First, Our Divisions from God, by our most grievous sins and 1iniquities. For as smoke driveth Bees out of their Hives, so doth sin drive God away from a Kingdom. And there is nothing that makes God forsake a Kingdom but sin. Isaiah 59. 2. Your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear. Now there is no Nation under heaven, that hath divided it self more from God by sin then England hath. There was a time when the Parliament of England made a whip with six strings to whip many godly people to death. This was in H. the eighths days. There was a time when the Parliament of England did solemnly upon their knees abjure the Gospel, and desire reconciliation with Antichrist. This was done in Q. Mary's days; after which followed the bloody persecution by the Laws then established. And though these Laws were afterwards repealed▪ yet how often have we Apostatized from God since that time? And even at this very day, though there be much talk of Reformation; yet (alas) there was never less practise of Reformation. Our Churches indeed are Reformed, but our hearts and lives are no whit Reformed. Our high altars are taken down, but our high minds are not taken down. The worship of God is purer, but the worshippers are as impure as ever. We have no bowing to the name of Jesus, no bowing to Altars, Images, and Crucifixes. There is less knee-Idolatry; but I fear me, we have as much heart-Idolatry as ever, as much Covetousness, as much trusting to an Arm of flesh as ever. And though our Idolatry be less, yet Adulteries, and Fornications, were never more, I cannot say punished, but I must rather say, Never more committed, and never less punished. Do not men boast of their adulteries, and yet escape unpunished? It is a mercy of God, that scandalous Ministers are thrust out of their livings. But I beseech you tell me, Is there a Law to punish a scandalous Minister; and is there no Law to punish a scandalous Gentleman, and a Lord also if he grow scandalous? Shall the Cheap-side Cross be taken down (wherein you have done well;) and shall your Cheapside iniquities, your Cheapside adulteries yet remain? It is a mercy, that we are freed from the tyranny and cruelty of the High Commission, and Star-chamber. But I am sure, there is as much complaint; I do not say, as just complaint;
First, Our Divisions from God, by our most grievous sinnes and 1iniquities. For as smoake driveth Bees out of their Hives, so doth sinne drive God away from a Kingdome. And there is nothing that makes God forsake a Kingdome but sinne. Isaiah 59. 2. Your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not heare. Now there is no Nation under heaven, that hath divided it selfe more from God by sinne then England hath. There was a time when the Parliament of England made a whip with six strings to whip many godly people to death. This was in H. the eighths dayes. There was a time when the Parliament of England did solemnly upon their knees abiure the Gospell, and desire reconciliation with Antichrist. This was done in Q. Maries dayes; after which followed the bloody persecution by the Lawes then established. And though these Lawes were afterwards repealed▪ yet how often have we Apostatized from God since that time? And even at this very day, though there be much talke of Reformation; yet (alas) there was never lesse practise of Reformation. Our Churches indeed are Reformed, but our hearts and lives are no whit Reformed. Our high altars are taken down, but our high mindes are not taken down. The worship of God is purer, but the worshippers are as impure as ever. We have no bowing to the name of Jesus, no bowing to Altars, Images, and Crucifixes. There is lesse knee-Idolatry; but I feare me, we have as much heart-Idolatry as ever, as much Covetousnesse, as much trusting to an Arme of flesh as ever. And though our Idolatry be lesse, yet Adulteries, and Fornications, were never more, I cannot say punished, but I must rather say, Never more committed, and never lesse punished. Doe not men boast of their adulteries, and yet escape unpunished? It is a mercy of God, that scandalous Ministers are thrust out of their livings. But I beseech you tell me, Is there a Law to punish a scandalous Minister; and is there no Law to punish a scandalous Gentleman, and a Lord also if he grow scandalous? Shall the Cheap-side Crosse be taken down (wherein you have done well;) and shall your Cheapside iniquities, your Cheapside adulteries yet remaine? It is a mercy, that we are freed from the tyranny and crueltie of the High Commission, and Star-chamber. But I am sure, there is as much complaint; I doe not say, as iust complaint;
- 1A Catalogue of the divisions of England, and what cause to mourn for them. 1. Our Divisions from God.A Catalogue of the divisions of England, and what cause to mourne for them. 1. Our Divisions from God.
