioned, it has
this o£difdain fuperadded to adluate its motions.
And accordingly we find they are at this rebound
the more violent, not only the fuccefs, but the
credit of the firft enterprize depending upon a vi-
gorous profecution : So that Catilines Maxim of
Villany feems to have been adopted into fome mens
divinity, and they think paft Crimes are only to be
fecur'd by more and greater. Nor is it only hope
to atchieve their defigny or hide their fhame which
thus animates them, dejj^air will do it to a yet
higher degree. Our Concupifcible and Irafcible
appetites dwell not fo remiOte, But they are ready
refervesto one another, and what was defre m
the purfuit, becomes anger and revenge in the dif-
appointment ; and fure we need not be told the
wildeffedls of thofe paffions. How many men
have in afurious dej^air over-ac5led even their own
projeBsy and have made it a malicious confolati-
on in their ruine, to get it attended with that of
the publick ? As Herod, who to fecure a lamenta-
tion at his death, commanded a (iMaJfacre fliould
accompany it, or ( to give a more Ecclefiaftical
inftance ) like Aerius, who fought the abolifhing
of that order in the Church, whereof himfelf
could not partake. I wifh no mans Confcience in
our
C|)ap I3» Firft, Pride. 33?
our days were qualified to fuggcft a frelher ex-
ample. But whileft 'tis fo many ways the interefi
of Pride to abet our contentions, we cannot think
it fo fluggifli or uninduftrious an agent y as not to
find out expedients for its purpofe. I fliall not
attempt to give a particular of its inftruments,
when I have faid that Schifm is one of them, I
need not add more, fince that alone ferves both
to complete :ind perpetuate the Mifchief of all our
fpeculative diffentions. How clofe a Band of
concord the communicating in holy duties is, we may
learn by Jeroboaniy who feems fo well to have un-
dcrftood its unitive efficacy, that he durftnot
truft the newly divided tribes in a joynt refort to
the Temple ; and therefore leaft the rupture he
had made in the State Ihould clofe again, he
thinks it necefTary to make another in the Church,
and fecure his defecflion from his Frinccy by that
from his God. But we need not borrow a teftimo-
ny from that his impious Policy y we have a more
Authentick atteftation from the holy Pfalmijly who
when he would defcribe thcgreatefl entirene(?y Ex-
emplifies it by the walking to the houfeofGodas
friendsy PfaL fj. 14. And the Jpojlle goes yet
higher, and from our common participation of the
Eucharift, infers not only our uniony but our in-
corporation. We being many are one bready and one
hodyy for we are all partakers, of that one bready
I Cor. 10. 17. And then fure me may on the con-
trary conclude, th2ito\xr fepar at ion muft have the
quite diftant efifedls ; alicn^itcoux a ffeB ions y and
by that means ftiil more eftrange our Judgements,
For
334 Pf ^^^ Caufes ofDij^utes ; €t)ap*i3.
For befides that 'tis natural to men to think they
can never run far enough from that they begin to
loath, they are in their own defence to amplifie
the differences y that they may acquit themfelves
from the fcandal of a caufelefs feparation:» and
this God knows is the ufual Method among us,
when we have broken communion^ our onlyftudy
is not how to repair y hut juflifie it. The adverfa-
ries f i^;^^^x are rigouroufly fcanned, new Charges
exhibited, and the Schifm defended upon thof©
later difcoveries, which were no motives to the
making it. And then fure no man can doubt but
this is a proper wayy both to multiply and Eternize
difputes ; and 'tis abundantly manifeft, that vani-
ty and elation of mind is the caufe that Men thus
prefer a miflaken reputation, before their own in-
nocence or the Churches peace. Indeed if we
throughly confider it, we fhall find Fride is one
of the fatalleft inftruments of Excifion, the two-
edgdfword by which adverfe parties do mutually
cut themfelves from one another. The very
elements and confiitutive parts of a Schifmatick,
being the Efieem of himfelfy and the Contempt of
others, lam not as this Publican wasy we know,
the voice of the proud Pharifeey whofe very name
figmfics feparation, and our modern Separatifis do
but Echo the fame note, when they pronounce
all thofe Heretical or Carnal from whom they have
withdrawn. Or perhaps they derive from a yet
more ancient prefident, thofe of whom the Pro-'
phet JE/^;' fpeaks, Efay6$.S' which fay. Standby
th^lfy come not near mcy for I am holier than thou ;
an
iSi)dip^^i' ^^^fi^ ^^^^^' 335;
an Infolent kind of language which the Cathari in
the frimitive times did not more exacftly tran-
fcribe^ than many Se6ls of differing denominati-
ons have done in ours. But 'tis to be remembrcd,
that while the Pharifee lookt fo faftidioufly on
the poor Puhlk-aH) he renounc'd communion in
prayers much more acceptable than his own ; and
thofe refined Zealots who fear'd contagion from the
approach of their more innocent Brethren^ could
boldly venture on the pollutions of the moft deteft-
able Idolatries : And God knows the note has too
ready an application in both inftances. In the
mean time 'tis a fad contemplation j, that fo much
of that jx^^/ which makes fuch a gliftering in the
World, /hall when brought to the Touchj, be
found adulterate, that the tranfcendent purity
men boaft o£ fliould prove but a more fublima-
ted vpickednej?, and thdit pretence to fpirituality be
verified only in jfiritual pride. Alas, is not the
whole circuit of Secular things wide enough to
contain this [welling humour ? Are there not Pomps
and Vanities of the world enough to entertiin this
one Luft, but muft this Moahite be brought into
the SanBuary ? Can we not be elevated enough
unlefs we trample upon all that is holy, and nmke
Religion¥:i£iox £or OUT Jmhition? We findforae
very confidently point out ^/ntichrifi upon the
ftrength of this one prxdidled circumftance, that
be was to fit in the temple of God, But what need
we travel beyond the Alps to find out that, which
(very where prefents its felf ? Our Pride docs too
unhappily anfwer the defcripf ion ; and though
there
33^ Of the Catifes ofDijputes ; Cbap.I3-
there is no inftance wherein it can ceafe to be An-
tichriflian, yet furely it is more eminently fo,
when it thus ufurps Gods feat, and rules in Sacred
things. Would God the pains and animofity
which has been fpent in difcovering and reviling
other Antichrifts^ had been diverted to the pul-
ling down of thisy th® labour would have been
more effectual even to the immediate end of the
Defigners:, for were this Pride Eradicated, the
Foundation of all Spiritual ufurpations were un-
dermind. But alas, thofe who exclaim the moft
loudly againft all /<?r^/^/^ tyranny on their Confci-
enccs, do obfequioufly bow to this intefline Ufur-
per, make an entire dedition of themfelves, and
fubmit to the fevereft and ignoblefl: vaffallage.
They have inverted it with fo abfolute andfove-
raignaPower, that {^s Samuel warns the Ifrae-
lites of their King, i Sam, 8. ) they are not to call
any thing their own when it is ufeful to its fer-
vice : All their powers, all their interefts are de-
voted to it, and that not only to adorn its pompy
but to f^ht its battels. Men quarrel and contend
till not only themfelves, but even Ghriftianity its-
felf expire m the conteft. But if it be indeed
certain that every War is fo far unjuftifiable, as
arethec^/^y^xof it, 'twill furely be a competent
prejudice againft our contentions, that our Pride
is fo much concerned in them, which is fo un-
chriftian a motive, as all the holy-water where-
with men have fprinkled it, can never baptize in-
to a cleannefs ; all the borrowed dreffes of Zeal and
San(5lity, however they may difguife, can never
le^itimat^
legitimate It. Thofe Arts of concealment may
indeed add a rtew guilty that of Hypocrifie) but can
never expiate, no nor extenuate the old : And
how Saint-like a form foever our Vain-glory puts on,
it does but the more own its derivation from him,
who can transform himfelf into an , Angel of light,
whofe afpirings have firft fubverted him/elf and
now go on to propagate both his Crime and Ruine
to us ; nor has he ever manag'd that defegn with
more Art or Succefs, than by thus making our
^ride a partition wall to divide us from one another ,
and* confequently from God too ; who being, as
our Church ftyles him, the author of Peace and lo-
ver ef Concord, can never joyn himfelf with the
riiflurhersofhoth, butmufl: neceffarily be difobli-
ged by our Diflentions and Schifms,
CHAP. XIV.
[,A furvey of the Caufes of Difputes ; Secondly,
Curiofity,
TT F now we proceed farther in our enquiry we
I fliall find, that another grand incendiary of
JL our Difputes is Curiofity : A vice which
though in fome refpedls it may be reckoned ^/pe-
des olithc former, that of Pride, yet in others it
admits a diflinB confideration. This is that bane-
ful weed which the Devil made a fhift to ileal
even into Paradife, and which has ever fince af-
fe(5led
338 Of the Caufes of Dilutes ; C^ap* 14.
fe(5led the richefi foils, the moft pregnant and po-
lite Wits ; nor did it only ejecfl man from thence,
but it has improved the original curfe, and multi-
plied thofe briers and thorns among which he was
caft, yeaj, tranfplanted them from the Earth,
where they could only raze the skin, into the
Brain, where they pierce and torture the intelle-
(ftual and immortal Part of Man. Nay farther,
c\cntha,tf7reatofhif hrows, which was to extir-
pate them from the ground, ferves but to water
andcherifh them in his mind; his very indujtry
being in this cafe the extremeft ill-hxifhandry, -and
the more pains he takes, the farther he removes
himfelf from all real advantages of his toll.
THERE arc fome parts oi Knowledge which
God has thought fit to fcclude from us, to fence
them not only as he did the interdidled Tree, by
Precept and Commination, but with Difficulties
and Impoflibilities ; made it not only our fin and
danger, but our Folly and madnefs to attempt
them. Ofthis kind are the Myfterious parts of
our Religion, which he fliews us as it were a-far
offto exercife our/^/V^ and reverence, butftoops
them not to our fenfe and difquijifion. Thefe he
has placed like the Sun, where they may influ-
ence, not annoy; warm, not fcorch us. And
would we ftill permit them to remain at that fafe
andwholfomc diftance, we fliould find none but
henigne effeBs ; butfo importunate are theinfti-
gations of Guriofity, that no hounds will keep us
from the Mount : We will needs break through
into the thick darknefs, how dreadful foever the
thunders
Cl)ap.l4- Secondly, Curiofity. 359
thunders and lightnings are in the way. Like bold
Phaetons we defpife all benefits wherewith the Fa-
ther of light and us can court us; unlefi we may
guide his C6//m^ ; and we moralize the Fahle as
well in the tragicalnefs of the event y as the info-
lence of the «//^^y/^^//7^ ; this unhappy Curiofity
having not only ruin'd many of the inquijitors, but
fet the whole world alfo in a confirmation. Nor
is this temerity more fatal in its Succcfs;, than
impious in its Foundation : For be fides that, it is
a dire(5l invafion of Gods peculiar, and violation of
his Command, it does evidently imply a dijfrufiy
either of his Wifdom or his Goodnefs ; fuppo-
fes him either fo ignorant oitht ftrength of thofe
faculties himfelf has made, that he has afligned
them unproportionable objecfts, and fo they muft
have new work cut out for them by our felves ; or
elfe prefumes his Eye evil towards his own Crea-
tures ; that as the Devil once fu^gefted to our
firfi Parents y he fears the rivalry of poor mortals,
and by an envious detention of fome parts of feli-
city, like one that had been Bountiful only upon
furprize and incogitancy^ illiberally retradls and
contradidls his original dejign of making Man
completely happy. Nay, indeed this reprefents
him unkind, not only to us his created Images^
but even to that Eternal and exprefs image of his
Perfon, the Son of his hofom, who may well be
thought to have been, as defpifed in his Eyesy as
he was once in oursy Efay 5*3. 3. if he have fo
cheaply expos'd him for their fakes, to whom he
denies any of thofe intelleBual advantagesy which
difference
3 40 Of the Caufes ofDijputes ; (Il^ap* 14-
difference them from Be aft s. Thus wickedly cu-
rious are wej,that rather than converfe with vulgar
ordinary thingsy wccrctxtc prodigies, i^\xt new forms
upon him that is unchangeable, rob divinity of
its moft infeperable attribute, and not only
difohey God> but reproach him. And then 'tis no
wonder if that which aftbrds fo little glory to
God, hath no more good-will for Men, and that
which thus wars with Heaven, leave little peace
on Earth. Indeed if we will be building our
Babels, and thus aSiiult Omnipotence, 'tis but juft
we fliould have our language confounded, and that
that knowledge for which we boldly attempt to ri-
fle Gods cabinet, fhould like the Coal from the
Altar, ferve only to embroil and confume the
facrilegions invaders. Yet befides what is owing
to divine vengeance in the cafe, the thing has in
its felf a proper, natural efficiency toward it ;
for when fo many men are engag'd in a blind
fearch, 'tis not imaginable they fliould all ftum-
^/^ upon the fame Notions, and fuppofing them
to fall upon variety, 'tis impoflible but mens fond
overweening of their own conceits and petulanC
difdains of others, will improve that variety into
Oppofition, and that oppofition into fet and So-
lemn Feuds. And God knows, the Church is
too effedlively acquainted with this fatal grada-
tion, and can experimentally atteft the unhappy
propriety of this fort of Curiofity towards the en-
gendring of di fiord and confufion.
BUT befides this higher rank of things
which God hath fet fo much above us, there are
others
^tiap>14- Secondly y Curiofity. 341
others o^^viinferior fort, as much hdow uSj, which
are concealed from us, not for their fuhlimity,
but their ufelefnefs ; for as God on the one hand ,
remembers that we are but fl^fh, unable to bear
the nearer approaches of divinity y and fo talks
with us as once with Mofes through a cloud : So
on the other he forgets not that he Ireathed into
us the breath of life, a vital adlive fpiritj, whofe
motions he expedls fliould own the dignity of
its ori^inaly and as it was its felf an emanation of
the Eflential Goodnefs„ ihould aim at only real
and folid goody and not evaporate and exhauft its
powers in mean and impertinent purfuits. And
upon this fcore alfo, he has found it neceilary
to hide many things from uSj, not that they
would dazzle y but mifemploy our Eye ; not fjvaU
lownp our Underftanding, but divert our At-
tention:, from what is more important : Of this
fort are thofe many thin aerial J^eculations, the
certain knowledge whereof would bring us no
real advantage, make us at all the wifer to Sal-
vation ; yet luch a value does our inquifttive Na-
ture fet upon every thing for its being hidy that
as if our Life were bound up with thefe Secrets,
and all our Felicity dwelt in the Shade of thefe
recefles, we purfue this fearch with indefatiga-
ble induflryy ranfack all corners with as great
diligence as the Woman for her loft piece of Sil-
ver, Luk. \^, 8. And as if this were indeed the
treafure hid in the field, fell ^// that we have, lay
out out w\{o\c [elves upon the purchafe. Indeed
he that ihall confider what folemn Difquifitions
Z there
34^ Of the Caufes ofDifputes ; Ct)ap.i4.
there are upon the flighteft, and inconfiderableft
Subjedls^ with what Advertence and concern
Queftions of this kind are bandied in the world,
muft wonder how men can at once be fo feriotis
and fo trifling ; or that thofe who can fay fo
much, Ihould not once ask themfelves to what
purpofe they fay my thing. Yet what multi-
tudes of men are there engag'd in fuch chafes as
this ? when alas, the quarry is not worth half the
toil, could it be gotten : but what Solomon fayes
o£ the jluggardy Prov. 12.27. ^^^^ he rofieth not
that which he took in hunting, is true of the contra-
ry temper, thefe over-hufie ffirits whofe labour is
their only reward, they hunt a fl-^adow, and chafe
the mnd ; and when they ftrein to their utmoft
fpeed, there is ftill the wonted Diftance be-
tween them and their aims ; all their eager pur-
fuits bring them no acqueft ; but affer they
have traverft fo much ground, traced all the
mazes that learned Curiofity could contrive to
perplex men, and ftudied to the wearinefs of the
fle/h,i£not to the quenching of the Spirit too, they
are ftill in the fame ignorance from whence they
fetout, and 'twere well if they were alfo in the
fame douhtfulnefs : But the unhappinefs of it is,
they acquire a confidence without any true ground
of it ; and get fuch a Knowledge as may puff up,
but not edijie. This was eminently exemplified
in the Gnofiicks o£old, whofe vain Chimeras, and
foolifh queftions, as the ^/7d?/?/^ calls them, T/A3.0.
paft with them for fuch afuperlative wifdom, 3s
gave them Infolence to difcriminate themfelves
from
^3(jdP*I4* Secondly, Security. ^az
from Others by that fvvelling Title, and monopo-
lize the reputation of Science, which yet if we
will believe the great Dodlor of the Gentiles,
and he too brought up at the feet o£Gam^liel,
the greateft Rabbi of the Jewy, was fcience
falfly fo called. And God knowS;, they want
not fucceflbrs in this as well as in other
particulars, men are fo poffeft with their own
Phancies that they take them for Ordcles, and
think they fee vifions, and are arrived to fome
Extraordinary revelations of Truth, when indeed
they do but dream dreams, and amufe them-
felves with the Phantaftick Ideas of a bufie ima-
gination. Yet would they only pleafe them-
felves in the delufion, the Phrenfie were more
innocent ; but like the prouder fort of Lunaticks,
they will needs be Kings and Faders, impofc their
wild conjeBures for Laws upon others, and de-
nounce ]Var againft all that receive them not:
And this is that which makes the great combufti-
on, and confufion among us ; for while one man
Opines one way, another another, and each will
obtrude his opinion on every-body elfe ; 'tis im-
poflible hutthccontefts fhould be fharp and end-
lefs ; for each man labours under a double Im-
patience, the one of having his own notions re-
jected, the other of having the quite contrary
impos'd on him ; and though 'tis tiue the red-
procalnefs of the Injury ought to allay the d.if*
pleafure at it, yet men fo much more confider
what they fujfer than what they do, that every one
crys out aloud of that hardmeafure, which him-
Z 2 felf
344 OftheCdufesofDiJputes; Ct)apa4.
felf ofiers without regret. And between 7rinds
fo contrary and fo fierce, 'tis no wonder iijicrms
arife; andinfuch'T^m^^/x has Religion fo long
been tolled, that it now needs the interpofition
of a divine Miraculous poner, to keep it from fink-
ing ; for alas, thefe Skirmijhes expire not with
the firft Propugners of the Opinions ; they per-
h;*ps began as fingle Duellers y but then they foon
get their troops about them, have their parti fans
and abettors, who not only enhance, but entail
the feud to pofl:erity. And indeed this propa-
gation of Strife, both in thefe triflingy and the
former more profound fpeculations, is. the moffc
fatal circumflrance of the whole Cafe : Were it
not for this, though we might have many Errors,
w^e could have no Se5ls, And if the Church
might be fdmetimes wounded with the darts of
fingle Adverfaries, yet flie could not be furroun-
ded and befieg'd with cotrihinations and confede-
racies. Some fl:raggling Souldicrs might prove
renegadosy but they would not revolt in troops
and legions. We fhould not have fuch nume-
rous Parties, who with thegreateft violation of
Chrifl:ian unity, denominate themfelves, not from
the grand author and finijher of our Faith ; but
from thcjirfi hrocher of their Idolizd opinions. In
the mean time, 'tis a fad contemplation, that a
little vain curiofny fhould weigh fo much, or
•the Churches peace fo little with us : that we
fhould facrifice the one, to the fatufaBion fliall
I fay, or rather to the whetting and inflaming of
the ether. But 'tis a yet fadder, that this fhould
chiefly
C0<JP*^4- Secondly^ Curiofity, ^4-
chiefly ^be done by thofe whofe learning enables,
and whofe prcfeffion Ihould devote to the iroft
noble and moft profitable Studies ; nay have the
higheft obligations to corredt thofe exorbitances
in others, v^hich with fuch Art and labour they
propagate and teach. How wounding a fpedta-
cle is it to fee our greatelt Heroes like Hercu-
les at the Difiajfe, thus degeneroufly employed,
and to find thofe who were by Chrift defign'd for
filhers of (t^[cny thus entertain themfelves like
Children, with picking up Shells ^nd Pebbles on t\\Q
fliore; and which is yet more unmanly Trr^//^////^
about them too. Indeed at this rate, 'tis no
wonder if they make the difciples Complaint, we
have travailed all night and have taken nothino-.
This fureisfo little the way to win Souls, that
he whofe bufinefs it is to deftroy them, can very
contentedly refer them to this method; can
gladly leave us all our nice and fubtle difquiji-
tions, upon the very fame fcore that one of the
Gothick Commanders, advifed the fparing of the''
Italian Schools and Libraries', Let us, fayes he,
leave them their Books, that whilelt they amufe
themfelves with flich fo^liesy we may fubdue them
at our pleafure. It is the faying of the Wife-man,
there is a vptfdom that multiplieth bitternefs ; and
fwre if there be a wifdom acquired by thefe cu-
rious Enquiries, 'tis of this fort, like the Know-
ledge of Good and Evil attained by our firfl
Parents, which taught them to know the Good
only by its lofs, and the Evil by its [mart. In-
deed our too high, and tranfcending j^eculations
Z 3 on
3 4^ Of the Caufes ofDifputas ; C|)ap*l4*
on the one hand, and our too trivial and unprp-
fitable on the other ; are like the torrid and fri-
gid Zone, the one confumes us with its heat, the
other chils;, and benumns us with its cold ; that
turns us to Cinder s, this to Ice. Thefe little
tiiiiing Notions being too flight an exercife to
keep heat in our Ghriftianity, which not only
exprelles but maintains its life by ftrong and vi-
gorous Motions. And therefore between thefe
two intemperate f God has provided us an habita-
hie Climey I mean that middle rank of divine
truths which tend to practice. Here he would
have us dwell and converfe, fix our thoughts and
ftudies: Nor need we fear that they are too
dry a fubjedl for our contemplation. We fee
as deep Speculators, as any now aflume to be,
found it far otherwife. David could entertain
himfelf with the Meditaticn of God's haw ( not
his hidden Decrees or counfels) alltheDayyVf^^l,
,119.97, Nay it feems the Matter was fo copious
and redMndanty that it could not be confin'd
within that narrow boundary of Time, but invaded
the night alfo ; forced him to defaulk from his
re fly to beftow on his medjtationsy I have thought of
thy Name O Lord in the night feaf on, and have kept
thy Lawy Verf. 5*5'. Neither is it a vain expence of
Time, which it thus tempts to, but gives the
happieft improvement ; lands at that harbour tq
which all rational ftudies tend, gives under-
ftanding, Verf. 130. makes wife the fimple, FGih
19. 7. and this alfo in an eminent degree, fuch
as fet him above his teachers, and his Elders
alfo.
Ci^ap*l4- Secondly, Security. 347
alfo. Thou through thy commandments haflmade
me wifer than mine Enemies. I have more wu
derfianding than my teachers, for thy teflitnonies
are my jludy. I am wifer than the aged, hecaufe
I keep thy commandments, Pfal. 119. 98, ^g,
100. Thefe are high and liberal Elogies of this
divine ftudy: and if any fliall feek to divert
an unwelcome inference by faying that Daz'id
fpoke them only in pious raptures^, that they
were the tranfport of his zeal, rather than the
eftimate of his judgment ; we muft refolve the
objccflor far removed from fuch religious ex-
cejfes, and under the contrary defeB: yet the
caufe will fo well bear an appeal, that ne may
be trufted to confult farther, let him advife
with Solomon, whofe large defires and poflefll-
ons too of wifdom, muft fuppofe him no ftran-
ger to its nature, and he will tell him the very
fame, and that not in his devout er extafies, but
in his moft composed fedate temper, when he fo-
lemnly feats himfelf in his School, reads Ethicks
to his difciples, and profelTes his defign of
giving fuhtilty to the Simple, and to the young
ijian knowledge and difcretion, Prov. i. 4. for if
his whole book of Froverhs be fcanned, the fum
of it will be found to be nothing elfe but ant
exhortation to the ftudy of this pracflick Wif-
dom. Nay when his own underflanding was im-
proved and advanced by Experience alfo, when
he had not only heg'd, but bought wifdom, after
he had given his Curiofity its full unbounded
Range, compafledthe whole Univerfe>and exa-
Z 4 m'm'i
7, 48 Of the Cdiifes of Dilutes ; Cl^P 14*
min'dnot only in contemplation y but by fenlitive
experiment y whatever therein could pretend to be
that good for the fons of Men^, Eccl.z.^ . we find af-
ter ail this buiie inquefl:^ he gives up his verdiB in
this ?oimy Ecclef. 12. 13. Let us hear the end of the
whole matter, Fear God and keep his Command-
ment Sy for this if the Whole Duty of Manx And
now methinks fo folemn a decifion of the wifefl:
of Menj, and he too infpir'd by the Omnifcicnt
Godjr may be thought of weight enough to ac-
quiefce in. Yet fince there are fome who love
not to weigh in the balance of the Sancftuary, and
that had rather receive Refponfes from Delphos
than from between the Cheruhims : Let fuch at
leaft hear even the Heathen Oracle attefting So-
crates to be the wifefl: man^, becaufe he direcfled
his ll'udies to the moral fart of Learning, which
he did to fuch a degree, as to difparage all thofe
more Jiry fpeculationsy which bettered not mens
Manners, but were only hhyav 4o>of, a noife and
clattering of Words, And Pythagoras his School
defines Philofophy, ^mi a.vhco'7riv\-\q }tclQctf<fiv KaiTiKHo-
TnTci, the cleaning and perfeB/ng of humane life,
7/bich two things are faid to be done, firft by Ver-
tuey whofe bufinefs it is to remove th^ df^ndctv tuv
mretBav, the inordination of our Faffions : Secondly,
by Uruthy which reftores ^^ov. hS'o?^ the Image and
pourtraiBureofGod. And fince this is thejoynt
fuffrage both of Religion and Reafon, why /hould
thofe that pretend to either defie both, and vain-
ly confume themfelves in unprofitable fearches ?
Why fliould men wander to feek heggary and
emptinefs.
Cftsp 14- Secondly, Curiofity. 349
emptinefs, who may with far lefs labour be rich at
hpme ? Alas, 'tis not bare knowledge, how great
or univerfal foever, that can poflefs us o£ felicity.
Were it poflible for us to have a window into
Heaven, to fee all the Divine fecrets, yet that
might be but like the Rich mans profpedl into
Abrahams bofom, while himfelf was in the bottom-
lefs pit. They are not only thegrofs and illiterate
Souls that muft feed thok flames, the moft Jerial
and Sublimated, are rather the more proper fuel
for an immaterial Fire, and the knowledge we
carry thither, render us the fitter company for
him, who knew every thing but how to keep him-
felf happy. It was at once the Obfervation and
Wonder of P/^^^/rc^, that whereas God has fe-
veral incommunicable properties as Power and Im-
mortality, tS'c. thefe all men afpir'd to, in the
mean time negledted that of Goodnefs, wherein
ihe was willing all men fhould fliare. And fure
there is now caufe of the fame complaint, we
would have Omnifcience and all parts of Divini-
ty befides the holinefs, yet alas, thofe without
thefe would prove but fatal acquefts, and that
approach towards being Gods, would only make
us the more Devils, The only advantagious as
well as poflible way of Aflimilation witK God is
by purity, and the means of that an Attentive
confideration of thofe Divine revelations, which
are to regulate our pradlice; thefe at once dif-
pence light and warmth, diredl and revive the
Soul: And if men would not c-jd\2ilc vapours to
cloud and darken them, Eclipfe the clearefl:
Truth §
3 5*0 Of the Catifes ofDiJ^utes ; €^t)^p*i4.
Truths by difficulties of their own creating, no
man could mifs his way to Heaven for want of
light, and yet fo vain are they as to think they ob-
lige the world by involving it in darknefs, as if
their <$J\iifts fliould like that rphich Watered the
neW'formd Earth, Gen, 1.6. fupply the place of
the (i^TT^ of Heaven. But certainly to all fuchin
their profufeft liberalities, we need make no
other Requeft than Diogenes did to Alexander^ dc-
fire them only that they will not ftand between us
and the Smty intercept its rays, and rob us of that
which is infinitely better than any thing they can
give us. Were this but obtain'd, we fliould foon
difcern the inconfiderablenefs of thofe things
whofe effedls have been fo fadly confiderable to
Chriftendom ; thofe many Chimczras which we
wrangle and fight about, would in this Sun-fliine
appear but Motes that dance in the Air, ( though
God knows as we manage them, they are the
moft luxurious Revels to the Prince that rules
there. ) Were but a St. Pauls doctrine through-
ly imbib'd, our Curious Arts, ^n^ipi^ya. y^d^fj.d'rcr^
fuperfluous unconcerning fiudies, would as it hap-
pened, J£is ip, be fupplanted ; and our devotion
iffufEcientlyaccended, would as theirs, hurnup
innumerable ^e^o/^j of this fort. And fureas this
would be thQgreatep, fo it would be the fnoft ///-
^m^/^^/7^JBo;;^r^ Chriftendom ever faw, as being
not only an indication, but a means of the mighty
growth, and prevailing of the Word of God,
which our vain Curiojities ferve only to impede
andobftrudl, while they do as mightily advance
diJfentionsScanimoJities amongft men* pIJAP^
^ftap^Ii*- thirdly, Inter eft. 3jri
CHAP. XV.
A furvey of the Caufes of Vilfutes ; thirdly ,
Intereft.
BLl T befides thefe two, there is a third Fo-
menterof divifions, which either for its
adlivity or fuccefs muft not fubfcribe to
either of them, and that is Intereft, This is the
great Idol to which the world bows : To this we
pay our devouteft homage, give it not only our
knees y but our hearts ; and as if the making us
rich were a /^co«^ Creation, that could cancel all
the obligations o£ the firft : We facrilegioufly en-
title our profit to all the Prerogatives of a Crea-
tor, give it an abfolute unlimited dominion over
us, allow it to prefcribe us all our meafures of
good and evil ; to rule not only our Reafon but
our PdJJtons too, ( a Soveraignty alas we would
never yield to our God ) and as if the giving us
laws were not Empire enough, we permit it to
impofe Religions alfo ; for fure they that obferve
how great an influence it has in Church affair Sy
will conclude it governs more than the fecular
part of the world. And indeed if we look back,
we fliall find *tis no novel ufurpationy but though
vbid of other Title, has the Prefcription o^tnany
ages. Divinity has long fince been made the
han4n)aid of Policy, and Religions modelled by
convenif
35*^ Oftf^^ Cdiifes cfDiJpiitey ; Hl^^p.IS'
conveniencies of State. The golden Calves be-
came venerable deities y when they were found apt
tofecure Jeroharas Jealoufies: And Machiavils
policyj^that Slates (houldferve tbemfehes ofReligi-
cTty was a common prac5lice long before 'twas his
Rule. And this Example of Communities has
been tranfcrib'd by fingle Perfons. In the Old
Teftament we find frequent mention of thofe
mercenary Prophets^ that turn'd the ojfice into a
trade y divin'd for w?^?/^^;/, nay> fome times for more
contemptible hire J, handfuls of Barley Siud pieces of
Bread : And in the New we fee the fame motive
of Secular advantage had force enough to turn an
Ecclefiajiick into a Laicky make Demas degrade
himfelfi and defert his Miniftry;, and as it thus
ftopt his mouth from preaching the Tn^^^, fo it
open'd thofe of Others to divulge Errors, Such
were thofe deceivers of whom St. Paul fpeaks,
Tit, I. II. viho Jpake things they ought not for filthy
lucres fake. So when the fame Apoflrle declaims
the moft earneftly againft the love of money as the
root of all evily we find he fetches his proof of that
ChargCj* from its having made men erre from the
faithy 1 Tim, 6. lo. And 'tis St. Peters predicfti-
on, that the moft damnable HerefieSj, even the
denying of the Lord that bought themy ftiould be in-
troduced by thofcy who through Covetoufnefs
ihould make merchandize of their Profelytesy z
Pet. 2. 4. and fure the event attefts the prefage to
have concern d more than the Age immediately
fucceeding, there being none otthe fubfequent
which hatn not in fome degree affifted its com-
pletion.
pletion, nor have wc caufe to v^ondiQi here-at,
fince 'tis obvious to difcern the conjuncftion and
dependence between Covetoufnefs and Herefie.
Fprthe /^t^//;^>/^rjthe Apoftle fpeaks of^ being
an Epidemkk difeafey give fair opportunity to
every Mountebank to try his Experhncnts, When
men naufeate Old truths,, becaufe they are ac-
quainted with them^ and embrace docftrines fox
the very fame reafon^ they fliould rejecft them,
even becaufe they are J)d'ew : When they love no
TeacherS;, butfuchas thus entertain them;, and
are bountiful to none but fuch as they love ; there
is little doubtj, but there will be Mints enough fet
on work^ when the Cowers can thus at once ^^mp
new opinions for their Difciples, and Money for
Themfelves : And God knows they are not ^feip
of our Divifions, that have thence taken .hirih.
It will be needlefs to ravel far into the Recordu
of Elder timesj, every mans memory will be able
to fuggeft to him too many, and too pertinent
inftances. Upon which reflecflion 'twill be too
vifible, that much of fome mens late pretence to
Godlinef?\\o,s but a real purfuit of Gain ; and the
flew light ferv'd to guide them to their neighbours
Coffers : And probably many of our Difputes had
been fuperfeded, had not the Authors forefeen,
that though they loft the Queftion^, they fhould
gain what they more fought. A few effays had
difcover'd how much the Populacy were pleas'd
with Novelties, efpecially fuch as at once gratifi-
ed their Levity and their Pride, by cafting ill re-
flecflions on the things or Perfons to whom they
owed
3 54 Of the Caufis of Dijputes ; C&ap* 1 5*.
owed a reverence ; and the liberal contributions
fuch Teachers met with, ferv'd ftill to invite
vciOTt labourers mtot\\2itworky where without the
uneafinefs of a long Expecflation, their vciy feed-
time was their Harvefty and by fowing tares ^ they
immediately reaped Gold : And 'tis no wonder if
fuch quick returns made them diligent at the trade,
induftrious to provide thofe wares they faw they
could put off fo well. And would to God we
were fecure, that this way of Traffick were yet at
an end,for fo long as thefe f^iritual Merchants can
thus impofe on their credulous Chapmeny make
them buy one mifchief with another, and exhauft
their Efiates to endanger their Soulsy we muft not
hope our dijfentions will ever ceafe, our flames
ever be extindl, that have fo much matter to feed
them, and fuch importunate blafis to blow them
up.
BUT covetoufneJSis of too unfatiable a nature
to be contented with one way of fupply, 'tis like
the Seay that receives the Tribute of all Rivers
( though far unlike it in lending any back again )
and therefore thofe who have refolv'd upon the
thriving fort of Piety, have feldom embarkt all
their hopes in one bottom, nor fo depended on the
bounty of their Profelytes, as to negledl other
ways of preying for themfelves. They wanted not
providence to forefee, how uncertain a revenue
populaj: benevolence is : That the fame giddy and
violent humour, which had opened their hands fo
wide, might by working another way clofethem
^ fafi ; or if their inclinations continued, their
abilities
€lm'^S' Thirdly, Intenft. 35^
abilities might fail; (a thing very poflible to thofe,
^ who have fuch fuckers ) or if both thefe remain d,
yet that they were unlikely to grow in proportion
to their own appetites^ and therefore found it ne-
celTary to have fome other referve ; and befides
this way o£ flattering, their willing henefaclors out
of part, contrived another of f^ra/^^ their unwil-
ling Neighbours out of all their pojfejjions : So
making the fpoils of fome mens honefiji a richer
booty than that of others folly. Hence Shiholeths
found out of Covenants and engagements, to give
opportunity of deftroying a diflenting brother ;
by this Art ^fat benefice became crime and witnefs
too againft its Incumbent, and he was fure to be
unorthodox, that was worth the plundering. Thus
alas has the Altar of God been attended, or rather
invaded by thofe whofe very approach was a,guilt,
that qualified them rather to lay hold on its horns,
than pretend to its fervice ; for fure that God,
who has declared he hates robbery for burnt-ojfer-
ing, cannot much afFe(Sl Robbers for Priefts. But
this is a Theme fo unpleafant I delight not to en-
large on it, and rather wifli that the memory of
it were fo extindl, that it might remain no where
but in the penitential Litaniesi of the Offenders ;
my defign in the prefent refle(ftion is only to
make it an evidence how much covetoufnefs pro-
motes our contentions, which fure is not more vi-
fible any where than in this inftance : For where
there is a defign of fupplanting, that neceffarily
requires another of accufing ;( even Jezabel her
felf projedls not to feize on Naboths Vineyard
without
^$6 Of the C4ufes of Dilutes ; ^(Jap^li*.
without a precedent Charge ) to comply with
which neceflity, not only the lives and converfa-
tionsy but the doHrines and opinions of our moft
eminent Divines have been ftrangely mifrepre-
fented, and when that proved not fence enough to
the reputation of their Oppreflbrs, they have
thought fit to change the Scene, andtocombate
thofe opinions in their true foape, upon which they
could not fo well faften their difguife. I fliall not
here need to fay with how much, or how little
praetext of reafon they managed thofe Difputes :
'Tis enough to my purpofc that fuch Difputes
there were, and thofe founded in the defire of ac-
quiring fecular advantages, which fuiSciently ac-
tefts Intereft to be a potent Abettor of cur quar-
rels.
BUT God knows that is a truth of which the
TTorW aflords fo many proofs, that we need not
confine our felves to this little Angle of it, or owe
our conviBions only to our domefiick tranfadiions ;
if we look abroad we fliall find it too often exem-
plified. The memorable diflurhance given to the
Church, as well as State o£ Germany by the ,yfna-
haptifts, is a pregnant inftance; whok new opini-
on was but an expedient of invefting themfelves
in new poffejjlonsy and their fecond Baptifm but the
Solemnity of efpoufing, not only the fle/hy but
the world alfo, which they had renounced in the
firft.
•AND would God they had been the only fet
of Men, whofe do&rines were fubfervient to their
intereflsy for fuch tumultuous and Plebeian pro-
jeSls,
dtjap^iy- fhirdlyy Intereft. 357
jV^j-, though like a land-floud they make great fpoil
at the prefentj, yetfoon fink again, v^uch avow-
ed and excejJiTje greedinefs devours its felfy and
the infiruments by which it wrought: fo that the
defeat of the fecular Defign^, is commonly the
routing thofe Opinions, which were Icrmed for
the promoting it. But when the fame defire has
the advantage of a fober guidance ; when A'i^a-
rice puts on the Canonical hahity and twifts its
felf not only with the pratlice of Men, but the
doctrines of the Church ; when articles of Reli-
gion fhali be eftimated by their j{7ro/i5V^^/£';/^yj-,and
Ecclefiafticks dij^utCy as Lay-men y(^/'f/c?r Money;
then alas the mifchief fcems fataU the .iifcafe {o
fixt and radicated, as at once difcoura^Tes, and
mocks the attempts o^cure.
THAT this is the cafe not only in a farti-
cular and private Church, but that which af-
fumes to be the Univerf.1l and Cathlick is too
apparent. The one Pofition of the Popes right"
to difpofe Kingdoms, outftrips all other prin-
ciples of rapine : this is to drive a irfjole-fale
trade^ when all other petty Merchants, deal but
for parcels : which as it is a much holder, fo is
it a more prejudicial attempt than the invading
of private poifleflions;, and this Duo gladiiy the
double armature of S. Peter, a more deftrucftive
Engin, than the tumultuary weapon fnatcht up
by aFanatick: butfure S.Feters fjrord thiOUph
once raflily managed by himfelf, was never, de-
fign'd to arm his fucceffors to invade Kingdoms :
Tnis property of it fecms rather to have been de-^
A a rived
3 5*8 Of the Caufes ofDifputes ; Cl^ap^ii*.
rived from the FrdtorianfoulcUersy who infolently
aflumed the difpofing of the Empire, wherein
they at the laft arrived to that impudence y that
after the Death of Fertinax they made open port
fale of it:> au^pai ^ AliyLa^ aa;yi§ )y r^/f IS'iaTiKcoi KH^Y\Kia>v )in
a bafe and fordid manner, as if it had heen of com-
mon marketahie wares : I cannot fay the Court
of Rome tranfcribes that indecent owning of the
traffick ; but it has in other inftances fo well at-
teftedits good managery^ that 'tis not very cre-
dible, that Crowns and Scepters are conferred
gratis. And to this fo advantageous a DocSlrine
others bear proportion : Thofe of Purgatory y In-
dulgencesy and Supererogation^ are ready inftances,
wherein the ^Jfertors themfelves feem to be una-
nimous in nothing but in a joynt reference to
profit, for when they come to minute definiti-
ons they vary and difagree ; fatisfie one another,
as little as their common ^Antagonifts : and there-
fore in the Council o£Trent they prudently chofe
in their decrees to propofe the bare Articles backt
by the Authority of the Church, and jfnathemas
of the Council, as having by precedent difcuffi-
ons of the points in their congregations difcern'd
the fmall aeford that was among t;hemfelves,
when they defcended to particulars. And indeed
the Opinions were fo various as to the grounds of
the Dodlrines, that one would wonder how from
fo differing premijfes, they fliould all inferr the
fame conclufon; were it not that the conj^iration
of Intereft was too potent for the diver fity of
Judgment. Andfure 'twas a ftrange deference
was
€^l^ap*l5'- Thirdly y Intereft. 359
was given to it^ when in the matter of Indul-
gencesy there was (by the Teftimony of their owa
Writers) four different Opinions^, and yet ail Q-
tholick : which moderation towards Speculative
diflenters, compared with the great feverity
againft thofe that oppofed its FraBicey fpeaks
loud enough that the Orthodoxy of the point, lay
wholly in the Profit ahlenefs: and that Luther
himfelfhadbeenno Hereticky had he bufied him-
felf only in fuch difquifitions, as impeded not
the gain of that Doctrine. Nor is this meer-
ly furmife and conjedlurcj, for if we confult the
memorials of thofe tranfadlions, we fliall find this
was the thing that moft alarm'd Romey put that
Court in almoft as great ^commotion asthchirth
of Chrift did Herods : and accordingly in their pri-
vate confultSj, the clofcr cabals of the Colledge ;
the fecuring this part of their invaded treafure
was the grand deliheratioriy upon which account it
was, that when Adrian fhewed fome Inclination
to the reforming abufes both in this and other
inftancesj, one of his Cardinals who better knew
the entrigues of aflfairsj, admonilht him againft
that unskilful piece of Ingenuity y not only from
the Example of his Fredecejforsy who were refo-
lute never to confefs Faults by mending them;,but
by reprefenting to him:, ^' That no reformation
^' could be made, which would not notably di-
^^ minifli the rents of the Church, which having
'^ four foundations, the one Temporal y the other
''three Spiritual Indulgencies, Difpenfations,
^ and Collations of Benefices ; no one of them
A a 2 '^ could
^6o OftheCaufesofDiJputes; COap.li'.
^^ could be flopped but that one quarter of the
^' revenues would be cut off. What a refem-
blance this advice carries to the oration o£ Deme-
trius to his £d\o\w crafts-men>-J<3. 19. 25. I need
not ftand to demonftratej, but while fuch confi-
derations as thisj, bear fway in Church matters,
where Frofit fhall be the Houch-fione both for faith
and manners^ we are not to wonder i^ no gainful
Tenet be depofited ; or Peace bought with that
which in molt mens efteem is of far more
value.
AND this is it w^hich ominates fadly as to
our divifions with the Romamflsf were our dif-
ferences meerly the produ(ft of Heat and Paflton,
they would like the [mailer clefts in the ground,
want nothing but a cooler feafon to cement and
clofe them : but when they are thus form'd into
an interefly become the Defign not o( fngle per-
fans or agesy but of corporations and fuccejjions ;
the Breach fcems like the yc/^^r^j- and ruptures oi
an Earthquake, and threatens to fwallow all
that attempt to clofe it, and refcrves its cure on-
ly for omnipotence. Indeed till y/?mV^^/ and y^-
cular Concerns be reduced into their proper
rinL^, which are now mixt and confounded, the
better to difguifetheprepofterous fubordination
of the nobler to the inferior,; till we have for-
gotten the unhappy Chymifry of turning all even
Religion its felf into Gold, we muft never hope
to get out of the Furnace ; our flames will ftill
grow^ fiercer, and with this unnatural effeB to
confume not the Drofs, but th^ purer MstaL In
€i&a£I.I5- Thirdly, Intereft. 36"!
a word:, till men can fever themfelves from their
j?i;^r/c:^andmeanpurfuitsof gain> they will ne-
ver ceafe to feperate from their brethren. For as
the molt foveraign Balfoms cannot cure a hurt
while the arrow remains in the flefh : fo neither
can the moft pacifick Kerne dies at all avail, fo
long as the fame worldly Jimsy which mads the
wound, ftill ftick in it.
BUT in the mean time 'tis a MeUticholick
confideration that Chriftianity fiiould be by its
Profeffors thus unworthily proffcituted ; that the
many various and oppofite Religions for which
we feverally pretend fo much zeal, fhould be but
divers waies to the fame irreligious End ; where-
in our Elders feem to refemble thofe in the Sto-
ry of Sufdnnay who when they meant to part
with each other, yet did unawares meet by the
impulfeofthe fameLuft. We find it moved the
patience c\'Q,no^ the hamh of God, to fee his Fa-
thers hotife made a houfe of merchandize, though
the Traffick was for the furnifhing of Sacrifices :
with what abhorrence muft we think doss he now
behold thofe, who drive fo much a worfe trade
in it : who fell not accommodations for worfliip,
but the worjhip its felf to accommodate their in-
terejts, and do not only make Gain in the Tem-
ple, hut of It. A thing the facrilegious Rapine
of our days has made literally true, where bc-
fides. the revenueSy the very fahrick and materials
of Churches, have been marketable ware : Ju-
das's good husbandry has been taken up, and ad
^iiid Perditio h(ZC t put as the common Motto
. Aa 3 upof^
3 6z Of the Caufes ofPifputes; C|?ap>l5''
upon every thing that could be fold for more, nay
fometimes for lefs thanThree hundred pence. And
as Dionyfius took away the golden beard from
^fculapnis, to re(f1:ifie the indecency of the
Sons having a beard when the Father had none:
and Julian robb'd the Chriftian altars with this
impious Sarcafm, l^j -tsgioh c-Adt'so-zi/ \i3r;?psTeT.5 o Mct^u? «(5<;
that 't-fv as unfit the Sonof^SMaryfiouldbe fervdin
Plate. So do men nov/ a-days make themfelves
regulators of holy things, corredt the indecorums
of the fancftuary, that they may rifle its treafures.
Thus do we fee the Apoftles affirmation fadly
verified that thofewho will he rich fali into 'Tempta-
tion^ and afnarey i Tim. (5. 9. Such is the gree-
dinefs of a covetous appetite y that it fwallows in-
difcriminately whatever looks like prize, and
rather than it want its prey^, God Himfelf fliall
be robb'd. Nay:, 'twere to be wifht in this in-
ftancej, that That were all ; but alas he is mockt
too, ufed not only unjuftly, but contumelioufly ;
we thus make him a property to our fordid de-
fignsj, and when he has profeft that he will not be
ferv'd together with Mammon, we attempt that
which is yet far more blafphemous, and make
him pay fervice to him with whom he difdains to
fliare it when paid by others.
N E I T H E R is Covetoufnefs the only Vice
that ferves its intereft: upon Religion : butas'tisf
made afa5lor for that, fo is it a cloak and difguife
for many other. Of this the Catalogues of pri-
mitive Hereticks give fufficient witnefs ; divers
whereof as the Nicolaitans, Cerinthians, Carpocra-
tians,
CiD^*I5'- "thirdly, Interefi. 3^3
tiam and Gnofiicks feem to have conftituted di-
ftindl fedls in Chrifiianity, only that they might
introduce the mofi: beftial parts of Heathentfm,
and pretended an affociation in Keligiotty when in-
deed it was in Ittfi, How far fome of our modern
Sedls refemble them in this Particular, I will
not undertake to pronounce : though there w^ant
not thofewho make feverey and not improbable
Conjedlures concerning it. But whether that be
the main delign or no ; 'tis certain both that
wickednefs, and many other find great ftielter
among them. He that brings refolution to up-
hold a Facftion fhall not mifs of Entertdinmenty
how many or how great vices foever he brings
with it ; and he that is of a godly party, fhall in
fpight of the loudeft Guilts be a godly man, Sb
meritorious a thing is it in fome mens account to
be faBiousy that it covers the multitude of fins :
hence it is that Criminals fo frequently fly to
new Churches for SanBuary : and 'twill ftill b^
the concern of fuch to have fo creditable a jR^-
fuge ; and therefore we are not to wonder if this
Intereft combine with the former in promoting our
DifTentions.
BUT alas, as it advances thofey fo does it
our guilt too, that have more than on vile End to
which we accommodate our Piety : and ftill im-
plies the greater affront to our God, by how ma-
ny the more and bafer interefts we fliroud under
his Patronage. Alas, is it not enough as Job
fpeaks to hide our iniquities in our own bofomes, but
mult we wrap them in the Veil of the SanBuary.
Aa 4 We
1, 6 4- Of the Cdtifes ofDiJputes ; (Ifcap* I i*-
We read that Goats once Ipnt a covering for the
Tabernacle ; but here by an impious Inverfion,
the tabernacle muft lend a covering to the Goats :
The mofl: hfiial appetites be both concealed and
prcfexv*d under the Shadow of Religion. P/«-
tarch tells us that when Marcelhis would have
confccrated a Temple joyntly to Honour and
Vcrtue, the JPriefti refifted it, faying, Tjvo Gods
dwelt not in one Church : and if their vain deities
exavfled fuch a folemnity of Refpecft, and would
pot be Inmates to cue another y can we think the
true God will be content to be made fo to all
our vtlefl lufis. This is fure the higheft Con-
tuPxiely to the divine Majefty ; and never could
the abomination of defolation more properly be
faid to Hand in the holy place than in this fenfei
for as the natures of thefe Guilts are fitly expreft
by ahominationy fo is the effect of them by defola-
ticn ; they having brought the moik. fatal mifchiefs
pn. the Cliurch.
AND now would God all that are concern'd
in this guiltj, would foberly ponder the weight of
it. There are two things of which God has
expreft himTelf peculiarly Tender^ his honour and
his Church ; this is the invading him in both ; the
expoiing the one to Reproach and Contempt, and
the other to Ruine and Deftrudlion ; anddoubt-
lefs were there nothing oi th^ former, this later
alone muft be fadly accounted for. It remains
yet a Charadler of infamy upon ^Achan, that he
troubled Ifrael to enrich himfelf : and on Balam
that h^ not only loved the wages of iniquity y but
enjnared
(^MV^lf- Thirdly, Interefi, ^6^
enfnared the people in uncleannefs : and fure the
fame with many aggravations belongs to thofe>
who by the like unworthy pracflice, have not on-
ly rendred the Church a prey to foreigners , but
made it fo to its felf; engag'd one part of it
againft another, till the whole is fo wafted, that
our Religion feems now neerer extindlion, than
our quarrels about it.
CHAP. XVI.
J Survey of the Caufes of Dijf.utes \ Fourthly,
Pajjion.
A
FOURTH grand contributer to our
diflentions is Fajfion, which being by
^ God and nature placed in a fubferviency
to reafon, when it quits its proper flation and
affumes empire, it muft needs diforder and fub-
vert not only the State of the Mind, but oi Eve-
ry thing upon which it has an Influence. I ihall
not here attempt any Philofophical difcourfe ei-
ther of their nature or number^ ; all that concerns
the prefent enquiry falls under one of thefe two,
our love, or our hate ; and Is either Kindnefs and
Prepofleflion, or Spight and Prejudice : For the
jirft of thefe 'tis- a thing which common experi-
ence attefts to be a moft forcible corrupter of
the underftanding, which being by native right
defign'd a Judge, is by this interrupted in its
office.
3 66 Of the Caufes of Dilutes ; €^apa6.
cfficc) not permitted to make thofe impartial En-
quiries; on which a nght fentence fliould be found-
ed. But ( as it fares fometimes with Magifirates
in Popular infurre(5lions ) forced to give counte-
nance to its own violation) to own not its proper
native dicftatesj, but fuch as are prefented to it,
by the prejudicate Phancy. And as it thus lays
reftraint upon the fuperior part of the Mind, keeps
the underftanding in fetters, fo ( to complete the
inverfion ) it takes ofF all ties from the inferior ;
Gives jiot only licence y but incitation to the other
Paffions to take their freeft range, to adl with
the utmofl: impetuofity. And fure there can no-
thing more be requir'd, to render it a moft apt in-
fintment of Tumult and Confufion. For when
every opinion that is taken up, fhall infteadof
re af on and argument y arm its felf with /'^^^ and vi-
olence) there can be no end of contending. And
the truth of this is, God knows, too fadly difcer-
nible in our Church-controverjiesy which derive a
great deal of their warmth and hitternej? from this
Fountain.
O F this prepofleffion there are two Sorts,
the one relating to DoBriney the other toP^r-
fons ; by the firft I mean not a fober qonftancy to
thofe principles which being firft imbibed by e^sJ^-
cationy are afterwards retain'd upon Judgment,
but an eaget tenacity of Opinions, not fo much
upon 7.ruth or Evidence, as upon a confus'd irra-
tional kindnefs ; a Flatonick love of fome Do-
cStrine meerly for themfelves, and then making
thcmthcHandardsy byvvhichall others are to be
tneafured:
CEfjap^i^- Fourthly, PaJJion. ^6y
meafured : And this kind of Prepofleflion is no
Stranger in the world, there being multitudes of
men, who aflert opinions with all imaginable ve-
hemence, who can give no better ground of it,
but becaufe they like them : And as the wifer fort
chufe a Tenet, becaufe 'tis righty fo thefe con-
clude 'tis right, becaufe they have chofen it. And
having thus enamour'd themfelves of their Helena,
they expec5l all Ihould adore, nor can he fcape
the note of Profanenefs that refufes. By this ab-
furd partiality it is that fome do5irineSy which
would themfelves ill abide the tefl, are become
the Touch-fione both of Dodlrines and Men, and
no Opinion or Perfon fandlified which bears not
this imprefs. I need not ftand to give inftances,
either of the DoBrines or the unhappy influence
this efpoufing of them has had on our diflentions ;
but indeed this kind of FrepoJfeJJion is oftentimes
the confequent o£ 2,nothcr ; and this great 'venera-
tion of fome Opinions is founded in the reverence
of their Authors. Men take up a confidence of
the learning or fanBity of a Perfon, and then all
his notions are received implicitly, ftridlly embra-
ced, but not fo much as flightly examind;
and this admiration of mens Perfons, has in all
ages been of huge mifchief to the Church, has
nurlt up private Phancies into folemn puhlick Er-
rors, and given an unhappy perpetuity to many
Heterodox opinions, which would elfe have expi-
red with their firfl Fropugners. This feems to
have been forefeen by St. Faul, when he fo ear-
neftly exhorts the Corinthians againft the afcri-
bing
^6S Of the Caiifes rfPilfutes ; Ctiap^lfi".
bing their Fditby ro their feveral refpedlive Teach-
ers \ Butfure I am, 'twas fadly experimented
by the face ceding Chrifiiansy who owed many of
their divifions to it. A pregnant inftance hereof
was the Millenniumy which in fpight of its impro-
bability prevail'd long, and almoft wnverfally
againft the truth upon the ftrength of Authority.
yapias a holy man and Scholar ot St, JohtJy having
delivered it:, the efieem of his Perfon canoniz'd his
in/flake, and men chofe rather to admit a doBriney
whofe unagreeablenefs to the Gofpel Oeconomy
rendred it fufpicious, than think an Jpoftolick man
could feduce them. And the force of this is yet
mpre confiderable, when 'tis remembred that it
^0)XvidiFrofelytesy not only among the Kw/^^y, who
are commonly flexible to any new Impreflion,
butamongthofcof a Z'/^/:?^r ranky men that were
lights in their generation : Juftin Martyr and Ire-
f;rf:i^ having own'd the Opiniotiy and intimated it
to have been received by mJiny others no lefs Or-
thodox ; and if fuch a fedudlion could prevail:, fo
early in thofe purer times, before mens interefts
or fpleen were adopted into their Religion, and
begot voluntary errors, if I fay the m^^r reputati-^
on of a Teacher, was then fingly fo operative ; we
cannot wonder at its efficacy in conjunction with
thofe auxiliaries y which worfer times have
brought in. What concurrence of thofe there
was in the feveral HerefieSy which after infefted
the Churchy I fliall not now examine, but 'tis vi-
fible that many of them grew confiderable, chiefly
from the fame of their Authors, thus Tatianns up^
oil
€{jap*i<^- Fourthly, PaJJion. 369
on the credit of being Jufiin ^^lartyr's difciple,
had an advantage to difleminate his errorsj, and
not only his, but thofe of Driven Apollindrif and
Novatus, gain'd abettors from the reputed Ort/jo-
<i{?J9/ of the Perfons, that proposed them:, who ha-
ving aflerted the Faith in fome pointSj, were qua-
lified the more profperoufly to appofe it in others.
NOR has it been only the mifliap of elder
times to have felt the mifchiefs of fuch pra:pofTef-
lion ; the difeafe has ftill advanced, and every day
improved in worfe ejfeSiy by how much men have
more degenerated irora primitive integrity y fo that
the eafie Frofelyts is now in danger, not only from
the hlindnefiy but the treachery of his guide, and
is often led out o£ the common road, as thieves
draw paflengers into ly-trays for the better oppor-
tunity of robbing them : But 'tis not my prefent
bufinefs to fend Hue and cry after them, to exa-
mine what the intentions of thofe leaders are, who
mifguide their tradtable admiring followers, 'tis
enough for my purpofe to obferve, that thofe
who fo deliver up themfelves in a blind aflent to
thedidlatesof any man, are in his power to be
abufed by him if he pleafes : I fhall leave it to
others, toefi:imatethe/?r(?^^^/7/Vj^ that they fhall
not be adlually fo : But certainly this may be faid,
that thefe later ages have beyond all the former gi-
ven Opportunities of feducing to any that will ufe
them. The one eftablifht Dodlrine of infalJihi-
lity among the Roma^ifis is eminent for its piopi i-
ety that way, while under pretence of fuhmijjion
to fomething they call /^p///W^, 'tis evident that
the
3 70 Of the Cdufes of Dilutes ; Cliap* i6.
the fait ho£ the ignorant Vulgar refolves itsfelf
into that which they acknowledge vao&faUihle;
the Dodlrine of their immediate Teachers. But
indeed take it at the beft, fuch a perfwafwn is not
only an error in its felf, and an apt foundation for
innumerable others^, but it neceflarily renders
them incorrigible ; the leaft retradlation of a w/-
ftake being fo inconfiftent with the claim of infaU
libilityy that while they retain the one^ they muft
never attempt the other y nor can they ceafe to
Erre, till they confefs it poffible they may do fo.
How much more than poffible that has been^, the
many Innovations of that Church fufficiently
witnefs ; and confequently the danger of prefu-
ming upon the unerrablenefs of a guide. But
would all that uphraid it there j, were themfelves/^-
cure from it, and that many did not in their pra-
ctice tranfcribe that decried doSrine, and that
too with the improvement of worfe circumfiances.
I mufl: call them worfe y by how much the prohahi-
titles of^rringaTG greater under the extempora-
ry conducSl of a Private perfony than the fixt rules
of a community y and by how much again the vo-
luntary cnflaving my felf is more excufelefs^ than
that which the principles of my Profeflion, and
confequently a feeming obligation of Confcience
expofes me to. And as to the matter of Fa<St, I
think 'tis evident enough, that the admiration of
mens Perfons is nj^reading difeafe that has o\'er-
run Chriftendom, and though a great part of it
inveigh againft implicite faithy yet if it be through-
ly fcanned, 'twill appear 'tis rather the ohjeB than
the
Cftap.K^. Fourthly y Pajfton. 371
the aB we differ about. He that vehemently op
pofes that homage to the Conclave, will yet tame-
ly pay it to a Claffis : and he that refofes it there,
yields it to the Votes of a Congregational Church ;
or if he hold out againft that too^ yet chufes to
himfelf fome/?r/T^^ff Teacher on which to caft it :
Like <^^icahy Judg. 16, Makes him a Teraphim and
aPriefi tooy for his private ufe; and then confi-
dently confults his OracUy and has nothing to do
but believe its rejponfes. Nay, that which makes
the matter yet more fadly ridiculous, is that the
very Oppofition to o;;e Tlfurpation m.akes them
deliver themfelves up to another. How many
when they have heard a Preacher rail fiercely at
the Fope, have prefently made him theirs, and
fuppofing that Zeal an indication of a fafe guide,
have given him as ahfolute a rule of their Confci-
ences, as that he exclaim'd againft ( perhaps En-
vied ) elfewhere : And the like inftances might be
given among our other diflenting parties. And
this has taught fome Seducers a lucky artifice,
made them obferve to what opinions their Profe-
lyteshadthe greateft averfion, and by comply-
ing with their anger fo fteal away their love, that
they naight after lead them to what they pleas' d,
yea, perhaps to that which they fo much deteft-
ed : For there want not examples of fome, who
have by back ways been brought to thofe Opini-
ons, which at firft they moft defied. What have
been the attempts ox fuccefi of the Emiflaries of
Rome this way, I Ihall not pronounce, though
fome ( not improbably ) {peak them great.
FROM
372 Of the Cdufes of Dilutes ; (i\)eip,i6.
FROM this blind and paflionate efieem of fe-
veral Teachers have flowed many pernicious confe-
quentSf particularly thofe diftin(5l Appellations,
which form ^/jfer^^c^j" into Se^s, many of which
exprefly own thU original, by bearing the names
of their jxr/? Authors. I might here put them in
mind, that they are illegitimate perfons, whom
our Law diredls to write with an alia^y and ask
them, whether the Church from their fuperinduced
name, has not caufefo to repute them. But I am
fure I may with the utmoft ferioufnefs fay, that
this pra^ice is to thQ great violation of Chriftian
unity, and reproach of Chriftian profeflion,
which feems to be abandoned and difown'd by us,
who inftead of denominating bur felves from the
Author andfinijher of our Faith, find out new Pa-
trons, as if we were afliam'd of our firfi Relation,
Alas, how is the title of Chrijiian, which was fo
glorious to the Primitive owners, that they gladly
bought the occafion of boafting it with Torments
and Death, become fo dej^icahle to iis, that every
the obfcureft name is courted to fupplant^ it.
Have any of our Idolized readers bought their In-
tereft in us fo dear as Chrifi has done, why then
are we rather ambitious to be accounted their de-
pendants than his ? ^Tis the Apoflles own argu-
ment, I Cor, 1 . 1 3 . when he refutes their facSlious
entitling themfelves to Paul and ^Apollo, &c. by
asking tnem if PW were crucified for them : And
indeed he there fays fo much upon this point, that
I need only refer the Reader thitherto learn, ei*
ther the unreafonahlenej?o£ this Schifmatical zeal
for
(Jj^ap^l^- Fourthly y Paffion. 37^
for our fcveral Teachers, or the inevitable conten-
tions and animofities which fpring from it ; oaljr
let me obferve, that every of his Arguments are
more prefling upon 11s, than on the Corinthians ;
thofe taken from the unreafonahlenefs fare are>
by how much the names we fo adore are lefs vene-
rable than thofe o£Paul and Cephas or ^Apollo, and
thofe from the confequencies are fo alfo. For
thofe Teachers were induftrious to prevent,
whereas ours commonly are no lefs bufie to pro-
mote contentions on their behalf, ^nd fo we are
more afcertain'd never to want them*
BUT befides this kinder prepolleflion towards
feme mens perfons, there is another of a different
nature, a Jinifter one. I mean prejudice and dif-
gtifiy and this has done no lefs harm in Ecclefiafti-
cal affairs than the former. Men take xx^ piques
and difpleafures at others, and then every opinion
of the difliked perfon muft partake of hisp^^, and
be engaged in the quarrel : Nor will thofe that are
enemies ever allow one another the honour of be-
ing in the right : Nay, fome have been fo per-
verfly malicious^ that they have given up their
understandings to their ^leen, forfaken an Opini-
on themfelves approved, only that they might
find matter of conteft with one they maligned. A
memorable inftance of this Socrates gives in his
Eccl. Hifi, in Theophilus Bifliop of Alexandria,
who having formerly attefted the Orthodox be*
lie£ that God was incorporeal ; yet upon a (ud-
den indignation 2,giimik.Diofcorm and his brethren,
who maintained the Tc4iLet, he embraced the con-
B^ b trary
3 74 Op^^ Caufes ofPifputes ; C^ap.i^?'.
trary Herefie of the Anthrofomorphitesy that fo un-
der the Colour of a difference in faithy he might
the more advantageoufly purfue his malice ; & the
EflFecfts of it were very Tragical, not only to pri-
vate perfons in Tumult and Blood-fhed, but to the
Church by reviving that Error, which was before
near expiring, and might as Socrates affirms,
have lain in the duft, had it not been thus awa-
ken'd. And indeed in Church ftory fcarce any
thing occurs more frequently than examples of
thofe, who upon private grudges have either be-
gun or fomented Herefies and Schifms. Thus
^JVlarcion being denied the Communion of the Ro-
man Church, having before by a fcandalous crime
been cut off from his own, he reveng'd himfelf by
publifhing his ^^^^/^^/^ doBrine: In like manner
tty^iletius upon a difpleafure at Peter Bifliop of
Jlexandriay firft feparated from the Church, and
after took part with the Arians : So alfo Lucifer
incenfed at Eufehius for not approving of his
Ele^fting Faulus to the See of ^ntiochy broke
Communion, and gave both rife and denominati-
on to a new SeB, The like is faid of ^Apollinaru,
that he was excited to the broaching his Herefie
by his impatience of the Excommunication in-
flicfled on him and his Father, by Jheodotm Bi-
fliop ofLacdicea ; and feveral others might be gi-
ven to the fam.e purpofe, out of the Records of
diofe firft Ages.
AND certainly the World feems not to have
fo much improved in meehiefs fince, as that we
fiiculd think the {zmo, principle is iiot ftill as
^Bive,
^tjap*i^- Fourthly y Taffion. ^j^
dBive, and if the Task were not more envious
than hard, many recent inftances might bie given
toParallel the former, efpecially offuchas ha-
ving juftly Gxi^itcd under the ftroke of Ec'clefiajii-
cdldifciplipe^ hive fought to revenge themfeives
both on it and the infliSlerSf by FacSrions and Tu-
mults ; fo making the publkk at once cloak the
Infamy, and bear the chari^e of their particuUr
rancors. But this is a Subjedl neither grateful nor
neceflary to be more diftincflly fpoken to. One
may however in the general fay, that where thefe
private Animofities are any thing ziolenty they
ufually beat down all Confideration o? puhlick
good. Hiflorians ohfcivc o( 'Themiftocles^ that he
always thwarted the Councils of Jrifiides, not
that he thought it the Intei^ft of the Common*
wealthy but hu own, to keep down the growing re-
putation of his Competitor : And I fear that envi-
ous artifice has been too often tranfcrib'd, as well
in Ecclejiaftlcky as in Civil Tranfadtions : No de-
triment is thought fo formidJlble to a malicious
mind, as the profperity of his Adverfary ; and pub-
lick Ruptures fhall ftill be allowed to widen, till
they fwallow up the whole, rather than he will
clofe with his Antagonift. The Hiftory of the
Scottip? Church gives an appofite Example of this^
in a ruling Preshyter, who being by King James
advis'd with about the readmitting Marqueft
Huntley y and preft with the prefcnt exigencies of
Church and State, which requir'd it, gave his fi-
nal anfiver in thefe terms. IVeil Siry I fee you re-
fohe to tah Jiuntlcy in favoury if you do, I will op-
Bb 2 fof^
3 7^ Of the Caufes ofDijputes ; Cfj6p* I ^•
^(?/^ k, cbufe whether you will lofe him or mcy for
both you cannot have. Some may think the grcateft
propriety of this inftance lies to /hew the tnfolencc
of that Tribe towards Majefiy ; but however 'tis
not impertinent to the matter in hand alfo ; and
/hews how light the greateft ^f/JZ/ci- concerns arc>
when malice is the counterpoize : And indeed the
Ndturalifls cxperiment^thatj^^m^ will not mingle
with fiamcy never juftifies its felf better than
when applied to minds thus accended, which how-
ever tney may meet in mutual flaflies, can
never unite and incorporate : The fadnefs of it is,
that they fhoald only confpire to common ^vaHa-
tion, and make the Church its felf a hurnt-offer-
ing.
THUS fatal have our feveral forts of prepof-
fions been to our Religion, for as if that were the
common Enemy y our moft diftant contrary Aflfe-
dlions, our love and our hate equally annoy it ;
thofebrutifhpartsofus our FaJJionsy which like
the heap under the Law, were never to be
brought into the "temple, but for facrifice, are
now found there upon a far differing account, not
to be Jlainy but adord; like the it^gyptian Ifis
and Ofyrif, enflirin'd to receive our Devotions,
for that the Zeal we pretend elfewhere is really
paid to them, is alas too manifeft.
CHAP.
Cl^aB* 1 7- Fifthly^ Zeal 3 ^ ^
CHAP. XVII
\A furvey of the Caufes of Dilutes ; Fifthly ,
Zeal.
TO thefe feveral caufes of our diftradVions
we my add another, which though in its
original it may feem more innocent, yet is
in its confeqitents no lefs pernicious, and that is a
miftaken Zeal, which as it is fire to all about it,
fo is it wind to its felf, fans and irritates its own
flames, and by a confidence that it does well, ga-
thers ftill frefh vigour to do more. How great the
force of fuch an E^rroneous perfwafion is, we may
coUedl from our Saviours premonition to his Dif-
ciples, when he tells them, that thofe who kill'd
themjhould think they did Godfervice ; and i£ Mur-
der, andth^to£^/fpofiles too, could by the Ma-
gick of blind Zeal be fo transformed, we muft not
wonder to find other Crimes fo too. And what
Chrifi thus foretold was after eminently exempli-
fied in St. Paul, whom the Holy Writ reprefents
under all the Phrafes that may denote a virulent
perfecutor, as breathing out threatnings and
/laughter, making havock of the Church, and in
his own words, Perfecuting that way unto the
Death, and being exceedingly mad againft them ;
and all this he did being Zealous towards God^
and out o£ a perfjvafion that he ought to do many
things contrary to the name of Jefus, as we find
Bb 3 in
^^ Of the Caufes ofPifputes ; Ctiap^I?'
in his Apology to his countrey-men and King A-
grippa, Ac5l. 22. 2. & 26, 9.
AND of the abettors of thofe Novel dodlrines
which after limes produced, we have reafon to
think mjiny were of this Sort, efpecially in thofe
Herefies which though tbey carried fecret ve-
nome in them had yet a plaufihk appearance of
San^ity and Devotion ; fuch was that of the
Encrathesy which feem'd to be founded in the
veneration of two great Vertues Continence and
Temperance, though by extending them beyond
the due limits, they loft that Sobriety they too
ftridlly embraced, and became inordinate in their
Contiixence, and excejjiv^ in their Abftinence :
Such again were the Euchitce or ^fajfaliansy who
made the whole bufinefs not only oi religionhxxt
cscnoi life tocotrfift in praying '^ and though by
it they evacuated all other ends of both, yet ha-
ving the /^^^^r of a. Precept, and the pretence of
Devotion on their fide, 'twas 11 proper bait for
thofe who had much%t^\ and little Knowledge.
In like manner the Novatians Herefie had fo glo-
rious an infcription of Purity as was very apt to
attradl well meaning Souls ; who feeing it bid
fuch Qxprefs defiance to ^pofiacyy could not
fufpedl that it was its felf any defe5lion from the
faith ; and accordingly fome of that Secfl ap-
proved their conftancy in times both of Heathen
and Arian perfecutions. Nor muft we be fo un-
charitable to the modern times, as not to believe
many, have adled upon the like Principles, and
meant truth and piety, even while they a(5lually
*- promoted
Cf?ap^I7' Fifthly y ZeaL " . . 379
promoted the contrary. But how fin'cere foever
the purpofes of fuch feduced Perfons were, yet
*tis evident the Church has fuffer'd no lefs by
theniy than by the more crafty defigners : their mif-
guided, piety has made as great and incurable
Ruptures, as the moft flagitioiis blafphemies of
others. And when a rent is once made, it mat-
ters little whether it were done by error or ma-
lice ; nay perhaps as to the hopes of repairing, the
former may be the more defperate: for whereas
he that knowingly commits an HI, has the Up-
hraidif7gs o£ his own Confcience towards his re-
ducing; thefe on the other fide have its Cherifl?-
ings and Encouragements y to confirm and animate
them. And doubtlefs they are great advantages
which Satan has in all ages made of Such Per-
fons, whom he feems to have deluded in the fame
manner, that Medea is faid* to have done the
daughters of Peleasy whom ihe perfwaded to hack
their aged Father in pieces, in. hope that by her
Magiiky he Ihould not only recover life but
youth : fo thefe rend and tear their Mother the
Church out of a hope, no' lefs delufive, of re-
ftoring her prifiine beauty :inA vigor ; how^ far* the
Event parallels it alfo, the dyins ftate o£Chrifiia-
f;/{>' does too ladly teitixie. rv;^;.,. , />. .^
NOR has it only been the Seat o? Erring
perfcns that has be£n thus mifchievous, but fome-
times men of right judgments h^vc too much' con-
tributed to the breach of Unity, and the intem-
perate and imprudent'Z^?;^/ of thefe hath ferv'dto
exafperate the miftaking eameftnefs of the.other :
Bb 4 this
380 Of the Caufes of Dilutes ; Cfcap > 1 7-
this happens fometimes for want of diftingui/h-
ing between the Effentials and Circumfldntials of
Religion, and fo looking upon a miftake in the
later with the deteftation proper only to the per-
verting of the /cm^r; by this means thofe who
have entirely embraced the fame faith, have yet
violated charity and broken communion : fuch
flight minute differences when managed by eager
Spirits being eafily blown Up into folemn and
lifting contentions ; {o that th^e Difputes rais'd
about fome fin or nail of the Temple> have fome-
tim.es fhaken and endanget'd the yohole Fahrick,
robbed the Church of that fraternal unity which
was its fafteft cement, and fureft fupportr. Of
this we need no more apt inftance from antiquity
than that which has been already mentioned upon
another occafion, I /mean ViSlors unbrother-like
Heat towards the Eaflern Churches in the con^
troverjie :ihout Eafier, which had fomented that
Difference into a Schifm, which the meeker Pie-
ty of his Predeceflbrs thovight no ground of z/^-
kindnefsy much lefs of Separation, as Irendus more
^t large tells him ; And probably had men in all
the fucceeding Ages deliberately foizd the Err
rors they opposed, and proportioned their Dif-
pleafurebut tothe /'z(/? w^f/fl^ of them, many of
our difputes WQuld have been ^o calmM, thi^t they
flxould never have becomp quarrels. But many
in this particular have only us'd the Houchftone^
not the Scales s and of Opinions that are err
roneous, ccnfider not which are more or lefs perrr
nigious, but with an equal violence fly iitalL^s;
■ 'if
if the Stoical opinion concerning Sins had pre-
vail'd in jErrorx alfo, and that all were refolv'd to
be of the fame fize.
BUT even in thofe of the higheft kind it may
perhaps be doubted, whether too eager an oppofition
have not fometimes done hurt, efpccially in thofe
Dodlrines which relate to the my fterious parts of
Religion, wherein a //ot:;^/^)' is at firft lookt upon
with fome horror, and many are willing rather
to condemn in grofs than nicely to examine : Who
yet when they find this done for them by Ortho-
dose perfonsy they think they may with fuch a
guide venture to wade into the queftion, where
many times the injinuations of Error are fo fub-
tile, that all their J/^f/Vo^^xfecure them not from
infeBion, but they are themfelves captivated
where they expetfted only to triumph. Neither
want there thofe of the Vulgar that are of a more
infolent temper ; and out of a vanity of making
themfelves Umpires between learned men, gree-
dily read the writings of both Parties, who yet
are able to make no folid judgment of either ; and
when 'tis remembred how many popular artifices
there are to byafle fuch perfons, we muft con-
fefs that truth hath many to one. Odds againft
her : Befides, puhlick arguing oft ferves not only
to exafperate the minds , but to whet the Wits of
Hereticks, andbyfliewing them the weak parts of
their Dodlrines, prompts them to rally all their
Sophiftry to fortifie them, that what they want of
/r^^/;andr^^/<?f;,may be fupplied with fallacy :ind
liftle colours; ^nd JLxperiencc fl;cws hpw fitly
that
3 82 Of the Caufes ofDiJ^utes ; (Il^apay.
that kind of Logick is accommodated to the
greateftpart of the World. In fliort it feems
not improbable, that many Herefies owe much
of their growth to the improper means of er/tdi-
dating them : and have acquir'd a reputation from
the fi'ir that was made about them. Thus 5*0-
crates tells us that Alexanders letters about the
Arian Hcrefie ferv'd to fcatter that peftilent in-
fedlion the more abroad, and cOmbin d men into
parties, fo that the whole rporld became the
Scene of that long Tragoedy, which poflibly
might have had a fliorter and better i^ue, had
not the notice of the Controverfie been fo early
difperft.
BUT if the Attempts of the Pen have often
proved fo unfit, it may be confider'd whether
thofe of the [word are not more fo, and fighting
be not a worfe expedient than ^//^//^///^ : and cer-
tainly we have great reafon to conclude in the
affirmative, if we weigh either the Injufticc, or
Unreafonablenefs of it. I know there want not
thofe who have thought the propagating Reli-
gion by Arms not only lawf ul hut meritoriouf ^and
that in order to the planting it in a Nation, the
foil may be mellowed with the bloud of the Inha-
bitants ; nay the old extirpated, and new Colo-
nies planted. But we arc to remember that as
God is the miverfal ^Monarch of the World, fo
We have all the relation of fellow fubjeBs to
him, and can pretend no farther jurisdidlion
over each other, than what he has delegated to
US ; and fare 'twould be hard to produce any com-
miffion
gCl^apti?' Fifthly y Zeal. 383
miflion from him for the invading a Nation only
becaufe 'tis not of our Faith. 'Tis fure> thofe to
whom he firft entrufted the promulgating of the
Gofpel had far different infiruBionSy and 'twere
fit our new Evangelifis lliould fliew their later
authority for this fanguinary Method, in order to
which though fome have made ufe of the Opini-
on of fome Schoolmen that dormnion is founded
in Grace y yet as that is but an Opinion, fo were
it admitted as the moft certain Truth, it could
never warrant any enterprize of this kind, for
fuppofing that a people by wanting fpiritual
Bleffings did lofe all their right to temporal, yet
that Forfeiture muft devolve only to the Su-
preme Lord, and when as God in another cafe
asks, where is the hill of divorce ^ Efay 5'o. I. fo
we may demandofthefe zealous Invaders, where
is the hill of affignmenty by which that right was
transferred to them ? In fliort, peace is the mcft
valuable blefling of hujjpane life, and wc cannot
without injuftice deprive man of it, though we
could as we pretend, give them truth in lieu of
it ; for maugre the Frozerhy that Exchange will
pill he rohheryy where the parties are compell'd to
make it. But alas, 'tis a vain imai^inatioh to
think that Religion can be thus impos'd : or
that we can bind the underfiandings and rrilh of
men, with the fame fetters we do their bodies ;
"'tis true indeed the Apoftle tells u5 there is a way
ef bringing every thought into Captivity to the che-^
dience of Chrifty but he tells us withall that the
rfeapons, by which that Vi^ory is atchieved, ari
nop
3 84 Of the Cdufes cfDiJputes ; C&ap^iy.
ftot carnal, 2 Cor, 10. 4. Indeed did Religion con-
fift only in fome external conformities, external
force might bear fome proportion to it ( which
perhaps is the caufe that the one is moft us'd by
thofe whofe religion is moft eminent for the
other) but 'tis feated in thofe faculties to which
outward violence can have no accefs. AlaS;, 'tis not
whole Armies can befiege my reafon, nor Canons
batter my will, 'tis conviBion not force, that niuft
induce Aflent ; and fure the hogick of a con-
quering Sword has no great propriety that way ;
Silence indeed it may, but convince it cannot : Its
efficacy rather lies on the other fide, breeds
averfion and abhorrence of that Religion, whofe
firft addrefs is in bloud and rapine : nor do fuch
attempts gain any thing to the Caufe but the in-
famy of thofe rigors which are us'd to promote
it. And fure fince this piece of Mahumetan
Zeal has been tranfplanted into Chriftendom, it
has been much more mifcfeievous than in its na-
tive foil. Chriftianity naving been infinitely
more opprefled by thofe that thus fought for it,
than thofe that were in Arms againft it. Whe-
ther upon this fcorethc Pope have not done her
more harm than the turk, I , leave to confidera-
tion.
BUT what is here faid of the wfV/V^y)' Sword,
I intend not Ihould be applied to the Civil ; for I
treat not here of thofe legal punifliments, which
^jMagifirates inflidl upon their difobedient Sub-
jcdls ; who indeed may j^j?/y, nay indeed muft ne-
(ejfarily require Conformity to Ecclefiaflical laws,
as
,1
C|)ap>i7' Fifthly, Zeal. jS£
as well as the Civil : the Eruptions in the one
commonly overflowing the other alfo, and Schifm
ufually ending in Rebellion 'y fo that 'tis appa-
rently their intereft to guard themfclves from
thofe riotous efJc(5ls of pretended zeal, nor is
it lefs their duty, they being as the Ancients
exprefs it, Cu ft odes utriufque t a hula in S. Faults
language, the minifters cf God, Rom. 13. and in
Conftantines dialecft *^'7r\cMnrot'je)i'T^'^i^'y Bi/hcps in
the whole outward adminiftratidn of the Church, tind
if Herefie or Schifm be a ///, are by their places
obliged to approve themfelves aze tigers; to exe-
cute wrath no lefs there, than in other circum-
ftances : And that they are fins and of no fmall
bulk ; none can doubt that obferves Herefte ,
ranked. Gal. $. with Idolatry , witchcraft, hatred,
murders, and other fins of the flcfh ; or Schifm,
markt out by the Apoftle to the Hebrews, as a
kind o£ petrifying crime, which induces that in-
duration, to which the fearful expedlaticn of
wrath is confequent, for fo we find, Heb. 10. 26I
that forfakingthe ajfemblies is lookt on as previ-
ous to Jpoftacy and final defedlion : And there-
fore fure the Magiftrate can do nothing kinder
even to the Offenders than by taking their fin
early, prevent that fatal growth of it. But that
his juft power thus refcued I may aflRimemy for-
mer aflfertion, and conclude, that all other Vio-
lences are fo far from advancing Chrifl:iani-
ty, that they extremely weaken aod dif advan-
tage it.
BUT
3 86 Of the Cdufes cfDijputes ; Cfjap* 1 7.
BUT of no fort is this more eminently true
than of thofe popular heats ^ where the People
undertakes to chaftife error : for befides that the
outrages then committed are very apt to avert
men even from truths which they fee fo barba-
roully defended, it often happens that the mul-
titude take cauflefs alarms, and think their Faith
is invaded when it is not. A memorable inftance
of this kind Euagrius gives in his Eccl. Hiftory,
where he tells us that the Emperor Anafiatins
having added to thctrifagium this Claufe, Who
was crucified for cur Salvation, the whole City
of Conftantinople v/as in an uproar, upon an igno-
rant jealoufie that thofe words had fome Here-
tical meaning ; in which fury they happening to
light upon a poor filly ^loitk, they immediately
kill him as the Inventor of that claufe, and ^Lcon-
j^irer againft the Trinity : So unhappily abfur'd
are the Tranfports of wild zeal, which where it
rules, does befides the direB mtfchiefs of Tumult
and Sedition create others at the rebound,which
are more permanent, and difcompofe and em-
bitter mens fpirits, and render them fo ambiti-
ouHy greedy of quarrels for their Religion, that
they are not only prepar'd to recei've hut tofeek^
Encounters: and 'tis too furethey can never be
wanting to perfons of fuch tempers, fince the
adzerfaries of Truth cannot have .more advan-
tage or Encouragement againft it, than thiS'
unpeaceful humor of thofe that profefs it.
BY thefefeveral waies has it cometo pafs^,.
that even that zeal which fliould be the life of
Chriftianiry.
C^ap.17' Fifthly y Zeal. 387
Chriftianity, is become its difeafe ; and Religion
like a HeBick hody is confum'd by its own heats,
if at leaft I may call thofe its own, which de-
rive not from its proper and native conftitution ;
but are the accidents of its declining ftate : for
how confidently foever men pronounce of them-
felvesj, and believe that they are then moft pious ,
when they are moft eager and unquiet ; yet 'tis
fure this is far removed from the true genius and
temper of religiotty which like the God it wor-
fhips, makes its approaches not in mnds and
Earthquakes, but in the jlill frnall voice, 1 Kings
ip. 12. and when 'tis confider'd:, that the greateft
part of the Evangelical Law is made up of pre-^
cepts of Meeknefs, Long-fufFering, and Conde-
fcention ; w^e muft conclude that zeal very pre-
pofierom', that pretends to obey by violating them;
or to eftablifli Religion by undermining the moft
effential parts of it : and to Perfons under that
miftake, we may moft properly apply the reproof
given by Chrift to his Difciples upon the fame
occafiouj, you know not, what manner of Spirit you
are of
IT will therefore become men to look with
Jealoupe on themfelves in this particular ; not
too confidently to purfue every Incitation w^hich
carries a fliew of Piety ; but foberly to weigh
how it agrees with the Rules and Oeconomy of
that Gofpel for which it pretends fo much con-
cern ; for though the true Chriflian Zeal can ne-
ver be too much cherillied ; yet alas 'tis not
every warmth wx feel about Religion that can
own
388 Of the Caufes of Dilutes ; iS^Bp.iy.
own that title ; and fure we do not more often^
or more fatally miftake any thing than in apply-
ing that venerable name to things of a far inferior y
nay fometimes of a contrary nature. How often
upon this Error, have men afcrib'd that to their
piety which they owed to their complexions y and
thought 'twas their religion made them Earneft,
when *twas meerly their conjfitution : Nay y
how often has Satan taken this advantage of
transforming himfelf into an Jngel of light, and
infinuating his illufions under this difguife. And
truly they muft ftiil be liable to both thefe de-
ceits, fo long as they place the effence of Chriftian
zeal in heat and eager nefs, 'Tis true indeed it has
its heats, but adluated in a far dififerent way ; it
has flames of Love^ not of Jnger ; to melt, not
confume our Enemies ; and makes us apter to
pour out our own hloud a Sacrifice to Truth than
thatof gain- fay ers, Infhort, if it be a Fire, 'tis
that pure 'Elemental which the Peripateticks talk
of,which is but of a moderate heat ; apt to cherifh,
not devour,
AND would God men would fo far believe
this, as to think there may be moderation, with-
out the danger of Laodicean luke-warmnefsy
and upon that fuppofition fuflfer themfelves to
cool into a treatable Temper, and then I fliould
humbly offer to them thefe few Gonfidera-
tions.
FIRST the great and univerfal fallihility of
humane Nature, which renders it not only pof-
fible that we may, but certain that every one of
u$
€^P.I7- FifMy, Zeal. 389
us jhall erre in fomething or other ; and this fure
is very proper to perfwade lenity to thofe whom
we find actually erring. 'Tis the Jpofiles argu-
ment in the cafe of Sin, Gal. 6.1. Brethren if a
man be overtaken in a faulty you which are fpiritual,
refiore fuch a one in the (pirit ofmeeknefs, conjidering
thy felf lefi thou alfo he tempted* Where the
common Peccability of mankind is urged to in-
duce Commiferation and Gentlenefs towards
the Offenders ; and if this be of force /;; fn,
where the concurrence of the will renders the
perfon more inexcufablcj, it will furely hold much
more in hare Errors which being purely involun-
tary, (for nothing is properly Error farther than
it is fo) 'tis to be lookt on rather as the difeafe
than crime of the Perfon : and fince we ufe not to
exclaim againft men for being jick, but compaf^
fionately to endeavour their recovery ^ why Iliould
w^ here ufe fo much a contrary method, 'Tis true
indeed, 'tis neceflary fometimes in order to the
Cure, and fometimes for preventing the infe5lion
of others, to do fome things uneafie to the Pa-
tient ; and what tends regularly to either of thefe
Ends, may in this cafe alfo be Charitably done>
by thofe that have Authority : but that differs as
far from our ufual feverities, as the lanclngs of
a Phyfician do from the wounds of an Adverfary;
or puhlick Difcipline from private Spleen. So
that notwithftanding this, we may refume our
conclupon and infer from the Errahlenefs of our
Nature, the reafonahlenefs of compajfon to the fe-'
duccd. And as it thus prompts us to look gentlf
C c upoa
390 Of the Cattfes ofDifputes ; Cljapay.
upon others, foalfo to reflecft imfdrtially upon
our felves ; and confider how poflible it is, that
even whileft we condemn others, we may indeed
be in the wrong; and then all the Invtdliveswe
make at their fuppofed Errors ; fall back with a
rebounded force upon our own real ones. If this
poflibility were but adverted to, it would make us
lefs pofitive and Dogmatical in our opinions,
and i^o confequently take away one main ground
of contention; for though, we often quarrel
about matters, which are indeed but conjeBtiral,
yet not till we efteem them otherwife ; and when
we confider how m.any men have vehemently be-
lieved apparent faljhoodsy it may well allay our
confidences in all thofe cafes, where we have
not (om^ firmer ground than our own (or indeed
any humane) judgment to build it on.
A S for thofe who have the furejl grounds of
Perfwafion, and by their f ecurity of being them-
felves in the Truth, have the more reafon to be
earnefi: in propagating it to others : let them in
the fecond place confider how necefiary 'tis to
chufe appropriate means to that good end, with-
out which they do but undermine themfehes, and
defeat their own aims. Indeed Prudence is not
only a Moral, but Chriftian Vertue ; and fuch as
is neceflary to the conftituting of all others: with-
out it Devotion degenerates into Superftition,
Liberality into Frofufenefs, and this of Zeal be-
comes only a Pious kind of Phrenfie. And of
Pcrfons fo polTeft, God may fay as Achijh did
oi David, i Sam. 21. 15. have I need cf mad men ?
no
€]&ap^l7' Fiftblyy Zeal, 3^
no fure, the defence of Truth is too mhle a caufe
to be fo managed ; its Champiofjs are not like
men in a fray to make every thing a weapon
that they can firft fnatch up, and lay on as
chance or fury guides^, but are deliberately to
confult the propereft expedients, ufe not only
forcehat Stratagem againft the Enemy, and yet
withall to take care that while they oppofe one,
another gain not advantage : I or alas, 'tis indif-
ferent to our grand Jdverfarj', by which bf his
temptations we fall, and if by fubverting the
faith of fome, he fhipwrack the charity of others,
he has his End, and triumphs at once both over
thcfpeculative andpra31ick part of our Religion.
AND this may induce a farther confidera-
tion, and prompt us to examine what degree
of guilt lies on thofe who either out of a blind>
or rafli zeal have given him this advantage. And
here though I cannot doubt, but God makes great
allowances to the Mifcarriages of fincere inten-
tions y yet perhaps we have carv'd more liberally
to our felves than he defigns us, and prefume^ our
Security greater than in truth it is. For how in-
nocent foever a good purpofe may make our Error,
yet 'tis a priviledge beyond all poilibility of grant,
that our fns fliould be fo alfo ; therefore if our
Mifperfwafions beget wicked pradlice, we may be
accountable for the one, though not for the
other. We find indeed S. Paul alledges his
ignorance y as the Caufc of his 1 finding tnercy,
for his perfecuting the Church, but we are to re-
member what that mercy he there refers to
is ; not that oSabfolutiony but converjion ; raid 'had
392^ OftheC^iffesofDiJputes; Cljap^y.
he refifted the later^ though with never fo full
a perfwafion of his doing well in it^ I much
doubt whether his good meaning would have
fecurM him the former ; fo that all the Encou-
ragementy that Example can afford it, that God
may probably do more for the reducing an
Errif7g than a malicious Perfecutor: And when
'tis confidered that all the odds that Chrift
makes between him that does ill knowingly and
ignor/utilp is in the number of Stripes: wemuft
refolve our mifiakes are no fuch ^Amulets as to-
tally to fecure us. And then whether our^«//^J
fhall not fwell in proportion to the ills we do,
is a queftion that fure can never be refolved
in the negative: for if a good intention cannot
alter the nature of Sin, fure it can as little
change their degree^ or make that of two Per-
fons equally miftaken, the Murder of the one,
fhall not be a greater Crime than an intempe-
rate JJ?eech of the other. And upon this mea-
fure the accounts of erring zeal are like to
rife very high with many; unlefs we can think
Rebellion and Bloudflied, Sacriledge and Schifm,
with all that train of zealous Enormities to be
light and trivial.
NOR will it at all legitimate thefe^or any other^
Crimes, though they fhould happen to be com-
mitted in the defence cf Truth : Of this St. Peter
is a ready inftance, who when to guard Him,
who was Truth its felf, he h^di violate dt\\Q, Au-
tl ority of the Mapiftrate in wounding an Officer :
C hr!fl- reprehends his rafhnefs, and inlfead of ap-
plauding
Ctiapg?' Fifthly, Zeal -^^
plauding his zealy upbraids his ahfurdity, that
could tnink his mean aids confiderable to him,
who could command Legions cf Jngels to hisre-
fcue. And fure he is not fo much more impo-
tent in his glory y than he was in his exinanitton,
as now to. need our Sins to fecure any of his con-
cerns ; and if St. Peter were thus checked for ufmg
that Sword which he was a little before warn'd to
hiiy, it mull fure fet an ill Charadter upon thofe
tumultuoxis reformations which have fo much em-
ployed the !^eal of later ages^ to which there can
never want a concurrence of feveral great //^x, the
guilt whereof will fcarce be wiped ofK by their
Ac{\gnA.fuhfervlency to Truth; what Degree of
extenuation it may afford is hard to pronounce^,
fince we have no rule to meafure it by. But what-
foever it is, we are to remember, that it can be-
long only to fuch a Zeal as is purely religious ^ that
mixes not with our Pafjlons or Inter efls ; and there-
fore before men be too forward to appropriate any
Indulgence of that kind, 'twill be neceffary to
Examine, whether no finifter Adherent have viti-
ated that integrity of their purpofe to which alone
it can (even by their own award and fentence)
appertain.
I HAVE infifted the more on thps, becaufe
many are apt to afcribe too unlimitedly to the
Force o£ a good meaningy to think that is able to
bear the ftrefs of what foever Commiflions they
ftiall lay on it ; and by thus prefuming on theic
^Antidote, venture boldly on the deadliefipoifons.
To fuch the foregoing confiderations may be ufe-
C g 3 ful }
394 ^f^^^^ ^^^-^^^ ofPifputes ; €&ap^l7>
ful; and by robbing them of that imaginary Se-
curity, help them to a r^/// one, by making their
good purpofe^ the Direilor of good anions, not
the Apology for bad. This would make Religi-
on look confonant to its felf, which now groans
under the reproach of all thofe Ills, that are acfled
under his Patronage ; and fure to refcue her from
fuch a fcandaly is but a very moderate piece of
compaffion: Yet would Godfhe might obtain it
even from thofe who profefs themfelves her great-
eft Votaries : But alas, 'tis one fad circumflance
of her ruine, that flie owes it to fuch ; that thofe
Weapons which fliould defend her, thus recoil in-
to her Bowels, and ;s^^/iTiould do her more mif-
chic£ th^n prophanenefs ; for while flie is but fcof-
fed at by that, fhe is wounded by thif : nor are
thofe wounds ever like to clofe, till our Zeal grow
more halfamicky partake of thofe healing qualities
of Love and Meeknefs, the Want whereof has
rendreditfo unhappily inftrumental to ourDi-
ftra<ft:ions.
CHAP,
CfiaPflS. Sixthly f Ulenefs. 39 j
CHAR XVIII.
A fuTvey of the Caufes of DiJ^utes ; Sixthly,
Idlenefs.
UT as thlf over-adlive humour has done
abundant Mifchief to the Churchj, fo is it
obfervablcj, that the diYeB contrary has
done as much;, nay, which is yet ftranger, the
one is frequently the produdl of tlic other, andt
our too hufie zealy fprings from our too ^reat Idle-
nefs. How much foever this may found like Pa-
raioXy yet both reafon and experience atteft the
Truth of it; for we are to confider that God has
put an d5live principle into nianj, which 'tis impof-
fibls fo to fupprcfs, as that there fhall be a total
ceflation from motion : And therefore every inter-
mitting of fober^, regular actings, makes way for
wild Extravagant ones; for as nature isfaidfo
vehemently to abhor vacuity, that the very in-
animate bodies would forfake their fpecifick mo-
tions to prevent it. So when the m/W is Empty,
when it has no worthy and profitable /^^c^/^^/of/
to Entertain it, every the moft improper and
preternatural ObjeB offers its felf, and importu-
nately crouds in to till the 'vacuum. This feems
to have been well underftood, though ill applied
by Pharaoh y when he thought the Ifraelltes propo-
fal of Travelling into the Wildernefs to their
Devotions, was the EflFcot of their too great lei-
C c 4 fure
3 9<5 Of the Caufes ofDiJj^utes ; Cf^ap 1 8-
fureathome; and therefore encreafes their ^^x;fj
as the piopereft way of diverting their defigni
And in like mariner we find thofe that treat of
roliticks, infill: upon the neceffity of keeping the
Feople hufie, m order to which it is, that they
mention the ufe o^^Uthematicks and other con-
templative Sciences, to entertain the aBivej^i-
r/VxofaNation, in demonftrating of Pro^/^m^j,
fiDlving FhdCtiomena^y and drawing Schemes and
Viagramsy who elfe would be pradtifing upon the
Goztrnmenty m.aking new Ideas and Platforms for
the Common-wealth : And doubtlcfs there is pari-
ty of reafon in the Ecclefiaftick State, which
would have been at more peace, had fome men
found themfelves other diver fions,
AND this is confirmed to us by experiment
and obfervation of Event, for if we look into the
Primitive times, we Ihall find that when there
was a neceffity of defending the common faith
again ft Heath enifmy when Chrifl:ians were em-
ployed in writing apologies and vindications y there
were niuch fewer of thefe inteftine debates ( at leaft
fuch as were ^{Tetaphyfcal and purely National )
they had their hands full o£ the foreign Enemy y and
had the lefs temptation to jangle am.ong^^^m-
f elves. So alfo when they were under the great-
cfirftormiSofperfecution, when the Church was
tnoft: violently aflfaulted from mthcuty it had the
f;reateft Calm within. They were then incefl&nt-
y employed, and bufied their Thoughts in pre-
paring for the fiery trial. Thofe cloudy days
made them keep clcfe at home waiting for the
Bride-T
Ct^ap*l8. Sixthly y Ulenefs, 397
Bridegrooms coming, and fuffer'd them not to
wander abroad for thofe unprofitable Curiofities,
which though like 0/7 they might nomiQi flame,
yet would never furnifli their Lamps, or gain
them admiflion to the wedding but in the inter-
vals, and efpecially after the total ceflation of
their calamity, when their Peace had taken them
off their FigiUnce, than while they flept, the
Envious man had advantage to few his Tares,
Reft made them idle, Idlenefs made them curious,
and Curiofity contentious; and thofe who under
theTyrannyof a AVd> or Domitian were inper-
fec5l harmony under the gentle pious regiment of
a Conftantine, grew to the greateft difcord, and
perhaps (befides the Divine and extraordinary
fupports the Church had in her greateft conflicts )
this may be one of the beft natural accounts, how
Ihe came to flourifli moft under her heavieft fref-
fares,
BUT our obfervation ends not here, for be-
fides this extraordinary importunity of thoughts,
which perfecuting times occafion'd, Chriftianity
is in its frame and conftitution an aBive State,
has its ftanding bufinefs, and befides all acciden-
tal, aScrics otdeterminate, conftant employments,
fufficientto entertain mens minds : from which
we may infer, that when this is throughly.adver-
ted to, there will be few chafms of Time to be
fiWcdiViith foreign impertinences. And this gives
a clear account how our divifions have comxCto
grow upon us, namely, by the Neglecfl o^pra-
flick duties, for as every agej degenerated n:ore
from
398 Of the Caufes ofDiJ^utes ; €^ap>i8.
from Fr:miHve piety, fothey advanced farther in
nice enquiries and new opinions ; and as the zeal of
pra^iice grew cool> fo that of dij^uie gathered
heat and vigour. So that if we con{ider how far
OMrgood works fall fhort of the firft Chriftians,
we need not wonder to fee our controzerfies fo far
exceed them; that Time which was gain'd from
the one, being employed in hammering and forg-
ing the other. I do not forget that I have before
ranked this dlvsrfion of Chriftian Pradlice among
the effe5ls of our Contentions;, and forefee it may
be thought very inartificial here, to make it the
caiife alio : But alas, its concern in them is fo ex-
travagantly great, as to have at once the relation
of Child and Parent, to be both Root and Branch,
Fountain and Stream, and like :i circle unites in
its /^//Beginning and End : For as it firftgave
hirth to our quarrels, fo it finally receives en-
creafe from them. In fliort, our ofcitant lazy
piety gx/c\2iC2,ncy for them, and they will now
lend none back again, for more a5iive duty. And
as this neglect of our general calling of Chriftiani-
ty has been thus pernicious, fohave the ill effe5ls
thereof been improved by the like ill attendance
on our particular ones. We find St. PW takes
notice, that the younger widows, who deferted
their own Ecclejiafiicdl Office, grew hufie-hodies
in the Secular affairs of others; and fure we may
with truth invert the note, and obferve that thofe,
who either defert or negledl their Secular Cal-
lings, are the moft pernicioufly medling in Eccle-
fiaiiick matters. Did men confcientioufly em-
ploy
C&ap^l'8. Sixthly, Idlenefs-. 3^p
ploy themfelves in their l^onefi occupations, their
Minds would be fufficiently diverted, and it
would not become the work of Artificers to make
new Schemes of Docftrines or difcipline ; Divini-
ty would not then pafs the Tard and Loom, the
Forge and Jnvil, nor Preaching be taken in as an
cafier fupplementary Trade, by thofe that difli-
ked the /7///W of their own. But all this alas we
have fecn to the equal fliame and detriment of Pi-
ety, ^lechanicks of all forts have prefum'd to
teach what themfelves never learnt ; and thofe
that ferv d long JpprcntifiAps to other Crafts, have
become Divines in a moment^ and w^ith the fame
3^mulous induftry wherewith they us'd to invent
new fajhions, havemadt^ new Religions, And as
Idlenefs has thus made feme Freachers, fo it has
made more hearers, thofe who either by the eaji-
f/^js'of their Callings, or their flight manageryof
them, have had the moft vacant time, have been
the apteft to run after new teachers : Hence it is
that Towns and Cities have been the great nurfe-
ries offaBion, the leifure of Shop-men making
them more inquifitive after, and receptive of No-
velties. And were that over-grown zeal of Ser-
mons, which has now devoured all other parts of
Religion, among that fort of men throughly
fcanned, we fliould find Idlenefs goes very far in
its compofition, for befides that Hearing is the
moft /^j^^ of all religious Offices, as appears by
the undiflurh* d fleeps men can take at Sermons;
it is manifeft this infatiate appetite of it, is ori-
ginally founded either in the not having bufinefs,
or
400 OftheCdufesofDijjyute^) <I^ap*l8.
or not dttetiding to it. For fliould I ask fuch men,
whether if neceflity had enforced St. Pauls rule
upon them;, that without their labour they fliould
not eat, they would have fpent their whole week
at LeHuresy and txufted to be fed by the Ear, I
believe few could pretend to have begun with fo
exorbitant a zeal, though the truth is in the ifiTue
it fometimes arrives to it; and men that have
itching Ears forget the reft of the body, whileft to
gratiHe them, tliey totally neslecfl all care of their
Secular concerns, and bring Tnemfelves and Fami-
lies to want and beggary.
NOR is it only this one rank of Perfons whom
Idlenefs has betrayed to fadlion. Servants we
have frequently feen under the fame Seducement,
while either having but little work, or but little
diligence in it, they have found time to liften after
novel dodirines, with which being once tainted,
they impatiently thirft after more, andnegledl-
ing the duties of their place, fpend their time^
which by compac5l is their Matters ( and can with
no morejuftice be purloin'd from him than his
goods ) in following faBions Teachers, who in-
ftrudl them fo in their Chriftian liberty, that
they bring them to dcfie all fubje5lion : And by
telling them they are to call no man Mafter upon
Earth, that they are to own no King nor Prieft
but Chrifi ; teach them to contemn all Authority,
Dome flick, Civil or Ecclefiaftick.
I F we look farther into families, we (hall find
alfo that many of our She-zealots become fo up-
on the very fame ground, when Women negledl
that
€tjap*l8. Sixthly y Idlenefs. 401
that which St. Paul affigns them as their proper
Bufinefsj, the guiding of the houfe, their Zeal is at
once tlite produB and exci^fe of their Idlenefs ; and
in fpight of the /// CharaBer the Wife-man has fet
on her, whofe feet alide not in her houfe, Frov.'j.
II. it becomes the mark of a Saint, when aLe-
<5lure or Conventicle is taken in the way : And
though thefe feminine Irregularities may feem to
be ofno great concern to the publick, yet experi-
ence convinces the contrary; it having been the un-
happy priviledge of that Sex ( as ancient as their
Mother Eve ) to be able to do great and important
mifchiefs ; and doubtlefs many 7nen may give the
fame account of their Schifm and Sedition, that
Jdam did of his firft fin, *the woman that thou ga-
veji me, &c. This has alw^ays been well under-
ftood by Seducers, who have found it the moft
compendious way to their defigns, to lead captive
filly vpomen, and make them the Duck-coys to their
whole Family : But even thofe who have mift of
this influence over the minds of their Husbands,
have yet had it over their Purfesy and out of them
fupported the Rahhies of the Facflion ; who in
gratitude to thofe wife Ahigails give their Hus-
bands the title y and perhaps wifli them the fate of
NahaL And God knows, how many men have
thus been made contributers to the caufe they
have moft detefted, maintain'd that fire which
thofe incendiaries have kindled in the Holy place ;
Money being no lefs the fi.news of Ecclefiaftical
than Secular War,
THUS we fee how the Idler, efi even of the
moft
402 Of the Cdtifes cf Dilutes-; Cl^ap* l8.
moft inconfiderable perfons has at the rebound
been CKtrcmdy Pernicious to the Church, which
like a Clock or Watch may be diforder'd by the mfi
of theleaftP/// ; how much more then, by that
of the inain wheels and Jp rings ; if Negligence in
lay-callings have though but an oblique, yet fo
inaufpicious an Influence, the like Negledl in
'Ecclefiafiick muft needs have a worfe, becaufe
more immediate and diredl. And would to God
we could fay this had been wanting to the com-
pkating the mifchief : But alas, many of thofe
who are called to labour in the Lords Vineyard,
fecm to have forgot their Errand, and ftand there
all the day Idle ( a much worfe fight than to have
feen them fo only in the Market-place ; ) fo that I
fear there is too evident ground of faying, that
the flight execution of the Paftoral Oifice, has
been one of the moft^eminent Contributors to our
diftraiftions. And among all the parts of that
Charge, none has been more generally, or more
pernicioufiy neglecfked than that of Catechiz>ingy
the want whereof has left People fo unbottom/d,
that like a /'o;//^ built on the /^/^?^^ every Wind of
Docflrine blows down that Faith which they only
profeft, but underftood not. This is that which
has made fo many tinftahle Souls, as St. Feter ob-
ferves, iPet.z, 14. to be the proper prey of De-
ceivers. And God knows, we may from fad ex-
periment confirm the note. I wilTi the fame neg-
ligence do not again evidence its felf by the fame
effeBs : But bcfides this, which is part of the
J^uhlick Miniftry, ( and defeivodly is fo, being
ufcful
d)tip^l8. Sixthly y Idlenefs. 405
ufeful to die whole Church, the aged as well as
children ) there are prhate Intercourfcs between
Paftor and People which are oi great ufe, would
God they were of eo[ual fraBice : We know a
careful Shepherd does not only turn his flock into
a common Pafturey and then think he has done his
work, but does with a particular advertenPlob-
ferve the thriving of every one of them, takri no-
tice of their fingle /r^^/V^x and difeafesy and ac-
cordingly applies himfelf to reduce or cure them,
and furely the like care is full as necellary in the
l^iriitial Shepherd, 'tis not the ccuvfel which is
promifcuoufly difpenced in a Sermon ( and where-
of 'tis odds every man takes that which is leaft
proper for him ) that will do the hupnefs : Con-
verts come not in now as in St. Feters days, in
throngs and fiioals, a more diftindl and particu-
lar application is now neceflary ; m.en muft be
treated with apart, their particular wants dif-
cern'd, and applications accordingly made odn-
flruBionSy reproof or comfort y and 'tis thefe ap-
propriate Medicinesy that are like to make found
flocks. Had Minifters generally beftowed miore
pains this way, they might probably have fruftra-
ted the attempts of Seducers, who could not fo
cafily have infinuated themfelves into the people,
had they found them thus prepoffeft : but while
thefe with all the arts of a fubtile induftry infufe
their poyfons into every one they meet, nothing
but the like diligence in adminiftring Jntidotes,
is like to countermine them. How much of that
has been us'd I fliall leave to the Confciences of
concern'd
>■ ■'■«■• ■ " '■ ^ ■ -
404 Of the Cdufes of Dilutes ; CE(jaPfl8.
concerned perfonsto determine. Butbefidesthc
ill influence the Paftors negligence has on the
People, it has in refpecft of themfelves an imme-
diate propriety to the advancing our debates, the
lei fur e which is thus acquir'd> being apt to betray
fpeculathe perfons, to the ftudy of thofe curious
gw^ffef/j, which are the grccit difiur hers of our
Peaje ; and of thofe that ftudy them fo few keep
themfelves in neutrality, that parties are ftill fo-
mented by it: whereas were the /^r^S/c^?/ hufwefs
of their Charge throughly attended^, the remain-
der of time would not be more than the ftudy of the
more folid;, ufcful parts of Divinity would exadt,
and confequently there would no furphis be left
for thofe dangerous impertinenciesy vphich as the
Apoftlefays, fervetono profit, hut to the fuhvert-
inaofthe hearers, z Tim. 2. 14. But when our
Watchmen fleep, 'tis no marvail if they dream
too, and entertain themfelves and others with
thofe Fhantafttck notions, which the great day will
manifeft to have had nothing oi freight and reality,
befidcs the Mifchiefs they wrought.
AND indeed ifwefcanthe volumes of thofe
vain Speculations, we fhall have caufe to con-
clude that Idlenefs has created as well as fomented
them ; and they had as well wanted Authors as
abettors, had men found themfelves more ufe-
ful bufinefs : and that not only the extempo-
rary C him (era's of Fhanaticks, but the more ela-
borate nicities of the Schools, have been thus de-
rived : we know Jir poflefles no place, where it
firft finds not a 'vacuity, nor could thofe lighter no-
tions,
Ct)^P*l7- Fifthly, Zeal, 389
us jhall erre in fomething or other ; and this fure
is very proper to perfvvade lenity to thofe whom
wefindadlually erring. 'Tis the Jpoftles argu-
ment in the cafe of Sin^, GaL 6. i. Brethren tf a
man he overtaken in a fault, yoti which are j^iritual,
refiore fuch a one in thejpirit ofmeeknefs, confidering
thy felf, lefi thou alfo he tempted. Where the
common Peccability of mankind is urged to in-
duce Commiferation and Gentkneft towards
the Offenders ; and if this be of foic:^. in Jin,
where the concurrence of the will renders the
perfon more inexcufablcj, it will furely hold much
more in hare Error, which being purely involun-
tary, (for nothing is properly Error farther than
it is fo) 'tis to be lookt on rather as the difeafe
than crime of the Perfon t and lince we ufe not to
exclaim againft men for being Jick, but compaf
fionately to endeavour their recovery , why fliould
we here ufe fo much a contrary method, 'Tls true
indeed;, 'tis neceflary fometimes in order to the
Cure, and fometimes for preventing the infeBion
of othersj, to do fome things uneafie to the Pa-
tient ; and what tends regularly to either of thefe
Ends, may in this cafe alfo be Charitably done>
by thofe that have Authority : but that differs as
far from our ufual feverities, as the lancings of
a Phyfician do from the wounds of an Adverfary;
or puhlick Difcipline from private Spleen. So
that notwithftanding this, we nriiyy refome our
conclufion and infer from the Errahieitefs of our
Nature^ the reafonahlenefs of compaffion to the fe^
duced. And as it thus prompts us to look gently
Cc upon
390 Of the Caufes ofDifputes ; Ctiap^i 7*
upon others, foalfo to refledl impartially upon
our felves ; and confider how poffible it is, that
even whileft we condemn others, we may indeed
be in the wrong ; and then all the Invedli^'es we
make at their fuppofed Errors ; fall back with a
rebounded force upon our own real ones. If this
J)olfibility were but adverted to, it would make us
efs pofitive and Dogmatical in our opinions,
and fo confequently takeaway one main ground
of contention; for though we often quarrel
about matters, which are indeed but conjeBural,
yet not till we efteem them otherwife ; and when
we confider how many men have vehemently be-
lieved apparent faljhoods, it may well allay our
confidences in all thofe cafes, where we have
not fome firmer ground than our own (or indeed
any himcin^) judgment to build it on.
A S for thofe who have the furefi grounds of
Perfwafion, and by their fecurity of being them-
felves in the Truth, have the more reafon to be
earneft in propagating it to others : let them in
the fecond place confider how neceflary 'tis to
chufe appropriate means to th^J: good end, with-
out which they do but undermine themfehes, and
defeat their own aims. Indeed Prudence is not
only a Moral, but Chriftian Vertue ; and fuch as
is necefi&ry to the conftituting of all others: with-
out it Devotion degenerates into Superftition,
Liberality into Profufenefs, and this of Zeal be-
comes only a Pious kind of Phrenfie. And of
Perfons fo pOjGTeft, God may fay as Achifl? did
o^ David, I Sam. 21. 1$. have I need of madmen?
no
€t>ap*i7- Fifthly, ZeaL ^pf
nofure,the defence oflruth is too noble a caufs
to be fo managed ; its Champicrs are not like
men in a fray to make every thing a weapon
that they can firfl: fnatch up, and lay on as
chance or fury guides, but are deliberately to
confult the properelt expedients, ufe not only"
forcehnt Stratagem againit the Enerny.^ and yet
withall to take care that while they oppofe one,
another gain not advantage : For alas, 'tis indif-
ferent to our grand Jdverfary, by which of his^
temptations we fall, and if by fubverting the
faith of fome, he fliipwrack the charity of others,
he has his End, and triumphs at once both over
the fpeculative ^nd prd^ick pj.j:t of our Religion.
AND this may induce a farther conlldent-
tion, and prompt us to examine what degree
of guilt lies on thofe who either out of a blind;,
or rafli zeal have given him this advantage. And
here though I cannot doubt, but God makes great
allowances to the Mifcarriages of Jincere inten-
tions ^ yet perhaps we have carv'd more liberally
to our felves thaa he defigns us, and prefume our
Security greater than in truth it is. For how in-
nocent foever a goo J purpofe may make our Error ^
yet 'tis a priviledge beyond all poflibility of grant,
that our fms Ihould be fo alfo ; therefore ir our
Mifperfwafions beget wicked pra(5lice, we may be
accountable for the one, though not for the
other. We find indeed S. Paul alledges his
ignorance, as the Caufe of his i finding mercy,
for his perfecuting the Church, but we are tcf re-
member what that mercy he there refers to
IS}, not that ofabfohtion, but convevfion ; and had
392- Of the Caufes ofDijputes ; Ctlclp* 1 7-
he refifted the latery though with never fo foil
a perfwafion of his doing well in it, I mtich
doubt whether his good meaning would have
fecur'd him the former ; fo that all the Encou-
ragement y that Example can aflford it, that God
may probably do more for the reducing an
Erring than a malicious Perfecutor: And when
'tis conlidered that all the odds that Chrift
makes between him that does ill knowingly and
ignorantly, is in the number of Stripes: we mull
rcfblve our mifiakes are no fuch Jimulets as to-
tally to fecure us. And then whether our ^f///^y
fhall not fwell in proportion to the ilh we do,
is a queftion that fure can never be refolved
in the negative: for if a good intention cannot
alter the nature of Sin, fure it can as little
change their degree, or make that of two Per-
fons equally miftaken, the Murder of the one,
fhall not be a greater Crime than an intempe-
rate jfeech of the other. And upon this mea-
fure the accounts of erring zeal are like to
rife very high with many; unlefs w^e can think
Rebellion and Bloudlhed, Sacriledge and Schifm,
with all that train of zealous Enormities to be
light and trivial.
NOR will it at all legitimate thefe.ov any other.
Crimes, though they fhould happen to be com-
mitted in the defence of Truth : Of this St. Feter
is a ready inftance, who when to guard Him,
who was Truth its felf, he had violated the Au-
thority of the Magiftrate in wounding an Officer :
Chrift reprehends his raflinefs, and initead of ap-
plauding
€l)aD>i7' Fifthlyy Zeal 395
|)lauding his zealy upbraids his ahfurdtty, that
could think his mean aids confiderable to him,
who -could command Legions of Angels to hisre-
fcue. And fure he is not fo much more impo-
tent in his glory y than he was in his exinanitton,
as now to need our Sins to fecure any of his con-
cerns ; and if St. Peter were thus check'd for ufing^
that Sword which he was a little before warn'd to
buyy it mufl: fure fet an ill Characfler upon thofe
tumultuous reformations which have fo much em-
ployed ths zeal of later ages, to which there caa
never want a concurrence of feveral great y/z/i", the
guilt whereof will fcarce be wiped off, by their
dcRgn dfubferviency to Truth; what Degree of
extenuation it may aflFord is hard to pronounce,
fince we have no rule to meafure it by. But what-
foever it is, we are to remember, that it can be^
long only to fuch a Zeal as is purely religious^ that
mixes not with our Pafjtons or Interefls ; and there-
fore before men be too forward to appropriate any
Indulgence of that, kind, 'twill be neceflary to
Examine, whether no finifter Adherent have viti-
ated that integrity of their purpofe tp which alone
it can (even by their own award and fentence)
appertain.
I HAVE infifted the more on thisy bccaufe
many are apt to afcribe too unlimitedly to the
'FoiQQoi^Lgoodmeaningy to think that is able to
bear the ftrefs of whatfoever Commifllons they
flialllayon it; and by thus prefuming on their
^Antidote, venture boldly on the deadlie(lpoifons.
To fuch the foregoing confideratioij? may be ufe^
Ccj fulj
394 ^f^^^ Q///gx ofPifputes ; Cl^ap.l?'
ful; and by robbing them of that imaginary Se-
curity, help them to a r^^/ one, by making their
good purpofes the Direcflor of good a5liom^ not
the Apology for bad. This would make Religi-
on look confonant to its felf, which now groans
under the reproach of all thofe Ills, that are adled
under his Patronage ; and fure to refcue her from
fuch a fcandaly is but a very moderate piece of
compajjion : Yet would God ihe might obtain it
even from thofe who profcfs themfelves her great-
pft Votaries : But alas, 'tis one fad circumftance
of her ruine, that Ihe owes it to fuch ; that thofe
Wer.pons which fliould defend her, thus Recoil in-
to her Bowels, and zeal lliould do her more mif-
chic£ than prophanenefs 'y for while fiie is but fcof-
fedat by that, fiie is wounded by thi^: nor are
thofe wounds ever like to clofe, till our Zeal grow
more halfamick, partake of thofe healing qualities
of Love and Meeknefs, the Want whereof has
rendreditfo unhappily inftrumental to ourDi-
ftradlions.
CHAP.
d)ap*l8. Sixthly, IdletJefi, jpj
CHAP. XVIII.
J furvey of the Caufes of Dilutes ; Sixthly t
' Idlenefs.
B
UT as thi^ over-aBive humour has done
abundant Mifchief to the Church, fo is it
obfervable, that the dire^l contrary has
done as much, nay, which is yet Arranger, the
one is frequently the producfl: of the other, and
our too bufie zeal, fprings from our too^r^^^ Idle^
ftefs. How much foever this may found like Pa*
radox, yet both redfonand experience atteft the
Truth of it ; for we are to confider that God has
put an dBive principle into man, which 'tis impof-
fible fo to fupprefs, as that there ihall be a total
cellation from motion : And therefore every inter-
mitting of fober, regular adlings, makes way for
wild Extravagant ones ; for as nature is faid fo
vehemently to abhor vacuity, that the very in-
animate bodies would forfake their fpecifick mo-
tions to prevent it. So when the mind is Empty,
when it has no worthy and profitable fpeculation
to Entertain it, every the moft improper and
preternatural Ohje5l offers its felf, and importu-
nately crouds in to fill the vacuum. This feems
to have been well underftood, though ill applied
by Pharaohy when he thought the Ifraelites propo*
fal of Travelling into the Wilderncfs to their
Devotions, was the Effedl: of their too great lei-
C Q 4 fare
3 96 Of the Caufes ofDiJfutes ; Cfraj) 1 8.
fureathome; and therefore encreafes their ^^i^^j*
as the propereft way of diverting their dejign :
And in like raanner'we find thofe that treat of
politicks, infift upon the ncceflity of keeping the
Feople hufie, in order to v^hich it isj, that they
.mention the ufe o£^Uthematicks and other con-
templative . Sciences, to entertain the adlhej^i-
r/Vj'ofaNarion^ in demonftrating of Pro^/^m^j,
folving Phxnorne'^ds, and drawing Schemes and
Diagrams^ who elfe would be pradtifing upon the
Gozernmenty making new Ideas and Platforms for
the Common-wealth : And doubtlefs there is pari-
ty of reafon in the Ecclefiaftick State, which
would have been at more feacey had fome men
found themfelves other diverfions.
AND this is confirmed to us by experiment
and obfervation of Event:, for if we look into the
Primitive times, we fliall find that when there
was a neceflity of defending the common faith
againft Heathenifmy when Chriftians were em-
ployed in writing apologies and vindications y there
were much fewer of thefe inteftine debates ( at leaft
fuch as were <i^letaphyjjcal and purely National )
they hjid their hands full o£ the foreign Enemy y and
had the lefs temptation to jangle among ^^ew-
felves. So alfo when they were under the great-
eft ftorms of perfecution, when the Church was
moft violently affaulted from without y it had the
{;rcateft Calm within. They were then inceflant-
y employed, and bufied their Thoughts in pre-
paring for the fiery trial. Thofe cloudy days
made them keep clofe at home waiting for the
Bride-
d)ap»l8. Sixthlyy Ulenefs. 397
Bridegrooms coming, and fuffer'd them not to
wander abroad for thofe unprofitable Curiolities,
which though like 0/7 they might v.omiih flame,
yet would never furnifh their Lamps, or gain
them admiflion to the wedding but in the inter-
vals;, and efpecially after the total ceflation of
their calamity, when their Peace had taken them
off their Vigilance , than while they flept, the
Envious man had advantage to fow his T^ares.
Reft made them idhy Idlenefs made them curious,
and Curiofity contentious ; and thofe who unde^
theTyrannyof a A^^ro or Domitian were inper-
fedl harmony under the gentle pious regiment of
a Conjlantine, grew to the greateft difcord, and
perhaps (befides the Divine and extraordinary
fupports the Church had in her greateft confliBs )
this may be one of the beft natural accounts, how
flie came to floarifli moft under her heavieft fref-
futes,
BUT our obfervation ends not here, for be-
fides this extraordinary importunity of thoughts,
which perfecuting times occafion'd, Chriftianity
is in its frame and conflritution an a^ive State,
has its ftanding bufinefs, and befides all acciden-
tal, aScncsoi determinate, conftant employments,
fuflScientto entertain mens minds : from which
we may infer, that when this is throughly adver-
ted to, there will be few chafms of Time tO be
filled with /^r^/j^/^ impertinences. And thisgive^
a clear account how our divifmis have come to
grow upon us, namely, by the Neglecft o?pra-
^ick duties, for as every age degenerated n. ore
from
3p8 Of the Cdufes ofDij^utes ; €tJapa 8.
irom Pr'mitivd piety , fothey advanced farther in
7tice enquiries and new opinions ; and as the zeal of
praSiice grew cool> fo that o£ dijpute gathered
heat and vigour. So that if we confider how far
OMiigood works fall fliort of the firft Chriftlans,
we need not wonder to fee our controverfies fo far
exceed them ; that Time which was gain'd from
the one, being employed in hammering and forg-
ing the other. I do not forget that I have before
ranked this diverfion of Chriftian Pradlice among
the effects of our Contentions^ and forefee it may
be thought very inartificial here, to make it the
caufe alio : But alaS;, its concern in them is fo ex-
travagantly great, as to have at once the relation
of Child and Parent^, to be both Root and Branch,
Fountain and Stream, ^nd like a circle unites in
its felf Beginning and End : For as it firft gave
hlrth to our quarrels^ fo it finally receives en-
creafe from them. In fliort, our ofcitant lazy
/7/V/7 gave vacancy for them, and they will now
lend none back again, for more aSlive duty. And
as this negle5l of our general calling of Chriftiani-
ty has been thus pernicious, fo have the /// effeBs -
thereof been improved by the like ill attendance
on our particular ones. We find St. PW takes
notice, that the younger widows, who deferted
their own Eccleliajiical Office, grew bufie-bodies
in the Secular aflFairs of others ; and fure we may
with truth invert the note, and obferve that thofe,
who either defert or negledl their Secular Cal-
lings, are the moft pernicioufly medling in Eccle-
fiaftick matters. Did men confcientioufly em-
ploy
d^ap^I^. Sixthly y Idlenefs» 3^9
ploy themfelves in their honeji occupations, their
Minds would be fuificiently diverted, and it
would not become the work of Artificers to make
new Schemes of Dodlrines or difcipline ; Divini-
ty would not then pafs the iLard and Loom, the
Forge and Jnvil, nor Preaching be taken in as an
eafier fupplementary Trade, by thofe that difli-
ked the /;^/W of their own. But all this alas we
have feen to the equal fliame and detriment of Pi-
ety, ^lechanicks of all forts have prefum'd to
teach what themfelves never learnt ; and thofe
that ferv'd long Jpprenti/hips to other CraftSj, have
become Divines in a moment, and with the fame
a^mulous induftry wherewith they us'd to invent
new fa/hions, have made new Keligions. And as
Idlensfs has thus made fome Preachers, fo it has
made more hearers, thofe who either by the eaf.-
f;fj?of their Callings, or their flight manageryof
them, have had the moft vacant time, have been
the apteft to run after new teachers : Hence it is
that Towns and Cities have been the great nurfe-
ries of faBion, the leifure of Shop-men making
them more inquijitive after, and receptive of No-
velties. And were that over-grown zeal of Ser-
mons, which has now devour'd all other parts of
Religion, among that fort of men throughly
fcanned, we fhould find Idlenefs goes very far in
its compofition, for befides that Hearing is the
moft lazy of all religious Offices, as appears by
the undiflurh'd fleeps men can take at Sermons;
it is manifeft this infatiate appetite of it, is ori-
ginally founded either in the not having bufinefs,
pr
400 Of the Cdufes ofDiJputes ; C^J^P* 1 8.
or not dtt ending to it. For fhould I ask fueh men^
whether if neceflity had enforc'd St. Fduh mle
upon them^ that without their labour they fliould
not eaty they would have fpent their whole week
at LeBuresy and trufted to be fed by the Ear, I
believe few could pretend to have begun with fo
exorbitant a zeaU though the truth is in the iflue
it fometinies arrives to it; and men that have
itching Ears forget the reft of the hodyy whileft to
gratlHe therriy they totally neglecfl all care of their
Secular concerns^ and bring Themfelves and Fan:iir
lies to want and beggary.
NOR is it only this one rank of Pcrfons whom
Idlenefs has betrayed to facftionj, Servants we
have frequently feen under the fame Seducement,
while either having but little Tvork, or but little
diligence in it, they have found time to liften after
novel doBrinesy with which being once tainted,
they impatiently thirft after more, andnegledlr
ing the duties of their place, fpend their time^f
which by compadl is their Matters ( and can with
no morejuftice be purloin'd from him than his
goods ) in following faBimis teachers, who in*
ftrudl them fo in their Chriftian libertyy that
they bring them to defie all fuhjeStion : And by
telling them they are to call no man Maftcr upon
Earthy that they are to own no King nor Prieft
but Chrifi ; teach them to contemn all Authority,
Domefiicky Civil or Ecclefiaflick.
I F we look farther into families y we fliall find
alfo that many of our She-zealots become fo up-
on the very fame ground, when Women neglect
that
€tiapvl8. Sixthly, Idlenefs. 401
that which St. Faul afligns them as their proper
Bufinefs, the guiding of the houfe, their Zeal is at
once the product and excufe of their Idlenefs ; and
in fpight of the Hi Charatfer the Wife-man has fee
on her, whcfe feet abide not in her houfe, Frov. 7.
II. it becomes the m^rk of a Saintj, when aLe-
<Jlure or Conventicle is taken in the way : And
though thefe feminine Irregularities may feem to
be ofno great concern to the publick, yet experi-
ence convinces the contrary; it having been the un-
happy priviledge of that Sex ( as ancient as their
Mother Eve ) to be able to do great and important
mifchiefs ; and doubtlefs many men may give the
fame account of their Schifm and Sedition j, that
Adam did of his firft fin, 7he vrc^nan that thou ga-
"ueftmey &c. This has always been wxll under-
ftood by Seducers, who have found it the moft
compendious way to their defigns, to lead captive
filly women, and make them the Duck-coys to their
whole Family : But even thofe who have miffc of
this influence over the minds of their Husbands,
have yet had it over their Purfesy and out of them
fupported the Rahhies of the Fadtion ; who in
2;ratitude to thofe wife Abigails give their Hus-
bands the title, and perhaps wifli them the fate of
Nabal. And God knows, how many men have
thus been made contributers to the caufe they
have moft detefted, maintained that jfr^ w^hicli
thofe incendiaries have kindled in the Holy place ;
Money being no lefs the fnews of Ecclefialiical
than Secular War.
THUS we fee how^ the IdlereJS even of the
mofc
402 Of the Caufes ofDiJputes ; €tjap* 1 8.
moft inconfiderable perfons has at the rebound
been extremely pernicious to the Church, which
like a Clock or Watch may be diforder'd by the rufi
of theleafirP^*//; how much more then^, by that
of the main wheels and J^rings ; if Negligence in
lay-callings have though but an oblique, yet fo
inaufpicious an Influence, the like Negle(fl: in
Ecclejiafiick muft needs have a worfe, becaufe
more immediate and direcfl. And would to God
we could fay this had been wanting to the com-
pleating the mifchief : But alas, many of thofe
who are called to labour in the Lords Vineyard^
fecm to have forgot their Errand, and Hand there
all the day Idle ( a much worfe fight than to have
feen them fo only in the Market-place ; ) fo that I
fear there is too evident ground of faying, that
tho flight execution of the Paftoral Office, has
been one of the moft eminent Contributors to our
diftracflions. And among all the parts of that
Charge, none has been more generally, or more
pernicioufly negledled than that of Catechizing ;
the want whereof has left People fo unbottom'd,
that like a /;o«7^ built on the /rf;;^, every Wind of
Dodlirine blows down that Faith which they only
profeft, but underftood not. This is that which
has made fo many tmftahle Souls, as St. Feter ob-
ferves, 2 Fet. 2. 14. to be the proper prey of De-
ceivers. And God knows, we may from fad ex-
periment confirm the note. I wifh the fame neg-
ligence do not again evidence its felf by the fame
e^eHs : But bsfides this, which is part of the
Fuhlick Miniftry, (and defervedly is fo, being
ufeful
C0^P»l8. Sixthly y Idlenefs. 403
ufeful to the whole Church, the aged as well as
children ) there are private Intercourfes between
Paftor and People which are o^ great u fey would
God they were of equal fraBice : We know a
careful Shepherd does not only turn his flock into
a common Pafture, and then think he has done his
work, but does with a particular advertence ob-
ferve the thriving of every one of them, takes no-
tice of their fingle /r^j/V/^x and difeafesy and ac-
cordingly applies himfelf to reduce or cure them,
and furely the like care is full as necefTary in the
J^iritual Shepherd, 'tis not the cctwfel which is
promifcuoufly difpenced in a Sermon ( and where-
of 'tis odds every man takes that which is leaft
proper for him ) that will do the hufinefs : Con-
verts come not in now as in St. Feters days, in
throngs and flioals, a more difl:in(ft and particu-
lar application is now neceflary ; mxn muft be
treated with apart, their particular wants dif-
cern'd, and applications accordingly made of/V;-
firuBionsy reproof or cc7nforty and 'tis thefe ap-
propriate Medicinesy that are like to make found
flocks. Had Minifters generally bellowed more
pains this way, they might probably have fruftra-
ted the attempts of Seducers, who could not fo
eafily have infinuated themfelves into the people,
had they found them thus prepoffeft : but while
thefe with all the arts of afubtile induftry infufe
their poyfons into every one they meet, nothing
but the like diligence in adminiftring Jntidotesy
is like to countermine them. How much of that
hasbeenus'dl fliall leave to the Confciences of
concern'd
404 OftheCaufesofDiJputes; Cl^ap^lS.
concerned perfonsto determine. Butbefidesthc
/// influence the Pallors negligence has on the
Peofle, it has in refpedl of themfelves an imme-
diate propriety to the advancing our debateSj, the
leifure which is thus acquir'd, being apt to betray
fj^eculathe perfons, to the ftudy of thofe curious
queflionsy which are the great difiurbers of our
Peace ; and of thofe that ftudy them fo few keep
themfelves in neutrality, that parties are ftill fo-
mented by it: whereas were the /?r^S/c^/ hufinefs
of their Charge throughly attended, the remain-
der of time would not be more than the fiudy of the
more folid, ufeful parts of Divinity would exacfl,
and confequently there would no furpJm be left
for thofe dangerous imperiinenciesy which as the
Apoftle fays, ferve to no profit y hut to the fuhvert-
ingofthe hearers, 2 Tim. 2. 1 4. But when our
Watchmen fleepy 'tis no marvail if they dream
too, and entertain themfelves and others with
thofe Fhantaftick notions y which the great day will
manifeft to have had nothing o£ weight and reality,
befides the Mifchiefs they wrought.
AND indeed ifwefcanthe volumes of thofe
vain Speculations, we fluall have caufe to con-
clude that Idlenefs has created as well as fomented
them ; and they had. as well wanted Authors as
abettors, had m.en found themfelves more ufe-
ful bufinefs: and that not only the extempo-
rary C/y/mc^r/x of Fhanaticksy but the more ela-
borate nicitiescfthe Schoolsy have been thus de-
rived : we knov/ Jir poflefles no placey where it
firft finds not a vacuity y nor could thofe lighter no-
tionsy
€J5aJ}*lS. Sixthly y Idlenefs, 405*
tionsyhawQ filled mens brains, had they found them
prepoflefl: with what was more folid : but when
men wanted moi^fuhftantial work for their Un-
derftandings, they were fain to employ them
thus in making Coh-websy of which they have
made a worfe fort of Jewifh veil in the Sandlua-
ry, and have now involved the Gojfel in greater
Obfcurities;, than the Law, was before : whence
our Bezaleels and ^Aholiahs have been infpir'd
for this work I fhall not determine ; but fure not
from him whofe Characffcer S. John gives us
(in peculialr reference to gofpel revelation) that
he is light) and in him is no darknefi at all,
*tJo. T.5.
THUS we fee even Idlenefs wants not its opera-
tion ; but is produ(51:ive of great and mifchievous
^ffedis ; it being the Unhappy property of that
Vice, that it fupplants its Self, and by a fatal
Antiperifiajis makes men pernicioufly aBive : fo
that we may truly fay foth has made more Bufi-
nefs than induftrj, I am fure in this inftance it
has cut out work for many ages, though of fuch
a kind, that we have little reafon to wifh that
Our Lord at his coming fliould find us fo doing :
yet for ought now appears, our aSivity is fo
wholly bent that way, that 'tis like to be the only,
atleaft the moft intenfe bujinej? we fliall be
found at.
I MIGHT here take a very apt occafion to
declame againft Idlenefs, as the unhappy foun-
tain of fo great mifchiefs, but that is a vice that
has been fo often arraign d, that I need not re-
D d peat
4o6 OftheCatifesofDifputes ; ClWp.lS.
peat thofe charges which all Authors, Natural^
Moral and Divine have laid againft it. Let but
this of its being the Original o£ faBion be ad-
dedj, and there can be nothing wanting to render
it a moft dangerous crime : yea, and a moft mon-
Hrous one too, that operates thus preternatural-
ly, that freezes and yet inflames men at once,
flupifies and enrages-. And yet alas, there is as
much riddle in its fate as its nature ; 'tis hated,
and yet embraced ; generally decried, and yet as
generally cheri/hed: and though it have no advo-
cates, has many friends. Would God men w^ould
at laftbe afliamedto he what they are afham'd
to ovrn, and by a diligent attendance on their
proper bufinefs, fecure themfelves firft from
doing nothing, and then from doing ill; the
one being fo clofe an Attendant on the
other, that 'tis fcarce poflible to fever them.
And God knows the Church finds too fad
proof of their connedlion. Idlenefs having
ferv'd as Jfl?es to keep alive that fire which
has fet her in combufiion. Thus unhappily paf-^
five is flie in our diforders, and acceffary to all
our Guilts and Punifhments: All our peccant
humors concur to her difeafe, and like a common
mark fiie receives arrows from all Quarters, we
have feen how many Contributers there are to her
ruine, every one whereof with a wanton cruelty
(like Cafars murderers) are ambitious to inflidl
new wounds, and to give her Supernumerary deaths ;
and whileft /he is thus furrounded with ^^j^jf/f^^j,
what can we expecfl but that her prefent Ian-
guifhings
diap*l8. Sixthly y Idlenefs. 407
guifhings fliould End in death. That Ghrifti-
an Religion now crumbled into fo many
minute fraBionh fliould like dufi be fcatter'd,
and irrecoverably diflipated, and thus infallibly
it muft be, if either God do not miraculoufly
countermine us, and do more for us than we can
do againji our felves, or we recover fo much fo-
briety, as to forbear to Majfacre v^hat we pre-
tend to Love, and endeavour to bind up thofe
wounds at which our own Souls are like to
Expire.
CHAP. XIX.
the Conclufion drawn from all the Fremifes.
w
"E have hitherto examin'd the ef-
feBs and originals of our conten-
tions, and now the only re-
maining Enquiry is concerning the ways of re-
drefs. And that will exa(ft no long difquifition :
for as in difeafes 'tis faid, the knowing the caufe
is one half of the cure ; fo more efpecially is it
here, where the remedies are meerly priva-
tivey and we are not to be healed by exter-
nal applications y but only hyfuhflraEiing thofe Hu-
mors which feed the Malady : There will there-
fore need no other prefcription than to advife
D d z the
4o8 Ihe Conclufiondravpn Cljap^ip*
the exterminating of all thofe Paflions and Inte-
rcfts which have appeared acceffary to our quar-
rels;, which though they are become the publick
Epidemick dife^fe, yet as the infe5lion did^ fo muft
the cure arife from lingle perfons : for as we look
not a common Fefiilence fliould ceafe without due
care and manage both of the Jjck and found : fo
neither can this Church plague ever abate, but
by the cure^ or fortifying its individual mem-
bers,
LET every man therefore who has any way
made himfelf a Party to thefe conteftsj, feriouf-
ly interrogate his own heart ; what it is that has
engag'd Him in them : if any of the finifier motives
before rehearft, let him for a while ihift the
Scene J and inftead of accufing others as Oppofites
to Truth, condemn himfelf ^ls Enemy to Peace :
remicmbring that how juft or important foever the
caufe be, it is no fo to him ; whileft he ferves his
humors and defigns under its covert. The Phi-
lofophers in their darker notions of Truth could
yet difcern, that flie was not acceflible to any who
fought her not purely for her felf, with fincere
and fingle Intentions, and if flie entertain no Pu-
pils that are not fo qualified, is it fit Ihe Ihould
have Guardians and Champions of a quite diftant
Temper ? No, he that undertakes the defence of
Speculative Verity, muft firft poflefs himfelf of
that praBick Truth the Pfalmift fpeaks of, Ff^i.
That in the inward partSy fuch a fimplicity and
integrity of Purpofe, as may fupplant all thofe
indiredl Ain s, purge cut every prejudice and paf-
fion.
^ftap^I^- /^^^ ^li ^^^ Premifes, ^op
fion, which may byafs^, and pervert him ; and by
that time he has done f^K:, 'tis odds but he will
find a new face of affairsy and difcern that many oF
thofe things he fo fiercely contended about, were
either falfe or trivial; acquired their conpderahle-
nefs only from thofe magnifying perjfeBives of his
own Lufts^ through w^hich he viewed them. How-
ever till he have thus denudated himfelf of all
thefe encumbrance^) he is utterly unqualified for
thcfe Jgones; and how lawfully foever others
may ftrive, 'tis fure he cannot, that does it upon
fo unlawful grounds, and therefore upon pain of
lofing much more than a corruptible crown muft
withdraw himfelf As for thofe w^ho can yet ac-
quit themfelves from having fomented our Di-
ftra6lions, I fhall not forbid them to look with
great complacency upon it, but rather by con-
fidering how valuable a piece of Innocency it is,
engage and encourage themfelves to preferve it ;
and to that purpofe, jealoufly to examine the
firfi overtures of a Te^'i^ptation, When they find
any pronenefs to im^iierce in Fadlion, any un-
wonted heat towards a Diflenter, to trace it to
its fountain and original; nicely to obferve whe-
ther it ifliie not from fome of thofe envenom'd
firings forcmentioned, and make as much haft to
ftop its currant, as they would to impede the moft
overwhelming inundation ; for fuch 'twill infalli-
bly prove to thofe who indulge to its courfe. But
as a Turf will at firft clofe the breach, which neg-
ledled becomes the inlet of a mighty Torrent :
fo had this early vigilance been us'd, it might
Pd 3 with
Ajo The Concltifion drawn Cfjap^ip-
with eafe have prevented thofe Diftempers, in
private Beafts, from whence the general Confu-
fion has fprung. As it is, might but thefe two
things be obtained, would but the Guilty purge,
and the Innocent guard themfelves, we might
yet hope to fee an end of oar Difcords : not that
I fuppofe it pofTible to extinguifh all diverfity of
Opinions among men, who from their differing
faculties, and otiier guiltlefs occurrents, may and
will have their j^Y^^m^/^^jfeverally difpos'd. But
firftj, were all, who have upon the former culpa-
ble motives enter'd the lifts, excluded, we ftiould
find They would amount to fuch a Number, that
there would he few left to maintain the Combat.
Nay, fecondly, were it not for thofe concealed
inducements, there would fcarce be any Combat
to maintain, thofe are the things that convey the
fling and malignity into our Ditterences, without
thofe we might diflent, but not fall out ; and
fhould no more be angry to fee another opine con-
trary to as, than we are to fee him of a differing
fiaturs, or complexion. In fine, let us pretend what
we will, 'tis the Carnality vpithin, that raifes all
the Comibuftions without : This is the great wheel
to which the Clock owes its motion, while the
^r^f^r^ of Truth and Piety is but like the hand,
fet indeed more confpicuoufly,but diredled whol-
ly by the fecret movmgi of the other. This, thi^
alone is it which creates and continues our broils,
and by a monftrous conjunction of Properties, is
its felf both flame and fuel : Nor can we doubt
that from hence fpring thofe railing accufations,
we
d)SP*l9- from all the Premifes. 411
we bring one agiinft another, if we remember
what St.J^ude tells us that the Jngel brought them
not even againft the Devil himfelf, he could calm-
ly manage a ^z//?^^^ with the moft execrable and
provoking adverfary^ bccaufe his Jngelick nature
had none of that carnal leaven which ferments to
the/o^r/W^ofourSj, an evident Indication what it
is that has rendred our arguings fo invecftive, that
divinity feems now an Artifice to elude law by-
daily patronizing thofe L/'^^/j, which would elfe
be Obnoxious to civil Jufiice,
B U T I prefume there need no more be faid to
evince this, which has, I fear, the atteftation of
too many confciences, to be generally doubted ;
t\\Q greater d'fficiiltyWiWhQy to perfwade the de-
pofiting of thofe lufts, which though they are con-
feftly the Boutefieus among us, have yet by I know
not what Fafcination fo endear d Themfelves,
that we tenacioufly retain them in fplght of all
their appendent Mifchiefs ; nay, we cherifl? and
fofter them, and for that very purpofe bring them
under the covert of Religion. He that has but a
puny vice, if he get it like Joa/h conceafd and fliel-
ter'd in the SanBuary, 'twill not only live^ but
reign too. Put on a Pott and Majefty, and ap-
pear venerable upon the pretence of that Piety,
whofe Eflence and Being it evacuates and under-
mines.
INDEED fin never nrilvesat fo luxuriant a
growthy as when it roots in ha lloTved ground, which
Satan fo well knows, that he has ever been indu-
ftrious to plant it in that foil. Thus \yc find he
Pd 4 had
412 *The Conclufion drawn ^ftap » I p-
had introduced the moft hrutijh crimes into the re-
ligion of the Gentilesy iaterwoven them into their
Sacred Rites and Myfieriesy till vertue and vice
had changed nanaesj, and it became piety to be
Wicked;, and profanenefs to be Innocent. And
when that grofs deceit became detected hy Gojpel
light y when he could not in the fame manner ob-
trude upon Chriftidnsy he yet found the way to do
it more obliquely;, and by ftarting thefe religious
quarrels, gave at once employment and reputati-
on to the moft irreligious vices. For alas, what
part of wild fury was there in the Heathen Baccha-
nals, which we have not feen Equalfd if not Ex-
ceeded by fome intoxicated zealots ? Or what
cruelty in their moft barbarous rites, which has
yiot been matcht by the inhumanity of diflenting
Chriftians? So that uponajuft fcanning, all our
fplcndidpretence of Sandlity is but an emulation
of Gentile Impurity under a better name; and
while we damn Heathens for their floral vertues.
We are yet fo ftupid as to hope our felves to be
faved by their worfi vices.
A N D now who that does enough confider can
think he can enough bewail this fad ftate of af-
fairs : That Chriftianity fhould thus out-run its
felf, and bring us round to Gentilifm ^gainj,
whilft her Prorcflbrs ridiculoufly contend for the
if/V/^ofthebeft Chriftians, by fuch aBs as deno-
minate them none at all. Thus have we inverted
the fignificancy o^th^it Sacred Name, and made it
ferve only to upbraid the contrariety of our pra-
Bice ; fo that that which was once the Index to
point:
CtiaP^ip- from all the Premifes. 415
point out all Moral and Divine vertues, does now
on the contrary mark out that fart of the World,
where leafl of them refide. This, this alone is the
prize we have acquired with fo much fweat and
bloody this the triumph we have brought to our
Religion, which indeed could never have funk to
fuch a dejpicablerjef? by any Endeavours but our
own ; for fo long as Chriftianity waged war only
With foreign enemies fhe never mift to he viSlori^
ousy but fince that thefe intefiine difcords have
turn'd her force againft herfelfy Bella geriplacuit
nullos hahitura triumphosy there is no poflibility of
fuccefs, themeer^^^^ implies a defeat y and the
fvpords of all Parties meet in her bowels. 'Twas a
pafllonate expoftuUtion that Julia is faid to have
us'd with her two fons Jntonine o,nd Getay whofe
animofities having prompted them to divide the
Empire, which they were joyntly to have enjoyed,
fhe askt them whether they would divide their Mo-
ther alfo ; implying how much their difcords had
rackt and torn her. And fure our common Mother
may makeayet fadder complaint o£ her Sons, by
whofe unkind diffentions flie is fo miferably mang-
ledy that fhe may cry out with the Pfalmifty My
foul is among Lions y and I lye among the Children of
men that are fet on fire.
AND nowifamidft all our importunate pre-
tences to Piety, there be indeed any fuch thing
among us, methinks it fhould give us fomer^-
lentingsy make us fadly confider to what a deplo-^^
rahle condition we have brought that very religion
on which we profefs to hang ^11 our hopes -, and
would
j^l^ the Cone I ujion drawn ^tJSpfij^.
would God thofe who are the moft nearly con-
cerned in this Contemplation, would purfue it to
the utmofl ; let them on the one hand fet the
moft glittering temptations to Difcord, and on
the other let them view the difmal ejfe5ls of it^, and
then confider at how dear a rate they gratifie a few
impotent Fajfions, Can any man without Hor-
rour think that his thirfl of Glory has brought
difhonour to his Religion, and confequently to his
God ; that his cur torn enquiries into things fecret,
has help't to Evacuate the more ufeful things Re-
vealed y or in fhortj, that his purfuit of his vnri-
ous intereffls and appetites has destroyed what was
fo incomparably more valuable, the honour o^tiio
Gofpel, the unity of the Church, and as many
/o^/xas have periHit by that fcandal. 'Twasas
infamous a Characfter of inhumanity as the very
Poets could feign oiDiomedesy that he fed his hor-
fes with mansflejh ; but alas, that barbarity is here
infinitely out-done, when Men nourifh far worfe
bruits, their own unreafonable lufisy with thofe
things that are moft yi/cr^i. Certainly were the
vaftnefsofthis^^i// throughly weighed, 'twould
make men fick of thofe petty wretched acquefis
they have thus purchafed, make them fling back
this price of bloody I fay not with the fame dej^air,
but with as great remorfe and deteftation as Judas
did the //z^^r^^Vcej for which he fold his Mafter.
'Tis fure the crimes have too great an affinity,
as in all other circumftances, fo efpecially in this,
that as the one was, fo the other is moft frequent-
ly the Guilt of an Apofile, I mean of thofe to
whom
C^ap^ip- from all the Fremifes, '41 J
whom Chrift: has committed the difpenfing of
that Gofpel which they thus evacuate, and doubt-
lefs this is a confideration of great enhanfement,
as that which fuperadds treachery to all the other
peftilent /^^r^^^/Wi" of th^Crime; 'tis thefalji-
fying the moil: important trufiy for under words
of that fignification we find the office of the Mini-
ftry every where reprefented in Scripture, as Ste-
wards f jimbajfadors, Shepherds, and confequent-
ly the accounts of the fin muft fwell fo much the
higher. For a Steward to emhezle thofe Goods
he undertakes to mana^^e ; an Ambaflador to ^^-
fr^^ his Prince for whom he fliould negotiate y a
Shepherd to jvorry that Flock which he is fet to
guard, thefe are crimes that double their malig-
nity from the quality of the Actors ; and yet this
is undeniably the-Guilt of all thofe whofc prof e (/ton
having devoted them to the Church , have impiouf-
ly chang'd the Scene, and devoted the Church to
them, ferv'd all their mean degenerous ends upon
her ; and as Chyrurgeons are faid fometimes to deal
with profitable Patients, kept open, nay, widen-
ed her wounds for their own advantages,
I T has been the Priefts hit any as ancient as
Joels time. Spare thy people O Lord, and give not
thine heritage to reproach ; but now alas, who fhall
prevail with them to do that themfelves which
they beg of God, to fpare his people and his heri-
tage ; to proftitute them no more to their own
finifter defigns, nor by their vain and endlefs con-
tentions, expofe them as well to ruine as contempt.
He were indeed a happy Orator that could in this
efle(5lu-
^l6 The Conclufwn drawn CllHP^ip.
^ffe<5]:ually intercede with themj, though One
would think the wonder fhould lye on the other
fide;, and the only ftrange thing be, that they
fliould either need or refifi fuch a folicitation, it
being fo much the concern of all that ought, as
well upon the fcore of advantage as duty, to be
dear to them ; fo that the Church may moft aptly
addrefs to thefe her Sons in the fame form St,Faul
does to the Fhilippians when he conjures them to
unit}', Phil. 2. 1. If therefore there he any confola-
tion inChrifiy if any comfort of love y if any fellow fhip
of the Spirit y if any bowels and mercies y fulfil you my
Joy that you he like minded^ And can it be poflible
for any who have tafted all or any of thefe, to
think fit to wrangle them away ; to exchange
thefe divine irradiations y the Antepaft and Em-
blem of Heaven, for thofe bitter diffentionsy
whofe Alpha and Omegay their original and end
are Hell, and do as lively reprefent as they cer-
tainly lead to the horrour and confufion of that
land of Darknefs.
BUT if fome mens appetites be fo depraved,
that they find more Melody in difcordy than in
the harmony of the Angelick Quires, yet even
thefe can difcern ^IMufick in a confort of Flau-
ditesy and feldom mifs to be afIe(Sled with thofe
Eulogies which are given themfelves ; and there-
fore though they disjoyn the Apoftles motives,
Fhil, 4. 8. and will do nothing for vertue, yet they
may be prefum'd more confiderate of Praife:
And God knows, in a wrong fenfe they are too
much fo; and fure, as we have already obferved
by
d)8P*I9- /rom all the Premifes. 41 7
by it, have made no fmall contributions to our dif-
cords : yet did they meafure Glory by its right antl
proper ^andardy they would find they have all
this while courted a j^^^o)^?, and that the fuhfi^nce
will never be acquir'd by being fomenters oF pub-
lick Mifchief; but the unhappincfs ofitis> that
our Ecclejjafiick as our Secular Duellifts abufe
themfelves with falfe notions of Honor, novel
Opinions and fubtile Queftions they think atteft
the pregnancy and acutenefs of their Underftand-
ings, and give them reputation ; but alas, how
vain an imagination is this ? Who admires the
Sagacity of the Viper, that Eats her way through
her mothers bowels ? Or who reverences a man for
the Jharpnefs of that Sw^ord wherewith he commits
his Paricide ? ISfay, wdiat more infamous brands
have Records iof all ages ftuck upon any, than
thofewho were Ingeniojiffime nequamy '& facundi
malo publico, who us'd the belt: Parts to theworft
Endsj, and with the greateft cunning and artifice
have contrived their mifchief s ?
BUT could we abftradl from thekpernicicus
effeBs, and fuppofe that this exercife of their Fa-
culties were innocent, yet fure it would be too
light and impertinent to become matter of praife.
He that ftxould fpend all his Time in tying inextri-
cable Knots, only to baffle the Induftry of thofe
that ihould attempt to unloofe them, would fure
be thought not much to have ferv'd his generati-
on. 'Tisoneofthe certaineft Ejiimates we can
make of a man, to meafure him by the employ-
ments he chufes, if thofe he fight and trifling, they
luggeft
4 1 8 the Conclufion drawn Cl^ap* ip.
fuggeft the Perfon to have low thoughts; what an
abafement of Majefty was it thought in Nero to
become a Fidler and Stage-player ; and Herodian
tells usj, that men hoped no longer for any thing
princely from Commodus the Emperor, when he
had once lifted himfelf among the Fencers^ and
inftead of the magnificent Hyles of his Predecef-
forsj, derived from the conquefls of great and popu-
lous Nations, aflumed This, Hhe vanqutfker of a
thoufand Gladiators : And certainly 'tis no lefs a
defcent and diminution for thofe who were de-
fign'd by God for the highest atchievementSy the
fubduing the Kingdom of Satan, and pulling
down his ftrong holds, to devote themfelves to
thefe fo much igmhler contefis, and account their
conquefls^ not from the number of Souh won to
God, but of 0/?jf7o/^rx worfted in Argument. In-
deed, as we before obferv'd, they have now ren-
dred the Church a kind of 'Xheatre^ Difputes are
managed with fuch Sleight and Sophiftry, that at
the beft, the litigants do but fet forth a Ihew of
Fencers : 'Twere well if they did not fometimes
play the Gladiators^ by that wounding deadly
fharpnefs they ufe, and 'twould be confider'd
what a change is now made : In the Prim.itive
times, none that own'd any relation to the
Church were allowed to be fpeHators of thofe
Games, now That is made the Stage, and her
ableft Perfons the A^ors, But certainly 'tis very
little to the reputation of thofe who have fo un-
worthily debaucht both it and themfelves ; and
therefore to all other dijfwafives we may add this
of
^ijjgpvip. from all the Premifes. 419
of the Uncreditablenefs : For let men phancy w^^at
they pleafe of the Glory acquir'd in thefe oppor-
tunities of fhewing their parts, the belt that can
befaidof them is, that they ufeWit fooHfily ; A
chara(5ter whereof the one part devours the other,
and leaves not fo much as a mouthful of that ^*<?-
^r//^r^/V which thefe C^m^//W gafp after. In a
word, though vain-glory be a principle I fiiall
commend to no man, yet in this cafe 'twere more
tolerable if it would work the righ^ way, put
them upon what were really fraife-vrorthyy and
then fure 'twould encline them rather to clofe than
widi^n the breaches oiSion. To inflidl wounds on
an unrefifting Patient, is a thing that requires
neither courage nor skill : Every man can do that
who has but ill nature enough, but to cure them
is an adl at once of Art and <$j[lercyy and entitles
to the Praife of both ; and therefore if any mans
eagernefs of Glory, have made him over-fec the
way to it, let him now at laft recover his wan-
dringsy andfeek it in this one only proper M^-
thod,
BUT this is, Iconfeft, aTo/^/Vi-of Perfwifi-
on fitter for Fhilofophers than Divines y and I wifH
I may have urg'd it impertinently ; it being much
lefs fliame for me to have done fo, than for them
to need fuch an Argument. There is another
more genuine and proper, derived from the na-
ture o£ difiributize Jufiicey which requires a man
to do his Utmoji to repair the injuries he has done
to any, this is fo ftated a r«/^, that all our Cafti-
ipyxMy prefs it in all cafes of damage : But are
there
420 the Conclufion drawn ^t)ap*l^-
there not many of them, who while they fo eager-
ly aflert that obligation in other mens cafes, do as
I) avid did in the matter of the poor mans Lamb,
feverely fentence that injuflice, whereof them-
felves are more highly Guilty. To every fuch I
would fpeak in the words oi Nathan ^ and fay thou
art the ^tMan, Alas, fliall every little trijie I pur-
loin from my Neighbour have jveight enough to
fink me to the ^^7^, and fhall ^/j^^/zi" of the great-
eft magnitude, the robbing God of his honour y the
Church not only of her Patrimony , but her Peaccy
and the World of thofe ineftimable henefitSy
which from a uniform confonant Chriftianity
were to have been tranfmitted to it ? Shall thefe
I fay be fo flight and inconfiderable, as not to
hinder his afcent to the hill of the Lord ? Shall
the leaft Wo/^/^c^ I offer to the perfon of an Ene-
my oblige me to fatisfaBion, and fhall he rend
and tear the hody of his Saviour ( who willingly
cxpos'd his natural body only in tendernefs to that
myftical one, which is thus violated ) and fliall
this criminous WW/V^ exadl no offers towards
amends ? Certainly no man can have partiality
enough to think it, and if he do not, he is to re-
member i/w/^/f indifpenfably engag'd to take the
fame cotArfe he prefcribes to others, and with his
utmoft indufiry endeavour to repair the injury he
has done.
AND O that we might fee this fo effential a
piece oijuftice affum'd among us, that our im-
pertinent ftrifes might be fuperfeded, and all
moulded into the one noble Emulation, who fliall
fafteft
(B1)iP* ^9' /Vom all the Prcmifes, 42 1
fafteft unravel his own mifchiefsy and promote
that peace he has hitherto diilurb'd. This indeed
were worthy to be the united defign of all learned
men ; and were it once Co, who knows how prof-
perous it might be : For though fome finale at-
tempts have mifcarried, yet probably one great
caufe why they do foj, was becaufe they were
fingle. When one Perfon comes with pacifick ar-
guments to part an enraged multitude, let his Rea-
fons be never fo convincing, they are not like to
be much adverted to; the only effeH is,, that he
who defign'd himftlf the comm.on Friend, is ta-
ken as the common Enerny ; but 'w^here many af-
fociate in fuch a defign^, and make a party for
peace, their numbers give a confiderablenefs to
their propof a I, and prepare for their/z/ccr^/f. And
were there fuch a combination in order to the
Churches Quiet;, it were more than poffible they
might undermine the contrary attempts of Fadlion
andDifcord.
AND why lliould not every man be ambitions
to make one in this fopiou^ a confederacy, and re^
folvemoftftudioufly to endeavour the compofin^
the Diftradl:ions of the Church, in which they
may borrow fomething of inflruBion even from
their paft guilts, and copy out their own induflry
to this better purpofe. This is fure ; our dif-
putes had never fo multiplied, had there not been
a gf eat deal of unhappy diligence in nourifhing the
feeds of them : Every controverted Tenet has been
heightned and improved, till it have fpawn'd a
numerou^s brood, fo that thofe who at firft differ d,
E e perhaps
422 tf^e Conclufion drawn Cftapap.
perhaps but in fome few things, wrangle on, till
at laft they agree in fewer : Now were the like
Induftry applied the other way, it might fure do
much to the changing the •whole Scene, If men
would as nicely obferve the Principles of agree-
ment between dijfenting partiesy and with as
much Art and Care feek to dilate and fpread
them ; why might not they as much overwhelm
our differences y as they have been overwhelmed
by them ? 'Tis fure that thofe Univerfal truths y
to which all Parties aflent, are, as the ctearefi
for their Evidence, fo the m©ft important for-
their Confequence : And why ihould not thefe,
if rightly managed, be a more enforcing motive
to Unity, than the more fingular opinions ( per-
haps phancies ) of fome men, can be to Difcord ?
Certainly would but our Mofes's try what this
rod of God in their hand could do, they would
find it able to devour all thofe of the Magicians.
Would they like Benhadahs Ambafladors, catch
hold of every amicable expreffiony any thing that
looks towards Peacey and clofe in with it, they
might probably fee Effects y beyond what can at
diftance be expedled. For fure Peace is not fuch
a dry Treey fuch a Saplefs unfertile thing, but
th^t it might fruBifie ^nd encreafe as well as Dif-
cord, were there a juft care taken to Cherifliand
nourifh it.
INDEED this Defign is the only Jmulet
which can render it fafe to look into controver-
Jiesy which are elfe apttoinfufe a kind o£ acri-
mony, and i^^;/<?m^ into mens fpirits; For we fee
many.
Cftsp.iP' froinallthe Premifes. 423
many, whofe curiojity at firft brought them as
unconcerned j^e^ators, do within a while engage
with all earneftnefs in the contefi- : but thofe who
ftudy differences only with an aim of compofing
them, thefe have their thoughts determined and
fixt, and fo not left loofe to the enticements of
any Party. Ariftotk fays that on the Hill Olym-
pus the Air is fo fubtil and piercing, that thofe
who afcend thither, are forced to carry with them
vpet Spungesy by that moifiure fomewhat to allay
that extreme tenuity which otherwife would be
deadly ; and fure they that deal in controverjies,
live in no lefs corrofive an ^Airy and therefore had
need make the like provifion, and carry with
them this PacifiQlcpurpofey ^s^ lenitive and Emol-
lient againft: the infedlious jJparpnefs they will
there meet with.
AND now how blelTed a thing were it, if
we could once thus follow the things that make
for Peace, that the numherlefs mutual enmities
which are now among us, may all be reduced in-
to one, that we may fight not againft fingle jidver-
faries, but againft War its felf, and contend
againft nothing but contention. And fure our vi-
ctory here were worth millions of thofe petty
conquefts wherewith men pleafe themfelves, and
which acquire them fo little of real advantage,
that the fame account which was given of Otho
and Vitelliusy that the war would fwalLow up the^
one, and-the viBory the other, is too applicable to
our combat ant Sy who are like to be equally un-
happy in defeat 01 fuccefs. The Spartans had an
E e 2 Order
424 f -^^ Conclufion drawn Cljcip . 19.
Order that when any of their Generals had com-
pafled his Defign by policy or /r^^/;', he fiiould
facrificc an Oxey but when by force and ^/o^/^-
fhedy a C&c/^ only : from the diftant values cf
which oblations, F lut arch ohki\cs how much
they preferred the Atchievements of calm and
fober cd?^^/^/x, before thofe o^firength and power:
but fure the difparity is more eminent in the
prefent inftancc, where if we fight we wound
our Brethren:, but if we unite we deflroy our Ene-
my : baffle and circumvent 5^^^/; J- Mafter-ftrata-
gemj, and not only worfl but outwit him. Indeed
this and this only is worth our Induftry;, whereas
thofe little defeats we give Each other, are like
thofe in a civil War, vvherein the puhlick is ftill
fure to be a Lofer ; upon which confideration the
Romans allowed not their Captains to triumph
for fuch Vidlories; and fure our Chriftianity is
very ill befcowcd on us, if it have made us fo
much worfe natur'd, as to choofe thofe ruinous
Conquefts at home, before the molt glorious and
profitable ones abroad.
'TWAS Abners admonition tojoab, when
he was in a hot purfuit of the Ifraelites, 2 Sam.
2. 26". Shall the [word devour for ever ? knowefi
thou not that it will be bitter nefs in the later end i
and fure 'tis more than time for our Leaders to
make the fame refledlion, and as Joab did there,
callback the People from following their Bre-
thren : Nay indeed, would they but attend, they
might hear themfelves called back ; the^r^^^ Cap-
tain of their Salvation founding a retreat from
^ thefe
® ^p.l5?- fi^'^ ^/^ ^^^ Premifes. ^ly
thefe fatal skirmifhes. Xenophon in the inftitu-
tion of Cyrus tells us of one Chryfanthmy who in
the heat of battail had his hand lift up to ftrike an
Enemy> but hearing in the very inftant the
Trumpet found a retreat y ftopt his blow. A great
fobriety of courage fo to fliew more Zeal to the
obeying his General, than the annoying his Enemy ;
and an Inftance of much reproach to our Spiritual
Combatants, who have fliewed themfelves fo much
worfe difciplin'd, as in fpight of daily repeated
calls to Peace, ftill topurfue their Hoftility : But
fure fuch an infolence is fo inconfiftent with the
pretence they make of fighting Gods Batt.ails^that
they muft either reform the one, or difclaim the
other.
AND now if after all that hath or can be
faid of the obligation, neceffity, or advantages of
Peace, we are put to the Pfalmifts Complaint,
that there are ftill thofe that will make them ready
to hattail: if men are of fo untreatable a Tem-
per, that nothing can be obtain'd of them : what
remains for thofe that are Peaceable and Faithful
in Ifraelyhnt to bewail thoCe Mifchiefs they can-
not redrefs^ If the Church muft perifli, atleaft
to give her Funeral rites, and if they cannot
Siench her flames, yet to bedew her apes with
eir tears.'Tis true,we cannot yet fay llie is quite
dead; but though flie breaths yet in a few pious
peaceful Souls, yet like a Palfied perfon, flie fcarce
moves a Limb, (he wants vigor to acfluate the
generality of her profeflbrs, and remains rather a
tru-nk than a body : and fure if there be truth in that
Ee 3 Phyfick
425 Ihe Conclufton drawn Cl&^p*i9-
Phyfick Aphorifm, which fayes that difeafes
which crofi the temper and confiitution of the Pa-
tient are mofi dangerous ; we may well conclude
her del^eratey there being nothing more re-
pugning to the very Elements and Principles of
her Being, than thofe contentions under which
flie now groans,
YET there is an omnipotentJPower to whom
no Difficulties are infuperable, an unerring Phy-
fician who makes the molt hopelefs Difeafes, but
the Triumph of his Art. O let us refort to him^
and invite his Aids in the fame pathetick form,
wherewith he was folicitedfor Lazarus^Jo.ii,^.
Lord heboid fhe whom thou loveji is ftck : She for
whofe fake thou enduredft fuch contradidlion of
[inner s againft thy felfi is now by the contradicti-
on of her own Children, languifhing and ex-
piring : ftie for whom thou pouredft out thy
hloudy lies weltring in her own. Lord fave or fhe
perifiieth : Were fuch Petitions enforced and in-
geminated by the daily breathing of humble de-
vout hearts, who knows how prevalent they
might be. In this fenfe alfo Heaven might fuf-
fer violence ; nor is there any better countermine
to all the outrages adled upon Earth than by ma-
king them thus reverberate in our cries and
prayers,
AND perhaps thU Confideration will draw
us all, even the moil peaceful of us into the guilt
of a negative Acce^rinefs to the prefent Mif-
chiefs. There are divers that dillike our conten-
tions y and blame the abettors ; but yet with fuch
Un.
^t)ap* 1 9- /^^^ ^/^ ^^^ Premifes, 427
Unconccrn'dnefs and IndifJerency.as that where-
with we commonly talk of the comhufiions of fo-
reign States, wherein we rather exprefs our
Judgment than our refentments, and do make it
more our difcourfe than our concern. And even
of thofe who have in fome degree laid it to hearty
who is there that has not been fome way wanting
in the ardency, or frequency of his interceflions i
let every one ferioufly interrogate his own Heart,
and I fear 'twill witnefs to him, that his own pri-
vate concerns are much apter to excite his d^z'o-
tions. Let us remember with what faffion and
importunity we invoke God in our particular Exi-
gents, and confider whether vpe arc equally af-
fedled with thofe of the Church : Haft thou been
like Hezekiahy fick unto death ? and haft thou
with him wept fore, and vehemently folicited a re-
covery ? has thy efiate been invaded by Oppref-
fion, thy fame by Slander and Detraction ? and
haft thou with loud and carneft cries, appealed
to that God to whom vengeance belongs^, or haft
thou been in that condition which is proverbial
for fetting men to their prayers? haft thou like
Jonas been in a ftorm, in minutely expedlation
of being fwallowed up by the wavesy if not the
Whale ; and in this Extafie of fear, when as thy
/o«/n?^j" asthePfalmift fpeaks, even melted away
becaufe of the trouble^ haft cried unto the Lord,
and even out-noys'd the billows in thy clamo-
rous importunities for aid ? Haft thou in. all, or
any of thefe eftates been thus affedled for thy
felf ? then remember whether thy refentments
Ee 4 havQ
42.8 The ConcUifwn drawn C^SP»I9-
have been proportionable for that which is much
better than thy felf : If the no lefs imminent and
preffing dangers of the Church, have not as much
awakened thy/^ri/or, given as fliarpand piercing
an accent to thy Prayers, thou muft needs con-
fefs, thou haft fain fliort, of what thou fhoul deft
and mighteft have done towards her refcue.
x\ N" D if this Inquifition be impartially made,
w^ho among us can plead not guilty ? and there-
fore in reBecftions upon our paft omiffions, we
are injufiice oblig'd to redouble our Zeal, to fay
over again our Tepid heartlefs prayers, and in-
flame them with a G?/^ from the Altar; an ear-
neft aflfecflionate Concern for all that is holy,
fuch as may prompt us to cry, and that mightily
to God : We fee the Ninevites could do it when
there was no vifible approach of danger, but
meerly upon the prefage of a ftranger Prophet,
backt with the confcioufnefs of their own Guilt :
I fear we more than equal them in the later Mo-
tive, I am fure we far exceed them as to the for-
mer. The miferies we are to deprecate being not
only under denunciation and threat, but acflually
upon us, though withall fo improvable, that aft
tex all the black Catalogue our Experience brings
in; our Fears meet us with the hottomlefs Pro-
phetick menace, Efay 5*. 25*. for all this his Anger
is not turn d away, but his hand is ftretched out fl ill,
^Tis the ufual Oeconomy of divine Juftice to.
make our Crimes our Funifiment, and to give us
up to thofeills, v^hichwere at firft, our own de-
praved choice : and God knows we have too much
reafon
CftaDap- f^^^ ^^ ^^^ Premifes. 429
reafon to fear this may be our cafe : That we
who have fo perverfly violated all the hands of
Unity:, wantonly wrangled our felves out of all
inclinations toVc^ccy fliould never be able to re-
fume them ; that all thofe gentle breathings of
Grace, by which exajperated Pafflons are to be
cool'd and tempered, fliould be withdrawn, and
we finally be given up to be diilipated by thofe
Whirl-winds our felves have rais'd : That Chri-
ftiamty which we have made the ftale and Pro-
perty to our irregular appetites y us'd only as fig-
leaves to hide our jJoamey fliould wither and flirink
into nothing ; and that vpe who could not agree
in what manner to retain it, fliould at laft too
well agree to renounce it.
THIS alas, as it is the fearfullefty fo is it
the prohahleft lilUe of our wild Contentions, fuch
as nothing but the miraculous Effluxes of divine
Clemency can avert. O let us with all the groans
and tears, fo dcplor'd a Condition exadls, addrefs
thither, impoitxinc the father of (^ercies to pity
usy who know not how to pity our felvesy and
that though we have caft ofi' all bowels y yet that
we may find them all concentered in him : that
he will heal our wounds ; and which of all others
is the moft defperate, our unwillingnefi to be
healed : that the Spirit of Peace may overfliadow
us, and im.prefs on us the dove-like qualities of
Meeknefs and Gentlenefs : that he would refcue
our Religion from our Profanation not by taking
/> from Us, but by conforming ^ to It: Finally
that he would do for us, not only above what we
can
430 The Condufion drawn Ci^dp*!^.
can ^k or think, but beyond what we would wifh
or chufe, and not fuflFer us to acquire the M^ferics
we fo co,gcr\y ptirfue,
THIS divine interpojJtion alone is it that can
poflibly fccure usj, and indeed the fuit amounts to
no lefs, than that he will f^rc^ upon us the Blef-
ling we rejifi, and do us good againft our wills,
which is fo bold a reojuefty that they had need be
more than ordinary Favourites that fhail prefer
it. Thofe^^/^c</j muft be very purej, that are lift
up in fuch an inter ceffion : and therefore all that
undertake it are obliged to qualifie themfelves for
it, by purging out not only the levain of Malice
and Strife, but all other filthinefs of the Flefh
and Spirit: without This, we can never approve
our felves to intercede in earnefi: ; for what can
be more ridiculous than to deprecate the ruine of
Chriftianity by the contentions of other men;
when our felves contrive it by fome other vice of
our own ? This is not to defire it fliould //i;^,but
that none but we fliould kill it. 'Twill there-
fore concern thofe who wifli the Peace of the
Church, to examine whether they do as much
projedl for her Pwr/Vj' ; otherwife 'tis a mockery
to pretend fuch ^jealous t endernej? £or her. We
have fcen there are more waies than one, by which
Chriftian pracflice may be evacuated, and it
matters little from whence that Wind blows that
fhip-wracks our Piety. Yet 'tis not to be denied
that of all thofe tempefiuous hi aft s, this of our con-
tentions is the rougheft and moft fatal. 'Tis in-
deed not a fingle guft^but an encounter and ftrug-
gling
(Ei)^P*^9' /^^^^ ^^^ ^^^ Premifes. 43 1
gling of feveral contrary winds ; and God knows
no poetical defcription can out-doe the horror of
the ftorms they have rais'd ; yet for ought I dif-
cernj, there is nothing that is lefs vulgarly ac-
cufed;, which I muft account to the Reader, as the
caufe why I have detained him fo long upon this
Head ; and given it a length fo unproportiona-
ble to the preceding parts of this Difcourfe.
CHAP,
43 i
CHAP. XX.
Ihe Clofe.
vv
'E have now feen the unhappy riddle
of the Unchriftiannefs of Chri-
fiians unfolded) have ohfervd the
Originals and Caufes of that which is too notorious
to all the world in its Effedls. jind though in this
curfory view the Reader is not to think he has any
fuch complcat difcovery, as jhould fuperfede his
own farther inquifition, yet as it mayferve to awa-
ken, fo fomewhat to aflift his Induflryy give him
fome light and infight into the wiles of Satan : and
by branding fome of the chief of thofe cheats which
have rohh'dusof our Piety, prepare for the deteBi-
on of the whole Confederacy : in the interim this
Specimen mayferve to flop his wonder at the rui-
nous eftate of Chrifiianity, for though 'tis true that
it was compared of all themoftmcoTTViptihlc ma-
terials, had all the harmony of parts which the
moji exa5l Frame and Compofure could give it,
and fo was qualified both for ftrength and beauty,
to have defied all the injuries of Time ; yet while
fhe has fo many Underminers, 'tis notftrange to fee
her in the duity there being no one ofthefeycfpecial-
ly that Ilaft infijied on, which has not deftruBive e?-
fic^cy enough ; firfl to deface, and then to ruine
her.
But
Ctiap.^o- J^^g Clofe. 43?
But it is hut an unprofitable acquefi to know the
Authors of our mifchiefs ifwe.fiop there y this enquiry
being matter not ofmeer Curiofityj, but of the near-
eji and mofi prejfing Intereft : jre fearch not after
qjlitalefaBors for their acquaintance, but for their
punifhment, and our own fecurity ; and all our
difcoveries of this kind are ^ain, if we apply them
not to that purpofe. Let tne therefore conclude with
this earneft Petition to the Reader y That he will
not to all the native DefeBs of this difcourfe, add
this accidental me that it jhall be perfeBly impcX'
tinent ; a meer wafle of his time and my own ;
which it will inevitably prove, if it engage him
not in an earneft profecution of thofe Delinquents
it hath appeacht ; and in as earneft an endeavour to
repair the Mifchiefs they have wrought,
IN' Jhorty let every man depojit what he has here
read, not with his memory only hut his confci-
ence, let him there ferioufJy ponder the Excellen-
cy of that holy vocation, as S. Paul terms it,
Eph. 4. 1, to which he is calfd : and then asfe-
rioujly conftder, whether he have as the Apoftle
there exhorts, walked worthy of it ; if he find he
have not (as alas who is there that has ? ) let him
fearch out as the particulars, fo the caufes of his
^JMifcarriages : diligently fift out thofe Fallacies
of Satan, or his own heart; thofe fly Delufions
which have made him a£l thus prepofteroufly a-
gainft all the ConviSiions of common reafon, natu-
ral confcience, or Chriftian experience; and
when he has difcovered, let him make no delay to
refcue himf elf from their Treacheries, hut manfully
break
434 T)^g Clofe. €^ap*2o.
Ireakthofe^ withs and cords {which are too v^eak
to hold any that mil hut in eawefl remember y he is
a Nazarite, aPerfon confecrate to God) refolute-
ly rejifi the infidious careJies of thofe Dalilah's,
which will deliver not Himfelf only^ hut the Ark
to the Philiftines. Nor is he to content himfelf
with his own UnglcefcapQ, hut to propagate the dc-
liverancej, to as many as he can ; let him blazon
and Jfigmatize thofe Impofters {for 'tis a com-
bining with them to conceal them) warn and cau-
tion others againfi thofe pgUng Artifices, by
which himfelf was entrapped, and make his own
/hip-wracks a Sea-mark /or the fecuring the courfe
of other Paffengers. This is the Eflfedt of Chrifts
admonition to S. Peter, when thou art converted
ftrengthen thy brethren ; and a piece of that Fra-
ternal charity we all owe to every particular Soul,
to whom we have opportunity to difpence it*
BUT beftdes that private Obligation, it be-'
comes a duty upon a higher, and more publick Ac-
count, it being the only way to take off that Scandal
we have brought upon our Religion ; which as it
was not contracted by the irregularities of one or
twoperfons, hut by affociated and common crimes ;
fo neither will it be removed by a few f ingle , and pri-
vate Reformations ; there mu(i be combinations,
and publick Confederacies in Vertue, to ballance
and count erpoife thofe of Vice^^ or fhe will never reco-
ver that prifine honour which jhe acquired by the ge-
neral Piety of her Prdfejfors, In thofe primitive
days there was fuch an abhorrence of all that was
III, that a vicious perfon was lookt on as a kind of
Monfter
€t)ap42Q. ^he Clofe. 43?
Monfter or Prodigie, and like a putrified Member
cutojf, as being not only dangerous, hut noifomc
to the Body : but alas, the Scene is fo changdy that
the Church is now made up of fuch asjhe would then
have caft out ; and 'tis now as remarkable an Occur-
rent to find a good Chriftiany as it was there to fee a
bad : and fence erevy thing is efiimated not according
to its rare and- cafualy hut frequent ufual Operations,
"'tis eafte to conclude y that Chriftianity has lofi as
much in its Repute, as it appears to have done in
its EfBcacy : nor will there he any way of repairing
it, tilt We he generally rendredfo malleable to its
impreflions, that our Lives may attest its Force
and Eiiergy.
MA T indeed 'tis not only its honour, hut its
being is concern d in it, a5live Principles ceafe to
be when they ceafe to act. TCou cannot hinder the
fire to burn hut by putting it out : and to .fupprefs
the Operation of our Religion is indeed to extinguilh
it ; at leafl to deprive it of its proper and j^ecifick
a£l : fo that if it can he f aid to he ; 'tis only hy that
ahufe of fpeech which calls a dead or painted man,
a Mam It may perhaps he a wizoiforthe Hypocrite,
a Stale /or the Ambitious, a wafh or tindture for
the Covetous ; hut where it is thefc, it ceafes to he
its felf. the eflence and being of Chriftianity is
practice ; and according to that TeH and proof
thereof, where almoft can it he faid to Exift in the
world ? we have indeed fome images and fhadows of
it : Some have taken its pidlure, but the fubftance
and folid body is vanifhed, refolvd into Air, and
feems fadlytohave moralizd the poetick Fable of
Sybills
43 6^ ^^^ ^^^/^- €t)ap*2o.
Sybills being worn into a voice, we have turn'd it
into a meer noife and found ; nay, which is worfe,
into an Eccho, that flattering complying voice,
which reverberates every mans own language to
him: Men diBate to their Religion j, and then
will needs ferfwade t h em f elves and others, that
their Religion dictates to them, will have the re-
bounds of their own Fancy or Luft pafs for Divine
Oracles ; fo fuborning this Aiery fantaftick Chri-
ftianity to legitimate thofe praBices, which the
real fo lid one forbids and Execrates.
TO this difmal forlorn eflate have we brought
that which was depgned to bring us to blifs, herein
far exceeding the barbarity of the brutijh Sodomites,
they would have violated the JMeffengers of their
ruine, but we thofe of our fafety : We having not
only negleBedy but vilified and reproacht the Em-
haiTyfent us from Heaven, and infiead of embra-
cing that purity and peace it recommended to us,
have done our Parts to make it forgotten that ever
it was fent upon any fuch Errand ; and indeed fo it is
like to be, iffome Heroick piety do not revive its
Memory, and teach us to record it not fo much in
our books as lives : There, and there only it will he
univerfally legible, there it would indeed appear,
what it is in its own nature, the power of God unto
Salvation.
jlNT> nowwhyjhould we not all Emuloufly con-
tend, who foallfirfi put off that ugly vizor we have
put upon our Keligion, and reflore it to /Vx native
form; ejpecially confidering that with its Beauty.
we lofe its Dowry too ; forfeit all thofe glorious Re-'^
wards
€t)apao. the Clofe. 437
wards vphich it promt fes to them that prefer ve it im-
maculate, "lis only a pure and undefiled Religi-
on that will invefi m in thofe white robes, wherein
we are to follow the Lamb. ^Andfure thofe who have
here endeavoured to darken and extinguifli all the
rays of Spiritual Light y that have lived as if they
profeji Chrijlianity meerly in ffight to defame ity
must never hope it Jhall bring them to fliine as the
Sun in the Kingdom of their Father, or procure
them the reward of hlamelefs Souls, Noy it pro-
mifesno other Crown than that of Righteoufnefs,
^nd therefore they that WLant the Righteoufnefs mu^l
want the Crown alfo : Nayy hefides that fo ineJii-
mahle a Reverjiony they lofe all thofe prefent Joys
^nd fatisfadlions which true Chri^tan praBice
would afford themy and which both in rejfeB of the
intenfenefs ^/;<i duration, infinitely exceed the moji
profufe fenfualities the World ever tafled.
THESE are inter efts that are fure. Important
enough y and yet we muft he woed to confider themy
nayy that does not prevail neither y hut with a per-
'verfe Coynefs we hold off; all the folicit ations and
importunate Calls of God are lookt upon as Artifices
and Defigns, as if he had fome Ends of his own to
ferve^ upon usy and ( as the Corinthians fufpecled
St, Paul ) meant to make again of us ; we treat with
him as if he were the Perfon to he advantaged, and
barter for Heaven withfuch an Indifference y as if It
would want Us more than We It ; never confidering
that ^tis impoffible for him to have any other Con-
cern^ than that which his CompafJion to us create fy
F f and
438 the Clofe. (I]Dap*20.
and the more earneft and paffionate That U^ the.
more it fhotild excite our own care> it heing the Ex-
trerneli degree of per v erf e Folly, to abandon and
dcfp'ik our own Interest meerly becaufe a Friend or
Patron confiders and prizes it. And^ thu brand
muB lye upon every one ofusy who Hill refufe to dif-
cern the things that belong to our Peace, after
God has donefo much to render them not only vifible
hut attainable.
WHAT Jhall I fay more, hut conclude with
Chrifts paffionate wifli, that we might in this our
day, underftand the things that belong to our
Peace, and O that the Spirit of Peace and Light
would defcend among us, illuminate us with that
true pracftical Wifdom, which may convince uSy
that our Duty and Intereft are the fame thing under
feveral forms, and that while we impioufly caft off
the one, we do as foolijhly betray the other. That
fo thofe inejftimable advantages our Chriftianity
gives towards both, may not be thus madly loft, ferva
only as a price in the hand of a Fool, who hath no
heart to it, Prov. 17. And to this end let us hum-
bly and earneft ly invoke the Father of lights, to il-
luminate ^// /^/^o/^ 7i?/>d?m f/?^ God of thU world hath
blinded, that after he hath fent into the world the.
Image ofhU own eternal hrightnefs ; caufed the Sun
of Righteoufnefs fo long to (bine upon us, it may
not ferve only to involve us in that mofi dreadful
condemnation, which awaits thofe who love dark-
nefs more than light ; but that anfwering the pur-
pofe of our holy calling, walking as Children of
light.
€&aPi2o,
Ihe Clofe,
43$)
light? we may vindicate that Chniki'Sin profeflion
which we havefo defamed, fecure to our [elves the
li^ht of Gods countenance here, and that of his
glory hereafter.
FINIS.
ifWe^ f^lfji^ -i^raRW '^/0£C« CmH^ ^^it^ .i'CWir,^ -^^i,— - .^av,-^- '».,5W1^." '«TV»=» -.^i,TJl^- -^C-ffVL^.- rM7#W3»W
^r^^'l' v^ ^ g'fi' <^ g^ wj^ ^ «7^ <^ v^ ^ <^ g^
t? 'G^gg: ^^ ^iKJ 'Ga>?y ^^ 'c^K? 5c^y
*> ^^-.ftk^J «<*».■«* 'aK»»^'<* ^S^^fcM «Kii->,> <S?20C^.' <S^«*
ERRATA.
Pt>^^e IX, Line ip. for taught Rf^^ fought, p, P7./.9. for di-
verts K. divefts, p> 99' I" 7. for infiduous r. infidious, ]?. 10^.
7.27. for them r. him, ^. 114./. 14. for one r. own, f, 118./. 6. for*
owes r. owns, j?. i54./.i7.foraflimulation r.alfimilation, p. i<55,
/. 17. for fhoulsr.lhoals, p. 171./. 16. for avow *-,difavow.
'i^^ iS> -iSh ai^ iSf^ <&> iSe» _ .,
u-foaif *iidm> <'.&-^>«» "Mo^^ <Rt;^^ 'ftSJ^c <v:-i^J!> cm^e«
'^ iSe* a^ -iSh 'i^ iS^ ^S
le^ f^'-om' 'hfi9M& *>i*oi» f-'-isf^S' <v:v<6^ r^s-;^
■-w!:^7
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