THose that attempt the cure of prejudice , or the removal of disaffection , by Expositions and Apologies , do play an after-game , and shall encounter many difficulties ; for they shall finde their hearers and Readers , prepossest , and their intentions and affections so ingaged , that it will be hard to finde accesse , and get any competent entertainment , in any of their better rooms ; for he that is first in his own cause , seemeth just , (a) (a) Prov. 18. 17. ( and we say ) one tale is good till another be told . And if by importunity , we do break in as he did , (b) (b) Luk. 11. 8 we shall be sure to finde our Judge a party , and our selves at such a losse and disadvantage , as poor men are , when they come to borrow money of their richer Neighbours ; for the poor useth intreaties , but the rich answer roughly , (c) (c) Prov. 18. 23. perit judicium , cum reo transiit in affectum , you may perhaps have good words , and be fairly told impossibilities ; but the effect and issue will bewray unwillingnesse : non velle in causa est , posse non praetenditur .

And therefore , some have thought , that in such a case , the best addresse is sitting still , and the most eloquent oration , silence : according to that Rule , contra contemptum , remedium optimum esse quiescere ; when men are in the dark , their safest way , is for to sit still , as they did , (d) (d) Exod. 10. 23. until God , by some beam of providence , be pleased to shine upon them : (e) (e) Isa. 50. 10 who is among you that feareth the Lord , that obeyeth the voice of his Servant , that walketh in darknesse , and hath no light , let him trust in the name of the Lord , and stay upon his God : he may be a Child of light , and yet may walk in darknesse : as Joseph in the prison , strikes not fire , though he had a good brain , but waits till it come down from Heaven , in the Butlers dream unto him . (f) (f) Gen. 40. 14 , 15.

Disguised persons , such as your Maskers and Mummers are , use not to speak . Our Saviour Christ when by his Robe and Crown , he was exposed to their scorn , would not make answer in his own defence , but was a mute : (g) (g) John 19. 9. 10. for he knew , whatsoever then was answered , would but excite , and exercise the adversaries insolency , and give them matter of insulting and tryumphing : as good therefore never awhit , as never the better : as good give them leave to use their wit , and vent their spleen and malice , as let them take it : quisquis volet tibi contumeliam facere , faciat . Whosoever will smite thee on the right cheek , turn to him the other also : (h) (h) Mat. 5. 39 2 , 3 , 4. whosoever will not bear a little injury , shall have a great one laid upon him ; but if a little weight subdues , and silenceth him , they will not add unto it : where there is power , if you are not willing to allow them victory , they will extort it , and leave upon you Characters of Conquest . For at such a time , the matter is not so much heeded as the man , the speech as the speaker : non defuit quod responderetur , sed qui daret responsum : Queen Esther makes not her own Apology , till she had warmed the Kings affections to her , at a double banquet : (i) (i) Esth. 7. 2 , 3 , 4 : our lives in that condition , must be our language , and our hands and feet must speak , and not our tongues . Ego sic vivam , ut nemo eis credat ; (k) (k) i Pet. 5. for so is the will of God , that with well doing , you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men : when Saul was slighted by those Sons of Belial , that refused to acknowledge him , he doth not presently assert his call , and make them feel his power , but held his peace : (l) (l) 1 Sam. 10. 27. he knew those prejudiced , and prepossessed persons could not be cured and taken off , with Expositions and Apologies ; but when in the following Chapter , he had commanded well , and by relieving Jabesh Gilead , had given proof of his abilities : the people were so much his Servants , that they would have made those murtherers a sacrifice unto his worth and valour , if modesty and wisdom in him had not restrained them . (m) (m) 1 Sam. 11 , 12 , 13.

Yet it must not be a sullen , unadvised silence , arising from a discontented indisposednesse to action : we must not hide our selves , and come away from duty , as Jonas did ; (n) (n) Jonas 1. 3. but if God call us , we must be vowels : if providence ingage and order us , to make our own defence , we must not boggle and refuse ; for Ministers are men of honour , (o) (o) 1 Tim. 5. 17. and their reputation ought to be as dear unto them , as their lives : negligere enim quid de se quisque sentiat , non arrogantis modo est , sed etiam dissoluti . He must have a good report of them that are without , lest he fall into reproach , and the snare of the Devil : (p) (p) 1 Tim. 3. 7. and a great name is like a great house , not easily maintained and repaired : a man must alwayes be doing something to it , be mending something , ever and anon , famam famâ plutegite , ne perfluat . And because we often are too dull and backward in repairs , the Landlord takes occasion to remember us , and mind us of it : (q) (q) John 8. 48. say we not well that thou art a Samaritan , and hast a Devil , they try how he could bear plain dealing , in that tender part of his good name and credit : so Josephs modesty is dressed and arrayed in the garb and habit of prostitute and bold incontinency : (r) (r) Gen. 39. 17 , 18. the Hebrew servant , which thou hast brought unto us , came in to me to mock me : Pauls innocency so overwhelmed , that he saw no light ; but only at the dividing temper and disposition of his enemies . (s) (s) Act. 23. 6. Mordecai so shut up and obscured , when the decree was signed against the Jews , that he saw no light but at the little crevice , of Esthers honour and advancement in the Court , and accordingly is very careful to improve and mannage that for their repair and rescue : so when the Christians , in the primitive Church , were slaughtered and condemned , for the title only of their cause , without examining the truth , because they were Christians , without considering what a Christian was : yet for some time they sat still , and made no applications unto Authority , because they had no Candle to direct and go before them , till at the last , God moved some to write Apologies and Expositions to the present powers in their defence , wherein by Gods blessing , they were victorious and succesful .

Yet it is not safe in our own case , to be too busie with Apologies ; for it s well said , omnis apologia habet in se aliquid turpitudinis : Apologies have something in them of abasement and unseemlinesse ; for they suppose the writers at a losse , and behind-hand in the world , in point of reputation , wanting good Neighbours to be their advocates , and plead their cause before their adversaries ; for that for the most part , cannot be done well , without putting some greater price and valuation upon their actions , without improving and asserting of their worth and merit , which would become another better then themselves : proprio laus sordet in ore , non alieno : let another prayse thee , and not thine own mouth , a stranger , and not thine own lips , (t) (t) Prov. 27. 2 ▪ our prayse becomes anothers mouth , but not our own .

Yet sometimes , there may be a defence , without a commendation , when their innocency only is to be opened and asserted without additionals of prayse , as a Diamond found in the dirt and dunghil , needs not be painted , but only washed clean : as Joseph doth not make mention of his skill and knowledge in interpreting and opening dreams and riddles ; but only tells the Butler , he was an innocent , (u) (u) Gen. 40. 14. 15. and in such a case , none are so fit to do it as our selves , nemo te , nisi tu , exprimere potest , none can be better acquainted with our innocency , then our selves , nor have more assurance to be succesful : the Jews had a Tertullus to be their Orator ; but Paul speaks for himself : (w) (w) Act. 24. 10. so John and Peter , when they were questioned about a good work , (x) (x) Act. 4. 9. 10. needed no Lawyers to open and assert their cause , but do it boldly and willingly themselves : and in such a case , Martyr and Confessor have been much alike : when Christ our Saviour spake to Pontius Pilate in his own defence , and for his life , (y) (y) Joh. 18. 36. 37. yet he is said by the Apostle , (z) (z) 1 Tim. 6. 13. to have witnessed a good Confession , as in cases of the Common-wealth , the party wronged gives in evidence , because the wrong is not so much his own , as the States and Common-wealths .

THe godly Ministers of England , have been for some years past , neglected and despised : their persons many times exposed to affronts and incivilities : their Doctrine scandalized and reproached , they have sat still , and not been over-hasty to make their own defence ; they thought it proper , to let their enemies have scope and liberty to put all their exceptions in , and be heard out in all their calumnies : that as the Nation had had some experience and evidence of their integrity and innocency : so they might have some time to ponder and consider what is said against them : truth ( they believed ) was the Daughter of time , and lost not , but gained by her gray hairs , scelera impetu , bona consilia mora valescunt , a lie will do the work of truth , if it be presently for to be done ; but if it stay , it will catch cold , pellucet omne mendacium , nec per omnia quadrat , in time some circumstance will be discovered , that will detect it ; but now , that all is said that can be , their adversaries have been seen and known ; and their exceptions scanned by the godly and well-meaning party of the Land , they think it proper for them to come unto their answer : and they think , some beams have lately shined in the matter of their dues and salaries , that do admonish and awaken them unto their own defence : yet were that all that were in question , they hope they should have held their peace : were it our garbs and Garments only that were indangered , we hope we should have been content to be without them , or had it been our liberties alone that had been struck at , we hope , with Esther , we should have held our tongues : (a) (a) Esth. 7. 4. nay , we will go yet a little farther , were it our lives alone , that had been sought , we hope we should not sordidly , nor basely have endeavoured for to save them ; but have adventured them , ( as many hundreds have already done ) upon that promise , he that will save his life , shall lose it ; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake shall save it , (b) (b) Luk. 9. 24. if we had been well assured , that our blood would have in riched and fattened the soile and ground of this our native Countrey , as the blood of the Martyrs did in former time the Churches : we hope we should have been content to be the purchasers of that , at any price , and to say with the Apostle , that none of those things move us , neither count we our lives dear unto us , that we may fulfil our course with joy , and the Ministry we have received , to testific the Gospel of the grace of God , (c) (c) Act. 20. 24. though there ought to be no hast , to hang true men : and it s truly said , nulla est de morte hominis cunctatio longa , and by gaining time , many have gained Life : when Arion in the Port was condemned to be drowned , by those barbarous Pirates that had seized on his money , yet they gave him time , to play a while upon his harp ; wherewith the Dolphins being allured and made his hearers , one of them bears him safe upon his back , unto his native Countrey , ( if the Muthollogist may be believed ) when Paul was going to be examined by scourging , which many times cost men their lives , ) he craves the benefit of his Clergy , that is , of his being a Citizen of Rome , and by that means , was delivered : (d) (d) Act. 22. 25 , 26. there was one Mooragena , ( as Polybius writes ) that was appointed by Agathocles , in Alexandria , to be tormented , and all the Instruments and Executioners were ready : yet the Officer being suddenly and unexpectedly by one whispered in the eare , and going out , the Executioner soon followed , and left him naked all alone , and so he escaped , accidit in puncto , quod non speratur in anno : yet had that been all , our defence should not have been praepropera purgatio : we would have stayed , till we had been beckoned to , to speak as Paul did ; (e) (e) Act. 24. 10 but when we hear our Calling vilified , our Ministry decried , as Antichristian and unlawful , as uselesse , heedlesse , carnal and unprofitable : we cannot hold our peace , nay , when we hear it voiced , if not voted , null and void , not by the vulgar breath of common and unskilful persons , but at Committees , and by some , in highest place , we cannot then be quiet and content : they that will not be awakened by such a voice , ( though we know it came not from the Temple ) may have their grace , ad dormiendum Endymionis somnum , for ought we know .

Yet , were it we alone , that were concerned in our Ministry , we should not struggle over-much , were our good only , and reputation , obscured and bedewed with the Cloud , that is , upon our Calling , we should not be so sensible ; but we think Religion and the precious truths of Christ are struck at in us , that we are set for the defence of the Gospel , as Paul was , (f) (f) Ph. 1. 17. that if the Shepheards be smitten , the sheep of the flock will be scattered abroad : (g) (g) Mat. 26. 31. the Ministers in Scripture , (h) (h) Act. 26. 16 1 Cor. 4. 1. are called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , a name derived from a word , that signifies to rowe , and sit at Oars , as Seamen do , validis incumbite remis , perhaps incumbents sprang from this Original , and the Church is compared to a Boat or Ship : * * 1 p. 3. 20. 21. now how a Boat or Ship should come in safe unto the Port or Haven , without her Marriners and Sailers , we do not know . Paul had a promise , that no mans life should perish , but the Ship or Vessel only , (i) (i) Act. 27. 22 ▪ yet when the Marriners did think to steal away , Paul tells them , that without those abode , they could not possibly be saved , (k) (k) v. 31. it s truly said , in tranquillo quilibet potest esse gubernator , in calm and quiet Seas , and in obvious and open harbours , an ordinary person may make a shift to steere ; but when the Seas are rough , and the Ports and Channels dubious and uncertain , there needeth skill .

The word of God , in the mouth of one , that is , an Officer , is by Gods spirit , called the word of salvation , (l) (l) Act. 13. 26. for whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved ; but how shall they call upon him , in whom they have not believed ? and how shall they believe on him , of whom they have not heard ? and how shall they hear without a Preacher ? and how shall they preach except they be sent ? (m) (m) Rom. 10. 13. 14 , 15. so it is said of Peter to Cornelius , (n) (n) Act. 11. 14 He shall tell thee words , whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved ; and so the Apostle unto Timothy , (o) (o) 1 Tim. 4. 16. take heed to thy self and to the Doctrine , continue in them ; for in so doing , thou shalt both save thy self , and them that hear thee : therefore we think , salvation and an ordered Ministery , are so in separable , that the one is not without the other : neither do we finde in all our reading and experience , that the Ministers were taken away from any people , and yet the Gospel and salvation stayed behinde , that the lights or Candles were removed , as they are called , (p) (p) Mat. 5. 14. 15. and yet the Candlesticks continued and let alone , when as we finde a threatning to remove the Candlestick , because the light burnt some what dimmer : (q) (q) Rev. 2 , 5. we finde salvation and damnation , intituled to , and intailed upon an ordered and lawful Ministry , (r) (r) Mark . 16. 15 , 16. preach the Gospel to every Creature , he that believeth and is baptized shall be saved , he that believeth not shall be damned : damnation is by our Saviour , said to be the losing of our souls , (s) (s) Mat. 16. 26. and we dare not undervalue peoples souls : we think mens souls are capable of joy and sorrow , of pain and pleasure , of comfort and torment , as Lazarus and Dives are said to be : (t) (t) Luk. 16. 25 those poysoned pens that have attempted to assert the contrary , have not convinced us ; for then we think our Saviour Christ could in no sense have said unto the Thief upon the Crosse , to day thou shalt be with me in Paradice : (u) (u) Luk. 23. 43. we think the Devil , ( who is himself a spirit , ) would not so seriously endeavour , and intend the ruine of them , as he doth ; (w) (w) 1 Pet. 5. 8. for he is kind and friendly many times unto their bodies , upon condition , he may indanger and insnare their souls , feeds often , and refresheth that , that he may famish and devoure the other .

BUt in this point , as in the rest , we acquiesce in the judgement and authority of the Scriptures that makes the end of faith , the souls salvation : (x) (x) 1 Pet. 1. 9. the putting of the Gospel preached from us , a judging of our selves unworthy of eternal life : (y) (y) Act. 13. 46 and do believe , that the Scriptures are the word of God , from Heaven , not of men , as Johns Baptisme is acknowledged to be , (z) (z) Mat. 21. 25. that they are given by inspiration from God , (a) (a) 2 Tim 3. 16. and not contrived for politick & worldly interests : that the Prophecy came not in old time , by the will of man , but holy men of God , spake as they were moved by the holy Ghost ; (b) (b) 2 Pet. 1. 21 for had they been a cunningly devised fable , imposed on that world , for politick and carnal ends : the deviser and contriver must either have been a good man , or a bad : a good man could not have invented and promoted so great a lie , (c) (c) Rev. 22. 15. be guilty of so known a couzenage , obtruded such a cheat upon the world , beguiled so many innocent well-meaning men , do so much evil , that good might come of it : (d) (d) Rom. 3. 8. and a bad man could not beget , and breed so handsome and well favoured a Progeny , be the Father and founder of so beautiful a brood : we know , that pa●tus sequitur ventrem , the birth doth smell , and savour of the belly : that so much vertue , purity , and self-denial , could not be ingendered , harbored and published , by an ugly , foul , ill-favoured imagination and invention : that Thersites was not the Father of Achilles , nor Absalom the Sonne of Agesilaus : fortes creantur fortibus , & bonis , who can bring a clean thing out of that which is unclean ? (e) (e) Job . 14. 4. sincerum fit nisi vas , quod cunque insundis acescit .

And he must have been a wise man , or a fool : a fool could not have happened upon so well composed and contrived a plot : that wise men should from time to time allow of , and subscribe unto ; and a wise man would not spend so much strength and time , in hatching , framing , falslaying , and promoting of a way , that would not gratifie him , and reward him , cui prosuit scelus , is fecit : hos ego versiculos feci , will be subscribed , rather then so good and happy an invention , should be suppressed or misapplyed .