Christians, tells them directly, that thier tumult fprang not out of any probable reason, but meerly, on

ζειν ἐκ ̓ ἔξεσιν αὐτοῖς, καὶ γράφειν διαθήκας καὶ ἀλλοτρίες σφετ τερίζεται κληρὲς καὶ πάντα ἑαυτοις προσνέμειν. But only because he had made it unlawful for them to fit as Judges between Man and Man, to interpose themselves in matters of Wills, to interpret other Mens poffeffions to their own uses, to make divifion of all things unto themselves: That much of this might be probable, I will not easily deny. He that fhall look into the Acts of Christians, as they are recorded by more indifferent Writers, fhall easily perceive, that all that were Chriftians were not Saints. But this is the Teftimony of an Enemy. Yea, but have not our Friends taken up the fame complaint? Doubtless if it had been the voice and approbation of the Bridegroom, that Secular State and Authority had belonged to the Church, either of due or of neceffity, the friends of the Bridegroom hearing it, would have rejoyced at it; but it is found they have much forrowed at it. St. Hillary much offended with the Opinion, that even Orthodox Bishops of his time had tai ken up, that it was a thing very neceffary for the Church to lay hold on the temporal Sword, in a Tract of his against Auxentius the Arrian Bishop of Millain, thus plainly be fpeaks them, Ac primum miferari libet noftræ ætatis labo-! rem. And first of all, I must needs pity the labour of our Age, and bewail the fond Opinions of the prefent times, by which Men fuppofe the arm of Flesh can much advantage God, and ftrive to defend, by fecular ambition, the Church of Chrift. I beseech you, Bifhops, you that take your felves fo to be, whofe: Authority in preaching of the Gofpel did the Apostles fe? By the help of what powers preached they Chrift, and turned almost all Nations from Idols to God? Took they unto themselves any honour out of Princes Palaces, who after their stripes, amidft their Chains in Prifon, fung Praifes unto God? Did St. Paul, when he was made a spectacle in the Theatre, fum

mon together the Churches of Chrift by the Edicts and Writs of Kings? Tis likely he had the fafe Conduct of Nero, or Vefpafian, or Decius, through whose hate unto us, the Con feffion of the Faith grew more famous. Those men who maintained themselves with their own hands and industry, whose Solemn Meetings were in Parlors and Secret Closets; who travelled through Villages and Towns, and whole Countries by Sea and Land, in spite of the Prohibition of Kings and Councils; 'Tis to be thought that these had the Keys of the Kingdom of Heaven. Did not the power of God fufficiently manifeft it felf above Man's hate, when by fo much the more Chrift was Preached, by how much he was forbidden to be taught. But now, which is a grief to think, duft and earth's approbation gives countenance to the Sacred Faith. Whilst means are made to joyn ambitious Titles to the name. of Christ, Chrift hath loft the reputation of felf-fufficiency. The Church now terrifies with Exile, and Prisons, and conStrains men to believe her, who was wont to find no place but in Prifons and Banishment. She depends upon the good accep

tation of her Favourites, who was wont to be hallowed in the fear of her Perfecutors She now puts Priests to flight, who was formerly propagated by Fugitive Priests. She glories that she is beloved of the World, who could never have been Christ's,. except the World had hated her. What fhall we answer to this complaint? Our Enemies are apt to traduce the good things in us, our Friends to flatter our Vice, and imbecillity: But when our Friends and Enemies do both joyntly confent to lay open our fhame, to whose judgment fhall we appeal, or whether fhall we flie? Whether? even to thee, O Lord Chrift, but not as to a Judge; too well we know thy Sentence. Thou haft sent us Meffengers of Peace, but we, like Hierufalem, thy ancient Love, have not understood the things belonging to our Peace. O Lord, let us know them in this our day, and let them no longer be hidden from our eyes. Look down, O Lord, upon thy poor Difmem

bred

1

bred Church, rent and torn with difcords, and even ready to fink. Why fhould the Neutral, or Atheist any longer confirm himfelf in his irreligion by reafons drawn from our Diffentions? Or why fhould any greedy minded Worldling prophecy unto himself, the Ruins of thy. Sanctuary, or hope one day to dip his foot in the blood of thy Church? We will hope, O Lord, (for what hinders;) that notwithstanding all fuppofed impoffibilis. ties, thou wilt one day in Mercy look down upon thy Sion, and grant a gracious interview of friends fo long divided. Thou that wroughteft that Great Reconciliation between God and Man, is thine Arm waxen fhorter? was it poffible to reconcile God to Man? To reconcile Man to Man is it impoffible? Be with thofe, we be feech thee, to whom the Profecution of Church-Controverfies is committed, and like a good Lazarus drop one cooling drop into their Tongues, and Pens too too much exafperated each against other. And if it be thy determinate Will and Counsel, that this abomination of defolation standing where it ought not, continue unto the end, accomplish thou with fpeed the number of thine Elect, and haften the coming of thy Son our Saviour, that he may himself in perfon fit, and judge, and give an end to our controverfies, fince it ftands not with any human poffibility. Direct thy Church, O Lord, in all her petitions for peace, teach her wherein her peace confifts, and warn her from the World, and bring her home to thee; that all those that love thy peace, may at laft have the reward of the Sons of Peace, and Reign with thee in thy Kingdom of Peace for ever. Grant this, O God, for thy Sons fake, Jefus Christ our Lord, to whom with thee, and the Holy Ghoft, be afcribed all Praise, Might, Majefty, and Dominion, now and for

ever.

The

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The profit of GODLINESS.

The First

SERMON

On I TIM. iv. 8.

But Godliness is profitable unto all things.

Hat which Zeba and Zalmanna tell Gideon, in the Book of Judges, As is the Man, So is his Strength, is true not only as we are Men, but as we are Chriftians too. As is the Chriftian, fo is his ftrength for the performance of the Acts of Christianity. Some Chriftians are as ether was, young, and unfit to draw the Sword; others as Gideon, firong, and fit for Manlike employments. Some Chriftians there are, to whom there can no better' Argument be used then the love of Christ, and the commemoration of their duties: 'Such 'as St. Paul was, who to gain Chrift, efteemed all other things as dung. Others there are that cannot think fo meanly of the World at firft, but as Naaman vowed to ferve God, and would bow himself in the House of Rimmon; fo yet they can be content to give their names unto Chrift,

but

but with fome refpect, and bowing to the World: and fuch are the greateft part of Profeffors. The Spole in the fortieth Pfalm could be content to forget her own People, , and her Fathers Houfe; but fcarcely is there a Soul fo wedded to Chrift, as that it can forget the World, that hath nurs'd and bred it up that hath had fo long, fo inward, fo fweet acquaintance and familiarity with it. This is a fecond and weaker fort of Chriftians: The Holy Ghost being to deal with fuch, is content to condefcend unto their weakness, and in this little piece of Scripture which I have read, feems as it were to fhew a willingness to endure the World, to enjoy fome part of our love: by an Argument drawn from our Love to gain and profit, he labours to win our love to him: and as Rebecca did with old Ifaac, provide us fuch meat as our Soul loves. In the words therefore, we will firft by way of Introduction and Preface confider, what caufe the Holy Ghoft might have to ufe this Argument, drawn from Profit and Commodity. Secondly, we will confider the words themselves, and firft, of the Reafon of this Motive.

G

Profit and Commodity is a Lure, that calls the greatest part of the World after it. Most of the bargains which the World makes, are Copied out according to that pattern, which Judas gave at the betraying of Chrift, Wat will ye give me, and I will betray, deliver him into your bands? This question, What will ye give me? what commadity, what profit will accrue unto me? is the preface

and

way into all our actions. Good or evil men will do neither, except it be by way of bargain and fale. This common disease of the World, hath likewife feized upon the Profeffors of Godliness: except this alfo bring us in fome Revenue, it hath no favour. It was the Devil's question unto God concerning Job, Doth Fob ferve God for nought? hast thou not hedged him on every fide, and laid thine hand upon him? Indeed he mistook Fol's mind, for R 4

し、

Fob