you will be used by them but to confirm themselves in their errors, and to further dividing and unpeaceable designs-Sixthly, And when all is done, and your consciences are wounded, and you are made the heads or leaders of factions, at last those of themselves that God showeth mercy to, will see their error, and when they repent, they will give you little thanks for your compliance. A sinful humouring of rash professors, is as great a temptation to godly Ministers, as a sinful compliance with the Great ones of the world: I mean it is a sin, which our station and disposition afford us as great temptations to. For though to a worldling, wealth and honour be stronger temptations; yet to a godly man the applause or censure of those whom we account most wise and godly may tempt much stronglier. And alas how ordinarily doth the fire of Church and state, which flameth about our own ears, convince us of our error, in following those whom we should lead! O how many doleful instances of it doth Church history afford us! There are not many of the tumults that have cost the lives of thousands about Religion, but were kindled by the young ⟨p. 365⟩injudicious professors, who drew in their Teachers to humour them in countenancing too much of their disorders. Historians tell us that when King Francis of France had forbid the reproaching of the Papists way of worship, and silenced the Ministers for not obeying him; many of the hot brained people, took up the way of provoking them by scornful pictures & libels; hanging up and down in the streets suchridi•ulous and reproachful rhymes and images: But this (which was none of the way of God) began that persecution (by provoking the King) which cost many thousands, if not hundred thousand lives before it ended. And the Synod at Rochelle which refused the grave counsel of Du Plessis, Du Moulin and many such others, was stirred up by the peoples zeal; and ended in the blood of many score thousands, and the ruin of the power of the Protestants in France. Abundance of such sad instances might be given, if England need to go any whether else for matter of warning than to it self. He that after the experiences of this age, will think it fit to follow the conduct of injudicious zealots, is left as unexcusable as almost any man, that never had a sight of hell.
you will be used by them but to confirm themselves in their errours, and to further dividing and unpeaceable designes-Sixthly, And when all is done, and your consciences are wounded, and you are made the heads or leaders of factions, at last those of themselves that God sheweth mercy to, will see their errour, and when they repent, they will give you little thanks for your compliance. A sinful humouring of rash professours, is as great a temptation to godly Ministers, as a sinful compliance with the Great ones of the world: I mean it is a sin, which our station and disposition afford us as great temptations to. For though to a worldling, wealth and honour be stronger temptations; yet to a godly man the applause or censure of those whom we account most wise and godly may tempt much stronglier. And alas how ordinarily doth the fire of Church and state, which flameth about our own ears, convince us of our errour, in following those whom we should lead! O how many doleful instances of it doth Church history afford us! There are not many of the tumults that have cost the lives of thousands about Religion, but were kindled by the young ⟨p. 365⟩injudicious professours, who drew in their Teachers to humour them in countenancing too much of their disorders. Historians tell us that when King Francis of France had forbid the reproaching of the Papists way of worship, and silenced the Ministers for not obeying him; many of the hot brain'd people, took up the way of provoking them by scornful pictures & libels; hanging up and down in the streets suchridi•ulous and reproachful rhimes and images: But this (which was none of the way of God) began that persecution (by provoking the King) which cost many thousands, if not hundred thousand lives before it ended. And the Synod at Rochel which refused the grave counsel of Du Plessis, Du Moulin and many such others, was stirred up by the peoples zeal; and ended in the blood of many score thousands, and the ruine of the power of the Protestants in France. Abundance of such sad instances might be given, if England need to go any whether else for matter of warning than to it self. He that after the experiences of this age, will think it fit to follow the conduct of injudicious zealots, is left as unexcusable as almost any man, that never had a sight of hell.
