Babylons downfall a sermon lately preached at Westminster before sundry of the honourable House…

Wherefore, I beseech you, in Christs stead, that are the heads of our Tribes, that nothing be obtruded upon the Churches of Christ; but what may clearly, and plainly have Jus divinum written and engraven upon it. Your wisdoms cannot but observe the several distractions that are both in Church, and Common-wealth. If you Analyze the distractions of the Common-wealth, you may find thereby what is the head of our distractions in the Church also. And in the Common-wealth this is that which troubles, that proceedings are so illegal; O says one, though it cost me never so much, yet if it were according to law, I would yield unto it. This is that which cuts so deep, says another, there is no law for these, and these courses: so in the Church, I cannot yield to this, and that custom, this and that Innovation, for there is no law for it.

Wherefore, I beseech you, in Christs stead, that are the heads of our Tribes, that nothing be obtruded upon the Churches of Christ; but what may clearely, and plainely have Jus divinum written and engraven upon it. Your wisedomes cannot but observe the severall distractions that are both in Church, and Common-wealth. If you Analize the distractions of the Common-wealth, you may finde thereby what is the head of our distractions in the Church also. And in the Common-wealth this is that which troubles, that proceedings are so illegall; O sayes one, though it cost me never so much, yet if it were according to law, I would yeeld unto it. This is that which cuts so deepe, sayes another, there is no law for these, and these courses: so in the Church, I cannot yeeld to this, and that custome, this and that Innovation, for there is no law for it.

But if a thing be indifferent, and authority command it,¹ then Jus divinum is written upon it.

1. 1Object.