402 LIVES OF TI1E PURITANS. contained in Mr. Bainbrigg's sermon, were collected int() certain articles ; to each of which he delivered his answer inwriting, as follows : Art. 1. That some who seek preferment, pay money for it themselves ; and pay their money beforehand. Ans. I said, that the excellency of a public function in the church or commonwealth, consisted in labour and diligence for the good of the public, rather than in any pomp or outward chew, Jesus Christ came into the world; not to be ministered unto, but to minister unto others. And if the example of Christ were followed, men would, with Moses and Jeremiah, labour for the welfare of their fellow creatures, when they are called so to do, rather than seek preferment with such anxiety, even buying it with money when it cannot be obtained on more easy terms. 2. That there are persons who have a bar standing between them and the fire ; that ifneed be, they may strike the fire out of the hands of those whobring it; and that this bar is your statutes aidpositive laws, Ans. That principal word in the article, namely, .your, I never used at all. I only said, positive laws and statutes had been abused by men in all ages as a bar, either to keep the fire ofthe word of God from them, or to strike it out of the hands of those who bring it. I observed, that is not a man of wisdom, fearing God, who does not know and acknowledge, that there must be good order, both in church and commonwealth, and will reverence it with all his heart, as one of the excellent appointments of God. Ire willacknowledge the excellency and necessity ofwholesome laws, by which the members of society are united, . strengthened, and beautified. Yet I said the wise and learned knew and would acknowledge, that though these laws were useful and necessary, they were imperfect rules ofman's obedience, and, therefore, no sufficient bar to keep offthe word of God, which requires more obedience than any human laws or statutes whatsoever. The laws ofmen, being imperfect, should always give place to the perfect laws of God. I also observed, that when men are reproved for their sins, they shouldnot regard so much how they may acquit themselves before men, and by human laws, though in some cases even this is necessary, as to try all things in the court of conscience, and by the word of God : much less should they strike the fire of the word out of the hands of those who bring it, and require more obedience of man than the
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