Truth maintained, or Positions delivered in a sermon at the Savoy: since traduced for dangerous: now asserted for sound and safe. By Thomas Fuller, B.D. late of Sidney Colledge in Cambridge. The particulars are these. I That the doctrine of the impossibility of a churches perfection, in this world, being wel understood, begets not lazinesse but the more industry in wise reformers. II That the Church of England cannot justly be taxed with superstitious innovations. III How farre private Christians, ministers, and subordinate magistrates, are to concurre to the advancing of a publique reformation. IIII What parts therein are only to be acted by the Supreme power. V Of the progresse, and praise of passive obedience. VI That no extraordinary excitations, incitations, or inspirations are bestowed from God, on men in these dayes. VII That it is utterly unlawfull to give any just offence to the papist, or to any men whatsoever. VIII What advantage the Fathers had of us, in learning and religion, and what we have of them. IX That no new light, or new essentiall truths, are, or can be revealed in this age. X That the doctrine of the Churches imperfection, may safely be preached, and cannot honestly be concealed. With severall letters, to cleare the occasion of this book.

Treatise.

A. The Policy of the Sermon.) Such carnall Policy wherein the subtilty of the Serpent stings the simplicity of the Dove to death, I utterly disclaim in my Sermon. Chri∣stian Policy is necessary, as in our Practice so in our Prea∣ching, for Piety is alwayes to goe before it, but never to goe without it.

B. But it so moderates and modificates.) The most Civill Actions will turne wild, if not warily moderated. But if my Sermon clogges Reformation with false or needlesse Qualifications (till the strength of the matter leakes out at them) my guilt is great. I am confident of my Innocence, let the Evidence be produced and the Reader judge.

C. That Reformation can advance but little in this way.) Know that Zoar a little one that is lasting, is better then a great Babel of Confusion. That Reformation which begins slowly and surely, will proceed cheerfully and comfortably, and continue constantly and durably. Builders are content to have their Foundations creepe, that so their Superstru∣ctures may runne; let us make our Ground-worke good, and no more hast then good speed.

D. They put the Sunne into an heavenly Labyrinth and learned perplexity with their imaginary Lines.) This your strong line more perplexeth me to understand it: Onely this I know, that you might have instanced more properly in any other Planet which is more loaden with Cycles, and Epicycles, whilst the Sunne hath found from Astrono∣mers this favour and freedome, to be left to the simplest Motion.

E. Such a Zodiack you would make for the light of the Gospell.) were I to spread the Zodiack of the Gospell, it should stretch from Pole to Pole, and be adequate to the Heavens. There should be no more Pagans in the World then there were Smiths at one time in Israel; not that I

would have any kild, but all converted; yea the Sunne of Reformation should not have so much darknesse as a shadow to follow it. To effect this, my wishes are as strong as my power is weake. I will (God willing) pray and preach for it, and therefore doe not slander me to be an Hinderer of the Word.

F. G. H. Of the Jewes adversaries. J••suiticall way. The old Prophet.) What you say is as true in the History as false in the Application to me. You compare me to the Am∣monites (Adversaries to Gods people, to Jesuits, to the old lying Prophet. I hope the God of Michael the Arch-An∣gell will give me patience, when he that disputed with him shal furnish him others railing. And now torture me no lon∣ger with your Accusation, come to the proofe.

Notes

• 2 Sam. 13. 19.
• Jude 9.