i ^vv V - THE LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES GIFT OF : F. Lengfeld T H E LordBifhop of Coventry andLichfald's SERMON Right Honourable the Houje of Lords 9 On the 3 oth of JawMry 1 7 1 7-1 8. DieVeneris 31. Jan. 1717. OR D E R E D, 'by the Lords Spi- ritual and Temporal in Par- liament AfTembled, That the Thanks of this Houfe be, and are hereby jji- ven to the Lord Bifhop of Utchjttld and Coventry* for his very Excellent SERMON preach'd before this Houfe Yefterday in the Abbey-Church, Weftminfter. And he is hereby defir'd to caufe the fame to be forthwith printed and publilhed. WILL. COW PER* j Cler Parlimentor. ISERMON Preach'd before the Lordf Spiritual and Temporal In Parliament Affembled, IN THE [Abbey-Church at Weftminfter, On the 3 oth of January, 1717-18. BEING THE |Day of the Martyrdom King CHARLES I. By the Right Reverend Father in G O EDWARD Lord Bifhop of Coventry 9 and Lichfield. The Second Edition. [London, Pointed for James Knapton, at the Crown\ in St BraZ's Church- Yard. 1718. * (5) J U D G. xviL 6. In thofe Days, there was no King in Iffael, but every Man did that which was right in his own Eyes. T^ ^ E Words are written four Times in this Book, and every Time they are brought in as a Reafpn, for (bme extraordinary evilThing that hapned in Ifrael ; fome fuch Thing, as it was not to be thought could have hapned in the People of God. God's faying it but once, had been enough to oblige us, to take no- tice of it. But he is pleas'd to fay it four Times over, that we may take great notice of it, that fuch evil Things are the natural Ef- fects of Anarchy, of want of Government in a Nation. The Age in which thefe Things hapned, feems to be that interval of Time, from the Death of Jofbua and the Eiders that furvived him in Canaan, to the Rife of the firft Judges. It 8"* r~- JT> /">> "-" Jt was then the third Generation from Mofes ; for Jonathan, the Grandfon of Mvfes, as the Vulgar Latin truly reads, inftead ofManaffetfy Judg. xviii. 30. is laid to be Trie/I at the time, to the graven Image fet uf ly the Children of Dan. Which agrees with what is after- wards faid Ch. xx. 28. that Phinees the G randfon of Aaron, did about the fame time- ft and before the Ark of the Lord. So that thi Chapter and thofe that follow, though placed laft in this Book, as written perhaps by another Hand, as was Ruth, which is an Appendix to the Book of Judges, have their proper Place, in order of Hiftory, after : Ch. ii. 10. where there is a near relation between the Wickeclnefs there recorded, and the Liber* tinifm in my Text. It is a meer Concert, the imagining that the word Kjng in my Text, refpe&s King Saul, or thofe that fucceeded him. in that Office. It may rather regard Mofes, who li- ved before the Time of thefe Events, and who is called Kjng in Jefiurun, Deut xxxiii. j; But fmce Kjngs and Kjngdoms, fignify in Scripture, as well as other very antient "Wri- tings, any kind of fettled Government that is. Supreme, we may well underftand, as we do,. by no Kjng in IJ'rael, the DifTolution of their Government by Joshua and the feventyElders. "Whether it was, by neglect to chufe new Members in the Room of thofe that were gone off, or that through oppofition of. Power- ful Factions) they could not agree upon the Perfons, C7) Perfons, fo it fell out in effet, the Union between the Twelve Tribes being loft, \Wi the Authority that cemented them, they found themfelves in a State of Nature, where Will and Power were the only Meafure of their Aftions. Becaufe they had no King, no fupreme Magifbrate, in Ifrael, therefore every Man did that which was right in bis own Eyes. A lively Image of the miferable Conditi- on, this Nation was reduced to, after the horrid and execrable Murder of the Perfon of King Charles, which was followed with the entire Subverfion of the Government both in Church and State. It was the Aft indeed of few, in Comparifon of the Nation, who declared their Abhorrence and Deteftation of it. But the Evils that enfued, were felt by all. No Family but fuffered more or lefs, in the Devaftations made by the lawlefs Crew, that appeared thereupon. And fuch Devafta r tions being the plain and juft Confequences of Rebellion, and Anarchy, 'twill be needful to revive the Senfe, of what was then fuffered, in your Mindtf, in order to create a Dread and Horror o any future Proceedings, that may have as fatal an End ; which I take to be one chief Defign of the continued Obfer- vation.of this Day. All that bore a? Part in the wicked Transactions of thofe Times have already given acbount to God ; and we truft the national Guilt is removed long fmce thro* the Punifhment of the Ring-leaders, and the repeated Humiliations of the good People of CfJ of the Land. It can have no good felfe now to reproach Perions and Fa- mmes that were inftrumental in fo great Wicked nefs, which is to keep open and inflame a Sore, which it is full Time fhould be healed. But there will be al- ways felfifh factious Men,5 ready to make any Change to ferve their own Purpofes : And fo it will be always ufeful, if we can't mend them, with (hewing them the Ten- dency of their reftlefs turbulent Spirits, to make the People fenfible, what they arc to expect, if they be milled by them ; to cau- tion them how they credit any Mifreprefen- tation, and unreafonable Sufpition of their Governors, affirmed or infmuated by Parties and their artful Leaders, left under new Names, they play over the old Game, to their Ruine. My Bufmefs then at prefent fliall be ta {hew I. The Benefits of Government, to any People, efpecially in reftraining that Liberty, which out of Government, they will take, of doing that which is Right in their own Eyes. And II. The Folly and Sin of them that wan- tonly deftroy the Peace of a fettled Go- vernment; which I fhall conclude with, a fhort Application. I, Of the Benefits of Government to any People, efpecially in reftraining that Liberty, which (9) which out of Government they will take of doing that which is right in their own Eyes. I fhall name but three, and they are the chief Bleflings of Government. 1 . It fecures to us the Things that make Life valuable, fuch as Liberty of Perfons quiet pofferTion of the Fruit of our La- bors, Authority to vindicate invaded Rights, Peace, Plenty, and the like. Nay it fe- cures even Life it felf to us ; There is no li- living fafely without Government. 2. It promotes Knowledge, and thofe Arts, that abate the natural Fiercenefs and Self- fiwnefs of Men's Tempers, that civilize and fweetens Life. 3. It protects, encourages and enforces, the Praclife of Religion, which ought to be dearer than Life to us. i. Government fecures Life, and all that is valuable in Life to us. For this the ve- ry End of uniting into Societies, that the joint Wifdom and Force of many , may be employed, in the Defence of all, and every Member thereof, againft the At- tempts of heady, and unreafonable Men .- that wholefome Laws be made , for pre- ferving the property of every Perfon ; for vindicating the Innocent, and punifhing the fraudulent and Oppreflive , Rapaci- ous and Violent, and for equal Ad minillra- tion of Juftice to all. Such is the Courfe thefe things move in under all well gover- ned Societies ; and they are all precarious B or or rather, impoflible to be obtained, out of Government. Maim.M. A learned Jew, has reprefented the Truth Neb * hereof in a very familiar Inftance. I faw, faith he, a Banker, a little, old, thin, weakly Man, feaiiefly counting larges Sums of Mo- ney upon his Tables, in the Sight of thofe that paffed by. There came to him a lufty young Begger, with fcarce Cloaths to his Back, who bowed low, and begged Charity. The Ban- kers denyed him, and with big Words threat- ned him from the Door. And away went the Begger quietly, without replying. From whence, as the fame Jew goes on, I conclu- ded this Place was blefled with Govern- ment ; for if fear of the Magiftrate's Power, had not reftrained the poor Man ; he that was fo much ftronger, under fuch Nece fities and fuch Provocations, would have taken more than he asked, and abufed the Owner alfo. It muft be acknowledged, the Laws arc not always fo fufficient a Reftraint, nor do's the Terror of capital Punifhments, keep all Men within the Bounds of Right and E- quity : Some will ftill encroach upon their Neighbour's Property, and will not ftick at his very Life, if that ftands in Oppofition, to the obtaining of their unjuft Defires, though they know, the deftroying of his Life, is at the certain Peril of their own. But then k fhould be obferved, how much worfe the lii me Men would prove, how much wider their ( li ) their Violence would ipread , how many others would be encouraged by their Impu- nity, to Imitation, were there no fuch Pu- nifnments to controul any one. Man, under the Dominion of his Pafli- ons, as all Men left to themfelves natural- ly are, is the moft dangerous, mifchievous Creature in the World. His Underftanding, given him for better Purpofes, ferves only to render Him, a more treacherous fuccefsful Enemy : and he is much the more to be fear- ed, for having once lived under the Improve- ments of Society, if ever the Confinements thereof come to be taken off, as becoming thereby, more ingenious in Mifchief, and skilful in the Arts of deftroying. He covets every Thing he likes, he holds fail every Thing he has, he envies every Thing he has not, he refents every Appearance of Injury to himfelf, he is devoid of Senfe of what any others furters ; and what fhould hinder him, from taking the fhorteft way, to gratify each of thefe Paflions, but the Fear of him, that bears the Sword, for the Punifhment of fuch evil Doers? Take away this Ap- prehenfion from the Generality , and e- very defireable Good , lies at the Mer- cy of the Strongeft: And while ea:h Man is willing to fancy himfelf fo , and therefore to try it out by Force of Arms, Lord ! What a Scene of Blood and Mifery, mutt this Earth be / \V hat fufpitions, what Jealoufies, what Contrivances and Fears, B 2 will will in their Turn diftrad, the Souls of eve- ry Perfon ! What Indignation and Rage, will pofTefs the Minds of the Injured. and Helplefs ! With what Fury will he go on, who is pufh'd forward by Appetites, that will be denied nothing, to take more than is his own ! With what Refiftance muft they meet him, whom Intereft and Re- venge infpire to keep what is their own/ And from the mutual Conflids, of thefe two forts of Men, and thofe engaged on their Sides, who can exprefs the Evils that muft follow? Nothing is to be expeded, but Quarelling and Plundering, but Fighting and Killing every where, till they bring the whole World into a perfed Defolation. 2^/y, It is another Benefit of Government, that it promotes Knowledge and thofe Arts, that abate the natural feltifhnefs and fierce- nefs of Men's Tempers ; that civilize and ]oh.xi.i2.f weete n Life. Man, faith Zopkar in 'Job, is born like a Wild-Affes Colt ignorant, rucfe and untraclable. And thefe bnitifh Qualities, are not to be fubdued, but by Inftitution, and thofe Improvements, that are to be found on- ly in Societies. God therefore fb ordered it, that every Man fhould be born, within fome Society, I mean that of a Family, where the Father or the Mafter prefides ; and to compel them yet into greater Societies, that the Single Reafon, of no one or two Perfons, ihall be able to anfwer , the manifold Wants incident to humane Nature. No ; the Work ( '3 ) Work muft be divided ; fome are to betake themielves to one Study or Art, and fome to another ; and even in the fame Profeffton, that is built upon Obfervation and Experi- ence, one Man is to grow wifer, by ano- ther's Studies and Labors, and to tranfmit his own Additions, to a third to improve upon. ^ Thus living together, and obferving their many Wants, and the many more Hands, that are needful, for the redrefs of any one Want they plainly fee that Man, who hath neither all Perfe&ion, nor all Sufficiency in himfelf, is not defigned to be, the fole Cen- ter ofhis Aftings: Their mutual Afliftance, and Subferviency, brings them into an Efteem of each other's Talents, and that into a Com- placency for each others Perfon. And tho' Ef- teem fhould not proceed fofar, it will however put much Reftraint upon an unfociable Tem- per ; it will gradually lefTen that Sournefs, and Roughnefs that fhuts out from the Helps, o- thers can impart, and they have occafion for. So that upon the whole Matter, Study and Application ; and united Endeavours are ne- ceOTary, to find out, and provide, thole Ac- commodations, that make Life comfortable, and to pare off thofe Afperities of DifpoQti- on, that are irreconcileible with Peace and Union. Now all Endeavours flag, without Emulation, Encouragement and the Rewards of orderly Societies, unlefs preiTed forward by thofe Neceflities, which the multiplying of Men together, caufe. Out of Govern- ment ( H ) merit, Men's Thoughts run in another Channel, being employed, how to fave their own, or feize their Neighbour's Acpuifiti- pns : And higher they don't rife, as want- ing the Spur to all Diligence, the Profpeft of enjoying and difpofmg what has been thereby obtained. A long War in any Place, is therefore noted to caft a chilling Damp, upon all ufeful Arts, and to have been ftill fucceeded, by an Age of Barba- rifm : The fame Caufes, reducing them into the fame State, the poor Savages in the In- dies, ftill remain in, for being not yet for- med into Civil Societies, whofe Condition feems to be worfe, than that of other Crea- tures, in Rank below them. For thofe, Na- ture has provided a prefent Supply, under their ordinary Wants. They are from their Birth, cafed with Covering, againft the Ri- gours of the Seafon, and arm'd with Wea- pons, of Defence, or Flight, upon A (faults ; they are endued with proper Inftinfts, for their Food and their Phyfick ; and if they have not Houfes and Beds, they need none. But thefe wild Men we fpeak off, not knowing how to ufe their Reafon, that was given them, inftead of every other Provifion, are liibjeft to more Inconveniencies, than other Animals are liable to, without any Remedy at Hand. They wander up and down na- ked and dcfcncelefs; they fee the Dangers they arc ex poled to, and know not how to a- -ad them; their Days are fpent in carelefs, undefigned, ( '5 ) undefigned, thoughtlefs Romings ; their Nights are broke, with Fears of what may befall them under the next Buih they fhelter thcmfelves under. Now which of us would not be weary of Life, upon thefe Terms ? were our ceiled Chambers, exchanged for the Covering of Heaven, and our foft Beds for a few green Turfs; were our Cattle driven from their Pafture, and we left to graze in their Stead, and even our Title to that, difputed by other Animals, to our Difad vantage ; in a Word, were our Country turned into a Wildernefs, as it would foon be, if we lived at the rate of thofe Savages, that live in thofe defolate Countries, we fhould then be too late fenfi- ble of the Advantage of Arts and Trades and. Sciences, and of the Bleffing of Govern-? ment, that cheriflies and patronizes them, It is Government only that by improving their Underftandings, makes the Life of Men more eligible than that of Brutes* For, 3^/y, Religion, which alone without Go- vernment, is able to civilize Men, and fup- port them under any Suffering, is it felf, much advanced by good Government, and doth fenfibly decay, where there is a want of it. Not that Religion owes it's Original to the State, or can't lubfift in truly pious and virtuous Souls, in oppolition to any Negleci, or even Seventy of Princes againft it. But this I mean, fuch pious and truly virtuous Souls. Souls, are rarely and difficultly raifed, in Times of publick Diforder, and Confufion, the very Principles are apt to wear out of Men's Minds, where they are not called upon, or under fome Obligation to recoiled them ; and when the Iriterefts of religious and civil Societies, have been interwoven into one Conftitution, the fall of the State hath ever been fatal, not on- ly to the publick Exercife, but in great mea- lure to Religion it felf. Hence St Paul, though he lived under a Government not Chriftian, yet knowing Religion to be in more danger from Anarchy, than Perfecution, exhorts ChrifHans to pray even for that Government; for Kjngs, faith he, and, all that are in Autho- rity under them ; the Argument is ftronger, for Chriftian Kings, and thofe that counte- nance Religion, that we may lead quiet Lives under them in all godlinefs and honefy. i TitUS ii. 2. I know, it is Matter of Difpute, the Au- thority the civil Magiftrate hath, in Matters of Religion : and it is certainly a Point of great Nicety, the adjufting the exact Bounds of that Authority, beyond which he ought in no wife to proceed. But laying it down firft, as an inconteftable AfTertion, that Force and Perfecution, are improper Methods, to produce Religion, which ought to be, the re- fill t of Per ilia (ion and Choice, and that Ma- giilrates therefore, fhould not impofe, their ;:wn Opinions by Violence, upon Perfons capable .C capable of judging for themfelves $ I think, it will not be denied, that Princes within their own Dominions, have a great Intereft, in the Things of Religion, and are account- able to God, for Indifferency or Negled thereof. The Magiftrate, may and ought to fee, that the Publick Worfhip of God be kept up , that proper Times and Places for that Wor- (hip, be held Sacred ^ that the Minifters there- of be encouraged, to difcharge their proper Functions duly, or punifh'd for default j that in fuch Places, all Means of Inftrudion in the Will of God, and all Helps of fubftantial Piety, be exhibited to the People j that a li- centious freedom of going no where to worfhip, or of vilifying Things Sacred, be retrained , Nay, he ought to have an Eye, upon every new religious Sed that arifes, that fo Diftinc- tion be made, between fimple inoffenfive O- pinions and Errors, and the wild Pretences of Enthufiafts, fuch as are deftrudive of Civil Government, and whereby whole Countries have been defohted, or the perfonated Tenents of cunning Men, employed to lye in wait to deceive, and divide, and fo confound all Order. * Such Rights and Duties, Parents found themfelves inverted with, under natural Re- ligion. Their Children, by appointment of Providence, are brought into i he World, In- fants in Underftanding and Religion, as well C as . l8 . as Stature, God, as it were cafting them in- to their Hands, in this weak Condition, and with a growing Capacity, on purpofe to be- fpeak the Afiiftance of their Parents in form- ing them to the Knowledge of God, their Duty to him, and a Judgment to come. And no lefs Concern for the Chriftian Doctrine, is expected of Chriftian Parents, whom St Paul exhorts, to bring up their Children in the Nurture and Admonition of the Lord^ namely Chrift, Epb. v. 4. Such care, Mafters of Families, thought they were obliged to extend, to all in their Houfe, and are often commended for it, in Scripture. Of Abraham, God fpeaks with Cen j., t Approbation, I know him, that he will com- 19.' wand his Children, and his Houfe-hold after him, and they Jhall (or, that they may) keep the way of the Lord, to do Juflice and Judg- ment. And Jojbua's Refolution is recorded, for our Imitation, As for me andmy Houfe, we will ferve the Lord. It was God's Direction to Abraham, when he gave him the Rite of ow. frtCircumciflon (a Seal of the Right e.oufnefs bp ii. 'Faith,") that every Male of his family, or born in his Houfe (the Children of his Slaves) or bought with Money of any Stranger, though no' of his Seed, muft needs be circuwcifect. And by the like command, every other Matter of a Family, was to look to theObfervation of fie Sdbbath, (another part of inftituted Re- and the: Stranger xv r 19 Stranger within his Gates, as well as by his Children, and to hinder the Profanation theieo c . Now what are large Families, but littleKing- cloms? And what are great Kingdom , but many Families, united together under one fupream Head or Governor ? If then the Wormip of God, whether taught by natural, or revealed Religion, is the concern of Fathers and Mafters, why not of Kings, in a more publick Manner ? If inftituted Religion, may be inculcated, upon Children and Servants, by their Governors, why not upon thofe Families, that make up a Kingdom, by their Magiftrates, fo as they do it in Ways fuitableto Religion? God has (hewn, \\.may and ought, by incor- porating the Religion of the Jews, with the State, and putting the whole Conftitution, un- der the Infpeftion of the Civil Magiftrate. Till therefore it be proved, that there is Some- thing in the Chriftian Religion inconfiftent with fuch a Civil Incorporation, the Chriftian Magiftrate may be prefumed to be equally qualified to proted and encourage the Chrif- tian Religion, by Chriftian Methods, as the Jewim Magiftrate was to defend his Religion, by Methods fuitable to theCircumfliancesof that time. And fo it was predicted of old, by the Prophet Efa.xlix. 23. Where fpeaking of the future Church of Chrift, he adds, Ki*gs flail be thy nurfmg Fathers and Queens thy nurjtng Mothers. Favour, and Countenancj are at leaft imply ed in this Promife, which fuppofes C 2 ' alfo . alfo that they a& fuitabty to the ftate of the Perfons, they govern, neither tyrannizing ir- rationally .over their Confciences, nor yet permitting their Charge, to run into every Danger, their Frowardnefs or Unskilfulnefs, makes them liable to. And this feems to be the Reafon, why the Jewim Kings, when they xvii. entrec ^ H P n ^ oe Throne of their Kingdom, were is. ordered to write thsmfdves a Copy of the Book of the Law, namely, that they might re ad there- in what was truly God's Will, and be inftructed to enforce that and nothing elfe. For this Power will otherwife be very apt to be abufed, as may that of Parents and Mafters. But the Abufes maybe guarded againft, and the Power not en- tirely taken away. Would to God, there never had been an Age when things falfe, or even doubtful, much lefs flnfuJ, had been intro- duced, into the Chriftian Worfhip, nor im- pofed by Kings, as Conditions of Communion > in that Worfliip! But fince Faults of this kind,, have fometimes been improved, to the difcredit of the Magiftrate's juft Authority, it concerns ias, to ailert his Right, to fupport true Ghrifti- anity, after feparating that, from Do&rines going under that name, which are not fo , left by denying him any Thing to do in Religious Matters,we let in fuch Confu(ion,as that of the Age my Text refers to.. The People of Ifrael were then the Children of the Men, for whom God had wrought fo many Miracles, to bring ihem into Canaan;. The Ark of the Covenant, and r M and the Book of rhe Law, remain'd among them, and many (landing Evidences of the Truth of their Religion y and yet they went whoring after their own Inventions, they for- got God their Saviour, and fet up Gods of their own, molten and graven Images, fuch, as God from Heaven had forbidden, in the fecond Commandment , they confecrated whom they would, to be Priefts, to them that were no Gods. How came this to pafs > why they for- bore attending God's publick VVormip, there was no Superior Power, to remind the People of their Duty, nor to keep each Order of Men employed, in their Functions, according to their Station , There was no King in Ifrael^ therefore every Man did that which was right in his own Eyes. Later Experience, bears witnefs to the Hiftory of former Times. After the fall of the Monarchy here in England, under which the Chriftian Religion, had happily flourifh'd fince the Reformation, it is not out of Me- mory, the Wound that was then given to. Religion it felf : nor what an infinite Num- ber of unreafonable Sefts arofe, as oppo- fite to one another, as to the former Order ^ as if permitted by God, to (hew, when no Argument elfe was attended to, the Happi- nefs of a regular Government, and of the publick Encouragement of Religion in a Nation, So that thofe, who had been be- fore inftrumental through, a falie Zeal, to pull- down (21) down the Biftiops, that were Minifters on* der the King, (and fome of them too rigid in their Office, as Lord Clarendon remarks, but that was their perfonal Fault,) for the reftraining of the Liberty contended for, when they faw what followed, for Want of fome other Check, to fucceed under the Ma- giftrate, they lamented what they had done, and wimed again, even for that Order, ra- ther than the Diftempers and Diftrafti- ons in Religion, that grew up, by their Re- moval. The Way being thus prepared, I may proceed II. To mew the Folly, and Sin of thofe, that wantonly defhoy the Peace of a fettled Government. And both thefe, Folly, and Sin, are chargeable upon two Sorts of Men-: The Ambitious, Factious and Unquiet, who for the Sake of Places and Honours, to be obtain- ed, or kept no other Way, do not flick at Methods, ever fo hazardous to the Publick. And again, Men of prime Dignity, andTruft in Government, who betray the Princes they fliould ferve, by doing odious Acls, in their Name?, and by their Authority, who inva- ding the Liberties and Rights of the Subjeft, for their felfim and arbitrary Purpofes, give the Difcontented the Handle they wanted, for troubling and confounding the State. The Folly of both is evident, whether they truly intend to go through with the De- ilrudion of the Government they are un- der O?) der, or no. If that be not intended, Experi- ence hath often proved, how much they were deceived, that prefcribed Limits to contrived Shocks againft the State, or thought to diflurb the Publick, under Conditions of flopping at a certain Length. They neither know themfelves, or other Men, that imagine fuch a Power in themfelves, The Paffions grow head-flrong, and the Projects are enlarged; with every Turn of Succefs, and the nearer View of compafling their Ends . and every Change of Circumftances, leads a Man to judge, and reafdh differently .from what he did in another Situation. Again, the Tares of Discontent, that were of Service, in fome particular Cafe, are not to be weeded out at Pleafure, but grow rank, and fpread, to their very great Trou- ble afterwards, that fowed them. 'Tis next to impofiible, to govern every Spirit that one may raife. Should their Confciences, become tender, and flop at the Mifchiefs their prac* tifing hath brought to Maturity, there are e- now to go on, where they leave off, and even againfl their Wills, to play the Game into o- ther Hands, to very different Purpofes. But, fuppofe they be thofe that delibe- rately intend the Ruine of a Government, to ere ft a Something, they know not what, in its Room, that fhall be more favourable, to their Interefls } can they more truly ex- prefs their Folly, than in Endeavours t fhake ihake off a Form, that hath been found to anfwer all the Ends of Government, and by long ufe, to fuit the Genius, and Circum- ftances of a People in all Events, for a Chi- mera, which it is great odds, is not praclica* ble ? Many Things, feem pretty in Specula- tion, that will not bear a Tryal : And grea- ter Difficulties appear, when a total Change is laboured, than could be forefeen by the inoft Politick. If the Undertakers do not perifh in the Attempt, as is the common, and deferved Fate, of unreafonable Oppofition, to wife Settlements , if the^ be not forfaken by their Followers, who fhrink at Danger they don't encounter , with equal Paflion and Refolution, to that of their Leaders, nor flain in the War, that muft compleat the Deftrudion of what they diflike-, yet how often do they find as much Oppofition to their new Scheme, from others, as They caufed to the old > No State-Projector can be fure, that even under his new Scheme, mould it fucceed, that he (hall be of any Confidera- tion then, or that he (hall repair his For- tunes, which muft furely be confumed, in nurfmg it up , fince new Parties are wont to llioot from old Stocks, and to put them out of Capacity to do good, or hurt, under whofe flicker they rofe. It is, as if one mould (ink the Ship he is embarqucd in, and run the Rlfque of a Ship- wreck , upon the uncertain Profped of build- (25) building a new Veflcl,with the fcattered Planfcs, where poflibly he may mend his Sitting-place. They do in all refpefts, as mad a Thing, who embroil a Society , upon private Views , and raife popular Commotions, from whence an Efcape is next to impoflible. Political ma- kings, are like Earthquakes, which is the Figure the Prophets delcribe them by, wherein the Dregs are thrown upwards, and thofe at Top fink to the Bottom, and no Man is fure of his (landing 5 nor can the moft Penetrating , fee through the muddinefs of the Medium , to guefs when, how, or where, the Commotions will fettle. Different Humours, Inclinations, Defigns, Interefts, Pafiions, when that which kept them all in awe, is taken off, when many think themfelves to be upon an equal Bottom to advife and irnpofe, will make work for the .moft cunning and refolved Head 5 unexpected Incidents will fall in, to difturb the beft-laid Meafures, and at laft the generality, weary of the many Changes, in every one of which they are fure to be Lofers, will hanker after the Government they were formerly accu- ftomed to, not without Indignation againft thofe that abufed them to aft againft their own Peace. Of thofe Nobles and Gentlemen, who be- gan the War, that ended in the Ruine of the Monarchy, how few lived to fee the end of it> How much fewer were Gainers by it > Nor did any one of them hold Jong the D Power ( 2* ) Power, they had ufurp'd. The Houfe of Commons* having laid afide their King firft, and then the Houfe of Lords, were themfelve*, many of them, purged and imprifon'd, and the- Remainder of them, at laft Ditfblv'd, againft their Wills. The Council of Officers that fuc- ceeded them, could neither (land againft the Pra&ifes of the Agitators , and Levellers , who by the fame Methods confounded the Officers, as they had before confounded the Parliament. They therefore devolved their Power , to a Centumvirate , that had not Strength to fubfift Six Months, but deliver- ed all up to a Protector, who formed a mock Houfe of Commons, and Lords. After his Death, the Diftempers encreafed , under a Committee of Safety, and then under a Coun- cil of State, until a free Parliament was cho- fen that reftored the Monarchy again. So true is the Obfervation , the (aid excellent Hiftorian hath made , that it quickly apfzars ^ ift - how nnfecure new Jnftitutions of Government " are :, and when the Contrivers of them have provided, as they thinly, agninft all m'tfchievottf Contingencies^ they find they have unwarily left it G.?p open, to let their Dtftnittion in upon them. Nor is their Sin lefs than their Folly, that praftife againft Government, or Icffen the Pvc- verence and Efteem People ought to have for ir, by Male-adminiftration. Trace it np to its true Canfes, and you di (cover Pride, Envy, Cove-* tonfnefs. Ambition, Malice, Revenge,, and flich un- f 27 ) urtfflortified Lufts, to. be the real Principles of fuch Men's Acting. Publick good, Reforma- tion of Abufes, and Zeal for Religion, are ever pretended, and as conftantly invaded, in the Courfe of fuch Proceedings, till at laft the well- meaning, that for the fake of thefe were drawn in to affift, find themfelves cheated out of them all. Where thefe are indeed at Heart, one will be tender of hazarding the Safety of the Whole, unlefs that be plainly to be preferved, no other Way. They are wicked Quacks in Politicks, who poifon the whole Body, for the flopping of fome Tetters and Ring-worms, that darken the Skin. Follow it in the Steps and Means of putting it in execution, and no Sin is more complicated, than Treafon and Rebellion. What Hypocrily, what Lying, what Breach of Promifes, what Perjuries, are committed to encourage others into a Dependance, and to conceal the true Intention? What Injuftice and Cruelty, tode- prels thofe that (land in the Way, or to encreafe the Numbers of a Party ? What Ingratitude to old Friends, when it is thought feafonable to contract new ones> Unwarrantable Enterprizes require neceflarily unwarrantable Ways of carrying them on. View the Sin in its Effefts and they are known to fpread into all Rinds of Sin, and all Forms of Mifery. The Confequence of the Fall of fettled Government, is no Government, and that is a DiiTolution of all natural, as well as legal Rights, of all Order D 2 and ( 28 ) and Difcipline and Purity in Religion. The Juft Refult of inveterate Oppofition to Govern- ment, is a War, a bloody Civil War, which tramples upon all the Offices of Relation and Affection, and effaces the Principles of Mora- lity, and even Humanity, which fcatters Ca- lamity upon the Innocent, and entails Defo- lation upon the Unborn. And fhall not thefe Things, be hateful to God, who glories in the Titles of Lover of Mankind, and the Patron of the OpprefTed, who re Joyces in the Profpe- rity of his Servants, and declares himfelf a fe- vere Avenger againft them that (bed Man's Blood caufelefly ? Doubtlefs, God firft formed Societies,as the mod comprehenfive Way of pro- viding for the Well-being of Mankind $ and he has therefore guarded them under Chriftianity, by fo many pofitive Precepts of Obedience to the Governors thereof, and thofe he has again enforced, with Entreaties, Promifcs and Threat- nings. Snbmit your felves, faith God by St. 2Pet.ii.i5. Peter to every Ordinance of Man, for the Lord's fake. Whether to the King as fuprewe, or Go- vernors fent by him. If there be any Concern f>r the Honour and Love of Chrift, who is t'le Saviour of all Men, (hew it, in giving Honour to Governors, who arefent by him, for the Punifiment of evil-doers, and the Pratfe of them that do well. St. Pa M I exhorts Timothy to fray fir Kings, and all tkat are in Authority, (and what we 'pray for, we are to endeavour after. ( 29 after,) as the Way to lead quiet tie Lives in all Godlinejt and Honefty, and as it is a Thing good and acceptable in the Sight of God our Saviour. He com- lT - ... mands to turn away from the traiterovs and 5. heady^ and high-minded^ that (hall arife in perillow Times. And for them that do other wife, he declares, by ref fling the Power, ^ om< Xlii they refift the Ordinance of God , and they that refift) //jail receive to themfelves Dam- nation. Thefe Texts, out of feveral others, are e- nough to fhew, that many Precepts muft be tranfgreffed, many Promifes forfeited, many Threats incurred, by the Fa&ious and Re- bellious ^ they will be anfwerable for all the Sins, and all the Evils, that are unavoid- able , in the Profecution of this wicked Affair, and that is a Load big enough, to frighten him, that has the leaft Feeling of Confcience, from caufing, or medling in National Difturbances. To br ng home in few Words, the Sub- ftance of what hath been faid, to our par- .ticular Circumftances. No Nation under Heaven, enjoyed greater Profperity and Hap- pinefs, than ours did, till they deprived them- felves thereof by running into a Civil War, that deftroy'd the KING and the Conftitution. We began again to flourith, through God's good Providence, as the Government fet- tled again, upon its ancient Bafis^ and we feem- ed, a while fenfible of the Bleffing:,- but af- ter ter a long Peace, the Remembrance of the Evils they had 1 fuffered, wore off fcdth in King, and People. At length, when a King . of another Religion was poffefs'd of the Throne, and -he - ruled by Popifti and Foreign Councils, an unnatural Confpira- cy of the Head againft the Members, ap- peared as evident as the Sun-mine: Our Conftitution and Holy Religion, were to be offered a Sacrifice to Popery 5 our Liberties and our Conferences, were to be enflaved, to thofe at Rowe, that regard neither. Thefe Fears awakened us, and brought us to be of one Mind, and fo made way for that Wonderful Revolution , tin at fived us then from imminent Ruine, and was worth all the Ex pence, and Hazard we run in a tedious War afterwards to defend it, as it procured for us, the Settlement under his prefent Ma- jefty, who is the only Prince we know,. be- fide his next Title in the Proteftant Blood, every ways qualified, to preferve to us the Fruits of that Deliverance. Under him, we may reafonably promife our felves as happy Days, as have been feen, in ar.v Rei:;n, before Him, if we our felves do not hinder. There is no faving People againft their Wills. Let us that are Subjects, be con- tent to be made Happy, and we may expeft every Thing clfe, that is in the Power of a good Governor, from the KING'S good DiG- pofirion, and good Intentions for the Publkfc Welfare. God ( 31 ) God hath given us the Eftablifhment we were anxioufly contriving, and praying, and refolved to dye for, after the Demife of the late pious Queen. It is our Part , not to de- feat the Benefit of it, now we have it: Nor by unfeafonable Divifions (hew we know not what wiJl fatisfy us. The curfed Tragedy of This Day, calleth upon us, to watch over the Paf- fions, and Beginnings, that led into fo mon- ftrous a Wickednefs. It warns us, not to cre- dit every Appearance $ not to magnify little Miftakes , incident to the Beft Humane Go- vernments, into malicious Defigns 3 not to carry any imagined Grievance, into an Appeal to the common People 5 and efpecially, not to engage too far- in Party Difputes, fo as in de- fpair of Pardon and Reconciliation, not to be able to retire, nor proceed with Safety. It will be to no purpofe , that we bewail the great Sin of this Day, if we be ready to repeat it any other Day , againft our prefent Governour. That Loyalty is a mere Cloak of Malicioufnefs, which is fo exbaufted upon the Perfon of the Martyred King, as to have no Zeal left for the Service of our living King. But if our behaviour to 'Him, be like that of Men, that do indeed abhor their Praftifes, then it will appear, we are grown Wifer and Better, by former Mifcarriages, and God himfelf will be pleafed, that fo great De- liverances, and lo fignal Mercies, have not been quite thrown away upon us. He will continue to grant m his Salvation , as hg fees ( 32 ) Tees we do net prepare to turn agaW to 'folly. May God; the Giver of all Grate, difpoTe jur Hearts , to mind the Things that belong to our Peace, before they be hid from our Eyes, for the Sake of Chrift Jefus, to whom with the Father, and Holy Ghoft, be all Honour and Praife for evermore. Amen. FIN IS. A Sermon preach'd before the King, at the Royal Chapel at St. James's, on Chriftwat-Day, 1717. By the Right Reverend Father in GOD, EDWARD Lord Bittiop of Coventry and Uckfdd. Ptiblijtfd bj Hff Majeftys Special Com- mand. Price 4 d. A Sermon "preach'd at the Cathedral-Church of Worcester ^ on the jth of June 1716. Being the Day of Thankfgiving for the Bleffing of God, &c. in fupprefling the late Unnatural Rebellion. By . CHANDLER, D.D. (now Lord Bimrp of Coventry and Lichfield.) Printed for James Knaptw, at the Crown in St, PattFs Church Yard, Price 4 d. The &oneft and the dijlooneft ways of getting WE A LT H. A SERMON PREACH'D in the P A R I S H - C H U R 'G H F St. Mary, k Bow, On SUNDAY., November 20. 1720. By SAMUEL Lord Bifliop of Carlile. L N D - N: Printed for JOHN W YAT, at the Rofe in St. Parts Church-yard. M DCG XX. :. CJ PROV. XIII. ir. health gotten ly vanity Jhall be diminifked : but he that gather eth by labour, Jhall increafe. Might begin my difcourfe on this Text with thofe words of our blefled Saviour., with a little variation j This <^/ is this Scripture fulfilled be- fore your Eyes. The great diforder and confufion which an eager defire of wealth has of late occafionM amongft us, and the grievous Difappointments which many have met with in the irregular purfuit of It, made me judge this a very proper Sub- for our prefent meditation. A 2 They The honeH and the dtfhonest They are the words of Solomon, the wife King of Ifrael, concerning the regular and irregular ways of getting wealth - y founded upon reafoo, and probably" upon the Experience alfo which he might have had in'divers.inftances 3 and having., like many other fayings in this book., no depen- dance upon what goes before., or follows after thern^ are to be confiderM by them- felves 5 for the clearer under ftand ing of which., it may not be amifs to obferve very briefly., how they are rendered in other tranflations. In the vulgar Latin they are thus rendered., Subftance gotten hafiily flail be diminiflSd : but that which is gathered by the band gradually [by little and little^ ft all be multiplied. In the Septuagint^ thus,, Sub fiance h aft /ly gotten with iniquity is kf- Cetid : but he that gathereth to himfelf iv'nh godlinefs fhall abound [ or Jl all have h/y Jubftatice multiplied.^ The Syriac ti anflation is much to the fame purpofe., Wealth gotten by Iniquity foall be diminiftfd : but that which is gathered with jnftice Jkall increase. The Arabic- reads it thu*, Wealth which is greedily fought with iniquity foall fail : bttf he that gathereth to himfelf with good advice, his 'ways of getting Wealth. bis fubftance fidll be multiplied.. And to name no more, the Chaldee Paraphrafe thus express it., Wealth gottten by the iniquity of the poffeffor fhall be dimmified : and he that gatherjeth and givetb to the poor Jlall multiply his riches. From all theie tranfla-r tions compared together^ we may conclude the plain meaning of Solomon in thefe words to be this^ That an eager defire of being haftily rich_J which tempts men to the feeking of wealth by falfe, deceitful., unrighteous and indirect means, regarding themfelves only., and not others., is likely tO'meet with difapppintment, if not in at- taining the. wealth thus fought^ yet in its foon failing and wafting away. Whereas on the other hand., the inoft likely means of attaining fuch>a degree of wealth as is convenient for us., and which we may reafonably hope may continue with us and with our children after us,, is the way of Labour and Induftry in our refpeftive fta^ tions and callings., whilft we walk carefully in the paths of piety towards God., and juftice and charity towards men ., thus gradually gathering that meafure of wealtk which is be ft for us^ as the proper reconv 3 . pence The honest and tie dijhoneH pence of .our being well employed 3 in bufinefs profitable to others as well as to our felves. In order to the difcourfing ufefully on this fubjeft., I propofe the following me- thod. I. To fliew what degree of wealth a good man., particularly a good Chriftian., is allowed to defire ancf leek after. II. To fliew by what means he is al- lowed to fcek it, and is in the faireft way of obtaining and preferving it. III. To fliew farther which are the un- lawful and indirect ways of endeavouring to obtain it., and the moft unlikely to fe- cure and prefcrve it IV. To make fome Application of the whole to our felves. I. Let us confider, What degree of wealth a good mair, particularly a good Chriftian,, is allowed to defire and feek after. i . Now there can be no queftion but that fuch an one may defire and fcek after fo much as is neccflary to fupply all his rea! 3 not ways of getting Wealth. not imaginary wants., in the ftation in which Providence hath placed him ^ but with this condition added, That if it fhall pleafe God to remove him to a lower fta- tion than that in which he is at prcfent, he fhall then be contented with what fhall be fufficient for him in thefe circum- ftances. It is fit and good., and God hath wifely fo orderM it, that particular men fliould be placed jn different flattens., for the be- nefit of the whole Society of mankind ^ and it is evident., that what is truly a com- petency for men in one ftatioo, is not fo for thofe in another., to enable them to live comfortably, and to aft their parts decently ; and therefore the meafure of our defires and endeavours after wealth fhould be taken from the ftation of life., in which Providence hath thought fit to place us, we being contented with the ftation in which we find our felves,, and "with fo much as will decently provide for us and our families in it. Not but that., if without our ufing any irregular methods,, and without any inordinate folicitude on our partj it fhall pleafe God by his Provi- dence 8 The faonest and the dijhonest dence to open a fair way for us,, to better our prefent ftation., it will then become reafonable for us to enlarge our defires and endeavours after .a Provision propor- tionable, provided ftill,, as I faid before, that if Providence fliall deprefs us to *a Nation lower tha'n that in which we at prefent are, our deilres and endeavours after wealth be .always reftraio'd within die bounds proper to our condition. This is highly reafonable in it fclf/ and \vhat our Chriftian profeffion certainly * Tim. v. obliges us to. Having food and raiment > kt us be therewith content,. faith St. Faul^ which words fuppofe a Chriftian to be in one of the meaneft ftations of human life., fo as to have no more s than food to eat., and raiment to put on, and even in that ftate require him to be content , not to murmur or repine againft Providence on account of his narrow allowance. In like manner the Writer to the Hebrews neb. xiii. ad vifes., Let your conversation be withont covet' Mifneffj and be content with fitch things as yon have. It is indeed the great defign of Chriftianity., to make us throughly fehfi- ble 'ways of getting Wealth. ble that our happinefs does not confift in any of the enjoyments . and pofieffions of this world r and therefore to raife up our thoughts to things above ; to create in us a great indifference to every thing here be- low j to make us perfectly eafy and well fatisfied with whatever condition of Life Providence frtal! aillgn us j and confequent- ly to teach us not eagerly to dcfire or feek after any more wealth, than may be a competent., that is., a moderate provifion for the ftation we arc in. But it may be faid., Are we then to be (tinted juft to an allowance fufficient to defray the charges of our particular fta- tions? Is it unlawful confequently- for a good Chriftian to increafe his wealth to a greater degree, fo that he may be faid not only to have what is. barely fufficient., but qven to abound? as Solomon in the Te>ct feems to promife^ that be that gatheretb by Labour Jlall mcreafe. To this I fay in the fecond place^ a . That although no good man., parti- cularly no good Chriftian ought to extend his deiires or endeavours^ with folicitude beyond the limits I have mention^ yet he B may 10 The honett and the di/honeff may lawfully increase his wealth,, and may poffibly by degrees come to abound in. riches., as a due recompence for extraordi- nary diligence or uncommon skill in fome art, profefiion., or employment fcrviceable to the Community of which he is a mem- ber., taking care at the fame time to be no way injurious to the publick,, or to any particular member of the fociety : that is in other words,, Although he fhould be no farther concern'd., than for food and rai- ment convenient for hiin^ and thofe that appertain to him., in his prcfent ftation yet he may lawfully acquire a greater mea- iure of wealth in the ufe of lawful means of obtaining it; which brings me to the next general Head which I proposed., II. To fliew by what means he is al- low'd to feek fuch increafe of his wealthy and is in the faireft way of obtaining and- preferving it. Now this is plainly marked out by So- lomon in my Text,, He that gatheretb by la hour fiall increafe ' where by Labour is to be underftood, diligence and induftry in pur lawful and honeft Callings, whatfoever they* ways of getting Wealth \ \ they be ^ the employing the powers and faculties with which God hath indued us 3 whether of body or mind r to the purpo- ies for which they were beftow'd upon us. Immediately' after the fall of our fir ft Pa- rents,, God declared to Adam y and in him t3 all his Pofterity., That m the fiveat ofGer. his face be jJjould eat his bread, until 1 he jlould return to the ground out of- which he was taken. And although every particular defceridant from Adam is not appointed to be a Tiller of the ground, or to be engaged in hard bodily labour ; yet every man that comes into the world has his proper work afllgn'd him by the ^reat Lord of all, in doing which he is obliged to exercife proper care and in- duftry., not to live an rdle and unprofita- ble life., but to be conftantly employed in fome bufinefs tending to the benefit of the whole Community in which he lives, and to labour therein with the powers and fa- culties of his body, or his mind., or both. Had men remainM in the ftate of inno- cence^ it cannot be doubted but that they would have had work afilgn'd them fuitable to that ftate/hough with lefs labour and dif- B 2 ficulty 1 2 The hwieB and the dtfhoneft ficulty than fince the fall. But fince our degenerate Eftate labour is become more neceflary, both to make us humble in a ienfe of our folly "Sn difobeying our- Maker $ and that by taking pains in fome honeft and ufeful employment., we may be prefervM from evil courfes., and become ufeful members of the great body of man- kind. And this our Chriftian profeilion particularly obliges us to. Our Lord Mark xiii. compares himfelf to a man taking a fan 34- journey j who left his houfe^ and gave Au~. thority to bis ftr benefit of others alfo * and whilft we are faithfully and diligently difcharging this Truft., it is the proper way for obtaining' that competency of wealth which \ve are- feekingj and of increafing it too. This is the natural and the appointed recompence of our Labour and diligence in our re- fpe&ive Callings., that whilft we* are in our feveral places promoting the benefit of the whole Body., we fliall at the fame time reap profit to our felves alfo., the Labour and induftry of every other member re-* dounding to our benefit., as much as ours does to theirs., and all together confpiiing: to the general good. In confequence of which alfo, if any of us exercife extraor- dinary diligence,, or employ uncommon skill., in the difcharge of our. part; an ex- traordi- 1 4. The honest and the dijhmesl traordinary increafe of wealth is the natu- ral,, and the juft confequence of our fo doing. Nor need we fear the not finding our own account, whilft we are thus perform- ing the duties of our place and ftation., when we confider, that this is accord! ng, o to the Order which God hath appointed to mankind., which therefore if we duly ob- ferve, he will not fail to add his Blefllng., which alone can give fuccefs' to us in the life of our beft skill and diligence,, according to the faying of the wife man., The bleffing of the Lord it maketb rich j and be addeth no forrow with it. It is the Lord only who can make our in- duftry an " effeclual means of increasing our wealth ; and if we are not wanting on our part., we need not doubt of his giving fuch fuccefs to our induftry, as he fliall fee truly bcft for us. For this is always to be remembered., that God hath no where pro- mis'd, to make the beft and moft faithful of his fcrvants rich in this world. He knows what is iitteft for every one of them, and that abundance of wealth would be exceedingly dangerous to fome tempers., and ways of getting Wealth. iM^MM^M^HMMMMMMVMM^^^^^M^H^^MMa^M^M^^M^^MM^MI^Mi^^HMM^H^S^^m and in that cafe it is from his fpecial favour to them,, that he reftrains them from great increafe. But thus far they may fafely depend upon him., that if in their refpe- flive ftafions they do what becomes them, he will not fail to blefs them with fuch increafe as he knows to be moft proper for them. Whilft they feek the kingdom of Cod Mate. vi. and his right sou fnejs in the fir ft place, he 3 will certainly add all temporal blefllngs which lie (hall fee needful and truly good for them. This therefore is all that I (hall add un- der this Head., That together with our L^- . hour and induftry in our feveral Callings, we take care., according to fome of the tranflations of my Text., to add Piety to* wards God, together w r ith Juftice and Charity towards men j that we gather wealth with godlinefs^ as one of them fpeaksj with Jufiice^ as another^ without iniquity , as others , and laftly, that whilft we are gathering to our felves we alfo give to the poor, as the Chaldee Paraphrafe ad- moniflies. This is the reafonable , the proper, the likely means of gathering and increasing wealth. This is the fure way of, obtain- 1 6 Tie fanest and the dijhonest obtaining the blefllng of God, either to increase OUT wealth and multiply it 5 if he ' (hall fee that to be good for us j or elfe., which is better., to deny us that meafure of wealth which would endanger- our fpi- ritual and eternal welfare. But I proceed to that which I proposM in the next place., III. To mew which are the unlawful and indirect ways of endeavouring after wealth,, and the mod unlikely to fecure and preferve it to us. And they are fuch as the wife man points out in thofe words^ Wealth gotten by vanity. Now without queftioR, all wealth got- ten by falfliood and injuftice, by extortion and oppreiHon., by fecret fraud or open violence., may be properly faid to be got* ten by vanity, according to the common fignification of that word., which in divers of theTranflations I have mentioned is ren- dei'M by iniquity, under which will be comprifed all little arts of impofing upon the ignorance and unskilfulnefs of thofe with whom we have to do j in a word_, whatever is plainly contrary to the known Rules 'ways of getting Wealth. 1 7 rules of truth, juftice and equity in traf- fick and commerce one with another. This will be readily ownM by all that pro- fefs to believe the eternal and unalterable difference between moral good and evil., between truth and falfliood., right and wrong. But this is not all that Solomon feems to intend here ; at leaft he has fet this matter in a view which is not commonly obferv'd, his meaning by the word Vanity being more extenfive., as it ftands in this place., than it is ordinarily taken to be., fo as to include in it whatfoever methods of get- ting wealth are oppofite to the other way that he here mentions, of gathering by la-, hour. He plainly fets thefe two in op- pofition.one to the other., getting wealth by vanity, and gathering by labour, condemn- ing one, and approving the other ; as if he would intimate., that the only proper method ordainM by God., and fit for men to ufe 5 in order to the increafing their fubftance, were that of Labour, or in- duftry., and that all other methods were ways of vanity. C Not 1 8 The hone ft and the di/honeff Not but that an honed man., and a good Chriftian rnay fairly poffefs and thankfully enjoy wealth., which he himfelf has not acquired by Labour 3 but which it may be has defcended to him from his An- ceftors ; or has been freely beftowYI upon him by fuch as have born particular friend- "fhip to him j or has otherwife come into his hands providentially 5 without any care or labour of his own, but at the fame time without any the leaft injury to any parti- cular perfon., or to the community in ge- neral. But that which my Text fpeaks of., ' and of which I am now difcourftng, is men's getting or gathering to themjelves wealth^ or increasing what they already have. Now the only way proper for men thus to acquire or increase their weak rr, is, according to the declaration of the wife man., that of Labour or Induftry in the Station or Galling in which Providence hath placed them., according to the Ac- count I have given of that Matter under my laft Head. And this appears reafonable., becaufe., as f there obterv\1, every particular man^.by thus exercifing his Libour y induftry or skill in ways of getting Wealth. j 9 * in his proper Station^ becomes fefviceable to the whole Community^ and to every par- ticular Member of it 5 * and it is very fit that he from whom others receive benefit, fhould at the fame. time > and by the fame means reap profit to himfelf, as a juft re- compence of fuch his care and diligence. Whereas on the contrary., if a man by being negligent or flothful in his proper bufinefs becomes ufelefs to others, there can be no Reafon why he fliould expeft any fuch recompence., or why he fliould reap benefit by the labour of others., who reap none by his : and much more would it be unreasonable for fuch a Man to in- creafe his own wealth to the prejudice and injury of the Community., or of other private Perfons in it. And it is for this Reafon amongft others 5 that Gaming is accounted an unlawful way of increasing wealth. I fpeak not of what is ufed only for innocent diversion and recreation., without mifpending any confiderable part of our time or fubftancej but of getting or increasing to our felvcs wealth in that way. Befides the wafting of a great .many precious hours of life., C 2 ch 2o The honeH and the diJhoneH which ought to be employed to fome wife and good purpofes ; befides the living in a way below the diftates of Reafon^ and much befide the end for which men are Tent into being j befides all the other in- conveniences and temptations to which Gaining expofes men ; this confederation alone would make it criminal,, that men hereby feek to increafe their wealth,, with- out having any Title to it by ufing the proper means appointed by God to thatr end., and this at the fame time to the in- jury of thofe that are engaged with them. Men thus employed are not exercifing their Skill and Induftry in the Stations and Cal- lings allotted to them, .by Providence., and therefore no recompence can be due to them. Befides that what the one gains,, the other certainly lofes j" by fo much as the one increafes his fubftance., by juft fo; much the fubftance of the other is dimini- (he a ' and no advantage gained by either of them to the Community., but real lots., in having its members not employed in any work that redounds to the good of the whole., but mifpcnding that time which ought to be fo employed^ idly and unpro- fitably. ways of getting Wealth. fitably.. -Whereas in the other way of La- hour and Induftry,, the man who increafeth his own wealth., helps to increafe that of others alfo^ and all together carry on the publick Good. As for Inftance., in all lawful trade and commerce., both the ho- ncft buyer and feller are well employed., each of them propofing a reafonable gain and advantage to himfelf, whilft at the fame time both of them are promoting the benefit of the whole Society of which? they are members. And the fame holds true in all other employments fit for the ufe of reafonable creatures united in one comtnon Body. Now in like manner as it is in the cafe of Gaming., fo ( what I would propofe to your ferious confideration at this feafon ) every other way, by what name foever it may be calPd.,. of a private man's in- creafing his wealth., to the apparent lofs and injitry of other, particular men., or to the detriment of the Community to which he appertains., I take to be an indi- refiy and therefore an unlawful way of gain- ing. If by the way and method in which one man is a gainer., another muft neceflari- 4 2 r> The hone ft and tfie difhoneH ly be a lofer; if the increafing his wealth is manifcftly by the diminifliing the others, and this without any real defert on the one fide,, or forfeiture on the other , and at the fame time no way to the advan- tage., but to the apparent detriment of the Community j this is a way and me- thod in which I do not fee how any good . man., and efpecially how any genuine Chriftian can allow himfelf. How much of this kind has lately been prafiifed amongft us,, and to which of the diviilons in my Text fuch ga^n is to be re- duced, that of gathering by labour y or get- ting by vanity 5 and confequently how far men may rcafonably .expect to have their fubftance increased or diminiftfd by fuch practice., I leave to the confideration of thofe that hear me., not thinking it proper in fuch a difcourfe as this, to defcend to particulars. If it be faid., Nothing is done" in this . cafe but by confent on both fides,, the gainer and the lofer aft voluntarily both alike,, and confequently there is no injury done in the cafe. 5 Tis true, they do both ail: voluntarily ; but it is the very fame cafe of getting Wealth. cafe in gaming, the winner and the lofer agree voluntarily to run the hazard j and yetj as I fliew'd before,, that may be ne- ver thelefs a criminal way of increasing wealth., as I believe all good Cafuifts will allow. In fliort, If in thefe ways wealth is gotten by vanity., as that {lands in oppo- fition to gathering by labour or induftry r the wife man here declares that it fhatt le diminished, it has no good foundation., nothing to juftify the acquiring it 3 it is againft the Order in which God hath al~ low'd and directed men to proceed in .acquiring what is convenient for them^v and cqpfequently what men have reafon to expeft that the God of Truth and Juftice will not profper, they cannot reafonably f ask nor expeft tha-t his bleffing fhould at- tend them j whilft they are taking an indi- re9: way ; but muft be forced to acknow- ledge his righteoufnefs., etcher in" dtfap- pointing their endeavours, or in caufing- wealth this gotten to wafte away and be- diminijtfd. But I proceed to what I pror* gos'd in the laft place^ .*?!%;*, IV. To. 24. The haneH and the drfbwitft IV. To make fome Application to our felves of what has been faid on this Sub- i. We may obferve,, from this Maxim laid down in the Text by Solomon, the Wilf- dom and Juftice of Almighty God in his difpenfations towards the children of men, even in this life., in order 'to the encou- raging Virtue ^ and the difcountenancing Vice. It is true, the great rewards of re- ligion and virtue., and the fignal punifh- ments of irreligion and vice., are referved for the world to come : but even in this prefent life., the following the Order .which God hath appointed in our a&ions., natu- rally tends to our worldly profperity^ and the declining that Order -has the fame like natural tendency to difappointment and lofs. Bcfides that the fpecial blefling of God is only to be looked for in the former method., and his blafting our de- fig ns and endeavours to be juftly feared in the latter. What the wife man obferves in my Text was certainly true in his time,, and has been and will be fo in all ages., that generally fpeaking. Wealth gotten by vanity ways of getting Wealth. 2 5 vanity is diminifbed: whilftie that gat hereth by labour iticreafetb. Whilft Men attend to the Rules which God hath prefcribed to them, either by Reafon, or by farther Revelation, they are in the way in which they may ask and hope for his bl effing : when they lay afide thofe Rules, ceafing to walk in the plain paths of rightcouf- nefs, and following their ow*i vain imagi- nations and contrivances, they cannot have the face to defire him to blefs and profper them, but muft rather fear that he would difappoint them in the ufe of fuch indi- rect means. 2. From what I have been difcourfing it will appear very fit for every one t)f us ferioufly to reflect and impartially to confi- nder with our felves, what part we have had in the late unhappy Management of Affairs amongft us, from whence fo many diforders and complaints have arifen ; and accordingly what is now our proper Bufi- nefs, what it becomes us., as good Men., and ferious Chriftians, to do in our pre- fent circumftances; I hope there are none here prefent who have been guilty of knowingly and wil- D fully 2(5 The hone ft and ihe di/honeH fully contriving to injure their neighbours., and to betray the intereft of their Couti- try 3 in order to the heaping up wealth to themfelves. Thofe that can be guilty of fuch a Crime., muft be fo far from defer- ving the name of Chriftians., that they are to be reckoned among ft the vile ft and moft diflfoneft part of mankind j and how- ever they may fare amongft men^ they ought to know and to confider, that they cannot have the leaft hope of the favour of God., till they have exercifed a very deep repentance for their heinous fin., and made all the fatisfacYion that Ires in their power to thofe who have been injured by them. It is univerfally allowed, that in cafe of injury done., full rcfti- tution to the bcft of a man^s ability is a neccffary part of repentance. It was ICV.VM appointed by the Law of Mofes , that not only the principal tftiould be reflored, but a fifth part added thereunto and given to the perfon injurM^ before an offering to God could be accepted. And we know that when Zaccheus the Publican., who had been employed in arn office that often tempted men to injufuce and extortion^ pro- ways of getting W^calth. 27 profefs'd himfelf a difciple of our Lord/ he immediately declares_, Behold^ Lord, f/je Luke xi half of my goods I give to the poor : and if 9 ' I have taken any thing from any man by- - falfe accusation, ( and the cafe is the fame in taking any thing by any other injurious methods) 1 rejlore bint fourfold. But this I would charitably hope is the cafe of the fmaller number. The greater part., 'tis to be prefum'd., have been drawn, in ig- norantly and unwarily into an irregular traffick, imagining all the while, that they were only taking an opportunity that offered it felf of getting wealth in an innocent and lawful way., without injuring others^ efpecially firice they obfervM fo great a number of all forts of men engag'd in the fame praftice. It is wonderful indeed,, that the injuftice of this way of dealing,, which now fo evi- dently appears, fliould not have been plainly difcern'd, and confequently avoid- ed., by all well-difpos'd Perfons j and it is not to be doubted., but that the too great love of wealth, too eager a defire of grow- ing rich in hafle., very -much contributed D 2 to 28 The honeH and the difhoneft to the blinding the eyes and darkening the underftandings of men in this cafe. Now of thofe who have been thus miftakingly engaged 3 without a direft defign of doing wrong, or without con- fidering that they did fo 3 there may be reckoned three forts ; Thofe that have got- ten great wealth by this method : Thofe whofe fiibftance has been confiderably dimi- niftfd thereby : and laftly,, fuch as without considerably increafing or diminifhing find themfelves in the fame condition they were before. As to thcfe laft., I fliall only fay, that I think it becomes them to repent of their raflmefs., by which they might have been injurious to others before they were aware ; and to be thankful to God., who hath neither fuffer'd them to heap up riches to themfelves by indireft means 3 nor to be- come the unhappy inftruments of injuring orders., though unwittingly^ and without defign. As for thofe who have been Sufferers by this -traffic!^ ( which indeed I take to be the far greater part*) I would ferioufly ad~ vifc them to beware of murmuring againft God,, ways of getting Wealth. 29 God., or their Governors,, as too many I fear are apt to do. Solomon obferves 3 that the fookjbnefo of man 3. perverts his way y and his heart frettsth again ft the Lord j and the like may be faid in the prefcnt cafe., againft his earthly Go- vernors too. Meji do foolifh and wrong things themfelves., and then are apt., meet- ing with difappointment or ill fuccefs^to lay the blame upon any rather than upon them- . felves., even upon Providence it fel But in fuch a cafe .they are to confider, that the Providence of God is not engaged to- fave men harmlefs., whilft they are taking indirect courfes. Nor ought they in this cafe to reflect on their Governors., who proposM a Method., which if lawfully and honeftly managed., might have been for the cafe and benefit of the Publick, and no ways injurious to private perfons^ but which 5 through the grofs inifmanage- ment of defigning or unskilfuf men., has proved very detrimental and injurious to both. They ought therefore to blame their own-inconfideratenefs and raflmefs,, in fuffering themfelves to be impofcd up- on and abufed by the wkkednefs or un- skilful- The honest and the dijhonesl skilfulriefs of other men ; they ought to be humble in confederation of their own too eager defire of wealth, which exposed them to this rafhnefs ; they ought, in a word,, patiently to fubmit to the Provi- dence of God,, which permitted this cala- mity to befal them in the ufe of indirect means., and to make a good ufe of it to their fpiritual advantage, z>/%, to take off their hearts from an inordinate regard to the wealth of this world, and to place them upon more defirable. and more dura- ble treafures. As for thofe, in the laft place, who have inordinately increased their fubftance by thefe means, even although they did not direftly defign the injuring others, yet fince it manifeftly proves to have had that cffecl:, if they would take my Ad- vice, it fhould be, to fearch out thofe who have been the unwary fufferers in the prcfent Calamity, and out of their own Overplus to fupply their wants. This I am verily perfuaded would be the beft means towards the fatisfa&ion of- their own minds, when they (hall come ferioufly to refleft upon what they haye done, and yield . ways of getting Wealth. yield them more true plcafure than the enjoyment of their wealth could do : and by thus Separating what they have gotten by vanity, they might the better fecure to themfelves and their families what they before obtained- in the way of Labour md Induftry., or what they poffefled by any other regular and lawful means. I am very fenfible., that the advice which I have in this laft cafe proposal will be thought fevere., and by thofe who a& only by the maxims and opinions of tJje children of this world, may be defpifed : but I judged it my duty to fpeak rny mind freely to you who are under my particular care., in . a Cafe which I apprehend to be of fo great importance 3 and wherein fo many Per- fctfis are concerned. 3. From the Doflrine I have been in- fifting upon., and our own experience of the truth of it, we ihould be inftrufte'd to mortify in our felves all inordinate defires of worldly wealth., that fo we may never be tempted to take any irregular and indi- recT: courfcs to acquire it* It - - -~ 32 The- honesl and tfre di/bonest It cannot be doubted., but that this has been the unhappy fource of the calamities now complainM of, An eager defire of be- ing haftily rich j which has tempted fome to ufe means that they knew to be unjuft, and others too raflily and inconfiderately to fall into the fnare ; whereas there is no vice that the holy Scriptures do more particu- larly warn us to beware of, than that of covetoufnefsj or ihe inordinate defire of pro.xxviii. riches. A faithful man fhall abound * 0> with bleffmgSj faith Solomon : but he that maketh hajle to be rich, {hall not be inno- Verfeaz. cent - ^nd a g aui j & f ^ at ktfttth to be rich hath an evil eye, and confidereth not that poverty fhatt come upon him. Take mkc xii. heed, and beware of covetoufnefs^ is the admonition of our Lord himfelf^ and that for this very good reafoo, that a mans life confifls not in the abundance of the things which ht poffejjes. Abundance is not ne- ceflary either to the life,, or to the happinefs of a man , nay very frequently it creates great difquiet and uneafinefs to him. Bcildcs the folly of fruiting in uncer- i Tim. vi. tain riches, as the Apoftle ftyjes them. pro. xxiii. Labour not to le rjch, faith Solomon $ ceafe from ^ 5> thine 'ways of getting Wealth. 3 3 thim own wisdom. Wilt tbou fet thine eyes upon that which is not ? For riches certainly make themselves wings, they fly away, as an eagle towards heaven. Efpecially if gotten by vanity, they flail be diminified, as my Text declares. But beyond all this, they are very apt to debafe the foul of the man, to tempt him to pride and felf- confidence^ to falfhood and injuftice 3 to . render him forgetful of his fpiritual con- cernments., to turn away his heart from regarding his main intereft, and finally to endanger his exclufion from the Kingdom of Heaven. Hear how St. Paul declares the great danger of loving and defiring riches. They that will be rich fall into i Tim. temptation 3 and a jnare , and into ma- 9> - lc ny foolifi and hurtful lufts, which drown men in deftru&ion and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil, which while -fome coveted after, they have err*d from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many Borrows. ( Words which have been fadly verify "d in our days. ) And it is in oppofition to this temper^ that he makes it to be the meafure of a Chri- ftian's defires ( as I took notice before ) E that 34- Tie hneH and the difhoneft *Tim.vi. t nat having food and raiment he Jlould /, 8- be therewith content , forafmuch as we brought nothing into this world ^ and it is certain we can carry nothing out. What will the greateft degree of wealth avail any of us., when we come to take our leave of the world? What profit., what fatisfa&ion will it yield us at the hour of death ? And how near that hour may be r we know not. Even whilft we are heaping up riches in this wprld ? " and rejoycing in thera^ it may be 'on a fuddcn faid to any of us, Thou fool! Luke xn. ,. , , r i ft it 1 I s* ^o, 21. WK night thy Jonl Jhall be required of thce. T^hen ivhofe jball thofe things be which thoH haft provided? Upon which our Lord immediately aclds^ 5^ ^ f je t } jaf layeth up treasure for himfelf, and is not rich towards Cod. Such will be the furprize,, fuch the mifery of every one., who by treafuring up wealth in this prefent ftate ? has been diverted from making timely pro- vifion for a future life. It is an awaken- ing Admonition that of our blefled Savi- our., and that which is enough to ftrike the hearts of rich men with fear and trembling. Vmly I fay unto you. That a rich man Jlall hardly att h xix ' 2Q 2I> ceffarily be, where our treasure is ; fo that the only fure way to prefer ve us from the inordinate love of the riches of this world, is to place our affeftions on the pofleffions of a future life, which are in- finitely more delirable. If indeed this Earth were to be the place of our per- petual abode,, it would be requifite that we fliould carefully furnifli our felves with provifion accordingly : but if when we ceafe to live any longer here^ our immor- tal Spirits will continue their duration irr another State, and that duration (hall be without end , then our chief concern muft be to provide for our everlafting abode, making fure of a Treafure that will never fail. What the Poflefllons and Enjoyments of the heavenly State will be, we can- not , whilft we arc here below , be -.iu. thoroughly apprifed of. Eye hath not fleetly nor car heard , neither have entered into the heart of man^ the things which God hath prepared for them thaJ: love him, This we are affured^ that they are fuch as will ways of getting Wealth. 37 will be perfe&ly fatisfa&ory to the Poflef- fors., and as durable as their beings,, fuch as will not decay of themfelves^ nor be liable to be corrupted or taken away from them. Lay up for your felves treajures m heaven, where neither moth nor ruft doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor Jieal. It is an Inheritance incor- l ^^>^ ruftible , and unde filed, and that fadeth not away , re fervid in heaven for us, as St. Peter ftyles it. In a word 5 It is an inheritance reserved for thofe who fliall be accounted worthy to be called the children of God, to be given freely to them,, an d fettled for ever upon them by their . heavenly father. Weak and foolifli creatures that we are! we can be here purfuing with great eager- nefs and folicitude., that which in a very few years at the fartheft, we know noc * how foon., will be altogether unprofitable and infignificant to. us., whilft we ncgleft and hazard this glorious and everlafting Inheritance ! One would be > apt to think on the other hand., that the profpcft and hopes of it, ftould render us wholly care- lefs and indifferent^ as to all our earthly pqflefli- 38 Tfo honest and the di/honeft PofleGions, that no Chriftian fliould be found looking after any more than the ne- ceflaries arid common conveniencies of this prefent life, much kfs heaping up riches withont meafure,, and without end,, to the endangering his immortal well-be- ing. And thus it would be with us,, if we entertain'd a firm and un(haken belief, and a conftant fenfe of the vaft difference between this our prefent ftate,, and that which is future. This therefore is our bufinefs, to get our faith well nVd and fettled with rcfpeft to that eternal ftate of happhiefs which we profefs to hope for* to meditate fre- quently and ferioufly on the vanity and uncertainty of all our earthly en- joyments, and of the reality and cer- . tainty of thofe which we expeft here- after 5 according to the expreffton of 2 cor. iv. St. anl y Looking not at the things which are feen^ but at the things which are not feen 3 confidering that the things which arc feen are temporal J bm the things which are not .feen. are eternal. Fi- nally, Let us fecure to our felves a treafure j j in heaven., by all Afts of Piety, Juftice, and. ways of getting Wealth. 39 and Charity., by acquiring all chofe good difpofitions of foul., which will qualify us for the enjoyments of the heavenly ftate; by feeking firjl the Kingdom of God and his Righteoufnefrj and in rhe faithful difcharge of .the duties of our feveral ftations^ leaving it to God to add to us all other things as he (hall know to be moft expedient for us. Cod grant we may all of us have Wisdom and Grace thus to purfue our own true bappincfs, and by his mercy to obtain it y through Jefns Chrijl our Lord* Amen. SERMON Preach'd in Lambetb-Cbafel, A T T H E CONSECRATION OF THE Right Reverend Father in G o D, WH ITE Lord Biflhop of 'Peterborough, On SUNDAY Novemb. pth, 1718. By EDWARD WADDINGTON, D.D. Re&or ofM'baB&Ps (be Great, and Chaplain in Ordinary to His MAJESTY. of Of CANTERBURY. LONDON, Printed for J. W Y A T, at the Rofe in St. Paul's Church-Tard. i 7 I 8. i C O R. chap. iv. ver. i. Let a Man fo account of us y as of the Minifters of Chrift, and Stewards of the Myjleries of God. T has been a common Practice in the Writers of the Chriftian Church, to apply what is faid in this and fucn-like Paffages of Scripture, (originally meant of the Apoftles of our Bleffed Saviour) JLO the refpe&ive Governours and Paftours of it, at the Time when they wrote $ and had it in their .view, either to lay before them the Nature of their Holy Function, or to excite them to a faithful Difcharge of the Duties of it. And this they have done from Time to Time, without any Defign (as we have all the reafon in the world to believe ) of Impo- fing upon Mankind by fuch a Pradice $ or any the leall apprehenfion that it could offend either God or Man. But it has happened (I know not well how) amongft our ielves of late, that the Continuance of this Practice has given* very great Offence 5 and has been artfully enough A 2 repre- (4) reprefented by (*) fome, as fetting the meaneft Ordained Perfon amongft us, how unworthy foever of it upon other Accounts, upon the fame foot of Efteem with an imme- diate Apoftle of Chrift, and that in order to carry on the more fpeciouily a wicked De- fign of bringing the Minds and Confciences of the Laity into a greater Subjection to the Authority of the Clergy, than is confiftent with their Liberty either as Men or Chri- flians. A heavy Charge, indeed, if true ! but therefore we have the more reafon to hope that there is no fufRcient Foundation for it, in fuch a Proteftant Church as ours is. I am very unwilling at this Time, and on fo folemn an Occafion, (where nothing but the pjeafing found of Chriftian Love and Unity Ihould be heard,) to touch upon any Controverfy that may difturb that Harmony, or divert either my own, or your Minds, from the more important Bufinefs now in hand. But fmce, by chufing thefe Words of St. Paul for the Subjecl: of my prefent Difcourfe, I find my felf in great danger of running into the fame Fault, ( if it be a Fault ) which has been fo feverely cenfured and condemned in others 3 I muft beg Leave, before I proceed any farther, to juftifie at leaft my own Practice in this Par- *id. Rights of the Chrijlian Church. Lord Shaftsfyr/s &c. ticulap ( 5 ) ticular, and to fliew you for what Rcafons I think it both Lawful and Ufeful thus to apply this and the like PafTages of Holy Scripture to the refpeftive Governours and Paftours of the Church in this or any other Age of it. And the Reafons I (hall give are Two. Firflj Becaufe* in this or the like Paffages of Scripture there is nothing contained or implied, but what may, with equal Truth, be faid of any prefent Governours, or Paftours of Chrift's Church, as it was of the Apoftles themfelves. They are here called Minifters of Chrift, and Stewards of the Myfteries of God ^ and in other places, Labourers in God's Vineyard 3 Paftours of his Flock 3 Ambaffadours for him $ and the like. . Now, as foine of thefe Expreflions give us an 2Cor.5. 2 o,. Idea of the Original., and all of them repre- fent the Nature of the facred Miniftry of the Church of Chrift, there feems to be no juft reafon why they may not be equally appli- cable to all, in all Ages of the Church, whofe Authority is derived from the fame Ori- ginal, and whofe Office is, in every refpecl, as far as thefe Expreflions reach, the fame. Was the Authority then which the Apoftles had, To preach the Gofpel, To call Men to Repentance, To admit Believers into the Kingdom of Chrift, from Above , and not from. Men $ ( and this is fufficiently implied, where they are faid to be the Minifters of Chrift t his Stewards, his Ambaffadours, and the like?) like > ) fo, I prefume, is ours too $ fince we can have no Authority in fuch Matters as thefe, but what has been derived to us from them, and what originally flowed from the faid Divine Fountain that theirs did, even Chrift the Head ' of his Church 5 and who, when he afcended into Heaven, gave thefe ii. Gifts and this Authority unt6 Men. Again $ Was it the Office of the Apoftles to ferve Chrift and his Family in the facred Luk. 12. Miniftry of his Word 5 To difpenfe to his 4^ s , Subjects their Spiritual Meat in due feafon 5 To feed the Church of God, which he had Matth. y. purcbafed with his own Bloody To labour 2 Cor. 5 . i n h' ls Vineyard^ To befeech Men, in his ftead, to be reconciled unto God ^ and, in one word, to take a proper Care of trie Vifible Members of Chrift s Church, when formed into a Vifible Society, and an Outward Pro- feilion of the Chriftian Faith > And is not all this ftill the Office and indifpenfable Duty of the Clergy of the Church of Chrift in every Age? and muft indeed be fo to the End of the World ? Where then is the great Fault, if being under all thefe Obligations of Duty and Service, as much as the Apoftles of our Bleiled Saviour were, we are defirous to re- tain the Honour of being called, as they were, the Mnnfters of Chrift, and Stewards of the Myjleres of God ? or of wifhing that Men would account of us as fuch, for their own fakes, rather than ours ? fince it is plain, that, iinlefs all our folemn Ordinations and Confecra- (7) Confccrations are Matters of Form only, and a meer Mockery both of God and Man, the Mini/try of Reconciliation is ftill 2 Cor. 5,. committed to us $ and that God does, in the l8 " ordinary way of Conveyance, difpenfe the gracious Favours of the Gofpel of Chrift by our hands, to thofe who are willing and fitted to receive them. Which does not im- ply (as fome very unkindly would infinuate^. that we pretend to have the Arbitrary Difpo- fal of them in our own Power 5 or, which is ftill worfe, to bind Almighty God himfelf to confirm whatever we do on Earth. For without our claiming fuch, I may call it, a blafphemous Power to our felves, God may yet think fit to ufe the Miniftry of Men, in difpenfing his Favours to thofe whom he fees fit for them, tho* he neither wants, nor expects our judgment, to determine Him who are the proper Objects of them 5 nor always confirms what fallible Men, in a Minifterial capacity . only, do here on Earth. Hitherto then, I think we may, without any great breach of Modefty, juftify the applying thofe general Titles which were firft given to the Apoftles of Chrift, with refped to the Nature and the Original of their Office, to the Governours and Pa- ftours of the Church of Chrift, in the feveral Ages of it, fince they all feem to be upon the fame foot in thefe Points. Nor is there, Secondly , lefs reafon for doing fo, if we confider, that, as to the General Duties of the Apoftolical Office above mentioned, the Governours (8) Governours and Paftours of the Chriftian Church, in all Ages of it, may, by the Grace of God, and their own fincere Endea- vours, fo fully difcharge every branch of them, as to deferve to be accounted, as much as the Apoftles themfelves were, the Minifters of Cbrift, and Stewards of the Myfteries of God. We all certainly know jthat this is our Duty, and the only ground of our Diftinftion from the reft of our Chri- ftian Brethren, that we fhould endeavour to be fuch as the Apoftles were in all thefe re- fpefts. We may, according to the feveral Stations we are in, whether we ad in a higher or a lower Sphere, govern and feed the Flock of Chrift committed to our Care, with as much Charity, and Diligence, and Sincerity as even the Apoftles of Chrift did, in the or- dinary Conduct of themfelves in their Mi- niftry. Every Age of the Church, God be cor. 11. thanked, has produced fome fuch Imitators of them, as they were of Chrift $ nor are they. yet wanting in our own. We may watch againft Errors and Corruptions in Doftrine, as ftrictly as they did 5 we may reprove Infi- delity and Vice, with the fame Boldnefs 5 re- commend Faith and Obedience to the Laws of Chrift, with the fame Zeal and Refolu- tion : We may (under the never-failing Afliftances of Divine Grace to the Sincere ) (bine in every part of our Holy Function h- ,:.i 5. as Lights in the midft of a crooked andperverfe Generation j and by our Doctrines, Corrections, Reproofs, . (p) Reproofs, and Inftruftions, may, ancUJ hope do, turn many to Righteoufnefs, and advance the Kingdom of Chrift in the Hearts and Lives of Men, both at Home and Abroad, as the Apoftles did. Miracles, indeed, we have none to convert the World by $ and here we muft fall fliort of the Apoftles, as we pretend not to come up to, or imitate them in fome other parts of their Conducl, which were more fit, perhaps, for thofe earlieft Days of Chriftianity, than any that have been fince : But excepting fuch Extraordinary Cafes as thefe, a Bifhop or a Presbyter of the Church of Chrift now, may difcharge the General Duties of the Apofto- lical Office as well, and (by the Grace of God ) as effe&ually, as the Apoftles did. And if they do fo, where is the Harm of giving them the fame honourable Titles and Appel- lations that they had ? or of applying to them fuch Marks of Diftin&ion, as their equally diftinguifhed Labours deferve > Nay, it feems to be 'fo far from having any Harm in it, that I cannot but think it muft be of great Ufe to the Chriftian Church : As this Honour is but a juft Reward to thofe who do well, fo it may fcrve to awaken the Sloth- ful and the Negligent. If we look upon our fclves, in our ftate of Diftinclion from the reft of our Chriftian Brethren, only as the Miniflers of Men, we may perhaps be tempted to have lefs Zeal than we mould have, for the proper Work of the Miniftrv. But if we are told B and and beiieve that we are, by Office and Di- vine Appointment, the Minifters of Chrift -, tho'ftill, for the Good of Mankind, thismuft give another turn to our Thoughts ; we muft in this View of our felves, fee plainly Who it is, whom we (hall principally pleafe or offend,, in the faithful or carelefs Performance of our Du- ty : We (hall be convinced, that it is not a flight Matter, to be unfaithful tofucb a Truft com- mitted to us byfucb a Superiour. The Myfte- ries of the Gofpel, which He has given us to difpenfe, will ftrikc an Awe upon our Minds. And tho' the lively fenfe of all this may make 2Cor.2.i<5.us fometimes cry out, with St. Paul, Who is fuffcient for thefe things 3 Yet it will, in all probability, hinder us, when once we have Luke 9.52. jfatf our band to the plough, from looking back again 5 left, for fo doing, we mould be thought unworthy of the Kingdom of God. For thefe Reafons therefore, I am con- vinced, that the conftant Praclice of apply- ing fuch PalTages as thefe (tho* firft ufed concerning the Apoftles) to the prefent Governours and Paftours of the Church, in any Age of it, is fo far from being a Fault, that it is, with refped: to their Office in General, no niore than giving them their Due 5 and with refpecl: to the Management of that Office, it has been, and may be ftill, of great Ufe to fupport the faithfull Labourers in Chrift's Vineyard, in a chearful Perfeve- rance to the End 5 and to quicken others to do their Duty, no lefs poflible to them, than ( I') than to the Apoftles themfelves, in their ordi- nary Capacity of being Minifters of Chrift, and Stewards of the Myfteries of God. And having thus opened the Way to my Text, by removing this modern Prejudice againft the Ufe I intend to make of it 5 I can now go on the more boldly to con- fider it with a particular View to the prefent great Occafion : And this I mall do in the following Method. Fir/, I mall explain the Character St. Paul here alTumes to himfelf, and which his Succeffburs, in the general Offices of Govern- ing and Teaching in the Chriftian Church, (till bear, as it is reprefented to us by the Expreflions of the Minifters of Chrift^ and Stewards of the Myfteries of God. Secondly, I mall (hew you what St. Paul moft probably meant, when he enjoined the Corinthians, and in them all Chriftians in general, fo to account of him and his Suc- ceiTours in the fame Offices, as of the Mini- flers of Chrift, and Stewards of the Myfteries of God. And then, Thirdly and Laflly, I (hall draw an In- ference or two from what has been (aid, and fo Conclude. And, Fir/?, I (hall explain the Character St. Paul here aiTumes to himfelf, and which his Succeflburs, in the general Offices of Govern- ing and Teaching in the Chriftian Church, ftill bear, as it is reprefented to us by the Expreflions of the Minijters of Chrift, and B 2 Stewards Stewards of the Myfteries oj God. The Words reprefenting-the Charader, are, in the Origir nal, 'TTrnpira? ^ OUcvcjjisf, both implying a Minifterial Capacity : The former fignifies either any Servant in general, who mini^ fters to another as his Superiour , or iu particular, as the Word was fometimes ufed, {*) that Servant who waited on the Soldiers in an Army, to fupply them with NecefTaries, and who was one of the four Officers who attended on, and was placed next to the foremoft Rank. And the latter Word fignifies a Steward in a large Family, to whom, as our BlefTed Saviour hirafeJf de- Lukc 12. fcribes his Employment, the Majler of the Fa- 42 - mily commits the Rule of his Houjbold in his Ab- fence, and whom he appoints to give them their Meat in due feafon. So that from both thefe Expreifions, the Character which the Go- vernours and Paftours of the Chriftian Church bear in it, appears plainly to be no other than that of Servants or Minifters. That Character which even our Blefled Sar viour did not difdain to take to himfelf, but fpeaking of the Defign of his coming into the World, he fays expreily, that he came not to be miniftred unto, but to mini- fter, and to give his Life a Ranjom for many. And with regard to the fame Cha* rafter, he tells us in another place, that (<0 Sec Bifhop Potter's Arckvol. Gr. Vol. 2. p. $<5> $7. fo ( '3 ) tie was amongft his DifcipJes as one that Luke ferved $ and again, that be came not to do jj his own Witt, but the Will of him that fent 38. him. And therefore, as our Saviour argues upon another Occafion, we whom he has' appointed to minifter unto him, fliould not decline the Character of Servants too 5 be- caufe the Difciple is not, nor ought to fo above hid Mafter, nor the Servant above his Lord $ but it is enough for the Difciple to be as his Alajler, and the Servant as hi* Lord. Nor do any of the other Titles, which are given to us in the Holy Scriptures, carry our Character at all higher, however they may feem to do Co $. for what are Ambaffadours but ftill Servants, tho' of & higher Order, to their Prince or Sovereign > What are even Angels, in the Original and proper Notation of the Word, but Servants to thofe who fend them as MefTengers, not to do their own Bufinefs, but theirs whofe MefTengers they are > And therefore thofe Happy Beings above, who arefo peculiarly called Angels, from their Office under the Great King and Governour of the World, are by the Author of the Epiftle to the Hebrews, fa id to be miniflring or ferving fpirits, fent forth to minifter to them who JJiall be Heirs of Salvation. No wonder then, that we who are employed in the fame graci- ous Work,lhould have the fame Title given us, from the Services we do to the fame Common . Head and Sovereign the Lord Chrift Jefus. But But tho' we do not deny, but glory in this our Character of Servants, yet we are willing at the fame time to have it remem- bred wbofe Servants we are, and -what our Service is 3 and of thefe the Text farther informs us, that we are the Minifters or Servants of Chrift^ and Stewards of the Myfteries of God. So that we are not princi- pally the Servants of Men, in the capacity of Minifters, but of Chrift and of God. Tho' for Chrift's fake, and God's Glory, we chearfully become, as St.Paul, elfewhere exprelTes himfelf, 2 cor. 4.$. their Servants too, in the fame fenfeas the Steward of a Family (who generally has fome fort of Authority over the reft of the Family,) may yet be faid to be their Servant for whom he provides their Meat in due feafon $ that is, as he faithfully executes the Commiflion of his Lord and Mafter, in taking due Care of all.thofe who are committed to his Charge, and fo ferves them in all their Wants and Neceflities, tho 3 he received none of his Power originally from them. It is indeed required of him (as St. Paul fays exprefly in the Verfe after my Text, verfe ad. that he be found faithful. And it is a very juft Obfervation of St. Chryfoftom on the Place, (a) that a Steward muft not (a) OixopQug 50 TO N Tom. 3. pag. Mam Man (fays he) fo Account of us, as of the Ml- nifters of Chrijl, and Stewards of the My fie- ries of God ^ that is, Let no Man look on us as ading by our own Authority, or for our own Advantage $ let him not ground his Efteera of us, and Refpeft towards us, on fuch things as either do not belong to us at all, or are meerly ornamental in us. We are not chap. i. either Philofophers, Or Oratours, Wifemen, w. 20. Scribes, or Difputers of this World, nor yet fpiritual Kings and Princes, in it : Our true Character is that of Mimjters of Chrift 5 and our proper Bufinefs and Imployment is, to difpenfe the Myfteries of God, like faithful Stewards of his Houfhold, to thofe who are in it. And if, on thefe Accounts, any Man (hall efteem and value us, we can receive fuch Honour for our Matter's fake, tho' not for our own 3 knowing, that when we have done all that was commanded us 9 we have done no more than it was our Duty to do 5 and that Luke 17. after all, we are Jtill but unprofitable ferv ants : Or if we are defpifed or undervalued on the Account of this olir Character and Employment, it ought to be a very fmatl thing to us, that we are thus judged of Men, iince they are not properly our Judges in this Cafe 5 and we know that we ferve a Mafter, who both can and will judge us, according to the Sincerity of our Hearts, and the Integrity of our Hands in his Eye- fight. This This I take to be the true fenfe and defign of this PafTage of St. Paul (a), which was not, (as fome feem to miftake it) chiefly intended to magnify his Office, but to fet ihefrefumed Dignity of it upon its true and proper Foundation. Tho* indeed, by neceflary Confequence, there is no magnifying it like fetting it in a true light, and reprefenting it fairly and impartially to thofe, from whom we expeft a* juft and honourable Regard to it. For whatever a Heathen or a Jew may think of the Name of Cbrift, it muft fure be* facred and venerable to a Chriflian, who owns him for his Lord and bis God$ who has given up himfelf to his Obedience, and rejoyces in him as his Saviour and mighty Deliverer. To ferve him, * Vlv /*iw <#*, than whom nothing is better, (as the devout Father (b) of old fpeaks) muft undoubtedly be thought, by every one that knows him, to be a Poft of Honour, as well as Labour. And this is what another Father (?) calls ptfeiv -rrj Qu'ow TO yt^r, to meafure the Honour by the Nature of the Office. (a) I have underftood this whole Difcourfe, as Clement of Rome of old, and fome of our beft Commentators of late have done, upon good reafons, of the Perfons of Paul, arid Peter, and Apoltos, and not as only in a figure transferred to them from other Perfons } that Expreffion at the 6th Verfe of this Chapter, which has led fome to think other- wife, being fairly enough applicable to one particular branch of this Difcourfe of St. Paul. See Grotius and Whitby on the place. () Ignatius i n Epift. ad Ma&nef. (0 ZMbrtf in loc. But ( 24 ) But then, I fear, we (hall never gain any thing like this true Honour, by calling upon Men, as the pretended Infallible Head of the Church of Rome does, (and I hope no Body elfe is fo foolilh) to account of us as Lords and Kings over them, as having Dominion over their Faith and their Confciences, and a Power committed to us, not for their Edification, but Deftru&ion. Nor, on the other hand, mail we ever have their Efteem and Refped in a true and proper way, if we feek it only by humane Methods, and a worldly Wifdom, by bare excellency of Speech, or ftudied Eloquence 5 thefe things may recommend us to their Ears and perhaps their Table-talk, but they will never give us a place in their inward Efteem and Affections, where alone we muft reign, ( pardon a common Expreflion, if it feem too bold ) if we exped to do any Good in the World 5 at leaft not fuch a one as can afford us any real Comfort in the Difcharge of our Duty as Mmifters of Cbrift^ which we cannot but know, is of a different Na- ture from the Art of pleafing Mens Fancies, or gratifying their Curiofities. The Myfteries of Chriftianity committed to us, are not thofe of Nature, but of Grace: and as the Sal- vation of Men, in the ordinary way, depends on our faithful difpenfing of them $ fo will undoubtedly their Efteem of us ( if they know what they do) for our Labours in fo good a Work, as well as our own Com- fort fort and Satisfaction, in refle&ing on what we have done. We only then beg Leave to fay to the Laity of the Chriftian Church, as St. Paul did to his Corinthians, Let a Man fo account of us, as of the Minifters ofChrift, and Stew- ards of the Myfteries of God : And furely, in faying this, we can never give a juft Offence to any reasonable Man $ for this only implies, that it is his Duty to look upon us as Friends, and not as Enemies, for bringing to him the glad Tydings of the Gofpel, to pay a due and a ferious Attention to us, in the discharge of our weighty Office, and to receive with Meeknefs the Word of Life, which we difpenfe unto him$ to admit of our Exhortations, as the tenders of our Love and Concern for his Sou] 5 and our Reprofs, as the Wounds of a Friend, and not of an Enemy $ to look upon us as the Helpers of his Joy here, and the Promoters, as far as it is in our poor Powers, of his everlafting Happinefs hereafter : We only defire every Man to remember, that in all this, we do not aft (as I faid before) by our own Autho- rity, nor for our own Advantage. We ferve the fame Mafter that the reft of our Chriftian Brethren do, tho' in a different and nearer Capacity, and that in Offices of real Benefit to Mankind 5 and therefore I think we may reafonably hope for fuch Regard, as the Dignity and Ufefulnefs of our Station de- D ferves, ( ferves, efpecially if we take care to be found faithful in the difcharge of the Duties of it. But I had rather leave this Inference to be made by every Man's own private Reflexion, than infift farther upon it, how naturally foever it may flow from what has been faid : Nay, (tho' perhaps I may be thought 2 Cor. 1 1. to fpeak as a fool, in faying fo,) I had ra- 33 ' ther the Minifters of Chrift mould lofe fome of that Efteem and RefpecT: they may juftly lay Claim to for their Works fake, than run the hazard of being thought to feek their own Glory more than that of him who fent them, by pleading too warmly for it, even under the greateft Provocations, which fome think have been given us in this loofe and degenerate Age ^ but yet had better, in my Opinion, have been overlooked, than indifcreetly refentcd 3 which, I fear, has been the fault on one fide, as much as upreafonable Contempt has been on the other. And thus having gone through the chief Parts of my prefent Bufinefs} I come now, as I promifed, in the Third and Laft place, To draw an Infer- ence or two from what has been faid, and fo Conclude. And, ift. We ) ift. We may learn, from the Occafion of St. Paul's Difcourfe in this place, to guard againft that common, but very pernicious Infirmity, of having Mens Perfons in Admi- ration, upon the account of fuch things as muft appear very little, when compared with the great and weighty Matters of Religion. It was a want of this branch of Chriftian Circumfpeclion, that gave occafion to the Heats and Quarrels* at Corinth, and created fuch Uneafinefs to the true and fincere Apoftles of Chrift, and threatned fo much Mifchief to the Caufe they were engaged in, if not timely remedied. For what would have become at laft of the great Defign of Chriftianity, which was to reform Mankind, and fave Sinners from Eternal Deftrudion, if the Humour had continued, of valuing the Minifters of Chrift, and Stewards of the Myfteries of God, for no other reafon but their Wit or Eloquence, or any other Ornament, in delivering their Meflage > or at beft, of laying a greater ftrefs upon thefe, than on the Dodrine of the Crofs, and the Means of Salvation publifhed by them ? And indeed this Humour did prevail fo much, and fo long in that Church, ( not- withftanding all that St. Paul could fay in this or his 2d Epiftle againft it) and that in favour of Perfons much every way infe- riour to a Paul, a Cephas, or an Afottos, that D 2 St.Cfe- St. Clement GZ) afterwards was forced to en- gage in the fame Argument with them, either after, or but a little before he was made Bifhop of Rome. And well would it have been for us, if the fame unhappy Humour had not been propagated down, even to thefe latter Ages ^ we mould probably have feen fewer Di- ftraclions either in Church or State, if fome had not been for a Paul, and others for a Cephas, fome for an Af olios, and others, as they pretend, for none but Chrijl 5 and all this, upon little Prejudices, and incompetent Reasons*: I fay, fewer Diflradions in State as well as Church 5 for, however it may be in other Nations, it is but too evident that in this, Divifions in the latter have always had a very bad Influence on the former. And if fo, how carefully mould all they, who truly love the Peace of our Jerufalem^ and wifh well to our Sion 9 watch againft all appearances of this kind of Evil 5 by weigh- ing Caufes, and not the Perfons of Men, in Tim. 5. a righteous Ballance 5 by doing nothing thro 3 'v I - TOTt - IT' dwQeiitf Tsvi/.eltKut ivtr&hw vytiv *ATo- ~ifd CWTX T, x) Kpt r t x) 'AToAAft* j JtaL TO xj * ^ TC crsy.vtv f te*orirK q>i\a.Jt\q>i&f K- T. A. Cicmcncis Roma. Epif. prior, ad Connt. Edit. Wot- toai. pag. 189, Sec. partiality 5, partiality ^ by leflening, rather than en- creafing the number of Confroverfies, efpe- cially within, as it were, our own Bowels, amongft the Members of the fame eftablifli- ed Church $ which, like all other vifible Societies, can only ftand and flourifh by Unity and Concord, by a prudent Zeal for its Faith and Difcipline, and a Behaviour, in every Order of Men in it, void of offence loth towards God i and towards -Man 3 the Man efpecially of God's own right hand, the breath of our noftrils, and the Anointed of Lam. 4.20 the Lord, whom, we hope, he has made fo ftrong for himfelf, and under the fiadow o/ pfaI - 8 - whofe wings may we long rejoyce. Which I7 ' we mall be the more likely to do, if we learn, from what has been faid, as we ealily may, in the id place, Wherein the true Wifdom and Interefl of the Minifters of Chrift, in what Station foever placed in his Church, confifts, (viz.) in keeping fteadily to their facred Office and Employment, and in feeking for Glory and Honour no other way, but by being faithful to their Lord and Mafter in their proper Work, and confciencioufly In- duftrious in difpenfing to his Family their Meat in due feafon. If this great Apoftle. had intended, or thought it decent for him to raife himfelf a Name and Reputation in. the World, by any other Methods, no Man was certainly better qualified for fuch an Under^ ( BO) Undertaking than he was, being bred up at Arts 22. $.the feet of Gamaliel, and, as appears from fome PaJJages (<*) in his Writings, well ac- quainted with the Learning of the Heathens, and no njean Proficient in their feveral kinds of Wifdom and Eloquence 5 but all thefe Things he laid down at the feet of a cruci- fied Saviour, as well knowing that they were not the main Matters he was to purfue, (tho' he mighty and did occafionally, prefs them into his Service) in the difcharge of his Apoftolical Office, as a Minifter ofChrift^ and a Steward of the Myfteries of God. This Character, he found, obliged him to lay the Afts 20. whole ftrefs of his Labours, in declaring to all Men the Counfel of God, for their Salvation 5 m taking heed of the Flock over which the HolyGhoft had made him Overfeer, and feed- ing the Church of Qod, which he had fur- chafed with his own Blood. In thefe and the like holy Offices, he endeavoured to ihew himfelf faithful even to the Death : This was all the Wifdom he pretended now to be Matter of, and in this Way he- bore up himfelf bravely againft all Oppofition 5 and where he could not prevent or filence, yet, defpifed the unreafonable Cenfures of Men. Oh, that fome Rays of this his Wifdom may ftill continue to defcend upon, and en- Jighten his SucceHburs in general, to the End of the VVorld$ that laying afide all meerly iV) Afts j". i'?, :c, Tic. 1. 12. Afts 26. 29. humane humane Wifdora, and worldly Policy, we may, in whatfoever Station in his Church, it pleafes God to place us, mind the one thing neceffary, the faving of Souls, our own, t Ti and thofe that are committiedto our Care : And, 15. ir as our Apoftle expreffes himfelf in another place, by manifeflation of the Truth, take aCor. 4.2, care to commend our felves to every Man's Conscience in the fight of God ^ knowing it to be our trueft Intereft, as it is certainly our moft indifpenfable Duty, to ferve Jefus < Chrift and his Church with Zeal, and Dili- gence, and Faithfulnefs to our Lives End $ that fo, when He our Lord and Mafler (hall come again at the End of it, to judge the World, every one of us 5 whether Bifliop, Prieft, or Deacon, may hear him pronounce that comfortable Sentence, upon our Behavi- our, Well done, good and faithful Servant 5 Matt. 25. enter thou into the Joy of thy Lord. FINIS. 21. Dr. BURSCOUGH's SERMON Houfi of COMMONS On the ^th of NoVemb. 1712. Martis 6 die Novembris 1722, THAT the Thanks of this Houfe be given to T>r. B UR S C O U G H for tie Sermon by him and the like, difcharged themfelves from all Obliga- tions to Government, and difclaimed all Sub- jection to the Higher Powers ; and fb Liberty was abufed to Rebellion. This innocent Word therefore having in fuch grofs Inftances ferved for a Cloak of Licentioufnefs, Scandal, and Re- bellion, we find the two great Apoflles, of the Gentiles^ and of the Circumcijion, with one confent, and almofl in the fame words, cautio- ning Men againft the abufe of it : Te have been called^ fays St. 'Paul, unto liberty, only ufe not liberty for an occajlon to the flejh ; And St. *Pe- ter in the words now read, As free-, and not njing your liberty for a cloak of maltcioufnefs. And this we may obfe J rve to have been the con- ftant manner of the firfl infpired Preachers of our Faith, not to fpend their time fo much in vain Joy and Granulations for the Bleflings re- ceived, how great and valuable foever in them- felves, as in Cautions and Exhortations not to abufe them. Wherefore, in imitation of thefe great Exam- ples, tho' the- Memory of this happy Day, in which the indulgent Providence of G o D to this Nation. - ( 8 ) Nation has more thaa once appeared in the prefervation of our Liberties both in Church and State, is enough to tempt a Man, capable of being warmed with ib pleafmg a Subject, to Ipend the Time ' either in . congratulating Our f elves fo great a BlefTing, or in Praile and Thankigiving to the Author of it : yet I mail chufe .rather to touch at prefent upon the Abu- fes which may be made of it, especially hav- ing the Honour of fpeaking to Thole, who, if any fiich Abufes are found, are befl able to cor- rect them. The Subject therefore I would at prefent en- tertain You with, being the Abufe of Liberty, the bed way I think will be to fix the notion of Liberty, and from thence deduce the Abufe of it. Liberty then in its fulieft Sence, is a Power of acting as we pleafe ; but Liberty in the pre- lent enquiry being fuppofed a Bleffing, it can- not confifl in that which would in reality prove the greateft Curfe. Whoever therefore lets up his own Will, Pleafure, and Inclination for the Rule of his Actions, abufes Liberty, and fets up for Licentiouihefs. Our own Will therefore being thrown afide as an improper Rule of our Actions, Liberty may in the next place be confideg'd as a Power of. acting according to the befl of our Judg- ment. (9 ) iiaents. And indeed, if Men lived wild and out of Society, I fee not what other Rule they could go by, but every one would be at liberty to ad:, as in his own Judgment He thought beft. But being join'd in Society, and obliged to ad: in concert with Others, Mens Judgments are apt to differ. So that to leave every Man to ad: according to his private Judgment, is to diflolve Society, and abufe Liberty. If all Men were Wife and Good, there would be no need of Laws and Government, but every Man might be left to follow his own Judgment imd Inclination ; for every Man would be a Law to Himfelf : But this^, I think, being never to be exped:ed, the next Thing is to agree a- mong themfelves upon fome Rules of ad:ing, that is, upon fbme Form of Government : And that Government which leaves Men moft in their natural Liberty, with the lead Inconveni- ence to the Whole, is the freeft State and Go- vernment. Whoever therefore breaks loofe from thofe Laws which the Society he is of have agreed to ad: under, is an Enemy to that Socie- ty, and an Abuler of Liberty. The beft Laws fignify nothing unlefs they are duly executed. There cannot therefore be a greater Abufe of Liberty, than to be remifs and negligent in the Punifhment of thofe who violate them. B In In all Free States, great Care is generally taken to tie up, as much as poffible, the Hands of the Magidratc; not with a Defign that Offen- ders iliould efcape unpunilhed, but to prevent the Abufe of Power. Whoever therefore takes Advantage in any fiich Inftance, and offends a- gainft the Spirit of the Law, under the Prote- ction of the Letter of it, makes an unworthy Uie of that Liberty which the Laws, perhaps (tri&ly fpeaking, Give Him, but never Defigned Him. Yet in the freed: States it will be fbmetimes neceflary to devolve more Power upon the Ma- giflrate than ordinarily He is intruded with. And the Reafbn of doing it is, the prefent Dan- ger which may threaten the Government, and the Confidence repos'd in the Integrity of the Go- vernour. Whoever therefore, without any Pof- fibility of knowing the true State of Things Himfelf, mall in times of publick Danger, en- deavour to ridicule it, or mall.prefume, by un- jud Sufpicions and groundlefs Jealoufies, to lef- fen the Confidence of the People in their Go- vernour, afts a Part directly contrary to true Liberty, and is an Abufer of it. So that upon the Whole, Liberty is not a Power of Cenfuring our Governours, of making the mod malicious Conftru&ion of their Actions, of alarming the People with imaginary Dangers, and Shutting their Eyes againft the real Ones ; It is not a Power of Libelling the Government, and a Trick of evading the Punifhment due to that Offence ; much lefs is it a Power of com- mitting Treafbri, and taking Advantage of the Difficulty of Legal Conviction ; It is not a Re- miflhefs in executing the Laws againfl the Ene- mies of their Country, or a foolim Pity for Criminals in order to derive an Odium upon *thofe who bring them to Juftice ; It is not, in iliort, a Power of acting as every Man pleaies, or as every Man thinks beft, tho' in opposition to the common Rules agreed on by the whole Society : Every thing of this^Nature is an Abufc of Liberty ; And whoever, either in Difcourfe or Writing, mall make it his Bufmefs to lead the People into any fiich falfe and dangerous Notions of Liberty, are juftly to be number'd among thole whom the Apoftle cenlures, who while they promife liberty, are themfelves the fer~ 'vants of corruption. But true Liberty is the Reverfe of all this, and thofe alone deferve the Character of a Free People, who placing the ftricteft Guard on their own irregular Wills and Paffions, avoid all Appearance of Licentiouf- nefs ; who diftinguiihing between Natural and Civil Liberty, obediently fubmit to the Laws of their Country ; who rejoice and, as much as in them lies, endeavour to fee them duly executed ; B ^ who ( II ) . who take all imaginable Care that none fhall evade them ; who, tho' vigilant and jealous of every Step that may be taken to endanger their Liberties, yet in the Midft of their Jealoufies preferve Senfe enough to diflinguifh between Power given to deftroy their Liberties, and Power neceffary to defend them. This alone is true Liberty, the only Liberty worth contend- ing for, the Liberty which it has pleas'd GOD hitherto to preferve to Us, and which is the- grateful Subjed: of this Day's Thankfgiving. There could not in the whole Compafs of Difcourfe be a more pleafing and. agreeable Sub- ject of it, than to be able at this Time to look back on the general Behaviour of the Nation, and from the ftridtefl View of it, to find Reafon to applaud their Conduct. If from the Time of the Revolution, from which Time we date, the Prefervation of our Liberties both in Church and State, we could date too the Good Ufe we havcf-ever fince made- of them, this Day would be indeed a Day of pure and unmix'd Joy, and Thankfgiving. But if Liberty be the Thing I have reprefented it, we have great Reafon I fear for Grief and Humiliation, fmce there's not a fmgle Article or Branch of it which has not been fhamefully abufed. For was there ever a greater Licentioufnefs in the Lives of Men, a greater Dif Iblutenefs of Manners, a greater Im- patience t'J ) patience of Reftraint in every kind, as if none could be Free, but thofe who had thrown off all Obligations, and without Libertinifm there could be no Liberty. But not to detain you with Inftan^ ces in this kind of the Abufe of Liberty, which it may be faid is the Complaint of all Times, give me leave to touch over again fbme of thofe Inftances already mentioned, which may have a nearer Relation to our prefent Circumftances. A dangerous, cruel, and bloody Confpiracy has been of late formed, and is (lilt carrying on againfl His Majefty's Perfbn and Government ; the Subversion of our Religion, Laws, and Li- berties, is the barbarous Aim and Defign of it ; the Particulars, as far as is thought convenient, have been laid open. What now has been the Return of a Free-People ? To clamour for want of more Intelligence, to precipitate the Mea- fures of the Government, and, as far as in them lies, to foreclofe the Means of any fuller Difco- very. For the Safety of the Nation it has been found neceflary to draw out the Forces, and to form Encampments. What now have been the p reflecl:ions of a Free People? To applaud the Care and Vigilance of their Governours, and to return their moft grateful Acknowledgments for it ? On the contrary, to form the moft unrea- fonable Sufpicions, and to make invidious Compa- rifons bet ween this Befland the Worfl of Reigns. The The- Situation of Affairs is fuch as requires an Augmentation of the Forces : To this has been liirmis'd the Danger of Standing- Armies, the deftruclivc Influence of them on free Govern- ments, and the Grievance it was thought before the Re volution. I mention this plainly, and with- . out Diiguifc,as being not in the lead apprehenfi vc, however it may be laboured, of any dangerous Parallel that can be drawn between an Army kept up by Confent of Parliament, and Another Againil it ; between a c Fhpi]b Arjny to bring in their Religion, and a Troteftaut one to keep it out ; between an Army raifed to fecure our Li- berties, and Another to deftroy them ; between an Army under the Command of a Prince who through his whole Reign has never, in any one Inftance, made the leaft Attempt towards Arbi- trary Power, and Another modelled by a Prince whole whole Reign was one continued Effort to obtain it. It has been already obferved, and nothing can be more juft, that all free Governments ihould be highly cautious how they truft Power in the Hands of any one. But it has been obferved too, that it may be Ibmerimes NecefTary ;. and When can it be more fb than at a time when a mod unnatural and execrable Confpiracy is work- ing Within Us, when Foreign Powers have been ibllicited to fupport it, which tho' hitherto in vain 05 ) vain, yet no doubt are ftill warmly applied to ; And it lies Hire upon Us in a juft fenle of Gra- titude to keep them from any further Tempta- tion, and to convince them by the flrongeft Ar- guments, that an Army can afford, that they have no reafonto repent their Generofity. This good ErTed:, I doubt not, will be produced by Strengthening Our-ielves ; but what EffecT: an in- dolent Neglect of providing for our Safety, un- der the fpecious Pretence of fecuring our Liber- ties might have produced, I am unwilling to conjecture ; Tho' in all probability the Event had been fatal, and thefe fond Lovers of Liber- ty would have foon found, that by hugging their Liberties too clofe, they had at length flifled them. In fuch Circumftances as we at prefent labour under, what better, or what Other Meafures could have been followed, than thole which the Wifdom of the Nation has enter'd on ; The Advice, it feems, is to gain the AfTeclions, and reign in the Hearts of the People. The Ad- vice, it mufl be confefTed, is Good and Reafona- ble ; fo Good and Reafonable, that from the Moment in which this Reign began, it has been always ftridly followed. If the exacted Admi- niilration of Juftice, if the mod religious Ob- fervance of the Laws, if the moft gracious Con- defcenfions, if every Great and Princely Vir- tue ( t<5 ) can win the Affections of the People, their Af- fections are already won, and no doubt His Majefty has already, and for along time, reigned in the Hearts of the Beft and Wiieft part of His Subjects. But if, as the Advice infmuates, the Balk of the People are ftili alienated, as they are free to Give Advice, fo let them as freely Receive it. Let them act as becomes them in their feveral Stations ; Let them notfinfufe Jea- loufies in the Minds of the People ; Let them not be afraid where no fear is, and flee when vo man furfues ; Let them honeftly confefs, that no one Step has been taken towards the Dimi- nution of their Liberties, .nor any Inclination .appeared to infringe them. Let them in a Word fairly acknowledge, that thole whofe Affecti- ons are gained to the Government, will not be Alarm'd at the -Security now granted ; and that thole whofe Affections are not gained, are not fit to be trufled. Among the many ways taken to poifon the Minds of the People, and to alienate their Af- fections, the mod dangerous, and diffufive, has hcen that infufferable Licence which has been of late fo fcandalouily taken of fpreading Sedi- tious Papers, and Libels thro* the Kingdom. This at length is advanced into a Claim of Right, and it is declared, that no free People can lub- fift without them. Were Men of low and needy Circum- r I?) Gircumftances alone concera'd in this Matter, the Government, fdt ought I know, might con- tinue their Indulgence, gnly taking care that as they Write for Bread, fb they fhould fbmetimes Eat it in Sorrow. But when Men of great and plentiful Fortunes ihall abule the Leiiure which their Circumftances afford them ; when Men of Parts and Education ihall proftitute their Pens in conveying Weekly Poifon through the Na- tion, it is certainly high time for thofe who are in Authority to look about them, and prevent the growing Evil. It mufl be confefs'd, that there may fome Difficulty attend a nice Adjuft- ment of this Matter, fo as to provide againft all Poffible Inconveniences ; But fare it can be no great Difficulty to provide fuch Laws as mall make Men effectually uuderfland, that Papers, ib glaringly pointed againft theprefent Govern- ment^ that He who runs may read it, ihall not be deem'd innocent under the Cover and Prote- ction of two or three Words thrown in, about Former Reigns^ and Neighbouring Kingdoms ; For as the Cafe at prefent ftands, the moft bare- fac'd Infults pafs with Impunity, and all is right and well, and ample Satisfaction made, if at the End of a -virulent Paragraph, full-fraught with Sedition, the Writer can but perfwade Himfelf in a dull Line or two to proteft againft Fad:. As therefore in former Times the Abufe of C Power Power, and ftretchiag it too far, produced good Laws for the Liberty of the Subject ; So it may at prcfent be worth while to confider, whether the Abufe of Liberty mould not in its Turn produce fbme good Laws for the Safety of the Government. Seditious Papers are the certain Forerunners of publick Conftrfion ; The Ten- dency is natural ; nor is it to be wondered at, that when Some write Upon the Confines of Treafon, Others ihould aft Within them. They naturally tend to diminifh the Horror of the Crime ; For when Mens Ears have been ufed to traiterous Expreflions, and their Talk has run long in that Channel, As common Swearers by Degrees lofe all Senfe of Oaths, So thefe lofe all Senfe of that Crime ; till at length, being con- firmed and hardened in it, it mall be difficult to perfwade them, that Treafon and Rebellion are Serious Things. If any Man doubt of this, I would defire Him to look back no farther than to the late Rebellion, and let Him remember with what a carelefs Concern thole miferable People flocked into it, without any Apprehenfion of Guilt or Danger, but with the fame Unconcern as if they were going to a Fair or Market : Let Him re- member, after the Succefs of His Majefly'S Arms, when their Perfons were fecured, and re- ferved for Juflice ; let Him, I fay, remember the the little Senfe they tad of any further Con- fequence of the matter, than the Trouble of ta- king an inconvenient Journey at an unfeafbnable Time of Year ; Upon their nearer Approach, when, by the deferved Marks of In&my ufuai in fuch Circumftances, they began to apprehend that they were not brought up only to fee the Town ; Let any Man remember the Surprize and Confufion they were in, as if fome ftrange and unexpected Accident had befallen them, and they were not treated with that Dignity andfle- fpect which they looked for ; Let it be further remembered, when the Principals of them were Arraigned, Convicted, and Sentenced, what little Expectations there were that the Sentence would be ever executed ; Immediately after Execution, and the jufteft^Punifhment inflicted on them ; let it be remember'd, what an Alarm fome took at fo bold a Stroke, and what unkind Cenfures were pafled by Others on the fangui- nary Temper, as 'twas called, of fome Able and Active Ministers who were well-prepared to bear thofe Cenfures, or any thing worle, for the Love they bore to their King and Country. Let any Man, I fay, remember, and reflect on this whole Tranfaction from the Beginning to the End,. and then tell Me what otfier Account can be given of it, than that Men maybe fo far blinded to their Deftructiou? as to have loft all Senfe and C z Horror ( 20 ) Horror of the Created Crime, and to look on Treafon and Rebellion as nothing at all. Where- fore to awaken Men, if poflible, to a Senfe of it, and to preierve and enliven the Senfe of it in the Breafts of all thofe who have not yet loft it ; give Me leave to lay before You, in as few Words as pollible, the cruel and fatalConle^mences which muft attend all Treafons and Rebellions againft the prefent Eftablimment, ihould it pleafe God, for our Sins, to give Succefs to any fuch Wicked Enterprize. Near two Centuries have now pafled fince our happy Deliverance from the Corruptions and Tyranny of the Roman Church. From that Time to the prefent Day, their conftant Endea- vours have been to deftroy, or, as they call it, to Recover Us. Once, it is recorded, in the Dawn of the Reformation, under a Queen of their own Perfwafion, they did recover Us; and by the cruelleil Treatment, and moft barbarous Perfecutions, taught Us what we are to under- 4 Hand by that Word. It pleafed GOD in His Goodnefs, and for His Eled's Sake, to morten thole Days. To Her fucceeded a glorious Pro- teflant Queen, under whole auipicious Influence the Reformation railed up its Head, took Root, and Ipread itfelf over trie whole Nation. It ought certainly to be looked on as a Leflbn of Providence, and fuch as GOD would teach the Refor- Reformation from its very Infancy, That there's no Po/Tibility of its Prefervation under a Prince of a different Perluafion, when by fuch early Inftances on either Hand, He ihew'd it Expiring under one Queen, and Reviving under the Other. This Leflbn, which Providence deflgned for the .Inftru&ion of Proteftants, and which, plain as it is, it feems fome have not yet learned, the Papifts eafily underftood. For tho' they have lometimes ventured at a bolder Stroke, as Wit- nefs the Deliverance of this Day, when our King, our Nobles, and our Commons, were in a moft favage and unheard of Manner Deflined to the Slaughter ; yet their conftant Endeavours have been to Pervert our Princes, as well knowing they fhali be Matters of the Flock, if they can but gain and corrupt the Shepherd. After long. Trials, and many Attempts with more'or lefs Succefs, they at length gained a Prince who had not only Imbibed their Religi-> on, but had Courage enough to Profefs it. They had Then the Game feeure$ 'and in their own Hands, had they but known how to play it ; but feeing they had but One Life to depend on, -they were defirous to fecure Another ; And fb in confequence of the firft and ruling Prin- ciple of all their Motions, by fome Means or other they procured a Succeflbr. I defire it may be Here obferved how Neceflary thefe Wife Wife and Crafty Men in their Generation thought it to have a Prince of their Own Perfuafion up- on the Throne, that they fhould venture at fb bold a Step, and rather than run the Hazard of leaving the Throne vacant for a Proteftant Succeflbr, fhould run the much greater Ha- zard of filling it with a Popifh one. But, as I- laid, in confequence of their firft and ruling Principle, they thought this the wifeft way^ And God, who taketh the Wile in their own Craftinefs, difappointed them. For the Nation alarm'd at this and many other violent Mea- fures, called over to their Afilftance a Neigh- bouring Prince related to the Crown, who by His happy Arrival brought with him the Se- cond Deliverance of this Day. The Joy of all Proteftants at that time was fiich, as might be expected from Men who faw themfelves and their Religion refcu'd from the Grave. They enter'd with one Confent into a long and ex- penflve War in Defence of their Liberties and Religion. And when they faw the -dear and valuable Life of their great Deliverer drawing to its End ; And, by the late Death of a Young Prince, all Hopes defeated of a regular Succei- fion in the Proteftant Line ; they exerted that natural and inherent Power which uece/Tarily refidcs in every Nation ; They limited the Suc- ceflion of the Crown, they pa/Ted over thofe Branches Branches which by Principle mud ruin Us, and transferred it to the Firfl in Blood who was ca- pable of prelerving Us. From this fhort Ac- count every one may fee what has been the Great Point which ever fmce the Reformation has been on Both Sides contended for. And what is That ? To have a Prince upon the Throne of their own Perfuafion. This has been the One, Grand, Deciding Point which both Papifts and Proteftants have been fb long agreed in to be of the lafl Confequence, the Momentous AfTair which has on either Side been managed with fuch Dexterity, which has been Refblve.d in the Cabinet, and Difputed in the Field, the final Refult of their Arms, and Counlels. Wherefore bidding a long Adieu to all fuch Triflers, who againft the Experience of Ages, and the Judgment of all Sides, and the infle- xible Reafon and Nature of things, can imagine that a Proteftant Body can be fafe under a Po- pifh Head ; Let every Man poflefs his Soul with the fulled Aflurance, that the prefent Con- teft between Us is not about Particular Perfons, or exchanging One Family for Another, But the Stakes now plaid for are our Religion and Liberties ; and o if we are once defeated, there's nothing to be expected but the laft Extremities, or to embrace a Religion whofe Principles we abhor. And , . ' And how juftly we abhor them, we need go no further for a Reafbn than the barbarous De- fign of this Day, which confidered in all its Circumftances, is Cuch a Mafter-piece of Ini-* quity, as is too black to be aggravated, and too well known to be particularly recited, and which will for ever remain- an indelible Mark of Infamy on their Religion, unlefs it mould pleafe God'for onr Sins to give Succefs to any of theif Delperate Attempts, and fo fettle it once more in this miferable Nation : And then perhaps this Day of -Praife and Thanklgiving inay be bJotrid out -of 'the Calendar, or rather change its Nature, and (become a Day of fblemn Faft and Humiliation - for the Difappointment they met with m it. Nor let it move any Man pf Senfe that Ibme have fmce denied the Mat- ter of Facl: ; For what imfuccefs/ul Villany wasl ever willingly owned > Tho' this was not only owned by the Conlpirators, but juftified by fome of them as agreeable* to that ardent Zeal which every Man ought to bear towards Religi- on, Good God ! that e-ver any Men mould go about to juftify That by the mild and peaceable 1 Laws of Religion, which can be never juftified by the cruel Laws of War. Fo/ grant that we are Herccicks, that We are therefore ^their irre- concileabie Enemies, and t;here ttluft : be perpe- tual War between Us, yet there .are Rules and Laws C *5 ) Laws to be obferved among the greateft Enc* mies, and fuch infidious, dark, and treacherous Defigns, are always excepted in them. The Memory of this happy Day, which has been doubly blefTed by Providence, in refcuing Us from the Hands of Popery, Once within our own Memories, and Once upon the Occafion I have been fpeaking to, has obliged Me to ex- patiate a little on this particular Facl: which T would have pafTed over in filence, as I do the frequent Perfecutions, the Maffacres, the Perfi- dioumefs of all Sorts, which have been the con- ilant Practices of the Romifh Church, in the Defence, and Propagation of their luperftitious Wormip.- And is This the Religion for which we would exchange our Own ? Is it for This that Proteftants a6t in Concert with Papifts? That the Powers of Europe have beenfbllicited? That 4 the moil facred Oaths are violated, and the mod folemn Engagements trampled under Foot ? That Tapifts mould wifh well to their own Re- ligion, and to that End defire a Prince of their own Perfiiafion, is what is natural, and might be expected from them. Yet fome of Thefe, I fhould hope, dread the Execution of the prefent black Defigns ; And tho' they could be pleaied with the Fruits, and Confequences, yet dart at the Confufions thro' which they muft arrive at *hem. Others perhaps among them fit ftili D ia in the calmeft Expectation ; with Hands folded,or. no othervvife lifted up than in Prayer to Hea- ven for Succefs on our Endeavours, and to prof- per the Deftru&ion we are bringing upon our felves. But be it that they are All poffeffed with- the fame blind Fury, that they are All engaged in the fame horrid Defign, yet flill 'tis for what 7 hey think Religion, 'tis what their mifguided Confcience dictates to be their Duty, They break thro' no Oaths, they are not falfe to their Alle- giance, they acl: but in Confidence with their Principles and Intereft ; fo that Thefe are not Ib much to be wonder'd at : But that" Troteflants ihould engage in any fuch Attempts, that Thefe fhould be the zealous, forward, and active Con- trivers of them, is cruel, barbarous, and un- natural, and what cannot be reflected on withi out Aflonifhment. We have been ever iince the Revolution ftruggling for our Liberties and Religion : Vaft Treasures have been exhaufled, and Rivers of Blood ilied in the Glorious Conteft for thefe two precious and facred things. It has pleafed God to blefs Us with wonderful Succefs, and to eflablifh. Us in the free Exercife of our Civil and Religious Rights under the aufpicious In- fluence and Protection of an indulgent Pro* teflant King, our prefent moft gracious Sove- reiga ( 17 ) reign. Thefe are the Bleflings which we had fo long Prayed and Fought for, And Now that they are Granted, Are they*to be delivered up again, and thrown back, as it were, in the Face of Pravidence, as Gifts not worth preferving j* Why then have we fo long contended for them t Why have Half the Powers of Europe been called in to our AfTiftance ? Why did we not from the Beginning deliver Ourfelves up, and prevent the EfFufion of Chriftian Blood ? How could we anfwer thefe Queftions at a Bar of Juftice ? And if we fhould be fo far infatuated as to deliver Ourfelves into the Hands of Po- pery, What could we offer in Arreft of Judg- ment, if in the Name of every thing Juft and Sacred, Sentence mould be demanded againft Us, as an Abandon'd Race, who for the Space of above Thirty Years have been Sporting with the Lives and Fortunes of Mankind, have been Wantoning in all the Miferies of War, and fil- ling all Europe with Blood and Confufion, in Defence, as was Pretended, of thofe facred things Religion and Liberty, but in Truth, and as it appears at laft by our own Confeflion, in Defence of Trifles not worth the keeping. This One Reflection, which I have but juft hinted to You, and which the tender Regard I bear to the Honour of my Country, forbids Me to dwell longer on, is enough to fill the Mind D % of ( 18 ) of every thoughtful Man at prefent with Shame and Confufion, but will make the Ears of every One that hears it to titigle, when at a proper Time and Seafon it fhall be fet forth in all its Colours, and grace the Harangue 'of fbmeiP0- fijh Advocate. I (peak it plainly, and at Once, If thro' our Weaknefs and Inadvertency, If thro' our Fault and Negligence, the prelent im- pious Attempts againfl the Saered Perfon of our King, and His Government, fhould take EfTed; and fucceed, (which GOD avert ! ) there's no Meafure of Punifliment, no Degree of Mifery, no Mark of Scorn and Infamy, which in the ftricl:eft Juftice we have not Deferved. Where- fore if in any Part of this Difcourfe I may be thought to have reflected with any Degree of Severity on the Cbndiicl: of Thofe who at fo Critical a Juncture, under Pretence of Liberty, are for reftraining and tying up the Hands of the Government ; Let it not be imputed to any Contempt of, or evil Affection towards the Li- berties of the Subject, but as it ought to be, to the Refpecl: and good AfTe&ion I bear to- wards the prefent Happy Eftablifhment, which can alone flipport them. The willing and effectual Endeavours which have been lately mewn by this Honourable Houfe, to flrengthen the Hands of His Majeftyv againft his Secret and Open Enemies, are foch as as leave no room, were it proper for me, to lay any thing further ; All that is left for the mofl paffionate Lover of his Country, is, to defire You may proceed as You have begun ; and .that no peeviih Oppofition, no Clamour about Liberty, may divert You from any of thofe Good and Wife Ends You have propofed to Yourfelves. The more agreeable and pleafing Task, it mud be confefs'd, is to ferve One's Country- with the univerfal Concurrence and Acclamations of the People ; But let this Eafy Part be reserved for Men of lefs Conduct, and Abilities. To ride over the Head, of all Op- pofition ; To crufh the Attempts of Open E- nemies ; To trace the dark Defigns of the more Hidden ; To defeat the infidious Counfels of Falfe Friends ; and to bear with the Miftakes, Jealoufies, and Mifconftruclions of Weak Ones ; To fave the Nation, if pofllble, With its own Confent, or if not, Without it, is the Difficult, tho' more Glorious Province, You have under- taken to Adorn, and fuch as is Worthy the Vi- gilance, and Application of a Great, and Wife Prince, Supported in His Juft Adminiflration by the Spirit, Vigour, and Refolution of a Eritifl) Parliament. In Confidence of Suc- cefs from fuch united Vertues, and Endeavours, Let Us praife Almighty GOD, and beleech Him to .. to perpetuate the Bleffing, that fo our Religion may be preferred pure and undefiled, and OUT Liberties tranfmitted fafe, and inviolate to lateil Pofterity. Which GOT) grant, &c. FINIS. Juft Publiflied, the Second Edi- tion of / T 1 jF7 E REVOLUTION recommended to Our MEMORIES. . A Sermon preach'd at the. Abby-Church of St. ^Peter's, Weftminfter, on November the Fifth, '1715. By WILLIAM B u R s c o u G H, M. . A. Chaflain to His RoyaL Highnefs ^PRINCE, and Fellow of Wad- ham-College in Oxford. Printed for JOHN NICKS, at the White Hart in St. ^Paul's The Religious and Loyal .Subject's 'Duty confidered) with regard to the frefent Government and the Revolution. SERMON PREACHED in the O F CANTERBURY O N JANUARY 30. 1721-3 Being the Anniverfary Faft Of the of K. CHARLES I Publijfjed at the Requeft of the Prebendaries then prefent. By ISAAC TER RT, M; A. Late of CHRIST-CHURCH, Oxon. LONDON: Printed for R. KNAPLOCK, at the Bi/bo/s-HeaJ in St. Paul's Church-Yard. 1723. Prov. xxiv. 21. Myfon, fear thou the Lord, and the King: and meddle not with them that are gi- ven to change. HERE is no need that I fhould acquaint any who are here prefent with the fad occafion of this anniverfary folem- nity $ nor need I, I fuppofe, ufe many words to raife in you a juft abhorrence of that moft execrable parricide, which we are now bewailing. To be fure we do all of us, from the very bottom of our hearts, deteft and abomi- B nate 2 The Religious and Loyal nate it ; unlefs we have been all this while in this holy place prevaricating with God and man, and adding a feigned humiliati- on to the number of our former provoca- tions. A s it ought to be the earneft prayer and endeavour of all good men and loyal fub- jeds, that no fuch wickednefs may hereafter be committed aftiong tisy to the reproach ef bur nation, and of the holy Religion "which we profefs : To is it particularly in- cumbehf oh the minifters of the Gofpel, to prefs upon men the dtie bbfefVation of thofc laws, which the moft high hath e- nadcd for the fecurity and fupport of his vice-gerents on earth j and to caution men againft thofe pernicious principles and prac. tices, which in the laft age brought a mod excellent and gracious Monarch to the block 5 and quite overthrew bter conftituti- on in church and ftate : afld which in all ages, if a timely (top be not put to them, will produce the like tragical erfbfts, as ha- ving a natural tendency to fubvert govern- ment, and to introduce anarchy and corifu- Ron amongft mankind. FOR Su FOR which reafon I have chofen for thefubjed of my folio wing difcourfe, this folemn charge of the wife King Solomon to his Son 5 My fon, fe trampled upon its laws, and triumphed in the ruin of its constitution : who fafted and prayed, not for the fafety of the King, and all that were in authority, that under them they might lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godlinefs and honef- * i Pe/. 11.13. D ty > 1 8 The Religious and Loyal ty ; but for ftrife and debate, and to ftir up fedition and infurre&ion againft thofc whom God had fet over them : who, pro- feffing a mighty reverence for the divine majefly, rufhed upon the moft abomina- ble perjuries j firft of all violating the oaths which they had taken to the King and eftabliihed government, by entring into illegal covenants and engagements, and illegally impofing them upon others 5 and then breaking loofe from thefe alfo, when they were no longer for their turn : who, with a fliew of more than ordina- ry fanftity and concern for the honour of God, pradtifed all the diabolical arts of defamation and calumny againft his image and reprefentative ; and not contented with (landering thefoot-fteps of the Lord's anointed, and blackening his character, deprived him of his royal dignity, barba- roufly infulted his facred perfon, and at length imbrued their hands in the blood of a king, who was an illuftrious exam- ple to his fubjeds of genuine piety and fobricty, and meeknefs and patience, and all other chriftian vertues: who laftly pro- Suijeffis Duty. 19 proceeded to this high pitch of difloyalty and impiety, when all grievances had been long ago redreffed, and the King had paf- fed fuch ads, as will be everlafting mo- numents of his fatherly affe&ion and ten- dernefs for his people j when he had to the great prejudice of his own interefts granted feveral things, which his fubjeds could not with juftice demand, nor ask with any degree of modefty ; nay, when he had confented to part with the beft and moft considerable branches of his royal authority, and to leave to himfelf little more than the title of a King: in doing which, as he went beyond the example of his predecefTors, fo it is to be hoped he will never be followed by any of his fucceffors. BUT tho* the fear of God was the pretended inducement to all thefe villa- niesj yet nothing can be more certain than that they are truly to be afcribed to the want of it. Wherefore none ought to caft of a principle abfolutely necef- fary to the very being of government, meerly becaufe the external profelTion io The Religious and Loyal of it has been abufed to the worft Pur- pofes by crafty and ill-deftgning men, who were deftitute of the inward power of it. On the contrary, it is our duty not to let it reft upon the furface of our tongues, but to give it admittance into our breafts, and to implant it deeply in our hearts ; and then it will not fail to bring forth the fruits of peaceablenefs and fubmiflion, of obedience and loyalty to the Govern- ment under which the merciful providence of almighty God hath placed us ; and to reftrain us from all feditious and traite- rous practices, and from all approaches towards them. For they who would a- void any Crime, muft be careful to avoid the ftcps that lead to it. For which rea- fon the wife king to keep his fon from en- gaging in defigns againft the State direds him not to meddle with Changers, or, ac- cording to our tranflation, with them that are given to change. I N which direftion, it was not the in- tention of king Solomon, to condemn all changes in the laws and government of a kingdom. The fupreme power, which in Subject's Duty. 21 in every independent State, is lodged fbme- where or other, manifeftly implies a pow- er to make fuch alterations as fliall from time to time be judg'd convenient and advan- tageous. And in the different circumftances of the publick affairs, fome changes in the laws will be often necelfary, or very expedient 5 and when they are made be fufficient authority, it is without contro- verfy the duty of fubjefts to fubmit to them. And even private perfons^ when the prefent laws of their coun- try are very inconvenient and prejudicial to the interefts of the people, may law- fully defire an alteration of them, and may commendably endeavour to effed it in a legal manner, by making humble and dutiful application to thofe who are vefted with the legiflative power. BUT they are changers in the bad fenfe of the word, who go about to change the laws and fettled government of a na- tion, without the confent of thofe who have authority to do it ; or who by illegal and violent methods endeavour to extor^ the confent of their governours to fuch altc- i ^ The Religious and Loyal terations as they fhall propofe ; as by cla- mours and menaces and tumultuous aiTem- blies ; by forming fecret confpiracies, of by openly bearing arms againft their fo- veraign, and by entring into covenants, not to lay down their arms, till they have obtained their unjuft demands. They too who by any kind of difloyal Behaviour, or feditious difcourfe, manifeft their aver- "fion to the eftablifhed government, may with reafon be fufpefted of being given to change ; altho' it be not yet their avowed defign to effect a change. B Y forbidding us to meddle with them that are given to change, King Solomon would rcftrain us, not only from acting in concert with them, and aflifting them ki carrying on their mifchievous deiigns 5 but alfo from engaging in friend fhip and fa- miliarity,or any unneceflfary correfpoiidence with them. I T is no eafy matter, to converfe much with men of a fa&ious and turbulent fpirit, without being infected by them. The bed way to preferve ourfelves, both from their crime and their pumfhrnenr, is Sitbje&s Duty. 23 is to keep at a diftance from them. And this I take to be the true meaning of the wife man's advice, in the xxii. Chapter of this book of Troverbs, at the 24th a and 25th verfes, Make no friendjhtp with an angry man, and isjith a furious man thou jhalt not go. Left thou learn his ways, and get a fnare to thy foul. By often hearkening to the plaufibje difcour- fes of feditious perfons, utter'd with a. feeming concern for the publick welfare, many come at length to approve of them, and highly to efteem thofe who make them, for their great understanding, an4 honefty, and difinterefted zeal for the good of their country j and to believe that their governours are not fo good as they ought to be, and that fome changes for the bet- ter are both pofllble and needful. And they who have got thus far, will be too apt to be prevailed upon, to take fome un- lawful fteps towards the reforming of fup- pofed diforders, without imagining what purpofes they are fcrving, and how far their leaders intend to carry them. And when men are once engaged, they them- felves 24 The Religious and Loyal felves cannot tell where they fhall flop." 1 One wickednefs may introduce them to another, till they become principal adors in the execution of defigns, with which they could not have been fafely trufted at their firft fetting out. PUT the cafe, that the main fecret when revealed to them fhould difpleafe them; yet after a confiderable progrefs in unlawful courfes, it will be very dif- ficult for them to retreat. The fhame of ac- knowledging themfelves to have been in the wrong, the apprehenfion of being reproa- ched for deferring their companions, and the fear of fuffering punifhment for ha- ving accompanied them fo far, will be ftrong temptations to them to proceed farther againft the bent of their own in- clinations, and the convidions of their confcicnccs. Should they, notwithstanding thefe temp- tations to the contrary, rcfolve to be no longer directed by thofe who mifled them 5 yet what they have already done, may have confcqucnces fatal to the publick. By their afUftance, the enemies of the govern- Sulje&s Duty. 25 government, may be grown ftrong enough to compafs their ends, not only without their farther concurrence, but in fpite of all the opposition they can make. And it will then be a mortifying confiderati- on to refled:, that they have been accef- fbry to villanies which they abhor, of which, however they muft be content to bear the blame. The criminal affiftancc which they gave to men worfe than them- lelves, will entitle them to a (hare in their guilt j and they will be in fome mea- fure anfwerable for the unforefeen confe- fequences of their unlawful practices. AND yet the beft and honefteft thing, which perfons thus entangl'd can do, is to get rid of their bad company as foon as poflible, to be forry for what mifchief they have already done, and to endeavour, by their future conduft, to make repara- tion for it. And the defign of what has been now faid, was not to dlfcourage a- ny from forbearing to meddle any lon- ger with them that are given to change, but to perfuade all who are as yet inno- cent, never to meddle with them at all, E but 2 6 The Religious and Loyal but induftrioufly to avoid them ; not to. pafs by their path, but to turn from them and pafs away a . For they fleep not y except they ha*ve done mifchief, and tkeir Jleep is, taken away, unlefs they caufe fome to fall. Wherefore they cannot be too di- ligently guarded againft, by thofe who would preferve themfelves not only from guilt, but frqm trouble and perplexity and ignominy, and from that calamity and ruin, which (as we are informed by the verfe following my text) Jb&ll ceme fud- denly upon them that are given to change -, and upon thofe who meddle with them. THE unparalleled treafon committed on this day, and all the confufions and miferies preceding it, and confequent up- on it, may juflly be afcribed to the neg- led of this moft neceflary caution. In- deed it can hardly be doubted, but that from the beginning of thofe unhappy troubles, or very foon after, there was a party of defperate men, who had in view * 1 Prov. iv. 14, 15. the the utter fubverfion of the eftablifh'd go- vernment, and were refolved to ftick at no villany that might conduce to the ac- compliming their end. But their numbers! in thofe early days, were much too fmalt to bring about the change they aim'd ati or even to proteft them from the juft vengeance which the nation would cef^ tainly have taken upon them, had they then dar'd to own their intentions. Where- fore they found it neceflary to cover their real defigns, under the fpecious pretences of remeding abufes, and fecuring the li- berties of the people, and redifying what was amifs both in church and ftate. BY this artifice, multitudes of undif- cerning and unwary people, were drawn into their affiftance, and to a criminal u- tiion with them, and when thefe inftra- ments of theirs had for a confiderablc time been accuftomed to traduce the King and his minifters, exceedingly to aggravate the errors they had committed, and to charge them with odious defigns, which they knew nothing of, to brand all who hxxieftly adherM to the King and the atr- E 2 cient 1 8 The Religious and Loyal cient conftitution, with names and cha- rafters of reproach, and to terrify them not only by thrcatnings, but by outrages and tumults 5 when they had broken forth into open rebellion againft their foveraign, and in contradiction to the lawful oaths, which they were under to him, had bound themfelves by unlawful covenants and af- fociations, not to reft till they had com- pelled him to comply with fuch alterati- ons as they judged expedient 5 when they had laid waft their country, and ihed much chriftian blood in their unjuft quar- rel, and had feveral times rejected the gracious overtures of peace made to them by the King, when by thefe means the breach between him and them was fo widen'd, that it was hardly poffible to compofe it upon conditions fafe and ho- nourable to them both ; when by long familiarity, with difloyalty and treafon, the confciences of great numbers of men, were harden'd, .and grown perfectly infen- fible ; and when the enemies of the King had got into their hands the whole power of the nation, and his friends could no Ion- Subject's Duty. 29 longer make head againft them ; then was it a proper time for the contrivers and di- reftors of all this mifchief, to dKcover to thofe who had been fubfervient to them their true defigns againft the perfon and government of the King. And doubtlefs there were many concurring and afllfting to the monftrous wickednefs, the punifti- ment of which, we do this day deprecate, who, had it been propos'd to them fomc years before, would have been ftruck with horror at the mention of it, and who could no otherwife have been made capa- ble of committing it, than by being art- fully trailed on, ftep by ftep, from the. meddling with them that are given ta change, to the becoming fuch themfelves > from one perjury to another perjury, and from left treaions to greater. IT is true too, that many who had been adive, both in kindling and profe- cuting the war, were ftartl'd at the un- precedented proceedings againft the pet>> fon of the King, and publickly exprefs'd their diflike of them. But fruitlefs pro- teftations were but pitiful compenfations for jo The Religwm and Loyal for the fuccefsful fervices they had done to his murthcrers, whom they had con- tinued to aflift and ftrengthen, till it was to no purpofe to make oppofition to them. It was then out of their power to undo the mifchiefs which they had been the authors of, or to hinder others from making a farther ufe of them, than they themfelves had intended. Thus were they unawares made instrumental to the fhedding the innocent and facred blood of their foveraign ; the guilt of which horrible deed muft be imputed not only to thofe who were immediately concer- ned in it, and confenting to it, but in a lower degree to thofe alfo, who made way for it, by the unwarrantable pra&i- ces, which have been already mentioned. THE greater rcafon have we, brethren, t o be exceeding careful not to tread in, their fteps, left we alfo fall in like man- ner as they fell. Their mifcarriages arc our admonitions, and we fhall be more inexcufable than they, if inftead of ta- king warning by them, we follow their example. I Sulje&s Duty. 31 I AM fenfible it will be faid, That we do imitate them, at the fame time that we blame them ; that the prayers which we have now offered for the a- verting the divine wrath due to the fin of this day, and for the fafety and proi- perity of our prefent gracious foveraign, are a contradiction to one another ; and that the late revolution was a return to the principles of thofe who were con- cerned in the great rebellion. And there are two forts of men, who, tho' oppo- iite enough to each other, will be apt to concur in making this objection : the one with a defign to juftify the murther of the Royal Martyr, or at leaft the mea- fures which prepared the way for it 3 the other with an intention to condemn the happy revolution, upon which our prefent fettlement is founded. Now, to what hath been already ob- fervcd, with a view to this objection, I need only to add, That thefe two cafes, which fbme would fain have us believe to be nearly alike, are widely different. " IT 3 1 The Religions and Loyal I T is well known, That the rebellion againft King Charles the firft was begun, when all grievances (which in his reign were far from amounting to a total fub- verfion of the conflitution) had been ful- ly redrefied and repaired. And it was the declared refolution of thofe who en- gaged in it, not to defend, but to change the laws and iettled form of government, and to encroach upon the juft rights of their loveraign ; who laboured indefatigably to maintain the eftablimed laws and go- vernment j who by the laws, to which he had without compulsion contented, had given fufficient proof, that he was as wil- ling to fecure his peoples rights as his own ; and who was fb far from affeding power, that did not belong to him, that his greatcil weaknefs was, that he did not hold faft the rains of government in his hands, but parted with his authority too eafily, and made too large conceflions-to thole who were not difpofed to make him fiutablc returns. When the rebels had got the mattery, they then adually com- plcated a far greater change, than they had Subje&sDuty. 29 had at firft profeffed to defire. A high court of juftice- was erected for the judg- ing and condemning the King himfelf as a criminal j the whole royffl family were excluded from fucceeding to the crown ; and kingly government itfelf was de- clared againft and abolifhed, and feveral illegal forms of government were one af- ter another fet up in the room Of it. B u T in the reign of the late King James, no redrefs of grievances, no op- portunity of redreffing them in a parlia- mentary way, could be obtained. Inftead of being removed they were juftified by pretending, that the King had a power to difpenfe with the laws at pleafure. And it was very vifible that the King and his minifters governed by this pernicious and tyrannical maxim. Now this was plain- ly a fubverfion of the conftitution, by changing the government from limited to abfolute, from legal to arbitrary. When the power of the people prevailed, they made it very evident, that the motive to the meafures they had then taken was necefllty, and not the being given to F chan jo The Religious and l change. No remedy >yas fp much a$ fought for ag^inft the perfpn pf the King, Np prejudice was mantfefted againft the illuftriotts family, \yhich had long fway- ed the fcepter pf thefe kingdoms : t>u,t all poflible regard was fhewn to it. Jhe fCin-g hiqafelf had render'd the fetting of the crown upon a perfpn who now pre- ten4s to it impracticable 5 thp' the nation had beei> ever fo well fatisfied concer- ning his birth. But it was immediately fettled upon thp King's undoubted iflT^e then in the kingdom, and upcn ^ grandfon of the Royal Martyr ; and af- terwards, in default of the iffue from them, upon the next branch of the royal fa.- mily profefllng the Proteftant Rdigipn ; with whom alone our conftitutipn could with any profped of fecurity J>e entru^- ed. Nor was there any invafipn of the; royal prerogative 5 but the fame govern- ment in church and ftate was chearfully iubmittcd to by the people ; as on the other hand the liberties of the people were faithfully defended by the crown. In fhort, of two changes, one of which was Subject's Duty. 3 i was at that time unavoidable, the nation preferred the lefs to the greater, and that which was fafe and advantageous to that which would have been very difadvanta- geous and deftru&ive. WHICH things confidered, no man mould offer to draw a parallel betwixt the late Revolution and the great rebellion, till he is able to demonftrate, That there is no difference between the doing no manner of hurt to the perfon of the King, and the executing him publickly as a malefactor ; between the fettling the crown upon his undoubted ifliie, and ex- cluding the whole royal family from it without any other necefllty than what arofe from the guilt of thofe who ex- cluded them ; between the peoples affer- ting their own undoubted rights, and their invading the undoubted rights of their foveraign ; between infiftifig upon the re- gular obfervation and execution of the eftablifhed laws, and fighting for an alte- ration of them 5 between preferving the ancient conftitution and utterly overthrow- ing it from the foundations j or in o- F 2 ther .31 The Religious and Loyal ther words, between juft and unjuft 5 be- tween right and wrong. WHEREFORE, Brethren, Jet us flop our ears againft thofe, whofe doftrrnes open a door to difobedience and rebellion againft lawful authority 5 and no lefs againft thole alfo who would infmuate that our pre- fent governours have no claim to the fubmiflion, which they acknowledge to be due to lawful magiftrates. The pow- ers which now are, are ordained of Gods and ordained in mercy to us, for the fe- curity of our lives and properties and li- berties, and of what we ought to value above all the reft, our moft holy Religi- on. And heavy will be the condemna-' tion of thofe, who mall refufe to fub- mit to him who is the minifter of God to them for good. LET us therefore, laying afide all pride and contentions, all jealoufies and dif- contents, fct our felves to perform what we know to be our duty to him who is vefted with the authority of God : not with cye-fcrvice as men-pleafers, not with murmurings as of neceffity, but in finglenefs Subject's Duty. * j ftnglenefs of heart and with a ready mind, as in the fight of God, as having his fear before our eyes, and remembring that he will bring us to a ftrid account not only for the fins committed immediate- ly againiT: himfelf, but for every offence againft his fubftitute, who by him reigns, and decrees juftice. I F we dread not the penalties of hu- man laws ; yet let us revere the ordi- nance of God. Let us confider by whom we have fworn 5 and let deftruftion from him be a terror to us. If there be any who dare bid defiance to that ; let us mark fuch and turn away from them. Let us not be fo weak as to imagine that they can have any real concern for religion, or the intereft of their country, who can prevail with themfelves, or would prevail with others, to violate the oath of God. We cannot furely be at a lofs to conclude, what kind of fpirits have tak- en poffeflion of thofe men, who are not to be bound, no not with chains 5 who break in funder the ftrongeft bonds of . f* . "('*(P* in.;).',i:j y . go- ^6 The Religious and Loyal government, and caft away its cords from diem. LET our behaviour be fuitable to our profeflions on this folemn day of humiliation. If we do indeed deteft the crimes of thofe cruel and unreafonable men who gave occafion for the obfer- vance of it ; if we would not for the world be the authors of fuch dreadful calamities as they by a long train of wicked ncfs brought upon their nation ; if we are Jdncere in imploring the mer_ cy of God, that he would not vifit their guilt upon us or our pofterity : let us take heed that we do not fill up the mcaiurc of their iniquities by a repetition of them : let us not cherifh the feeds which arc apt to produce fuch bitter and deadly fruits : let us not enter upon courfcs, which, for ought we know, may end in the crimes we deteft. T o conclude, let us not feparate what God hath joyned together, religion and loyalty, the fear of God and of -the King. Let us cftccm loyalty as a neceflary part of - Sttbje&s Duty. 17 of Religion, and affure ourfelves that wt are doing God acceptable fervice while we are ferving his rcprefentative. Let loyalty to the King mingle itfelf with our moft folemn ads of divine worfhip. In our thankfgivings let us devoutly ac- knowledge the many bleffings we enjoy under his government : and in return let us by our prayers draw down the choi- ceft bleffings of heaven upon him ; moft earneftly befeeching the Almighty to en- rich him plenteoufly with grace here, and crown him with everlafting^ glory here- after 5 to prolong his life in health and wealth, and to perpetuate his feed as the days of heaven 5 to guide him with his fpirit of councel, and to ftrengthen him with his mighty arm, for the cftablim- ment of truth, and the maintenance of juftice, both at homo and abroad ; to hide him in time of danger under the covert of his wings, and to fhield him with his ftrong falvation ; that the confpiracies formed againft him may not profper, and the devices .of wicked men may be turned 2 8 The Religious and Loyal turned backwards and light upon their own heads 5 that all the people may hear and fear to do wickedly, and the crown may flourifh upon the head of the Lord's Anointed. FINIS. A SERMON Preached in the Cathedral Church O F S r - PETER in EXETER, QnWednefday.Jan. 30. 1722-3. Being the Day of the tf OF KING CHARLES I By PETER FOULKES, D.D. Canon Refidentiary of the faid Church. E 10 N: Printed by A. B. for MATH. THORN, in St. Peter's Cburcb-Tar*. MDCCXXIII. C- 1 SERMON Preach'd on January 30. 1722-3. f 1 * 1 IT. 111. I. Powers Principalities and F it be true, what Gw- 4m*. < //r affirms, that the Crg. ic ' /w/ were Always a Se- ditious People; then the Dircftion, which the A* here fends to TV- *^ their Bifliop, may feem to have b^cn particularly adapted to the Per- fans, for whofe life it was intended. St. Paul indeed, in the Firft Chapter cf this Epiftle, taxes feme amongft Them ch ' *' with Vnrnlinefi and Loquacity^ but that was in Matters of Dottrine 5 and he cxprelly faith, were chieflv A " 10. ... ... , . the Circumcifion j who, in This Cafe of Oppofing the Gofpel,, behaved thcm- felves no otherwife, than as their Bre- thren of the fame Religion are known to have done every where elfe-^ and fo That Charge affcfted them rather as Jews, than as Cretians : And the Charaffer he afterwards gives of this People in gene- v. 12. ral r in a Vcrfc cited out of />/- wznides their Country-man, tho s it de- clares them to be very Loofe and Scn- fual in their Manners., yet faith nothing at all of their being Seditions^ or Dijo- bedient to Magiftrates^ though That Crime may eallly be imagined to keep com^jpty with their other tnormities. However^ be that as it will., the A.- poftlc fcerns Here, as in Other of his E- piftles 1 to deliver this Precept in the Text with a General View., and as One of the Great Rules of Chriftian Pra&ice, to he rau^lit together with the Dattrwes of Chri inanity, and to be obferved by All that profefs the Faith of Chrift, and fubmic thcmfelves to his Laws and Go- vernment , as One of thole Obligations, which that Grace of GOD that bringeth Salvation, and hath appeared unto All Men, are, whom he terirfs Principalities and Powers , and 2^//y 5 What is to be undeiftood by being SnbkS to Them, i. By Principalities and Powers, St. Paul means Per Jons in any kind of Ci- vil Authority ', whether Sovereign Princes^ or other Inferior and Subordinate Ma- giftrates: Such as he himfelf elfewhere calls KuLrs , and again 5 Kings , Rmtt 1? and All that are in Authority' and St, ? . Peter fomewhat more diftinftly, the 2. t Pft 2 King as Supreme, and Governnurs that ^ 14. are ^f, or commiflloned, by Him. But it is chiefly the Supreme Magiftrate in every^particular Nation, by what Name foever he is ftyled, that the Apoftle's Pre- cept regards , fince, whatever Subjeflion can be due to any Inferior and Subor- dinate Power, it muft be primarily owing to the Supreme ^ and paid for His fake, and with refpecT: to the Authori- ty which is fit ft in Him, and then af- terwards derived from him to others. a. I proceed therefore to (hew, what is to be underftood by being Subjett to Principalities and Powers- or what that Subjeftion is, which is due to the Ac- knowledged [83 knowledged Snfreme Magijtrate in every Nation. Stri&ly fpeaking^ to be Subjefy is ra- ther a Condition of Life^ than a Duty ; rather the Allotment of the wife Provi- dence of God* than a Matter of Human Liberty and Choice. For GOD having difpofed Mankind here on Earth in fuch a manner, as to conftitute feveral Orders^ as well as Relations, amongft them; and having placed fome in a H/gfc, and others in a Lower Rank , He hath confequently made Subje&ion to be the unavoidable State ot the far greater Part of the World. What we are therefore to enquire into as a Matter of Obligation and Dnty y is, what doth rea\ot?ably appear to be the Refult of that State of Subje&ion j and what GOD himfelf hath exprefsly enjoyned and annexed to it: Or in other Worc^ what Kind of Behaviour 3 both Right Reason and the Holy Scriptures, do Oblige the Inferior Part of Mankind to yield to thofe a that have a Juft Au- thority over them. And F/Vf?,, as a Leading and Ufeful Principle to all that fliall follow, they are are to have a true Inward Senfe of That Snbje&ion it felf} They are to acknowledge it in their own Hinds y and to bnng their Inclinations and djfc&wni to a willing AcquiejUnce in it. This feerns to be Necefiary^ both as it is a Principle and Foundation for All thofe fubfcquent Afts and Duties, which will regularly flow from the State of Sutje&ion^ towards the Higher Powers \ and alfo as ic tends to curb and reftrain the Pride and Haitgbtincfi of Mans Heart j That duality of his Corrupt Nature, which dire&Iy thwarts the Duties we arc enquiring after, prompting him rather to Di\obey and Dijdain every Superior, than fub- mit to be Governed by Any. The Proud man r !eakth in Wraib^ as Solomon fpeaks; and H? that is of a Proud heart Fro. ftrrreth up ft rife t Yea., and Only by Pfidevro cometh Contention, And in fafi, All thofe Ic Publick Confufions 3 which make fo black a figure in the Hiftories of All Nations, are nothing elfe but the Fruits of this pernicious Hoot' Rebellion^ and Civil War, and Subverting of Legal s, and Murdering of So- B vereign . vercign Princes, however fometimes varnithcd over with pretences of Rea- fon 3 Juftice, Common Utility, and even Religion itfelf, are in truth no other than the Natural Efflfts of This Im- petuous Paffion, which when left to it felf is incapable of working any thing but Mifchief to Mankind^ and is fuf- ficient to produce the worft. But How Contrary is fuch an Evil fpirit as This, to the True Temper and Spirit of the Cojpel j and to the Example, as well as Precepts, of Our Bl effect Saviour and His Apoftles ? Onr Saviour made His Appearance on Earth., not only in the duality of a Sub] ci to the Then Ruling Toners of the world - 5 but even of a Servant . to much Meaner Perfons. the Son of Man cjfiie not to b: Miniftred unlo^ but to Mhrifter: And He recommended the laic Lowly Difj-ofition to His Dif- eijves Tor^ As in the Cafe of Subjection to the Civil Authority, He at oncTime . (iirefit-d 6V. Peter to pay T te for H m to Thofe that demanded it ^ and at :. other taught the.Jfopf, that the things are properly Cefafa ought al- ways ways to be rendred to Him , So in matters of Common Mutual Service be- tween Man and Man, He hath left to his Followers the Pattern of a Lord and Mafter Wajhing His Difciples Feet^ and hath bound them to the Imitation of/ 0& - xHi - it. Ye -call me Mafttr and Lord: And ys fay well^ for fo I am. If I tbsn^ Tour Lord and Mafter , ba-.-e Wafted y cur pet , Te aljo ought to waft) one another^s feet. For I bave given you an Example , that ye fbould do as I bave done to you, In like manner, His Apoftles, far from encouraging any diforderly and Seditious notions or humours^ have in diverfe places inculcated the Do&rine of Subjection y \yhereioever there can be any room for it. For they not only have prefcribed it to Sulj cts (Commonly fo called) towards the Supreme, and even the Subordinate Magiftrate^ut likewife to Servants towards their Earthly Ma- fters, to Children towards their Parents, to Wives towards their Husbands, to Chriftians in general towards their Spiritual Paftors j yea, even to All Cbri- ftians towards Each Ocher. Att of you lPet ^ t be Sntystl (faith St. Peter) One to ano~ B 2 ther, C 3 ^ and be clothed with tiumilhy. For COD rtfiftcth the Proud, and givetb grace to the Humble. The Former part of which words evidently (hews us, that a Temper of Subjetiiov and Lowly-m'tnd- ednefs is, VniwrftHfo the true Dif- pofirion of zChriftian; as the Latter part ftrorigly inforccs the Former,, with GOD's own San&ion to the foregoing Precept. Ail of you be Subject one to another., and be clothed with Humility? For Cod refifteth the Pro9*d 3 and givctk Grace to the Hnmbk. Now 5 to apply all this to the Purpofe for which it is brought, it would dotibt- lefs conduce to a Quiet and Orderly Be- haviour of SmbjeStf towards Thofe Go- vernors and Magiftratcs, under whom 3 Not their own choice,, but the Divine Providence hath placed them- if they would feriouily C;e$ of the People are as well aware of, as the Greatest. The Actual Difference and Difagree- ment, which is found amongft Men on This account, moft commonly lies in their Inclinations and f radices ^ and Not in their Knowledge and IJnderftafidwg. He that Tranfgreffes his Duty in any considerable point, does ic not from the Weak- i 7 3 VVeaknefs of his judgment, but from the Malice of hii Heart. Alfo, among them that tranfgrefs it Not 5 there is a great Difference, with refpeft to the Reafon' and Principle 3 on which their Obedience proceeds. The Worldly* mind* e4 Man confidcrs chiefly the Security of his Perfon and Property,, and Orher temporal Conftquences '> and fo^ either through Fear of Punifliment, or through Hope of Reward, keeps himfelf within the Bounds of his Legal Duty , in the mean time paying little Honour or Re- gard to the Perfon, or to the Office, of his Prince. But the True Cbrifttan adds Conscience to his Outward Obedience : confiders the Ordinance of GOD, Ad- ores that Divine VVifdom which hath appointed Magistracy for the Welfare T of Mankind, and Reverences Thofe^ with whom GOD hath been pleafed to in- truft His own Authority. What SubjtQ) in any Nation^ knows not) that to Form Secret ConJptracieS) or to wage Publicly War, again ft the Ac* knowledged Sovereign Authority, is a (irinie of the Higheft Nature againft the Laws of his Country? /For what ^ * TWT ' Q Nation C '8 I Nation is there, in which Such Practi- ces are not forbidden and inquired into with the utmoft Severity ? ) Perfons of All Ranks, d Equally Underftand this : and No one that fails in His Duty, ever Pretends that he was Ignorant of it. But the Sincere Chriftian joyns the Command- ment of Almighty GOD to the Law of the Land .- Yea, he fears to Rebel, or to Confpire_, Notyo mnch out of Re- 5-gard to MJ/;, as for the LORD'j fake^ Not fo much to avoid Temporal Punifli- ment from an Earthly Tribunal,, as That 2 Judgment and Condemnation of GQD^ which They^ that RefiS the Higher Pow- ers, flail receive to themselves Hereafter. Again, What Subject wants to be Informed, That to Revile and Calumni- ate His Vrince'i is an Offence Always Punifhed, and Jnftl) punifliablc, by the Civil Magiftrate ? But Here like- \vife the Good Chriftian carries, his At- tention further than to the Vengeance of the Secular Arm ^ hearkening to the ^Divit?e Prohibition, Thottjfralt not Jpea^ 2- Evil of the Ruler of Thy People ^ and to 7^8, 1 1. the WQ denounced againft Such, as De- Dominion^ and jfreak, Evil of Digni- ties : . tie* : and upon Thefe Principles., and Not only for Temporal Reafons, Ordering His own Praftice. Again i What Subjc& Knows not y That to pay Tribute or Cnftom y when Regularly loipofed, is fuch a Branch of the Duty he owes to his Sovereign^ as that in cafe he refufes to do it, he may be Legally and Juftly compelled to a rigo- rous performance ? Here likewife^ As He is the Good Subje& t who difcharges this part of his Obedience willingly and chcarfully , fo He is the True Cbriflian, who confiders the Precept of an Apoftfe of CHRIST, inforcing the commands of the Legiflature. Render to All Men their Dm. As Honour to * whom Honour, and Fear to whom Fear is DHQ\ So likewife Tribute to whom Tribute is due^ and Cuftom to whom Cuftom. Further , What Subjeft in Any well- ordered State is a or pretends to be Ig- norant, That 5 if he hath received Any wrong from Another, it is not permitted htm to endeavour to Right himfelf by his own Private Force, but that he muft C 2 have C30 ] have recourfeto the Magi ftr ate, and to fuch Methods as the Law and Cuftom of his Country hath provided for his Redrefs. Or, if his Paffion and Self- Intercft have fuggefted to him, that the Supreme Magiftrate Hiinfclf is the Wrog- doer '> Or if his Juft Rights have been Really invaded by the Power which fhould prote& him ; yet What Pri- vate perfon can imagine it to be Allow- * able for him., immediately to Blow the Trumpet of Sedition, and call forth Ifrael to their Tentf r and conftitute Himfelf the Judge of his own Wrongs, and Avenge them upon his Prince - If Such Pra&ices were Any where Lawful, the Publick Tranquillity would be very Pre- carious, and of fhort Continuance: In Th?fs Cafes therefore, As a Good Sub* jcSt will feek his Relief Only in a Legal way, and acquiefce in what is to be So obtained , and a Prudent Perfon will Balance the Consequences of a Quiet, with Thofc of a Turbulent Behaviour^ and determine his A&ions accordingly 5 So a Sincere Chriftiott will chiefly regard the Precepts and Example of C H RIST, and will rather chafe to Commit his Caufe r 3 Caufc to GOD, and to Bear Injuries of any kind patiently, than endeavour to requite them by a man'feft Breach of his Known Duty. Laftly} What Private perfon Know* 9tot y That an orderly Compliance with A LL the Laws of the State, whatever they are, whether immediately relating to the Sovereign Himfelf or Not 3 is the Duty of Every SubjeSt^ as fuch > And that in what cafe foever Any oneTranf- greffeSj he is Jttft ly Accountable for it ? This is ah Obligation, that arifcs from the very Nature of a Political ComntHni- ty, and confequently lies upon Every Mentb.r of it } to wit 3 Firft to Reve- rence, atid Then to Obey the Publick La#>s> as far a? H':s Particular Station will enable and require htm. AndTWs then is to be efteemed a Part, of rather it comprehends the Whole of the Obedi- enct he owes to the Powers that are over him:' fince Ttefe Powers do Ordinarily govern their Proceedings by the Efta- blifhtd Laws of each Nation ; and re- quire No other Obedience from their Sub- je&s, but what is Therein, fome way or other, determined^ and owdc Known to them, T* To This General Submiffion and Oh- ?dience to All the Laws of the State to which he belongs, doth the Gofpel of Chritf alfo bind the Confcience of a Chriftian; except (as was before hint- ed) there ihould be any Inconfiftency between Them and the Precepts of CHRIST, as in Pagan or Mahometan Countries there may Eafily be ; but fcarcely in a Cbriftian Nation j unlefs where the Chriftianity^ which is Profef- fed and Eftabliflicd by the State, is itfelf Degenerated from it's Native Purity ; which indeed is too much the Cafe of Thofe Parts of Chriftendom, where the RoMiJl Errors have prevailed. VVhere- ever This happens. The Rule of the Gofpel is Known 3 Stedfaft,, and Inflex- 9iblc; We ought to Obey GOD rather than Men. But where there is Nothing of This, but on the contrary the Laws of the State do regularly provide for the Welfare of it's Members, without violating any Do&rine or Praftice of True Religion 3 There, an Humble and Peaceable Conformity to Such Laws, is the Duty of Every Cbriftian Subjct, as well as Others , and to which he is Ob- liged C~" 23 J liged by Thofe Precepts oi and Obedience to Prin I'ties - .d ) ow- erSj which the Scrifcittn in diverfe places fets before him. II. And Thus I have endeavoured, in a Plain manner, fuitable to All Ca- pacities, to give you the Meaning of the Precept contained in the Text. I (hall Conclude with 'Exhorting you to a Con- fcientious Performance of the Duty en- joyncd. Had Thofe Perfons, whofc Uhparal* lel'd Wickednefs gave occafion to our Prefent Solemnity, confider'd themfelves either as Chriftians, or as SubjeSs; had they regarded, either \heContmandmtnts of GOD in the Goffcel^ or the Known Confutation of th^n Country \ They would not, by Shedding the Blond of their So- vereign, have brought that Stain of Guilt on Themfelves and the Nation, which Nothing in the mere Power of Man will ever be able to wafl> away. For Not to mention again the Ho- ly Scriptures, which, as we have feeir, do abfolutely Forbid, and feverely Menace, All fuch Evil Praftices^ What Law C. 20. C H 3 Law or Cuftom of This Kingdom^ What approved Precedent from Ancient Times could they produce, to warrant and juftify their Horrid Treafons, Ufurpa- tions, and Villanies, againft the Au- thority, Government, and Perfon of the #/NG is a Part of our Duty to Al- mighty GOD Himfelf. Let us there- fore endeavour to Perform it. As lo tk J Col. 2. 2?,, LORD - Let us Honour and Obey the KING whom He hath fet over us, fincercly_, and for Conscience fake : that #^.13.$. Not only Man, who looketb on the out- *& i* ward appearance, but GOD, whofearcb- eth the Heart, may know onr Integrity. J* b 3'* The Fruit whereof will be, not only Outward Peace 3 Liberty, Safety , and other Temporal Advantages , but Peace of Mind^ the Approbation of GOD y the Comfort of His Holy Spirit, Here , D and - and Glory , Honour 3 and Immortality ', Hereafter-, through jfyW C&rift our Lord. To whom, with the F*f/w and the H(?/y Cfc^ff , be All Praife and Thankf- giving, Dominion and Majcfty ^ for ever and ever. AMEN. F I I S. Preached in Lambeth-Chapel, A T T H E CONSECRATION OF THE Right Reverend Father in G O D, T H MAS, Lord Bilhop of CHICHESTER, On Sunday, Offiober 7. By DAVID WILKINS, D.D, Prebendary of Canterbury , and Chaplain to his Grace the Lord Archbifhop of Canterbury. Publijhed by Order o/.His GRACE, and at the defire of the Right Reverend the Lords the Bi/hops of Winchefter, Salisbury, Lincoln, Norwich and Chichefter. LONDON: Printed by W. B. for ROBERT GOSLING, at the Middle Temfle-Gate in Fleet ft reet. A ,,ii r< Deut. xxxiii. If. 8. the former Part of the Verfe. And of Levi he faid : Let thy Thummim and thy Urim ve with thy holy One. [HEN Mofes the Servant of the Lord found the Time of his Death ap- proaching, and had now in the Ears of all the Congregation of Ijrael made his farewel Speech, fetting forth the wonderful great Mercies of God, and his terrible Vengeance, and exhorting them ro obferve an^ to do all the Words of the Law : He was then that fclf fame Day lent up by the Almighry to Mount Nebo, for to be gathered unto his People and to die there. From this Mount at the Top of T'tfgah, the Lord ihewed Mcfes all the Land of Canaan, which he had fwora-.unta Abraham, unto Ifaac and unto Jacob, to give it Ax to 4* A Consecration Sermon. to their Seed ; and when he was told that he ihould not go over thither to pofTefs it, he prepar'd him- feif to go the Way of all Fleih, and left the Chil- dren of Ifrael a truly valuable Legacy, and took his leave of them in a moftfolemn Manner, blefling the twelve Tribes. And when in order he came to the third Tribe of Ifrael^ he thus begins his Blefling: And of Levi he faid : Let thy Thummim and thy ^Urim be 'with thy holy one. The dying Speeches, or the prophetical Pre- dictions of the Old Teftament, which the chofen Men of God, thofe that were more particularly fa- vour'd with the blefled Converiation with God, deliver'd before their Death, and which by the ho- ly Pennraeri are left us for our Inftru&icxn, were without doubt true Reprefentatives of the Times of the New Covenant of Grace eftablim'd upon bet- ter Promifes: And this BlefTmg which Mofes. the Man of God gave to the Tribe of Levz, rs mod cerrainly Typical of him, to whom Mofes gave way, who in the Fulneis of Time was to blefs Mankind in the quality of the Son of God, the lad and greateft Prophet of all, of whom Mofes hi mil If laid; the Lord thy God* will rat fe up un- to thee a Trophet from the mid ft of thee, of thy Brethren like unto me a . And as there arofe not a 'Prophet in Ifrael like unto Mofes, whom the Lord knew face to face b , fo under the Difpenfation of the Gofpel, it is faid of our Saviour, that no Man has feen God at any Time, the only begotten Sony. which is in the bofom of the Father, he hath de+ dared him z . Before his. Death and Afcenfion in- 1 Veut t xviii. 15, b Deut. xxxiV. 10. - c Joh. i. 18. CO A Confecratlon Sermon. 5 to Heaven, he endowed his Apoftles and Difci- ples, rhe facred Tribe of Levi of the New Tefta- mem, with Power and Authority of the Priefls of the Lord, and promiled to fend them after his Depar- ture, the blefTed Comforts of the Holy Ghoft, the Spirit of Truth, who was to guide them into all Truth. But how this Typical BleiTing of the Sons ofLe- vi is applicable to the State of Cbrifl's Church of the New Teftament; and how Mofes in blefling the Sons of Levi, foretold the Bleffing that was to be imparted to the Minifters of the Gofpel, fhall be the Subject of our prefent Meditation, in which I fhall endeavour to explain I. Firfty the Perfon that was blefled, namely Levi. ,11. Secondly, the Blefling itfelf: LetthyThum- mim and thy 'Vrim be with him. And III. Thirdly^ the Reafon of this Blefling; be- cauie he is the holy Man of God. I. Levi. was Jacob's third Son, whom Leah Laban's elder Daughter bore him, and call'd him Levi, which in its original Signification denotes a Reconciliation, a Conjunction^, Jacob the Pa- triarch had ferved Laban feven Years for Rachel, and when by Subtilty or out of Cuftom of the Country, Laban had beguiled him, in fubftituting Leah his elder Daughter for the younger, Jacob full of Difpleafure with his Uncle began to con- ceive' a Hatred againft Leah, which me trufted b adhtjit, adjanxif* would 6 A Confecration Sermon. would wear off ac Jaft, and flie by her fruitful Progeny, and by this third Son in particular, would be reconciled to her Husband, for which Realbn ihe call'd him a Reconciliation or a flrifter Conjunction, and fays : Now this Time will my Husband be joyned unto me, becaufe 1 have born htm three Sous, therefore was his Name called Levi e . And when in Procefs of Time their Chil- dren multiplied, and the Allmighty was pleafed to choofe them ibr his own peculiar People, and was now going to eftablifh the Manner and Form of holy Worlhip to be obferved by them, he chofe the Families of Levi, and feparated them from among the Children of Ifrael, that they might minifter unto the Lord in the Prieft's Office. This Pofterky of Levi being thus dedicated by God himfelf to the facred Miniftry, was divided into three Orders, into High-TrieJt, Trie/Is and Ltevites. The High Pried was a Perfon eminent for his great Accompli fhments, and for the moft folemn Difcharge of his Duty, was adorned with the grear- eft Abilities of Mind, Body and Fortune V His Dignity confided in this, that as he excelled all the Priefls of the Lord in Office and Authority, ib allb was it required he mould do in Sanctity ; and when they were call'd Holy eabiyrwnp he bore the Name of mofl holy, which according to C,,-n xxiX 34. * M.VK-K. \:\ xyipon ^"3 rvobn : cap-.$. T. fays, thar it was required n Hirh 1'ricH (Viould be ron f\fl D'-SHDH VHM !?DO brtt : ns4^,rD3i P)jDnn nxinyn preferable to all his Brethren,- outward c^pjar.;nce, in Strength, in Riches, in Wifdom, and in Beauty. Jfaui/a's A Confecratlon Sermon. 's Opinion is afcribed to him in *Dan. ix. 14 *>. The High Pried executed the mod holy Parts of divine Worfhip, and of all the Prieds of the Lord was alone authorifed to enter into the Holy of Holied; he had the Priviledge of performing what part of the daily divine Service he pleafed ; he was endow'd with the Prerogative of asking Coun- felof God, by the Judgment of 1)riw and Thum- mtm y and generally prefided in the chief and fu- preme Council called Sanhedrim. This Name of High Pried brfl JHD was reckoned fo eminent, fo au- gud a Title, that after the Diflblution of the Ro- man Republick, the Emperors thought fie to af- fume it; and we find that Julian the Emperor cali'd himfelf A^t^s Tonttfex Maximus. The fecond Order of the Sons of Levi in the Old Tedamenr, were the Prieds, who after a Trial and Examination by the Jewifti Confiftory b\y p n>3 CTISHD and after the Anointment to the everlafting Priedhood were admitted to the facred Functions in the Temple. I will not fpend your Time in collecting out of the Old Tedament out of Levitt* cus zm\NumberSy or out of the Talmud h what the Offices of the Prieds were, nor will I enumerate the twenty four Wards -nubo into which the Families of the Prieds were diyided', which afterwards by the Captivity of Babylon were difperfed, fo that 8 Eufit. Dsmonftr. Evan* cap.%. p. Z4O. vctt, y/ov ftyiatt > vSro 3 it***' %&>M*t ' dyta* ei T T MI/V? v^tv fir fi * ^n snoa foi. 131. i. p-irwD J^nm fol. 81. t See i chron. xxiv. noyn N"tf3A fol. 17. i,, H^yn 'WV fol. 17.4. but 8 A Gonfecraiion Sermon^ I but four return'd into ^Palefline^ Ezr. ii. 36. Nor. will I detain you with the Narrative how the Priefts drew Lots four .Times a Day (whicu is pointed ZtLuke'l. 9. * -n tQ(& Ttjg ;g^<7^ eA#;# 5* S-ufudtrcu) for the Performance of their ieveral Du- ties in the Temple. I will only mention that the chief Duty of the Priefts was to inftrucT: the Peo- ple in the Law and Commandments of the Lord, to offer Sacrifices and Prayers, and to obierve the particular Rites and Ceremonies of the dated Ftafls and Fads fo as they were enjoyn'd by God him- felf Of the third Order of the Sons .of evi were the Levites, thofe over whom the, Priefts of the Lord had the overfighr,.M*^.iii. 31. who infteadof the Fird born were fand'ified unto the Lord, and were to bear the Ark and the holy VefTels, Num. iv. 15-. i Chron. xv.x. They had the Charge of the Trcafury of the Temple, were divided into xxiv Clajf'cs or Wards, and were indru&ed in Mufic for Divine Service according to the Number of the Sons of sifhph) Hcman and Jedithun, i Chron. xxv. and xxvi. In the New Tcdament under the Difpenfation of the Golpcl Covenant, and the (Economy of the Chridian Church, thole Perfons that are peculiar- ly devoted to, and continnalfy employed in facred Matters, may very judly be dyled Levi, or the Sons of Levi* fuch as by virtue of their Office in Baptilm regenerate us, by their Admonitions en- deavour to make us new born Creatures, and by their z?a!t:us Interceflion for finful Mankind, pro- cure a Reconciliation between God and Man : Such as unto whom ir given the Minijlry of JRe- A Confecratwn Sermon. 9 conciliation, when God was in Chrift reconciling the World unto himfelf, not imputing their tref- faffes unto them, and hath committed unto them the word of Reconciliation , x Cor. v. 18, 19. Such as deprecate God's Anger, reftore us to his Favour and Mercy, and by their Supplications a- vert his heavy Judgments, by going between both in the beft Offices of Peace, Happineis and Salvation. Thefe fanctify'd Sons of Levi of the New Teftament bare a juft Analogy with the Jewifh Priefthood, not only in the lacred Office and Function, but alfo in the three different Or- ders of the holy Miniftry. They are authorized by Chrift himfelf, the Author and Finiilier of our Faith, to enter into the holy Places, where God's Honour dwelleth, into the Courts of the Lord's Houfe, to offer fpiritual Sacrifices of Praife and Thank/giving, by Prayers, Confeflion of Sin, and Promifes of Amendment, to expiate, and through the Blood of the fpr inkling ofjejiis, that fpeak- eth better things k , to make Atonement for their Trefpafles, to direct and inftrucT: the People in the knowledge of the Evangelical Law, and in the All powerful Name of our Saviour, to implore and pronounce the divine Bleffings upon them. That this would be the State of the Chriftian Church, God himfelf declares by the Mouth of his Prophet Ifaiah\ when fpeaking of the Gen- tileS) that they {hall be gathered to fee the Glory of the Holy Mountain Jerufalem y and be recei- ved into God's Church, Jie fays ; And I will alfo take of them for Triefts and Levites faith the Rsbr, xii. 14. B Lord, i o A Confecratlon Sermon. Lord, Ifa. Ixvi. 7. And in Jeremy, fpeaking of the Days of Chrift, the Branch of Righteoulhefs, that was to grow up unto 'David? and was to exe- cute Judgment and Righteouinefs in the Land, the Lord lays, Neither jb all theTriefls the Levites ivant a man before me to offer burnt offerings, to kindle meat offerings, and to do facrifice con- tinually, Jerem. xxxiii. 18. which is confirmed by Malachi i. i. This Analogy is farther feen in the three diffe- rent Orders of the Minifters of the Gofpel, of Bi- fhofs, Triefts and 'Deacons, which aniwer exact- ly to thofe of High Triefl, Trieji and Levite of the Old Teftament, as ! Clemens of Rome and St.jferom declare it m . That this was the ancient Form of Government of ChriJPs Church, is at- tefted, befides the Paflages of the New Teftament, by the earlieft Writers in and after the Apoftle's 1 Clemens of Rome in his Epiftle to the Corinthians, .40,41, af- ter he had told them that the Lord had commanded them to per- form their Offerings and Service to God, not raftily ami diforderly, but at certain determinate Times and Hours; and therefore he had ordained by his fupreme Will and Authority, both where and BY WHAT PERSONS they are to be performed ; that fo all things be- ing pioufly done unto all well-pleafing, they may be acceptable unto him ; then adds, that according to the different Fun- ctions of three Orders of the Minifters of God in the Old Tefta- ment, the fame care muft be had of the Perfons that minifter unto him in the New: -nS .. 111 Hieronym. Eplft. ad Evagrium or Evangelum. Ut fciamus tra- ditiones Apoftolicasfumtas de Veterl Teftamento, quod Aaron Filii ejut atque Levtu in Templo fnerunt t hoc fibi Epifcopi cr Presbyteri w Di- aconi vendicent in Ecclefw, times, A Gonfecratlon Sermon, i r times, Ignatius", Irenaus , Clemens of Alexan- dria P, and others. I beg leave to mention one for to make the Parallel between the Old and New Teftament the clearer. Tertullian \ who liv'd at the end of the fecond Century, mentions the three principal and diftincl: Offices of the Church : The 'Power, fays he, of conferring Baptifm the High Trieft hath, who is the Bijhop ; then the Trie ft s and ^De aeons, but not without the Authority of the Bijhop, to keep up the Honour of the Church^ without which Teace cannot be preferv'd, other ~ wife even the Laity have a power to do it. The High Prieft indeed was a Reprefentative of the great Archetypal Aoy-, the Eternal High Prieft after the Order of Melchifedec : And be- caufe Chrift was the High Triefl of our 'Profef- fion r , the Shepherd and chief Bifhop of our Souls s , who is confecrated for evermore c , and has been pleafed by his meritorious Death and Paflion to execute the Office of High Prieft, and by offering himfelf once, with his own Blood, was now en- ter' d into the Holy of Holies not made with hands v , and is now fet on the right hand of the Throne of Majefty in the Heavens". It is more agreeable to the Doctrine and Opinion of the Pri- mitive Church, to fay, that the feveral Bifhops are fo many Vicegerents, ^Deputies or cn-io (fuch as Ignatius Epifl. ad Ephef. ad Phtladebb. ad Smyn. ad Frall'tan* Iren&us, lib. 3. adverf. H&refes c. 3. P Clemens Alex. lib. 6. Stromaf. q Tertull. r. ; 7 . de Baptifmo. r Hebr. iii. i. * i Pet. ii. ij. r Hebr, vii. z8. x. 11, ii. Hebr. viii. ;. V ^ the 12 A Gonfecration Sermon. the High Prieft in the Old Teftamenc had *) in Chrijfs Name, and with his Authority to prefide over the Churches of God, to be burning and fhi- ning Lights to the other facred Orders of Priefts and Deacons, and with godly Precepts, and whol- fome Examples, to exhort them to be holy, be- cagfe the Lord their God is holy. Having now explained to you the PERSON that was blefled in my Text, and the Analogy between the Minifters of God of the Old and New Tefta-r ment: I come now, II. To illuftrate the BLESSING IT SELF exprefTed in the Words of my Text, Let thy'Vrim and thy Tlntmmim be with thy Holy One. After the Almighty had feparated Aaron and his Sons from the Children of IJrael, to minifter unto him in the Prieft's Office, he appointed feve- ral Garments to be made for Aaron for his Confer cration, among which was a Breaflplate of fine twined Linen, of* gold, blue, purple and fcarlet ; it was four fquare and doubled, a fpan long and broad, and in it were fet twelve precious Stones in four rows, with the Names of the twelve Tribes of Ifrael engraven upon them. This Breaftplate was faftcn'd to the High Prieft's Ephod, and was The H : ~ ; h Prieft had always a pD, who in cafe of Sicknefs, or r hicap.icity, reprefented his Perfon in the Performance ' ; .::kr,.il Acts, and at other times affifted him, whenfo* jd upon fo to do. And upon this account he had Autho- ri r y over a'i ihe inferiour Priefts, as Maitnon, \U^pt^ "fyy I TObn th'ap.4. . iC. pD7, T nnn D^nsn >D) and all the (inferiour) Prieits are under the Authority of the Sagtn, See Cun&us de Ref. He jr. L z. c. 6. called AConfecratton Sermon. 1 3 called the Breaftplate of Judgment, in which were the 'Urim and Thummim, as is mentioned, Exod. xxviii. 30. And thou /halt put in the Breaftplate of Judgment the ^rim and Thummim, and they jhall be upon Aaron's heart, when he vpeth in before the Lord; and Aaron jhall bear the Judg- ment of the Children of Ifrael upon his heart be- fore the Lord continually. To recite the different Opinions and Arguments of the Jewifh and Chriftian Writers x, what thofe Thum- mim arid ^Urim were, would far exceed the Bounds of aDifcourfe, and quite remove my Thoughts from my prefent Defign, which is only to defcribe the Nature of this Oracle of the Old Teftament, as far as it is applicable to the State of the Chriftian Church in the New. Under the Theocracy of the Old Teftament, the Almighty required his People Ifrael to confult him upon any great and doubtful matter relating either to their Civil or Ecclefiafticai Government, and was pleafed to anfwer them in a moft folemn manner, three different ways, either by 'Dreams, or by 'Prophecies, or by *Vrim and Thummim z . This laft Oracle was named Thummim, by reafon of the Integrity and Terfettion of the Anfwers; and im, becaufe of the true Light and Clearnefs of y See Tbefaur. Dijfirtationum Theolog. Pk'dol. in locum. Spencer. de. Urim er Thummim. Not. Eernardi in Jofepkum. z This the old Heathens alluded at, when they enquired of God the Caufe of the fevere Peftilence, as the Poet relates it. Homer, Iliad, i. #. 61, 63,64. 'H ^ o v l$ x,' Vo on Ttoyot e^V7 folG' 'Avowal, if 14 A Confecrdtion Sermon. it; which words St.Jerom tranflates 'Dofitrine and Truth, and the LXX. Interpreters Mairifejlation and Truth \ But what they were made of, and whether any Words were graven on this Breaftplate of Judgment, I will not undertake to examine. It fecms moft probable that they were the twelve precious Scones in Aaron's Breaftplate, made not immediately by God himfelf, but proba- bly as all the reft of the holy Garments, >y the wife Artificer Bezaleel, Exod. xxxi. i, 5-. c.xxviii. 17. Which upon account of the holy Oracle from thence proceeding, bore the name ofThummim and 'Vrim-, andbecaufe when the High Prieftcon- iulted the Almighty in doubtful or uncertain things, he always endued with this Breaftplate and his golden Garments, turned his Face to 'he Ark of the Covenant, and had a perfett and a clear Anlwer, either by a loud Voice, or by a perceptible Ray and Glance of the mining pre- cious Scones, or by an internal Revelation of the Will of God b . From 3 This ngrees with what Abarbanel in his Comment, unon Exod. sxviii. fays : cumro rnur r-ronn CMa&irw crtonrTO i:av&n ^33? oso rajim am tzj^npa vn TO^y pn ^NIVLP -on nrau; ura. ibme of the wife an^nmwn mananrn annm na^ an^n rnur Men are of Opinion, that thefe Stones, upon which the Names of the Cin! Jrcn or ifrjel were written, were called Urtm and Thum- rnim, hec.uii'e ilicy made the Words (of the Oracle} clear and per- fi;^^\l ;!io Aaiwcrs. Which Opinion is confirmed fciW rdDQ 73. is ?t lar^e defcribed in NO^ HDDD chap. 7. and hy -\pon ^o nobn c/>4^. TO. . IT. pan nniy ^Ni\y -ki pon nns? vao- mnso b&twni pn vtb vasi nn ^y nsnaan n^-im n nsm ^vtnro waoi A Confecration Sermon. i 5 From hence we may obferve what even a Jew- ifli Expofitor had done before c , that this Thum- mim and ^rim, this Terfettion and Illumination, was one of the divine Gifts and Graces of the Ho- ly Ghoft, which Mofes in my Text wifh'd the Priefts of the Lord to be endow'd with, by the Af- fiftance from above, 4o bear the Judgment of the Children of I (rail upon his. Heart before the Lord. But as the Ceremonies of the Levitical Law were a jhadow of things to come; as this Divine Oracle of Thummim and 'Urim did not laft conti- nually, was loft at the Captivity of Babylon, and at the People's Return (as we fee E&r.ii. 6$. Ne- hem>v\. 65*.) and in the fecond Temple was wan- i)2i64i innwa p^m vja 1333, .{wnrrsp How do they confult (the Oracle ?) The Prieft flood : , T>yn 'with his Face turn'd to the Ark; and he that confulted (the Oracle} was behind him with his Face turned to the back of the Prieft : And he that confulted faid, Shall 1 go up, or fliall I not go up? And he did not afk with a loud Voice, nor with the Thought of his Heart only, but with a low Voice, like one that prays by himfelf. And immediately the Holy Ghoft came upon the Prieft, and he look'd at the Breaft-plate, and faw therein by a Vilion of Prophe- cy, go up, or go not up, in the Letters which appeared upon the Breaft-plate before his Face. Then the Prieft anfwered him, and faid, go up, or go not up. c R. Bechai, in his Comm. upon the Text, fays, CTOIflT in "N&N jum tKnbbn jrorn \inpn nn r wmoo namo ; unpn nna ibKQ \yabnQ rrn vbsD ^Dina tzroim- cams Urim and Thummim was one of the Degrees of the Holy Ghoft, be- caufe the Prieft indued with the Breaft-plate, in which were Urim and Thummim, was at the fame time indued with the Holy Ghoft. And R. David Kimchi upon the twentieth Chapter of Judges fays, :-n- p&nwv p n^nu; \ynpn nn yro ay TII^H -.nnw vn They delivered a certain Aniwer by the Afliftance of the Holy Ghott, who was in the Prieft, by whom they enquired the Oracle. ting, 1 6 AConfecrdtion Sermon. ting d . As thefe Gifts of the Holy Ghoft were inter- rupted, and ceafed under the Mofaical Diipenfation of the Law, fo are they amply recompenfed and reftored again under theGofpel, which was an infal- lible Proof that Chrift was come, in whofe Days God promifed to four out his Spirit upon all Flejh, and your Sons and your 1) aught ers Jhall prophefy ^ your old men Jhall dream 'Dreams, your young men Jhall fee Vifwns^ as it is in Joel ii. 18. and is apply'd to the State of Cbrzft's Church by St. Teter, ARs ii. Thefe celeftial Graces, and the facred Office of the Priefthood ; thefe Thum- mim and 1)rim were committed to the Pofterity of Aaron, till MeJJlah the Prophet of the New Tcftiiinent came, who had the Priefthood for ever after a more excellent order. In him was the Oracle and Myftery ofThummim and IJrim ful- fiii'd ; tor in him are hid all the treafuresofWif- d'm and Knowledge *\ in him dwelleth the ful-- ncfs cf be Godhead bodily f ; and the Gifts of the Holy Gbcft \vere given him without meafure. He was the Captain of our Salvation^ that was made ^CT / trough Sufferings & ; and being thus made FLRIT.CT he became the Author of eternal Safaciion unto all them that obey him h : Who J In Gn-'M/'n ^V ^^O chap.8. $.S. the Rat>t>ins fay, theiL- arc the five 'hiugs that were : pWNIH p ">Dn w;inti;:,3 in t)u fccr ,d 1'emple, the Holy Fire, the Oyl, the Ark, ths Spiric of Pjoplitcy, and Urim and Ihummim. And Donjofeph .sLben Jechija, upon Ffra ii. 63. fays, V7 V7PW pD mDyi\y iy D'tTi Qmst non w rvaa o t nvw D^Dim trmiN till a ,'iiclt arii'es, that has Uir/'w znATbummim, which is to be in t.ir ; e to come ^meaningtkat of Mejfiah) for in the fecond Temple there was no I'ritn and Thummim. * Cotcjf. ii. 3. * cdojf. ii. 9. g fifr. ii. 10. h /Air. V. 9. bccaufe A Confecration Sermon: 1 7 becaufe the Law made nothing PERFECT ! , and becaufe there was no PERFECTION by the Levitical *Priefthood k , has obtained an unchangeable Prieft- hood, and brought in a better hofe, by the which we draw nigh unto God \ He was the true "n Light, which lighteth eve- ry man that cometh into the world m . He came down from Heaven, that he may tell us of hea- venly things n , and declare unro us the Will of him that lent him. He came into the world to bear witnefs of the Truth ; and that as the Law was given by Mofes, fo Grace and Truth may come by Jefus Chrift P. And as in the Old Tefta- ment the High Prieft alone could confult and re- ceive an anfvver from the Divine Oracle of Perfe- ction and Light, fo in the New, Jefus Chrift our great High Prieft came out of his Father's Bofom to reveal us his Will, and the Way to Life ever- lafting. He has left us the holy Scriptures for a Thummim andlVvffi* of theNevvTeftainent, which from Mofes were handed down to us, as St. Ste- phen fays, Acts vii. 38. That he received the lively Oracles to give unto us, which is the more fure word of ^Prophecy , whereunto we do well that we take heed as unto a light that flnneth in a dark flace^ until the day dawn, and the day flar arife in our hearts * : Which Word of God the holy men of God ffake as they were moved by the Holy Ghoft r . In this Divine Oracle we find the Br e aft f late of Right eoufnefs^ of Faith and j Heb. vii 19. n joh. in. ix. i i Pet. i. 19. * Heb vii. ir. ' Heb. vii. 19. Joh. xviii. 37. P Job. \. 17. r i Pet, i. u. " ^ whom the World cannot receive for to dwell with as, and to be in as, for a Guide, Director and Counfellor. I have now done with the fecond Part of my Difcourfe, which was the Blefling it felf, when Mofes wifh'd that the Divine Oracle Thummim and IJrtm might remain with the Pofterity of the Sons of Levi. I come now to the III. And laft Part, the Reafon of it ; becaufe they were the holy Ones of God. -p-pon tirca the ori- ginal Words do ftri&ly fpeaking feem to denote on- Ty the High Prieft, as to whom alone it was per- mitted to confult the divine Oracle Thummim and llrim. But becaule Mofes bleffes here the whole Tribe of Levi, thy holy One, or the Man of thy Favour, muft be taken colleflively to fignify the Priefts of the Lord. IJrael was indeed all Holy and the chofen Ge- neration of God y the Royal 'Priefthood, an holy Nation^ a peculiar *Peo fie*: But Levi was call'd 5 i Corinth, iv. 6. * j Pet. ii. 9. Holy A Confecration Sermon. 1 9 Holy by way of Diftinction from the very feculi- um, the Holinefs of God, which in a more elpecial manner they were entitled to approach. The Sons of Levi, the Priefls of the Lord had the pe- culiar Character of EZPTDPI, fious^ Holy given them, becaufe from their Mother's Womb they were ieparated and confecrated to God, and his Ser- vice in the Temple. When they fojourn'd in Egypt ) it is faid that they religioufly kept the ho- ly Worfhip of God uncorrupc v ": In the Wildernefs they alone of all the Tribes of Ifrael did not mur- mur; had the fole Priviledge of all their Brethren vifibly to draw near unto the nrotf the glorious Majefty of God, and to minifter unto him in the lacred Functions ; and when the Almighty did ib feparate them from their Brethren, that they had no Part nor Inheritence with them, the Lord laid to them : I am thy 'Part and thine Inheritance among the Children of Ifrael. This glorious Attribute of Holinefs, which Mo- fes makes the Characleriftic of the Sons of Levi y ought alfo to be the peculiar Excellency of the Mi- nifters of Chrift and Stewards of the Myfteries of God. Of them it is required not only to be blame- lefs, but alfo to ferfeff Holinefs in the fear of GW X ; not only to frefent their Bodies a living Sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God?> but alfo by Maimon. DV'Dy "llD^n or of Idolatry, chap. r. $. 10. DV'Dy 1 lb ZD3ty; iny Nb abiyOI And they (that is the Children of Ifrael) returned (into Jgy$t) to learn their Manners, and according to their Example to ferve the Idols, except the Tribe Levi, which perfevered in the Precepts of the Fathers; nor has the Tribe of Levi at any time ferved the Idol?. w Numb, xviii. 10. * i Cor. vii.r. y Rom. xii. i. C x exemplary 20 A Confecration Sermon. exemplary Piety and SancSHty to do the Work of an Evangelifti and make full 'Proof of the Mi- niftry' L . The Priefts of the Lord Ihould be di- vorc'd in Mind and Heart from the World, as being called by the Grace of God to reveal the Son of God) and to f reach him among the 'People*. It was a very commendable Injunction made by. the Biihops in St. Cyprian's Time b , that thole Priefts that meddled with, and were wholly given up to the Management of worldly Affairs ihould have no Offering made for 'em after Death. I won't exa- mine at prefent this Practice .of Oblations for the Dead, nor will I enlarge upon the prefent Circum- ftances of the Minifters of Chrift, which do require a prudential Care in the Management of fome fe- cular Affairs; but will only mention the Moral, or the Defign of the Canon, which is, that as the Le- vites in the Old Teftament were by divine Autho- rity drawn away from all worldly Bufinefs ; fo the Priefts of the Lord warring a fpiritual Warfare jhould not entangle themfelves with the Affairs of this Life, that they may pleafe him who hath chofen them to be the Soldiers of Jefus Chrijl : But that they, being truly called to the Miniftra- rion and Government of God's Church, faithfully cxercife themfelves in the Holy Scriptures, banim and drive away all erroneous and ftrange Doctrine, and mew themfelves in all things an eminent Ex- ample of good Works unto others, that the Increafe in Holineis and all fpiritual Graces coming thereby, may be manifeft unto all Men. It is highly ne- ceffary that they, with.thofe of the Tribe of Levi ' 2. Tim. iv. 5. Gal. i. 1 6. & Cyprian. Epifl. I. in A Confecratton Sermon. 2 1 in the Old Teftament, mould not be difobedient unto the heavenly Calling in Chrifl Jefiis^ nor murmur at the various Difpenfations of divine Pro- vidence, at the Bonds and Afflictions that abide them. They mould by exhorting and teaching hold fafl the Form of found Words, and even a- midft the worfe than Egyptian Corruption of the Age, of Irreligion and Libertinifm, keep that 'which is committed to their Truft, in Singlenefs of Heart and Purity of Doctrine, and thereby convince the Gainfayers. In the Old Teftament among the ho- ly Garments which the High Pried was adorn'd with, on the Day of his Confecration, there was a Mitre upon the forefront of which was placed a Plate of pure Gold, with this Infcription engraven upon it: HOLINESS TCX THE LORD, as we read Exod. xxviii. 36, 37. Nothing can be a greater Ornament of the Mitre> that illuftrious Diadem of Chrift's Subflitutes, and of the venerable Habit of the Priefts of the Lord, than when like the Four and Twenty Elders in the Revelation array 'd in white Raiment , they have wajh'd their Robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb*\ when indued with that eminent Holinefs, which becometh the Houfe of God for ever* , they let their Light of Innocency, of Faith andPiety" ihine before Men: Then will they be the 0/y Ones of the Lord, and his Tfoumm/msmd ^Orim will never remove from them. This Blefling of Mofes imparted to the Children of Levij ought to be the conftant Wiflies and de- vout Prayers of every one, whofe daily Care is ex- c Revel, vii. 14. d Pfal.x ciii. 5. ercifed 22 A Confecratlon Sermon. ercifed in promoting true Religion and Piety ; that the divine Oracles might never ceafe from his Church, that God would pleafe to clothe his Triefts with Salvation, that they might be made perfeff in every good Work, and be enlightned with the celeftial Gifts of the Holy Ghoft. And efpecially ihouldthefe Prayers with a publick Demonflration of Zeal be renewed, whenever the Holy Ghoft fe- farates any one for the Work of Cbrtft's Vicege- rent, whereunto he had called htm. Then more particularly mould our fervent Prayers be fent up, that God would continue to fend faithful La- bourers Into his Vineyard, that he would (Ireng- then and eftablilh his Church, that the Gates of Hell may not prevail againft her*, that (as Mofes laid of Le-vi, Deut. xxxiii. n.) God would finite through the Loyns of them^ that rife again ft her^ and of them that hate her, that they rife not a- gain. That his Light and Truth may alway pre- fer ve that . Wilkins, LEges Anglo- Saxonicae Ecclefiafticae & Civiles: Accedunt Le- ges Edvardi Latinse, Guilielmi Conqueftoris Gallo-Norman- nicae, & Henrici I. Latinae : Suhjungitur Domini Henr. Spelmanni Codex Legum Veterum Statutorum Regni Angliae, quae abingref- fu Guilielmi I. ufque ad annum nonum Henr. III. edita funt. To- ri Open prsemittitur Difiertatio Epiftolaris admodum Reverendi Domini Guilielmi Nicolfoni Epifcopi Derrenfis de Jure Feudali Ve- tehim Saxonum. Price i /. 6;. In a Jhort time will be fublifhed^ Regiflrum Honoris de Richmond, exhibens Terrarum & Villa- rum quas quondam fuerunt Edwini Comitis infra Richmondfhire Defcriptionem, ex Libro Domefday in Thefauria Domini Regis, necnon varias Extentas, Feoda Militum, Feoda Comitis, Relevia, Fines &Wardas, Inquifitiones, Compotos, Clamea, Chartafque ad Richmondiae Comitatum fpedhntes; Omnia juxta Exemplar anti- quum in Bibliotheca Cottoniana afiervatum exarata. Adjiciuntur in Appendice Chartae aliae, Obfervationes plurimae, Genealogiae, & Indices ad opus illuftrandum neceflarii. Printed for R. Gofling at the Middle Temple Gate in Fleetftreet. NVWXXV'/NV\//\Y/SV^SWXXV/XN/XKy/XXV/X\WX^^^ ^^^"***M*XM*X***M*^*/^*^^^^^ Preached before the Right Honourable The LORD-MAYOR THE ALDERMEN, SHERIFFS, And GOVERNOURS of the feveral Hof- pitals of the City of London ', I N St. R IDG ET's Church: O N Wednesday in Eafter-Week, being the By NATH. MARSHAL, D. D. Redor of the United Parifhes of St. Vedaft (alias Fofters) and St. Michael-le-Quern, London ,- and Chaplain in Ordinary to his Majefty. LONDON. Printed for W. T A y L o R, at the Ship and Black Swan in Pater-Nofter-Row. MDCCXXH. Martis xxiiij" die April' 1722. , .Annoq; Reg' no(V Georgij Magmas Britannia, &c. O6l vo ; STEWART MAYOR. IT u Ordered, that the Thanks of this Court be given to the Reverend Dr. Marflial, for his Sermon "preached before this Court, and the Governors of the fever al Hofyitals of this City, at the Tarifh Church of St. Bridget, on Wed- nefday in Eafter-Week lajt : And that he be de/ired to frint the fame. -\ r ' t T S T R A C E T. ACTS xx. 35. -And to remember the Words of the Lord Jefas, how he faid : It is more bleffed to rive than to receive. JJ o HESE Words refer to fome Dif- courfe of our BlefTed Lord, which is not recorded by any of the Evan- gelifts j as diverfe Things were faid and done by him, which they, in their Ihort Accounts of him, do not mention ; accor- dingly one of them hath told us in a very ftrong Figure, that if the Things, which they had omit- ted, were a every one* to be recited, he fuppos'd, even the World it felf could not contain the Booh which Jhould be written. ENOUGH was, however, written for the Con- vidion of all, that b Jefus isChrift the Son of God, and that believing he is fo 3 they might have Life thro 9 his Name. So that there is not the Necef- fity, which fome would hence contend for, of reforting to unwritten Traditions for any faving a John xxi. 25. b John xx. 3 1 . Know- 4 that in h having Pity upon the Poor, they lend unto the Lord, and what is fo given, he will repay them} that by ' cafting their Bread upon the wa- ters, they /hall find it again with Increafe and Ufury. But the Men of true Religion will pro- ceed upon higher Motives, will confider the Time to come, and the Recompense aflur'd to them at the Refurretfion of the jfW? j will con- fider the Fountain whence Riches flow, the Ufes to which they are fubfervient, and the natural Equality of Men, as Men ; that they have one God for their Creator, who fafhion'd them in the Womb ,- one Saviour, who redeem'd them from their common Mifery- and one holy Ghoft, who here fanclifies and enlightens, and will here- after raife them to one and the fame Inheritance : All thefe they will look upon as Circumftances of mutual Endearment, fuch as ihould abate the Vanity of any afluming Pretenfions, which one may have upon another, from any Diverfity of outward Condition-, whilft all are fo near a- kin, all, in the main Points, here fo equal, and all hereafter to be diftinguifh'd upon quite other Foundations. The Refpeft of good Men will chiefly, therefore, turn towards the Recompense of Reward, which is promifed to none in larger Proportions, than to them who Jhew Mercy, who ntinifler to the Neceffities of the Saints, who vifo the Fathers and Widows in their Afflittion ; iince whatfoever is done to the leaft of thefe his ^ Prov. xix. 17. Ecclef. xi. i. B i Bre- l^ <*A Sp I T A L -S E R MON to Brethren, Chrift hath k interpreted as done to him felt. Now from the Views thus open'd to yon, it appears, I think, evidently, that there is a pofitive Excellence in giving j or, according to the Lan- guage of my Text, as literally tranflated, It if blejjed to give. Hereupon I add, IF. THE comparative Praife of it Rather than receive Or, more bleffed to give than to receive. T H E R E is doubtlefs here a Senfe, and a Con- firuclion, wherein the lowelt and moft abandoned Worldling, will fubfcribe to the JufHce of this Comparison, and of the Difadvantage aflign'd by it to the poor Receiver^ viz. as it reprefents the one upon inferior Ground, and the other in a Port of Eminence above him. BUT this was a Bleffedneft of too low a Na- ture to be the Foundation of our Saviour's Com- parifon. He who expected, that the Service of God mould proceed in Spirit and in Truth, had, unqueftionably, a more refined and fpiritual Mea- ning, when he adjudged the Superior BleJJlng to the Giver. I fliall therefore fix upon two, out of more, which might be named, as Reafons very probable for thus determining the Preference. i. THAT merely in receiving a Man is whol- ly paflive, exercifes no Vertue, executes no Truft, nor is entituled to any Recompenfe for it ; all which is the very Reverie of the Givers Cafe. k Match, xxv. 40. a, THAT Preach' d March the 1 8//7, 1 71 z . r 5 2. THAT the Condition of a Receiver ex- pofeth him to various Difficulties and Tempta- tions, which the Giver, as fuch, is exempt from, i. FOR the former of thefe Particulars ; it hath ^ already been obferv'd, that in Giving, a Man doth execute a Truft of Providence, doth exer- cife the proper Vertues of his Sphere and Station, is-nffrvf in this bleiled Work ; and, if he would copy from the exemplary Pattern of his Re- deemer, IK bo went about doing goody and fought out Occafions, when he did not readily find them, he would eafily thence perceive, that his Em- ployment, how honourable foever to him, would, ftridly and literally bear the Character, which the Apoftle gave it to the Thefjalonian^ l when . he call'd it their Labour of Love : Nor m is God unrighteous, that he Jhould forget fuch Labour-, fo^ that if there were no Reward, no Pleafure, be- fides, attending it, the Giver might well be con- tent with the glorious Profpeft of a Recom- penfe from him, who takes upon himfelf all the Obligations of infolvent Debtors : Whereas mre*. ceivingj a Man is wholly -pajjive ; and, like an empty Veffel, taking in the Waters, wherewith fome friendly Hand replenifhes it, he accepts, in- deed, the Supplies, wherewith he is furnim d by a bounteous Giver but then fuch Acceptance and fuch Ufe of them, are no more to be confi- der'd as Vertues, than is an hungry Man's Eat- ing of the Bread before him. He doth, it is true, what is natural, what any Man would do 1 i Theffal. i. 3. ra Heb. vi. 10. vipon SP i T A L- SERMON upon the like Occafion, tho* ftili what is not the proper Matter, either of Commendation, or Diipraife to him. MEAN While a generous Man will evermore repine at the uneafy Circumftance of contracting Debts, which he can never hope to pay off ; of running himfelf behind hand in a long Arrear of uncancell'd Favours, and of fubfifting upon the Bounty of foreign Succours. What is therefore the Subject of Pleafure and Satisfaction to the Giver, muft proportionably be fo of Shame and Sorrow to the Receiver. The Supplies, which entitle the Difpenfer of them to a Recompenfe in Heaven, (peak the Perfon^ they are difpenfed to upon EartL^ in a State of prefent Deftitution ; and, under that View, give him no Claim to any future or farther Refburcesj akho' indeed the. Humility, wherewith he feeks them, and the Gratitude wherewith he accepts them, and the Content and Refignation, .wherewith he fuftains the Poft allotted him, may, upon the Refult, prove Articles in his Favour, and are, in Truth, the pro- per Vei tues of his narrow Sphere. But as thefe are not neceiTarily implied in receiving, they enter not ftrictly within its Character ; notwith- fhnding that in Fact they are fometimes, I hope oft en ) added to it. I proceed and obferve, 2/y, THAT the Condition of a Receiver ex- pofeth him to various Difficulties and Tempta- tions, which the Giver, as fuch, is exempt from ; viz. repining at the DifpenfatidnS of Providence; a fullen and flurdy Reception of that Treatment, which is the ufual Fate of thofe who fuffer Need ; Kancour and Envy towards them who are placed in Treactid March the 2,8f, 1711. 15 in a Station above him ; Unfaithfulnefs in Trufts, and injurious Gain. It will not be needful to fliew particularly, that thefe are the Sins which moft eafily befet a Man under the Entanglements of a narrow Fortune : They are too well known to be fb , and even he, who hath been fo happy as to break through the Snare of them, hath his own Experience to afTure him itw^slaid for him. I T may not be denied, that the other Poft hath alfo its proper Dangers, which, however, feem not generally to prefs fo clofely, nor to pinch fo hardly ; for a Man hath certainly lefs Temptation tojto his Hand upon an Object of Diftrefs and Mifery, when Providence hath en- abled him to open it, than that Object hath to repine at the Hard/hip of its own Condition. There is a Pleafure ( it hath been obferv'd ) in opening it, which rewards the Action at the very Inftant of Performance ; whereas in the other Cafe, the Antidote againft the Temptation is more remote, and muft be fetch'd from beyond the Grave, with very little Afliftance from any thing on this Side of it. As again, the Gayety which attends a Flufli of Fortune; and the Power of giving? fliould lead a Man, one would ima- gine, unavoidably, to the Offices of Praife and Thankfgivirtir with fitch as keep My Days whilft the Sowernefs contracted thro* Wants and Difap- pouitments fets an Edge upon his Spirit,- makes him froward and turbulent, and draws in his Thoughts too much inward to their Centre: There are, I would fay, thefe refpedive Ten- dencies in the one and the other Station ; tho' a fuperior Vertue in the latter Cafe may conquer them ;; 1(5 Whoever can fuppofe, that Acls of Bounty and of Giving do comprize in them all the Offices of Charity, ihould confider the Cafe as put by St. Paul, q from which they may find it to be not impoifible, that a Man fhould give all his Goods, to feed the Poor, (which is the utmoft Extent of Giving} without any real Charity for the Caufe of it:, which is defcribed by theApoftle, as more comprehenfive, and as taking in fome n Matth. vi. 2. Luke xviii. 2 5. Afts viii, 20. 5 i Corinth, xiii. 3. Branches SPITAL-SERMON Branches of almoft, every Vertue. Now if Gn>- ing doth not include in it all the Offices of Cha- nty ; much lefs will it comprize, lefs yet will it commute for all, or, any other Duties of Life.-- Yet, 2. T H E Giver ought not hence to be difcou- raged, as if no Commendation were due to the Opennefs of his Hand and Heart. For furely he may guard with Eafe againft fuch improper Mo- imes^ and then may proceed in the Work ap- pointed for him with all Alacrity and Affurance of Reward. THE Point of View which fliould chiefly lye before him, is the Defire and Endeavour to do Good. This is the general Aim of Charity : And Alms, as taking in many Conveniencies of Life along with them, are very fit Expreflions of a real Benevolence^ and therefore will go far towards its general Aim. Now if this View accompanies them, there will be Oeconomyznd Management in the Distribution of them ; and a faithful Steward will contrive for his Mafter*s Stock, that it may ipread as widely, and do as much good, as Pru- dence and Thrift can make it. BUT here, my Brethren, you will find your Pains much rfiorten'd, and your Labour of Low much eaied to you, by many and various Schemes of Charity., already form'd, and concerted, and ad- vanced to fuch Degrees of Maturity, that with little perfonal Trouble you may do much Ser- vice, by only lending your favourable Hand to the Execution of them. E. G. WOULD you provide for the Education of our deftitute and helplefs Youth ? Would you open to them the Means of an honeft Subfiftence? Would Preach' d March thelftth, 1711. 19 Would you enlarge the Views, or encourage the Induftry of the riflng Generation? You have a Method eftablifh'd for thefe good Purpofes in the noble r Foundation of one Royal Benefactor ; upon which another fince hath rais'd a goodly s Super- ftruclure; and both will ftill admit of fuch far- ther Supplies, fuch additional Enlargements, as your Piety or Charity ihall incline you to graft upon them. OR, would you remove the great Offenfe and Scandal to your Polity, by the Correction of a- bandon'd Proftitutes, or by the Employment of idle and fturdy Vagrants ? Behold, your r Reme- dy is at hand, and the proper Refort before you I As you are dijpofed in your own Hearty you may affift in the Continuance of this Charity upon its prefent Bottom, or in the Extent of it to any in- definite, any greater. Lengths. O R, would you confult, with united Views, the Intereft of the prefent and of future Generations? Would you refcue the Children of the Needy from the common Temptations of Ignorance and Sloth, and enable them to fill the Station allotted them by Providence, with Decence and Integrity ? Would you find, at the fame time Labour (and, with it. Maintenance) for the Willing and the Di- ligent ; or would you force it upon the Vicious, the Liftlefs, and the Sluggifk ? A u School is erec- r drift's Hofahal founded by K. Edward VI. 5 Mathematical School fettled and endow d there by K. Ch.II. ' Bridewell Hofpital. !?. London Iffark-boufe with School in Bi(hof>Gate-Street C 2 ted,. 1O *A SPIT AL-S E R M ON ted, and an Houfe of: Difcipline eftablifh'd, with Intent of anfwering this double Profped ; if Sup- plies come in proportionable to the Want^ or if the Encouragements to this extenfive Undertaking prove in any manner commenfurate to its large Demands. OR, would you follow, at an humble Diftance, 1 your Redeemer's Example, who v went about all the Cities and Villages, healing every Stcknefs, and every Difeafe among the People ? Would you im- part your communicative and friendly Succour to the Calamities of thofe, whole Poverty calls them to daily Labour for their daily Bread, and whom Diftempers or Cafuaities have dilabled from earning it ? A w Door, you know, is open for all who will enter it with Defigns of Com- paffion ; of procuring Health to the Sick, Eafe to them who are in Pain x Eyer to the Blind, or Feet to the Lame. O R, Finally. Would .you reftore the invaluable Privilege of regular Thought, and of found Un- derftanding to thofe deplorable Objects, who have loft it ; and who feem in their prefent Diftrefs to be but half-partakers of human Nature, wearing indeed the outward Fafliion, the Similitude and Shape of our Species, but deftitute of its brightest Ornament, and bereft of its moft precious Di- ftin<5tion, its mod pecifliar Charafteriftick ? The Way, again, y here, is paved, and a Path mark'd out, for the Accomplishment of this well-natur'd, v Matth. ix. 35. ' St. Bartholomew's, and St. Thomas's Hofpitals. * Job. xxix. 15. . y . Btthlem Hofpital. well- Treach'd March the l%th, 172.1. zi well-pointed, Purpofe: Without any Skill, any Ex- perience, any Concert of your own, in contriving, or in fettling them, the Meafures are, all, pre- pared for it; the Wheel is in Motion, and you have nothing upon you but the eafy Task of lend- ing it your feafonable Help, either for the Sup- port of it, in its prefent Condition ; or for the far- ther Enlargement of its Sphere and Compafs. WHAT hath been already, and what more may yet be done, upon the feveral Articles, which have here been pointed very briefly to your No- tice, you cannot but obferve, when the prefent State of them is laid before you. f Here the Report was read.~\ You now have heard the Munificence of your pafs'd and prefent Benefactors to thefe noble Cha- rities ; Men of Renown, famous in their Genera- tion, whofe Names will be held in honourable Remembrance by our lateft Pofterity,- and will receive, I truft, from the Age we live in, fuch a plentiful Addition to them, as fhall furnifh the Hmi^ofour Lord with a fufficient Number of like, worthy, Labourers ; who may cow, to a good Degree, that Multitude of Sim, which o- therwife muft cover us with a Load of Infamy, and convey the Stench of our Memories to thofe who come after us, with a * Curfe and an Aftonijh- went, with an Hijfing and a Reproach B u T if amidft the great Varieties of Taft and Fancy, which prevail with Mankind, any Schemes of a more modern Date, and of a later Eftablifh- ment, ihould rather invite your Benevolence ; the Field is here alfo wide enough, and fufficiently 2.1 exfSPITAL-SERMON open, for the moft extenfive Genius to take its Walk, and its Pleafure in it : So that there is no fear ( I fhould rather have faid, there is no Hope) that Occafions fliould be wanting, to employ any poffible Diverlity of charitable Difpofitions. ONE Thing, in particular, it hath long been wifh'd might have been added to the Account of your annual Benefa&ions : And I congratulate with you the rifing Profped of it ; I mean the no- ble Defign now lately fet on Foot by the Gene- rofity of a J private Perfon, but of a very fublick Spirit, for the Care of thofe difconfolate Wretches, whofe Cure is defperate; that the Mifery of the Miierable may be fomewhat abated, when it can- not, confefledly, be quite avoided , that this, the foreft Aggravation of all Misfortunes ( their being remedilefs) may no longer be conlider'd as a Reafon, why we fliould forbear our Endeavours to palliate and foften them, when yet, an entire Removal of them, is agreed to be impoflible j that thus even the hopelefs may have fome De- grees of Support and Comfort derived upon them, iome Beams of Light and of Refrelhment let in upon the Darknefs and Gloomixefs of their forlorn Condition : An Undertaking of vaftExpence, ot mighty Compafs, and of the moft beneficial Influ- ence 1 The Praifes of which will found through- out the Earth ; as may the" fweet Savour of it af- cend to Heaven j and the Fame of it be recorded in the Annals of Providence 1 B u T it is high Time now, that I fhould relieve your Patience, and draw to a Conclufion : And therefore 1 fhall detain you no longer, than whilft 1 MY. Guy'-r Hofpital Jor IncuraMis.. |y j Preach } d March the 2,8fl&, S3 {--07 IV. I throw in a Word or two farther by way of Motive, and Remembrance, which the World within you, and the World without you, will ea- fily and naturally improve for you, if you will hearken to their Voice. i. COMPASSION, will plead, I doubt not, this moving Caufe for me "within your own Bowels. You cannot obferve an Object of real Diftrefs, without fome fecret Yearnings, fbme affectionate Wifties of Re- lief and Succour to it : Nor can you truly wifli, and iui[h in vain) for any thing within your Power. By root- ing us thusj and grounding us in Love, and by implant- ing in our Make and Conftitution this powerfu/ Prin- ciple of Benevolence, the wife Author of our Being, hath taken a Security and Pledge of us- for our due Difcharge of all tender- hearted and friendly Offices; that if one Member f iifer, all the Members fhould fuffer with it, and, by dividing the Misfortune among many, fhould abate the uneafy Senfe of it to the more immediate Sufferer : So that a Man muft put off Nature, before he can entirely diveft himfelf of Charity. Thus upon certain Forefight, that Mijery and Diforder would force their Entrance inro the Creation of God, his graci- ous Providence hath confulted the Views of Redrefs and Order, by engaging thofe very Paffions of Men, which fo frequently let in the one, to unite, and to fo- licit, in Favour of the other. T'he God of this World, with all his Might and Subtilty, oppofeth himfelf here, as in other Cafes, to the Will of the moft High, and to the Intereft of his reafonable Creatures, ever in- feparable from each other; would fain feduce us into little and narrow Meafures of Practice, and, by play- ing off againft it contrary Affections, would weaken, if he<:ould, this native Bent, and cancel this great Fun- Proportions, make up, in the whole, a beaute- ous Symmetry; as, when kept at an unnatural, unfriend- ly, Diftance, they difconcert the Order of Providence, and grate upon the Harmony of the Creation. TH i s folemn annual Afferably of fo many Perfons blefled wich Plenty, and concerned for various Branches of Charity, moft of you Benefaflors, all, it is prefumed, Weft- Withers to it in its moft diffufive Compafs, pre- fentsuswith a lovely Profpect of its future Succefles; that thro' your favourable Help, and your aufpicious Management, every Loan already of en for it, may fooa bejiird up, and Encouragement thence arifeto new In- ventions, rrefii, and, as yet, untried, Schemes of Benefi- cence j that all the Wants, and Maladies, and Miseries of human Life, may have at Length a Foundation laid of Relict or Cure, of Afliftance or Comfort under them ; that this famous City fo renowned for its Grandeur, fo. celebrated for its Wealth, fo diftinguifh'd above its Fel- lows in all temporal Advantages, may come ihort of none in religious Improvements ) nor in any Ornaments and Gra- ces of the Gofpel ; that under all poffible Views, it may be entituled to the Holy Pfalmift's Defcription of Jerufalem * Beautiful for Scituation, the Joy of the whole Earth i the City of the Lord oj^Hofts, the City of our God I and that God may eftablijh the fame for ever. * Pfa. xlviii. 28. FINIS. '^ Dr. IBB T's SERMON LORD-MAYOR, On SEPTEMBER 29. 1720. Michaelis Archangeli/c/7/V? J "Die ^ovis xxix. "Die Sen- t r r /| 1 t tembris 1726,, Annw%, Regni Regis G E o R G 1 1 Magnse Britannise, &c. feptimo. IT is Ordered, That the Thanks of this Court be given to the Reverend Dr. I B B o T, for his Sermon this Day Preached before this Court, and the Liveries of the feveral Companies of :his City, at the Parifh-Church of St. Lawrence-Jewry, before the Election of the Lord-Mayor for the Year eniuing ; and that he be defired to Print the lame. STRACEY. The NATURE and EXTENT of the Office of the CIVIL MAGISTRATE. Gonfider'd in a SERMON Preach'd before the Right Honourable Sir George Tkorold, Kt. Lord- May or of the City of London, AND THE Court of ALDERMEN, AND THE Liveries of the feveral COMPANIES, AT THE PARISH-CHURCH of St. Lawrence-Jewry , On Thurfday^ September 2*9. 1710. Being the Fejttval of St. Michael the Archangel, and the Eleftton-Day. of the LORD-MAYOR for the Tear enfiring. By BENJAMIN 1 B B o T, D. D. Rector of St. Paul's Shadwell, and Chaplain in Ordinary to His MAJESTY. NE QUID RESPUBLICA DETRIMENTI CAPIAT. Cic. pro Milone. LONDON: Printed for JOHN W Y A T, at the Rofe in St. P/m/ Church-yard. MDCCXX. ACTS XVIII. 14, 15. And when Paul was now about to of en his Gallio faid imto the Jews, If it were a flatter of Wrong) or wicked Lewdnefs, ye Jews, Reafrtt would that I fbould bear with you : But if it be a Queftion of Words and Names j and of your Law j look ye to it j for I will be no Judge of fucb Matters. ^ H.E Crime which the Jews here laid againfl St. Paul, and for which they brought him before G#///0,was * Blafpbemy Afts xvi againft their Re!igion ? affirming that the I? ' I4 * Religion eftablifhd by the Law was now no longer obligatory, and profefling a Religion different from That, and perfua- ding others to embrace it. For thus they reprefent the Cafe to Gallic, at the 1 3th Verfe, fyifiA) This Fellow perfitnJtth Men to worflrip God contrary to the Law. To which Ac- cufation the Apoftle was going to reply ; but Gallio prevent- ed and faved him that Trouble, and put an End to their A 3 Plead- A Sermon Preacb'd before Pleadings on both Sides, by declaring at once, that the Cafe did not come before him, nor iall under his Cogni- zance. Gallic faid unto the Jews^ &c. This Chapter is the only Place of Scripture, where we find any Mention made of Gallio ; but from the Account which we here meet with of his Behaviour upon this Occa- fion, as well as from the Character which other Writers have given us of him, we may juftly conclude, that he was a Man of great Candor and Humanity, as well as a wife and difcreet Magiftrate. He was the Roman Prsefecl: of Acbaia, a confular Pro- vince under Auguftus ; and a Brother of Seneca's, who gives him this Chamber, * that he was a Man of a fweet Temper, univerfally bclov'd, free from all Vices, and the greateil Hater of Flattery. Tacitus ||" alfo makes mention of him to his Advantage, and Statins gives him the fame Teftimony.f Notwithstanding this, fome have feverely cenfur'd his Conduct in this Affair, as if it proceeded from Carelefsnefs and Indifference in religious Matters, and to render him the more infarrous, have invented a new Name for this Sin, and caird it GaUionifm. But I hope to juftify the Deputy's Behaviour, and to fhow, that what he fpoke on this Occa- fion, was wifely fpoke ; and t(iat if he had acted otherwife in this Matter than he did, he had tranfgrefled the Bounds of his Duty. Tis \\orth while to take a nearer View- of his Words, and examine more clofely into their Drift and Meaning. * Solcbam tibi diccre, Gallionem Fracrcm meum fquem Nemo non parum am;t, cc^m q;d amarc plus non pnccftj alia Vitia non noffe, hoc eciam (viz. Adu- ati uicni) oduT.-, d'o omni ilium pirte cencafti Nemo enim morcalium uni tarn Jdu'c : s eft, quam luc omnibuf, <&c. Si'nec. Nat. Quefl. \. 4. Initio. Anna!. .'. i <,. j- Auc dulccm generafTc Gallionem. Statins, Sjlvarum /.2. Genetbllacon Lucani. tf the L o R D - M A Y o R , If it were a Matter of \\ Wrong, or wicked Lewdnefs, O ye Jews If you could accufe this Man of any Injuftice, whereby he had invaded any one's Right and Property, or could lay to his Charge any other flagitious and villanous Action, done with a mifchievous Deugn, and whereby he had disturbed the Publick Peace ; * reafon would that I fiould bear with you. It would be but right and jufl, that I fhould bear with this Trouble which you would now give me, and hear with Patience what you have to fay. I fhould then be obliged by the Duty of my Place to take Cogni- zance of your Matter. But if it be a Queftion of Words , and Names, and of your Law. If the Controversy^ as it feems to me, be, not about civil, but religious Matters : as about the Word which Paul preach'd, and the Truth of that Word, and whether it be agreeable to your Law ; or about Names: of different Seels in Religion, and of their Found- ers ; as whether the Name of MeJJiah, or Chrifl, belongs to that Jefus whom Paul preaches, and what Appellation is to be given to his Followers ; or about the Senfe and Meaning of thofe Prophecies which 'Paid applies to Cbrtft: Or if the Difpute relates to the Rites and Ceremonies of your Law, as whether Circumcijion be (till in Force, and all that are uncircumcifed are out of God's Favour : I fay if the Matter, about which you are at Variance, be con- cerning your Mffffab, who he is, and what is agreeable or contrary to your Law, or any Thing elfe of this Kind, look ye to it. Make it up among your (elves, or difpute as long as ye pleafe about it. For I will be no Judge of fuch Matters. 'Tis none of my Bufmefs to determine fuch Difputes. Thefe Things no way affed: the Publick Peace and Quiet, which 'tis my Duty to take care of; nor do they make A Sermon Preac^d before make any one guilty of any Crime againft the Law of the Land. And this was a wife Anfwer, and fhow'd that he was well acquainted with the Nature and Extent of his Office ; and he was too good a Man to lift himfelf in any Party, and to abufe the Power which was lodg'd in his Hands, by ap- plying it to Purpofes foreign to the original Defign of it, and executing wrath upon them who had done no evil. The Words thus open'd, naturally lead me to treat of the Nature and Extent of the Office of the Civil Magijlrate. And becaufe this is a Subject which would take up more Time than is ufually allow'd upon fuch Occafions as this ; I (hall confine my felf to that Diftin&ion which Gallio here makes between Matters of a Civil, and of a Religious Na- ture ; between the Affairs of Civil Government^ and thofe of Religion. The former he lays claim to, as falling under his Cognizance, and belonging to his Jurifdiftion ; but the latter he difclaims, as wholly foreign to his Office, and what he had Nothing to do with. This Difference between Civil Government and Religion, is what I (hall endeavour to illuflrate and confirm, and to fettle the juft Bounds that lie between the one and the other. And this I fhall do, by confidering diftindtly what the End and Defign of Civil Government is, and what is that of Religion. \, I. Then let us confider the End and Dejign of Civil Government. 'Tis plain that Civil Government was inftituted for the Prefervation and Advancement of Men's Civil Interefts, lor the better Security of their Lives, and Liberties, and external PofTclTions. Men f )on became fenfible of the Neceflity of Civil Go- rtrnin>'nt for thefe Ends, from the Inconveniences they fuf- icrd by a private Life independent on each other. For in 1 fuch the L o R D - M A Y o R, fuch a State, unlefs every Man would keep ftri&ly to the Rules of Juflice and Equity, which the Pravity of human Nature and long Experience forbid us ever to hope for; the Weak would become a Prey to the Strong, every one would lie at the Mercy of him that was mightier than himfelf, and the World would be full of Fraud and In- juftice, Cruelty and Oppreffion. No fooner did Mankind begin' to multiply, and to con- trad: new Relations and new Duties, but their Interefts in- terfer'd with one another, and gave Rife to thofe Wrongs and Injuries which daily increas'd in the World, and quick- ly mov'd Men to enter into Societies for the mutual Secu- rity and Defence of their Perfons and Proprieties both again ft Violence from Abroad, and Rapine and Fraud at Home. For thefe Ends and Purpoles Societies were at firft erected, and grounded upon the mutual Compact and Agreement of thofe who enter 'd into them, to ftand by, and aflift each other, both againft forreign Violence, and domeftick W T rongs. To repel the/r/? of thefe, there mutt be external Force and Strength, which confift in Arms, Riches, and Multitude of Hands ; the Remedy of. the other lies in wife and wholefome Laws, agreed upon by the Society ; and the Care of both is, by common Confenr, committed to the Civil Magiftrate^ who is moreover arm'd with the Force and Strength of all his Subjects, in order to put thefe Laws in Execution. * From this brief Account of the Nature and Defign of Civil Government, it plainly appears, that the proper Bufi- nefs of the Magiflrate is to preferve the external Peace of the Worldj and the temporal Good of the Community over which he prefides ; to prote& every Man in his juft Right and Property ; to fee that t no Mango beyond^ and defraud 5. .bit Brother in any matter ^ or do any Wrong of any Kind to * Letter concerning Toleration. Mr. LockV Works , V, 2. p. 249, B his A Sermon Preacfrd before his Neighbour ; and to this end, to inflict proper Punilh * Ronuciii. ments, and * execute Wrath upon them that do evil to 4 - reflrain and chaftife thofe who are unruly, who tranfgrefs the Laws, and violate the Rights of others; who are guilty of any of thofe Sins which are injurious to the So- cietyj which difturb the Peace and Quiet of the Government^ and endanger Mens. Lives and Properties ; fuch as Fraud, In- juftice, and Opprefliorr, Lying and Perjury, Theft, Mur- ther, Adultery, and the like. All thefe fall under the Cenfure and Cognizance of the Civil Magiflrate ; and 'tis his Office and Bufmels to reflrain Men irom fuch Outrages as thefe, by bringing the Of- fenders to condign Punifhment. But then it is to be confident , that thefe Tranf- greffions are fubjedt to be punifh'd by die Civil Magi- ftrate in a Civil Senfe or Capacity only, and not in a Religious one. They fall under his Cognizance, as they are injurious to Mens Civil Interefts, and deftrudhve of the good Order and Government of the World ; and not as they have an inherent Turpitude in them, and are Im- moralities and Tranfgreffions of the Divine Law : For in that Capacity, I conceive,, they are out of the Magiftrate's Power, and not cognizable before any Courts of Human Judicature. The not obferving this Diftinffiton has introduc'd no fmall Conlufion in this Subject. For fince the fame Actions, which are Violations of the Divine Law, are alfo prejudi- cial to Human So titty , and fo many Breaches of the-Pw^- lick 'Peace and Qiriet ; hence if has been thought as much the Magiflrate s Duty to prevent the one as the other^ and that Religion was as much his Care and Concern as Civil Government. Whereas, in truth, if the ill Influence which thefe Vices have upon the Peace and Welfare of Human Society ', could be feparated from their Immorality ^ and their being Tranf- greffwns of the Laws of God, the Magiflrate could have nothing the Lo K o- M A Y o R, nothing to do with them ; his Bufmefs being nothing el(e but to prefer ve the Pubhck Peace and Quiet, and to protect Men in their Civil Rights and Propeniss, and to take no other Notice of the Actions and Behaviour of his Subjects than is neceflary to this End. But becaufe fuch a Separation is impartible, and thofe Vices which are fo many Tranfgrefftons of God's Laws, have alfo a natural Tendency to injure our Neighbour in his Civil Interefls, and to diflurb the good Order and Go- vernment of the World ; (It being hard to inflance in any Vice, which does not fome way or other, immediately or remotely, do this ; ) therefore it unavoidably happens, that the Magiftrate, in the due Execution of his Office, does indire&ly intermeddle with Religion. I fay indire&lj, be- caufe Religion is not his proper Bufmefs, nor ought he dt~ re&ly to intend it in the Execution of his Office. For THAT I fhall (how is the Care and Concern of a Higher Power, and is to be promoted by Rewards and Puniiliments peculiar to it feif, and fetch'd from another World. But though we cannot actually feparate the ill Influence any Vice has upon the Society we live in, from its being a Tranfgrejfion of fome Divine Law ; yet in our Minds we may make this Separation, and confider every Vice as a mix'd Action, as a Tranfgretfion of the Laws of Man, and of the Laws of God. In the fir ft Capacity only, it is fub- jed: to Human Judicatures ; in the fecond, it is cognizable only before the Tribunal of Heaven. As it is a matter of Wrong, or wicked Lewdnefs, i. e. as 'tis an Injury to any private Perfon, or a Breach of the publick Peace, it is cer- tainly the Magistrates Duty to reftrain and puniih it. As 'tis a Tranfgreffion of the Rules of Morality and Virtue, of * any of the Laws of Natural or Reveafd Religion, 'tis equal- ly certain that it belongs only to the Supreme Lawgiver, even God himfelf, to exad: an Account of it. For this Reafon, becaufe Vice and Wickednefs are puniihable by the, Civil Magi/Irate only upon a Civil Ac- B z count, 8 A Sermon Preached before count, Sins are differently eflimated and differently punifli'd by Human, and by Divine Laws. Human Laws make an Eftimate of Sins from the Damage they do to private Per- fons, or to the publick Good, and inflid: the greateft Punifhment upon thofe Sins which are mod injurious in this Refped. For there being no (landing Law of God, which has annex'd any Civil Puniftiment to any Sin, (if perhaps we may except Murther) this is the only Rule the Magiftrate has to dired: him in his punifhing Offenders. And therefore, if there be any Sins wherein the Society is no way concern'd, which it neither feels, nor is affeded with, the Magiftrate has nothing to do to punifli them. And even thole Sins which, in their own Nature, are pre- judicial to Mens Civil Interefls^ if they could be fb circum- fhntiated, as to do no Prejudice to any, nor to have any ill Influence upon the Welfare of Society ; they could not, in thofe Inflances, be the proper Subject of Civil Punifl>- ments. Nothing is fo, but what does fome way or other injure a private Perfon, or the Publick Weal. Confequent- ly, fecret Intentions and Defigns of Wickednefs, if they never break out into Ad ; treafonable Thoughts, rebellious Willies, and feditiousPurpofes, can never be liable to Civil Punifliments. Nothing but Overt-Afts, whereby the So- ciety, or any Member of it, actually fuffers, or is brought into Danger of raftering, can lawfully be pnnifh'd by the But with Regard to the Laws of God, die Cafe is far orherwife. He takes aneftimate of our Sins by other Mea- furcs, from thofe Degrees of Light and Knowledge againfl which the OrFcnce was committed, and often punifhes thofe Sins mod, which are leaft, or not at all, cenfur'd by the Civil Powers. Thus Anger and Revenge with him is Murther, and luflful Thoughts and Defires,'- Adultery f and the determin'd Will and Intention of committing any Sin, \\-ith /?;>, amounts to the Sin it felf, though through Fear, or Shame, or Want of Opportunity, it was never actually the L o R D - M A v o R, actually committed. And thofe Sins which the Civil Ma- giflrate does not punifh, becaufe they do not prejudice Men's Civil Interefts, do yet render Men highly guilty before God, and will be feverely accounted for : Such as Covetoufnefs, Pride and vain Boafting; Senfuality and Vo- luptuoufnefs ; Murmuring and Difcontent ; Surlinefs and ill Nature; Difrefpecl: to Superiors, and Ingratitude to Benefactors ; Envy and Malice , Calumny and Detraction ; -Fraud and Circumvention , I fay, thefe^ and numberlefs other In fiances, which Human Laws can take no Hold of, can neither punifh the Sinner, nor prevent the Sin, are exprefsly condemned by the Laws of God, and have fe- vere Penalties annex'd to them. And other Attions there are, which though juftly punifhable by the Civil Powers, are in their own Nature guiltlefs, and do not difpleafe God, but by being Tranfgreflions of that general Law, of paying all due Obedience to thofe whom he has fet over us. To which we may further add, that Criminals may fatisfy the Law, and fb Hand clear before Human Judica- tures, and yet remain as guilty before God as ever; and on the contrary, they may have made their Peace with God, and procur'd his Pardon, and yet be equally guilty in the Eye of the Law, and equally liable to Civil Pu- mfhment. From all which 'tis abundantly evident, that the End and Defign of Civil Government is wholly taken up with the Care of Men's Civil Rights, and confequently that the Office of the Civil Magiflrate is confin'd to this one Thing, and that religious Matters, as fitch, lie out of the Verge of his Power. But if this wants any further Light, it will receive it from what comes next under our Consideration, and that is, II. The End and Defign of Religion. Tho Religion is a great Friend to Civil Government, and the Practice "of the Duties which that enjoins, tends very much i o A Sermon Preactid before much to our prefent Happinefs, and makes this World a much more eafy Place than it would be without it j yet all this is but remotely the Efled: of Religion, and makes no Part of its Main and Principal Dejign. Religion, in a true and proper Senfe, and as the Word it felf imports, is an Obligation upon us to God, and was defign'd to recommend us to God, and fecure an Intereft in bis Favour , by performing acceptable Service to him, and doing thofe Things which are well pleafing in his Sight* And therefore, though Men form'd themfelves into So- cieties for Civil Reafons, fuch as have been already men- tion d, they did not do it upon any Religions Account; becaufe Religion as it relates to God, is tranfadted between a Mans felf and God, and is what no Body elfe is concern'd in. So that 'tis neither neceflary in it felf, nor eflential to true Religion, that great Numbers of Men ihould meet together, and be incorporated in Societies, for the better Difcovery, or the more due Exercife of it.* Hence it is that they who liv'd before the Inflitution of Civil Government, or the Foundation of Commonwealths, were as famous for their Piety and Religion as any who have been fmcc. They who liv'd in the firft Ages of the World, when the Earth was but thinly inhabited, were not therefore deftitute of true Religion, but perform'd it in a Manner that was acceptable to God : And fo may any Tingle Perfon, or any (mall Number of Men, who happen to live in a dcfart Place. They are not to be look'd upon as having no Religion, becaufe they do not -live in Towns and Cities, becaute they cannot make up a great Aflembly, and arc not form'd into zCivil State. For Religion, as I be- fore laid, is tranfadted between God, and a Man s felf, and equally obliges us at all Times, and in all Places, in Soli- tude as well as Society, under whatever Government we .-' S.v Puffendorf of the Relation between Church and State. Stlt. , $, 6. live, tfo LORD~MAFOR, e>c. r r live, or whether we live under any at all. And that which makes Religious Worflrip mod acceptable to God, is open to loi s View alone, as he is a Difcerner of the Heart ; and that is Sincerity and Integrity, the Worflrip that is in Spirit, and in Truth. This Religion took place before Societies were ereded, and is of an older Date than any Civil Eftablifh- merits, ns well as of a different Origin. It commenc'd tjie Moment we were created : It is contemporary with hu- man Nature, and began with the Race of Man, though it came not from the Will and Invention of Man ; but is grounded upon the Will and Law of God, who fees Men in the Dark, has in his Hands Rewards, and Punimments, and Power enough to call to account the proudeft Offender. Whereas Commonwealths were founded, and Government in- flituted long after, by the Will and Invention of Man, and for quite other Reafons, and different Ends. In this State of Nature, I mean before the Inftitution of Civil Government, Religion, as it related to God alone, had no other Hold upon Men, but from the Fear and Reve- rence of God, and was a perfect Stranger to all human Power, and outward Force ; and every one embrac'd that Religion, which either his own Reafon dictated, or Revela- tion difcover'd to him, and had a Right of ordering for himfelf the external Circumftances of Religious Worship. In all thefe Things, every one \vas left to his own Liberty, and was accountable to none but God. In this State, no Man whatever could require me to conform to bis Judg- ment in Religious Matters, nor could I require him to conform to mine. But if any Man out of Charity to my Soul , and becaufe he believ d himfelf to be in the Right, had a mind to bring me over to his Opinion, he muft convince me by proper Arguments, that he was in the Right, and I in the Wrong ; but muft ufe no outward force or Compulfwn of any Kind ; and that for this plain and fhort Reaibn, amongft others, becaufe the Care of *very Man's own Soul, which is the whole Concern of Re- /.'/ on, 2 A Sermon Preach W before ligion, belongs to himfelf alone, and is to be left to him- felf ; and to ufe any Force or Violence here, is not only unjuft, but, as iliall be {hewn, wholly ufelefs and infig- nificant. This was the Cafe of Religion in a State of Nature. Let us next fee, whether any Alteration was made in this Cafe by the Inftitution of Civil Government. Now lin.ce thofe Wrongs and Injuries which Men daily receiv'd from one another, and which firft mov'd them to enter into Societies, did not affect their Religion, but their Lives and Liberty, and Goods ; it follows, that when they wav'd their natural Freedom, and combin'd together, they did not at all iubmit themfelves, in Religious Matters, to the Will of the Civil MagiflraU, as they fubmitted their Perfons and Properties to be difpos'd of by him for the obtaining the End of Society , the mutual Defence and Prefervation of one another. Men might, and did dill retain their natural Freedom in Religious Matters, very con- fidently with all the Ends of Civil Government, which oblige them to give up their natural Right in other Things. For there is this remarkable and eflential Difference be- tween Mens Civil or Temporal, and their Religious or Spi- ritual Rights, that the former are alienable, and may, by their own Confcnt, be reflrain'd or remitted in fome Cafes, for the better Security of diem in others : But the latter, their Religious or Spiritual Rights, are their unalienable Property, in which they cannot be reftrain'd, and which they cannot give up in any Cale, or upon any Account whatever. Men cannot abandon the Care of their Souls, as they may that of their Bodies and Eftates, and blindly leave it to the Magiftrate to preicribe what Faith or Wor- fh'p they iliall embrace. For befides that the Care of every Man's Soul belongs to himfelf, becaufe every one of us mi!ft give an account of himfelf to God, Rom. 14. 11. And the Nature of Religion is fuch, as makes it a flrict perfonal Duty incumbent upon every Man ; and whatever of this Kind the L o R D- M A Y o R, &c. Kind is done, muft be done by our felves : I fay, befides this, we cannot, if we would, conform our Faith to the Dictates of another, and believe jufl as he believes, and becaufe he believes fo ; nor can it ever pofiibly be lawful, upon any Account, to comply with, or agree to any thing in Religion, that is contrary to our Judgment, and the inward Perfuafion of our Minds; to profefs for Truth, what we believe to be a wrong Faith, or falfe Doctrine ; and to worlhip God after any other manner than that which we conceive to be moft agreeable to the Divine Will. In thefe Matters, we can neither give, nor can ano- ther ufurp any Authority over our Confciences ; nor can we fubmit them to any other Ruler, but God and our own. Reafon. And therefore the Magiflrate ought not to in- fift upon Terms of purely a Religious Nature with thole who are under his Government, or exercife his Power and Authority over them in this refpect. This will quickly appear, by taking a View of the chief and principal Parts of Religion. To begin then w 7 ith Morality and Virtue, which tho' unhappily diftinguiflid from Religion, are the chief and main Things wherein it confifls. Thefe are founded in the Eternal and Immutable Nature and Reafon of Things, whereby fome Things are evidently fit, and others as evi- dently unfit to be done, whatever the Confequence of them be here. This being plainly the Nature of Things, and there being this eflential Difference between them, we juflly conclude it to be the Will of God, who made us what we are, and put this Difference between fome Things and others, that we fhould obferve this Difference in our Actions. And herein we are to be directed by our own Reafon, or Confcience ; which is nothing elfe but the Opinion or Judgment of our own Mind -concerning the Moral Pravity or Rectitude of our own Actions, for the Conduct of which we are accountable to God alone. C If T 4 A Sermon Preacfrd before If then I be fatisfy'd in my own Mind of the Lawfulnefs or Unlawfulnefs of any Action ; and do, or forbear it up- on that Pcrfuafion ; the Civil Magiftrate has no Right to lay any Reflraint upon me in this Cafe, becaufe he judges me to be in the Wrong ; for one Man's Confcience is no (1* Cor. x. Rule to another, and therefore |1 one Mans Liberty fiould *9* not be judgd of another Mans Confcience ; but in all fuch Cafes as thefe, every one mufl judge for himfelf, and take care to be fully perfuaded in his own Mind, and not to *Rom.xiv. * condemn bimfelf in that Thing which he allowenh. But what if any one upon Pretence of Conference^ and to fhow his Liberty, fliould commit any Matter of Wrong or wicked Lew tine fa invade any one's Property , or difturb the publick Peace ? Why then, I fay, no Pretence of Re- ligion or Confcience can skreen him from the Civil Powers. He ought to Le rcflrain'd and punifh'd. But then he does not fuffer upon a Religious, but upon a Civil Account; :<1V< he fufTers as a f Mitrtherer, or a Thief \ or as an evil Doer y or as a Eujy-bodj tn other Mens Matters. If we place Rii^^.n in the Belief of any Set of Doffrines, or in the Practice or any particular Forms or Modes of divine Worflrip : Here too every Man mufl: judge, and chufe for himfelf, mult believe thofe Doctrines which he thinks to be true, and worftiip God in fuch a Manner as he is- per- fuaded is moil acceptable ^p him. The Magiftrate has Nothing to do to interpofe in this Cafe, to apply force of tiny Kind to brin^ Men over to any particular Perfuafion. This is plainly forreign to his Office, and ftepping beyond the Bounds of his Duty. The Peace and Quiet, and good Order of the Society, are the only Points which he is to take care of; and fince thefe are as confident with Mens holding different Opinions in Religion, as they are with their being of differ tut Sentiments in other Matters ; the Mftgijlrate is no more concern'd-to intermeddle in religious PifputeS) than he is in thofe of Philofophy, Law^ or rhy- jic'k, Indeed LORD-MAYOR, &c. Indeed if Men hold any Opinions in Religion^ which are deftrudive of the Peace and Quiet of the World, and undermine the Government, and ad: in purfuance of thefe Opinions, their Actions then are of a Civil, and not of a Religious Nature; and they render themfelves obnoxious to the Civil -Powers, and juftly deferve to be punifhd. Or if Men manage their Religious Difputes with fiich Heat and Eagernefs, and carry their Differen- ces fo high as to fall foul upon, and offer Violence to one another, 'tis the Magiftrates Duty to interpofe, to defend, and avenge him that fuffers Wrong, and to punifh him that did it. And therefore Gallio was cer- tainly to blame in taking no notice of that Infult which the Greeks .committed upon Softhenes, the chief Ruler of the Synagogue, by beating him in open Court, v. 17. This is what he ought to have prevented or punifh'd, both as an Affront to himfelf, and an Injury to one of his Subjects. But in this Cafe, the Magi ftr ate does not make himfelf a Judge of Controverjies in Re- ligion, nor ufe his Power and Authority to decide them ; but he ads in his own proper Character, as a Guar- dian of the publick Peace of the Society, and of the Civil Inter efts of his Subjeds; both which are invaded in the prefent Cafe. And therefore, where Men demean themfelves quietly and peaceably, and their different Faith and Praftice have no fuch Effed 1 , and concern only God and their own Souls , the Magistrate is no Judge of fuch Mat- ters ; and whatever their Errors be, muft ufe no out- ward Force or Violence to compel them, but leave them to the jufl Judgment of God, as to to their own proper Mafter^ to whom they are to ftand or fall. For the Magiflrate to interpofe, and make himfelf a Judge and a Revenger in Affairs which are purely of a Religivus Nature, is to tranfgrefs the Bounds of his Duty, and to invade the Prerogative of God ; it is C z (to A Sermon Preached he fore (to borrow the Words of an Incomparable * Author) to judge and mifufe the Servants of another Mafter y who are not at all accountable to him. For nothing can be more clear or certain, than that as Religion has God only for its Si it bar, (b 'tis properly bis Care and Con- cern only. The Laws of Religion are the Laws of God ew/y, and he himlelf has appointed Rewards and Punifh- ments for the Obiervers and Tranigreflbrs of them. He has taken this whole Matter upon himfelf, and re- ferv'd it to himfelf, and has no where authoriz'd any Man, or any Number of Men upon Earth, to be his Deputies or Vicegerents in this Behalf. So that 'tis highly wicked and unjuft in any Man to ufurp any Authority over others in Cafes of a Religious Nature^ in Matters of Faith and Confcience. For here God him- ielf has laid clown the Rule of our Actions, and not left it to others to prefcribe to us. He himfelf has fet before us our Duty, and has told us that he will judge of the Performance : And for any Man, after this, to pretend to any Power over us here, is to foreftall the Judgment of God r and to take God's Caufe out of his own Hands. But fuch Attempts as thefe are not only wicked and unjuft, but very foolifh and fruitlefs, as will appear, if \ve confider, that the Nature and the Virtue too of all Religion confifls in a free and willing Choice, in the Content and Approbation of our Minds, in the Since- rity and Integrity of our Hearts, in our being fully per- fuaded of the Truth of what we -believe, and of the Goodnefs of what we pradtife. Whatever we do in Religion^ we mufl do it heartily, as unto the Lord^ in Obedience to his Commands, and Compliance with his Will, and becaufe we believe it will recommend us to Mr* bockV Letter of Toleration, p. 2$g. V. 2. FoK ' bis tfa Lo R D-M A Y O R, &C. 17 bis Favour. Whatfoever is not done with this AfTu- rance of Faith, is neither well in it felf, nor can it be acceptable to God. But of what Ufe can Human Laws, enforc'd by Ci- vil Penalties, be in all this ? They may make me do Things which are in my Power, and depend upon my Will : But to believe this, or that, to be true, is not in my Power, nor depends upon my Will, but upon the Light, and Evidence, and Information which I have. And will Civil Difcouragements and Incapacities, Fines and Confifcations, Stripes and Imprifonment, enlighten the Underftanding, convince Mens Minds of Error, and inform them of the Truth ? Can they have any fuch Efficacy, as to make Men change the inward Judgment they have framed of Things ? Nothing can do this, but Reafon and Argument. This is what our Minds and Underftandings will naturally yield to ; but they cannot be compelld to believe any thing by outward Force. So that the promoting of true Religion is plainly out of the Magiflrates Reach, as well as befide his Office r And though Temporal Rewards and Punifhments are very proper Means to produce an actual external Com- pliance with Human Laws, which is fufficient to an- fwer the End of their Inftitution; yet Thefe are very improper Motives to be apply'd to the Laws of God and Religion, becaufe they cannot produce that inward Obedience in Sincerity of Heart and Conference which thefe Laws require, nor that thorough Perfuafion of the Truth of what we believe , and of the Goodnefs of what we pradtife, without which no outward Compli- ance with the Divine Laws, nor any thing which we do in Religion is of any Account. And therefore if the Magi/Irate interpofes here, and cither chufes a Religion for me, or enforces that which I have chofen , with Temporal Rewards and Punifh- ments ; he deftroys my Religion, and fpoils the Virtue of 1 8 A Sermon Preach' d before of whatever I do under that Name. If he impofes upon me, and forces me to prpfefs, for he cannot make me be- lieve, a Religion, which I do not think to be true ; He makes me a Hypocrite and a Diffembkr, and expofes me to the Reproaches of my own Heart, and the juft Ven- geance of God ; which is highly abfurd and unreafonable, confidering that the End of all Religion is to fecure the Favour of God, and the Peace of our own Confciences. If he forces me to profefs and practife what is true Re- ligion, and what I my felf believe to be fo, he at the fame time deftroys the Virtue of this Religion, and de- prives me of my Reward in Heaven. For whatever I do in Religion out of Force and Constraint, upon World- ly Motives and Considerations, out of Fear of the Civil Powers, or the like, is no Religion at all, nor is there any Virtue in any Actions which are perform'd upon fuch Principles as thefe. For Religion muft be built upon our Regard to God', and whatever Regard we pay to Men in the Performance of Religious Duties, takes off fo much at leaft from our Regard to God , and fo far diminishes the Virtue of what we do. So far as Temporal Motives and Temptations prevail with us, and are the Springs and Caufes of our profeMing or practifing Religion ; fo far moft certainly we are not influenc'd by the Love or\ God, and Fear of offending him, which is the only Foundation of all true Religion, which confius in internal Sincerity^ in the Obedience of the Htitirt and Conference, and in worfijpping God in Spi- rit and in Truth. And for this Reafon, no doubt, God thought fir to annex no other Penalties to the Trani 1 greflion of his Laws, but the fpiritual and invifible Ter- rors of a Future State ; and no other Rewards to the Obfcrvance of them, but the Joys -and Happinels of the World to come ; becaufe prelent and Temporal Rewards and Puni/hments, the Countenance or Terrors of Men, have no Tendency to promote thofe Things wherein true tie LORD-MAYOR, c>r. 19 true Religion confifls, can neither convince the Under- flanding, nor rule the Heart , nor lead Men to the Truth with Sincerity ; but are much more likely to have the direct contrary EfTed: : And if they were ap- ply 'd to Religion, might make Men outwardly comply with it, merely for the prefent temporal Benefit they receiv'd from it ; but could never make them fincere in the Belief or Practice of it. And what our Saviour faid to the People who fought for him, John 6. 16. might fitly be apply'd to fuch Converts and Difciples as thefe, Verily ', verily^ I fay unto you, ye feek we, not becaufe ye faw the Miracles , but becaufe ye did eat of the Loaves, and -were filed. But further ; as Religion confifls in fuch a Belief and Practice, as we, in our own Confciences are perfuaded to be belt, and mod acceptable to God, as it lies in the Sincerity and Integrity of the Heart, as it is Truth in the inward Parts ; fb it can be fubjeft only to the Judgment of the great God, whofe Prerogative it is, to be a Searcher of the Heart, and a Tryer of the Reins; who fees the iecret Springs of our Actions, and knows our Thoughts and Intentions afar off Upon which Account, no Man upon Earth can be a Judge in religious Matters, nor take upon him the Cognizance of this Caufe. He knows not the Thoughts of our Heart, cannot tell upon what Prin- ciple we adted, or whether we were fincere in our Religion or no; and therefore if he ihould undertake to difpenfe Rewards and Punifhments ; He, through Paflion, Weak- nefs, and Frailty, might eafily err, and inflead of execu- ting righteous Judgment, might confound Right and Wrong, by punifhing the innocent, and rewarding the guilty. The Apoille's Advice therefore is very feafonable in the prefent Cafe: * Judge nothing before the Time, until the Lord *iCor.ir. come, who both will bring to Light the hidden Things of 5 Darknefs , and -will make manifefl the Counfels of the Hearts : and then fhall every Man have Praife of God. By 2 o A Sermon Preached before By this Time, I hope, it appears that Gallio acted a wife and confcientious Part in this Affair, and that if he had proceeded to the Hearing and Determination of the Caufe which the Jews here brought before him; he had done what he could not juftify by Virtue of his Office, and had given himfelf much Trouble, without Doing .any Good to himfelf or others, but poflibly much Hurt to both. For moft certain it is, that the Duty of the Magiftrate is confin d to the Care of the Civil, and Temporal Good of his People, and does not extend to their Spiritual and Eter- . nal Affairs. And as long as Men behave themfelves quietly and peaceably in the Government under which they live, as long as they do no Wrong or Injuftice to their Neigh- bour, nor prejudice any one in their Civil Rights, they may and ought to be left to themfelves in the Choice of their Religion, and be allow'd to worfhip God in that Manner, and after that Way, which they think befl and moft acceptable to him. This is their natural Right, and there can be no greater Inftance of .Injuflice and Opprelfi- on 5 than any Ways to abridge it, or deprive them of it. So that Toleration, or abfohtte Liberty in Matters of Re- ligion and Conference, however it has been vilified, and exclamVd againft, is as much every Man's juft Right, as any other Thing which can^ be mention'd : And Perfecntion, however meritorious blind Zeal and Bigotry have made it, is as flagrant an Indance of Cruelty and Oppreflion, as any of thole Things which are often practifed.in Confe- qucncc of it, Plunder and Devaftations, Fines, Imprifon- nient and Mnrther. The Magiftrate ought to be fb far from thus perfecuting any of his Subjects, upon Account of their difTerirrg from him in Religion, that 'tis a principal Duty incumbent on him to take care that different Sects and Parties do not : perfecute, or treat one another ill upon this Account. His Bunnels is \o protect People of all Opinions and Perfua- the L o R n - M A Y o R, &c. 2 1 Perfuafions not inconfiflent with the Ends of Government, from being infulted by thofe from whom they differ, or differing any Thing on the Score of fuch Difference. 'Tis Nothing to him what falle and erroneous Opinions Men hold, what ridiculous and abfurd Doctrines they profefs, or, in a word, what they believe, or disbelieve in Religion, fo long as hereby they do no Prejudice to their Neighbour, nor make any Alteration in Mens Civil Rights, nor diftarb the publick Peace and Quiet. For the End and Defign of Civil Government was not to provide for the Truth of Men s Opini- ons, but for the Safety and Security of their Goods and Perfons. But here it may be objected, Is the Magijlrate to fhow no Zeal or Concern for the Honour of God, and the Au- thority of his Laws ? Is he to be altogether indifferent what Religion his Subjects are of, or whether they be of any Religion at all ? Is he not to exert his Power in Favour of the true Religion, and to fee that the Rules thereof be dulyobferved and pradtifed ? To this I anfwer, That fmce God who is mofl certainly the properefl Judge in this Cafe, and bed knows what are the fitteft Means to be made Ufe of for thefe Ends ; has not thought fit to enforce his Laws with any other San&ions, but the Rewards and Punifhmentsof a Future and Invifible State, nor to promote his Honour and true Religion by any other Motives but thefe : What Authority has any Man to make any Alteration in what God has eflablifhed, and to enforce his Laws with any other Sanctions than what he himfelf has appointed ? God has given no Man this Authority ; and Men cannot give it one another. And therefore for any one to aflume it, is not only encroaching upon God s Prerogative, and invading Mens Religious Rights, but 'tis calling in Que- (lion the Divine Wtfdom, as if God who made Man, and gave him thefe Laws, knew not what San&ions were mod proper to fecure Man's Obedience to them, and what Mo- tives and Arguments were mofl likely to prevail with liini, to be truly good and virtuous. D And 22 A Sermon Preacfrd before And as to true Religion, and a right Belief \ every Man is Orthodox to himfelf, and thinks his own Religion to be true ; and therefore if this be any Argument \vhy the Magiftrate fhould ufe Force in promoting his own Religion^ it will plead as ftrongly forfalfe Religions, as for the true one : It will hold as well for Popery in Popifh Countries, for Mahomet a- niftn at Conftantinople y as for Proteftantifm in Great Britain. But is not the Honour of God to be consulted ? And are not Vice, and Immorality, and Prcphanenels to be reftrain'd and punifii'd ? Moll certainly they ought ; but upon a Civil Ac- count, and becaufe they are prejudicial to Mens Civil 'Inte- refts. As for God's Honour, he himfelf is the beft Guardian of ir, and will moft certainly take care of it in his own Time and Way ; for he is a fealous God. But then I add, that for Men to be reflrain'd from thefe Vices by the Power and Authority of the Civil Magiftrate, and out of fear of his Sword, is no Honour to God, whatever it may be to Cxfar : It is obeying Men rather than God, and fhows that we are more afraid of Men than of God. It is indeed for the Interefl and Honour of the Civil Government , that ail Vice, Immorality, and Prophanenefs fhould be fupprefs'd, becaufe they are prejudicial to it, and the contrary Virtues tend to the Good and Welfare of Society ; and fo far the Magiftrate ought to interpofe. And becaufe all Manner of Wickednefs, even in thofe In fiances where it does not diredr.- ly injure any private Perfbn, nor diflurb the publick Peace, has an ill Influence upon SociMy^ tends to make Men bad Sub- jects, and wor r e Neighbours, and indifpofes them for the due Difcharge of the Relative Duties of Life ; it were much to be wifli'd, that Human Laws could be fo contriv d, as to take in a greater Compafs here, if that could be done without any pitblick Inconvenience. For the Wife Mans Obfervation is founded in the Nature or the thing, as well as in .the Decree of Almighty God, that Righteoufnefs exaheth a Nation, but Sin * ; j a Reproach to any People, Prov. 14. 34, As the Virtue of a Nation increafcth or diminifheth, fo does its Stre'ngth at Home, and Credit Abroad. And the LORD-MAYOR, &c. And further : As they who fear and honour God moft, are mod likely to make good Subjects, and to difcharge their Duty beft, while they do it, not only for Wrath, but for Con- fcience fake, Rom. 13. 5*. So mofl certainly, upon this Ac- count alfo, 'tis incumbent upon the Civil Magiftrate, and one great End of his Office, to maintain and fupport the Fear and Honour of God, by ptmifkhtg thofe who do evil, and praifing them that do well, i Pet. x. 14. But then 'tis plain, that thefe Confiderations are of a 'Po- litical, and not merely of a Religious Nature : For the Honour of God, confider'd abftradredly from the Good of Civil So- ciety, and as it concerns himfelf only, cannot be thus pro- moted ; and is, what he has infinite Ways of maintaining, and taking care of, without being beholden to the Secular Arm. To concluae : Since Religion and Civil Government are, in their Original, End, Bufmefs, and in everything elfe be- longing to them, thus perfectly diftincl 1 , and entirely diffe- rent from each other ; it would put an End to many Contro- verfies, and make very much for the Peace and Quiet botjh of Church and State, if Men would obferve this Diftindiqji, and each Party would keep within their refpedive Bounds/ This would hinder them from clafhing and interfering with one another, and would prevent thofe Heats and Ani- mofities, thofe Acl:s of Violence and Rapine, Cruelty and Oppreflion, that have abounded in the Chriftian World up- on Account of Religion. Let the Minifters of the Gofpel keep, or be kept, to their Duty. Let them preach the Gofpel of Peace, and not found the Trumpet of War. Let them mind their own Bufmefs, which is the Salvation of Mens Souls, by teaching and per- fuading them, both by their Doctrine and Example, both publickly and privately, to deny Ungodl'mefs and worldly Lufts, and to live righteoufly, foberly, and godly in this pre- fent World : And let them not ftretch themfelves beyond their Line, by meddling with the Affairs of Stare, and ma- king themfelves more Minifters of the Government, than Minifters of the Gofpel of Chrift. And 24. A Sermon Prectcttd before, &c. And let tht Magijlrate too confine himfelf to his own proper Bufmefs, and attend to the worldly Welfare of the Common- wealth, and inftead of exercifmg his Power in bind- ing other Men's Confciences by Human Laws, let him take care to conform his own Confcience to the Laws of God y and direct all his Counfels and Endeavours to promote uni- verfally the Civil Welfare of all his Subjects. * And let him not think that he bears the Sword in vain, unle(s he employs vurltC* ***'' t i. J Toleration, it in the Caufe of God and Religion. It was not put into his ST 6 '^ Hands for this Ufe, nor can it be apply *d to this Purpofe with any good Effed:. It was given him for quite other Ends, and he will find Work enough for it in deciding Ci- vil Controversies, without meddling with thofe of a Reli- gions Nature ; in executing Judgment and Juflice between one Man and another ; in breaking the JaWs of the Wicked^ and plucking the Spoil out of his Teeth ; in checking and con- troulmg the arrogant and ungovernable, in preventing or puniihing all Fraud and Injuftice, Violence and Oppreflion, and in fupprefling Faction and Tumult, Sedition and Rebelli- on. I fay, thefe and fuch like Particulars will afford the Ma- gift rate fiifficient Exercife for his Sword, without turning the Edge of it again ft falfe Doftrine, Herejy, and Schifm. And if Civil Magiftrates, and Minifters of the Gofpel, would thus contain themfelves within their own Bounds,there would be the mofl exad Harmony and Agreement between them ; and we might hope to fee the Prophet's Predi- ction fulfill'd, concerning tlk happy State of the Church or Kingdom ofChrift ; when the Wolf ft all dwell with the Lamb, and the Leopard ft all lie down with the Kid', and the Calf, and the ymtng Lion, and the Fatling together, and a little Child ftall lead them. When the Cow and the Bear ftall feed, their young ones ftall lie down together ; and the Lion ftall eat Straw like the Ox. When the fucking Child ftall play on the Hole of the Afp, (in;! the weaned Child ftall put his Hand on the Cockatrice Den. When they ftall not hurt nor deflroy in all God's holy Mountain. Then ivonld Mercy and Truth meet together, Righ- teoiifnefs and Peace would ktfs each other. Which God of liis infinite Mercy grant, dv. F I N I S. \BAKE R's ' . S E R M O N, ill ^ Preach'd before the Honourable Houfe of Commons, : 3,'sl\' - On Monday, January 50. 1720. Mart is 31 die Jan. 1710, Ordered, HAT the Thanks of this Houfe be given to the Reverend Do&or Baker, for the S E R M o N by him Preach'd before this Houfe Yefterday, at St. Margaret's Weftminfter 5 and that he be defired to Print the feme - r and that Mr.SecretaryCr^gi and Mr. Plumptre, do Ac- quaint him therewith. \ Paul Jodrelt. Cler' Dom' Com'. Preach'd before the Honourable Houfe of C o M M o N s 5 A T St. MARGARET'S, Weftminfter, On Monday, January 50. 1720. BEING The Anniverfary of the Martyrdom of King CHILES I. By WILLIAM BAKER, D. D. WA R D E N of Wadham College , RECTOR, of St. Giles's in the Fields, And CHAPLAIN in Ordinary to His MAJESTY- LONDON: Printed for B E N j. C o w s E, at the ; ;; o r -j .i . '.i r:i ;i i A i and Nation, that Gentle and Compofing Spirit did not longer continue ? which could 8 A Sermon Preached before the could not have fail'd at that Happy Jim- 6hire to have made this our Sion the Joy of the whole Earth. But'the Union of Proteftants was not at that Time the Thing in View; "Different Meafures were taken 5 And 'tis to be fear'd the Methods too commonly pra&is'd on this Day, have by our mutual Revilings given great Advantage to the common Enemy : Tis now Seventy two Years fince the Unnatural Wickednefs of this Day was committed $ The Aftors of it are long fince Dead. And the Action it ielf, by the prefent Age, univerfally Con- demn'd and Abhor r'd,- The avow cl Prin- ciples of all our different Sects, Papifts only excepted, obliging to Loyalty and Obedience. To what Purpofe then is fo much Wrath and Bitternefs againft thofe who profefs to hate all Rebellion as they do Witchcraft ? Are fuch Invectives intend- ed to upbraid Men with the Faults of their Anceftors ? It ought to be - confider'd, that the Defendants of the active Men in thofe Times, have in a very remark- able Honourable Houfe of Commons'. able manner Changed Sides, and would for the moft part be ready to Support the Caufe their Fathers fo violently Op- pos d. But he only who is without Sin ought in Decency or Juftice to throw a Stone at the Guilty 5 And where can we find an In- nocent Party in the Nation ? What De- nomination of Men was there Uncon- cern'd in bringing thisGreat Evil upon us ? Tho' the Odium and the Load of Guilt be generally thrown upon one Sort bf Men, and one Sett of Principles, yet did All in their feveral Turns help on the Impend- ing Storm 5 and 'tis not eafie to deter- mine, whether the Principles of Refift- ance in fome Cafes, or thofe of Abfo- liite and Unlimited Obedience, did moft contribute to the Diftra&ions and Defo- lation that enfued. The Truth is, Tlw whole Head was Sick, and the whole Heart Faint 3 from the Sole of the Foot, even unto the Head, there was. no Soundnefs in it 3 but Wounds, and Srui/es, and Putrifymg Sores, which were not clofed, nor bound up, nor mollified with Ointment. An B unhappy 10 unhappy Difference began between the King and Parliament about Prerogative , and Privilege, and Extent of Power $ and all Orders of Men were at Different Times, and after Different Manners, by Omiffion or Commiflion, concern'd ei- ther in Beginning orWidening the Breach 5 So that neither the Court, nor Senate, nor Judges, nor Clergy, nor City, nor Coun- try, can be wholly excus'd from being the Authors of their own Deftru&ion : Every one wanted either the Power, or Skill, or Inclination to Interpofe j fothat the Conteft went on, and was inflam'd to that Degree by Mutual Provocations, that, tho' at firft it appeared but as it were a little Cloud artfing out of the Sea, like a Man's Hand, it gather'd into fuch a violent Storm, as carried all before it, and end- ed not but with the Deftru&ion of King and Parliament, Religion and Liberty. As the Calamity was common, fo was the Previous Guilt that occafion'd it ; And now God has vouchfaf 'd, almoft at the Expenfe of a Miracle, to Reftore to us our Ancient Legal Government both in i Church Honourable Houfe of Commons. 1 1 Church and State 5 to Prevent our running any more into tie fame Excefs of f?fy)f, and confequently into the Same, or Greater Miferies, I have chofen for the Subject of my Difcourfe thefe Words of our Savi- our on Occafion of a like Miracle 3 And doubt not but to make it appear, that in ourPrefent Circumftances, the Admoni- tion is as Proper and Appofite to this whole Nation, as it was to the Perfon in my Text, Behold, Thou art made Whole 3 Sin no more, left a worfe Thing come unto thee. The Excellent Advice of our Saviour, to One whom he had cur'd of an Infirmi- ty he had laboured under for Thirty and Eight Years: He had waited long at the Pool of Bethefda for Relief, but was ftill Difappointed, fome other always (leaping down before him. Jefus had Companion on him, and asking him if he was w'dlmg to be made Whole ? prefently faith unto him, <%ife, take up tby Bed, and Walk ,* and Immediately tie Man was made Wbolt y and took up bis Bed, and walked. Afterward Jefus findeth him in the Temple, and being the Great Phyfician both of Soul and Body, gave him this B z feafonable feafonable Counfel, Behold, thou art mack Whole 3 fen no more, left a rporfe Ihmg come unto thee. In which Words are contained, i' fly A Suppofition, that this Man's Sins had been the Caule of his Infirmity 3 Sin no more.. ^dly :> Here is Mention made of a Sudden, and a Verfett Cure, Effe&ed by One from whom there was not the leaft Expe6tance of Relief*. idly. Here is a Caution, and Advice given him, not to Repeat his former Sins. And, 4fW)f,' A Denunciation of fome Greater Affliction that fhou'd befall him, in cafe of a Relapfe. I {hall not labour to Force, or Strain this Paflage of Scripture, to make the Hiftory, of which my Text is a Part, and That of the late Rebellion, and Reiteration exattly Parallel in all their Gir- cumftances : 'Tis enough for my prefent Purpofe, that tKere is a G(.e/emblance be- tween them 3 and this I hope to prove by Examining the Particulars now men* tion'd.. ifl y Here. Honourable Houfe of Commons, , Here is a Suppofition, that this Man's Sins had been the Caufe of his In- firmity. We ufually Diftinguiflh between the Evils we bring upon our felves, by our own Voluntary Aft and Default 5 And fuch as are inflicted on us by 'Providence 3 But, properly fpeaking, All Evil is from our Selves, and the Fruit of our own Doings : 3 Tis never the Voluntary Work of God, but, either the Natural Confequence, and Product of our Sin 5 or fuch as our Sins have made Neceflary for us by way of Difcipline, and in order to our Greater Good. Did the Almighty ever Affltfc willingly, or grieve th Children of Men 3 had He no other View in the Sufferings 01 his Creatures, but only that they fliou d Suf- fer, Feel Pain and Mifery, it wou'd be difficult to reconcile fuch a Treatment with the Notions we have of His Good- nefs. But he has many Excellent Ends in fending Afflictions 3 and every Affli- ction is intended to be Beneficial to the Perfon it Affe&s. What 4 A Sermon Treactfd before the What was the Particular Sin of the In- firm Man in the Text, is not mentioned $ But the Sins of this Nation, that cried to Heaven for Vengeance, are Obvious to the moft Superficial Inquirer. The King, in his own Perfon, was a Bright and Shining Example of Piety, and all Chriftian Vertues 5 But Pride, Excefs, and Uncommon Luxury pre- vail 'd in the Court : To Support which Uncommon Methods were taken, and many Grievous Impofitions laid, on the People 5 One of the Created of which, was unhappily Juftified by a Solemn Sentence, and Decifion at Law, which depriv'd Men of their Properties, and Patience at Once, To mention All the Inftances of this Kind wou'd be Unfea- fonable, and before this Honourable Au- ditory, Unneceflary, But whenRedrefs was Offer'd, and many Valuable Con- ceflions befides, the Fault muft lie at the Door of the Refufers. As to the Clergy, many of them Vindi- cated and Encourag'd the Proceedings of the Miniftry, and were for Giving All to Honourable Houfe of Common?. -- .. _ ---. to Cdfar 3 Others, on the Contrary, Hu- mour'd the Madnefs of the Times, and either Led, or Follow'd the People into Fears, Jealoufies and Difcontents, till at laft they Preach'd up Direct Sedition, and Rebellion, were for Curfing Meroz^ ami Binding flings in Chains. The City, the faithful City, became an Har- ht 3 and after having Infulted the King in his Palace, was with little Difficulty prevailed on to meet him in the Field. The Common People by Peace and Plenty, and Bad Example, were grown Wanton and Wicked, Proud and Infolent j confecjuently very apt to De/pife Domini- ons, and /peak, Evil of Dignities 5 And hav- ing fo well Prepar'd themfel ves for Change and Confufion, for this Caufe God Jent them Strong Delufion to believe a Lye, the moft Monftrous and Incredible Lyes that De. figning Men cou'd invent to Terrify the Vulgar, and make their Governors Odi- ous. This was the Degenerate State of all Orders and Degrees amongft us ; All were in fome meafure Culpable, more or lefs Inftrumentai Inftrumental in the Horrible Infamy o this Day. And fhall not God vifit for thefe Things * Shall He not be Avengd on fuch a Nation as this t Tho' there be often in this World one .Event to the (Rjghteous and to the Wicked, God was pleas'd to Deal with us here after our Sins, and Reward us according to our Ini- quities: He foon pour'd out full Vials of His Wrath, to the utter Defolation of a Flourishing Kingdom, and the Lofs of every Thing valuable in Life. And whoever confiders the near Re- femblance there was between the 5m and the Tunijhnent of this Nation, will be convinced by the very Likenefs, that One was Inflicted for the Sake of the Other ; And that it was the Intention and Defign of Him who knows how to bring Good out of Evil, to Point out to us by the Punifli- ment, the very Particular Sin that occa- fion'd it. This Method of God's Punifliing Men by the Same Things wherein they Sinn'd, is taken notice of by the Author of the Book of Wijdom ; And he juftifies his Ob-. 2 fervation Honourable Houfe of Commons. ftrvation, by the Divine Vengeance ,on the Egyptians, in two or three remarkable Inftances, that were exceedingly Adapted to the Sins of that People. I flhall uie the Words of that Author, For a mamfeft $(e proof of that Commandment whereby the In- fants iverejlun, luch their Cruelty was pu- nifli'd with Turning their Rivers into Blood 5 Their Purfuit of the Ifraelites into the tf^edSea, with their own Deftru&ion $ their ftupid Idolatry in worjhipping Serpents Void of uft, by thofe very Powers it had Attempted to Leflen and Reduce 5 And nothing cou'd Atone for the Dangerous Attempt > till the King himfelf was made the Sa- crifice. The Prime Minifter of that Reign, as the Noble Hiftorian obferves, had his Pride ftrangely Punifh'd by the Hand of Heaven 5 His Deftru&ion being brought on him by two Things that he moft De- fpis'd, the People , and a Gentleman whom he had Provok d Wantonly, and out of Contempt. The Lords Spiritual, who were by fome thought too Converfant and Med- ling in Secular Affairs, were, for that Reafon, as was pretended, Devefted of their Antient and Undoubted Right, their Votes in Parliament, and all Temporal Jurifdiction. The Lords Temporal, who did not Interpofe with that Vigour their Station feem'd to Require, in the Controverfy between the King and his People, were ia a. few Years Voted Ufdefs by that 2, Houfe II r "- - " . ,|. I n._lll . Honourable Houfe of Commons. 1 9 Houfe of Commons they had fo much Favourd. The Commons, who had Rais'd an Army without Warrant of Law, had the Mortification to fee themfelves Turn'd out of their Houfe by that Army, and the whole Parliamentary Conftitution De- ftroy'd. The Army, the Immediate Inftru- ments of this Day's Complicated, Con- fummate Wickednefs, had no Reward for their Impious Services : But tho' high- ly concerned in Point of Intereft to Main- tain what they had Done 5 And their li- nked Strength feem'd Invincible, became very Providentially Divided, and Broken into Parties, by which their Force grew lefs and lefs Confiderable, till they were at length Disbanded, and fent Home with Infamy. Neither of the Contending Parties had their End 3 The Royalifts Stretched the Prerogative, till they Broke and Deftroy'd it. The other Party ftrove for Liberty and Privilege, till they made themfelves Slaves. C z In o A Sermon Preached before the In the Church, Some by Infifting on Ceremonies, and Innovations, loft their Liturgy, arid the whole Ecclefiaftical Go- vernment. Others Prefs'd fo long for Greater Purity, and a Farther Reformation, 'till they had Rais'd a Thoufand Abfurd Se<5ts . in the Nation, who Fill'd it with Enthufiafm, Blafphemy, and Nonfenfe. Thefe were the Righteous Judgments of God, tho' Effeded by the Wicked- nefs, or Weaknefs of Men 5 Guilt, or Extreme Folly, always went before 'Deflru- ttion 5 which in All its Circumftances car- ry 'd inch Plain Marks, and Indications of Divine Juftice, and an Over-ruling Providence, that every One cou'd fee the Finger of .God in the Puniflhment. idly, There is in my. Text Mention made of a Sudden, and a Terfeft Cure, Effected by One from whom the Perfon Cured had not the leaft Expectance of Relief. So Sudden, that the Man was made Whole Immediately, as foon as the Word cou d be Spoken. So Per/eft, that he had Strength lufficient to Jak* up bis Bed and So UnexpeHd } that, as far as ap- pears, Honourable Houfe of Commons. pears, his Thoughts were wholly Fix'd on the Pool of ! Bethefda, where he had lain a long while, and did Defpair of a Recovery., till his Own Strength, or the Charity ,of others fhould Help him into thofe Healing Waters. o . To make our National Deliverance Parallel to this Cure, we may confider, That after a Long Night of Thick, and Horrible Darknefs, at a Time when De- fpair Fill'd every Bread, and all the little Remainder of Hopes was Extinct, did the Sun, without almoft any Preceding Twilight, the ufual Notice of his Ap- proach, Break out as at Noon-day, and Difpell the Black Cloud that Enc.om- pafs'd us. There appeared fuch an Emu- lation, and Impatience in all Sorts of Men to Return to their Obedience, that as the Hiflorian Remarks, A Man coud not but Wonder^ where Thofe f Peofk Dmlt who had done all the Mifchlef. And as thefe Inftantaneous Conver- fions muft be thought little leis than Mi- raculous, fo the Almighty, whofe Cures are Always Perfect, and His Miracles never A Sermon Preached before the never done by Halves, Reftor d this Na- tion to its Full Strength, and Antlent Vi- gour in All its Parts 5 The King, the Par- liament, the Church, the People found themfelves in their Former Happy State, and Condition 5 Only that the Rights of Each were more Afcertain'd, and the Boundaries of Power better Underftood, than Ever before. If any thing can Add to the Luftre of this Deliverance, it was this Circum- ftance, That it was Effected without the Interpofition of Foreign Princes, or the Afliftance of Foreign Troops, or any Obligation to Strangers. As the Lame Man in my Text, Ex- pected no Cure but from the Waters of <8ethefda, did not fo much as l(nov> Jefus, and fo cou d have no Thoughts of Re- lief from Him 5 For He that was Healed, wift not who He was that had Healed him ; So the King had not the leaft Profpect of a Re- ftoration, but from an Union of Neigh- bouring Princes to Revenge the Injuries done to Monarchy 5 This muft have made our Country a Scene of Blood, and and Defolation $ But was Happily Pre- vented by a Voluntary, and Univerfal Change made in the Hearts, and Affe- (Stions of the People. For it was not the Death of the Ufurper, nor the Un- fitneis of his Succeflbr, nor the Intereft of the General, nor the Feeble Efforts of the Royal Party that Brought about the King's Happy Return 5 But by God's Bleffing the Happy Return of the Nation to their Senfes : A Wearinefs of Changing, when every Change they made was real- ly from Bad to Worfe $ A Long, and Sad Experience, how Unworthy the feveral Wild Schemes of Government, that fuc- eeflively Prevail'd, were to be Compar d to the Old Legal EftablhTiment. There is One Circumftance in the Behaviour of the Impotent Man <*fier his Cure, that I know not how to Accom- modate to the Times dfter the Reftora- tion 3 Je/us found him in the Temple, Praifing God for His Mercy, and laying the Vows which he Promised with bis Lips, when he was in Trouble. Had we the fame Good Dif- pofition 4fter our Deliverance, as Before * Were 24 *'A Sermon Preached before the Were xve Eminent for .Frequenting the Houfe of God ? Did we Learn (Rjvhteouf- ncfs from the Judgments we had Felt ? This was the Intention of Providence 3 And this Ought to have been the Confe- cjuence. But fuch was our Perverfneis, and Ingratitude, that Religion, both as to Form, and fower vifibly Declined, and the Improvements we made were in Vice only, and Excefs of Riot 3 And Great Examples gave fuch Credit, and Repute to the Growing Evil, as was but little ihort of a Sanction, and Eftablifhment. So Prone are Men to Run from One Extreme to Another, That becaufe in the Late Times Religion was Proftituted to the Woril Purpofes, and Men Con- ceal d the moft Wicked- Defigns. under the Cover of great Stri<5lnefs, and Sancti- ty 5 Therefore now, to "fliefcv. their Ab- horrence of inch Practices, it was thought neceiiary Men fliouid keep at the Great- eft Diilance poffible from Any Shew or Af- pMriMct ot Religion. The Confequence of which v.vis, that Profaneinefs and Im^ morality \vcre too Commonly thought not Honourable Houfe of Commons. 2 5 not only Confiftent with, but even Ne- ceffary to the Character of a Good Sub- ject 5 So that many Jud^'d it Conveni- ent to put on the Fafliionable Drefs, and by a new Kind of Hypocrify, to Appear Worfe than they were, to Avoid being Sufpe&ed. I come now 3 C Mr. Richard Goodwinl Thomas Tichll Efq; > < Mr. John Pierfon. Mr. Philip Robinjbn. j C Mr. Robert Ward. STEWARDS For the late FEAST of the SONS of the CLERGY, THIS P n E A o H'D and- PRINTED At Their Requeft, Is DEDICATED, By their molt Affectionate and Humble Servant, Jofeph Smith. (I ..V. . t H . H V^"; , -\,,^. I C O R. iv. 2. Moreover it is required in Stewards, that a Man be found faithful. HESE Words, if taken fingly by themfelves, imply the gene- ral Obligation of the Office of a Steward^ in f whomfoever 'tis inverted ; that -as there is a Tmfl f epos'd in the Perfons that bear it ,- fo they ought to be ftriftly Faithful, and Juft in its Difcharge. And this is a Qualification fo neceffarily included in the very Name of a Steward, that whether it be taken in a Civil, or Spiritual Meaning, it holds good to them Both, and in Both is required: Though the Latter only is the Senfe in which 'tis here to be underftood. *f pro i B and 2 The Faithful Stewardship. and This too limited, and reftrain'd by the Context to a more Definite Application. The Word Stewardship, in its Spiritual, or Scriptural Acceptation, is ufually confider'd under a Twofold View j either as it relates, i/2, to the Gift! , and Talents, or Endowments of Men in their General Capacity : Or, idly, to the Personal Characters, Funtfions, or Offi- ce^ which fome Men, above Others, are in- vefted with, for the Servjce, and Edification of God's Church, and People, or the Publick Benefit of Civil Government, and Society. But as the Words of my Text bear an Im- mediate Relation to the Foregoing Verfe , which retrains this Stewardship to the Spiri- tual Miniftry of the Afoftks, and their Succef- fors } (a Subject 1 judge more fuitable to the Principal Part of this Eminent Audience, to whom I have the Honour to addrcfs this Difcourfe ) 1 (hall treat of them chiefly un- der that Definite Senfe ? and confider, I. The great Authority, and Importance of this Spiritual Stewardfljip, as it re- lates to the Clergy 3 * and 3 II. The ftria Obligation it brings upon Thofe, who are ^mrufted r wit&w^ 4> be confcientiouily F and Com- mand over his Fellow-Servants, to regulate their Behaviour , and to affign each of them their due Share both of Labour and Pro- vifion ; and ought therefore to be Honour' d and Refpecled by them. i Tim. v. Owhat double Honour then are they to be accounted worthy, who are appointed Stew- ards and Rulers over that Spiritual Houjhold, MAxxiv. of which Chrift is the Head, whofe: Conver- 45. fation they are to watch over, whofe Works of Duty they are to direft, and whofe Por- tions of Spiritual Nourifhment , from the Bread of Eternal Life, they : are Severally to difpenfc. All which, as it ihews the Power and Dignity of this Commijjiw> fo does ir, idly, The Excellency and Sublimity of the Subjects 'tis to be exercis'd upon,' which is here exprefs'd in general by the Myfterief of God, i. e. the Myfterief of his Word, his Sacraments , and his Santtiom, for the Edi- fying of his Church, and the Salvation of Souls. fffo The Faithful Stewardship. Princes and Magiftratet have indeed a great Power and Authority lodg'd in Them, and that top from God. But it reaches no farther than to the Security of the Bodier and Eftates of Men, the Enacting and Enfor- cing of Temporal Laws and Statutes for the Adminiftration of Juftice , and the Peace and Profperity of the Civil Government. And what Proportion do thefe Things bear to the Safety of the Soul, the Peace of the Confidence, and the Stability oFCbrift's Kingdom ? Can the Publication of Humane Editts be thought of Equal Importance with the Preaching of the Divine Word, by which the Eternal Laws and Decrees of Heaven are unfolded ? Can the Admini- ftring of Juftice, to fecure Mens Civil Pro- perttfs, vie Excellence with the Adminiftra- tion of the Sacraments of Chrift's Church, for the conferring of Grace? Or can H#- mane Santtionr be compar'd to the Power ..of Abfohing and Remitting of Sins, of pro- miiing Peace and Pardon in Chrift's Name to the Penitent, and denouncing Future Judgments to the Difobedient and unbeliev- ing? No 5 thefe things are too unequal to be put in the ame ScaTe ; they are as widely diftant as* Spiritual and Carnal, (or Tem- * V.Chyf*. de Sacerd. Lib. 3. 'Isp&xroW o _ yjf? M vo7ifu 'B&ffih&Af %rnxtv , oVo^ n^go'ftft- T" ^ Satp&Qf T^ fxij'or* &c J \ poraL) > i i 6 The Faithful Stewardjltip. poral. ).A n d the Cowparifort indeed is fo Jhocking, that 'tis fcarce poflible for Chri^ (Hans, who have not finn'd away the Senfe of; God and their Religion, to entertain a Thought of it. And yet fo Loofe are Mens Notions in this Pree-think'wg Age, that I am apprehcn^ five, while I am fpeaking of the Authority of the Priefthood, arid the Sublimity of its Fun- ttiom, 1 may be thought too much by fome to magnify my Office , and too much perhaps to derogate from that of the Cm/ Magi- Pirate. But I may be pardon'd, I hope, when I explain my (elf, (as it will be expected I ftiouid) by making a very juft and necef- fary Diftinftion between thePerfons, and their runtlwn , between a Superiority in ure Spirituals, and a Superiority in Civil and Temporal Affairs. That the Perfons of the Clergy are equally under the Power and Authority of their Prihce with the reft of the People $ that an equal Honour and Allegiance is due from them to hit Crown, and an equal Obedience and Subjection to bif Laws, is what None of that Order prefume to deny : They muft fly in the Face of riiek Profeflion when they do it. It muft likewife be granted, that as the Power of excercifing an Ecclefiaftical Jurif- diction in the Government -of the Church is ikriv'd alfo from the Sanctions of the The Faithful Stewardship. 7 Authority, by which even our Church itfelf was firft eftablifti'd ; fo in that Refpeft too, as well as the Other, the Clergy fcruple not to own their Inferiority, and to fubmit them- fefoes to every Ordinance of Man for the Lord'f i Pet. \i. fake. K All the Authority they claim. Superior to, and Independent on the State, is with a fpe- cial Regard to thofe Atts only that arc purely Spiritual, viz. the Afts of Ordaining, Confirm- ing and Confecrating in the Bifliops $ and the Acts of Difpenfing God's Word, and Sa+ craments, ofBleJfing, Interceding, f dnd Abfokv* ing in Chrift's Name, which the whole Prieft- hood in general have an equal Right to the Excercife of. And that this is a Right PeculianoThem, Exclufive of all Others, is evident not only from the proper Import of the Words now explained, but from the whole Tenor of Chrift's GOSPLL, and the End of hislNSTi- For to whom did Chrift deliver that fpe- cial Commiifion recorded by S.Matthew, G& ye, and tench all Nation?, baptizing them in xxviii * the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of 1? * the Holy Ghofl ? And to whom did he ad- drefs himfelf,when he elfewhere fays 5 ^j^- foever Sins ye remit , they are remitted unto3-** ihew, and whofe-foe'ver Sim ye retain, they '^' are retain d? Were not both thefc Powers immediately deliver'd tQ-th&Apoftlef them- 8 The Faithful Stewardship. fefoef, and in them to their Succeffors through all Future Generations ? How elfe could that Solemn Promife, which is annexed to the Former, of Chrift's - being with them to the EntLof the World, be verify'd and fulfill'd ? How elfe could the In- ftitutions of his Word and Sacraments be re- gularly difpens'd, or the Government and Edification of his Church promoted ? His Apoftlef were but Men, and to die therefore as fuch, and moft of them much fooner than the Courfe of Nature would allow. And what then muft become of thefe feveral Miniftrationf, when Nature, or Violence, put an end to their Lives ? Muft every Man take upon him -to be a Priefl to himfelf ? Or, muft all thofe, who fhould pretend to be Gifted in Spiritual f, af- fume a Liberty to teach, and mlnifter therein to Others ? This would have been breaking in upon thofc plain Rules of the Apoftle, thac ' ^-No man can take this Honour to himjelf, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron -, and that None can preach,except they befent. It would confound all the Notions of Order, and Di- ftinclion in Chrift's Church, and we fhould fiavc as many Religiont, as there are different Meads, and Ways of Thinking in the World. But muft Chrift's Church and Kingdom on Earth then be diiTolv'd, and no Others com- miilionM in his Name and Stead to difcharge this weighty Function? God forbid. His Care and Concern for the Being of hit Churchy and 7 he Faithful Stewardship, and the Execution of his Laws, is as Un- changeable as Himfelf, the fame Teflerday, to- day, and for ever. And to this Purpofe we are aflfur'd, that before he afcended up on High, he appointed not only Prophets, Apoftler, and Ewnge- lifts j but a continued Succeflion of Paftors alfo, and Teacher?, for the Perfecting of the Saints, for the Work of the Miniftry, and for theEdifyingof the Body of Chrifl, tillwejhdl all come, in the Unity of Us Spirit, to be made Perfect in Him, Perfect in Faith, and Perfect in Glory. I might here farther enlarge (if the Hour would allow it) upon the Certainty of this Succejfion, and the Regularity of it, from the conftant Pra&ice of the Church in all Ages. I might likewife infift upon the Sin- gular Authority the Clergy alone have to mi- nifter in Things Spiritual, and contribute my Mite toward the Exploding the Pernicious Notions that have been of late but too popu- larly advanc'd, againft their claiming that Authority, and the Efficacy of their Bene- dicJions^ and Absolutions in Chrift's Name. But thefe Notions having been fo ftrenu- oufly , and judicioufly confuted by much Abler Pens,znd the Authors of them pufli'd fo far, till they have fcarce any thing left to fcreen them but Sophiftry and Prevarication, which always anfwers itfelf, I haften to the next General Head of my Difcourfe, to C which IO The Faithful Stewardship. which the main Drift of my Text is more immediately dire&ed, viz. II. The ftricl: Obligation which ardjhip brings on Thofe, who are en- trufted with it, to be confcientioufly Faithful and Juft in its Difcharge. In treating of which, if I happen to be led into any freedom of Speech, which might better perhaps become One of a Superior Rank, and Authority in the Church, I be- fpcak the Candor of my Brethren for a fa- vourable Conftruction of it j that they would take it (as 'tis truly meant) not in the Way of an Authoritative Inftrutfion, but as a Sea- finable Memento of the Importance of their Office, and the Fidelity it requires. 'Tis a jufl. and remarkable Sentence of our Saviour's , that Unto whomsoever much is given, of him ft all much be required. And 'tis in no Cafe more applicable, than in This now before us. For as the Steward- (hip of the Miniflry is of all Others the moft Noble and Important ; fo there's a greater Number and Meafure of Endowments re- quir'd to quality Men for it. There's a Foundation of ^rf/and Sciences. to be hud in the Schools of the Prophets^ and a Competency of Natural Pvrte^nd Endow^. nents fuppos'd to enable them t& raife the Superftruciurc of Divine knowltdgt to fuch a x. The Faithful Stewardship. \ \ a Degree of Perfe&ion, as to Teach Others in it. There mnft be a Readinefs of Apfn- henfion to difcern the Truth, and a Fidelity of Memory to retain due Notions of it; a So- lidity of Judgment to explain and unfold it, 1 and a Dexterity of Argument to prove and enforce it. There muft be a Propriety of Language to exprefs, of Eloquence to per- fuade, of Fradewc? to direct, and of Induftry, and Zeal, to apply all to Practice. And, what is above all thefe , there is a more efpecial Gift of the Spirit of Grace conferred on them at their Ordination to this Sacred Office, which they are ftri&ly requir'd to im- prove to Ei#/tf &c. The Former indeed are "talents which do feldom all center in One and the Same Per- fon : But as 'tis every Paflor^s Duty to endea- vour the Attainment of them, and come as near them as he can - y fo wherever they are, or in whatfoever Degree, they bring Each of them their feveral Obligations upon thefe Stewards, with Fidelity to employ them to the great Ends of Religion in the feveral Parts and Branches of their Duty. They are, i. To be Faithful to the People intheMiniftrationsof their Office j 2. Faith- ful to Chrifl's Church in its Support and De- fence ^ and, 3 . Faithful to Themfehes, and their Sacred Character, in adorning their Do- ftrine by the Regularity of their Lives, And, C 2 ift, 1 2 The Faithful Stewardship. ift, They are to be Faithful to the People in the Miniftrations of their Office. The Pub- licit Prayers of the Church , as they are the Pureft and Beft Standard of Primitive Devo- tion that ever was composed j fo they befpeak a Spirit of Zeal and Piety in the Reading of them > fuch as may communicate a likeSpi- rit to the People that attend them, and warm and enliven their Hearts in God's Worfhip* And the Service of the Altar is yet to be more Spiritual. 'Tis the Nobleft and moft Elevated Office of Divine Worjhif that the Priefl can perform, or the People partake of. With what an Awe then, and Reverence, fliould He that minifters therein approach the Table of the Lord ? To what a Pitch of De- votion fhould his Heart be rais'd in Confe- crating the Sacred Elements of Chrift's Body and Blood? And how Gravely and Solemn- ly fhould he Adminifter them to the People, to infpire them with a like Reverence in the Receiving of them, and engage them to offer up the true Sacrifice of their &?#//, that they may be entitled to the glorious Benefits of the Great Sacrifice they commemorate ? And then for the Duty of the Pulpit, tho*. 'tis not of Equal Excellence with the Ordi- nances now mention'd ; yet it calls for great Abilities^ and great Efforts of Zeal, and Pru- dence to fulfill it. The true and Faithful Paflor is not to accommodate his Doftrines to the Times, to wrefl and difguife the Scriptures in Uvour of a Party, or model them to the Hu- The Faithful Stewardship. 1 3 Humours and Vices of Great Men , for the Sake of Advancement : But with the utmoft Sincerity, Perfpicuity, and Exa&nefs, rightly 2 Tim. ii. to divide, and expound the Word of Truth i M to keep back nothing of what is given him in Charge to deliver , but unrefervedly to de- clare the Whole Counfel of God. Nor is he ASs xx* only to lay open, and explain Chrift's Do- 27> citrines, but to urge, and enforce them with fuch Evident Proofs, fuch Convincing Argu- ments , as their moft Obftinate Adversaries Jhall not be able juftly to gainfaft or refift. And farther , that Mens Conversation , as well as their faith , may be agreeable ta Chrift's Gofpel, He is accurately to State the Bvunds of every Grace and every Vertue^ as* they fall under his Coniideration, to obviate the Several Scruples and Difficulties rais'd about them , and with all the Juftnefs of Thought and Elegance of Exprejfion, that he is indeed Mafter of, to apply and ftrike them home to the Affections of his Hearers , and awaken, and perfuade each, in their diffe- rent Capacities, to reduce them to Praftice. But befides Thefe , there are fome other Occasional Duties that attend the Cure of Souls, which require much Difcretion, and Difcernment of Mind , as well as the moft refolute, and unwearied Application. The Sick are to be vifited , the Scrupulous fatif- fy'd,the Weakfupported, and the Fallen rais'd; the Stray' d are to be reduc'd , the Wavering- coniirm'd., and thofe that are ^.Variance re- con- - co 14 The Faithful Stewardfoip. concil'd to Each Other. To all which, pro.' per 'Remedies are feverally to be a d mini- fter'd , and proper Cautions, Exhortations, and Reproofs too apply'd. And yet io Different are the Inclinations, 1 fo Inconftant the Tempers of the Genera- lity of Mankind , that almoft every Single Perfon is to be addrefs'd to, and dealt with in a Method peculiar to the Circumftances he is under. All which, as it fhews the Diffi- culty of this Spiritual Steward/hip ; fo does it likevvife the Obligations of being Faithful in its Difcharge, by following the Example of that great Apoftle S. Paul, who tells us in the like Cafe, that he became all Things to all Men, that he might by all means fave fome. But , zdly, ThcClergy are not only to be Faith- ful in the Miniflrations of their Office j but Faithful to Chrift's Church in its Support and Defence i in Maintaining the Publick Ho- nour and Intereft of it againft the Teacheries and Impoftures of its Pretended Friends i as well as the Open Aifaults of its more pro- fifrd Emmie s^ who aim at nothing lefs than Subverting its Eftablifljment, and Rooting up the very Foundations of Chriflianity itjelf. The Church ofCbrift 9 CQa6&od in its Mili- tant State, has never yet been free from the Snares and Attach of Ill-dellgning Men 5 and never was it more Openly Expos'd to them than at Prefent. And therefore, as its Emmies are always Aclive,and Induftrious to Sup- . . ... ^ The Faithful Steward/hip. Supplant it j fo fhould the Clergy, (who, un- der the Divine Providence, are appointed its Guardians) exert the Utmoft of their Vi- gilance , and Zeal in its Support, They are to labour in God'f Husbandry, the Field of his Church, and watch over, and cultivate the Good Seed he has fown in it ,- left the Enemy come, and 'mingle it with Tares, and difappoint him of the narveft he Afor.xi expecls to reap from it. Theyare not, like 24> 2 5* Hireling?, to fhrink, and flee away, when the Wolf approaches , but, like good Shepherds, toftand in the Gap againft all the Invaders of this Spiritual Fold, and guard their Flockf from being ek4)ottr*d by the Beafts of the For- reft, even at the Hazard of their Lives. In a word, They muft be continually Wreftllng againft the Malice and Fury, the Fraud and Subtilty of their Earthly, as well as their Infernal Enemies; and amidft all the En- croachments of Licentioufnefs and Profane- nefs, all the Storms of Herefy and Schijm in the Church,&nd all the Concuflions of Sedition in the State , muft maintain their True Prin- ciples Firm and Unfliaken, even tho' they lie Firft in theWay to fuffer 5 and fmart for them. For this 'tis highly neceflfary, that they fliould be accoutred with the whole Armour of God, the Shield of Faith, the Helmet ofSaU ^.vi. vation, and the Sword of the Spirit ; that they l<5) I?0 may be able to ft and againft the Wiles of the De- nd quench all theFiery Darts of the Wick- 6 The Faithful Steward/hip. eh that are level'd againft the Church, the Sanctuary of God. But, $dly 9 To make this Spiritual Armour yet more compleat, they are, above all, to be r. 14. ve ft e d with the Breaft-PfateofRighteoufneft, an Exemplary Piety, and Unfpotted Conver- fation. They are to be Faithful to Them- fifoes, and their Sacred Character, in adorn- ing their Dottrine by the Regularity of their Livef. For without this , as They are too juftly and defervedly expos'd to the Cenfure, Contempt, and Dcipight of the People y as well as to the fevere Lalhes and Reproaches of their Own Conscience - y fo they can never hope for that Efficacy, and Succefs in their Miniftry, as will either anfwer the End of their being CaWd into Chrift's Vineyard , or entitle them to any Other Return of their Labours , than their being condemned as *. xxv. Wicked) and Unprofitable Ser the One Hand, and the Imputations of Sin- gularity and Want of Breeding on the Other, he holds faft the ProfeJJion of bis Faith with-0eb.x. out Wavering, and is advancing ftill Higher 2 3- in his Spiritual Progrefs, till he brings it to Perfection, to the Measure of the Stature oftheFulnefs ofChrifl. This is the true Pattern of the Faithful Paftors Life, which all, who bear that Cha- ratfer, fhould endeavour (as far as Infirmi- ties will allow) to imitate, and copy after,- by ft riving earneftly toflrine forth as Lights in the World j by reducing the feveral Gra- ces and Virtues They recommend to Others into Habits in c ?he?nfel f ves ; and by Living D up 1 8 The Faithful Stewardship. up to what they Preachy as well as Preach* ing what they Believe. From this View of the Qualifications of a Faithful Minifler , and the feveral Bran- ches of Duty he is oblig'd to difcharge, the Apoftle's Queftion may very jttftly be put, 2 cor. ii. Who if Sufficient for thefe Things ? And it may as juftly be anfwer'd, that None of us, in the utmoft Striftnefa and Equality of the Obligation, (as fome of the * Primitive Fa- thers have acknowledg'd of themfelves) can pretend to be fo. Ms. xiv. We are Men of Like PaJJions, and Infirmi- ties, with Others, and live in a Croaked and Per'verfe Generation, that are Deaf to our Counfelf, and Dcfpife our Reproofs. We meet with many Allurements to draw us from our Duty, and many Difficulties and Difcouragements in the due Difchargc of it. We have Calumnies zndReproacbes in Return for all our Libows^ and create almoft as ma- ny Enemies by telling them the 'Truth , as Others do Ftiends by flattering them in their Errors. But none of thefe Things are to deterr us from our Duty ; nor is it reafonable they ihould. For however Infufficient we may be of Outfit-vet for this High and Weighty tuniiion ; yet if we in Earned difcharge it to the Utmoft of our Power, we have the Promifc of Chrift's Spirit both to help our In- fir wilier, and to worlt^ to jninifler, to edify A V. Gn-g, :w-^ jfoi, A. and ctr-f* dc Sacerd. Lib. 6. to* The Faithful Stewardship. 19 together with us for the Salvation of Souls. And what greater Sufficiency can we expect, 2 Cor.i or defire, than that which is of God ? * The Work of Cotrbtrfion depends not fole- ly on the Force of our own Abilities, on the Flowers of "Rhetor ickjfac Accuracy of Style ^ the Strength of Human Arguments. But 'tis the Power of God's Word, and the Influence of his Grace^on which we are to found our Chief Hopes of Succefs. So that, if we faithfully do Our Part in the Difcharge of our Office, We have nothing elfe to do, but to leave the Iflfue to the Wife Counfel, and Ap- pointment of God, who Alone has the Hearts of Men in his Difpofal, and models, and turns them juft as he pleafes. Nor ought the Ungrateful Returns, or /// Treatment^ we meet with, to be any more difcouraging, than our Inabilities are, for the StewardJJoip that is afiign'd us. We ought, with Patience, to bear the Wounds and R?- proaches we receive in the Caufe of Religion ; and tho' we are allow'd,for our own Safety, to join the Wtfdom of the Serpent to the Inno- Matt. x. cence of the Dove j yet it behoves us with all <*. Boldnefs to rebuhthc Growth of Vice, Infi- delity, and Error, and to rejoice we are count- Ms. *. ed worthy to fuffer Shame for Chrifis Name. 4> The Apoftles, and Primitive Fathers, had much greater Trials of Perfecution brought upon them, than we can any of us complain of. And yet, in Obedience to their Lord, who himfelf was made Perfett through Sttf- D 2 2O The Faithful Stewardship. feringf, they undauntedly fought the good 277.iv. Fight of Faith, and were ready to Spend, and be^Spent for the People ; tho' the more 2 cor.xii. they lova them, the lefs they were belovd, nay the more indeed hated, and abus'd by them. , Let us then, who have the Honour to fuc- ceed them in their Miniflry, be content to fucceed them in the Difcouragements that at- tend it. And tho' we fliould indeed meet with no other Return , than Evil for Good, and Haired for our Good-Will ; tho' our Cha- ratfer be infulted, omCounfels defpis'd, and our Reproofs refented; yet let the Great Work we arc engag'd in, the Salvation of Souls, prevail with us, after their Example, to perfevere in it to the End ; as being firmly perfuaded, that if we approve Ourfelves, as They did, faith fill Miniflers ofChrift, we fliall ' vi. 9. be fure in due time to reap, if we faint not. Having thus far confider'd the Words of my Text in their limited Senfe, as apply'd to ihe Clergy I proceed now to the laft Gene- ral Head I proposed , viz. X H aft moj o; III. I'o confider the General Import of the Word Steward, as it may properly be apply'd; ift, to the Laity in their Relative State, confider'd as fuch , and, idly, to the Laity in common with the Clergy ; and that with a more Imme- diate and Particular View to the Pre- ient Solemnity. 1 onv; ift, The The Faithful Stewardship. 21 i/? 5 The immediate Relation the Clergy bear to God, whofe Ambaffadors they are, the High Importance of the Offices they are employ'd in, and the Qualifications alfo re- quiiite for the Execution of them, do fo for- cibly challenge a Reverence and E/?mw,that even the Pagan Infidelity is not able to with- ftand it. What Refuge 5 what Shadow of Excufe then can the Neglcft of it be allow'd in a Chriftian Country, and in a Church too, where the Sun of Righteoufnefs has fo long fhone forth in his full Brightness , and dif- play'd a Law , and a Worjhif of the great- eft Purity and Perfection? The Ambaflfador of a Prince is confef- fedly entitled, to all the higheft Marks of Ho- nour and Refyetf, that is due to the Crown'd Head he is Commiflion'd to reprefent. And (hall not the Ambaffadors ofChrifl, who is the E phef. i. Sovereign Lord, and Head over all things to " his Church^ claim a like Equitable Regard to the Character they fuftain ? 'Tis unquefti- onably due to Them in their Publick Capa- city, how Mean foever They may appear in their Personal Qualifications. And the Ho- nour of God Himfelf is fo direclly concern'd in it , that as he denounced feveral Judg- ments againft the Contemners of his Prieftf and Prophets under the Law ; fo our Sa- viour tells his Apoftles,that they thatdefyiid Thein^ .deffifd Him-, and They that defpife H//, dejpifrQod that fent Him. Not that I am here pleading for any ex- traor- 22, The Faithful Stewardship. traordinary Marks of Outward Honour and Oheifance, the Ceremonious Refpect of the Hat, or the Knee. For as their Calling and their Meffage is Heavenly, and Spiritual } fo the Reverence due to them , is fuppos'd to be of the like Nature. It is to be evidenced chiefly by Thinking and Speaking honoura- bly of the Dignity of their Vocation, by at- tending diligently to the Purport of the Do- ffrines they deliver, and the Rites they per- form , and bringing forth the Fruits thereof with Tharikf giving. Let the Laity then take Heed, amidft all the unhappy Prejudices they have entertain'd againft the Prieflhood, that they diftinguifh rightly between the Perfons^ and their Office ; and that whilft they allow themfelves the Liberty of cenfuring, and inveighing againft the Ignorance , or the Immorality , of fome Few of that Order , they don't ftrike at the Function itfelf through their Sides, and by degrees contract a Prejudice againft the Ex- enife of it too ; defeat themfelves of the Means of Grace,, that are adminiftred there- by, and draw down the heavy Judgment of /Ipoflacy upon their Heads. But 1 hope Better Things of thofe among X0# 3 to whom this Difcourfe is more imme- MC.L i. 6. diatcly directed. A Son honours his Father even in his Natural Capacity ; how much more ihould You Tours in that Spiritual One of the Church ? Can You forget the Rock out of which you are hewn? Or vilify the Root and The Faithful Stewardship. and Stem, from which you are fprung up ? This is fuch a bafe and monftrous Sort of Ingratitude , as I can hardly fuppofe You capable of being guilty of, and lhall there- fore pafs on to the 2d Relative Duty incumbent on the Lai- ty with regard to the Clergy , and that is to Edify, and Profit under their feveral Mini* ftrations. For Both their Ste ward/hipf , in this Refpeft, are mutually obliging. As the P aft or is to be faithful in fowing the Seed of God's Word in their Hearts j fo are They alfo to receive, and keep, and cultivate it, with Fidelity, that it may bring forth Fruit in pro- portion to the Soil it lights upon , and in- creafe, and grow up to Maturity, and Per- fedion. And the like might be obferv'd of all the other Parts of the Minifterial Office^ if I had Time to go through them. For , to what End has God empower'd the Clergy to Blefr in his Name, and Abfolve Men from their Sins, but that They may beCleanf'd,znd Sanfitffd, and Jufttffd in bit Sight? Or, to what Purpofe has He appointed Them to build up his Church, but that the People may be Fellow-Labourerf together with them for, their Edification and Salvation. ' So that if the Laity don't do their Parts, in anfwering the mighty Benefits and Privi- leges they enjoy under their Spiritual Mini- ftry, their Paftor's Fidelity will but aggravate, their Crimes, and make them more inexcu-- .Z4 he Faithful Steward/hip. fable. The Principal Effed 'tis deflgn'd to produce is the Salvation of their Souls , .but, if it meets not with T'hat, it will work their 2 Or. n. Condemnation. For we are unto God, fays r >' the Apoftle, as a fweet-finelling Savour, both in Them that are fatfd, and in Them that 'perifi. How greatly then does it behove You, for your Own Sakes, as well as Theirs, to praife and admire God's Wifdom and Goodnefs in making them the Stewards of his Grace and Mercy to You, to receive thankfully the Divine Trea fares, and Talents they offer You, and to difcbarge that Spiritual Steward/hip You are entrufted with on 20#rPart, by Ma- naging and Improving it to your own Eter- nal Intcreft? Thofe efpecially among You, who have had the Happinefs to be Born, and Bred up under their Roof, under the Wings of their Authority , and the Influence of their Inflru- tiions^ ought to efteem it as a Difgrace, and Di {honour to your Extraction, either to de- viate from the Sound Principles They fo early inftili d, or degenerate from the P/**y They endeavour' d to form in You. What a Juft Regard ought You to have for their Several Minifcatiom, by which both theBleffings of Grace, and the Blcflfmgs of Providence, were firft derived on You? And what a Reproach and Imprecation do you bring upon Tour- [ehes, it, now you are come abroad into die \\orld , You turn your Backs upon, or neglect 7 he Faithful Stewardship. neglect to Profit under them. I could wil- lingly expatiate much farther on this Head ; but that the Immediate Occafion and Defign ofthisMeeting calls upon me in the laft place, 2dly, To apply the feveral Obligations of that Common Steward/kip, which both Clergy and Laity are equally concerned in,, for the Mutual Benefit and Comfort of One Another $ especially of this Honourable and well Regu- lated Society, of which we are Members. We have All of us fome Gifts, fome Ta- lents, or Other, beftow'd on us by God to profit withal $ and they are feverally diftri- buted , One after this Manner, and Another after that, for the Ends of Society, as well as Religion. The Gifts, whether of Nature, of Grace, or of Fortune, bring Each of them their feveral Ties of Fidelity along with them j and according to the various Ranks and Conditions of Mankind, oblige them to contribute to that Common Treafury of Good Works, of -which we are all Stewards. The Natural Endowments of a Vivacity of Parts, a Quicknefs of Apprehenfion, a So- lidity of Judgment , and a Fidelity of Me- mory, as they qualify Men for the Attainment of very great Accomplifhments of Wifdom, and Learning, and Knowledge ; fo they ob- lige them to great Fidelity in the due Em- ployment of them. They Spread a mighty Power and Influence round about them, and, if rightly directed, become a Publick Blef- fing both to Church and* State 5 efpecially E where 2,6 The Faithful Stewardship. where they are accompany'd with the Gifts of Divine Grace, which difpofes and directs them all to the Manifeftation of God's Glory. Nay the leaft Degree? of thefe Gifts, with the Additional Bleflings of Health and Strength , as they may be improv'd by Art and Induftry to fome ufeful End and Pur- pofe , either of Husbandry, 'Trade, or other Sorts of Callings ; ib they imply a Truft too in the Management of them, in propor- tion to the Mea lures in which they are im- parted, and to the juft Expectations of their Almighty Donor , to whom they are to be anfwcr'd, and accounted for. How highly then are All concern'd, in their feveral Circumftances and Conditions of Life, to contribute their Share of the fe- veral Gifts to the Honour of Him that gave them, and to the Publick Good of that Body, whereof the Owners of them are Members? And how fcvcre muft be their Reckomxg, if they pervert and mifapply them to Ends quite Different from what their Donor de- iignM ? i;>< '. ; >vtft' "rlow Ungrateful muft They: be to their Almighty Benefactor even for the Inferior Hank and Meafure of thefe Gifts, if tlicy iiiiotii.r them in the Obfcurities of Sloth and iMeuej}, continc them to the Inclofures of Sordid Awice , and Se'f-Intereft ; or make t:icm countenance the Trad-e of Begging, ;i!id getting their Daily Bread; by the Sweat ,:id Toil oi ; 0:.ter -Mens Brows,?' And The Faithful Stewardship. And what a Loid of Impiety do They add ro this Ingratitude , who bury t'hofe Nobler "Talent f , I juft before mention'd, in the Bowels of the Earth ,- in Idle and Im^erti- nentAmufements, and - Diversions, in pur- fuing Little, Trivial, and Siniftcr Dedgns, or (which is yet much worfe) in Wantonnefi^ and Vice , and a Power of doing nfiftKief, by propagating Infidelity ^znd Irreligion in the World ? When they employ that Wit and Knowledge God gave -them for his own Glory , in Profaning and Ridiculing his Sacred Name and Word ; their Accuracy of Reafon in Arguing him out of the Authority of his Church and Kingdom ; and turn their Freedom of Thinking and Judging for Themfelves into a Libertinism in Faith, as well as in Practice. But I forbear prefling farther upon this Head. You, my Brethren^ as you "know Better Things ; fo I doubt not but You are fo Wi\e^ and fo Happy, as to do them. The Wealthy Circumftances , which your own Parts, and your own Induflry^ have advanced moft of you to, are an Evidence of your Good Ufe of the 'talents God has given You , and your Appearing in this Place upon fo Honourable, fo Religious, fo Charitable a De- fign, as this Solemnity fuppofes, takes off all the apparent Sufpicion of your perverting them to Bad Ones. I have but one thing more to offer , and then I have done ; and that is, that as You E 2 em- z8 The Faithful Stewardfhip. employ your OtherGifts of Nature and Grace, fo you would liberally employ thofeof your Fortune too, to the fame Great Ends, the Publick Emoluments of Religion and Society* Honour arrd Riches are the two main Bran- ches of this Sort of Gifts, and they Both im- ply a Steward/trip of considerable Importance. The Former fuppofes aPorwrand Authority in thofe that have it to do a great deal of Good to Private Perfons, as well as Publick Communities, and they have a great deal to anfwer for, if they decline, or neglect it. Honour is not given only to fet Some Men above Others, to enable them to govern and keep the Reft in Awe under the Rod of their Authority ; much lefs to Infultand Lord it o- ver their Inferior s, to pervert Judgment fa a Reward, or enrich themfelves with Bribes: But for the better Maintenance of Religion,** well as the Civil Rights, to fupprefs and puniih In- fidelity and Vice, and to protect and encourage Innocence and Venue ; to defend the Injured and Opprefid, and fee that fuch as are in Nccd^ and Nectffity, have Right* Nor are Riches a Talent much Inferior to that of Honour ; nay in Some Senfe they arc Above it. They open a very Large and Noble Held of Action to the feveral PoiTcrTors of them, to render themfelves highly and [//- verbally Ufeful , and Beneficial to Mankind ; there being fcarcc any Wants, any Diftrefjes-, any Calamities whatever, incident to Hu- Kuturc ; but what the Beneficence of the The Faithful Stewardship. 19 the Wealthy may minifter Relief to. They may be Eyef to the Blind, and Feel to the Lame, Fathers to the Fatherless , and H/- bands to the Widows. They have Bread to give to the Hungry, Cloathing to the Naked, Education to the -Ignorant, and the Subfiftence of a Tirade to poor Orphans in Diftrefs. And the farther the Extent of this Talent reaches, the larger and more difFufive muft the Stewardship of it be, the greater the F/'- delity requir'd to difcharge it; and the feve- rer the Account to be demanded of it, if, in- ftead of its being employ'd to thefe Excellent Ends, it be either hoarded up, and made Unprofitable to any but its Owner, or laviili- ly thrown away upon his Vanity and Ambi- tion, his Luxury, or his Lulls. How forcibly then fhould the Thoughts of thefe things move us to weigh duly our feveral Stations and Circumftances in the World, and proportion our Works of -Piety and Chanty according to them; to compare our Abilities with the Objefts that are prc- fented to our View, and generonfly clofc in with all Opportunities that offer of doing Good to Thole that need it ? And what Opportunity more Inviting, what morj Defervitt , than Tbefe now before us. The poor IVidow^ and the Fa- tberlefr , without any other Relation, than that of Felhw-Chriftians, have a Title to our Gh-irity. They are of the Hottfhold of Faith, el" whicli ,vv-e are only Steward?, and have for- thac Jo The Faithful Stewardship. that Reafpn an fqukable Demand upon Us for.aSwppfyoftheir Wants. How much more Equitable, how much 4Viore Moving miift Their Demands be, who bear a Nearer Relation to Us, as the Relitff 4>i'our Fathers, and the Iffue defcended from them? We are of the fame Houfloold ^ the fame Parentage by Birth, as well as ProfeJJi- on$ And can a Son forget his Mother, or fee his Brethren in Diftrefs, and not feel the Teaming, the relenting, of his own Bowels to- zvardf them ? We cannot but be all fenfible of the ve- ry Small and Scanty Subfiftence, which the Greater Part of the Clergy have for the Sup- port of their Families, and that too leflfen'd by Accidental Burthens and Expencer from Abroad. And if by This they are dijabled from providing for thofe of their own Hoitf- ho!d ) or are fnatcb'd perhaps out of the World before their Circumftances would allow them to raile a Fund for that purpofe, does it not nearly concern L7>, who are All of \hz fame , to fupply that fore Defett^ by contri- he Pitblick Fund, that is defign'd for their Uie ? We h.ivc fomc of us perhaps experienc'd the lame Nccdiitics Qurftfoei^h&ve had D/f- liculties to ftrusle with on account of the j Like Circumftances in the Families we fprung from. And ihould not 'Ihit engage Us, in Fdlow-feelin? towards them, to lend our cl3 * ^ Helping Hands towards the raiimg Them up The Faithful Stewardship, 31 up to the fame Condition with Ourfefaes $ that They alfo may be qualify'd to ftretch out "Theirs , in their Turns, to the Needy Ojfpring that come after them ? We profefs to pay an Honour and Refpeff to the Prieftbwd, and to the Memory of our Fatherf in it ; and how can we better teftify that Honour^ how can we more effectually eftablifh Our Own, than by enabling their Pofterity to live with Credit in the World, and propagating that Reverence to their Chara- cter in Our Age, which they by their Good Works acquired in Theirs ? How can We other wife do Juftice to thofe Principles of Piety and Charity they in- ftill'd, than by tranfmitting the Effetts of them to their Succeeding Generations, and taking off that Reproach of Poverty in their Dependents, which is but too often reflected" back upon the Parent! Themfelvcs ? This is what the Voice of Reafon, as \vell as Religion, does fo prefldngly fuggeft, that I need urge it no farther, it fpeaks for itfclfl Let me only intreat you to apply thcfe fcvc- ral Arguments, which the Thoughts of your own fiearts will naturally iuggcft in favour of this C7j0ttfy 3 and reflect on -die,uiany Noble \ nay Royal, Examples, tlnu have led the Way to if; and then* I need^ noc doitbt:, but that the Prefent Objects -of ir wiU meet with a . mo ft Chearful, and^dtfrftirui Contribution. Efpecially, if You confider, Laftjy , the Excellency of thofe Rewards it entities you te. . 3 1 The Faithful Stewardfoip* to. That as the Fa/JJb, and Piety, and Charity of your Father s^ who fei v'd at Chrifis Altar ^ derived all thofe Blefflngs on You, whether Spiritual, or Temporal, which you have hi- tberto enjoy'd ; fo the Pious and Charitable Offerings You now make in their Name^and for their Sahs , (thro* Faith in, and Obe- dience to the fame Bleifed Lord , whofe Stewardr You alfo are) will fecure and per- petuate the Continuance of thefe Bleffings to Tour/elves, and Tour families, both in -this Life, and the Next. You will not only have the BleJJings of the Fatlerlefr, and the Widows , and the Bleffings of Thofe that blefs inCbrtfs Name ; But above all. You will have the Comforta- ble Teftimony of your own Hearts for the Faithful Difdiargeofyour^oy^r^/7;/p here; and whenever You are difmiffd from it, (as we all iliortly muft) will be fure to find GOD, your Saviour and Redeemer , moft ready to welcome a and receive you into his Glory. Bifhop of PETERBOROUGH'S Spital SERMON AT _ St. B R 1 1> a E T 's Church, tylarch the goth, Ward, Mayor. Marti* \ij Die Aprilis^ Annoqne Regni Regis Georgij^ ritannia?, &c. * T T is ordered^ That the Thanks of this * Court be given to the Right Reverend Father in Cod^ WHITE Lord Bi/hop x of Peterborough y for his Sermon preached before this Court, and the Governor^ of the feveral Hoijpitals of this City., at the Parifli Church of St. Bridget ^ on Monday, in Eafter-Week laft^ and that he b defired^ to Print the fame, vv^-r S T JL A C E Yv GHARITF and RESTITUTION : Spital SERMON Preached at the Church of St. B R i D G E T, O N EaJler-Monday, March the 3Oth^ 1719. Before the Right Honourable Sir JOHN fT4RD, LORD-M A YOR, THE Court of ALDERMEN, The SHERIFFS, and the Prefidents of HOSPITALS in the City of London. With an Application to the vain Attempts of a SPANISH INVASION, in the Year 15-88. By the Right Reverend Father in God, Lord Bifliop of Peter borough. LONDON: Printed for J. W Y A T , at the Rofe in St. Paul's Church-Yard. MDCCXIX. St. LUKE XIX. 8. And Zaccheus flood, and faid unto the Lord, Behold, Lord, the half of my Goods I give io the Poor J and if I have taken any Thing from any Man by falfe Accusation )t 1 reftore him Four-fold. together in Sinners. This Man H I S noble Declaration was made to our Lord and Saviour by one Z^acchens^ a chief Publican, one who for his Office of Colledtor^ was by the Jews reputed a pro- phane and wicked Man ; they put Proverb, the Publicans and out of Guriofity rather than Confcience, being yet in an unconverted State, had a Mind to fee this Rabbi in Ifrael; this ad- mirable Preacher of Righteoufneis, and Worker of Miracles ; Verfe 3 . he fought to fee Jefus who he 'was. What Mortal, what Divine Man ? And when he could not take a diftinft View of him, hecaufe of the Prefs ; could not look over the Heads of the gazing Multitude, becaufe he was little of Stature ; he made up that Defect of Na- ture by a very honeft Art ; he climbed up into 'a- Sycomore-Tree y to fee him as he was to ffffs- that Way, Verfe 4., Whan A Spital SERMON. When the Blefled Jefus^ who went about do- ing Good, feeking and faving loft Souls : When Befits came to the Place, he looked up and faw him, and was pleas'd, no -doubt, with that Ap- pearance of a forward Zeal and Affe&ion in him. So he gave him a kind and familiar Call: Zac- cheus, make Hafle and come down^ for to Day I tnttfl abide at thy Houfe, Verfe 5-. Zaccheits was (urpriz'd , and exceedingly pleas'd with this Civility and Refped: paid to him by fuch a Lord and Mafter ; and fo in fbme Sort or Rapture, he made hafte and came down^ and receivd himjoy fully. But the Jews had an envious Eye, and a fpite- ful Tongue: They murmured at this innocent Liberty taken by our Saviour, and grudged the Honour he did unto Zaccheits; when they faw it, they all murmured, faying, -that he was gone to be Gueft with a Man that is a Sinner. As if Converfation and innocent Freedom might not be had with Worldly wicked Men , when the De- fign of it was not to partake of their Evil Deeds, -but to convert them from their Sins, and to fave their Souls. Zacchei4s in the mean Time began to feel the good Influence of our Saviour's Difcourfe with him : His Heart was meltingv, his Affections were warm'-d, his Confcience was touch'd, and all the Powers of his Soul were at Work within him. He reflected on his paft Life, he refolv'd upon a new Courfe ; he had done wickedly, he would atone for it in the moll fenfible Manner. His Fraud and Oppreflion fhould be covered by Charity and Reflitution, as in die Text. And Zaccbeus -,^,_. = ,- 1 -.^,^^ m ^ : "--' A Spital SERMON. 7 Zaccheus flood and faid unto the Lord^ Behold^ Lordy the half of my Goods L give to the Poor ; and if I have taken any Thing from any Man by falfe Accufali&n^ I rejlors him Four-fold. Now from hence, I befeech you, accept of fome pra&ir eal Ihftrudiions to make you rich in good Works, and wife unto Salvation. Ii Let us- firfl learn not to be difcouraged in doing our Duty, and difcharging our Confcience, by the falfe Surmifes, or fpiteful Reflections of other People. This was the Gafe oF our Saviour and Zacr (heits : The malignant Jews were fo offended at this Intercourfe, and put fuch wrong Colours up- on it, that the Entertainer and the Guefl mud have been amamed of one another, had they regarded the filly fpiteful Reflections that wers oaft upon them. They, the common People of the jews, and efpecially the Incendiaries of them, the Scrfoj and Pharifees^ All murmured at this good Work ; and where Envy was, there was their Calumny and Reproach. They caft an evil Report upon Zaccbeus.for entertaining our Blefled Lord, and were as an- gry with our, Lord for being entertained by him, Oh, he was gone to be a Guejl.with a Man that was a Sinner. Why, who was without Sin ? But why fuch a diftinguifh'd Sinner? Why, becaufe . he was not of their Tribe and Party,; he was a Publican, and therefore muft be a notorious Sin-^ ner. As if they themfelves were without Sin> who caft thefe Stones at him,, when in Truth they had more to anfwer for their Hypocu(y,.ard Spirit of Perfecutiojn, 8 A Spital SERMON. But what if Zacchew had been the mod fcan- Jalous Sinner? Why mud our Saviour -fuffer \vith him? What Evil had he done? Nothing but he was. gone to be a Guejl with a Man that was a Sinner. And where was the Harm of this? Mud the Phyfician of Bodies vifit only them that are in Health, and not them rather that are Sick and Weak ? And mud the Phyfician of Souk attend only upon them that are (bund in the Faith, and in a State of Salvation : And not rather upon them that are nigh unto Perdition, and in the Perils of eternal Death ? In the Difeafes of Body and Soul, pray who have mod need of a Phy- ilcian, they that be Whole, or they that are Sick? Our Bleiled Saviour had before refotv'd the Cafe upon a like Occafion. Matthew call'd from the Receipt of Cuftom, entertain'd our Saviour, St. Matth. ix. 10. And it came to pafsasjefus fat at Meat in the Hoitfe, behold many Publicans and Sinners came and fate down -with him and bis Dtfciples. And when the Pharifees faw it, they faid unto his Difciples, Why eatethyour Ma- fter ivith Publicans and Sinners ? As if a mighty Shame and Scandal. Bur, whenjefus heard that^ he faid unto them, They that be Whole need not & Phyfician, but they that are Sick. But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have Mercy and mot Sacrifice ; for I am not come to call the Righ- teous, but Sinners to Repentance. The Uie of this is to go on and be ftedfaft in the Ways of Ho- nefty, and true Religion, and not be weary of well doing in them, notwithflanding the Mifre- prelen- A Spital SERMON. prefentations and Reproaches of a wicked World ; where efpecially, under a fad Diflin&ion of Par- ties, one is fo ready to (peak evil of the other, and even to fpeak evil of their good. Let us not mind the idle Rumors, or the fbr- ry Reflections of a cenforious Party : Let their Wind blow where it lifteth , and their Clouds gather as they pleafe ; yet, as he that obferveth the Wind flail not fon>, and he that regardeth the Clouds flail not reap : So they who are aw'd by Noife and needlefs Cenfure, can never have the Confcience and the Courage to be good , can never be as burning and iliining Lights in the midfl of a crooked and perverfe Generation. The Chriflian mufl dare to be true and good in Spite of all the Evil that is falfly fpoken of him. Let him look upward , and fearch within , let not God condemn him , and let not his own Heart reproach him : And then what are Re- vilings and Curfes to him ? This then is the firfl practical Inftrudtton from the Text, not to be difcourag'd in the doing our Duty, and difcharging our Confcience, by any falfe Surmifes, or any fpiteful Reflections of other People. II. Let it be a Second Practical InflrudHon from this Example of Zaccbeus^ to mind Religi- on, to prefer your Converfion and Salvation be- fore arid above your Office , Profeflion or Trade, or any Thing of Attendance, or other Avocati- on whatfoever. For fo did the happy Zaccheus in the Text : He was by his Employment a Publican, or Tax-ga- B therer i o A Spital SERMON. ? therer of the Roman Lords, among a poor oppre^ fed People the Jews. A Calling that requir'd a continual Attention to it ; to watch and lay in wait for all the Advantages of demanding and extorting Money ; to hunt after any Sufpicion ; to catch at every falfe Accufation for taking any Thing from any Man. Nor was he only pne of thofe Publicans, thofe Extortioners and Oppreflbrs of the People , but he was Verfe z. the Chief among the Public ans^ the Head Officer, a Man in Authority, having many under him : He was to be accountable for the reft ; he was to anfwer for their Neglect, or their Corruption. A Man full of Bufmefs, and in a continual Hurry and Drudgery of Life. And his own private Concerns muft needs be heavy on him ; for it w ? as a gainful Employ, he had mightily increased his Wealth and Subftance in it. He is faid in the fame Verfe to have been Rich, and even exceeding Rich. So that he had a double Burden of Domeftick, as well as of publick Cares ; to ferve himfelf, and his Fa- mily, no lefs than the Government and Nation. And yet notwithftanding all thefe Incum- brances of the World, he broke through them all to fee Chrift, and to feek his Salvation. He would not be detained by his Crowd of Bufmefs, he would not (land upon his Honour and High Station, he would not be taken up with his Mul- titude of worldly Goods ; but he would forget all, he would leave and forfake all, to find out Chrift, and to follow him. Go ye and do like- wife. Be not over intent upon Worldly Affairs, as if born for no better Portion.. Be not only feeking A Spital SERMON. n feeking Places and Preferments ; be not altoge- ther laying up your Treafure upon Earth, and letting your Hearts be there alfo. Be not, I fay, detained and deceived by any fuch Witchcraft of this World ; but remember that ye are born for another and a better State ; that ye have Souls to live for ever. Wherefore feek the Things that are Above, have a frequent Converfation in Hea- ven. Seek firfl the Kingdom of God and its Righ- teoufnefs, and trufl Providence for other Things, to be added, or not added, to you. Be not fo in- cumbred with your many Things, as to neglect the one Thing needful : Chufe that better Part, that can never be taken from you : Gain not the whole World, to lofe your own Soul. Lay up this Second Practical InflrudHon ; to mind Religion the great Thing, to prefer your Converfion and Salvation before and above your Office, your Profeflion, your Trade , any Thing of Attendance , or other Avocation whatfo- ever. III. And now a Third Pradical Inftrudion may be this j That good moral Virtues are the beft Foundation for a Chriilian Faith ; and that Juftice and Charity are the befl Tokens of Re- pentance, the trued Signs of approaching Grace, the Forerunners of Conversion and Salva- tion. I might obferve , that our Saviour's efpecial Favour to Zaccheus , his marking him out for a chofen Veflel, feems owing to his Moral Vir- tue and Goodnefs; his Attention to know the Truth $ his Readinefs to obey the Teacher of it; B i his 12 A Spital S E R M o N. his generous Hofpitality, his liberal Charity, and abundant Reflitution of ill-gotten Goods. He could not be far from the Kingdom of God : He o was almoft a Chriftian. Without thefe good Works, all had been nothing. It was not enough that he fought to fee Jefus ; that any other idle Spectator might have done : Not enough to climb up into a Sycamore Tree ; that was but a natural Thought to a Man of low Stature : Nor would it fuffice to have come down at our Saviour's Call ; this might be good Manners on- ly, it became a chief Publican to keep up the Reputation of Civility and Breeding : Nor was it enough for Zacchens to entertain our Saviour, to receive him gladly; this might ariie from a Refpeft to Strangers , and from a Love of Ho- fpitality, agreeable to his Fortune and Figure in the World. But he muft give a better Inftance of his fin- cere Difpofition to believe, and repent, and be converted. What better Inftance could he give than that of a liberal Heart,and an honeft Mind ; a Confcience of doing Right and doing Good ? Under thefe fincere Inclinations to Charity and Juflice, he refblveth, he declareth to our Lord, in thefe excellent Words of the Text, Behold^ Lord, the half of my Goods I give- to the Poor ; and if I have wronged any Man by falfe Accufa- lion, I reft ore trim Four- fold. Wherein the Ways of Expreffion deferve to be confiderd, for our Admonition and Exam- ple. I. Frrft, A Spital SERMON. i. jP/r/?, A Note of Readinefs and even For- wardnefs to give, before our Saviour had impor- tun'd him, or fo much as made any mention of Charity to him. He himfelf began the Difcourfe, and made his Offering without asking, of Free- Will , and his own Accord ; nav , with great + 4 ** * tJ Alacrity , and iu a Pofture of Expedition : He flood) as raifing up his Body and Soul, he call'd for Attention and Evidence that he was in earneft , Behold , Lord, the half of my Goods I give to the Poor^ 6k c. What an upbraiding to thofe who mull be ap- plied to, muft be importun'd, mufl be even teiz'd out of their Charity .vlt comes, Prov. 30. 3 3 . as the Churning of Milk bringeth forth But- ter ; and as the -wringing of the Nofe bringeth forth Blood-. Their Charity muft be wrefted and forced from them. 2,. A Second Expreflion of his Charity, was to fhew it fair and open, difmterefted and undefign'- ing ; out of pure Charity, and for mere Confci- ence fake. Not that I lend as hoping to receive as much again ; not that I ftipulate for fome Equivalent, and make my Charity a Contract, an Exchange ; but I give ; I give away with- out any Confideration, but that of Duty, fatif 1 fled with doing Good, and trufting God for my Reward, or rather for his Acceptance only. Nor again, I intend to give, and I promife to give ; but I do it now actually, and out of Hand; I give^ while I have this immediate Opportunity of giving ; for our laudable Imitation, to pleafe that 14 A Spital SERMON. that God who loveth a chearful Giver. Not to flatter our felves and deceive others with Promi- fes of Charity hereafter, and in Reverfion only j when we are better ajble, or when we come to dye : But whatever good we intend, to perform it quickly if pofiible ; to give an Earnefl at leaft now, that we will do more hereafter. A Man alas ! who referves all Charity for a dying Lega- cy, he is like the defperate Mariner, he begins to throw out his Goods when the Ship is fink- ing. 3 . A Third Expreflion of the Charity of Zac- cbeus was, to prove it not limited and narrowly confin'd, not a Party Charity, nor fo much as beginning at Home, but a good Will general and univerfal ; not to negled: Kinsfolks and Friends, but not to appropriate all unto them : For that would have too much of Flefh and Blood in it. Nor yet retraining his Charity to thofe of his own Opinion, and his own Way of Worihip on- ly ; for that would have the Leven of Party and of Faction in it. But what I give, let it be a Diftribution to all that want , among any that are true and proper Objeds of Chanty , without Partiality , without Diftindion : / give unto the -Poor. 4. And then a Fourth good Quality in his Alms and Oblations was, that they were large and extenfive, even to the Moiety, or one Half of his Subflance ; Behold, Lord, the half of my Goods I give to the Poor, This no doubt made the Sacrifice acceptable and well pleafing unto God. Alas ! A Spital SERMON. ' Alas! what a fmall Pittance do fome of the Rich of this World afford to beflow in Charity ? Not a half Part, not a Tenth Part , not one of a Thoufand. What the Poor have from them is perhaps in Rates and Taxes only. Not that the Proportion of your Charity is fix'd, or determin'd by any Rule, but that of your own Confcience , and your own Difcretiorr. The Jews had a good Tradition among them, that they ought to beflow a Fifth Part of their yearly Income in Chanty. The firft Chriltians were fo extremely liberal, that they made no Di- vifiori into Parts, they furrendred the whole, they laid all at the Apoftles Feet. In After- Ages many Chriftians allotted a Tenth Part unto cha- ritable Ufes : And Tome I believe do the fame in this prefent Generation. Let every Man do according to his Circumflances , and according to his Confcience ; and what he can afford, let it be not grudgingly or of Neceflity, for God and Man love the cheerful Giver. 5. A Fifth Exprefiion of his Charity, that made a good Savour of it, was the profefling it a jufl and honefl Charity : Not taken out of fraudulent Gains, not a Composition made with ill-gotten Goods ; but Reflitution and Satisfacti- on for all Injuries and Wrongs, as well as a Sup- ply of the Wants and Necefiities of the Poor. This w r as the Geriercfity and Juflice of -Zac- cheiM : He had been in an Office of Fraud and Violence, Impofition and Extortion , and very ungodly Gains. A chief Publican, a Hprfe-Leech fucking the People, and the very Blow of them, 1 6 A Sptal SERMON. and never crying, enough. Any Man accufed, tho' never fo falfly accufed, of being worth fo much, was to buy off the Rate, or to bribe the Tax-gatherer, or to pay the uttermoft Farthing. And therefore that Zaccheus might not feem to mock God, might not give with one Hand what he had flollen or raked with another , might not rob the Spital to relieve the Poor ; he is here at the fame Time making a Reparation and ample Satisfaction for all the Wrongs and Trefpafles committed by him ; refunding all the Wages of Iniquity , refloring the Wedge of Achan , the Garments of Gebaxi, all Manner of open Theft or fecret Guile, founding his Charity upon the true Bafis , that of Honeily. As well knowing that the juft God would difdain to accept what was wrongfully taken from his Neighbour. 6. Another good Expreflion lieth in the Ful- nefs of Reflitution, and moil abundant Satisfa- ction, Four-fold. Not content to add a Fifth Part for Compenfation of the Wrong , as requir'd Nwnb. 5-. 7. He flat/ recompense his Trefpafs with the Principal thereof ] and add unto it the Fifth Part thereof ', and give it unto him againft ivhom he hath trefpaffed. Nor again content with reftoring double, or twice as much as he had taken away ; which was thought fufficient among the Jews , -upon the Stealing of live Cattle , Exod. 21. 4. If the Theft be certainly found in his Hand alive, whether it be Ox or Afs^ or Sheep, he flail reft ore double. But I fay Zac- cheus laid upon himfelf a greater Penance, and would maHfc a fuller Reftitution , even Four-fold : Which A Spital SERMON. 17 Which was the mod rigorous Injunction among the Jews, where the Thief firfl flole a Sheep, and then killed it, Exod. zz. i. And this there- fore voas the Judgment pronounced again/I the rich Man, ivho had taken are ay the poor Mans Lamb^ and kill d it, and drefsd it for. the Tra- veller, z Sam. iz. 6. He /hall reft ore the Lamb Four- fold, becaufe he did this Thing^ and becaufe he had no Pity. Not but that it is in the Qitota. of Reftitution, as it is in the Quota of Charity. No Portion is abfolutely fix'd and determin'd, let every Man do as he is fatisfied in his own Mind ; Making or offering at lead fome Satisfaction for every wil- ful Injury and Wrong, to the Party if remaining, if not, to their Children or Heirs ; if they are extinct , to fome* Relation of them ; if all are gone, to the Poor and Needy, for they are the Truftees of God , appointed to receive all juft . Dues, when there is none elfe to demand them. And now hear a Word or Two of the Reward of Charity and honefl Dealing ; no lefs than eternal Salvation ; yet not the Wages or Merit of thofe good Works, but the great Mercy and Free-Gift of God. Per. 9. Andjefus faid unto him, This Day is Salvation 'come to this Houfe. He is now in the Way to Heaven, in the Capa- city and Method of faving his own Soul, and the Souls of his whole Family. Forafmuch as he alfo is the Son of Abraham ; i. e. Ye Jews think none capable of the Favour of God, but your own chofen People the Jews, the Seed of Abraham. You'll wonder therefore that I pro- nounce Salvation to this Alien and Stranger to C your 1 8 A Spital S E R M o N. your Commonwealth of Ifrael, this Zacchew a Publican and Sinner. But I fay unto you, that be alfo is the Son of Abraham. Now from hence the Learned would enquire, whether our Savi- our meant, that he was a natural-born Jew , or tho r a Gentile yet now adopted by Grace to be as effectually a Child of God, and an Heir of the Kingdom of Heaven, as if he had been of the Pecitl'mm of Ifrael. Some would -infer, that by adapting his Refti- tution to the Terms of the Jewifh Law, and to the higheft Degree in it, that is , Four- fold ; he was a Jew by Birth, and literally a Son of Abra- ham ; tho' he had been a fort of Renegado, or Apoflate ; and for a Publican's Place among the Romans, had put off his Religion, and liv d & kind of profefs'd Heathen ; andtherefore was re- jected by his late Brethren as a Publican and Sin- Her ; /. e. a Heathen and a Publican. Others would fuppofe, that he was an Origi- nal Gentile, becaufe the Romans would not rruft a Jew in fuch an Office: But whether Jew or Pagan y ur Saviour would now make him Chriftian, and in that Spiritual Senie , he fhould now become a Son of Abraham, by Adoption and Grace : For the Son of Man who came to feek and to fave that which was loft he could take this Son of Perdition to be an Heir of Salvation. However, we need not be wife above what is revealed to us ; the Things neceflary are the Things practical, and they are not hard to be underflood , the Charity of Zaccheus, in giving half of his Goods to the Poor, and the ample RefKtution which he made to all whom he had 'd^ even Four-fiU. Goc A Spital SERMON*. 19 God blefs and profper the Charitable and the Honeft Man, who Iheweth his Faith by h : s Works; God grant him the End of his Faith, the Salva- tion of his Soul. The Bufmefs of the Day is to congratulate this. Honourable Appearance , made on the Occafi- on of the Hofpitals of this City. See here a Itmbled the many pleafmg Objects of Charity, the Faithful Stewards of it, the Treafurers, the * Governors, the Chief Magiftrates, Truftees, and Guardians of this Publick Faith, and good Works. A Proteftant Charity , Three of thefe noble Ho- fpitals, founded upon the Reformation by our firft Proteftant King, living and dying, King Ed- ward VI. for Houfes of admirable Ufe and Ser- vice, inftead of the idle Cells, that Superftition had before filfd with Drones and Beggars. It was chiefly on this Account, that near "a Hundred Years after , a Learned Apologift for the Power and Providence of God, brings in this your Royal Founder at the Head of the Excel- lent Princes of that latter Ag^e, not to be matched with any in ancient Times ; and that chiefly for being entituled to the Foundation of thefe Ho- fpitals, the great charitable Works, which (faith he) by fome Additions fine e have become the moji Famous in Europe, {a) Thefe (a) K : ng Edward VI. A diligent Frequenter of Sermons he was : Thefe he noted in Greek Clurafters, tint his Servants might nor eafily know what he nnft obfervcd. And when not long be- fore liis Death, Rid'.- ; , in a Sermon before him, highlv commc-nded V/orks ^o" Charity, the King applying it to (elf, t!v. Lrne Day icnt for him. ;:nd in h-s Gallery, calling tor. a Ctriir, ca'is'd him to fit dovvn 3 neither would he \ to be uncovered, but "giving him Trunk?, and repeating t';e pr : :iripa! Head: of his Sermon, vvich.il added, u I perceive that your Speech C 2 was 20 A Spital SERMON. Thefe Streams that refrefli the City, are not yet dried up, nor ever will, till Popery can flop " was fpecially direfted unco me , whom God hath fee in the moft " eminent Place, and upon whom of his Goodnefs he hath con- *' fcrred the greateft Ability : And as I am nexc unto God , and ** under God in Power, Co ftlould I Jikewife be in Goodnefs. And " therefore as you exhorted me in general , fo I pray affift me *' with your particular Direftions and Counfel : That fo both your " Exhortation may take the better Effeft, and my felf be not " found defeftive in the Performance of my Duty. " Whereunto ' when the Bifhop had anfwered , how he conceived that Bufmefs more properly to belong to the Citizens of London, the King would not fuffer him to depart, before he had received Letters to the Purpofe, to the Lord^viayor of that City , and other. Commiffio- ners, for the happy and fpeedy effcfting of that Bufmefs. Where- upon they divided the Poor into Three Ranks ; by Impatsncy, in which they placed Infants, Orphans , decrepit Old Men , L>me, Blind, and the like -, by Cafualty , as maimed Soldiers, fuch as had been undone by Shipwreck, or Fire, fick Perfons, and the like . Or, laftly, by Idlenefa wilful Luxury and Prodigality. The firft Rank of thefe they agreed, were to be nourifhed and maintained ; the Second to be cured and relieved , the Third to be corrected, and by that Means, if it might be, brought to fome better Pafs. For the Firft of thefe, the King gave to the City the Church of die Francif- cans, with all the Revenues belonging thereunto. For the Seccnd> the Hofpical of St. Bartholomew : For the Third., his Moufe of Bride- well, the ancient Seat of many of our Kings , not long before re- paired and furniftied by his Father, that it might ferve as a Lodg- ing for that great Emperor Charles the Fifth. And for the better Maintenance of thefe Places, and the farther Increafe thereof, toge- ther with the Hofpital of St. Thomas in Southward, lately re-edified, he beftowed upon .them out of the Rents of the Hofpital of St. John Baptifl , commonly called the Savoy, Seven Hundred and Fifty. Marks Yearly, together with the Bedding and Houfhold-Stuff be- longing co that Place. And when the Chatter of this Donation was prefcntcd unto him , together with a Blank for the Sum of Re- venues in Lands, afterwards to be conferred upon them without the- iarther Purchafe of any Mortmain -, the King, with his own Hand, filled up the vacant Space with thefe Words, Four Hundred Marks. yearly. Which being ended, with a reverent Voice and Gefture he gave humble Thanks unto God, that he had fpared his Life fo long as to fee that Work finilhed. An Apology or Declaration of the Power and Providence of God in the Government of the World. By George ffafarvil!, D. D. Archdeacon of Surrey, London. 163$. Fol. P- 54 J- the A Spital S E R M Q N. 21 the Fountain Heads, by commanding a Reftitu- tion of what they call the Church Lands, the Si- tuation of fome, and Part of the Endowment of all. And then Monks and Friars are to turn out the Orphans, the Widows, the Sick, and Lame, and other impotent People. That Popifli Aliena- tion of thefe Charitable, and therefore flridrly, J&eligious Houfes, would be the trueft Sacrilege, the mod accurfed Thing of robbing God and the Poor. Hear the laudable Accounts of this laft Year, and the prefent State of them. IN CHRIST'* Hofpital Children put forth Apprentices , and difcharg'd the Year lafl paft 101 , Eleven whereof be- ing inftrufted in the Mathematicfo and Navigation, were pla- ced forth Apprentices to Commanders of Ships, out of the Mathe- matical School, founded by his lateMajefty Sing Charles the Second of BleiTed Memory. Children Buried the Year lafl paft, 4. Children now remaining under the Care and Charge of the faid Hofpital, which are kept in the Houfe, and at Nurfe elfewhere 811. And 121 newly admitted, amounting in all to 932. The Names of all which, are regiftered in the Books kept in the faid Hofpical, and are to be feen , as alfo when and whence they were admitted. Wherefore, and in Regard of the Charge of maintaining fo great a Number of poor Orphans ("and the vaft Lofies heretofore fuftain- ed by the Fire of London, and lately by the Fire in Tovecr-ftreet, and otherwaysj it is not doubted, but that all Charitable and Worthy gaod Chriftians, will readily affift and contribute towards the Sup- port and Encouragement of a Work fo NecefTary and Beneficial to- - the Commonwealth. In Sr. BARTHOLOMEWS Hofpital there hat been. cur'd and difcharg'd the Year laft paft , of Wounded, Sick, Maimed , and dileafed Perfons , Soldiers, Sailors, and others ,. from feveral Parts of the Dominions of the King's Mofl Excel- lent Majefty , and Icreign Parts, 3r89, many of which have been reliev'd with Money, and other Neceffaries at their Departure. This Hofpital being lately enlarged, is made capable of receiving -a . much greater Number of Patiencs than formerly . whereby the con- . font Annual Charge is- fo much increas'd, and the ordinary Reve- nues lo much lelfencd by the late dreadful Fire, and otherwi&, ;hac *he tiid ttofpital is a very fit Objcft of the Charity of all good Men ? 22 A Spit at SERMON. vvhofe Affiftance and Contriburion are humbly defired, towards preferviag the Lives of fo many miserable People , who would othervvife peiifh for want of that Relief, which by the Blefling of God they daily receive from the faid Hofpital. Buried this Year, after much Charge in the Time of their 111- nefs", 198. Remaining under Cure ac the Charge of the faid Hofpital, 57 j. In St.THOMAS\ Hofpital in Southtvark , there have been cur'd and difcharg'd this laft Year , of Wounded , Maimed , Sick , and Difeafed Perfons , out of this great City , and feveral other Parts of his Majefty's Dominions , and Fo- reign Parts, 3<5o8. many of whom have been relieved with Money . and NecefTaries at their Departure, to accommodate and fupport them in their Journies to their feveral Countries and Habitations, 3608. Much of the Revenue of this Hofpital hath been deftroy'd by feveral dreadful Fires in London and Soutlwcxtrk ; and the Buildings of this Hofpital being grown very old and ruinous, and unfit for the Entertainment of the Poor, the Governors thereof have, with their own Money, lately rebuilt the fame with fuch Enlargements, that it's made capable of receiving a very great Number of Patients more than ever before fince the Foundation $ and befides the great Enlargements in the Rebuilding, there hath been new erefted an additional Building, with Conveniences for. receiving above One Hundred poor Perions more: But the yearly Revenue of the laid Hofpical, being not near fufficicnt to anfwer the conftan: Charge nf fo great a Number of Patients, the Charitable Affiftance and Con- tribution of all vvell-difpofed Perfons is earneftly recommended and mod humbly defired tor enabling the Governors (in Compliance with the Cries and Petitions of the Poor) to provide for tln.-ir Re- lief and Cures in the faid Hoipital, to the utmoft Extent of the prefuit Accommodations there. Buried from thence this Year, after much Charge in the Time of their Sicknefs, 21 5. Remaining under Cure at the Charge of the faid Kofpital, $66. !;i BRIDEWELL Hofpital there have been received into ir, this hfl Year, Vagrants, and other indigent and milcrai-ie I'^-opk, all which have had Phyfick, and fuch other rtdic-f , at the Charge of tl.c laid Hoipital, as their Necdfitjes required, 288. Maintained in die faid Hofpital, and brought up in divers Arcs and Truck's, ut the only Charge ot the faid Moipita 1 , Apprentices, In BETHLEM Hofpital there have been admitted this la ft Year, diili-uckci Men aud Women, 71. Cured A Sital SERMON. Cured of their Lunacy, and difcharged thence the laid i .jr, feveral of which were relieved with Cloathing and Monc-y ac their Departue, <5r. Diftrafted Perfoas buried the laft Year , after much Charge be- ftow'd upon them in their Lunacy and Sicknefs, 10. Now remaining in the faid Hofpital under Cure, and provided for with Phyfick, Diec, and other Relief, ac the Charge of thefaid Hofpital, 150. Befides which, divers Perfons who have been cured in the faid. Hofpital, are provided with Phyfick, as Out-Patients, atth;: Ci'.a.ge of the faid Hofpital, to prevent -a Return of tiitir Lunjcy. The Particulars of all which may be feen in thje Books of the faid Hofpital. The Chaf ge of this Hofpital is very great , and the Revenue thereof not fumcient to maintain the great Number ov Patients, for whom daily Application is nude .- And feveral Houfes belonging to this Hofpital were confumed by the late dreadful Fire, in ron-e'r- flreet ; Therefore the faid Hofpital is a very fit Objeft of a/1 good Men's Charity, to do as God fhall enable them towards fo Publick a Good, as the Relief of Poor Lunaticks- -, many of whom, by the Bleffiagof God, and through the Charge of the faid Hofpital, and the daily Cate of thofe intrufied therewith, are reftored to. their former Senfes. There has been alfo this laft Year expended feveral confiderable Sums of Money in the neceffary Repairs of both the faid Hofpkais,. of Bridewell and BetbLem. And what deferves to be mentioned as a new Foundation of Charity , the LONDON W R K- H U S E ; there were Children in this Houfe at Lady-Day , 1718. Numb. 113. Since admitted, &c. Thefe Noble Inftitutions of Charity do every Year want and receive fome frefh Supplies by fpecial Friends and Benefactors , whole Names ihould be had in everlafling Remembrance, and^ iliould, I think, be annually recited , to encou- rage others to follow their good Example. Ch rift-Church Hofpital has been feafonably re- JKev d this lad Year, with feparate Legacies of i op /. from Dame Sarah Prit chard. Mr. Paul 'j/j-, Gent. Sir Edward' Wills. , Kt. Samuel Stteg* 24 A Spital SERMON. Shepherd , Efq;. Sir James Bateman , Bar. and Aldennan. Sir John Let hitillier , Kt. Sir Ri- chard Kc#.r, Kt. and Alderman. Mrs. Jane El~ hot, and Mrs. Sarah Rudgerd. And Legacies of 50 /. each , from William Nutt , Efq;, and Mr. William Bridges. Benefactors to the Work-Houfe have been Dame Sarah Prichard 100 1. Sir Richard Hoar, late Prefident , by his lafl Will zoo /. Samuel Shepherd, Efq; by Will 100 /. Sir James Bate- man by Will 100 /. And fome Perfons now living have given Earneft of their good Inten- tions , Sir Robert Beechcroft LOO /. Sir Peter Delmey 50 1. With zoo /. lately from Thomas Hall, Efq; in Addition to Three Hundred Pounds before given. St. Bartholomews Hofpital within the Year lad pail, has had thefe worthy Friends and Benefa- dtors, Dame Sarah Prichard 100 I: Sam. Shepherd, Efq; 100 /. William Nutt, Efq; 5O/.* Chrifto- pher Muf grave, 200 .1.' William Daffy, Efq; 100 /. John Houblon, Efq; 200 1. William Hoskins, Efq; zol. Befides fome fettled Annuities by Mr. Paul Jervis, and Mr. William Allen. The pious Legacies and Gifts to St. Thomas 's Hofpital are as followeth : The Legacies of i oo /. by Sir John Lethuillier. 100 /. by Samuel Shep- herd, Efq;. 100 /. by Mr.Jofepb King. 100 /. by Dame Sarah Prichard ; and 5-0 /. by Mr. John Hibbert. And feveral Gifts by worthy Perfons now living ; 200 /. by Sir Thomas Abney, Kt. and Alderman, and Prefident. 50 /. by Sir Harcourt Mafters, Kt. and Alderman. 50 Gui- neas by the Honourable Spencer Compton, Efq; Speaker A Spital SERMO^ST. 25 Speaker of the Houfe of Commons. 50 /. by John Hopkins^ Efqj. 50 /. by Mr. Thomas Sheer- ing, and 20 /. by Jofeph Pace, Efq;. Let thefe Things be told for a Memorial of them : Nor let their Names be blotted out in the next Generation, Let thefe Charities abide > let them never fail, let them annually, daily, increafe more and more, they can be never out of Seafbn : And - yet there may be a fuller Opportunity of fb doing Good, in the Times of any Ruffle or Difquiet, or the Fears and Apprehenfions of 'em. It is now One Hundred and Thirty Years fince our Forefathers had a mighty Surprize upon them, by a pretended Spanifo Invafion , with an Arma- da, which they call'd Invincible , for a Caufe which they call'd Catbolick, that was, for Popery and Slavery : But inflead of Conquefl and De- ftrudion, it prov'd a Year of Deliverance, and Victory fo great, that it (lands in our Annals as the Wonderful Tear. And juft within another Century, we had another Year of Wonders, a moft amazing, a mofl aufpicious Revolution. But I fay, in the firfl Eighty Eight, when the Spaniards were attempting to be Conquerors here, as they had been lately in the Weftern Indies ; where Converfion had been the Murder of Mil- lions of People : Amidfl the Rumours of that Invafion, wh^t was the Preparation made againfl it ? The Wifdom of the Queen and Miniftry was taking all proper Meafures for Defence of the Commonweal, for the All at Stake. And the better Sort of Citizens in this City, upon the bare Apprehenfion of that Danger, were fitting D loafer 26 A Spital SERMON. loofer from the World, were exercifing them- felvesthe more in Godlinefs and good Works. Their Piety and Charity feem to have run higfier () than in any one former Year. At the Beginning of that memorable Year, the Preachers of the Spital Sermons in this City re- commended the greater Obligations to Bounty and Beneficence toward the Poor and Needy. In particular, one eminent Preacher and fucceed- ing Prelate , (c) Dr. Lancelot Andrews^ thought it proper to celebrate our Proteflant Charity* and to prove the Increafe of it above and beyond the Proportion in Popifh Countries Abroad, or here in Popifh Times. Said he, " Learning in " the Foundation of Schools and Increale of Re- ' () See firft, the Foundation of the Free-School of Haute/head, in the County of Lancafter , by Dr. Edwin Sandys , Bifhop of Wor- cefter. i. Apr. 30. Eli^. 1588. Antiq. Worcefter, 8vo. p. 163. 2. Account of the great Charities of Frances, Countefs of Suffix, who died March 9. 1588. Dugdale Bar. Tom. 2. p. 287 3. An Aft concerning the Alms-Houfe at Lambourn?, in the County of Berks. 31. //t- i$8i. 4. An Aft for the berter Afiu- rance of the Free Gram mar- School of Tunbridge, in the County of Kent 5. An Augmentation of the Vicarage of Hackington, alias, St. Stephen near Canterbury , by Sir Roger Manwood, Kt. Lord Chief Baron of the Exchequer, in Decemb. 1588. Strype's Life of Archbifhop Wbttgift, p. 28$. 6. The charitable Legacies of Dame Helen Branch , Widow of Sir John Branch r Kt. late Lord Mayor, who died 24. July 1588. Stow's Survey of London, 163$. Fol. p. 336 7, The Gift of Mr. fames Savage, to the Poor of St. Mary Overy's in Southward, Anno Dom. i$88. ib. p. 455. 8. The Bencfaftions of Mrs. Blanch Parry , chief Gentlewoman of Q^ueen Elizabeth" 1 :, Privy-Chamber , and Keeper "of her Majefly's Jewels, who gave to the Poor of Batton and Newton in Herefordjhire, Seven-Score Bufhcls of Wheat and Rye Yearly for ever, with di- vers Sums of Money to. Weflminfler , and other Places for good Ufes. She died Febr. 1 2. i $8|. ib. p. 81 o. (c) A Sermon at St. Mar/s Hofpital , 03 Wednefda) ifl Eafler- Week, Apr. 10, 1588, By Lancelot Andrews^ D. D. " venues __ , . _ .. ,_^_ A Spital SERMON. 27 cc venues within Colleges , the Poor in the Foun- " dation of Alms-Houfes, and Increafe of Per- cc petuities of them, have received] greater Help " in this Realm within Forty Years laft pair, c fince the Reformation , than it hath in any " Realm Chriftian, not only in the fame Time, " but in any Forty Years upward , during all the " Time of Popery. " So far that good Preacher and wife Man. I may add, that by what I have happen'd to fee in the Records of thofe Times, there feems to have been more given to pious and charitable Ufes, within the Compafs of that Tingle Year, than in the Courfe of Four or Five preceding Years, And fpecial Care was taken to exhort and prefs the People in that Seafon to be kind and liberal to their poorer Brethren. Among the Articles of Advice from the Archbijhop of Canterbury to the Mmi/ters of his Province, for the better dire- Bing and ajfifling^ the People s Repentance and De- votions : One was exprefly, for the People to be exhorted, efpecially to relieve the Poor. VII. To be merciful, &C. XI. The Lord-Mayor and Ju- faces quietly to be fought unto for the Provi/ion of Bread. And laflly , That Monthly Certificates flwuld be made by every Minifler of their Cottefti- ons, for the Relief of all the Poor in each Parijh^ by the Church-Wardens and Collectors. A good Hiftorian has obferved, that when the prefent Danger from the Spanifo Navy was over, yet the Fears of the Popiili (/) Strength and Ma- (d) Mr, Stryfe's Life of Archbifhop Whlt&ft, Fol, p. 27$. D z lice 28 A Spital SERMON. lice remained. For that Reafoi the People were then the better difpofed to Piety and Publick Prayers and Thankfgivings. Upon Expectation of the then formidable Ene- my, the QJLJEEN, by her Bifliops , appointed Days of Humiliation, and (. 71. A Letter of the Archbifliop of Canterbury to the Bifhops of his Province, fignifying, that he has newly printed a certain Book of Prayers to be ufed in all Churches 5 dated 10. July> i $88. R;g. Wbitgift. Cant. Ml. P. I. p. 148. (f} Letter to Bcrnardine Mendow- Printed in 1588. 4(0. There A Spital SERMON. There was a devout Frame of Mind in the great General, who was then at the Head of thofe For- ces, and was teaching the Soldiers under him to fight for their Religion, as well as for their Queen and Country. I have feen thefe Words in a Let- ter from that noble Earl of Lekefter y to the Earl of Shrewsbury, dated from Tz/^yy-Camp, Aug. 15*. 1588. (g) " Our Gracious Queen hath been u here with me, to fee her Camp and People, ns as to us, with Regard toourHappinefs, both Temporal and Eternal ? But, Thirdly^ We have yet further Pledges of the Divine Love, and fuch as ought never to be for- gotten by us, I mean the fignal, the almoft mi- raculous Deliverances vouchfafed fo often both to our Church and State : Our Sins, our Follies have often call'd for Difcipline, often provok'd God's Wrath againft us, and confequently expo- fed us to be troubled and diftreffed by thofe that hated us ; but ftill, with what Clemency, with what Mercy have our Punifhments been tem- pered to teach us that not our Ruin, but our Re- formation was thereby intended. And When (to be the more aife&ed with the Senfe of the Divine Clemency and our Delive- rances) we look back upon the various Arts and Methods of our Enemies (Enemies not to be defpiied either for their Skill, or Power) who have the Houfe ofC o M M o N s. 15 have fo long labour'd to undo us, fometimc by open Violence and Hoftility, and fometime by fecret Treachery and Villany ; and that they have (tuck at no MafTacres, no Murders, no Seditions, or Confpiracies, no Treaibns or Re- bellions, and no bale AflafTinations to eiTecl our Ruin ; is it not then a Miracle of Mercy that we- have been hitherto preferv'd ? and fhou'd we not with all Humility afcribe it to God s Mercy, and not our Merits, to God's Providence, and not our Forefight, that fo many wicked Devices, fo many curs'd Contrivances form'd againftus,. have been defeated and confounded ? Thefe are Things too well known, to be long infifted on this honourable Audience, which is fo converfant in the Hiftories, not only of our own, but of all 1 Nations, and therefore needs not be appriz'd by me, of the great Things God has done in Ages pail, for this Church and Nation, and much lefs of thofe within our own Remembrance. For you that have been "Witneffes to the De- ftruclions that have fo often threaten'd us, you that have feen our Religion and our Laws in their laft Extremities, you that have feen our- Animoftties- and Diffentions almoft inflam'd .into tjie mercilefs Barbarities of a civil War, you that fo well know how many and how great our Dangers and DiftreiTes have been, and how ft range a concurrence of wonderful and kind Providences have interven'd fo often for our refcue. Nay, you that have the Plea- 1 6 A Sermon Preached before fure to refleft, many of you, that in the Hands of Providence, you yourfelves have been fo much the Inftruments of our Deliverances, that your wife Proceedings in the Senate and the Council, and that your fteady condud and valour in our Fleets and Armies, have happily expert- enc'd the Divine Beneficence, in the Succeffes and Victories you have gain'd for the wellfare of your Country. The grateful Impreffions of thele Thjngs, I fay, being as yet fo lively, and fo well fixt in your Breaftf , I fhall no longer need to dwell upon them. And, This may fuffice, as to my firll Particular : I proceed, 2dly, To confider how very much we have been wanting to our Duty, by making very ill and unfuitable Returns for thofe great and fignal Bleflings. Upon a Review of the foregoing Advantages, and of that aufpicious Providence that has ta- ken fo much Care of us, might it not be well expeded, that we were poITeis'd with the moil grateful Apprehenfions of the Divine Bounty towards us ; that we were truly fenfible of our Happinefs, and accordingly thankful, for fo eafy and fo mild a Government, heartily Loyal to our moil gracious Sovereign, and as heartily well afteded one towards another ; and that by a holy Life u r e itudy'd to adorn that moft holy Religion, which God hath hitherto fo wonder- fully prelerved to us; for fuch, undoubtedly, oa^ht to be our Acknowlegements for the fore- n :.ea lion \I BLe ill iigs, but, a las', to our Shames, and the Houfe of C o M M o N s. 17 and God grant, that to our Amendment all" it be fpoken, inftead of thofe dutiful Returns which the Divine Bleflings have fo juftly calPd for, how undutiful, how ungrateful have we been ! For, Are there any of the fad Abominations charg'd upon the Jews in the Context, that are not too prevailing among us ? Were they tax'd with Coveteoufnefs, with Oppreflion, with In- temperance, Drunkennefs, Pride, Luxury, with Perverfenefs in inverting the Names of Good and Evil, with carnal Security, and a ftrange Vanity of thinking themfelves Wife, when they were moil Foolifh, as being extremely wicked ; are thefe the fad Enormities complaiii'd of in the Jews, and for which they were to be de- ftroy'd ? and can it be deny'd that the fame, nay, and many other Impieties, are not become the crying Sins of this Land ? For of what complain- ings of Oppreffions in our Streets , and, of Violence in- cur High Ways do we not frequently hear of? Of what Mercilefs and Jswifb Coveteoufnefs on the one Hand, and of what boundlefs Luxury and Extra vangancies on the other ? And tho' the glorious Light of theGofpelhas fhin'd fo long upon us, in fo bright a Manner, yet good God ! to how little Purpofe ; for what Returns have we made in any meafure fuitable to fo plentiful a Difpenfation of it ? How often is that Holy Religon which was given to be our Rule of Worfliip, and which is the \Vifdom of the great God daringly made the Subjed of pro- C phane 1 8 A Sermon Preached be j ore phane Raileiy ? How is that holy Religion, that lays upon us all the Tyes imaginable of being united in the Bonds of Charity one towards another ? How is it perverted to quite another Purpofe, and made to be the common Topick of Difputes and Wranglings ? And that fome- tjmes by fuch, whofe Time and Pains undoubt- edly might much more ufefully be employed, more to the Edification of the People, more to the Tranquillity of Church and State, in incul- cating uncontroverted Duties, than (for the fake, perhaps,of fhewing more their Parts than Piety) in reviving old, or creating new Difputes, or Herefies. But not to infift too long on fo difagreeable a Subject, whither it be from the Licentioufncfs arifing from Practices of this Kind, or from the incorrigible ill Example of others, and the Impunities allow'd to (b many ill Men, by the RemiiTnefs and Neglecl: of civil Magiftrates ( which are Faults not to be diifembl'd whom- foever they affefc) or from whatever other Caufe, or Caufes, it proceeds ;it is plain the Con- fequence is too vifible, that our Impieties, our Immoralities are very grofs and enormous ; too provoking towards God ; too pernicious in their own Nature to confift, or to be compatible with the Favour of God, or our Safety \ fince it is fo manifcft that there are among us fo. many vicious Libertines, fa many prophane Scoffers o Religion, fo many perjur'd Wretches, that ad in Oppoiition to their mbit folemn Obliga- tions, the Houfe of Co M M o N s. 19 tions, and fo many that daringly avow their Infi- delity, and indulge themfelves without controul in their Extravagances ; for thefe areThings that can't go long unpunifhed in any State, if they are not repented of. 'Tis true indeed, (and God be praifed for it) that thefe Impieties are not yet fo fpreading as to be univerfalfGod forbid they ever fhould)for to our Comfort be it fpoken, there are among us alfo many worthy Perfons, no lefs diftinguifh- able for their Piety and Vertue, than others for their Impiety and Debauchery ; Men that fear God, and that obey the King, detefting both the Guilt of Hypocrify toward the one, and Dif- loyalty toward the other ; Men that have a due Regard to their Oaths and Promifes, that efchew Evil and do Good, that are not afham'd of their Religion, and fhew it, not by loud Pretences, not by extolling Parties, but in ferving God tru- ly, in doing Juftice, in loving Mercy, in ftudy- ing to be quiet, and to do their own Bufinefs ; and in a Word, by heartily endeavouring, not only to fave their own Souls, but the Souls of others too. Thefe, thefe are furely the moft propitious and the beft Guardians of our Land ; thefe are they that have hitherto ftood between us and Deftru- tion ; and warded off the Thunderbolts of the Divine Vengeance. And we fhould pray that it may pleafe God by the Efficacy of his Grace, to add daily to the Number of thofe Holy and Tutelar Patriots, feeing we have fo much Rea- G 2 fon 2O A Sermon Preaclfd before fon to believe it to be owing to their Goodnefs and their Piety, to the Intereft that they have with God, and their powerfullnterceflion for us that we are yet prefer v'd. But Tho' God, for their Prayers, and for his own Mercy ? s fake ( which ftould lead us to Repen- tance ) doth as yet with-hold hi? Vengeance, and wait for our Amendment, yet, let us not be fo deluded a,s to imagine that even infinite Mercy can endure for to be ftill abufed. For God hath plainly told us that when a People proves incor- rigible, He mil vtpt them in the fever ett Manner, t bat: his Eye will not fpare, nor will he pity^ but that he will judge them according to their Ways,, and re- commence upon them their Abominations Nay, and that tho' Saints fo illuftrious, and fo dear and va- luable to him, as Noah, Daniel^ and Job, fhould be the Members of aState, or Nation, that was incorrigibly corrupt and vicious, they fhould deliver but their own Souls, That the Righte- oufnefs of the Righteous (hould be upon him, - but that the\Vickednefs of theWicked fhould be upon them. It behoves us therefore to look well to it, leaft we be thought incorrigible, and leaft our Impieties encreafe and multiply to that Terrible deg ee, as in the Divine Eftimate, to be account- ed ripe for Vengeance. That we may be juftlyfenfible of this Danger, it becomes us often to remember on the one hand, by what a multitude of Obligations we are engag'd to be a Virtuous and Religious Peo- ple, and on the other, how far fhort, as to in- fi- the Houfe of COMMONS. 21 finitely the greater! Number, we are from an- fwering of this Chara&e r ; and when we feriouf- ly think of this, and read the Fate of God's Re- bellious People, whom we imitate fo much, what a Concern and Terror fhould the Appehenfion of our Danger ftrike into us ? For can we think that the juftGod, the Righteous Judge of all the Earth, will not be aveng'd of thofe who dare prefumptioufly to infult his Laws ; and if we ask the Generations of old, and the Ages that are paft, what State, what Kingdom ever was there, when once 'twas over-run with Vice and Immorality, that was fuffer'd to go unpunifhed ? No, hence arofe the Ruin, hence the certain Defolation of all the Empires in the Univerfe ; when no other Enemy could effecl: it, their own Sins and Wickednefs, grown to a Heigth, have never fail'd to ruin them ; being forfaken of the Divine Blefling, they commonly fell a Victim to their own Corruptions and DirTentions. Seeing then that the juftGpd did not fpare his own peculiar jPeople, and that he even forfook Jerufalem bis Delict among Men^ when it was defiled with Wickednefs, can we think that he will not deal with us, and others, in the like Manner, when our Abominations fhall be equal- ly provoking ? But this brings me to my Third, and Last Particular, which is to fhew that the Senfe of our Tranfgreflions fhould ob- lige us in the moft folomn Manner to attend to the Duty of this Day j to humble ourfelves be- fore 22 A Sermon Preached before fore God, and to repent us of our Sins, that they may not be our Ruin. From theSenfe of our Unworthinefs we can't but fee the abfolute, the indifpenfible Neceflity of Repentance : And happy for us that we are allow'd that Privilege to prevent our Ruin ; Re- pentance being the Sancluary, being the fure and happy Refuge, and the laft Support and Comfort of diftrefTed Sinners ; for when their Sins with-hold good Things from them, when the dreadful Judgments of Heaven are ready to break out upon them, and that they are upon the Brinks of Ruin, the only Hope then lett whereby to avert the Storm, and to conciliate the Peace and Favour of the offended Deity, is Repentance. And, What Repentance means, you know, is to enter into a ftrid Examination of the Evil of our Ways, not after the Manner of DiiTemblers with God, for God will not be mock'd, but fo as to beget in us a juft Abhorrence of our Abo- minations, and to be heartily aiflited and grie- ved for them, humbly to acknowledge them, with all the Aggravations that attend them, to deprecate that Wrath and Vengeance which we deierve ; to refolve upon a better Obedience for the future, and to beg for Grace to be confirm'd in tliefe our Pious Refolutions. And, If by thefe penitential Exercifes we afflift our feivcs m fome Proportion, to the Heinoufnefs of our Guilt, 'till we break the Bonds of Wicked- nefs, ceafe to do Evil, and learn to do well, and add, the Houfe of C o M M o N s. 23 add, hereto our moft importunate Supplications at theThrone of Grace, for the Pardon of our Sins, and of the crying Sins of thefe Kingdoms ; we may then humbly hope that God willftill rejoice to do us Good, have Mercy upon us, and avert the heavy Judgments that our Sins fo loudly call for ; it being written for our Comfort, That he who confeffeth his Sin andforfaketh it (hall have Mer- cy ; and that to the Lord our God belong Mercies and Forgiveneffes, tho'' we have rebelled against him. Nay, and that fliould the Cafe be fuch, as that the Di- vine Judgments fhould be actually ilTued forth, as, that the Heaven fbould bejhut up, and there be no Rain, or that the Locufts be commanded to devour the Land, or that a Pejlilence befent among the Peo- ple. Even in thofe difmal Circumftances, the Gracious God hath promifed, That if my People, fays he, who are caTd by my Namsfhall humble them- J elves, and fray, andfeek my Face, and turn from their wicked ways^ then will 1 hear from Heaven, and will forgive their Sin, and will hsal their Land. 2. Chron. 7. 13. 14, So then, as our whole Welfare, Happinefs, and Security is to come from God, fo the Means, we fee, of being entitled to it, is Repentance. But we fhall be the better able t.> fee our great Con- cernment in thisDury, the Neceflity of Rccourfe to it at this Time, and in fome Meafure after what Manner it fhould be done, if we attend to thefe Two following Confiderations. First, To the Consideration of the Aggravati- ons that our Sins do admit of. 24 A Sermon Preached before Secondly, To that of the Judgments that we are at prefent threatened with. And, tirft, Of the Aggravations that our Sins do admit of; of thofe I era veto inftance but in only Two,i//.That they are committed in Contempt of the Divine Goodnefs, that fhould have obli- ged us to .our Duty ; and Secondly, in Defpight of thofe fartherly Corrections, that Ihould have reclaim'd us to it. Firft then, It behoves us to refieft how egregi- oufly we have abufed the Divine Goodnefs ; for as much, as that we have not been only barren of good Works, but abounded in thofe that are Wicked, in Defpight of all that the Divine Good- nefs hath done for us. That Immorality and Im- piety, and all the Works of Darknefs, fhould be the Produce and Growth of the dark and un- lighten'd Parts of the World is not to be ad- mir'd, while they 'are unhappily fo deftitute of divine Knowledge, and of the Means of Grace. But God be bleis'd, the Cafe is otherwife with us, we are not thus forfaken, nor left to go aftray in the Paths of darknefs, or to be benighted in the gloomy Regions of the Shadow of Death. And yet, if we, who have been refcu'd out of this miferable State, if we, who have fo long enjoy'd fo ferene and clear a Light of the molt divine and purelt Informations ; if we that have the Oracles of the living God fpeaking in our own Tongue; if we that have a Religion fo eftablifh'd on Credentials, fo worthy of a God to give, and fo worthy of the moft exalted Reafon to acquiefce the Houfe of COMMONS. acquiefce in ; if we that have not only the beft Inftru&ions fet before us, but are call'd upon fo often, and in io many Ways, in Books and Sermons, with the mofl Affectionate and Pathe- tick Exhortations, to the Obfervation of them and that have fuch ftrong Engagements in the bright Examples of fo many excellent Perfons^ to excite us to our Duty ; if, notwithstanding all thefe rich Cultivations, we have been not only barren of good Fruit, but like the degene- rated Vine in the Text, we have brought forth four Grapes, that is, if in defpight of all thofe Means that have been us'd to make us Good, we have daringly fm'd againft Light, as it were in contempt of Grace, in contempt of out own folemn Vows and Engagements, and in contempt of all the Threats and Promifes of the Gofpel. Alas, if this be indeed our Cafe, ought we not to (land amaz'd at the Riches of that Mercy, that has hitherto fpar'd us ? Ought 'we not to adore that Goodnefs that has not yet remov'd our Candleftick for {b bafe a Neglect, and fo daring an abufe of it ? And Ought we not to have an Indignation againft ourfelves, and to be overwhelmed with Shame and Sorrow at the Remembrance of having been fo unduti- f hi and difobedient to fo gracious and fo good a God ? We that (land in need of fo much For- givenefsjought to be more earneft in our Repen- ance ; and we that have experienc'd fo very much of the divine Goodnefs ought (according D to 26 A Sermon Preacfrd before ~ to our Saviour's Rule) to be by fo much the. more intent and" fervent in our Love of God. Secondly It is to be alfo fear'd, that the little gr no Effect ; which the Afflictions and Punifli- ments we have been already vifited with for,- our Sins, may be another Aggravation of them ; for fince Afflictions faring not from, tfie Dttjt, are. not the Effects of a blind chance, bat of a wife, and fteady Providence.. For, II is /, faith the, Lord,, that make Peace and create Evil, and (hall there be any Evil [ i. e. of Affliction] in the City, and the Lord hath not done it. Amos 3.6. We fhou'd then remember that wllea Afflictions come, to look upon them, as fent from God, either to try. our Vertue, or to correct our Folly. When we. then reflLct upon- our own De- merits, and upon the Troubles. and Calamities that have bjfallen us, we ought from thence to be.afTur'd both of our Provocations againft God, and of his Difpleafure againft us. ' fis true .we Jhou'd not hence infer, that we are not the greateft Sinners,, becaufe we have not been- the greatefl SarTcrers, for ibmetimes God allows a longer Time to fome than others for Repentan r ces ; yet if we attend either to the Number, or Nature, of the Troubles .wherewith we.haye beenexercis'dj.we fhall have little Rtafon to inter tlience that in the divine Eftimate, we are not lookM upon as 'Very great and provoking Sinners, For tho' (God be prais'd) we have not a late. Experience of Peiti.icn.ee, or Famine, nor of the tie Houfe of C o M M o -N s. 27 bloody Outrages of a civil War, nor of the mer- ciiefs Defolations of Fire and Sword, fcatter'd by a Foreign Enemy within our Borders ; but tho* we have not felt thofe. fore Calamities, (and God grant we never may), yet how often have they threaten'd us, and how narrowly have we efcap'd (at leaft fome of) them ? How long have we been menac'd and infulted by the Popifh Power ? How for more than Thirty Years to- gether, have we been engag'd as it were, but in one uninterrupted conteft in the Defence of our Religion and our Laws ? How many Thoufands of our dear and brave Country- Men have facri- fic'd their Lives on the one Hand, and what an ineftimable Expence of Treafures on the other, have we been oblig'd to, for the Support of it ? Again, how great are the Damages and Loffes, that'we have fuftain'd by Sea and Land, and not only by Foreign Depredations, but by the Fraud and Rapine of Domeftick Bubbles and Impoftures ? And when we con fider of thofe and whatever other Evils that have befallen us, which have affected fo many Thoufands of Fa- milies ; can we think that the Wife and Good God did infl it thofe Evils, or fend thofe Punifh- ments for nought ? Or can we imagine, that that gracious Being who grieves not willingly the Children of Men, wou'd afHift and difci- pline us thus feverely, if our Sins and Wicked- fiefs did not make it neceiTary ? May we not in many of our Sufferings, read the finful Caufes of them, and obferve the Finger of God in the D 2 Punifh- 28 A Sermon Preacfrd before Punifhment pointing out the Wickedhefs that o^cafion'd it ? But have we ferioufly confider'ct fchefe Things ? Have they made any juft Impref- fions upon us ; or can we fay that we have been duly ImmbPd under the mighty Hand of God,. ilLthofe his Punifhments ; or have they wrought ajiy considerable Reformation among us ? Have tjie Confederacies of fo many Foreign Enemies againft us, united us to one another, and curd us of our civil Difcords and Animofities ? Has the Senfe of the great and heavy Debts we have contracted, made us better Husbands or more Frugal ? Or have the Damages, and LofTes we. have fuffer'd abated our Pride, or retrenched our Luxuries ? Or Laftly, have the Dangers we have been in of lofing our Religion oblig'd us to a better and ftri&er Obfervance of it ? Alas, if all our Punifhments and Corrections have had fo~ little or no Effect upon us, as the Beinoufnefs of our Guilt muft be thereby inhanc'd ; fo muft it follow, that for being thus obdurate and Impeni- tent, we ihall treafureupunto our Selves greater Degrees ofVengeanceagainft the Day of Wrath : Which brings me in the Laft Place to obferve, That the Confideration of the dreadful Judgments we are at prefent threaten'd with, is another Motive that calls up- OA us to a very ftrict and unfeigned Repentance,, It we confider our felves in our prefent Circum- ftances, we have reafon to imagine, that the great God looks upon us with much of that . Concern that our Bleifed Lord, was in, when he beheld Jerufalem, and faid, Ob ! that thoa hadjl feen in this thy day the things belonging to thy peace. - That he Condoles our Obftinacy and Perverfenefs, and, as it were, wifhes and defires our Repentance and Converfion before ft be too Late. But if no Threats, if no Promifes,.if no Mercies nor Corrections are available to- reclaim us, we muft not then think, that God will ftillflrive with man ; for when Men prove In- corrigible, Mercy then ceafes, and Juftice will take Place. And if it comes to this Extre- mity, if the Righteous God, who is arvfd with the terrors of almighty power, who has heaven and earth, . with all the powers therein, with the Iffues of life and death at his command ; who is a consuming fire to dejlroy the works and workers of iniquity ; if this Tremendous Being comes forth to Judg- ment, Alas,, Who can f and before his Indignation ^. or who can abide the Fiercenefs of his Anger ? Hab. I. 6. And now we are to remember, that while we are impenitent, we are at Enmity with this moft dreadful Being, who can at once deprive us of all that we enjoy, and all that we can hope for,and inflict upon us all the Evils we are capa- ble of enduring, or that we can fear. That while we are at Enmity with him, his fy- reft Judgments ftand in Array againft us ; that one of them is, as it were, at this Time bran- difli'd over our Heads; I mean that ragingPefti* fence, now let loofe to fpread its Defolations in the nextKingdom to us.; and we fhould 'remem- ber, 30 A Sermon Prcacffd before ber, that the Meaning of that is, to tell us, That they are not greater Sinners than we are, but that if we repent not, we mutt likewife pertjb. And, That we may be fo affefted as we ought o be at the Greatnefs of our Danger, we fhould G .. fi- der,atleaft, a little of the dilinal Defolationsthat we hear of; confider as well of the Strangenefs, as the Terrour of feeing Men in their beft Age and Vigour, as it were by Multitudes falling dead in the Streets and High-ways ; of feeing Crowds of noifome CarcafTes lie unburied, and rotting above Ground for want of Hands to re- move them ; of feeing populous Towns and Ci- ties almoii qii't : depopulated, and of feeingRidi and well Inhabited Provinces in fo fhort aTime made deftitute of Inhabitants, and almoft turn- ed into a Defertc And if at this diftance-thefe Miferies can't but appear very moving to us ; Good God, how unfpeakable would our Ter- rour and Concern be, if they were our own ? Or, what more deplorable Idea can we form to ourfelves, than if this Contagion came among us, and that we in ourTurn fhould be alfo forc'd to fee our Friends and Neighbours fall by Thonfands at our Sides, and by Ten Thoufands at our Right-Hand, to hear at once on every fide the Cries and Groans of the Dying and the Living ; to have our Habitations converted in- to noifome Prifqris ; and to fee this great Metropo- /#, this famous Mart of Nations, fpew out her Inhabitants, and the like fpreading Defolation over-run our Country ? Now when we turn our the Houfe of COMMONS. 31 our Thoughts to thefe-black and Tragical Views, and remember how very nearly they approach us, unleis the wonted Miracles of the Divine Mercy interpofe on our Behalf; can there be any A pprehenfions more awakening, to oblige us with the utmoft Diligence to make our Peace with God ? In a Word, If we have any Re- gard for the common Good, any Concern for the Welfare of our Native Country, or for thofe in it that are deareil to us, and for oir felves; it behoves us without Delay, and before it be too late, to conciliate his Favour who can alone pre- ferve us. Thus does it appear as welt from a View of the Judgments wherewith we are threatened^ as from the Aggravations that our Sins do ad- mit of, how fmcere and extraordinary our Hu- miliation and Repentance fhould be-. To Turn- up all ; If in a iuft-Li^ht we fet be* fore us thefe ieveral Confi derations. f/V//, How much we have to yinVer to God for having fo long abus'd his Good d'Js, and making fuch ill Returns for all the. iu:ances of his Love toward us ; how much -we have to anfwer for being fo obdurate and har.ieu'd agauirl Correction ; and profiting fo little by the ,Jif-:ipline w'lorcby his Mercy would reclaim us; a, id how much there- fore God mud be incens'd againft us, as we have Reafon to believe alfo from the terrible Judg- ments that are prefented before us. If the Senfe.of thefe. Things have, a dueErTecl: upon 32 A Sermon Preaclfd before us, we fhall be aeceffarily convinced of our Obligation to the following Rules. f irtf, With the deepeft Humility, and with a Holy and Religious Fear to proftrate our- (elves before God, To acknowledge that we have not walked in his Laws which he hathfet before as, to acknowledge that to him belongeth Right eoufnefs, but to ut Confufion, to our Kjngs, to our Princes, to our Fathers, and our f elves ^ becaufe we have finned againtt him. Secondly, In the devouteft Manner to implore God's Mercy, to contend with him with ftrong Cries and Tears, That he correct us not in his An- ger, least he bring us to Nothing, that he may not remember the crying Sins and Offences of thefe Kingdoms, but that according to his Mercy he may think upon us for his Goodnefs fake, preferve us from the noifome Pejlilence, deliver our Souls from Death? and from all the Evils that we have dtferv*d* And, Thirdly, To be qualified,' and made fit Ob- jects for that Mercy ; to refolve to forfake the Evil of our Ways ; topurfue the Things that make for our Peace ; to abhor all Prophanenefs and Irreligion ; to be afham'd of our Civil Dif- cords and Contentions, which tend to render us fo pernicious to ourfelves,fo ufelefs toourFriends, and fo contemptible to our Enemies ; and in a Word, to repent us truly of all our Sins, and unfeignedly to turn to God in Newnefs of Life : fo fliall we efcape the Evils we are afraid of ; enjoy the Continuance of God's Mercy and lo- ving t lye Houfe of C o m M o N s. 33 ving Kindnels towards us, and fo doing, whe- ther Life or Death befall us, we ihall be afcer- tained of our Happinefs. I have nowdifpatch'd what Ipropos'd, and en- deavoured With that Plainnefs and Simplicity which I think beft becomes the Occafion, to fet before you the heinous Nature of our Guilt ; the Judgments they are likely to bring upon us, and the only Means whereby We may efcape them, namely by Repentance and Reformation. And now, Of what mighty Force, Illuftrious Patriots, your Example and your Authority will be to aC- complifli and bring about this BlefTed End, you need not be informed. What remains for me is to fupplicate, that that Wifdom which is from Above may direct you to the beftMeans for the Attainment of our common Good ; and may in- fpire you with Zeal and Refolution equal to this Glorious Undertaking; and 'may enable you moft effectually to fupprefs all Vice and Impiety, (which are our worll Enemies) and to maintain God's true Religion and Vertue among us. And, Becaufe God rejoices to fhine upon the Coun- cils of the Juft and Good, may no fmful, or un- becoming Imputations, may no partial, no fini- fter or mean Views be the Reproach of any one who has the Honour to be of your auguft Af- fembly : But may the Briftjb Senate ever be re- nowned for their inviolable Adherence to that noble Principle, of facrificing all otherConfi- E ' derations 34 -^ Sermon Preacfrd before derations to that of the Publick Welfare ; and may you be as much rever'd and honour'd for your Piety and yourVertue, as you are juftly dreaded for. your Power and Authority. In a Word, and to conclude in the Words of our Holy Mother the Church, May your Confutati- ons ever tend to the Advancement of God's Glory,, to the Good of his Churchy to the Safety , Hoaettr and Welfare of our Sovereign and his K^ingdoms ; that all things may be fo ordered and fettled by your Endea- vours upon ths best and fureH Foundations, that Peace and Happinefs, Truth and Juftice, Religion and Piety, may be eftablifhed among us for all Gene* rations, and till Time fly all be no more. Amen. F I N I S. Newly Puttifhed. A View of the State of Religion in the Dio- cefe of St. David, with fome Account of the Caufes of its Decay. Together with Confiderations of the Reafonablenefs of aug- menting the Revenue of Impropriate Churches* By ER A s MU s S A u NDE R s, D. D. And Sold by Jo H N W Y AT, at the K^, ia St Parts Church-Tar 4... JuH Publifhed. ECclefiaftical Memorials ; relating chiefly to Religion, and the Reformation of it, and the Emergencies of the Church o{ England, under King Henry VIII. King Edward VI. and Queen Mary I. All which being new, and fuch as have hitherto efcaped our "Writers and Hifto- rians, will communicate much more Light to thofe great Tranfalions in this Kingdom ; and moreover, difcover further the Inclinations and Influences of the refpedive Princes ; the Em- babies and Correfpondencies with Foreign Po- tentates and Sates, chiefly with Refpeft to Re- ligion : The Oppofitions made to it; the Troubles and Perfections of the ProfeiTorsof it ; the Tempers, Pra&ifes and Events of the Two Cardinals, Woljey and Pole, and other Prelates and great Men of ' both Parties, in the refpe&ive Reigns : Befides, Accounts of Convocations, Royal and Epifcopal Vifitations, Ecclefiaftical Conftitutions, Books from Time to Time fet forth ; with various other Matters worthy of Note and Obfervation. In 3. Vol. With a large Appendix to each Volume, con- taining Original -Papers, Records, $3c-. By JOHN STRYPE, M. A. And Sold by J o H N W Y A T, at the Rofi y in St. Paul\ fchurch-Tard. SERMON Preach'd at the Confecration of the Right Reverend Father in GOD EDWARD Lord Bifliop of Lichfield and Co- ventry, at Lambeth Chappel, November By WILLItAM "BTRCHE.M.A. Chaplain to His Grace The Lord Archbifhop of CANTERBURY. LONDON: Printed for JAMES HOLLAND, at the Jtikle and Bali in St. jWs Church Yard. M.DCC.XVII. Price Six Pence. i Ti M B III. 7, Moreover he mult have a good fort of them which are without, left he fall into Reproach and the Snare of the Devil, THE ApoftleSt Taxi having in the five preceding Verfes enumerated diftin&ly the feveral Virtues which were reauifite to qualify a Man for the Office of a Bifbo& concludes at length the whole Character with the Words of my Text ; vie. Moreover he mttfi bows agtod Refwt efthem which are wTthonti* As if he fliould fay, a Bifhop muft not only be Chaft, Tttofftfcei Vt&lant, Hoffittbk, tttt, and adornM with a!l tiie Ctmlities a tues evtiy good Chrtftian oughb to .of, and which are in every ones Power to but he futril likewife, over and above all A 2 have* 4 &4 SERMON *Pwldfifil l the Co have, what is not fo entirely in his own Power, though in a great meafure it may be fo, a good Report, a clear and unfullied Character from them which are without. By them which are without, the Apoftle undoubtedly means the unbelieving Jews and Gentiles. The Jews to whom the preaching of Chrift crucified was a Stumllittg-'Block) and the Greeks who reputed it Footijhxeff, would not fail, we may be fure, to enquire very diligently and narrowly into the Lives and Conversations of the Men who propa- gated thefe new Doctrines, in order to make a Judgment from the Tenour of their former Adti- ons and Behaviour, whether they were fincere in what they Taught and profefs'd to Believe, or had for fome by Ends and Purpofes a DefTgn to impofe upon the reft of the World. It was therefore highly neceflary that the Perfons who were to prefide over the Church of Chrift, and to whom the care of fending Labourers into his Vineyard was committed, mould be Men of ex- emplary Sanctity, and unblameable Lives, in all Things fiewing themfelves ^Patterns of Good Works , that they that were of the contrary part might le afiamed, having no evil Thing to fay of them. And befides this, it was judg'd requifite by the Apoftle, that they fhould not only be fuch of whom no evil Thing could be faid with Truth,, but 'that they fhould likewife be Men of Character and Efteem even among the Un- believers and Gainfayers. He well knew that the attention of the Hearers was moft commonly in proportion to the Authority and good Reputati- on of the *Bifiof of Lichfield and Coventry. 5 on of the Preacher, and that the fame Argu- ments had more or lefs weight with the generali- ty of Mankind, as they came from Men of more or lefs Efteem in the World. That it was there- fore of great importance tobefpeak in this man- ner the Reverence and Attention of the People in the infancy of Chriftianity is very evident. We muft not however look upon the Directions St. "Paul here gives his beloved Son Timothy, as calculated for a particular Seafon, and neceflary only to be obferv'd then, but we muft confider 'em as written for our oAdmonition alfo ufon whom the ends of the World are come. For though by God's blefling and peculiar Providence we have the happinefs to have been born in the midft of People who profefs the Chriftian Faith, (in regard to our own Nation, we may add in its greateft Purity ) though it be our Felicity to have Principalities and Powers on our fide, though the name of Jew and Gentile is but lit- tle known amongft us, yet fince there are fb many who are willing and ready to revile the venerable Fathers of our Church, fome, whole wicked Lives and Behaviour have brought 'em into a fatal and curfed neceflity of decrying all Religion, ibme out of unreafonable prejudice againft, and hatred to this facred Order, others out of obftinate diflike, to fay no worfe, of the Perfons and Principles of not a few right worthy Prelates, we muft with Sorrow confefs that the oi &-0r are ftill but too numerous, and ac- knowledge the Apoftle's Direction in my Text to be of everlafting Force and Obligation. I ttatt 6 <-,4 SEKMON Treactfd at the fhall therefore on this folemn Occafion, endea^. vour to fhew the NecefTity of a Bifhop's ha* ving a good report of them which are witbont, And this I fhall do, by confidering, as far as the Time will permit, the many ill Confequen* ces that may attend his not having this nece fary Qualification, Now every Man that lies under an ill Report, may, I think, properly b$ faid to be in one of thefe three Circumftances, Hither he deferves it by his prefent Life and Behaviour, Or, 2^/v, He may have given but too much Reafofi for it by his former Adions, Or, ^dl)\ (Which Is indeed the hardeft and mod deplorable Cafe) he may fuffer in his Re* pimmon \\ itliout Cauftj an4 may no^ by any former or pi-dent Behaviour have defcrvd the III Report lie lies under. 1 (hall conikler diftinftly cadi of thefe Three Circumftances, and endeavour to fhew how Jar they imiy ievevally be fajd to render a Man ujiin ibr this ffigh and Sacred Office:, Tl^r ,my one vrnder the firft mentionM Cir- i iiniJtciMCc, is a very Improper PtHbn to be pixi* m<;ud to a Foil of fr? gre^t Traft and Eminence, ii. svhauio )^K!V 1 hefifcve wtll vemin*etodwy s N'>nc '.in b< to bUad, but muft^fot^fee what p. M-'tjuhj be to the Chriftian Name, v'l-ai- OHO;^ to the Church of God, to have iltvh ^ >/[:in pi-el kJe over any Branch of it, What dt-tHv of Piety, \v!ma 'degerneraey in ah* the J>tf.Xs jtf Morriljtv, mult we not e^p^ft, fn a be tftftitutc of that great In- citement ef the "Biflof of Uchfieid and Coventry. 7 chement to, and Promoter of Virtue ; a good Example, there efpecially, where it ought to be in the moft eminent manner, and where we may be fure it will be moft looked for ? How can we hope that a Man fhould to any good purpofe Teach another , that Teacheth not him* felf? Will not the corrupt Inclinations of Men by Nature prone to Evil, and glad of any Pre* tence to excufe their going aftray, plead againft their Teacher, and (as they will be apt erro* neoufly to conclude 5 for, themfelves, in the Words of the Apoftle, Thou, that freacheft a Man ffjould not Steal, doft thou Steal ? Thou that fafft a Man fhould not commit &4dultery 9 doft thou commit oAdultery? Thou that alhor- reft Idols, doft thou commit Sacrilege ? Thou that wakeft thy 'Boaft of the Law, through breaking the Law dijhonoureft thou God? That which would be wholefom and feafonable Difcipline when Miniftred by another, will wear the Face of Cruelty and Tyranny when it comes from fuch a Hand. And the ftrongeft ProfefTions of Zeal for the Church of Chrift would without any great breach of Charity be regarded as no-; thing elfe but Hipocrify and Diflimulation. The many ill Confequences, and fatal Effects in this Cafe are too vifible and evident to want any Illuftration from Hiftory and Example. Was there any Occafion for fuch a Proof, we need but turn our Eyes towards our Neighbouring Nations in Communion with the Church of Rome. What more probable Account can we give of that dev&fh Spirit of Atheifm and Ir- religion 8 oA SERMON Treactfd at the Confecration religion which is obferv'd by Travellers to reign in moft Popifh Countries, than that it is in a great Meafure owing to the fcandalous Lives and Behaviour of many of their principal Clergy, though there are numberlefs Fopperies in their Wo/fhip, and Abfurdities in the Faith they would impofe, which may not a little contri- , bute towards it. It requires a more than or- dinary good Underftanding, to aflent entirely to the Truth of that Gofpel which is fo daily contradicted by the Practice of thofe who teach it ; and an uncommon degree of Virtue and In- tegrity, to abftain from thofe Sins which they fo frequently hear the great Prelates of their Church, Bifhops and Cardinals, nay, very of- ten their infallible Director himfelf, accus'd of; and for which they ftand recorded in the Works of Satyrical Writers, and the Songs of Drunkards. I come now to the Second Circumftance, I fup- pos'd a Man might be in, who lay under an ill Report ; viz. His having given but too much Occafion for it, by his former Life and Actions. It is not to be deny'd, but that there may 'be Examples produc'd of Illustrious Penitents, who have done great and glorious Service to the Church of God ; and Inftances given, where one Sinner returning from the error of his ways, has been. of greater Benefit to Mankind, in the great and important Concern of their Salvation, than Ninety and ninejuft Terfons that needed no Repentance. But if we confider the difference of Times and Circumftances, we fhall find the Cafe ^ muchaiter'd now, from what it was in the ofthelBiJJwp of Liclifield and Coventry. 9 the earlier days of Chriftianity. God forbid I fliould be thought to infinuate, that the Arm of the Almighty is (hortned, or that his Grace has loft its efficacy through length of time. I have a good hope there may be, and do not queftion but there are as fmcere and devout Penitents now, as in the more remote Ages. But that it is a more difficult Task now for a Man to convince the World of his Sincerity, and confequently, though he will reap the in- finite Advantage of it himfelf, yet that it will be in great danger of being loft to the reft of Mankind, will, I believe, be allow'd, when we fhall have compar'd the Condition of primitive Chriftianity, with the ftate we now find it in. What mighty hardfhips and difficulties tile firft Profeffors of Chriftianity had to ftruggle with, is very well known ; when the whole World was in a manner fet againft 'em, and all the Powers thereof employed to their deftru&ion. Let us then compute the vifible Gains of that Man who in thofe days fhould forfake the Vanities, Pleasures, and Allurements of the World, to -preach the Gofpel of Chrift. We fiiall find the detail of his Acquifitions to be little elfe bat cruel Mockings and Scourgings, Bonds and Imprifonment, Poverty, Cold, Hun- ger, Thirft, with other numberlefs Calamities, and moft commonly to clofe the whole Account an ignominious and cruel Death. What Profit was it then to a Man to be diftinguifhed by the Illuftrious Title of Bifhop, and to be fet at die head of a diftrefs'd and perfecuted Church ? B What' i& G/4f S ER M 6 N "Preached at the ConfecrAthn What was it but to be expos'd in a more emi- nent manner to the Malice of his Adverfaries^ and ftand a more conspicuous Mark for the In- ftruments of Deftru&ion to aim at. This, as every Body knows was the condition of the Apo- ftles, and their more immediate Succeltors. And furety a Man muft have a very untow- ard Judgment indeed, that couki make any ctoubt of their Sincerity in what they Preached, When they were known to exchange their Worldly Profit, Eafe'and Pleafure For fo many vifible Difad vantages and Afflictions, what could be concluded but that they expected them- felves what they exhorted others to endeavour after, a great Reward in teeaven ? But, now fince Godhas been gracioufly pleas'd to provide fame letter Thing for tts 9 fince his good Provi- dence has fo order'd that the Fathers of our Church fliould not only enjoy Security but Plenty, that they fhould not only be exempt from the hard Ufage, the Bonds and Impri- fonments which their Predeceffbrs fufTer'd, but fhould moreover be inverted with great Worldly Honour and Dignity, Envy and Ill-nature will have but too much room to fuggeft that a Man who has been blameable in the former part of his Life, if he defires the Office of a ISzJIwp, de~ fireth a good Work^ not fo much for the pvr- fefting of the Saints^ for the work of the Mi- niftry, for the edifying of the "Body ef hrift r as for the enriching and aggrandizing himfelf. Malicious People (and I am afraid it will never befo well with us as to look upon fuch, as a of the TSifiof of Lichfield and Coventry. 1 1 a defpicable number of Men) will not fail to Infmuate that all the Sanftity and Gravity fucli a Man appears with is nothing elfe but an af- fum'd Perfbnage, a politick Character, and that his only end in Miniftring about Holy Things, is, that he may Live of the Sacrifice. Thefe reproaches, if they are unjuft, and in charity we muft think they often are, will not, I con- fefs injure him againft whom they are particu- larly levell'd, but the Mifchief will fall where it is not defign'd, upon his Diocefs, his Flock, who will not be attentive to the Voice of him whom they are taught to look upon, not as their Shepherd, but as the Thief who cometh not lutfor to Steal, and to Kjll> and ^Deflvoy. Wicked and fenfual Men are too apt to imagine that other People have been as deaf to the repeated gracious Calls and Invitations of God's holy Spirit, as they themfelves have been, and enjoy an extravagant and fenfelefs kind of comfort, in concluding, that wifer Men than thernielves have found their (infill lufts and appetites as ir- refiftible as they have hitherto done. They are afraid to be convinced of the Converfion of others, and fpolifhly think it for their own in- tereft to believe every Man ftill as bad as he lias been formerly known to have been. It is not to be expected that Men's Memories or their Tongues will pay that refpecl: to a Sa- cred Chara&er, or a High Station, as to forget or pafs over in Silence, the former Failings of him they fee fo Promoted. No, we may rather apprehend from our obfervation of the Manners B 2 Of 1 2 oA SERMON 'Preaclfd at the Consecration of Men, and Experience in the World a ve- ry different practice. When we fee any Per* fon diftinguifh'd by an eminent Poft, we may with great aflurance look for a faithful Cata- logue o all his Faults, (if it's not wanting any minutef Particular will give it that Chara&er.) We may be fore we fliall fee expos'd to. Pub- lick view every little Slip, every unwarrantable Action which he has been guilty of in all his for- mer Life, and which perhaps had never been mention'd or thought on, had he ftilj continued in a private Station. Thus we find it is daily,and thus will it always be whilft there are Men in the . World who Envy the Advancement of others, or are Enemies to thofe whojVdvance 'em. Such a Misfortune muft certainly be a great hin- drance to any Man in the executing his Office, and acquitting himfelf for the Publick Benefit as he ought to do, and perhaps is defirous of do- ing. And it is much more fo in in the Cafe of a Bifhop or Ruler of the Church, in whom is requir'd a great feverity of Morals and the ftridteft Virtue, who is expected not Only to have an abfolute command over, but very pften, too unreafonably^ even to be without the Paflions which other Men have. There is another great Mifchief that may a- rife from a Marts being inverted with this Great and Holy Office, whofe former Life and Behai- viour has been juftly to be blam'd, though we llioukl fuppofe every Body actually convinced of his unfeigned Repentance and Amendment ; I mean the ill effect it may have upon the Lives and ; of the, 'Btjhop of Lfehfielcf *W Coventry, r j and Behaviour of others. Loofe and immoral Men, efpecially the younger fort, will be very glad to have a Precedent ready at hand to quote for their Pradice, and will be apt to think they make a fufficient and full Anfwer to the Admonitions of their own Confcience, or the Reproofs of their Friends, when they produce In fiances of Perfons who have been known formerly to have been guilty of the fame Crimes they are ac- cufed of, and yet are now Men venerable for their great Piety, and live in much Efteem and Honour. They will be inclinable to regard their own Faults, as the natural and unavoidable Sallies of Youth, which every Man has more or lefs } and which Age and ma- turer Counfel will wear off by degrees, and reflore 'em to the Favour of God and Man. How extremely difficult and haardous this kind of Reafbning muft make their eternal Salvation, is fb plain, that every Body but themfelves cannot but fee it. This ill Con- fequence of a former wicked Life, is a Stain, which even Repentance it felf can not warn away. And though we have reconcil'd our ielves to God by the moft undiflembled Contrition and Amendment, yet does our pail Example Hill in fbme fort continue our Guilt, and the more fo, the more confpicuoufly we are fet above our Brethren } fince we may expeft that our former Failings will be recalled to the Memories of Men, in proportion to the prefent Figure we make in their Eyes. I come now in the Third and lafl Place, to confider what I before oblerv'd to be the hardeft and mofl de- plorable Circumflance, viz.. A Man's lying under an ill Report without any Realbn given either by his for- mer or prefent Behaviour. And indeed it does appear, atfirfl, very hard and unreafbnable that Merit mould be Neglected, or Goodnefs loofe it's Reward, becaufe they happen to be mifreprefented by the malicious World. But there is a deference to be paid even to the wrong Opinion of Mankind, in Cafes where no body wifl 14 <*4 SERMON Vreactfdat the Confecration will be injured by it, and our not doing it might be of very great Difad vantage. Such a one is the Cafe before us. A Bifhop is not Yet over the Church of Chrift merely for his own Profit or Advantage, but for the general Benefit and Good of the Chriftian Community ; and if any Man be incapable of ferving this End, though not through any fault of his, but only by Acci- dent, he cannot look upon himfelf as injur'd if he be de- ny'd the Office. And that a Man who lies under a ge- neral ill Report is incapable of being thus beneficial to Mankind, will appear if we confider, that in regard to the Multitude, the cafe is much the fame whether he really deferves it or no. As to himielf, indeed it is, happily for him, very different. But it is the Peo- ples own Opinion of their PaftorY Worth which muft: open their Ears to his Admonitions, and make 'em fub- mit with Patience to his fatherly Cenfures and friendly Discipline. Not but that a large Share of Worth is re- quifite to beget this Good Opinion, and there muft be Defert in order to gain Favour, though Favour does not always follow Defert. Thanks foe to God it does not frequently happen that a Man lies under a general ill Report, who has not in ibme meafure delerv'd it. But if it fhould fo fall out, that Perfbn mould feem unqua- lify'd according to the A pottles Diredtians, for the Of- fice of a Bifhop. When I fay that a general ill Report unqualifies a Man for this facred Duty, 1 would not be undcrftood to mean that it is abfolutely neceflary that iic fhould have an universal Good Character without ex- ception. That is almoft impoffible for any Man to ar- rive at. There were not wanting Men who reproached even our Blcfled Saviour himlelf, with being a Glutton and * IVhx-bihhery a Friend of Publicans and Sinners* And is there any fo Innocent or Holy amongft us as to expect better Ufagc than he who knew no Sin, found here on Earth ? There will, I am afraid, be always thole in the World, who out of private Animofi ties, Perfbnal di like, or Parry Rage, will not fcruple to afperfe even the beft tf the *Bifiof of Lichfield and Coventry. 1 5 bell of Men. We muft not therefore take a Charafter of any one, from the Voice of a few fiich Wretches as thefe, who I hope have not Credit enough to make their Opinion General. But if they fhould by their evil Arts fo far prevail upon the innocent and unde- figning part of Mankind, as to make 'em nniverfally believe any thing highly fcandalous of a worthy and good Man, what can we do, but lament the Iniquity of the Times that has made it unexpedient for fuck a one to be a Governour of the Church of Chrift. He himfelf, if he be really Good, and fuch we are fpeak- ing of, will refign his Pretenfions, and remembring that a Bilhop in particular mould not fttk his own, but another's Wealth, will rather choofe to continue in a private Station, than to be exalted to a Poft of E- minence, where he is ib unfortunately prevented be- ing fo beneficial to the World, as one in that place ought to be. But I have dwelt too long upon this Character of a Bifhop, which, Welled be God, we of this Age and Nation can reflect upon in no other View, but as it affords us Matter of great Joy and Comfort, to conflder that it is what our Princes have always had in their Eye from the beginning of the Reformation. Let the whole Cata^ logue of our Bifliops fince that happy Period be Stir* vey'd, and then it will appear what a multitude ftand there, the brighteft Examples of great Learning and found Judgment, of Probity and Integrity, of Pn> dence and Temper, and in Ihort, of all the Valuable Qualities which fet them above the Reproaches and Cenfiires of their Adveriaries. Shall we Blum to let thefe againft the like number in any other Age, or any other Country ? 'Tis no breach of Modefty, to fay we dare to do it. We dare even appeal to the .Teftimo-- ny of our irreconcileable Enemies in the Church of Rome j who have always given the Fathers of our Church a Good Report, fo far at leaft as their not be- ing able to fix a Bad Character poa 'em may amount to* 16 e/4 to. And the Silence of thefe Adverfaries is certainly no inconfiderable Evidence of their Worth, fince we know by Experience, that they will not Icruple to make ufe of any Means that Malice or Cruelty can fug- geft, not only again ft the Principles, but Perfbns of Proteftants. But their Attempts have been much oft- ner againft the Lives than the Reputations of our Pre- lates. They have all along charg'd 'em with Errours, as they falfely call 'em, in Doctrine, but very feldom with any in Life. We have always been, and are ftill able to Defend the former with full and convincing Arguments, and the latter hath always,. and ftill .con- tinues to fpeak Undeniably for it's ielH We do there- fore with grateful Hearts adore the Divine Providence, which has in a wonderful manner watch'd over this Church for Good, particularly in giving her Paftors and Teachers duely qnalify'd for Jtheir refpeftive Mini- ftrics, and to carry on the great Defigns of the Gofpel. It is her Happinefs and Glory to hav many, very ma- ny, who are equal to the Higheft Offices, of whom but few can be call'd to 'em : But the Choice has hitherto fallen, and we trull; will always fallamongft 'em. And 1 have no apprehenfion that 1 ihall be charg'd with flat- terry, when I fay, that the prelent Bench of Bifhops is a Proof of it. His Majefty has this Day given us an Inftancc, that he has not lefs regard to the Interelt of our Church, than the belt of his Predeceilbrs have had before him. And it calls for our unfeigned thanks to Almighty God, who has difpos'd the Heart of our molt Gracious Sovereign, to make Choice of Men for this Apoftolical Function, not only of Blamelefs and Vir- tuous 1 ,ives, but of great Character and Reputation : And v\ ith thcfc our Thanks, let us offer up our earneft .Prayers to che Divine Majefty, that he would ftill con- tinue to direct the Royal Will to promote fuch'to this Sacvcd Miniftry, as have with welldoing, put to Silence th* J'r>!or.nii'c of fooliflj 1 N I S, SERMON P R E A C H'D In the Cathedral-Church of CHESTER, O N Tuefday the ift of OCTOBER^ 1717^ A T T H E ASSIZES Held There. By WALTER OFFLEY, A. M. Chaplain to the Right Honourable the Lord HERBERT of Cherbury ^ And Reffor 0/Barthomley in CHESHIRE. 'O at t^e ftequeff of t^e HIGH-SHERIFF anti (Gentlemen o t^e GRAND-JURY. LONDON, Printed for J. W Y A T at the Rofe in St. Paul's Cburcb-yard. 1717. To the Honourable Spencer Cowper Efq; Chief- Juftice of Cbeflw : To the Right Worfhipful ; James Bay ley Efq; > High- Sheriff ; To the Honourable Langham Booth Elq; Foreman : And to the reft of the Gentlemen of the GRAND-JURY. ;nu;v.J53 ".'kfoujfi GENTLEMEN,, Sermon^ which I fublifo at Tour Requefts, was com- fofed in great hurry and di- B8 ftra&ion of Thought^ while Rijb&p if Worcdfter fay wrafor his lall lllnejs. Ton may eafily guejf, that the Church losing fo worthy a Prelate 3 the Government fo hearty a Friend, Virtue and ikdigLon fo bright an Example , and A a. Learning DEDICATION. Learning in general fo great an Encou- rager and Ornament, as well as my Self fo kind a Relation and Patron, did give me a very fenfeble Affliction. And I doubt not but theje Confederations have mov*d Ton to give my hafty Performance a fa- vourable Exception. Such as it is, I here ^ffefent it to you, and wijb it may anfaer Tour's and My honeft Intentions for the Pubhck Good. I am, with great KefpeSl, * - - ? ol [ynA Your mojft Obedient^ it r ( J Humble Servant, Walter Offley. PROV. h , (5 ) PR O V. xvii. 13. Wbofo rewardeth Evil for Good, Evil fball not depart from his Houje. HO' the word Ingratitude is no-where to be found in the Holy Scriptures, yet the dreadful Punifhments due to that Crime are either men- tion'd or imply'd in every Book both of the Old and New Teftament. And indeed, if we confider either the pofitive or negative Precepts of God, deliver'd to us in the Ten Commandments^ we fhall find that the Tranfgreflion of any one Command there, carries a mixture of In- gratitude along with it. There is no Moral Virtue, no Chriftian Grace, but their oppofite Vices are attended with this Sin. So that whether we have regard to God, our Neigh- bour, or Ourfelves, this Sin will flill appear in the Difobedience to the one, or in not per- forming our Duties to the others. But far- ther than this, tho' the Commiffion of this Sin be tranfient, the ill Efteds of .it are per- manent 6 -^SERMON freacfrd in the manent and durable, and reach beyond the Perions that are guilty of it, even to Pofhritf. For by Houfe, here mentioned, it is obvious that we muft undefftand Pofterity 5 and fo my Text is a Threat, That Evil ihall not depart from the Family of the Ungrateful 3 even his Pofterity lhall fuffer for this Sin. Whofo rewardeth Evil for Good, Evil Jball not. depart from his Houfe. In difcourfing therefore more largely upon thefe Words, I mail endeavour to keep to this Method. I. Firfl, I ihall lay before ywa a tion of Ingratitude in general, and Mifchief and Daffigefof tihat $16. '"^ II. Secondly, 1 (hall confifler tilbe Motives that this Nation nath, above many other Nations, to be Grateful III. Thirdly and Laftfy I ftiall Juggelft fome proper Means for Uhe Expreflioffl r (Bonefc *e- Cathedral-Church of Chefter. 7 ^ or, according to the Words of my Text, in rewarding or returning Evil for Good. Either ways the mutual good Offices, which Mankind, in their refpeftive Relations, have a* Right to claim of each other, from the Higheft to the Loweft, are interrupted and deftroyed by Ingratitude. Sabjeds, for In- france, can with no face demand of their Princes the Protection and Liberty of their Perfons, Seem ity of their Poffeflrons and Pro- perties, and a free Exercife of their Religion-, if they accept not thofe worthy Deeds done nnto them, by the Providence of their Governors, always and in affl places with all th-ankfrdhefc $ much lefs r if they murmur and 1 repine- under then: Happinefs, rpurrt at the Inftrutnerrts thereof, awd refufe them the Honour, Trr- bute, and Obedience wnicftr k their dor. Princes, on the other hand, that make no other lafe of the chearful Religious Love and Obedience of their People, but againff tfrenr- fefves, and to-be fubfervienfl tcr their own Slavery and Deftrud?ion r db irr vain flar- ter themfelves that Principle will 1 alWajs prevail againft Nature, and that typrejjton will not make a Sober and a Patient reoplfe fbmetimes Mar!. Or, to dfefcend to more inferiotrr Dfegrees among Men 5 Hbw wifl the Bowels even- of a Parent ceafe to. yearn- upon his. CfiH'drerr, when he fees the* Care, Sbricitucfe,, and tteter G)ncern of many Years- thrown away upon them, like good Seed and much Labourupon barren 8 ^SERMON preacfrd in the barren Ground, that yields only Thorns and Thirties :, when, inftead of requiting their Kindnefs, they difgrace, and difhonour, and perhaps difown thofe that bare them, and fometimes wim, nay, even attempt the De ath of thofe that gave them their Life > How can Children, provoked by the un- reafonable furious Treatment of their Parents to Wrath, forbear to diminifli their real Efteem and Love, which a kinder acceptance of their Endeavours and Service, might have cherifh'd Into a true Filial Obedience > The fame Effed: Ingratitude caufes between Mafter and Servant, Teacher and Difciple, Friend and Friend, Neighbour and Neigh- bour 5 if they do not Good to them from whom they have received Good, the Fountain will be dried up, or the Stream be turned ano- ther Way. The PafTions of Love and Efteem> from whence kind and beneficial Deeds proceed, are not intirely in our Power. They are check'd and extinguifh'd by Ads that are proper to excite Contempt, Hatred, Fear, or Indignation. The outward Exprefiions of the Pafiions may indeed be governed by Religion, bur the inward ArFedion will be leiTen'd by an Ungrateful Behaviour. And how few are they that LrTer them'felves to be govern'd by Religion) How generally does the World fwim with their Paffions, and even run for- warder to Mifchief than Refentment prompts them ? It Cathedral-Church of Chefter p It muft therefore be owned, that Ingrati- tude the great Occafion of all Mifchiefs, againft which, there is no Fence, no Security 5 againft which Civility, Humanity, and Cha- rity afford no Charm, which Contracts and Oaths cannot bind 5 does, by breaking in upon the facred Ties of Duty, Blood, Friendfliip, Obligation, and Neighbourhood, and by era- dicating the great Principle of fuch beneficial Adions, as unite and knit Men together 5 does, I fay, thus tend to diflblve Societies, and to reduce Men into a State of War and Confufion. For where every Man is led to ftand upon his Guard againft every Man, to be fufpicious that no Ads of Goodnefs will foften the roughnefs, or cure the falfenefs of them that are about him, he will be fparing to caft away even common Favours 5 and fearing to receive an ill Turn, he will forbear to do a good one. And what a miferable deplorable World would fuch a State of it be to live ini Well therefore may the Laws of God, and Pradice of Men, fet themfelves againft all that commit this Sin. It is highly provoking to God, to fee thofe Affedions of Beneficence, that he implanted in the Nature of Men for their mutual Happinefs, fubdued, to the De- flrudion of his Creatures $ to fee Societies, which he inftituted for the Comfort and Joy of Life, and the fupport of Religion, fubvert- ed and fcattered : And it muft be no lefs of- fenfive to Men that feel or apprehend the B {mart 10 ^SERMON preactfd in the (mart of thefe Evils. He that appears an Ene- my to Society, muft expeft to find every Member thereof arm'd againft him. It may be any Man's Lot to receive Evil for Good 5 and therefore every one will blame and condemn fuch bafe Retaliation in another's Cafe, which muft deeply affeft him when it becomes his own. And very natural it is to carry the Punifhment fuch Offenders deferve even beyond their own Perfon. It may be ima- gin'd, that the Parent's evil Difpofition may defcend to his Children 5 and an ungrateful Example is therefore punifh'd in the Hou(e 9 becaufe the Houfe is too frequently tainted with the Infedion thereof, to as wicked Imi- tation. Men are not willing to make another Experiment of the Succefs of Kindnefs upon the Children of fuch Evil-doers. The World will be thought wide enough to afford other Objeds for their Bounty 5. or, which is worfe, Benefa&ors will be foured into a morofe Be- haviour, into an Indifference to the Wants of their own Species $ and finding their Good to be ill treated by fame, they will be carelefs how they deferve well of any. Thus the Parent comes to be punifh'd in his Pofterity, and thus all Mankind fare the worfe for fuch Monfters as the Ungrateful are in every Age : And ihefe are the mifchievous Confequences of Ingratitude. Let us now confider, II. Secondly, The Motives this Nation hath, above many others, to be Grateful. Grateful Cathedral-Church of Chefter. 1 1 Grateful to God, who is the firft Author, the principal Preferver of all the BJeffings we enjoy $ which we had loft, were it not for his good Providence, or were in great Dan- ger of lofing : And grateful to the King, and thofe that are in Authority under him, who are the Inftruments, under God, of our Peace and Profperity, of the free Profeflion, and fe- cure Eftablifhment of God's True Religion among us. ^ It wou'd be endlefs to recount all the Mer* cies by which we ftand diftinguifti'd from moft People. Were I to go over only the princi-r pal Heads, 1 muft then remind you of our Situation as an Ifland, which delivers us from many fudden Incurfions of mighty Armies^ that like a Flood have drown'd our Neighbour Nations , on the Continent, and left them no- thing Green to feed upon. I fhou'd next tell you of the advantageous Union-pf this Ifland, not only under one and the fame King, but one and the fame Form of Government, which fecures us from many foreign and inteftine Dangers. We are not divided into many Priii* cipalities as the Britons once were., ,QT into art Heptarchy as our Anceftors the S&cons have been, and who were therefore at perpetual Variance to encreafe or defend their Domi- nions 5 nor are we any-more two different Kingdoms, that, jealous of each others Strength! and Policy, need to cultivate op pofitc Friend*' fbips and Alliances. .The, Happinefs of our Conftitution both to King and People, might B 2 aifo il ^SERMON preactfd in the aifo deferve fpecial Notice, as well as our peculiar Felicity in having the Throne now filled by a King able to weild the Scepter, and to go in and out before fo great a People, who being bleft with Children and Grand-children, of his own Body to fucceed him, gives us hope he will deliver down the fame Conftitution, under the fame gracious Adminiftration, found to Pofterity. Thefe, and many more Things which might be faid, I muft now wave, that I may go on to (hew more at large the long Series of De- , liverances of this Nation, of the Prefervation of our Government, and with that, our Li- berties and Properties, and Holy Religion, when they were fo many times in Danger of being ravifli'd from us, when almoft all the People about us have loft theirs. I (hall fpeak chiefly of our Religion, becaufe our Religious and Civil Rights are very clofely interwoven, and have the fame common Ene- mies, fo that the Deliverance of the one, includes the Safety of the other. The Religion God has fhewn himfelf fo concern 'd for, is the Proteftant Religion pro- fefs d in the Church of England, as it frauds reform' d from the grofs Idolatry, and the infupportable Tyranny of the Papacy, and the infinite fuperftitious Heathen Ceremonies and Ufages with which the Church of Rome hath defiled the Church of God. This Proteftant Religion is that Reli- gion which Chrift and his Apoftles lirft pub- lifh'd Cathedral-Church of Chefter; 13 lifti'd to the World, and which we ftill find recorded in the Holy Scriptures. This is the Religion which our Laws have guarded with many Privileges and Sanctions, which, by Experience, is found the beft Support to Go- vernment, by maintaining the due Rights of Prince and People, and by the Difcourage- ment of Monkim Idlenefs, and of fuch a Re- ftraint of Marriage, as is, by the Apoflle, rank'd among the DoBrine of Devils, and which depopulates every Kingdom where it prevails. And this is the Religion which our refllefs Adverfaries are ever at work to undermine or demolifli. Many indeed have been the Attempts, ma- ny the Confpiracies, many the Plots of our Enemies 5 and as great and manifold have been the Mercies of God, in delivering us out of their Hands, that we might ftill ferve him without fear. Soon after the Reformation, How bufy, how implacable were a Popifli Party at Home ? And how indefatigable was the whole Order of the Jefuits Abroad in all the Popifh Courts of Europe, to engage them in a Religious War againft us ? How fuccefsful were they in drawing in the mighty Spaniard, with his Invincible (as it was calPd, becaufe confecrated) Armada, to come and divide the Land among them, and to overturn the Government of that Excellent Princefs Queen Elizabeth, whofe Perfon they had, in vain, attempted former- ly to deftroy by Poifon or Stabbing, and, in- ' 14 ^SERMQN preached in the her, to wound the whole Reformation mor- tally, and make England a Province of Sfain, or a Fee to the Papacy ? How, in the fucceeding Reign, was that traiterous, bloody, and inhuman Gun-Powder Plot caried on by the fame fort of Men, which nothing beiide a miraculous Providence cou'd have deteded and defeated? The Nation, after, made not fo good ufe of thefe valuable Bleifihgs, as to deferve the Continuance of them long $they made large Steps and Conceffi- ons to gain the Alliance of thofe that wou'd have deftroy'd them, as if they had forgot that God was their Saviour 3 and thence the Seeds of Variance and Hatred were fowo, that foon after fhot up with fatal Abundance. God therefore was pleas'd, in a fliort time, to vifit us with a long Civil War, that wafted our Men and our Treafure, and which ended in' the barbarous Murther of a pious Prince, and the Downfall of our Church and Monarchy with him. But neither (hall our Ifrael always mourn, nor our Conftitution for ever ftrffer $ for God was plcas'd to reflore to us in Peace oqr then Lawful Sovereign King Charles the Second, which gave new Life to our Religion, Laws, and Liberties. Under that Government the Kingdom thought it felf, for a while,, Happy 5 and fo it might have Jong continued, had not his SuccefTor invaded and difturb'd our Peace and Security both in Church and State/ The itrong Impreffions of Popery which he received Cathedral-Church of Chefler. 1 5 received from his Mother, and which improv'd in Banifliment, had taken fuch deep Root, that he became one of the greateft Bigots of that Church, and gave up his Reafon and Con- fcience entirely to the Condud of the Jefuits, who never fail to drive Things to an Extremi- ty. Our All was then at Stake, and going to be facrificed 5 the King's Cabinet was made up moftly of profefs'd or difguifed Papifts, and a Popifh Prieft hach the Impudence to fit down at the Council-Board, in Contempt of our Laws, by which it was Death for him to fet his Foot in the Kingdom. What they intended is too manifeft^ in fetting up for a Difpenfing Power in the King, to make the; Laws of our Conftitution a Nofe of Wax, and in imprifoning the Bifhops for refufing to aft contrary to Law. A confiderable College in one of the Fountains of Learning, was,. it$ ( effed, diflblv'd ^ Papifts were made Judges in our Courts, and Officers in our Army, in dired Oppofition to an Act of Parliament 5 and. a, doubtful Heir like to be impofed on us $ 'till at length the Prince of Orange, touch'd with a fenfe of the Nation's Ir juries, and the Wrongs defign'd his Princefs and hirnfelf, ' found him- felf neceflitated to fee thefe Diforders redrefs'd in a Parliament. But Guilt wiJJ not bear the Light, nor ftand an Enquiry $ King James chofe rather to defert his Friends, and leave. . the Kingdom, than fufFer* a free JParJjame^t '., to examine; 'into thofe Meafures which ; were illegal in themlelves, and tended to the De- firudion 1 6 A SERMON freactfd in tie ftruftion both of our Religion and Liber- ties. Thus the imminent Dangers that we were then in, God, out of his infinite Mercies, re- mov'd from us $ be beard our Prayers^ be bid not bis Face from us wben we were in Trouble 5 be inclind bis Ear unto us in the Day wben we caWd, and anfwerd us fpeedily, Pfai. cii. i, 2. All ourHeavinefs was turn'd into Joy and Gladnefs, and we feem'd a-while to re- joyce in the happy Inflrument thereof, King William of glorious Memory ^ 'till the Senfe of Suffering wearing off, .and the Danger a- gain feeming at a Diftance, an Evil Spirit begun to (hew, that even this Deliverance had been againft the Will of fome of us. It was not long e're a Difcontented Fadion arofe, that flood much in need of his Pardon, and little deferv'd it. I need not tell you how barbaroufly they us'd him, how they afperfed and traduced his Title, his Actions, and their own Deliverance. But however the unreafonable Prejudices of fome may move them to deny him the Title of King, yet he hath a jufl Right to a much better, The Re- florer of our Lavas and Liberties^ and tbe Preserver of our Church and Nation. Upon this Foundation was the Reign of our late gracious Queen fecur'd $ and upon this very Foundation, under His preient Majefty, is our happy Eftabliftiment fettled. May it long continue fo$ and when God mail be pleas'd to take Him, may his Crown flourish upon Cathedral-Church of Chcfter. 17 upon the Head of his Royal IflTue, (we have good caufe to truft it will do fo,) for the Honour and Safety of our Church of England in particular, and for the lading Intereft of the Proteftant Religion in general. III. I come now, in the Third and Lajl place, to fuggeft forae proper Means for the expreflion of our Gratitude. But before I proceed to this, it will be proper to enquire, with what Gratitude this Nation hath behav'd it felf, for the many Bleffings it hath fo plentifully received. I muft not go too far back 5 let me take our Behaviour from a Date which is very frefli in our Memo- ries, the latter end of the late Reign of our gracious Sovereign Queen Anne. God gave us, under her, many unexpected, aftonifhing Suc- cefles. And did we make a. right Ufe of them > Were we Thankful to Him, or to the Inftruments of our Victories > I wifli I cou'4 affirm either the one or the other ! But it was thus you requited the Lord, O foolijl) People and unwife ! A Clamour was rais'd every- where, by fome Defigning People, of the Danger of the Church : As if the Church cou'd be in Danger, when Popery groan'd under the Weight of the heavy Hand of our then Brave General, when the Victories at Blenheim and Ramelies gave us the beft Secu- rity, that we mould not be fwallow'd up by the avowed Defender of Popery. C Let 1 8 A SERMON preactfd in the Let us think coolly upon it : Cou'd the Church of England be in Danger, when Popery was in a (inking Condition 5 (ince the Church of England, her Principles, Government, and Worrfiip are oppofed direftly to Popery > They made free with our Under (landings, that would have had us believe fuch Contradictions. But in affirming that, when they themfelves knew it was not true, they had, it feems, their particular Views, which was, to blind the Eyes of the Credulous, 'till by their Means they could advance themfelves* It is now too plain, the Church's Security was not the Thing tbey aim'd at, tho* they pretended to be her greateft Friends, but the Security of their own private Intereft. This they compared in the End 5 they had what they aim'd at, they were advanced to the higheft Places of Profit and Truft $ and then the Cry was changed, The Church is Safe. And was it indeed fo ? View it in the Confequences of their Management. They patcht up an inglorious Peace $ they (hook off and betray'd moft of their old faithful Allies, that only could help the Nation in any future, un- thought of Diftrefs} and then, under the colour of Difbanding the Army, to eafe the People of the heavy Burthen of the Land-Tax, left the Nation naked and defencelefs, without any Force, confiderable enough to refift either Lighbour Potentate, or the deluded and Popifh Party at Home, whenever they pleas'd to rciolvt- to depofe the Queen, and fet the Popifh Pretender Cathedral-Church of Chefler, Pretender in her room. This was making the Church of England a glorious Church, in the fenfe the Rebels promisM to make King Charles the Martyr a glorious King, by expo&ig it; to being perfected by Sufferings. And it may be the Spirit of the one' was transfufed into the other. But to let that pafs $ We fee how the Train was defign'd, if the Queen had liv'd to crofs their Meafures, from what has fince hap- pen'd under her immediate and lawful Suc- ceflbr King GEORGE^ I mean, in the late unnatural Rebellion, which took heart, from the want of fufficient Provifion then in the Nation to oppofe it. Unnatural, becaufe it was carried on without Provocation, without any colour of Invafion of the Nations Rights, againft the beft of Kings. They have great reafon to think him fo, who are yet alive by his Mercy, after fo juft a forfeiture of their Lives. But I blufh to to fay with what Ingratitude thofe Objects of the King's Mercy have fince behav'd themfelves. Some of them, lately, as foon as they were free'd from their Chains, forgetful of the King's great Lenity, forgetful of their own and their Families Intereft, with the very breath they ow d to his Mercy, with- in thefe tew Months, have proclaim'd their Pre- tended King James the Third. Horrid Ingra- titude ! not to be named among Men, among En^lijl) Men, or among Chriftans ! I muft there- fore haften from fo black a Profpecl, to invite you to a more fuitable Behaviour, and propofe C 2 fotne A SERMON preached in the fome Means proper for you to exprefs your Gratitude by. And The Firft is this : That we accept Con- tentedly and with a Good-will God's Work, and do every thing on our part to fecure the Peace and Continuance of the Proteftant Suo ceflion eftablifh'd among us. In being Sincere and Hearty to King GEORGE'S Government, we are true to our Selves 5 for we have not a divided Intereft. But when we are guilty of any contrary Practices, we are working our own Deftrudion, we are undermining that Fortrefs in which We and our Chil- dren's Children muft hope for Safety. Let us therefore flrengthen his Hands, by encou- raging his Friends, by difcovering and de- tecting his Enemies, 'till they are made pub- lick Examples of his Juftice. You that have Sworn to King GEORGE, (and I hope there are few among us but have done fo) are obliged to it by the moft facred Ties imaginable ^ becaufe an Oath is an Appeal to GOD, for the Confirmation of the Truth of what we promife infofolemn a manner, and fo more immediately before Him. Far be it from me to fufpeft the Sincerity of any One that is here prefent : But it is worthy Obfervation, that thofe who firft took the Oaths to King GEORGE, and firft broke through the ftrideft Ties of Oaths and Abjurations, have already begun to feet their. Punifhment, by fufFering the Demerit due to fuch an Affront upon God, and fuch Perfi- dioufnefs Catbedral-Church of Chefter. 21 dioufneis to Men ^ or being forced to fly into foreign Countries, to fecure themfelves from the common Juftice of This,where they are like to linger out a miferable Life, if not in Want, yet in the greateft Contempt, among thofe of their own Country-men that wifh well to our happy Eftablifhment. May Thofe that have taken the Oaths with a refolution to break them, meet with no other Fate ! And may they tranfplant themfelves to thofe imaginary Friends which they like beft. Happy wou'd it be for our Church and Nation, if Thofe that have forfaken the Intereft of their Nation, wou'd forfake their Native Country too. But while they walk with us in the Houfe of God as Friends, and do us fecretly all the DiJ- honour and Mifchief they can, we ought to be conftantly upon our Guard> that we be not furprized when we apprehend no Danger. But be that as it will $ God be thanked that the Cheat is difcover'd, the Defign is deteded, and King GEORGE is and will be King, whe- ther his Enemies will or no. The Second way I have to propofe to you, for exprefling your Gratitude, is, an open, eon- ftant Communion with the Church of England as by Law eftabliftied $ which doth not (as fome wou'd make you believe) lie in Chambers and Corners. If ever this Advice was neceflary, it is cer- tainly now more &> It is our fpeeial Duty, at this time, to cx-prefs a more than ordinary Zeal for the pureft and beft-coflftituted Church in ^SERMON f reactfd in the in the World $ when the New Enemies that have Separated from her Communion, have not barely call'd in queftion, but have impudently and peremptorily deny'd her very Being among us. If we wou'd take their Word, " no valid " Ads can be pcrform'd by us her lawful " Priefts} her very Prayers are turn'd into " Sin, her Sacraments are meer Nullities $ her *' Bimops and Priefts, and all that adhere to *' them, are Schifmaticks, cut off from the " Communion of the Catholick Church ^ her " Members can lay no Claim to the Benefits *' of God's Promifes, no, not to his Aflifting " Grace, nor to Remiflion of Sins, through the " Merits of Chrift's Blood. An infolent kind of Language this ! exprefllve of a fpiritual Pride, like theirs of whom the Prophet Ijaiah fpeaks, chap. 65. 5. Stand by thy felf --, come not near me, for I am holier than tJjou. They, it feems, a poor inconfiderable handful of Malecontents,wou'd be thought to be the only true Church of England: True, becaufe they are diftinguimed by the odd out-of-the-way Epithets of the Conjuring Church of England. Let us try how they will deferve the Title of even the Sons of the Church of England. If we may judfxe of their Principles, from the Books they write and recommend, they would again advance the Notions of a Real Sacrifice in the Lord's Supper ^ of Prayer for the Dead 5 of the neceffity of Auricular Confeffion to a Prkft : Doctrines which are moft exprefly con- demird in our Book of Homilies. Their Cathedral-Church of Chefier. 2 3 Their Charity, you fee, is pretty near to that of the Church of Rome, which deals out Damnation to All that are not fo Mad as them- felves. And the Ground of their Separation from us, will be an Occafion of, and Excufe for Schifms ever in the Church of Chriir, to the End of the World. Were their Plea true, farewell the Church of England. For if the Civil Magiftrate in our days hath no Right to ejeft the Nonjuring Bifhops, neither was it lawful to depofe thofe Bilhops that oppofed the Supremacy of the Crown at the Reformation, upon which foot our Church began to reform from Popery. Were the Pretence of their departing from us, drawn out, as it might, into its full Confequen- ces, what a conftant Caufe of Contention muft it be between the Civil and Ecclefiaftical Pow- ers? How will it drive all wife Princes in Chriftendom into a diftruft of the Incroach- ments of Churchmen upon their Civil Autho- rity, under the difguife of Independency^ and fo hazard the Exercife of their true Spiritual- Powers, which the Clergy receive from Chrift Jefus ? But Brethren, we have not fo learned Chrift. We learn both in the Doclrine and Example of our Lord Jefus Chrift, to fet up no Claims of a Temporal Kingdom, which may difturb the Peace of States, and abridge the juft Power of Princes, which they poflefs'd antecedently to Chriftianity. The True Church of England is like the Wifdom from Above, firft pure, then 24 4 SE RMO N preacfrcl, &c. feaceable, gentle, eafte to be intreated, full ef mercy and good fruits, without wrangling, ( as it is in the Margin) and without hypocrijy. Let us adhere ftrictly to the Doctrine and Rules of this Church : Let us live up to her Religion, at- tend duly her Ordinances, the Prayers, the Reading and Preaching oi the Word, and the Sacraments as adminiflred in her Communion, (hewing forth our Faith by our Works -, and we need not doubt our being in the true ftate of Salvation, where we par- take of the Gofpel Means of" it, and have a folid ground of Hope, as held forth in the Golpel for our Sanftification. Take heed therefore that no Man deceive you. If any Man fay unto you, La ! here is Chrijt, or there , believe him not, go not after them : Beware of New Separations from that Church which is already too much rent by unhappy, unreafbnabie Divifions. Behold the Wounds (he bleeds under, in the lionfc of her Friends ! Oh ! that we might timely lee the Confluences thereof^ and do all that in us lies to Itop her Breaches, and heal her Sores. And let me Conclude, in the words of Samuel, i Sam. xii. 20, 21. and teach you, in one word, the good and right way. Turn ye not ajide to go after vain things that cannot profit nor deliver, for they are vain, for the Lord will not forfake his People, for his great fame's fake. Only fear the Ijtrd, and fervc. him in truth, with all your heart, and confide v how great things he hath done for you. TWO S E R M O N S O N R M. xiiL i, a. I. Concerning the DUTY of the SUBJECT. II. Setting forth the Sin and Folly of entring into CONSPIRACIES againft the prefent GOVERNMENT. PREACHED in the CATHEDRAL at WORCESTER, ON Novemb. 18, and iy. 1711. By FR. HAR E, D.D. Dean of fForceJler, and Chaplain in Ordinary to His MAJESTY. 'Publijhed at the *Defire of the Reverend the Chapter, and other Gentlemen prefent. LONDON: Printed by S, B u c K L E Y in ^men-Corner. M, Dec, xxnr, ( Price One Shilling. ) O 170 O (3) ROM. XIII. i, i. rfiiU f L# rctf ry ci, th^ Apoftles themfelves, have fet us. an Example in this. Particii- lar; St. T Win the Text, and St. Teter in his firft Epiftle. A 2 And (4) And what St. Taut did himfelf, he in very exprefs Term* commands Titus to do, and in him all other Preachers of the Gofpel, Chap. iii. Ver. i . of his Epiftle to him ; Tut them in mind, fays he, to be fubjett to 'Principalities and 'Powers, to obey Magiftrates, to be ready to every good Work } that is, to do in every thing the Part of good Subjects j for that feems to be meant, by -every good Work. This then we are in Striftnefs obliged to, as Minifters of Chrift, and Preachers of his Gofpel. And as nothing is of more Importance to the Welfare of Society, than a peaceable SubmiiTion to Authority, the Laws of the Land do in the ftrongeft Manner require of us the fame Duty 5 and the Church hath given us an Example for the due Performance of it, in her Homilies againft Rebellion. It is true indeed, that'Difcourfes of this Kind have for many Years been in great Difufe, and that Difufe is now made an Argument againft them by the Malignancy of fome People, who like no Politicks in the Pulpit, but fuch as- thcir Governours would not like. They are well enough plea fed to hear Sedition from thence, they will hearken with great Attention to a Preacher who entertains them* with Satyr and Invective againft their Superiors, and' without Modcfty or Truth arraigns the Government, tho' to the appareat Difturbance of that Peace and Order, which by the Laws of God and Man he is bound to main- tain : But if a Preacher tells them of their Duty in thefe Matters/- and exhorts them to (hew themfelves good Sub- icfts, he goes, they think, out of his Sphere, and med- dles with Things that do not concern him, and which are not proper for that Place. But it is in Truth far other- wife, and what they think a Fault to do, it would be very inexcufable, if upon proper Occafions Preachers did not do. If fuch arguments have of late Years been feldom handled in the Pulpit, it has not proceeded from any Con- fcioufnefs in them, that it is a Bufincfs improper and un- becoming them, nor indeed from any defigned Negled of of what they knew to be their Duty 5 but becaufe they thought there was little or no Occafion for it, as indeed in quiet Times there is not. The People of this Na- tion, God be thanked, are not ordinarily, and of them- felves, inclined to Tumult and Sedition, much lefs to take Arms and break out into Rebellion: There is no Danger of this from the Generality of the People, unlefs they are opprefled by great and real Grievances, or by the artful Endeavours of faftious Men are made to be- lieve, and ftrongly to apprehend imaginary ones. For this Reafon there is feldom much Occafion to prefs on the People, in fet Difcourfes, their Duty to the King, efpecially fince it is by the Wifdom of the Church worked into every Part of the publick Service ; and if they are by the Difcourfes they hear from the Pulpit, made good Chriftians, it is impoffible they fhould be ill Subjefts. This is the Reafon of that Difufe thefe Difcourfes have fallen into. But when the Times grow unquiet, when a Spirit of Sedition fhakes the Land, when the Difaffec- tion of fome, and the Indifference of others, encourages an implacable and reftlefs Fadion to take new Life, and employ all their wicked Arts to difturb the publick Peace, f and attempt the Subversion of the Government; when to this End no Means are left unattempted to infufc caufelefs Jealoufies into the People; when falic and odi- ous Colours are put upon every Part of the Adminiftra- tion ; when the very Perfon of the King, and the DignU ty of his Auguft Houfe are calumniated and vilified ; when every Corner of our Streets, and not the Corners only, but even the publick Places, are filled with die mod vi- rulent and treasonable Libels : When this is the Cafe, then for the Minifters of the Gofpel to be filenr, is high- ly criminal -, it is then their indifpenfable Duty to lift up their Voice, and to Jhew Jacob their Sins, and Ifracl their Tranfgrefftons ; they are then inexcufable before God and Man, if they do not all they can, to (km this Torrent of Sedition, to refute the Lies and Calumnies of factious Men-, to arm the People againft the Impreffions, which Sedition, under the Difguife of Patriotifm, endeavours to make upon them ; and to keep them ftedfaft in their Duty to God, and the King. For the King is the Minifter df God-, and if we would be true to God, and do his Will, we muft be true and faithful to the Vicegerent he has fct over us. I wifh this were not our Cafe, and confequently that there were no Occafion for a Difcourfe of this Nature ; but it is too notorious to be denied, the Times do loudly cry the contrary, and call us to the Discharge of this Part of our Duty. There has long been difcovered a dangerous Confpiracy, a monftrous and unnatural Defign, aiming at nothing Icfs than the Overthrow of our pre- fcnt happy Ettablifliment, and to deftroy the King, and the whole Protcftant Royal Family. What the Clergy think to be their Duty on this Occafion, may be feen in the late dutiful and affectionate Addrefs of the two Houfes of Convocation : In Difcharge of what is there promifed, and for the important Reafons there given, I have cho- fcn this memorable Paflage of St. 'Paul, concerning the Subjects Duty to the higher ^Powers, to prefs upon you from thence a Senie of your Allegiance, and to convince you of the Sin and Folly of going into, or any way encouraging the Endeavours of wicked Men' for the Subverfion of the prcfent Government, whatever plau- fiblc or fpccious Pretences their black Defigns are covered with. But before I do this, which will fill a Difeourfe it iclf, it will be ncceflary to explain to you, as clearly as I can, what it is St. ^Paul here fays, and to give you the true and full Meaning of thefe Words;, it having been their Misfortune, in the Heat of Controverfy, to be forced into oppofitc Extremes; many making them a aft Ground for a pallive Obedience to all Govcrnours, lowcvcr unjuft and opprefllve, in the moft abfolute and unlimited C7) unlimited Manner 5 others on the contrary, pretending to find in them Grounds and Reafons for Refiftance in fome Cafes $ when it is moft certain that neither the one, nor tfre other, can with Juftnefs be inferred from them. The Words themfelves contain firft a Duty, and then the Motives., or Arguments on which the Apoftle grounds it. Let every Soul be fubjeEt to the higher Towers* there is the Duty : For there is no Tower but of God : The Towers that be, are ordained of God. There is the Ground on which the Obedience of the Subjed is founded : From whence it follows by undeniable Confe- quence, that he who refifteth the Tower ; that is, refu- fcth to acknowledge the Government and to yield the Obedience he ought to pay to it, (which Rcfufal, what- ever way it be exprefled at firft, fooner or later, it almoft always e-nds in open Force or Violence, and fo very properly termed Refiftance) rejifleth the Ordinance of God. And what can they, who do fo, expeft from thence, but that they fiiall thereby receive to themfelves 'Damnation? h,; The Duty is contained folely in thefe Words ; Let eve- ry Soul be fubjetf to the higher Towers. The Perfons to whom Subjedion is due, are here called the higher Tow- ers -, that is, thofe who are invefted with the fupreme or fovereign Authority, in the feveral Governments the World is divided into* Whether one Perfon or many govern, whether it be a Common- wealth, or Ariftocracy, or Monarchy, and whatever Kind that Monarchy be of, whether pure or mixt, whether limited or abfolute: Whatever the Government be, all Perfons living under it are by this Text equally obliged to pay Obedience to it ; there is.no Preference intended to be given by it to one Form of Government before another. The higher Towers in each and every one of them have, in virtue of this Text, a Right to the Obedience of their Subjects, of all their Subjects without Exception 5 Let every Sou/, that is, every Perfon, be fubjeft to the higher Towers. 5 . Here (8) Here is no Exception for any Perfons, of whatever Con- dition or Profeflion : Ecclefiafticks are bound to obey the civil Magiftrate, as much as the meaneft of the Laity 5 this, fays St. Chryfoftom upon the Place, is cnjoyned to ^Pr iefts and Monks equally with others ; for St. *Pdul fays, Let every Soul be jubjett^ every Soul, " though he be an " jlpoftle, though he be an Evangelift, though* he be a tc Trophetj whoever he be, he muft be fubjett to the call in other Helps ; and thefe muft be fetched from Reafon and Scripture, from the Law of Nature and Nations, but above all, from the Laws of the refpedive Governments every Man is under. This Word, lethimbefiibjetf, is by the Confcnt of all good Interpreters to be underftood, not in apaffive, bat in a rm- />r A thought the Apoftle would enjoin it with fo much Ear- nettnefs, and inforcc it with fo many and fuch ftrong EK- preiTions, as he does here, and in the following Verfes. But this Objection is, I conceive, without Foundation, and :arries, partly from a very wrong,, tho' very common N T otiou, concerning the Perfection of the Scriptures, as jf it were rcquifite to that Perfection, that the Scriptures fhould contain Anfwcrs to all Qtieftions, and Solutions of ail Difficulties, upon all Subjects that have any relation ci- ther to Religion or civil Life, and in all. Times, at what liiihnce foevcr from the writing of them; (than whicli no one Thing icems to have occafioned more falfe In- terpretations,) and partly from the want of fufficiently con- iidering, what the Apoftic's Defign in this Place is, with what View he writes, what gave Occafion- to it, what f-:!e Docrrinc or prevailing Error he intended to oppofc. I he Knowledge of which is the only good Key to the opening opening the true Meaning of this Pafiage : which I fhail therefore endeavour to explain to you with ail the Clearneis lean. The Defign then of the Apoftle, I take, certainly to have been this 5 to convince the Jewijh Chriflians, that it was not only lawful, but their Duty to fubmit to the Roman Government > and by that Means to remove the mod fa- tal and pernicious Imputation that could be thrown on Chrift and his Religion, by removing all juft Caufe for it , which by the indifcreet Zeal of many of them had been given, and by their Enemies Occafions were taken, when not given. It is moft evident, nothing could do fo much Hurt to the Chriftian Religion in its Infancy, as to Have it thought an Enemy to Government. It was this Impu- tation that condemned our Saviour himfelf : The High- Priefts indeed in their Council declared him guilty of Death for Blafphemy, in making himfelf the Son of God--, but that which was made his capital Crime, when accufed to the Roman Governor, was, that he was an Enemy to Ctffar, and fet up himfelf as King, in Oppofttion to him. Thus we read Luc. xxiii. 1,2. The whole Multitude of them arofe, and led htm unto 'Pilate, and they began to accufe him, faying, we found this Fellow perverting the Na- tion, and forbidding to give Tribute to Caefar, faying, that he himfelf is King. And John\\x. 1 2. when Tilate had a Mind to.releafe him, as finding nothing worthy of Death proved againft him, the Jews cried out, faying) if thou let this Mango, thou art not'Cxhr's Friend : whofo- ever maketh himfelf a King, fpeaketh againft Csefar. And when Pilate asked them, faying, Jhall 1 crucifieyour King? the Chief 'Priefts anfwered,we have no King butGxht. And . upon this Pilate delivered him to be crucified* ' v;i 1 5 j I &>3 Thus early did the Charge of Sedition aad Trea- fon begin againft that Religion , which in the Nature of it is the fartheft in the World fronviit. It brought the Author of it to the Crofs, and was no lefs fuccefs- fully urged againft his Followers, their Enemies well B 2 knowing, that no Accufation could more cffe&ually in- .cenfc the Magiftrates every where againft them. Thus Afls xvii. 5, &c. upon Taut and 5/'/*j preaching at Z-heffaLmiea* t^^wfr.en'raged, Jp0 ^ them certain lewd FeUwuS) of the bdfer forty and agaulted the Houfe.of Jafon, nd drew hm, and certain of the Brethren, unto 'the Rulers of the City, crying, ThefeVhat have turned the World upfide down, are come hither alfo, and do contrary to the 'Decrees of C#far, faying, there >& another King, one Jefus. J3ut -P^/and 'Silas could not be found, fo they took Security of the reft, and let them go. And the fame Accufation was brought againft St. *Paul before Felix, Ads xxiv. We have found this Man, fays Ttrtullus, a peflilent Fellow, and a Mover of Sedition among all the Jews, throughout the World ; and the Jews ajfented, fity- mg-, that t ho fe Things ii. 10. Accordingly we find bothSt.'Peter and St. 'Paul warning Chriftians againft the Abufes of it. The latter in his Epiftle to the Gal. v. 13. Brethren* ye have been called unto Liberty f , only ufenot Liberty for an Occafwn to the Fie ft : And St. *Peter i Ep. ii. 16. clofes his Exhortation to Obedience with thefe Words; As free ', and not ufmg your Liberty for a Cloak of Malicioufnefs , that is, as a Pretence for doing Evil, or for feditious Prac- tices, which teems to be principally meant by Maliciouf- nefs in that Place. But whatever Handle the Indifcretion of fome Chri- ftians, and the Corruption of others, might by the Abufe of their Liberty, or of Chri/Ts Kingdom, give for the Magiltratc's looking on them as a perverfe, factious, fedi- tious ( 1$ ) tious Generation of Men (of which there could not be in any of them the leaft Appearance, which their Enemies would not in the moft tragical manner exaggerate, and impute to the whole Party,) that which did them moft Prejudice, and created in the Magiftrate the greatcft Sufpi- cion of them, as Enemies to all civil Government, and led him to put the word Conftrudion upon their Dodrines and Adions, no doubt, was the feditious Opinions and li- centious Pradices of a new Sed fprung up among the Jews in our Saviour's Time, and under a Leader of the fame Country, I mean the Followers of * Judas of Galilee, who, as we read Affs v. 37. rofe up in the T>ays of the Taxing, and drew away much 'People after him. The Taxing here mentioned, is not the Enrollment at the Time of our Saviour's Birth, but a fecond that was about ten Years after, when upon the Banifhment of Archelaus, who fucceeded his Father Herod, Judaa was reduced into the Form of a Roman Province. At this Time, and upon this Occafion, arofe this Judas, who, %s> Jofe- phus informs us, fet up a new Sed among the Jews, in other refpeds agreeing much with the ^Pharifees , but diftinguifhed by a furious, ungovernable Zeal for Liberty 5 they maintained it was unlawful for the People of God to fubmit to any foreign Yoke, or acknowledge any Lord but God only. They thought it not only their Right, but their Duty to refufe Obedience to any Perfon the Roman Government fliould fet over them 5 and in Maintenance of thefe Opinions committed the greateft Outrages. And. this Sed, Jofephus obferves, fpread * An Account of this \Judns and his Set may be fcen in Jofephus his Antia. 1. 18. c. i, a. e^ de B. J. 1. 2. c. 12. what Saditions afterwards {prang from thefe Beginnings, and to what monftrous ExcefTes a Spirit of Fa&ion carried them, the Reader may fec^ntiq. 1. 20. c. 6, 7. & de B. J, 1. 2. c. 13. $ 1.4. c. 10, n, id, 19, ao, 25, 14, 30, 35-. e^ 1. 7- c. 30, 34, 37, 37. which Places {hew, Jofephus had great Reafon to {ay, that from the Rife of this Sedt no Evil had befallen the Nation, which they were not the caufe of. mightily mightily among the Jews^ and infefted great Numbers with the fame Enthufiafm. And to thefe Enthufiafts the moft profligate and vildl of the People joined themfelves, who, under the Colour of Libert y, meant nothing but the Tillage and ^Plunder of the Country, which produced the moft fatal Effecis; for perpetual Tumufts and Sediti- ons filled all Places, and made Judtea fuch a Scene of Mifery as is not to be exprefs'd, which nothing could put an end to, but the total Kulri of the Nation. Btit nothing that either themfelves ot Country differed could abate their Rage and Zeal , they thought it the Caufe of God, and rather chofe to die a thouland Deaths, than quit their darling Delufion, and fubniit to 1 the Powers which they could not with any Hopes of Succe& refift. And they were ib far from thinking what they fuffered from Men, to be the 'Puwjhment of God, and that the Magiftrate was only his Mimfter to inflift it, that they gloried in their Sufferings, as undergone for his Sake, and therefore highly meritorious in his Sight : In ftlorf, they bore the greatcft Torments with an invincible Con- flancy, and were pofleffed in Defence of the worft Caufe, \viih all that Affurance that can be expected in the beft. The wild Opinions of thefe Men, as they fpread greatly among the Jews, fo did they infect fome of ti\tjewijb Chriftians, or at leaft were imputed to them by the R&- mansy not diftinguifhing between two Se^ts, which, how- ever in fome Appearances alike, were in Reality extremely different. It was for fome time the Misfortune of thi Chriftians to be confounded with the Jews in' the Opi- nion the re(t of the World had of thcm^ and by that means to be involved in the fame Calamities, and fuffer in common with them. Of this we have a remarkable Infhncc in Suetonius, of great Ufe to our prelent Pur- pole. In his Life of Claudius C St. *Paul-, on the contrary, declares there is no Power that is not of God, Which, it mud be obferved, is not a Doctrine peculiar to Chrifiianity, as is commonly thought, much lefs to Sc, 'Paul, and ftill lefs is it an Inference drawn by him, as iome would have it, from what is faid of Go- vernors in the following Verfes; no, this is a Principle univerfally acknowledged by all wife Men, and received * I am nor a little confirmed in this Thought, by finding fb good a Judge js St. "J-trom in the lame Opinion; who, in his Comment on Tit. iii. i. has thefe Words oi this Precept, Proptcrca editum pato, quin Judx Galilaei per illud Tt-mpH' dogma adf.-nc i*'u?b.n, & Labebat fhirimm Seftatyres. in ( 19) in all civilized Nations. The Jewijh Zealots might have learnt it from their own Books, in which the Wifdom of God cries, By me Kings reign, and ^Princes decree Juftict. 'Prow, viii. 15. And 'Dm. ii. 22. 'tis declared, that God removeth Kings, and fetteth up Kings. The fame is very fully fet forth in many Places of the Prophets ; and the latter Books of the Jews exprefs the fame Dodrine ftill more clearly. Thus, Eccl. xvii. 17. In the'Divifion of the Nations of the whole Earth he fet a Ruler over every 'People. From hence the Followers of Judas might have learnt, that all Tower is of God. But what deceived them feems to have been what follows, But Ifrael is the Lord's Portion. From whence they concluded, that whatever Right the Governors of the World had over their own People, none had Authority to govern thent; they were under God Only, as his Inheritance. As this Pafiage very plainly declares that all Government is of God, fo I muft obferve, that the Writer of it does but copy what is declared by Mofes in the Law, T^euf. xxxii. 8. as the Reading then was> at lead in the Book that this Author ufed, tho' in our Copies, arid that the Seventy ufed, it be read otherwife:* But nothing can more cxprefly dedare all Power to be of God, than a Paffage in the Book of Wifdom. There, at the tf th Chapter, the Writer, in the Perfon of Solomon* dircas himlelf to Rulers thus ; Hear, O ye Kings, and un- der ft and * y lear, ye that be Judges of the ends of the Earth. Give ear, yifu that rule the Teople, and glory in the Multitude of Nations. For 'Power is given you of the Lord, and Sovereignty from the Higheft* who Jhall try jour Works, and fearch out ydnr Comfels. Eecaufe, * The Author of Ecclff. feems to have read for Gebulotb, which the Seventy rightly render "Optt, Gefairoth, which may, I think, be rendred, arfctfs, or w&- riMS j fo that the difference is only of a fmgle'Letter, of r for /, which Letters in Hebrew are fo alike, as to be often confounded ; and this fmall Alteration would give much Light to a Place that is at prefent exceeding obfcure. C 2 being 3 (20) being Minifters of his Kingdom, you have not judged aright^ nor kept the Law, nor walked after the Counfel of God. What is declared in this Paffage, is fo perfectly agreeable to St. *Paul, that one can hardly doubt but he had it in his View, efpccially fmce one may by other Places in his Epiftles plainly fee, he was no Stranger to this Book. And as this Doftririe here taught by St. 'Paul, concern- ing the divine Origin of Government, and that all ^Power is of God, is no other than what was before taught and received among the Jews ; fo are the Sentiments of the wifcft Philofophers and Law-givers among the Greeks, and oF Homer, the Father of them, confonant hereto ; as might be fhcwn by many Paflfages, were this a proper Place for it. To confine my felf to Homer ; who, that is at all acquainted with him, knows not his :t %XYiTrr%(& fiaffiX&SjtortZ&SKVtP&itPaMV. 1-A 279. And - El? xo!(>yv@ J $&), El? @a s^ooxs Kp^vs -sroctr afkuXo/viyiTsa) Sy.fiTrl^v T' n'^e .^s/uusar - 1. B. 204. And Ti.uyj d v 1:'. Ato? Iri - 197. . ; ' Which Places fully declare the Power of Kings to be from God. From whence 'tis familiar with him to ftik Kings c'tcUv ? and Ji^^tis . * that is,born of God, and main- tained by him. I will only add, that the Sentiments of Hefwd, { the oldcft Greek Writer next himfelf, appear to be the fame, in thofe memorable Words, Ex. o's Ajof EiX!TiXri J r - . 96. Thus both, in perfcft Conformity to Scripture. As indeed the more ancient the Books of the Heathen * Tis Euftathius \ns Obfervation upon the laft mentioned PafTage: iflaSt ^.*'.< $ 2i*!fierinm nafio ,?/; ?.'-.'<: o3.\-/;e c tofts Nominifas res novanti acfe- :>.:. Oror. '/ Matt. c. a:, v. 16. People, C'3) People, that they are of God's Appointment. Some have fancied, that thefe Words ordained of God, might alfo be rendred ordained under God, which makes Kings more directly his Vicegerents j but that Senfe the Words in the Original can't pofllbly bear ; nor is it truer of regal Go- vernment of whatever Species, than it is of any other, that it is ordained of God ; the Aflertion is equally true !, of all fettled Governments, that are, or have been, or ever (hall be. Here then is fully afierted, and in the ftrongeft Terms, the divine Right of Governors and Governments in general 5 that therefore it is the Will of God, that all Perfons fhould acknowledge their Authority, and yield due Obedience to them. And they who refufe to do fo, inftead of think- ing they do God Service in it, and that what they fuffer for their Difobediencc is meritorious in his Sight, ought to think juft the contrary ; that their Difobedience to their Governors is no other than Difobedience to God him- felf, and that the Punifliment they fuirer from their Go- vernors for it, is not merely a Punifliment from Men, but the Judgment of God upon them. For this is the Meaning of what follows, If the Towers that be, are ordained of God, then every 'Power is the Ordinance of God, and he that difobeys the 'Power difobeys his Ordi- nance. For the Ordinance of God does not here mean a Command of God, as fome underftand it, but the Go- vernment it felf, that is difobey'd 5 which is not, accord- ing to St. haul's Aflertion, more truly a human Ordinance, than it is a divine one. But he that difobeys a divine Ordinance or Inftitution, and in fo doing rebels againft God , what can he look for but Vengeance and Con- fufion from him ? What can fuch expeft, but that they jhall receive to themfehes 'Damnation ? The Word here rendred, 'Damnation, in the Original isKgjijuia, and fignifies Judgme nt , mTuniJhment, of what- ever kind 5 whence a Doubt arifcs, what Senfe it is to be taken in here. Some would have it mean eternal T)am-. nation y (H) nation, led to that Meaning from the common Accepta- tion of the Word, the Greatnefs of the Offence, and the mention juft before made of God : Since it is an Offence directly againft God, the Punifhment, they think, muft come from him, and be fo intended by the Apoftle, and confcquently muft be 'Damnation. Others think, the Puniflimcnt inflicted by the Magiftrate- on difobedient Subjects, is here only meant, becaufe it follows imme- diately, that Rulers are not a Terror to good Works, but to the evil, with more to the fame purpofe ; in which it is faid, that the Magiftrate bears not the Sword in vain, but is a Revenger to execute Wrath upon him that doth Evil. But neither of thefe Opinions are, I think, ex- actly right ; that which is fo, is compounded of both. The Punifhmcnt here meant, is at the fame time the Pu- nifhmcnt of Man, and of God 5 of the Magiftratc, who immediately inflicts it, in Obedience to God, and in vir- tue of the Power derived from him ; and of God, whofc Minifter he is, and is fo for this very purpofe, for the f Punift>ment of evil doers , and for the 'Praife of them that do well. This Senfe only agrees with what goes before and follows after, and unites God and Man toge- ther, whole Parts by this Interpretation are made to con- cur in the Execution of the fame Judgment : And 'tis for that realon , that in all that follows, the Magiftratc : is confidercd as Cod's Minifter, And this Senfe only (lands in direct Oppolition to the Error of thofe St. ^Paul condemns. They thought, what they fufFered for their i)i (obedience, howcvev it were intended by Men, was Merit with God; and though they were punifoed in the Sight of Men, y?t was their Hope full of Immortality. No, lays St. c Paul y there's no Merit in it, what they fuf- fer, though inflicted by Men, is the juft Punifhment of God upon them, for their Difobedience to him ; for it is really againft him they rebel, while they pretend to fight Men only, raid for him. That ,.., . . - That the Words will bear this Senfe, and may denote a temporary Punifliment in this World, which yet mall really be a Punifhment from God, may be feen by ano- ther Place of the fame Apoftie, i Cor. xi. 29. where fpeaking of the Lord's Supper, he fays, that be that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh 'Damnation to himfelf; that is, Kgjjua, which in the Margin is better rendred, Judgment. For how does St. Taul flievv, they eat and drink ^Damnation to themfehes ? Why from hence, for this caufe, fays he, many are weak and fickly amongft you, and many Jleep, or die. Thefe Weakneflcs therefore, thefe Sicknelfes, thefe Deaths, are the Damna- tion, or Judgment, here meant. Upon which it imme- diately follows, that if we judged our felves, we Jhould not be judged, that is, thus judged, of the Lord. For this Judgment is for a chaftning to us j when we are thus judged, we are chaftned of the Lord, that we Jhould not be condemned with the World. K^v6/xsvoi -srou^tLo^a, ?v jutrj xalaxg/Ow/zev. Here we fee the Punifhment they fuffered exprefly oppos'd to Damnation 5 but what is op- pofed to Damnation, can't poflibly be it felf Damnation. So that in this place, K^J/xa, or Judgment, means truly and properly a temporary Punifhment in this World, and yet at the fame time, fuch as is divine, and really from God. But it will be faid, what then, will not Men be condemned in the other World for fuch heinous Sins, as prophaning the Lord's Supper, and difobeying Magi- ftrates ? Yes certainly, as well as for other heinous S ins, if not ftncerely repented of in time. But it does not follow that, That is the Meaning of the Word herej. every thing could not be faid in every Place. It was fuf- ficient to the Apoftle's Purpofe to (hew, that Difobedience in them now under the Roman Government, was not lefs an Offence to God, than when under Governors of their own, Difobedience to whom their Law punifhed with Death, a,in of incurring his Difpleafure, who h,ath empowered Governors tp p^niffi Difobedience in the fevered manner, and what they do is his Act by their Hand. This was the fingle Point in views and this Point being gained, as he does not pre- fcribe the Meafure of their Obedience, fo ia truth was there no oecafion for lit ; for let jx pnce be granted by any Man, that he is the Subject of this or that Government, it follows of courfe, that fte nv$ yi,eld the fame Obe- dience as other Subjects do, and which by th,e refpedive Conftitution is required of him,. In fho,rt, the Law will tell all Men what Subjedion is due fcpm them 5 thither then muft we go for the Rule or Meafure pf our Obe- dience 5 that is a Matter the Gofpel meddles not with, it enquires not into Men's civil Rights, it adds nothing to them, nor takes any thing from them? agreeably to what this Apoftle himfclf fays, i Cor. vii. 21. Art thou called being a Servant ? fare not for it. Let every Man therein he is called, therein abide with God. For he that is called in the Lord, being a Servant, is the Lords free Man : Likewife alfo he that is called being free, is Chrifl's Servant. With refpcd to all thefe things the Gofpel, leaves Men where it found them.; and therefore what is here faid by St. 'Paid of Obedience to Governors, is nof ?o make Men more fubject than they were before, but. to let them know that they are not by embracing the Gofpcl lets ib, or in any meafure difpenfed with fr,on? the Subjection they were before under. But as the Gofpel takes nothing from the Right the Prince has to the Obedience of his Subjects, fo neither does it take away all Right the Subjects are pofleffed of. Such Rights in fome degree or other all Subjects have 5 thofe particularly under the Korean Government, who were Civil ate donati, had great ones; this he, who i was C was himfelf in that Senfe a Roman, well underftbbd, and upon propel Occaflons infifted on them in his own De- fence* Thus Atts xxii. 25. when they bound him by Oder of the ehie Captaki Lyfias, he faiti to the Cen- tuf4ott, Ii tt lawful fei 1 you to fcourge a Man thai is a Roman, and itncondemried? Upon Which they who were to have examined him by ftourging, departed f torn him; the chief Captain alfo was afraid, after he knew that he was a RxSman , becattfe he had bound him , and loofed him from his Bands. And in the fame manner he de- Clares the Privileges h6 is entitled to as a Roman, upon a like Occafion, in the i6 th Chapter. And in the 25* Chapter, when the Jews would have put him to Death, no Man, fays he, ma) deliver me unto them, I appeal imto Cscfar. Indeed, as St. Tate/does not here determine the Meafures of Obedience, fo neither could he, fince that depends upon the particular Conftitution of every Government, and therefore what would be Difobedience in a Subject under one Government, might not be fo in another ; nof is it always the fame in the fame Government, fince by the infenfible Alterations that are made in length of Time in Things of this Nature, new Privileges are ac- quired, or old ones loft. The Refult from which is, that the Meafure of Obedience in every Government is the La# and Conftitution of that Government, and that only, and not the Scriptures , where there is neither Precept nor Example that obliges in this point j Precept there fe none 'tis plain, if this in the Text be not one ; nor can any Scripture- Example with refped to Government be binding ; fince the Law of one Government is no Rule to another : Much lefs can a Governm or de- clarative of their refpe&ive Rights., It would be nccdlefs to fpend fo many Words in fo plain a Cafe, but that this Text has been fo often made ufe of, to aflert to Princes an abfolute and unlimited Power to opprcfs their Subje&s in the moft arbitrary man- ner, in Defiance of the Conftitution ; and Men will ar- roiVitc to the Study of c Di ( vinity > what fo plainly belongs to the Profeilion of the Law. I do not fay this to re- proach thofe who led the way to this Abufe; it was very nainivil in a loyal Clergy, who had fccn both Church und Sr-itc ruined together with their Prince in the Civil War* 1 , to which no Perfons had contributed, more than * .Svri & AJiatici Cr.rci . . IrviJJhna genera hotninttm & fen-ituti nata. Liv. ;6. c. 17. Jiuixis & Syiis, Nxtionibus nat'n firvituti. Cic. de Prov. Confui f. Dum AfTyrios p:ucs Medofque & Pcrfas Oriens fait, ikfyetUjfim* pArs fer- (Judxi) Tac. J-Iift. 1. 5-. c. 8. Sec Grot, de Jur. B. & P. 1. i. c. 3. o . i. & c. 4. 7. f. \vherc he quotes thefc and other Paflagcs to the fame the (29) the fedttious Preachers of thofe Times, Who proftituted the moft holy Religion to carry on the moft wicked and unrighteous Defigns j it was very natural, I fay, and very excufeable in thofe who had feen thefe Calamities, and had themfelves, in their Perfons or Relations, been great Sufferers, to run into the oppofite Extreme, and think they could never go too far in prefling the Duty of Obe- dience, to prevent a Relapfe into Principles that pro- duc'd fo much Mifchief. But Experience has fhewn, that Extreme alfo to have its Inconveniences, and that a Na- tion may be ruined by aflerting to the Prince a Power unknown to the Laws, as well as to the People a lawlefs Liberty.- And therefore it is no longer now excufeable to continue in the fame Miftake, and to give this or any other Text fuch an Interpretation, as is inconfiftent with our Laws, and deftroys our Constitution, and makes no Diftinftion between arbitrary Governments, and legal ones. The Law in all Governments is the Rule of the Sub- je&s Obedience, and whatever Right that gives them, they lofe none of it by being Chriftians. This is a moft undoubted Truth ; and it is as certain, that as they lofc no Right, fo they acquire none. As the firft of thefc ought to be well confidered by Governors, that they may not think Chriftianity gives them a Right to enflave or opprefs a free People , fo ought the other to be by Sub- jeds, that they may not be feduced into Sedition and Rebellion, by cnthufiaftick Spirits, who think Dominion founded in Grace, and that they have a Right to demo- lifh any Government they don't like, to fet up the King- dom of Chrift. This Nation, in the Compafs of fifty Years, felt the Mifchief of both thefe Errors j and it is to be hoped, what we have fuffered from the Madncfs of the People on one hand, and from the illegal and arbi- trary Attempts of the Government on the other, will make us wifer for the future, and drea d thofe fatal Ex- tremes, which have coft fo dear j or at leaft, that Scrip- - ture C3O tare will be no more employ'd to countenance arid juftify the Injuftice and Violence of cither Side* The Law mutt be the Rule to both, and where that is deficient, the Interpreters of it will have recourfe to the Law of Nature, and Nations, ftom which Chrtftianity in nothing derogates. By thefe Laws a Government has no more Right to inflift an unjuft Punifhment, than it has to command an unjuft Adion ; nor any Power to deftroy the Rights of a free People ; which would little deTerve the Name of Rights, if there were in no cafe a Righf to defend them. Nothing (eenis to be a more cer- tain Truth, than that all Power is a Truft, and a Ttuft may be abufed to that degree, as wholly to pervert and deftroy the Dcfign of it ; and when that is the cafe, 'tis to little purpofe to tell a Nation, they are bound to abide by it, and be paffive under it. The great Argument againft their Self-defence is, that it introduces Anarchy, which Government was intended to prevent : Which is very true j but it will be hard from thence to perfuade a Nation, who fee thcmfclves upon the Brink of Ruin' from the Opprcflion of their Governors, that it is not more eligible to risk the Inconveniences of a fhort Anar- chy > than patiently fubmit, and by their Submifllon entail certain Slavery on thcmfelves and their Pofterity. No ci- vilized Nations have ever acted fuch a Part, and from thence it may well be prefum'd, never will. But this <^ivcs no Right to private Subjects to difturb the publick Peace, and have recourfe to Arms, becaufe they think themfelvcs injured, or perhaps really are. Legal Reme- dies they may endeavour, but if fuch cannot be had, they ought for their own Sakcs, and the Sake of the Publick, whole Welfare they are bound to fupport, of two Evils' to chufc the lead, and if they do not, will, 'tis more than probable, pay dearly for it, and lofe their Lives in an ig- nominious Death, by taking irregular Methods to preferve, or recover, fomething of little Value in Comparifon of what they arc like to lofe for it. Indeed c * > Indeed the Advantages under almoft any Government are fo many, and the defigned Injuries private Men re- ceive from it are fo few, that Obedience and a quiet Sub- miflion is in the general due from them to all Gover- nors j who are prefum'd to intend the Good of the Peo- ple, and not knowingly or willingly to invade or violate their Rights. And when they do fo, it muft be to a very- great degree, and the Grievance muft be general, the Fun- damentals of Government muft be obftinately invaded, before it can be more eligible upon the whole to oppofe fuch Violence by Force, rather than fubmit to it -, and whoever thinks othcrwife, and afts accordingly, will be adjudged by the major part, who do not think with him, to be in the wrong, and what he perhaps calls Zeal for the Conftitution, will undergo the Punifiiment and In- famy of Rebellion. But this, as I have faid, is a Point the New Teftament meddles not with, it prefcribes only for private Life, and teaches Men how to be wife to Salvation: It meddles not with civil Rights, nor with Matters of Government -, it leaves all thefe things where it found them, and takes notice of Governors no other- wife, than to put Chriftians in mind of their Duty to them -, from which they are by their Religion in no de- gree exempted or difpenfed with, and by that means to remove the greateft and moft fatal Prejudice that the then Governors could have to them. Having thus fet this Text, and the feveral Parts of it; in the clearcft Light I can, and (hewn what I take to be the juft and only true Meaning of it, I fhould now come to the Application I propofed to make of it to our pre- fent Circumftances, but I muft leave that to another Op- portunity. Now to God the Father, with the Son? and Holy Spirit, &c. . i.'^ ***T POSTSCRIP T.:* I Take the Advantage of a fpare Page to give the Reader a remarkable Pafiage from Sleidatfs Commentaries concern- ing the Sentiments of the Great Luther upon the Subject of Refiftanct. The firfl Reformers^ to avoid the Imputation of Sedition for their Oppofition to the Papal Power, and to pro- cure to themfelves the Protection of the Civil Power againft it, were very zealous in aflerting the Rights of Princes, and carried the Duty of Submijfion to the greateft Height j in which none went farther than Luther himfelf, in a Piece he wrote in if if. on occafion of the Ruftic Warj but in i/Ji. when the Princes who favoured the Reformation^ found it ne- ceflary for their Defence to form the Smakaldic League, in a Confultation of Lawyers and Divines, he owned himfelf con- vinced, that Refinance was lawful in fome Cafes. Sleidarfs Words, 1. 8. are thefe, Prim quant fosdus iniretur^ in con/ilium adhibiti fucrunt n on jure confulti modb^ fed theologi quoque. Lu- therus autem femper docuerat, magiflratui non ej/e rejiftendum^ & ex tab at ejus hac de re libellus : Cum autem in hac deliberations pe- riti juris docercnt legibus ej/e permijfum^ refiftcre nonnunquam^ &f nmic in sum cafum^ de quo leges inter alia mentionem faciant^ rem cffe deduttam oftcndcrent, Lutherus ingenub profitetur^ fe nefciviffe hoc licerc : Et quid leges political evangelium non impugnet aut aba- leaf) uti femper docuerit^ deride, quoniam hoc tempore tarn dubio tanque formidohfomulta poffint accidere^ Jic ut non modo jus ipfum^ fed confcientice quoque vis atque neceffitas arma nobis porrigat^ de- fenfionis caufa fu?dus iniri pojff'e dicit. Jive Ca^far ipfe^ Jive quis ah us forte helium ejus nomine faciat. The Example of the Maccabees was too illuftriotis, to think it could be forgotten on fuch an Occafion j whole Conduct in throwing offthe op- prcilivc Government of Antiochus Epiphanes^ is v never cenfurcd or condemned by Chrift or his Apoftles, but rather feems to be commended and approved, Heb. xi. 34, &c. as well as in the Books of the Maccabees^ and other Jewijh Writings 5 as affording many glorious Inftanccs of the Power of Faith. For fince fomc of the Characters agree to none more than them, and fome folcly to them, there can be no good Reafon to think the Writer had not them in his View, as well as other of the an- tient Worthies j efpecially fince in this whole PaiTage he feems to have had his Eye fixed on the i d Chapter of the i ft Book of their Hiflory. SER- (33) a . - ti SERMON II ROM. XIII. i, i. ~t 1,0 ? Vj * u.; :p:jf jfiJr// , ^. .. . ' i_ tfi/" 'iif-Li^ fi ''t.''U 2itLi/ r '.n'i' v '/ Let- every Soul be fubjeB unto the higher Power 5. For there Is no Power but of God ; 7%e Pow- ers that be, are or darned of God. Whofoever therefore refifleth the Power , refifi- eth the Ordinance of God: and they that refifl , Jhall receive to themfelves Damna- ' HAVE (hewn in the Explication I have given of thefe Words, that the Duty of Obedience to the Magiftrate is by St. Taul founded in the divine Right of Government, and that there is no Power or Government but from God, and that the fevcral Powers or Governments that he, that is, that are in being, are ordained of God, and that this is not any new Doctrine, peculiar to the Chriflian Reli- gion, much lefs to any one Teacher of it, but has always been the Senfe of the wifeft Men in all Nations, both E Jews (34) Jews and Gentiles, who have all acknowledged the Ori- ginal of Government to be divine 5 which is indeed the Voice of Nature, and from thence came to be the Senfc of all Nations. Nor did they think that Governments had their Original only from God; in the whole Courfe and Progrefs of them they were univerfally thought to be the particular Objed of his Providence ; that he always rules in the Kingdoms of Men, and difpofe$,of them as he will. For as all Nations have acknowledged an over- ruling Providence, fo they faw nothing fo worthy of its Care as Government, fince the Peace and Happincfs of Mankind depends upon it, and can't be maintained with- out it. The Reafons which convinced them that Govern- ment was of divine Inftitution, the fame Reafons prov'd with equal Force, that the Difpofttion of particular Go- vernments was alfo in God ^ and that therefore, as there is no To-ji'er but of God, fo the Powers any where, and at any time in Being, arc ordained by him. From whence it neceflarily follows, that all Perfons are obliged to yield Subjection and Obedience to the Governments they live under for Conscience fake ', as they would not be guilty of fighting againft God, as well as Man, and refitting the divine Will. And this I have (hewn was the ftngle Point St. Taiil was concerned to prove ; he was not arguing with Perfons, who owned the Authority of the Roman Government,' and exceptcd only to the Pcrfon governing, either as to the Legality of his Title , or the Equity and Juftice of his Ad minift ration ; but with thofe who afierted to them- tclves a Liberty and Exemption from that Government in general, in whatever Hands, and however adminiftred. His Defign was to oppofe the wild Opinions of the Fol- lowers of Judas of Galilee, (which had very probably in- jected many Je^i/h Chriftians alfo,) who maintained it to be unlawful and fmful in the Sight of God to acknow- ledge any Government, or to receive any Perfon for their LyrJ, bur God himfdf. For thefc Men did not except againft (35) againft Obedience to one Emperor father than another, becaufe this governed better, or had a better Title; for that Sect began in the Reign of Auguftus, who was one of the beft Emperors the Roman Government was ever bleft with ; but they would no more fubmit to him, than to Caligula or Nero, who were fome of the worft : Nor did they except againft the Title of Auguflus, becaufe his Power was raifed upon the Ruins of the Commonwealth* and the Liberty of the People. Had the Taxation that gave Occafion to this new Sect, been made before that Change in the Roman Government, the fame mad Zeal for Liberty would have carried thefe Men into the avow- ing of the fame Principles ; and they would no more have fubmitted to the Power of the Senate, than they did to that of the Emperor. Now in Oppofition to the extra- vagant Opinions and Practices of fuch Men, the Apoftle declares that all Governments are of God, and therefore all Perfons obliged to fubmit to them ; and that they who will not, ought to look on what they fuffer for their Difobedience, as the juft Puniftiment of God himfelf upon them, tho' inflifted by the Hand of Men. This I have fhewn at large to be the Meaning of this Text by a particular and diftind Explication of every part of it. I come now to confider the Application of it to our feives, and (hall from thence endeavour to con- vince you of the Sin and Folly of thofe Plots and Con- fpiracies that have been form'd againft the prefent Govern- ment, not only to difturb its Peace, but in order to a to- tal Subverfion of it ; which the more you are convinced of, the more careful will you be, not to be feduced by factious Men into Attempts, which can probably end in nothing but in bringing down the divine Vengeance on your felvcs, as they would Devaftation and DeftrucVion on your Country, and on every thing that is dear to you, fhould they fucceed. Now if the Powers that be, that is, that arc at any time in Being, are ordained of God, then the prefent Government of this Nation is his Ordi- E a nance, (BO nance, as truly as any other. For the Apoftle's Aflfcr- tion, I have fhewn, is general, not confined to Time or Place, it being not peculiar to hiuifclf, and to the then State of Things, but the Voice of Nature, and the Scnfe of all Nations. From whence it follows that the A fertion is as true now as it was then, and confequently the Duty built on it of univerfal and perpetual Obligation: And therefore in virtue of what is. here enjoined, Obe- dience is due by divine Right, as well as by the Laws of the Land, to the prefent Government eftabliihed in this Kingdom. v Indeed whoever confiders in what manner the Crown was fettled on the Family of his prefcnt Majefty, with how much Deliberation, with how free a Confent of the States of the Kingdom, and with how chearful and uni- verfal an Approbation in the Body of the People of what their Rcpreicntativcs had done ; whoever confiders how iblcmnly his Majcfty's Title has been recognized in Rie- liamcnt; how much was done to fecure the Succeffion ro him in the laft Reign, when the Nation enjoyed the mod perfect Tranquillity at Home, and was in the grcateft Glory by the Succcls of its Arms abroad; whoever, I fay, confiders impartially, in what manner the Crown was fettled on the King and his Family, and compares it with the manner in which mod Governments have been begun, or with thole Interruptions and Alterations that have hnppcned in them, to which the Powers now governing will fee abundant Reafon to own, that the prdcru Government is in a more particular manner ike Ordinance of God : Since it is impoflible to conceive a Settlement more peaceably, more deliberately, more freely made, or upon greater Neceffity, or more univer- fally approved ; a Settlement not only acquiefc'd in by the People, but made by their own free Choice, and acknow- ledged by all other Nations in Alliance with us. If this be not the Work of God, no Man living will be able to lay what is, But C 37 ) But if the prefent Government had none of thefe Ad- vantages that fo eminently diftinguifh it from others, confidered only upon the fame foot -they are, 'tis as truly as any of them, the Ordinance of GWj there is nothing to exclude it from any Acknowledgments of that fort, the other Governments of the World are entitled to. For the Gofpel, as I have obferved before, does not concern it felf with the Titles of Princes -, whoever are in quiet Pofleilion of a Government, and are acknowledged and fubmirted to by the Body of the People, there is no room for refufing Submiflion to fuch Governors, upon pretence of a diluted Title, from this or any Text in Scripture: And therefore all Perfons, if we will hear St. f Paut, are obliged in Conscience to fubmit to the pre- fent Eftablifhment , with -due Allowance to the Scruples of thofe, who think themfelves precluded by their own voluntary Aft, and in yktue of the Oaths it found them under. A great deal might be faid to (hew the Invalidity of fuch Obligations in fuch a Cafe as this; fince thereby they, 'bind themfelves againJft God as well as Man, and deny his Right to difpofe of Kingdoms as he wilJ, whofe fole Prerogative it is. But not to enter into that Difpute, which affects but a very fmall Number ; how- ever they may fcruple the Acknowledgment of another Perfon to be their rightful and lawful Prince, yet even thcfe Perfons muft acknowledge themfelves obliged to a quiet and peaceable Submiilion to the Powers now fct over them, in return for the Protection they enjoy from them. And they who will not forbear entring into Mea- fures to difturb, or fubvert the Government, or will not give all reafonable Security of a peaceable Behaviour, can with no reafon expect to enjoy the Benefits of it in com- mon with their fellow Subje&s j or complain, if the Go- vernment mould think fit to take the propereft Meafurcs to fccure it fclf againft them. For whether Obedience be due or nor, to a Government when it ceafcs to protect Men, no body ever doubted but Protection on the part of of the Prince, gave him a Right to the Obedience of the People. But to leave thefe Men, who are now very few, and who may perhaps, moft of them, be prefumed to act upon a Principle of Confcience, and have not by a turbulent Behaviour provoked the Government againft them; 'tis inconceiveable, how thofc who never acknowledged any other Prince, nor were ever under any perfonal Ties or Oaths whatever ; who were either unborn, or but Chil- dren at the Rpvohrthn ; it is not, I fay, conceiveable, how they can plead Confcience for refilling Obedience to the pre- fcnt Government ; much lefs, how they can juftify even to thcmfclves the going into Plots and Confpiracics againft it, in breach of fo clear a Command for all Perfons to be fubjcct to the higher ^Powers. Senfible People will im- pute fuch a Conduct to Party- Rage and Paffion; to Re- fentmcnt and Difcontentj not to Confcience and a ten- der Regard to what they believe to be their Duty, where there do not appear moft evident Reafons to the con- trary. And if fuch Men feel from the Government a Se- verity proportioned to the Provocation they give, they muft blame them (elves, and not the Government, which has (hewn an unparallel'd Tendernefs and Indulgence to- wards them, and has ufed fuch a Connivance, as is hardly confident with its own Safety and Defence. But neither is it thefe Men I now addrefs to. My Bufincfb at prcfcnt is with thofe who have owned the pre- fcnt Government, and by the moft folemn Engagements bound thcmfelvcs to be faithful and true to it ; whom therefore, if they act a falfe and perfidious part, all the World muft allow to be without Excufe. For what is ir cm be laid for them? Have they Scruples about the Title by which his Majefty holds the Crown? Why did they by their Oaths acknowledge him to be their lawful and r '''' L'tfnl Governor ? If it was lawful to take fuch Oaths, it can't be lawful not to keep them; and all fuch who act againft the Government in direct Violation of them, (39) them, add the Guilt of the blacked Perjury to the other Sins, fuch Ads involve them in. Befides the Oath of Al- legiance, by which they promife to be faithful and good Subjects to his prefent Majefty, they do by another Oath acknowledge the Right to be in him, and folemnly de- clare they believe there is none in any other ; and what is (till more material, they do therein promife to defend the Crown as now fettled, to the utmoft of their Power, againft ail Perfons whatfoever : They do nor oblige themfelves only to do nothing diredly or indirediy to the Prejudice of the Government -, they do not only engage not to enter into any Plots and Confpiracies againft it; but to difcover any fuch Defigns, that they (hall any way come to the Knowledge of, and give all the Afliftance they can to preferve and fupport the pre- fent Eftablifhment againft all who (hall endeavour the Subverfion of it. And this they declare to be their Re- folution in the plain obvious Senfe of the Words, with- out any Equivocation or mental Refervation , upon the Word and Faith of a Chriftian. What can excufe a Man who has thus bound himfelf, and yet afts the direft con- trary to every part of thefe Engagements? I have never heard of any Excufe, but what is really an Aggravation of the Crime. They fay, thefe Oaths were forced upon them, and that the Perjury therefore lies upon the Impofers, and not on thofe who take them. This is fo vile a Principle, fo impudent an Excufe, that it unhinges all publick Faith at once, and (hews thofe that make it, devoid of all Morality, as well as of all Senfe of Shame. This is beyond any thing that Jefuitifm. has produced $ and makes the moft folemn Ties that the Wifdom of Man can in- vent, no Ties at all. How would the primitive Chriftt- ans, ho\v would our Forefathers in later Times have ab- horred fuch monftrous Prevarication in the Sight, and with the Name of God ? Had they underftood this Doc- trine, had they thought the leaft degree of Infincerky law- ful, (40) tul, they needed not have undergone thofe cruel Petfccu- tions, which were inflicted on fuch Numbers of them. They might have fworn by the Genius of the Emperor, or famfced, or complied with any other Teft required of them, and have excufed it from the Necefllty there was of doing fo to fave themfeives,. and have charged all the Sin of fuch Facts upon the Impofers. But they knew too well, how frivolous, how wicked, how execrable be- fore God fuch a Defence would be j they knew no Pre- tence of Force could excufe an Act which they had k always in their Power to refufe; and were fo far from thinking" any thing they could fuflfer from Men, a Nc- cciTity that would juftify their acting againft their Con- fcicnces, that they looked on Death it felf in fuch a Caufe as a light Affliction. rJjiftA But 1 need not go back to fuch remote Times, to fhew how fcandalous fuch a Plea is ; if oilr Predeccflfors in cither of the 'Popijh Reigns, with which this Nation has been opprclicd fince the Reformation, had been ac- quainted with this Doctrine, the f Prvteftaa$ Religion had been long fincc dcftroycd by their Compliances to the Power of thofc arbitrary Princes, But indeed 'ProteftmPs have in all Countries been fo far from avowing fo infa- mous a Principle, that even *Paptfts have abhorred it,: Even the Jefmts, the great Corrupters of Morality, and of all Principles, have not dared openly to efpoufe ic. So that this Plea, inftcad of Icfiening the Guilt of fuch perjured Men, is really a vaft Addition to it. And yet \vhat cllc have they to fay in their Defence? For they j enounce all Right to Refiftance upon pretence of Male- Adrniniftration; that is a Principle they always disown, nnd impute it as an impious Doctrine to thofe that differ iVom them. But whatever their Opinion be of the Na- ture and Meafures of Obedience, admit they avowed the Principles they difclaim , it would on this Occaiion do them no Service. For whatever Right Male-Admini- ftration can give Subjects to oppofe their Prince, there can be (40 be no fuch Right exercifed, where there is no fuch Ad- miniftration that opprefies them : Which God, be thanked, is our Cafe. 'Tis our Happinefs to be under a Prince who has no Intereft feparate from that of his People, who makes the known Laws the Rule and Meafure of his Government, who knows no Greatnefs but in the Profperity of his Subjects, and who is perfectly free from thofe turbulent Paffions that give fo much Difturbance to the World, by which the Peace and Quiet, the Rights, and Liberties and Properties, the Religion and Confcience of Mankind arc facrificed to the Lufts and Humours of a few. A Prince, who, during the courfe of his Reign, has been fo far from ftretching the Prerogative of the Crown, or from the leaft Attempt upon our Liberties, that he has voluntarily offered to part with a very confiderable Branch of his own Power, if his People thought it would more effectually fecure their Liberties : In a word, we are happy in a Prince who is fo far from affeding arbitrary Sway in a legal and limited Government, that he would not ufe fuch a Power where he might rightfully have done it : He governed his hereditary Dominions with as much Equity and Juftice, as if he had been tied up by the ftrideft and fevereft Laws. So that there is not the leaft Pretence for Difobedience in the Subjed under colour of any illegal Adminiftration in the Prince. No Law for the Good of the People has been attempted to be repealed, or fet afide } no new ones offered to him have been refufed; nor has any ^ifpenfing Power been afiumed, or any thing done in any part of the Adminiftration, that has hot been with the Advice, or has not had the Approbation of Parliament. But this, I am fenfible, inftead of keeping thefe Men in their Obedience, is that which at prefent is the chief Provocation to them to throw it off. They know nothing from within can deftroy the prefent Eftablifh- ment, fo long as the King is fupported by a dutiful and faithful Parliament ; and fuch an one, very much contrary F to ( 4* ) to their Hopes, they fce the Kingdom again happy in. This has made them precipitate themfelves into the moft defperate Meafures, to prevent if poflible their meeting. However feafible a Rebellion may be againft: a Prince who ftands alone, unfupported by a Parliament, or di- ftrefled by a difaflfefted and difloyal one, there is little Hopes fuch Attempts can fucceed againft the united Power of both, which puts the King in Pofifeffion of all the Wealth and Strength of his People, fo far as the Defence of his Perfon and Government fliall make it neccflary. But what leaves them ftill more without Excufe, as Men of the moft feditious Principles have no colour to complain of any illegal or arbitrary Proceedings, by which. cither their Religion or Liberties are endangered, under vlajcfty's juft and mild Adminiftration ; fo is there no room for any fuch Jealouftes in the Profpecl they have of thofc who (hall fucceed him. No Apprehenfions of that kind can have place, but where the reigning Prince wants a Son, or has fuch an one that it had been better for the Nation he had been without one, either from his wanting the Virtues requifitc to make a good Governor,. or from his being ill affected to the national Religion, or in Danger of being perverted from it by a Princefs in his Bofom bred in 'Popifo Superftition, or, laftly, that he is without hopes of I flue by her 5 which in courfe plays the Succcflion into 'Popiffi Hands, who in view of it will always be giving us Difturbances, and concerting the bed Meafures, that they may not be difappointed. But 'tis our Happincfs under the prefcnt Eftablimment to be free tl'om a" the uncafy Apprehenfions that any of thefc Cafes could crc-.fc to m.ikc us fear that the Tranquillity and Safety we now enjoy, will not be lading. has given his Majefty a Son, adorned with all the Qualities that are requifite to make a great Prince, and a happy People 5 who is full of Honour and Inte- grity, and abhors nothing fo much as Falfhood and In- uuice j who is eminent for Fortitude and Temperance ; i who (43) who is well affeded to the eftabliflied Religion; who has nothing foreign in him but his Birth, and is remarkable for his Efteem and Love QfEngliJbmen 5 in a word, who treads in the Steps, and inherits the Virtues of his royal Father. And which is (till a greater Security to our fu- ture Happinefs, his Royal Highnefs wants not (fuch was his Father's Care) a Confort worthy of himfelf, who is diftinguifhed by all the amiable Qualities, that are the Or- nament and Glory of her Sex 5 who fhines in every Re- lation of Life an exemplary Pattern, unfullied by any Blemifh, of any fort } and who, to complete her Cha- rader, is fo good a Troteftantj and fo truly an Enemy to the Superftition and Tyranny of Topery, that as the Splendor and Pageantry of it could not allure her, fo neither could the Title of one Crown, and the Profped of another tempt her, to renounce or to duTemble the Re- ligion, which an excellent Underftanding and well in- formed Confcience had approved : So that our Religion is perfectly fafe on that fide, from whence our greateft Apprehenfions of 'Popery have formerly come. But that is not all the Happinefs we have in view ; we are not only happy in the perfonal Virtues of their Royal High- neflesj they have bleft the Royal Family, and in that the Nation , with a numerous and beautiful Iffue of the greateft Hopes, who are the Love and Delight of this Age, and will be the Support and Glory of the next. This is the King, this the Family, thefe wicked Men would depofe, and fet afide; (I might fay murder and aflaflinate j for it is known that even fuch villainous Mea- furcs have not been difdained) a Family from whence there is all the Hopes of a Succefiion of national Blef- fings for Ages to come, that could be defired, and far be- yond what this Nation in almoft any Age has feen. So that they who would overturn this Government, have no Pretence at prefent or in Profped for it, but what in truth fhould be a Reafon to them for not at- tempting it. So devoid are they of any real and juftifia- F 2 bic C 44 ) blc Caufcs for going into fuch Meafures, and breaking thro' thofe Obligations to Obedience, with which both by the Laws of God and Man they are fo ftridly bound. And this may fhew both the Sin and Folly of fuch Attempts. But the Monftroufnefs of both will more fully appear, if we take a nearer View, either of the End they aim at, or the Means by which they hope to compafs it. Whom they are to depofe, what Family they are to fee afide, we have already feen, a Family from which we may pro mile our felves a conftant Succeffion of all the Bleilhigs a Nation can enjoy, and which deferves well to. be confidcred , the only Family that can derive thefe B Idlings to us. So that if thefe Men could fucceed in their Defigns, it would not be to exchange one Prince, or one Family, for another, who would make us, if not more happy, at lead as much fo as we are already : Tho' even fuch a Defign would be extremely wicked and ab- furd, yet it were well for us, if that could be hoped for from the prefent Confpiracy, not to be put by it into a worfc Condition than we were before. But what makes their Attempt infinitely more inexcufable, it is to place a 'Popijh Pretender upon the Throne of thefe King- doms, and to entail on the Nation thofc Miferies, which they have been at the grcateft Expence of Blood and Trcafure to fccurc themfelves againft. 'Popery in the Throne, is an Expreilion that carries in it every thing that can be terrible to 'Proteftants and Englijhmen , and yet it does not exprefs half the Mife- ries, that in the prefent Circumftances it would bring upon us. 'Popery in its bed Shape, and mildeft Form, is very dreadful to a Troteftant People : What then will it be, when it comes upon us arm'd with all the Rage that Hunger, and Revenge, and Defpair, can infpire into it? What Bounds can be fet, what Temper or Moderation can be expected upon the return of a Superftitton t whofe Mercies &re cruel y after an Exile of fo many Years * What f ufticc, v/hat Equity can this Nation hope for from an in- fulting (45) fulting Enemy, flufli'd with Succefs, after fo many cruel Difappointments ; and whofe inbred Hatred to us, has fo many ways been more and more heightned and inflamed > Can 'Popery, that could not fpare us, nor keep any Terms or Faith with us, when it reigned in a Prince of other- wife no ill Qualities, and who had the grcateft Obligati- ons to the Nation for their Fidelity and Attachment to him 5 . could 'Popery be falfe, and cruel, and infupporta- ble to us, in the Breaft of fuch a Prince j and can we hope for any other Ufage from it, than what is didated by Hatred and Revenge, when the fame Superftition has it again in its Power to trample on us, in the Hands of one, who is not only a Stranger to our Constitution, and without all Obligations to the Nation, but who has been bred in the greateft Averfion to it, and who may be pre- fumed to have been taught no one thing fo much, as how to take an ample Revenge of it for the Exclufton of him, and effectually to fubdue all future Oppofition, to whatever his Refentment or Religion can prompt him to Attempt? Nothing can be conceived fo terrible to this Nation, fo deftru&ive of its Religion and Liberties, as to place *P apery, thus enraged, in the Throne of thefe Kingdoms. And yet this is the noble End propofed by the prefent Confpiracy : 'Tis not to fecure our Laws, or Religion, or Liberties, but moft effectually to deftroy them, and en- flave us to the worft of Governments, to a Tyranny fpi- rituai as well as civil. For to do them Juftice, they do not pretend , the Prince they would impofe on us, is a *Proteftaat 9 or inclined to favour our Religion, or that he has promifed to fupport it $ no, on the con- trary they confefs, he is a moft zealous Tapift, and that none of thofe who undertook his Convcrfion, have been able to make the leaft Impreflion on him. They have indeed endeavoured to amufe the Country in fome Places with the Hopes of fecuring their Religion, by pretending they do not defign to bring in the *Preiender t but his Son, (4O Son, a Child not two Years old. A hopeful Scheme! But can any body that thinks believe them ? Can it be thought that the 'Pretender would be fo contented ? Can it be believed, that if the Son were once here, the Fa- ther would not foon follow ? What (hould hinder it, if the Family now reigning were removed ? Or is it pofli- ble this Nation in fuch Circumftances can fubfift under a long Regency? Who (hall prevent Factions among themfelves, who (hall fupply the Vacancies that Kappen in them, or who (hall at firft name them? And if the Child they arc Regents for, fliould die, as all Children arc i ubj eft to a thoufand Accidents, what muft the Na- tion do then ? Muft they then call in the 'Pretender him- ielf, or muft he needs have another Son for us? Or (hall we return to the Family they would expel? This is all fo impracticable, that they muft be very ignorant indeed that can be thus impofed on. If this Family be fet afide, we muft have "Popery or nothing, bare-faced c Popery 1 in the mod frightful Circumftances it can poflibly be attend- ed with. Men muft have a very good Opinion of them- ielves, or a very mean one of their fellow Subjects, if they think the Generality of the Nation can be wrought on to engage in, or favour fuch a wicked and ruinous - Dcfign, in which it is impoiuble to hope for any Good, or the Abfencc of any one Evil, that can concur to make a Nation complcatly mifcrable. But let us now take a View of the Means that are to brinss about this great Dcfign, and we mail find the End and the Means iuft of a piece, equally wicked and abfurd. They arc to entail Slavery upon the Nation for all Time to come, by involving it at prefent in all the Calamities r hat an unnatural Rebellion can bring upon it. They will not indeed own this, and arc in Appearance fo fan- :;uinc as to tell People, they can bring about this glori- ous End without any Effufion of Blood; but how can we believe them ? Why they tell us, the Revolution was :'b brought about. Vain Men! Becaufe the Revolution by (47) by the wonderful Providence of God on the Meafures of the late King, concerted with the greateft Wifdom, and for the beft of Caufes, to fave the Religion and Liberties of the Nation, when in the mod imminent Danger, and upon the Brink of Ruin.; becaufe this Revolution was fo happily effected, therefore they think they may hope for the fame Succefs in the Profecution of the moft unjuft and wicked Enterprize : As if becaufe God won- derfully bleft a Defign to fave our Religion and Liber- ties, therefore he will as wonderfully profper one defign'd for the certain Ruin of them. But without confidering God's more immediate Providence in bringing about the Revolution, had that unhappy Prince, who was driving fo faft to fettle 'Popery in this Nation, had he a Parlia- ment willing and ready to ailift him, in that ruinous En- terprize? Were either the Nobility, or Gentry, or Clergy, engaged in thofe Intcrefts ? Had he any Wealth or Strength of his own, in any other Country to fupport him? Had he an Army to depend on, that either would, or could lawfully defend him in his Invafions on the Con- ftitution ? Were there nothing elfe, thefe Confederations alone are fufficient to (hew, that the prefent Confpira- tors have no room to hope for the fame Succefs as hap- pened then. But the Vanity and Emptinefs of fuch Hopes will better appear, if we compare what was attempted then, with what is attempted now. There was a wife and great Prince at the Head of the Defign, that brought about the Re-volu- tion, fupported by a good Body of Troops, ftrengthned : by many and powerful Alliances, famed for his Virtue and Courage, for his Love of Liberty and Zeal for the 'Pro- t eft ant Religion, perfonally known and belov'd by the beft of the Nobility and Gentry of the Nation, and mar- ried to a Princefs, who was next in Succeflion to the Crown, and entirely poflefs'd of the Hearts and Affec- tions of the People. A Defign thus conducted, in fuch Hands, fo fupported, and in Defence of fo good a Caufe, did did fucceed beyond all Expectation; therefore therefore what ? Why therefore, a wicked Confpiracy, to ferve the word of Caufes, unfupported by any real Strength either at Home or Abroad, cfpoufed by no Prince, detefted by the main Body of the Nobility, Gentry, and Clergy, and which will doubtlefs appear to be fo by the People alfo, when their Apprehenfions of 'Popery fhall bring them to their Senfes again, and they (hall be convinced thefe Defigns of their Enemies are real * y fuch a Confpi- racy, in fuch unpromifing Circumftances , muft fucceed, as wonderfully, as the Revolution did ! How much more Rcafon have the Confpirators, and thofe that wifh well to them, to apprehend that their prefent Attempt will fucceed no better than other Plots ufually do, of which fcarce one in a thoufand takes effed ! How vainly have they ever fincc the Revolution kept up the Hopes of theit Party , with ridiculous Expectations of a Change from fomc new Project , that could not mifcarry ? Scarce a Year has pafled, in which they have not vainly flatter'd thcmfelvcs with fuch Delufions. But can they fo foon forget the laft Rebellion ? Or have they any reafonable Ground to hope they fhall fucceed better now ? Yes, the Experience of that has made them wifer; they can take their Mcafurcs better now, and prevent the fatal Mifcar- riagcs that happened then. Then they began their Work in the remoter Parts of the Kingdom, which gave the Government time to provide againft them, and take thofe Meafurcs that foon put an. end to that good Defign. But that the like Difafter might not again happen, they re- foivcd now to begin their Play in the Center of the Kingdom, and to ftrike their Blow home at once. Lon- don is to be the Scene 5 the Tower, the City, the Bank, the Minifters, the General, the Prince, the King, are all to be feizcd at once. And if this firft Stroke could fuc- ceed , they had then a fure Game; Infurreftions were immediately to break out in all Parts, and the whole Kingdom, they were confident, would follow the Fate of the Capita!, and be their own. But (49) But do thefe Men really think, fuch Plots are fo eafily executed? Can fuch Defigns be formed without many being privy to them > Or can they confidently with that, hope for fuch a Secrecy, as is neceflary ? If the chief Ope- rators may be confided in, can the inferior Tools be truft- cd ? The Directors may perhaps have Art enough to fe- cure themfelves from Conviction, but 'tis morally impoflible to fecure their Plot from a Difcovery. But if they could, could they flatter themfelves , that a Scheme confiding of fo many Parts would fucceed, when a fmall Mifcar- riage, or Delay, in any one Part, would endanger the whole ? Do they think the King's perfonal Intereft in the Nation to be fo little, or Men's Concern for their Re- ligion and Liberties to be fo languid, and remifs ? Do they think the Men of Fortune and Eftate, who have been al- ways in the Troteftant Intereft, fo devoid of Zeal or Strength, that a Nation can in an inftant be over-run by a few difcontcnted, ambitious Men, who mean nothing but their own private Ends, or to repair their broken Fortunes ? Who have nothing to recommend them to the AfFeftion or Efteem of the Nation , at lead, not prefe- rably to others of their own Rank 5 and who have no- thing elfe to depend on to fupport them in their wicked Enterprize, but the Difaffedion of the meaneft of the People, and of fuch as have ruined themfelves in the late general Calamity ? Which, tho' it happened in his Ma- jedy's Reign, can't with any Judice be imputed to htm, and might as well have happened in the Reign of any other Prince j being in truth little other than an epidemi- cal , or national Madnefs, which we greedily ran into after the Example of a neighbour Nation ; which in rea- fon fhould have been not an Example, but a Warning to us, not to tread in the fame Steps. Is it imaginable, a Na- tion can fo eafily be overturned by a Handful of factious Men, deditute of foreign Help, and depending only on fuch a Difaffeftion, as could lad no longer, than till the People could be difabufed ? G The (So) The moft probable Iflfue of their Confpiracy, humanly (peaking, would have been the fame, as it was before: The utmoft Succefs they could rcafonably hope for, muft hayc been the involving of the Nation in a long civil War j which is fo dreadful a Scene, a Scene of fo much Horrour and Confufion, that nothing can make the Thought of it tolerable, but the abfolute Ruin of the Nation, without the running of fuch a Risk to fave it. Could I infufc into you a fliort View of the late Civil War, with which this Nation was fo long diftrafted 5 were it pofli- ble for you to have but for one Hour a full and lively Senfe of that infinite Variety of Miferies this Kingdom then fuffered, there would need no other Argument to fill you with a juft Abhorrence of all fuch Attempts, as muft probably involve you in the fame Calamities. But could the Confpirators be as fortunate as they wifh to be, you have feen what it is their Defign is to end in, in en- tailing Toper y and Slavery upon a Trot eft &nt and free People. As the Difaffeclion of the People is the chief Strength they have to depend on , fo it muft be confefs'd they have not been wanting in their Endeavours to fecure that. Hence have proceeded that Swarm of virulent and trea- fonable Libels, that have of late filled all Places? which both for their Number and their Malice have exceeded all that this Kingdom in peaceable Times hath ever feen. At the Time indeed they were thought to be calculated only to influence the Elections then approaching; but the Event has fhcwn, the Defign was deeper laid, and that nothing Ids was meant than a total Subverfion of the Government , which thefc Libels were to pave the way to. T\vas for this tiich a Clamour was raifed againft the Qnarantaiu Bill, and the Minds of the People terrified with fuch groundless Fears. This Bill, the Confpirators feared, would draw all the Forces of the Kingdom to the Neighbourhood of Loydon, which Was the moft fatal thing could happen for a Plot, of which London was to be ) be the Scenei For this all the Arts of Calumny and Defamation were with incredible Induftry employed, to afperfe the Government, and render every Part of the Administration odious and contemptible, in hopes the People would be fo far infatuated as to join with the Con- fpirators, or fit (till at leaft, and not be a&ive in oppofing them. It was for this the Hanover Succeflion was in fo impudent a manner vilified and expofed; for this, the Royal Family, every Branch of it, even the King hini- felf, was traduced with fo much Virulence : And a wife, juft, and merciful Prince, defeended from the nobleft Blood in Europe, and no way degenerating from the Vir^ tues of his Anceftors, was reprefented in the falfeft and blaekeft Colours, as devoid of all Virtue and Honour, inglorious both in himfelf and Family. Such Ufage would have provoked moft Princes to the fevereft Refentments ; and nothing feems to have reftrain- ed all Appearance of any in his Majefty, fo much as the Confctoufnefs of his own Virtue, and that Greatnefs of Mind, which makes him as infenfible of Calumny, as he is fearlefs of Danger. But the lefs Refentment he fhews himfelf at fuch Ufage, the greater Indignation fhould it raife in the Breafts of all good Subjects ; who fhould no more patiently fuffer fuch Injuries done to their Prince, than to themfelves. Men of the moft moderate Under- ftandings may be fure thofc Charges are falfe, which can't be true without fuppofing their Prince a much worfe Man than any of them would be willing to be thought thern- felves. In general, whatever Imputation can't be true of Perfons, without their being a great deal worfe Men than we before took them to be, we fhould always prefume is falfe, till we are very well afliired it is not. This is ,a Jur ftice due to every private Man , much more to Princes, whofc Charafters, as well as Perfons, ought to be facred : and no Man can be a good Subjeft, that does not pre- ferve that Reverence and Honour for them : Much lefs can it confift with our Duty to believe of them things G 2 there there is not the leaft colour for ; things which are not only falfe, but very groQy fo. And in this rcfpeft the Confpirators have ftrangely overfliot themfelves; they have not been content to aiperfe his Majefty and his Government with- out the leaft regard to Truth, but have done it in fo out- ragious a manner, as deftroys all kind of Probability .; which People muft be very ill Judges of, who can be- lieve the hundredth part of what thefe Men have told them. The Subverfion of the Government appearing now to have been the End which thofe virulent Tongues and Pens were pointed at, that Confideration will, I hope, prevail with all honeft Men for the future to be more than ordinarily careful how they give any Countenance or Cre- dit to them, fince they are fo full of deadly Poifon, and mean nothing lets than the Deftru&ion of that Eftablifh- c? ment from which our own Safety is infeparable. What has been faid, does, I hope, fufficiently (hew both the Sin and Folly of the prefent execrable Confpiracy^ that the Sin of it is exceeding finful, and the Folly equal to the Sin. It propofes to it felf the worft of Ends, to be compaiTcd by the mod wicked of Means, and thofe mod unlikely to liicceed. But fome Men have fo little Senfe of Religion, or of the Good of Society, or of the Happinefs of their Country, that fuch Conftderations will weigh little with them, if they do not find their own Account in it. They foolifhly feparate things that are in- feparable, and don't care what becomes of the Publick, if they can reap any Advantage to themfelves. Let us then go a little farther, and fee what thofe Advantages are that any Men can promife themfelves by favouring a Con .piracy that is to end in the Subverfion of the Go- vernment. What is it they propofe to get by it? Why, Trade is dead, and Taxes are heavy: Be it fo> how will ii Change of the Government mend Matters? Will the Farmer have better Crops, or will his Corn yield a bet- ter Price ? Will the Mcclunick, or Retailer, have a quicker Vent for their Wares, or be able to fell them at higher Rates, C 53 ) Rates? Or will Perfons of inferior Rank mend their Wages? Will the Clothier find a better Market, will the Merchant be able to take of him greater Quantities, or at a greater Price ? In order to this he muft have him- felf a greater Trade abroad : But how will a Change of Government effed that ? Will it make foreign Countries lay down their own Manufactures, or will the Numbers of thofe who take off our Goods increafe, or will there be a greater Confumption of them ? Or docs any thing give Life to Trade, but the Exportations we make ? If Trade be in any Branch of it overstocked, or Foreign- ers have found the way to ferve themfelves with what they ufed to take from us, or whatever elfe occaSions Deadnefs of Trade , a Revolution in the Government can't poflibly remove the Caufe j and therefore 'tis great Wcaknefs in Men to fancy it will: Tho' by the way, the Complaint it felf is at prefent groundlefs, the Demand of our Goods from abroad having for fome time been very great. Men (hould not only confider the Evils they feel, but look into the Caufes of them, and then they will not impute thofe things to the Government, which proceed wholly from Caufes that have no relation to it, or which, all Circumftanccs considered, could not be pre- vented. And as to Taxes, how do thofe that complain of them, think a fuccefsful Confpiracy would make them eafy? Would they deftroy publick Credit, and have fuch a Num- ber of People ruined, as there muft be by Sinking a Debt of fifty Millions? Which, if their DifafFedion did not perpetually put the Government upon extraordinary Ex- pences, we Should foon fee in a way of being paid. I doubt, they who would have fo crying -an Injuftice committed to lefTen Taxes, have little Property, of their own to lofe. Or have they Land ? I would ask them, how they would like to have that taken from them to .the fame Value ^ which might be done with equal Juftice. But whatever their Judgments, or rather Inclinations, -are,; they mu& give give thofe who have truftcd the Government with their Fortunes for the Defence of the common Caufe, leave to differ from them. And if their Properties are fecured, Taxes muft be continued. So that a Change of Govern- ment without a Change of Juftice alfo, will do them no Service. In truth, the Change the Confpirators would make, could not leflen either of thefe Grievances, but would neccfiariiy increafe both 5 it being impoillble Trade can flourifti under an arbitrary Government, equally to what it does under a legal one. Nor would the Wants of the Government, that muft be fed by Taxes, be kfs than they are now, but vaftly greater, if we confide* the ftarved Condition in which 'Popery muft afcend the Throne, nnd how many Perlbns and Things there would be to be provided for at the Nation's Expence. But after all that can be laid, many will be fo vain as to flatter thcmfelves, that however it fares with others, they at lead (hall be Gainers by a Change. But how can that poillbly be, or what is it they expect ? I would beg leave to ask any of thcfe Gentlemen one fliort Quc- (lion ; Do they hope the Enemies of the Government are many, or few ? If they are but few, the Plots againft it can't fuccecd ; I will therefore anfwer for them, that they wifli they may be many. But then will not many upon a Change have the fame Pretenfions to favour with thcmfelves? How then will they divide the Spoil? I fear, where one would be fatisficd, a thoufand would be dif- contentcd ; for when every Man is Judge of his own Merit, he will not cafily think it juft, another fhould be preferred, while he is neglected. Befidcs, thcfe Gentlemen (hould confider, how many Peribns there arc who in this Caufe have Pretenfions infinitely fuperior to them -, how many Englifh, Scots, and Irijh there arc to be taken care of in the firft place, who have all their Lives been following a defperate Caufe, and have fuffcrcd greatly for it; and arc the only People that can juftly plead Confcience, and have real Merit? It will C$5.') will be fo impofUble to provide for others, that great Numbers even of thofe, will unavoidably be negle&ed, and get nothing to repair in any degree their ruined For- tunes. For confider, how poor this new Government will be; what Debts and Arrears are due to France, and Spain, and Rome, all to be paid by a Nation, which if we will believe them, is already exhaufted. So that in the upfliot we (hall find none more diffatif- fied upon a little Trial of a new Government, than thofe very Perfons, who at prefent are moft zealous for it. They will find they have not the Advantages they ex- pe&ed, but will feel in common with others the heavy. Evils, which, they fay, they did not exped. And if that prove to be the Cafe, what will they do then? Why, then they will plot, and confpire, and rebel again. I make no doubt they would, tho' they did not tell us fo j fince it is plain, it is not Confcience, but Paflion or Intereft that governs them. But firft, how is this confident with their pretended Principles, and their Devotion to the Right Line? Next, how will they effed a Change, or what will they change to? Do they think, if a 'Popijh Prince were again upon the Throne, he would not take more effeftual Meafurcs to fecure himfelf in it> than the laft did ? Do they think, he would not profit by the falfe Steps then made, and mend what in that cafe was found to be ill judged ? Do they think, he would rely on f Paffi i ve Obedience for his Safety, and be fo credulous as to believe, that Nature, when opprefied, will not rebel againft Principle, tho' very lavifli of its Complements, when there is nothing to fuf- fer? Laftly, do they think he would truft to an Army of Irifl) Tapifts, and refufe a good Body of foreign Troops from his Catholick Allies, who would always be as ready to offer, as he could be to accept them? Thefe arc all very chimerical Fancies ; but fuppofe him weak enough to make the fame, or equal, or greater Over- fights than were made before, what is it thefe Men would change to ? To what Prince will they apply themfelvcs ? 'Who Who will accept the Government of an inconftant, facYi- ous, ungovernable People, ruined by their own Follies, and weakened to that Degree, as to be the Scorn of all Nations; without Honour, without Strength, without Union, (the only Thing that can give it Strength) and fo di- ftraded by Divifions, as to be an eafy Prey to the firft In- vader ? So that nothing can be expeded in fuch a cafe, but certain, and inevitable, and irrecoverable Ruin. For Strength and Union will in vain be hoped for, though the Prince they are fo defirous to have, fliould for awhile govern better, than there is any reafon to expeft, and fhould not immediately purfue violent and arbitrary Mea- lurcs to the Ruin of our religious or civil Rights. For do they think, that while the Crown is worth contending for , the Illuftrious Family in which it is now fettled, will tamely rcfign their Right ? Will he not always have a powerful Rival to alarm him ? Will that part of the Na- tion who are heartily and entirely in that intereft, forget their Oaths, and Obligations to fupport the SucceJJion y as now eftabliflied ? Will they patiently live in a perpetual Fear of ''Popery and arbitrary f Power? Can fuch a Part be cxpcdcd from Pcrfons who have always diftinguifhed them- iclvcs by their Zeal againft them ? No, fuch an Acqui- ciccncc, fuch a SubmiiTion is in vain hoped for: Their Hearts and Hands will be always ready to reftore a c Pro- teftant Royal Family, and they can never be without good Hopes of fuccccding. So that could thofe Men have their \Vifli . a Claim to the Crown will not be wanting, nor a flrong Part}' to fupport it. From whence it is eafy to ice, the Tranquillity they promifc themfelves, can never take place, an undifiurbed Pofleflion of the Crown cannot be obtained, Divifions will not only fubfift but increafe with all the Mifchicfs of them, Trade will be damped, Forces muft be kept, and Taxes be continued, and thofe heavier much than ever. What now upon this View will the Nation get by a Change ? Which is mod eligible to a 'Proteflant People, to (57) to preferve the prcfent Settlement againft a Topifh Rival, or to bring in a 'Popijh Pretender to be maintained with much greater Trouble and Charge, againft a ^Proteftant Prince ? Befides the Danger, and the Expence of Blood and Treafure to bring fuch a Revolution about, and the great Probability there is, that fhould it fucceed, that alone would in a little time of it felf compleat our Ruin. When fad Experience (hall (hew thefeto be the Fruits of a Change, it will be a poor Excufe for thofe who brought it on us, to fay, ivho would have thought it? We did not defign it, we hoped, and were promifed better Things. Such an Ignorance could be no Excufe to any before God or Man ; and if it could, cannot be pleaded in their behalf: They have been told again and again, that thefe would be the fatal Confequences of not fupporting the prefent Efta- blifhment. This wife and honeft Men, whofe Virtue and whofe Judgment they ought to have regarded, have often fore-warned them of, but they would not hear ; they were given up by God to a Spirit of Delufion, as part of their Puniftiment, for not fubmitting to the Ways of his Providence, and paying Obedience to his Laws. If this plain and unaffected Reprefentation will not pre- vail with thofe of known Difaffe&ion, to alter their Sen- timents, and convince them of the extreme Sin and Folly of fuch Counfels, as can, humanly fpeaking, end in nothing but the Ruin of their Country, and of every thing that is dear to them ; it will, it is to be hoped, have its Weight with Perfons of a better Mind, and awaken thofe, who wifli well to 'the prefent Settlement, from that Supinenefs and Security, into which our Enemies have by their Ar- tifices lulled fo many of them : and that they will not be any longer carelefs and indifferent , what becomes of Things, in which their Country's Happineft is fo much concerned ; which Behaviour and Temper, though not fo criminal in it felf, as an open Difaffedion, is as fatal in its Confequences. For if thofe who mean no ill to the Go- vernment, will be Spectators only, and unconcernedly H look ( $8) look on, while others are endeavouring the Subverfion of it, this in the End will prove the fame Thing, as diredly joining with them, and the fame Ruin and Deftruftioa will refult from it. It is high Time therefore for thofe who wifh better Things, to look about them,, and to be upon their Guard, andconfider, that they who are not againft the Enemies of the Government, are for them; and that if they are in- different, they do as much as their Enemies defire of them. To this end, let them take Care how they give Credit to groundlefs Afperfions on the Government, particularly, po that moft dangerous, as well as> moft fenfelefs Calurrmyv that the King and his Minifters are impofing a Sham-Plot upon the Nation, which the Enemies of our Peace have been wonderfully induftrious to fpread* and, have done.it with notable Succefs. There being nothijng of fo much Service to a Confpiracy, or fo likely to fecure it from a Di appointment, as to perfuade the People, that there is no- thing in it, and that it is all a Fiction of the Court, it is no wonder thofe who are in it, orwifii well to it, are much concerned to propagate fuch Reports ; but how honeft, fcnfible, well-meaning Men can be fo inpipofed on, is amazing : Since no one Inftmce can be given, when- a Prince from the Throne, or in any other authoritative Way, told his People, he had certain Intelligence of a Compiracy againft him, when it was no* fo. la truth, Men or Scnfc murt have a ftrange Opinion Q a King, an4 Ins Minifters, before they can- believe they would in fo iolemn a Manner impofc a Plot upon theaft: Thjey muft luppofe them devoid of all Honefty, Of of all Underftaadr mg,- the ijft, if they are deceived themfelves-, and believe th:rc is a dangerous Confpiracy carrying oa, when- there re:.l!v is none ; and the firft, if they would knowingly an '.'. 'i'-r*' ff"ir;J--v "-vU T Thirdly, Our Lord has declared and promis'd,, that thefe Officers fhall continue for ever in the Church. It has generally been underftood., that the Pro- mife our Lord made to the Apoftles^ when he fent them forth to * teach and baptize all Na- tions, Loe 1 am with you always even unto the End of the ffiorld, did imply the Continuance of the Minifters and Governours of Chriflfs Church 'till the Confummatkm of all Things ; for lince this Promife cou'd not be confined perfonally to the Apoftles who all dyU not many Years after our Lord's Aicention 3 it has reafonably been inter- preted to extend to all their Succeflbrs in the Chrifti- an Church : And the Way taken to evade this has * Matt, xxviii. if? 3 20, been been by interpreting "EV$ $ ov^x^ T &<&, to mean either the End of the Jewtfo Sate,, or Difpen- fation,, that is, 'till the Deftruftion of the City and Temple of Jerufalem, or elfe 'till the End of the Age or Lives of the Apoftles themfelves. But againft the firft of thefe Evalions it may be ob- ferv'd, That St. John did actually outlive the Def- truction of the Temple and wrote his * Revelati- on, and governed the Churches of Ajia fome Years after it, to whom it will not be pretended,, I fup- pofe, that the Trefence of Chrift was ever want- ing. Againft the other Evafion it may be obfer- vcd, That 'A:< feven Epiftles, which in the Revelation our Lord is introduc'd as dictating to the feven molt eminent Churches of the Procon- fular Ajia, are directed feverally to the Angels of thefe Churches., Perlbns who muft certainly have had the chief Care and Authority over them,, be- caufe they are blamed or commended for every thing our Lord finds fault with, or praifes among them, which cou'd not well have been done un- lefs their good or ill Example,, their Authority and Inftruftion, their Care or Negligence^ had been the Caufe of one or the other. And though fome., who feeing that a fingle Perfon having fii- preme or chief Authority in the Church is certain- ly a Bifliop, wou'd therefore willingly apply the Title of Angel either to the whole Church or to a College of Presbyters prefiding over it ; yet to underftand it of more than a fingle Perfon is to do Violence to the whole Tenour of the Epiftles,, which run conftantly in the fingular Number,, and to apply them to more Perfons than one wou'd make them inconfiftent. BefideSj, it may be prov d from t Ecclefiaftical Hiftory,, that there were Bi- fhops prefiding in all thefe Churches,, fo exceed- ing near the Time of writing: the Revelation, both " * 7?pi-. ii. f Vid. Ignat. Ep. ad Epbef. ds Qnsjimt evrum Epifc. <& ad & ad potycar. vid. ctiam Eufeb. H. E. lib. 5. cap. 24. be- before and after it, that it wou'd be wonderful if there fhou'd have been none at the very Time of writing . it. And thus it appears from Scripture, that in the firft Age there were diftinft Orders of Minifters in the Church,, that there was a Sub- ordination among them, that the Prelidency or chief Authority was in the feveral Churches com- mitted to fingle Perfons, that there were at leaft three Orders when St. Taul writ his Epiftles, firft of Apoltles (in which I fuppofe Timothy and Ti- tus included) next of Elders, and laftly of Dea- cons inferior to both : Which are the fame De- grees that have ever fince continued in the Church under the Titles of Bifhops, Priefts, and Deacons. And., I fuppofe, thefe Fafts, as they ap- pear in the New Tejtament, are fufficient to prove the real Diftinftion between the two fuperior Or- ders (for of the loweft there has never been any Queftion) and the Subordination of the one to the other, even if we fliou'd not be able to give a clear Account of the Difficulties which have been rais'd about the Words 'H-roW-Tr- and n^V/Stm^- be- ing iynonimous Terms for Perfons of the fame Order: For granting that thefe two are only dif- ferent Names of the fame Order (as indeed feems very probable) yet here are plainly three diftinft Orders named,, c-ne of which particularly is fupe- rior to Presbyters, if ordaining them, if governing and cenfuring them can make them fo. But as to the Difficulty it iclf, concerning the promifcuous Ufe Ufe of the Terms Bijkops and Treshjtters. I fhall chufe to account for it in the Words of the learned * Theodorit, The fame Terfons, fays he,, were anti- ently calld Eifbops and Tresbyters, and they 'whom we now call Bijbops were then call d j4po files, ~but in procefs of Time the Name ofApoftles was appropri- ated to them who were Apo files in the JlriEt Senfe, and the reji who had formerly the Name of Apo/lles were Jlyld Bifbops. In this Senje Epaphroditus 'is called the .Apoflle of the Philip- pians, Titus was the Apojlle of the Cretans,, and Timothy of Alia. Every one of which Perfbns > however,, are by other Authors exprefsly nam'd Bilhops^ and all Bifhops are faid to be Succeflbrs of the Apoitles and of the Apoftolical Order. If from the Scripture we defcend to the Eccleliaftical Wri- ters., the Goverment of the Church by Bifhops and the Subordination of Presbyters and Deacons, to them, is fo clearly and fo copioufly attefted that their Works are almoft full of it. t St. Igna- tius, who was an Apoftolical Man and almoft an Apoftle, does fo largely, fo zealoufly., and with fo much Concern infift upon the Authority of the Epifcopal Order, that 'tis plain he conlidered it not only as the Inftitution of Chrift himfelf, but was perfuaded that the very Being of the Church depended upon it. And, indeed, the Opinion of the divine inftitution of Epifcopacy, as fupe- rior to Presbyters, is delivered down from the ear- * Com, in i Tim. iii. I. t Vide Ep. ad SmyrtMOt. lyeft [20] lyeft Antiquity in fo itrong and fo uninterrupted a Current, that in fourteen hundred Years and more,, there was found but one Man (Aerius the Ari- an Heretic] who openly contradicted it, and only St. Jerom who is fuppos'd to fpeak iuipicioufly a- bout it, and yet of * St. Jerom it may be ob- lerv'd, that he has adopted that common Obfer- vation, that as the Jewiftj State was typical of the Chriftian Difpenfation, fo the Eccleliaftical Orders of the former represented thofe of the Chriftian Church^ Andy fays lie., what Aaron and hu Sons and the Levites were in the Temple, that Bifbops, Trie/Is, and "Deacons are in the Church of Chrift. Which is fo clear a Teftimony of the divine In- jtitution of the Epifcopal Order, that I wonder mole wlio are fo fond of his Authority fliou'd not fee that what in other Places,, he fays in ex- altation of the Order of Presbyters., was not with Intention to derogate from the Authority of Bi- ff lors,, but only to reprefs the Arrogance of fome Deacons, who., being of the loweft Order in Chriftfs Church, did yet take upon them to equal them- ielvcs with the Dignity of Priefts. And this I take to be the true Key for interpreting all thofe Pailagcs in that learned Father, which thofe who are prejudiced again ft the Order of Bifhops lay hold A?tfi. fur;ptas ds veferi Teftamznto quod Aaron & Fi/ii //:/, her j. hi Epijlopi & Presfytfri, & Diaconi, "j'mdiceut in of, [21] of, as favouring their Opinion. Having thus fliewn the divine Inftitution of the Miniftry, it's perpe- tual Eftabliftiment, and the feveral Orders and Degrees among the Officers of Chrift's Church., becaufe the Hebrews are here in the Text com- manded to obey and fiibrnit themjehes to thefe Ru- lers. I come now, Laftfy, To fliew what are the Powers they are inverted with. I have before obferved, that the Church of Chrift is a fpiritual Society, and the Rulers of it fpiritual Riders > confequent- ly the Powers they are inverted with muft be fpiritual Powers : As they watch for Mens Souls, fo the Care of them is the End of their Infti- tution and the Meafure of their Power ; fo that if the Rulers of Chrift's Church happen to be trufted with any Branches of Civil Authority, that Power they do not derive from the Gofpel, but is owing to the Conftitution of the Country in which they live. But as they watch for Mens Souls, that is, as they are entrufted with bring- ing Men to everlafting Happinefs by the Practice of Evangelical Piety and Righteoufnefs ; fo what- ever Means the Gofpel propofes as neceflary to the Attaining this End ; the Promoting thofe Means, and the Execution of all Functions relat- ing to them, is the proper Office and Employ- ment of the Rulers and Miniiters of Chrift's G Church. [22] Church. And therefore, as Faith in Jefus Chrift, and the Practice of univerfal Holinefs and Righ- teoufhefs (which are the Terms of the Evangeli- cal Covenant), as prayer to God,, and partaking in the Holy Sacraments,, are all prefcribed in the Gofpel as neceffary to the Attaining everlafting Happinefs ; ib declaring and expounding the Gof- rel of our Lord., prefiding in the publick Wor- fhip of God , and adminiftring the Sacraments of the New Covenant, do properly,, and according to the Nature of this fpiritual Society, belong to the Rulers and Minifters of it : For to whom clfe ihou\! they belong ? The Actions now men- tioned arc Acts proper to this Society,, and if they are not executed by the Officers and Mini- fters of i^ they can be executed by no Body, and thefe Offices wouYl be inltituted to no pur- pofe at all. I dcfire, however, it may be ob- fcrv d, that we fay thcle Officers are Minifters of the Society, and, therefore, all Affairs which be- iom; to the Society as fuch muft be executed by them As for private pcrfonal Matters, they are of a dineient Conilderation. Hence therefore, as Ve Admifiion of Perfons into this Society by rtifm, and the Excluding them from it by d'nvftica! Ccr.fures, and the Communion of the together in the Lord's Supper, are Ads belonging to the Society as fuch ; the Ad;r;iriili:ring of the Sacraments, whereby this this Admiffion and Communion is perform'd, and the cenfuring Offenders,, do naturally and regular- ly appertain to the public Minifters ; and when the whole Society are publicly met together to worlhip God and expound the Holy Scriptures,, the Performance of this does naturally devolve upon the fame Perfons : But as it is every Man's private Duty to pay continual Worfhip to God Almighty,, and to inform himfelf in" his Will,, as well as he is able ; we do not go a- bout to abridge any Man of his private Liber- ty in thefe Cafes., or difcourage him from mak- ing ufe of it, becaufe we affirm that the public Expounding the Scripture, and fraying to God in Chriftian Aflemblies, in a Word,, every Thing which relates to the Society as fuch, is the pro- per Bulinefs of the Officers of this Society. E- very one may frequently and devoutly pray to God in private,, may ftudy the Holy Scriptures for his own Inftruftion, may privately expound them for the Edification of his Brethren as much as the moil extended Charity requires, notwith- ftanding the public Miniftration in Chriftian Af- iemblies is referv'd to a particular Order of Men who are confecrated and fet apart for this ve- ry Office. This may fuffice concerning the Mi- nifters of Chrift's Church in general, that they are public Perfons authorized to tranfaft in the Name of God by expounding and declaring his Will Will to the Church, and in the Name of the Church in offering up their Prayers and Devoti- ons to God., and in doing all fuch other public Acts as belong to the Church as a Society ; ail which, I think,, very clear from this one Confide- ration, that they are appointed by (3od the pub- lic Minilters of the Chriftian Society. But as there are divers Degrees in the .Miniftry, and divers Ecclefiaftical Afts, foine of which are ap- propriated to one Degree and fome to another., and fbme common to all ; It might not be im- proper to conflder this Matter diftinftly, and to aHign to each Order thofe proper Offices which Scripture and primitive Antiquity have allotted* it ; but as the Time and Bounds of this Difcouife will not permit it, fo becaufe there are none who acknowledge any divine Inftitution of the iVliniitrv at all, but do likewife allow, that all thcfe Acts, I have above mentioned, do belong to it ; but fome confounding the two fuperior Or- ders together, and attributing to the fecond Or- der all thofe Afts which we together with all Antiquity appropriate to the higheft Order of all ; it (hall fuflicc to allert one Power as inhe- rent in Bilhops alone, which, if it be well proved, will render it lels neceflary to infift on any o- ther ; Jiich is the Power of Ordination, or fetting Perfons apart for the Office of the Miniftry, which ever has been rcferved to the Epifcopal Or- der. den St. Taul ordain'd Timothy and Tittts, and gave them Power of ordaining Elders, but we do not find that thefe Elders were ever impow- ered to ordain others, and therefore the Power of Ordination has ever remain'd with thofe who were call'd to the Succeffion of the Apoftles, as Timothy and Titus were. Indeed St. Taul men- tioning Timothys Ordination, does, in one Place, lay it was done * by the laying on the Hands of the Tresbytery, which has ferv'd as a Pretence in thefe later Ages, for calling meer Presbyters to the Exercife of this Office : But as nothing hinders why we may not, with St. t Chry- foftom, underitand by the Treslytery a Synod of Bifhops, lince, as has been before obferved, : E.7nv qtr.m irr^n, a.)&ic. xiei ixto-xiTrtiy, is y> 04 -vTieei T sTtWcTcv s^s(jronr>. Horn. 13. in primam ad Tim. l Tim. i. 6. H which which is all the Influence it can be imagined to have. And this Power of conferring Orders has ever been fo religioufly referyed to Bifhops, that if in an Inftance or two , in all Antiquity it ap- pears., that * a Presbyter took upon him to ordain,, it does at the fame Time appear that the Attempt was received with amazement as a monftrous unheard of Thing,, and the pretended Orders con- ferred by him were rejefted by the Chriflian Church. And though an t ^African Synod did permit Presbyters to lay on Hands,, yet it was only together with the Bifhop from whom all the Power was underftood to be deriv'd, the Presbyters being admitted for the fame Reafbn above aflignfd,, namely, for the greater Solemnity of the Aftion ; for that they conveyed no Power is evident hence., that all Ordinations before the Canon of this Synod of Carthage had been per- formed without the Hands of the Presbyters, which Ordinations,, however, cannot be imagined to have been defective. And it deferves like- wife to be obferv'd, that this Liberty was ne- ver granted to Presbyters in the Greek Church, which, to this Day, confers her Orders by the Hands of her Bifhops alone. And if the Power of Ordination be confin'd to the Epifcopal Or- * !':./ d_> Jclyi-t*. ordivjio .tCollutho Presbytero Aikan. Afol. 2. t Concit. C t vth. 4. Can ; der, O7] der, thence it will follow, that What Powers foever are conferred on the other Orders, they are all deriv'd from the Impolitiort of the Hands of the Bifliops who are God's immediate Minifters for the Government of his Church, and in whom all EC- cleliaftical Powers are radically and originally veiled. But to avoid all Miftakes of this Doftrine^ lay d down thus in general, it may not be im- proper to obferve, that what I have hitherto faid concerning the Epifcopal Order, and the Powers veiled in it, regards the regular Method in which the Miniilry was eftabliflied by the A- poftles, and received by the Chriftian Church, and Ihews what ought to be of right in the common and ordinary Courfe of Things ; but ex- traordinary Cafes, unavoidable Accidents and Ne- ceffities are, in my judgement, of a different Con- lideration. And, therefore, if any Bodies of the Chriftian Church have been forced, by the Ne^ ceffity of their Circumilances, to depart froitl this Rule, the Neceffity under which they lay muft plead their Excufe, nor can they be jlift> ly blamed for the Want of that which, indeed, it is not in their Power to have. For a great Diilinftion is to be made between fuch Rules and Forms as regard only Order, and the eteftial Laws of Right ; thefe are not tp be varied from in any Circumilances whatfoever, thofe ever have been, [28] been, and ever muft be, governed by fuch Ne- ceflities as it pleafes God to bring Men under. Were any one to give Account of the Perfon and Office of the High Prieft among the Jews, no queltion, he wou'd defcribe him (as the Law of God does) as the eldeft in the right Line from slaron, and who alone was empowered to make Expiation for the whole People on the great Day of Atonement. And yet, when the Jews tell afterwards under a foreign Dominion, and this great Office was expos'd to Sale to the higheft Bidder, it wou'd be hard to fay, that all this white there was no Atonement made, and that the Peribns thus intruding were not High Priefts, for we fee that our Lord and his Apof- tles acknowledged and fubmitted to them as fuch. And, I think, that in Equity a very great Dif- ference is to be made between open Contempt of a pofitive Inflitution, and a plain unavoidable Neceflity; in confideration of which one may con- clude, that God did difpenfe with his own Or- dinance. Upon thcfe Grounds, though we are very fenfible of the Imperfection thofe foreign Churches labour under which are not fubjeft to the Go- vernment of the Epifcopal Order, * yet we dare * For mine own Part, alrbouib 7 fee that certain reformed Churches t tht Scotifh ef- fecially, and the French, h*~.-e nor that which i>eft agree th with the fac re d Scripture, lmean y the Government that js hy Ktjbops, m AS much as both thofe Churches are fallen under a difiertnt [29] dare not take upon us to pronounce their Mi- niftry and Ordinances void, upon this Afccount : If their Cafe be candidly confider'd they will be found to want this primitive Inftittition, only be- caufe their Circumftances will not permit them to have it ; we know none of 'em who prefumptuoufly renounce it, many,, we are fure, do highly reve- rence it : And may it pleafe God,, in his own good time,, to unite us all in external Order and Difcipline, as we are already in the Fundamentals of our Faith. Thus much may fuffice concerning the Infti- tution, the Perpetuity, the Degrees and Powers of the Miniitry in Chrififs Church. From all which has been laid on thefe Heads I ihall, in very few Words, make an Inference or two., and fo conclude. And, Fir ft, If the Ministers of Chrift's Church are appointed by Chrift himfelf, no Man ought to aflume this Office without being lawfully call- ed and fent to it, and they who do fo, not on- - , . r different Kind of Regiment ; nahifh to remedy tt> is far the one altogether too late, and too foon for the other, during their prefent Afjlittion and Trouble : This their Defeff and Intper- feffion 1 had rather lament in fuch a Cafe than exagitate, confidering that Men oftentimes without any Fault of their oiun, may be driven to want that Kind of Polity or Regiment which is befl j and to content themfehes 'with that, which either the irremediable Error of former Times, or the f\ece(Jitj of the prefent hath caft upon them. Hooker's E. P. Book 3. . ii. I lv ly introduce Dilorder and Confulion into the Church} but alib tifurp upon the Authority of our Lord, who has eftablilhed thefe Minilters and by \vhofe Delignation they aft. And if the Subordination of Minifters be a Divine or Apollolical Ordinance,, inferior Minifters ought not to ufurp upon the Office delegated to the fuperior , but are to keep themfelves with- in the Bounds prefcribed by their Commiffion, beyond which they have no Authority at all". Secondly , The Rulers of Chriftfs Church may here fee the End of their Inftitution, and the important Nature of their Office, that they watch for Mens Souls, that the Care of their eternal Welfare is committed to them , and therefore they are to direcl all their Studies and Actions to this End : But there is no need of inlifting on this, on this Occalion, and to this Auditory. Let us wlio are placed under the Government of thefe Rulers, and Fathers in Chrilt s Church , always remember how duti- fully we ought to reverence and highly efteem them, for l bc'ir /-forks Sake, how we ought to to obey their Admonitions, and fubmit to their Corrections, that may fee our proffiting in the Lord., Lord) and beholding the Travel of their Soul may be fatisfyd y may prefide over us with chearfiilnefs and iatisfaftion in this Life , and when, at the laft Day, the great Shepherd him- felf Jhall appear., they may give Account of their Miniftry and Care over us with Joy and not with Grief. Which God grant, FIN IS. The Authority of the Civil Powers in Matters of Religion afTerted and J O j *v vindicated. S E R M O N PR E ArCH E D before the Right Honourable the Lord MAYOR, THE COURT of ALDERMEN, AND pi V E R I E S of the Sever?*! COMPANIES of LONDON, ^ In the PARISH CHURCH of St. LAWRENCE :J E WR T y On Saturday* Sspt, 29,^1722. Being the Day of EtfieTLONbf a Lord M AYQ K fqr the Year ehfuing. By WILLIAM BERRIM4N,D.D. RECTOR of St. Andrew^ Under Jh af t ^ and C p A,pX A i N to the Right Reverend the LORD BISHOP of LONDON. LONDON: Printed by J. Bettenham for T. PA Y N E, in Stationers Court near Stationers Hall. M, DCC, xxn. Stewart Mayor. Cur. Special, tent. inFeftoSandiMi- chaelis Archange- li, fcilicet Sabbati vigefimo nono die Septembris 1711, Annoque Regis Georgii Magnae Britannia dec. no- no. IT is ordered, that the Thanks of this Court be given to the Reverend Dr. Berriman for his Sermon preactid before this Court and the Liveries of the fever al Companies of this City, at the Parifh Church of St. Lawrence Jewry, before the Election of a Lord Mayor for the Tear enfumg - y and that he be ordered to print the fame. Stracey. f 3) JOB xxxi. 18. This alfo were an Iniquity to be punifhed by the Judge : For I fhould have de- nied the God that is above 4 HE patience of Job having been fully tried, not only by his enduring of various misfortunes, but by the fe- vere expostulations of his friends : he comes at lad to make ample profeflions of his own integrity, and mentions to that purpofe his freedom from any grievous iniquities, as well fuch as were cognifable by the civil magiftrate, as thofe which were only liable to the divine vengeance. Of this latter fort were thofe mercilefs and uncha- ritable difpofitions of mind, from which tho' hu- man laws might be too feeble to reftrain him, yet deftruttion from God was a terror to him, and by reafon of his highnefs he could not en- dure*. Of the other fort, which fall under the cenfure of human laws, he mentions as well .,: .r, i. thofe 'Job xxxi. aj. .'- 'VV /.i\ V'W A z (4) thofe which more immediately concern the peace and order -of foeiety (fuch as that inftance of adultery -in ; .the ninth verfe, concerning *vhich he thus exprefleth himfelf at the eleventh; for this is an heinous crime, yea it is an ini- quity to be punifoed by the judges :) as thofe which do properly affeft the date and profedion of religion, foch as that inftance of idolatry in the verfes before the text, of which he declares here in like manner, that this alfo were an ini- quity to be punifhed by the judge ', and afligns for it the following reafon, for I Jhould haix denied the God that is above. THK vice here difclaimed by this ancient wri- ter, is dcicribcd in fuch a manner as may -inti- mate the true origine of 'Pagan idolatry, with one principal rite or ceremony of performing it. Whether it had any place in the world be- fore the flood , may be reafonably doubted b . But '' I'.IxhtJonules (in AvoAct Zara, c. i. . i.) has placed the origine n: Idolatry as high as the time of Enos, the fbn of Seth: in which r -lion he is fol;-Hvb I.crJ, i. e. to denominate themfelves after his be .Hiirjiiguifh'd from the family of C::in, by being \\\"f(>us of .Mr,c, tHftypivM tyx&tfAKfi. Cyril. Alex. adv. Julian. lib. 3 . prope finem. And indeed the crimes of thofe times feem rather to have been impiety and a neglect of religion; to which per- haps it was owing, that after the flood men ran into the opposite extream of Idolatry and Sttperftition. ii'td. Jurteu ut fuprct. Tho' fome, who allow that text in Genejis to be no fufficient proof of the matter, have neverthelefs concluded, from the manner in which the impiety of the Antediluvians is defcribed, and from their being ranked with falfe teachers in the new teftament (2 Pet. ii. f. Jude vcr. it.) that there muft have been fome kind of Henjv or Idolatry among them. See Heidegger ut fupra exercit. 8. .3. c See Dean Prideaux's comie&ton of the hijlory of the O. and N. T. vol. i. p. 139, 140. fol. n , ttar error lay In this, that thcj fuppofed God had created the flars and cchftlal or hi to have the government of the world, and had placed thefn in that high ftntion tkftt they might partake of Glory, as the minifien that ferve before him. Maimon. Avoda 2,ara c. i. . i. c CD^S 1 ? 1 ! CJni irmv;o rw (O thod of idolatry ufual in his time ] If I beheld the fun (fays he) when it Jhined, or the moon walking in brightnefs, and my heart hath been fecretly enticed, or my mouth hath kijjed my hand*: i. e. If I have made thefe the objedte of my truft and confidence, or paid any religi- ous worfhip and adoration to 'em. And there- fore it was that God gave his people a fpecial caution againft this practice : Left thou lift up thine eyes (fays he) unto heaven, and when thou feefl the fun, and the moon, and the ftars, even all the hoft of heaven, thou fhouldfl be driven to worjbip them and ferve them s. THE fame madnefs which prompted men to this proftitution of divine honours, had carried them dill farther, to ered ftatues and temples to the honour of thefe imaginary deities h , and there- by to fccurc , in effigie at leaft, their conftant prefcnce or refidence among them. Thus Baal is laid to have reprefented the fun 1 , and AJh- taroth the moon k : And the fame might be ob- fcrvcd of others, tho' when once the practice of image-worjhip was introduced , the mifchief enlarged it felf much farther; and the like re- prcfentations were made either of men deceafed TM! From hcncemen efleemedthem -wanly to have f.u^s fi'iJ l.onGnr a n 'I glory afcribed to them, and that it was God's r;/7 ihr-j /i:o:!tii magics and Lonour thofe whom he had magnified And /.j;;<:,-,m7 ; //; l:!x wmnir as a king -would have honour done to his mi- iiifu;:, tfiicij ij.jceil t.< doing honour to the king himfelf. Maimon. ijici. f Job. xxxi. 26, 27. 8 Deut. iv. 19. ' ViJ. Maimon. 8c Prideaux ut fupra. ' Selden de Dis Syris Svntag. z. cap. i. Jurieu's critical hiftory par. 4. treat 3, cap. 5-. p. I 6y. k Selden. cap. 2. Jurieu treat./, cap. 4. P. 147. 4- (7) or of legendary heroes. In one way or the other, the practice of idolatry was grown fo ge- neral by the time of Abraham, that the Patriarch was almoft fmgular for (landing out againft it, and is therefore propofed as a memorable ex- ample of faith and integrity. Others as the Magi^ttt faid to have abhorred the ufe of images, but yet paid their worfhip to fire , which was queftionlefs defigned as a fymbol of the fun ra . And fo far the Zabians and they, however reckoned for oppofite fefts, may feem to have had the fame original. AMONG the rites of tdol-worjhip , that of fa- lutation was very ancient and remarkable. Of this we have mention in the book of Kings ^ where God fays to Elijah, I have left me feven thonfand in Ifrael, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not KISSED him n ; and in the Prophet Hofea, Let the men that facrifice KISS the calves . But yet there may be room to quefti- on, whether it were cuftomary to kifs the idol it felf P, or only to kifs their own hands as they were 1 See Prideaux connexion, vol. i. p. 141. "See Juritus critical hiftory, par. 4. treat. 7. cap. 2. p. 196. " i Kings xix 18. Hof. xiii. a. The Hebrw Phrafe is^ltf TQM T1piy^ Q^?jy ^ et *be fmcrificers of men Kifs the calves, which fbme have underftood of Moloch, wbofe image was form'd with the the head of a Calf or Heifer , and Was thought to receive " the greareft honour from thofe who facrificed their fons. via Seldtn de Dii Syris Syntag i. cap. 6. and Jurieu'i critical hiftory, par. 4. treat. 2. cap. 2. p, 20, 21. But I fhould rather under/land this pafl'age to have reference to Jeroboam's calves: and Qlfc^ ^PTil may only fignifie the facrificers from among men, or in our tranfljtio n the men that ftcrifice. p So one would be apt to take both thofe texts in Kings and Hofea; fo they who facrifjoed their iu ns ( 8 ) were bending their bodies towards it. Some- times it is certain the latter practice prevailed % either for expreffing greater reverence of the idol r , or becaufe it was placed too high and out of reach f , or the worfhippers were too far diftanr, or perhaps were but occasionally paffing by '. Of this there are fundry testimonies in profane authors , the Greeks and Romans having manifeftly de- rived this practice from the Eaftern nations, a- to Moloch, were admitted to kifs the idol it felf [R. Simon in jalknt aptut Jurieu ut fuprti\. AnJ Lucretius in his firft book 4e warn natura, plainly {peaks of kiffing the hand of the idol. Turn portas proffer, nbena, Si^na, m.inus dextr.is ofttndunt attenunri Stpe SALUTANTU MjacJtl, pr&terque mwntum. r < In o:ando dextrnm ad ofcu'um referimus, totumque corpus c'rciirmgimus. Tlin. Ufl. lib. 28. cap. 5-. And to this Demofthenes ' ; ,.-:'fj u.\X Y, xstrxiwii-j l-:i>Mu,3avtv. ' So perhaps we might t^!\o tiiat p.T:l:iL T e in Luc i fin m?)- 9-vtrtay, QtfAivoi at f*'-'^^'. - ^f - c-y.-/ .'_<;, T/.'; 5-^ c{%y,trtas vol. i. p. 792. edit. ArnfteL T ('187.1 iV -\iking of the In,l:a,m woriliiping the Sun: 'lifrol fawieu s.vt-'ii 1 u.'>.~:'.:ri-, -;.i(rii>:-y.: : T-:i TCV y,\l:v, ov% uznt^ v.f/jft^, Tf,v "xfi?* xu- .. And fo poffibly Tertullian is to be underftood f \r-ol. c:?. 16. p, 1 6 edit. Pxris. 1^75'.] Plerique vcdrum, af- kft.itionc aliv]u-ndo : celcflia adorandi, ad folis ortum Libia vibra- 1 >'o 2\!if)utim Felix (in Qclav. jttxta 'tritium) Coecilius, irnulicro Serapidis denotato, (ut vul^us fuperftitiofus folot) manuni ori :-dn-,ovcn?, oiculum labiis prcffir. Ancl more plainly Apuleius (in A'. 0*07,. p. -}?''.) describing yEmilianusV neglctt of religion: Nam u" audio, pcrcenlt-nribus iis qui iftum novcre, nulli Deo ad hoc rvvi fjppiiovir, nullum Templum frcquentavit, fi fanum aliquod jT'ctcvear, ncfas habct adorandi gratii manum labris admovere. mong mong whom its great antiquity is evident from this paffage of Job, If my mouth hath kiffed my hand''. THE frequency of the ceremony gave occafion to it's being fometimes put for religious worfhip in general, as in that paffage of the Pfalmift, Kifs the fon, left he be angry w , i. e. pay your worfhip and adoration to him. And to this fome have fuppofed as well the Greek Totfxyvaid. Beyeri not its in Selden de Dis Syris, p. 40. w Pfal. i. 12. Qui adorant, folent deofculari manum & capita iubmittere. . . 8c Hebraei, juxta linguae fuse proprietatem, de- ofculationem pro veneratione ponunt. Hieron. Apolog. contra, Rufin. lib. i. cap. f. * Sicut apud orientis populos veneratio oftendebatur variis fleclendi corporis formis : ita apud Grjecos 8c nonnullas gentes alias, manum ad os admovendo, quod proprie eft xpoa-Kwuv a KIJU [in uterofero Scfuavior] 8c inde xwtu quod eft ofcu- lor. Nee aliud fignificat Latinum adorare, non ab orare, i. e. pre- cari fadhim, fed ab eo quod manus admoveatur ori. Ita Grotius in Decalog. ad Exod. xx. jv ' Thus jacere ofcidn with Tacitus \Hifl. lib. i. cap. 36.] and adorare vtdgum have the fame meaning, This \smanu venerari. Tacit. Annul. 16. cap. 4. &Swtm.in Clutt- dio cap. 12. So jaftat bafia, tibicen. fh&dr. lib. f. fab. 7. And fo poffibly. Rowt falutwtt voce MAN Uque ducem. Martial. Epigr. lib, S.Epig, 6f. B been been fometjimes ufed as a note of th# obeifance and fubj.e&ion z . I HAD reafon to perfue the matte* tfcv this point, i^i order to reprefept the true nature and circumftances of that crime, concerning which the author of our text has made fuch declaration: This alfo were an iniquity, to be punijhed by the judge j, for I Jhoul4 haw denied the God that is above. How oppofite were his. fentiments (good man !) to thofe conceits, which we have feea advanced and propagated by certain noyelifts among our felves, who in defiance of that very constitution, for which they profefs a more a- bundant zeal, and in flat contradiction to that royal fupremacy , which they have foleoinly acknowledged, do infift upon it as a natural right, for all men to publifh their opinipns with- out let or molcftation, and difclaim all authority or power of the civil magistrate in matters pure- ly religious ! Againft fo mifchievous a doctrine I would direct my prefent difcourfe: and if I may be acquitted from the blame of dictating ' As when Tkaraob faid td Jofeph Gen. 41. 40. According to thy Kor all all my people be ruled: The Hebre-nVy) 73 " thy mouth /hall all my people kifs. From hence' a fbJemn falata- tioi came to be ufet), in token of homage, among the ceremonie^ nt the coronation of the King, i Sum. x. r. And the Jews accor-, dingly make mention ; OTU "7U/ ilp^J 'ihe kifs of grundtta; or magnificence \_iij. Carpzov. not. in Schickard. Jus Reg. cap. i, theorem. 4.] And of this fome have underftood that paflage in 1'rowbi, where fpcaking of the right and equal administration' cf lud'ce, the wife man has this remark, Every man flail kifs his lips hut giveth a right anfwer. Prov. xxiv. 16. See farther, upon the Jubjeft cf faltitation, Drufli obfervat. 1. i.e. 20. Cunrad. Diete- ric. Ar.tiquit. Biblic. ad Job xxi. z6, 27. Doughtei Analefta facra. Excurf. r^j. to to my fuperiors as to the duty, I truft I fliali need no apology for afferting their right, to ex- ert the authority they have from, God for the fupport and intereft of true religion. To this end I \vould - .', ',f,t]i -\ f'f^-rt'l 7 , / I. PROPOSE fome arguments in proof and vindication of fuch authority. II. ANSWER the moft plaufible objections that are made againft it. And then. III. MARE fome inferences from the whole, relating t6 the duty both of magiftrate and people. _-|f *\\irfl fjl |jO~!t E V'f'l fi' i. Fi R s f then I would befpeak your patience, whilft I propofe fome arguments in vindication of the authority of our civil governors in mat- ters of religion. BUT here before all things, and to prevent miftakes, we m'uft be careful to diftinguifh be- tween that power which is merely external, and applies the temporal fword for fecuring the outward ftate and profeffion of religion : and that which is properly internal and fpiritual, and belongs to the Church as a diftinft fociety. This laft Chrift committedt o his Apoftles and their fucceffors : but the other is that authority which we contend fo? in the civil Magiftrate, .and which ought to be exerted by him for the fup- port and eftablifliment of true religion. This I doubt not to evince from thefe enfuing argu- ments. Namely, i. FROM the ptrecepts and examples of this kind in the Old Teftament. B z 2. FROM 2. FROM the characters and prediftions which relate to civil governors under the Chrif- tian difpenfation. 3 . F R o M the univerfal confent and opinion of Mankind in this particular. And 4. FROM the nature and reafon of the thing itfelf. ( r .) FIRST from the precepts and examples of this kind in the Old Tcftament. WHEN God was pleafed to take upon him- felf the government of Ifrael, he did it in the quality of a king*, and refented it as an indig- nity offered him, when they asked to have an- other king fet over them, like all the nations*. In this capacity he gave them laws, as well for the eftablifhmcnt of their religion, as the di- reftion of their civil polity . And Mofes, whole miniftry he ufed on this occafion, is therefore defcribed to have been king in Je- (hurun*. Now what fhould be inferred from this, but that the princes of the earth ought to conform themfelvcs to the divine example, and exert their authority for the fupport and eftablifh- blifliLiicnt of true religion ? For tho' in this the cafe be different, that the queftion con- cerning the truth of religion is not arTe&ed by the countenance or oppofition of their laws, as it was by the divine; yet in this they will be found to agree, that the religion, which fhall n Vid. Spencer, dc legibus Hebrseor. lib. i. in iliflcrt. de Tht- rr,it'/? &, which the jftws generally explain to mean, trco copies of the law, one to be written by him as a private perfon the other as king, one to be kept in his archives, the other to be carried about with him. Others have reftrain'd thePhrafe to mean only the book of Deuteronomy, which is properly duplutn legts, a duplicate or repetition of the law [viz,, by way of compendium or abridgement]; which notion is favour'd by the LXX verfion of the placer* ^AT^V^M, and by the vulgar Latin deuteronomium legis. Yet others have underftood it, and I conceive with better realbn, to mean fimply, as 'tis here render'S, a tranfcript or copy of the lav, ;rvho. are fo far from being, blamed for* exerting. their* authority to fuch^ pious purpofes, that. 'tis men- tioned toi their honour as a proof of their inv tegrity, and matter of thd-.higbeft comnienda^ tiiBti^ .LAM W'dt a\r-aro. of tbo ot>fe6tion\ made b$ fome, that whatever wasLdono of- this; kiad the kings of Judah',, they did in the of prophet s r not/of king$i Btn- th do\ weit to- ffoew usy what fpecbl cornttiifli'j to .JOi^'j ".;> V'Oij^i f ]' i Kin. xviii. 4. 4 Chron. xxix. xxx, 8c xxxf. 2. Kin. xxi,ii. i Chron, xxxiv 6c xxxw. p i Kin, xv. n,. 8cc. 2 CHi-Qn. xiv A ^,. 4,^. 8c ch..xv r i2-Ai i : the the Holy Spirit*. But it is no where inti- mated, that either Tlavid or Solomon had any new power conveyed to 'em for that purpofe, but only that their former power was anew enforced, that they were fpecially enlightned to dired 'em in the exercife of it, and more ftrid- ly bound to exercife it in that manner. For a proof of this we may confider, that when 'Da- vid, before fuch extraordinary infpiration, had defigned to build the temple himfelf, and doubtlefs to prefcribe fome rules for the greater regularity of its miniftrations, the piety of his purpofe was approved not only by Nathan? the prophet 1 ", but by God himfelf, notwithftand- ing he was required to leave the execution of it to his fon : For fo faid God unto him ; Whereas it was in thine heart to build an honfe unto my name, thou did/I well, that it was in thine heart, nevertheless thou Jhalt not build the houfe but thy fon 1 . The authority for ad- ing and the skill to ad, are clearly diftind ideas; and Solomon well knew how to diftin- guifli them upon another occafion, when he pray'd for a wife and under/landing heart to judge that great people v . The right of judgment he had before as a king 5 but the skill to judge was what he (till wanted, and that he received afterwards by infpiration. A s for the other Kings of Judah, there is no fhadow of reafon to believe them endued ' j Cbron. xxviii. 12, 19. f i Sam. vii. z, 3. i Chron. xvii. 1,2. r i Kin. viii. 18, 19, 2 Chron. vi< 8, p. T i King. iii. p, a Chron. i, 10, with (17) with the fpirit of prophecy : And if there were Prophets fometimes fent to encline and move them to the like pious undertakings ; yet this was not understood to convey to them any new au- thority; but only to excite them to a vigorous ex- crcife of that with which they were already in- vefted ; to make a right ufe and application of their regal power for the fupport and fervice of religion. That after this they had clear andftrong imprefllons of their duty, by the influences of divine Grace, may be eafily admitted. But the fenfe of duty is a thing perfectly diftind from the authority of aft ing : And the fame, we hope, may be reafonably prefumed of thofe Chriftian Princes, who are careful to fearch imp, the will of God, and have the opportunity to fee and hear much greater things than either Kings or 'Prophets of the former difpenfation w : efpecial- ly when it is confider'd that the ads even of Hea- then Emperors, in favour of the Jewijb Church, are afcribed to the fame guidance and impulfe of the holy Spirit x . T o all this may be added that the Kings of Judah, who did much of this kind, are fome- times blamed for not doing {till more ; for not ufing the authority they had, without waiting for a new commiflion, to reftrain their people from the prevailing, but fchifmatical, pradice of wor- ihipping at other Altars,befides that ofjerufalem : in which cafe this complaint comes often in as . : ;;r, < J'^.f"^ t .> .Hxx h^n ^.r .vr .r'"-T - "- wMat.xiii. 17. Luk.x.24. . * So the Scripture fpeajcs of Cyrus, 2 Chron. xxxvi. 2,2. Ezr.i. i. of Darius, E^r. vi. 22. of AnnxtrxtSt Ezr. vii. d, 27, 28. Nch. i. \ i . and ii. 8, of all of them, Ezr.ix. 9. C an an exception to their charafter - 3 Neverthetefs, the* high places were not taken away ; the people facrificed and burnt Incenfe ft ill in the high 1 THE Jewijh Synagogues perhaps might open a new field of argument, which were places of worfhip very often hdnour'd with the divine pre- fence and difcpurfes of our bleflfed Savior % _al* J " though they were not mention'd in the law of Mofts, but, as to the form or method obferv'd in them, feem to have been matter of human infti- tution, and fubjed to the regulation of the high- er powers. But that we may not feem to depend wholly on the examples of the old Teftament, nor yet on Jewijh examples in the new, the fame is to be argued, 2. Secondly r , from thofe characters and predic- tions which relate to civil governors under the Chriftian difpenfation. For to them are thofe precepts bcforemention'd given by the royal for it is in qua- lity of Kings-, that the language of the 'Pfalmift is ad drafted to them ; nor could the rules which he prefcribcs, in any other view, be more the matter of their care and concern, than they were of private men. To ferve him then as Kings muft imply their ferving him with ajlthtir power i i Kin. xv. 14. and xxii. 43. i Kin. xii.j. andxiv.4- and xv. 4, 3)-. zChron.xv. 17. andxx. 33. 1 Sec Mar. i. 39. and elfewhere frequently. "Pial.ii. 1 1,12. 4- and and authority b . And to that purpofe it is foretold cl few here by the fame Tfalmift, that all Kings {hould fall down before him, and all nations ihould do him fervice c : which can fcarce be un- derftood of their embracing his Religion in a private capacity, but muft in all reafon extend to their receiving it into the national eftablifhment, and fupporting it by the additional fan&ions and encouragement of human laws. OF what elfe can we explain that prote&ion promifed to the Church, when the fins of ftr angers {hould build up her walls, and their Kings {hould minifler unto hef d ? And when (he is farther defcribed to fuck the milk of the Gentiles y and the breafls of kings e ? What elf? can be infer'd from hense, but that the princes of the earth, converted to the faith of Chrift, would think themfelves obliged to ufe their wealth and their authority for the propagation and encreafe of his religion, to fecure it from outward harms, and fupply fomething analogous to that nutrition or fuftenance of human Bodies, whereby they Hjtf&VJo rtocii v.rn y,/ ,ri;.if;hrQ b Quomodo ergo Reges Domino ferviunt in timore, nifi ea, quar contra jufla Domini fiunt, religiofa feveritate prohibendo atque pledlendo ? Aliter enim fervit quia homo eft, aliter quia etiam Rex eft. Quia homo eft, fervit vivendo fideljten quia vero etiam Rex eft, fervit, leges jufta prsecipientes & contraria prohibentes, conve- nienti vigore fanciendo, ficut fervivit Ezechias, &c. D. Auguft. aA Bonifac. Milit. Epiji. iBf. Edit. Bened. alias yo. In hpc reges, fw;ut eis divinitus praecipitur, Deo ferviunt in quantum reges funt, fi in fuo regno bona jubeant, mala prohi Leant, non folum quae pertinent ad humanam fbcietatem, verum etiam qua; pertinent ad divinam religionem. D. Augufl. cantr* Crefconium. lib. 3. cap. fi. ' Pfal. Ixxii. ii. - Ifa. be, x p. Ver. 1 6. r>..a fnT... ; f? fK,, . cms. gradually advance from their infant ftatc, to a ftate of manhood and maturity f ? OR if all thisfhouldbetoo little to fatisfyour captious adverfaries; let them add to the account what the fame Prophet has foretold, in terms more clear and exprefs, concerning that protecti- on which the Chriftian Church mould receive, upon the converfion of the civil powers : They jh all bring thyfons (fays he) in their arms and thy daugh- ter sjh all be carried upon their jhoulders : and kings jhall be thy nurftng fathers, and their queens thy nurfmg mothers^. Their ftation qualifies them to prored and nourifh it, in a manner not to be expcdlcd from their fubjeds, who are not inverted with the fame Authority: and this is at once im- plied to be their duty, and foretold to be their pradiccj that in this fenfeat leaft, as it is faid in the Apocalyptical Vifion of St. John, the kingdoms of this J for Id may become the kingdoms of our Lord and of his C^r//? h , fubjeft to his rule, and fubfervient to his religion. ACCORDINGLY when the Empire became Chriftian, we may foon obferve thefe predictions t3 have been punctually verified : when the pious Emperors, not only were aftually felicitous about the fupport and eftablifhment of pure Chriftianity, but acknowledged that to be the moft important f lrter cxtera quibus ditatur Ecclefia, 8c urbs falvatoris extruitur viikmus Crcfarcs Romanes Chrifti jugo colla fubmittere, & aedifi- cnrc KccIeHa^ cxpcniis publicis, 8c advcrfus perfecutiones gent.'um, arquc infidias Hrreticorum legum (cita pendcrc. D. Hieron. comment. r /,('. Ix. 10. Juxta Scptuaginta, Di-uit'icts regum comet'e;. Qune di- vitia*icrunJi:m bcbrn'mm verirntem ubera funt regum atque dofto- rum. quibu? nafcentium in Chrifto cruditur & nutritur infantia. item in i: 1 6. E lia. xlLv, 21,23. h Rev. xi. i j. Of ) ^ f all their bufinefs, the firft and principal part of r heir concern 1 . To the fame principle we owe the benefit of our own happy eftablifhment : and may God, of his great mercy, continue them without interruption to our lateft pofterity ! But thefe remarks perhaps had been more properly referred to the 3 . THIRD argument propofed in vindication of fuch authority of the civil powers, which is drawn from the univerfal confent and opinion of Mankind in this particular. I T may by this time appear what has been thought in the Jew'tjh and Chriftian Church : but the afiertion in the text is a proof of their opini- on, who had not the advantage of either difpen- fation, but feem to have derived their notion of the matter, from the didates of right reafon, or the maxims of tradition, or elfe from fome diftincl: and fpecial revelation. The crime which Job re- fers to, was manifeftly in matter of religion. \i lay in a wrong choice of the object of divine worfhip, and did not diredly concern the peace and order of the civil fociety. It was not again "' Inter imperii noftri maximas curas, Catholics legis r e verentia aut prim a Temper, aut folaefh Neque enim aliudaut belJi jabonbus agimus, aut pads conciliis ordinamus, nifi ut verum Dei cultum or- bis noftri plebs devota cuftodiat. Imperat. Theodos. & Honor. Marcel- lino ineod. Theod.eod. 16. Tit, 1 1. /. 3. An. 410. Inter cxteras fc- licitudines quas amor publicus pervigili nobis cogitatione indixit, praecipuam Imperatoriae Majeftatis curam efle peripicimus religionis indaginem. Theodof. & Valentin. Novel, lib i. Tit. 3. De Jud&is, Sa- maritanis, &c. An. 439. Nos fnaximam habemus folicitudinem cir- ca vera Dei dogmata, & circa Sacerdotum honeftatem. Juftm'uw. Epi- phanio Auth. Coll. i Tit. 6. Nov. 6. Omne nobis eft ftudium 8c oratio, ut crediti nobis a Domino Deo bene vivant, 8c ejus inve- niant plaeationem. Juftimctn. Atttbent. Coll. $. Tit. 6. CoK/lantinopoii- innts. that atheifm or contempt of all religion," which the greatcft patrons of latitude allow to be intole- rable ; but it was that preference of one form of religion to another, in which they contend that no power upon earth (hould interpofe, but all men fhould be left to the cxercife of equal right, fo long as they abufe it not to prejudice the publick fecurity. And yet this is the crime of which Job has declared, that it were an iniquity to be punijh- ed by the Judge k : who confequently thought it to be the Judge's duty, as well as privilege to in- terpofe in fuch matters and exert the authority with which he is inverted, as well for the fupport and encouragement of found doftrine and a pure worfhip, as for the fuppreflion of all vain fupcr- flition and impofture. And what was the ground which he aflign'd for his opinion? Not any dan- ger of temporal inconvenience or miihap (tho* that without doubt may have it's weight : ) but the diflionour which is done to God by fuch idolatry 5 for (fays he) / foouldhave denied the God that is above : fo that the care of religion as fuch, was in his opinion one part of the Magiftrate's con- cern, and not merely as it might happen to affect the outward fecurity and welfare of the State. BUT what need to infift upon particular tefti- monics, when the whole conduct of the antient 'Patriarchs might be appeal'd to on this head 5 !; The Hebrew is ^72 |'.y or CD'T*?S as it is at the i I th verfe, tiKH.iquirjof, or for, tlx JuJges, i. e. cognifable by them. IJ^y t v "r<* Lll^On // has the Jigriificaticn of Judgment, or Judicature: Is.. Sai. ben Mdech in MicUl Tophtzd !oc. The phrafe is no where elfe lo be merwith: but that human judgment is intended may appear t "urn the ufe of the \vord uj"V73 in Exod. xxi, 11. and Deut. \\\\\. 5 1. whilft ... whilft the Trtefthoodu. felf was generally exercif- ed by him who had fupream power \ from this principle no doubt, that the care of religion was incumbent upon him, and ought to be efteem'd infeparable from his office ? From them it feems to have been drawn into example among heathen nations, whofe Kings were many of them 'Priefts m : And when afterwards the offices be- came feparate, yet in remembrance of that anti- ent combination, the title of King n was for fome time afcribed to one of the prime adminiftra- tors of religious rites among the Romans, even whilft the republican form of government pre- vailed ; as on the other hand the title of Tontifex Maximus which had at firft been appropriated to their Kings , and frequently annex'd to offices 1 Vid. Joh. Henr. Heidegger. Hift. Sacr. Patriarchal*, vol. i.exercit. i. .19. & exercit. 3. 6. " Omnino apud veteres qui repum potiebantur, iidem auguria tcnebant : ut enim fapere, fie di- vinare regale ducebant, ut teftis eft noftra civitas : in qua 8c Regcs Augures, 8c poftea privati eodem facerdotio praediti rempublicam feligionum au&oritate rexerunt. Cicero d Drvinat.lib. i. .^.40. Rex Anius, Rex idem hominum fboebicfr fa erdos. Virg. yEneid. 3. Rex idem, & regi Tttrno gratijpmtts Augur. jEneid. 9. n Rex facrorum, or Rex facrifculus. See Kennet. Ron*. Antiq. par. a . /. a. c, y. Rerum deinde divinarum habita cura,' 8c quia quaedam publica facra per ipfbsregesfkdlitata erant, necubi regum dcfiderium eflet, regtm facriftculum creant. Id facerdotium Pontifici fubjcc^re, &e. Lrvii. hift. Rom. lib. ^. cap. 2. To this office fome have fup- poied Virgil to allude in the paflage laft cited, tho' fpeaking of times much more antient. O>/ TU^I TVTX Nc^^ Tleui7ffat&' flet Xofim, hift. lib, 4. p. *J0. edit, Oxon, Of (^4) of the firft rank in the time of their repnblick?, was afterwards retained by the Emperors them- felves, till at laft it was refufed by Gratian, not becaufe he thought himfelf unconcern'd in mat- ters of religion, but becaufe he judged that title, taken from the heathen 'Priefthood, to be un- worthy of a Chriftian Emperor JEdilitatem Curtilem peti- tttrus rmr] fntra centum annos 8c viginti, nemo prseter P. Come- Hum C*luJ/am, Pontifex maximus creams fuerat, qui fella curuli non fed i fie t. Liiti htji. Rom. lib. 15. cap,f. * Tat v irofltyl- r.w Kxrci TS ^i lefJtiltret^. Z,ofimus ubi fupra. ' Morem autem ilium conjungendi Imperium cumSacerdotio, per annos ferme bismille quingentos toto orbcter- rarum, multis in locis etiam ferius ufurpatum, alibi quidem regum luxus, forordia aut bellicx occupationes, in populo autem Dei lex divina, abrogavit. Cretins de imp.fummar. foteji. circa, facra, cap. 2. f . Eadem ferme habentur apud Heidegger, excrcit. 3 . 6. ^Jus triplex tubnU quod ter fanxere quaternx, SACRUM, privatHtn & populi commune quod ufquamejt. AufoniusEdyl.4. alias ii7 ter ter of ufurpation and encroachment, ading without their proper fphere, and intermeddling in a bufinefs by no means their own -, it may be added, that they who have written as ,philofQ- phers, and treated moft accurately of the nature and ends of government, have been fo far from reckoning the affairs of religion to be exempted from the notice of the civil powers, that on the contrary they haye efteemed them to bethefirft and moft important part of their concern *. But of this we may be able to make judgment our felves, when I fliall have offered in the .,4. Fx> u R T H and laft place, what is farther to be argued to this purpofe from the natur^ and reafon of the thing it feif. '- - : Sinn L:;:';^!v f j i>!,::{., vjj// ,'.>'i'o:. WHEN they who efpoufe the other Side of the queftion, afTert fecular fccurity and peace to be the only End of c^vil government, to which all its enterprifes and deigns fbpuld be -fubfer- 1 'ETitrxtarl/ox eh xct,l Ttcirot TXVTCC if a, a otvtv !TaA TOU &tetl ftittAtf&6l6tpMVm**-~'CtVili CtUfq, iUU. iiv >ucl Stupw, 'avTifi $t Qavfaj. Ariftot. Ettdem. lib. 7. cap. if. in fine. Hu- jus ergo fummae potcftatis ita definita: imperiam dicimus, non ad profana tantum, fed ad facra quoque extendi. Grotim tie imp.fummar. poteftaL circa facra, cap. i. . z. Obfervandum inforo humano de- lifta potifllmum acftimari ex eorundem obje fi. Dii multa neglefti dedcrunt Hefperix mala lu&uofae. Hor At. //*, 3. Oi {. 6. T Cujus [religions'] fi cultum retincre potuerfs [pctuerimtu] iter profperitatis humanis aperimus inccptis. Theodof, 8c Valentin. Kitiel. lib. i. Tit. 3, tie Judtis, Snmnritunh, cVf. pro- proportioned to its negleft or regard for the in- tereft and duties of religion. -ttmniTOVog io to 3,:Ii Vo noi^tn^yrfj-t ^1^ INDEED religion has a natural tendency to make men good citizens and faithful fubjeds, and thereby to promote the intereft and good of the community z : for as its precepts prefcribe fuch a behaviour as may be mod conducive to the publick fafety, fo its do&rines have a powerful efficacy to enforce thofe precepts, and its very ceremonies are calculated to encreafe that reve- rence with which we ftiould receive them. The nearer any fyftem of religion approaches to the truth, the more will thefe benefits be found re- dounding to fociety a 3 and there is nothing from which the common-wealth has more to appre- hend, than from corruptions in the grand ar- ticles of faith, unlefs it be from downright Athe- ifm and a contempt of all religion. So that if temporal welfare were acknowledged the chief end of government, yet even in this view the care of religion would appear to be ftrictly in- cumbent on the civil magiftrate. Idem. tap. 2. 1 p/Arper yi et ires *ei> ripi. fhtlo.Jud. de MonarckiA, lib. I. p. 632. Heu primae fcelerum caufae mortalibus aegris Naturam ncfcirc Dcum. Sil. ltd. Pmicor. W>. 4. ?^J : .y> nf-'.f 'I D 2 BUT BUT to fay the truth, this is a wrong and partial reprefentation of the end of government. The glory of God, the creator and governor of sail things, by whom Kings reign b , is that ulti- mate end to which all their afts and enterprifes Should be conftantly fubfervient. They {hould remember in the words of good King Jehofa- phat, that they judge not for man y but for the Lord c , to whofe glory therefore they ought to have regard in judgment, and not merely to hu- man or temporal confederations. And if then his glory be advanced by the fupport of found religion, and the fubverfion of all error and wickedncfs, there can be no doubt but it is their duty to exert the authority, which they receive from him, for fuch purpofes, and to account themfelves happy in the attainment of them A There is one and the fame invisible Head and King over the ecclefiaftical and the civil commu- nity, whofe vifible fubftitutes, in each, {hould endeavour, within the proper fphere of their adiviry, to promote his glory in both. And therefore as the paftors of the church on one hand fhould extend their views to the peace and order of the civil fociety, fo likewife fhould the civil powers on the other hand exert their authority for the eftablilhment and maintenance of true religion. b Prov. viii. iy. e 2 Chron. xi'x. 6. ** Felices cos [Reges Cbriflianoj ] dicimus, fi fuam poteffatem, ad Dei cultum maxime dilatandum, Majeftati cjus famulam faci- jnt. J). A^ufi, tic civif. Dei. lib. 4. cap. 24. THE THE welfare of the people over whom they prefide, is another end of government fubordi- nate to the former : but he who imagines that welfare to be only temporal, does but conftder things by halves, and fattens his eyes upon the fhadow of happinefs, whilft he negleds the fub- fiance. As all our adions in this life fhould be conduded with a view and profped towards ano- ther, fo the laws of the ftate fhould be princi- pally calculated to fecure and redify us in that view and profped,, and not flop in the pro- vifion of fading and tranfitory goods, with the negled of fuch as are lafting and fubftantial. The end of the facred and the civil authority is fo far the fame, that they are both alike dired- ed to the real welfare and good of the comma? --T mtyv AGREEABLE to .all this is St. Taul's ao count of the duty of the fupream power, when he defcribes him as the mini ft er of God for good' a revenger ta execute wrath upon him that doth evil f . The end of his office, we fee, is the attainment of Go OD, of good abfolutely as fuch, and confequently ALL good, whether fpiritual or temporal, that ( as the fame Apoftle elfewhere has it) we may lead a quiet and peace- able life In all godllnefs and honefty % : in godli- nefs as well as honefty^ in a regular difcharge of 1 'Ef It rjr*fvvi F ] jwtr /<* **^ * "W *?') 1 "t uaju/a, a./, A * Ixyxiui c-urqpuv. Jfidor. Telu/iot. lib. . s \\ epift. 24.9. f Rom. xiii. 4. * i Tim. if. 2. our ( 3 ) our duty towards God, no lefs than in all focial virtues one towards another. The prefcribed me- thod of his government is adapted to fo good an end, namely, to execute wrath upon him that doth evil, to difcourage and punifti evil doers of both one fort and the other, as well in the matters which concern religion, as in thofe which are of fccular or temporal concernment, that (as Solomon has it in the book vfTroverbs) the King that Jitteth in the throne of judgment mzyfcat- ter away ALL evil 'with his eyes h . j 1 1 L I have now done with the arguments which I propofed to urge in proof and vindication of this authority : My next bufinefs will be, II. SECONDLY, to anfwcr the moft plaufi- blc objections that are made againft it. To be- criu then with the o Object, i . F i R s T 5 it is alledg'd that " Chrift " is the only Head and King of his Church, and " that for any power upon earth to prefcribe in " matters of religion, is to invade his right and " property, and cxcrcife dominion over the fer- " vants of another matter." So far as this obje&ion relates to thole fpiritual powers which are claim'd and ex- ercifed by the paftors of the Church* I am not concern'd with it in this place. But fo far as it re- lates to the intcrpofuion of the civil powers, it b Prov. xx. 8. may 3' ) may be cafily removed, by obferving that this can be no more inconfiftent with the fupream autho- rity of Chrift, than their making laws as to our temporal concerns is with the government of Pro- vidence. For, that God governs the world, and difpenfes his mercies or his judgments in every event ; that he has likcwife given us a rule of ac- tion, which cannot be fuperfeded by any human authority 5 will be readily confefled by them who have taken any pains to underftand either God or thcmfelves. And yet who would infer from either of thefe principles, that the care of the magistrate is needlefs, or that he ufurps on the divine preroga- tive, when he calculates his laws for the good of the fociety, and adds the fan&ion of proportion- able penalties ? He plainly becomes in that cafe the minifter of Providence, rather than encroach- es or ufurps upon it. In like manner therefore when Chrift is acknowledg'd to be the only law- giver, who has the difpofal of life and condem- nation , and has given out a fyftem of religion which none may contradid : yet why muft it from hence be argued, that the princes of the earth exceed their province, if they enforce his precepts with new fan&ions of their own, and fo become the inftruments whereby he is plcafed to make good hispromife of protecting and perpetu- ating his Church > Surely this application of their power for the enforcement of his laws, implies rather an acknowledgment, than any denial, of his being King of kings and Lord of lords k . Again, : Jam, ir, i*. *Rev. xvii. I4.andxix. 16. (30 Objett. 2. SECONDLY, it isobjefted, that " this ufe of the magiftrate's authority , muft " needs be very hazardous and full of danger : " becaufe if he (hould happen to miftake (as it is- " often feen) in his notions of religion, then in- " (lead of propagating truth and found dodrine, " he will become the inftrument of advancing u error and falfhood in the world." Anfw. BUT what is there in this objedion, which might not be alledg'd, with equal ftrength, againft any human management or proceeding whatfoever? Is not every parent and mafterof a family obliged to inftmd: his children and dome- fticks in the principles of morality at leaft, good neighbourhood and good manners ? And yet can it be judged impoilible for him tomiftakein fuch matters? or fhall the polllbility of his miftajdng, be thought to fet afide either his right or his duty in this particular ? Again, ought not every preach- er of religion to teach the people committed to his charge with words of truth and fobernefs 1 ? And yet is not he himfelf liable to be deceiv'd, and capable of being impofed on with the groff- cft fal (hoods under the appearance and dUguife of truth ? Or if it be replied that thefe arc rather me- thods of pcrfuafion, than ads of power and au- thority : 1 would ask cnce more, is not the civil magiftratc , whether fupream or fubordinate , bound to adminifter juftice? And are not his ads, in that rcipcd, dccm'd valid and authoritative ? 'Afts xxvi. 2_f. And ( 33 ) And is he then only infallible in civil caufes ? Or rather is he not liable to err in them as well as in ecclefiaftical ? And why fliould that poffibility of erring, which is no bar to his authority in one re- fped, be efteem'd fo in the other? Surely that way of reafoning can have no firm foundation, which, if once admitted, muft overthrow all hu- man authority, nay and (if perfued to its juft confequence) all human action too, and intro- duce the utmoft confufion in matters fecular as well as facred. THE truth is, all men are obliged to confider ferioufly, and ufe all proper methods to inform their judgment as to matters of religion. After this the conviction of their judgment will be- come to them a rule of action, and direct them in their refpective ftations and offices of life. If they be men in private ftation, they may content themfelves with a perfonal difcharge of all religi- ous duties : but if they be men of publick cha- racter, they fhould, in proportion to that authori- ty with which they are inverted, be fure to re- quire and countenance the obfervance of them by others, and remember that the publick (late of re- ligion is as much their care and concern, as its pri- vate influence is that of each man in particular ; and they may no more neglect the ufe of their authority, than others may that of their refpec- tive faculties, for its fervice and fupport. This indeed muft bring them under ftricter obligations to ferioufnefs in their inquiries > becaufe they en- quire not only for themfelves, but likewife for E the ( 34 ) the direction of that influence which they have on others. NOT that they are bound to fearch into the depths of every controverfy that may arife, with relation either to faith or practice ! It is enough that they be fatisfied of the great articles of faith, and the general rules or maxims of behaviour : And as for the difcuflion of particular queftions and fubtilties that fhall arife, that may be refer'd to pcrfons of greater opportunity and leifure, whofe integrity as well as their abilities are liable to no fufpicion. For as there is no doubt but the civil magiftratc may uphold and encourage the due adminiftration of juftice, without being himfclf matter of all thofe cafes in point of law, which arc thcftudy of a particular profeilion,- fo it may be rcafonably allowed him to fupport and countenance the profeflion of true religion, with- out having read over the Fathers and the School- men, or being able to reply to every fubtile and fophiftical objector. Ofcetf. 3 . THIRDLY, the next plea that is urged againft this power of the magi ft rate, is, that " by this means men may be forced to " outward profellions, which mail flatly con- 1 tradicl the perfuafion of their own minds." An fa. BUT will this happen more in eccle- {iaflscal than civil matters ? or is not the conftraint the i:unc, if the fupream powers (hould pre- fcribc any action in civil life, for the fafety and pre- ( 35 ) prefervation of the community, which their fubjeds perceive to be inconfiftent with the laws of God, and the performance of their duty to him ? In both cafes the rule of the Apoftle is alike applicable, that they (hould obey and hearken unto God rather than unto men m , and adhere to what is right and true with aU its difadvan- tages, rather than clofc in with any falfliood or iniquity, however eftablifhed by a law n . Only as on one hand it concerns thofe who govern, fo to temper their feverities with charity, that whilft their main end is fecurcd, they may incline men to comply, rather from principle of confcience, than from hypocrify and worldly motives ; fo on the other hand it muft concern their fubjeds, to lay afide all prejudice and partiality, that they may not, thro' a falfe perfuafion, rejed the juft commands of their fuperiors, nor abufe the fa- cred name of confcience as a colour for their contumacy. But if either fide be defective as to their duty in this matter, that will not af- fed the queftion of authority : The magiftrate will ftill be authorifed to extend his jurifdidion to religious caufes, and his fubjeds will be bound either to render an adive obedience to his laws, or to fuftain with patience the penalties annex- ed to them. ALL the objections, which have hitherto been mentioned, are formed upon a (hew of reafon- m A! , ^ v v\\^ ^ f *;..:* ibfb ei ^:,^^ ir.rlj orlj v/oildt prlj .-:.? l( H*orl a O N C I O A D C L E R U M SYNODO PROVINCIALI Cantuarienjts Provincise Ad V.PAVLl Die 12 OEfobrir, A. D. MDCCXXII. A FR, HARE, S.T.P. Decano Eccl. Cathed. WIGORN. & Regi3e Majeftati a Sacris. *Juffit Reverendijfimi. L N D I N I: '-Impenfis JON^ BOWYER, ad infigne Rofe in miterio D. Fault. MDCCXXII. TIT. ii. 8. 3 r\ rvj o t, cvcwnagj cvlfctTTn V/JLOOV Ktytw Vt qm fe ex adverfo opponit, erubefcat, n'thil babens quod de vobis dicat mali. CUM efEcacius nihil videatur ad horrfines in officiis fuis continendos, eos prsfertim qiios rrruneris fui ratio in excelfiore quad loco po- fuit, quam ad ilia ammum advertere, quse in iis reprebendunt adverfarii ; non alienum putavi ab hac tanta virorum noa muneris modo ratione, fed dolrina etiam ac moribus infigniunt oelebrilate, vobis, Patres, fratrefqae in Chriflo reverendi, ante oculos ponere, fuiiuf- que deduftum explicare hoc Apoftoli ad TITUM moni- tum ; quern Ecclefix Cretenfi prasfeftum hortatur, ut per omnia vitas morumque fit exemplar, hanc ob rationem, ne fcilicct adverfariorum reprehenfiones merito incurrat, Juftamq; iis criminandi caufam prsbeat. Vult Apo- iftolus, ut fe meminerit in editiflirao quodam &: fre- quentiflinio theatre pofitum, omnium ora atque oculos in fe converti ; fpe&atorurn autem partem longe maxi- mam malignis animis infpicere, 8c curiofe omnia obfer- vare, ne qua culpandi occafio elabatur; quae vero vel minimam offenfionis fpeciem habeant, in pejorem par- tem rapere : in tali theatro EvangelH prasconem fifti ; A 2 fummo C4l Mnmo igitur ftudio in eo laborandum effe, ut inculpate fe gerat, & circumfpe&e omnia, quae fui fmt officii, exe- quatur. In hanc autejn curam T/TLWincumbere debe- i*e* non tarn fuse exiftimationis gratia ; quamquam & ilia bptimo cuique merito eft cariilima, ejufque contra ini- -,- quas adverfariorum calumnias tuondae cura ingenuis ani- mis fummo ad virtatem adjufnento eft ; fed ne verbum Dei, cujus docendi munus in fe receperat, atque adeo Dcus ipfe^b advcrfariis, fua vel negligcntia vel-culpa, ia odium atque contemtioncm adducatur: eos eniiri, qui ipfi adverlentur, yei\Ts pietatis -vktutumque omnium ho- lies die infenfiftimoSj eis unum opus efic, religponis vim infrmgere, 8c contumeliis infamem reddere ; ideoque omnibus- reprehendencli OGcafionibus imminere, omfiem calumniandi ania.m a vide captare. Qui cum in ipfa do- . ctrina quod criminentur non inveniant, in do6lores fe totes conferunt, iis acerbe obloquuntur, probe fckntes, ,. qunip. doQorihus culpam impingant, in ipfem dodrinam rcciiicrc (clcrc ;. ex quo, iiifi ilreiaue its obviam eatur, quie morui.-, corruptela, quanta pietatis labes,, qua religi- 0:1 is ruirio fecutura fir, neminem fugit.. > I Toe fi il'do iecuni reputent, qui verbi .miniderio feie Idixcnint, fcnticnt nuilam ipforum curam nimiam efTe, Lilli-i^: ihidiuin, quo fe culpaimmunes .praeftent, omnem- .|uenb:'rcdandi nv^terrem malevoliseripiant : quod fruftra .ravc^r, qui non ornnss officii .liii partes rede, atque uij n^r cfc, invpleverit *, cum vigilanthTmvam fit adver- fa riorum odium ad vulnera qua poflint inferenda, Sc lo- ca ic.tibL:S patentia acutiflime deprehendant. Hue igitur animum advertcrc, in hos aciem debet intendere, his ud quad monitoribtjs, qui affi.ca fui femper- memor ex- tra iicxiam vclit c'lc, exiftimationemque luam ex omni p.irto incolumem atque integram tuer.i. Hcc inoniri hujus Apoftolici Cum ma; in verbis ipfts riiliil tMl q::od nos morclur ; moneo tantum, plures C@- ni-jcs, cum Chryioitomo, cum Vulgata, & anciquiflimis . "Vcriioi)ibus ; pro Jftr, f.^uv legerej qus; ye.rior videtur C5 J le&io, cum vp.v ex veteri fermonis ufb dc uno dicrite* queat, unum vero T1TUM base unice fpe&ent; unde etiam fit, ut in Epiftolis quoque ad T I MOTH BUM Vox hajc nufquam occurrat. Quam neceiTe fuicverbi miniftris ab ornni offenfionuin gene re cavere ttrm terappris, cum ad T1TUM haec fcri- beretApoftolus \ quam ipfi TITO utile, ut'hoc monitum animo fern per obverfaretur, quivis facile intelligat, qui no- rit quam dura fuit illis temponbus Ecclefias conditio, vel quam prsefrafto& perverfo ingenio illi,quibus TITUS prae- fuit ; de quibus proprius ipforum vates, Kf SW ag) .&rdinera Ecclefia Micum in odi- um adducunt 3 ...alii dsoique.^fan^iflirna dei. jnyilerk iaanis excipiuat, -pmni contumeliarum genere inquinant. . & deridenda pqpulo propinant ; cum probi piique homi- nes, qui ftdem ^hriffiianam ex animo colunt, Ecclefiamque iftam fidem incorrupte profitcntem, amant, diligunt, hanc fidem, hanc Ecclefiam videant malediftis, contu- meliis, calumniis vexari, profcindi, idque libere 8c im- pune fieri, asgerrirne patiuntur, 8c merito quidem : fed non hie fubftiterunt ; querelis eoufq; indulgent, ut hasc tempora omnium effe deterrima importune clamitent, hos mores peffimorum peflimos; in hoc autemboni viri ni- mium quantum falluntur. Dolendum quidem tantam eiTe morum pravitatem, fed non eft quod rniremur ; non eft quod nova & inaudita hoec mala arbitremur : funt folen- nia, funt vetera, funt omnium temporum, cum a caufis quce temper eaedem fuerint, proficifcantur ; neq; tempo- rum, fed hominum vitia fint : ni(i igitur humanum ge- nus de novo eflformetur, eodem res noftne loco erunt, quo funt, quo fuerunt. Quid igitur, inquies, ab iis faciendum, qui his-malis fe premi lentLint, quive oppreffis faveant, quibus Fides Chrifliana^ Fideiq; confervatrix Ecclefia cordi eft ? Num ^quis iinimis hasc ferre par eft? Num, quafi ad ipfos ni- Iiil attineant, domi fe continere, fibi plaudere, otio & quieti fuss vacare, 8r ut improbi homines omnia pro li- !)itu agant, negligenter & fecure pati? Minime qui- tlem ; quid igitur? querendum eft ? at non muliebriter, quafi ho;c mala nobis nunc primum enafcantur, aut plane intoleranda fint ; hoc arguit animum infirmum, rcrumq; imperitum, 8^ nihil ultra fua tempora fapien- tem. Adde, quod querelx, fi querelae tantum, profi- cient pa rum ; de malo nihil imminueris, mali fenfum vehementer auxeris. Quod fi non muliebriter, multo minus feditiofc querendum eft: rixis 8c clamoribus .paccm reipublicae turbare, magiftratum eontumeliis in- ceirere, &: illi vitio vertere quod non his ( mails modurn il:ituat, Ii3c qui rem uti par eft expenderit, fentiet i > on prave tantum & inique, fed ftulte etiam, & inop- rc fieri ; cum quotidiana experientia conftet hujufmodi I 7 3 querelas non veteres injurias tollere^ fed novas arcane- re : quid magiftratum deceat, ipfius eft videre ; no- ftrum eft quod noftri eft officii agere r quod Chriftia- nos decet, quod fubditos : nee temere fupremas. potefta- ti imputandum eft, quod non a fuo faeculo exulent in- commoda, quse omnium fuere ; quod apud fuos radices agant mala, qux fine gravi reipublicae perkulo extir- pari nequeant ; quod demum non ea fieri impediat, quas per leges impedire non poflit ; impedire autem non pofle, turn aliunde, turn ex fuisipforum contume- liis,. quas impune in magiftratum ingerunt, abunde ip- iis poterat conftare : quid quod parum apud principes his modis profici folet, qui fi iapiant, feditioforum homi- num conviciis nihil libi extorqueri patientur. Quid igitur facrorum miniftris facere fuadeas ? id quod TITUM monet Apoftolus ; adveriantium odia dextre ex- cipienda funt, ioimici monitorum loco habendi, accu- rate videndum quid in nobis reprehendant, ut inde edi camus quae praecipue vitanda funt, qux.criminationibus prae casteris obnoxia, qua parte iniquis malevolorum fufpi- cionibus maxime patemus. Hoc modo, eorum malevo- lentiam in propriam nobis laudem vertemus, dum ex iis quae culpant, ea quae maxime fugienda funt admoniti, in officiis noftris eo arcl:ius contineamur, quo nos acrius ob- lervent 'adverfarii. Hie malorum de quibus tarn gravi- ter queruntur, ufos non fpernendus eft : juvant:adverfa- rii eo quod nocere velint, culpando monent, & dum, anxie 8c maligne quoerunt quod reprehendant r ne quid in nobis reprehenfione dignum fit faciunt. His igitur malis, fi rem rite expendamus, fine maximo malonoftro carere non pofTumus. Cum autem iniquam deReligio- nis miniftris fententiam, vitae eorum integritate & jugi in officiis fuis conftantia penitus perfpela, exuerint ad- verfarii, quidni fperemus de Religione ipia benignius in pofterum fenfuros, doftrinamque illam cordate amplexu- ros, quam prius calumniis fuis indigniffime traduxerant? qua animorum.converfione. infarnia nobis in laudem ce- [33 xkt, pietatis odia in obfequium vertent," 8r Ecdefisc ex: ipfo oppdmendi earn, ftudio inilgnis fa&a fueric -ac- ceflio. Ex -his -quae generatim di&a funt, videtis,'quom.odo maxima noftro cum commodo huic monito obiempere- mus. Id jgitur again us r ea caufa #quis animis ac;ipite, quasnam fint praecipua cnminationum capita, quibus Ec- clefiafticum folent ordinem impetere^ut'iis probe cogni- tis omnerri illuruin:v:ituperationem felicius effugiatis. Horum autem alia trita funr& pervulgata, : in omnes omnium aetatum cleros temere etTufa ; alia recentiora, qux nos noftraq; tempera, propius tangunt. Primi ge- neris funt fere hasc, Homines Ecclefiafticos cum in . Synodum convenerint, non ex rationis judicio, fed pro affeftuum arbitrio omnia agere ; fuffragia ' *eorum nu- niero, non pondere cenferi, uiide f:epe fieri ut major pars meliorem vincat ; decretis ceniurifq; Synodalibus verita- tem cum iibertate jacere ; diflidia, quae alias fponte fua defeciiTent, immortalia reddi ; plus deniq; mali, quam commodi, omnibus retro feculis ex Synodis in Ecclefiam redundalle, Atq; hsc quidem me mhil, neq\ omnia funt. Fatendum fane eit Syjiodorum non femper felices exitus fuilfe; fatendum partium ftudiis nimium f^pe tribui; 8c yeritatcm fuffragiorum numero non femel vidam fuccu- buifte. Seel quam iniquum eft Synodorum peccata dili- genter Sc anxle retegere, & prave fafta in majus:acer- biiTlme augere, dum filentio premuntur ea qu fummatn 1 uidem meruerunt ? quam malignurn eft omnibus Eccle- fiafticis conventibus imputare, qai quoruridam tantum vitia lucre, qux fequiorum temportrm ; qu aulicorum . debentur facfcionibus, qua? principum libidini ; quas Ponti- jici.t deniq; Tyrannidis funt vitia ? qua per aliquot feula univ.erfum fere cxbzm.' Chriftianum fibi fervire turpiter coegit, nee Ecclefiaftici modo ordinis liomines, fed 8c 'jlios omnes, plebera, :populum,> proceres, magiftratus .ipibs ex fuo nutu pcndcre. voluit ; regum demum cervi- tibus p^; .libus fuis iliperbe infultare- non erubuit. -(Juo E 9 Quo autem jure Synodis impurantur, quae peccata fbnt Pontificum, qui omnes omnium conatus ad fidem, ad difciplinam veterem inftauraadam, infana fua po tentia tarn dl-a irritos fecerunt? Fuere quidem Ecclefiaftica concilia, ut & alia om- nia, non Deorum, fed hominum con;ilia; quid igitur miremur, fi ab iis quoq; humanis aiTe&ibus nimium eft indultum? Abiurdhlime vero queruntur adverfa- rii Synodorum decreta ex majoris partis fententia pendere, cum aliter fieri conventuum natura nequa- quam patiatur: nifi enim omnes ineandem fententiam unanimes eant, aut major pars minori, aut minor ma- jo.ri, aut neutra neutri prsefcribat necefTe eft. At vero ut minor pars ad fe majorem trahat, id perquam ini- quum ; ut neutra neutri cedat, longe abfurdiflimum ; hoc enim pafto conventus omnino omnes, quacunquc de caufa habiti, inutiles prorfus reddentur ; cum uno quovis dhTentiente, nihil decerni aut definiri queat. Quod unum igitur fupereft, major pars minori necefTe eft prafcribat : quod ut fuis non careat incommpdis, eft tamen unica agendi ratio, unde ea quss in deliberatio- nem veniant, ad exitum aliquem deducantur. temere au- tem Sc maligne nimis Ecclefiafticis Conventibus id vi- tio vertitur, quod omnium individuum eft malum. Cum vero non raro eveniat, ut partium ftudiis ab- repti, de veritate minus fimus folliciti, pravifq; afFeli- bus nimium indulgeaturj hoc certe ex adverfariorum querelis lucri nos facere oportet, ut ab his maxime ca- veamus, quae cum vera funt, fumma reprehenfione dig- na funt. Neq; metus eft, ne dum follicite ab iis abfti- neamus quae adverfarii acerbius reprehendunt, in contra- ria vitia fenfim delabamur ; a pravis enim afFeciibus nun- quam nimis recedere ; ab ira, odio, ambitione, invidia, nunquam animo nimis alieno effe pofiumus. Clementia, lenitas, pacis amor, animus tranquiilus, moderatus, in neutram partem vehemens, nullum ve ritati afferunt difpendium, 8c ut afFerant, magno tamen B cuift cum fcenore poft omnia reftituent : his virtutibus nulloe. funt nobifmet. ipfis vel ornamento magis, vel adju- mento ; nullse adverfantium animis fle&endis potentio- res ; earn ad fuadendum vim habent, ut ingenuis ani- mis quafi tormentum adhibeant, eofq; volentes in par- tes noftras trahant, quos nulla Ecclefix fulmina, nulloe legum minae nolentes eo adegaTent. His igitur animis fi conventus Ecclefiaftici ad" res quas funt officii fui traclandas accedant, malevolorum ho- minum calumnias a fe facile depellent ; dilTidiis compo- nendis, qux Synodorum decretis augeri & immortalia reddi queritantnr, planam commodamq; v iam aperient ; h&refes in ipfo nafcendi articulo feliciter extinguent ; fidem pariter ac pacem Ecclefiae integram illibatamq;. pneftabunt ; omnibus deniq; patebit, viros ita animates, nihil privatis Cuis commodis tribuere, nihil pras (tudiis partium agere ; fed de veritate, de publica tranquil! itate, de populi in pietate profeftu & falute unice follicitos effe; iis unisex animo ftudere. De quibus autem ita fentiat populus, iis fe credet ultro, quoq; velint fequetur : nemo enim fibi in animum inducit eorum confiliis fen- tentiifq; obniti, quorum de pietate & prudentia plene conftat. Aut parum aut prave fapere duces cenfemus quos fequi nolumus ; tarn inique vero fentire de homini- bus qui nullam de iis ita fentiendi caufam fecerint, id paucorum efle, imo nullorum arbitror. Sed de his fatis ; veniamus ad recentiora ilia crimi- nationum genera, quaa nos noftraq; tempora propius tangunt. Ad haec praecipue animos advertere par fuerit, ex quibus, fi commode utamur,qualiacunq; fint, frudlum non exiguum reremus. Vera funt ? ut corrigamus quod peccatum eft, & diligentius in pofterum caveamus, ne ullus iifdem querelis locus fit: & ut minus vera fint quas criminantur, cum inde fcire liceat qucs vere dici velint qui nobis male volunt, ex iniquis eorum cenfuris admo- ntmur, ubi fummam nos operam ponere opoiceat, & a. quo offenfiOiium genere curatius abilinendum fit. Ni- mius. t II niius fim, fi fingula memorem quas nobis objiciunt adven- farii ; quos fi audias, fummam in ipfo Clero regnare mo- rum corruptelam, meliores vero literas paene extin&as jacere cenfeas. Sed haec mitto, quae apud squos rerum aeftimatores minus ponderis habebunt, fi fecum reputent nullum fuifle tempus, quo non mores magis caftigatos, literas autem cultiores merito defiderares. Ea vero qui- bus non tarn fingulos de clero impetunt, quam toti Ec- clefiaftico ordini convitium faciunt, hssc fere funt. Primo clamitant omnia apud nos turbarum & diflidio- rum plena effe, adeoq; fruftra ab hujufmodi hominum conventu boni aliquid fperari. Huic autem contume- lioe ut fidem faciant, ad Synodos quae memoria noftra ha- bits funt, provocant ; patrum fcilicet memoria ad quos provocent non habent ; nam ante fauftiflimam illam re- rum converfionem, quse dulu &: aufpiciis fereniflimi GULIELMI ante annos plus triginta fata eft, per toti- dem fere annornm fpatium Synodi nulls celebratse funt : ad eas igitur, quss ex illo tempore habits funt plures, totos fe convertunt, ex iis non vanum augurium de futuris duel pofTe contendunt. Quis nefcit, inquiunt, nihil ab iis pro- felum efTe, unde five in Ecclefiam, five in rempublicam commodi aliquid redierit? neq; profe&o melius quicquam fperari potuiue ab hominibus, qui ne inter fe quidem con- venirent; contentionibus invicem graviflimis fummos duos Ecclefiafticos ordines laboraffe, capitalibus odiis utrinq; rem agi ; 8c quod longe turpiflimum, in ipfo 11- mine Synodos eas impegifle, de ipfis rerum tradandarum formulis exarfifle lites, quae nulla arte componi potuerunt; unde fadum ut confiliis Synodalibus adieus omnis pe- nitus prscluderetur. Res vero de quibus cum tanta animorum contentione difputatum eft, res nihili fuilfe, populo judice, nedum dignae erant ut lites de iis orta tanta invicem fimuitate agitarentur, aut ut tarn diu durarent; omnium autem minime par fuifle, ut levi- cularum adeo rerum gratia, negotiis gravioribus -non exitus modo, fed initium etiam obftrueretur. B -a Hrec 3 Haec adverfarii plenis manibus in nos ingerunt, hsec urgent, his inftant, qui Synodis infenfiores funt. Nee diffitendum quidem, quod in hac criminatione praeci- puum eft, regnaiTe per plures annos inter duas quas vocant Convocationis domos, de rebus fpecie exiguis diilidia non exigua ; atq; indefaclum, ut ex iis non id commodi in publicum fluxerit, quod merito fperari po- terat. Sed osqui judices, quibus aliquis rerum ufusjeft, norunt multa quae fpecie quidem funt exigua, re tamen ipfa plurimi momenti effe, &: a minimis fsepe maxima pendere ; norunt contentiones de jure, cum qui litigant publicam perfonam fuftinent, non facile componi pofTe, nee niii graviffima de caufa alterutros de jure fuo re- cedere debere ; fope vero evenire, ut neutri rationibus idoneis deftituantur. Minus autem mirandum fl lites IMS diutius durarent, cum quss. una certa erat compo- nendi via, perquam incommode deficeret, partim ex Synodorum infrequentia, partim "quod vetera ada Sy- nodalia funeftiiTimo illo urbis incendio funt abfumpta. Sed nihil opus eft ut hxc fubtilius perfequamur; ini- que admodum in lites has confertur, quod egregii ni- liil a Synodis ha&enus fit praeftitum, cum jam plures anni lint, quod controverfiis iis finis imponatur. Ex illo au- tem tempore nullum fere Synodorum faftum eft peri- culum, cum vel nullas eonvenerint, vel fi convenerint, de rebus paulo gravioribus traftare non conceflum fu- erit. Fruit ra igitur adverfarii ex eo quod prateritis annis faftum eft, de futuro conjecturam faciunt: me- liora jam omnia cum bona ipforum venia fperare liceat ; liceat augurari Synodum jam celebrandam velle fum- mopere cavere, ne vel novae lites oriantur, vel veteres recrudefcant, ut in commune junclis ftudiis confulant quod Ecclefiae reique publics fit utiie; animis deniq; tranquillis, defa-catis, ctquis, modeftis, ad pacem com- pofitis, veriq; ftudiofis convenientes, fedulo fkfturos, ne lioftibus ludibrium debeant, ullamve criminandi occafio- frabeant us, qui occajionem veliftt. Akeruroi C '3 3 Alterum criminationum caput, quo Clerum premunt adverfarii, eft, quod fuisfe finibus continere nefcii, fem- per aliquid novi moliantur, & indebita fibi jura vendi- cent; quod Ecclefiam folutam, liberam, immunem pror- fus, & exemtam velint a fummi magiftratus imperio atq; authoritate. Sed quo obfecro colore, qua veri fpe- cie hsec Ecclefiae Anglicanae Clero imputantur ? De Pon- tificiis quidem hsec jure dixerint ; res enim palam eft -Sc in aperto ; dixerint de iis qui nupero fchifmate fecefTum a nobis feeere , qui quodammodo in Pontificiorum ca- ftra trahfiiffe videantur ; his adjungas forfan & e noftris nonnullos, fed nee multos, nee magni nominis, qui in excmptionem iftam nimium quantum propendeant : to- tum vero Clerum hoc crimine gravare, & eo nomine in fummum paffim odium adducere, haec mera eft ca- lumnia. Cum fententia ifta non modo fummi magi- ftratus authoritati deroget, ad quam omnium ubiq; gentium, omniumq; retro temporum confenfu, facro- rum cura jure attinet ; fed 8c reformatae apud nos re- Jigionis fundamenta convellat ; ab hac criminatione^ fi qua alia, Clerus fe immunem hue ufq; prsftitit. Nuper admpdum eft quod hifce in terris caput fuum extulit hsec Regii fuprematus impugnatio. Nee aliunde profiuxiffe videtur, quam ab iis, qui, ut reformatse religionis patro- ni cenferi velint, reformats; tamen fidei Defenfori,Regi op- timo infenQ funtj nee aliam ob caufam Ecclefiam a magiftratu neutiquam pendere contend unt, quam quod Is fit ille magiftratus a quo pendeat, quern pro legitimo principe haberi nolunt. Ab his hominibus profluxit prima hujus mali labes ; nee apud alios fere locum invenit, nifi qui cum iis dc jure quoq; regni paria fentiunt: quod ad cssteros atti- net, haud dubie, ubi locus erit, criminis hujus fufpicio- ne iniquiflime fe premi pronis animis oftendent, & alia omnia fentire, quam qua; maligne adeo iis imputantur. Lubentes fatebuntur Ecclefias omnes ubiq; locorum re- eptas, quod ad externum earum ftatum, templa, re- ditu% H ditus, honores, emolumenta ; quod ad vim canonnm quos tulerint, quod ad erTedum omnem legitimum cert- furarum quas exerceant, quod deniq; ad omnes jurif- di&ionis coa&ivae modos fpeciefq; fpeftat, a fummis di- tionum iftarum magiftratibus unice 8c in folidum pen- dere; eorumq; effe de doftrinis etiam omnibus cog- nofcere; nee quicquamquod fit publicum, ab authoritate publica eximi debere. Fatebuntur turn res, turn per- fonas Ecclefiafticas, fummi magiftratus imperio, jure gentium, fubjici; &r fi de jure hoc lis moveri potuifTet, Ecclefiam tamen magiftratui debuiffe fubjici, tacito quodam pafto fe reipfa fubjecifTe, ut gratiam ipfi ali- quam rependat pro fummis iftis beneficiis, quibus illam magiftratus cumularit. Qua: fane in hac BRITANNIA noftra tot tantaq; funt, ut fi magiftratus Clero optionem integram relinqueret, velit necne Ecclefiam reipublicae, eo quo nunc eft modo, diutius illigari, an nexus omnes vinculaq; quibus jam tenetur refolvi, Ecclefiamq; pri- ftina fua quam crepant libertate redonari ; ea lege, ut fua fibi habeat Ecclefia, fua refpublica ; nullus dubitem, quin acerrimos exemtionis iftius patronos fententi^e fuae Itatim atq; extemplo poeniteret. Sed quicquid ifti fen- ferint, in Clerum certe nullo fuo merito hoc crimen in- tentatur ; afta ipforum Synodalia nihil praj fe ferunt unde hoc in eos confletur odium : neq; vero fcriptis, vel multi ex iis, vel primarii, nee dignitate nee literis prae- cellentes viri, fecerunt, quod toti Clero vitio vertatur : paucorum autem ut culpa in omnes conferatur, contra jus rafq; eiTe, in confeflb eft. Sed inftant porro adverfarii; fatentur quidem fenten- tiam hanc non a multis palam 8c aperto capite defendi ; fed a nullo non tacite foveri contendunt, & in finu amari. Unde vero hoc conftat? unde quod clam & in finu fo- vemus, his hominibus innotuit ? fi illis credas, certa ha- bent unde hoc fciri poffit indicia ; nee fcriptis fcilicet, nee concionibus ad populum hanc nos fententiam refu- farc, aut fuprematum Kegium tueri, nee fententix iftius authores C 15 J authores cenfura ulla Synodica ferire: quas Icilicet do- lrinas non damnamus, eas probare merito cenfendi fumus. Huic deniq; calumniae hinc etiam fpeciem ali- quam quaerunt, quod cum hofce homines non aegre pad- atur Clerus fententiam fuam in vulgus propagare, faci- lem tamen & proclivem admodum fe oftendat ad cen- furas in eos exercendas, qui poteftatem Ecclefiafticam in ordinem cogere, 8c infra quod par erat deprimere vi- deantur. Haec adverfarii; quae fi fingula refellerem, nimium fe diffunderet oratio. Quod vero, f fat Us difclufus inic^uis ipfe nequeam, id vos penes eric nullo negotio facere ; vobis, fiquidem con- felTus celebrandi copia fiat, in poteftate erit argumen- tis fumme compendiariis, nee minus inviftis monftrare, quam procul ab hoc crimine abfitis, 8c quam fuftinetis ; hoc nomine invidiam, amoliri omnem, 8c longe fum- movere. Norint interea adverfarii, Clero quidem non fuifTe occafionem Synodice dicendi quid in hac caufa fentiant ; nunquam vero defuiffe qui fuprematum Regium fcriptis erudite tuerentur ; nullumq; adeo dubitandi locum effe, quin primo quoq; tempore palam fiat vos in utramq; partem peccantibus pariter infenfos efTe, & media quo- da mmodo via incedere ; nee ultra limites a vetere Eccle- ila pofitos, regniq-, hujus legibus definitos veftram ex- tendere velle poteftatem, aut novi quicquam juris af- felare, unde vel populi in facris libertati vis inferatur ? vel aliqua in civilem magiftratum injuria derivetur. Tertia, eaq; fane graviffima, in Clerum criminatio eft, quod male in Regem domumq; Regiam fint animo, mala fide; quod in fedicionem fint proclives, rerumq; novarum ftudiofi; quod multa proterve, infolenter, fa- diofe faciant in Regis contumeliam, ad ipfum folio de- turbandum, 8c jus SucceiTionis convellendum, legibus licet fanftiflimis conftitutum, femper paratiflimi. Do- let profeclo, vehementer dolet, hanc faitem criminatio sera, non licere ex omai parte fiftam falikmq:, dicere, Quam c Quam vellem unum hoc officii mei efTet, ut vobis ex animo & fmcere gratularer ob propenfam Cleri in Regi- am Majeftatem benevolentiam, ob obfequium ab omni- bus inculpate praeftitum, ob praecla ra fidei exempla. nul- la labe contaminatae ; quod turn Ecclefise turn reipublicae falus, & Religionis quam profitemur indoles, &: folennia ilia quibus nps ad Regem domumq; Regiam tuendum devinximus juramenta, enixe flagitant ! Quam vdiun haec criminatio, fi non penitus refelli poiTct, in unurn ta- rnen alterumq; tantum merito caderet I Sed proh pudor I nimis quam fpeciofa eft haec adverfariorum quei*a, ni- mis quam late patet; non diflimulandum eft e Clero plures effe, qui ofEcio fuo non modo turpiter defuerint, fed & contra fecerint. Neminem vero qui hac itifa- mia laborat, ad hanc Synodum legari temere creden- dum eft, cum legati crimen in legantes recidat, atq; ita imius culpa in plures difFunderetur. Adverfarii qui- dem, qui nihil magis velint, quam ut huic crimination! fides habeatuf, totum fere Cleri ordinem hoc nomine in- famant, &: in odium adducunt ; fi contra Regem nihil, at pro Rege parum feciffe clamitant. Itane vero ? pa- rumne eft, quod quaecunq; in caufa regia fcripta funt, ab iis fere fcripta funt? parumneeft, quod cum nupero conjuratorum fcelere refpublica in praefentiffimum dif- crimen adduceretur, Epifcopi, qui turn in urbe erant plurimi, uno animo, atque exemplo plane novo, palam, apertc, prolixe, verbifq; conceptiflimis fuam erga Re- gem fidem, quamq; vehementer ab impiis iftis confiliis abhorrerent, i':ripto profitebantur , omnefq; ad parein fidem prasitandam obnixe hortati funt ? parumne eft, quod ampliftimum illud Epifcoporum teftimonium Clerus ubi- que avidis aniiriis exceperunt, fummoq; confenfu, quan- tum poterant, fuum fecerunt ? haeccine vim nullam habi- tura funt ad graviflimam hanc calumniam diluendam ? habebunt ccrte apud aquos omnes maximara, Sed C 17 1 Sed inftant adverfarii, rogantq; importuni, quid nunc egerimus, quo fidum benevolumq; in Regem animurn teftatum faciamus ; quid, quo populum in hoc fummo rerum difcrimine, in officio fuo contineamus. Cum pub- lica tranquillitas nefariorum hominum factionibus per- turbatur, cum civium fortunae, vitas periclkantur, cum Regis ipfius falus in dubio vertitur, cum Libertatis deni- que Religionis caufa agitur ; hoc, inquiunt, tempus poftulat, ut qui funt de Clero, vocem tub A inftar attollant, popuiumq; magno ftudio hortentur ad obedientiam Regi debitani; ut infelices 8c calamitofos feditioforum exitus iis ob oculos ponant ; ut memores faciant fanftiifimi il- lius juramenti, quo pleriq; omnes qui funt aliquo in nu- mero, fidem fuam obftrinxerunt ; quantumq; fit perju- rii flagitium, cjuo nihil atrocius, nihil, quod ultor fcele- rum Deus acrius vindicabit ; ut periculum quod Eccle- fioe, cjuod reipublicee, quod bonis omnibus imminet ex perditorum hominum confiliis, veris vividifq; coloribus depingant; ut Papifoti deniq; ingenium atq; indolem omnia ad fe pro arbitrio rapientis, leges juraq; omnia, divina, humana proculcantis, noftrseq; praecipue B RI- TA NNI^E fubverfionem per fas nefafq; indefinenter molientis ; ut hujus ingenium, infidum, fubdolum, cru- entum altius animis infigant. Haec, inquiunt adverfarii, viros oportuit Ecclefiafticos fecifTe, qui in Regem bene animati funt. Oportuit fane, fatemur ultro ; 8c quin plurimi fecerint, quidnam dubitemus? fi qui vero quod fui eft officii nondum egerint, datur iis in prasfenti reipublics difcri- mine ampliflima occafio hauc a fe calumniam depellendi: licet jam omnibus, hoc crimine fefe expurgare, fideiq; in Regem non fucatss teftimonium certifHrnum prasbere. Quis enim de Synodi hujus fide dubitaverk, fi vide eos officii fui memores, feditionem, perfidiam, perjuri- um, Issfaeq; majefbatis crimen ex ammo deteftari ; feJi- citatem, qua fruuntur fub asquidimo optimi Principis C 1 8 J unperio, gratis animis recolere ; omniaq; quoe bonos ci- ves fidumq; Clerum decet, fe praftituros, fanfte polli- ceri ? nee incommode ex Synodi furTragjis, quid ii quo- que fentiant quorum perfonam fuftinent, judicium ferri poilit : fed & iis jam fingulis facultas eft, in fua quemq; Ecclefia, quali fint in Regem anirno, teftatum facere, fi greges fibi commiflfos oificii fui moneant, ipfifq; exem- plo fint ; fi Pontificiorum dolos, fraudes, coxles, lanienas iis in memoriam revocent ; fi quid metuendum fit a Prin- cipe iftorum facris ab incunabulis enutrito, copiofe often- dant ; fi nefariorum hominum calumnias in Regem opti- mum iniquifllme conficlas diluant ; fidemq; Principibus inviolatam legibus divinis pariter ac humanis deberi, di- Hgcnter doceant. Cleri certe maxime intereft hanc a fe criminationem procul amovere, non tanturn ut adverfa- riis os obftruant, fed ut civium, ut procerum animos fibi roncilient, ut Regiam fibi majeftatem benevolam propi- tiamque merito fuo reddant. Quod vero tantopere eo- rum intereft ut faciant, id jarafumma cum laude facere, M libeat ? licet. Has praecipue crirninationes in nos intentant adverfa- rii : quas nifi falfo nobis objici asquis judicibus conftiterit ; ut Synodus hominum ita animatorum celebretur, nemo prudens, nemo qui pietatis, qui pacis, cjui boni public! ftudiofus, fuaferit. Si tales conv.enturi eftis, quod de. alio ccetu dixit Apoftolus, BX, eh TD x/>e?TToj/, aM* eis TO %-T\QV o-uujepye&e, quodabfitl Veftrum, opinor, nemini ignotum eft, ut a multis acriter contendatur, non modo reipublicce, fed 8f Eccle- tix, ipfiq; adeo Clero confultius eife atq; utilius, ut fo^ lennes hi conventus penitus intermittantur ; cum rationes propter quas olim agerentur, nullum jam locum habeant 5 nee quicquam fuperfit, in quo Synodi pro officii fui rati- one fe exerceant : omnia enim quo: vel fidem vel difcipli- nam Ecclefi:e fpe&ant, articulis, canonibus, legibus,. ac- curate doceri, definiri, firman. Quorfum . igitur annui Cleri t 19 3 -Cleri cnetus ? nonne ex omni parte praeftabilius eflr, lit illi quorum eft domini gregem pafcere, domi fe contine- ant ; ut plebem fanis piifq; concionibus erudiant, preci- bus, confiliis adjuvent, bonorumq; paftorum partes GHH- nes ftudiofe impleant ; ut deniq; qua; fande & fapienter a majoribus conftituta funt, & ipfi obfervent, & ab aliis, quantum in fe eft, obfervari faciant ? nonne praeftat ho- mines Ecclefiafticos in hifce occupari ? ne quid dicatur de rebus eorum domefticis, quae plerumq; Funt tenues, anguftse, inopes, qu-jeque adeo ut iis vacent impenfe po- ftulant : nonne hoc optabilius, quam a domibus, a fami- liis fuis in longinquum evocari, non fine gravi & tem- poris 8c rei domeiticae difpendio ; magnamq; anni par- tern hie in urbe otiari, fub oftentu quidem Synodales confeffus celebrandi, Ecclefiaeq; res agendi; verum re- ipfa, ut nihil agant, vel ilia folum, quoe, fi non inutiiia, nequaquam tarn en funt Ecclefiag neceftaria ? Hc incom- moda 8c efle maxima, nee vitari pofle, fi qui ad Synodos legati funt, eo frequentes confluant : quod fi confeffus non fuerint frequentes, nee squum eiTe, ut quae gravioris fint momenti, a paucis traftentur ; nee fi quid definierint, apud ipfum Clerum, nedum apud populum, ponderis quiequam habiturum ; pratfertim cum illi pauci in can- dem omnes fententiam non ierint, quod in rebus air- quantum arduis fruftva fperemus: frequentium verc confeffuum quaenam funt utilitates, quibus certa eorum incommoda penfari poflint ? Hasc fere funt quae contra omnes omnino Synodos in hodierno Ecclefiss ftatu afferri folent ; atq; hasc quidem af- feruntur non modo ab hominibus qui funt alieniore in Clerum animo, fed ab iis etiam, quos nee infenfos, nee iniquos, nee rerum imperitos dixeris. Nee fane fpeciofa haec efle negaverim ; confeffus aut frequentes efle oportere, aut nullos, id vero aequum efle nemo non conceflerir. Quin & eurn Ecclefias ftatum eflbj tit pleraq; quas alicujus funt momenti, jam occapata firft : C 2 & c conftituta ; id quoque, fi contendatur, non magnopere repugnaverim : fed nee dederim nihil fupereffe, in quo Ecclefiaftica utiliter concilia operam fuam collocent; nee tanta & tarn gravia e(Te incommoda, quae ex conventibus hifce neceiTario enafcantur. Quod enim ad prius atti- net, nullane funt rerum capita,, quas a Synodo in Eccle- fiae aut reipublicas commodum traclari queant ? Certe, fi via poflit aliqua iniri cornponendi diffidia quibus jam nimium diu laboramus ; fi ; ratio conciliations aliqua ex- cogitari cum iis, qui a nobis difcefTus fecerunt ; fi quic- quam fieri poflit, quo canonibus fua vis, fuus honos red- datur ; quo mali mores felicius corrigantur ; quo offen- fionum caufae ex Ecclefia tollantur; quo jurifdidionis Ecclefiafticas vitia reformentur ; fi quid, quo meliores li- ters, facras praefertim, inftaurari pomnt \ fi quid denique, quo juventus re.tius inftituatur ; fi quidvis horum pei* Synodorum confefTus obtinere liceret, fummo certe pub^ lico bono conventuras, infenfiflimi quique, nedum osqui rerum aeftimatores, neceffe eft concedant. Quod vero attinet ad graviffima ilia quae memorantur incommoda ; funt fane gravia, eoq; graviora quo fre- quentiora ; frequentiora vero noftris hifce funt tempori- bus, quam olim ; cum nunc annua fint, olim vero non nifi interpofitis intervals fatis longis redierint; & ut Synodorum tempora frequentius redeunt, ita quo auge,- atur malum, diucius durant, per mag,nam fcilicet anni eujufque partem ; ita jam redit labor actus in orbem impro- bus. Nifi igitur Clero non convenire modp detur, fed 8c de rebus gravioi ibus tradare, unde pietati, moribus, Ir- teris, Ecclefiae paci, aut tranquillitatj reipublico: melius confulatur, vix dubitari pomt, quin homines otii, quietis amantes, malint religion!, literis, rebus domefticis vaca? re, gregibus fibi commiflis in pietate bonifq; moribus erudiendis invigilare, quidvis denique domi agere, quam fedibus fuis quaii exulare, ut nihil agant. Sin agere con- cedatur quod Ecclefias, quod reipublicse fit utile, hac & graviora C 3 i 3 gi-aviora quasque incommoda libenter devorabunt. Sunt quidem pertenui fortuna Cleri pars longe maxima, reiq; adeo familiaris cura merito follicitqs habet, nee fa- cile pati poffunt quse ferant Synod i difpendia : quibus vero vel fua dignitas, vel Cleri fuffragia, hoc quicquid eft oneris imponuntr r ii fere funt quibus lautior res eft ; non quod optimus quifq; fit in re lautiffima, aut quod ne ii quidem quibus benignior fors fucrit, null urn inde fentiant incommodum. Sed quorfum base? quamobrem prolixe memorem, quse ultro citroq; in hac caufa ja&ari folent ? ut videatis fcilicet, quo in loco res noftraa funt, quantaq- animi con- tentione opus eft, ne noftra culpa novum pondus ma- jorq; vis eorum accedat argumentis, qui adea Synodis infenfi funt, ut omnino nullas celebrari velint. Si enim non fine quadam rationis fpecie difputetur, utiles necne fint Synodales conventus etiam turn, cum legati ad eos funt quales oportuit, pir, prudentes, moderati, veritatis pariter ac pacis ftudiofi, in rempublicam, in Regem be- neanimati; qualis demum fuerit bonorum omnium de Synodorum utilitate fententia, fi fuerimus quales, qui funt ex adverib, criminationibus fuis nos videri volunt ? Si dididia turbafq; foveamus, fi ftudiis partium adi, aut proprii quaeftus vel honoris gratia, publicam pacem per- turbemus; fi nobis poteftatem arrogemus, qualis nee cum libertate Chriftiana, nee cum falute reipublicae, ma^ giftratufq; fummi juribus ftare poterit ; fi a regni legibus immunitatem Ecclefiae, id eft, nobifmet ipfis fub Eccle- fias nomine, vindicemus ; fi denique conculcatis fanftif- fimis juramentis fidem Regb majeftati datam nefarie violemus ; omnes qui religioni, qui patriae, qui Regi, bene volunt, unanimes cenfebunt ipfum non.tantum> pro jure fuo, quod poflit, fed etiam bene. & prudenter, quod debeat agere, fi Synodales conventus vel penitusin- termitti, vel in aliud tempus diiFerri jubeat, cum major ipes affalferit notes melioris homines con ventures, . que fines obtineri poffe, qui foil digni fynt propter quos conveniant. Quid igitur ? egone hujus Synodi confeffibus dift'eren- dis aut intermittendis author fim ? Minime vero ; haec alterius fori quseftio eft. Ego quidem, cum videam qua- les quantiq; viri mihi jam ob oculos verfantur ; cum vi- deam quo Tub Prsefide confeffus fuos habituri fiut, quo nemo literis ornatior, virtutibus inftru&ior, prudentia folertior ; nemo in Ecclefiam, in rempublicam, in regem animo benevolo magis 8c propenfo eft ; ex hujus Synodi confiliis nihil non fauftum fperari pofTe, fi in commune confulere concefTum fit, habeo mihi perfuafiffimum : at- quc adeo, fi Regiae majeftati aliter vifum fuerit, non id in caufa e(Te, quod finiftram aliquam de vobis veftroque erga ipfum obfequio fcntentiam foveat ; fed quod tem- pora perturbatiora Tint, quam quibus res graves arduaeq; commode tradari queant ; quodq; arbitretur eos qui in ipfum bene animati iunt, ubivis locorum operam fuam utilius collocare pofle, in tanto animorum divortio, cum- que praefens reipublica; periculum omnium oculos ad fe trahat, quam fi hie diftineantur in levioris tantum mo- menti rebus traftandis occupati. Quicquid vero Regiae Maieftati confultius vifum fuerit, meminerimus noftrum efle, in utrumque paratos agere, quod bonos viros pro- bofque civcs deceat ; Deo Regique qucs fua funt redde- re ; religionem quae a Deo eft, doftrina tueri, moribus ornare ; regem omni obfervantia col^re, honore afficere, amore profequi, jura ejus omnia, pratcipue autem fupre- matum defendere, vindicare ; preces pro eo ardentiflimas ad Deum fundere, i'itaw orantes illi prolixam^ iwperium ICCUYUW, domuw tutam, cxercitus fortes, jenatum fdelem, fopulum probum, & qtt