A37049:360
A37049:360
London: printed for Dorman Newman, 1675
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
3ly. It reacheth to the right manner of doing duties; especially, it requireth▪ 1. That they be not done in Hypocrisy, for God will not be so worshipped in any duty. 2. That all our worship and duties be directed to God, in, and through the Mediator, and that none come to God but by him, who is the appointed High Priest▪ 3. That all our Obedience and Service be Spiritual.
3ly. It reacheth to the right manner of doing duties; especially, it requireth▪ 1. That they be not done in Hypocrisie, for God will not be so worshipped in any duty. 2. That all our worship and duties be directed to God, in, and through the Mediator, and that none come to God but by him, who is the appointed High Priest▪ 3. That all our Obedience and Service be Spiritual.
4ly. It taketh in all external gestu •es, and outward reverence in praying and hearing; &c. as, that the eye be fixed, and the carriage not light, but decent; that there be no laughing that the looks be staid and grave; these in a special manner, in worship, are to be looked unto.
4ly. It taketh in all external gestu •es, and outward reverence in praying and hearing; &c. as, that the eye be fixed, and the carriage not light, but decent; that there be no laughing that the looks be stayd and grave; these in a special manner, in worship, are to be looked unto.
5thly. It requireth every Mean that may further Gods public Service, as educating and training up men for the Ministry, entertaining them, providing places and accommodations for public worship, and every thing of that kind, without which the external worship of God cannot be performed.
5thly. It requireth every Mean that may further Gods publick Service, as educating and training up men for the Ministry, entertaining them, providing places and accommodations for publick worship, and every thing of that kind, without which the external worship of God cannot be performed.
6thly. It requireth the removing of all lets and impediments of Gods worship, or whatever is contrary thereto, according to our places and stations; such as Heresies and Heretics by condigne censuring of them, removing all Idolatrous worship, and whatever may be occasions of it, or whatever hath been, or may be abused to it, purging the House of God from corrupt and insufficient Ministers and corrupt Members.
6thly. It requireth the removing of all letts and impediments of Gods worship, or whatever is contrary thereto, according to our places and stations; such as Heresies and Hereticks by condigne censuring of them, removing all Idolatrous worship, and whatever may be occasions of it, or whatever hath been, or may be abused to it, purging the House of God from corrupt and insufficient Ministers and corrupt Members.
But let us see in the next place what is forbidden in this Command, and how it is broken.
In the first Command, what immediately reflecteth upon God himself, is forbidden; here, what immediately reflecteth on his Ordinances and appointments, contradicting them and Him in them, is discharged; there is none of the Commands more frequently broken; and yet men most readily think themselves free of the breach thereof; and therefore ye should consider, that it is broken
In the first Command, what immediatly reflecteth upon God himself, is forbidden; here, what immediately reflecteth on his Ordinances and appointments, contradicting them and Him in them, is discharged; there is none of the Commands more frequently broken; and yet men most readily think themselves free of the breach thereof; and therefore ye should consider, that it is broken
1. In Doctrine, or doctrinally. 2. In practice. 3. In both, when the Doctrines vented and published against truth, have external practices following on them as that doctrine of Image-worship hath, which we have spoken to already, and is the gross breach of this Command; and the Lord instanceth it as being the greatest, because where this is, all sorts of Idolatry are: for it supposeth Idolatry against the first Command, and that some esteem and weight is laid upon that Creature we worship, beyond what is its due; as if there were in it some divinity or ability to help, whereby it is thought worthy of such honour, whereupon followeth that external worship which is given to it upon that account; and so because Saints are thought able to hear and help, men pray to them; and because the Cross is thought holy, men worship it, &c. and as this Idolatry is manifold among the Papists, so it is palpable when Prayer is made to Saints, Relics, Bread, the Cross, Images, &c.
1. In Doctrine, or doctrinally. 2. In practice. 3. In both, when the Doctrines vented and published against truth, have external practices following on them as that doctrine of Imageworship hath, which we have spoken to already, and is the gross breach of this Command; and the Lord instanceth it as being the greatest, because where this is, all sorts of Idolatry are: for it supposeth Idolatry against the first Command, and that some esteem and weight is laid upon that Creature we worship, beyond what is its due; as if there were in it some divinity or ability to help, whereby it is thought worthy of such honour, whereupon followeth that external worship which is given to it upon that account; and so because Saints are thought able to hear and help, men pray to them; and because the Cross is thought holy, men worship it, &c. and as this Idolatry is manifold among the Papists, so it is palpable when Prayer is made to Saints, Reliques, Bread, the Cross, Images, &c.
Now that we may further explain this; consider, that this Command is three ways broken doctrinally, (all which have a great influence upon mens breaking of it in their practice); or, the Service and Worship of God, is three ways wronged by the doctrines of men. 1. When some thing is added to his Service which he hath not commanded, and this is superstition and will-worship largely so taken: Of this kind are 1. The 5 Popish Sacraments added to those two the Lord appointed. 2. Other and more Mediators than the One Mediator Christ. 3. More meritorious causes of Pardon and Justification, than the blood and merits of Christ. 4. More Officers in his house than he hath appointed, such as, Bishops, Cardinals, &c. 5. More Ceremonies in worship, as Salt, Spittle and Cream added in Baptism to Water, and Kneeling, &c. to the Lords Supper. 6. More Holy-days then God hath instituted. 7. Other things to be acknowledged for the Word of God than the Scripture, as Traditions, Apocrypha, &c. and many such things, whereof (for the most part) Popery is made up.
Now that we may further explain this; consider, that this Command is three ways broken doctrinally, (all which have a great influence upon mens breaking of it in their practice); or, the Service and Worship of God, is three ways wronged by the doctrines of men. 1. When some thing is added to his Service which he hath not commanded, and this is superstition and will-worship largely so taken: Of this kind are 1. The 5 Popish Sacraments added to those two the Lord appointed. 2. Other and more Mediators than the One Mediator Christ. 3. More meritorious causes of Pardon and Justification, than the blood and merits of Christ. 4. More Officers in his house than he hath appointed, such as, Bishops, Cardinals, &c. 5. More Ceremonies in worship, as Salt, Spittle and Cream added in Baptism to VVater, and Kneeling, &c. to the Lords Supper. 6. More Holy-days then God hath instituted. 7. Other things to be acknowledged for the Word of God than the Scripture, as Traditions, Apocrypha, &c. and many such things, whereof (for the most part) Popery is made up.
2ly. It is broken when his Ordinances are diminished, and any thing which he hath commanded, is taken away from them, as is clear from Deut. 4.2. Ye shall not add unto the Word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought there from: and thus they break this Command, by taking away the Cup from Laics (as they call them) in the Lords Supper, and the use of the Bible from the People in their own Language; also it is broken by taking away Baptism from Infants, and Discipline or Excommunication from the Church, and by taking away the Sabbath day, and public singing of Psalms, or such like; not to speak of that Blasphemous, and some-way Pagan-Her •sie of Quakerism, over-turning most, if not all the Ordinances of God, destructive to all true Religion and Christianity, and introducing, at least having a native tendency to introduce, old Paganism and Barbarity.
2ly. It is broken when his Ordinances are diminished, and any thing which he hath commanded, is taken away from them, as is clear from Deut. 4.2. Ye shall not add unto the Word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought there from: and thus they break this Command, by taking away the Cup from Laicks (as they call them) in the Lords Supper, and the use of the Bible from the People in their own Language; also it is broken by taking away Baptism from Infants, and Discipline or Excommunication from the Church, and by taking away the Sabbath day, and publick singing of Psalms, or such like; not to speak of that Blasphemous, and some-way Pagan-Her •sie of Qunquerisme, over-turning most, if not all the Ordinances of God, destructive to all true Religion and Christianity, and introducing, at least having a native tendency to introduce, old Paganism and Barbarity.
3dly. This Command is broken by corrupting of Gods worship, as when the Word is mis-interpreted and mis-applied, Prayers are used in a strange Tongue, the Word is mixed with Errors, and the Church, both left without Discipline and abused in civil things, which tendeth to the corrupting of Gods Service; unqualified-men put into the Ministry and kept in i •, ⟨p. 72⟩when Sacraments are rested on and worshipped, even as the Brazen Serpent was abused, and the Temple, though appointed by God at first for good ends, was afterward rested on and Idolized.
3dly. This Command is broken by corrupting of Gods worship, as when the Word is mis-interpreted and mis-applyed, Prayers are used in a strange Tongue, the Word is mixed with Errours, and the Church, both left without Discipline and abused in civil things, which tendeth to the corrupting of Gods Service; unqualified-men put into the Ministry and kept in i •, ⟨p. 72⟩when Sacraments are rested on and worshipped, even as the Brazen Serpent was abused, and the Temple, though appointed by God at first for good ends, was afterward rested on and Idolized.
Again, this Command is practically broken four ways: First by gross profanity and neglect of the practice of known duties of worship; this way, are guilty all profane Contemners of Sacraments, Word, Discipline, &c. All Neglecters of them when they may have them: and all these that set not themselves to go rightly about them, in secret, in Families or in Public; and wh •re many opportunities of Gospel Ordinances are, this sin is the more frequent; and so all Atheists that contemn Religion, and these that would only serve God with a good heart and intention▪ as they pretend, without any outward worship, are condemned here; and also those, who for fear or advantage give not testimony to the Truth and Ordinances of Christ, when such a testimony is called for.
Again, this Command is practically broken four ways: First by gross prophanity and neglect of the practice of known duties of worship; this way, are guilty all prophane Contemners of Sacraments, Word, Discipline, &c. All Neglecters of them when they may have them: and all these that set not themselves to go rightly about them, in secret, in Families or in Publick; and wh •re many opportunities of Gospel Ordinances are, this sin is the more frequent; and so all Atheists that contemne Religion, and these that would only serve God with a good heart and intention▪ as they pretend, without any outward worship, are condemned here; and also those, who for fear or advantage give not testimony to the Truth and Ordinances of Christ, when such a testimony is called for.
2. Men sin against this Command, when they practise will-worship and superstition in servin • God by duties he never required •• whether •. It be Will-worship in respect of the Service it self, as when that is gone about as duty, which is not in it s •lf lawful, as when such and such Pilgrimages and Penances are appointed by men to be done as Service to God: Or 2. When worship, or Service under the Gospel is astricted to such a place, as if it were Holier to pray in one place than in another, and that therefore God did hear Prayer there more willingly and easily than in another place. Or 3. In respect of bodily posture, as if there were more Religion in one posture than in another; as in receiving the Lords-Supper Kneeling, or Praying in such and such a posture, except in so far as it is decent, and otherwise rightly regulate by •ules of Prudence and Natures light. 4. When it is without a Divine Warrant tied to such a time only, as Christmas, (commonly called Yule) Easter, Pasche, &c. which is an Observing of times that God hath not appointed. 5. When it is tied to such an occasion or accident, as, to Pray when the Clock striketh, or when on • Neeseth, which Plinius marked of Tiberius, who was no Religious man, yet could not abide one who lifted not his Hat when he Neesed, and said not, God bless; and he observeth it among ⟨p. 73⟩these things he can give no reason for; the Prayer is good, but the timing of it so, and astricting it to that thing, is superstitious; so your light-wakes and Diriges (as ye call them) are upon this account to be condemned, either as superstitious, or as profane, or at the best, as the relics and causes or occasions of both: For 1. Once in times of Popish darkness they were so used, or rather abused. 2. Why are your Visits stinted to such a time more than another? It profiteth not the defunct, and it hurteth the person you come unto; a multitude not being •it for comforting or instructing; and yet it cannot be called a mere civil visit, being trusted with such an occasion; but certainly it suits not, nor is it a Christian carriage toward the Dead, and after the Burial of the Dead, to spend time together in such a way as is commonly used:
Beside, it is superstitious, when a thing without reason is astricted to such a time or occasion, as giving and receiving of gifts on New-years-day, too too common amongst Christians, though a Heathenish custom; which day, as Gratian observes, was dedicated to their Devil-god, Janus: He asserts likewise, that such Christians, as in his time did observe it, were Excommunicated; and Alchuinus, with others, write that the whole Catholic Church appointed once a solemn public Fast to be kept on a New years Day, to bewail those Heathenish Interludes, Sports, and lewd Idolatrous practises that had been used on it. 6. When some weight is laid on the number of words, or set repetitions of Prayers, Ave Maria's, or Pater Noster's, or on the reading so many Chapters, or saying so many Prayers. 7. When any take a word of Scripture at the opening of the Bible, or by a thought suggested, as more befitting their condition because of that, without weighing the Word it self; and lay more weight upon that word than upon another that hath the same authority and suitableness to their case, which is to make a Weird, or Fortune-book of the Book of God, for which end he never appointed it. Thus also men are guilty, when they account Sacraments more valid, or lay more weight on them, because dispensed by some Ministers, than when dispensed by others, though having the same warrant, or because of the difference of persons that partake therein with them;
Beside, it is superstitious, when a thing without reason is astricted to such a time or occasion, as giving and receiving of gifts on New-years-day, too too common amongst Christians, though a Heathenish custome; which day, as Gratian observes, was dedicated to their Devilgod, Janus: He asserts likewise, that such Christians, as in his time did observe it, were Excommunicated; and Alchuinus, with others, write that the whole Catholick Church appointed once a solemne publick Fast to be kept on a New years Day, to bewail those Heathenish Interludes, Sports, and lewd Idolatrous practises that had been used on it. 6. When some weight is laid on the number of words, or set repetitions of Prayers, Ave Maria's, or Pater Noster's, or on the reading so many Chapters, or saying so many Prayers. 7. When any take a word of Scripture at the opening of the Bible, or by a thought suggested, as more besitting their condition because of that, without weighing the Word it self; and lay more weight upon that word than upon another that hath the same authority and suitableness to their case, which is to make a Weerd, or Fortunebook of the Book of God, for which end he never appointed it. Thus also men are guilty, when they account Sacraments more valid, or lay more weight on them, because dispensed by some Ministers, than when dispensed by others, though having the same warrant, or because of the difference of persons that partake therein with them;
However some of these things may be in themselves good, yet they are abused by some one circumstance, as in unwarrantable timing them, or in laying that weight on them which is not warranted in the Word, which 1. Altereth the way that God has laid down. 2. Bringeth us to prefer one circumstance to another, without any warrant. 3. Maketh a necessity where God has left us free, and so bringeth us into Bondage.
3. We may go wrong in practising lawful duties many ways, as to the manner of performing them, when they are not so done as is required: As 1. When we do not propose to our selves the right end we should have before us. 2. When they are not done from a right inward Principle. 3. When they are done in Hypocrisy and Formality, and rested on; all which may go along with men in all Duties and Ordinances; and generally all our short-comings in the right manner of commanded duties striketh against this Command.
3. We may go wrong in practising lawful duties many ways, as to the manner of performing them, when they are not so done as is required: As 1. When we do not propose to our selves the right end we should have before us. 2. When they are not done from a right inward Principle. 3. When they are done in Hypocrisie and Formality, and rested on; all which may goe along with men in all Duties and Ordinances; and generally all our short-comings in the right manner of commanded duties striketh against this Command.
4thly. We may also consider the breach of this Command, by taking a view of what is opposite to every thing required; and so want of Reverence in Worship, want of Zeal against error or false worship, not stretching our selves in all lawful endeavours to entertain and maintain the true worship of God, are here forbidden; so likewise the putting in, and keeping in unworthy Ministers; the traducing, holding out, and putting out of Faithful Men; the with-drawing and Sequestring their maintenance from them; the diminishing of it, or straitening them in it. Horrid sins, though little thought of, and lightly looked on by Men, drawing no less deep before God than obstructing the free course of the Gospel, breaking up the treaty of peace betwixt God and Sinners, carried on by Faithful Ministers, as the Ambassadors of Jesus Christ; and saying on the matter that he shall not see of the fruit of the travel of his soul in the salvation of the souls of men to his satisfaction, so far as they can impede it by outing and discountenancing his Ministers, the instruments made use of by him for bringing about; and thus also, all Sacrilege, Simony, and the like, cometh in as breaches of this Command; and all Partiality in Church-proceedings, Toleration of Errors, countenancing the spreaders of them, slighting of discipline, conversing unnecessarily and unwarrantable with such as are Excommunicate, and all unwarrantable ⟨p. 75⟩innovating in the external worship of God; and when we are not aiming and endeavouring to have our Children and Servants, and all under our charge, brought under subjection and conformity to the Ordinances and Service of God as well as our selves.
4thly. We may also consider the breach of this Command, by taking a view of what is opposite to every thing required; and so want of Reverence in Worship, want of Zeal against errour or false worship, not streatching our selves in all lawful •ndeavours to entertain and maintain the true worship of God, are here forbidden; so likewise the putting in, and keeping in unworthy Ministers; the traducing, holding out, and putting out of Faithful Men; the with-drawing and Sequestring their maintenance from them; the diminishing of it, or straitning them in it. Horrid sins, though little thought of, and lightly look'd on by Men, drawing no less deep before God than obstructing the free course of the Gospel, breaking up the treaty of peace betwixt God and Sinners, carryed on by Faithful Ministers, as the Ambassadors of Jesus Christ; and saying on the matter that he shall not see of the fruit of the travel of his soul in the salvation of the souls of men to his satisfaction, so far as they can impede it by outing and discountenancing his Ministers, the instruments made use of by him for bringing about; and thus also, all Sacriledge, Simony, and the like, cometh in as breaches of this Command; and all Partiality in Church-proceedings, Tolleration of Errours, countenancing the spreaders of them, slighting of discipline, conversing unnecessarily and unwarrantable with such as are Excommunicate, and all unwarrantable
2. Men sin against this Command, when they practise will-worship and superstition in servin • God by duties he never required •• whether •. It be Will-worship in respect of the Service it self, as when that is gone about as duty, which is not in it s •lf lawful, as when such and such Pilgrimages and Penances are appointed by men to be done as Service to God: Or 2. When worship, or Service under the Gospel is astricted to such a place, as if it were Holier to pray in one place than in another, and that therefore God did hear Prayer there more willingly and easily than in another place. Or 3. In respect of bodily posture, as if there were more Religion in one posture than in another; as in receiving the Lords-Supper Kneeling, or Praying in such and such a posture, except in so far as it is decent, and otherwise rightly regulate by •ules of Prudence and Natures light. 4. When it is without a Divine Warrant tyed to such a time only, as Christmass, (commonly called Yool) Easter, Pasche, &c. which is an Observing of times that God hath not appointed. 5. When it is tyed to such an occasion or accident, as, to Pray when the Clock striketh, or when on • Neeseth, which Plinius marked of Tiberius, who was no Religious man, yet could not abide one who lifted not his Hat when he Neesed, and said not, God bless; and he observeth it among ⟨p. 73⟩these things he can give no reason for; the Prayer is good, but the timing of it so, and astricting it to that thing, is superstitious; so your lightwakes and Diriges (as ye call them) are upon this account to be condemned, either as superstitious, or as prophane, or at the best, as the reliques and causes or occasions of both: For 1. Once in times of Popish darkness they were so used, or rather abused. 2. Why are your Visits stinted to such a time more than another? It profiteth not the defunct, and it hurteth the person you come unto; a multitude not being •it for comforting or instructing; and yet it cannot be called a meer civil visit, being trusted with such an occasion; but certainly it suteth not, nor is it a Christian carriage toward the Dead, and after the Burial of the Dead, to spend time together in such a way as is commonly used: