The reformation of the church to be endeavoured more then that of the common-wealth,…The reformation of the church to be endeavoured more then that of the common-vvealth,…

Use. This is a reproof to those who are willing for the one, but cannot abide the other: By what hath been delivered you may see how happy and blessed a thing it is to a Common wealth, when governors and people are as desirous to have the liberties which Christ hath given his Church confirmed, as their state liberties; when they desire to see the Church of God in her spiritual beauty, as well as the Common wealth in flourishing prosperity. But this is the great eye-sore and trouble to many; they ⟨p. 15⟩would have it better with the state, and are not affected with a reformation in the Church; and this carnal disposition was of old; Austin speaks much to this purpose about the Heathens, who cried out of the Christian religion, as the cause of all their troubles and miseries; They would have peace again, though they had thereby, mala saevis pejora hostibus; and he bringeth in an Heathen, saying, Let us have our feasts again, our merry meetings, reges non curent quam bonis, sed quam subtitis regnant; non jubeantur dura, non prohibeantur impura; Let no hard duties be commanded, no impure ways forbidden; Ille sit publicus inimicus cui haec felicitaes displicet. Lib. 1. de civit. cap. 30. I fear these things lye in the bottom of many mens hearts, who yet are very willing to have all state grievances taken away.

Vse. This is a reproofe to those who are willing for the one, but cannot abide the other: By what hath been delivered you may see how happy and blessed a thing it is to a Common wealth, when governours and people are as desirous to have the liberties which Christ hath given his Church confirmed, as their state liberties; when they desire to see the Church of God in her spirituall beauty, as well as the Common wealth in flourishing prosperity. But this is the great eye-sore and trouble to many; they ⟨p. 15⟩would have it better with the state, and are not affected with a reformation in the Church; and this carnall disposition was of old; Austin speaks much to this purpose about the Heathens, who cried out of the Christian religion, as the cause of all their troubles and miseries; They would have peace againe, though they had thereby, mala saevis pejora hostibus; and he bringeth in an Heathen, saying, Let us have our feasts again, our merry meetings, reges non curent quam bonis, sed quam subtitis regnant; non jubeantur dura, non prohibeantur impura; Let no hard duties be commanded, no impure waies forbidden; Ille sit publicus inimicus cui haec felicitaes displicet. Lib. 1. de civit. cap. 30. I fear these things lye in the bottome of many mens hearts, who yet are very willing to have all state grievances taken away.