# i? # « 6 **^ ^ ■» r _ r <5 «55 !5 Jj O * 5 «* o "Z *22 Eh 3 Q_ ^ g •4- o c o .^ k *» ^ "o 1 = 3 1 1 ^** o o (J & ** &> >l ^ #> S^B uffS g JAMES ARMimUf. Tor L ear tuny y MMtu/st anljvr Sim&itLe^ l?etv tver had witk Jutti EcpuiUtie, . The Life and Death o F fAMES A%MIHIVS, AND SIMON EPISCOPiVS. Profeflbrs of Divinity in theUniver- fiiyof Leyden'mHellatid, Both of them famous Defenders of the Do&rine of Gods Univerfal Grace, and Sufferers for it. Now publiflied in, the Englijh tongue. ; : . .i I v ■ •« The memory ofthejufi is Bleffe'd, Pro. 1 o. j. LONDON, Printed by t Tfo m Ratcliff 'and NMh.Thomffon, for Franc u'Sgtith, at the Elephant and Cafile wi&QjntTemple-Btr, 1672. THE PREFACE. Courteous Reader, THe Title-page of the Booker efentedhere to thy vitw\ does fuffciently inform thee % What in the general thou art to expeft therein. The boosts fo little, and may Be read over info Jhort a time, that it is altogether needlefs to give a furthor account of its Contents. A large Pre" face me thinks wontd be uncomely, as being unproportio- nal to the Buildiug : And indeed thou hadfi not at all been troubled with any Troem how [hortfoever ; if 1 had not a few Wards tofpeakjouching my workjin this Bnglifh Narrative. Although 1 was much p erf waded and well djfured in my fetf, that a Worl^of this kind might be of great advantage to thofe of my Countrcy me*, who have ears for no other but their Mother tongue, especially to them who have been abufed by the Tongues or Pens of arty, I that loave expofed to obliquy and reproach the venerable names of thefe two reverend men, which alas ! many have done, efpeciaUy as to Arminius : for the other, I mean Epifcopius, has net been fo generally taken notice of, and his name was not here fo publicity knoWn, till the Do- 8rine 9 which both of them contended and fuffered for , was tnm commonly kno^n and received amon^Hns ; Tettyas, The Preface. u fur from me to undertake ofmeer choice this tndeavwr, being nut fo well conceited of mine own abilities, at to thrttfi my [elf into this Imploymtnt, nor fo deftitute of work, as to need thU for ft curing And keeping my (elf out of idlenefj; but by the importunate felicitation of fomcgo$d men^ I Was prevailed Vvith, anidra^n unto it. The Hi- Siorie of Br. Armin.us is nothing elfe but that Elegant Latin Oration > here turned into plain Englifh, ^hich learned Bertius delivered infuch an Affembly, when he could not deliver untruths and remain undete&cd. I have indeed fcarce pleafed mj felf in tranftating fo Grammati- cally and verbatim the Teflimonies there produced: Yet have fo done , thdp fome might not be difpieafed y who deem fuch a tranjlation in fuch cafes to be at leafi conve- nient. ' That which thou haft here touching Epifcopius, u taken chiefly cut cj 'that excellent and large Preface^ pre- fixed to we of the Volumes of his Works \ and written by Stephen Curccllaeus of bleffed memory. In what lhave done in the whole I am not confeiom to my felf of any un- faithfuluefs •, neither am I unwilling to confiitnte mine Enemies judges of the performance, in cafe they befit to examine 9 and not refolved to be unrighteous in judgment. Reader, I /hall no longer detain thee from the profitable ex- ercife of reading the fohmng Narrative, "tyhichQodal- rntghtj blefs to thy ufe. Farewell. J. K. -r> *1 r? (I) THE ORA T I O N 0/ Peter Bertius concerning the life and death of that Reverend and mofl Famous Man *iheD;vi-. Mr. Jamis Arminius, which after his mySch°o\. fad funeral, was delivered in a theoio- £& u ^' gical Auditory * O&ob. 22.1609. L>a& Magnificent, Reverend, Aloft nob'e, Mojl learned AuclitrSj AS heretofore I have oft experienced, how hard and how difficult a thing it is, tofpeakof Excellent perfons in an aflcmbly of Renounc- ed men : So now efpecially I have thereof a fenfible knowledge, it being my task atprefent to fpeak in this place concerning chat Reverend man Mr. fames Arminius, Dr. of facred Theologie, and this after the fad folemnity of his Funeral. For fith that a good manis the rule and meafure of things, he therefore^ that would defcribe to others fuch a perfon, muft be carefull to ch'oofe out and offer fuch things to their view\ by which humane life may receive advantage in the ftudy of j vertue. Good things that lie in fecret, mutt be brought on the ftage and made publick, and thofe things which either Modefty hath concealed, or Envy I diminiihed, or Calumny defamed, or which others j through want of skill have not obferyed, thofe things I fay, when the curtain's drawn back and a light brought! (*) in, mud be (hown openly, and declared by words, that all may behold what in every one is moft praife wor- thy, ani what is fit for their irritation. Whence it comes to pafs, that the greater every ones vertue is, the more difficult it is to ad the Orotors part in fpeak- ing of him : for the greateft Envy keeps company with the greateft Verfipe-. And fith that a wife man doth nothing without ' Reafon ; and it being difficult to expli- cate and unfold at every turn the principles and caufes of particular a&ions, on which the judgment to be made of every thing does depend ^ it rauft needs be very diflu cult to jud ge of excellent perfons, all whofe life is full of diverfe examples, for the well inftruding of others , how to judge, how alfo to live. And this alio maybe added, that he who takes upon him this imployment muft very frequently have recourfe from the law to a mans life, and ftom his life to the law : for tbefe need each the other, and as the law gives notice what rauft be done.- fowhat may be done the life fheweth. NoW a wife man hath both thefe inhimfei; juft after the example of Chrift our Lord and Saviour, who firft faid, Learn of we: and of his Apoftle who thusadmoniflieth, Be ye followers i of me, as lam of Chrift And as heretofore Poljcletus, ^not contenting himfelf that he had written a book, „ wherein he had noted all things to be obferv'd by him . that would artificially make the image or ilatueof a man, 1 did himfelf afterwrrds make the ftatueof a man, led he lihould feem to prefcribe that to others which himfelf I hap not obferved, and this ftatue made publick he call'd !the Canon or Rule, commanding that the lineaments of art (hould be fetched thence as from a law of dire&ion : So a good man, when he hath admoniftul *+*•**■— ~ - (3) ethers what thty mutt doe, does firft himfctf perform? what he prefcribes to others. Now it ishard, cither to bring all a wife mans a&ions to their proper role and law, or in one to find the Examples of a!I laws. But as for me, who am at this day to fpeak in this honourable affembly of learned men, concerning the life and death of that Reverend and Incomparable man t Doftor famej Armwius> not only thofc difficulties, which I have now mentioned ftand in my way, but many others alfo. My Grief, yet frtfl), for the lofs of a friend preflfeth me ^ the consideration of a fad family, anaffiU ded wife,nine fatherlefs children difturbs me ^ the Lamen- tation of the Univerfity moves me •, but I am aftor.ifhec to think of the Church and Common wealth deprived of a man fo greatly ufefull. All which things, in a wound fo frefb, not yet skinn'd over, may eafily put to a Io6 the molt eloquent and the wifeft man whofoever he be. To what hath been fpoken may be added, That he himfelf, whilft he iiVd, greatly diflik'd all pompous Mineral folemnities : for he knew, that the ffrft flep to the veneration and worfhipingot Saints was hence, and he deem'd, that it unbecomes us to defire and ufe fuch Solemnities, that had fuch hazards attending on them. But feeing our prefent condition feems to be fuch, that we need not in the leaft to be afraid of this ( for alas ! hitherto are we come, that henceforth it may feem need- full to ufe diligent care, rather to bring in devotion than drive fuperftition out ) And fith that it concerns all men, that examples of vertue being drawn forthfhould be propofed for all to look upon, I have, according to the cuftom, through the requeft of friends, and the Se- nate willing it, undertaken that difficult task, which I (4) could not refufe without the violation of Chriftian cha- rity, and the breach of the obligation of that friendfhip, which I have maintain^ with him from ray very youth. Which things being fo, I hope there will no reprehender of this my duty be found in this aflembly of excellent oratours/wwhich there is no one but is able more grave- ly and elegantly to perform this charge, than my fclf. Notwithftanding, I befeech and moft humbly intreat yon, Magnificent, Reverend and moft learned Auditors, tofuffer the things I (hall fpeak to be of credit and ac. count with you, We have committed to the bofom of the earth the body of that Reverend man, N r. fames Ayminim { or rather the temple of the holy Ghoft ) which has been fluken, worn, broken with labours, wacchings, con- fliSs , difcafes , troubles. We have committed it, I fay, in certain hope of a blefled refurrc&ion, which he fcimfelf, whileft he liv'd, believd, and unto which he dire&cdall his thoughts and purpofes. The place of his birth wmoM water, a little. Town Jong fince made famous by the interflowing river TfaU, and the pleafantnefs with the fruitfulnefs of the adjacent country, and the frugality with the induftry of its Inha- bitants, He in this Town firft faw the Sun in the year 1560. in which ye*r the Conference at Pcftack^'m Trance began j in which conference our Deputies plead- ed the caufe of two thoufand one hundred and ninety Churches, that did humbly and earneftly defireofthe Xing, peace and tranquility, "and the liberty of profefiing their faith. This year, this Oldwater, as another Spar- ta, gave ArminiHs, as another Lacou^ to the world .- which Town notwithftanding at other times brought, (5) forth fohn de Oldwater, Cornelius Valerius, and that excellent old roan, whom ye here behold, Mr. RudoU pbus Snellius^ the ornament, not oncly of his native place i but alfo of this whole Uniyerfity , and efpe- cially of them who are of the Senatone rank and quality. Arminius whileft an infant loft his father ; His mo- ther, a. widow burtheaed with three children 3 lived all her life long in a mean eftate , but honeft. There was then in that Town a certain Pried, a man honeft and grave, Theodore ssEmjlius by name, whofe memory, by reafon of his fingular learning and holinefs of life, is yet bleflfrd among the living. He, when he had got a taft of a better and more pure do&rin in Religion, determin'd with himfelf, that he would not once more celebrate the abominable facriftce of the Mafs : therefore he oft changed his place of abode* and lived fometimes at Paris, fometimes at Lovam^ fome- times at Cohn^ fometimes at Vtrecht. He therefore took care, that this fatherlefs child, fames Arminiusy fo foon as his ag* was capable of inflation, might be furnilhed with the fir ft rudiments oft he Latin and Greek tongue, and with the principles of true piety and religi- on. And when he perceiv'd in him fome appearances of an excellent difpoficion to vertue, he oft times ex- horted him; that all confiderations of earthly things being layd afide and contemned, he would give up him* felf to follow after God and his confeience. He told him, that the time of mans life here is but fhort^ that there follows a condition after this life, which fhouid be cftima ted not by outward adverfity or profperirv, but (*) fry the Eternity of happincfs or death. This Exhorta- tion, afterwards confirmed by a diligent reading of the Roly Scriptures, and pious meditations, was fetled upon lisheart: Andfohe > through the hope of that life, un- derwent every labour, all hazards, with a glad and chearful mind. But after he had for fome years thus Iiv'd on Z/trecht, an unexpcfted calamity didopprefs Sim, by means of the death of that good old Religious fmn, which the merciful God did fuddenly mkigatc ^ fbr prefently upon his death Mr, Smttius^ who long be- fore flying the Spaniards tyranny, went to Marpnrg, tame as it bapfied out of Haffta into that Countrey* He therefore carried away with him into Hajfia, in the year 1575. this his Country-man Arminim^ now defti- fcute of all humane help and fuccour. He was fcarce fet down there, when in the Moneth of Attgvft the report &# his Countreys defolation is brought thither ; He Bears that the Town was taken by the Spaniard; that *he Garrifon were flain ; that the Townfmen were fciird, and the Town burnt,, With this report he was fy much* ftricken at the heart and fo greatly troubled, t*hat he fpent 14 whole days, in continual weeping and tears: Therefore as one impatient he left Haffta and went wkb fpeed into Holland, being determined ei- ther to fee the ruinesofhis Country, or to loofe his life. When he was come thither, he found nothing but where the Town flood, and the mines of it : and under- feed that moft of its Inhabitants were finally flain, to- get&er with his Mother, his Sifters, hi* Brothers and his Kindred: He therefore returned even on foot out of his mm Country, to Marpurg in Hajfta. In the mean white this- new Ac demy was ereded and opened by the (7) authority of the moft Illuftrious Prince of Oraxge ; which as foon as heunderftood, he prepaid for a jour- ney home. He came therefore to Roterdtm, to which (dace were come from Amfierdam many faithtull Exiles, and moft of O/d-waters Inhabitants, that had efcaped th* fword of a cruel enemy. At that time my Father Peter Bertius % was the Paftor of that Church : but Mr. John Taffinus was the Princ's French preacher and Counfdlor ^ both thefe were wonderfully pleafed with the young mans towardlinefs, readinefs and wit. Now feeing it was long before my Father was acquainted with learning (for he was 30. years old before be had any knowledge even of the Latin tongue ) he upon requeft of friends, took the young man very willingly into his houfe. Now it was the parpofe of iriends to fend him to this new Univerfity ; which occafion my Father thinking not good to negled, c3ll$meoutof£ag/rfW, when I was then a Student, applying my felf to learn- ing : both of us therefore werefent together into this School: from that time there has been always between us a very great intimacy, familiarity and friendship : But I will not fpeak of the paflages of that time. This one thing I will fay, that our yeung Scholars endeavour in learning and in the fludy of wifdom, was fo great, their reverence towards their Teachers fo great, their zeal and earned affe&ion in Religion fo great , that greater could hardly be : ^ut in our rank Arminiui was one that escel'd the reft; if any thing was to be written , if any thing to pe fpoken , Arminius was fought for; If then arofe any debate in learning that required a PaLm*, Armimns was confulted with. 1 remember when Dr. Lambert Dm£m> our Profeflor, *A J ($) did commend turn publickly for his natural endowments, and for his proficiency, and for his vertue-, and did ex- cite us to enter on the ftudy of Divinity withcheerful- fulnefs, after his example. Why (hould I make men- tion here of bis ftudy in Poetry, in which he excel'd ? Why ftiould I fpeak of his ftudy iatheMathematicks, and in the other parrs of philofophie f He toucht no- thing ot thefe, which he did not penetrate, hefetupon nothing, which he did not happily finifli. Thus we are come to the year 1582. in which year the honourable Senate of J wfter dam knthim away to Geneva-^ forliis more abundant proficiency in learning. Whither when he was c@me, he heard that reverend old man, and of bleffed memory, Mr. Theodore' Beza expounding the Epiftle to the Rowans , with the great admiration of all men ., for there was in *Bez,a beyond 0- ther mortals a flexanimous and perfwafive eloquence, a prompt and ready utterance, perfpicuity of fpeecb, plea- fantnefs of voice, but excellent do&rine in the judgment of all learned men. Him therefore above all others Armitiins made choice of to imitate and follow, But feeing he could not forthwith procure to himfelf the fa- vour of fome Principal men in this School, and that ( to fpeak the truth ) only upon the account of Rami's phitofophy, which with earneftnefs he defended pub- lickly, and did alfo in private teach it to his auditors, he was -provpk'd to go to Baft I. Where what great ho- nour was confer'd, on the young man, what were the prefages and divinings of men of all ranks concerning his growing vertue, they arc able to teftifie, who were bis fellow travellers, and companions in this his peregri- nation. Fuc he fo heard thefe judgments and ftcclama- (9) tions, that he nerer waxt proud and arrogant, but fliewed in very deed, that he was unwilling to endea- vour by ambition, but was willing by true vercue to come unto that, whereto be was defigned by the good- nefsofGod. At Safile in the harveft Fcftivals the more learned Students are wont out of the ordinary courfe, for ex- ercife-fake to teach fomething in the Univerfity, forne- ties publickly. This labour QxxtArminim willingly un- dertook, for this he was praif'd by that reverend mart, Mr. James Grintus, who alfo oft times honoured his leduresbyhisPrefence. The fame man alfo in publick difputations , if any thing more weighty than ordinary were propofed, or an intricate matter worthy a defender, did occur, was not afraid for honours fake to call our Arminins, fitting among a great number of Students ^ and ( that you may know the candor of Grin am ) to lay. Let my Hollander anfwerfor me. At this time ArminU us was in fo great favour and renown for his learning, that when be was about to depart thence for Geneva, the Theological faculty would have conferr'd on him, even at the publick charge, the title of Doftor, which he, efteeming it too great a dignity for one of his years, did at that time modeftly refufe, and gave them than.ks for their grace and favour. When he was come back to Geneva^ he fonnd the minds of his friends more pacified towards Ramus s Phi* lofoph/i alfo he himfelf thinking it fomething meet to abate fomewhat of his earneftnefs, did fo order himfelf, that all might eafily perceive, that gcntlenefs con joyn'd with fo great a wit brought no fmall ornament to his age. There were at the fame time in the City the Sons of, of the chief of our Nobility, mod of which now are in eminent and honourable places in our Republick. When fome of thefe were gone into Italy, others of them called home, he feeing himfelf alone, and de- ftitute of all others his companions, excepting one, a man of very great dignity now in Holland • he alfo pur- pofed to go with fpeed into Italy, being inclined thereun - CO efpecially through the fame of fames Zabarella, who then at P*dtta profefled Philofohhy, and was greatly followed, For his fake efpecially he flayed at Padua, when he intruded in Logick fome noble Germans. But afterwards he took a curfory view of the reft of Italy. on which journey he fpent not above eight months, and at Rome he was never abfent from that companion of , his, who was to him as another Achates : for foit was agreed on before they went from Geneva. They ufd the fame lodging, the fame table, the fame bed-, they went in and out together . and for the exercife of piety they carried with them the Greek Teftamentand He- brew Pfaker. I remember he was wont often to tell, That Italy brought to him many commodities and difcommodities. Among the commoditi 25 he plac'd this efpecially, That he had feen at Rome the myftery of iniquity to be far more filthy and abominable than ever he had conceiv'd it in his mind: forhefaid, that the things which are told or read concerning the Reman Court of Anti-chrift^ are Trifles in comparison of the things which he had feen. Among the difcommodities this ; That the honourable Senate of Amjler&am was then fomcwlut offended at him for that his Italian journey, fome in the mean while augmenting their their difpteafure , who c(early bad done better in fufpending their opinions till his return Hence then an occalion being taken, it was noyf d a« mong the common people, That he had kift the Ptpes^ pantofle ♦, whom he had never feen but as other 4pe&a- tors did , in a great throng and croud of people. ( And indeed that Beaft is not wont to give this honour to any but Kings and Princes. ) Alfo, that he was accuftom'd to hear the fefuites, when as he never heard them- That he was acquainted with Be&armin^ whomhenc- *er faw^ That he had abjur'd the orthodox Religion, whereas he was ready to contend for it even to the lofc of his life. Now let our Youth that are pious and devoted to the Church learn this from anothers harm, That it is better never to fee foot in Italy % than with fo great an hazard of their repute to know the myfterits of Antichrift* Not becaufe it is more dangerous for them to fee Italy % than neighbouring Antwerp, or Bruffels, or Bmgs* for in Italy there is much more liberty, and in thefe places more fupedlition by far. And it is fafer to tra- vel throughout all ltaly % than Brabant or Fiandersi but becaufe it is expedient to take all occafions of evil fpcaking from the adverfary, and all occafions of evit- furmifing from thofe that are unadvifed and imprudenr. And it is better to prevent an occafion of offence, than toexcufek. Being come out of Italy he flayed at Geneva^ and fome months after being called home he returned to Amfterdam to his Patrons and Matters , furnifhed, through the grace of Chrift % with a clear tefiimony from them of Geneva, and with a mind very well fitted to d$ office, if it might fleafe the Lord God toufe his miniftrj ', f*r . for his Vvork^in his Church : For thefe are the very words of Mr. ficza's Epiftic, the original of which I have in remembrance. Ac Amsterdam he did eafily f with grave and prudent men, clear himfcifastohis Italian journey; but indeed the weak brethren went on in- veighing againd: ir, and in their aflerablings blaming it till he himfelf began to be heard in the Church, in which as foon as he was beheld, it cannot be fpoken, with how much refpeft men of all ranks flocked toge- ther to hear him : For there was in him ( as ye know ) a certain incredible gravity mixed with gracefull plea- fantnefs. His voice indeed was flender, but fweer, and loud, and piercing, but he had an admirable per- fwafive faculty. If any thing were to be adorn'd, he fo did it, as not to exceed the truth. If he were to teach any thing, he did it with clearntfs andperfpicuity. If he were to difpute any thing, hemanag'dthefame diftin&ly. Now the Melody and altering of his voice was fo fitted to things, that it feemed to flow from them. And fith he did^ not ufe a Rhetorical dreft, and the Greeks boxes of pleafart«ointment : it was either becaufe his nature did abhor them, or becaufe he fudged it unworthy the ma jefty of Divine things^' to ufe curies, and borrowed ornaments, when as the naked truth is of its felf fufficient for its own defence: no^withftanding he fo efficaciouflv perfwaded by force and weight of ar- guments, and by the pithinefs ot his fentences,and by the authority of Scripture it felf,that no man ever heard him, but confeffd, that his difcourfes much affefted him. Some therefore at that time called him the polifhing life of truth j others the whetftone and (harpner of wits- others called him the razor (haying off growing errours en) errors, and nothing in Religion, and farted The*£ Jogy was thought to favour well, that did not rclifh with ArminittSt Alft) the Palters and Preachers themfelves of that City, men boch learned antl elo- quent, did reverence him for his learning, and in- genioufly acknowledge themfelves to have been dai- ly very much advantaged by his Sermons. And thus our Arminitts with fpread out fayles , profperous gales, a full company of rowers^ and the good wifhes of all that knew him, was carried towards fasne and glory, when it pleafed God to excrcife his fervant even with adverfity, and to make a tryal of his pati- ence and humblenefs by the crofs and afflidioof. Now 'tis a thing worth the knowing, to underftand the beginnings and fuccefs hereof. There Was carried about as it chanced in the ha/ids of fome pious men a little Book, written by forae of the brethren of the Church of Delf, againft Mr. Be*.*., with this Title. An tnf&er to fome arguments ef Beza and Calvin out of aTreatife concerning prede* flirtation on the g. Chap to the Romans.This little book was fent over to our Arminins by Mr. Martin Lidj- us of bleffed memory , who bad been formerly a Paftor in the Church of Amfterdam* but then was Profeffor in the FriezUnders new Academy, and by him Arminins was requeued to undertake the de- fence of Mr. £eza againft the brethren of Delf. For Arminins was verily thought a man very fit for this bufinefs byMr.Lid)us> who partly by report, part- ly by experience knew thequickuefsofhiswit, the fharpnefs of his judgment, and what a wonderful B force (14) force and ptfwer he had both in preaching and in dif" puting, Neither was Arminius altogether ftrange from this defign, being one that newly coming out of the School ot Geneva, carryed about with him in ht9 ears the found of Mr. Etza 9 * leftures and arguments, He therefore betakes himfelf to the work; But whilft he endeavours a refutation,whilft he weighs the arguments on each fide, whilft he confers the Scrip- tur cs, whilft r he torments and wearys himfelf, he was overcome by the truth. At firft indeed he followed that fame opinion which he undertook to oppofe, but he afterwards by the guidance of the holy Ghoft was carried over to that doftrin, which he conftantly afferted even to the end of his life : Which was this ; That Gods eternal Decree in predeftination, was not to eleft or chufe prccifely and abfolwely foraeto falvation, whom as yet he had not purpofed to cre- ate ^ ( which Mr. Beza would have ) neither was it, precifely and absolutely to eleft fome to falvati- on after the decree of their creation and the forefight of their fall, but without an antecedent confidera- tion of JefusChrift ; (which the Delfianbrethreo held) Bus it was, To eleft to falvation them of the created and fallen, who in time to coroe would by true obe- dience of faith anfwer to God calling them thereunto: Which by learned CMclantthon and Nicholaus He- ming%us s and many more divines befides, hath been aflened. And although fuch in times pad hath been the liberty of our Churches, and even no n is in very a any places, that in this Argument, in which no ancient ( "5 ) ancient Synod hath ever determined any thing, any one of the ipultitude , and a Teacher , might always without offence to any one choofe this or that: for to omit. others, Dr. Jo. Holmannns Secundtu, who by the very grave advice of excellent Divines, and especially of the Lords Curators was called forth, after Mr, pyelitis and MoRemus and others were follicited in vain, caught it out of this very place •• He imbraced(as we knowjthe opinion of Hemingins, and fharply defended it. Not withftanding there were not thofe wanting at Am- (terdam , that in this matter were troubleforae to Arminius^nd that accufed him for departing from the common and received opinion in our Churches, bug their vehemencyand fiercnefswasfuddenlyreprefTd and appeif'd by the authority of the Senate, and the equanimity and moderation of the brethren; fo that he always lived with his Collcguesat Amftcr**- dam quietly, yea friendly and brotherly, without any cloud of difpleafure, or hatred, or envy. And alfo this man of God was not only naturally difpofd to candor and gentlenefs, but alfo was moreover fo formed and faftiioned thereto by the holy pre- cepts and Spirit of Cheift, that he did quietly bear with himthatdiffented from him, and did not eafily defpiir of any one, that was but willing to hear Chrifl fpesking in Scriptures; which by his divine moderation and equinimity we all knew, and have by fo much the more admired it, by how much the further we, by the teftimony of our own q>nfctence f perceive our felves yet to be from thefe goodjphings. B 2 Now (I*) Now when the Univerfity, deprived of her Pro- feflfors by the; death of thofe famous and excellent men, Dr. furiius and Dr. Luke Trelcatius the el- der, fought for an Hercules that might fuftain this Orb ( which in the mean while that Reverend man Dr. Francis Gomarus, being deftitute of all his Col- leagues* did as another Atlas fupporc alone ) they by the general vote, and thepublick confent of their country, came to Armimus, who thinning of no- thing lefs, was taking care for the church of Chrift at /imflerdam which he had ferved now fifteen years. But when they of Amfterdam profeft that they could not be without his endeavours amongft them, be- caufe as they faid, they had chiefly him, by whom they might oppofe the growing monfters of herefies, it cannot be fpokenhow great then the contlernation of good ifcien was. They varioufly deliberate and advife, no ftone is left unturned. The Curatours of our Univerfity , vik* moft noble Doufa and Neofiadius , went themfelves in the publick name, together with that moft honourable man, Nicholaus Zeyftius the Syndick of our Common- wealth. To the fame end Mr. Jo. Vttmbogardu\ Paftorofthe Church at the Hague, wasfent by the moftilluftri- ous Prince, and alfo Nicholaus Cromhouftus out of the fupreim Court. All thefe after a diverfe manner did earneftly move and perfwade the moft prudent Senate of this Common wealth, and the Confiftorie of the Paftors and Eiders. At length by many la- bours, increaties, and alfo the incerceffi on it felfof moft illuftrious Prince, it was hardly cbtain'd, that he tot) he fhould be difmiffed from Amfterdam and fervc the Univerfity. Neverthelef9 petty Rumours of fuf- picionp, which moft commonly are wont to fubverc the belt endeavours , did withftand him , againft which he tec the (hietdofhisinnocency and candour; and learning ; Trufting in this, he confidently ex- pe&ed the bl effing of God in that which was be- hind. This matter therefore being heard and debated at the Hague before the Lords Curators in the pre- fence of fome grave Divines, it was found , That tbofe fufpicions Were ill fuf ported, and that there was no caufe why any ene fhould have an ill opinion of that faithf 11 fervant of Chrift : fer they found, that he vfed the alleged liberty of prophefying in the Church, \ad taught nothing which was contrary to the Chriftia* religion. He then firil obrained in this Univerfity, with the good liking of God and men, the degree of iDo&or, which in the year 1603 that reverend man Dr. Francis Gomarus conferred on him herein this /ery place. Thus then James Arminius fucceeded Francis funius, the Curators, fo commanding it. And that nothing might be wanting here to his credit md authority bv reafon of thofe things that had been >ivcn out at Amfterdam, it pleafed the Ecdefiaftica! ?resbyters to commend him toall godly, honeft and earned men, by adorning him at his departure with 1 very fair tefticnony which foundech thus, B 3 Tii (iff) The Teftimonj of the Church *t Amflerdam. If the reafonit felfof equity, in the common foci- ety of men, was willing long fince to have it cfl^blifh'd for a law, I hat they fhould be judged worthy of a fingular good commendation, and more honourable teftimony of truth, who had any where very well merited of the common-we 1th : they much more are worthy of this honour, who labouring in the word of C od, have been for many years Minifters of the holy Gofpel with fingular fruit and praife in the Church of our Lord Jefus Chrift. Wherefore fith that Mr. Dr. fames Arminim^ a Reverend brother in the Lord, hath now requeued this fame of us, we faid, that we muft by no means deny it him. 1 here- fore we would by this writing teftifie to all and every one, that the very great integrity of both the un- blaraeaHe life and found do&rine and manners of the forenamed worthy man, and to us all a moftdear companion in the Lord, hath now by long acquain- tance been fo well perceived and tryedby us, that there is nothing of more account with us than always to enjoy hiscounfell, labour, familiarity and intima- cy ^ and to maintain that frienddiip which now for a long time hath been between us. But feeing the moft blefTed and almighty God feeras to have appoint* ed another thing concerning him and us, we have caufe of giving very great thanks to the Lord our God for that very great benevolence oi his towards us and shis our whole Church hitherto, through which it hath {19) hath come to pafs, that we can with very great dc- light fee and perceive fruits not to be repented of, from the ftudy and labour of the forefaid our very dear fellow-labourer in the Vineyard of Chrift, which he hath with us unweariedly and cheerfully under- gone, here among ours. We all confefs with a moft willing heart, that we are in all things indebted to this our dearly beloved brother in the Lord, for his alacrity in continuing with us in the fame parts of his fundion, and for his very ready Councel communi- cated to us, whenfoever wedefireit. Wherefore that we may briefly fay all in a word ( becaufehis very great both piety and probity, and his fingulac learning, feems after a fort by their proper right to challenge it to themfelves) we io commend to all godly, vertuous, and learned men, this honourable Gentleman, and our moft reverend brother in Chrift, that with greater aflfe&ion and more heartily we are not able to commend, Dated in our Q>nfiftory ae Amfterdam, September 8th j 603 . In the name of all, fobtt Vrfinm Minifter of the Divine Word,&c. PrefidentoftheCohfiftory. ; John Hallipts Preacher at Amfterdam. John Halsbergins Paftor of the fame Church.' Yea and the whole Claffisgwe to him their com- mendatorie Letters which thus run. / B4 tm (ao) The Tefiimmofthe Claffisfl/Amfterdam.' To all and every one that fliall read or hear this our prefentTeftimony, Salvation and Peace through the only Mediator Chrift. Becaufe the mod accornpliftied and learned man Mr. fames Avminim hath by the iJluftrious and for learning moft famous Lords Curators of the Univer- sity of Lejden % been called from the holy Miniftry ( which now for many years he hath difcharged with very great commendation in the Church at AmFier- dam) to the publick profeilion offered Theology, and hath been inaugurated publickly thereunto ; we were willing at his departure to commend him to the fame (Curators ) and to all vertuous men by this our prefeat writing,although but little,and to honour him by oar TetHraony,as the manner is, We therefore the fervantsof JefusChrift,together with theEIders of the hmtClaffisoi Amjlerdam, doteftifie, that the fore- faid Mr. Dr. Arminitts has been now fifteen years a member of our Clajjis\ in which time he hath taught with ranch fruit found Do&rine purely, adrainiftred the Sacraments according to the Lords inftitution, and propagated with great z?al tfje true and Chriftian Religion, and by his diligent prefence hath always adorned our Claffical meeting : alfo by his prudent Counfel hath with others corapofed matters hard and of great moment, hath always readily fuftainedall impofed burthens that refpe&ed the Churches Edi- diricirion, and hath by honefty andgoodnefsoflife adorned adorned to this very day his holy calling. In a word* he hath (hewed himfclf fuch both in hi$ holy Office, and in his manner of life towards all* as becomes a true fervant of Chrift,that we give to him very greaC dnd immortal thanks for his benevolence and huma- nity towards us,by which he hath embrae'd eyery one of us. We therefore intreat all and every one, of what order foe ver they be, to have, acknowledge, embrace and favour the forefaid Mr. Dr. James Ar~ minius, as fuch a one as we have faid Alfo to atfeft him with fuch honour, as he, for his eminent and lingular gifts Ihining in him, is worthy of, and ac- cording to their ability to help forward his holy en- deavours-, for the Glory of Gods name, a^dtheE- dification of the School and Chu; ch. Unto which end we all his Collegues and fellow- fer vanes da heartily defire for him the manifold grace of the Holy Ghoft. At Amfterdam^tom our Claffical meeting on the Calends of September, 1603, fohn Hdsbtrgins^ Prefident of the Claflis. fehnHa/lius, Preacher at Amfterdam. Scribe of the Claffis,& in the nameof tfieClaflfo! Have the Brethren honourably and laudab/y c npugh teftified of Arminim ? thus then he came into the Univerfity. From this time all his Collegues have had experience of him as a mod Faithful friend . The Schools as a senator, Profeflbr. Rgftor; all the Students as a raoft gentle Father. Suddenly after his entrance into the Univerfity he found , that the Students of facred Theology , did entangle themfelves in tht thickets of queftions, and (it) and did follow Thorny Theormes and Problemes^ the Scriptures being negleded. This evil, after the matter had been communicated to his Collegues, heftudied to amend, and did in a great meafureeffeft it ,for he brought back the antient,and mafculine,and mighty kind of ftudying v and drew back as much as in him lay : the wandnng youth to the Foufitainsof Salvation ( thofe pure and flimelefs Fountains ) that out of them Religion might be fought for : not that Religion which being fetished with wrangling de- bates or bare fpeculation is gotten to feed the phan« tafie ; but that which breaths out charity, and follows the truth which is after godlinefs, by which youth learn to fly youthful lufts, and having fubdued flefh- ly allurements, to fhun the pollutions of the world, and to do and fuffer thofe things, that make a di- ftin&ion between a Chriftian and an Heathen* That faying of our Saviour, Except jour righteoufnefs ex- ceed the righteoufnefs of the Scribes and Pharifes, je /ball in no wife enter into the Kingdom of Heaven : he did repeat often to fix the fame upon their memo- ries. In the mean while the confederation of Chriftian? fo miferably divided, and driven afunder one from another, troubled him; he feldomfpake of it with- out tears, never without deep and hearty fighs. He declared, that he wiftied all the fcattered members of Chrift might grow together in one body, accor* ding to the Lords Commandment. He rightly judged, that the Papal Court fought not the things which are of C hrift •, but the pleafures, the honours, the the lucre, the pomp of this prefent world, andTjr ranny over the fouls as well as the bodies of men s And therefore that no man could or ought to confute with that Harlot about matters of Salvation, and the eftabliftiing of a common peace. He judged, that a great part of others were confeiencioufly and pioufly affeded ; and were not divided not fo much through an evil intent and purpofe, as through doubtfull am- bages or obfeurities in which many were driven from peace and concord by ignorance, many by the au- thority of their A nceftours- many through pertina- cy or ftiffnefs in thofe opinions which either them- felves had devifed or long defended, many through fhame of revoking and retracing their wriring^ Ikflly many through prejudice and an ill opinion of their brethren. All which he thought might be remedyed, not by killing one another, but by pray- ers, and by peaceable and friendly inftru&ion r and by the example of an holy convention. He there- fore both exhorted all to piety, and efpecially took care of this, that when thornie queftions and the huge luggage of vain and empty aftcrtions were re- moved and taken away, with which the Schools make an huge confufed noife ; thofe things might be fctcht only out of the Scriptures which might be ufefull to bring them to the belief of neceffary things* and to lead a good and bleflfedChriftian life. W hich endeaur of his, Satan going about to elude and fruftrate endeavoured to perfwade theinconlide- rate, that thefe thin-s were done by hira to get honour to (hew the ftrcngch of his wit: tocaufe innovations, (H) innovations, to maintain contention and wrangling. Some thctefore through fufpicion, that ill coun- fellour, moved again old Camarina, or were the caufe of mifchief to themfelves-, but the Profeffors themfelves and the Colleagues, by the prudent ad- vice of the Curators did quell and quafh it at its firft (hooting up : for credit to which macter i tnve thought that this Jnfirument out of the Acts of the Vnoverftj is fit to be produced. ct The rrofcfTor9 of the Theological faculty, •■ when it was related to thero • 1 hat the Clafjis of " Dort bad laid down among other this Grievance £ Seeing there is a rumor that fome controverts a- bout the doctrine of the reformed Churches have rifen in the Church and Vniverfity of Leyden, the Clajfis have thought it to be necejfary that the Synod delibe- rate concerning thefe Controverts, and how they may meft fafetj be compofed, that all Schifmes and offences which thence ma] wifty may feafonablj be removed, and the union of the reformed Churches to preferved againfl the calumny o\ the adverfaries J " did $ when Ci the Lords Curatotsand the Confuis asked, whe- • c thcr any controverfiss of this fort were certainly €C known unto them, anfwer unaniraoufly , after "the matter had been firfl: privately among them- *] felves examined and weighed, That they wiflied, That he 4C gave his fuffrage to thofe things that had been faid by the ProfefTors Subscribed, fobn Kuchlinus Regent. And thus indeed thefe things pafled at that time ; Afterwards the Senators of the High. Courc, by the will of the illuftrious Staces at the Hague, took cog- nifance of thofe things that were reported. Whac their opinion of the whole matter was, I ftiould now relate, but that I think all here prcfenc have the knowledge thereof But whileft Chrifts Champion thus wraftlc?, he was at the length laid on his fick bed by a difeafc, which by his labours; continual fitting, conftant ftudies.and confli *is incurring without any difchirge, he had at the laft comra&ed. Now what wonder is it, if he were moved and troubled at that, which might expofc to lofe his g >oi name, hisfalvatioa and his labours : fich that, nothing is of more account to to a good man than bis good name ; nor to a Chri- ftian , than his falvation ; nor to a Dr. Of iacred Theology than demonftrations taken out of the Scrip- ture. Oppreffion, faith Solomon^ makes a wii e man mad. That fame brought' him grief, his grief brought his difeafe, and this was the caufe of his death. Oh horrible evil and viperous, and raifed from the loweft part of Hell ! How oft have we heard him privately crying out even with /ighing, in the words of the Prophet ? Wo is me my mother % that thou haft born me a man of contention to the whole earth : / have neither lent on nfnry, nor any hath lent to me mufnrj, and jet all men cur feme. Notwith- ftandmg he himfelf recalled himfelf to the inclofurcs of reafon and tranquility, being always couragious, always patient and gentle towards his brethren, for whofe fake he was ready to fuffer patiently, or as it were td devour , any reproaches whatfoever from the malevolent, and to forget or concod them , not with a Catos ftoraack, but that which was wrought in him by the Spirit of Chrift. But his difeafe lurking in his bowels brake out efpe- cially on the 7th of Feb. this year : which at that rime fo difcovered it felf, that the Phyficians forth- with judged, that there was need of a flow and cauti- ous curation. Now although at the beginingofhis ficknefs he could hardly move himfelf: Notwithftand- ing when he could, having now and then fome eafe andrefpite, he omitted not the labours of h isle flures and vocation; nor was he wantingito his caufe when oeed was. Therefore again and again, being caHed, he 1 <*7) he with fpced went to the Hague , and there publifti'd a famous profefiion of his faith before many witneffe*, and after that lad friendly conference he with this one thing after God and the teftimony of his own confcience comforted himfelf, that in a common af- fembly of all Holland he was patiently heard by hia moft gentle Matters, to whofe prudence he attributed fo much, that if he (hould'dye, he did hope, that there would not berhofe wanting that would defend by the patronage of their wifdom and favour the equity of that caufe, which they once heard debated. Being carryed home from the Hague y he had fcarce fet himfelf to that which his matters commanded, vi*. To write out that exaftly which he hadpropofedin the friendly conference, but the force of difeafe again afTmlted him by fo much the more vehemently, by how much the more it had increafed by delay and the weaknefs of his ftrcngch. Therefore being prefled with his difeafe, he by letters written to the illuftri- ous States modeftly excufed himfelf, that he could not at the day appointed obey their will : faying, That by fickpefs he was forct to k*ep his bed ; that he had Written a great partjtohich God {9 willing it, he was now vompelld to breakjff from. That he had been at ano- ther time heard, and that the whole matter was thep exhibited in writing •, that that might be as much 04 neceflitj required X Notwith flan ding if theyjhouldat all defire thofe fame things he had written ura$ he "toould take care; that they Jhould have them either full and )erfe&, if he by the grace of Chrlt fhonld be reftored, ?r abrupt and broken 5 ifhefhould die, Moreover tha he (»8) "e yp& fofar from donbti ng any tyhit of that csnfeflion he hadpnblifhedfhat on the contrary he did fiedfafi/y judge, that it agreed in all \things with the holy Scriptures : Therefore that hedidperfifl therein,That he was ready at that very moment to appear with that fame [belief before the tribunall of Iefus Chrifi the Son of God, the fudge of the quicks and dead . In the mean while the force of his difeafc daily increafed, whilft the moft famous and moll expert Phyficians, Dr. Tavius y Dr. Sebaftian Egbert, Dr. Henry Sael, Dr, Keener Bont, refifteditasmuchas was poffible by Art and Induftry, and pleafingly allured natures forces, but in vain ; for the untamed obftinacy of the difeafe fcorned art it felf ; For it was deeper planted than to be plucked up j itftirredup daily new Symptomcs, Fevers, the cough, the ex- tension of the hypoconders, difficulty of fetching of breath, oppreflion after meat, troublefotne ileeps, an acrophie, the gout, and gave to him no interraif- lion of reft : Afterwards came the Iliac paffion, and the Colick, with an obftru&ion of the left optick nerve, and an obfufcation or dimnefs of the fame eye; In the mean while calumny was as cruel, and abated Eothing of its accuftomed fiercenefs J of which I (hall here mention, a cruel unworthy and abomina- ble inftance, which is fit to be recorded for after ages. When that dimnefs of one of his eyes was known, there were fomc that durft account this a- ifiong thofe punifhments, which God threatens to his enemies, aud wicked contemners of his name, anfi did affirm even from this puniftiment, that he was verv (»5) very wicked beyond others. And that there might not be wanting a pretext and colour to this fo filthy and cruel a deed, the facred Books are consulted with, which a Chriltian may not approach without reve- rence and prayer. A place is found in the Prophet Zechary concerning theconfumptionoftheeyes and the whole body, founding thus. And this flail be the plague wherewith the Lo<'d will/mite all the people, that have fought ag lipfi fernfalem : their ftefbjball confume away y -while they ftand upon their feet ; and their eyes /ball cenfume away in their noles, and their tongue JhaU confume away in their mouth, Zech. 14/ 12, And another place ^ w to the Idol [kepheard that leaveththe floc^i the /word fhallbe upon his arm, and upon his rig«t eye X Hi* arm (ball be clean dried up, and his right'eye fbatl be utterly darkened. Chap, 1 1 . 7. This place was wrefted again ft this holy fervant of Chrtft, who indeed was affii&ed in body, but in his foul always happy, but now even moft happy and bleffed. I tremble at the remembrance of fo enor- mous, and deteftable,. and ungodly deed. Who, art thou, oh man, that condemned: thy brother, for whom Chrift died his blood ? What dort thou revile that fervant of God with oracles fetched as it were from heaven itfelf, whom they that (hall come after us, an J fhnllnot be ungratefull, will acknowledge to have exceeding well deferved of the whole Church of Chrift? why doft thou take un juftly to thy fel£ 1 power of condemning thy brother, whom the Lord tath commanded thee to love. Hear him ; Neither 'his manlhath finned \ nor his parents, but t he fe things l . £L_ are done, that theworkjofGodmaybetnudemanifefc' Hear him again; Judge not, that ye be not judged* Hear the Apoftle ; It is with me a very fmatt thing, that I (hottld be judged of you % or of mans judgment. He that judgeth me is the Lord -, Therefore judge no- thing before the time, untill the Lord come, who both Vein bring to light the hidden things of darknefs, and will make manifeltthe counfels of the heart : And then fhaU every man have praife of God. Art thou fo a/Hi- red of what (hall happen to thy felf, as to know for certain, that thou thy felf (halt not be tormented with more bitter pain and dolour f And yet 'twas not his right eye that was amifs - y neither was it blindnefs, but only a dimnefs, and his arm was not dried up, but (welled. His tongue truly etren to the laft mo- ment of his life readily difcharged its office. Thus things above , things below , things on the right hand, things on the left, things divine, things humane, wait together on thefe wretched Hiero- phants £ Expounders of divine myfterics ~\ to ferve them when they will. There were fomes who playing on his name, de- vifed, Vani orbis amicus : [ i. e. A friend of the vain world. ] as if impiety was not fometime bold to do the fame on the facred name ofChrift. Go your wayes for beetles, the unprofitable things of the world ; What will ye not attempt to do on the fer- vant who have not fpared God himfelf and the Lord of life ? But I return to that which I made digreflion from : He although tired with all thefe evils, yet notwichftanding kept a fledfaft courage and quiet mind (30) mind ; He therefor* never abated any thing of c fee ' pleafantnefs, and comely gracefulnefs, and accuftom* ed cheerfulnefs of bis- countenance, and candor of heart, his moft ardent prayers afcending to God for frimfelf and the concord of the church. How frequent, how fervent in his fickncfs were his ejaculations to JefusChrift? What joyes did he promife himfelf? "With what perfeversnce of faith did he expe&his ' laft day in the worfd\ But he expeð that day, in which God will make his dead body, which we have laid in the earth, to be conformable to the glorious body of his Son, accor- ding to the power whereby he is able tofubdueall things to himfe-f. But we fo long as it pleafes God (hall be tofTcd with thefe waves, till he, fnvingatfomctimecompaflion nn (34) on usalfo, (hall call us, every one in his own order, I out of this miry day into heavenly joys ; keeping in the mean while in the church of the faints the bleff- ed memory of Mr. fames Armmus , with this Elogy. That he was a Hollander y whom they that knew him % could not fujficiently efteem • whom they that efieemed him not, did never Efficiently know. Finally, moft worthy Auditors, being defirous to exhort you to the Churches amiable concord, Iflialj ufe no other than the words of the Apoftle fohn. Be- loved , let tts love cm another > becaufe lave is of God. And whomever leveth his brother, isbornofGod y and knoweth God. He that loveth not, fyowethnotGod; for God is love. FINIS. ♦ - ^IMON tFTSCOVIUf. This Tifturs S'vbjhmce wascLltlcdEhlefee, nnakt (I) t«S> «S'» «§ #» M> «%► Mo. M^ c& _3L ~2L -2. «3L, A fliort and Compendious Hiftory of Simon Epifcopws* Pro- fcffor of Divinity in the Univer- fity of LETDEN in HOLLAND. Candid Reader y ^fTT Hat in a very great part, which learned Ber* \ X tins in the preceding Oration, hath juftfy pre- mifed touching the difficulty of his task and province, who was to defcribc fo excellent a man as Reverend Armmmj&vj be as fuftly (to fay no morejtaken up by him that undertakes a defcription oiEpfcopm^ a man well nigh incomparable in all things commen- dable in a man, in aChriftian, inaMinifterof the GofpelofChrift. It's one of Amflerdams chiefeft Crnaments, and deferves to be recorded with letters of Gold in the memorials of that famous City ; that Simon Epifco- pirn in the year 1583. was born there. His Parents, Egbert and Gertrude, are worthy remembrance , aot only for their pious Offspring, I mean their eldeft fon Rembert, ztfofobn, butef- pecially the youngeft, om^Simon • ( for their o- ther ^children, four fons and three daughters, all died in their youth or infancy ) but alfo for their own piety, being then zealous profeflbrs of the truth, when extream dangers clofely attended on every fide thofe that followed her ; Simon Epifcopius, chat renowned Perfon of whom we are now to fpeak, brought with him into the world many rare natural Endowments , which afterwards by good education and much induftry were greatly improved, and were in his conversation choicely imployedco the end of his days. Rembtrt. his e deft brother, foon efpying in him grounds of hope as to his ufe- fulnefs in *he beft of imployments ; did earneftly folicite his parents to denote him wholly to learning . His Parents; notwithftanding their Eftate, wasin- fufficient ( by reafon of their numerous offfpring ) to yield him at his ftudies a competent maintenance ; yet, having affiftance freely and privately, offered by Ccrndins Benning, a man ofConfuIar dignity, tvere perfwaded to dedicate their Simon to the ftudy of learning. He therefore was committed, is foon as poffible, to the care and difcipline of Peter Ve\e- man, a Schoolmafter at that time famous; under whole manududion he in fo little time made fo great a progrels in Latin and Greek, that he wascommen- ded by diverfe great men to the honourable Senate of Jmtterdam, which took and received him into the number of their Scholars, when his parents by the advice of Mr. John Kuchlinut and Mr, fames Armituut (3) r Armi*i*t] and by their perfwafion, gave their con- fenc •, for at the firft they were fomewhat averfe thereto. When he had at Amflerdam run out his courfe there in the Grammar fchool, the Curatours of the School did. in the year 1600, declare him by Solemn fentence meet and worthy to be promoted to the Univerfity, that he might there spply him- felf to more high and manly ftudies ; He was there- fore fent away to the dniverfiry oiLeyden y into the Colledge of the illuftrious States of Holland and Weft-friedaxd • in which Colledge was then Prefix dent that moft learned man. John Kftchlinus, who when he was minifter at Amfterdam y had contrad- ed a firm and intimatefriendfhip with the father of our Efifcopus. This hopeful Plant had not been long in the Academical nurfery, but he loft his moft loving and beloved Parents; for Anno 1602 bis father dyed , in the nexc year his Mother. He though much affli&ed with this adverfuy- yetbc- ing thoughtfull; and defirous of his tranfplanting in- to fome place of ufcfulnefs to the Church of God, negie&s not the prefent opportunity of fumifliing himfelf with things convenient and neceffary there- unto, Wherefore having fukt in as much know- ledge, as wns needful!, of the liberal Arts, he ex- tends his endeavours for getting acquaintance with the fecrers of Philofophy ^ In which having fpenc about three years, he applyed himfelf moft ferioufly to the ftudys of Divinity > and with much diligence laboured therein- yet fo as to hate now and then a recourfe tophylofophy At length, the Statutes of his fasCoUcdge, and his own private affairs requiring lf « he fought the tide of a Mr. of Arts, 2nd was, being after a fevere examination judged wc :hy, adorned therewith publickly, in the year 1606, by Dr. Rcdolphm Snetlius, that moft renowned Profcflbr of the Mathematicks there. After this he purpofeth and refolves to give himfelf wholy totheftudyof Divinity onely, in which he had already made a confiderable progrefs. And feeing he could not accoroplifh his earned defire of vifiting forreign llniverfkies, he continued yet two years and above at Lejden, where he was a diligent hearer of the Divinity ProfefTors , namely , Francis Gomarns, Luke Trelcatius^ fames Arminitis ^ and was fo diligent and induftnous in difputations, andexer- citatory Sermons, that he left far behind him moft of Ms equals for age and (landing, and was thought worthy to be called to theMiniftry. But feeing af- terwards, efpecially after the death of Dr. Trelcati* m % that unhappy difcenfion d>out Predeftination, which afterwards gave a difturbance to &\\ Holland, did not onely fecretly glow between the two re- maining Profeffors, but alfo at length break forth .openiy •, and feeing eur Epifcepius (hewed himfelf more addi&ed to the opinion of Armtnius , he found therefore the Pafiors, who were of theo- ther party, to be fo difaffe&ed towards him, th*t they, when the honourable Contois of Amfterdam, who had knowledge of bis Angular learning and good converfation, were defirous of promoting him to die office oi a preacher, did by delays, and other their. (5) their fubtle devices, fruflrate and elude the good defign of the Confuls* Efifcopius therefore in the year 1609, * n which year Arminim dyed, left Lejden and went to Franeker , the Friezlanders Univerficy, whither he was drawn efpecially by the fame of-fo. Drufius, profeflbr there of the Hebrew tongue. Here Sibrandus Lubbenus, the profdfor of this Univerfity, took great offence at our Epifat- fixs , who was fomewhat too hot and fervent in Theological difputations, as young men of prompt and ready wits are wont to be. He there- fore a few Kioneths after departed thence, and went into France, where in a (hort time he got fo great acquaint in /t with the French tongue, that he was able not onely to underftand it, but atfo to fpeak French readily and purely. In the year 1610 he returned home, and found the Minifters of Amfter- dam no better aifefted towards him than before. But his vertue and learning, which could be no lon- ger hid, and which were commended by clear and notable teftimonies from the Churches and Univer. fities where he lived, break thorow at length all obftacles, and To, that he was, withtheconfentof the Claffis, called by the honourable Senate of Rot- terdam to the Paftonl office at Bteyftyc^zn hamlet belonging to their jurifdidion. After the death of Arminius , they of Calvins perfwafion , whofe notions of God , reprobating abfolutely the greateft part of the world, to make known his power in making his creatures miferable^ had framed and difpofed to ficrcenefs, begrntoeo- deavepf X6) deavour the eje&ion of them out of their places wh<> adher'd to Armimus •, hereupon thefe perceiving the defigns thac were a'gunft them, did exhibiteto the moft llluftrious Stales of Holland and Weft-frie*,* land a certain Remonftrance ( whence they were afterwards called Reraonfirants, as their adverfaries were called Contra Remonstrants, from a paper they had written in oppofition, and intituled , A Contra- Remonftrance ) in which Remonftrance after they had declared their judgement comprehended in five heads or Articles, they humbly perition, that they in that belief and perfwafion might beprote&ed from the violence and force of their Adverfaries that much threatned them. Afterwards in the year 161 1 was that famous Conference at the Hague, where by the appotmmen , and in the pre fence of the States of Holland and tVeft-FriezUnd, SixRe- raonftrant, and as many Contra-Rerronilranc Paf- ror9 conferred together about the things now in con- rrovcrfy. 1 or the determining of thefe C ontrover- fies, the Remonftrants then declared themf Ivesfor mutual forbear nee, but their adverfaries were for a Synodal D^ciHon, as being noway doubtfull of out-voting the.li ) in cafe the Remonftrants were admitted members of the Synod, which indeed their adverfaries denyed them , when they had gotten a Synod ; ani the arm of flefli on their fide. But the illuftrious States of Holland and PVtft- Fne^Und^ knowing well, that onely the oppreffion of the contrary party was fought after, and that the (7) controverfie was obfcure and difficult, made a de- cree, chat both parties fliould live together in bro- therly communion, &c. which decree had preserv- ed them in peace, if might had not then overcome right, in calling thofe peaceable Governours out of their places, and fubftiuning thofe in their rooms who would be ready ro doe what the Contra-remoa- ftrants would have. But we mult return to our Efifcoptis, whowa* one of the fix Remonftrants that managed the Con- ference at the Hague, whereas on.a famous Theater he made manifeft his greatabilitics, both natural and acquircd,«and gave all men occafion to conclude, that his knowledge and skill in the holy Scriptures, and in Theological difputations, was not ordinary. After this, the fame of his learning and eloquence fpreading in the United Provinces far abroad, he was folicited by diverfe eminent Cities, chiefly Vtrecht to be their Preacher-, but feeing they of 2? lejfayck would by no means be induced to give their confenc for his departure, he therefore continued in the exercife of his miniftry among them. But at length Tn the year 1 61 z, when he was about 29 years old, he was called by the Curators of thellniverfity of Lejden, to ^e Profefforfliip of Divinity there, in the place of Francis Gomarm y who voluntarily had defertedit; Now although the modefty of this wor- thy man Epfcoptu, was fo great, that he fudged himfelf unmeet for a work fo difficulc in fuch difficult times ^ yet fnffered he himfelf to be prevailed with, and overcome by the judgment of others conceding him (8) hirri, and cfpeciallyby the authority and exhortati- on of fome very great men in the Common-wealth and Church to accept it . In this honourable place, worthy a man fo learned and venerable, he lived friendly and peaceably withDr^o. Polyander, his Colleague, though of an opinion differing from his in the controverfy of predeftinadon • and moft pain- fully laboured in his Office, as even to us is apparent trom his Commentaries on fome parts of the holy Scriptures , then compofed , and his difput3tions there , which fince his death have been expofed to publick view. But his Cares were fo many and great, that they far furmoun.ed all his other labours and did much exceed them ; For at this time the Controverfie about Predeftination had fwelled over the Academical banks, and had filled the pulpits, whence ( as ufually ) it fpread as an inundation a- mong the common people threatningadevaftation of the Churches unity, and to the Common- wealth no lefs thenruine: For thegovernoursthemfelvcs, who were to have kept the peace,were divided among themfelvcs,defigning varioufly for their feveraf par- ties.In this evil day and contentious tirae,goodi?/>//^- pins^z man greatly defirous of pe3ce,a manfludiousi, laborious and fo!icitous for the good ef others, be- came a man of forrows, and acquainted with griefs. Now to give a few inftances of this mans fufferings, may not onely he ferviceable to his commendation, they being the tryal and an evident proof of his fir?- cerity, and that which brought to light his Cbrifti- an fortitude and patience, wherein he greatly ex- (9) they may expeft, who are of the firft in difcovering errors, that have been long and more generally em- braced for truths, and for fuch, which men have much gloryfcd in 3 as a treafure more peculiar to thfcrh- fefves than others •, and alfo to let us know what are the ufual effe&s of blind zeal in matters of religion, which will appear to be the worft of Guides, leading men to moft injurious, inhumane and barbarous praftices. We will begin with that which happened at Am- jierdam^ in the fecond year of his Profeflbrfhip ; The ftory in brief in this , Epifcopiw being at a church in Amflerdam and ( as they commonly ipeak ) ftanding as a witnefs with others at the bap- tizing of his brother Johns Daughter, CafparHey- dan y who then did officiate, asked him and the Other witnefles, whether they did confefsthat to be the true and pexfed doftrine of falvation, Which rvai contained in the old and neVvTeftaweut, andinthe Apoflles Creed, and which wto taught in that churchy to wit , of Amfterdam • adding moreover thefe words: What fay ye to thefe things? Epifcopius y the chief among them, anfwercd; That he did ac- count whatfoever was taught there according to the word of God, and the Ap >ftles Creed, to be the true and faving do&rine, as the words of the ufual form, out of which the interrogation is made, do intend •, Which anfwer, though mild and modeft, fo moved the fpleen of Mr. Hejdan^ that with con* tempt he called him Young-man, and upbraided him * D at (10) a$ one very audacious and prefumptuous in daring to fpeak fo in the Church of God. To which Epifco- pius again rcplyed, faying • That he would depart f the Preachers would no: ?dmit that limitation, comprehended in the formofBaptifm, whereafter mention made of theoldandnewTettamcnr, and the Apoftlcs Creed, thefe words are added , and confeqently is taught in the Chrifiian Church. But when Heydan had the fecond time upbraided him with audacioufnefs, and Epifcopius made no further reply, he at length chriitened the Child, And when Epifcopius was going out, he was reproach- fully handled, and called a fedicious man, and a difturber of the Church, by fomeofthebaferfort, whom Hey dans words had excited to fuch oppro- brious fpeeches; and when he was gone out of the Church, he hardly efcap'd beating or ftoning, to which fome inftigated the youth that were then pre- fent. But God out of his fatherly care prote fling him, and reftraining the fury of thofe wicked men, brought him at length to his friends in fafecy. Not long after this it happened in the fame City, That a certain Black fmitb, feeing Epifcopius patting by his (hop, run out with a bar of Iron that he w«is forging on his anvil, and called him Arminian 9 and a dtfturber of the Church, and fo purfued him, as^one having a mind to murther him, which danger he efcap'd by flight and the affiftance of others, that hindered andreftrained this villanous Zealot. Now if we fliould here infert a fliort but fad fto- ry of fome Concra-reraonftrams plunderers , we (II) fhould not go far out of our way, nor much digref* bccaufe Arminianifme ( fo called ) was the occafion, and Rembert, the brother of our Epfcspius was the perfon pillaged, and that in the time we have new under confederation. The ftory thus runs -, There was in the year 1617, and on the 19th of February, a falfe rumour raifed and fpread abroad, that fome Remonftrants were met together to hear a Sermon in the houfe of Mr. Rembert Epifcopius, who in Am- fierdam was well known to be much addi&ed to the Remonftrants opinions, and was for that caufe much hated by the vulgar fort, Upon this report many hundreds of vile perfons run thither, who firft break- ing the windows with ftones, then with a bar break- ing up the gate, enter the houfe in an hoftile man- ner, and as a Company of Robbers, when they had drank up or fpilled the wine and beer in the Cellar, they fearch and fack the houfe,opening forcibly a- bove 12 cherts, carrying away what was portable, for they ftole thence a bag of money , wearing clothes, linncn, pi&ures, books, houfliold-ftuff, plate, &c. and what they could not carry away tore and broke, leaving nothing there whole and untouch'd, When they had emptyed the houfe, they begin to demolifli it and make it an heap of rubbifh, which they had done, if the coming of the Magiftrate had not hindered them. The Gentle- man and his wife efcap'd their fury- (he by flying to a neighbours houfe ; hebyhidinghimfelfon the top of his own houfe, whither he got by a ladder that he drew up after him. Hislofswaseftiraated (12) tobe above Cm thou and florae And if he had not had fome fpace ( while chofe religious Felons were breaking open his doors j for the carting of his mo- ney and fome pare of his better houfllold- (tuff into a neighbours houfc, he had in that one day J>een well nigh fpoyled of a good eftate, and reduced to poverty, The oiher brother Mr. "fa. Epifeopius, being alfo of the Remonilrant perfwafion, though he was not pillaged as his brother, -yet-warfie often and much reproached by the dregs of the people, a fort of malignant Zealots But to return now to our Epifcopiut, who was a fufferer in his Relations, and Chrifttan Aflfociatcs, and met with many great perfonal afflidions , efpecially at the time of the Dort Synod, and afterwards, of which we will here take a Superficial and curfory view. In the year 1618 beg in the Synod of Dort, which how unjuftly it carryed it (elf towards the Remon* ftnnts, the Ads and Hiilory thereof, long fince publifhed; do, faith CurcelUuf, abundantly tefti* fy. We will briefly mention here a few things that more nearly touch our Epifcopitts ; Although from that which happened not long before the con- vening of this Synod- namely the violent ejecting of chofe Magiftrates that favoured mutual forbearance, it was not hard to conjedure, that no good iflue would attend this Synodical meeting •, yet notwith- ftanding our Epifcopius, being invited to it by the Letters ofthelHuftrious States of Holland, andtofit there wich the other profefTors of the Vnited 'Pro- vinces, did with fome other Remonftrant preach. (13) ers make his appearance at XWfoon after the be* ginning of the Synod; But the Synod, which Was the adverfe Parry, and which (hamefully took to themfelves a power of judging in their own caufe, permitted neither him, nor any other Remonftranrs to be prefent in their alTerably, but as cited pcrfons, appearing at the Synods tribunal, andfubmittingto the authority of the Synod, as having power to or- der them, when tofpeak, when to hold their peace; and alfo at length, by majority of voices, to judge and cenfure them; Which how far from all equity it was, let all judge that have eyes to fee, and are impartial. The Remonftrants notwithflanding , left they (hould feem wanting to a good caufe, did yield to a necefiity, and with a great and undaunted courage cntred the Synod, and there Efijcopus with great grace and Orarorial gefture ( and as our iearfted Hales exprefleth it ) recited that excdlentO- ration,which is to be found in the A<3s of the Synod, and in the fecond volume of his works. After this, when the Remonstrants declared, that they were ready to confer with the Synod, theEcclefiaflica! Prefidentin the name of the Synod anfwered, That they by an authority granted to them from the States General, were come together, not to confer with them, but to judge them ; Notwithftanding this, yet the Remonftrants, having protefled , that they could not acknowledge that Synod as akwfull Judge in the prefent controverfy, becaufe the great- eft part of it confifted of their profeffed adverfarie*, who had already condemned them, andfeperated J^^^ from 04) from them, did addrefs themfelves/m/j t$ propound \ ex f lain and confirm their [entence or judgment, be •fore the Synod> fo far as they could and did judge neceffar]\ aud fo to do, they were notonelyex- prefly permitted, but aifo in joyned, by the Depu- ties of the States-Generalm their Citatory Letters, Bat when the Synod would again circumfcribe that liberty by thefe limits , to wit, that they fliould propound , explain and confirm their fentence or judgment, as far as the Synod fhould judge might be fnfficient and ought to be ; then could not the Remon- strants fatisfy their consciences to fubmit to fuch uneqaal and unrighteous conditions, by which they fhould betray their caufe , and fo they were at length caft out of the Synod, as perfons unworthy for the Synod any longer to treat withall. Concerning the manner of their eje&ion I fhail here adde fomcthing out of the letters fent from Dort to Sir Dudly Charleton^ at that time Lord Embafla- dour from K. fames to the States-General, and written by Do&or Belcanqnal , a member of the Synod, and one of the Englifh Colledge there, and of a different perfwafion to the Remonftrants, and by our own renowned Countrey-man Mr. Hales, then Chaplain to the faid EmbafTadour, but for a time refident at Dort, to obferve the Synods pro. ceedings there-, The letters may be found in Hales his Golden Remains: When the voices faith ( Bel- canqual ) oriely of the forreign Divines were asked ( who are not above a third part of the Synod ) then were the Remonftrants called in, and difmift with r.^u (15) fuch a powdering fp^ecb, as I doubt not but that your Lordftiip hath heard with grief enough. \ prrteft ( faith he ) I am much affli&ed, when I hirk of it; For if the Remonftrants fhould write, fident pronounced a fentence, which was not the Sentence of the Synod, they (hould not lie. The Civil Lawyers and Canon of France, who write mucn about the formalities omitted in the Counsel of Trent, are exceptions of Icfs moment the n thef • So neither was there above a third part of die voices Risked, ex quibus fententia fieri nequit. ISkither was the fentence conceived in writ, and approved by the Synod; And the bitter wo^ds of the fentence were not the words of ony of the fuffra- ges, unlefs that fome of them were fpoken by one man onely. So far he ; There are faith ( Mr. Hales) fome exceptions taken by the Deputies themfelves againft Mr, Pre fident his rough handling theRe- monftrants at their difmiflion. The next day in the morning there was a private Sefiion. where a repe- tition was made of the laft Synod ical A<9s, but when they came to the K6t of the Remonftrants difmiflion LudovicHi Crofius of i?m# but fell into it unawares, and caunot but learn from it, that if the Contra remonftrants behaved themfelves fo, in foch a place, againft perfons who in tie main were of their perfwafion, then certainly the Remon- ftrants to who en they were profeffed Adverfaries, Slid caufe to expeit from them none of thefofteft uf during the peace between the King of Spain and the States. This place thefe Exiles made choice of for their abode , not to joyn with the enemies of their Country in a confpira- cy againft it, nor to endeavour any thing detrc- mental to the Reformed religion , as fome ma- levolent perfons were bold enough to fuggeft flaunderoufly againft them ; but becaufe that place was near , and from which they might more commodioufly , than from any place remote, take care of their beloved Churche.'and Fami- lies, How faithfully thofe imployed their talent , received of God, 1 (hall here pafsover in Silence, being now tofpeakondy of Epifcopiw^ whofe difputations with Peter Wadingttt , a ^efnit of Antwerp , and his Antidote againft the Ca- nons of the Synod of Dort , do abundanly tefti- fy his great bound. Sy mptomes of growth and decay to GodJinefc, in 80 Signs of a living and dying Chriftian, with the caufes of decay and remedies for recoveries in Large 8°. third Edition at 1 . / . 6. d. bound. A new and ufefull Concordance to the Holy Bible, whereunto is added beyond any extant the chief acceptations and various fignifications of words contained in the Old and new Teftamenr, with marks to diftinguifh the Commands, promi- fes and Threatnings^ alfo a colleftion of thofe Scripture prophefies which relate to the Call of the Jews and the Glory that (hall be in the Lat- ter Days in 8°, at 2./. 6. d. bound, in 120. at 2. /. bound, where it is alfo to be bad print- ; ed on a fine page and bound with the Bible in 80 or 12°. JUDGMENT o K Mr. Francis Bamfield , late Miniftcr of 'Sherborne in Dorfetfiire FOR THE Obfervation of the Jemjb , O R Seventh Day S ABBOT H: With his Reafons and Scriptures for the fame* Sent in a Letter to Mr. Ben of Dorcbe/ler. TOGETHER With Mr. Beans fober Anfwer to the fame 5 and a Vindication of the Chriftian Sabbolh againft the JerviJIj. Publifhed. for the Satisfa&ion of divers Friends in the Weft of England. IS Revelations 1. 10. I was in the Spirit on the Lords Day. LONDON, Printed by W. Godbid> for fofeph Nev ill '.at \ the Gfty-Hound in St Paa/s-Church-Yard, 1 67 *• The Preface, Chriftian Reader , • IN times when People are getter ally de- bauched in their Intelle&uals as well as in their Morals $ and tahfi as great d liberty of opining as they do ofpraStifing^ it is no wonder if in this Age, when as all Sells feem to have a general refur- re&ion, that the Jewiftl Se& have alfo their Abettors 5 but if People would but Qrioujly confider, that the change of the Day hath the fame Foundation that the Scriptures themfelves have (and that is latholick^ Tradition ) the Controverfie vould quickly be at an end : It would hen be an eafie thing to believe, that vhen the whole Jewifh frame of Wor- hip was laid aftde, it was fit that the very \ime it fef Jfjoula alfo put on Mournings nd therefore well may it pafsfor a Faji A 2 as The Preface. as our Church hath rightly injlitutedit \ but to continue it as a Featt to thi Lord, is to put an Affront upon thi Gofel and the whole Qeconomy of it And therefore if this Trjtf may contri bute any thing, cither to the confirming thofe that Jiand, or the ejtablijlrihg thoji that are ready to fall , or recovering o J thofe that are already gone ofiray^ thi Author hath his end , and defires tkfr to give God all the Glory. Honoure Ill Honoured Sir % IUnderftand by fome others, who report it to me , as from you. That you defire fbme Scriptures may be pur to thofe particulars which I formerly (em you 5 wherein I gave you an accot in ctfi my Judgement, which accord ng y here 1 have done. If any do think fit to , a tmine this Pa- per, and to returii me a,; Anfwer in Writing, I expect that Ije itv>uld con- fider it as it doth ftand in order D and declare exprefly his Aflent and Con- fen t to the feveral Particulars, if he be convinced that they are the mind of G O D in his Word 5 or if he Diffent, that he give the Reafons thereof in a Scripture-way. A3 My C ] My Judgement, according to the Scri- ptures , is as followeth) That *• Fir ft ) Jehovah Chrift , by the appointment of the Fatherland by the anointing of the Spirit, is eftablifhed for ever to be the only Lord over the Conference , and Law-giver to the Soul, Jfa. 33. 22. To (hew that this is meant of the Lord Chrift , compare I/a. 32. 1, 15. and 33. 17, 18. and 42. 1,4, 16, 21. the 18. verfe of the 33. chap, of Ifa. is applyed by the Apo- file in 1 Cor. 1. 20- to the times of the GofpeJ, fo alfo is lfa. 42. I, 2, 3, 4. ap- plyed by Chrift to himfelf, Matth. 12. 17,21. CaL 6. 2. Jam. 2. 8,10,11,12. and 4. 12. £040.14.9,11. He£. 12.2,6. 0**/. 18.18. Joh.16. 13314,15. -rftfx 3. "22,23. J/S.8.10, 16.20. I C3§- F i^- 68.8, 11, 17, l8. F/SA 2. iT4*»/>. 28. l8, I;?, 20. idty. C4] idly* Secondly D The holy Scrip- tures of truth are perfed, full, and fufficient in all cafes whatfoever, of Do&rine, of Worfhip, of Difcipiine, of Government, and of Conversation, 2 T/w.3.1 5,16,1 7. Z?e#.22.i8,i9.com« pared with Dent. 4. 12. Vrov. 30. 6. MarJ^y. 7,13. Dent. 12. 32. Levit. 18, 34. Deut. 17. 15, 20. JoJ?j. u.8. Job. 20. 3©, %t.GaL 3. 15. Matth. 22. 9. %dly. Thirdly, The Ten words are a perfect and compleat, ftanding, un- changeable Rule of Life, in all matters of Duty to be peformed, and of Sin to be avoided, Pjal. 19. 7, 8, 9. Ifo. 8. 20. K^.3.20. and 4.15. 1 Job. 3.4. Deut. 12-32. 1 Pet. 1.23,25.0^.4. 1,2, 13. JL»^? 16.29,30. Deaf. 5.22. Ewd. 1.27, 28. and 31. 18, Pful. 119. throughout, and particularly verf.\26 y \$i. Joh,2Q. 35. JdM.i.2 5. Prov. 8.8, 9. Matth. 15. 17,19. Rom.%.%i. 1 Job. 2. 7. qthly. Fourthly, The Seventh day, which is the laft day in every Week A 4 in C 3 in the weekly returns of it, is alone that particular, peculiar day in every week, which is the weekly Sabbath day, to be kept holy to Jehova, in obedience to his Command as fuch 3 Exod. 20. 8,9. Dent. 5. 12, 15. 1. F/ri? 5 Be caufe thole weighty Rea- fons which Jehova the Law giver him- felf hath given to enforce Obedience to his Commandjin obferving a week- ly Sabbath day holy to himfelf, do properly and only belong, and are ap- plicable to the Seventh day, which is the laft day in every Week, in order of time, in the weekly returns of it, as a weekly Sabbath day^and to no other day in the week,. Excd. 20. n. I; Firji, God refted only upon the Seventh day, which is the laft day in the weekend upon no other day in the week as a weekly Sabbath day 5 Exod* 20. i. and 31.15, 17. compare Gen. t, throughout, particularly verf. 5, 8 5 13, 3 [.with chapt. 2.i 2&tIeb t ^2rf.Exod* 16.23,30.1^.23,3. idly. C5] 2clly. Secondly, God blefled only the Seventh day, which is the laft day of the week, and no other day of the week,as a weekly Sabbath day$ Exod. 30. 1 o, ii. compared with Gen. 2.2,3. Zd'j't Thirdly, God fan&ified only the ieventn day, which is the laft day of the week, and no other day of the week as a weekly Sabbath day ; Exod. 20. io,ii. compared with Gen*i. 2^. 2dly. Secondly , Becaufe all the Scriptures throughout where the holy Spirit fpeaketh of a weekly Sabbath day. 1. Firft, The name and thing, ofc a weekly Sabbath day is given only to the Seventh, which is the laft day in the weekly returns of it, and to no other day in the week as a weekly Sabbath day } Dent. 5-14. Exod. 20, 10. and 16. 2;>, 26. and 31.15. and 35. 1. Lev. 23.3. A&s 16 . 13. and 17. £• and 18.4. Luke 4.16. Matth.2^.20. 2dly. Secondly , There is no Com- mand C ] mand given for the obfervation of any other day in the week as a weekly Sabbath day to Jehovah but only the feventh, which is the laft day of the week in the weekly returns of it 5 Excel. 20. 8,1 1. Dent. 5. 12, 15. Exod. 16. 28.and 34. 3 i.and^. 12. and 23. 12. and 31. 13,14515. Levit. 19. 3,30. and 23. 3. and 26. 2. Neh.9. 14. Jer. 17.21, 22. Mattb. 28. 18,19,20. £2S^. 20. 19, 20, and 44. 24. Luke 23. 5, 6. Levit. 10. f. $er.y. 23, 31. 3^. Thirdly , There is no Pro- mife made to the obfervation of any other day of the week, as a weekly Sabbath day, but only of the feventh, which is the laft day of the week in the weekly returns of it 5 Ifi. 56.1,8. and 58. 13, iS.Jer. 17, 24, 25,26. Le- vit. 26. 2,13. Exod 16.29. Mdrl^2.2j. Eze^. 20. 20. fyhly. Fourthly , There is no Threatning either denounced againft, or execrated upon any that (hall not obferve CO obferve any other day, as a weekly Sabbath day 5 but. only the Seventh day which is the laft day of the week in the weekly returns of it ; Exod.20. % io, and 3 1. 13, 14, 15. and 35. 3* Jer. 1 j. 27. Exod. 2Q. 2l.Nehem s ij # 15,21. 3^/;. Thirdly, Becaufe God hath put this into Nature, Exod. 20.10. thy Stranger^ Petit. 5.14. the three firft Chapters to the Romans, particularly 5 chap. 2. 14, 15, 263 27. and 3. 9 5 20. 1 Ctfr. 11. 14. Nature hath its teach- ings; the Humane nature in the firft Adam was made and framed to the perfection of the Ten Words , fome notions whereof are ftill retained, even in the Corrupt ftate of fallen Man; compare Gen. 1.26, ij. Ecclef. 7. 29. Ephef 4. 20. Col. 3. IO. The Law of the feventh day Sab- bath was given before the Law was proclaimed at Sinai, fi.xW.16.23. even from the Creation, Gen. 2. 2, 3. given to C ] to Adam in refpeft of his Humane nature, and in him to 2II the World of humane creatures 5 compare C n. 1. 14. and Pfal. 104. 19. wiih kevit. 25. xi. and N//«*. 28. 29, 10. it is the fame word intheOnginal Alog* ?iadim^ contrs&ed, Mpg&ide. Set times of Divine appointment foriolemn Aflembiing, and for Gods inftituted Service, are direfted to, and pointed at by thofe great Lights which the Creator h vh let up in the Heavens; Tj*t< 19. throughout, com- pared with Rom. 10. 4, 5 D 6 3 7, 8, 18, 19, 20. Dut. 30. io, 15. Job. 1. '9. Every man hath a Law and Light of Nature which he carrieth about him, and is born and bred together with him ; Thofe feeds of Light and Truth, Rom. 1. 20. though they will not Juftifie him in the fight of Cod, and bring a Soul through , and fife home to Glory, yet there, even fince Adams fall, are thofe reliques and dark C;3 dark letters of His holy Law of the Ten words to preferve the memory. of our firft created Dignity, and for fbme other ends , though thefe Seeds are utterly corrupted now, fit. i. 15. Natural Reafon will tell men, that feeing all men in all Nations domea- fure their tjmes by Weeks , and their weeks by ^even . I. 6. 1 Job- 2- 1 j 6- and 4. 17. I. 11. 28, 29, 30. 2&A* 13. 34. Meb. 12. 2. Francis Bampfield. Mr. Mr. BEN'S ANSWER T O Mr. BAMPFIEL&S PAPER. The will of Gods good pleafire is the file Rule and reafon of all his aUings towards the Creature. The holy Will of God revealed in his holy Word is the file Rule and Mea- sure of all the Creatures aftings to* wards God. £91 Honour e A Sir, and very much Reve- renced in the Lord, GReat is the Obligation you have laid upon me, in condefcending fo far as to communicate unto me thofe Scripture grounds and reafons, which have had fuch an irrefiftable influ- ence upon your Confcience, as to under- go fuch a change in your Judgment and Pra&ice, relating to the obfervation of the Weekly Sabbath, from what you have formerly believed and pradifed, and that lam fully perfwaded in Godly fincerity : This, Sir, is as I underftand the difcourfe of many, the wonder of not a few, and the grief of fome. I do acknowledge , that the report which you fay was brought unto you, was true} I did indeed defire that you would be pleafed at your leifure, if you thought good, to adde fome Scripture-proofs to thofe Propofitions which I had formerly received from you : which I think I B fhould [id] fhould not have taken the boldnefs to have done, but that you had given me encou- ragement , as I fuppofe you remember when, and where, and how: which now that you have done, I (hi\\ endeavour to obferve your order in giving you my thoughts of them, and that, as they ftand in your Paper } and according to your defire, exprefly declare my affent, and confent to the feveral particulars, fo far as I am convinced that they are according to the mind of God} and wherein I diflent to give you my reafons thereof, and yet as you expect in a Scripture way, fo far as 1 am able and underftand the meaning of that expreffion, and fubmit all to your fe- rious examination. i. Concerning your three firft Propo-* fitions, I do both heartily afient, and un- feignedly confent unto you, fo far as I apprehend aright your mind in them, as divine truths of infallible veracity, deeply engraven in the Word of Truth. Oh that they were as deeply engraven in the hearts of all the Lords profeffing people ! Only I crave leave to tell you, i. That whereas for the proof of the firft, That Jehovah Chrift is by the ap- pointment Cn3 j>ointment of the Father , &c. whereas, I fay , for the proof of this you quote, if I miftake not, near about 26 Scriptures, I cannot either aflent or confent, that every one of them fpeaks clearly to the confirmation of the Propofition, poffibly they are mif written by the Transcriber ^ however the Truth is fufficiently con- firmed by fome of them, and I think all of them may afford matter of comfortable meditation for the right improvement of Chrifts Kingly Office, which perhaps is all that you intend by them, JBleffed be: the Lord, the Government is upon his fhoulder, I fa. 9. 8. that he is the King of Nations, fer. 10. 17. that he is the King of Saints, Rev. 15.3 head over all things to the Church, £ph. 1. 22. hath power over all flefh, to give eternal life to all thofethe Father hath given him, Joh. 17. 2. • That Scripture ( which is well obferved by you) in Jfa. 33. 32. is much to be taken {notice j of } for underftand the words in a Spiritual fence, and they are exclufive of all other -, Chrifi alone, Chrifi and no other, is our only King, and our only Law-giver. It is true, the Commands of the Magiftrate bind the Confidence, and B 2 we [I2J we muftbe fubjedi for Confcience fake, Rom. 13.5. yet not immediately, but by the intervention of Gods Command, Rom. 13. 1,2. nor yet univerfally, but with limitation } we muft obey the Lord Chriil , upon the bare fight of his will : but the Laws of men, are farther to be confidered of,, that fo our obedience unto them may be without fcruple, and our fubjeCtion not from felf-intereft , but in deed and in rruth, from principles of Con- fcience. zdlj. Whereas for the proof of the fe- cond Propofition, that the holy Scripture of truth is a perfect and fufficient rule, for Doftrine, Worfhip, arid Difcipline, you produce eleven or twelve Scriptures : thus far I confent that the propofition is true, and fufficiently proved, though fome of the Scriptures are upon fome account or other, miftaken or mifquoted, as Gal. 3. 15. which perhaps you intend for Gal. 6. 16. The one fpeaks not to the point, as the other doth ; from the latter Cbcmmtins> as I remember, conceives that the Scriptures maybefaid to be Canonical; they are in-, deed a perfefr Canon, nothing to be ad- ded thereunto, not by any Revelation fronr From the fpirit, much lefs from any human Traditions, zThef. 3. 2. Gal. 1. 8, 9. If an Angel from Heaven preach any other Do- cftrine, let him, faith the Apoftie^agaiti, and again he faith it, let him be accurfed. Yet I think this limitation is fit to be inferted, that there are fome Circumftances concer- ning Worfhip, and Adminiflration of Church affairs ( fuch I mean, as are com- mon to humane A&ions and Societies ) which are to be ordered by Chriftkn pru- dence, but ftill according to the general rules of the word , which ought al- wayesto beobferved, that fo as, 1 Cor. 1 4. 40. A& things may be done decently And in order: that [all things'] that is, all the Ordinances of God, for of them he fpeaks, as appears in the foregoing verfes : Prayer and finginv of Pfalms &c. This text gives no other power to any Church, or Church- Gpvernors,but that all fuch things as God appoints, be done decently with- out uncomlinefs, and orderly without con- fufion. $dly. That whereas for the proof of the third Propofition, That the ten words are a perfedi, compleat, and (landing rule,c£v* you produce at leaft twenty Scriptures : I B 3 both m [143 both Affent, and Confent, acknowledging the Proportion fufficiently proved} though I muft fay, as I faid before, that every particular text which is quoted, comes not up fully to prove the point, but a di- vine truth, it is beyond all contradiction, that as, Pfal. 1 19. 56. the Commands are exceeding broad, containing an infinite, and incomjrrehenfible treafure of hea- venly wifdom perteining to holinefs, nothing is wanting that is neceffary for direction to all men, in all conditions, be- ing it is an eternal rule of righteoufnefs ; and as Matth. 24. 3 1 . Heaven and Earth fhall fafs away y but my word, faith the Lord Jefus Chxi&^Jhallmt pafsaway. Thus God hath magnified his Law, and made it ho- nourable, If a. 42. 21. Thus you fee, how in truth of thefe three propofitions I con- fent with you. qtkly. But now for the fourth Propofiti- on, that the feventh day, which is the laft day in every week, in the weekly revoluti- on, is alone that peculiar day in every week, which is the weekly Sabbath day, to be kept holy to Jehovah in obedience to his Commands. For the proof whereof you bring Exod- 20. S } 9, 10, 1 1. Dent. 5.12, Hi*] 13. to this I muft crave leave to fay; that as yet I can neither Aflent, nor Confent 5 being no wayes convinced by any thing I find in your paper, that is according to the mind of God, revealed in his word, or proved in the leaft, either by thefe Scrip- - tures, or the reafbns produced for the proof thereof. That which takes hold of my Confci- ence, in this matter I {hall lay before you, when I have, 1. Firft told you, what is the Gene- ral, I obferve in your paper. 2. Secondly given you fome few pro- pofitions, which I think meet to be in- ferted here, to avoid repetitions hereafter. j. I obferve, that all your Arguments are grounded upon a ftrong apprehenfion you are under, that the feventh day, the laft day in every week, is the fubftance of the fourth Commandment : And that it is moral natural, written in the Humane na- ture in Adam^ which was framed to the perfection of the ten words, as you ex- prefs it in your third general rcafon. But in this, I can neither AlTent, nor Confent: The reafon of my Diflent, you (hall have in its proper place ? I mean, why 1 con- B 4 ceive, ceive, that though the Humane nature in Adam was made after the Image of God in righteoufnefs, and true holynefs } yet the law for the laft day of feven in every week to be the only day for the weekly Sabbath, was not written there. zd/j. I obferve, that your apprehenfions are ftrong, that the laft day of feven in eve- ry week, and the Sabbath day, that is, the day of holy reft of Gods appointment for his folemn worfhip in every week, are and muftbetermes Convertible, and that the laft of feven in every week, as it was at firft, fo it is now, and muft fo continue, to the end of the world, is the only day for that purpofe.This I gather from thofe Rea- fons given to inforce obedience to the Commands which you fay properly be- long to this day, and are, as you think, applicable to no other day : herein I can neither aflent nor confent, and why I can- not, 1 fhall give you my grounds, when I have firft confidered the propofitions you lay down before them. $dly. I obferve, and that not without fome wonder, that though the whole ftrefsofallyour Arguments, is in a man- ner, laid upon the 9, 1 o, 1 1 3 verfes ofExod. 20 • D73 20. Yet I find nothing at all Argumenta- tively to prove, that the fcope, fence, and meaning of thefe Avords, is to eftablifh the laft of feyen, in the revolution of every week, to be the only day of holy reft, which is to be obferved to Jehovah^ to the end of the world; which is the propofition you engage your felf to make good; which till you have done by fome other Argu- ments than this paper affords, or by thefe Arguments more clearly ; I do believe that what you now aflert, will not be fo gene- rally recdved for truth, according to the minde of God, as you think it ought, and as it ought, if it be indeed the mind of God in his word. idly. Having obferved thefe things, I now crave leave to lay down fome few propofitions, which being confidered of, may be, according to what I apprehend, of fome ufe, ( they are at leaft to me ) to- wards the clearing up of the matter under debate, and meet to be infertcd here, to a* void as you faid, as much as may be, repetitions hereafter. They are as fol- loweth. i . Firft, That all dayes materially con- fidered in themfelves, are equal, and of tlu Ci8: the fame nature in that refpecft, none more neceffary to be obferved than another ? none more fubfervient to any fpiritual ad- vantage than another; everyday had the fame efficient caufe, all being created by God, and all very good, Gen. I. all ruled and governed by him, and filled up with what providential difpenfation feemed good in his fight, Pfal. 47. 16. Thus all dayes confidered as I fay materially in themfelves, now and ever will be alike: As they were under the Law , fo under the Gofpel, none of them more eminent nor obfervable by any natural goodnefs than another. If this be fo, and I think it can- not be denyed but that it is fo, this will be one ftrong argument, as I apprehend, to prove that the laft day of feven in every week, to be the only, and perpetual day for the day of weekly holy reft unto Jeho- vah^ was not written in the humane nature in Adam in the ftate of Innnocency, as I hope to make evident when I come to fpeak to the third general reafon. 2dly. Secondly, That though the letter of the Text ought alway to be carefully heeded, yet alway to flick to it, and never compare Scripture with Scripture, for the better Cip"3 better underftanding of the fence thereof, may prove a dangerous fnare. This hath been the Butt of Contention between the Lutherans and the Cahinifts^ and this hath been the death of many faithful! Martyrs, by the Popifh Generation , when and where they hud power in their hands, ,the one holding too pertinacioufly to the let- ter of the Text, Mat. 26.26. This is my \>ody, for the maintaining of Tranfubftan- tiation - 7 a fad inftance we have of this in that Conference at Huflia, at Afarfurgtts, I remember f for the Book 1 have not by me ) between Luther , Mtlanchton^ Zhw- glim , Oecolampaditu , Bucer^ and other German Divines , as it is related in the Annals of Soultetus y where we read, that even Luther himfelf reje&ed very ftrong rcafons, againft which he had nothing to fay but Hoc eft corpus meum } this if the Tranflator of his Menfalia hath not wronged him, he receded from that opi- nion before his death ; So the Popifh Commentators flicking to the letter of the Text, Jam. 2. 14. where it is faid, that a man is juftified by Works, and not by Faith only, fo far as they are believed, overturn the foundation of Faith : The like [20] like in part may be faid of fticking to the letter of the fourth Commandment, with- out minding the fcope, fence, and mean- ing of it : I think thereby a man fhall caft a mift before his eyes, which will exceed- ingly hkider him from the right under- ftanding of the mind of God therein : If I fhould do fo, I fhould find it to be fo. This being fo, makes way for a third Pro- pofition, which thus I lay down. 5-dljl. Thirdly, Though all thing6 ne- ceflary to be known , believed , and ob- served, in order to Salvation, are clearly re- vealed ( though not altogether, but) in one place or other of the Scripture, fo that per- sons of or iinary capacities in the right ufe of means,aflifted by the holy fpiritofGod, may attain a fflfficient understanding of ' them, fo as not to perifh for want of know- ledge ; yet all truths are not alike plain in themfelves, nor alike clear to all : fome things are hard to be understood, 2 Pet. 3. 16. which though Peter ( fpeaking no doubt upon his own knowledge) faith fome mifconfirued to their own ruine ; yet, which is worthy our obfervation, nei- ther doth he, nor Paul himfelf ( who was yet alive, asfeemedby that expreflion in. the the former part of the verfe ( our beloved brother Panl ) and in all probability knew as much in this matter as Peter did) nei- ther of them I fay, did clear or amend thefe difficulties, but let them alone as they were. Thus it fcemed good to the holy fpi- rit of God, by whofe infpiration the Scrip- ture was written, to have it fo: fome truths arc as if it were hid under the rock, that fo there might be digging and fcarching after the knowledg of them^/ir hid Treafnres y Prev. 2. 4. and if 1 fay that the fecond and fourth Commandments maybe reckoned amongft fuch truths, I think I (hould have many that would fay fo too ; I have reafon to fay, they have been both fo to me, but bleffed be the Lord for that light, how little foever , I have received in the one or in the other. Doubtlefs it concerns us therefore to be much in prayer,that God would open our eyes, that we might under- stand the wonderful things of his law, PfaL t i9.10.The vaile that was upon the hearts of the Jews in reading the Old Teftament, 2 Cor. 3. 14, 1 5. is not fully removed from the hearts of the moft knowing Chriftians to this day: he that knows moft, hath eaufe to acknowledge he knows but in part, [22j part, 2 Cor. 13. therefore I maypropofe, but I dare not irapofe any of my appre- kenfions upon others. qthlj. Fourthly, I defire this may be obferved, which I fuppofe will not be de- nied , that a proof drawn by comparing Scripture with Scripture, or by neceffary confequence frem Scripture rightly under- ftood, is a fufficient Scripture proof, even of that which in exprefs words*: is not found in Scripture : That which we have, ^w.4. 5. k no where that I can fee found in Scripture, in fo many exprefs words and fyllables, but the truth contained therein is clear ; therefore the Apoftle faith that the Scripture faith, that the Spirit that is in us lufteth to envy : Many fuch inftances might be given, evidently proving, that Inferences rightly deduced, are to be valued as exprefs Scripture. In Mat. 22. 32. the Lord Chrift himfelf proves the Refurrecftion of the Juft, not by exprefs Scripture, but by confequence. Thus for the Baptizing of Infants, and many other things which come frequently under ob- fervation, we have not exprefs Scripture for, or in full, and entire fentences toge- ther, but here a little, and there a little, which £ 23: which compared together, and wifely and faithfully improved by rational Infe- rences, fufficiently prove that Truth they are brought for ; And if the Divine infti- tution of the firft day of the week, can be thus cleared up, for the day of the weekly Sabbath, as I doubt not but it may, it 1$ fufficient to me it is. He that conceives himfelf under no ob- ligation to any thing, but what he hath ex- prefs Scripture for, in fo many words and fyllables, will either enlarge his liberty be- yond its due bounds, or ftreighten his rule beyond what is written, and perhaps both : its a dangerous thing to refufe him that fpeaks from Heaven, which way fo- cver he fpeaks, Heh. 12. 2 5, $thl). Fifthly, Let this be alfo confi- dcred, that the holy will of God, which is the rule ofallrighteoufnefs, concerning what is required of man to do, hath been revealed, though the time when, and man- ner how it hath been revealed, be not re- corded in Scripture. This to me is cer- tain, for the will of God concerning Sacri- ficing, was without doubt revealed unt;o jibil, before the Law for Sacrifices was given j for what he did therein, he did in Faith, C2 4 ] Faith , and eminently found acceptance with God in what he did therein, Heb. 1 1. 4. neither the Light of Nature, which is the knowledge of Principles, neither the Law of Nature, which is the conclufions drawn from thefe Principles, could ever have made known this way of worfhip to foe a Duty , if God had not fome way revealed his will to him therein. This I hope will be made evident when I come to fpeak of the third general Reafon e If he had impofed this upon himfelf, and that it had been the product of his own imagination, it had been wilLwor- fhip : therefore certainly he had fome word for it, but when he received it, and where, and how that way of worfhip was inftituted for him to come to the know- ledge of, I never heard of any that could find it in the Scripture. Great ufe may be made of this, if need were, for the clear- ing up of this prefent Controverfie, con- cerning an exprefs word for the inftitution and obferving of the firft day of the week to be the Lords-day, the day for his week- ly Sabbath } we might fay, that it might be inftituted, though it be not recorded when, when, and where, as it was in the ctfe of Abels Sacrificing ; but I hope we fhallnot be driven to this, however I cannot but fuppofe it is good ufe for fome erpecially to confiderof. 6thly. Sixthly , I defire that this alfo may be corifidered , that what was deli- vered by the Apoftles, as they were guided by the holy Spirit of Truth, ©ught to be received and believed as delivered and fpoken by Chrift himfelf. Chrift himfelf was never in perfon at Ephefa, and yet 'tis faid, £pfe. 2. 17. that he came thither and preached peace unto them : we muft underftand it, that he did fo in the Miniftry of the Apoftles, which was all one as if he had been there him- felf. None that I know of durft ever un- dertake to prove, that ever they prefcri- bed any thing for all the Churches to ob- ferve, but what they received in Com- miffion from the Lord Jefns. This was their charge, A/at. 28. 20. Teach what I command joh^ and this was their practice, 1 Cor. 11. 10, 23. What I received from the Lord , that I delivered unto yon : fo l Cor. 1 J. 3. It is evident, Att. 1. 3. that Jefus C Chrift >_ t*.ft Chnft fpake many things unto them be- twixt his Refurreftion and Afccnfion, con- cerning the Kingdom of God, i. e. efpe- cially the ftate of the Gofpel-Church, of all which we have no knowledge ( I have not I am furc ) in particular what they were, 'farther than is found in their pre- cepts and practice, recorded in the New Teftament : And what if I fhould fay, that the change of the day from the lait in fever*, to the firft in feven , was one of thfefe things, I know not what could be faid againft it j but of that more hereafter. ythly. Seventhly, Though I have de- clared, as above, my aflent and confent concerning the Ten words to be perpe- tually obligatory, or a Handing and un- changeable rule for all Chriftians in all ages to walk by, that fo they may walk in all well-pleafing unto God, (as once I heard very folidly proved by your felf, in an Exercife wholly upon that fubje&, from Pfal. 19. 6 } 7, 8, 9. as I remember ) though I fay, and fay it again, that herein I confent with you ; yet I fay it now, and muft fay it again hereafter, that the day of weekly holy Reft is altered, and yet- that 125] that alteration Is nodiflblution of the Com- mandment, and that; no tittle of the Law is broken thereby, and that the firftday of the week is and ought to be as much the weekly Sabbath for the Chriftians now, as the laft day of the week was to the Jews of old ; and that there is as good ground fthough perhaps not fo clear to every one) for the change of the day, as there was at firft for the choice of the day : this is di- redly contrary to what you afTerted in your paper- I come now according as you defircd me, to take your 4th Propofition in to con- federation, and your Reafons in order as they ftand, whereby you endeavour to confirm it, having again, and again in fome weak meafure, I praife the Lord, prayed for the afliftance of the holy fpirit of truth* to guide and direft me that I may write nothing againft the truth,but for the truth; being at this prefent under the acftual con* fideration of the dreadful fentence that I may be called to an account, I know not how foon, before the great and glorious God, for what I think, for what I write, as well as for what I fpeak, or what I do : I bltfs God I «m willing that truth flioilld be C Z truth C*8J truth, and appear to be truth. Your fourth Proportion ( though I have repeated it al- ready, yet I think it meet to repeat it here again ) is this \ The feventh day, which is the laft in day in every week in the weekly returns of it, &c. And for the proof of this, you pro- duce Exod. 20. 8,9,io,U. Dent.$. 12, 15. I conceive you lay the whole ftrefs of your Arguments upon that in Exod. and that you do not fo much as imagine, that Dent . the 5th affords you any more help, than what you have from the other alone. This is that which is to be taken into ferious confiderations, whether your Pro- pofitions takes in, or be agreeable unto the full fence of the Commandment, and that the Commandment fpeaks the fame thing that the Propofition doth } it feems as yet far otherwise to me, and that the Com- mandment requires only the obfervation of one day in feven, and doth not inftitute ny particular day, either the laft or the firft. The laft of feven had its institution, as you feem to acknowledge, ( which I was glad to find in your paper ) in Gen. 2.3. where, and when the firft day had its infti- tution tution will be enquired into when this Pro- pofition is cleared, viz. That the fourth Commandment requires only the obferva- tion of one whole day in feven for the weekly Sabbath, not inftituting either the firft, or the laft, for any fuch intent or pur- pofe. And becaufe, as Solomon faith Prov.6. 23. that the Commandment is a Lamp/jand the Law is a Light, I defire therefore in the ftrength of the Lord Jefus, depending up- on him for light and direction, to look in- to the fence and meaning of this Law : But firft I (hall premife this, That As the fecond, fo the fourth Command- ment comes in fome thing under a dif- \ ferent confideration from moft, if not from all the reft : my meaning is this j There isfomething in each of them is mor- ral natural, and fomething which is only pofitivc. In the fecond Commandment this is moral natural that God ought to be worfhipped, not as men will themfelves, but as Godhimfelf wills and prefcribes; but in what ordinances, or ads of worfhip, this is only pofitive. So in the fourth Com- mandment this is moral natural, that there be a time, a fufficient time for the folemn worfhip of God, and yet fuch a fufficienL time. C293 time, as leaves fufficiency of time for our worldly bufinefs and affairs. This the light of nature will teach, but without fome re- velation of the will of God, nature cannot determine the time, as to the frequency of its revolution, or if that, not the particular day that ought to be the time, which is the matter under debate betwixt us, but of this I fhall have occafion to fpeak more hereafter : only I mention it here, becaufe this is that which I have now to do, to give you my reafons why I conceive that what the fubftance of the fourth Command- ment requires; either as naturally moral, or pofitively moral, or Gods manner of refting, or his bleffingand fancftifying the day of his reft, or the revolution of time in which the day ought to be obferved, what- ever it be, reacheth no farther than the obfervation of one whole day in feven, not direcftly pointing out any particular day, but only by confequence at the laft of feven becaufe it was enjoyned before. Now I cannot better nor in fewer words give you my reafon of this, than to give vou an account of my Faith,what I under- ftand to be the fence and meaning of the Commandment, and it is this y i.Firft, C 3^3 J. Firft, I obferve as it were the open- ing and giving forth of the Command- ments, verf. 8, Remember the Sabbath day, that is, the day of holy reft of Gods appointing, to keep it hoiy to the Lord: IhDent. 5. 12. A text quoted in your pa- per, we have this which is the moral fub- ftance of the Commandment not given as in fome other places it is, by it felf alone, but together with all the ten words in its proper place and order} and which is to me very obfervable, the reafon from Gods refting is omitted, neither is it at all en- forced from the Creation, but from a Type of our Redemption, their deliverance from the Egyptian bondage. Such a material omiffion or alteration feemeth to he figni- ficant of fomething, whereof more here- after. zdly t Secondly, in the fhutting up or Conclufion of the Commandment,iwp 1 1 . Wherefore the Lord blefled, and fan&i- fiednotthe feventh day (of which more hereafter) but the Sabbath day of holy reft; this is evident, yet neither in the opening, nor fhutting up of the Command- ment where we have the moral fubftance of the Commandment, there is no menti- C 4 on C3^3 on of any particular day at ail. ^dly. I obferve what intervenes and comes in by way of explication or inforce- ment of obedience, between the opening, and fhutting up of the Commandment,and Therefore incomes to be obferved. i. Firft, In what revolution of time God had appointed this day of holy reft to be obferved, and that is one whole day of feven, of every feven days, fix for labour, one for reft, vcrfe 9. and former part of ver. 10. Thus far we have a comely order in the Commandment,fuitable to the infinite wifdom of God, firft fettling a day that ought to be obferved, and then the revo- lution of time in which that day ought to be obferved- how often, not one in twenty days, nor one in ten days, but one in feven ' days, one day in every week, which is well obfef ved by your felf in the third Rea- fon. zdly. Secondly, I obferve the enforce- ment of obedience to the Commandment from Gods example of refting the feventh day,wr/> 11. Here I do acknowledg the iaft of feven is mentioned, but not as any branch of the unchangeable moralfubftance of the Commandment, nor the observati- on C3?3 Dn of it dire&ly required but onely conse- quently, being inftituted before as is ac- knowledged by your felf: and itmuftbe acknowledged by all, that the laft of feven here mentioned, had firft of all the honor to be the day of Gods appointing, and ac- cordingly it was obferved, and no other, till the time came that another day the firft of feven, was to fucceed in the room of it. Thefe are the Particulars of the Com- mandment, which as far as I can appre- hend, are moft obfervable in thofe four Verfes quoted in your Paper, and in none of them all can I find any thing that feems to give any Teftimony to the Truth of your Propofition. 1. Nothing as was faid before either in the giving forth , or (hutting up of the Gommandmentjthere is no mention of any particular day, one or other, 2. Nothing in what intervenes be- tween. i . Nothing in what expreffeth the reso- lution of time wherein the day of holy reft is to be obferved. Six days (halt thou la- bour, Thus I underftand this limitation, or rule for direction. i. Six C33 3 i. Six days {halt thou labour, unlefs God otherwife appoint} and he did ap- point in the old Adrniniftration, other days to be kept holy, which though not alway, yet fometirnes fell out on fome or other of the fix working days. This I think none will deny, 2. Further, Six days (halt thou labour, not excluding the folemn worfhip of God out of thofe fix days, as is well obferved by your felf : as if it were a fin for a man ro hear a Sermon, or to fet fome hours a part for prayer any of thefe fix days, as it is for a man to work upon that day of fe- ven which God fets apart for himfelf. 3 . And yet further, which is moil to be ta- ken notice of. Six daies,&c.reft one,not en- ioyning the laft of feven that was instituted before, but ogely thus, Six parts of the time fhall be for yourfelves, the feventh . fhall be mine, as Gen. 47. 14. you fhall have four parts, faith Jofeph, the fifth fhall be Pharaohs. Let all be divided into five parts, four fhall be for your felves , the fifth fhall be for the King, not telling them | which fifth but only one of five. SoLcv.23 . 27 -Let all be divided into ten,you lhal have nine,the tenth fhal be theLords^noUppoint- ing ing them which ten, but only one often. Thus I underftand the word,fix daies of the week (hall be for your felves, one fhall be mine. Thus I finde not one word for the [ait of feven, and which I muft remember again, in the third Reafon you plead the equity onely for one of feven. I have heard that you alledged the He- brew particle H wrfe 10. as emphaticalj but becaufc you do not mention it in your paper, I fhall fay nothing to it now, but when you form your Argument from it^ I fhall give that which fatisfics me for the prefent inAnfwertoit. 2 . As nothing is. here where the revolu- tion of time is fixed which fpeaks in behalf of your Propofition, fo I find nothing at all in Gods example for it j nothing there but one day of feven, from the beginning of the Creation ; but it doth not therefore follow that it was the mind of God, that the fame day muft be obferved for ever. I (hall give you my reafon why I conceive fo, when firft I have given you the fence wherein I conceive the words are to be un- derftood. Thus, We muft not underftand this properly according to the Letter, for the infinite glorious divine eiTence ceafeth no C*r3 no more to work than he ceafeth to be God} neither doth he reft as man doth, becaufe he is weary, 7/^.40.28. We are therefore to underftand his ceafing to Cre- ate*; from the works of providence order- ing, and difpofmg all things that he hath made he never refteth, according to that fih. 5.17, Having thus given you the fence, now I fhall give you my Reafons, why I conceive that this example ofGodsrefting is not alledged here to lay an obligation upon the Confcience, that the fame day wlierein he refted,which was the laft of fe- ven, ought to be obferved for ever. 1 . Firft, It feems to me to relate to what God himfelf did, rather then any way pro- pounded as an argument to-prove that for which you urge it. I will give you a paral- lel Scripture wherein the Example of the Lord Jefus is thus to be underftood, 1 Cor. it. 23. We have there the inftitution of the Lords Supper, when, and how it was inftituted, repeated out of the Evangelifts, and Chrifts example is related as to the time when, that it was notonely in the night, but in that particular night in which he was betrayed: now this is not recorded as a binding rule for our imitation,for then night night Adminiftrations fhould not oiiely of abfolutc neceflity be obferved , but that particular night in which he was betray- ed, which is commonly called with us Thurfday night, which is more then ever I heard, that any one pra<5hfed as a necek fary duty - I am fure the Apoftle Pad did not, Atts 20. 7. This example of Chrift then, feems to be hiftorically related, and whether the like may not be faid of Gods example in the Commandments, let it be confidered. But 2 . Secondly , Though G ods example be hiftorically related, yet it muft be acknow- ledged to be ralated for fome fpecial end and purpofe : As the example of Chrift in the forementioned Scripture was without all doubt mentioned upon the higheft ground of reafon; which to fpeak of here thought it might be of good ufe, yet it would be a digrefiion from the matter In. hand. And the fpecial end, and purpofe why Gods example is here related, feems to be this, even to (hew that what is required in the Commandment is equal and reafon- able, and for mans good : The holy Laws of God are often called judgments, as for other other Reafons, fo fpccially I think for this* to fhew that God requires nothing but what is juft and equal. Thus God reafons the cafe with thofe, Ezek^iS. 25. Hear je me O honfe of Ifrael, are not my waies equal ? and therefore certainly the fence of the Argument from Gods example which doth beft (hew the equity of the Com- mandment, and to be for the good of thofe that obferve it, is the beft, and trueft fence. Now to argue that becaufe God wrought the fix firft daies of feven, and then refted the laft of feven, this carries no convincing reafon with it, that therefore wc ought firft to work fix daies of the week, and then to reft the laft day of the week , and to keep it holy to the Lord. Reafon, right Reafon, if that alone were to judge, would rather judge it fit to keep the firft of feven holy to the Lord, and feeing by Divine allowance we have fix for one, take the fix laft to our felves. In reafon we may hope, that the work on Earth will fpeed beft, when our work for Heaven is done firft : But now to argue r rom Gods example, that it bindeth nei- ther to the firft of feven, nor to the laft of feven, C38 3 feven, but to one of feven, carries very great reafon in it. For if the great God, who needs not one moment either for reft, or for work; who never fainteth, who never is weary, wrought fix dayes, and refted one, how much more ihould poor frail man, hold that proportion, who by reafon both of bodily weaknefs, and fpiritual wants, needs fuch a competency of time both for his worldly imployment, and Soul re- frefhments ; and thus much you fay your felf hath been already noted. Thus you have my reafon why I conceive there is nothing in Gods example, that affords any help to afford your Propofition. 3. Thirdly, I find as little in Gods bleffing and fan&ifying the Sabbath-day, for that which you ailedgc it. r. Firft, Tc give the fence, [_he fanfti- fied it 2 *- *• feparated it from common ufe, to be filled up with fuch duties as he appoints } and then £ blejfed k ] i t cifion, and the PafTover inftituted , dfe- where are there required} So Likewifc New Teftament Ordinances, Bap» £43] Baptifme and the Lords Supper are both comprehended, though neither named; fo in the fourth Commandment, both the laft of feven, and firft of feven, are com- prehended, though neither of them direct- ly named ; but onely one of them confe- quentially as was faid before, becaufe for- merly inftituted ; fo that the fourth Com- ' mandment is perpetually obligatory for one day in feven, and then the fubftance of the Commandment is ftill unchange- able; thus the diy admits of a change, not as a Ceremony, but as a Circumftance ; the change of the day being no more pre- judicial to the morality of the fourth Com- mandent , than the change of worfhip to the morality of the fecond Command- ment. And farther I add this, that I ccnfefs I am at a very great lofs, how it (houldbe fo as it hath been, and as it is at this day, that in a manner, the whole Chriftian world fhould centre in the obfervation of the firft day, if it had been a breach of the fourth Commandment which hath been fo often read, and fo often preached upon. Before I proceed to fay any more than what hath been faid tothofe Reafons D 2 which C44 3 which are produced in your paper for the confirmation of your Propofition, I fhall give you in as few words as poflibly I can, what I have for the prefent to fay for the change of the day, from the laft of feven to the firft of feven ; and that being done, I conceive I (hall not need to fay much to any of the Reafons, though I intend not, by the Lords affiftance, to pafs over any of them without faying fomething , and that as you defire, according to the order as they ftand. To make entrance into this which I am now to fpeak unto ; as none denies but that the laft of feven was the only day-in the revolution of every week to be kept holy to the Lord to the end of the old world, (i.e.) of the Church that then was of the Jews, till the time of Reformation ; Ihould come, Heb. 9. 10. fo I conceive it I cannot with reafon be denied , but that S fince the beginning of the new world, (*>.) of the Chriftian Church, frequently in Scripture called the world to come, I men- tion only that Heb. 2. 5. fince then I fay, it cannot I think,with any fhew of reafon, ' be denied, that the firft of feven hath been i generally acknowledged in all Chriftiajl i Chur- 1 C4H Churches unto this day, and will be ( to fpeak as yet I do believe ) till time fhail be no more; though by what Authority, is the great matter in c^ueftion, but the thing is certain, though it hath been of late, as I have heard, dropt up and down, in and about the Town, that this exalting of the firft day of feven above the laft of fe- yen was done by the Authority oiConslan- tine : I wondred at this when 1 heard of it, for though it be true that Enfebws, writing the life of that ChriftianEmperor faith,that by law he ena&ed, that the firft day of the week, fhould be the great weekly holy day to the Lord : Yet to conclude from hence, that he was the Author of the change of the day; we may as well conclude that he was the Chriftian Religion ; for by his publique Edidt, the publique profeifion of it was cftablifhed in all his Dominions, The Chriftians of thofe daies then recei- ving, as I have often thought, an anfwer to thofe Prayers which their Fore-fathers in Chriftianity no doubt poured forth be- fore God, according to that injunction and direction, i Tim* 2.1,2. that they fhouid pray for Kings and all that be in Authori- £y,that they might lead a quiet and peace- D 3 able able fife in all Godlinefs and Honefty ; which was much about 300. years before Con (I amine was born, at leaft before he fate in the Throne. Let Eufebitts himfelf be confultcd (I could eafily quote the place if I had the book by me ) and from him we may learn, that as the Chriftian Religion, fo the Chriftian Sabbath was ob- served on the firft day long before Conftan- tines Cradle was made • and not only fo, but before there was a Chriftian Magiftratc in the world it was fo : and yet, as 'tis ap- parent to me, by divine Authority, orelfe there was none in the world at all ; for in the new world, that is, in the ftate of the Gofpel Church , old things were paft a- way, old Sacrifices , old Covenant , old Sacrament, the Seals of the Covenant, this none denies } even fo the likewife the old Sabbath : for the proof of this, let that Scripture, befides others that might be mentioned, be duly confidered, Gal. 4. 10. The Apoftle there reckoneth up feveral forts of the Jewifh Feftivals, and condemn- eth the obfervation of them in all Chriftian Churches ( for upon the fame account he condemns them in one Church , he con- demns them in all) This will* appear to be mi fo,if we confider the Apoftles fcope in that, and in hisEpiftles to fome other of theChur- ches. But to mention one is enough for all, it was to oppofe fuch of theCircumcifion as thofe mentioned, Acts 15 i,2.that mingled together the Law of Mofes^vjkh the Doct- rine of the Gofpel, and that in the matter of Juftification, and in order to Salvation; with this error 7 which was then a growing error, it is evident the Church of Galatia was infeded, upon this account it might well be that he was Articled againft, for Reaching every where to forfake the Law of Mofes^ and againft the Temple, Aits 21. 28. as Paul himfelf no doubt knew that it was formerly anArticle againft.SV*pfe«i > that he fpake blafphemous words againft the Law,fand that he (hould affirm that Jefus of Nazareth fhould deftroy the Temple , and change the Cuftomes that Mofes delivered them, Atts 6. 13,14. Objett. If it be objefted that the Apoftle there condemns their yearly Sabbaths, the Sabbath of 'che feventh year, the Sabbath of the fiftieth year, the year of fubile, and not the weekly Sabbath. By way of Anfwer , I defire that the words of the Apoftle may be duely weigh- D 4 cd, C48] edjTV obferve D ayes, and Months, and Times , and Tears } lam afraid of you, lefi J have be- flowed on you my labour in vain. By Years, we underftand their Yearly Sabbath, cal- led the Sabbath of Attornment •, and their Sabbatical years as above mentioned } by Seafons, their Annual Feafts, of thePaflb- ver, Penticoft, and Tabernacles - 7 and by Months, their Monthly Feafts called their New Moons, all this is clear ; now I confefs I cannot fee what can poffibly be meant by Dayes, but their weekly Sab- bath dayes, efpecially finding in Lev. 23. where all their Feafts, and Holy dayes, eight in number, are reckoned up ; their weekly Sabbath is put in the firft place, as it were, by the Apoftle. I forefee two things may be objected a- gainft this Interpretation. Objctt. Firft, it may be faid, the Sab- bath of the feventh day cannot be here mentioned, for then Paul (hould condemn his own Practice. Anfw. But this is eafily Anfwered, for though we read, Afts 16. 13. that on the Sabbath day, that is I grant on the feventh day Saboath, he went out of the City and preached to women,that reforted thither to their [4?1 their publique worfhip:and Atts 17-2. that he^reached in the Synagogue of The fidoni- ea 3 Sabbath days together,yet this was not as obferving the feventh day Sabbath, but for the opportunity of the Jews aflembling together on that day, which he could not have upon the firfi: day ; and fo for a while condescending to their weaknefs, fome o- ther of the Jewifh Rites, as may be inftan- ced in Circumcifion, were borne with. To conclude from hence that he did this as ob- ferving the feventh day Sabbath as they did, it may be well concluded that he di$I, and therefore we muft obferve theFeaft Penticoft • becaufe he went up to Jerufa- km at that Feaft, as we read, Atts 18. 2 1 • which we may be fure he did not for the Feafts fake, but for the AfTeinblies fake , that he might have the greater opportunity to preach the Gofpcl unto 1 them. But now if we would know what day of the week it was which he obferved in o- bedience to> to the fourth Commandment, look into his practice among the Convert- ed Jews and Gentiles, and there we (hall find that he obferved the firft day for the Sabbath day, and pafTed by the feventh day, £5° J day, as will be feen by and by, in its pro- per place. 2. Objett. It's objected by fomc, and thofc great and learned perfons, that this Interpretation overthrows the Morality of the firft day of the week, as well as the laft day of the week, and for that end they thus interpret this place , and fre- quently urge it : But nothing they alledge from hence, I do acknowledge, could ever make any impreflion upon me, and my reafon is this. Anfxv. Look what thofc 'and the Cir- cumciilon, that were fo zealous for the Law, fought to impofc upon the Chriftian Churches, that and that only the Apoftle oppofeth : Now it feerns to me beyond all queflion, that they never fought toim- pofe the firfb day Sabbath, and therefore rhat ftands, and will ftand unfhaken, not- withftanding this Interpretation of the Text ; and the Interpretation (landing firm, notwithftanding thefe Objections, it feems yet clear to me, that Chriftians are under no obligation at all to the old Sabbath , it is dead having fcrved its time. guest. Now I know it will be asked, if if this be fo, where have we any exprefs inftitution either for the firft day, or for any other day ? Muft we not then, if a word of inftitution cannot be produced, obferve, as fome fay, every day for a Sab- bath, or take that day thofe in Authority do appoint, be it one of 10, or one of 20, or have no Sabbath at all ? Aafw. I Anfwer, Neither fo, nor fo, every day is not the Sabbath day, any more then every Supper is the Lords Supper, or every Table the Lords Table : Neither may we admit of one day of 10, or 20, for that is againft the Morality of the fourth Commandment, which requires not only the obfervation of a Sabbath , but one day of feven for a Sabbath. And that we have fuffictent ground ( which I confefs can be no lefs than Di- vine Authority ) for the firft day of feven, I now come to give you my reafonswhy I fo believe. Only let me have leave firft to ask, where is there an exprefs word of inftitu- tion for the laft of feven ? In the fourth Commandment there is none, that onlv requires the obfervation of C*2] of one of feven ; all the inftitution there is for it, is in Gen. 2. 3. which is not ex- prefs, (though I acknowledge it fuffici- cnt) but only imply 'd in thofe words, God blejfed the feventh day^ and fanttified it and I hope there is as clear a word, ( though perhaps not altogether found in One place ) which implys the inftitution of the firft day, as that which in Gen. 2. joth of the feventh day. Before I proceed to that, I defirethis m ay beobferved ; That there is the fame reafon for the inftitution of the firft of feven, that there was for the inftitution of the laft of feven. 1 faid before what I thought to be true, that the Lord bleflcd and fan&ified the feventh day; not only becaufe he refted on the feventh day, ha- ving perfected the work of Creation; but alfo becaufe of the refult and confequencc both of his reft, and of his perfecting his work, namely, his honouring and exalt- ing that day above all other dayes ; there- by now we know, that the memorial of thofc fignal works of providence wrought upon the day, hath been the occafion of the advancing that day above other. So the Jewifh Paflbver, Lev. 23. and the Feaft C 53 3 Feaft of Fnrimj Fft. 9. 2i, 23. and our 5th. of November, in memory of thedifco- very of that Treafori plotted, and that nor- thing eame to execution but the Traytors themfelves. Now this being acknow- ledged to be fo , hence then it may be arguedi That what day foever above all other dayes, God honours with his moft eminent work, is to be the day of holy Reft unto God. This will clearly carry it , and greatly ftrengthen , though but an implycd inftitution for the firft day : for that was the day of the Lords reft from the moft great, and the moft glo- rious of all his works, the work of Re- demption. I hear fomcthing hath been alledged againft this, that the firft day of the week was not the day of Chrifts Refurredion, and that the Tranflators of the Bible have done us wrong in fo rendring it : It is ftrange to me if any fhould fay fo, but I fhall fay nothing to it now, becaufe your Paper fpeaks nothing of it ; when- ever you think fit to form the Argument from the error you fuppofe in the Tranfla- tion , there is as I underftand one ( and one that is well able to do it ) prepared to C54 3 to juftifie the Tranflation, and hath done it, many moneths ago; to him I leave it, becaufe, as I faid , your Paper gives me no occafion to fay any thing of it. However this I muft fay , for the proof of what hath been faid , I cannot but aflat this, that it is an Article of my Faith, that the Lord Jefus rofe again the third day ; i Cor. 15.4. Luk± 13. 32. Mat. 16. 21. and that as certain it is^ that the firft day of the week after his Paflion week , is and was the third day after his Paflion j the Lord of Life laid down his life, and was obedient unto death , the fixth day of the fore- going week, which with us is called Friday , lay in the Grave the remain- ing part of that day, that night, and all the feventh day , ( when the old Sabbath I think was buried with him) and then that night , and arofe early the next morning, which was the firft day of the week after his Paflion ; fo that his blefled body continued in the Grave two whole nights, one whole day , and fome part of the two other dayes, the fixth and the firft of the week following, m all about 36 hours: C5'53 : hours : And this was accounted three dayes and three nights , according to the allowed Dialect of that Nation, as one of the moll learned in the Jewifh Antiquities I think this Nation afford- eth, by feveral inftances makes good: And indeed there feems to be fome- thing in the Scripture for it, Efihers Faft was for three dayes, and three nights , yet on the third day after her Feaft began, fhe prefents her felf be- fore the King , and invites him to a Banquet, £/?. 5. i. This then is evi- dent, the Refurredion of Chrift, not- withftanding any thing that I think can be faid againft the Tranflation, was upon the firft day of the week j befides what hath been faid already, the Scripture is cxprefs for it, Luk^ 24.. 13. The fame day, i.e. the day of Chrifts Refurredion, the two difciples were tra- velliw to Emans; and verf.n. they fay, I thk da) was the third day : thus the Re- furredtion of Chrift being upon the firft day of the week , ( though to fpeak properly it was not fo much the ground, ' as the occafion of the choice of the day, becaufe then it was manifefted, that that the price of our Redemption was both paid and accepted ) the day of Chrifts P-aflion could not give the like occafion, becaufe though the price was paid, the Surety was not difcharged, the Grave was a part of his humiliation, he was not raifed from all the forrows of death, till he was raifed from the Grave, jfits 2. 24. And as the day of Chrifts Paflion, could not for this caufe give this oc- cafion for the change of the day, fo neither could the day of his Afcenfion. On that day indeed he entred into the place of Reft, to fit down on the right hand of the Father, but it was on the day of his Refurrettion that he entred into the ftate or Reft; and this day , as I faid, on the firft day of the week , gives as fair and ftrong a ground , for fixing of the day of holy Reft, on the firft day of feven, as Gods refting from the work of the Crea- tion did, for fixing it at firft upon the laft of feven. If it be faid, by this means we blot out the memory of the Creation, which ought not to be done. It C*7] It is true, it ought not to be done, that marvelous great work comes within the compafs of that Text, Pfalm 1 1 1. 4. which ought to be had in remembrance, and the feriousconfiderationofit, is a great relief in difficult cafes : for what cannot he do that made Heaven and Earth of nothing ? Thus they reafon their hearts into a be- lieving frame, Pfdm 124. ult. that their hope, and their help, did Hand in the name of the Lord that made Heaven and Earth : we ought therefore, as Elihn faith, to mag- nifie God in his works which men beheld. Job 36. 24, 25. Only the work.of Redemp- tion ought more efpecially to be remem- bred, as the more glorious, and indeed the moft glorious work; As therefore the work of Creation ought not to be forgot- ten* fo the change of the day gives no caufc for it } for as the firft day of feven preferveth the memory of our Redemp- tion, fo one of feven preferveth the memory of our Creation, onely pre- 1 eminence is given to the work of our I Redemption. But it will ftill be en- quired where is the word of Inftituti- on? E I C583 I Anfwer, 'tis acknowledged, that as I faid before, I find no exprefs word for the Inftitution of the laft day of feven, fo we have no exprefs word in fo many letters, and words or fyllables for the Inftitution of the firft day of feven j but we have feveral particulars, which, not taken apart, but laid altogether, will clearly, and I think, undeniably imply it } and which was obferved in the fourth Propofition, which way foever God fpeaks his minde to us , we ought not to defpife him that fpeaks from Heaven. _Now among all thefe particulars, I defire thefe may be, in all fobriety and ferioufnefs, taken into confide- ration. i . The firft is this , which I think none will deny; that Jefus Chrift the Mediator , had power to change the day .- I do not , I dare not fay that he had power to change the moral fub- ftance of the Commandment, for it was not in his Commiffion; He came not to destroy the Law , bat to fulfil it ; not to change .the day from one of feven, but 1591 but that he had power to change from one day of feven, to another day : that Text which you quote three feveral times, fufficiently proves it ^ He is Lord cf the Sabbath, ( i. e. ) of the day f and might do with his own what he pleafeth, even as he was Lord ofthe Vineyard, and might let it out to what Husbandmen he pleafed, Matth 21. and that which we Ttidtrfdiin 5. carries a probable appearance, that even then he began to manifeft * that he had a purpofe to change the day, for there we read , that having healed the poor difeafed man who had been bedrid for thirty eight years together, he bids him take up his bed and walk} but why did he fo ? this was cxprefly againft the letter of the Law ; there was no necef- fity of it for the evidencing of the Mi- racle, that might have been done by his leaping, and walking 5 and the like was, j4tts $. and A&s 14. he might have gone home, and come again for his bed the next day; why then might it not be to (hew that he had power and autho- rity over that day, equal to what he had over the difeafe. To this purpofe rt is worthy our obfervation, that all along E 2 iti Mm l4*$ m that chapter, he juftifies his Afts a- gainft the cavilling Jews, by averting his power, as may be feen verfe 17. to the end of verfe 22. As it appears by this , that he had power to change the day, what if it fhould be. faid, that he did according to his power actually change the day, though when, and how, it be Hot recorded. Let the fifth Proposition be confulted for this ; there it appears, that there was word for irtftitution of Sacrifice, before Abel Sacrificed, (though it be not recorded when ) becaufe God accepted his Sa- crifice. So he hath accepted the Ser- vice upon the firft day of the week, the firft of feven , and blefled it as eminently he did the laft of feven, as I fhall {hew when I come to fpeak of your Reafons. Why then might he not inftitute this day, though it be not exprefs'd when , or where ? What can be faid againft it, but that he might do m the one as in the other ? Though it be not recorded, why may it not be thought to be one of thofe things which he had to fay unto his Difciples j and without he did did fay to them afterwards , becaufe they were not then able to* bear them, John 16, ii. Surely the change of the Sabbath , which they with the whole body of that Nation , had fuch an high efteem of, would hardly then have been received by them. 4. Fourthly, To me it feems very evident , that the day was changed either by Chrifts own immediate ap- pointment, or by his Apoftles as they were guided, and direded by the ho- ly fpirit which they received, accor- ding to that promife , [John 16. 13. and what they did teach , and pra- ctice as thus guided, and directed, ought to be received and believed > as if it had been immediately done by Chrift himfelf, as was proved in the fixth Proportion, 5. Fifthly, and that the change of the day was thus appointed , either by Chrift immediately, or by his A- poftles as guided by the fpirit of truth , thefe following particulars feem to me undeniably to prove it. E 3 1-. Firft* * £**1 i. Firft, by the Apoftlcs practice let that be ferioufly confidered, as it is recorded in feveral places. I (hall be- gin with that, Aths 20. 7. it is there faid, that when Pad came to Treaty where he abode feyen dayes, up- en the firit day of the week, which is infallibly proved to be the day of Chrifts Refurre&ion , when the Difciples came together to break Bread , Paul Preached. I defire this Text may be confidered in the fear of God. It was fome grief to me to think how flightly, as I heard with- in thefe few daies, fome turn it off: for if it be, as it ought to be, feri- > oufly confidered of, it will appear to have much weight in it, for it is clear in the Text, that Paul continued there feven daies , and therefore was there on the feventh day Sabbath ; yet there is no mention that either he, or the Church took any notice of it, more than of any other of the fix dayes, but upon the firft day , the work of the Sabbath was 'carried on , Paul both Preaching, and Adminiftring the Lords £63 2 Lords Supper. If this had been done upon the feventh day, and that he had begun his Journey upon the firft day, it had made very much for the eftablifhing of the old Sabbath ; where- as now it makes much for the eftab- lifhing of the new , and Ghriftian Sab- bath; if there had been but one fuch exprefs Inftance of Pauls Baptizing but one Infant in any of the Chri- ftian Churches, I think it would have prevailed much with thofe that are humble, confeientious \ and godly (as I believe many are, that fcruple much the Adminiftration of that Ordinance to any that are not able to make pro- fefiion of their Faith J if I fay ther£ had been but one fuch Inftance, fo plain and evident, in the Scripture; it would probably have prevailed much with them, though there are Arguments fufficient in m the Scripture for it, yet they are not fo plain to them : they would ( it may charitably be iuppofed ) have yielded that fuch an Apoftle , would not have done this without Warrant, unlefs he had E ^ known M ■*** known the mind of Chrift for it yet you fee we have it for the Chri- stian Sabbath, and {hall this fignifie nothing ? Surely what ever it doth with others , it fignifies much with me. 2. Secondly, it is farther obferved, that the one hundred and twenty Di- fciples fpoken of Alls i. and it may be fome more with them , met to- gether diftin&ly from the Jews , and did not keep the Feaft of Pentecoft with them , but together by themfelvesj and this they did with one accord, as we read Jfcts. 2. i. and this upon the firft day of the week , as may be undeniably demonftrated : The Lord jefus was buried on the evening of the fixth day, that day being the firft in the Paffion week, but the feventh day Chrift refted in the grave, this was the fecond day in the Paffion week in which the firft ' fruit Sheafe of was waved before the Lord , Ltvit. 23. 11. and from this day they began to count their feven weeks to Pentecoft as in the fame Chapter verf. *5, C*5J 15, 16. (and. which fhould be obfer- ved, this day Chrifirofe again from the dead, and becomes the fir fi fruits of them that fleef, 1 Cor. 15. 20. ) which be- ing counted feven times , the 50th. day is juft the firft day of the week. So that it is clear, it was the firft day of the week when the Difci- ples thus met together, to obferve it in the duties of the day, which with- out doubt they knew to be the mind of Chrift. 3 . Thirdly , The Difci*ples met to- gether twice on the two firft dayes of the two firft weeks, immediately after Chrifts Refurreftion - 7 if it be granted , that the firft time they did not underftand the change of the day , but fhut the doors for fear of the Jews , becaufe of the informa- tion of the Souldiers againft them, that they h?d taken away the body of Jefus , what can be faid againft it , all things confidered , but that they knew the change of the day at their fecond meeting ? and that then they (hut the doors for fear of the Jews, C663 jews, becaufe they did not obferve the old Sabbath , the fame that the Jews did, and as they themfelves former- ly had done. Thus much of the Apo- ftles practice : Now it cannot be (hew- ed, that ever they gave any refpecft to the feventh day Sabbath, as the day of holy reft unto the Lord , after Chrifts Refurredion ; that of their Preaching fometimes on that day, was upon anether account, as hath been proved already. Neither doth it appear that any other did , by what we find in the Scripture. Its true, thofe holy women mentioned in the Evangelifts , obferved it to the Iaft, even to the day before Chrifts Refurredion, and it was their duty Chrift being not rifen. And for the Apoftles, it is evident they fhewed all refpedls after the Refurredion, to the firft of feven , none to the iaft of feven : And further, it is not nothing what is recorded of the Lord Jefus himfeif, that he appeared fo often unto his Difciples on that day : For though I lay not fo much ftrefs upon L6 7 l upon it, as I have heard others have done, ( for it is very probable, that during thefe 40 dayes, he appeared unto them upon other dayes as well as upon the firft day ) but this I fay is not nothing , that there is no day mentioned by name, but the firft day- if it had been men- tioned, that he had appeared unto them but once upon the feventh day, I cannot but think it would have been much infifted upon. Ha- ving now done with this , I pro- ceed from the Apoftles pradice to confider ; 2. Secondly, Their expreflions ; and that which I fhall here take fpecial notice of, is that in Apoc. 1. 10. where John gives this account of himfelf, that he was in the Spirit on the Lords day- This I have rea- fon to believe was the firft day of the week, and pointeth at the in- ftitution of it by Chrift himfelf} and my reafon is this , Scripture is to be interpreted by Scripture, even about the nature and meaning of a Phrafe, unlefs C68J unlefs there be fomething in the Text where it is ufed, why it fhould not be taken in that Text as in others : This is generally acknowledged to be a good and fafe rule for interpret tation of difficult places } why then may not this phrafs prove it was the day inftituted by the Authority of Jefus Chrift, a* being parallel with that of the Lords Supper, which was infututed by Chrift himfelf ? The holy Spirit of God directed both Paid, and John, in their expreflfions, neither of which is ufed but once a piece, and never appiyed to any thing elfe in the New Teftament, but to the Lords Supper, and to the Lords day ; why fhould thefe Ordinances be held forth under the fame ex- preffions , if tliefe had not the fame inftitution ? It would feem ftrange to me, if any fhould fay , that the Lords PafTover in the Old Teftament , (though a Supper Ordinance) was the Lords Supper in the New Teftament} and it feems fomewhat ftrange, 1*92 ftrange r if the feventh day Sabbath* which was indeed the Sabbath of the Lord under the Old Teftament^ fhould be afferted to be the Lords day in the New Tcftament, without fome further proof than to fay it is fo : I could produce Teftimonies from Antiquity, of fome that lived near , and of one that lived fome confiderable time with John hira- felf , who have interpreted the Lords day mentioned in the Re- velation , to be the firft day; but becanfe you quote no fuch Teftimonies , neither will I. I have been carefull to obferve your or- der , and to proceed in this order onely in a Scriptural way : Thus much of the Apoftlcs ex- preffions. From their practice and expreffi- ons, I come to the practice of the Primitive Churches y as they are re- corded in the Scripture; as that of the Church of Corinth ^ iCor. id. i, 2. and that of GalatU, and of Tro~ only I cannot but add this , becaufe I conceive it is according to Scripture, that it cannot with any reafon be imagined , that thefe Chur- ches would have made fuch an im- portant change of the day for their folemn AfTemblies, from what was formerly ufed by Gods appointment among the Jews, without confulting with fome at leaft of the Apoftles, and mod likely with Paul, as be- ing beft acquainted with him. Hard- ly I think can there be produced any inftance that particular Churches ever did determine any thing of this nature ,- by their own Authori- ty , without confulting , I fay, with fome of the Apoftles ; confidering how in other matters, not altogether _ of fo great a concernment , they con- confulted with Paul, 2 Cor. 7. and as hardly can it be Imagined that the Apoftles would ever give them any fuch direction, unlefs they had known the mind of Chrift. Thus, Sir, I have given you, in as few words as the matter would per- mit, a true account of the Reafons of my diflent from you j in the fenfe that you give of the fourth Commandment , and of what former- ly hath and ftiil doth fatisfie my Confcience, that the day is changed, and that by divine Authority and that without any prejudice to the Authority of the fourth Command- ment. That which I have yet to do, is to give you my thoughts con- cerning your Reafons , produced for the confirming your Proposition, which may be done with a little addition to what hath been faid al- ready. 1. Firft, You fay thofe weighty reafons which Jehovah the Saviour " himfelf hath given, to enforce obe- dience [723 dience unto his Commandment , in obferving a weekly Sabbath day holy to himfelf , do properly belong and are applicable to the feventh day , which is the laft day in every week in order of time , in the weekly returns of it, as the week- ly Sabbath aay, and are applicable tt> no other day ^ and thefe vou fay are three. 1. Firft, You fay, God refted only upon the feventh day, which is the laft day in every week. jinfa. I anfwer, Thus far it is j true , that God refted on the feventh day, the laft day from the begin- ning of the Creation • but it feems to me rather as a reafon of that limitation , fix dayes of feven being allowed for labour , one of which feven was a day for holy reft, and not an argument engaging to ob- ferve the laft of feven , for the weekly Sabbath to the end of the world : The reafons that prevail with me fo to judge , I have given before. z. Secondly, 2 dly. Secondly, your Fecond and third Rea- fons, I joyn them together, he blefi and fafi- Uified the feventh day , becaufe you bring one and the fame proof for both, and befides they aire to be leoked upon in conjunftion to- gether, hefanttified the feventh day, byfepa- rating it from common ufe, to be the d the work of Redemption being every way more glorious than the work of Creation , the bleffing is applicable to the firft day, the day of Chrifts Refurre&ion, for then the work of Redemption was manifefted to be A fully perfe&ed , and God bleffed forevermore hath bleffed that as eminently as ever he did the former day i not to mention that which F is [74: is and hath been done among the Churches of the Gentiles. J defire you to look back to the fecond par- ticular , and I think it is there made evident , that the Feafl of Pentccofi was on the firft day, and then the Diiciples being together, the Holy Ghoft was given to the Difciples, then they received thofe miraculous gifts, and began tojpeak^ with tongues , which they ne- ver underftood before y And : that day three thoufand fouls were added ts the Church, by the effe&ual working of the Spirit of God with the Miniftry of the Appftles ; and thefe Sermons they preached, that are upon record, after Chrifts Afcention : Was not then this day a day of blefling ? was there ever a more eminent blefling, or any like unto it on the old Sabbath, the laft of fcven ? Whatever impreffion this makes upon the hearts of o- thers I know not , for my own part I mud needs lay, I cannot but look upon it as very worthy of ferious confideration. 2 ^//..Secondly, befides thofe Reafons in the Commandment you add further : i . The name and thing of a weekly Sabbath 1 is given onelj to the feventh day: z. That no pro- mife is made to the Obfervers of any other day y m threatmng denounced again/} any that fh all not [75] not obferve any other day in the wee^ as a week]} .Sabbath day , but onely the[eventh % which is the laft day. A. To all thefe I anfwer from what hath been already faid: i* Firft as for the name and thing , this is that wfiich I obfcrve at firft , and by this I am further confirmed in it , that you appre- hend the laft day of fevcn and the weekly Sabbath ^ i.e. the day that is to be obfervedai a day of holy rift unto the Lord> are Terms convertible •< which to me is not yet proved f though I have confidered your Paper from end to end r and I have given you my reafons i why I yet believe , and muft needs believe (till I fee them anfwered) that another is in- stituted in the room thereof, and that by Divine Authority • fo that though once they were , yet now they feem to me to be no lon- ger Terms convertible. idly. Secondly, as to that which you fay, that there is m command for any other day , I have already given you ray fenfeof the Com- mandment, that no day is inftituted there, firft or laft, nor fo much as the obfervation i of the feventh dire&ly enjoyned there , but j onely by confequence, becaufe formerly inftp tuted 5 fo that both the Commandment and Fa th ■ C76] the reafons of the Commandment reach tht firft of feven, as well as the laft of feven : fee before. $dlj. Thirdly, you fay there uto prowife to the obfervation of any day y nor thr earning a- gainfi the not obferving of any day and that this God is to be worfhippedas God. Thus much your proofs, efpecially ihztRom. i . :o clearly prove, thus far die fourth Commandement is moral natu- ral. The law and li^ht of nature will teach men, that there mufi be a time for the folemn wor/bip of God a time of reft from all other im- ployments, afet time that muft return according to fome computation of time ) either week*, or moneths or years. Let it be granted for weeks (though 1 would gladly fee feme farther proof for that, than yet I have feen,) this the nature of man even now corrupted , either doth acknowledge or at leaft may be convinced of, by arguments drawn from thefe principles which are in the hearts of all men, when he is rationally urged with fuch principles as thefe, as that all thofe things that are good yught to be followed^ and thofe things which are evil bought to be avoided • I mean luch thing^thegoodnefs or evil whereof arifeth meerly irom the things themfelves, and may be acknowledged to be fo, though the one had never been comman- ded, nor the other had never been forbidden in the Word. This is clear from that place you quote, Bom. 2. 14, t f . be pleafed to con- fider the place, and I believe herein you will both affein and confent , that the Apoftle F 4. foeaJcs [8oj fpeaksoffuch things as the Gentiles without any revelarion of the mind of God in his Word, had the knowledg of by the light of Nature, which they could never have or the l.aftoffevenforthe weekly babbath, as will appear by and by. idly. Secondly, Laws which are onely pofitive, I conceive to be fuch, as the light of Nature could never have judged either good ox neceflary, if they had not fome way or other been revealed to be the will of God ; the good- nefsoftherp ariling onely from the will of Cod enjoyning them, who having abfolute au- thority over all, may , and doth difpofe of them into what condition he pleafeth, and ira- pofeth upon them what Laws feem good in his light; fo that if they had never been enjoyned, the omi/Iion of them had been fo far from be- ing fin, that if any (ingle perfon (houlj have impofed them upon himlelf , or any number of men had impofed them upon ethers, as any part of Spiritual homage and worlhip which is due to God, it had been rejected as Will- worfhip. Of this nature was the law given to Adam , of net eating of the tree of knowledg of good and evil • there was no evil in the fruit or the Tree, it was the creature of God, and %±\ that he made was very good $ it was onely evil [Si] evil, becaufe forbidden, fuch were the laws for facrifice, burnt- offerings, and peace-offe- rings, all the goodnefs that was in them was oneiy from the will of God appointing them - the li^ht of Nature could never havefeen the good of them, nor the law of Nature ingaged a man to the obfervation of them,if the will of God had not one way or other been revealed concerning them.The humane nature in Adam was created righteous , but if the revelation of the Will oi God had not been fuperadded to thatknowledg wherein hewas created,he could never have known but that he might as law- fully have eaten of that Tree, asoi any other. It is true, when the will of c^od was revealed to him, he had that written in his heart, by which he faw obedience to that Law to be both juft and neceffary. Of this nature I conceive was the law con- cerning the laft day of feven, for the day of holy reft to be obferved unto the Lord. In the firft proportion I (hewed there is no goodnefs in one day more than another materially con- fidered, none in the laft of feven, none in the firfi: of feven . therefore neither of thefe were written in Nature: onely this is written in Na- ture, that when the will of God is revealed concerning any fuch pofitive law , as concer- ning C82] mng either the laft of feven , or the firft > feven, to be obferved* even Nature as it is cor- rupted cannot deny but that it is both juft and neceflary to yeild obedience thereunto. Na- ture, corrupted Nature cannot deny, but that the willoftheSoveraign Law-giver ought to be the rule of the Creature, and indeed lam apt to think this is all you intended to prove, and if no more, then I do declare herein both myaflentand confent : but then this is far fhortofwhatthe reafon is brought to prove, namely that which is in the fourth Proposition, that the laft day of every rree^ in the week]} returns % ofit y is alone the particular day in every Tteek^ which is the weekly Sabbath day to be %tpt holy to Jehovah, in obedience to his Com- mandai fitch. Let it be granted , which yet I confefs I am not fully Satisfied in, that the light of Na- ture without any revelation might have fixed upon one of feven , yet if God had not re- vealed his Will therein , it could never have fixed upon the laft of f^cn • I think it would rather have fixed upon the firft of feven for the reafon aUedged p^. 34. Surely, Sir, if the Law for the laft of feven had been written j in the heart of man, we might hope to have found it fairly written in the renewed and fanfti- fanftified heart of the people of the Lords choice. But this the experience of all ages contradidteth. If any fhould fpeak to me in the language of Elifhaz, y Job. \, Call now if there be any that will anfwer thee . and to which of the Saints wilt thou turn thee and ask them , Did yon ever find this Law for the lafi of feven to be written in pur heart ? they would for the generality of them tell mc, No, they never found any fuch matter. This I be- lieve would be the anfwer, or much to this purpofe , even of thofe that were moft holy and learned , moft dead to the world and moft alive to God , yea of the moft faithful Martyrs of Chrift for thefe fixteen hundred years , that with a good Confcience they could have done, as no doubt they did as there was occafion,any work of their Calling upon the laft of feven , which upon the fecond , third, fourth, fifth, and fixth days was lawful and fit to be done , and that they never found any thing written in their hearts giving any check thereunto. Either then the holy Law of God was not written in their hearty , which muft not be admitted , or this Law for the laft of feven was not written there as the reft were . which I really believe, and therefore give my diffent to this Reafon. qthly. C8 4 J 4*hij. Fourthly, there is yet one reafon more mult have fomething fpoken to it, and that is the example of the Lordjefus ; and to this I fay, i . Firft, that his example is propofed to us for imitation , as thofe many Scriptures you quote do fufficiently prove, and herein 1 aflent and content with you ; for though I dare not fay with rhe SocinUns, that the grand end of Chrifts life and death wo* for example to be imitated , ( curfed be that opinion which prefleth the Imitation of Chrift to overthrow the Satisfaction of Chrift) yet this I fay with you, that for onr example he is pr&pofed, but yet with limitation , as not in his media- tory and meritorious work , fo not in every occafional work, as his fpending a whole night in prayer, nor in adminiftring the Lords Supper at night ; yet even in this, though we are under no obligation always to dofo, yet when a juft occafion ferves it is lawful for us at leaft to do fo. But that wherein his example is obligatory, is to imitate him in theexercife of thofe Graces, and praftice of thofe Duties which belong to all Chriltians, Mat. 11.29. Coll 3. 1 3. 1 Vet *• 21, *?,*?. and fuch like. In all thefe, as he is by his Spirit dwel- ling in U9 the principle of holinefs, fo in his example ml example he is our fatttrn • arid indeed praSi* cal Chriftianity may be faid efpeciaUy to confift in walking as he hath walked, accor- ding to that you quote in i foh.i- 6. But now as to this particular for which you urge ir, concerning the obfervation of the laft day of feven , TT Firft, it is granted, that notwithftanding all the Jw Cavils againft him for tranfgrtf- fingagainfl theLaw,yet he perfe&ly( though not in their fenfe, as in all things elfe) ful- filled the righteoufnefs thereof: I mention onely that one Text Lu\. 4. i }?. 2. Secondly, but this was during his flare of Humiliation being made under the Law ? but (as I have faid before) after his refure&i- on I do not find that ever he took any notice of it, or (hewed the leaftrefpeft unto it du- ring thofe forty days between his refurreftioa and attention , though he both owned and honoured during that time the firft day of the week. 3 . Thirdly, the holy Apoftles never imita- ted his example herein : I mean not after his refurreflion: For though as I faid whilft the fews were any thing tradable, Paul efpecially took theadvantage of the 7th day Sabbath to preach unto them , but with both converted fews M [8<5] Jem and Gentiles he obferved the firft day of the week , as hath been (hewed. So that for ought I find in your Paper , I conceive we are no more bound to imitate him therein, than in being Circumcifed,or in deferring being bapti- zed till we begin to be thirty years old , ha- ving no more Taw for the one than for the other, and where there is no Law, there is no Tranfgrejfion. FINIS. «#* *&• *&» J$X2$G* THere is lately published in Latine the fo much expe&ed Account of the late dreadful Plague, fold by Jtfeph Nevil at the Grey- hound in St. Paul's Church yard, Entituled, AoimOAOTIA, five Feflis Nuperx apud Populum Londinenfem grajfantis Narra- t'to Hiftorica. Authore N.Hodges M. P. e Collegio Londin. ,« **- «*» tip* *%* *-p» *-f* •$» *•?» *$» «f • _ . • l^/y ) *? 9. te$ ) *2 9. m