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THe Prediction of perillous Times is [unspec VIII] certainly accomplish't, When the sim∣plicity of the TRUTH, and true WORSHIP of God, is out-fac't by the impudency of ER∣ROUR, false WORSHIP and profane∣nesse. When Errour shall set up its Throne in the Temple of God (a Christian Church) and Truth shall be set at the footstoole. When false worship shall lift up its head,
and true worship shall hang the Wing. When Profanenesse shall proudly presse into the Sanctuary, and humble Piety shall either be excluded or derided. When the ancient and venerable Truth and true Religion shall grow out of Credit, and Errour, false wor∣ship and Profanenesse, as a new upstart clad in a glorious Disguise, and waited on by his insolent Atendants, on either hand, shall be all in Fashion and favour. When the latter shall be suffer'd to brow-beat and justle out the former, in many places of the Land. When the Vultures shall drive the Doves from their Houses, and the Wolves shall contend with the Sheep for the Fold, they must needs be perillous Times.
When false Teachers, the Captaines of the Train-bands of the Prince of Darkness, who for the carrying on of this designe, transformes himself into an Angel of Light* 1.1, shall by their Satanical stratagems, so far prevaile against the Kingdome of Christ, as to carry away Captive many of his Sub∣jects, who in their Baptisme receiv'd their Press-money to fight under his Banner, the perillous Times prophecy'd of by the Apo∣stle are come† 1.2.
Doubtlesse the Times are perillous when Saints shall be rejected as sinners, and Se∣ducers shall be received as Saints, though they daily grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived* 1.3. When Religion shall be derided as superstition, and humane
inventions shall be obtruded upon seduced Christians as the Ordinances of Christ. When the proud Philistines shall defie the Army of the Israelites, the Hosts of the Living God, and Saul, with his men of War, shall stand and look on; if David, or rather the sonne of David come not to succour us, we must needs be in a dange∣rous condition. When Dagon is brought into the Temple of God, and set above the Ark; when Jeroboams Calves have more Worshippers and Followers then the God of Israel; when Christ in his Ministers is set at naught by Herod and his men of War; When true Christianity is crucifi••d betwixt two thieves, Er••or on the one hand, and Profanesse on the other, do not the People of God know and feel that these are evil and perillous Times?
When Idolatry shall justle out true Chri∣stianity, the Times must needs be perillous. To set up I••ols in the Temple of God, what is it but the Abomination which maketh de∣solate? Now error and Heresie is a kinde of spiritual Idolatry.
* 1.4 Many Hereticks (sayes Augustine) as well as Pagans, have themselves feigned and formed many Gods unto themseves, and though they have not set them up in
Temples, yet which is worse, they have enshrined them in their own hearts, and so they themselves have become the Temples of false and foolish I∣mages. Now when Christians that have been consecrated by Baptisme to be Temples of the Holy Ghost, shall turn themselves into Temples of such phantastick Idols, of their own Invention, this must needs be a sinne highly provoking the Lord to Jea∣lousie, and so speak the Times peril∣lous.
But for the further clearing up of this Symptome, I shall do these two things; viz.
ERroneous persons, when they appeare, do (as Comets) portend great Calami∣ties to the Church of God, the Kingdome of Christ. And if we search the Prophecies of the New Testament, we shall finde that
the arising and abounding of false Teachers, Hereticks and Seducers is expresly foretold to be in the last dayes, when the Apostle hath told us perillous Times shall come. False-Fires are not wont to appear till the approach of Night: and these misguiding New-lights shall appear in the evening of the world; and great is the danger of those that are misled by them. Our Saviour in his discourse of the end of the world, and Prophecy of those things which should come to passe in the last dayes, fore∣warns us of such deceivers. Then (sayes he* 1.5) if any man shall say unto you, Loe, here is Christ, or there: believe it not. For there shall arise false Christs, and false Pro∣phets, and shall shew great signes and won∣ders, insomuch that (if it were possible) they shall deceive the very Elect. Behold I have told you before. God, before his wheat is gather'd into his Garner, before his Church on Earth is translated into Heaven, before gracious Saints are taken up into his glori∣ous Kingdome, will suffer the windes of false Doctrines to blow thereupon, that so graceless ones, who are as* 1.6 Chaff, carryed about with every winde of Doctrine† 1.7, may be separated from the Wheat, the truly gracious. And therefore, says the Apostle* 1.8, There must be also Heresie, [or Sects† 1.9] a∣mong you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you. And sayes the Apostle Peter,* 1.10 There were false prophets
also among the People, even as there shall be false Teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable Heresies, even de∣nying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious wayes, by rea∣son of whom the way of Truth shall be evil spoken of. And for the time of their ap∣pearing, this he intimates to us in what he further speaks of them afterwards;† 1.11 Know∣ing this first, that there shall come in the last Dayes scoffers, walking after their own lusts. This is fully confirmed by what the Apostle Paul speaks of them in his Premo∣nition given to Timothy, in both his Epi∣stles to him directed. In the former, sayes he,* 1.12 Now the spirit speaketh expresly, that in the latter Times some shall depart from the Faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and Doctrines of Devils: speaking lies in hypocrisie, having their conscience sear••d with a hot iron. And in the latter, sayes he,† 1.13 This know also that in the last Dayes perillous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, &c. Of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. So likewise does the Apostle John tell us, that the coming of many Anti∣christs (false Teachers opposing the Do∣ctrine of Christ contain'd in the Gospel)
does manifestly discover that it is the last time* 1.14. And sayes the Apostle Jude,† 1.15 Beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the Apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ: How that they told you there should be Mockers in the Last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts. These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the spirit, how much soever they may pretend thereunto. Thus we see its unde∣nyably manifest from the Holy Scriptures, that False Teachers, Sectaries and Seducers shall abound in the Church of God in the last dayes, which the Apostle hath told us shall be perillous Times. Whence we may certainly conclude that whensoever these Locusts and Caterpillars shall abound a∣mongst us, then are the perillous times spoken of come upon us. And that we may the more infallibly know when those very Sectaries and Seducers are come, which are spoken of in these Prophecies, there are certain Marks and Characters stampt upon them by the Holy Ghost, whereby they may be easily and infallibly known to us. So the Apostle to his Prediction of Perillous times, subjoyns a large Description of those Erroneous Persons, who by their pernicious Practises, should make the times so pe∣rillous† 1.16. He describes them by very ma∣ny Characters (which we have already view'd) to which might many more be ad∣ded from several other places of Scripture,
wherein they are in their proper Colours represented to us. But it will be sufficient, as to our present purpose, to produce a few of the principal of them, to which many of the rest may easily be refer'd. These seducing spirits then, which raise Stormes in the State, and cause Confusions in the Church, may be known by these distinguish∣ing Marks and Characters, which follow.
FAlse-Teachers are very proud and highly [unspec I] conceited of their own Knowledge, not∣withstanding grosse ignorance of the great Mysteries of the Gospel, yea, the plain principles of Religion. The Apostle Paul ha∣ving recommended to Timothy the preach∣ing and pressing of the sound and Or∣thodox Doctrines of the Gospel, subjoynes this premonitory description of False Teachers.
* 1.17If any man (sayes he* 1.18) [be Heterodox, or] teach otherwise, and consent not to
wholesome words, e∣ven the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to Godlinesse, [or, come not to the sound preaching of the Gos∣pel:] He is PROUD [or puffed up, sc. with an opinion of his own knowledge, yet] KNOWING NOTHING [or, having no right un∣derstanding, no setled and solid knowledge of any thing] but doting [or, sick] about questions and strifes of words, whereof co∣meth Envy, Strife, Railings, Evil surmisings, Perverse disputings [chafing and galling one another with unprofitable Contentions] of men of corrupt Mindes, and DESTI∣TUTE OF THE [knowledge of the] TRUTH. Thus were these False-teachers as extreamly ignorant, as they were un∣sufferably Proud. So in the Apostles Pro∣phetick Premonition, wherein he repre∣sents them, as the Troublers of their Times, they are stil'd * 1.19 Boasters, Proud, High-minded.* 1.20
These are the Bubbles which we may see passing too and fro, in Pride and Pompe, upon the face of the Waters, when some
Tempest in the State hath troubled the wa∣ters of the Sanctuary. They appear beau∣tiful and glo••ious in the eyes of the simple, who are deceived with their Colours, when indeed there's nothing at all in them but winde and emptynesse. What glorious vaunts of knowledge have some Vile Sects made, who have been no better then the Glow∣wormes of the Night. Certain Sectaries in Aragon called themselves the * 1.21Illuminated, as if they onely had been in Light, and all the world besides in Dark∣nesse. Foolish People! that having a glimpse of the Sunne, thought it shone up∣on none in the world but themselves. The Nicholaitans and Valentinians called them∣selves GNOSTICKS (a name signifying Knowledge) as conceiting all others besides themselves, to be grosly ignorant of the great Mysteries of Religion. They might (perhaps) more fitly have been stiled Lu∣ciferians (for their Pride) as a pestilent Sect that arose up after them, were called upon another account. The first Founders of any Schismatical Society, built upon some Heretical Opinion, have ever been great pretenders to singular eminency of knowledge.
* 1.22All the Hereticks that have ever been, (saith holy Bernard) have had this one
Project in the chase of glory to make shew of singularity of Knowledge. The proud He∣retick Eunomius, boasted that he was able with his understanding to fathome the Depths of Gods Divinity, and to search in∣to his hidden Glory. But the wise Father Saint Basil, to convince him of his Igno∣rance, and the folly of his Arrogance, in thinking to measure the Ocean with his Cockle-shell, puzzled him with one and twen∣ty Questions about the Body of an Ant* 1.23. For this Pride of Knowledge, notwith∣standing grosse ignorance, St. Ambrose com∣pares Hereticks to an Owle.
* 1.24The Owle (sayes he) is after a mar∣vellous manner in∣lighten'd in Dark∣nesse, and blinded with Light. This Creature is a Figure of Hereticks. 'Tis true, as to their Pretences. But they pre∣tend they see, when they are blinde; and boast of their Light, when they are buried in Darknesse.
A Proud Heart is a Seed-plot of all Er∣rours. These Weeds grow apace in a rank soile. They are proud spirits which trample upon Pearles of Truth, which the children of God weare, as Jewels in their bosomes. Pride and Confidence are two principal In∣gredients of a Heretick. False Doctrines are, in Scripture, compar'd to Leaven,
which is of a swelling and rising Nature.* 1.25 The lightest eares of corne lift up their heads the highest, when those that are weightiest, being full of good graine, hang down their Heads. The light Corne braves it above the water, while the massy Gold sinks down to the bottome. Truth makes a so∣lid Judgement and an humble Heart, when Errour makes a vaine Minde, and a proud Spirit.
SEctaries and Seducers are wont to sepa∣rate [unspec II] themselves from communion with the true Church under pretence of the greater holinesse. They shun Communion with the Members of the true Church, for feare of Pollution, and separate themselves (as they pretend) into purer communion. Thus the Pharisees, Gnosticks, Adamites, the filthi∣est Sects, have done. These indeed made a Profession of more Purity then ordinary, but their Practises were well known to be full of Pollution. The Pharisees made a
faire shew outwardly, but within (by our Saviours own Testimony† 1.26) they were full or all manner of Filthinesse and Iniquity. Whence he fitly compares them to* 1.27 whi∣ted Sepulchres, which are Beautiful and splendid without, but full of Corruption, and Uncleannesse within. The Gnosticks who pretended to be wholely taken up with sublime Speculations, did yet so farre plunge themselves into the vilest Impuri∣ties, and filthiest Abominations, that the Name of Borborites (taken from Mire and Mud† 1.28) was fitly set upon them, as a Brand of Infamy, for the abhor'd loathsomnesse of their impure Conversations* 1.29. Thus while they would seeme to have their heads in Heaven, their feet stuck fast in the Mire and Clay of a filthy life: And while they would be thought to have escaped the pol∣lutions of the World through the KNOW∣LEDGE of the Lord Jesus, and the My∣steries of the Gospel, they returned with the dog to his own vomit, and as * 1.30The Sow that was washed to her wal∣lowing in the mire† 1.31. Not long after the Gnosticks, sprung up that filthy Sect of the Adamites, who un∣der that Name cloath'd their Nakednesse with the Pretences of the same Purity, that Adam had in his state of Innocency. But their very Principles led to Uncleannesse, and their Practices were full of Pollution.
For they held it unlawful for men or wo∣men to wear any cloaths in their Assem∣blies for worship, as a thing very unsuta∣ble to the Nature and intent of their meet∣ings, which were to be esteemed the one∣ly Paradise on Earth, wherein they were to enjoy the Pleasures of eternal Life, and not to expect them in Heaven. For as God brought Adam into his Paradise, so should Christians enter into theirs, na∣ked, casting away their Cloathes, as the Badges of their sin and shame, from which they were perfectly freed (which is both the Opinion and Practice of many Qua∣kers at this day) being perfectly pure and holy. In their Night-Assemblies (for that time they chose, as indeed fittest for their works of darknesse) after some extravagant Discourses of Religion (for they rejected Prayer as needlesse, seeing God knowes our wants without our Advertisement) they put out their Lights, and so committed all manner of Uncleannesse in their Promiscu∣ous Copulations. How fitly does the Apo∣stles Character and description of the un∣believing Gentiles pertaine unto them! Who* 1.32 having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, through the ignorance that is in them, because of the Blindnesse of their heart. And being past feeling, have given themselves over un∣to lasciviousnesse, to work all uncleannesse with greedinesse. So a Pestilent Sect (as
Sands relates it) sprang up not long since in Arag••n (whose Founders were a crew of their hypocritical Priests) who at the first professing a kinde of Angelical Purity, fell suddenly to the very contrary point of justifying Bestiality.
The Scripture speaks of such self-sepa∣rating Sectaries as these are, both in the Old Testament and the New, as a sort of men, notwithstanding their glorious Preten∣ces of holinesse and spirituality, justly o∣dious in the sight of God. Concerning such saith the Lord, by the Prophet Isaiah,† 1.33 I have spread out my hands all the day unto a rebellious People, which walketh in a way that was not good, after their own thoughts: a People that provoketh me to anger continually to my Face, that sacri∣ficeth in gardens, and burneth incense upon Altars of brick: which remaine among the Graves, and lodge in the Monuments, which eat swines flesh, and broth of abomi∣nable things is in their Vessels: which say, stand by thy self, come not near to me, for I AM HOLIER THEN THOU: These are a smoke in my nose, a fire that burneth all the day. Thus these profane Idolaters and wicked Necromancers, would needs (under pretence of greater Holinesse) separate themselves from all others, though members of the true Church, lest by Com∣munion with them, they should contract Pollution to themselves. So the* 1.34 Sama∣ritans,
for the same Reason, refused to hold so much as any Civil Correspondency with the Jews, though they were, (howe∣ver corrupt) the onely People at that time whereof consisted that Church of God, wherein onely men might, upon any Scri∣pture-ground, expect salvation† 1.35. Of such also does the Apostle Jude speak, when warning the believing Hebrews of Mock rs that should come in the last Time, who should walke after their own ungodly Lusts, he sayes, These be they who SEPARATE themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit. Vile hypocrites! who though they walked after the Lusts of the Flesh, should thus separate themselves from the society of the Saints, pretending (doubtlesse) therein to be led by the Spirit. Thus we see self-separation from the true Church is a Scripture Character of false-Teachers, and Seducers.
Amongst many such separations, that of the Donatists is, as to our present purpose, very considerable. The Father of this Sect was Donatus, a Numidian, who meerly out of Envy and Spite, because Cecilian was prefer'd before him to the Bishoprick of Carthage, and his devilish Designe which he conceiv'd hereupon, for the extirpati∣on of him and all the Bishops that ordain'd him, by a false accusation, fell to the ground, in Contempt of all their Churches, built up his Wall of Separation. And though by
his Pride, Envy, Lying, and Malice he had printed so many staines upon his own soul, yet had he the impudence to affirme, that could be no true Church which was not altogether without spot or blemish, and that such was the Church by him founded and father'd, and no other in the world. And yet they had no better Marks of their un∣stained Purity, then these following Articles of their Faith, viz. LIBERTY OF CONSCIENCE; that no man must be prest to the Practice of piety, but every man left to live as he list: TOLERA∣TION OF ERROURS; that the Magi∣strate might punish no man for his Opinion, though never so wicked in Matters of Re∣ligion: REBAPTIZATION OF BE∣LIEVERS; that Believers, Baptiz'd in their Infancy ought to be rebaptiz'd, be∣cause Infant-Baptisme was a Nullity: KILLING NO MURDER; that though the Magistrate might not by virtue of his Office punish any man for his Reli∣gion or conscience, yet they themselves, be∣ing thereto moved by the Spirit, might lawfully, and without any scruple, kill a∣ny man that was not of the Houshold of Faith (or rather of the Synagogue of Sa∣tan) if they had him at an advantage. But may we not say of them (and receive our warrant from our blessed Saviour)* 1.36 Ye are of your father the Devil, and the lusts of your Father ye will do: He was
a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the TRUTH, because there is NO TRUTH in him. When he speaketh a LYE, he speaketh of his own: For he is a LYAR, and the Father of it.
Now after a while this Church of the Donatists was divided in it self, and so one separation still springing from another, it at length expir'd in a fruitful Dissolution. For, as Vipers are said to have a bloody Birth by the Death of the Dam, thus is∣su'd from the Bleeding Bowels of this di∣vided Church, many petty Congregations, and yet all of them in some of the foremen∣tion'd Features and Lineaments, somewhat resembling both Father and Mother. Thus was the Schismatical Confederacy, which at first rent it self from the true Church, minc't and mangled, as Augustine speakes,* 1.37Into small shreds of Society, amongst whom there was nothing retain'd, but a few rags of Religion, which were not suf∣ficient to hide their Nakednesse, either from the eyes of God or men. The chief of these Sub-Sects was that of the Circum∣cellions, so called from their Cells and Cot∣tages, in which they liv'd separated from all Society, that they might have the more freedome for the use of certain Austeri∣ties (as they pretended) for self-mortifi∣cation.
But the truth is they rather lurkt in them as Lions in their Dens, to take the better advantage for the exercise of their cruelty in the murder of Innocents. For without touch of humanity these bloody Mon∣sters would barbarously murther all they met with, that were not of their Religion, whereby they became more dangerous then High-way Robbers, and more detestable then the vilest of men, as being Enemies to mankind. And thus at length did that separated Church, which gloried in its singular sanctity, produce a Company of common Cut-throats. And by all this we see that Seducers are justly Stigma∣tiz'd with this brand of SEPARA∣TISTS.
They are such as have a high Opinion of themselves, though never so bad, and a low Opinion of others, though never so good; and so they separate themselves from the Saints, as being too good for their Society. But we know that God himself vouchsafes to be present in the Assemblies of his Saints† 1.38. These therefore are by the Apo∣stle fitly stiled, * 1.39Lovers of them∣selves, but despisers of those that are good* 1.40. And therefore however they may make a glorious Profession of godliness, if we duly consider their Properties and Practices, they are such as carry a flat
contradiction to that golden Rule of the Gospel;† 1.41 Let nothing be done through strife or vain glory, but in lowlinesse of minde, let each esteeme other better then them∣selves.
It's true, some of them, it may be, are of a Life unblamable; But, * 1.42Heresie is not to learne the Art of Lying, which it can performe, not with the lips onely, but with the Life also: If you demand an account of their Faith, there is nothing more Christian; if you make enquiry of their Conversation, its most unblamable; and look what they affirme in their words, they'l by their works confirme it. But the more holy they are in appearance, the more hurt∣ful. An unblamable life is the fittest Field for Satan to set his snares in to take decei∣ved souls. The Serpent hath a beautiful skin, but a deadly sting. A beautiful Har∣lot shall have the most Followers. Beautiful and glorious Appearances oft vaile the foul∣est and filthiest Abominations. The great WHORE comes forth in a glorious Dresse; and gives her Lovers Poyson to drink in a golden Cup. Behold her as she is repre∣sented to us in the Coelestial Mirrour of the REVELATION. And (sayes John the
Divine† 1.43) the woman was aray'd in Purple, and Scarlet-colour, and decked with gold, and precious stone, and Pearles, having a golden Cup in her hand, full of Abomi∣nations and filthinesse of her Fornication. The Spouse of Christ is not more glorious in her Apparel and Ornaments, then this Mother of Abominations. A Scarlet Robe may cover an ulcerous Body. The Plague of Errours may be upon a man that wears cloth of Gold in his Conversation. Satan never shews himself so much a Devil, as when he appears like an Angel of Light. And if Satan himself is thus transformed into an Angel of Light, it is no great thing if his Ministers also be transformed as the Ministers of righteousnesse, whose end shall be according to their works* 1.44.
[unspec III] SEducers are wont with enticing words to deceive weak and unstable soules, but to load them that are sound and stedfast in the Faith, with vile Invectives, and railing Ac∣cusations. They can hide both Honey and
Gall under their tongue: they drop honey with their words, when they would deceive; and mix their speeches with Gall, when they mean to revile. Their soft and silken words are snares to take the simple; their sharp and cruel speeches are swords to slay the Innocent. Yet it is lesse danger to be wounded by their sharpest reproaches, then to be won by their sugred speeches. For while their Reproaches cast upon the righ∣teous, do (as Arrows shot against a wall of Adamant) recoile upon themselves, their Deceivings prove (as a Potion of deadly poyson) the destruction of others; so that their words are, in effect, swords to slay, those whom they are snares to take. So that Davids description of his deceitful enemy† 1.45, is fitly applyable to them: The words of their mouth are smoother then But∣ter, but war is in their heart: their words are softer then Oyle, yet are they drawn swords. The Apostle Paul giving the Ro∣manes a Caution concerning them, subjoyns thereunto a description of them by this very property and Practice. Now I beseech you, (sayes he* 1.46) Brethren, Mark them which cause Divisions and Offences, contra∣ry to the Doctrine which ye have learned, and avoid them. For they that are such, serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own Belly,
* 1.47And by good words and faire speeches, [or, by plausible and pious Expressi∣ons] deceive [se∣duce, or lead out of the way, as the High-way Robber does the unwary Traveller, that fol∣lows him without suspition of any harme] the heart of the simple [of poore innocent and harmlesse People.] Thus the silly Birds, deceived with the Fowlers Call, are taken in his Net. There's ever a deadly hook under the dainty Baits, which these subtile Seducers (expert in the Art of Angling for souls) cast amongst these poore, simple, ignorant people. They gild over their blackest and bitterest Pills (their vilest soul-destroying Errours) with glori∣ous pretences, or roll them in Sugar (of soft and sweet expressions) that their poor deluded patients may be tempted to take them to their own Destruction. The Apo∣stle warnes the believing Hebrews of them, telling them the intent of these their fine speeches, and subtile insinuations, sayes he, * 1.50With feigned words [with plaister'd phra∣ses] will they make
Merchandise of you† 1.51. Their language is a kinde of spiritual Enchantment, whereby many souls are* 1.52 bewitcht into a belief of their erroneous opinions, insomuch as they give an unquestion'd entertainment to their damnable Doctrines, and give themselves up to be guided by them in their pernicious wayes. Thus do Seducers draw Disciples after them, whom by the Musick of a smooth tongue, they make to dance all the changes of their wild opinions.
But we have yet beheld but one side of the Image of their Words or Discourse, which as it looks one way, does (as we have seene) appear beautiful as an Angel, but if we consider it on the other side, it presents the foulest Fiend. These that bespeak their followers with these faire and flattering speeches, when they speak of those that upon just and holy grounds oppose their e∣vil and ungodly wayes, are wont to use the most railing and reproachful language that their leud imaginations can invent. If you cannot afford them your favourable opinion, and account them the children of God, what shall you presently heare from them, but Thou childe of the Devil! But (alas) how justly may this be retorted upon themselves! Railing is surely the Lan∣guage of Hell (not the Dialect of Hea∣ven) and it does but too sadly discover them that use it (whatever they professe or pre∣tend) to be the children of the Devil.
Now this Railing-language is a Scrip∣ture-Character of those Seducers, of whose coming in the last times, the Apostles have warn'd us by the Spirit of Prophecy. For thus are they describ'd to us;† 1.53 Pre∣sumptuous are they, and self-will'd, they slight Government and despise Dominion, and * 1.54They are not afraid to speak evil of Dig∣nities [they tremble not to cast slande∣rous reproaches up∣on worthy and honourable Persons.] Whereas Angels, which are greater in Power and Might, bring not† 1.56 a RAILING ACCUSATION against them before the Lord. For, Michael, the Arch-Angel, when contending with the Devil, he dispu∣ted about the Body of Moses,
* 1.57Durst not bring a∣gainst him a railing Accusation [or, he was not so bold as to JUDGE and CURSE him] but said, The Lord rebuke thee. But these as Natural† 1.59 Bruit-Beasts [being as well bru∣tish in their Behaviours, as sottish in their Opinions, unreasonable in their Reasonings and Revilings] made to be taken and de∣stroy'd* 1.60, speak evil of the things that they understand not [they wickedly blaspheme those Mysteries of Religion which are a∣bove
their apprehension] and shall utter∣ly perish in their own Corruption. Thus the speaking evil of Dignities, the Reviling and Railing upon Magistrates and Ministers, is made a certaine Character of the vilest sort of Seducers. These because they cannot spit their poyson in the Face of God him∣self, spit it in the faces of those, who in respect of their office, do bear his Image. Their spite and malice principally vents it self against the Ministers of the Gospel, concerning whom Christ hath said,† 1.61 He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you, despiseth me, and he that de∣spiseth me, despiseth him that sent me. And surely was Christ himself upon earth, such men would not stick to raile upon him and revile him. We shall the more easily be∣lieve it, if we call to minde the carriage of the Sect of the Pharisees. These were a peo∣ple that used many Austerities, and pre∣tended to more then ordinary Purity, and yet there is no man that hath read the Gospel, but knows how fearfully they abused the Sonne of God, with their scornfull Railings and Reproaches. Yea, these vile wretches did not feare to screw up their malicious Railings and Revilings of CHRIST into the highest and most hel∣lish Blasphemies. They wickedly went a∣bout to represent the Sonne of God, the SAVIOUR of the world, as a SORCE∣RER, and one that dealt with the Devil.
They did not stick to say, he wrought those Miracles by the power of the Devill* 1.62, which were the wonderful works of God. Yea, they feared not to call him DEVIL, and† 1.63 Beelzebub the Prince of the Devils, who was and is GOD blessed for evermore. Now, sayes our Saviour* 1.64, The Disciple is not a∣bove his Master, nor the Servant above his Lord. It is enough for the Disciple that he be as his Master, and the servant as his Lord: if they have called the Master of the House Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his houshold. It's our Honour, who are the Ministers of the Gospel, that the Lord hath made us not onely his Servants, but the† 1.65 Stewards of his House. Seeing then the Master of the House hath undergone such reproaches from the vilest of men, let not us think it strange if we be reviled and railed upon by men of the like spirit, with the most Op∣probrious Names of Dog and Devil.
Now what's the designe of these Seducers herein, but the bringing the Ministry of the Gospel into contempt, that having by this meanes fasten'd many Prejudices in the mindes of the People against the Preachers of the Gospel, they might the more easily draw them off from their Attendance up∣on the sound Doctrine by them deliver'd to the embracement of their owne Erro∣neous Opinions. For, as Saint Augustine well observes,
* 1.66Hereticks, when they can neither stain nor cloud the Sunne of SCRIPTURE-TRUTH, which spreads its Beames throughout the Church of Christ, and is ac∣counted its glory, en∣deavour by disgraces to darken the Stars, by Reproaches to cast an Odium upon them by whom this Truth is preached; For of them they can freely speak whatsoever their minde (or malice) can invent.
And this their Malice against the Mi∣nisters of the Gospel, they manifest by per∣secuting them, as Cain; by Cursing them, with Balaam; by opposing and contradicting them, by exalting themselves into their sacred Office, as Corah. And therefore sayes the Apostle Jude,† 1.67 Woe unto them, for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the errour of Balaam for reward, and perished in the Gain-saying of Core. They are* 1.68 raging Waves of the Sea, foming out their own shame. For what are these vile reproaches which issue from their mouths, but the fome of that cruel Rage which boyleth in their hearts? They utter many hard speeches against the chil∣dren of God, and especially against the Ministers of the Gospel, that oppose their
damnable Doctrines, and soul-destroying o∣pinions. They are Murmurers and Com∣plainers of good Governours who restraine them, and Flatterers and Admirers of wicked leaders, who countenance and en∣courage them. But their doome hath been declar'd long ago, as appears by that most ancient Prophecy, which the Apostle Jude mentions and applies to this very sort of Seducers. For, Enoch (sayes he† 1.69) the se∣venth from Adam prophecy'd of these, say∣ing, Behold the Lord cometh with ten thou∣sands of his Saints, to execute judgement upon all, and to convince all that are un∣godly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches, which ungodly sinners have spoked against him. These are Murmu∣rers, Complainers, walking after their own lusts, and their mouth speaketh great swel∣ling words, having mens Persons in Admi∣ration because of advantage.
These snarling Sectaries are still quar∣relling at the Doctrines of the Gospel, de∣liver'd by the Ministers of Christ, and crying up the wilde Notions of their own Braine in opposition thereunto. For as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so (sayes the Apostle Paul* 1.70) do these also re∣sist the TRUTH; men of corrupt mindes, reprobate [or of no judgement† 1.71] concern∣ing the Faith. Herein they are but the Devils Agents sent forth to oppose Christs Ambassa∣dours. For,
* 1.72Hereticks by the Instigation of the Devil, do under the Name of Christians oppose the Name of Christ.
We read in the Book of Job† 1.73, that when the Sonnes of God came to present themselves before the LORD, Satan came also among them. So when the children of God come to present themselves before the Lord, in the Assemblies of his Saints, to seek his Face in the Beauties of holi∣nesse, and to be instructed in his will re∣vealed in his word, these Agents of Satan will likewise sometimes come amongst them, but 'tis onely with this devilish De∣signe, to make some opposition to the Mi∣nisters of the word, and to subvert the Faith of the Hearers, by some contradicti∣on of the Doctrines of the Gospel by them deliver'd. 'Twas not then without cause that Saint Cyprian makes this complaint of them; * 1.74They often resort to us, but 'tis ra∣ther with a designe to contradict, then a desire to learne the Truth which is taught them; and then setting up their Note, they make a fearful bauling, and will
needs impudently ur••e their own Opinions, rather then patiently h••are our Instru∣ctions.
This Spirit of Contradiction, had they but once power in their Hands, would soon be turn'd into the Sword of Persecuti∣on. Yea, this very† 1.75 Contradiction of sin∣ners is one kinde and degree of the Perse∣cution of the Saints. And therefore sayes Augustine, * 1.76Let us hold them to be the Persecutors that kill the Pro∣phets, whom we finde to be the persons that contradict their Prophecies.
These railing Apostates, these slander∣ing Seducers are by the Apostle called * 1.77DEVILS, being indeed like to the•••• great Master, in that they are FALS••-ACCUSERS of the Brethren the children of God. Doubtlesse Railing and Reviling is not the Language of the Spirit of God, by which they pretend to speak. Alas they know not what ••pirit they are of. But we know, 'tis not the property of Sheep to bark and bite, but of* 1.78 Dogs and† 1.79 Wolves: And by the names of these hurtful and cru∣el creatures we finde Seducers to be set forth in the Holy Scriptures. When ever therefore in discourses of the Things of Heaven, we heare from any man this
Language of Hell, we may well say,* 1.80 Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech bewrayeth thee.
There are two other Characters by which the Holy Ghost does in a special manner de∣scribe these Seducers, which I shall but briefly represent, partly because I have already toucht upon them, and partly be∣cause they arise from latent Properties, by which we cannot so easily discerne them.
SEducers, however pretending Piety and [unspec IV] Contempt of the World, do indeed pursue worldly Profits, and secular Advantages. They so manage the matters of Religion as† 1.81 supposing that gain is godlinesse. They* 1.82 through COVETOUSNES, with feigned words, make Merchandise of poore sedu∣ced People. They cry out against Cove∣tousnesse in others, that themselves may pass more unsuspected in the guilt of this secret sin, this spiritual† 1.83 Idolatry. Thus
while they condemne others for Covetous∣nesse, themselves are condemn'd by their own Conscience. And therefore was not the conscience of these men cauteriz'd, they would find such Tumults within themselves, as would make them take little delight in troubling others. But these are they who* 1.84 speak lies in hypocrisie, having their con∣sciences seared with a hot Iron. These are indeed the Troublers of Israel, and how fairly soever they carry it, the golden Wedge may be found in their Tents. A heart they have exercised with covetous Practices† 1.85. This is the Testimony of the Searcher of Hearts, of Truth it self, against which there can be no exception. These are they whom we have but now, by Scripture-Evidences, convicted of cursing the Israel of God, who† 1.86 run greedily after the Errour of Balaam for a REWARD. They are indeed, as they are stil'd by the Apostle, * 1.87LOVERS OF SILVER, though Boasters of Saintship; and admirers of Gold, more then followers of Godlinesse. How∣ever they falsely grave upon their Church, HOLINES TO THE LORD, they can truly write upon their Coine, GOD WITH US.
[unspec V] Seducers are such also as while they boast of spiritual Liberty, are in Bondage to fleshly lusts. Spiritual Pollution is usually
accompanied with corporal Defilement. These filthy Dreamers do defile the Flesh† 1.88. They are by the Apostle called, * 1.89INCONTI∣NENT, (perhaps) for their being carried headlong to Acts of Ʋncleannesse, by their unbridel'd† 1.90 Lusts. For these are they* 1.91 who walk after the Flesh in the Lust of UNCLEANNES,† 1.92 turn∣ing the grace of God into LASCIVIOUSNES. Oft while they have Holinesse in their mouth, they have an Adulteresse in their Eye. So sayes the Apostle,* 1.93 They have Eyes full of Adultery [or,† 1.94 an Adulteresse] and that cannot cease from sin. Yea, many Se∣ducers are no better then* 1.95 Sodomites.
Corrupt Opinions are usually accompani∣ed with lewd Practices, with filthy Lives. The Nicholaitans, Carpocratians, Adamites, and several other Hereticks, did profes∣sedly give themselves over to a loose and libidinous life. Community of Wives was an Article of their Creed, and promiscuous Adulteries were their constant Practice. The Bohemian Adamites, when they desi∣red to satisfie their beastly Lusts, were wont to say, My spirit is waxed hot to∣wards such a woman: To whom he that was the head of the Faction would reply, Go, and replenish the Earth. In all Ages, the Churches (if we may so call them without defiling a Name so sacred) which have been founded and father'd by false-Teachers
and Seducers, have been† 1.96 Cages of unclean Birds.
But it's Time we get out of this filth and mire for fear of defilement. Behold then, for a close of this Characteristical discourse, the fittest Characters, filthy conversation, and fearful conclusion of these vile Apo∣states, these deluding Dreamers, and self-deceiving Seducers, as represented to us by the Apostle Peter, in his Prophetick Premonition concerning them, which he penned by the conduct of the holy Spirit for a perpetual Caution to the Christian Church. These (sayes he† 1.97) are wells with∣out water, Clouds that are carried with a Tempest, to whom the Mist [or Blacknesse* 1.98] of darknesse is reserved for ever. For when they speak great swelling words of Vanity, they allure through the LUSTS of the FLESH, through much WANTONNES, those that were cleane escaped from them who live in ERROUR. While they promise them Liberty, they themselves are the ser∣vants of Corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in Bon∣dage. For if after they have escaped the POLLUTIONS of the world, through the Knowledge of the Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, they are again intangled there∣in, and overcome; the LATTER END is worse with them then the BEGINNING. For it had been better for them not to have known the way of Righteousnesse, then after
••••ey have known it, to turne from the holy Commandment deliver'd unto them. But it 〈◊〉〈◊〉 happened unto them according to the true Proverb, The Dog is turned to his own vomit again, and ••he So•• that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.
Thus we have seen the Characters of Se∣ducers, whereby we may know when, ac∣cording to the Scripture Predictions, they are come amongst us: Come we now to con∣sider in what cases the times are to be ac∣counted evil and p••rillous, upon the account of the Errours introduc'd, and false-worship maintain'd by these over-active Agents of Satan, for the distu••bing of the Peace of the Kingdome of Christ, and the promo∣ting of the interests of the Kingdom of dark∣nesse in the world.
VVHen Liberty of conscience is plead∣ed, [unspec I] for an unlimited (or ill∣limited)
Toleration of irregularities in O∣pinion and Practice, the Times are justly to be accounted evil and perillous. The CONSCIENCE of man is indeed the COURT of God, but it hath no obli∣ging power but from Gods command. No man indeed may command or can compell the conscience. Its subjected solely to the Law and Soveraignty of God. The Will of God, as manifested by the light of Nature, as the Moral Law, or by Divine Revela∣tion, as the commands of the Gospel, is the onely Law which layes an Obligation upon the conscience of man, or whereunto a man is purely out of conscience bound to yeeld obedience. As for the Laws of men, they lay not an Obligation upon the Con∣science, neither is any man bound out of conscience to obey them, any further then he is thereunto ob••ig'd by the Law of God, by which every humane Ordinance and constitution is ratifi'd, which is founded in a lawful Authority. And therefore sayes the Scripture;† 1.99 submit your selves to every* 1.100 Ordinance of man for the Lords sake, whether it be to the King as Supreame; or unto Governours, as unto them that are sent by him for the Punishment of evil Do∣ers, and for the Praise of them that do well. Subjection and obedience then is due to every lawful Magistrate by the Word of God; yea, and every Christian ought out of conscience to yeeld it to him.† 1.101 For he
is the Minister of God, a revenger to ex∣ecute wrath upon him that doth evil. Where∣fore (sayes the Apostle) ye must needs be subject not onely for wrath [i. e. for feare of punishment] but also for CONSCI∣ENCE sake. Yet is not the conscience herein to be subjected to any Law of man, but onely to the Law of God requiring this subjection and obedience to the Civil Ma∣gistrate for the preservation of Order and good Government in the world. For as it is the highest degree of Spiritual T••ranny for any to lay the* 1.102 Yoke of any humane Laws or Constitutions, whether Civil or Eccle∣siastical, upon the Neck of the Conscien∣ces of men; so is it no lesse then the sin of Idolatry for any to subject their Consci∣ences to any such Laws or Constitutions, seeing it is Gods Prerogative Royal to be the LORD of the CONSCIENCE. He onely can give a Law to binde the heart and conscience, who can discerne when that Law is broken or kept, and accordingly give forth a righteous Punishment or a Re∣ward of grace. The Conscience then is not, may not be subjected to the Will of Man, but onely to the Law of God, his Will revealed in his Word.
But now when the Law of God (the one∣ly adequate Rule of the Conscience) is de∣clar'd, his Will is reveal'd in his Word, it's altogether absurd to imagine that the conscience of man (which in this re∣spect† 1.103,
is but the* 1.104 Keeper of Gods Court-Rolls) should oblige to any thing that is contrary to it, or should absolve a man from an Obligation to yeeld obedience thereunto. To plead Liberty of Conscience therefore for the divulging of wicked Opini∣ons contrary to the clear and manifest truths of the Word of God; and for the Pra••t••se of grosse Impieties, as in decrying the Or∣dinances and worship of God, command∣ed in his Word, and the setting up a false worship in the roome of it, contrary to the expresse Rules of the Gospel, this must needs be a sore Evil, and a very great Provocation of the most high God; especi∣ally when such wretched men shall be fa∣vour'd, protected, encourag'd, in so unjust a claime to this sinful Liberty, by those that are in Authority or Power, who ought to take care that the Law of God be kept, that they might set a Crown of Praise upon the head of them that do well, and be a† 1.105 Terror to evil Doers, by whom it is viola∣ted. When this Liberty is thus granted and used, the times must needs be pe∣rillous.
To plead Liberty of Conscience for an Exemption from any Obli••ation to the em∣bracement of the Truth revealed, the at∣tendance upon the Ordinances instituted, the discharge of the Duties enjoyned in the Word of God, is to break open a wide gap, to all manner of Licentiousnesse, which is
the ready way to pluck the Judgements of God down upon the Land. This is to make the Conscience which is a Court wherein the Laws of God are to be pleaded, to become a Consistory, wherein a man shall be impowered to absolve himself from any of Gods Laws, and shall take the freedom to act in all things according to his own Prescriptions. What can be im••gin'd to be more Irrational and Atheistical then this? This must needs be an Inlet to all manner of Abominations. Even they that blaspheme God, pluck the Lord J••sus (as much as in them lies) from the Throne of his Deity, be••y the Holy Ghost in charging the vilest Errours upon the holy Spirit of Truth, trample upon the precious Ordinances of the Gospel and pretend to be above them, revile, reproach, and curse the children of God, and when they have opportunity persecute them to the death, even these will for these wicked Opinions and Practices plead Liberty of Conscience. Intolerable Impudence! Damnable Impiety!
Now such weeds as these grow apace un∣der the favourable Influences of the higher Plan••ts. This Liberty once indulg'd will soon become abundantly fruitful in the worst of Evils. Let this Jubile (the year of General Release) be but once proclaim'd, and the Church of God shall soone feele the sad and woful effects thereof. Leave every man but to walk in his own way, and
we shall soone see the Vineyard of God troden down, while its continually traverst in a thousand crosse and crooked paths. Thus when there was no King in Israel, every one did that which was right in his own eyes* 1.106. And what was this, but every one might be as wicked and licentious as he list? These were perillous Times in Israel. But when the Bounds of sinne are removed, the Banks of the Sea of Gods Wrath shall be broken up, and his Judge∣ments shall break forth as mighty Waters upon such sinners. So sayes the Lord by the Prophet Hosea,† 1.107 The Princes of Judah were like them that remove the bound; therefore I will poure my Wrath upon them like Water.
Thus when that liberty is contended for which tends to Licentiousnesse, when Impie∣ty is grown so impudent as to plead for Impunity, the Dayes are evil, the Times are perillous. But if the Opinion (favour'd) be so perillous, the Practice (allow'd) must needs be extreamly pernicious. If the Seed be so bitter, what fruit can we expect it should bring forth but Gall and Wormwood? This Provocation therefore is capable of a higher Degree, which must needs be produ∣ctive of the greater Peril; as in the next case.
VVHen Errour and False-worship [unspec II] hath as much Countenance and Protection from men in Authority as Truth and the true worship of God, the Times must needs be perillous. When the Harlot hath equal favour with the Queen, and the Stews as strong a guard as the Palace. When Thieves and Robbers shall be as quietly per∣mitted, and as fully protected in stealing and robbing as the faithful Shepheard in watching his Flock, and painful Labourer in working in the vine-yard. When Mad∣men shall be suffer'd to go up and down with naked swords in their hands, to kill and slay all that are not able to resist them. When Plague-sick men shall have freedome to walk the streets; and our Enemies full li∣berty to impoyson our Springs. When a Guard shall be granted to them that come to throw Baits of Wild-fire into the City of God, for the kindling of those fires that cannot be quenched. When men shall be protected in their undermining the founda∣tions of the House of God, and in bringing
in their Powder and March to blow it up. When those shall be admitted Stewards of Divine Mysteries, who put Poyson into the meat of the Kings children, the Times must needs be sad and perillous. When illitera••e Mechanicks shall be allow'd to be publick Preachers, who shall confidently vent the grossest Errours for glorious Truths. When those that publickly cast contempt upon the Call of the Ministry, upon that Ordinance of God, which is the onely Gos∣pel-way for the Investment of fit persons with Ministerial Authoritie, ORDINA∣TION shall be suffer'd to usurp the Mi∣nisterial Office, and impudently to chal∣lenge the Churches Dowry, meerly so violating of her Chastity, or if that faile, for falsely accusing her to be be a Harlot. When so wide a Gap shall be cut out by the Sword into this sacred Function, that Po∣pish Priests and Jesuites, in a Disguise, may enter in, and have as much Counte∣nance and Encouragement as the ablest Or∣thodox Minister of the Gospel. When a Schismatick shall be the onely Chirurgion allow'd to heale the Churches Breaches; and a Wolfe shall be set over the Flock of Christ; and the Souls of men shall be com∣mitted to the charge of one of the chiefe Agents of Satan, are not these Dayes of Danger and Distress, perillous Times?
When multitudes of discordant opinions, and Diversities of Religion, or wayes of
worship are tolerated by the Civil Magi∣strate, in his Dominion, the Church of Christ is turn'd into a Chaos of Confusion. This indeed was a piece of the Pagan-Poli∣cy of the* 1.108 Egyptian Kings, for the pre∣vention of whatever Conspiracies might prove prejudicial to their Establishment in their Kingdome. For with what Rigour soever they rul'd over the People subject∣ed to their Scepter, while they kept them at a Di••••ance one from another by Diver∣sities of Religion, they judg'd there was lesse danger of their conspiring together, or uniting their strength to cast off the Yoke and Burden laid upon them. For still one Faction would be jealous of another, and so while they were divided by different de∣signes, they could hardly be ever united in one Common Interest. But it must needs go ill with the Church of Christ when such carnal and cursed Policies have place in a Christian Common-wealth. Hereunto there∣fore we shall oppose what we finde in the learned and judicious Casuist Baldwin, upon this Question; * 1.109Whether it be con∣sistent with Peace of Conscience & publick safety to admit of more then one Religion in a well-constituted Common-Wealth?
Having mention'd the Opinions and
Judgement of some others in this matter he thus concludes, * 1.110It is therefore con∣fessed on all Hands, that, that Magistrate does grievously sin a∣gainst GOD and his Subjects, who volun∣tarily admits, re∣ceives, cherishes, or without any necessity, retains divers Religi∣ons in the Common-Wealth, which he might have made Pro∣vision against. For he does no other then in∣troduce a confused ig∣norance and opinion of God (which Plato call'd the chiefest Plague of all Com∣mon-wealths) foras∣much as he destroys the foundation of all humane society, who is injurious to Religi∣on.
Wherefore Tholo∣sanus judged that if a Magistrate should admit of whatsoever Religions should a∣rise,
he was proceed∣ed against as an un∣derminer of the Com∣mon-wealth, and a privy traytor to his Countrey, and so not on∣ly to be deprived of his Authority and Dig∣nity of governing, but also if he was a King, of his Kingdome and Dominions, which should become a prey and possession to them which should have freed them from such a plague; and this he asserts to be done by a new constitution of the Emperour Frede∣rick.
This resolve I shall leave to the censure of them that shall peruse it; only this I shall say (& that I conceive upon a sufficient ground) that an Authoritative Allowance and publick Protection of diversities of Opinion & Practice, about the Fundamentals of Doctrine and Wor∣ship, in the same Religion, is every whit as pernicious as the Toleration of different Re∣ligions. For as in the liberty of different Religions, People are in danger to be drawn off from the true Religion to a false, so does the allowance of different opinions and practices about fundamentals, tend to the utter subversion of the true Religion, to the manifest and inevitable Ruine and Destruction of mens pretious and immortal soules. The Magistratical Protection then of Errours in Religion, and different ways of Worship, swarving from the rule of the Word of God, must needs speak the times
perillous; especially when this LIBERTI∣NISME shall be establisht by LAW, rec∣kon'd amongst the just rights and Priviledges of the People of God, and accounted a GLORIOUS LIBERTY. When the Plague is thus far broke out a∣mongst us, we may all write upon our Doors, LORD HAVE MERCY UPON US.
[unspec III] VVHen men shall mock Gods messen∣gers, and abuse his Ambassa∣dours, the times are evil and perillous. This is a sad Symptome of approaching judge∣ments. God is infinite in Patience, but this is a sinne so highly provoking, that God can bear no longer, he cannot (I may well say, with Scripture-warrant) with-hold his hand from punishing such a people. For 'tis the highest abuse of his richest Mercy, and gracious condescention to the children of men. Shall the Lord send his Messen∣gers with messages of Love; his Ambassa∣dours with Embassies of Peace to a sinning,
a provoking People, that deserve to be visited with Judgement and destroy'd in his Wrath, and shall those vile sinners dare to affront and abuse them, yea, deal with them as Malefactors, rather then the Lords Mi∣nisters; must not this needs provoke the Lord to arme his Justice with vengeance a∣gainst such a people, and to punish them without Mercy, in the execution of his sorest Judgements? This was the sinne which made the state of the Jews desperate and deplorable. This the Lord charges upon them as a higher Provocation then their I∣dolatries, for which therefore he visited them with remedilesse punishments. This, this was that sin of the Jews for which God de∣liver'd them up into Captivity, and brought an utter destruction upon the City Jerusa∣lem. For thus does the Lords charge stand upon perpetual Record against them in ho∣ly Scripture.* 1.113 Moreover all the chief of the Priests, and the People transgressed very much, after all the Abominations of the Heathen, and polluted the House of the LORD, which he had hallowed in Jerusa∣lem. And the LORD God of their Fa∣thers sent to them by his Messengers, rising up betimes† 1.114, and sending; because he had compassion on his People, and on his dwelling place. But they MOCKED the MES∣SENGERS of God, and despised his words, and MISUSED his PROPHETS, until the wrath of the LORD arose against his
People, till there was no REMEDY. There∣fore he brought upon them the King of the Chaldees, who slew their young men with the sword, in the house of their Sanctuary, and had no compassion upon young man or maiden, old man, or him that stooped for age: he gave them all into his hand. And all the vessels of the House of God great and small, and the Treasures of the House of the LORD, and the Treasures of the King, and of his Princes; all these he brought to Babylon. And they burnt the House of God, and brake down the wall of JERUSALEM, and burnt all the Palaces thereof with Fire, and destroy'd all the goodly Vessels thereof. And them that had escaped from the Sword car∣ry'd he away to Babylon: where they were servants to him and his sonnes, until the Reigne of the King of Persia. Thus great were the calamities, sore were the Judgements with which God plagued the people of Judah for the contempt, re∣proach and scorne which they cast upon his Prophets and Messengers, which he sent in his mercy to them.
Abuse of Ambassadours is a high Crime of State, a barbarous villany, violating the LAW of NATIONS. Princes are wont to write such Crimes in the Blood of the guilty, unlesse where an Arme of Power is wanting to weild the Sword of Justice. The contempt and reproach which is cast upon Ambassadours reflects upon the
King that sent them. Abuse of the Lords Ambassadors is a high offence, a fearful Crime committed against the LAW of GRACE. The contempt and reproach cast upon them reflects upon God himself. He that despiseth them, despiseth CHRIST, despiseth GOD* 1.115. Now it's just with God in this case to call home his Ambassadours, and to denounce WAR against those his† 1.116 E∣NEMIES which have abus'd them, or be∣ing in place and Power, have suffer'd the abuse to go unpunisht.
When David thought to shew kindnesse to Hanun, and sent his Ambassadours to comfort him after the Death of his Father, and they were shamefully treated, and vil∣lanously abused by him, David raised WAR against him and his people to destroy them* 1.117. The Gospel is a Letter of Com∣fort, which God, the King of Heaven, sends by the hands of his Ambassadours, the Ministers of the Gospel, to poore mi∣serable sinners, involv'd in manifold suf∣ferings and sorrows upon the Death of their Father, ADAM, with Commission to com∣fort them; and to this end to invite them to a sumptuous† 1.118 FEAST, richly furnish't with the choicest Dainties, which he hath provided for them. But now when these unthankful wretches shall abuse and vilifie the Lords Ambassadours, how do ye think will he deal with them? But perhaps you'l think, this is so high a degree of
Basenesse and Ingratitude, that its not to be imagin'd that any men should be found so void of all virtue and humanity as to be guilty of it. Hear then a true Relati∣on from the Lords own mouth, of that Re∣ception which some of these sinners gave the Lords Ambassadours, and of the sad effects and consequents thereof. The first mes∣sengers being shamefully repulsed,* 1.119 Again he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold I have pre∣par'd my Dinner: my Oxen and my Fat∣lings are killed, and all things are ready: Come unto the† 1.120 FEAST, but they made light of it, and went their wayes, one to his Farme, another to his Merchandise: and the Remnant took his servants and entreated them spitefully, and slew them. But when the King heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his ARMIES, and destroy'd those MURDERERS, and burnt up their City. Thus ill do men requite the Lord for his love: thus severely does the Lo••d revenge the reproach and wrong of∣fer'd to his Servants, the Ministers of the Gospel.
When the Lord of the Vineyard sends his servants to the Husbandmen, to whom he hath left his Vine-yard, and they abuse them, how will he deale with these Hus∣bandmen? He will miserably destroy those wicked men, and will let out his Vineyard unto other Husbandmen, which shall render
him the fruits in their Season* 1.121. For this sin, after the return of the rebellious Jews from the Babylonish Captivity, wherewith God had severely scourg'd them, for full† 1.122 threescore and ten years, for this sin, did the Lord utterly and finally destroy the Ci∣ty Jerusalem, and lay the whole land deso∣late. Heare the Lord Jesus Christ for this making that most pathetical Lamen∣tation over this rebellious City, and fore∣telling its ruine. O Jerusalem, Jerusalem (sayes he* 1.123) thou that killest the Prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children to∣gether, even as a Hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! Behold your house is left unto you desolate. For I say unto you, ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the Name of the Lord.
When King Philip had besieged Athens, and put the City into much distress, he promised to raise his siege, if they would give him in hostage ten of the ablest A∣thenian Orators. But Demosthenes to di∣vert the Athenians from answering his de∣sire by closing in with this Overture, made use of this Apologue. The Wolves (said he) desired a League with the Shepherds, upon this condition that the cause of their strife might be taken away, which was the Shepherds Mastiffs. This granted, and the sheep deprived of their Guard, the ra∣venous
Wolves feasted their cruel hunger, and satisfi'd their thirst of blood at the shepherds cost, by a fearlesse preying upon the poore slaughter'd sheep. Just thus (said he) would Philip deal with you, if once you should yeeld to deliver unto him your vigilant Watchmen, your faithful Orators. Alas, we are taught by a more certaine Oracle, that if the Shepherds be smitten, the sheep must needs be scattered† 1.124. Nahash the Am∣monite would make a Covenant of Peace, with the men of Jabesh-Gilead upon no other terms then these; that he might thrust out all their right eyes, and lay it for a reproach upon all Israel* 1.125. If those persons, that wicked Generation of men, that will never be satisfi'd with any Propositions of Peace, unless the Seers may be put out of their Places, the Priests (as they reproachfully call them) may be cast out of their Posses∣sions, well may it be laid as a lasting RE∣PROACH upon our English ISRAEL. If such persons as these shall have liberty to plead against the Pastors of the Church, the Shepherds of the Lords Flock, shall we not judge these to be perillous Times? What then shall we say to these things?† 1.126 Finally, Brethren, pray for us that the Word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as [yet] it is with you: and that we may be deliver'd from [such absurd* 1.127] unreasonable and wicked men,
WHen men under the Countenance and [unspec IV] Protection of the higher Powers can securely cast contempt upon the Ordinances and worship of the most high God, the dayes must needs be evil, the Times perillous. If when the Ministers of the Gospel are despised, Iniquity does abound, surely when the Ordinances of God, the very means of grace, are contemned, sinne must needs superabound. And superabounding sinne, will certainly at length bring the overflow∣ing scourge. When the Beasts of the Field shall defile the Waters of the Sanctu∣ary; and the filthy swine shall trample down the green Pastures, wherein the shepherds of Israel are wont to feed their Flocks. When the Courts of the Lord shall be covered with the Filth of Re∣proach; and the Gold of the Sanctuary shall be trampled under feet. When men shall cast dirt into the Galleries of the great King; and disgrace the Throne of his glory. When men shall vilifie the Lords Taber∣nacles,
and spit in the face of the Beau∣ties of Holinesse. When men shall cast stones at the Windows of the Sanctuary, by which the Sun of Righteousnesse sheds forth his beames of light upon the chil∣dren of Zion. When men shall cut in two those golden Pipes, by which the Waters of Life are convey'd from the Wells of Sal∣vation, for the refreshment of the City of God. When men presume to act these Im∣pieties, and are therein countenanc't by the higher Powers, the Times are sad and perillous.
Contempt of Gods holy Ordinances is a very provoking sin. 'Twas a high charge against Judah,† 1.128 Thou hast despised my Holy things, and hast profaned my Sab∣baths. To cast reproach upon Divine in∣stitutions, is to blaspheme the Name of God. So sore an evil must needs make sad Times. Of this does the Psalmist com∣plaine, and expostulate with God. O God (sayes he* 1.129) how long shall the adversary reproach? shall the enemy blaspheme thy Name for ever? He reproaches Caesar that vilifies the coine that beares his Image and Superscription. The Ordinances of the Gospel are that Gold of Sion which bears the Royal stamp. When men shall reject this Gold and call it Drosse, surely† 1.130 Re∣probate silver shall men call them, because the LORD hath rejected them.
The dayes are evil, when vile sinners
(who yet account themselves the onely Saints) shall contemptuously trample up∣on the precious Ordinances of Jesus Christ. When those blessed Gospel-Ordinances of INFANT-BAPTISME, by which onely the children of Believers are admitted in∣to the Church, and Sacramentally washt from their sins in the blood of their Savi∣our; ORDINATION OF MINISTERS, by which onely fit persons are authoriz'd to preach the Gospel, and dispense the Seales of the Covenant; SINGING OF PSALMES, wherein the Church on earth becomes a lively Image of Heaven, and the Saints of God have a kinde of Pre-possession of Paradise; when these blessed Ordinances (I say) shall be slighted, vilifi'd, contemn'd by a company of hypo∣critical Professors, who have taken up a shew of Religion onely to delude men, and dishonour God, the times must needs be perillous; especially when such ungodly Ones shall be protected and promoted by the higher Powers, by whom they ought rather to be punish't for their Irreligion and Profanesse in their open contempt of God, his Authority, Worship and Honour in these his holy institutions. Yea, when they shall be countenanc't, not onely in the con∣tempt of these Divine Institutions, but also in the Introduction of sundry humane Inventions, instead of these and other Or∣dinances of God, to the utter exclusion of
Gods true Worship, and the setting up of a false worship, founded in their own Will, in the World. As when they shall intro∣duce into their Schismatical Societies, false∣ly called Christian Congregations, the RE∣BAPTIZATION OF BELIEVERS, which is nothing else but an actual Renunciation of their former Baptisme, and so consequent∣ly of the Covenant of their God, and a† 1.131 counting of the blood of the Covenant where∣with they were sanctifi'd, an unholy thing: Horrid Impiety! Also, the constant PREACHING OF GIFTED BRE∣THREN, who are so farre from being cal∣led to the work of the Ministry, that they wickedly scoff at the onely Gospel-Call thereunto, Ministerial Ordination; yea, which is yet worse, when these proud In∣truders, presumptuous Usurpers of the Mi∣nisterial Office, shall be accounted the one∣ly Gospel-Ministers, such as will preach the Gospel freely to poore Creatures. This is a very sore evil; for as much as under this pretence of exercising their GIFTS, the vilest Hereticks in the world, shall have an opportunity of poysoning the peo∣ple of God with their damnable Doctrines, by publick preaching in the open Assem∣blies. Horrid stratagem of Hell, for the subversion of soules! Moreover, when BREAKING OF BREAD by the pre∣tended Pastors of Churches, shall be intro∣duc't in stead of the Supper of the Lord,
which is indeed no better then a mock-Sacrament, being administred by them that are no Ministers of the Gospel, and so have no authority at all to administer any of the Ordinances of God. For if the changing of the Bread and Wine in the Sacrament of the Lords Supper from a common and ordinary to a sacred Sacramen∣tal Use, be an act of Ministerial Autho∣rity, as doubtlesse it is, then this their breaking of Bread is no better then a mocking of God in an Apish imitation of the sacred actions of one of his holy Ordi∣nances. So when instead of singing of Psalmes, they shall introduce into their Assemblies the singing of silly HYMNES, of vulgar Composure, which whether for Rime or Reason, are not much to be pre∣fer'd before those which the common Ballad-mongers sing in the streets under the Name of Godly Ballads. When Gods holy Ordinances shall be contemn'd, and these fearful Corruptions in his worship and service shall be introduc't and allow'd, needs must the Times be extreamly evil and perillous.
Yea, when a wicked Generation of men shall be suffer'd, with Impunity, to cast Contempt upon all the Ordinances of Gods Worship; to vilifie and reproach the Assemblies of the Saints, calling them the Synagogues of Satan, with many more vile reproaches, which I think not meet
to mention; what shall we think, are not the Dayes evil, the Times perillous? When those shall be countenanc't, ho∣nour'd, advanc't in the State, being set in Places of Power and Trust, who do what they can to cast an Odium upon the Ordi∣nances of the Gospel, are not the dayes evil, the Times perillous? These sacred Ordinances are the paths of Christ wherein he walks amongst his People, and hereby do men* 1.132 reproach the footsteps of Gods a∣nointed. Hereby do vile persons cast dirt at the Chariots of the King of glory. Here∣by is the Lord continually provoked to de∣part from such a people, and therefore the dayes which are defil'd with these Abomi∣nations must needs be perillous Times.
[unspec V] VVHen the spirit of Errour and Pro∣fanesse prevailes more and more in the World, and the Spirit of Prayer and Zeale for truth and holinesse decayes more and more in the Church, the Dayes are evil, the Times perillous. When false Fires appear, and the Fire of the Altar goes
out, sure God is departing from his Tem∣ple. When the Locusts and Caterpillars swarme in the Fields, and the Frogs croak in every corner of the House, the Judge∣ment of God is already upon the Land. When† 1.133 silly women are led captive in Troops by subtile Deceivers, and soul-deluding Se∣ducers* 1.134 draw many Disciples after them, the last Dayes, which we are told shall be perillous Times, are come upon us. Acti∣vity of bad men, in carrying on their wic∣ked Designes, and Lukewarmnesse in good men, in promoting the Cause and Interest of Christ, is a sad Symptome of some sore evil at hand. When few are zealous for Truth and Righteousness, & multitudes are zealous for Errour and Impunity in the contempt of Gods holy worship, we may justly feare God will shortly bring some fearful judge∣ment on the Land. When† 1.135 Iniquity a∣bounds, and the love of many waxes cold, the Winter is come, and stormes must be expected. When the Spirit of Prayer de∣parts, the Spirit of Judgement comes in the roome of it. When the Winde ceases, presently the Rain falls. When the hands of Moses fall down in Prayer, and A∣malek prevailes in battel, we must needs ex∣pect it should go ill with Israel.
When Christians are fallen from their* 1.136 first Love, and Professors are grow'n† 1.137 Lukewarm in Religion; yea, and many are become Key-cold in the Cause of Christ,
whilest others are very forward and zea∣lous to promote the Honour and Adora∣tion of the Deified IMAGES of their own Fancies, they must needs be perillous Times. ZEALE is the Pulse of the Church, as JUSTICE is of the Common-wealth. Now a wise Physician by feeling the Pulse may judge of the state of the Patient. If it be violent and irregular, the body is inflam'd and in a great distemper; if it be very weak, slow, remiss, and much interrupted, it is a sad Symptome of ap∣proaching Death. Apostacy in Religion is a fore-runner of Ruine and Destruction to such a particular Church and People* 1.138. Lukewarmnesse in Religion is a loathed temper. I know thy Works (sayes the Lord of the Church of Laodicea† 1.139 too true a Patterne of the Church of England) that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art Lukewarme, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew thee out of my mouth.
In these cases all good Christians have cause to bewaile the sad condition of the Church of Christ.
2 Cor. 11 14
See 2 Tim. 3. v. 1. with v. 6
2 Tim. 3.13
Multi haeretici cum Pa∣ganis alios & alios Deos ipsi sibi finxerunt, alios & alios Deos sibi ipsi fece∣runt, & eos etiamsi non in Templis, tamen, quod est pejus, in suo corde posuerunt, & falsorum ri∣dendorumque simulacro∣rum Templa ipsi facti sunt† 1.4.1.
Aug. in Enarrat, Psal. 80.
Mat. 24.23, 24, 25.
Psal. 1.4.
Eph. 4.14
1 Cor. 11 19
Margin.
2 Pet. 2.1, 2
2 Pet. 3.3
1 Tim. 4.1 2
2 Tim. 3.1, 2, 6, 7.
1 Joh. 2.18
Jude v. 17, 18, 19.
2 Tim. 3.1-5.
〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉† 1.17.2.
Ab 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 & 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, q. super re a∣liqua in∣sistens ei{que} attento in∣haerens a∣nimo.
1 Tim. 6.3, 4, 5.
〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
2 Tim. 3.2, 3.
Illuminati.
Omnibus una Intentio Haereticis semper fuit, cap∣tare Gloriam de singula∣ritate scientiae† 1.22.3.
Bern. in Cant. Ser. 65.
Epist. 168 ad Eunom.
Noctua mirum in mo∣dum illuminatur obscuri∣tate, luce caecatur. Istud Animal Haereticorum Fi∣gura est† 1.24.4.
Ambr. Serm. 43.
Mat. 16.6, 12 Mark 8.15 Luk. 12.1.
Mat. 23.25 Luk. 11.39
Mat. 23.27, 28.
〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Coenum.
Aug. de Haeres. c. 6.
〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
2 Pet. 2.20, 22.
Eph. 4.18, 19.
Isa. 65.2-5
Joh. 4.9
Joh. 4.22
Joh. 8.44.
In minutula Frustula.
Psal. 89.7 Mat. 18.20
〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
2 Tim. 3 2, 3.
Phil. 2.3
Haeresis docta est men∣tiri, non Lingua tantum sed Vita: si Fidem in∣terrogas, nihil Christi∣anius; si Conversationem, nihil irreprehensibilius: & quae loquitur, Factis pro∣bat* 1.42.5.
Bern. Ser. 65. in Cant.
Rev. 17.4
2 Cor. 11 14, 15.
Ps. 55.21
Rom. 16 17, 18.
Vet. In∣terp.
Beza.
〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
2 Pet. 2.3
Gal. 3.1.
Compare 2 Pet. 2.10, 11, 12. with Jude v. 8, 9, 10.
〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
Non horrent Dignita∣tes convitiis incessere* 1.55.
Beza.
〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
Non ausus est ei im∣pingere notam maledi∣cti* 1.58.
Beza.
〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
Luk. 10.16
Mat. 9.34 and 12.24
Mat. 10.25. with 9.34.
Mat. 10.24, 25.
1 Cor. 4.1
Heretici, cum ipsam Divinae Scripturae Veri∣tatem, quae ubique disfusa Christi Ecclesia commen∣datur, criminari & ob∣scurare non possunt, ho∣mines, per quos praedica∣tur, adducunt in odium, de quibus & fingere quic∣quid in mentem venerit, possunt* 1.66.6.
Aug. Ep. 137. ad Hipponen.
Jude, v. 11
ver. 13.
Jude, v. 14, 15, 16.
2 Tim. 3.8
Marg. Gr 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
Diabolos Haereticos mo∣vet ut sub vocabulo Chri∣stiano, Doctrinae resiste∣rent Christianae* 1.72.7.
Aug. de civitate Dei, l. 18. c. 51.
ch. 1. v. 6.
Ad nos saepe studio ma∣gis contradicendi, quam vera discendi veniunt, & clamosis vocibus perso∣nantes malunt sua im∣pudenter ingerere, quam nostra patienter audi••e* 1.74.8.
Cyp. con∣tra Demet.
Heb. 12.3
Eos teneamus Inter∣fectores Prophetarum, quos contradictores inve∣nerimus Linguis Prophe∣tarum* 1.76.9.
Aug. l. 2. contra. lit. Petil. c. 14.
〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉† 1.77.10.
2 Tim. 3.3
Phil. 3.2.
Act. 20.29
As Mat. 26.73.
1 Tim. 6.5
2 Pet. 2.3.
Col. 3.5.
1 Tim. 4.2
2 Pet. 2.14
Jude 11.
〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉* 1.87.11,
2 Tim. 3.2
Jude 8.
〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉* 1.89.12,
2 Tim. 3.3
〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 libidi∣nosum de∣not at apud Xenoph.
2 Pet. 2.10
Jude 4.
2 Pet. 2.14
So the Marg. Gr. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
Jude v. 7.
Rev. 18.2
2 Pet. 2.17-22.
So Jude v. 13. Gr. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
1 Pet. 2.13, 14.
〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉,
Rom. 13.4, 5.
Act. 15.10
Quoad 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 seu prout Conserva∣trix Princi∣plorum, unde oritur Obligatio.
Custos Rotularum
Rom. 13 3
Jud. 17.6. and 21.25.
Hos. 5.10
Vid. Dio. Sicul. de Egypt. Reg lib. 11.
Num consultum est Conscientiis & saluti pub∣licae, plures quam unam, in bene constituta Repub∣lica, admittere Religio∣nem† 1.109.13?
D. Bald∣win. de Cas. Conse. l. 2. c. 6. cas. 3.
Idcirco apud omnes in confesso est, Magistra∣tum illum graviter pec∣care in DEUM & sub∣ditos, qui Religiones va∣rias, quas praecavere po∣tuisset, in Republica voluntarie admittit, re∣cipit, fovet, aut absque ulla necessitate retinet. Is enim nihil aliud facit, quam quod confusam Dei ignorantiam & O∣pinionem (quam* 1.111 Plato summam omnium rerum publica••um Pestem ap∣pellavit) introducit, si∣quidem omnis humanae Societatis Fundamentum convellit, qui Religioni est noxius.
Qua propter† 1.112 Tholo∣sanus censuit, Magistra∣tum, si adventitias Re∣ligiones admiserit, tan∣quam Rei publicae ever∣sorem & clancularium Patriae Proditorem, pri∣vandum esse Authoritate & Dignitate gubernandi non tantum, sed & si Rex fuerit, Regno ac Ditionibus suis; quae in praedam & Possessionem eorum veniant qui eas illa lue liberaverint, id{que} per novam constitutionem Friderici Imperatoris fieri adserit.
Lib. 19. de Legibus.
Lib. 2. de Eunomia.
2 Chron. 36.14-20
That is (saith the Margin) continually & carefully
Luk. 10.16
Luk. 19.27
2 Sam. 10
Isa. 25.6
Mat. 22.4-7.
Marriage
See Mat. 21.33-14
2 Chro, 34.21.
Mat. 23.37, 38, 39.
Zec. 13.7
1 Sam. 11 1, 2
2 Thes. 3.1, 2
Marg. Gr. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
Eze. 22.8
Ps. 74.10
Jer. 6.30
Heb. 10.29
Ps. 79.51
2 Tim. 3.6, 7
2 Pet. 2.2
Mat. 24.12
Rev. 2.4
Rev. 3.16
Jer. 8.5, 15
Rev. 3.15, 16.