The Character of an Old English Puritan

THE CHARACTER Of an old ENGLISH PURITAN, OR, NONCONFORMIST,

T HE Old English Puritan was such an one, that honored God above all, and under God gave everyone his due. His first care was to serve God, and therein he did not what was good in his own, but in God's sight, making the word of God the rule of his worship. He highly esteemed order in the House of God; but would not under color of that, submit to superstitious rites, which are superfluous, & perish in their use. He reverenced Authority, keeping within its sphere; but durst not under pretence of subjection to the higher powers , worship God after the traditions of men. He made conscience of all God's Ordinances, though some he esteemed of more consequence. He was much in prayer; with it he began, and closed the day. In it he was exercised in his closet, family, and public assembly. He esteemed that manner of prayer best, where by the gift of God, expressions were varied according to present wants and occasions; yet did he not account set-forms unlawful. Therefore in that circumstance of the Church he did not wholly reject the Liturgy, but the corruption of it. He esteemed reading of the word an ordinance of God both in private and public; but did not account reading to be preaching. The Word read the esteemed of more authority, but the word preached of more efficacy. He accounted preaching as necessary now as in the Primitive Church: God's pleasure being still by the foolishness of preaching to save those that believe. He esteemed that preaching best wherein was most of God, least of man, when vain flourishes of wit and words were declined, and the demonstration of God's Spirit and Power studied: yet could he distinguish between studied plainness, and negligent rudeness. He accounted perspicuity the best grace of a Preacher; And that method best which was most helpful to understanding, affection, and memory. To which ordinarily he esteemed none so conducible as that by Doctrine, Reason & Use. He esteemed those Sermons best that came closest to the conscience; yet would he have men's consciences awakened, not their persons disgracit. He was a man of good spiritual appetite, and could not be contented with one meal a day. An Afternoon-Sermon did relish as well to him as one in the morning. He was not satisfied with prayers without preaching: which if it were wanting at home, he would seek abroad; yet would he not by absence discourage his Minister, if faithful, though another might have quicker gifts. A Lecture he esteemed, though not necessary, yet a blessing, & would redeem such an opportunity with some pains and loss. The Lord's day he esteemed a divine ordinance, and rest on it necessary, so far as it conduced to holiness He was very conscientious in observance of that day as the Mart day of the Soul He was very careful to remember it, to get house and heart in order for it: and when it came, he was studious to improve it. He redeemed the morning from superfluous sleep, and watched the whole day over his thoughts and words not only to restrain them from wickedness, but worldlynesse. All parts of the day were alike holy to him, and his care was continued in it in variety of holy duties: what he heard in public, he repeated in private, to whet it upon himself and family. Lawfull recreations he thought this day unseasonable, and unlawful ones much more abominable: yet he knew the liberty God gave him for needful refreshing, which he did neither refuse nor abuse. The Sacrament of Baptism he received in Infancy, which he looked back to in age to answer his engagements, and claim his privileges; b The Lord's Supper he accounted part of his souls food: to which he labored to keep an appetite. He esteemed it an ordinance of nearest communion with Christ, and so requiring most exact preparation. His first care was in the examination of himself: yet as an act of office or charity, he had an eye on others.

He endeavored to have the scandalous cast out of Communion: but he cast not out himself, because the scandalous were suffered by the negligence of others He condemned that superstition and vanity of Popish mock-fasts: yet neglected not one occasion to humble his soul by right fasting: He abhorred the Popish doctrine of opus operatum in the notion. And in practice rested in no performance, but what was done in spirit and truth. He thought God had left a rule in his word for discipline, and that Aristocratical by Elders, not Monarchichal by Bishops, nor Democratical by the people. Right Discpline he judged pertaining not to the being, but well-being of a Church. Therefore he esteemed those Churches most pure where the Goverment is by Elders, yet unchurched not those where it was other ways. Perfection in Churches he thought a thing rather to be desired then hoped for. And so he expected not a Church state without all defects. The corruptions that were in Churches he thought his duty to bewail, with endeavors of amendment: yet would he not separate, where he might partake in the worship, and not in the corruption. He put not holiness in Churches, as in the Temple of the Jews; but only counted them convenient like their Synagogues. He would have them kept decent, not magnificent, knowing that the Gospel requires not outward pomp. His chiefest music was singing of Psalm • : wherein though he neglected not the melody of the voice, yet he chiefly looked after that of the heart. He disliked such Church music as moved sensual delight, and was an hindrance to spiritual enlargements. He accounted subjection to the Higher Powers to be part of pure religion, as well as to visit the fatherless and widows: yet did he distinguish between authority and lusts of Magistrates, to that he submitted, but in these he durst not be a servant of men, being bought with a price. Just Laws and commands he willingly obeyed not only for fear but for conscience also; but such as were unjust he refused to observe, choosing rather to obey God then man: yet his refusal was modest and with submission to penalties, unless he could procure indulgence from Authority. He was careful in all relations to know and do duty, and that with singleness of heart as unto Christ. He accounted religion an engagement to duty, that the best Christians should be best husbands, best wives, best parents, best children, best masters, best servants, best magistrates, best subjects, that the doctrine of God might be adorned not blasphemed. His family he endeavored to make a Church, both in regard of persons and exercises, admitting none into it but such as feared God, and laboring that those that were born in it, might be born again to God. He blessed his family morning and evening by the Word and Prayer, and took care to perform those Ordinances in the best season. He brought up his children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, and commanded his servants to keep the way of the Lord. He set up discipline in his Family, as he desired it in the Church, not only reproving, but restraining vileness in his. He was conscientious of equity as well as piety: knowing that unrighteousness is abomination as well as ungodliness. He was cautelous in promising, but careful in performing, counting his word no less engagement then his bond. He was a man of a tender heart, not only in regard of his own sin, but others misery not counting mercy arbitrary, but a necessary duty, wherein as he prayed for Wisdom to direct him, so he studied for cheerfulness and bounty to act. He was sober in the use of the things of this life, rather beating down the body, then pampering it; yet he denied, not himself the use of God's blessing, lest he should be unthankful; but avoided excess lest he should be forgetful of the Doner In his habit he avoided costliness and vanity, neither exceeding his degree in civility, nor declining what suited with Christianity, desiring in all things to express gravity. His whole life he accounted a warfare, wherein Christ was his Captain, his arms, prayers and tears. The Cross his Banner, and his word Vincit qui patitur.

He was 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 immovable in all times, so that they who in the midst of many opinions have lost the view of true Religion, may return to him and there find it.

REader, Seeing a passage in Mr. Tombes his Book against Paedobaptism; wherein he compares the Non conformists in England, to the Anabaptists in Germany, in regard of their miscarriages and ill success in their endeavors, till of late years, I was moved for the vindication of those Faithful and Reverend Witnesses of Christ, to publish this Character; whereof if any shall desire proof in matter of fact, as in matter of right the Margent contains evidence, let him either consult their Writings, or those who are fit Witnesses by reason of age, fidelity & acquaintance, having fully known their Doctrine, manner of li • e, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, patience, persecution and affliction, &c. 2 Tim. 3.10, 11. And I doubt not but full testimony will be given that their aim and general course was according to the Rule: Some extravagants there be in all professions, but we are to judge of a profession by the rule they hold forth, and that carriage of the professors which is general and ordinary.