This is sundry ways impious: I. If it be unlawful to crave assistance of Gods enemies, it is likewise unlawful to indent with them, that we will assist them. II. It obscureth Gods glory, as though he himself, either would not, or could not aide his Church. III. It is a thousand to one least we be infected with their idolatry, and other impieties. IV. It endangereth us to be made partakers of their punishments. 2. Chron. 19. 2. And Jehu the son of Hanani the Seer, went out to meet him, and said to King Jehoshaphat, Wouldest thou help the wicked, and love them that hate the Lord? therefore for this thing is the wrath of the Lord upon thee.
The third, is Traffic: as when a man wittingly and willingly, doth, in hope to enrich himself, make sale of such things as he knoweth must serve to an idolatrous use. This condemneth all those merchants, which transport wares to idolaters, and sell them frankincense, wax, cloth, or other such things as help them in the service of their idols.
The fourth, is trial of suites in law before Judges which are infidels, when ⟨p. 47⟩Christian courts may be frequented: but if they cannot, and we have to deal with infidels, we may appeal to infidels. 1. Cor. 9.6. Brother goeth to law with brother, and that under infidels. Act. 25.11. Paul appealeth to Cesar.
The fifth, is the worshipping of the beast, and receiving his mark. Rev. 14. 9. If any man worship the beast, and his image, and receive the mark in his forehead, or in his hand. vers. 10. The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God. This beast is the Church of Rome, I mean not that old, but this new Rome, now no better then an heretical and apostatical Synagogue.
V. Will worship, when God is worshipped with a naked and bare good intention, not warranted by the word of God. Colos. 2.23. Which things indeed have a show of wisdom in voluntary religion, and humbleness of mind, and in not sparing the body: neither have they it in estimation to satisfy the flesh. 1. Sam. 13. 9,10. And Saul said, Bring a burnt offering to me, and peace offerings: and he offered a burnt offering. And as soon as he had made an end of offering the burnt offering, behold, Samuel came, and vers. 13. said to Saul, Thou hast done foolishly, thou hast not kept the commandment of the lord thy God, which he commanded thee.
This is sundrie waies impious: I. If it be vnlawfull to craue assistance of Gods enemies, it is likewise vnlawfull to indent with them, that we will assist them. II. It obscureth Gods glorie, as though he himselfe, either would not, or could not aide his Church. III. It is a thousand to one least we be infected with their idolatrie, and other impieties. IV. It endangereth vs to be made partakers of their punishments. 2. Chron. 19. 2. And Iehu the sonne of Hanani the Seer, went out to meete him, and said to King Iehosaphat, Wouldest thou helpe the wicked, and loue them that hate the Lord? therefore for this thing is the wrath of the Lord vpon thee.
The third, is Traffique: as when a man wittingly and willingly, doth, in hope to enrich himselfe, make sale of such things as he knoweth must serue to an idolatrous vse. This condemneth all those marchants, which trāsport wares to idolatours, and sell them frankencense, waxe, cloath, or other such things as helpe them in the seruice of their idols.
The fourth, is triall of suites in law before Iudges which are infidels, when ⟨p. 47⟩Christian courts may be frequented: but if they cannot, and we haue to deale with infidels, we may appeale to infidels. 1. Cor. 9.6. Brother goeth to law with brother, and that vnder infidels. Act. 25.11. Paul appealeth to Cesar.
The fifth, is the worshipping of the beast, and receiuing his marke. Rev. 14. 9. If any man worship the beast, and his image, and receiue the marke in his forehead, or in his hand. vers. 10. The same shall drinke of the wine of the wrath of God. This beast is the Church of Rome, I meane not that old, but this new Rome, now no better then an hereticall and apostaticall Synagogue.
V. Will worship, when God is worshipped with a naked and bare good intention, not warranted by the word of God. Colos. 2.23. Which things indeed haue a shew of wisdome in voluntarie religion, and humblenesse of minde, and in not sparing the bodie: neither haue they it in estimation to satisfie the flesh. 1. Sam. 13. 9,10. And Saul said, Bring a burnt offering to me, and peace offerings: and he offered a burnt offering. And as soone as he had made an ende of offering the burnt offering, behold, Samuel came, and vers. 13. said to Saul, Thou hast done foolishly, thou hast not kept the commandement of the lord thy God, which he commanded thee.
