For these then (and under this head I compare all such persons, as keeping in practice within the bonds before laid forth do so far forth hold the foundation, as that neither by believing what is not, or disbelieving what indeed is, they do take in, or keep off, any such thing as wherewithal being embraced, or without which being rejected, the life of Christ cannot in any case possibly consist, nor salvation by him be obtained) as the magistrate is not bound by any rule or pre- cept to assist and maintain them, in the practice of those things wherein they dissent from the truth, so he is bound to protect them in peace and quietness, in the enjoyment of all civil rights and liberties ; nor hath he either warrant or allowance to proceed against them, as to the least penalty, for their dissent in those things they cannot receive. At- tempts for uniformity among saints, or such as for ought we can conclude, either from their opinions or practices may be so, by external force are purely antichristian.
2dly. Now for those that stand at a greater distance from the publicly owned and declared truths, such as before we spake of, the orderly way of dealing with such is, in the first place, to bring them ofl' from the error of the way, which they have embraced ; and until that be done, all thoughts of drawing in their assent to that, from which at such a dis- tance they stand, is vain and bootless. Now what course is to be taken for the effecting of this? Spiritual ways of healing are known to all, let them be used, and incase they prove fruitless, for ought that yet I can perceive, the person of men so erring must be left in the state and condition we described under the second head.
And now to drive on this business any farther by way of contest I will not; my intention at the beginning was only
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positively to assert, and to give in briefly, the scriptural and rational bottoms, and proofs of those assertions j wherein I have gone aside, to pull or thrust a line of debate, I have transgressed against ray own purpose, I hope it will be par- doned : though I am heartily desirous any thing which pass- eth my pen, may be brought to the test, and myself reduced where I have gone amiss ; yet my spirit faints within me, to think of that way of handling things in controversy, which some menby reciprocation of answers and replies have wound themselves into. Bolsecte, and Staphylus, and Stapleton, seem to live again, and much gall from beneath to be poured into men's ink. Oh, the deep wounds the gospel hath re- ceived by the mutual keen invectives of learned men ! I hope the Lord will preserve me from being engaged with any man of such a frame of spirit. What hath been asserted may easily be cast up in a few positions, the intelligent reader will quickly discern what is aimed at, and what I have stood to avow.
If what is proposed be not satisfactory, I humbly offer to the honourable parliament, that a certain number of learned men, who are differently minded as to this business of tole- ration, which almost every where is spoken against, may be desired and required to a fair debate of the matter in differ- ence before their own assembly; that so, if it be possible, some light may be given to the determination of this thing, of so great concernment in the judgments of all men, both on the one side and on the other, that so they may ' try all things, and hold fast that which is good.'
Corol. 1. That magistrates have nothing to do in matters of religion, as some unadvisedly affirm, is exceedingly wide from the truth of the thing itself.
Corol. 2. Corporal punishments for simple error were found out to help to build the tower of Babel.
Si quid novisti rectius istis,
Candidus imperti ; si non, his utere mecum.
SERMON IV.*
STEADFASTNESS OF PROMISES,
AND THE
SINFULNESS OF STAGGERING.
• This sermon was preached before the Parliament, Feb. 28, 1649. being a daj set apart for solemn humiliation throughout the nation.
TO
THE COMMONS OF ENGLAND
IV
PARLIAMENT ASSEMBLED.
Sirs, That God in whose hand your breath is, and whose are all your ways, having caused various seasons to pass over you, and in them all manifested, that his works are truth, and his ways judgment, calls earnestly by them for that walking before him, which is required from them, who with other distinguishing mercies, are interested in the specialty of his protecting providence. As in a view of present enjoyments, to sacrifice to your net, and burn incense to your drag, as though by them, your portion were fat and plenteous, is an exceeding provocation to the eyes of his glory ; so to press to the residue of your desires and expectations, by an arm of flesh, the designings and contrivances of carnal reason, with outwardly appearing mediums of their accom- plishment, is no less an abomination to him. Though there may be a present sweetness to them that find the life of the hand, yet their latter end will be, to lie down in sorrow. That you might be prevailed on to give glory to God by steadfastness in believing, committing all your ways to him with patience in well-doing, to the contempt of the most varnished appearance of carnal policy, was my peculiar aim in this ensuing Sermon.