A sermon against false prophets preached in St. Maries Church in Oxford, shortly after the surrender of that garrison / by Iasper Maine ... Mayne, Jasper, 1604-1672. This text is an enriched version of the TCP digital transcription A50414 of text R6997 in the English Short Title Catalog (Wing M1474). Textual changes and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life. The text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with MorphAdorner. The annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). Textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish. This text has not been fully proofread Approx. 84 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 16 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. EarlyPrint Project Evanston,IL, Notre Dame, IN, St. Louis, MO 2017 A50414 Wing M1474 ESTC R6997 12801553 ocm 12801553 94064 This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal . The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A50414) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 94064) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 362:4) A sermon against false prophets preached in St. Maries Church in Oxford, shortly after the surrender of that garrison / by Iasper Maine ... Mayne, Jasper, 1604-1672. [3], 29 p. s.n], [Oxford? : 1647. Place of publication from NUC pre-1956 imprints. Reproduction of original in University of Michigan Libraries. eng Bible. -- O.T. -- Ezekiel XXII -- Sermons. Sermons, English -- 17th century. A50414 R6997 (Wing M1474). civilwar no A sermon against false prophets. Preached in St. Maries Church in Oxford, shortly after the surrender of that garrison. By Iasper Maine, D.D Mayne, Jasper 1647 14204 137 40 0 0 0 0 125 F The rate of 125 defects per 10,000 words puts this text in the F category of texts with 100 or more defects per 10,000 words. 2003-01 TCP Assigned for keying and markup 2003-01 Apex CoVantage Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2003-02 John Latta Sampled and proofread 2003-02 John Latta Text and markup reviewed and edited 2003-04 pfs Batch review (QC) and XML conversion A SERMON AGAINST FALSE PROPHETS PREACHED In St. MARIES CHVRCH In OXFORD , shortly after the Surrender of that Garrison . By IASPER MAINE , D. D. and one of the Students of Christ . Church , OXON. IER. 23. 16. Thus saith the Lord of Hosts , Hearken not unto the words of the Prophets that prophesie unto you ; They make you vaine ; they speak a vision of their owne heart , and not out of the mouth of the Lord . Printed in the Yeare , M DC XLVII . A SERMON AGAINST FALSE PROPHETS . EZEK. 22. 28. Her Prophets have daubed them with untempered Morter , seeing vanity , and divining lyes unto them , saying , Thus saith the Lord God , when the Lord hath not spoken . THE PREFACE . THat which the best Orator said of Oratorie put to the worst use , Nihil est tam horridum , tam incultum , quod non splendesc●…t oratione , That there is nothing so deformed , or rude , which may not be made amiable by Speech , hath alwayes been verified of Religion too . No one thing hath , in all Ages , been more abused , to paint and disguise foule actions . It hath been made the Art to cozen people with their owne Devot●…ons , and to make them , in the meane time , think sacredly of their seducers . Conspiracies , and Insurrections , drest in these colours have been called holy Associations and Leagues : And the Ambitious , to worke the more securely on the credulity of the simple , have not onely presented evill to them growing on the Tree of Good , but have proceeded thus much farther in the fallacy , that they have still made forbidden fruits seem pleasant to the eye . And the false colours under which they have seemed pleasant , have alwayes been taken from Religion . Thus in these Heathen States , where they first made their owne gods , and then worshipt them , never plot was hatcht to disturbe the Common-wealth , but the writings of some Sybill , or other , were entitled to that plot ; And never any designe was laid to destroy the Roman Empire , but some Augur , or Priest was taken in , whose part 't was , to make the Entrailes , and Liver of his sacrifice , give credit to the ambition of the designe . And thus among the Jewes , some ambitious men , the better to gild over their proceedings , still entitled God to them . Who , as if he had been one of those Tutelar , changeable Deities , which used to be enticed , and called over from one side to another , they still entertained the people , that they who most zealously pretended to him , had him most . And that however he be the God of Order , and Justice , & Agreement among men , yet in favour of his owne Cause , he would for a while be content to change his nature , and become the God of Injustice , Disorder , and Confusion too . The better to worke this perswasion into the minds of the Multitude , their first piece of policy was to draw the Prophets into their Faction This is exprest to us in the 25. verse of this Chapter . Where 't is said of Jerusalem , There is a conspiracy of her Prophets , in the midst thereof . And truely , 't was a Conspiracy so unfit for Prophets , that the resemblance of it was never yet found in any but those Men of a much unholier stile , of whom the Historian saies , Est aliquod etiam inter Latrones & Sicarios foedus , that Theeves and Robbers hold League and friendship amongst themselves . For 't is said in the following words of that verse , that 't was a Conspiracy like the roaring of a Lion , ravening the prey . A Conspiracy , by which they devoured Soules , and took to themselves the Treasure and pretious things of the Land . And because pillage of this publick Nature , could hardly be gained without the Death , and Murther of the Owners , 't is said in the close of that verse , That they made her many Widdows in the midst thereof . To which if the Scripture had added these two words of pity , the Fatherlesse and Orphane too , nothing could have beene added to the calamity of the Description . Nor is there a much more favourable Character stuck by the holy Ghost , upon the Priests of those times . For by that which is said at the 26 verse of this Chapter , ( And 't is well worth your marking ) you may perceive that the Disorder to which things were brought in the State , sprung first from the Disorder , to which things were brought in the Church . For 't is there said , That The Priests had violated the Law , and prophaned the holy Things ; That they did put no difference between the Holy , and Prophane , nor made any Distinction between the unclean , and the cleane . In briefe , the Legall , well establisht Service , and Worship of God was at a kinde of losse , and Indifferency . 'T was referred to every mans Fansie , to make to himself his own Religion . Blemisht , and unblemisht Sacrifices began to be sacred alike . And the Scripture of another Prophet , became quite altered ; He that offered a Swine , was thought as religious as he that slew an Oxe ; And he that cut off a Dogs neck , was thought as liberall a Sacrificer , as he that brought a Lambe to the Altar . Next , having taken the Prophets , and Priests , so far into their plot , as to mingle and confound the Services of the Church , they made it one part of their policy , more , to make them lend Reputation , to their proceedings in the State . This is plainly intimated to us , by that which is said at the 27. verse of this chapter , cohering with that which is said in the words of my Text . For there mention is made of certaine {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} , or Princes , or chiefe men , who are there said to be like Wolves ravening the prey ; Yet there wanted not some Prophets ( as you may gather from my Text ) who presented these Wolves to the people in Sheeps cloathing . 'T is said too that they had this property of Wolves , that they tooke pleasure to shed bloud ; yet there wanted not Priests , who called Bloud thus spilt Sacrifice . 'T is said too that they did shed Bloud that they might get to themselves dishonest Gain ; yet there wanted not some , who called even that dishonest gain , godlinesse . If you will have all this ●●mbed to you in one short Draught and picture , how cruell soever , & destructive to the common safety , the Projects , and proceedings of some men powerfull in the then State of the Jewes were , there wanted not Prophets who dawbed them with untempered Morter ; seeing vanity , and divining ly●…s unto them , saying , thus saith the Lord God , when the Lord had not spoken . Which words are a History of the worst Times , in the then worst State . In which we have these considerable parts . 1. An irreligious Compliance , or rather Collusion , of Spirituall men with Lay. Some there were , ( as you have them described in the precedent verse ) whose designe 't was , to make their Co●…ntrey their Prey ; Others there were , whose part t was , to make them seem Good patriots , and Protectors of their Countrey . Some destroyed Soules in the way to their Ambitious Ends , Others made it their businesse to put Holy colours on their Slaughters . Or if you wil have me express my self in the Language of both Texts , some there were who did Shed bloud , that they might get to themselves Dishonest gaine ; And some Prophets there , were , who to make their proceedings seem specious , did put religious pretences to them , and with these pretences did disguise , and dawbe them . Next , we have here , the Frailty , and Weaknesse , and Deceiveable nature of such pretences . How plausible soever they seemed to the deluded vulgar , and however they might a while , not onely serve to cover , and veile foule purposes , but to set them off with a Beauty , and Lustretoo , yet this could not be lasting . Dishonest projects thus adorned were but so many painted Rui●…es . And therefore , the Prophets , who thus disguised them , are here said to Dawbe them with untempered Morter . Thirdly , for the effecting of this , we have here a very strange abuse of their Ministery and Function , set downe to us in three Expressions , having every one of them something of the Forme , but nothing of the Reality of a Prophet in them . First , they are here said to be Seers . But as for the things they saw , they were of that foolish empty nature , that the Scripture hath not vouchsafed to call them Dreams . We may call them visions , perhaps ; But such as AEneas in Virgil saw among the Shades . So voyd of Weight , and Body , and Substance , so far from Sense and Reason , as well as Revelation , that as the fittest word which could be found for them , they are here in this place called Vanity . Next , they are here said to Divine , or 〈◊〉 . But 't is added withall , that they foretold not Things , but lyes . As many untruths as 〈◊〉 fell from them . And their predictions had onely thus much of Divination in them , that some time was required for men to prove them false ; And to perceive , that , contrary to all true predictions , they would never come to passe . Lastly , ( which was the third , and great abuse of their office and function ) they were not afraid to entitle God to their vanities and lies . As often as they were pleased to deceive the people , he was cited , and quoted , as the inspirer of the deceit . And this bold , insolent sin was committed against the holy Ghost , that the vaine , foolish , groundlesse conj●…ctures of the Prophets , were called his Inspirations : who , to make their falshoods take the stronglier , still uttered them in the holy , Propheticall stile of Truths , saying , Thus faith the Lord God , when the Lord had not spoken . All which contracted into a narrow room , the Irreligious Compliance of Spirituall men with Lay , the weakn●…sse of their pretences , the abuse of their Calling , by uttering their owne vanities for i●…spirations , and and their owne Fictions for Truths , together with the injury offered to God , by entitling Him to all this , shall be the parts on which I will build my future Discourse . In the ordering of which , I will begin with the Compliance or Combination . Some there were among the Jews ( as you have them decyphered in the former verse ) who did shed bloud , that they might get to themselves dishonest gain ; and some false Prophets there were , who , to goe sharers in that gaine , by the Holinesse of their Function , did disguise and dawbe them . It was well said of a vertuous man in the praise of Vertue , Si oculis cerneretur , If it could be seen , or could be put into Limbes or Colours , nothing would more inflame , or ravish the Beholders . And hee had spoken as well in the dispraise of Vice , had hee said , Si oculis cerneretur , if it could be made visible , or put into Colours , nothing would appeare more deformed , or loathsome . To speake of it , as it deserves , there is so little Beauty or Amiablenesse in Dishonest actions , that to be disliked , and abhorred , it hath alwayes been sufficient for them to be understood . None but the Father of mischiefe , ever loved mischief for it selfe : And none but the Children of such a parent , have found out a comlinesse of Evill , meerely as 't is Evill . Of all other men , who have not quite lost their Reason with their Innocence , and over whose understandings darknesse and Errour have not so prevailed , as to present vice and vertue to them , as one and the same thing , the saying of the Po●…t hath alwayes held true , Exemplo quodo●…nque malo committitur ips●… displicet Authori ; Bad actions are so farre from pleasing others , that they never yet pleas●… themselves . Nor can I perswade my selfe , that ●…ver any man could so 〈◊〉 his Conscience , or force it , ( like some compelled to enter into un willing contracts ) to imbrace a Bad Designe , but he for that time divided himselfe between his Designe , and his Hatred . An●… the advantages which have accompanyed the foulen●…sse of the Enterprize , have never been so great , but that the poore co●…ened offendor , at the same time sinned , and lothed himselfe . But then , as some either borne , or grown deformed , have found our certain arts to hide their deformities ; As some I say , of a withered , ill-shaped complexion , have by the help of their pencill , turned yellow into red , and pale into white , and by the same help , have placed a Rose there , where there was before a decay ; And so have bestowed , not onely an Artificiall beauty , but an Art●…ficiall youth upon themselves , and in this borrowed shape have flattered themselves , and deceived others : So f●…w bad men have been so unpolitick , not to hide their Deformities by painting too . And this cunning use hath beene made of vertue , that it hath alwayes been made the colour , to adorn , and cover vice . A thing the more easie to be effected , because that saying of the Philospher hath alwayes been true , Difficile est Nonnulla vitia â virtutibus secernere , adeo p●…udentes nonnunquam fallunt , some vices are so nearely allyed to some vertues , that wise men have frequently mistaken them for Twins . ●…hus Rashnesse with successe hath past for valour , and cowardice with discretion hath past for Counsell . Covetousnesse well order'd hath worne the shape of Thrift ; and Ryot hath put on the name of Magnificence , and a large minde . But where this Neighbourhood between good and evill is not , other helps have been taken in ; And a vertue of one shape hath been made to disguise the fowlenesse of a vice of another . Thus among the Jewes in our Saviour Christs time , there were some who tithed Mint , that they might withhold Justice , and some paid Cummin , that they might keep back the weightier matters of the Law . Some made long prayers , that they might devoure Widdowes Houses , and some wore br●…ad Phylacteries that they might swallow Orphans goods . And thus in this Prophet Ezechiels time , some disguised their rapine by a Prophet , and their slaughters by a Priest ; their Covetousnesse by a Seer , and their Oppressions by a Man of God . Between whom the parts were so speciously carried , that , as if there had been no such things in Natu●…e , as Right or Wrong , Justice or Injustice , but only as Holy men would please to call them , the one devoured the prey , the other gave a Blessing to it ; The one destroyed Soules , the other excused the Murder ; The one committed Sacrilege , the other made it Pla●…sible . Or if you will have me expresse my selfe to the true Historicall Importance of this Text , the one grinded the faces of the poore , and polluted themselves both with private and and publique Oppressions ; the other gilded , and palliated , and veyled , and dawbed them . Complanabant , sayes one , Gypsabant , sayes another Translation . The Prophets did smooth , and sleek , and put a faire crust upon them . The words are diverse , but have all one Sense . For first , whether we expresse their palliation of Sinnes by dawbing , ( which is the word here used by our English Translators , and answers to Saint Jeromes Obliniebant in the Latine , and the Septuagint {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} in the Greeke ) 't is a Word ( if a learned Interpreter , well skill'd in the Originall , have not deceived me ) taken from those who deale in Oyntments . And the meaning of the place is , That as some , skill'd in such Confections have at times been hired to disguise deadly Receipts in fragrant Smels and so have co●…veyed poison in a perfume , and cloathed Death in the Breath and Ayre of an Odoriferous Sent ; so these Prophets here in the Text , among the other Abuses of their Calling , changed one of Solomons best Proverbs into one of the worst Compliances : Which was , that by the Opinion of their Holinesle among the people , they made some mens Ill names passe , as 't is there said of Good , like a pretious Oyntment powred forth . Perfumes and Odours were put upon Ambition and Avarice . And Gods Lawes were a while taught to forget their stile ; And those Commandements were made most to defend the men , who did most violate , transgresse , and break them . Or next , whether we use the word sleeke , 〈◊〉 smooth , 't is a word taken from those who use the poli●…hing toole , or file . And the meaning of the place will be , That , as such Artifi●…ers doe ordinarily file●…ude , rough , mishapen matters , into decent figures and fo●…mes , and by the Repetition of their instrument , and application of it artificially to the same place , doe raise a Glasse and Lustre there , where there was before onely a deformity and shade ; so these Prophets dealt with the publick Sins of their times . Rapines , and Oppressions were filed , and polisht , into the soster names of just levyes and supplyes . Murthers also and Bloud-sheds , together with the Cries of Widdowes , and Teares of Orphans were smooth'd and glazed into the milder appearances , perhaps , of publique Utility & necessity of State . In briefe , these Prophets here in the Text , dealt with some mens vices , as the Philospher would have us deale with ou●…Affections , transformed and wrought them into Ornaments , and vertues . Or lastly , whether we use the word Gypsabant , 't is a word taken from those who deale in playster . And the meaning of the place will be , That as such Artificers , by laying a new Crust upon old Decayes , doe many times make a falling building seem strong , and to the certaine danger of the dweller , doe so veile , and cover aged Walls , as to disguise Rottennesse , and make a ruine seem habitable ; So these Prophets dealt with the sinnes of their times . They whited Sepulchers , and adorned Rottennesse , and putrefaction . Wicked designes had a faire crust put upon them ; And ruinous projects were supported with splendid , holy Colours . If you will have mee speak more home to the minde of the Text , some ambitious men built Houses on the Sand , and some flattering , servile Prophets dawbed them with weake , untempered morter . Which discovers to us the frailty and uns●…undnesse of all such proceedings as are not built upon Justice , or Truth , those two immoveable Rocks of the Scripture ; And leads us on to the next part of the Text . For the clearer understanding and interpretation of which words , it will be necessary , that I once more briefely reconcile the severall Translations of them . That which we in English doe read untempered morter , a very Classicall Interpreter of the Bible reads thus : Prophetae ejus linebant eos insulso , Her Prophets have dawbed them with a thing which is insipid , or which hath no salt in it . From whence some have made this exposition of the place . That though the thing with which these Prophets disguised the foule actions of their times were Holinesse , and Religion ; and though it be true , that we may say of Religion , as Christ said of the Teachers of it , that it is the salt of the world , yet this salt sprinkled upon forbidden enterprizes , leaves off to be salt , and loseth its savour . To speak yet more plainly to you ; Holinesse it selfe applyed to wicked designes , leaves off to be Holinesse . And they who put sanctity to that vile use , to serve onely as the paint to make the unlawfull projects of others seem faire , adde thus much guilt of their owne to the others , that they turne Religion it selfe into their crime . And I may confidently say , that they had beene much more innocent , if in such forbidden cases they had beene lesse holy . Saint Jerome translates the words thus : Propheta oblini●…bant eos absque temperamento , The Prophets dawbed them with a thing which would not piece , or unite , or make a mixture . From whence some have given this Interpretation of the place , That however religious pretences may be found out to m●…sk irreligious deeds , and however Holinesse may be made the ver●…lion to impiety , yet there can never such a mixture , or composition passe between them , that it shall cease to be Impiety , because it hath piety joyned to it . But rather as gilt upon false coine makes it so much the more counterfeit ; or as Tinne silver'd over is so much the more Treason , because 't is silver'd over ; and Copper so much the more deserves hanging , because it weares the Kings Image , and the Inscription on it is written in golden Letters : So 't is with bad actions silver'd over with Religion ; they are so farre from becomming good , that they double their iniquity , and become so much the more counterfeit . And as the spirit of Delusion is so much the more the spirit of Delusion , when hee transformes himselfe into an Angel of Light ; so foule projects are never fouler , then when there is a glory and lustre put upon them . In all such disproportioned Commixtures , where the wor●…e is sure to vitiate , and corrupt the better , we may not onely ask the Question , What agreement there can be betweene light and darknesse , or what fellowship Christ can have with Belial ? but we may boldly pronounce , that light thus joyned with darknesse , loseth its rayes , and becomes darknesse . And that Christ thus joyned and matcht with B●…lial , degenerates into a Deceiver , and becomes Bel●…al too . The third and last translation of this place , ( which our English Translators have followed ) is that of Vatablus , who renders the words thus , 〈◊〉 ejus lin●…bant eos Into infirm●… , Her Prophets ( that is , the Prophets of Jerusalem ) have dawbed them with infirme , untempered morter : That is , as Dyonisiu●… Carthusianus , very fully expounds the Metaphor , Confirmabant eos in errore persuasionibus non solidis , sed fucatis : The Prophets confirmed them in their errors with weake , untempered Reasons . All which severall Interpretations doe agree in this one and the same undenyable sense ; That such is the conscious , guilty , unjustifiable nature of sinne , so suspicious and feare full 't is to be seen publiquely in its owne shape , that it not onely deales with all sinners , as it did with the first two , upon a mutuall sight , and discovery of themselves , shewes them ashamed , and naked to one another ; but to cover and veyle their nakednesse and shame , sends them to such poore , f●…aile , unprofitable shelters , as Bushes , and Fig-leaves : which though they should grow in Paradise it selfe , or should be gathered from the same holy ground , in which Innocence , and the Tree of Life were planted together , yet applyed to hide an oppression , or pluckt to cover a sacrilege , they will still retaine the fading , transitory nature of l●…aves , which is to decay , and wither , between the hands of the Gatherer , and lose their colour and freshnesse in the very laying on ; and to every well rectified , religiously judging eye , instead of being a veyle to hide , will become one of the wayes to betray a nakednesse . To speake yet more plainly to you , and to lay it as home as I can to every one of your consciences , who heare me this day ; If the designe and project be unlawfull , and contrary to Gods Commandements , let there be a Prophet found to pronounce it holy , let there be a Statist found to pronounce it convenient , let Reason of State be joyned to Religion , and publique utility to quotations of Scripture ; Lastly , let it be adorned with all the varnishes and paintings taken either from Policy or Christianity , which may render it faire and amiable to the deluded multitude , yet such is the deceiveable nature of such projects , such a worme , such a selfe destroyer growes up with them , that , like Jonas Gourd , something cleaves to their ro●…t , which makes their very foundation ruinous , and fatall to them . At best they are but painted Tabe●…nacles of clay , or palaces built with 〈◊〉 morter . The first discovery of their hypocrisie turnes them into heaps , and the fate of the scarlet whore in the Revelation befalls them , whose filthinesse and abominations were no sooner opened and divulged , but she was dismembred , and torn in pieces by her owne Idolaters and Lovers . Here then , if any expect that I should apply what hath beene said to our times , and that I should take the liberty of some of our Moderne Prophets , who have by their rude Invectives from the Pulpit ma●…e whatever Names are High , and Great , and Sacred , and Venerable among us , cheap , and vile , and odious in the eares of the people ; If any , I say , expect that by way of parallell of one people with another , I should here audaciously undertake to show that what ever Arts were used to make bad projects seeme plausible , and holy in this Prophets time , have been practiced to make the like bad projects appeare plausible , and holy now ; Or that in our times the like Irreligious Compliance , hath past between some Spirituall men , and Lay , to cast things into the present Confusion , I hope they will not take it ill , if I deceive their Expectation . For my owne part , as long as there is such a piece of Scripture as this , * Diis non maledices , thou shalt not revile the Gods , ( that is , thou shalt not onely not defame them by lying , but shalt not speake all truthes of them which may turn to their Infamy , and reproach ; ) I shall alwayes observe it as a piece of obligatory Religion , not to speak evill , no not of offending dignities . Much lesse shall I adventure to shoot from this sacred place my owne ill-built Jealousies , and Suspitions , for Realities and Truths : Which if I should doe , 't would certainly favour too much of his Spirit of Detraction , who hauing lost his modesty , as well as Religion & Obedience , to the Scandall and just offence of all loyall E●…res here present , was not affraid to forget the other part of that Text , which saies , Nec maledices principi in populo meo , Thou shalt not reproach the Ruler of my people . Yet because so many strange Prophets , of our wilde , licentious times , have preacht up almost five years Commotion for a Holy war ; And because , in truth , no warre can be Holy whose cause is not justifiable ; If I should grant them what they have procla●…ed from so many Pulpits , that the Cause for which they have all this while , some of them , so zealously fought , as well as preacht , hath beene Liberty of Conscience ; or , in other termes , for the Reformation of a corrupted , degenerated Church ; Or to speak yet more like themselves , for the Restitution of the Protestant Religion growne Popish ; if I say , all this should be granted them , yet certainly , if Scripture , Gospell Fathers , Schoolmen , Protestant Divines of the most reverend , and sober marke , and Reason it selfe have not deceived mee , all Sermons which make Religion , how pure soever , to be ●… just cause of a Warre , doe but dawb the undertakers with untempered Morter . For however it be an Article in the Turkish Creed , that they may propagate their Law by their Speare ; yet for us who are Christians , to be of this Mahumetane perswaston , were to transfer a piece of the Alcoran into a piece of the Gospell . And to make Christ not onely the Author of all those Massacres , which from his time to ours , have worne that Holy Impression , but 't were to make him over-litterally guilty of his owne saying , that he came not to send peace , but a Sword into the World For though it be to be granted , that nothing can more conduce to the future happinesse of men , then to be of the true Religion ; yet I doe not ●…inde that Christ hath given power to any to compell men to be happy ; or commanded , that ●…orce should be used for the collation of such a Benefit . All the wayes more proportioned for the atchieving of such an end , hee hath in his Gospel prescribed , namely preaching , and perswasion , and Holy example of life . He bade his Apostles goe , and teach all Nations ; not stir up one Nation against another , or divide Kingdomes against themselves , if they would not receive the Gospell . This had been plainly to joyne the Sword of the flesh , to the Sword of the Spirit . Which to save their Lives , and Fortunes , might perhaps , have made some Hypocrites , and dissemblers without , who would neverthelesse , have remained Pagans and Infidels within . In short , some things in the Excellency , and 〈◊〉 of the Doctrines of Christian Religion being no way 〈◊〉 from Humane principles , but depending for the cred●…t , and evidence of their truth upon the Authority of Christs miracles , conveyed along in Tradition and Story , cannot in a naturall way of Argumentation force assent . Since , as long as there is such a thing in men , as ●…berty of understanding , all arguments , even in a Preaching , and perswasive way , which carry not necessity of demonstration in their Forehead , may reasonably be rejected . Much lesse have I met with it in all my progresse of D●…vinity or Philosophy , convincingly maintained , that men upon every slight disagreement , or dissent in Religion , are to be whipt , or beaten into a Co●…sent ; or that the plunder of mens Estates is a fit medium to beget a Beleefe or perswasion in their Minds . Here then , should I once more grant the charge of these Prophets to be true ( a very heavy one I confesse ) that the Protest an●… Religion among us , had very farre taken wing , and had almost resigned its place in this Island to the Romish Superstition . Nay , suppose ( which is yet farre worse ) that a great , and considerable part of this Kingdome , had through the Corruption of the 〈◊〉 , not onely relapst from the Protestant Religion in particular , but from the Christian Faith in generall ; suppose , I say , ( which is the 〈◊〉 that can be supposed ) that they who have so frequently of late been branded for Papists , had out-right turned Infidels , however in such a case , that Warre which fights against th●…Errours of men thus lost , and proposeth to it selfe no other end but their Repentance and Conversion , may to some perhaps , seem to weare the Helmet of their Salvation , and the Army which thus strives to save men by the sword , may to some seem an Army of Apostles , yet I doe not finde that to come into the field with an armed Gospel , is the way chosen by Christ to make Proselites . The Scripture indeed , tells us of some who took the Kingdome of Heaven by violence ; But of any , who by violence may have it imposed upon them , us no where recorded . But alas , my Brethren , ( if I may speak freely to you in the defence of that defamed Religion , in which I was borne and to which I should account it one of the greatest blessings that God can bestow upon me , if I might , with the Holy Fathers of our Reformation , fall a Sacrifice ) that which these men call Idolatry , and Superstition , and by names yet more odious , was so farre from having shrined it selfe in our Church ; So little of that drosse , and Ore , and tinne , which hath lately filled our best Assemblies with so much noyse and Clamour , was to be found among us , that with the same unfainednesse that I would confesse my sinnes to God , and hope to obtaine pardon for them , I doe professe , that I cannot thinke the Sun , in all his heavenly course , for so many yeares , beheld a Church more blest with purity of Religion for the Doctrines of it , or better establisht for the Government , and Discipline of it , then ours was . And therefore , if I were presently to enter into dispute with the greatest Patriarch among these Prophets , who , even against the Testimony of sense it selfe , will yet perversely strive to prove that our Church stood in such need of Reformation , that the growing Superstitions of it could not possibly be exptated but by so much Civi●… Warre . I should not doubt with modesty enough to prove back again to him , that all such weak , irrationall Arguments as have onely his zeale for their Logick , are not onely composed of untempered Morter ; But that in seeing those spots and blemishes in our Church , which no good Protestants else could ever see , 't will be no unreasonable inference to conclude him in the number of those erroneous Prophe●…s here in the Text . Who to the great Scandall and abuse of their Office , and Function , did not onely palliate , and gild over the publique sins of their times , but did it like Prophets , and saw Vanity too . Which is the next part of the Text ; And is next to succeed in your attentions . If the Phil●…sophers rule be true , that things admit of definitions according to their essences , and that the nearer they approach to nothing , the nearer they d●…aw to no Description ; to goe about to give you an exact definition of a thing impossible to be defined , or to endeavour to describe a thing to you , which hath been so much disputed whether it be a thing , were to be like those Pr●…phets here in the Text ; first , to see Vanity my selfe , and then to perswade you that there is a Reality , and Substance in it . Yet to let you see by the best lights I can , what is here meant by Vanity , I will joyne an inspi●…ed to a Heathen Philosopher . Selomon , ( whose whole Book of Ecclesiastes is but a Tract of Vanty ) as we may gather from the instances there set downe , places vanity , in mutability , and change . And because all things of this lower world consist in vicissitude , & change ( so farre , that as Seneca said of Rivers , B●…s in idem flumen non descendi●…us , we cannot step twice into the same stream ; so we may say of most Sublun●…rie things , whose very beings do so resemble str●…ams , ut vix idem bis conspiciamus , that we can scarce behold some things twice ) that wisest among the sonnes of men , whose Philosophy was as spacious as there were things in nature to bee knowne , calls all things under the Sunne , vanity , because all things under the Sunne are so lyable to inconstancy and change , that they s●…eet away , and vanish , whilst they are considered ; and hasten to their decay whilst we are in the Contemplation of them . Aristotle desines vanity to bee {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} , Every thing which hath not some reasonable end or purpose belonging to it . For this reason , he calls emptinesse , and vacuity , vanity ; Because there is so little use of it in nature , that to expell it , things have an inclination placed in them to performe actions against their kinde . Earth to shut out a vacuity , is taught to flie up like fire ; and fire to destroy emptinesse , is taught to fall downe like earth . And for this reason , another Philosopher hath said , that colours , had there not been made eyes to see them , and sounds , had there not beene eares made to heare them , had been vanities , and to no purpose . And what they said of sounds , and colours , we may say of all things else ; not onely all things under the Sun , but the Sun it selfe , who is the great {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} , the eye of the world , without another eye to behold him , or to know him to be so , had been one of Aristotles vanities . As then in Nature those things have deserved the name of vanities , which either have no reasonable end , or purpose belonging to them , or else are altogether subject to Mutability , and change , so 't is in policy , and Religion too . To doe things by weake , unreasonable , inconstant principles , principles altogether unable to support , and upold the weight , and structure of publique businesse built upon them ; or to doe things , with no true substantiall , solid , usefull , but a meere imaginary good end belonging to them ; As for example , to alter the whole frame and Government of a State , not that things may be mended , but that they may run in another course then they did before ; or to change the universally received Government of a Church meerely for change sake , and that things may be new , not that they may bee better , is a vanity , of which I know not whether these Prophets , here in the Text , were guilty ; but when I consider the unreasonable changes already procured , and the yet farther endlesse changes as unreasonably still pursued by the Prophets of our times , I finde so much vacuity , and emptinesse in their desires , so much interested zeale , and so little dis-interested reason , so much novelty mistaken for reformation , and withall so much confusion preferred before so much decency , and order , that I cannot but apply the Wise mans Ingemination to them , and call their proceedings Vanity of vanities . For if we may call weak , groundlesse , improbable surmises and conjectures , vanities , have not these Prophets dealt with the mindes of vulgar people , as Melancholy men use to deale with the clouds , raised monstrous formes and shapes to fright them , where no feare was ? Have they not presented strange visions to them ? Idolatrie in a Church window , Superstition in a white Surplice , Masse in our Common-prayer Booke , and Antichrist in our Bishops ? Have they not also to make things seem hideous in the State , cast them into strange , fantasticall , Chymera figures ? And have they not , like the fabulous , walking Spirits wee read of , created imaginary Apparitions to the people from such things , slight , unsolid melting Bodies as Ayre ? And for all this if you enquire upon what true stable principle , or ground , either taken from reason ( which is now preacht to be a saecular , prophane , heathen thing ) or from Scripture , ( which is now made to submit to the more unerring rule of fancy ) they have proceeded ; or what hath been the true cause , of their so vaine imaginations , you will finde , that ( contrary to all the rules of right judgement , either common to men , or Christians ) they have been guided meerely by that Causa per accidens , that fallible , erroneous , accident all cause , which hath alwayes been the mother of mistakes . Socrate ambulante coruscavit ; Because it lightned when Socrates took the Ayre , one in the company thought that his walking was the occasion of the flash : this certainly , was a very vaine and foolish inference ; yet not more vaine and foolish then theirs , who have taught people to conclude , that all pictures in Church-windowes are Idols , because some out of a misguided devotion , have worshipt them ; or that Surplices , and the like Church Vestures are superstitious , because some superstitious men weare them ; or that our Common prayer booke is Poperie , because part of it is to bee found in the Rubricks of that Church ; or that the government of the Church by Bishops is Antichristian , because in their beleefe , Antichrist already is , or , when he comes into the world , shall be a Bishop . For here , if I should presse them in a rationall , logicall way , ( unlesse they will call Argument , and Logick , and Syllogisme , Superstition too , and banish Reason as well as Liturgy out of the Church ) to think ( as they doe ) that Churches are unhallowed by reason of their ornaments , or to perswade people to refrain them , because some out of a blind zeale have paid worship to the Windows , is to me a feare as unreasonable , as theirs was , who refused to goe to Sea , because there was a Painter in the City , who limned Shipwracks . For certainly , if that be all the reason they have to banish Images out of the Church , because some ( if yet there have been any so stupid ) have made them Idols ; by the same reason , we should not now have a Sun , or Moon , or Stars in the Firmament , but they should long since have dropt from Heaven , because some of the del●…ded Heathens worshipt them . And if that be all the reason they have to prove Surplices , or white vestments superstitious , because Papists wear them , ( pardon the meanneste of the subject , I beseech you , which is scarce worthy of a confutation ) why doe not they also conclude Linnen to be superstitious , because Papists shift , and so make clean●…nesse to be as unlawfull as Surplices or Copes ? Thirdly , to say our Common-prayer-booke is Popish , because 't is so good , that some in the Church of Rome have praised it , is to mee an accusation as sencelesse , as theirs , who accused the Generall of their Army of treason against the State , because his enemies out of the admiration of his vertues , erected a Statue to him . Lastly , to call the government of our Church by Bishops , Antichristian , because that Church which they make to be the seat of Antichrist is so governed , is to me such a weak Imputation , as by the same reason makes all the Christian Governments of the world pagan . And therefore to be utterly extirpated , and banisht out of the world , because in some points of Government they resemble the Common-wealths of Insidets . To all which vain , unlearned , impotent , shallow objections , raised against the Church , when I have added their vain , improbable conjectures , and objections raised against the State too ; Where things possible , nay in a civill , politick way , almost impossible , have beene urged , and cited as things present , and done ; Where , because some Princes have been Tyrants , and grievous to their Subjects , people in s●…rene , easie , halcyon times , have bin made beleeve that an ●…gyptian bondage , and Thraldome was ready to fallupon them ; And where , because there was a time when a bunch of Grapes or two extraordinary was gathered for the publicke , people , after so many reparations , so many acts of recompence , have been entertained , that those few , irregular Grapes were but the prologues , and fore-runners to the intended rap●… which should in time have been committed upon the whole future , following vine , I cannot look upon the Prophets who have thus preacht vanity to them , thus amnzed them with false , imaginary dangers , but under that description which the Prophet Jeremy hath made of them , in his 23. chap. at the 26. verse ; where he calls them Prophets of the deceit of their owne hearts , Seers who coy●… their owne visions . Men who relying wholly upon the uncertaine illumination of their own fancies , which they call the Spirit , and having never acquainted themselves with the true wayes , and principles either of reason , or Religion , which should cleare their mindes , and take of●… the grosse filme which beclouds their understandings , make it their businesse and profession to deceive thems●…lves , and others . Building false conclusions upon weak , irrationall pr●…misses ; and supporting improbable conjectures , by fictions , and untruths , Which suggests to me the second abuse of the Ministery , and function of these Prophe●…s here in the Text . Which was , that they not onely saw vanity , but divined lyes to●… . The thing in ●…ature which makes the expression hold true , that man is {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} , a sociable creature , is that we are able to repay conversation with conversation ; and have a privilege bestowed upon us , beyond that of beasts , that wee can unite , and joyne our selves to one another by speech . Without which , we , who now make rationall assemblies , and Common-wealths , had been only a rude , discomposed multitude , and Herd of-men . Nay , without Language to expresse our selves , and to associate our selves to one another in Discourse , every man had been thus like the first , that he had been alone , and solitary in the world . For where commerce and entercourse , and exchange of minds is denyed , and where all that passeth between us of men is that we are Alter alteri spectaculum , onely a dumbe , speechl●…sse shew , and spectacle to one another ; meetings , and numerous Assemblies are but so many unpeopled Wildernesses and desarts . And where all that we enjoy of one anothers company is onely the dull sight , and presence , every one of us may reckon himselfe single in a full theatr●… and crowd . As ●…peech , then , was at first bestowed upon us that we might hold conversation , and discourse with one another , so there was a Law imposed upon us too , that wee should not deceive one another by our ●…ppeech . {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} . 'T is Aristotles definition of speech , which hath a piece of commutative Justice i●… it . Words , sayes he , are the images of thoughts . That is , sayes the Divine , they alwayes ought , or should be so . The minde is thereby enabled to walke forth of the Body , and to make visits to another separated , divided mind . Our Soules , also , assisted by Speech , are able to meet , and converse , and hold entercourse with other Soules . Nay , you must not wonder at the expression , if I say , that as God at first conveyed our m●…nds , and Soules into us by breathing into us the breath of Life , so by Speech he hath enabled us , as often as we discourse , to breath them reciprocally back againe into each other . For never man yet spoke Truth to another , and heard that other speake Truth back againe to him , but for that time the saying of Minutius Felix was fulfilled , Crederes duas esse animas in ●…odem corpore , there were enterchangeably two ●…ndes in one Body . But this ( as I said before ) is onely when Truth is spoken . Otherwise , as the Question was askt of fire , Igne quid utilius ? What more usefull gift did God ever bestow upon us then Fire ? And yet the same Poet tells us , that some have imployed it to burne Houses . So we may say of Words , Sermone quid utilius ? What more be●…eficiall gift of nature did God ever bestow upon us then Speech ? 'T is the thing which doth outwardly distinguish us from Beasts , and which renders us , like the Angels , ( who discourse by the meere Acts and Revelation of their wills ) transparent and Chrystall to one another . But then Speech mis-imployed , and put to a deceitfull use , may turne Chrystall into Jet . And put into a Lye , may raise a shade , and cloud of Discourse , and Obscurity there , where there should be onely a Transluccncy and clearenesse . In short , some men , like the Fish which blacks the streame in which it swims , and casts an Inke from its bowels to hide it selfe from being seen , make Words , which were ordained to reveale their Though s , disguise them : A●…d so like the Father of lies , deale with their hearers , as ●…e dealt with our first Parents , appeare to them , not in their owne , but in a false , and borrowed Shape ; And thereby make them imbrace an Imposture and Falshood , in the figure , and Apparence of a Reality and Truth . An offence so fit to be banisht out of the World that after I have said , that two thus talking , and deceitfully mingling Speech , are some thing more then Absent to one another ; After I have said , that the ly●… is injurious to things , as well as persons ; Which carry the same proportion to our minde : , as Colours doe to our eyes ; And have a naturall aptnesse in them to bee understood as they are , but are for that time not understood , because not rightly represented : I must say too that there is injustice done to humane society . Since in every untruth that is told , and beleeved , one mans Lye , becomes another mans Error , whereby a piece of his naturall Right is taken from him ; which Right is by the Casuists call'd Judicandi libertas . Hee is disabled to make a Right judgement of what he heares . His beleefe betraies him : And the Speaker thus fallaciously conversing with him , is not for that time , his companion , but his deceiver . But when Religion shall be joyned to a lye , and when a Falsehood shall be attir'd , and cloathed with Holinesse ; When they , whose profession 't is to convey Embassies , and Messages , and voices from Heaven , shall convey onely cheats , and delusions , and impostures from thence ; though I cannot much blame the credulity of the Simple , who suffer themselves to be thus religiously abused , and like men who see Juglers , thinke their money best spent , where they are best cosened ; yet , certainly , the deceivers themselves doe adde this over and above to the sinne of Lying , that whereas others hold onely the Truth of things , these men hold the Truth of God in unrighteousn●…sse . And such it seems , were these Prophets here in the Text . Who the better to comply with the Publique s●…nnes of their times , did put untruths , and falshoods to the same holy use , that others did sacred Inspirations , and Dreames . Fictions , the bastard creatures of their owne corrupt fancies , were delivered as Prophecies infused into them from Heaven , and he who fained most , and could lye with the most religious Art , was thought to have the greatest measure of the Spirit . Prosperous successes were foretold to wicked undertakings , and the Prophets dealt with the people , as some bold Almanack makers deale with us ; coyn'd foule , or faire weather as they pleased to set the times , and then referred it to casualty , and chance to come to passe ▪ And can I passe over this part of the Text , and not say that there have been such Prophets among us in our times ? Unlesse things should come about againe , that the devill should the second time get a Commission to become a lying Spirit in the mouth of the Prophets , with a promise from the Almighty , that hee should prevaile too , were it possible that so much cosenage should so long passe , for so much Truth ? Have we not seene the Prophet Micah's propheticall curse fulfilled upon this Kingdome ? 'T is in his 2. Chap. at the 11. ver. where he sayes , that if a man walking in the Spirit , a●…d falshood , doe l●…e , he shall be the Prophet of this people . Certainly , my Brethren , when I consider how much Romance , how much Gazette , how much Legend hath for some yeares past for Sermon ; When I consider ( even with teares in my eyes ) the many false aspersions stuck upon our defamed , wronged Vniversity , by some , who ( even against the light of their eyes as well as Consciences ) have charged the Breasts that gave them suck with infected poyson'd milke ; And have belyed their spotlesse Mother , as if she were turned Strumpet ; or as if 't were grown a place from whence pietie , and gif●…s and true Religion , have long since taken flight ; a place which needs Conversion , and which affords nothing but dangerous education ; of which crime , I confesse , I know not whether ●…he be guilty , unlesse it be for bringing forth such abortive lying Sonn●…s , who thus make it part of their Religion to revile Her ; when I farther consider , that they have not spared Majesty it selfe , though cloathed , and armed by God with all the sacred Guards which should protect it from the venome of such disloyall , slanderous mouthes ; when I yet farther consider the seeming sanctity of the persons that do this , with what Holy passion , what inspired zeale , what composure of face , what contention of voice , what earnest Rhetorick of hand , what Language of Saints , they doe this ; Lastly , when I consider how many there are , who , driving a gainfull Trade in fictions , ( fictions as strange as his , who wrote of Virgins transformed to Bay-trees ) use to lye as devoutly from such holy ground as this , as others use to pray ; And when withall I doe observe that there is sprung up a certaine Sect of Hearers among us , who as zealously lend attention to ly●…s , as their Preachers utter them ; I cannot but take the Philosophers liberty to my selfe , and pronounce of such Congregations , as he did of Markets ; that they are places where people meet to deceive , and be deceived . And as in Shops , and Markets , Religion is sometimes put to helpe out fa●…lty Ware , and the name of God is cited to make up measure and weight , and part of the false light by which the Buyer is over-reacht , is the seeming sanctity of the Seller : So 't is here . A certaine religious , holy , sacramentall cozenage passeth between Preacher and People . And that they may the more solemnly bee cozened , these Prophets deale with their Fictions , as the Devill dealt with his temptations , when hee would have perswaded our Saviour Christ to cast himselfe downe from a Pinacle , cloath them with Scripture , saying , Thus it is written , and , thus saith the Lord God , when the Lord hath not spoken ; which brings me to the third , and last a●…use of their Profession , and Ministeriall Function . Which is to entitle God to their vanities , and lyes . To which I shall onely adde somebriefe Application of some things in this Sermon to our selves , and so commend you to God . Lucian , I remember in his {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} . or false Prophet , tells us of a certaine Mountebanke Cheater , who the more artificially to deceive the People , did set up an Oracle of his owne Fancying , and contrivance ; in which he was both the God , and Priest to the People who came to enquire . And , like the Priests of those ot●…er true Oracles , which we read of , where the Sybill never gave answers till she was first entranced , and felt a kinde of sacred fury , and possession within her selfe ; so he , ( as often as he pleased to delude the People ) had his sacred ragings , and trances too ; and appeared to those who came to consult with him , filled with a kinde of holy fury , and possest with the God that spoke through him . Me thinks , these Prophets here in this Text , were just such Juglers , who , in preaching their owne F●…ncies for Gods dictates , did not onely set up a false Oracle , in which they were to the People , both the Deity , and the Priest ; but they divined●…ntruths to them , in the same holy , solemne , Propheticall forme and way , as others did truths . Lyes had a kinde of holy trance , and extasie , and rapture put to them ; and Falshoods came from them in a kinde of sacred madnesse , and possession . As often as they had a minde to deceive the People , they could presently raise to themselves their owne inspirations ; and as often as a Plot , or Project was to be brought about , they could pres●…ntly snatch themselves up into the third Heaven ; and coul●… returne from thence as full of holy fiction , and imposture , as S●… . Paul did of astonishment , and wonder . In the delivery of which Fictions to the People , there was thus much holy cozenage more added , that the Lips of the Reporters seemed for that time to bee touched with a Coal●… from the Altar ; and God by the secret insi●…ence and instinct of his holy Spirit , was thought to be the kindler of that Coale . An injury of that ( 〈◊〉 , shall I say ? or rather ) bold , presumptuous , impudent nature , that when I have spoken of it the most gently I can , I must say t is something more the●… the breach of the third Commandement . For there wee are onely bid not to take Gods name in vain●… ; that is , not to mingle him with our ordinary , rash , light , unpremeditated discourses , or not to forswear our selves by him , or cite him to be a witnesse to our perjuries . But they who speak falsely in his name , and vent their owne sinister Plots for his inspirations ; they , who , when they should bee the messengers of truth , and the reprovers of sinne , shall stand as the messengers of of falshood , and encouragers of publique wrongs , between him , and the people ; doe not onely take his name in vaine , and ( as much as in them lyes ) draw a cheapnesse , and contempt upon it ; but do commit a sin worse then perjury , for that onely calls him to testifie , and beare witnesse , but these men make him the Principall , and first Author of a Lye : And so stick the reproach of a weak , impotent vice upon him , common to none , but base , servile , perfideous natures , and slaves . You may read in the old Testament , that the Priest of those times , among his other Ornaments , wore two precious Stones in his Br●…st-plate , called the Uri●… and Thummim . Through which , according as they did at times cast a bright , or dimmer lustre , God revealed his pleasure , or displeasure to the People ; and spoke to them by the sparkle of a Jewell , as he did at other times by the mouth of a Prophet . You may read too , that after the Tabernacle was set up . God had a Throne , or Mercy-seat placed for him , between the Wings of two Cherubims , which veiled it ; from whence at certaine times he sent forth Oracles . Here then , let me put this case to you . Suppose the Priest , who wore the Brest-plate , should have belyed his Jewels , and when the people came to enquire of him , should have interpreted a pale , for a bright Ray to the people ; or suppose , he should have taken out the true , and have placed two false counterfeit Jewels in his Brest-plate ; and should have taught them , by a kinde of secret conspiracie , not to sparkle by the certainty , and holinesse of their owne impartiall Fires , but according to the desires , and Plot , and Stratagem of the Consulters ; had not this been ●…lainly to set up an illegitimate Anti-urim , and Thummim , which should have cast a false , as the other did a 〈◊〉 lustre ? Nay , had not this been to make God , who used to appeare , and reveale himselfe in these Iewels , as he did to Moses in the Bush , in a flame of Fire , to become like one of those erraticall , uncertain , wandring night-fires , of which Aristotl●… speaks in his Meteors ; Fires , which shine onely to lead Travellers out of the way ? Once more put the case , that the Priest should have usurped the Throne , and Mercy-seat of God , and when the people came to enquire , should have placed himselfe between the Cherubins , and should from thence have uttered such false , pleasing Oracles , as he knew would most suite , and comply with the humour , and Interest of the Inquirers ; Had not this been most insolently , to thrust himselfe into the place of God , and for that time to depose him from his 〈◊〉 or holy Place , and to assume his businesse and peculiar Office to himselfe ? Nay , had not this been the way in time , to draw the same bad report upon him , which once passed upon the Oracle at Delphos , Apud Apollinem ut mihi videtur , mendacia e●…untur , men paid for lyes at Delphos , and sacrificed to Apollo to be cozened and deceived ? That this was the sinne of these Prophets here in the Text is evident from the words of it , and from their coherence with the rest of the Chapter . Who , ( as if they had entred into the same secret compact with God , as they had with their other Complotters of those times ) made no other use of their profession , but onely to humour great men , and to make Sale and Gaine of their Prophecies . Enthusiasmes , and Visions , and Dreames , and Revelations , were uttered , as some M●…chanick men utter their Commo●…ities , to him that would give most . The Sanctuarie , in plaine termes , was made a place of Merchandize ; onely the VVare was Spirituall . And the difference between Simon Magus's bargaine with the Apostles , and the Bargaine here in the Text , was onely this , that here both parties consented ; The one sinisterly bought , the oth●…r sinisterly sold the holy Ghost . An offence , my Brethren , so directly against the Truth , and ●…eracity , and Majesty of God , so neere , ( ●…if not out-right ) that never to be pardoned sin against the holy Ghost , that I am sorry I must say , that all the d●…fence that can be made for it , is , that our 〈◊〉 have brought forth prophets who have taken the same course . For now , as if the Scripture were in a perverse , preposterou●…sense the second tim●… to be fulfilled , that the Foolish things of the world shall confound the wise , and that lyes , and fictions , and things that are not , shall bring to nought Realities , and Truths , and things that are , he is not onely thought to be the holiest man , who can lye most in a holy Cause , but he thrives best , and makes the best spirituall Markets , who most belyes God to his Glorie . To what unweighed , a●…ry scruples , and vanities , is he entitled ? How is his Scripture , for want of learning to understand it aright , abused , and made the bellowes to blow a fire , fit rather to be quencht by the repentance , and teares of the Incendiaries , and feeders of it ? How many are there who daily urge text for Bloud-shed , and undertake to prove the slaughter of their Brethren ; ( I had almost said of their lawfull Prince and Soveraigne too ) warrantable by the VVord of God ? What bold Libell , or Pamphlet hath not for some yeares railed in a holy style ? And what Sermons have not been spiced with a a holy sedition ? Hath it not ( even to the ruine of one of the most flourishing Kingdomes of the world ) beene made a piece of Religion to divide it against it self , & to divorce a King from his People , and his people from their peace ? Have not men been taught that they cannot give God his due , if they give Caesar his ? And that the onely way left to preserve in themselves , the grace and favour of the one , is quite to deface and blot out the image and superscription of the other ? And have not the Teachers of these strange , unchristian Doctrines , delivered them to the people in the holy stile of Prophets ? Have they not called a most unnaturall , civill VVar , the burden of the Lord ? Have they not quite inverted the injunction of the Apostle ▪ and turning his affirmative into their negative , have they not ( directly contrary to his word ) said , Thus saith the Lord , honour not the King ? My brethren , let me speake freely to you , as in the presence of God , who knowes that I hate the sinne of these Prophets here in the Text , too much to flatter . Or if I would be so irreligiously servile , you your selves know that the present condition of things is at too low an ebbe , for me or any man else to hope to thrive by such a false Engine . If there be such a thing as a VVaking providence over the actions of men , ( wich , I confesse , an unresolved man in such irregular times as these might be tempted to question ) or if there bee such a thing in nature as Truth , with a promise annext to it by the God of Truth , that first or last it shall prevaile , unlesse by a timely , and seasonable repentance of their abuse of the Name of God , and of their many bold reproaches throwne upon his Annoynted , they divert their punishment : Something , me thinks , whispers to me , ( I dare not be so confident of my owne infallible sanctity , as to call it the Spirit of God ) but something whispers to me , and bids mee in the Prophet Ezechiels words in another place , Prophecie against these Prophets ; and say , * VVee to the foolish Prophets who have followed their owne spirit , and have seen nothing . Because with lies they have made the heart of the Righteous sad , whom the Lord hath not made sad ; and have strengthned the hands of the wicked , that he should not returne from his evill way . Or if this will not awake them , but that they will still be guilty of the sinne of these Prophets here in the Text , they must not take it ill , if , not I , but the holy Ghost ( which they so much ●…oast of , & by whom they so confidently pretend to speake ) passe this sad sentence on them and their complyers , by the mouth of two other Prophets . 1. As for their complyers ( if any such there have been ) who have said to the * Seers , See not , and to the Prophets , Prophecie not unto us right things , but speake to us smooth things , Prophecie deceit ; let them heare with trembling what the Prophet Esay sayes in his 30. Chapter at the 12. and 13. Verses . Because ( sayes he ) ye despise my word , and trust in oppression , and perversenesse , and stay thereon ; Therefore , thus saith the holy one of Israel , This iniquity shall bee to you as a breach ready to fall , swelling out in a high wall , whose breaking commeth suddenly , at an instant . The meaning of which propheticall judgement will be easily understood of any , who shall consideringly marke the beginning and progresse of the Chapter to the context where 't is uttered and denounced . Next , as for the Prophets themselves , who for poore , low , earthly interests , and respects , have suffered themselves to be mis-led , let them with confusion of face , heare what the Prophet Jeremy sayes in the 23 Chapter , at the 32. verse . A place no lesse remarkable then the former . As for those , sayes he , who doe prophecie false dreames , and do tell them , and cause my people to erre by their lyes , and by their lightnesse , yet I sent them not , nor commanded them ; behold , I am against them , saith the Lord , and they shall not profit this people at all , saith the Lord God . The conclusion then of this Sermon , shall be this . Fathers , and brethren of this University : I presume it could not but seem strange to you , to heare your Manners , and Religion , as well as Studies , and Learning not long since publiquely reproved , and preacht against out of this Pulpit , by men , who professe themselves , indeed , to be Prophets , but discovering to you so little , as they did of the abilities of Prophets sonnes , could not but seem to you very unfit Reformers , or instructers of this place . I presume also , that with a serious griefe of heart , you cannot but resent , that there should bee thought to be such a dearth , and scarcity of able , vertuous men among us , that the Great Councell of this Kingdome , in pitty to our wants , should think it needfull to send us men better gifted , to teach us how to preach . What the negligence , or sloth , or want of industrie , in this place hath been , which should deserve this great exprobration of our Studies from them ; or how one of the most famous Springs of Learning , which of late Europe knew , should by the mis-representation of any false reporting men among us , fall so low in the esteem of that great Assembly , as to be thought to need a Tutor , I know not : Nor will I here over-curiously enquire into the ungiftednesse of the persons , who have drawne this reproofe upon us , or say that some of us , perhaps might have made better use of our time ; ●…d of the bounty of our Founders , then by wrapping up our Talent in a Napkin , to draw the same reproach upon our Colledges , which once passed upon Monasteries , which grew at length to be a Proverbe of Idlenesse . But that which I would say to you , is this : Solomon , in one of his Proverbs , sends the sluggish man to the Spider , to learne diligence . Take it not ill , I beseech you , if I send some of you ( for this is a piece of exhortation which doth concerne very few ) who have been lesse industrious to these vaine , but active Prophets , which I have al this while preacht against . Mistake me not , I doe not send you to them , to learne knowledge of them . For you know 't is a received axiom among most of them , that any unlearned , unstudied man , assisted with the Spirit , and his English Bible , is sufficiently gifted for a Preacher . Nor doe I send you to them to be taught their bad Arts , or that you should learn of them to dawbe the publique sinnes of your times ; or comply with the insatiable , itching Eares of those whom St. Paul describes in the fourth Chapter of his second Epistle to Timothy , at the third verse , where he sayes , that the time should come , when men should not endure sound Doctrin , but after their owne lusts , should heap to themselves teachers . A prophecie , which I wish were not too truely come to passe among us ; where Studies and learning , and all those other excellent helpes , which tend to the right understanding of the Scripture , and thereby to the preaching of sound Doctrine , are thought so unnecessary by some Mechanicke , vulgar men , that no Teachers suit with their sicke , queasie Palats , who preach not that stuffe , for which all good Sch●…llers deservedly count them mad : I do not , I say , send you to them for any of these reasons . But certainly , something there is which you may learne of them ; which St. Paul himself commends to you , in the second verse of the fore-mentioned Chapter . If you desire to know what it is , 't is an unwearied , frequent , sedulous diligence of Preaching the Word of God , if need be , as they doe : In season , out of season , with reproofe of sin , where ever you finde it , and with exhortation to goodnesse where ever you find it too ; and this to be done at all times , though not in all places . For certainly , as long as there are Churches to be had , I cannot thinke the next heap of Tu●…fes , or the next pil●… of Stones , to be a very decent Pulpit ; or the next Rabble of People , who will finde eares to such a Pulpit , to be a very seemly Congregation . For let me tell you my brethren , that the power of these m●…s industries , never defatigated , hath been so great , that I cannot thinke the milde Conquerour ( whose Captives we now are , and to whose praise , for his civill usage of this afflicted University , I as the unworthiest member of it , cannot but apply that Epithet ) owes more to the Sword , , and courage of all his other Souldiers , for the obtaining of this , o●… any other Garrison , then to the Sweats , and active Tongues of these doubly armed Prophets ; who have never failed to hold a Sword in one hand , and a Bible in the other . There remaine then , but one way for us to take off the present reproach , and imputation throwne upon us , Which is to confute all slie , sinister , clancular reports , and to out-doe these active men hereafter in their owne industrious way . To preach Truth and Peace , and sound Doctrine to the People , with the same sedulity , and care , as they preach Discord , Variance and Strife . If this course be taken , and be with fidelity pursued , it will not onely bee in our power to dis-inchant the People , ( who of late ( by what Spell , or Charme I know not ) have unawares begun to entertaine a piece of Popery amongst them , and to think , ignorance the onely Mother of Devotion ) But it will be no hard matter for us , ( towards the effecting of so charitable a worke , as the undeceiving of so many well-minded , but mis-guided Soules ) to make our true Arts deale with their false , as the Rod of Moses dealt with the Magicians Serpents , first , shew them to be onely so much fantasticall Forme , and Aire , then consume and eate them up , in the presence of their Beleevers . To which ( for a conclusion of all ) I shall onely adde this , That if this course bee taken , and bee reduced to practice , assisted with those great advantages ( which are to most of them unknown ) of Study , Learning , Tongues , the use of Libraries , and Books , besides those other helpes of opportunity , time , and leisure , to render our selves able , ( which they too immaturely ingaged to a Family , or Fortune , cannot haue ) we shall not onely comply with the ends and intentions of those Founders , who built us Colledges : ( which they , certainly , intended should be Schools of vertue , not Nurseries of sloth ) but our despised Mother , the University , shall reap more honour by us , our Countrey more service , and God more glory . To whom with his Son , and the Holy Spirit of truth , be ascribed all honour and praise . Amen . FINIS . Notes, typically marginal, from the original text Notes for div A50414e-160 The division . 1 : The compliance . 〈◊〉 The ●…railty of bad designes . * Exod. 22. 28. 3. The first abuse of their function . 4. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 th●…ir 〈◊〉 . {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} 5. The Injury offered to God . * E●…ek . 13. 3. 22. * Esay 30. 10. The conclusion .