Downame - Houston-Packer Collection BX5133.D76 C552 1611 v.2

698 That worldly thingswithdrttvmenfront God,feruice. their honourable condition,ifthey fhouldcome into the com- mon aflèmblies,andioynewith thevulgarpeople in the feruice ofGod,doevtterlynegleé+thepublick minifierie ofthe word, prayer,andfuchreligiousexercifes, whicharetobe performed inthe congregation, contenting themfelues with their home deuotions, and with theminifterie oftheir ownc chaplaines; who forthemoftpart darenot touch theirfleepiegconfciences, forfeareofawaking thefieepitrg lion,norcome neete thequick for feareof lofing their fauour, and withall their ownepefer- ment.Wherein theyhaue buta poore priuiledge,being like vn- to the (icke patient, whole bodie abounding withgroffe hu- mors,hathno potion fit to purge them adminiftred byhis skil- full Phyfrtian,for feare ofdif+affinghis pallet,buc is fuffercd to cate anddrinkc whatheft pleafeth him, though it hindreth his recouerie,andincrcafeth his di (cafes. Orlike vntothofe who arefull ofdeepewounds., and feared fores, whomthe furgeon dare nottouch-for feareofputting them to paint, nor appl ie fit fillies for the effe&ing ofthe cure, for feareof incurring their al i(Pleafures,but either letteth them alone to rot and Perifh for want ofhelpe,or applieth healing and gentle platters, which may skinne the fores,but kauethe core andcorruption fearing in the bottome. But fuchihoúld remcmber,thatwhen theLord ordained congregations,and placesofcommon aflèmblies, bee appointed not atemple for the commonpeople, and a chamber or chapel' for the nobilitie; but noble and bate, yea King and fubiebi,werecommanded to meet togerher,becaufeby a mutu- allconfent,and holy example, theymight incourage out ano- ther,and performe the feruiccofGod with more alacritie. For howfoeuer there arediuers degrees among(+ men in dull go- uernement,yet in rcfpe&ofGod, and inthedutics of his wor- p,theyareall alike the feruanrs ofGod,brethren and Eons of the fameFather,fellow membersof the famebodie, andofthe fame comtnuniôoffaints,ofwhich,Chriff lefus is thehead and King.Fromwhich commonorder,though Princesmay in there daiesbeexempted,in regard that we arenot ariófly tied to the temple.but may in allplaces offer vp pure hands vntoGod;and beeaufeoftheir great familiesfufficient in themfelues tomake a fulficient congregation; and efpecially becaufe the finfulnes oftbe times isfitch,and mens minds fo -poifonedwith treache- rie,

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