The reformed bishop, or, XIX articles tendered by Philarchaiesa, well-wisher of the present government of the Church of Scotland, as it is settled by law, in order to the further establishment thereof. Gordon, James, Pastor of Banchory-Devenick. 1679 Approx. 372 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 159 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. Text Creation Partnership, Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) : 2004-03 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1). A41549 Wing G1279 ESTC R10195 13555802 ocm 13555802 100258 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. A41549) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 100258) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 456:12) The reformed bishop, or, XIX articles tendered by Philarchaiesa, well-wisher of the present government of the Church of Scotland, as it is settled by law, in order to the further establishment thereof. Gordon, James, Pastor of Banchory-Devenick. [16], 300 [1] p. s.n.], [S.l. : 1679. Reproduction of original in Cambridge University Library. Created by converting TCP files to TEI P5 using tcp2tei.xsl, TEI @ Oxford. Re-processed by University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. Gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. 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Copies of the texts have been issued variously as SGML (TCP schema; ASCII text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable XML (TCP schema; characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless XML (TEI P5, characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or TEI g elements). Keying and markup guidelines are available at the Text Creation Partnership web site . eng Bishops -- Scotland. 2003-11 TCP Assigned for keying and markup 2003-11 Aptara Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2003-12 Tonya Howe Sampled and proofread 2003-12 Tonya Howe Text and markup reviewed and edited 2004-02 pfs Batch review (QC) and XML conversion THE REFORMED BISHOP : OR , XIX ARTICLES , Tendered by 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , A Well-wisher of the present Government of the Church of SCOTLAND , ( As it is settled by Law ) In order to the further Establishment thereof . Tertul. Praescript . advers . Haer. Id verum quod primum . Sanctum est , Veritatem cujuslibet amicitiae anteponere . Aristot. in Ethic. lib. 1. cap. 6. Printed for the Author , Anno Dom. 1679. ADVERTISEMENT TO THE READER . IN order to the better understanding of the Nature of this ensuing Remonstrance , I judged it fit to premit some Particulars to the serious Consideration of the Iudicious Reader . 1. That over and above the Homologation of our Assertions in the respective Articles by Reason , and inartificial Arguments derived from Authority , and dispersed ( like so many Veins , Nerves and Arteries ) thorow that Complex Body ; I thought it ●it to Confirm those great Truths embosomed in these XIX Proposals , by a more evident Method . First , Seeing Divine Authority is both Infallible , and more Noble than any other ; Therefore we have Superscribed every Article with the Royal Placet of the King of Kings : And that these Sacred Allegations may also serve as Rubricks , or Titles , to Indicate the Principal Contents of the several Articles . Yet we have not cited the places at large ; Char●tably believing , that whosoever will be at the pains to read these Lines , will think it no trouble to find out the Chapter and Verse in the Holy Bible , as they are ●ere pointed at . Next , We have immediately subjoyned to every Article some Canons of Councels ; being extensively much more to be regarded than the Authority of any Individual Father , seeing they necessarily presuppose a Complex of many ; ( For without a Sanhedrim of divers Ecclesiastical Seniors no Councel can consist . ) And intensively too , in the Iudgment of those who look upon these Canons as binding to the Church ; But in the eyes of all Rational men , they afford a more Authentick Testimony of the Doctrine , Worship , Discipline , and Government of the Church of God at that time , than any One particular could do . In the last place , We have annexed some Testimonies of the most Famous Luminaries of the Primitive Church , whose Doctrine is not found to interfere with the most approved Morals and Rituals of the Catholick Church in the Ages wherein they lived ; yet we have very seldome cited them at large , for the Reason above expressed . 2. Let the Reader take notice , That as the Aera of our Allegations is the Apostolick Age , ( though there was no Provincial Councel Celebrated therein , far less any General , save that at Hierusalem , which was obligatory to the whole Church then in Being ; whatever some Divines imagine to the contrary . ) So the Terminus ad quem of the Citation of Councels , is , The Sixth General Synod , called otherwise Synodus Quinti-Sexta . It had been very easie to amasse a multitude of Canons posteriour thereunto ; yet we judged it neither necessary , nor fit to proceed further ; because not long after that Convention , the Image-storm arose ; Some adhering to the Councels which were Assembled by Leo Isaurus , and Constantinus Copronymus , where the Image-Worship was Condemned by the Iconoclastae ; ( as they were then termed ) and others cleaving to that of Constantine and Irene , at Nice , and to some Roman Synods , where the Adoration of Images was approved by those who were named Iconolatrae . Then the Greek and Latin Churches began to be divided , which have never since that time been thorowly Cemented . As for the Vltimate Term of the Allegation of the Fathers ; We have fixed on Gregory the Great Inclusively , whom I look upon as the Last of that Venerable Number . Yet we have sometimes mentioned ( though very sparingly ) Isidore of Sevil , Beda , Anselm , and St. Bernard ; The three former , because they are so often alleged in the Canon Law ; and the Last , in regard of the Sublimity of his Style , ( blended with so much Eloquence , and Divine Zeal ) in his 4. Books De Consideratione , Ad Eugenium tertium ; Though I am not ignorant , that he was at the Distance of many Centuries from Gregory the First at Rome . 3. In the third place ; I shall subjoyn a word or two concerning the Apostolick Canons , ( as they are usually termed ) in regard we have here made some Vse of them . They were indeed to the number of 185 , Received by the Sixth General Councel ; ( But whether they were the same which are now extant , is not certainly known . ) But in respect that some Ecclesiastical Writers reject them all , as Apocryphal , and some admit but 60 of them ; Yea , the Plurality but the 50 which are first in order ; Therefore I have laid no great stress upon them , citing these only which ( either in express terms , or sence at least ) are adopted by some of the most approved General or Provincial Councels : But whether these Canons were Collected by Clemens of Rome , or of Alexandria , we shall not Determine , though the last is most probable . 4. Next ; I shall give a brief account why the sixth General Councel is termed Synodus Quini-sexta ; because under that Notion we have many times cited it . The ingenuous Reader shall know , that the fifth General Councel assembled by Justinian the Great , and the sixth by Constantinus Pogonatus , made no Canons for Discipline , but only some Defitions or Declarations in Matters of Faith ; the Former determining against some Errors fathered upon Origen ; ( fathered , I say , by Hereticks upon that Zealous man , whose Books they Corrupted , if we believe Ruffinus , and him whose Testimony is more to be regarded , viz. Vincentius Lyrinensis . ) and Condemning the Writings of the T●ia Capitula , v. g. Theodorus Mopsuest●nus , Theodoret of Cyrus , and Ibas of Edessa , as savouring of Nestorianism : The other against the Monothelites ; and Condemned the Doctrine of divers Patriarchs of Constantinople , One of Alexandria , and one of Rome , viz. Pope Honorius ; for the Hereticks themselves were dead long before that time . But , that the Church might be regulated , not only in Matters of Faith , but also in point of Manners , Justinian the second , Son to Constantinus Pogonatus ( boni Patris , Filius pessimus ) Summoned a new Synod for that effect , who did again meet in T●ullo , an apartment of the Imperial Palace . And in regard the Fathers thereof made 102 Canons to supply the defect of the fifth and sixth General Councels ; therefore that Councel was termed Synodus Quini-sexta ; so the Greeks ( as Balsamon observes ) call that Convention , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , or Synodum Quintam-sextam . And it being re-assembled within few years to the Former , ( four or five at most ) so that the greatest part of the Eastern B●shops who were present at the Former , were also present at the Later ( as may appear by their Subscriptions to hoth these Councels ; ) therefore the Canons of that Synod usually pass under the Name and Notion of the sixth General Councel . This we take to be the more probable Account , which Tarasius Patriarch of Constantinople , and Petrus , Bishop of Nicomedia , gave of it in the Face of the second Councel of Nice , as it is termed ; ( viz. Actionem quartam istius Synodi . ) for the Reasons just now expressed ; than what Theophanes , Anastasius , & G. Cedrenus , averr That there interceeded no less than 27 years betwixt the one Synod , assembled by the Father , and the other , by the Son. 5. And that the Candid Reader may lay the greater stress upon some Canons of Provincial Synods here alleadged by us , he shall further observe ; That there were divers Provincial Councels adopted by the Quini-sexta , or sixth General Councel ; so that we are to look upon their Canons as is equvalent to the Constitutions of one OEcumenical Councel : These are Concilium Neo-Caesariense , Gangrense , Antiochenum , Laodicense , Sardicense , & Carthaginense ; as is evident from the second Canon of the sixth General Councel . And in regard there were no less than seven Councels holden at Carthage , betwixt the first and sixth General Councels ; therefore it is the Opinion of some Iudicious Antiquaries , That this indefinit Homologation doth approve , and adopt them all ; five of which , with the four General Councels , make up the Code of the universal Church , as Justinian in his Novels phraseth it . 6. Seeing the Discipline , and Government of the Church , are mainly concerned in ( almost all ) these Articles , an Ingenious Reader may happily find fault , that we make so little Vse of the Canon Law , in order to the Confirmation of these Points . For Answer ; though formally we have seldome cited it , yet upon the matter , we have built upon the same Foundation , which is the Base of the best and ancientest part of the Canon Law ; which is Decretum Gratiani . As for the Decretalia of Boniface the eighth , and Gregorie the ninth ; with the Clementines of Clement the fifth , and Extravagants of John the twenty second ; they are indeed extravagant enough , for they are so stuffed with the Decrees of the Bishops of Rome , and of recent Popes , and the worst of Popes too , that they have scarce noticed any thing else ; and if it be done , it is but obiter , and ( as it were ) ex superabun danti ; the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of that Roman Idol being all-sufficient Authority to the Adorers of it : whereby they have sufficiently verifyed that Observation concerning the Decretalia ; That , Since the Decreta received alae , they have soared above Reason and Discretion too . Therefore ( as if we had studied to be Antipodes to them ) we have not adduced any of the Rescripta of that Roman Dictator , since he arose to any worldly Greatness , save only of Pope Leo the first , who was contemporary with the Councel of Chalcedon , and whose name is very great in all the Churches of Christ. But though the Text is too extravagant , yet the Glosse upon it ( in the approved Gregorian Edition ) is much more : For , what greater Extravagancy imaginable , than to call the Pope , Dominus Deus noster ? The parallel Blasphemy thereunto may be found in Additione Glossae , in Extravag . un . Sanct. by Pet. Bertrand . a Roman Cardinal . Neither was it any Commendation to the Decretum Gratiani , that it was first confirmed by Pope Alex. the third ; so proud a Priest , that he presum'd to tread upon the Necks of Emperours , even in a literal Sence ; but this commends it indeed , that it is fram'd in Imitation of the Corpus Juris Civilis : For , in lieu of the Rescripta Imperatorum , we have the Decreta Pontificum , in stead of the Responsa Prudentum , the Iudgments of the Primitive Fathers ; and in place of the Senatus-Consulta , the plebis-scita , & Edicta Praetorum , we have the Canons of the General and Provincial Councels : and above all the Oracles of God consigned in the holy Scriptures . Yet it cannot be deny'd , that this best part of the Canon Law is too defective as to the Citation of those infallible Responses . Neither can we omit , That Gratian himself not only Cites many dubious and spurious Books , which are falsly father'd upon those great Lights of the Primitive Church ; but also , that he is such an abettour of these Supposititious Arts , as to fix such Paraphrases upon some ancient Councels and Fathers , which are like to the Gloss of Orleance , that destroyed the Text : and all for that end , to make them subservient unto the Interest of the Roman Church , per fas aut nefas . I shall point at some few Instances , ut Candidus Lector ex ungue leonem pelle vulpinâ adumbratum facilè dignos●at . Let him only Collation Decret . Gratian. par . 1. Dist. 19. c. 6. with August . lib. 2. De Doctr. Christ. c. 8. and Decret . Grat. p. 3. De Consecrat . D. 4. c. 125. with Concil . Arauscan . 1. c. 1. and Decret . p. 1. Dist. 22. c. 6. with Can. Trullan . 36. and Decr. Grat. p. 3. De Cons. Dist. 4. c. 4. with Can. 99. and 100. Concil . Carthag . 4. and Decr. Grat. p. 2. Caus. 2. Q. 6. c. 35. with Concil . Milevit . Can. 22. Contra Trans-marinas Appellationes . We might easily adduce many other falsifications of this nature practis'd by Gratian ; but by these Trumperies and strange Metamorphoses we have instanc'd , ( which are well known , with many more , to those who have any gust of Antiquity : ) the Candid Reader may , with no less Facility , perceive , what Arts the Emissaries of the Roman Church have improv'd to buoy up a sorlorn Cause : so that these pretended Sons of the Antient Fathers make no bones to practise Jupiter's Cruelty in reference to his own Father ; so much talked of by the Heathen Poets . 7. I am not ignorant , that we have not always observed the exact series of time , in the allegation of Councels and Fathers : But , seeing that Method is not very material in this matter , I have pursued that order ( for the most part ) in which they crowded into my mind : Yea , we have made an Hysteron-proteron purposely , as to the time of the Celebration of some Councels , and Writings of the Fathers , that , what we judged fit to express at length , might be either the Prologue or Epiphonema of the Probation . We have also purposely forborn to Cite the Canons of the Eastern Councels in the Greek Language ; but thought good , eos jure Latii donare : because these insignificant Lines may happily fall into the hands of some ingenuous Gentlemen , who are acquainted with the one Language , and not the other : the Latin Tongue being much more Epidemical in Scotland , than the Greek Dialect . 8. The Author hath also carefully avoided the Citation of all those Books which are Sublectae Fidei , and rejected as spurious by those who have best skill to judge . Once indeed , ( and I think but once , ) Opus imperfectum in Mathaeum is cited ; but so worded , that the Candid Reader may easily perceive , that the Author doth not believe St. Chrysostom to be the Author thereof : yet because it contains many excellent things in it , he judged it worthy of a single Citation . Yea , he hath been also sollicitous in giving the Child to the right Parent : For many Books Father'd on St. Hierom ( some of them being found in the Volumes of his Works ; ) are by him appropriated to Origen , as the only true Author of them . 9. There be divers Testimonies of the Fathers , and of Ecclesiastical , and Secular History , produc'd in these Articles , without any Indication of Paragraph , Chapter , or Book , where to find them ; But there be two Reasons of this Omission : first , Because these Authorites are generally obvious to any who understand any thing of Antiquity or History ; So that they who daily carry about a far greater Library in their Brains , than is here pointed at , cannot but easily find them out . The other Reason is once and again hinted at already ; viz. lest this little Book swell to a great one . And for that same End we shall put a Period to this Premonition ; reserving Liberty to make this Protestation ; ( which I hope all Charitable Readers will believe . ) That I have shunned as the Syrenian Rocks , those four Wayes whereby the Iudgment of a Writer may be perverted ; ( though it were but in Penning nineteen Articles for the good of the Church : ) viz. Timore , Cupiditate , Odio , vel Amore ; so sayes Hierom , in Amos , cap. 6. and Isidorus Hispalensis , lib. 3. cap. 57. But if the Reader will have Patience till we arrive at the Peroration , he will then find this Protestation much enlarged . To which we hasten , Propitio Numine . Carpere , & detrahere , vel imperiti possunt : doctorum autem est , qui laborantium novere Sudorem , vel lassis manum porrigere , vel aberrantibus iter ostendere . Hieronym . Com. in Cap. 4. Ion. THE REFORMED BISHOP . SEEING there be too many who are apt to exclaim against the Governours of this Church , under the Notion of Ambitious , Auaritious , and Luxurious Persons , as if they designed not the Glory of God , nor the Good of his Church , and Re-establishment of its Government upon lasting Foundations ; But that Honour , Gain , and Bodily Ease , are the adequate Ends of their undertaking that eminent and weighty Charge : It is most probable , That if the Primitive Pattern were retrived into this Age , it would endear the present Government to all those who have not put off the Use of Reason , with all sense of Religion and Loyalty . Which holy emulation may be rendred practicable by the seasonable and speedy improvement of the ensuing Proposals . And would to God , our present Church-Governours could say , in reference to all their holy Predecessours , what Themistocles the Athenian did usually declare concerning One of his ; viz. Miltiadis Trophaea sibi somnos adimere . Article I. Exod. 28. 36 , 37 , 38. Levit. 21. 6 , 17. Psal. 132. 9. Isa. 56. 10 , 11 , 12. Ezek. 34. 2 , 3 , 4 , &c. Mal. 2. 1 , 2 , &c. Mat. 9. 15. Act. 13. 1 , 2 , 3. 2 Cor. 6. 5. & 11 , 27. 1 Tim. 3. 2 , 3 , 4 , &c. & 4 , 12. & 6 , 2. Tit. 1. 7 , 8 , 9. 1 Pet. 5. 2 , 3. THAT None be Elected to that Sacred Order , but these only who are approved to be Eminent in Piety , Charity , Learning , Humility , Gravity , Hospitality ; and in the Exercise of the Four Cardinal Vertues : Whose Pedigree and Education reflect no stain of Dishonour upon them . And I do heartily wish , That all Church-men ( especially the Governours thereof , ) were honourably descended ; which , being joyned with the former Endowments , would render their Piety the more splendid , and their Example the more efficacious . For , as it contributes to the Temporal Felicity of our holy Religion , to have Kings to be its Nursing-Fathers ; so , without all peradventure , it tends not a little to the Honour and Enlargement of the visible Church , to have Nobles to be it's Priests . Greg●rie the seventh ( usually termed Hildebrand . ) and Sixtus Quintus were indeed men of Illustrious Spirits , ( if they had been sanctified , though their descent from one Illustrious House was meerely Ironical . But these are rare to be found , and scarce one such in an Age ; the Gifts and Parts of those who are Terrae Filii , being generally as low as their Birth . And let the Godliness of our Church-Governours be evidenced to all Charitable Judgments , by a blameless Conversation in the World ; so that no man may truely say black to their Eye . And let their Christian Prudence be demonstrated by a well-ordered and Religious Family ; all the Constituent Parts thereof being as far removed from Vanity , Intemperance , Prodigality , and all sort of Profaneness , as the East is from the West ; So that it may justly be termed a Sanctuary , for its Devotion : as ( was the Court of Theodosius the Younger . ) For if a man know not how to rule his own house , how shall be take care of the Church of God ? vid. 1 Tim. 3. 1 , 2 , 3. &c. and Tit. 1. 6 , 7. &c. Now if these indispensible Apostolick Precepts were conscionably practised by the Governours of our Church , a generous Disdain of all Carnal Illectives , and Blandishments of the Flesh , would immediately spring up in the Soul ; So that they should have good reason to say , with that noble Roman ; Major sum , & ad majora natus , quàm ut Corporis mei sim Mancipium . Yea more than so , it shall produce in the Soul such an absolute Mortification , that the Result will be , an entire Resignation of the Ecclesiastick to God , without any Reservation , Limitation , or Exception ; and ( to borrow but once a Phrase from the Mysticks , ) an universal self-abnegation , and ( as it were ) a Soul-annihilation . Then they needed not fear , that the men of the World would at any time tax them with that Diabolical Ceremony of Kissing Bandstrings ; there , where the living God should be adored , and not the Idol of a beautiful Strumpet ; and that they abominate a Crucisix in their Closets , much more than a Cestus , or any other Symbol of Venus . The Mitre , which should be engraven , HOLINESS TO THE LORD , should not any more be reproached , as being impressed with the black Characters of an Whore's Name ; or that the Priest's Rocket hath too much Sympathy and Fellowship with the Kirtle of a Courtezan . But , on the Contrary , all charitable Persons would be so just to them , as to suppose them of the temper of Bernard , who cryed cut , Thieves , Thieves , when he was unlawfully accosted : and that in the Practice of Mortification they imitate S. Hilarion , who did thus expostulate with his own Body , Faciam Aselle , ut non ampliùs calcitres ; Nec te hordeo alam , sed palëis ; Fame & siti te conficiam . They would apply to them that Commendation of Alexander the Great for his Continency , Victor , magis Darii Vxorem non videndo , quàm Darium vincendo ; and that of the Poet. Fortior est qui se , quàm qui fortissima vincit . Moenia . — Yea they would be apt to conclude ; that these had not only studied to good Purpose , the 〈◊〉 Chapter of the Enchiridion of that excellent Stoick , Epictetus ; and the brief ( but very emphatical ) Advice of that Christian Poet , Boethius Sever . lib. III. De Consol. Phil. Metr . 5. But also that they have merited from the World that Character which Clemens Alex. lib. 7. Strom. hath given of a Man that is Verè Gnosticus , or a devout Ascetick ; Voluptatis causâ aliquid agere , ●is relinquit qui vulgarem vitam seq●●tur . Et r●●erâ non potest fieri , ut qui Deum cognovit , magnificè & verè ●is quae adversantur ser●iat voluptatibus : and that Description of a self-denyed man found in the third Book of Theophilus Antioch . Ad Autolycum ; Qui omnes Affectiones , & Animae Perturbationes debellacit , faci●● Mundum ●espicere potest . But they that are Christ's , have crucifyed the Flesh , with all the Affections and Lusts thereof ; and consequently , they not only endeavour to subdue the Irascible Faculty ; ( that Furor brevis being most unsuitable in a Church-man , and that which usually deforms his Countenance worse than that of Thersites , unless that Passion be transformed by Grace into a well-ordered Zeal . ) But this general Mortification is also extended to all the Appetites of the Concupiscible Faculty ; So that a Church-man who makes this his Study and Delight , will never be ranked by the World with the most brutish of the Epicurean Sect , Who did not eat that they might live , but lived that they might eat ; such as Sardanapalus , Apicius Lucullus , Heliogabalus , the Emperour Maximinus , ( whose Gigantine Appetite was above the Proportion of his vast bulk ) and that Usurper Bo●osus , ( of whom it was said , That he was born , not to lead a Life , but to lift a Pot ) But , on the Contrary , all just m●n w●ll be so ready to reckon them with the ancient Fabricii , the Bruti , and Ca●ones , who were so much renowned for Temperance ; Yea more than so , they shall be reputed the true Disciples of that great Doctor of the Gentiles , who 1 Cor. 9. 24 , 25. &c. recommends S●briety to all Ministers of the Gospel from his own Example , and by an Argument drawn ab incommo●● ▪ all which Inconveniences of 〈…〉 in Church-men ) are expressed at 〈◊〉 by Clemens Alex. In his Paedagogus ; Who 〈◊〉 us there ; that the Spirit of God and the Spirit of Bacchus will never thrive together ▪ and that he cannot be a Spiritual Minister of the Gospel , who is a sensual Man , and immersed in Voluptuousness : and that Gluttony and Drukenness are brutish Vices in all sorts of People ; But odious in Great men ; very detestable in Women ; but most abominable in the Clergy , who ought to be Paterns of Temperance , Abstinence , and Fasting to all the World ; It being a great point of Christian Prudence in a Church-man , to habituate himself , by abstaining now and then from things lawful , that with the greater Facility he 〈…〉 to things unlawful ; 〈…〉 still trenching nigh to a Precipice , may sometimes stumble and fall into it . It is very observable , what the Judgment of Am. Marcellinus ( though a Heathen man ) was , concerning the Splendour and Luxury of the Roman Bishops , which he liked not ; but said , That there was another way for them to be truly happy , si Magnitudine urbis despectâ , ad imitationem quorundam Provincialium viverent , quos lemulas e●●ndi , potandique parcissimè , ut puros Numim Commendant . I say not , that Fasting is a formal part of God's Worship ; though we read in Scripture of one that served God , with Fasting , and Prayer ; But as it is said of the Knowledge of Languages , that it is not properly Learning , yet a good help thereunto ; so it may be deemed of Fasting , that it is not properly the Worship of God , but a good Adminicle thereunto ; For a grosse Belly makes not only a gross Understanding , but also a stupid Devotion . I wish , this were well observed on the Day of the Consecration of Bishops ; For it is but too much noticed ; that though the ancient Ceremony , of reading the 13 Chapter of the Acts of the Apostles be still in Use , yet the Duty therein recommended , which is Fasting , ( not to speak of that Moral one of Prayer ) hath fallen into such a desuetude , that in lieu thereof , too sumptuous and excessive Feasting hath succeeded ; so that the Solemnity of such a Day doth rather resemble the Pagan Cerealia , Floralia , the Saturnalia , and Bacchanalia , than the ancient Agapae of the Christian Church ; of which , Tertullian , in his Apologetick , tells us , That they were so far from supping prodigally , as if they meant to dye to morrow , ( as Diogenes said of the People of Megara , ) that what cost was laid out upon those Love-Feasts , was not expended for Vain-glory , and to nourish Parasites , but upon the account of Piety and Religion , and to refresh the Poor : And that they fed sparingly at them , as remembring they were to rise at night to worship God ; So that they appeared not so much to have Feasted at Supper , as to have fed upon Discipline , and Order . Sure , it were much more commendable , ( and fitter too ) to vouchsafe these hundreds of Crowns misimployed that way , by way of Charitable Largess on the Poor ; that the Consecrated Person may have many Supplicants at the Throne of Grace , to pray for the health of his Soul , and for the Divine Blessing on the future Exercise of his Office ; that ( as Charlemain used to say ) by these Hounds he may hunt after the Kingdom of Heaven . We find indeed that St. Cyprian , the three Asian Gregories , Basil , Chrysostom , and Augustine did prepare themselves for that most eminent Ecclesiastical Degree , by various Acts of Mortification , ( as is evident from the respective Histories of their Lives ) but none of them 〈◊〉 in Apollo the night of their Consecration . But , as the Wise man hath told us , There is a time for all things ; So that even Fasting it self may be sometimes unseasonable ; not only upon a Physical , but also upon a Moral account ; which is never more untimely than upon the Lord's Day . I shall not be so uncharitable to such Fasters , as is the Author of that Epistle to the Philippians , ( Fathered on St. Ignatius , though none of his : ) who says , That they are no better than murderers of Christ , who fast on that day ; yet one thing is most certain , That the Antient Church prohibited Fasting ( both privately and publickly ) on the Lords Day ; ( I mean all Religious Fasts , ) and never permitted them , no not in the Time of Lent , because that Day was the most ordinary and constant Festival of the Church ; It being a weekly Solemnity Instituted for the Resurrection of our Saviour . And though these detestable Hereticks , the Manicheans , and Priscillianists , made it their Practice , ( in Opposition to the Catholick Church ) to Fast on Sunday , yet even the Montanists ( who pretended much to that kind of Mortification ) abstained from fasting on the Lord's Day ; as is evident from Tertullian's Treatise De Iejuniis , which he wrote after his unhappy Montanizing . But this Fasting in our Church on the Lord's Day , is a part of that old Presbyterian Leaven , not yet half well purged out of this Land ; For when that Tyrannical Usurpation was culminating in the Cuspe of the tenth House , such was their Meridian Line , that they thought it their Glory ( though it was indeed their Shame ) to run counter to all the Practice of the Primitive Church ; therefore the Pilots of the Leman Lake steered such a Course , as they might at last become perfect Antipodes thereunto : For whereas the Primitive Church solemnized a joyful Remembrance of the Nativity of our Blessed Lord , on the Anniversary thereof ; ( which in the time of Dioclesian proved a dismal Solemnity to some in Bithynia ) and of his Resurrection , every Lord's Day , especially on Easter , which is Caput institutionis ; they on the Contrary , ( as if they had not been unvaluable Mercies , but rather great Plagues to the World : ) must needs Fast on these Dayes ; and alwayes on that Sunday which did immediately preceed the Lord's Day on which the Holy Communion was to be celebrated ; though the Anniversary of our Saviour's Passion was judged by the Ancients the much fitter season for solemn Humiliation , and Preparation , in order to the due Reception of that Commemorative Sacrifice of Christ's Body and Blood , on Easter Day ; ( for when Persecution ceased , by the Haloyonian-dayes of the Great Constantine , too much of the Christian Fervour abated therewith ; So that in the later Centuries of the Primitive Church , The Holy Eucharist was not received every day , no not every Lord's day , but appointed to be celebrated thrice a year ; viz. On the Anniversary of the Nativity and Resurrection of our Blessed Lord , and of the Descent of the Holy Ghost , on the day of Pentecost ; ( which Canons did at last terminate in Easter Day . ) But these Antipodes are at the Expence of a Kalendar , only to shun those dayes , as a S●ylla and Charybdis , or the greater and lesser Syrtes . And that they might give a Demonstration to the World , that they are not sworn Enemies to their own Flesh and Blood , and that it was not the Mortification of their own sensual Natures they designed by such Abstinence ; but rather that they fasted for Strife and Debate , and to smite with the Fist of Wickedness , under such a Religions Palliation ; It was usually observed , that their most solemn Fasts did usher in the greatest Villanies they intended to act ; so that all honest-hearted men looked upon these Intimations as prodigious Meteors portending some bad Omen either to Church or State , and too frequently to both . But that they might make a sufficient amends to the animal Life for these few Politick Substractions , they gratified the same with Feasting ( when they could come at it ) all the dayes of the Week ; though Epiphanius hath told us , that in his time Fasting was practised throughout all the World , every Wednesday and Friday , unless the Anniversary of our Saviour's Nativity did happen upon one of these dayes . As for Saturday's Fast , ( though Pope Innocent pretended the Apostles Fasted that Day , because Christ lay in the Grave all that time ; ) It did not so early , nor universally obtain ; For it was not practised at Millan , in the Time of S. Ambrose . Yea more than so , they were most willing to Feast all the time of Lent ; the Passionwee ( kwhich was deservedly termed by the Ancients , Hebdomada magna & Sancta ; Not , that it hath ( sayes Chrysostom ) either more dayes or hours than other Weeks ; but because this is the Week in which truly great and ineffable good things were purchased for us : ) not being excepted : and were more ready to gormandize , than on the Anniversary of our Saviours Passion ; all the Sympathy they discovered with his imparallel'd Sufferings on that Day , being meerly Symbolical ; and that in a Physical sense too . For as the Flesh of our Blessed Lord was inhumanely torne on that Day , so they were ready , with too greedy Appetites , to tear the Flesh of Brutes : hateing so much to be reputed Pythagoreans , or Manicheans , on that Day ; that they would have chosen rather to be accounted Canibals : and ever since that time , the Flesh-Market on that day is the greatest of all the year ; and though the Change of it to some other Day , hath been frequently desired by some sober Persons in this Church , for the avoiding of Scandal ; Yet , such is the Prevalency of Fanaticisme in some Royal Burghs , that the Bishop with his Clergy could not obtain that most reasonable Request : This being one of the Cimelia è Scrinio Polonico eruta , which they fail not to bring home with them , per Hellespontum Danicum . Whereas the Emperours Theodosius the first , Valentinian the second , and Gratian ( as we find in the Theodosian Code , ) commanded all Suits and Processes at Law to cease , and all Prisoners to be set free , in this Holy week . Whence it may appear ; these Carnivorous Animals have never seriously pondered that Typical Expostulation of our dying Redeemer , which we find in the Lamentations of Ieremie , Chap. 1. ver . 12. ( interpreted by all the Ancients , of Christ himself , ) and which concerns them as much as any . But , that they might shew themselves Prefect in that Art of Opposition to the Primitive Church , they still presumed to approach to that Holy Table , absque Virgine Saliva ; though it was also condemned by the Ancient Canons ; ( and I wish some of them had rested satisfied with their Ordinary Repast , in that great Morning of the Feast . ) But there is good reason to fear That the Generality of Plebeian Christians , shall rise in Judgment , and condemn those Epicurean Fanaticks ; For these will not ( upon any account ) usher in that Spiritual and Incorruptible Food with any Temporal and perishing Harbinger . Now if any shall say , That they are afraid of Fainting ; I must confess , Necessity hath no Law : But I wish , some have not contracted that Necessity by Intemperance ; For Nature is content with little , and Grace with less . I have also heard some object , That Christ himself Condemned Fasting in the Pharisees . But take St. Chrysostom's Answer to this ignorant Scruple , who tells us , That Christ did not simply Condemn the Pharisees their Fasting twice a Week , or their exact payment of Tithes ; but their Hypocrisie and Ostentation . But if we shall judge by the Practice of too many of those , we have good reason to Conclude , That they have perswaded themselves , that Christ Condemned both these Matters in Thesi ; and that there is no necessity of any Hypothesis to expound the Text. But in the Last place ; Some of the more knowing of them are ready to adduce the Authority of Thorndyke and Ieremy Taylor , ( both which were very far from Phanaticism , ) that they have sufficiently evinced the Lent-Fast not to be an Apostolick Tradition , as it is now Calculated by a Quadragesima dierum ; But , that the proper Lent of the Infant Christian Church , was only a Quadragesima horarum . For Answer , I cannot but reverence the Judgment of those great Clerks , and do indeed look upon the Quadragesima horarum , as the only Apostolick Tradition ; ( though the strict Observation of the whole Passion-week did begin very early in the Church : ) But I think it a very strange Parologism , to infer from thence , That Feasting on Good Friday is Lawful , seeing it must needs be inclusively the 〈◊〉 of that most absolute Fast of Fourty Hours . But in these dayes of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , Animosities and Epicurisme have made the Usage of Fasts by Papists , a Command to us not to use them ; And to conclude , the Abating any thing of our Gluttony , to be an encroachment on our Christian Liberty : But the best Apology which can be made for such absurd Arguings , is that old Dicterium , Anima est in patinis . I might speak also of their usual Marriages on the Passion-week ( which the Primitive Church would have deemed a very indecent Pageantry : ) and of the Fatality which Observant Christians have noticed to attend them : But , lest any should take occasion from the period of this Invective against Superstitious Sensuality , to judge me also Superstitious , I do instantly put a close to this overgrown Article . Vid. Can. Apost . 42 , 65 , & 68. Item Concil . Gangrens . Can. 18. Concil . 1. Gener. Can. 3. contra subintroduct as mulieres ; ( which the Greeks call 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . ( which is repeated in many General and Provincial Councels . Concil . Caesar. August . Can. 1. Concil . Bracarens . 1. Can. 4. Concil . Carthag . 4. Can. 64. ( the tenor whereof is this ; Qui die Dominico studiosè jejunat ▪ non credatur Catholicus . ) Concil . Anti 〈◊〉 . Can. 11. Concil . Bracarens . 1. Can. 16. Bracarens . 2. Can. 10. Concil . Toletan . 7. Can. 1. Concil . Gen. 6. Can. 29. ( quo abregatur Synodi Carthag . tertiae Decretum , Vt quintâ Feriâ , in qua Coena D●mini perag●tur , Fideles coenati Communicent : F● renovatur Can. 50. Concilii Laodic . Ne co die solvatur Iejunium . ) Concil . Laodic . Can. 52. Concil . Illerdens . Can. 1. Concil . Aurelianens . 4. Can. 2. Concil . Turonens . 2. Can. 13. Concil . Braccarens . 2. Can. 9. & Concil . Toletan . 8. Can. 9. Vid. Clem. Rom. Epist. ad Corinth . pag. 55. Vid. S. Hieronymi Comment . in Tit. Cap. 1. ( on these words , A Bishop must be blameless ; ) Quomodo potest Praeses Ecclesiae auserre malum de medio ejus , qui in delicto simili corruerat ? Aut quâ liberta●e corripere peccantem potest , cùm tacitus sibi-ipsi respondeat , eadem admisisse quae corripit . ( To which that of Greg. 1. runs parallel ; Cujus vita despicitur , restat ut ejus Praedicatio contemnatur . Hom. 12. in E●ang . Lib. 14. Moral . & Praefat . in Iob. Cap. 3. & in Exposit. Iob. Lib. 30. Cap. 27. Where also he gives an excellent Description of the Quinque Vitia gulae . ) Idem in Cap. 3. Mich. Tibi , O Sacerdos , de Altario vivere , nonluxuriar● permittitur . Ad Heliodorum Epist . 1. De Laude Vitae Solitariae . Ad Nepotian . De Vita Clericorum . Ad Eustochium Virg. & lib. 2. advers . Iovinian . Origin . Hom. 15. a● cap. 21. Matthaei : Augustin . Tract . 41. ad Cap. 8. Ioan. Lib. 7. Epist. 39. ad Aurclium Episcop . Epist. 64. Chrysostom . Hom. 29. ad Cap. 12. Epist . ad Heb. Ambros. Serm. 20. super Beat● immaculati , &c. Isidor . De Eccles. Ossic. Lib. 2. Cap. 2. B●da , in Cap. 8. Ioan. De Iudicio Adulterae . Vid. etiam August . Epist. 118. Pro Virgine saliva ; Ex hoc enim placuit S. Sancto , Vt in honorem tanti Sacramenti , in Os Christiani priùs Dominicum Corpus intraret , quàm caeteri ●ibi ; nam ideo per Vniversum Orbem mos isle servatur . And for the Quadragesimal Fast , in order to our Preparation for the holy Communion , Vid. Comment . Hieronymi in cap. 3. Ionae . Article II. Num. 18. 26. Deut. 14. 28 , 29. Mat. 16. 24. & 18. 2. & 20. 26. & 25. 35. 36. Luk. 12. 33. 1 Cor. 13. 1 , 2 , 3. &c. 1 Tim. 4. 12. & 3. 2. 2 Tim. 2. 22. Tit. 1. 8. Heb. 13. 2 , 3. Iam. 1. 27. THAT none be chosen to that Eminent Degree , but they only who have formerly vowed ( and sure I am , some Presbyters in this Church have put on such inviolable Resolutions in Reference to that Election ) to employ ( almost all ) the Revenue of the respective Bishopricks , to which they have a Lawful Call , and which is secured to them by Law ( whether it be an Episcopal or Archiepiscopal See ) for Pious and Charitable Uses ; such as ; The Building and repairing of Bridges on high wayes ; Maintenance of poor Widows & Orphans ; Endowing of indigent Maids , of an honest Descent ; The Erection of Hospitals for infirm Persons who cannot worke , and are ashamed to beg ; And the Building of Monasteries for Contemplative Souls ; yet without any Bond upon the Conscience , ( as it is in some Convents of Germany . ) save that , of serving God more strictly in their Speculative Retirements . And I suppose , there should be much more Purity within the Walls of these Cloysters if the Recluses had not Vows of Continency imposed on them ; ( that of the Poet , Nitimur in vetitum . &c. being too frequently verified in every Age : ) For that Fervor Novitius may last a while beyond the years of Probation , and then degenerate into a perfect Congelation ; which by an hellish Antiperistasis doth frequently produce an Vstulation . ) But there be two great Advantages which a Contemplative Life affords to some Christians . First , It is a most secure Sanctuary to all those , who , in regard of a Cholerick Nature , are very obnoxious to Impatience ; The matter about which Our Patience is exercised ordinarily proceeding , either immediately from God , or from our Neighbours , or from our selves ; If they come from men ( as Injuries either real or verbal ) they are generally more bitter than those that come from God , as Sickness , &c. though in themselves greater ; because other men are but equal to us , and we know not their secret Intentions , but are apt to suspect the worst when they do us any Ha●m ; therefore we take such things worse at their hands than we would at God's , who ( besides that He is omnipotent , and ●ath the supreme Dominion over us , ) we know that his Goodness is infinite ; So that we can assure our selves , that all his deali●gs towards us are meant for our good ; though sometimes we cannot see how they can contribute to it . And as for matters of Affliction , which through Imprudence , or any other defect , we bring upon our selves ; we are less moved to Impatience by them ; ( though often to a secret Shame : ) because that ( besides we are too apt to excuse and favour our selves , ) we are secure that we meant no harm to our selves . Whence it is evident , That a Speculative Life ( being far removed from the crowd of the World , ) is lesse obnoxious to Impatience than an Active Life . The other great Advantage which redounds to Christians by Comtemplation is , That Vertues are more easily obtained , more securely possessed , and more perfectly practised , than in an Active Life . Let us suppose a Person to aspire unto Perfection in this , yet he stands in need of many things to enable him for the Practice of the Duties disposing thereunto : For the Exercise of the external Works of Charity , the●● are needful Riches or Friends , &c. And for Spiritual Alms-giving there is required Learning ▪ Study , Disputation , &c. And if by the help of these there be acquired an established habit of solid Charity , it is not very securely possessed in the midst of so many Distractions , Solitudes , and Temptations : But a comtemplative Life ( as the Angelical Doctor observes , even from Aristotle himself ; vid. Thom. Summ. secunda secundae . quaes . 182. Art. 1. ) stands in need of very few things ; being to it self sufficient . Such a Person alone , without needing other Assistance , or Favour from abroad , can both purchase and exercise all Vertues ; yea and liberally Dispense all kinds of Charity to others also ; for by Prayer alone , exercised in Solitude , he can employ and engage God's Omnipotence , Wisdom , and all the Treasures of his Riches , for the supplying all the Necessities , External and Internal , of his Church . Yea the greater Solitude there is , the Soul is at the more Freedom to run speedily and lightly to the Course of Vertue : For nothing doth indeed fetter her but Self-love and Propriety . And when the Habits of Vertue are once acquired , they are most securely possessed in Solitude , from whence all Distractions ( and almost all Temptations ) are excluded . There is yet another Advantage to which the Poverty of this Countrey would frequently exhibit the Occasion ; which is , That these would be excellent Cities of Refuge for some Persons of a Noble Descent , ( specially of the Female Sex , ) whose prodigal Parents have wasted all their Patrimonies ; so that they ( finding too good reason to despair of a Match according to their Quality : ) live exposed to the Contempt of the World , even to their dying day : For though some of them are so happy , as to twist Nobility and Vertue together , yet that Conjunction not being irradiated with the splendid Aspect of Plutus , they become despicable in Vulgar eyes , which are only dazled with the Glistering of Gold and Silver . So that I heartily approve the Judgement of the Author of Claustrum Animae ; Necessary Reformations ( saith he ) might have repurged Monasteries , as well as the Church , without abolishing of them : and they might have been still Houses of Religion , without having any dependance upon Rome . I have insisted the longer upon this Theam , ( though it may be termed a Digression ; ) because I judged my self concerned to vindicate that most excellent kind of Life from the Imputation of Vselesness , as if they were all Ignavum pecus fruges consumere nati . Et , — Telluris inutile pondus . Sure I am , If the Practice of the Devout Asceticks of Nitria , and of the Primitive Monks in general , ( whereof S. Hierom , Augustine , Palladius , Cassian , and others , give us an account : ) were retrived into our Church , Judicious Calvin would not have been so uncharitable , as to say of them all , that — Velut porci saginantur in haris . For if the Abuse of a thing should always take away the lawful Use thereof , the most laudable Institutions of the World would fall to the ground ; For what therein hath not been abused ? But to take off the groundless Odium of the name , let these Habitations be also termed Hospitals . But above all ; Let the Governours of the Church make Conscience to educate Towardly Youths , ( whether Descended of the Clergy or Laity , ) whose Parents are not in bonis to entertain them at Schools ; yet are well principled , and derived from honest Families : That ( having a liberal and holy Education in the Bishop's Family , and their Conversation being alwayes in his eye , ) they may prove excellent Materials at last , to build the House of God ; when , being found good Proficients in Knowledge , and in the School of Holy Iesus ; they may be called forth to that Holy Function in God's good time ; It being the practice of St. Augustine and divers others in the Primitive Church , to have always such Seminaries about them . And these ( even in this Age ) would be look'd upon as the Succedanei of the ancient Acoluthi , who were the individui Comites of the Primitive Bishops ; and being constant Witnesses unto their holy Conversation , were thereby framed ( through the Divine Grace ) to the exact imitation of that excellent Pattern . This Method would be found , not only a Charitable Office , but also an act of great Prudence and Christian Policy , in reference to all ; but especially the Ministers of the Gospel . And would to God all Church-men were taken up with the Study of such Laudable Politicks , and Piae fraudes , as the Apostle phraseth them : For it could not but perswade them who have any Principles of Generosity within them , to a Cordial Complyance with the Government , when they perceive it their great Care to do good to them and theirs . Yea , more than so ; It would excite a commendable Emulation amongst the Clergy of the same Diocese , which of them should appear most Deserving in the eyes of their Ordinary , and that in order to a Preference as to the Foris-familiation of their Sons ; when they perceive , That over and above the Poverty of their Estates , and Riches of their Principles , these Presbyters are most Countenanced , and Their Sons regarded by their Bishop in the first place , who are Persons of a pious and prudent Conversation , Diligent in their Studies , and Faithful in the Discharge of all the Duties of their Holy Vocation . I might add to the former Instances of Charity , The Redemption of Christian Captives ; ( For which merciful Acts Acatius , Ambrose , Paulinus , and many other Primitive Bishops , are highly applauded : ) As also , Bequeathing the Holy Bible , and other Books of Devotion , gratis , to poor Christians ; ( the Soul being the principal Object of Charity to our Neighbour : ) For which the Martyr Pamphilus is Celebrated by Eusebius and Hierom. And in ●ine ; The furnishing of some resolute Evangelists with a Viaticum , to propagate the Christian Faith among Infidels ; which was one of the Elogiums of St. Chrysostom : ( For which Act of Universal Charity Demetrius of Alexandria was , long before him , highly applauded ; for sending the Learned Pantaenus to preach the Blessed Gospel unto the remotest Indians . ) And that the Roman Propaganda may not rise up in the Great Audit , against the Governours of the Reformed Church , they should be no less solicitous for it . We need not multiplie any more Particulars ; For if the half of these Instances of Charity be practised to purpose , there will be few Materials reserved for the gaudy Busks of Wives , the Prodigality of Sons , the Vanity of Daughters , and Debauchery of their Retinue : For the Treasure of the Church ( thus S. Lawrence termed the Poor , and not Works of Supererogation : ) would exhaust all those Conduits of Luxury , and nothing would remain to be bestowed on costly Furniture , rich Hangings , curious Coaches , &c. For the Primitive Bishops used not Coaches , neither had they any Swords to draw upon their Coach-men . ( not to speak of their expending more on their Horses yearly , than some poor Ministers have to maintain their Families : the very Possession of which ( as Clemens Alex. hath well observed , ) creates Envy , especially to the Clergy , whose Ornaments ought to be of a more Spiritual Make and Temper . Neither would they have any Temptation to re-act that Tragedy of the Ewe-Lamb in Nathan's Parable , by designing to abridge any poor Minister's Stipend ; far less to substract that inconsiderable Pittance destinated for the Provision of Communion-Elements : Least of all would they find in their hearts , to give Money to an Advocate , to obstruct the Reputation of a Church ; if ten Merks Scots be all the Summ which is expected from a hard-hearted Patron , to uphold a decayed Fabrick . Yea , suppose they had a legal Title to part of that Salary , yet they would dispence with it as a part of their Charity unto those who may be said sedere super Chaenicem , in regard of the smalness of their Intrado , and greatness of their Families : and None should have occasion to upbraid that Order , That no publick charitable Works have been done by any of them ; Such as , the Such as , The Building and Repairing of Bridges on High-wayes ; ( though some of those already half demolished , are within the Prospect of their Ordinary Residences , and daily invite them to put to their helping hand . ) Neither would any who Travel by their Parish-Churches , find any ground to admire that pitiful Spectacle , Of Bells hanging upon Trees , for want of Bell-houses , as if they owned that part of Mahomet's Doctrine , which Condemns Bells in Steeples ; or did joyn Issue with the Invectives of the Quakers against Steeple-houses . And till Reason and Religion can suggest no other Imployment for that parcel of the Churches Patrimony in their hands ; Let them not be sollicitous to make that invidious and uncharitable scrambling for a great Estate , to aggrandize a near Relation in this World , who ( deserendo Castra nostra ) do ( as it is too frequently observed ) in the next Age , if not in that of their Creation , resemble the Viper , in tearing by Scorn and Contempt the Bowels of that Parent , which alone produced their Fortune and Honour ; It being , through the just Judgement of God , the unhappy Fate of that Sacred Grove , to lend an handle to that Ax which lops its Reputation : For the Clergy had no greater enemy , nor vilisier , in that Age , than Caesar Borgia , the perverse spurious Brat of an Ecclesiastick . But for them to retain so much of their Revenue as is requisite to supply the Necessities of Nature , or the Wants of Others , ought neither to be the Object of Envy , or Fear : For he must needs be worse than a Momus , or Zoilus , who carps at the provision of Food and Raiment , which a poor Tradesman makes to his own Family by his Lawful Calling . Yet the Dignity of that Sacred Office is such , that Decency requires a more ingenuous manner of living , than the sordid and mean way of Plebeians ; in regard they are particularly commanded to practise Hospitality . ( For which , not only Spiridion was Famous , but also the generality of the Prelates of the Primitive Church , whether in a Celibate , or Married state : ) But as that Famous Bishop of Cyprus was far from Superfluity in his Entertainment of Strangers ; So should they be , who are bound to know , That simple Habit and Diet are most consonant to the primitive Simplicity of Christians ; but especially of Church-men : There being no Heavenly-minded Ecclesiastick , who is thorowly Mortified as to the Blandishments of the Flesh , and hath absolutely resigned his Soul to God ) but useth even these things which are Necessary , sparingly and moderately , not paying Nature its Tribute without some regret , grudging the little time he spends about it ; and therefore makes haste to get from the Table , that he may return to his better Exercises . And seeing ( in imitation of St. Augustine ) he comes to his Meat as to a Medicine , it cannot be presumed , that he will cast away much of his precious time in such unedifying Employments , but rather ( after the Example of that Great Conquerour , ) will drive away all curious Cooks , and other Artificers of Luxury , far from his Habitation . And let not any imagine that this Practice of Charity , which cannot but interrupt the study of these Persian Arts of Splendour , and effeminate Gallantry , ( too much in fashion in this Age ) shall expose that Sacred Order to Contempt in the eyes of the World : Sure the contrary will fall out ; There being no Person ( of what Quality soever ) that hath any ti●cture of Christianity within him , but will be apt to deferr more internal Respect unto them on that account , than can be procured by all these Characters of Honour which the most bountiful Temporal Monarch is pleased to conferr upon them . Yea , more than so ; when they accost those Holy Persons in the way , they will be ready to alight , and beg their Blessing ; as was usually done to St. Basil of Cappadocia , and to our Countrey-man S. A●danus , though his Mode of Travelling was no more honourable than that of a 〈◊〉 . And that this visible Impress of the Divine Image doth extort Admiration , and a rever●●d Esteem , from the most virulent Enemies of the Christian Religion , may sufficiently appear from that Epistle of Iulian the Apostate , to the High Priest of Galatia : And it is very observable , That the Greatest of this Land ( who understand the nature of true Nobility ) are apt to caresse some Presbyters who are of a good Descent , and have the repute of Pious , Charitable , and Learned men , and the Discretion to demean themselves handsomly in the company of their Betters , as much as any Bishop of them all , ( balking only some Titles and Places , in lieu whereof they a●●ord them the more internal Respect ) in imitation of Monsieur de Renty , that excellent French Nobleman , who thought it his greatest Worldly Honour , to Honour the Clergy . And they who are knowing Persons of the Nobility , look upon it as no Disparagement to their Grandeur , to put Characters of Respect , and Signatures of Honour , on the worthy Ambassadours of Holy Iesus : Remembring Constantine the Great his Kissing the hollow of Paphnutius his Eye , because he was a famous Confessor ; ( who also used to treat those of the Clergy at his own Table , though in the meanest and most despicable Habit ; which some Reguli in this Age would think it below them to do : ) and the high Respect which Theodosius the Great carried to St. Ambrose : ( Not to speak of Theodosius the Younger , S. Lewis of France , S. Edward of England , ( called the Confessour ) and St. David of Scotland , with many other Great and Pious Princes : and for the Female Sex , Placilla the Empress , and St. Margaret of Scotland , are Examples instar omnium ; For they caressed all in Holy Orders to the Admiration of the World. And though it be very commendable in any great Person ( as being a great Evidence of true Piety in them ) to put such Respect upon the Representatives of their Great Masters ; yet I cannot but condemn the ambitious Affectation of it in any Church-man , or a solicitous Desire in any of them , to be preferred to the great Officers of State : For this vanity they did never learn from him who gave them their Commission ; ( if ever they were sent of God , ) For , He was meek and lowly in heart , and commanded all his Disciples to learn that Document from his Example . But , if it be objected ; how then shall a Church-man vindicate himself from Contempt , seeing it is their Fate to be sometimes palpably dis-respected : The Blessed Gospel is indeed a Bundle of Mysteries and a Complex of innumerable Wonders ; ( viz. In the Dispensation of the Incarnation ; ) That the Ancient of Dayes should become an Infant ; That he who Thunders in Heaven should cry in a Cradle ; That he who hath his Center every where , and Circumference no where , ( as Mercurius Trismegistus describes a Deity : ) should be enshrined , for the space of nine Moneths , in the narrow Womb of a Virgin : That he who grasps the World in his Fist , who upholds all things by the Word of his Power , whose boundless Arms are stretched in●initely beyond the vast Expansion of the Poles of Heaven , and who hangs the Earth upon nothing , should be sustained by the feeble Arms of a Woman : all these are incomprehensible Mysteries . And , In that of the Passion ; That the Lord Paramount of the World should become Servant to all ; and impoverished , that we might become rich ; abased , that we might be exalted ; exposed to much Ignominy , that we might be glorifyed ; and to suffer a painful and cursed Death , that we might enjoy a Blessed Immortality : all these are unfathomable Wonders . ) Yet this Degenerated Age hath added one Mysterie thereunto , whereof the Apostles themselves never dreamed ; That the preaching thereof should render the Sons of Plebeians , Gentlemen in the Vulgar Esteem : and on the contrary , be a Disparagement to those of a more Honourable Descent ; as if ( forsooth ) their Blood ( be it never so noble ) were attainted by the most honourable Employment in the World : whence it comes to pass , That some Gentlemen in Decimo-Sexto ( whose Nativity is scarce so honest , whose Fortunes are inferiour , and though they be but too insolent , yet are not so impudent to enter the Lists of Competition for Gifts and Parts : ) do set themselves forward before such Persons ; which they would not have presumed to do ; if they had not become of the Clergy : ( doing that to the Tribe of Levi upon the matter for which the good Levite is highly applauded in Scripture ; viz. They forget their Father's house , and acknowledge not their most valuable Worldly Concerns ; but it wants this Formality , they do it not in the Cause of God. ) And these are too much animated to such Insolencies by the Countenance of some Great ones of both Sexes , who ( being Strangers to God and themselves ) did never yet dream , that true Nobility consists rather in their proper Vertue , than in those empty Scutcheons which the Vertue of their Ancestours hath transmitted unto them . For Answer ; to return Pride for Pride , Folly for Folly , and Madness for Madness , is neither a Christian , nor a generous Method of vindicating one from Contempt : For in effect it amounts to no more than this ; that because they are mad with Pride and Folly , therefore we must be like them . But the first Course a Church-man is to take , is , To reflect upon himself , if there be any proper Objects of Contempt within him , For if the Cause be taken away , the Effect ●sually c●aseth : and these are , Ignorance , Imprudence , Levity , Scurrility , and a sordid way of Living ; but above all , a Scandalous Habit , too much noticed by the World. And such is the unhappiness of Our Church , That the particular Ecclipse of one Organical Member thereof , casts a dark Shadow upon the whole Order . As for the Baseness of 〈◊〉 in some of the Clergy , ( though I heartily wish , that , as it is the Foundation of some Monasteries in Germany , whereunto None are admitted save Gentlemen of good Families , it were so in our Church , yet ) That being no Moral Defect , it merits no such Contempt as any of the former , provided they become the Sons of their own right arm , ( as the Spanish Proverb hath it ) and by sublimated Parts and Piety , the Sons of the most High : So the strength of their Intellectuals , and goodness of their Morals , preponderating that first Original Defect , when a good man is tempted to any such Act , his heart will smite him ; as we read of that good Emperour Sigismund , when he reflected on that of the Prophet , It was God that made us , and not we our selves : Yea the Heathen Poet could say , At genus & proavos , & quae non fecimus ips● . Vix ea nostra voco . — The same Poet elsewhere speaking to the same Purpose ; hath these Lines , Ingenua de plebe virum , nec Census in illo Nobilitate sua major ; sed vita sidesque Inculpata suit . But if none of these Natural or Moral 〈◊〉 can justly be charged on some Church-men , ( who shine in their own O●bs like Stars of the First Magnitude ) all the Retaliation I would have them make for these undeserved Undervaluings , is , a generous inward Contempt . For , seeing it is yet Controverted among Moralists , whether Honour be in the Giver or Receiver , they have good Reason to conclude , That such despicable Arts will rather rebound a dishonourable Stigma upon the Subject , than leave any durable Impression upon the Object . And all Church-men should carefully avoid the Company of such who have little Civility , and less Christianity ; as being unedifying and contagious : For the General Disrespect of the Clergy flowes usually from one of the ensuing Principles . The first is Atheism ; And it is no Wonder that they hate and despise the Servant , who could never yet find in their Hearts to love and honour the Master . And because the Presence of an holy man ( how mean soever he be ) doth , as it were , fetter the Devil with Chains in a wicked man , so that he cannot actuate his perverse habits so frankly as before , therefore these Gadarenes drive away such Persons from them with Contempt , that they may enjoy their swinish Lusts without Controul . The second Principle is Sacriledge ; they who have a vehem●nt Desire to rob God of that poor Pittance which hath fallen beside the Tallo●s of some rapacious Vultures , ( which ravenous Harpyes did , with a Cyclopaea● Impiety , sight against God , by robbing the Fountain of all Goodness : ) cannot endure to see any secured by Law in the Possession thereof ; Therefore are they too prone to put Affronts upon them . But I wish these would consider , that if they snatch a Collop from off God's Altar , a fatal coal may adhere unto it , which will burnt up Nest and all . And if they were acquainted with 〈◊〉 History , they would take example from Cambyses , Xerxes , the Phocians , Brennus , the Consul Cepio , Mar●us Crassus and Heliodorus , before they be made such Examples : neither should ● wish that any in this Age become the detestable Instances of Vice running in a Blood , by tracing the sacrilegious Footsteps of some other ancestors , who have impropriated no small part of the Patrimony of this Church . The third Principle is , Want of Civil Education ; they who have travelled beyond Seas , and have noticed that great Respect which the Grandees there put upon the Clergy of the Roman Church ; When they return they cannot Dis-respect their own , unless they have brought home either Atheism or Superstition with them . But , as we read of a Laplander , who imagined there had been no better Country than his own ; ( though it is one of the worst in the World : ) So it fares with some Young Heirs of great Families , who come to their Land long before the dawning of their Witt , they look never above them , but converse only with their own Swains that are below them ; so that their Breeding cannot chose to be without some great tincture of the Plebeian in it : whence it is , tha● they vainly imagine , none are shapen t● be their Companions , but those only wh● have an aequilibrium of Fortune wit● themselves ; yea ( Narcissus-like , becom●ing fond of themselves , ) at last they com● to think , that every man is bound to stoop to that Idol which they adore Which exactly resembles the old Egyptian Temples , that were curiously garnished without , but the Deity that wa● worshipped within was some vile and despicable Animal . The fourth Principle is that of Pride which is most apparent in some Fantastic● Mushroms of a Night's growth , who ( pe●●as aut nefas ) have scraped some Fortune to themselves . Now , as King Iames ( 〈◊〉 Blessed Memory ) used to say ; that the first War the Scottish young heirs commenced , was against their Mothers ; so it may be said of these Singular Successours ▪ They begin their First Quarrel with thei● Mother , The Church : whereby they demonstrate , that they have not God to be their Father , Yea , they think it thei● Glory to undervalue Church-men , and to contend with them , whereby they hope to become Famous : And lest the Clerk should forget to enroll their Names at the next Head Court , as heretours of such a Parish , they take this boisterous way of Intimation : But their Glory is their Shame , and they render themselves infamous in the Ears of all good men . I deny not , but that the Devil hath thrown a Temptation in the way of these Doëgs ; For let a Church-man be never so innocent , and do no more but what the Law of Nature allows to all living Creatures , which is , to defend themselves the best way they can ; they shall be sure to bear the Blame of it , and be taxed as men of Contention : so uncharitable is this Countrey to the Clergy ; who are obliged to remember , that the Fortitude which is mainly required of them , quà ●ales , is passive , and not active : and that they ought ( like to the good Palm-tree ) to grow up in Charity , Humility , and Patience , under the Burthen of Reproach and Contempt . But I would have those whom God permits to be the Scourge of his Church , seriously to consider , That there is a Curse attends all , who strive with the Priest , and have a complacency in doing so ; which many in this Land have experimented : The very Plebeians being apt to observe ; that some , since they began with the Church in a preposterous way , in that day made an end of Thriving in this World , and th●re is nothing more observable in humane History , than that all they ( which was no small number ) who had Accession to the barbarous Assassination of Bomsace the eighth , and Cardinal Beton , cam● to violent ends , though these two were the worst men of their Age : ( not to speak of another great Cardinal , Georg. Martinusius whose murtherers did undergo the same unhappy Fate . ) For God reserves the Punishment of wicked Ecclesiasticks to himself ; they being , Noli me tangere to all the rest of the World ; excepting God's Vicegerent upon Earth , whose Subjects they are . The last Principle is , a Compound of Vanity , Fanaticism , and Epicurism ; which three naughty ingredients are most usually found mixed in some of the Female Sex ; whose way of living hath been a sufficient Demonstration , that they are void of the Life of Religion : yet they endeavour to shrowd all their Impieties under the Title of Catharism , much like ●o the ancient Gnosticks , who , pretending to Eminency of Knowledge , did pal●iate , under that name , the most abominable Villanies in the World. Now seeing the Prora and Puppis of the Religion of these Persons consists in an Antipathy against the present Constitution of this Church , it must needs have such an Ascendant upon them , that they cannot choose but Hate ( and consequently Undervalue ) all that bear Office therein . But the main Reason of that Contempt is Luxury ; For their carnal Brains are so overclouded with the fuliginous vapours of Sensuality , that they cannot put a right Estimate upon a Spiritual Office. But I am confident , there is no Conscientious Minister of the Gospel who is not ready to render Good for Evil to all such Despisers , by pitying them , and praying earnestly for a dissipation of that Cloud of wrath which is hanging over their heads , like a hovering Meteor ; and ready to fall upon them : any Indignity which is done to a Church-man , the Son of God looking upon it as done to himself ; and because he is wounded through their sides , he will not fail to avenge his own Interest . That dreadful Sentence of the Gospel may awaken the securest amongst them all , ( if they had Grace to lay it to heart ) They who despise you despise me , and they who despise me despise him that sent me : It being a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the Living God ; For our God is a consuming Fire . I am not ignorant that this is a prol●● Digression ; but the Interest of the Gospel induced me to enter upon it . For i● ought to be Lamented with tears of blood , That there is no Civil Nation und●● Heaven which conferrs so little Respect on their Church-men as ours doth ; and that but of late too . Sure I am , the ancient Pagan Dr●ides were ( almost infinitely ) more Honoured in this Land ▪ than the present Ministers of the Gospel ar● I pray God it be not a sad Prognostick of the extinction of the Gospel among us ▪ and it is God alone that can disappoint our Fears . We come now to answer the Second Scruple against that Method of Charity proposed in the Entry of this Article . Let not any of that Sacred Order say , If we do thus , what shall become of our Wives and Children when we are gone ; seeing it is not now the custom of Nourishing the Relicts and Orphans of the Clergy , out of the Churches Intrado ? This is easily answered . For , without all Peradventure , a good and holy Education is a rich Patrimony ; as Gregorie Nazianz . tells of his Sister Gorgonia , ( who was also Daughter to an humble and Self-denying Bishop , That she bequeathed great Riches to her Children , in leaving them such an excellent Pattern as her self , and a desire to follow her Example . Yea more than so , seeing the best way to gather is , thus to scatter , these Charitable Husbands and Parents may considently leave their Widows and Fatherless Children with God : For the Heavenly Compost of the Divine Blessing will not fail to enrich their poor and small possessions . It was a remarkable Story , concerning a Charitable Minister ( whose Sirname was Crow ) who had many Children , and very little of a yearly Income to bequeath to them ; when he was a dying , yet considently cry'd out , The Great God who hears the young Ravens when they cry , will not suffer these young Crowes to starve for hunger . And it was observed , that God provided very well for them all . Christum Debitorem habere , ( sayeth Gregorie Nazianz. ) plus est quàm omnia possidere . It was also a golden Sentence , worthy of that Golden Mouth which uttered it ▪ Eleemosyna est Ars omnium artium quaestuosissima : to which that Dutch Proverb is consonant , Thest never enricheth , Alms never impoverish , and Prayer hinders no wark : and when the hand of Violence seiseth on a charitable man's Estate ; he may say with him in Seneca , I have at least tha● still which I have given away . And lest it should be objected ; tha● this Method of gratifying this I●on Ag● ▪ is singular and unpracticable : I must 〈◊〉 them , in the end , That many in 〈◊〉 Primitive Church have gone a 〈◊〉 length in Self-denyal : For S. Cyprian 〈◊〉 no sooner converted to the Christian Faith , but he instantly abandoned a very plentiful Patrimony to the Use of th● Poor . So did S. Paulinus afterward● Bishop of Nola , And so soon as Epiphanius , and divers others undertook th●● Eminent Employment , they immediately expended all for the behoofe of the indigent Members of that mystical and glorious head , from which exhaustible Fountain every good Gift is derived . I have been the more prolix on this Particular ; First , Because I would have Bishops carefully to avoid the Application to themselves of that Satyrical Character given by one , of a Puritan , That he is such an Enemy to Merit , and so afraid of Pharisaical Ostentation , that in a seeming Complyance with our Saviour's Precept in the matter of Charity , Not to let the left hand know what the right Hand doth , he lets none in Heaven or in Earth know it . And next , Because People are generally apt to look upon Charity , as the most infallible Demonstration of the Sincerity of the Faith and Piety of Church-men ; all being naturally prone to homologate that of S. Augustine ; Quanta est Charitas ! quae si desit , frustra habentur caetera ; si adsit , habentur omnia . And Clemens Alex. gives it as the best Motto of an Ecclesiastick , Terram calcare didici , non Adorare . And if this Self-denyal were universally practised by Church-men , there should be no place found for that Complaint of Boniface of Mentz , ( usually termed the Apostle of Germany ) Ecclesia Antiqua ligneos habuit calices , sed aureos Episcopos : At Hodierna calices aureos , sed ligneos Episcopos . Neither would any sober Person take Occasion from any Donation made to the Church , to say , Hodie venenum infusum est Ecclesiae : or , Ecclesia peperit divitias , & Filia devoravit Matrem ; Yea there should not have been any need of that eloquent Sermon of S. Chrysostom , preached against those who envyed the Wealth of the Clergy . Vid. Can. Apost . 58. Item Concil . Turonens . 1. Can. 1 , & 2. Concil . Toletan . 3. Can. 7 , & 19. Concil . Antisiodorens . Can. 38. Concil . Cabilonens . Can. 3. Concil . Toletan . 11. Can. 2. & 5. Concil . Bracarens . 3. Can. 4. Concil . Turonens . 2. Can. 9. Concil . Gener. 6. Can. 33. ( ubi legimus , quod non Genus , sed Mores attendendi sunt ad Manus-Impositionem . ) Et Can. 50 , & 51. istius Concilii . Concil . Carthaginens . 4. Can. 15. Cujus haec sunt formalia verba ; Vt Episcopus vilem supellectilem , & mensam ac victum pauperem habeat ; Et dignitatis suae authorita●em Fide , ac vitae meritis quaerat . Et Can. 95 ejusdem Concilii . Concil . Agathens . Can. 3 , & 4. Concil . Vasens . Can. 2. Concil . Aurelianens . 4. Can. 14. Concil . Turonens . 2. Can. 18. Concil . Parisiens . Can. 1. Concil . Aurelianens . 5. Can. 10 , & 11. Concil . Hispalens . 2. Can. 10. ( as for Monasteries ; There is s●arce any ancient Councel , whether General or Provincial , but speaks of them . ) But all the Qualifications of St. Paul's Bishop , are expressed at length in the first Canon of the fourth Councel of Carthage : To which I remit the ingenious Reader . Vid. Chrysost. Homil. 65. in Gen. 47. Vid. August . Ad. Bonifac. Comitem , Epist. 50. Si autem privatim possidemus quod nobis sufficiat , non illa nostra sunt , sed pauperum , quorum Procurationem quodammodo gerimus , non Proprietatem nobis damnabili Vsurpa●ione vindicamus . Et Serm. 2. Cap. De Vita Clericorum . Vnum filium habes ; putes Christum alterum : duos habes ; putes Christum tertium : decem filios habes ; Christum undecimum facias , & suscipio : Hieronym . Ad Nepotian . Habens victum , & amictum , his contentus ero ; Et nudam crucem nudus sequar . Comment in Galat. cap. 6. Qui clementiam non habet , nec indutus est viscera misericordiae & Lachrymarum , quamvis spiritualis sit , non adimplebit Legem Christi : Ambros. lib. de Offic. 1. cap. 30. Non satis est bene velle , sed etiam bene facere : Non quid dixeris , sed quid feceris , &c. Lib. 2. Offic. cap. 21. Gregor . 1. Lib. 5. Epist. 29. De Episcopo Mariniano . Largam manum habeat , necessitatem patientibus concurrat , alienam inopiam suam credat ; quia si haec non habeat , Vacuum Episcopi nomen tenet : and in his Epistle to the Emperour Mauricius , he holds forth at length the great Advantages of a Monastical Life ; though I cannot approve that Sentiment of his , Plerique sunt , qui nisi omnia reliquerint , salvari apud Deum nullatenus possunt . Anselm . lib. 13. cap. 28. Pas●e same morientem ; quisquis enim pascendo hominem servare poteras , si non pavisti , occidisti : Vid. totam Chrysost. Hom. in . cap. 6. Epist. ad Hebr. Greg. 1. Lib. 12. Epist. 6. Et Tertul . De Iejunio . ( though at that time he was Montanizing . ) Vid. omnes libros Prosp. de Vita Contemplat . Et Hieron . Panegyric . in vitam solitariam . Idem Epist. 2. Isidor . Pelus . Epist. ad Palladium Diaconum . & Bern. Declam . in illud Evang. Reliq . omnia &c. Article III. Ier. 23. 21. Ioh. 10. 1. Act. 19. 13. 14 , 15 , 16. 1 Tim. 3. 6. Heb. 5. 4. 3. Ioh. 9. IT were to be wished , That none set themselves forward to leap into a vacant Chair , and to ascend with too much Precipitation that Summum Sacerdotii fastigium , before others much more modest , and more worthy . It was the regret of Gregory Nazianz. That some in his time were 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , they Commenced Divines and Bishops in one Day , who yet understood nothing before ; nor brought any thing to the Order , but only , a good Will to be there . Whence he fitly compares such Mushroms to the Dragon's teeth sown by Cadmus ( as the Fable hath it ) which immediately sprung up Giants out of the Earth , armed Cap-a-pe , perfect men , and perfect Warriours in one day . But this is the excentrick Motion of rash and ignorant young heads , and ambitious Hereticks . For the most eminent Pillars of the Primitive Church ( such as S. Cyprian . Gr. Naz. Ambrose , Augustine , Nectarius , Chrysostom , Synesius , and many others ) from a Principle of Humility , and a serious Consideration of the weightiness of that Charge , declined the same with all Vehemency imaginable , till by the Civil and Ecclesiastical Authority , and the Inspiration of the Almighty , and great Mortifications , they were at last inclined thereunto . By which Shieness they verified that Observation of Sulpitius Severus , ( speaking of the ninth Persecution : ) Men in those dayes ( saith he ) much more greedily sought Martyrdom in the Cause of Christ , than for Bishopricks , or other Preferments in the Chuch . Vid. Can. Apost . 30. & 31. Item , Concil . Gener. 1. Can. 2. Concil . Carthaginens . 4. Can. 1. Concil . Antioch . Can. 17. Concil . Toletan . 1. Can. 10. Concil . Avernens . Can. 2. & 6. Concil . Parisiens . Can. 3. Concil . Aurelianens . 5. Can. 9. Concil . Matisconens . 2. Can. 11 , & 13. Concil . Toletan . 4. Can. 18 , 20 , 21 , & 24. Concil . Agathens . Can. 6. Concil . Gen. 6. Can. 35 , & 86. Concil . Toletan . 8. Can. 8 ▪ & ad finem ; Solus ergo accedat ad sacra Dei Mysteria tractanda , quem Morum innocentia , & Literarum splendor reddunt illustrem . Concil . Toletan . 3. Can. 1. Nullus deinceps ad promerendos Honores Ecclesiasticos contra Canonum Statuta aspiret indignus . &c. Vid. August . Tract . 46. ad cap. 10. Ioan. Quid est sua quaerentes , non Christum gratis diligentes , non Deum propter Deum quaerentes ? &c. Hieronym . Comment . in eum locum Titi , Nemo te contemnat . Qualis enim aedificatio erit Discipuli , si se intelligat Magistro esse majorem ? quia vehementer Ecclesiam Christi destruit , meliores Laicos esse quàm Clericos : L●onis 1. Epist. 22. Sin in Laicis vix tolerabilis videtur In●citia ; quanto magis in iis qui praesunt , nec excusatione digna est , nec venia , Vid. etiam Origin . Hom. 6. ad cap. 8. Levit. & Hom. 4. in lib. Iudic. Vid. Panegyric . of Greg. Nazianz. upon S. Basil ( the Expressions whereof , which mostly concern this Particular , we have already cited in the Article ; ) and what he sayeth on S. Basil he almost repeats in that great Encomiastick upon Athanasius : and further adds ; Et priusquam pergentur , purgan● ; heri Sacrilegi , hodie Sacerdotes ; heri sacrorum expertes , hodie in sacris Duces ; veteres in malitia , ac novi in Pietate : quorum mores haud quaquam Gradum indicant , sed Gradus mores . &c. And Leo magnus , Epist. 91. speaks to the same purpose ; Cùm valde iniquum sit , & absurdum , ut imperiti Magistris , novi antiquis , & rudes praeserantur emeri●is : nam inordinata erunt omnia , si ●ictilia aureis , & lignea prae●erantur argenteis . &c. Likewise Greg. the Great , did frequently wish , ( as is evident from his excellent Treatise , De Cura pastorali : ) That Church-Offices were bestowed on those alone who did not ambitiously sue for them , but fled from all Promotion , and yet had deserved well of the Church , by honest Principles , and an holy Life and a diuturnal Proof of the excellency of their Knowledge and Prudence ; It being ( saith he ) in this Divine Art , as it is in all other Sciences and Trades , viz. no small Disgrace thereunto , to promote any to be Masters in that Profession , who are nothing else but Bunglers and Smatterers : For which he cites the usual Saying of Gregorie Nazianz. Nemo per legem Nauticam admittitur ad gubernacula navis , nisi priùs din sederit ad remos . &c. And what Theodosius the Great was wont to say of his two Sons Arcadius and Honorius , is applyed by this great Bishop to all ignorant Clergy-men , Conducibilius est , ut vitam privatam agant , quàm doctrina nulla , cum periculo , aliis imperarent . The serious Consideration of which sad Truth , was the great Prompter of Charlemain , to prefer only those in the Church who were good Prosicients in Knowledge and Vertue ; and to reject all lazy Drones from those rich Hyves : the frequent Reflection on that no less prudent , than conscionable Practice , gave occasion to that excellent Masculine Queen , Elizabeth of England , to keep alwayes beside her , an exact List of the worthiest men in the Universities , and that in order to Church-Promotions . Article IV. Mat. 21. 12 , 13. Ioh. 2. 16. & 10. 1. Act. 8. 10. 2 Tim. 4. 3. Tit. 1. 10 , 11. 2 Pet. 2. 14 , 15. MUCH less should they be preferred to that Sacred Function who are rei ambitûs , and have endeavoured by indirect means to purchase that Degree unto themselves : These by the ancient Canons being declared Inhabiles for ever to officiate at the Altar . As also they who had been publick Penitents ; lest the Umbrage of their former Scandals should stain the pure white of the Ephod . But to obviate the Inconveniences mentioned in the foregoing Proposal , and this in ha●d ; It were most desireable , that this ensuing Method should be observed , for Election of Bishops to vacant Places ; ( there being first a most humble Address made by the Clergy of the Nation to our Gracious Sovereign , graciously to permit the same ; and the Favour supposed to be granted : ) viz. That immediately after the Vacancy , the Primate should warn ( by his Letters ) the Chapter of that Diocess to convene themselves : and they being assembled , to call the whole Synod together unto a certain day , appointed for Fasting and Humiliation ; at which some of the most grave and learned of the Ministers , appointed by the Chapter , should Preach , in order to the Conscientious Choice of a Person fit for that Eminent Employment . And that after Fasting and Prayer in the Cathedral Church , a List be made of a certain number of the most Pious , Learned , Prudent , and Grave Persons , by the common Suffrages of all the Ministers of the Diocesan Synod : and that some discreet Persons among them be commissionated to carry the said List to Court , and humbly to present the same to his Majesty ; and ( with all due Submission ) to entreat his gracious Majesty to present , out of that number , one to the vacant Chair : They sufficiently knowing them all to be Pares Negotio , and throughly acquainted with the State of the Diocesse , and with all the Tempers of the Clergy , and considerable Laicks who live within that Precinct . I shall not mention the Observation of Spondanus upon the Enterview of Francis the First ( one of the French Kings ) with Pope Leo the tenth , at Bononia ; ( the renowned Historian I. A. Thuanus , having made the same Observe in the first Book of his admirable History . ) Neither shall we reflect on the most Christian Deportment of Valentinian the first in reference to the Postulation of St. Ambrose : Nor what is decree'd by Charlemain , and Lewis the Godly ; Lib. 1. Capitular . cap. 84. Least of all on the pious Act of Lewis the ninth , ( deservedly termed St. Lewis ) his burning with Indignation that pretended Privilege of Nomination , granted by the Pope , saying that the Election of Bishops belonged only to God and his Church . It being a trite Axiom of the Canon-Law , Petitio plebis , Electio Cleri , & Consensus Principis . ( vid. Leonis 1. Epist. 85. ) But sure I am , If his gracious Majesty ( who is a Lover and Protector of this Church ex traduce , it being one of his Royal Epithets to be the Defender of the Apostolick Faith , and Government , which that glorious Martyr , King Charles the first , sealed with his most precious bloud ) were well informed , that this way of Election was the Apostolick Method , who in the first Vacancy of that Sacred Colledge of Apostles , did fill it in this manner ; ( as we read in the first Chapter of the Acts of the Apostles ; ) and that it was the most Ordinary Custom of the Primitive Church to do so ; and of our own also , not many years ago ; I am fully perswaded , that our Gracious Sovereign ( whom God bless with a long and prosperous Reign over us ) who hath also manifested such transcendent Goodness towards this Church , would be pleased graciously to Condescend to the humble Address of his obedient Subjects and Servants : whereby the mouths of the Adversaries of our Church may be stopped , and these Reproaches which are cast upon the Office , wiped off ; as , That Bishops are only the Creatures of Courtiers , or of some Leading Church-men , introduced by Motives best known to themselves ; and that they are yet but Presbyters , as having no Call from the Church , but only invested with a little more Secular Power than they formerly enjoyed ; and that the said Office amongst us is nothing but a Politick Design , contrived rather to serve Secular ends , than the Evangelical and Ecclesiastical Interests ; And , in fine , That the Prayers of the Chapter in their Elections , are but a Mocking of God , in seeking Grace to direct them in the Choice of a fit Person for the vacant Place , whilst ( being predetermined by a Conge-d'elire from Court ) they make indeed no Election at all . Vid. Concil . Arelatens . 2. Can. 35. Concil . Avernens . Can. 2. Concil . Aurelianens . 5. Can. 3. Concil . Toletan . 4. Can. 18. Synod . Antiochen . Can. 23. Concil . Aurelianens . 2. Can. 7. Concil . Aurelianens . 3. Can. 2. Concil . Avernens . Can. 2. Concil . Aurelianens . 5. Can. 3 , & 4. Concil . Toletan . 4. Can. 18. Concil . Parisiens . Can. 6. Nullus Civibus invitis Ordinetur Episcopus , nisl quem Populi & Clericorum Electio plenissimâ quaes●êrit voluntate , &c. Et Concil . Cabilonens . Can. 10. Si quis Episcopus , de quacunque Civitate , fuerit defunctus , non ab alio , nisi à Comprovincialibus , Clero , & civibus suis , alterius habeatur Electio ; sin autem , hujus Ordinatio irrita habeatur . Vid. Ambros. Lib. 2. Offic. cap. 24. Bonis artibus , & sincero proposito nitendum ad Honorem arbitror , & maximè Ecclesiasticum : ut neque resupina arrogantia , vel remissa negligentia sit , neque turpis affectatio , & indecora ambitio : ad omnia abundat animi directa simplicitas , satisque seipsa commendat : Greg. 1. Lib. 9. ex Registro . Epist. 50. ad Ethericum Episcopum Galliae , ita fatur ; Nihil in dandis Ecclesiasticis Ordinibus auri saeva fames inveniat , nil blandimenta surripiant , nil gratia conserat : Honoris proemium vitae sit provectus , sapientiae incrementum , madestia morum : ut obtinente hujusmodi observantiâ , & indignus , qui proemiis quaerit ascendere , judicetur ; & dignus , cui bonum testimonium actio perhibet , honoretur . Vid. ejusdem Greg. Hom. 4 , 13 , & 14. in Evang. ( in qua postrema scitè describit Mercenarium ) Vid. etiam Hieronymi Comment . in Tit. ad ea verba , Constituas per civitates Presbyteros . A Brief Historical Account of the Form of Electing Bishops in the Primitive Church . THat the Method of Election expressed in the Article , was observed in Ecclesia primo-primitiva , ( as Gratian somewhere speaks ; ) That is , in the First Three Centuries , may appear from the subsequent Historical Instances . Clemens Rom. the First of the Christian Fathers next the Apostles , in his excellent Epistle to the Corinthians , gives a full Account of that Method of Election , which was practised in the Infancy of the Christian Church , and is absolutely consonant to that we wished for in the last Article . But , for brevity's sake , we remit the ingenuous Reader to the 101 pag. of that Epistle . Yet , for all our haste , I must make a little stop , and Congratulate ( with all Lovers of Antiquity ) the Restitution of the only genuine Treatise of that Apostolick man , unto the present Church ; this notable Epistle , so full of Primitive Simplicity , Candour , and Zeal ; having ( like the River Alphaeus ) run under ground , for so many Centuries of years : But in this last Age , that Fountain Arethusa hath appeared to the Publick view of the World. The next Instance is in the 39th Chapter of Tertullian his Apologetick , where he speaks to this purpose ; Praesident probati quique Seniores , honorem istum , non Pretio , sed Testimonio adepti &c. The next in the Series of time , is the Famous Origen , in Hom. 6. in Levit. who there speaks to the same purpose . Yet it cannot be denied , but that Sixtus Senensis , Praesat . in Bibliothec. averrs the said Commentary to be falsly ascribed to Origen ; as also , that on Iob ; and he pretends solid Reasons for his Assertion . S. Cyprian is so copious in this matter , and his mind so well known therein , unto all that have read his Works , that we need not consume any Paper in citing that zealous Father . I shall therefore remit the Reader to his 68th Epistle throughout ; and the 52d ; wherein he tells us , That his fidus Achates , Cornelius Bishop of Rome , was chosen Clericorum pene omnium testimonio . This amicable Couple may put us in mind of those friendly Pairs Celebrated by the Antients ; viz. Damon and Pythias , Pylades and Orestes , Achilles and Patroclus ; if all our Bishops were so affectionate , no Rebeckah could perswade them to steal the Birthright , by supplanting an elder Brother . And that the Patriarch of Alexandria ( who was next to Rome , till Constantinople ( quoniam erat nova Roma ) shuffled him by ) was chosen by the Presbyters there ; and that from among themselves ; even from the dayes of S. Mark , is evident from Eusebius , Hierem , Theodoret , and Eutychius . To this Purpose Athanasius in his Second Apology introduceth P. Iulius the first , Complaining of the irregular Promotion of Gregorie the Cappadocian , by the Arrians , unto the See of Alexandria ; Si enim pos● Synodum in Culpa deprel●ensus fuisset Athanasius , non tamen oportuit Crea●ienem no●● Episcopi , ita illegaliter , & praeter Canonem Ecclesiasticum fieri : sed in ipsa Ecclesia , & ex ipso sacerdotali Ordine , atque ex ipso Clero ejus Provinciae , Episcopos constitui ; & nequaquam ex illis qui nunc Apostolorum Canones violant . To the same Purpose also Gregorie Nazianz . ( in Oratione , Quando assumptus est in consort . Pat. ) Nam etsi Paternis laboribus succedere , dulce est , ac noto ac familiari gregi praeesse , jucundius est , quàm externo & alieno ; addam etiam , Deo carius , ( nisi me fallit , & mentem eripit consuetudo : ) non tamen conducibilius est , nec tutius , quàm ut volentibus praesint volentes ; quandoquidem neminem vi duci vult Lex nostra ; nec coactè , sed sponte gubernari . Ambrose , Com. in Epist. ad Ephes. cap. 4. ( if it be his ) sayeth ; Antiqua consuetudo fuit , ut antiquissimo Presbytero , antiquissimus succederet in Episcopatum . There be many Epistles of S. Leo , to this Purpose , which are adopted by the Canon Law. Vid. Epist 88. ( habetur Dist. 63. ) Epist. 93. ( habetur etiam Dist. 63. ) Epist. 95. ( habetur Dist. 62. ) where he speaks thus ; Nulla ratio sinit , ut inter Episcopos habeantur , qui nec à Clericis sunt Electi , nec à Plebibus expetiti . And Epist. 90. he requires these things as necessary to the Ordination of a Bishop ; viz ; Subscriptio Clericorum , Honoratorum Testimonium , Ordinis Consensus & Plebis : And in the same Epistle , speaking of the Choice of a Bishop , he sayeth it was done , Subscribentibus , plus minus , septuaginta Presbyteris ; Therefore it is observed , That all the Clergy concurred to the Choice of the Bishop of Rome himself , ( except what was done in that time called the infaelix Seculum , which turned all good Order topsy-turvy in the Church . ) till the Rise of Gregorie the seventh , in whose time Popery began to culminate in the Cuspe of the Tenth House ; thence Casaubon calls it Haeresin Hildebrandinam . That it was so , before the time of Hildebrand , is evident from the Gloss upon the Canon-Law , which from the Decree of P. Honorius the third , Concludes , Non posse eligi Praelatum ex aliena Dioecesi , sed illum postulandum ; & praevalere electionem personae de proprio Clero , electioni factae de alio , etiamsi illa facta sit à minore parte electorum . And in the Theodosian Code , ( L. 33. De Episcop . & Cler. ) we find an Imperial Constitution of Arcadius and Honorius , Corroborating that Ecclesiastical Law ; ne , viz. in Ecclesiis , alii quàm Originarii Locorum ordinentur . For it was ob inopiam Clericorum Catholicorum , that Nectarius a Laick was chosen ; and Ambrose designed , somewhat miraculously . As for Tarasius and Photius it was long before other Bishops gave them the Right Hand of Fellowship . But whoso desires more ample Satisfaction in this matter , let them read M. Anton. De Dom. Repub. Eccles. l. 3. c. 3. where he proves at great length from Councels , Fathers , and Church-History , that the regular Election of Bishops did pertain to the Clergy Sedis vacantis ; and that many Ages after the Famous Councel of Nice . Sure I am , if that Method had been constantly observed ; some , who are now situated in the Zenith of the Church , should have still remained but few Removes from the Nadir thereof , as Henry the third of France said to some Bishops of his own Nomination , who pressed him to pemit the Election to run in the ancient Channel , That if it had alwayes done so , they should never have been Bishops . Article V. Ier. 23. 11. Zeph. 3. 4. 1 Tim. 3. 2 , 4. & 4. 7. & 6. 20. 2 Tim. 2. 16. Tit. 2. 1 , 2 , 3 〈◊〉 WHEN the Prelate of this Church is regularly Elected and Consecrated , let him manifest the Sacredness of his Order , rather by the Gravity of his Deportment , and Spirituality of his Discourse , tending alwayes to the edification of the Hearers , than merely by his Canonical Garb : Though it was alwayes my Judgment , that it is most consonant to Reason and good Order , that the Clergy be differenced by their Habit from the Laicks ; For that Sacerdos Habitus ( according to the African Dialect of Tertullian , in his obscure Treatise De Palli● ) imports no less . And if they go abroad without that Discrimination , they should not enjoy the Privileges which the Civil Law hath granted in their favours : ( as was well discerned by that Learned , Devout , and Resolute Prelate , Arch-Bishop Lawd : ) that he may verifie of of his Function what Minutius Foelix said of Christians in general ; Non habitu Sapientiam praeserimus , sed mente ; Non magna eloquimur , sed vivimus : And may give no occasion to any to apply that of St. Hilary to himself , Sanctiores sunt aures Plebis , quàm corda Sacerdotum ; Not to mention that more Celebrated Sentence , Surgunt indocti & rapiunt Coelum , &c. That which the Traveller Sands sayes of the Mufti at Constantinople , ought to be the Commendation of all Church-men , Grave were his Looks , and grave was his Deportment . I deny not but Urbanity ( if seasonable ) is tolerable in a Church-man ; There is a time to laugh , saith Solomon ; and they who have a solid Interest in Holy Iesus , have the greatest reason in the world to be merry . The Morosity of an Aristarchus , and Soureness of a Diogenes , are not only unpleasant to Company , but also Scandalous to Religion ; as if it behoved all real Christians to be sick of Bellerophon's Disease , ( which was A furious Sadness ; ) On which account , some Brain-sick Hereticks in this Land have brought up a Reproach upon the most Rational and Excellent Religion in the World. St. Cyprian had a most complaisant Conversation with his Presbyters , ( as is Recorded by Pontius Diaconus in the History of his Life : ) and Martin of Towrs had his own Jests , as Sulpitius S●verus reports of him ; and St. Ambrose had his witty Repartees , as is testified by St. Augustine ; yet they were accounted the gravest men of their Time. But as for Scurrility , and a trade of Buffoonery or Drollery , and the least shadow of Obscenity , with all trifling Discourses , Church-men should hate them all Cane & Angue pejus ; remembring that old Maxim , Nugae , nugae in quolibet ore ; At in ore Sacerdotis , Blasphemiae : It being Noted as a great Crime in Pope Iulius the third , ( by that great Historian Thuanus ) that he was , ad Scurrilitatem usque festivus . And if before Plebeians they lose the least of their Gravity , they may resolve upon it , to lose infallibly so much of the intrinsick Authority of their Office. Vid. Concil . Carthaginens . 4. Can. 45. Concil . Matisconens . 1. Can. 3. & 4. Concil . Bracarens . 1. Can. 30. Bracarens . 3. Can. 2 , & 3. Synod . Quini-Sext . Can. 27. ( where we have these words ) Clericus vestem sibi convenientem induat , tam in urbe quàm in via . Concil . Agathens . Can. 28. Concil . Carthaginens . 3. Can. 3. Carthaginens . 4. Can. 60. ( where we find these words ) Clericum scurrilem , & verbis turpibus joculatorem , ab Officio retrahendum . Vid. etiam Can. 61 , & 62. ejusdem Concilii . Vid. Clement . Alex. Paedagog . circiter finem . Et Lib. 3. Strom. circa initium . Tertull . Lib. de Pudicitiâ : Chrysostom . Lib. 3. De Sacerdotio : Prosp. de Vita Contemplativâ . Lib. 1. Greg. 1. Cura Past. part . I. Bernard . Lib. 1. De Considerat . Article VI. Isa. 56. 10. Act. 6. 4. & 20. 20 , 31. 1 Cor. 9. 16 , 17. 2 Tim. 4. 3. LET this Prelate be frequent in preaching the Blessed Gospel ; not neglecting that Duty every Lord's Day , whether at home or abroad , if he be in health . ( Which was expressly ordained by the 19. Canon Synod . Quini-sext . and 20 Can. of the fourth Councel of Carthage : ) That he may not only avoid the Sarcasm of that Buffoon , who said , He would hide himself in the Pulpit , where the lazy Bishop would not find him for a Year and Day ; But also by his Practice may demonstrate to the World , that his Heart joyns Issue with St. Augustin's Wish , That when Christ comes again to Iudge the World , he may find him either praying or Preaching . Which last behoved to be the Practice of Bishops in some Parts of the World ; unless either they , or the People belonging to their Cathedral , were deprived of Preaching on the Lords Day : For in the Churches of Africa no Presbyter was permitted to preach in Presence of the Bishop , till the time of Valerius , St. Augustine's immediate Predecessour in the See of Hippo : Who ( as Possidius in the Life of Augustine reports ) being a Greek , and by reason of his little Skill in the Latin Tongue , unable to Preach to the Edification of the People , ( Hippo being a Roman Colonie ) admitted S. Augustine ( whom he had lately ordained Presbyter ) to preach before him : which was ill resented by some Bishops , yet became a Precedent at last to other Churches . But there is another Exception ( besides that of bodily Infirmity ) which may sufficiently warrant the Conscience of a Bishop to forbear Preaching , pro hic & nunc ; and that is ; a desire to experiment the Gift of another within his Jurisdiction ; ( whether a Candidate , or one already in Orders ) for seeing he is , Virtute Ossi●ii , Pastor pastorum ; that Inspection must needs be a special part of the Episcopal Function . Vid. Concil . Aurelianens . 1. Can. 13. Cujus haec sunt formalia verba ; Quod Episcopus , si infirmitate non fuerit impeditus , Ecclesiae cui proximus fuerit , Die Dominico deesse non debet . Et Can. 2. Concil . Toletan . 11. Where an unpreaching Bishop is fitly termed Praeco mutus . But because the Elegancy of the Style and Matter , would invite any to read that Canon , I shall therefore give the ingenuous Reader an account of it . Quantum quis praecelsi culminis obtinet locum , tantum necesse est praecedat caeteros gratiâ meritorum , ut in eo qui praesidet singulis , singulariter ornetur eminentiâ Sanctitatis ; habens semper & in ore gladium veritatis , & in opere efficaciam luminis : ut , juxta Paulum , polens sit exhortari in doctrina sana , & contradicentes revincere . Nos proinde nostri Ordinis gradum , vel suscepti Regiminis modum magnopere cogitare debemus , ut qui officium Praedicationis suscepimus , nullis curis à divina Lectione privemur ; Nam quorundam mentes Pontificum ita corporis otio à Lectionis gratia secluduntur , ut quid doctrinae gregibus subditis exhibeat , non inveniat Praeco mutus . Insistendum ergo semper erit Majoribus , ut quos sub Regiminis cura tuentur , fame Verbi Dei perire non sinant . The Ninteenth Canon of the sixth General Councel speaking almost to the same Purpose ; and adds something more ; That in the Exposition of Scripture , they ought to follow the Interpretation of the Primitive Fathers , and Doctors of the Church ; and not presume to deliver to their Auditors , Quicquid in buccam venerit . And for that end , recommends unto them the accurate Study of these Ancient Luminaries of the Church . Which useful Speculation is too much neglected in this Age ; To which , that of the Egyptian Priest to the Grecian Philosopher , may be applied ; Ye have neither knowledge of Antiquity , nor Antiquity of Knowledge . Vid. Augustin . contra Faustum Manish . Lib. 32. cap. 10. At vero qui Electus ab Ecclesia ministerium Evangelizandi renuerit , ab Ecclesia ipsa meritò contemnitur : Qui enim & sibi prodest & Ecclesiae , bene intelligitur utroque pede calceatus . Vid. etiam Lib. 19. De Civit. Dei , cap. 19. Chrysostom . Lib. 2. De Sacerdot . Hieronym . ad Nepotian . & Greg. 1. Part. 1. De Cura Pastor . Article VII . Prov. 27. 23. Act. 15. 36 , 41. & 20. 28. Act. 8. 14 , 15 , 17. Heb. 6. 2. NExt , Let this Shepherd of Pastors be careful to visit his Diocess once every year , in Conformity to the Antient Canons ; unless it be of a very great Dimension , and the Churches therein so numerous , that the Difficulty is insuperable : But what is wanting the one year , should be supplied in the beginning of the next ; that by such accurate Visitations he may find opportunity to Water what God hath Planted , and to thrust those out of the Vineyard , whom the Great Master never sent to work there : ( they being hurried thereinto by their own insufficient forwardness , Simoniacal Pactions , and other unconscionable Principles ; and whose after-Practices are found too sutable thereunto . ) And let him exactly take notice , when he comes upon the place , if the Minister and People perform reciprocal Duties , and afford mutual Encouragements one to another . But , seeing all these Particulars are fully expressed in the Books for Visitations , I shall add no more but this General ; That he is bound to take inspection , If the Incumbent use a conscionable Endeavour to perform all Personal , Relational , and Functional Duties ; Which if he be found to do , let him have his due Encouragement : For , Virtus laudata crescit , &c. & laudando praecipimus . But if any be deprehended to be very defective in their Intellectuals , or Morals , or in any of the elicit , or imperat Acts of those Faculties , so that Charity it self cannot be so blind , but may perceive , that they throw down more with the one hand , than they build with the other ; Let these be Censured according to their Demerits . For ( as a Skilful Physician ) our Prelate is obliged to purge the Mystical Body , of its most noxious Humours , by applying seasonable Catharticks , and a Dose too that is proportionable to the Distemper ; and ( as a good Surgeon ) speedily to cut off these Organical Members , which are already sphacelated , lest that Gangrene invade the whole Body . Ense recidendum , ne pars sincera trahatur , ( saith the Poet. ) Which if he do not , he must resolve to be accountable to the most impartial Tribunal imaginable , ( which is infinitely above the pretended Justice of Aeacus , Minos , and Radamanthus ) for those destructive Neglects , which carry the apparent Ruin of many Souls in the front of them . Likewise , at these Visitations , they may find an excellent opportunity of retriving ( jure-postliminii ) that Antient Ceremony of Confirmation , excluding ( in the mean time ) all Superstition therefrom ; though some are apt to believe , that it is not the fear of giving Offence , which is the Remora of this useful Practice , but rather the Laziness of some Church-Governours ; that Ceremony being one of the honourable Prerogatives of Episcopacy , and , ( as some thought ) incommunicable to Presbyters ; there being very few Instances of any of them , who in the Primitive Church were delegated to perform the same . And sure , the seasonable noticing , if Ministers and Parents have exercised their respective Duties in order to the Education of Young Ones , is so far from giving just matter of Offence to any , that ( if rightly considered ) it would be found in it self a Work highly commendable , and very profitable for the Church , if Conscionably practis'd . For what harm can the Imposition of a Bishop's hands do to any , unless they have the Polonian Plica , or a Fanatical Leprosie in their heads ? And sure I am , the fervent Prayer of an Holy Bishop , seconded with the Devotion of that Church before which the Confirmed Person hath Solemnly Homologated his Baptismal Vows , may do much good , in order to the procuring of their growth in Grace , and the Knowledge of Holy Iesus , and the enabling of them to perform these vows and Purposes , and that Profession of Faith which they had before embraced in Baptism . But we need not insist any more on this particular ; for the Usefulness thereof is so evidently , and fully holden forth , by D. Hammond , Taylor , Dallee , Hanmer , and Baxter , that no rational man will any more doubt thereof . Vid. Concil . Toletan . 4. Can. 35. Cujus haec sunt formalia verba ; Episcopum per cunctas Dioeceses , Parochiasque suas per singulos annos ire oportet ; ut exquira● quo unaquaeque Basilica indigeal : quod si ipse , aut languore , aut aliis Occupationibus implicatus , id explere nequiverit , Presbyteros probabiles , aut Diaconos mittat , qui & Reditus Basilicarum , & Reparatio●es , & Ministrantium vitam , inquirant . But the Form of these Visitations is holden forth at greater length , Can. 1. Concil . Bracarens . 2. Sic incipit . Placuit omnibus Episcopis atque convenit , ut per singulas Ecclesias Episcopi , & per Dioeceses ambulantes , primùm discutiant Clericos , quomodo ordinem Baptismi teneant vel Missarum ( whereby we are to understand the ordinary Liturgie of the Church : for what the Greeks called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , the Latines about that time called M●ssa . ) & qualiter quaecunque Officia in Ecclasia peragant . Et si rectè quidem invenerint , Deo gratias agant ; sin autem minimè , docere debent ignaros , & modis omnibus praecipere ; sicut Antiqui Canones jubent , &c. Et sic posteà , Episcopus de illa Ecclesia proficiscatur ad aliam . As for those Canons which concern the Ceremony of Confirmation , and the Privilege of Bishops therein , they are so Numerous , that it 's in vain to consume Paper about them . Vid. Hieronym . in Epist. ad Galat. cap. 5. Resecandae sunt putridae Carnes , & scabiosa ovis à caulis repellenda , ne tota domus massa , corpus , & pecora ardeant , corrumpantur , putrescant , interiant : Arrius in Alexandria una scintilla fuit , sed quia non statim oppressa est , totum orbem ejus flamma populata est . Vid. etiam Prosp. lib. 2. De vita Contemplat . cap. 7. & Bernard . de Considerat Lib. 4. Article VIII . Isa. 42. 19 , 20. Mat. 10. 16. & 23. 16 , 24. Luk. 6. 39. & 12. 42. 1 Tim. 4. 6 , 13. & 5. 22. & 6. 3 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14. Tit. 1. 8 , 9. & 2. 7 , 8. § Mat. 26. 52. Act. 23. 5. Rom. 13. 1 , 2. 1 Pet. 2. 13 , 14. §. Iohn 2. 16. Act. 8. 20 , 21. 1 Tim. 5. 21. 2 Tim. 2. 2. 2 Pet. 2. 3. SEEING the Candidates of the Sacred Function are no inconsiderable part of the Episcopal Charge , Let those of that Eminent Order , exactly note the ensuing Particulars , before they proceed to Ordination . 1. If they have a competent measure of Knowledge , whereby they are able to oppose , and Convince Gain-sayers . Vrim and Thummim , should be laid up in the Pectoral of every Gospel-Priest ; That is , The Light of Knowledge , and Perfection of Manners : For , if they be sent of God , the Almighty will put his Word into their mouths , before he set them over the Nations . And if any be found to reject Knowledge , let them be rejected from being Priests unto the Lord ; Our Saviour having told us , that if the blind lead the blind , both shall fall into the ditch . But , alas ! there be too many in this Age , to whom that old Observation may be too justly applied , Multi fiunt indoctorum Magistri , &c. 2. Yet there be some who undergo the Fate of our first Parents ; The Tree of Knowledge bereaves them of the Tree of Life : For , as there be Comets which have the Light and Elevation of Stars , so there are Vicious Persons that are endued with excellent Parts , and though they have the Venom of Dragons in their Hearts , yet they have precious Stones in their Heads . And there be too many who resemble the Carpenters of Noah's Ark , they are Instrumental in saving others , and , in the mean time , by acts of Immorality , ruine their own Souls ; and though their Heads be like the Winter-Sun , which is sometimes full of Light , yet their Hearts resemble the Winters Earth , which is alwayes cold and barren . Therefore their present Conversation should be carefully examined : And let a Prelate of the Church choose rather to lay his Hands upon Thorns , than on the Heads of those , whose Hearts are polluted , and their Deportment is scandalous to the World ; which cannot but prove a Stumbling-Block to many , and paves the way to Speculative Atheism in their Hearers . 3. But as a Compound of Intellectuals and Morals , let the next Inquisition be after his Prudentials . ( Which Inquest is too much neglected in this Age. ) S. Gregorie of Rome hath told us , that , Ars Artium est , Cura Animarum : And sure , he needs no small Measure of Christian Prudence , who hath not only his own Soul to govern , but is also appointed to be the guide of others . Our Saviour hath Commanded all his Disciples , to joyn the Wisdom of the Serpent , with the Innocency of the Dove : Which holy Sagacity is indispensably necessary in all Ministers of the Gospel ; in Destitution whereof , he that is Iuvenis moribus , if admitted to Sacred Orders , will bring that Curse upon the Church , Children shall rule over them . 4. Neither ought he to be Iuvenis aetate : For ; The word of the Lord was precious in those dayes , when the Child Samuel ministred before him in a linnen Ephod . I wish , the Canonical Year appointed by the Ancient Church , were well observed in this : Then no Minor should be found to intrude himself into the Administration of Spiritual Matters , to whom the Civil Law permits not an irrevocable Management of his own Temporal Affairs . And let not a Dispensation be given to any , upon the pretext of the more early Blossoms of his Youth ; For that will open too wide a door to many others , to claim the same Privilege , though no praecox fructus is visible in them , or scarce any appearance of Winter-fruit : For , unto all such , that Dicterium may be fitly applied , Malitia supplet aetatem . Therefore let all the Governours of the Church be careful to stop the Career of those hasty Births , who run abroad with the Shell on their Heads . 5. And let them not fail to search diligently into the Principles of the Candidates , before they give them Imposition of hands . And if they be found to be , either Schismatical , ( as that they are apt to Controvert the Lawfulness of the present Government of the Church , by Arch-Bishops , and Bishops , or to question any innocent Ceremony which may be imposed by Authority . ) or Disloyal ; by justifying the late damnable Rebellion , at least as to the two great Wheels of that hellish Combination : viz. By maintaining the Lawfulness of Defensive Arms in Subjects against their Prince ; which ( if once taken up ) do seldome fail to become offensive , e're they be laid down . I shall say no more against this Infernal Spring , but that the Primitive Church knew no such Doctrine , nor Practice : and they must be grossely ignorant of their Tenents who imagine the Contrary ; it being Lippis & Tonsoribus notum , That Preces & Lachrymae , were the only Offensive and Defensive Arms of that Church , against her most violent Persecutors , under the Notion of Authority : So that we need not Instance S. Mauricius , with his famous Thebaean Legion ; Nor the Army of Iulian the Apostate ; Nor make a Retrogradation unto the Apologetick of Tertullian , who tells the Roman Emperour , That the Christians in his time were so numerous , that they had so filled the Court , and Places of Judicature , yea and the Imperial Army it self , that they wanted not sufficient Physical Power to defend themselves against all their Adversaries ; If their excellent Religion had not taught them , rather to suffer patiently for God , than to resist the Authority then in Being ; which ( though wickedly exercised ) they acknowledged to be derived from God. Or if they have the Confidence to say , That there is an Obligation lying upon People , ( when they dream of a Necessity ) to Reform the Church , if they suppose the Prince to be negligent ; and that , not only without , but also against the Authority of their Sovereign : Such Bigots , though dying in the Attempt , were never reputed Martyrs by the Primitive Church , but rather judgjudged Seditious ; as is evident from Can. 60. Concil . Elib . Which insinuates this Reason ; That Paul made not Use of his Hands , but only of his eloquent Tongue against the Idols of Athens . If such Phanatical Principles be found in them , let them be rejected , as the dangerous Spawn of Presbyterian , Independant , and Anabaptistical Brood , which is still endeavouring to hatch a Cockatrice Egg , that may prove a Basilisk to this Church . And I fear there be too many such young Snakes already taken in her Bosome , which , being once warmed with the heat of Sedition , will do their endeavour to sting unto death the Mother that fosters them . Yet , I should wish , that if any of these Youths be found towardly ( though pitifully marred in their Education ) the Bishop who is most concerned in them , would take them home to his own Family , and ( by piece-meal ) instill better Principles into them ; It being found by Experience , that they who are sincere Converts , become most zealous for the Interest of the Church . 6. The next Particular I would have noticed , is that of Simony : Therefore let all those who desire to enter into Holy Orders , or who are to be transplanted from one Church to another , purge themselves by Oath of that Crime . It cannot be denyed , but that the usual Oath tendered in this Church , is indifferent strict , though some ( in this subtle Age ) have invented modes of evading it ; But whatsoever Paction Parents make privily with the Patron , let not the Sons be balked from vindicating themselves of being Art or Part of those hellish Transactions ; it being more consonant to Reason , that they who are of approved Integrity should be waved , than those who are under Suspition : For , as Iulius Caesar said of his Wife , so it should be with all Ministers of the Gospel , even not only void of a Crime , but also of Suspicion . But I fear the contrary is too frequently done ; That Oath being tendered in Course to those who are under no Suspicion but these sometimes pretermitted who are under a flagrant Scandal of Simony . Which Omission not only verifies that of the Poet , Dat veniam corvis . &c. but also brings an indelible Reproach on the Church , and Governours thereof . And if any Church-man , having come by a blank Presentation , should be so graceless , as to fill up the Name of his reciprocal Beneficiary , because he hath replenished the Pockets of his Patron with some money ; though a jeering Laick would happly say , Emerat ille prius , vendere jure potest : Yet there is not modest Ecclesiastick , but would be so far out of Countenance with that Reproach upon the Church , as to return nothing else , save that Lamentation of the Poet , — Pudet haec opprobria nobis Et dici potuisse , & non potuisse refelli . And if any refuse to take the Oath when it is tendered to them , let them be declared Inhabiles , according to the ancient Canons . And if they be found afterwards guilty , notwithstanding they have taken the Oath ; let them be degraded and excommunicated , for adding Perjury to that Crime which needed no Complication to make it great ; for they who , living in the Gall of Bitterness , and Bond of Iniquity , have owned Simon Magus for their Father , ought not to be reputed Sons of the Church . And let all those Gehazites , who have the Impudence to sell such Matters ( that kind of Merchandise having become too much in fashion in this Age ) be Censured according to the Canons of the Church : For to their Souls , ( as an old Father hath said , St. Ambrose by name ) in lieu of the Grace of God , a Leprosie doth cleave , much worse than that which did adhere unto the Covetous Servant of Elisha , and his Seed for ever . Their common Apology may be easily answered . For , though it is no Spiritual Gift which they sell , and consequently not properly Simony ; yet it is Spirituali annexum , and therefore declared by the Canons of the Church , to fall under the Censure of that Crime , and its Denomination . And seeing , by all the Laws whereby our Church is Governed , the Officium is declared inseparable à Beneficio , ( there being no Ministeria vaga amongst us ) and by the Canon-Law , when a Presbyter was Ordained sine Titulo , the Bishop who did so , was bound to maintain him , till he were otherwise provided ; Therefore our Church hath good reason to censure the Buyers and Sellers of Benefices , as Simoniacal Persons . Now over and above that Pathetical Declamation of St. Ambrose , I could amass many other sharp Invectives of the Fathers against this Crime ; but I forbear , lest this Article swell to too great a Bulk : and shall only add this Wish ; That , seeing there be too many Laick Patrons who have a liquorish Appetite after the sweetness of God's Bread , ( as one phraseth it to a very bad Sence , ) I say , I wish that they were authorized by a Municipal Law , to gather up the Fruits of the first Year's Vacancy , or of the half thereof , where there is an Annat ; provided , that the Bishop of the Diocess , with the Advice of the respective Presbytery , ( who may be presumed to know better than any , the State of a vacant Church within their own Bounds ) have the Nomination of the Incumbent . Which expedient , would not only obviate that detestable Crime , but should also prevent many other Inconveniences , not fit to be here expressed . As for the pretence of a Law , wherewith some in this Land are apt to ●alliate their Simony ; I shall remit them to the Epistle Dedicatory of D. I. Forbes of Corse , before his Tractate upon Simony , Where our learned Compatriot , with an Holy 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , declames most rationally against that Surreptitious Edict , which he fitly terms , Non Lex , sed Labes : and though some account it Lex soli , yet , that it should never be reputed by any Christian to be Lex Poli. If we should amass all the Canons of the Councels , and Invectives of the Fathers , these alone would amount to no small Volume ; but lest this Enchiridium swell too much , I shall supersede many of them : yet the ingenious Reader may find divers of them subjoyned , by way of Confirmation , to this Article . But to shew how detestable that Crime of Simony was in the eyes of the ancient Church , and how cautious these Primitive Lights were in that Affair , I cannot forbear , just now , to notice that Canon of the Councel of Ancyra , which determined , That nothing should be given at the time of Receipt of the Eucharist , though under the notion of Charity to the Poor ; lest any should suspect that Donation to be made for the holy Communion , But , alack ! we have reason to fear in this Age , that the time is come of the fulfilling of the Prophecy of S. Bernard , That Christ will again descend from Heaven , and take the whip in his hand , and scourge mercenary Priests out of his Temple , as formerly he did other kinds of Merchants . Which Flagellation too many avaricious Prelates of Rome have good reason to fear , for presuming to dispence in this Matter ; not only with all the ancient Canons , but also with the inviolable Law of God ; by practising various kinds of Simony , not fit here to be expressed . I am not ignorant of that base Flattery of some Roman Parasites , ( I mean the Sycophantine Canonists : ) who look upon the Pope of Rome as the Lord Paramount on Earth of all the Degrees of Priesthood ; whence they infer● , that he cannot commit Simony , though he should make Sale of them all ; because a Lord may lawfully sell his own . Which perverse Doctrine ( as it was well observed , so it ) is most rationally confuted by that moderate and learned Roman Doctor Cl. Espencaeus in his excellent Comment . on the Epist. to Tit. to which I remit those base Flatterers for their Castigation . And I wish from my heart , that some leading men in this Church , did not transcribe that Copy of pretended Dispensations : If it were so , we should not find any of them so impudent as to give it under his Hand , that a simple Rebuke is an adequate Punishment unto a Presbyter who is convict of notorious Simony ; & that this least of Censures is an Expedient fit enough to unload the Church of that great Burden of Reproach , w ch such a flagrant Scandal had laid upon it . But seeing this Oracular Response of Delphi is so diametrically opposite to all the ancient Canons , we hence perceive Fortuna quem nimium favet , stultum facit . 7. In the last place , I would tender this humble advice to all the Governours of this Church . Seeing they enjoy the Privilege of the Advocation of some Churches , that they be exceedingly solicitous , to provide Persons for those Vacances , that are Pares Negotio : and let them be of Alexander the Great his Mind , about the Succession , whose last words were , Detur digniori ; rather than the more uncertain Testament of Pyrrhus the Epirote , who bequeathed all at Random , unto him who had the sharpest Sword. For if it be otherwayes , indifferent Spectators will be apt to pass this Verdict upon it , That Bishops are no more concerned with the Interest of the Church than Laicks , and that they have drawn them a Copy , to present insufficient men . But , as I hope , none of the sacred Order shall in that Race which God hath set before them , be found to resemble Atalanta , who was diverted from her Course by the three golden Apples of Hippomanes , ( a fit Emblem of the Profits , Pleasures and Glory of the World , which are a Snare to all , and ruine the greatest part of the Sons of men . ) So I should wish , that none of them be so blind with natural Affection , as to bring a Reproach upon themselves , and give Scandal to the Gospel , by preferring unworthy Relatives in the Church . Perit enim omne judicium ( saith Seneca ) cùm res transierit in affectum . I cannot deny , but if indifferent Persons ( who have a Faculty of judging such Matters , ) do observe in those , a competency of means adapted to the end of their Employment , so much Respect may be deferred to a natural Obligation , that caeteris paribus , they may be preferred : for there is a Possibility of erring when they consult not with Flesh and Blood ; as is evident , in civil Matters , from Antipater's Mistake , in preferring Polyspercon to the Protectorship of Aridaeus , though his Son Cassander was found by experience to be the fitter man : and that Greek Emperour who mixed the Meal of the Western Christians with Lime , when they went to recover the Holy Land from Infidels , was recommended to the Imperial Dignity , by his dying Father , before his elder Brother , meerly upon the account of that publick Spirit , and Sentiments of Justice , which the misjudging Father apprehended to be in him . But if the Tie of Nature be the A and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of his Recommendation , there being scarce any thing else to make the aequilibrium , ( far less to preponderate the Scale ; ) but only some grains of homogeneal Blood ; then let a Church-man remember , that in the Cause of God , a good Levite regards not his nearest Relations , nor doth acknowledge his Brethren . And let them trace the Foot-steps of that Holy Groslhead , Bishop of Lincoln , when one of his Relatives ( who was but a ground-Labourer , ) heard of Grosthead's Preferment , his gross Ignorance and meanness of his former Employment , were no Remora to his vain Ambition , in desiring to be a Labourer in God's Vineyard ; But that famous Prelate repelled him with this deserved Sarcasm , Cousin ( said he ) If you want a Yoke of Oxen , I will cause buy them to you ; if ye are destitute of Seed to sow your Ground , I will supply that also ; or if your Plough be broken , I will give you a new one ; But an Husbandman I found you , and an Husband man I leave you . Vid. Can. Apost . 30. Item Synod . Neo-Caesariens . Can. 2. Concil . Arelatens . 3. Can 1. Concil . Toletan . 4. Can. 19. Concil . General . 6. Can. 14 , 15. Concil . General . 4. Can. 2. Where the Giver , the Receiver , the Mediator ( even all that are found to have trucked in that sinful Affair of Simony ) are condemned to great Censures . Yea Can. 3. Concil . Bracarens . 2. there is an Anathema danti , & Anathema accipienti . Concil . Aurelianens . 2. Can. 3 , 4. Concil . Avernens . Can. 2. Concil . Aurelianens . 5. Can. 3. Concil . Toletan . 8. Can. 3. Concil . Toletan . 2. Can. 8 , 9. Concil . Bracarens . 3. Can. 7. Concil . Cabilonens . Can. 16. sic se habet Nullus Episcopus , nec Presbyter , vel Abbas , seu Diaconus , per proemium ad sacrum Ordinem accedat ; si accesserit ipso honore privetur . Concil . Toletan . 6. Can. 4. the express words thereof , being adopted by Concil . General . 6. Can. 22. are these ; Ob pecuniam promotos , sive Episcopos , sive Clericos , deponi jubemus . & Concil . Toletan . 10. Can. 3. Where at great Length , Bishops are prohibited to prefer unworthy Relations to Churches . Vid. Hieronym . in Malach. ad cap. 1. Coecum animal offert qui ordinat indoctum loco docti , Magistrumque facit qui vix Discipulus esse poterat . Origin . Hom. 6. in Levitic . & 22. in l. Num. August . lib. De Catechizandis rudibus cap. 9. Ambros. de Dignita●e Sacerdot . Cap. 5. Cum Ordinaretur Episcopus , quod dedit , aurum fuit ; quod perdidit , Anima fuit : Cum alium ordinaret , quod accepit , pecunia fuit , quod dedit , Lepra fuit ? gratiam cum Ordinareris non suscepisti , quia gratuitò 〈◊〉 non meruisti . Idem , Lib 4. ad Cap. 4. Luc. Leon. 1. Epist. 84. & 85. ad Episcop . Afric . ubi invehitur adversus Candidatos nimium juvenes . Greg. 1. in Evang. Tract . Hom. 4. & Lib. 4. Epist. 55. Vid. etiam Lib. 5. Epist. Ambros. in Oratione contra Auxentium . Non pila quaerunt ferrea , Non arma , Christi milites . Coactus , repugnare non novi : Sed Dolor , Fletus , Orationes , Lachrymae , fuerunt mihi arma adversus milites ; talia enim sunt mumimenta Sacerdotis , aliter nec debeo , nec possum resistere : fugere autem , & relinquere Ecclesiam , non soleo : servum Christi , non Custodia corporalis , sed Domini providentia , sepire consuevit . Here we have a clear Authority of a great and good man , condemning Defensive Arms in Subjects , against their Prince , in any Case whatsoever . But the Iambicks which usher in this Testimony , have been prefixed thereunto by another hand . Article IX . Isa. 30. 20. Zech. 11. 17. Act. 6. 2 , 3 4. Rom. 12. 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , & 8. THIS Article may be termed the Corolary of the two former : as divers ensuing fall under that Denomination : For if the Superintendency of the Doctrine , Discipline , Worship and Government of the Church , ( especially of his own Diocess ) should be the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of this Office , yea the Center and Circumference of the Episcopal Vocation , as may appear from the preceding Proposals : ) then we may pertinently inferr , That the Crime of Non-Residency , must be very odious in the Sight of God , and scandalous to the Church ; unless very urgent Reasons plead for a Dispensation for a short time . What was said of some Monks , by Anthony the Father of them , Monachus in oppido , ut piscis in arido , may be applyed to all wandering Levites , who are found straying in Cities where there is no Cathedral . The Spanish Bishops in the Councel of Trent , argued well against Non-Residency ; That it was contrary to the ancient Canons , and repugnant to that which was established jure Divin● : yet they needed not have gone further for a Topick to prove the Point , than their own Natural Reason ; It being a self-evident Principle , That when the End is commanded , all the Means are supposed to be enjoyned , without which it cannot possibly be obtained : Now this Spiritual Employment alone , being a burden too weighty for Atlas his Shoulders , ( it being S. Chrysostom's Judgment , that the Burden of a Bishop was formidable , even to an Angel , to undergo , ) unless sufflaminated with the Divine aid ▪ so that a Church-Governour would need Argus's Eyes , and Briareus's Hands , to buoy up the Church from sinking ; Therefore there can be no place left for the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of Non-Residency . And if any have the Forehead to say , that the most part of these Duties incumbent on a Bishop , may be performed per Vicarium ; he must give me leave to apply the other part of that Maxim , per Vicarium intrabit Regnum Coelorum . Sure the ancient Church had no such Sentiments ; For , when the Fathers of the Councel of Sardica took notice , that some Bishops used to go to Court upon By-errands , and private Designs of their own , they ordained ; That no Bishop should go to Court , unless either immediately Summoned by the Emperour's Letters ; or that their Assistance were required , to help the oppressed , to right Widows and Orphans , and to rescue them from the unjust Grasps of Potent and Merciless Oppressours ; or to seek Occasion to represent unto the Supream Magistrate the most pressing Grievances of Church and State , not suppressing the Oppressions of great Ones , whether without any Shadow of Law , or under some Pretext thereof ; ( Summum jus proving too often Summa Injuria ; ) and finally , to preserve their Respective Cities from imminent Ruin ; thus Flavianus the Patriarch resorted to Constantinople , to intercede with Theadosius the Great , in Behalf of his Antiochians , whose Extermination that exasperated Prince had designed ; and who can blame S. Leo of Rome , for travelling many Miles , to divert that Flagellum Dei , from being a Scourge to his City ; who at last , ( like to the high Priest Iaddus ▪ ) prevailed in his Sute ? Neither can we omit the usual Temptation to Non-Residency ; which is ; Plurality of Benefices ▪ a Scandal condemned even by the Councel of Trent , for a Crime . Such Ingrossers would never have troubled Rome , as ●nce a Scottish Bishop did , prompted by his Conscience , to be rid of a considerable part of his Charge and Revenues . But , as the Peace of Conscience , so this Heterogenial Conjunction , passeth my Natural Understanding : and I think , my shallow Capacity shall never reach it , How one man can be Parson in one Diocess , and Bishop in another , and yet have a simultaneous Sufficiency for both : For who is sufficient for one of these Things ? And if it be said , that they are not without a Precedent , being nothing else but Emulators of that infamous Bishop of Lincoln , of whom it is written , That he had an Organical Church within himself , as having monopolized all the Species of Ecclesiastical Offices in his own Person , at one time ; yet I would demand of these Monopolists , ( for I ingenuously confess , that such a Davus as I , would need an Oëdipus to unriddle this Mystery . ) If they can determine the proper Boundaries and Measures of the Subordination of that Excentrick Rectory to the Bishop thereof ; and whosoever doth it intelligibly , erit mihi magnus Apollo , and much wiser than that Monster Sphinx , in my Esteem . For under the Notion of a Presbyter , he ought to be subordinate to his Ordinary , and should reverence him as a Father ; and yet ( in the mean time ) he may possibly claim ( jure Stationis ) the Place and Privilege of an elder Brother . But , seeing I have not so much Geometry as to determine these Marches , I shall only subjoyn this Sentiment of mine ; That though many have good Reason to doubt how these scattered Flocks shall be competently fed by one who doth not pretend to Bilocation , yet I have not the least Scruple imaginable to believe , that they have a Cordial Design to feed their own Families to the full , and not to live precariously . But I fear , that this Tympany in their Splenes , shall at last produce an Atrophia in the Mystical Body ; unless a more skillful hand than that of an Empyrick , do speedily apply Chalybeat Potions to their Hypochondria . Vid. Can. Apost . 14. & 37. Item , Concil . General . 1. Can. 15 , 16. Concil . Sardicens . Can. 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 14 , 15 , & 20. Concil . General . 2. Can. 2 , 3. Concil . General . 4. Can. 5. ( the Canon Law having adopted that ; and the 10 Canon of that Councel , against Plurality of Benefices . ) Concil . Antioch . Can. 3. & 11. Concil Carthaginens . 3. Can. 37. Concil . Aurelianens . 2. Can. 13. Concil . Carthaginens . 5. Can. 5. Cujus haec sunt formalia verba ; Placuit , ut nemini sit facultas , relictâ principali Cathedrâ , ad aliquam Ecclesiam in Di●eces● constitutam se conferre ; vel in repropria , diutiùs quàm oportet , Constitutum , curam vel frequentationem propriae Cathedrae negligere . But what would these Fathers have thought of those Bishops who reside not at all within their own Diocesses , and see their Cathedral but once or twice a year at most ? Their Punishment we find in the 80 Canon of the sixth General Councel ; Si quis Episcopus , vel eorum qui in Clero censentur , vel Laicus , nullam graviorem habeat necessitatem , vel negotium difficile , ut à sua Ecclesia absit frequentiùs , sed in Civitate agens , tribus diebus Dominicis unà non conveniat : si Clericus est , Deponatur ; si Laicus , à Communione separetur . Vid. Athanas. Apolog. ad Constantium Imp. Vid. Chrysost. lib. 2. de Sacerdot . Prosp. Lib. 2. de Vita Contemplativa : Greg. 1. lib. 8. Epist. 11. Et Secund. Part. Cura Pastor . Bernard . lib. 3. de Consideratione , ad Eugenium . Article X. Luk. 12. 14. Ioh. 18 ▪ 36. 2 Tim. 2. 4. & 4. 10. IF Non-Residency be a Crime in Ecclesiasticks ; their immersing themselves in Secular Affairs , must needs be a piacular Transgression , and Scandal of the first Magnitude : For such demonstrate themselves to be the genuine Issue of Demas , who first harkened to the Gospel , and afterwards embraced this present World ; but with this Difference , that Demas again devoted himself entirely to the Ministerial Function ; but these who leap out of their own Element , ( as if they were Animalia Amphibia ) declare by their Polypragmatick● , that they have a Complacency to live and die divided betwixt God and the World : and , for all the World , resemble that infamous Pope Boniface the eighth , who the one day appeared in the Habit of a Priest , and the next , in that of a Secular Person : Yet with this Discrimination , that some have adventured to do so , when it was no year of Iubilee to the Church . It cannot be denied , but that it hath been alwayes reputed ( even in Pagan times too ) one of the Honourable Flogiums of an absolute S●cular Prince , to be Mixta persona cum Sacerdote ; He being Cus●os utri●sque Tabulae ; and ( as Constantine the Great said of himself ) Episcopus extra Ecclesiam : But I did never read that it was accounted an Encomium of a Church-man , to be Mixta persona cum Saecularibus : Sure , the Primitive Church judged not so , it being the great Care of these Times , to free Ecclesiasticks from what might be either Scandalous , or Burdensome to the● Calling : Therefore , by their Address to the Great Constantine , they p●●rchased that Decree in their favours ; That the Orthodox Clergy should 〈◊〉 exempted from all Civil Offices , or whats●●ver might hinder their attendance upon the Services of the Church . His Son Constantius decreed ; That Bishops in many Cases should not be chargeable in the Se●ular Courts , but be tried in an Assembly of Bishops : Which Privilege was extended by Honorius to all the Clergy , That they should be tryed before their own Bishops : and by another Constitution , That , for the Veneration which is due to the Church , All Ecclesiastical Causes should be decided with all possible speed . The Scope of all which laudable Constitutions was , to obviate the unnecessary avocation of Church-men from their own peculiar Employment . But let those ●insey-woolsey M●dlers take example ( before they be made such Examples ) from the Tragical end of that famous Chronologue , Funcius , who commanded this instructive Epilaph ( composed by himself ) to be engraven upon his Tomb ; Disce , m●o exemplo , mandato munere sungi : Et fuge , ce● Pestem , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Vid. Can. Apost . 7. & 80. Item Concil . Chalcedonens . Can. 3. Concil . Carthaginens . 1. Can. 6 , 8 , 9. Concil . Carthaginens . 3. Can. 15. Con●il . Mil●vitan . Can. 19. Concil . Agathens . Can. 7. The Reason which is generally given by these Canons , why Ecclesiasticks ought not to immerse themselves in S●cular Affairs , is that of the Apostle , Nemo militans Deo , implicat se negotiis Saecularibus . Vid. H●eronym . ad Nepotian . De vita Cler. Neg●tiatorem Clericum , quasi quandam pestem , suge , &c. Cypr lib. 1. Epist. 9. Augustin . 〈…〉 Quaest. Vet. & Nov. Test. cap. 〈…〉 ●mperf . in Matth. ( quod 〈◊〉 tribuunt Chrysostomo ) Hom. 38. ad cap. 21. Matth. All which Homily speaks very pertinently to this purpose . Cassiod . in Ps. 70. Article XI . WE have not yet done with the excentrick Orbs and Epicycles of the Episcopal Function , which should be carefully evited , as Distractions from their proper Employment , and no less dangerous than the Syrenian Rock . Therefore let me perswade all Office-bearers in the Church , to be very shie in medling with State-matter , and to hate ( cane & angue pejus ) the abbetting of State-Factions ; and let them be ashamed to be found Parasites to any : For all these Irregularities are abominable Stains in a Mitre ; It being an Observation of a very ancient Date , that Church-men never made good Politicians ; ( the fatal ends of many of them in Britain , being a sufficient Evidence thereof . ) For , when Ecclesiasticks abandon Christian Simplicity , ( which is the great Ornament of all the Disciples of Holy Iesus , but especially of Church-men : ) and betake themselves to the infamous disingenuity of Pope Alexander the 6th , and that Mali corvi malum ovum , Caesar Borgia ; ( For , as Guicciardin reports , the Father never spake as he thought , and the Son never thought as he spake ; ) it is but just with God , ( who is Truth it self , and abhors all deceitful men : ) to cast them out of his Protection ; and not only to cause them tast ( even in this Life ; ) the bitter Fates of Tantalus , Sisyphus , Tityus , Prometheus , and the Belides ; but also to permit them to dye the Death of Slaves , rather than of ingenuous Persons : because they have divested themselves of the proper Ga●b of the Sons of the Church , as a Pope said of a French Bishop , taken armed with a Cask and Corslet . Yet this Dehortation is not so to be understood , as if it were absolutely unlawful for the Governours of the Church to be Assessors in any Secular Court : For , if a grand Case of Conscience be under debate there , or if the Interest of the Church be highly concerned , they may be lawfully present , if called thereunto ; not only as the fittest Persons to resolve those Doubts ( which must needs be granted by all , if it be supposed they have the due Qualifications of their Office ; For , Artifici in sua Arte ●redendum est ; ) but also , in regard they are the Representatives of a considerable Body in the Nation . Yet ( in the mean time ) let them with all Modesty and Humility decline to intermeddle with Affairs that are purely Secular ; in imitation of the Arcients their Abstention , and of that most Reverend Modern Prelate L. Andrews , the Pious and Learned Bishop of Winchester . And when they are called by their Prince , to give their Advice in the Supreme Councel of the Nation ; let them not be m●er Pedarii Senatores , or the insignificant E●●oes of some leading Secular Subject ; but , with a Christian Freedom of Spirit , ( as having Dependance upon none , save God , and his Vice-gerent upon Earth : ) let them give their Judgments impartially , according to their Consciences ; eying singly in all their Consultations and Suffrages , the Glory of God , and the Good both of Church and State. But if it happen , ( because of the Sins of the Land , that the Prerogative and Privilege seem to interfere ; let them use their utmost Endeavours to find a Temper , that they may be alwayes found to be Nuncii Pacis , and not Bellows of Sedition , and Whirlwinds , agitating the contrary ●ides of Faction , and sometimes tossed upon a S●ylla or Charybdis by them : To which unstable Elements the Graecians resembled the Orators and People of Athens . But if any of them desire to ride safe at Anchor , nigh to a calmer Shore ; let them make it their chiefest Study , to become Favourites of the Court of Heaven , without any Affectation of being Darlings of the World , or special Favourites of any Court-Minion upon Earth : For if they be found to entertain no sublimer Studies than these little Arts of Policy , they need not expect an Euge bone serve , from the Lord Paramount of the World , and but little Trust , in the end , from those Terrestrial Grandees whom now they pretend to adore . For , though the great Minister at the time , hath , by his admirable Abilities , served the Interests of Church and State , much better than all of them have done ; yet he may be afraid of as ingrateful a Requital from some of them , as a very generous Person , in the like Circumstances , did meet with not long ago ; though he had done very good Offices to this Church . For , alas ! these old Aphorismes , Semel malus , semper malus ; & qui sallit in minimis , etiam in maximis , are too frequently verified in this Age. And that prodigious Wit who now sits at the Helm , hath the more reason to apprehend that distastful Event , it having been his Fate heretofore , to find such unsuitable Returns from many who had experienced his real and great Favours in Abundance . The best Antidote against this unthankful Venom of these Vertiginous Creatures , is , the unparallel'd Constancy of his Prince's Favour , which ( I hope ) will not fail to buoy him up ( in the midst of all these fluctuating Euripi , and most violent Hurricanes , which have threatened , more than once , to tear all his Sails in pieces : ) as long as the sinking Example of the great Deputy of Ireland is recent in Memory . And in fine , Let them all study such an abstractedness from the World , and an entire precision from Secular Affairs , that all may find reason to judge , that they are the Persons who use the World ( as the Apostle phraseth it ) as if they used it not ; because the fashion thereof passeth away . Yet though any of them were at much Pains , to promove the Mystical Espousals of any Heretrix in this Land , with that Lion of the Tribe of Iudah , it were a very commendable Procuration , as being a part of their Charge ; But to go about with vehement clandestine Sollicitations , to make up a Match betwixt Secular Persons , as if they had been employed Ambassadours to conclude the Treaty , and Marry them by Proxy , is so far from an Ecclesiastick's due Recollection , that it argues an intolerable Distraction ; yea , so invidious and disobliging , that it hath proved no small Temptation to many Persons of Quality , ( known to be Lovers and Supporters of the Order : ) to have fallen , by that excentrick Motion , into no small disgust therewith . Vid. Concil . Toletan . 10. Can. 2. Which Ordains those of the Clergy , who are Seditious or Factious against Authority , to be immediately 〈…〉 all Dignity and Honour . Concil ▪ Carthaginens . 4. Can. 56. Gujus ha●c sunt formalia Verba ; Cleri●us qui Adulation● . & Pr●ditio●ibus , vacare deprehenditur . ab 〈◊〉 degradatur . Vid etiam Can. 5● , 58 , 5● , & 61. ejusdem Concilii . As for the Testimonies of the Scriptures , and of the 〈◊〉 ; Seeing these which are adduced to Homologate the Article immediately preceding this in hand , do 〈◊〉 very ●itly for Confirmation of the sam● , I shall therefore , ( for brevi●y sake ) 〈◊〉 the Reader unto the perusal of them . But if any grudge for want of these , let them read Epist. Clem. Rom. ad Corinth . Cypr. De Simplicitate Pra●lat . vel de Vnit. Eccles. and Ambros. De Dignitate Sacerdot . In which Excellent Treatises , they will find abundant Testimonies to this purpose . Article XII . Act. 1. 15 , 16 , 23 , & 15. 6 , 22 , 23. & 22. 18 , 20 , &c. 1 Pet. 5. 3. 3 Ioh. 9 , 10. HAving mentioned in the fore-going Article , That Bishops are the Representatives of the Organical Church , it is a most Rational Consequence , That in all the great Concerns thereof , they ought to consult the Represented ; otherwise let them not any more usurp that Title : it being an approved Maxim of Law , Quod omnes tangit , ab omnibus tractari debet ; and there is another , ( whose Application I wish they deserve not ; ) Nem● fiat deterior , per quem melior factus non est . This was asserted long ago by a most Ancient and Honourable Bishop , St. Ignatius , in Epist. ad Trall . where he calls Presbyters 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , Councellours and Assistants of the Bishop , and his Synedrion ; making them parallel to the Sanhedrim , or Councel of Elders , that were joyned to Moses in his Government , to facilitate the Burden to him . But within the Sphere of their own Dioceses , I hope none of them will act any matter of Importance , without the Advice of the most Judicious and Conscientious of their Clergy . I shall not take upon me to determine , Whether Episcopatus be Ordo , or Gradus tantum ; or if Presbyters in the ancient Occumenical Councels , had a Decisive Suffrage ; sure I am , in some later ones they had : And in the most Ancient , we find Presbyters Subscribents to the Canons . And if it be alleged , that they were but Delegates of some absent Bishops ; ( for the Chor-Episcopi did unquestionably Subscribe for themselves : ) yet it is as certain , that their Delegation could not make them Bishops . Nam quod alicui suo nomine non licet , nec alieno licebit . But they must needs be Hospites to all Antiquity who deny them , even in General Councels , to have had a Consultive Voice ; seeing some Deacons ( who could speak good sence , and understood the matter in Controversie , intus & in cute : ) were admitted to all their Deliberations . This is evident from the Instance of the Great Athanasius , at the First Councel of Nice ; who ( as he testifies of himself ) was then but a Deacon of the Church of Alexandria , and not the President of the Councel ; ( the As●ertion whereof , was a great 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in I. Calvin ) yet permitted , not only to Debate , but also to Consult ; because he understood the Arrian Heresie as well as any of them all . And that they had a Decisive Voice , ( I mean Presbyters , and many times Deacons also ) in the Provincial Councels ; we need no other Evidence , than the Inspection of the Inscriptions and Subscriptions of these Synodical Acts and Canons . Neither did any approved Bishop of the Primitive Church erect a Tribunal within his own Precinct , from which , velut à Tripode ) he alone , inconsulto , Clero , pronounced Oracular Responses , and Fulminating Sentences , against any of the culpable Clergy , whose gross Midemeanours deserved the highest Censures of the Church : But this was done by a Judicial Concurrence of the Synodical Meeting , at least of some select Brethren delegated thereby to be the Bishop's Assessors in that Act of Judicature . This is most evident , from the Resolution of S. Cyprian ; ( and in so clear a matter we need not amass any more Instances . ) who , being consulted by some of his Clergy , what they should do in the Case of the Lapsed ; he answered ; That being now alone , he could say nothing to it ; for that he had determined from his first Entry upon his Bishoprick , not to adjudge any thing by his own private Order , without the Councel , and Consent of the Clergy : which in the present Case holds very well à minori ad majus . Yea it is one of the most trite Axioms of the Canon-Law ; Episcopus solus honorem potest deferre , sed solus auferre non potest . Vid. Can. Apost . 38. Item Concil . Carthaginens . 1. Can. 11. Carthaginens . 2. Can. 10. Cartharginens . 4. Can. 22 , & 23. The express Words of the last Canon , are these : Vt Episcopus Nullius causam audiat absque praesentia Clericorum suorum ; alioquin irrita erit Sententia Episcopi , nisi Clericorum praesentiâ confirmetur . Can. etiam 28 , & 29. ejusdem Concilii . Concil . Aurelianens . 3. Can. 15. Concil . Turonens . 2. Can. 1. 6. Concil . Hispalens . 2. Can. 6. Cujus haec sunt formalia verba ; Comperimus quendam Presbyterum à Pontifice suo injustè olim dejectum , & innocentem exilio condemnatum . ( which Tragedy hath sometimes been acted upon other Scenes than that of Spain ) Ideo Decrevinus , ( juxta Priscorum Decretum ) Synodali sententiâ ; Vt nullus nostrùm , sine Concilii examine , dejicere quemlibet Presbyterum vel Diaconum audeat . Episcopus enim Sacerd. libus & Ministris solus honorem dare potest , auferre solus non potest ; Tales enim neque ab uno damnari , nec , uno judican●● , poterunt honoris sui privilegiiste exm : sed praesentati Synodali judicio , quod Canon de illis praedep●●it , 〈◊〉 . Vid. Greg. 1. Lib. 11. Epist. 49. Si quid de quocunque Clerico ad aures 〈◊〉 pere en●rit , quod te juste possit offendere ; facilè non credas , sed praesentibus Senioribus Ecclesiae tuae diligenter est veritas perscrutanda : Et tunc si qualitas rei poposcerit , Canonica Districtio culpam feriat Delinquentis . This was the Advice of that great Bishop of Rome , to one of his Suffragan Bishops . And I wish it were well observed by all of that Order : If it were so , we should not at any time hear of the Relegation of any Presbyter , without a Judicial Ecclesiastical Process first deduced against him . Epist. Ignatii , ad Trall . Orig. lib. 3. Contra Cels. compares the Bishop in the Church to the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , and the Presbytery to the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ; as S. Ignatius before him , resembled the Bishop to the Nasi in the Sanhedrim , and the Presbyters as the Common Councel of the Church to the Bishop . Vid. Cypr. Epist. 6. 10. 18 , 24 , 34. Hierom. ad cap. 3. Isai. Nos habemus in Ecclesia Senatum nostrum , Coetum Presbyterorum . Ambros. in 1. Tim. c. 3. Hic enim Episcopus est , qui inter Presbyteros primus est . Idem , in Rom. 5. ( though it 's more probable , that Hilary the Roman Deacon was Author of that Commentary , which is frequently cited by S. Augustine with great Applause . ) Nam apud omnes utique gentes , honorabilis est Senectus ; unde & Synagoga , & postea Ecclesia , Seniores habuit , sine quorum consilio nihil agebatur in Ecclesia . But if any desire to be fully cleared in the matter of Fact , let them read Blondel his Apology ; where we find a Shoal of Instances for the Assessorian Dignity of Presbyters and Councels . I shall only point at two or three , which are obvious to any who have any acquaintance with Church-History . We shall begin with Pope Victor ; and though his Spirit was too violent , ( which peaceable Irenaeus scrupled not to tell him ; ) yet he acted not any matter of moment without the Consent of his Clergy . So at Antioch P. Samosatenus , that Heretical Patriarch , was Deposed by a Synod , consisting of Bishops , Presbyters , and Deacons ; and in their Names the Synodal Epistle was penned , and directed to the Catholick Church ; and Cornelius at Rome declares , That all his Presbyters concurred with him in Condemning the Schismatick Novatus , though ( as Eusebius informs us ) he had sixty Bishops to be his Associates in that Synod . Neither can we pretermit that Excellent Councel of Illiberis , ( whose laudable Canons are yet very instructive to thee Catholick Church : ) in which there were but nineteen Bishops , and twenty six Presbyters : But that which is instar omnium in the first and best of General Councels , ( I mean that at Ierusalem ) that the Presbyters had a decisive Voice with the Apostles , is evident to any who can read ( without Prejudice ) the Tenour of those Decrees . I shall shut up this Point with the Judgment of a learned and moderate Episcopal man , who , in his Irenicum , speaks to this Purpose ; The Top-gallant of Episcopacy cannot be so well managed for the right steering the Ship of the Church , as when it is joyned with the Vnder-sails of a moderate Presbytery . A Succinct Dissertation Concerning the Chor-Episcopi , ( as they were termed in the Greek-Church , ) or the Vicarii Episcoporum , as they were named in the Western Church . WE have added this Paragraph ex superabundanti , to prove that some Presbyters were honoured Iure Suffragii in General Councels ; It being granted by all , that the Chor-Episcopi did subscribe in their own names , even in those Oecumenical Assemblies : If we shall make it appear , that they were nothing else but Presbyters , invested with some more Power than ordinary ; I hope the point is gained which we designed to prove . Now the same is evident from the 13th Canon of the Councel of Ancyra , and the 13th of the Councel of Neo-Caesarea ; as also the 10th of the Councel of Antioch : In all which , the Privilege that is accounted most essential to the Episcopal Function , viz. The Power to Ordain Presbyters and Deacons ( which Ierom supposed to be the only formal Difference betwixt Bishops and Presbyters ) is denied to the Chor-Episcopi . And though it may be objected ; That the tenth Canon of the Councel of Antioch ( which is one of the Provincials that was adopted by the sixth General Councel ; ) insinuates , that the Chor-Episcopi were consecrated as Bishops , by the Imposition of the Bishop's hands ; yet , that seems either to be a sophisticated Canon , or that it was a Ceremony of particular Designation , like to that of the thirteenth of the Acts ; For it is most certain , S. Paul was an Apostle long before that Imposition of Hands . Which Gloss upon the Canon appears to me to be most probable ; because this Provincial was celebrated a little after that Famous Councel of Nice ; and it is most improbable , that they would have contradicted , so expressly , that great Oecumenical , in two Particulars ; viz. The Ordination of a Bishop by one individual of that Order ; and the making two Bishops in one Diocess : whereas that first General Councel ordains , three Bishops , at least , to concur in the Ordination of a Bishop ; and appoints but one Bishop in every Diocess : The Ignorance of which Canon was a matter of Regret to the great Augustine , qui Valerio in Episcopatu Hipponensi non successit , sed accessit . On which account , although he design'd Eradius his own Successor , yet he would not have him ordain'd in his own time : erit ( inquit ) Presbyter ut est , quando Deus voluerit futurus Episcopus . And though it may be presumed , that P. Damasus was not ignorant of that Canon of Antioch , ( if there was truly any such : ) he living so nigh to the time of that Councel ; yet , in his Constitution , whereby he endeavours to abolish the Chor-Episcopi , ( which we find in Decr. Gratian. p. 1. Dist. 68. c. Chor-Episc . ) he calls them , meer and single Presbyters ; and that through Pride only they usurped the Episcopal Office : and that by virtue of their Ordination they could not exercise any Episcopal Privilege , both the Councel of Neo-Caesarea , and Damasus , ground upon this Foundation , That Presbyters succeed only to the 70 Disciples , and not to the Apostles . But suppose the Foundation on which they build to be a tottering Basis , yet we may clearly read so much upon the Frontispiece of that Superstructure , That they judged the Chor-Episcopi to be nothing else but Presbyters . But as to the Succession , the Learned Spalatensis ( a great Asserter of the Episcopal Privileges ) judgeth aright , that both Bishops and Presbyters are the Apostles Successors in potestate ordinaria ; but with this difference , that the former succeed in plenitudinem potestatis , the latter in partem sollicitudinis ; which in the case of the Chor-Episcopi , was a little amplified : that Restraint which the Ecclesiastical Law hath laid upon the intrinsecal Power of a Presbyter being taken off . For an Ecclesiastick may be impowered jure Sacerdotii , to do many things in actu primo , even when the exercitium actûs is sitly bound up by the Canons of the Church , in order to the eviting of Schism , Scandal and Confusion in the House of God ; which ought to be Domus Ordinata . And if that accurate Antiquary Beveregius had well considered this , he would not ( I suppose ) have so bitingly maintained , That the Chor-Episcopi could be nothing else but Bishops . Article XIII . Mat. 20. 26 , 27 , 28. 1 Tim. 5. 1 , 2. 2 Tim. 2. 24 , 25. Philem. 8. 9. HAVING but just now mentioned the Honour of the Clergy , I would next advise all the Governours of the Church to demean themselves courteously and affably to all ; their Christian Gentileness and Condescendence being the fittest Machin to scrue out internal Respect from all Ranks of People . For nothing commends Church-men so much , as a Pious Modesty : all Degrees of Persons , but especially theirs , being like Coins , or Medals ; to which , howsoever Virtue give the Stamp and Impression , Humility must give the Weight . Let not therefore any of them in their Travels towards the Northern Pole , use insolent Boastings towards any Person of Honour ; especially in their own Habitations , which ought to be Asyla to all . And let them not improve that strange Logick any more , as to inferr , That some Gentlemen are bigot Fanaticks , because they earnestly entreated them to preach on the 29th of May , seeing they were upon the Place , and the Church was vacant : though they were not pleased to do it . Or , to conclude , that they called some other Bishops , Cheats & Knaves , because they wished , that all of them were as good and just as their own Ordinary . For , without all Peradventure one haughty expression of a proud Priest , hath a greater Tendency in it to proselyte a far greater number to Fanaticism , than twenty uttered by the humblest of them all , can bring over to Conformity . And let all honest Ministers of the Gospel have a large share of those Acts of Humanity ; ( none of which deserve that Title , who afford not a due Respect to their Superiours , either in Church or State ; he being most unworthy to command , who hath not first learned to obey . ) nothing being more easie than a little Civility . And yet an obliging Deportment in reference to the Clergy , is a matter of great Importance for the good of the Order ; For by cherishing all those , as Sons , and Brethren , who are well principled , and make Conscience of their Office , they insinuate themselves into the Hearts of those , who ( next to the favour of God , and of their Prince , ) are indeed the best Support of their Government ; for ( as the Excellent Historian hath said ) Concordiâ res parvae crescunt ; Discordiâ maximae dilabuntur . O! how lovingly ( as there had been no disparity at all ) did St. Ignatius , Polycarp , Irenaeus , Cyprian , the three Asian Gregories , Athanasius , Basil , Augustin , and many other Lights of the Primitive Church , converse with their respective Colleges of Presbyters ? Neither will I ever forget that excellent Attestation of the Pious and Eloquent Bishop Hall , ( deservedly termed the English Seneca ) who appealed to his own Clergy , If his Deportment amongst them were not such , as if he had been no more but a Presbyter with them , or they all Bishops with him . Away then with that invidious expression in reference to Presbyters , The Inferiour Clergy , ( though it is one of my Eusticks , That all the Governours of our Church were superiour to all their Presbyters , in that which is usually termed Clergy : ) But whether that Fantastick Phrase savour more of Pride or Ignorance , it can hardly be determined . Sure I am , in the Primitive Church only Deacons and Sub-Deacons , with the rest of the Orders inferiour to them , were so accounted : As for Presbyters , they were called Clerici Superioris loci . And though some Popish Schoolmen have multiplyed the Sacred Orders into the number of Nine , yet the Generality of their Theologues and Canonists , reduce them to Seven , whereof Sacerdotium is the highest Order ; Which Opinion indeed makes Episcopatus to be but Gradus Sacerdotii ; and compriseth Cantores under the Lectores . It is also the Judgment of some Moderns , That , after the Chor-Episcopi were exauctorated by the Primitive Church , as useless and burdensome ; that Presbyters were termed , Antistites in secundo Ordine ; which they collect from that Iambick of S. Gregorie , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . &c. i.e. The venerable Senate of Presbyters , that preside over the People , and possess the second Throne . Deacons were indeed prohibited by the ancient Canons , to sitdown before Presbyters , without their Leave and Command : But as for the Demeanour of Bishops in reference to their Presbyters , it was a Canon , renewed more than once Ne sedeat Episcopus stante Presbytero . Yea , more than so ; There be some , not inconsiderable Antiquaries , who are so far from thrusting Presbyters below the Hatches , that they have elevated Deacons to the upper Deck of the Superiour Clergy ; imagining , that only Sub-Deacons , and these Orders below them , are to be accounted the Inferiour Clergy , which they would collect from Hierom. on Tit. and Aug. Epist. 162. But , non sic fuit ab initio ; if we consult the 6th Chapter of the Acts of the Apostles , where we may find , that they are not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , viz Mensarii , & Eleemosynarii . ( See Can. 16. Concilii Sexti Generalis , & Can. 4. Con●cilii quarti Carthag . and S. Chrysostom's Comment on the 6th of the Acts. ) Yet it cannot be denied , but that in the latter Centuries of the Primitive Church , the Order of Deacons at Rome , ( who were but seven in number , according to the Primitive Institution ; and that of Presbyters very numerous ; ) began , not only to equal themselves , but also to look big upon the Presbyters ; and the Arch-Deacon assumed the Title of Cardinal Deacon : which Superciliousness , not only gave occasion to the framing of those Canons we have already hinted at , against them ; but also to St. Hierom , a Presbyter , to take the Pen in his hand , that he might vindicate his own Order from the Contempt of their Inferiours , which he doth at length , Epist. 85. ad Evagrium . For let Blondel and Salmasius pretend what they please , this Renowed Father had no quarrel with the Order of Episcopaly but was not a little irritated by the sawcy and arrogant behaviour of the Deacons : and that they might learn to know , and keep their distance ; and that Presbyters might look down upon them , as the Church-Nethinims , he screws up the Presbyteratus as nigh to Episcopacy as possibly he can . And , ( if I were not afraid to be accounted an impertinent Digressor ) it were easie to demonstrate from the Writings of this Father , that he acknowledged the Power of Ordination , Iurisdiction , and Confirmation , to belong most properly to Bishops . And , even in his Comment on Titus ( on which Blondel layes the greatest stress ; ) he hath this differencing Expression , In quo differt Episcopus à Presbytero , exceptâ Ordinatione ? Now , as Exceptio firmat Regulam in non exceptis , so the Exception is presumed as true as the Rule . And his , ad evit and a Schismata &c. is by the greatest Antiquaries looked upon ( and not without good reason ) as such an Accident that did emerge in the Apostles days . And how can it be conceived , that a man of Hierom's Temper , who was indeed very Pious and Learned , but withal had much Keenness in his Spirit , ( neither did his great Adversary Ruffinus belye him in this Character , ut erat in quod intenderat vehemens : ) that he would have taken it in good part , that Augustine should call himself , Major Hieronymo quà Episcopus , if he had not believ'd the truth thereof ? Credat Iudaeus Apella , non ego : Not to mention his writing always respectfully to Pope Damasus , as his Superiour in the Church . So that one of the fifteen passages usually cited out of St. Hierom's Works , to prove the Superiority of Bishops over Presbyters ; and that is , his Dial. adv . Luciferian . doth preponderate more with me , than Spalatensis lib. 2. c. 3. who saith , That Hierom's Prejudice against Bishops cannot be excused ; Neither can I deny , but that he was much irritated by the insolent Pride of Iohn , Patriarch of Hierusalem . I shall only take notice of that , which indeed I account a Punctilio not worth the noticing , though the Enemies of this Sacred Order we are pleading for , lay no little weight upon it , therefore I shall speak a little unto it : and that is , Hierom his asserting , that in the Infancy of the Christian Church , there was an Identity of Names ; and that Episcopus and Presbyter signified one and the self same thing . For Answer . I never judg'd it a real Controversie which is managed about Names ; He must be drenched very deep in the dregs of Malice , ( saith Tertullian ) who raiseth deadly Quarrels about Words or Names , if there be no real Controversie about Things . Therefore I shall readily grant unto them that Bishops of old were called Presbyters , or Elders ; and shall go a greater Length too , than Ambrose in his Comment on the Ephesians , ( if it be his ) who tells us ; that Omnis Episcopus est Presbyter ; sed non omnis Presbyter est Episcopus ; For I verily believe , that in the Infancy of the Gospel , Presbyters were also termed Bishops or Overseers ; and that the Appropriation of those Names to the different Orders , or Degrees of the same Order , was not made till a little after . Yet I joyn not Issue with these , who cite the 20th Chapter of the Acts , verse 28. to this purpose : They who are for the Genevian Platform , will have those Elders to be nothing else but Presbyters , and they hug this Text as their Palladium ; because ( as they fondly imagine ) it affords them an Achillaeum Argumentum against Episcopacy ; for here ( say they ) the very Name and Office is confounded with that of Presbyter ; Overseer in the Original being 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . But I must take the boldness to say , that I lay more stress upon the sole Testimony of Irenaeus , than on all the Commentaries which have been written on this Text , since the year 1638 , to 1600 , or since 1536. ( when Calvin settled at Geneva ) till this present year of God : For that Ancient and peaceable Father , ( who carried Peace in his Breast , as well as in his Name ; living withi● 180 years of the Birth of Christ ; He was the Disciple of Polycarp , who was brought up at the feet of S. Iohn the Apostle , and conversed with many Apostolick men , and had an easie Tradition of the sence of this place ; This Irenaeus , in his five Books against Heresies , ( especially the Valentinian Gnosticks ) expresly te●ls us , lib. 1. c. 14. that these Elders were Bishops of Asia , He of Ephesus being their Metropolitan , or Arch-bishop . And lest any should imagine , that it would have been a tedious Work and Attendance , for the Apostle to call for all the Bishops of Asia , we must suppose it was not of such a Latitude , as the then Third , and now Fourth Part of the Terraqueal Globe , at least , of the known World ; Nor the Dimension of all Asia the Lesser , called Anatolia by the Greeks , ( as being East from them ; ) and now Natolia by the Turks ; Neither was it the Roman Asia in its greatest Latitude , which comprehended the great Kingdom of Pergamus , viz. Ionia , Aeolis , Lydia , Caria , with the two Mysia's and Phrygia's . The Proconsular Asia was yet less ; for it comprehended only Ionia and Aeolis , with the Islands of the Aegaean Sea , and about the Hellespont : But Asia propr●● dicta , ( of which the Apostle and Irenaeus speak , ) was least of all ; for it had no more in it but Ionia and Ae●li● , as I herom t●stisies : and Erasmus is of the same opinion , that Asia in the Acts ●mports only that Country where Epheus stood , that is , Ionia . Now , though 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 , ( as it is distinguished ●●om the Greater ) . consisted of many other Provinces , over and above what we have expressed ; 〈◊〉 Bithynia , Paphlagonia , 〈…〉 Pontus , Armenia , the Lesser , Ly●aonia , Pisidia , Isauria , Lycia● , and 〈◊〉 yet all of them amount not ●igh to the Dimension of the Famous Kingdom of France . And though Ionia was very Fertile , and consequently Populous ; yet the Dimension thereof being but small , it was ●asie for St. Paul , staying at Miletus , a little City on the Coast of I●nia● not far from Ephesus , ( and St. Hi●rom saith truly , within ten Furlongs of the Ostiary 〈◊〉 that famous River Meander ) to call fo● all the Bishops of that Province to come unt● him . We have insisted the longer upon this ●istorico-Geographical Digression , to demonstrate to the World , that Presbyterians make much adoe about nothing , and build their largest Hopes on a sandy Foundation . But let us grant to them , ( which I know D. Hammond , and they that follow him , will not yield ; ) that the Apostle , in his Epistles to Timothy and Titus , us●th these Names promis●uously ; what have they gain'd thereby ? Were Bishops of old called Elders ? So were the Apostles in Scripture sometimes termed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , and sometimes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ; yet no man in his right Wits , but will grant , that they had a Superiority over Presbyters and Deacons . Use is certainly the best master of Words ; For Nomina being ex ins●ituto , that which is applyed to signifie such a Notion of the Mind , may ( by common Consent ) import a contrary Conception : as is well observed by that glorious and learned Martyr King Charles the first , in his Dispute at Newport , in the Isle of Wight ; where that Royal Champion ( like another Athanasius , fighting against the World : ) tells those Presbyterian Ministers , That he is not much concerned , whether they call Episcopatus Ordo , or Gradus ; or what Name they give it ; provided they acknowlege the Superiority of those Church-Officers , over Presbyters and Deacons . This was formerly ●●●●uated by that great and good Prince , in his Disputation with M. Henderson at New-castle , whom he routed both Horse and Foot , and s●nt home that Apostle of the Covenan● , a Royal Proselyte . For this great Athleta ( like to the invincible Hercules in all his Labours : ) was , in all the Disputes that he managed with his unparallel'd ●en , more than Conquerour , through Him that loved him . Yea Salmatius and Blondel ( the two great Champions of Presbytery ) are constrain'd 〈…〉 least in the 〈…〉 , betwixt Presbyters and 〈◊〉 . And if Blondel from the year 〈◊〉 ( which he makes the Epocha of that 〈◊〉 Impropriation ; ) had made a 〈◊〉 to CXI , he would have found S. Ignatius , in his Epistles , which are accounted 〈◊〉 , cl●arly and frequ●ntly distinguishing betwixt Bishops , Presbyters , and Deacons ▪ ( and that in no less than 35 several 〈…〉 , which we have no leisure to 〈…〉 , accounted 〈◊〉 , for these 〈…〉 so fully vindicated by 〈…〉 and D. Pearceson ; that all the Gratings of Salmasius , Blondel , Capellus , and D. Owen , will never file off the least Atom from their Solidity . I hope all they of the Episcopal Order , and Way , will pardon this Digression ; I shall therefore only deprecate for the Tediousness thereof , if these insignificant Lines chance to fall into the hands of others ; all my Design being to speak a Word for Truth , and to give an evidence to the World , that I am no bigot Presbyterian . But we have not yet done with this Article ; For there is something yet quod cadit in Consequentiam . Let not therefore the Governours of our Church be inaccessible to any of their Presbyters , nor suffer them to dance Attendance at their Gates , as if they were the poor Yeomen of their Guard : Clemens Rom. in his excellent Epistle , describes the Lord Jesus to this Purpose ; ( whom all Church-men ought to imitate ) Dominus noster I. Christus ( Sceptrum magnificentiae ) non venit in jactantia Superbiae & arrogantiae , quamvis potuerit , sed in humilitate . For I would have them to remember , That it is not Nature , but only the Providence of God , that hath made the Difference betwixt them ; and , it 's possible , rather the Grace of their Prince than any Merit of their own , which hath dignified them with such a Title . And if the same be substracted , their ●rest would instantly fall down to the Point base of the Shield . And when Presbyters come where Bishops are , let them enjoy a ferene Countenance , without any supercilious Command to keep their Distance , or ( according to the new coyn'd Phrase ) Know your Measures . But I wish they consider , and practise that sober Measure , which an Heathen Poet prescribes unto all Mushroms of a Night's growth , Fortunam reverenter habe , quicunque repente , Dives ab exili . &c. For good Words never hurt the Mouth , nor excoriate the Tongue . And when any Presbyter ( who is sufficiently known to have been constantly of sound Principles , and Practice conform : ) shall , with all due respect , Represent some 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of the Ecclesiastical Government ; ( For , I believe , they think not themselves , we are living in Platonis Republica , sed in Faece Romuli : ) to whic● Regret he is prompted by his . Loyal●y 〈◊〉 Church and State ; let him not be 〈◊〉 away , as presumptuous and Impertinent ▪ to tender an Admonition ( be it never to Brotherly and humble , ) to one that i● ( forsooth ) so much his Superiour : as if the ingenuous Presbyter had committed a Solaecism greater than that of 〈◊〉 who pr●sum'd to teach the Great 〈◊〉 , the Stratagems of War. But 〈…〉 them to remember , That Humanum 〈◊〉 & aliquando bonus 〈…〉 , and hath need to be awaken'd to 〈◊〉 his Charge : and 〈…〉 times suggest 〈…〉 Alexander the Great 〈…〉 to Abdolominus , a poor Gardiner , ( 〈◊〉 of the Blood Royal of Sid●n ; ) That 〈◊〉 spake bett●● 〈…〉 point of 〈◊〉 than eve● 〈◊〉 heard from any of his greatest Captains : Yea , Anti●●●us the Great declared solemnly , That he had learned more concerning Tru●hs ( as to the Interest of his Government ) from a poor Countrey Peasant in one Night's Con●renee with him , than he had done from all hs Courtiers heretofore . For if such Presbyters be discountenanced , and their Company slighted ; that Disrespect put upon them will give occasion unto many to imagine , that som● Bishops conceive an internal Honour at the first vi●w of those who have been constantly Lo●al ; ( as if a ravenous Wolf had suddenly appeared unto them , or that Per●eus had accosted ed them with Gorgon's Head upon his Shield ; ) because in the glass of their straightness , they behold their own Obliquities ; Rectum ( being ) Index sui & obliqui . But seeing good words ( when they are given very liberally ) are but empty Complements , without good Deeds ; ( for that Cha●acter of the Echo may be applied to ma●y Promises and Oaths , now-a-dayes ; Fo● est , praetereaque nihil . ) It is also one of my Euc●icks , That the Fathers of the Church espouse the just Interest of their Sons , to the utmost of their endeavours : and , that if a Minister of the Gospel have any Business before a Secular Court , the Bishops would be pleased to assist him in his innocent pursuit or Defence , according to the Sphere of their Activity : For , whither shall a Son flee for Protection , if his own Father abandon him ? But if they shall meet with more humanity , and readiness to dispatch their affair , from those Members of the Court who are not in Orders 〈◊〉 the Great Officer of State for the present , is highly applauded by all the Clergy , for his Assability and Favour in their Addresses to him for Justice● ) some will be apt to conclude , that these Fathers are only so termed Equivocally , and deserve rather to be called Step-fathers ; as being too like unto Saturn , of whom the Poets feigned , that he devoured his own Children . But , Arbor honoretur , cujus nos umbra ▪ And what greater evidence can b● desired of any Allegorical 〈◊〉 , a Bus●ris , a Polyphemus , a Diomedes , or the Inhabitants of Taurica Chersonesus , than this Hypothesis ? Let us suppose it the great Endeavour of some , to undermine and blow up , by base Calumnies , and false Sugg●stions , ( as if they carried Faux's da●k Lanthorn in their Tongues , ) the Reputation of some of their Brethren ; they having no other provocation to that Diabolical Office , except their Envy of a litle favourable Aspect , and good opinion ▪ which some Great Persons have conceived of them ; they being hugely concern'd to study a Monopoly of those Grandees , lest at any time they give an ear to any true Suggestion against themselves ; or that any ascend an empty Chair , who are not their Creatures , or of their own swarthy Complexion ; Truth it self having told us , Qui malè facit , odit Lucem . But the best Countermine I know to the Fears and Jealousies of those men , the most forcible Antidote against their Cordolium , is , to undeceive them by this Assurance , ( which every honest man is ready to give them : ) that they would deem 〈◊〉 the greatest unhappiness in the World , to be constrain'd to draw in the same yoke with those that have cast off the yoke of Holy Iesus ; or to be of the same Order with those who are guilty of so many Disorders . Which voluntary Engagement may afford them more security against their Imaginary Fears , than if the Object of their Dread did affect the stupidity of Iunius Brutus , whose counterfeited Folly paved the way to the first Consulship of Rome . And let us suppose these Obloquies to be as successful as Malice it self could wish ; ( it being a very old Maxim in the School of Envy , Calumniare 〈◊〉 , aliquid adhaerebit ; and , as one said truly , concerning that accursed Combination , call'd the Covenant , That Lyes were the Life of their Cause ; ) yet these traduced Brethren have , not only the gracious Promises of the Gospel to support them , with that blessed Spirit who did Dictate those Holy Lines , but also the consideration of that of St. Augustine , Quisquis detral●●●●mae meae , addit Mercedi meae : Yea , a seriou Reflection upon that of an Heathen man , cannot but somewhat solace them ; Sen●●a having said , Mala opinio benè parta , delectat ; The Brazen-wall of a good Conscience within , being a sufficient Fence , and Cordial too , against the malicious Batteries from without , which the Infinite Wisdom usually makes to end in a Brutum Fulmen , because these uncharitable Arietations proceed mostly from Persons of Brutish affections . But , let us jubjoyn this last Hypothesis , That some of these Sons of Belial ( as if they had sucked the Breasts of Hyreanian ●yge●s , and had petrified Bowels ; ) were as implacable in their Malice , as those cruel Roman Emperours ; ( one of which Monsters of Nature said , Non adhuc ●ecum ●edii in gratiam ; another ita serii , ut se ●●●ri sentiat ; a third wished , That all they whom he hated , had but one neck , that with 〈◊〉 blow he might cut it off ; And a fourth said concerning the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of his own Brother , 〈◊〉 Divus , modo ne sit vi●us . ) Yet I would have these suffering Brethren seriously to consider , that the Servant is not greater than his Lord : and , seeing Innecency it self was persecuted from the Womb to the Tomb , and from the Cra●●● to the Grave , both with the Scourge of Hands and Tongues , they , who are almost infinitely guilty before God , ought not to take it in ill part , ( far less to be overcome with despondency of mind ) when they trace the Footsteps of their Lord and Master ; for not only the Patriarchs and Prophets of old , with the Apostles of our Great Master , but also many other eminent Lights of the Primitive Church , have run the same Fate ( so that they are not singular in this rugged way ) such as , Narcissus of Hierusalem , Eustathius of Antioch , Athanasius of Alexandria , Gregorie Nazianzen , S. Basil of Cappadocia , and S. Chrysostom of Constantinople ; Most of which were persecuted by the Instigation of Churchmen , because they endeavoured to rectifie those Errors , and to redress those Abuses , which had fullied the very Altar of God ; That Aphorism , Corruptio optimi est pessima , being not only a Physical Observation , but too often verified of Morals also . And these suffering Brethren have good reason chearfully to undergoe the Fate of Aristides , even to suffer the Ostracism , because they are too vertuous : Though I confess , let them be as innocent as was once the man without the Navel , they will be look'd upon as Criminal , if they do not homologate all that some men say , or do . Vid. Concil . General . 1. Can. 14. Concil . Carthaginens . 4. Can. 34. Vt Episcopus in quolibet loco sedens , stare Presbyterum non patiatur . Can. 35. Vt Episcopus in Ecclesia , in Consessu Presbyterorum , sublimior sedeat ; intra domum verò , Collegam se Presbyterorum esse cognoscat . Can. 37. Diaconus ita se Presbyteri , ut Episcopi ministrum esse cognoscat . Can. 39. Diaconus quolibet loco , jubente Presbytero , sedeat . Can. 40. Vt Diaconus in Conven●u Presbyterorum , interrogatus loquatur . Concil . Arelat . ● . Can. 18. Arelat . 2. Can. 15. Concil . Laodic . Can. 2● . Synod . Quini-Sex● . Can. 7. Concil . Bracar . 2. Can. 2. ( a part whereof hath these words ) similiter & Parochiales Clerici , servili timore , in aliquibus eperibus , Episcopis servire non cogantur ; quia scriptum est , N●que ut dominantes in Clero . Vid. Hieronym . Epist. 2. ad Nepotian . where he sayes , S●a subjectus Pontifici tuo , & quasi Animae Parentem suscipe : ( which Counsel savours very little of Fanaticism ) se Sacerdotes , non Dominos , esse noverint ; Honorent Clericos , quasi Clericos ; ut & ipsis à Cleric●s , quasi Episcopis , honor deseratur : s●itum est illud Oratoris Domitii , Cur ego te ( inquit ) habeam ut Principem , cum tu me non habeas ut Senatorem ? Augustin . Epist. 48. Nonomnis qui parcit amicus est , nec omnis qui verberat i●micus ▪ &c. Ambros. Serm. 14. Leon. 1. Epist. 82. Greg. 1. De Cura Past. par . 3. Admonendi sunt Subditi , ne plus quàm expedit sint subjecti : ne cum student , plus quàm necesse est , hominibus subjici , compellantur Vitra eorum venerari . Article XIV . Psal. 95. 6. Mat. 18. 20. Rom. 15. 6 , & 16 , 17. 1 Cor. 1. 10. & 5. 8. & 6. 20. & 11. 2 , 4 , 7 , 22 , 34. & 14. 33 , 40. Col. 2. 5. Tit. 1. 5. Heb. 10. 25. SEING we have so frequently mentioned the ancient Canons of the Church ; ( it being as indecent , if not as dangerous , for a Church to be without Canons , as for a State to be without Edicts ; these serving not only as a Directory to the reciprocal Duties of Bishops , Presbyters , and People , but being also Boundaries to all . ) I wish we had some thing that looked like them , and served in Lieu of them , till they be imposed by Authority . For the Tender of the Canonical Oath unto the Candidates of that Sacred Function doth necessarily presuppose some Canons according to which their Obedience should be squared ; and by which also the Injunctions of their Superiours ought to be regulated . For I hope none of them are so simple , as to imagine , that this Oath doth imply an absolute implicit Obedience unto the Beneplacita of Ecclesiastick Governours , as if Sic volo , sic jubeo , slat pro ratione Voluntas , were the adequate Law of our Church . The Angelical D●ctor hath better de●in'd it , who tells us , that ( to speak properly ) Lex , est Sententia praecipiens honesta , &c. and that it must be enacted with the general Consent of the Clergy , otherwise it cannot be a binding Law to the Church : and if those Qualifications be wanting , though that Precept may be ●ermed An Ecclesiastical Law ; yet it is not truly such , but Violentia : Yea , more than so ; as the Swearing of a Souldier to the Colours of his General , doth not only import , that he knows them from the Standard of the Common Enemy ; but also , that this Sacramentum Militare is with a due Subordination unto him who gave that General his Commission ; ( unless any have a mind to imitate the Treachery of that famous Wols●ein , of whom it is reported by some , that , before his fatal Retreat to Fgra , he took an independent Oath of the Imperial Army . ) For the Precepts of the Superiour must not interfere with the Commands of the Supreme ; which , if they be found to do , they ought not to be obeyed . And if it be concluded , that this Canonical Oath in the privation of Canons , is but a meer Non-ens ; Certainly these Fanatical Preachers are most obliged to some Bishops , who have permitted them still to Officiate in this Church , and yet were never so impertinent as to require from them any Subscription to this Chimerical Fiction . Therefore , I would humbly entreat the Reverend Fathers of our Church to meet privately amongst themselves ( accompanied with one or two of their respective Presbyters , 〈◊〉 they judge most Judicious , and kno● to be of unquestionable Principles ; ) and let them unanimously resolve upon an Uniformity of Doctrine , Worship , Discipline , and Government , to be practised in this Church . It is certainly a matter of Lamentation , that our National Church should resemble America , in its first Discovery : for ( as Peter Martyr , and Ioseph Acosta report , ) a good Horseman , in one Summer's day's Travel , might meet with variety of Languages , Habits , and Religion , amongst that Barbarous People . Sure I am , ( not to speak of Confirmation , which is already pressed ; ) they might easily introduce a Platform of Administrating the Blessed Sacraments of the Gospel ; For when one varies from the precise words of the Institution , ( which is but too frequently done ; ) he shall hardly perswade me , that he hath Consecrated those Holy Symbols or Elements , ( as they are usually termed ) at that time ; the words of the Divine Institution being the Essential Form of a Sacrament . And let not the Lord's Prayer be any more neglected in the Consecration of the Eucharist , which ( as St. Cyprian testifies ) was the constant Epiphonema of that Solemn Benediction , in all the Churches of Christ , in his time : The same is also attested by St. Hilary , and St. Augustin . As for the Gesture at the Holy Table , I humbly suppose , Standing will be found the best Expedient to introduce Uniformity into this Church ; not only because it staves off the serupulous Fears of an Arto-latria , but also in regard we find direct Evidence for the Practice thereof in the Primitive Church . I shall only produce one Private , and another Publick Authority for it , though many more might be adduc'd to this purpose . Dionysius Alexandrinus ( who lived about the middle of the third Century , and Wrote Anno Dom. 260. ) testifies , in a Letter to Pope Xystus , That it was the Custom of the Church in his time , to stand at the Lord's Table . As for the Publick Authority ; The 20th Canon of the Great and First General Councel at Nice is sufficient , where we find Kneeling on the Lord's Day , and on the day of Pentecost , expresly prohibited , and the practice of Standing at their Devotions , explicitly enjoyn'd : And that because the Lord's Day is the ordinary Christian Festival , and the whole time of Pentecost ( which comprehends the fifty dayes betwixt Easter and Whitsunday inclusively : ) the constant Festivity of the Church . Tertullian and Epiphanius , looking upon it , as an Apostolical universal Tradition , not to kneel all that time . Whence we may infer , That if some men speak Consequenter ad Principia ; ( one whereof is , That this Blessed Sacrament is the most solemn part of Christian Devotion : ) they must either grant , that the Eucharist was received on those dayes in a standing Posture ; or that the People of God did not at all communicate at these times , which were a very absurd Notion ; seeing they are acknowledged by all , ( who are not wildly ●a●atick ) to be the fittest Seasons for the Participation of that great Mystery ; whereas that of Kneeling is but consequentially inferr'd , because the Fathers usually term the Holy Eucharist , The most sublime , the most solemn , and most useful part of Christian Devotion ; and that it is , Tremendum & adorab●le Mysterium : though , under Favour , we must expound it ( and so the Context usually imports : ) of internal Adoration : unless we intend to joyn Issue with the Popish Idolatry . As for that irreverent and lazy Posture of Sitting , we find neither direct nor indirect Testimony for it : Those Canons which command Standing every Lord's Day , do consequently exclude Sitting , if we look upon that Solemn Action as an Act of Devotion : and Optatus hath told us , Lib. 4. That the People may not sit in the Church ; and Tertullian gives the reason , Lib. de Oratione , cap. 12. That it was an Heathen Custom , and therefore ought to be reprehended . Let all those who plead so much for that irreverent and lazy Posture , remember , that they comply in their Gesture , not only with these detestable Arrian Hereticks , ( who design'd thereby to vilifie the Son of God : ) but also with those who are worse , the damnable Socinians ; as is evident from Socinus his Tract . De Coena Domi●i . And I wish all Sober Christians would seriously advert to this ; That it is not a Corporal Repast , but a Spiritual Refreshment they are call'd unto , when they come to that Holy Table : and let the consideration of the Great King who invites them , and of the unparallel'd Mystery they are to receive , ( the Feast-Maker being the Feast it self ; ) perswade all Christians to present themselves at this Gospel-Altar with much more reverence than they are obliged to practise at an ordinary Banquet , or a Penny-Bridale . Yet , Let not any imagine , that we intend by these Lines , to reflect upon some Canons of our Church ; Truly I had no such Design ; but on the contrary , de regret that these Articles are fallen too much in des●etude : But it is a Principle of Love to Uniformity , that did prompt me to tender this Overture ( yet with all due submission ) to the Governours of our Church ; It being a most desireable thing to see all those who desire to fear God's Name , blessed with one mind , one heart , and one way . As for mine own judgment , I can easily subscribe to those words of R. Mr. Baxter ; If it be lawful to take a Pardon from the King upon our knees , I know not what can make it unlawful to take a sealed Pardon from Christ and his Ambassadours , upon our knees . Likewise , a set Form of Excommunication to be used by all ; whether it be the Lesser , call'd properly Abstentio ab Eucharistia ; ( the practice of the Primitive Church , which was so copious in this matter , being too much neglected in this Age ; ) or the greater Anathema ; with their respective Relaxations , may be easily resolved upon ; with a form of Ecclesiastick Testi●icates , in Conformity to the 〈◊〉 formatae of the Ancients . And let all Bishops , wherever they are , ( if they be in health ) preach on the Anniversaries of the Nativity , Passion , and Resurrection of our Blessed Lord , and on the Anniversary of the Descent of the holy Ghost ; as also , on that of the Nativity and Restauration of our gracious Sovereign upon Earth . And let it be recommended to all their Presbyters to do so ; as also to celebrate the Holy Communion on Easter and Pent●cost , at least on every Easter-day , which ( as hath been said already ) is Caput institutionis of the Christian Sabbath ; for though these things be not authoritatively enjoyn'd ; yet the Governours of the Church may easily thereby find the Pulse of their Clergy ; and by this Tessera Discover , if there remain as yet any amongst them , who are fermented with some of that foure leaven of Presbytery . It were no difficult Province ( if I did not study Brevity ; ) to answer all the Paralogisms , and most foolish Cavils of the Fanaticks , against these Festivals of the Church : But I shall remit them for their Doom to S. Augustine , who makes it a Character of a true Son of the Church , to solemnize the Festivals thereof . Serm. 253. De Temp. ( in which number he places that of the Nativity in the Front : ) and to Epiphanius , who in his 75th Heresie , tells us , That Aërius was condemned as an Heretick , as for other things , so for opposing and condemning the Festivals of the Church . But the ingenuous Reader may find the Lawfulness and Usefulness of these Festivals fully asserted by that admirable Hooker , in his Ecclesiastical Policy ; and the ( no less ) wonderful D. Hammond , in his Treatise on that Subject : and in particular , whosoever desires to see the Feast of the Nativity vindicated from the Imputation of Novelty , let them peruse Origen lib. 8. contra Celsum : and his Hom. 3. in Math. the Treatise of Cyprian , on that day : and the Homily of Chrysostom , to the same Purpose ; and they will find each of them deducing it from the Practice of the first Antiquity : yea , that the 25th of December is the Anniversary of our Saviour's Birth , ( in my humble judgment ) is notably demonstrated by Baronius , in his Apparatus , and the Learned Mountague , in his Answer to him : But most of all , by M. I. Gregory , Oxon : of whom it may be truly said , That he hath dived into the very bottom of Antiquity . If these things , and such as these , were Universally practis'd , a Liturgy might be stollen in pedetentim upon this Church . And I wish we had a well-reformed one , purified from the Dregs of Popery and Superstition , and framed after the pattern of the most Authentick Liturgies of the Primitive Church ( of which the Learned G. Cassander hath collected no small variety ; ) that we may again resume the Face and Garb of a National Church ; which hath been , too long , as a Body without the Natural Ornament of Skin and Muscles , or as a flat Picture , not duely heightened with its Shadows : a Liturgy being found , by the Experience of all ancient Times , as a necessary Hedge and Mound to preserve any Profession of Religion , and Worship of God in a National Church , from Irreverence , Confusion , and Contempt : without which Boundary , it is impossible that a tolerable Uniformity should be long retained in any great Incorporation of Christians . And it 's observable , That M. Calvin himself , when from Frankfort he had received an odious , malicious account of many Particulars in the English Liturgy , ( as any will acknowledge , who shall compare the Report then made , with what he finds : ) though he were so transported as to call them Ineptias tolerabiles , yet in a more sober mood , he gave positive Approbation of the same ; as is evident from his Epistle to the Protector of that Kingdom ; in these words : As for Form of Prayers , and Ecclesiastical Rites , I very much approve that it be set , or certain ; from which it may not be lawful for the Pastors in their Function to depart : that so there may be Provision made , for the Simplicity and Vnskillfulness of some ; and that the Consent of all the Churches among themselves , may more certainly appear : And Lastly also , that the extravagant Levity of some , who affect Novelties , ( or at the best , vent a Rhapsody of pious Non-sence : ) may be prevented . &c. Whence we rationally infer ; that they who endeavoured the total Abolition of a Liturgy in that Church , had a design to Reform , ( or to say better , Deform ) Geneva , as well as England ; and to chastise Calvin's Estimation of it , as well as that of the English Prelates : Not to speak of that applause which the Learned Isaac Casa●bon gave , of the great care of Antiquity and Purity observed in the English Liturgy , proclaimed every where in his Epistles to all his Friends ; That there was not any where else in the World the like to be found , nor ever hoped he to see it , till he came into that Kingdom . But it seems Hippolitus , the old Martyr , prophesied of these Haters of all Liturgies , under the Notion of Anti-Christian ; ( for all their Declamations against Anti-Christian Rites ; ) For in his Book De Anti-Christo , he tells us ; That in the times of Anti-Christ , Ecclesiarum Aedes Sacrae , Tugurii instar erunt ; pre●●osum Corpus & Sanguis Christi non exstabit ; Liturgia extinguetur ; Psalmodiae decan●atio cessabit ; Scripturarum recitatio non audietur . And sure I am , at the Reestablishment of this Government , it might have been introduced with as little Noise and Odium , as the Governours themselves were ; for this 〈◊〉 Policy then might have done the 〈◊〉 , even to have holden away the odious Name of the Service-Book ; which 〈◊〉 hateful to many who have a Zeal for the Reformed Religion , but not according to Knowledge ; they ignorantly imagining , that it is stuffed with Popery and Superstition . As for any Expressions therein which sound harshly in the Ears of tender Consciences ; the Governours of the Church might have indulged them that favour , as to expunge what they could justly pretend gave the least Offence . But they neglecting to take Occasion thus by the Foretop , they have ever since found it bald behind . Which puts me in mind of the great Soloecism committed by the great Hannibal , in point of War , ( though he was one of the slyest and wariest Captains that ever liv'd : ) who went not immediately to Rome , after the mighty Defeat given to the Romans at the Battel of Cannae ; for during that great Consternation he might ( as Rawleigh hath judiciously observed ) easily have plucked up the Roman Empire by the Roots ; but being too much taken up with the Pleasures of Capua , and his Amours in Salapia , he lost that Occasion , which he could never find again ▪ and therefore was justly upbraided by Maharbal , the Master of his Horse , in these Words , Vincere s●is Hannibal , Victoriâ uti nescis . And gave occasion unto the Romans to say , Capuam Poenis alteras ●uisse Cannas . But in my weak judgment , the best Succedaneum to this neglected Solemn Fo●m of Divine Service , and that which is also the best Expedient to pave the Way into a more perfect one , is ; To recommend unto all the Ministers of the Gospel , that every Lord's Day before Sermon they read , with great Reverence ) a Lesson at least , out of the Old Testament ; and a Chapter or two from the New ; ( this being much more properly The Word of God , than what they preach : ) that their People may , in Process of time , be as well acquainted with the Historical part of the Scripture , as with the Precepts , Promises , and dreadful Comminations of the Gospel ; For they are meer Strangers to Antiquity , who doe not know , that preaching was scarce the third part of the Solemn Service of the Lord's Day , that being but a Tractatus ( as Augustine testifieth ) on the Lesson which was last read . And let them solemnly pronounce the Decalogue , and Apostolick Creed ; all these Steps of Divine Service being variegated and intermixed with short Acts of Prayer and Praise . And sure I am , there is no Congregation ( unless the People thereof be very rough hewen : but will stand up ( if desired by the Minister to do so , ) when he solemnly pronounceth the Sum of the Moral Law , and ( as the Mouth of the People ) makes a publick Confession of Faith ; whereby they shall testifie their willingness , through Divine Grace , to believe and obey all that God hath revealed and commanded . And let not those , who have the Cura Animarum , forget , specially to enjoyn their respective Flocks to put themselves in a reverent Posture , when they accost Heaven with solemn Acts of Prayer and Praise ; that being indispensibly practised by all the Primitive Church , whose bodily Infirmities proved not an invincible Impediment to them . And , seeing the seeking of a Blessing before meat , and Thanksgiving after it , are brief Adorations of the infinite Goodness , Let all Ministers by their own Example recommend a reverent Posture to the rest of the Guests . Sure , it is a matter of Admiration , to see the Generality of Fanaticks ( the Quakers only excepted : making their Graces ( as they are usually termed ) commensurable with any pertinent Prayer that is void of Tautologies , and yet not to accost the great Provisor of all the Families of the Earth , with more Reverence than a Temporary Host. And when that short ( but very substantial ) Hymn was sung , which is termed the Doxology , and is a direct Adoration of the Blessed Trinity , ( which if I were not asham'd of frequent Digressions , I could easily evince by good Authorities , to have been composed , as a lesser Creed , by the first Councel of Nice ▪ as a Testimony and Pillar of the Catholick Verity , against the Arrians : ) all they of the Primitive Church stood up and uttered the same with an audible Voice , as a discriminating Character of the Orthodox , from these detestable Hereticks , the Cerinthians , Samosatenians , and Arrians : ( the Samosatenians being called Paulianistae , in the 19th Canon of the Councel of Nice from Paulus Samosatenus , the Haer●siarcha , and pe●verse Bishop of Antioch . ) For , though it is an unquestionable Truth , That the Heart ought to be the Primum Mobile in all our Acts of Divine Worship , without whose primary Influence and Concurrence , it is at best but a Carkass of Devotion we offer unto Heaven ; yet , seeing by the Law of Creation and Grace of Redemption , we are bound to glori●ie God with our Souls and Bodies . ( for both are his saith the Apostle . ) Therefore when we make our Addresses to the Throne of Grace , we are obliged to put them both in an humble Posture of Adoration : the Primitive Christians being so far from practising that irreverent and lazy Posture of Sitting in the time of Prayer , that Tertullian ( as we find in his excellent Treatise De Oratione : ) inveighs sharply against those who did sit down instantly after Prayer ; and he tells them , that they upbraid God to his Face , that they are soon weary of the Duty . And it were also very fit , that all Ministers were desir'd to exhort their People , to hear reverently , and with discovered Heads , that Weekly Proclamation from Heaven : ( I mean the Preaching of the Gospel , ) which was the constant Practice of Constantine the Great , who was so far from covering his Head then , that he could not be perswaded to forbear standing all the time of Preaching , much less to sit in the time of Prayer : and of the two Theodosii , and Martianus , the immediate Successor of Theodosius the Younger : and I wish that of the Poet were fulfill'd in this particular , Regis ad Exemplum totus componitur Orbis . But the Deportment of the far greater number of those who are called Christians , is so intolerably notorious , and desperately profane , that if St. Pauls Infidel should come in , he would be so far from falling down and Worshiping , that he would be presently bound to report , God is not in you of a truth . Yea , some Christians do more reverence to the outside of a Church , than we to the presence of God within it : These of Habassia , ( saith Alvarez ) if they pass by a Church ( be their haste never so great ) they instantly dismount , and walk on foot , till they leave not only the Church , but also the Church-yard , very far behind them . And , I fear , the Turks shall rise up in Judgment against many Christians for their irreverence in Gods House ; for ( as Busbequius tells us ) if a Turk should but scratch his head in the time of Divine Service , he would be verily perswaded that he should lose the Benefit of coming to Church at that time : but with us it is Iniquity , even the Solemn Meeting . But take we heed lest we come to know , that God was here , by his departure from hence ; and that Voice be uttered out of our Temples , which was once heard out of that of the Iews , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , Migremus hin● . And , in sine , Let it be recommended to all Preachers , to humble themselves when they ascend that Sacred Ambo , where they are to be the Mouth of the People to God in Prayer , and the Mouth of the Almighty to the People in Preaching : which Introitus they ought to commence with much more Reverence , than if they were to begin a Dance . Neither should we have such occasion to mind that famous Story ( if it may be so termed ) of the seven Ephesian Sleepers ; if the Governours of our Church , during these eighteen Winters last by-gone , had studied so much Uniformity , as to be at the pains , unanimously to compile a plain and brief Catechism ; ( but withal a material Sum of the whole Christian Doctrine ) and that for the publick Use of this Nation : that every Country-Curate may not improve a Mode of his own ; which , if it be not contradictory , is at least disparate from the Platform of his Neighbour : But that by a Form of sound words generally authorized , and practised , young ones may be early informed of the Principal Duties of Piety they owe unto God , of Charity to their Neighbours , and of Sobriety to themselves . If such things as these were accorded unto , and accordingly performed , it could not truly be said of the Governours of this Church , That they never yet pursued the right Ends of their Government . Yea many such Acts would be a sufficient Gagg to stop the Mouths of the virulent Adversaries thereof , who stick not to say , That they look upon Bishops as the easiest Persons in the World , who scarce take any thing else in hand , but to gather up their Rents ; and do apply to them that Blasphemous Character which Epicurus hath given of his imaginary Deity , That he is an idle Spectator of the Affairs of the World , and doth no more notice humane Actions , than a ●ational man doth the Humming of Gnats in a hot Summer's Day . They do also accommodate that Epicurean Motto unto them , Satis magnum alter alteri Theatrum sumus : Some compare them to the Hedg-hog , which rolls it self in its own soft Down , and turns out it's Bristles to all the World besides : Yea some resemble them to a young Gentleman , who takes a flying Crop of a Possession , and regards not the Reparation of its Buildings : And Finally , some make no Bones to assimulate them to that fat Monk in the Story , who ( when the Abbeys were a going down ) having received Assurance of a Pension during his own Life , stroaked down his Belly , and said , modo hic sit bene , he cared not whether Religion did sink or swim . But leaving these odious Comparisons , ( as favouring too much of an Anti-Episcopal Spirit ; ) I proceed to the end of this Article . When such things as these are resolv'd upon for the Behoof of the Clergy , they ought to be prudently recommended , but not imperiously commanded , under the Notion of Church-Canons ; For it is only a General Convocation that can make them such ; as being the sole true Representative of a National Church : And till his Majestie 's Authority be interposed , they cannot have the Force of Laws . It being a well known Saying of Optatus Milevit . Ecclesia est in Republica , non Respublica in Ecclesia . Let us therefore patiently wait till Divine Providence give us serener times , and more Tranquillity in the Land , ( for as Physitians say , Cocta movenda sunt , non cruda . ) and till it please his Majesty to indict a General Convocation of the Clergy . ( and , that the Determination of the Circumstances of such a meeting , is one of the Royal Prerogatives , none , but they who are Fanatically Principled , will Question . ) But if once this Church were so happy , as to enjoy , with his Majesty's Favour , such a Convention ; then all the ancient Canons , which are judged useful for this Church , ought to be retrived : and whatsoever is ( after mature Deliberation ) found Convenient , pro re nata , should be reduc'd into Canons , that all may know the proper Standard of the Church . And let an effectual Course be taken to suppress and eradicate all Schisme , Heresie , and Profaneness , out of this Land ; that the Church of God may become terrible to all such , as is an Army with Banners . And let a door be opened to all Accusers ( who are habiles in Law ) to give in Indictments , sub periculo , against any simple or organical Member of this Church ; the King's Majesty alennarly excepted ; who ( as Tertullian sayes , ) is solo Deo minor , and consequently hath no Judge upon Earth . The same Father usually terming the Supreme Magistrate , post Deum S●cundus : Parallel whereunto is that of Optatus Milevit . Super quem non est nis● s●lus Deus . But that Church-men must needs be more presumptuous than any Pope of Rome , who imagines himself to be both infallible and impec●able : For , though there be some Roman Doctors ( especially the Canonists : so parasitical , as to adore that Bishop of Rome as a Demi-God , and more than a man ; and to teach , That he is Iudge of all , and can be Iudge of all , and can be Iudged by none upon Earth ; yet the most sober and judicious of them , even when they conclude him to be Major singulis , yet acknowledge that he is minor universis , and consequently subordinate to the jurisdiction of a General Counc●l . And that this was the Sentiment and Determination of two late General Councels , ( when the Pope's Usurpation was in its 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and Zenith ; ) is evident from those Instances , which the Acts of the Councel of Constance and Basil do afford us : ( not to speak of that Anathema which the Sixth General Councel pronounced against Honorius of Rome , for being a Monothelite . Vid. Concil . 6. Gener. Act. 1 , 4 , 12. ) For the first depos'd a three-headed Cerberus , the simultaneous Popes , ( so monstruous was the Roman Hierarchy at that time . ) viz. Iohn the 24th , ( or 23 d as some reckon ) call'd Bal●hasar Cossa , Gregory the 12th , formerly named Angelus Corarius , and Benedict the 13th , termed otherwayes Peter de Luna ; and in the Vice of these Anti-Popes surrogated Martin the 5th . Likewise the Councel of Basil pronounced the Sentence of Degradation against Eugenius the 4th , and in his Place substituted the Duke of Savoy , under the Name of Pope Foelix the 5th : and , though Providence permitted not this Deposition to take effect ( Amadee being at last content to exchange the Triple-Crown for a Cardinals Hat ; which ( as Calvin saith wittily ) was a Loaf thrown into the Mouth of Cerberus : ) Yet , that the Authority of this last Councel , was no less than that of the First , is evident from the 39th Session of the Councel of Constance . From which brief History we may infer , That these Roman Doctors , who teach , That the Councel is above the Pope , would laugh heartily , if they heard any other Bishop pretend to a Negative Voice in that Assembly : For if any Church●man dream of an Infallibility in himself , he may be justly derided , as was that dissolute Prince Demetrius , in whose favour the Athenians made that wild Decree ; That whatsoever King Demetrius should Command , ought to be held Sacred with the Gods , and just with men . Yet I have heard it many times Debated as a Problem , Whether some Bishops , or the Fanaticks , would be more filled with consternation at such a General Meeting of the Clergy . But it may be easily Determined , that Iohn the 23d , Paul the 4th , or any other Pro●ligate Pope had not more dreadful Apprehensions of a lawful and free General Councel , than some of those would have of a rightly Constituted Convocation . Vid. Can. Apost . 73. Item Concil . Gerundens . Can. 1. Concil . Toletan . 4. Can. 1. & 4. ( also the 5th and 17th Canons of the same Synod . ) Concil . Bracarens . 1. Can. 20 , 21 , 22 , 23. ( where Uniformity in all the steps of Publick Worship is recommended . ) Concil . Toletan . 11. Can. 3. Concil . Milevitan . Can. 12. Concil . Agathens . Can. 21. Concil . Vasens . Can. 7. Concil . Valentin . Can. 1. Concil . Turonens . 2. Can. 14. Concil . Toletan . 3. Can. 2. Toletan . 4. Can. 9. 12. Toletan . 5. Can. 1. In all which , a Liturgy is recommended , and Ordained to be used in the Church ; viz. A Publick Platform , as to the matter of Solemn Prayer , Praise , and the Administration of the Blessed Sacraments of the Gospel ; None being permitted in the Ancient Church to invent and vent Battologies or Tautologies , nor any irreverent Expressions ( favouring either of Blasphemy , or pious Non-sence at the best ) in the Solemn Acts of Divine Adoration . In the ensuing Canons , the Solemn Anniversary Festivals and Fasts of the Church are appointed . Vid. Concil . Elibertin . Can. 43. Concil . Agathens . Can. 14 , 38 , 39. Concil . Aurelianens . 4. Can. 1. Concil . Matisconens . 2. Can. 2. Cujus haec sunt verba ; Pascha nostrum , in quo Summus Sacerdos & Pontifex , pro nostris delictis immolatus est , omnes debemus festivissimè colere : & in illis sanctissimis diebus , nullus servile opus audeat facere . ( where by Pascha we are not to understand Easter-Day , but also Good Friday , which was that great day of Expiation . ) Concil . Toletan . 4. Can. 6. Statuimus in sexta feria Passionis Domini Mysterium Crucis ( quod ipse Dominus cunctis annunciandum voluit ) praedicari , atque indulgentiam criminum clarâ voce omnem populum praestolari ; ut Poenitentiae compunctione mundati , Venerabile Festum Dominicae Resurrectionis , remissis iniquitatibus , suscipere mereamur , Corporisque ejus & Sanguinis Sacramentum , mundi à peccato sumamus . Et Can. 7. ejusdem Concilii ; In die Passionis Domini , jejunium ( praeter parv●los , senes , & languidos ) quicunque arte peractas Indulgentiae preces , solverit , à Paschali gaudio depellatur ; nec in eo Sacramentum Corporis & Sanguinis Domini percipiat , qui diem Passionis ejus per abstinentjum non honoravit . Which is more fully expressed in the 89th Canon of the 6th General Councel , where we have these words ; Qui dies salutaris Passionis in jejunio , oratione , & compunctione cordis peragunt , oportet circa horam mediae noctis Magni Sabbati , jejunos esse : sum Evangelistae Matthaeus & Lucas , ille per Dictionem , ( vespere autem Sabbati , ) hic vero per , ( profundum Diluculum , ) tarditatem noctis nobis praescribant . Vid. Concil . Bracarens . 1. Can. 4. Concil . Caesar-August . Can. 2. & 4. Item vicesimo primo die , i. e. à 16. Kal. Ianuarii , usque in diem Epiphaniae , qui est 8 Idus Ianuarii , continuis diebus nulli liceat se de Ecclesia absentare , nec latere in domibus , nec secedere ad villam , nec montes petere , ne● nudis pedibus incedere ; sed ad Ecclesiam concurrere : quod qui non observaverit , Anathema sit in perpetuum . But it seems this endless Curse is little regarded by these Fanaticks , whether Preachers or others , ( for that four Leaven is not yet sufficiently purged out of those who Officiate under Bishops ; ) who are so far from Preaching on the Anniversary of our Blessed Saviour's Nativity , that they cannot be perswaded to countenance with their presence the shortest Homily thereon , no not on those dayes of the Week , whereon , by Publick Authority , Royal Burghs are appointed to have Sermon . And how can it be expected , that these Non-conformists should cordially bless Heaven for common Mercies , when they cannot find in their hearts to adore Solemnly the Infinite Goodness for that unparallel'd Demonstration of Free Love ? Heaven having no greater Gift to bestow , neither was Earth capable of a greater , than this matchless Mercy , which was celebrated by the Heavenly Anthem of Celestial Quiristers , in the dawning of that blessed Morning , wherein Oriens ab alto , that bright Morning-star first appeared ; yea , wherein that Glorious Sun of everlasting Righteousness arose with Healing in his Wings , upon a sinful World. Vid. etiam Concil . Tolet. 4. Can. 3. Statuimus , ut saltem semel in anno , à nobis Concilium Celebretur , &c. And a little after , Omnes autem qui causas adversus quoscunque habere noscuntur , ad idem Concilium concurrant ; & pro compellendis quibuscunque personis , quidam Executor à Principe postuletur , &c. In regard we have cited many Canons at length , for the Confirmation of this Article , and that there be many Testimonies of the Fathers inserted in the Body thereof to the same purpose ; Therefore , left this Enchiridium should be too much dilated , we have forborn to allege any more Authorities to that Effect . Article XV. Mat. 18. 17 , 18. 1 Cor. 4. 19 , 20 , 21. & 5. 4 , 5 , 7 , 11. 2 Cor. 10. 4 , 5 , 6. 1 Tim. 1. 20. Tit. 3. 10. Rev. 2. 2 , 14 , 15 , 20. BUT till this Church be blessed with such a General Rendezvouz of its Clergy , let every Bishop vigorously set about his Duty in his own Sphere . For what One said well concerning a General Reformation ; That if every man would Reform himself , there would little remain for the Supreme Magistrate to do , may be here fitly applied ; For , if every Governour would act his part within his own Precinct , sure there would be less trouble given to a General Assembly , whenever Providence shall give the occasion thereof . Therefore let them use all Means possible , which are purely Ecclesiastick , to reduce all Schismaticks to the path of Unity , and all Hereticks to the path of Verity . But if ( after much patient waiting for the fruit of their Labours ) there be no hope of their Conversion , then let them proceed to a Judicial Conviction of these obstinate Sinners , who are found to be Irreclamable : and let the Church-Censures alwayes prevent the Castigations of the Civil Magistrate ; it being a most invidious thing , for the Governours of the Church to clamour upon the Criminal Judge to Fine and Confine those Delinquents , whom they have scarce ever noted as such in their Ecclesiastick Courts . This preposterous Method looks , not only like the Duo gladii of Boniface the 8th , but doth also resemble Pope Iulius the second , his throwing S. Peter's Keys into Tyber , that he might betake himself unto S. Paul's Sword. But this was not the Method of the Primitive Church , which permitted none of it's Organical Members to meddle , either directly , or indirectly , in the Matters of Blood , or bodily Coercions ; as is evident from the ancient Canons ; the passive Effusion of the precious Blood of Holy Iesus , and of his Blessed Martyrs , being a rich Compost to the Soil of the Church ; but not the active Shedding of the Blood of others , under a Pretext of Religious Zeal for the Enlargement thereof . Which looks liker Mahumet's way of Propagation , than the Tranquill Methods of the Gospel of Peace . Primitive Christianity ( which did almost infinitely transcend this Age , in the Glowings of Divine Zeal , ) knew no such Calentures of Passion : Bellona was not then looked upon as a Nursing-Mother to the Church ; Nor Mars as a God of Reformation : Neither were the Laws of Christ like those of Draco or Mahumet , written with the Blood of his Enemies ; though he sealed them with his own , and sprinkled them with the Blood of Martyrs ; as Tertullian saith : It being very observable , that the Temple of Ianus was then shut , when the Prince of Peace was born . For the Church is sufficiently furnished with Means of saving Souls , though she never draw a Temporal Sword : The Diseases of the Mind not being cureable like those of the Body ; for Asperitie is no proper Remedy for them , but only Reason , and Lenity of Words . Those good Emperours , Constantine , Valentinian , the two Theodosii , and Martianus ; proceeded unto no greater Extremity against the most to no greater Extremity against the most damnable and incorrigible Hereticks of their Times , than the Sentence of Banishment . Which Christian Lenity was consonant to the Judgment of Tertullian , cap. 24. & 28. Apologet. And in his Book to Scapula , we have this excellent Expression ; Sed nec Religionis est cogere Religionem ; quae sponte suscipi debet , non : vicum & hostiae ab animo libente expostulentur . With whom S. Cyprian joyns Issue , Epist. 62. and Athanasius , Epist. ad solitar . Vit. agen . & Orat. 1. cont . Arrian . Hilar. con . Auxent . & lib. 1. ad Constan. Ambr. Epist. 32. & lib. 2. Epist. 27. Hierom. Epist. 62. ad Theoph. August . lib. 3. con . Crescon . Grammatic . c. 50. Nullis bonis in Ecclesia Catholica placet , si usque ad mortem in quemquam , licèt Haereticum , saeviatur . Whence we may perceive , that the Apology of some Ecclesiasticks , for imbruing their hands in the blood of that detestable Heretick Servetus ; is point blank contrary unto the unanimous Doctrine of the Primitive Fathers . And if we shall alter the Scene from Geneva to Rome , it will be found no less tragical and bloody : For ( as East and West meet together at last , by going asunder ) so the Iesuit and Fanatick trust most unhappily in that Anti-Christian Conjuncture of Treachery and Cruelty , & in those damnable Arts of Rebellion , and King-killing ; to which execrable Assasinations , and perverse Intendments , Britain hath been too long the fatal Theatre . And though these pretend to be Christians , yet I suppose they have no other Apology for their Perfidiousness , than that of a barbarous King , who said , That his Tongue was not made of Bone. For it is impossible that Christian Religion should afford them any ; it being very observable , That in all those famous Persecutions of the Primitive Church ( whereby many Millions were absorpted in the gulfe of Death : ) not one was found , who thought it lawful to make use of defensive Arms , ( though in a just cause ) against the supream Authority then in being ; but did conquer their Victors and Tormentors , with Constancy and Patience ; it being most false what Bellarmin asserts , that it was not a Moral , but a Physical incapacity , which restrained them ; For Tertullian in his Apologetick doth clearly evince the contrary . Whence we may easily conclude , in what Shop those Offensive Arms were framed , wherewith Hildebrand assaulted the German Emperour Henry the fourth , and by what hellish Councel his Successor Paschal the second , was influenced to excite Henry the fifth against his Father and Sovereign ; not to speak of those Storms which disquieted Frederick the first and second all their Dayes ; the Clouds that ingendered them being exhaled at Rome . But we had need to transcribe the Annals of Germany , to enumerate the Hostilities of the Roman Bishops against the Emperours their Lords ; eight of which they excommunicated , and when that was done , then they made the Temporal Sword cut off those whom the Spiritual had struck at . Which Anti-Christian Methods became so formidable to the languishing Emperours , that Rodulph of Habspurg , ( the Founder of the Austrian Greatness ) would not go into Italy , to receive the Crown of Gold at Rome , after he was chosen Emperour ; calling that bloody City , The Lyon's Den : And unto those who urged him to go thither , to receive that third Ceremonial Crown , he frequently uttered that of the Poet , Olim quod Vulpes aegroto , cauta , Leoni Respondit , reseram &c. But Germany was not the sole Theatre of the unchristian Plots and Practices of these Anti-Primitive Prelates ; For , no little Trouble was given to Philip the Fair , of France , by P. Boniface the eighth of whom it was truly said , intravit ut Vulpes , regnavit ut Leo , mortuus est ut Canis . Likewise Lewis the 12th had his share of Disquiet from that Martial Prelate Iulius the second , by whose Fulminations the poor King of Navarr was Thunder-struck without Remedy . Ferdinand of Arragon , having indeed a most Catholick Appetite after the Dominions of his Neighbours ; not to speak of the barbarous Assasination of Henry the third , and fourth of France , by two desperate Villains , who had been carefully instructed by their Ghostly Fathers in that meritorious Art of King-killing : Sixtus Quintus having the forehead , in a publick Consistory at Rome , to celebrate that Iacobin Friar , as a notable Martyr upon that account . But we need not cross the Seas for Instances of this Nature ; For if Innocent the third ( the Hatcher of that most seditious and perfidious XXX Canon of the Councel of Lateran : ) with his Legate Pandolphus , were now alive , they would be found to talk of that inauspicious King of England , named Iohn , his constrained Resignation : and it is no small wonder , after so many Centuries of years , to hear again ( in this Age ) any noise of that vain and illegal Pretence which all sober Persons imagined , had been blown up long agoe by that Subterranean Powder-Plot : but it seems , they intend to give a Demonstration to the World , that no Prescription of time can render a common Whore honest . And if a grain-weight of Christian Ingenuity , or Humanity , can be found in that late prodigious Conspiracy against our Church and State , let the Universality of that infernal Design , with those base Appendages of diuturnal plotting , vile Ingratitude , Treachery , and Cruelty , be the sole Judges thereof . And , in fine , it is my humble Judgment , that , till these Coals of Iuniper be quenched , which have too long inflamed all the Vitals of the Christian Church ( I mean the Puritanical Papist , and Jesuited Puritan : our unchristian Animosities and Feuds ( many whereof are meer Logomachies , and groundless ) shall never be throughly extinguished , till the devouring Fire of Hell consume these lesser Flames . Neither will I ever forget that notable Instance of this Concordantia Discordantiarum , which that excellent Historian I. A. Thuan. affords unto us , in his 56th Book , where he tells us , that the Daemagogues of Paris , and Pulpiteers of Rochel , centered in that point of treacherous inhumanity , viz. to put to Death all Prisoners of War , even after the publick Faith had been given unto them . But Tractent fabrilia Fabri . Therefore the Antisignani of the Arrians , Macedonians , Nestorians , and Eutychians , ( not to speak of many other Hereticks : ) were not only conven'd before the respective General Councels , which are accounted the most famous of them all ; but were also judicially convicted and Sentenc'd with the highest Censures of the Church , before the Civil Magistrate took any other notice of them as Delinquents , than to compell those erroneous Schismaticks to appear personally before the Ecclesiastical Court , to which they had been legally summoned : The Church in these Dayes laying down this , as an inviolable Conclusion , that they would not fail to do their own Duty ; and if the Civil Magistrate afterwards neglected his , let him answer to God for it , who punisheth Potentes potenter : and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ; as saith Herodot . in Chione and Seneca , omne sub regno gravi●ri regnum est . And in that great Audit , every man must stand and fall to his own Master . The Brachium Seculare being indeed fit enough to restrain exorbitant Practices , but it hath no direct Influence upon irregular Judgments ; and I fear , it makes more Hypocrites than sincere Converts ; Fire and Faggot ( the beloved Argument of the Roman Church ▪ ) having a more natural Tendency to a preternatural Consumption , than to a Spiritual Conversion . Therefore the Arrians ( whose Courses were generally very violent , and bloody : ) are deservedly look'd upon as the genuine Parents of these Coercive Motives , and disingenuous Arts , which were judged very heterogeneal to the Nature and Constitution of the Church ; which as it transacts only in Spiritual Matters , so it could inflict no other than Spiritual Censures and Chastisements . But when the fiery Dominicans arose , ( the Dream of Dominicus his Mother being a sad Prognostick of the Violence of that Order ▪ ) they might justly have been termed , in this Regard , Arriani Redivivi ; so merciless was that Persecution of the poor Waldenses , to which they carried both Lanterns and Faggots : Which bloody Method continues to this day in the Spanish Inquisition : these violent Spirits being usually the cruel Lords of that infamous Judicatory , whose inhumane Machins resemble the wild and Barbarous Fancies of Mezentius and Procrustes , the unnatural Bellowings of Phalaris his Bull , the Turkish Gaunching and Impaleing upon Stakes , much rather than the harmless Engines of the Gospel . And if a Pythagorean 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 were possible , I would imagine , that there had been a transmigration of the Souls of these Dominicans into the Bodies of some late Presbyterians ; one egg , or Fish , not being found liker to another , than is the Resemblance of some of these Incendiaries : on which account , one of their abortive Issue hath ( in one of his Pamphlets ) not unfitly termed their Covenant , Taht great Instrument of Blood ; whereby he verifies that common Observation , Omnis Apostata persequitur suum Ordinem . But seeing the Dominicans were nothing else but the Emissaries of those Masters who pretend to be S. Peter's Successors , and in their fierce Anger , and cruel Rage , have cut off more than the Ears of many who were much more innocent than that Servant of the high Priest ; Therefore I cannot forget to take notice , in this Place , of another great Abuse committed by some Popes ; For the Croysade ( which was at first design'd to rescue the Holy Sepulchre from the Possession of Infidels ; to which great Undertaking many Myriads of Christians were animated by the preaching and Miracles of S. Bernard : ) was so perverted from that Primary pious Institution , that it was employed to the utter Extirpation of many thousands of the simple and harmless Inhabitants of the Mountains of Languedoc , and Provence . Such is the Affectation of the Roman Bishops to wear the Livery of that Scarlet-coloured Beast . But the bright Olybian Flames of the Primitive Church ( which were not Ignes comburentes , sed lambentes : ) hated , with a perfect Hatred , those Sanguinary Spirits ; as may appear from the Deportment of S. Martin of Tours , who ( as Sulpitius Sev. reports ) refused to communicate with Ithasius and Idacius , two Spanish Bishops , because they did prosecute unto Death some of the Priscillianists , and that before the Tyrant Maximus ; ( though it cannot be denyed , but that they were detestable Hereticks , even Manichaei Redivivi , and consequently but half Christians . ) So great was the Aversion of these truly Evangelical Spirits , from Shedding of Blood , even in the Cause of God. Yea more than so : so great was the Antipathy that S. Martin had conceived against such violent Courses , that when he was informed , the Tyrant had impower'd some Military Tribunes to go into Spain , & there to depopulate the Country , & pillage the goods of all those who would not conform , he immediately went to that Emperour , and freely told him , That this pretended Zeal was not kindled by a Coal from the Altar of God , but rather an infernal Fire bred in the Breasts of some furious Bishops , and fomented by the Venome of that old Red Dragon , the natural Feuel thereof : the Event whereof could be no other , than that of a furious Tempest , or overflowing Inundation , which bears down all before it , and puts no Difference betwixt the Good and the Bad , Old or Young , Male or Female , but sweeps away all promiscuously : or like unto a number of ravenous Wolves let loose upon a Multitude of harmless and naked Animals , which have not the Faculty to discriminate betwixt the mangy Sheep and those which are sound in the Flock ; So it should fare with those defenceless Creatures , if an Hostile Army should invade a peaceable People , living securely without any Fear or Apprehension of such a sudden Deluge ; Friends and Foes , Heterodox and Orthodox , Conformist and Non-Conformist , would be all overflowed alike : the insolent Souldier having no other Eyes to discern ( but what Nature hath given to all living Creatures ; ) betwixt the Faith of an Heretick , and the Orthodox , save only by their Paleness and Garb. So that they who are accustomed to Rapine , almost from their Infancies , if they found rich Moveables , and easily transportable to their own Countries , whether the Owners were rich in the Faith , or not , they would not concern themselves with that nice Distinction ; But , as it was said of the dayes of Caligula , That it was then Crime enough to be rich ; so all should be Fish that should come in their Net : so impartial would these rude Souldiers be . And the Emperour would be so far from attaining his End , that it would rather harden these deluded People to persist in their Non-Conformity ; they looking upon themselves as Martyrs ( at least Confessors ) for their imaginary Faith : the most ignorant among them being at least so intelligent , as to understand , that this is not the peaceable Method of the Gospel , to proselyte any to the Christian Faith , but point blank contrary thereunto . By which ( truly zealous ) Intercession , this Devout man at last diverted the Tyrant from that most cruel Design . But , in fine , I shall remit them to the serious Consideration of the State and Practice of the Primitive Church , when the Civil Magistrate was no Christian , but a Persecuter of that way , whose Concurrence they could not expect to their Discipline , but rather a violent Opposition thereunto . And if any of them seemed to put to their helping hand , it was not any Love to the Discipline of the Church , but Ragione del ' Stato , as the Italians phrase it ; Thus the Emperour Aurelianus did drive away Paulus Samosatenus , that Arch-heretick , and Bishop , from Antioch ; but it was out of no Principle of Respect to the Church that he did so , ( for he was accounted one of the Persecuting Emperours ; ) but from Reason of State , because that proud Heretick was a great Incendiary in that City . Let therefore the present Church imitate that excellent Pattern of the Primitive , before the Halcyonian day of the great Constantine . But if ( in ordine ad Spiritualia ) they will needs make their Address to the Secular Magistrate , for the Coercion of Delinquents , I wish it were rather in the matter of gross Scandal , contumaciously persever'd in , notwithstanding of the highest Censures of the Church inflicted upon them ; than of the Sentiments of the Judgment which proceed not the length of unwarrantable Practices . For they who are incorrigibly profane are more overawed by the Terror of man , than by the Fear of God ; and much more by the Temporal Sword of the Criminal Judge , than by the Spiritual Sword of the Church ; for habitual Practical Atheists may ( without breach of Charity ) be presum'd to be such in Speculation . I shall only instance the Profanation of the Lord's Day by Salmon-Fishing ; there being a vile Pack of brain-sick Hereticks in this Land , who allow the Practice of it . I am indeed far from pleading for a Judaical Sabbath in this Church ; But for any who are called Christians to be so employed in the time of God's Solemn Worship , must needs be very odious in the Sight of Heaven , and exceedingly scandalous in the Eyes of all those who are devoted to a Religious Service . Neither find we any such Irregularities tolerated in any Christian Church , which passeth not under the name of Barbarous ; no , not in Geneva , or Amsterdam . I know certainly , that this Insolency hath been represented , both privately and publickly , to the chiefest Governours of this Church ; and they obtested , to implore the Assistance of his Majesties Secret Councel , in order to the effectual Suppression of that Scandal , as being so reflective upon the present Government : but I fear , it hath not yet been done , for there is neither Bruit nor Fruit of that Address . But if the Governours of our Church desire to avoid those bitter Sarcasmes , Medice cura teipsum ; & Turpe est Doctori &c. De ingratis etiam ingrati queruntur : qui non ardet , non accendit : Si vis me flere &c. Which ( in plain English ) import that we should wash our own Mouths before we apply Gargarisms to others ; Or ( to use our Saviour's Phrase ) pull out the Beam , before thou espy the Mote ; then let them have a special Care , not to be found Profaners of the Lord's Day themselves . Which Scandal ' they ought to shun the more solicitously , because it was one of the Rocks on which their Predecessours did split ; if we may believe the verbal Assertion of many living Witnesses , and that which a late learned Writer hath consign'd in print : Which Reflection should serve , at least , as a Pharos , to prevent all Shipwracks of that nature for the future . But how this Beacon hath been observed , may be perceived from the ensuing little Story . A Bedal of a Country-Church being questioned , not long agoe , before a Country-Session , for bringing home a Burden of Flax on the Lord's Day , made this Apology for himself , That not many Days before , there had been a Bishop in that Village , who in his Return from the North , ( where he had been visiting his aged Father , of the same Order with himself ; ) lodged all Night in the Minister's House , though the Incumbent was not at home ; and ( not staying to supply that Vacancy ) travelled many Miles that Day of his Removal , which was the Lord's Day , with a great Baggage-Horse in his Train , whose Burden was far above the Proportion of Flax he had brought home ; Whence he inferr'd , That he thought the Bishops had brought such Carriages in Fashion on the Lord's Day , and that he might lawfully imitate them who were the Fathers and Lights of the Church . From which blunt , but true , Story , ( for the poor door-keeper was censured in Publick , for all his imaginary Authentick Apology . ) I shall also deduce this Inference ; That all Church-men should be as vigilant as Dragons , over their Conversation in the World , that they give not the least Offence unto any ; ( that Stumbling-block occasioning the most dangerous Fall , which is laid by the imprudent deportment of an Ecclesiastick . ) The Plurality of men being more enclined to live by Examples than by Rules , the former being much more obvious to Plebeian heads than the latter , besides it hath a secret Magnetical Virtue , like the Loadstone it attracts by a Power of which we can give no Account . Yea such is the perverseness of humane Nature , since that woful Lapse of our first Parents , that the generality of men are more prone to follow Evil , than to imitate that which is Good. But , that we may shut up this Point , I shall add no more to the Prosecution of Delinquents in Foro Ecclesiastico , but only this Wish , That the Governours of our Church do not ( by their applying violent Corrosives to some who are obnoxious to Error , and too great Lenitives to others who are Scandalous , ) give occasion unto any , of applying to them that usual Observation concerning the Roman Church , That she punisheth more severely the Violaters of her own Laws , than the Transgressors of the unquestionable Laws of God. I cannot deny , but that it doth exceedingly grate my Spirit , to hear the Adversaries of our Church upbraid the present Government with a Connivence at some Scandals , by saying , That it was not so in the Time of their Covenant , ( for so they term that Rebellious Combination against Church and State : ) and that Presbytery was a better Bulwark against Error and Prophaneness , than Episcopacy ; I fail not indeed to tell them , that it must needs have been a very precious Rampart which was cemented with the Blood of Kings ; and that I could give them an account of many Tyrants ( both in regard of Usurpation and Domination ) who made very good Laws , and put them severely in execution ; For , Ex malis moribus bonae oriuntur Leges . Yet I wish from my very Soul , That our Church ( as it is now Constituted ) did in Piety , Charity , and Purity ( both as to Errour and Prophaneness ) outvie all the Sects and Conventicles in the World. See the Acts of the First General Council at Nice , under Constantine the Great , against the Arrians . The Second General Council at Constantinople , under Theodosius the Great , against the Macedonians . The Third General Council at Ephesus , against the Nestorians , Auspiciis Theodosii Iunioris . The Fourth General Council , against the Futychians , under Martianus . The Fifth under Justinian the Great , against the T●ta Capitula . And of the Sixth , under Constantinus Pogonatus , against the Monoth●●●es . ( Not to speak of many Provincial Synods during that Interval . ) Vide Concil . Ta●raconens . Can. 4. Concil . Antisiodor . Can. 34. Concil . Tolet. 4. Can. 30. Tolet. 11. Can. 6. Tol. 1. Can. 5. Conc. Matiscon . 2. Can. 1. Where we have these express words , Nemo Die Dominico ●alem sibi necessitatem exhibeat , quae jugum cervicibus jumentorum imponere cogat . Fslote omnes Hymnis & Laudibus Deo intenti . Si quis vestrûm proximam habeat Ecclesiam , properet ad eandem ; & ibi Die Dominico seme●ipsum precibus lachrymisque afficiat , &c. Vid. etiam Concil . Antisiodor . Can. 16. Vide Hieronym . Comment . ad cap. 4. Thren . Peccantes mansuetudine provocentur , non austeritate abjiciantur : August . ( scribens ad Proculianum , partis Donatianae Sectarium ; ) Doceri , & moderatä ratione ad Colloquia & amicas Collationes invitari debent , qui cogi non possunt : Decere quippe ●erae Religionis cultores , ut à perpetuo proposito non recedant , vincendi in bono malum . Idem ad Cecilianum Praesidem i●a scribi● ; Vt tumor sacrilegae vanitatis terrendo potius sanetur , quàm ulciscendo resecetur ▪ & Epist. ad Aurel. Episcop . Si quando minae ab iis qui praesunt adhibeantur , id cum dolore fieri oportere , ultionisque ●●●tum ex Seripturis intentari debere , ne ipsi in sua potestate , sed Deus in corum sermone timeatur . Et in Luculenta illa ad Bonifac. Comitem Epist. idem subdit ; In hujusmodi Causis , ubi pergraves dissentionum s●●ssuras , non hujus aut illius hominis est periculum , sed populorum strages jacent , detra●endum esse aliquid severitati , & majoribus malis sanandis , charitate subvenien●lum . ( Quod adeo in Ecclesia obtinuit , 〈…〉 Sententia semel atque iterumin Gratiani Decretum transcripta sit . ) B. Ambrosius à Valentiniano Imp. puero , ad Maximum Imp. missus ( sub id tempus quo iste Tyrannus Priscilliani caput amputasset : ) in Relatione sua testatur , cum Treviris esset , abstinuisse se ab iis Episcopis qui 〈◊〉 communicabant , & à side devios ad ●ecem petebant . Vid. etiam Greg. 1. Moral . Lib ▪ 2● ▪ Par. 4. c. 6. Et Lib. 2. Epist. 52. Lib. 11. Ep. 15. Article XVI . 1 King. 21. 19 , 20. & 22. 14 , 15 , 16 , 17. 2 King. 3. 13 , 14. Isa. 58. 1. Ier. 1. 17 , 18. Ezek. 2. 6. & 3. 9. Mat. 10. 28. Act. 4. 19 , 20 , 29. & 9. 27 , 29. 1 Tim. 5. 21. Tit. 2. 15. IN the foregoing Article we have hinted at the Execution of Discipline . And seeing divers Appeals come from Inferiour Church-Judicatories to the Bishops , and their Diocesan Synods ; Let me entreat them with a holy and discreet 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , to reprehend all who are found guilty within their Jurisdiction , by discountenancing and Censuring all who are Contumacious in Schism , obstinate in Prophaneness , and pertinacious in Errour ; especially , if they be Apostates from our Religion , to Quakerism , Popery , or Atheism . For , if they be observed to be destitute of that Courage or Resolution which is necessary in any Governour , it will give occasion unto many to conclude , That God never Call'd them to that Office , seeing they are not e●du'd with the Spirit of their Calling ▪ For ( as the Spirit of Government was imparted by Heaven to the Son of Kish , before his Election to the Regal Office , so ) the Almighty sends none to labour in his Vineyard , but he first furnisheth them with competent Abilities to work there . The Passion of Fear ( as Syracides tells us ) betrays those Forces which Reason brings into the Soul , and many times argues an evil Conscience within ; For the Righteous are bold as a Lion ; but the Timerous and Wicked are hide-bound , irresolute , resty , and unactive , always obnoxious to a pannick fear , and void of zeal for the Glory of God , through Want of the Virtue of active Fortitude ; so that they are many times afraid of their own shadows . And it was upon the account of that destitution , that the Primitive Church did declare the Lapsi and Clinicks , who were Baptized in that condition , irregular , and inhabiles to Ossiciate at the Altar ; the Former , because they wanted Christian Courage ; as is insinuated Can. X. Concilii Magni Nicaeni : and the Later should not be Ordain'd , because their Faith ( who are Baptized on their sick Bed ) seems not to be voluntary , but of necssity , which is explicitly given as the reason of that Interdict , by the 12th . Canon of Neo-Caesarea . And , without all Peradventure , He ( and he only ) is framed by Heaven to be an approved Governour , either of Church or State , who can say in sincerity , with S. Chrysostome , I fear nothing but Sin : For as the Poet saith , Degeneres animos Timor arguit . Now the Courage of a Church-Governour imports such a Magnanimity that excludes Pusillanimity on the one hand , and Temerity on the other ; that foelix temeritas ( which , as Seneca observed , attended the Actions of Alexander the Great ) being unsutable in a Church-man , who ought alwayes to order his Affairs with discretion ; For Christian Prudence admits of the Sagacity of the Serpent , in conjunction with the Harmlesness of the Dove . Therefore this Virtue in an Ecclesiastick , must also shut out that Volatile Salt which is observed in some who pretend to Greatness of Spirit , and should be reduc'd to such a Fixation that amounts to an immoveable Constancy in that which ( after mature deliberation ) hath once been well resolved upon , in conformity to that Advice of Judicious Salust . Antequam incipias Consulta . — ubi Consulueris maturè , facto opus est . But that Fixation must never come the length of a Caput Mortuum ; For , as a faint-hearted Creature is easily frighted by the Audacious ; so an unconstant wavering Spirit is , with no less facility , imposed and wrought upon by the Crafty . That Character of Socrates ; Semper eodem incedebat vul●u ; and that Prince's Motto , Semper idem , are decent Epithetes in a Church-man . As the inflexible Justice of Aristides merited that Elogium , That the Sun might be sooner diverted from its Course , than that Noble Athenian from the Path of Iustice ; So the inviolable Resolution of Athanasius to adhere unto the Truth , procured that deserved Encomium , Sedem potiùs mutare voluit quàm Syllabam : Yea , less than a Syllable ( even the interposition of one Letter into the Churches Creed , ) would have composed the Difference betwixt the Orthodox and Arrians , and have procured eternal Peace to the Christian World , all the Years of the Reign of the Emperours Constantius and Valens : and that ( in all probability ) much more effectually , than the Nine disparate Creeds Penned by the Arrians , during the Reign of Constantius . But they adhered closely to the Council of Nice , and did choose rather to cast themselves upon the Providence of God , than to consent to the least Alteration ; they perceiving that the substitution of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , did not only pervert the Sence , and enervate the Authority of that great Synod ; but that it did totally invalidate its Determination for Consubstantiality . For the Orthodox considered , that as Wisdom is alwaies justified of her own Children ; So that Wisdom which descends from above , is first pure , then peaceable ; And that Optabilius est Bellum pace impiâ , & à Deo distrahente . But I greatly fear that there are too many in this Iron Age so flexible , that they would Cause to renounce , not only any Letter of the Alphabet , but also all the Dutch Consonants , and Selavonian Words , yea , both Α , and Ω , before they willingly abandoned their Seats , they being Willows , and not Oaks : Which was given as the reason , by an old Courtier , why he stood ( but I suppose not uprightly ) in favour , during all the Twenty four Years of Bloody War betwixt the Red Rose and the White : such persons having a Versatile Ingenium ( as was said of Cato the Elder ) which can uti foro , & servire Scenae . But a prudent Resolution with a Couragious Constancy , in a Church-Governour , will not fail to animate all the Presbyters within his Jurisdiction , to exercise Church-Discipline impartially , without any fear of finding their own subordinate Authority baffled in the matter of Appeals , when Scandalous persons provoke from their Award to the Bishops Tribunal ; which is too frequently practis'd in this Age. But if ( in lieu of strengthening ) they perceive their Superiours palpably weakening their hands , by conniving too long , and indulging too much unto some Delinquents , it will give occasion , even to those who cannot but approve the form of Government , to wish that they had never seen such Governours , who regard not the Glory of God , or the Good of his Church , nor the Credit of their own Office , nor the Reputation of their Clergy ; and that they are too like unto K. Saul , given rather for a Curse , than a Blessing unto the People of God : All Laodicean Bishops , and all who ( as the Satyr said ) blow hot and cold with one mouth , being hateful in the sight of God , and odious in the eyes of those who have a pure zeal for the Glory of God , and the Good of his Church ; for Corruptio optimi est pessima . Yet I doubt not , but that this free Remonstrance ( though made by the most Conform of the Clergy , ) shall verifie that of the Royal Prophet , Tange montes , & fumigabunt ; which by some of the old Fathers is applied to these rancorous Vapors which barefac'd Truth exhales from some Mountains of worldly Dignity . And from these little partial Policies ( which savour too rankly of a timorous sinful Compliance : ) Judicious Spectators will take occasion to compare them unto Aesop's Dog , who would neither do good , nor let good be done ; and to the Crimaean Tartars , who will not suffer the Polonians to manure a parcel of fertile ground interjacent betwixt them , and that part of the Ancient Scythia Europaea , neither will they be at the pains to cultivate it themselves . I deny not , but Pax cum hominibus , & Bellum cum vitiis , is an Ancient Christian Maxim ; But sure I am , Pax cum hominibus & vitiis , is an Antichristian Conjuncture . But the impartial execution of Discipline hath also a Train of many other excellent Advantages following after it ; For all the Cardinal Vertues do evidently and eminently appear therein : And it is an imitation of the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of our Great Master ; as also the best Expedient to perswade all Ranks of people to comply with their Admonitions , and to submit enirely and cheerfully to the Yoke of Discipline , when they perceive their Rulers to be no Respecters of Persons , and that their Justice is so far blind , as not to put any difference ( in their Censures ) betwixt the Noble and the Ignoble , the Rich and the Poor . But if any Byass be perceived towards the Left Hand of Secular Interest , unbyassed persons will be apt to resemble those Canons whereby they pretend to be regulated , unto Spiders Webs , ( as one compared Solon's Laws ; ) which catch the lesser Insects , but the greater ones pass through them Scot-free . It was certainly the Consideration of the unmalleable impartiality of a Prelat , which prompted that Great Emperor Theodosius to say , That he knew no Bishop but Ambrose . There is but little fear , in this byassed Age of the World , of the violation of that Antique Precept , Ye sh●ll not countenance a poor man in his Cause ; but the Reverse thereof is too frequently transgressed , it being an old Complaint Dat veniam Corvis , vexat Censura Columbas . Another Advantage of the impartial Execution of Discipline , is , a great Conformity to the Method of the Primitive Church . And sure if the prudent practice of many disused Penitentiary Canons were retrived into this Age , it would resemble the Face and Garb of the Ancient Christian Church , much more than it doth . Me thinks , it cannot but be a matter of great admiration unto any that is acquainted with the Primitive History , to find ( even before the Roman Empire turn'd Christian ; ) such a Crowd of Penitents , especially the Lapsi , willingly offering themselves to undergo the severest Penances enjoined by those Ancient Canons , which were so strict and diuturnal , that many of them required many years appearance in Sackcloth and Ashes , before they were accomplished ; the Church-Guides wanting the Brachium Saeculare to second their Discipline , and many times meeting with much opposition therefrom . Neither had the Penitents any Temporal Hopes or Fears to induce them , but only a firm belief of the Future Rewards and Punishments of another World. The Principal Canons which contain a Platform of that Ancient Austere Discipline , and which do enjoin an impartial Execution of Church-Censures upon all Delinquents without respect of persons , shall be subjoin'd at the period of this Article . I shall only here take notice of the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of the Primitive Fathers ; For in some Cases , these Disciplinarian Canons permitted a great Latitude to the Governours of the Church , to dispence with the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or rigorous execution of them , upon the account of Humanity , Charity , Prudence , and Compassion , especially towards those who were in danger to be swallow'd up of too much Grief , or to be absorpted in the Gulf of Death , before they were reconciled to the Church by fulfilling the whole Canonical time of Penance . This Discretion is recommended in the 11th . Canon of that great Council of Nice : And the reason of this Remission of the Rigour of the Law in some Cases is expressed in general , by the 7th . Canon of the XI th Council of Toledo ; where we have these very Words ; Ecclesiarum Rectoribus discretio esse debet , ne per inconditam & indiscretam Disciplinam , subeant Homicidii nolam . And the 12th Canon of the same Council of Toledo may be termed a Commentary upon that 11th of the Council of Nice . Now this Relaxation of Penance ( which was nothing else , but a Dispensation with the Rigour of the Canon , upon Prudential and Charitable Motives , ) being a great Favour granted by the Poenitentiary , or Spiritual Guide to the Publick or Private Penitent , it was fitly termed by the Primitive Church , an Indulgence ; Which Word in the later Ages was grossely abused by the Roman Church , in the matter of Purgatory ; and the unlawful Gain which redounded from that Doctrine , reckoned upon as one of the Three Spiritual Fountains of the Temporal Intrado of the Popes of Rome . But whether this Politick Invention did contribute more to the Avarice , or Ambition of that Hierarchy , can hardly be determined . But sure I am , the Primitive Fathers knew no such Lucrative Doctrine : And if they could have heard Ticelius , with the rest of his Dominican Pardon-mongers promulgating that most Scandalous Sale of Indulgences in Germany , ( where , for a little Money , they promised in the Pope's Name , That the Living should be preserved from the Flames of Purgatory , and the Dead immediately extricated out of them ; ) they would undoubtedly have concluded , That these Praecones came from Hell , to publish that Simoniacal Doctrine , of which we find ne 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quidem , in all the authentick Decrees of the most ancient Bishops of Rome : Yea to him that readeth the Decretals , it may plainly appear , That an Indulgence is , an Absolution from Penance imposed in Confession only ; which was the Opinion of that Learned Cardinal Cajetan , after he had once and again conferr'd with M. Luther at Ausburg ; the Judgment of that great Cardinal being homologated by that ingenuous ( but miserably deluded by his Cardinals ) Pope Adrian the 6th , who was also a great Divine , and had written on that Subject long before Luther thought to handle it . As for the Aera of that unhandsome way of gaining money ; It was certainly posteriour to the 11th Century , and did not commence , till Vrban the second , having granted a plenary Indulgence and Remission of all Sins to whosoever made War in the Holy Land , to regain the Sepulchre of Christ out of the Hands of the Mahumetans ; which was imitated by his Successors for some hundreds of years ; Some of which granted it to those who maintain'd a Souldier , in case they could not go to war themselves in Person : and after , in Progress of time , the same Indulgences were given for the taking of Arms against those that obeyed not the Church of Rome , ( at which we hinted in another Article , ) although they were also Christians ; and for the most part , in●inite Exactions were made , under these Pretences ; all which ( or the greater part ) were applyed to baser Ends and Uses , than was pretended . But it is high time to crave pardon for this brief polemical Digression , and I shall speedily shut up this Article with an Answer to one or two Objections . Peradventure some are ready to say , it 's impossible to retrive that Primitive Pattern unto this Age , unless it were reduced ( whereof there is but little hope , ) unto that intense Contrition , and Zeal , Faith , Hope , Charity , Humility , Patience and Temperance , which abounded in the Infant Christian Church . Yea , more than so , There were many Schismaticks in the Primitive times , ( such as the Novations , Donatists , Miletians , and Luciferians . ) and some Hereticks , ( especially the Montanists , called otherwise Cataphrygians , ) who , with a malicious vigilancy , watched for the halting of the Orthodox ; which made them bestirr themselves the more vigorously against Delinquents ; and with a seeming Severity , lest these watchful Dragons should upbraid them with too much Lenity . For Answer ; It is a matter of great Regrett to all the true Lovers of Sion , that these Christian Vertues are at the best practised among us in too remiss a Degree ; And it should be the Endeavour of all Christians to come up to the length of that grand Exemplar ; for we have Souls to be saved or lost , as well as they ; and there is no less Obligation lying upon us to glorifie God , than was on them . And if every one who professeth that Holy Calling , would in his own Sphere move aright through Divine Grace , we needed not doubt , but that Golden Age would , in a great part , be brought back to the Church , and that we should anticipate that blessed Millenium which was expected by the most ancient Primitive Fathers , before the Consummation of the World. To which Purpose the most Learned M. Mede applyes the Doctrine of the ancient Chiliasts , and vindicates the Sectators of Papias , from the Imputation of S. Hierom. As for the other Objection ; It is but too evident , that we have but too many Hereticks and Schismaticks living amongst us , whose Lyncaean Eyes are as maliciously observent of the Defects , and Neglects of our Church , as any of those of the Primitive times were : and whosoever hath not noticed this , it may be truly said of him , that Domi peregrinatur . Vid. Canones ferè omnes Concilii Illiberini , Neo-Caesariensis , & Ancyrani . Concil . General . 1. Can. 2. & 19. Concil . Tolet . 3. Can. 2 , 16. Concil . Agathens . Can. 37. Concil . Carthag . 4. Can. 74. Concil . Turon . 2. Can. 19. Concil . Hispalens . 1. Can. 3. Concil . Matiscon . 2. Can. 14. Concil . Toletan . 4. Can. 31. Tolet. 6. Can. 3. Synod . Quinisex . vel Concil . General . 6. Can. 95. The Practice of holy Bishops being the best Commentary upon their Doctrine , before we subjoyn any of their Testimonies for the Confirmation of this Article , I shall give a brief hint of some Histories , in order to the refreshing of the Memory of the judicious Reader ; for he must needs be a Stranger to all Church-History , who is altogether unacquainted with these ensuing Instances . The first is of Maris Bishop of Chalcedon , a blind Bishop , yet he fought not Andabatarum more , but boldly told the Emperour Iulian to his Face , That he was glad the Almighty had bereav'd him of his Eyes , that he might not see such a vile Apostate as he was . Such was the Freedom of Spirit wherewith even an Arrian Bishop was endued in Behalf of the Christian Religion . But the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of S. Basil ( a greater , and much more Orthodox Bishop , ) was so admirable in the Eyes of the Lieutenant of the Emperour Valens , that this Heretical Servant told it as one of the greatest Wonders in the World , unto his Arrian Master , That there was no Threatening imaginable could deterr that Metropolitan of Cappadoc●a , from the Path of Truth and Vertue . St. Chrysostom his Freedom of Spirit in reprehending the Vanities of the Empress Eudoxia , was so great , that some supposed it had too much of the Satyr in it : and that his wonderful Eloquence would have run in a smoother Channel , if a little Gall , Vinegar , and Vitreol , had not sometimes troubled the Stream . But he deserved from all ( and in a right Sence too ) to be term'd 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , or a kneeless Bishop , he being inflexible to all the Petitions of Ignorant and Scandalous Ecclesiasticks , who lived within the Priphery of his Patriarchate : Neither could all the Hopes or Fears , wherewith the greatest Secular Persons in the World accosted him , divert that Resolute Prelate , from that which he judged just and Good , and a part of his Episcopal Charge . Though we might subjoyn many other Examples to this Purpose , yet I shall forbear , for the reason above frequently express'd . Yet we cannot balk in Silence the well-known Instance of that most worthy Prelate of Millan , who repell'd , for the space of eight Moneths , that good Emperour Theodosius the Great , from the Holy Eucharist , ( that blessed Sacrament being frequently celebrated in the Western Churches , at that time ; ) and that for his temerarious and cruel Sentence in the mattter of Thessalonica . But whether the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of that great Bishop , or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of that great Emperour , were most admirable , I shall not determine ; but shall shut up this Historical Account , with that Resolute Answer which this couragious Prelate gave to Valentinian the second , Emperour of the West ; who ( being instigated by his Mother , an Arrian , to give the Principal Church at Millan to those Hereticks ) did meet with this unexpected Repulse from S. Ambrose , in the Porch of his Cathedral , Non prodam Lupis gregem mihi commissam ; hic occide si lubet . In which Expression his holy Boldness , in Conjunction with a due Submission to superiour Powers , affords new matter of Admiration . Now , in regard that this little Cento of History hath wasted more Paper than at first I imagin'd it should do , we shall therefore add no more Authorities to this Article . Article XVII . Mat. 23. 6 , 7 , 8. &c. Act. 21. 20. Rom. 12. 10. 2 Cor. 3. 5. 2 Pet. 3. 15. WHatever Bombast Epithets others give unto them , Let all Bishops when they Converse and salute one another viva voce , or by writing , use no other Compellation than that of Brethren , which is most consonant unto the Primitive Pattern ; all Christians then living as Brethren , and denominating one another under that notion of Fraternity ; ( which word was much used in the Infancy of the Church : and from it the Pagans also took occasion to traduce our Religion . ) But none used it more than the Ministers of the Gospel , whether Bishops or Presbyters ; it being ( as Baronius that great Annalist hath well observed ; ) the most usual Compellation of all Bishops among themselves , where there was a parity of Age , or no great disproportion . But when any of the Order , who had stepped in upon a decrepit old age ( called by the Latines , Aetas Capularis , and Silicernium : ) did converse with one of the same Order much younger than himself , he usually called him Son , and vice versâ , the younger termed the elder Father ; ( though none of them were so young , but that fourty Winters ( at least ) had snowed upon their Heads ; yea , very few Presbyters were Ordained in these Times of Persecution , whose Pulse had not beaten twice twenty years : ) To which , if some late Criticks had well adverted , they would have made Use of a better Argument to repudiate the pretended Areopagite , ( as there want not some solid reasons to do the feat , ) than his impertinency , in calling Timothy , Son , at the Close of his Book , Of Ecclesiastical Hierarchy ; though ( say they ) the said Timothy was equal to him , ( if not his Superiour ) in Piety , Doctrine , and Authority , both being Bishops of famous Churches , and Ephesus ( where Timothy Govern'd ) rather a Mother-Church than Athens ; and that it was the General Custom of the Primitive Church , for Bishops to call one another Brethren : But this is a meer Fallacy , à dicto secundum quid , ad dictum simpliciter ; For in respect of Age , he might have called him Son , though in many other things he had been his Superiour ; seeing we find , more than a thousand years after that time , ( when Christian Simplicity and Humility were much rarer in the World , ) that Ioseph Patriarch of Constantinople , flatly refused the Emperour thereof , ( whose , almost desperate , Affairs , in that Conjuncture required as great Complyance with the Latin Church , as Conscience could possibly permit , ) to prostitute himself to the Bishop of Rome , by giving him the usual Adorations of the occidental Church at that time ; and plainly told him , that if Eugenius the 4th ( by whose Influence the Councel of Florence was celebrated , which was first assembled at Ferrara : ) were a man much elder than himself , he would call him Father ; if but of equal years , he would term him Brother ; if much younger , he would style him Son , without the ●east mention of his pretended Title of Holiness . And this was all the Compellation and Obeysance could be obtained from that peremptory Patriarch . It were also desireable , That all our Bishops took Place among themselves according to their Age ; ( excepting the Metropolitan or Primate , who is constant Praeses of that Sacred Colledge , and who usually in the Primitive Church was eminent above the rest , not only in all laudible Qualifications , but also in respect of Age. ) For in doing so , they would not only imitate the Sons of that great Patriarch Iacob , but they would shew themselves humbly obsequious to many ancient Canons , which appoint the Precedency of Bishops among themselves , to be , at least , conform to the Aera of their present Dignity ( of which we shall give an account at the end of this Article ; ) it being a most indecent Spectacle , ( and that which in the City of Sparta would have appear'd a very ridiculous Pageantry : ) to see a Reverend old man treading upon the Heels of one who might have been his Grand-child , and yet of that same Order with himself . But whether young or old ( if they be once of the Order ) there is all the reason in the World , that all of them should be interested in all the material Concerns thereof . Time was , when there were no such peculiar Precincts in this Church , which are now termed Dioceses ; but all of that Sacred Order Governed this Church Communi-consilio & Suffragio , and therefore were denominated Episcopi Scotorum , in general : And without Peradventure , all Bishops and Presbyters , Canonically Elected and Ordained , are , Iure Divino , Organical Members of the Catholick Church , ( as is sufficiently demonstrated by M. Hudson , and divers others : ) though we should prescind from all Limitations of Diocesan and Parochial Churches ; which restrictive Boundaries were only determined Iure Humano : ( Damasus and Platina testifying , that P. Evaristus , primus in urbe Roma , divisit Titulos Presbyteris . ) For , if this most reasonable ▪ correspondence , and good Understanding were observed amongst all the Bishops of a National Church , there should be no occasion given unto any of that Order , to regret that they are seldom call'd to give their Advice in the most important Affairs of the Church ; far less their Consent required to the Management of them . Nor should they complain , that when their Assistance is offered , they are us'd much worse than the Pedarii Senatores at Rome ; the point-blank contrary being put in execution to that which the Plurality had resolved upon ; as if they were not the Edifiers of Sion , but the Builders of Babel , and understood not one another's Language . Which Slight put upon Bishops , may a little alleviate the Neglect of Presbyters ; For , Solamen miseries , &c. But I would humbly tender my Advice to the Governours of our Church , not to use such singular Methods , and dis-joynted Counsels ; lest they give occasion unto intelligent Persons , for to resemble them unto Lewis the Eleventh of France , of whom it was said , That he carried all his Councel about with him upon one horse . And Philip de Commines , that excellent Historian , observes it to have been the cause of the final Ruin , and fatal end of that King's Rival , Charles the Warlike , That he harkened to no Counsel , save that of his own . Perhaps some of these Leading-men have not only the Vanity of Themistocles the Athenian General , who dispatch'd all the important Concerns of his Office , the last day of his Abode in the City ( as Plutarch reports in the History of his Life ; ) but also the ambition to be thought no less sufficient than that Perpetual Dictator , whose great Parts did cast such a dark shadow upon his insignificant Colleague in the Consulship , that they , who in mockery did calculate the Fasti Consulares , design'd that Year thus ; Iulio & Caesare Coss. ( the remaining Bibuli sitting rather as Ciphers , than Consuls , in the Church of God. ) Yet let them be never so sharp , I hope they will acknowledge there is some acuteness in that expression of the Wise Man , In the multitude of Councellors there is Safety ; and some sence in that old Maxim , Plus vident oculi quàm oculus ; and in this also , Vis Consilii expers , mole ruit suâ . For they who will not give ear to the Advice of any other man , ( be he never so godly and Learned ) must needs be such Opiniators , as Iamblicus out of Aristotle speaks of , who imagine themselves a middle sort of Rationals , betwixt God and Man. Yet these Fantastical Semidii , shall not only dye like men , but they have good reason to fear , that there shall be no such King found as David was , to follow the Bier , and to Lament over them thus ; Dyed these Generals of the Ten Tribes as Fool dieth ? Nay , on the contrary , they may apprehend the Fate of Iehoram , that wicked King of Iudah , who departed Not being desir'd ; i.e. None seriously affecting the prolongation of that Life , which was so useless and noxious to the World. And let them remember , that there is scarce any Ancient Councel ( if ever they did read them ; ) whether General or Provincial , ( so that we need not amass Citations to this purpose ; ) but Ordains every Metropolitan to Assemble a Councel of his Comprovincials once every year at least , that with common Advice and Consent they may resolve on those things which concern the Good of that Church , at whose Helm Providence hath placed them . And it is very observable , That there have been some in the World , who , having dream'd of an 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in themselves , ( as if these Fantastick Deities did emulate one of the Names of the true God , which is Schaddai , ) yet have been led by the Nose by some Sycophantine Creatures of their own ; which sons of Ptolomee Ceraun . and Campobasso , will not fail ( when occasion serves ) to cut the Throats of their deluded Patrons . But whatever Success their Subterranean Attempts may have , that Ecclesiastick must needs be too prodigal of his Fame , who is surrounded with such disingenuous Varlets , that cast so dark a Shadow upon him , which proves not only a great Scandal to the Church , but also a very great Reflection upon his own Judgment and Honour ; For ( as Constantius Chlorus said well ) He who is not faithful unto God , can never be faithful unto man. It was an old saying , Nulla fides pietasve viris qui Castra sequuntur . I wish there be no ground to apply this to any of the Spiritual Militia of this Age : and that none of them may be found like to that perfidious Grecian Lysander , who vaunted of himself , That , as some men cheated young Children with a little dose of Sweet Junkets , so he used to Trepan men with Oaths . And it is beyond all doubt , that they must needs be men of prostituted Consciences , and who would make no bones of falsifying their own Oaths for a little Worldly Interest , who endeavour to perswade a Metropolitan Councel to become guilty of Perjury ; without all Peradventure , such Persons would not think any singular Wickedness too great for them to boggle at . Vid. Concil . Arelat . 1. Can. 9. Cujus haec sunt verba ; Vt nullus Episcopus alium Episcopum conculcet . Concil . Carthag . 4. Can. 83. Concil Milevit . Can. 13. Concil . Agathens . Can. 16. Concil . Bracar . 1. Can. 24. Cujus haec sunt formalia verba ; — Item placuit , ut , conservato Metropolitani Episcopi Primatu , caeteri Episcoporum , secundum suae Ordinationis tempus , alius alii sedendi locum deferat . Concil . Antioch . Can. 9. & Concil Carthag . 4. Can. 25. Vid. Greg. 1. Lib. 12. Epist. 15. Cùm certum sit Honoris ista Distinctio , ut ipse prior & major habeatur , qui prius fuerat Ordinatus , Communitatis consilio , & concordi actione . Clem. Alex. Paedagog . & Lib. 5. Strom. Tertull. contra Marcion . Lib. 4. & contra Psychicos . ( though he had followed the Errour of Montanus , before he wrote that Invective against the Orthodox ; yet there be some sad Truths in it . ) Orat. Gregorii N●zianz . post reditum . Article XVIII . Act. 20. 30 , 31. Rom. 16. 17. Philip. 3. 2. 2 Tim. 2. 2. Tit. 1. 9 , 10 , 11. HAving hinted already at the Sentence of Inhability pronounced by the Primitive Church against all those who had been Publick Penitents , Declaring them for ever incapable to Officiate at the Al●ar , whether they were Candidates of 〈◊〉 Holy Function , or already in Orders ; It 〈…〉 here subjoyn , That they took the same course with all those who deserved to be such , ( suppose they continued for a time Refractory to the Discipline of the Church ; ) whom they reduc'd , if of the Clergy , to the Laick-Communion , and thought it favour enough in doing no more . Which Censure was not to participate of a mutilated Sacrament , ( as some ignorant Papalins pretend , in their pitiful Arguings for that detestable Sacrilege : ) but to be in the state of Laicks , that they should not any more enjoy the Honour of sitting among the Clergy , or of being reputed such . And they must needs be void , not only of Greek and Latin , but of common Sense too , who do not perceive that to be the genuine Import of those numerous Canons of the Eastern and Western Churches , which have pronounced that kind of Censure against the great Delinquents of the Clergy , these refractory Persons being so much the more Criminal , because they added Contumacy to their Guilt , and were many Removes from Conviction . I wish from my very heart , that the same Method had been us'd in this Church ; which would have obviated that great Reproach which hath of late befallen it , in reference to those of the Clergy , who engag'd into a Schismatical and Seditious Combination against the Government of Church and State ; that pernicious Conspiracy levelling both at Prince and Priest , though many well-meaning Creatures were seduced by these Ignes fatui , like those simple Souls which followed Absalom to Hebron . Yet this was not the sole Aggravation of their guilt ; For ( as if it had been too little for them to become once the Sons of the Devil ; ) they confirmed that hellish Confederacy by reiterated Oaths , in Complyance with that old Maxim , Tutum sceleribus per scelera est iter . And ( not satisfied with raising a devouring Fire in this national Church ; ) they rested not till they promoted that Combustion , by throwing Firebrands into the Bowels of our Neighbour Kingdom ; ( as if they were the genuine Issue of Semele , after Iupiter had approached unto her with the Ensigns of his Deity . ) which , raging there much worse than Aetna or Vesuvius could have done , or the most violent Vulcano in the World , inflamed all the Vitals of that well constituted Government : the Universal Conflagration of this poor Island being carried on by these Boutefeu's , with no less Pretence of Divine Zeal , than if they had fetched the first coal thereof from the Altar of God. If Justice had been done on those Incendiaries , they would at least have been reduc'd ad Communionem Laicorum ; and they ought to have looked upon it as a very great Favour indulg'd them , to have been permitted to remain in Statu quo priùs , without any other Chastisement , than the Corrodings of their own Consciences , ( when they reflect upon the Catastrophe of that horrid Tragedy they had been Acting ; which was , the Barbarous Assassination of one of the best of Princes . ) and a final Desperation of being Advanced to any higher Degree in the Militant Church . That Hereticks and Scismaticks , even after they have returned with penitent Hearts to the Catholick Church , should look upon it as a very great Favour , to be permitted to continue in the Order wherein they were before that Scandalous Lapse , ( yet absque omni spe Promotionis , ) is so evident from the ancient Fathers , that we need not wast any Paper thereabout : there being no less than thrice mention thereof in prima Causa secundae Partis Decreti Gratiani . Vid. Q. 1. C. 42. & C. 112. Q. 7. C. 21. In all which Paragraphs , that Expression is still mentioned , Vt in magno habeant beneficio Tolerantiam in Statu quo priùs permanendi , absque &c. But O! How my heart doth ach , ( For , as the Tragedian hath said , Curae leves loquuntur , ingentes stupent , ) when I consider , what a Scandal the Preferment of some of these , hath given to the Church of God. Their grasping of that which formerly they had solemnly abjured , and persecuted odio Vatiniano , as one of the strongest Limbs of Anti-Christ , puts me in mind of that of the Poet , Ille Crucem sceleris pretium tulit , hic Diadema . Which Honourable Elevation is too apt a Temptation to pave the way in corrupt Nature unto inveterate Knavery , when it is observed , That early Villany is prosperous in Youth , and hath the hap to be Crown'd in old Age ; unless it be such a Mock-Diadem wherewith an Ambitious Nobleman was once Stigmatized in this Land. To which unhappy Advancement and ominous Elevation , as the Causa defectibilis , ( together with that Curse which usually attends such Weather-cocks , ) many are apt to impute the Non-pursuance of the true Ends of this present Government , and the re-establishment thereof on sure Foundations ; that Proverb being too often verified , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . i.e. Mali principii , malus exitus : and Errours in prima concoctione are most dangerous . For , Sir Iohn Presbyter is scarce yet warned to Remove from his Usurped Possession , save only , that in lieu of a Presbyterian Moderator , we now have a Presbyterian Bishop , invested with a new Title , and larger Revenues . And what greater Demonstration need we of it than this , That some Presbyterian Preachers , and Ministers too , are Tolerated , by the sole Authority of some Bishops , to enjoy the Officium & Beneficium of those Churches wherein they have been Bellows of Schism and Sedition : and never yet acknowledged any Church-Judicatory higher than their Kirk-Session , since the re-establishment of this Government ? Which is a sufficient evidence , that simile simili gaudet , and Birds of one feather flock together . For if there were not such Bigots to cajole the Populace , the Fanaticks of this Land would soon crumble away to nothing . Another evidence of the Continuance of their doting upon their Darling Presbytery , is , Their Design to depress ( as much as possibly they can ) those of the Conform Clergy , who have been constantly Loyal to Church and State. Who ( in his right Wits ) would imagine , when any Episcopal See , Theological Chair , or Headship of a College is vacant , but that they would be ready ( secundum vires Inventarii ) to prefer unto those Vacancies , a well-qualified Person , who would be fast to their Government , upon the account of his Loyal Principles ? But we see the contrary practis'd ; Their old associates in that Hellish Combination must be the only men of whom they are fond ; whereby they embrace Ixion's Cloud instead of Iuno , and verifie the common Proverb , Quos Iupiter vult perdere , illos dementat : and Qui sibi nequam , cui bonus ? which joyn issue with that of Homer , Talis est hominum Terrestrium mens , Qualem quotidie ducit Pater Virorumque Deorumque . But — aliquisque malo fuit usus in illo . For ( these being the inveterate Socii Criminis ) they are sure they will never upbraid them , either directly or indirectly , with their former Immoralities ; For , Carere debet omni vitio , qui in alterum dicere paratus est . And if any of them should prove such bold Adventurers , they have this recriminating Repartee in readiness , for such shameless Upbraiders , Quamvis dignus essem hac Contumeliâ , indignus tu qui diceres tamen ; or that other , which is parallel thereto , Loripedem rectus irrideat , Aethiopem albus . But it is a matter of Lamentation , that their Endeavours of Depression have prov'd too successful . ( though , Nascitur indignè per quem denascitur alter . ) For , ( suppose we had lived the Life of Nestor ) none could remember , that ever they saw this Holy Function under so much Obloquy and Contempt , as it hath been these few years past . For , unless a man have something else to Commend him than the Dignity of his Office , ( though it is most Sacred , and should render the Exercisers of it every way inviolable : ) yet it is no 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to protect him from the Scoffings , and scurrile Expressions of the Profane ; nor from the Undervaluings of those who pretend to some Shadow of Civility and Religion . Yet I should wish , ( in behalf of the Church ) That , what is grated from the Circumference , were at least , cemented with the Center . But alack ! we find there is such an unhappy Conjuncture in this Affair , that there is too perfect a Resemblance thereof , unto Pharoah's Dream , of which we read , That the lean and ill-favoured Kine did eat up the first seven fat Kine , yet it could not be known that they had eaten them up ; for they were still lean and ill-favoured , as at the Beginning . But that we may put a Period to this grating Article ; I do firmly believe , That if his Gracious Majesty had been well inform'd of those deplorable Inconveniences , He would have chosen rather to have sent down some English Doctors to have govern'd us in prima instantia , than have permitted any of those Willy-wisps to jump into these empty Chairs ; our Neighbour-Church being such a fertile Soil , that it could easily spare a Charitable Antidote against the Famine of another ; ( though , to speak Truth , it is a kind of Nazareth to our wildest Fanaticks ; for they cannot foresee , that any Good shall come from thence . ) Yea , I am con●ident , if our own Ierusalem had been search'd with Light Candles , as many , who have been constantly Loyal , ( and have suffered much too upon that account ; ) would have been found to be Pares Negotio , who are inferiour to these late Daemagogues in nothing that is truly good , and much superiour to them all in real Honesty . Yea it is the Opinion of many judicious Persons , That some leading Secular Subjects , whose Hearts were not well disposed towards the Government , had a hand in the Advancement of such ; that through their sides ( which were too patent to Reproaches ) this sacred Regiment might be easily wounded : their feeble Arms not being able to susslaminate that Burden , they conjectured that the weight thereof would make them faint at last , and so permit that celestial Load to fall to the Ground , before an Hercules could be found to support it with his Shoulders . But as for those who longed for the Reestabliment of that ancient Government upon lasting Foundations ; and cordially wished to see all that Dirt of Obloquie and Contempt , which had been thrown in the Face of that Primitive Regiment , and sullied it for half an Age , so wiped off , that it might shine with a greater Lustre than before : these well-wishers knowing , that outward Esteem and Reputation is the same to great Persons ( especially of the Clergy ) which the Skin is unto the Fruit : For , though it be but a Slight and Delicate Cover , yet without it , the Fruit will presently dis-colour , and rot . Sure it would never have entered into the minds of those real Friends of the Church , that no better Expedient could be found to appease a raging Sea , and to procure Halcyonian Seasons unto that Storm-beaten ( and almost Shipwrack'd ) Vessel , than to invert the Story of Ionah by placing those runnagate Prophets at the Helm of the Church ; the more dexterous and auspicious Pilots being , in the mean time , thrown over Board , into a Sea of Confusion and contempt , like to the scattered Limbs of Innocent Absyrtus , and all for that end to retard the just Pursuit of a Criminal Medea . But , seeing it hath been the unhappy Fate of this Church , that such Persons have become the Steer-Masters of that fluctuating Ark ; yet true Repentance being ( as S. Hierom hath said ) Optima Tabula post Naufragium ; I should wish , that there had been a day of Solemn Humiliation appointed , wherein these Fugitive Lapsi , might have given Glory to God , by confessing before all his People , ( and that from deep Conviction too ) a penitent Sense of their former Schismatical and Seditious Courses . Which Exomologesis ( in my humble Judgment ) should have been found more justifiable , and much more edifying too , than to attest the Searcher of all hearts , That their Consciences did still approve that persecuted Way , even then when they were preaching , and acting with all their Might against it : whereby they detected themselves , either to have been Hypocrites all that time ( than which Heart , and a Heart nothing is more odious in the Sight of that God who delights in Uprightness : ) or at least , that they would have others to repute them such . For , I deny not the truth of that Maxim , Ne pudeat ad meliora transire , the meaning whereof , as to the present case , is this ; That these Malefactors should not be asham'd to repent of their former Perverseness , and to learn more Candour and Christian Ingenuity for the future . But , I fear , that many of those who were Protei before the year 1660 , if there come a new Revolution , ( which , as long as I breath , I shall every day pray God to prevent , ) would easily become Vertumni : And that the canting Language of a bold Usurper , would cast them into a new Paroxysm of their old Vertigo ; so that they should again become the Ecebolii of their Age. Vid. Concil . General . 1. Can. 9. Concil . Elibertin . Can. 30 , 51 , 76. Concil . Arelat . 2. Can. 25. Concil . Aurelianens . 4. Can. 8. Concil . Toletan . 4. Can. 52. Concil . Valentin . Can. 4. Concil . Carthag . 4. Can. 68. Concil . Tolet. 1. Can. 2. Concil . Agath . Can. 29. 33. Concil . Illerdens . Can. 5. Concil . Aurelianens . 3. Can. 5. Concil . Matisconens . 1. Can. 2. Vid. Tertul. Apolog. Arnob. Lib. 7. adversus Gentes . Euseb. De Praep. Evang. Lib. 12. Greg. Nazianz. Orat. contra Iulian. Apostat . S. Basil. Lib. De Spiritu Sancto . S. Ambros . Lib. 2. De Offic. Chrysost. Lib. 1 , 2 , & 3. De Sacerdot . Greg. 1. Lib. 4. Epist. 17. & Lib. 7. Epist. 25. Isidor . Hispal . De Eccles . Offic. Lib. 2. Bern. De Consid. Lib. 3 , 4. Article XIX . THIS Article concerns only those Bishops who are Chancellours of Universities : And I wish they look upon that Honourable Prerogative , as a special part of their Province ; having a particular Care , that the respective Houses intrusted to their Charge be well Governed , by causing exact Discipline to be observed in them , and edifying Doctrine alwayes taught , even all the Learned Languages , and Liberal Arts , if there be competent Maintenance settled for these several Professions , or which may be provided by a right improvement of the old Revenues , and the encouragement of pious Christians ( who are in bonis ) to make some Charitable Donations for that effect . And let them regard all Professours impartially , by hugging them all ( as a common Father ) with an equal Paternal Affection ; provided they be men of Conscience , Learning , Prudence , and Authority , joyn'd with a faithful Sufficiency to exercise their respective Functions seasonably and diligently . And , above all , that they be Persons of Loyal Principles , both in reference to Church and State : as also , peaceably disposed , and averse from intrinsecal Factions . As for these Salamanders , who ( like the Seditious in Ierusalem ) are still jarring within , when they should be opposing the Common Enemy from without , let such be speedily turned out , lest that Brood of the Viper at last tear out the very Bowels of their Mother . But , seeing the Education of Youth , at their first appearance upon the University-Theatre , is immediately intrusted to the care of the Professours of Philosophy ; Let not these Masters be permitted to be vain in their Conversation or Apparel ; ( as if they were School-Boys themselves , who needed to be tutor'd , and have not as yet attain'd to that measure of Prudence , as to govern themselves aright : ) but let them be ordered to be patterns of Piety , Gravity , Sobriety , and all kind of Temperance , to Young ones ; that they may edifie them both by their Example and Doctrine . And let them be careful to teach Youths the most Solid Parts of Philosophy ; viz. The most useful part of Aristotle's Logicks , ( which was his greatest Talent wherein his strength did lye , and whereby he did merit most from the World : ) Remitting the vain pursuit of these Aëreal Notions concerning Vniversale , Ens rationis , &c. to Brain-sick Creatures , whose 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it is , Festucas legere , and chief Employment , Nugas & quisquilias prosequi . Let them be also taught somewhat of the Physicks , Ethicks , and Metaphysicks : But , I humbly suppose , Moral Philosophy may be more exactly learned from the Platonists and Stoicks , than from Aristotle's Ethicks ; viz. The Books of Plato , Hierocles , Plotinus , Epictetus , Simplicius , Antoninus , Arian , Cicero , Seneca , and Plutarch : But seeing Christians are to call in Auxiliaries from such , there is no question but Thomas Aquinas his Secundae Secundae would be very useful in this Affair . And , I should wish , that the most Learned , Solid , and Discreet Philosophers of an University , or Nation , were employed , not only to draw up an exact Systeme of Moral Philosophy , but also of Natural , Collected from Des Cartes , Gassendus , the French and English Virtuosi , not forgetting the Learned Works of Sir Francis Bacon , ( whose profound Philosophical Wit gave the first Rise to the Modern Experimental Philosophy : ) especially his Natural History and Novum Organum ; yea , his Advancement of Learning , his History of Winds , and The Prolongation of Life , would be found also good Adminicles 〈◊〉 such a Design . But , as that Systeme should be very material , so it ought to be succinct , like to that brief ( but excellent ) Epitome , composed , as some suppose , by M. Arnold , and term'd Ars cogitandi , which is a notable Summary of Logick . Such a Systeme should serve , at least , as a Text , both to Masters and Scholars ; a little Latitude being indulg'd to Professors to Paraphrase on that Diuturnal Ephemerides . But let not capricious Brains presume to set forth a new Philosophical Almanack every year , with a design to put the former out of Date , till a new Authority re-enjoyn it . But , above all , ( in destitution of a particular Professour of the Mathematicks ) Let every Master of Philosophy Teach his Scholars every Year some of the most useful Species of that excellent Science ; viz. Arithmetick , Geometry , Geography , and Astronomy , which will be found infinitely more useful , than these Operosae nugae , taught heretofore in those Places ; which have no better Effect , than to stuff the Brain , like to a Bubble of Water , or a blown Bladder ; and which directly resembles those delicious Viands wherewith Necromancers pretend to feed their Guests , but when they go away , they find their Maws as empty , as when they began that imaginary Feast . So that when these deluded Youths come to Commence Masters of Arts , their Instructors may say of them , ( though not with a good Conscience ) Accipiamus pecuniam , &c. And ( without any humble Modesty to be their Prompter ) they may say of themselves , ( with as much truth at least as Socrates , when he was pronounced by the Oracle , to be the wisest man in the World ) This I know ; That I know nothing . And , that with Secular Learning they may drink in the first Milk of Piety , from the Breasts of that Alma Mater , Let the Principles of Christian Religion be early instilled into the Minds of young ones ; that , Being seasonably taught to remember their Creator in the Dayes of their Youth , they may not forget him in their old Age , nor be forsaken by him ; For Quo semel est imbuta , &c. For that end , let such a Book as H. Grotius his excellent little Treatise De veritate Religionis Christianae ( which , without any Hyperbole , is worth it's weight in the purest Gold , ) be so inculcated into their Memories , that they may , not only have it all by heart , but also throughly understand it . As also that notable Summary of Christian Offices , call'd , The whole Duty of man , composed by an unknown Author : or the Practical Catechism of the Learned D. Hammond ; or that of D. Vsher of Armach , Primate of Ireland : provided they be first jure Latii donati ; For all the Communications of the Lycaeum ought to be in the Dialect of old Rome , or that of the City of Minerva ; that the tenacious Memories of the young ones may be habituated to those Learned Languages . And how necessary the good Education of Youth is , may appear from that excellent Observation of the great Lo. Verulam , That , The great Multiplication of Vertue upon humane Nature resis on Societies well ordered and disciplin'd : For Common-wealths and good Governments nourish Virtue grown , but do not much mend the Seeds . Whence he infers , That there ought to be a most exquisite Delectus of the Tutors of Youth . And ( if we give Faith to Plato , Seneca , and Plutarch ; ) they should be as well qualified Persons as are lightly to be found in the World. And sure , this solicitous Choice of the Educators of Youth was never more necessary , than in this Iron Age , wherein many have been so marred in their Education by Schismatical and Disloyal Principles , too early instilled into them , that this foundering in the Feet hath caused Convulsive Fits , and unsteady Motions in them , as long as they lived . But if the Universities of this Land were blessed with such Professours as we have above described ; it is most probable , that from those Seminaries of Knowledge , and fruitful Nurseries of the Muses , eminent Plants might blossom , in Process of Time , to the great Advantage either of Church or State , as Divine Providence shall determine their Lot. And , seeing these Stations of Philosophy are the best Seminaries this Nation enjoys , for perfecting Young men in order to that Sacred Function ; Therefore let not these Professours Monopolize them for many Yeares , by nestling their Families therein , as if the Foundator had designed nothing else , but the Provision of their Posterity . But let them be enjoyned to live in a Celibate State , that with less Distraction they may prosecute their Studies : and , after the expiration of five , or six years at most , let them give place to others ; that , by such a happy Circulation , all the Corners of the Land may reap the Advantages of that Foundation . It were ( in my humble judgment ) a very desirable Blessing to this Nation ; That His Gracious Majesty , with his Great Councel , would be pleased to allow some few Months Cess , to be stocked , for the Inhancing of the Revenues of the Universities ; especially of the Primar , and Masters of Philosophy ; that the Head of the House may have a competent and constant Annual Intrado , to live Splendidly , according to the dignity of his Station . And this opening of Free-Schools to the Professours of Philosophy , ( without any expectation of the least acknowledgment from any Scholar , and that under the pain of immediate Extrusion from the respective House where they Officiate : ) would not only obviate those Scandalous Animosities which too frequently occurr betwixt Masters of different Colleges , in the Exercise of their beggarly Trade of Mendicating Scholars , but would also be found the best Expedient to Retrive ( jure postliminii ) that ancient University-Discipline , which hath been obnoxious to such a woful Lapse , that it hath undergone the Fate of an immemorial Dispossession . For , if Avarice and Self-interest did not prevail with too many , over the Qualifications and Proficiency of those intrusted to their Charge , yea , and preponderate the Publick Reputation of the House where they live , many who are now ambabus ulnis amplexi , would be declar'd incapable to enter within the Philosophick Porch , as being deprehended foundered in the feet , and frequently Criminal in breaking Priscian's Head. And not a few who have already entred within these Gates of the Muses , would either be found unworthy to remain there , upon the account of Vitiosity of Life , ( which is contagious to the rest of the Society : ) or be Extruded for Non-proficiency in their Studies : Degradation to a lower Class , till they caught hold of Minerva's Train , would certainly be the least of their Censure . Neither should the Subject , by this wished for Contribution , be a Loser ; but ( as we use to speak ) he should prove a Gainer at the long run ; for , what is now expended by them , would , by this Method of Free-Schools , preserve no less , ( if not much more ) to their Posterity , over and above their more laudable Education : For Persons of all Ranks in this Nation , usually sending their Sons to be taught in some University , ( which is highly Commendable , and much applauded beyond Seas : ) they are , ( according to their Quality ) oblig'd to Dispense proportionable Salaries to their Instructors ; Yea , they who have the Inspection of them , are necessitated to require these Honoraria , seeing the Provisions of some Foundations are so small a pittance , that they are disproportionable to that Victus and Amictus which the most Sober Person stands in need of ; Not to speak of the fuel of Charity and Hospitality , and those Materials for buying of Books , and Entertainment of a Servant to wait upon them , which the Dignity of that Office calls for . All which require much more money , than the Poverty of some Foundations can afford . And let this Chancellour of the University contribute his utmost endeavours that the Provost , or Head of the College , ( usually term'd Primar ) excell , not only in the above expressed Qualities , ( that he may deservedly be termed the Principal of that Incorporation ) but that also he be Doctor of Divinity , and the Reformed Canon Law ; that he may be in a capacity to conferr that Dignity upon the most Learned of the Clergy , when their Ordinary shall call them thereunto , that many may be encouraged to merit that Degree ; Honour being the best Nursing-Mother of Arts , and Promover of Sciences . — But , let those who are , not only Pious , Learned , and Prudent , but also known to have deserved well of the Church , by their constant Loyalty , be invited in the first place , to the participation of that Honourable Degree : For it is well enough known , that Bishops are not in a capacity to promote all such to the most eminent Dignity of the Church ; ( it were indeed a pitiful Nation , if the number of those did not far surpass that of the Episcopal Sees , suppose the Church were so happy , as to have the absolute Disposal of them : ) therefore it were but just and fit , that such deserving Persons were ( at least ) rewarded with those minute and inexpensive Honours , as a Character of the Churches special Favour towards them . But seeing the Royal Family ( the sole Fountain of Honour ) hath gratified our Universities with that honourable Privilege and Faculty , To dispense that Cognizance of Learning to the Worthy ; let the Chancellours have a special Care , that the same be not abused and disgrac'd , by the Promotion of the Unworthy : For , if old Knaves , Epicures , Buffoons , and grosse Ignorants , who have not a mouthful of good Latin , nor the art to form a right Syllogism , ( not to speak of those Doctorculi Dominarum : ) be advanced to that Honour ; it may provoke his Majesty to recall that Privilege from Universities which hath been so vilified . And , suppose his Majesty be not informed of such an Abuse , yet it will infallibly render that Honour despicable , for an Age at least . We read indeed of that famous Epaminondas , that by his undertaking the sordid Office of a Scavenger , he rendered that ( which was formerly accounted the basest , ) the most honourable in his City : But I fear , these pitiful Doctorculi shall be found the Reverse of the Story , and the Antipodes of that gallant Theban ; for the Degree will never dignifie them , but they will vilifie the Honour : And it shall fare with it in the end , as it did with the Order of S. Michael in France , which was at first reputed very honourable , but when two or three unworthy Persons were admitted unto that Fraternity , no man of any worth would look after it any more , nor regard it in the least , who had any Regard to his Reputation . Thus Thuan in the 23 d Book of his excellent History , introduceth a French Gentleman , speaking to this Purpose , of that Order of Knighthood , ( which was first instituted by Lewis the 11th , and at last abolished by K. Henry the Third . ) Torquem Conchiliatum postquam indignis promiscuè communicari coepisset , non jam esse fortium virorum Insigne , sed omnium bestiarum Collare . And it shall be the Fate of those ignorant Knights Errant , to be compared unto that vain Roman , Ventidius Bassus , of whom it was said , That he spoiled a good Muleter , and made but a bad Consul . But I shall shut up this Paragraph with the Observation of some very Judicious Persons ; That the Principal Reason wherefore Pallas hath so few painted Shields in this Nation , is , because the Sons of Minerva receive so little Encouragement from their Superiours ; the much easier Arts of Adulation , and implicit Obedience , being more valued , than the wearisom Trade of Evisceration ; ( it being no unfit Etymology of the Word Minerva , quod nervos imminuat ; and of Pallas , quod pallidos reddat . ) For there is much Sence in that of the Poet , Sint Maecenates , non deerunt Flacce Marones . And some in this too , — quis enim Virtutem amplectitur ipsam , Praemia si tollas ? Time was ( even among the Heathen ) that Learning was a sufficient Protection against Tyranny ; Winess Antonius Triumvir , who , when Varro ( his Enemy , and of a contrary Faction ) was listed for Death ; thus gallantly superscrib'd his Name , Vivat Varro vir doctissimus : Not to mention Alexander the Great his sparing of the House and Family of Pindarus , in that total Eversion , and Epidemical Destruction of the Thebans ; because he was the Renowned Prince of the Lyrick Poets , and unimitable , as Horace terms him . For , though this Domitian , Maximinian , and Lycinian Age affords but few Examples of this nature , yet ancient Records have ( almost innumerable ) Instances to this Purpose . It cannot rationally be expected , that this Article should be confirmed ( as the former are ) with many Ecclesiastical Canons ; seeing in the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of our Citations ; there were few Universities in the World , ( that of Pavia and Bononia , the oldest in these Western Parts of the World , being by many years posteriour thereunto : ) and scarce any Doctors , Honore Doctoratus , as it is now used ; which is not properly an Ecclesiastical Dignity , but a Civil Honour conferred , by the Secular Prince , upon Incorporations , ( I mean the Faculty of dispensing it ) or on particular Persons : Thus D' avila , in his excellent History of the Civil Wars of France tells us , of that Privilege , which Henry the third , the French King , vouchsaf'd on the Cardinal Bur●on ; 〈…〉 make Doctors 〈…〉 , or liberal 〈◊〉 . For , it being a 〈◊〉 Honour , most originally desire it's 〈◊〉 from the 〈◊〉 . Yet 〈◊〉 somee mention of Doctors , and some Orders concerning them , in a Councel holden within the Intervall of our Allegations ; viz. Concil . Caesar Augustan . which was celebrated in the 6th Century . But whether it was that Honour we have been lately describing , or a Dignity purely Ecclesiastical , adhuc dubitant Doctores ; though it is most probable , that it ●lludes unto those Catechists who were appointed to instruct the Catechumem gra●des , ( which was an Office equivalent to our Professours of Theology . ) such were Pantaenus , Clemens , and Origen in the School of Alexandria . And , ( if we give Faith to S. Hierom. Lib. De Script . Eccles. ) there was a continual Series of such Ecclesiastical Doctors in that Church , from the Days of S. Mark the Evangelist , unto Pantaenus . Of which some interpret those Teachers , mentioned Eph. 4. 11. For , as pastors govern the Church , so these Theologues ( say they ) govern the Schools . But of this Article enough , if not too much . THE PERORATION . BEing stirred in Spirit , I have adventured ( yet with all due submission ) to tender these Nineteen Proposals unto the serious Consideration of the Governours of this Church . And sure I am , the Conscionable Practice of them , would be found more Honourable , and much more useful , both to Church and State , than were the Propositions of an equal number , which by the mischievous Long Parliament , were sent after that Glorious Martyr , King Charles the first , whom they had first driven from his Royal Residence , by most insolent Tumults . If the Author had not resolved , long ago , never to raise his insignificant Name out of the Dust of Oblivion , by giving the Press the Trouble thereof , ( which is already too much oppress'd with a Shoal of others , ) he would not have been asham'd to owne those Lines before all the World , with as much Confidence , and more Innocency too , than Heliodorus espoused his ingenious Romance : But this ingenuous Boldness had never its Rise from a Reflection upon the Eloquence of these few Sheets ; for he is throughly convinced , that his blunt Style is very far from the Art of Oratory , and his Genius no less removed from any Affectation of the Flowers of Rhetorick : but it is the Sense of these sad Truths , and good Wishes , embosom'd in those Lines , which did create that Confidence ; with something also which his Conscience calls Zeal , for the Glory of God , and good of his Church : Wherein he hath endeavoured to trace the Footsteps of Salvian , ( that zealous Bishop of Marseils , who , in a Parallel case to Ou●s , speaks to this Purpose , Non verba , sed res ; non Ornamenta , sed Documenta affectamus : nudus enim Veritatis ensis intimiùs penetrat ; at vitrum fucatum veritatis Lucem excludit ) and Gildas his ruthful Lamentations for the great Degeneracy of the British Church . And , if his heart deceive him not very much , he may confidently appeal to the Searcher of all Hearts , That it was no Dissatisfaction with the present Form of Church-Government , which prompted him to pen this Pamphlet ; but rather a sincere Affection thereunto , and an ardent Desire to see the Glory of the second Temple transcend the Splendour of the First ; which he would account a kind of Beatifical Vision upon Earth ; and wisheth not to live one minute Longer , than to behold this Church once in Possession of that Blessing : For , since he was blessed with any Understanding , he had alwayes a Veneration for that mode of Government , as having ( in the greater Lines thereof ) a greater Analogy to the Primitive Regiment , than any other Form coyn'd in the Mint-house of Geneva : And if the most ancient Records of Church-History , and Fathers of the Church be made Judges in the matter , ( which , in matters of Fact , must needs be ; unless any be so Enthysiastick as to expect Divine Revelation de novo , to determine this Controversie . ) I suppose the little Antiquity which he hath read , would engage him to pawn his natural Life upon the Probation of that Assertion , against all the Paralogisms of Blondel and Salmasius ( the two great Genevian Champions ) and the more foolish Cavils of many other Praters to the same Purpose . Now , though the Author hath humbly tendered this Advice unto all of that Sacred Order ; yet he would not have any to imagine , that he undervalues any of them , or that he values all alike : He knows , that there were some two or three Stars among them , of the First Magnitude , now Eclipsed from us ; ( the dark Curtain of Death being drawn divers years ago , betwixt them and this World : ) who , ( when they were in it ) were looked upon by all honest men , as Persons of approved Integrity , and who suffered much for Conscience-sake , even Imprisonment , Banishment , and Confiscation of their Goods ; yea , some of them hardly escap'd with their Lives : that Hellish Conspiracy amongst us being somewhat of kin to the Grecian Confederacy , whose Insolent Cruelty did so oppress the poor Trojans , that it gave occasion to the Poet to say , Vna salus victis , nullam sperare salutem . Yea , the Author being honoured with the intimate acquaintance of some that are alive , he doth highly esteem them , as very good men ; and so they were generally reputed when they were but Presbyters ; yet , either the want of a resolute Courage in them , ( the privation whereof is a great Remora to great Actions : ) or the destitution of Concurrence in others , ( it being the Fate of those who are unequally yoked , when one presseth forward , another draweth back ; hath nullified their best Wishes , and annihilated their good Endeavours ; Nothing being more contrary , nor a greater Adversary to a direct and strait motion , than that which is Oblique and Retrograde ; and nothing more repugnant to a natural Conamen , than a Peristaltick Motion . Which deplorable Disappointment cannot but give occasion to those well-meaning men , to take up that Lamentation of Pope Adrian the Sixth , ( whose best motions were retarded , and absolutely hindred by his unhappy Colleagues in the Consistory : ) who said to his familiar and trusty Friends , That the condition of Popes was miserable ; seeing it was plain , that they could not do good , though they desired and endeavoured to do it . ( which Obstacles are set down at length by Padre Paulo , or Pietro Saovè Polano , in his excellent History of the Councel of Trent . ) From which Story Marcellus Cervinus ( another Pope , of 22 days standing ) took occasion to say , Non videre se , quomodo qui fastigium hoc altissimum tenerent , saluti suae consulere possint . Yea , they will be apt to joyn Issue in the End , with the Protestation of that dying Emperour , Faelix si non Imperassem : and multum incola fuit anima mea . And from this inefficacious Employment , many Spectators ( who see not these hidden Impediments , and secret Back-sprents ; ) are ready to take Occasion to pass this uncharitable Verdict on those good men ; That their best Wishes are but Velleities ; and that they have marred good Presbyters , and made but ill Bishops : And , in fine , will apply to them the Observation of the Historian concerning the Emperour Galba ; That all men thought him Worthy to reign , before he did Design to Reign : the same being observed in the last Age , concerning Henry the third of France . For , Magistratus indicat virum . Neither was it any Schismatical Humour in the Author , which prompted him to this Remonstrance : For he is so far from having any Design to trouble the Peace of the Church , that he is still apt to comply with the Counsel of Clement of Rome , to the Corinthians , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Epiphanius — ( Haeres . 27. ) sayeth , that Clement was an Instance of this Christian Advice , by resigning the Roman See to Linus and Cletus : But sure Chrysostom ( Hom. 2. in Ephes. ) professeth so much of himself ; and that excellent Theologue Gregorie Nazianz. did really practice it at Constantinople , making himself a Ionah ( as he protested in his eloquent Oration to the Second General Councel . ) to pacifie those Tumults which were raised about that Patriarchate , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , saith Socrates , Hist. L. 5. c. 7. He would willingly choose rather to be exiled into Terra Australis incognita , and to be transported extra Anni Solisque vias , than to throw the least Spark of Fire into the Bosom of the Church : which pernicious Flame ( if he were conscious of any Guilt of his own that had kindled the same ; ) he would judge his heart-blood too mean a Sacrifice to extinguish it ; having still in mind the sad Sentence of S. Cyprian , That Schism is such a Crime , which cannot be expiated by Martyrdome . Neither is he unmindfull of the Words of Diony●ius Alex. his Contemporary , who tells us : That it is better to suffer any thing , than that the Church of God should be rent in pieces : And it is no less glorious to suffer Martyrdome , to keep Division out of the Church , than to die for not sacrificing to Idols ; For in the one Case a man suffers Martyrdome only upon his own account , but in the other , he suffers for the Advantage of the whole Church . It is also very remarkable to this Purpose , what Optatus ( lib. 7. cont . Parmen . ) hath said , Bono Vnitatis , sepelienda esse peccata . But he must needs be very uncharitable to a skilful Physician , who imagines , that he hath a bad Design upon the Life of his Patient , because he applyes Corrosives , when Lenitives are found by Experience to have done no Good ; yea , he who hath tasted of that Art of Esculapius but summis labris , may know , that one whose Body is Plethorick , and Cacochymick , may sleep for a time in a whole Skin ; yet he cannot enjoy perfect Health , till these Superfluous Humours , which oppress Nature , be evacuated by seasonable Phlebotomy , and Specifick Catharticks : And that there be some stupid Diseases , ( such as a Lethargy-Fever ) whose Narcotical Distemper so benummes the Brains , that the Patient cannot be throughly remedyed , till he be awakened , and kept waking , though it were with Pinching . It is indeed easie for any Chirurgeon to Cicatrize a dangerous wound , but it will certainly fester and corrupt within , if it be not first launced , and searched to the Bottom : Paracelsus his Palliative Cures lasted not beyond the year . But that methodical Physitian merits most Praise , who , by removing the Cause of the Disease entirely , is an happy Instrument ( under God ) of producing the noble and diuturnal Effect of Health : Mens sana in corpore sano , being the most excellent Blessing of this World. Much less was Ambition his Instigatrix to this Remonstrance : For the Author knows very well , that this Freedom of Spirit , is not the Mode of this Age Levare se humo . He was accounted a wise man in his time , who uttered that much experienced Truth in ours , Obsequium amicos , Veritas odium parit : it being the Temper of this Iron Age , to look upon ingenuous Persons as none of the wisest ; ( so much Honesty appearing as so much Folly , in the Eyes of all those who have not yet learned to discern true Wisdom from Cunning and base Craftiness ; though there is usually no better Fence against the Blows of Envy or Malice , than the received Opinion , of not being greatly wise . ) And , if his Conscience had permitted him to study the modern Politicks , he would have found the Advice , which Tiresias the Sooth-fayer gave unto Vlysses , a very useful Reflection to this Purpose ; who , being enquir'd , what was the readiest Stair to rise unto Preferment in this World , that Hermaphrodite ingenuously told him , That he ought to make Use of a Ladder consisting of three 〈◊〉 ; viz. To learn to lye , to 〈…〉 to dissemble . Now , as that 〈…〉 was found but too docile a Disciple in that School ; so these Matchavelian Arts of Modern Policy , ( as Policy is now-a-dayes defin'd by Falshood and Knavery : ) are but too much in Fashion in this Age , where Disingenuity is accounted Wit , and Honesty the height of Folly : Astrea having fled to Heaven it 's no wonder , that Heroical Vertue hath ascended with her , and scarce left any thing behind , but Species Virtutibus similes ; which Shadow cannot expect much caressing and countenancing in this World , seeing bold-fac'd Vice hath usurped both the Place and Name of her Antagonist . But he who lives every day in the View of Death , and is very sensible of its swift Approaches , is far out of the Reach of that Temptation : ( being thorowly convinc'd , that He who walks uprightly , walks securely ; and that Frost and Fraud have dirty Ends ; and that no truly Generous Person ( though he were no Christian ) can be disingenuous , seeing it always argues some Principle of baseness within . ) Yea , the dark Visage of that King of Terrours hath , long ago , Ecclipsed from his Eye the sight of a Mytre . I remember a Story , which one of my Intimate Acquaintance told me ; ( whom I have very good Reason to believe : ) About the time of the Reestablishment of this Government , a Motion was made to him , by one that was a great Favourite then , That he would procure unto him a Call to ascend one of those empty Chairs . But he answered to this Purpose ( having first returned a homely Complement of Thanks to that generous Person , for that immerited Favour : ) In such a Conjuncture , when that Tabernacle is to be reared up again , which ( not many Years agoe ) was thrown down with so much Malice , Obloquie , and Contempt , so that the very Name of the Government was odious to a Multitude of bigotted People , who demolished that ancient Fabrick , with no less aversation of it , than the Government of the Decemviri was at Rome , or the Thirty Tyrants of Athens ; and who would be no less averse from the Restitution of it , than those of Old Rome were , from the Restauration of the expulsed Tarquins ; or those of Syracusa , from the Redress of Dionysius the younger ; or the People of Constantinople , from the Return of Iustinian the second : That these vile Aspersions which had been thrown upon the late Government and Governours , ( many whereof he supposed were Invidious and Groundless : ) might be speedily wiped off ; and that Apostolick Regiment restored to its pristine Beauty and Vigour ; there was an indispensible Necessity , that the New Governours should be endued with Piety , Charity , Learning , Humility , Meekness , Patience ; with self-denyal , Gravity , Hospitality , and all the Cardinal Vertues , far above the ordinary Level ; that by the extraordinary and admirable Lustre of their Parts , they might again restore this Church to its former Splendour . Which being a very Impar Congressus for him , who was juvenis omni modo , and the unfittest of ten thousand ; therefore he neither could , nor would undertake that Office , in such a ticklish Conjuncture . I have not the Ambition ( subjoyned he ) to say with Cato the elder , That I had rather it were enquired , Wherefore Cato hath no Statua , than , wherefore he hath one ; but sure I am , it would be a matter of no less Complacency to me , than it was to that noble Spartan , to hear , that there be , not only 300 , but also 3000 of my Country-men , more capable of those sublime Imployments , than my poor self . Yet , ( as he further added ) if I thought my self Par Negotio , I bless Heaven for it , that I have the same Sentiment that possessed the Soul of dying S. Martin of Tours , who in his last Agony cryed out , Domine , si adhuc sim utilis tuae Ecclesiae , non recuso Laborem ; provided that Labour could be useful to the Church : which , in this present Conjuncture , can hardly be expected . Yea , the Reporter , being honoured with some Familiarity by that great man , when he was in Private , ( for , as Minutius Faelix hath said , Amicitia aut Pares invenit , aut facit : ) he had shut up this Declinator with these very words , quia nec possum , nec debeo , ideo non volo , For ( if there be any Truth in that old Maxim , qui clàm vixit , bene vixit ; ) it must needs be verified in this vertiginous and critical Age. And , sure I am , he then spoke as he thought : and if at any time since he entertained any such Thoughts , God knows he had no other Design , but to retrive again the Apostolick Pattern into this Church as much as possibly could be effected by one moving within the Sphere of his own Capacity . Yea suppose he had the fairest Invitation imaginable to be elevated unto the Solstice of Ecclesiastical Honour in this National Church , yet he would entertain it with no other Complacency , but this alone , That he had now a Call from Heaven to exercise an Art of very great Self-denial , even to Sacrifice all his worldly Contentment , and Enjoyments , for the Interest of the Church , and Glory of his heavenly Master . If S. Paulinus did willingly make himself a Slave , to redeem a poor Widow's Son from Bondage ; ( not to speak of those Heathen Heroës , Codrus Zopirus , Curtius , and the two Roman Decii , who devoted themselves to Death for the Good of their respective Countries : ) sure it becomes all the true Sons of the Church ( in imitation of Moses , and S. Paul ) to devote all their dearest Interests , that they may procure the Manumission of her that conceiv'd them . But , lest this Pamphlet run out at the Gate of a tedious Peroration , ( as the Cynick Philosopher said of the little City of Mindus , with its disproportionable Gates : ) I shall therefore period it with this humble Intreaty to all Ingenuous Readers , That they be not so uncharitable to the Author , as to impute these Lines unto a Principle of Envy or Malice against the Persons of any of our Governours , as if he had the desperate boldness to run the hazard of that Curse of Cham , for discovering his Father's Nakedness : But , let us suppose the Author to have been basely injured by some of them to whom he had done good Offices , and palpably betrayed under Trust ; ( though he is not so Dispirited with the consideration of their Sublimity , and his own Lowness , but that he knows , that Formica habet suam bilem , and that the despised Scarabee aveng'd it self on the Bird of Iupiter , though the same is reputed King of the plumed Animals ; ) yet Christianity would have prompted him to have gone a greater length in Self-denial than Christopher , ( who said only , If I were not a Christian , I should be avenged : ) by heaping even coals of Fire upon the heads of his greatest Enemies , when occasion served : And in doing so , would have expected a Reward from God. Which Self-denial he might have learned from some of the Heathens ; even from the Practice of Lycurgus and Zeno , and from the Doctrine of Seneca , who hath taught us , That immane verbum est Vltio : in which regard he discovered himself a much better Moralist , than that Stagyrite , who reputed Revenge an act of Magnanimity . For when the Author ruminates upon all these things which fall under consideration in reference to that Office , he is very apt to acknowledge , that whosoever undertakes it in this Age , becomes rather the object of Pity than Envy ; it being truly said by the Emperour Dioclesian , Difficillimum est rectè imperare : how much more in this Iron Age , in which that Wish is absolutely unnecessary , Materiamque tuis tristem Virtutibus opta . And as for any imputation of Malice , ( if his heart deceive him not very much ) he would be much more ready to make Use 〈…〉 Paludamentum of Constantine the 〈…〉 make any i●vidious Detection . And till the Reader can convince him , that there cannot be Pax cum hominibus , & bellum cum vitiis , in sensu composito , he hopes Charity will dissever them in his behalf : Yea , ( as Seneca hath observed well ) Cato the Elder was no less useful to the State of Rome , than Scipio Africanus ; because , as this Noble Roman did defeat the Physical Enemies of his Countrey , so that austere Censor did successfully Combat against the Moral Adversaries thereof . That Apology which St. Hierom made for his Tartness , is a sufficient Vindication of the Author ; For , if a Stylus aculeatus be allowable against a Charge of Heresie , it is no less lawful in the Cause of God. For when the Honour of the Divine Majesty , and the Interest of his Church , are deeply concerned , we ought to regard the Glory of the Supreme , infinitely above that of any other Superiour ; For Amicus Socrates , amicus Plato , sed magis amica Veritas : To which 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for the Truth , and Interest of the Church , all truly zealous Ecclesiasticks are animated by that notable Saying of Saint Augustine , Qui veritatem occultat , & qui prodit Mendacium , uterque reus est : ille , quia prodesse non vult ; hic , quia nocere desiderat . But , though Tiberias ( none of the best of Emperours ) used to say , In Civitate libera , linguam , mentemque liberam esse debere ; yet sure I am , If these Gravamina ( which would amount to the number of German ones , if they were subdivided , and sold by Retail ) had been heard patiently in private , they needed not have been told in Publick ; though there were never more Provocations for all men to speak than now , when all the Mischiefs that other Ages did but imagine , are now practised , and when Oppression hath made a Wise man mad , and ( in the mean time ) the dumb Asses are taught to forbid the Madness of the Prophets . But there being too many in the world , who , ( as Aristippus said ) have their ears in their feet , and they who are straight , finding it very inconvenient to stoop so low , therefore are necessitated to take other measures of Communication : Desperata ejus Principis salus est , ( as said a Wise man ) cujus aures ita formatae sunt , ut aspera quae utilia , nec quicquam nisi jucundum accipiant : Nam Libertas Consilii est ejus vita , & essentia , quâ ereptâ , Consilium evanescit . But perhaps it may be objected , That it is fit , that all Papers which are design'd for the Press , should ( in prima instantia ) be presented unto those , who , Iure eminentiae , are appointed Supervisors thereof . I shall refer it to the Judgment of the Candid Reader , if the Author had not good reason to conclude , that he might spare his pains in making such an Address , by the strange ensuing Narration told him ( not long ago ) by one who had designed something very useful ( as he supposed ) for the Church ; viz. An exact Method of studying the Primitive Fathers , even to the Death of Gregory the Great , whom he accounted the Last of those Worthies ; ( as one called Brutus and Cassius , Vltimi Romanorum : ) though Venerable Bede , Holy Anselm , and Devout Bernard , have merited eternal Remembrance in the Church . Which Method , ( if prosecuted as he intended ) he humbly conceiv'd , would be found more useful for all Unbyassed Readers , than the Treatises of Baronius , Sixtus Senensis , Bellarmin , Possevin , Perron , Lawney , Sirmundus , and Contius , to that purpose ; or the Tractates of the Magdeburgenses , with their Epitomator Osiander , Scultetus , Reinolds , Cocus , Rivet , Blondel , and Dallee , the Popish Authors being generally too lax ( though the four last in order are either Nasutiores , or much more ingenuous than the rest , ) and the Reformed too strict , on that Subject ; the former discovering too palpable a Design to buoy up a forlorn Cause by Supposititious Fathers , and Spurious Books ; and the latter having too much of the Critick and Satyrist in them . The Diagram of which great Design being presented by the Author to a Principal Member of that Order , in order to the giving of his Judgment as to the propos'd Method ; And what he concluded to be either defective or redundant therein , the Author was resolved to take in very good part ; ( thinking himself bound to reverence the Opinions of his Superiours . But he did meet with no other Verdict or Complement , save this astonishing Answer from such a Person ; That he had no Leisure to look after such Books , ( he being distracted too much with other Imployments : ) and that there were too many Books already in the World. ( which hasty Censure he passed on that whereof he had never read one Line . ) Which could not but appear very strange to any in his right Wits , when he reflects upon the Disposition of the Country whereof it was spoken . We find indeed in a late Satyrist , ( who had the Spirit of his Calling as abundantly as any ; ) a Nation taxed as being Epidemical , because they send forth many Examina of the Fruit of their Bodies into forreign Countries , and divers Colonies to New Plantations ; but it is the first time I have heard them charged with the exuberant Spawn of the fruit of their Brains . And though that Observation concerning Africa , semper aliquid adfert novi , may be also applyed to this Country , yet it is not to be understood of the one or the other , in reference to new Books ; but rather of renewed monstruous Productions ; both these Countries being , in these latter Ages of the World , sandy and barren , as to intellectual Births . But , in fine , he remitted the perusal of that Platform to another of his Order , who was no less taken up with the Study of Modern Politicks than himself ; yea , was become so much in Love with that Trade , that he had put the intervall of many German Miles and Years , betwixt himself and his proper Charge , that he might practice the Principles of his beloved Art upon a fitter Scene : whereby this ghostly Mountebank did emulate the Sagacity of a Sharleton , as to the Conveniency of the Erection of his Stage ; all Quak-salvers ( who have the Spirit of their base Calling ) being sure to resort unto those places where there is most Money , and the greatest Concourse of People . The slighted Brother finding such Addresses to be in vain , immediately call'd to mind the Answer which that cruel Duke de Alva gave to Henry the 4th of France ; who having demanded of him , if he had observed that great Ecclipse of the Sun which had lately happened ; the Duke ingenuously reply'd , That he had so much adoe upon Earth , that he could not get leisure to look up to Heaven : And at last concluded , that the true Cause of their aversation ( though they were asham'd to utter it ) was that old Maxim , Ignoti nulla cupido , and Blind Men should not judge of Colours . Yet that indiscreet Repulse proved such a Temptation to the Author , that he had much ado to restrain himself from throwing those painful Papers into the jaws of Vulcan ; and hardly refrained from crying out with Scipio Africanus , Ingrata Patria , ne ossa quidem mea habebis : but could not forbear the pronouncing that Expostulation , Bone Deus ! Ad quae tempora me reservasti ? Yet some were more charitable to their Intellectuals , than to their Morals ; And did apprehend , that the Fear of the Expence of a Dedication , made them so shye ; wherein they were indeed greatly mistaken : For , as it was never the intention of the Author to prey upon his Patron , ( he having alwayes hated a beggarly Dependance ; ) so it was as little in his mind to shelter himself under the Wings of such Protectors , ( lest that Support should prove a Staff of Reed in the end : ) that Lucubration being design'd for a Noble Person of much greater Worth and Eminency , who was pleased , out of his own mouth , to permit that Honour to the Author ; yea , more than so , who was so obligingly condescending , as to declare , That he look'd upon it as a special Honour design'd for himself : ( so vast is the difference betwixt a Noble and a Plebeian Education ) the Effect whereof will appear in its own time : there being ( as to this great Undertaking ) an indispensible necessity of complying with that sound Advice , in reference to the Writing of a Book judiciously , In nonum prematur annum : And , I wish , that even these years be found commensurable to such a Work. For the Author of such a Laborious Task , hath good reason to say , as Virgil did of his Works , se versus suos componere , ut Vrsi foetus , lambendo . But from this supposed Misconception , we may inferr , That none should controvert upon the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , till they be sure of the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . And thus ended that Narrative . But if it be further Objected ; That , ( howsoever those of the Order imploy their time , ) they have Chaplains whose Province it is to Supervise the Press . For Answer ; This were indeed a pertinent Objection , and fit Expedient , if they who pass under that Notion , did emulate those of that Office in England ; ( some whereof , not only merited to be Doctors of Divinity , but have also a stock of Knowledge little inferiour to any of the Nation : ) But with us , some have not any Servants that go under that Denomination , ( and , I wish , in the destitution thereof , they be not wanting to that Oeconomical Religious Solemnity , termed Family-Worship . ) And as for those who are invested with that Title , they are usually such pitiful , ignorant Striplings , that they have not sufficient capacity to examine , to good purpose , the most inconsiderable Catechism , far less are they pares negotio for so great a Work , which cost the Learned Bishop Andrews eighteen years Study . And if any of these Chaplains had the forehead to undertake such Animadversions , it might be deservedly said of them , velut Asinus ad Lyram ; and they would be found to resemble Aesop's Cock , who preferr'd the Barley-grain to the precious Gemm ; and greater fools than Paris , who put a greater estimate on fading Beauty , than on Wisdom or Power ; yea , they would be observed to run parallel to the Phrygian Midas , who preferr'd the Pipe of Pan to the Harp of Apollo , and got Asses Ears for the Guerdon of his foolish Judgment : Neither should they have any thing to magnifie their ignorant boldness , save that Epitaph of Phaeton , ( whose Fate they would surely undergo ; ) Et si non potuit , magnis tamen excidit ausis . But it is high time to end this little Enchiridium , which is swell'd to a greater bulk than at first we design'd it ; ( it being one of my greatest troubles , in studying brevity to avoid Prolixity : ) Therefore I shall conclude with this one Sentiment upon the whole Premises . I am fully perswaded , that if our Governours did cordially comply with the fore-going Proposals , this Church ( which hath been long Militant in the most pitiful sence , ) would at last become Triumphant , and should erect the Trophies of its victory over its most implacable Enemies ; And our Bishops , being honoured by the Almighty to be the Instaurators of this Church , should ( in fine ) have occasion to say of it , as Augustus Caesar said of Rome , Inveni lateritiam , relinquo memoream . For I have heard many well-meaning Persons , who pass under the Notion of Fanaticks , solemnly declare , That if they observed our Bishops making Conscience to perform all those Duties which are incumbent on their Office , they would be as forward as any to hugg them in their Arms , and ready to submit cheerfully to their Jurisdiction : Yea more than so ; That if their Morals were intire and eminent , their moderate Rituals would be but feeble Scar-crows , and fearless Bug-bears to them . For when they see any Ecclesiastick of an Holy Life , and who sets about all the Duties of his Calling diligently and faithfully , though he be diametrically opposite , and point blank contrary to their Way ; yet they inwardly reverence him , and defer no little external Respect to him : yea , they are apt to envy our Church the Possession of him , and to say , Talis cùm sit , utinam noster esset : And I am fully perswaded , that this would be a more durable Enoticum , than that German Interim , which was contrived with so much Craft , by that Triumviri of Almain , viz. Flugius , Eslebius , and Sidonius . But this is to be understood onely of those Fanaticks , whose Hectick Fever hath not as yet proceeded the length of an incurable Marasmus . The best Epiphonema I can subjoyn , as an Epilogue to this Enchiridion , is , the Royal Judgment of one who deserves to be termed A Nursing-Father both to Church and State , who hath testified of himself , That he esteemed it his greatest Title to be called , and his chiefest glory to be the Desender of the Church , both in its true Faith , and its just Fruitions ; equally abhorring Sacrilege and Apostacy . This is that Glorious Martyr King Charles the First , in his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , where he expresseth himself thus : Not that I am against the managing of this Presidency and Authority in one man , by the joynt counsel and consent of many Presbyters : I have offered to restore that , as a fit Means to avoid those Errours , Corruptions , and Partialities , which are incident to any one man ; also to avoid Tyranny , which becomes no Christian : least of all Church-men : besides , it will be a means to take away that burthen , and odium of Affairs , which may lye too heavy on one mans shoulders , as indeed I think it formerly did on the Bishops here . And a little after , in that same Section , concerning the Difference betwixt the King and Two Houses , in point of Church-Government , His Majesty adds this Brief , but most Judicious Sentiment concerning Church-Government ; A right Episcopacy would at once satisfie all just Desires , and Interests of good Bishops , humble Presbyters , and sober People ; so as Church-Affairs should be managed neither with Tyranny , Parity , nor Popularity ; neither Bishops ejected , nor Presbyters despised , nor People oppressed . Amen . FINIS . ERRATA . IN the Advertisement to the Reader , pag. 4. lin . 21. for 185 , read 85. p. 7. l. 14. for , as is equvalent , r. as equivalent . 1. 15. for , one , r. an . p. 8. l. 4. for happily , r. haply . p. 10. l. 19. for , collation , r. collate . p 12. l. 1. for happily r. haply . Book . p. 3. l. 17. for one r. an . p. 5. l. 15. for rocket r. rochet . p. 15. l. 19. for wee ( k which , r. week ( which . l. 25. for were more r. were never more . p. 25. l. 23. for Solitudes r. Sollicitudes . p. 32. l. 16. for reputation r. reparation . p. 38. l. 16. for officers r. offices p. 45. l. 7. for other r. of their . l. ult . for chose r. choose . p. 52. l. 18. for his r. this . p. 53. l. 4. for exhaustible r. inexhaustible p. 80. l. 27. for speaking r. speaketh . p. 93. l. 23. dele Judge . p. 182. l. r. for church-men r. Church-man . p. 190. l. 3. for irreclamable r. irreclaimable . p. 251. l. 18. for regiment . r. regimen . the fame p. 152. l. 2 p. 268. l. 13. for flacce r. flacci . p. 298. l. 8. for 〈◊〉 r. Marmorean .