A77847:70
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,…
The reformation of the church to be endeavoured more then that of the common-wealth, declared, in a sermon preached before the Right Honourable House of Lords at the public fast, August 27. 1645. / By Anthony Burges, pastor of Sutton Coldfield, and now preacher at Laurence-Jury, London.The reformation of the church to be endeavoured more then that of the common-vvealth, declared, in a sermon preached before the Right Honourable House of Lords at the publike fast, August 27. 1645. / By Anthony Burges, pastour of Sutton Coldfield, and now preacher at Laurence-Jury, London.
London: printed by G.M. for T. Underhill, 1645London: printed by G.M. for T. Vnderhill, 1645
Title page typeset from the transcription.
A SERMON Preached before the Right Honourable the House of LORDS, A… › Part › Application
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.
The last Objection is, wherein should England be reformed? Hath not the Church thereof been famous for her orthodoxy? what can be done more to her? I answer, to settle wholesome orders, and spiritual discipline against sin. It's not enough for a Church to be orthodox, but she ought to be holy also, and the Scripture is not only a rule for faith, but for our life also: now take those places of Scripture, 1 Cor. 5.11. 2 Thess. 3.6. what little influence had they upon our Kingdom? O, but this will bring men into bondage and slavery! no more then to have Physicians in the Common-wealth, then to have Pilates in a ship: these orders of Christ are merely medicinal, utiliter vincitur, cui licentia iniquitatis eripitur.
The last Objection is, wherein should England be reformed? Hath not the Church thereof been famous for her orthodoxy? what can be done more to her? I answer, to settle wholsome orders, and spirituall discipline against sin. It's not enough for a Church to be orthodox, but she ought to be holy also, and the Scripture is not only a rule for faith, but for our life also: now take those places of Scripture, 1 Cor. 5.11. 2 Thess. 3.6. what little influence had they upon our Kingdom? O, but this will bring men into bondage and slavery! no more then to have Physicians in the Common-wealth, then to have Pilates in a ship: these orders of Christ are meerly medicinall, utiliter vincitur, cui licentia iniquitatis eripitur.
Again, these orders of Christ are not terrible, for he hath commanded them to be administered, with all love, tenderness and compassion. Luther said, while he was still leavened with Popish principles of contrition, and their penance, there was no more bitter word in all the Scripture then resipisce, repent: but when he understood the Gospel, then it was precious and welcome. Thus it may be with the orders of Christ, while they are looked upon as made odious