Truth maintained, or, Positions delivered in a sermon at the Savoy since traduced for dangerous, now asserted for sovnd and safe / by Thomas Fvller.

SERMON Paragraffe 12.

A thorow Reformation we and all good men desire with as strong affections, though perhaps not with so loud a noyse as any whatsoever.

EXAMINER.

If your thorow Reformation in this page be compared with

your fourteen, fifteen, sixteen, seventeen pages, where you have bound it up with so many ^D Restrictions, the fallacy will soon appeare. You would smoothly tax some Bre∣thren for clamour ^E and noyse in their desires after Refor∣mation. Indeed if you could perswade the Prophets of God into silence, or slight endeavours, halfe your Designe were finished; but they have a Fire which flames into stronger expressions: If the zeale of the Prophets and ^F Martyrs had given no further testimony to the truth, then their own Bosomes, we had not had at this day such a cloud of witnesses; you know these loud importunities awaken and hasten men unto that holy ^G Businesse you would so faine retard. If you think it your vertue that you can be si∣lent in the midst of our importunities and loud cryes after Reformation, I am sure 'tis your policy too, for should you make too great a noyse after it, you might be heard ^H to Oxford, and perhaps you are loath to speake out till you see further.

TREATIS.

D. Fourteen, fifteen, sixteen, seventeen pages, where you have bound it up with so many Restrictions.) Indeed I bound Reformation with Restrictions, but such as are Girdles to strengthen it, not fetters to burthen it, and thereupon no fallacy, but plaine dealing will appeare. And if those pages you instance in be guilty of any such fault, no doubt when your examination doth come to them, you will presse it home, and I shall be ready to make my best defence.

E. You would smoothly tax some Brethren for clamour.) If any be faulty herein they deserve not onely to be smoothly taxed. but sharply reproved. For clamour (as the English * 1.1 word is taken in Scripture) sounds in a bad sense, as arguing an ill tempered Spirit with a mixture of pride and impati∣ence. And as Reformation ought to be prosecuted and sought after with holy and zealous importunity (farre from

all Lethargicall dulnesse and carnall stupidity) so it must be done with a quiet and composed soule, a grace commended * 1.2 by the Apostle. Now grant none to be guilty, yet seeing all are subject (especially in tumultuous times) to clamour and passionate extravagancies, my gentle Advertisement by the bye could not be amisse.

F If the zeale of the Prophets and Martyrs had given.) I thanke you Sir for mentioning the Martyrs; They were the Champions of passive obedience, and the lively Patternes of that holy Temper I now described; Men of a meeke and quiet disposition, not clamorous, though since their death, the noyse and fame of their patience hath sounded aloud thorow the whole world to all Posterity. And I pray God in continuance of time the very Doctrine of Martyrdome be not Martyred.

G That holy Businesse you would so faino retard.) I appeale from your hard Censure to the Searcher of hearts, who one day will acquit my innocence and punish your uncharitable∣nesse, except it be first pardoned upon your repentance.

H For should you make so great a noyse, you might be heard to Oxford.) I care not how farre I be heard, nor which way, to Oxford and beyond it, to Geneva, or to Rome it selfe: Truth is Calculated for all meridians. But speake nor sligh∣tingly of Oxford, it is ill wounding of a Court, and a Camp, and an University, and all in one word.

I And perhaps you are loath to speak out till you see farther.) I see too farre already; namely, that ruine and desolation is likely to follow, except Moderation be used on both sides: If you meane, till I see further into His Majesties pleasure of Reforming, what shall be found amisse, his unfained desire thereof doth already plainly appeare? But if you meane till I see farther into his successe, know Sir, my Religion ob∣serves not the tides of His Majesties Fortune, to ebbe and flow therewith. Where Conscience is the Fountaine, the stream keeps the same height.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Pro. 9. 13. A foolish wo∣man is clamo∣rous. Ephe. 4. 31. wrath and anger, and clamour.
• * 1.2

  1 Thes. 4. 11. Study to be quiet.