OVr English translations differ in turning the words 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Some turne it by Order , some according to Order , and this is verbum verbe with the Greeke . Others , among which is our last translation , turne it In Order . Wherein they leave the Greek and follow the Syriac . It is frequent with the Syriac translator to borrow the Greeke word , so has hee done here . He borrowes the Greeke word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , and joynes it with the Hebrew preposion 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in steed of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , — 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in order , in steed of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 according to Order . But the sence being the same I will inquire no further into the words , I come to the matter .

I must not while I plead for decency and order , passe the bounds of decency and order .

If I should follow decency and order as farre as they goe , an age were fitter for my discourse then an houre .

The words Creature and Creation , are not so large as the words Decency and Order ; for as much as God himself fals within the compasse of order . Primum , secundum , tertium , are but so many linkes of the same order , and GOD is Primum Ens , primum Vivens , primum Momens & ultimum . Alpha and Omega . ( Apoc. 1.8 . )

The whole Creature also ( or as St. PAVL cals it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the whole Creation ) fals within the extent of Decencie and Order . Rom. 8.22 . For that which wee say in English , GOD made all things in decency and order , is no other than that which MOSES in Hebrew sayes , ( Gen. 1.31 . ) — 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , and then that which the Pen-man of the booke Wisdeme ( whether PHILO IUD Aeus , Sapient . 11.21 Engl. vers. 17 or IESUS the sonne of SYRAC , or who else ) in Greek sayes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , thou hast ordered all things in measure , number and weight , and This is Canonicall though the booke be Apochrypha .

I will not therefore meddle with the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 natura , the Order of naturall things and comelinesse of them .

Nor will I meddle with the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , the dependency and correspondency of Arts and Sciences in themselves and their own principles , or theyr mutuall helpes one to another and contatenations one with another : theyr mediocrities , proportions and lovely rules and fruites .

Not will I intermeddle with bodies Civilpolitick or oeconomick . In all which notwithstanding Order is theyr stability and strength , and Decency theyr comelinesse and beauty .

That which I will spend my time in , shall be the Decencie and Order of the Church .

Nor will I take the whole Decency and Order of the Church to view . I will not looke how glorious the Kings daughter is within , ( Psal. 15.13 . ) How comely in the eyes of God the Soule of man is , when the affections and passions are ordered by reason and reason by God , Nagian . pag. 110. li. 1. when the whole man is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , as Nazianzen speakes . When mens lives are lived out toward Heaven . When there is in the Soule of man an aspiring ambition of comming neere the Angels in perfection , and the Saints and Martyrs in devotion .

But the Decencie and Order which I will now meddle with , is the Decencie and Order of our publiqve Assemblies , and of those , not in Councils and Synods , and Convacation-houses or the like : but in that House which is gloriously styled by GOD 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , ( Esa. 56.7 . ) The house of Prayer or materiall Temple .

In these assemblies I will not inquire into the inward reverence done , nor sit judge upon the Soules of men , Stapl. tom. 2.707 . whether they doe Hoc agere or no. I will only lay before your view , the outward face and cariage of our Assemblies .

And ( that yet I may bound my selfe narrower ) I will only discourse of those things which I am daily 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of ; shewing only mine opinion , leaving the decision of judgement to you that have the Seats of judgement ; and because the spirits of the Prophets are subject to the Prophets , ( 1 Cor. 14.32 . ) To you also my brethren of the Clergie .

I will begin with the Place of our Assemblies .

While I speake of the Place , understand me not of all the Churches in our land , wee have those that are according to St. PAULS rule , Orderly and Decent , and which have according to our Canons framed themselves into a blamelesse beautifulnesse , I speake of some Churches only , and of some only would I be understood .

1 It seemes to me an vndecent thing , That places of Churches of late yeares fairely ceeled should now have nothing left to defend , eyther the eye from offence or the floore from floods ; but that wee may feare shortly least navis Ecclesiae should floate away in raine and snow water . ASAPH complained of the like above 2600 yeares agoe , whose spirit I desire to be of in this age . Qui hoc habuit peculiare , ut de rebus Ecclesiae tristibus meditaretur , Now they breake downe all the carved worke thereof with Axes and hammers . ( Psal. 74.6 . ) Calaturas ejus her ceelings .

2 It seems to me as vndecent , That Church-wainscots , and perhaps the same , wrought with gold and divers colours by the pensill of the cunning limmer , should now be a Sear for private men . Since it was a more noble imployment for them to be the common beauty of a Church , then to be the decking of a private Seat , and since Publica privatis sunt anteponenda .

3 It seemes to me an undecent thing , Since PAUL is never the more payd by this robbing of PETER , that seates of the highest ranke should by the Parishioners be kept , now full 4 yeares together in such a condition , that the raine fals on theyr Bookes , on theyr tender Infants , the Cushins and mats rot under them as they sit , the boards are as white under theyr feet with mould , as a Swans-skin with feathers , the whole seat saving your presence stinkes so , that 't is fitter to be ha●a suis , then sella venenantis , and so it is at this houre . Vndecent I say , since even the meanest in the Congregation ought to serve God windright and watertight . For howsoever in the Temple of SALOMON , Godw Antiq. Hebr pag 40. lin. 1. Laici the People , in faire weather did alwayes pray sub dio & teste Caelo , in the open eye of Heaven : Yet had they their Porticus and shelters , to which they betooke themselves to worship dry in time of raine . And thus much of the Place of our Assemblies . Now of some Vtensils in it and things of affinitie in nature .

And first of that which in all ages of the Church has beene counted ( Gods booke only excepted ) the most reverend and honourable , the Communion-table .

1. It seemes to me an undecent thing and against St. PAULS rule ; That a Church should have in it a Communion-table not worth above 12. or 14d. at the most . Since of all the tables in the Parish that only has had the honour to be call'd 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , as Greg. Nazian . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , Morn . 1. de Miss. 375. as the first Councill of Nice ; and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , as St. Paul . ( 1 Cor. 10.21 . )

2 It seemes to me an undecent thing , That our Communion bread , which is by and by to be the body of CHRIST , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 should be brought into our Church , and Sanctum Sanctorum in a stain'd course totterd linnen poke , like adsit reverentia verbo , a pudding bag , or that ( I may not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ) a foule muckinger , & therely all prayers time till Sermon begin , in the view of the Congregation to vilescere in oculis populi ; since the very bringing of it into the Church to that use , is a taking of it out of the World , a promotion of it to more reverence , and a next step to consecration it selfe . Also , that a Church should not have so much as a homely Napkin to cover it , or to take away in decent manner the fragments . Since all the instruments of the Tabernacle were by Gods owne appointment so curiously covered , even the candlesticks , snuffers and snuffedishes , from the eyes of the Sonnes of Kohath with a cloth of blew silke when they were to remove the Tabernacle . Numb. 4.9.15 .

3 It seemes to me an undecent thing . That many times the coursenesse of the bread and vappidnesse and foulenesse of the the wine is such , or of the bottles , that the eye makes the mouth loath to touch the cup , and extra sacramentum , would rather drinke homely water . Since when GOD carved for himselfe ; he chose out not onely the pure , but the purest ; nor the fine , but the finest ; a a Exod 25.24 aurum Purissimum , b b Exod. 27.20 . Oleum purissimum , c c Levit. 24.6 . Suffimentum purissimum , d d Num. ●9 . 9 locum purissimum . For so the vulgar translation translates the words , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 & 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 & I thinke he does not amisse in so translating it , for so I am sure the sense is ; and the Simila , out of which the e e Levit. 24 , 5 Panes Propositionis , were made to stand before the Lord , was the finest of the flowre , for the Sonnes f f ●ornel . a lap . of Kohath ( not the lay-people ) made them and baked them . 1. Chron. 9.32 . And they boulted out of so many peckes of meale but so many pottles ; as Maimon reports in his Tamidin of dayly sacrifices , g g Ainsworth on Levit. 24 , 5 and this must bee no other but the finest . And since God has made the fine and pure , why should man serve him up to his owne Table the faces , the foule and course . Thus of the first Vtensil , the Communion Table , and some undecencies about it .

The next in honor is the Font.

It seemes to me an undecent thing , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that a Church should have a cover to a Font not worth a groat , not three pence , scarce two pence , and that many Fonts should have none at all , but a clamp of rotten boards , or a piece of some forlorne table . That the Font should stand behinde a Piller , hiding the sacred action from the Congregation . Since copula cum Christo is more honourable then copula cum carne , & Baptisme more honorable then Marriage , yet is the solemnity of marriage performed in the holyest place , & fullest face of the Congregation .

2 It seems to me a defective thing , if not undecent , that the whole care of our Aqua baptismalis should be left to the Clerke , without any other inspect or over him . Who ( having perhaps but one paile in his house , and wanting 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Vessell to honour , Rom. 9 , 21 as St. PAVL calls it ) serves the sacred Font with the same payle with which he serves his hog . O● perhaps snatches up water in his house homely used and halfe fouled before , and powres it into a Font more foule than it . Or perhaps commits the whole care of it to his young boy or girle , or takes water standing in the Font before ; a moneth , or two moneths , older than the childe . Carion . an. 743 & an : 978 — I dare undertake that those two unhappy Princes , Const. Copr●nymus Emperor of the East , and Etheldred King of the English , ( though the Stories prove true which are reported of them ) left as fit behinde them as that which we many times use . — I doe not desire to bring into our Church againe the Papist rite of Exorcisme . Although I doe not therefore reject it , because it is in their Church ▪ for it is nearer us , t is in the Lutheran Church , Eck. sasc . 613 Hem Har. lib. 3 part , 2.196 . Eck sasek . 615 Aret prob . 197 Kem har . lib. 3 part , 2 196. Kem. har. lib 3 part , 2 196. Esk fasch . 613 6.4 . and nearer us then so , t was in the Primitive Church , in Cyprian , Nazianzen , Ambrose , Austins time , though in a better sense then theirs I doubt not . — I doe not think there is immundus spiritus in the water , an uncleane devill to be cast out by exorcisme , but I think there is many times a divelish uncleannesse , which ( superstitious Ceremonies layd aside ) deserves to be more reverently avoyded . Since it must by and by represent the water that came out e capsula cordis Christi , and was part of our Redemption , and since it must by and by be the one part of an high Sacrament , even to us 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the laver of a new birth , is St. PAVL to Titus 3.5 .

3 It seemes to me 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , that the ancient and pious institution of Godfathers , is so farre declined from the gravity of their originall , that young boyes and girles , that have neyther the face nor age of a man , Nodin Exod. 518. lin. 1. and that cannot respondere pro seipsis , should spondere pro aliis . — Beza ( who worthily mislikes much in Dionysius the falsely cald Areopagite ) yet highly comends this in him , Bez. vol. 1.325 above all that ever hee read ; that he would have Parents deliver their children over , Praeclaro alicui divinarum rerum doctori or informatori , to bring them to the Font , and there to undertake the care of their future Christianity . — His meaning is not that all Godfathers should be divines : but his meaning is , that the chiefe ayme of Parents in the choyse of Godfathers should be , to chuse able men that could and would . Againe , that those should be no Godfathers , whose very face and presence , puls downe the solemnity of the Sacrament .

4 It seemes also to me an undecent thing , that Godfathers should decline so farre from the primordiall usefulnesse of their office , and profitablenes to Christian proficiency . How much increase of Religion and good manners ( kept they a diligent watch over children in those three parts of their office , which Dionysius , Augustin and Beza , Bez. vol. 2.325 Nodin . Exod. 517. Aq. 3. q. 71. art. 4. ad 3. agree with our Church in ) might they bring to the Church . 1 To teach & instruct in all fundamentals of Christianity , both for knowledge and life . 2 At every occasion to perswade incourage and exhort them . 3 Where they fell short to rebuke and reprove them , and in all these to have diligentem curam & sollicitudinem continuam . So should every childe bee under some awfull eye where ever he went . Beza vol. 2.325 . sin . 326. init . Beza commends the Geneva Church that it twice presses the Godfather , both before and after Baptisme , and makes him twice seriously to promise that he will use his best care and endeavour , that the childe be brought up in the whole doctrine and law of both Testaments : And

5 It seemes to mee an undecent thing , that Godfathers undertaking this so solemnly , in the face of God and his Angels , and in the face of his Congregation , should so flight a promise made under the eye of so great witnesses . Scitote saith Aug. vos fidejussores pro ipsis apud deum extitisse ; Nodin . Exod. 517. and surely marriage it selfe which yet bindes so strong , is not undertaken with much more solemnitie of promises then this office of Godfathers . And thus much of the Font , and some undecencies about that .

And thus have I said all that I meant to trouble you with concerning the Place of our assemblies and of the vtensils of it . I should now lay before your view our Assemblies together , but I would faine have a fit man first to cleane the Church , and to speake for them , for when they come they will leave theyr tongues at home .

It seemes to me an undecent thing , that our Clerkes should be scanted in their wages as they are . The ancient orders wanted good husbandry to contract them . Subdiaconus Acoluthus Exorcista Lector actiarius Psalmista . It has beene the good husbandry of rurall Congregations to contract two offices the Clerke and Sextons into one ; that that one might have a sufficient maintainance . After that , to contract that one mans wages so , that it shal not be enough for one ; and scanty though it be , yet more scantily shall it be payd . For they being in their originall an Ecclesiasticall Order constituted by Byshops as we are , their meanes also was a kinde of Church maintenance . As they deale with the Minister therefore in his portion , no marvaile if they deale so with the Clerke in his ; and let him complaine if he dare . Math. 10 , 24 For the Disciple is seldome above his Master . — Along with the contraction of niggardize , has gone the contraction of times ; For their meanes being neither praediall nor personall Tithes , but a bare stipend of so many pence by the yeare ; the greater price things beare the fewer will their purse reach too ; and the more must they be content to want . For a penny will never be more then a penny ; but a penny-worth will in time grow to be worth a shilling . The Clerke has still but his penny to buy that shillings worth , and so have the times swept away eleven parts of 12. of his maintenance , and it shall goe hard but his Parish will sweepe away a quarter of that too , his penny shall be but three farthings , perhaps a halfe penny . Hence come they to be men of so meane parts as they are , scarce Organa 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , so meane God wot in the rurall parts of the Church , that they are not able to doe the Clerkly part of their office , to answer the responsories without blasphemie . — An undecent thing I say it is , that these should be so scanted for wages , since the cleanlinesse of our Churches , depends upon the reward of the worke : and since the sufficiencie of the man is not bought but by the sufficiency of the wages , and since every workman ( even the most dunghill labourer ) is worthy of his hyer . Luc. 10.7 . And now will I shew you our Assemblies and the parts in them .

The parts and parties are Men , Women and Children , Ioel. 2.16 . For it seemes to me an undecent thing , that any that has a reasonable soule ( actu primo & secundo reasonable ) should exempt himselfe when Gods reasonable service , as St. Paul calls it , is a doing . Rom. 12 , 1 — And it seemes to me a more undecent thing , that any that has not a reasonable soule , ( neyther actu primo nor secundo reasonable ) should frequent when Gods reasonable service is a doing . — I must therefore crave pardon while I reckon up ( pax sit auribus & suggesto salus ) dogs among the parts of our Assemblies .

1 Shall I call it no more then a disorder , that the Consecrated bread even then when the Priest is administring it and saying take eate , should be to be taken up from under the feet , and that flung downe by the disturbance of Dogs ? — 2 That Dogs should be about the Font , under his feet betweene his legs as he is administring the sacred Baptisme ? — 3 Shall I call it but a disorder , that dogs are seen in the face of the Congregation ( 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ) Bitchering , others smelling out a seate to bepisse , and in their courses doe it ? Non sunt haec ficta sed facta , I faine them not . I have noted the dayes nigro θ. Are these the omnia bene of our Churchwardens bils ? — I say nothing of their frequent barkings , brawlings and fightings ; the breaking off of divina officia till they have done : because these are smal things . When the Osliarii Tabernaculi did their office according to Gods owne Booke of Canons , Deut. 23.18 . a Dog might not be suffered to come into the Tabernacle , no not the hire of a dog . No not the hire of a dog in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , Kem. Harm. l. 1.279 . the popular place of the Temple , much lesse in Sanctum Sanctorum . None ought to have a place in the Church , who are not capable of a place in heaven , because the Church is a schoole to heaven . But leave wee dogs to their proper place 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , as St. Iohn saith , Apoc. 22.15 . Let all Dogs be without , & all Christians within : And to their proper worke , Excubare per re Domini , as Livie speakes , Livius 10● lin. 33. Stack : tom. 2.46 . pag 2. Let them watch at home while their Masters worship at Church .

2 It seemes to me 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . That the Minister should sit , after the bels have don , and the bookes laid halfe an houre , 3. quarters of an houre , before he can have a company , that shall beare the face of a Congregation ; in the meane time the Church-yard hath his severall confabulations , consultations and deambulations , his laughings , leapings and shoutings . — An undecent thing I say , since it is the office of Bels to make them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ; That is to call them out of Houses , Streets , Fields , Church-yards and all places into Churches .

3 It seemes to me an undecent thing , That if the Minister begin at his appointed time or soone after the last toll : halfe prayers , nay 3 quarters should be don , sermon begun , before the Congregation meet . Since the first part of our Liturgy is as acceptable to God as the middle and end . And since hee never in any undertaking makes a good end , that leaves out the beginning or middle . —

4 It seems to me an undecent thing , that when halfe divine Service is lost for want of company , the rest should be lost for want of auditors . My meaning is , the clashing of Pattens in the porches ; and the clamping of nailed shooes on the pavements of the Church ; the rusling up of those who are already kneel'd to make way for them that come late , to come to their seates , do so cry down for half an houre together the rest of the Liturgy , that those that should be auditors are but images , they have eares to heare but heare not . An undecent thing I say , Since divine service ought to be free from disturbance as wel of walking as of talking . Canon , 18.

5 It seemes to me an undecent thing , and not only deordinatū but deordinans , a cause of much disorder ; That in Parishes where there are that come not to Church in 6 weekes , 8 weekes , 18 weeks together , being able persons . That in Parishes where there are young ones of 12 , or 14 yeares of age which never yet came in Church but once , viz. on the day of their Baptisme . Yet our Church-wardens should give up bils with Omnia bene . An undecent thing I say , since the Courts of reformation are the immediate instruments of GOD by which he keepes his Church in decency & order . And since Oathes there given are the strongest instruments of Courts . Erasm . Ling. 95. — Since the greatest sinne ( next to blasphemy ) which the tongue can commit is Perjury ; and the greatest perjury , is perjury before a rightfull Iudge sitting in actu judicativo .

6 It seems to me an undecent thing , That young boyes of 14 , and 16 yeares of age should sit covered while the Preacher is delivering to him Gods message . Kem. Harm. l. 4. part 1.138 . Since potiores sunt partes docentis quam discentis & sedere & cooperire is the proper situs & habitus docentis . And since the sonne owes this to his Father ; and the servant to his master ; and the inferiors to the heads of the Congregation , not to sit covered at so small a a distance .

7 It seems to me an undecent thing . That Parishioners should teach the Minister another method of care of soules then the Canons doe . That he should leave out a lesson , with the Epistle and Gospell , the Letanie and Commandements that they may have Sermon enough . — Since the Lessons Epistles and Gospels , are verbum Dei 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , but a Sermon is but verbum dei 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 at the most ; and I would to God that those Sermons which such men so much glote after , and preferre so farre before Lessons , Epistles and Gospels , were alway so much .

8 It seemes to me an undecent thing , That in a Parish of Three or 400 people , there should not be found three beside the Clerke , that answer Amen to our Prayers or make any responsorie to the Commandements or other parts of the Liturgy . And that selfe-conceited man , Kem. Harm. l. 2.136 . his braines stood certainly the backside forward , that acquitted himselfe and his Sect of their lip-labour thus . How should a man say Amen to that he understands not ; the plainnesse of our prayers convince him rather of Schisme and obstinacie than of ignorance . Canon . 8. — An undecent thing I say , Since the Amen of the mouth is as due as the Amen of the heart ; if both need both must aske , if both receive both must give thankes . Since in the times of the Church nearer CHRIST , the whole people , not onely the Clerke answered Amen to the Church prayers . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , ( saith Iustin Mart. Pag 1 ●2 . Ar●t Pr●bl. 227. ) 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . And that not with whispering or mumbling , but fausta acclamatione , with a shouting voice , a voyce of men shewing how they favoured them , consented to them , and desired they should prosper . * * Nonnius Marcellus . Faustus a favendo . — Yea since even in the Churches trained up under the Apostles themselves , All the people said Amen . * * Bell. tom 3 . 48● . How shall hee that occupies the roome of the unlearned say Amen at the giving of thanks . ( 1 Cor. 14.16 . ) — Yea since the light of nature teaches as much , for thence Epicletus had it . If I were a Nightingale ( sayth hee ) I would doe as a Nightingale , but being a man I will doe as a man . I will not be all voyce , for that s like a bird , too low , nor all spirit for that s like an Angell too high for me ; but spirit and voyce that s like a Man , I will keep my ranke . — And Constantine the Great ( whose memory ought ever to bee honourable in the Church ) would not onely say Amen to the prayers , but would reade the verses of the Psalmes interchangeably with the Minister , * * S D. 185 sayth Euseb in . vit. Const.

9 It seemes to me 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a disorder , That Parishioners should throng by Thirties and by forties to other Churches and leave their owne empty . That a sicke party should send to the next Parish to bee prayed for ; That another on his death-bed , should send for the same Minister home to him to visit him , to pray with him , to Preach for him . In the mean time the proper Pastor , to whom God and the Church hath committed the care of his soule , though hee offer his service shall not be accepted ; though he offer to Preach , there shall be no Sermon rather . What is this , but for the people to usurp Episcopall authority ? To set over themselves what pastor they please ? nay more then Episcopall authority . Vpon every vaine fancie to chose , upon every vaine fl●sh to leave their choise . In those ancient Churches where ( by connivence not of right ) the people had a hand in the choyse of their Pastor , yet when they had chosen they were no more at liberty to leave them . Even in St. Iohns time , though Parishes were not yet divided . As the 7 Angels had their severall Churches ; so those 7. Churches had their severall Angels . Apoc. 1.20 .

10 It seemed to me an undecent speech , his brains sure had no Pia mater , that spoke it . I heard ( sayth one ) a Preacher , and he spake for the bowing at the name of IESVS , he was fitter to preach in a tub then in a pulpit . — An undecent speech I say ; Since not only the Reverend Fathers of our Church , ( whose learned and pious Sermons deserve for them ( I am sure ) better then a Tub to preach in ) doe speake for it in their Canons : but a Hoker , 347. Bell. to . 2.246 b Aret. Probl. 189 cap. 1. c Hoker , 433. Canon 18. also ancient Fathers the honour of Pulpits for their times , do yet speake for it in their writings : writings not bung'd up in bartels , nor tumbled into cubs , but writings which are counted the ornaments of the greatest Libraries in the world . And he whose writings are in the most Preachers hand in this land ( who are worthily famous for preaching ) and are many a time the credit of their best sermons , Stell Luc. 10.1.67 . coll. 1. thinks this fit for a Pulpit not for a Tub. The name IESUS ( saith he ) of all his names cost him dearest , the name God he has from his nature ; the name LORD from his power ; the name CHRIST from his unction , &c. they cost him no shame , no teares , no trouble , no bloud ; the name IESUS or Saviour cost him his bloud . Rom. 5.9 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 saved by his blood . On the Crosse he saved us , on the crosse ( by divine providence ) was no other name . This is Iesus the King of the Iewes . Mat. 27 33 — If Christ be God and man doe we amisse to bow to him ? If we doe not amisse in bowing to him , doe we amisse in taking that time to bow to him when his name is named ? Few prayers in our Liturgy are made to Christ , Bell. to. 3.847 † 84● . but to the father in Christs name , and are concluded for Christs sake : to whom the suite is made , to him is the bowing ; not to him directly in whose name t is made . If we adde therfore this decent ceremony to his direct worship , will not a little patience be enough to beare it ? If he like not our ceremony , nor list not to conforme himselfe to it , yet let him yeild us the protection of St. Iames prohibition , Iam. 3.1 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . — Let him shew me , that 't is either contra fidem , or contra bonos mores , 8. K 56. Epist. 11 s , ad Ianuarium . and as St. Aug. saith , and I will justle with our Church about it an no longer obey ; which till he can do , let the Philosophers ambition be his wisdome ; who when every man was eager to shew his opinion , and to have it recorded as conclusum est , desired that this only might be recorded of him . Advancem . l. 2 106 pa. That there was one there , that knew how to hold his peace , — which is time for me to doe .

I will adde only this one thing , for the necessity of outward decency an order . — It is necessary it should be seene , there is a God in the world . — This cannot be seen by his essence , though it fill the world . — It cannot be seene by the hearts of men , they are as hidden from our eye as God himselfe . — In the book of nature he has too much hid himself from the people eye . — Therefore there need other outward expressions of him , which the people are capable of , viz our outward assemblies , the places of them , and our carriages in them ; all which ought to be such , as may convey a reverent opinion of him into the peoples hart by the eye .

If it be necessary God should be seene in the world , t is necessary he should be seen as he is . Not only that he is a God of holines , but also that he is a God of majesty . To this Christ directs us . Mat. 5.16 . Let your light so shine before men , that they seeing your good works , may glorifie your father which is in heaven ; he would have not only our doctrin , but our outward works , to direct men to this , that God is a glorious God , & therfore to be glorified .