reign, will prove a means for the disturbing of our peace. Secondly, the spirit of the prophets must be subject to the prophets. Whence come these troubles? I remember St. Jerome, writing upon those words, saith; "I have read, and read, but could never find but that the Church was divided by those that are appointed to be priests." It was among the prophets, that the apostle tells them: "Of" your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, and drawing disciples after them." But what shall we do with these prophets? I answer, far be it from me to give counsel not fitting for peace; let therefore the prophets be subject to the prophets : let no meeting of laymen think it appertaineth to them; they must be subject to some, else every one would be a pope: but what, to some of their own rank and coat? No, but to those that are enabled by their calling and study, to enter into the deep consideration of these points. So wisdom will tell us, that the prophets should be subject to their censure, and not to those that cannot understand the state of the question, much less enter into the bowels of it. But yet they must be subject. Observe the innovation; I do stand upon it, whether the point be true or false, but to see how the peace of the Church may be preserved. When contentions break forth in the Church, consider we were quiet in such a time, what is the cause the Church is now disturbed? Why, there be such and such that see the cause of it: what, are they brethren? are they of the prophets? if we see that the greatest number of the prophets go the other way, what can be the meaning of the apostle here, "but let the spirits of the fewer be subject to the rest?" All men know our counsels are founded upon this text; so that this is not a means in policy, but by God appointed. Those that bring in a new doctrine, be it true or false, God hath appointed this order, that the fewer should be subject to the greater number. But suppose they have the truth on their side? I say, if they Acts, chap. 20. ver. 30. have the truth, it is all one in this case: for there are certain truths that concern not the foundation of faith: and that which a man holds, if an error, unless he make it worse by his evil carriage, it is that he may go to heaven with for all that. But when there is no danger in the earth, if a man do profess the contrary, why do you disturb the peace of the Church? But you will say that this is an advice that comes from one that is partial. I will not deny, but confess, that in those five points that disturb the Low Countries, I am in the mind of my sovereign; I am not ashamed to confess it, nor never will be. But now the thing we look for, is not so much the discerning of truth and falsehood, but it is for the preservation of peace. Therefore, this is my profession, and I do here profess before God, that if I were an Arminian, and did hold those five points that have caused those troubles in the Low Countries, and is like to cause them here among us; the case standing as it doth, that the greatest number of the prophets blow their horns another way, I hold, I were bound in conscience to hold my peace, and keep my knowledge to myself, rather than by my unseasonable uttering of it, to disturb the peace of the Church. But is not this a prevaricating of God's cause? No, it is the order God himself hath set down: there is a time when knowledge may be uttered, but not always: a fool uttereth all at once. It is not possible that all men in the Church should agree in all things, but it is possible that the peace should be preserved: "If any man think otherwise, God shall reveal the same." As if the apostle should have said, there are a number of matters wherein you may disagree, and go to heaven. And do your brethren, say they, see more than you? Why, if they be otherwise minded, peradventure the Lord will reveal the same unto you. Truth is the daughter of time; wait therefore. This is the last time I shall be called to this place, therefore I will leave this advice; which if it be neglected, per adventure it will be too late easily to stop things. Peradventure it is not so wise counsel as some do give, who advise that both sides should be silent: but do you think it so easy a matter to silence all those who have moved the troubles? |