There is this only difference between them,
that our Publick performances should be more
wary in Circumstances, as forms and gravity of
Words, decency, and respect of Behaviour, and
this so the sake of our Neighbour, that we give
no occasion of scandal; though after all it must
be confest that 'tis the integrity and soundness of
the heart which God chiefly regards in both.
Next our Duty towards God, follows our
Duty to Man, that is, our Duty towards our [ 10]
Selves and our Neighbours.
First of all, there are some Duties we owe our
Selves, and these are all briefly comprehended in
the vvorking out our own Salvation, which is
the main business for which vve were at first cre∣ated
and came into this World.
The means and Instruments we are to make use
of herein are principally these Three,
Faith in Jesus Christ.
Repentance from dead works. [ 20]
Obedience, or newness of life.
Faith is a free Grace bestowed upon us by God
Almighty, whereby we lay sure hold on the Pro∣mises
made to Mankind, through the Merits and
Intercession of Jesus Christ.
In which Definition we may observe in the first
place, That this grace of Faith is not attainable by
any human endeavours, but is the meer volun∣tary
and free gift of God. And yet since he works
(as is said before) in the use of Means, vve are still [ 30]
to frequent the Word Read and Preached, to con∣verse
with good Men, to desire and pray for his
Grace, and no doubt but he will give it us.
Again, We may take notice, that it is not a
bare Historical Faith, like that whereby we be∣lieve
Profane History, or any thing else of that
kind, but it is that whereby vve lay hold on and
apply the Promises which God hath made to Be∣leivers
generally, to our selves particularly, so
that a true Believer does not only believe that [ 40]
Jesus Christ died for the sins of the World, but
for his particularly, and so claimes a part and
portion in that Satisfaction which he hath made to
Gods Justice.
The next thing in order is Repentance, which
is a hearty Sorrow and Contrition for sins past,
joyn'd with setled purposes and resolutions of a
new life.
I know not which of these two ought in right
to be first placed, for there can be no true Faith [ 50]
without Repentance, nor no true Repentance vvith∣out
Faith. They are Twins, as born at a Birth, nor
can the vvit of Man devise to separate vvhat God
has put together.
Repentance in the Greek is called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉,
vvhich signifies not a bare Compunction, or At∣trition,
as the School men speak, but such a Sor∣row
and Affection of the Mind, as produceth a
Change or Reformation; and hence it is that a∣mendment
and newness of life are the only De∣monstrations [ 60]
and concluding Arguments of a true
Faith, and a sincere Repentance.
And this leads us to the last of these Instruments;
whereby we are to work out our Salvation, and
that is a ready Obedience, and a universal com∣pliance
with those Laws and Precepts which God
hath laid down in his Holy Word as a Rule for us
to walk by. And because Reformation and Obedi∣ence
are more descernible than our Faith and Re∣pentance,
which are only Acts of the Mind and Spi∣rit,
we must endeavour to satisfie both our selves
and the World of the truth of the latter, by the
sincerity of the former.
For trial then of our Obedience, there are
Three things to be enquired into. If it be willing
and chearful, and not for fear or by constraint; If
it be universal and not partial; and if it be al∣ways
growing and encreasing, dayly getting new
Advantages and Ornaments. These are the infal∣lible
Marks of a good Man and a good Christi∣an,
and the only assurance we can have of Hea∣ven
and Happiness, whist we are in this World.
This is what we owe to our Selves; and now we
shall take a short view of that Duty we owe our
Neighbour.
And here (1). let me put you in mind of our
Duty towards our Holy Mother the Church, both
in owning her Doctrines, and submitting to her
Discipline.
There are many Companies, or Sects of Men in
the World, that pretend the next, and some the
only way to Heaven. To say nothing of the obsti∣nate
Jews, who had once the keeping of those
sacred Oracles that contain the Types and Figures
of our Christian Religion; nor yet of the Igno∣rant
Mahometans, whose miscellaneous Worship
seems rather formed and modelled to preserve an
earthly, than to get a Heavenly Crown. I shall
only put you in mind of the purity of our Church
of England by comparing it with some others in
point of Ceremonies, &c. that call themselves
Christians.
And amongst these, the Greek Church and the
Lutherans will find no room in this small Tract.
I will only speak a word or two of the Roma∣nists,
and the Dissenters of our own Country;
Men of very different Principles (if you will
believe them) and that agree in no one thing,
but in their violent Hatred and Ill-will to us.
The Romanists complain for our quitting some
Ceremonies, that are by us adjudged Useless and
Superstitious; and the Dissenters, for that we
retain some, though never so grave and decent;
these accuse us still of Superstition, those of Sa∣criledge;
whence it appears, that even in these
things we have still kept a Middle•• way between
both, neither burthening the weak with super∣fluous
Impositions, nor yet descended to those base
and slovenly Familiarities with God, which the
Fanaticks have both in Words and Behavi∣our.
I suppose this Tract will not be look'd upon
as Demonstration to prove the Excellency of our
Church above others; the Learned Men of our
Church have done it sufficiently; however, if a
Person unbiassed and disinteressed were to consi∣der
but this very thing alone, he would be apt
to think, even without Argument, that ours had
the fairest Pretence, being placed in the middle,
the Seat of Vertue her self.
Now since we find our selves thus befet with
Scylla on the right, and Charibdis on the left hand,
let us mind our Course and Steer steady, lest we
suffer Shipwreck on the Rocks of Heresie, or be