A Complete collection of farewell sermons preached by Mr. Calamy, Dr. Manton, Mr. Caryl…A Compleat collection of farewel sermons preached by Mr. Calamy, Dr. Manton, Mr. Caryl…

I intended to have taken up four Appearances and Coverings that Saints usually take up for to hide themselves, as under a covert, to beat down the Gospel-warrants and commands, to suffer for the Faith delivered.

1. The motion that a Christian hath of indifferency of things, that they are but toys and trifles, that they may be done, or not done. It is not my work to tell you what is indifferent, or name any thing in particular. As I remember in the Book of Martyrs, the usual Argument was, Why cannot you worship the Idol? why cannot you bow down as well as others? it is a small matter: cannot you show your outward reverence, and keep your heart to your self? Indeed if there were any thing that is indifferent, a Christian hath a marvellous latitude in point of Doctrine, in point of Worship: I would caution you therefore. The term of indifferent, I suppose it is devised as a Pillar to rest the Conscience on, which otherwise would startle, and look with a broad face upon them. Things that come under this notion, had need well to be weighed and considered: If they tell you plainly they came out of Rome, and had the Plague of Popery upon them: they came from Hell, were hatched there, and the curse of God is upon them; no body will entertain them. They must pretend they came from the Church, from the Apostles, descending from the Scriptures; and hence they are entertained with the freedom and willingness, as that most Christians take no notice, but fall down under them; and so the very power and life of Religion and holy practice is eaten out. The Devil hath three ways whereby he makes men seek after him. First, Commonly he doth cover holiness with other names. Secondly, He persuades that sins are but little. Thirdly, That they may repent hereafter. The first is suitable to my purpose, That virtue or grace is covered with other names: therefore if a man be holy, he is called precise; if zealous, he is said to be rash; and if it be really a sin, it shall come under the name of indifferency, a toy, a trifle, and things of that nature: therefore you had need be cautious; for it is not so much what name the sin has, what title it goes under, as what it is really. As to things of Doctrine and Worship I know there is no medium; every man must give an account to the Lord what he does; therefore I do not tell you what is indifferent, and what not; but search the Scripture, take heed what you receive for indifferent.