JOSHUA'S RESOLUTION; Or the DUTIES of Houshold-Governours, Discoursed of, and fairly stated; Their Failures therein mildly considered, and without favour or affection impartially weighed. The Subject suited to the Capacities of Tamworth Auditory, and Preached there, and elsewhere, By John Wagstaffe, A. M. And Rector of Little Wenlock, in Shropshire. In Sep. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. saith King Solomon in his Proverbs, ch. 24.26. He will be befriended (not frowned on) that declares the Truth. LONDON, Printed by Thomas Snowden; And are to be sold by Henry Mortlack at the Phoenix in St. Paul's Churchyard. 1684. THE Epistle Dedicatory: To Religious, Conscientious Governors, of all Ranks and Degrees among us, etc. To the Meanest, as well as to the Greatest. NO Present too great for so worthy Patrons, (and in particular to my own, and that Loyal one, where it was first Preached) yet, such as I have, with all heartiness I humbly present to you, you who experimentally know how far easier it is to obey, than command. Tho it be a Parent's Prerogative to command his Children, yet it is duty in him to obey a Father or a Magistrate, placed in Authority over him, though it be a Magistrate's Privilege to control, and call to account, all under his Jurisdiction, yet it is his bounden Duty to obey Sovereignty, and Kingly Government; and though it be the b●st Jewel, and the very Diadem of a Crowned King to command his Subjects, yet it is his Interest, and greatest Happiness to obey his Maker and Creator, that most glorious Majesty of Earth and Heaven * Prov. 8.15. , that you may easily observe, that no Mortal, no not the greatest Grandee, but a Deity himself * 21.1. that is exempted (one time or other) from obeying and serving as well as commanding and ruling; Therefore what's offered you in these following sheets, 'tis to pleasure (Friends) the befrienders of Godliness and Christianity, of Protestantism and Unity * Phil. 2. , and not at all to pretend to inform the Nation of any thing that it knows not, but to remember them that are in it, that they do what they know. It is true, the Land abounds in Knowledge, I wish I could say the same, for the honour of it, that it did so too in practice, than we should be as happy * Joh. 13.17. , and as flourishing as now we begin to be declining, and contemptible, but that poor England may redeem its lost Reputation, let each of us discharge those particular Duties that are incumbent on us; and every single person take their own parts that are allotted them; and that their own Consciences carve out for them, and not to entrench upon another's right, that all of us may act and do like Rational men that have Immortal Souls to save, like the true Professors of Christianity, like those that do hearty protest against Rebellion and Popery, Faction and Phanaticism, Enthusiasm and Atheism; nay, against Irreligion, and all manner of Profaneness whatsoever, and not to look one way, and with all might and main to row another; for we had not been hitherto spared, if kind Providence had not stepped in between, and watched over us for good, safeguarded us one time after another, from those apparent dangers wherewith we were compassed, that we ourselves do now plain enough see; we had ere now been engaged, embroiled in another Civil War, our Hands and Garments by this time, to have been died in each others Blood, which would have been small Credit to Christians, or to our English Nation *. But if after all, there be only a show of Sanctity, a mere shadow and Mock-pageantry of Piety, and that the Substance and Glory is wanting, viz. (the practice) have we not still great cause greatly to fear (that under the colour of Religion, which it utterly disowns) of having the old abhorred Tragedy shamed upon us afresh, if it were not for the prudent Conduct and Mercifulness of one of the most indulgent Princes that did ever sway a Royal Sceptre, that I hope will yet vanquish the bitterest of his Enemies, by the wonders of his kindness and forbearance * Prov. 19.11, 12. , that ha● been hitherto already stretched out to a miracle, that if we at any time miscarry, it will soon be found, detected, to be our disservice, untowardness, disobedience, ingratitude to Powers. Ordained of God * Rom. 13.1. , (to Godlike Clemency and Authority) therefore if we still persist in our disingenuity, inhumanity, to put him upon any thing which his Kingly Conscience cannot yield to * Rom. 14.23. ; and for all that, what do we do more by our Jealousies and Whispers * Prov. 16.28, 29, 30. , but still continue to trespass, dun and harrass the Lords Anointed * 1 Sam. 24.6. ? and then what do we do less but dare Majesty itself at length to punish us, and provoke him to that which he is loath to undertake, viz. (our Ruin) yet if we perish, (if we perish * Esther 4. ) whom have we to blame but ourselves? And to me 'tis as clear as noonday Light, that the wickedness, ungovernableness, hate and haughtiness of the People's Spirits does strangely portend, if not timely prevented, our misery and downfall, which that so dreadful a storm * Jonah 1. may be diverted, and rather lighten on the Protestant Foes, I am not shy in owning myself one of that Loyal Praying number * 3.10 (though Prayers and Tears, by some, are made light of already;) That is, an humble Petitioner at the Footstool of Heaven, where it is no crime to be a Supplicant, though one of the meanest, yet willingly would be one of the Humblest, Truest Servants To the GREAT JEHOVAH, And to all his Vicegerents here below, (To the Pater Patriae, & Pater Familias,) To the Governors of Kingdoms, And to the Governors of Families. JOHN WAGSTAFFE. Joshua's Resolution, etc. Joshua 24.14. Now therefore, fear the Lord, and serve him in sincerity and in truth, and put away the Gods, which your Fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the Lord. Joshua 24.15. And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom you will serve, whether the Gods which your fathers served, that were on the otherside of the flood, or the Gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: But as for me, and my house, we will serve the Lord. Joshua 24.16. And the people answered and said, God forbidden that we should forsake the Lord, to serve other Gods; Amen, Amen. THE Text is too long for a single Sermon, therefore mostly to enlarge on that comprehensive passage; But as for me, and my house, we will serve the Lord; as if he had said, As for others, let them do what they will, the vain obstinate world do as they think good, but as for his particular part, and his whole house, he had undertaken for them, to serve the Lord; a rare, but yet an excellent Copy set before us; therefore let Masters and their Families endeavour to the utmost to transcribe it into their practice; to be religious, devout and godly, to serve the Lord, the great Jehovah, and not the world, themselves, or the like, which is the best way of expressing our thankfulness for the many Deliverances, that the King and Kingdom has been blest withal, by our Homage and Obeisance to the Sovereign Lord of Heaven and Earth; which does include the same to all that are placed in Authority under him, our Loyalty and Service to them; so that observe, 1. Here's a Resolution to be religious and virtuous, not to be wicked, vicious, or factious. 2. By whom? By one going the way of all the Earth * Jos. 23.14. ; nay, by a Commander, the Chief General of the Israelites Forces, for himself, and his Family; not for the Army, or the Nation, or the Country in general, or for any part of it in particular, as the Amorites, or the Perizzites, for the Canaanites, or Hittites, or for the Gergesites, the Hivites; or the Jebusites, &c * Ver. 11. . 3. But Thirdly; On what was resolved on; Service, not the Military and Warlike, but on the Worship and Service of God. 4. To whom in the last place? To the Lord; not one word of serving of self, of Parties, or Factions, of Passions, or Prejudices, of Interests, by sinister ends, or the like. I do now expect that you will look for it, that I should inform you in what particulars the Service of the Lord should be expressed in, though none be expressed in the Text. Besides, the people five or six times over in the same Chapter confirm the same, promise and protest to serve the Lord * Ver. 16, 18, 21, 22, 24. , but did not particularise in what; only in general against sinning, Superstition, and Idolatry * Ver. 19, 20. , which we mostly ought to levelly our displeasure against; at which we will make some attempt before we have done. But first of all to intimate and insinuate with some takingness, if it might be, what we should do. And then afterwards secondly in the Application, (without giving any just offence) to show you what we have done, and what the very best of us all are too subject for to do. But with the first, What we should do as to serving of God? All of you know, 'tis well if you did it, that you yourselves, your second selves, your Children, your Servants, should serve the Lord; As old Father Abraham set you long ago a pattern as to himself and his household * Gen. 18.19. . And that pious Joshua did the same, and that we should do so too; not only to lay down Precepts, to give them good Rules, but first of all, to give them a good Example, and not to rest there, but take care of them afterwards, to Read to them, to hear them Read, to Catechise (Catechise) instruct, to pray with, and for them; to Preach to them, direct them, and the like, etc. I mean, frequently to mind them of their Duty, and earnestly press them to it, and as eagerly to put them on it: But these things I shall not stand to insist on, though of great consequence, they are so commonly known, yet the Lord knows, too seldom practised; though in the New Testament you are told, he is worse than an Infidel that does not take care of his Family and Kindred * 1 Tim. 5.8. . Now, if provision for persons bodies be so necessary and reasonable, what is then due, and of absolute necessity for the good and welfare, for the well being, and well doing of our precious long-lived Souls, the others being only the shells and carcases, at best but the Cabinets and Lodgings for these, if the breach of the former; if the overlooking of the Body be so censured and condemned for worse than Heathenism, what (What) will then the neglect of the other be, the Soul, but termed the highest ingratitude, the most notorious Crime imaginable, the most capital offence that a man can possibly be guilty of, a kind of spiritual unnaturalness and inhumanity, of butchery and Soul murder, that few, or none would willingly be taxed withal, totally ruining the better part of you and yours, and that for ever, and ever? Therefore train up your Children in the way that you would have them to go, and they'll not departed from it when they are old * Prov. 2.6. . And Servants, be not men-pleasers only, but such as know that you have a Master in Heaven, that sees all, and will first or last call you unto an Account * Eph. 6.6, 7, 8. . And again, How shall a young Man cleanse his ways, but by taking heed unto God's Word, and walking accordingly * Psal. 119.9. ? And lastly, To you that are Old; 'tis the Lord's service only that crowns your grey hairs, and hoary heads with glory * Prov. 16.31. . But now you Governors of Families, if you cannot by threats, or promises, by kindnesses, or punishments, reclaim those about you, and under your Roof, or Charge, will it be much amiss if you follow godly David's practice, * Verse 7. as it is in Psal. 101. not to suffer a Liar, by naming one, I conclude it comprehends all; a Swearer, a Drunkard, a Fornicator, an Adulterer, no not a Purloiner, a Bate-breeder, a Tale-bearer, a Libeler, a State-mender, that goes out of his own sphere, an Evildoer, to lodge within your doors * 1 Joh. 4.10, 11. , so as to countenance or encourage them; but such either reform and change, or, as you have opportunity, to dismiss and banish out of your presence and society, company or custody. Having now gone so far towards the explaining this phrase of serving the Lord, I will further unravel my meaning. Tho' 'tis true, one says it is this, to be of this Party and Faction, another, 'tis that, to be of that Side and Interest; a third declares, it is neither; a fourth cannot tell what it is, is at a loss, and so far to seek upon the account of the former, and so onwards to many more. Now, notwithstanding all these variety of different Opinions, of thwarting, clashing, and jarringly contradicting one another, it is probable it may seem to some somewhat hard to direct you to keep the Mean and Midway amongst these faulty Extremes; but (with God's Assistance) I'll venture to state the case, and it may, I hope, please and convince, or at least all Parties, 1 Thes. 4.11. the most querulous gainsayers shall have nothing material to object against it; whilst I am minding my own business, 1 Tim. 2.15. and from the very bottom of my Soul studying to be quiet and peaceable; whilst I am employed in my Calling * As ye may see in the Gentleman and Lady's Calling, Which is worth the frequent perusing and practising. , for there is none that are, or should be without * 1 Cor. 7.24. ; whilst I am innocently diverting myself in company; whilst profitably discoursing, having my conversation in Heaven * Phil. 3.20. ; whilst I am boasting what the Lord hath done for my poor Soul * Psal. 66.16. , that I am not given up to myself, to run with the vile world, to all excess of Riot; to be taken with the Vanities, Fopperies, Follies of an abused Age; how he has rescued me as a Firebrand out of the Jaws of Death and Hell; whilst I am instructing the Ignorant, reclaiming the Extravagant, and advising the Runagate and Prodigal in my Family to return, I am serving the Lord; whilst I am letting them know, what pleasure I have in being truly Religious, what secret Raptures, ravishing Transports, unknown Pastimes and Ecstasies of Joys I have in doing the will of my heavenly Father; it is such a pious Feast, and delightful Banquet, that the greatest Epicurean knows not of * Luke 14. . That I would not be hired off by the wealth of the Indies, though a large bribe, to do as I have Done, or to be as vain, simple, and foolish, as the world, to be as earthly, sensual, and Devilish, as they that are in it. * Jam. 3.15. I am serving the Lord while visiting the Widow and Fatherless, relieving and comforting of them * Jam. 1.27. , whilst reaching out mine hand, and administering to the necessities of the weak, sick and needy, whether in Soul or body Whilst I am Sympathising and strongly phancying myself in their deplorable circumstances, and then calling to mind my own happy Condition; I cannot choose but be cheerful, Bless and Adore my God it is not so with me, whilst I am setting my hand to the Blow or to the Needle. * Prov. 31. Doing good Offices at home for them; Catering for myself, the family, any body towards clothing the naked, feeding the hungry, nay giving but a Cup of cold water to the thirsty, a poor business, yet sufficient If I have no better * Mat. 10.42. . (Now not Divine or humane Law with us, that I know of, forbids or restrains any of us from doing any of these things.) And lastly to instance in no more, whilst I am giving a good Example to all that are round about me that either converse with me, know me or hear of me, and do as I would be done by * Luke 16. Luke 17.10. ; and when I have done all * Col. 3.11. (as if I had done nothing at all) to look for salvation through the Merits only and Intercession of a mighty Saviour and the blessed Spirit, and not by my own worthless works and services. I am more truly serving my God, and doing what he requires of me, than were I with my weak hands, with my feeble power upholding a tottering Ark * 2 Sam. 6.6, 7. ; though honestly meant, poor Vzzah's life dearly paid for it, or more plainly thus, were I with my shoulders supporting a reeling Church unless extraordinarily called thereto, which if otherwise, 'tis to suspect or Distrust the Lords Ability, and that the Almighty God has need of our poor help. But more particularly, whilst I am Doing the aforenamed things, I am as sincerely serving and honouring my God, and doing that which is as well pleasing to him, as if I was hearing a Well composed Sermon, that did hit my humour in every punctilio, or as if I was in my study, or closet reading a good book, or upon my bended knees Devoutly praying, or privately keeping a voluntary Fast; though these are excellent things in their places, and must by no means be neglected (I Repeat it that I may not be mistaken, thôugh these are excellent things in their places, and must by no means be wholly neglected) (and will not be by any Godly Person, yet truly the others are the main ones that must be done, remembering too that these may not be left undone * Mat. 23.23. , for if Comparison, (are not too distasteful) may but be admitted of. The very Life and Soul, the visible Effects, and blessed fruits the very juice and quintessence of all these, as of Praying, Reading, Hearing, Fasting, and the like, are the former: As it is notably confirmed in Isaiahs' prophecy ch. 58. at large, from one end to the other, and let this one place suffice for many, because it takes in all others. But now to encourage you in so noble a service as Serving the Lord, that is an easy service first * Mat. 11.30. ; Not only easy but secondly pleasant * Prov. 3.17. . And 3. Not only pleasant, * 1 Tim. 4.8. but profitable. And lastly, Not only profitable, but honourable * 1 Sam. 2.30. . What would any of us desire more in any service? They are such special Ingredients, and taking qualifications that would highly recommend to us any Course of life besides. And now what strange ill humoured Creatures are we that are so averse, and obstinately bend against our own Interest, here and happiness hereafter? But to come to the other thing that was promised, Application; surely 'tis now needless, yet for the sake of the meanest I'll make bold with the quickest of Apprehension as formally to tell you the first use will be of Exhortation, the next a mild way of reprehension, little expressed, but a great deal to be understood, and the last a general and particular Direction or two. First, To begin with the use of Exhortation, to exhort us to the service of God, whether of Paul, Apollo, or Cephas or Christ, for I conjecture all these kinds and perhaps many more that make up this flourishing Congregation; I do not now call you to answer to those unhappy unchristianlike names, that you have branded each other withal, and as if you delighted in what you have done, taking a kind of a secret vaunting pride in being so termed, paying it off in thinking and forecasting what you will do * Jam. 4. . But whatever your private sentiments may be of the transactions of the world let me prevail with you in this one thing, 'tis no unreasonable request at all, for than I should not Expect to speed, * 1 Pet. 3. that we all unanimously agree in this to serve the Lord [to serve the Lord] And in that way too which he himself hath appointed, yea in those very things which I have instanced in before, As for imposing, or so much as glancing on men's Consciences, they are such nice delicate compositions, that they must be gently touched, very tenderly dealt withal; 'tis done to my Hands by a more Able Pen called a Discourse on a scrupulous conscience. Therefore to wave that; By my worthy Tutor Dr. Callamy. My Design is only to strike at men's sinful Actions and practices, and I pray you, so forward and encourage me in so good a work, sa to bring home the blow. If you will not for God's sake, for the Churches, for the Kings, nor for the Kingdoms, nor for Christ's sake, nor for your poor immortal Souls sake; yet out of interest and advantage, for by & sinister ends, serve the Lord. And when once you have tasted how good his Service is, * Psal. 34. you will then out of more noble, generous principles, as I hinted to you before, it being not only an easy, pleasant, profitable, but an honourable service; so that if you love yourselves, and, who is there that does not? then thirst after your own real good and happiness; love God with all your Souls and Minds, and serve him with all your strength and might; express it in your Christian Charity, in your hearty love and service to one another, and to love your Neighbour as yourself * Jam. 2.8. Non habet charitatem Dei qui Ecclesiae non diligit Vnitatem. I met with this in that inoffensive Learned Author Dr. Barrow on Unity. ; and as you do expect, and would fain have the like from him, and to the utmost endeavour for Unity * Eph. 4. , to be of one mind, so great is the advantage of it, but if that is almost impossible, and that offences must, and will come, as the Saviour of the World informs you * Luke 17. ; but give none, and then you'll be sure to save your own Souls, having charitable thoughts of all, construing every thing in the most favourable sense that it is capable of * 1 Cor. 13.7. ; and if there must needs be Emulations, and Contentions among you at any time, let them be of the better stamp; strive which shall outstrip each other in the ways of Piety, and real Holiness, and frequently offer to overcome one another (which is the best sort of Conquest) by abundance of love and condescension, by frequent acts of kindness, and repeated favours, to weary out your very Foes with love, to load them with Gratuities and Courtesies, to do good Offices for bad ones, and the like. Thus to persevere, and hold out to the end, is in good earnest to serve the Lord, ourselves, our Families, all that we have to do withal, the place we are in, the Neighbourhood, the Country, the King, and the Kingdom. But in the next place, Use 2 by way of Reprehension, to calm it with some Advice, and to show you how we have grossly mistaken the service of God. Now if miserableness and covetousness, if domestic Jars and Discords, if little Pikes and Quarrels with our Neighbours, if taking that for sin which is duty * 1 Pet. 2.13. , if looking upon that to be duty which is none * Jam. 2.9. ; as for Instance; If fondness to a Party, and disgust to a contrary Persuasion; if hating and disdaining; if proud, humility, and fantastic conceitedness; if throwing ourselves upon the ground, like a Tennis-ball, with a design to rebound so much the higher; if base Apostasy, and downright Revolting; if notorious Hypocrisy, and famous Dissembling; if this be serving of God, we have whole shoals of such Professors to produce daily. If discontents and murmur, if whining, and being on the complaining key, if disobedience and untowardness to Superiors, in Office, Age, or Gift, to Parents, Ministers, Magistrates, etc. if burlesquing and buffooning, if miscalling and nick-naming, if raising false Reports, and spreading them for true ones * James 3. , if lying and back biting, if blasting men's Credit, and plundering them of what is more dear to them than their lives, their good Names; if censuring, casting darts and firebrands at one another, as Solomon's Proverbs phraseth it * Pro. 26.18, 19, 20. ; if this be serving God, we have enough of this Tribe and counterfeit Stamp to present you withal. If scandalous Reflections, and boldly speaking evil of Dignities * 2 Pet. 2● Judas. ; if inveighing, and letting fly at the Government after a strange rate, and saying as it is in the Book of Ecclesiastes * Ch. 7. & 10. , What is the cause why former times were better than these, we do not do wisely in so doing, as that place informs you; yet if all this be serving of God, (as 'tis matter of fact,) there's many, too too many do this to some purpose, that do, or should know better. And those too that are pleased to style themselves the only true Protestant Christians, though they act clear contrary thereto, they will think me surely never the worse Friend, or greater Enemy * Gal. 4. for speaking the Truth; but to reprieve your dying Fame, transgress, sin no more in this kind, or any other; be no more superstitious, lest a worse thing befall you * John 5.14. than ever you dreamt of yet, by losing of both worlds, the present Canaan in possession, and the eternal one in reversion * Deut. 30.19, 20. . But again, to direct my Discourse to those, who in their Judgement are for Church-Discipline, but in their practice against it, which truly does the greatest disservice, more by far than the most enraged of our Enemies. Now if prodigality and intemperance, if rioting and drunkenness, if dallying and fornicating, if cursing and banning, if swaggering and swearing, hectoring and rallying at those that are not of their Judgement in every nicety and punctilio (and when did we ever see two faces so alike, but that they might be distinguished by a Mole, feature, a look, or the like?) If this be serving of God, there are those that do it with a witness, thinking themselves too the best Loyalists; but ah poor deluded Souls! 'tis neither to God nor their Sovereign. Those that are bad to themselves, cannot be good to their great Lord and Master. Take away the wicked from before the King (saith King Solomon * Pro. 16.12, 13, 14, 15. ) and his Throne shall be established (for ever) in Righteousness. * Prov. 25.5. So that it is our sins that do most prejudice our Dread Sovereign, and do undermine his Government, shake his Kingdom; and unless we be truly penitent, 'tis well if we and our most glorious King do not perish * 1 Sam. 12.25. , which the Lord long preserve Him and all his that are truly Loyal (whatever Convictions may be upon their Spirits, to leave that to God and themselves.) But how can it be imagined they that are false hearted, treacherous, and disloyal to their own Souls, that they should be either true or constant to God in Heaven, or to Man on Earth? How can it be possibly expected, that they that carelessly destroy their own lives, should take care of, and charily preserve Him, His, or any others. Therefore instead of condemning Providence for being too exact and severe with the poor Church of England, or with the King or Kingdom at any time. Let's strive to be religious, that's the only way to appease it, to be successful and prosperous * Prov. 11.11. , and most serviceable to all three. 'Tis Righteousness that (that great Politician Solomon says) exalts a Nation. * Prov. 14.34. . 'Tis our backsliding and revoltings that is the downfall and overthrow of any people. 'Tis sin (sin) that makes breaches in our poor Protestant walls, overturns our bulwarks, and most fortified places; so that I need not apologise to such for my plain dealing, when calm and sober as they are. Now, they will scarce forgive themselves, but sadly bewail, these their former miscarriages, as their imbecility and weakness, as their great frailty, and inexcusable folly, taking these rebukes and buffet as the highest expressions of the greatest friendship, and the heartiest kindness * Prov. 9.8. Pro. 27.5, 6. . For every one can act the part of a Sycophant, to sooth and cajole; but few, or none that of a faithful friend, or true Minister of the Gospel: to blame, reprove, as there is occasion * 1 Tim. 5.20, 21. Besides, such knowing that the distressed Church of England, (as to its Doctrine) in her lowest ebb, will not dispense with such obliqne, crooked practices, (this her Sons and Daughters well enough know.) If our Practices could but reach our Principles, oh what manner of persons should we then be in all holy conversation and godliness! There would then be more difference betwixt them and too many others, as there is betwixt the glorious Sun at noon day in all its bright shining lustre, and the poor Glow-worm that is crawling up the ditch bank, that mostly sparkles and glitters in the darkest night; this is the happiness of ours, that is by Law enthroned, I hope so firmly fixed, that the Gates of Hell may never prevail against it * Mat. 16.18. ; though 'tis true, there is none without its spots and flaws, yet those that entirely love her, will never cease praying for her peace and welfare * Ps. 122. : But by our sins, oh my particular friends! we are very unkind, nay cruel to her, that we insensibly stab, give the deepest wounds to our Religion and Christian Profession * Gal. 2.14. , that are almost incurable, by our irregular, unaccountable lives; so that for the future, let the innocency of our lives be the Church's best Scutcheon, and greatest glory, the sweetness, obligingness of our conversation win upon Proselyte, dissatisfied Brethren * Rom. 15.2. , Heathens, Runagates, and the like, to gain a Soul, Souls: And if one be of more worth than a world * 1 Cor. 9, 29, , what value shall we then put upon thousands, that will amount to more than ten thousand Kingdoms or Worlds; therefore let such a spirit of Godliness, Condescension, Moderation * Mal. 16.26. , Brotherly Love * See what the Reverend Bishop Wilkinson saith on that subject, recommended by the very much admired Dr. Tillotson. , Christian Piety, Honesty, Charity, Sobriety, so fill our veins, as to run through all our actions, yea through all the Stages of our life, and so brightly shine forth upon all the bystanders, as to influence them to do the same. But again thirdly; If the worshipping Stocks and Stones, being formed, hammered out into a God, or a Saint, which is no less than Idolatry; if perjury or forswearing, which the Land ought to mourn for * 1 Thes. 4.9, 10. ; if Treasons or Conspiracies, * Jer. 23. which are almost as common with some as drinking to one another; if Murders and Massacres against those that will not be guilty of the same things; if unwearied Plotting and Counter-plotting to help forward a bad Cause; if deposing of Kings, overturning of Kingdoms, may pass for Reformation; if doing these things themselves, when traced to the head, yet now and then confidently fathering the same on others. Now if all this be an Ordinance of God, and doing God good service, there are those that do it to the life. I am not so meal mouthed as to be afraid of naming of them * Luk. 12.4, 5. , but to do Justice to a Jew, Greek, or a Turk * Leu. 19.15. . Tho' Popery had got the whip hand of Presbytery, * Deut. 1.17. and was ready to out-top the Reformed Episcopacy, which God forbidden, * Prov. 24. (God forbidden.) yet a true English Christian like Spirit * Rom. 10.12, 13. , will soon tell you they are the Roman Factors, the Pope's Priests and Jesuits, his Vassals and Hackney Agents * Luk. 12.9. . Or by those that fain would be so, or the most genuine construction that can be put upon it, that act, and formally do the same things, though they know it not. If this be serving of God, there is no doubt but they outdo us all, and according to their old, Stolen State Tenets, Beloved Principles, Wedded Politics, they think they merit Heaven by it, consecrating the very Instruments for so holy (or rather horrid) employ. But the Lord preserve us from so much as being tainted with so bloody, blasphemous, lying, Idolatrous * Look into Dr. Stillingfleet's works, the Protestant Champion against Idolatry on● the one hand, and Superstition on the other. , scandalous and tyrannical Religion, that is, for Lording it over men's Consciences, as well as Lives and Estates. Now contrary to all these, which the Church strictly enjoins, and which the well constituted Laws of the Nation does approve of, and highly recommend to us, and which God himself does absolutely command, are these that follow, which without hyperbolising, and more gently straining, are the best & strongest Bulwarks to Protestanism, & the best of Religions, if crowned Loyalty, and most renowned Fidelity; if upright Honesty. * Psal. 15. , and unshaken Piety; if excellent Sobriety, and admirable Charity; if courteous Affability, and friendly Correspondency; if the deepest unfeigned Humility, and bountiful cheerful Liberality * Gal. 6.10. ; if universal Charity, and a true generous Spirit of Christianity, * 1 Cor. 13. is that which passes currant with all men for the Service of God, how have all, or at least most of us swerved, warped, and strangely digressed from it, yea gone a whoring after our own Inventions * Psal. 106.38. ? Again, if thinking well of every body, and speaking so too, so far as Truth will bear us out, or otherwise to be silent * Titus 3. ; for Christian Love will cover a multitude of sins and misdemeanours * 1 Pet. 4.8. . if bearing and forbearing, if real patience and long suffering, if forgiving and forgetting, if good turns for bad ones, if sincerely loving Enemies * 1 Thes. 5.15. Matth. 5. Matth. 18. , the Dissenters, nay the very Papists, their Persons, though not their Principles, instead of downright hating them; if hearty pr●ying for their Conversion, instead of their Confusion; if readily blessing of them, instead of cursing them; and at last gasp with the famous Martyr St. Stephen, on our knees to beg of the Lord not to lay it to their charge * Acts 7.60. ; though at the same time they were killing, butchering, and stoning of us to death; if this be to serve the Lord, as really it is, and that all of you know it too in the highest Instances; if of Self denial, and Mortification, which far exceeds all Ecclesiastical Censures, Popish Pennances, or Pilgrimages to seal the Lord's Service with our Blood, which is so very precious to us, that we are loath to part with the least drop of it, unless it be in the defence and quarrel of our lusts, or for our dearly beloved passions; so that we may cull out of the thinnest, or if you please, out of the fullest Congregation, those that are Doers of thy Word, O Lord, and do thus serve thee to their lives end, and they would scarce be missed; much more would it be so, should we search into Foreign Countries, how few, or none, would then be met withal of so choice a number? nay, it is well in some measure, instead of meeting with Proselytes, and Professors to Protestanism, if they were not Rengeadoes, a kind of Heaven Traitors, to serve the Lord as Christ's own Disciples did, that instead of owning, and boldly confessing him, sneakingly to desert and forsake him, yea basely, cowardly to abandon and forswear him * Math. 26.70, 72, 74. . Nay, who is there among many, among all these that we have taken notice of, that are but devoutly praying and praising God, Luke 6.21. praying to the Almighty to amend and rectify what is amiss amongst us, and at the same time to praise him * 1 Tim. 2. ; that it is no worse with us, whose sins do so abound, superabound, so loudly call, cry for vengeance speedily to be executed upon us. He has born long, he will not bear always * Gen. 6. , yet we have not as yet forborn sinning, but the more incensed him by our daring Crimes, and repeated Provocations * 1 Joh. 5.19. , as if we would defy Heaven itself to punish us; though he is long lifting up his hand, yet upon that very account, it will at last fall the more heavy upon us. If you think this now too high a Charge, it is well if the best of us all can come forth, one single person, and say, that he has done this or the other duty, or abstained from this or the other sin, so as to become a new Man, that was a bad one before, because he sees God is angry with his People, or the Nation, and threatening them very sorely; and that a dismal Cloud is hanging, hover over our heads by a twined Thread only, that if it be once suffered to pour forth its Vials of Wrath and Fury upon us, as if it were Fire and Brimstone, to humane appearance, it would consume us, and our posterity, if not feasonably prevented by a real Reformation. There's no question at all now to be made but many of us would, do, dare talk for our Religion, and, if need were, could fight for God, the Country, the King and Kingdom; but though we name all these, yet it would be with most at last found, to their lasting disgrace, and eternal infamy, that it was mostly for their near and dear selves; for, where are these? in what corner of the World are they to be met withal, that would cheerfully suffer and die for it, that with their Weapons in their hands, could lay them and their Lives at the footstool of Heaven, and say as they profess, so for to do, daily, thy Will, thy (Will,) not ours, be done? Christianity asserts it, I wish and pray, that my heart and yours, when it comes to it, may say so too. For St. Paul to Timothy, a man of sufferings, in that known place * 2 Tim. 3.12, 13. , tells us positively, All that will live godly must suffer persecution. That all of us must expect to be buffeted, either in the act, or in the intention, or in both, as there is occasion; or as we are called to it, but upon no pretence whatsoever, to run headlong upon it; yet at last how many more will be found Martyrs to their lusts and Fancies, to their unruly humours, and untoward passions, than to their God, their Saviour, to their King or Country. You may easily gather by what has been already tendered you, I do not at all intent to befriend any Party or Faction; I had rather my faltering Tongue should cleave to the roof of my Mouth * Psal. 137. , than so for to do; my design is only to press on you uncounterfeit Piety, and real Holiness, Christian Loyalty, and ready Obedience, whatever comes on't; that I would have you not to be biased, to flag, or be turned aside at any thing, but to weather-beat, and to endure the brunt and shock of the most threatening dangers * Eph. 8.6. ; for had I so much as a thought to become a popular Preacher, to be the World's * Jam. 4.4. Minion or Favourite, and to serve myself, instead of serving my God * Gal. 1.10. , I would go another way to work * Psal. 82.6, 7. , to keep at as great a distance as might be from men's sins, or sore places. As to give you but a taste * Mat. 24.23.24. , like a fair spoken Jesuit in Masquerade, that has his full Commission to act any part, whether Atheist, Fanatic, or Papist; that makes nothing at all of wresting the most Sacred Records, so as to force them to speak as he would have them; 1. As first to one Club rendezvouz of boon Companions, I would comply with them as far as I could; And by my Example I would encourage them to take their swing, to eat, drink, play Exod. 32. , and be merry * 1 Luke 12.9, 20. , and do whatever they had a mind to * 1 Cor. 15.32. , though one does not know what a day may bring forth, and that to morrow one may die for't * Pro, 27.1. . 2. Again, to another select number and Tribe, I would hearten them on, to take not their Christian * Jam. 1.26. , but the Libertines Liberty, and tell them of luscious promises, fine pleasing things to tickle their effeminate fancies; and if this did not sound well, I would in Scripture Language claw their itching Ears, * 2 Tim. 4. by crying, Peace, peace; though sudden destruction was ready to befall them * 1 Thess. 5.3. ; yet I would flatter them, that though they were perverse and froward, peevish and passionate, self willed and headstrong in private, in their Families, if it did not come to the world's knowledge, I would not boggle, seriously to tell and tantalise 'em too, that whatever they did, they were God's Jewels * Mal. 3.17. , the Heirs of Promise * Heb. 1.6. , yea the very Darlings of Heaven, though to their unspeakable sorrow, and amazing disappointment, * Jer. 5.2. they'd find the bottomless Pit to be the only place of their Inheritance, * Mat. 23.14. and the Lot and Portion of Hypocrites to be their Doom. * Mat. 24.51. 3. But again, especially to a third gang and parcel, that I should expect the greatest Harvest from, that stile themselves the most Christianlike people, though the most carnal and diabolical * 1 Tim. 4. , both in their Principles and Practices, I would Saint 'em, and pretend to enrol them in Heaven's Calendar, bearing them in hand, as if it did lie in my power to set them at Christ's left and right hand, if they would but unking Kingdoms, and set the World itself in a combustion * Act. 17.6.6. , and on a flame, and then would have them with Pilate, wash their hands in innocency * Mat. 27.24. , wipe their mouths too, and say, What have they done that should so incense all Parties against them, I would further strive to make them believe that they did God good service thereby * Joh. 16.2. , that they should at last have a Coronation, instead of meeting with a Damnation day * Rom. 13.2. . If they would but, like the Evil one in the Gospel * Mat. 13.24, 25, 28. , sow Weeds and Tares in the Protestants Wheat, (not only in private Assemblies, but in the Public ones, that are allowed by Authority,) and when they had done that, to bundle them up Wheat and Chaff, all of us together, especially the most remarkable opposers, as the most combustible matter, fittest for the Papists Bonfire, or to take that easy plausible way, as to throw Bones of Contention amongst us, and then glory in it * Phil. 3.18.19. , (which some I am afraid already have effectually done) making us to by't, tear, devour one another * Gal. 5.14. , without so much as putting to their helping hand, and then such shall be said to do God good service, though they were immediately employed in Satan's Drudgery. Thus, thus would I do, were I to serve myself, or the vain World, though not so bluntly as I have done it here, for this was done designedly to let you see through the thin Veil that was drawn over a little to disguise & varnish it deal, ovee but remembering, (remembering,) that I am a Servant of the high God, therefore as Heaven's Ambassador, I bespeak you, beseech you in his most glorious Name, having to do with a better Paymaster than such Bragadosia's, or mere puffs of Wind can pretend to, promise me, or any other, do roundly, not mincingly tell you over again by way of general direction. 3. In the last place; If you do not repent, you shall all likewise perish * Luke. 13.3. . It is not enough that you have Abraham * Matth. 3. , Isaac and Jacob for your Father; I mean no more by it than this, though you be born of Christian Parents, and bear so honourable a Name of being Protestants, and would continue so from one Generation to another, yet that will not serve turn, though you be of the Church of England, of Rome, of Geneva, or of the Brotherhood, or of separate Congregations * Gal. 3. Col. 3. , it will be no acceptable service at all * 1 Cor. 7.19. , unless you do the enjoined Will of your Father in Heaven, be Israelites without guile in deed and in truth. And that you may be throughly known whatever Names you may go by, 'tis demanded from the Church-Party to see their Faith by their good works * Jam. 2. , of all others to know the Tree by its Fruit * Matth. 7. ; this takes most, though both Scripture expressions, and the sense partly the same; the former to see their Principles by their Practices, the latter to know their lives by their fruit bearing, I mean, by their upright, honest, conscientious living. Therefore this is known for a great truth, to be the Lords Livery, wherever 'tis worn throughout the parts of Europe, Cease to do evil, learn to do well * Isa. 1.16, 17. . If you'll be styled the Lord's Servants, a great deal is couched under those two short Sentences; as to the particulars, I refer you to what hath been already offered to you; but if you would have it over again in other words, look in the Prophet Micah * Mich. 6.8. ; What does the Lord require of you, but to do Justice, love Mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? That is in short, let Sobriety and Temperance be practised on yourselves, Righteousness and Justice to your Neighbour, Piety and Godliness to your Maker, and you will find * Luk. 13.13. , that you are not then to be found in Rioting and Drunkenness, not in Chambering and Wantonness, not in Strife and Envy, etc. but imitate the Lord Jesus, as he hath already given us an Example. I can only now touch on things, and as it were, dart Truths at random; yet as you have it in the first Book of Samuel * 1 Sam. 17. , a stone being slung by a contemptible Stripling, what effect it had. Now God's Spirit, and your own Conscience levelling this and the other Truth, that it may hit the white, the mark, sink down into the heart, and kill a Goliath, a Gigantic sin, whatever you may term me for throwing my poor Mite into the Treasury and Corban of the Lord's Service. * Mark 12. I'll not go on in reparteeing as to call you uncircumcised Christians, whilst I am upon serving England's living God, but accost you with all the respect and tenderness that the Subject is able to bear. I'll treat you, yea address myself to you, not as you are the poor despicable Subjects of a great Prince, but as if ye were so many Grandees and Monarches of several little Worlds and Countries, which was the first Original of Families, as you may see at large in the Old Testament; every Head of a Family, being a kind of a petty God or King; and still in many respects you are so within your Precincts and Provinces, within your own proper Stations and Boundaries, within your own Dominions and Domestic Territories, if you do not forfeit your right and title thereto by a false Religion, by Rebellion, Sacrilege, or the like, which is cried out against as much as the deadly sin of Sorcery or Witchcraft * 1 Sam. 15.23. . Therefore 'tis to you pious Parents, and worthy Governors of your Families, though you have never so mean thoughts of yourselves, the more you are so for being humble, meek, lowly, and submissive, that my suit is in the behalf of the great Majesty, not only of Earth, but Heaven, that you and your houses would resolve * In what manner Dr. Calamy has doneed, you may see on that Text, Rom. 3.8. pag. 28, 29, 30, 31. 'tis with that confession, solemnity, protestation, & nobleness of spirit, that it deserves to be engraved in Letters of Gold, if it would but excite all others to take up the same Christian alike resolution in the behalf of God, the Church, the King, the present Government, the Country, against either Popery or Fanaticism. to serve the Lord; There (There) there you are so many petty Kings to control and command according to your own private will and pleasure, and your dutiful Children are as so many little Princes about you, and your trusty Servants are as so many Lords, not Slaves, attending on you. Now is it not great pity that such a glorious Equipage, heavenly Retinue, should be badly employed in Satan's drudgery instead of the Lords honourable service; yea every poor man in his weatherbeaten Cottage, has as much Command and Authority there under his thatched Roof, and narrow Confines, as the Peer and Noble man has within his spacious Manor, or Princely Palace. Therefore all of you, I humbly beseech you, Rule well within your own Stations and Territories, keep up their good Order and Kingly Government, and instruct all under you, in Obedience and Duty, in Justice and Honesty, to yourselves, and others; and what you expect from them, to you, according to that golden Rule, Doing as you would be done by; it does not repent me, though this be the second or third time: I have had it on this Subject, that you by your Examples press it the more on them, by doing it, and continually practising the same, yourselves to those above you; especially to those to whom you own subjection, to Kings and to all that are placed in Authority under them, and then this will be to the honour of God, to the Advancement of your Religion, to the Well being of yourselves, to the promoting of your Families, to the Benefit of your Neighbours, to the Glory of our Nation, and at last to your own Eternal Salvation. And till you have done all this in your own houses, be not under any pretence whatsoever drawn out to the reforming, and new-modelling of Nations: It is too great a work for every Mechanic or single Statesman to undertake, such grand matters are for the whole Nation to consult on, or at least for their Representatives embodied into one; For what says the wise man, that great State's man of all others, King Solomon by name, That in the multitude of Counsellors there is (much) safety * Prov. 11.14. . So that now for you that are present, though many, yet scarce the thousandth Man of them that are in His Majesty's Dominion: Therefore it behoves you, instead of mending and new moulding of Kingdoms, let your Eyes be turned within doors; begin at home, and you will find such need of repairs there, that you'll not easily be tempted to look abroad for want of better Employment, as the Lord knows all of us too frequently are. Grant that the Nation is bad, very bad, but do not you make it worse by being so too. Nay further, admit of it, that it not only has a Mote, but a very great Beam in its Eye, that it is not at all sensible of it, and almost blinded with it, that it gins to be frantic and raving, with its pricking pain; what then, shall we like Quacks and Mountebanks, long to be meddling and tampering with it? No, no! I hope we are all of us so ingenuous, and I do not at all doubt of it, but that we will freely acknowledge that there is something, though it be never so little in our own Eyes, that each single person in the Kingdom would be pleased to pluck out that which is in their own, or in their Families; and when we come to see clearly, by that time there will not be so much as the least Speck, jota, in the Eye of the Nation left. To conclude; We have hitherto been too preposterously employed, and begun undiscreetly, very oddly at the wrong end, as if we would Tile the House, or Thatch it with Straw or Stubble, and then daub up the Walls with our untempered Mortar, and not only so, but to hang it too in the fleeting Air by Geometry, before we have so much as laid the very foundation, the first corner Stone. The New Testament tells you, this is not like a Masterbuilder * Luke 14. . We may hold up these light shingles, or whiffling straws, that the wind blows to and fro up in our hands, or support them for a short time, with the strong blasts of our foul mouths, but in time weary of the Employ, and slavish Service, they will at last, (if not timely taken down,) fall like heavy Slates, upon our heads, and dash us, ours, our Religion, our threatened Church, our tottering State, our poor King, and poorer Kingdom, into a thousand piece-meals * Nahum. , making all our Habitations empty, void and waste, which the Lord in his mercy prevent, and grant that we and our Houses may forth with serve the Lord, in that manner that may be most acceptable to him, that he, and his Church, has appointed, to his Glory, and to our own Salvation: The Lord grant so great a blessing to the whole Nation, for Jesus Christ his sake. Amen, Amen. FINIS.