Fourteen SERMONS Heretofore Preached . IIII. AD CLERVM . III. AD MAGISTRATVM . VII . AD POPVLVM . By ROBERT SANDERSON D.D. Sometimes Fellow of LINCOLNE Colledge in OXFORD and Rector of Botheby Paynel Linc.

The Fourth Impression .

LONDON , Printed by R. N. for HENRY SEILE over against St. Dunstans Church in Fleetstreet . Anno Dom. 1657.

HOW these Sermons will be looked upon ( if at all looked upon ) by the Men of the Times , is no very hard matter to conjecture . I confess they are not Alamode , nor fitted to the Palate of those men , who are resolved before-hand ( without tasting or tryall ) to nauseate , as unsavoury and unwholsome , whatsoever shall be tendered unto them from the hand of an Episcopal Divine . And therefore the republishing of them in this state of Church-affairs , now the things so much contended for in some of them , are worne out of date , and thrown aside , will be deemed at least a very unseasonable undertaking : to as much purpose ( perhaps it will be said , ) as if a man would this year reprint an Almanack for the last . For the latter part of the Objection : at the peril be it of those , that had the hardiness to adventure upon a new Edition . Mihi istic nec seritur , nec metitur All I had to do in the business , was but the drudgery of reviewing the old Copy , to correct the Errata of the former Impressions ; and of looking over the sheets as they were wrought off from the Press , and sent me down , to note the oversights escaped in the printing , and to make the Index of the Scripture-quotations . As to the other part of the Crime , such as it is , to wit the unseasonableness of this after-publication ; there need not much be said . If the Sermons , thought not unseasonable in some former times , be now become 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , as things brought forth into the world again , out of due time : that cannot I help . They are the same they were , when they were first preached ; and the same they were , when they were last printed : and so am a a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Greg. Naz. I. If either they or I , find worse entertainment now , then we did then ; and any blame be due for that : let not us bear it , who are guiltless ; but the Times . For it is They are changed : not We. Howsoever , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 : now they are abroad , they must take their lot , as it falleth out . Which be it better , be it worse ; this yet we shall gain thereby : that if any shall charge these Papers with unseasonableness , ( no very huge crime , ) he shall ipso facto , by that very act , and the verdict of his own conscience , fully discharge , and for ever acquit them of the guilt of Time-serving ; a crime , I trow , of a vaster magnitude , and wherewith Discourses of this nature were wont to be so frequently , ( that I say not , unjustly ) aspersed , whilest the Times looked more favourably upon them .

§ . II. But of this enough . I expect to meet with far heavier Censures then these , from the ungoverned spirits and tongues of the more zealous ( that is to say , if rightly interpreted , the more clamorous , and lesse knowing ) among them . Who knoweth not , that as empty vessels give the loudest sound , and shallow brooks run with a fiercer current , and make a greater noise , then deeper Rivers do : So they that are the least able to judge , are ever the most forward to pass sentence ; and when they so do , the most rigid and peremptory therein . But the heaviest doom , I suppose , will proceed from those men , who being themselves of late years fallen out , grievously fallen out ( for what cause I know not ) with the Ancient Government , Liturgy , and Ceremonies of the Church ; are angry with all those , that retain any good opinion of them . Whereunto yet themselves , when time was , seemed to be , and if they dissembled not ( which we are unwilling to believe ) were indeed , reasonably well affected . For they submitted to the Government , used the Liturgy , and observed the Ceremonies appointed : according to Law and Order ; and their own professed approbation of the same , as well by express words from their mouths , as by subscription under their hands , yet remaining upon record What hath wrought this change in them , ( Evidence of Reason , or worldly Interest , ) and how farr it hath wrought upon them , ( in reality , or but in complyance ; ) and in what order too , ( by immediate assault upon their judgment , or by dealing underhand first with the affections : ) themselves do , or should best know . It highly concerneth them , even as much as the peace of their consciences is worth ( and much more then so ) to be well assured that their hearts are upright in this affair . And in order thereunto , not to content themselves with a slight and overly examination ; ( There is more wickedness and deceitfulness in the hearts of all men , then most men are aware of : ) but to make the most diligent , district , and unpartial search possible , into the true causes and motives of this change . And , for so much as Fears and Hopes have been ever found the fittest and the readiest Engins to work such feats ; ) to enquire particularly , what influence or operation , either the Fear of losing what they had , or the Hope of getting more , might have in this work , towards the producing of such an effect . It will best become others , to judge as charitably , as they may : but doubtless it would be safest for them , to be very jealous over themselves , lest so great a change could not have been wrought in so short a space , without a strong infusion , either of the one , or the other , or both , into the medicine that wrought it . Especially , since the conjuncture of the time wherein this change hapned , may very probably raise some suspicion , that the Fear of the Sword might have ; and the visible advantage some have found thereby since , as probably , that the Hope of gaine had , some cooperation at least , with whatsoever was the principal Cause of this so suddain a Metamorphosis . If nor so , nor so ; but that they finde themselves clearly convinced in their judgments of their former Errour , and that they are fully perswaded they are now in a better way then that wherein they formerly walked : it is happy for them , and I doubt not but they will finde matter of rejoycing in it , if they be not mistaken ( a thing not impossible ) in the triall of their own hearts . Of the sincerity whereof , the likelyest way to give satisfaction to the world , and to adde some strengthening withall to their own assurance , is ; by shewing compassion to those their Brethren , that cannot yet tell how to recover themselves out of the snare of the same common Error , from which they are so happily escaped . At leastwise so far , as not to despise them ; nor to pass their censures upon them , with so much freedome and severity as some have done . If it be a fault , sure it is a very pardonable one ; for a man in the change of times , to remain unchanged in his minde and opinion , and to hold to his former and ( as he thinketh ) well-grounded Principles : so long as he can neither apprehend any Reason of sufficient strength to convince his understandings that he is in the wrong , or to manifest unto him the necessity of making such a change ; nor is able with the best wit he hath , to discern any thing so lovely in the effects and consequents of such change since it was made , as might win over his affections to any tolerable liking thereof upon the Post-fact .

§ . III. To return where I was going , and from whence I have not much digressed ; if any shall now aske me , what those heavy Censures are which I said we should be like to meet withall , I confess I am not able to give him any certain account thereof : not knowing before hand what reasons or expressions the spirits of particular men will suggest to their tongues or pens . Only by what hath been usually said by one sort of men upon such like occasions heretofore , ( more sparingly and in the eare in former times , but of late more frequently , freely and on the house tops : ) it may be probably guessed what kind of Censures are to be expected from those of the same party now . Yet for that I am not conscious to my selfe to have said any thing in the Papers now , or at any time heretofore ( with my allowance ) published , that may give just offence to , or merit the hard censure of , any sober dispassionate man ; and that , if yet I must fall under some mis-censures , it is not my case alone , but of many others also wrapt with me in the same common guilt : I shall therefore reduce my discourse herein ab hypothesi ad thesin : and propose the Objections , with my Answers thereunto ( though with some reflexion upon my selfe in most of the particulars , yet ) as laid against the generality of those mens Sermons , writings , and other discourses , who ( according to the new style of late years taken up among us ) go under the name of the Prelatical party , or Episcopal Divines .

§ . IIII. The Objections are . 1. That in their ordinary Sermons they take any small occasion ; but when they preach at the Visitations , where most of the Clergy of the voisinage are convened , set themselves purposely in their whole discourse to let fly at their Godly Brethren , who out of tenderness of Conscience dare not submit to some things endeavoured to be imposed upon them by the Prelates . The poor Puritan is sure to be payed home : he must be brought under the lash , and exposed to contempt and scorn at every publick meeting : the Papists , professed Enemies of our Church and Religion , escaping in the mean while Scot-free , seldome or never medled withall in any of their Sermons . II. Or if sometimes some little matter be done that way by some of them ; it is so little , that it is to as little purpose : rather for fashions sake , ad faciendum Populum and to avoid suspicion , then for any ill will they bear them . Perhaps give them a light touch by the way ; a gentle rub as they pass along , that shall do them no harm : but their Brethren , that profess the same Protestant Religion with them , they handle with a rougher hand . With Elder-guns and Paper-pellets they shoot at those : but against these they play with Canon-bullet . III. And all this anger but for Ceremonies : Trifles even in their own esteem , who plead hardest for them . If they be indeed such indifferent things , as they confess them to be , and would have the world believe they make no other account of them : Why do they dote on them so extremely themselves ? Why do they press them upon others with so much importunity ? Why do they quarrel with their brethren eternally about them ? IIII. The truth is , both We and They judge otherwise of them , then as Indifferent things . They think them necessary , what ever they pretend : or else they would not lay so much weight upon them . And we hold them Popish , Antichristian , and Superstitious : or else we would not so stifly refuse them . V. It is not therefore without cause , that we suspect the Authors of such Sermons and Treatises , as have come abroad in the defence of such trash , to be Popishly-affected : or at least to have been set on by some Popish Bishops or Chancellors , ( though perhaps without any such intention in themselves : ) on purpose to promote the Papal interest here , and to bring back the people of this nation by degrees , if not into the heart and within the walls of Babylon , yet at leastwise into the confines , and within the view of it . VI. Which , as it appeareth otherwise , to wit , by their great willingness to allow such qualifications to sundry Doctrines taught in the Church of Rome , and such interpretations to sundry taught in our Church , as may bring them to the nearest agreement ; and their great endeavours to finde out such Expedients , as might best bring on a perfect reconciliation between the two Churches . VII . So particularly , in pressing with so much vehemency the observance of these Popish and Superstitious Ceremonies ; for which we cannot finde , nor do they offer to produce , any either Command or Example in holy Scripture , to warrant to our Consciences the use thereof . VIII . Which , what is it else in effect , then to deny the sufficiency of the Scripture , to be a perfect Rule of Faith and Manners ? Which being one of the main bulwarks of the Protestant Religion , as it is differenced from the Romane , is by these men and by this meanes undermined and betrayed . ;

§ . V. This is the summe and substance of the usuall Censures and Objections of our Anti-Ceremonian Brethren , so far as I have observed from their own speeches and writings : which I have therefore set down as neere , as in so few words I could , to their sense , and , for the most part , in their own expressions . Much of which having ( as I conceive ) received its answer beforehand in some passage or other of the ensuing Sermons , might supersede me the labour of adding any more now . Yet for so much as these answers lye dispersedly , and not in one view : I held it convenient , as I have produced the Objections all together ; so to offer to the Readers an Answer to them all together , and that in the same order , as I have given them in Begging at his hands but this one ( very reasonable ) favour , that he would do both himself and me so much right , as not to pass his censure too hastily and too severely upon any part of what is now presented to his view , ( whether he like it , or dislike it ; ) till he hath had the patience to read over the whole , and allowed himself the freedom rightly and without prejudice to consider of it .

§ . VI. That which is said in the first place of their Godliness and Tenderness of Conscience , is not much to the purpose , as to the main business . For First , besides that all parties pretend to Godliness ; Papists , Anabaptists , and who not ( even the late-sprung-up generation of Levellers , whose Principles are so destructive of all that Order and Iustice by which publick societies are supported , do yet style themselves , as by a kinde of peculiarity , The Godly ; ) And that secondly , it is the easyest thing in the world , and nothing more common then , for men to pretend Conscience , when they are not minded to obey : I do not believe thirdly , ( though I am well perswaded of the godliness of many of them otherwise , ) that the refusal of indifferent Ceremonies enjoyned by Lawful Authority , is any part of their Godliness ; or any good fruit , evidence , or signe thereof . But certain it is fourthly , that the godliest men are men , and know but in part ; and by the power of godliness in their hearts , are no more secured from the possibility of falling into Errour through Ignorance , then from the possibility of falling into Sin through Infirmity . And as for Tenderness of Conscience fifthly , a most gracious blessed fruit of the holy Spirit of God , where it is really , and not in pretence only , nor mistaken , ( for sure it is ●o very tender Conscience , though sometimes called so , that straineth at a Gnat , and swalloweth a Camel : ) it is with it , as with other tender things ; very subject to receive harme , and soon put out of order . Through the cunning of Satan , it dangerously exposeth men to temptations on the right hand : and through its own aptitude to entertain and to cherish unnecessary scruples , it strongly disposeth them to listen thereunto so long , till at the last they are overcome thereof . Needful it is therefore , that in the publick teaching the Errours should be sometimes refuted , and the Temptations discovered . And this ever to be done ; seasonably , soberly , discreetly , and convincingly ; and when we are to deal with men whose Consciences are ( so far as we can discern ) truly tender , with the spirit of Meekness and Compassion . For tender things must be tenderly dealt withall : or they are lost . I know it is not allwayes so done : nor can we expect it should . All Preachers are neither so charitable , nor so prudent , nor so conscientious , as they should be : And they that are such in a good measure , are men still ; and may be a a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Arist. 1. Elench. 15. transported now and then through passion , and infirmity , beyond the just bounds of moderation . But then , the fault is not so much in the choise of the argument they treat of , as in the ill-managing thereof : which ought not to cast any prejudice upon others , who deal in the same argument , but after another manner .

§ . VII . But that which pincheth most in this first particular , is ( as I suppose , this : That upon all publick occasions , especially in Visitation-Sermons , they who agree with us in the substance of the same reformed Religion , are for the most part the only mark shot at ; whilest the common enemy , the Papist , hath little or nothing said against him . For answer hereunto . First , so far as concerneth the Sermons here published , the Objection is void ▪ for therein the Papist hath had his share , as well as his fellows , so oft as the Text gave occasion , or the file of my discourse led me thereunto : as by the papers themselves ( whereunto reference to be had ) will evidently appear . Secondly , admitting all true that is alleaged : either we are excusable , in what they blame us for ; or they that blame us inexcusable , who do the very same things . Do not they usually in their Sermons fall bitterly upon the Papists and Arminians ? but seldome meddle with the Socinians ? scarce ever name the Turks ? I have been often told , of their declamations against the observing of Christmas , that great superstitious thing : but I remember not to have heard of much spoken against Perjury and Sacriledge , and some other sins , wherewith our times abound . Nay , doth not their zeal even against Popery it self ( Popery I mean , truly so called ) of late years , and since most of the Pulpits are in their possession , seem to abate ; at leastwise in comparison of the zeal they shew against Episcopacy , and against the Liturgy , Festivals and Ceremonies lately in use among us ? These they cry down with all the noise they can , and with all the strength they have ; having first branded them with the name of Popery : and this must now pass for preaching against Popery . I demand then . Is there not the like reason of reproving Sins , and refuting Errours ? If so : are not Perjury and Sacriledge as great sins ( at least ) as keeping Christmas holy day ? Howsoever , are not the Errors of the Turks , that deny the whole structure of the Christian Religion , ( foundation and all , ) far worse then the Errors of the Papists , who by their additional superstructures have only altered the fabrick , but keep the foundation still ? And are not the Errours of the Socinians , who deny the Trinity , Gods Omniscience , the Eternity of the Son , the Divinity of the Holy Ghost , Original sin , the calling of Ministers , and far worse then those the Arminians are charged withall , of Free Will , Vniversal Redemption , Falling from Grace , &c. And are not the old rotten points of Popery ( the Popes Oecumenical ▪ Pastorship and Infallibility , the Scriptures unsufficiency , Image-worship , Invocation of Saints , Transubstantiation , Half-Communion , &c. ) Errours of as great a magnitude , as those other points of Popery ( lately and falsly dubb'd such ) of Episcopacy , Liturgy , Festivals , and Ceremonies ? If they be : why do our Brethren preach oftner , and inveigh more , against these later and lesser in comparison , then against those former and greater sins and Errours ? I doubt not , but they have some Reasons wherewith to satisfie themselves for their so doing : else they were much to blame . Be those Reasons what they will : if they will serve to excuse them , they will serve as well to justifie us .

§ . VIII . It will be said perhaps ; First , That the Turks have no Communion with us : They are out of the Church ; and our chiefest care should be for those within , leaving those without for God to judge . Or indeed Secondly , To what purpose would it be to address our speeches to them some thousands of miles out of hearing ? If our voyces were as loud as Stentors , or that of Mars in Homer , the sound would not reach them . Besides that Thirdly , There is little danger in our people of receiving hurt or infection from them : who have no such agents here to tamper with the people in that behalfe , no such artifices and plausible pretensions whereby to work them over to their side , no such advantages as the agreement in some Common Principles might afford for bringing on the rest ; as the Papists have . Who being within the pale of the visible Catholick Church , and living in the midst of us , have their instruments ready at hand in every corner to gain Proselytes for Rome ; the specious pretences of Antiquity , Vniversality , Consent of Councels and Fathers , &c. Wherewith to dazle the eyes of weak and credulous persons ; and some ground also to work upon in the agreement that is between them and us in the principall Articles of the Christian Faith .