If every one of us in his way would but exprefs half that Zeal, and Industry, and Diligence in the Caufe of our Religion that we fee our Adverfaries do; we Thould probably, in a very little Time, fee a quite different Face of Things: And fhould not only put a Stop to their prefent Succeffes, but gain fo much ground upon them as to caft them into defpair of ever making a Conqueft of this Na tion. But here is the Mifery, we are fo confident and fecure of the Goodness of our Caufe, that we think it will fupport itfelf without any Help of ours. Let us in this Point learn Wifdom from our Enemies. But efpecially, let us practice heartily thofe Vertues which our Religion peculi arly teaches, as opposed to Popery. Let us be Meek, and Gentle, and Long-Suffering, even to thofe that differ in Opi nion from us. Let us hate all Tricks, and Devices, and Equivocations, both in Our Words and our Carriage. Let us be conftantly and inflexibly Loyal to our Prince, and let no Confideration in the World make us violate our Allegiance to him. To all which, let us in the last Place add our earnest and conftant Prayers to God, that he would be pleafed to take pity of us: To avert the Judgments we are threatned with, and continue the Mer Mercies we have hitherto enjoyed. That he would protect our Religion and make it to flourish more and more. That he would preferve our King, our Government, our Laws: And in order thereunto, that he would influence and direct all the Publick Councils, especially the great Council of the Nation now affembled in Parliament, that this Seffion of theirs may have a happy and a glorious Lffue. Which God of his Mercy grant, Sc. SERMON II ed Inwood Lng ada vilcinoda elian 160 all -alok ni Preached before the sho LORDS Spiritual and Tempo-` ral in Parliament Affembled, IN THE Abbey-Church at Westminster, 699 On the 30th of January, 1988. TITUS iii. 1. 10 Put them in mind to be fubject to Principalities and Powers, to obey Magiftrates. Yo COU all know what Kind of Argument this Day calls for: For by the Design of keeping it, the Bufiness that the Preacher hath to do, is to prefs Obedience and Subjection to the Government we live under, and to Preach against against Faction and Rebellion. And accordingly it is prefcribed in the Rubrick of this Day's Service, that if there be a Sermon at all, and not a Homily, it fhall be upon this Argument, It is very well that Authority hath taken care, that at fome folemn Times we should Preach upon this Subject in a more folemn Manner. Because though it be as needful as any, yet there are fome among us that think it a very improper Theme for the Pulpit. I must confefs, I had an eye to this Suggeftion, when I pitch'd upon these Words which I have now read to you: Because I think there is fomething to be observed in them which will effectually confute it. St. Paul here lays his Charge upon Titus, That he fhould put the People that were under his Care in mind, to be fubject to Principalities and Powers, and to obey Ma giftrates. Two Things I would here confider. First, The Perfon that is order'd thus to put the People in mind: And Secondly, The Thing that he is to put them in mind of, which is, Subjection and Obedience to Principalities, and Powers, and Ma giftrates. I begin with the first Thing, the Per Jon to whom St. Paul writes this Epistle; and to whom he gives it in Charge, 22 That Thats he fhould put the People in mind, to be fubject 18 Who was this Perfon? Why, it was Titus, an Ecclefiaftic, a Bishop, a Preacher of the Gospel; not a Lay-man, not a Magiftrare, but a pure Church-man. What can be more plainly gather'd from hence than thisq That it is not foreign to a Clergy-man's Office to Preach Obedience and Subjection to the Government; but, on the contrary, a Part of his Function, a neceffary Duty incumbent upon him to do it. If any Man affirm otherwife, he must either say, that St. Paul did not rightly inftruct Titus in his Office, but enjoin'd him to do that which he had nothing to do with: Or he muft fhew that the Cafe of Titus was different from that of the Minifters of the Gofpel at this Day. Neither of which Things can, I believe, be easily made out. 1 And yet into fuch Times are we fallen, that it is taken ill, by many, that Minifters fhould in their Pulpit Difcourfes meddle with these Matters. muft confefs " : I think, that of all Men,it moft concerns a Minister of Religion not to be a Bufie-body, or a Medler in other Mens Matters For in truth, he hath Work enough to do of his own; and fuch Kind of Work too, as, let him behave himself as inoffenfively as he can, will create him Difficulties and Enemies enough. And there |