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.

M, And let any judge.) On Gods blessing let any indiffe∣rent person, who is devested of prejudice, which ma∣keth a bad witnesse and a worse judge: And now we joyne Issues.

N. For first, he that conceits there can be no perfection in a Church, will scarce labour to make that Church better.) If

the He you spake of be a meere carnall man, this nor any other principle (save Grace and Gods Spirit) can spurre him on to goodnesse. But if this He be a regenerate man, this doctrine will make him tire no whit the sooner in his en∣deavours of Reformation. You say, he will scarce labour, whereby you confesse he will labour. The Gramarian saith, Quod fere fit, non fit, quod vix fit, fit. One scarce is bet∣ter then ten thousand almosts. Yet I perceive by the scant measure in your expression, that you conceive this Doctrine of the impossibility of a Churches perfection on earth, to be but a backe friend to Reformation. Heare therefore what I answer for my selfe.

First,* 1.1 hereby you furnish the papists with a Cavill, and with a Colour to enforce the same against the Protestants. For we teach and maintaine, that the best workes of men are stained with some imperfections. Hence the papists may inferre, That he that conceits there can be no perfection in a good deed, will scarce labour to doe one. And thus our Doctrine shall be condemned for disheartning of holinesse. See Sir how you meet popery in your undiscreet shunning of it.

Secondly, though there can be no absolute perfection in a Church, yet quo ad gradum, in some good degree it is at∣tainable, and all good men will endeavour it. Mariners which make forth for the Northerne Discoveries, goe out with this assurance, that it is impossible to come to the pole. Yet have they sought and found out very farre, almost to the eightieth degree of latitude. What covetousnesse or cu∣riosity did in them, sure Grace is as active to doe in Gods Children who will labour to draw neere to a perfect Refor∣mation, in obedience to Gods command, though they know they shall never fully attaine unto it.

Thirdly, the Doctrine of the impossibility of a perfect Reformation in this world well understood, begets not idle∣nesse, but the more industry in mens endeavours. For those that beleeve that the perfection of a Church may be attain∣ed

in this life, are subject to this mistake (one errour is pro∣creative of another) to thinke that sometimes they them∣selves have attained it, and so ending in the midst of their journey, may sit downe and take up their rest: Whereas those who conceive the impossibility of perfection are kept in constant doing, having still plus ultra. with Saint Paul, forgetting those things that are behind, they reach forth to those things which are before,* 1.2 and presse towards the marke.

Fourthly, if it be objected that the impossibility of per∣fection discourageth men to endeavour it, seeing they can∣not rationally desire it, non est voluntas impossibilium, it is no levell wish aimed at a marke, but a Velleity shot at ran∣dome, which desires an impossibility. It is answered, that Gods servants endeavouring a perfect Reformation, doe not light on a labour in vaine, that which is wanting in them being supplyed in Gods acceptance: If they doe their best, their desire is taken for the deed: The deformities of their imperfect Reformation being pardoned by God in Christ, in which respect, their labours are not in vaine in the Lord.

Lastly, seeing this point of the impossibility of a Chur∣ches perfection is most true (as hereafter we shall make so appeare) if hereupon any grow remisse and large in Refor∣ming, it is not the fault of Gods straight Doctrine, but of mens crooked practice: For if men inferre hellish Conclu∣sions from heavenly premises, such bad consequences are not the lawfull Children of Gods Truth, but the Bastards of mans corruption, where they are justly to be fathered for their maintenance. And now I suppose that your excepti∣on in those your words will scarce labour, is abundantly an∣swered.

O. Nor will we care for any new light, whilst the old is in best reputation with him.) This is grounded on what I never said, but if by the old light be meant that which shined from the Ancient of dayes into the Scriptures and thence through the Fathers to us, I preferre it before any new light whatso∣ever.

P. A good policy to stay the Reformation till His Maje∣sties returne.) It need not have stayed till His Majesties re∣turne, which might have been done before His going away; who so often and so earnestly offered to reforme whatsoever could justly be convinced to be amisse in our Church; which proffers had they been as thankfully accepted, as they were graciously tendered, long since it had been done what we now dispute of, though it matters not for the spilling of our inke, if other mens blood had beene spared. And I doubt not when opportunity is offered His Majesty will make good his word, whom no Vollyes of discurtesies though discharged never so thicke against him, shall drive him from His Princely Promise, whilst he lookes not downewards on mens behaviour to him, but upwards to his Protestations to God, learning from Him whom he repre∣sents to be Unchangeable. But if (which God foresend, and yet all earthly things are casuall) it should come to passe, that in point of Reformation, what formerly was proffered by the Sovereigne, and refused by the Subject, should here∣after be requested by the Subject, and denied by the Sove∣reigne; we shall have leisure enough to admire Gods Ju∣stice, bemoane our owne condition, and instruct our Poste∣rity not to outstand good offers, least for want of seeing their happinesse they feele their owne misery. But to re∣turne to your mentioning of His Majesties return; when all is done for ought I can see, Reformation must stay till His Majesties returne. As for the time and manner thereof when and how it shall be done. God in his wisdome and goodnesse so order it, that it may be most for his glory, the Kings honour, the good of the Church and State. But this I say againe, that till this his returning, the generall enjoy∣ning and peaceable practising of any Reformation cannot be performed.

Q. And then there is hope it may coole in their hands.) If by their hands you meane his Majesties (and what else can your words import) it is as disloyall a suspition, as his

would be an unfitting expression that should say, that Re∣formation would boyle over in the hands of the Parliament. But Sir, thus farre you have excepted against my Sermon in generall, now you are pleased to confute some particulars thereof.

Notes

• * 1.1

  1 The Doctrine of the impo∣ssibility o•• a Churches per∣fection in this world, being well under∣stood, begets not lazinesse but the more industry in wise reformers
• * 1.2

  Phil. 3. 13.