Melius inquirendum, or, A sober inquirie into the reasonings of the Serious inquirie wherein the inquirers cavils against the principles, his calumnies against the preachings and practises of the non-conformists are examined, and refelled, and St. Augustine, the synod of Dort and the Articles of the Church of England in the Quinquarticular points, vindicated.

The Introduction Considered, and the Enquirer's ex∣pected Advantag•…•…s from his Comparison between the Religion of the former and present Times, seasona∣bly disappointed.

ARhetorical Introduction is nothing but a Politick Shooing-horn to draw on an incredible discourse more smoothly over the Readers tender Belief, in case he should prove too high in the Instep: Or you may please to call it a L•…•…sser Wedge, prudently applyed to a knotty piece to make way for a greater; For with such grave Maxims, wise men arm themselves; To drive that Widge, not which is best in it self, but which will go. The Learned Verulam observes, That they are not those stincks, which the Nostrils streight abhor, and expel, which are most pernicious; but such Air, as have some similitude with mans Body, and so insinuate themselves, and betray the Spirits. Thus downright Railing Discourses are in part their own Antidotes; and we stop our Noses at those ful∣som eructations of some writers, who have been c•…•…rtainly fed a long time with Carrion; whereas these more plausible Pe•…•…s re∣commended to our gusto by the Vehicle of supple phrase, and glib expressions, and with all Aromatiz•…•…d with a whiff of pre∣tended Charity, creep into the affections, and so wit•…•… ease betray the judgement; for Perit judicium cum re•…•… transit in affectum. When a Controversy once gets f•…•…ir Quarter i•…•… the •…•…ffe∣ctions, it will soon undermine, and blow up the understanding; so hard it is to perswade, that it can be Poyson which is sweet, or destructive to Nature which accommodates it self to the Critical Humours of the Palate.

It has pleased, the Enquirer (upon Mature advice no doubt) to usher in the main Body of his Discourse, with a Patherical comparison between the ancient state of Christianity, and the pr•…•…; and •…•…e very affectionately laments the Change: wherein he imitates the vain humour of our young travellers, who at their return unmeasurably praedicate the glories of forreign Countreys; but can find nothing but mean, and contemp•…•…le to b•…•…stow on their Native Soil: Whether it be that they would be thought to know something more than those home-bred Sn•…•…ls which never travell'd beyond the sight, or smell of their own Chimneys, or that they presume to shelter themselves under that Pretection which all great Travellers are supposed to carry in their Pock•…•…ts; Yet this is certain, that far-fe•…•…cht, and dear∣•…•…ht, will recommend a very trite, and ordinary •…•…ory, to the Acceptation and Admiration of the Many.

The Poets are never more transported into pleasing extasie, then when they are gotten into the 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 of the Golden Age; and then the Rivers shall flow with pure Nectar and Milk; The Trees distil Life Honey; and the prodigal Earth, without culti∣vation gladly exhaust her Spirits, and spin out her Bowels to pay Tribute to the satisfaction of Mankind; with a great many more Pedantick good-morrows; But when once that Iron Age appear∣ed with its Harder-face; Pandora's Box was then open'd, and whole Legions of Furies invaded the world; But above all, Navigation and Trade, those two implacable enemies to all Re∣ligion, were invented, and I cannot sufficiently admire, that amongst all the Reasons muster'd up against th•…•…se Schismatical Evils, This Primitive one, That they came in with the Iron Age, escaped our Enquirer's Industry.

As all good Christians are ready to give the Primitive times their due praises, and as willing to lament the Degeneracy, and Apostacy of the present, •…•…o they look upon it as a piece of Incivi∣lity no modest person would be guilty of, to spend all his Fran∣kincense in embalmin•…•… the memory of the Ages Dead, and gone; whilst the present, lie•…•… like a rotten •…•…arease stinking above-ground without the courtesie of a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 shrowd to cover its nakedness. A vanity (to say nothing more •…•…vere) noted by Wisdom it self, Eccles. 7. 10. Say not t•…•…, what is the cause that the for∣mer dayes were better than these: for thou dost not Enquire wisely concerning this.

Had this Genteleman concern'd himself to appear a wise and impartial, as well as a Compassionate Enquirer, he had never been guilty of that folly to pelt witty Sentences and Apothegms at his Readers head. as Boys do Snow-balls, which with equal ease, and execution, may be retorted For thus might a vulgar Ingeny form a Panegyrick of the singular Piety and exemplary Holiness of those Primitive Christians. That they imployed their Affections in keeping the old Commandments, and never strained their Inventions to find out new ones: They made no more Duties, nor Sins, than God had made and left the way to Heaven no nar∣rower, th. Gate no straighter than they found it: They judged him a good man that squared his Conv•…•…rsation, a pious man that modelled his Devotions by that of •…•…he Word, though he knew▪ no other Rubrick: They contented themselves with Gospel simplicity, and durs•…•… not be wise above what was written, least, they should prove learned fools: They understood what a Spirit of Bearing with, and forbearing of one another signified; And the Fathers of the Church approved themselves to deserve that venerable Cha∣racter, who never dasht out their childrens brains, because their Heads were not all of one Block.

That little wit which there is in these popular Trappings, is only this. To single out the most eminent Instances of Refined Sanctity in the Primitive times, and from thence to take the general measures of their Devotion, and then again to cull out

the most Infamous Examples of prodigious Villanies in the pre∣sent Age, and from thence to give us the Idaea of our Modern Piety; that is, to make a mis-shapen Parallel between the Flower of those, and the Bran of these days.

He that would make a right Judgement of the Wealth of a Nation, must not visit the Hospitals only: He that would take a just Prospect of a Nations Fiety, must not inform his Pencil from the Records of New- gate, or the Executions of Tiburn: Or if he would be satisfied in the sweetness of a City, I would not advise him to hang his Nose over the Vaults, and Common-shores: Or if he would take the exact Height of the Nations Glory, let him not take instructions from some depopulated Village: If we consider the best of the worst man, or the worst of the best man; If we only view the Mole or Wart upon the fairest face, and some single feature in the most deformed, we may easily betray our sel∣ves in this false judgement; that Thersites was a great Beauty, and Absalom a Gorgon: Thus if we will denominate the lapsed Ages from some eminent Rarities of Virtue: or the present, from some notorious Examples of Impiety, we shall never distinguish between the Common-wealth of Plato, and the Dregs of Romulus.

Suppose we, that some Tribunitial Orator, to exercise the gallantry of his Pen in a Theme so common▪ and copious, wou'd set himself to decry the Piety of that other World. Let him Copy out the Treachery of Iudas, exaggerate the Apostacy of Demas▪ the Heretical pravity of Hymen•…•…us, and Phil•…•…us; let him en∣large upon the Ambition of Diotrephes, the Blasphemies of Ce∣rinthus, the Debaucheries of the Nicolaitans; and above all, be sure to plie the Villanies of the Gnostieks, with warm Cloaths, and what a frightful M•…•…dusa would that Age appear, if drawn to the life by those Exemplars?

Suppose once more that our Orator had an itch to imploy his mercenary Pen to scrape acquaintance with some tempting pre∣ferment; to reconcile his lines to the Genius of the present Age, and imploy his Talents where he shall not lose his oyl, and pains, Let him with Apelles take up on trust the particular Excellencies of the most exemplary Christians, let him borrow the single beau∣ties of meekness, patience, humility, charity, faith, self∣denyal, constancy; that like the Sporades lie dispersed and scat∣tered up and down the world; let him A masse all the individual worthinesses that are not yet banisht to Heaven, and unite all these in one Table, and such a draught perhaps shall not need to be ashamed to shew its face before the most exact pieces of proportion that are reserved in the Archives of Antiquity. And to speak a plain truth, if one tenth part of what these men ascribe to their great Patrons in their Dedicatory Epistles were true, I could easily evince that there are very few who have the disposal of fat Advowsons, but are more Illustrious Saints, than any of the Primitive Fathers, and perhaps we shall not need to except the Twelve Apostles.

As he would scandalously reproach the stable fixed Provi∣dence of God, that should conclude Nature to be almost worn off her legs, her Powers enfeebled, her Spirits d•…•…bilitated from the precotious deaths of those who dig their graves with their teeth, and with the sheers of Luxury and Riot cut the thread of their lives before Reason would say it was half spun out to its just length; so would he no less maliciously blaspheme the steady Reiglement, and superintendency of the only Head, and Go∣vernour of the Church, with the efficacious influences of the H. Spirit upon the Souls of true Christians, who from Hypocrisie the mother, and her daughter Apostacy of those who Court Reli∣gion for her Dowry, shall conclude against the power of Godliness in those Christians, which is very conspicuous to all who are not concern'd in point of self-preservation, and self-justification to decry real Holiness according to the Primitive Pattern, whilst they would be thought the great Adorers of the Primi∣tive Times.

A practice well-becoming the Legions of Beelzebub, or the trainedbands of Accaron, whose delight it is with the impor∣tunate Flie, to fix upon the galled parts, exasperating sores with their venomous probos•…•…es, which would heal of themselves; whilst prejudice will not suffer them to take notice of the entire, and sounder parts.

What Arguments our Enquirer hath furnisht A theism with to wound Religion, which he would pretend to heal, I shall not need to observe, they are a generation quick-sighted to espie, and take their advantages without a Monitor: But when I hear him L•…•…ment, the palpable contra•…•…ion of the li•…•…es of the Genera∣lity of Christians now, to the Rules of their own Religion, and that few 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the measures of their Actions, or the Rule of their lives from the New Testament. I expect to hear others ask; why they should be more obliged to the Humility, Self-denial, Sobriety recom∣mended in the Gospel, than their Teachers? who apparently conform themselves to the secular Grandeur, and swelling Pomp of the most licentious times: And if a plain Truth might be spoken, without any ones taking snuff, there can be no more Reason assigned, why the People should be tyed up to the Rules of the N. T. in their Lives, than Church-men are to make it the Rule, and Rubrick of their Wors•…•…ip: They who expect Primitive Submission, must give Precedents of Primitive Moderation: And if they will exact and challenge the Ancient Manners, let us see in them the Ancient Examples: In vain shall Mother Crab command her •…•…aughter to creep forward, if she confutes her instruction by creeping backward.

If then •…•…ters be really so Retrograde, and gone off from their true Centers; yet it cannot become them to Condemn the World for being Wrong, who resolve it shall never be Right. He that compla•…•…s

things are not as they were, and yet Disputes that they ought to be as they are; shall never dispute me into a Plerophory of his sincerity. They that confess a want of the Ancient Discipline, which yet they will not restore, and complain at the same time of a Defect of the Ancient Piety, which they pretend they can∣not Remedy, do but weep over the Vineyard which is laid wast, whilst they either pluck up the •…•…edge, or refuse to repair the de∣cayed Mounds and Fences; or deplore an Inundation of Wicked∣ness which is broken in upon us, and yet stand by the Sl•…•…ce, and will not shut it down, nor suffer others to do it, because they have no •…•…all to the Work.

All things in this lower World insensibly contract corruption, and with a silent foot decline from their Original Integrity; so that every day furnishes us with New Reasons to scowr off the en∣croaching Rust, and restore them to their Primitive Brightness. He that •…•…ows against the Stream, must inc•…•…ssantly ply his Arms, and Oats, and work against the pressing importuni•…•…y of the Cur∣rent, or else shall find himself unawa•…•…es hur•…•…ied down the Stream.

—Sic omnia •…•…ato, In pejus ruere, ac retro sub•…•…apsa referri. Virg.

It was a seasonable Question of a Great Person many years ago; Why the Civil State should be purged, and restored, by good and whelsome Laws, made every Third or Fourth Year in Parlia∣ment, pr•…•…iding Remedies, as fast as Time breede•…•…h Mis•…•…s; and contrariwise the Ecclesia•…•…al State should still continue upon the Dregs of Time, and rece•…•… no alterations, now for this five and forty years, and more? And I am sure its another five and forty years; and upwards, since that Complaint was made.

It will then be very seasonable to complain of Modern Corrup∣tion, and cry up Primitive Devotion in these Men, when they shall demonstrate a real willingness to reduce what is amiss into order, to make what is crooked straight, by the Primitive Rule of Reformation.

That the Conversations of those early Christians was Commenda∣ble, I readily admit; that there is a wretched Degeneracy in our days, I sadly see, yet give me leave to Note, and Detest the H•…•…pocrisie of those who build S•…•…tely Monuments to, and bestow Ranting Epitaphs upon the Deceased Piety of the For∣mer, and yet destroy or discourage the Remaining Piety of the present Age: That pluck down the Living Temples of the Spi∣rit, that upon their Ruines they may build their own Palaces▪ who first Stigmatize Primi•…•…e Holiness with the Modern Brand of Fanaticisme, and then persecute it; and the same time Canonize Primitive Superstition, for the Christian Religion, and then Impose it.

But our Enquirer has mark'd out some of the peculiar Glo∣ries of those Elder Times, and perhaps it may not be unplea∣sant

to the Reader to run over with me some of their Excel∣lencies.

1 Of old to be a Christian, was to be all that's Holy, Iust and Good, &c. When I read these juvenile Declamations in praise of Vertue, I am ready to snat•…•…h the Answer out of his mouth, who replyed in a Case not unlike: Quis enim unquam vituperavit? I wonder who ever spoke one word against it? But it's easy to strain a String till it breaks, which being screwed up to its just Height, would bear its part in the Harmony. To be All that's Holy, All that's Iust, All that's Good; is the Glory of Him whom 'tis our Duty to imitate, our Folly to strive to equali•…•…e: In a limited sense, 'tis the Glory of those Blessed Ones, who are Comprehensores; to be really Holy, truly Iust, sincerely Good, is pretty fair for those that pass under the Notion of Via∣tores: But if this were the Character of Primitive Saintship•…•… the Apostle Paul must not have worn a Red Letter in our En∣quirers Calender, who professes Philip 3 12. 13. That he had not already attained, neith•…•…r was already perfect, •…•…or counted himself to have apprehended; but yet he r•…•…ched forth unto those things which were before; he press'd towards the Ma•…•… for the Price of the High Calling of God in Christ Iesus.

2. Wherever Religion came, it was a Principle of Purity in Mens •…•…arts, Honesty in their 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and Peace 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Kingdoms, &c. Wherever Religion came? Why Religion may come, either in the Declaration of it, or in the Power▪ and Cordial Accep∣tation of it. And I presume this Enquirer will not assert, That wh•…•…er Religion came in the former sense, it had those Blessed Effects in the Purest Primitive Times; and I am confident he ca•…•…ot deny, that wherever it comes, in the latter sense it pro∣duces those Happy Fruits even in the worst of Times. But so easy it is to render trivial, and common matter plausible to the Ear, whilst we are cheated with a Charivary of Sounding Brass, or the Ditty of a Tinckling Symbal.

3. But then the Christian Faith was not a Trick of Wit. In it self indeed it was not, nor is so now; yet Crafty Knaves would venture then, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, 2 Cor. 2. 17. to dilure the Pure W•…•…e of Gods Word with the Watry Mixtures of their own Inventions, and we have those still that will be shewing such tricks of audaeious wit upon it now.

What therefore he Quotes from Lactantius, any Man may venture to say, and never hurt himself, or spoil his credit, Give me a firce and con•…•…entious Man; and if he will but apply him∣self to th•…•… Grace and Institutions of the Gospel, he shall become as m•…•…k as a •…•…mb: Let a covetous Person hearken to the Doctrine of the Gospel, and he shall presently dispense his Money. Nay, for once I will say as bold a word as that comes to. Give me the most inhumane, and barbarous Persecutor, that without scru∣ple of Conscience •…•…ats up Gods People like Bread; and if he will but conform to the Doctrine of the Gospel, he shall be forced to

take out a new Lesson, and turn over a New Leaf, and of a Bloody Saul, become a Paul; profess, or preach the same Jesus whom he has so •…•…utragiously persecuted: Give me that Church∣man, that seeks his Peoples Goods more than their Good; he that heaps Ossa upon Pelios, and Olympus upon both, one Steeple upon another, and a third upon the former, as if he hoped either to Scale or Purchase Heaven, to take it by Storm or Surrender; and let him but attend, and give up himself to those documents, which he either Preaches, or however Reads, and he shall presently refund the Price of Souls, and errogate upon the Members of Christ, what he had once squeezed out of Spungy Consciences.

But the Heathens could boast as much as this comes to of their Moral Precepts.

Invidus, Irac•…•…ndus, acer, vin•…•…sus Amator: Nemo ad•…•…ferus est ut non mitescere possit, Si mode culinrae patientem commodet Aurem. Horat.

4. Then the Professors of Christianity were all of one Heart, and one Lip; there was then but one Division of Men: 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 & 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, were the only Sects the World was divided by: All Good Men were of one way, and all Evil Men of another.

I have seriously considered for what juncture of Time this Eloquent Period was calculated; and when those happy days did shine, that might deserve so fair a Character: And I conclude it must he some Pre-Adamitical State, commencing with the Iulian Period; or at lawest that of Paradise, when we may probably conjecture, That all Good Men were of one Mind, because there was but one Man there. But if the Enquirer would acknowledge it as a favour, I would shew him how he might re∣concile his Rhetorick to Truth, which is not often feazible: All Good Men were of one Way, the Way of Holiness leading to Hap∣piness; And all Evil Men were of another Way, the Way of Sin and Impenitency which leads to Misery: But so it is still, and thousands of Ages will never alter the Case. But then to be of one Heart and Lip in the minuce Circumstances of Religion, that I never heard All Men were, nor never expect they will be so on this side abso∣lute persection. The Roman Church even in the Apostolical Times, was not without its Heats and Animosities: Some there were, who being weak in the Faith, discerned not their Christian Liberty, but confined themselves to Salades, and judged others that went beyond their Short Tedder, as Libertines, and Men of a Latitudinarian Conscience, others who were strong, and understood that Christ had emancipated them from the Yoke of Mosaical Ceremonies, used their freedom, and these despised the rest, as a company of scrupulous Coxcembs; What fierce bandyings and jostlings there were in the Church of Corinth,

whilst one Party hangs out the Eus•…•…gns of Paul; another shel∣ters it self under the Headship of Peter; and perhaps a third not afraid to entitle the Prince of Peace to their Quarrels, and draw in Christ himself to be the Head of a Faction: And yet these were all Members of the same Church; and whilst agreeing in the Substantials of Religion, the Apostle durst not strike in with one Party, to crush the other, but maintains the Flame of Charity alive, amidst the Sparks of their Contentions in things remote from the Foundation.

That great Promise that God would make his People of one Heart, and one Lip, is either not understood, or not fulfilled; or if fulfilled in some measure, yet the more Glorious Accomplishment thereof reserved for Times and Persons of a more healing Tem∣per, and to be brought about by more proportionable means, than Gibbets, Halters, Fire and baggot, viz. the pouring out the Spirit of Light and Love.

I think I may refer it to almost any one to judge; whether he be not most ridiculously absurd, that shall so severely Ani∣madvert upon our present Divisions, when he may at such casie and cheap rates heal them all, and yet will not. By some Mens Words you would think they hated Divisions im∣placably; but by their actings, you would think they lov'd them as desperately.

Let the Primitive Rule of Reformation, of which the Reve∣rend Dr. Pierce has minded the forgetful Age, be severely at∣tended to; To set what is crooked straight, by what was from the Beginning; Let all the Churches Conform to it, and Reform by it, and then will Discord be as great a stranger amongst Chri∣stians as Peace is said to be at this day. Lay but the weight and stress of Unity upon Necessaries, in the rest exercise Charity; and then, as we never had Peace about the Institutions of Men, so we shall never have Wars about the confessed Institutions of Christ.

The Christian Religion numbers it amongst its peculiar Glo∣ries, and choicest Singularities, that it teaches us to maintain Brotherly Love, under differing Apprehensions, and variety of Practises, in those lesser matters, which neither weaken Ho∣liness, nor cross the Design of the Gospel.

As God in the first Creation formed Men of differing S•…•…es, various Statures, and multiform Shapes and Complexions, and yet none quarrel upon that account; none is so Apish to enact, the Fox shall cut off his Train, because the other has none. None will impose his own Height as the just Standard of all o∣thers, that he that is a Hairs-breadth taller shall be adjudged a Monster, and he that is as much lower shall wear the reproach of a Dwarf: So in the New Creation, it's none of Christ's design to reduce all Sincere Believers to an uniformity in every Puncti∣lio in judgment, and practise, but to perform a Nobler, and more

Glorious Work than this, namely to infuse such a Spirit of Love, and from thence such Healing Counsels, to inspire into all his Disciples such Moderation, such Condescention, that notwith∣standing these diversties they may all love as Brethren, and keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of Peace; and if in any thing, any one be otherwise minded, to wait till the God of Peace from the Word of Peace should Reveal it unto him

Nor indeed is it any credit to the Religion of our Saviour, to be represented to the World, as if it taught so narrow and re∣strained a Charity that would only embrace those that were Cast in the Mold with our own particular perswasions; or to hang on a String only with those who jump in with our own Points to a Tag: An Excellency, if it be one, to be found more eminently amongst the Lyons in the Tow•…•…r, the Turks in their Mosques, or perhaps of old in the African Conventicle, (much Reviled, and as much 〈◊〉〈◊〉 who Monopoliz'd Salvation to them that were Ex parte 〈◊〉〈◊〉.

But that which is the most pleasant in this Period, is, To see what a world of Truth our Compassionate Enquirer has Massa∣cred for the sake of one poor sorry Climax. There are now (says he) Almost as many Opinions as Men, as many Parties as Opinions, and as many Religions as either. That Almost may, I confess, do him some service; it has in its days help'd many a lame Dog over the Stile: But surely there may be great diversities of Opi∣nions amongst them that are of the same Religion; He might as well conclude, that the Spaniard and the French, are of Two Religions, because the one buttons his Doublet upwards, the other downwards. I have been much taken with a Decree that I sound in B. Iew•…•…l, made by Pope Innocent III. and might have become a far better Man.

Quoniam in plerisque partibus, intra 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Civitatem, & Diocesim, permissi sunt populi diversarum linguarum, haben∣tes sub und 〈◊〉〈◊〉, vario•…•… Ri•…•…s, & Mores, Distinctè praecipi∣mus, ut Pontifices hujusmodi Civitatum, provid•…•…ant viros ido∣neos, qui secundum diversitates P•…•…ituum, & Linguarum, di∣vina illis officia Celebrent, & Sacramenta Administrent.

Forasmuch as in most places, in the same City, and Dioc•…•…ss, there are people of divers Languages mingled together, wh•…•… under one, •…•…and the same Faith, doreta in differing Ceremonies, and Cu∣stoms; we do therefore expresly charge, and command the Bishops of the said Cities, and Diocesses, to provide able P•…•…rsons▪ who may Celebrate amongst them the Divine Offices, and Administer to them the Sacraments, according to their differing Languages and Cere∣monies.

Differing Ri•…•…es, and Observations, whilst left indifferent, will not make differing Religions; what they may do, when impo∣sed as the necessary Terms of Communion, I shall not Determine.

Nay, that there are as many Parties, as Opinions, will need not only some Grains, but whole Bushels of Salt to keep it sweet: Do

we not see those of the same Party indulge each other in their private conceptions; and none more than they who most Triumph in a pretended Unity, and Uniformity, who can agree in few things amonst themselves, and yet can sweetly accord to extir∣pate all but themselves.

5. Time was (says our Enquirer) when Men Sacrificed their Li∣ves in Testimony to their Faith, as frankly as since they have done to their Passion, Revenge, and Ambition. And Time is (says another) when Men will Sacrifice the Lives of their Brethren, and th•…•… Peace of the Church to the same waspish Deities, and their own Consciences to boot, to another Idol known of old by the Name of Mammon. Such Elegant Orations have we penn'd about Time was, and Time is, that I suspect they were indited from Frier Bacon's Brazen Head-piece. But more Anger still! Then was Cha∣rity counted as Essential a part of Religion, as Censoriousness is now wich too many. This is witty enough in all reason! And one would not stick to break a Jest now and then, though it broke anothers Head, or perhaps his own with the Splinters But Men are bad enough, and need not be worse than they are: Censoriousness, is a Crime too Odious to be Desended, and yet too Notorious to be Denyed, to Cover a fault will make it Two; but to justify it, will make it Many: But yet that any should make this Censo∣riousness a part, much more an Essential part of their Religion, is an Hyperbole too daring for my weak Faith to meddle with.

I have been considering into what place of Religion they can possibly crowd it, whether into their Creed or Ten Commandments: The Papists have rob'd the people of just one half of a Sacrament, and then to give them their due, to make them ample satisfa∣ction, they have created five entire Sacraments, de Nevo; They have craftily also purloyned the whole Second Commandment; but then, because the Laity have an •…•…nkling that there were once Ten of them, lest they should miss one out of the Decalogue, they have very discreetly split the Tenth into a Couple: But where to wedge in this Censoriousness was a great difficulty, and had continued so, had not some repealed the Fourth Commandment, as purely Ceremonial; and therefore if any where, there it must go.

Some perhaps may Censure this Censurer as guilty of more Censoriousness, than half the World besides; but such d•…•…not consider, that we must •…•…llow for shrinking in the Silk grograin Phrase of Rethoric•…•…ns; what 〈◊〉〈◊〉 flat, humble, low, j•…•…une ex∣pression had it been to have said; Truly Men are too C•…•…nsorious! But now the Stile mantles, and the Language brisles, and bur∣nishes, it comes off with a Noble Grace, it fills the Mouth, and sounds augustly; to say, They make it an Essential part of their Religion.

6. Nothing was then thought too good, or costly, for the Service of God, or Religion; Men could not content themselves to serve God with that which cost th•…•…m nothing. It was one, a Julian, or

such another, that envied the costly Vessels wherewith Christ was served. Ay! Time was indeed, (and pity it is, so good a Time had not its Wings clip'd from flying away!) Time was, that Mens Money burnt their Pocket-bottoms out, when the fire of Purga∣tory made it too hot, for the most frozen Usurer to hold; but now Alas, That Time is past.—And for the Brazen Head, it fell down, and dash'd out its Brains! If these things be truly, represented, and that the Glory of the Primitive Times did con∣sist in Pompous Devotions, Polished Altars, Guilded Organs, Sumptuous Candlesticks, Embr•…•…dered Copes, Silken Cowles; much good may it do them, we neither envy, nor shall imitate their Inimitable Excellencies

If Iulian envied the Plate wherein Christ was served, let him grow lean with envy; but surely the Chronicles are hugely wide, if these matters be not mi•…•…d: The cost and charges at which the Primitive Christians were in the Service of their God, and Saviour, was quite another thing; they bestowed their hearts upon him, bore reproach for him, laid down their lives, and whate∣ver was dear to them in defence of his Truth; Silver, and Gold they had none, and Christ as little need of it.

However, that Age could not well upbraid the present with irreligion, if the true measure of Gods Worship be to be taken from its exterior Garb, and Splendor: As we cannot mock them with their Wooden Presbyters, so I am certain they could not us with Wooden Chalices; at least in this one parti•…•…ar I expect he should retr•…•…ct, and freely own, that for Costly Worship (which is the main) we have theere out-vy'd the Primitive Times.

I shall not much con•…•…rn my self to reflect upon that useful policy of those who have imposed upon the Credulus World, a Belief, that whatever is devoted to the Priests, is therein Con∣secrated to God, but yet I may silently admire the easiness of those Ages that suffer'd themselves so tamely to be abus'd: And above all, I cannot but wonder at the Chaldaeans, a People re∣nowned for Wisdom, that they could once be perswaded by the Priests of Bell, that his Hungry Deity had devoured all that good Beef, and Mutton, which their blind Devotion offer'd at his Altar. The Truth is, their own Belly was their God, and poor Bell, bore all the blame of their gluteony. Thus what they got over their Idols back, they spend it under his, or upon their own infatiable Paunches: It's no new thing for Sacred Names to give Patronage to Avarice: Thus the Kite soars aloft, as if she designed Heaven, when her steady Eye is fix'd upon the Prey below; and Glorious Pretences to endow the Holy Mother Church, had almost reduced the Lay-world to Beggery.

7. In those early days the Christian Assemblies drained the Theatres. Ay! but where's the Antithesis? But now (so it should have run) the Theatres have drained the Christian Assemblies: But that had been a Repart•…•…e too close, and home for one that would be kind to himself. Had the Primitive Preachers exposed their own Re∣ligion, they had never drained the Theatres; and if our Mo∣dern

Pulpits will drive that Trade, the Theatres will drain the Water, if not draw the Grist from their Mill; for they know how to expose Religion more ingeniously, and more effectually.

But what other issue must we expect, when some Clergy-men shall frequent, others plead for, and justifie the Play-houses; when the Bears, with their Decent, and Harmonious Bagpipes; the Fencers with their ratling Drum, shall find fair Quarter, shall have free ingress, egr•…•…ss, and r•…•…gress, when yet some Christian Assemblies are disturbed, and broken in pieces.

We poor folk, are apt to think, that we may venture a step or two nearer the brink of the Pit, than our Teachers, and take a little more Latitude than our Guides; for they are well paid for their Gravity, whilst we must be forced to be sober and austere at our own proper cost and charges. It has been an old observation: If Ministers be merry, the people wil be mad; If they drink, their people will be drunk; if they argue for the lawfulness of Theatres, and other such Nurseries of good Learning, the people without scruple will frequent them: And then have a care in good earnest, left the Stage plunder the Pulpit; and the Theatre drain the Chistian Assemblies, more effectually than the Conventicles.

8. The Holy Men of those times that approach'd our Saviour, had as it were some Rayes of his Divinity upon them, and their Faces shone, &c. And would he indeed have these times talk of Rayes, and Beams, and Shinings of Face? On purpose perhaps, be∣cause they want new Matter for Ecclesiastical Burles{que} and Cano∣nical Drollery! One such Expression as this dropt from the Tongue or Pen of a Dissenter, had been enough to equip out a whole Fleet of Friendly Debates for a Summers Expedition: But yet he has qualified it pretty well; they were but some Rayes; and as it were some Rayes: And that may mollify as dangerous a word as this, and save the Primitive Times a Satyr.

9. A Christian Church was then a Colledge of Holy, and Good Men: Incomparable Proof, that all Churches were either then Cathedrals, or at least Collegiate: And truly they might have continued so still, had not Remissness of Discipline in just Cau∣ses, and Severity of Discipline in slighty Causes endangered to make them a Don of Thieves.

If the Church doors were strictly guarded, and the Church win∣dows narrowly watch'd, that none might come in by the one, nor climb in by the other, that are unquali•…•…ed: If Simoniacal Buyers, and Sellers, were soundly whip'd out, which have bribed their Ad∣mission by the Golden Key; and none denied Entrance that claime Admission upon Christs Terms, such as can produce Testi∣monial Letters, from a sound Faith, and Holy Conversation, the Church might still be a Colledge of Good and Holy Men: But if some must be forced in, in spight of their Teeth, though as unfit as Ignorance, and prophaness can make them; If like the Americans they must be compelled to go to Heaven upon pain of death; If others be excluded by the Paliza∣does of Ceremonies, however meet Materials, for such a Consti∣tution,

never hope the Church should be a Holy Colledge, but a Lazarhouse; for they that are of no Religion, will be of any Re∣ligion, rather than be undone for being of none; and they that are really of any Religion, will endeavour to go to Heaven in better company.

And such were the beauties of the Prime-primitive Confess•…•…rs; but now there is a sad Regeneracy; and that the Rend•…•…r way not suspect I envy our Authors Abilities, I shall give him a tast of his Excellencies in exposing the Mod•…•…rn Piety.

1. Now dry Opinions are taken for Faith. Oh what a lucky hint had here been for one that was so 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to be ingenious? For dry Opinions (you know) are very 〈◊〉〈◊〉 matter, which will catch at the smallest Spark, and therefore must needs set the whole World in a flame.

But 2. Men have been busy in making New Creeds, and have forgotten to practise the Old. Whence Note for your Learning, and singular E•…•…ification, that though some mistake the Creed for a Prayer, yet it will serve without sensible error for the Ten Com∣mandments: And yet perhaps pra•…•…ng a Creed is not so easy a matter as he may imagine: Let Men but believe their Credenda, and practise the Agenda, and they shall never be Reproach'd by me, for not practising their Creed, whether it be Old or New.

I am very consident the Innocent Reader takes it for granted, that the Enquirer has all this while been comparing the Piety of Ancient days, with that of the Present, as i•…•… stands at home amongst our selves: But he's meerly guiled; for all this gawdy Eloquence has been spent upon forrein Countries. Such (says he) is the condition of the Greek, and Latin Churches. There 'tis, that they are so busy in making New Creeds that they have forgot∣ten to practise the Old. Just as if one of Iobs Messengers should cry out in the streets, Fire! Fire! And on startled at the Alarm, asks, Where? Where? Oh at 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Escur•…•…al! At the Escurial! in Spain, near Madrid! Nay then we are well enough! I was afraid it had been my next Neighbour Ucalegon; and therefore I hope we may have time enough to remove our Goods. But Reader, be not too secure, for the Sparks are already flown over into Eng∣land: If we come nearer home (says he) I doubt we shall not find things much better.

There is one piece of Iustice, or Charity, which I must here demand, or beg of my Reader; and 'ti this. That if the En∣quiter has a priviledge to suppose his Searfire beyond the Seas, I may be allowed the priviledge to suppose, that my poor Bucket was bestowed there also; and that though the Tragedy of Musta∣pha was acted in London, yet the Scene was laid at Constanti∣nople.

That the Brittish Churches were so famous for Religion in the first Times of their Plantation; I am right glad to hear, and hope the News is true: But the Evidence, and the Consequence do both ex∣ceedingly trouble me: The former is slender, that if we touch it

not very gingerly, like the Apples of Sodom, it will moulder into dust, and the latter is so dangerous, that it concerns him to handle it gently, lest it prick his fingers. And 1. for the Evi∣dence; If the presence of the British Bishops at the Council of Arles, be his best proof, it must proceed thus. The British Bishops were present at the Council. Their presence must presume their subscri∣ption to the Articles; Their subscription must imply a virtual, and implicit consent of the British Clergy; and then the consent of the Clergy must involve the Approbation of all the Churches: And lastly, the Churches Approbation of the Articles must infer, that they practised their Creed, and that their Lives were so eminent for Holiness, that they did as it were shine with some Rayes, or Beams of Divinity. And here is a Teame of connected inferen∣ces, that if one fails, the conclusion will be left in the Mire. And therefore he has another proof to help it out at a standing pull: At the Time of the Nicene Council, Britain was accounted one of the Six Diocesses of the Western Empire. And then no Ra∣tional Creature can desire clearer demonstration, that they were eximiously Holy; for if they were of any Diocess, first, or sixth, it makes no great matter, provided it be but of the We∣stern Empire, it will infallibly conclude their Piety; though it had been more clear in my mind, had it been a Diocess not of the Empire only, but the Church. And then 2. for the Conse∣quence, that seems very perilous; for if the presence of the Bri∣tish Bishops at the Council at Arles implies their Subscription, and that Subscription the consent of the Clergy, the Clergies consent the Approbation of the People; and that infers their Holiness: Then (say some) the Presence of the English Divines at the Synod of Dort, and their Subscription to the Articles, will imply the con∣sent of the Clergy, and the consent of the Clergy the Approba∣tion of the English Church; and there's no remedy for it that I can see. If the presence of the one will evince the Kingdoms Sanctity; the Presence, and Subscription of the other will much stronger evince the Kingdoms Orthodoxy: For Subscription is a good step beyond bare Presence, and so our Premises are stron∣ger; And Sanctity is a good step beyond Truth in the Understan∣ding, and so our Conclusion is more modest.

We are now coming to lower Times, to the Catholick Times of Popery: And Religion holds very good still, and runs •…•…lear: but there's no help for it, he must tilt it, or it will run Dregs in the Reformation.

The Inhabitants of this Island (says he) have not been more fa∣mous for Martial Prowess, than for Sincere Piety, and Devotion: For Polydore Virgil, an Italian, and Erasmus a Dutchman, both of the Roman Communion, and (therefore be sure) compe∣tent Witnesses, affirm there was more true Devotion, and Sincerity of Religion in this Church, than in any one place of the World be∣sides: Auditum admissi, Risum teneatis? I have known a sober Horse break Bridle upon a far less provocation: We will for once,

to gratifie this Enquirers longing, suppose that there was more true Piety, and sincere Devotion amongst the English Papisis, than among the Albigenses, and Wald•…•…nses, than in 〈◊〉〈◊〉, or wherever else the Gospel had begun to dawne; but that I 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Vir•…•…il, and Erasmus, should be competent Witnesses, and th•…•…refore competent Witnesses, because of the Roman Communion, does a little •…•…tum∣ble me; and that because it has ever been as the 〈◊〉〈◊〉, so the Religious Practise of those in Communion with Rome, to Ma∣gnifie those in Communion with Her, and as much to depretiate the Holiness of all those that had once withdrawn themselves from her corruptions.

The Argument, such as it is, proce•…•…ds thus. They that were of the Roman Communion, must need•…•… be 〈◊〉〈◊〉 competent wit∣nesses of the truth of the Devotion, and si•…•…ccrity of •…•…he Religion of those of the same Communio; but such, and so Qu•…•…lified were this Polydore Virgil, and this Erasmus, and therefore they must needs be supposed Test•…•…s 〈◊〉〈◊〉, comp•…•…tent witnesses of the Truth of the Devotion and sincerity of the Religion of those of the same Communion, and such at that time was the Church of England: And the strength of the Argument depends upon some old stable Maximes, which like the 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 are never to be denied: As that, Ask his F•…•…llow whether he be a Thief? And Birds of a Feather are impartial in •…•…lazoning one anothers Vices. But yet if he will define Piety, by Superstition, and Religion by blind Zeal, and Devotion by hood-wink'd Obedience, Charity by a Merit-mongering Humour, laying out it self in uncommand∣ed Fopperies, idle Self-Macerations, Idolatrous Masses, Fool∣hardy Pilgrimages, Dirges, Trentalls, Obits, Requi•…•…ms, and such like Trash, and Trumpery; I will not contend. Let Eras∣mus, and his fellow Polydore pass for irresragable Evidence, and the Piety of those days out-shone that of their Contempora∣ries, and Successors amongst the reformed Christians, Quantum interignes Luna minores.

Well, but yet the Universal Pastor observed the Sheep of England to bear such good Fleeces, and so patiently to submit to the Shearer, that he kept a Vigilant Eye over his Flocks, and his Vigilancy was Rewarded with the Golden Fleece. This indeed quite shames the present Age, and dazles our Eyes with the Lustre of those Bright∣ter Times. And here we are •…•…quainte▪ with two Notable Se∣crets, 1. That the Piety of the English Sheep, th•…•…n lay very much in patiently submitting to the S•…•…carer.

And surely were men but ingenuous to confess a known truth, they could have no cause to reproach the present piety of the En∣glish Sheep upon that Account. What they could desire more of the poor Sheep then the Fleece, unless they would fl•…•…a off the skin, and eat the flesh, I cannot imagine, And that can be no pro∣found policy in the Pastor; for the Fleece of the living. will give more then the skin of the dead; Its much better Husbandry to strip them yearly of their Coats, then once for all to cut their

Throats; and it has past for wholsome Doctrine in the days of Yore. Boni pastoris est p•…•…cus Tondere, non 〈◊〉〈◊〉.

But 2. Another deep point is this, That the vigilancy of the Pastor consists in looking strictly after the fleece of the Flock. In which particular I know no reason why the vigilancy of former times should be so Idolatrously predicated above that of our own.

We are come at length to the times of the Reformation; and whilst he engages in a just, and sober commendation of them, there's n•…•…ne shall more chearfully keep pace with Him, provided always he •…•…allop not too fast, and ride us quite out of Breath: And the Glories of our English Reformation were as followeth.

1. It was the most orderly, not brought in with Tumult, and Sedi∣tion, as most changes are. Let God alone have the glory of so great a mercy! And such was this; though indeed the Excellency of a Reformation, lies not only, or chiefly in the still and silent manner of its Introduction, but in its Harmony with the Primitive Rule of Reformation, which is to Reduce all things to their Divine Pat∣terns and Originals: Peace is mainly valuable for purity; And the freedom from noises of Axes and Hammers in the building of Solomons Temple, was, that they might more severely attend to their Archetype. Where God gives Reformers more peace, he ex∣pects from them more purity; And if they may work the safer; he expects they should work the better: It were great ingratitude to Go•…•… if we should account our Gospel cheap, because it came to us so: And as much vanity to boast how our Ancestors got it, unless we can produce it as pure as they left it to us peaceable.

2. It was the most Moderate, and Temperate. Moderation is a virtue very much commended by those who never intend to exer∣cise it. As an old griping Usurer commends his Coin so highly, and loves it so dearly that he will not part with one penny. The Reformation might be Moderate in a two sold Acceptation; either first, moderate in our departure from Error and Corruption; or secondly, Moderate, and Temperate in our approaching to the word of God: Now to resolve to be moderately reformed either of these ways, ought not to be Recorded amongst the Glories of a Church: There are few that would be moderately Rich, mode∣rately great; they fear no excess that way; all the danger is, least we should be too immoderate, and unreasonable in obeying Christs Commandments, and conforming to the Aposto•…•…cal Churches, The measure of our love to Christ, is to love him with∣out measure; The degree of our Obedience is to obey in the highest Degree, and the Bounds of our Conformity to the Gospel, to set our selves no Bounds but what Christ has set us; Gods Praise can suffer no Hyperbole, his Love need fear no Paroxysme: As he that presumes •…•…e has Grace enough, may do well to question whether he has any Grace; so he that is so confident he is Refor∣med enough, shall tempt others to suspect he is very little Re∣formed: There's more danger of being Lukewarm in Refor∣ming, than Scalding hot; and though it be easie to be over righ∣teous in imposing our own Inventions, it will be impossible

to be so in imitating Gods Prescriptions: But amongst all the kinds of Moderation that were in the Reformation▪ one small quantity more of Moderation towards their Brethren would have sweetned all; and yet they say that wanted not at first, but is since much decayed. But the Moderation of the first Reformers appears.

§ 1. In that they did not purge out the good, because it had been formerly abused, as the Humour of some is. This indeed argued their singular prudence, and discerning Spirit: But yet there are some things not evil in themselves, but made so by abuse, which without imputation of Humorists they might have purged out. And this was Hezekiah's Humour, (if it must be so called) who made the Brazen Serpent a Nchushtan; and scarcely that, when once it had been abus'd to Idolatry, which yet had more to plead for it self, than those Good Things, of which our Enquirer is so Tender. I mean the Signature of an old Ius Divinum.

Whatever is good in it self, or made so by Divine positive Law, and shall afterwards be abused to superstitious ends and uses, we must take some pains to scowr off the filth, and file away the rust, and to wash away the soil that it has contracted, and to vindicate it to its Native Beauty, and Integrity; but for the Inventions of Men, I know no such service we owe them, to lie always scrub∣•…•…ing, and scowring, and rinsing, and when all's done, their obstinate, and inveterate Leprosie, like that of Gehazi, will never be fetch'd out: And this was the Humour too of Bishop Andrews. Serm. on Phil. 2. 20. Whatsoever is taken up at the Injunction of Man, when it is drawn into Superstition, comes under the Compass of the Brazen Serpent, and is to be Abolished. And the Catholick Moderator, who was a greater Friend to Moderation, than Reformation, was partly of this Humour too: When the occasion of a Humane Cons•…•…itution •…•…ases, and the Abuses remain so great; it's no time to wink at them any longer. To stand pecking at Abuses which have eaten themselves into the sub∣stance of an old Custom▪ is like the endless labour of weeding Ivy out of an old rotten Wall, the only way is to dig down the Wall it self: Nay the great Legislator of the Iews, commanded them utterly to abolish all the Instruments, and Utensils of Idolatry, and▪ •…•…ot to dally in Lopping, and Pruning, but to chop them up by the Roots: Thus Lev. 18. 3. After the doing of the Land of Aegypt ye shall not do, and after the doings of the Land of Canaan ye shall not do, neither shall ye walk after their Ordinances; ye shall do my Iudgments, and keep my Ordinances. And whether he will call this a Humour or no I know not. But this I know, R. Moses, B•…•…n. Maim•…•…n, with whom agre•…•… no small Names, assures us, that this was one Reason of many Negative Precepts given to the Iews, as not to Round the Corners of their Beards; not to wear a Garment of Linsey-woolsey, nor to sew their Ground with divers Seeds; not to eat the Fruit of their Trees for the three first Years, &c, Namely that they might not Symbolize with the Idolatrous

Nations. Nay further, if 〈◊〉〈◊〉 w a Humour, the Church of England i not ashame•…•…, was not ashamed to own her self of it, in her discourse prefix'd to the Liturgy. The most weighty cause of the Abolishment of certain Ceremonies was their Abuse: She knew well▪ that what was bred in the Bone, would never be got out of the Flesh; That which was naught in the Egge, will never be good in the Bird. It's not washing, but burning, that must cleanse the Garment spotted with the Flesh. And therefore she routed whole Legions of these Pompous Trinkets, and had doubtless scattered the Reserves, and brought up her practise, to her own Rule, had not some Tender Hearted Moderate Persons stood by, wringing their Hands, and weeping for Tammuz; Oh deal gently, deal gently with the poor distressed Ceremonies, for their Fathers sake.

§ 2. Another Specimen of their Moderation is: That they did not Abolish a Venerable Order, or Office in the Church, for the ill manners of them that bore it. What Venerable Order, or Office this should be, because he is not so open-hearted as to acquaint us, I have something else to do with my Conjectures than to throw'em away upon such desperate uncertainties: If it was an Order of Christs Institution, the ill manners of those that bore it, might well warrant the thrusting them out of the Office, but not the Office out of the Church: But if it could not justly plead his Authority, no pretense of Usefulness to some Imaginary Ends of I know not what Unity, and Order, will conciliate to it the Honourable Epithete of Venerable, or secure its station in the Church of Christ: As Christ, the only Law-giver of his Church has made abundant provision of Offices and Ordinances in his Church, to suit and Answer all the Necessities of Believers; so of Officers too, to discharge those Offices, and administer those Ordinances, and there is no need of Mens over-officiousness to supply his pretended defects either in the one kind, or in the other. Indeed we pray, that it would please the Lord of the Har∣vest to thrust in more Labourers for Number, but not for Kind: They who shall assume to themselves a power to create New Offices, may, by parity of Reason, claim an Authority to Erect New Officers; for it's a thousand pities, that any but Humane Officers should be put to the toyl to Celebrate Humane Ord•…•…nances; or that any of Christs Ministers should be put •…•…o the drudgery to administer any but Christs own Ordinances; for in∣deed they have their hands full of work enjoyned them by their Lord, and Master, and can neither spare time no•…•… strength su∣pernumerary to expend in super•…•…uous Exercises: As Christ has annex'd no promise of his Presence to any but his own Servants, so no promise of success to any but his own Services: He that runs upon Christs Errand, his Master will bear his Charges; He that runs upon his own Head, or the Heads of others, for ought I know must bear his own: It's a scandalous impeachment of the unquestionable Love Christ always bore to his Church, once to imagine that he has not either provided work enough for his

Labourers, or that he has not apportioned Labourers enow for his Work. The same Reproach will it be to his absolute Sove∣reignty over the Church, either to pretend to supply his defects, and shortnesses, or to institute N•…•…w Officers, and Offices, which plainly imply it.

If it were only Vitium person•…•…, the removing the scandalous, had been a Plaister broad enough for the •…•…ound; bu•…•… i•…•… it proves Vi∣•…•…um R•…•…i, you may purge all the Officers into their Graves before you can purge away the evil of the Office, which like Tartar, is so •…•…aked, and Crusted to the sides of the Vessel, that till you knock off the Hoopes, and take the Frame in pieces, no Art of Man will free the Cask from a tang, at least of the old mustiness.

§ 3. They were not of Opinion▪ that the Church could not arrive at Primitive Purity, unl•…•…ss it were reduced to Primitive Poverty: Pu∣rity, and Poverty, I must needs say do Rhime so sweetly, that no wise Man would have lost the Melodious •…•…hime of two such Har∣monious words for a small matter: But what if the Church never propounded the Primitive Purity for her Pattern? If she did, •…•…he has run all the things in Controversie out of Distance; yet this I will say, That if ever the Church be reduced to Primitive Purity, without some such humbling Providence, and Refining Dispensation, which pur•…•…ed the Primitive Christians from their •…•…ross; or the effusion of such Measures of Grace, Humility, Self∣denial, Condescension▪ as may Answer Primitive Poverty, very wise Men, and her very good Friends are much mistaken.

§ 4. Their Moderation appears in this. That though they found •…•…ome Ceremonies then used that were superstitious▪ and dangerous, and thought too many burdensome, yet concluded not all Decency in the Service of God was Popish. It had been a Conclusion wild to •…•…ren∣sie, to infer that all Decency was Popish, because some Ceremo∣nies were superstitious: Nay, though they all were so, and had accordingly been 〈◊〉〈◊〉: But this had been a sober and mo∣derate Conclusion, That because all Popish Ceremonies were su∣perstitious and dangerous, the Worship of God might be Decent without them: Gods Service was Decent before they were born, and would be so again, if they were all in their Graves, as well as dead, and rotten. And if those Decent Ceremonies had a Decent Bu•…•…ial, it were an Honour as great as those of a Nobler Extract, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Divine Ceremonies had bestowed on them: I would se∣riously enquire of our serious Enquirer. 1. If some Ceremonies were Abolished, because they were superstitious, and therefore dangerous, why all the rest were not served with the same sawce, that were equally, or more superstitious, and therefore more dangerous? I think it's demonstrable, that all the superstition that ever stuck to Holy Water, Cream, Salt, Spittle, Oyl, was •…•…nnocency, to that horrid abuse of the Sign of the Cross. But 2. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the Superstitions of the remaining Ceremonies were capable of separation from them, why might not a little Oyl, and Elbow∣greace have been bestowed on the rest, and their Lives saved? 〈◊〉〈◊〉 seems most of the Ceremonies were knock'd oth' head, be∣cause

they would not go to the charge of Rearing them. 3. If many Ceremonies were a Burden, whether were not half of that many, half as great a Burden, and so pro rato? And if so, where was the Churches Commission to impose any unnecessary Burden upon the Necks of Disciples. 4. If some of the old superstitious Ceremonies (when well scraped, and wiped) were lest for De∣cency, and Comeliness in the Worship, why where not the rest scummer'd up, that the Worship might be more Decent? For i•…•… Two or Three Innocent Ceremonies will add a Decency, Two or Three hundred will have burnish'd it to such a Lustre, as must have either ravish'd, or blinded the Eyes of all Beholders? 5. Who shall insallibly assure us just how few will be no Burden, and the imposing of them no sin? and y•…•…t •…•…ne more shall make them all burdensome, and so the imposition of them to become sinful? Or just how many to an Unite will render the Worship Decent; and the adding of one more render all Deformed? If the Church; then why might not the Church of Rome in her days have Determined the Question? Especially seeing that of all pre∣tenders, she alone challenges an infallibility, which is the most considerable thing in this Case, when the Church must carry her hand even, and cut by a thred, between Decency, and Inde∣cency; A Burden, and no Burden? 6. If the Church has a pow∣er to impose a load, (though a lesser load) has she a power to communicate strength, though it be but little strength, to bear that little? Especially seeing the Burden here must not lie on the Back, but the Heart; not on the Shoulders, but the Conscience: She that pleads an Authority to Institute, can she produce a pow∣er to Bless what she Institutes to any Spiritual End? This en∣couragement we have from Christ, whose perogative it is to im∣pose; that he will give Grace to bear what he imposes, and there∣by make his Yoke casie, and his Burden light. Qui mihi est Oneris Author, idem erit Ad•…•…inistrationis Ad•…•…tor, said Leo: And so Austin. Da quod jubes, & jube quod vis. If any Church could incline the Heart towards her Testimonies; or give a Heart to keep her Statutes, Iudgments, and Commandments, and do them; or make her Commandments not grievous: Let her multiply Cere∣monies, till she is weary, and spare not; Let her use her Discre∣tion, and we shall use nothing but Submission. But this dead weight sinks our Spirits quite. 7. Whether is not such an assuming pow∣er exceeding dangerous in its Consequences; for upon this Prin∣ciple the Church may impose a round thousand of Ceremonies, if she will say, and think them decent, and the Crow thinks all her young ones White, and all are sond of the Brats of their Brains, as well as the Issue of their Bodies; yes, and Ten Thousand more, if she will but decree they are not burden∣some; which she is the less a Competent Judge of; because Superiours who command, do not feel that load, which Inse∣ri•…•…urs who must obey, do groan under: So much of the Modera∣tion of the Reformation.

3. The English Reformation was the most perfect, and compleat in

its kind. The perfection, and compleatness of a Reformation, is to be taken from its Agreement with its Rule, and Idea, which (say we) is th•…•… Word of God, and to this we do unmovably adhere, till we have good security that they have found out a better: All Perfection with us, is but Defection, and all compleatness, Fancy, which is not measured by that Rule: It will therefore be the great Glory of the English Reformation to acquit it self well in this point, wherein our Enquirer will endeavour our satis∣faction.

1. For Doctrine. This Church retains (says he) the most Ancient Doctrine, and soundest Confession of I aith founded upon the H. Scripture: That the 〈◊〉〈◊〉. Scriptures are the foundation of Faith, we gladly hear some intimation of, and shall lay up the concession against another time, whether the Church has attended to this Rule in her Doctrinals, belongs to another Discourse.

2. For Government: He tells us, The English Reformation retains the most Primitive Church-Government. These things, are wisely, and warily penn'd, (thought I:) A Scripture Creed, and a Primitive Church-Government! Confession sounded on H. Scriptures, and Government founded on a word called Primitive; why shhould we not have a Confession sounded on something else than Scripture, as well as a Government? Or why not a Church-Government founded on the Scripture, as well as the Doctrine? So that he has provided well for the Doctrine; but for the Go∣vernment it may sinck or swim for any Relief it can expect from our Enquirer, except a hard word will do it: Primitive Anti∣quity, is one of those Stulta Amuleta quae Controversi•…•… collo ap∣pendunturut Armilla Maleficarum; Potent Charms. and Pom∣pous Enchantments not to Cure, but Conjure down a Contro∣versie; for since 〈◊〉〈◊〉 may be taken in a Latitude of three, 〈◊〉〈◊〉, five, or (〈◊〉〈◊〉 time of need) six hundred years after Christ, it would be very hard if any Crotchet, Humour, and Fancy had not set up for it self in that time, which shall be enough to entitle it to the Warrantie of the Primitive times: Let him therefore prove it Scriptural, and so jure Divino, and he has said more to me, than if he had run up its Pedigree through a Dozen or more Centuries: But is not this short word [The most Primitive Church-Government] a foundation too narrow for that High Boast, p. 2. That our Church is of a sound, and healthful Consti∣tution, I think I have sufficiently, though briefly manifested in the Introduction. Briefly and suffciently? The Two most desirable Qualifications in Argument and Evidence that may be! And surely it must de brief enough, which is comprehended in this one Sentence: The English Reformation retains the most Primi∣tive Church-Government: but whether it be sufficient or no, let the Reader look to that.

3. For the Liturgy. That is (as he thinks) the Best accommo∣date to reconcile, and unite Mens Devotions. And how well it has answered its end, and the design of its Institution. I shall say the less, because others will say the more; some say it has distracted

more Devotions, than ever it united: And others; That it has accommodated them as much as could be expected from a Hu∣mane Contrivance, that had no more of Christs Authority for its institution, and therefore could expect no more of his Blessing for the success. That this, or any other Liturgy was an Expe∣dient appointed by Christ to unite Mens Devotions, he may ex∣plain, and attempt the proof of at his best leisure: But that Christ has not been wanting to his Church in leaving her the pro∣per and sufficient means for the advancing of Devotions, and uniting affections we are satisfied, and so fully contented, that we shall seek no further.

That Protestants in the days of Edw. VI. •…•…d Rejoyce in the Li∣turgie, Dissenters will not deny: An English Liturgie left free, was better than a Latin Mass: Half a Loaf, was much better than no Bread: To them who had been in such Da•…•…kness, and Bon∣dage, any Light, any Liberty were most grateful. The first Ori∣ginal of Liturgies (as is express'd in the Preface to our own) was, that the whole Bible should be read over (or the greatest part of it) once every Year; intending thereby, that the Clergie, and especially such as were Ministers of the Congregation should by often reading, and meditation of Gods Word, be s•…•…rred up to Godliness themselves,—And further, that the People, by daily hearing of the Holy Scriptures read in the Church, should continually profit more in the Knowledge of God;—But these many Years past, this Godly, and Decent Order of the Ancient Fathers •…•…ath been•…•… so alter'd, b•…•…o∣ken, neglected, by planting in unce••••ain 〈◊〉〈◊〉, Legend•…•…▪ Responds, Verses, vain Repetitions, Commemorations, and ••••∣nod•…•…ls, that &c. And moreover, whereas St Paul would have such Language spoken to the People in the Church, as they might understand; and have profit by hearing the same? The Service 〈◊〉〈◊〉 this Church of England hath been read in Latin to the People, which they understood not, so that they have heard with their Ears only, and their Heart, Spirit, and Mind have not been edified thereby. From hence we are evidently taught, First, that the true Original of Liturgies, was only an Order for the Methodi∣cal Reading of the Scriptures for the benefit of an ignorant Clergy, and sottish People; and Secondly, that that wherein the Reformers gloried to have out-done Popery, and edified the People, was, that they had procured them their Wo•…•…hip in a Language understood.

When therefore I hear these Popular Harangues: How happy this Church and Nation was in Edw. VI. days: In what Glory and Majesty the Prince Reigned, in what Peace and Concord the Subjects lived, how Devout, and Pious an Age that was: I am ready to think, that as the Graves of Patients do hide the faults of Physicians, so the follies and vanities of those days are buried in their own graves too; for Dr. Heylin had almost perswaded me. That the death of that Prince was none of the Infelicities of the Church of England. But our Enquirer has set him right again; and his days were the Golden Age of Reformation, his Reign

the Glorious Pattern of Peace, and Concord; and so shall continue till the next occasion those Men have to reproach the Reforma∣tion, and then Edw. VI. days shall be an Infelicity again, and as great a prejudice to Religion as ever. So easie it is for a cun∣ning Orator with his orient Colours, to fill up the wrinkles of a furrow'd Face, and again to deform the most Beauteous Com∣plexion, just as it pleases Master Painter.

The total summe of all, is thus much. The Primitive times were Glorious for Piety; in Polydore Virgil's days, and those of Popery, there was a great deal of Sincere Devotion; In the beginning of the Reformation, affairs were in an excellent po∣sture, but now all's degenerated, and a Lukewarm Neutrality, and Lazy Indifferency, has over-spread the Face, and crept over the Heart of Religion. And what should be the matter? What is the Reason of this sad change? Why!. Men are not so fond of Ceremonies as they used to be, and People have resolved against the building of Churches, and endowing them.

But let us hear him Lament the change. All Zeal then, cold In∣differency now. Then all Harmony, now all Discord. Then the So∣ciety of the Church was so venerable, that to be cast out by Excommu∣nication, was as dreadful as to be Thunder-smitten: But now it's become a matter of some Mens Ambition to be cast out. Then few, or none, but frequented the Church; now the Church is become the Con∣venticle, and the Cinventicle the Church, as to frequency. Then the Liturgie, and publick Prayers were counted a principal part of Gods Worship; now they a•…•… nothing without a Sermon. Then there were few things that were scrupled; but now its become the great point of Sanctity to scruple every thing. It will be time for me, and the Reader, to take our leave of this learned Introduction, when we have observed, and returned a few things. 1. That the true Reason why there is more Discord now, than at that time, is, because there are more difficult terms of Peace, and Concord. Se∣veral things were then in use, which were not imposed: Many were permitted to discharge their Ministerial Functions with∣out subscription to the new terms, and conditions of Commu∣nion: It was pretty well in Queen Elizabeths Reign, before A. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. Whitguift could strain Conformity to it's height; and yet they are now screwed much higher. Restore Indifferent things to their Ancient Liberty, and we shall soon arrive at our Ancient Ami∣ty. 2. That Excommunication has so much lost its former Au∣thority upon the Conscience, and become so like a Brutum Ful∣men, is to be imputed to these Reasons. 1. Because that Thun∣derbolt is darted out for meer trifles, some have been delivered over to Satan for a Groat; Now it's a sure Maxime. That no∣thing will bring a Law sooner into disuse, and contempt, than the Disproportion of the penalty to the Offence: It will be difficult to perswade weak understandings, that that can be of God which has but one sort of punishment for all sorts of Crimes, and the same Rigour for Vertues, as for Vices: To be delivered up for a Penny, exposes to the same inconvenience as if it were a

Pound; and it shall fare as ill with him that scruples at a Cere∣mony, as with him that commits Whoredom; and some say, the former has more evil in it than the latter, though you throw in Drunkenness, Swearing, and half a dozen more such into the reckoning. 2. It has been made an Engine, to gratifie some Mens Passions, and exonerate their Spleen upon the Innocent; and nothing renders Iupiters Thunder more despicable, than when the wretched Salmoneus shall dare to imitate it. 3. It has been so frequently practised in pecuniary matters, that Men dis∣cern it not to be a Spiritual Weapon; Money has been a Lock to shut Men out of Heaven, and a Key to let them in again. 4. They that have been ejected by that 〈◊〉〈◊〉, find no evil consequen∣ces in their ejected state. In the Primitive times it was therefore terrible, because Christ abbetted his own Ordinance, admini∣stred for his own Spiritual Ends, in his own Regular way; but now Men dare not trust Christ with his own Work, but have sup∣plied his vengeance with a Significavit, a Writ de Excommunica∣to Capiendo, delivering Men over to the Sheriff, whom thereby they call the Devil by craft, but otherwise the Excommunica∣ted Person cats his Bread, and drinks his Wine with a Chearful Heart, because the Lord has accepted him. 3. That so few frequent the Church, is, because they have either been scoffed, or railed, or beaten out of doors, or barred out by Conditions, not com∣porting with Scripture Rule, and Warrant Men know that Christ must be their Judge; to him they must give an account of their Souls, and Worship, in the Great Day; and therefore they are willing to Worship God according to his Will revealed in his Sa∣cred Word, unless any can give them Counter-security to save harmless, and indemnifie them before his dreadful Tribunal; And if they must suffer for such resolved adherence to a Scri∣prure Religion, they have only this humbly to reply. Daveniam Imperator, Tu Carcerem, Ille Gehennam. Christ threatens a Hell; the Law only menaces a Goal. 4. That the Liturgy was then counted a principal part of Gods Worship, we cannot help: We judge, that none but God can make the least, much less a principal part of Gods Worship: God only knows which way he will be Worship'd with Ac∣ceptation: And it is our grear Happiness, that he has acquaint∣ed us with that Will of his in his Word, to which we apply our sel∣ves for our Directory, and are not sollicitous about Apocryphal Rubrics. As to matters concerning Religion, Nature Teacheth no further, than the Obligation to the Du•…•…y; but leaves the particular determination of the manner of Obedience to Divine Positive Laws: So we are instructed from the Author, of Origin. Sacrae, p. 171. 5. That it is now become the great point of Sanctity to scruple every thing; was not spoken with that regard to Honesty and Truth, as might have been expected from a Compassionate Enquirer: They scruple being Holier than Christ has commanded them, wi∣ser in matters of Religious Worship, than the Scriptures are able to make them: They scruple giving up their Consciences to those whom they see no great reason to trust, till better evidence be

given how they regard their own: They scruple all Retreats in Reformation, and all Retrograde Motions towards Evangelical Perfection and Purity; and they with our Enquirer would scru∣ple a little more this overlashing, That it's an Essential part of some Mens Religion to be Censorious; And a great point of Sanctity to scruple every thing. Let him then continue to Lament the change, and we will pray that God will make a more through change, reducing Doctrine, Worship, Discipline to the Word of God, the only Rule of Reformation.