■/; 
 
 # 
 
 ^ PRINCETON, N. J. 
 
 
 Collection of Puritan Literature. 
 
 Division ' 
 
 Section j \J <— 'f 
 
 Number 
 
 
 
 
 
 
I 
 
 
 
 

 Jm*-*: 
 
r — '^twt. 
 

1 
 
 To the %?ader. 
 
 *»^ 
 
 
 
 F ffcdf Reverend and worthy perjbn 
 Mr. Farindon had not died before 
 the Imprejfion of this Bco\ y yon had 
 received from that excellent hand an 
 exati account of the Authours Life, 
 which he had begun , and refolved to 
 perfe Strand prefix to this Edition. And 
 as the lofs of him h great in many particulars 5 fo ejpeci- 
 ally in this ; becaufe there was none to whom Mr. Males 
 was fo throughly known as unto him , nor was there any fo 
 able to declare hh worth , partly by reafon of his own abi- 
 lities eminently known, principally becaufe he learned his 
 Authour from an intimate converfe, who was a man ne- 
 ver to be truly exprefsd but by himfelf. 
 
 I am therefore to entreat thee, Reader, being deprived of 
 the proper Plutarch, not to expeSi any fuch thing as a 
 Life from me , but to accept off) much onely as is here in- 
 tended* If Mr. Hales were unknown unto thee 5 be 
 pleafed to believe what I know and affirm to be true of 
 him', if he were known , then onely be fatisfied that what 
 ispublifbed in his name did really proceed from him: and 
 
 a more 
 
 f 
 
r 
 
 more then this needs not to be fpo\en in reference to the 
 advancement of this Work ; becanfe he which knew 
 or believethwhat an excellent perfon Mr Hales wa s 5 and 
 Jhall be alfo perfwaded that he was the Author of this Book? 
 cannot chiife but infinitely deftre to fee and read him 
 in it. 
 
 In order to the Firfl ofthefe, 1 Jhall jpeah^ no more 
 than my own long experience, intimate acquaintance^ 
 and high veneration grounded upon both , Jhall freely 
 and fincerely prompt me to. Mr. John Hales, fome- 
 time Greeks ProfeJJour of the ZJniverfity of Oxford , 
 long Fellow of Eton College , and at laft alfo 
 Trebendary of Windfore, was a man , I thinke , of 
 as great a jharpnefs , quickneffe and fubtilty of wit 
 as ever this j or , perhaps , any "Nation bred. His 
 induflry did ft rive , if it were poffible , to e quail 
 the largeneffe of his capacity , whereby he became as 
 great a Majier of polite , various and ZJniverfall 
 Learning as ever yet convers d with Bookes 9 Pro* 
 portionate to hh reading was his Meditation , which 
 fumifbed him with a Judgement beyond the vulgar 
 reach of man , built upon unordinary Notions , rais'd 
 out of Jlrange obfervations and comprehenfive thoughts 
 within himfelfe- So that he re ally was a moft prodi- 
 gious Example of an acute and pi ercimg Wit± of a vaft 
 and illimited Knowledge^ of a fever e and profound Judge* 
 m°nt 4 
 
 Although this may fceme % as in it felfe it truly is, 
 
 a grand 
 
 m 
 
 . ._. 
 
T 
 
 *o the Reader. 
 
 a grand Elogium ; yet I cannot efteem him leffe in 
 any thing which belongs to a good man then in thofe 
 inteUeStnaU perfections : and had he never understood a 
 letter hee had other Ornaments fufjicient to endear 
 him. For he was of a Nature Qas we ordinarily 
 fpeake ) fo kinde , fo fweet , fo courting all mankind^ 
 of an affability fo prompt , fo ready to receive all 
 conditions of men , that I conceive it neer as eafic 
 a *<*sk for any one to become fo knowing as fo Oblige- 
 
 ing. 
 
 A a. Chriftian , none more ever acquainted with 
 the nature of the Gofpd , becaufe none more Studious 
 of the knowledge of it , or more curious in the 
 fearchy which being ftrengthened by thofe great ad- 
 vantages before mentioned could not prove otherwife 
 then highly effeSiuaU. He took indeed to him- 
 felfe a liberty of judgeing , not of others , but for 
 himfelfe : and if ever any man might be allow* 
 ed in thefe matters to judge , it was he who had fo 
 long , fo much , fo advantageoufly confiderd , and 
 which is more , never had the leafi worldly de- 
 figne in his determinations. He was not onely moji 
 truly and flriHly Juji in his Secular tranfaSlions , 
 moft exemplarily Meeke and Humble notwithstand- 
 ing his perfections ^ but beyond all example Chari- 
 table , giving unto all , preferving nothing but his 
 Bookgs to continue his learning and himfelfe: which 
 when he had before digejied , he was forced at 
 
 a 2 laft 
 
 ' - . ■ * . ■>....-». ... ^_ 
 
To the Reader. 
 
 I aft to feed upon , at the fame time the happi- 
 eft and mo ft unjortunate helluo of Books the grand 
 example of learning and of the envy and contempt 
 which foiloweth it* 
 
 1 his teftimony maybe tridy given of his Perfon, and 
 nothing in it liable to the haft exception but this alone^ 
 that it comes far jhort of him , M bich intimation 1 con- 
 ceive more necefjary for fitch as Jqiew him not than all 
 which hath been faid. 
 
 In reference to the fecond part of my Defign, Iconfefs, 
 while he lived none was ever more fclli cited and urged to 
 write 3 and thereby truly to teach the worlds than he 3 none 
 ever fo refolved (pardon the expreffion , fo obftinate) a- 
 nainfi it. His facile and courteous nature learnt onely not 
 to yield to that follicitation. And therefore the World 
 mufi be content to fuffer the loffe of all his /earning with 
 the deprivation of him f elf \ and yet he cannot be accufed 
 for hiding of his talent, being fo communicative that his 
 chamber was a Church and his chair a V nip it. 
 
 Onely that there might be fome tajie continue of him : 
 here are fome of his Remaines recolle&ed ; fitch as he 
 could not but write , and fitch as when written were out of 
 his power to deftroy. Tbefe conjifi of two parts^ of Ser- 
 mons, and of Letters, and each of them proceeded 
 from him upon refpeSlive obligations .The Letters though 
 written by himfelf yet were wholly in the power of that 
 Honourable perfon to whom they were fent , and by 
 that meanes they were perfervd* The Sermons preached 
 
 on 
 
To the Reader. 
 
 on federal occafions were fnatctit from him by his 
 friends , and in their hands the Copies were continued 
 or by tranfcription differs d* Of both which 1 need to fay 
 no more then this, that you may be confident they are his* 
 
 The Editor hath fent thefe abroad to explore 
 what well-come they (hall find ; He hath fome more 
 of his Sermons & Tra&ates in his hands, & defires 
 if any Perfon have any other Writings of the fame 
 Author by him, that he would be pleafed to com- 
 municate them to the Printer of this work, T.Garth- 
 M?^/>uponpromife, and any other engagement, that 
 he will take care to fee them Printed, and let forth 
 by themfelves. This, Reader , is ail the trouble 
 thought fit to be given thee 
 
 ByfOHJ^ TSA%SO^ 
 
 ■ 
 
 
 JL ^_ __ 
 
- - ■ ■ ■ ■ — ' *■ 
 
 
 Mr. Garthwait. 
 
 Am very glad you chofe fo Judicious an Overfeer of 
 thofe SERMONS of Mr. HALES as Mr. Gunning, 
 whom I alwayes have had in high efteem both for his 
 Learning and Piety ; and I am of his Opinion^ that 
 they may pafs for extraordinary. That Sermon of 
 Wrefying hard places of Scripture may well begin your Collection. The 
 other on Rom. 14. 1. Him that is weak in the Faith receive, &c. was 
 preacht at Pauls Crofs, and I moved him to print it. That of My 
 Kingdom is not of this World -, I once fawand returned to Mr. Hales 
 with foure more which Ifaw him put into Mr. Chitlingwortbsh&nds : 
 I wi(h Dixi Cujlodiam were perfect, I have often heard him fpeak of 
 it with a kinde of Complacency. That of He fpeak a Parable that men 
 ought always to pray, I believe is his by the paflfage of the spunge and 
 the Knife, which I have heard from his mouth. The Sermon which 
 you had from D. Hammond upon Son remember, &c. was preacht at 
 Eaton Colledge. The other of Duels was either one or two, and 
 preacht at theHd^toSr. D. Carlton and his company. That you 
 call a Letter on / can do all things, is a Sermon. The Sermon of Peter 
 
 went out and wept, &c. is under his own hand. 
 
 One caution I fhould put in, that you print nothing which is not 
 written with his own hand, or be very careful in comparing them 3 
 for not long (ince one (hewed me a Sermon, which he faidwashis, 
 which lam confident could not be y for I fa w nothing in it which 
 was not Vulgaris monetae, of a vulgar {tamp, common, and fiat, and 
 low. There be fome Sermons, that I much doubt of, for there is 
 little of his fpirit and Genm in them, and fome that are imperfed, 
 that oiGenefis 1 7. 1. walk before me, &c. is moft imperfec"t,as appears 
 by the Autographum which I faw at Eaton a fortnight fince. 
 
 For 
 
 — ±* -i 
 
Mr. Fanhclons Letter. 
 
 For his t E TTE R S 7 he had much trouble in that kinde from fe- 
 vera! friends, and I heard him fpeak of that friends Letter you men- 
 tion, pleafantly, Mr. Hefets up Tops and I mufl whip them for him. 
 
 But i am very glad to hear you have gained Thofe Letters intciyour 
 hands written trom the Synod of Dort, you may pleafe to take notice 
 that in his younger days he was a Calvinift, and even then when he 
 was employed at that Synod, and at the well prefling 3.S. Jshn 16, 
 
 by SptfcopiM) there,/ bid John Calvin good night #s he has often told 
 
 me. I believe they will be as acceptable, or in your phraie as Sale- 
 able as his Sermons, I would not have you to venture thofe papers out 
 of your hands to me, for they may mifcarry, and I fear it would be 
 very difficult to finde another Copy ; perad venture I may fhortly 
 fee you, at the Term I hope I fhall, and then I {hall advife you fur- 
 ther the beft I can about thofe other Sermons you have. * 
 
 I fee you will be troubled yet a while to put things in a right way. 
 I have drawn in my minde the Model of his Life> but I am like 
 Mr. HALES in this, which was one of his defetts, not to pen any 
 thing, till I muft needs. 
 
 God profper you in your work and bufinefs you have in hand 3 
 that neither the Church nor the Author futter. 
 
 Your a/fured friend to his power 
 
 Septemb. 
 
 Anthony Farindon. 
 
m CHOICE 
 
 *■■&■ 
 
 SERMONS 
 
 PREACHT 
 
 ON 
 
 SEVERAL, EMINENT 
 OCCASIONS. 
 
 By Mr. John Hales of Eton College. 
 
 LONDON, 
 
 Printed fir Timothy Garth wait, at the Little North- 
 doer of St« Vanls* 
 
 JA — ■-, — __ 
 

 -■' .-■ — 
 
 z Pet. 5. \6. 
 
 Which the unlearned and unjiablewreft, \ asthey do the ether 
 Scriptures , unto their own deJiruSlion. 
 
 HE love and favour which it pleafed God to bear out 
 Fathers before the law, fo far prevaiPd with him, as 
 that without any books and writings, by familiar and 
 friendly converging with them, and communicating 
 himfelf unto them, he made them receive and under- 
 ftand his laws : their inward conceits and intellectuals being after 
 a wbndertul manner as it were Figured, and Charttter'dy 
 ( as S c . Bafil expreffes it ) by his Ipirit, fo that they could ■ 
 not but iee, and confent unto, and confefs the truth of them. 
 Which way of manifefting his will, unto many other gracious pri- 
 viledges which it had, above that which in after ages came in place 
 of it, had this added, that it brought with it unto the man, to 
 whom it was made, a prefervation againft all doubt and hefitancy, 
 a full affurance both who the author was, and how far his intent 
 and meaning reacht. We that are their ofspring ought, as St. 
 Chryfojteme tell us, fo to have demeand our (elves, that it ^ . 
 might have been with us as it was with them, that we 
 might have had no need of writing, no other teacher, but the fpi- 
 rit, no other books but our hearts, no other means to have been 
 taught the things of God, Nifi infpirationis divina internam faavio~ 
 remque doRrinarri) ubi fine foftis fermonum & fine elementis liter arum % 
 to dukth quo fecrctins Veritas loquitur j as faith Fulgentm* y E^xA«- 
 
 A ftx 
 
~2~ Abufes of bar^TpJaces of Scripture. 
 
 r *„•« * f^ x, P r&v y&.(Aj*,xra>v $£fftieLi, iaith Ifidorus Pelufiota: 
 tor it is a great argument ot our thame and imperfecti- 
 on that the holy things are written in bo< ks. For as God in ano c r 
 telis the Jews, that he himfelt would not go before them as hither- 
 to he had done, to conduit them into'the promitcd land, but 
 would leave his Angel with them as his deputy : lo hath he dealt 
 with us, the unhappy pofterity degenerated horn the antient purity 
 of our forefathers. Whenhimlelt refuted to ipeak unto our hearts 
 becaufeof the hardnefsof them, he then began to put his laws in 
 writing. Which thing (or a long time amongft his own people 
 feems not to have brought with it any fenfible inconvenience. For 
 amongft all thole afts of the Jews, which God in his book hath re- 
 giftred for our inftru&ion, there is not one concerning any pretend- 
 ed ambiguitie or obfeurity of the Text and Letter o^ their Law, 
 which might draw them into faction and fchilme 5 the Devil belike 
 having other fufficient advantages on which he wrought. But ever 
 fince the Gofpel was committed to writing, what age, what mo- 
 nument of the Churches ads is not full of debate and ftrife, con- 
 cerning the force and meaning of t hole writings, which the holy 
 Ghoft hath left us to be the law and rule of faith ? St. Paul, one of 
 the firft penmen of the Holy Ghoft, who in Paradife heard words 
 which it was not lawful for man to utter, hath left us words in 
 writing, which it is not lafe for any man to be too bufieto interpret.. 
 No foonec had he laid down his pen,almoft ere the ink was dry,were 
 there found Syllalarum aucupes^ fuch as St. Ambrose fpake of, qui aef- 
 cire aliq'uderubefcmt) & per occafiOnem oifcuritatis tehdurit laqueos de- 
 ceptiontSy who thought there could be no greater difparagement un-. 
 to them, then tofecm to be ignorant of any thing, and under pre-, 
 tence of interpreting obfeure places laid gins to entrap the uncaute-. 
 lous; who taking aeKanrage of the obfeurity of St. Pauls text, made 
 the letter of the Gofpel of life and peace, the moft forcible inftru-. 
 went of mortal quarrel and contention. The growth of which,, 
 the Holy Ghoft by the Miniftery of St. Peter^ hath endeavoured to 
 cut up in the bud, and to ftrangle in the womb, in this (hortadmo-v. 
 nition which but now hath founded in your cares, which the un- 
 learned, &_c. In which words, for our more orderly proceedings 
 we will confider, Firft, the (in it felf that is here reprehended,wre- 
 ftingef Scfiptnre : where .we will .briefly confidec what it is, and 
 
 what 
 
Alufes of hard places of Scripture* 3 
 
 what caufes and motioners it findes in our corrupt understandings. 
 Secondly the perfons guilty of this offence, difcipherU unto us in 
 two Epithets, unlearned, unliable* Latt of all the danger in the la ft 
 words, unto their own damn Ati on. Andfirftofthc fin it felf, toge- 
 ther with fomeof the fpecial caufes of it. 
 
 2ff*£AS<Tj. Tbeywrefi. They deal with Scripture as Chimicks 
 deal with natural bodies, torturing them to extrad that out of 
 them which God and nature never put in them. Scripture is a rule 
 which will not fit it felf to the obliquity of our conceits, but our per- 
 verfe and crooked dilcourfe, mud tit it felt to the ftraightnefs of 
 that rule. A learned writer in the age of our lathers, com- 
 menting upon Scripture fpake moft truly when he faid, that ' tr ' 
 his Comments gave no light unto the text, the text gave light unto his Com- 
 ments. Other expofitions may give rules and directions for undcr- 
 ftanding their authors, but Scripture gives rules to cxpofition it felf, 
 and interprets the interpreter. Wherefore when we made in 
 Scripture, nonpro [entenia divinarum Scripturarum, as St. Auftine 
 f peaks, fed pro noftra it a dimic antes ut tan velimus Scripturarum ejje 
 qu£ nojiraefl : When we ftrive to give unto it, and not to receive 
 trom it the fenle : when we fa&iouQy contend to faften our conceits 
 upon God : and like the Harlot in the book of Kings, take our dead 1* '■■*■ 
 and putrifled fancies, and lay them in the bofome of Scripture as of 
 a mother, then are we guilty of this great fin of wrefting of Scrip- 
 ture. The nature of which will the better appear, if we confider 
 a little, fome of thole motioners which drive us upon it. One ve- 
 ry potent and ftrong mean is the exceeding affection and love unto 
 our own opinions and conceits. For grown we are unro extremi- 
 ties on both hands: we cannot with patience either admit of other 
 mens opinions, or endure that our own (hould be withftood. As 
 it was in the Lacedtmoniaa army, almoft all were Cap- 
 tains : to inthefediiputes all will be leaders: and we Schiljntkl(c ^ 
 take our felves to be muchdifcountenanced, if others think not as we 
 do. So that the complaint which one makes, concerning the 
 dhTcntion of Phyficians about the difeafes of our bodies, is true 
 likewife in thefe difputeswhich concern the cure of our fouls, hinc 
 ill* circa dgros mij er<e fententt arum concertationes y nuVo idem 
 ct/ifente y ne videatur accesfio alterm. From hence have f prong * mt ' 
 thole miferable contentions about the diftemper of our fouls, fin- 
 
 A 2 gularity 
 
 h ■ 
 
^ Abufes of hard 'places of Scripture. 
 
 gularity alone* and that we will not feem to ftand as cyphers to 
 make up the fumme of other mens opinions, being caule enough 
 to make us difagree. A fault anciently amongft the Chriftians fo 
 apparant, that it needed not an Apoftolical fpirit to difcover it, the 
 very heathen themfelves to our (name and confufion, havejuftly, 
 judicioufly, and (harply taxt us for it. Ammianus Marcelliwi 
 pafling his cenfure upon Conflantim the Emperour \ Chriflianam re- 
 ligionem dfolutam & fimplicem ( faith he ; and they are words very 
 well worth your marking ) Chrijiianam religionem ahfolutam & fin:« 
 plicem anili fuperfiitione confudit. In qua fcrutanda perplexins q**m 
 componenda grains, excitavit disfidia pluriuia, qua progrejja fufins aluit 
 concert atione verborum, dum ritum omnem adfuum trahere conatur arbi* 
 trium. The Chriftian religion, a religion of great fimplicity and 
 perfection, he troubled with dotage and fuperfticion. For going 
 about rather perplexedly to fearch the controverfies, then gravely 
 to compole them, he raifed great ftirs, and by disputing fpread 
 them far and wide, whilft he went about to make himfelf iole 
 Lord and commander of the whole profeflion. Now ( that it may 
 appear wherefore I have noted this ) it is no hard thing for a man 
 that hath wit, and is ftrongly poffeft of an opinion, and refolute to 
 maintain it, to tinde fome places of Scripture, which by good 
 handling will be woed to caft a favourable countenance upon ir. 
 Pythagoras Schollers having been bred up in the doctrine of numbers, 
 when afterward they diverted upon the ftudies of nature, fancied 
 unto themfelves fomewhat in natural bodies like unto numbers, and 
 thereupon fell into a conceit that numbers were the principles of 
 them. So fares it with him that to the reading of Scripture comes 
 forepoffeft with fome opinion. As Antipheron Orietes in Ariftotle 
 thought that every where he faw his own (hape and picture going 
 afore him: fo in divers parts of Scripture where thefe men walk, 
 they will eafily perfwade themfelves that they fee the image of 
 their own conceits. It was, and is to this day, a fafhion in the 
 hotter countreys, at noon, when the fun is in his ftrength, to retire 
 themfelves to their Glofets or beds, if they were at home, to cool 
 and (hady places if they were abroad, to avoid the inconvenience of: 
 the heat of it. To this the Spoufein the Canticles alluding, calls 
 after her beloved, as after a fhepherdj Shew me, O thou whom my 
 foul lovethj where thou feedeft thj flock, where thou dofl reft at noon. The 
 
 Donatip; 
 
Abttfcs of bard places of Scripture. 5 
 
 Donatifts conceiting unto thcmfelves that the Church was fhut up in 
 them alone; being urged by the fathers to fhew how the Church 
 being univerfal, came on a fudden thus to be confinde to Africk : 
 they had prefently their Scripture for it j for fo they found it writ- 
 ten in the Canticles : Indica-t quern diligit aniwa mea^ uli pafcas, ubi 
 culesinmeridie. In which text, meridies doubtlefs as they thought, 
 was their Southern countrie of Africk, where the fhepherd of Ifra- 
 el was, and no where elfe, to feed his flocks. I may not trouble 
 you with inftances in this kinde \ little oblervation is able to furnifti 
 the man of flendre ft reading with abundance. The texts of Scrip- 
 ture which are efpecially fubject to this abufe, are thofe that are of 
 ambiguous and doubtful meaning. For as ihucydides obferves of 
 the fat and fertile places of Greece, that they were evermore the 
 occafions of ftirs and (editions $ the neighbouring nations every cue 
 ftriving to make it felf Lord of them : io is it with thele places that 
 are (o fertile, as it were, of interpretation, and yield a multiplici- 
 ty of fenfe: they are the PaUftra for good wits to prove mafteries in, 
 where every one defires to be Lord and abfolute. 
 
 A fecond thing occafioning us to tranfgrefs againft Scripture, and 
 the difcreet and lober handling of it, is our too quick and fpeedy 
 entrance upon the pra&ife or interpreting it, in our young and green 
 years, before that time and experience have ripened us and fetled 
 our conceits, For that which in all other bufinefs 3 and here like- 
 wife doth mofteipecially commend us, is ourcautelous and wary 
 handling it. But this is a flower feldome feen in youths garden. 
 Ariflople differencing age and youth, makes it a property of youth, 
 Hidvra, sidlvau oitff0ai iy $ii%y£Ji£i<T$ai, to fuppole they know all 
 things and to be bold in affirming: and the heathen Rhetorician 
 could tell us, that by this fo fpeedy cntring upon a&ion, and fo 
 timely venting our crude and unconcc&ed ftudies, quod eft uiiqne - 
 ferniciofisfimumj pratenit vires fiducia, a thing which in all cafes is 
 raoft pernicious preemption is greater then ftrcngth, after the. 
 manner of thofe,who are lately recovered out of fome great ficknefr, , 
 in whom appetite is ftronger then digeftion.Thcle are they who take 
 the greateft my fteries of Chriftian religion to be the fitteft argu- 
 ments to (pend thcmfelves upon. So Eckius in his ■■ ClryfopaJJus, a.. 
 work of his fo termed, wherein he difculTes the queftion of predefti- 
 nation, in the very entrance of his work tells us, that, he therefore 
 
 ccterpris'd.i 
 
 * ' — . — . — ♦ - - : ' A \ <■■*■ 
 
-jp 
 
 ~G~ Abufes of bard places of Scripture. 
 
 cnterpris'd to handle this argument, becaufe toriboth he thought it 
 to be the fitteft queltion in which he might Juveniles calores exercere. 
 The ancient Malters ot fence amongft the Romans were wont to fet 
 up a poft, and caufe their young Schollers to pra&iie upon it, and 
 to foin and fight with ic, as with an adversary. Inftecd of a poft, 
 this young fencer hath fet himfelf up one of the dcepeft myfteries of 
 our profeflion to pra&ife his frefhmanftiip upon. Which quality 
 when once it findes Scripture for his object, how great inconveni- 
 ence ic brings with it, needs no large difcourle to prove. St. Je- 
 rome, a man not too eafily brought on to acknowledge the errours 
 ot his writings, amongft thofe few things which he doth retrad, 
 ceniures nothing fo (harply as the miftake of his youth in thiskinde. 
 In adolescent i a provocates ardore & fludio Scripturarum, aliegorice inter- 
 pretatus fum Abdiam Prophetam, cujus hifioriam nefciebam. He thought 
 itoneofthegreateft fins of his youth, that being carried away 
 through an inconfiderate heat in his ftudies of Scripture, he adven- 
 tured to interpret Abdias the Prophet allegorically, when as yet he 
 knew not the hiftorical meaning. Old men, faith our beft natural 
 mafter, by reafon of the experience of their often miftakes, are 
 hardly brought conftantly to affirm any thing, dWat n-pos-Mctei* 
 etVi to ?<tc*)$ % ro ro-'^a, they will always cauteloufly interline their 
 fpecch^s, with it may bees, and per adventures, and other fuch par- 
 ticles of warinefs and circumfpe&ion. This old mens modefty of 
 all other things beft fits us in perufing thofe hard and obfeure texts 
 of holy Scripture. Out of which conceit it is that we fee St. Au- 
 jiine in his books de Genefi ad liter am, to have written only by way 
 ofqueftions and interrogations, after the manner of ^//^/f in his 
 Problemes, that he might not, (for fohe gives his reafon, by being 
 over pofitive prejudice others, and per adventure truer interpretations • 
 that every one might chocfe according to his Ukeing, & uli quid intellige- 
 renonpo'efl, Scripture Dei dethonorem, fibitimorem . and where his 
 undcrftanding cannot attain unto the fenfe of it, let him give that 
 honour and reverence which is due unto the Scripture, and carry 
 himfelf with that aw and rcfpe<5fc which befits him. Wherefore 
 r.ot without cfpecial providence it is, that the Holy Ghoft by St. 
 Paul giving precepts to Timothy, concerning the quality ot thofe who 
 were to be admitted to the diftributing of Gods holy word, expref- 
 ly'irckribcs againd ayoung Scboller, leafi faith he, hebepuftup. For 
 
 as 
 
A'bufes of hard places of Scripture^ j 
 
 as it hath been noted of men, who are lately grown rich , that they 
 differ from other rich men only in this , rdo anravrxLcxA- , .. , 
 
 - I - / \ * J ' , r , Arl,}.Rbtt.2. 
 
 Aov xsti $clvaqtz&- K<zx.<z t j^&iv mq viQTvAisTUq , that 
 
 commonly they have ad the laults, that rich men have and many 
 more : lo is it as true in thole who have lately attaind to Tome de- 
 gree and mediocrity ot knowledge. Look what infirmities learned 
 men have, the ferae have they in greater degree , and many more 
 bdides. Wherefore it Hippocraies in his Phylician required thefe 
 two things , fiAoTTow'w-p, **/ -nxAv^povinv, great induitry and long 
 experience, the one as tillage to low cue leed, the other as time and 
 lea ion ot the year to bring it to matutity : then certainly by lo 
 much the more are theie two required in the ipiricuall Phyiician,by 
 how much he is the Phyfician to a more excellent part. 
 
 1 will add yet one tnird motioner to this abuteor Scriptures,and 
 that is the roo great preiumption upon the flrengch &: iubtilty of our 
 own wit< .That w ch theRoman Prieft fomtimes told an over pleafant, 
 and witty veital Virgin, Coli DsosfanSc magts quamfct'C) hath in this 
 great work ot expoiition ot Scripture an efpecial place. The holy 
 things of God muft be handled faaSe, magts quam fckk 3 with tear 
 and reverence, not with wit and daliance. The dangerous effects of. 
 this have appeared, not in the green tree only, in young heads, but 
 in menofconftant age, and great place in the Church. For this 
 was that which unJidO^e/'/, a man ot as great learning andindu- 
 ftry, as ever the Church had any ; whilft in lublimity ot his wit, in 
 his Comments on Scripture, conceiving Meteors and airy {pecula- 
 tions, he brought forth thofe dangerous errors,which drew upon his- 
 perlon the Churches bea vie It cenlure ; and upon poiierity the lofs 
 of his works. Subtil witted men in nothing lo much mifcarry as 
 in the too much pleafingthemfelves in the goodnets of their own 
 conceits 5 where the like fometimes beta's them which befel Xtuxis 
 the Painter,who having to the life pictured an old woman,fo pleas'd 
 himfelf with the conceit of his work that he died with laughing at 
 it. Heliador Bifhopof Tn'cca in TueJJaly^ the Author of N „ b 
 the sj£tbiopick jtoty^ a police and elegant I confels, but a; 
 loote aod wanton work, being iumm >n'ii by a Provincial Synod, 
 was told, that which was true, that his work did rather endanger 
 the manners then profk the wits of his Reader* as nourifhtng ioofc 
 and wanton conceits in the heads of youth : and having, his choice 
 
 gj veai 
 
 ~— ' ' -* L_! ■ L -.u.^ 
 
Abnjes of bard places of Scripture; 
 
 given him either to abolifh his work , or to leave his Bifhoprick 5 
 not willing to loofe the reputation of wit, chofe rather to refign his 
 place in the Church, and, as I verily think, his part in Heaven. And 
 not in private perfons alone, but even in whole nations , {hall we 
 finde remarkable examples of mifcarriage in this kind. The Gre- 
 cians, till barbarifm began to fteal in upon them,were men of won- 
 derous lubtlety of wit, and naturally over indulgent unto themfelves 
 in this quality. Thofe deep and fubtii herefies concerning the Tri- 
 nity, the Divinity of Chrift and of the holy Ghoft, the Union and 
 Divifion of the Divine Subftance and Perlons, were all of them be- 
 gotten in the heat of their wits ; yea, by the ftrength of them were 
 they conceived, and born and brought to that growth, that if it had 
 been poffible for the gates of Hell to prevail againft the Church, 
 they would have prevailed this way. Wherefore as God dealt with 
 his own land,w ch being fometimes the mirrour of the world for fer- 
 tility and abundance of all things, now lies fubjecl: to many curfes, 
 and efpecially to that of barrennefs : fo at this day is it with Greece 
 Where fometimes was the flow and luxury of wit, now is there no- 
 thing but extream barbarifm and ftupidity. It is in this refpeel: fo de- 
 generated, that it icarfly for fome hundreth of years hath brought 
 forth a childe that carries any fhew of his Fathers countenance. 
 Godasit were purpofely plaguing their miferable pofterity with 
 extream want of that, the abundance of which their fathers did [o 
 wantonly abufe. The reafon of all, that hitherto I have in this point 
 delivered, is this, Sharpnefs of wit hath commonly with it two ill 
 companions, pride, and levity. Bythefirft it comes to pafs that 
 nun know not how to yield to another mans realonable pofitions 5 
 by the iecond, they know not how to keep themfelves conftant to 
 TJij<c d their own. It was an excellent obfervation of the wife Gre- 
 cian, favho rip 01 TW d v§p'j>Tra0v> &c. Sad and dull fpirited 
 men ufually mannage matters of State better then quick and ramble wits. 
 For fuch for the moft part have not learnt that leflbn , the meaning 
 of that voice that came to the Pythagorean that was defirous to re- 
 move the a flies of his dead friend out of his grave, fin xiv£<&ai td 
 ct'/jiSx , things lawfully fetled and compofed mutf; not be moved, avarfln- 
 Sw&j <p'Je&. nt^js'ciliv&tv Srifjiu nr orXvir &.F/ul<w dv)\p , faith , lulian. 
 CM en over lufie are by nature unfit to govern. For they move all 
 things., and leave nothing without queftion and innovati- 
 on, 
 
 L : >■* I 
 
Jaces of ScriptH7&~ 9 
 
 on, tS l\%fe iroi£ pivot ti ^i^ioanpov y as Nazianzen /peaks, out 
 of defire to amend what is already well. And therefore we fee that 
 for the moft pare fucb, it they be in place of Authority , by unfea- 
 (onableand unneceflary tampering, put all things into tumult, and 
 combultion. Not the Common wealth alone, but the Church like- 
 wife hath receiv'd the like blow from thefe kinde of men. Nazi- 
 anzene in his fix and twentieth Oration, diicourfing concerning the 
 diforders committed in the handling of Controverfies , fpeaks it 
 plainly : pJa&$ Sipped xzl fttydhcu radrin$ tw t<*>&-yj\$ &fliov 9 &c. 
 Great wits, hoc and [lery difpojitiO'.sbave rai fed thefe tumults. From tbefe 
 it is (faith he) that fbrijiians are [0 divided. We are no longer a tribe 
 and a tribe, Ifrael and Judab, two parts of a fmaS nation: but wearedi* 
 iiided kindred dgainfi kindred, family againfl family, yea, a man againfi 
 biwfelf. But I muft haften to my iecond general partyfo perfons here 
 accounted guilty of abufe of Scripture, 
 
 The perfons are noted unto us in two Epithets, unlearned, unftable. 
 Firft, unlearned,lt was Sain Jeroms complaint, that practitioners of 
 other Arts could contain themfelves within the bounds of their own 
 Profeilion, Sola Scriptura, urn ars efl, quam fibi omnes pafsim vendicjnt. 
 Hanc garrula anus, banc delirusfenex, banc fophifla njerbofus, banc uni- 
 verfi prcefumunt, lacerant, decent antequam chfeant : every one pre- 
 fumes much upon his skill , and therefore to be a teacher of Scri- 
 pture: 00$ xivfruviv&tv n^iu'S'&LQv itvc&i ?& fjLiyct Y\f/,oov fAVg'r\£/.ov 9 
 (io JSfazianzen fpeaks) as it this great myftery ot Chriftianity were 
 but tome one of the common , bafe , interior , and contemptible 
 trades. I (peak not this as if I envied that all even themcaneft of 
 the Lords people fhould prophetic : butonely that all kinde of men 
 may know their bounds, that no unlearned beaft touch the hill,leaft 
 he be thruft through with a dart. It is true which we have heard, 
 furgunt indoEii (? rapiuntregnum ccelorum: they arife indeed, but it 
 is as Saint Paul fpeaks of the relurre&ion , every man in bis own or- 
 der. Scripture is given to all, to learn : but to teach, and to in-]/ 
 terpret , onely to a few. This bold intrution therefore of the un- 
 learned into the chair of the teacher , is that which here with our 
 bleffed Apoftle I am to reprehend. Learning in general is nothing 
 elfe but the competent skill of any man in whatfoever he profefTes. 
 Ufually we call by this name onely our polite and Academical flu- 
 dies : but indeed it is common to every owjbat # mil skild, well pra- 
 
 b ~ am 
 
 
 ik 
 
>—■■ ■ \v ■— ' xnmjzs vj vara ytaees oj ocrjpTufe. 
 
 ftifed in his own myftery. The unlearned therefore , whom here 
 our Apoftle rebukes, is not he that hath not read a multiplicity of 
 Authors: or that is not as Moles was, skilful in all the learning of 
 the ./Egyptians • but he that taking upon him to divide the word of 
 God, is yet but raw and unexperienced ; or if he have had expert 
 ence,wants judgment to make ufe of it. Scripture is never fo unhap- 
 py, as when it tails into thefe mens fingers. That which old Caia 
 laid of the Grecian Phyficians, quandocunque if a gem literal fuas da- 
 lity omnia \corrumpet , is moft true of theie men^ whenfoever they 
 {hall begin to tamper with Scripture, and vent in writing their raw, 
 conceits, they will corrupt and defile all they touch. Quid enim. 
 molefiia triftiti<eque ternerarii ifti pr&fumploreSy &c, as 
 Dr Gmfi ad hurm. $ ^ Au ^ ne complaineth : for what trouble and anguifo 
 tbeferajb prefumers (faith hej bring unto the dtfcreeter fort of the bre~. 
 threny cannot fufficiently be expreff : when being convinced of their rotten 
 and ungrounded opinions $ for the maintaining of that which with great 
 levity and open falfljood they have averdy they pretend the authority of thefe 
 f acred books, and repeat much of them even by hearty as bearing witnefs ts 
 what they hold : whereas indeed they do but pronounce the words^but un- 
 derjiand not either what they [peaky or of what things they do affirm. Be- 
 like as he that bought Orpheus Harp, thought it would of it felf 
 m,ake admirable melody, how unskilfully foever he toucht it : fo 
 tbtefe men fuppofe that Scripture, will found wonderful mufically, 
 If they do but ftrike it, with how great infelicity or incongruity fo- 
 ever it be, The reafbnof thefe mens of&nce againft Scripture , is 
 the fame with the caufe of their mifcarriage in civil a&ions^ 
 aputfticL fxb Spda@uy faith Thucydides , Koyw/JLQt; g okvov <plfw« 
 Rude men y men of little experience, are commonly mofl peremptory : but, 
 men experienced y and fuch asbave Waded in bufinefs y are (low of deter- 
 mination. Quintilian making a queftion, why unlearned men feem 
 many times to be more copious then the learned (for commonly 
 luch men never want matter of difcourfe)anfwers that it isbecaufe 
 what foever conceit comes into their heads, without care or choice 
 they broach it, cumdottisfitelettio fy modm: whereas learned men 
 are choice in their invention, and layby much of that which offers 
 It felf. Wife hearted meny in whom the Lord hath put wifdorn and under* 
 flanding to know how to work all manner of work for the fervice of the 
 ^###47, like Bjzakcl&ni 4hpM refufc mu^of ^ftuff wbish 
 
 k 
 
Abttfes of hard places of Scripiwe* 11 
 
 is prefeuted them. But this kinde of men whom here our Apoftle 
 notes, are naturally men of bold and daring fpirits, quicquid dixe- 
 tint, hoc legem Dei putant, as Saint Jerome fpeaks, whatfoever con- 
 ceit is begotten in their heads, the fpirit of God is prefently 
 the father of it : Nee fcire dignamur quid Prophet* <> quid A- 
 pojloli fenferint, fed ad fuum Jenfum incongrua aptant teftimonia. 
 But to leave thefe men, and to fpeak a little more home unto mine 
 own auditory : Let us a little confider, not the weaknefs of thefe 
 men but the greatnefs of the bufinefs, the manage of which they 
 undertake. So great a thing as the skill of expofition of the word 
 and Gofpel is, (o fraught with multiplicity of Authors, fo full of 
 variety of opinion, muft needs be confeft to be a matter of great 
 learning, and that it cannot, efpecially in our days, in (hort time 
 with a mediocrity ofinduftry be attained. For if in the Apoftles 
 times, when as yet much of Scripture was fcarfly written, when 
 God wrought with men miraculoufly to inform their under ftanding 
 and fupplied by revelation what mans induftry could not yield > if 
 I fay in thefe times St. Paul required diligent reading, and exprefly 
 forbad greennefs of fchollarfhip :much more then are thefe condi- 
 tions required in our times, wherein God doth not fupply by mi- 
 racle our natural defe&s, and yet the burden of our profeflion is in- 
 finitely increaft. All that wasneceffary in the Apoftles times is 
 now neceffary and much more. For if we adde unto the growth of 
 Chriftian learning, as it was in the Apoftles times, but this one 
 circumftance ( to lay nothing of all the reft ) which naturally befals 
 our times, and could not be required at the hands of thofe who 
 guided the firft ages of the Church : that is, the knowledge of the 
 Sate and fucceffion of doctrine in the Church from time to time $ a 
 thing very neceffary for the determining the controverfies of thefe 
 our days.- how great a portion of our labour and induftry would 
 this alone require ? Wherefore HQuintilian thought it necefTary to 
 admonifh young men that they ihould not prefume themfelves fttit 
 inftruftos, fiquemex iis^qui breves circumferuntur y artis libellum edidi- 
 cerinty & velut decretis teebnicorum tutos putent : if he thought fit thus 
 todoinanartoffoinferiour and narrow a fpherej much more is 
 it behooveful that young ftudents in fo high, fo f pacious, fo large 
 a profeflion, be advifed nor to think themfelves iufficiently provi- 
 ded upon their acquaintance with fome Noting or Syfteme of fome 
 
 B 2 technical 
 
 _ — 
 
 
 
HT" Abnjes of hard p faces of Scripture. 
 
 technical divine. Look upon thofe ions of Anak^ thole Giant-like 
 voluminous writers of Rome j in regard of whom our little tra&ats 
 and pocket volumes in this kinde, what are they but as Grafooppers ? 
 I ipeak not this like fome feditious or factious ipic, to bring weak- 
 ness of hands, or melting of heart upon any of Gods people: but 
 &fie£vtt.1£<vrrjp&v 3 to ftir up and kindle in you the fpirit of induftry 
 to inlarge your conceits, and not to fuffer your labours to becopit 
 and mued up within the poverty of fome pretended method. I will 
 [peak as Jofhua did to his people. Let us not fear the people of that Iar>d 3 
 they aye as meat untous^ their fhadow is departed from them : the Lord is 
 with uSy fear them not. Only let us not think, fedendo & votis debella- 
 ripojje, that the conqueft will be gotten by fitting ftill and 
 Lme wifriing all were well : or that the walls of thefe ftrong Cities, 
 will fall down, if we only walk about them, and blow rams horns. 
 But as the voice of Gods people fometime was, by the fmrd of god 
 andofGideony fo that which here gives the victory muft be the grace 
 of God and our induftry. For by this circumcifed, narrow and 
 penurious form of ftudy, we fhall be no more able to keep pace 
 with them, then a childe can with Hercules, but I forbear and pafs 
 away unto the fecond epithet, by which thefe rackers of Scriptures^ 
 are by St. Peter ftiled Vafable. 
 
 IN the learning which the world teaches, it were almoft a imV 
 racle to finde a man conftant to his own tenentj. For not to doubt 
 in things in which we are converfaut, is either by rea ion of excellen- 
 cy and ierenity of understanding throughly apprehending the main 
 principles on which all things are grounded, together with the dif- 
 crying of the feveral pafTages from them unto particular concluii- 
 ons, and the diverticles and blind by-paths which Sophiftry and de- 
 ceit are wont to tread ; and fuch a man can nature never yield : or 
 elfe it is through a fcnfelefs ftupidity, like unto that in the common 
 fortofmen, who converting among the creatures, and beholding 
 the courle of heaven, and the heavenly hoft, yet never attend them, 
 -neither ever finks it into their heads to marvel, or queftion thefe 
 (things fo full of doubt and difficulty. Even fuch a one is he, that 
 learns Theology in the School of nature, if he feem to participate 
 of any fetlednefsor compofednefs of conscience. Either it never 
 comes into his head to doubt of any of thofe things,, with which the 
 .World hath inured him 5 or if it doth 3 it is to no great purpofe, he 
 
 ■« 
 
Abufes of hard places of Scripture. i g 
 
 may (mother and ftrangle, he can never refolve his doubt. The 
 reaion of whicn is this. It lies not in the worlds power to give in 
 this cale a text of iufficient authority to compofe and fix the thoughts 
 of a foul, that is difpos'd to doubt. But this great inconvenience 
 which held rhe world in uncertainty, by the providence of God is 
 prevented in the C hurch. For unto it is left a certain, undoubted, 
 and fufficient authority, able to exalt every valley, and lay low eve- 
 ry hill, to fmooth all rubs, and make our way fo open and paffable, 
 that little enquiry ferves. So that as it were a wonder in the fchooi 
 of nature to finde one fetled and refolved : fo might it feem a mar- 
 vel that in the Church any man is unftable, unrefolved. Yet not- 
 withftanding even here is the unftable man found too, and to his 
 charge the Apoftle lays this fin of wrefting of Scripture. For fince 
 that it is confeft at all hands* that the fe&j'e and meaning of Scrip- 
 ture is the rule and ground of our Chriftian tenents, whenfoever we 
 alter them, we mult needs give a new fenfe unto the word of God. 
 So that the man that is unftable *n his religion can never be free 
 from violating of Scripture. The efpecial caufe of this levity and 
 flitting difpofition in the common and ordinary fort of men, is their 
 difability todifcernoftheftrength offuch reafons, as may be fra- 
 med againft them. For which caufe they ufually ftart, and many 
 times falls away, upon every objection that is made. In which too 
 fudden entertainment of objections, they refenible the ftate of thofe 3 
 who are lately recovered out of fome long ficknefs, qui et fi 
 reliquias efiugerinty fufpicionibus tamen inquietantur^ Cr omnem creca% 
 ealorem corporis fui calumniantur : Who never more wrong them- 
 selves then by fufpe&ing every alteration of their temper, and being 
 affrighted at every little paffion of hear, as if it were an ague-fit. 
 To bring thefe men therefore unto an iv^v/xk<t % and to purchaie them 
 a fetlednefs of minde s that temper that St. nAufiiae doth require 
 in him that reads his book, tales meorum Scriptoremvelim indices, qui ? 
 rtfponfionem nonfemper defiderent, quum his qu& leguntur Audieriut illi- 
 quid contradict : the fame temper muft be found in every reader of [ 
 Scripture, he muft not be at a ftand and require an anfwer to every ; 
 objection that is made againft them. For as the Philofopher tells \ 
 us that madandfaitaftical men, are very apprehenfive of all out- - 
 ward accidents^ becaufe their foul is inwardly empty and un fur mill- 
 ed of any. thing of worth which mighc hold the inward attention of 
 
 thsk. t 
 
 * il ifci- 
 
■■ 
 
 J4 Abnfes of hard f laces of Scripture. 
 
 their mindes : fo when wc are fo eafily dord and amated with eve- 
 ry Sophifme, it is a certain argument of great defect of inward fur- 
 niture and worth, which (hould as it were ballance the minde and 
 keep it upright againft all outward occurrents whatfoevcr. And 
 be it that many times the means to open fuch doubts be not at hand, 
 yet as S. Auftine fometime fpake unto his Scholler Licentius con- 
 cerning luch advice and counfel as he had given him : Nolo te caufas 
 rationefque rimari, qudctiamfi reddi yofsint^fdei tamen>qua mi hi cre- 
 dit non eas debeo : fo much more muft we thus refoive of thofe 
 leflfons which God teacheth us : the reafons and grounds of them, 
 though they might be given, yet it fits not that credit and truft 
 which we owe him, once to fearch into , or call in queftion. And 
 fo I come to the third general part, the danger of wrefting of Scri- 
 pture, in the laft words, unto their own damnation. 
 
 The reward of every fin is death. As the worm eats out the 
 heart of the plant that bred it : fo whatfoever is done amifs natu- 
 rally works no other end, but deftru&ion of him that doth ir. As 
 this is true in general, fo is it as true, that when the Scripture doth 
 precifely note out unto us fome fin, and threatens death unto it, it is 
 commonly an argument, that there is more then ordinary , that 
 there is fome efpecial fin, which (hall draw with it fome efpecial 
 punifhment. This fin of wrefting of Scripture in the eye of fome 
 of the ancients feemed fo ougly , that they have ranged it in the 
 fame rank with the fin againft the holy Ghoft. And therefore 
 have they pronounced it a fin , (A&tyv avyM/xn^ 
 jfidomi Peseta. greater then can be p ar <j ned. For the moft part of 
 
 other fins, are fins of infirmity or fimplicity, but this is a fin of wit 
 and ftrength. The man that doth it, doth it with a high hand - 5 he 
 knows^ and fees, and refolves upon it. Again , Scripture is the 
 voice of God: and itisconfeft by all that the fenfc is Scripture, 
 rather then the words. It cannot therefore be avoided,but he that 
 wilfully ftrives to faften fome fenfe of his own upon it, other then 
 the very nature of the place will bear, muft needs take upon him the 
 Perfon of God, and become a new inditer of Scripture: and all 
 that applaud and give confent unto any fuch, in effect: cry the fame 
 that the people did to Herod, the voice of God, and not of man. If 
 he then that abafes the Princes coin deferves to die , what is his de- 
 fert that inftead of the tried filver of Gods word ftamps the name 
 
 and 
 
Ji&tijes 9j warn j»»*tr vj T7¥r»pw»ir«^ 
 
 and Character of God upon Wjhufytan, upon bafe brazen z ?ct | ^ 
 ftuff of his own > Thirdly, No Scripture is of private inter- 
 pretation, iaith the Apoftle. There can therefore be but two certain 
 and infallible interpreters of Scripture : either it feif ; or the ho- 
 ly Ghoft the Author of it. It felt doth then expound it lelf, when 
 the words and circumftances do found unto us the prime, and natu- 
 ral and principal fenfe. But when the place is obfcure, involved 
 and intricate, or when there is contained fome fecret and hidden 
 myftery, beyond the prime fenfe ; infallibly to ibevv us this , there 
 can be no Interpreter but the holy Ghoft that gave it. Befides thefe 
 two, all other Interpretation is private. Wherefore as the 
 i.ords of the Philiftines fometimes faid of the kine that drew the 
 Ark unto Bethfhem.ejb j If they go of themselves , then is this from 
 Cod-, but if they go another way, then is it not from God, it is fome 
 chance that hath happened unto us : (o may it be faid of all pretend- 
 ed, fenfe of Scripture. If Scripture come unto it of it felt 9 then is 
 it of God: but if it go another way, or if it be violently urged 
 and goaded on , then is it but a matter of chance , of mans wit and 
 invention. As for thofe marvellous difcourfes of fome , framed 
 upon prefumption of the fpirits help in private , in judging or In- 
 terpreting of difficult places of Scripture , I muft needs confefs I 
 have often wondred at the boldnefs of them. The fpirit is a thing 
 of dark and fecret operation, the manner ot it none can defcry. As 
 underminers are never feen till they have wrought their purpofe $ fo 
 the fpintis never perceived but by its effect?. The effects of the 
 fpirit (as far as they concern knowledge and inltru&ion) are not 
 particular Information for refolution in any doubtlul cafe (for. this 
 were plainly revelation) but as tie Ange 1 , which was fent unto Cor- 
 neliui, informs him not, but (ends him to Peter to School : fo the fpi- 
 rit teaches not, but ft irs up in us a defire to learn: Deiire to learn 
 makes us thirft alter the means : and pious fedulity and caret ulnefs 
 makes us watchful in the choice, and diligent in the ufe oi our 
 means, Thepromife to the Apoftles of the Spirit which fhouli, 
 lead them into all truth, was made good unto them by private and, i 
 fecret informing their underftandings , with the knowledge of high ; , 
 and heavenly myfteries, which as yet had never entred into the ,con- 7 
 ceitof any man. The fame promife is made to us, but fulfilled,. 
 $fter another manner* For what was written by revelation in the is; I 
 
 hearts [ 
 
 — . — — ~ 
 
*v -z ivnjvA uj varafi decrbj bcrlfturei " 
 
 ( hearts, for our inft ru&ion have they written in their books. To us 
 for information, other wile then out of theft books, the fpirit 
 fpeaks not. When the fpirit regenerates a man, it miufes no know- 
 
 I ledge of any point or faith, but lends him to the Church and to the 
 Scriptures. When it ilirs him up co newnefs of lite, it exhibits not 
 unto him an inventory oi his fins, as hitherto unknown ; but either 
 fuppofes them known in the law of nature, of which no man can be 
 ignorant 5 or fends him to learn them irom the mouth of his teach- 
 ers. More then this in the ordinary proceeding of the holy lpirit, 
 in matter of inftru£tion, I yet couid never defcrie. So that to ipeak 
 ofthe help of the //>/>/£ in private, eicher in dijudicating, or in in- 
 terpreting of Scripture, is to ipeak they know not what. WhichI 
 do the rather note, firlf, bccaufcby experience we have learnt, 
 how apt men are to call their private conceits, the fpirit: and a- 
 gain, becaufe it is the eipecial errour, with which S. Auftine long 
 agoe charged this kinde of men : tanto funt ad feditionem faciliores^ 
 quantofibividentur ffirkuexcellere; by to much the more prone are 
 they to kindle fchifme and contention in the Church, by how much 
 they feem to themfelves to be endued with a more eminent meaiure 
 of fpirit then their brethren % whilft lv irpoairoincr&i Ifyyfoiws t» 
 %%v t« TrctpGiaaykicriv, ( as St. Bajils ipeaks ) under pretenfe of iuterpre- 
 t&tion they violently broach their own conceits. Great then is the danger 
 in which they wade, which take upon them this bufinefs of inter- 
 pretation, temeritas ajjerendce incerta dubiee^ue opinionis, faith Sr. Au~ 
 ftine, difficile facrilegii crimen evitat : the rafhneis of thofe that aver 
 uncertain and doubtful interpretations for Catholick and abiolute, 
 can hardly efcape the fin of facrilege. 
 
 But whereas our Apoftle faith, their own defiruHion^ is the defini- 
 tion only their own ? This were well if it ftretched no farther. 
 The ancients much complain of this offence, as an hinderer of the 
 falvation of others. There were in the days of ifidcrus Pelufiota 
 fome that gave out that all in the old Teftament was fpoken of 
 Chrift : belike out of extream oppofition to the Manich'es, who on 
 the otherfide taught, that no text in the old reftament did foretel of 
 Chrift. That Father therefore dealing with fome of that opinion, 
 tells them how great the danger of their tenent is. ra *|S (in &$ 
 aiflbvttpYi/uilva, txISiettyfAivoi ty tct d&vLcodc, ^pyijublva, UTroirliv't&oLi ttcl- 
 Zy.GKivz.'QxaiV) for i^ faith he, we firive with violence to draw and ap- 
 ply 
 
~r 
 
 A bufes of hard places of Scripture* I y 
 
 ply thofe texts to Cbrift, which apparently pertain not to bim> we fhail gain 
 nothing but this y to make all the places that are fpoken of him fufpeBed* 
 andfo discredit theftrength of other teftimonies, n hich the Church ufuafly 
 urges for the refutation of the Jews. For in thefe cafes a wrefted proof 
 is like unto a fuborn'd witnefs. Ic never doth help fo much whileft 
 itisprefumedtobeftrong, as it doth hurt when it is difcovered to 
 be weak. S.Auftineinhis books de Genefi ad litter am y fharply re- 
 proves fome Chriftians, who out of fome places of Scripture mif- 
 underftood, fram'd unto themfelves a kinde of knowledge in A- 
 ftronomy and Phyfiology, quite contrary unto fome part of hea- 
 then learning in this kinde, which were true and evident unto fenfe. 
 A man would think that this were but a {mall errour, and yet he 
 doubts not to call it, turpe nimis^ & perniciofum & maxime cavendum. 
 His reafon warrants the roundnefs of his reproof. For he charges 
 fuch to have been a fcandal unto the word, and hinder ers of the con- 
 veriion of fome heathen men that were fchollars. For how y faith 
 he, tyall they believe our books of Scripture pervading the refurreEiion of 
 the dead, the kingdome of heaven^ and the reft of the myfteries of our pre~ 
 fesfion^ if they finde them faulty in thefe things^ of which themfelves have 
 undeniable demonftra L ion I Yea though the caufe we maintain be ne- 
 ver fo good, yet the iffue of difeas'd and crazie proofs brought to 
 maintain it, muft needs be the fame. For unto all caules, be they 
 never fo good, weaknefs of proof, when it is difcovered, brings 
 great prejudice, but unto the caufe of religion moft of all. St. *Au~ 
 ftine obferv'd that there were fome qui cum de aliquibus, qui fanftum 
 nomen profitentur aliquid criminis vel falfi fonuerit, vel vert patuerity 
 infant, fatagunt, ambiunt ut de omnibus hoc credatur. It fares no o- 
 therwife with religion it felf, then it doth with the profeffors of it. 
 Divcrfe malignants there are, who lie in wait to efpie where our 
 reafons on which we build are weak, and having deprehended it in 
 fome, will earneftly folicit the world to believe that all arefo, if 
 means were made to bring it to light i «x h roT<; kct,u1uv $6ypa.<7i rfo 
 i%vy ?%QvTie., aAX' ivToTq fyfter (pwv ffaQpofs tcvJlm SyipvJovlie.) as 
 Nazianzen fpeaks : ufing for advantage againft us no ftrength of 
 their own, but the vice and imbecillity of our defence. The book 
 of the Revelation is a book full of wonder and myftery : the anci- 
 ents feem to have made a religion to meddle with it, and thought 
 it much better to admire it with filence> then to adventure to ex- 
 
 C pound 
 
 _ 
 
1 8 Abufes of hard places of Scripture. 
 
 pound it : and therefore amongft their labours in expofition of 
 Scripture, fcarfly is there any one found that hath toucht ic. But 
 our age nath taken better heart, and karfly any one is there who 
 hath entertained a good conceit of his own abilities, but he hath ta- 
 ken that book as a fit argument to fpend his pains on. That the 
 Church of Rome hath great caufe to iufpeft her ielf, to fear leaft 
 fhe have a great part in the prophefies of that book, I think the mod 
 partial will not deny. Yet unto the expofitors of it, I will give this 
 advice, that they look that that befal not them, which Tbucidides 
 obferves to befal the common fort of men: who though they have 
 good means to acquit themfelves like men, yet when they think 
 their beft hopes fail them, and begin to defpair of their ftrength, 
 comfort themfelves with interpretations of certain dark and obfeure 
 prophefies. Many plain texts of Scripture are very pregnant, and 
 of fufficient ftrength to overthrow the points maintained by that 
 Church againft us.If wc leave thefe, & ground our felves upon our 
 private expofitions of this book, we fhall juftly leem in the pover* 
 ty of better proofs, to reft our felves upon thofe prophefiesj 
 which, though inthemielves they are moft certain, yet our expo- 
 fitions of them muft, ( except God give yet further light unto his 
 Church ) neceflarily be mixt with much uncertainty, as being at the 
 beft but unprobable conjectures of our own Scarfly can there be 
 found a thing more harmful to religion, then to vert thus our own 
 conceits, and obtrude them upon the world for neceffary and abfo- 
 lute. The Phy ficians skill as I conceive of it, ftands as much on o- 
 pinion, as any that I know, whatfoevcr. Yet their greateft matter 
 .Hippocrates tells them directly •* Qincrig yd fxdXiga, iv ly]\^j.}t^ &c. 
 Then the Phy ficians f resumption upon opinion^ there is not one thing that 
 Irings either more blame tohimfelj or danger to his patient. If it be thus 
 In an art which opinion taken away, muft needs fall ; how little 
 room then muft opinion have in that knowledge, where nothing 
 can have place but what is of eternal truth ? Where if once we ad- 
 mit of opinion all is overthrown? But I conclude this point, ad- 
 ding only this general admonkion, that we be not too peremptory 
 In our pofitions* where exprefs text of Scripture fails us : that we 
 lay not our own collections and conclusions with too much precipi. 
 £ancy„ For experience hachihewed us, r] at the error and weak- 
 §efs of them being aiterwaidsdiicoveredbjii^s great difed vantage 
 
 to 
 
Alufes of hard places of Scripture, TSJ 
 
 to Chriftianity, and trouble to the Church. The Eaftern Church 
 before S.Bafls time, had entertained generally a conceit, that 
 that thofe Greek Particles , lv , aOv , ^ict , and the reft, were fo 
 divided among the Trinity , that each of the Perfons had his Par- 
 ticle which was no way appliable to the reft. S. Bafil having dis- 
 covered this to be but a nicenefs and needlefs curiofity, beginning to 
 teach fo, raifed in the Church fuch a tumult , that he brought upon 
 himfelf a great labour of writing many traces in Apology for 
 himfelf, with much ado, ere matters could again beletlect. The 
 fault of this was not in Bafil , who Religioufly tearing what by way 
 of confequence might enwe upon an error , taught a truth j but in 
 the Church , who formerly had with too much facility admitted 2 
 conclufion (o juftly fubjeft to exception. And let this fuffice for our 
 third part. 
 
 Now becaufe it is apparant that the end of this our Apoftles ad- 
 monition is to give the Church a caveat how fhe behave her felf in 
 handling of Scripture, give me leave a little , inftead of the ufe of 
 fuch do&rines as I have formerly laid down, to fhew you , as far as 
 my conceit can ftretch, what couric any man may take to fave him- 
 felf from offering violence unto Scripture, and reafonably fettle 
 himfelf, any pretended obfeurity of the text whatfoever not with- 
 (landing. For which purpofe the diligent obferving of two rules 
 fhall be throughly available. Firft, The literal, plain, and uncontro- 
 uerfable meaning of Scripture without any addition or fupply byway of in- 
 terpretation, is that alone which for ground of faith we are necefsarily 
 bound to accept, except it be there where the holy Ghofl himfelf treads us 
 out another way. I take not this to be any peculiar conceit of mine, 
 but that unto which our Church ftands necefTarily bound. When 
 we receded from the Church of Rome , one motive was , becaufe 
 (he added unto Scripture her glofies as Canonical , to fupply what 
 the plain text of Scripture could not yield. If in place of hers, 
 we (et up our own glo(Tes,thus to do, were nothing elfe but to pull 
 down Baal, and fet up an Ephod$ to run round , and meet the 
 Church of Rome again in the fame point , in which at firft we left 
 her. But the plain,evident and demonftrative ground of thi^ rule, 
 is this. That authority which doth warrant our faith unto us, mutt 
 every way be ft ee from all poflibility of errour. For let us but 
 once admit of this, that there is any poflibility that any one point 
 
 C a of 
 
to Ahufes of hard places of Scripture. 
 
 of faith fhould not be true ; if it be once granted that I may be 
 deceived in what I have believed $ how can I be atfur'd that in the 
 end Ifball not be deceived ? If the author of faith may alter : or 
 if the evidence and affurance that he hath left us be not pregnant, 
 and impoffible to be defeated, there is ncceiTarily opened an inlet 
 to doubtfulnefs and wavering, which the nature of faith excludes. 
 That faith therefore may (land unfhaken , two things are of necefr 
 fity to concur. Firft , that the Author of it be fuch a one , as can 
 by no means be deceived, and this caabe none but God. Secondly, 
 that the words and text of this Author upon whom we ground, . 
 tnuft admit of no ambiguity, no uncertainty of interprecation. 
 If the trumpet give an uncertain found , who fhall provide himfelf to 
 battle* Ifthe words admit a. double fenfe, and I follow one, who 
 can allure me that that which I follow is the truth ? For infallibility 
 either in judgement , or interpretation , or whatfoever , is anncxt 
 neither to the See of any Bifhop , nor to the Fathers , . nor to the 
 Councels,nor to the Church, nor to any created power whatfoe*. 
 ver* This do&rine of the literal fenfe was never greivous or pre* 
 judicial to any , butonely to thofe who were inwardly confeious, 
 that their pofitions were not fufficiently grounded. When Cardie 
 nal Cajetan in the days of our grandfathers had forfaken that vein 
 of poftilling and allcgorifing on Scripture, which for a long time 
 had prevailed in the Church, and betaken himfelf unto the lite- 
 ral fenfe ; it was a thing fo diftaftful unto the Church of Rome, 
 that he was fore'd to find out many {hifts,and make many apologies 
 for himfelf. The truth is (as it will appear to him that reads his 
 writings J this Iticking clofe to the literal fenfe was that alone 3 
 which made him to fhake many of thofe tenents , upon which the 
 Church of Rome and the Reformed Churches differ. But when 
 the importunity of the Reformers, and the great credit of Calvins 
 writings in that kinde , had forced the Divines of Rome to level 
 their interpretations by the fame line : when they faw that no pains, 
 W fubtlety of wit was ftroiig enough to defeat the literal evidence 
 of Scripture : it drave them on thofe defperate (helves, on which 
 # this day they ftick^ to call in queftion, as far as they durft, the, 
 credit of the Hebrew text,and countenance againft it a corrupt tran- 
 slation > to add traditions unto Scripture; and to make the Churches 
 Interpretation, fo pretended., to be_ above exception. As. for that 
 
 jrcftri&ios 
 
 "' 
 
Alufes of hard places of Scripture. 2 1 
 
 reftriftion which is ufually added to this rule , that the literal fenfe 
 is to be taken , if no abfurdity follow , though I acknowledge it to 
 be found and good , yet my advife is that we entertain it warily. 
 S. Bajil thought the precept of Chrift to the rich man in the Go- 
 fpel, Go fell aX thou haji and give unto the poor, tobefpokenas 
 a command universally and eternally binding all Chriftians with- 
 out exception. And making this objection , how poffibly fuch a 
 life could be amongft Chriftians , fince where all are fellars,nonc 
 could be buyers : ph ipvTa. /at ( laith he J rhv Sixpoiclv r&v 
 $%<rn$M%p v&eafyjLd.rQVj &C . Ask not me the [en ft of my Lords 
 commands. He that gave the Law , can provide to give it pcfsibility- 
 of being kept without any dfurdity at all. Which f peech, howfoever 
 wamayfuppofetheoccafionof.it to be miftaktn; yet is it of ex- 
 cellent ufe,to repreis oux boldnefs, whereby many times, under pre- 
 tence of fome inconvenience, we hinder Scripture from that lati- 
 tude of fenie , oi which it is naturally capable. You know the fto- 
 ry of the Roman Captain in Gellitu , and what he told the Ship- 
 wright, that chofe rather to interpret, then to execute his Lords 
 command : Corrwmpi atque dijjolvi omne imperantis officium, (i quis 
 ad id quod facer 'e jutfus ejt non obfequio debit o , fed confilio non defide- 
 rato respondeat. It will certainly in the end prove fafer for us to 
 entertain Gods Commandments obfequio debito , then to interpret 
 them acumine non deftderato. Thofe other ways of interpretation ; 
 whether it be by allegorizing , or allufion or whatfoever , the belt 
 that can be faid of them is that which Bafii hath pronounced : : 
 <*>c, KixOfA-^lVfAivQv f/,tv rev Ao^ov diro^i^ofM^ct dhr^Yi ^ iJv&i a 
 nuavv Swaoftiv. We account of them as of trim , elegant , and witty v 
 fpeecbes , but we refufe to accept of them , as of undoubted truths. And I 
 though of fome part oi thefe that may be faid which 
 one faid of his own work , quod adufum l*fi 9 quod ad A *I™*" n ™*W' 
 moleftiam laboravi , in relpect of any profit comes by them, they • 
 arebmfport, butinreiped of the pains taken in making of them i 
 they are labor & travel : yet much of the mis of excellent ufe in pri- 
 vate : either to raife our affections or to fpend our meditations,or (fo » 
 it be with modeftyj to pra&ife our gifts of wit to the honor of him i 
 that gave them. For if we abfolutely condemn thefe interpreta- 1 
 tions> then muft we condemn a great part of antiquity , who are ■ 
 
 vei^s y 
 
22 Abnfes of hard places of Scripture. 
 
 very much conversant in this kinde of interpreting. For the moft 
 partial for antiquity cannot chufe but Tee and confefs thus much, 
 that tor the literal fenfe the Interpreter^ of our own times, becaule 
 of their skill in the Original Languages , their care of prefling the 
 circumftances and coherence of the text - y of comparing like pla- 
 ces of Scripture with like , have generally furpaft the beft of the 
 ancients. Which I fpeak not to dilcountenance antiquity, but that 
 all ages , all perfons may have their due. And let this fufhee for 
 our hrft rule. 
 
 The }ewift\ Rabbins in their Comments on Scripture lo oft as 
 they met with hard and intricate texts , out of which they could 
 not wreft themfelves, were wont to (hut up their difcourfe with 
 this, Ehias cumvenerit , folvet dubia t E lias {hall anfwer this doubt 
 when he comes. Not the Jews only , but the Learned Chriftians 
 of all ages have found many things in Scripture which yet expect 
 Slits. For be (ides thofe texts of Scriptures, which by reafon of 
 the hidden treafures of wifdom , and depth of ienfe and myftery 
 laid up in them, are not yet conceived, there are in Scripture of 
 things that are tJfiggn ir^Jn^ , feemingly con us d^ ivctvli&pctvviy car- 
 ryingfemblance of contrariety , anachronifms^ metachronffms^and the like, 
 which bring infinite obkurity to the text : there are I fay in Scri- 
 pture more of them , then in any writing that I know fecular or 
 Divine. It we mean not to fettle our felves till all thefe things are 
 anfwered , let us take heed leaft the like be faid to us , which 
 S.Auftine faid to fome of the Gentiles, who refuled to believe till 
 all objections were fatisfied funt enim innumerabiles qu& non fmtfini- 
 enddt antefiderri) ne vita fniatur fine fide. The Areopagiw in Athens^ 
 when they were troubled in a doubtful cafe in which they durft not 
 proceed to fentencc, were wont caufam in diem longifsimam differre y 
 to put it off till a day of hearing for fome hundreth years after, a- 
 voiding by this means the further being importun'd with the fuit. 
 To quiet our felves in thefe doubts it will be our beft way in diem 
 hngifsimam differre, to put them to fome day of hearing a far off, 
 even till that great day, till Chrift our true El ; as fhall come , w o 
 at hiscomming fhall anfwer all our doubts, and fettle all our wa- 
 verings. Mean while till our Eli as come, let us make ufeof this 
 fecond rule. In places of ambiguous and doubtful , or dark and intn- 
 sate meanings it is J Efficient if we religioufly admire and acknowledge and 
 
 confers x 
 
 ~— 
 
Abufes of hard placet of Scripture. 2 3 
 
 confefs : ufing that moderation of Auftine : Neutram partem affirmantes 
 five deftruentes, fed tanturnmodo ab auc/aci afjirmandi prafumpttone revp- 
 can es. Qui credit, faith one, fatis eft ilii quod (fhriftus inteltigat. To 
 underftand belongs to Chnit the Author of our Faith: to usis ; 
 iuifrcient the glory of believing. Wherefore we are to advifc, not 
 fo much how to attain unto the underftanding of the myfteriesof 
 Scripture ; as how it beft fits us to carry our iclves when either the 
 difficulty of the text , or variety of opinions fhall diftra6t us. In 
 the (ixth General Councel Honoris Jtithop of Rome is condemned 
 for a Monothehte. Two Epiftles there are of his which are pro- 
 duced to give evidence againft him.. For the firft I have nothing to 
 fay. For the fecond (I fpeak with fubmiffion to better judgement) 
 notwithftanding the (harp proceeding of the Councc-1 againft him, 
 I verily (uppofe that he gives unto the Church the beft-Coun-fel, that 
 ever yet was given for the fetling of doubts y and final decifioo of 
 controverfie. For that which he teaches in that Epiftle, at lcaft m 
 thofe parts of it , which there are brought , founds to no other 
 purpofe but this : That whereas there was lately raifed in the Church a 
 coatroverfie concerning the duality or unity of wills in Chrift 5 fince that hi- 
 therto nothing in the Church concerning either part h-ath been exprefty 
 taught, his Counfei was that men would rather ceaje to doubt , then to be cu- 
 rious to fear ch for any folution of their doublings j and jo abftain from . 
 teaching dociriaally either part ,. and content thenf elves with that exprefs 
 meafure of faith , with which the Church hath hitherto reft fat is ft ed. This 
 to my conceit is the drift of his Epiftle. How this advife of the 
 Bifhops was appHable or how it fitted the queftion then in contro* 
 verfie ; or what reafon moved the Councel to think that it was ab- 
 iolutely necefTary for them , to give an exprefs decifion, and deter- 
 mine for the one part, belongs not to me to difcufs. But I verily 
 perfwade my feif, that if it had plcafed thofe, who in all ages 
 have been fet to Govern the Church of God , betimes to have 
 made ufe of this advife , to have taught men rather not to have 
 doubted , then to have expected ftill folution of their doubtings : 
 tohaveftopt and damm'd up the originals and fprings of contro- 
 verfies, rather then by determining for the one part, to give them as 
 it.were a pipe and conduit to conveigh them to pofterity,I perfwade 
 my felf the Church had not fufifered that inundation of opinions 3 
 with which at this day it is overrun. Is it not Saint Pauls own pra- 
 
 _i~ 
 
24 Abnfes of bard places of Scripture. 
 
 &ife, when having brought in a queftion concerning Gods juftice in 
 predeftination, he gives no other anfwer but this, O man^ who art thou 
 that dtfputeft with God I Is it not his plain purpofe to advife the difpu- 
 ter rather not to make the queftion , then to require a determina- 
 tion of it at his hands ? How many of the queftions even of our own 
 times , even of thofe that are at home amongft us , might by this 
 way long fince have been determin'd ? I have , I confefs, the fame 
 difeafe that my firft Parents in Paradife had , a defire to know 
 more then I need. But I always thought it a very judicious com- 
 mendation, which is given to Julius Agricola , that he knew how to 
 bridle his defire in purluit of knowledge , retinuitque y quod eft dif- 
 ficiliimum y ex fcientia wdum. Mattem quidem (as S.Auftine faith) 
 eorum qu<t k me qu<efivifti habere fcientiam 5 quam ignorantiam j fed 
 quia id nondum potui y magis eligo cautam ignoranti&m confiteri y quam 
 falfam fcientiam profiler*. It {hall well befit our Chriftian mode- 
 fty to participate fome what of the Sceptike , and to ufe their 
 iW^eiv, till the v?ipY\fjLa,> and remainder of our knowledge be 
 fupplied byChrift: In quern ft credimus , ut ft aliqua nobis non ape- 
 riat etiam pulfantibus , nullo modo adverfus eum murmur are debeamus. 
 To conclude, S.Auftine in his eightieth Epiftle difcourfing of the 
 fpeedy or (low coming of our Saviour to judgement , to (hew that 
 it is the iafeft way to teach neither , but to lulpend our belief, and 
 confefs our ignorance , ranging himfelf with men of this temper, 
 ebfecro te (Taich he to Hefychius , to whom he writes that Epiftle) 
 ebfecro teutmetalem non f per no*. So give me leave to commence 
 the fame fuit to you : obfecro vos ut me talem non fpernatis. Let me 
 requeft you bear with me , if I be fuch a one , as I have S. Aufline 
 for example. For it is not depth of knowledge, nor knowledge of 
 antiquity , or {harpnefs of wit , nor authority of Councels , nor 
 the name of the Church can fettle the reftlefs conceits , that poffefs 
 the mindes of many doubtful Chriftians : onely to ground for faith 
 on the plain uncontroverfable Text of Scripture , and for the reft 
 to expect and pray for the coming of our Elias , this {hall compofe 
 our waverings, and give final reft unto our fouls. 
 
 Thus inftead of a difcourfe which was due unto this time, con- 
 cerning the glorious Refurre&ion of our bleiTed Saviour , and the 
 benefits that come unto us by it , I have diverted my felf upon an- 
 other theam, more neceflary as I thought for this auditory, though 
 
 lefs 
 
Abtifes of hard places of Scripture. 3$ 
 
 lefs agreeable with this folemnky. Thofe who have gone afore 
 me in that argument have made fo copious a harveft ,* that the 
 iffue of my gatherings muft needs have been but fmall , except 
 I had with Ruth glean'd out of their (heaves, or ftrain'd my indu- 
 ftry which is but fmall, and my wits which are none, to have held 
 your attentivenefs with new and quaint conceits. In the mean 
 time , whether it be I or they , or whatfoever hath been deli- 
 vered out of this place, God grant that it may be for his ho- 
 nor, and for the Churches good , to whom both it aud we are 
 dedicate. To God the Father, Sec. 
 
 D Rom. 
 
 
 _/ 
 
36 
 
 Rom. i^j.. i. 
 
 \Mmthatisvpea\inthe faith receive) but not to doubt" 
 ful difputations, * 
 
 Jght it fohave pleafed Godthat I had in my power the 
 choice of my ways, and the free management of my own 
 attions, I had not this day been fcen, (forfo I think 
 I ma) better fpeak : feen may I be of many, but to be 
 heard with any latitude and compafs my natural im- 
 petfeBion doth quite cut of ; ) I had not I fay in 
 * this p 'ace this day been feen , Ambition of great and 
 s famous Auditories I leave to thofe whofe better gifts and 
 inward endowments are Admonitioners unto them of the great good 
 they can do, orotherwife thirft after popular applaufe. Vutomyfelf 
 have Z evermore applied that of St. Hierome, mihi fufhcit cumau- 
 clitore & Le&ore pauperculo inangulo Monafterii fufurrare, a 
 [malty a private, a retired auditory better accords both with my will and 
 my abilities, Thofe unto whofe discretion the furniture of this place is 
 committed, ought efpeciallyto be careful, f nee you come hither to hear, 
 to provide pu thofe who can be heard, for the neglefi of this one circum- 
 fiance, howpoorfoeveritmayfeemto be, is no lefs then to offend a- 
 gainft that faith which cometh by hearing ; and to fruftrate as much 
 as in them is, that end for which alone thefe meetings were ordained, 
 we that come to this place as God came to Elias in the mount, in a foft 
 and fiill voice, to thofe which are near us, are that which the grace of 
 God doth make us , unto the reft we are but Statues: fucb therefore as 
 
 m 
 
Of dialing with Erring Chriftians. a 7 
 
 my Imperfeclion in this kindefhall offend, fuch as this day are my fp ell a* 
 tors only, know, I trufi whom they are to blame. At my hands is only 
 required truth infmcerely discharging a common care, at others, care of 
 prop tally delivering a common truth. As for me, the end ofwhofe com- 
 ing is to exhort you to a gracious interpreting of each others imperfeUi- 
 onS, having firjf premised this Apology for my [elf, it is now time to 
 defend to the expofition of that Scripture, n hich I have proposed. Ia- 
 firmum in fide recipite, &c. Him that is weak in the faith re- 
 ceive, &c. 
 
 GOodnefs, of all the attributes, by which a man may be ftiled, 
 hath chief place and Soveraignty. Goodnefs, I fay, not 
 chat Oiietaphyfical conceit which we difpute of in our Schools, and 
 is nothing elfe but that perfection which is inwardly due, unto the 
 Being of every creature, and without which cither it is not at all, 
 or but in part, that whofe name it bears : but that which the 
 common (ort of men do dually understand, when they call a 
 man Good ; by which is meant nothing clie, but vypov % yu&.- 
 X.t%ov W(&, afoft, andfweet, and flexible cliff ofition. For all o- 
 ther Excellencies and Eminent qualities which raife in the mindes 
 of men, fome opinion and conceit of us, may occafion pcrad- 
 venture fome ftrong refpecl: in another kinde , but imprespon of 
 love and true refpeB nothing can give but this. Greatnefs of place 
 and authority may make us fear'd, Depth of Learning admit 'd, 
 Abundance of wealth may make men outwardly obfequious un- 
 to us 5 but that which makes one man a God unto another, that 
 which doth tyethe Souls of men unto us, that which like the Eye of 
 the Bridegroom, in the book of Canticles, ravijhes the heart of him 
 that looks upon it, is Goodnefs, without this mankinde were but 
 ( as one fpcaks ) fimmisjiones mer<e, & arena fine cake, ftones 
 heapt together without morter, or pieces of boards without any 
 casment to combine and tye them together. For this it hath lin- 
 gular in it, above all other properties, of which our Nature is 
 capable, that it is the moft Available to Humane Society, incor- 
 porating, and as it were kneading us together by foftnefs of dif- 
 poiition, by being companionate, by gladly communicating to 
 the necessity of others, by Transfufing our felves into others, and 
 
 D 2 Receiving 
 
zS Of dealing with JLrring Cbrijlians. 
 
 Receiving from others into our fclves. All other Qualities, how 
 excellent foever they are, Teem to be fomewhat of a meUncbolick 
 andfolitary cliipofition. They Chine then brighteft, when they 
 are in fome one alone, or attain'd unto by few -, once make 
 them common, and they lofe their luftre. Bat Goodnefs is more 
 fociable ; and rcjoyceth in equalling others unto it felt, and 
 lofes its Nature, when it ceales to be communicable. The Hea- 
 then [peaking of God ufually ftile him by two Attributes. Op- 
 timus e? Maximus, the one importing his goodnefs, the other his 
 Power. In the firft place they call'd him Optimus, a name figni- 
 fying hisgoodaefs, giving ihe precedency unto it 5 and in the fe- 
 cond place Afax/mm, a name betokening his Power :yea, Good- 
 nefs is that wherein God himfelf doth moft delight himfelf •, and 
 therefore all the Atls of our Saviour, while he converfed on earth 
 among men, were purely the hTues of his tenderness without any 
 afperfion of Severity, two only excepted: I mean his Chafing 
 the Prophaners out of the Temple, and the C#y/V laid upon the in- 
 nocent Fig-tree : and yet in both thefe mercy rejoyced againft judg- 
 ment and his gcodnefs had the preheminence. For the firft 
 brought fome fmart with it indeed, but no harm at all, 
 as Fathers ufe to chaftife their Children by means that fear them 
 more then hurt them. The fecond of it (elf was nothing, as be- 
 ing pra&is'd on a Creature dull and fenfelefs of all fmart, and 
 punifhment ; but was meerly Exemplary for us, fterilitas nojira 
 in ficu vapulat. Chrift whips our fruitlefnefs in the innocent fig- 
 tree ; like as the Manner was among the Perfians, when their 
 great men had offended, to take their Garments and beat them. 
 Now that gracious way of goodnefs which it pleafed our Saviour, 
 thus to tread himfelf before us, the fame hath he left behinde 
 him to be gone by us, and hath ordained us a courfe of Religious 
 and Chrijiian fervice unto him, known by nothing more then 
 goodnefs and com pasfion. The very Heathen themfelves, though 
 utter enemies unto it, have candidly afforded us this Teftimony. 
 Ammianus Marcellinm taxing Georgiw a factious and proud Bifhop 
 of Alexandria, for abufing the weaknefs of Conftantim the Em- 
 perour by bafe tale-bearing and privy informations -, notes pre- 
 eifely that he did it, Oblitusprofesfwniffua, qua nilnifijufluwfua- 
 
 det 
 
Of dealing with Erring Chriftians. 29 
 
 det & lene ; quite befides the meaning of his profeflion, whofe 
 efpecial notes were Gentlenefs and Equity. And Tertullian tells 
 us that anciently among the Heathen, the profeffors ot Chrifta- 
 nity, were called, not Chrifiiani, but Cbrefliani, from a word 
 fignify ing Benignity and fweetnefs of difpofition. The learned of 
 our times, who for our inftrudtion, have written de No f is Ecde- 
 pt by what notes and fignes, we may know the Church of Chrijt 
 may ieem to have but ill forgotten, this which the Heathen man 
 had io clearly difcovered. For what reafon is there, why that 
 lhould notbeoneofthechiefeft notes of the Church of Chrijt, 
 which did fo efpecially Cbarafleriz* aChriftian man, except it 
 were the decay of it at this day in the Church: of this thing 
 thereforefo excellent in it felf, fo ufeful, fo principally com- 
 mended by the precept and example of our blevTed Saviour, one 
 efpecial part is, if not the whole, which here by our Apoftle is 
 commended unto us, when he f peaks unto us ot kindly intreating, 
 & making much of fuch, who are as he calls them weak in Faith. 
 Him that is weak in Faith, Sec. To know the natural 
 ground and occafion of which words, it fhall be very pertinent, 
 to note unto you, that with the Church of Chrifc, as it figni- 
 fies a Company of men on earth, it fares no otherwise, then it doth 
 with other Societies, and civil Corporations. One thing there is 
 unavoidable, and natural to all (ocieties, which is the greateft 
 occafioner, yea the very ground of difunion and diffent, I mean 
 Inequality of pet fons and degrees. All are not of the lame worth, 
 and therefore ail cannot carry the fame efteem and counte- 
 nance .• yet all even the meaneft are alike impatient of difcoun- 
 fenance and contempt, be the perfons never fo great, from 
 whence it proceeds. Wherefore we finde that in States govern- 
 ed by the people nothing did more exafperate the common fort, 
 then the conceit of being contemned by men of greater place. 
 For the taking away therefore of tumult and comlajlion, which 
 through this inequality might arife, it was anciently accounted 
 an excellent policy in the Romane (late, that men of greater ac- 
 count and place, did as it were [bare the inferiour fort, amongft 
 themfelves, and every one according to his Ability entertain'd 
 fome part of them as ClyentSi to whom they yielded all lawful 
 
 favour 
 
 
50 Of dealing with "Erring Chriflians. 
 
 favour and prote&ion. Even thus it fares with the Church of 
 God, it cannot be, that all in it fhould be of equal worth, it is 
 likewife diftinguifhed into Plebem and Optimates. Some there 
 are, and thole that either through aboundance of fpiritual gra- 
 ces, or elie of natural gifts do far out-ftrip a great part of other 
 Chriftians, thefe are the Optimates, the Nobles of the Church 
 whom our Apoftle, lome where calls ftrong men in chrifi. O- 
 thers there are, and thofe moft in number, who cither becaufe 
 God hath not fo liberally bleft them with gifts of under ftanding, 
 and capacity ; or by reafon of fome other imperfections are ei- 
 thernot fo deeply skill'd in the myfteriesofChrift, andofGod- 
 linefs, or otherwife weak in manners and behaviour, and thefe 
 are the Blebs the Many of the Church, whom our Apoftle fomc- 
 times calls Brethren of low degree, fometimes Babes in Chrtfl, and 
 here in my text the weak and fick in faith. Men, by nature queru- 
 lous, and apt to take exception, Svactpizcv y£> ol voauvrts dno- 
 gja$ vitb faith EleBra in the Tragedy. A fick man is a pettifhy 
 and wayward Creature hard to bepleafed • as therefore with the fick, 
 fo are we now to deal with a Neighlour weak and fick of bis/p- 
 m^/conftitution, and much we are to bear with his froward- 
 nefs, where we cannot remedy it. For as Varro fometimes 
 fpake of the Laws of Wedlock. Vxoru vitium aut tollendum eft 
 autferendum, either a man muft amend, or endure the faults of 
 his wife, he that amends them makes his wife the better, but he 
 that patiently endures them makes himfelf the better : fo is ic 
 much more true in dealing with our weak Brethren, if we can 
 by our behaviour remedy their imbecillities,we make them the 
 better, if not, by enduring them we (hall make our felves the 
 better 5 for fo fhall we encreafe the vertue of our patience, and 
 purchafe to our felves at Gods hand a more aboundant reward. 
 A great part of the luftre of a Chrifi an mans virtue were utterly 
 obfcure,fhould it want this mean of fhewing it felf 3 for were all 
 men ftrong, were all of fufhcicnt diicrction, to fee and judge 
 oiConveni ncjy where were the glory of our forbearance? As 
 well therefore to increafe the reward of the flrong man ij\ Chrift, 
 as to flop the whining and murmuring of the weaker fort, and to 
 give content at all hands, our Apoftle like a good Tribune in this 
 
 Text 
 
~VfdfaTtng with Erring, cmjfians. ji~ 
 
 Text gives a rule of Chrifti an popularity advifmg the man of wor- 
 thier parts, to avoid all flcighting behaviour, to open the arms 
 oftcndernefs and companion, and to demerit by all courtefic 
 the men of meaner rank, fo to prevent all inconvenience, triac 
 might arile out of dif dainf ul and rcipe&lefs carriage 5 for God 
 is not like unco mortal Princes, jealous of the man whom the 
 people love. In the world nothing is more dangerous for great 
 men, then the extraordinary favour, and applaule of the people* 
 Many excellent men have mifcarried by it. For Princes ftand 
 much in fear, when any of their lubje&s hath the heart of the 
 people. It is one of the commoneft grounds upon which Trea- 
 lon is rais'd, Abfolom had the Art of it, who by being plaufible, 
 by commiferating the peoples wrongs, and wifhing the rcdreis 3 
 O that I were a Judge to do this people good, by putting out his hand 
 and imbracing and killing every one that came nigh him, fo ftolc 
 away the hearts of the people, that he had well-nigh put his Fa- 
 ther befide his Kingdom : but what alters and undoes the King- 
 doms of this world, that ftrengthens and increafes the Kingdom 
 of God, Abfolom the popular Cbriflian, that hath the art of win- 
 ning mensfouls,and making himfelf belov'd of the people, is the 
 beft mbjedt in the Kingdom of grace, for this is that which our 
 Apoftle exprefTes in the phrafe oi%eceivitg the weak*. 
 
 Now it falls out oftentimes that men offend through intern- 
 peflive compasjion and tendernefs, as much as by over much rigid- 
 nefsand feverity : as much by familiarity, as by fuperciliouf- 
 nefs and contempt. Wherefore even our love and courtefie 
 muft be managed by difcrction. St. Paul faw this well} and 
 therefore he prescribes limits to our affe&ions, and having m\ 
 the former part of my text counfeiled us as Cbrifi did Peter , to let 
 loofe our nets, to make a draught , to do as Jofepb did in Egypt,., 
 open our gamers and ftore-houles, that all may come to buy, to: 
 admit of all, to exclude none, from our indulgence and cour- 
 tefie, in this fecond part But not to doubtful difputations 3. he 
 fets the bounds how far our love muft reach. As Mofes in the 
 I p. of Exodus, fet bounds about Mount Sinai, forbidding the 
 people, that they go not up t& the Hill, or come within the bor- 
 ders of it, fo hath the Apoftle appointed certain limits to our 
 
 lova 
 
g 2 Of dealing with 'Erring Chriftians. 
 
 love and favour, within which it {hall not be lawful for the peo- 
 ple to come. Inlarge we the PhylaBeries of our goodnefs as 
 broad as we lift, give we all countenance unto tbe meaner fort, 
 admit we them into all inwardnefs, and familiarity 5 yet unto 
 deputations and controverts , concerning profounder points of 
 Faith and religious myfteries, the meaner fort may be by no 
 means admitted. For give me leave now to take this for the 
 meaning of the words : I know they are very capable of ano- 
 ther fenle : as if the Apoftles counfei had been unto us to en- 
 tertain withal courtefie our weaker brethren , and not overbu- 
 illyto enquire i n to, or cenfure their fecrec thoughts and doubl- 
 ings , but here to leave them to themfelves, and to God who is 
 the Judge of thoughts. For many there are, otherwife right 
 good men, yet weak in judgement , who have fallen upon fun- 
 dry private conceits, iuch as are unnecefTary differencing of 
 meats and drinks, diftinction of days or (to exemplifie my felf 
 in fome conceit of our times) fome Angular opinions concern- 
 ing the State of Souls departed, private interpretations of obfcure . 
 Texts of Scripture, and others of the fame nature : of thefe or 
 the like thoughts , which have taken root in the hearts of men 
 of fhallow capacity, thofe who are more furely grounded, may 
 not prefume themfelves to bee judges, many of thefe things of 
 themfelves, are harmlefs, and indifferent, only to him that hath 
 fome prejudicate opinion of them , they are not fo,and of thefe 
 things they who are thus, or thus conceited (hall be accountable 
 to God , and not to man 5 to him alone (hall they ftand or fall. 
 Wherefore, bear (faith the Apoftle) with thefe infirmities , and 
 take not on you to be Lords of their thoughts , but gently to- 
 lerate thefe their unnecefTary conceits and fcrupulofities. This 
 though I take to be the more natural meaning of the words, (for 
 indeed it is the main drift of our Apoftles difcourfe in this chap- 
 ter) yet chufe I rather to follow the former interpretation. Firft, 
 becaufe of the Authority of fundry learned Inter preters&nd becaufe 
 it is very requisite that our age fhould have fomething faid unto 
 it concerning this overbold intrufionof all forts of men into the 
 difcufling of doubtful Difputations.Vot Difputatiox, though it be an 
 excellent help to bring the truth to light , yet many times by to 
 
 much 
 
Of dealing with Erring Uhriftians. 3 3 
 
 much troubling the waters, it fuffers it to flip away un- 
 fcen, eipecially with the meaner fort who cannot fo eafily 
 efpie , when it is mixt with Sophiftry and deceit. 
 Infirmum autem in fide recipite, but not to doubtful difputations. 
 This my text therefore is a Spiritual %egimen and diet for thefe 
 who are of a weak and fickly conftitution of minde, and it con- 
 tains a Recife for a man of crazie and dileafed faith. In which by 
 that which I have delivered, you may plainly fee there are two 
 general parts. Fir ft an admonition of courreous entertain- 
 ment to be given to the weaker lort in the firft words. Him 
 that is weak in the Faith receive, &c. Secondly, the reftraint and 
 bound of this Admonition, how far it is to extend even unto all 
 Chriftian offices, excepting only the hearing of doubtful difputati- 
 otfj.Inthe firft part we will confider ; firft,who thefe weak ones 
 are of whom the Apoftle fpeaks, and how many kindes of 
 them there be, and how each of them may be the fubjed of a 
 Chriftian mans goodnefs and courtefie. Secondly, who thefe 
 perfons are, to whom this precept of entertaining is given, and 
 they are two,either, the private man, or the publick Magiftrate. 
 In the fecond general part we will fee what reafons we may 
 frame to our felves, why thefe weak ones {hould not be admit- 
 ted to queftions and doubtful deputations. Which points feveral- 
 ly, and by thcmfelves we will not handle, but we will fo order 
 them,that ftill as we fhall have in order difcovered fome kind of 
 weak wan, whom our Apoftle would have received^ we will im- 
 mediately leek how far forth he hath a right to be an hearer of 
 Sacred deputation, and this as far only as it concerns a private 
 man : And for an up-fhot in the end, we will briefly confider 
 by it felf, whether,' and how far this precept of bearing with the 
 weak pertains to the man of publick place, whether in the 
 Church or in the common-wealth. And firft concerning the 
 weak, as he may be a fubjed of Chriftian courtefie in private. 
 And here becaufe, that in comparifon of him that is ftrong in 
 Chrift, every man of what eftate foever, may be faid to be 
 weak, that ftrong man only excepted, we will in the number of 
 the weak contain all perfons whatfoever. For I conf efs, becaufe 
 I wifh well to all, I am willing that all (hould reap fome bene- 
 
 E fit 
 
jpf- -jjj aeaimgrptw zmng Wriftians. 
 
 fit by my text. As therefore the woman in the Gofpel, who in 
 touching only the Hem of Chrifts garment did receive venue to 
 cure her difeafe : 16 all weak perfons whatfoever, though they 
 feeni tocomebehinde, and only touch the hem of my text, may 
 peradventure receive fome vertue from it to redrefs their weak- 
 nefs 5 nay, as the King in the Gofpel that made a feaft, and wil- 
 led his fervants to go out to the high-wayes fide to the blinde, 
 and the lame, and force them in that his houfe might be full : 
 fo what lame or weak perfon foever he be, if I flnde him not in 
 my text, I will go out and force him in, that the dodtrine of my 
 Text may be full, and that the goodnefs of a Chriftian man may 
 be like the widdows oyle in the book of Kings jihai never ceas'd running 
 lb long as there was a veffel to receive it. Wherefore to fpeak in 
 general: there isnokindeofman, of what life, of what pro- 
 feflion,* ofwhatcftate and calling foever, though he be an hea- 
 then, and Idolater unto whom the skirts of Chriftian compani- 
 on do not reach. St. Paul is my author : Now whilejl you have 
 time( faith he ) do good unto all men^ but efpecially to the houfholdof 
 Faith, The houfhold of faith indeed hath the preheminence j 
 it muftbe chiefly, but not alone refpe&ed. The diftin&ion 
 that is to be made, is not by excluding any, but not participating 
 alike unto all, God did fometimes indeed tye his love to the Je- 
 wifh Nation only, and gave his laws to them alone : but after- 
 ward, he enlarged himlelf, and inftituted an order of ferving 
 him promifcuoufly capable of all the world. As. therefore our 
 religion is, fo muft our compaffion be, catholick. To tye it ei- 
 ther to perfons or to place, is but a kinde of moral Judaifme. Did 
 not St. Paul teach us, thus much common reafon would. There 
 muft of neceflity be fome free entercourfe with all men, other- 
 wife the paffages of publick commerce were quite cut of, and 
 the common law of Nations muft needs fall. In fome things 
 we agree, as we are men, and thus far the very heathen them- 
 felves are to be received. For the goodnefs of a man which in. 
 Solomons judgement, extendeth even to a beaft,much more mu ft 
 Hretch it felf to a man of the fame natnre with him, be his con- 
 dition what it will. St. Paul loved the Jem> becaufe they were 
 his. brethren according to the Elefh* We that are of the heathen by 
 
 the 
 
Of dealing with Erring Chriflian*. 3 $ 
 
 the fame fame anology ought to be as tenderly affe&ed to the 
 jreft our brethren, who though they be not as we are novpy yet 
 now are that which we fometimes were. Facile eft atque prodi- 
 ve y faith Auftine, malosodijje quia wali funty rarum autem & pi- 
 urn eofdem ipfos diligere y quia homines funtylt is an eafie thing to hate 
 evil men y becaufe they are evil, but to love them as they are men 
 this is a rare and a pious thing. The offices of common hofpitali- 
 ty, of helping diftreffed perfons, feeding the hungry, and the 
 like are due not only betwixt Chriftian and Chriftian, but be- 
 tween a Chriftian and all the world. Lot, when the Angels came 
 to Sodomy andfateintheftreets 1 ^Abraham when he faw three men 
 coming toward him ftood not to inquire who they were, but 
 out of the fenfe of common humanity, run forth and met them, 
 and gladly entertained them, not knowing whom they fhould 
 receive. St. Chryfoftome confidering the circumftances of Abra- 
 hams fa6t, that he fate at his tent door, and that in the heat of 
 the day, that he came to meet them 3 thinks he therefore fate in 
 publick, and endured the inconvenience of the heat even for this 
 purpofe, that he might not let flip any occafion of being hofpi- 
 tal. The writings ot the Fathers run much in commendation of 
 the ancient Moncksy and were they fach as they report, well did 
 they defer ve to be commended, for their manner was to fit in 
 the fields, and by the high way fides, for this end, that they 
 might direct wandring paflengers into the way, that they might 
 relieve all that were diftreffed by want, or bruifing or breaking 
 of any member, and carry them home into their cells, and per- 
 form unto them all duties of humanity. This ierves well to 
 tax us, who affe& a kinde of intempeftive prudence, and unfea- 
 fonable diicretion in performing that little good we do, from 
 whom fo hardly after long enquiry and entreaty drops fome 
 fmall benevolence, like the fun in winter long ere it rife and 
 quickly gone. How many occafions of Chriftian charity do 
 we let flip, when we refufe to give our alms, unlefs we firft caft 
 doubts, and examine the perfons, their lives, their necefllties, 
 though it be only to reach out fome fmall thing, which is due 
 unto him, whatsoever it be. It was anciently a complaint a- 
 gainft the Churchy that the liberality of the Chriftims made 
 
 £ a many 
 
36 Of dealing mxb Erring Cbriftians, 
 
 many idle perfons. Be it that it was fo yet no other thing befel 
 them , then what befals their Lord, who knows and fees that his 
 Sun-foine and his %ain is every day abufed , and yet the Sun 
 become not like a Sack nor the Heavens as Brais \ unto him muft 
 we, by his own command, be like : and whom then can we ex- 
 clude, that have a pattern of fuch courtefie propofed to us to 
 followpwe read in our books of a nice Athenian being entertain'd 
 in a place by one given to hofpitality, finding anon that another 
 was received with the like curtefie, and then a third, growing 
 very angry. I thought, faid he, that I had found here gwt>Va,but 
 I have found hclv^q-^ov , 1 look't for a friends hou[e> but I 
 am fallen into an Inne to entertain all Comers , rather then a 
 Lodging for fome private & ef pecial friends.Let it not offend any 
 that I have made Chriftianity rather an lnne to receive all, then a 
 private houfe to receive fome few. For fo both the precepts and 
 examples I have brought, teach us , Leneficia pr<eftare non homini y 
 fedhumano generic to extend our good, not to this or that man, 
 but to mankind,like the Sun that arifeth not on this or that nation, 
 but on the whole world. Julian obferves of the fig-treejhat above 
 all trees it is moil capable of grafts & Siences of other kinds,fo far 
 as that all variety will be brought to take nourifhment from one 
 flock : Beloved, a Chriftian muft bs like unto Julians §g-tree> 
 fo Univerfally companionate , that fo all forts of grafts by a 
 kinde of Chriftian inoculation may be brought to draw life and 
 rxmrifhment from his root. 
 
 But I am all this while in a generality only, and I muft not 
 forget , that I have many particular Jick Patients , in my Text, of 
 whom every one muft have his Recipe , and I muft vifit them all 
 ere I go. But withal, I muft remember my Method which was 
 ftill as I fpake , of Receiving the rreak to fpeak likewife of ex- 
 cluding them from difputation. So muft I needs ere I pafs away, 
 tax this our age, for giving fo general permiflion unto all to bufie 
 themfelves in doubtful cafes of Religion. For nothing is there 
 that hath more prejudiced thecaufe of Religion y then this pro* 
 mifcuous and carelefs admission of all forts to the hearing and 
 handling of controverfies ,. whether we confider the private 
 cafe of every man 5 ; , or the publick ftate of the Church, i I will 
 soaeh but one inconvenience. which much annoyes the Church, 
 
Of dealing with "Erring Chriftians. 37 
 
 by opening this gate fo wide to all commers , for by the great 
 prcafsof people that come, the work of the Lord is much hun- 
 dred. Not to fpeak of thofe who out of weaknefs of underftand- 
 iog fall into many errors, andby reafon ofliberty of bequeathing 
 their errors to the world by writing eafily finde heirs for them. 
 There is a fort that do harm by being unnecejjary , and though 
 they fo we not tares in the field, yet fill the Lords floor with 
 chaff -, For what need this great breed of miters, with which in 
 this age the world doth fwarm ? how many of us might fpare 
 the pains in committing our Meditations to writing, contenting 
 our felves to teach the people viva voce, and fuffering our con- 
 ceits quietly to die in their birth ? The teaching the people by 
 voice is perpetually neceffary , fhould all of us every where 
 fpeak but the fame things ; For all cannot ufe Books, and all that 
 can have not the leiiure -, To remedy therefore the want of skill 
 in the one and of time in the other, are we let in this Miniftry of 
 Preaching. Our voices are connVd to a certain compafs, and 
 tied to the Individuating properties of Hie and Nunc : our' 
 writings are unlimited. Neceffity therefore requires a multi- 
 tude of fpeakers, a multitude of writers, not fo. " G. Agricola 
 « writing de Animantibus fubterraneis reports of a certain kinde 
 « of Spirits that converfe in Minerals arid much infefi thofe that work 
 cc in them, and the manner of them when they come is , to feem to bufie 
 cc themfelves according to all the cufiom of workmen ; they will dig 
 iC and cleanfe and melt ar,d fever metfals , yet when they are gone, 
 c< the workmen do not finde that there is any thing done : fo fares it 
 cc with a great part of the multitude , who thru/l them fell es into the 
 <c controver pes of the times, they write Becks , move quefliots frame 
 tc diflinBions, give folulioKS, and feem fduloufly to do, what fever 
 "the nature of the bufmefs requires , yet if any skilful workman in 
 "the Lords OWines fhall come and examine their work , he fhall finde 
 tc them to be but Spirits in Minerals, and that withal this labor and 
 "ftir there is nothing done, I acknowledge it to be very true, , 
 which S. tAuftine fpake in his firft Book de Trinitate ; Utile eft 
 p lures libros a pluribus fieri diver fo ftilo , fed non diversa fide, etiam 
 de qutejiionibus iifdem y ut ad plurimosres ipfaperveniat ad alios -fir, 
 ad dm wro fic Q . It is a.thing yery profitable that db/etfc.Trafts 
 
 bee 
 
f „ — 
 
 3 8 Of dealing with Erring Chriftiaus. 
 
 be written by divers men, after divers fafhions, but according to 
 the fame Analogy of Faith, even of the fame queftions that 
 fome might come into the hands ot all , to fome on this man- 
 ner to another after that. For this may we think to have been 
 the counfel of the Holy Ghoft himfelf , who may feem even for 
 this purpofe, to have regiitred the feJf fame things of Chrift by 
 three of the EvangelijU with little difference 5 Yet notwith* 
 ftanding, if thislpeechof S. <*Au$ine admit of being qualified, 
 then was there no time which more then this age required it, 
 (hould be moderated, which 1 note , becaufe of a noxious con- 
 ceit fpread- in our Univerfities to the great hindering of true 
 proficiency in Study fpringing out from this Root. For many 
 of the Learned themfelves are fallen upon this prepofterous 
 conceit, that learning con lifteth rather in varieting of turning 
 and quoting of fundry Authors , then in foundly difcovering and 
 laying down the truth of things. Out of which ariies a greater 
 charge unto the poor Student, who now goes by number rather 
 then weight , and the Books of the learned themfelves , by am- 
 bitioufly heaping up the conceits, and authorities of other men 
 increafe much in the bulk , but do as much imbafe in true value. 
 Wherefore as Gedeons army , of two and thirty thoufand by pre- 
 fcript from God was brought unto three hundred : So this huge 
 army of difputes, might without any hazard of the Lords battles, 
 be well contracted into a fmaller number. Juftitiian the Em- 
 porour when he found that the ftudy of the Civil Law was fur- 
 charged and much confufed,by reafon of the great heaps of unne- 
 cefTary writings , he calls an aflembly of learned men , caus'd 
 them tofcarchthebooks,to cut of what wasiuperfluous to ga- 
 ther into order and method the fum and fubftance of the whole 
 Law : were it poflible that fome Religious Jujliman might after 
 the fame manner imploy the wits of fome of the beft Learned 
 in examining the controverfies , and felecting out of the beft 
 writers what is necefTary , defaulting unneceflary and partial 
 difcourfes,and fo digeft into order and method, and leave for 
 the direction of pofterity as it were Theological pandeBs \ infinite 
 ftore of our books might very well lie by , and peaceably be bu- 
 ried , and after ages reap greater profit with fmaller coft and 
 
 pains. 
 
Of dealing wJWJLning Cfinjflanf. 39 
 
 pains. But that which was poffible in the world united under 
 Jufkinian in this great divifion of Kingdoms is peradventure im- 
 polfible. Wherefore having contented my felf to fhew what a 
 great and irremediable inconvenience this freehand uncontroul- 
 able ventring upon Theological dilutes hath brought upon us , I 
 will leave this project as a Speculation , and pais from this ge- 
 neral Dodrine unto lome particulars. For this generality, and 
 heap of lick perfons, I mull divide into their kindes and give eve- 
 ry one his proper Recipe. 
 
 The firjt in this order of weak perfons,fo to be received & che- 
 rifhtby us , is one of whom queftion may be made whether he 
 may be called weak or no$ he may feem to be rather dead : for no 
 pullc of infufed grace beats in him. I mean fuch a one who hath 
 but fmal, or peradventure no knowledge at all in the my ftery of 
 Chrift, yet is other wife, a man of upright life and converfa- 
 tion, fuch a one as we ufually name a moral man. Account 
 you of fuch a one as dead, or how you pleafe , yet methinks I 
 finde a Recife for him in my text. For this man is even to be 
 woed by us , as fometimes one heathen man wifht of another. 
 Talis enm (is utinam nofter ejjes 5 This man may fpeak unto a 
 Qhtifkion as Ruth does unto Booz, fpread the skirt of thy garment 
 over me , for thou art a near kinfman. Two parts there are that 
 do compleatly make up a Christian man, A true Faith , and an 
 honeft converfation. The firft, though it leem the worthier, and 
 therefore gives unto us the name of Chriftians, yet the fecond 
 in the end will proove the furcr. For true profeffion without 
 honefl converfation , not only faves not , but increafes our weight 
 of punifhment : but a good life without true profeffion, though 
 it bring us not to Heaven , yet it leffens the meafure of our 
 judgement : fo that a moral man fo called is a Chriflian ly the 
 furer fide. As our Saviour faith of one in the Gofpel that had 
 wifely and difcreetly anfwered him , Thou art not far from the 
 kingdom of Heaven : So may we fay of thefe men , fuppofe that 
 as yet they be not of, yet certainly far from the Kingdom of Hea- 
 ven they cannot be, yea, this fincerity of life though fevcr'd 
 from true profeffion, did feem fuch a jewel in the eyes of fome 
 of the ancient Fathers 3 that their opinion was and fo have they ? 
 
 in. 1 
 

 in their writings (erroneoufly doubtlefsj yet fohave they teftifi- 
 ed it , that God hath in ftore for fuch men not only this mitiga- 
 ting mercy of which but now I fpake , but even faving grace fo 
 far forth as to make them poiTeffors of his Kingdom. Let it 
 not trouble you that I intitle them to fome part of our Chriftian 
 Faith , and therefore without fcruple to be received as weak 
 and not to be caft forth as dead, Salvianm difputing what 
 Faith is, Quid eft igitur credulity uel fides 2 faith he, opinw fideliter 
 hominu Cbriflo credere, id eft, f dele Deo efjejboc eft fideliter Dei manda- 
 ta fervare. What might this faith be ? (faith he) I fuppofe it is 
 nothing elfe , but faithfully to believe Chrift , and this is to be 
 faithful unto God , which is nothing elfe but faithfully to keep 
 the commandments of God. Not therefore only a bare belief, but 
 the fidelity & truftinefs of Gods fcrvants faithfully accomplifh- 
 ing the will of our Mafter , is required as a part of our Chri- 
 ftian Faith. Now all thofe good things which moral men by 
 the light of nature do , are a part of Gods will written in their 
 hearts, wherefore fo far as they were confcientious in perform- 
 ing them (if $4/w4/?«j his reafon t>e good) fo far have they title 
 andintereft in our Faith. And therefore Regulus that famous 
 Roman, when he endured infinite torments rather then he would 
 break his Oath, may thus far be counted a Martyr,and witnefs for 
 the truth. For the Crown of Martyrdom fits not only on the 
 heads of thofe who have loft their lives, rather then they would 
 ceafe to profefs the Name of Chrift , but on the head of every 
 one that fuffers for the teftimony of a good confcience , and for 
 righteoufnefs fake. And here I cannot pafs by one very gene- 
 ral grofs miftaking of our age. For in our difcourfes concerning 
 the notes of a Chriftian man, by what fignes we may know a 
 man to be one of the vifible company of Chrift , we have fo 
 tied our felves to this outward profefiion that if we know no o- 
 ther vertue in a man, but that he hath cond his Creed by heart, 
 let his life be never fo profane we think it argument enough for 
 us to account him within the Pale and Circuit of the Church : 
 on the contrary fide let his life be never (o upright , if either he 
 little feen in, or peradventure quite ignorant of the Myftery of 
 Chrift , we efteem of him but as dead 5 and thofe who con- 
 ceive 
 
Of dealing with Erring Cbriftians. 4* 
 
 ceivc well of thofe moral good things as of fome tokens giving 
 hope of life, we account but as a kinde of Manichees^ who 
 thought the very earth had life in it. I muft confefs that I have 
 not yet made that proficiency in the Schools of our age,asthat 
 I could fee • why the fecond table and the Ads of it, are not as 
 properly the parts of Religion and Chriftianity, as the Adte and 
 obfervations of the firft. If I miftake, then it is S.James that 
 hath abus'd me , for he defcribing Religion by its proper A&s, 
 tells us, th&t True Religion and unde filed be tore God and the Father a 
 to vifit the F 'atherlefs and the widow in their affJBion, and to keep 
 himfelf unfpotted of t\>e world. So that the thing which in an e- 
 fpecial refine dialect of the new Chriftian language fignifies 
 nothing but morality and civility , that in the language of the 
 holy Ghoft imports true Religion. Wherefore any difference 
 that the holy Ghoft makes uotwithftanding , the man of vertu- 
 ous difpoiitions, though ignorant of the myftery of Chrift, be it 
 Fabricius or Regulm or any ancient heathen man, famous for fin- 
 cerity and uprightnefs of carriage , hath as fure a claim and in- 
 tereft in the Church of Chrift as the man deepeft skil'd in, raoft 
 certainly believing, and openly profefsing all, that is, written in 
 the holy books of God, if he endevour not to fhew his faith by his 
 works. The Ancients therefore where they found this kinde of 
 men gladly received them,and converft,familiarly with them, as 
 appears by the friendly entercourfe of Epiftles of S. Bapl with 
 Libaniui oCHazianzen and zdujlen with fundry others, and Anti- 
 quity hath either left us true, or forged us falfe Epiftles betwixt 
 Saint Paul himfelf and Seneca. Now as for the admitting of 
 any of thele men to the difcufsing of the doubts in our Religi- 
 ous myfteries, who either know hot , or peradventure contemn 
 them, there needs not much be faid : by a Cannon of one of the 
 Qomcels of Carthage it appears,it had fometimes been the errone- 
 ous pra&ife of fome Chriftians to Baptize the dead , and to put 
 the Sacrament of Chrifts body into their mouths. S kice we have 
 confeft thefe men to be in a fort dead , as having no fupernatu- 
 ral quickning grace from above, to put into their hands the hand- 
 ling of the word of life at all , much more of difcufsing of the 
 doubtful things in it , were nothing elfe , but to Baptize a car- 
 
 F cafe, 
 
43 Of dealing with Erring Chriftianr. 
 
 cafs, and put the communion bread into the mouth of the dead. 
 Wherefore leaving this kinde of weak perfon to your courteous 
 acceptance. 
 
 Let us confider of another, one quite contrary to the former ; 
 a true profeffor, but a man of prophane and wicked life, one 
 more dangeroufly ill then the former, have we any recipe for 
 this man > May ieem for him there is no balm in gilead^ he 
 feems like unto the Lepar in the law, unto whom no man might 
 draw near, and by fo much the more dangerous is his cafe, be- 
 caufe the condition of converfing with heathen men, be they ne- 
 ver fo wicked is permitted unto Chriftians by our Apoflle him- 
 ielf, whereas with this man all commerce feems by the fame 
 Apoftle to be quite cut off. For in the i Cor. 6. St. Paul having 
 forbidden them formerly all manner of converfing with Fornica- 
 tors, inf amous perfons, and men fubjed to grievous crimes, and 
 confideringat length how imposfible this was, becaufe of the 
 Gentiles with whom they lived, and amongft whom neceffarily 
 they were to converle and trade, he diftinguifhes between the 
 fornicators of this world, and the fornicators which were Bre- 
 thren. I meant not f laith the BlefTed Apoftle) expounding 
 himfelf thai ye jhould not admit of the Fornicators of this worlds that 
 is, fuch as were Gentiles -, for then mu'ft ye have fought a new 
 world. So great and general a liberty at that time had the 
 world aflumed for the pra&ife of that fin of fornication, that 
 ftri&Iy io have forbidden them the company of fornicators had 
 a-Imoft been to have excluded them the focicty of mankinde* 
 But faith he, if a brother be a fornicator or a thief, or a railer with 
 fuch a one partake not, no notfo much as to eat. Wherefore the cafe 
 of this perfon feems to be defperatc. For he is not only mortal- 
 ly fick, but is bereft of all help of the Phy fician, yet notwwith- 
 ftanding all this we may not give him over for gone, for when 
 we have well fearcht our boxes, we fhall finde a Recipe even for 
 him too,think we that our Apoftles meaning was,that we fhould 
 acquaint our felves only with the good, and not the bad ; as 
 Phyficians in the time of peftilence look only to the found, and 
 fhun the difeas'd > Our Saviour Chrifl familiarly converfl, eat ? 
 mid drank with Publicans and finoersj and gives the reafon of it •, 
 
 becaufe 
 
Abufes of hard places of Scripture. 43 
 
 becaufe he came not to call the Righteous but finners to repen- 
 tance. Is Chrift contrary to Taul > this reafon of our Saviour 
 concerns every one on whom the duty of faving of Souls doth 
 reft. It is the main drift of his meflage and unavoidably he is 
 toconverfe, yea, eat and drink with all forts of finners^even 
 becaufe he is to call not the righteous hut finners to repentance, Ne- 
 ceflary it is thatfome means be left to reclaim notorious offen- 
 ders, let their difeafe be never fo dangerous. Nefcio an in ex- 
 tremis aliquid tentare medicina Jit, eerie nihil tentare perditio eft, who 
 can tell whether in this extremity, were it at the laft caft it may 
 fome way profit, to receive him, but this we all know that al- 
 together to caft him out of the fociety of good men,isto cut him 
 off from all outward means of health. The Leper in the law 
 though he were excluded the multitude ; yet had he accefs unto 
 the Pr/efl. Beloved the prieft in the new law hath much greater 
 priviledge then the ancient had, he was only a judge and could 
 not cure : but this is both a judge and a Phyiician, and can both 
 diicern and cure the leprofie of our fouls ; wherefore he is not to 
 be excluded from the moft defperately lick perfon. Neither 
 doth this duty concern the prieft alone. For as Tertullian fome> 
 times fpake in another cafe 5 In majeflatis reos & puilicos hoftes om- 
 nis hemo miles efl. Againft Traitors and publick enemies every 
 man is a fouldier, (bis it true in this. Every one who is of 
 ftrength to pull a foul out of the fire, is for this bufinefs, by 
 counfel, by advice, by rebuking a prieft, neither muft he let 
 him lie there to expe& better help. Again, no man fo ill but 
 hath fome good thing in him, though it break not out, as being 
 clouded and darkned with much corruption, we muft take heed, 
 that we do not pro folis comprehendere frequentisfima miftake in 
 thinking there is nothing elfe but evil, where we often fee it' 
 We muft therefore entertain even near friendfhip with fuch a 
 one to difcover him. Nemo enim mfi per amicitiam cognofcitur 3 
 faith St. Aufline. No man is perfectly difcovered, but by his 
 inward acquaintance. As therefore they who feek for trea- 
 fure give not over by reafon of clay and mire, fo long as there is 
 any hope to fpeed : fo may we not caft off our induftry, though 
 it labour in the moft polluted foul, uiadquadam [main quorum 
 
 F 2 deleft attorn 
 
^4 'UJHeaMng with Emng Chrifiians y 
 
 deleBatione acquiefcamus per charitatis tolerantiam perdue amur, that 
 fo at length, through charitable patience and long luffering we 
 may difcover in him fome good things which may content us for 
 theprefent, and give hope of better things to come. For as 
 they that work in gold and coftly matter, diligently lave every 
 little piece that falls away : fo goodnefs wherefoever it be, is a 
 thing fo precious that every little fpark of it deferves our care in 
 cherifhing. Many mifcarry through the want of this patience, 
 in thofe who undertake them, whileft they defpair of 
 them too foon ; dum it a obiurgant qua ft aderint, whileft 
 they rebuke us, as ifthey hated, and upbraid rather then 
 reprehend. Tranfit convitium et intemperamia culpatur, uterque 
 qui periere arguuntur. As unskilful Phyficians, who fuffer their 
 patients to die under their hands, to hide their error, blame 
 their patients intemperance .- fo let us take heed, leaft it be not 
 io much the ftrength of the difeafe, as the want of skill in us 
 which we ftrive to cover, and vail over with the names of con- 
 tumacy intemperance or the like. David received an exprefs 
 mefTage from the Prophet, that the childe conceived in adultery 
 ftiould furely die,yet he ceaft not his prayers,& tears,and failing 
 as long as there was life in it : we receive no fuch certain mefTage 
 concern ing any mans mifcarriage, and why then fhould we in- 
 termit any office which Chriftian patience can afford. Where- 
 fore, what Mxcenas fometime (pake loofly in another fenfe, de- 
 bilemfacito manu y debilem pede, coxa : lubricos quate denies : vita 
 dum fuperefl bent eft, that we may apply more properly to our 
 purpole, let our weak perfon here be lame, hand aod toot, hip 
 and thigh, fick in head and heart, yet fo long as there is life in 
 him, there is nocaufe we thould defpair. How knoweft thou 
 how potent the word ot God may be through thy miniftrie, out 
 of thefe ftones to raife up children unto Abraham ? I cannot 
 therefore perfwade my felf. that this prohibition of St. Taut, of 
 which we but now fpake, fo far extended, as that it quite inter- 
 dicted good men the company of the tinners, be they ^ never 
 fo grotfe. For when he delivered men unto Satan, ( the 
 greateft thing that ever he did in this kinde ) it was ad interitum 
 carnis r to the mortifying of the flefh, that fo the fpirit might be 
 fafe in the day of the Lord, But this is worfe, for by this pe- 
 
 r remptory 
 
Of dealing with YLrring Chrijiians. 41 
 
 remptory excluding the groffe (inner from the good, a greater 
 gap is opened to the liberty of the flefh, and a more immedi- 
 ate way could not be found to bring final deftruetion on him at 
 that day. The extent therefore of S t. Pauls precept ,though given 
 in ihew to all, I take to reach no farther then the weak, and luch 
 as are in danger of infection 5 for the weaker iort of men are al- 
 ways, evermore the moft, and a charge given unto the moft, 
 is commonly given under the ftile of all. Our Apoftle there- 
 fore jealous of the tenderer fort, whom every unwholfome blaft 
 doth eafily tainr, feems, what he intended for the moft to make 
 general to all. The reafon which the Apoftle gives, does war- 
 rant this reftraint. See ye not ( faith he ) that a little leaven [oners 
 the whole lump} If therefore there be any part of the lump, I'gc*. 
 @i?us<; out of (hot and danger of fowring and contagion, on it 
 this precept can have no extent : and furely fome wrong it were 
 to the Church of Chrift, to fuppofe that all were neceflarily 
 fubject to fowring and in fection, upon fuppofal of fome admit- 
 fion of leaven. Evil indeed is infectious, but neither neceffa- 
 rily, nor yet fo, that it need fright us from thofe whoaredif- 
 eafedwithit. Contagious difeafes which ceaze on our bodies, 
 infect by natural force and means, which we cannot prevent : 
 but no man drinks down this poyfon, whofe will is not the hand 
 that takes the Cup : fo that to converfe with men of difeas'd 
 mindes infects us not, except we will. Again, Ariflotle in his 
 problems, makes a queftion, why health doth not infect as well as 
 [icknefs. For we grow fick many times by incauteloufly conver- 
 ting with the difeas'd : but no man grows well by accompany- 
 ing the healthy : thus indeed it is with the healthinefs of the bo- 
 dy : it hath no tranfient force on others, but the ftrength and 
 healthinefs of the minde carries with it a gracious kinde ot infe- 
 ction: and common experience tells us, that nothing profits evil 
 men more then the company of the good. So that ftrength of minde 
 accompanied with the prefervative of the grace of God, may 
 notonjiy without fear of contagion, fafely converfe with ungra- 
 cious finners, but by fo doing, as it were infect them,, and make 
 them fuch as himfelf is. No caufe therefore hitherto, why the 
 true profeffors, though notorious finners fhould not be partakers. 
 
 Of; 
 
4^ Of dealing with Erring Cbriflians. 
 
 of our Chriftian Courtefies $ and therefore as of the former, fo 
 ot this my conclufion is, we muft receive him. Only let me 
 adde St. Pauls words in another place, Te that are (Irong, receive 
 fuchaonel 
 
 HAving thus far fpoken of his admisfion, let us now a little 
 confider of his Restraint •> and fee whether he may have a- 
 ny part in hearing and handling religious controversies ; where 
 plainly to fpeak my minde, as his admiflion before was, fo his 
 excluiion here is much more neceflary, the way to thefe fchools 
 fhould be open to none, but to men of upright life and converfa- 
 tion : and that as well in regard of the prophane and wicked men 
 themfelves, as of the caufe which they prefume to handle : for 
 as for themfelves this is but the field, wherein they low and reap 
 their own infamy and difgrace. Our own experience tells us> 
 how hard a thing it is for men of behaviour known to be fpotlcfs, 
 to avoid the lalh of thofe mens tongues, who make it their chief 
 fence to difgrace the perfons, when they cannot touch the caufe. 
 For what elfe are the writings of many men, but mutual Pafquils 
 and Satyrs againft each others lives, wherein digladiating like 
 Efchines and Demoflhenes, they reciprocally lay open each others 
 filthinefsto the view andicorn of the world. The fear there- 
 fore of being ftained, and publickly difgraced, might be reafon 
 enough to keep them back from entring thefe contentions. And 
 as for the caufe it felf, into which this kind of men do put them- 
 felves, needs muft it go but ill with it: for is it poflible that 
 thofe refpe&s which fway and govern their ordinary actions, 
 fhould have no influence upon their pens > It cannot be, that 
 they who fpeak, and plot, and a& wickednefs, {hould ever 
 write uprightly.TVdw ui in vitajta et in caufis quoq; fpes improbas ba- 
 hent : doubtlefs, as in their lives, foin the caufes they under- 
 take, they nourifh hopes full of improbity. Bcfides all this, the 
 opinion of the common fort is not to be contemned, whom no 
 kind of reafon fo much abufes, and carries away, as when the 
 difcredit of the perfon is retorted on the caufe 3 which thing our 
 adverfaries here at home'amongft us know very well, a mafter- 
 piecc, of whofe pollicy it is to put into the hands of the people, 
 
 fuch 
 
Of dealing with Erring Chriftians. 4/ 
 
 fuch pamphlets which hurt not our caufe at all, but onely 
 discredit our perfons. Saint Cbryfofiome obferves out of the 
 ancient cu (tomes of the Olympian games , that whenfoever a- 
 ny man offered himlelf to contend in them , he was not to 
 be admitted till publick Proclamation had been made tho- 
 rowout the multitude to this purpofe , Whither any man 
 knew him to be either a fervant, or a thief, or otherwife 
 of infamous lik. And if any imputation in this kinde were 
 proved againft him , it was fufficient to keep him back. 
 Had the Heathen this care that their vanities fhould not be di- 
 fcredited ? how great then muft our care be, that they which 
 enter intothefe exercifes, be of pure and upright condition? 
 Let mens skill and judgement therefore be never fo good , yet 
 if their lives be notorioufly fubjeft to exception, Let them know 
 that there is no place for them in thefe Olympicks, Men indeed in 
 civil bu(ine(s have found out a diftin&ion betwen an honefi man 
 and a good Common-wealths-man: and therefore Fabricia* in the 
 Roman ftory is much commended for nominating to theConfulfhip 
 Ruffinus a wicked man and his utter enemy,becaule he knew him 
 to be ferviceable to the Common-wealth, for thofe wars which 
 were then depending. But in the buGnefs of the Lord and 
 Common-wealth of God, wecan admit of no fuch diftincf ion. 
 For God himlelf in the book of Pfalm^ ftaves them off with a; 
 Quid tua ut enarrei mea, &c. What haft thou to do to take my 
 words into thy mouth fince thou hateft to be reformed ? The 
 world for the managing of her matters, may imploy fuch as^ 
 her felf hath fitted : but let every one who names the name of God 
 depart from iniquity. For thefe reafons therefore is it very expe- 
 dient, that none but right good men fhould undertake the Lords 
 quarrels, the rather becaufe there is fome truth in that which 
 Quintilian fpake, Cogitare optima fimul & deterrima, non magisejl 
 unim animi-) quam ejufdem hominis bonum ejje ac malum. . As impof- 
 fible it is that good and bad thoughts fhould harbor in the fame 
 heart, as it is for the fame man to be joyntly good, and bad. And 
 fo from the con fideration of this fick perfon , let us proceed to 
 vifit the next.. The weak perfons, I have hitherto treated of are 
 the feweft as confifting in a kinde of extream. For the greateft 
 
 : !or&: 
 
4$ Of dealing with Erring Chrijlians. 
 
 fort of men are in a mediocrity of men eminently good or ex- 
 treamly ill the number is fmalieft - 3 but this rank of tick perfons 
 that now we are to view is an whole army and may be every 
 one of us , if we do well examine our felves , fhall rinde our 
 felves in it : For the weak whom we now are to {peak of, is he 
 that hath not that degree and perfection of faith and ftrength 
 of Spiritual constitution that he ought to have ; Wherefore 
 our Recipe here muft be like the Tree of life in the book of the 
 Revelation, it muft be medicine to heal whole nations. For who 
 is he amongft men that can free himfelf from this weaknefs ? 
 Yea, we our felves that are let over others for their cure s may 
 fpeakofour {elves and our charge, as Jolam in Euripides doth of 
 himfelf and Hercules children , aoo^co ret $*av1& $io/*iv(& 
 aoi)TY\p{cc$, we take care of thefe, our (elves (landing in need 
 of others care for us. Hippocrates counfels his Phylician, to 
 look efpecially, that himfelf be healthy to be ey£p»s a kol\ iv- 
 acLpxooiyfair of colour and full of flefh. For otherwiie faith he 
 how can he give comfort and hope of fucce(s to a fick patient, 
 who by his ill colour and meagernefs bewraies fome imperfecti- 
 on of his own. But what Phyfician of Soul and manners is 
 capable of this counfel; or who is it that taking the cure of o- 
 thers doth not in moft <£ his actions bewray his owne difeafe ? 
 even thus hath it pleafccnfeod to tie us together with a mutual 
 fenfe of each others weaknefs , and as our felves receive and 
 bear with others 5 fo for our felves interchangeably muft we re- 
 quest the fame courtefie at others hands : Notwithstanding , as 
 it is with the health of our bodies , no man at any time is per- 
 fectly well , only he goes for an healthy man , who is lead 
 fick : fo fares it with our fouls, God hath encluded all under 
 the name of weak, fome peradventure is lefs weak then others 
 but no man is fkrongjnfielicifsimu Confolationis genus eft de mtferiis 
 homini '• peccatorum capere folatia. It is but a miferable comfort to 
 judg our own perfections only by others defe<Sts,yet this is all the 
 comfort we have. Let us leave therefore thofe who by reafon 
 of being lefs crazy pafs for healthy, and consider of thofe whom 
 fome fenfible and eminent imperfection above others hath 
 rank't in the number of the weak. And of thofe there are fun- 
 dry 
 
Of dealing with TLrring Chriflianf. 49 
 
 dry kindes, efpecially two. One is weake becaufe he is not yet 
 fully informed , not fo futficiendy Catechized in the Myfteries 
 of Faith , whom farther Inftitution may bring to better Matu- 
 rity. The other peradventure is fuificiently grounded for prin- 
 ciples of Faith, yet is weak , by reafon either of fome paffion or 
 of fome irritatory and troublefome humor in his behaviour, 
 nullum mquw ingen'wm placuit fine venia. There is no man fo 
 perfect, buc hath fomewhat in his behaviour that requireth 
 pardon. As for the imperfe&ion of the former of thefe, It is the 
 weaknefs of infancy and childehood in Faith rather then a di- 
 feafe : And with this weak man we are efpecially to bear above 
 all others. For as for him that is weak through grofs and wil- 
 ful ignorance or contumacy or the like,it is pardonable,ir iome- 
 timesweyeild him not that meafure of curtefie, which were 
 meet , but to be cruel againft infancy and childehood were in- 
 humanity. The manner of our Recipe for thefe men, our A- 
 poftle fomewhere exprefles where he tells us of iome that mull 
 be fed with milk^ And not ftrong meat : Unto thefe we muft ra- 
 ther be as JVurfes then Phyficians , fubmittendo nos ad mexfitram 
 difcentistf manu dando & gradii noflra minuendo^by gently fubmit- 
 ting our felves to the capacity of the learner , by lending our 
 hand by lefsning our fteps to keep them in equipace with us till 
 they come up to their lull growth. Asfchrift being God emptied 
 himfelf, and became Man like to us , lo muft we lay down our 
 gifts of wit, in which we flatter our felves and take our 
 ielves to be as Gods , and in {View and fafhion become like one 
 of them.Gravc men have thought it no difparagement,to have bin 
 feen with their little Ions, Ludere par impar equitarein ar undine 
 longa, toying and pracVifing with them their childifh fports • and 
 if any take offence at it , they are fuch as know not what it is to 
 be Fathers. Thofe therefore who bear the office of Fathers a- 
 mongft other men , to bring up the infancy of Babes in 
 Chrift,muft not blufri to pra&ife this part of a Father,and out of 
 Pauls leiTon of becoming all to all , learn to become a childe to 
 children, doit he may very well , without any impeachment to 
 himfelf. He that helps one up that is fallen , non fe projicit ut 
 4mbo jaceant, fed incurvAt txntum ut jacentem erigat , throws nor' 
 
 G himfelf 
 
== w 
 
 Of dealing wit) 
 
 iriftians. 
 
 himfelf down to lie by him, but gently {loops to lift him up a- 
 gain$ but of this weak perfon, I have little need, I truft to 
 ipeak. For no man in thefe days can be long weak , but by 
 his own default , fo long and careful teaching as hath been and 
 every day is , muft needs take from men all pretence of weak- 
 nels in this kinde. Nam quidaliud agimus docendo vos, quam ne 
 femper docendi fitis. For what is the end of all this labor and 
 pains in teaching, but that ye might at length not need a teacher. 
 Wherefore from this I come unto that other weak perfon,ftrong 
 in Faith, but weak in carriage and behaviour. 
 
 Having before proved thatChriftian curtefie fpreads it felf to 
 all forts of men, to the Infidel, to the grofs notorious /inner , then 
 will it without any ftreining at all come home to all the infir- 
 mities of our weaker brethren : For that which can endure fo 
 great a tempeft , how can it be offended with fome fmall 
 drops. IsCbriftian patience like unto Saint Peters refolution, 
 that durft manfully encounter the high Priefts fervant, yet 
 wasdantedat the voice of a filly maiden, whatfoever it is that 
 is irkfome unto us in the common behaviour of our Brethren^ 
 it were ftrange we fhould not be able to brook. Epictetus con- 
 confidering with himfelf, the weaknefs which isuhial in men, 
 {till to make theworft of what befals us, wittily tells us that 
 every thing in the world hath two handles one turn'd toward us 
 which we may eafily take, the other turn'd from us harder to be 
 laid hold of ; the firft makes all things eafie, the fecondnot fo. 
 The inftance that he brings is my very purpofe. « Be it faith he, 
 thy Brother hath offended thee, here are two hand-fafts , one of the of- 
 fence , the other of thy Brother, If thou take hold of that of the 
 offence it will be too hot for thee , thou wilt not eafily endure the 
 touch of it i but if thou lay hold of that of thy Brother , this will 
 make all behaviour tolerable. There is no part of our Brothers carri- 
 age towards us but if we fearch it, we fhaU finde , fome hand-faff,, 
 fome circumfiance, that will make it eafie to be born, cc If we can 
 can finde no other , the circumftance of our Saviour Chrifts 
 example will never fail. An example which will not only make 
 us to endure the importunity of his ordinary behaviour, but all 
 his outragious dealing whatfoever, Fpr iaith S t Cbryfoftome 9 
 
 ""~ didft 
 
Of dealing with Erring Chriflians. 5 1 
 
 didft thou know that thy Brother intended particular mifchief 
 againft thee that he would embrue his hand in thy blood, 
 ddlh <pi'Maov Vnv friZUv, yet kifs that hand , for thy Lord did 
 not refufe to kifs that that mouth that made the bargain for his 
 blood. It is ftoried of Trotagoras that being a poor youth and 
 carrying a burthen ofjlicks, he piled fo them,and laid them toge- 
 ther, with fuch art & order,that he made them much more light 
 and eafie to be born. Beloved, there is an Art among Chriftians 
 like unto that of Protagoras of fo making up and ordering out 
 burthens , that they may lie with much lets weight upon our 
 lhoulders, this art, ii we could learn it, would make us 
 take all in good part at out Brothers hand , were he as bad 
 as TXjbal was, ot whom his own fervant complain 9 d that 
 he was fuch a man of Belial that no wan could [peak unto 
 him. 
 
 Wherefore leaving you to the ftudy, and learning of this mod 
 Chriftian art , I will a little confider for what Realons we may 
 not admit of thefe two forts of weak men to controller fie. For 
 as for the unlearned, in private, nothing more ufual with them 
 then to take offence at our distentions, and to become more un- 
 certain and unjoynted upon the hearing of any queftion difcuft. 
 It is their ufual voyce and queftion to us : Is it poflible that we 
 fhould be at one in thefe points in which your felves do difagree > 
 thus caft they off, on our backs the burthen of their back-Hiding 
 and neutrality , wherefore to acquaint them with difputation 
 in Religion , were as it were to blaft them in their infancy , and 
 bring upon them fome improfperous Difeafe to hinder their 
 growth in Chrift. Secondly, what one faid of other contenti- 
 ons,/)^ belli* civilibus audacia etiam valet fingulorum^ln civil wars no 
 man is too weak to do a mifchief, we have found too true in thefe 
 our Sacra Bella 5 no man is to weak, (I fay not J to do mifchief, but 
 to be a principal Agent and Captain in them. Simple and un- 
 learned fouls train'd up by men of contentious fpirits have had 
 ftrength enough to be Authors of dangerous herefies , Prifcilla 
 and LMaximil/a^ filly women laden with iniquity were the 
 chief ring-leaders in the error of the Montanifis y and as it is com- 
 monly faid, beUtm incbomt inertes , fortes finiunty weaklings 
 
 G 2 arc 
 
5* Of dealt ng rvi th E rring Chrifiians , 
 
 are able to begin a quarrel , but the profecution and finifhing is 
 a work for ftronger men, fo hath it fared here. For that quar* 
 rel which thcfe poor iouls had railed, Tertullian a man of ureat 
 Wit and Learning is drawn to undertake : fo that for a Bar, t aUs. 
 to be drawn away to error , there needs not al ways the example 
 and authority of a 'Peter. A third reafon is the marvellous vio- 
 lence of the weaker fort in maintaining their conceits, if once 
 they begin to be opiniative. For one thing there is that wonder- 
 fully prevails againft the reclaiming of them, and that is, the na- 
 tural jealoulie they have of all that is faid unto them by men of 
 better wits, ftand it with reafon never fo good, if it found 
 not as they would have it. A jealoufie founded in the fenfe of 
 their weaknefs arifing out of this that they fufpe£t all to be done 
 for no other end,but to circumvent and abufe them. And there- 
 fore when they fee themfelvcs to be too weak in reafoning, they* 
 eafily turn them to violence. The Mo?.ks of Egypt, othawiic 
 devout , and religious men anciently, were for the moft parr 
 unlearned,& generally given over to the error oitheAnthropomor-* 
 pbit<e, who held that God had hands and feet and all the parts, 
 that a man hath , and was in outward fhape and proportion 
 like to one of us. Tbeophilus a Learned Biihop of Alexandria 
 having fallen into their hands was fo roughly uied by them, that 
 ere he could get out of their fingers , he was fain to ufe his wits 
 and to crave aid of his Equivocating Sophiftry and foothly to 
 tell them. I have feen your face as tie face of God. Now- when- 
 Chriftian and Religious doubts , muft thus be managed with 
 wilfulnefs and violence, what mifchief may come of it is already 
 fo plain , that it needs not my finger to point it out. Where- 
 fore let every fuch weak peribn (ay unto himfelf , as Saint Au~ 
 (tine doth , Tu ratiocinare, (go mirer, difputa tu ego credam, let o- 
 thers reafon I will marvel. Let others dilpute I will believe. As 
 for the man ftrong in pailion or rather weak , for the ftrength of 
 palfion is the weaknefs of the paflfionate ; great reafon hath the 
 Church to except againft him. For firft of all from him it 
 comes that our books are fo ftuft with contumelious maledicti- 
 on, no heathen writers having left the like example of chol- 
 let. and grofs impatience. An hard things J know it is. to write 
 
 without 
 
Of dealing with Erring Chriftians . 53 
 
 without affection and pafsion in thoie things which we love, and 
 tlicrcfore it is free fo to do, to thoie who are Lords over them- 
 selves. It feems our Saviour gave fome way to it himfelf. For 
 fomewhat certainly his Kinfmen faw in his behaviour , when as 
 S. CHark reports they went forth to lay hold upon him thinking 
 he was be fide himfelf. But for thofe who have not the command 
 of themfelves, better it were they laid it by, S.Chrjfofiome ex- 
 cellently obferveth that the Prophets of God, and Satan, were by 
 this notorioully differenced , that they which gave Oracles by 
 motion from the Devil did it with much impatience and confu- 
 fion , with a kinde of fury and madnefs but they which gave 
 Oracles from God by Diiine Infpiraiion , gave them with all mild- 
 nefs and temper , If it be the caufe of God which we handle in 
 our writings, then let us handle it like the Prophets of God with 
 quietnefs and moderation, and not in the violence of pafsion, as 
 if we were pofTeft, rather then infpir'd. Again, what Equity or 
 indifferency can we look for in the carriage of that caufe , that 
 falls into the handling of thefc men. Quu conferre duces meminit 
 qui pendere caufasl Qua jietit inde favet, what man overtaken, 
 with pafsion remembers impartially to compare caufe with 
 caufe, and right with right. Qua ftetit inde favet — on what 
 caufe he happens, that is he refolute to maintain, ut gladiator in 
 arenam 5 as a Fencer to the Stage, (o comes he to write, not up- 
 on confeience of quarrel , but becaufe he propofes to contend, 
 yea,io potently hath this humor prevaiFd with men that have 
 undertaken to maintain a faction, that it hath broken out to the 
 tempting of God, and the difhonour of Martyrdom. Two 
 Fryers in Florence in the aftion of SaionoralU, voluntarily m the 
 open view of the City, effer'd to enter the fire : fo to put an 
 end to the controver(ie,that he might be judged to have the right 
 who like one of the three children in Edylon, fhould palsun- 
 touch't through the fire. But Ihaften to vifit one weak perfon 
 more and fo an end. 
 
 He whom we now are to vifit, is a man weak through here* 
 tical and erring Faith , now whether or no, we have any receic 
 for him it may be doubtful ; For S. Paul advifes us to avoid the 
 man^ that is 3 a maker of Sects, knowing him to be. damned. 
 
 ' Yet 3 
 
54 Of dealing with Erring Cbriftians. 
 
 yet, if as we fpake of not admitting to us the notorious (inner, 
 no not to eat, fo we teach of this, that it is delivered refpe&ive- 
 Jy to the weaker fort ; as juftly for the fame reafons we may 
 do : we {hall have a Recipe here for the man that erres in faith, 
 and rejoyceth in making of Se&s : which we {hall the better do, 
 if we can but gently draw him on to a moderation to think of his 
 conceits only as of opinions 5 for it is not the variety of opinions, 
 but our own perverle wills, who think it meet, that all (hould 
 be conceited as our felves are, which hath fo inconveni- 
 enced the Church, were we not fo ready to anathematize 
 each other , where we concur not in opinion , we might in 
 hearts be united , though in our tongues we were divided , 
 and that with Angular profit to all fides , It is the unity of the 
 Spirit in the bond of peace , and not ldmtitie of conceit , 
 which the Holy Ghoft requires at the hands of Chriftians. I 
 will give you one inftance, in which at this day our Churches 
 are at variance. ThemllofGody and his manner of proceeding 
 in predefti nation is unfflcemable, and {hall fo remain until that 
 day, wherein all knowledge {hall be madeperfeft, yet fome there 
 are, who with probability of Scripture teach, that the true caufe 
 of the final mif carriage of them thatperifh, is that original cor- 
 ruption that befell them at the beginning, increafed through the 
 neglect or refufai of grace offered.0 thers with no lefs favourable 
 countenance of Scripture, make the caufe of reprobation only 
 the will of God, determining, freely of his own work, as 
 himfelf pleafes, without refpecl: to any fecond caufe whatsoever. 
 Were we not ambitioufly minded, familiam ducere, every one 
 tobeLordofa Seel:, each of thefe tenents might be profitably 
 taught and heard, and matter of fingular exhortation drawn 
 from either ;for on the one part,doubtlefs it is a pious and religi- 
 ous intent, to endeavour to free God from all imputation of un- 
 neceffary rigour, & his juftice from fecming unjuftice & incon- 
 gruity ; Sc on the other fide, it is a noble refolution,fo to humble 
 our felves under the hand of Almighty God, as that we can with 
 patience hear, yea, think it an honour, that fo bafe creatures as 
 our felves (hould become the inftruments of the glory of (o great 
 a majefty, whether it be by eternal life, or by eternal death, 
 
 though 
 
Of dealing with Erring Chriftianf. 5 5 
 
 though for no other reaion, but for Gods good will and plea* 
 lure lake. The authors oi thefe conceits might both freely ( if 
 peaceably ) {peak their mindes, and both Angularly profit the 
 Church: iorfinceitis impoifible where Scripture is ambigu- 
 ous, that all conceits fhould run alike, it remains, that we leek 
 out a way not fo much to feftabliih an unity of opinion in the 
 mindes of all s which I take to be a thing likewife impoffiblc, as 
 to provide that multiplicity of conceit , trouble not the 
 Churches peace. A better way my conceit cannot reach unto, 
 then that we would be willing to think, that thefe things, which 
 with fome (hew of probability we deduce from Scripture are at 
 the beft, but our opinions for this peremptory manner of fetting 
 down our own conclusions under this high commanding form of 
 wecejjarj truths, is generally one of the greateft caufes, which 
 keeps the Churches this day fofar afunder j when as a gracious 
 receiving of each other* by mutual forbearance in this kindc a 
 might peradventure in time bring them nearer together. 
 
 This peradventure may lome man fay, may content us in cafe 
 of opinion indifferent, out of which no great inconvenience by 
 neceffary and evident proof is concluded : but what Recipe have 
 we for him that is fallen into lome known and defperate Here fie ? 
 Even the fame with the former. And therefore anciently, He- 
 retical and Orthodox Chriftians, many times even in publick 
 holy exercife converft together without offence. It's noted in 
 the Ecdejiaflick ftories, that the Am ans and Right believers fo 
 communicated together in holy prayers, that you could not di- 
 ftinguifh them till they came to the ^oloAo^/a, the gloria patr?\ 
 which the Arrians uled with fome difference from other Chri- 
 ftians. But thofe were times quorum leBionem hahemus virtutem 
 nonhabemuS) we read of them in our books, but we have loft 
 thepra6tifeof their patience. Some prejudice was done unto 
 the Church by thole, who firft began to intermingle, with pub- 
 lick Ecclefiaftical duties, things refpe&ive unto private conceits. 
 For thofe Chriftian offices in the Church ought as much as pof- 
 fibly they may be common unto all, and not to defcend to the 
 differences of particular opinions. Severity again ft, and fepa- 
 ration from heretical companies, took its beginning from the 
 
 Here dcks.i 
 
5* ^Jf. dealing with TLrring Chriftians. 
 
 Hereticks tbemfelves : and if we fearch the ftories, we (hall 
 ' finde that the Church did not at their firft arifmg thruft them 
 from her : themfelves went our, and as for feverity : that which 
 the Donatifts fometimes fpake in their own defence. Jllamefje 
 veram Ecclepam qu<& prcfecutionem patitur, non qu& facit, fhe was 
 thetrue Church not which raifed, but which iuffcred perfecuti- 
 on was defatto true for a great fpacc. For when herefies and 
 fchifmes firft arofe in the Church, all kind of violence were ufed 
 by the erring fadions, but the Church feem'd not for a long 
 time to have known any ufe of a fword , but only of a buckler, 
 and when (Vie began to ufe the fword, fome of her beft and 
 chiefeft Captains much miflikedit. The firft law in this kind 
 that ever was made, was enacted by Theodofius againft the Dona- 
 tijl$> but with this reftraint, that it fhould extend againft none, 
 but only fuch as were tumultuous, and till that time they were 
 not fo much as toucht with any m»lB 9 though but pecuniary, till 
 that (harmful outrage commited againft Bifh. Maximian,whom 
 they beat down with bats and clubs, even as he ftood at the Al- 
 tar : fo that not fo much the error of the Donatijts^ as their riots 
 and mutinies were by Imperial laws reftrained. That the Church 
 had afterward good reaion to think, that fhe ought to be falu- 
 brior quam dulcior, that fometimes there was more mercy in pu- 
 nching, then forbearing there can no doubt be made. St. Au- 
 flme ( a man of as milde and gentle fpirit as ever bare rule in the 
 Church ) having according to his natural fweetnefs of difpofiti- 
 on, earneftly written againft violent, and (harp dealing with He- 
 reticks : being taught by experience, did afterward retract, 
 and confefs an excellent ufe of wholfome feverity in the Church. 
 Yet couid I wifh that it might be faid of the Church, which 
 was fometimes obferved of Auguftus. In nuUius unquam fuorum 
 necem duravit : he had been angry with, and feverely punifht ma- 
 ny of his kin, but he could never endure to cut any of them off by 
 death. But this I muft requeft you to take only as my private 
 wifh, and not asacenfure, if any thing have been done to the 
 contrary. When eAtfolcm was up in arms againft his Father,it 
 was necefTary for David to take order to curb him, and pull him 
 on his knees, yet we fee how careful he was, he fhould not die, 
 
 and 
 
Of dealing with YLrring Chrifiians* ~~S7 
 
 and how lamentably he bewail'd him in his death : what caufe 
 was it that drove Davidinto this extream paflion ? Was it doubt 
 of heire to the Kingdome ? That could not be. For Solomon was 
 now born, to whom the promife of the Kingdom was made, 
 was it the ftrength of natural affection ? I fomewhat doubt of it. 
 Three year together was Mfolom in banifhment, and David did 
 not very eagerly defire to fee him. The Scripture indeed notes 
 that the King long'd for him : yet in this longing was there not 
 any fuch fiercenefs of paflion : for Abfolom faw not the Kings face 
 for two years more after his return from bani(hment to Hierufar- 
 km. What then might be the caufe of his ftrength of paffion, 
 and commiferation in the King ? I perfwade my iclf it was the 
 fear ofhisfons final mifcarriage, and reprobation, which made 
 the King ( (ecure of the mercies of God unto himfelf ) to wifh 
 he had died in his fteed, that fo he might have gain'd for his un- 
 gracious childe, fome time of repentance. The Church who is 
 the common mother of us all, when her Abfoloms, her unnatural 
 fbns do lift up their hands and pens again ft her, muft fo ufe 
 means to reprefs them, that (Tie forget not that they arc the fons 
 of her womb , and be companionate over them as David 
 xv&sovcrAb[olom y loath to unfhe^.th either fword, but moft of 
 all the temporal, for this were to fend them with quick difpatch 
 to Hell. 
 
 And here I may not pafs by that fwgular moderation of this 
 Church of ours, which (he hath moft chriftianly expreft towards 
 her adverfaries of Rome, here at home in her bofome above all 
 the reformed Churches, I have read of. For out of defire to 
 make the breach feem no greater, then indeed it is, and to hold 
 communion and Chriftian fellowfhip with her, fo far as we 
 poffibly can, we have done nothing to cut of the favourers of that 
 Church. The reafons of their love and refpe&s to the Church 
 otRome we wifh, but we do not command them to lay down : 
 their lay- Brethren have all means of inftru&ion offered them. 
 Our Edicts and Statutes made for their reftraint, are fuch as 
 ferve only to awake them, and caufe them to confider the inno- 
 eency of that caufe for refufal of communion, in which they en- 
 dure ( as they fuppofe ) fo great lofles. Thofe who are fent o- 
 
 H ver 
 
58 Of dealing with Erring Chriftians. 
 
 vcr by them, either for the retaining of the already pervertedj, 
 or perverting others, are either return'd by us back again to 
 them, who difpatcht them to us, or without any wrong unto 
 their perfons, or danger to their lives, iuffer an eafie re f trains 
 which only hinders them from difperfing the poyfon they 
 brought. And had they not been (tickling in our ftate-bufinels, 
 and medling with our Princes crown, there had not a drop of 
 their blood fallen to the ground j unto our Sermons, in which 
 the fwarvings of that Church are neceflarily to be taxt by us, we 
 do not binde their prefence, only our defire is, they would joy n 
 with os in thofe Prayers, and holy ceremonies, which are common 
 to them and us. And fo accordingly, by Angular difcretion was 
 our Service-Book compiled by our Fore- fathers, as containing no- 
 thing that might offend them, as being almoft meerlya compen- 
 dium of their own Breviary and Mijjal y fo that they {hall fee no- 
 thing in our meetings, but that they /hall fee done in their own* 
 though many things which are in theirs, here I grant they (hall 
 not finde. And here indeed is the great and main difference be- 
 twixt us. As it is in the controverfie concerning the Canonical books 
 of Scripture 1 whatfoever we hold for Scripture, that even by 
 that Church is maintained, only fhe takes upon her to adde 
 much, which we cannot think fafe to admit : fo fares it in other 
 points of Faith and Ceremony ; whatfoever it is we hold for faith, 
 fhe holds it as far forth as we 5 our ceremonies are taken from 
 her ; only fhe over and above urges fome things for faith, which 
 we take to be error, or at the beft but opinion, and for cere- 
 mony which we think to be fuperftition. So that to participate 
 with us, is, though not throughout, yet in fome good meafure 
 to participate with that Church : and certainly were that fpirit 
 of charity ftirring in them, which ought to be, they would love 
 and honour us, even for the refemblance of that Church, the 
 beauty of which themfelves fo much admire. The glory of thefe 
 our proceed in gSj even our adverfaries themfelves do much en- 
 vy. So that from hence it is, that in their writings they traduce 
 our judiciary proceedings againit them, for fanguinary and vi- 
 olent,ftriving to perfwade other nations, that fuch as have fuffe- 
 redby courfeofpublick juftice for religion only* and not for 
 
 treafora 
 
Of dealing with TLrring Qhriflians, 59 
 
 treafon have died, and pretend we what we lift, our anions arc 
 as bloody and cruel as their own : wherefore if a perfect pattern 
 of dealinf^with erring Chriftians were to be fought, there were 
 not any like unto this of ours, In qua nee f&viendi, nee errandi 
 fereundique licentia. permittitur^ which as it takes not to it felf li- 
 berty of cruelty, (o it leaves not unto any the liberty of deftroy- 
 ing their own fouls in the error of their lives. And now that 
 we may at once conclude this point concerning Hereticks^ for 
 prohibiting thefe men accefs to religious difputations, it is now 
 too late to difpute of that, for from this that they have already 
 unadvifedly entred into thefe battels, are they become that 
 which they are : Let us leave them therefore as a fuijicient ex- 
 ample and inftance of the danger of intempeftive and immodeft 
 medling in Sacred difputes. 
 
 I iee it may be well expected, that I fhould according to my 
 promiie adde inftru&ion for the publick Magijfrate, and (how 
 how far this precept in receiving the weak concerns him. 
 
 I muft confefs I intended and promifed fo to do, but; I 
 cannot conceive of it, as a thing befitting me to flep 
 out of my ftudy, and give rules for government to Common- 
 wealths, a thing befitcing men of greater experience to do. 
 Wherefore I hope you will pardon me if I keep not that pro- 
 mile, which I {hall with lefs offence break then obferve : And 
 this I rather do, becaufe I fuppofe this precept, to concern us, 
 efpecially if not only as private men, and that in cafe of publick 
 proceeding, there is fcarce room for it. Private men may pafs 
 over offences at their pleafure, and may be in not doing it, they 
 do worfe : but thus to do, lies not in the power of the Magi- 
 ftrate, who goes by laws, prefcribing him what he is to do. 
 Princes and men in authority do many times much abufe 
 themfelves by affeding a reputation of clemency, in pardoning 
 wrongs done to other men 5 and giving protection to fundry 
 offenders, againftthofe who have juftcaufe to proceed againft 
 them. It is mercy to pardon wrong done againft our felves, 
 but todenie the courfe of Juftice to him that calls for it, and 
 to protect offenders, may perad venture be fome inconfiderate 
 pity,but mercy it cannot be.All therefore that I will prefume to 
 
 H 2 advife 
 
60 Of dealing withering Chrijlians. 
 
 advife the Magiftrate is, A general inclinablenejje to merciful pro- 
 ceeding. 
 
 And fo I conclude, wiftiing unto them who plentifully fbwa 
 mercy, plentifully to Reap it at the hand of God, with an 
 hundred fold encreafe 5 and that bleffing from God the Father 
 of mercies, may be upon them all, as on the fons of mercy, as 
 many as are the fands on the Sea-fhore in multitude* The lame 
 God granuhat the words which we have heard this day. &c 
 
 Luke 
 
^T 
 
 A Sermon Vreachedon Eafter-day at Eaton Colledge # 
 
 Luke id. 25. 
 
 Son remember that thou in thy life time re- 
 ceived'Jl thy good things. 
 
 Have heard a Proverb to this found, He that hath 
 a debt to pay at Eafler , thinks the Lent but fhort : 
 How fhort this Lent hath feemed to me , who 
 ftandindebted unto you for the remainder of 
 my meditations upon thefe words,is no mater of 
 coniequence j to you per adventure it may have 
 feemed io long, that what you lately heard at 
 Shrovetide, now at Eafler you may with pardon have forgotten. I 
 will therefore recal into your memories fo much of my former- 
 Meditations as may ferve to open unto me a convenient way to 
 purfue the reft of thofe leffons , which then , when I laft fpake. 
 unto you, the time and your patience would not permit me to 
 finifh. But ere I do this, I will take leave a little to fit, my Text. 
 unto this time of Solemnity : 
 
 This time, you know, calls for. a difcourfe concerning, theRe- 
 furre&ion of our Lord and Saviour Jefus Chrift 3 of this you 
 hear no found in the words, which I have read, and therefore you 1 
 conclude it a Text unbefitting the day. Indeed, if you take the 
 RefurreBion for that glorious a6t of his Omnipotency , by which 
 through the power of his eternal Spirit he redeems himfelf from the 
 fo&ndof the grave, and triumphs over ieath and hell, you (ball in 
 
 diefec 
 
6z The Rich mans Recepifti; Or 
 
 thefe words find nothing pertinent ; But if you take thisRefur- 
 re&ion for that aft, by which, through the power oifaving grace, 
 Chrift the Son of nghteoufnts rifts in our hearts,& raifes us from 
 the death of fin unto the life of righteoufnefs, here in thefe words 
 you may perchance finde a notabie branch of it. For to raife 
 our thoughts from this earth, and clay, and from things beneath 
 fand fuch are thofe, which here Abraham calls the good things of our 
 life) and to fet them above , where Chrift fits at the right hand of 
 God, this is that pra&ick refurrection , which above all con- 
 cerns us, that other of Chrift in perfon, in regard of us , is but a 
 refurreBion in peculation, for to him that is dead in fin and tre- 
 fpafies, and who places his good in the things of this life, Chrift 
 is, as it were not rifen at all, to fuch a one he is ftill in the grave, 
 and under the bands of death : But to him that is rifen with 
 Chrift,& feeks the good things that are above ,to him alone is Chrift 
 rifen : To know and believe perfectly the whole ftory of ChriiVs 
 Refurre&ion,what were it, if wc did not practice this Refurre&i- 
 on of our own } C°?j t& nm exaBurum a te Dsum , quantum cogno- 
 Veris , fed quantum vixeris , God will not reckon with thee, how much 
 thou knoweft , but how well thou hafl lived : EpiBetus, that great Phi- 
 lofbpher makes this pretty parable, fhould a jhepherd, faith he, 
 call his fheep to account, how they had profited, would he 
 like of that fheep,which brought before him his hay,his grafs,and 
 fodder, or rather that [heep,whkh having well digefted all thefe, 
 expreft himfelf in fat, in tieih, and wooll > Beloved, you are the 
 flock of Chrift , and the fheep of his hands , fhould the great 
 Shepherd of the flock call you before him, to fee how you have 
 profited, would he content himfelf with this, that you had 
 well cond your Catechifme , that you had diligently read the 
 Gofpel , and exactly knew the whole fiory of the refurreBion I 
 would it not give him better fatisfaft ion to finde ChriiVs refur- 
 re&ion expreft in yours : and as it were digefted into ftefb and 
 wooll} «^ apilh tSto 1^} ^pvanrirov &\ tyvcexivai , To have 
 read Chryfippus his Book, this is not virtue: To have read the Go- 
 fpel, to have gathered all the circum fiances of the refur re&ion 
 of Chrift , this is not Chriftianity ; to have rifen, as Chrift , hath 
 done, fo to have digefted the refurreBion of Chrift, as that wc 
 
 have 
 
1 - ■ ■ — - 
 
 /£* danger of receiving our good things in this life 6% 
 
 have made it our own, this is rightly to underftand the Doctrine 
 of the refurre&ion of Chriit. For this caufe have I refilled to 
 treat this day of that refurreftion, in the JDoBrine of which I know 
 you are perfeB , and have retie&ed on that , in the knowledge 
 of which I fear you are imperfect : which that I might the bet- 
 ter do, I have made choice to profecute my former meditations, 
 begun when I laftfpake unto you in this place 5 For fo doing I 
 fhall open unto you one of the hardeft points of your Spiritual re- 
 [urreUion, even to raife your thoughts from the things of this life, 
 and feat them with Chrift above. 
 
 To make my way more fair to this , I will take leave to put 
 you in minde , in fhort , how I proceeded in the opening of 
 chefe words , when I laft fpake unto you out of this place : You 
 may be pleafed to remember, that after fome inftru&ion drawn 
 from the firft word, Son, I proceeded to confider the enfuing 
 words, wherein having by an Alchimie, which then I ufed,changed 
 the word [Recordare] Remember, into [Cat;?] Beware , and fo read 
 my text thus , Beware thou receive not thy good things in this life, I 
 jjiewed you that we had never greater caufe to confult our beft 
 wits , what we are to do , and how we are to carry our felves, 
 then when the world, and outward bleflings come upon us - 3 Up- 
 on this I moved this Queftion, whether or no, if the things of 
 this world fbould by fome providence of God knock and offer themf elves 
 to us , we are hound to exclude them and refufe them, or we might open 
 find admit of tb?m : I divided my anfwer according to the divers 
 abilities and ftrengths of men , firft , qui poteji caper e capiat, he 
 that hath ftrength and fpirkual wifdom to manage them, let him 
 receive them • But in the fecond place, he that is weak, let him 
 let ftrong diet alone, and feed on herbs, let him not intangle him- 
 felf" with more then he can manage ; Let him try, quid f err e re- 
 fufent , Quid valeant humeri— to the firft, the fum of what I fpake 
 was this. Receive them we may, and that without danger of a 
 Rccepifti; firfi, if we fo received them, as if we received them 
 not , fecondly if we efteemed them not good, thirdly if we did not 
 efteem them ours : And here the time cut me off, and fuffered 
 me not to defcend unto the- fecond pa.it, upon which now I am a- 
 bput to falijGnte ns recipias{Cakt heed thou receive not thy good things* 
 
IT 
 
 64 The Rich mans Recepifti ; or. 
 
 In this matter of" Receiving &c enterteining ihcteoutward and 
 foieigagood thtngs,there have been tm wayes commended to you, 
 the one the more glorious 3 to receive them,of this we have fpoken 
 the other the mote fafe , not to receive them,of this we are now to 
 ipeak 1 thefe ways are trodden by two kindes of perfons, the one 
 is the ftrong man, and more virtuous 3 the other is weaker, but more 
 cautelous, the one incounters temptation, the other avoids it: 
 we may compare them to the two great Captains, Hannibal and 
 Fabiw, the one ever calling for the battel the other evermore de- 
 clining it. In one of thele two rankes muft every good man be 
 found 5 If we compare them together we thall finde,that the one 
 is far more excellent, the other tar more in number : For to be 
 able to meet and check our enemy, to incounter occafions, to acl: 
 our parts in common life upon the common ftage , and yet to 
 keep our uprightnefs, this indeed is truly to live, truly to ferve 
 God , and men , and therefore God the more, becaufe men. On 
 the contrary to avoid occafions , to follow that other vitxendi 
 genus , non pugnare , to overcome the world by contemning 
 and avoding it, this argues a wife , indeed but a weak and faint- 
 ing fpirit : I have often wondred at Antiquity, which doting ex- 
 tremely upon a fequeftred, afolitar), retired, and monkifh life, 
 fticks not to give out , that all perfection is in it , whereas indeed 
 there is no greater argument of imperfe&ion in good men, quam 
 non pojje patifolem, non multitudinem, not to he able without offence 
 to walk the publick ways, to entertain the common occafions, but 
 to live onely to God and to themselves , ulilis ipfe fibi fortafiis, in 
 utilis orli, men of no great publike ufe, but excellent for them- 
 felves •, Saints indeed in private, but being called forth into com- 
 mon life, are like Bats in the Sun, utterly ignorant of publike pra- 
 ctice, like Scbeubelius a great Mathematician, but by book onely, 
 and not by practice, who being required fometime in an Army 
 to make ufe of his Quadrant, knew not the difference between 
 umbra retla, and umbra verfa : yet, beloved, becaufe this kinde of 
 good men is by far the greateft in number , and [econdly becaufe 
 it is both an ufual and a dangerous error of many men , to pre* 
 tend to ftrengrh, when they are but weak, and fo forgetting their 
 place, range thcmfelves among the prfi , whereas they ought 
 
 to 
 
the danger of Receiving our good things intbis life. 65 
 
 to have kept ftation among the [econd fort, I will take leave both 
 to advife my (elf, and all that hear me, to like better of the fafer, 
 though the weaker fide, and to avoid the exprobration of a Rece- 
 fifti here in my text, fimply non recipiendo, Sy not receiving^not ad- 
 mitting at all of the outward, lower, and temporal good things, 
 rather than by an improvident foolhardinefs to thruft ourfelves 
 upon occasions which we are unable to manage without offence. 
 This I am the more willing to do, becaufe there is not among 
 men a greater error committed, and more frequent,than in this 
 kinde 5 for in mod things in the world, men that have no skill 
 in them, will be content to acknowledge their ignorance, and 
 to give place to better experience : fhould we put the difculsi- 
 onof fome point o£ Scholarship to the plough-hind, or a Cafe in 
 Law to the Physician, or a point in Phjpck to the Lawyer, none 
 of thefe will offer to interpofe, but will advife to confult with 
 every one in his proper my ftery 5 but let offer be made of mo- 
 neys, lands, places of honour, and preferment, and who will 
 excufe himfclf, who will acknowledge his ignorance, or weak- 
 nefs to manage them? Whereas in all the Arts and Sciences there 
 are not fo many errors committed, as in the unskilful ufe of thefe 
 things, cumtamennufqmmpericulofiuserretur, and yet our errors 
 are no where fo dangerous : It is therefore a thing moft necefTa- 
 ry, that in this behalf we advife men, either to know their weak- 
 ness or to [ufpeB their firength, Malo cautior efje quam fortior, for- 
 tisfepe captus eft, cautus rarifsitne j better to be cautelous and wa- 
 ry than ftrong, and hardy, the ftrong man hath been often cap- 
 tivated, but the wary man very feldome. We read in many 
 places of Mofes and S<w»#f/ofaraceof men, greater in bulk and 
 ftature, than the ordinary men, unto whom men of common 
 inches feemed but as Grajhoppers j fuch were the Anakims, the 
 Emms, the Horims^ the Zamzummims, the %jphaims, and the 
 like, but if you read the Scriptures, you (hall finde it obferved 
 unto your hand, that the men of leffer bodies allways drove them 
 out ; if you demand the reafon, experience will anfwer you, 
 that the one went upon the opinion of ftrength and hardnefs, the 
 other ot wary wit, and policy 5 it fares no otherwife with thefe 
 two orders of men, of which I have fpoken, there is the Anakim, 
 
 I the 
 
W~ The Rich mansKcccfidi j Or 
 
 the man that goes forth in the conceit of his ftrength and valour, 
 there is the man of »tfd# /to*/*, whofe ftrength is his warinefs j 
 were there a furvey- taken of both thofe, it would be found, 
 that more by far have perifhed by unadviied adventuring upon? 
 the things of this world, than by difcreet and fober retiring. 
 
 Wherefore, doft thou finde that thou comeft on, and thri- 
 veft in the world, that the good things of this world wooe thee, 
 and caft themielves into thy lap, that wealth, that honours, 
 that abundance waits upon thee 5 take heed how thou preiume 
 of thy ftrength to manage them, look well upon them, and fee 
 if there be not written in the forehead oi every one of them, Re- 
 cepifti • but, beloved, I perceive, I deceive my felf, for thefe 
 gay things of the world carry not their recepifii in their foreheads, 
 as they come towards us, they arefmooth and fair 1 you can prog- 
 nofticate nothing by their countenance, but ferene, and Rummer 
 weather, our great mafter Arijiotle hath told us, that if our plea- 
 fur es did look upon us, when they come to us, as they do when 
 they turn their back, and leave us, we would never entertain 
 them y thefe goodly things have their recepifti written in their 
 back, it is never difcovered, till it be too late to mend it, when 
 death fummons us, when the world, the flefh, the glory and 
 pomp of life turns its back & leaves «$,then fhal you read recepiflit 
 €ave therefore, prefume not, but be wary, and that thou may- 
 eft avoid a recfp/flr y cave ne recipias y be fare thou receive not; 
 how many of thofe think you, who out of their opinion of skill 
 and ftrength, have given free entertainment to the world, have 
 made large ufe of the world, lived abundantly, fared coftly, 
 dwelt fumptuoufly, clothed themfelves richly, when their time 
 and houre came, would rather have gone out of fome poor cot- 
 tage, than out of a pri mely palace, and lived with no noifeinthe 
 world, that fo they might have died in fome peace? See you 
 not, what fome great perfons in the Church of Rome have often 
 done ? Charles 5. the Tcince of Parma, Cundry others, though 
 they lived in all pomp and ftate, yet at their death, they defi- 
 ned to be buried in a poor Capuchins hood, miferable men. If to 
 die in a ftate of perfect fequeftration from the world werefcv 
 precious, fo available a thing, how much more precious, more- 
 available 
 
 Jw._ 
 
t he danger of Receiving our good things in this life. *7 
 
 available had it been, to live in it ? For thus to die, not having 
 thus lived, is nothing elfe, but to give fentencc againft their own 
 life; for we (hall not appear before God as we died, but as 
 we lived. To profefs hate, and defertion of the world at our 
 death, as moft do, to put on humiliation at our death, that live 
 at eafe and in ftate all our life, this is but to be buried in a Capu- 
 chins bood-y what is it, beloved, that thus reforms our judge- 
 ment, and clears our fight at that houre? Nothing but this, all 
 our pleafures, all our honours, all the May-games of our life, 
 they now (hall fhew themfelves unto us, and every one cry out 
 unto us, Recipifti) Thou haft received 'thy good things. 
 
 Now, beloved, that I may a little the better ftrengthen with 
 good reafon this my advice, de non rec/piendo, of retiring from, 
 and rejeBing the goodly things of the world, give me leave a little 
 to confult with my Topicks, and to try out of what place I may 
 draw fomc arguments, to bring you on the eafier. 
 
 And fir ft of all, were there no other reafon to perfwade yon, 
 yet the very reading of this ftory, where I have taken my text, 
 would afford arguments enough ; for what meant <s£braham> I 
 befeech you, when he told the rich man^ he had received his good 
 things ? Did he ule fome obfeure and unknown phrafe, which 
 no circumftance of the ftory could open ? It ftands not with the 
 goodnefs of the HolyGhoft, to tell us of our danger in unknown 
 language ; fomething therefore certainly we (hall finde, to open 
 the meaning : caft back your eye upon the description of the per- 
 fon, whom Abraham charges with this error, and fee if you 
 finde not a paraphrafe there ; the man to whom this phrafe is 
 applied is defcribed by the properties^ of which 1 under ftand not 
 that any one is a virtue *, fir ft it is faid, he was rich ; fecondly, he 
 ware fear 'et, and foft linnen^ thirdly, he was iuppa.ivoimiv&, he 
 was jovial, and feafted liberally every day 5 doth not this accu- 
 rate defer iption of the perfon fhew his error ? For to what other 
 purpofe elfe could this defcription ferve? hither here is his er- 
 ror, or this character is in vain 5 it feems therefore we muft 
 conclude, that to be rich, to cloth our felves coftly, to fare dc- 
 licioufly, thus to do, is to receive the good things in our life, ex- 
 cept fome favourable interpretation do help us out ; but we 
 
 I 2 muft 
 
$8 the Rich /^/wRecepifti ; Or, 
 
 xnuft take heed how we do de fcripturis interpretationilus ludere, 
 
 dally with, and elude fcripture by interpretations, yo&u&cu w$ 
 
 ylye&irleuy when St. John defcribesthe world, which he forbids 
 
 us to follow, he makes three parts of 'it, the luft oftheflefh, the 
 
 luft of the eye, and the pride of life. Do not all thefe three appear 
 
 here in the char after of our man ? where is the luft of the eye, if ic 
 
 be not m gaudy apparel ? Where is the luft of the jiefh, at leaft 
 
 one great branch of it, if it be not in the ufe of dainty diet > 
 
 Where is the pride of life, if not in riches ? and what reafon have 
 
 you now to doubt, what {hould be the meaning oirecepifti, thou 
 
 haft received thy good things ? He then that fears to hear a recepifti, 
 
 if he be rich, let him not forget to diftribute, and empty thofe 
 
 bags, which lie up by him 5 if he be coftly clad, let him turn 
 
 his fcarlet into fackcloth \ if he feed delicioufly, let him turn his 
 
 softly difhes into temperance, and fafting : otherwife, what can 
 
 we plead for our f elves, that we {hould not, as well as this man 
 
 in my text, when our time comes, hear our recepifti I 
 
 But I fee what it is, peradventure, that troubles you, you will 
 
 ask me, whether I will avouch it to be a fin to be rich, I 
 
 muft walk warily, leaft I lay my felf open to exception ; Tela- 
 
 gius grounding him felf upon that of our Saviour. [ It is impof- 
 
 f hie for a rich wan to enter into the Kingdome of Heaven^ } taught 
 
 that leffon indeed, as the words do lie, and would by no means 
 
 grant, that a rich man could be faved $ but for this the Church 
 
 noted him for an Heretkk, for among his herefies this is fcored 
 
 tip for one, togetherwith that, that it is not lawful to foear $ but 
 
 it Pehgius had never otherwife erred, the Church might very 
 
 well have pardoned him that herefie : many times it falls out by 
 
 the reafon of the hardnefs of our hearts, that there is more dan* 
 
 ger in preying fome truths, than in maintaining fome errors: 
 
 that it is lawful fometime to [port our felves, that it is lawful to 
 
 ftafi at Chriftmas, that it is lawful to fxear y and many other things 
 
 of the like nature, are all truths 5 yet there is no neceflity we 
 
 fliould prefs them in our ferrnons to the people, for there is no 
 
 fear the people will ever forget thefe, Cavendum eft nenimium me. 
 
 minerint, better to labour that they do not too much remember 
 
 «hemi $ he that wiU labour in reprefftng the abufes, which people 
 
 ground! 
 
 I 
 
the danger of Receiving our good things in this life. &9 
 
 ground upon theie truths, muft remember the old rule. 1ml 
 quum petendum eft, ut aquumferas, he muft go very near to teach 
 tor truth the contrary talfhood. To return then from this di- 
 grellion to our rich man, Pelagiw, I grant, was deceived, when 
 he fhut all rich men out of the Kingdome of Heaven i 
 but fuppofe we that he had prevailed in this doctrine, that he 
 had wrought all the world to this bent, that the Church had 
 received ic for Catholick doctrine, (hew me, he that can, what 
 inconvenience would have attended this error ? If every rich 
 man fhould fuddenly become liberal, and disburfe his moneys, 
 where his charity directed him ; if every painted gallant did turn 
 his Peacocks feathers into fackcloth ; if every glutton left his full 
 dtfhes, and betook himfelfto temperance and fafting, yea, and 
 thought himfelf in confeience bound fo to do, out ot fear, leaft 
 he might hear of Recepifti, I perfwade my felf the ft ate of Greece 
 would never fujfer the more for this, but the flate oiCbriftianity 
 would have thrived the more. Well had it been for our rich- 
 man here, if he had been a Pelagian ; for this point of Pelagia- 
 nifme is the fureft remedy, that I know, againft a Recepifti "~ 
 whereas on the contrary fide, by realon of the truth, many ricrr 
 and covetous perfons flatter themfelves in their fin, whereof 
 they die well conceipted, from which they had been freed, had 
 it been their good fortune to have been thus far deceived, and 
 been Pelagians. Let men therefore either quite refufe riches, if 
 they offer themfelves, which is the advice I give, or if they will 1 
 give them acceptance, let them believe, that if they be rich 5 
 they maybefaved, but let them fo live, as if they could not% 
 for the one (hall keep them from error in their faith, the othes 
 itomfin in their ASions. 
 
 A fecon-d realon, peri wading us to the neglect of thefe fo 
 much admired things of the world, is the confideration of certain 
 abufes, which they put upon us, certain fallacies, and falfeglojjep, 
 by which they delude us ; for I know not how, the world hath 
 cried them up, and hath given them goodly titles, ut v I latlis 
 gal/inaceifperare posfis hauftum, as Pliny fpeaks 5 men call them 
 bleflings and favours, and rewards, and think thofe menmoft 
 bleftofGod, whoinjoympftofthemj thefe goodly titles f p - £ 
 
 ,. ' for 
 
70 The Rich mans Rcccpifti-, Or 
 
 for nothing, but to fee men on longing after them, and fo fill 
 thofe, that have them, with falfe perfwafions, and thofe that 
 have them not with defpair and dilcontents -, were they indeed 
 bleffingsj were they rewards, then were our cafe very evil, and 
 we ourfelves in greater danger of a recepiftiy than before ; for as 
 ^Abraham here tells the man of recepifti bona, thou haft received 
 thy goodxhings, fo our Saviour tells more than once ot fome qui 
 habent mercedem, have their reward ; if then we {hall beg, and 
 receive thefe things at the hands of God, as a reward of our fer- 
 vice, we (hall be no more able, when we come to appear be- 
 fore our God, to fhelter our felves from an habetis mercedem^ 
 you have your reward, then the rich man here could defend him- 
 ielf from a recepifti. They may indeed pais for rewards, and 
 bleflings, and that truly too, but to a fad, and difconfolate 
 end 5 for their is no man, though never fo wicked, but that 
 fome way or other doth iome good, fome cup of eeld water hath 
 been given, fome fmall fervice entcrprized even by the worft of 
 men .* now God who leaves no fervice unrewarded, no good of- 
 fice unrefpe6ted, therefore preierves thefe iublunary bleflings 
 ofpurpofe, ut pariafaciat, to clear accounts with men here, who 
 otherwife might feem to claim fomething at his hand, at that 
 great day ; It is the queftion Ahafuerus makes, what honour and 
 dignity hath been done to Mor dec ai for this} God is more careful of 
 his honour, than Ahafuertts was - } none more caretnl than he, to 
 reward every lervice with fome honour: Nebuchadnezzar was 
 no Saint, I trow, yet becauie of his long fervice in the fubduing 
 of Tyre, God gives him v£gyp*< for his reward, they are the Vio- 
 phtt Ezechiels words - when therefore thou fcel\ Cjod willing to 
 bring the world upon thee, to inrich thee, to raife thee to ho- 
 nours, fufpetlam habe ham Domini indulgentiam, as Tertullian faith, 
 be jealous of this court* fi* of God \ or rather cry out with St. Bernard, 
 Mifericordiam banc nolo Domine, O Lord, I will none of this kinde 
 of mercy : for how knoweft thou whether he reward not thee, as 
 he did Nebuchadnezzar only to even accounts with thee, and (hew 
 thee that he is not in thy debt, that thou mayeft hear at the laft 
 either a recepifti, or an habes mer cedent, thou haft thy reward ? O 
 quanta apud Deum mtrcet^ [i in pr<efenti pramium nonfperarent, (a ith 
 
 St. Hie* 
 
the danger of Receiving our good things in this life . 7 1 
 
 St, Hierome, O how great a reward might many men receive at the 
 hand of God, if they dtd not anticipate their reward and de fire it in this 
 life I Why do we capitulate with him for our fervices ? Why 
 not rather out of pious ambition defire to have God in our 
 debt I He that doth God the greateft fervice, and receives here 
 from him die lead reward,is the happiefi man in the world 5 there 
 goes a Hory oi Aquinas, that praying once before the Crucifix, 
 the Crucifix miraculoufly Ipeaks thus unto him, Bene de mefrrip- 
 fifti Thoma, quam ergo mercedem accipies I Thou haft written well of 
 me, Thomas, what rewarddoji thou defire } To whom Aquinas is 
 made to answer, Nu f 'am, Domine, prater Teipfmi^ no reward, 
 Lord, butthyfelf: 'tis great pity this tale is not true, it doth fo 
 excellently teach, what to ask of God for our reward in his fer- 
 vice. Let God but allure thee of this reward, extern omnia vota 
 Deo remittas, thou mayeft very well pardon him all the reft : let 
 us therefore amend our language, and leave off thefelolecifmes 
 and mifapplied denominations of blefsings, and favours, and re- 
 wards, names too high for any thing under the moon, and at our 
 leifure findcout other names toexprefs them ; as for this great 
 efteem, which we make of the things below, it comes but from 
 this, that we know not the value of things above ; did we be- 
 lieve our felves to be the heirs, and the fons of God, and knew 
 the price of our inheritance in Heaven, it could not be, that we 
 (hould harbour fo high and honourable conceits of earthly 
 things; it is a famous lpeech of Martin Luther, Homo perfe- 
 BecredensfeefjehxredemetfliumDei, non diu fuperjtes maneret, fed' 
 ftatim immodico gaudeo alforberetur \ Bid a man indeed believe that 
 he is a [on and heir unto God, v could not be, that, fuch a man foouli 
 long live, but forthwith he would be f wallowed up, and die of immoderate' 
 joy : And certainly either our not believing, or not rightly valu- 
 ing the things of God, orhowfoever, not knowing theory is the 
 eaufe of this our languifhing, and impatient longing after earth- 
 ly things; It is but a plain comparifon which I fhall ufe, yet 
 becaufe it fits the perlon, to whom I will apply it, and becaufe 
 it is Tkeopliylat'ts in his Comments on St. Lukes Gofpel, I will nor 
 be afhamed to make ufe of it ; Swine, faith he, have their eyes' 
 ffifrarnd, that they cannot look up to Tteaven 5. their keepers therefore- 
 
 vsheifr 
 
7 2 The Rich mans Recepifti ; or, 
 
 rvhen they ftnde themfelies troubled with their crying, are wont to caft 
 them upon their backs, ^ ^Tg/oV^v WObo-j @o£v> and fo make 
 them ceafe their crying, for that beaft being amazed to fee the 
 frame and beauty ot Heaven, which before he had never feen, 
 ixnr/\foU1cu ^ criyZ, being ftricken with admiration, forgets his 
 crying ; the eyes of many men feem to be framed like thofe of 
 Swine j they are not able to caft them up to Heaven, for would 
 they but caft themfelves upon their backs, turn their face from 
 earth, and view the beauty of things above, it could not be, 
 but all this claim, or rather clamour after earthly things fhould 
 utterly ceafe. 
 
 Again, ( yet the more to quicken one to the neglect of thefe 
 things below ) among many other fallacies, by which they de- 
 lude us, I have made choice of one more, they prefent them- 
 felves unto us, fometimcs as necefjaries, fometimes as Ornaments 
 unto us in our courfe of venue and happinefs ; whereas they are 
 but meer impertinences, neither is it any way material, whe- 
 ther we have them yea or no ; virtus cenfum nun requirit, nudo 
 homine content a eft , virtue and happinefs 1 equire nothing elfe but a 
 man \ Thus (ay the Ethnickes : And chriftianity much more : For 
 it were a ftrange thing that we fhould think that Chrift came 
 to make virtue more chargable : In regard of virtue and piety,a\l 
 eftates, all conditions, high and low, are alike: It is noted by 
 ^Petronius for the vanity of rich men , Qui folas divitias extruere 
 cur ant , nihil volunt ii-ter homines melius credi, qua quod ipfi tenent, 
 thofe men nhofe minds are fit upon wealth and riches, would have all 
 men believe that it is heft fo to do ; But riches and poverty make no 
 difference, for we believe him that hath told us , there is no dif- 
 ference, Jew and Gentde,hi^h and low, rich and poor, all are one in 
 Chrift Jefus, Non nature paupertas,fed opinionis eft, faith S.Ambrofe, 
 Poverty, as men call it, is but a p'janfie , there is no fuch thing in- 
 deed, it is but a Figment, an Idol, men firft framed it, and fet 
 it up, and afterward feared ir, oculi nofiri tot a l:<ec lunuria eft ; as 
 fome Naturalifts tell us that the Rain low is oculi opus, a thing fra- 
 med onely by the eye, fo this difference betwixt rich and poor is 
 but the creature of the eye, Smindyrides the Sybarite was grown 
 fo eKtremely dainty, that he would grow weary with the fight ct 
 
 ano- 
 
the danger of receiving our good things in this life. 72 
 
 another mans labour, and therefore when fometime he faw a 
 poor man digging, and paintully labouring, he began to faint, and 
 pant, and requires to be removed : Beloved, when we arc thus 
 offended to fee another man meanly clad, meanly houfed,meanly 
 traded, all this is out out of a Sybaritifh ridiculous daintinefs, for 
 all this is but to grow wear y at the fight of another mans labour : would 
 we follow our Saviours precept, and put out this eye of ours, the 
 greateft part of all this vanity were quite extinguifht , for what 
 were all outward ftate and pompe imaginable,were no eye to iee 
 or regard it ? 
 
 No w, beloved, yet to fee this more plainly, what is the main 
 end of our life ? what is it , at which with fo much pain and la- 
 bour we ftrive to arrive ? It is, or fhould be nothing elfe but w>«? 
 tue and happinefs : Now thefe are alike purchafable in all eftates 5 
 Poverty, difeafe, diftrefs, contumely, contempt, thefe are as well 
 the objed of virtue, as wealth, liberty, honor, reputation, and the 
 reft of that forefpoken rank : Happinefs therefore may as well 
 dwell with the poor, miferable, and diftreffed perfons, as with 
 perfonsof better fortune, fince it is confeft by all , that happinefs is 
 nothing clfe but ABio [ecundum virtutem , a leading of our life ac- 
 tor dingto virtue ; As great art may be expreft in the cutting of a 
 flint, as in the cutting of a diamond, and io the workman do well 
 exprefs his skilly no man will blame him for the bafenefs of the 
 matter, or think the worfe of his work : Beloved,fome man hath 
 a diamond, a fair and glittering fortune , (ome man hath a flint, a 
 hard, har(h,and defpicable fortunejet him beftow the fame skill 
 and care in polifhing and cutting of the latter , as he would or 
 could have done on the former , and be confident it will be as 
 highly valued (if not more highly rewarded) by god who is no 
 accepter of perfons, but accepteth every man according to that he hath y 
 and not according to that he hath not 5 To him let us commit our 
 felves : To him be all honour and praiie, now and for ever* 
 Amen* 
 
 WIN IS. 
 
 K Numbers; 
 
74 
 
 Numbers ;?. verfc 33. 
 ^And the Land cannot be cleanfed of blood, that 
 is [bed in it j but by the blood of him that 
 Jhedit. 
 
 Hefe words are like unto a Scorpion: for asinthar„ 
 
 fo in thefe, the felt fame thing is both Voyfon, and 
 
 remedy. Blood is the poyfon, Blood is the 'Remedy, 
 
 he that is ftricken with the Scorpion, muft take the 
 
 oyle of the Scorpion to core him. He that hath poy- 
 
 fond a Land with the fin of blood, muft yield his own blood lor 
 
 Antidote to cure it. Ic might feem ftrange, that I fhould a- 
 
 mongft Chriftians thus come and deliver a fpecch of Blood, 
 
 For when I read the notes and characters of a Chriftian in holy 
 
 Scriptures, me thinks it fhould be almoft a fin for fuch a one to 
 
 name it. Pojjefs your fouls in patience : Ly this \hall men know, that 
 
 ye are my Difciples if ye love one another \ peace 1 leave wtth you. The . 
 
 fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace in the Holy Ghoft. Let your [oft- 
 
 nefsbe known to all men : the wtfdome that is from above is firft pure, 
 
 then peaceable, gentle, eafietobe entreated, full of mercy. Itisre=. 
 
 ported by Avenzoar a -great Phyfician, that he was fo tender, 
 
 hearted, that he could not endure to fee a man let blood: he 
 
 that ftiould read thefe pafTages of Scripture, might think that 
 
 Chriftians were like Avenzoar f that the fight of blood ifhould be 
 
 enough so affright them*. But is the Common Chriftian iofoftl 
 
A Sermon of Duels, &c,preacht attheHaguc. 75 
 
 So tender hearted, is he io peaceable, fo tame and traceable a 
 creature ? You fhall not finde two things of more different 
 countenance and complexion, then that Chriftianity which is 
 commended unto us in the writings of the Apoftles, and Evan- 
 gelifts, and that which is current in ufe and practice of the times. 
 He that (hall behold the true face of a Chriftian, as it is deci- 
 phered and painted out unto us in the books of the New Tefta- 
 ment, and unpar dally compare it with that copie or counterfeit 
 of it, which is expreft in the life and demeanor of common 
 Chriftians, would think them no more like then thofe jheldsof 
 Gold, which Solomon made, were unto thofe of brafs, which Re- 
 hoboam made in their deed : and might (uppofe that the writers 
 of thofe books had brought uotamagis, quam precept a had rather 
 fancied to themlelves fome admirable pattern of a Chriftian, 
 fuch as they could nifh, then delivered rules and laws, which 
 ferioufly and indeed ought or could be pra&ifed in common life 
 and converfation. St. James obferves, that he which beholds hk 
 natural face in a glafs, goes his way, and immediately forgets what 
 manner of man he was. Beloved how careful we are to look upon 
 the glafs, the books of holy Scriptures, I cannot eafily pro- 
 nounce. But this I am fure of, we go our ways and quickly forget 
 what manner of fliape we law there. As Jacob and Efau had 
 both one father, Ifaacy both one mother Rebecca, yet the one 
 was fmooth and plain, the other rough and hairy, ofharfhand 
 hard countenance^ condition*, fo thefe two kindes of Chriftians 
 of which but now I fpake, though both lay claim to one father 
 and mother, both call themfelves the fons of God and the fons 
 ©f the Church, yet are they almoft as unlike as Jacob and Efau ; 
 the one fmooth, gentle, and peaceable, the other rough and 
 harfh. The notes and characters of Chriftians, as they are de- 
 fended in holy Scriptures are patience eafily putting up and di- 
 gefting of wrongs, humility, preferring all before our felves : 
 And St. Jumes tells us, that the wifdom that is from above, is firfi 
 pure, then peaceable, gentle, eafie to be entreated, Su James in- 
 deed hath given the firft place unto purity, and it were almoft 
 a fin to compare Chriftian vermes together, and make them 
 ftrive for precedency, and place. For what Solomon faith upon 
 
 K 2 another 
 
7* A Sermon cfDn^ : £ c ; *W l * & *k KagUE 
 
 another occafion, is here much more true : fay mt why is this 
 thing letter then that : for everything in its time is feafos/dl; Yet 
 he that {hall mark how every where the Scriptures commend 
 untousgentlenefsand meeknefs, and that peace is it quam nobis 
 Jtpoftoli totisviribusfpiritusfantti commend am, as Tertulhan ipeaks, 
 which the Apoftles endeavour with all the ftrength and force of 
 the Holy Ghoft to plant amongft us, might a little invert the 
 words of St. James, and read them thus. The nifdome that is 
 from dove, is firfy peace die, then pure. The fon of God, who is 
 the wifdomeof the Father, and who for us men came down 
 from Heaven, firft, and before all other venues commended 
 this unto the world. For when he was born, the fong of the 
 Angels was peace upon earth, and goodwill towards men* All his 
 doctrine was peace, his whole life was peaceable, and no man 
 heard his voice in the greets. His laft legacie and bequeft left 
 unto his difciples was the fame. 'Peace, faith he, / leave unto 
 you, my peace J give unto you ; As Chrift, fo Chriftians. In the 
 building of Solomons Temple, there was no noiie of any hammer 3 
 of any inftrument of Iron : fo in the fpiritual building and frame 
 ofaChriftian, there is no found of Iron, nonoife of any wea- 
 pons, nothing but peace and gentlenefs. Ex prtcepto, fidei non 
 minus rea ira eft fine rati one fufcepta, quam in operibus legishomici- 
 dium, faith St. Auftin, unadvifed anger by the law of faith, is 
 as a great fin, asmurtherwas by the law of Mofes. Asfome 
 Phyficians have thought, that in mans body the fpleen hath very 
 little ufe, and might well be fpared, and therefore in dealing 
 with fundry difealed perfons, they endeavour by pbyfick toa- 
 bate, and take away that part in them, as much as may be 3 fo 
 ifwelookintoaGhriftianman, as he is propofed to us in the 
 Gofpel, wemayjuftly marvel to what purpole God hath plan- 
 led in him this faculty and paflion of anger 3 fince he hath fo lit- 
 tle ufe of it : and the Gofpel in a manner doth fpiritually diets 
 and phyfick him for it, and endeavours much to abate, if not 
 quite to purge out that quality. Beloved we have hitherto feen 
 who Jacob is, and what manner of man the Ghrift tan is, that is 
 defcribed unto us in holy Scripture. Let us a little confider his 
 Brother efatt, the Cbriftian in pafTage, and who commonly in 
 
 the 
 
A Sermon of Duels, &c. preaeht at the Hague. 77. 
 
 the account of the world goes for one. Is he fo gentle and tra- 
 ceable a creature > Is his countenance fo fmooth 3 his body fo 
 free from gall and fpleen > To trie this, as the Devil fometimes 
 fvakt unto Job. Touch him inbis goods, touch him in his body, and 
 fee if he mil not curfe thee to thy face: fo touch this man a little m 
 his goods, touch him in his reputation and honour $ touch him 
 in any thing that he loves, ( for this is the only way to trie how 
 far, thefe commands of peace, and forbearance, and long fuf- 
 fering prevail with us, ) and iee if he will not forget and loofe. 
 all his patience. Which of us is there that underftands the 
 words and precepts of our Saviour in their literal fenfe, and as 
 they lie > The precepts of fuffering wrong, rather then to go to 
 law ; of yielding the coat to him that would take the cloak, of 
 readinefs to receive more wrongs, then to revenge one : thefe 
 and all the Evangelical commands of the like nature Interpreta- 
 vnento detorquemw. We have found out favourable interpretati- 
 ons, and glofTes, reftri&ions, and evafions, to winde our felves 
 out of them, to ihift them all off, and put them by, and yet 
 pals for found and currant Chriftians ; we think we may be juft- 
 ly angry, continue long fuits in law, call to the Magiftrate for 
 revenge, yea lometimes take it into our own hands, all this and 
 much more we think we may lawfully, and with good reafon 
 do, any preempt of Chrift to the contrary notwithftanding a . 
 Andasitufuallycomes to pafs, the permitting and tolerating 
 lefferfins, opens way to greater, foby giving paffage, and in- 
 let to thofe letter impatiences and difcontents, we lay open a 
 gap to thofe fouler crimes, even of murther and blcodfhed 
 For as men commonly luppofe that all the former breaches of 
 our patience, which but now I mentioned, may well enough 
 ftand with the duties of Chriftians : fo there are who day not 
 here, but think, that in fome cafes it may be lawful, yea, perad- 
 venture necetfary, atleaft very pardonable for Chriftians pri- 
 vately to feek each others blood, and put their lives upon their 
 fwords,without any wrong to their vocation $ out of this -have 
 fprung many great inconveniences, both private and publick. 
 Firft, Laws made too favourable in cafe of blood-fhed. Se- 
 cQndly 5 a too much facility and eafmels in Princes and Magi- 1 
 
 fetes 9 , 
 
fi A Sermon ef Duel % 8ccffreacbtattheH^ue^ 
 
 ftrates,fometimes to give pardon , and releafe for -< that -crime 
 -Thirdly and chiefly (tor it is the fpecial cauie indeed that moved 
 me to fpeak in this Argument) an aver promptnefs in many young- 
 men y who defire to be counted men of valour and refolutioBj up- 
 on every Height occafion, to raife a quarrel and admit of no o- 
 ther meanes of compofing, and ending them but by fword and 
 pngle combat. Partly therefore to {hew the gricvoufnefs & great- 
 nels of this fin of bloodlhed, and partly to give the beft counfel I 
 can for the reftraint of thofe conceits and errors which give way 
 unto it, I have made choice of thefe few words out ot the Old 
 Teftament which but now I read. In the New Teftament there 
 is no preceptgiven concerning bloodshed. The Apoftles feem 
 not to have thought, that Chriftians ever (hould have had need 
 of fuch a. prohibition. For what needed to forbid thofe to feek 
 each others blood , who are not permitted to fpeak over hafti- 
 ly, one to another, when therefore I had refolved with my felf to 
 (peak fomething concerning the (in of bloodfhed, I was in a 
 manner conftrain'd to retted upon the Old Teftament, and make 
 choice of thofe words. *And the Land catwot be purged of Blood 
 that is [bed in it^ but by the blood of him that jbed it. 
 
 In which words for my more orderly proceeding , I will ob- 
 ferve thefe two general parts : Firft, the grcamefs of the fin. Se- 
 condly,thz means to cleanfe and fatisfie for the guilt of it. The 
 firft,that is the greatnefs of the fin, is expreffed by two circum- 
 ftances. Firft, by the generality, extent, and largnefs of the guilt 
 of it : and fecondly, by the difficulty of cleanfing it. The larg- 
 nefs and compafs of the guilt of this fin, is noted out unto us in 
 the word Land and the Land cannot he purged. It is true in fome 
 fenfe of all fins. N-mofibi uni errat y no man fins in private,and 
 to himfelf alone s For as the Scripture notes of that aft ion of 
 Jepthte, when he vowed his daughter unto God , That it became a 
 Cuflome in Ifrael : fo is it in all Cms. The error is only in one per- 
 fon,but the example fpreads far & wide,and thus every man that 
 fins, fins againft the whole L^W, yea againft the whole world. 
 For who can tell how far the example and infection of an evil a- 
 &ion doth fpread ? In other fins the infection is no larger then i 
 the difeafe : but this fin like a plague : one brings the infection 5 
 
ASermon bf Duels* ice. preach at the Hague. 79 
 
 faixovh Si ?v*>ol , but thoufands die for ir, yet this fin of bloud 
 diffuies and fpreads it felf above all other fins. For in other fins 
 noxa fequitur caput. The guilt of them is confined to the perfon 
 that committed them. God~himfclf hath pronounced ot them. 
 The Son [halt not bear the fins of the Fa.her, the foul that finneth Jhall 
 die the death. But the fin of blood feems to claim an exception 
 from this Law. If by time it be not purged, like the frogs of 
 Egypt) the whole land flank of them. It leaves a guilt upon the 
 whole land in which it is committed. Other fins come in like 
 rivers, and break their banks to the prejudice and wrong of pri- 
 vate perlons : but this comes in like a Sea, raging and threatning 
 to overwhelm whole countreys. If blood in any land do lie 
 unrevenged, every particular ioul hath caule to fear , lea ft pare 
 of the penalty fall on him. We read in the books of Kings that 
 long after Sauls death God plagued the Land of Jewry with three 
 years famine : becaufe Saul in hislife time had without any juft 
 eaufe fried the blood of fome of the Gibeoxites : neither the fa- 
 mine ceafed, till feaven of Sauls Nephews had died for it. In this 
 ftory there are many things rare and worth our obfervation.Firft, 
 the Generality and extent of the guilt of Blood-fhed which is : 
 the caufe for which I urged it) it drew a general famine on the . 
 whole- Land. Secondly, the continuance and length of the pu- 
 nishment. It lafted full three years , and better. Thirdly > the . 
 time of the plague ^ itfelllong after the perfon offending was 
 dead. Fourthly, whereas it is faidinmy Text. That blood is > 
 cleanfedby the blood of him that jhed it : here the blood of him that i 
 did this fin, fufficed not to purge the Land from it. That defpe- 
 rate and woful end, that befel both Saul and his Sons in that < 
 laftand fatal battel upon Mount- Cjilhoah) a man might think- 
 had freed the Land from danger of blood : yet we fee that the -. 
 blood of the Gibeonites> had leftfo deep a ftain, that it could not - 
 befponged out without the blood of feven more of Sauls off-- 
 fpringi So that in fome cafes it feems we muft alter the words of 
 my Text : The L 4^d cannot be purged of bloody butb) the Hood of him y 
 and his poflerity thatfhed it. Saint Peter tells us that fome mens fins ■ 
 go before them unto judgement, and fome mens fins folio jp after.- Be*' 
 losved here is a fill, that exceeded she members of this divifion , for i 
 
 how-v- 
 
8° A Sermon of Duels, &c. prcacht at the Hague. 
 
 howfoeverit goes before, or after us unto Judgement : Yet ie 
 Tiath a kinde or Ubiquity^ and fo runs afore, ib ioiiows us at the 
 heels, that it fiays behinde us too, and calls for vengeance long 
 after that we are gone. Blood unrevenged paiTes trom Father 
 to Son like an Heirlome or legacy : and he that dies with blood 
 hanging on his fingers, leaves his Off-fpring and his Family as 
 pledges to anfwer it in his ftead. As an Engineer that works in 
 a Mine, lays a train , or kindles a Match , and leaves it behinde 
 him, which (hall take hold or the powder long alter he is gone, 
 fo he that fheds blood , if it be not betimes purged , as it were 
 kindles a Match able to blow up not only a Parliament, but even 
 a whole Land where blood lies unrevenged. 
 
 Secondly, another circumltance ferving to exprefs unto us the 
 greatnefs of this (in 3 I told you was the difficulty of cleanfing it j 
 intimated in thofe words, cannot be cleanfed but by the blood of him 
 that fbeditMott. of other fins have fundry ways to wafh the guilt 
 away. As in the Levitical Law y the woman that was unclean by 
 reafon of Childe-bemng , might offer a pair of Turtle-doves , or 
 two young Pigeons ; fo he that travels with other fins, hath either 
 a Turtle or aPigeony he hath more ways then one to purifie him : 
 prayer unto God, or true repentance, or fatisfa&ion to the party 
 wronged, or bodily aftii&ion, or temporary mul&. But, he that 
 travels with the fin of Blood, for him there remains no facrifice 
 for fin, but a fearful expectation of vengeance, he hath but one 
 way of cleanfing , onely his blood , the blood of him that 
 jbed it. 
 
 The fecond general part which we confidered in thefe words, 
 was, that one mean which is left to ckanfe blood expreftinthe 
 laft words, the blood of him that jbed it. The Apoftle to the He- 
 brews fpeaking of the facrifices of the Old Teftament, notes that 
 without blood, there was no cleanfing no forgivenefs. He fpake 
 it only ot the blood of beafts of Bulls and Goats, who therefore 
 have their blood that they might (hed it in mans fervice, and for 
 mans ufe. But among all the Levitical Sacrifices there was not . 
 one to cleanfe the man-flayer • For the blood of the cattle upon 
 a thoufandHlls was not fuflicientfor this, yet was that fin to be 
 purged with blood too, and that by a more conftant and perpe- 
 tual 
 
A Sermon of Duels &c. preacht at the Hague 8 1 
 
 tual Law, then that of Sacrifices. For the cleanfing of other fins 
 by blood is done away ; the date of it is out j but to cleanfe 
 blood by blood remains as a Law to our times, and fo fhall unto 
 the worlds end, [anguine qu&rendi reditus, out of blood no way 
 to get but by blood, fyovvJffa,$ s f^stprv'pnffov : faith S. Bafil, haft 
 thou (bed blood ? wouldft thou be free from the guilt of it. Thy 
 beft way is to be a Martyr, and fhed thy blood for Chrifts fake. 
 Now that what I have to fay may the better be conceived and 
 lodged up in your memories, I will comprehend and order all 
 that I willfpeak to under three heads. Firft I will in General 
 yet a little further, briefly (hew how great a fin the fin of blood 
 is. Secondly I will fpeak of the redrefs of fome miforders ve- 
 ry frequent in our age which give way to this fin, ef pecially pri- 
 vate revenge and Angle combat. Thirdly I will touch at the 
 means of taking the guilt of blood away, which here the holy 
 Ghoft commends to thofe which are fet in authority to that 
 purpofe. And firft of the greatnefs of the crime and fin of 
 blood. 
 
 Of fins in holy Scripture there be two forts recorded. One 
 fort is a filent,dumb and quiet fin. God doth as it were feek after 
 it to finde it, as the people did after Saul, when he was hidden a- 
 mongft the fluff. Of this nature are the ordinary fins of our 
 life, which do more cafily finde pardon at the hands of Godj 
 but there is a fecond fort of fin,which is a vocal and a crying fin,a 
 fin like that importunate widow in the Gofpel , that will not fuffer 
 the JuJgetobequiet, till he hath done juftice : and thole are 
 the more heavy and grievoufer fins of our lives. Of this fecond 
 fort, there are two fins , to which the Scripture doth attribute 
 this crying faculty. Firft the fin of Sodom ; For fo God tells A- 
 braham, The cry of 'Sodom and Gomorrhais come up before me. The 
 fecond is the fin of which I am now to fpeak, the fin of Blood- 
 ftied. For fo God tells Cain. The loice of thy brothers blood cryes 
 unto me from the earth. The fin of Adam in Paradife doubtlefs was 
 a great and hainous fin, which hath thus made us all the children 
 of death, yet it feems to be but of the rank of mute fins , and to 
 have had no voyce to betray it, God comes unto Adam, convents 
 him, examines him as if he had not known it , and feems not to 
 
 L believe 
 
8s A Sermon of Duel/, Sec. freacbt at the Hague, 
 
 believe any fuch thing was done, till himfelf had confefTed ir. 
 But blood is an unmannerly, importunate, and clamorous fin, 
 God fhall not need to come and enquire after it, it will come 
 up unto him, and cry as the fouls do under the altar in the Reve- 
 lation. How long Lord, bow long ? Nee patimur — iracunda Deum 
 ponerefulmina, differs not God to forget judgement, or enter- 
 tain a thought of mercy. To fatisfie therefore the cry of this 
 importunate (in, and to fhew men the grievoufnefs of it, the 
 Laws of God and men have wonderfully confpired in the aveng- 
 ing of blood 5 by what means, or by what creature foever it 
 were (bed. Beafts, unrealonable creatures, though whatfoe- 
 ver they do, they cannot be faid to fin : for whatioever they da, 
 they do by force of that natural inftin6r, by which they are guid- 
 ed, and led as by their proper law : yet mans blood if they (bed 
 it, is revenged upon them. God himfelf is the Author of this 
 law, ( Gen. $. ) where he tells Noah ; The blood of jour lives 1 mil 
 require. at the hands of every leafl will I require it. And accord- 
 ingly in the 2 1. oiExodm, he precifely enacts a law. Be Bove 
 peiulco, If anOxegore a man that he die, the Oxe fhall he {lain, and 
 the fiefo caft away as an abomination. The laws of Natural men, 
 who had no knowledge of God, come little behinde this 5 yea, 
 they may feemto have gone before it in fevere revenging of 
 blood : for amongft the laws, by which ^Athens that famous 
 city of Greece was governed, there was one, that if a wall by 
 chance had fallen down, and (lain a man as the tower of Siloam 
 did, of which we read in the Gofpel; that then the Jucjges 
 fhould fit, and formally arraign that wall, condemn it, and 
 throw the ftonesof it out of the Countrey. This fo formal pro- 
 ceeding againft unreafonable, againft dull and fenfelefs crea- 
 tures, hath been thus joy ntly both by God and man pra&ifcd on- 
 ly for our example, to teach us how precious the life of man 
 ought to be in our eyes : and it refembles that action of ChrifV 
 in the Gofpel, where for our inftru&ion he curfes the barren 
 fig tree : Sterilitas noflra in ficuvapulat, &c. 
 
 Now as exemplary juftice is feverely done on thefe creatures 
 fcr mans inftru&ion i fo much more if man himfelf kept not his 
 hands clean from bloody did the laws of God proceed with 
 
 much 
 
A Sermon of Duels, &c. preacht at the Hague. 8 3 
 
 much ftrictnefs andfeverity : for to fay nothing ofgrofs, ma- 
 licious, and wilful murther 3 if a man only in his hafte ftrook an- 
 other with a weapon, or with a ftone, fo that he died, though 
 the ftriker intended but to hurt, yet he was to die for it. That 
 he did it in anger, that he did it in his drink, that he did it pro- 
 vok't, that he did it in defence of his honour, and reputation : 
 none of all thefe pretenfes might excufe him. Nay, which is 
 yet more,God himfelf propounds the cafe 5 If faith he, a man 
 cleaving wood hif axe head ftie off> and bit his neighbour, fo that he 
 kills him, except he could recover one of the Cities of Refuge, 
 he was to die : and having recovered a city of refuge, if before 
 the death of the high Prieft, he were taken without the walls of 
 the city, he was to die. So ftrickt was God in the cafe of 
 chance-medly, ( as they call it, ) in a cafe which he takes unto 
 himfelf, and makes himfelf the Author of. For in the 21. of 
 Exodus, fpeaking of the man that thus (beds blood by chance and 
 unwittingly, his words are thefe 5 If a man lie not in wait/<r^ 
 Deus objecerit manui ejus, but God put him into his hands, I will 
 appoint him a city of refuge to fiie unto. In which words God 
 acknowledges, that he who thus dies by chance, dies by his 
 providence, and not by the fin of him that flue him. If God 
 ( faith he ) iriall put him into his hands - 3 yet you fee, what a pe- 
 nalty he layes upon the innocent inftrument of fuch blood fhed. 
 The blood that is fhed in battle, and in times of lawful war you 
 all fuppoie as lawfully fhed. Yet notwithstanding Mofes in the 
 5£ of Numbers, gives charge, that the fouldiers returning from 
 battel, fhould ftay a while without the Camp, evenfeven days, 
 until they were cleanfed. Again, when David advifed with 
 himfelf about the building of an houle unto God, he fends him 
 word to lay by all thought of that : he was no fit perfon to do it ; 
 and he gives the reafon of it. Quia vir bell or um & [anguinum es 
 tu. For thou art a man haft fhed much blood, and fought ma- 
 ny battels. Beloved the battels which David fought were cal- 
 led the Lords battels, and therefore whatfoever he did in that 
 kinde, he had doubtlefs very good warrant to do : and yet you 
 fee, that it is an imputation to him, that he fhed blood, though 
 lawfully, ut fundi fanguis ne jufte quidem> fmealiqu* injuftiti* pof- 
 
 L 2 fit; 
 
■ — I 
 
 84 A Sermon of Duels ^ Sec. preacbt at the Hague. 
 
 ft 5 fo that it feems blood cannot be fo juftly fhed, but that it 
 brings with it fome ftain and fpot of injuftice. 
 
 All this have I faidto raile up in you as much as poilibly I 
 can, a right conceit of the height and hainoufnets of this fin, and 
 further, yet to cffecT: this in you, as in the beginning and entrance 
 into my difcourfe, I briefly toucht at two reafons, (hewing the 
 greatnefs of this fin,occafion'd therunto by the words of my text; 
 to will I as briefly touch at the two more tending to the fame 
 purpofe -y one drawn from refped of the wrong, which by this 
 fin is done unto God ; another from the wrong done to our 
 ielves. And firft, what wrong is done unto God, Godhimfelf 
 {hews us in the 9. oiGenefs \ where giving this for an everlaft- 
 ing law. He that (heddeth mans blood, by man let his blood 
 be fhed ; he prcfently addes the reafon of it. For in the image 
 ofGodmadehemam we fhall the better underftand the force of 
 this reafon, if we a little look into civil actions. It is theufual 
 manner of fubjedts, when they rebel again ft the Prince, to think> 
 tfiey cannot more effectually exprefs their hate 5 then by disgra- 
 cing, breaking, throwing down the ftatues and images erected to. 
 his honor. The citizens of Artioch in a fedition againft Theodofim 
 the Emperor,in one night difgracefully threw down all his fta- 
 tues,which fad of theirs caus'd S.Chryfojiom at that time preacher 
 to that city , to make thofe famous Sermons, which from that 
 action to this day are called his aWpja vrt$ his ftatues. This by 
 fo much the more is counted a great offence, becaufe next unta 
 wronging and difgracing the very perfon of the Prince, a great- 
 er infolence cannot be offered. For it expreffeth with what 
 welcome they would entertain him, if they had him in their po- 
 wer. Beloved man is the image of his maker erected by him as 
 a Statue of his honour. He then that fliall defpitefully handle, 
 batter and deface it, how can he be counted otherwife then guil-. 
 ty of higheft Treafon againft his Maker. Rebellion, faith Samuel 
 to Saul, is -like the fin offupe-rfition and Idolatry, The fin of blood 
 therefore equals the (in Idolatry, fince there cannot be a greater 
 fin of Rebellion againft God, then to deface his image. Idola- 
 try through ignorance fetsup a falfe image, of God, but this fin 
 through malice. defaces^ pulls dowa the true* . Amongft the 
 
 heathen. . 
 
A Sermon of Duels, &c. preacht at the Hague, 85 
 
 heathen, fometimes the ftatues of the Emperours were had in 
 fuch reipe&' ; that they were accounted fandiuaries, and fuch as 
 for offence tied unto them, it was not lawful to touch. Belo- 
 ved, iuch honour ought we to give unto a man, that if he have 
 offended us, yet the image of God which fhines in him ought 
 to be as a ian&uary unto him, to fave him from our violence, 
 an admomtioner unto us, that we ought not to touch him. A 
 fecond realon. yet further fhewing the hainoufnefs of this fin, 
 is drawn from the wrong which is done to our felves. All other 
 wrongs whatfoever they be admit of fome recompence* Honors, 
 wealth, preferments, if they be taken from us, they may re- 
 turn as they did unto' Job in far greater meafure, and the party 
 wronged may receive full and ample fatisfa&ion ; but what re^ 
 compence may be made to a man for his life I When that is 
 gone, all the Kingdomes which our Saviour faw in the Mount, 
 and the glory of them, are nothing worth, neither is all the 
 world, all the power of men and Angels able to give the leaft 
 breath to him that hath loft it. Nothing under God is able to 
 make fatisfa&ion for fuch a wrong ; the revenge that is taken 
 afterward upon the party that hath done the wrong , cannot be 
 counted a recompence. That is done //; terror em viventium^ non 
 infubfidium mortuorum. It ferves to deter the living from com.- 
 mitting the like outrage, but it can no way help him that is 
 dead: David at the fame time committed two fins, great fins, 
 Murther and Adultery 5 the reward of either of which by Gods 
 law, is nothing elfe but death. Yet for his Adultery he feems to 
 make fome fatisfadtion to the party wronged -> for the text notes 
 . that Davidtook her to his wife, made her his Queen, and that 
 he went in unto her, comforted her: all which may well be 
 counted at leaft a part of recompence. But for dead Vrias what 
 means could David make to recompence, to comfort him. For 
 this caufe I verily fuppofe it is, that in, his penitential Pfalm, . 
 wherein he bewails his fin, lie makes no particular confeffion, 
 no mention of his Adultery : . but of the other, of blood, he, is 
 very fcn(ible , and exprefly prayes againft it. * Deliver -me- from 
 blood guiltiness , O God, thou God of my falvation^ .as if Adultery 
 in .comparison of murder were no crime, at .all, , 
 
 JUtm 
 
86 # Sermon of Duels, &c . peacht at the Hague. 
 
 I am forry I fhould have any juft occafion amongft Chriftian 
 men, fo long to infift upon a thing fo plain ; and ?jqw that the 
 finofbloodisagreatandhainousfin. But he that fhall look 
 into the neceflities of thefe times, (hall quickly fee that there is a 
 great caufe, why this doctrine fhould be very effectually preft. 
 For many things are even publickly done, which in part argue 
 that men efteem of this fin much more fleightly then they ought. 
 Ariftotle obferved it of Pbaleas> f one that took upon him, to 
 prefcribe laws, by which a common wealth might as he thought, 
 well be governed, ) that he had taken order for the preventing 
 of fmaller faults, but he left way enough open to greater crimes. 
 Beloved, the error of our laws is not lo great as that of Phaleas 
 was, yet we offend too, though on the contrary, and the lefs 
 dangerous fide 5 for great and grievous fins are by them provi- 
 dently curbed, but many infer iour crimes finde many times too 
 free paffage. Murther, though all be abominable, yet there 
 are degrees in it, fome is more hainous then other. Grofs, 
 malicious, premeditated and wilful murther, are by our laws, 
 fo far as humane wifdome can provide, fufficiently prevented : 
 but murders done in hafte, or befides the intent of him that did 
 it, or in point of honour^ and reputation, thefe finde a little too 
 much favour 5 or laws in this refpe& are fomewhat defective, 
 both in preventing that it be not done, and punifhing it when it 
 is done ; men have thought themfelves wifer then God, prefu- 
 med to moderate the unneceffary fevcrity ( as they feem to 
 think ) of his laws. And hence it comes to pafs, that in mili- 
 tary companies, and in all great cities and places of Mart and 
 concourfe few moneths, yea, few weeks pafs without fome in- 
 fiance and example of blood-fhed, either by fuddain quarrel, 
 or by challenge to Duel and fingle combate. How many exam- 
 ples in a fhort fpace have wefeen of young men, men of hot 
 and fiery difpoficion, mutually provoking and difgracing each 
 other, and then taking themfelves bound- in high terms of va- 
 lour, and honour, to end their quarrels by their fwords ? That 
 therefore we may the better diicover, the unlawfulnefs of chal- 
 lenge and private combate j let us a little enquire and examine 
 in what cafes blood may lawfully, and without offence be fhed 5 
 
 that 
 
 
A Sermon ofDuels^ &c preach at the Hague. 87 
 
 that ft) wc may fee where, amongft thefe, Jingle combate may 
 finde its place. 
 
 The Manichees were of ©pinion that it was not lawful to vio- 
 late any thing m which there was life, and therefore they would 
 not pull a branch from a tree , becauie forefooth there was life 
 in it. To think that mans life may be in no cafe taken from him, 
 is but a branch ofManicbifme ; and the words of my text do di- 
 rectly crols it, where it is laid down , that for the clean fmg of 
 bloody blood may and mufi be [bed. For the avoiding therefore of the 
 cxtream, we are to note that the lawful caufes of bloodshed are 
 either publick or private, pnblick cafes are two : Firft in cafe of 
 Juftice, when a malefactor dies for his fin by the hand of the 
 Magiftrate. Secondly in cafe of publick war and defence 
 of our Countrey, for the Doctrine oi Chrift is not (as fome have 
 fuppofed) an enemy to Souldierfhip, and Military Difcipline. 
 When John the Baptift began to Preach Repentance,and amend- 
 ment of Life 5 amongft thole that came forth to underftand and 
 learn their duty, the Text faith that the Souldiers came and ask'r, 
 him Mafler what jhatt we do. And John wills them not to lay down 
 their weapons 5 or to take another courfe of life ('which he , 
 ought and would have done, if that courie had been unlawful) 
 but he inftru&s them rather in their calling. For he gives them 
 thcfe two LefTons, Do no man wrongs And he content with your pay, 
 jour wages. Then which there could not have been better, or more 
 pertinent counlel given to Souldiers,they being the two principal i 
 vices of Souldiers to wrong places where they live by forrage, , 
 and pillage and to mutiny in diflike of their pay. When Saint . 
 Peter came to Preach to the Centurion in the A&s we finde not a 
 iyllable in all that Sermon prejudicial to a Souldiers profeflion. 
 And therefore accordingly in the times of the Primitive Church 
 Chriftians ferved even under Heathen Emperours, and that with . 
 the approbation of God himfelf. 
 
 For in the Ecclefiaftick ftory we read of the Legio Fulminatrix 
 of a band of Souldiers called the Thundring Band. Becaufe that : 
 at what time Oiiarcus the Emperour lying with his Army in Ger~ 
 xnanie was afflicted with a great drought, and in great danger of 
 the enemy 3 when they were now about to joy n battel , thcChri- 
 
 ftiaa 
 

 
 - ■ ... HUM I ■ ■ i i ■ , i , 
 
 88 A Sermon of Duels , 8cc. preacht at the Hague* 
 
 ftian Souldiers, (that Band) fell tlat on their faces, and by "their 
 inftant prayers obtained of God a great Tempeft which to the 
 Emperour and his army, brought ftore of cold retrefhing water, 
 but upon the enemy nothing elfe but fire and whirl-wind. The 
 Emperors Epiftle in which this ftory is related,is this day extant, 
 recovered by Juftin Marty > who lived about the time the thing 
 was done ; wherefore we may not doubt of the lawfulnefs ot* 
 that profeffion, which it hath pleafed God thus to grace , and 
 honour with fuch a miracle. Befides thefe two there are no o- 
 ther publick caufes of blood-fried. As for the caufes in private, 
 I know but one , and that is when a man is fee upon and for- 
 ced to it, in his own defence. If a thief be robbing in the mght 9 
 and be flain, the Law of God acquits him that did it : and by the 
 Roman Laws, J^pBurnum fur em quomodo libet^ diwrnum fife telo de- 
 fenderit) it was lawful to kill a thief by night at any hand, and by 
 day if he ufed his weapon, of private blood-fhed there is no caufe 
 but this & this we muft needs allow of. For in all other private 
 neceffities into which we may be driven, the Law and Magiftrate 
 have place to whom we muft repair for remedy : but in cafe of 
 defence of life againft fudden on fct, no law can be made except 
 we would make a Law to yield our throats to him that would 
 cut them , or our Laws were like the Trophet that came to Jere- 
 boam at Bethel, and could dry up mens arms that offered violence, 
 wherefore all caufe of death, one onely excepted, is publick and 
 that for great reafon. For to die is not a private action to be 
 undertaken at our own, or at any other private mans pleafure, 
 and difcretion. For as we are not born unto our felves alone, but 
 for the fervice of God and the common- wealth in which we live: 
 fo no man dies to himfelf alone but with the damage and lofs of 
 that Church or common-wealth of which he is a member. 
 Wherefore it is not left to any private mans power to difpofe of 
 any mans life, no not to our own , only God and the Magiftrate 
 may difpofe of this. As Souldiers in the camp muft keep their 
 ftanding, neither may they move or alter, but by direction from 
 the captain : fo is it with us all. Our life is a warfare and every 
 man in the world hath his ftation , and place from whence he 
 may not move at his own, or at another mans pleafure, but only 
 
 at 
 
A Sermon of Duels &c. preacbt at the Hague. $9 
 
 at the direction and appointment of God, his General, or of the 
 Magiftrates,which are asCaptains & Lievtenants under him.Then 
 our lawful times of death are either when our day is come, or to 
 fall in battel, or for mifdemeanpr to be cut off by the publick 
 hand of Juftice, Ut qui vivi prodejje noluerunt, eorum morte refpub, 
 utatur. He which otherwife dies , comes by furreption and 
 ftealth, and not warrantably unto his end. 
 
 And though we have fpoken fomething in Apology and de- 
 fence of War, yet you may not chink, that in time of War your 
 hands areloofe, and that you may at your pleafure ftied the 
 blood of your enemy* Mifericorditer etiam bella gerantur , faith 
 S. Auftine, even in war and battel there is room for thoughts of 
 peace and mercy and therefore many of the ancient Heroes re- 
 nowned Souldiers and Captains were very confeientious of (hed- 
 ding the blood of their enemies, except it were in battel , and 
 when therewas no remedy to avoid it. In that mortal battel, 
 Sam, 2. between the Servants of David and the fervants of Tjf- 
 bofheth-y the Scripture reports that Abner fled, And Azael Jo- 
 abs brother following him hard at heels to kill him, Abner ad- 
 vifes him twife, Turn afide^ faith he, why jbould I [mite thee to the 
 ground. But when Azahel would not hearken but followed him 
 (till for his blood, then he ftroke him with his fpear, that he di- 
 ed. In the time of War when he might lawfully have done it, 
 in the fury of the battel Abner would not fhed blood,but by con- 
 ftraint. Xenophon would make us believe that the Souldiers in 
 Cyrus his army were fo well difciplin'd, that one of them in time 
 of the battel, having lift up his arm to ftrike his enemy , hearing 
 the Trumpet begin to found the retreat , let fall his arm and 
 willingly loft his blow becaufe he thought the time of ftriking 
 was now paft : So far were thefe men from thinking it lawful to 
 {bed the blood of a Subject in the time of peace, that they would 
 notfhed the blood of an enemy in time of war except it were in 
 the field. J.Cefar was one of the greateft,&ftouteft Captains that 
 ever was in the World, he ftood the fhock of fifty let battels, be- 
 fides all fieges and outroads, he took a thoufand Cities and wal- 
 led Towns ; he overrun three hundred feverall countreyes, and in 
 his wars were (lain well near twelve hundred thoufand men , be- 
 
 M fides 
 
9° A Sermon of Duels, &c, preacht at the Hague, 
 
 fides all thofe that died in the civil wars, which were great numh 
 bers, yet this man protefted of himfelf, and that mod truly 
 that he never drew blood but in the field , nunquam nifi in acie 
 (I antem never flew any man, but in a fet battel, I have been a little 
 the bolder in bringing thefe inftances of heathen men. Fir ft, be- 
 caufe the Doctrine of Chrift, through error is counted an enemy 
 to policie of War and Martial Difcipline. Secondly, becaufe we 
 have found out many diftm&ions, and evafions to elude the pre- 
 cepts of our BleiTed Saviour and his Apoftles. For as it hath 
 becnobferved of the God-makers, I mean the Painters and Statu- 
 aries among the heathen, they were wont many times to paint 
 their Goddeffes like their miftre(fes,and then crank them moft 
 fair , when they were moft like what they beft loved : fo is it 
 with many proleflors of Chriftian Religion they can temper the 
 precepts of it to their liking, and lay upon them gloffes and in- 
 terpretations as it were colours, and make it look like what they 
 love. Thirdly, becaufe it is likely that the examples of thefe men 
 will moft prevail with thofe to whom I (peak as being fuch to 
 whom above all they affect to be moft like. Except therefore it 
 be their purpofe to hear no other Judgement but only their own 
 unruly and miforderly affedtions ^ it cannot but move them to fee 
 the examples of men guided only by the light of reafon, of men 
 I fay the moft famous in all the world for valour and refolution 
 torunfo mainly againft them. To come then unto thequeftion 
 of Duels 5 both by the light of reafon, and by the practice of men 
 k doth appear, that there is no cafe, wherein fubje&s may pri- 
 vatly feek each others lives. There are extant the Laws of the 
 Jews framed by God himfelf. The Laws of the Roman Empire 
 made partly by the Ethnick, partly by fhriftian Princes $ A great 
 part of the Laws of Sparta, and Athens (two warlike Common- 
 Wealths efpecially the former) lie difperfed in our books \ yet 
 amongft them all is there not a Law or Cuftome that permits 
 this liberty to Subjects. The reafon of it I conceive, is very plain 
 The principal thing next under God by which a Common- 
 Wealth doth ftand is the Authority of the Magiftrate whofe pro- 
 per end is tocompofe, and end quarrels between man and man 
 upon what occafion foever they grow 5 For were men peaceable, 
 
 were. 
 
A Sermon ofDueh^ &c. preacht at the Hague. 9 1 
 
 were men not injurious one to another, there were no ufe of Go- 
 vernment. Wherefore to permit men in private to try their 
 own rights, or to avenge their own wrongs, and fo to decline the 
 fentence of the Magiftrate is quite, to cut oft all ufe of Authori- 
 ty. Indeed it hath been ibmetimes ieen that the event of a battel 
 by confent of both armies, hath been put upon fingle combat, ta 
 avoid lurcher effufion of blood : but combats betwixt Subjects 
 for private caufes till thefe later ages of the world was never al- 
 lowed. Yet 1 muft confefs the practice of it is very Ancient. For 
 Cain the i'econd man in the world was the firfi Duelift , the firft 
 that ever challenged the field (in the fourth oiGenefis) the Text 
 faith, That Qrin ipake unto his Brother , and when they were in 
 the field he arofe and flew him. The Septuagint , to make the 
 (enfe more plain do adde another claule, and tell us what it was 
 he f aid unto his Brother, $ifaQa)(jLtve)$U irifrlov, Let us go out 
 into the fields and when they were in the field , he arofe and flew 
 him. Let us go out into the field , it is the very form and proper 
 language of a challenge. Many times indeed our Gallants can 
 formalize in other words, but evermore the fubftance , and ufu- 
 ally the very words are no other but thefe of Cains, Let us go out 
 into the field. ^Aiel I perfwade myfelf underftood them not 
 as a challenge : tor had he fo done , he would have made io 
 much ufe of his dilcretion , as to have refufed it , yet can we 
 not chufe but acknowledge a fecret Judgement of God in this 
 that the words of Cain, fnould ftill be fo Religioufly kept till this 
 day as a Proem and Introduction to that action , which doubt- 
 leis is no other, then what Cains was. When therefore our Gal- 
 lants are fo ready to challenge the field, and to go into the field, 
 Let them but remember whole words they ufe, and fo accord- 
 ingly think of their a&ion. Again, notwithftanding, Duels are 
 of fo ancient and worfhipful a Parentage, yet could they never 
 gain fo good acceptance as to be permitted, much lefs to be 
 counted lawful in the civil part of the world till barbarifme had 
 overran it. About five or fix hundred years after Chrift at the 
 fall of the Roman Empire aboundance of rude and barbarous 
 people brake in and pofTeft the civiler part of the world ; who 
 aboliffoing the ancient Laws of the Empire, fet up many ftrange 
 
 M 2 cuftoms 
 
9 1 A Sermon of Duels y &c. $ reach at the Hague: 
 
 cuftoms in their rooms. Amongft the reft for the determining of 
 quarrels that might arife in cafe of doubtful title, or of faiie ac- 
 culation or the like , they put themfclves upon many unufual 
 forms of Tryal j as to handle red hot lron y to walk bare foot on 
 burning coals^to put their hands and feet in fcalding watered many 
 other of the like nature , which are reckoned up by Hottoman a 
 French Lawyer : For they prefumed lo far on Gods providence, 
 that if the party acculed were innocent, he might do any of thefe 
 without any (mart, or harm. In the fame cales, when by reafon 
 of unfufficient, and doubtful evidence, the Judges could not pro- 
 ceed to fentence, as fomtimes it falls out and the parties contends 
 ing would admit of no reafonable composition , Their manner 
 was to permit them to trie it out by their fwords. That fo the 
 Conqueror might be thought to be in the right. They permitted, 
 J fay, thus to do. For at the beft 'twas but a per million to pre- 
 vent farther mifchief 5 For to this end lometimes fome known a- 
 bules are tolerated : So God permitted the Jews upon fleight 
 occafions to put their wives away, . Becaufe he law that other-r 
 wi(c, their exorbitant lufts would not be bounded within thefe 
 limits, which he in Paradife in the beginning had ler.. 
 
 And it is obferved of the wife men which had the managing 
 and bringing up of Nero the Emperor, that they mffered him to 
 practice his lufts upon ABe one of his Mothers Chamber-maids, 
 JSfe influpra fosminarum illuflrium perrumperet fiillk libtdine prohii 
 beretur. Leaft if he were forbidden that, he (Tiould turn his lull 
 upon fome of the Noble Women, permifllon and toleration 
 warrants not the goodnefs of any adion. But as faipbas faidbet-* 
 ter one man die then all the people perifh -, (o they that firft per^ 
 mitted Duels feem to have thought : better one or two mutinous 
 per(ons,and disorderly dk in their folly, then the whole.. Com-* 
 mon- Wealth be put into tumult and combuftion : yet even by, 
 thefe men it was never fo promifcuoufly tolerated that every, 
 hafty couple, upon the venting of a little choler, (nould prefently, 
 draw their fwords, but it was a publick or folemn a&ion , done 
 by order , with infpe&ion, either of the Prince himfelf , or of 
 fome other Magiftrate, appointed to order: it. Now certainly. 
 skere.can bene very greatreafon; for tha$ aftion^ which was thus. 
 
 i 
 
A Sermon of Duels , &c. preacht at the Hague. 9 3 
 
 begun by Cain, and continued only by Goths and Sandals and meer Bar* 
 barifme. 
 
 Yet that wc may a little better acquaint our felves with the 
 quality of it 3 Let us a little examine the caufes and pretences 
 which are brought by them who call for trial by (ingle combat. 
 The caufes are ufually two. Firft, difdain to feem to do or fufc 
 fer any thing for fear of death. Secondly? point of Honour, and not 
 to fuffer any contumely , and indignity 3 efpecially if it bring 
 with it difreputation , and note of cowardife. For the firft dii- 
 dain to fear death. Imuft confefs I have often wondered with 
 my felf , how men durft die fo ventroufly except they were 
 fure they died well. In aliis rebus fiquid erratum efi potefl poft 
 rnodum corrigi , in other things which are learnt by pradtifing , if 
 we miftak we may amend it : for the errour of a former A-- 
 6tion may be corrected in the next. We learn then by er-» 
 ring, and men come at length not to erre, by having of- 
 ten erred. But no man learns to die by pra&iung it. We 
 die but once, and a fault committed then , can never af- 
 terward be amended, quia poena, flatim fequitur err or em y be- 
 caufe the punifhment immediately follows upon the errour 
 To die is anj action of that moment , that we ought to be 
 very well advifed , when we come to it , &b hoc momenta 
 pendet <£ternitas , you may not look back upon the opinion of 
 honour and reputation which remains behinde you i but ra- 
 ther look forward upon that infinite fpace of Eternity either 
 of blifs or bale which befalls us immediately after our 
 iaft breath. To be loath to die upon every (light oc- 
 eafion is not a necelTary (ign of fear and cowardife. He 
 that knew what life is, and the true ufe of it, had he many lives 
 to (pare, yet would he be ioth to part with one of them upon 
 betcer terms then thole our books tell us, that ^riftippus a Phi- 
 lofopher being at Sea in a dangerous Tempeji , and bewray- 
 iirjg fome fear , when the weather was cleared up, a de- 
 fperate Ruffian came and upbraided him with, it and tells 
 him , that/ it was aihame that he profefling wifedome 
 ihould be afraid of his life , whereas ■» himfelfe* having 
 hai.no filch education-, cxprefk no agony, or dnead at alL . To 
 
 whora 
 
94 A Sermon of Duels, &c. f reach M tbs Hague. 
 
 whom the Phylofopher replied, there was fome difference be- 
 tween them two. I know laith he, my life may be profitable many 
 wap^and therefore am I loth to loofe it $ but becaufe of your life you know 
 little profit, little good can be made, you care not how eafily you part 
 with it. Beloved it may be juftly fufpe&ed, that they who e- 
 fteem thus lightly of their lives, are but wonhlefs and unprofi- 
 table men : our own experience tells us, that men who are pro- 
 digal of their money in Taverns and Ordinaries, are clofe hand- 
 ed enough, when either pious ufes, or neceffary and publick ex- 
 pence requires their liberality. I have not heard that prodigals 
 ever built churches. Sothefemen that are fo prodigal of their 
 lives in bale quarrels, peradventure would be cowardly enough ; 
 if either publick lervice, or religion did call for their help $ I 
 fcarcely believe any of them would die Martyrs, if the times fo 
 required it. Beloved, I do not go about to perfwade any man 
 to fear death, but not to contemn life 5 life is the greateft blef- 
 {ing God gives in this world, and did men know the worth of it, 
 they would never ib rafhly venture the lofs of it, but now lightly 
 prizing both their own and others blood, they are eafily moved 
 tofhedit, as fools are eafily won to part with jewels, becaufe 
 they know not how to value them. We muft deal with our 
 lives, as we do with our money, we muft not be covetous of it 9 
 defire life for no other ufe but to live, as covetous perfons deilre 
 mony only to have it : neither muft we be prodigal of life and 
 trifle it away upon every occafion : but we muft be liberal of 
 our lives, know upon what occafion to fpare,uoon what occafion 
 to fpend them. To know where and when and in what cafes to 
 offer our felves to die, is a thing of greater skill , then a great 
 part of them fuppofe, who pretend themlelves moll forward to 
 do it. Nam impetu quodam & inftinBu currere ad mortem cum muhis 
 commune eft. For brutifhly to run upon and halten unto death is 
 a thing that many men can do 5 and we fee that bruit beafts 
 many times will run upon the fpears of fuch as purfue them. Sed 
 de liber are gf caufas expendere utque fuaferit ratio vit<e wort v que con- 
 filiumfufcipere,vel ponere ingentis ammi eft^ but wifely to look in- 
 to, and weigh every occafion, and as judgement and true difcre- 
 tionfhall dired: fo to entertain a refolution either of life or 
 
 death 
 
 I 
 
A Sermon of Duels y &c. preacht at the Hague. 9 5 
 
 death this were true fortitude and magnanimity.And indeed this 
 prodigality and contempt of life, is the greateft ground of this 
 quarrellous and fighting humour. Qui fuam vitam contempjit , do- 
 minus eft alien*. There is a kinde of men, who becaufe they con- 
 temn their own lives, make themlelves Lords and Commanders 
 of other mens, eafily provoking others to venture their blood, 
 becaufe they care not how they loofe their own. Few places of 
 great refort are without thefe men, and they are the greateft oc- 
 cafioners of bloodfhed,you may quickly know them. There are 
 few quarrels wherein they are not either principalis, or feconds, 
 or fome way or another will have a part in them. Might there 
 be publick order taken for the rcftraint or fuch men, that make 
 a pra&ice of quarrelling, and becaufe they contemne their own 
 lives, carry themlelves io infolently and imperiouily towards o- 
 thers. It will prevent much mifchief, and free the Land of much 
 danger of blood guiltinefs. 
 
 The fecond cauie, which is much alledged in defence of Duels, 
 I told you was point of honour, a conceit that it is difhonou- 
 rable for men of place and fafhion quietly to digefl and put up 
 contumelye and difgrace, and this they take to be a realon of that 
 authority and ftrength, as that it mult admit of no dif penfation 5 
 For anfwer. Firft, the true fountain and original of quarrel are 
 of another kinde and honour is abufed as a pretence. The firft 
 occafioners of a great part of them are indeed very difttonou- 
 rable, let there an Inventory be taken of all the challenges that 
 have been made for fome time paft, and you (hall finde that the 
 greateft part by far were railed either in Taverns, or Dicing 
 houfes, or in the ftews. Pardon me, if in a cafe of this nature 
 I deal a little plainly. Drinking^ Gaming, and whores^ thefe are 
 thofe rotten bones that lie hid under this painted Sepulchre and 
 title of honour. 
 
 Laftiy, To conclude, It is a part of our profeilion, as we are 
 Chriftians to iuffer wrong and difgrace. Therefore to fet up 
 an other doctrine, and teach that honour may plead prefcripti- 
 on againft Chrifts precepts, and exempt you from patient endu- 
 ring of contumely and difgrace, you withftand Chrifr, 
 and denie your vocation - 9 and therefore are unavoidably A po- - 
 
 Hats.*. 
 
9* A Sermon of Duels, &c. preacht at the Haguei 
 
 flats. But we loolc our labour, who give young men and un- 
 fetled perfons good advice and counlel. The civil magiftrate 
 muft lay to his hand, and pity them, who want difcr^tion to 
 pity themfelves. For as Bees, though they fight very fiercely 5 
 yet ifyoucaft a little duft amongft them are prefently parted, 
 To the enacting and executing (omc few good laws, would 
 quickly allay this grcatnefs ot ftomach and fighting humour, 
 how many have been cenfured for Schiimaticks and Hereticks, 
 only becaufe by probable conlequence, and a far off they feem- 
 ed to overthrow fome Chriftian principle : but here are men, 
 who walk in our ftrcets, and come to our Churches, who yt- 
 (m MpaAvi openly oppofe that great point of Chriftianity, 
 which concerns our patience, and yet for their reftraint, no Sy- 
 nod is called, no magiftrate ftirs, no Church cenfure is pronoun- 
 ced. The Church of Rome hath long ago to the dilgrace of the 
 reformed Churches fhut them out of the number of Chriftians, 
 and pronounced them all excommunicated perfons, who upon 
 what pretence foever durft enter the field for Duel and fingle 
 combate. 
 
 Tbeodofim the Emperour enacted it for a Law, and it is ex- 
 tant at this day in the Code, a Book, of Laus y that if any man 
 fpake difgracefully of the Emperour, Si ex levitate contcmnen- 
 dum, Ji ex infamia miferatione dignum, fi ex injuria remitten- 
 dum. 
 
 Lactantius. Summa virtus habenda-patientia eft quam ut caperet 
 homo j ufl m voluit ilium Dew pro inertecontemni. 
 
 So great a vertue is patience, that for the attaining of it, it 
 is Gods will we fhould fufrer ourfelves to be contemned as Co- 
 wards. 
 
 Chrifl is an Example to us of fuffering difgrace j let us as the 
 Ifraelites look up to this Serpent , and all the ftinging of fiery 
 Serpents fhall do us no harm. 
 
 We muft forfake all and follow Chrift : therefore Honour 
 and Reputation too ; If we be afhamed of this pattern of pati- 
 ence, Chrifl will be afnamed of us. 
 
 Now that God may give a Bleffmg to what hath been delive- 
 red, let us, See. 
 
 FIT^IS. Matu 
 
n 
 
 Matt. 16. verfc 75. 
 sAnd he went forth, and wept bitterly 1 . 
 
 [Hus to commit to writing, as here our Evangc- 
 lift hath done 5 and fo to lay open to all po- 
 fterity the many flips and errors which have 
 much blemiftu and difgrac'd the lives and 
 actions of the beft, and moil excellent men : 
 may feem in the judgement of a reafonable 
 man to participate of much envie and uncha- 
 ritablenefs 5 fo that their good life had remained upon record 
 for our example, we might very well have fuffered their errors 
 to have (lept and been buried with their bodies in their graves. 
 u St. E*$d makes it the property of charity to hide the multitude of 
 fins : whole property then is it thus to blazon them at mid- day, 
 and to fill the ears of the world with the report of them > Con- 
 jtantine y the firft-born among Chriftian Emperours, fo far 
 miflik't this courfe, that he profeffed openly, if he found any 
 of his Bifhops and Clergy, whom it especially concerned to 
 have a reputation pure and fpotlefs, committing any grievous 
 fin, to hide it from the eye of the world, he would cover it with 
 his own garment : he knew well that which experience had 
 long ago obfervcd, Nov tarn juvare qu& bene diBa fwt, quam mce- 
 requ<epefsime: things well faid, well done, do nothing fo much 
 profit and further us, as the examples of ill fpeeches, ill anions 
 
 N do 
 
<?8 A Sermon of St.Petcrs Fall&c- 
 
 do mifcheif and inconvenience us : and men are univerfaHy 
 more apt from the errors and (capes of good men to draw apolo- 
 gies tor their own, then to propofe their good deeds for ex- 
 amples and patterns for thcmfelves to follow.. Neither is this 
 my own (peculation : St. Auftine obferved it long fince, who 
 dilcourfing upon the fall of David complaines, that from his ex- 
 ample many framed unto tbemfelves this apology, Si 'David, 
 cur non et ego ? If David did thus, then why not I ? Traeparas te 
 adpeccandum, faith he, difponis peccare : LibrumDei ut pecces in. 
 fpicis : Scripturas Dei ad hoc audit ut facias qucddifplicet Deo. Thou 
 cioeft prepare thy heart to fin .* thou provided thy felf of pur- 
 pofe j thou doeft. look into the book of God, even therefore, 
 that thou mighteft fin. The Scriptures of God thou doeft there- 
 fore hear, that by the example of thole that fell, thou mayeft 
 learn to do that which is difpleafingunto God. Yea, the great- 
 er, is the perfon offending, the more dangerous is the example. 
 For greatnefs is able of it felf, as it were, to legitimate foul 
 a&s, to-adde authority and credit unto ill doings. Facilim effi- 
 ciet quifquis objecerit, crimen koneftum, quam turpem Catonem : 
 faith Seneca of Cato. VVhofoever he be, faith he, that objects 
 drunkenneis to Ca% fhall more eafily prove drunkennefs to be 
 avertue, then that Cao, who ufed ic, was to blame. When 
 St. Peter ( Galath. 2. ) had halted in his behaviour betwixt the 
 Gentiles and thofe of the Circumciiion, St. Paul notes, that ma- 
 ny of the Jem, yea, Barnabas himfelf was carried away with 
 their diflimulation. And to fpeak truth, whom would not the 
 authority and credit of Peter have drawn into an error ? So earl* 
 ly the faults of great men, adohfeunt inexerrpla grow up and be* 
 eome exemplary, and fo full of hazzard is it, to leave unto the. 
 world a memorial of the errors and fcapes of worthy per fons. 
 Yet Notwitbftanding all this, the Holy Spirit of God, who 
 fcringeth light out of darknefs, and worketh above and againft all 
 means, hath made the fall of his Saints an ef pecial means to raife 
 his Church: and therefore hath it plea(ed him by the Pen-men 
 ofthe lives of his Saints in holy Scripture,toIay open in the view 
 of the world many groffe faults and imperfections, even of the 
 mo& excellent in (kunaents of his glory. That which he tells 
 
A Sermon of St. Peters Fa1l,&cc, 99 
 
 theuw»40intheGofpel, who annointed him before his paflion, 
 that wherefoever the Gofpel fhould be preached, this fad ot 
 hers fhould be recorded in memorial of her : the lame, as it 
 feemswashis intent concerning his Saints , that whereioever 
 the word oflifefhould be taught, there likewife fhould be re- 
 lated the grievous fins of his iervants. And therefore accord- 
 ingly, fcarcely is there any one Saint in the whole book of God, 
 who is not recorded in one thing or other, to have notably over- 
 fhot himfelf. Sometimes he hath made the Saints tftemfelvo 
 the proclaimed of their own fhame. So he makes CMofes to 
 regilter his own infidelity : fo David in his one and httieth 
 Pialm, by the inftinft of Gods fpirit leaves unto the Church 
 under his own hand, an evidence againft himfelf for his adulte- 
 ry and murcher. Sometimes he makes their deareft friends the 
 moil exaft chroniclers of their faults : for fo St. Chrfojlome ob- 
 fervesofSt. Mark, the companion and Scholer of Peter, who 
 hath more particularly regiftred the fall of his matter, then any 
 ot the other Evangelifts, r/^ xKivijar/XcLy^Scctrho would not 
 marvel y faith he, tr^tSt. Mark not only concealed not the grojje ef~ 
 capeofbis majler, but hath more accurately then any of the rejt re- 
 corded the particulars of ity dvrce rep (JLct&n-Tnt; &v<zi, even lecaufe 
 be was his D.fciple. As if he could have done his mafter no better 
 fervicc, then to deliver a moit exacl: relation of his fault. There 
 are yet two things further to be noted in this difpenfation of Al- 
 mighty God. The firft in regard of us, the fecond in regard 
 of the Saints, whofe errors are recorded : for the firft, who 
 can but marvel, that fince all things that are written, are wrir- 
 tcn for our inftru<5tion, that if they be good, they may ferve for 
 our imitation , ifotherwife, for warnings to us : yet many Uni- 
 fier actions of the Saints of God are fo expreft in Scripture, 
 without cenfure, without note, that it were almoft fome dan- 
 ger to pronounce of them ? ^Abrahams equivocating with Ali- 
 melech^ Jacobs deluding his blinde father, %achel abufing Lab an 
 with a lie, Jephthe his facrificing his daughter, Sampfon killing 
 himfelf with the Philifttns ; thefeand many other befides are lo 
 fet down, that they may feem to have been done rather by di- 
 vine inftinft, then out of humane infirmity. Wherein the Ho- 
 
 N* ly 
 
100 A Sermon of St.Pcters Fall, &c. 
 
 ly Ghoft feems to me tanquam adoriri nos ex infidiis, to fet upon 
 us out of ambufh, to ufe a kind of guile, to fee whether we have 
 <rhv (JvviQv TMvpzrixhv fpiritual difcretion, to trie whether wo 
 will attribute more to mens examples then to his precepts Se- 
 condly, in regard of the Saints themfelves, it is worth our no- 
 ting, that God feems to have had more care to difcredit them 
 then to honour them, in that their faults are many times parti- 
 cularly regiftred, but their repentance is wrapt up in filence- 
 fotheftory otNoah is concluded with his drunkennefs: after 
 the report of Xotfinceft, there is not a word of him throughout 
 the Scriptures : as foon as the ftory of Salomons idolatry is rela- 
 ted, it immediately follows in the text ; And Salomon died 
 We fhould very much wrong thefe men, if we ftiould think 
 that they paft out of this life without repentance ♦ be- 
 cause their repentance is concealed. Doubtlefs if we were wor- 
 thy to fearchthemyfteries of the fpirit, we tlould finde that 
 the Holy Ghoft hath left fomething for our inftru&ion even in 
 this particular v for nothing in Scripture is done by chance 
 But as St. Chryfoftome is wont fometime to tell his auditory, that 
 he will not refolve all doubts, but leave fome to meditate on by 
 themfelves: fo will I now deal with you, I will leave this to 
 your private confiderations, to pradife your wits in the depths 
 ofchriftianity, audio to frame reafons unto your felves of this 
 proceeding of the Holy fpirit. 
 
 IntheNewTeftament, the Holy Ghoft conftantly holds the 
 fame courfe of relating the fall of the Saints ; and fo according- 
 ly by all foure Evangelifts fets down at large, the fearful fin of 
 Peter in denying and forfwearing his Matter. But as it pleafed 
 him in mercy to give him repentance, fo in thefe words which 
 I have read unto you, hath it pleafed him to leave unto the 
 Church a memorial of it. Our firft note therefore, before we 
 come to the words, fhalibe a note of that exceeding ufe and 
 profit which hath redounded to the Church by the refiftrineof 
 Peters repentance * for this is done by the Holy Ghoft, to figni- 
 fie unto us the neceflity and force of repentance, and forrowfor 
 fin. The concealing ©f Solomons reclaim hath ©ccafioned fome 
 upon acknowledgement, of the neceflity of repentance, to fup! 
 
A Sermon of S t.Pcters Fall, &c. i o i 
 
 pofe that Solomon paft away without it, and fo received the finall 
 reward of the impenitent. But he that fhould have read this 
 fiery of P^r, and obferved what authority he had afterwards, 
 what efpecial favour our Saviour did him after his re furred ion, 
 notwithftanding his fall, if the manner of his recovery had not 
 been recorded, might cafily have entertained a conceit very 
 prejudicial to repentance, Quidnonfteremus> Who might not 
 hope to regain the favour of God without fhedding a tear, if Pe- 
 ter notwithftanding fo grievous a crime without repentance 
 fhould again be reconciled ? We might therefore with excule 
 have prefumed upon a nonneceflity of repentance,as if it had been 
 enough in cafe of fin to pra&ife that which common morality 
 teaches, barely to relinquifh it without any more adoe,that there- 
 fore which we learn by this regiftring of Peters repentance is this, 
 that for the clearing of a Chriftian mans account unto God, it is 
 not fufficient barely to ceafe from doing ill,to fatisfie the law w ch 
 we broke either with our life, or with our go^ls : to make re- 
 compence to our neighbour for wrong done Hm, all this and 
 much more wafhes not away the guilt of fin before God. 
 Thsfe are things which the very light of nature teaches us to do. 
 It was not to be thought that David to his former adulteries and 
 murther would have added new : he that hath been forc't to re- 
 ftore fourefold, that which he had taken away by ftealth, will 
 peradventure take warning to fteal no more. But this doth not 
 iufficehim. There is a further duty, a duty of repentance re- 
 quired of every Chriftian man, a duty proper to him alone, 
 For this doctrine of repentance Nature never taught in her 
 fchool, neither was it ever found in the books of the learned. 
 It is particular to the Book of God, and to the do&rine that 
 came down from Heaven. In the fins againft the fir ft 
 Table we offend immediately, and only againft God: but in 
 the fins againft the fecond Table, there is a double guilt contra- 
 &ed, one againft God, another againft our Neighbour: In 
 thefefins, as there is a double faulr, fo there is a double fa- 
 tisfa&iontobemade, one unto God 3 another to our Neigh- 
 bour : for this fecond fatisfa&ion between man and man, many 
 Heaihen common* wealths have been very fufficiently furniflied 
 
 N 3 with 
 
r 
 
 i 
 
 i02 A Sermon of St. Peters Fall&c. 
 
 with ftore of excellent laws. But of an attonement over and a- 
 boveto be made to God, they icarce feem to have had any 
 thought : and indeed to ipeak truth, to what purpole had ic 
 been to trouble their heads about it $ It is impoflible that it 
 {hould ever fall within the conceit of any reasonable creature, 
 to pronounce what Satisfaction was to be made for offence com- 
 mitted againft God. He is of infinite majefty, holding no pro- 
 portion, no correlpondence with any created being. What re- 
 compence then can he receive from the hands of duft and afhes > 
 Ten thoufand worlds, were we able to give them all, could not 
 make Satisfaction for any part of the imalleft offence we have 
 committed againft him : when therefore the inventions of men 
 were thus at a ftand, when all difcourfe, all reaion were pofed, 
 it pleafed God in mercy to open his pleafure in his word, and 
 to accept of true and unfeigned repentance, as the only means 
 to wafh a way the guilt of lin againft his majefty. A thing in 
 the eye of fiefhand blood altogether ridiculous. And there- 
 fore Julia/7, th $ accurfed Apoftata, fcorning Confiantine the Etn- 
 perour for betaking himfelf to the Chriftian religion, in con- 
 tempt and derifion of Baptifme and Repentance, thus fpeaks : 
 SVk pBope'-'S, Zgiq fA,icu$Qv&y EfiSiuxyhsfy @$i\vplq trco ^ap- 
 pear, &c. Hoe, whoibever is a corrupter and a defiler of wo- 
 men, whofoever is a man-flayer, whofoever is an impure and 
 unclean perfon, let him from henceforth be fecure, and care for 
 nothing, Iwilljhew him a little water, in which, if he do but dip 
 himfelf, be foatt be forthwith clean : yea, though he defperately run 
 again into the fame crimes. I will give him this gift, if he but knock 
 his breaji andfrtke his forehead, ( which are the geftures of the 
 penitent,) he fhafl without any more adoe become as pureasglafs. 
 'Tis true indeed, in fpight of unbelieving mifcreants, it hath 
 pleafed God through the foolifhnefs of Baptifme and Repen- 
 tance to fave thofe that are his. The water of baptifme, and 
 the tears of true repentance, creatures of themfelves weak and 
 contemptible 5 yet through the wonderful operation of the grace 
 of God annext unto them are able, were our fins as red as twice- 
 died fcarlet, to make them as white as fnow. The fentence of 
 God denounced unto Adam, what day thou eateft of the Tree thou 
 
 Ibalt 
 
 I 
 
A Sermon of St. Peters Fall y 8cc^ 1 03 
 
 fhall die, certainly was abfolutc and irrevocable neither could 
 any repentance of Adams totally have reverftit. YetAbulenfs 
 cries out , O quam foe li x humanum genus, (Jc. O how happy 
 should mankinde have been , it Adam after his fall had ufed the 
 benefit oi Repentance , and in time acknowledged his fin unto 
 God. Yea, he goes further and teems to intimate , that it had 
 been of force almoft to reftore us unto our primitive purity. 
 For this way his words feem to look, when he faith, Quod ft 
 feipfum accufafjet ms omnes ab accufatione cf ju ditto liberafjet ; If be 
 bad accufed bimfelf^ doubtiefs be bad freed us all from accufation and 
 cwfe. Whatsoever his meaning was, thus much without danger 
 we may think, that if our firft Parents had not fo ftrangly 
 fhuffled their fault from the one to the other, the man to the 
 woman, the woman to the ierpent, but had freely acknow- 
 ledged it, and humbly begged pardon for it, God whofe mer- 
 cies were then as many and as ready as now they are, would , if 
 not altogether have revok't , yet doubtiefs much have qualified 
 and mitigated the fentence o^ the curfe. Iftidam had ufed 
 more ingenuity in conf effing , God would have ufed lefs rigour 
 in punifhing. Out of all this I draw this one leffon for your in-- 
 ftru6tion. Whofoeverhe be that thinks himfelf quit of fome 
 fins into which either through weakneis or carelefsnes he hath 
 fallen, let him not prefently hatter himfelf as if for this his book- 
 of debt unto God were cancefd, as if he were in ftate of 
 grace and new birth: but let him examine his own confeience, , 
 and Impartially fift all the manner of his reclaim. He may 
 peradventure finde that upon fome moral refpeft he hath bro- 
 ken off the practice of his fin : he may finde that he hath fa- 
 tisfied his neighbour , contented the Law , done many a£ts , by 
 which he hath purchaft reconciliation with the world. But if 
 he finde not this pafTage of Repentance and hearty fOrrow twixt 
 God and his own foul, let him know that God is yet unfatisfied 3 
 that he is yet in his fin : his fin is yet unrepented of and there- - 
 fore ftill remains. 
 
 THus from the neceffity of regiftring Peters Repentance II 
 come to the words wherein it is regiftred, And be mnt> 
 
I 
 
 1^4 A Sermon of St.Pctcrs FaU y 8cc. 
 
 cut, &c. In thefe words we will confider four things, Firft the 
 perfon : He ] He went forth ; or, and going forth he wept. Secondly, 
 the preparative to the Repentance, He went forth. Thirdly, the 
 Repentance it felf, compriled in the word wept. Fourthly, the 
 extent and meafure, and compafs of this Repentance, in the laft 
 word , bitterly, i. He, The way of mans life is a flippery 
 way : no man whilft he is in it hath the priviledge of not Ai- 
 ding, juft, and unjuft, thus far, are of like condition : both fall. 
 But here they differ, the juft man rifeth again. Not the eminen. 
 cyof *P^w perfon, not his great underftanding in the myftery 
 of Chrift , not his refolution in our Saviours quarrel , not the 
 love and refpeel: his Mafter bare him , kept him from falling. 
 But 'Peter being fallen provides himfelt to rife , and therefore 
 In the fecond place, he went forth, faith my Text, Teter was 
 now in the High-priefts Court , a place very unfit for one in 
 Peters cafe. Princes Courts are no place for Repentance : To 
 wear foft raiment, to fair delicioufly everyday , this is Courti- 
 ers guife. But lb 1pi%tvbv p'x(^/ &, 1o 1yi<; fAtrcLvfux,$ frdjipuov) 
 the fhirt of hair , the tears of Repentance ; this is the habit of 
 the penitent. But wherefore went Peter out ? Did he as our Sa- 
 viour obferves of the Scribes and Pharifees, go out into the 
 wildernefs to fee ? to gaze and look about him ? No, His eyes 
 now muft do him other fervice. He went out as Jofeph did from 
 the face of his Brethren , to feek a place to weep. Maldonat 
 the Jefuite thinks it would have been a more goodly thing , and 
 far more befeeming TVfm refolution, if in the place he had of- 
 fended in the fame he had repented : if before thofe he had 
 made a conftant confeflion of Chrift before whom he had deny- 
 ed him: But be the reafons what they will which moved Peter 
 to go forth, we will not prefcribe unto the Saints a form of Re- 
 pentance we will ceafe therefore to difpute what Peter fhould 
 have done , and rather gather leflbns for our felves out of what 
 he did : fourthly, and laft of all , as Peters fault was great, fo 
 he contends that his Repentance may be as ferious. I he tears 
 therefore he fheds are not flight, and perfunctory fhed only for 
 fafhionsfake,luchas Quint Hi an fpake of , nihil facilius lachrimis 
 ?narefcit,T^othing fooner grows dry then tears : but as the Text faith, 
 
 He 
 
• A Sermon of St. Peters Fall, &c. 105 
 
 He wept bitterly : to fummon up that Siccoculum genu* Chrifiiana- 
 rum> a fort of Chriftians , who never had tear dropt from their 
 eye to witnefs their repentance : to teach us to enlarge the mea- 
 fureof our forrow for our fins , and in cafe of grievous relapfe 
 not mince out our repentance,but to let loofe the rains unto grief. 
 And thus I come to handle the parts in order more particularly : 
 and firft of the perfon. He. 
 
 Amongft all the Saints of God whofe errours are fee 
 down in holy Scriptures, there is none whofe perfonwas more 
 eminent , or fall more dangerous then Saint Peters. That which 
 wifemen have obferved in great and eminent wits , that they 
 evermore exceed , either they are exceeding good or elfe they, 
 are exceeding back in Saint Peter was true both ways. His gifts 
 of Faith, of underftanding in the myftery of Godlines , of re- 
 folution to die in our Saviours caule , were wonderful : but yet 
 his errours were as many and as ftrange, yea, fo much the more 
 ftrange, becaufe in that thing he mod offended, in which he was 
 moft eminent. It was a great argument of his Faith , when in 
 the Tempeft meeting our Saviour on the waters, he calls out 
 unto him , if it be tl)ou> command me to come unto thee on the wa- 
 ters; but no fooner was he come out of the (hip, but through 
 infidelity he began to fink. Again , of his great underftanding 
 in the myftery of Chrift he gave a notable inftance , when being 
 queftioned by our Saviour whom men took him to be , he gave the 
 firft evident, plain, and open teftimony that ever was given 
 him by man , thou art Chrifl the Son of the living God. John 
 indeed £ave teftimony , and fo did Simeon , and f o did 
 many more • but it was more involv'd , done in more covert 
 terms , more dark : Whence we may and that not without 
 fome probability argue, that the underftanding of thefe men was 
 not fo evidently , fo fully , fo perfpicuoufly enlightned as was 
 Peters. Signum e(l intelligent is pejfe doc ere : It is a great argu- 
 ment that a man doth palling well underftand himfelf,when he is 
 able perfpicuoufly and plainly to fpeak to the underftanding of 
 another. This confeffion therefore of Peter , that carries with 
 it greater light and perfpicuity then any yet that ever was gi- 
 ven , doth not obfeurely intimate that he had a greater mea- 
 
 O fure 
 
 1 
 
r 
 
 i 06 A Sermon of 'St. Peters Fall, &c, 
 
 fure of illumination , then any of his predecefTors. Yet to fee 
 the wonderful difpenfation of the holy Ghoft , fcarce was this 
 confeffion out of his mouth , but in the very next bout where 
 our Saviour begins further toenform him in the particulars oi 
 his Pafiion, and Death, and defpiteful handling by the Jews, the 
 edge of his conceit was quite turned , quite blunted and dull. 
 Poor man , as if he had been quite ignorant of the end of 
 Chrifts coming, out of a humane conceit and pity , he takes 
 upon him to counfel and advifeour Saviour. Sir, favour your 
 felf, th^fe things jh all t.ot come unto you: and for this pains he is 
 rewarded with no lefs reproachful a name then that of Satan y of 
 a feduce'r, of a Devil. He that fhall perufe the ftory of the Go- 
 fpel, and here ftay himfelf, might think that J hat which we 
 read Job/ the fixth, v, 70. fpoken oi Judas, Have I not chofen you 
 twelve and one of jouts a Divel: were here fulfilled in Peter y Lad 
 of all his love to Chrift , and refolution in his quarrel , he gave 
 an evident teftimony, when he protefted himfelf ready to lay 
 down his life for him. Greater love then this in the Apoftles judge- 
 ment^no man hath then, to la) down his life for his friend. This Saint 
 Peter had , if we may believe himfelf. Yca > he began to exprefs 
 fome acts of it, when in defence of his mafter he manfully drew 
 his fword , and wounded the fervant of the high Prieft. But 
 fee how foon the fcene is changed. . This good Champion of 
 our Saviour , as a Lyon that is reported to be daunted with the 
 crowing of a Cock , is ftricken out of countenance and quhe 
 amazed with the voyce of a filly Damfel. Yea, fo far is he 
 poffeft with a fpirit of fear, that he not only denies, but abjures 
 his mafter , and perjures himfelf, committing a fin not far be- 
 hind the fin of Judas ; yea, treading it hard upon the heels. But 
 &he mercy of God that leaves not the honour of his fervant in 
 the duft of death , but is evermore careful to raife us up from 
 the death of fin , unto the life of righteoufneis 5 fuffers not this 
 jock, this great pillar of his Church to be overthrown. He 
 firft admonifhes him by the crowing of a Cock « when that 
 would not ferve, himfelf ( full of careful love and goodnefsj 
 though in themidfts-of his enemies, forgets his own danger, and 
 remembers the danger of his fexvant Himfelf was now as &. 
 
A Semon ofSt^ Peters Fall, &c , 107 
 
 fheep before the {hearer, dumb and not opening his mouth : yet 
 forgets he not that he is that great fhepherd of the flock , but 
 David like refcues one of his fould from the mouth of the Lion 
 and from the paw of the Bear. He turns about and looks upon 
 him , faith the Text , he cries louder unto him with his look, 
 then the cock could with his voice. Of all the members in the 
 body the eye is the moft moveing part, that oft-times is fpo- 
 ken in a k>ok , which by no force of fpeech could have been 
 uttered , this look of Chrift did fo warm Peter, almoft frozen 
 dead with fear that it made him well- near melt into tears. As 
 if he had cried out with the fpoufe, Cant. 6. O turn away thine 
 eyes , for they have overcome me , he grows impatient of his looks, 
 and feeks for a place to weep , what a look was this think you > 
 Saint Jerome difcourfing with himfelf what might be the caufe 
 that many of the Difciples , when they were called by our Sa- 
 viour, prefently without further confultation arofe and followed 
 him, thinks it not improbable, that there did appear fome Glory 
 andMajefty in his Countenance, which made them believe he 
 was more than a Man that thus befpake them 5 whatfoever then 
 appear'd in his Looks , doubtlefs in this Look of his was feen 
 fome Soveraign power of his Diety that could fo fpeedily re- 
 cover a man thus almoft defperately gone : a man that had one 
 foot in hell, whom one ftep more had irrecoverably caft a- 
 way : It was this Look of Chrift that reftored Teter. Quoi 
 refpicit Jefus plorant delitlum , faith Saint Ambrose , thole weep 
 for their fins whom Jefus looks upon. Negavit primo Petrus & 
 non flevit^quia non refpcxerat Dominus. Negavit fecuudo : non fle- 
 vit , quia adhuc non refpexerat Dominus. Negavit tertio , & re- 
 fpexi Jefus, & We amarifsimeflevit. Peter denies him once , and 
 repents not , for Jefus look't not back upon him : he denies him 
 the fecond time , and yet he weeps not , for yet the Lord look'c 
 not back. He denies him the third time , and Jefus looks upon 
 him, and then he weeps bitterly. Before I come to makeufe 
 of this , it (hall not be altogether impertinent to fay fomething 
 unto fome queries that here arife concerning the condition of Pe- 
 ter, and In him of all the Eled: of God, whilft they are in ftate of 
 fin unrepented of for, as for peter j faith , which iotae makes 
 
 O 2 doubt 
 
108 A Sermon of St. Peters Fall, &c. 
 
 doubt of, there can as I conceive - 3 no queftion be made. It is 
 not to be thought that Peter had reverft with himielf the conief- 
 fion that he had formerly made of Chrift or that he thought 
 doubtlels I have er'd, this is not the perion whom I took him to 
 be. Indeed, through fear and cowardize he durft not confeis that 
 with his mouth unto falvation which in his heart he believed ui.to 
 righteoutiies. Any thing further then tnis, that fpeech of our 
 Saviour takes away, wherein he tells him before hand, I have 
 prafd that thy. faith might not fail. But fince our Age hath had 
 experience of fome , who becauie the Election of God ftand- 
 eth fure, and Chrifts fheep none can take out of his hands, 
 conclude therefore that for the Elect of God there is no tailing 
 from Grace,that to David & Peter no ill could happen, no though 
 (for (o they have given it outj that they had died ,in the very 
 act of their fin: To meet with fuch dilputants,! \vill briefly 
 Jay down what I conceive is to be thought in the point. 
 Wherefore parate fauces pam , as Saint Barnard fpeaks. Hi- 
 therto I have given you milk provide your flomacks now 
 for harder meat , and fuch as befits ftrong men in Chrift. Pee- 
 per and Judas (for I will couple them both together in my dif* 
 courfe , whilft they are both joyned together in fin ) Peter, 
 I fay, and Judas in regard of their own perfons,were both, more 
 or lefs in the fame cafe, both fallen from Grace, both in 
 itete of fin and damnation , till the Repentance of Peter al- 
 tered the cafe on his part. But the Grace of God fignifi. d 
 two things : either the purpofe of Gods Election 5 the 
 Grace and Favour Inherent in the Perfon of God, which he 
 (fill cafts upon thofe that are his notwithftanding their ma- 
 nifold backflidings : or elfe it fignifies the habit of fancti^ 
 fying qualities Inherent in the Regcnerat Man , thofe good 
 Graces of God , by which he walks holy and unblamea- 
 ble. Again, the ftate of damnation fignifies likewile two things : 
 either the purpoie of Gods reprobation,orelfe the habit of dam- 
 nable qualities in the finiul man : from the ftate of Grace, 
 as it fignifies the purpoie of God to fave,the Elect can never fall r 
 In the ftate of damnation, as it fignifies fometfoing inherent in us, 
 every torn by nature, is^ and . the, elect o£ God, even after their 
 
 Clling. 
 
A Sermon of St. Peters Fall y &c. 109 
 
 Calling many times fall into it : that is, they may and do many 
 times fall into thofe fins j yea, for a time continue in them, too 
 ( David did fo for a whole years fpace) which except they be 
 done away by repentance, inevitably bring forth eternal death, 
 for the ftate of mortal fin unrcpented of, is truly and indeed the 
 ftate of death 5 yea, the whole and fole reafon of the condem- 
 nation of every one that perifhes 5 for Chrifthath faidir, except 
 ye repent, ye jhall all perijli. So then you fee, that into the ftate 
 of damnation, as it fignifieth fomething inherent in us, a man 
 may fall, and yet not tall from the ftate of grace, as it fignifies 
 Godspurpofeofele6tion : for both thefe are compatible for a 
 time > if then we look upon the perfons of Peter and Judas, both 
 of them are in the ftate of mortal fin unrepented of 3 and there- 
 fore both in ftate of damnation • but if we look back unto God, 
 we fhall fee a hand reacht out unto Peter, pulling him back as he 
 is now running down the hill, which hand we do not fee reacht 
 out unto Judas. Chnft had a look in ftore for Peter, which if 
 it had pleafed him to have lent unto Judas, Judas would have 
 done that which 'Peter did. When then we pronounce Peter^ 
 and in him any of the eleel: of God, as they are in T^wcafeto 
 be fallen from grace 5 wefpeaknet with relation to any pur- 
 pole of God; but we mean only that they have not that mea- 
 iure of Sandification, which ought to be in every childe, which 
 fhall be an heir to life, and what hinders to pronounce that man 
 fallen from grace, , whom we muft needs acknowledge to be m 
 that ftate, in which if he continue, there is no way open but to 
 death ? What then may fome man fay, had Peter loft the fpirit 
 of adoption > Had he not thole fan £ti tying qualities of faith, 
 hope,& charity,weh are properto the Saints, and are given them 
 by divine infpiration in the moment of their converfion : was 
 that immortal feed of the word quite kill'd ? No verily •, How 
 then? Having all thefe, may he yet be called the childe of 
 death ? I anfwer, he may and is indeed fo, for thefe do not 
 make him that at no time he can be fo, but that finally he fhall 
 not be fo, for they are not armour o[ proof to keep out all dartsj 
 neither do they make our fouls invulnerable, as the Poets faine 
 she body ot Cyenwoi Achilles to have been ; but, they are precis 
 
 ous 
 
no A Sermon of 'St, Peters Fall, Sec. 
 
 ous balms evermore ready at hand to cure the wound when it is 
 given. They are not of force to hinder mortal fin, ( for then 
 every foul in whom they are were pure, undefiled, neither 
 were it poilible, that the Eled of God after their converfion 
 {houldfall, ) but they are of force to work repentance, which 
 makes all our wounds remediable. He that is mortally fick and 
 dies, and he that is likewife mortally Tick, and through help of 
 reftoring phyfick recovers, in this both agree, that they are 
 mortally fick, notwithstanding the recovery of one party. The 
 wound of Peter and oi Judos was mortal, and in both feftred 
 unto death ; but there was balm in Gileod for <Peter, for Judo* 
 there was none. The fting of the fiery Scorpion in the wildernefs 
 was deadly, and all that looked not on the brazen ferpent died. 
 The brazen ferpent altred not the quality of the Scorpions fting, 
 it only hindred the working of the poyfon : the fting of fin in 
 Peter, and in Judos was deadly : but he that was lift up on 
 mount Calvary , as the brazen ierpent was in the wildernefs, at 
 him did Peter look and live : Judas did not look, and therefore 
 died. How comes it about beloved that God every where in 
 Scripture threatens death, without exception to all that repent 
 not, if the ftate of Jw unrepented of, in whomfoever.it is, be 
 not indeed the ftate of death. When Dor. id was intending to 
 ftay in Keilah 3 and iufpeding the inhabitants of that city, asks 
 of God whether the men of Keilah would deliver him over into the hand 
 of Saul: God tells him they would: and therefore certainly had 
 he ftayed there, he had been betrayed unto-SW : to urge that 
 Peter, becaufe of Godspurpofe tofave him, could not have fi- 
 nally mifcarried, though he had died without repentance, ( as 
 fomehave not ftuck to give out ) is nothing elfe in efTe&, but to 
 maintain againft God, that David had he ftayed in Keilah had 
 not fallen into Sauls hands, becaufe we know it was Gods pur- 
 pofe to preferve Davidhom the violence ot Saul. All the de- 
 terminations of God are of equal certainty. It was no more 
 pofliblefor s aul to (caze on David, then it is for the Devil to 
 pull one of Gods elc<5t out of his hand 5 as therefore the deter- 
 minate purpofe of God to free David from the malice of Saul, 
 took not away that fuppofition, // David go to Keilah, he {ball 
 
 fall 
 
A Sermon of St Peters Fall, &c, i ii 
 
 fall into the bands of Saul, fo neither doth the decree of God to 
 lave his ele& deftroy'the fuppofition, if they repent not, they die 
 eternally, for the purpofes of God, though impoflible to be de- 
 feated, yet lay not upon things any violent necefsity, they ex- 
 empt not from the uie of ordinary means : they infringe not our 
 liberty, they ftand very well with common calualty : yea, theie 
 things are the very means by which his decrees are brought a- 
 bout. I may not ftand longer upon this, I will draw but one 
 (hort admonition, and fo an end : Let no man prefume to look 
 into the Third Heaven, to open the books of life and death, to 
 pronounce over peremptorily of Gods purpofe concerning him- 
 ielf, or any other man. Let every man look intohimfelf, and 
 trie whether he be in the faith or no $ the fureft means to trie 
 this, is to take an unpartiai view of all our actions, many de- 
 ceive themfelves whilft they argue from their faith to their 
 works, whereas they ought out of their works to conclude their 
 faith 5 while ft prefuming they have faith, and the gifts of fan- 
 &ification, they think all their actions warrantable : whereas 
 we ought firft throughly to fift all our actions, to examine them 
 at the Touch of Gods Commandements, and if indeed we finde 
 them currant, then to conclude that they come from Sanctifying 
 Graces of the Holy Spirit. It is faith indeed that gives the tin- 
 cture, the die, the relifh unto our actions, yet the only means 
 to examine our faith is by our works. It is the nature of the 
 Tree that gives the goodnels, the favour and pleafantnefs to the 
 fruit, yet the fruit is the only means to us, to know whether the 
 tree be good. By their fruit yejhall know them, faith Chrift : It is 
 not a rule not only to know others, but our f elves too. To rea- 
 fon thus, I am of the eled, 1 therefore have faving faith, and 
 the reft of the fanctifying qualities, therefore that which I do is 
 good : thus I fay to reafon is very prepofterous. We muft go 
 a quite contrary courfe, and thus reafon : my life is good, and 
 through the mercies of God in Jefm chriji, fhall ftand with 
 Gods Juftice : I therefore have the Gifts of San edification, and 
 therefore am of Gods Eledt • for Peter to have (aid with him- 
 felf, lam of the HIe6t, this fin therefore cannot irdanger me, 
 had been great preemption, but thus to have reafoned^ nv 
 
 fin:, 
 iSi . 
 
iiz A Sermoncf St. Peters, Fall &c. 
 
 is deadly, therefore except I repent, I arn not of the number of 
 Gods Ele&, this reafoning had well befitted Peter, and be- 
 comes every Chriftian man, whom common frailty drives into 
 the like dift refs. 
 
 I made my entrance into my Sermon with the confidcration 
 of the wifdome of God, in permitting his chiefeft fervants to 
 iall dangeroufly : I have largely exemplified it in the perfon of 
 Peter : give me leave to make this further beneficial unto you by 
 drawing fome ufes from it $ for great profit hath redounded to 
 the Church through the fall of thele men -, Felicivu We cecidit quam 
 ceterifteterunt, faith St. tyfmbrofe of this fall of Peter, His fin 
 hath more avail'd us, then the righteoufnefs of many others 3 
 for wherefoever it pleafes the Holy Spirit of God to work effe- 
 ftually, ( I fpeak cauteloufly, becaufe I would give no place to 
 prefumption ) in him he makes excellent ufe ottimes, even of 
 fin and evil. Firftof all it is a tried Cafe, that many times 
 through negligence and carelefnefs, we fuffer our felves to lie 
 open to many advantages. In fuch a cafe as this, a blow given 
 us,fervesus for a remembrance to call our wits about us,^^- 
 wp£p,toftiruptheGraceof God that isin us, which many times is in- 
 terlunio lies covered like fire under afhesjfor as a skilful wreftler 
 having fuffered hisadverfary to take advantage upon fome over- 
 fight, recolle&s himfelf, and comes forward with greater 
 ftrength and warinefs : e t pudor incendit vires et confeia virtus : 
 fhame of the foil and impatience of difgrace, addes ftrength un- 
 to him and kindles him : fo oft times is it with the Saints of 
 God. The (hame of having fallen makes them fummon up 
 their forces, to look better about them, to fulfil their duty in 
 larger fort, then if they had notfliptat all. Hence it is, that 
 we fee that of the bktereft enemies of the Church, have been 
 made the be ft converts 5 of this we have a notable example in 
 S.Pa.'J'^how eager was he in the quarrel of the Jews againft Ckrift > 
 None a more mifchievous enemy to the Chriftians then he 5 yer, 
 when it pleafed God to fhew him his error, he proved one of 
 the moft excellent inftrumentsot Chrifts glory, that ever was 
 on earth. And fo accordingly he gives himfelf a moft true te- 
 flimony : I have laboured mere abundantly, not then one or t wo- 
 of 
 
A Sermon of St.Pctcrs Fall, &q. 1 13 
 
 of them, but, then they all: his writings being as much in quan- 
 tity, as of them all : and St. Lukes ftory being nothing elfc al- 
 moft but a regifter of the ads of St. Paul, The fenle and conlci- 
 ence, I doubt not, of that infinite wrong done to the Ghurch 
 provoked him to meafure back to the utmoft of his power, his 
 pains and- labour in making up the breach, he had formerly 
 made f here then is a notable lefTon for us, teaching us to make 
 our former fins and impieties, admonitioners unto us to know 
 our own ftrength,& by Chriitian care & watchfulnefs to prevent 
 all advantages, which the Devil may take by our rechlefnefs and 
 negligence $ for beloved, it is not fo much our impotency and 
 weaknefs, as our floth and carelefnefs, againft which the com- 
 mon enemy doth prevail ; for through the Grace of him that 
 doth inable us, we are ftronger then he • and the policie of Chri- 
 ftian warfare hath as many means to beat back and defend, as 
 the deepeft reach of Satan hath to give the on-let. The Envious 
 man in the Gofpel rufht not into the field in defpite of the huf- 
 bandman, and the fervants, but came and lowed his tares, 
 whilft menflept faith the text. Our negled and carelefnefs is the 
 fleepthat he takes advantage of ; when David was fo ftrangely 
 overtaken, the Scripture tells us he rofe from bis bed, to walk on 
 the top of his pallace, from his bed indeed he arofe, but not from 
 his flecp 3 for mark I befeech you : David had fpent much of his 
 time about the Court, he had been abroad, and feen and ran- 
 fak'd many cities, and doubtlefs he had feen many women as 
 fair as the wife of Vriab-> and that in his younger days, when he 
 was more apt to kindle. Why then now commits he fo great 
 an overfight ? Look on him a while as now he is. He is now 
 at reft in his pallace, at cafe on his bed, and to folace himfelf 
 he mud rife and walk at the top of his houfe, and idely gaze up- 
 on a naked dame : of this his idlenefs the Devil takes advantage : 
 this is the fleep in which he comes and fows tares in Davids heart, 
 even al manner of luft.So that David fell as Adam did in Paradife, 
 not as a man that falls before an enemy ftronger then himfelf. 
 The greateft part of the fins which we commit, are in this 
 rank with Davids fin : He is faithful , faith the Apoftle, and fuf- 
 fers no man to be tempted above his ftrength. Many creatures, 
 
 P if 
 
U4 ^ Sermon of St.Peters Fall, &c. 
 
 if they knew their ftrength , would never differ themfelves to 
 be aw'd by man as they are. Beloved, we are become like horie 
 and mule without underftanding, we know not our Jirength we \ 
 are moreblinde then the iervant ofEUzaus, and iee not wa h they 
 that are with us are more^ and more mighty then they that are a t ainfl us. 
 The Angels are miniftring fpirits , lent out ot purpofe to gard 
 us , and doubtlefs do many and great fcrvices tor us , though we 
 perceive not. We have the army of God, ubi mile clipei & 
 omnvs armatura for ti urn , where are a thouiand bucklers and all 
 the weapons ot the mighty, the helmet ot Salvation,the fvvord of 
 the Spirit , the flieild ot Faith to quench all the fury dares of 
 fin : only let us not negledt to buckle it on , and make ufe of ir. 
 We have to ftrive with an enemy , fuch a one as Ambal reported 
 Marcellus to be , Qui nee bonan nee malum ferre fortunam po'eft feu 
 vieit , feroeiter in flat viftis 5 feu viftus efl^ infaurat cum viHoribuS 
 cert amen •, a reftlefs enemy that is never quiet, howfocver the 
 world goes., if he conquer us, he iniolently infults upon usj 
 if we foil him 5 he ftill oethinks himlelt how to fet upon us a- 
 frefti. Let us not therefore fuppofe fedendo & votu debellari 
 pojjey that the conqueft will be gotten by fitting ftill and wish- 
 ing all were well. We oft maintain againft the Church of £0772?* 
 that our natural abilities whileft we live ferve us not to fulfil the 
 Law of God. What bootes it thus to diiputc 1 (hall the con- 
 feflion of our unablenefs to do what we ought , excufe us at all 
 if we do not that which we are able ? S. Auftin was of opinion 
 how juftly I will not difpute but of that opinion h.e was , and it 
 was the occaiion of his book, de fpiritu & lit era ad Marceliinum A 
 that it was poiUble for us even in this natural life feconded by 
 the grace of God, perfectly to accomplish what the Law re- 
 quires at our hands. Let the truth of this be as it may be : cer- 
 tainly that is moft true which the fame Father adds : that let our 
 ftrengthbewhatitwill,yet if we know not our duty we fhall 
 do it no more then the traveller found of body or limb, can go 
 . that way aright of which he is utterly ignorant. Yea, let our a- 
 bility be perfec"t v and let our knowledge be alfo abfolute, yst if" 
 we have no minde ; if we want a love unto our duty, if we fufTcr 
 our (elves to be overiwayed by affection to other things^ yet fhall- 
 
 WC: 
 
A Sermon ofSt t ?eters Faille, 115 
 
 we not do our duty. For which of us being at liberty will do 
 that which he hath no love unto ? Beloved , as for or know- 
 ledge God harh left unto us Scripture, the perfect regifter of 
 all our duty the abfolute itinerary and map of all the courfe 
 which in this life we are to run: & as for love he plentifully (beds 
 it in the hearts of all thole that by faithful prayer beg it of him. 
 If we {hall fearch the Scripture to improve our knowledge , if 
 we (hall earneftly beg at his hands to inflame our love. Let our 
 natural poffibilities be what they will : he that now doth little 
 amongft us [hall do much, and he that doth much (hall do much 
 more : and the promifes made unto the Jews concerning their 
 carnal enemies, (hall be made good on us concerning our fpi- 
 ritual and ghoftly enemies, one of us [hall chafe a thoufand , and 
 if they come out againfl us on way , they jhall fly before us feven 
 wayes. And thus much for the firft ufe. 
 
 There is a fecond benefit of great weight and moment, which 
 we reap out of the confideration of the errours of thefe excel- 
 lent Minifters of God: namely a leflbn teaching us to beware of 
 [piritual pride. Of all the vices which our nature is fubjed un- 
 to,this is the moft dangerous,ahd of which we had heed be moft 
 cautelous. For whereas all other vices proceed from fome ill 
 in us, from fome finful imbecillity of our nature, this alone 
 arifes out of our good parts • Other fins draw their being from 
 that original corruption which we drew from our Parents, but 
 this may feem to be the mother of that 5 as by which even na- 
 tures unftained and in their primitive purity may moft eafily 
 fall. And therefore not without fome probability is it concluded 
 in theSchools,That no other crime could throw the Angels down 
 from heaven but this. That which one leaves for a memorial to 
 great men , that in dangerous times , non minus periculum ex 
 magna fama quam ex mala , it was a matter of like danger to 
 have a good name as an ill , that may I pronounce of a Ghrifti- 
 an man , the danger of his innocency is not much lefs then of 
 his faults. For this Devil when he cannot drive us to defpair. by 
 reafon of our fin , takes another courfe to fee if he can make us 
 frefume upon conceit of our righteoufnefs. For when by the pre- 
 venting grace of God we keep our felves from greater offences 
 
 P 2 if 
 
II <$ A Sermon of St.Pcters FaU> See. 
 
 if we finde our felves to have a love unto the word of God, and 
 the true profeflfours of it , to be rich in almfdeeds , to have a 
 part in other ads of righteoufnefs , he makes us firft take notice 
 of thefe good things in us , notice taken draws us to love and 
 admire them in us : lelf-love draws us on to compare our felves 
 with others , then to prefer our felves before others , and third- 
 ly to difdain others in refpeft of our felves. Here now is a gap 
 laid open to a thoufand inconveniences. And hence it is that 
 we iee divers times men otherwise of life and reputation pure 
 and unblameable, upon conceit and unconfkkratenefs by a fecret 
 judgement of God to fall upon extremes no lets fearful then are 
 the iflues of open profanefs and impiety. To cut of therefore 
 all way that may be opened to let in ipiritual pride it hath plea- 
 fed God to make ufe of this as of a foverain remedy namely to 
 permit even in his moft chofen vetTels , evermore iecret and hid- 
 den infirmities and fometimes grofs and open fcapes, which may 
 ferve when they look into themfelves to abate all overweening, 
 conceit of their own righteoufnefs , and when they {hall look 
 into the errours of others, may be fecret admonitioncrs unto » 
 them, not rafhly to condemn them , confidering their own 
 weaknefs. I will therefore {hut up this place with the faying of 
 Saint Ambrofe, etiam lapfus fanttorum utilis eft , Nihil wibi obfuit 
 quod negavit Petrus^ etiam profuit quod emend avit , . The fall of the 
 Saints is a very profitable thing. It hurts not me that Peter 
 denied Chrift, and the example of his amendment is very 
 beneficial unto me. And fo I come unto the prepara- 
 tive unto Peters Repentance y in thefe words 3 and be mat 
 forth. 
 
 THe wifdom of God hath taught the Church fometime 
 by exprefs mefTage delivered by words of mouth , fome- 
 time by dumb fignes and a&ions. When Jeremy walk't up and 
 down the city with a yoke of wood about his neck, when Eze- 
 kiel lay upon his fide, befieged a Slate with the draught of Je* 
 rufalem upon it , and like a banifbed man carried his fluff up- 
 on his {boulders from place to place : they did no lefs prophefie 
 the captivity, deviation r famine and wo ? whjehwasto fall 
 
 upon 
 
 « 
 
 i 
 
A Sermon o/St. Peters Fall, &c. 117 
 
 upon Jerufalem, then when they denounced it by direct word and 
 fpeech : yea, many of the ordinary actions of the Patriarks> 
 which feem to participate of chance, and to be in the fame rank 
 with thofe of other men, themlelves ( as a learned divine of our 
 Mercerus age oblerves) not intending or underftanding any fuch 
 thing,contained by the difpenfation of the Holy Ghoft, efpecial 
 leflonsand inftructions for us. That ipeech of Sarah, caft out the 
 bondwoman and her fon, &c. feemed to Abraham only a fpeech of 
 curft heart, and (he her felf perceives not her felf to (peak by di- 
 rection from God, but moved with impatience of Ifmaels petu- 
 lant behaviour toward her fon. Yet the Holy Ghoft himfclf 
 hath taught us, that this ad of hir prefigured a great myftery. 
 Many deputations there are concerning the caufe of this action 
 of Peters going forth : whether it were out of the common in- 
 firmity that is in moft men, namely a greater fhame to repent 
 then to offend : or whether it were out of modefty and good na- 
 ture, that he could not indure the fight of Chrift, whom he had 
 fo grievoufly offended. Howfoever it were, we (hall do this 
 Scripture no wrong, if we think it to contain an act in outward 
 (hew cafual, and like unto the actions of other men, but in- 
 wardly indeed an efpecial action of a per fon great in the fight 
 of God j and therefore comprehending fome efpecial inftru£ti- 
 on. And to fpeak plainly, this abandoning the place wherein 
 he fell, the company for fear of whom he fell, and thofe things 
 that were occafioners of his fin, doth not obfeurely point out 
 unto us an efpecial duty offpeedy reiinquifhing and leaving of 
 all, either friends or place, or means, or whatfoever elfe, . 
 though dearer unto us then our right hand, then our right eye 5 , 
 if once they become unto us inducements to Sin. In former 
 days before the Fulnefs of time came, the Calling of the Elect of 
 God wasnot by any one act more often prefigured, then by this 
 action ongoing forth. When the purpof e of God was to (elect 
 unto himfelf a Church, and to begin it in Abraham, come fort h, . 
 faith he unto him, out of thy cotmtrey, and from thy kindred, and 
 from thy fathers houfe. When Ifrael being in v£gyph it pleafed 
 God to appoint them a fet Form and manner of ferving him, be- 
 fore this could be done^ they and all theirs muft come forth of^£- 
 

 n8 A Sermon of St. Peters Fall&c. 
 
 gypt 9 they muft not leave a hoof behinde them. When the time of 
 the Gofpel was come, our Saviour holds the fame courfe : none 
 muft be of his company, butfuch as come forth, leave all and 
 follow him. And therefore the Apoille putting the Hebrews in 
 minde of their duty, exprelTes it in this very tearm $ Let us go 
 forth, therefore unto him, faith he without the camp, bearing his 
 reproach. And in the original language of the New Teftament, 
 the Church hath her name from this thing, from being called 
 forth $ fo that without a going forth there is no Church, no Chri- 
 ftianity, no Service to Go J, the reafon of all which is this : 
 we are all by nature in the High Priefts court, as Peter was, 
 where we all deny and forfwear our Mafter as Peter did : nei- 
 ther is there any place for Repentance, till with Peter we go 
 forth and weep. 
 
 For our further light we are to diftinguifh the pra&ife of this 
 our going forth, according to the diverfity of the times of the 
 Church. In the firfi ages, when Chriftianity was like unto 
 Chrift, and had no place to hide its head, no entertainment but 
 what perfecution, and opprefsion, and fire, and fword could 
 yield it - there was then required at the hands of Chriftians, an 
 Actual going forth, a real leaving of riches, and friends, and lands, 
 and life for the profefsion of the Gofpel. Afterward, when the 
 Tempefts of perfections were fomewhat alay'd, and the skie 
 began to clear up, the necefsity of a&ual relinquifhing of all 
 things ceaft, Chriftians might then fecurely hold life and lands, 
 and whatfoever was their own, yet that it might appear unto 
 the world, that the refolution of Chriftian men was the fame 
 as in times of diftrefs and want, fo likewife in time of peace and 
 fecurity, it pleafed God to raife up many excellent men, as well 
 of the Laity, as of the Clergy, who without con ft rain t, volunta- 
 rily, and of themfelves, made liberal diftribution of all they 
 had j left their means and their friends, and betook themfelves 
 to deferts and folitary places, wholy giving themfelves over to 
 meditation, to prayer, to fafting, to all feverity and rigidnefs 
 of life, what opinion our times hath of thefe, I cannot eafily pro- 
 nounce .- thus much I know fafely may be faid, that when this 
 cuftome was in its primitive purity, there was no one thing 
 
 more 
 
' 
 
 
 A SembzJf St.Vctets Fallfrc, 
 
 ~ _ — _ 
 
 more behoofful to the Church. It was the Seminary and nurfery 
 ot the Fathers, and of all the famous Ornaments of the Church. 
 Thole two things which afterwards in the decay and ruine of 
 this ditcipline,the Church fought to eftabliih by Decrees and Con- 
 kitittionSy namely to eft range her Prielfs from the world and 
 bind them to {ingle lite , were the neceffary effedts ot this man- 
 ner of living, tor when from their childhood they had utterly ie- 
 "queftred themlclves irom the world and long pra&ifed the con- 
 tempt of k : when by chaftifing their body aud keeping it under 
 with long fafting they had killed the heat of youth , it was not 
 ambition nor delire of wealth, nor beauty of women that could 
 withdraw them or lway their affections. 
 
 That which afterwards was crept into the Church and bare 
 the name of Monkery, had indeed nothing of it but the name, un- 
 der pretence of poverty they feized into their polTefTion the 
 wealth and riches of the world , they removed themfelves from 
 barren foils into the fatteft places of the land, from folitary de- 
 farts into the moft frequented cities : they turned their poor cot- 
 tages into Irately pallace , their true falling into formalizing and 
 partial abftinence. So that inftead ot going forth they took the 
 next courfe to come' into the world : they left not the world for 
 Cnrift , but under pretence ot Chrift they gain'd the world: 
 
 W0"7T8P OVK dfilrig TVHOVj aAA' (tpopjLt-fiv T8 b/a 1y\v IctQv ]cvj%v 
 
 &v<li veffiityvliS, as Ndzidnz,?ne fpeaks. One ot their own. Saint . 
 Jerome Dy name, long ago complain'd of it. r Honnulli funt diti- 
 ores Mo//achi y quam fue/aftt feculareS) £f derici qui pofiideant opes 
 Cub pauper e Cbri(lo-> qu&$ fub falldci & locuplete dtabolo nonhabue- 
 rant ut fufpiret eos ecclejia divites : quos tenuit mundos ante men- 
 dicos. But I forbear and come to commend unto you another 
 kinde of going forth , neceffary for all per Ions, and tor all times. 
 There is a going forth in aB and execution^ requitite only at fome- 
 times and upon fome occafions : there is a going forth in mil and 
 afeBion: this let the perfonsbe of what calling toever, and let 
 the times be never fo favourable , God requires at the hands of 
 every one of us We ufually indeed diftinguifh the times of the 
 Churchinto times of peace, and times of perfecution : the truth 
 is. 2 to a true Gbriftian man the times, are always the fame Habet 
 
 etiarxt,. 
 
iao A Sermon of St. Peters FaU y &c. 
 
 etiampaxfuos martyres, faith one ; there is a martyrdome even in 
 time of peace ; for the pra&ife of a Chriftian man in the calm- j 
 eft times, in readinefs and refoiution mult nothing differ from j 
 times of rage and fire. Jofephus writing of the Military exerciles* I 
 pra&ifed amongft the Romans, reports that for ferioufnefs they j 
 diffred from a true battel only in this, the battel was a bloody exer- \ 
 rife, their exercife a bloodlefs fattel.Like unto this muft be the Chri- ! 
 flian exercife in times oi peace, neither muft there be any differ- 
 ence betwixt thofe days of perfeauion, and thefe of ours, but only 
 this, thofe yeelded Martyrs with blood,ours without. Let therefore eve- 
 ry man throughly examine his own heart, whether upon fuppolal 
 of times of tryal and perfecution, he can fay with David, My he art 
 is ready, whether he can fay of his deareft pledges, all thefe have I 
 counted dung for Chrifls fake, whether he finde in himfelf that be 
 can, if need be, even lay down his life for his profeffion. He that 
 cannot do thus, what differs his faith from a temporary faith, or 
 from hypocrifie ? Mark , I befcech you what I fay, I will not 
 affirm, I will only leave it to your Chriftian discretion. A tem- 
 porary faith, that is, a faith rcfembled to the feed in- the Gofpel, 
 which being (own on the ftony ground, withered as foon as the 
 fun arofc, a faith that fails as foon as it feels the heat of perfecu- 
 tion, can fave no man. May we not with fome rcafon think that 
 the faith of many a one, who in time of peace feems to us, yea, 
 and to himfelf too peradventureto dy poucft of it,isyet notwith- 
 ttanding no better then a temporary faith , and therefore comes 
 not fo far as to fave him that hath it ? Rrfus a certain Philofopher 
 whenfoever any Scholars were brought unto him to receive edu- 
 cation under him, was wont to uie all poifible force of argument 
 to difwade them from it : if nothing could prevail with them but 
 needs they will be his hearers, this their pertinacy he took for a 
 fure token of a mind throughly fetled,& led as it were by inftindfc 
 to their fludies. If Godfhould ule this method to try who are 
 his, and bring on us thofe Temptations , which would make the 
 man of temporary faith to fhrink : think we that all thofe who in 
 thefe times of peace have born the name of Chrift unto their 
 graves, would have born unto the rack, unto the fword, unto the 
 fire? Indeed to man who knows not the thoughts of his friend 
 
 fome 
 
A Sermon of St. Peters Fall, &c. 1 2 1 
 
 fome trials fomecimes are very necefTary. But he that knew and 
 foretold David what the refolution of the men of Keilab would 
 be, if Saul came to them, knows likewife what the refolution of 
 every one of us would be if a fiery trial {hould appear. Who 
 knows therefore whether God hath numbred out the Crowns of 
 life, according to the number of their fouls, who he foreknew 
 would in the midft of all Temptations andtrialls continue unto 
 the end ? for what difference is there betwixt the faith that fails 
 upon occafion,or that would fail if occafion were offred? for the 
 actual failing of faith is not that that makes it temporary, it is on 
 ly that w eh dete&s it, w ch bewrays it unto us to be fo.The faith 
 therefore of that man which would have funk asfaft as Peter did y 
 if tempefls had arifen, notwithstanding that through the peace of 
 the Church he dies poffeft of, is no better then a temporary,and 
 cometh fhort of a faving faith. Durus fermo , it as a hard fpeech 
 lome man may fay : but let him that thinks thus, recount with 
 himfelt that Dura via , it is is a hard way that leads to life. Be* 
 loved , deceive not your felves : heaven never was, nor will be 
 gotten without Martyrdom : In a word my Brethren try there- 
 fore your felves, whether you have in you true refolution , fum- 
 mon up your thoughts, furveigh every path in which your affecti- 
 ons are wont to tread : fee whether you are prepared to leave all 
 for Chrift. If you find in your felves but one affection looking 
 back to Sodom^ to the things of this life, remember Lots wife , her 
 cafe is yours, you are not yet fufficiently provided for the day of 
 battel. 
 
 FINIS. 
 
 ft 
 
 Chriftiaii 
 
122 
 
 
 Chnftian Omnipotency, 
 
 Philip. 4. 13. 
 
 can do all things , through Qhrift, thatena- 
 bleth or that Jtrengtheneth me. 
 
 Rom henceforth let all complaint concern^ 
 ing the frailty , and weakneis of mans NaT 
 ture, for ever ceafe. For behold our weak- 
 neis (wallow^ up of ftrengtb , and man is 
 become Omnipotent. I can do all things^ 
 faith my Apoitlc. The ftrongeft reaion, 
 which the fubtileft above all the beafts of 
 the field , could invent, to draw our firft 
 Parents from their allegeance, was this, Te fhall be like Gods. 
 Our Saviour who is infinitely wifer to recal us , then our adver- 
 fary was to feduce us, takes the fame way to reftore as he did to 
 deftroy, and ufcs that for Phyfick, which the Devil gave for 
 poylon. Is this it, faith he, unto us, that hath drawn ye from me, 
 that ye would be like unto Gods ? why,then return again,and ye 
 {hall be like Gods , by a kinde of Communica'io idiomaium, by 
 imparting unto you fuch excellencies , as are proper unto my 
 
 felt 
 
Chriftian Omnifotency^ 12,3 
 
 felf. As I my [elf do all things, fo fhall you like wife be enabled 
 to do all things through me. Falfo queritur de Natura fuk Genus bu~ 
 mmum, quod imbectllis fit. It was the obiervation of the Hea- 
 then Hiftorian, that it is an error in men, thus to complain of 
 the infirmities, and weaknefs of their Nature.For man indeed is 
 a creature of great ftrength, and if at any time, hefinde him felf 
 weak, it is through his fault, not through his nature. But he that 
 fhall take into consideration thefe words of my Text, {hall farre 
 better then any natural man, be able to perceive, that man 
 hath no caufe to complain of his weaknefs. 3>aav y& §W/8»A/a* 
 T« jj) TH TToAet ir^jtr^vat tolvtcl (x(pt qi tie, Sins dpV dv J(x.Qi<; 
 l%zfjuzprY[r\k'K} th (SiA-nov rpl-wttV) faith Ariftophanes.lt was a tale 
 that palled among lbme of the Heathen, that Vulcan offended 
 with the men of Athens,to\d them that they fhould be but fools : 
 but Pallas that favoured them, told them they (hould be fools in- 
 deed, but folly fhould never hurt them. Beloved our cafe is 
 like to that of the men of Athens, Vulcan the Devil hath made us 
 fools, and weak, and fo we are indeed of our f elves : but the 
 Son of God, the true Pallas, the wifdome of the Father hath gi- 
 ven us this gift, that our weaknefs, fhall never hurt us. For 
 look what ftrength we loft in Adam, that with infinite advan- 
 tage is fuppli'd in Chrift. It was the Parable of Iphicrates, that 
 an Army of Harts, with a Lyon to their Captain, would be able 
 to vanquifh an armie of Lyons, if their captain were but an 
 Hart. Beloved, were mankinde indeed but an army of Harts, 
 were we Hinnuleo fimiles, like unto the fearful Hinde, upon the 
 Mountains, that ftarts at every leaf that {hakes • yet through 
 Chrift, that ftrei gt leneth us,having the Lyon of the tribe ofJ«- 
 dah for our Captain, and Leader, we fhall be able to vanquifh 
 all that force ; which the Lyon that goeth up and down feeking 
 whom he may devoure, is able to bring againft us. Indeed we do 
 many times fadly bemoan our cafe, and much rue the lofs,which 
 through the rechlefnefs of our fir ft parents hath befallen us ; Yet 
 let us chear up our f elves, our tear is greater then our hurt : as 
 Elkanah fpeaks unto Hannah in thefirft of Samuel. W*oy weepeft 
 thou ? nAm not 1 le^ter un?o t' ee then ten Sons. So will we com- 
 fort our ielves in the like manner. Let us forrow no more for 
 
 Qji. our 
 
iq^ Cbriftidn Omnipotency^ 
 
 our lols in Adam. For is not Chrifi tea fold better unto us, then 
 all the good of Taradife. The Mulbery tree indeed is broken down, 
 but it it built up again with Cedar. The lofs of that portion of 
 ftrength, wherewith our Nature was originally endued, is 
 made up with fulnefs of power in Chrift ; It is paft that con- 
 clufion of Zeba and Zalmanaunto Gideon, in the Book of Judges, 
 As the man is, fo is his ftrength j for now Beloved, as is Cjod fo is 
 our ftrength. Wherefore as St. Ambrofe fpake of Peters fall ; 
 T>{on mihi obfuit quod negavit Fetrui, immo profuit, quod emenda- 
 vit: So may wefpeakofthe fall of our firft Parents, it hurts 
 not us that >4;/dw fell s nay our ftrength and glory is much im- 
 proved, that by Chrift we are redeemed. Our natural weak- 
 nefs be it never fo great, with this fupply from Chrift, is far a- 
 above all ftrength, of which our Nature in its greaft perfection 
 was capable. If we furvey the particulars of that weaknefs, 
 which we drew from the loines of our firft parents, we fhall 
 finde the chiefeft part of it to be in the lofs ofimmortality. For 
 as for the lofs of that pleafant place, the blindnefs of underftand. 
 ing, and perverfenefs of will, being fuppos'd to betide us im- 
 mediately upon the falljthefe feem weakneiTes far inferior to our 
 mortality.For,God forbidding us the fruit of the tree of know- 
 Iedg,Sdetting down the penalty that fhould enfue,making choice 
 (as it is moft likely ) of the fearfulleft judgement, and what he 
 law in his wifdome, was moft likely to awe us, threatens nei- 
 ther blindnels of underftanding, nor crookednefs of Nature, but 
 tells us, what day ye eat of it, ye fhall die. Yet fee beloved, with 
 how great ftrength this mortal weaknefs is repair'd : For thus to 
 be able to encounter with death, the fearfulleft of all Gods cur- 
 ies, and through Chrift to overcome it, as all true Chriftians 
 do, to turn the greateft curfe into the greateft blefung, is more 
 then immortality. 
 
 Si non errafjet, fecerat ille minus. Had not man been thus 
 weak, he had never been thus ftrong. Again, on the contrary, 
 let us conceive unto the utmoft, what our ftrength might be in 
 our firft eftate, let us raife our conceit unto the higheft note we 
 can reach, yet (hall we never finde it to be greater, then what 
 here is expreft in my Text, For greater ability 3 then power to 
 
 do 
 
 I 
 
Chriftian Ontnipotency. 12$ 
 
 do all things, is not imaginable, / can do all things. Beloved, 
 thefe words are Auakims, they befeerri not the mouth of a man 
 or" ordinary, ftrength. He that hath right unto them, muftbe 
 one of the race oi the Giants at leaft, ior he faith not {imply, 
 itzvrcL WvctfjLizi, I can, though peradvemure with fome difficul- 
 ty, hardly with much labour, and pains, but he faith TraWo. 
 i %dct) 5 I can with eafe, I have valour and ftrength to do them. 
 I ask then firft as the Eunuch doth in the AUt : of whom (peaks 
 our Apoftle this, ofhimfelf or of fome other man? I anlwer 
 bothofhimfelf, and all other Chriftians ^ For every Chriftian 
 man by reading it as he ought, makes it his own, for in reading 
 it as he ought, he reads it with the fame fpirit, with which 
 St. Paul wrote it. Wherefore as St. Paul iome where records 
 of himfelf, that he was not found inferiour to the chief tsfpoftles, 
 fo is it true that the meaneft Chriftian that hears me this day, 
 in all that is contained in my Text, is parallel'd, is nothing in- 
 feriour unto St. 'Paul, unto the chief Apoftles. What a com- 
 fort then is this unto the brother of low degree, when he confiders 
 with himfelf, that how mean foever he may feem to be, either 
 in the Church or common weal, yet notwithftanding in fo great 
 a priviledge, as is this omnipotent power of doing all things ; 
 be is equal unto Peter, unto Tatd, the greateft Peers of the Church 
 If then the weaknefs of Chriftians be fo ftrong, as to deferve the 
 varnc of Almigbtinefi, what name, what title doth the ftrength 
 of a Chriftian deferve to bear > 
 
 Secondly, I ask what meaninghath this word 1^q!oo, this can 
 do in my Text ? I anfvver very large : firft, though it be rcndred 
 by this word doing, yet it comprehends fufferings too 5 for pof- 
 fum : valeo, I can, is as well to fuffer as to do, and that our blei- 
 fed Apoftle amongft other things io meant it, is apparant by the 
 words foregoing my text. And here is the firft part of a Chri- 
 ftians omnipotency : his patience is infinite, it fuffers all things. 
 Never any contumely? never any lofs, never any [mart fo greats 
 as could weary out Chriftian patience. Tali a (faith Tertullian,) 
 tantaque document a, quorum magmtudo penes nationes detraBatio fdti 
 efl , penes nos zero, ratio, & JfviiBio* Such examples, fuch pre- 
 cepts, have we of Chriftian patience, as that with infidels they 
 feem incredible^ and call in queftion the trash of our prof effion 3 
 
 bus - 
 
sa 6 Chriftian Otnnipotency. 
 
 but with us they are the ground and foundation of faith. God 
 himfelf did never yet trie the utmoft oi a Chriftians patience: 
 neither hath he created any object, that is able to equal it, yet 
 hefeems for our inftru&ion to have gone about to trie, what 
 might have been done : he commanded Abraham to facrifice his 
 dear and only fon. Tarn grave prtcptum, quod aec *Deo perfici 
 placebat, patienter et aud/vit, C7 // dens voluijjet, implejjet, faith 
 Tertullian, So heavy was the command, that God himfelf lik'd 
 not it fhould be a&ed, yet Abraham heard it patiently, and had 
 fulfilled it, if God would have given him leave. What fhould 
 I fpeak of poverty, ofdifeafe, of the fword, of fire, of death 
 it felf, Zict.<Cr\fjLiifjLaLi i faith Cjorduis the Martyr in St. Bafil, /uh 
 ^Uvct(JLiv(^ uitip Xg/<rS itosX/Xctzu; ctVoBcty&tv. O at what a lofs <- 
 I am , iaith he, that I can die but once for my Saviour. Take 
 the greateft inftance of Gods fury and wrath, even the pains 
 laid up in Hell for the finner, and we ll all finde that there have 
 been Chriftians, who for the glory of God, would gladly have 
 endured them. St. Paul is themanamongft all the Saints of 
 God, the greateft and worthieft example of this wonderful 
 ftrength, ofthisomnipotency of a Chriftian man. What evil 
 is imaginable, which he did not either indeed, or at leaft in 
 will, and affection undergo I Omnem patientix, fpeciem adverftts 
 omnem dialoli vim expunxit, ixxatiofjuti 7B, I am on fire faith Saint 
 Chryfoflome y when I fpeak of St. Paul, and indeed whom would 
 it not inflame, to read that admirable Sywpfis and brief of his 
 fufferings regiftred in the fecond of the Corinthians, at the Ele- 
 venth Chapter. In labours more abundant in gripes above wafure, 
 inprifons more frequent, in deaths oft, and could he do more ? Yts, 
 he could ; Sedubi biftoriamprtftare non po uit, votum attulit. Hi- 
 therto he reports hiftorically what was done, and as if that were 
 not enough, he tells us what he would have done, and that his 
 patience was able even gladly to have encountred Hell it felf, 
 r\vyJ/uLY\v , faith he in the ninth of the Romans, I have prayed un- 
 to God, Ihavebeg'dit at his hands, as a favour, that for the 
 increafe of his glory through the Salvation of tfrael my Kinfmen, 
 according to the fiefh, I might become a caft-away, and en- 
 dure the pains of eternal fire. Tertullian confidering the won- 
 derful 
 
II 
 
 Chriftian Omnipotency. 127 
 
 derful patience ot our Saviour upon his crofs ; thinks that if 
 there had bin no other argument to prove him to be God, yet this 
 alone had been luificient. Hanc lei maxirr.e^ Pbarifai c Dominum 
 agnofcere debuifis : patientiam bujufmodi nemo bominum perpetraret. 
 In like manner may we truly fay were there no other argument 
 to prove that Chrift doth dwell in us , doth mightily ftreng- 
 then and inable us, yet this wonderful meafureot patience in 
 fo finite a creature, could never fubfift, if God were not in us of 
 a truth. 
 
 Again ifgJv, this word of doing here in my text , fignifies not 
 only fuffenngs, and patience, this were to make a Chriftian but a 
 kindeot Stone : A Chriftian hath not only a Buckler to refift, 
 buthemufthave a lword to ftrike. Wherefore this word of 
 doing , muft fignifie yet further, iome action and life 5 And fo 
 indeed it doth ; For it notes unto us the moft glorious and emi- 
 nent kinde of Chriftian a<5tion, ViRory and Conquefl ; and when 
 my Apoftle here faith, / can do all tbingsjnh meaning is, lean over- 
 come and conquer all things. And here is the fecond and moft glo- 
 rious part of Chriftian Omnipotency ; Never was any true Chri- 
 ftian overcome or can he ; For look how much he yields unto bis ene- v 
 my , fo much he fails of his profefsion and title. David complains of 
 Joab and his Brethren y Tbefe fons of Zeruiah are too flrong for me* .« 
 Bur, Beloved, a Chriftian man findes none of tbefe fohS of Zeruiab^ 
 whom he needs to fear, or of whom be needs to complain. For as 
 Arifole tells us that a magnanimous man is he , S> &$l" (/.{yet , 
 who thinks nothing great , but conceits all things as inferior to 
 himfelf ;fo may we define a true Chriftian to be fuch a one as to 
 whom nothing is dreadful, in whofe eye nothing under God 
 carries any fhew of Greatnefs, S.Paul hath left us a Catar 
 logue in the end, of the eight to the Romans, of all the forccs,outr 
 ward and inward, bodily and ghoftly , that can be muftred a- 
 gainft us, life, death, Angels, principalities, powers, things pre- 
 sent, things to come, heighth, depth,any creature imaginable and 
 pronounces of them, that in all thefe w are Canquerov \r. Con- 
 querors is too mean a word v-m^x^^vy we are more then Con- 
 querors, f/,tV Ivno^ix^ cLTtxtjAt; %vVJ nt'vjev^ xzi l^^rocv , faith 
 Saint ChryfoflofflCi we conquer them with.eale , without any pains 
 
 Ofc*. 
 
 . 
 
II 
 
 128 Chriflian Qtnnifotsncy. 
 
 or fwcat ? Paucas viftoria dextras exigit, we {ball not need to 
 
 bring forth again ft them all our forces : a (mall part of them 
 will be fufficient to gain the day ; and not only overcome them, 
 but turn them to our benefit and behoof. For fin is like unto 
 Sampfons Lyon : it tomes upon us with open mouth to devour 
 us ; but when we have (lain it, we fhall finde bony m the belly 
 of it, wonderful therefore is the power of a Chriftian, who 
 not onely overcomes and Conquers , and kills the viper , 
 but like the skilful Apothecary makes Antidote, and Tria- 
 cle of him. Indeed our Adverfaries feem to be very 
 great. S. Paul calls them by wonderful names , as if he meant 
 to affright us : powers, principalities , /Sa'Qw, depths, the ^Prince 
 that ruletb in the Air , the God of this world , and what not > Yet 
 notwithftanding as one fpeaks in Livie of the ^Macedonian war, 
 as I remember : non qukm magni nominis bellum eft , tarn difficilem 
 exiftimaveritis viBoriam 5 we muft not think there will be any 
 doubt of the Victory, becaufe it is a war of great name , and 
 noife •> For me thinks, I difcover in our Apoftle , when he ufes 
 thefe ftrange aftonifhmg words, a fpiritual ftratagem : by 
 which to ftir us up , and make us ftand upon our guard , he 
 makes the largeft report of our enemies forces. We read that 
 " one of the %oman Captains , perceiving his Souldiers unnecefla- 
 rily to faint draws out letters before them, and reads the news 
 of that which never was >o^ I know not what Kings with Armies 
 and multitude coming forthwith againft them, which art of his 
 did much avail him to gain the victory ; becaufe it made the 
 Souldiers to recoiled themfe Ives, and fight withal their might. 
 Beloved , I may not think , that the Apoftle in making this re- 
 port of our enemies forces , relates that which is not, but this, I 
 chink , I may fafely fay that he makes the moft of that which is ; 
 For it can never hurt us to take our enemie, to be as ftrong as he 
 is ; or peradventure ftronger, for this is a very profitable error, 
 it makes us more wary, and provide our f elves the better. But to 
 flight, and contemn our enemy, to erre on the contrary fide , and 
 think him to be weaker then he is, this hath caufed many an over- 
 throw. It is a rule which Vigetiia gives us : Difficilimc vincitur, 
 qui vet* pot eft de fuis, ejr de adverfarij copiisjudicare. It is an hard 
 
 matter 
 
 I 
 
Cbriftian Otnnipotency* 129 
 
 matter to overcome him that truly knoweth his own ftrength, and 
 the ftrength of his adveriary. And here, beloved , is the error 
 of raoft Chriftians 5 we do not know of what ftrength we arc. 
 We look upon this body of ours , and fuppofe that in fo weak 
 and faint a tubjed there cannot fubfift fo great ftrength , as we 
 fpeak of j as if a man (hould prize the liquor by the bafenefs of 
 the vefTel in which it is. As divers Landlords have treafures hid- 
 den in their fields,which they know not of,io many of us have this 
 treafure ol omnipotency in us,but we care not to difcover it, & to 
 know it,did we but perfectly know our own ftrength and would 
 we but compare it with the ftrength of our enemies : we (hould 
 plainly difcover , that we have luch infinite advantage above 
 them , that our conqueft may fcem not to be fo great , as is pre- 
 tended. For the greater the advantages are,the glory of the victo- 
 ry is the lefs : and that which makes a conqueft great, is not £0 
 much the greatnefs of him that Conquers , as the ftrength and 
 greatnefsof him that is overthrown, Now what proportion is 
 there betwixt the ftrength of God himlelf dwelling in us, and 
 all the ftrength of Heaven, Earth, and Hell befides,how then 
 can we count this Ipiritual war fo fearful, which is waged 
 upon fo unequal termes. In quo ft modo congrefjus cum hofte fis t 
 vicerisy in which if we but give the onfet, we are fure to gain the 
 victory ? reftitijje vicijje eft ; To refift is to conquer for fo faith 
 the Apoftle, Refift the 'Devil and be fhal/ flie from you. There was 
 never yet any Chriftian conquer'd, that could not : and in this 
 war not to yield the vidory, is to get it. As therefore one fpake 
 of Alexanders expedition into India ; Bene aufus tft vana contern- 
 the matter was not much , which he did , the greateft 
 
 nere 
 
 thing in it was , that he durft do it : fo confidering our ftrength, 
 and the weaknefs of our adverfaries , we may without preju- 
 dice fpeak even of the worthieft Souldiers, that ever fought 
 thefe Spiritual Battels, Bent aufi funt vana coniemnere. The 
 greateft thing that we can admire in them is, that they durft do 
 it. Would we but a little examine the forces of our adverfa- 
 ries, we mould quickly finde it to be as I have laid; When 
 Alciliades a young Gentleman of Athens was afraid to fpeak be- 
 fore the multitude^ Socrates to put him in heart, asks him j Fear 
 youfaithhe,/Wfr 4o»tf 2 and names one of the multitude to hint; 
 
 R No 
 
130 Chriflian Otrntipoteucy. 
 
 No faith Alcibiades, he is bat a Tradefman 3 Fear you fuch a one, 
 faith he, and names afecond ^ No for he is but a Pefant : or Rich a 
 one, and names a third l No, for he is but an ordinary Gentle- 
 man I Now faith he, of fuch as theie doth the whole multitude 
 confift : and by this device,he encouraged Alcibiades to fpeak : He 
 that fhall fear to encounter the multitude , and army o r Spiri- 
 tual adverfaries which are ready to fet themfelves again ft him : 
 Let him do by himfelf as Socrates did by Alcibiades. Let him fit 
 down and confider with himfelf his enemies one by one , and he 
 fhall quickly difcover their weaknefs, Vrimi in praliis zincantur 
 oculi. Its a faying that the firft thing that is overcome in a Soui- 
 dier , is his eye, while he judges of his enemy , by his multitude, 
 and provifion, rather then by his ftrength. Beloved, if we 
 judge not of our adverfary in grofs , and as it were by the eye : 
 we (hall eafily fee, that we (hall not nee d to do as xheKing in the 
 G of pel doth , fend to his enemy with conditions of peace y For 
 there is no treaty of Peace to be had with thefe, Had Zimri peace 
 that flew his Mafter^ faith the Scripture : And there is no peace unto 
 the wicked faith m^God. Not only Zimri and the wicked but no 
 Chriflian hath or can have peace , he muft be always as fighting 
 a^nd alwayes conquering : Let us fingle out fome one of this ar- 
 my and let us examine his ftrength, Is it fin doth fo much affright 
 us ? I make choice of it, becaufe it is the dreadfulleft enemy that a 
 Chriftian hath : Let us a little confider its ftrength and we fhall 
 quickly fee, there is no fuch need to fear it. Sins are of two forts, 
 either great and capital, or fmall and ordinary fins. I know it 
 were a paradox in nature to tell yon that the greater! and the 
 mightieft things are of leaft force. Yet this is true in the cafe 
 we fpeak of: the greateft things are theweakeft. Your own 
 experience tells you that rapes, and murthers , parricide, poy- 
 foning, treafon and the reft of that rabble of arch fins , are the 
 fins of the feweft , and that they have no ftrength at all but up- 
 on the weakeft men. For doubtlefs if they were the ftrongeft, 
 they would reign with greateft latitude, they would be the 
 commoneft , they would be the fins of the rnoft : But wandring 
 thoughts, idle words, petty lufts, inconficferate wrath, im- 
 moderate love to the things of the worlds ^nd the reft of that 
 
 fwarn 
 
»— — ■— ■ 
 
 
 
 Chriftian 0mnipotency 9 131 
 
 fwarm of ordinary fins , thefe arc they that have largeft extent 
 and Dominion 3 and fomeof thefe, or all of thefe, more or 
 lefs prevail with every man. As the Magicians in Exodus, when 
 they fa w not the power of God in theSerpents,in the blood in the 
 frogs , at the coming of the plague of the Lice prefently cryed 
 'Digitus Dei bit eft -> this is the finger of God : fo I know not 
 how it comes to pafs, though we fee and confefs that in thole 
 great and hainous crimes , the Devil hath Ieaft power, yet at 
 the comming of Lice,©f the rout of fmaller and ordinary fins, 
 we prefently yield our felves captives and cry out Digitus Didoli 
 the ftrength of the Devil is in thefe , as if we were like unto 
 that fabulous rack in Plinie, which if a man thruft at with his 
 whole body , he could not move it , yet a man might (hake it, 
 with one of his fingers. Now what an error is it in us Chrifti- 
 ans , when we fee the principal and captain fins fo eafiiy van- 
 quifht, to think the common Souldier or letter fort invincible ? 
 For certainly if the greateft fins, be the weakeft, the letter 
 cannot be very ftrong ; Secondly is it Original corruption that \ 
 doth fo much affright us. Let us confider this a little, and fee 
 what great caufe we have to fear it; And firft beloved let us take 
 heed that we feem not ajaa/^x^vyto fight with our own fanfie, 
 and not fo much to finde,as to tain an enemy : Miftake me not, I 
 befeech you,I fpeak not this as doubting that we drew any natural 
 infection from the loins of our Parents : but granting this, I take 
 it to be impoflible to judge of what ftrength it is , and deny that 
 it is any fuch caufe why we fhould take it to be fo ftrong 3 as that 
 we fhould ftand in fear to encounter it, and overcome it : For 
 we can never come to difcover , how far our nature is neceflari- 
 ly weak. For whileft we are in our infancy, and as yet not altred 
 a juris naturalilus from that which God and nature made us, 
 none of us underftand our felves : and ere we can come to be of 
 years to be able to difcover it, or define any thing concerning the 
 nature of it , cuftom, or education either good, hath much 
 abated , or evil , hath much improved the force of it 5 fo that 
 for any thing we know the ftrength of it may be much lefs then 
 we fuppofe, and that it is but a fear that makes it feem fo great, 
 
 R 2 faith 
 
 ft 
 
T 
 
 II 
 
 Chrijlian Omnipotency. 
 
 i 3 i 
 
 faith Chrjfojiome , It is the nature of timerous aind fearful men 
 evermore to be framing to themfelves cauflefs fears, I confefs , it 
 is a ftrange thing , and it hath many times much amazed me, to 
 lee how ripe to tin many children are, in their young and tender 
 years: and ere they underftand what the name of Sin and evil 
 means, they are unexpectedly and no man knows by what 
 means, wonderfully prompt and witty to villany, and wick- 
 ednefs j as if they had gone to febool to it in their mothers womb. 
 1 know not to what caule to impute this thing , but I verily fup- 
 pofe, I might quit original fin from the guilt of it \ For it is a 
 ruled cafe, and concluded by the general confent of the Schools, 
 that original fin is alike in all: and S.Paul feems ro me to 
 (peak to that purpofe , when he faith , that God hath alike con- 
 cluded all under fin, and that all are alike deprived of the glory 
 ofGodJWeie therefore Original fin the caufe of this ftrange ex- 
 orbitancy in fome young children , they (hould all be fo : a 
 thing which our own experience teaches us to be falfe j For we 
 fee many times even in young children many good and gracious 
 things , which being followed with good education , muft 
 needs come to excellent effect. In pueris elucet fpes plurimorum y 
 faith Quintilian^ qu<z uli emoritur &tate^ manifeftum eft , non defecilje 
 naturam fed curam : In children many times an hope of excellent 
 things appears, which in riper age for want of cheri{hing, fades 
 and withers away : A certain fign that nature is not fo weak as 
 Parents and Tutors are negligent : whence then comes this dif- 
 ference ? Certainly not from our Nature , which is one in all : 
 bat from fome other caufe. As for Original fin, of what ftrength 
 it is I will not difculs ; only thus much I will fay there is none of 
 us all , but is much more wicked , then the ftrength of any Pri- 
 mitive corruption can conftrain. Again, let us take heed that 
 we abufe not our felves , that we ufe not the names of original 
 weaknefs, as a ftale, or (talking- horfe as a pretence to choak, and 
 cover fomewhat elfe .- For oftentimes when evil education, wic- 
 ked examples, long cuftome, and continuance in fin hath bred in 
 us an habit, and neceffuy of finning, prefently Original fin, 
 and the weaknes of mans nature bear the blame : vSi per fe- 
 cordiam ? wes y tempus^ ingenium^ defluxere y nature infirmitas accufa- 
 
 tftr P 
 
- —■ — — — \ i .MF>- 
 
 Cbriftian Omnipotency. 133 
 
 tur, When through floath and idlenefs, luxurie and diftemper, 
 our time is loft, our bodies decay 5 d 3 our wits dull'd,we caft all 
 the fault on the weaknefs of our nature } That Lave of fin in cur 
 members, of which S. PWfpake, and which fome take to be origi- 
 nal corruption j S.AuftineoncQ pronounced, of it (whether he 
 meant to ftand to it, I know nor, but fo he once pronounced of 
 it) Lex peccati eft violentia confuetudinis ; That Law of fin, that car- 
 ries us againft our wills, to fin, is nothing elfe , but the force 
 and violence of long cuftome and continuance in fin: I know, 
 that by the error of our firft Parents the Devil hath blinded* and 
 bound us more then ever the Philiftines did Samfon. Yet this 
 needs not to make us thus ftand in fear of Original weaknefs •. 
 For blinde and bound as we are , let the Devil build never fo 
 ftrong, yet if our hair be grown, if Chrift do ftrengthen us, 
 we (hall be able Samfon-like to bear his ftrongeft pillars,and pull 
 down his houfe about his ears. 
 
 Thirdly, is it the Devil that we think fo ftrong an adverfary > 
 Let us a little confider his ftrength 5 he may be confidered either 
 as an inward enemy, fuggefting unto us finful thoughts : or as an 
 outward enemy , lying in wait to afflict us in body, in goods, or 
 the like. Fir ft, againft us inwardly, he hath no force of his own $ 
 From our fclves it is, that he borrows this ftrength to overthrow 
 us. In Paradice, he borrowed the Serpent to abufe us ■> but now 
 every Man is that Serpent, by which himfelf is abufed. For as 
 Hannibal having overthrown the Romans took their armour and 
 fought againft rhem with their own weapons. So the Devil 
 arms himfelf againft us with our own ftrength , our fenfes , our 
 will, our appetite: with thefe weapons, he fights againft u^ 
 and ufts us againft our fclves ; Let us but recover our own a- 
 gain and the Devil will be difarm'd: Think you that the Devil 
 is an immediate ftickkr in every fin that is committed ? I know 
 ye do. But take heed,leaft this be but an excufe to unload your 
 faults upon the Devil, and to build them upon his back. For 
 S. Chryfoftome thought other wife , b yb £1 irad*, avrog xa1a- 
 
 %$ fytfc/e'e^s. The Devils hand fays he, is not in every faulr, 
 many are done meerly by our own carelefsnefs 6 d<8iyr\$ a*.v ■ 
 
134 Chriftian Ommpotency. 
 
 fjLk $Mo\@» % @\dir1tTai. A negligent careleffe per- 
 fon fins , though the Devill never tempt him. 
 Let the truth of this lie where it will, I think I may fafely fpeak 
 thus much, that if we would but (hut up our wills and ufe that 
 grace of God which is offered. I doubt not but a great part of 
 this fuggefting power of his,would fall to nothing : as for that o- 
 . ther force of his, by which he lies in wait to annoy us outwardly, 
 why (hould we fo dread that ? Are there not more with us both 
 in multitude and ftrength to prefer ve us ? The Angel of the Lord 
 ( faith the Pfalmifi ) pitches his tents round about thofe that fear him, 
 to deliver them. And the Apoftle affures us, that the Angels Are 
 mini 'fi ring Spirits, fent forth for thofe, that tyallbe heirs of Salvation 5 
 . {hall we think, that the ftrength ot thofe to preferve, is lefs then 
 that of the evil Angels to deftroy ? One Garaem writing upon 
 the Meteors, told me long (ince, that whereas many times be- 
 fore greattempefts, there is wont to be heard in the aire above 
 us great noife, and rufhing, the caufe of this was the banding of 
 good, and evil Angels, the one ftriving to annoy us with tem- 
 pefts, the other ftriving to preferve us from the danger of it. 
 And I doubt not, but as about Mofes body, fo about every faith- 
 ful perfon, thefe do contend, the one to hazzard, the other to 
 deliver. Yea, but the Devil infpires into us evil thoughts: 
 well, and cannot good Angels infpire good 5 they are all for a- 
 ny thing appears, by the law of their creation equal, and fhall 
 we think that God did give unto the Devil an infpiring faculty 
 to entangle, which he denyed to his good Angels to free us? 
 Though good Angels could not infpire good thoughts, yet God 
 both can and doth. So that for any thing yet appears, we have 
 no fuch caufe to ftand in fear of the ftrength of the 
 Devil, either inwardly or outwardly. Thus have I exami- 
 ned the force of three of our principal enemies ; I could proceed 
 to examine other particulars of this armie of our adverfaries, 
 the world, the fleih, perfecutions, and the reft, and make the 
 like queftion of them, as I have done of thefe, and fo conclude 
 as Socrates did to lAlcibiades. If you havejuft caufe to fear none 
 of thefe, why fhouid you fear them all, fince that of fuch as 
 thefe the whole knot of them confifts ? But I muft proceed to 
 
 fearch 
 
Il 
 
 — _^»p_ —■■.__. 
 
 Chriflian Omnipotence 135 
 
 fearch out yet another meaning ot this word of doing in my text 5 
 and that briefly. 
 
 Thirdly,' therefore we may take this word of doing in its lar- 
 geftfenfe: as if the Apoftle had meant literally, that indeed a 
 Chriftian can do all things, that he had fuch a power and com- 
 mand over the creature, as that he could do with it, what he 
 lift. In which fenfe it is likewiie true, though with fome limi- 
 tation, and here is the third degree of our Chriftian Omnipotency. 
 In the former parts the omnipotence of a Chriftian fuffered no 
 reftraint- it was iilimited, unconfin'd. He is abfolutely om- * 
 nipotent in his patience, and can fuffcr all things : he is likewiie 
 abfolutely omnipotent in battel, and can conquer all his ene- 
 mies But in this third figniftcatipn, his power feems to be 
 ftreightned : for how many things are there which no Chrifti- 
 an man can do ? Yet is he fo ftreightned, as that his Omnipo- 
 tency furTers not. We are taught in the Schools, though God 
 be omnipotent, yet many things may be named, which he can- 
 not do •* he cannot denie himfelf, he cannot lie, he cannot {in, 
 he cannot die. Yet may we not conclude, that therefore God- 
 is not Omnipotent 5 for therefore is he the more omnipotent, 
 becaule he cannot do thefe things : for ability to do thefe things, 
 is imperfection, and weaknefs, but in God we rauft conceive 
 nothing but what argues perfection and ftrength, In fome de- 
 gree we may apply this unto our felves, in things that tend to 
 Chriftian perfection, every chriftian is omnipotent ; he cannot 
 raife the dead, turn water into wine, fpeak with tongues, 
 True, but if he could, had he for this any further degree of per- 
 fection above other Chriftians ? Our Saviour ieems to denie it. . 
 For many ( faith he ) at that day fhall come and fay, have vee not. cap 
 out Devils, and wrought miracles in thy name, and he mil anfivev them, . 
 away, J know you not. Beloved, our Saviour loves not to Height 
 any part of Chriftian perfection : yet my meaning is not to de- 
 ny unto a chriftian the power ot doing miracles, lor every chri- 
 ftian man doth every day greater miracles, then yet I have fpK> 
 ken of. But beloved, in this matter of miracles, we do much 
 abufe our felves :, for why ? Seems it unto us a greater miracle., 
 that.our Say jour once mrn'd'a little water into wine, , then every 
 
 yeas:.- 
 
T 
 
 ■ 
 
 iy6 Chriftian OfHnipotency. 
 
 year in fo many Vine-trees to turn that into wine in the branches, 
 which being received at the root was meer water 5 or why was 
 it more wonderful! for him once to feed five thoulands with five 
 Loaves : then every year to feed the whole world, by the 
 ftrange multiplication of a few feeds caft into the ground } Af- 
 ter the fame manner do we by the dayly actions of chriftian men. 
 For why is it a greater miracle to raiie the dead, then for every 
 man toraife himfeif from the death of (in, to the life of righte- 
 oufnefs ? Why feems it more miraculous to open the eyes of 
 him that was born blinde, then for every one of us to open the 
 eyes of his underftanding, which by reafon of original corrup- 
 tion was born blinde. For by the lame finger, by the fame po- 
 wer of God, by which the Apoftles wrought thefe miracles, 
 doth every chriftian man do this : and without this finger, it is 
 as impoflible for us to do this, as for the Apoftles to do the mi- 
 racles they did, without the ailiftance of the extraordinary po- 
 wer of Chrift. So that hitherto in nothing are we found inferi- 
 our unto the chief Apoftles : what if there be fome things we 
 cannot do ? Shall this prejudice our power ? It is a faying in 
 Quintilian oportet Grammaticum quxdam ignorare. It muft not im- 
 peach the learning of a good Grammarian to be ignorant of fome 
 thing : for there are many unneceffary quillets, and quirks in 
 Grammar, of which to purchafe the knowledge, were but lofs 
 ©f labour and time. Beloved, in the like manner may we fpeak 
 of our (elves. Oportet fhrijlianum qu&dam non pojJe y it muft not 
 difparage the power of a Chriftian, that he cannot do fome 
 things. For in regard of the height, and excellency of his pro- 
 feffion, thefe infer iour things, which he cannot do, they are 
 nought elfe but Grammar quirks, and to be ambitious to do 
 them, were but a nice,minute, and over-fuperftitious diligence. 
 And yet a chriftian if he lift, may challenge this power, that he 
 can do ail things $ yea, even (uch things as he cannot do. Saint 
 Aufiine anfwering a queftion made unto him, why the gift of 
 tongues was ceafed in the Churchy and no man fpake with that va- 
 riety of languages, which divers had in the Primitive times: 
 wittily tells us, that every one mayjuftly claim unto himfeif that mi- 
 raculous gift of tongues. For fince the Church, which is the bo- 
 
 dy 
 
L 
 
 Chriftian Otnnipotency, rjy 
 
 dyofChrift, of which we are but members, is far and wide 
 difperft over the earth, and is in fundry nations, which ule 
 iundry languages, every one of us, may well be faid to fpeak 
 with divers tongues 5 becaufe in that which is done by the whole, 
 or by any part of it, every part may claim his fhare. Beloved, 
 how much more by this realon, may every one of us, lay afar 
 dirc&er claim to an abfolute power of doing all things, even in 
 its largeft extent, fince I fay not fome interiour member, but 
 Chrift, who is our head, hath this power truly refident in him. 
 Howfoever therefore in each member, it icems to be but parti- 
 al, yet in our head it is at full 5 and every one of us may affume 
 to our ielves this power of doing all things, becaufe we are f ub- 
 ordinate members unto that head, which can do all things, but 
 I muft leave this, and go on to the remainder of my Text. 
 
 Hitherto I have fpoken firft of the perlon, I. Secondly, of 
 his power can do, I (hould by order of the words proceed in the 
 third place, unto the fubjecl or object of this power pointed out 
 unto us in this word ntcivrx all things. But the fubjeft of this 
 Chriftian power hath been foneceflarily wrapped up, and tyed 
 together with the power ^ that for the opening of it, I have been 
 conftrain'dtoexemplifieatlarge, both what this irdvra., this 
 all things is, and how far it doth extend : fo that to enter upon 
 it anew, were but to trouble you with repetition of what is al- 
 ready fufficiently opened. I will go on therefore unto the fe- 
 cond general of my Text. For here me thinks that qucftion 
 might me asked, which "Dalilah asked ofSampfon : Tell me I pray 
 thee, wherein this great fir ength lieth. Behold, beloved it is ex- 
 preffed i'n the laft words, through Chr/fi thatflrengtheneth. . 
 
 This is as I told you that hair, wherein that admirable ftrength 
 of a Criftiandoth refide. I confefs, I have hitherto fpoken of 
 wonderful things, and hardly to be credited 3 wherefore//,*] rd 
 'ttcl&LS'o^qv UTtojr/KJiws cLifi$ov ^oxxi j leaft the ftrangenefsofthe 
 argument call my credit into queftion. Loe here I prefent un- 
 to you the ground of all this : A fmall matter fometimes feems 
 wonderful till the caufe of it be dilcovered, but asfoonaswe 
 know the caufe, weceafe to marvel: how ftrong foever my 
 
 S . difcourfe 
 
■! 
 
 138 Chriftian Omnipotence 
 
 difcourfe of Chriftian Omnipotcncy doth *feem, yet look but 
 upon this caufe, and now nothing {hall teem incredible. For 
 to doubt of the omnipotency of a Chriftian, is tocjueftion the 
 power of Chrift himielf. As the Queen or Sheba told King So- 
 lomon, that (he had heard great things of him in her own coun- 
 trey, but now the faw truth did go beyond report, fo, belo- 
 ved, he that travels in the firft part of my Text, and wonders 
 at the ftrong report of a Chriftian mans power. Let him come 
 to the fecond part, to out Solomon, to him that is greater then 
 Solomon, to Chrift., and he {hall finde that the truth is greater 
 then the fame of it ; for if he that was poiTeft of the evil fpirit 
 intheGofpel, was fo ftrong, that he being bound with chains 
 and fetters, he brake them all : of what ftrength muft he be 
 then, whom it plcafeth Chrift to enable, or what chains or fet- 
 ters {hall be put upon him, which he will not break ? From this 
 do&rine therefore that Chrift is he, that doth thus enable us, 
 we learn two lelTons, which are as it were two props to keep us 
 upright, that we lean not either to the right hand, or to the 
 left. Firft, not to be dejected or ditmay'd, by reafon of this 
 outward weaknefs and bafenefs, in which wefeem to be. Se* 
 condly, not to be puft up, upon opinion and conceit of that 
 ftrength, and glory which is within us and unfeen. For the 
 firft, for our own outward weaknefs, be it what it will, we 
 cannot be more weak, more frail then Gideons Pitchers ; now 
 as in them their frailty was their ftrength, and by being broken 
 they put to flight the army of the Mtdiamtes : fo where it plea- 
 fes Chrift to work, that which feems weaknefs {hall become 
 ftrength, and turn to flight the ftrongeft adverfary, Satis phi 
 copiarum cum Publio Decio, & nunquam nimium Hoflium fore, faid 
 one in Livie, we may apply this unto our felves : be we never 
 fo weak, yet Chrift alone is army and forces enough, and with 
 him, we can never have too many enemies. The flcfti indeed 
 is weak $ for our Saviour tells us, yet this weaknefs of the fiefti 
 is no prejudice at all to the ftrength of a Chriftian ; for though 
 the fiefh be weak, yet the fpirit is ftrong, and fo much our Sa- 
 viour tells us too : and why then do we not follow the ftronger 
 
 part? 
 
 
Chriftian Omnipotency. 139 
 
 part? Sifpirituscarnefortior y quia ge tier op or, noflra culpa infirmi- 
 orafeBamur, laith Tenullian, If the fpirit be ftronger then the 
 ftefh, what madnefs is it in us to make choice of, and follow 
 the weaker fide ? 
 
 Nulla fides unquam inferos elegit amicos. 
 
 Which of you is fo improvident, as in a faction, to make choice 
 of that fide, which he fees to be the weakeft, and which he 
 knows muft fall. Again, this weaknefs ot a Chriftian is only 
 outward, within what he is, the words of my Text do fufhci- 
 ently fhew. Socrates outwardly was a man of deformed (hape, 
 but he was one of an excellent fpirit : and therefore Alcibiades'm 
 Plato compares him to an Apothecaries box, which without had 
 painted upon it, an Ape or a Satyr r, or iome deformed thing, 
 but within was full of fweet and precious oyntment. Thus be- 
 loved it is with a Chriftian, whatfoever outward deformity he 
 feems to have, howloever he feems to be nothing but rags with- 
 out, yet he is totus purpureus, allfcarlet and glorious within.- L 
 have faid 3 ye are Gods, faith the Scripture, the Magiftrate is 
 wont to ingroffe, and impropriate this Scripture to himfelf^, 
 becaufe fitting in place of Authority, for execution of Jufticc, 
 he carries fome refemblance of God : but to whom can this 
 Scripture bett-er belong then to the Chriftian man ? For the ma- 
 giftrate carries indeed fome {hew of God without, but many 
 times within is full, of corruption and weaknefs 5. the Chriftian 
 carries a fhew of weaknefs without 5 but within is full of God 
 and Chrift. The fecond thing which I told you, we learn' t was 
 aleflbn teaching us, not to be puft up with opinion and conceit of 
 our own inward ftrength and glory : for if any man, becaufe of 
 this,, fhall begin to think of hmfelf, above what he ought. Let: 
 him know that he may fay of his exceeding ftrength, no other- 
 wife then the man in the book of Kings 6 fpakc, when his axe 
 was fallen into the water, Alas Mafler^ it km but le#t* . Thofe 
 
 5i- thasc 
 
140 Chriftian Omnipotency. 
 
 that build houfes make Anticks, which feem to hold up the 
 beams, whereas indeed as St. Paul tells the OJive branch j Thou 
 bearef not the rooty but the root thee: So is it true in them, tfctey 
 bear not up the houfe, the houfe bears up them. Beloved, feem 
 we never fo ftrong, yet we are but Anticks, the ftrength, by 
 which the houfe ofChrift doth ftand ; is not ours, it is Chrifts, 
 who by that power, by which he is die tofddue all things to him- 
 (elfy doth fuftain both himfelf and us. 
 
 « 
 
 F1HJS, 
 
 Luke 
 
Mi 
 
 Luke 18. 1. 
 
 zAnd he fpafy a parable unto them to this 
 end , that men ought always to pray and 
 not to faint. 
 
 JY Text is like the Temple at Hierufalem % 
 It is the houfe of prayer, wherein we may 
 learn many fpecial points of the skill and 
 practice of it. Now as that Temple had 
 two parts 1 Firft,the Forefront the porch, 
 the walk before it ^ and fecondly the 
 Temple it felf : So have thefe words like- 
 wife two parts j Firft, there are woids 
 which ftand before like a porch or walk, 
 and they are thefe, And he fpak e a parable unto them: Secondly, 
 here are words like unto the Temple it (elf : That men ought always 
 to pray, and not to faint. If you plcafe before we enter into the 
 Temple , or fpeak of thefe words , that men ought always to 
 pray , Let us ftay and entertain our f elves a little in the porch, 
 and fee what matter of meditation it will yield 5 And he [pake 
 a pardle unto them, &c. To inftruft and teach the ignorant , no 
 method no way fo foeedy and effectual as by parables and Fables 
 Strabo gives the reafon of it pfatSfniw yD 6 avfyamte irpooifMov 
 £§ fists to fyKfovhv 5 For man is a creature natural defirous 
 
 to 
 
 
 ?5^iIfeilB 
 
 M\ 
 
 
 ^w0 
 
 
 
 WkMy 
 
 .S8? 
 
 
 
143 A Sermon on S. Luke 18. i. 
 
 to know but it is according to the proverb , as the fat defires fifh, 
 loath to touch the water , loath to takes the pains to learn,know- 
 ledge is indeed a thing very plealant , but to learn is a thing harfh 
 and tedious above all the things in the world ^ the book which 
 Saint John cats in the tenth of the Apocalyps was in his mouth 
 fwcet as hony but bitter in his belly. Beloved thofe Librorum beU 
 hones ftudents that like S.Ja^eatup whole volums, theie finde 
 the contrary .* For in the mouth in the perufal, their books are 
 harfh and unpleafant y but in the ftomach when they are under- 
 ftood , and digefted then are they delightful and plealurable • 
 yet one thing by the providence of God our nature hath which 
 makes this rough way to learn more plain and cafie : it is 
 ^j.Vj^Q^o common experience fhews, we are all very defirous 
 to hear narrations and reports either pleafant or ftrange : Wife 
 men therefore and God himfelf which is wifer then men being 
 to train up mankinde Genus indocile , a fubjed dull of hearing* 
 and hardly drawn to learn , have from time to time wrought 
 upon this humor , upon this part of our difpofition and miti- 
 gated, fugred as it were the unpleafantnefs of a difficult, and 
 hard lefTon with the fweetnes of fome delightful parable or fable: 
 And S. Cbz-yfoflome tells us of a Phyfician , who finding his pa- 
 tient to abhor Phyfick , but infinitely long for wine, heating an 
 earthen cup in the fire, and quenching it in wine , put his potion 
 therein , that fo the fick perfon being deceived with the f mell of 
 wine , might unawares drink of the Phyfick : or that I may bet- 
 ter draw my companion from Scripture, as when Jacob meant to 
 be welcome to his father Ifaack , fie put on his brother Efeus ap- 
 parel and fo got accefs : So beloved, wifemen when they meant 
 either to inftrudfc the ignorant , or to reprove offenders t« pro- 
 cure their welcome , and make their way more paffable , have, 
 been wont for the moft part , as it were to clothe their leffon ox 
 reproof in a parable, or to ferve it in a difh favouring of wine 
 that fo Jacob might be admitted under Efaus coat, that the 
 frnell of the pleafanmefs of wine might draw down the wholfom- 
 nefs of Phyfick .-.Great and fingular have been thofe effects 
 which this Rinde of teaching, by parables hath wrought in men^ 
 by in forming their ignorai^e, repixwiiig trrek error^workihg pa- 
 
 aience 
 
And he [pake a V arable, &c. 143 
 
 ticnce of reproof j opening the underftanding , moving the af- 
 fections and other foveraign commodities, « jjlqvov oil iroitrat 
 dWct x.ct\ it6Xzi<; , xzt vojLto^irxi tS ^wipx %<iptv t«$ (jli>- 
 8a; IviHfyLvro. And for this caufe not only our Poets , and pro- 
 fane Authors, but whole cities, and men which gave Laws to 
 Common- wealths have made efpecial choice ot this courfe 5 
 Yea, our Saviour Chrift himfelf hath filled the Gofpels with 
 parables,made them like a Divine andChriftian ts£fop's Fables, 
 becaule he found it to be exceeding profitable. For fir ft of all it 
 is the plaineft and moft familiar way, and above all other ftoops 
 to the capacity of the learner , as being drawn either from trees, 
 or beafts,or from fome ordinary common and known actions of 
 men : As from a (hepheard attending his flock, from an husband- 
 man fowing corn in his field , from a fifher calling his net into 
 the Sea, from a woman putting leaven into her dough , or the 
 like. So that in this relpeft a parable is like Mofes Tabernacle 
 which outwardly was nothing but goats skins, or fome ordinary 
 fturY, but within it was filk, and purple and gold. And indeed 
 (ince thofe we teach are either children or ignorant perfons who 
 are but children (i^'r/i; y& iraig xat aVaj'S'svTO? Ipoirov 1ivd 
 icacU l?iy for every man in what he is ignorant is no better then a 
 childej that manner of information fits beft , which is moft ea- 
 11c aad familiar : Again, a parable is a kinde of pattern and ex- 
 ample exprefling unto us what we heare^ Now nothing doth 
 more illuftrate and explain then inftance and example aoTsp 
 l7ri ffxnvvis, in a parable as it were upon a ftage , the thing that 
 we are taught is in a manner a&ed , and fet forth before our 
 eyes. Secondly, parables do not only by their plainefs open the 
 underftanding but they work upon the affections , and breed de- 
 light of hearing by realon of that faceteneis and wittinefs which 
 is many times found in them , by reafon of which they infinuate 
 themfelves , and creep into us , and ere we are aware work that 
 end for which they were delivered : who is not much moved 
 with that parable of Jotham in the bopj^of Judges , that the trees 
 went forth to chufe a king , or that of Menenim Agrippa in Livie, 
 chat the parts of the body confpired againft the belly , by which 
 the one {hewed the wickednejs of the men of Sesbem againft 
 
 1 the 
 
144 -A Sermon on St ,Luke 18. 1. 
 
 the fons of Gideon , the other the folly of the common 
 people in confpiring againft the Senators and noble- men. 
 And no marvel beloved, if this facetenefs of parables doth thus 
 work with men, fince it feems to have had wonderful force with 
 God himfelf. For when the Canaanitijh woman in the Gofpel 
 had long importun'd our Saviour in the behalf of her daughter, 
 and our Saviour had anfwered her with that fhort cutting and 
 reproachful parable ; It is not meet to take the childrens bread and 
 caji it unto dogs ', fhe facetely and wittily retorts and turns upon 
 our Saviour his own parable. Truth Lord, faith flic, yet dogs do 
 eat the crums that fall from their maflers Table: be it that I am but a 
 dog : I require no more then is due to a dog : even the crums 
 that fall from your table, with which fpeech our Saviour was fo 
 far taken, as that he feems to have been ftricken into a wonder- 
 ment : for he prefently cries out, O woman great is thy Faith. 
 Thirdly, there is one thing that this way of inftru&ion by para- 
 ble hath above all other kindes of teaching. It ferves excellent- 
 ly for reproof \ for man is a proud creature, impatient of plain 
 and open check and reprehenfion : 7roAAa'x<s aVaffio-ai friw : ma- 
 ny times no way of dealing with him, when he hath offended, 
 but by deceiving him with wilinefs and craft, 6 yb \\ Il»0&/«s 7rpo- 
 Givt^zlq acuta i/.{yct\ct top »x cLivctl^ivtct zipydcrciTo : he that 
 comes rudely and plainly to reprehend, doth many times more 
 hurt then good. I fpeak not this only in regard of minifterial 
 reprehenlion, ufed by the preacher of the word: but of alio- 
 ther : for to reprove offenders is a common duty, and belongs 
 to every private man as well as to the Minifter. St. Auftine 
 in his book dt ciiitate 2>w, handling the queftion, why in com- 
 mon calamities the good do bear a part as well as the evil, a- 
 mongft many other reafons gives this as a fpecial one, that good 
 men are not careful enough in reproving the errors of their of- 
 fending brethren, but by connivency and filence in a manner 
 partake in their fins, and as it were by confent, make them their 
 own. It fhall not be amifs therefore, even for you of the Laity 
 to hear fomething concerning this art of reprehenjion^ as a duty 
 concerning you as well as the Preacher. For the wifdome and 
 gentlenefs of a Chriftian is never better fcen, then in reproving. 
 
 Now 
 
 I 
 
And he /pake a Parable, &c. 145 
 
 Now one common error of rcprehendcrs is their over-blunt, 
 and plain manner of rebuking, dum fie objurgent quafi oderint, 
 whileft they reprove the vice, as if they hated the perfon, and 
 upbraid rather then reprehend. By this our importunity we de- 
 ftroy more finners then we fave. It is an excellent obfervation 
 in St. Cbryf oft ome, -\v^y\ y& livu^dv dm ipvtipict aai j&ac&M &c, £- 
 vcLhynalaLv IxinVfei, unfealonable and importunate reprehenders 
 make offending perfons, depudere to fteal their forehead, and to 
 fet a good face upon their fac*r, as the phrafe of the world is, 
 and to feek out excufes and Apologies for their finne. 
 Tully tells us, that Antonie the Orator being to defend a perfon, 
 who was accufed of faction and {edition, bent his wits to main- 
 tain f edition was good, and not to be obje&ed as a fault. That 
 we force not our offending Brethren unto this degree of impu- 
 dency,let us confult with our charity 5 and know the quality and 
 nature of the offender. Husbandmen tell us, that the young 
 and tender branches of a Vine are not to be prun'd away with a 
 knife, but gently pull'd away by hand. Beloved, before we re- 
 prove, let us know the condition of our brother, whether he be 
 not like the young Vine foft and tender, and fo to be cured ra- 
 ther with the hand, then with the knife • and if he be grown fo 
 hard, that he fhall need the knife, we muft not rafhly adven- 
 ture of it, but know there is a skill likewife in ufing the knife ; 
 as Ebud \n the book of Judges, when he went to kill Eglon carries 
 not his Dagger in his hand, but comes unto him with a pref ent, 
 and had his Dagger girt privily under his garment, or as a 
 skilful Phyfician of whom we read, being to heal an impo- 
 ftume, and finding the tick perfon to be afraid of Lancing, pri- 
 vily wrap't up his knife in a fpunge, with which whileft he gent- 
 ly lmoothed the place, he lanced it : fo beloved, when we en- 
 counter our offending Brother, we muft not openly carry the 
 Dagger in our hand, for this were to defie our Brother: but 
 we muft wrap our knife in our fpunge, and lance him whileft 
 we fmooth him ; and with all fweetnefs, and gentlenefs of be- 
 haviour cure him j as Efay the Prophet cur'd Hezekias, by laying 
 a plaifter of Figs upon the fore. Men when they have offended 
 are like unto fire, we muft take heed how we come too near 
 
 T them 5 
 
r 
 
 146 A Sermon on S.Luke 18. 1. 
 
 them 5 and therefore as the Cherubin in the book of Efajs pro- 
 phe fie takes a cole from the Altar with the tongs : io when 
 the prophets dealt with them, they did not rudely handle them 
 with their hands 5 but they came upon them warily under pa- 
 rables, as it were with the fherubws tongs. How could Na- 
 than have come io near unto King David, and drawn from him 
 an acknowledgement of his iin, had he not come with the Che- 
 rubins tongs, and deceived him with a parable, or how 
 fhould the prophet made King Ahab fee his error in letting go 
 King Benhadad, if he had not as it were put a trick upon the 
 King, and difguiied both himfelf and his ipeech, and mask'this 
 errand with the parable of him, who let go the prifoner that 
 was committed to his charge. So that in this refpect, if we 
 would define a parable we muft pronounce it to be Piamfraudem 
 a civil or fpiritual Stratagem, by which perfons who need inftru- 
 ftion are honeftly and pioufly beguiled for their own profit. 
 No marvel therefore, if our Saviour Chrift in his preaching 
 doth every where drive upon parables. For being to deliver to 
 us io many lcffons, fo ftrange, fo uncouth, fohard to learn, it 
 was meet he fhould make choice of that method of teaching, 
 which hath moil: likelihood to prevail and commend them unto 
 us. The doctrine which our Saviour in my text labours to beat 
 into us, is the continuing and perpetuating of our prayer and re- 
 ligious meditation, Aleifonhard to be attained, and there- 
 fore thrice he commends it unto us ; once by. example, twice 
 by parable, both of them very effectual means to teach : by ex- 
 ample of that importunate Canaanitijh woman in the 1 5. of Saint 
 Matthew, by parable firft in the 11. of Luke, of him that lying 
 warm in his bed, and loath to rife, yet at his Friends importu- 
 nity gets up, and lends him bread ; and fecondly, by the parable 
 oftheunjaft Judge here in my text. 
 
 But all this while I muft not forget, that lam but in the w^p- 
 va>(& in the Porch, and entrance into the Temple, where to 
 walk too long, were, if not to loofe, yet to abule my time. Let 
 us now therefore enter into the temple it felf, and confider the 
 main words of my text. That men.ougbt always to pray, and not to 
 faint 1 which words have a.<Aouble meaning,., Fisft 3 these is Sen* 
 
And he /pake a P arable, &c. 147 
 
 fus quern faciunt - there is a fenfe which the words themfelves 
 yield as they lie. Secondly, Senfus quo fiunt> the fenfe and mean- 
 ing in which the Holy Ghoft intended and (pake them. If we 
 look upon the (enfe which the words themfelves do give j it 
 feems we are advifed by them to be like Ann* the Prophetefs in 
 the iecond of Luk, who departed not from the temple, but fer- 
 ved God with rafting and prayer night and day. In all places, 
 at all times, in feafon, out of leafon, upon occafion, upon no 
 occafion, perpetually without intcrmimon to pray. For thus 
 the words do run, that we ought alwayes to pray, and not to faint. 
 But if we look upon the fenfe in which the Holy Ghoft fpake 
 thefe words, and confider what was his intent, when he 
 wrote them, we (hall finde that the lelTon which we are hence 
 to learn is, that we be like unto Jacob in the book of Genefis y 
 wraftle with God, and tell him to his face, That we will not let 
 him go till he hath given us hit hlesfmg. That we become like bold 
 fac't fuitors or impudent beggars that will not be put by with a 
 denial : but when we have powred out our fupplications unto 
 God, and finde his ear lockt up againft us, yet to commence 
 them again and again, and the third time -> yea, without any 
 fainting or giving over, till by a kinde of importunate and un- 
 mannerly devotion we have conftrain'd God to let a bleiling 
 fall : and that this was the intent of the Holy Ghoft in this place, 
 it appears upon the very reading of the parable. I will briefly 
 fpeak unto you of both thefe fenfes in their order, and firft of 
 the fenfe which the words do give. That we ought alw ayes without 
 intermisfion to pray. Devotion in ordinary perf ons is a thing eafi- 
 ly raifed, and eafily alayed, Every ftrange event, every fear, 
 every little calamity or diftrefs is enough to put us into a ftrain 
 of religious meditation, but on the contrary fide, a fmall mat- 
 ter doth again as quickly kill it. It feems to be like a quotidian 
 Ague, it comes by fits, every day it takes us, and every day it 
 leaves us : or like ilax or ftraw, or fuch light and drie fturYe, 
 which eafily kindles, and as foon goes out. Indeed it is a good 
 thing when we finde our hearts thus tender, and upon every oc- 
 cafion ready to melt into devotion : for as to be quick of (enfe is 
 a figne of life, and the pureft and beft complexions are quickeft 
 
 T 2 of 
 
r" 
 
 148 A Sermon on S. Luke 18. 1. 
 
 ot fenfe : fo it is a great argument of fpiritual life in us, and of 
 purity of foul, when we are iv6?a<Qoi y fo eafily apt to fall upon 
 devout meditation. But our Saviour requires yet another qua- 
 lity in our devotion .- it mull be as lading as it is quick. Qum- 
 tiltan adviies his Orator to beware how he fraud too long upon a 
 place of paflion : becaufe that palTion is not lading, & nihil fa- 
 cilim lachrymis in asefcit ; and men cannot long weep. But be- 
 loved our Saviour gives other precepts of Chriitian Oratory: 
 he wills, if we will prevail with God to infift and dwell long 
 upon a place of religious pasfion, and provide that our tears 
 may be perpetual and never drie : an hard thing you will take 
 it to be; yet certainly it is very pofsible. There is a que- 
 ftion raifed among the great matters of Natural learning, whe- 
 ther or no there may be a lamp fo provided, that it may burn 
 for ever. And they think it may be done : beloved, our Savi- 
 our here teaches to prafrife that in fpiritual?, which hath been 
 butamatteroffpeculationin Naturals, even fo to kindle and 
 drefs our lamps, as that they (hall never go out, but be like unto 
 the good Hufwifes candle in the Proverb, that goes not out by 
 night, or rather like the fun which fhines for evermore. Darnel 
 is faid to have kindled this lamp, and to have made his prayer 
 thrice a day, David teven times a day, but this is not enough 5 
 for in that the one is noted to have prayed feven times a day, the 
 other thrice: It is likely at other times they did not pray,but God 
 is not contented with this Intermittent prayer; for if we look up- 
 on my text, we fhall fee that there rauft be no inftant free from 
 prayer : we muft not meafure our prayers by number. Num- 
 ber is a Difcrete quantity as we call it,the parts of it are not con- 
 next, are not tyed together, there is a feparation, a <liftance 
 betwixt them. That that meafures out our prayer muft be line 
 and length, fome continued quantity, whofe parts have no fe- 
 paration, nointcrmifsion: Forfo faith my text, men ought al- 
 ways to pray, *Alwayes> the whole life of a man ought to be but 
 one continual prayer. But let us a little confider how pofsible 
 this is, and fee if there be any thing, that doth necefTarily enforce 
 intermifsion of prayer. And firft, that wonderful lamp of 
 which I but now told you great Schollers had fpoken, is not yet 
 
 made, 
 
AndhefpakeaVarabh, Sec, 249 
 
 made, becaufe they are not agreed of what matter to make ir, 
 And indeed in the world, things cither are not at ail, or being, 
 do at length ceale to be, either becaule there is no fit matter 
 whence they may be framed, or elfe the matter of which they 
 are made, vanishes and dies. But beloved, prayer is a ftrange 
 thing, it can never want matter : It will be made a vaga^og/- 
 tt£$ e quolikt out of any matter, upon any occafion whatibever, 
 whatloeveryoudo, wherefoever you are, doth minifter occafi- 
 on of fomekinde of prayer, either of thankfgiving unto God for 
 hisgoodnefs, orofprayfing, and admiring his greatnefs, or of 
 petitioning to him in cafe of want or diftrefs, or bewailing fome 
 iin or neglect committed. Is it the consideration of Gods bene- 
 fits, that will move us to thankfulnefs ? Then certainly our 
 thankfulnefs ought to be perpetual, there is no perlon fo mean, 
 no foul fo poor, and diftrefied and miferable, but if he fearch 
 narrowly, he fhall finde fome blefling, for which he ows thank- 
 fulnefs unto God. If nothing elfe, yet his very mifery and di- 
 ftrefs is a lingular blefling, if he ufe it to that end for which it 
 was fent. Is it the confideration of diftrefs and affliction, and 
 fome degree of the curie of God upon us that will ftir our devo- 
 tion ? Indeed this is it with moft men that kindles the fire of 
 prayer in our hearts. Men for the moft part are like unto the 
 unflak't Lime, which never heats till you throw water upon it ; 
 fo they never grow warm in devotion till lomewhat contrary to 
 their wifhes and difpofition begins to afflict them : then certain- 
 ly our petitions to God ought never to ceafe. For never was 
 there man in any moment of his life entirely happy, either in 
 body, goods, or good name, every man hath fome part of af- 
 fliction ? Bleffingand curling, though they feem to be enemies, 
 and contrary one to another, yet are never fevered, but go hand 
 in hand together. Some men have more of one, fome of ano- 
 ther, but there is no man but hath fome part of both ; where- 
 fore as it feems not only prayer in general, but all kind 5 all fort 
 of prayer ought to be continual. Prayer muft not be, as it 
 were of one thred, we muft blend and temper together all kind 
 of prayer, our praife or thanks, our (orrow, and make our 
 prayer like Jofepks particolored C oa h like a beautiful garment of 
 
 fundry 
 

 150 A Sermon on S.Luke i8.t. 
 
 fundry colours. So then as fire.goes not out fo long as it hath 
 matter to feed on , fo what fhail be able to interrupt our devo- 
 tion which hath id great and everlafting ftore of matter to con- 
 tinue it. 
 
 Secondly, many things in the world are necetfarily intermitted, 
 becaufe they are tyed to place or times ; all places all times are 
 not convenient for them ; but in cafe of prayer it is otherwife, it 
 leeks no place, it attends no time ; It is not neceflary we (hould 
 come to the Church, or expect a Sabbath or an holy- day , for 
 prayer indeed efpecially was the Sabbaoth ordained, yet prayer 
 itfelf is Sabboathlefs, and admits no reft, no intermiflion at 
 all : If our hands be clean we muft as our Apoftle commands us 
 lilt them up every where at all times and make every place a 
 Church,every day a Sabbaoth,every hour Canonical, $\m xoJ 
 aptiponirov lis ctyo&iv iyW^aAAorra. za} *a9 5 \cti!\hv /3a£Y£flvT«. 
 iv%ds iro&&cu fahv&tqi As you go to the market, as you ftand 
 in the ftreets, as you walk in the fields in all thefe places ye may 
 pray as well and with as good acceptance as in the Church , For 
 you your felves are temples of the holy Ghoft , if the grace of 
 God be in you more precious then any of thofe which are made 
 with hands 5 The Church of Rome hath made a part of her Bre- 
 viary , or Common Trayer Book , which (he calls Itinerarium fle- 
 ricorum> and it is a fet form of prayer, which Clergy-men ought 
 to ufe when they let out in a journey and are upon their way, 
 why (he calls it Itinerarium clericorum , and impropriates it un- 
 to the Clergy, I know not, (he might, for ought I fee, have cal- 
 led it Itinerarium Laicorum, The Itinerary of the Laity : fince it 
 is a duty belonging unto them as well as to the Minifter. Yet thus 
 much the example of that Church teaches, that no place no oc- 
 cafion excludes Prayer. We read in our books that one of the 
 Ethnick Emperors was much taken when he faw a woman go- 
 ing in the ftreets with her veffel of water on her head, her childe 
 at her girdle, her (pindle in her hand twifting her threed as fhe 
 went : He thought it a wonderful portion of diligence thus to 
 employ all places and times indifferently. Beloved if it be thus 
 with bodily labor , how much more fhould it be fo with the 
 labor of the foul , which is far more eafie and needs not the 
 
 help 
 
 I 
 
And he fpake a P arable > &c. 151 
 
 help of any bodily inftrument to adi it. And how welcome a 
 ipectacle will it be think you unto the great King of Heaven and 
 Earth when he fhall fee that no time, no occaiion,is able to inter- 
 rupt the labour of our devotion ? Is it the time of Feafting and . 
 Jollity , which feems to prelcribe againft prayer : Indeed pray- 
 er is a grave and fober ad ion and feems not to ftand with iport 
 and merriment ; yet notwithstanding it is of fo pliable a nature, 
 that it will accommodate and fit it ielf even to feafts and fport- 
 ings 5 we read in the book ot Daniel that when Beljhazzer made 
 his great and laft feaft to his Princes and Lords that they were 
 merry and drank wine in bowls and pray fed the Cjods of gold and 
 Silver j ofBrafSy and of Iron ', of Wood^ and of Stone. Beloved, fhall 
 Ethnick feafts finde room for their Idolatrous wor ftiip , and 
 praife of their Golden, Brazen, Wooden Gods, and fhall not 
 our Chriftian Feafts yield fome place for the praife of the true 
 God of Heaven and Earth. Laft of all is it time of deep that 
 feems to give a vacation, and otium to prayer ? Beloved, fleep is 
 no part of our life, we are not accountable for things done or 
 not done then. Teriullian tells us that an unclean dream (hall 
 no more condemn us then a dream of Martyrdom fhall 
 crown us: and the Cafuifls do teach that loofe dreams in the 
 night fhall never bee laid to our charge if they be not occafion- 
 ed by lewd thoughts in the day : for they are Coghationes ij?je8<e 
 non enatt) they are not thoughts i pringing out. , but caft into our 
 hearts by the Devil, upon his fcore fhall they go and we fhall 
 not reckon for them : So then though fleep partake not of our 
 devotion, yet this hinders not the continualnefs of it. Arifyotk. 
 tells us that men who fleep perceive not any part of time to have 
 pafTed } becaufe they tie the laft moment of their watching 
 with the firft moment of their awaking , as having no fenfe of 
 what paft betwixt, and fo account of it, as one continued time. 
 Beloved, if we do with our devotion, as we do with our time, 
 if we (hut up the laft inftant of our watching with a pray- 
 er , and refume that prayer at the firft inftant of our wa- 
 king, we have made it. one continued prayer without interru- 
 ption. 
 Thkdly 3 and laft of all the greateft reafon why many bufineffes 
 
 of 
 

 
 
 1 5* A Sermon en S.Luke, 18. j, 
 
 of the world cannot be a&ed perpetually , is becaufe they muft 
 give room to others, Umcum arfuftum non alit duos Erithacos: The 
 actions of the world are many times like unto quarrelfome birds, 
 two of them cannot peaceably dwell in onebufh. But prayer 
 hath that property which Jriftotle gives unto fubftance nulli eJJ'e 
 contrarium , it is at peace and holds good terms with all our 
 cares of the world. No bufinefs fo great, or that fo much 
 takes up the time and mindeof a man as that it needs exclude 
 prayer : It is of a foft and fociable nature , and it can incorpo- 
 rate and fink into our bufinefs like water into Afhes and never 
 increafe the bulk of them: It can mix and interweave it felf 
 with ail our cares without any hinderance unto them : Nay, it is 
 a great ftrength and improvement unto them , oW«p ^8 6? rS$ 
 TrAn/9a$ oixoStyAwv /aiKKovns , &c. For faith S.Chrjfoftome as 
 they that build houles of clay , muft every where place ftuds 
 and pieces of timber and wood fo to ftrengthen the building, 
 Srce 1cl$ fiiaflutotg ni&Zp.$ aLooaujcLq xct^dtrtp Iftarflttnot rtfft 
 %pXo6v tn (Tuvi^dot, rvfv \v ^oHv S'iGL?\.oLfAgav&iv £"&t , fo all our 
 cares of this lite , which are no better then buildings of dirt 
 and clay we muft ftrengthen and compact together with fre- 
 quent and often prayer, as withbondsand props of tymber $ Let 
 no man therefore think it, fxiyct Akm> aW^a, that it is too 
 much to require at the hands of men at one and the felf fame in. 
 ftant both to attend their vocation and their prayer : For the 
 minde of a man is a very agile and nimble fubftance , and it is a 
 wonderful thing to fee how many things it will at one moment 
 apply it felf unto without any confufion or let. Look but upon 
 the Mufician while he is in his practice , he tunes his voice , fin- 
 gers his Inftrument, reads his dity marks the note, obferves the 
 the time, all thefe things fmulcrfemel at one and the fame in- 
 ftant without any diftra&ion or impediment : Thus fhould men 
 do in cafe of devotion & in the common a&s of our vocation let 
 prayer beare a part : For prayer added unto diligent labor is 
 like a fweet voyce to a well tuned Inftrument" and makes 
 a pleating harmony in the ears of God , i'%$?i ^J yvvcuxa, 
 y\\slx.clty\v x.cvri'XVGcLv Hsu i<?xpyisacLv dvcL@>\{-\a,i li$ rov 
 
 The 
 
 *L 
 
And he -/pake a F arable > &c. 153 
 
 The good Hufwife faith St. Cbryfoftome, as {he fits at her diftaffe, 
 and reaches outlier hand to the rlax, may even then lift up, it 
 not her eyes, yet her minde unto Heaven, and confecrate and 
 hallow her work with earneft prayer unto God. Orator fiivam 
 tenens Hallelujah fee ant at, fud an s mejjor Pfalmit fefe evocat & curv* 
 attondens fake vitesvinitor aliquid Davidicum canit. The Husband- 
 man ( faith St. Hieromc)ax. the Plough-tail may fing an Halle- 
 lujah, the fweating Harvcft-man may refrcfh himlelf with a 
 Pfalrn, the Gardiner whiieft he prunes his Vines and Arbors, 
 may record fome one of Davids fonnets. The reafon of this 
 pliable nature of prayer is, becaufeit is a thing of another con- 
 dition, then the a<5tsofthe world are. It requires no outward 
 labour of the body, no outward faftuon and manner of doing, 
 but is internally a&ed in the foul it felf, and leaves the outward 
 members of our bodies free to perform thole offices which re- 
 quire their help. Our legal bulinefs in the world muft be done 
 in certain forms of breves and writs, and I know not what vari- 
 ety of outward ceremony, or elfe it is not warrantable. But 
 prayer, beloved, is not like an obligation or indenture, it re- 
 quires no outward folemnity of words and ceremony. Quaint, 
 witty, and fet forms of prayer proceed many times from often- 
 tation more then devotion : for any thing I know, it requires 
 not fo much as the moving of the lips or tongue. Nay, one 
 thing I know more, that the mod forcible prayer tranfeends and 
 far exceeds all power of words. For St. Taul fpeaking unto us 
 concerning the moft effectual kinde of prayer, calls it ^ivdypa- 
 <rcLdxd\m'tcL- i fighs and groans that cannot be expreffed. No- 
 thing does crie fo loud in the ears of God, as the fighing of a 
 contrite and earneft heart, we read in the 14. of Exodw, that 
 God fpcaks unto LMofe$,wby cryeft thou unto me, command the chil- 
 dren of tfr&el that they go forward : yet there appears not in the text 
 any prayer that Mofes made, or word that he fpake. It was 
 the earneftnefs of ^<?/<f$ heart, that was fo /uayethoptv^y that 
 did fo found in the ears of the Lord. Wherefore true prayer 
 hath no commerce with the outward members of the body, s$i 
 
 rapine, 4^*i$ «^g ^M^car(^,aAAa (ppwvYt/^acr^i for it requires 
 
 U not 
 
1 54 d SerntononSt. Luke 18. i. 
 
 not the voice, but the minde, not the ftretching of the hands, 
 but theintenfionoftheioul; not any outward (hape or carri- 
 age of body, but the inward behaviour of the understanding, 
 how then can it flacken your worldly bufinefs and occafions, to 
 mk with them {ighs and groans, which are the moft effectual 
 kmdes of prayer. And let this fuffice concerning the firft mean- 
 ing of the words > I will briefly fpeak concerning the fecond 
 meaning which I told you was the ienfe intended by the Holy 
 Ghoft when he wrote, and it is an exhortation to a religious im- 
 portunity in our prayers : not to let our fuits fall, becaufe they 
 are not prefently granted, but never to leave folliciting, till we 
 have prevailed, and fo take the blefiings of God by violence, 
 Gratifsima vis. This force, this violence is a thing moft welcome 
 unto God j for if the importunity of Efau's falie, feigned, and 
 malicioustearsdrewablelfmgfrom his Father Ifaac, who yec 
 had no greater ftore of blefsings, as it feems, how much more 
 fhall the true religious importunity of zealous prayer pull a blcf- 
 iing out of the hands of God, who is rich in blefsings above the 
 fands of the Sea in multitude ? It is the Courtiers rule, that o- 
 ver modeft fuitors feldome fpeed. Beloved, we mutt follow 
 the fame rule in the Court of Heaven : intempeftive balhfulnefs 
 gets nothing there. Quitimiderogat, docet negare^ Faint asking 
 does invite a denial ; will you know the true name of the beha- 
 viour which prevails with God j St, Luke in his n. Chapter 
 calls it avai SUavy and St.Chryfoflome fpeaking of the behaviour 
 of the Canaamtijh woman in the 2 5. of St. Matthew tells us, xa- 
 ?wvd'TtY\vai < %yv\ri<f* r tv\v dvai%vv1iavy dva&la avai%yvVa y impro- 
 bity, importunity, impudency, thefe be the names of that per- 
 lon & behaviour, which you muft put on,if you mean to prevail 
 in your fuits with God. And indeed, if we confider that habit 
 and manner, that God is wont to put on, when his children do 
 become fuitors unto him>, how he puts on a rigid,rough and un- 
 traceable carriage, even towards his deareft children, even then 
 when he means them moft good, we {hall plainly fee, we muft 
 ufe fuch kinde of behaviour,if we will prevail with him, for the 
 more effectually to exprefs this demeanor of God toward his 
 children, and to allure us it is ib, and to teach us importunity 
 
 ur 
 
Andhefpake a Par able , &c. 155 
 
 our Saviour Chrift, that great Mafter of requefts, may fcem to 
 bave donehimfelf fome wrong 5 firft, by drawing in a manner 
 odious comparifons, and likening the behaviour ot Godinthefe 
 cafes to a flothful friend, that is loath to leave his warm bed, 
 to do his friend a pleafure, and here in my text to an unjuft 
 Judge, that fears neither God nor man ; and iecondly, by his 
 own behaviour toward the Canaamtifh woman. It is ftrange to 
 obferve, how though he were the meekeft perfon that ever was 
 upon earth, yet here he ftrives as it were to unnaturalize him- 
 felf, and lay by his natural fweetnefs of difpofition, almoft to 
 forget common humanity, and puts on a kinde of fullen, and 
 furly perfon of purpofe to deter her : you {hall not finde our Sa- 
 viour in all the New Teftament in fuch a mood, fo bent to con- 
 temn and vilifie a poor fuitor. St. Auftine comparing together 
 St. Matthew and CMark y who both of them record the fame fto- 
 ry, and gathering together the circumftances out of them both, 
 tells us, that firft fhe follows our Saviour in the ftreet, and that 
 our Saviour takes houfe as it were to fhelter himfelf from her, 
 but (lie comes after, and throws her felf at his feet : and he as 
 offended with her importunity, again quits the houfe to be rid 
 of her, and all this while deigns her not a word. If any beha- 
 viour could have dafht a fuit, and broken the heart of a poor 
 fuiter, this had been enough, but here's not all, we have a civil 
 precept, that if we be not difpofed to pleafure a fuiter, yet to 
 give him good words and fhape him a gentle aniwer, it is hard 
 if we cannot afford a luiter a gentle word. We read of Tibe- 
 rius the Em per our, ( as I remember ) that he would never fuf- 
 fer any man to go fad and difcontented from him, yet our Savi- 
 our feems to have forgot this part of civility, being importun'd 
 to anfwer her, gives her an aniwer worfe then {llence, and 
 fpeaks words like the piercing of a fword, as Solomon f peaks. I 
 may not take the children* bread and c aft it uhto dogs. And yet after 
 all this ftrange copie of countenance, he fully fubfcribes ro her 
 requeft. Beloved, God hath not only expreft thus much in pa- 
 rables, and pra&ifed thefe ftrange delays upon Canaanitifh wo- 
 men, but he hath a&ed it indeed, and that upon his deareft 
 Saints, David one of the worthieft ot his Saints, yet how pafsi- 
 
 U 2 onately 
 
i>$6 A Sermon on S.Luke i£. i,&c. 
 
 onately doth he cry out, How long Lord wih thou forget me I How 
 long fya'.l J feek counsel in my foul and lefo vexed in my heart. Not on 7 
 ly the Saints on earth, but even thofe m heaven do feem to par- 
 take in this demeanor of God, we read in the book of the Reve- 
 lation that when the fouls of the Martyrs under the Altar cried 
 out, how long Lordjuft and holy do(i thou not avenge our Hood from off 
 the earth ; they received this anfwer, have patience yet a little while. 
 It is ftoryed of Diogenesjhat he was wont to fupplicateto the fla-. 
 tuts, and to hold out his hands and beg of them, that fo he mighe 
 learn to brook and devour denial,and tediouineis of fuit. Belo- 
 ved, let us but meditate upon thefe examples , which I have re- 
 lated,and we fhall not need to practice any of the Cynics art. For 
 if the Saints and bleflfed Martyrs have their mites fo long; depend- 
 ing in the Courts of Heaven then good reafon that we fhould 
 learn to brook delays, and arm our felves with patience and expe- 
 ctation, when we finde the ears of God not lo open to our re- 
 quefts. When Jofephs brethren came down to buy corn, he gave 
 them but a courfe welcome he fpake roughly unto them, he laid 
 them in prifon 5 yet the text tells us that his bowels melted upon 
 them and at length he opened himfelf , and gave them courte- 
 ous entertainment. Beloved, when we come unto God as it 
 were to buy corn , to beg at his hands fuch bleflings as we need 
 though he fpeak roughly, though he deal more roughly with us, 
 yet let us know he hath ftill Jofephs bowels , that his heart melts 
 towards us, and at length he will open himfelf, and entertain us 
 lovingly. And be it peradventure that we gain not what we look 
 for : yet our labor of prayer is not loft. The blefled fouls under 
 the Altar of which I fpake but now, though their petition was 
 not granted , yet had they long nhite garments given them. E ven (o, 
 beloved, if the wifdorn of God fhall not think it fit to perform 
 our requefts, yet he will give us the long white garment ; fome- 
 thing which {hall be in lievof a Suit ; though nothing elfe , yet 
 patience and contentment which are the greateft bleilings upon 
 earth. 
 
 P I N I S> 
 
John 18. 16. 
 
 fefiis anfwered, my-Kjngdome- is not of this 
 world: If my Kjngdome were of this world, 
 then would my (ervants figtt y that I Jhould* 
 not be delivered to the Jews, &c. 
 
 S in the Kingdomes of the worlds there is an ait 
 of Court jbtp, a skill and myftery teaching to 
 manage them : io in the Ipiritual Kingdom of 
 God, and of Chrift, there is an holy policie > 
 there is an art of fpiritual Courtfhip, which 
 teaches every (ubject there, how to demean 
 and bear himlelf. Bur, as betwixt their King- 
 domes, fo betwixt their arcs and Courtfhip, betwixt the Cour- 
 tier of the one, and the Counter of the other, there is, as A~. 
 Iraham tells the rich man in St. Lide, ^lya, ^dc-jucct^ a great di-. 
 fiance, a great difference, and not only one, but many. Suor 
 dry of them I (hall haveoccalion to touch in the proceis of my-, 
 difcourfe 5 mean while I will (ingle out one, which I will ufe as, 
 a .prologue, and way unto my text, In the Kingdomes of earth- 
 ly Princes, every iubjeel: is not fit to make a Courtiers yea, 
 were all fit, this were an honour to be communicated onlynncoi 
 fome: Sicopmefi mundo. There is a neceflity of dif proportion.' 
 and inequality between men and men ; and were, all per fen* 
 r equal 
 
1 58 A Strmonon S. John ic. 36. 
 
 equal the world could not confill : Of men of ordinary fafhion 
 and parts fome mull to the Plough , fome to their Merchandize, 
 fome to their Books, fome to one Trade fonie to anothet: only 
 %cte/ivTis xa) TtfcLicliiLOi 9 as Anfiotle calls them, men of 
 more then common wit and ability, active , choice, pickt out 
 of a thoufand, fuch muft they be that bear honors, attend on 
 Princes perfons , and ierve in their Courts. The Scripture tells 
 us that whenjUng Solomon (aw that Jeroboam was an active, able, 
 and induftrious young man, he took him and made him ruler 
 over all the charge of the houie of Jofeph. Again, when Da- 
 vid invited old Barzillai to the Court, the good old man excu- 
 fes himfelf : I am, faith he , fourfcore years of Age, and can thy 
 fervant taji what 1 eat, or what / drink : can I bear any mere the 
 "Joyce of fmging men and finding women : Lo here myfon Chimham, 
 he ^0 all go with my Lord the King, and do with him as jhaU feem good 
 in thine eyes. Jerohan and Chimham, ftrong and able, and a- 
 dive perfons fuch are they that dwell in Kings houfes : of the 
 reft (ome are too old , fome too young , fome too dull , (ome 
 too rude, or by fome means or other unfit for fuch an end. Thus 
 fares it with the honors of the world , they feem to participate of 
 envy, or melancholy , and are of a folitary difpofition they 
 are brighteft when they are alone , or but in few make them 
 common and they loofe their grace , like lamps they may give 
 light unto few , or to fome one room , but no farther. But 
 the honors in the Court of the great King of Heaven ,. are of 
 another nature, they rejoyce in being communicated , and their 
 glory is in the multitude of thofe that do partake in them. They 
 are like unto the Sun that rifes non homini fed humano generic not 
 to this or that man , but to all the world ; In the Court of God 
 no difference between Jeroboam and Barzillai , none too old, 
 none too young : no indifpofition, no imperfection, makes you 
 uncapable of honors there; Be but Gf his Kingdom, and you 
 are neceflfarily of his Court : Every man who is a fubjecl: 
 there, is a Courtier; yea, more then a Courtier, he is a Peer, he 
 is a King, and hath an army of Angels at his fervice to 
 pitch their tents about him, to deliver him :, a guard of 
 Miniftring Spirits fent out to attend him for his iafety. 
 
 It 
 
My \Lingdome is not of this world, &c* 159 
 
 It fhall not therefore be unfeafonable for the meanefl perfon 
 that hears me this day to hear as it were a Le&ure of Spiritual 
 policy and Courtfhip : For no Auditory can be unfit for fuch a 
 leiTon. . Ariftotle was wont to divide his leclures and readings 
 into Acroamatical , and Exoterical , fomeofthem contained 
 onely choice matter, and they were read privately to aSelecl 
 Auditory : others contain'd but ordinary ftuff and were pro- 
 mifcuoufly and in publick expofed to the hearing of all that 
 would 5 Beloved we read no Acroamatick Lectures : The fe- 
 crets of the Court of Heaven fas far as it hath pleafed the King 
 of Heaven to reveal them) lie open alike to all. Every man is a- 
 like of his Court, alike of his Councel : and the meaneft a- 
 mong Chriftians muft not take it to be a thing without his 
 Sphere,above his reach , but muft make account of himlelf as a 
 fit hearer of a lefTon in Spiritual and faving policy 5 fince if 
 he be a fubjed in the kingdom of Chrift, he can be no lefs then a 
 Courtier. 
 
 Now the firft and main leffon to be learned by a Courtier, is 
 how to dikover and know the difpofition, & nature of the Lord, 
 whomheis.toferve, and the quality of that Common- wealth 
 in which he bears a place, ad consilium de republic a dandum caput ejt> 
 That therefore our heavenly Courtier may not miftake himfelf, 
 but be able to fit himfelf to the place he bears. I have made 
 choice of thele few words , which but now I read ; words fpo- 
 ken by the King of that Common- wealth, of which I am to 
 treat,unto fuch as mean to be his Liege-men there : words which 
 fufficiently open unto the Chriftian polititian the ftateand quali- 
 ty of that Court in which he is to ferve : My kingdom is not of this 
 worlds for if sit were then would my ferv ants fight 5 which words feeni 
 like the P^.'/^horfmen, whofe manner was to ride one way, 
 but to (hoot another way , they feem to go apace towards *P/- 
 late, but they aim and {hot at another mark, or rather like unto 
 the fpeaker of them unto our Saviour himfelf when he was in 
 one of the Villages of Samaria , Luke* the ninth, where the text 
 notes that though he were in Samaria, yet his face was fet towards 
 Hierufalem : fo beloved, though thele words be fpoken to a Sa~ 
 maritime to an infidel to Pilate, yet their face is toward Hierufa- 
 lem 
 
160 A Sermon on S. John 18. 36. 
 
 km, they are a leffon dire&ed to the fubje&s of his Spiri- 1 
 tual Kingdom of that Hierufalem which is from above and is 
 the Mother of us all. In them we may con fide r two General 
 parts. Firft , a Denuntia:ion and meftage unto us 5 and Se- 
 condly, a figne to confirme the truth of it. For it is the 
 manner and method as it were which God doth ufe , when he 
 difpatches a meffage, to annex a figne unto it, by. which it 
 may be known. When he fent Mofes to the Israelites in Egypt, 
 and Mofes required a figne, he gave him a figne in his hand, in 
 his Rod ; when he fent Gideon againft Madias, he gave him a 
 figne in the Fleece of Wool which was upon the Floor 5 
 when he fent the Prophet 1 to Hieroboam to prophefie againft 
 the Altar in Bethel, he gave him a figne that the Altar fhould 
 rend, and the a (lies fall out, when he fent Efay with a mef- 
 fage to King Ahaz,- he gave him a figne 5 Behold a Virgin fkall 
 conceive: So Beloved in thefe words, There is a MeJJage, There 
 is a Signe : The firft words are the Meffage ; My Kingdom is not 
 -of this world, &c. The next words, For if it were then would 
 my fervants fight, Sec. Thefe are Mofes rod and Gideons 
 Fleece they are the figne which confirm the CMejJage. The firft 
 . part is a general propofition or Maxime : the fecond is an 
 example, and particular inftance of it. For in the firft our 
 Saviour diftinguifties his Kingdome from the kingdomes 
 of the world , and from all the fafhions of them. In 
 the fecond , amongft many other he chufes one inftance , 
 Wherein particularly he notes, that his Kingdome is un- 
 like to earthly kingdomes. For the kingdoms of the world are 
 purchafed and maintain'd by violence and blood, but fo is not his. 
 Thereaion why our Saviour faftens upon this reafon of difsimi- 
 litude and unlikenefs is, becaufe in gaining and upholding tem- 
 poral Kingdomes, nothing fo ufual as the fword and war. No 
 Kingdome of the world, but by the fword is either gotten or 
 held, or both. The fword in a fecular common wealth is like 
 the rod in a School, remove that away and men will take their 
 liberty. It is the plea which the Tarquins ufed to King Porfenna 
 in Livie. Satis liber: at em /'/>/ am habere dulcedinis, nifi quanta vi 
 civitates earn expetant tanta regna reges defendant, square fumma 
 
 infimis 
 
 _^__ ^ 
 
My Kingdome is not of this world, &c. i s i 
 
 infymis adejfe finem regnis rei inter 'Deos hminesq; pulckerrim*. 
 The tafte of liberty is io fweet, that except Kings maintain their 
 authority with as great violence, as the people affed their liber- 
 ty, all things will run to contufion ; and Kingdomes which are 
 the goodlieft things in the world, will quickly go to wrack: 
 when God gave a temporal Kingdome unto his own people, he 
 fent Mofes and Jofhua before them to pur chafe it with the fword, 
 when they were poiTeft of this Kingdome, he lends then Gideon 
 and Samffon, and Dazid, and many worthies more to maintain 
 it by the iword. But now being to open unto the world ano- 
 ther kinde of Kingdome, of rule and government, then hitherto 
 it had been acquainted with : he tells us, that he is a King of 
 a Kingdome which is ere&ed and maintained not by Jejhua and 
 David, but by "Peter and Paul, not by the (word, but by the fpi- 
 rit, not by violence, but by love, not by ftriving, but by yield- 
 ing, not by fighting, but by dying. Pilate had heard, that he 
 was a King. It was the accufation which was fram\i againft 
 him, that he bare himfelf as King of the Jews ; But becaufe 5 
 hefawnopomp, no train, no guard about him, lie took it but 
 as an idle report. To put him therefore out of doubt, our Sa- 
 viour alTures him, that he is a King, but of fuch a Kingdome 
 as he could not skill of: My Kingdome is not of this world, &c. 
 For the better unfolding of which words ; firft we will confider 
 what the meaning of this word Kingdome is, for there lies an 
 ambiguity in it. Secondly, we will confider what lefTons for 
 our inftrudtion the next words will yield, Not of this world -, firft 
 of this word Kingdome, 
 
 Our Saviour is a King three manner ofwayes, and fo cor re- 
 latively hath three diftind feveral Kingdomes. He is firft a 
 King in the largcft extent and meaning which can pofsibly be 
 imagined, and that is, as he is Creator and abfoluce Lord of all 
 creatures. Of this Kingdome, Heaven, Earth, and Hell are 
 three large provinces. Angels, Men, and Devils, his very e- 
 nemies, every creature viiible and invifible are fubjedts of this 
 Kingdome. The glory and ftrength of this Kingdome confifts 
 leaft of all in men, and man is the weakeft part ofit. For there 
 is fcarcely a creature in the world, by whom he hath not been 
 
 X conquer d 
 
\62 A Sermon oh S.John 18. 36. 
 
 conquer'd. When Alexander the great had travelled through 
 India, and over-run many large provinces, and conquer'd many 
 popular Cities 5 when tidings came, that his Soldiers in Greece 
 had taken tome ftriall towns there, he fcorn'd the news, and in 
 contempt, me thinks ( laid he ) I hear of the battel of Frogs and 
 mice. Beloved, if we look upon thele huge armies of crea- 
 tures, and confider of what wonderful ilrength they are, when 
 the Lordfummons them to battel : all the armies of men, and 
 famous battels, of which we have fo large hiftories in the com- 
 parifon of thefe what are they, but a jSare^ojayoyata;^'*, 
 but Homers tale, a battel of Frogs and Mice. Infinite legions of 
 Angels attend him in Heaven, and every Angel is an Armie : 
 one Angel in the Book of Kings is lent out againft the army of 
 the vfJJyrianSy and in one night foure-fcore thou (and perfons die 
 for it. Bafe and contemptible creatures, when God calls for 
 them, are offtrength to conquer whole Countreys. He over- 
 runs vSgypt with his armies of Frogs, and Flies, and Lice, and 
 before his own people with an armie of Hornets chafes the Cana- 
 anites out of the Land. Nay, the dull and lenfelefs elements, 
 are up in arms when God fummons them. He (hoots hisHail- 
 fhot; with his Hail-ftones from Heaven he deftroyes more of 
 the Canaanites, then the Israelites can with their (words. As 
 for his armies of fire and water, what power is able to with- 
 ftand them; every creature, when God calls, is a ibldier. 
 How great then is the glory of this Kingdome of which the 
 meaneft parts are invincible. Secondly, again our Saviour is a 
 Kinginamorereftrain'dandconfin'dfenfe, as he is in Heaven 
 attended on by Angels, and Arch-angels, powers, principali- 
 ties, and all the heavenly hofts. For though he be omniprefent 
 and fills every place both in Heaven and Earth} yet Heaven is 
 the Palace and Throne of this Kingdome, there is he better feen and 
 known, there with more ftate and honour ferved, and therefore 
 more properly is his Kingdome laid to be there. And this is 
 called his Kingdome of glory. The rules, and laws, and admi- 
 rable orders of which Kingdome, could we come to fee and dif* 
 cover,it would be with us, as it was with the Queen of Saba^whcn 
 {he came to vifu Solomon^ of whom the Scripture notes j that 
 
 when* 
 
My Kingdom is not of this world, &c. 163 
 
 when (he heard his wifdome, and had feen the order of his fer- 
 vants, the attendance that was given him, and the manner of his 
 table. There was no more Spirit left in her. Beloved, Bum Spirim 
 bos regit artus. While ft this Spirit is in us, we cannot pofsibly 
 come to difcern the laws and orders of this Kingdome, and there- 
 fore I am conftrained to be filent. 
 
 Thirdly, our Saviour is a King in a fenfe, yet more impropri- 
 ated. For as he took our nature upon him, as he came into the 
 world to redeem mankinde, and to conquer Hell and death, fo is 
 there a Kingdome annext unto him 5 A Kingdome, the purchafe 
 whereof coft him much fweat and blood, of which neither An- 
 gels, nor any other creature are a part, only that remnant of man- 
 kinde, that Sreptus titio. That number of blefled Souls, which like 
 a brand out of the fire, by his death and pafsion he hath recove- 
 red out of the power of fin 5 and all thefe alone are the fubje&s 
 of that Kingdome. And this is that, which is called his King- 
 dome oiGrace> and which himlelfin Scripture every where calls 
 his Church, his Spoufe, his Body, his Flock : and this is that King' 
 dome, which in this place is fpoken of, and of which our Savi- 
 our tells Pilate. That it is not of this world $ M) Kingdome is not 
 of this world. 
 
 Which words at the firft reading, may feem to favour of a 
 little imperfection ; for they are nothing elfe but a Negation or 
 denial. Now our Books teach us, that a Negative makes nothing 
 known 5 for we know things by difcovering not what they are 
 not, but what they are : yet when we have well examin'd them, 
 we {hall finde that there could not have been a fpeech delivered 
 more effectual for the opening the nature of the Church, and the 
 diicovery of mens errors in that relpett. For I know no error 
 fo common, fo frequent, fo hardly to be rooted out, fo much hin- 
 dering the knowledg of the true nature of the Church, as this, 
 that men do take the Church to be like unto the world. Tully 
 tells us of a Mufician, that being asked what the Soul was, anfwe- 
 red, that it was Harmonie, et is ( faith he ) a principiis artis fu<e 
 non recefcit. He knew not how to leave the principles of his own 
 art. Again PWiSchollers had been altogether bred up in A- 
 rithmetick, and the knowledge of numbers, and hence it came, 
 
 X 2 chat 
 
1 64 A Sermon on S. John 18.36. 
 
 that when afterward they diverted their ftudies to the know- 
 ledge ot"Nature 5 or Moral Philofophy ; wherefoever they walk- 
 ed, they ftillfemcd tothemfelves fome what like unto Num- 
 bers : the world they fuppofed was iram'd out of numbers^ Ci- 
 ties, and Kingdomes, and Common-wealths they thought flood 
 by numbers. Number with them, was lole principle and creator 
 ol every thing. Beloved, when we come to learn the quality and 
 ftate of Chriits Kingdome, it fares much with us, as it does with 
 Tutiies Muficiofy or Plato's Sch oilers, difficuker a principiis artis 
 mftrtreceaimus. Hardly can we iorlake thole principles, in which 
 we have been brought up. In the world we are born, in it we are 
 bred, the world is the greateft part of our ftudie, to the true 
 knowledge of God and of Chrift, ft ill we fancy unto us fome- 
 thing ol the world. It may feem but a light thing that I (hall fay, 
 yet becaule itfecms fitly to open my meaning, I will not refrain 
 to (peak it : Lucian> when Trims young [on was taken up into hea- 
 ven, brings him in calling (or milk and cheefe, and fuch countrey 
 cates as he was wont to eat on earth. Beloved, when we firft 
 come to the Table of God, to heavenly Manna and Angels food, 
 it is much with us, as it was with Priams young fon, when he came 
 firft into Heaven, we cannot forget the milk and cheefe, and the 
 grofs-diet of the world. Our Saviour and his blcfted Apoftles had 
 great and often experience of this error in men ; when our Savi- 
 our preach't to Nicodemm the do&rine ol regeneration, and new 
 birth, how doth he ftill harp upon a grofs coaceit of a re-entry 
 to be made into his mothers womb. When he preacht unto the 
 Samaritane women concerning the water ol life,how hardly is Che 
 driven from thinking of a material Elementary water, fuch as 
 wasinjacols well. When Simon Magus in the^Hjfaw, that by 
 laying on of hands, the Apoftlts gave the Holy Ghoft, heoffers 
 them money topurchafe himfelf the like power.. He had been 
 trafficking, and merchandizing in the world, and faw what au- 
 thority, what a Kingdome money had amongft men: he 
 therefore prefently conceited ccelum lenale 'Deumque : that 
 God and Heaven, and' all would be had for money. 
 To teach therefore the young Courtier in the Court of Heaven 
 that he commit 00 (uch Solecifms,that hereafter he fpeak the true 
 
 language. 
 
MyKingdotneisnctofthisrvorld, &c. 1^5 
 
 Language, and dialed of God, our Saviour lets dovyn this as a 
 principal rule in our Spiricual Grammar : That bis Court is not 
 of this world 3 Nay, beloved not only the young Courtier , but 
 many of the old iervants in the Court of Chrift are ftain'd with, 
 this error. It is ftoriedof L-eonides which was School- mailer to 
 Alexander the great,that heinfe&ed his non-age with fome vices, 
 qu& 1 obuftum quoque g? jam maximum re gem abilla inftitutiohe puerili 
 f -it-it profecttta, which followed him then, when he was at mans e- 
 ftate. Beloved the world hath been a long time a School-matter 
 unto us, and hath ftain'd our nonage with fome of thefe (pots 
 which appear in us, even then when we are ftrong men in Chrift. 
 When our Saviour in the Acls after his Refurreclion was difcour- 
 fing to his Difciples concerning the kingdom of God,they present- 
 ly brake forth into this queftion , Wilt thou now reflore the kinadem-, 
 untoljrael I Certainly this queftion betrays their ignorance,their. 
 thoughts ftill ran upon a kingdom lite unto the kingdoms of the 
 world, notwithftanding they had fo long,' and fo often heard our 
 Saviour to the contrary,Our Saviour therefore fhortly takes them 
 up -j Noneftveftrum^ your queftion is nothing to the purpofe; the 
 kingdom that I have lpoken oi is another manner of kingdom then . 
 you conceive. Sixteen hundred years, Et quod Excurrit^ hath the. 
 Gofpel been preached unto the world, & is this ftain fpunged out 
 yetjl douot it,whence arile thofe novel &: late difputes/fc nothSc-- 
 «7f//<e,of the notes & vifibility of the Church, Is it not from hence 
 that they otRome take the world & the Church to be likeA/ercury 
 and Sofia in Plaatus his comedies lo like one another that one of 
 them muft wear a toy in his cap, that fo the fpe&ators may diftin- 
 guifh them ; whence comes it that they ftand fo much upon State, 
 and Ceremony in the Church ? Is it not from hence that they 
 think the Church muft come in like Agrippa and Bemice in the 
 jifis^ /LiircL ttoAAw; $a.vfz<Jia,$> as S. Luke fpeaks with a great deal 
 of pompe, and train and fhew,and vanity, and that the ferviceof. 
 God doth neceftarily require this noife , and tumult of outward 
 State and Ceremony.Whence comes it that We are at our wits 
 ends, when we fee ptrkcution,and fword,and fire to rage againft 
 the true profcfTors of the Gofpel ? Is it rumbecaufe,as thefe bring 
 ruineand.delolation upon the kingdoms of the world 5 fo we fup- 
 
 poie- 
 
 I 
 

 \66 A Sermon on S.John 18. 3^. 
 
 pofe they work no other effect in the kingdom of Chrifl? all thefe 
 conceits and many more of the like nature ipring out of no other 
 fountain then that old inveterate error which is fo hardly wiped 
 out of our hearts y that the State of the Church and Kingdom of 
 Chrift doth hold fome proportion ? Some iikenefs with the ftate 
 and managing of temporal kingdoms; wherefore to pluck out of 
 our heaxxs>Opimonem tarn infitam^m vetuftam, a conceit fo ancient, 
 fo deeply rooted in us, our Saviour (pake moft excellently, moft 
 
 Eertinently, and moft fully when he teils us that his Church, that 
 is Kingdom is not of this world. 
 In which words of his, there is contained the true art of difco- 
 veringand knowing the true nature and efTence of the Church. 
 For as they which make statues, cut and pare away all fuperfiui- 
 ties of the matter upon which they work, io our Saviour to (hew 
 us the true proportion and feature of the Church , prunes away 
 the world and all fuperfiuous excrefcencies , andiends her to be 
 feen as he did our firft Parents in Paradice,ftark naked 5 As thofe 
 Elders in the Apocryphal footy oiSufanna, when they would fee her 
 beauty, commanded to take of her mask : fo he that longs to fee 
 the beauty of the Church, muft pull of that mask of the world & 
 outward fhew. For as Juda in the book of Gene (is when Thamar 
 fate vail'd by the way fide,kne w not his daughter from an whore : 
 fo whilft the Church,the daughter and fpoufe of Chrift fits vail'd 
 with the world and pompe,and (hew,it will be an hard matter to 
 difcern her from an harlot; But yet further to make the difference 
 betwixt thefe kingdoms the more plainly to appear, and the bet- 
 ter to fix it in your memories, I will briefly touch fome of thefe 
 heads in which they are moft notorioufly differenced. 
 
 - The firft head wherein the difference is feen , are the perfons 
 and fubjeBs of this kingdom 5 For as the Kingdom of Chrift is not 
 of this world, fo the fubje&s of this Kingdom are men of another 
 world, and not of this : Every one of us bears a double perfon, 
 and accordingly is the iubjecl: of a double Kingdom. The holy 
 Ghoft by the Pfalmift divides heaven and earth betwixt God and 
 man, and tells us as for God, be is in heaven, but the earth hath he 
 given to the children of men : So hath the fame fpirit by the Apoftle 
 Saint Paul divided every one of our perfons into heaven and 
 
 earth 
 
 I 
 
I 
 
 My Kingdom is not of this world, &c. 167 
 
 earth into an outward and earthly man, and into an inward and 
 heavenly man : This earth, that is, this body of clay hath he 
 given to the ions of men , to the Princes under whofe go- 
 vernment we live, but heaven that is the inward and fpiritual 
 man hath he referved untohim(elf$ They can reftrain the out- 
 ward man , and moderate our outward actions, by edicts and 
 laws, they can tie our hands and our tongues — Ilia fe jaftet in aula 
 iSolus. Thus far they can go, and when they are gone thus far, 
 they can go no farther.But to rule the inward man in our hearts,& 
 fouls, to let up an Imperial throne in our underftandings, & wills, 
 this part of our government belongs to God &: to Chrift 3 Thefe 
 are the fubje&s, this the government of his Kingdom, men may be 
 Kings of Earth,& bodies 5 But Chrift alone is the King of Spirits 
 and Souls : Yet this inward government hath influence upon our 
 outward a&ions : For the Authority of Kings over our outward 
 man is not fo abfolute, but that it fuffersa great reftraint , It mud 
 ftretcii no further then the Prince of our inward man pleafes; for 
 if ltcuiar Princes ftrctch out the skirts of their Authority to com- 
 mand ought by which our fouls are prejudiced, the King of Souls 
 hath in this cafe given us a greater command, That we rather obey 
 (jod then men. 
 
 The fecond head wherein the difference betwixt thefe King- 
 doms is feen is in their laws 5 For as the kingdoms & the lawgivers 
 fo are their laws very different : Firft, in their Authors, the laws 
 by which the Common- wealth of Rome was anciently govern'd, 
 were the works of many hands,fome of them were Plebifcita the 
 the a&s of the people, others were Senatus. confulta the decrees of 
 the Senate, others EdiBa Pr<£torum> the verdict of their Judges, o- 
 thers Refponfa Prudentum the opinions of Wifemen in cafes of 
 doubt. Others Refcripta Imperatorum, the Refcripts and anlwers 
 of their Emperors, when they were confulted with ; But in the 
 kingdom of Chrift there are no ■'Plebifcita 01 Senatus-confulta^ no 
 people,no Senate, nor wifemen, nor Judges, had any hand in the 
 laws by which it is governed. Only Rfcripta Imperatoris the Re- 
 fcripts and Writs of our King run here, thefe alone are the Laws 
 to which the Subjects of this Kingdom owe obedience. Again,the 
 Laws of both thefe kingdoms differ in regard of their quality and 
 eature 5 For the laws of the Kingdom of Chrift are Eternal, 
 
 Sub' 
 
i£8 A Sermon on S. John \S y 36. 
 
 Subftantial, Indifpenfable , but Laws made by humane author 
 rity,are buc light,mpcrficial and temporary. For all the humane!: 
 authority in the world can never enad one eternal and fundaJ* 
 mental Law. Let all the Laws which men have made be laid to- 
 gether, and you iiiall lee that they were made but upon occafion,' 
 and circumftance either of time, or place, or perfons in matters 
 of themfelves indifferent, and therefore either by difcontinu- . 
 ance they either fell or ceafed of themlelves , or by reafon of al- \ 
 teration of occafion and circumftance were neceflarily revoked 3 
 Thofe main fundamental Laws upon which all the Kingdoms of j 
 the world do ftand, againft theft, againft murther, againft adul- j 
 tery, difhonouring of Parents or the like, they were never I 
 brought forth by man, neither were they the effects of any Par- j 
 liamentary Seflions ; they were written m our fouls from the be- 
 ginning, long before there was any authority Regal extant among 
 men. The intent of him who fir ft ena6ted them was not to found 
 a temporal, but to bring men to an eternal Kingdom ; and fo far 
 forth as they are ufed for the maintaining of outward ftate they 
 are ufurp'd, or at the beft but borrowed , So that in this work 
 of fetling even the Kingdoms of this world, if we compare 
 the Laws of God with the Laws of men we fhall finde that God 
 hath as it were founded the palaces and caftles , and ftrength of 
 them, but men have like little children built houfes of clay, and 
 dirt which every biaft of wind overturns. 
 
 The third head by which they may be feen is in the notes and 
 markSyby which they may be known: For the Kingdoms of the 
 world are confin'd,their place is known their fubje£ts are difcern- 
 able, they have badges and tokens, and ^rms by which, they are 
 difcovered -, But the Church hath no fuch notes, and marks , no 
 Herauld hath as yet been found that could blazon the arms of that 
 Kingdom. ^£[culus the Poet in his iM iir) M fiats, defcribing 
 the captains , that came either for the fiege or defence of the 
 City of Thebes in Beotia brings them in, in their order every one 
 with his fhield, and upon his fhicld fome device , and over that 
 device a Motto or word according; to the ufuai fancies of men in 
 that kinde ; but when he comes to aAmphiraus , he rotes of him 
 that he had no device in his fhicld, no imprefs or word , and he 
 
 gives 
 
MyKingdotHisnotofthnworld, &c. 169 
 
 gives the reafon of it - y becaufe he arTe&ed not (hew , but to be 
 that which others profeft. But to carry marks and notes and de- 
 vices, may well befeem the world which is led by fancy and 
 fliew 3 but the Church is like Amphiarw, {he hath no device , no 
 word in her fhield, mark and effence with her are all one , and 
 (he hath no other note but to be. And but that learned men muft 
 havefomethingtobutie their wits withal thefe large difcourfes 
 de notis Ecclefiie, of the notes and marks by which we may know 
 the Church might very well lie by as containing nothing elfe 
 but doBas ineptias^ Laborious vanities , and learned impertinen- 
 ces. For the Ghurch is not a thing that can be pointed out : The 
 Devil could fhew our Saviour Chrifl all the kingdoms of the earth and 
 the glory of them, I hope the Church was none of thefe j It is the 
 glory of it not to be feen, and the note of it to be invifible ^ when 
 we call any vifible company of profefTors a Church it is but a 
 word of courtefie. Our of charity we hope men to be that which 
 they do profefs, and therefore we fo fpeak as if they were indeed 
 that, whofe name they bear, where and who they are that make 
 up this kingdom,is a queftion unfit for any man to move : For the 
 Lord only knoweth who are his. It is but popifti madnefs to fend 
 men up and down the world to fLde the Church 5 It is like unto 
 the Children of the Prophets in the fecond of Kings , that would 
 needs feek Elias or like the nobles in Hierufalem y that would needs 
 go feek Jeremie the Prophet, but could not finde him, becaufe the 
 Lord had hid him : For in regard of the profeflion ^ The Church 
 (as our Saviour fpeaks J is like a City let upon an hill , you may 
 quickly fee and know what true Chriftianity is, But in regard of 
 the perfons the Kingdom of Heaven is, as our Saviour again tells 
 us like a treafure hidden in afield. Except the place of their abode, 
 and their perfons were difcernable, who can tell , we go thus to 
 feck them, whether we do not like falfe hounds hunt Counter (as 
 the hunters phrafe is) andfogo from the game, when Saul went 
 to feek his Fathers AfTes, he found a Kingdom 5 Let us take heed 
 leaft the contrary befal us , leaft while we feek our Fathers 
 Kingdom thus,we finde but Affes. Will you know where to find 
 the Kingdom of Chrift,our Saviour directs you in the Gofpel, 
 The Kingdom of Heaven, (aith he ? cometh not by obfervation , nei- 
 
 Y 7 ther 
 
170 A Sermon on S.John 18. 36. 
 
 ther fhaliyefay, Lo here, or lo there, but the Kingdom of Heaven it with- 
 in you : Let every man therefore retire into himfelf and fee if he 
 can finde this kingdom in his heart 5 For if he finde it not 
 there, in vain fhall he finde it in all the world befides. 
 
 The fourth head wherein the difference of thefe kingdoms is 
 feen is outward Ji ate and ceremony -, for outward pompe and fhew 
 is one of the greateft Itays of the Kingdom of this world. Some 
 thing there muft be to amaze the people, and ftrike them into 
 wondermeftt, or elfe Majefty would quickly be contemned. The 
 Scripture recounting unto Ub KingSolomous Royalty tells us of his 
 Magnificent buildmgs,of his Royal throne, of his lervants,and his 
 attendants, of his cup bearers,of his meats, and thefe were the 
 things which purchaled unto him, the reputation of Majefty, a- 
 bove all the Kings of the earth. Beloved,the Kingdom of Chrift 
 is not like unto Solomon i a hit Royalty, It is like unto David when 
 he had put of all his Royalty, and in a linnen Ephod danced be- 
 fore the Ark : and this plain and natural fimplicity of it, is like 
 unto the Lillies of the peld, more glorious then Solomon in all his 
 Royalty. The Idolatrous fup-rftitions of Paganifm flood in greae 
 need of fuch Pompous Solemnities, tit opinionem fufpendio cogni- 
 tionis tedifcentj atq^ itatantam majeftatem exhibere videantur quanta 
 prrfftruxerunt cupiditatem, as Tertullian tells us 5 For being nothing 
 of themfelves, they were to gain reputation of being fomething 
 by concealment, and by outward ftate make (hew of fomething 
 anfwerable to the expectation they had raifed : The ca(e of the 
 kingdoms of the world is the fame : For all this State and Ma- 
 gnificence ufed in the Managing of them is nothing elfe but Secu- 
 lar Idolatry, ufed togdin veneration, and reverence unto that 
 which in comparifon of the Kingdom we fpeakof is meer vanityi 
 But the fcepter of the Kingdome of Ghrift is a right fcepter, and 
 to adde unto it outward ftate, and riches, and pomp, is nothing 
 elfe but to make a Gentaure, marry and joyn the Kingdome of 
 Chrift with the Kingdome of the world, which Ghrift exprcfly 
 here in my text hath divorced and put a funder. A thing which I 
 do the rather note ; becauiethat the long continuance of fome 
 ceremonies in the Church, have occasioned aiany especially of 
 the Church of Rome,, to think that there is no religion^ no fer- 
 
 vice 
 
I 
 
 My Kingdom is not of this reorld % &c. 171 
 
 vice without thefe ceremonies. Our books tell us of a poor Spar- 
 tan, that travelling in another countrey, and feeing the beams 
 and pofts of houies fquared and carved, a^kt if the trees grew fo in 
 thoj'e countreys I Beloved, many men that have been long acquain- 
 ted with a form of worftup, Iquaredand carved, trick't and fet 
 out with fhew and ceremony, tail upon this Spartans conceit* 
 think the trees grow to, and think that there is no natural fhape 
 and face of Gods fervice but that. I confefs the fervice of God 
 hath evermore fome ceremony attending it, and to our Fathers, 
 before Chriffc may fecm to have been necefTary, becaufe God 
 commanded it : But let us not deceive our felves, for neither is 
 ceremony now, neither was facrifice then efteemed necefTary, 
 neither was the command of God concerning it, by thole to 
 whom it was given, ever taken to be peremptory 5 I will begin 
 the warrant ot what I have faid out of St. Chyfoftome $ for in his 
 comments upon the tenth of the Hebrews, he denies that ever God • 
 from the beginning requir'd, or that it was his will to ordain- 
 fuch an outward form of worfhip ; and asking therefore of him- 
 felf -nw^l Mrc^t, how then feemsheto have commanded it,- 
 he anfwers auvKara^aivw, by condifcending only, and fubmit- 
 ting himfelf unto humane infirmity,now this avyxa,Tet£affi$ 3 this 
 condefcendingof God, wherein it confifted Oecumeniw opens,. 
 For becaufe that men had a conceit, that if was convenient to of- 
 fer up fome part of their fubftance unto God, and fo ftrongly 
 were they pofTeft with this conceir, that if they offered it not up 
 to him, they would offer it up to Idols: God faith he, rather 
 then they fhould offer unto Idols, required them to offer unto • 
 him. And thus was God underftood by the holy men themfelves, 
 who lived under the fhadow of thofe ceremonies : for David 
 when he had made his peace with God, after that great fin of his 
 opens this myftery. For thou require^ not facrifice, faith he, rife 
 would I have given it thee, but thou delight eft not in burnt offerings ^ , 
 The facrifice of God is a broken fpirit, a troubled and a contrite heart, . 
 OGod, dofi thou not defpife. After the revolt of Jereboam and the 
 ten Tribes from the houfe of David ^ there were many devout 
 and religious perfons in Ifrael, and yet we finde not that they u- 
 fedihe outward form of worfhip, which was commanded. El : as < 
 
 Y.21 and j 
 
 I 
 
I ■ 
 
 tfz ASertrion on S.John 18. 36. &c. 
 
 and Elicits two great prophets in Jfrael, did they ever go up to 
 Hieru[alem to worfhip, Obadiah a great courtier in King Ababs 
 Court, and one that feared the Lord exceedingly 5 the feaven 
 thoufands which bowed not their knees to Baal, when came they 
 up to the Temple to offer. A thing which doubtlefs they would 
 have done, ii they had underftood the commandement of God 
 in that behalf, to have been abfolute indeed 5 if we live in places 
 where true religious perfons do refort, and affemble for the fer- 
 vice of God, it were a (in to neglcd it. But otherwife it is fufli- 
 cient,ifwe keep us from the pollutions of that place to which 
 we are reftrain'd. Quidjuvat hoc noflros templis admittere mores > 
 why meafurc we God by our (elves, and becaufe we are led 
 with gay (hews, and goodly things,think it is fo with God > Sene- 
 ca reports, that a Pantomimutfi puppet player and dancer in Rome, 
 becaufe he pieafed the people well, was wont to go up every day 
 into the Capitol, and pra&ifed his Art, and dance before Jupiter, 
 and thought he did the God a great pleafure. Beloved, in many 
 things, we are like unto this puppet-player, and do much mea- 
 fure God by the People, by the World. 
 
 FINJS, 
 
 A Serm. 
 
I 
 
 77- 
 
 *73 
 
 
 SERMON 
 
 On i. Sam. 24. 5. 
 
 y4//rf /> came to pajfe afterward^ that Davids heart fmote 
 biffly becaufe he had cut off Sauls skjrt. 
 
 @£Bjft£Sfr C Emptation is the greated^ Occafioner of a Chriiiians 
 Honour : indeed like an Enemy it threatens and endea- 
 vours his mine ; but in the conqiielt of it confiits hisi 
 ff' Crown and Triumph. Were it poflible for us to be 
 at league and truce with this Enemy, or to be %& star, 
 without danger of Gun-fhot, cut of its reach, like the Candle in the 
 Gofpel that is put under a bufhel, the brighteft £art of our glory were 
 quite obfeur'd. As Maxima Tyr'm fpake of Hercules, if you take 
 from him -m. Snei* ^ r<^ a**W, the favage beaBs that he flew, and 
 the Tyrants whom he fupprelt, his journeys and labours 3 ^o-meU<m( 
 thp «f6THK«rS »^>ae«<, you lop and cutoff the manifest Arms and Limbs 
 of Hercules renown. So, take from a Chriftian his Temptations, his 
 Perfections, his Contentions, remove him from the Devil, from the 
 World, nKfoyiei*™< rtiv itffo >& x&siclvx , vou deprive him of the 
 chief matter and fubjeft of his glory. Take job from the Dunghill, 
 David from Saul, Daniel from the Lions, the blefled Martyrs from 
 the rack, from the fire, from the fword, and whar are they more then 
 other men. As Sampfm tells Dalilah in the Book o^ the Judges, If my 
 hair be cut, then ?nyftrength mil go horn me, and Iflsall become u I ak, and 
 like unto another man ; (o Beloved, thefe things are as it were the hair 
 wherein their ftrength lay, fhave that away, and they {hall prefently 
 become weak, and like unto other men. But Temptations are of 
 
 Z two 
 
 I 
 
174 A Sermon on i. Sam. 24, $• 
 
 two forts : fome are like profeft and open Enemies, which proclaim 
 open war againft us, like Goliab they publikely come forth and chal- 
 lenge us. And fuch are the outward Evils that befal us, Lofs of Goods, 
 Sicknefs, Difcafe, Difhonor , Infamy, Perfections, and the like. 
 Ochers there are of a more fccret,c!ofe, and retired nature, like un- 
 to Traytors , that bear the behaviour and countenance of Friends ; 
 that efpy out their advantage and let privily upon us : the molt 
 troublcfome kinde of Enewies , per quos nee licet ejje tanquam in 
 hello paratos, nee tanquam in pace ft euros : with whom we can have 
 neither peace nor war, and againft whom we can neither be pro- 
 vided nor fecure, thefe are our own corrupt Thoughts and Imagi- 
 nations, which fccrejly lye in cur hearts, and watch their times to let 
 on us, as the Philiftines did in DhTilahs chamber to furprize Sampfon. 
 For let a man but defcend into himfelf, examine his ©wn foul, take 
 as it were an Inventory of the pafsions, afrldions, thoughts of his 
 own heart, look but what the number of them is, and let him make 
 accomptof fo many enemies. Tot vener.a, qwjt wgeniay tot pern; cies 
 q<iod & j "pecies , tot d^j fores, qtiot colores ; as Terttdlia/j- rimes it. A fort of 
 Enemies by (o mu:h the more dangerous, becaufe that all thofe out- 
 ward enemies, ©f which I but now fpake, cannot come fo neer as to 
 rafe our skin, or indanger one hair of our head, ii thefe give them 
 not way : from thefe ut ajpis a viper a venerium, as the Afp borrows 
 borrows poifon irom the Viper, do thofe other Temptations borrow 
 all their power and Itrength to hurt us. For let us take a furvc y of all 
 the outward afflictions, mifcries and calamities, which have befallen 
 all the Saints of God in Holy Scripture, and let us fuppofe them to 
 be all fet and bent agiinft fome one alone, yet notwithstanding, as the 
 three children in Daniel waikt in the midlt of the fire untoucht,or as our 
 Saviour Chrift pafs'd away through the midft of the people, that were 
 gathered together to mifchief him, and throw him down the Hi! I, fo 
 fhall be be able topafsfrom them all without any hurt or harm, i^ 
 fome difconten ted, ordiftruftful, or defpairing, or proud, or angry, 
 or impure and luftful thought do not betray him unto them , and as 
 it were open a door, and let them in. David who is here the fubj <ft 
 of my Text, had very much ado with both forts of enemies, and by 
 hts own experience found, that this latter rank of fecret and privie 
 enemies in ftrcngth far furpafled the former. For whom neither the 
 
 Lion 
 
And Davids heart f mote hint, &>c. jj$ 
 
 L*on nor the Bear, nor Goliah, nor #»#I 3 nor the Philiftines could ever 
 fatten upon, or drive to any inconvenience, one luftful thought forced 
 to Adultery and Murder, one proud conceit itirrcd up to number the 
 people, and drew from God great inconveniences and plagues both 
 upon himfelf and his Kingdom. How careful then ought we to be, 
 and to ftand on our guard,and keep a perpetual watch over our hearts, 
 diligently to try and examine our thoughts, Nunquam fee tiro tr'um- 
 vhautur otio,fedtantum follicito premuntur imperio, AuguR. Nor while 
 we live (hall we be able perfectly to mafter, or fecurdy to triumph 
 ■over them : the on'y way to lupprefs and keep them down is, to have 
 a perpetual and careful jealoufie of them. Now of this Religious 
 care and watchfulnefs over our own thoughts, hath the Holy Grioft 
 recorded for our u(e a notable example in thefe words, which but now 
 I read. And it came topajje^c 
 
 To relate unto you at large the occafion of thefe words, and the 
 ftory from whence they depend, were but to wrong you, for I cannot 
 think fo meanly of your knowledg in Scripture, as that any of you 
 can be ignorant of fo famous a paiTage. Yet thus much for the 
 better opening of my way unto luch doSrines, as I fhall draw from 
 this Text, I wili call back unto your memories, that Sa.ul hunting af- 
 ter David to kill him, unwittingly ftept into a Cave where David 
 was; Da u/^ having now his enemy in his hand, and opportunity to 
 revenge himfelf, lets flip all thought of revenging, and only oats off 
 privily the lap of his Garment. For this deed fo harmlefs fo innocent 
 the Scripture tells us that his heart fmote him, that he differed great 
 anguifh and remorfe in Conference for it. That which I will require 
 you to note, is the tendernefs of Conference, and ftrange fcrupulouf- 
 nefs in David forfo fmall an action ; for it will yield us a great Lef- 
 fon. I fay it appeared not by Scripture, that David intended any mif- 
 chief or treafon to Saul, or that he harbour'd in heart any difloyal 
 thought againft him. This purpofe of cutting off the lap of Sauls 
 garment was no other then to purchafe to himfelf a harmlefs and ho- 
 nourable teftimony of his Innocency, and to prove unto Saul, that 
 there was no likelihood that he fought his blood, whom he fpared, 
 having him at fo great an advantage. Yet notwithstanding, as ii the 
 rending of Sauls garment, had been the wounding of Shuts body, or 
 the fhedding of his blood, David ftmds amazed., and is affrighted at 
 
 Z 2 fo 
 
: 
 
 
 
 
 iy6 A Sermon on i . Sam. 2 4. 5 . 
 
 fo honourable, fo innocent a thought. His heart fmote him, faith the 
 Scripture. As men that have been at Tea, and indanger'd through the 
 raging of windes, and tempefts, and floods, when afterward the 
 weatner is cleared up, the windes allayed, the fea fmoothed, and all 
 calm, yet fcarcely dare they fet fail again, and trutt to fo uncertain, 
 fo fickle an Element : fo feems it to have fared with Da Ad in this 
 place. He was a man fubjecttothe fame pafsions with other men, 
 and doubclefs, through the raging of unruly and miforderly affections, 
 he had many times been in danger of fpiritual ihipwrack ; wherefore 
 Iktt in morem (lagni fufum &([uor arrideat, and though now he could dis- 
 cover no tempeft in his heart, though the face of lis thoughts were as 
 ifHooth as glafs , yet when he looks upon fuch fair and calm affecti- 
 ons, his heart milgtves him, and he dares not truft them : magms hie 
 campus montes habet, tranquilitas i(ia tempeft at eft. The care- he fcath over 
 his own heart fills him with fufpidons, andftill he thinks, fomething 
 he knows not what, may be amifs. But I muft come unto the words. 
 And it came topafs afterwards ,&c. 
 
 In thefe words we will coniider thefe three things. 
 
 1 . The Pcrfon , Dat i </, And Da vids heart f»\ ote him. 
 
 2. Davids Sollicitoufnefs, his aire and jealoufy, very fignifi- 
 cantly exprefled in the next words , His heart fmote him. 
 
 3. The caufe of this his care and anxiety of minde in the 
 laft words, Becaufe he had cut off Sauls ikitt.. 
 
 In the firlt point, that is, in the Perfon, we may confider his ereat- 
 nefs, he was a King in expectation, and already anoynted. A cir- 
 cumftance by fo much the more confide rable, becaufe that greatnefs 
 is commonly taken to be a Priviledge to fin : to be over carcfull and 
 confeientious of our courfes and actions are accounct cLvirtues for pri- 
 vate Perfons, Kings have greater buiincues then to examine every 
 thought that comes into their hearts. Pater mew oblivifcitw fe ejje 
 Cfjarem \ ego zero memmi me Qffarisfiliam. It is the anfwer of Ju- 
 lia A'tgufttM the Emperours daughtcr,when trie was taxed for her too 
 wanton and licentious living, and counfel'd to conform herfelf to the 
 Sobriety and Gravity of her Father. My Father, faith fhe, forgets him- 
 J elf to be C<efar the Emperour : but I remember myfelfto be Ctfars daugh- 
 ter. It was thefpeechof£/?x*»$the Poet, Plebs in hoc Regi anteflat 
 loco y licet laclmmari plebi 3 Regi honefle non licet : Private men in this 
 
 have 
 
And Davids heart f mote him^ &>c. lyj 
 
 have a privilcdge above Princes ; but thus to do becomes not Princes: 
 and tf at any time thefe lad and heavy hearted thoughts do fupprize 
 them, they thai' never want comforters to difpell them. When 
 Ahab was for iullennefs tailen down upon his bed, becaufe Nalotb 
 would not yield him his Vineyard, Jezdell is prelently at hand and 
 asks him, Art thou this day King of IfraeL !■ When Amnion pined a- 
 way in the inceftuous love of his Sifter Thamarjonadab his companion 
 comes unto him, and asks, PPhy is the Kings Son fitd every day I io thar, 
 as it leems great Perfons can never be much or long fad. Yet David 
 forgets his greatnefs, forgets his many occafions, gives no ear to 
 his companions about him, but gives him'elf over to a fcrupulous an I 
 ferious consideration of an Action in fhew and countenance but light. 
 
 Secondly , as the P erf on is great , fo is the care and remorfc 
 conceived upon the Consideration ot his action exceeding great , 
 which is our Second part : And therefore the Holy Gholt expreffes 
 it in very figniheant tcrmes -.His heart [mote him, a phrafe in fcripture 
 ufed by the Holy Ghofi when men begin to be feniible and repent them 
 offome fin. When David had commited that great fin ofnumbring 
 the people, and began to be apprehcnlive of k, the Scripture tells 
 us that Davids heart fmote him, when he had commanded Jca'v to 
 number the People. W 7 herefore by this fruiting we may not here 
 Underftand fomc light tench of Conference, like a grain of powder 
 prefent'iy kindled and prefently gone, for the moft hard and flinty 
 hearts many times yield fuch fparks as thefe .He that is moft flcfht in 
 fin, commits it not without fome remorfc; for fin evermore leaves 
 fome feruple , fome fting, fome lothfomnefs in the hearts of thofc 
 that are moft inamour'd of it. But as Simeon tells the bleffed Virgin 
 in St. L'ikes Gofpell, Gladim pertranfibit animamt'tam^ a (word thall 
 peircc through thine heart; fo it fecmstohave been with David. 
 It was not fome light touch to rafeonly the furtace and skin of the 
 heart,but like a fword it pierced deep into him.To teach us one leffon, 
 that actions fpotted, though but with the leaft fufpieion of fin, oup;ht 
 notcarelefly to be paft by ,or (lightly glanced at, but we ought to hz 
 deeply apprchenfive of them and beftovv grateft care and confidera- 
 tionupon them. 
 
 The third part of our Text containeth the caufe of Davids remarfe 
 in the laft words. Becaufe he cat off Sauls skirt, in the two for mer 
 
 Z 3 parts 
 
 i^ __ : 
 
f 78 A Sermon on 1 . Sam. 24. *>. 
 
 pares \vc had to do with greacnefs : chef e- was 1. a great Per fun, and 
 2. great Remorfe, can we in this third part find out any great caufe 
 or reaion or this/o to make all parts proportfonable?Certainly he that 
 fTuii attentively read and weigh thefe firft words oi my Text, and 
 know the itory, might think that David had committed iome nota- 
 ble error, as iome great oppreifion,or fome cruell flaughtcr, or fome 
 fuch royall fin, which none but Kings and great men can commit. But 
 beloved this my Text feems to be like the windows in Solomons T'emple, 
 broad wit; jn, but narrow without : or like a Pyramide large and fpa- 
 tious at the Bafis and ground of it, but fmall and (harp at the top. 
 The Per Jon and Re morfe, which are the Ground and fubjc& of my 
 Text both are great and large, but the caufe which is the very crown 
 and top of all, that is very filial 1 , yea pcradventure none at all. 
 For whether it be that my fclfacuftomed to greater fins, and now 
 grown old in the m, have loft all fenfe of fmall and petty errours, or 
 whether indeed there be no errour at all in this a&ion of Vavid 3 but 
 only fome fancy, fome jeaioufy arifing out of that Godly and care- 
 full watch he kept over all his wayes, or whatfoever elfe it was that 
 caufed this fcruple or remorfe in D^u/V, it is a very-hard matter to 
 difcover, and yet notwithstanding that wc may make more open 
 pafs unto fuch Doctrines as I fhali raife out of thefe words, let us a 
 little fcan and confider what it \yas in th is action that made David 
 thus ftrangely fcrupulcus. 
 
 And firft of all was it for that he had toucht and taken that which 
 was none of lis own, and therefore might feemtofall within com- 
 pafs of the Law againft injury and purloyning ?This feems not proba- 
 ble : for when afterwards in the like cafe he came upon Saul as he 
 was ileeping in the Camp , and took from him the spcre and the 
 pot of Water which ftood ar his head, we do not read that his heart 
 fmote him,and yet he took what was none of his. 
 
 Or 2ly. was it that he did wrong and difhonour Saul in mangling 
 h's garment I Indeed the Jem have a tradition that this was the fin 
 of which David was here fo fenfible. And therefore fay they,whereas 
 we read in the firft of Kings, that when David grow old they covered 
 him with clothes, but he gat no heat, this was the punifhment of his 
 {h eommitted againft Saul: God fo providing that garments fhould 
 noLbeferviceabletohimJwho had offended in wronging Sauls gar- 
 ments. But this I muft let go as a fable. * Ot 
 
if 
 
 And Davids heart fmo'te him^ &c. i yp 
 
 Dr 3ly. wa, k that he had unad'vifedly given way to fome difloyal 
 thought,and at firit refolved to revenge himfclf on Smtjamwg him at 
 the advantage, chough afterward he repented I Indeed St. Chnfoftome 
 thinks io 5 and therefore on thofe words at the latter end of the verfe 
 next before my^tm^And David arofe^.Q notes &&« irm ny4&n t*< ifyfo 
 jg«p»»" See you uot, faith he, what a tempeft of rage and anger 
 begins to rife in him 5 for he fuppofcth him to arife in heat and fury, 
 with a refolution tor blood : but it pleafed God m the way, to 
 make him relent and change thepurpofe of revenge into the Action 
 of cutting off his skirt: and that this -(mi ting of Davids heart was 
 nothing eife but his repenting himfeif for giving over hafty entertain- 
 ment to fueh a rebellious thought. But beloved, wi fjjali lay apy thing 
 to the charge of Gods ehB I Davids thoughts were known only to Go I 
 and himfclf. Since therefore God gives not this as areaf on or Davids 
 remorfe, but another thing ; far be it from me, that I fhould wrong 
 David (o far, as to burden him with that,wirh which none but God 
 can charge him. I rather chufe to follow SuBafls rule: eWS© cU 
 yiyt A-rlewy let the Scriptures be underftood as they lye. The Scripture 
 tells us, Davids heart fmote him, becaufehecut of the skirt 0* Saute 
 garment, and not becaufe he had conceiv'd againft Sad any thought 
 of blood . Bu t what caufe then fhall we give of Davids remorfc,none 
 other, Beloved, but that Religious and carefull jealoufie which (till he 
 had over his own thoughts, which made him pietath affeFfa etiamqad 
 tutafmtforn:ida,e, Hicron. To fufpect all things be they neve r (o fafc, : 
 and never to think himfclf feeure from the contagion of fin. It was 
 with David ai k is wont to be with men that are often troubled with 
 fieknefTes and dileafes, fufplcionibus inf[uietantur, medic if [Me jamfam 
 manum porrivtmt,& omnemcahrem corporis fsei ca h tmniantur,$Qr\Qc. 1 D\ i \- 
 qui't themfelvcs with every little alteration in their Bodies, repair 
 to r he Pbyficiax when they are well, and think every heat to b: j an 
 ■Ague fit. Horum corpM non eft par urn f mum, fed JanitUi pur urn dfjaevif: 
 thefe men are not fick, but they do not know what it is to be in health. 
 In the fame ftatc is David, he had been often infected with Sniritu- 
 all weaknefs and d?fcafe,and therefore he fufpects every motion of his 
 heart, and takes every thought to be a temptation. Wvjw animus non 
 era* parum fatt'<\f' ' riv'tii'; varum ajjttevit, his Soul was not iiek of any 
 fin, but he did not know vvhac it was to bw in Spirituall health. 
 
 For 
 
i8o A Sermon on i- 5am, 24. 5. 
 
 For us and for our ufe hath the Holy Gboft regiftred this example of 
 
 fcruple and tendcrnefs of confciencc. Let us returne to our felves 
 
 and fee what leffons we may learn hence for our behoof. Men ufually 
 
 are cither grown old in fin 3 & therefore their eyefight is deeayed 3 thcy 
 
 cannot eaiily ice and difcerne fmallcr fins : or clfe as Hagar in the 
 
 ¥>jok of Ge/seJIs, laid Ifntael afar off from her, that (he might not be 
 
 griev'd with the fight of hirn : fowelabeur to lay our fins far out of 
 
 kenn 3 that the memory and fight of them might not exafperate and 
 
 trouble us. For thecureofboththefcinfirmityesl have borrowed 
 
 out of the Lords trcafur y a Spectacle or Qptick Glajf, which if we ufe 
 
 it 3 wiil restore our decayed eyefight and quicken and make us read 
 
 our fins in the fraalleft print 3 and let them ly never fo farr from us , 
 
 yet will it prefent them unto us in their true quantity and grcatnefs. 
 
 Towards the better ufe of which Spirituall Glaffc, onelcifon would I 
 
 efpeciaily commend unto you,to be perpetually Jealous and fufpicious 
 
 of your thoughts 3 and to be quick-fented, eafily to trace the footing of 
 
 fin 3 to be eafiiyfcnfible of it 3 when we think our felves to have done a- 
 
 niifsra lelfon naturally arifing,as I take it 3 out of Davids example 3 com- 
 
 mended unto us in this place. Now how abfolutely bchoofefull it is 
 
 for us to hold a perpetuall Watch over our hearts, and be jealous of 
 
 fuch thoughts as fpring out ol them it will appear by thefe Reafons. 
 
 F:rft 3 becaufe that fin is of fuch a fly infinuating nature 3 that it will 
 
 privily creep in,and clofely cleave to our thoughts and intents 3 though 
 
 we perceive it not.For as waters though of themfelves moft pure 3 will 
 
 rclifh and favour of the Earth and foyl through which they pafle. So 
 
 thoughts in themfelves good 3 palling through the corrupt and e\ji\l 
 
 ground of our he?rts 3 cannot but receive fome tindrure, fomedye, 
 
 iome relifh from them. When T>avid had an intent to build God an 
 
 houfe, he doubtkfs conceived no otherwifc of this his intent, then 
 
 of a religious and honourable purpofe, and m outward appearance 
 
 there was no caufc, why he fhould doubt of Gods acceptance yet we 
 
 fee this purpofe of his miflikcd by eW 3 and rejected, and the reafoii 
 
 g'Ven, quiavir fangu'tnum es tu^becaufe thou art a man of Hood. How 
 
 {h ill we then fecure our felves of any thought, if fuch an intent as 
 
 this,fo favouring of Zeal, of San&ification, of love unto the glory of 
 
 God, have fuch a flaw in it as makes it unprofitable , and how necef- 
 
 fary is it that we bring all our immaginations and intents to the fire 
 
 and 
 
I 
 
 And Davids heart fmote trim's &c. 
 
 and to the refining pot 5 fo throughly to try them,& bring them to their 
 higheft point of purity & perfedion.Be it peradventure,that the acti- 
 on be in it felt goocUit it be lyable to any fafpicion of evill, it is enough 
 to biaft it.lt is tne Holy Ghojis rule given by the blefTed Apoflle ,tha t we 
 nbflainfrom allfrew and appearance ofeiil/jihat we refrain as much as 
 poiTible from all iuch actions, as are capable of mifeoniuuclion.Vv I at 
 is more lawiulljthen for the labourer to have his hire, ti en ior thofe 
 that labour in the Gcfpell^o live by the Gcfpell^ci we Ice St. PaulrQ- 
 fuled this Liberty 3 and choie rather to work with his own 1 ands; only. 
 for this re alon,bccaufe he w^uid not give pecafion to any, that \\ cu:a 
 miiinterprct his A&ion,to live at others colt &: feed on, the fvveat of c- 
 thers brows.What befalls Princes many times and great Perfini x\ at 
 haveabufed their Authority, the people rife and (upprefs them,dc face 
 their lta t ues,torbid their coyn., put away ail things that bear any mc - 
 moryof them:So feems ©ur blefTed Apoflle to deal heredook what r.cti- 
 ons they be which bear any infcripton,any image ck title.any ihc w,or 
 fpot o: fin,thefe hath he thought good even to banifh 6c quite prohibit. 
 Our prophane ftories tell us,that when JuUm Csfar had divcrc g i is 
 wifesbeing asked why he did fo,tince nothing was brought againft 1 c r 
 to prove her diihoneiyiis anfwer was,that [he that w'll be wife of Cjfar 
 tnufl not only be free from di jljon- fly Jkut from allffnckn of 7f.BeJovcd, jr. 
 Paul tells the Corinthians that he had efpoufed them unto one PL(4and y 
 that he might deliver them as a shaft Virgin unto Chri(f. And God every 
 where in Scripture compairs his Church unto an efpoufed wi. t e,& h m- 
 felf unto an Husband,a Husband far more jealous then ever Csfar war. 
 How carefull then mult that Soul be, that intc nds to Many it felt to 
 fach a jealous Husband, to abftain not only from ail pollution of fin,but 
 from all fufpicion of it.Laft of all it is TertuU/ans fpe eel :Qymtcfac Vm 
 illicita timeiitflui etiam licita zerebitur. It is wifdom fc-metirrcs to (uf- 
 pec"t and fhun things that are lawfull. For there are many anions in 
 themfelves good which yet to many men become occafions of fin an d 
 fcandall.For u is with our Actions as it is with our meats & drinks. As, 
 divers meats fit not divers constitutions of Body;fo all Actions accord 
 not well with air Tempers of mind. As thcrrcre what Difh 
 it is we eafily Surfeit of , though it be otherwife <?ood it is 
 wifdome totally to abitain from: fo look what a&fons they be 
 in which we find our felves prone to fin,it is good fpiricuall Phyflck to 
 
 A a ufe 
 
 I 
 
j§2 A Sermon on i. Sam. 24. 5. 
 
 ufe abftinence & quite to leave them, For if our &rj/V command us to 
 pluck out our ejes^andpare off our kW&$$ once they become unto us caufc 
 of fin,how much more then mult we prune away ail inward thoughts, 
 a 11 outward circumftances,which become occai'ion of offence unto us. 
 A 2d. reafon, why I would perfwade you to entertain a jealcufe 
 of ail your thoughts and actions, is a naturall ovcfcharitable affecti- 
 on, which I fee to be in moil: men unto their own wayes, and which 
 is rtrange,the worfe they are,the more are we naturally enclined to 
 favour them. The Reafon is becaufe the worfe they are, the more 
 they are our own. When queftion was fometime made, My good 
 bearbsgrowfofpAringl)-, and with great labour and pains ^ where m weeds 
 grow apace without any culture and tilling; it is was anfwered, that the 
 earth was a naturall Mother to the one, to the other fhe was aStep- 
 Mother^the one fhe brought forth ofherfelf, to the other fhe was 
 conftrain'd. Beloved, it is with our hearts as it is with the Earth,the 
 naturall fruit of them is weeds and evill thoughts, unto them our 
 hearts are as mothers, injufla virefcun^ they fpring up in us of them- 
 felves without any care or manuring : but as for good thoughts if they 
 be found in our hearts, they arc not naturall, tkey are fet there by a 
 high hand, they are there by a kind of fpirituall inoculation and graf- 
 ting, as men graffe Apples and kind fruits upon Thornes and Crabs. 
 No mervail then,if like choice herbs and fruits they grow fo tenderly, 
 and need fo much care and cherifhing. As therefore Parents ^though 
 their own children be very deformed, yet love them more then o- 
 thers, though more beautifull : fo corrupt and evill thoughts are na- 
 turally dearer unto us then good, becaufe we are as Mothers unto 
 them,to the reft we are but Stepdamcs. Two notable Fruits there 
 are of this overcharitablenefs to our own actions. Firft a willingnefs 
 that we have to flatter, to deceive and abufe our own felves by 
 pretences and excufes. There is a plain, a downright , and as it 
 were a Countrey reprobate,one that fees his fin and cares not much 
 to excufe it,and is content to go on,and as it were in fimplicity to caft 
 himfclf [away. There is a more witty , more refined , and as it 
 were a Gentlemanlike reprobate, one that ltrives to fmooth and 
 guild over his fin , to deceive others and himfelf with excufes and 
 
 apologies, f^ra. ri.^ovof iix Vi1{ * ** 7ruyf.<TKivnt 5 ^ vr&yiMfl*'** hrnhv^Kti^ 
 
 as St. #<*/?/ ipeaks, to take gr£at pains, and with the expenfe of a 
 
 great 
 
 I 
 
And Davids heart f wot e him, &c. 183 
 
 great deal of wit and art to damn himfelf. When Saul, being lent 
 againft Amalek^ had fpared Agog and the beft and fatteft of the prey 3 
 at Samuels coming to viiit him, how doth he wipe his mouth , as 
 if all had been well, and trimly compofes himfelf to entertain him, 
 Bleffedartthouofthe Lord, I have performed the commandment of tie 
 Lord. And when Samuell had foe wed him his errour, how quickly 
 hath He his excufe at his fingers ends : we have fpared the kejt of the 
 Sheep and of the Oxen to Sacrifice unto the Lord, Et Deo adul&Uir & fibi 
 lenocinatur, as Tertulian fpeakes, he thinks to gull Almighty God 
 with fair and flattering pretences,and becomes a baud to his own vice, 
 nimium idem omnes fallimur, it is the common errour of us all, and 
 in molt ©four Actions we do as Said did, endeavour to put tricks 
 upon our felvcs. Beloved, were we not partial], but rigid cenfurers 
 of our own thoughts, this corrupt Iruit wculd quickly rot and fall a- 
 way. Again their is a 2d. fruit fpringing out of this favour and dotage 
 on our own actions, an errour as common though, not fo dangerous, 
 for we are content many times to acknowledg tha t fomething 
 is amils in our actions, we will confefs them to fee fins, but we ac- 
 coun t of them as little fins, i.ns oi a k filer i'ze, not fo fearful! , ea- 
 fily pardonable. There is a finner who by committing fome great and 
 and heinous crime ( crimen devoratorium falutti , as Tertulian calk ir 3 
 fuch a fin as with open mouth devours f alvation ) doth as it were 
 with one Hep leap into Hell ?ani of this kind o 1 : finners the number is 
 fewer. But abundance there are, who avoiding great and heinous 
 fins, by committing leffcr fins, as they think, can be content to go 
 by degrees and as it were ftep by Peep into Hell. Beloved let us a 
 little put on the fpe&acle I but now 1 ake of, that we may fee whi- 
 ther any fin be fofmall, as we take it. I know there is difference of 
 fins. Our Saviour tells us that there is a beam and there is a ino:e : 
 but wichall this I know, that the bell: way to keep us from fin, is mt- 
 nimapro max i mis caiere, to loath even the lcaft, as il it were the 
 greateft jif we look through this Glafs it will make us think every 
 mote a beam. Sins-in themfelves are unequal!, but in regard of us 
 and of our endeavour to avoid them, they are all equal!. Fly frome- 
 lill, faith the Pfahnifl : he tells us not,thu t" ere is one greater evili 
 from which we muft /fy,and another lefs from which rs enough if we 
 do but go: buthe'bidsusfly, and to make hafte alike from all. To 
 
 Aa 2 think 
 
184 A Sermon on 1 . Sam. 2 4, 5 . 
 
 think that a fin is lefs then it is, may be dangerous for it makes us the 
 lefs carefull to avoid itrbut to miiiake on the other hand.and think a 
 hn greater then it is, this is a very profitable errour. Utinam ficfem- 
 p^rerrmfM^ 5 would God we did aiwaies thus erre^ror befides that 
 there is no danger in k, k makes us more fearluil to commit fin. Our 
 Saviour reprehends the Phariiees in theGofpell becaufe they cculd- 
 ftrain at£#w'- but fwallow Cornells, but yet it is true , that men 
 learne at length to fwallow Camells by fvvailowing Gnas at firft. Nemo 
 repente fait turpiJfinmS) no Tinner (o hardy as to fet upon the greateft 
 {ins at firft. The wav by which men train up themfelves to the com- 
 mitting grofs and heinous fins, is by not being at firft confeientious 
 orkiTet Tins, Etfanenefciojaith Pa dims in St.Hierom, an poffimm 
 le ve aliquod peccatum dicey e quod in Dei contemptum admittitut : who 
 dares call any fin little, that is committed againft God , fmall con- 
 tempts againft great Princes are accounted great overfights; for 
 what is wanting in the thing is made up in the worth of the Perfon. 
 How great a fin then is the fmalleft contempt that is done againft 
 God I PrudenUjfimus illeefl, qui non tarn confiderat quid jujjum fit , 
 quam ilium, qui jujjerit-,nec quantitatem imperii, fed imperantis cogitat 
 digmtatem.lt is the beft wifdome for us,not fo much to confider,what 
 is commandcd,as who it is that commandcth its to confider, I fay, 
 not the fmallnefs of the Law,but the greatnefs of the Lawgiver. Sins 
 comparatively may be counted greater or leffer, but absolutely none 
 can be counted fmall. To conclude then this point ; Charity fufpeBeth 
 no harm faith St. Paul : true,but we mult note, that fome vertues in us 
 concern our felves, as Faith, Hope, Temperance , and the like : feme 
 vertues concern not our felves,butothcrs;but fuch an one is Charity. 
 Charity that wills Christians to think well of all others,can have little 
 room upon our felves. Let us then make ufe of this Charity towards 
 our Neighbours , hope the beft of all their actions , but let us take 
 heed how we be overcharita^y minded to our felves. C*far profeft 
 that he would rather dy then, fuffeBhis friends , and he fped accord- 
 ingly: for he dyed by the treachery of thofe Friends whom he fufpecV 
 ed not : Let us take heed how we be overkind unto our own thoughts 
 how we think it an errour to be two fufpicious of them. ^ov-Akvov : 
 peradventure thofe Sons of our own hearts whom we leaft fufpe<5t, 
 will in the end prove thofe who fhall betray us. But I come to a third 
 
 reafon 
 
And Davids heart f mote bim, &>c\ 185 
 
 Reafon. A third reafon why I fhall ad vife you to this jealoufy over 
 your own thoughts, is the difficulty of difcovering them berime, and 
 ing of what fpirit they are. For our heart is like that Field in the Go- 
 fpell) in which the Husbandman fmesgood Corne^ and the enemy fortes 
 tares. GWinfufethgood thoughts,and the Devillill. Now as weeds 
 many times at their flrft budding are hardly known from good heaibs; 
 To at the firil fpringing and budding of our thoughts a hard mat- 
 ter it is, to know the weed from the good hearb, the Corne from 
 the tare. As Jud'ab in the Book of Genefis^ knew not Tamar> till the 
 fruit of his fin committed with her began to fhew it felf: fo till the 
 fruits of our thoughts and purpofes begin to appear, except we fearch 
 very narrowly, we can fcarcely dilcover of what rank they are. Tunc 
 ferrurk quod latebat infundo fupernatabat aqu£^ & inter palmarum arbo- 
 res myrrh* amantudo repertaefl. Then the iron that lay in the bottom, 
 will fwim at the top of the water, and among the pleafant Palmtrees 
 will be found the bittcrnefs of mirrh. We read in the 2d. of Samuell 
 that when the Arke was brought from Kiritbjearim, the Oxen that 
 drew the cart fhook it, and Hzzab reaching out his hand to fave it 
 from falling, for his good fervice was laid dead in the place. Doubt- 
 lefs Uzzab his accompanying the Ark was a fign of his love unto it : 
 his love unto it begat in him a fear to fee it in danger : his fear to fee 
 it in danger bred in him a defire to keep it from danger. See beloved, 
 what a number of Golden thoughts are here: yet as we read in the 
 book of Job) when the fervants of God came and flood before him, Satan 
 alfo came and flood amongfl them : So in this chorus and Cjuire ofthefe 
 Angelicall thoughts the Devill finds a place torefthimfelfin. For 
 this defire of Uzzab to fave the Ark from danger, made him forget 
 what was written,tW none fhould touch the Ark fave only the Prieflsithc 
 breach of which precept brought thatfearfull judgment upon him. 
 You fee beloved that though the courfe of our thoughts be like Ja- 
 cobs Laddered God himfelf be at one end of them, yet Satan, if he 
 can,will be at the other.Let us learn by this example ofylzzakjoetimQS 
 to difcover our thoughts,and not to ftifrer them to grow till their fruit 
 betray them. Indeed our Saviour hath given us a rule, Ton Pcall knkw 
 the n by their fruits ; but we rauft take heed that we extcrd not this 
 rule to far. Uzzah felt the fruit of his thoughts to his own colt. It is 
 never good trying co nclufions thcte,Ubipcena fldtim fephur errorem, 
 
 A a 3 Lee 
 
■ 
 
 1 86 A Serwononi.Szm. 24. «J. 
 
 Let us learn to decipher our thoughts then, when wc may do it with- 
 out danger, whilft they are in femine whilft they are yet but budding 
 and peeping abt>ve ground, donee Sarcuh tantum opus eft, non secure 
 whilft yet there is only need of the weedhook, and not of the hatchet. 
 A fourth reafon yet there is, for which I would counfel you to hold 
 a ftricl hand over your thoughts, and it is,becaufe that from outward 
 fins we can better preferve our felves, then from cur fins in thought. 
 Beloved, there is a tra/ifeunt fin, and there is an imminent fin, there is 
 a fin that is outwardly a&ed by the fcrvice of the body ; there h> a fn 
 that requires not the help of the body, but is committed inwardly in 
 the very thought and Soul,afpeculative or an intellectual fin. Out- 
 ward fins are many wayes pafs'd by, means may be wanting, com- 
 pany may hinder, time and place maybe inconvenient s but for fpe- 
 culative fins, or fins in thought, all times, all occafions, all places 
 are alike.* *} t« n* t£>v cvC*fZv ^ xj™ ^vou'.vav , iaitn Sa nr. Bajil : A 
 man, faith he, of great gravity and countenance fits in the midftof 
 the market-place, vvich many hundreds about him, and looking upon 
 him, yet notwithstanding this man, a'mJ^s n c/>*iGi<i^3 f rhv -m 
 
 cL'Mf.fnai TS-TivV) x) &d% r;i (pa.VTV.oia. 7a (m»J)x,^0Liiva. CVen thlS mah in the 
 
 middeft of all the company fancies to himfelf what he def res, 
 and in his imaginations goes unto the place of fin, or rather retires 
 into his own heart, and there he findes place and means to commit 
 dyJ^npjv duafjidfj a fin that hath nowitnefs but God. If we retire 
 to our private Chambers > thefe fins will follow us thither, and as Baa- 
 na'j and Richabdid by Ifbofeth Sauls fon, they will finde us out upon 
 our beds, and flay us there. If we go to the Church, they will finde 
 us out there, and as Adramelech and Sbarezer flew Sennacherib whilft 
 he was worfhipping his God *, they will fet upon us even in the midft 
 of our holyeft meditations and prayers: neither Chamber nor Cnurch, 
 no place fo private, none fo holy, that can give us Sanctuary, or fhel- 
 ter us from them. S. Hierom confeffes thus much of himfelf, that 
 when he had forfaken the world, all outward occafions of fin, and 
 gone into the Defart, and fhut himfelf up in a poor Cell, and mace- 
 rated his body &^f«<< ? KKwyvffi, w * tn watchings, with fadings, 
 and perpetual prayers and religious exercife, yet could he not be fe- 
 curc from them. Pailebant or a jejuniis, & mens defideriis <esiualat in 
 frigido corpore : his body was now grown pale, and meager, and cold^ 
 
 but 
 
I 
 
 And Davids heart [mote him^ &>c. 1 87 
 
 but yet his heart burnt with unlawful defires. Again they are fins of 
 quick and eafy difpatch, they are doners va< % etKhyms, *'<Bf*yiMTtv'm( 3 
 as S.Bafil notes; in a moment of time,witbout labour of body, without 
 care of minde : One wanton look makes us guilty of Adultery., one 
 angry conceit guilty of: Murder, one covetous conceit guilty of Rob- 
 bery. Whatfoever is outwardly committed either with difficulty of 
 circumftance, or labour of body, or danger of Law, that is inwardly 
 committed in the foul without any trouble at all: Thirdly confider 
 but the ftiength of your thoughts, and you Will fee there is great 
 reafon to keep them low;for there was no man yet that ever was t'oil'd 
 but by them, and not by the outward acting of fin. For the outward 
 action is but the Cortex, the bark o£ the fin : but the very body and 
 fubftance of fin is the wicked thought. Beware of men, faith our Savi- 
 our, when he gave his Apoftles counfel how to provide for their fafe- 
 ty in times of outward danger : but it we will provide againft inward 
 dangers, we fhall not need to beware of men, or of any outward 
 force whatfoever. Let every man beware of himfclf, for in this cafe 
 every man is his own greateft enemy. To draw then to a conclufion : 
 That fins of thoughts prevail not againft us, our way is by a jealous 
 care firft to prevent them ; and to this hath the greateft part of my 
 difcourfe hitherto tended. Secondly if we have fuffcred them to gain 
 a little ground upon us, let us betimes take the rains into our own 
 hands and pull them back again, and caft out our Adverfary, whilft 
 he is yet weak. tviavIcu $ r dyiav *i 4* j x t i- ^Av^^^v etvi<^iv}eu 3 faith 
 S. Cbrifift. fuch are the fouls of holy men : their recovery is fo quick, 
 that they may feem to have rifen before they fell. It is a great figne 
 of fpiritual life in us to be quickly fenfible of the firft track and foot- 
 ing of firi. For as bodies of the beft and pureft complexion have their 
 fenfes quickeft ; fo that foul which fooneft perceives the firft fent of 
 fin, is of the Divineft temper. Our books tell us, that Dionjfm the 
 Tyrant was grown fo grofs and fat, that though men thruft bodkins 
 into him, he could not feel it. Beloved, there is a finner like unto this 
 Dionyfiat. David tells us of him, when he defcribes unto us a finner 
 wbofe heart is fat as brawn. That we fall not therefore into that like 
 *v*hy*<n*M , ftupidity and fenfelefnef s, our way is to catch thefe pMflg 
 Foxes, and fir angle them in the nefl : Nohfwtf cogkationem ere f cere, faith 
 S. Bierom> fuffer not your thoughts to encreafe and gather ftrength 
 
 upon 
 
 I 
 
■ 
 
 88 A Sermon on i. .Sam. 24. 5. 
 
 upon you. For as the man that touches only at hot iron., and ftayes not' 
 on it, burns not his hand, fo the firft glances of evil thoughts harm us 
 not s the harm is, it by confent, though never to little, you flay upon 
 them. To be free from all onfet of evil thoughts is a matter impoffi- 
 ble, whilft we have thefe hearts of flefh. file hud at ur qui ut cxperit 
 cogita/eforduU^flAtim inter ficit cogitata, & allidid ad petfam^ petra au- 
 tem tft Cbriflw. That man is praife worthy, who as foon as any unclean 
 thought, any childe of Babylon is born in his heart, ftratghtway ftran- 
 gles it in the birth, and dafhes it againft the rock, which Rock is 
 Chriii Thus,&c. 
 
 LETTERS 
 

 Mr. HALES 
 
 LETT 
 
 S 
 
 From the Synod of DOR.T 
 
 to T HE 
 
 Right Honourable Sr.DV DLE T C AKLl'ON, 
 
 Lord TLmbaffadori&'C. 
 
 Right Honourable, my very good Lord, 
 
 Ay it pletfe your Honor :Wee arrived at Don this laft night 
 betwixt fi* and feven of the clock ; our paflage was with- 
 out any impediment at all, and whercfoever we were to 
 take boat ftillwe found fome ready to put off, as if they 
 had waited our coming. Immediately upon my arrivall I 
 went to My Lord Bifhop, and aflbon as I had done my meflage unto 
 him, I forthwith went to Monfuur BogermanmiSy who humbly thanks 
 your Honour for your great courtefie towards him, and promifes no ac- 
 quaint your Lordftiip by me with whatfoever pafTes in the Synod : had 
 he known of fo convenient meanes of writing toyeur Lordihip, I fuppofe 
 he would have written : but when I fpake with him I knew noc fo much 
 myfelf. FeftutHimmim and Toljander I have not yet fecn, and it will be 
 the afternoon ere I mall fpeak with them, becaufe this morning they 
 have a fitting. Whatfoever hath pat in the Synod formerly, your Lord- 
 Grip mail underftand by a packet from my Lord Bimop; whatfoever fpee- 
 ches or other paflages are to be copyed I (hall this afternoon get of Mr. 
 Trefident^nd I will not fail to fend your Honour the tranfenptsofthem, 
 when Daniel returns. What fhall be difputed of or decided in the nexc 
 Seflions at the Synod I will at large inform your Lordfhip by the nexc 
 meflenger, mean time I humbly take my leave. 
 
 Xoht Lordjhips Chaplain^ 
 From Dort this if. of and bounden in all T>uty> 
 
 Novcmb. 1618. Jo : Hales. 
 
 * A Right 
 
2 Mr Hales Letters from the Synod of Dort. 
 
 Right Honour ahk ■, my very good Lord-> 
 
 YOur Honour fhall here receive inclofed an index of all the aftsof the 
 Synod Cmce the beginning, till the ||. of this prefent. It is not that 
 which 1 required, but is To much as Fe(ius Hommivs ( whofe writing it is) 
 could fpare your Lorpfhip. My deine was to obtain not only the bare 
 concluiionSj but the whole manner of proceeding, with all particulars 
 propounded and concluded .n the Synod; but it feemsthis was thought 
 nimis grande pojbt latum. If I can comefo far to perrk my notes of all the 
 former fdfions, as that/ fhall be .abfe to exprefle them in form as I did 
 the fefTion on Saterday iafh, and by Gods hel p will exprefs the following 
 feflipnSj I will in time acquaint your Lordi'hip with it. Mean while I come: 
 to thefeifion on Monday morning, the ||; of t"hi;prefenr. 
 
 It had been in fome of the Former feifions determined that there 
 fiiould be chofen fix Divines for the Translation of the Bikle^ three for the 
 Old Teftament and three for the New with the Apocrypha ■ and likewife 
 Revifors,one out of every Province,to whom the work being done mould 
 be brought to be revifed and cenfur'd. In this prefent Seilion they pro- 
 ceed to the choice of chem. The manner of election was by Scrutiny: 
 the Deputies of every Province in Scripts* exhibiting one. Tie Scrutators 
 were two of the Seculars,D. Simw Schsttus Secretary of Middleb in ough, 
 asd Preii dent this week, and M*rtin''s Greger>ii 9 thefe calculated the 
 voices and pronounced the eiccY on. And firft for the tranilation of the 
 Old Telrament were chofen thefe three, hb. Bogermannvs>Guil» Ba>>dari- 
 tusz and Gerfin Buctrus'. for the tranilation of the New, were chofen 
 lac. RolandvsiHt'rmannus Fa'ic\eIiNS) and P j tr>fs Comtlii. From thefe 
 they pro«eed to the nomination of the revifors. Here a role a doubt 
 concerning the province of Vtrtcht. For becaufe rhey are equally divi- 
 ded three Contra-Remouftrants, and three Remonftrauts, they could not 
 agree upon the nomination of a Pvevifor for that Province, which thing 
 bred a denmrre in the Synod. The Pr£fes required the judgment of the 
 Synod, what they thought tit to be done. Some thought tiiey might be 
 altogether pail by. For there would be Revifors enough, though that 
 Province chofe none. Others thought fit it mould be defer r\i till the end 
 of the Synod, and then fome one of that Province fhould be chosen cow- 
 mvmbus feffragiis totius Synodi. A third fort determined tliat it ih'mld be 
 defer' d till that Province were reconciled in it felf, (which it was hoped 
 would beat the end of the Synod) and then they mould name fome 
 one of their Province to be approved by the reft of the Tranila ors a-id 
 Heviforsj and this fentence |>au tor currant. £o that for the prefent there 
 
 is 
 
To the R. Honourable Si. D. Carlton £. Enibafjador. 3 
 
 is no Revifor for the Province oiVtrecht. Another doubt yet was moved' 
 for one of the Provinces, had named two paribus fuftragiis : the queftion 
 was who mould Stand. It pleafed the Synod to put it to Lots. And fo the 
 Trafes wrote their names in two littleTickets o*^ paper,each by it felf,and 
 rould them up, and deliverd them to Martini us Gregorius; that which he 
 took, flood, that which he refufed., wasprefently torne. The Revifor s for 
 the Old Teftament were thefe, ex Geldria Anu Tyfus > ex Suyd-Holland/a 
 lo. foljander : ex North-Holl. P. Vlancius. ex Zelandia lod. Larenus : ex 
 Frifia Sibrandus Lubbertus : ex 'tranfifulania lac. Kevins : ex Gron'mg. 
 J). G.omarus : ex t)rentia Onias Boethus. The Revifors for the NopTefra- 
 ment were thefe. Ex Geldria Seb. Vamm annus : ex Suyd-Holl. Fejlis 
 Hommius. ex Northoll. Gofwinus Geldorpius : exZelandia Ant. TFaUus, ex 
 Frifia Bern. Fuleniiif, ex Tranfiftdania Jo. Langim, ex Gruning. Vbto 
 Entmiusj ex Drentia Jo. Cnferm. It was farther enafted, that if any of 
 the Translators mould die, or by Sicknefs became unable for the Ser- 
 vice, that then he that was next him in number of voices in the Scru- 
 tiny Should fucceedin his place : If any of the Re'ifors mould die, or 
 be lick, power was given to the Pr*fes> the two ASTefTors, and the two 
 Scribes to depute another in his roome : and fo this Seflion concluded ; 
 K in which though little was done , yet was it longadoing-, by reafon of ths 
 cc Scrutiny. 
 
 Upon Tuefday the %h of this prefent, the Deputies met in the 
 morning, where the firft thing that was propofed was concerning thoie 
 o£j)rent. For whereas the day before they had named two Revifors 
 for the Tranflation, they now upon better advice require to be excufed 
 in that behalf, becaufe in their Province the Belgick Tcngue was not 
 well* known. Which Petition of theirs was accepted. In the fecond 
 place it was thought good, that Since all the buiinefs concerning the 
 Translation was determined of, there Should be a repetition made in 
 the Synod of all that had pafs'd about it : to this purpofe, that if any 
 thing were either omitted or mifrelated,it m "ght be rectified : forthwith 
 followed a Narration of all that had been done, where fome Small ex- 
 ceptions not worth relating were Stood upon. In the third place was 
 propofed the defe&of the Afternoon Sermons and Catechizing^ tfpecially 
 in the Countrey Villages ; and the Synod was moved to deliver it felf 
 concerning Remedies of this Defeft. What had been heretofore de- 
 creed in Some of their Synods concerning this matter was publickly 
 read. The Impediments were, Firft the negligence of the Pallors j Se- 
 condly Combinations, that is double Benefices, when men having two 
 Cures could not fufficiently attend both : Thirdly the difficulty of re- 
 claiming the Country people on the Sundayes*eitherfrom the Sporty 
 or from their Work. The Synod beginning to coniider of 0,eans to cut 
 
 A 2 off 
 
— 
 
 I 
 
 4 Mr. Hales Letters from the Synod of Port 
 
 off thefe abufes, Feftut HomvnM amongft other things complain'd that 
 through the negligence of the Remonft rants, it came that Catechizing 
 was fo much decay'd ; which words of his, it is thought, will be an oc- 
 caiion of foaie choler, though for the prefent they pafs'd uncontroll'd. 
 Many delivered their opinions how the forementioned hinderances of 
 Afternoon Sermons and Catechizing might be removed. Firft by im- 
 ploring the help of the States General, that it would pleafc them by 
 their Authority to prohibit that ordinary prophanation of the Sabbath 
 by working or playing : Secondly by requiring the like help of the 
 particular Magiftrate in every Town and Village : Thirdly by taking 
 away thofe Combinations : Fourthly by providing of fufticient Schole- 
 Mafters in every Village, who mould not only teach Grammar, but in- 
 Irruft Youths in the principles of Religion : Fifthly that the Pa'ftors 
 fhould not omit afternoon Sermons by reafon of the negligence of their 
 Auditors, but mould perform them, though they brought to the Church 
 none but their own Family : that the Paftors and Deacons and Seniors 
 mould deal with their Friends and Acquaintance and bring them to 
 Church with them. Sixthly that if any Paftor neglected to perform 
 this Duty, he mould be fubject to Eccleiiaftical Cenfure. Seventhly that 
 the Deputies of other Nations mould be requefted to make overture of 
 their Cuftoms in this behalf. Laftly that diligent enquiry mould be 
 made throughout all the ClaJJes, whether Catechizing and Afternoon 
 Sermons were obferved. It was decreed that in every Parifti there mould 
 be two Sermons every Sunday, of which that in the Afternoon was to be 
 Catechetical. That the Minifters mould give good example by bringing 
 their own Family to Church ; that the help of the Magiftrate mould 
 be implored j that Combinations mould be taken away. When all was 
 done, then was that requir'd whicli mould have been done afore : the 
 Deputies of other Nations were defired to deliver their Cuftoms in this 
 behalf. Where rlrit my Lord Bifhop (hewed that with us in England the 
 Magiftrate impofed a pecuniary Mulct upon fuch as did abfent them- 
 felves from divine duties ; which pecuniary Mulct generally prevail'd 
 more with our people, then any pious admonitions could. Thofe of the 
 Talfgravt's Countrey fhewed that each Sunday they had two Sermons, 
 and fuch as were abfent, were firft admoniih't by the Clergie, and if this 
 fufficed not, they required the help of the Civil Magiftrate. Thofe of 
 Geneva, told us, that in the Churches in their Cities they had every 
 Sunday four £ermons,&c. Thofe of Breme that they had three Sermons, 
 of which one was Catechetical } and to avoid prophanation of the 
 Sabbath, it was noc lawful to celebrate any Marriage-fcaft, or fuch like 
 wpon the Sunday, till iix a clock in the Evening. Many other tilings of 
 this nature were related, ©f which a great deal I could not under- 
 hand: 
 
I 
 
 To theR. Honour able Sr. D. Carlton L. Embaffador. $ 
 
 fland. When all had fpoken, the Prtfes told them that this propofal was 
 not made becaufe in the Be/gick> Churches there had not been order 
 taken for Catechizing and -Sermons, but becaufe the Laws formerly 
 nude in this behalf were negle&ed : and that now means was thought 
 of to bring them in force again. And fo they brake up. 
 
 I received your Honors Letters of the |f of this prefent,in which your 
 Honour requires to be informed of fuchPropofals as Epifcopius lately 
 madein behalf of the ArminUn Party. The thing is this. Shortly after 
 that the Letters of Citation were fent to the Armittiaxs, Epifcopius with 
 other of the Remonftrants came privately to the Deputies of the States, 
 and exhibited a Remonftrance, in which they required efpecially thefe 
 things. Firft that all of their Party throughout the Provinces might 
 be allowed to make one Body, and out of it depute fuch as they 
 thought good, whom they might fend to the Synod co plead in their 
 behalf. Secondly that ic might be lawful for them inftead of fome of 
 thofe who are written unto, to fubftitute others. Thirdly that Vtenho- 
 gart and Grevinchoviw might have fafe Conduft and free accefs to the 
 Synod. The Delegates immediately Cent for the Prtfesy the two AJfeJJbrs 
 and the two Scribes, and required their opinion in this bulinefs. For the 
 firft point, the Clergie men thought ic not to be granted, as being fear'd 
 would be prejudicial to the Belgick^ Churches. The Deputies for the 
 Seculars anfwered, that they had giveu Epifcopius this anfwer. For the 
 two later 3 the Clergie thought that if ic pleas'd the Seculars it might be 
 done. Reply was made by the Seculars, that they were men infamous, 
 tumultuous, on whom the Church cenfure, for Grevinchovius had ex- 
 tended, and therefore they would permit: them no place in the Synod. 
 So was Epifcopius and his Company difniifs'd. c< This was a thing done 
 t£ -onlj in private : the Synod had no notice of it, neither is it recorded 
 cc in any publick Regifter. What more pafs'd between the Seculars and 
 cc chc Remonftrants at this meeting is not knowra, and tb? Clergie kjtew 
 "no more then it plea fed the Secular* to impart Oi this I heard nothings 
 C( till by reafon of your Lor dmips Letters I enquired nto ic. 
 
 Whiift the Synod was lifting on Tuefday morning, chere came in 
 Newes of the deach of one of their Company, tienricus ab HeJ} 3 Senior 
 of the Church of Zutphaw, who died in checime of the Seflion. I am 
 deiirousto know whether my Letters upon Munday containing cheSa- 
 terday Seflion came to your Lordftiips hands. 1 intended them by way 
 of Roterdam, but Daniel tells me he delivered them to a Gentleman 
 that went immediately for the Hague, marie what he was he knew not, 
 this hath made me a little jealous. 1 befcech your Honour, by the next 
 that comes from you hither, by word of moirh to let me know. Mr Pr#* 
 fes 9 Fejius ftommius, Poly*nder 9 Iromkmus of Geneva required me to re* 
 
 member 
 
6 Mr. Hales Letters from the Synod ofDoKT 
 
 member their Love suid fervice to your Honour : and fo for this time 
 I humbly take my leave. 
 
 From Dort this -§f &f Tour Honours Chaplain, and 
 
 Noveiub. 1618. Boundenin all Duty Jo. Hales. 
 
 Right Honourable^ and my very good Lord, 
 
 UPon Saterday, the day after my coming to Dort, I went to FeStus 
 Homwiits, and delivered him your Honours Letters, upon perufal 
 of which, he liberally promifed me an Index of all whatfocver had pad 
 in the Synod until my coming to town. The time of making his pro- 
 mife good was Sunday morning. When I faw it came not at the time, 
 after dinner I wrote a little note unto him, to put him in minde of his 
 promife, but yet I heard nothing of him. I fuppofe this falls out by 
 reafon of his multiplicity of buiinefs, not that he would fleight your 
 Lordfhip - } though I remember in the fpeech that pafs'd between him and 
 me, he told me that their pafs'd among the brethren of the £ynod a 
 confent de non eliminandi<s,&c. of not divulging of any paflage till all 
 v\ as done, which I interpreted as fpoken only upon the by, not with any 
 intent of hindringany intelligence which mould be given your Honour. 
 I dealt with Mr. Pr<efes and with Fejius for a Copie of Martinus Gregorii 
 his oration : the anfwer from them both was the fame, that he would 
 not at any hand be intreated to deliver a Copie of it, no n@t fo much as 
 the fumme of it : whether it was becaufe of lbme matter that was in it, 
 as that he fpake fomewhat roundly in difgrace of the Spaniard, or that 
 the Politicks have fom;: end in it, or that he himfelf is acinous to have 
 it thought that he delivered it only ex tempore, or for what other reafon 
 I know not. As concerning what hath pafs'd in the Synod, till I hear 
 farther from FeSlus, I will acquaint your Honour with what pad there 
 fince my coming. 
 
 On Saterday the i^ of this prefent, in the Morning the Deputies met, 
 and debated fome things of no great moment, concerning their intended 
 TRANSLATION of the BIBLE. The firft thing propofed was, whether 
 the name JEHOVAH mould be retain'd untranflated, or rendred by 
 the Dutch word Heere, as the Greeks Ki t m , the Engli/h Lord. The 
 Trdfes thought fit it mould be rendred Heere, becaufe the Holy Ghoft in 
 the New Teftamcnt, citing fome things out of the Old, renders the He- 
 brew Jehovah, by the Greek k^, according as the Septuagint had 
 done. This paft for currant, till it came to M&tinius of Breme, who di- 
 vided the feutence, and thought that it might ordinarily fo be rendred* 
 
 if 
 
1 — I 
 
 ■ 
 
 To the R. Honourable Sr. D. Carlton L. Embaffador. 7 
 
 If fome places were excepted. And to this purpofe he cited fome places 
 of Scripture, where the word Jehovah had a peculiar energie and force, 
 which the Belgick Heers could not attain unto. To the fame effeft did 
 orhers fpeak ; and great difputation would have arifen about this point, 
 as whether the Name Jehovah had any points of its own, or borrowed 
 his points from Elohim and Adonai } and the like, but that the Przfi-s 
 ftill cut them off. It was at length by the greater part concluded, that it 
 fhould berendred by the Belgick Heere, which was alwayes to be ex- 
 preft in Capital Chai afters, and concerning this the Readerihould.be 
 advertifed farther in the Preface. And when there mould be in any 
 place fome peculiar force in that word, which the Belgick word did not 
 cxprefs, of this the Reader mould be admoniihed by a marginal glofs. 
 
 The fecond Propofal was, whether the Hebrew proper Nantes-, ihould 
 be retained, or tranflated likewife into Dutch. It was concluded they 
 fhould be retain'd, for avoiding of all unnecefTary novelty and altera- 
 tion. The third propofal was, whether the ancient Divifion of Chapters 
 fhould remain, for many Hebrew Copies difrer'd from our Common in- 
 this point, and fometime the old divifion did feem fomewhat incon- 
 Yenient,as that fomewhere it brake orfin the mi J deft of a marter,fome- 
 where in themiddeft of a feiuence. It was concluded that the old di- 
 vifion mould remain. For there would arife great confnlion in quotati- 
 ons , if the number of Chapters and Verfes ihould alter. As for the va* 
 riety of other Copies, and inconvenient divifion, of this the Reader 
 ihould be adverr.fed in the M.irgent. The fourth propofal was, whether 
 there might not be added fome Appendices to the Bible, as Char o graphical 
 zn& Topographic a I Trdles Genealogies, and the like. It was thought fit 
 they mould, provided that in the Tables and Maps there were no 
 pift ires and babies, for avoiding fuperftition. The Hfth propofal was 
 concerning the appointing of perfons tit for the work of the Transla- 
 tion. The Prsfes willed that every Province mould exhibit by Bill the 
 Names of thofe,who they knew in their Provinces were of fufheiency for 
 the Tranflation, which forthwith was done, and the Names that were 
 exhibited were all pronounced in the Synod: but out of thefe who 
 fhould be chofen for the work was differed, until the next Seilion ap- 
 pointed upon the Monday following, and fo with prayer they brake 
 up the meeting. 
 
 As I have done in this Seffion, fo will I do in all the reft, if I mell 
 get convenient place where I may ftand and note. For, for any thing 
 1 Tee, mine own notes muft be my chiefe-'t help. The matters are buc 
 final 1, but I fuppoie they will amend when the Armmian Party mail 
 make the 1 appearance. Here is your Honours old Friend come to 
 T©wn 3 andpaUes under the name of aDoftox of Phyrick. He is to dine 
 
 with 
 
8 Mr. Hales Letters from the Synod of D o rt 
 
 with my Lord Bifhop this day, but I have difcovered him unto his 
 Lorduhip what he is. I have prefuraed to keep Daniel W\t\\ me longer 
 then I determined at my departure - 9 the reafon is, becaufe I am un- 
 skilful of the ftreets, and I have not Dutch enough to enquire my way : 
 I willfhortly fend hint home. What fiiall be done in the following Selfi- 
 ons, I will not fail to inform your Lordmip by the next MefTenger, in 
 the mean while I humbly take my leave. 
 
 Dort thU if of Novemb. tour Honours Chaplain, and 
 
 16 18. bounden in all Duty, Jo. Hales. 
 
 I have fent your Honour a Catalogue of the Synod Printed 
 here with us. 
 
 i 
 
 Right Honourable, my very good \jord, 
 
 ON Wednefdaythe If of November, thofe of the Synod met in the 
 morning. This Sefjion was only deliberative, for they concluded nothing. 
 The propofall was, what form of.catechizing both for children and youths 
 fhould be thought ntteft to be put in pra&ife in the helgicl^ Chur- 
 ches. The Pr\ef«firft fpakemany things learnedly of the neceffity of 
 Catechizing, that it was the bitfis and ground of Religion, and the fole 
 way of transfufng the principles of Chriftianity into men : that it was 
 very ancient, pra&ifcd by the Patriarchs, by the Apoftles, by Origen, and 
 approved by the confent of the fathers: that from the negleft of this 
 came the ignorance of the common fort, and that multitude of fe&s a- 
 mongft them,of Vapifis Anabaptijts,Libertines,&c whereas if an uniform 
 courfe of teaching them their firft principles had been taken up, there 
 would not have been fo many differences : that there was now greater 
 neceflky then ever of reviving this cuftom, becaufe of the Jefuits who 
 mightily labour in this kind, a« appeared by fome of their a£ts lately in 
 Frifia, &c. Next were the Deputyes for the ftrangers called upon to 
 deliver what formes of Catechizing were in their Churches put in ufe : 
 which they did, and gave them to the Frtfes in writing. After thefe, 
 the Profeffors, and the other Deputyes fpake their mindes, and almoft 
 all gave them up in writings, which were immediately pronounced in 
 publickby the Scribe j and fueh a* fpake mewriter, promifed to fet 
 down their opinions inferiptt, and deliver them to the Prtfes after din- 
 ner. The principall heads on which they infifted, were thefe : that 
 there might be three degrees of Catechizing, one Domejhcal, to be pra&i- 
 fed by Fathers and Mailers in their familyes; another Schelafticall to 
 
 be 
 
To the K. Hon our able Sr. D. Carlton L. Embaffador. 9 
 
 beufed by .Vcholemaftersin publick Scholes : and a third Eaiefi attic all 
 to be praftifed by the minifter in the Church, that Co fathers might fie 
 their children for the Schoks, the Scholejfor the Church : That there- 
 fore parents and mafters (hould be admoni:hed to look to this duty in 
 their familyes : That Scholemnfters fhould be chofen,fuch as were ski l— 
 full themfelvesto catechize, and that they fhould be careful! to bring 
 their fcholars to catecheticallfcrmons ; that from fermons they (bould 
 prefently call them to the Schole 3 and there examine them how they had 
 profited : The minifter of every parifh togecher with the .S'eniours and 
 Deacons mould monethly or quarterly viiit the Scholes, and know the 
 Scholars proficiency in this behalf : that the Minifters before the ti5r.es 
 of tlve Communion fhould repair unto private Families, and Catechize : 
 that the Magiftrates would be pleafed to provide ftipends for Schole- 
 Mafter?, fo to make them the. more cheerful : that there mould be va- 
 riety of Catechizing according to the variety of the age, one for Chil- 
 dren, which fhould contein the Lords frayer, the Creed, the Command- 
 ments, the Doftrine of the ^acraw-nts^&c. that for fuch as were elder, 
 other things fhould be added according to their capacity : that to take 
 away confufion one form of Catechifme in each kindeihould be ufed; 
 that the Jefuits Catechifmes of Lefi'ts, Canifms, Ledcjma^&c. mould be 
 abolimt. All this and more by fundrie men was exhibited in writing, 
 and read in the audience of the Synod. 
 
 That which hitherto hath been done concerns only the manner of 
 Catechizing, as for the matter of the Catechifme, that was not now 
 thought fit to be fpokenof, but was put oif till the end of the Synod. 
 When all hadfpoken their pleafures the ?r*fes fignifyed, that he toge- 
 ther with the JjffJJbrs and Scribes would compare all thefe Writings to- 
 gether., and out of them all gather one forme of Catechizing as they 
 thought beft, aud exhibit it unto the Synod to be approved of, or al- 
 ter'd to their liking. And fo the Seflion ended. Amongft the reft, 
 there were fome particulars told. One of the Deputies of Geldria, to 
 (hew the force of private Catechizing, related that amongft them there 
 was a Minifler, who when he firft came to his Living, found his Church 
 quite empty, becaufe all his Parifhioners were Papiits ■■> and therefore 
 if he would preach, he was to preach to the bare Walls ; but he takes io 
 much pains as to go to every of his Pariah privately unto their houfes, 
 and there by familiar converting with them, and expounding unto 
 them the grounds of Religion, he fo far prevailed with them, that m 
 the compafs of a year he gain'd them all to come to Church, and by 
 this means hath fcarce a Papift in his Parihh. But doulxhfs the ntofi ef- 
 fectual way of all the reji to bring young perfons to learn, their Catechifme? 
 was tb *t which was related by one of t/^-Helvetian Deputies. For be told 
 
 *B m 
 

 io Mr Hales Letters from the Synod of DoRT. 
 
 in that in hU Countrey the manner was> that all young perfons that meant U 
 starry were to repair, both he and (he, unto thsir Minister, a little before they 
 meant to marry, and by him to be examhid hew well they had conn'd their 
 Catechifme : if they had not done it perfectly to his minde, he had power to 
 deferre their Marriage till they had better learnt their Leffons. I was much 
 afreftedtothis courfewhen I heard it; and I thought: chat doubtlefs it 
 was a fpeedy way to make all young perfons, excepting my (elf and two 
 or three more that mean not overhaftily to marry, to be skilfull in their 
 Catechifme. The Synod fball be ill advis'd, if they make no uCe of it. 
 
 Mr. Dean this day is to make a Latin Sermon in the Synod-houfe, and 
 afcer that iheie are certain Supplications exhibited to the Synod to be 
 considered of. What they are, and what they contein I will inform 
 your Honour by the next: convenient MefTenger. I have fuffered Daniel 
 to come home, and fupply himfelf of fome necelTaries, but to return 
 to me again upon Saterday, except your Honour (hall other wife ap- 
 point. His lodging and dyer are provided, and he will be ferviceable 
 to me this ill wether, to be fent in bulinefs, my (elf not being fo well 
 able in dirt and fnovv to trace theftreecs. But this 1 leave to your Lord- 
 mips coniideration, and for this prefent I humbly take my leave. 
 
 F rom Dort thU \\ of Tour Honours Chaplain, and 
 
 Novemb. i6itf. / ov.nden in all Duty^ Jo-Hales. 
 
 R ight Honourable^ my very good Lord, 
 
 UPon Thurfday, -j£ of this prefent, the Synod being met together, 
 Mr. Dean oilForcefter made in the Synod-houfe a polite and pa- 
 thetical Latine Sermon * the portion of Scripture he chofe for his 
 Theme was the ij verfe of the 6 th of Eccleftafles, Noli effe jufrus ninrium, 
 neque ejh fapiens nimis. After a witty coming upon his text, how it 
 Ihould conic that Righteonfnefs and Wifdom , which are every where 
 commended unto us, mould here feem to receive a check, he mewed how 
 nnn might feem to be too juft ; Firft the Seculars, wheniitting in place 
 of Juftice they flood too ftriftly in keeping the Letter of the Law, and 
 then by inflitting too heavy punimments, when in equity lighter would 
 fcrve : next in the fecond word fapiens nimis, he taxt the Divines for 
 prcfuming too far in prying into the Judgements of God, and fo came 
 to reprove the curious Difputes which our age hath made concerning 
 Predeftination - y that this Difputefor its endlefnefs was like the Mathe- 
 matical line, divifibilis in femper divifibilia > that it was in Divinity, as 
 tUe Rule of Ces isinArithrnetick. For the ending of thefe Difputes his 
 
 advice 
 
I 
 
 To the R. Honourable Si. D.Carlton L. Embaffador. 1 1 
 
 advice unto the Synod was, that both parts contending mould well con- 
 sider of S. Hauls difcourfe in the ninth to the Romans, and for their 
 final determination both (hould exhibit unto the Synod a plain perfpi- 
 cuotisand familiar paraphrafe on that Chapter. For if the meaning of 
 that Difcourfe were once perfectly opened, the queftion were at an end. 
 From hence he came to exhort them to ftand to the former determina- 
 tion^ which had hitherto molt generally part: in the Reformed Churches, 
 in thefe points : and told them that it was an efpecul part of his Ma- 
 jefties Commiflion to exhort them to keep unaiter'd the former Con- 
 fefftons. How fit it was to open fo much of their Commiffion, and thus 
 to exprefs themfelves for a party againft the Remonftrants your Honour 
 can beft judge. After this he brought a very parhetical concluiion, con- 
 fining of a vehement exhortation to peace and union, and fo he ended. 
 The ?r*fes gave him thanks for his good pains,and then told us,whereas 
 it was once purpofed to lay open before the Synod certain Libelli fuppli- 
 ces(wh\ch I mentioned to your Honour in my laftLetters)he might not 
 now do it, for fome reafons which he then conceal'd. And fo he difmift 
 the Synod without doing any thing farther. What thefe Libelli fupptket 
 contain, is unknown. Some imagine it to be from the Renionfrrant par- 
 ty j others more probably think, that the fubjeft of them were certain 
 Gravamina of the Countrey Minifters. 
 
 Mr. Deans Sermon was taken well, for any thing I can yet learn to 
 the contrary; but your Lordfhip fhall underftand, there was a little 
 doubt made concerning thefe Latine Sermons. Mr. Yr<efes y when the Let- 
 ters were directed to the Arminian party, requeued the Foreigners that 
 they would be pleafed to beftow in their Courfes fome Latin Sermons 
 to entertain the Synod till the Arminians made their appearance •, and 
 « firft commended this unto the Engliih. My Lord Bifhop refufed it be- 
 k caufe of the fuddain warning : but Mr. Dean would needs undertake 
 <c it. But certain of the Exteri came to the Bifhop, and (hewed him how 
 " dangerous this might be. For it was, as they thought, a very hard 
 " matter fo to walk, as not to touch upon fome points that are in Con- 
 cc troverfy, which could not be without the offence of one party. My 
 Lord Bifhop and the other two, for this reafon thought the motion very 
 inconvenient : but Mr. Dean would by no means apprehend of it, but 
 as of abufinefs very fit to be done. It feems this was the general con- 
 ceit of the Forreigners, which was the caufe that there was in this 
 kinde nothing done till now, notwithstanding that the motion was 
 made a pretty while before my coming to Don. But how well this ex- 
 ample is approved, it will appear, if others of the Forreiguers do fol- 
 low it. Here is a rumour of a certain Jefuitical book, lately (ct forth 
 in difgrace of our Synod, I have not yet feen it, but I underftand it is 
 
 B 2 in 
 
■ 
 
 ________ 1 
 
 12 Mr. Hales Letters from the Synod of Dort 
 
 in the hands of the frjejes noto whom I had repair' d to have looked into 
 it, but that I conceive him to be exceeding full of bufinefs. As foonas 
 lean learn what it is, I will acquaint your Honour with it. We have 
 much fpcech of a ft range Comet of an unufual length feen this morn- 
 ing. Ifawitnot; and peradventure it is no Newes unto your Lord/hip, 
 if it have appeared in the Horifon of the Hague. My Lord Bifhop and 
 his Company remember their Love anil Service to your Honour, and 
 thank you for your Letter of Engiilh Newes, which they here return. 
 I have fent according to your Lordfhips Will fix Catalogues of the Sy- 
 nod, printed with us in Latin. And fo for this time I humbly take my 
 leave. 
 
 From Dort tb&\% of lour Honours Chaplain, and 
 
 Novemb. 1618. bounden in all Duty, Jo. Hales. 
 
 Right Honourable, my very good Lord, 
 
 UPon Friday the f§ of Novemb. the Deputies met in the Morning * 
 where firil of all, there were recited the Judgements of fome. 
 concerning the manner of Catechizing which was yet depending, who 
 had not delivered their mindesin writing the day before. In this was 
 there nothing extraordinary, fave only the advice of the Remonftrants 
 of Vtrecht. For the Deputies of that Province gave their Judgments 
 leverally, the Contra-Kemonlirants by themfelves, and the Kemvnilranxs, 
 by themfelves. Thefe firft blamed the common Catechifme paflant 
 amongft them, as being too oblcure for the Simple, and too long for the 
 Memory. Secondly they thought it not neceflary that chert mould be 
 a threefold Catechifm, for one well learnt might fervefoi all the reft. 
 Thirdly, they would have a Catechifm fo made, that the Anfvvers might 
 be nothing elfe but bare Texcs of H. Scriptures. For they thought, that 
 if Scripture alone were taught, and not any mens glofTes, it would be a 
 more immediate means to gain the Anabaptifts and other Schifmaticks to 
 accept of the Catechifm. Fourthly,they thought fit that in the Preface to 
 thefe Catechifms, there Should be a note given to this purpofejthat thefe 
 kinds of writing by Catechifn_s,&:c. were to be efteemed only as the A- 
 fochryphal Scriptures. To the third point fome little thing was anfwered 
 to tliis r purpofe,that this was a mean utterly to extirpate all other Forms 
 of Catcchizings out of the Church, there never yet having been any 
 form of Creed or Catechifm fo conceived. Yet there might be a time 
 hereafter for the Synod to confider of it,when they pJeafed. After this 
 followed the Forai of Catechizing, which the Trtfes and JJftjfors had a- 
 greed upon. My purpofe was to have taken an extract of it and fent it to 
 
 your 
 
To the R. Honourable Sr. D. Carlton L. Emba factor, r 3 
 
 your Honor, and I dealt with Feftns Hommiws about it; but his anfwer 
 was, that he was tu communicate about this with the Pr^fs, and that it 
 was in the hand of Sebajl.Damm annus his fellow Scribe. To Vammannusl 
 was not known, neither did I underftand of any acquaintance he had 
 with your Honor, and therefore I let it reft. The fumme of ic was 
 this. That there fhould be obferv'd a threefold Catechizing. 1. At home 
 by the Parents. 2. In the Schole by the Schole-mafter ; A third in the 
 Church by Catechetical Sermons : then, that t' ere fhould be a three- 
 fold Catechifm, one for Incipientes, containing the Lords Prayer, the 
 Creed, the Commandments, the Doctrine of the Sacraments, and the 
 Church Discipline. A fecond for the Middle forty which fhould be a 
 brief of the Palatine Catechifm.- a third for Touths s the Palatine Ca- 
 techifm it felf. That every one that was admitted Scholemafter ihould 
 be bound to teach no other Catechifm, and that all other Forms mould 
 beabolifht: that if either Schi lemafters in the Scholes, or Minifters 
 in the Church, fhould refufe or neglect to Catechize, they fhould be 
 fubject to cenfure,&.c. When this Form was read, the Provinces were 
 in order askt what they would have alter'd orfupplied. Thofe of Gel- 
 dria thought it fit that the Minifter before his Catechetical Sermon, 
 mould not only take the words of the Catechifm ( as the cuftom had 
 in moft places been) but likewife fome Text of Scripture upon which 
 the doctrine of the Catechifm was grounded. For, as it feems,- the 
 cuftom is in Catechiftical Sermons, not to take a Text of Scripture., 
 but a portion of the Catechifm for their Text and Theme. It was an* 
 fvvered that this cuftom had been a long time laid down, and could not 
 now conveniently be recalPd : the fame Deputies propofed, whether 
 it were not fit, that whereas in the Decree there is mention made of a 
 cenfureto pafs on thofe who neglected it 3 there fhould be fome parti- 
 cular form of Cenfure fet down by the Synod. The thing being put 
 to voices, it was decreed, that it fhould be left to the Judgement of the 
 Claffes how they fhould be cnifur'd. The South Hollanders thought it ne- 
 eefTary there fhould be publike catechizing in the Church by way of 
 Queftion and Anfwer. It was anfwered, that this could not be by reafon 
 of the frequency of Sermons. Thofe of Overifell propofed fomewhat con- 
 cerning the foim of chatechetical Sermons. It was anfwer'd that this 
 mould hereafter be thought of. " Which anfwer is a civil way which the 
 ^Vv&tesnfesywhen he means to put by an impertinent question. Laft of all, 
 thofe of the Walon Churches requir'd that this Decree fhould not preju- 
 dice them, who had already accepted of Beza's Catechifm in their 
 Churches. Now whereas there were three Catechifms propofed,of which 
 there was but one in being,namcly the Talatineythey confulted of depu- 
 ting fome,who fhould make the other two.The matter being put to Scru~ 
 
 tiny 
 
j 4 Mr. Hales Letters from the Synod of Dort 
 
 tin/, there were chofen thsfcfix, Tofyander, Gomarm, Tjfi us > LydiMi 
 Fauihelius, Vdemannus. Here the Pr£fet propofed to the Synod, that 
 the/ would think of fit means for the Education and training up of 
 thofe who fhould enter the Miniftery:but thofe of North Holland propo- 
 fed a doubt, wherein the Church of Amfterdam requir'd the determina- 
 tion of the S/nod. The matter is this. The Merchants of Amjlerdam 
 having Traffick into the Fail Indies, took into their Families man/ of 
 the Youths and Infants of that Country, but doubted whether they 
 were to be baptized or no. The queftion was thus propofed, cc IVhether 
 * c the children of Etbnick^ parents adopted into the Families of Chrifiians 
 cc were to be baptized, if fo be they who did offer them to be baptized did 
 cc undertake that they jhotild be brought up in the Chrijiian Faith. But both, 
 thefe queftions were put over to the next Seffion,and fo the Synod brake 
 up. This afternoon the Durchcfs cftremutlio came ro Town.The Englifh 
 went to entertain her, where my Lord Bifhop made a fpeeeh unto her 
 in Latin, which by her Chaplain was interpreted unto her, who like- 
 wife in her name returned anfwer. But of the particulars of this en- 
 tertainment, I fuppofe My Lord Bifhop in his Letters relates more fully 
 to your Honour, then I can •, for I was not there. 
 
 On Saterday the firft of December, ftylo nnvo, the Deputies being met 
 in the morning, the queftion concerning means of education of thofe 
 who mould be fitted for the Miniftry was propofed j where, becaufe 
 they found it to be a greater matter then it feem'd when at firft it was 
 propofed, the Provinces requefted further refpite, excepting the Ze- 
 landers and South Hollanders, who there delivered up their Judgements 
 in fcripto. The fubftance of what the Zelanders delivered was this : that 
 it would pleafe the States General to appoint that a certain number of 
 Youths might be bred up for the Miniftry at the charge of the publike 
 purfe. That the wealthier fort would fend fuch of their children to 
 the S dholes, as they thought fitteft to make Scholars. That out of thefe 
 fhould be chofen youth* of ingenuous Parentage and Manners, of good 
 wit, of ftrength and health of body, which ftiould be fent unto the 
 Univerfity, That in the University there might be diftinft Colledges 
 for every Province, and in thefe Colledges there might be Regents and 
 Supervifors, which might prefcribe unto Youths a Method of ftudy, and 
 not fuffer them to wander in variety of ftudy, and not perfit thcmfelves 
 in fome one kinde. That there might fome time be prefixt for their 
 abode in the Univerfity, as five or fix years. Andbecaufe many upon 
 two years ftudy fcek for preferment in the Church, and others on the 
 contrary ftay in the Univerfity over long; for remedy of both thefe 
 there might a time be fixt wherein the whole courfe of ftudy fhould be 
 abfolv'd. That thefe Students every year fhould give an account of 
 
 their 
 
Xo the R. Honourable Sr. D. Carlton L. Embaffador. i % 
 
 their proficiency to their Parents and Benefa&ors, and fuch as bred 
 them tip; that after this they fhould go and vifit forreign Churches 
 and Univerfities to fee and obferve. That at their coming home they 
 bring with them the Teftimonics of the Paftors and Governors of 
 the Churches and Univerfities wherein they have been, and exhibit 
 them to the Claffes where they are to live ; and expeft then* calling 
 to the Miniftery. That they fhould publickly in the Church read the 
 Scriptures before the people, for this would make them known to the 
 Church, embolden them to fpeak to the multitude, and mend their 
 voices and delivery. That by confent of the Claffesthey be permitted 
 to be with the Paftors, to conferre with them in Cafes of Confciexce, 
 to go with them when they vifit the fick, that thus they may learn 
 how to deal in thefe cafes, and how to conceive prayers upon occa- 
 sion. That to fit them for the Church Puegiment, which is a thing not 
 learnt in Seholes, fome moneths before their Inftitution, they converfe 
 withe greater Cities, to beprefent in the Presbyteries and the Meetings 
 of the Deacons, to underftand how Voices may be asked and gathered, 
 how Church Difciplineis to be exercifed, and what in divers cafes is 
 to be done. That they be examin'd how fit they be to reform mens 
 manners. That it were fit that even in Univerfities Youths were train'd 
 up in Fraftick^Divinity and Cafes of Confcience. The fubftance of what 
 the South-H Zanders delivered was thi-. Firftthat Youths fhould flay 
 atleaft two years in theUniverfity, and publickly read the Scriptures 
 in the Church. Secondly, that after this they publickly difpute of 
 ibme difficult queftion in Religion. Thirdly, that they be examined 
 of all the Articles in Religion, and if they give fatisfaftion, then they 
 may be admitted ad PropofitioneS} ( what thefe are I know not ) and 
 after a years exercife in them, they may be examined by the Clajfes, 
 who if they finde them fit may give them leave to exercife chemfelves 
 in Catechiziug and Preaching. That to learn Church Government 
 they be admitted to Confittories and Claffes to fee what there is done, 
 fo that what there they fee they keep in filence. That they leave not 
 the ftudies of Divinity to meddle with other things. That they may 
 have leave to Baptize, if the neceflity of Rural Churches require. Yec 
 they muft expeft a year ere they be admitted, which is not to be done 
 without fufheient Teftimony that all hath been done which isrequir'd. 
 The reft of the Provinces reqiuVd refpite till Monday s and fothey 
 paft to the Qiieftion which was propofed in the Name of the Churches 
 of Amtferdam) concerning the Baptizing of the Children of Ethnick 
 Parents. The Englijb fiift exhibited their raindes in Writing to this 
 effect. That Infants, if they were juftly taken, as, if they were given, 
 or bought, or the like, (for it might npt be lawful fraudulently or 
 
 violently 
 

 L 
 
 1 6 Mr. Hales Letters from the Synod of Do rt 
 
 violently to take them from their Parents ) ought to be baptized. 
 For fo it is recorded of Abraham^ that he oircumciied every one in his 
 houfe, even thofe whom he had bought with his Mony : but if they 
 were Adnlti, they might not be Baptized till they made Profefllon of 
 the Chriftian Faith. With thefc agreed the Bremenfcs and the Fro fetors. 
 On the contrary the Helvetians and South-Hollanders concluded, that 
 the Infants of Ethnick Parents ought not to be baptized , till they 
 came to be of years to declare their Faith. Their chief reafon was, 
 becaufe Baptifme was a Sign of the Covenant : but the Infants of Eth- 
 nick Parents are not born within the Covenant, and therefore they can- 
 not be partakers of this Signe. tc Here was a little indirect dealing be- 
 cc twixt the Helvetians and the Bremenfes. The Helvetians Scribe had 
 cc by fome means or other fuffered a copie of the reafons for their 
 ■ Sc opinion to be brought aforehand to thofe of Breme^Viho openly in the 
 <c Synod houfe, iufcripte refuted them : which thing is feared will caufe 
 fome choler. And this was all that this day was done concerning this 
 queftion, and fo both the quieftions yet depend. The Synod did the 
 fooncr end, becaufe they were at eleven a clock to go to the Funeral or 
 Henrkus ab Hell, who died lately, as I think I told your Honour. The 
 Solemnity was no more but this. Some of the chief of the Town to- 
 gether with the whole Synod went to the Houfe where he died , ac- 
 companied him to the Church, laid him in his Grave, and went 
 home again , almoft in as little fpace as 1 have told it you. The 
 Dutch efs of 'Xremullio was at this Selfion, and as I hear, fpake ve- 
 ry well of the Synod, commending it both for Piety and good 
 Order. 
 
 The Remonftrants are now every day expected. We underftand that 
 they are already met together at Leyden. cc Mr. Prgfes came this day 
 cc to my Lord Biihop, and under Benedicite told him, that it was thought 
 cC the Remonfrrants would become Suiters to the Secular Deputies, 
 <c for fome greater refpeft in the Synod, then it is likely otherwife 
 <c they mould have : and that for this they would life the Englijh as 
 cC Mediators. Then, that they would call in queftion the right of his 
 <c Preiidentmip, as being made only by the Provincials without any 
 cc refpe& had unto the Forreigners. To this my Lord Biihop replyed, 
 eC that for the firft, fince they were Members of the Synod, they 
 < c would not do any thing clancularily without the Confent and Pri- 
 cC vity of the whole Company. To the fecond he anfwered , that 
 <c hitherto they had acknowledged him for their Pne/w, and fo they 
 cC would continue to do , notwithftanding any objection might be 
 ** faneyed, fo that of them he might fecure himfelf. And this is 
 all hathhapned iince Fnday Morning, at what time I addreftmy laft 
 
 Letters 
 
To the R.Honoitrable Sr. D.Carlton L.Embaffador. 1 7 
 
 Letters unto your Honour : and for this time commending your 
 Lordfhip to Gods good Prote&ion 3 I humbly take my leave* 
 
 J)ort , Decemb. 2. Tour Honours Chaplain, and 
 
 161O. Style novo. Bound en in all Duty Jo. Hales 
 
 Right Honour able^ and my very good Lord, 
 
 MY Letters conteining the afts of our Synod upon Friday and Sa- 
 turday, I difpatched this morning unto your Honour by a Soldier 
 whom I knew not, and he delivered them to a Skipper whom he knew 
 not, and whether or no they came to your Lordfoips hands I am un- 
 certain. There are to come with them Letters from my Lord Bilhop to 
 your Honour. Upon Monday the third of Vecemb. the Deputies being 
 niet, they profecuted the two queftions before left undecided ■-, Firftof 
 the Baptizing of children born of Ethnick parents : fecondly, of means 
 conliderable how to breed up thofe who are to enter the Miniftry. In 
 the rirft, concerning the adulii, the Synod agreed, that if they made 
 profeflion of the Chriftian Faith they might be baptized, etiam invitU 
 tarentibus. Their reafon was, becaufe that after children came to be of 
 years, in cafe of Religion they depended not from the power of their 
 parents, but might make their own market. All the difficulty was of 
 infants, and children not yet of difcretion to make their choice. The 
 Englijh, the Trofejjors, thofe of HaJJia, thofe of Brewe, of Zeland, of 
 Free/land thought it necefTary they (hould be baptized, if they were 
 rightfully adopted into Chrittian Families, and that their parents had 
 altogether reiigned them into the hands of the Chriftuns. They 
 grounded themfelves upon the examples of Abraham circumciiing all 
 that were of his Family ; oi?aul baptizing whole houfholds, of the 
 primitive Church recorded in S. Auftin, who mews, that anciently 
 children that were expofititii were wont to be taken up by the Chriiti- 
 ans and baptized. Now fuch were the children of Ethnick parents ; for 
 it was never efteem'd lawful for Chriftians to expofe their children. All 
 the reft were peremptory that they were not to be bap:iz\i,till they cam : 
 to be of years of Difcretion, to make profelUon of the Faith. Tne 
 North Hollanders themfelves, whofe bufinefs it wa?, and who moved 
 the Synod in it, were exprefly againft it 5 whether ti.iey were bought, 
 given, taken in war, or howfoever. Their reafons were, b caufe they 
 are immundi ; becaufe they are extra fcedus, of which Baptifnie is a 
 ligne •, becaufe Adoption could entitle them only to terrene, not to art 
 Heavenly inhericance,&:c. So that if plurality of voices carry it 3 the 
 
 "* C nega- 
 
 
I 
 
 1 8 Mr Hales Letters from the Synod of Dort. 
 
 negative part prevails. The Prafes requir'd fpme time to compare the 
 opinions together, and fofor thar time forbare to pronounce fentencc. 
 And becaufe the examples of Abraham and Paul were much flood upon 
 by thofe who held the affirmative, he propofed thefe two things to be 
 coniidsred of. Firit, whether it were likely that in Abrahams Family, 
 when he put circumcifion in aft, there were any Infants, whofe Parents 
 died uncircumcifed. Secondly, whether it were likely that in the Fa- 
 milies baptized by PauU there were any Tnfants, whofe Parents died 
 unbaptized : and fo he part away to the fecond Qyeftion, concerning 
 the manner of training up thofe who were to enter the Miniftry. In my 
 laft Letters to your Honour I related at large the advice given in this 
 point by the Zelanders and South Hollanders. It was now propofed to 
 the Synod, whether they did approve their counfel, or except againft 
 it. Some thought it was unlawful for men not in Orders to preach pub- 
 lick ly,or baptize ; ( for the South Hollanders in their advice,, had deter- 
 mined they thould, ) others thought it unmeet, that they ftiou Id be 
 prefent in the Coniittories and meetings of Deacons , or that they 
 mould read the Scriptures publickly in the Church ( which was- the 
 joint advice of the Zelanders and South Hollanders. ) Laftly, it was 
 doubted whether the Synod could make any Decree in this Qjjeftion s 
 becaufe of the feveral cuftoms in feveral Provinces, which it lay not 
 in the power of the Synod to prejudice. So that inftead of deciding 
 this one doubt the Prtfes propofed five more to be conlidered of. 
 i. Whether men not in Orders might make publike Sermons. 2. Whe- 
 ther they might baptize. 3. Whether it were fie they mould come into 
 the Coniiftories. 4. Whether they mould read the Scriptures pub- 
 likely. 5. Whether the Synod could make a Decree in this bufinefs, 
 fo*" the reafon above mencioned, or only give advice. The Synod had 
 begun to fpeak to the two firft, and ic was the general opinion that 
 they might not baptize. In the point of preaching they differ'd. Some 
 thought abfolutely it might be permitted them : others on the contrary 
 thought no: fome took a middle com fe,thinking they might preach pri- 
 vately before a feleft Auditory, who were to be theirjudges how fuffici- 
 ent they were for that end : fome that they may do it openly, fothat it 
 were underftood they did ic not cum potekaxe folvendi &*ligandi.J$\\tvrhen 
 part of the Synod had fpoken their mindes, becaufe the time was much 
 pars' d., they brake up, and put off the determination to the next Seillon. 
 Here is a rumor that fome of the Remonftrants are come to Town, 
 who they are I cannot yet learn. I (hall to morrow make inquiry, and by 
 the nzxt Meffenger acquaint you* Lordftiip with it. In the mean time 
 I humbly take my leave. Tour Honours Chaplain* and 
 
 Don this 3. of Decemb. bound en in allDutj, Jo. Hales. 
 
 Ui2* fyhnovjh R'&kt 
 
I 
 
 To the R. Honourable Sf. D.Carlton L. Emhaffador. ip 
 
 Right Honourable, my very good Lord, 
 
 Upon Tuefday the fourth ofVecemb. Stylo novo-, the Deputies being 
 met in the morning they proceeded to determine of thofe doubts, 
 which were moved the Sefllon before. In the matter confulted concern- 
 ing the training up of thofe who were to take upon them the Miniftry, 
 there were five queftions moved, i. Whether it were fit they mould 
 preach publikely. 2. Whether they mould baptize. 3. Whether they 
 mould come to the Confiftories and meetings of the Clajfet. 4. Whe- 
 ther they mould read the Scriptures publikely in the Church before 
 the people. Laftly, whether they mould make a Decree to binde all 
 Provinces necefTariiy, or only to advife them. To the firft two the 
 Exteri had given their anfwer in the former Sefljon. For the queftion 
 of Baptifm, no man ftood upon it, but all accounted it unlawful, for 
 men not in orders to take upon them to baptize : the doubt was con- 
 cerning Sermons. Jo. Polyander thought it very fit that^fuehas intend- 
 ed the Miniftry, before they were admitted mould pjfa&ife preaching. 
 Firft becaufe it was thepraftifeof fome of the Belgicjs Churches. Se- 
 condly, becaufe it took from them that t^mm* , that fubruftick (hame- 
 faftnefs of many men, by which they feared to fpeak unto the people. 
 Thirdly, becaufe it was convenient that they mould be known for men 
 fit for that duty, before they fhould enter upon it. Fourthly, that they 
 might approve themfelves to their Parents and Benefa&ors, who had 
 been at the charge of their Education. Provided that it were with 
 thefe conditions; firft that it were done with confent of theClaJps: 
 Secondly that it were pra&ifed only when the Church was unfupplied, 
 either by the death, or abfence, or iicknefs of their Paftor, or in cafe of 
 like neceflity. With Polyander did WaVtus of Middhburgb agree, and 
 grounded himfelf upon the pra&lfe of the Tews, amcngft whom not on- 
 ly the Levites, but others alfo publickly taught the Law, as it appears 
 by the ftory in the Afts, where Paul and Barnabas coming into the Syna- 
 gogue, the Rulers calFd unto them, that if they bad any word of ex- 
 hortation, they fhould fpea\ unto the people. Contrary unto both thefe was 
 P. GAwarw, who held it utterly unlawful for any to preach before 
 they were admitted to the Miniftry. Firft, becaufe they had no Mifsi- 
 on •, and who can preach except ke be fent. Secondly, becaufe they had 
 not the Keyes of the Kingdom of Heaven. Thirdly, it was granted 
 that they could not baptize : now Chrift hath put Baptifme and 
 Preaching together, Go teach all Nations baptizing them : & qu£~Dem 
 conjunxit homo ne feparet. Laft of all, though there had been a cuftom 
 
 C 2 in 
 
 I 
 
io Mr. Hales Letters from fhe Synod of Dort 
 
 in fome places to the contrary, yet fitter ic was that cuftom mould con- 
 form it (elf to Truth, then Truth to cuftom. With Gomann agreed" 
 ThjfiM) and thought his argument drawn from Mission to. be unan- 
 fwei able ; and for mine own part I thought fo to. T>. Gomarus is a man 
 of great note ; but I never heard him fpeak with any ftren'gth of rea- 
 fon in the Synod till now. What Silrandus his opinion was concerning 
 the point I know not ; for he doth fo favour his voiee,'that I can never 
 tell what he faith : and I imagine I have no great lofs of it. After the 
 ProfefTors was there little faid, which was not faid before, only Lydius 
 of South HoL'and thought certainly to confute Goniaruft and told us, 
 that fuch men might preach, and that they had Vocation fo to do. For 
 firft that inward Vocation which they had from the Spirit, and then 
 ,; tb.t-.r Examination and- Admiilion by the Clajfcs- was warrant for them 
 ' fufficient to preach, though they had no particular charge. For this 
 good N>ws did Mr. Dean of JVorcejhr publikely applaud D. Lydr.is m 
 the Synod. I mervail'd much with my felf to ieeMrvPfvra and Lydim 
 fo wide of the mark. For there was no queftion of thofe who were 
 admitted by the Clefts, but only of fuch who fitted themfelves to be 
 admitted. The Examination and A'drmlfion by the C lefts is the very 
 form of their Miniftry, and not their being placed over a particular 
 Church. And thus much at length did the Prtfes tell us. When all 
 ■had fpoken, Mv.-Pr<efes pronounced that it was concluded by the Synod,- 
 that it mould nor be lawful for them to baptize : but for the matter of 
 Sermons, it was thought good by the Synod, that it mould be left to 
 the Judgement and Difcretion of the particular Claffes. In the third 
 queftion concerning the Admiilion ofthePropcnentes fas they call them) 
 to the Conliftories, little was faid^ and fo in the fourth, concerning the 
 publike reading of Scripture in the Church; Some thought fit that 
 the ancient cuftom of Anagmils in the Church fhould be revived :. 
 others thought it fome difparagemeut to publike Reading, that it was 
 committed to Tradefmen, and many times to men unskilfull, that 
 knew not well to read: In both thefe the Synod determined nothing, 
 but left them free to the difcretion of the Claffes; and the later was 
 ro be left to the L-berty of the Propone^es, whether they would read or 
 no; and that' they were not to be inforced to it, it they would not. 
 In the laft queftion whether they mould niake any neceifary Decree 
 binding all, or only by way of Counfel, my Lord Bifliop tyeing asked 
 what he thought fit, made anfwer, that they were to diftingiufh betwixt 
 things neceffary, and not neceffary. Things abfolutely neceffary fhould 
 be abfolutely decreed: other things mould be left arbitrary. Which 
 fentence pafs'd by the major part of voices^ and was Synodically con- 
 cluded.- Here the Deputies for the PtemQnftrants of Vtrecht exhibited 
 
 . 3 to 
 
To the K. Honourable Sr, D. Carlton L. Ewbaffadcr. TB 
 
 to the Synod in Writing a Bill, containing fome exceptions againft 
 what hitherto had pafs'd in the matter of the Catechifm. Firft they 
 niifliked that any fuch form mould be forced upon them. Secondly, 
 that all Scholemaifers mould be fo ftri&ly bound to that form , as that 
 it mould not be lawful to recede from it. For this did prejudice all o- 
 ther form 55 now currant, and might difcontent the Lutherans and;. 
 others, who had admitted of another form. Thirdly, they charged 
 the Pr-iefes V9\th fome indirect dealing For whereas he had;, whileft the 
 buftnefs was in fieri, folemnly protefted, that there was no intent con- 
 cerning the matter, but only concerning the form of Catechizing, yet 
 in the ifTue they had confirmed the Palatine Catechifm, which contain- 
 ed as well matter as form. Fourthly, they miiliked the Decree con- 
 cerning the not premiiing of a Text of Scripture before cateche- 
 tical Sermons. Laftly , they required that this their difTent might 
 be regiftred. To this the Pr<efes reply ed 5 that the Synod had only ex- 
 preftit felf what it thought fitteft to be done. As for the necelfity of 
 Execution, that was not in the power of the Synod, but of the States 
 General, who when all was done , might either pafs or recall what 
 they thought good. Secondly to the point concerning himfelf, hean- 
 fwered, he had done fo, and thought it fitteft fo to do ( but the Synod 
 thought otherwife) andiince there was a matter of Catech'fmto be 
 concluded, they thought they might confirm this as well as any other : 
 and this was not fo confirmed, but that it was in the power of the Sy- 
 nod to alter what they pleafc.To the point of premiiing a Text of Scri- 
 pture before the catechetical Sermon, he anfwered that the determi- 
 nation of the Synod was not to take that cuftom away there where it 
 it was in ufe, but only to prohibit the urging of it there where it had 
 a long time been difufed. To the laft, concerning the Regiflring of this 
 their difTent, he anfwer'd, he faw not how this could be granted them; 
 fince the States General had concluded,that what pafs'd by a major part 
 of voices, mould alone be accounted the Aft of the Synod : and by the 
 fame proportion every one that pafTes not his voice with the major 
 part might require his difTent to be regiftred. After this the Prxps figni- 
 ficd that concerning the queftion of the baptizing of Ethnicks children 
 put up by the Church of Anislerdam, he required yet farther refpite., 
 becaufe of the opinion of fome of the Synod, which was fomewhac 
 ambiguous and obfeure. He was therefore to conferre with the Au- 
 thors of it, and therefore defir'd that the refolution might be put off 
 till the next Seflion j and withall he commended to the Synod the 
 confederation how the liberty of printing fo promifcuoufly all kinde of 
 fcandalous and libellous Pamphlets might be repreft, and fo he dif- 
 mift the Synod. 
 
 The 
 
 I 
 
— __ 
 
 22 Mr. Hales Letters from the Synod of Doitf 
 
 The Remonftrants are in Town, butbecaufe they keep themfelves 
 private, and have not prefented themfelves unto the States and Depu~ 
 ties, there is no notice taken of it. And fo commending your Honor to 
 Gods go )d Protettion, I humbly take my leave. 
 
 ttorl this 4.. of Decern. Tour Honours Chaplain, and 
 
 i6i%.ftjlo novo. bounden in all Duty, Jo.Hales. 
 
 I 
 
 Right Honourable) mj very good Lord. 
 
 UPon Wednesday the 5. of Dee-mjer^ (tyfo novo, the Deputies being 
 met in the morning, the firft thing which was done, was the ad- 
 miiiion of a Senior or Elder for thofe of Groninga, whofe number as 
 it feems was not yet full. The thing was tranfa&ed in Dutch, and yet 
 the confent of theEugliflj was askt : at which I did not a litcle niufe. 
 Next followed the advice of the Helvetians, what courfe was to be 
 taken with thofe, who are to enter the Mmiftryj in which there was 
 no great matter from what before was intimated. The Palatini pro- 
 mis'd the like, and therefore the frtfes required yet farther refpitc be- 
 fore they did conceive any form of Decree in this behalf. Then fol- 
 cc lowed the Decree of the Synod concerning the queftion moved by 
 cc thofe of Amfterdam, about the Baptifm of children born of Ethnic ^ 
 €C Parents. The Deciiion conlifted of two parts. The firft concern'd 
 cc the Adultly and it was this *, 'that facb as -were of years and capacity 
 "Jhould be diligently taught and catechized, and then, if they did defire 
 '* if, they foould be baptized. The fecond concerned Infants, and it was, 
 <c ■'that till they came to years of Difcretion, they jhould by no means be 
 * c baptized. A ftrange deciiion, and fuch as, if my memory or reading 
 <c fails me not, no Church either Aneienc or Modern ever gave. When 
 <c it was objected, what if they were in danger of death •, their anfwer 
 <c was, that the want of Baptifm would not prejudice them with God, 
 "except we would determine as the Papifts do, that Baptifm is necel- 
 * c fary to falvation. Which is as much to undervalue the neceffity of 
 * € Baptifm as the Church of Rome doth overvalue it. Here followed a 
 recitation of all that had been done iince the biUinefs of the Catechifm 
 had been fee on foot : auiongft the reft was regiftred the exceptions of 
 the Remonftrants of Vtrecbt, and it was added, atque in eft a frtfide 
 fatisfadum. Thofe of Utrecht excepted againft that word fatisfailum : 
 they had, faid they,an anfwer given thev, but no fatisfa&ion. For they 
 periled in their former opinion : and forthwith that word was alter 'd. 
 Here was a doubt^tnoved, whether it were not fit that fome of the 
 
 efpecial 
 
 ^* ■ 
 
To the K. Honourable Sr. D. Carlton L. Embaffador. 2% 
 
 efpecial Reefons brought by the Synod in the QnefHon of the Baptifm of 
 ljifants mould not be added to the Decree. It wm anfwered, that Reafons 
 were obnoxious to cavil and exception^ and it was not for the Authority of 
 the Sjnod to Reafon^but to Decree. After this the Vrefes fignined to the 
 Synod that the time prefixt for the appearance of theRenionftrants was 
 now expiring, and yet nothing was iignified concerning their appear- 
 ance neither to the Secular Preiident, nor Ecdefiaftical. Wherefore 
 naming them all, he thought good to cite them to appear. It was an- 
 fwered by thofe of Vtrecht^ that they did provide and would fhortly be 
 forth coming. In the mean while to take up the time, Mr. ?r&ftt- 
 thought good to commend to the Synod the conlideracion and redrefs 
 of thofc abufes which were in Printing. Every man was differed to 
 print what him lifted, whence came abundance of blafphemous, 
 heretical, obfeene and fcandalous Pamphlets. Many here delivered 
 their opinions, others rcquir'd farther time to think of it. The Engiifh 
 firft thought fit that the States General mould be requefted to take the 
 care of this into their hands. That there mould be Cenfors to approve 
 all fuch Books as mould go to the Prefs. That no man mould priut, but 
 fuch as were known to be of the Reformed Religion. Unco this advice 
 divers things were added by others; as that there mould be a fet num- 
 ber of Printers : that they mould be fworn : that there mould be cer- 
 tain Laws prefcribed unto them : that they mould print no Heretical 
 Books, efpecially the Books of David Georgiw^ H. Nicohw Socinus > 
 that no libels, no unlawful piftures, either obfeene, or made to any 
 mans difgrace, mould beperm'tted: that no Book mould be printed 
 without the names of the Author, Printer, Place, except the Synod 
 or the Magift rates did in fome cafes otherwife think good : that there 
 mould be care that the Correctors for the Prefs were good Scolars ; 
 and many other things of the like nature. Then were there read cer- 
 tain Canons made in fome Synods before, concerning this bufiuefs. 
 Iheodatus of Geneva told us, that in his travails, at Venice he had ob- 
 ferv'd that there was a Colledge of fundry perfons , fecular and 
 fpiritual, to whofe care was committed all the bulinefs of Print- 
 ing. He thought it fit there mould be fuch Colledges here ©retted. 
 When all had fpoken that would, the Yrtfes told them that Adrian 
 Smoutius had written a little Book in the Be/gk\ Tongue unto the Sy- 
 nod, and fent the copies of it to him to be diftributed. And fo requeu- 
 ing them to take in good pare the good will of the man, for wane of 
 more bufiuefs the Synod brake up. 
 
 At length are we coming to the main battel. The Armies have been 
 in fight one of another, and have had fome parly. The manner was 
 this. Upon Thurfday the d. of Vtcemb.Jiylo wvo* The Synod being fet in 
 
 the 
 
I 
 
 24 Mr. Hales Letters from the Synod of Do rt 
 
 the morning, the Pr^/hfignified, that there had come unto him in the 
 name of the Renionftrants thefe fower, H. Leo, Nielliuf, Matthifws, and 
 Finak^erusy to give notice that the Renionftrants were ready according 
 to their Citation ; but becaufe they had but lately come unto the Town, 
 that yet convenient Lodgings were not provided, their papers, books 
 and Muff were con fufed, therefore they requir'd refpite either till Sa- 
 terday, or at leaft Friday morning. The Prelident of the Folitichj re- 
 plyed, that they mould come, and perfonally make appearance before 
 the Synod, and there propofe their mindes, and if the Synod approved 
 their caufes, they might be deferr'd. Upon this were two of the De* 
 puties o£ Vtrecht fent forth, to give them warning to provide for their 
 prefent appearance. In the mean while, till they came, the Frtfes 
 thought lit, that fuch as in the former Seflion delivered not themfelves 
 concerning the Reformation of abufes in Printing, fhould now do it. 
 Here was little delivered, belides what was faid the day before , only 
 fome few particulars, as that order mould be taken to reprefs this long- 
 ing humour in many men of coming to the Prefs : that there fhould be 
 no Impreflion of the Bible at any time without leave had: Forreign 
 Books brought out of other Countreys mould not be diftra&ed here 
 without peculiar leave, after their being perufed by the Cenfurers : to 
 eafe the Cenfurers, that they might not be troubled with reading too 
 great a multitude of improvable books, it was thought fit, that the 
 books mould firft be brought to the Clajfes } and what they approved 
 mould be brought to the Cenfurers,&:c. In the mean while the Renion- 
 ftrants came, all that were cited by Letters, and were admitted into the 
 " Synod. There is in the tnidjt of the Synod-Houfe a long Table 3 fet 3 as 
 <c it feentS) for them -, for it hath hitherto been voidy no man fitting at it : 
 ce here Chairs and Forms being fet 3 they were willed to fit down. The Frxfes 
 told them, that he had commended to the Synod their Suit of being a 
 little refpited : but it was the will of the Deputies for the States, that 
 they mould come before the Synod,and propofe their caufe themfelves. 
 Epifcopins Handing up, fpake to this effeft. " Firft he prayed God to 
 cc give a blelHng to this Meeting, and to pome into their mindes fuch 
 Cc conceits, as beft fitted men come together for fuch ends : then he 
 cc fignifred, that according to their Citation they were now come ad 
 cC colUtionem infiituendam^ concerning that caufe, which hitherto with 
 « a good Confcience they had maintain'd. As for the point of delay, 
 « c true it is they fpake to the Prtfes concerning a refpite until Saterday 
 cc or Friday, by rtafon of that great diftra&ion of their books and pa- 
 mpers, and want of convenient lodging, but not as a petition to be 
 ce moved in that behalf unto the Synod ; but only as a thing which out 
 cc of common equity they might have prefumed on without acquainting 
 
 the 
 
T<? the K.Honomable Sr, D.Carlton LJLmbaffador. 1 5 
 
 «* the Synod with it. For they were ready, even at that prefenttobe- 
 fC gin the bulinefs they came for, without any further delay. But this 
 "they left to the Deputies Secular and F.cclefiaitjcal to determine of. 
 Then were they requeued to withdraw a little into a chamber near the 
 Synod Houfe ; and immediately was it propofed unto the Synod, what 
 time was to be fet for to begin. The time prefixt was the morrow after. 
 Jo. Tolyander took hold of thofe words, ad coUatiovem, and told the 
 Synod, that it was fit the rvemonftrants were told the end of their 
 coming, and the manner of proceeding which mould be taken with 
 them, that they might know what they were to look for, and fo pro- 
 vide. They were to be inform'd, that they came not to conference j 
 neither did the Synod profefs it felfan adverfe party againft them. 
 Conferences had been heretofore held to no purpofe. They ought to 
 have heeded the words of the Letters by which they were cited. They 
 were called, not to conference,but to propofe their Opinions with their 
 Reafons, and leave it to the Synod to judge of them. The Synod 
 would be a Judge, and not a party. Then were they caii'd in again, 
 and all this was told them. Epifcopiiis anfwered, that for the word Col- 
 latio he flood not on it, and how they would carry themfelves it mould 
 appear the day following. Mean while one thing they would requeit of 
 the Synod: that is, that Grevinchovhts and Goulartim fhould be feitt 
 for to the Synod as Patrons of this caufe. That they had this laft: week 
 exhibited a Supplication to the States General to this purpofe, and re- 
 ceav'd this anfwer, that they mould put this matter to the Synod, and 
 if the Synod thought it lit to be granted, they would not be againft it. 
 Neither did they propofe this to ftek delayes. For they were ready, 
 whilft thefe men fhould be fent for to proceed to the a&ion. Only they 
 thought fit, that to maintain their caufe they fhould be fent for, who 
 could beft do it. Then were they again difmift : and one was fent to 
 them, to call for their Supplication to the Lords, and the Lords Anfwer. 
 To this they return'd, that the Lords gave this anfwer, not in wtiting, 
 but by word of mouth • and for the copy of their Supplication, they 
 called not for it any more. Then was the thing propofed unto th e Sy- 
 nod, and the Secular Deputies replyed, that they would return their 
 anfwer on the morrow : and the fame was the anfwer of the Synod. 
 Mr. Pr<efes though t that Grevinchovins might be admitted, fahis cenfi/ri^ 
 EcclefiafficU: yet notwithftanding he thought good to acquaint the 
 Synod with the quality of this man, and thereupon he pioduced the 
 Aft of the Provincial Synod of South Holland, wherein it was witnefled, 
 that the Synod, becaufe he did refufe to appear when they cited him, 
 and becaufe of many blafphemies in his Book, and of many reproach- 
 ful fpecches againit the Magiftrates and againft the Minifters, had 
 
 *D fufpend- 
 

 I 
 
 26 Mr Hales Letters from the Synod of DoRT. 
 
 fufpended him ah omm mun°re Ecclefiaflico. From this Grevinchoviui had 
 not appealed to the National Synod, and therefore it was in the power 
 of the Synod to do w^rat they thought fit. Then were the Remonftrants 
 again calPd in, and 'it was iignifyed unto them, that on the morrow 
 they mould underftand the will of the Synod concerning their motion 
 made, and fo were they again difmlft ; and the Seifion ended, the Py^- 
 fes having firft premited, that all other things yet depending 3 as the 
 Decree concerning the Proponentes, together with the Remedies con- 
 cerning the abufes in Printing, and what el(e foever, muftbe deferr'd, 
 and the buiinefsin hand alone attended. 
 
 My Lord Bifhopwas defirous that Mr. Carkton mould flay this day, 
 to fee the crming of the Pvemonftrants. I would have had him flay to 
 morrow likewife, that he might have (ten the manner of proceeding 
 with them j but he would not. Here is fpeech that Scultetus is to make 
 the next Latin Sermon; but when we know not. There is a rumour 
 that Forjtius is gone from Tergone 9 but of this I fuppofe your Honour 
 may have better information then I can give ; therefore ceafing to 
 trouble your Honour any longer I humbly take my leave. 
 
 Dort thus 6. o/Novemb. Tour Honours Chaplain, and 
 
 i6i$.jlj/o novo. bounden in all Dutj, Jo. Hales, 
 
 Right Honouralle, my very good Lord y 
 
 N my laft Letters to your Honour, I related a doubt concerning the 
 Deputies for the Remonftrants of Vtrecht\ whether they were to 
 be a paitof the Synod, or in the number of the Remonftrants, who 
 were cited to appear before the Synod. The reafons of that doubt, 
 which then I underftood not were thefe. Firft, becaufe in their Creden- 
 tial 1 Letters they were charged to defend the caufe of the Remonftrants. 
 Now it could not be that they mould be both Defendants and Judges in ; 
 the fame caufe. Secondly, it was objected that their cafe was the fame 
 per omnia with Epifcopiut, who was to have been of the Synod, if he 
 would have brought his Credential Letters, as the reft of the Profef- 
 fors were. But he refufed it, becaufe in the Remonftrants caufe he was 
 to be a party, except he would have laid by the Defence of that cauie. 
 Thirdly, when the queftion was of ciiingthe Remonftrants out of each 
 Province, it was then concluded in the Synod, that out of the Province 
 of Vtrecht none mould be cited to appear, becaufe of that Province 
 there were fome already, and there foie it was fuperfluous to cite any 
 more. In the judgment of the Synod therefore chey were innumero 
 
 citatorum 
 
I 
 
 To the R. Honourable Sr. D.Carlton L. Embaffador. 27 
 
 citaforuwy as far as eoncern'd that caufe, and not in the number of the 
 Members of the Synod. tlntothefeReafons were they charged to give 
 their anfwer upon Saterday, and then to refolvejwh ether they would 
 forfake the words of their Credential Letters, and Co remain judges., or 
 eifeftand unto them, and become in the number of the citaii. Where- 
 fore upon Saterday, the 8. of December? {hlovovo, The Synod being 
 met in the morning, the Deputies for the Remondrants gave up.tfaek 
 Anfwer in fcripto to thcfe Reafons. And to the ftrft concerning the 
 Claufe in their Credential LetterSjthey anfwered .that they were not 0$. 
 limited, but that in their private inftructions they had leave to do other- 
 wife, if they thought good. To the fecond, concerning the Parity of 
 their cafe with Epifcopiuf, they anfwered, that their cafe was quite an- 
 other ; for they were fent from their Provinces as Members of the 
 Synod, which plea Epifcopiut could not make. To the third, concern- 
 ing the intent of the Synod at the Citation they anfwerd, that they ne- 
 ver fo underflood the words of the Synod, neither did they know but 
 that they might mew themfelves for the caufe of the Pvemonftrancs, and 
 yet fit as Judges, fince they were there to defend their opinion no 
 otherwife then the Contra-Remonftrants were to defend theirs: and 
 therefore they were purpofed to take the oath, and to keep their places. 
 The Pr£fes then requir'd them to mew that claufe in their private in- 
 ftructions, wherein that refervation wa^ which they pretended. They 
 ftuck a little at firft to bring forth their inftructtons, but at length fee- 
 ing there was no other remedy they confented to doit, piovided that 
 no more mould be read then what they would fuffer : which wa^ gran- 
 ted them. In the mean time whilft they were providing to produce 
 their inft ructions, there were read in the Synod the letters of the Pro- 
 vinciall Synod of South Holland^ directed to the Nationall, to this 
 purpofe : that whereat 7 keopbilus Kyckwaerd ins, oneof thofe who was 
 cited among the Remonftrants, had lately been by them convent ed for 
 certain mifdemeanors the Synod would be pleafed to give him leave to 
 return e and make his anfwer to fuch objections as they had to charge 
 him with. Thethng was put to the determination of the Synod. The 
 Deputies of the States thought fit it fhould be left to his own discretion 
 to do as he thought good. Others thought it not fit he mould be fent 
 from the greater Synod to a letter. Others thought it was nccejlary 
 he mould immediately be fent away to make his anfwer, lince it was 
 queftionof behaviour and manners only, and not of doctrine. In the 
 end it was concluded it fhould be left to his own discretion, to do as he 
 thought good. By this time were the Remonftrants of Vtrecbt ready 
 to mew their instructions, which they there openly produced, but to 
 no purpofe at all. For all they could (hew was. this., that they had 
 
 D 2 com- 
 
 

 o. 8 Mr. Hales Letters from the Synod of Dort 
 
 commiflion to defend their caufe, or to labour, at leaft for an accommo- 
 dation or tolleration of it : but that they had power to pronounce deci- 
 fively de veritate ant falfitate fe/ttentU, that did not as yet appear. 
 The thing was afted with much altercation on both fides. At length it 
 was agreed, with fome relu&ancy on the Remonftranrs party, that it 
 mould be put to the determination of the Synod, whether they were to 
 be accounted as Judge s, or only ascitaii. Some favourably thought 
 that their private inftrucVions were not too narrowly to be iifced, but 
 if they would fuo perknlo take the oath, it mould be fufKcient. Others- 
 thought that an oath was a greater matter then fhouid fo eafily be per- 
 mitted, although men did offer to take it, there being fo good caufe 
 ofdoubr, as now there was. Others examining there Credentiall let- 
 ters, and die words of their private Commiilion, and finding no authori- 
 ty given them to define de fa/Jitate fententi£ 3 \f it mould appear to be falfe; 
 and that the loweit point they could defcend unto, was a Tolleration y 
 concluded they could be no other then citati. As for their plea,tkat they 
 came to defend their opinion nootherwife then the Contra-Rcmoii- 
 ftrants did for theirs, it was replycd, firft that they did the Synod wrong 
 to make this diftincYion of Contra-Remonftrants and Remonitrants : for 
 ill the Synod there was no Contra- Remonftr ant, and no man was call'd 
 thither under that name, whereas they in their letters came under the 
 name of Remonftrants. Again, No man came with charge to defend any 
 opinion, but were free to pronounce according to truth wherefoever it 
 fhouid be, which was not their cafe. In the end che judgement of the 
 Synod was given up, that they could not be of the members of the 
 Synod in this caufe ( for in any other they might ) but only as citatL 
 Yet notwithstanding that they might fee the equity of the Synod to- 
 ward them, it was permitted them to keep their places upon thefe 
 conditions: firit if they would quit their defence of the caufe ; Secondly 
 if they would give no advife or counfel directly or indirectly to the ci- 
 tati> and by no means meddle wich them in their caufe : thirdly, that 
 they did not divulge any of the Acts and Secrets of the Synod ( which 
 Claufe was a meer Formality. For who can expect that that fhouid not 
 be divulged, which is done in the fight of fo many Spectators ? Fourth- 
 ly, that they mould not be troublefome to the Synod, by any intempe- 
 ftive interpellations. This if they would promife, they mould take the 
 Oath, and fit as Judges ; otherwife, no. Unto this were they charged 
 immediately to give their anfwer. They again required refpite. It was 
 anfwered, that this requeft was needlefs, the cafe being fo plain, and 
 injurious to the Synod in detaining them from their bufinefs by fri- 
 volous delay es. They perfifting ftill in their Suit, the thing again was 
 devolv'd unto the Synod, whether they fhouid give their Anfwer pre- 
 
 fently 
 
 I 
 
To the R. Honourable Sr. D. Carlton L. Embaffador. 19 
 
 fently, or have farther refpite. It was concluded that they (hould re" 
 pair to Mr. Pr^Jes the fame day at five of the clock in the Evening} 
 there without farther delay, roundly to deliver their refolution* 
 Which thing yet they did not. They came indeed at the time appoint- 
 ed, but gave no Refolution, neither yet have done, for any thing I can 
 hear. And this was all was done that Seilion. I mervail much that the 
 Province of Vtrecht, being the ftrength of the RemonftraiKs, could 
 findenowifer men to handle their Caufe. For as they did very fool- 
 ilhly in bewraying their private inftru&ions, fo in this whole alterca- 
 tion did they not fpeak one wife word. This Selfion the Remonftrants 
 that were cited appeared not all. 
 
 Epifcopim is reported to have put a trick upon the Seculars. For 
 whereas in his fpeech he had faid fome things concerning them, in that 
 Copie which was exhibited, fign'd with all their hands, there is no fuch 
 thing appears. He had committed it only to his Memory, as forefeeing 
 the Copie might be called for. 
 
 . Mr. Pr<efes remembers his love and fervice to your Lordrtiip, and bath 
 fent you a Copie of the Book which Adrian Smoutim dedicated to the 
 Synod. The greateft Newes, for ought I perceive, is, that it is dedi- 
 cated to the Synod j for elfe there is little that concerns them. I have 
 troubled your Lordfhip with very long repetition of a petit matter : 
 but it was all the argument of the Seffion. ] trow, to morrow we (hail 
 have other manner of (luff. And fo ceafing to trouble your Lordfhip, 
 I humbly take my leave. 
 
 Dort this p. of Decern. Tour Honours Chaplain, and 
 
 i6i2.jijIo novo.- bounden in all Duty, Jo.Haies. ■ 
 
 Right Honour ab Ie, my very good Lord. 
 
 ON Munday the 10. of Decemher > jlylo novo, the Deputies met in the 
 morning, where the firft thing determined, was the que(Hon as yet 
 depending concerning the Remonttrants of Vtrecht. They had accord- 
 ing to their appointment come to the Proefes and AffeJJ@n to give their 
 Anfwer, which was meerly dilatory, containing their anfwers to fuch 
 reafons as the Synod on the Saterday Seflion had brought to prove them 
 in the number of the Citati. But having better bethought themfelves, 
 upon the Munday a little before the Morning Seffion, they delivered 
 their Refolution to the Pra[es> to this effect, that fmce nothing elfe 
 would content the Synod, they had refolv'd to leave their place of 
 Judgesj and to adjoyn themfelves to the other Remonftrants which 
 
 were 
 
 

 go Mr. Hales Letters from the Synod of Dour 
 
 were cited: and fo they did. After this fell in fome fpeech concerning 
 a fupplication lately exhibited by the Remonftrants unco the Exteri: 
 and becaufe it feem'd to contein fome afperfions againft the Synod, 
 there was queftion made whether or no it mould be pnblickly read and 
 frand : but this motion died, and there was nothing done in it. A Copie 
 of this Supplication, I think, my Lord Bimop lately fent your Honour. 
 Then Mr. Yrafes lignified unto the Synod, that without farther delay 
 he thought it ric, the Remonftrants mould be put in minds of the end 
 of their coming, and that they mould put up their mindes in writing, 
 concerning the five points ill queftion, and that forthwith. For he 
 doubted it not, but they came very well provided to do it : and more, 
 that fome years paft, they had provided ceriain coniiderarions to be at 
 hand, whensoever they mould be called for, with wh'ch the World 
 was not yet acquainted. This thing he remembred M*Hfie&r Barnevelt 
 fomecime told him in private conference)- and the Remonftrants them - 
 felves have told the World as much in their preQior declaration which 
 they joyn'd to their Edition of the Conference at the Hague. Then 
 were the Remonftrants calPd in,andtold, Firft of their indirect dealing, 
 in pretending themfelves to have but one Copie of their Oration, 
 whereas it was known they had anocher, and in delivering up a broken 
 Copie: then of the end of their being convented by the Synod. But 
 by the way one thing was urged fomewhat iinnecefTarily. The Remon- 
 ftrants had given up, fas I told your Honour ) their fpeech figned 
 with all their hands. When thofe of Vtrecht had joyn'd themfelves unto 
 them, they were urged to put to their hands alfo : to which they reply- 
 ed,they had not as yet read it. Here Epifcopim took occaiion to clear him- 
 felf of that imputation lately faftned upon him, that he had abufed the 
 Delegates, in giving them a counterfeit copy of his fpeech : protefting 
 he was not fo ill qualified, as that in fo great a matter, and that before 
 God and fo grave a Congregation he would d.^al doubly, and diftioneft- 
 \y : that he never affirmed that he had one only Copie, but that he had 
 none fairly written ; for he confeft he had another, and that the reafon 
 why he requefted either the fame Copie again,or at leaft a Tranfcript of 
 it, was, becaufe there was fome difference betwixt the two Copies, and 
 they had not yet perfectly compared them together. The Prafes an- 
 fwered, that what was laid to their Charge, was nothing elfe but that 
 which the Synod verily underftood to have been done, and he thinks, 
 that if the Memories of thofe in the Synod were confulted with, they 
 would all confirm it. About this was there likely to have been fome al- 
 tercation farther, but the Secular Trtfes will'd them to leave that and 
 pafs to their bufinefs. Here Epifcopius befought the Synod that he might 
 feave leave tofpeakfome things by way of Pi;oeme ere they came to the 
 
 A&ion. 
 
*To the K. Honourable Sr. D. Carlton L. Bmbajfador. gx 
 
 A&ion. It was at firft denied him, but he did fo earneftly intreat, that 
 at length he had leave to fpeak his minde : and fo forthwith there was 
 recited e Serif to a long and tedious fpeech of two hours, at the leaft : 
 confifting of two general heads : Firft of Exceptions they had againft 
 the Synod tanquam in judicent incompetent em : Secondly of a conceit 
 of their own, what manner of Synod they thought tit it (hould be s 
 which was to compofe thefe controverlies in hand. Their reafons of 
 Exceptions were many, and manifoldly amplified and confirmed : but 
 aniongft them all there were two efpecially infifted upon. Firft, it was 
 againft all equity and nature that the adverfe party iLould be Judge : 
 the Synod was here the adverfe party, and therefore they could not be 
 Judge/*. Secondly, thofe who had made an open Schifm and Faction 
 in th£ Church, and had feparated themfelves from their brethren, 
 could not be their Judges : but of this Synod a great part were 
 Authors of Schifm, and the reft Favourers and Abettors of it : 
 they could not therefore be their Judges. In the profecuiion of which 
 Reafon they did not fpare very liberally to beftow on the Synod 
 the name of Scbifnttrtici & Novatores, and fchifmatum Fautores, and 
 other goodly titles of the fame nature. The fecond part of their Ora- 
 tion was a meere Chimtra faltam in vacuo; aflxange phancy of fuch a 
 Synod as never was, nor can be. I had thought to have taken an ab- 
 ftract of it, but the tedioufnefs of it deterr'd me. I will give your Ho- 
 nour a tafte or two of it. There were but two wayes of inftituting a 
 Synod for the ending of thefe quarrels. The firft was, by feeking out 
 every where certain felett men, who all this time of contention had 
 taken part with neither fide^ but kept themfelves impartial. Secondly., 
 if a -Synod of fuch could not be found ( as I think it could fcarcely 
 be found in the Netherlands, though the Sun it felf (hould feek it ) 
 then fuch a Synod (hould be framed, as in which (hould be an equal 
 number of both parties, each witli their feveral Pr<efes and AJfcJfors -, 
 and they (hould debate the matter betwixt themfelves : and if they 
 could not agree, ( as it is likely they would not ) what then, thoughc 
 I? (hall they part as they came ? No for (both. The Civil Magiftrate 5 
 tanquam Dew e machina, he muft come in, and prefcribe the Modera- 
 men , from which neither party muft appeal. Provided alwayes 5 
 that he laboured onely for Accomodation, and not to determine 
 decisively for on part. k*7 ij-ai^jteV And fo 1 awoke. Of the fame 
 threed was the whole piece of their fpeech. When they had well and 
 throughly wearied cheir Auditory, they did that which we much de- 
 fired •, they made an end. The Trtfes made a brief anfwer to this effect. 
 For the point of Schifm faith he, it is not yet fit time to difciuTe. But 
 when it (hould in the Synod be made plain what had been thereceiv'd 
 
Ty~»""^ i .» ■ < 
 
 I 
 
 32 Mr. Hales Letters from the Synod of Do rt 
 
 Doftrine of the Church, then it would appear who they were that had 
 made fecelhon from it, and fo were guilty of Schifm. If you refufeus 
 becaufe we are your Adverfaries, whom would you have deputed as 
 Judges? your felves, or the Papifts, or the Anabaptifts, or the Liber- 
 tines, or fume other faftion in thefe Countries \ Let us be Sfcifmaticks, 
 let us be Scribes and Pharifees, and worfej yet you may not deny this 
 Synod to be a lawful Synod. For firft it was done by the Civil Magi- 
 mate who had authority to doit. Secondly, fuch as were there were 
 deputed by the confent of the Provinces. Thirdly, they had all taken 
 their oaths to judge uprightly. This is enough to make us your Judges, 
 and common Charity mould make you to hope we would judge up- 
 rightly : at leaft it mould make you refolve thus far- if we mould de- 
 cide truly, you would fubfcribe unto it, if otherwise you would pati- 
 ently bear it. If you were in our places, fo deputed^ fo fmrn, and we 
 .were to be judged by } on, we were to do the like. -Here followed fome 
 wrangling to no great purpofe D and fo the Seilion ended. 
 
 The fame day after dinner the Deputies met again 3 where firft the 
 Prtfes commended to the Synod the consideration of that reproachful 
 Name of Schifm, which the Remonftrants did fo openly and fo often 
 brand them with. For it was Efiifcopim his palmarium argumentum 3 the 
 Synod was all either Schifmaticksor favourers of them, and therefore 
 could not be their Judges. It was much that they mould grow to that 
 boldnefs, as that openly they (hould call the Synod, the Seculars, the 
 chief Magiftrate, yea the Prince of Orange himfelf, Schifmaticks. For 
 what had formerly been done in the matter of Seceflion and Diviiion of 
 Churches was done by their confent and approbation. He requirM 
 therefore the Synod to deliver themfelves what was to be done. Di- 
 vers fpake diverfly. Lydius of South Holland relating the ftory of what 
 had been done in the time of feparation, ciear'd them of Schifm; 
 and mewed firft, that the name of Schifm was ufed craftily by them, 
 as for a reproach, fo likewifefor a farther end they had for themfelves. 
 For a Schifm is only a breach of Charity and peace of the Church, 
 the Doftrine remaining intire. If there were a feparation by reafon of 
 Doftrine Heretical (as here he thought there was) it was not to be call'd 
 a Scifm. Now the Remonftrants did therefore ufe the name of Schifm, 
 that they might perfwade the world , that the difference was only in 
 certain points indifferent, in which it matter'd. not which end went 
 forward, by this means to make their way open to a tolleration. Again, 
 the feparation which was made, was made upon good reafon. For they 
 were forced unto it by the Remonftrants violence, as in particular he 
 did (hew. At length he and the reft of the Synod concluded, that they 
 mould roundly be put in niindeof their duty, and to fpeakmore re- 
 
 t lively 
 
L , , ■ -^— — - 
 
 To the R.Honourable Sr. D. Carlton L.Ewbaffador. 5 3 
 
 fpe&ively to the Synod. Upon this the Remonftrants being called in,the 
 Vrxfes fignifyed what the Synod difliked in them, and what behaviour 
 it expected at their hands : and withal 1 will'd them to attend the De- 
 cree of the States. Epijcopiia would have anfwer'd, but he was 
 prohibited. Then immediately followed a decree of the States to this 
 purpofe ■■> that ivhereas the Remonihants had hitherto made many 
 dilatory anfwers, to the injury both of the Ecleiiafticks and Seculars, 
 it was decreed by them, that they (nould lay by all frivolous Excepti- 
 ons, and dilatory anfwers, and forthwith proceed to Cet down their 
 minde concerning the Five Articles, for which end they were come to- 
 gether. Then began Epifcopius to purge hmifelf, and declare, that til 
 the imputation of Schifm they included not the Seculars, they only 
 charged the Ecleiiafticks : and if the Seculars had a hand in it, they 
 medled not with that. The Pr*fes urged them to give their anfwer, 
 whether or no they would fet down their mindes concerning the points 
 in controverfy : they 1H11 excepted, that the Synod were not their com- 
 petentJudges.The ?r<efes asked by whom they would be judged?thcy re- 
 plyed,they would not anfwer this, it was fufHcient that the Synod could 
 not be theirJudges.They were will'd to remember they were Citatr.zhey 
 replyed, Citatorum e[i excipere de competentia judick. The Prxfes of the 
 Seculars will'd them remember that they were Subjects •, they replyed, 
 the Magiftrate could not command their Confciences : being aga.n 
 will'd to give their anfwer, whether or no they would exhibit their 
 mindes concerning the five Articles, they requir'd firft to have their 
 exceptions anfwer'd ; when no other anfwer would be given, they dif- 
 mift them, and appointed that of the Synod two fhould be chofen De- 
 legates, who fhould immediately go to them, and in the name of the 
 Synod warn them to lay by all other anfwers, and at the next Sejfion 
 Categorically anfwer, whether they would exhibit their mindes 
 concerning the points in Controverfy , or no : that fo the Synod 
 might know what they had to do : and fo they brake up : this morn- 
 ing therefore we look what will be done. And fo for this rime I humbly 
 take my leave, commending your Honour to Gods good Prote&ion. 
 Port j Decemb.fi. Tour Honours Chaplain, a.it<i 
 
 1618. 'Bounden in all Duty Jo. Hales 
 
 1 
 
 Of the Remonftrants of Vtrecht^ two only have jojn'd themfelves 
 to the Citati : the third, which is an Elder, profelTes to iubmit him- 
 felf to the judgement of the Synod, if they (nail decide according to 
 his Confcience ; and that if it pleafethe Synod to give him his «^ach, 
 he is ready to judge neither as Remonftrant nor Contra-Kenionftt ant, 
 but accordingly ask (hall pleafe God to open him the truth in the Synod. 
 
 * E Right 
 
" 
 
 34 Mr Hales Letters from .the Synod of Dort. 
 
 Right Honour dU^ md my vers good Lord, 
 
 ON Thurfday the * 4 . of Decemb. the Synod being fate, and repeti- 
 tion niade 5 according to the cuftom, of what had paft in the former 
 on', the Pvemonftrants being called in wereaskt whether or no they 
 had (tt down in writing their opinion concerning the firft Article. 
 Forthwith they exhibited to the Synodtheir opinion fubferibed with 
 si! their hands. The copie of this your Lordfnip {hall receive here 
 with thefe letters.The paper being read, the Vrafes askt them .all one 
 by one whether this were their opinion, to which each man anfwered 
 affirmatively. T%c Remonftrants being difmift thePre/wpropofed to the 
 Synoi,whether it were not fit that they fhould be fent for one by one 
 and examined fingly as concerning their tenent. His reafon was, be- 
 caufeh'e underftood that they made thcmfrlves an Antifynod, an 1 
 had among themfelves orda ; neda Prxjes, two AiTeiTours, and twsa 
 Scribes according to the form of the Synod ; and Co they did all things 
 nuni confenfu like a little Synod : to this fome anfwered chat they 
 thought it fit; fome that thofe only mould be lingled out who were 
 carried away with refpeft to their company, and if they were alone 
 would think and do otherewife : others thought it utterly unfit be- 
 caufe it might feem oUre artificium aliquod^ to favour of a trick, where- 
 as it beft became the Synod to do all things can tide &fpicere : other* 
 would have no man examined alone but when all the reft were by : o- 
 thers left it to the judgement of the Prtfes to do as he thought good 
 whenoccalion ferved : which 1 aft fentence as it feemed ftood good. 
 After this was there a generall exception againft the manner in which 
 they had propofed their fentence : that they had done it cottfufe, 
 dihacie^ & obfeure : that they had intermingled things impertinent and 
 belonging to other nueftions : that the moil of their propofalls were 
 negatives what they did not hold, and not affirmatives what they did j 
 whereas their appearance there was to mew what they did hold, not 
 what they did not hold. And it was difcovered that this their pro- 
 ceding by negatives was, that they might take occasions to refute o- 
 ther opinions, and not to confirm their own j whereas by the decree of 
 the States they were call'd thither ut fententiam SVAM ditucide 3 perfpicue 
 &c.expnerent & defender ent not that they fhould oppugne others. That 
 it had been their cuftom very liberally to examine other men? opinions 
 and to be fparing in confirming their own ; That if they did refufe to deal 
 more plainly in expounding their mind, the Synod fhould take order 
 that the flat e of the queftion mould be taken out of their books a efpecially 
 
 one 
 
To the R. Honourable Sr. D.Carkon L. Embafjador. 35 
 
 our of the Hague conference,and fothey fb.onld be queftioned whether 
 they would ftai id to it or no : that they did maintain aruongft them an 
 implicite faith, and it was ufuall with fome of them, when they were 
 preft with any reafon they could not put by, to anfwer that though 
 themfelves could fay little to it, yet fuch and fuch could fay much, 
 which was enough for them. When all had fpoken their pleafure, the 
 conclufion of the Synod was, that they mull: reform the manner of 
 propounding their mind: that they muft give up their anfwer in affir- 
 matives, as much as was poilible : that this form of anfwer was not 
 according to the Decres of the States : and this was the eifeft of that 
 Seflion. 
 
 On Friday the t$ of Decemb. there was a (hort Seifton in the morning. 
 The matter propounded was, whether it were not fit that the Remon- 
 ftrants fhouldbe required to give up their minds concerning all the five 
 points before the Synod proceeded to examine or determine any thing. 
 The reafon was, the connexion of the points mutually one with ano- 
 ther, for which caufe it was hard to determine of one, except their 
 mind in the reft were known. The Secular Lords and the Synod liked 
 well of the propofall. Thofe of Geneva thought it be ft to take their o- 
 pinions out of their books : to which the Pr^/^aufwerM/that it could 
 not be, becaufe they were calTd thither by their citatory Letters to 
 propofe and defend their own opinions. That they could not com- 
 piaine of the Synod for calling on them thus at once to deliver them- 
 felves. For the Synod doubts not that they were provided, iince them- 
 felves had long iince given it out in their books and private fpeeches 
 that they were provided. The Pvemonftrants then being called in, were 
 told that it was the determination of the Synod that they mould de- 
 liver their opinions at once concerning the five points ^ and for this 
 they had given them tiaie til Munday. For this would prove better 
 for the iynod and for themfelves. Then that they fhould deliver 
 themfelves in affirmatives as much as pollibly might be. For by their 
 negatives they delivered not their own opinions, but diverted upon o- 
 thers. The Confeflions and Creeds had always been framed by affirma- 
 tives} thus or thus wee do believe j not by negatives. To this they 
 replied, Attendemus ad ea qua a Domino Prafide difia funt & confide'rabi- 
 ■mm. Then did the Trafes fignifie that on the morrow there mould be a 
 Latin fermon in the Synod houfe. Scultetiu is the man that makes 
 it. And thisis the effect of what was done at that time and foceafing to 
 trouble your Lordfhip any farther at this time., I humbly take my leave 
 refting. 
 
 Dort this 15. of Decemb. lour Honours Chaplain-) and 
 
 161$. Jtylo novo, bounden in all Dutj, Jo. Hales. 
 
 E 2 Right 
 
36 Mr. Hales Letters from the Synod of Dort 
 
 Right Honourable ) my very good Lord^ 
 
 THefeventh o$T>ecember 9 \\ylo novo, bting Friday, in the morning the 
 Synod met \ them ft thing that was done, was the pronouncing the 
 Decree of the States concerning Grevinchovim and Goulartim to this 
 Cjffeft, That whereas the Remonftrants had petitioned to the States, 
 that Grevinchovim and Gov.larxim might be admitted into the Synod, 
 there to defend the Remonftrants Caufe, the Lords for good caufes 
 thought they neither ought, nor could grant it j yet thus much did 
 they gracioufly permit, that they might freely come in private, and 
 do them what help they could ; and if they thought, that in any thing 
 they faw further into the Caufe then their Brethren, they might have 
 leave to exhibit their minde in writing to the Synod. Provided, Firft, 
 that they bad leave of the Synod fo to do • Secondly, that they did 
 not feek any frivolous dclayes : Thirdly, that they promis'dto fubmic 
 themfelves to the Decree of the Synod : and laft of all, that the Church 
 Cenfures refpeftively pafs'd on Grevinchovim and GouUrtim be not pre- 
 judiced; but ftandftil! in their full force and vertue. This Decree was 
 confented unto by the whole Synod. Here the Vrxfes admonifht thofe of 
 Vtrecht to provide themfelves, and refolvc what they would do ; whe- 
 ther they would profefs themfelves parties for the Remonftrants, or 
 keep their places, and lit as Judges ; if they would exprefs as parties, 
 then muft they ceafe to be accounted part of the Synod, and be ac- 
 counted as Epifcopim and the reft that were cited. They requir'd that 
 time might be given them to deliberate. The Trxfes eagerly urged them 
 to give their refolute anfwer. They replyed it was a greater matter 
 then might fo foon be difpatch*t. So far they went, that at length they 
 fell on fome warm words. For when two of the Remonftrants Depurics 
 by chance fpake both at once, the ?r#fes admonifht them tofpeak mo<- 
 dejhks & orna^iks. For men here fpeak one by one, and not by pair?. 
 But here the Secular Deputies ftrook in, and thought fit they mould 
 have time of refpite till the morrow : yet fo that in the mean time the 
 Synod Ihould proceed: Then were the Remonftrants call'd in, and 
 the Decree of the States concerning Grevinchovim and Goulartms read 
 unto them : Epifcopim ftanding up requir'd that a little time might be 
 granted to them to fpeak,and forthwith uttered an Oration, acrem fane 
 & animofaw, and about which, by reafon of fome particulars in it, 
 there will grow fome ftirre. The effe£tof the Oration was this. 
 
 thai 
 
 I 
 
_ 
 
 To the R. Honourable St. D. Carlton L. Timbaffador. 57 
 
 TJi at Religion was the chief efl note of a man $ and we were more di- 
 ftinguifhed by it from other Creatures, then by our Reafcn. That 
 their apparence before the Synod was y ut illam etiamSpartam ornarenr^ 
 that the) might endeavour fomething for the preferva'ionof the Purity of 
 Religion: That Religion was nothing elf e but aright Conceit and fvorfhip 
 of God : That the Conceits concerning God are of two forts -, fome alfo- 
 lutely neceffary, which were the grounds of all true JVorftip ; in thefe to 
 erre might finally endanger a man ; Some not alfolutely neceffary ; and in 
 thefe fometimes without great danger men might mistake $ That they de- 
 fcryed many conceits pafjipg in our Churches which could not fland with 
 the Goodnefs and'juflice of God, with the ufe of tie Sacramens, with (he 
 Duties of Chriflian men', Thefe had given occafion to the Adierfa.ies 
 abroad to accufe our Churches, and lay upon them many grange imputations, 
 That therefore their endeavour had been none other but to remove thefe 
 imputations, and to provide, as much as in them lay, that tie Conceits of 
 fome few might not pafsfor the general DoBrine of our Churches -, But this" 
 their endeavour had hitherunto had but ill fuccefs : And as in a difeafed 
 body many times when Pbyfick is adminiftred, the humours which before 
 were quiet are now flirred, and hence the lod) proves more d/flempered : ' 
 fo their endeavours to cure tie Church had caufed greater diforder, yet 
 in this had they not offended. For they labour d to none other end, but that 
 the Church might not I e traduced by reafon of the private concei s of fome 
 of her Miniflers. That in this behalf the world had hen exceedingly in- 
 cenfed againfl them : hut this Envy they efleemed their Gloriam &; Pal- 
 marium ; That for this they did not mean to fo^fake their Caufe, and 
 were it fo that they fhould lofe the day, yet would they joy in it, andthiik 
 it glory enough, magnis aufis cxcedifle. That this their flirring was hot 
 de lana caprina, of fmall, frivolous, and wortllefs matters , of mere quids 
 qf wit, as many of the common fort were perfwaded, that out of this 
 (onceit it was that they had been fo exceedingly roughly dealt withall, yea 
 they might fay foevitum fuifle againfl them, as againfl unnecejjary Innova- 
 uators in the Church : Firft matters were handled againfl them clancularih 
 ly, and by flealth, after this they brake out into open but falfe accnf anions, 
 and after this into wrath, into fcoffing and bittemefs^ till at length effra&is 
 moderationis repagulis, every one came with open mouth againfl them, 
 tanquam in ptiblici odii vi<ftimas. [ Here followed a grave and fericus 
 invocation of Chrift as a witnefs to the truth of what they faid] True 
 
 indeed 
 
g8 Mr. Hales Letters from the Synod of Dort 
 
 indeed it wa$> tfiat in their Books man) things were to be found amiffe. For 
 a very hard matter they thought it for mindes.exafpera^ed femper rectum 
 clavem tcnere. Thai for the felling of thefe things , there could but 
 three conrfsi be thought of \ either a National Synod, or a mutual Toller a- 
 tion of each others Opinions, or the Ceffion and Refignation of their Calling 
 and place in the Church. To quit them of their calling and to fly, this were 
 a mie of the Hireling : as for a Synod, which they much de fired, remora- 
 bamur qui rrrinime debebant,^^ it was pretended that the condition of 
 the Times would not fuffer it. There remains only a mutual Tolle ration, of 
 the pofjibility of which alone they had hope. And for this end they did exceed- 
 ingly approve of the Decreeof the States of Holland, and Wetl-fryzeland, 
 which they thought confirmed by the examples of BczaV dealing withfome,of 
 their own dealing with the Lutherans, of the Advice of the King of Great 
 Brittain '• But all this t»m labour lofl ; for there was a buzze and jealoufie 
 fpreai in the heads of men, that under this lame, this whifling Suit of Tol- 
 l 'ration there lay perfonated more dangerous defignes : that behinJe this, 
 tanquam poft hparium, there, lay intents of opening a way to the Profeflion 
 of all the ancient Herefies : and that the Remonft rants could pro tempore, 
 Confcientiaefuae imperare quod volunt, upon this began mens minds to be 
 alienated from them : which thing at length brake forth into Schifm and open 
 Separation. Now began their books to be more narrowly inqwrd into, every 
 line, ever) phrafe, every word and tittle to befiretcht to the utter mofl, to prove 
 them Here ticks, fvitnefithat late work, intituled Specimen Con trover (ia- 
 rum Be\gicarum,whofe Authors credit and good dealing had already in part 
 appeared, and hereafter farther would appear. That all Fundamental points 
 of Divinity they had prefer ved untouched. For they knew that there were 
 many things of which it is not lawful to difpute , and they abhorrd from 
 that conceit of many men, who would believe nothing but what they were able 
 to give a Reafon of. That what they queflioned was onlyfuch a matter, which 
 for a long time had been^ without danger, both pro and contra difputedof. 
 They thought it fuffcient if the chief points of Religion remain unfljakeftc 
 That there had been always fundry Opinions even among ft the Fathers them- 
 selves, which yethad not broken out into feparation of mindes, 'and breach 
 of Charity. That it was impoffible for all wits to jump in one point.lt was the 
 judgement of Parous a great Divine, that thegreatefl caufe of Contentions in 
 the Church was this, that the Schoolmens Conchfions, and Cathedral Deci fil- 
 ms had been receivd as Oracles , and Articles of Faith. That they were 
 
 there- 
 
 ■ 
 
To the R. Honourable Sr.'D. (Carlton L. Ewbaffador. > ; p 
 
 therefore unjuflly charged with the bringing in of a Sceptick Theologie : They 
 fought for nothing elfe tut for that liberty which is the mean betwixt feriiitUde 
 and Licenfe. That now they appear d before the Synod, whether as cited, or 
 otlerwife, they were not careful.They had been pre fent how foe i er had it been 
 lawful. They required the Forreigners not to judge of them as they had heard 
 abroad, but as they now foouldpnde them. That they prof ejs they oppofe them* 
 felvesfflrfl again(t thofe Conclusions concerning P redeflination,which the Au- 
 thors the mf elves have ^/ZVHorridaDecreta. Secondly, againfl thofe who 
 for the Five Articles fo calTd have made a Separation, neier expeFfing any 
 Synodic al Sentence : Thirdly, againfl thofe who cafifrom them all thofe who in 
 fume things dijjent from them. And yet to raife the controve/fy greater, is the 
 qyeftion oftl e right of Magi frames added above all the refl, which tb ey main- 
 tain d againfl thofe, who taught the Afagiflrate fhould with a hoodwi/. kt obe- 
 dience accept of what the Divines taught, without farther enquiry. Thefe we 
 the points for which we have contended. Give unto va that refpetl which your 
 fellies would lock for at our. hands, if you were in our cafe ; we have not am- 
 bitiouflyfiedto any : the Favour of God alone it is which we haze fought ; - 
 Look not upon this f mall number which you fee, Unus Patronus bonx caufas 
 fatiseit. \Tit not the f mailer number that makes, the Schifm. If a major 
 pan carry tl?e right, what think you then of the Province of Utrecht, where 
 the greater parts are Remonflrants : From you doth the Schifme proceed, 
 Firft here in this Syaod, by making fo an unequal a choice of Deputies with 
 fa fmall a numher of Remonflrants. Secondly by proceeding againfl w a- 
 broad, not expeHing a Synodal Decree, by catering and fib jetting unto 
 Cenfures the chief Patrons of our Caufe, eos apud quos flint aquite norte : 
 and per adventure, even atthis very hour you proceed againfl fome of ours 
 by fufpending, difcommuning,by expelling them from their Churches,dfc 
 But yet we cafl not away our Swords 5 The Scriptures and follid Reafon 
 fhall be to us inflead of multitudes. The Confcience refls not it felf upon 
 the number of Suffrages, but upon the flrength of Reafon. Tam parati 
 furnus vinci, quamvincere. Be gets a great Victory, that being conquer d' 
 gains the Truth. Amicus Socrates, amicus Plato, arnica Synodus, fed 
 mads arnica Veritas,. 
 
 Tkfe 
 
 
 

 40 Mr. Hales Letters from the Synod of Do rt 
 
 Thefearc the Fragments of Epifcopius his fpeech, as far as my Me- 
 mory and broken notes could fupply me •, I fuppofe what Errors I have 
 committed by leaving out,nufplacing,mifrelating, Mr. Ant es 3 vrkcn he 
 comes to your Honour will rettify, this and much more for an hours 
 fpxce, he delivered with great grace of fpeech, and Orator i al gejiure : The 
 Frafes fignitfed unto him, that becaufe there were in his fpeech many 
 things coniiderable,he was therefore to deliver the Copy of it:Epifcofius 
 replyed, that he had none handfomely written, if the Synod would 
 have patience, he would caufe a fair Tranfcript to be drawen for them •, 
 But this excufe would not ferve. Fair or foul deliver it up he mud, and 
 fo he did: The Deputies for the Politicks fignified, that mice there 
 were many things in it, which did as well concern the Seculars, as E- 
 cleliafticks, they were to give it up fubferibed with all their hands: 
 which forthwith was done. Then did the Fr<efes tell them how much 
 they were beholding to the Synod, that had fo patiently heard them, 
 notwithftanding that they had no leave granted them to fpeak, and that 
 they ought to have expend the Mandate of the Synod. To this Epifco- 
 piw replyes,that he had required leave before he began to fpeak ; True, 
 ("aid the Prdfes, but you flayed not till leave was granted you; beiides, 
 faith he,you are to know that no man may, no not of thofe that are the 
 members of the Synod, offer to declaim without leave firft had, and 
 without manifelting the Argument and drift of his fpeech. After this 
 followed a Form of Oath prefcribed by the States, which all the Mem- 
 bers of the Synod were to take, the Articles of it were chefe two, 'that 
 cc enly the Word of God fhould be taken for their rule to end their tjuejiions, 
 fc and that thej bad no other purpofe but the peace of the Church. Firft the 
 Fr£fes took his oath in this order, {landing up in his place, he faid, Ego 
 promitto coram Deo 5 ( thus, and thus ) itapropitius mthifit Servator Chri- ■ 
 jiut. Then the Provincials took every one in his order, flanding in his 
 place, and pronouncing thefe words, Idem promitto coram Deo & fantlo 
 Servatore^ only the Remonftrants Deputies of Vtrecht took not the 
 Oath, becaufe as yet they had not determined, whether they would 
 make themfelves parties or Judges ; After the Provincials did the For- 
 eigners in order do the like, and fo the Seffion ended. And with it I 
 think is time for me to end, and commend your Lordfhip to Gods good 
 Protection. 
 
 Dort this 7. 0/ Decemb. Tour Honours Chaplain 
 
 1618. fijto novo, a*d bounden in allDuty 
 
 Jo. Hales. 
 
 Right 
 
 1 
 
to theR.Honourable Sr. D.Carlton L.EmbaJfador. 41 
 
 Right Honourable^ my very good Lord, 
 
 UPon Saterday if of this prefent, the Synod being fate in the Morn- 
 ing, Scultetm made unto them a pious, and pathetieal Sermon. In 
 the beginning he fignified, firft how it joyed him to fpeak unto them 
 fett eruditifjimuw virum Jofephum Hallum y Vecanum Wigornie meritijji- 
 tnum. Secondly, that he faw that day, that which his Majefty of Great 
 Brittain, and the Prince Ele&or his Mafter had fo long defired to fee, 
 namely a Synod gathered for the fetling of the Churches peace in 
 thefe Countries. He took for his Theme the 122. Pfalm. I rejoyced when 
 they f aid unto me, Let uf go up unto the houfe of the Lard, and fo forth unto 
 the end of the P faint.' Where firft having mewed the occaiion of this 
 Pfalm, that it was the Removal and bringing of the Ark unto Jerufa- 
 lem, he confidered in the whole Pfalm three things. Firft, that it was 
 Summum hominis gaudium to fee the Peace and flourishing of the Church; 
 which he fhewed by many Reafons, and confirmed by the examples of 
 the Duke of Wittenberg, who at the Council held at Worms a hundred 
 and twenty years fince, when others difcourfed of many Priviledges 
 and conveniences of their Lordfhips and Territories, openly protefted 
 it to be his greateft felicity, that he could in aperto cantpo, & inftnu Sub- 
 ditorum fuorum dormire : and of Theodofw the Emperour, who at his 
 death did more comfort himfelf that he had been a Son of the Church, 
 then the Emperour of the World. Secondly,that it was Summum hominis 
 Votum to pray for the peace and flourishing of the Church: which he con- 
 firmed by the examples of the Apoftles and of Chrift himfelf. Thirdly, 
 that it was Summum hominis (ludium to procure the peace of the Church, 
 where fpeaking of the prefent occafion,I am no Prophet (Taith hej yet I 
 think I forefee, that the peace of the Belgick^Churches would be a means 
 to fettle the peace of other Churches.He therefore wifht that the States, 
 the Prince, the Delegates, would all propofe unto themfelves as their 
 end, the peace and flourishing of the Churches amongft them, as he 
 doubted not they did in calling this Synod There was not in this Sermon 
 any Doctrinal point difcuft,nor any particular toucht,which might mi- 
 nifter Newes. It was only a Pathetieal exhortation to all forts, as much 
 as in them lay to procure the Churches peace. When he had done, the 
 Prtfes publikely in the name of the Synod gave him thanks, and pro- 
 tefted himfelf to have been very much moved with his fpeeches. Beiides 
 this there was nothing done that Seflion. 
 
 Upon Mundayi 7 of this prefent, the Synod coming together in the 
 Forenoon, there were two out of Wtteraw from the Counties of Naffau-y 
 Bijlerfeldius a Preacher, and Jo. Henricus Aljiedw, ProfefTor of Di- 
 vinity in Hwbornc came as Deputies from the Churches in thofe parts, 
 
 * F to 
 
 
 =r-=i^=L_- 
 
42 Mr. Hales Letters from the Synod of Dor/t 
 
 to be admitted as parts of the Synod. The Letters from the States Ge- 
 neral, and then their Credential Letters fro m their Churches firft being 
 
 read, the Oath was read unto theai, and they took it. Then did the 
 Vrxfes in the Name of the Synod welcom them, awd told them the end 
 of then* coruug, and what thefe Churches expected at their hands 
 Then were the Remonftrants call'd in, and willed to declare their opi- 
 nion concerning the reft of the Articles : which they did at large, and 
 added fome Apologies for their proceeding by Negatives ( which I could 
 your Lord/hip formerly had been the Exception of the Synod againft 
 the manner held by them in the firft Article.) I will not give a brief of 
 what they then delivered, becaufe I refolve to fend your Lordmip 
 the perfect Copy of it, as foon as I can come to copie it out. When they 
 had done the Prtfes asked them,, whether they were provided to deliver 
 up their Cojiiiderations concerning the Confeiiion and Catechifme, foe 
 the Synod expected it. They anfwered that they expected not the Sy- 
 nod mould call for them. The Prafes replyed, this could not excufe 
 them, for they had often told the world in their Books, that they had 
 faratam fylvam confiderationum in that kindc : and that the Synod Ihould 
 better judge of each part, when it had learned their opinion of the 
 whole. They requir'd leave to withdraw a little, and think of an an- 
 fwer. In the meantime the Prafes propofed to the Synod, to confide? 
 how well the Remonftrants had flood to the Decree of the Synod, con- 
 cerning the propofal of their Tenents in Affirmatives, he thought 
 that they had offended more againft it, and that purpofely in bringing 
 their Apologie for fo doing : in cenfuring the opinions of other 
 Churches for blafphemous^&x. Howfoever it was their judgement that 
 they ihould propofe their fentence in Negatives, yet they ought not 
 to have propofed , but to have fubmitted their judgement to the judge- 
 ment of the Synod. The Remonftrants returning, gave anfwer to this 
 effect : that though they might require time to give up their Coniide- 
 rations,yet they thought they were not bound to give them up, till the 
 five Articles were difcuft ; fince their Citatory Letters fo ran, that firft 
 the Articles, then their Confiderations mould come in place : that they 
 thought it fome wrong done them to have this order now perverted. 
 The Vrafes anfwered that no wrong was done them j for their Confide- 
 rations mould not yet be iifted, till the five Articles were concluded. 
 Andfo the order in their Citatory Letters mould be kept. Ttiat long 
 fince in a Synod at Velpht they had promis'd to deliver them up in a Pro- 
 vincial Synod there, and therefore now after fo many years they could 
 not be unprovided. Here the Prafes Peliticm charged them to obey 
 their Decree, and to do as the Prafes and the Synod requir'd. The 
 Prtfes Ecleftatfkus then admoniJbc then*, that they were not to accompt 
 
 of 
 
' 
 
 To the R. Honourable Sr. D. Carlton L. Embajfador. 43 
 
 of t&emfelvesasa Colledg, and fo ftill to give anfwers in commune, but 
 theymuft anfwer particularly every one ftfr himfelf .• and thereupon 
 he asked every of them in order, whether they had any fuch Confide- 
 rationorno: fome anfwered they had, fome that they had fome few 
 of no great moment, fome that their Confiderations were not written 
 down, fome that they had none at all. When the Prtfes had faid, ja&a- 
 turn fuiffe by them long fince, that they had fundry Confiderations 
 ready j Corvinus excepted againttthe word jaftatum ; the Vr<efes reply- 
 ed, He ufed not the word to difgrace them, but only as a Frequentative, 
 to fignirie that they had often boafted of it. When fome Litigation was 
 here fallen. Mart inns Gregorii (one that fits clofe upon the Remonftrants 
 skirts) cut it off, and commanded them to be quiet. The Remonftrants 
 here fignified, that fuch Confiderations as they had were only in the 
 Dutch tongue. The Pr<efes replyed, they mould have leafure to translate 
 them. Then did the Seculars pronounce a Decree charging them to 
 provide themfelves finglyone by one, he that had many to give up ma- 
 ny, he that had few to give up few, he that had none to give up none, 
 and that whether it were in Dutch or Latine. The Remonftrants re- 
 quired fome time} for, faith Epifcopiw, we came imparatiflimi ad banc 
 rem. Firft there were given them to two dayes, then three, then four : 
 within which fpace every man alone by himfelf, was to give up his Con- 
 fiderations : and this was the effeft of the Selhon. 
 
 The anfwer of the Englifh Divines to the Remonftrants exception 
 againft the Synod, I will fend your Lordftiip in my next Letters, toge- 
 ther with the Remonftrants anfwer upon the later Articles. Harman 
 the Poft came to Dort on Sunday about three of the clock, and went 
 for England on Munday about ten of the clock in the morning. Mr. 
 Dean of Worcester is very crazy and fickly of late, and keeps his Cham- 
 ber, neither hath he been in the Synod fome of thefe laft Seflions. I 
 hear hepurpofes to come to the Hague, to fee if he fhall have his health 
 better there. Here is a Rumour that the Remonftrants are alittle.di- 
 vided amongft themfelves j and that Corvinus complains that what he 
 hath done, was becaufe he fuffered himfelf to be drawn on by others, 
 how true this isl know not ; I heard Scultetus tell my Lord Biftiop fo 
 much, and t: at Meierus ofBafil, mould fay that Corvinus had fignified fo 
 much to him. My Lord Biftiop is a little difpleafed with Mr. Jmyes for 
 putting into his hand Grevinchovius his Book, in the Preface of which 
 there are cited out of a Writing of Mr. Amyes certain words very re- 
 proachful unto Bifhops. Other Newes here is none, and therefore for 
 this time ceafing any further to trouble your Honour ; I humbly take 
 my leave, refting Jour Honours Chaplain, and 
 
 hounden in all Duty Jo. Hales. 
 F 2 . On 
 
44 Mr. Hales Letters from the Synod of Dort 
 
 Right Honour die, my very good Lord. 
 
 ON Thurfday ~§ of this prefect, in the morning the Synod being 
 met, the fiift thing done was the Admiilion of the Scotifh Depu- 
 ty in this manner. He was brought to the Synod Houfe by the two 
 Scribes, and met at the door by_two of the Deputies for the States, 
 and by them conduced to his Seat, which is a little feat made under 
 the Efiglifh Seats, where he fits alone ; when he was fate the Vr&fei wel- 
 conVd jhim in the Name of the Synod. Then were the Letters from the 
 Scatei; read, which were to fraud inftead of Synodical Letters •, for 
 otherwife the cuftora is here, that he that coaies to be a Member of the 
 Synod brings Letters of Credence from the Church that deputes him. 
 After this he delivered himfelf \\\ a fhort fpeech to this effett. That 
 " the reafon of his com ng he had delivered unto the States at the 
 "Hague* namely the Kings pleafure : that he therefore once minded 
 £C to have faid nothing, but he could not obtain fo much of himfelf, 
 tC efpecially when he heard what gentle Welcome the Prtfes gave 
 "him, and he was deiirous to (hew himfelf thankful for fuch great 
 " Courte/ie ; That the Scotch Nation had evermore fo linkt it felf to 
 cc this people, that it hath alwayes laboured to endeavour the peace of 
 "this State, and now it was ready to do as much for the peace of 
 cC the Churches amongft them. That they had very itraightly bound 
 cc unto them the Scotijh Church (demeriiijiis Eclefiaw Scoticanarn} by 
 cc this fo kindly welcoming him. That his years were not many, but he 
 <c hoped ere he departed to make amends for that ; That the King at his 
 cc coming away did charge him, verbis [ublimibus, above all fphere of Con- 
 cc ceit and apprehenfion to exhort them unto peace, and with a fhort 
 c: pafTage to that purpofe he ended. The Tr£fes thanking him for his 
 good Counfel gave him his Oath. And fo they paft away to other 
 buiinefs. 
 
 Tomorrow I trowe we (hall have more matter, for then the Remon- 
 ftrants are to give in their Exceptions, againft the Catechifme and Con- 
 feffion, and fo at length we mall come to the Queftion. For this time 
 therefore I humbly take my leave of your Honour, refting 
 
 Tear Honours Chaplain, and 
 
 bounden in all Dutj and Service, 
 Jo. Hales. 
 
 Right 
 
To theR. Honourable Sr. D. Carlton L. Embaffador. 45 
 
 Right Honourable, and my very good Lord, 
 
 UP011 Thurfday the ^ of this prefent, the Deputies being met in th c 
 morning, theRemonftrants were called in, and willed to give up 
 their Confederations upon the Catechifin, according to the injuncti- 
 on laid on them on Friday laft. Epifcopius, Corvinus 3 Duinghonius, Poppins-, 
 Pmakfrus and Sapma gave up altogether in common, andexcufed them- 
 felves, for not giving up one by one, as was enjoind them, becaufe their 
 Considerations being altogether the fame, they thought they might 
 exhibit them altogether j NieUius, Gofwinus , M'ttthifius 3 and Ifaacus 
 Frederici, gave up fmgly, every one by himfelf, the reft gave up none 
 at all. Whv.t thefe Coniiderations were I know not; for they were 
 not publifht. Then did the Fr<efes require them coram Ve§ to anfwer di- 
 rectly and truly, Firft whether or no thefe were the Obfervations which 
 they gave up to the States of Holland; to which was aufwerVI, that as 
 far as they could remember they were, and fome others belides. Second- 
 ly, whether they had any more Coniiderations belides thefe •, to which 
 they all anfwered, No, Here Scuhetus flood up, and in the name of the 
 Palatine Churches, required a Copie of thefe Considerations upon the 
 Catechifm. We have faith he a command from our Prince to fee that 
 nothing be done in prejudice of our Churches. The Catechifm is ours, 
 known by the name of the Palatine Catechifm, and from us you receiv'd 
 it. The Obfervations therefore npon it concern us, we require there- 
 fore a draught of them, with purpofe to anfwer them, and fubmit our 
 anfwer to the judgement of the Synod. This requeft of the Palatines 
 was thought very reafonable. Thefe Coniiderations ( 1 fpeak of thofe-- 
 on the Confeifion ; for thofe others I faw not ) are nothing elfe but 
 Queries upon fome pa/lages of the Confeflion, of little or no moment : 
 fo that it feems a wonder unto many, how thefe men, which for fo many 
 years pair, in fomany of their Books, have threatned the Churches 
 with fuch wonderful difcoveries of falihood and error in their Con- 
 feflion and Catechifm, [hould at laft produce fuch poor impertinent ftuff. 
 There is nor, I perfwade my felf, any writing in the world, agamft which 
 wits difpofed to wrangle cannot take abundance of fuch exceprions. 
 After this did the Prtfes put the Remonftrants in minde of the judge- 
 ment of the Synod pair upon the manner of propounding their 
 Thefes on the Articles. Two things there were mifliked. Firft their 
 propounding fomany Negatives. Secondly, their urging fo much to 
 handle the point of Reprobation, and that in the firft place ; whereas 
 the Synod requir'd they (hould deliver themfelves, as much, as was 
 
 poflible 
 
J 
 
 46 Mr Hales Letters from the Synod of DoRf. 
 
 polfiblcin Affirmatives,' and begin flrft from Election, and from thence 
 come to the point of Reprobation in its due place. He required them 
 therefore to fignifie whether they would follow the Judgement of the 
 Synod, or their own. They anfwered, that they had given up their rea- 
 fons to juftifie their proceeding, and otherwife to proceed their Confci- 
 ence would not permit them. For, fajth Epifcopim 3 the point of Repro- 
 bation is thai; quod maxime nos <egre habet : that he could not endure 
 that Do&rine concerning the abfolute Decree of God ; that Godjhould 
 peremptorily decree to caff the greateft part of mankjnde awaj, onlybecaufe 
 he would. Corvinus anfwer'd, that he could not falva Confcientia. verfari 
 in MiniileriO) till that point were clear'd. Ifaacm Frederick that pr£- 
 .cipimm momentum was in that queflion : others, that in the queftionof 
 Election they had no feruplej all their doubt was in the point of Re- 
 probation : and therefore their Confcience would not fuffer them 
 to proceed farther in difputation, till that matter were difcuft. To 
 this anfwer was made, that the Synod did not refute to handle the 
 matter of Reprobation, but thought it not fit to have it done in the 
 firft place. But when this would not content them, che Pr^frs propofed 
 unto them,whether they were refoWd fo to proceed,or elfe to relinquifh 
 all farther difputation. They replied, rhey rdblvrd to break of all 
 farther Treaty, if that matter might noi be: nandled. It was told them, 
 that it fhonld be treated of in its due place, but the queftion was only 
 de modo procedendi^hether they fhould handle thai firft or no. Epifcopius 
 andfome others of them gave anfwer, that for the order they did not 
 precifely (land upon, modo de tota reagatur: buc this- anfwer hey itood 
 not unto. For when the Prtfrs told them again, that ir was the pleafure 
 of the Synod, firft to handle of Election, and then of Reprobation as 
 much as mould feem neceflary, and for the Churches good, and withall 
 charged them to anfwer roundly and Categorically whether they 
 would proceed according to this order : they anfwered, No Then did 
 the Prtfes require them to v^ithdraw, and give the Synod leave to ad- 
 vife of this : The fum of that which paft in the mean time was this : 
 That their pretence of Confcience was vain, iince it was not of any 
 thing which concerned Faith or good manners, but only of order and 
 method in difpnting,which could not at all concern the Confcience^that 
 the Difputation muft begin from Election. Firft becaufe the order of 
 Nature fo required, to deal of the Affirmative before the Negative ; and 
 again, becaufe that all Divines, who ever handled this Queflion, did 
 hold the fame order 5 and the Holy Ghoft in Scripture had taken the 
 fame courfe. That they fhould be allured in the name of the Synod, 
 that they mould have Liberty todifcuffe the queflion of Predeftination 
 throughout. That whatsoever they pretended 9 yet the true end of 
 
 their 
 
-— — — I - -~*j. 
 
 T<? //.?e K. Honourable Si. D.Carkon L. Embaffador. Jff 
 
 their fo hotly urging the queftion of Reprobation, was only to exagi- 
 tate the Contra-Remonftrants Do&rine, and to make way for their own 
 Do&rine in point of Ele&ion : Lydius obferved, that it had been the 
 Cuftome of all thofe who favoured Pelagianifm, to trouble the Church} 
 with t'he queftion of Reprobation. cc D. Gomarm that faw that his Iron 
 <c was in the fire,(for I perfwade my felfthat the Remonftrants fpleen is 
 cc chiefly againft him ) began to tell us, that Epifcopius had falsified the 
 <c Tenent of Reprobation : that no man taught that God abfolutely 
 cc decreed to caft man away without fin : but as he did decree the end, 
 cc fo he did decree the means : that is, as he predeftinated man to death, 
 "fohe predeftinated him to /In, the only way to deach : and fo he 
 cc mended the queftion, as Tinkers mend Kettles, and made it worfe then 
 cc it was before. Infummethe Synod caufed a Decree to be penn'd to 
 this purpofe. That it (hould be lawful for the Remonftrants to propofe their 
 Doubts, loth in the gjheslion of Election, and of Reprobation : but for the 
 order in deputations which of the twofbould come fir ;/f, they fhould have that- 
 to the Synod, who thought it fitter to give, then to receive Laws •-, and thaP 
 whereas they pretended Confcience^ it WM but vain, fince there wm nothing 
 in Scripture againft this Command of the Synod ; nay that it was more agree- 
 able with Conference to obey then towithftand. Then were the Remon- 
 ftrants called in, and after a fhort admonilHon better to advife them- 
 felves, the Decree of the Synod was read unto them. And when they 
 began to urge their Conscience, the Trxfes Poliiicus fpake to this pur- 
 pofe; that there had heretofore been many Decrees mads by the De- 
 legates, but they had been allnegk&ed, he therefore ftrittly warn'd 
 them, that no man mould dare to withftandany Decree either of the 
 Magistrate, or of the Synod, either by open oppoling againft it, or by 
 fullen filence, under pain of penalty according to the will of the Lords. 
 When Epifctpins had faid £gerime ferimus, and would have faid fome- 
 what more, he was enjoyn'd filence, and fo the SeiTion ended, Mr. Prxfes 
 telling us, that the next Seflionwe fhouldcome to the queftion, fiper 
 Rewonftr antes liceret. 
 
 Now concerning Monfieur Moulim Proposals, of which your Lordmip 
 requir'd to know what I thought, I will deliver my felf in my next Let- 
 ters to your Honour. In the mean time commending your Honour to 
 Gods good protection I humbly take my leave. 
 
 Dort this •§*. o/Dccemb, Tour Honours Chaplain 
 
 1618. and bounden in all Duty 
 
 Jo. Hales. 
 
 Right 
 
48 Mr. Hales Letters from the Synod of Do rt 
 
 Right Honourable , my very good Lord, 
 
 UPon Friday £f of Decemb. in the morning it was long ere the Synod 
 met. At length being come together, there were read the two De- 
 crees 5 one of the States,another of the Sy nod,made the former Seflion : 
 the reafon of the repeating was the abfence of fome the day before.Then 
 did the Trtfes fignify, that that very morning, immediately before the 
 time of the Synod, he had received from the Remonftrants Letters fatis 
 prefixes, which concerned himfelf and the whole Synod ; the perufal 
 of which Letters was the caufe of his long flay. The Letters were fent to 
 the Secular Delegates to know whether or no they would have them 
 read. Whilft the Seculars were adviilng of this point , there were 
 brought in a great heap of the Remonftrants Books, and lad upon the 
 Table before the Prtfes t for what end it will appear by and by. The 
 Secular Delegates fignifie, that they think not fit that the Letters mould 
 be publickly read, and that the Remonftrants mould immediately be 
 call'd in. They being entred, the Prxfes askt them whether they were 
 ready to obey the Orders fet down by the States and the Synod : They 
 require to have their Letters read : but the Seculars willed them, in* 
 ftead of reading their Letters, to hearken to a Decree of the States, and 
 forthwith was read a Decree founding to this purpofe : that the States 
 ftri&Iy commanded, that nothing mould be read or fpoken in the Synod 
 in prejudice or the Decree made yefterday j but that they (hould with- 
 out any further delay come to the bufinefs in hand. The Remonftrants 
 reply, that except they may moft freely propofe their mindes in both 
 the parts of Predeftination, both Election and Reprobation they refufed 
 to go further in Conference, for that their Co nfcience woujd not per- 
 mit them. The Pr£fes replyed, that for liberty of propofal of their 
 opinions they could not complain ; for the Synod had given them Li- 
 bertatem Chri'iianam, £qi>am i jufiam : but fuch an abfolute Liberty as 
 they feemed to require, of going as far as they lift, of oppugning be- 
 fore the Synod what opinions they pleafed of learned men, this they 
 thought unfit. And as for Confcience, they knew that the Word of 
 God was the rule of it. Now what part of Scripture had they that fa- 
 voured them in this behalf, or that did take any order and prefcribe a 
 Method in Difputation. By thus fhffely urging their Confcience they 
 did exceedingly wrong the Decrees of the States and Synod, as if by 
 them fomething againft the Word of God 3 fome impiety were com- 
 manded. When the Prtfes had thus faid, he began to propofe unto them 
 certain Interrogatories concerning the Five Articles. Your Honour 
 
 may 
 
— — — — --• ■"" ■ ' "~~1 
 
 To the R.Honourahle Sr. D.Carlton L.Embaffador. 49 
 
 may be pleafed to call to minde, that in one of my former Letters I 
 fliewed, that becaufe the Remonftrants had given up their opinions very 
 perplexedly and injperfe&Iy,the Synod had thought good that the Pr£- 
 fes fhould propofe them certain queftions out of their own Writings, fo 
 the better to wreft their meaning front them. This was the Prxfes now be- 
 ginning to do \ and this was the caufe of the bringing in of the Books. 
 The Interrogatory propofed was this. Whether or no they did acknow- 
 ledge that the Articles exhibited in the Hague Conference did contein 
 their opinions ? Epifcopiits ftept up, and required that it might be law- 
 ful for them toTet down their own Tenents, and not be forced to an- 
 fwer chus to other mens Writings. H. Leo in choler told the Pr^fes, that 
 he did evidently fee, that it was the drift of the Synod, to difcredit 
 them with the Magistrate, and that for his own part he would rather 
 leave his Miniftry, then make any anfwer to thefe Interrogatoi ies. The 
 Prtfes here advifed him to bethink himfelf ferioufly, whether hisCon- 
 fcience could afflire him that this was a good caufe of leaving his Mini- 
 ftry j becaufe he might not proceed in Difputation according as he 
 thought ht. Wezekjus anfwer'd, that he would not fubmit himfelf to 
 t\\'\s examen> and, nift pojfet liberrimc agi 9 he would not anfwer at all. . 
 The fame was the fence of Hollingerus his anfwer. Epifcopius plainly 
 told them, nifi in omnibus liberum ejfet to do as they thought good, they 
 would go no farther. For we arerefolv'd, faith he, agere pre judicio no- 
 ftro 9 nonpro judicio Sjnodi .• then one of the Seculars ftept up, and wil- 
 led thofe words (hould be noted.The Prtfes then told them,that the true 
 caufe of all this their indifpofition was, that they forgot themfelves to 
 be Citati, and that they were not acquainted with being commanded. 
 They were to remember, that they flood before God, before their Ma- 
 giftrate, and that their caufe was the caufe of the Church, whofe peace 
 would not be procured by this behaviour. They might remember what 
 they told the Forreign Divines in their Letters to them, that there was 
 of late a great Metamorphofis in the State. Non eflis nunc judices & Do- 
 mini rerum, fed Citati : but as it feem'd, they were refolv'd to fuffer, 
 emnino nullum judicium de Of fieri. Epifcopius hereiurged his Confcience. 
 Ad.de Verbum Dti then faith the Praps, (hew us upon what Text of Scri- 
 pture you ground your Confcience, otherwife you wrong both the Ma- 
 giftrate and the Synod. Corvinus anfwered, that that fcant ling of Li- 
 berty, which the Synod gave them, did not fufhce their Consciences. 
 Toppius likewife required larger Liberty, and that he might not be 
 dealt withall by Authority, but by Reafon. The Pr<efes anfwered^ that 
 in Confcience he could not give them greater Liberty, then they had 
 already given them., and therefore askt him if he would anfwer to the 
 Interrogatories. He ftoutly reply ed, Malo quidvis fati. S'apma replyed 
 
 * G to 
 
I 
 
 50 Mr. Hales Letters from tlx Synod of Do RT 
 
 to the fame purpofe, and over and above added, Vtm^rum, judicium 
 non fatisfacit Sjnodo y ita. nee Sjnodi Judicium noflro. Rickpardw told 
 the Synod, that they dealt not charicably with them, and openly pro- 
 tefted, as Epifcopim had before done, non agemm pro judicio Sjnodijfed pro 
 judicio noflro. The ?r<efes replyed, voce m banc ejfe intollerandam. Niellim 
 excepted againft this proceeding with them capitatim, and requir'd that 
 they might confnlt in common what anfwer to give. For my (elf, faith 
 he, I am a man of no ready fpeech, and unfit for fudden difputation. 
 Too great advantage is taken againft men, by this kinde of proceed- 
 ing. Many members of the Synod, were they thus fingled out to give 
 a fudden anfwer* might eafily peradventure be put to fome diftrefs. 
 Nullam (Jp caufam tampfftdWs de qua non facile pojjit triumphari^ fi de ea. 
 pgatnr t ant inn pro arbitrio adverfarii. The Prtfes told them that here 
 was nothing require!, but that they would give a reafon of their Faith, 
 which they had for this many years taught in their Pulpits, & in their 
 Writings,& therefore they could not be unprovided to give an anfwer ; 
 and for that they mentioned the Synod as an Adverfary, they had been 
 already taught fufficiently by the Forreigrj Divines that the Synod 
 could not be counted pars adverfa : they anfwerM, that they requir'd 
 a copieof thereafons given by the Forreign Divines, that they might 
 coniider of them ; but they were denyed it. Here was by one of them, 
 I know not whom, a reply made, that the Remonftrants in refilling to 
 proceed except they might freely handle the point of Reprobation, 
 did no other then the Contra-Remonftrants had formerly done in the 
 Hague Cenference, who there openly refufed to proceed, if they were 
 urged to have the fame point handled; notwithftanding the command 
 of the Magiftiate. Eefius Hommius replyed, that the narration was fal- 
 lified -j for the Contra- Remonflrants did not limply refufe to deal in the 
 poin: of Reprobation; neither did the Magiftrate command them to 
 do it, as now he had commanded them. And thus much did fome of the 
 Secular Deputies ftand up and give witnefsunto. Epifcopius here urged 
 fome words out of the Conference, to prove what was faid; but what 
 thefe words were I could not take. The Frtfes went forward topropofe 
 the Interrogatories : Gofwiius and Neranus anfwerM as their fellows 
 had formerly done. Ifaacuf Frederici urged for himfelf, that when he 
 was removed from being a Member of the Synod, he was commanded 
 conjungere fe Citatk : this h e could not do, if thus he was enforced to 
 anfwer for himfelf alone. The Pr£fes anfwered, that by the Decree of 
 the States they were accounted no Colledg ; but only as they were 
 cited, fo were they to anfwer Capitatim and by Poll. And as for Ifaam> 
 fince he knew that the Synod accounted of him as of one of the Citati^ 
 he could not be ignorant that his quality was the fame with theirs. 
 
 Jfaacus 
 
To the R. Honourable Sr. D. Carlton L. Emhajfador. 5 1 
 
 Ifaacus anfwer'd that he had evermore been averfe from fudden difpu- 
 tations, and therefore he meant not to anfwer. Here it was denyed by 
 fome of the Remonftrants, that the States had made any Decree that 
 they fhotildthus give anfwer capitatim. The Delegates for the Seculars 
 flood up, and (ignified viva, voce, that they had decreed it. Epifcopiuf 
 anfwer'd, that the Scribe (Heinfius) ufed fome fuch words, but he took 
 it to have been only fome phrafe of Heinfwf, not any Decree of the 
 Lords. Heinfius replyed that he did nothing but what he was command- 
 ed. E/>i/*M/^/H-prorefted, that till that hour he never heard that by any 
 Decree of the States they were enjoynM to anfwer thus lingly, and by 
 Poll. Poppiut fignifyed that he thought it a thing very unbefitting both 
 his age and his Miniftry, tofubmit himfelf to fuch a Pedagogic* colUtioi 
 as fometiraes by Martinus Gregorii it had been ftyled. The Pr£fes then 
 askt them all in general, whether they did perfift in this their Anfwer. 
 They all replyed, Tea. The Remonftrants therefore being difmift, the 
 Prtfes required the Synod to think what courfe they would take to 
 proceed, protefting that he thought that all Liberty befitting was grant- 
 unto them : and calling in the Remonftrants again, and adviiing them 
 to confider what they did : they all replyed, that they were refolv'd, 
 ttoncapitatim^fedconjun&htt refpondere. The Prefident of the Politicks 
 commanded them, that without peculiar leave granted, none of them 
 fhould go out of the Town. The Pr<efes Eclejiajhcus adviiing the Synod 
 to think of fome courfe of gathering the Remonftrants opinions out of 
 their Books, fincethey could not get them from themfelves, difRiift the 
 Company. 
 
 The fame day after dinner was there a Seflion, but very private, nei- 
 ther was any ftranger permitted to be there. Wherefore a Relation of 
 that SeiTion I muft give only upon hearfay. Which I would now have 
 done, but that I haften to the Sellion this morning. And I underftand 
 that the Synod will difpatch fome of their Company to the States Ge- 
 neral, to iignify how matters ftand, and to know their further plea- 
 fure. I will here therefore fhut up my Letters, referving the reft of the 
 News till the next occafion, and commending your Honour to Gods 
 good Protection I humbly take my leave. 
 
 Dort this i*. »/Dccemb. 'Tour Honours Chaplain 
 
 1618. and bounden in all Duty 
 
 Jo. Hales. 
 
 G 1 Right 
 
 I 
 
5 2 Mr. Hales Letters fromttie Synod of Dort 
 
 Right Honourable ) my very good Lord, 
 
 THe £tate ofour $ynod now fuffersa great crifis 9 and one way or 
 other there muft be an alteration. For either the Renionftrant 
 muft y eel d, and fubniit himfelf to the Synod, of which I fee no greit. 
 probability : orelfe, the Synod muft vail to them, which to do, far- 
 ther then it hath already done, I fee not how it can ftand with their Ho- 
 nour. How the cafe flood at the laft Friday Sefiion, your Honor may 
 perceive by my letters written upon Saterday. Three things there 
 were mainly urged by the Synod, and as mainly withftoodby the Re- 
 monftrants. Thefirftwas the point of order to be held in difcuffing 
 the articles : whether the queirion of Reprobation were to be handled 
 after the five articles, as the Synod would have had it, becaufe it is 
 none of the five points, and by order from the States nothing ought to 
 be determined of till the five be difeuft : or whether itfhould be hand- 
 led in the firft place, as the Remonftrants would have it, becaufe, a3 
 they pretended, their doubts lay efpecially there, and that being clear- 
 ed, they thought they fTiould fhew good conformity in the reft. The 
 fccond thing, was the putting of interrogatories, which thing they 
 much difdain'd as Predagogicall. Third was the Liberty of difputation 
 which was to be given the Remonftrant, whether it were t© be limited 
 and circumfcribed by the difcretion of the Synod, or large and unli- 
 mited, accordingly as it pleas'd the Remonftrants. So ftrongly in thefe 
 points did the Remonftrants withftand the Synod, that on Friday laft 
 it was verily thought they would have gone their way, and left the 
 Commiflioners to determine without them. But the Synod beating 
 an inclination to peace, and wifely confidering the nature of their Peo- 
 ple, refolved yet further, though they had yielded fufficiently unto 
 them already,yet to trie a little more, the rather to ftay the clamour of 
 the Country,and cut off all iufpicion of Partiall dealing. And for this 
 purpofe call da private Seffion on Friday in the Evening, to mollify 
 fome things in their. Decrees and Proceedings. From that Seflion all 
 Strangers were excluded, and what I write, I do only upon Relation. 
 The fumm of it was this. The Trtfes much complain'd him of the per-- 
 plexity he was in, byreafon of the Pertinacy of the Remonftrants. 
 For, faith he,if we labor to keep them here , they will be but a hin- 
 drance to us, as hitherto they have been, if we difmifsthem, we fhall 
 hazard our credi t among the People, as if we purpofed only to do what 
 we pleafe. Whatfoever it is that here we do, is by fome that come hi- 
 ther and write all they hear, prefently eliminated, and carry ed to 
 
 them, 
 
To the R. Honour able Sr. D. Carlton L. Embaffador. 5 5 
 
 them which hath caufed many hard, reports to pafs of us, both with 
 them and otherwhere. He therefore commended to the Synod to 
 confider whether there might not be found fome means of accommoda- 
 tion, which might fomewhat mollify the Remonttrant, and yet Hand 
 well with the Honour of the Synod. And firft,to make way, they read 
 the Letters which in the morning by publick Decree, of the States 
 were forbidden to be read(# pretty matter in fo grave a placebo brea\thofe 
 cditts in the Evening, which but in the Morning had been fo folentnlypro" 
 ctaitned^&nd to fpeak truth,their Decrees,have hitherto been mere mac 
 cer of formality to affright them a little,for none of them have been 
 keptjas being found to be Pouder without Shot, and give a clap, but do 
 no harme. ) The Letters being read they began to deliver their minds. 
 Some thought the Synod had been too favourable to the Remonftrants 
 already , and that it were beft now not to held them if they would be 
 going, fwee hitherto they had been, and for any thing appeared to 
 the contrary, meant hereafter to be a hindrance to all Peacable aid 
 orderly proceedings. Others on the contrary thought fit that all fhouki 
 be granted them which they required, to furceafe the Interrogatories? 
 to let them fpeak of ^Reprobation in what place, in what manner, and 
 how much they pleafed, iince this took from them all pretence of ex- 
 ception, and Prejudiced not the Synods power of determining what 
 they pleafed. A third fort thought it better to hold a middle courfe 
 and under colour of Explanation, to moliifie fome of their Decrees. 
 This fort prevailed, and accordingly it was concluded that the Decree 
 of the Synod (of this decree I gave your Honor the fumminmy Satur- 
 day Letters )made in the Moi rning,lhould be more largely and Signi- 
 ficantly drawne, and withall in it mould be expreft how far it pleafed 
 the Synod to be indulgent unto the Remonftrants in the points in 
 Queftion.The Forraign Divines were requeued, that they would con- 
 ceive fome Reafons byway of Anfwer to thefe late Exceptions of the 
 Remonftrants, and give them up in writing the next Seflion, to try 
 whether by thefe means they might make them a little to relent. This 
 is all was done that Seflion, which though it feem bnc littie,yet being 
 handled with much and long Speaking among fo many, took up a long 
 time, 
 
 OnMunday theff of Decemb. in the Morning the Synod being fet 
 Johannes Felyander made a Latin Sermon. His Theme was the feventh 
 verft of the two and fiftieth of Ifaiah. quam fpecioci in wontibns, &c. 
 he fpake much of the greatnefs of EelehafhcallFun&ion; Firftin re- 
 gard of their dignity in the word Sfeciofi, Secondly of their indufrry 3 
 in the word Montibus> which argues them either to be Pajhres or Spe- 
 cula tares', Thirdly of the fuavity of their Do&riue in the word- Peace 
 
 and 
 
54- Mr Hales Letters from the Synod of Dottr. 
 
 and Good things ; After this he fell Pathetically to bewail the torne 
 State of the Belgiek^ Churches : and to commend the diligence of the 
 Synod in endeavouring to eftablifh their Churches Peace. This was 
 the fum of his Sermon, it being only a paflionate ftrain, and contein- 
 iitg nothing much Remarkable either for Doctrine or News. The 
 Trxfes'm the Name of the Synod gave him great thanks : and fignirled 
 that he had many caufes Sperare optima, qu^ue de Synodo : but that 
 Gods good Spirit was indeed amongft them, he gather'd efpec-ialiy by 
 tiiis Argument, that fo many Learned and Pious Sermons had in 
 this place been lately made and fo He difmift the Company. 
 
 Concerning Mmfieur Moulins proportion of which your Honor re- 
 quired my opinion, thus I think, His projeft coniifts of two heads, of 
 a Generall Confeflion, and of a peaceable treaty for Union with the 
 Lutheran Churches. I imagine that the Generality of the Confeflions 
 m uft not include the Lutheran. For if it doth, then are both parts of 
 his proportion the fame : it t>eing the fame thing to procure one gene- 
 rall Confeflion of Faith and a Union. Suppofing then that this Confefli- 
 on ftretches not to them, I will do as Jupiter doth in Horner^ **fhii» 
 f*K t r*T»f , Uif»r f rffhfcww I will grant him one part , and deny 
 Shim the other. For a generall Confeflion of Faith, at leaft fo farr as 
 thofe Churches ftretch who have Delegates here in the Synod, I think 
 his pro) eft very poflible, there being no point of Faith in which they 
 differ. If therefore the Churches (hall give power to their Delegates, 
 to propofe it to the Synod, I fee no reafon but it mould pafs. But I did 
 not like the intimation concerning Church-Goverment. It had I think 
 been better not mentioned : not that I think it poflible that all Chur- 
 ches czn be GovernM alike( for the French Church being/«£ cruce can- 
 not well fet up Epilcopail jurifdiftion ) but becaufe it may feem to his 
 Majefty of Great Brittain, that his excepting the point of Government 
 might not proceed fomuch from the Confederation of the Impofllbility 
 of the thing, as from want of love and liking of it in thePerfon. Now 
 for that part of the proportion which concerns the Lutheran, either it 
 aimes at a Union in Opinion or a mutuall tolleration. The firft is 
 without all queftion impoflible. For in the point of the Sacrament and 
 the dependences from it, as the ubiquity of Chrijh manhood, the Per- 
 son of Chrifl 9 the communicatio idiomatum, &c. Either they muft yield 
 tous,or we to them,neither of which probable. Their opinions hav 
 now obtein'd for a Hundred years, everfince the beginning of the Re- 
 formation, and are derived from the chief Author of the Reformation 
 It is not likely therefore that they will eaiily fall, that have fuch Ai 
 thority and fo many years to uphold them. Butl fuppofe , Motfieur 
 Moulins intended only a mutuall tolleration 5 and be it no more, yet if 
 
 vie 
 
To thtR.Hewnrabk Sr. D.Carlton L. Embaffador. 5^ 
 
 we confider the indifpofitionoftheperfons with whom we are to deal) 
 1 take this likewife to be impoffible. The Lutherans are divided into 
 two forts, either they are Molliores , as they call them, or Kigidi 
 What hope there may be of moderation in the firftl know not, but in 
 the fecond we may well defpair of. For they fo bear themfelves, as 
 that it is evident they would rather agree with theChurch of Rome^then 
 with the Calvinift . He that isconverfant in the writings of Hunnw 
 and Grawerus, will quickly think as I do. The firft of which hath fo 
 bitterly written againft Cd/f itf, that Farfons'the Jefuic fumifht himfelf 
 by compiling Hunnius his Books. If the whole lump be LeavenYl, 
 asthofe two pieces, which I but now named, they are certainly too 
 fower for moderate men to deal with. The French win are naturally 
 attive and projecting: and wichall carry evermore a favourable con- 
 ceit to the poitibility of theii projects. Out of this French conceic I fup- 
 pofe proceeded this oiWi.MouIins. 
 
 Mr. Deane went away to the Hague, giving notice to no man. I tttt- 
 derftood not till dinner that day, of any intent he had to go. I wifht 
 him an ill journey for this difcurtefy •, but I hope he had a good one. I 
 fear I well wearied your Honor with thefe my long Letters, 1 will there- 
 fore take my leave, commending your LorduYip to Gods good pro- 
 tection. 
 
 J)ort 3 i. January, ftyle novo. Tour Honours Chaplain, and 
 
 161C. Bound en in ail Dutj Jo. Kales. 
 
 Right Honour able^ my very good Lord. 
 
 W Hat hath lately been done at the Hague in the buiinefs concerning 
 our Synod, and whar Decree the States have made to reftrain 
 the exorbitancy of the Remonftrants, 1 fuppofe is fufhciently known 
 unto your Lo;dtfiip,as a thing done m your prefence. ?o nn;ch thereof it 
 as (hall ferve the prefent purpofe I will take.and leave the reft to your, 
 Honors better knowledg. Upon Thurfday the third of January^slylo 
 novo, the CommhTioners being met, and the Delegates ready to de- 
 clare the pleafure of the States, the Remonftrants being cali'd in, two 
 ©f them were found wanting, Ifaacus Friderici, and Henricus Leo: for 
 Ifaacus it was anfwered, that he had leave on Friday laft, of the Pre- 
 fer of the Town to go abroad: forL^oit was anfwered, that they 
 knew not where he was. Having fentfor Leo and awhile in vain ex- 
 peftedhim, the Delegates proceeded to declare the will of the Loids, 
 and iignified that the States allowed the Proceeding*! of the Synod,and 
 
 com- 
 
 1 
 
Sty Mr. Hales Letters from the Synod of Dort 
 
 commanded the Pvemonflraiits to obey for the prefent, and whatsoe- 
 ver Decrees hereafter the Delegates and Synod mould enaft ; and if 
 they rcfufed to obey, they mould expeft both Civil! and Ecleliafticall 
 cenfure. Ifthisferved not, yrt the Synod mould go forward, and 
 gather their opinions out of their books and writings ; That the Re- 
 monfttancs mould be commanded to remain in the Town, and be rea- 
 dy to appear whenfoever the Synod fliould fummon them, and anfwer 
 plainly and directly to fuch Interrogatoryes as it mould pleafe the Sy- 
 nod to propofe them. Thisfirft was read in Dutch, and afterwards 
 for the information of the Forreigners it was put into Latin. The 
 Prafes then put to them that Queftion,which in one of the former SeiTi- 
 ons he had propofed, viz. Whether or no they did acknowledg the Ar- 
 ticles fet down in the Hague Conference to contein their opinions, and 
 amongft the reft, that fhft concerning Elettion,which by the Scribe was 
 read unto them out of the hook.Ep ifcopius beginning to make anfwer, 
 Martinus Gregorii commanded that their anfwers mould be taken and 
 fee down in their own words. Epifcopius his anfwer was this Omnibm in 
 timore Domini expenfis 3 & adjundis etiam adDeunt precibus^ non pojfum 
 impetrare ab anima mea 3 nt aliam agendirationemfequar-, quam earn qujt 
 ultimo refponfo meoexhibita ftf.This their anfwer,of which he fpeaks,was 
 given on Saturday laft, as I have informed your Honor,and it was this, 
 that except the Synod in anteceflum&s they fpake, would beforehand 
 promife them,that they mould have free Liberty to propofe their own 
 opinion of Reprobation,and refute the Contia-Remonltrants Doctrine 
 in that point together with the Doftrine if all thofe whom the Contra- 
 remonftrants held for Orthodox, and that as far as tliey pleas'd with- 
 out receiving any check from the Synod , they were refolved to go no 
 further. The fame was the anfwer of the reft, with fome alteration of 
 words, for they were queftioned one by one 3 every one by himfelf. 
 Hoi linger iits anfwered, that he could not earn recipere legem 3 eamque 
 ingredi vi aw, which tended openly to the ruin and oppreflion of the 
 better caufe. For by fo doing he mould greivoufly wound his Con- 
 fidence before God, and caft irreparabile fcandalum before tbe true wor- 
 shippers of God. Imitabor itaque exemplum Chrijli : Silebo 9 et emnem 
 eventum commend abo illi qui venturus eft adjudicandum vivos & mortms. 
 JJeranus fpake after the fame manner, and added, that the Reafons why 
 they thus thought themfelves bound to anfwer, they had exhibited 
 this Morning to the Secular Delegates. Poppius gave anfwer thus , 
 Kefpondeo^cum debita ergafummas Potentates reverentia^me invocatofandif' 
 (into Dei nomine 3 & re tota etiam atque etiam expenfa apud animum meum^ 
 non pojfe defijtere ab ultimemeo refponfs.Exhibuimtts rati ones DontinisVe- 
 legatis in quibus etianmam acquiefco , ceru ferfuafus id quod facio Deo 
 
 Optimo 
 
To the K.Honourable Sr. D.Carlton L.Embaffitdor. $ j 
 
 Optimo maximo & Chrifto Jefu probatum iri. Martinus Gregiiro advi- 
 fed him here to bethink himfelf a little whether or no he fpake not thefe 
 words in Pa{fion(forhefeem , d tobefimewhat Cholerick.)He replied, 
 that he fpake them with his beft advice.The Pr<efes perceiving that they 
 were refolved not to Anfwer, conclud ng the queftions which he had 
 propofed, thought that the Synod might without fcruple accept of the 
 rhft Article in their Remonitrance at the Hague, for their proper te- 
 nent. He proceeded therefore to propofe unto them another Intcrro- 
 gatory : Whether or no, that Decree which they fpake of in that firft 
 Article, did contein the whole Decree of Election, and fo were the 
 main ground of Chriftianity > or whether there were not fome Decree 
 'beiides this. The behavionr and anfwers of the Remonftranrscarryed 
 the fame Copie of Countenance with the former, and Poppius plainly 
 anfwered, Quia confcientLe me£ a Sjnodo non habetur rath , non expecio 
 ab ea in^ruUionem in veritate : ideoque confultum non ell refpondere. The 
 Trtfes then citing feme Texts out of Johannes Arnold '/', and Aryn'mim, 
 and the Hague Conference, concluded that it was their opinion, that 
 befides that Decree mention'd in the Conference,they acknowledged 
 no farther Decree of Ele&ion. In the third place this queftion was put 
 theRemonftrants : whether when they taught, that God chofe Man 
 propter fid em pr xv if am, this were not rather to be called an Election of 
 C Faith ) then of the perfoir, iince the perfon was chofen for the quali- 
 ties fake. But they were ftill the fame, tier anus was the man that 
 gave it, but it was the common anfwer of them all: Si liceat nobis de 
 Reprcbatione, & Contra-Remonjlrantium [ententia fuper ea agere quantum 
 nobis confeientia nofira & Eelefiarum noflrarum adificatio perfuadebit fuj- 
 ficere 3 & hoc nobk in antecejfumpromittatttr, libentur ad qiufitarefponde- 
 bimus '• ft minus, filer e malumm. Now becaufe they had often appeal'd 
 to their Reafons exhibited-in Scripto to the Secular Delegates that 
 Morning, the Delegates thought good to read the writing in the Audi- 
 ence of the Synod. It contehVd almoft no new thing, but was a repe- 
 tition of their old exceptions, that their Liberty was p rejudiced, that 
 the Synod was pars adve rja ( and for farther illuftration of this, they 
 reckoned up all the (harp fpeeches that either Scultetus or the Divines 
 ofGeneva, or any other had ufed againft them ) that their Confciences 
 would nor allow of this manner of proceeding, &c. 
 
 This laft Night was there a private meeting, not by way of Seffion, 
 but only it was a Conference to which fome of the Graver & Difcreet- 
 er of the Synod were call'd. The end was only to advife whac couife 
 is beft to be holden in the following difputations. It was thought & 
 that the Remonfttants mould alwayes be prefent at their mcetings-.and 
 queftions mould be propofed them:but the Synod ihoujd proceed whe- 
 
 * H ihev 
 
 r 
 
f 
 
 . . 
 
 I 
 
 5 7 Mr. Hales Letters from the Synod of Do rt 
 
 that cheyanfwer'd or no : and To they concluded of a courfe to gather 
 their opinions out of their Books. Mr. AmyeswW inform your L'ord- 
 fliip more largely peradventure in fome farther circumflances, his fiuk 
 den and unexpected departure hath made me fciible up this, more 
 rudely and concifely then I had intended, becaufel was loch to mifs 
 of fo good a MeiFenger. Wherefore I ceafe any further to trouble your 
 Honor, and remit you to Mr. Amjes larger Relation. 
 
 Dort ibis Fourth of Teur Honours Chaplain, and 
 
 January. Mi^ Jiylo novo. bounden in all Duty and Service, 
 
 Jo. Hales. 
 
 Right Honourable , my very good Lord, 
 
 Upon Wednefday the ninth of January, (lylo novo, the Synod met not 
 at all. Time was; given the Deputies to advife of the 1'hefes whicj 
 were to be handled: only at Night the Enghih went in private to the 
 Pr<efes toconfult what manner of proceeding were fitter! to be iifed. 
 What counfel they gave him I know not : but th'.s I fee, that the courfe 
 he takethis not altogether fo well approved by them. Upon Thurs- 
 day the tenth of January the Comm-kuoners mec in th-s Morning in 
 privace,where.Mr...P>\e/« propofed unto them four things to be coniider- 
 ed of. [■ irij, whether or no the Tbefes propofed by him -formerly did 
 not perfectly contein the opinion of the Remonnrants. Secondly, 
 An eleciio fit una an multiplex, that fo he m'ght exclude the Remon- 
 frrants Diviiion of Election in Revocabilem & irrevocahile;n ', cempletam 
 & incompletam,&c. Thirdly, An eleciio fit ex fide & obediential an pot ins 
 ad'fidem & obediential. For this is one main point of difference : the 
 Rewonftrant teaches,r^r God foreftw only who would believe,and p> ordeind 
 and Elected only to Glory : the Contra-Remorifrant teacheth, that God or- 
 deind who Jhould believe, and fo predefiinated and Eletfed both to Grace 
 and Glory. The fourth thing propofed was concerning the means how 
 true believers become fure of their Salvation. After this the .Synod was 
 requeued do deliver themfelves concerning a Method of propping and 
 examining the Thefes propofed. The greater! part of them liked well 
 of that form which the Prtfes propofed. The Engtifh* the South-Hol- 
 landers and FeftusWommius conceived feverally a form of 7^/ks, every 
 man according to his difcretion,and exhibited them to the Judgement 
 of the Synod, and had them publikely read : this was the fum of that 
 meeting. A Copie ofthetbefes drawn by our Englifhmen I will fend 
 your Honor, as foon as I can procure the fight of them. 
 
 The 
 
To the R. Honourable Sr. D. Carlton L. Embajfador. 58 
 
 , The fame day at Evening the Deputies met in private as before.They 
 continued yet their confultation upon the point of manner of proceed- 
 ing. The Prgfes invented certain new Interrogatories and propounded 
 them to the Synod, to know their niindes whether it were not tit to 
 propofe them to the Remonfhants. There was great doubt whither 
 this were a thing fit to be done, finceitis not likely that the Remon- 
 ftrants behaviour in this behalf will be any other then hitherto it 
 had been. This queftion, as it feems, wasthe greateit part of their 
 confultation. It was at length Concluded that the Remonlrrants (nould 
 te caird in, and the Interrogatories put to them, the next Setlion. 
 This Morning therefore we look for an open Seilion, where we (hall un- 
 derhand the lair, nights Interrogatories, and the whole bullnefs of that 
 Seflion. Fori muft Confefs, I do not well conceive what was then 
 done,or to what purpofe. I perceive there is fome variance about their 
 form of proceeding : Mr. Prjfes is deiirous that the courfe he hath 
 thought of may take place; the E«g///fc and others, that fome more 
 ready and compendious way may be taken. What will be the Ifiue of 
 it, 1 cannot yet conjefture as foon as I can underftand any thing, I will 
 acquaint your Honor, till when I humbly take my leave. 
 
 Dort this jt of January. 
 1619. 
 
 Tour Honors Chaplain and 
 Bounden in all Duty and Service^ 
 Jo. Hales. 
 
 I fuppofe Mr. ^wj« can better-inform your Honor ofthislaft nights 
 bulinefs. He hath been much with the Prafes, and I imagine undei Hands 
 molt of his intent. 
 
 Right Honourable my very good Lord, 
 
 YOur Lordlhip by your kinde Letters doth engage me fo far, as I 
 fhould think it not the leaft part of my happinetie, if I could but 
 hit on any way whereby I might exprefs, in any proportion, my thank- 
 fulnefs for the fame ; but fince that cannot be, acknowledgement of 
 mn folvendo muftpafs for fatisfa&ion. In that Letter which 1 wrote to 
 my Lord of Buckingham^ (wherein I mentioned your Lordlhips wonder- 
 ful kindenefs to me ) I entreated his Lordfliip to move his Majeny, that 
 either by my Lord of Canterbury feis Letters,or Mr. Secretaries i being 
 joyned with the Englifh, we might make up one Collegium 7b -ologorum 
 ■magn* Britannia : Now this laft week my Lord fent me word, that he 
 gave my Letter to the King, who did read it over, and liked the •motion 
 
 H 2 well 
 
L 
 
 60 Mr. Hales Letters from the Synod of Dort 
 
 well, and fo accordingly gave order for it : he fent me word likewife 5 
 that the King had the Epifcopii Thefes which I fent, and that he was 
 mightily incenfed at them. So my very good Lord, lam well fatisfi=d 
 in that point •-, for we have now divided the bufinefs among 11? D.JVard 
 his part aligned to him is, Impugnatio Decreti de falvandis fidelibm^ & 
 unico Decreto prxdclinationti : My Lord of Landaff his part is, Refponfie 
 ad Arguments. Remonfir antium , quilus priiis i'Ji/d dtcretum conantur 
 fhbitiri : Dr. Goad his part, Impugn a tio Ele&ionis peremptory ex fide pr£- 
 %lfa : and dewonfiratio h'<juf Fropofitionk, quod fides fit frudus Eleftionk } 
 which doth coincidere with the other. D. Davenant his part is Orihodoxa 
 fentent'i£ ajprtio , & vindicatio rationum ii Contra-Remonltrantium 
 ab oijectionibiis Remonfir aniium in utroque membro. My part is, Solutio 
 omnium argumentorum qua ajferimt Re>non\\r antes contra Orthodoxam fen- 
 tentiam. The confulion here in handling of bufinefs is very great > they 
 do not know how to put any thing to Committees to agree of bufinefs, 
 and then afterward to propound it to the Synod to be approved or dif- 
 proved ; which hath been the cuftom obferved in all Councils and 
 Synods : but nothing is known till it be propounded in the Synod, and 
 then there are almoit as many feveral voices as heads ; if your Lord- 
 i nip would give your advice tofome of the Eflares in this kinde, itmay 
 be they would apprehend it, and we fhould bring bufinefs to fon>e ifliie. 
 The Vaiatine Divines and we have met now three times, and we have 
 agreed on the fame Propositions, and have refolved to call one of every 
 Colledgeof the Fo.rreigu Divines, and communicate the fame with 
 them ■■> that fo, if it be poilible, all we ftrangers may fet up^ and throw 
 down the fame Conclulions. For the Provincials, for any thing I can 
 fee, they are fo far Cet againfl the Pvemonftrants, I wifh not their perfons 
 as well as their opinions, that lam afraid they will not like well of out' 
 moderation. 'For the Difmifiion of the Remontixants, fince your Lord- 
 fhip is pleafed to take notice of it, I hope I may without offence fay 
 that it was fuch, as certainly did the Synod much wrong On Friday 
 when they feemed to yield, then the Exteri T'heologi could not be heard 
 for the continuing of them in the Synod. Nay the trick which was put 
 upon them was a little too palpable; For the Delegates had their Decree 
 of Difmijfion written before they came into the Synod, yet our voices were 
 asked, hoping it mould have been anfwerable to their Decree : but 
 findi'ig it was otherwife, without fo much as laying their heads toge- 
 ther for confutation, thsy published a Decree which they brongljt written 
 with them into the Synod. On Munday the late A&s of the Remonftrants 
 incredible obftinacy being read ; the Theologi exteri gave fuffrages for 
 their difmilHon 5 onely one to wit Steinim gave a bitter fentence ; their 
 voices being asked only, who are not above a third part of the Synod* 
 
 they 
 
To the K.. Honourable Sr. D. Carlton L. Embaffador. 6\ 
 
 they were call'din and difmift with fuch a powdering fpeech as I doubt 
 not but your Lordlhip hath heard with grief enough, I proteit I am much 
 afflicted when I think of it. For if the Remonftrauts mould write, that 
 the Prefident pronounced a fentence, which was not the fentence of the 
 Synod, they mould not lie. The Civil Lawyers and Cannon of France, 
 who write much about the formalities omitted in the Council of 'Trent, 
 ur^e Exceptions of lefTe moment then thefe ; fo neither was there a- 
 bove a third part of the voices askjd, ex quibus fententia ferri jteqvit : 
 neither Was the fentence conceived in vvritt, and approved by the Synod, 
 and the bitter words in the Sentence were not the words of any of the 
 fuffrage,, unlefs that fome of them were ipoken by one man only. 
 Your Lordships Cenfure of that Sentence is juft and honourable. 
 Mr. Dean of Worcester at his going from hence, with the Remembrance 
 of his fervic* to your Lordlhip, defired me toiigni'ie to your LorcLhip, 
 that he could not poifibly meet with Veoiatv.s. The Remonftrants, (as 
 Heinfuis but now told me ) have fent a very virulent and bitter writing 
 to Mr. Bogarmanne, it may be now we mall hear of it at the Synod, whe- 
 ther we are going : fo with the remembrance of my humbleit Dutie 
 and fervice to your Lordlhip and your worthy Lady , I mire conclude a 
 Petitioner, thatyour Lordlhip would ever be pleafed to reckon among 
 your true obfervers 
 
 Tour very dutiful, and 
 Port, this 13 of Febr. faithful Servant 
 
 16 iS. ' W. Belcanqual. 
 
 Right Honourable, and my very good Lord,' 
 
 fT hath pleafed the Synod at length finally todifebarge themfelves of 
 the Remoniirants, and to proceed according as they had projected 
 by gathering their opinions out of their Books. The manner of their 
 diflmiilioii was this. Upon Munday the ^ cf 'January the Comniiilioners 
 being fet, the Prjfet Polyticus made a fhort fpeech to this purpofe. That 
 they had hitherto laboifrd as much as in them lay to have the Decree of 
 the Eftates to be kept, and to bring the Remonfh ants to fome reasonable 
 refolution. And for this purpofe had upon Saturday laft in the After- 
 noon, covented them and advifed them to give up their opinions, qui- 
 etly, orderly, freely,and to refute the contrary as much as riiey thought 
 fit, referving alwayes to the Synod Authority to judge of what was 
 convenient, what was fufficient, without which it could be no Synod. 
 That they had undertaken in theii behalf, that the Synod mould fo 
 manage the biifinefs, that they iliouM have no juft caufe to complain. 
 
 But 
 
L 
 
 61 Mr Hales Letters from the Synod of Dort. 
 
 But all this labor was loft, neither would they be brought to relinquifti 
 their former plea J for in a writing exhibited unto them they fignmed 
 fo much in eiicft, in which writing they referM themfelves to fuch con- 
 ditions as had been by them partly fcripto, partly viva voce formerly 
 required. Wherefore they thought fit that it mould be propofedt?o 
 the Synod to judge whether or no there had not been fufficient oider 
 tasen to give contentment to the R.emonitrant?, if at leaft anything 
 could content them. Yet they thought it convenient onee more to 
 call the Remonftrants before them, to fee' whether they would leave 
 their holdfail and fubmit to the Synod. If no, then they mould with- 
 out any farther delay proceed to judge of their opinions by collecting 
 them out of their Writings, This was the fum of that fpecch. The 
 wrighting mentioned by the Prafes Fulttiats in his fpeech wi?s then read 
 firft in J) uttb^ then in Lntine, in which the Remonftrants declared that 
 they would fubmit themfelves unto the Synod upon fuch conditions as 
 had formerly been required, otherwife no. After this was the Synod 
 requeftrd to deliver their opinions, whether order fufficient to content 
 the Remonftrants had not been taken. It was judged generally that 
 more could not be granted them then had already been, which was 
 they thought abundantly fufficient. Sea/re-did in brief give as it were 
 a hiftory or rather an inventory of the Remonftrants behaviour fince 
 their firft appearance before the Synod, and fhewed how contumelioufly 
 they had handled it, how they had contemned the Decrees of the Secu- 
 lars and of the Synod, that they had abufed them with lyes, deceitfull 
 fpecchesj&c. And concluded that it was unfit the Synod fhould farther 
 condefcend unto them. When the Forreigners had fpoken, it was 
 thought fufficient,neidier did the Pr*fes proceed to ask the judgment of 
 the Provincialls, knowing belike before what it was The Remonftrants 
 then being called in the Prafes figniiied to them that upon Friday 
 Morning they had given good hope of peacable dealing :> and at 
 leaft in (hew fetmed to forgoe fuch conditions as they had for- 
 merly claimed, he was now in the name of the Synod to requre 
 them to anfwer Categorically, yea or no, an velvit ftmpliciter & fine 
 conditkne parere Decreto Ordinum & Synodi & ita fimplicitur venire in 
 rem prjefentem. The Remonftrants for anfwer require that they may 
 be permitted to read a fhort writing which they had conceived. It was 
 anfwered that it needed not, there was no more required, but their 
 yea or no, but they periifted in their propofall, the Writing was taken 
 and delivered to the Seculars to be perilled, and they commanded to 
 withdraw. There writing was read, wherein having fignified j how 
 welcome the moderation dielcl by the Forreigners lately was unto them; 
 whereas they were injoyned to obey the Synodicall Decree, or look 
 
 for 
 
To the R. Honourable St. D.Carlton L. Embaffador. 62 
 
 for puni foment, th^ir anfwer was that it could not Hand with their 
 Confcience to promife Obedience to all Synodicall Decrees, lince ma- 
 ny of them flood not with Common /Equity, and as for Mulct and Pu- 
 nifhment, they lefc it totheDifcretion of chofe to whofe Government 
 they were fubject ; they would provide their patience. That they in- 
 tend not to conteft with the Synod concerning order : that xh^y promi- 
 fed to fubmii: but with fuch conditions ar they had heretofore menti- 
 oned. Thus as the Pr^efes faid whan they gave with the one hand, with 
 the other tliey took away again. The FUmonitranis being again called 
 in, they were asked every man whether they acknowledged this anfwer, 
 they all replyed, they did, and fo were commanded to fubfcribe their 
 Names toit, which forthwith was done. The Prjifes then Befpake 
 " them on this manner. The moderation of the Foreigners which you 
 cc fomuch extolled, proceeded out of their Errour which today having 
 " underftood, they have pronounced concerning you another Ca\tencc t 
 " Upon Friday laft when you feem.d to difclaim all illtmirted Liber* 
 « ty, and gave hope of fome Conformity, they dealt with the Synod 
 «« in favour of you : but to day underftanding you to abufe the Sy- 
 « nod, and fly back again to your former claim, they all with one 
 cc confent think you indignosejje quibtifcum diutfos res agatur. One a- 
 ^ inongft them there is who hath taken the paines to Mappe out your 
 « c behaviour fince your firft footing in the Synsd. Pretend you whan 
 t£ you will, the true caufe of this your indifpoutlon is this, that you 
 cc take the Synod for the Adverfe part, and account your felves in 
 cc Equall place with them, this conceit hath manifefted it feif in all 
 " your actions. T&f/W upon the quellion in controverfy you gave up,buc 
 * c fo confined, fo nothing to the purpofe that no ufe can be made of 
 "than. The Decrees of the Synod you have openly contemned. The 
 cc Interrogatories put you, you have 1 -efufed to anfwer. Your Cicacory 
 cC Letters notwithstanding the fence of them was expounded by thofe 
 •* who gave them, and therefore beft knew it, you have interpreted 
 c «asyou l'ft, and profeft that you will proceed according to your own 
 e c judgement, and not according to the judgement of the Synod. At 
 c < length on Friday laft you feemed to lay by your claim of lllimited Li- 
 's berty and give fome hope of fome conformity j but all this in your 
 cc writing now Exhibited you have retracted. The Synod hath dealt 
 c c mildly gently and favourably with you, but [rnceritati^ lenixaxi^man- 
 <c fuetvdini Sjnody^ fraudes , artes^ & mendacia. opp&puiis. 1 will dif- 
 ce mifs you with no other Elogie then one of the Forreigners gave you, 
 ** quo cepi'lis psde eodem cedite^ with a lye you made your encrance in.o 
 " the Synod, with a lye you take your leave of it, in denying lately 
 " thac ever you protefted your felves provided to give anfwer on the 
 
 Ar- 
 
6\ Mr. Hales Letters from the Synod of D o rt 
 
 cf ilrticles, or to have had any fuch writing ready , which all the 
 cc Synod knows to be falfe. Your actions all have been full of fraud #- 
 Equivocations and deceit. That therefore the Synod may at length 
 tc piouily and peacably proceed to the perfe&ing of thac bulmefs for 
 " which it is come together, you are difmift. But affaire you theSy- 
 tc nod fliall make known your pertinacy , to all the Chriftian World, 
 Cc and know that the Btlgick^Churches want not arm a. Spirituality with 
 "which in time convenient they will proceed againftyou. §hantobrem vos 
 ."Dele-gat or um & Synodi nomine dimixto, Exite. So with much mutter- 
 ing the Remonftrants wemroutjand Epifcopius going away faid, Dominus 
 Deut judicabit de fraud ibjts & wendaciis : Sapma Exeo ex ecclefiama* 
 lignantium : and fothe Syr.od brake up. 
 
 The fame day at night there was a privat Sefiion > what ivas done in 
 it I underftand not yet. I conjecture it was concerning the order of 
 proceeding. As foon as I /hall underfcand what was done ! will ac- 
 quaint Your Lordihip with it, and till then I humbly take my leave. 
 
 Dort this if. of January. Tour Honours Chaplain 
 
 1618. andbounden in allDuty 
 
 Jo. Hales. 
 
 Right Honourable, mj very good Lord, 
 
 Since the Difmiflion of the Remonftrants there hath not been any 
 publick Seilion, and as I Conjecture for a while will not be. They 
 are altogether in Confutation concerning their order of proceeding, 
 and in gathering materialls out of the Remonftrants Books, whence 
 they may Frame their Ihefes and proportions which muft be the fub- 
 jeft of their difputation. This they purpofe, as I conceive, to do 
 through out all the Five Articles, before they come to the open difcuk 
 fiugof any one, for they are part from the firft, and gone one to the fe- 
 cond. So that till this Confutation be ended there will not be a- 
 ny great occalion of news. 
 
 Againft Mr. Prtfes fo rough handling the Remonftrants at their Dif- 
 miflion there are fome exceptions taken by the Deputies themfelves. 
 ' The Forreigners think themfelves a little indireftly dealt withall, in 
 thac it being propofed to the whole Synod to pafs their judgement 
 concerning the behaviour of the Remonftrants^ the "Provincials were not 
 Hot at all required to fpeak.) a "d by thefe meanes the envy of the whole 
 bulinefswasde.ived upon the Forreigners. Whereas on the contrary 
 when the like queftion was propofed formerly 3 and the Forreigaers had 
 
 fpo- 
 
To the K.Uononrable Sr. D.Carlton L.Embajfador. 6$ 
 
 fpokenvery favourable in ihc Remonftrants behalf, the Provinces 
 ftroke in, and eftablifht a rigid fentence, againft the Forreigners liking, 
 Sotbcti there is little re gard given to the judgement of the Forreigners^ ex- 
 cept they fpeak^as the Provincials would have them. Again upon the Tuef- 
 day Selfion in the morning>there being a repetition made, according to 
 the cuftom, of the late Synodical afts, when they came to the aft of 
 the Remonftrants Difmiffion, hud. Crofius otBreme fignifiedthat he per- 
 ceived that Mr Vrtfes in that buiinefs had been paulo commotior 3 and had 
 let flip, verba qu&dam acerba which might well have been fparedjthat in 
 fo great an aft,asthat was,a little more advice and consideration might 
 have been ufed. The Synod ought to have been confulted with, and 
 a form of Difnuflion conceived and approved of by all, which mould in 
 the name of the Synod have bin pronounced, and regiftredj whereas now 
 the Synod ftands indifted of all that unneceflary rough nefs which then 
 was praftifed. It had flood better whith the Honor of the Synod to 
 have held a more peaa able and paflionlefs order. The Trefes replied, 
 that for D if miffing the Remonftrants without a Synodical form, it was 
 from the Secular Lords, who willed him immediately to proceed. What 
 his apologie was for his paflionate fpeeches I know not. The Selfion was 
 in private, and I have nothing but by relation. I hear nothing yet 
 from Mr. Trefes concerning the French proj eft : as foon as I mail hear 
 ought, 1 will not fail to acquaint your Honor till when I humbly take 
 my leave. 
 
 Vort s r 6 January, Tour Honours Chaplain^ and 
 
 1618. " Bounden in all Duty Jo. Hales, 
 
 The bringer of this Letter isSir John Berkj Son. 
 
 Right Honourable^ my very good Lord^ 
 
 YOur Honour mail here receive the Decree of the Synod mentioned 
 in my laft Letters, conteining the form of proceeding which they 
 will hold in difculTing the Articles. The morning they mean the Depu- 
 ties mail fpend in private, after dinner in open Synod the chief places of 
 Scripture upon which the R emonflxant grounds himfelf mall be opened, 
 andanfwersframMto the Arguments drawn from thence. According to 
 which refolution they began to proceed upon Thurfday the ? 7 of Janu« 
 in the Evening. The queftion propofed then was. An prater Vecretum de 
 falvandis fide libus , nullum fit aliud Vecretum Ele&ionis. The Remon- 
 ftrant affirms there is none, and for this produces certain places of Scri- 
 pture. The Contra-Remonitrant grants that there is fuch a Decree, 
 but withall contends that this is but a Secondary Decree. For God 
 
 I * (faith 
 
66 Mr. Hales Letters from the Synod of DorT 
 
 (faith lie)' firft nfilved upon the Salvation of fame certain fing-dxr perfons^ 
 and in the fecond place decreed to give tb.°m Faith js a means to bring the 
 r Decree to pafs. But before thisqueftion came on the flage, other 
 things were done at that time. The Synod therefore being met, at the 
 time mentioned, Firft the Letters from the States concerning D. Goads 
 Admiflion were read, and after that, fome were Cent to his Lodging to 
 conduct him to the Synod. In the mean time were there Letters from 
 Mr. Dean to the Synod produced and read, together with a form of 
 Valediction and farewell, by him conceived. I fuppofe Mr. Dean ac* 
 quainced your Honor with the thing wbilft hee was with you, which is 
 the caufe I have not fenc a tranfeript of it: as fobn.as I underftandyour 
 Loi d;liip hath not Ceen it, I will caufe a Copy of it to be taken. It was 
 then concluded by the Synod that the Prates, and AffefTors, together 
 tvith the Seculars Scribe, fhould, after the Synod was ended,repair to 
 Mr. Dean, and take their leave of him in the name of all the reit, and 
 by him commend their love and fervice unto his Majefhe, and render 
 him humble thanks for his princely care. All which the fame night 
 was done. Now was Dr. Goade come to the .Synod, and according to 
 the manner, conducted to his feat, where being fate, he made a (hort 
 fpeechjwhich being ended, the Synod proceeded to diddle the queftion 
 above metionM. The Decree is, that the ProfefTors mall expound thofe 
 places of Scripture, on which the Remonftraut builds. Wherefore Jo. 
 Polyander who is the Senior Profeffbrjbeing abfent, Sibrdndm Lulberr 
 tus who is the next in ordsr,tooke the queftion,and anfvver'd fnch Texts 
 as were urged by the Adverfary,one out of the 3. of John, 36. §hi cre- 
 dit in filimnhabet vitam atemam : qui non-credit non videhit vttam, fed 
 ira Dei m a net piper co. Another out of the 1. to the Ephef. 4. Elegit 
 Ms in Chri'\o ante )all a mundi fund amenta '. h third out of 11. to the 
 Hebrews Intpojfibile e'l fine fide placere Deo. The fumme of Sibrandm 
 his aniwer at that, time I can not give. For being miiinform'd that it 
 would be but a private Sedion, I was not at it. Belides Sibrandm no man 
 (pake any thing that night. As foon as he had done, it was/ignified 
 by the Prafes that the Campgnfes, who were lately cited, were now 
 ready to make their appearance. It was concluded, that becaufe the 
 bufinefs of the Synod mould not be interrupted, certain out of the 
 company mould be appointed to hear the caufe and make relation of it 
 to the Synod: fo the Prafes concluded the Selfion with a prayer, in 
 which he prayed for Mr. Deans Health, and for the good fuccefsofhis 
 Journey. This was the fumme of what was then done, and fo L end,com- 
 mitting your Honor to Gods good protection^ 
 
 Dort 5 this & $f Tour Honors Chaplain and bounden in 
 
 January. all Duty and Service^ Jo. Hales. 
 
 The 
 
I 
 
 To the R. Honourable Sr. D. Carlton L. Embaffador. 6y 
 
 The Synodical Decree of the Jwf of January y concerning the manner 
 of handling the Five Articles. 
 
 CO Hat is diligenter per D.Pr<efdem y Affeffores & Scribas ex />/\c~ 
 fcripto iliuftrium D D. Delegatorumfuffragiis omnibw y turn S t 
 turn viva voce heri ac nudiufertmi inveneranda bacSjnodo dibits fuper 
 wodo agendi circa examen & judicium quinque Articuhrum: compertum 
 eft plurimis placer e, ut fingula qttamprimum Collegia ad ex amen Hindi n- 
 flituendum judiciumque formandum ferio fe accingant. Ac prime quidem 
 loco inmanus fumant primum ArticuXum. Incujus examine, ut & de'm- 
 ceps in center or urn j ad interrogator! a & Tbefes a D . Prtjide difla l a y ut 
 (!f pofleadiBanda^quilibet in primis at tend at. Si quis.tamen plnra, qua 
 adfententiam Remonfrantium proponendam & explicandam facere poj] unt y 
 qua forte in Tbefibm & intrrrogatoriis ijiis indie at a mnfunt y addere % elit 
 & pojjity id cuique liberum reUnquatur: <& u h - privatim (inguia collegia 
 ante Meridiem de hoc exam.ne ccgitalunt ; it a pofl Meridiem ne Synods 
 inter miff a , ac nulla Au-ditorum SpeBatorumque -ex cmnilus pajjim oris 
 quotidie accurrentium ratio baberi <videatur y publicum nifi omnino yes iff a 
 aliud pofulaveritj conventas celebralitun in quo potijfma Remonfran- 
 tium argument a maximeex Scripturis defumpta, ipforumque adeo ad con- 
 trar:£ fententU argument a maxime ex Scripturis defumpta refponfiones 
 proponentur & excutientur, pr<eeuntibw D D, Doftoribui ac Frofefjoribiti 
 nunc no strati bus, nunc exteris ad Arbitrium D. Prxfdis : relifta interim 
 fingulis lilertate diRis addendi, & foam etiam devrdpoptis argumentis 
 fenten'-iam dicendi. Quare neceffe quoque erit ut quilibet ferio de argumen- 
 ts ijiis & refponfionibus apudfe cogitet ac meditetu?. Dalit autem operant 
 D. Pr<efes fingulis Seffionibus, ut ea de quibus proxima Seffione erit agen- 
 dum univerf<e Synodo fignifcet. Ac fi quis fuerit, qui de quoquam, 
 quod forte a D. Prdfide monitum non fuerat , judicium Synodi au- 
 dire fua vel aliorum caufadefideret, ejus, R privatim D, Pr a fid em ap~ 
 pellaxerit, ratio hahebitur,prout ipfe adhilito confilio Affefforum & Scri- 
 barum, acfiopu* fuerit plurium y ex ufu Synodi, autrei quade ajitur, ejje 
 exijiimaverit. Judicium formatum de quoliht Articuh y addit'j rath ml::* 
 quibus fubnixum eft, Pnefidi privatim exhibebitur ajjetvandum , donee 
 de omnibus judicium Articulis judicium formatum & fi mi 'liter ex I ibitkrn^ 
 fuerit. 
 
 1 2 Right. 
 
6% Mr. Hales Letters from the Synod of Dort 
 
 U 
 
 Right Honourable, and my tery good Lor cU 
 
 •Pon wednefday the ft of January there was noSeflion at all hvthe 
 morning, in the evening there was one, but in private. In this 
 they have concluded the queftioii about their manner of proceeding; 
 There was a forme conceived and concluded upon ,and tranfcribed by- 
 all the Deputies. They concluded likewife their Ihsfes upon the firft 
 Article, which they purpofepublickly to difcutfe. It was late in the 
 evening ere thisSdhon was done, fothatl could not get the Copies 
 of either of thefe, but in my morrow Letters I will not fail by Gods 
 grace to fend your Honor the tranfcripti of them. Beiides, there were 
 fome things of fmaller weight advifedof. Firft, whether in delivering 
 of their judgements upon the Articles in Controverfie, the Foreigners 
 ihould begin, as hitherto they had done. The Provincials at firft 
 Itram'd courtehe, and thought it no point of good manners, to take 
 Precedency of the Foreigners: but it is concluded, they muft, as be- 
 ing better tried in thefe Controverts then the Foreigners are, and 
 therefore nieete it was they /hould give them more time to advife.The 
 fecoud thing propofed was concerning their Auditory .For they quefti- 
 o\\ d whether they mould admit of hearers, or do all in private. Old 
 Sibrandm was very hot againft the Auditory, and thought it not fit that 
 any care mould be had of them, as being only MuhcrcuU, & pauculi, 
 juvenes incauti. There is fome reafon of this complaint of his, for 
 many youthes, yea and Artificers, and I know not what rabble befides 
 thruft in, and trouble the place. As for women vi hole troopes of them 
 have been feen there, and the beft places for fpe&ators referved for 
 them. Which thing muftneedesexpofe the Synod to the icorne of 
 thoie, who iy in- wait to take exception againft it. Eut the Synod hath 
 determined in fayou* of their Auditory, that Seffions confultatory and 
 Provifionall ihall be private, but Seffions wherein they difcufle and con- 
 clude mall be pubhck.Meetings heeraftei will not be fo frequent, for 
 men will take more time to advife. This is the fumm, as fair as I can 
 learn, of what was done at that time. To morrow your Lordftiip 
 fhall receive farther information, till which time I humbly take my 
 leave. 
 
 Dort, this r^of Xour Honors Chaplain 
 
 J anuary. an ^ i oun fo n in a u jy uth 
 
 Jo. Hales. 
 Right 
 
~ ■ 
 
 To the R. Honourable Sr. D. Carlton L. Embaffador. 6$ 
 
 Right Honurabky and my very good Lord, 
 
 UPon Friday the j 8 of January in the Evening,the Synod being met, 
 Doftor Goniarm anfwerd fornie parts of Scipture, laid hold of by 
 the Remonftrants, after the fame manner as P. Sibrandus lud done the 
 night before,the places by him difcuft were for the more part the fame 
 which in the former Seihon had been handled. The order ofdifcuHrng 
 thefe arguments is by continued difcourfe after the manner of Latin 
 SermonSjOr rather of Divinity Lec\ures,fuch as are read in our Schools. 
 In one thing the Discretion of both thefe Doftors was much approved. 
 For both of them holding that extream and rigid tenant, which Beza. 
 and PerkjnshrCioE all acquainted the World with, yet notwithftanding 
 they held an unpartiall and even courfe, and never ftroke upon it. 
 When Gomarits had fpoken towards an hour and half, my Lord Bilhop 
 deliver' d himfelf concerning the meaning of the fame places of Scrip- 
 ture, and after him certain other of the forraign Divines. Afcer this 
 fame Copy will all the news be yet thisten days or more, & thefe even- 
 ing Seifions are only to entertain the Auditory, not to determine any 
 thing at all. Each company muft in private conceive and fet down in 
 writing their opinion concerning the Articles ; and when they have fo 
 done the Writings muft be exhibited to the Synod, and out of them 
 nmft be gathered the Concluiion which muft ftand for good. Thisisa 
 thing which will require fome good time, and in the mean while be- 
 iides thefe Theologieall Lectures, there (hall be nothing done publickly 
 in the Sy nod. The fame day at night Bi'ierfieldiu^one of the Depu- 
 ties lately come out of Najfau died. When his Furierall will be I know 
 not. Upon Friday Morning Mr. Dean took his journey toward Middle- 
 bourgh. Upon Saturday their was no Sefllon at all Mr. J$alcanqu*l com- 
 mends his Service unto your Honor,and required me to lignify to you 
 thus much, that Ire had lately fpoken with M ".fins, but underftood no- 
 thing by him concerning the matter which your Lordfhip is p. ivy too. 
 He willed me moreover to inform your Honor, That whereas you late- 
 ly fpake to Mr. Dean to deal with Deodati, Mr. Dean by reafon of his 
 indifpoiition of Body, andfudden departure, found no means to talk 
 with him. Thus with humble recommendation of my Service to your 
 Honor, I take my leave. 
 
 Dort, this ±7 of 
 January. . 
 
 Tour Honors Chaplain and bounden 
 in allDutj and Service^, 
 Jo, Hales. 
 tight, 
 
70 Mr Hales Letters from the Synod of Dort. 
 
 Right Honour able ^ and mj very good Lord 9 
 
 cc TH e Ei'rours of publike aftions ( if they be not very grofs ) are 
 cc 1 with lefs inconvenience tolleraied then amended. For the 
 "danger of alteration, ofdifgracing and difabling Authority, makes 
 cc thatthe Fortune of fuch proceedings admits no regrefs,but being once 
 Ci howfoever well or ill done, they raiift for ever after be upheld. The 
 <c moft partialis fpe&ator of our Synodal atts can not but confefs, that in 
 cc the latedifmillion of the Remonflxantt-, with fo much choler and heat, 
 K there was a great overlight committed, and that whether we refpeft 
 cC our common profefllon of Chrilr- ianity, ®/ & nil nifijuftum fradet & lene\ 
 cc or the quality of this people ape to niutmeby Reafon of long Liber- 
 cc ty, and not having learnt to be imperioufly commanded, in which 
 cc argument the Clergy above all men ought not to have read their firfl: 
 cc Leilbn. The Synod therefore to whom it is not now in integro to 
 cc look back,and Re&ify what is amifs wichoiicdifparagcmentjtnuft now 
 <c go forward and leave events to God,and for the Countenance of their 
 " action do the belt they may. For this purpofe have they lately by 
 Deputies appointed for that end, made a Declaration of all their pro- 
 ceedings unto the States General!, from whom they have procured a 
 Decree for Confirmation of them, which Decree upon Munday the 
 £f o£ January waspublickly, firft in Dutch then in Latin, lead at the 
 Synod in the Evening. The particulars of it I mall not need relate as 
 being fufficiently known to your Honor.The Decree being pronounced^ 
 Heinfiits firft fignified that it had been before in private made known to 
 the Remonftrants,and then in the name of the Delegates warnM the 
 Commiflioner* of the Synod, 17f quam matnrimh & celerrwie de i\iis 
 controverfjis jtatuanty ut po flint tandem affiittis eclefis Bt/gicif fub venire. 
 I was very glad to hear that admonition* and it gives me hope that 
 our Synod ihall have end not long after Eafter at the Farther!. After 
 this did Tyfuis, another of the Profeflbrs difcufle three other of the Pve- . 
 monftrants arguments taken out of the Hague Conference, according 
 to the fame forme zsSibraridui and Comarm had done before. This be- 
 ing done the Frtfcs required Jo. Folyander and WaVgm to provide to do 
 the like upon Thurfday next in the Evening ( for before that time 
 there is to be no pubiick Seffion) and requefting the Company the next 
 Day to accompany B^ierficldiiis to his Grave ( which accordingly was 
 done at the time appointed^) he difmifx the meeting. So that till Thurf- 
 day next we an liKeJy rounderftand no more news of the Synod. 
 I fpake upon Tuefday with Mr. frames concerning Moulivs project. 
 
 His 
 
I 
 
 7 l 
 
 Ho the K. Honourable St. u^nviwu u. n,nwa\]aaor. 
 
 His anfwerto me was this, that he communicated the thing with fome 
 of the difcreeter of the Synod, and that he had required my Lord Bi- 
 fhop and Satitetvs to conceive a forme of publick Qonfeffion. Which 
 as foon as it mould be concieved and allowed of by thofe,whomould in 
 that behalf be confulted withall, he would fend a Copy of it to your 
 Honor, to be fent to his Majefty. by him to be revifed and altered ac- 
 cording to his pieafure, and fo from him to be commended unto the 
 Synod publickly. Which courfe he thinks will take good fuccefs. As 
 touching the point concerning the Lutherans he thinks it nor fit that 
 any word at all bemade.T dealt with Mr. Pr^fes concerning a Copy of 
 M.Vea us Valedi&ion to the Synodjhe anfwered me that he had delivered 
 it to Dammannus the Scribe to be copied out,aud as foon as it was done,l 
 fhould have it to tranfcribe, fo foon therefore as I can procure ihz 
 Copieofir, I will not fail to fend it your Lordship. Mr. Dean at his 
 departure had an Honorarium beftowed on him by the States. [leinfms 
 the Scribe came to his lodging to him, an i making a fhorc fpeech un- 
 to him, prefented him in the Name of the States with mumfculunt as he 
 call'd it. What or how much it was no man knovves. Thus commend ing 
 your Honor to Gods good protection, I humbly take my leave. 
 
 Dort, this |f of 
 January 1619. 
 
 Tour Honors Chaplain and 
 
 Bounden in all Duty^ 
 
 To. Hales. 
 
 Right HonurablC) mdmj very good Lord, 
 
 U°on Tuefday the if of this prefent in the Evening, for, for the 
 debating of certain particular points incontroverfy belonging to 
 the ruit Article,tlie Synod came together inprivate.lt hath been lately 
 queftioned, how Chrift is faid to be Fundantentum Elect ionls. The Do- 
 ttrine generally received by the Gontra-Remonftrant in this point is, 
 That God fir ft of all refolved upon the Salvation of fome lingular per- 
 fons, and in the fecond place upon Chrift as a mean to bring this De- 
 cree to pafs. Sothit with them God the Father alone is the Author of 
 our Eleftion, and Chrift only the Executioner. Others on the contra- 
 ry teach,that Chrift is fo to be held F 'und amentum Elettionis^ that he is 
 not only the Executioner of Election, but the Author and the Pro- 
 curer of it: for proof of which they bring the words of the Apoftle 
 to the EphefiattS) thefirft Chapter, elegit nos in Cbrijlo ante jada mundi 
 fundament*. The Exposition of this Text was the efpecial thing difcuft 
 at this meeting,; and fome taught,that Chrift was Fundamentum Ele- 
 
 Uionti 
 
j2 Mr. Hales Letters from the Synod of Do rt 
 
 IfioitU) becaufe he was primus Eletferum, or becaufe he is Fund amentum 
 Elrdorum^hwtnot F.!eaionx> or becaufe he is Fundametttmn tenefi;jorv.m y 
 which defcend upon us ; others brookc none of thofe Reftraints, D. Go- 
 warns ftands for the former fentence, and in defence of it had faid many- 
 things on Friday. This night Mzrtinius of Breme being required to 
 fpeak his minde, tignined to the Synod, that he made feme fcruple con- 
 cerning the Doctrine paflant about the manner of Chriifs being F.tn- 
 damentum EleCtionis^ and that he thought Chriftnot only the Effector 
 of our Election, but a!fo the Author and Procurer thereof. Goma- 
 rus who owes the Synod a 1-hrewd turn, and then I fear me began to 
 come out of debt; pre fently, affbon as Marti 'i us had fpoken, ltarts 
 up, and tells the Synod, ego banc rem in we recipro^ and therewithal! 
 cafts his Glove, and challenges Mertimvs with this Proverb, Eav Kbo- 
 dum 3 ccce faltu»i, and requires the Synod to grant them a Duel, adding 
 that he knew Martinins could fay nothing in refutation of tha: Doctrine. 
 Martinius who goes inxquipace with Gomarus in Learning, and a little 
 before him for his Difcretion, ealily digefted this affront, and after 
 fome few words of courfe, by the wifdom of the Tr£ps matters feemed 
 to be a little pacified, and fo according to the cuftom, the 5ynod with 
 Prayer concluded. Zeal and Devotion had notfo well allayed Goma- 
 rus his choler, but immediately after Prayers he renewed his Challenge 
 and required Combat with Martinins again ; but they parted for that 
 night without blowes. Martinius, as itfeems, is foniewhat favourable 
 to fome Tenenrs of the Remonftrants concerning Reprobation, the la- 
 titude of Chrifts merit, the Salvation of Infants,&c. and to bring him 
 to fome conformity was there a private meeting of the Forreign Di- 
 vines upon Wednesday morning in my LordBifhops Lodging, in which 
 thus much was obtain'd, that though he would not leave his Conclufi- 
 o.us, yec he promiied moderation and temper in fitch manner, that there 
 mould be no d^Tention in the Synod by reafon of any opinion of his. 
 
 lIpoiiThuifday the|* of this prefent, the Synod being met in the 
 Evening, Jo. Folya^der and JVaittits undertook the defence of fome 
 places of Scripture brought by the Contra-Remonftrants againft the 
 exceptions of the Remonftrants: the places of Scripture were, L:d\e 10. 
 20. Gaudete quia nomina veftrafcripta funt inCcclif. Apec al.21. 27 .infer ipti 
 in lilro vit£. Rom. 9. 11. Vt propofitum Dei fecunditm Eleclionem ntaneret 3 
 and 1 1. 5. Refervatio fecundum Eleaionent : and Rom. 8. 13. £&os prdde- 
 iiinavit vt C9.nformes fiant imagini Filiifui^ eos extam vocavit. Ad. 13. 48. 
 Crediderunt quotqv.ot emit ordinati ad vitam gternam. Uponthefe places 
 thefe two fpake am oft three hours. 
 
 Itwasexpe&ed that a, the reft of the ProfefTors hitherto have done, 
 fo Doftour Vavenant the next ProfefTowr mould fpeak in publike : It is 
 
 faid 
 
To the R. Honourable Sr. D. Carlton L. Embaffaclor. 73 
 
 faid that he (hall do It this day in a private Selfion ( for there is no pub- 
 like till Munday, and what will then be done 1 know not. J What the 
 meaning is of this Audience only in private, I know not. But of this 
 I will fay more in my next Letters to your Honour, till w! en I leave 
 your Lordfrip to Gods good protection. 
 Dort this if of January tour Honours Chaplain, and 
 
 16 18. louuden in all Duty Jo. Hale^. 
 
 Your Honour (hall hear receive a Copie of Mr. Deans farewell, I 
 fear rneitis a little imperfeft, for I underftand it not in fome place?. 
 If I can hear of another copie from Mr. Pr^fes who promifed me one at 
 the beginning of this week, and nude it to be perfe&er,, I will again 
 tranfcribe it. 
 
 The Dean of mrcefters Valediction to the Synod. 
 
 ^^ On facile mecum ingratiam redierit cadavercfa b<tc moles y quam <egre 
 H ufque circtimgeftoy qu& mihi facri bujus Convents celebritatem toties 
 inviderity jamque me prorfus tnvitifftmumy a vobis importune avocal & 
 ditedit. Neque enim uUm eft proj fSfa fub Cglo locus *que Cceli £mtd*$$ 
 & in quo tentorium mihi ftgi maluerim, cujufque adeo geftiet mihi animus 
 meminiffe. Beatos vero vos quibus hoc frui datum ! Non dignus eram ego 
 utftdelijftmi Romani Querimoniam imitari lice at > qui pro Chrifti C7 Ecle- 
 ft<z fu£ nomine fanBam banc provincial*, diutiu! futfinerem. I Hud vero 
 0«» Wi yovrafy : nempe audito quod res erat y non alia me quam adverftjftma 
 hie ufum valetudine,ferenrjfimus Rex meuSjnifertus mifcRi famuli fin revc- 
 cat me domum^quippe quod cimres meos autfandapilam vobis nihil quicquam 
 prodejfe pojje norit y fuccenturiavitque mihi virum e fuis feletlijfimum, 
 quantum Theologum ! De meprofeBo, ( mero jamfilicernio ) quicquidftat^ 
 videritiHeDeusmeuSjCujus ego tot us f urn. Vobis quidem it a f elicit erpro- 
 fpeBum efty utfit cur inprmitati me a baud parum gratulamini^ qu<e bujuf- 
 modi inftruBijfimo fuccedaneo coetum bunc veflrum leAvertU Neque tameh 
 committam^ {ft Deusvitam mihi ac vires indulferit) ut et cor pore fimul et 
 animo abefje videar, Jntereafane buic Synodo ubicunque terrarumftm^ ze- 
 tiSy conftliiSy conatibufque meis quibufcunque res zeftras me pro virili fieri 
 ac fedulo promoturum ifanBe voveo. Interim vobis eimubus ac ftngulis^ Ho- 
 noratijftmi Domini Delegati^ Reverendijfime Dom'me Pr<efies 3 GrarJjpmi 
 
 K Jtffef. 
 
r 
 
 74 Mr. Hales Letters from the Synod of Dort 
 
 -djjejfores, Symmyfta Colendiffimi^ tlbique Verier and ijfnn a Synods Univer- 
 fa, wro animo &c corpore dternum valedico : rogoque vos omnes olnixivtt 
 utprecibutveBris imbecillem reducemfacere^ comiuri^ etprofequi velitis t 
 
 Right Honour d&le' 3 my very qood L ord, 
 
 UPoa Tuefday the If of January^ at the Evening Seflion, the point of 
 Reprobation was Scholaftically and learnedly difcuft by Altingius, 
 one of the Palatine Profeflbrs. Hisdifcourfe was the molt fumcient of a- 
 ny that yet I heard. He began from the Definition,and proceded to how- 
 far God had a hand in it, and how far man is the Author of his own De- 
 ftru£tion,&: laftly anfwered thfc Remoiiftrants arguments. He fpake about 
 an hour and half. I would willingly have given your Honour an account 
 of his fpeech, but it was in the Evening, and the Auditory are allowed 
 no candles, fo that I could not ufe my tables. And thus have they difcuft 
 the fcrft Article, though I could have wifhed that the queftion of Repro- 
 bation had been yet farther opened and ftood upon, it being a point of 
 large extent,and efpecially indited on by the Remonftrant.As for Syno- 
 dical Refolution in this firft Article, that we miift yet expect, till all the 
 reft be examined as this hath been. There is no open Seiiion till Friday 
 next after dinner ; and then is it their purpofe to enter upon the Second 
 Article, of Vniverfal Grace : at which time Mr. Balcanqual, and Cru- 
 cigerot HaJJia are appointed tofpeak, according as the reft have done 
 before, to this queftion, Whether the death ef Chritt were intended indif- 
 ferently for ally or mly for the EleFt ? Upon Wednefday the *§• of January, 
 in the evening was there a private Seiiion, wherein, belike for the make- 
 ing of better fpeed, they confulted whether they mould goon to ex- 
 amine the reft of the Articles afcer the fame manner they had done the 
 firft, or elfe bethink them of fome more fpeedy order. After a long 
 difceptation, even fo long that Jo. Poly under put the Prtfes in minde of 
 the exceeding iharpnefs of the Weather,they at length concluded, that 
 they would go on in the fame courfe they iiad begun. And this asyec 
 is all the Newes that is pafTant, wherefore ceaiing farther to trouble 
 your Honour., I humbly take my leave. 
 
 Dort this f I ef T»ur Honours Chaplain, and 
 
 January. 1619, . beunden in all Duty and Service, 
 
 Jo. Hales. 
 
 Right 
 
To the R.Honourabte Sr. D.Carlton L.Embaffador. 73 
 
 Right Honour able ) and my very good Lord^ 
 
 UPonFriday the if- of January,there was a meeting of the synod 
 partly publick, partly private. As che Provinciall ProfefTors had 
 done, fowasD. Davenant, who is thefirfl ProfeiTbr of the Forraigners, 
 enjoined by the Prtfes to do. The intent of his difcourfe at that time, 
 was to overthrow certain diftin&ions framed by the Remonftrants for 
 the maintenance of their pofitions,and evafion from the Contraremon- 
 ftrants Arguments. The Remonftrants nfually diftinguifti upon E- 
 leclion, and divide it, into definitam & indefinitam y revocabilem & 
 irrevocabilem't peremptoriam & non peremptoriam ; mutabilem & immu- 
 tabilem^nd the like. For the refutation of which diftincYtons he firft 
 fet down the definition of election brought by the Contraremonftrant , 
 and at large confirmed it : fecondly he brought the definition o£ electi- 
 on agreed on by the Remonftrant, and Argued againft it : and thirdly 
 he dire&ly oppugned thefe forecited diftinc\ions;all which he did 
 learnedly and fully. When Dr. Davenant had fpoken: the Auditory 
 was commanded to depart. For having a purpofe that others 
 fhould fpeake at the fame time, and /earing that fome diversity of o- 
 pinion might rife, and occafion fome diflention, it was thought fit that 
 things fhould be tranfa&ed as privately as nigl.tbe. Many more of 
 the Forreigners deliver'dthemfelves that night, and amongftche reft 
 Martinius of Breme propofed again his former doubts unto the Synod, 
 concerning the fenfe in which Chrijt is> faid to be ftmdamentum ele&tionis, 
 & re^uefted toberefolved.But D.Gomarus at this time, was fomewhat 
 better advifed ; & thought itbeft to hold his peace.This daywill there be 
 a private meeting wherein every company will give up their judgments 
 in writing upon the firft Article: and to morrow I underftand they will 
 goonuntothe fecond, and proceed in it, accordingly as they have 
 done in the former. As for any Vecifive Sentence they will give none, 
 till they have thus gone through all the five. In this I fuppofe they 
 do very difcreetly. For lince the Articles are mutually linked toge- 
 ther, it is moft convenient they fhould firft go through them all, fince 
 a predetermination in the former, might bind them to fome inconve- 
 nience in the later, there being noplace left to look back, tut 
 ftand they muft to what they have once concluded. For avoiding of 
 this it is thought beft to determine of all at once. And this is all tiie news 
 that here is currant : wherefore Commending Your Honour to Gods 
 good prote&ion, I humbly take my leave. 
 
 Dort this if of January. Tour Honors Chaplain and 
 
 161$. BounieninallDuty Jo. Hales. 
 
 K 2 Right 
 
j6 Mr. Hales Letters from the Synod of Do 
 
 RT 
 
 Right Honourable) my very goad Lord, 
 
 Upon Munday the f § of January in the Evening, the Synod being 
 met, Scu/tetus fpake at large de Certitudme gratis & falutis> 
 that it was neceflary for every man to be allured of his Salvation. The 
 manner of his difcourfe was oratoriall, the fame that he ufes in his Ser- 
 mons, not fcholafticall and according to the fafhion of difputation and 
 Schools. For this caufe the quefhon was neither deeply fearcht into, 
 nor ftrongly proved. And th is is all was done that night. 
 
 I fpake with Mr. Dr. Goad concerning Mr. Brent, who anfwer'd me 
 that he heard nothing at all of him, and that he w ill fhortly write unto 
 My Lord Archbifhops Secretary to be informed farther concerning him. 
 My Lord BUhop of late hath taken foms pains with Mi'ti tilts of Breme^ 
 to bring him from his opinion of Vniverfall Grace.hy chance I came to 
 fee his Letter wricen to M'arttuiiti in which he expounded that place in 
 the third of John, So God loved tb; Worldjhxt he gave his only begotten 
 S on &c. which is the ftrongeft ground upon which M*rtiniuf refts hmi- 
 felf. Beyond this here is no news worth the relating, and therfore 
 till farther occalion offer it felf, I humbly take my leave.. 
 
 Dort this \%of January. 
 
 lour Honours Chaplain 
 
 and lounden in all Duty 
 Jo. Hales. 
 
 Rigk Hanou/ablfy my very good Lerd. . 
 
 Upon Thurfday the|r of January in the Evening the Synod met 
 privately, and a^ they had done in the firft, fo did they in the 
 feeona Article. For the fpeedier Direction tofinde the places in the 
 Remonstrants Books, where the particulars concerning Vniverfall 
 Grace are difcuft, there was a kinde of Index or Concordance drawn 
 of the feverall pafFages in their writings touching that fubjeft. The 
 next Day following, that is the firft of February Stylo novo y Mr. B*lcan- 
 q ualls and Cruciger of Haffia made entrance upon the feeond Article. 
 Mr. Balcanquallfyzke above an hour, and did very well acquit himfelf. 
 When they had done the Prtfes enjoin'd Steinius of Haffia upon Tues- 
 day next in the Evening f at what time will be the next open Se'Hon) 
 t© fpeak of the fourth Article ( for of the third there is no qieftion) 
 and to found whether the Grace of God converting us be refijitiUy as the 
 
 Re- 
 
To the R. Honourable 5r. D.Carfton L. Embaffador. 77 
 
 Remonftrants would have it. This had that is m tie in this fuddain 
 palling from one Article to aiiorher is much mervail'dat by our Englifh 
 ■Divines:for the Coiledgesyet have not all given up their opinion upon 
 the fir ft, and beiides that the Rcmonftrants upon VVcdnefday laft were 
 willed to give in their Arguments upon the firit Article. For notwith- 
 standing they be excluded from perfonall appearance in the Synod, yet 
 are they Commanded to Exhibit to the Synod whatfoever they mail 
 pleafe to command. Now fome time will be required for the Exa- 
 mining of thofc reafons,if they be of late inventiott,and fuch as yet have 
 had nothing faid to them. But what the reafon of this halt is, will 
 appear hereafter. 
 
 I lately writ unto Mr. Collwill to know what Order was to be taken 
 for thedifcharge ofmy lodging.whether your Honor were to anfwer 
 it or the publick purfe. I would willingly be refolved of it, Bedaufe 
 I have adeiireto retiune to the Hague jfirft becaufe the Synod proceed- 
 ing a^ it doth, I do not fee thac ic is opere prstium for me here co abide: 
 and then bscaufe I have fundry private octafions that call upon me to 
 return. For notwithstanding this haft,of which I but new fpake, ic will 
 belong ere the Synod will come to determine any thing, and about 
 that time, if your Honor fhall be fo pleafed, I mall be ready to come 
 back to Dort- Andfo remembring my fervice unto your Honor I hum- 
 bly take my leave. 
 
 Dortytbis firft of Febr. 
 U>v$. \\ylo novo* 
 
 Tour WonorsCh.iplaia and- 
 b'ovnden in all Duty and Service^ 
 
 Jo. Hales. 
 
 "Right Honour abltyAnd my verygosd Lord> 
 
 OUr Synod goes on like a watch, the main Wheels upon which the 
 whole bufinefs turtles are leaft in fighr. For all things of moment 
 are atted in private Se!Tions,what is done in publick is onely for ihew 
 and entertainment. Upon Munday 1 aft the 4 th . of February^ \\ylo novs. 
 the Deputies met privately in the Evening, whtre the firit thing that 
 came upon the Stage was that old impertinent bninefs concerning the 
 Canpenfes , at what time Scotlerut a Remonftranc Miuifrer who had 
 been formerly cited to appear before the Syno.i, having not appeared 
 at time appointed, pretended ficknefs and for^hac caufe he required 
 the Syuo t> patient forbearance. After this they efttred into confulta^ 
 tio'% c uerning certain Books an 1 Writings to be conceiv'd partly for 
 ckclaiaaoaof che5yao.ii meaning in theDo&rineof the five Articles, 
 
 K 3 partly 
 
78 Mr. Hales Letters from the Synod 0/ Dqrt 
 
 partly in Apology for it. Andfirftit was propofed that there mould 
 be fcriftum didadicuni a plain and familiar writing drawn, wherein the 
 Dofti ine of the five Articles according to the intent and meaning of the 
 Synod mould be perfpicuoufly expreft for the Capacity of the Com- 
 mon for r, and that in Dutch and Latin. The Apologicall Writings 
 were of two forts, firft Scriptum Elenchicum wherein there were to be 
 refuted fuch Errours as had been lately broadied in prejudice of the 
 received Do&rine :fecondly Scriptum Hilhricum^vihich was to coniift of 
 two parts, lirft a narration of the Synods proceedings with the Re- 
 monitrantjfrom the day of his firft appearance till the time of his E- 
 jecYion: for the refutation of many bitter inve&ives which lately had 
 been written againft the Syncdin that behalf. Secondly a Relation^? 
 cauftsturbsrmty who were the Authors of the Jate Stirs in time of the 
 feparation , for anfwerof Epifcopiutln* Oratiow,and other Writings of 
 the Remonftrantfjin which the whole miforder is turn'd upon the Con> 
 tra-Remonftrant. For the Scriptum dida^iicum tlae Englijh were altoge- 
 ther againit it : and fo was Vosbergius. Their Reafon was, becaufe it 
 feemM incongruous that any writing concerning the Do&rine of the 
 Articles mould be fet forth before the Synod hail given Sentence. And 
 indeed I muft confers I fee no great congruity in the propofall, whilft 
 matters are in controverfy: Judges walk fufpenfly, and are indifferent 
 for either party, and whatsoever their intent be, yet they make no o- 
 verture of it till time of fentence come. All this buiinefs of citing, in- 
 quiring) examining muft needs feemonly as afted on a ftage, if the Sy- 
 nod intenrpeftively before hand bewray a refolution. But notwith- 
 itanding any reafon alleadgable againft it, the thing is concluded, and 
 IValUitS} Vdemannus-, and Iriglandiut are deputed to write a difcourfe 
 to that purpofe, with the infpe&ion and fupervifion of my Lord Bifhop, 
 Scultetus, Brittingerus , and Deodatus. For the fcriptum hitforicum in the 
 tfrft part concerning the proceeding of the Synod with the Remonftrant, 
 there is required the pains of Scultetvs and Triglandius in the fecond 
 ^andecaufisturbarum, Latins muft beftovv his labour, with the help of 
 Fejiut HommiHSirf the Sotttb-Holanders znd North-Hollanders , who beft 
 of any know the whole carriage of that matter. To the compoiing of the 
 fcriptum elenchicum there are deputed four of the Provincials ProfefTbrs, 
 Jo. foljanderyLubbertuSiGomarus and Ihyfwy to whom are adjoyned as 
 helpers and Supervisors D. Vavenant, Altingius and Martinim. But the 
 bulinefs of this writing paft not without fome oppoiicion, Veodat. al- 
 together rniflik-d it, Tiljander requefkd that his pains might be fpared : 
 NovifvLxthhitquamfitmihicvrtafupellex. But above ail D.Gomarus 
 was moft offended at the Propofall. Bella mihi video, bella parantur ait* 
 And therefore quite refuiing to confenc to any Polemicall writing, he 
 
 ad- 
 
To the K. Honourable St. D. Carlton L. Embaffador. 79 
 
 advifedthat the fcripttw didaclicum fhould abftain, anon necejjariis & 
 privatis, and com ein only necerTary points ftich a> pats by common con- 
 tent. That they fhould expert till die Remonftrane had fet fortii Come 
 sklverfary writing, and then would be a fitter time to think of fome- 
 what in this kind. I blame not D. Gamatm if he a little recoil. For 
 being ofthcSupralapfarii, as they terme them , of thofe who bring the 
 Decree of Gods Election front before r he fall, and feeing the .synod 
 not willing to move that way, but to fubude in a lower fphere. he is 
 to be pardon'd, if he deny his hand to that writing, which he fuppofes 
 cannot be fo warily indicted, buthemuftbe forced with his own pen 
 to let fall fcmewhat Prejudiciall to his own opinion. The Prjefrs au- 
 fwered that it was not his drift to force the Synod againft their mindcs 
 to fet out fuch a Book ; but only to take hold of the prefent occaion 
 whilft the Forreign Divines were here, and have fuch a Book in itadi- 
 nefs for ufe hereafter, though it were not now fee forth. He farther 
 advifedthat thofe who were to undertake this, fhould have an eye to 
 the inclination of the Synod, and beware as much as might be, that 
 they toucht not there where any man was fore. Whatfoever the pre- 
 tence is, the mentioning of thffe Books, before the Determination of . 
 the Synod be formally fee down, nwft needs be very unfeafonable. 
 It wi/lntakf the World to think^they camerefolved what to do, which though 
 perchance they did, yet it is no veifdome to confefs it. After this did they 
 advife concerning the Exceptions againft the ConfeiTion 8c Catechifnie, 
 and of fiich as fhould anfwer them. For the Catechifm-, the Palatine 
 Divines undercook it : for the Confeilion fome of the Provincial!:! were 
 appointed, whofe names 1 have not learnt. The Prtjes then by the ad- 
 vice of the Secular Delegates , advifed the Synod to think of gathering 
 a Synoplis and brief of all the Synodicall Proceedings, to be fent to the 
 King of Englnnd 3 and other Foreigne Princes and Srjf«, who had fenc 
 Deputies to the Synod, thacfothey may underhand what hahb.tn 
 done. For this were there appointed AltingiusSteinias, the Affeflbrs 
 and Scribes ; audfor Superviiors were named D. Davenant, Pr^fes. This 
 is the fumme of that Sellioiii. 
 
 On Tuefday at Even they met again in private, where every one 
 fpake in order what they had further to (<iy concerning thefecond Arti- 
 cle. Upon (ome occa(ion,I know not what,the Pra-fesmemhrnedNegotr-in 
 Vordian!'W 9 %ertianim y & Venator ianum>viW\ch[ note becai'fc this is the firft 
 time that Fortius his caufe was named in the Synod. There hath not 
 been any ftay made aruongft theForraign Divines but only in th'h,feco.>id 
 Article,out of which if they can wel 8c clearly wreitthemfelves,their paf- 
 fage out of the reft will be more fmooth.l lately told your Honor that 
 Martinius of Br erne ma Je fonie doubts amongft tne reft concerning Vni- 
 
 verfalM 
 
 r 
 
fl _ — . — . __ — , — , — :r _ 
 
 80 Mr Hales Letters from the Synod of Dort. 
 
 cc verfall Grace. Not Martinius only but Dr. Ward in this point. For the 
 <c compoiing the doubts of both thefe,that they brake not out to any 
 c * pubiick inconvenience there hath been of late many private -meeting 
 cc in my Lord Bifiops Lodging •, -where upon Wednesday Morning were drawn 
 <c certain T'hofes in very fufpenfe and wary terntes : to what end 3 whither to 
 <c give content to allpartyes^ or to exhibite to the Synod^or what elfe I kjiow 
 Cc not-) by chance I had a. view ofthe\n>but no opportunity to transcribe tbew. 
 
 On VVednefday the tixt of February ^thcre was a pubiick SeHicn in tha 
 Evening, at what time Steinius of Hafta fpake to the fourth Article 
 concerning che refijlibility of Grace, in the fame manner as others had 
 done before him.He fpake about an hour & a half,and when he had done, 
 the Vr&fes gave warning of a publike Seilion to be upon Munday next in 
 the Evening, and fo difmift the Auditory, but not*the Synod, who af- 
 ter this fate a good fpace in private consultation. 
 
 7. Febr. Tour Honors Chaplain and 
 
 1619* bounden in all Duty and Servoie, 
 
 Jo. Hale?. 
 
 FINIS. 
 
 gga— m i i i hiw rw .. , 
 
C«3 
 
 My very Cjood Lord, 
 
 !,Y bufinefs is nowcffe&ed by your L. eare to my contentment, 
 fince the firft day of my coming to Dort, they have made 
 me an allowance equal with our Englifti Divines, which is 
 20 Florens a day; a lefs allowance might very well have 
 fervedme, if I had not been joyncdwith them, but being 
 joyned, it was not fit that for matter of maintenance! 
 fhould be in their debts : I am exceedingly beholden to Mr. Mufius his kind- 
 nefs, not only upon this, but upon all occafions : It doth proceed I fuppofe 
 from your L. to whom as I muft ever ftand bound for the return of perpetu- 
 al thanks and fervice, fo I would beafuitertoyour L. that your L. would 
 be pleafed to give Mr. ^Mufins thanks for his kindnefs : For our Synod bufi- 
 nefs as we went too flow before, fo now they would have us go too fanV, 
 they would have us to difpatch one article a week ; which is too little time for 
 fo weighty queftions. But I hope they (hall be done to fome purpofe : with 
 the remembrance of my faithfulleft duty and fervice to your L. and your 
 worthy Lady, and my beft willies for both your health and happinefs, I take 
 my leave and reft. 
 
 Dordretcb this ad. of Fe* 
 bruAry Stylo Nov** 
 
 Your L. in all true refpe&s 
 of fervice? Walter Balcanqual. 
 
 My very Good Lord, 
 
 Since Mr, Hales his going, here hath been nothing done in the Synod of 
 any note, on the feventh of February nowftill was held the 76*. Sefiion; 
 in which nothing was done, but that they which before had norfpoken in 
 the fecond article did fpeak what they thought fit, there was nothing of note 
 fpoken, fave that one of the Tra»Jifulatti y took it evil that we took the 
 
 [A] Remonflrants 
 
r 
 
 __ , ______ __ — _ — 
 
 "f _J Drl Balcanquals Letters from the Synod of Dout* 
 
 Remonftrants meaning in their opinions, where they fpake bcft and found- 
 eft ; but he would have their meaning to be gathered out of all places in their 
 Books,where they fpeak moft abfurdly, which we thought was very far befides 
 the rule of charity : fo in that Sefiion the Synodical diquifition for thefecond 
 article was ended. The Prefident told us moreover, that the Delegats had 
 fent to the Remonftrants, and had demanded of them if they had any thing 
 in writ which might icive for the explication of their opinion concerning 
 the five articles ; and that they had given to them, their confirmation of 
 their opinion concerning the fir ft article, as likeways a confutation of that 
 which they held for the Heterodox opinion, and a beginning of their explica- 
 tion of thefecond article*, now he (hewed us the Boole, of which in good 
 faith I was aftiamed to think that men of judgement coald imagine that the 
 Synod could have time to perufe it; for it is a little book of Martyrs, it 
 doth exceed two hun&tcth folia in folio ; moreover he told us that the Dele- 
 gats had commanded them within 8. dayes to bring in all they would or 
 could lay as neceflary for the underftanding of their minde concerning the 
 whole five articles. On the 8. of February Stylo Novo, was held the 77. 
 Sefiion, in which was nothing done but that the Prefident did dictate tou? s 
 thefe drawn out of the Remonftrants writings concerning the 5. and 4. articles, 
 which I hold not expedient to fend to your L.but if I fhal underftand that your 
 L. dodefirethem, I can eafily fend them : It was appointed we fh^uld this 
 morning fend our Amanuenfes to write out fo much of the Remonftrants big 
 Book as did concern the fecond article, which we did, and that again Mon- 
 day we fliould confult what we (hould have done with the great volumn it 
 felf; this day the Prefident lent to our particular Colledge, fome particular 
 ftrange points which he had drawn out of their late, explication of the fecond 
 article, and in very pathetical terms did by his letter entreat us to have a care 
 of condemning them in our judgement of the fame article. Concerning this 
 fecond article I befeech your L. give me leave to exprefs my grief, as there is 
 difference touching it in the Synod, fo there is much difference about it in our 
 own Colledge : will your L be pleafed to give me leave to fay fomething of 
 it; it is fit your L. fhould take notice of it, but no wayes as from me ; the 
 queftion amongft us is whether the words of *he Scripture, which are like- 
 wife the words of our confefti on. C/?r */?*.* oblatat eft am mortuus pro t$to huma- 
 710 generefett propeccatis totius mundi ) be to be under/load of all particular mej 9 
 m only «fthe elett who cenfift of all forts of men j Dr. Davenant and Dr, Ward 
 are e/Martinius ofBrente his minde t that it is to be under flood of all particular 
 men: the other three take the other expofition, which is of the writers of 
 the reformed Churches, and namely of my late Lord of Sarifburj y both fides 
 think they are right, and therefore cannot yield one untoanother with afafe 
 tonfeience : It is my Lord a matter of great confequence for us to fee down 
 she expofition of one article of our Church cofifefilon ; will your L. there- 
 
 ~ fore 
 
 i 
 
to the R. Honourable Sir D.Carlton L.Entbaffador> [3] 
 
 fore be pleafed to think of this propofition .• fince our judgement of none of 
 the five articles is to be known, till we have done with them all j what if we 
 (hould defire the Prefident to take no notice, but to let us go on to the reft of 
 the articles, and in mean time we (hould fetid into England the true ftate ef 
 our eontroverfie, and have advice there from lome of the chief of the Church. 
 What expo fition they would have to be given of that article of their confeffi- 
 on, which we may fafely follow, for it is no matter of falvation in which we 
 differ, before we havcdone with the reft of the articles we may eafily have 
 one anlwer from England ; if your L. like this motion or any other, your L. 
 fhould do well by your letters to us to defire it, if not; I befeech your L. 
 pardon my error which proceed cth only from my fear of diffraction among 
 our felves, and from my obedience to his Majefties charge, who command- 
 ed me in all fuch cafes to have recourfc to your L. for counfel .- fo with my 
 beft prayers to God for your L. health and happinefs, with the remembrance 
 of o>y beft fervice to your L. and your worthy Lady, I take my leave and reh\ 
 
 Dsrdretch this o. of Fe- 
 bruary Stylo Noito* 
 
 Your L. in all true refpect and 
 fervice, Walter Baleanqnal. 
 
 My very Good Lord, 
 
 T Hough your L. Letters caufed fome anger here with the informer, who 
 was unknown to them, yetbelieveit, your L. hath done a work worthy 
 of your Honour, and fuch a one as if it had been left undone, would when it 
 could not have been helped, have made us all heartily wifli that it had been 
 done: your L. Letters have taken the true effect which your L. in your ad- 
 vice intended, we all acknowledge your L. counfel to be not only good but 
 neceflary, and yet wearedifpleafedyour L. fhould be informed of the vari- 
 ance ; without which we muft have been deprived of this your L. wholfome 
 and necefTary direction : fince my laft Letters to your L. it is true that we a- 
 greed upon fome propofitions, which are without qucftion true, but they 
 were fuch as did no ways decide the queftion controverted in the Synod ; we 
 retained the words of Scripture and our own confeffions, but all the difference 
 is in the interpretation of thefe words. When the Canons of the fecond ar- 
 ticle come to be made, it will be determined whether ChrOl did really perfoU 
 vere pretium redemptions pro ommbus ac (ingulishominibtis, an fro fo lis elctlif, 
 in the Synod then (hould we have differed in voices: becaufe I know your 
 L. will write to my L.Grace, I befeech yonrL. require afpeedy arfocr^ mour 
 Letter i to my L. Grace, we have but * little noted the difference which is like to 
 fo; I have here in * * this paper fent to your L. the true ftate of the difference, 
 which will be concerning this propofition. Ghrifins obwlit fr fro peccatis to- 
 
['4 ] Dr. Balcanqtaals Letters from the Synod of Dour, 
 
 tins mundi, I dare engage my credit with your L. that it is truly fet down,' 
 .and more fully then in our Letters to my L. Grace ; your L. may take (o much 
 of it as you (hall think fit, and make his Grace acquainted with it ; and write 
 that this is like to be the difference not in ( as your L. is informed ) our Col- 
 ledge, but in the Synod about the fecond article, and therefore defire his 
 Grace to fend us fome good counfel for our carriage in it ; for certainly moft 
 'voices in the Synod will follow the receaved expoftitn of the reformed Doctors, con- 
 p rmedmuchby my late L*of Sarifbur] his Cj. brother, who was thought to un- 
 derhand the meaning of our confejfion as well as any man. I doubt not but that 
 your L. will crown your own work with following of it; when your L. fliall 
 ' find the fruit of peace in the Synod among us procured by your L. your L. 
 will finde great matter of joy, arifing from the conkience of this Chriftian 
 counfel i our controverfie among our felves, I muft needs fay, was with 
 much love and amitie, no man defiring any thing to be put in our articles, but 
 that we fhould all approve of; bntfotbequeftion had never been decided; 
 3 befeech your L. pardon this my libertie to your L. it is the love of peace, and 
 my refprft to your L. Honour doth procuie it. 
 
 Since my laft to your L. there hath been three Seflions s fkft the 78. 5ef- 
 lon held on the 2. February Novo Stylo, in which Dr* Beckins one of the Hel- 
 vetian Devines at the Prefident his intreaty did publickly difcufle the 7. argu- 
 ments of the Remonftrants in follat. Hag. whereby they prove Gratiam re- 
 generasionis effe refjfibilem. That being done al auditors were removed, and 
 it was inquired what order the Synod thought fitteitto be taken with the Re- 
 monftrants huge volume, the tranfeription whereof was impofiible, the 
 frefident told us he had call a general glance over it all, and did finde that a 
 few of the firft leaves did contain a confirmation of their opinion of the firft 
 article, but all the reft did contain nothing but a confutation of the contra R. 
 ©pinion, andanexagitationof their perfons : we defired fome part of it to- 
 be read ; / muft needs fay the Remonflr -ant shad no favour, for I will affure your 
 £♦ that the Preftdent picked out the worft part of it ; there were fome five leaves 
 read, which contained nothing but a bitter Sat)r againji Calvin, Bez,a, Pareus 9 
 *Pifcat.or 9 Whitt*ker, Perkins, Bogorman, Feflus, and twenty more, but in 
 Jruth though unhappily y yet finely penned, mc thought it was Epifcopias his 
 songue;, about the taking notice of this book the fuffrages of the Synod did 
 varie much; yet moft voices were, that it mould be committed to fome De- 
 puted by the Synod, who mould diligently perufe it, and relate unto the Sy- 
 nod, if they found any new thing in it, which was not contained in their for- 
 mer writings, but yet fo that any member of the Synod that would, might be 
 prefect with the p<?iufers* The Delegats gave this mediatory fentence, be»- 
 caufc they had obterved that both the parts of it were defired by many* 
 shey defired their might be a forenoon Scffion or two kepe for the nonce, in 
 «&$<& thn toil part of the book which contained the confirmation of their 
 
 *opinio!s 
 
to the R- Honourable Sir D.Carlton LXmbaffddor. [5] 
 
 opinion might be read, and every man take with his pen, what he mould 
 think fit, the reft to be put over to pcrufers, who fliould make relation to the 
 Synod of any thing they found new or fit : and therefore the AflefTors ; and 
 D. Damamm the Scribe were entreated to run over the book,& make choice 
 of what things they thought fit to be read in the Synod, which when they 
 have done we fhall hear more of it. 
 
 The prefidenttclkthus that the campenfes Remonftrants, who had been 
 lately peremptorily cited to compeire before the Synod were not come, but 
 that they had lent three others in their place to plead their caufe : and that he 
 had likewife received a fuppiication to the Synod from the Campevfes contra- 
 Remonjl. The Synod referred the hearing of the whole caufe to deputies, 
 one out of every Golledge. 
 
 Sejfio-jg. it. Feb.] The Synodical difquifition concerning the third and 
 fourth article began, many Devines fpake divers things, the difquifition came 
 down to D. freciM ofBreme, and fo the Synod was dimified. 
 
 Sejfia 8- 12. Feb. ] We went on in the Synodical difquifition of the third 
 and fourth article, where many men fpake thtir opinions freely, when it came 
 to Sibrandns heipake at leaftan houre, in his fpeech he took exceptions- at 
 fome things that D. Martinim of Breme had fpoken the day before, cfpecially 
 that he had laid God wascaxfa phyfica coHverfionis ; he delivered fome reafons 
 again ft it, and defired Martinita to give farisfa&ion to them, and to initruft 
 him in that which he knew not before ; MArtinius anfwered for himfelf, but 
 between them both there were more words then fenfe, for theymadeitantesr 
 Pbj/ofopbieal [peculation, like to keeping a phjlofephie act t much againfi the. gra- 
 vity ofqHtflions to be d'fctijfed in a Synod : Martiniusfor the truth of his affer- 
 tion appealed to Goclenim their prefent, ss being princeps pbi/ofophorum, who 
 were not wont to be appealed to in Synodical qneftions, and Goclenius took 
 the moderator his place bravely upon him ; told us that Themiftius^Avereres, 
 Alexander u4pbrodifatts y and many more were of Martimm his opinion ; 
 and his opinion true in Philofophy, but yet he would not have it to prefcribe 
 in Divinity; Sibratdus fell upon Goclenius too, fo after many words loft on 
 all fides, the Prefident cut them off, and fo that ad ended, and fo the difqui- 
 fition ended : yefterday we had no Seffion, this day we have one, of which 
 your L. by God his grace fhall be advertifed in my next. So with the remem- 
 brance of my beftfervke to your L. and your vermousLady I reft. 
 
 Dordrecht this i$, 
 ofFebrmrJ. 
 
 Your L. in all faithful fervice, 
 Walter Balcanqttah 
 
 £ */""\ Blatio Chriftijatt* in cruet ferfetlaeft redemption propitiation fatisfatlte 
 \J pro omnibus peccatis uum munditummginnlibHS qHam^MalihHS.Con* 
 
[6] Dr. Balcanquals Letters from the Synodof Dort. 
 
 travertitur an per totum mundum inteHigatur mundus elettorum an mundus om- 
 nium parttculartum homittum : ubi de his tribus ambigitur. 
 
 Trima. An retinenda Jit ilia diftinftio qua receptiffma eft a pud Reformatos 
 DoBores, quemq; Epifcopu* Sarifburienfs aftruitpag. $$, et fequentibus .- mor- 
 tuns eft pro omnibus fecundumfufficietitiam feu magnitudinem pretii y non fecun- 
 dum proprietatem redemptions, quidamputant non retinendum ejfe quia put ant Re 
 fufficienter diet pojfe mortuum pro Diabolis. 
 
 - Secund: Contravertiturdchacpropofttione* Chriftus obtnlit fte pro omnibus, 
 feu perfolvit pretium redemptions pro omnibus : quidam put ant fenfum ejfe 9 per- 
 folvit pretium quod fufficit pro omnibus non autem aSiu folvit pretium Mud nifi pro 
 rcdimendtseletkis, alii putant hanc expofitionemincommodam, quia put ant com- 
 ment arium hunc verba ipfa deftruere. Ea etenim putant fequi Chriftum quidem 
 habuiffe pretium in numeral o, quod perfolutum fujfecijfet omnibus redimendis • 
 verUm Chriftum non perfolviffe attu pretium iilud } autfaflum ejfe propitiationem 
 pro peccAtit totim mundi. 
 
 lertio k Contravertitur de fmfuhorumverborum, totius mundiy quidam pw 
 taut intelligi de (ingttlis hominibus, aliis de folis cleUis^ ( hie est fanguis novi 
 teftamenti qui funditur pro multis in remiflionem peccatorum) exponur.tque hac 
 vocabula ( totius mundi )ftcut Auguftinus exponit, epift. 48. lotus mundus eft 
 In malignopofttus propter x,izAnia qua funt per totum mundum, et Chriflus pro- 
 pitiator eftpeccatorum totius mundi propter tefticum quod eft per totum mundum. 
 
 J^uaritur ergo an per totum mundnm debeamus irAelligere [tngulos homines^ an 
 folos eleftos ; an vero nulla fit danda explicatio ; fed retinenda ftnt verba confeffi- 
 cnis abfque ttllo comment aria* 
 
 ^My very Good Lord, 
 
 Since my laftunto your L. their hath been nothing of any moment done in 
 the Synod ; but what was done, the fumme of it is this. 
 Sejfio&i. 13. Feb. Stylo Novo.] Credential letters were read from the 
 FriftanS) by which Dacon ab AifmajNiS deputed in the Colledge of the Friftans 
 as a member of the Synod in the place of Meinhardus a fenior Scelefa Leorvar- 
 den{ts,who lately died here;he took the oath of the Synod, & fo was admitted. 
 Alftedius the only Naflbvical Devine row left, by appointment of the Prefi- 
 dent publickly all auditors being admitted, did vindicate the 10. argu- 
 ments which the Co»fr4-Remonftrantsufed in Collat. Hag, for proving ofir- 
 refiftibility of grace, from the obje&ions, exceptions, and inftances of the 
 Kemondrants : and fo the auditory was difmiflcd . The Preftdent giveth us 
 warning, that on munday at 9. of the clock there (hould be a Seftion, in 
 which they would begin to read the great volume of the Remonftrants, lately 
 given in ; and telieth us moreover, chat now they had given in their explica- 
 tion 
 
to the R. Honourable SirD. Carl ton L.Embajjador. [7] 
 
 tion of the 3.4. and 5* articles, but no confirmation of them: yet that the 
 Delegats had commanded them within eight days to bring in ail they would 
 or could fay concerning the five articles. Becaufe the two Campenfes Remon- 
 ftrants being peremptorily cited had not compeared, the Prefident defired the 
 Synod to think of fome fit punishment for this their contumacie. Firft we 
 read letters from Fofcnlius^ one of thefetwo Remonftrants ; in which heex- 
 cufeth his abfence by thefe three reafons : firft, that the Church could not 
 bear their abience ; becaufe if they fhould both come, there was none to 
 preach: not that he himfelf was making ready for the journey, but that he 
 was flopped, by the tears, howlings, fighs, outcries, lamentations, and 
 prayers ofall fcxes, and ages, and conditions of people, boyes, girls, ma- 
 tters, fervants, miftreffes, and maids, young and old, and many more fuch 
 fpecificacions there were ; thirdly, that they had fent two to the Synod to 
 aniwer for tbem ; and therefore do humbly intreat, that they by thefe their 
 procurators may £<*#/*;» ^r*T*: after thefe were read other latine let- 
 ters from the Seniors of that fame Church, wonderful long, butfo extreamly 
 foolilh and idle, that one might fee they were written by fome indifcreet 
 pedant, who had run himfelf out of breath with trotting through all the to- 
 pick places of fchool boyes rhetorick; they contained in them the fame reafons 
 for their minifters none- com parence, which the former: and moreover did - 
 proteft that their minifters were ready for their journey, but that the impor- 
 tunity of their roarings, houlings, hindred them : and therefore in a mott fu- 
 rious ftrain did defire the Synod to conceit with themfdves, that they did but 
 now with their eyes behold this ruthful fpectacle : to wit, The whole city 
 of Camps male and fsmale, young and old lying before them, tearing their 
 hair, knocking their breafts, piercing the ayre with their fighs, and heaven 
 with their lamentable howlings, having their eyes funk in their heads with 
 tears, and their hearts ready to burft out at their fides for anguifh ; with fuch 
 a deal of female foolilh Rhetorick, as no mafculine pen can relate, they defire 
 the non comparence of their Paftors; of whofe doctrines they might take 
 fufficient notice without their perfonal prefence, fince it was the fame which 
 the Remonftrants had maintained in Col/at. Hagi It is to be noted that the 
 Magiftrates of Camps, who before had written in thefe citati favour, did not 
 now write. 
 
 Thirdly, there was read the e*»ttv«- Remonftrants campenfes, who were 
 come to accufe the citat/ 9 anfwer to the reafons contained in the citati let- 
 ters, to the firft : that the Church could not waat their prefence, it was an- 
 fwered ; that the Clufli s Campenfis would look to that, as other claffes now did 
 to the charges ofall the reft, who were prefent at the Synod j befides that no 
 mans charge in private can excufe him for non -comparence before a judge, 
 when he is cited. To the fecond, that they were coming, but were hindred 
 by the people, it was aniwered that a feditious turaultflary concourftf ^^°\ 
 
 ' pica. 
 
[8] Dr. Baleanquals Letters front the Synod of Dokt, 
 
 pie, ought not to hinder any man from comparence before a judge, efpecially 
 fince it is known that this feditious conflux was procured by the citato as is 
 evident by the confefiions of many, (whofe names were there expreffed,) 
 who being called to be prefcnt at that tumultuary affembly refufed ; who did 
 tcftifie moreover, that the eitdti went about begging hands to fubfcnbe thefe 
 foolifh letters to the Synod. To the third, that they had fent procurators 
 toanfwer for them ; it was anfwered, that it was a thing not heard of, that 
 anothermanfhould give account of thefe things which they themfelves had 
 taught. Thefe things being read, the Synod was required to give fentence : 
 the Delegats fentence was this : that notwithstanding ail thefe idle excufes the 
 citati were to be condemned of contumacie, to be»fufpended from their mini- 
 tfcry, but with this provision, that if within fourteen days after the receipt 
 cfnew Letters from the Syncd, they did perfonally compeire, they fhould be 
 abfolved from this fentence of fuipenfion ; if they did not, this fentence 
 fhould ftand firm pro nunc et tunc et emni tempore X the reft of the Synod were 
 entreated that again Munday they would deliberate of this bulinefs, and fo 
 give in their judgements of it. 
 
 SeJJ10S2.1S.Fel;.'] Theirwereread publickly 47. pages of the Remozjl. 
 book ; all which did contain only one anfwer to the firlt foure places produced 
 by the <r0*f>\*-Remon(trants, in colUuone Hxg. whereby they prove that ( vel- 
 le Dettmfoles fideles Jalvosfaccre ; et infide/es in ira relinqttere) is not to.umet 
 integrum pr<tdeflinationts decretum* the like tedious prolixity, fometimes 
 racking of Scripture, fometimes paring and chipping of it hath not been heard; 
 their was nothing in it which did not rather make men out of love with their 
 caufe then affed it. 
 
 Sejfio 83. eodem die pojl meridiem.] The fentence of the Synod was asked 
 concerning the Remonftrants(T^w/>f»/>/, all agreed with the fentence of the 
 Delegats given at the end of the 8 1 . Seflion : except only the Divines ofBreme; 
 who delivered their opinion at large in writing, it was to perfwade a milder 
 courfe, the reafons were many and well penned : when it came to the Colledge 
 of the ProfefTors, nctwithftanding that D. Toljar.der had delivered their coi- 
 legiat fentence ; yet D. Gemarus, Martirtius his profefled enemy, asketh leave 
 to fpeak ; and fo entereth into a confutation of that which they of Breme had 
 delivered, fothathe and MartimusitW foul in the Synod, very much againft 
 the dignity of fuch an aflembly. In truth I mutt needs lay, that fome of the 
 provincials do wfe Martini us very uncivily, and all the forraign Devines be- 
 gin to take it evil at their hands, he is a man very learned, and very honeft, 
 found in all the five articles, as any man in the Synod, except the Second, in 
 which when the Canons come to be made, your L. (hall heir there will be 
 more of his opinion befides himfelf, notwithstanding of all this ; becaufe he 
 doth miflike many of the ^fr^-Remonftrants broad fpeeches in many points, 
 \vhich I think every learned and godly man will do ; they ufe him with fo 
 
 much 
 
Dr. Balcanquals Letters from the Synodof Dort, [9] 
 
 much difcourtefie, as I will allure your L. he hach been very near leaving of 
 the Synod, and his colleagues were half purpofed to go with him, what a blow 
 this would give to thecreditof the Synod, any man may eafily perceive, the 
 provincials in this take not the right cour/e. Though one be againft the %$- 
 monfirants in all the five articles infubjlance ; yet if he differ from them but i* 
 manner of fyeaking, they hold him as not fonnd : if by your L. means the Pre* 
 fident were advcitifcd of thefe things, it might do much good. What 
 farther pafleth in the Synod your Lordfnip by God his grace (hall hear, in 
 mean time with the remembrance of my bed Service to your good Lordfhip, 
 I take my leave and reft. 
 
 Dordrecht this I 8. of Fe- 
 bruary Stjlo N*vo.- 
 
 Your L. in all true refpe&s of 
 fervice, Walte r Balcanqutl. 
 
 My very (jood Lord, 
 
 Since ray lad Letters to your L» there hath been no bufinefs of any great 
 note in the Synod, but that which I am fure your L. will be forry to hear 
 contention like to come to fome head, if it be not prevented in time; for 
 there hath been fuch a plot laid ex compofuo for difgracing of the Bremenfct t 
 as I think the Synod (hall receive (mall grace by it. 
 
 Seflio%+. 19. Feb, Stylo Novo'] That part of the Remonftrants big book 
 was read, which concerned the 3. and 4. Articles ; becaufe thefe two Articles 
 were now in deliberation: there were read 57 pages, which for the molt 
 part did contain nothing but an exagitation of fome hard phrafes collected out 
 of Calvin, Bez,a, Zanchius, Pifator, many CWra- Remonftrants. 
 
 Sejfio 85. die 19. Feb. eodem die poft meridiem. ] Acronius and another of 
 the Church of Camps, who had compeired in the caufc againft the Remon- 
 ftrants there, were called in, and the decree of the Synod made againft them 
 whom they accufed was read ; [ the tenor whereof your L. may fee in my 
 laft Letters.] D. Gomarus being he at whom the lad difquifition of the 3. and 
 4. Article ended, was entreated by the Prefidcnt to (peak his mindeofthe 
 faid Articles, but Sibrandns defireth the Prefident firft to give him leave to 
 adde fome few things to that he had fpoken the day before : now what he 
 added was nothing but a renewing of that ftrife, which was between him and 
 {JUartiniftt in the lad Seffion : two things he alledged, firft that he had 
 been ttGoclenius his lodging, conferring with him about that proportion, 
 whether God might be called caufa phjfica of humane adtions, and delivered 
 certain affirmations pronounced by (joclenitss, tending to the negative, foe 
 the :ruth of his relation he appealed to Goclenins there prefent, who teftified 
 that it was Co: next whereas Martmus had alledged a place out of Tare** 
 
 [B] for 
 
[i o] Dr. Balcanquals Letters from the Synod of Dort, 
 
 for the affirmative in epere convcrfionis, Sibrandtis read a great many places 
 out of Parens tending to the contrary ; and ( no queftionili being plotted be- 
 fore ) he entreateth that fome of the Palatines ( naming them all icverally) 
 who were Parens his colleagues, would fpeak what they did know of Pare- 
 ns his minde concerning the faid proposition: Scnltetus beginneth with a fee 
 fpeech which he had in writ lying before him ; but fuch a fpeech it was, as J, 
 and I think all the exteri were exceedingly grieved it fhould have come from a 
 manoffo good worth. The lumme or it was this, that he did know upon 
 his own knowledge, that Parens did hold the contrary of that which had 
 beenfalfely fathered upon him in the Synod> that he could not endure to hear 
 hisdeareft colleague fo much abufed, as he had been by fome men in theSy- 
 ned; moreover that he could not now diflemble the great grief he had con- 
 ceived, that fome in the Synod went about to trouble found divinity with 
 bringing in trie as SchoLtjitcas, fuch as was to make God caufam Phjfjicam con- 
 verfionis ; ( that was for Martinius, ) fuch portenta vocabuhrum as determina- 
 TV and non determlnare voluntatem ; that fome men durft fay that there were 
 fome doubts in the fourth Article, which Calvin himlelf bad not throughly 
 fatisfied, nor.other learned reformed Do&ors; that it was to be feared that 
 they intended to bring in Jefuits Divinity in the reformed Churches, and to 
 corrupt the youth committed to their charge, withaftrange kinde of Divini- 
 ty : this laft fpeech concerned D. Crocms, Scultettts delivered his minde in 
 exceeding bitter and difgraceful words, and repeated his bittereft fentences 
 twice over : he having ended, Martinim with greatraodefty anfwered, firft 
 that he would read Parens his own words, which he did, next that for Si- 
 krandtij, he wondered that he would now in publick bring thefe things up : 
 ftnee out of his love to peace, that very day he had fent his colleague Crocim 
 to Sib ran fats i with a large explication of that fenfe in which he had delivered 
 that proposition, wiih which explication Sikrtndus himlelf had fene him 
 word that he was fully fattened, andfohe made account that that bufinefe 
 had been peaceably tran faded : all this while Crocius (poke nothing : Gama- 
 rus beginneth to go on in the difquifttion, but I think be delivered a fpeech a- 
 gzinft the B re we xfes, which none but a mad man would have uttered. Firft, 
 whereas .Martinius had faid that he did defirethe refolution of this doubt, 
 qui Dens pojfit ab bomine, cu'.tts potemia eft finh(t> fidem, que eft opus omr.ipoten- 
 tia, exigere, and that neither Ca/vin nor any of our Divines bad yet plainly 
 enough untyed that knot, he replied firft, that he that had faid fo was not dig- 
 msqt<i[olvcrctC&lvinQcorrigiam\ and that for the doubt it felfit was fuch a 
 filly one that ipftpueri in trivia could ipfim foltttionem decant art, at which 
 fpeech every body fmiled, moreover whereas Martinim in his anfwer to 
 Scultetus had not {poken one word againft him, but only this, that be was 
 forrie that one who had now 25. years been a profeffor of Divinity ihould be 
 thus, ufed for ufing a School terra; Gwatns very wifely had a fling at that 
 
 too, 
 
to the R. Honour ahh Sir /).Carf ton L.Embaffador. [ 1 1 ] 
 
 too, and telleth the Synod that fince fomernen thought to carry it away an- 
 nor»m nuntero, behimielf had been a profeffcr not only 25. but thirty five 
 years ; next he falieth upon Croeim, and biddeth the Synod take heed of thefe 
 men that brought in thcfe monjha, portent a vocabulorum the barbarifmes of 
 the Schools of the jefmc 5, de-terminare and non determinare volant atem, with 
 many fuch fpeeches, delivered with fuch fparkling of his eyes, and fiercenefs 
 of pronunciation^ as every man wondered the President did not cut him off, 
 atiafthecutof himfeifl think for want of breach, and the Prefident giveth 
 Celeberrimo DoEton CjontAro many thanks for that his learned grave and accu- 
 rate fpeach ; thtexten wondered at it j at laft my L. of Landajfe, in good 
 kith in a very grave, ftiort, fweet fpeech, (for which as for one of the belt 
 lam pcrfwaded he ever delivered,we & all the Exteri thought he deferved infi- 
 nite commendations : ) he fpake to the Prefident to this purpofe, that this 
 Synodical difquifition was instituted for edification, not for any men to (how 
 ftudmm contemitnis : and therefore did defire him to look that the knot of uni- 
 ty were not broken : in this his L. fpeech he named no man, the laft word 
 was hardly out of my L. lips, but furious Gtmarut knowing him f elf guilty, 
 delivered! this wife fpeech : ReverendijfinteD. Praeful agendum eft hie in Sjno- 
 donou authorit ate fed rationed that it was free for him to fpeak in his own 
 place, which no man mult think to abridge him of by their authority, my L. 
 replycd nothing ; but the Prefident told my L. that celeberrimus D. £<>;». had 
 faid nothing agaioft mens perfons, but their opinions, and therefore that he 
 had faid nothing worthy of reprehenficn : this gave every man juft occafion 
 to think the Prefident was on the plot : Martimus againft this fpeech of Go- 
 motrns faid nothing, but that he was forry that he (hould have this reward for 
 his far journey. The difquifition went on to Thyfus^ who very difcreetly told 
 the Synod he was forry Mdrtiniuj fhouid be fo exagitated, for a fpeech which 
 according to Martinius his explication was true, juft as Thyfius was thus fpeak- 
 ing, Gomarus and Sibrandus^ who fate next him, pulleth him by the fleeve, 
 talketh to him with a confufed angry noife m the hearing and feeing of all the 
 Synod, chiding him that he would fay fo ; afterward Thjfius with great mo- 
 defty defired ^m/»*'#jtogivchimfatisfa&ion of one or two doubtful fen- 
 tences he had delivered, which Martinius thanking him for his courtefie fully 
 did : the Prefident was certainly on this plot againft Martinius^ for at that 
 fame time he did read out of a paper publickly a note of all the hard fpeeches 
 Martinius had ufed : all this while D. ^roeius his patience was admired by all 
 men, who being fo groffely abufed & difgraccd could get leave of his affections 
 to hold his peace. What this is like to come to I will tell your L. after I have fet 
 down the Seifions. 
 
 Sejfto 86. 20. Feb. ] There were read 63. pages of the Remonftrants book, 
 which concerned the fifth Article, it was for mod part a confutation of the 
 Doctors above named. 
 
 [B 2] Vt. 
 
[i a] Dr. Balcanqaals Letters frm the Synod of Dort, 
 
 Sejfto 8 7. eodem die pofi meridiem. ] Dr. Majertts one of the Helvetians, 
 publickly all auditors being admitted, difcufled the fifth Article de perfeveran- 
 Ua SanBornm : he did rather like an Orator then a School-man. 
 
 Sejfto 88. 21 . Feb. ] There are read publickly 60 pages of the Remonftrants 
 book, which concerned the firft Article : they were of the lame fturTe with 
 the former, a confutation of the fame men. 
 
 Sejfto 89. 22. Feb. ] There were read 57. pages of the Remonftrants book, 
 which concerned their opinion of reprobation, in which they did lay open 
 the harfh opinions of many of our men, which unlefs the Synod do condemn, 
 as well as the opinion of the Remonftrants, I fee not how they can give the 
 world fatisfadion touching their indifferencie : among the reft which was 
 read, this was one if your L. can endure thefmellof it, inftam fintra-R. 
 nesfumvs patroni reproborum, Refp . )uftiti& divina pAtroni fumus non reproborum ; 
 fie ttt dicendum eft D. Sibr andum info ipto fm Adverfns Vorftium non fufcepijfe 
 defenfionem UtrinArnm dnm defendit deum ejfe inf&tidifftmi$ Utrinis, fed tAntum 
 fftfeepiffe defenfionem omniprafentia, divin<e 9 quemadmodum nos juftitu, this is 
 all was worthy the noting in that lecture. 
 
 Sejfto go. eodem die poft meridiem. ] Deo dxtns was appointed to difcourfe 
 of the firft Article, but being fick, thefiveBelgickprofcfTorsdifcuffedit. 
 
 Seffiogi. 23. Feb. ] There were read fome 35. pages of the Remonftrants 
 book, concerning reprobation, and fo the whole book is ended. 
 
 Now my L. concerning this matter of the Bremenfes, is come to this 
 height: that they thought to have gone home, and withal were ready to 
 have printed an apology for themfelves, and an narration of their hard ufagc 
 inthe5ynod: but that fome of the ExteriTheologt came to the Englifti Col- 
 ledge, and defired them to help to quench this fire, all the Exteri take to 
 heart thefe two things, firft that ftrangers (hould be ufed fo difgracefullyf 
 for ufing two School terms, which are both very common, next that Gomar 
 rtts durft openly in the Synod give fuch an irreverend anfwer to my L. oiLan- 
 dajfe t for which unlefs all the exteri may have fatisfacl:ion t ( Except the Pa- 
 Jatines) I believe their will be a fhameful fturre in the Synod ; they defired the 
 Englifti to labour the Bremenfes to reconciliation with Scultetfts, which this 
 night they are doing ; what becometh of it your L. (hall hear ; but I have 
 (mall hope, for the Bremenfes will take no fatisfadiou but publick, becaufe it 
 was a publick imputation upon their profeilions and School, as if that were 
 a place for corrupting of youth : and I think Scnltetns will be loath to give 
 publick fatisfa&ion ; yet my L. Bifhop of Landafe, D. Goad, and my felf 
 have dealt with ScnltetHs, and findc him tradable, Dr. Davenant, and D. 
 Ward bave dealt with the Bremenfes^ and finde them mightily incenfed, Mar- 
 tinim hath never come to the Synod fince, but with the reft of his colleagues 
 they have complained to the Delegats, who I think will take order with Goma- 
 ms t we the Englifh are purpofed ( but I know not whether that parpofe 
 
 (hall 
 
to the R Honourable Sir D.Carlton LlEmbaJfador. [l g] 
 
 (hall hold ) to dcfire the Dclegats to take notice of the wrong offered by Go- 
 marus to my L. of Landafe ; ray Lord, all I will fay is this, there are two 
 men in the Synod, Sibrandus, but efpecially Gomarus, who is able tofetie 
 on fire, unlefs they be look'c too ; I think there is no man wHl fay, but that 
 Gomartts hath wronged the Bremenfes infinitely, hath wronged exceedingly 
 my L. oiLandaffe^ and in him all the Englifh Colledge, your L. counfel to 
 the Prefident may bring much water to this fire. 
 
 There is here a little Pamphlet here to be fold in the Synod. Jambi de con* 
 cordia et j>ace, written by Petrus Bertins the author of Aytftafi* fa»Ftor*m Z 
 they fay it hath been out a great while ; if any of rhe ftates have fcen it, I 
 wonder heisnotfevercly puniftied .- it is the moll: feditious Satyr againft 
 this ftate that ever I did read. Here is all, and I am forry I had fo much to 
 write to your L. fo with the remembrance of my humbleft duty to your L and 
 your worthy Lady, I take my leave and reft. 
 
 Dtrdrecht this 23 . of Fe- 
 bruary, Stylo Novo. 
 
 Your L. faithful and refpeftful 
 iervantj Walter BalcanquaL 
 
 A4y very Good Lordy 
 
 FOr your L. laft letters to my felf, and the news in the letters inclofed , as 
 I ftand much obliged to your H. fo much more I with all others, who 
 love peace and long for the happy fuccefs of this Synod, muftever ftand much 
 obliged to your L. for your Letters to the Prefident j fo full of fober, good, 
 and ncceiTarie counfel, the happy fruit whereof I hope during our being there 
 wefhallnotceafetofinde, as we have already begun to taftc a little of the 
 fweetnefsofit; for the very next SetTion after the Prefident had received 
 your L. letters, at the beginning in very miideanddifcreet words he entreated 
 all the members of the Synod, that in their difquifition of the fifth Article, 
 they fhould abftain from all bitternefs, and pcrlonal oppofition , and follow 
 meeknefsand brotherly kindnefs, which in that difquifition was obferved by 
 the two Belgick profeltors, very ftr idly, and their phrafc and ftile tempered 
 otherwife then heretofore it hath been ; fo as one might fee they had been ac- 
 quainted with the good counfel of your L letters, for I wiil alture you rhey 
 followed it.- your L. joy can not chufebut be great when you remember the 
 great peace procured by your L. I fhould hold my felf an enemy to the weal- 
 publick, if I fhould not particularly inform your L of all the paflfages here, 
 by whom if any of themgoamifs, they may fo happily be corre&ed. The 
 reafon why I have been fo long a writing is, becaufe I wanted news of which 
 our Synod now is very barren, and will befo till towards the latter end of 
 the next week; at which time all Golledges judgements of the five articles 
 
 will 
 
r 
 
 [14] Dr. Balcanquals Letters from the SywdofDoKT. 
 
 willbegin to be read, the matters now in hand are matters of knowledge not 
 of a&ion : yet I will be bold for falhions fake to fend your L. a note of fuch 
 Sefiionsas have been iince my laft letters to yowr L. 
 
 Sejfio 92. 25. Feb. Stylo Novo, ] We bent on in the Sy nodical difquifition 
 ofthe3.and4 article, which at that Seflion was made an end of, after 
 that the Prefident did didate to us, and all we did write large Tkefes colle- 
 cted out of the Remonftrants books upon the five Articles. 
 
 Sejfio 93. 26. Feb. ] Since the Remonftrants by commandement from the 
 Deiegats, had given up the defence of their opinion touching the fecond Ar- 
 ticle, their were read 56. pages of this there other new volume, in which 
 they ftudied to overthrow that diftin&ion, fujficienti* et ejficacU mortis Chri- 
 fii t and go about to prove that thofe places of Scripture, which fay that 
 Chrift dyed pro peccatis totius mttndi, are to be enlarged to all particular men, 
 not to be restrained ad mundum eleBorum. 
 
 Sejpo 94. 27. Feb. ] There were read publickly 5 1. pages more of this vo- 
 lume of the Remonft. upon the fecond Article, in which they did vindicate 
 their own arguments propounded in Collar. Hag* ftom the inftances and ex- 
 ceptions of the CWr<*-Remonft. in the fame Conference. 
 
 Sejfio 95« todem die pofl meridiem. J Deo datus was this Seflion appointed 
 to difcufs the firft Article ; but becaufe of the continuance of his (icknefs, his 
 colleague Tronchinus did perform that task for him, publickly all auditors be- 
 ing admitted, who with good commendation did eftablifh Santtorttm fcrfc- 
 veravtiam. 
 
 ^Sejfio 96 22. Feb.'] There was an end made of the reading the Remonft. 
 volume on the fecond Article, there were read fome 54. pages, which were 
 fpentinthevindka;ing the reft of their own arguments from the exceptions 
 of the comra-Remonft. in Collat- Hag. 
 
 Sejfio 9j.eodem die poft meridiem.'} We begun the Synodical difquifition 
 upon the 3. Article, where every one of our Colledge (poke at large, but ef- 
 pecially my Lrof Landaffe, wh© I will aflure your L. hath by his moft accu- 
 rate and excellent fpecch at that Seflion gained unto himfelf wonderful great 
 reputation; I doubt not but he will fend a copie of it to your L. and then it 
 will fpeakforitfelf, belicveme I never heard him doany thing like it, and 
 fo thinketh every one in the Synod it was learned, devout, and the ftile maf- 
 culous ; qmcqtitd dixero minus erit : the difquifition came to the Helvetian 
 Divines. 
 
 Stflio 98. 1. March. ] Wewent on in our Synodical difquifition of the 
 fifth Article, where my L. of Landajfehls ycfterday fpeech was cited by two 
 or three fe vera I Divines with great Honour and commendation: the difqui- 
 fition came to the Collcdge of the Geldrians. 
 
 This mv Lord is all we have done, when there is any thing worthy the re- 
 lating, I (hall not fail to advertife your L. hoping your L in this time of my 
 
 other 
 
to the R. Honourable Sir D. C a rl ton L. EmbaJJador. [15] 
 
 other bufinefs, which muft not be neglected, will pardon both therudenefs 
 of the hand and flil^; for both which my neceffary plea is want of time. 
 The matter between the Brcmenfe s, and Sculti UHs y with the other two pro- 
 fcflbrs is taken up by the Prafes^ and the Delegats ; the Bremenfeshzvz {hewn 
 theirinclination to peace, and were contented with private fatisfa&ion, the 
 other three did proteft they had no hard opinion of them, but accounted 
 them learned, religious, ort-hodoxal, were forry they had done that which was 
 done,and would do fo no more: the Bremtnfes defired that one of our Colledge 
 might be prefent at this fatisfacftion, but the other three would no way yield 
 to it. Gomarm was there admonifhed to repair to my L. of Landafe^ and 
 to teftifie unto him his forrowfor the word which unawares had proceeded 
 from him to his L. in the Synod ; but yet the old tuffe man is not come to his 
 L. 1 hope after this we (hall live in peace ; which ImuO: needs cor.;fcis for the 
 greateftpart of it, we are debters to your L. Notwithstanding the late pro- 
 clamation fet out by the ftates General, for reftraining the printing of all fe- 
 ditious books during the time of the Synod: yet even now in the Bdgtck 
 tongue, there is come forth a feditious pamphlet, with no name of Aurhor 
 or Printer, containing all the acts which hath been made againft the Remon- 
 ftrantsinthis Synod, efpecially by the Del-gats ; a book made only to incite 
 the common people toadiflikc of the Synod, they are not to be fold, but 
 they fend them abroad among their favorites, 1 have all this day been ufing 
 means for comparing one of them to fend to your L.bat cannot, yet there is 
 one of them promifed me, but it may be your L. by this time hath f:en Tome 
 of them. By my letters from £ngIanA,from one who I believe tnoweth it,itwil 
 light heavy upon the party your L. nameth in the end of your letter ; as ma'ch 
 I mean as his place in the State is worth ; their is fcufflingfor to behistuccef- 
 for ♦ what is reported of Mr. P^<?ris but guelfng, your L. is in name for it 
 at Court, but upon what ground \ know no:, I would it were as. lure as my 
 wifhes are ftrong. So with the remembrance of my belt feivice to your L. 
 and your worthy Lady, I take my leave and reft. 
 
 Dordrecht this 2. of , Your L. in all true refp:ct and 
 
 March, iervice, Walter BatcAvqxal, 
 
 My very Good Lord, 
 
 T Hough our Synod yieldeth no great argument of writing, for now we 
 are taken up in hearing altogether, yet lean not omit my duty injecting 
 your L. know how we fpend the time. 
 
 Se-ffio 09* 4. March ,Styh Novo. ] The Prefident did invite the wro'e Sy- 
 nod to the Fanaalofa HdvetknGentlcnaaD, pne Mr, Staff wins who came 
 
 hither, 
 
C 1 6] Dr. Caleanquals Letters from the Synod of Dokt, 
 
 hither, ts cemes itineris with the Helvetian Divines, the invitation was a- 
 gainft the morrow at i U of the clock. The Prefidcnt moreover with great 
 joy told the Synod that he had received news from the Magiftrates of 
 Camps; whereby they fignifiethat they reft wellfatisfied in the laft decree 
 of the Synod concerning the fufpenfion of their cited minifters, and continu- 
 ance of the fame fufpenfion, in cafe of their not comparence within 1 4. days 
 after new advertifement, that they would do what in them lyeth to perfwadc 
 them to comparence, which if they refufed,that they would not give them any 
 more countenance or protection, as heretofore they had done; moreover 
 that they did with all due refpedexped the refolutions of the Synod, con- 
 cerning the points ofreligion now in queftion, to which they mean to fub« 
 mit themfelves wholly, and by their own example of obedience, encourage 
 and perfwadc as much as in them lyeth their diftraded people to yield the like 
 obedience, and that in the mean time the care of their Mimfters Flocks fhould 
 be no pretence to their cited minifters for not comparence, becaule that du- 
 ring their abfeence, they themfelves would undertake to fee their cures fuffici- 
 cntly difcharged both for reading and preaching of the word: I mult needs 
 fay this mefTage was much unlike their former letters, which they were wont 
 to write in favour of their Remonftrant Minifters. Moreover the Prefidenc 
 Coldus that D. Altingiusonc of the Palatine Divines, had brought him letters 
 to the Synod from old D. Partus of Heidelberge t together with his judge- 
 ment in a written book of the five Articles in controverlie, which he to'dus 
 fhould prefently after the Synodical difquifition be read. We go on in the Sy- 
 nodical difquifition of the fifth Article, where forae of the provincials obser- 
 ved forae things, fome nothing, and fo at this Seffion quickly our difquifition 
 upon the firft Article was ended ; then Parous letters to the Synod werereadj 
 the fumme whereof was this, 1 am not fo good an Englifh man as to adven- 
 ture to tranflate, I will therefore give you theLatine. 
 
 'Quantum dohris et lachrjmarumfenttebamtts hie omnes jam per aliquot annos 
 ex fiends illofchifmate et dtffidio quod Ec cleft Am Vefiram F lorentiffimam laceravity 
 tantumetiamet nunc gandtiet gratulatiomtm experimur ex coatltone CeltberrU 
 tnahujusSjnodt^ cu us ope et faluberrimis con ft His jperamus alttffimum hocvul- 
 nus fanatum iri ; quantum gloriandt matertam dederit Pontifieiis yeftrumfchif- 
 ma palam ell omnibus : Hits ut Synodus obflruat os t pojjitque hoc Ecclefia Veftr* 
 incendium reflinguere, yacemqne vefiram nimis collapfam refiituere, iUud e(l quod 
 feut expectant k vobis boni omnes, ita et a Deo Opt. Max. omnibus precibus expe* 
 tttnt : O utinam daretur mihi in ultima jam feneftute venerandam banc Synodum 
 confpicari t Verum cum illud at as mea mihi dene get tametf Dottijfimi mei Collega 
 me as vices fupplebunt, vifumtamenfuit mihi me am quoque defamofisillis 5. Ar- 
 ticuluad%everentiasPeftras fententiam perfcribere, et una cum Ecclefia %£~ 
 format* me am quoque o'/UOcA.o|(av teftatamfacere ; Vtdebitis me hie conditionatam 
 Ele&ionem rejicere, Reprobationem una cum D 4 Calvino paffm, prafertim Infii- 
 
 tmionum 
 
 
Dr. Balcanquals Letters from the Synod o/Dort, [ 1 7] 
 
 tutionttm lib* 3. ad vittofuatem referre, fi minus [ortajfis quam par eft Trade fli- 
 onismjjieria pertr alt aver o^ illudputateconfu/tofaftumejfe, [unt enim ilia ado- 
 randa magis qitam difcutienda : folitam et reeeptam de merito mortis Chrifti 
 diflinBionem pntafufficientiaet efjicientia, videbitisme retinere t Dtftinclionem 
 illamde refiflibiiitate et irreffttbiiitate gratia Divina velim\adauthores fnos puts 
 Jefnitasrelegari^ Heteredoxailla de apoftafiafanEtorum jenttntiafe ipfamjft- 
 gu/at. Det Deus 9 ut in omnibus orthodoxam dottrinam retineatis^ et paccm 
 mice feflemwi. 1 he fubfeription was, Rever. Veji. Obfervantijfimus David 
 Piraeus Septnagenarius Scribebam mann propria ; This was the fumme of 
 this letter, and of the Scftion too. 
 
 Seffio 1 oo« 5 . of March. ] There was read publickly fo much of Partus his 
 fentence as concerned the fir ft and fecond Article, in which he did accurately 
 difpute againft the Remonftrants opinion in both, and fpent a great many pa- 
 ges in expounding and confirming trie received diftin&ion of the fufficiency 
 and efficiency of the merit of Chrift: his death. 
 
 Sejfio 101. todem die poft meridiem.] Dr. Martinius of Breme ay pointed by 
 the Prefident publickly, all auditors admitted, did very accurately and found- 
 Iy difcourfe of the true Deity of Chrift, and efpecially laboured to prove 
 his omwprtfemia t opposing and anfwering all thofe places of Vorftius in which 
 ki bis difputation de Deo he calleth the omniprafemia of Chrift into qucftion. 
 
 S Jfio 102. 6. March. ] We went on in the publick reading of D. Varans 
 his judgement upon the 3. 4. and y. Articles; where I muft needs faythathe 
 did moft accurately, andfoundly, and methodically, with great fubtilty and 
 variety of reafons overthrow the Remonftrants opinions of Refiftibility cf 
 grace, and the apoftafie of the faints, one would little think that that wit and 
 judgement could be fo young in fo great age : the Prefident told us that after 
 the Collegial judgement were read, that the Synod by their publick letters muft 
 needs give him many thanks for thefe his great and good pains, as he did not 
 doubt but that the Eftates General would take order fordoing of the like. 
 So one of the Scribes by the Prefident his appointment, was beginning to read 
 our Colledgc his judgement, but D. Davenant told the Prefident, that he 
 thought it greatly concerned the dignity of the Synod, that the Collegial fuf- 
 frages fhould not be read thus privately, but that they fliould be read as pub- 
 lickly as might be, all auditors being admitted ; both becaufe it might be 
 that the Remonftrants being moved by force of their reafons, might relent 
 fomethingin their opinions ; and all other auditors be edified and confirmed 
 in the truth, as likewife • becaufe all auditors fhould perceive the confent of 
 fomany feveral learned mens judgements, who by the more perverfe fort 
 might otherwife be thought to ufe fume plot and conspiracy to make their opi- 
 nions meet together. This unexpected motion did not a little tronble the 
 Prefident, who was altogether fet againft any fuch courfe, which made all j 
 efpecially the exteri wonder that he fhould offer to pafs over a matter of to 
 
 [G] gmt 
 
[18] Dr. Balcanquals Letters from the Synod of Dokt? 
 
 great confequence without asking the Synods advice for the manner of read- 
 ing their own judgements ; the reafon why this motion was made by our 
 Colledge was this ; in forming of our judgements, as we have (tudied to con* 
 demn all in the Remonftrants, which can juftly be taxed ; fo wc took pai:;s to 
 condemn no more but that which mufl be condemned, and to condemn t o 
 fomehard phrafes of the contra Remonftrants, efpecially in the matter of Re- 
 probation ; but they are only phrafes; now weknowthat in the making of 
 the Canons no words of ours, which found any thing that way fhall beex- 
 preffed, becaufe the provincials in forming of the Canons will carry us down 
 by voices; and therefore we defired that in the reading of our judgem-n^ 
 at leaf! our ingenuity might be taken notice of by all the auditors. Well to 
 this motion the Prefident made this anfwer, that within thefe few days he 
 himfdfwas in that fame opinion which, now was propounded; but having 
 with more mature deliberation thought upon it, and asked the advice of his 
 AfTelfors, that he had now thought it fit, the judgements fhould be read, 
 no auditors being admitted, unlefs it were fome few choice mirlifters of good 
 worth, who did here attend about the Synod, the reafons moving them 
 thereunto were thefe. Firft, becaufe this courfe feemeth to come nearer the 
 intent of the commifiion of theEftates General then the other, in which they 
 wereappointed to enquire after Synodical fuffrages privately among them- 
 felves without othec auditors, unlefs the Synod fliould think it fit to admit au- 
 ditors. Secondly, becaufe it had been a cuftome hitherto obferved in all Sy- 
 nods and counfels to take the fuffrages, all auditors being excluded. Thirdly, 
 becaufe, though the fuffrages of all Colledges do agree (as he perceived by 
 reading of them ) in the thing it fclf; yet becaufe there was fome difagree- 
 ment in phrafes and forms of fpeaking, it was to be feared that the Remon- 
 ftrants and other Jefuits and Dominicans prefent, would make great matter 
 of thefe verbal differences, that they would caft abroad among the people 
 ftrange reports of the dilTenfions of the Synod, and in another cafe, that the 
 Remonftrants no queftion ( as lately they had done ) would put out in print 
 the opinion of the £ynod concerning the Articles, before the (Canons were 
 formed by the Synod, and in their pamphlet no doubt they would oppofe 
 fentence tofentence, wherefoever they might take hold of the leaf! fufpitiori 
 of difference. Fourthly, and chiefly, becaufe by this courfe the judgement 
 of the Synod concerning the 5. Articles, fliould go abroad among the people, 
 before cither the Synod it felf had determined what fhould be their judge- 
 ments, or the Eftates General could be made acquainted with the judgements, 
 of theGoIledges and Synod, who notwithftanding in all reafons and good 
 manners ought next to the Synod it k% to know what is likely to be the event 
 of all bufinefs in it J the Prefident added that fince this was but a matter of 
 order, he hoped the Synod would tru(i him and the AffeiTors with the mana- 
 •ging of it ; bat perceiving that a great many were not content with it, he was 
 
to the R. Honourable Sir ACarl ton L.EmbaJfador. [ 1 9] 
 
 glad to put the matter to voices ; the Dckgats being asked their voice, they 
 defired the matter might be deferred till the afternoon, and fo the Synod was 
 difmifled. 
 
 The Prefident in mean time Tent Dammanus one of the Scribes, to entreat us 
 to give way to the Presidents motion ; and no queftion, they laboured other 
 Coiledges as well as us ; but certainly all the Prefidents reafons above menti- 
 oned might eafily have been anfwered; for my part I think hiscourfe was tn- 
 iior, but ours honefiior. 
 
 Seffio 103. eodem die pofi meridiem.'] Voices were asked concerning the 
 manner of reading the Collegial judgements. The Delegats fuffrage pro- 
 nounced by Hem fins was, that in reading of the judgements, all auditors 
 whatfoever, afwel<r<wr<*-Remonft. as Remonft. (hould be excluded; and 
 befides they entreat all the members of the Synod, that they would conceal 
 as much as might be the things that were done in the Synod. The whole mem- 
 bers of the Synod without exception according to the judgement of the Dele- 
 gats. So (Q.F.F. of the firft Article, */; fie) we begun to read the Col- 
 ledge judgements, at this Seflion were read the judgements of our Colledge, 
 and theColledgeofthe Palatines, both ofa juft length, and agreeable in all 
 things ; except thatthe Palatines had added to the end of theirs a very good 
 and necefTary counfel for the lober and wholfome manner of propounding to 
 the people the doctrine of Ele&ion and Reprobation ; we purpofe after our 
 judgement on the fifch Article, to give in iuch a counfel for the fober pro- 
 pounding of the whole five Articles to the people. 
 
 Seffio 104. 7. March. ] There were publickly read the judgements of the 
 Colledg of the Hajfuns who were exceeding long,of the Helvetians who were 
 but fhort and grave, of Alfledius, he who is only fnperfies of the Njiffovians, 
 who was but fhort, there was no difference between their judgements, and 
 the others which were read before them. 
 
 Seffio 105. eodem die pofi meridiem. ] There were read publickly, firft the 
 judgement of the Genevevfes, who were pretty long; they kept a form by 
 themfelves, for where the confirmations of other (Solledges Thefes, confided 
 of reafons, places of Scriptures, andfathers, their confirmations were nothing 
 but places of Scripture, barely propounded in great number, and in a very 
 fine contexture and frame ; at the end they ufed this (hort peroration, that 
 they had fimply out of the Scripture delivered, that concerning the firft Ar- 
 ticle, which they knew to be agreeable with the Church o( Geneva, nay, and 
 befide of all the Churches of France which did ftick to the French confeflion. 
 Next was read the judgement of the Bremenfes^ which was of a juft length 
 very found and accurate, in all things agreeable to the other judgements 
 read before, except only with this difference ; whereas other judgements had 
 faid either nothing of the election and falvation of Infants begotten of faith- 
 ful parents, and dying in their Infancy, or they which had touched it, had 
 
 QC2] determined 
 
Cao] Dr. Balcanqaals Letters from the Synod of Dort, 
 
 determined that faithful parents had no reafon to doubt of it ; but might ve- . 
 ry well for any thing they did know hope and perfwade themfelves of it : the 
 Bre mcnfes did abfolutely determine that all fuch Infants dying in their infancie 
 if they were baptized were certainly faved, concluding it not only exjudcio 
 charitatis as others had done, but ex jtidicio certitudinis too x Next begun to 
 be read the judgement of the Divines of Embdam ; from whom (as Mr. 
 Hales well knoweth ) extraordinary prolixity was to be expected ; after it h id 
 been read half an houre the Pi efident told us, that becaufe thehouie was paft, 
 the reft muft be left till the morrow. 
 
 Sefioio6. 8. Martii.] We went on in reading the judgement of the £«£- 
 danesy which at this Seifi on continued yet full two houres, in the coldeft 
 weather that we havefelt.So now the judgements of all the Exteri Theologi con- 
 cerning the firft Article were read, among whom there was nothing to be feen 
 but full and orthodoxal confent, for which the Prefident told us God was to 
 fee praifed, and he prayed God that the like Harmonic might be found among 
 the Provincials: my Lord this is worth the obferving, that there is no Col- 
 ledgcyet which hath not overthrown Gomartahxs opinion of the fubjed of 
 Predestination ; for though none of them did directly difpute againft it, yet all 
 of them cxprefly took it as granted, that not homo creabilis, but homo lapfus 
 wrasfubjettum both of Election and Reprobation, which I think doth trouble 
 Gomarut not a little. Now the Embdanes judgement being ended, we begun 
 to read the judgement of the Colledge of the Belgick profeflbrs, where at the 
 very firft to our grief we obferved the Belgick humour of particular opinions $ 
 for there are but fiveof that Golledgeas we arc of ours, and yet they are di- 
 vided into three parts, and have given in three diftinct and le v era 1 judge- 
 ments. D. Potyandcr, D. Thyfitu, and D. WalUus have given in and fub- 
 feribed one judgement, Dr- Stbrandus hath given in another judgement by 
 himfelf ; and D. Gomarus a third judgement by himfelf ; at the latter end of 
 thisSeflion the firft three their judgements begun to be read ; but by that 
 time two pages were read the houre was parted, and fo the reft of it was con- 
 tinued till the next occafion, only my L I muft tell you that fo much as was 
 read, giveth us little hope of agreement among them, for where as other 
 Colledges had taken it as granted only, that homo Upfpu wasfubiettum Trade- 
 ftinationis,\hey in thefe two pages did only difpute by many arguments againft 
 Gomarus his opinion, and proved that largely, which others had only taken 
 as a ground, their arguments Gomams I fee him note ; what difference (hall 
 further happen in their judgements, your L. (hall underftand by my next. ■ 
 
 Sejfto loy.-eodem die f oft meridiem.'] This Seflion was publick, all audi- 
 tors being admitted, in which Dt-DeosUtus did atgrear length handle thefe 
 two queftions. I. Quantum differ at fides 7T(>0<niaJ£JpV fett temporaneorum a 
 veractji fit fie ante Regenit&rum fide, 2. jjhto -.[que conceiitur Diaboio progwdi 
 in oppugn/zndj juftificatorptm fi4e;hc did very fweetly juft as he uietb so preach, 
 not as po&ors ufe Co do in Schools. This 
 
U the R Honourable Sir D.Carlton L.EmbaJfador. [21] 
 
 This is all which is done this week; for this day being 5aturday we have 
 no Seffion. The laft Sunday I ( in which I returned the letter your L. was 
 pleafcd to fend me ) fent to your L. all which had pafled the week before, 
 which I hope yourL. had, your L. feeth there are but ordinary paflfages yet 
 in the Synod, if there were any thing worthy of extraordinary note, Ifhould 
 not fail with all diligence to give your L. notice of it ; in mean time with ma- 
 ny thanks to your L. for all your L. courtefies, and the remembrance of my 
 humbleft fervice to your L. and your worthy Lady, I take my leave, ever en- 
 treating your L. that I may be accounted by your L. as I am. 
 
 I donbt not bntyottr L. hath feen this pamphlet, yet if yeuhave not, here it is. 
 
 Dordrecht this 9. of Your L. in all true refped and 
 
 March 9 i6ig» fervice, W 'alter ' Bale annual. 
 
 My very Good Lord. 
 
 SUch things as have parted in our Synod, fincemy laft letters unto yourL. 
 I here fend your L. as briefly as lean.- I hope now at length towards the 
 latter end of the next week, we (hall come to the making of the (Sanons. 
 
 Seffio 108. li* Martii Stylo Novo.~^ Gcorgius Fabricius a Naffovian Di- 
 vine, fubftituted in the place of D. Bijie rfield, who died here, was with the 
 accuftomed lolemnity admitted into the Synod : we go on in reading the judg- 
 ment of the three Belgick*profeiTors, which was very found and of a juft 
 length; it was fubferibed by their three names: Johannes Polyander, Anton-i- 
 ns ThyfiHSy Anthonitts fValUus, and a little beneath, that it was thus written, 
 EgiSibrattdus Lnberttis hoc collcgarpimmcorum Judicium perlegi, et per omnia 
 proba » Gomartis his name was not at it; bur he prefently rofe and teftified 
 viva voce, that he had read it, and did in all things approve the judgement 
 of his Colleagues, excepting only that part of it, which did determine homi- 
 nem lapftsm to be the object of Predeftination, which he faid had not as yet 
 been determined in the Bclgick Churches, in the French nor Fnglifti 
 Churches, and many others. Next was read the judgement of D. Sibinan&us 
 upon the fame article, which differed nothing from that former of his Col- 
 leagues, but that it was longer, it was fubferibed with his own name, and a 
 little beneath the former three profeffors by their fubferiptions teftified, that 
 they had read it, and did approve it. Gomarns flood up, and viva voce gave 
 this fame tcftimony to this judgement which he had given to the former, ma- 
 king the fame exception. Next was Gomarus his judgement read upon the 
 fame Article; he faid nothing of that queftion oftheobjecl: of predeftination, 
 whether it was homo lapfns or not, which filencein that point being excepted, 
 
 hi* 
 

 [a a] Dr. Balcanquals Letters from the SynodofDoKT. 
 
 his judgement in all points agreed with the former judgements of his Col- 
 leagues, it was only fubfcribed with his own name ; but D. Tolyander did vi- 
 va voce teftifiein thenameofhimfelfand his Colleagues, that they did ap- 
 prove all things in Cjomnrus his judgement, excepting only that opinion of the 
 object, the contrary whereof they profeffcd themfelves to hold : the Presi- 
 dent inftructed us concerning fome particulars of the bufinefs of Camps , and 
 defired us againft three of the clock in the afternoon to confult about it ; the 
 particulars whereof your L.fnall fee in the next Seflion. 
 
 Sejfw i op. eodem die pofl meridiem."] The Prefident told Us firft, that the 
 time of fourteen days granted to the two fufpended Minifters of Camps for 
 their comparence was now pafled, and fo that they contemned this favourable 
 refpite granted by the Synod, & perfifted in their contumacy .Next that the o- 
 thcr two Minifters of Camps, who were here among the cited Remonftrants 
 had been appointed by the Synod to give in within 1 4. dayes an anfwer to the 
 accufations layed againft them by the deputies of the Reformed Church of 
 Camps; the copy of which accufations at their own earned requefl had been 
 delivered to them by oneof the fervants of the Synod, but that now in place 
 of their anfwer which was expected, they had lent to him a letter which was 
 read unto the Synod ; it had two great faults, it was exceeding long, and 
 exceeding foolifh j to this fenfe or rather none-fenfe, they did (how that 
 they could not at the day appointed give in their anfwer to the accufations ; 
 and why they could no more go on in this Synodical action which was com- 
 menced againft them ; for many caufes, fuch as were, firft, because they 
 were wholly taken up in making ready fome writings for the Synod concern- 
 ing the five Articles, which were impofed on thenf by the commandement of 
 the Delegat s. 2. Becaufe the copy of the <accufations brought unto tbem 
 by one of the Synod officers, was not fubfcribed by the Prefident, nor by ei- 
 ther of the Scribes of the Synod ; and therefore they thought it not anau- 
 thentick copy or of any credit. 3 . Becaufe crimes in it were objected to them 
 both promifcuoufly, and that laid to both their charge, which only one of 
 them had delivered ; and therefore their accufation was not exact according 
 to form of law. 4\ That there were many things in it objected to them, not 
 warranted by any witnefs, uniefsitwere by fome proofs taken out of their 
 Colleague Fofkcx/wslate book, which they chriftened with the name of ftul- 
 tumzndtenebricoftHnfcriMum. J. Becaufe it was full of falfe fpelliugs and 
 writing, and therefore they thought it was but negligently Rubbered over,- 
 for thefe and many more fuch caufes asidieasthefe, ( with which I hold it not 
 fit to detain your L. ) though they might decline the judgement of the Synod, 
 efpecially fincc againft thepractifc of the Belgick Church, their own confifto- 
 ry, Claflis, and Provincial Synod being skipped over, they were immediately 
 accufed before the Synod ; yet notwithstanding after they had done with all 
 they had to fay upon the five Articles, they promifc that they will give in 
 
 their 
 
— — - — , . , , . - 
 
 to the R. Honourable SVr D.CarJton L.EtnhafJador. [23] 
 
 their anlwer to this bill of accufations; but upon this condition, (which I 
 befech your L. to obferve, ) that firft the Synod would declare them to be 
 free from thefe falfe and malitious flanders, wherewith they & the reft of their 
 brethren Reraonftrants cited to the Synod, had been molt injurioufly and 
 falfely charged in that Scflion of the Synod, in which they were drfmiffed by 
 the Prefident, with th\s elogiurv, to wit, that they had refufed to go on in 
 the Synodicala&ion ; that they hadihowen themfeives unworthy with whom 
 the Synod (hould have any further dealing; and that as they had begunthis 
 bufinefsand continued it with lying and equivocations, fo now they had ended 
 it. But yet that notwithstanding of all this they were contented to go on in 
 this action before the Coliedge of the Delegats of the Eitares General, but not 
 before the Synod. Thefelong letters being read, next was read an anlwer 
 to thefe letters penned by thedeputies of the reformed Church of C* m ? s \ to 
 whom the Prefident had given thefe letters that they might anfwer them, 
 they did meet particularly with every thing alledged in the other letters, 
 which was needlefs , and therefore I omit all their anfwers, fave only to that 
 one thing which fcemed to requiie one, that was, that againft the cuftome 
 of their Church they were immediately brought before the Synod, to which 
 it was anfwered, that both the confiftory and Cinjfis of Camps were altoge- 
 ther Remonftrantical, and that therefore they were both of them fuch as 
 ought rather to be abrogated then appealed unto ; but for their Provincial 
 Synod,thcy wondered with what face they dur ft affirm they had not been cited 
 thither, fincethat Synod had dealt with them oftner then once, though to 
 no purpofe. Next was read a fupplication penned and (ubfcribsd by Aero- 
 n'ms in name of the Reformed Church of Camfs, in which they relate how 
 'Fisknlius one ofthe twofufpended at C.imps 3 while he was rehearftngunto 
 his flock the fentence of his own fufpenfion, that he had ftirred up thv p:op!e 
 adtumultuaritiminfamam: next they humbly befeech the Synod, that now 
 for the two fufpended, their fentence of fufpenfion might be ratified by the 
 Synod, and for the other two here prefent at Dort, to wit, Mathiptu and 
 Gdfmnpts^ fince they had refufed to give in their anfwer at the time appointed, 
 that the Synod would pronounce the like fentence of fu'penfion againft them : 
 the Prefident propounded this to the Synod, whether they thought it fir that 
 the fentence already given againft the former two fhould be ratified, and that 
 the other two (hould be cit-d to give in their anfwer to the bill of accufuio.ns 
 within fourteen days, in which if they failed, the like fentence of fufpenfion 
 ftiould be given againft them, which had been given againft their Colleagues ; 
 the whole Synod approved it, and fo it was decreed. 
 
 Wc beginning to go on in reading the Gollegial judgements ; but my L. 
 ofLandaffc ( according as we at home had deliberated among our felves ) de- 
 fired leave to fpeale, which being granted he fpake to this purpofe. D Goma* 
 mi in the forenoon delivered, that, this queftion, whether homy tepfiit be 
 
 [ptbjttnw i 
 

 [a^ ] Dr. Balcanquals Letters from the Synod *f Dort, 
 
 fahjeUum Trade ftiftationisy had not been determined by the confeffionof the 
 Church of France ; and as I and my Colleagues conceived he delivered the 
 like for the confeffion of the Church of England ; and therefore I do entreat 
 D. Cjomarus in my own name, and the name of my Colleagues to declare be- 
 fore the Synod, whether he did fay fo or not. D. Gomuus with good mo- 
 defty anfwered that indeed he did fay fo, but he protefted it was not out of 
 any evil meaning, but only to (hew that as other Churches, fo the Church of 
 England had left that undetermined, fincc the words of the confeffion deter- 
 mined no farther of the fubjed, then (qtttfdam ex humano genere ) my Lord 
 of Landaffe replied, that he himfelf and the reft of his Colleagues could not 
 chufe but think therafelves by that fpeech touched for temerity or ignorance ; 
 for fince they in their judgement had delivered the contrary for homo laffus, 
 it was as much to fay as that they had delivered that in the Synod, which was 
 not according to the judgement of the Church of England, but to let the Sy- 
 nod know that they had laid nothing in their judgement, which was not the 
 judgement of their Church, they defired the Synod to hear the words of 
 their confeffion ; fo D. Goad read publickly the 17. Article of the confeffion, 
 where the words are qaofdame x humane genere % m exit to et maleditto, which 
 laft words Gomarus had left out : Gemartts anfwered, that if he had under- 
 flood the words of the confeffion amift, he would fubmit himfelf to the 
 judgement of the Synod. The Prefident told Cjomarm roundly enough, that 
 it was free for every member of the Synod to deliver his own judgement con- 
 cerning any point or queftion ; but that men ought to be very careful that 
 they do not rafhly meddle with the judgements of other Churches. My L. of 
 Landaffe defired further leave to adde this. Since all the forraign Divine*, 
 without exception, and likewife, all the Belgick profeffors except Gomarus, 
 had already delivered their judgements for komolapfus, and that he doubted 
 not but the Provincials would determine the fame ; it were very fit that the 
 Synod fhould likewife determine fo of it ; neither was it any reafon that for 
 the particular opinion of one profefibr, who in this did difaflent from the 
 judgement of all the reformed Churches, the Synod fhould abftain from de- 
 termination of the queftion. t/tnw*/ anfwered, that thellniverfityofLr/- 
 den had never yet determined for homolapfHS, and that both D. fVhittakers y 
 and Mr. Perkins had determined the contrary, whom he took to be fuch men 
 as would not difaffent from the confeffion of the Church of England .- that 
 the matter ought firft to be difcufTed with arguments on both fides, before 
 any thing ftiould be determined on either fide; to whom the Prefident re- 
 turned this anfwer, that after the judgements of all the Colledges were read, 
 the Synod would decree of chat queftion what they fhall think bell ; after the 
 Canon is conceived it (hall be read, if then you can fhew that any thing con- 
 tained in that Canon is againft the word of God. The Synod fhali with ai 
 dutiful patience here what you can fay. 
 
 There 
 
tothe K.Uonourable Sir D.Carlton LEmbaffadw* [25] 
 
 There were read the judgements of the Geldri; the South- Holland*, ( who 
 in their judgement wimed that the queftion of homo /apfus might be left unde- 
 termined ) the North 'Holland*, the Zelandi, who were all not long; anda- 
 grecd in all things with the former judgements delivered, and fo this long Scf- 
 (ion ended. 
 
 Sejfio no. 12. Aiartii. ] There were read the Collegiat judgements of the 
 ZJltrajeftini, the Frifia, the Tranffulani, the Gromnganii et Omlandii, all 
 which foure were of a good length, and in all things conlonant to the former 
 judgements. 
 
 Stfiie in. eedem die fofi meridiem. ] There were read the Collegial judge* 
 mentsoftheJ><?»f,a«*, and GaUobelgia, which were brief, and agreeable to 
 the former judgements, and fo was ended the reading of the judgements of 
 all Collcdges ; in which ( God be praifed for it ) there was netgehe leaft fufpi- 
 tion of of dilTention of any thing, and it is to be noted that all of them deter* 
 mined homo lapfus to be the fubjed of Predcftination ; exceptGomarus whom 
 all men know to be againft it • and the South-HolUndi, who only faid they 
 would determine nothing of it. 
 
 There was read the judgement of the Divines of Great Brittain upen ,the 
 fecond Article ; they were briefer then upon the firft Article, they lift the 
 received diftindionof fujficiemia and efficacia martis Chrifii untouched ; as 
 likewifethey did not touch that received reftri&ion of thofe places which make 
 Chrifts fuffcring general tothe world, only ad mundum Elettomm. There 
 were read the judgements of the Palatines, of the Has pans \ of the Hehetians, 
 who all did maintain the received diftin&ion, to wit, that Chrift his death 
 was only iufficient for ail men, net efficient or impetrativc, and did reltrain 
 all the general pi opofitions which are in Scripture to that purpofe only ad 
 mundum SlelUrum, concluding that Chrift was no wayes expi.ttiopre feccatu 
 fingulorttm. 
 
 Sejf$ 1 1 1. 1 3. Martii. "] There was read publickly the judgement of the 
 Nafitvtci, after them the judgement ofthcGcnevcttfes, both of which defen- 
 ded the received diftincTion and reftriction ; after were read the judgements 
 of the Bremenftj, who according to the number of their perfons had three fe- 
 veral judgements. Manin'ms his judgement wss firft read? who did Hand 
 in efteft tothe tenants of the Remonftrants in the fecond Article, he mainly 
 overthrew the rec; ived diftindion and reftridkn, and did determine that 
 L Chrift did truly die for all and every man, that he was made a propitiation 
 both for the godly and wicked, and that by his death he did impetrate re- 
 conciliation with God for them all, at the latter end he condemned many 
 things. b'>rh in the Remonftrants, and in the CWr*-Remonftrants opinion, 
 but more in the fwrvt-R emonft. next D. Iffelburgitu the fecond Bn menfis hi* 
 judgement was read, who was diredly againft Marimus defending both 
 'tbcrcceiveddiftindioaandreftridion. Thirdly, was read the judgement 
 
 [D] of 
 
— — - — __ 
 
 I [16] Dr, Balcanquals Letters from the Synod 0/ Dort, 
 
 of D.Crocitti the third Bremenfis, who propounded a middle way between 
 his two Colleagues; granting ( which we alfo in our Colledgedid) that 
 Chrift did merit by his death lume fupernatural things for the wicked j as the 
 word preached, and all fuch good gfaces ts are common both to the godly 
 and wicked, but nothing belonging to remiilion of fin or reconciliation with 
 God, and fo indeed for any thing I could perceive his judgement was diredly 
 againft chat of A&trtiWMt, and in cft\d all one with that of Iftelbnrgtus. 
 Next was read the judgement of the Embdaniy who were exceeding long, and 
 agreed in all things with theCc#/T4-Remonftrarit«, as they do exprefs them- 
 felres in the ColUt. HagieKJis. 
 
 Seffto 113. eodem die f oft meridiem, ] D. Iffelbitrgiw one of the Bremrttfes, 
 at thePrefident his appointment publickly all auditors being admitted, did 
 at very great 4§ngth prove that God his vindicative juftice is natural and ne- 
 ceifary unto him, and that therefore that fatbfadion which Chrift made for 
 the fins of the world was fimyliciter neceffaria y proving withal by many ar- 
 guments the fulnefs and (ufficiency of Chrift his lati&fidion ; anfwering the 
 arguments of Sociuuszad Vorjtitu againft both the former condufions. 
 
 Seffio 1 14. t 4. die Martii. "| There was read the judgement of foure of the 
 Belgick ProfelTors, fubferibed by Poly.wder, Gomnrus y Tbyfiits, }VdlUus t and 
 a little beneath was written Ego Sibrandns L&btrttts hoc CoiegsLrum meor»m jm> 
 dicittmfcr omnia ^robix nest was read Sibrand«u his judgement who diffe- 
 red nothing from his colleagues, favethache was fhorter, it was fubferibed 
 firft by himfelf, and then approved by the fnbfcriptions of the reft of his col- 
 leagues ; all five of them did ftand mainly for the above named diftindion 
 &reftridion. Next was read the judgement of the Ggldri, who were too 
 too rigid in many things, next them the judgement of the Somh-Hol/*Mds t 
 next them the judgement of the North -Hollandi^ who had many things which 
 we thought not only to be rigid but falfe, all thefe three Colled ges at great. 
 length difputed for the received diftindion and rcftridion. 
 
 Seffio 115. eodem die poft meridiem. ] There were read the judgements firft 
 q£ the Zelaxdi) next oi the tlhrdtje&iui, next of the Frifii y next oftheTrvoi^. 
 fulaui, m\\.QithzCjro?tingAniiva&OmUndiix all of them Hood for the fam* 
 diftindion and rcOridion* 
 
 SeJJio 116. 15. die Martii. ] There were read the judgements firft of die 
 Dreotani, who delivered m^ny falfe and abfurd proportions ; next of the 
 G,iliebeJg$ci, who were moderate enough, both of them did maintain the 
 former diftindion andreftridion 3 and fo was ended the reading of allGollc- 
 gial judgements upon the fecond Article, in which their was not altogether 
 lo uniform a confeut both inregard ofphrafes and forms of fpcaking ; andia 
 icgard of fome proportions,* as was in the firft Article -• yet certainty that* 
 was very great, mote then could well have been expeded fr©m ip grcaia stUB* 
 bu of learned ineam fc hard and an controverted Axtick. 
 
 ■ 
 
to the R. Honourable Sir /XCtrlton L.Etnbaffddor. [27] 
 
 There was read the judgement of our Colledge upon the third and fourth 
 Article, which was raoft juft and equal, condemning the rigidity of fome 
 ofthe^tftni-Remonftrants opinion, though net by that name, as well as 
 the errors of the Pelagians, Semipelagians, and Remonftrant9. 
 
 There was read the judgement of the Palatines, who in all things agreed 
 with the judgement of the ™»/T*-Rernonftrams, as itisfetdown in CslUth 
 Hagienfit, 
 
 Stjfio 117. eodem die fsfl meridiem.'] There were read the judgements of 
 the TJaJftaci, the Helvetians, the Najfovici, who agreed in all points with 
 the^wfrrf-RemonttTantsoftbe Geneve/ifcs, who carried a very even band in 
 this Article, their Thefes, as before, were confirmed only by places of Scrip- 
 ture, but finely digefted ; of the Brtmenfes who handled the head de gratia, 
 et libero arftitrio in general, and in particular overthrew refiftibility of Grace. 
 Of the Emkdani, whofe judgement after an houres reading was not neer half 
 done, and therefore we were glad to make an interceffion of their difcourfe of 
 Grace till the morrow. 
 
 Stjfio 1 18. 16. Martii. 1 We went on in reading the judgement of the 
 EmVdani y which yet continued above an houre and an half; they difcuffed 
 34. queftions, and to fpeak truth they were long above the ftrength of piti- 
 ence. There was read the judgement of the foure Belgick Profeflbrs fubferi- 
 bed by themfelves, and afterwards approved by the fubfetiption 6f Sihan- 
 dtts ; next was read the judgement of Sibrandns fubfewbed by himfelf, and 
 approved by the fubferiptions of his Colleagues ; next was read the judge- 
 ment of the Geldri. 
 
 So my very good Lord, here is the fumme of all hath paffed this week ; I 
 hope your L. hath received the letters I fent thefe laft two weeks, what fol- 
 lowed I (hall not fail to advertife your L. So with the remembrance of my 
 mod obfervant duty to your L and your worthy Lady, I take my leave and 
 reft. 
 
 Dtrdrecht this 16. $i March, Your L. in all true refpe&and 
 
 N«voStylo y i6\9. fervice, Walter Balcanqnal. 
 
 A 
 
 Mi very Geod Lord, > 
 
 Fter I had written thefe yefternight, I received your L. letters, for Which 
 . T ftand much obleiged to your L. I had before them received very par- 
 ticularly ne ws from England; but efpecially of the Star- Chamber fentenee 
 from a gentleman of good worth, who was prefent; many memorable fen - 
 tences his Majefty delivered, fuch as were thefe, he faid this fin was like the 
 firft fin committed in Che world, thit my Lady Lake was the Serpent, my 
 
 LDz] Utg 
 
F 
 
 [q8] Dr. Balcanquals Letters from the Synod of Dort, 
 
 Lady Rojfeas Eve, and Sir Thomas Lake the man i hedcfircdthc noble men 
 to take heed of their wives, for he had now known five of his counfei who 
 had been overthrown by their wives, and efpecially bid fuch look to them- 
 feves, wbohadPopifh wives; if for no other thing,, yet for this, that a 
 Whore and a Papift were termini convertibles. Moreover fpeaking publickly 
 o! the Navie, he gave in the Star- Chamber three reafons wby he had made 
 my L. of BackJ -gham Admiral; one was becaufe the other was exceeding 
 old; fecond, becaufe this was young and fit for fervice ; third, becaufe of 
 his love to this, and his being neer about him. I am fure your L. hath the 
 Kings meditation upon the Lords Prayer dedicated to my L. of Buckingham* 
 elfe I would have fent your L. one. Vefte; night their landed here one Eng- 
 lish Gentleman of good worth, who aflfureth us that on Tufeday laft the 
 Queen died ; and it may be true, for I had a letter written the firft of March, 
 alluring me jt^at my L. of Canterbury was fent for in hafte to Hampton-Court, 
 as was thought, to fcebcrdie. I hear like wife, but cannot believeit thatMr. 
 Dean oiv/orccfter cometh this journey over with my L. Hayes in his Embaf- 
 fage to the Emperour. 
 
 Now for your L, directions in our Synod bafinefs, our thanks is but a fmall 
 recompenfe, your L. may juftly look for your reward in heaven; I pray God 
 fend us out of the fecond Article well* and I fhall be perfwaded of Harmony 
 in all thereft : for in good faith fome of the Provincials efpecially the Geldri^ 
 and the North;- H<?/A?k^' ; who are of all in the Synod, greatell in the Prefi- 
 deut It is books, have delivered fuch propofitions in that Article, as I dare 
 fay never any Divine in the world dreamed of but themfelvcs, for mine own 
 part, I had rather toofe m ; ne hand, then fubfenbe them. For that your L. 
 advifeth from the King about the Palatines,it is a thing abfolutely neceiTary,for 
 ihey are the only (JMagifirnlcs Doll ores next to Gomarus in all the Synod, and 
 think every thing they fpeak fhould be taken for text : in good, faith in their 
 judgement upon the f;cond Article, they did gird moil bitterly at fome 
 things which D.fVard had delivered in the Synod of that fame Article, with 
 which D. iVard is very much moved. Our judgement in the fecond Article 
 is already read in the Synod, fo we mull ftudy to frame our felves to our di- 
 rections from England, in making of the Canons, my L, his Grace his letter 
 is to have us conform our fclvcsto the received dillinclion and reftri&ion, 
 with which hi? grace acquainted his Majefty and received approbation from 
 him : but I mult needs fay, that the directions which your L. hath fent from Se- 
 cretary N 'ant on , do fcemtowillfisto he as favourable to the general propejitions 
 as may be, giving as little offence to the Lutherans as rve can, which countel in. 
 my poor judgement we have in our Tbefes already followed. 
 
 Frequent admonicions and exhortations rather from your L. or by your L. 
 means procured to the Prefiderjt 5 for prudence and warinefs t and keeping the 
 Jbond of peace may hinder oauch.iadiicretion in this Syaod, in whveh aslkop* 
 
 ' ..yam? 
 
to the R Honourable Sir D.Carlton L*EmbaJfador. [29] 
 
 your L. will not be wanting ; fo by Gods grace I fhall not be wanting to 
 give your L. all convenient information, noi be wanting in my prayers to the 
 God of peace that your L. may ftili go on in procuring the peace of our aflem- 
 bly. So once again with the remembrance of my moitfincere duty 1 reft. 
 
 This Sunday morning Ycur L faithful andrefpeclful 
 
 hTJ> March. fervant, Walter BMcatfjuai, 
 
 A4y very Good Lordy 
 
 Since my laft unto your L therehave been lut three Sefiions; no matter 
 of moment hath been done in them, and therefore I will defer the relati- 
 on of them to my next letters : only 1 thought good to let your L. know that 
 yefterday after the forenoon Setfion, the Prcfident called me into bis lodging, 
 and told me he would (how me a miracle, which in truth he did; for there 
 he ftiowed me a volume which the Remonftrsr.ts that morning had pivenin 
 to the Delegats upon the 3. 4. r.nd 5, Articles; 1 was 1 confede aftoniihcd 
 when 1 looked on it ; for I could not with mine one hand lift it from the ta- 
 ble* it is above twice aS much as all they have given in yet ; in good faith my 
 Lord I think it is fully as big as one of our Church great Bibles ; which I 
 would have your L. think 1 (peak without any figure, trope, or Rhetorical He, 
 for it is fo big, I told the President, that it was a thing impoffiblc the Synod 
 could take notice of the contents of that volume under fix moneths, he anfwe- 
 red me that for my comfort he would (how me two lines in the Preface, 
 which would rid me of that fear, and fo he did; for in thefe lines they doe 
 proteft that they do not offer this volume to the Synod, for theyprofefs that 
 they have nothing, nor will have nothing to do with the Synod, Since the 
 Synod hath rcfufed to have any doings with their living perfons, but only 
 their dead books, andthcref -re they do only offer this book to ihc D~/tgats y 
 but will not have it thought by. any man that they offer it to the Synod : 
 Heinfius dyned with usyefterday, and 1 asked him when they had given m. 
 this book, he told me that morning, but w th iuch impudence as is almoft in- 
 credible ; for when one of the D-legats told them rhat he wondered why they 
 would give info much paper as was impcflible it fhould ever be read in the 
 Synod, Epifeopins anfwered they had nothing to do with the Synod, they of- 
 fered it only to them who were the Delegats ; the former Delegat replied, 
 that the Delegats were not to judge of their opinions, but the Synod ; and 
 that in their letters citatorie they were warned to come and give an account to 
 the Synod of the doctrine which they bad delivered in their Schools and Pul- 
 pits ; Epifcffpita, . ©oft impudently anfwered thu& briefly : we here deiive-red 
 epyoathe2>f/^*rjthi$bookandto noaecife, if you bepleafedtatake.it 
 
 from. 
 
 1 
 
 J 
 
[30] Dr. IklcanquaU L*#*r\f from the SynodofDoKT. 
 
 from us, we will leave it with you, if not, we pray you give it us again, and 
 we will keep it ; one of the Delegats commanded Heinfius to write down that 
 their peremptory and fancy anfwer, Epifcopim very bravely told Heinfius that 
 they would fave him that labour, for they had fet down the fame words alrea- 
 dy in rhcir Preface, and pointed out to him the place where he might finde 
 them : fo that my L. they were never fince the beginning of the Synod fo lufty 
 as now, fo as none can chufe but think that they yet have fome fecret and 
 fure hopes. I forget to tell your L. that the Prefident told roe he had been 
 glancing at this volume, and he findes it to be in many parts a confutation of 
 the feveral difcourfes which have been had publickly in the Synod upon the 
 five Articles. There is fome talk here about the citation ofForfihu, and Fe- 
 ftus Hommius yefternight told mc he had fome talk with your L. aboutit. If 
 he be cited your L. credit with the Prince of 0r«*£*, and count William muft 
 help us for difcretion in dealing with him, clfe he will keep the Synod as long 
 as the Rctnonftrantsdid ; yourL. I hope will give counfel to them, that if 
 Vorfiius ftiould defire to have time to give in apologies and explications, for 
 the hard fpeeches in his book De Deo ; and ftiould defire to be convinced with 
 Reafon, and fatisfa&ion of his arguments; all which would take up a longtime, 
 that the Synod would talk of no fuch matter with him, but in plain terms tell 
 him that all the members of the Synod had read his book and found many 
 things in it very neer unto open blafphemy, and fcandalous without all queftion 
 to the reformed religion • that explications of things which are not once to 
 be called in queftion, is no fatisfa&ion ; and they therefore only defire to 
 know whether he will make a plain recantation and denial of it, and publick- 
 ly ask God forgivenefs for it, and his Church likewife there aflembled, whom 
 by that book he hath fcandilized ; if he do this we gain him ; if not, then 
 without any more ado, let the Synod cenfure him as they (hall think fit; I 
 wifti that to the terror of others he might folemnly be excommunicated in the 
 Synod ; in this and all other bnfinefTcs we do and muft relte upon your L. care, 
 for the handforae carriage of them ; which as your L hath hithertil done, fo 
 that your L. may ftill continue to the good of Gods Church, and your own 
 immortal credit, it is no fmail part of the prayers of 
 
 Dordrecht this 20. of Your L. humble and faithful! 
 
 March. Stylo Ntvo. fervant, Walter BalcanquAl. 
 
 1 
 
 Mj-veryCjond Lord, 
 
 THis week hath been a very barren one for news, for we have been taken 
 up wholly with hearing, yet f uch Seffions as wc bad yourL. (hall bene 
 
 have a note of them. 
 
 Seftt 
 
to the R. Honourable Sir D.Carlton L.Embafjador. [3 1] 
 
 Sejsig 1 1£. \%.Martit.ftylo novo.~\ There were read Letters from the Mar- 
 ques of Brundeburgh in Dutch containing fas the Prefidcnt told us) an excufe 
 why he deputed none to the Synod, the President told us they fliould be turn- 
 ed into Latme, and alter read again unto the whole Synod , there were read 
 the judgements of the South H»lU»di y the North- HolUndi, the Zd,wdi , the 
 Vltra eciim upon the third and fourth Articles. 
 
 Sejsio 1 20. eodem die posl meridiem.~}The were read upon the fame Article* 
 the judgments of the fttfi* the TranffnUni^ the Groninganii, & Omlandiiy the 
 Ga/lobeigiei 9 zhc Drcntdni ; And fo was ended the reading of all the Coilegial 
 judgements, upon the third and fourth Articles,in which there was wonderful 
 great content, both in the things themfelves, as like wife in the phrafes and 
 forms of i pea king. 
 
 Stfsio it 1. 10 (JMarch.') There were read the judgement of our Col- 
 ledge upon the fifth Article ; Which was far longer theu any which we gave 
 in before ; At the end of it we annexed an adhortarion to the Dilegites^ for 
 the defence in their Provinces of the Doctrine recived in the Reformed 
 Churches ; Likewife an Exhortation to all the Members of the Synod for 
 avoiding harfhnefs and rigidity, and embracing of all moderation in making 
 the Cannons, cfpecially upon the fecond Article ; as likewife an admonition 
 to the Provincials, for great warmefsand difcretion , in propounding to the 
 common People the Do&rineof Predeftination, and efpecially Reprobation ; 
 thefe things we told his Majefty, defired us to obferve, and io with a Prayer 
 we wilhtboth we and all the Synod might be careful in the observing of 
 diem; There was read the judgement of the Palatines, at the end whereof 
 they annexed an Epilogue much to the fame purpofe with ours; In all the 
 judgements that were read upon this Article, it is to be obferved that every 
 Colledge concluded with fuch an Epilogue and a Prayer. 
 
 Sefsio 12a. eedem die pojl meridiem.'] There were read the judgements of 
 the Hafsiaci, of the Helvetic^ of the Niffovici^ of the Jeneve»/es t who ufed, 
 as in their former judgements, no confirmations, befides plain citations of 
 place* of Scripture of the Bremevfes. 
 
 Sefsio 125. 20. March^\ There were read the judgement of the Emb- 
 dani who were exceeding long, of the four Profrjfiret Belgict, which was fub- 
 fcribed as with their own hand?, fo a little beneath with the hand of $i,brai- 
 dfts; next the judgement of Stbraadus^ fubferibed likewifo by the other four 
 Profefi'brSj there were read likewife the judgement of the Geldri&f the Souch- 
 Hollandi, all thefe except the Embdani were exceeding fhort. 
 
 SefsU 1 14. todem die faft meridiem ~\ D. fcreciHs one of the Bremenfes ap- 
 pointed by the President ; publickty, all Auditors being admitted, did difcufs 
 at great length thefe two qiieftions; Fir ft, An fides jftftificms per Dei accept i 
 UtioWemrepmtSHr 4 Deo pro omm ilia legit juflitia qtatm nos prepare tenebamttr^ 
 JbeStfOod, Jb$ iffajbici fettle sredtre id eftaUtts credsndiimputetHr hmtini a 
 
 Vic j 
 
 \ 
 
[j 3 ] Dr. Balcanquals Letters from the SynodofDoKT, 
 
 T>eo adjuflitiam ; he held the Negative of both againft Soctauf, the Remon- 
 firants, but namely Bertius: 
 
 Sefsio 115. ai. Marti*."] There were read the judgements of the North- 
 HaUandi, the Zelaudi t the Vitrajettm, the Frifii. 
 
 Sefsio 126 eodem die poft meridiem. | There were read the judgements of 
 the TranpfuUni, the Groninganii and Omlandti, the Dre»tam\thc Cjallobelgici t 
 And fo was happily ended the reading of all the Collegial judgements upon 
 the five Articles, in which, praifed be God for it, there was feen an incredi- 
 ble harmony, far greater then almoft could be hoped for n (0 great an Aflem- 
 bly of (0 many learned men. The President told us that the Eftates Gene- 
 ral between this and Eafter did exped that the Cannons fliould be made,and 
 therefore did defire that againft the morrow at ten of the Clock every Col- 
 ledge would depute one, who might meet about the conceaving of the Canons, 
 that one fliould relate to the reft of their Colledge, what Articles they agreed 
 upon, and accordingly confult with them to know what they would have ad- 
 ded paired,or changed, fo after thefe deputed & had agreed, the Cannons 
 fliould be publickly read and approved. 
 
 This is all, but that I think our Prefident h?th need of your L, good coun- 
 fel, for the carrying himfelf in making the Cannons • I finde every man 
 murmuring already that he would make them , and doth but onely dictate 
 them to the reft. With the remembrance of my beft (ervice to your L. and 
 my Lady, I take my leave and am, 
 
 Dordrecht this 2 7, . of Your L. in all true refpe&s and 
 
 March, New ft He. fervice, Walter BalcanquaU 
 
 Afy very Good Lord^ 
 
 WHat ftir we have had about the making of our Cannons your L. (hall 
 underftand by letters from our whole Colledge : if we had not written 
 a common Letter, and then your L.fliould have taken fome particular notice 
 of the contents of mine, the reft of my Colleagues muft needs have fufpecled 
 that your L. had had intelligence from me; And therefore I did prefently 
 deal with my Lord and the reft of our Society, that they would write a com- 
 mon Letter to your L. concerning the particular paffages of this troublefome 
 bufinefs, Thefe three things T may fay in it; Firft, that the Prcfident would 
 take upon him more then ever any Prcfident did, to make Cannons and pafs 
 them by placet or nm flacety and then he hath fo many of the Provincial^ at 
 command to pafs what he will,I cannot I confefs yet feehow it can confi ft with 
 the dignity of any, much more of iome of the Members of the Synod , that 
 the Prefident fliould di&ate Cannons and the reft especially aBifliop write 
 
 after 
 
to the RMonour able Sir D.Carlton L^EmbaJfador. [3 3] 
 
 after him ; fo that he maketh the Canons, and the whole Synod are called 
 mn adconfilmm fed tantum confe^um- Next I think ray L. that if the Synod 
 had wanted but two men which are of it, we had wanted a great deal of con- 
 tention, which I perceive will not forfake the Synod fo long as they are in it ; 
 I mean Sibrandns and Gomarus j they keep their fits of madnefs by courfe ; the 
 laft fie before this came toGomarushis turn , and this day Sibrandus flew oat* 
 but with fuch Raving andfiercenefsof countenance, fuch unheard bittemes a- 
 gainfi oarColledge ; as I defire no other revenge on him then the very (peak- 
 ing of the words, which while they were in his mouth, were checked by 
 both Prefidents Politick and Ecclefiaftical ; D. D.ivenant who is a very mode- 
 rate man,would have anfwered him much againft my will , and no man could 
 blame him, for Sibrandus his words againft our Colledge, if they had come 
 from a wife man his lips, had been above the ftrength of patience , I was glad 
 thePrefident gave not way to D. Davenant fpeech, which notwithftanding, I 
 am tare would have been full of difcretion ; and for Sibrandus I blame him 
 and Cjimar#si\o more for theie cxtafies, then I do a ftone for going down* 
 ward, fince it is both their natural conftitution. Thirdly, if your L. care do 
 not now moft of all (how it lelf for procuring of good counfel to be fent hi- 
 ther for the conftitution of the Canons, we are are like to make the Synod a 
 thing to be laughed at in after ages. The President and his provincials have 
 no care of the credit of ftrangers, nor of that account which we muft yield at 
 pur return unto all men that (hall be pleafed to call for it ; their Canons they 
 would have them fo full charged with catechetical fpeculations, as they will 
 be ready to burft, and I perceive it plainly, that there is never a c omra-Re- 
 monftrant minifter in the Synod, that hath delivered any doclrine which hath 
 been excepted againft by the Remonftrants, but they would have it in by 
 head and (houlders in fome Canon, that fo they might have fomething to 
 (how for that which they have faid r God his goodnefs toward his Churchy 
 and your L. vigilant conftancy in perfecting this good courfe, which you were 
 fo careful to procure, I hope will teach us to overcome all thefe difficulties. 
 
 In my laft letter I wrote as I fufpeel:, that the Talatiues inveighed againft 
 fome things delivered by Dr. Ward in the j. and 4. Articles ; if I had fo, I 
 was miftaken, I mould have faid the fecond Article. We (hall have no more 
 •Sefiions till all be agreed upon in private Colledges ; and therefore I thought 
 to have come over to have done my duty to your L. this Eafter, but I under- 
 ftand by a letter from Sir Thomas Jermjn that my L. Hayes had warning to 
 make himfelf ready for his AmbafTage againft the 10. of March ; I think he 
 will come by the Hague, if Iundcrftand of his coming I muft likewifedo my 
 duty to him, and I can hardly make two joarnies ; and fo with my humbled 
 fervice for your L. kinde invitation, and for all the reft of your L no oft unde- 
 ferved favours to a ftranger, which fince my fortune is not likely ever to 
 gjve me leave to requite, I muft take leave to acknowledge, and with my 
 
 [E] beft 
 
 1 
 
C$4] Vrli&lciLfiqViiiULettersfroM the Synod of Dort, 
 
 beft prayers for your L and my Ladies happinefs, I take my leave and am as 
 lever ihatl be, 
 
 Dordrecht this 25. of YourL. in all true refped and 
 
 March. fervice, Walter Balcanquah 
 
 My very Gdod Lord, 
 
 ALL my anfwer to your L. arguments is my acknowledgement of your LJ 
 extraordinary courtefie in your kinde invications. I could not be fo fit- 
 ted in my mourning apparel as I would before Saturday at night : befides we 
 muit now narrowly look to the Canons which are fern to us by the Deputies 
 of the Synod ; for we are required upon Tuleday next to give in our obfer- 
 vations upon them ; my L. oiLnnd^fe being one of the Deputies, hath al- 
 ready delivered his opinion of them ; and therefore his L. may here be lpared 
 till Wedneidaynext, thereftofusbave not, and it being the main bufinefe 
 of our coming hither, we muft plie it foas it may be done to fome good pur- 
 pofe. My L. ofLandaffe his comming to your L. telleth me that the writing 
 of any occurrences here are needlefs ; fo with the continuance of my beft 
 svifhes for your L- health and happinefs, I take my leave; and (hall ever ac- 
 count it a great part of my temporal happineis, if your L. (hall be plea fed to 
 account me as I am: 
 
 "Dordrecht this 29. of Your L. in all dutiful refpedr and 
 
 March, Stylo loci* fervice, Walter Balcanqnal 
 
 <JWy very Good Lord, 
 
 THis place is yet ftill barren of news, but I make no que/Hon but my next 
 letters (hall fend your L. fome. The Deputies appointed by the Synod 
 have taken pains I muft needs confefs to give our Colledge all fatisfa&ion; 
 befides the fecond Article, fome of our Colledge have been earned to have 
 this propofition out. ( Infideles damnabuntwr non folttm cb infidelitatew, fed 
 etiamob omnia alttpeccatafmtam originate qttam attualia.) Becaufe they 
 fay that from thence may be inferred that original (in is not remitted to all who 
 are baptized, which opinion hath been by more then one councel condem- 
 ned as heretical : they have therefore at their requeft put it out ; fo I know 
 now of no matter of difagrcement among us worthy the fpeaking of: the 
 morrow there is a Synod, one way or other we (hall determine what (hall be- 
 come of the Canons, what we do your L. by Gods grace with the fir ft occa- 
 
 fion 
 
to the K. Honourable Sir D. Carlton L.Embajfador % (3 53 
 
 fion (hall underftand. I have here fent your L. my fpeech made in the Synod; 
 I know your L. experience will pardon the imperfections of a difcourfe delive- 
 red upon lefs then two days warning. Now my Lord, to write a Hiftory of 
 Dr. Goad his journey and mine own, between Roterdam and Don that night, 
 on which we came from your L. would move too much pity,efpccially it you 
 ihould make relation of the fame to my Lady ; the compend of it is this ; thai 
 a little after five a clock in the afternoon we took (hip at Roterdam, and about 
 a little after one of the clock in the night we arrived at Dort % but could get 
 no entrance; and therefore until half an hourcpaft five in the morning, we 
 fometime lay in the (hip, fomctimewalkedonthe Bulwark: if we were not 
 fufficientiy aflaulted with cold and watching we know our felves. Mr. Downs 
 his wooing in Greek was never fo cold as we were that night: Letters I have 
 received from Engl And .- the fumme of the news are, that the Spanifh Navieis 
 diffipated, and thatitnevcr exceeded 60. fayles. The King of Spain hath 
 written large letters with his own hand to our King ; in which he proteftttb, 
 that he never intended any thing again ft England nor any Ghriftian Kingdom. 
 The talk of the Spanifh match hath of late been very frefh again in England, 
 but this is certain that the other day at Theobalds the King asking a gentleman 
 of good norc what the people talked of the Spanifh Navie, received ofhira 
 thisanlwer: Sir the people is nothing fo much affraid of the Spaniards powder 
 us of their match. My Lord f can but thank your L. for all your courtefies, ef- 
 pecialiy your L great kindenefs at my lalt being with yoo, which fince my for- 
 tune will not give me leave to require, I muTt take leave to acknowledge.' 
 With the remembrance of my bell duty and fervice to your L. and your worthy 
 Lady, and my faithful wifhesfor both your happinefs, I take my leave, ho- 
 ping your L. will believe that there liveth no man of whom you may more 
 freely difpofe, then of 
 
 Don this -fa of Your L. moft faithful and refpe&ful in 
 
 Apnl. all true ier vice, Walter Bale ancptaL 
 
 My very Good Lord, 
 
 DOctor Davsnam his coming to ycurL. faveth me the writing of any 
 news here : for he will perre&ly relate them to your L. we are full of 
 troubleabout thirgs altogether unneceflary, they are fo eager to killt\\c Re- 
 monftrants, that ti cy would moke their words have that fenfe which no Gram- 
 mar c<*n finde in them : upon Tuleday in the afternoon we had a Selfion, in 
 which were read the Canons cf the flrft and fecond Article, and were appro- 
 ved, except the laft of the fecond Article, which we never heard of till that 
 Imrre, and the fecond heterodox in that fame Ankle, what they were Dr. 
 
 £ E z ] Davenant 
 
1^6] Dr.Balcanquals Letters from the Synod of Dort, 
 
 Vavenant will inform your L. thelaft was fitch as I think.no man ofunderftand- 
 ing^oottld ever ajfentmto. On Thurfday morning we had another Seifion, 
 in which was nothing done, but that it was reafoned whither that laft hete- 
 rodox fhould be retained ; our Colledge in that whole Seffion maintained dif- 
 pute againft the whole Synod ; they condemned the thing it felfas a thing 
 moft curious, and yet would have it retained only to make the Remonitrants 
 odious, though they finde the very contrary of that they would father upon 
 them in their words. That day in the afternoon was another Seflion, in 
 which were read the Canons of the 3. 4. and 5. Artices and were app oved, 
 tne particular paifages of thefe Sefiions I will fend your L. by the next occafi- 
 on, they were no great matters in them, yet when I fend your L. the 
 next Sefiions in which it is like that fomething will be done, I will fend a note 
 of them too: yefterday there was no Seffion, but the Deputies met for ta- 
 king order about the Preface and Epilogue of the Canons, and mending thofe 
 things in the Canons which were thought fit to be amended, and have fenc 
 them worfe then they were ; in cafe we ftand, and what need of counfelwe 
 have, this worthy Dr. will fufficiently inform your L. My Lordj I have had 
 a great deal of talk with Mr- Doughs about thecontroverfiesin this Church, 
 and finde him unqucitionably found in them, alio that there is no fear of bis 
 opinions, ifocherwifehebe found fufticient : I much wonder that we do 
 not hear of my L. of Doncafier. There is here in the Synod a report of our 
 King his mortal difeafe, itcomethfrom Scuhetus, but I hope it is but the 
 Goute; with the remembrance of my beft duty and fervice to your good L. 
 and my Lady, I take my leave and reft ever, 
 
 Dm this -^ of Your L. in all true refpecl: and 
 
 April. Cevv'iQejfVi/ter BalcanquaL 
 
 tJMy very Good Lord, 
 
 NOw at laft we have made an end of our bufinefs of the five Articles 1 
 what trouble we have had in thefe laft Sefiions none can conceive but 
 thofe who were prefent at them: and what ftrange carriage hath been in 
 them, efpecially on the Pre-fident hti part it is too palpable^ he hath deceived all 
 " mens hope of him very far. This matter of the perfonal cenfure which was 
 u a thing of great confequence, we were never made acquainted with before 
 " the very inftant in which it came to be read ; and becaufe the Ddegats mud 
 "•not be flayed from their going to the Hage, therefore all the Synod muft fay 
 "Amen to it; between the forenoon and the afternoon 5eflion, , there was 
 Cl ftrange labouring with the Exten for getting their confent to it; yet we 
 " me4ied not with it.; ail I can fay is, me thinketh it is hard that every man 
 
 -•-;--- «0iou!d, 
 
to the R^lononrable Sir D. Gar I ton L.Embajfador. [3 7 J 
 
 "(hould be depofed from his mini ftery, who will not hold every particula 
 4< Canon ; never did any Church of old, nor any reformed Church propofe 
 '* fo many articles to be he!d/#£ poena excommunicationu ; but had it not been 
 ?' then cruel, it all had gone for Canons which they would have had gone, 
 u V. g. that cf an absolute necejfitj of Jirmlitude of nature for Working our redcmp- 
 u tioH. None of us have the Canons yet, neither (hall till the Efktes have 
 Ct approved them : a note of fuch Sefiions as have pafTed (ince my Iaft notes 
 which your L.had I do now fend your L. our Seflions have been fo long and 
 late as I had no time to write them : I, was therefore bold to fend them to 
 your L. as my fcribe tranfenbed them out of my notes which I took in the Sy- 
 nod, hoping your L. will have regard of cur perpetual bufinefs here: with 
 the remembrance of my beft fervice co your L and my Lady, 1 take my leave, 
 remaining alwayes, 
 
 Dort this 25. of tdfril % Your L. in all true rcfpe&s and 
 
 St j lo loci. fer vice, Walter Ba lea nqw /. 
 
 SEflio 127. 26. Mdrui Stylo novo. ~] PrsftsD. Delegatorum, oratione ferevimonet Syno- 
 dicos,D. Delegates omnino vidcri futurum h re ct dignitate Synodi, fi domino pra fidi, «c 
 D. affefibribus pauci aliquot a Synodo turn ex cxterij turn ex provincial! bus adjungantur, in 
 quos authoritate publica, cura concipiendi, et concinnandi canones devolvatur ; publicis ita 
 gratiis ab ipfo nomine Delegatorum D. Prajfidi Ecclefiaftico acu's ob gratiffimum laborem ha- 
 Acnusin canonibusconcipicndisfufceptum, eorundem nom'merogat, ut quam viam ingrefibs 
 efletinprimo, eandemquoqueinreliquisarticulis viaminfiftercr, rogat porro utftatim ali- 
 quot nominet Synodus qui cum D. Prafidi in idem negotium incumbant j utque vdint totum 
 hoc negot'rum quam fieri poffic citiffime maturare j cum id praeferrim ab ipfis D. ordines gene; 
 rales vehementer contendant •• Roganturdcdeputatis hifce Synodicorum fententia, in qui- 
 bus ferendis fuit magna admodum varictas j mu!ti volebant prafidem eodem quo caperat pe* 
 depergereincanonibusDi&andi', inter Extercs ifthoc confilium vehementius urgebat D. 
 •Scultetus, inter provinciales D. Sibrandus, fed immodefte et imprudenrer fatis, adverfus 
 enim illos qui hoc confil'iifuggeflerantfervide admodum dcclamabat feu potius exclamabat; 
 dicebat enim quofdam effe qui hue illuc curfitavtrant ut alios in fuas partes pertraherent *, quos 
 putabat omnino cenfnra ecclefiaftica notandos, ntquehicdebere Exteros nimium laborare, , 
 ut pote quibus non tamconflaretde ratione Eccleliarum Belgicarum, quam provincialibuj, . 
 eodemum fercbatur, ut D Prafespoliticus, itiderrutD. 1'rafesEcclefiafticus, turn gravirtr 
 monerent, fuaderentquc ipfi majorem modeftiam 5 D. Davtnantius cum fc ct colltgas fuos 
 hicfugillariputaret 5 petiitaD. Prafidi ur liceret libi a feet fois calumnias iftas depellcrej 
 verum rogatu D. Prafidis a refponfa abftinuir, cum vero depofceretur Somh Hollandorum 
 fuffragium, D. Latius ( is tft qui hiftoriam Pelagianorum fcripfit ) eo quod putaret fe et col- 
 legas fuos nomine curfitanrium a SibrandoimpetitosfuifTe rrodefte certe in fuflragio fuo D. 
 Sibrandumperftringcbat; aiebat enim omnino fibi vidcri c dignitate Synodi, ut Canones 
 authoritat-e publica non privacaconciperentur j poffeque fe facillime illi refpondere qui hoc 
 fuumct collegarum confilium perftrinxent, nificharitare aliquid dandum effer, neque hie 
 ficut dicebatur confilium COnfilio opponi, inconfuktr admodum hoc diftum effe, eumque ncn \ 
 minus Ecclefiafticam cenfuram mereri qui tam inconfulci loquitns fir, quam illos qui autho- 
 rs fuerantconfilii iftiusde nominandis deputam. Tandem poft lata omnium fuflragia po- 
 tioribus fentemm nominati funt inter Exteros, D. Epifcopus Landavenfis, D. Scultrtus , 
 J>4 Deodatus* inter provincuks D, Polyander, D. Walla-nsj D. Triglandius qui una cum 
 
 J^rafidU 
 
[38] ASla Synodi. 
 
 D- Praefide ct afleflbribus caioombus concinnandis incumberetatf quos concinnatos ad fingula 
 collegia mirci curaient, fj quid forte add i cum, demptum, mucacum cupiant, dcinde d colle- 
 ges rem ffo> limarentmanu ultima, ut fie tandem toci Synodo propositi ad eadem appro- 
 ben cr. 
 
 Seflio 128. 16. Aprilis fly lo novo poft meridiem. ~] D. Prafes n3rrat jam tandem poft aliquot 
 fcpcim<tnaruni l<borci» -ffiduum, indulliffe Synodo Dcom confenfum ilium fuaviffimum quern 
 omncs tantoop re exoptaverant : morammonebat neminidebere effe gravemj fed gratam 
 pocius, quia utut in fundamentalibus opt me inter omneset fingulos (ficut patebat iniudi« 
 ciis ) couvenerat? fperari tamen non poterat fingulos in ipfis loquendi f rmulis confpiraturos: 
 monebat porro di&am fuiffe hanc feffionem, ut D. Delegati omnium ct fingulorum confenfum 
 obferrarent .• Rogantur finguli Synodici, ut diligentcr attendant lecVioni articulorum, ct 
 moneant fi quid fotte mututum velint, nee Agre fcranc 11 mutetur iotuflib verbulum aliquod 
 aliter quam fchabcat in excmplaribusquibusheri finguli fubfcripfeiantj cum in reipfa nihil 
 plane fit mutatum. 
 
 Leguntnr itaquc articuli Synodici, feu canones de i.articulo contraverfo : finguli .Synodici 
 poft ipforumlectionemviritirnrogatideconfenfu, finguli lolenniter profitebauturfearciculos 
 Of thodoxiam complementer probare utpotc confentientes cum facra fcriptura et confefsio- 
 nibusRcformatan m Ecclefiarum, articuIosveroHeterodoxiam compicctcnr.es improbarcut 
 abiifdemdiiTentientes, Deoagebant finguli gratiasde tarn luavi confenfu, votoque deum 
 rogabant ut vellct parem femper harmoniam Ecclefiis fuis Reformats largiri: obfervandum au_ 
 tem eft hie fingulos fignficafie, quodheri illis articulis fubfiripfcrant; exceptis folis Thto- 
 logisBritannisquifubfciiptiGncsfuasdifferebant, donee poffet exemplar aliquod nitidede- 
 fcribi. 
 
 Leguntur articulLSynodici feu canones de fecundo articulo contraverfo •• in iis autem arti- 
 culis praeledis, fucrantqujedam verba mutata ct aliter diipofita, quam fuerant in aruculit 
 quibus heri Synodici omnes exceptis Britannia fubferipferant : Britmni eandem fentcntiam 
 quoad coufenfumde hifce articulis quam de prioribus fcrebanr,nifiquod Tecundam Hcrerodcx- 
 am putarent magis dare et perfpicue propom poffe, et ultimam Hcterod< xam, qua: eft de po- 
 tentiade'», anpotucrit ahum reconciliations modumquam per Chriftmn acceptance, dice- 
 rent jam prinium ipfos obfervaffe* et videri fibi effe earn magis fcholafticas fpeculationif, qnam 
 difquifitionis Synodicar, itaque petebant deliberandi tempus : petebant porro ut qua- «n i Hi s 
 articulis damnarentur pro Socinianifmo,poffent ipfis oftendi ex Socino deprompta, rem ipfam 
 damnabant,fed an a 5 r cino profectum effct ihhoc dogma nefciebant, cum fciiptorum Socini, 
 anorumnondum facta effe t ipfis copia : Haffiaci eundem teftati funt confenfum quern in priori 
 articulo, nifiquod in articnlooftavo orthodoxo vox ilia (SinguUriJ non addita effet ad 
 ifthxe verba (^liberrimo con* 'lio)prout in obfervationibusiuis ad canones de fecundo arti- 
 culo annotaveranr, verumcum perfuafum fit illisomiffioncm iftiusvocabuli facere ad pacera 
 Ecclcfurum Belgicarum, fe acquiefccrc, et femper expontup'S canouem ilium fecundum 
 fuum fenfum id eft quem poffit habere verbo illo addito : verum ne fratres putarent ipfos in 
 fuis ohfervationibusaliquid pofuiffe quod in rei ipfius fubftantia auc fundamento a canone jam 
 praehctodifcrcparet, paratos fc effe qui cum frarribus, fi modo id cupianr, obfervationes fu- 
 as communicent : Helvetii ttftabantur confenfum fu; m cum illis articulis quibus heri fubferip- 
 fer.'nt } verumcum nunc videant aliqva verba iirirrmtita effe, rogant ut articulosrelegant ut 
 fie ad confeientix confenfum poffnquoque oris confenfus acctdere: Bremcnfes, confenfum 
 quoque fuum tettihantur, fed addica eadem ilia ad eundem articulum cautione qnam adhibu- 
 erant fratres HafTuci, reliqui omnes Synodici plenum fuuiw confenfum ficut in primo articalo 
 refrati funt, Annotaruntfolum Goclenius, Sibrandus, Gomarus, et fortafsis unus adhuc auc 
 alter, quzdam, fed qua; plane Grammatica erant t aberant ex Synodicis pauci aliquot fed 
 quos praefes nanabat fingulos mifaulos fuis fyngraphis comprobaffe: propter publicum quod 
 die craftino celebrandurn eft jejunium, monet praefes non habendam effe Scfsionem ante diem 
 jovis. — 
 
 Seffio 1 29. 1 8. Aprilis. flylo novo. 3 Q*s(num fuit fufius de ultimo Hererodoxo canone in 
 articulo fecundo, qui rejiciceorum opinioncm qui ftatuunt ad fufficientiam Pretii Redemptio- 
 
ASla Synods. [39] 
 
 nisnoflra?, non fuirTe necefTariam natura> nofirat fimih'tudinem in Chrifro * Qua?rebarur an 
 debcrethicretincri tanquameirorRcmonftrantium, an rem hie omicti, & numerari poftea 
 inte r errores Vorflianos : Theoh gi Britanni pluribus rem difceprabanr,contendebant enim fi 
 canon iruelhgendusefietdeabfoluta neceflitate,id eft taliquaeremoverrta Dcoomnempoten. 
 tiam ajitcrftatuendi, ante fuppofitionem oninis decreti fe voluntatis certa tenure nihil defi- 
 nlenduna eflc de abfoluta Dei porentij, clTe hanc fpeculationcm magis Scholafiicam , Ideoque 
 CauonesSynodicosnondebere iDgredi, prafertim cum quidam Patres et nonnnlli Doftores 
 reformat! putenr illam natura? fimilirudineni hue fenfu non fuifie finplicitcr & abfolute ntcef- 
 fariam , fi vero Canon fit intelligendus, de nectffitate hypothctica id eft ex fuppofiticne 
 decreti & voluntatis certo nobis in ScripturaRevelata:,(qi!0 fenfu putant vccabuJum ncceffita- 
 tis in hocnegotioin facra Scriptura accipi) canoncm vcrum effe putant -, fed nullo modo 
 fetirc Remonftrantcs qui abfolutam tantwm nectffitatem rcjiclunt ut patet ex ipforum verbis 
 rn nupera dedaratione exhibita , Ideoque putant conful ins hunccannonem poffe omitti, a 
 pluribus multa de hac quseftione difta funt ; quibus omnibus Britanni Refpondtruntj Potior* 
 camen fuffragia volucrunt canonem ilium retineri, piafcs monuit fie concipiendum tilt ut po£» 
 fit omnibus famfieri. 
 
 Stffio 130. todem die pofl meridiem] Ltgmtur Canones Synodici de 3. & 4. articulis, ubi 
 omnes ac finguli Synodici poft ipforum pra?leftionem viritim confenfum fuum foiennibus 
 verbis teftabantur 5 Varii Theologi tamen vatia annotabant : fed qua tantum per fpicuita tern 
 in verbis fpeftabant $ in re ipfa nihil defiderantcs. 
 
 Legjentur Canones Synodici de 5. articulo poft ipforum LecVionem finguli porro (ut in prio- 
 ribus)ipfosfolenni confenfu cotnprobabant : D Gcadusrecitavit catalogumduriorum phrafium 
 quas Theologi Brittanni cupiebant a Synodo rejici, eo quod ex ipfis, turn Remonftrantes turn 
 Poncificii, dodrinam Reformatam caluraniandi magnam anfam fumercntj D. Scoltetus etiarn 
 fuadebat ut ufus aiiquis a Synodo deligeretur qui ultimam manum caaonibus imponerct, 
 daretque operam ut Ayluscanonumubique par cflet 8c limatus fatis 6t perfpicuus , aliqui nee 
 dicVioncm nee ftylum mutari volucrunt; quidam qnoque putabanc non fore e re Sy nodi uc 
 duriores iliac phrafes rejiccrentur a Synodo,quia fie laedcretur fama excellenriffimor urn virorum 
 quorundamj Pr*fc» movel die craftino mane deputatos Synodicos convenfuros effe,capturofque 
 confilium de mutandis tllis aut delendisqux obfervata funt a quibufdam fratribus atque eti*m 
 de rejiciendis phrafibus durioribus, idque ea ratione qua poffit magis commode omnibus fatif- 
 ficri y porroquede prafitione, & Epilogocanonum profpefturos > Rogatq'icut finguli col- 
 legia unum aliquem a<H horamquartam pomeridianammittant ; qui defcribant ea quae conce- 
 peruntdepurati.fe ad collegia fua reftrant, ut fie de omnium confenfu confiare poffit ante 
 proximam Seffioncm 
 
 Seflio 131.20. Aprilhftylo novo~] Ltgvur Epilogus poft Canones conceptus 3 deputatif 3 
 in quo etiam continebatur abftcrfio calumniuum quarundam, quibus do&rinam Eccltfiarum, 
 Belgicarum Remonftrantcs gravare conantur 5 Qua»rrtur an omnes Synodici in forma prelcfta 
 acquiefcanr : Britanni volucrunt quasdam alia rcjeftanra addita qualia erant ilia duoprxcipue 
 [Veummovtre hominum I'wgius ad blafpbcmandum} •& [ Haminm non pofftplm boni facere quam 
 f*ctt.~} HafIiacilegeruntfcriptumprolivum& bene conci 'natum, in quo pluribu; rationibus 
 oftendebant neceffariomeffputpluresdiinoresi cutione-t quaeapud privates fcriptores repe- 
 riuntur, rejicercntur a Synodo, ut fie Ecclefix reformats a graviffimis calumniis circa Reproba- 
 tiOnisd^cfrinam hberari pofnnr : Bftnen!e> itVem Icrij-to bene prolixo idem contende- 
 banr:Rrliqui Theologi Exreri formam jam prele<Sam probabant: D, Prafes movebar non 
 rogandaeffeprovinci lium fuffragia anre Scffionem pomeridianamj quia vidtbat Theologoj 
 Ixrcros hie non idem fentire, & movet profcfTorcs Belgicos ut inhoram quartam penfitene 
 twnnci q'»* urrinque fuerunt allarr, 
 
 Seflio n,2.eodem die poft mtridttm] D. Pit&fes antequana pergat in rogandis fuffragiis de 
 quarto ai)tcmeridiano,rogat Synodum ut velit audite quae ipfeima cum O.aJTefloribns tempore 
 intcrmedio de reieftione duriorum lncutionum conceperant : & rogat Synodum nt velit hac 
 duo pctptndcre, primo neminem ex Theolo^is Belgis iftiufmodi nunquam fcripfiffe am docu- 
 iflej ac proindc non fpeftare ilk ad hanc Synodum qua tantum Belgica effet: S^cundo 
 
 doftoies 
 
 h 
 
E40] 
 
 A3 a Synodi* 
 
 
 doftores illos apud quos ifthac duriora di fta comperiuntur fuiffe & effe vel Theologos Anglos^ 
 ▼el Gallos, vel Germanos i qui cum a fuis principibus & Ecclefiis ob illas duriorcs Joquendi 
 formas non effent notati, verifimile aiebat effe principes illos & Ecclefias exteras agre laturas 
 fi Synodus hate nationals Ipfos ob ifthac difta aliqua cenfura notaret. 
 
 Legimr forma Epilog! jam de novo concepts, in qua plures aliquot incommoda Iocutioncs 
 
 rejiciebantur quam in priori, fed nulls ex lis quos Theologi Exteri addi cupiebanc : Quaritur 
 
 iSynodicorum de hoc Epilogo fententia: Britanni ferio urgent additionem plurium prafer- 
 
 timeorumquaSeffioneanremeridianamemoraverant : ad duas Rationes a D. Prafide ailatas 
 
 Refpondebant ad primam Remonftrantes in declarationibus fuis ad Synodum exhibitis, multa 
 
 loca contra Remonftrantium , ipfos libros & paginascitare in quibus iftiufmodi fcripferint; 
 
 ' nifi itaqi Synodus iftiufmodi difra improbet,non poffe Belgas ab iftiufmodi calumniis libcrari 
 
 ad fecundam Theologos Exteros non debere quidem in Synod© notari , verum fi quid 
 
 dixerinc aut fcripferint qnod cedat Reformats Ecclefia in contumefiam » illud poffe 
 
 Synodum cujufcunq; demum fit rejicere neqi hoc debere Synodum mora ri. Quod fortaffis non 
 
 tint Belga, hac enim ratione Synodo nihil permitti in Socinu cujus tamen dogmata lapius qua 
 
 fcmel iacanonibus damnar, nequedebuiffe Regem Magna Britannia aliquid adverfns Vor- 
 
 ftiumftatuerequi ipfius fubditus non erat ; optare fe ut fiat fummus deled us eorum qua rc- 
 
 jiciuntur, nee poffe aliquamReformatamEcclefiam hoc agre ferre; cum nihil cupiant rejici 
 
 quod a confenfu alicujus Reformats Ecclefia; comprobatum fit:cupere fe prcfertim ut ilia 
 
 fententia rejiciatur, [Ntminem poffe plusboni factre qum facit] cum exindenulli Reformato 
 
 do&ori defunfto aliqua contumelta inferatur; cum fit fententia heri tantum nata, qua; vix 
 
 feptimum atari sfua numerarer annum : Reliqui omnes Theologi exteri quia cupiebant (uc 
 
 ajebantipfij multum paci dare v in forma prelefa acquiefcebant ; optabant tamen illi qui 
 
 antemeridiem rationes fuasattuliffentut poffint plura rejici, Provinciates omnes formampra- 
 
 le&am probabant : & profeffores Belga multisrationibus contendebant non debere Synodum 
 
 difta virorum alioqui optime de Ecclefia Reformata meritorum aliqua cenfura notare $ D. Si- 
 
 brandus tamen ajebat negari non potuiffe qnin aliqui inBelgio duriora quadam docuerintquam 
 
 effcnt ilia qua Theologi Britanni incatalogo fuorum rejeftaneorum recitaverant, fub nnem 
 
 prafesmonct enmhacfit res ordinis, non doftrina folius confulendos effe de hoc ncgotio 
 
 Dbminos Delegitos : qui rogati deliberaturos fe de re prafenti in Seffionem craftinam matuti- 
 
 nam polliccntur. 
 
 Stfsio 13322. Aprilh flylo novo."] D. Pr&fes rogat D. Delegatos ut velint Synodo exponere 
 quidipfide Epilogo proxima Sefsionc prcle&oftatuant : D. Delegati cupiunt ipfum Denuo 
 Rclegi,Relegitur : D. Delegati ilium probant, ferogant Synodicos utfi id fieri poffit velinc 
 in ipfo acquiefcercjOrant porro ut jam tandem quam fieri poffit miturimenegotium hoc. $'" ar- 
 ticulorum femel abfolvantj quippe quod ipfi jam denuo ittraris Juffionibus urgeanturd 
 D. Suisordinibus Generalibus ad hoc ferio flagitandum : Rogantur Synodici de hac formula 
 praleftaj Britanni omnibus modis urgebant ut aliqua rejeftanea porro addercntur hoc pra. 
 cipue^ [Hominem non plmboni factre qu<tm ftch: ] verum fihocobtineri neqniret^ ut da- 
 rent multum paci non nemo ex ipfis monebat, ampliandam effe ill am fentenriam [ Etqua 
 alia, funt hujm generis plurimn J ut fi quando exprobaretur ipfis aliqua horriblis fen- 
 tentia quam non rejecerant, poffent fe excufare per illam parenthefin, & af/crere omnia 
 iftiufmodi in ilia fententia rejefta fuiiTe a Synodo : Itaque ut paci & tempori con- 
 fulant , acquiefennt •, moncntes tamen illud omnino mutandum effe quod habetur 
 in Epilogo ; do&r/nam Reformatirnm Eccltfiarum cenfendam effe Earn qua hifce 
 canonibus continetur, fe enim profirebantur deputatos k ferenifsima Regia majeftare 
 non ab Ecclefiis fuis, nulla fisi comrciffam authoritatem qua poffent Ecclefiarum fua- 
 rum confeffiones explicare, tuliffe fe timum privata fua judicia qua ipfi putarent vera effe} 
 multa fe in canonibus tanquam vera conclude, de quibus ne verbum quidem habetur in Ec. 
 clefiirum fuiruru confefsionibus, verum q lod fciant nihil in illis contineri quod iftis^ confefsi-i 
 onibus repugnaret : Reliqui Synodo prckdum Epilogum probab»nt, et complurimi cenfe- 
 bant reliquas duriores loquendi formulas deberi in fcripto Elenchico quod adomatur difcuti ; 
 
 atque 
 
- 
 
 jiSia Synodi. [4 1 ] \ 
 
 atqueilliccalumnias quibus obipfjsgravatur reformata Ecclefia dehere depelll. D. Pra?fes 
 itaque mouet Deputatos Synodi ameridiecoRventuros, ut quam fieri pofsit, canones iUos 
 duos Heterodoxos in pfimo articulo de quibus tantopeie in Synodo non itapridem difcepta- 
 batur, itacomponant ut finguli facile in confenfumadducipoffent. Jnterea monct jam de- 
 fcribinitidum omnium Canonum exemplar, quibus publice in Synodo a fingulis feffione era- 
 ftina autemeridiana fubferibendum effet ut fie Canones — abfoluti eodem diepoffunt Hagam 
 ad D.Ord. Generates tranfmitti, fubinitiumenimhujusSeffionis, narrabat D. Grcgor : Mar- 
 tinii, D Delegatos quofdam ex ipforum numcro delegiffe qui die Craftino Canones ad D. Or- 
 dines effent delaturi, hoc cnim ajebat D. Ordines; et cum Ecclefia;, turn Reipublicse Belgi- 
 ex ftacum depofcere. 
 
 Sejfio 134. 33. Aprilis flylo novo. ~] Legmtur articuli de primo articulo contraverfo quibus 
 omnes et finguh folenniterfubfcribunc, in tribus exemplaribus, prafes monet a fingulis col- 
 legiis unum exemplar defcribendumeffe cui edam finguli Synodici fubferiptuti effent : loca 
 Scriptura: narratpofteadefcribenda effe et addenda fufius, qua? jam per temporis anguftias 
 defcribinonpotuerunt: Narrat jam inter deputatos conveniffede mutationefecundiarticuli 
 Heterodoxi in fecundo articulo in tres articulos, et deletione ultimi Heterodoxi in eodem 
 articulo qui erat de abfoluta necefsitate fimilitudinis nature in mediatore noftro : quae muta, 
 taerant in fecundo Hcterodoxolcguntur; et rogat D. Prafes fingulos utin fefsionem pome- 
 ridianina deliberent num pofsint in mutatis acquiefcere. 
 
 Seffio 135. eodem die peft meridiem, jRe^antur Synodicorum fuffragia num placeat ipfis ut 
 ultimusilleHeterodoxus Canon in fecundo articalodeleatur, et fecundus ille in trespraete- 
 ftos Canones mutetur, placuit omnibus etfiDgul'-s. Leguntur itaque Canones de fecundo, 
 tertio, quarto, quinto, articulis, quibus etiam finguli folemniter fubferibunt, duravic hxc 
 feffio in horam io.vefpertinam. 
 
 Sejfio 136. 24. Aprilitfiylo novo. 3 D. Piafts rronct D. Deputatos a Synodo, mandaffe uni, 
 utconcipcret formam perfonaliscenfuraquamSynodusexerceret adveifus citatos, et quot 
 cunque alios qui recufarent dodrinam Synodicam, varios quoque Synodicos Deputatis formu- 
 las obtuliffe, eos tandem in unam conveniffe, qua: nunc prelrgenda effet Synodo ut earn pro- 
 bet , vel corrigat: legitur, fuitautem in banc fententiam, Synodum cenfere Remonftrantes 
 effe novatores et pcrturbatores patria?, Reipob. prafertim Ecclefia? Belgica, ejufmcdi docu- 
 ifle dogmata qua: a verhodei, etconfefsionibus Reformatarum EcclefiarumdifTentircnr, prse- 
 terea citatos ad hanc Synodum tcneri reos contumaciam adTerfum cum fupremum Magiftratum 
 cujus decrera fpreverint, turn ipfam Synodum quam pro legitimo judice nunquam voluerunt 
 agnofecre, idcoque Synodum omnes ad prafentem Synodum abdicarcab cmnibus fuismune- 
 ribus turn Ecclefiafticis turn £cademicis,eo ufque dum panitentiam agant de falfis dogmati - 
 busafefcriptis, preleclis, etdodis, et pofsint hanc fuam psnitentiam indubitatis ftudiis cc 
 fignisEcclefiisBelgicis teftatam facere, reliquosvero jtcmonftrantes in Bclgio ad Synodoi 
 provinciales rcmittit, quibus mandat ut du&oreset pertinaces continuo omnibus fuismune- 
 nbus abdicent, reliquos vero vitio temporis lapfos, et ji feduftoribus abreptos omni lenitate 
 ec pjtientia, conentur in viam reducere, qtios fi lucrifacere pofsint omni conatu id agant, 
 fin minus pariteret cum ipfis agant: PorroSynodus,illuftrisfimos ord. Gcneralcs obnixe ro- 
 gat ut hanc fuam fenrentiam de quinq; articulis, atque etiam de Remonfirantibus abdicandis 
 firmam et ratam effe velint et jubcant,gratiafque ipforum Dominationibus cum omni debito ob- 
 fequiodefert propter ipforum dereformandisEcclefiisfuis fludium fingulare.* Queritur Sy- 
 nodicorum judicium decenfurahac perfonali : Theologi Britanni omnes ac finguli refponde- 
 bantdoftrinam Ecclefiarum Belgicarum hie in Synodo affertam fuam fuifTe, ac proinde ip- 
 fos vocatos featentiaai fuam de illo expofuiffe, perfonas vero qui contrariam fententiam docu- 
 erinteffecTvesBelgasi Ideoquedealiorumfubditis nolle feullomodo perfonalem fententi- 
 am ferre, ideoquefe cenfuram omnino provincialibus relinquere, quibas integrum effet de 
 fuis miniftris ftatuere .• idem fentiebant omnes Theologi exteri, exceptis Genevenfibus et 
 Embdanis qui fententiam prsleftam probabant, et Bremenfibus qui tempus deliberandi pof- 
 cebant : Provinciales quaedam in forma prale&a obfervabant : Cujufmodi fuit illud non effe 
 fori Ecclefiaftici eos damnarc tanquamperturbatorcs patriae «t pacis Reip. hoc fpectare ad ci- 
 
 [f~] vilera 
 
 h 
 
 < 
 
» 
 
 [4^] A3a Synodi. 
 
 vilem magiftratum rmagni fuit difceptatio inter provincialcs an tollerandi elfent ill! qui utclin- 
 quenollentfubfcriberearticulis Synodicis, tamen rccipcrent fc nihil unquamvel publico vcl 
 privacim advcrfus ipfos di&uros aut dofturos : quidem ex provincialibus petebant u: Theolo- 
 gi Exteri de hac re fuam fententiam aperirent, fed D, Prsefes refpondebat ifta particularia om- 
 nino oportere relinqui Synodorurn provincialium prudentia?, et nefcire fe adhuc quamiolle- 
 rantiam permilTuri eflencD, Ord. Generales, itaque forma pre le&a, fi paucula qua?dam mu- 
 tarentur, ab omnibus provincialibus probata eft, exceptisZelandis etGallobelgicisqui fpati- 
 urn deliberandi dc regraviffima petiverunr. 
 
 8^137.3 Ae/^irwr cenfura perfonalisemendaca in qua illud de perturbatione patria? ec 
 Reip. omittebatur: quasriturSynodicorumfententiadeipfa jamcorrefta, Britanni etHafciaci 
 earn nee probabant nee improbabant, noluerunt enim fe pcrfonalibus immifcere, reliqui om- 
 nes Exteri, ut aiebant re ipfa melius perpenfaquam ante meridiem earn probabant, exceptis 
 Bremenfibus, quorum duo priores iniriusquoddam confilium fuggerebanr,tertius vero u.Cro- 
 cius rem pucabat effc masimi momenti ideoque nihil poffe fc de ea ftatuerc nifi apographum 
 formula; pra?Iefta? et tempus deliberandi concedatur : provincialcs omnes earn probabant,Go- 
 marus autem et alii petebant ut Synodus apud ord. generales interc ederet pro largiendo Re. 
 monftranti bus minus per tinaci bus trimeftriftipendio, fortaffis enim poffent cupere illo tem- 
 pore cum viris doftis conferre fuifque confeientiis de canonibus Synodicis fatisfacere; fed 
 volnic ipfos primoquoque tempore a minifterisfui exercitiofufpendi, D, Praefes Refpondebac 
 non effe e dignitate Synodi tarn Auguflx, utintercedat apudD. Ordines pro re ftipendiaria, 
 verum non dubitare fe quin D. Ordines benigne fatis et clemencer cum ipfis a&uri effent : ro- 
 gatur D. Delegatorum de hac pradefta cenfura judicium, qui refpondebant fe nolle tantum fi- 
 bi affumere ut ipfam probent, fed delacuros fe ipfam D. Ord. generalibus, a quibus folis corru 
 probatioexpeflandaeffet : Theologi Britanni monebant in hac cenfura dici Synodicos arti- 
 culoseonclufoscffefecundum fententiam omnium Reformatarum Ecclefiarum, quo diclo in 
 nuebatur Ecclefias Lutheranas, qua? aliter fentirent, non habendas efle pro Reformatis, quod 
 ipfis durum admodum videbatur j D.ScuItetus, et Polyandcr reponcbant, ipfos Luthcranos 
 nomen hoc deprecari, et noftris Ecclefiis ex hoc nomine f Rtformatarum ) folere invidiam 
 conflare-, et D- Prasfes addebat hie in Belgio folere noftras Ecclefias per illud nomen ( Refor- 
 matai ) non folum a pontificiis verum etiam a Lutheranis diftingui : Britanni refpondebant in 
 fuis"Ecclefiis Lutheianoshaberi pro Reformatis, utpotei quibus Religionis Reformatio pr'n 
 mum tentata eft, habereque fe porro in mandatis a ferenifsimo D. Rcge ut quantum fieri pof- 
 fent defpictrent nr offenderentur Ecclefias Lutherans:, itaque addita eft ifthac vox Noftnrum. 
 
 Leguntrtr blafphercae opiniones duorum fratrum Thorr a, et Petri Gefterranorum, qui Re- 
 monftrantes ersnt, etabOrdinibus HollandiasetWtft-Frifiasfufpenfia minifleriis dum Syno- 
 dus pofsicdeipforum opinionibus cognofctre. 
 
 Stffio 138. 2$.ApriiisftylomvQ. '} L^rttir fupplex libellus Johannis Macovii Thcologis 
 profefforis in Academia franekerana, quo graviffime queritur fc apud ordines Frifias in fimuia- 
 tum fuiffe herefeos a D. Sibrando Luberto, petit itaque fuppliciter ut Synodus velit de tota 
 caufacognofcere, ut audito Sibrando ipfe poffitd cere pro fefaltem ut Sibrandus et ipfe ex 
 Synodicis arbitrcsdeliganr, qui totum hoc negotium diligenter examinent et ad Synodura 
 refcrant, PrxfesrogatD.Sibrandumut exponat coram Synodo fententiam fuam de tota hac 
 lite, Sibrandus negatfe unquam fuiffe Macovii accufatorem, verum teftimonio duoruna fra- 
 trum Frifiorum probat ipfum a claffe Franekerana fuiffe accufatum, fe autem juffu D. ordinum 
 Frifjac, et rogatu pra?di£te claffis folum claffis os pro illo tempore fuiffe, itaque ficut ante hac 
 in hac lite pars non fucrat, fcetnunc nullo modofevelle haberi pro parte proteflatur: Do 
 prarfes narrat conveniens effe ut Synodus de hac caufa cognofcat, quia id ferio petunt D. Ordi- 
 nes Frifia? per literas fuas ad D.Delegatos, atqne etiam hue ad Synodum omnia afta in lite 
 hac apud ipfos conreftata tranfmifcrint. Queritur itaque a Synodo cum .Sibrandus non fit 
 pars, an debcat ipfe Macovius primum audiri, an vero ipfo femoto ex actis ordinum Frifia? de 
 caufa cognofci, placuit Synodo utprimuma&a prelegerentur, deinde fi opus effetj ut audi* 
 retur coram Macovius. 
 
 Ltgitur pr osmium bene Iongum quodprsefigendum effee canonibus Synodicis? cjusritur de 
 
 illo 
 
 -J- 
 
_ ■ -.*g -,' * "~ ' ' T" ' — rT " i """"'""' 
 
 ASia Synodi. [43] 
 
 Hlo judicium Synodi, quod fie fe habehar, effe putabat ifthoc pr osmium nimls longum, poiro 
 queftylifublimisadmodum, adecquea ftylocanonum admodum difparis, Ideoque cranino 
 brevius conficiendum effe putat, fuccinftum fe ncrvofum, expenens cccaiionem & finem con- 
 vocata Synodi, quod pramittcndumefietCanonibus, fi fortafsis ab aflis Synodicis feorfim 
 excudantur: prafes itaque mciict deputatos Synodicos ut ante meridiem conveniant, ut ex 
 pluribus brevier ibus formulis, qua fibi a variis Synodicis effent oblata : unum aiiquod fuccin* 
 aum proamiura poffent conficere. 
 
 Sejjio 139. todtm die fofi meridiem.^ Leghur alind novum brevins proamium a deputatb 
 Synodicis ex variis formulis fibi oblatis confedum: quod totum Synodo placuit fi paucula 
 quatdam mutarentur : Britanni purabant pro [Anti-chrifti tyrannide'] magis commode diri- 
 poffe [Anti-Ckrifiiana tyrannide] quia ut ut fortaflis verum putarent pontificem Romanum 
 effe magnum ilium Antichriftum,tamenfine jufto examine pramiffo vix putarent debere hoc a 
 Synodo determinari, quod a nulla Reformat Ecckfia adhuc excepta Gallicana quae & jam ar- 
 ttculum ilium ex confeftione fua retraxit factum effetj quids m ex Synodicis agre fcrebue 
 hoc vocari in quaftionem; quibus reponebant Britanni, non vecari nunc rem ipfam nimirum 
 an pontifex Romanus effet ille antichriftus qui quafiionem ; fed hoc an debeat hoc a 5ynodo 
 determinari nulla deliberatione pramiffa; 
 
 Sefsio 140. 26. Aprilkftylo novo.'] Leghur alter fupplex libellus Macovii, quo petit ut 
 arbitrideligantur, &ut refponfum fuum aderrores fibi objeftos ipfiufque explicatio Iegi 
 pofsit. D.Scribae & porro D. Thyfius & D.Lydius publica fideteftantur fe quad am exempla- 
 ria canonum Synodicorum cum criginali fideliter contuliilceaque cum ipfo per omnia conve- 
 nire, quibus finguli Synodici fubferibunr. 
 
 Leguntur aftain lite Macovii ad Synodum ab ordinibus Frifia tranfmiffa j fe primum le- 
 gebantur. 50. errores objefti D. Macovio in claffc Franekerana quos videre poteris in altero 
 meo libro Synodico : qui revera primoquoque auditu videbantur exceptis uno aut altero, 
 non fuiffe tanti momenti ut homo doftus de illis coram Synodo accufaretur : com- 
 plurimi ipforum erant exiftareceptiffimadiftinftione agentis Phyficc & moraliter, ab accu- 
 fatore male intellects. 
 
 Stftio 1 41 . eodem die poft meridiem.^} Legitur una D. Macovii Refponfio ad errores fibi ob- 
 jec"tos 5 deinde alia brevior, in utraque fathfaciebat criminibus fibi objeftis abunde fatis,alios 
 negando, alios explicando. 
 
 Legitur EpiftolafacuItatisTheologicaHeidlebergenfis ad Ordines Frifia, in qua facultas 
 Theologica monet dominos ordines Frifia ne patiantur Thefes tarn otiofas metaphyficas, 
 obfcuras,falfasinfuis fcholisdifputari,quaIes fucrant nuperinAcademia Franekerana Thefes 
 de tradueVione fub Macovio difputara. 
 
 D. Pmfes quark a Synodo an uberior Macovii explicatio qtiam hie offer t Synodo, deberet 
 etiam in Synodo legi, fe qua ratione pergendum fit in haccaufa: Quidam ex ExterisTheolo. 
 gis dicebant potuiffe illos. 50. errores, ad quinque vcl etiam quatuor reduci potuiffe; nee 
 tsllum crimen harefeosficut objeftum fuerat in illis deprehendi ; Oranes exteri per deputatos 
 rem putar,t3gendam,& eupiunt duos exterosnominari fe totidem profeffores Belgicos, qui- 
 bus adjungi poffent duo paftores qui de tota caufa cognofcant, fe rcferant ad Synodum, plcriq; 
 ipforum explicationem prolixam Macovii putant non audiendam in Syncdo,fed referendam 
 etiam ad deputatos: Genevenfesfoli hocconfilium non probabant: Deodatus rem ad folos 
 provinciates voluit deferri poft exterorum difceffum ; Tronchinus vero oratione vehementif- 
 fime contendebat nullo naedo Macovium audiendum effe coram j fed debere agi cum illo tan. 
 quam cum Remonftrantibus & Epifcopio : Ilium judicandumexferiptis: quod judicium in 
 huminem nullo modo heterodoxias fufpe&um mirabantur omnestdusn fuffragium dandum 
 effet a D. Sibrando, Immodefte fatis invehebatur in Feftum exprobrans ei fummam in fe in- 
 gratitudinem : recitabatque porro novum catalogum opinionum D. Macovii qua ejufdem 
 erant farina cum prioribus : fcftus venia fandi a prafide impetrata modeftc fatis D. Sibrandum 
 excipiebar, narrabat thefes illas compofitas fuiffe no a D.Macovio fed a quoda Parkero Iuvene 
 Doftifsimo, & ab omnis heterodoxias fufpitione longe remotiffirao j fe licet nunc Sibrandus 
 fuftinere partem accufatoris recufet, tamen fe a quibufdam fide digrvts accepifle , omnes illos 
 
 [F 2} errores. 
 
f 
 
 [ 44 ] ASta Symdi. 
 
 errores M-covlo obje&os » D. Sibrandum ex Thefibus illis & aliis ipfus prarleftionibus com- 
 piliffc, qiodutaudicbatD. Sbrandus vchementifsirne commotus bi» deum vindiccmin ani- 
 lnam fuam precabatur fi ifthxc vera efient i adeo ut D. Prasfes eumfarpius modcftis fan&e & 
 Revercntiae Synodo debits Juflfcrit meminifle. 
 
 Stfdo 1 42. 27 . Aprilu ftylo novo.'] Feg'titr in rogandis fuffragiis de caufi Macovii plures 
 Mirabantureum ob illas Thefcs polfe haertfeos mfimubri, praiertim cum uaus ex South- 
 Hollandis teitatus fit D. Aimefium : illas thefes primum vidific & approbate » fe jam paratum 
 efle qui ipfas defendac : tandem potioriLus luftragiis, Jtatutum eft tertium fcriptum Macovii 
 legendum efle publice in Synodo, & tres ex Theologis Exteris* totidem ex provincial! bus 
 deputandos effequi rem totam cognofcant fcrreferant ad Synodum . vcrum quia D. Prefes di- 
 cebat illud fcriptum continerc multa perfonalia prxferrim in D. Sibrandum compilata, Qui- 
 dam ex Exteris ob pacem confervandam petieiunt,utrogarenturdeifthoedenuo5ynodicorum 
 fuftragia, quod taftum eft : & plura futiragi* turn voluerunt legi tantum privatim apud depu- 
 tatos: Nominati iraque funtpotioribus fuffragiis depucati ad caufam hanc audiendam, ex 
 exteris Scultet'Js, Sthcnius, Brittingerus : Ex provincialibus Goraarns , Thyfius , Mcnius: 
 certe Exteri mirabantur D. Scultetum nominitum f u fie a provincialibus, & multo magis 
 D Sculcctum id munusvellefubire cum faculcas Theologica Heidelbergcnfis, cujusipfe pars 
 efitt, thefes illas qua: examinanda: funt jam haftenus tanquam otiofas , metaphyficas, & falfas 
 damniverir. 
 
 Sefiio 143.29, Aprilis flylomvo'] Ltguntur liter* Bclgicae J migiftratu&presbytero Cam- 
 pcnfi ad Synodum quibus rogat Synodum ut velit fcribere ad magiftratum & presbytcrium 
 Arnemicnfc ut velit dimittere D D. Stcphani, qucm pofcunt ipfis paftorcm dari : Item ut ve, 
 litadmagiftratum& presbyterium quoque fcribere pro dimifsione D.Plancis, Sy- 
 
 nodusnoluit feiftiufmodineg-itiisimmifcere, neforcafsisceJerct in prasjudicium clafsium & 
 presbytcriorum : Leguntur alia; liters a magiftratu Campcnfi, quibus petunt uc per Synodum 
 liceac Ecclefisc Remonftramica; Campcnfi in templis fuis habere leflionem facra;Scripcura;per 
 leftores fuos,eo ufque dum polTet tpfi profpici de paftoribus : D. Praefes monet pcrfcriptura 
 eflecampisleftoresillos folcre attexere capitibus preleftis longas enarrationes fubminiftratas 
 fibi a duobus miniftris fuis jam a Synodo fufpenfis, quibus doftrina Remonflranium afierebanr, 
 %i in Orthodoxam invchebantur : porro duos ipforum nu'niftros qui funt ex nuraero cicatorurn 
 hie ad 5ynodum, mififlehinc literas ad Ecclellam Rcmonftrantium qua: eft fampis: quibus 
 plebemanimabant adconftantiam in Remonftrantium dodrina, jubebantque brevi certiffimam 
 liberationem ab hac perfecutione expedarc ; qua? liters ante dies non ita multos a ledoribus 
 publice intemplo pro tota pleberecitabantur. 
 
 Leguntur alia; litcra? Belgica: a Domino Battenberg, quibus Belgio Synodum gratula* 
 iur; promittitque fe onaturum uc inditionefua, obtincat ilia doftrina qua? hie a Synodo 
 ftabilita eflct. 
 
 Ltgitur proarmium prafigendiim Canonibusjamemendatum, obi pro [Antichrifii^pone- 
 batur [_ Romani Antichrifti] quo vocabuloaddito fatisfiebat illis qui voluerunt finedelibera. 
 tione a Synodo ftatim pontificem Romanum cfie infigncm ilium Antichriftum ; fed Anrichri- 
 ftum tamen,atque itaproasmiumficemendatum omnibus placuit. 
 
 Legitur confeffio Petri Molinsi paftoris Ecclefise Reformats Parifienfb fuper quinque articu- 
 Jis in Belgio contraverfis ; quam hue ad Synodum tranfmifit. 
 
 Sejjio 144. codtmd'tc poft mtridiem.~] Perghur in preleftione confefilonis Petri Molina;!: 
 D. Prafes monet jam rediiflfc Haga D. Delegatos, qui Canones Synodicos illucad illuftrifT.crd. 
 Gencrales detulerant: oratque ipforum Dominationcs , ut velint coram Synodo cxponcrc 5 
 Qiiid D. Ord. General : de ipfis fentiant. D. Greg. Martinii oratione brcviffima refcrt Ord. 
 Generales fummopcre gavifos elTe de Synodicoconfenfu, incanonibus » probare ipforum do. 
 minacJones,eosuniverfos&finguios, agereque de labore exantlavoTheoIogiis turn Exteris, 
 turn Provincialibus gratias miximas : rogare porro ut jam Synodus velit proximo in loco 
 confeffionem Eclgicam perluftrare , in qua nihil iBUtatum cupiunt fine gravi S: nscefiaria 
 cau fa : 
 Wu Luna proxiiiiU5 j>ublieandis Canonibus Qraninm Synoiicorum confenru judieteur. 
 
A&aSynocli. [45] 
 
 Ft &fes rogatSingulosutvelint diJigcnter attendere Ieftioni confeffionis Belgica: j incidic 
 quxftio, quaenam editioconfeffionis Belgica? haber.da effet pro authentic*, cum ipfus cditiones 
 multum difcrcpjrent: earn ftatuit Sy nodus lcgenda, & per iuftrandam quae inferitur Syntagmati 
 confelfionum Ecclefiarum Reform uarum: Ula itaquc pubiice prclegitur : D. Praefcs rogar. 
 fingula collegia utinhoram nonamcraftini diti velint exhibere collegialia judiciadc confeffi- 
 one prelefta tota,excepcis rribus arciculis videlicet 30.31.32. qui ordinen & Regimen Eccle- 
 fiae fpe&ant,Rogatfingulos ut non vclint infifrere in lacinitatc, aut phrafeologia fed fimplici- 
 ter,fcrrc judicium numquicquid ilia contineatur ; quod non fit verbo divinoconfentancum. 
 
 Sefjio 145. 30. Apr'ilk,flyto nsvo.'] Quaritur judicium Synodicum de confeffione Belgica, 
 Britanni Probant omnia dogmata ipfius, putant nihil in ea quoad fubftantiam contineri, quod 
 facra; paginarepugnet, qua»dam minaciora in ea obfervabant , fed quae facllime ex colli lis 
 exemplaribus in corre&a, fc nova quam parant editione emendari poffent , monent de tribus 
 capitibust quae ordincni EcciefUfticum fpeftant fe nullam ferre fententiam, fed interim putare 
 fe regimen Ecclefiarum fuarum effe inftiturionis Apoftolicz : Epifcopus autem Larcdivenfis 
 oratione breviffima contra ilia tria praedifta cipitJ perorabar, conrcndebatque in Ecclcfia 
 neque Apoftolorum temponbus, neque poftea unquamfuiffc miniftrorum aqualiratcm : Iraq; . 
 commtmi Britannorum confenfu declaratum eft, nihil in confeffione Belgi.a conintri, 
 quod pugnaret cum. facra pagina> aut analogia fidei. Eximus omnes ad funus D. Canteri Se- 
 nioris Ultrajeftint unius ex deputatis Synodicis* Redimus. Legitur judicium depucatorum a 
 Synodo in caufa Macoviana i cujus fummahax crat ; D.Macovium nulliu5,gentilifmi,judaifmi, 
 pelagianifmi, focinianifmi, aut alterius cujufcunque haerefos reum reneri, immeritoque ilium 
 fuiffe accufatum,peccaffceum, quod quibufdam ambiguis, & obfcuris Phrafibus fcholafticis ufus 
 fit, quod fcholafticurn docendi modum conetur in Belgicis Academiis introducere quodeas 
 felegerit quaeftionesdifceptandas , quibus gravantor Ecclefia: Belgicae : Monendum effeeum, 
 urcumSpiritu Sanfto loquitur, non cum Bellarmino aut Suarezio : hocvitio vertendum ipfi, 
 quod diftindionem fufficicntiar feefficientiae mortis Chrifti aflcrueric effe futilem, quod nega- 
 verit humanum genus lapfum effe obje&um pr^deftinationis.quod dixerit Deum velle, & dc 
 cernerc peccata, quod dixerit Deum nullo modo velle omnium hominum falutem, quoddix. 
 erit duas effe eleftiones : Judicant denique liticulam hanc inter D. Sibrandum, fe D.Macovium , 
 componendam effe» fedeincepsneminemdeberceumtaliumcriminuminfimulare. 
 . Sefiio i46.codttndiepofi meridiem.} Pcrgitur in rogandis fuffiragiis de confefsionc Be'gica 
 in cademfintfententia cum Britann's : propter editionum varietatem petunt, ut exaretur 
 exemplar aliqued unum exaftum. ord. gcneralium authoritateconfirmandum. 
 
 Stjfio 1 47 calend. Maii.flylo novo] D. Grtgorius Martinii cxponit nientem liluftriff. ord t 
 general, eandem effe dc Catechefi, quae fuerac dc confeffione; Rogat itaque Syncdum utde 
 Catechefi quoqj Palatino- Belgica velkfenrentiamdieere, nee tarn methodum, aut Phrafeolo- 
 giam fpedare, quam dogmata do&rinalia : Legitur torus catechifmus : Rogantur Synodici , ut 
 ad horam. 4. Pomerid anam parent fe ad ferendum collegialia de catechefi perfefta judicia. 
 
 Sefiio 148 tddem die poji meridiem.} Omnium judiciis approbantur dogmata ineocate- 
 chifmo coniprehenfa, ut verbo dei coi>fentanea, ac pie prudenrerque conferipea, Britanni de 
 interpretatione articuli, de difcenfu Chrifti ad inferos fuamabaliis Ecclefiam vmdicat aliter. 
 cxplicandi poteftatem : Ac demum propter gravem ab urbc Dordrechtana daram neglefti diei 
 dominici off- nfioaem, rogant, ac monent Synodum, ut apud Magiftratum intercedar, ne foren- 
 fes emptiones, apert s mercium officinis eo die exerceri pcrmitJjnt: ea occaficnc aquodam 
 ex provincialibus moca quaftio de obfervatione 5abb3thi, fed non difcuffa penitns, quia reje» - 
 fta inter gravamina provinc'ulia poft ubi tunc noftra traftanda. 
 
 Seftio 14?. ?. Maii ftylo novo.'] Gregor. Martini unus ex politicisdelegaris, Synodo & cr- 
 dinum mentemexponitde Vorftio,eos nempcmandare,ut deTheologia ejus fiat fummaria ex 
 fcriptiscognitio, acuteo refpiciant judicia 5ynodica, utrum doftrina Vorftiana ad Ecclefia? 
 3Sdificationcmfaciat,adeoque talis doftor Dignus vidcatur, qui Cathedram teneat Theologa ■ 
 cam : Scripfir jam turn Vorftius eodem exemplo literas ad fingula exterorum collegia, fimul- 
 quead Synodum publicas leaqvperlegimtur, in quibusSynodi aquanin)itatcm,&ChrifTianam' 
 charirate implorat,fuu cora Synodo copatedi defideriu infinuat,rogsr,Ht fi quae-ab ipfo liberius? 
 fuit difpuutu; vcrit^us cruends ftudio impucetur ; ur. rationibus c3sycrbo dei petitii convir.ca. .' 
 
 tiii r 
 
 I 
 
r 
 
 [47] ABla Synodi. 
 
 . 
 
 tur, fc paratum effe teftatur ad collationem cum Exteris Theologis in eundam item ad herefin 
 Socinianamrefutandum>fiipfi eamandetur provincia. Nee poffe fibi perfuadere combureiidos 
 ipfius libros, cum quaedam P ifcatoris fcripra longe horridiora, et bonis moribus infenfiora non 
 fintrogoaddifta. 
 
 Lcfiahac, epiftolaeantiqusenonnullae Vorftii fimolatori35,etvu]pinazpr3Efertim circa fuiex, 
 plicarionem, ac palinodiam Heidelberga: prxftitam fraudes in medium proferuntur dcinde er- 
 »rurn,ctblafphemiarum Vorftii catalogus a Belgicisprofefibribuscolle&us Synodo praelegi- 
 tur ad capita reduftus dc dei attributis,C hriftiqj deitate, ab illo partim aperte partius clancu* 
 lum imminutis. 
 
 Seflio 1 50. 3. Maiiftylo novo. 3 Collegia finguli tarn exterorium, quam provincialium fuum 
 proferunt de Vorftio judicium fcripto exaratum, Britanni lecla a fe colle&a precipuarum Vor- 
 ftianarum contra divinam naturam blafphemiarum Synopfi, monenti Vorftium dato hoc fcan- 
 dalo, nunquam tamen infubfequentibusfuisfeuexplicationibus, five defenfionibus ullum in 
 fuode dei attributes libro propofitum errorem agnofcere, fed abfurdiffimis diftinftiunculis, 
 et inanibus fubterfugiis obvelare, imo etiam prscipua orthodoxae do&rinaefundamcnta calli- 
 de pro viribus furTodcre. Se itaque non modo ipfum Vorftium orthodoxc profefloris munere 
 ac nomine indignum judicare, fed etiam perfuadere nc hujufmodi ejus libri in bibUopilijs pro- 
 ftare permittantur. Denique rogare, ut in exemplum, fancVium in dei caufa zeli teftimonium 
 Vorftii de deo traftatus fumi magiftratus jufiu, aut Synodi decreto eadem munito palam folen- 
 niterque flammis abfumatur, fimulque hujufmodi infamis holocaufti fpecimen. A Britannis 
 eorum Synodo legitur authenticum procancellarii Cantabrigenfis figillo munitum, decretum 
 2 1 . Septembris 1611. Cujus vi etiam Screniffimi regis noftri iudicio preeunte publice flam- 
 mis ultricibus expurgatus eft liber praediftus .♦ ejufdemque decreu Cantabrigienfis exemplar 
 inter Synodi afia relatum. Sercnifiimi regis, et Cantabrigenfis intentio fe examini fubferibc- 
 re tcftantur Palatini Theologize Vorftii palinodiam multisabhinc annis Heidelberga prefti- 
 tam, quam fuerat fraudulenta narrant. 
 
 Hafliaci etiam comrsemoram quam fuerat poft modum non modo parum grata,fed etiam In J 
 vifailluftriffimo fuo domino Landigravio dedicatio fui de deo libri, eidem pio principi nuncu- 
 pita, quamquc prudenter ipfum Vorftium princeps ille ad fe commendatum ad Cathedram 
 profefforiam admittere recufaverat. De Vorftio ut cathedra indigno exautorando reliqui turn 
 extcri turn provinciates omnes confentiant quod autem fcobtulerit jam pugilem evocandum 
 centra Socinianos refponfum eft. 
 
 Non tali auxilio, nee defenforibus iftis, 
 
 Tempus cgit. — 
 
 Utpotecumipfe Vorftiusadcrrorum, herefeon curriculum etiam Socianifmi fit fufpectifsi- 
 mus, necexantmcrem gefturus putetur : ac in eo negotio fibi dudum commiffo, nihil pror- 
 ius preftiterit. 
 
 Sejjio 1 $ 1, 4. Ma ; iflyb novo."] Decretum quoddam Synodicum dc Vorftii caufa coneeptum 
 legitur et approbanHum proponitur inde nonnullainterpellanda, alia omittenda, alia expii- 
 canda,moventur prefertim a Britannis* qui hie urgent quadam attribui Vorftio, de capite 
 joftificationis de quibus, nee dum fatis conftat, quid afferat Vorftius» illinc autem omitti 
 alia, aut non fatis aperte damnari, quae ma xi me blafphema funt, et Ecclefiae quafi univerfe 
 Chriftianagravifsimam commoverunt offendiculum, ibidem multis agitatum? cum Vorftius 
 c or poris cjufdem refurreftionem neget, aut Chrifti fatisfa&ionem cum Socino penitus tollat. 
 Et rei probanda leguntur private Vorftii ad DominumToflanum liters pluribus abhinc annis 
 fcripta in quibus aperte Socinianifmum profiretur. 5ed a Britannis refponfum judicandum 
 reum ex libris a fe agnitis et publicatis, non ex epiftola privata de qua etiam non conftat num 
 abipfoconferiptafuerit, conftet ante fcriptum fuiffe ante palinodiam ejus Heidelbergenfcm. 
 De libro Vorftii comburendo Synodns non vu!t ftatuere, fed ad furhmum refert magiftratum. 
 
 Seflio 1 5 ». eodem die pft meridiem.^} Decretum contra Vorftium denuo proponitur paulo mu. 
 ratum, in eodefiderant Britanni pluradei attributa a Vorftio impetitarecenferi, ac Vorftii de 
 Chrifti fatisfaftioneet hominis juftificatione fen tentiam, vel in cenfura omitti, vel 5ynodo, 
 ut de co melius conftet, explicare. De his aliifque vorftianis dogmatibus diu multumque dif- 
 ceptatur. Tandem confenfum eft m esm, qua fancita eft formam, ( quam vide in altero meo 
 
 libio 
 
A8a Symdi. [46] 
 
 libro Synoiico,J qua Vorftius obfuamin fuftbdiendis pracipuis fidei fundamenris audaciam 
 et impietatemindignus Cathedra Theologies judicatur. Optaturque ne ipfius libri de deo 
 palTini volitarepermirtantur, ct nonnulla fpeciatim alia qua in eodem detreto continentur. 
 Ante quam dimitteretur hie confeflus quiinmultam noftem duravit, legitur : et per plura 
 Synodi fuffragia approbatur, fententiadependatoiumin caufa Macoviana qui eum ab omni 
 hxrefi abfolvendurn cenfuerunr, fed monendom utTheoIogiamdocendi raoduni cemmodio- 
 rem (equatur, verborumque foimis ex facra fcriprura pctitis utatur ttiam juftam cum reprchen-' 
 fioncm incurrere ob quafdam propoGtioncs ab ipfo crudius er rigidius affertas. His itaque clam 
 compoihis, interpellar Frifiusquidamfenex nomine Doma fequed ad ipfimi attinet Macovium 
 ^qui fuum paflus eft taciteobvolvi negotium ) nihil velle cemmovere : fe ipfum autem, aliof- 
 que nonnullos hac in caufa lasfos, idcoque comuni coliegarum nomine coram Synodo prote- 
 itari falvo jure utagant contra accufaiores, partes auttmaccofatorias demino Sibrando efle 
 demandatas, eonftareexliteris quibufdarr. pubiicis, quaie finu deprompfit, ac coram Sy- 
 nodo legi poftulavit, increbefcenti hacin incxpoftulationcplurium fervori, ac multiloquio, 
 modumimponunt Delegati politici malleofuo* quo mos eft filentium obftre pent: bus impe- 
 rarc. Denique prafes ad Synodum refert diem lunx proxireum Canonibus in mjjere uibis 
 Templo publicandis deftinatum efle, et fie cenventus dimittitur, 
 
 Stflio 1 53. 6. Maii ft)lo novo. ~] Convtn'mus primum in loco Synodali, ubi erat fpeflatorum 
 nobiliumecaliorum, utriufquefexusmaximus confluxus", prafes folennem precationem con- 
 cipit j qua hodierno negotio fauftum fucceflum vovet, auditorium dimittitur, paulo poft, fin- 
 guli Synodici non fine decora pompa a loco Synodali ad magnum Templum per platcar Dor- 
 drechtanaspergunti nudique, cunfti numcrofis fpedatoribus,incedebant autem Synodici bini, 
 hocordine, primo incedebant illuftriffimo ordines Generates Delegati quos fequebatur ipfo» 
 rum Secretarius D. Heinfius : poflea fcquuti funtD. Epifcopus Landavcnfis ; et D. Prafes 
 Synodi ipfi a finiftra, dein reliqui omnes Theologi Exteri, fecundum loca ipfis, in Synodo 
 defignata, Exteros fequebantur D. aflefibresetferiba ; poft illos D. profeflbres Belgici, et 
 poft ipfos reliqui provinciales Theologi, fecundum ilium quo in Synodi fedebant ordinem, 
 In templum devenimus capacifilmum et fplendidum, quod tamen ingenti auditcrum nomero 
 fuit repletifsimum, inter quos fuerunt complurimi nobiles et Gcnerofi, in utroque fexu ; cum ex 
 Belgico, turn etiam ex aliis nationibus, ocenparunt Synodici loca fua in choro templi ubi to- 
 ta hac folennitas peiagebatur, a parte dextra confidebant,primum D.Prafcs Ecclefiafticm,poft 
 cum D.Afleflbresetfcriba,poft illos D.Epifcopus, rehquique deincepsfecudu ordinem Syno> 
 dicu,Theol.Exteri,in loco edition ct fatis comcdo.in fcamnisinferioribuscofidebant illuft.ord. 
 Gener. delegati, poft illos D. Profeflbres Belgici, D.Prafes fingulis fuo crdine jam collocatis, 
 ex pulpito ibi extru&o comodifsimefito ad partem chori cccidcntalem adcoq; in ipfa Templi 
 rncdietate, ubi pofsit comodifsime a cofertifsin a corona ex audiri, folennitattm aufpicatus eft 
 precatione valde prolixa, fed pienrifsima ct appofitifiima, cujus prior pars et multo lorgior 
 fuit ex folis fcripturaru ftntentiis, cum fumma elegantia, et judiciocontexta, planeq; concin- 
 nata ad venerandu antiquitatis ftylum,legebat earn ex Schedulis defcriptij,duravitqjpcr hors 
 dimidium,poftea fine ullo pra famine. narnt qua brevifsime auditorio indiftu fuifle hanc folen- 
 nem convcmu,utomne!> jam tandem fruftum laboru Synodicorupercipcrent, audiremq; pre- 
 leftos illos canones, quos tot tantifq-, laborious exantlatis, immenfodei benefieio, et fuavifsi. . 
 ma omniu acfingulorum cofpiratione,vencranda Syncdus conceperat,ac efformavcrit. 
 
 Itaq-y D.Dananus unus ex fcribis Synodicis,in idem pulpitu afcendit^ac prin u prelegit pro. 
 SEmiumquod canonibus prafigitur : quo prelefio,D.Frafesmonet omnes auditoresut ex more 
 receptOjfinguli velinthodiernl l£?itiam,etfuam divinscmajeftati gratitudinem teftari ercgando 
 elcemofyna paispcribus : quam diaconi quida Ecclefia Dordrechtanxad id muneris dtfignati 
 colligebant, proculdubio fatis amplam: nemineraenim obfervavirausqui manumfuam iioEtc 
 hilari non porrigebat, redit ad pulpitum D. Dammannus et aggrcditur ipforum canonum prx_ 
 Jcftionem, Iedis articulis primi capitis contraverfi, propter templi imagnitudinem, et fpiffas 
 frequentisiimi auditorii animas, deficere incipiebat ipfum vox, itaque D. Feftus Hnmmiusal-» 
 terfcribaSynodicus pulpitum confeendit, legitquecanonesde fecuftdo tertio et quarto arti- 
 culis ; ct voce ipfum qnoqueob pradiftas caufas deficiente, rediit D. Dammannus, legitquc 
 canones dc quinto articulo, ct Epilegum Synodicum, q,uihus finhis legit quoqucfingulorum ; 
 
 6ibfqip'. 
 
 r- 
 
ASia Synodi. 
 
 L48] 
 
 fubfcriptiones, finguli id nominafua audita fidem canonum apertione capitis teftabantuc 5 
 poftea legit quoq ; Idem fcriba Synodi cenfuram perfonalern de Remonftrantibus cui non ad- 
 dita erant fingulorum Syngraphas eo quod quidam ex Exttris volutrint de homimum perfonis 
 fed tantum de ipforum doftrina aliquid ftatuere. 
 
 Poft omnia lc&a, legcba;ur quoque teftimoniiim, D. Delegatorum, quo teftanturfe inter* 
 faifle dum ifthajc agrerentur, omniaque quae jam prelc&a fuerant optima fide relata fuiflej 
 quod finguli una cum D. Hcinfio ipforum fecretario, fuis Syngnphis comprobantj monec 
 porro D. Prafcs, confefsionem &catechcfin Belgicam effe quoque a Synodo comprobatas ; & 
 licconcluditcum precatione & gratiatum aftionf jejufde Plane ityli cum priori & fere Paris pro\ 
 lixitatisjpoft abfolutam totam (olennimem put fan cur Organa , & fie omnes 5ynodici domum 
 redeuntad locum Synodiruiiieodcm plane ordinc q jo vencrantj Ibi dominus Pra?fesmonee 
 jam omnia negotia Synodica qux pofcerent opem Exterorum Theologorum, aboluta effe ; 
 Ideoquemonetutfingulacollcgiaduosmitrantqui ad horam quartam Pomeridiana incipianc 
 dcfcriberccanones, qoibus poftea fubferibanci pie cum AfTefforibus & fcribis, ut fie fingul* 
 collegia habeant exemplar authenticum affervanduai in perpetuam rci memoriam : brcvi pre, 
 catione •Synodumdimittit. 
 
 Stfsk 1 54. fy uli'm*. 9. Mau.flylo novo.'] D. Prtfet movet hunc ultimum Synodi conventu 
 eclebrari ad agendu Deo gratias pro exoptatiflimo 5ynodi exitu, porroq; ad agendas gratias 
 TheoIogisExterisprogravifsimis hboribus fufcepris: Gregorius Martini unus exBelegatis, 
 1 "precatione habetfuavifsima &juftaeprolixitatisqua Deo gratias agit proalferendareligionis 
 punirateinEcclefiis Belgicis,operi&corifiliishujusSynodi,precaturqiiifdem Ecclefiis in veri- 
 tate hie afTerta inviftam conftantia, Precatione finita, oratione eleganti Theologos Exteros co« 
 pellar,nomine IlluftrilTord.gen.fingulis gratias rependit pro falubcrrimisipforuconfili/s,&gra« 
 vifsimis laboribus quibus hoc tempore Ecclefias Belgicas fublcvaffent, itidem & ingenribusiilis 
 princibus RebufpubliciSjMagiftraribus qui ipfos dclegaffenr, nominatim ipfos cu fumma obfer-3 
 vantiarecenfendoj rogatqj ut Ecclefias B;lgicas ipforu eelfitudinibus curatrnt fore comenda- 
 tiflimas : rogat ut finguli praefentes perfuadeant fibi de prolixiffimo ord gtn. erga ipfo animo. 
 utqueante difceflum Hagam comitis pctant, refcrantque ab iiluftriff.ord. gen. gratias, & porro 
 ad principes fe Refpublicas fus literas dimifforias; 
 
 D. Ytdfts Ecclefiafticus oratione pia comemoratDei beneficia inEcclefia ful fa?pius lapfente, 
 applicatione facta ad Ecclefias Belgicas prxdicat mediata ilia inftrumeca quibus Delis .<d banc 
 rem ufus fuerat,cum primis Rege magna? Britanniarjdeinde reliquos principes & Magiftratus no- 
 minatim,qui hue Theologos fuos mififienc : deinde omnes & fingulos Theologos Exterors hie 
 pra?fentes,quibus omnia faufta et cseleftes bencdiftiones comprecatur, Jubetq; ipfo effe perfua- 
 fiflimos eoru memoria fore hie in sternum fuaviffima primu Thtologi Britanni finguli orationib > 
 brevibus et fuccinftis,Deo agunt gratias de Synodi tam fsdici fucceflfu, D. Delcgatis et fratribus 
 Belgis ob fingularc humanitate, Dcum rogant ut velit Ecclefias Belgicas femper falices efle ec 
 pacatas: Idem pretermit palatini perdominuScultetu \ Idem Haffiaci per D. Crucigerumj' 
 Idem Helretii per D.Brittin germu. idem Naflbvici per D. Alftediu : Idem Genevenfes finguli* 
 Idem Bremenfes, per D.Mminiu, Idem Embdani finguli, fed uterq; prolixiTime, icaq, omnes 
 Exterivotafuanuncupaffent.prsefis Synodo pi ifsimaetGratuIatoria precatione finemimpo- 
 fuitj Tum,primum D.Delegati,dein.D.Pr£fes,dein.D.AiTen'orcsetfcrib2?,dein Singuli Synodici 
 Belg«eIoca fuarelinquentcs fingulos Theologos Eacteros ordine datis dextris etadjunftis votis 
 humanifsime falutant» atqi fie Sefsiohajc auditoribus frcquentifsima,adeoq; ipfa Synodus Dor- 
 drechtana,cumfummisgratulationibus, et maxima animorum IaJtitia ob fperatum finem,et 
 mirore ob corporum dirulfionem Q^ F. F. Q^ fit dimifla eft. 
 
 I 
 
 FINIS. 
 


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