The reformation justify'd in a sermon preached at Guild-Hall Chappel Septemb. 21, 1673, before the Lord Major and Aldermen, &c. / by Edw. Stillingfleet ...
         Stillingfleet, Edward, 1635-1699.
      
       
         
           1674
        
      
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             The reformation justify'd in a sermon preached at Guild-Hall Chappel Septemb. 21, 1673, before the Lord Major and Aldermen, &c. / by Edw. Stillingfleet ...
             Stillingfleet, Edward, 1635-1699.
          
           [2], 51 p.
           
             Printed by Robert White for Henry Mortlock ...,
             London :
             1674.
          
           
             Marginal notes.
             Reproduction of original in Duke University Library.
          
        
      
    
     
       
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           Reformation -- Sermons.
           Sermons, English -- 17th century.
        
      
    
     
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           THE
           REFORMATION
           JUSTIFY'D
           :
           IN
           A
           SERMON
           Preached
           at
           GUILD-HALL
           CHAPPEL
           
             Septemb.
          
           21.
           1673.
           
        
         
           Before
           the
           Lord
           Major
           AND
           ALDERMEN
           ,
           &c.
           
        
         
           By
           EDW.
           STILLINGFLEET
           ,
           D.
           D.
           Chaplain
           in
           Ordinary
           to
           His
           MAJESTY
           .
        
         
           
             LONDON
             ,
          
           Printed
           ,
           by
           
             Robert
             White
             ,
          
           for
           
             Henry
             Mortlock
             ,
          
           and
           are
           to
           be
           sold
           at
           the
           White
           Hart
           in
           
             Westminster
          
           Hall
           ,
           and
           at
           the
           Phoenix
           in
           St.
           
             Pauls
          
           Church-yard
           .
           1674.
           
        
      
       
         
         
           Hanson
           Major
           .
        
         
           
             
               Cur.
               special
               .
               tent
               .
               in
               Festo
               S.
               Michaelis
               Archang
               .
            
             1673.
             
             
               Annoque
               Regis
            
             Caroli
             
               secundi
               Angliae
               ,
               &c.
            
             XXV
             .
          
        
         
           IT
           is
           Ordered
           by
           this
           Court
           ,
           that
           D
           
           r.
           
             Stillingfleet
          
           be
           earnestly
           desired
           to
           Print
           his
           SERMON
           lately
           Preached
           at
           the
           GUILD-HALL
           CHAPPEL
           before
           the
           LORD
           MAJOR
           and
           ALDERMEN
           of
           this
           CITY
           .
        
         
           
             Wagstaffe
             .
          
        
         
         
      
    
     
       
         
         
         
           
             ACTS
             XXIV
             .
             14.
             
          
           
             But
             this
             I
             confess
             unto
             thee
             ,
             that
             after
             the
             way
             which
             they
             call
             heresie
             ,
             so
             worship
             I
             the
             God
             of
             my
             Fathers
             ,
             believing
             all
             things
             which
             are
             written
             in
             the
             Law
             and
             the
             Prophets
             .
          
        
         
           IN
           the
           beginning
           of
           this
           Chapter
           we
           find
           St.
           
             Paul
          
           brought
           to
           his
           Tryal
           before
           
             Felix
          
           the
           
             Roman
             Governour
             ,
          
           wherein
           (
           if
           we
           only
           except
           the
           unfitness
           of
           the
           Judge
           )
           all
           other
           things
           concurred
           ,
           which
           could
           make
           such
           an
           action
           considerable
           ,
           
             viz.
          
           the
           greatness
           of
           the
           
             cause
             ,
          
           the
           quality
           of
           the
           
             persons
             ,
          
           and
           the
           
             skill
          
           which
           was
           shewed
           in
           the
           management
           of
           it
           .
           The
           cause
           was
           not
           common
           and
           ordinary
           ,
           such
           as
           were
           wont
           to
           be
           tryed
           before
           the
           
             Governours
          
           of
           
             Provinces
             ,
          
           but
           of
           an
           unusual
           and
           publick
           nature
           ;
           
           not
           
             a
             question
             of
             words
             and
             names
             ,
          
           as
           
             Gallio
          
           
           thought
           it
           ,
           but
           of
           a
           matter
           of
           the
           highest
           importance
           to
           the
           world
           :
           which
           being
           managed
           by
           St.
           
             Paul
             ,
          
           with
           that
           zeal
           and
           industry
           ,
           which
           was
           agreeable
           to
           it
           ,
           gave
           occasion
           to
           his
           malicious
           Countreymen
           to
           accuse
           him
           before
           the
           
             Roman
          
           Governour
           ,
           as
           one
           guilty
           of
           Faction
           and
           Sedition
           .
           Under
           this
           colour
           ,
           they
           hoped
           easily
           to
           gain
           the
           
             Governours
          
           good
           will
           to
           their
           design
           ;
           being
           a
           person
           that
           more
           regarded
           the
           quiet
           of
           his
           
             Province
             ,
          
           than
           all
           the
           concernments
           of
           Truth
           and
           Religion
           .
           But
           that
           this
           design
           might
           be
           carried
           on
           with
           the
           greater
           pomp
           and
           shew
           of
           Justice
           and
           Piety
           ,
           they
           do
           not
           commit
           the
           care
           of
           it
           to
           the
           rage
           of
           the
           people
           ,
           or
           some
           furious
           Zealots
           ;
           but
           the
           
             High
             Priest
          
           and
           some
           members
           of
           the
           
             Sanhedrin
          
           
           go
           down
           on
           purpose
           from
           
             Hierusalem
          
           to
           
             Caesarea
             ,
          
           and
           carry
           with
           them
           one
           of
           their
           most
           eloquent
           
             Advocates
          
           called
           
             Tertullus
          
           to
           manage
           the
           accusation
           against
           
             Paul.
          
           Who
           was
           no
           sooner
           called
           forth
           ,
           but
           the
           Orator
           begins
           to
           shew
           his
           art
           ,
           by
           a
           flattering
           insinuation
           ,
           which
           is
           most
           apt
           to
           prevail
           with
           men
           of
           mean
           and
           corrupt
           minds
           ;
           
             Seeing
             that
             by
             thee
             ,
          
           saith
           he
           ,
           
             we
             enjoy
             great
             quietness
             ,
             and
          
           
           
             that
             very
             worthy
             deeds
             are
             done
             unto
             this
             Nation
          
           
           
             by
             thy
             providence
             ;
             we
             accept
             it
             alwayes
             and
             in
             all
             places
             ,
             most
             noble
          
           Felix
           ,
           
             with
             all
             thankfulness
             :
          
           Having
           thus
           prepared
           his
           Judge
           ,
           he
           presently
           falls
           upon
           the
           matter
           ,
           and
           charges
           St.
           
             Paul
          
           with
           being
           a
           pestilent
           and
           seditious
           
           person
           ,
           a
           disturber
           of
           his
           Nation
           in
           all
           parts
           ,
           a
           prophaner
           of
           the
           Temple
           ;
           but
           the
           main
           point
           of
           all
           ,
           and
           in
           which
           the
           rest
           were
           comprehended
           ,
           was
           ,
           that
           
             he
             was
             a
             ringleader
             of
             the
             Sect
             of
             the
             Nazarenes
             .
          
           (
           So
           the
           Christians
           were
           then
           called
           among
           the
           Jews
           ,
           from
           our
           Saviour's
           abode
           in
           the
           Town
           of
           
             Nazareth
             .
             )
          
           But
           although
           the
           Writer
           of
           this
           History
           gives
           us
           only
           the
           short
           heads
           of
           his
           accusation
           ;
           yet
           we
           may
           easily
           suppose
           by
           St.
           
             Pauls
          
           answer
           ,
           that
           he
           insisted
           more
           largely
           on
           this
           ,
           than
           on
           any
           of
           the
           rest
           :
           representing
           to
           
             Felix
             ,
          
           
             That
             when
             the
             Jewish
             Church
             had
             been
             at
             first
             established
             by
             God
             himself
             under
             Laws
             of
             his
             own
             making
             ,
             when
             he
             had
             so
             settled
             the
             several
             orders
             and
             degrees
             of
             men
             among
             them
             ,
             that
             
               the
               Priests
               lips
               were
               to
            
             
             
               preserve
               knowledge
               ,
               and
               the
               Law
               to
               be
               sought
               at
               their
               mouths
               ;
            
             when
             under
             this
             Government
             ,
             their
             Religion
             had
             been
             preserved
             for
             many
             hundreds
             of
             years
             ,
             and
             after
             many
             revolutions
             they
             enjoyed
             one
             common
             
             and
             publick
             Worship
             among
             them
             ,
             though
             there
             were
             several
             distinct
             Orders
             of
             Religious
             men
             (
             such
             as
             the
             
               Pharisees
            
             and
             
               Essens
               )
            
             yet
             all
             agreed
             in
             the
             same
             Divine
             Worship
             ;
             but
             now
             at
             last
             to
             their
             great
             regret
             and
             horror
             appears
             one
             
               Jesus
            
             of
             
               Nazareth
               ,
            
             a
             person
             of
             obscure
             parentage
             and
             mean
             education
             ,
             who
             pretended
             to
             discover
             many
             corruptions
             in
             the
             doctrine
             and
             practices
             of
             our
             best
             men
             ;
             and
             without
             any
             Authority
             from
             the
             High
             Priest
             or
             
               Sanhedrin
            
             he
             gathered
             Disciples
             ,
             and
             drew
             multitudes
             of
             people
             after
             him
             ;
             till
             at
             last
             the
             wisdom
             of
             our
             Governours
             thought
             it
             fit
             to
             take
             him
             off
             ,
             and
             make
             him
             an
             example
             for
             
               Reformers
               ;
            
             notwithstanding
             this
             ,
             his
             bold
             and
             forward
             Disciples
             after
             his
             death
             carried
             on
             the
             same
             design
             ,
             pretending
             that
             
               the
               time
               of
               Reformation
               was
               come
               ;
            
             and
             accordingly
             have
             formed
             
             themselves
             into
             a
             Sect
             ,
             vigorous
             and
             active
             ,
             of
             high
             pretences
             ,
             and
             dangerous
             designs
             ,
             which
             if
             it
             continues
             and
             increases
             can
             end
             in
             nothing
             short
             of
             the
             ruine
             of
             our
             
               antient
               Jewish
               Catholick
               Church
               ;
            
             which
             hath
             had
             so
             constant
             and
             visible
             a
             Succession
             in
             all
             Ages
             ;
             that
             hath
             had
             so
             many
             Martyrs
             and
             Confessors
             in
             it
             ;
             so
             many
             
             Devout
             and
             Religious
             Persons
             as
             the
             
               Pharisees
            
             are
             ;
             so
             excellent
             an
             Order
             and
             Government
             ,
             so
             much
             unity
             and
             peace
             before
             this
             new
             Sect
             of
             
               Nazarenes
            
             arose
             in
             opposition
             to
             that
             Authority
             with
             which
             God
             had
             invested
             the
             High
             Priest
             and
             Rulers
             of
             the
             People
             .
             And
             among
             all
             the
             promoters
             of
             this
             
               new
               Sect
               ,
            
             there
             is
             none
             more
             factious
             and
             busie
             than
             this
             
               Paul
            
             whom
             
               we
            
             here
             accuse
             ;
             and
             
               whom
               some
               of
               our
               Nation
               found
               in
               the
               Temple
               profaning
               of
               it
               ,
            
             and
             there
             we
             would
             presently
             out
             of
             meer
             zeal
             to
             our
             Religion
             have
             taken
             and
             destroyed
             ;
             but
             he
             was
             violently
             rescued
             out
             of
             our
             hands
             ,
             and
             sent
             hither
             to
             be
             tryed
             ;
             and
             these
             things
             ,
             which
             I
             have
             spoken
             ,
             is
             the
             sense
             of
             all
             those
             who
             are
             come
             down
             as
             witnesses
             ;
          
           for
           so
           we
           read
           ,
           v.
           9.
           
           
             And
             the
             Jews
             also
             assented
             and
             said
             ,
             that
             these
             things
             were
             so
             .
          
           St.
           
             Paul
          
           being
           thus
           accused
           ,
           and
           having
           leave
           given
           him
           to
           answer
           for
           himself
           ,
           was
           so
           far
           from
           being
           daunted
           by
           the
           greatness
           
           of
           his
           enemies
           ,
           or
           the
           vehemency
           of
           their
           accusation
           ,
           that
           he
           tells
           the
           Governour
           ,
           that
           he
           did
           
             with
             all
             cheerfulness
          
           undertake
           his
           defence
           :
           and
           there
           being
           two
           parts
           of
           his
           accusation
           ,
           1.
           
           His
           tumultuous
           and
           profane
           carriage
           in
           the
           Temple
           ;
           this
           he
           utterly
           denies
           ,
           
           
             v.
          
           11
           ,
           12
           ,
           13.
           and
           plainly
           tells
           them
           ,
           they
           can
           never
           prove
           it
           against
           him
           .
           2.
           
           But
           as
           to
           the
           other
           and
           main
           part
           of
           the
           Charge
           ,
           his
           being
           a
           
             ringleader
             of
             the
             Sect
             of
             the
             Nazarenes
             ;
          
           although
           he
           would
           not
           ,
           out
           of
           his
           great
           modesty
           ,
           take
           upon
           himself
           to
           be
           one
           of
           the
           Heads
           or
           Chiefs
           among
           them
           ,
           yet
           as
           to
           the
           owning
           of
           that
           way
           ,
           notwithstanding
           all
           the
           imputations
           they
           had
           cast
           upon
           it
           ,
           he
           doth
           it
           with
           the
           greatest
           freedome
           and
           courage
           in
           the
           presence
           of
           his
           Judge
           and
           Accusers
           ;
           and
           not
           only
           so
           ,
           but
           defends
           himself
           therein
           ,
           that
           he
           had
           done
           nothing
           contrary
           to
           the
           Laws
           of
           God
           ,
           or
           the
           most
           antient
           Religion
           of
           his
           Countrey
           :
           all
           which
           particulars
           are
           contained
           in
           the
           words
           of
           the
           Text
           ;
           
             But
             this
             I
             confess
             unto
             thee
             ,
             that
             after
             the
             way
             which
             they
             call
             heresie
             ,
             so
             worship
             I
             the
             God
             of
             my
             Fathers
             ,
             believing
             all
             things
             which
             are
             written
             in
             the
             Law
             and
             the
             Prophets
             .
          
        
         
           Wherein
           we
           have
           these
           three
           things
           considerable
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           The
           Imputation
           which
           Christianity
           suffered
           under
           in
           its
           first
           appearance
           :
           
             After
             the
             way
             ,
             which
             they
             call
             heresie
             .
          
        
         
           2.
           
           The
           Way
           taken
           by
           St.
           
             Paul
          
           to
           remove
           this
           false
           Imputation
           ;
           
             viz.
          
           by
           appeal
           to
           
           Scripture
           and
           Antiquity
           ;
           
             So
             worship
             I
             the
             God
             of
             my
             Fathers
             ,
             believing
             all
             things
             that
             are
             written
             in
             the
             Law
             and
             the
             Prophets
             .
          
        
         
           3.
           
           The
           Courage
           of
           St.
           
             Paul
          
           in
           so
           freely
           owning
           his
           Religion
           in
           the
           presence
           of
           his
           greatest
           enemies
           ,
           and
           when
           they
           were
           in
           hopes
           to
           destroy
           him
           for
           it
           :
           
             This
             I
             confess
             unto
             thee
             ,
             that
             after
             the
             way
             ,
          
           &c.
           
        
         
           1.
           
           I
           begin
           with
           the
           false
           Imputation
           which
           Christianity
           suffered
           under
           at
           its
           first
           appearance
           ;
           
             After
             the
             way
             which
             is
             called
             heresie
             ;
          
           the
           same
           Word
           which
           is
           translated
           
             Sect
             ,
             v.
          
           5.
           and
           although
           the
           Word
           be
           indifferent
           in
           it self
           ,
           yet
           where
           it
           is
           taken
           for
           a
           combination
           of
           men
           together
           against
           an
           established
           Religion
           and
           lawful
           Authority
           (
           as
           it
           was
           by
           the
           Jews
           when
           they
           charged
           the
           Christians
           under
           this
           name
           )
           then
           it
           implies
           in
           it
           a
           twofold
           accusation
           :
           1.
           
           Of
           Novelty
           and
           Singularity
           .
           2.
           
           Of
           Faction
           and
           Sedition
           .
        
         
           1
           Of
           Novelty
           .
           A
           Sect
           of
           Heresie
           in
           this
           sense
           implies
           in
           it
           ,
           mens
           setting
           up
           with
           a
           new
           Doctrine
           which
           was
           not
           heard
           of
           before
           ;
           and
           making
           that
           theFoundation
           of
           a
           new
           Society
           separate
           and
           distinct
           from
           the
           established
           Church
           ,
           and
           consequently
           they
           must
           charge
           the
           Church
           they
           are
           divided
           
           from
           with
           errors
           and
           corruptions
           ,
           or
           they
           make
           themselves
           guilty
           of
           Schism
           ,
           
             i.
             e.
          
           unnecessary
           separation
           .
           Now
           upon
           these
           two
           grounds
           the
           Jews
           laid
           the
           imputation
           of
           a
           
             New
             Sect
          
           upon
           the
           
             Nazarenes
          
           or
           
             Christians
             ,
          
           1.
           
           Because
           they
           could
           not
           shew
           a
           visible
           succession
           in
           all
           Ages
           :
           2.
           
           Because
           they
           could
           not
           prove
           the
           Jewish
           Church
           to
           be
           guilty
           of
           such
           errors
           and
           corruptions
           as
           to
           need
           a
           Reformation
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           They
           could
           not
           shew
           a
           Succession
           in
           all
           Ages
           of
           such
           persons
           who
           agreed
           in
           all
           things
           with
           them
           .
           
             For
             where
             (
             say
             they
             )
             were
             the
             men
             to
             be
             found
             in
             former
             Ages
             ,
             that
             taxed
             the
             Jewish
             Church
             with
             such
             errors
             and
             corruptions
             as
             
               Jesus
            
             of
             
               Nazareth
            
             did
             ?
             that
             bid
             men
             
               beware
               of
               the
               leaven
               of
               the
               Scribes
               and
               Pharisees
               ,
               i.
               e.
            
             of
             the
             most
             learned
             and
             holy
             men
             .
             Had
             not
             God
             alwayes
             a
             Visible
             Church
             among
             them
             ?
             they
             could
             produce
             the
             names
             of
             their
             High
             Priests
             in
             every
             Age
             ,
             and
             shew
             them
             all
             the
             marks
             of
             a
             Visible
             Church
             :
             
             For
             
               in
            
             Judah
             
               was
               God
               known
               ,
               and
               his
               Name
               was
               great
               in
            
             Israel
             .
             
               Hath
               not
               God
               said
               ,
               that
               in
               his
               House
               at
            
             Hierusalem
             
               he
               would
               put
               his
               Name
               for
               ever
               ;
               and
               his
               eyes
               and
               his
               heart
               should
               be
               there
               perpetually
               ?
            
             How
             is
             it
             then
             
             possible
             but
             there
             must
             be
             a
             constant
             and
             visible
             Succession
             in
             all
             Ages
             ?
             since
             God
             would
             alwayes
             have
             a
             people
             to
             dwell
             among
             ;
             and
             that
             might
             be
             known
             to
             be
             his
             people
             by
             the
             outward
             marks
             and
             signs
             of
             a
             true
             Church
             .
             But
             if
             the
             Christians
             pretences
             held
             good
             ,
             God
             must
             for
             several
             Ages
             have
             wanted
             a
             Church
             amongst
             them
             .
             For
             none
             of
             those
             things
             which
             they
             charged
             the
             Jews
             with
             ,
             were
             newly
             crept
             in
             among
             them
             ,
             but
             had
             been
             delivered
             down
             to
             them
             by
             the
             Tradition
             of
             their
             Fore-fathers
             ,
             in
             an
             uninterrupted
             manner
             ,
             as
             they
             thought
             ,
             from
             the
             very
             time
             of
             
               Moses
               .
            
             This
             was
             their
             Rule
             whereby
             they
             guided
             themselves
             in
             their
             actions
             of
             Religion
             ,
             and
             in
             the
             sense
             of
             obscure
             places
             of
             the
             Law
             and
             the
             Prophets
             ;
             and
             in
             that
             time
             after
             the
             cessation
             of
             Prophecy
             ,
             when
             the
             Christians
             supposed
             these
             corruptions
             to
             have
             come
             in
             among
             them
             ,
             they
             could
             draw
             down
             a
             constant
             Succession
             from
             
               the
               men
               of
               the
               great
               Synagogue
               ,
            
             of
             persons
             eminent
             for
             Learning
             and
             Piety
             that
             never
             charged
             them
             with
             any
             such
             corruptions
             as
             
               Jesus
            
             of
             
               Nazareth
            
             and
             his
             Disciples
             did
             .
             Would
             God
             ever
             suffer
             such
             dangerous
             errors
             ,
             
             hypocrisie
             ,
             and
             superstitions
             to
             prevail
             in
             his
             own
             Church
             ,
             and
             raise
             up
             no
             Persons
             to
             discover
             these
             things
             ,
             till
             these
             new
             Teachers
             and
             Reformers
             arose
             ?
             Were
             not
             
               Hillel
            
             and
             
               Shammai
            
             that
             so
             accurately
             discussed
             all
             the
             niceties
             of
             the
             Law
             ,
             able
             to
             find
             out
             such
             gross
             and
             open
             corruptions
             ,
             if
             any
             such
             had
             been
             among
             us
             ?
             Might
             not
             we
             say
             ,
             
               that
               not
               only
               the
               Teachers
               ,
               but
               God
               himself
               had
               slept
               all
            
             
             
               that
               time
               ,
            
             if
             he
             raised
             up
             no
             one
             Person
             to
             discover
             the
             coming
             in
             of
             such
             errors
             and
             corruptions
             ?
             Where
             had
             God
             then
             any
             true
             Church
             in
             the
             world
             ,
             if
             not
             among
             his
             people
             of
             the
             Jews
             ?
             And
             would
             he
             suffer
             that
             to
             be
             overspread
             with
             such
             a
             Leprosie
             ,
             and
             send
             none
             of
             his
             Priests
             to
             discover
             it
             ?
             And
             even
             by
             the
             confession
             of
             the
             Christians
             themselves
             ,
             they
             were
             once
             the
             beloved
             and
             chosen
             people
             of
             God
             ,
             how
             or
             when
             was
             it
             that
             they
             ceased
             to
             be
             so
             ?
             Do
             not
             themselves
             acknowledge
             ,
             that
             they
             receive
             the
             Law
             and
             the
             Prophets
             from
             our
             hands
             ?
             And
             that
             
               to
               us
               were
               committed
               the
            
             
             
               Oracles
               of
               God
               ,
               and
               that
               to
               us
               pertained
               the
               adoption
               ,
               and
               the
               glory
               ,
               and
               the
               Covenants
               ,
               and
            
             
             
               the
               giving
               of
               the
               Law
               ,
               and
               the
               service
               of
               God
            
             
             
               and
               the
               promises
               ,
               and
               that
               ours
               are
               the
               Fathers
               ?
            
             How
             is
             it
             then
             possible
             after
             all
             these
             priviledges
             ,
             to
             suppose
             this
             Church
             to
             fall
             into
             such
             a
             degeneracy
             ,
             as
             at
             last
             to
             be
             cast
             off
             by
             God
             ,
             and
             a
             new
             Church
             to
             arise
             out
             of
             the
             ashes
             of
             it
             ?
          
           Thus
           we
           may
           reasonably
           suppose
           the
           Jews
           to
           have
           argued
           for
           themselves
           ;
           and
           on
           the
           other
           side
           ,
           they
           trampled
           upon
           and
           despised
           this
           new
           Sect
           of
           the
           
             Nazarenes
             ,
          
        
         
           
             That
             had
             nothing
             of
             the
             Pomp
             and
             Splendour
             of
             their
             Church
             :
             they
             had
             only
             a
             company
             of
             mean
             and
             illiterate
             persons
             at
             first
             to
             joyn
             with
             them
             ;
             the
             Disciples
             of
             their
             Master
             were
             a
             sort
             of
             poor
             Fishermen
             and
             inconsiderable
             persons
             ,
             men
             of
             no
             Authority
             ,
             or
             reputation
             for
             extraordinary
             Sanctity
             or
             Learning
             :
             even
             their
             Master
             himself
             was
             one
             of
             no
             great
             severity
             of
             life
             ,
             that
             did
             not
             retire
             from
             the
             world
             ,
             and
             lead
             an
             abstracted
             life
             ,
             but
             conversed
             with
             Publicans
             and
             Sinners
             ,
             and
             put
             not
             his
             Disciples
             upon
             Fasting
             and
             long
             Prayers
             ;
             whereas
             the
             Pharisees
             were
             men
             of
             great
             austerity
             and
             mortification
             ,
             much
             exercised
             in
             devotion
             ,
             making
             frequent
             and
             long
             prayers
             ,
             at
             certain
             hours
             ;
             and
             in
             whatever
             place
             those
             hours
             took
             them
             .
             Now
             how
             is
             it
             possible
             to
             believe
             ,
             
             that
             such
             devout
             persons
             as
             these
             are
             mistaken
             ,
             and
             the
             Sect
             of
             the
             
               Nazarenes
            
             only
             in
             the
             right
             ?
             But
             besides
             all
             this
             ,
             Where
             was
             their
             Church
             before
             
               Jesus
            
             of
             
               Nazareth
               ?
            
             We
             offer
             to
             produce
             a
             personal
             succession
             on
             our
             side
             ,
             that
             joyned
             in
             constant
             communion
             with
             us
             at
             the
             Temple
             at
             
               Hierusalem
               ;
            
             let
             the
             Christians
             shew
             any
             number
             of
             men
             before
             themselves
             ,
             that
             joyned
             with
             them
             in
             believing
             what
             they
             do
             ,
             and
             rejecting
             the
             abuses
             which
             they
             tax
             among
             us
             :
             if
             they
             cannot
             do
             this
             ,
             let
             them
             then
             suffer
             under
             the
             just
             imputation
             of
             Novelty
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             But
             supposing
             they
             do
             not
             think
             it
             necessary
             to
             assign
             a
             number
             of
             men
             distinct
             from
             our
             Society
             ,
             but
             say
             
               it
               is
               enough
               that
               though
               they
               joyned
               with
               them
               in
               the
               worship
               of
               God
               ,
               yet
               they
               did
               not
               in
               their
               corruptions
               :
            
             yet
             to
             vindicate
             themselves
             ,
             they
             must
             shew
             how
             it
             was
             possible
             for
             such
             corruptions
             to
             come
             in
             ,
             and
             no
             more
             notice
             be
             taken
             of
             them
             :
             Such
             things
             could
             not
             be
             introduced
             without
             some
             notable
             alteration
             ;
             and
             in
             such
             a
             one
             ,
             the
             author
             ,
             the
             time
             ,
             the
             place
             ,
             the
             manner
             may
             be
             assigned
             :
             We
             can
             tell
             ,
             say
             they
             ,
             all
             these
             circumstances
             
             in
             the
             Idolatries
             of
             
               Jeroboam
               ,
               Ahab
               ,
            
             and
             
               Manasseh
               ;
            
             if
             so
             great
             alterations
             have
             hapned
             in
             the
             state
             of
             our
             Church
             ,
             that
             there
             is
             a
             necessity
             of
             reforming
             it
             ;
             name
             us
             the
             persons
             ,
             the
             time
             ,
             the
             place
             ,
             the
             manner
             how
             all
             these
             corruptions
             came
             in
             .
             When
             came
             men
             first
             to
             forsake
             the
             letter
             of
             the
             
               Scripture
               ,
            
             and
             adhere
             to
             
               Tradition
               ?
            
             Who
             first
             brought
             in
             the
             
               Pharisaical
            
             Superstitions
             ?
             What
             was
             his
             name
             ,
             where
             was
             his
             abode
             ,
             who
             first
             opposed
             and
             condemned
             him
             ?
             Were
             all
             men
             asleep
             then
             to
             suffer
             such
             alterations
             ,
             and
             to
             say
             nothing
             at
             all
             against
             them
             ?
             What
             ,
             could
             one
             Generation
             conspire
             to
             deceive
             the
             next
             ?
             and
             if
             not
             ,
             how
             could
             such
             changes
             happen
             in
             matters
             of
             Religion
             ,
             and
             no
             one
             take
             care
             to
             discover
             it
             and
             prevent
             the
             infecting
             of
             posterity
             by
             it
             ?
             Had
             no
             persons
             any
             regard
             to
             God
             and
             the
             purity
             of
             Religion
             then
             ?
             If
             they
             had
             ,
             would
             they
             suffer
             strange
             fire
             to
             come
             upon
             Gods
             Altar
             ,
             and
             take
             no
             notice
             at
             all
             of
             it
             ?
             Why
             did
             not
             
               Jesus
            
             of
             
               Nazareth
               ,
            
             when
             he
             so
             frequently
             and
             vehemently
             declaimed
             against
             the
             
               Pharisaical
            
             hypocrisie
             and
             superstitions
             ,
             and
             false
             Doctrines
             ,
             shew
             to
             the
             people
             ,
             when
             ,
             and
             where
             ,
             and
             how
             these
             things
             came
             into
             the
             Church
             of
             God
             ?
             He
             only
             condemns
             them
             ,
             and
             speaks
             sharply
             against
             them
             ,
             but
             he
             saith
             not
             one
             word
             to
             satisfie
             the
             
               Scientifical
            
             men
             
             among
             them
             ,
             how
             it
             was
             possible
             for
             corruptions
             to
             come
             in
             ,
             and
             prevail
             to
             such
             a
             degree
             ,
             and
             yet
             no
             circumstances
             of
             time
             or
             place
             be
             assignable
             of
             it
             .
          
        
         
           Thus
           the
           Jews
           still
           believed
           themselves
           to
           be
           the
           only
           
             true
             ,
             antient
             ,
             visible
             Catholick
          
           and
           
             infallible
             Church
          
           of
           
             God
             ,
          
           and
           despised
           the
           poor
           
             Christians
             ,
          
           as
           a
           novel
           and
           upstart
           
             Sect
          
           of
           
             Nazarens
             ;
          
           which
           is
           the
           first
           imputation
           the
           Christians
           suffered
           under
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           They
           suffered
           under
           the
           imputation
           of
           
             Faction
          
           and
           
             Sedition
             ;
          
           which
           is
           the
           second
           thing
           implyed
           in
           the
           name
           of
           
             Sect
          
           or
           
             Heresie
          
           here
           mentioned
           ;
           and
           that
           they
           charged
           upon
           them
           two
           wayes
           .
           1.
           
           For
           not
           submitting
           to
           the
           Churches
           Authority
           .
           2.
           
           For
           disturbing
           the
           peace
           and
           quiet
           of
           the
           People
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           For
           
             not
             submitting
             to
             the
             Churches
             Authority
             :
          
           not
           ,
           that
           the
           Disciples
           of
           our
           Lord
           did
           out
           of
           humour
           ,
           or
           fancy
           ,
           or
           only
           to
           make
           a
           party
           ,
           break
           with
           the
           Jews
           in
           matters
           meerly
           of
           order
           and
           indifferency
           :
           no
           ,
           on
           the
           contrary
           we
           find
           them
           extreamly
           cautious
           of
           giving
           any
           offence
           in
           such
           matters
           ,
           which
           temper
           they
           learnt
           of
           their
           
             Lord
          
           and
           
             Master
             ,
          
           who
           complyed
           with
           many
           things
           ,
           that
           others
           might
           not
           take
           advantage
           by
           his
           omission
           of
           them
           ,
           to
           slight
           and
           contemn
           them
           ;
           thus
           when
           others
           were
           baptized
           
           of
           
             John
             ,
          
           he
           would
           be
           so
           too
           ;
           not
           ,
           that
           he
           had
           any
           need
           of
           washing
           away
           of
           sin
           :
           but
           he
           would
           not
           make
           use
           of
           a
           particular
           priviledge
           
           to
           bring
           any
           discountenance
           upon
           a
           general
           duty
           .
           Thus
           we
           see
           ,
           he
           went
           up
           at
           the
           solemn
           
             Feasts
          
           to
           
             Hierusalem
          
           as
           others
           did
           ;
           and
           not
           only
           was
           present
           in
           the
           
             Temple
             ,
          
           but
           vindicated
           by
           a
           Miracle
           the
           order
           and
           decency
           of
           it
           ,
           by
           
             driving
             out
             the
             buyers
             and
             sellers
          
           from
           the
           outward
           parts
           of
           it
           ,
           although
           they
           had
           a
           fair
           pretence
           of
           being
           ready
           at
           hand
           to
           serve
           the
           necessities
           of
           such
           as
           
           were
           to
           sacrifice
           to
           God
           in
           the
           Temple
           ;
           nay
           ,
           St.
           
             Mark
          
           tells
           us
           ,
           
             that
             he
             would
             not
             suffer
             any
             vessell
             to
             be
             carried
             through
             the
             Temple
             :
          
           and
           this
           he
           did
           
           not
           upon
           any
           reason
           peculiar
           to
           the
           
             Levitical
             Law
             ,
          
           but
           because
           it
           was
           
             a
             House
             of
             Prayer
             .
          
           And
           this
           example
           his
           Apostles
           followed
           ,
           who
           after
           they
           had
           the
           
             Holy
             Ghost
          
           poured
           upon
           them
           ,
           yet
           they
           attended
           the
           Temple
           at
           the
           hours
           of
           prayer
           .
           
           But
           most
           remarkable
           to
           this
           purpose
           ,
           is
           the
           instance
           of
           St.
           
             Paul
          
           at
           that
           very
           time
           when
           he
           was
           seized
           upon
           ,
           and
           like
           to
           be
           destroyed
           by
           the
           fury
           of
           the
           Jews
           .
           For
           ,
           understanding
           at
           
             Hierusalem
          
           from
           St.
           
             James
             ,
             that
             there
             were
             many
             thousands
             of
             believing
             Jews
             that
             were
             still
             zealous
             of
          
           
           
             the
             Law
             ,
          
           and
           were
           informed
           that
           St.
           
             Paul
          
           among
           the
           Gentiles
           slighted
           
             circumcision
             and
             the
             Levitical
             Customs
             ;
          
           he
           to
           give
           them
           all
           reasonable
           satisfaction
           that
           he
           intended
           to
           make
           no
           unnecessary
           breach
           among
           them
           about
           indifferent
           matters
           ,
           submits
           himself
           to
           a
           legal
           purification
           in
           the
           Temple
           for
           seven
           dayes
           together
           ;
           before
           
           
           the
           end
           of
           which
           ,
           the
           Jews
           made
           a
           tumult
           and
           seized
           upon
           him
           ,
           and
           so
           he
           was
           brought
           to
           answer
           the
           accusations
           against
           him
           in
           this
           Chapter
           .
           Thus
           careful
           St.
           
             Paul
          
           was
           to
           give
           no
           ground
           for
           suspicion
           that
           he
           delighted
           in
           disorders
           and
           separations
           ;
           this
           example
           he
           did
           leave
           to
           all
           prudent
           Christians
           ,
           rather
           to
           submit
           to
           things
           which
           they
           have
           no
           great
           value
           for
           (
           as
           no
           doubt
           at
           this
           time
           St.
           
             Paul
          
           had
           very
           little
           for
           the
           
             Levitical
             Customs
             )
          
           than
           to
           hazard
           the
           breaking
           the
           peace
           of
           the
           Church
           for
           such
           matters
           .
           But
           notwithstanding
           all
           this
           care
           of
           the
           first
           Christians
           ,
           they
           could
           not
           avoid
           the
           imputation
           of
           
             Faction
             ;
          
           because
           they
           would
           not
           entirely
           submit
           their
           judgements
           to
           the
           Authority
           of
           the
           Jewish
           Church
           .
           For
           this
           was
           the
           great
           pretence
           they
           stood
           upon
           ,
           that
           they
           were
           the
           
             Governours
          
           of
           the
           Church
           by
           
             Gods
             own
             institution
             ,
          
           that
           they
           were
           to
           explain
           and
           interpret
           
             the
             Law
             and
             the
             Prophets
             ;
          
           and
           this
           was
           expressed
           in
           the
           beginning
           of
           their
           Law
           ,
           
             That
             in
             all
             cases
             of
             difficulty
             they
             were
             to
             go
             up
             to
             the
             place
             which
             the
             Lord
             their
             God
             should
             chuse
             ;
             and
             to
             go
             to
             the
             Priests
             ,
             and
             the
             Levites
             ,
             and
             to
             the
             Judge
             ,
             and
             they
             shall
             shew
             thee
             the
          
           
           
             sentence
             of
             judgement
             .
             And
             thou
             shalt
             do
             according
             to
             the
             sentence
             which
             they
             of
             that
             place
             (
             which
             the
             Lord
             shall
             chuse
             )
             shall
             shew
             thee
             ,
             and
             thou
             shalt
             observe
             to
             do
             according
             to
             all
             that
             they
             inform
             thee
             ;
             and
             the
             man
             that
             will
             do
             presumptuously
             ,
             and
             will
             not
             bearken
             to
             the
          
           
           
             Priest
             ,
             (
             that
             standeth
             to
             minister
             there
             before
             the
             Lord
             thy
             God
             )
             or
             unto
             the
             Judge
             ,
             even
             that
             man
             shall
             dye
             ,
             and
             thou
             shalt
             put
             away
             the
             evil
             from
             Israel
             .
          
           Upon
           this
           place
           ,
           they
           might
           certainly
           much
           better
           establish
           the
           infallibility
           of
           their
           own
           Church
           ,
           than
           others
           draw
           an
           argument
           for
           Infallibility
           in
           the
           Christian
           Church
           from
           it
           .
           However
           ,
           absolute
           obedience
           would
           serve
           their
           turn
           ,
           to
           charge
           the
           Christians
           with
           
             Faction
             ,
          
           in
           not
           submitting
           to
           their
           Authority
           .
           
             For
             ,
             was
             not
             this
             a
             matter
             of
             difficulty
             ,
             whether
             the
             Messias
             were
             to
             be
             a
             temporal
             Prince
             or
             not
             ?
             concerning
             what
             time
             ,
             and
             place
             ,
             and
             person
             the
             Prophecies
             were
             to
             be
             understood
             ?
             Who
             were
             the
             competent
             Judges
             in
             this
             case
             ,
             but
             those
             whom
             God
             had
             established
             by
             his
             Law
             ?
             If
             the
             Scribes
             and
             Pharisees
             were
             charged
             with
             false
             glosses
             ,
             and
             corrupting
             the
             Law
             by
             their
             Traditions
             ,
             the
             Christians
             were
             not
             to
             take
             upon
             themselves
             to
             judge
             of
             them
             ;
             but
             to
             appeal
             to
             the
             High
             Priest
             and
             the
             
               Sanhedrin
               ,
            
             who
             were
             the
             only
             lawful
             Judges
             in
             these
             matters
             :
             Their
             duty
             was
             submission
             and
             patience
             ;
             but
             by
             no
             means
             ought
             they
             upon
             their
             own
             Authority
             to
             begin
             a
             new
             Church
             ,
             and
             to
             broach
             new
             Doctrines
             directly
             contrary
             to
             the
             judgement
             of
             the
             High
             Priest
             and
             
               Sanhedrin
               ;
            
             yea
             ,
             after
             they
             had
             pronounced
             Sentence
             against
             
               Jesus
            
             of
             
               Nazareth
               ,
            
             and
             condemned
             him
             
             to
             death
             ;
             and
             excommunicated
             his
             followers
             ,
             and
             punished
             as
             many
             as
             they
             could
             get
             into
             their
             power
             ;
             what
             could
             it
             (
             in
             their
             opinion
             )
             be
             but
             the
             Spirit
             of
             Faction
             and
             disobedience
             thus
             to
             oppose
             the
             Authority
             of
             their
             Church
             ,
             in
             believing
             contrary
             to
             its
             decrees
             ,
             and
             reforming
             without
             any
             power
             derived
             from
             it
             ?
          
           We
           see
           in
           our
           Saviours
           time
           how
           severely
           they
           checked
           any
           of
           the
           people
           who
           spake
           favourably
           of
           Christ
           and
           his
           Doctrine
           ;
           As
           though
           the
           poor
           ignorant
           people
           were
           fit
           to
           judge
           of
           these
           matters
           !
           to
           understand
           Prophecies
           ,
           and
           to
           know
           the
           true
           Messias
           ,
           when
           he
           should
           appear
           !
           And
           therefore
           when
           some
           of
           their
           Officers
           that
           had
           been
           sent
           to
           apprehend
           him
           ,
           came
           back
           with
           admiration
           of
           him
           ,
           and
           said
           ,
           
             Never
             man
             spake
             like
             this
             man
             ,
          
           they
           take
           them
           up
           short
           and
           tell
           them
           ,
           
             They
             must
             believe
             as
             the
             Church
             believes
             ;
          
           what
           ,
           they
           take
           upon
           them
           to
           judge
           of
           such
           matters
           !
           No
           ,
           they
           must
           submit
           to
           their
           Governours
           :
           
             Have
             any
             of
             the
             Rulers
             ,
             or
             Pharisees
             believed
             on
             him
             ?
             but
             this
             people
             which
             know
          
           
           
             not
             the
             Law
             are
             cursed
             .
          
           i
           e.
           When
           they
           set
           up
           their
           own
           judgement
           in
           opposition
           to
           the
           Authority
           of
           the
           Church
           .
           And
           after
           our
           Saviours
           death
           at
           a
           solemn
           Council
           at
           
             Hierusalem
             ,
          
           when
           
             Peter
          
           and
           
             John
          
           were
           summoned
           before
           them
           ;
           the
           first
           Question
           they
           asked
           was
           ,
           
             By
             what
             power
             ,
             or
             by
             what
             name
             have
             ye
             done
             this
             ?
          
           They
           never
           enquired
           ,
           
           
           whether
           the
           Miracle
           were
           wrought
           or
           no
           ,
           or
           whether
           their
           Doctrine
           were
           true
           ;
           all
           their
           Question
           was
           about
           their
           Mission
           ,
           whether
           it
           were
           ordinary
           or
           extraordinary
           ;
           or
           what
           authority
           they
           could
           pretend
           to
           ,
           that
           were
           not
           sent
           by
           themselves
           ;
           but
           let
           the
           things
           be
           never
           so
           true
           ,
           which
           they
           said
           ,
           if
           they
           could
           find
           any
           flaw
           in
           their
           Mission
           according
           to
           their
           own
           Rules
           and
           Laws
           ,
           this
           they
           thought
           sufficient
           ground
           to
           forbid
           them
           to
           preach
           any
           more
           ,
           and
           to
           charge
           them
           with
           Faction
           if
           they
           disobeyed
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           They
           charged
           the
           Christians
           with
           
             Faction
          
           in
           being
           
             so
             active
             and
             busie
          
           to
           promote
           Christianity
           to
           the
           great
           disturbance
           of
           the
           Jews
           in
           all
           parts
           .
           This
           
             Tertullus
          
           accused
           St.
           
             Paul
          
           of
           ,
           
             that
             he
             was
             a
             mover
             of
             sedition
             among
             all
             the
             Jews
             throughout
             the
          
           
           
             world
             ;
          
           and
           accordingly
           the
           
             Jews
          
           at
           
             Thessalonica
          
           take
           the
           Christians
           by
           force
           and
           carry
           them
           to
           the
           
             Rulers
          
           of
           the
           City
           ,
           crying
           ,
           
             Those
             that
             have
             turned
             the
             world
             upside
             down
             are
             come
             hither
             also
             .
          
           This
           
           they
           knew
           was
           the
           most
           effectual
           course
           to
           render
           them
           odious
           to
           all
           Governours
           ,
           who
           are
           apt
           to
           suspect
           all
           new
           things
           as
           dangerous
           ,
           and
           think
           no
           truth
           can
           compensate
           the
           hazard
           of
           alterations
           .
           Thus
           it
           was
           especially
           among
           the
           
             Roman
          
           Governours
           ,
           who
           had
           learnt
           from
           the
           counsel
           given
           to
           
             Augustus
             ,
          
           to
           be
           particularly
           jealous
           of
           all
           innovations
           in
           Religion
           ;
           and
           had
           much
           rather
           the
           people
           should
           continue
           quiet
           
           under
           an
           old
           error
           ,
           than
           have
           the
           peace
           disturbed
           for
           the
           greatest
           Truth
           .
           This
           was
           really
           the
           greatest
           difficulty
           in
           the
           way
           of
           Christianity
           ,
           it
           came
           no
           where
           ,
           but
           people
           were
           possessed
           before
           hand
           with
           quite
           other
           apprehensions
           of
           Religion
           ,
           than
           the
           Christians
           brought
           among
           them
           .
           The
           Jewish
           and
           Pagan
           Religions
           were
           in
           possession
           in
           all
           places
           ,
           and
           the
           people
           were
           at
           ease
           in
           the
           practice
           of
           them
           .
           What
           then
           must
           the
           Christians
           do
           ?
           Must
           they
           let
           them
           alone
           and
           not
           endeavour
           to
           convince
           them
           of
           the
           truth
           of
           their
           own
           Doctrine
           ?
           If
           so
           ,
           they
           are
           unfaithful
           to
           their
           trust
           ,
           betrayers
           of
           truth
           ,
           and
           false
           to
           the
           Souls
           of
           men
           :
           if
           they
           go
           about
           to
           perswade
           men
           out
           of
           their
           Religion
           ,
           they
           know
           ,
           such
           is
           the
           fondness
           most
           men
           have
           for
           their
           own
           opinions
           ,
           especially
           in
           Religion
           ,
           that
           where
           they
           might
           hope
           to
           convince
           
             one
             ,
          
           they
           might
           be
           sure
           to
           enrage
           
             many
             ;
          
           especially
           of
           those
           whose
           interest
           lay
           in
           upholding
           the
           old
           Religion
           .
           How
           little
           doth
           Reason
           signifie
           with
           most
           men
           ,
           where
           Interest
           is
           against
           it
           !
           Truth
           and
           falshood
           are
           odd
           kind
           of
           Metaphysical
           things
           to
           them
           ,
           which
           they
           do
           not
           care
           to
           trouble
           their
           heads
           with
           ;
           but
           what
           makes
           for
           or
           against
           their
           Interest
           ,
           is
           thought
           easie
           and
           substantial
           .
           All
           other
           matters
           are
           as
           
             Gallio
          
           said
           ,
           
             questions
             of
             names
             and
             words
             ,
          
           which
           they
           care
           not
           for
           ;
           but
           no
           men
           will
           sooner
           offer
           to
           demonstrate
           a
           thing
           to
           be
           false
           ,
           than
           
           they
           who
           know
           it
           to
           be
           against
           their
           interest
           to
           believe
           it
           to
           be
           true
           .
           This
           was
           the
           case
           of
           these
           great
           men
           of
           the
           Jews
           that
           came
           down
           to
           accuse
           
             Paul
             ;
          
           they
           easily
           saw
           whither
           this
           new
           Religion
           tended
           ,
           and
           if
           it
           prevailed
           among
           their
           people
           ,
           farewell
           then
           to
           all
           the
           
             Pomp
          
           and
           
             Splendour
          
           of
           the
           
             High-Priesthood
          
           at
           
             Hierusalem
             ;
          
           farewell
           then
           to
           the
           
             Glory
          
           of
           the
           
             Temple
          
           and
           
             City
          
           whither
           all
           the
           Tribes
           came
           up
           to
           worship
           thrice
           a
           year
           ;
           farewell
           then
           to
           all
           the
           riches
           ,
           and
           ease
           ,
           and
           pleasure
           which
           they
           enjoyed
           :
           And
           what
           was
           the
           greatest
           Truth
           and
           best
           Religion
           in
           the
           world
           to
           them
           ,
           in
           comparison
           with
           these
           ?
           These
           were
           sufficient
           reasons
           to
           them
           to
           accuse
           Truth
           it self
           of
           deceiving
           men
           ,
           and
           the
           most
           peaceable
           Doctrine
           of
           laying
           the
           Foundation
           of
           Faction
           and
           Sedition
           .
           Thus
           we
           have
           considerd
           the
           false
           imputations
           which
           were
           cast
           upon
           Christianity
           at
           first
           ,
           implyed
           in
           these
           words
           ,
           
             After
             the
             way
             which
             is
             called
             heresie
             .
          
        
         
           2.
           
           I
           now
           come
           to
           the
           way
           taken
           by
           St.
           
             Paul
          
           to
           remove
           these
           false
           imputations
           ,
           which
           he
           doth
           ,
        
         
           1.
           
           By
           an
           appeal
           to
           Scripture
           ,
           as
           the
           ground
           and
           rule
           of
           his
           faith
           ,
           
             Believing
             all
             things
             which
             are
             written
             in
             the
             Law
             and
             the
             Prophets
             .
          
        
         
           2.
           
           By
           an
           appeal
           to
           the
           best
           and
           purest
           Antiquity
           ,
           as
           to
           the
           object
           of
           Worship
           ;
           
             So
             worship
             I
             the
             God
             of
             my
             Fathers
             ,
          
           not
           bringing
           in
           any
           new
           Religion
           ,
           but
           restoring
           it
           to
           its
           primitive
           purity
           .
        
         
         
           1.
           
           
             By
             an
             appeal
             to
             Scripture
             as
             the
             ground
             and
             rule
             of
             his
             faith
             .
          
           The
           
             Jews
          
           pleaded
           
             Possession
             ,
             Tradition
             ,
             Authority
          
           of
           the
           
             present
             Church
             :
          
           against
           all
           these
           St.
           
             Paul
          
           fixes
           upon
           a
           certain
           and
           unmoveable
           Foundation
           ,
           
             the
             Law
             and
             the
             Prophets
             .
          
           He
           doth
           not
           here
           insist
           upon
           any
           particular
           revelation
           made
           to
           himself
           ,
           but
           offers
           the
           whole
           matter
           in
           dispute
           to
           be
           tryed
           by
           a
           common
           Rule
           that
           was
           allowed
           on
           both
           sides
           .
           And
           his
           meaning
           is
           ,
           if
           they
           could
           prove
           that
           he
           either
           asserted
           ,
           or
           did
           any
           thing
           contrary
           to
           
             the
             Law
             and
             the
             Prophets
             ,
          
           then
           they
           had
           some
           reason
           to
           accuse
           him
           of
           innovation
           ,
           or
           beginning
           of
           a
           
             new
             Sect
             ;
          
           but
           if
           the
           foundation
           of
           his
           doctrine
           and
           practice
           lay
           in
           what
           themselves
           acknowledged
           to
           be
           from
           God
           ,
           then
           they
           had
           no
           cause
           to
           charge
           him
           with
           introducing
           a
           
             new
             Sect
          
           among
           them
           .
        
         
           But
           the
           great
           Question
           here
           is
           ,
           
             What
             ground
             St.
             
               Paul
            
             had
             to
             decline
             the
             
               Authority
               of
               the
               present
               Church
               ?
            
             Since
             God
             himself
             had
             appointed
             the
             Priests
             to
             be
             the
             interpreters
             of
             the
             Law
             ;
             and
             therefore
             in
             doubtful
             cases
             resort
             was
             to
             be
             made
             to
             them
             ;
             and
             not
             the
             judgement
             left
             to
             particular
             persons
             about
             the
             sense
             of
             Scripture
             ;
          
           and
           yet
           in
           this
           case
           it
           is
           apparent
           St.
           
             Paul
          
           declined
           all
           Authority
           of
           the
           present
           Church
           ;
           for
           at
           that
           very
           time
           the
           
             High-Priests
             and
             Elders
          
           came
           down
           to
           accuse
           him
           ,
           and
           he
           takes
           not
           the
           least
           notice
           of
           their
           judgement
           in
           this
           
           matter
           .
           I
           shall
           therefore
           now
           shew
           that
           St.
           
             Paul
          
           had
           very
           great
           reason
           so
           to
           do
           ,
           and
           to
           appeal
           only
           to
           
             Scripture
             .
          
        
         
           1.
           
           Because
           the
           Authority
           of
           the
           present
           Church
           was
           more
           lyable
           to
           error
           and
           mistake
           ,
           than
           the
           Rule
           of
           Scripture
           was
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           Because
           it
           was
           lyable
           to
           more
           partiality
           ,
           than
           that
           was
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           Because
           it
           was
           more
           lyable
           to
           
             error
             and
             mistake
             ,
          
           than
           the
           Rule
           of
           Scripture
           was
           .
           It
           was
           agreed
           on
           both
           sides
           ,
           that
           the
           Law
           was
           from
           God
           ,
           and
           that
           
             the
             Prophets
             spake
             by
             the
             inspiration
             of
             the
             Holy
             Ghost
             ;
          
           all
           that
           was
           now
           left
           was
           only
           to
           find
           out
           the
           true
           meaning
           of
           them
           ,
           and
           to
           compare
           Prophecies
           with
           events
           .
           As
           in
           the
           case
           of
           the
           
             Messias
             ,
          
           if
           the
           circumstances
           foretold
           by
           the
           
             Prophets
          
           had
           their
           exact
           accomplishment
           in
           Christ
           ,
           as
           might
           appear
           to
           those
           who
           carefully
           compared
           them
           ;
           
             If
             he
             were
             born
             at
          
           Bethlehem
           ,
           
             of
             the
             Tribe
             of
          
           Judah
           ,
           
             when
             the
             Scepter
             was
             departed
             from
             it
             ,
             and
             during
             the
             second
             Temple
             ,
          
           and
           all
           other
           circumstances
           agreeing
           ;
           then
           though
           the
           ordinary
           judgement
           concerning
           
             true
             Prophets
          
           belonged
           to
           the
           
             Sanhedrin
             ,
          
           yet
           it
           was
           far
           more
           reasonable
           to
           believe
           that
           they
           were
           mistaken
           ,
           than
           that
           all
           the
           Prophecies
           should
           be
           accomplished
           in
           a
           person
           that
           was
           not
           the
           true
           
             Messias
             .
          
           For
           those
           Prophecies
           were
           not
           intended
           only
           for
           the
           
             Priests
          
           and
           
             Rulers
             ,
          
           but
           for
           directions
           to
           the
           People
           ,
           that
           
           they
           might
           be
           able
           to
           judge
           of
           the
           accomplishment
           of
           them
           :
           otherwise
           when
           the
           
             Authority
          
           of
           the
           
             Jewish
             Church
          
           condemned
           our
           
             Saviour
             ,
          
           the
           People
           could
           have
           no
           reason
           to
           believe
           him
           to
           be
           the
           
             Messias
             ;
          
           if
           they
           were
           bound
           in
           the
           
             sense
          
           of
           
             Scripture
          
           to
           submit
           their
           judgement
           wholly
           to
           the
           Churches
           Authority
           .
           It
           is
           plain
           then
           ,
           that
           the
           sense
           of
           Scripture
           may
           be
           so
           evident
           to
           private
           capacities
           ,
           that
           they
           are
           not
           to
           submit
           in
           it
           to
           the
           
             present
             Authority
             of
             a
             Church
             .
          
           For
           notwithstanding
           all
           the
           promises
           made
           to
           the
           
             Jewish
             Church
             ,
          
           and
           the
           command
           of
           submitting
           to
           the
           sentence
           of
           their
           
             Priests
             and
             Rulers
             ,
          
           in
           a
           matter
           of
           the
           highest
           concernment
           ,
           
             viz.
          
           concerning
           the
           true
           
             Messias
             ,
          
           men
           were
           bound
           to
           believe
           directly
           contrary
           to
           the
           present
           Authority
           in
           the
           Church
           .
           For
           the
           people
           were
           bound
           to
           believe
           
             Christ
          
           to
           be
           the
           
             true
             Messias
             ;
          
           although
           the
           
             High
             Priest
             and
             Elders
          
           had
           condemned
           him
           for
           a
           
             deceiver
             and
             malefactor
             .
          
           But
           besides
           this
           particular
           case
           ,
           there
           may
           be
           several
           others
           wherein
           men
           may
           lawfully
           reject
           
             the
             Authority
             of
             the
             present
             Church
             ;
          
           and
           those
           are
           ,
           when
           that
           Authority
           shall
           go
           about
           to
           overthrow
           those
           things
           which
           must
           be
           supposed
           antecedent
           to
           the
           belief
           of
           any
           such
           Authority
           :
           as
           ,
           1.
           
           The
           common
           sense
           of
           mankind
           .
           2.
           
           The
           force
           of
           a
           divine
           Law.
           3.
           
           The
           liberty
           of
           judgement
           concerning
           truth
           and
           falshood
           .
           All
           these
           must
           necessarily
           be
           supposed
           
           before
           any
           Authority
           of
           a
           Church
           ;
           but
           if
           any
           Church
           goes
           about
           to
           overthrow
           these
           ,
           it
           thereby
           forfeits
           its
           own
           Authority
           over
           men
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           If
           it
           requires
           things
           contrary
           to
           common
           sense
           ;
           as
           in
           that
           instance
           wherein
           some
           of
           the
           
             Jewish
             Rabbies
          
           required
           submission
           to
           their
           Authority
           ,
           
             viz.
          
           in
           believing
           the
           right
           hand
           to
           be
           the
           left
           ,
           or
           the
           left
           to
           be
           the
           right
           ,
           if
           they
           determined
           so
           ;
           or
           supposing
           the
           Jews
           to
           have
           required
           the
           people
           to
           deny
           that
           they
           ever
           saw
           any
           Miracle
           wrought
           by
           Christ
           ;
           or
           in
           the
           Miracle
           of
           the
           Loaves
           ,
           that
           what
           they
           saw
           and
           handled
           ,
           and
           tasted
           ,
           to
           be
           bread
           was
           true
           bread
           ;
           or
           to
           say
           ,
           that
           the
           same
           individual
           body
           might
           be
           in
           a
           thousand
           places
           at
           once
           ,
           or
           that
           things
           whose
           nature
           it
           is
           to
           be
           in
           another
           ,
           can
           subsist
           without
           their
           proper
           subject
           ;
           what
           Church
           soever
           requires
           such
           things
           as
           these
           from
           its
           members
           to
           be
           believed
           ,
           gives
           them
           just
           reason
           to
           reject
           its
           Authority
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           If
           it
           requires
           things
           contrary
           to
           the
           force
           and
           reason
           of
           a
           divine
           Law
           :
           as
           the
           Jews
           themselves
           would
           have
           acknowledged
           ,
           if
           any
           Authority
           among
           them
           had
           gone
           about
           either
           to
           have
           left
           out
           the
           second
           Commandment
           ,
           or
           made
           it
           lawful
           to
           give
           Religious
           worship
           to
           Images
           ,
           under
           any
           distinctions
           whatsoever
           :
           or
           if
           the
           Priests
           had
           taken
           away
           from
           the
           people
           their
           share
           in
           the
           sacrifices
           ,
           under
           pretence
           of
           the
           
             unsanctified
          
           
           
             teeth
             ,
          
           or
           the
           
             long
             beards
          
           of
           the
           Laity
           ,
           which
           were
           not
           fit
           to
           touch
           what
           had
           been
           offered
           in
           sacrifice
           to
           God.
           But
           we
           need
           not
           put
           cases
           among
           them
           ,
           for
           our
           Saviour
           therefore
           bids
           men
           
             have
             a
             care
             of
             the
             leaven
             of
             the
             Scribes
             and
             Pharisees
             ,
          
           because
           
             by
          
           
           
             their
             traditions
             they
             made
             the
             Commandment
             of
             God
             of
             none
             effect
             :
          
           as
           in
           their
           
             Corban
             ,
          
           if
           they
           made
           a
           vow
           to
           God
           they
           thought
           themselves
           excused
           from
           relieving
           their
           Parents
           ;
           and
           in
           this
           way
           our
           Saviour
           generally
           deals
           with
           them
           ,
           shewing
           that
           though
           they
           pretended
           to
           keep
           the
           letter
           of
           the
           Law
           ;
           yet
           by
           their
           corrupt
           additions
           and
           false
           glosses
           they
           overthrew
           the
           scope
           and
           design
           of
           it
           :
           which
           he
           thought
           sufficient
           reason
           to
           reject
           their
           Authority
           ;
           and
           therefore
           when
           he
           bids
           his
           Disciples
           ,
           
             observe
             and
             do
             what
             soever
             the
             Scribes
             and
             Pharisees
             bid
             them
             ;
          
           it
           must
           be
           supposed
           to
           be
           
           only
           while
           they
           keep
           to
           the
           letter
           and
           reason
           of
           the
           Law
           ;
           for
           if
           he
           had
           intended
           an
           absolute
           obedience
           ,
           he
           would
           never
           elsewhere
           bid
           his
           Disciples
           
             beware
             of
             their
             Doctrine
             .
          
           
        
         
           3.
           
           If
           it
           takes
           away
           all
           liberty
           of
           judgement
           concerning
           truth
           and
           falshood
           in
           Religion
           .
           For
           this
           is
           a
           natural
           right
           which
           every
           man
           hath
           to
           judge
           for
           himself
           :
           and
           they
           that
           take
           this
           away
           ,
           may
           as
           well
           command
           all
           men
           to
           put
           out
           their
           eyes
           ,
           that
           they
           may
           better
           follow
           their
           Guides
           .
           But
           the
           other
           is
           so
           much
           worse
           ,
           because
           it
           is
           an
           assault
           upon
           our
           understandings
           ,
           it
           is
           a
           robbing
           
           us
           of
           the
           greatest
           talent
           God
           hath
           committed
           to
           our
           management
           ,
           it
           is
           a
           rape
           upon
           our
           best
           faculties
           ,
           and
           prostituting
           them
           to
           the
           lusts
           of
           Spiritual
           Tyrants
           ;
           it
           is
           not
           
             captivating
             our
             understandings
             to
             the
             obedience
             of
             faith
             ,
          
           but
           enslaving
           them
           to
           the
           proud
           and
           domineering
           usurpations
           of
           men
           ;
           wherein
           they
           would
           do
           by
           us
           as
           the
           
             Philistins
          
           did
           by
           
             Sampson
             ;
          
           they
           would
           put
           out
           our
           eyes
           ,
           that
           we
           might
           grind
           in
           their
           prison
           ,
           and
           make
           them
           sport
           .
           I
           would
           not
           be
           mistaken
           ,
           it
           is
           the
           liberty
           of
           judgement
           I
           plead
           for
           ,
           and
           not
           of
           practice
           ;
           that
           may
           be
           justly
           restrained
           by
           the
           Laws
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           where
           the
           other
           is
           allowed
           ;
           because
           the
           obligations
           to
           peace
           and
           unity
           are
           different
           from
           those
           to
           faith
           and
           inward
           assent
           .
           And
           that
           no
           absolute
           submission
           of
           judgement
           could
           be
           required
           by
           the
           Law
           of
           
             Moses
             ,
          
           notwithstanding
           the
           command
           of
           outward
           obedience
           in
           the
           cases
           mention'd
           ,
           
             Deut.
          
           17.
           8
           ,
           9
           ,
           
             &c.
          
           is
           most
           evident
           from
           hence
           ,
           because
           that
           Law
           makes
           provision
           for
           a
           
             sin-offering
             in
             case
          
           
           
             the
             whole
             Congregation
             of
          
           Israel
           
             sin
             through
             ignorance
             ,
             and
             the
             thing
             be
             hid
             from
             the
             eyes
             of
             the
             Assembly
             ,
          
           or
           Supream
           Council
           ,
           
             and
             they
             have
             done
             something
             against
             the
             commandment
             of
             the
             Lord
             :
          
           which
           had
           been
           a
           Law
           made
           to
           no
           purpose
           ,
           if
           it
           had
           been
           impossible
           for
           their
           chief
           Authority
           to
           have
           erred
           or
           been
           mistaken
           in
           their
           judgement
           .
           From
           hence
           we
           see
           St.
           
             Paul
          
           had
           great
           reason
           to
           appeal
           
           from
           the
           
             High
             Priest
          
           and
           
             Elders
             to
             the
             Law
             and
             the
             Prophets
             ,
          
           because
           they
           were
           subject
           to
           errour
           and
           mistake
           ,
           but
           these
           are
           not
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           Because
           
             the
             Law
             and
             the
             Prophets
          
           are
           less
           liable
           to
           
             partiality
             ,
          
           than
           a
           living
           Judge
           ,
           or
           the
           Authority
           of
           the
           present
           Church
           .
           I
           have
           oft-times
           wondered
           to
           hear
           men
           speak
           so
           advantageously
           of
           a
           
             living
             Judge
             ,
          
           before
           an
           
             Infallible
             Rule
             ,
          
           in
           order
           to
           the
           end
           of
           Controversies
           .
           If
           all
           they
           mean
           be
           only
           that
           
             an
             end
             be
             put
             to
             them
          
           no
           matter
           
             how
             ,
          
           I
           confess
           a
           
             living
             Judge
          
           in
           that
           case
           hath
           much
           the
           advantage
           ,
           but
           so
           would
           any
           other
           way
           that
           persons
           would
           agree
           upon
           ,
           as
           the
           judgement
           of
           the
           next
           person
           we
           met
           with
           ,
           or
           Lottery
           ,
           or
           any
           such
           thing
           ;
           but
           if
           we
           would
           have
           things
           fairly
           examined
           and
           heard
           ,
           and
           a
           judgement
           given
           according
           to
           the
           merits
           of
           the
           cause
           ,
           the
           case
           will
           be
           found
           very
           different
           here
           from
           what
           it
           is
           in
           civil
           causes
           .
           For
           here
           the
           Judge
           must
           be
           a
           party
           concerned
           ,
           when
           his
           own
           Authority
           and
           interest
           is
           questioned
           ;
           and
           lyable
           to
           all
           those
           passions
           which
           men
           are
           subject
           to
           in
           their
           own
           cases
           .
           Which
           will
           be
           notoriously
           evident
           in
           the
           case
           before
           us
           ,
           between
           the
           
             High
             Priest
             and
             Elders
          
           on
           one
           side
           ,
           and
           St.
           
             Paul
          
           on
           the
           other
           :
           They
           pleaded
           ,
           that
           if
           any
           difficulty
           arose
           about
           the
           sense
           of
           the
           Law
           ,
           it
           belonged
           to
           them
           to
           judge
           of
           it
           ;
           St.
           
             Paul
          
           declines
           their
           judgement
           ,
           and
           appeals
           only
           
             to
             the
             Law
             and
             the
             Prophets
             :
          
           had
           it
           been
           reasonable
           
           in
           this
           case
           for
           
             Felix
          
           to
           have
           referred
           the
           judgement
           to
           them
           who
           were
           the
           parties
           so
           deeply
           concerned
           ?
           A
           living
           Judge
           may
           have
           a
           great
           advantage
           over
           a
           bare
           Rule
           to
           put
           an
           end
           to
           controversies
           ;
           but
           then
           we
           must
           suppose
           impartiality
           in
           him
           ,
           freedom
           from
           prejudice
           ,
           an
           excellent
           judgement
           ,
           diligence
           and
           patience
           in
           hearing
           all
           the
           evidence
           ,
           and
           at
           last
           delivering
           sentence
           according
           to
           the
           sense
           of
           the
           Law
           ;
           if
           any
           of
           these
           be
           wanting
           ,
           the
           controversie
           may
           soon
           be
           ended
           ,
           but
           on
           the
           wrong
           side
           .
           I
           suppose
           none
           of
           those
           who
           would
           have
           controversies
           in
           Religion
           ended
           by
           a
           living
           Judge
           ,
           will
           for
           shame
           say
           ,
           they
           would
           have
           them
           ended
           right
           or
           wrong
           ;
           but
           if
           they
           would
           have
           Truth
           determined
           ,
           they
           must
           give
           us
           assurance
           ,
           that
           these
           Judges
           shall
           lay
           aside
           all
           partiality
           to
           their
           own
           interests
           ,
           all
           prejudice
           against
           their
           Adversaries
           ,
           shall
           diligently
           search
           ,
           and
           examine
           ,
           and
           weigh
           the
           evidence
           on
           both
           sides
           ,
           and
           then
           shall
           determine
           according
           to
           the
           true
           sense
           of
           the
           Law.
           How
           likely
           this
           is
           will
           appear
           by
           the
           living
           Judges
           in
           our
           Saviours
           time
           ;
           Was
           there
           ever
           greater
           partiality
           seen
           than
           was
           in
           them
           ,
           or
           more
           obstinate
           prejudice
           ,
           or
           more
           wilful
           errors
           ,
           or
           a
           more
           malicious
           sentence
           than
           came
           from
           them
           in
           the
           cause
           of
           our
           Lord
           and
           Saviour
           ?
           They
           would
           not
           believe
           his
           Miracles
           ,
           
           though
           told
           them
           by
           those
           that
           saw
           them
           ;
           when
           they
           saw
           them
           ,
           they
           would
           not
           believe
           they
           came
           from
           God
           ,
           but
           attributed
           them
           to
           the
           Devil
           ;
           they
           would
           not
           so
           much
           as
           enquire
           the
           true
           place
           of
           his
           Nativity
           ,
           but
           ran
           on
           still
           with
           that
           wilful
           mistake
           ,
           
             that
             he
             was
             born
             in
             Galilee
             ;
          
           and
           by
           this
           they
           thought
           to
           confound
           
             Nicodemus
          
           presently
           ,
           
             Search
             and
             look
             ,
             for
             out
             of
          
           Galilee
           
             ariseth
             no
             Prophet
             .
          
           If
           they
           had
           searched
           
           and
           looked
           themselves
           ,
           they
           would
           have
           found
           ,
           that
           Christ
           was
           born
           in
           
             Bethlehem
             ,
          
           and
           not
           in
           
             Galilee
             .
          
           But
           where
           men
           are
           strongly
           prejudiced
           ,
           any
           thing
           serves
           for
           evidence
           and
           demonstration
           ;
           whereas
           all
           the
           arguments
           on
           the
           other
           side
           shall
           be
           despised
           and
           contemned
           .
           How
           captious
           were
           they
           on
           all
           occasions
           towards
           our
           Saviour
           ,
           lying
           in
           wait
           to
           entrap
           him
           with
           questions
           ,
           to
           pervert
           his
           words
           ,
           and
           draw
           blasphemy
           out
           of
           the
           most
           innocent
           expressions
           ?
           And
           when
           none
           of
           all
           these
           things
           could
           do
           ,
           they
           use
           all
           the
           wayes
           of
           fraud
           ,
           malice
           and
           injustice
           to
           destroy
           the
           Saviour
           of
           the
           world
           as
           a
           Malefactor
           and
           Blasphemer
           .
           Was
           not
           here
           now
           a
           mighty
           advantage
           ,
           which
           the
           Authority
           of
           the
           present
           Church
           among
           the
           Jews
           of
           that
           time
           had
           ,
           above
           the
           guidance
           of
           the
           Law
           and
           the
           Prophets
           ?
           And
           the
           knowledge
           St.
           
             Paul
          
           had
           of
           the
           same
           temper
           being
           in
           them
           still
           might
           justly
           make
           him
           decline
           their
           judgement
           ,
           and
           appeal
           
           only
           
             to
             the
             Law
             and
             the
             Prophets
             ,
          
           for
           the
           
             ground
             and
             Rule
          
           of
           his
           faith
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           
             For
             the
             object
             of
             his
             worship
             ,
          
           he
           appeals
           to
           the
           
             best
             Antiquity
             ,
             I
             worship
             the
             God
             of
             my
             Fathers
             .
             i.
             e.
          
           I
           bring
           no
           new
           Religion
           among
           you
           ,
           but
           the
           very
           same
           in
           substance
           with
           that
           which
           all
           the
           Jews
           have
           owned
           ;
           so
           some
           render
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           
             Deo
             Patrio
             ,
          
           the
           God
           whom
           all
           my
           Brethren
           acknowledge
           ,
           but
           he
           rather
           understands
           it
           of
           the
           same
           
             God
          
           that
           was
           worshipped
           
             by
          
           Abraham
           ,
           
             and
          
           Isaac
           ,
           
             and
          
           Jacob
           ,
           
             quem
             majores
             nostri
             coluerunt
             ;
          
           so
           St.
           
             Peter
          
           in
           his
           preaching
           to
           the
           people
           concerning
           the
           resurrection
           of
           Christ
           ,
           to
           avoid
           the
           imputation
           of
           Novelty
           ,
           saith
           ,
           
             the
             God
             of
          
           Abraham
           ,
           
             and
             of
          
           Isaac
           ,
           
             and
             of
          
           
           Jacob
           ,
           
             the
             God
             of
             our
             Fathers
             hath
             glorified
             his
             Son
             Jesus
             ;
          
           and
           again
           to
           the
           
             Sanhedrin
          
           he
           saith
           ,
           
             the
             God
             of
          
           
           
             our
             Fathers
             raised
             up
             Jesus
             ;
          
           and
           St.
           
             Paul
             ,
             the
             God
             of
             our
             Fathers
             hath
             chosen
             thee
             ;
          
           in
           the
           use
           of
           which
           expressions
           
           they
           purposely
           declare
           that
           they
           had
           no
           thoughts
           of
           bringing
           in
           any
           
             new
             Religion
          
           among
           them
           ,
           contrary
           to
           what
           God
           had
           of
           old
           declared
           to
           the
           Patriarchs
           .
           The
           main
           things
           in
           which
           the
           Jews
           objected
           innovation
           to
           them
           ,
           did
           either
           concern
           the
           bringing
           in
           some
           new
           doctrine
           ,
           or
           the
           reformation
           of
           corruptions
           among
           them
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           For
           their
           doctrine
           ;
           that
           either
           concerned
           the
           
             Messias
             ,
          
           or
           a
           
             future
             state
             .
          
           For
           the
           doctrine
           of
           the
           
             Messias
          
           it
           was
           as
           antient
           as
           the
           records
           of
           any
           revelation
           from
           God
           were
           .
           It
           was
           the
           great
           promise
           
           made
           to
           the
           
             Patriarchs
          
           long
           before
           the
           Law
           of
           
             Moses
             ;
          
           and
           even
           
             Moses
          
           himself
           speaks
           of
           him
           ,
           as
           St.
           
             Steven
          
           proves
           to
           them
           ;
           and
           
             David
             ,
          
           and
           
             Isaiah
             ,
          
           
           and
           
             Jeremiah
             ,
          
           and
           
             Ezekiel
             ,
          
           and
           
             Daniel
             ,
          
           and
           
             Micah
             ,
          
           and
           
             Malachi
             ,
          
           as
           the
           Apostles
           at
           large
           prove
           in
           their
           writings
           .
           Why
           should
           this
           then
           be
           accounted
           any
           new
           doctrine
           which
           they
           all
           believed
           and
           received
           ?
           If
           the
           Question
           be
           only
           whether
           Christ
           were
           that
           
             Messias
          
           or
           no
           ;
           for
           that
           ,
           they
           desire
           nothing
           more
           than
           the
           testimony
           of
           the
           
             Law
             and
             the
             Prophets
             ,
          
           and
           
             the
             Miracles
          
           wrought
           by
           him
           ;
           but
           they
           had
           no
           reason
           to
           quarrel
           with
           them
           upon
           their
           belief
           ,
           for
           such
           an
           alteration
           of
           the
           state
           of
           things
           which
           themselves
           believed
           must
           be
           when
           the
           
             Messias
          
           came
           ;
           for
           in
           him
           not
           only
           the
           Nation
           of
           the
           Jews
           ,
           but
           
             all
             the
             Nations
             of
             the
             earth
             were
             to
             be
             blessed
             ;
          
           which
           was
           inconsistent
           with
           supposing
           the
           Ceremonial
           Law
           to
           continue
           in
           its
           force
           and
           obligation
           ;
           being
           particularly
           suited
           to
           one
           people
           lying
           within
           such
           a
           compass
           as
           
             they
             might
          
           three
           times
           a
           year
           attend
           upon
           the
           service
           in
           the
           Temple
           at
           
             Hierusalem
             .
          
           If
           their
           quarrel
           was
           ,
           concerning
           
             a
             future
             state
             ,
          
           as
           though
           that
           were
           a
           new
           doctrine
           ,
           St.
           
             Paul
          
           adds
           in
           the
           next
           Verse
           ,
           
             that
             themselves
             also
             allow
             ,
             that
             there
             shall
             be
             aresurrection
             of
             the
             dead
             both
             of
             the
             just
             and
             the
             unjust
             .
          
           And
           in
           his
           defence
           before
           
             Agrippa
          
           he
           saith
           ,
           
             And
             now
             I
             stand
             and
             am
             judged
          
           
           
             for
             the
             hope
             of
             the
             promise
             made
             of
             God
             unto
             our
             Fathers
             ,
             unto
             which
             promise
             our
             twelve
             Tribes
             instantly
             serving
             God
          
           
           
             day
             and
             night
             hope
             to
             come
             .
          
           So
           that
           the
           Apostle
           produces
           
             Antiquity
             ,
             Universality
          
           and
           
             Consent
          
           in
           these
           Fundamental
           Articles
           of
           the
           Christian
           Religion
           ;
           only
           a
           late
           busie
           and
           Politick
           Faction
           of
           the
           
             Sadducees
          
           opposed
           this
           doctrine
           ;
           but
           why
           should
           their
           opposition
           signifie
           any
           thing
           against
           so
           full
           a
           stream
           running
           down
           from
           the
           first
           and
           purest
           Antiquity
           ?
           Thus
           much
           for
           the
           positive
           part
           of
           their
           faith
           and
           doctrine
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           For
           the
           negative
           pare
           ,
           or
           
             the
             reformation
             of
             abuses
             and
             corruptions
          
           among
           them
           ;
           this
           was
           S.
           
             Pauls
          
           plea
           ;
           Let
           them
           shew
           where
           
             the
             God
             of
             our
             Fathers
          
           imposed
           any
           of
           those
           heavy
           burdens
           which
           the
           Scribes
           and
           Pharisees
           place
           so
           much
           of
           their
           Religion
           in
           .
           What
           ground
           is
           there
           
             in
             the
             Law
             and
             the
             Prophets
             ,
          
           for
           the
           Pharisaical
           Superstitions
           ,
           and
           Vows
           ,
           and
           severities
           to
           themselves
           in
           fetching
           blood
           and
           knocking
           their
           heads
           against
           the
           walls
           ,
           and
           different
           garbs
           and
           dresses
           to
           appear
           more
           holy
           unto
           men
           ,
           with
           many
           other
           customs
           of
           theirs
           ,
           the
           observation
           of
           which
           was
           made
           so
           great
           a
           part
           of
           the
           Religion
           of
           their
           devoutest
           men
           ?
           And
           it
           is
           a
           strange
           thing
           they
           should
           think
           it
           impossible
           such
           things
           should
           come
           in
           among
           them
           ,
           without
           great
           notice
           being
           taken
           of
           it
           ;
           for
           although
           sudden
           and
           violent
           changes
           may
           have
           all
           the
           circumstances
           known
           ,
           yet
           it
           is
           not
           to
           be
           expected
           in
           more
           in
           sensible
           &
           gradual
           alterations
           .
           A
           man
           may
           tell
           when
           a
           violent
           Feaver
           seized
           upon
           
           him
           and
           inflamed
           his
           blood
           ,
           but
           he
           cannot
           do
           so
           by
           a
           Hectick
           or
           a
           Consumption
           ;
           must
           he
           therefore
           believe
           himself
           well
           ,
           because
           he
           cannot
           tell
           the
           punctual
           time
           when
           he
           fell
           sick
           .
           We
           may
           casily
           describe
           the
           circumstances
           of
           a
           Landflood
           which
           overflows
           the
           banks
           ,
           and
           bears
           all
           before
           it
           ,
           but
           we
           cannot
           do
           so
           by
           the
           coming
           in
           of
           the
           Tide
           ,
           which
           steals
           in
           secretly
           and
           insensibly
           ,
           and
           no
           man
           can
           assign
           the
           place
           where
           the
           salt
           and
           fresh
           water
           first
           mix
           together
           .
           Superstition
           is
           a
           Hectick
           Feaver
           to
           Religion
           ,
           it
           by
           degrees
           consumes
           the
           vitals
           of
           it
           ,
           but
           comes
           on
           insensibly
           ,
           and
           is
           not
           easily
           discovered
           till
           it
           be
           hard
           to
           be
           cured
           .
           At
           first
           ,
           it
           may
           be
           some
           devout
           but
           indiscreet
           men
           made
           way
           for
           it
           ,
           who
           love
           to
           find
           out
           some
           Modes
           of
           devotion
           different
           from
           the
           rest
           of
           the
           world
           ,
           which
           are
           greedily
           embraced
           by
           such
           who
           admire
           and
           follow
           them
           ;
           this
           example
           taking
           ,
           another
           begins
           and
           sets
           up
           for
           a
           more
           refined
           way
           than
           the
           former
           ;
           and
           so
           the
           design
           spreads
           ,
           till
           at
           last
           true
           piety
           and
           goodness
           be
           swallowed
           up
           by
           superstitious
           fopperies
           .
           Which
           is
           the
           most
           probable
           account
           of
           all
           the
           Pharisaical
           corruptions
           ;
           some
           of
           whose
           observations
           might
           be
           begun
           at
           first
           with
           a
           good
           mind
           ,
           and
           by
           the
           devout
           persons
           of
           that
           time
           ;
           but
           afterwards
           ,
           every
           one
           that
           had
           a
           sowrer
           look
           and
           a
           worse
           nature
           than
           ordinary
           ,
           thought
           it
           not
           enough
           to
           follow
           the
           example
           of
           others
           ,
           but
           like
           
           a
           great
           
             Physician
          
           he
           must
           have
           his
           
             Nostrum's
             ,
          
           something
           of
           his
           own
           finding
           out
           ,
           a
           new
           garb
           ,
           or
           ceremony
           ,
           or
           posture
           of
           devotion
           ,
           whereby
           he
           may
           be
           taken
           notice
           of
           ,
           and
           admired
           for
           his
           sanctity
           .
           Thus
           that
           fardle
           of
           superstitious
           rites
           was
           gathered
           up
           among
           the
           
             Scribes
          
           and
           
             Pharisees
          
           in
           our
           
             Saviours
          
           time
           ,
           whom
           he
           most
           severely
           upon
           all
           occasions
           rebukes
           for
           their
           hypocrisie
           ,
           in
           placing
           so
           much
           of
           their
           Religion
           in
           them
           .
           And
           thus
           much
           for
           the
           way
           taken
           by
           St.
           
             Paul
          
           to
           vindicate
           Christianity
           from
           the
           imputations
           of
           being
           a
           
             new
             Sect
          
           or
           
             Heresie
             ,
          
           by
           an
           appeal
           to
           
             Scripture
          
           and
           the
           
             best
             Antiquity
             .
          
        
         
           3.
           
           There
           remains
           only
           ,
           the
           
             freedom
             and
             courage
          
           expressed
           by
           him
           in
           owning
           his
           Religion
           ,
           notwithstanding
           these
           false
           imputations
           .
           
             But
             this
             I
             confess
             unto
             thee
             ,
             that
             after
             the
             way
             which
             is
             called
             heresie
             ,
             &c.
             
          
           He
           abhorred
           that
           mean
           and
           base-spirited
           principle
           ,
           which
           makes
           it
           lawful
           for
           men
           to
           deny
           their
           Religion
           when
           it
           brings
           them
           into
           danger
           ;
           he
           studied
           no
           secret
           arts
           of
           complyance
           with
           his
           Adversaries
           to
           securehimself
           ;
           he
           did
           not
           decline
           appearing
           ,
           though
           to
           the
           hazard
           of
           his
           life
           ,
           in
           so
           just
           a
           cause
           .
           He
           valued
           his
           Religion
           beyond
           his
           own
           safety
           ,
           and
           regarded
           not
           all
           the
           calumnies
           and
           reproaches
           of
           his
           enemies
           ,
           as
           long
           as
           he
           made
           this
           his
           constant
           
             exercise
             ,
             to
             keep
             a
             conscience
          
           
           
             void
             of
             offence
             ,
             both
             towards
             God
             and
             towards
             men
             .
          
           And
           this
           he
           elsewhere
           saith
           afforded
           him
           more
           inward
           
           comfort
           and
           satisfaction
           ,
           than
           all
           the
           crafts
           and
           policy
           in
           the
           world
           could
           give
           him
           .
           
             For
             our
             rejoycing
          
           
           
             is
             this
             ,
          
           saith
           he
           ,
           
             the
             testimony
             of
             our
             conscience
             ,
             that
             in
             simplicity
             and
             godly
             sincerity
             ,
             not
             with
             fleshly
             wisdom
             ,
             but
             by
             the
             grace
             of
             God
             we
             have
             had
             our
             conversation
             in
             the
             world
             .
          
           There
           is
           nothing
           inspires
           men
           with
           so
           much
           courage
           ,
           as
           integrity
           and
           uprightness
           of
           mind
           doth
           ;
           and
           such
           persons
           who
           have
           the
           comfort
           of
           that
           ,
           have
           not
           only
           better
           hopes
           as
           to
           another
           world
           ,
           but
           oft-times
           escape
           better
           as
           to
           this
           ,
           than
           others
           do
           ;
           for
           even
           their
           enemies
           cannot
           but
           esteem
           them
           :
           whereas
           the
           fawning
           ,
           sneaking
           and
           flattering
           hypocrite
           that
           will
           do
           or
           be
           any
           thing
           for
           his
           own
           advantage
           ,
           is
           despised
           by
           those
           he
           courts
           ,
           hated
           by
           good
           men
           ,
           and
           at
           last
           tormented
           by
           his
           own
           conscience
           ,
           for
           being
           false
           to
           God
           and
           Religion
           .
           But
           we
           may
           see
           here
           in
           St.
           
             Paul
          
           a
           great
           instance
           of
           true
           
             Christian
             magnanimity
             ;
          
           he
           was
           sensible
           how
           great
           both
           the
           malice
           and
           quality
           of
           his
           enemies
           were
           ;
           he
           knew
           he
           was
           to
           answer
           before
           a
           Judge
           ,
           that
           regarded
           nothing
           either
           of
           Justice
           or
           Religion
           ;
           yet
           he
           neither
           flatters
           his
           Judge
           ,
           nor
           betrayes
           any
           distrust
           of
           him
           :
           he
           doth
           not
           bespatter
           his
           enemies
           ,
           nor
           discover
           any
           fear
           of
           them
           ;
           but
           with
           a
           modest
           freedom
           and
           manly
           courage
           owns
           the
           main
           part
           of
           their
           accusation
           ,
           and
           effectually
           vindicates
           his
           own
           innocency
           and
           his
           Religion
           together
           .
           For
           even
           
             Felix
          
           himself
           ,
           although
           a
           man
           
           otherwise
           very
           capable
           of
           being
           wrought
           upon
           by
           some
           wayes
           of
           address
           ,
           of
           which
           we
           read
           ,
           
             Ver.
          
           26.
           yet
           the
           
             High
             Priest
          
           and
           the
           
             Elders
          
           with
           their
           eloquent
           
             Tertullus
          
           were
           forced
           to
           return
           as
           they
           came
           ,
           and
           leave
           St.
           
             Paul
          
           under
           the
           name
           of
           a
           
             Prisoner
             ,
          
           but
           enjoying
           the
           conveniencies
           of
           
             liberty
             ,
             ver
             .
          
           23.
           
        
         
           I
           have
           now
           gone
           thorough
           all
           the
           parts
           of
           the
           Text
           ,
           with
           a
           respect
           to
           St.
           
             Paul
          
           and
           the
           
             Authority
          
           of
           the
           
             Jewish
             Church
             ,
          
           which
           was
           engaged
           against
           him
           ;
           it
           may
           now
           be
           justly
           expected
           that
           I
           make
           
             Application
          
           of
           what
           I
           have
           said
           to
           our
           own
           
             State
          
           and
           
             Condition
             .
          
           Thanks
           be
           to
           God
           ,
           we
           are
           not
           brought
           to
           such
           a
           tryal
           as
           St.
           
             Paul
          
           was
           ,
           we
           enjoy
           the
           liberty
           of
           speaking
           for
           our selves
           and
           our
           Religion
           ,
           and
           not
           only
           speaking
           for
           it
           ,
           but
           professing
           and
           owning
           it
           .
           And
           ,
           may
           we
           ever
           do
           so
           !
           But
           we
           have
           busie
           and
           restless
           Adversaries
           abroad
           ,
           the
           factors
           of
           the
           
             High
             Priest
          
           and
           
             Elders
          
           at
           
             Rome
             ,
          
           who
           have
           as
           much
           spight
           and
           malice
           against
           us
           ,
           as
           ever
           those
           of
           
             Hierusalem
          
           had
           against
           St.
           
             Paul
             ;
          
           and
           they
           have
           their
           
           Tertullus's
           too
           ,
           men
           of
           art
           and
           insinuation
           ,
           and
           who
           manage
           their
           cause
           against
           us
           just
           as
           he
           did
           against
           St.
           
             Paul
             ,
          
           they
           charge
           us
           with
           bringing
           in
           
             new
             Sects
          
           under
           the
           pretence
           of
           
             Reformation
             ;
          
           or
           with
           rejecting
           the
           Authority
           of
           the
           present
           Church
           which
           we
           were
           bound
           to
           obey
           ,
           
           and
           thereby
           laying
           the
           Foundation
           of
           
           Faction
           ●nd
           
             Schism
             .
          
           These
           are
           heavy
           charges
           ,
           but
           they
           are
           no
           other
           than
           those
           the
           
             High
             Priest
             and
             the
             Elders
          
           made
           against
           St.
           
             Paul
             ;
          
           and
           thanks
           be
           to
           God
           ,
           his
           
             Defence
          
           and
           
             Vindication
          
           is
           
             ours
          
           too
           ,
           for
           we
           appeal
           
             to
             Scripture
          
           and
           the
           
             best
          
           and
           
             purest
             Antiquity
             ;
          
           and
           desire
           to
           be
           judged
           according
           to
           these
           .
           These
           three
           things
           therefore
           I
           shall
           speak
           to
           ,
           before
           I
           conclude
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           That
           the
           same
           reasons
           which
           they
           produce
           against
           the
           
             Reformation
          
           would
           have
           held
           against
           the
           spreading
           of
           Christianity
           at
           first
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           That
           the
           same
           
             Defence
          
           which
           St.
           
             Paul
          
           made
           for
           Christianity
           will
           justifie
           the
           
             Reformation
             .
          
        
         
           3.
           
           That
           we
           have
           all
           reason
           to
           follow
           the
           courage
           of
           St.
           
             Paul
          
           in
           owning
           and
           defending
           our
           Religion
           ,
           not
           with
           standing
           the
           imputations
           which
           are
           cast
           upon
           it
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           That
           the
           same
           reasons
           which
           they
           produce
           against
           the
           
             Reformation
          
           would
           have
           held
           against
           
             Christianity
          
           at
           first
           .
           What
           have
           all
           the
           clamours
           of
           our
           Adversaries
           for
           above
           a
           hundred
           years
           come
           to
           ,
           but
           the
           very
           same
           which
           I
           have
           already
           mentioned
           as
           the
           Jews
           Objections
           against
           Christianity
           ,
           
             viz.
             Novelty
             ,
          
           and
           
             Faction
             ?
          
           
             Where
             was
             your
             Church
             before
             the
             Reformation
             ?
             produce
             your
             succession
             
             in
             all
             Ages
             of
             persons
             who
             agreed
             in
             all
             things
             with
             you
             .
             Where
             were
             those
             distinct
             bodies
             of
             men
             who
             found
             fault
             with
             those
             corruptions
             that
             you
             pretend
             to
             reform
             ?
             Our
             Church
             hath
             had
             a
             constant
             and
             glorious
             succession
             of
             Bishops
             ,
             and
             Martyrs
             ,
             and
             Consessors
             ,
             and
             Religious
             Orders
             of
             Men
             ,
             Virgins
             ,
             and
             Widows
             .
             But
             supposing
             such
             a
             distinct
             succession
             were
             not
             necessary
             ,
             yet
             shew
             how
             it
             was
             possible
             for
             so
             many
             errors
             and
             corruptions
             to
             come
             into
             the
             Church
             ,
             and
             no
             one
             take
             notice
             of
             them
             and
             discover
             them
             .
             Where
             was
             the
             watchfull
             eye
             of
             Providence
             over
             the
             Church
             all
             this
             while
             ?
             What
             ,
             all
             the
             Pastors
             asleep
             at
             once
             !
             or
             all
             conspiring
             together
             to
             deceive
             their
             posterity
             !
             Besides
             ,
             how
             can
             the
             Protestants
             ever
             answer
             their
             rejecting
             the
             Authority
             of
             the
             present
             Church
             which
             they
             lived
             under
             ?
             and
             to
             whom
             God
             had
             promised
             his
             infallible
             Spirit
             ?
             how
             can
             they
             clear
             themselves
             from
             faction
             and
             disturbing
             the
             peace
             of
             the
             Christian
             world
             ,
             which
             lived
             in
             so
             great
             unity
             and
             peace
             before
             ?
          
           This
           is
           the
           summ
           of
           their
           Objections
           against
           the
           
             Reformation
             ,
          
           which
           are
           the
           very
           same
           we
           have
           mention'd
           before
           ,
           as
           produced
           by
           the
           Jews
           against
           Christianity
           .
           If
           the
           arguments
           are
           good
           now
           ,
           they
           were
           so
           then
           ;
           if
           they
           were
           
           good
           then
           ,
           for
           all
           that
           I
           can
           see
           the
           
             High
             Priest
          
           and
           
             Elders
          
           were
           in
           the
           right
           ,
           and
           St.
           
             Paul
          
           in
           the
           wrong
           ;
           if
           they
           were
           not
           good
           then
           ,
           but
           are
           now
           ,
           some
           remarkable
           disparity
           must
           be
           shewed
           between
           their
           case
           and
           ours
           ;
           and
           that
           must
           lye
           in
           shewing
           these
           three
           things
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           That
           the
           Christian
           Church
           hath
           greater
           infallibility
           promised
           than
           the
           Jewish
           had
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           That
           the
           first
           Christians
           had
           greater
           reason
           to
           reject
           the
           Authority
           of
           that
           Church
           ,
           than
           the
           Reformers
           had
           ,
           as
           to
           the
           Church
           of
           
             Rome
             .
          
        
         
           3
           That
           the
           Causes
           of
           corruptions
           in
           the
           
             Jewish
             Church
             ,
          
           could
           not
           hold
           in
           the
           Christian
           .
           But
           if
           none
           of
           these
           can
           be
           made
           good
           ,
           then
           the
           case
           will
           appear
           to
           be
           the
           very
           same
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           It
           cannot
           be
           proved
           that
           the
           
             Christian
             Church
          
           hath
           greater
           infallibility
           promised
           than
           the
           
             Jewish
          
           had
           .
           Of
           which
           we
           have
           this
           plain
           evidence
           ,
           that
           one
           of
           the
           strongest
           arguments
           produced
           for
           the
           infallibility
           of
           the
           
             Christian
             Church
          
           is
           taken
           from
           the
           Promises
           made
           to
           the
           
             Jewish
             .
          
           How
           often
           hath
           
             Deut.
          
           17.
           8
           ,
           9
           ,
           10.
           been
           made
           Use
           of
           to
           prove
           infallibility
           in
           the
           
             Christian
          
           Church
           ?
           If
           they
           had
           any
           better
           arguments
           in
           the
           New
           Testament
           ,
           would
           they
           ever
           run
           so
           far
           back
           to
           a
           Command
           that
           most
           evidently
           relates
           to
           the
           Jewish
           constitution
           ?
           
           Where
           hath
           ever
           God
           promised
           that
           he
           would
           dwell
           in
           St.
           
             Peters
          
           at
           
             Rome
             ,
          
           as
           he
           did
           ,
           that
           he
           would
           dwell
           in
           his
           Temple
           at
           
             Hierusalem
             ?
          
           What
           boastings
           and
           triumphs
           would
           there
           have
           been
           ,
           if
           any
           such
           words
           had
           been
           in
           the
           
             Gospel
          
           concerning
           
             Rome
             ,
          
           as
           there
           were
           of
           old
           concerning
           
             Hierusalem
             ;
          
           viz.
           
             that
             God
             had
          
           
           
             sanctified
             it
             ,
             that
             his
             Name
             might
             be
             there
             for
             ever
             ;
             and
             his
             eyes
             and
             his
             heart
             should
             be
             there
             perpetually
             ?
          
           What
           pittiful
           proofs
           in
           comparison
           of
           this
           ,
           are
           all
           those
           brought
           out
           of
           the
           New
           Testament
           for
           the
           Authority
           and
           Infallibility
           of
           the
           
             Roman
          
           Church
           ?
           What
           are
           all
           the
           promises
           of
           the
           Spirit
           made
           to
           the
           Apostles
           ,
           and
           remarkably
           accomplished
           in
           them
           ,
           to
           this
           plain
           promise
           of
           Gods
           particular
           presence
           in
           that
           place
           for
           ever
           ?
           Suppose
           St.
           
             Peter
          
           had
           priviledges
           above
           the
           rest
           of
           the
           
             Apostles
             ;
          
           how
           comes
           the
           entail
           to
           be
           made
           to
           all
           his
           successors
           ,
           and
           only
           at
           
             Rome
          
           and
           no
           where
           else
           ?
           Where
           are
           the
           Deeds
           kept
           ,
           that
           contain
           this
           gift
           ?
           Why
           are
           they
           not
           produced
           during
           all
           this
           contest
           ?
           And
           yet
           we
           see
           in
           the
           
             Jewish
             Church
          
           where
           such
           a
           promise
           was
           made
           to
           a
           particular
           place
           ,
           no
           such
           thing
           as
           Infallibility
           was
           implyed
           in
           it
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           It
           cannot
           be
           shewed
           ,
           that
           the
           first
           
             Christians
          
           had
           greater
           reason
           to
           reject
           the
           Authority
           of
           the
           Jewish
           Church
           ,
           than
           our
           
             Reformers
          
           
           had
           to
           reject
           that
           of
           the
           
             Church
          
           of
           
             Rome
             .
          
           I
           know
           here
           it
           will
           be
           presently
           said
           ,
           
             That
             the
             Apostles
             saw
             the
             Miracles
             of
             Christ
             ,
             and
             wrought
             many
             themselves
             ,
             and
             received
             an
             immediate
             Commission
             from
             Jesus
             Christ
             in
             whom
             the
             Churches
             Infallibility
             was
             then
             seated
             .
          
           All
           which
           I
           grant
           to
           be
           true
           in
           it self
           ,
           but
           cannot
           be
           pleaded
           by
           them
           who
           contend
           for
           absolute
           obedience
           to
           the
           present
           Churches
           Authority
           as
           infallible
           .
           My
           reason
           is
           ,
           because
           upon
           this
           principle
           they
           could
           not
           believe
           Christ
           to
           be
           the
           true
           
             Messias
             ;
          
           for
           his
           being
           the
           true
           
             Messias
          
           depended
           upon
           two
           things
           ,
           
             viz.
             the
             fulfilling
             of
             Prophecies
             ,
          
           and
           
             the
             truth
             of
             his
             Miracles
             ;
          
           now
           according
           to
           their
           principles
           ,
           no
           man
           could
           be
           certain
           of
           either
           of
           these
           without
           the
           Authority
           of
           the
           Church
           ;
           for
           the
           fulfilling
           of
           Prophecies
           depended
           upon
           the
           sense
           of
           many
           obscure
           places
           of
           Scripture
           ,
           about
           which
           they
           say
           there
           is
           a
           necessity
           of
           an
           infallible
           Judge
           ;
           and
           for
           Miracles
           ,
           they
           tell
           us
           ,
           that
           there
           is
           no
           certain
           way
           of
           judging
           true
           and
           false
           ,
           but
           by
           the
           Authority
           of
           the
           Church
           .
           Now
           if
           these
           things
           be
           so
           ,
           what
           ground
           could
           the
           first
           Christians
           have
           to
           believe
           Christ
           to
           be
           the
           true
           
             Messias
             ,
          
           when
           in
           both
           these
           ,
           they
           must
           oppose
           the
           Authority
           of
           the
           present
           Church
           ?
        
         
           3.
           
           They
           can
           never
           prove
           ,
           that
           the
           same
           causes
           of
           corruptions
           do
           not
           hold
           as
           to
           the
           
           Christian
           ,
           which
           did
           as
           to
           the
           Jewish
           Church
           .
           For
           the
           
             Christian
             Church
          
           in
           those
           Ages
           which
           we
           charge
           with
           introducing
           the
           corruptions
           ,
           was
           degenerated
           into
           greater
           
             Ignorance
             ,
             Barbarism
             ,
             Luxury
          
           and
           
             Superstition
             ,
          
           than
           the
           
             Jewish
             Church
          
           in
           the
           time
           of
           its
           darkness
           from
           the
           cessation
           of
           
             Prophecy
          
           till
           the
           coming
           of
           Christ.
           Our
           Adversaries
           themselves
           confess
           ,
           that
           for
           a
           long
           time
           ,
           there
           was
           nothing
           either
           of
           Learning
           or
           Humanity
           among
           them
           ;
           nothing
           but
           ease
           ,
           and
           luxury
           ,
           and
           ambition
           ,
           and
           all
           manner
           of
           Wickedness
           among
           the
           Chief
           Rulers
           among
           them
           ;
           nay
           ,
           even
           at
           
             Rome
          
           there
           was
           a
           succession
           of
           fifty
           of
           their
           
             High
             Priests
             ,
          
           so
           remarkable
           for
           their
           wickedness
           ,
           that
           
             Annas
          
           and
           
             Caiaphas
          
           (
           setting
           only
           aside
           their
           condemning
           Christ
           )
           were
           
             Saints
          
           in
           comparison
           of
           them
           .
           And
           is
           it
           now
           any
           wonder
           that
           such
           errors
           and
           corruptions
           should
           come
           into
           that
           Church
           ,
           as
           those
           we
           charge
           them
           with
           ?
           Nay
           ,
           rather
           the
           greatest
           Wonder
           seems
           to
           be
           ,
           that
           any
           thing
           of
           Christianity
           should
           be
           preserved
           among
           them
           .
           But
           besides
           the
           
             sottishness
          
           of
           those
           times
           ,
           we
           have
           many
           other
           causes
           to
           assign
           of
           the
           corruptions
           introduced
           among
           them
           ;
           as
           ,
           a
           
             Complyance
             with
             Gentilism
          
           in
           many
           of
           their
           Customs
           and
           Superstitions
           ;
           
             Affectation
             of
             new
             Modes
             of
             Devotion
             ,
          
           among
           indiscreet
           
             Zealots
             ;
             Ambition
          
           and
           constant
           endeavour
           to
           advance
           
           the
           Authority
           and
           Interests
           of
           the
           Priesthood
           above
           all
           Secular
           Power
           ;
           and
           when
           for
           a
           long
           time
           these
           had
           been
           gathering
           the
           rude
           materials
           together
           ,
           then
           the
           
             Moorish
             Philosophy
          
           happening
           to
           creep
           in
           among
           them
           ,
           the
           
             Monks
          
           began
           to
           busie
           themselves
           therein
           ,
           and
           by
           the
           help
           of
           that
           ,
           a
           little
           better
           to
           digest
           that
           Mass
           and
           heap
           of
           corruptions
           ,
           and
           to
           spend
           the
           wit
           they
           had
           to
           defend
           and
           improve
           them
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           But
           against
           all
           these
           ,
           we
           stand
           upon
           the
           same
           defence
           that
           St.
           
             Paul
          
           did
           :
           we
           appeal
           to
           
             Scripture
             ,
          
           and
           the
           
             best
             and
             purest
             Antiquity
             .
          
           We
           pretend
           to
           bring
           in
           no
           new
           Doctrines
           ,
           and
           therefore
           no
           
             Miracles
          
           can
           be
           required
           of
           us
           ;
           which
           the
           
             Apostles
          
           wrought
           to
           confirm
           Christs
           being
           the
           true
           
             Messias
          
           who
           was
           to
           alter
           that
           
             State
          
           which
           God
           himself
           had
           once
           appointed
           :
           All
           that
           we
           plead
           for
           ,
           is
           that
           the
           Religion
           established
           by
           Christ
           may
           serve
           our
           turn
           ,
           and
           that
           which
           is
           recorded
           by
           the
           Apostles
           and
           Evangelists
           ;
           to
           these
           we
           make
           our
           constant
           appeal
           ,
           and
           have
           the
           same
           reason
           to
           decline
           the
           Authority
           of
           the
           
             Roman
          
           Church
           ,
           that
           St.
           
             Paul
          
           had
           as
           to
           the
           
             High
             Priest
          
           and
           
             Elders
             ,
          
           when
           he
           appealed
           to
           
             the
             Law
             and
             the
             Prophets
             :
          
           Nay
           ,
           we
           have
           somewhat
           more
           reason
           ;
           because
           God
           had
           once
           appointed
           the
           
             High
             Priests
          
           and
           
             Rulers
          
           of
           the
           
             People
          
           among
           them
           ,
           but
           the
           
           Supremacy
           of
           the
           
             Roman
             Church
          
           was
           a
           meer
           Usurpation
           begun
           by
           Ambition
           ,
           advanced
           by
           Forgery
           ,
           and
           defended
           by
           Cruelty
           .
           But
           we
           do
           not
           only
           
             believe
             all
             that
             is
             written
             in
             the
             Law
             and
             the
             Prophets
             ,
             but
             we
             worship
             the
             God
             of
             our
             Fathers
             ;
             of
             the
             Fathers
             of
             the
             first
             and
             purest
             Ages
             of
             the
             Christian
             Church
             ;
          
           we
           are
           not
           only
           content
           to
           make
           use
           of
           their
           
             Authority
          
           in
           these
           matters
           ,
           but
           we
           make
           our
           appeal
           to
           them
           ;
           and
           have
           begged
           our
           Adversaries
           ever
           since
           the
           
             Reformation
             ,
          
           to
           prove
           the
           points
           in
           difference
           between
           us
           ,
           by
           the
           testimony
           of
           the
           first
           six
           hundred
           years
           ;
           but
           from
           that
           time
           to
           this
           ,
           they
           are
           as
           far
           from
           proving
           any
           one
           point
           ,
           as
           ever
           they
           were
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           What
           then
           follows
           from
           all
           this
           ,
           but
           that
           we
           should
           imitate
           St.
           
             Pauls
          
           courage
           in
           owning
           and
           defending
           our
           Religion
           ,
           notwithstanding
           all
           the
           false
           imputations
           which
           are
           cast
           upon
           it
           .
           What
           a
           shame
           would
           it
           be
           for
           us
           ,
           meanly
           and
           basely
           to
           betray
           that
           Cause
           ,
           for
           which
           our
           Ancestors
           sacrificed
           their
           lives
           ?
           Is
           the
           
             Romish
             Religion
          
           any
           thing
           better
           than
           it
           was
           then
           ?
           What
           error
           in
           Doctrine
           ,
           or
           corruption
           in
           Practice
           have
           they
           ever
           reformed
           ?
           Nay
           ,
           have
           they
           not
           rather
           established
           and
           confirmed
           them
           more
           ?
           Are
           they
           any
           thing
           kinder
           to
           us
           than
           they
           have
           been
           ?
           No.
           Notwithstanding
           all
           their
           late
           
           pleadings
           for
           
             Evangelical
             Peace
             and
             Charity
             ,
          
           they
           can
           at
           the
           same
           time
           tell
           us
           ,
           
             That
             the
             Statutes
          
           
           
             against
             Hereticks
             are
             still
             in
             force
             against
             us
             ,
             as
             condemned
             Hereticks
             ;
          
           and
           we
           are
           not
           so
           dull
           ,
           not
           to
           apprehend
           the
           meaning
           of
           that
           ;
           
             viz.
          
           that
           were
           it
           in
           their
           power
           they
           could
           lawfully
           burn
           us
           to
           morrow
           .
           And
           is
           not
           this
           the
           height
           of
           
             Evangelical
             Love
             and
             Sweetness
             ?
          
           Who
           can
           but
           admire
           the
           perswasiveness
           of
           such
           arguments
           to
           
             Gospel-meekness
             ,
          
           and
           melt
           at
           the
           tenderness
           and
           bowels
           of
           an
           
             Inquisition
             ?
          
           Let
           us
           not
           deceive
           our selves
           ;
           it
           is
           not
           the
           mean
           complyance
           of
           any
           in
           going
           half
           way
           towards
           them
           ,
           will
           serve
           their
           turn
           :
           there
           is
           no
           chewing
           their
           Pills
           ,
           all
           must
           be
           swallowed
           together
           ,
           or
           as
           good
           in
           their
           opinion
           to
           have
           none
           at
           all
           .
           For
           not
           only
           plain
           
             Hereticks
             ,
          
           but
           the
           
             favourers
          
           and
           
             suspected
             of
             Heresie
          
           are
           solemnly
           excommunicated
           every
           year
           in
           the
           famous
           
             Bull
          
           of
           
             Coena
             Domini
             ;
          
           and
           
             Lindwood
          
           
           their
           
             English
             Canonist
             ,
          
           tells
           us
           whom
           they
           account
           suspected
           of
           Heresie
           ,
           viz.
           
             All
             that
             shew
             common
             civility
             to
             Hereticks
             ,
             or
             give
             Alms
             to
             them
             ,
             or
             that
             once
             hear
             their
             Sermons
             .
          
           This
           last
           indeed
           hath
           been
           mitigated
           by
           a
           considerable
           party
           among
           them
           ;
           for
           notwithstanding
           the
           opposition
           of
           the
           
             Jesuits
          
           in
           this
           matter
           ,
           and
           seven
           
             Briev's
          
           obtained
           by
           their
           means
           from
           several
           
             Popes
          
           forbidding
           all
           
           Roman-Catholicks
           
           to
           come
           to
           our
           Churches
           ;
           yet
           the
           Secular
           Priests
           have
           contended
           for
           it
           as
           a
           thing
           lawful
           for
           them
           not
           only
           to
           come
           to
           our
           Prayers
           ,
           and
           hear
           our
           Sermons
           ,
           but
           to
           partake
           of
           
           our
           Sacraments
           too
           .
           Which
           they
           may
           allow
           ,
           while
           they
           hope
           to
           carry
           on
           their
           interest
           better
           that
           way
           ;
           but
           if
           once
           ,
           (
           which
           God
           forbid
           )
           the
           Tide
           should
           turn
           with
           them
           ,
           then
           the
           old
           Laws
           of
           their
           Church
           must
           prevail
           ,
           and
           nothing
           will
           be
           thought
           so
           wholsome
           as
           an
           Inquisition
           .
           Which
           it
           is
           strange
           ,
           their
           Advocates
           for
           Liberty
           of
           Conscience
           ,
           should
           call
           only
           ,
           
             Laws
             in
             Catholick
             Countreys
          
           
           
             against
             Hereticks
             ,
             and
             not
             Laws
             of
             the
             Church
             ,
          
           when
           there
           are
           extant
           above
           a
           hundred
           
             Bulls
          
           and
           
             Briev's
          
           of
           
             Popes
          
           establishing
           ,
           confirming
           ,
           and
           enlarging
           the
           
             Inquisition
             .
          
           Since
           then
           no
           
           favour
           is
           to
           be
           expected
           from
           their
           Church
           (
           for
           whatever
           they
           pretend
           ,
           all
           the
           severity
           comes
           from
           thence
           ,
           all
           the
           favour
           and
           mitigation
           from
           the
           clemency
           and
           Wisdom
           of
           Princes
           )
           let
           us
           endeavour
           to
           strengthen
           our selves
           ,
           by
           a
           hearty
           zeal
           for
           our
           Religion
           ,
           and
           using
           the
           best
           means
           to
           confirm
           and
           uphold
           it
           .
           And
           since
           
             the
             Children
             of
             this
             world
             are
             in
             their
             Generation
             wiser
             than
             the
             Children
             of
             light
             ;
          
           there
           are
           some
           things
           practised
           among
           them
           which
           may
           deserve
           our
           imitation
           :
           and
           those
           are
           ,
        
         
         
           1.
           
           A
           mighty
           Industry
           and
           Zeal
           in
           promoting
           their
           Cause
           ;
           they
           have
           learn'd
           of
           their
           Predecessors
           to
           
             compass
             Sea
             and
             Land
             to
             gain
             one
             Proselyte
             .
          
           They
           insinuate
           themselves
           into
           all
           companies
           ,
           stick
           at
           no
           pains
           ,
           accommodate
           themselves
           to
           all
           humours
           ,
           and
           are
           provided
           one
           way
           or
           other
           to
           gratifie
           persons
           of
           all
           inclinations
           ;
           for
           they
           have
           retirement
           for
           the
           melancholy
           ,
           business
           for
           the
           active
           ,
           idleness
           for
           the
           lazy
           ,
           honour
           for
           the
           ambitious
           ,
           splendour
           for
           the
           vain
           ,
           severities
           for
           the
           sowre
           and
           hardy
           ,
           and
           a
           good
           dose
           of
           pleasures
           for
           the
           soft
           and
           voluptuous
           .
           It
           is
           not
           their
           
             Way
             ,
          
           but
           their
           
             Zeal
          
           and
           
             Industry
          
           I
           propound
           to
           our
           imitation
           ;
           I
           know
           not
           how
           it
           comes
           to
           pass
           ;
           but
           so
           it
           often
           happens
           ,
           that
           they
           who
           are
           most
           secure
           of
           truth
           on
           their
           side
           ,
           are
           most
           apt
           to
           be
           remiss
           and
           careless
           ;
           and
           to
           comfort
           themselves
           with
           some
           good
           old
           sayings
           ,
           as
           
             God
             will
             provide
             ,
          
           and
           
             Truth
             will
             prevail
             ,
          
           though
           they
           lye
           still
           ,
           and
           do
           nothing
           towards
           it
           ;
           but
           certainly
           such
           negligence
           is
           inexcusable
           ,
           where
           the
           matter
           is
           of
           so
           great
           importance
           ,
           the
           Adversaries
           so
           many
           ,
           and
           an
           account
           must
           be
           given
           shortly
           in
           another
           world
           ,
           of
           what
           men
           have
           done
           or
           suffered
           for
           their
           Religion
           in
           this
           .
        
         
         
           2.
           
           Submission
           and
           Obedience
           to
           their
           Spiritual
           Governours
           ;
           the
           greatest
           strength
           of
           that
           prevailing
           Faction
           lyes
           in
           the
           close
           union
           and
           cohesion
           of
           all
           the
           parts
           together
           ,
           by
           a
           settled
           subordination
           of
           one
           to
           another
           ;
           which
           though
           not
           alwayes
           effectual
           ,
           yet
           the
           contrivance
           is
           so
           laid
           ,
           as
           if
           there
           were
           as
           much
           Truth
           and
           Reason
           as
           Policy
           in
           it
           ,
           cannot
           be
           denyed
           to
           be
           fit
           for
           upholding
           the
           interest
           of
           a
           Church
           .
           But
           we
           plead
           not
           for
           their
           blind
           and
           absolute
           obedience
           ;
           but
           sure
           the
           Apostles
           had
           some
           meaning
           when
           they
           bid
           the
           Christians
           
             obey
             them
             that
             had
             the
             rule
             over
             them
             ,
             and
             submit
             themselves
             ,
             for
             they
             watched
             for
             their
             souls
             ;
             and
          
           
           
             esteem
             them
             very
             highly
             in
             love
             for
             their
             Works
             sake
             :
          
           not
           ,
           be
           ready
           on
           all
           occasions
           to
           reproach
           and
           contemn
           them
           ,
           and
           be
           glad
           of
           any
           idle
           stories
           wherewith
           to
           bespatter
           them
           .
           If
           men
           would
           once
           understand
           and
           practise
           the
           duties
           of
           humility
           ,
           modesty
           ,
           and
           submission
           to
           the
           Government
           which
           God
           hath
           set
           over
           us
           ,
           we
           might
           have
           greater
           hopes
           to
           secure
           the
           interest
           of
           our
           Church
           and
           Religion
           ,
           than
           without
           it
           we
           can
           ever
           have
           .
           For
           spiritual
           pride
           ,
           conceitedness
           in
           Religion
           ,
           and
           a
           Spirit
           of
           contradiction
           to
           Superiours
           are
           to
           be
           reckoned
           among
           some
           of
           the
           worst
           Symptoms
           of
           a
           declining
           Church
           .
        
         
         
           3.
           
           Lessening
           of
           differences
           among
           themselves
           ;
           for
           although
           with
           all
           their
           care
           they
           cannot
           prevent
           them
           ,
           yet
           they
           still
           endeavour
           to
           extenuate
           them
           ,
           as
           much
           as
           possible
           ,
           and
           boast
           of
           their
           Unity
           among
           strangers
           to
           their
           Churches
           affairs
           .
           The
           great
           wisdom
           of
           the
           
             Court
          
           of
           
             Rome
          
           lyes
           in
           this
           ,
           that
           as
           long
           as
           persons
           are
           true
           to
           them
           in
           the
           main
           points
           wherein
           the
           difference
           lyes
           ,
           they
           can
           let
           them
           alone
           in
           smaller
           differences
           among
           themselves
           ;
           and
           not
           provoke
           either
           of
           the
           dissenting
           parties
           ,
           unless
           they
           are
           sure
           to
           suppress
           them
           ,
           lest
           they
           give
           them
           occasion
           to
           withdraw
           from
           their
           communion
           .
           They
           can
           allow
           different
           Rites
           and
           Ceremonies
           in
           the
           several
           Orders
           of
           Religion
           among
           them
           ,
           and
           grant
           exemptions
           and
           priviledges
           in
           particular
           cases
           ;
           as
           long
           as
           they
           make
           them
           serviceable
           to
           their
           common
           interest
           by
           upholding
           and
           strengthning
           them
           .
           Would
           to
           God
           we
           could
           at
           last
           learn
           this
           Wisdom
           from
           our
           enemies
           ,
           not
           to
           widen
           our
           own
           differences
           by
           inveterate
           heats
           ,
           bitterness
           and
           animosities
           among
           our selves
           ;
           but
           to
           find
           out
           wayes
           whereby
           even
           the
           dissenters
           in
           smaller
           things
           may
           be
           made
           useful
           for
           the
           maintaining
           the
           common
           interest
           of
           our
           Church
           and
           Religion
           .
           And
           it
           is
           a
           vain
           thing
           in
           any
           to
           go
           about
           to
           separate
           these
           ;
           or
           ever
           to
           hope
           
           that
           the
           
             Protestant
             Religion
          
           can
           be
           preserved
           among
           us
           without
           upholding
           
             the
             Church
             of
             England
             .
          
           For
           if
           once
           that
           
             Bullwark
          
           be
           demolished
           ,
           our
           Adversaries
           will
           despise
           all
           the
           lesser
           
             Sconces
          
           and
           
           Pallisado's
           ;
           they
           will
           be
           but
           like
           
             Romulus
          
           his
           
             Walls
             ,
          
           which
           they
           will
           easily
           leap
           over
           at
           their
           pleasure
           .
           I
           pray
           God
           then
           (
           and
           I
           hope
           you
           will
           all
           joyn
           with
           me
           in
           it
           )
           that
           he
           would
           vouchsafe
           to
           our
           Governours
           the
           Spirit
           of
           Wisdom
           and
           Peace
           ,
           to
           find
           out
           the
           most
           proper
           means
           for
           the
           establishment
           of
           our
           Church
           and
           Religion
           ;
           and
           I
           pray
           God
           give
           us
           all
           a
           Spirit
           of
           knowledge
           
             to
             understand
             the
             things
             which
             belong
             to
             our
             peace
             ,
          
           and
           of
           Love
           and
           Unity
           to
           endeavour
           after
           them
           .
        
         
           FINIS
           .
        
         
         
      
    
     
       
         Notes, typically marginal, from the original text
         
           Notes for div A61590-e270
           
             Act.
             18.
             15.
             
          
           
             Ver.
             1.
             
          
           
             Ver.
             2
             ,
             3.
             
          
           
             Ver.
             5
             ,
             6.
             
          
           
             Mal.
             2.
             7.
             
          
           
             Heb.
             9.
             10.
             
          
           
             Ver.
             10.
             
          
           
             Psal.
             76.
             1.
             
             Deut.
             12.
             11.
             2
             
             Kings
             21.
             7.
             2
             
             Chron.
             7.
             16.
             
          
           
             
               V.
               Bell.
               de
               not
               .
               Eccles.
               l.
            
             4.
             
               c.
            
             5.
             
             §.
             
               praeterea
               .
            
          
           
             Rom.
             3.
             2.
             
          
           
             9.
             4
             ,
             5.
             
          
           
             Mat.
             3.
             15.
             
          
           
             Mat.
             21.
             12.
             
          
           
             Mar.
             11.
             16.
             
          
           
             Acts
             3.
             1.
             
          
           
             Acts
             21.
             20
             ,
             21.
             
          
           
             Ver.
             7.
             
          
           
             Deut.
             17.
             8
             ,
             9
             ,
             10
             ,
             11
             ,
             12.
             
          
           
             Joh.
             7.
             46
             ,
             47
             ,
             48
             ,
             49.
             
          
           
             Acts
             4.
             7.
             
          
           
             Ver.
             5.
             
          
           
             Acts
             17.
             6.
             
          
           
             Mat.
             15.
             6.
             16.
             6.
             
          
           
             Mat.
             23.
             3.
             
          
           
             Màt
             .
             16.
             12.
             
          
           
             Lev.
             4.
             13.
             
          
           
             John
             7.
             52.
             
          
           
             Acts
             3.
             13.
             
          
           
             5.
             30.
             
          
           
             22.
             14.
             
          
           
             Acts
             7.
             37.
             
          
           
             Acts
             26.
             6
             ,
             7.
             
          
           
             Ver.
             16.
             
          
           
             2
             Cor.
             1.
             12.
             
          
           
             2
             Chron.
             7.
             16.
             
          
           
             
               Advocat
               of
               Conscience-Liberty
               ,
            
             p.
             236.
             247.
             
          
           
             
               Lindwood
               Provinc
               .
               l.
            
             5.
             
               tit
               .
               de
               haeret
               .
            
             p.
             162.
             2.
             
          
           
             
               Vertum.
               Rom.
            
             p.
             104
             ,
             105.
             
          
           
             
               Advoc.
               for
               Lib.
            
             p.
             24.
             
          
           
             
               V.
               Append.
               ad
               Nicol.
               Eyneric
               .
               Director
               .
               Inquisit
               .
               Ven.
            
             1607.
             
          
           
             Heb.
             13.
             17.
             2
             
             Thess.
             5.
             13.