The Interest stated.

BEing to treat of the interest of the creature only, Rom. 11.33.1 Joh. 5.7. I shall not speak of the interest of the Creator, of GOD himself, Joh. 5.26. Rev. 8.22. which is so deeply and unsearchably laid in his own Essence, Act. 17.28. Jer. 23.23, 34. each person in the Godhead subsisting in the same in­fiinite onenesse or being, Rom. 1.20 and so acting abroad adessentially, Psal. 8.5. and intrinsecally upon the creature. Ps. 13 5.6.

[Page 2] There is not any thing created, but it hath an interest, there is a naturall or physicall interest, that which con­sists in such a being or cause, or in se­verall causes which are in consociati­on, to the producing and improving such and such effects; and this inter­est is strengthened and improved by the putting forth the effects and cau­sations.

2. There is a political or civil in­terest, Judg. 16.17. and that is the strength of every State: 1 Chron. 19.2. as Sampson had his locks wherein his might lay, Act. 12.20. so there is no Kingdome or State but they have their locks, 2 Kings 18.39. some complication where their power is twisted and takes root, and like vines cast out them­selves in severall veins and sinews of negotiation, and so acquire improve­ments.

But there is a Supernaturall inter­est, and that is it which I aim at in this place, or an intorest of Reforma­tion: this interest is considerable, either towards God, or towards men.

The interest towards God is in­created, divine, more immediate, more [Page 3] immanent, more pure, and primary.

The interest towards man is more incorporated, more complicated, more circumstantiated, more secondary.

These two parts, if well studied, might be exalted into a transcendent science, and it is pitty that now when severall Ages of Reformation draws on, few or none that I know, elder or more modern, that have much en­quired into the mystery & sublimity, whereas every variety here below is drawn up into systemes and a­phorismes, only this wanders incom­pleatly under the shadow of the science Theologie, which is so uni­versall, that there is not that perfe­ction attained in it, as there might be, if like other Sciences it were taken in, or inclosed, and so studied; for then some whose spirituall ingeny might be of a complexion fitter for such or such a part in Divinity, would apply thither, when as now they wander up and down in the un­bounded wastes of Theologie, and like the Philosopher, who laying him­self out to nature at large, sits down [Page 4] with a narrow satisfaction; whereas the [...]stronomer, or any other single scienced person, knows every star and circle, and variation, and hath a more exact and particular knowledge, then such an universall contemplation can give him.

The increated Interest:

FIrst then for the Interest of Re­formation, as it relates to God, I mean the supernaturall interest, or the increated interest: and we must know it lies radically in the counsels of God, and subsists in his power and infinity, and takes not degrees and improvements here below, as other interests naturall and politicall do: and therefore it is, that the Interest of Reformation rayes out in some ages gloriously at its very first rise, & then when it seems to have the least in­gagement or complication below, but seemes rather to flow from new created springs and originals, so as [Page 5] that scripture holds forth, Things which are seen, Heb. 11.2 [...] are not made of things which do appeare: Psal. [...]7. [...] and though some­times other contraries may seem to have anticipated all the interest, and taken up the advantages beforehand, yet on a sudden God lets out an ef­fusion of light, and spirit, and in a moment disinteresses and dispossesses all the former, and this appeares in that, when the people which sate in darknesse saw great light, Mat. 3 [...] and to them which sate in the region and shadow of darknesse, light is sprung up: for as the appearance of Christ to judge­ment, is implied to be momentary, As the lightning that lightneth out of the one part of heaven, Luk. 17.24. shineth unto the other part, so shall also the Son of man be in his day: now the Son of man is thus in his day of Reformation, as well as Condemnation; and as in light there is not that graduall alteration, and propagation, and working for interest in the aire, but a transfusion and illumination in such an intermi­nate subject or body, because there is not in it any quality contrary, or ob­structive, [Page 6] that can put any impedi­ment to so immateriall a thing as light: So it is in the spirituall trans­fusions of grace and reformation, when the power and will of God car­ries it and applies it irresistibly, effi­caciously to such and such a season or State, or people; for God being as it were more immediate, and in­distant, and intrinsecal in this work, he will not sometimes admit of any such grosse or inferiour artifice, and preparings, and consociations, which argues an impotencie in the agent and work: but as he is infinite, and the Creator, so he commands the creature to make room, and the crea­ture in an obedientiall and passive ca­pacity opens and entertains his di­spensations, this is then when he would make bare (as it were) his glory, and shew himself to his peo­ple, and put off the creature, and as it were devest himself of his interests here below, & act more immediately upon the world, and then his light and dispensation is carried on without reluctancy or disputings in the crea­ture, [Page 7] there is a melting at his pre­sence, this divine work is sweetly in­sinuated in that Scripture, Psal. 97.4, 5. his light­nings enlightned the world, the earth saw and trembled, the hills melted like waxe at the presence of the Lord: the earth trembles, the earth, or the most grosse and opace impediment [...], the hils, or high obstructions flow down, and are powred out, when God powres out himselfe in any strong activity upon them.

The work of Reformation being of this nature in part, and such an im­mediate efflux of God in Christ, we should rise into higher conceptions and contemplations concerning it, and find out the interest on which it turns, in the most spirituall motions and beginnings.

The more spirituall effluxes of the Interest, with a Caution.

ANd these are the very same which God brought his Dispen­sations into the world by at first, and [Page 8] carried on his truths on a naked pow­er, witnesse all his miraculous actings for his Law and Church then under Moses & Joshua, God carrying them on by a mighty hand, and after under several Judges, & by such sudden light­nings of mercy, when all their own interest was lost & overflowed by the enemies, as the Scriptures intimate; Then the Lord raised them up a Deli­verer. Jud. 3.15. The sudden restoring of the worship under Asa, Jehoshaphat, He­zekiah, Josiah: And so the raising of the Temple under Cyrus and Darius, the expressions all hold out the most high, and divine risings, and actings, as those concerning Cyrus, Ezra 1.1. [...] The Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus, and then rose up the fathers of Benjamin, and Judah, with all them whose spirit God had raised to go up: and as these con­cerning Artaxerxes, N [...]h. 28.18. And the King granted me ( sayes Nehemiah) accord­ing to the good hand of God upon me, and then I told them of the hand of my God which was good upon me: And in the time of Mordecai, Esth. 9.1. And in that very day that the e [...]mies of the Jews [Page 9] hoped to have rule over them it was turned to the contrary, and the Jews had rule over them. And thus the Re­formation under the Gospel was carried on by a pure heavenly work, and immediate concurrence; Mark. 16.20. The Lord (saith the Scripture) working with them, and confirming the Word With signes following, and many of them which heard the Word beleeven, and the number of the men was about five thousand, all on sudden: Act. 4.4. Thus the Interest of Reformation, or the Gospel, lay then most in the naked and immediate power of God, subsist­ing in his very omnipotencie, and so in divers ages to this; though in a particular account from Ecclesi­asticall Story, we may soon be led in­to some false experiments of this in­terest; for it was a luxuriancie in some of them, to put down some mira­culous passages, or stories, which in­deed are very questionable; for the mysterie of iniquity working higher every age then other, the learning of after times, partly in an easie and cor­rupt piety, and partly in a policie to [Page 10] preserve the reputation of so divine an interest, kept up many Legends to this day: But for later Centuries, in France, and Gormanie, Scotland, and our own kingdom, God hath brought in himself according to the former Scriptures, with an high hand with signes and wonders, with raising and stirring up the spirits of his people, working even immediately by him­self; casting out the interest of Anti­christianisme and Prelaecie, and place­ing his owne there, as at this day, we experience in the late opening of hea­ven, and radiation upon this King­dom, when the Prelaecy was at highest, and interweaving it self into Popery, and fastening its interest at the very foot of the Chair in Rome.

How the increated Interest works to be discerned below.

THis increated interest of the Go­spel lying thus in the counsels, wisdom, and power of God, it comes abroad sometimes on the Wheele of [Page 11] some omnipotency, when God hath a purpose to undo or dissolve the ga­therings, and strong holds, the wis­dom of the world, and to exalt him­self to the eyes of his people and his enemies, Wonderfull things did he in the land of Egypt in the field of Zoan: And here we may rise into this enqui­ry, How God may be discerned in such a work? though best by the Spirit, which searches the deep things of God. 1 Cor. 2.10.

First, God, in making any clear discovery of this interest, must assume such Agents as may not seem to stand in the way of his omnipotency, I mean, by casting any shadow upon it, but they must be such as he may be seen in, even to a carnall eye, as the Ma­gitians of Egypt, who could then only discern God, & but his finger neither, in the judgement of Lice; Exo. 8.19. of this na­ture were those things he made use on, as Moses rod, and Aarons, Num. 17. both blossoming with miracles al [...]ke, the Waters of Jordan, rams horns, Josh. 3.15 16 17. lamps and pitchers, a sling and a pible stone, the jaw bone ef an Asse, clay and spit­tle, Josh. 6.20 handkerchiefs and shadows, Judg. 7.2 [...] a Gi­deon [Page 12] or poorest family in Manasseh, 1 Sam. 17.50. and he the poorest in his fathers house, Jud. 15.15 and thus the Gospel had its rise and in­crease, Joh. 9.6, 7 God choosing the base things, Act. 19.12 the weak things, Act. 5 15. and foolish things, fishermen, Judg. 6.15 and Women, and laying a­side whatsoever might exalt it self, 1. Cor. 1.27, 28. so as not many wise men after the flesh, Ma [...]. 1.16.17. nor many mighty, nor many noble were called: 1 Cor. 1.26. Nay, in the great and finall work for his Church, 1 Cor. 1.21. his very word, which he cals (in the name of the world) the foolishnesse of preaching, shall be acted by that omnipotency, as all the power of [...]abylon seems only to fall at the noise of that: I dispute not here, what other concomitant God may annex, yet the Word car­ries the reputation; and it is most reasonable, in this way of the Lords working, that God should overthrow them by that, which they in their own wisdome reputed but foolishnes.

The Interest suffers no change from the creature.

NOw this interest is only and en­tire in God, and the Designe works only below for compleating the body of Christ; and this body is made up of all nations and kindreds, and though in some nations where the Gospel is, God may not equally dispence successe or advancement to it, but may often in his own wisdom let the interest seem to dye out, as in our own Kingdom, and that of Scot­land, he hath formerly done, and in that of Ireland of late; yet even then we must look at the designe of Refor­mation, as it is in God, and not in the creature, and not think so far below such a glorious businesse, as if the pe­rishing or wasting in any particular had put any stop to the work of God, as if any thing of the world had pow­er to disorder the uniformity of such a work, and should put God about, but [Page 14] we must know that God hath fully and from eternity made up the glory of this businesse: and though there may be unevennesse on the worldly side of it, yet on the heavenly side of it there is none; as in former inter­ruptions, not only when God dwelt in curtains, and in a Temple made with hands; but after, when he took up a more spirituall habitation in his people, Acts 8.1. for even then their Churches were scattered abroad throughout the Regions of Judea, and Samaria, except the Apostles: & here the Spirit hints to us, how God sometimes locks up or layes up his interest in some re­mainder, as here in the Apostles, when the rest were scattered, the word it self was hid in the root of Jesse, and the branch, Dan. 4.20 the tree in the vision had a stump left in the earth, 1 King. 19 18. and God had seven thousand unknown to the Pro­phet, which had not bowed to Baal, and the woman which he lodged in the wil­dernesse, to whom he gave the wings of an Eagle.

Isa. 55.5. My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your wayes my wayes; [Page 15] God hath divers ends in making o­vertures of light, and withdrawing it, in Gods work there is nothing lost nor in vain, and when the wis­dom of man is not able to make any thing of disadvantages, the wisdom of God can. Christ is the same yester­day, and to day, and for ever, nor in him is any variablenesse or shadow of change.

I shall here for a further advance­ment to this, make a discovery of such secret principles, as if clearly discus­sed, might prove of powerfull advan­tage, to some present and succeeding controversies.

A right stating of the Churches Inte­rest, of great concernment to some present Controversies.

IF the Churches Interest hath been alwayes below, (I speak now of the period from Christ) then this saves the birth of a new Ministery, or Ordinances, and all this may stand [Page 16] good: viz. Of receiving them out of mysticall Babylon, as the Jews did the golden vessels, then it would be dis­cussed whether any such way of argu­ing 1 did strengthen that of a necessary 2 visibility, and whether it did as fully advance the Attributes of God: viz. his omnipotencie, &c. and equally comply with the revealed designe of God in his word, of alwayes preser­ving a Church; and whether the de­fection, or ap [...]tacie, and the slaying 1 of the witnesses could stand with such 2 a Church- nterest, and how the temple of God, on which Antichrist sits, her golden cups or jewels, may be in the Spirits sense the true Church or Or­dinances in bondage, or only a coun­terfeiting 3 or resembling; and what 4 the Tabernacle of God coming down may imply, whether such a continued inter [...]st or no; and whether the Scrip­tures themselves, being the Ark of Gods revealed will, be not the conserva­tory of the Interest in such intervals, and whether th [...] hur [...]h or Scriptures 5 be the fitter Subjects, according to Gods method and rule of working, [Page 17] for preserving and propagating such an interest.

And if the Church hath alwayes had 1 an interest, whether this interest hath been alwayes the same from the first, because some do so quarrell that, and call it a going to Moses from Christ, a seeking for Gospel to the Law; and indeed, if some stronger labours were of this nature in full, not in broken Treatises, then as yet we have seen, they might heale many an objection about our Ministery and Ordinances, which for want of it, some may think lie too open: and here might be 1 ope­ned the severall administrations God took up for such seasons, and how 2 far such administrations were inten­ded to be answerable to each other, both before the Law, and under the Law, and how the Law is fulfilled in 3 the Gospell, and whether there be not 4 a fulfilling by way of eminency; and if so, then whether there be any such spe­ciall or particular relating in the 5 Or­dinances under Christ, Abraham, and Moses: and this done, the subject and circumstances of one Ordinance [Page 18] which fals under so peremptory a precept (I mean Circumcision) will sooner clear up to the weaker judge­ments.

And in this it would be observed what latitude such proof allows, whe­ther Papists can take any of the same shadow to sit under for proving any thing of their Hierarchy, Ceremonies, and musick, to be a fulfilling of that part of the Law, the Priesthood and Service.

All these things deserve large and 1 powerfull discourses, because from these such consequences spring up as may trouble our ages more then they yet have done, especially we being now laying our corner stones, and be­ginning to build: and this I should recommend to the pens of the most godly learned of our age, by way of speciall advancement to the cause of God at this present.

The contemplation of this Interest ve­ry strengthening, and the higher, the more safe.

I Intend at this time but to let out a glimpse of this Interest of Refor­mation, to awaken us into a closer pursuit and enquiry after it, for I know not any that have taken pains in this, except godly Bucer; and he hath not pursued this Interest under this notion; nor higher then into the next organicall part of it, concerning the Kingdom of Christ in its severall administrations; and believe it, if this part were rightly and supreamly dis­cussed, and held forth in such ages as this, when God is casting out new beams every day to the world, till at length all be on a pure light, and our day be like the first day of the Creati­on when God said, Let there be light, as if all the stars and luminaries of heaven were disbanded, and let out from their Orbs, when the light of the [Page 20] Moon shall be as the light of the Sun, and the light of the Sun as the light of seven dayes: If this part, I say, of the the Reformation were methodically heightned and drawn into principles, and Aphorismes, it would raise up the soules of Gods people in all sea­sons, and would be a subliming and strengthening to faith, even the very substance of things hoped for, Heb. 11.1. and the evidence of things that are not seen and such a spiritualizing to the soul, that we might live in the same regi­on with the Apostle, whose conver­sation (as he sayes) was in heaven, in the same region with Enoch, who walked with God, and with all the blessed Saints & Patriarchs, who stu­died the science of this interest more then any; and therefore it is, that they stood firm & higher then all the low­er regions of Providence, even in a serene firmament all the time of los­ses, and tempests, and miscarriages, & declinings, Heb. 11.27. as seeing him who is invisi­ble, and looking for a City which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.

[Page 21] But this is not the interest we look so much after in this age, men are carried by lower and more naturall interests, which draw and entice the soule into the senses, and so incar­nates the contemplations and graces of the soul, and when we should live a life even hid wi [...]h Christ in God, Col. 3. we are hiding our life in the things be­low, rising and falling, ebbing and flowing with the ordinary Providen­ces, not being able to attain to that spirituall consistencie of soule which the former agents in Reformation had, Nay, you shall see, that even the holy men of God, while they let themselves down into these outward Providences, they would often de­cline some degrees, as David, 1 Sam. 27.1. I shall one day perish by the hand of Saul: and as Paul, Sirs, Act. 27.10 I perceive that this voyage will be with hurt and much damage, not only of the lading of the ship, but also of our lives; but when he had conversed more above, and had seen a vision from God, he then could say, Sirs, I now exhort you to be of good cheer, Act. 27.22, 23, 24. for there shall be no [Page 22] losse of any mans life among you, for this night there stood by me the Angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve. The reason that there are so many doubtings, and despondencies, and discouragements, is only this, Many look too much upon the naturall in­terest of Reformation, not upon the supernaturall, and that which is the more hidden and secret, which though it be invisible, and not so discernable to a carnall eye, yet it is the only unchangeable, eternall & sure interest, hid and involved in God himself, and in his power and wisdome; but the soul and spirit of man being in union and correspondencie with something more corporeall then it self, the body inclines after interests that are cor­poreal too, as outward power and forces, and successe, and excellencie of agents and instruments, and strength of contributions, and auxiliaries, and whatsoever may conduce to the ad­vancing and propagating the cause below; and if once they look about, and see not the workings, the relati­ons, advantages, contextures, and ful­nesse [Page 23] of things below as they expect, and saw usually before, they are presently cast down, and never on the wings of comfort, but when things have a strong and naturall interest, and are on wing too; as the weak Spouse could then only delight her self abroad, when she could see the floures appeare on the earth, Cant. 2.12, 13. and heare th [...] singing of birds, and the vo [...]ce of the turtle, and see the figtree putting forth, and the vines with the tender grapes. These puttings forth, and blossoms, and outward appearance, and visibility of things is the support and only comfort of the Spouse: Can. 5.4. thus she was raised too, when she saw but her lover putting in his finger at the holes of the door. So it is with the Spouse now, with the Church and people of God now, they can only delight them­selves abroad, in the Providences of God, then, and to look about towards Reformation, then, when the grapes appear, and the fig-tree putteth forth, and the singing of birds is come, when there is any chearfull budding and blossoming providence, and any musick [Page 24] of successe, and advancement: this was Gideons errour, an overlooking and neglecting the spirituall and su­pernaturall interest, and fixing his eyes too much on the naturall: Oh my Lord, Judg. 5. sayes he, [...] God be with us, why th [...]n [...] all this befallen us? and where he all the miracles our fathers told us on? But now the Lord hath forsaken us, and delivered us into the hands of the Midianites: and yet we know, even then, the Divine and su­pernatural interest was working most strongly for their deliverance from the Midianites.

But I shall set down, before I take off my pen, my Observations con­cerning the naturall and politicall interest which Reformation hath in this age of ours, even that visible in­terest which is undeniable and appa­rant: but yet with this caution, that I do not lay these open, as affirming any unquestionable, necessary suc­cesse, but as probable und deducible a successe as ever age had, because I know there may be withdrawings and retirings in God respectively to [Page 25] a particular State and Church, and yet his Church have a fair and emi­nent interest both there, and elswhere in other States and Kingdoms; for as a Nation is not dead in the funerals of a few persons, nor an house ruined in the falling of a pillar or tyle, no more is the Church, which is a catho­like, invisible, spirituall body, by any particular declination in such a City, or State, or Nation; though I must affirm this, That there is a most clear, visible, powerfull and mighty interest which Reformation hath in the Chris­tian world, and this Kingdom at this time, and if it succeed not here, I can accuse no want of supernaturall, na­turall, or political interest, for we are able enough in these, but I must accuse some speciall sinnes that have done it, Isa. 59.2. which have separ [...]ted betwixt us and our God, and have withheld good things from us, and made our God refuse to shew us the pattern, and his will, for here are conditionals implied, If the h [...]se of Israel sh [...] be ashamed of their iniquities, Ez. [...]. I will shew them the form of the [...]e: and ag [...], [Page 26] If any man will do his will, Joh. 7.17. he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God or no.

At what instant I shall speak con­cerning a nation, and concerning a kingdome, to pluck up, and to pull down, and to destroy it,

If that Nation, against whom I have pronounced, turne from their evil, Jer. 18.7, 8. I will repent of the evil that I thought to do unto them.

Severall secrets in the Interest.

Instances of mixtures in Scriptures, as that of Corinth, those seven of Asia, the Parables improved, Mat 13.29, 30, of the Tares and Wheat.

WHen these and such like are urged in case of separation, [Page 38] and mixt communicating in Ordi­nances; It would be further enqui­red, whether such a sense come up more directly or obliquely to the holy Spirit? and whether Church-corruptions, as Corinth's, and Ephesus &c. were intended any more for Proofs, or Arguments, or Rules, then Personal corruptions, as Davids lusts, and Moses p [...]ssions, and Peters fears? and whether all such examples be not rather set down as cautions, and written for our admonition, that we should n [...]t lust, 1 Cor. 6.11. as they also lusted? & further, whether the name Church be not sometimes to be taken in the same sense under the Gospel, as the Ark and [...]emple was tak [...] under the Law still for the places of [...] [...]i­dence, though sometimes he was not so [...]bly ther [...]? [...]nd whether the [...]oly [...]pirit for [...]ore not to [...] them, because the fault was in some particular practices about Ordinances rather then in the essential, or first form of Church constitution, which they had perfecter then we? And whether this be a rule for the judge­ments [Page 39] of Gods people, who are to go by the clear and visible Rules in Scri­pture, according to which Churches are made up, or have constitution? And whether the Holy Spirit would have reputed them still Churches, had they gone on in the toleration of such corruptions, for all their first consti­tution, as appears in that caution to Ephesus, Repent, or I will c [...]me unto thee quickly, and remove thy candle­stick? and whether the Parables of mixture of Tares and Wheat, and good Fish and bad, be so as may make for toleration of visible mixtures any where then in the world because they are shut up with the mention of the Worlds dissolution? And whether such Church censures as [...]hrist hath provided against sinnes and scandals, import not an outward purity in all such as would pretend to be members of his visible body? These things, be­cause they are the hinges of certain debutes amongst us, would be more fully opened.

Separation enquired after.

ANd for Separation, I find it not rightly stated: for, withdraw­ings, and particular communicatings apart of the godly, that separate only upon grounds, not so clearly or fully condemned in the Word, or com­mended, ought not to be presently reputed Schisme, or Separation, nei­ther by those that so withdraw, nor those from whom the pretended se­paration is made, if we would study the common peace of Christians: and if this were rightly discussed, and the true Scripture principles made clear which bear it, there would be no such division, as there is separation, but it would be only a suspending one from another, as in the intervals of unclean­nesse under the law, till Christ had revealed even this unto them.

And indeed it would be well en­quired, seeing God reveales his [...]uths in severall degrees in nations, and per­sons, [Page 41] Whether such a national con­formity be fully agreeable to such a method of Revelation, and that all ought to conform outwardly, that conform not inwardly? and whether such an unity may not have equally its inconveniences on the right hand, as formality hypocrisio, &c. as well as the other on the left, errors, divisions, &c. and yet all State inconveniencies must be taken in here, which may spring from the want of such a con­formity; alwayes provided that the rule in Scripture be fully consulted, lest we make Church businesse bend further toward the maximes of State, then there is just grounds in the word: and it would be well weighed, whe­ther such separation hath not foun­dation enough for more spiritual correspondencie, then some on all sides practise? and whether such differen­ces in those that pretend all to come out of Babylon, ought to be esteemed other than the severall complections and features of so many members of the same body? some are more ho­nourable then others. And here we [Page 42] might do well to observe better that great engine of Sathans, which he useth against the people of God, that of severall titles, and notes of distin­ction, as of Presbyterial, Independent, Brownist, Anabaptist: For by put­ting us thus under Paul, and Apollos, or Cephas, he drawes us into scandal, and offence, and sidings, and parties, amounting almost to the disinteress­ing and unclasping our selves one from another, and letting us out into these severall channels, and then our stream must needs slow more weakly against the banks of the common enemy, and the power of hell and darknesse. I conclude thus, that these Scriptures would be further searched.

Now I beseech you &c. that you all speak the same thing, 1 Cor. 1.10. &c. and that you be perfectly joyned together in the same same mind. Phil. 3. Let us therefore as many as be perfect, 15. be thus minded, and if in any thing you be otherwise minded, 16. God shall reveale even this unto you.

Neverthelesse whereunto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us minde the same things.

[Page 43] We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weake, Rom. 15. and not to please our selves.

Let every one of us please his neigh­bour, Rom. 15.2. for his good to edification.

For one believeth that he may eat all things, Rom. 14.2. another who is weak eateth herbs.

Let not him that eateth, despise him that eateth not. 3.

In these Scriptures are almost the full latitude of Christianity: in the first, the perfect Rule of unity is com­mended; in the other, the severall degrees to this unity are opened, and commanded.

Christ's interests, and the Worlds.

ME thinks, in stating severall controversies of late, we go not high enough, but we strive in the vallies, where the mist is thickest, whereas we might see better and far­ther, if we could go up higher, to the interest of Christ: the Disciples saw [Page 44] more of him when he took them up with him, Luk. 9. then they saw before.

This interest would be well cleared and held forth in its glory and spiri­tuality, and abstracted from all other worldly interests which complicate with it: the Kingdom of Christ and the World are two, in their funda­mentals, policy, lawes, governours, ends, designes, and the more the World insinuates any of its policy in­to the Kingdom of Christ▪ the more is the Kingdome of Christ darkned, and corrupted; and as it is in a civill State, the more of arbitrarinesse that comes in, the more is the established government subverted; so in Christs, whose government is more one and unchangeable, by how much a King­dome in a spirituall notion, is more perfect, then a Kingdome in a tempo­rall or worldly.

And if we observe well, we shall see that the great mysterie of iniquity is no more then a meer spirituall ar­bitrary government.

The Worldly interests works much in mixed aggregations and counsels, [Page 45] authoritative power, in servile depen­dencies and subordinations, in promis­cu [...]us unity and conformity, and uni­versality, in blinde and implicite obe­dience, in falsely pretended antiquity, as appears in the popish and Prelati­call p [...]licy.

The interest of Christ is in a spiritu­all freed me or priviledging, Joh. 8.36. Act 6.5. in [...]nction or knowledge, in consociations, 1 Cor. 7.22, 23. in ho­mogentall unity, Ep [...]. 2.19. in directive and su­pe [...]intending, in perswasive, 1 Joh. 2.27. and repre­hensive administrations or ordinances, and the government of Christ seems to be so framed, as neither Tyranny should get in at any consociation, nor Anachy or Libertinisme get in at any dissociation, or particular gathering, and at this beam we may weigh our controversies of this age.

And they that argue for any com­plication of interests, Jer. 31.43. Acts 15.2.3. must look well to the spirituality of the Kingdom, Acts 20.17. and that God in this latter dispensation applies not so to the outward man, 2 Tim. 3.16. as he did in the former, and that simplicity, paucity, pers [...]icuity, humility, 2 Tim. 2.25. [...]enity, and visible sanctity, Gal. 6.1. Col. 3.12. are the [Page 46] proper orbs, where the evangelicall light moves.

And yet here I would be rightly understood, for I make but overtures for enquiry, while things are making to their constitution amongst us, which if once constituted, all ought to be either actively or passively obe­dient.

The Disputes for liberty improved.

THere are great disputings now for Libert [...], and this springs from a mutuall jealousie in each party, the one fearing the others establish­ment will endure no other interest near its own, and the more prevalent fearing the insinuations & encroach­ments of a tolerated interest that is di­verse from it.

Now we should enquire here, whe­ther these jealousies be the more pro­per passions of States, or Christians, and how far Christ, who is protector of his Church, is to be trusted with [Page 47] the defence of his own government in such cases, and yet the true evange­licall latitude is not found out? Some plead upon such principles as would bring in an universall toleration, and while they would open a door only for themselves, they set in all promis­cuously.

Therefore it would be enquired here if all must be tolerated, for fear of persecuting the truth through ig­norance; then whether doth not this ground argue for a plenary Liberty, for all to propagate their interests equally with that, which is the com­monly received truth of that place; for a truth, I conceive, may be no more suppressed ignoran [...]ly, then it may be persecuted ignorantly: and it was as great a sin, if not greater, in that Councel, Acts 4.18 to charge the Apostles they should not teach the people in his name, as to whip them for the doctrine they taught.

Again, it would be further en­quired if such a Liberty be the Gospel way, what use of the reserves of mar­tyrdome and persecution, which [Page 48] Christ hath made into such a glorious condition, as if he intended it as a blessed supplement to that of Liberty, and it would be enquired whether such a m [...]lky way as that of Liberty be always consonant to the estate of the Church, Can. 2.2. being a Lilly among Thorns.

And it would be enquired too, whe­ther such a Liberty be fully Christs minde, because the enemies of the truth, heathen Empires, and popish States as well as others are and have been abe [...]tors of it, and so it be ra­ther a State principle tolerating on­ly those which either the necessity of some evill consequence or some State expedients, or the experienced inno­cency of the tolerated Religion hath produced: and yet on the other side, it would be enquired further, whe­ther they that desire this Liberty be not such as are on the same funda­mentals with us, and brethren in the Lord, and may be brought to meet with us in certain common principles, walking by the same rule, Phil. 3.16 minding the same thing in that whereunto we have attained, and may not let out them­selves [Page 49] unto mutuall peace and edifi­cation, their dissentings, having a certain orbe or spheare allowed them, wherein they may move, that still upon occasion, we may all fall into one common society against the pub­lick enemy of the Gospel, as Abra­ham and Lot, who though they lived other times at distance, yet were ever ready to relieve one another; and here I desire to know whether such severall motions as this, which agree in the same unity of faith, of mutuall edification, and contribute together to the same publick preservation; may not be with as little prejudice to the grand spirituall sphear, as in the naturall, wherein we see nature a­bounding in severall motions & orbs, and yet all these (as occasion opens) mutually assisting the interest of the universe or whole.

And here me thinks we should stu­dy the latitudes of Christianity more then we doe: especially when the Scriptures holds it out to us, both in principles and practice: yet this cau­tion I must lay down, that all our [Page 50] dissenting Brethren be as carefull o [...] their parts to study things that make for common peace, Gal. 6.2. Phil. 3.15.16. as they would have Authority carefull in acting a­gainst their particular peace.

There is much arguing now against compulsive authority, in case of Re­ligion, and the arguments run thus: 1. That it is a note of Persecution. 2. That it drives on the Popish and Prelaticall designe of Vniformity. 3. That it distracts and wounds ten­der doubting consciences. 4. That it armes the enemies of the truth in their tyranny, from the Magazine of true Professors. 5. That it assumes dominion over the consciences. 6. That it intrudes into the place of God, and his Ordinances, which im­mediately influence on the soule. 7. That it was but judiciall and poli­ticall to the Jewes. 8. That it runs an hazard of fighting against God. 9. That there is no expresse com­mand nor example in the Gospel for such compulsion. 10. That it is a means of keeping out truths that are yet to be revealed. 11. That the [Page 51] authority of the Magistrate in Scrip­ture, reaches onely to Moral and Civil transgressions; and to spiritu­all, as they come forth into the out­ward man, and so trouble the civill peace or government of the State. 12. That it makes Formalists, and Hypocrites.

Yet here it would be enquired fur­ther, whether there be not the same morall and and judiciall equity, for the Magistrate to assist God in the designe of his Church now, as there was before. 2. Whether Heresies and Schismes, do not naturally bring forth such divisions, and distractions, as dash so on the power of the civill Magistrate, that they justly raise up that power against them. 3. Whe­ther the pleaders for this compulsive power, do not over argue it, through indulgency, and the opposers argue it but half way, through jealousie; the one having it on their side at present, and the other against them: and whether a more moderate way be not the more Scripture-path viz. That the compulsive power may be [Page 52] found in the Gospel-principles, sta­ted with such Cautions and Rules from the word, as the Enemies and opposers of truth, may neither tri­umph in an unwarrantable liberty, nor the weaker Christians have cause to complain of an unwarrantable au­thority, whose doubtings are expe­rienced to wound their own soules, more then the soule of States, the Government.

Establishment of Reformation.

IT hath not yet been far enough ar­gued according to the principles in Scripture, of what nature the esta­blishments ought to be under the Go­spel & sure we ought more properly to advise with him that hath the keys of David, and knowes best how to shut and open, for else we may shut so fast, that we may be forced to have our doores broken open from Hea­ven; as of late under Prelacy (we sadly experience) who had shut up all with so sure an establishment, that [Page 53] a truth could not get in but by vio­lence; and thus Rome and those Princes of Bondage under her, as the Spaniard, &c. make use of their keyes in all their dominions for shut­ting out, so as the Gospel-truths have no visible entrance but by force, un­lesse God bring them in at some o­ther door yet unknown to us, as he seems to intend: now whether the establishment ought to be such under the Gospel as may universally ex­cept all but what is received, or such as may contrive some holy prudenti­all way, for trying any new revealed truths; if such be offered clearly from heaven by the hands of men, we finde that in Arts & Sciences the Sistemes are not such as will admit of no ad­vancement: Bacon [...] Aug. [...] the profoundest agents in nature are led daily on to new experiments, and the Aristotelian magistrality hath been found no lit­tle hinderance to young travellers in the regions of nature.

And that which may carry us on further in this enquiry, is the possi­bility of not seeing all at once, [Page 54] strenghened by experience in our own and others reformations; yet here we must enquire too, whether Kingdomes ought to [...]it so loose in their decrees, and whether the con­science of Nations or Parliaments are to remain still in such a constant potentiality to new degrees, and whether such a way would not keep a Kingdome alwayes tottering and uncertain? Yet further, whether the potentiality of acquiring new degrees of this nature, would not bring such an alteration as were rather perfe­ctive, then corruptive, or destructive? and if so, whether these jealousies may not be saved? we see, that in the bodies naturall and spirituall, there is a potentiality to any perfe­ctive alteration, as in the aire to light, and in the soul to degrees of illumination, till they come to the statu [...]e of the fulnesse of Christ.

The advancers out of Babylon.

IN our commings out of Babylon, we have many fellow travellers that pretend as well to leave her be­hinde as we; and these are called Hereticks, Schismaticks, Anabap­tists, Separatists. Now before wee be too far engaged in this, being they are such as pretend to come from the same point of advancement, or setting forth, it would be well enquired how Popery and Prelacy come to oppose them so directly, and their interests to be so inconsi­stent, if they be all enemies to the truth: I finde Christs maxime tend to another sense, How can Sathan cast out Sathan? Mat. 12.16. yet here again, I finde that Sathan may appear as well an Angel of Light as Darknesse, and Heresies may walk abroad, as well in white as in black; and that some vi­ces are as inconsistent and destructive to one another, as vices and vertues. [Page 56] However, they pretend with us to come out of Babylon, so it is possi­ble they may only mistake their way in their going out: yet we must ask further in such cases, where popery & Prelacy agree with us thus in uno­tertio (as appears in this one experi­ment of calling the others Hereticks and Schismaticks) whether a godly jealousie may not do well? for it is possible, to cast out the courser part of popery and Prelacy, and yet hold it by a finer thred, as it hath been to this age in our partial Reformations, when at first popery was cast out only by the head, and so gradually still holding it by some parts, for it is harder casting out a mysterie then e­very one conjectures at the first sight, Rev. 17 5 for popery being a mysterie in the Spi­rits sense, hath something more then a visible traine of Hierarchy courts and ceremonies, there is something more spiritual in it, their mixed uni­ty, their tyrannie, their magistrality, their universality, their implicite obe­dience, with others, &c.

Now it would be enquired what [Page 57] interest or remainder these may have left behinde, for it is possible for po­perie to leave such roots and stumps in the ground where it hath planted so deeply, & to work again upon these hidden and occult dispositions, for the Man of sin rose by such interests at first, and this the holy Spirit had ob­served betimes, saying, 1 Thess. 2.7. the mysterie of iniquity doth already work, defecti­ons, compliancies, and ap [...]stasies, as we have seen, are easily obtained, when the man of sin hath such invisi­ble interests and agents layed in to work by; nor [...]as the grosser or more visible ag [...]ts the only meanes to actuate this Kingdom back againe towards Rome so often (as we expe­rience) but these more secret and mercuriall engines which I have na­med.

First for their unity, it hath such cold principles as freeze and con­geale multitudes heterogenially to­gether in the worship of God, and then puts the name of Schisme upon all the Reformed Churches that will not come into the dark with them, [Page 58] where all colours are like.

2 Their tyrannie reaches to the most spiritual cruelty, That of compelling soules under the penaltie of martyr­dome.

3 Their magistrality, in obtruding the decrees of their counsels, their in­fallibility, with Anathema's, their Lording it over the heritage.

4 Their universality, in holding out their religion for Catholick, because the ten horns have given their King­dom to the Beast, R [...]v. 17.17 though no longer then untill the words of God shall be fu [...]fi [...]d.

5 Their implicite obedience, wherein all light and liberty is denied to the people, but such as streams through their ministery & dispensations, which must needs be of their own colour, and will never be purer, comming so; Now these and such like would be enquired into further; and our ministery may do well, a little more then they do, to set upon this part of discovery of the interests of popery and prelacie in their magistrality, u­nitie, and implicitie obedience (as their [Page 59] Covenant oblieges them) for this I take to be the more spirituall part of it, and little studied, and thus they shall be more faithfull to their Cove­nant, which ingages them to a uni­versall extirpation: and now that we are upon reforming, or refining, the extractions must not be only of the grosser, the government, supersti­tion, ceremonies; but of the more es­sential, and formal, and vertual parts of prelacie and popery in the things I named; only we must take heed, that in such extractions, the purer spirits doe not exhale with the other, and therefore in such spirituall experi­ments the furnace must be chimically heated, for it is possible that Gods unity, order, and subordination may go out with the other, if the extra­ctions be more violent, then the word of God, and Apostolical practices will endure.

The severall Interests of REFORMATION in this Kingdome.

Further Searchings.