The character of an old English-Puritan or non-conformist by John Geree ...

THE CHARACTER Of an old ENGLISH PƲRITAN, OR, NONCONFORMIST,

THE Old English Puritane was such an one, that honoured Goda above all, and under God gaveb every one his due. Hisc first care was to serve God, and therein he did not what was good in hisd own, but in Gods sight, making the word of God the rule of his worship. He highly esteemede or∣der in the House of God; but would not under colour of that, submit to superstitious rites, which are super∣fluous, &f perish in their use. He reverencedg Autho∣rity, keeping within its sphere; but durst not under pretence of subjection to the higher powersh, wor∣ship God after the traditions of men. He made con∣science ofi all Gods Ordinances, thoughk some he esteemed of more consequence. He was much inl prayer; with it hem began, and closed the day. In it he was exercised in hisn closet,o family,p and publike assembly. He esteemed that manner of praier best, where by theq gift of God, expressions were va∣ried

according to present wants and occasions; yet did he not accountr set-forms unlawful. Therefore in that circumstance of the Church he did not whollys reject the Liturgy, but the corruption of it. He estee∣medt reading of the word an ordinance of God both in private and publike; but did not account reading to be preaching. The Wordu read the esteemed of more authority, but thex word preacht of more effi∣cacy.y He accounted preaching as necessary now as in the Primitive Church: Godsz pleasure being still by the foolishness of preaching to save those that be∣lieve. He esteemed that preaching besta wherein was most of God, least of man, when vain flourishes of wit and words were declined, and the demonstrati∣on of Gods Spirit and Power studied: yet could he distinguish betweenb studied plainness, and negligent rudeness. He accountedc perspicuity the best grace of a Preacher; And thatd method best which was most helpful to understanding, affection, and me∣mory. To which ordinarily he esteemed none so con∣ducible as that by Doctrine, Reason & Use. He estee∣med thosee Sermons best that came closest to the con∣science; yet would he have mens consciences awake∣ned, not their persons disgrac't. He was a man of good spiritualf appetite, and could not be conten∣ted withg one meal a day. An Afternoon-Sermon did relish as well to him as one in the morning. He was not satisfied withh prayers without preaching: which if it were wanting ati home, he would seek a∣broad; yet would he not byk absence discourage his Minister, if faithful, though another might have quick∣er gifts. Al Lecture he esteemed, though not necessa∣ry, yet a blessing, & would redeemm such an oppor∣tunity with some pains and loss. Then Lords day he e∣steemed

a divine ordinance, ando rest on't necessary, so far as it conduced to holinesse He wasp very con∣scientious in observance of that day as the Mart day of the Soul He was very carefull toq remember it, to get house and heart in order for it: and when it came, he was studious to improve it. Her redeemed the morning from superfluous sleep,s and watched the whole day over his thoughts and words not only to restrain them from wickednesse, but worldlynesse.t All parts of the day were alike holy to him, and his care was continued in it in variety of holy duties: what he heard in publike, he repeated in private, tou whet it upon himself and family. Lawfullx recre∣ations he thought this day unseasonable, andy unlaw∣full ones much more abominable: yet he knewz the liberty God gave him for needfull refreshing, which he did neither refuse nor abuse. The Sacrament ofa Baptism he received in Infancy, which he looked back to in age to answer his ingagements, and claim his priviledges; b The Lords Supper he accounted part of his souls food: to which he laboured to keep an appetite.c He esteemed it an ordinance of nearest communion with Christ, and so requiring mostd ex∣act preparation. His first care was in thee examination of himself: yet as an act off office or charity, he had an eye on others.

He endevoured to have the scandalousg cast out of Communion: but heh cast not out himself, be∣cause the scandalous were suffered by the negligence of others He condemned thati superstition and vanity of Popish mock-fasts: yet neglected not one occasion to humble his soul by right fasting:k He abhor∣red the Popish doctrine of opus operatum in the no∣tion. And in practise rested inl no performance, but

what was done in spirit and truth. He thought God had left a rule in his word form discipline, and thatn Aristocratical by Elders, not Monarchichal by Bishops, nor Democraticall by the people. Righto Discpline he judged pertaining not to the being, but well-being of a Church. Therefore he esteemed those Churches most pure where the Goverment is by Elders, yet unchurched not those where it was o∣therwayes. Perfectionp in Churches he thought a thing rather to be desired then hoped for. And so he expected not a Church state without all defects. Theq corruptions that were in Churches he thought his duty to bewail, with endeavours of amendment: yet would he notr separate, where he might partake in the worship, and not in the coruption. He put nots holinesse in Churches, as in the Temple of the Jews; but onely counted them convenient like their Synagogues. He would have them keptt decent, not magnificent, knowing that the Gospel requires not outward pomp. His chiefest musick wasu singing of Psalm••: wherein though he neglected not the melody of the voice, yet he chiefly looked after that of thex heart. He disliked suchy Church musick as moved sensuall delight, and was an hindrance to spirituall inlargements. He accountedz subjection to the High∣er Powers to be part of pure religion, as well as to visit the fatherlesse and widows: yet did he distin∣guish between authority and lusts of Magistrates, to that he submitted,a but in these he durst not be a ser∣vant of men, being bought with a price.b Just Laws and commands he willingly obeyed not only for fear but for conscience also; but such as were unjust he refused to observe, chusingc rather to obey God then man: yet his refusall wasd modest and with submis∣sion

to penalties, unless he could procure indulgence from Authority. He was careful in all relations to know and do duty, and that withe singleness of heart as unto Christ. He accountedf religion an engage∣ment to duty, that the best Christians should be best husbands, best wives, best parents, best children, best masters, best servants, best magistrates, best subjects, that theg doctrine of God might be adornedh not blasphemed. His family he endeavoured to make a Church, both in regard ofi persons and exercises, ad∣mitting none into it but such as feared God, and la∣bouring that those that were born in it, might be born again to God. Hek blessed his family morning and evening by the Word and Prayer, and took care to perform those Ordinances in the best season. Hel brought up his children in the nurture and admo∣nition of the Lord, and commanded hism servants to keep the way of the Lord. He set upn discipline in his Family, as he desired it in the Church, not onely reproving,o but restraining vileness in his.p He was conscienciousq of equity as well as piety:t knowing thatr unrighteousness is abomination as well as ungodliness. He was cautelous in promising,s but careful in performing, counting his word no less engagement then his bond. He was a man of a ten∣der heart, not only in regard of his own sin, but o∣thersu misery not counting mercyx arbitrary, but a necessary duty, wherein as he prayed fory Wisdom to direct him, so he studied forz chearfulness anda bounty to act. He was sober in the use of the things of this life, ratherb beating down the body, then pampering it; yetc he denied, not himself the use of Gods blessing, lest he should bed unthankful; but a∣voided excess lest he should be forgetful of the Do∣ner

In his habit he avoidedf costliness and vanity, neither exceeding his degree in civility, nor declining what suted with Christianity, desiring in all things to expressg gravity. His whole life he accountedh a warfare, wherein Christ was his Captain, his arms,k prayers and tears. Thei Cross his Banner, and hism word Vincit qui patitur.

He was 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 immoveable in all times, so that they who in the midst of many opinions have lost the view of true Religion, may return to him and there find it.j

REader, Seeing a passage in Mr. Tombes his Book against Paedobaptism; wherein he compares the Non conformists in England, to the Anabaptists in Germany, in regard of their miscarriages and ill suc∣cess in their endeavours, till of late years, I was mo∣ved for the vindication of those Faithful and Reve∣rend Witnesses of Christ, to publish this Character; whereof if any shall desire proof in matter of fact, as in matter of right the Margent contains evidence, let him either consult their Writings, or those who are fit Witnesses by reason of age, fidelity & acquain∣tance, having fully known their Doctrine, manner of li••e, purpose, faith, long-suffering, love, patience, persecution and affliction, &c. 2 Tim. 3.10, 11. And I doubt not but full testimony wil be given that their aim and general course was according to the Rule: Some extravagants there be in all professions, but we are to judge of a profession by the rule they hold forth, and that carriage of the professors which is general and ordinary.

FINIS.

Notes

• a

  Mat. ••2.37, 38, 39. 1 Pet. 2.17
• b

  Rom. 13.7.
• c

  Mat. 6.33.
• d

  Deut. 12.8.32
• e

  Col. 2.5.
• f

  Ver. 21, 22
• g

  Rom. 13.1.
• h

  Mat. 15.9 Col. 2 8.
• i

  Acts. 2.42.
• k

  1 Cor. 1.17
• l

  Col. 4 2.
• m

  Psal. 92.2.
• n

  Psal. 55.17 Mat. 6.6
• o

  2 Sam. 6.20
• p

  1 Tim. 2.1, 2
• q

  1 Sam. 1.15 Rom. 8 26
• r

  Numb. 10.35, 36
• s

  1 Co. 9.20, 21.22, 23.
• t

  Acts 13.15 Psal. 1.2
• u

  2 Tim. 3.13, 1••
• x

  1 Cor. 1.2••. Rom. 1 16
• y

  Mat 28 20
• z

  1 Cor. 1 21
• a

  1 Cor 14 24, 25. 1 Cor. 2 1, 3, 4, 5 2 Cor 4 5.
• b

  2. Cor. 2.17 1 Tim 4 13 2 Tim. 2 15 Eccl. 12.9, 10
• c

  1 Cor 14.1, 2, 3, 4 5 6, 9
• d

  1 Cor 14.25
• e

  1 Tim. 5.1
• f

  1 Pet. 2 2.
• g

  Iam. 1.19 2 Tim 4 1 2
• h

  Prov 28.9
• i

  Amos 8 ••1.12 Mat 3.5.
• k

  1 Cor. 3.21, 22. 1 Cor. 4.6
• l

  2 Tim. 4.1, 2
• m

  Eph. 5.16
• n

  1 Cor. 16.2 Acts 20 7. Revel. 1.10.
• o

  Exod: ••••
• p

  Exod. 20.8.
• q

  2 Chron. 2 2 2••. Psal 91.
• r

  Isa 58 13, 14
• s

  Exod 20 8 Acts 20.7
• t

  Deut. 6, 7
• u

  Isa: 58.13, 14
• x

  Exod: 3 2 6
• y

  M•••• 12.1••7
• z

  8 〈◊〉〈◊〉 •…•….12, 13 1 C••r 7.14. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 16.15
• a

  1 Cor▪ 10: 6
• 5 Iohn 7.37. Iohn 6 48
• c

  1 Cor: 10, 16
• d

  1 Cor. 11: 28
• e

  1 Cor. 5: 2.13
• f

  Revel. 2, 2
• g

  Revel. 2 25.
• h

  Mat. 16.6
• i

  Acts 13.12 1 Cor. 7 5
• k

  Mat. 15 8
• l

  Ioh. 4.23, 24
• m

  Heb. 3.2.5, 6.
• n

  1 Tim 5.17. 1 Tim. 4: 14 Act. 20.17.28. Act. 21.18.
• o

  Ioh. 11.51
• p

  1 Cor. 11.17, 18, 19. Rev. 2.14.20.
• q

  1 Cor. 5.2. Rev 2.5. Ezek. •• 4.
• r

  Heb. 10.25 Iohn 4.11.
• s

  1 Tim. 2.8
• t

  1 Cor. 14.40
• u

  Iam. 5.••3.
• x

  Col. 3.16.
• y

  1 Cor. 14.26.
• z

  Rom. 13 1. Iam. 1.27.
• a

  1 Cor. 7.23
• b

  Rom. 13.5
• c

  Acts 4 19
• d

  Ier. 26.14 15.
• e

  Eph 5.21.22, &c.
• f

  Col. 3.22
• g

  1 Tim. 6.1 Titus 2 9, 10
  1 Pet 3.1, 2, 3
  Titus 3 1.
  Mat. 17.27
• h

  Colos. 4 15
• i

  Ps. 1.1 2, 6 7
• k

  1 Chr. 16.43.
• l

  Eph. 6 4
• m

  Gen. 18 19
• n

  Psal. 101
• o

  1 Sam. 3.13
• p

  Tit 2.21, 12
• q

  Prov. 11.1
• t

  Ezek. 36 26
• r

  2 Cor. 1.17.
• s

  Psalm. 15.4
• u

  Lu. 10.3••.37
• x

  Mat. 25.34, 35
  Iames 2.13
• y

  Psalm 112.5
• z

  Rom. 12.8
• a

  2 Cor. 9.5, 6 7
• b

  1 Pet. 5.8
  1 Cor. 9.27
• c

  Eccles. 2.14
• d

  Deut. 8 10 11
• f

  1 Tim 2: •• 1 Pet. 3.3, 4
• g

  Phil 4 8
• h

  Eph. 6.10, 11 12
• k

  Ephes. 6.18 Hosea 12.4
  1 cor. 15.48
  Ephes 4, 14
  Cant. 1 7
  Jer 6.16
• i

  Heb 2.9, 10
• m

  Luke 8 15
  Rev. 12.11
  and 14.12
• j

  Mat. 16 24
  Gal, 6.14, 7