The lord bishop of London's fourth letter to the clergy of his diocess. Church of England. Diocese of London. Bishop (1675-1713 : Compton) 1683 Approx. 14 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 1 1-bit group-IV TIFF page image. Text Creation Partnership, Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) : 2009-03 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1). A80297 Wing C5666A ESTC R233405 47682875 ocm 47682875 172829 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. A80297) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 172829) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 2651:22) The lord bishop of London's fourth letter to the clergy of his diocess. Church of England. Diocese of London. Bishop (1675-1713 : Compton) Compton, Henry, 1632-1713. 1 sheet ([1] p.). Printed for W. Abington., London, : [1683] Signed at end: Fullham, April 6. 1683. ... H. London. Reproduction of original in: Christ Church (University of Oxford). 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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Good Brother , I DO acknowledge that I am bound to lay my self out in any thing that may conduce to your Assistance , for carrying on that Great Work , which lyes upon you of the cure of Souls . But when I reflect upon the cheerful concurrence I met with in those endeavours I have hitherto used for the promoting that Unanimity , which is the Life and Strength of your performance , and Cements and Embodies your whole proceeding to a lasting strength : I cannot , but with a most thankful Heart to God , rejoyce in that just disposition , with which , by his Grace , he has fill'd your honest Mind . That therefore I may never be wanting , and that this Repetition of what you were my Councellour in the last year , may the more quicken you to do your duty in those things , which you did then so readily consent and advise to : Take your own and my sense , so near as I can recollect it , concerning the Subject of our last conference . Upon Canon 54. THe Title and Substance of this Canon is , The Licenses of Preachers refusing Conformity , to be void . And to compleat the expectation of the Church in matters of this nature : We must look to Canon 38. which ordains , That obstinate Revolters after Subscription , are to be depos'd from the Ministry . The reason of these severities proceeds from the absolute necessity of keeping up Discipline in the Church of God. For Nature , the Constitution of the World , experience in the subsistence and success of things , teach us , that the Maker of all things is a God of Order , and hates Confusion . Therefore is the Church of Christ likened to a Building , which consists in an orderly disposing of different Materials into one Structure . I will Build my Church , says our Saviour , Mat. 16. 18. You also are Built together , &c. Eph. 2. 2. St. Paul writing to the Schismatical Separatists of Corinth , As a wise Master Builder , I have laid the Foundation , 1 Cor. 3. 10. Ye are Gods Building , 1 Cor. 3. 9. In whom all the Building fitly fram'd , Eph. 2. 21. And so in many other places . It is also express'd as a Body , See 1 Cor. 12. how the Apostle adapts the Constitution and Frame of the natural Body to that of the Church , and concludes vers . 27. Ye are the Body of Christ . — For the edifying the Body of Christ , Eph. 4. 12 , and vers . 16. The whole Body fitly joyn'd together , &c. maketh increase of the Body . From which the Body by Joynts and Bands , Col. 2. 19. For his Body's sake , which is the Church , Col. 1. 24. There are many more expressions of this kind ; but I mention these especially , to shew after what manner we are Embody'd , and to what end . Sometimes it is called a Kingdom , which is a Body Politick under one Head. The Gospel of the Kingdom , Mat. 4. 23. I appoint you a Kingdom , Luke 22. 29. And so in divers other Portions of Scripture . But to let us understand how necessarily the utmost rigour of Disciplin is to be observ'd in a Christian , we are most truly represented to be in a state of War , continually encountring the Flesh , the World and the Devil , at the Peril of an everlasting Death . And therefore he says , Put on the Armour of Light , Rom. 13. 12. Put on the whole Armour of God , Eph. 6. 11. Now we know under what severe Penalties almost the least fault is forbid by Martial Law , and how strictly it is Executed , not from the roughness of the Profession , but the Nicety of the Case ; where every little disorder , or disobedience to command , always gives advantage to a watchful Enemy , and many times endangers a total overthrow . We are therefore to consider what is expected from us , for the fitting our selves to this posture , that we may be able to stand in the day of tryal . 1. The first thing we are to do , is so well to dispose our selves , by an humble and peaceable Mind , that in the Church where it has pleas'd God to place us , In what state soever , therewith to be content : To study to be quiet and mind our own business : And to yield a hearty , willing and thorough Conformity to the Rules we are under . For if nothing be ordain'd contrary to the express Will of God : Every Ordinance of Man is to be submitted to for the Lords sake , 1 Pet. 2. 13. To this end , the two Acts of Uniformity ought to be strictly read , and observed by us . As also the Constitutions and Canons Ecclesiastical , Anno 1603. with the Rubricks to the several Offices in the Liturgy ; taking great heed at the same time to our Doctrin , by having a special regard to the 39. Articles , as expounded in the Books of Homilies . That neither in word nor deed we may hurt , or offend the Church we serve in . What less can we think our selves obliged to ; when we consider in what manner St. Paul conjures the Corinthians ? Ch. 1. 10. Now I beseech you , Brethren , by the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ , that ye all speak the same thing , and that there be no divisions ( or Schisms ) among you : But that you be perfectly joyn'd together in the same mind , and in the same Judgment . And , let us walk by the same Rule , let us mind the same thing , Phil. 3. 16. Let all things be done decently and in order , 1 Cor. 14. 40. Surely after this we may safely conclude , that whosoever transgresses the Rule upon a less account , then obedience to the express Will of God , or shall teach men so ; he shall be call'd the least in the Kingdom of Heaven . We are not here to understand every breach of the Rule , to lye under this guilt , but such as are committed wilfully , or out of supine negligence . Neither need we think it a neglect of duty in those things , which by an Universal omission , the silence of our Superiours giving way to it , lye under a tacite consent of Abrogation , or Suspension at least . Nor are we to think it a small matter , the leaving these things undone ; because it is of greater immediate duty to observe the weightier matters of the Law. I say immediate , inasmuch as the consequence in the omission of lesser matters , may occasionally and too frequently does prove more fatal to the peace of the Church , and Mens Consciences than the other . 2. In the next place , we are to consider our selves in the State of Church-Discipline , as Watchmen and Shepherds to guard and secure our Flocks . We must for this reason , not only see that we our selves , but be careful that others do not offend those that in a special manner belong to us . We must drive away all erroneous Doctrines , and avoid disorderly Walkers . We must drive away the bold Wolves , the little Foxes , and all Beasts of Prey , as we will otherwise answer for the care committed unto us . If any come upon us , or go out from among us , and discover the Savageness of their natures , by not being content to forsake and renounce Order themselves , but teach and encourage men so to do ; these are Beasts of Prey . And it is one of the great advantages God has bestowed upon us , in that promise to his Church , Isa . 49. 23. Kings shall be thy nursing Fathers , and Queens thy nursing Mothers . That all offensive and disorderly Walkers may by their Protection and coercive Power , either be reduc'd , or secur'd from harming of us . For there is no pretence of Persecution in this , no more than if a Man should so call a just Conviction for an Action of Battery : Because he is Self-condemned , Tit. 3. 11. and is not punished for his Opinion , but for his disorderly acting upon that Opinion . Such was Diotrephes , who loved to have the preheminence , 3 Joh. 9. 10. And if you should pass over the Deeds which such Men do ; you would be the Betrayers and Murderers of your Flocks . Like the Hireling , who fleeth , or sitteth still , when he sees the Wolf coming , Joh. 10. 13. There is another sort of disorderly Walkers who still keep amongst us , of whom I may say in the Apostles Words , I have told you before , and now tell you even Weeping , that by a base compliance and a servile Aw of the most Blameworthy of their Flock , they discover so cowardly a temper , and unsutable to that Christian courage , which should place them above the fear of Men ; that they become the Enemies of the Cross of Christ . Such Men should not be suffered to herd with us , but ought to be avoided as infectious Creatures . Mark them which cause divisions and offences , contrary to the Doctrine which ye learnt , and avoid them , Rom. 16. 17. Such Wretches lye under a complication of diseases , being disobedient through omission of their Duty , Traitors in not Faithfully discharging the trust committed to them ; disorderly in not Walking according to the Rule , perjur'd in breaking their Oath of Canonical obedience , and that of Supremacy , injurious to their Brethren and the whole Church , by cherishing the unruly expectations of the People , and are so many ways Unfaithful , that had they any sence of Religion , the consequent words of St. Paul must needs make them asham'd , and confounded . For they that are such , serve not the Lord Jesus Christ but their own belly . 18. Or as it is in another place , Whose end is destruction , whose God is their Belly , and whose Glory is in their shame , who mind Earthly things , Phil. 3. 19. In short do but mark the careful admonition against all 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or disorder in the Church . Warn them that are unruly , 1 Thes . 5. 14. Now we command you Brethren , in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ , that ye withdraw your selves from every Brother that walks disorderly . 2 Thes . 3. 6. And then observe with what pleasure that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or good order is mentioned , For I though absent in the Flesh , yet am with you in the Spirit , joying and beholding 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 your order , Col. 2. 5. This word should be written in the Forehead as well as Heart of every Christian , but especially of the Clergy , as Pilate's Inscription upon the Cross , in Hebrew , Greek and Latin , that from East to West , and throughout the World , the Glory of our Christian consent might be understood . You may remember upon the recommending a Hearty and Serious pronunciation of the Divine Service , it was thought very adviseable and reasonable to forbear long and expatiating Prayers before Sermon : Lest either we should be thought our selves to esteem the publick Offices deficient , or give Occasion to others to be of that Opinion . Upon which Occasion was mention'd Mr. Seymours little Treatise of publick set Forms of Prayer . Then likewise were recommended for your People to read , Mr. Allens little Books viz : A Perswasive to Peace and Vnity . A serious and friendly Address to the Nonconformists . The danger of Enthusiasm . And I shall now add his Book call'd Catholicism . As also Mr. Lamb's two Books , viz : A stop to the Course of Separation : And a fresh suit against Independency . And this I did , not only for their brevity , but because they are written by Laymen . And such whose expressions are so fair and their integrity and manner of living so well known in the City : That it were impossible to propose more unexceptionable either as to the Style or Authors . I then wished you , as I still do , to Read the Canons to your Congregation once a year , as it is ordered in the Kings Confirmation of them : And that such Acts or Proclamations as have been appointed to be Read upon the thirtyeth of January , the nine and twentyeth of May , and fifth of November , might be for the future observed . The urging necessity of Persecution forceth Men into order . But in times of Prosperity , there is great danger of falling asleep : Especially in ours , where the corruption of the Age makes unruliness pass for a virtue . And yet the Censorious humour which it produces , is a strong motive on the other hand , where any sparks of Wisdom or common prudence remain , to observe a very strict and close Order in our own Defence . Take away then the Glory of ordaining Rules , by that which is of infinitely more value , the observation of them . And let not the great and painful care of the Fathers of the Primitive Church , both by Private endeavors , and in Councils , rise up in Judgment against us , for destroying that Discipline by disorder and neglect , which at the peril of their Lives many times , they upheld for the preservation of Christs Body , which is the Church . I pray God strengthen your Heart with a courage suitable for the times we live in , and every way enable you to answer the just expectations of , Fullham , April 6. 1683. Your Affectionate Friend and Brother . H. London . LONDON , Printed for W. Abington .