stopt or interrupted by Men or Devils._] _Thirdly_, The _Excellency_
of this _Worship_ doth appear, in that it can neither be stopt nor
interrupted by the Malice of Men or Devils, as all others can. Now
Interruptions and Stoppings of Worship may be understood in a twofold
Respect, either as we are hindered from _meeting_, as being outwardly
by Violence separated one from another; or when permitted to _meet
together_, as we are interrupted by the Tumult, Noise, and Confusion
which such as are malicious may use to molest or distract us. Now in
both these Respects, this Worship doth greatly surpass all others: For
how far soever People be separate or hindered from coming together, yet
as every one is inwardly gathered to the Measure of _Life_ in himself,
there is a secret Unity and Fellowship enjoyed, which the Devil and all
his Instruments can never break or hinder. But, _Secondly_, It doth
as well appear, as to those Molestations which occur, when we are met
together, what Advantage this _true_ and _spiritual Worship_ gives us
beyond all others; seeing in Despite of a thousand Interruptions and
Abuses, one of which were sufficient to have stopt all other Sorts of
_Christians_, we have been able, through the Nature of this _Worship_,
to keep it uninterrupted as to God, and also at the same Time to
shew forth an Example of our _Christian Patience_ towards all, even
oftentimes to the Reaching and Convincing of our Opposers. For there
is no Sort of Worship used by others which can subsist (though they
be permitted to meet) unless they be either authorized and protected
by the Magistrate, or defend themselves with the Arm of Flesh: But
we at the same Time exercise Worship towards God, and also patiently
bear the Reproaches and Ignominies which _Christ prophesied_ should be
so incident and frequent to Christians. [Sidenote: _The _Worship_ of
the Papists soon interrupted._] For how can the _Papists_ say their
_Mass_, if there be any there to disturb and interrupt them? Do but
take away the _Mass-book_, the _Chalice_, the _Host_, or the _Priest’s
Garments_, yea, do but spill the _Water_, or the _Wine_, or blow out
the _Candles_ (a Thing quickly done) and the whole Business is marred,
and no Sacrifice can be offered. [Sidenote: _The _Protestants_ the
like, and _Anabaptists.] Take from the _Lutherans_ or _Episcopalians_
their _Liturgy_ or _Common-Prayer-Book_, and no Service can be said.
Remove from the _Calvinists_, _Arminians_, _Socinians_, _Independents_,
or _Anabaptists_, the _Pulpit_, the _Bible_, and the _Hour-glass_, or
make but such a Noise as the Voice of the _Preacher_ cannot be heard,
or disturb him but so before he come, or strip him of his _Bible_ or
his _Books_, and he must be dumb: For they all think it an Heresy to
wait to speak as the Spirit of God giveth Utterance; and thus easily
their whole Worship may be marred. But when People meet together, and
their Worship consisteth not in such outward Acts, and they depend not
upon any one’s Speaking, but merely sit down to wait upon God, and to
be gathered out of all Visibles, and to feel the Lord in Spirit, none
of these Things can hinder them, of which we may say of a Truth, _We
are sensible Witnesses_. [Sidenote: _The Sufferings of the _Quakers_
for their religious Meetings._] For when the _Magistrates_, stirred up
by the Malice and Envy of our Opposers, have used all Means possible
(and yet in vain) to deter us from meeting together, and that openly
and publickly in our own hired Houses for that Purpose, both Death,
Banishments, Imprisonments, Finings, Beatings, Whippings, and other
such devilish Inventions, have proved ineffectual to terrify us from
our _holy Assemblies_. And we having, I say, thus oftentimes purchased
our Liberty to meet, by _deep Sufferings_, our Opposers have then taken
another Way, by turning in upon us the worst and wickedest People,
yea, the very Off-scourings of Men, who by all manner of _inhuman,
beastly_, and _brutish Behaviour_, have sought to provoke us, weary us,
and molest us, but in vain. It would be almost incredible to declare,
and indeed a Shame, that among Men pretending to be _Christians_, it
should be mentioned, what Things of this Kind Men’s Eyes have seen,
and I myself, with others, have shared of in Suffering! There they
have often beaten us, and cast Water and Dirt upon us; there they have
danced, leaped, sung, and spoken all manner of profane and ungodly
Words; offered Violence and shameful Behaviour to grave Women and
Virgins; jeered, mocked and scoffed, asking us, _If the Spirit was
not yet come?_ And much more, which were tedious here to relate: And
all this while we have been seriously and silently sitting together,
and waiting upon the Lord. So that by these Things our inward and
spiritual Fellowship with God, and one with another, in the _pure Life
of Righteousness_, hath not been hindered. But on the contrary, the
Lord knowing our Sufferings and Reproaches for his Testimony’s Sake,
hath caused his Power and Glory more to abound among us, and hath
mightily refreshed us by the Sense of his Love, which hath filled our
Souls; and so much the rather, as we found ourselves gathered into the
_Name of the Lord_, which is the [105]_strong Tower of the Righteous_;
whereby we felt ourselves sheltered from receiving any inward Hurt
through their Malice: And also that he had delivered us from that
vain Name and Profession of _Christianity_, under which our Opposers
were not ashamed to bring forth those bitter and cursed Fruits. Yea,
sometimes in the Midst of this Tumult and Opposition, God would
_powerfully move_ some or other of us by his Spirit, both to testify
of that _Joy_, which notwithstanding their Malice we enjoyed, and
powerfully to declare, in the Evidence and Demonstration of the Spirit,
against their _Folly_ and _Wickedness_; so as the Power of Truth hath
brought them to some Measure of Quietness and Stillness, and stopt the
impetuous Streams of their _Fury_ and _Madness_: [Sidenote: The _Rod_
of _Moses_ divided the _Sea: The Spirit maketh Way through the raging
Waves._] That even as of old _Moses_ by his Rod divided the Waves of
the Red Sea, that the _Israelites_ might pass; so God hath thus by his
_Spirit_ made a Way for us in the Midst of this _raging Wickedness_,
peaceably to enjoy and possess him, and accomplish our _Worship_ to
him: So that sometimes upon such Occasions several of our _Opposers_
and _Interrupters_ have hereby been convinced of the _Truth_, and
gathered from being _Persecutors_ to be _Sufferers_ with us. [Sidenote:
_What brutish Pranks did not that _young Fry_ of the _Clergy_ commit?_]
And let it not be forgotten, but let it be inscribed and abide for a
constant Remembrance of the Thing, that in these beastly and brutish
Pranks, used to molest us in our _spiritual Meetings_, none have been
more busy than the _young Students_ of the _Universities_, who were
learning _Philosophy_ and _Divinity_ (so called) and many of them
preparing themselves for the _Ministry_. Should we commit to Writing
all the _Abominations_ committed in this Respect by the _young Fry_
of the _Clergy_, it would make no small Volume; as the _Churches of
Christ_, gathered into his pure Worship in _Oxford_ and _Cambridge_
in _England_, and _Edinburgh_ and _Aberdeen_ in _Scotland_, where the
_Universities_ are, can well bear Witness.
[105] Prov. 18. 10.
§. XIV. [Sidenote: _How the _Old Covenant-worship_ doth differ from
the_ New.] Moreover, in this we know, that we are Partakers of
the _New Covenant’s Dispensation_, and _Disciples of Christ_ indeed,
sharing with him in that _spiritual Worship_, which is performed in
the _Spirit_ and in _Truth_; because as he was, so are we in this
World. For the _Old Covenant-worship_ had an outward _Glory, Temple_
and _Ceremonies_, and was full of outward _Splendor_ and _Majesty_,
having an outward _Tabernacle_ and _Altar_, beautified with _Gold,
Silver_, and _precious Stones_; and their _Sacrifices_ were confined
to a particular Place, even the outward _Mount Sion_; and those
that prayed, were to pray with their Faces towards that outward
_Temple_: And therefore all this was to be protected by an outward
Arm. Nor could the _Jews_ peaceably have enjoyed it, but when they
were secured from the _Violence_ of their outward _Enemies_: And
therefore when at any Time their _Enemies_ prevailed over them, their
_Glory_ was darkened, and their _Sacrifices_ stopt; and the _Face_ of
their _Worship_ marred: Hence they complain, lament, and bewail the
Destroying of the _Temple_, as a Loss irreparable. [Sidenote: _The
New Covenant-worship is inward._] But _Jesus Christ_, the Author and
Institutor of the _New Covenant-worship_, testifies, that _God_ is
neither to be _worshiped_ in this nor that Place, but in the _Spirit_
and in _Truth_: [106]And forasmuch as his _Kingdom is not of this
World_, neither doth his _Worship_ consist in it, or need either the
_Wisdom_, _Glory_, _Riches_ or _Splendor_ of this World to beautify or
adorn it; nor yet the outward _Power_ or _Arm_ of _Flesh_ to maintain,
uphold, or protect it; but it is and may be performed by those that are
_spiritually-minded_, notwithstanding all the _Opposition_, _Violence_,
and _Malice_ of Men; because being purely _spiritual_, it is out of
the Reach of natural Men to interrupt or obstruct it. Even as _Jesus
Christ_, the Author thereof, did enjoy and possess his _spiritual
Kingdom_, while oppressed, persecuted, and rejected of _Men_; and as,
in despite of the Malice and Rage of the _Devil_, [107]_he spoiled
Principalities and Powers, triumphing over them, and through Death
destroyed him that had the Power of Death, that is, the Devil_; so
also all his Followers both can and do _worship_ him, not only without
the Arm of Flesh to protect them, but even when oppressed. For their
_Worship_ being _spiritual_, is by the Power of the Spirit defended and
maintained; [Sidenote: _Carnal Worships cannot stand without the Arm of
Flesh._] but such _Worships_ as are _carnal_, and consist in _carnal_
and _outward Ceremonies_ and _Observations_, need a carnal and outward
Arm to protect and defend them, else they cannot stand and subsist. And
therefore it appears, that the several _Worships_ of our _Opposers_,
both _Papists_ and _Protestants_, are of this Kind, and not the true
_spiritual_ and _New Covenant-worship_ of _Christ_; because, as hath
been observed, they cannot stand without the Protection or Countenance
of the outward _Magistrate_, neither can be performed, if there be
the least Opposition: For they are not in the Patience of _Jesus_, to
serve and worship him with _Sufferings_, _Ignominies_, _Calumnies_, and
_Reproaches_. And from hence have sprung all those _Wars_, _Fightings_,
and _Bloodshed_ among _Christians_, while each by the Arm of Flesh
endeavoured to defend and protect their own _Way_ and _Worship_: And
from this also sprung up that monstrous Opinion of _Persecution_; of
which we shall speak more at length hereafter.
[106] John 18. 36.
[107] Col. 2. 15.
§. XV. [Sidenote: IV. _True Worship in Spirit established by Christ._]
But _Fourthly_, The Nature of this Worship, which is performed by the
Operation of the _Spirit_, the natural Man being silent, doth appear
from these Words of Christ, _John_ iv. 23, 24. _But the Hour cometh,
and now is, when the true Worshippers shall worship the Father in
Spirit and in Truth: For the Father seeketh such to worship him. God
is a Spirit, and they that worship him, must worship him in Spirit and
in Truth._ This Testimony is the more specially to be observed, for
that it is both the _first_, _chiefest_, and _most ample Testimony_,
which _Christ_ gives us of his _Christian Worship_, as different and
contra-distinguished from that under the _Law_. For first, he sheweth
that the Season is now come, wherein the _Worship must be in Spirit and
in Truth; for the Father seeketh such to worship him_: So then it is
no more a Worship consisting in outward Observations, to be performed
by Man at set _Times_ or _Opportunities_, which he can do in his own
Will, and by his own natural Strength; for else it would not differ
in Matter, but only in some Circumstances from that under the _Law_.
[Sidenote: _The Reason Christ gives for a _Worship_ in _Spirit.]
Next, as for a Reason of this _Worship_, we need not give any other,
and indeed none can give a better than that which _Christ_ giveth,
which I think should be sufficient to satisfy every _Christian_, to
wit, GOD IS A SPIRIT, _and they that worship him, must worship him in
Spirit and in Truth_. As this ought to be received, because it is the
Words of _Christ_, so also it is founded upon so clear a Demonstration
of Reason, as sufficiently evidenceth its _Verity_. For Christ
excellently argues from the _Analogy_ that ought to be betwixt the
_Object_, and the _Worship_ directed thereunto:
[Sidenote: Arg.] _God is a Spirit_:
Therefore _he must be worshipped in_ Spirit.
This is so certain, that it can suffer no Contradiction; yea, and
this Analogy is so necessary to be minded, that under the _Law_, when
God instituted and appointed that ceremonial Worship to the _Jews_,
because that Worship was outward, that there might be an _Analogy_,
he saw it necessary to condescend to them as in a special Manner, to
dwell betwixt the _Cherubims_ within the _Tabernacle_, and afterwards
to make the _Temple_ of _Jerusalem_ in a Sort his Habitation, and
cause something of an _outward Glory_ and _Majesty_ to appear, by
causing Fire from _Heaven_ to consume the _Sacrifices_, and filling
the _Temple_ with a _Cloud_: [Sidenote: _The Glory of the outward
Temple._] Through and by which _Mediums_, visible to the outward Eye,
he manifested himself proportionably to that outward Worship which he
had commanded them to perform. So now under the _New Covenant_, he
seeing meet in his heavenly Wisdom to lead his Children in a Path more
_heavenly_ and _spiritual_, and in a Way more easy and familiar, and
also purposing to disappoint _carnal_ and _outward Observations_, that
his may have an Eye more to an _inward Glory_ and _Kingdom_ than to
an _outward_, he hath given us for an Example hereof the Appearance
of his beloved Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, [Sidenote: _As _Moses_ did
from outward, so _Christ_ delivers us from inward Slavery._] who (as
_Moses_ delivered the _Israelites_ out of their _outward Bondage_,
and by _outwardly destroying_ their Enemies) hath delivered and doth
deliver us by suffering, and dying by the Hands of his _Enemies_;
thereby triumphing over the _Devil_, and his and our inward _Enemies_,
and delivering us therefrom. He hath also instituted an _inward_
and _spiritual Worship_: So that God now tieth not his People to
the _Temple_ of _Jerusalem_, nor yet unto outward _Ceremonies_ and
_Observations_; but taketh the Heart of every _Christian_ for a
_Temple_ to dwell in; and there immediately appeareth, and giveth him
Directions how to serve him in any outward Acts. Since, as Christ
argueth, _God is a Spirit_, he will now be worshipped in the Spirit,
where he reveals himself, and dwelleth with the _contrite in Heart_.
Now, since it is the _Heart of Man_ that now is become the _Temple of
God_, in which he will be worshipped, and no more in particular outward
Temples, (since, as blessed _Stephen_ said, out of the Prophet, to
the professing _Jews_ of old, _The most High dwelleth not in Temples
made with Hands_) as before the _Glory of the Lord_ descended to fill
the outward Temple, it behoved to be purified and cleansed, and all
polluted Stuff removed out of it; yea, and the Place for the Tabernacle
was overlaid with Gold, the most precious and cleanest of Metals; so
also before God be worshipped in the inward Temple of the Heart, it
must also be purged of its own Filth, and all its own Thoughts and
Imaginations, that so it may be fit to receive the Spirit of God,
and to be actuated by it. And doth not this directly lead us to
that _inward Silence_, of which we have spoken, and exactly pointed
out? And further, This Worship must be _in Truth_; intimating, that
this spiritual Worship, thus actuated, is only and properly a true
Worship; as being that which, for the Reasons above observed, cannot be
counterfeited by the Enemy, nor yet performed by the Hypocrite.
§. XVI. And though this _Worship_ be indeed very different from the
divers established invented Worships among _Christians_, and therefore
may seem strange to many, yet hath it been testified of, commended and
practised, by the most pious of all Sorts, in all Ages, as by many
evident Testimonies might be proved. So that from the professing and
practising thereof, the Name of _Mysticks_ hath arisen, as of a certain
Sect, generally commended by all, whose _Writings_ are full both of
the Explanation and of the Commendation of this Sort of _Worship_;
[Sidenote: _A certain Sect of _Mysticks_ among the _Papists_, their
_inward Exercise_. See _Sancta Sophia_, printed_ An. Dom. 1657.] where
they plentifully assert this _inward Introversion_ and _Abstraction of
the Mind_, as they call it, _from all Images and Thoughts_, and the
_Prayer of the Will_: [Sidenote: _The _English Benedictines_ Testimony
for the spiritual Worship, against their Masses and set Devotions._]
Yea, they look upon this as the _Height_ of _Christian Perfection_;
so that some of them, though professed _Papists_, do not doubt to
affirm, _That such as have attained this Method of Worship, or are
aiming at it_, (as in a Book, called _Sancta Sophia_, put out by the
_English Benedictines_, printed at _Doway_, _Anno 1657_. Tract. I.
Sect. 2. Cap. 5.) _need not, nor ought to trouble or busy themselves
with frequent and unnecessary Confessions, with exercising corporal
Labours and Austerities, the using of vocal voluntary Prayers, the
hearing of a Number of Masses, or set Devotions, or Exercises to
Saints, or Prayers for the Dead, or having solicitous and distracting
Cares to gain Indulgences, by going to such and such Churches, or
adjoining one’s Self to Confraternities, or intangling one’s Self with
Vows and Promises; because such Kind of Things hinder the Soul from
observing the Operations of the divine Spirit in it, and from having
Liberty to follow the Spirit whither it would draw her_. And yet who
knows not that in such Kind of Observations the very Substance of the
_Popish Religion_ consisteth? Yet nevertheless, it appears by this,
and many other Passages, which out of their _Mystick Writers_ might
be mentioned, how they look upon this _Worship_ as excelling all
other; and that such as arrived hereunto, had no absolute Need of the
others: Yea, (see the Life of _Balthazar Alvares_, in the same _Sancta
Sophia_, Tract. III. Sect. 1. Cap. 7.) such as tasted of this, quickly
confessed, that the other _Forms_ and _Ceremonies of Worship_ were
useless as to them; neither did they perform them as Things necessary,
but merely for Order or Example’s Sake. And therefore, though some of
them were so overclouded with the common Darkness of their Profession,
yet could they affirm that this _spiritual Worship_ was still to be
retained and sought for, even though it should become necessary to omit
their outward Ceremonies. [Sidenote: Bernard _preferring the_ Spirit
_above_ Popish Orders.] Hence _Bernard_, as in many other Places, so in
his _Epistle_ to _William_, Abbot of the same Order, saith, _Take Heed
to the Rule of God; the Kingdom of God is within you_: And afterwards,
saying, That their outward Orders and Rules should be observed, he
adds; _But otherwise, when it shall happen that one of these two must
be omitted, in such a Case these are much rather to be omitted than
those former: For by how much the Spirit is more excellent and noble
than the Body, by so much are spiritual Exercises more profitable than
corporal_. Is not that then the best of Worships, which the best of
Men in all Ages, and of all Sects, have commended, and which is most
suitable to the Doctrine of Christ? I say, Is not that Worship to be
followed and performed? And so much the rather, as God hath raised a
People to testify for it, and preach it, to their great Refreshment and
Strengthening, in the very Face of the World, and notwithstanding much
Opposition; who do not, as these _Mysticks_, make of it a Mystery, only
to be attained by a few Men or Women in a Cloister; [Sidenote: _Those
_Mysticks_ did confine that Mystery to a Cloister._] or, as their
Mistake was, after wearying themselves with many outward _Ceremonies_
and _Observations_, as if it were the Consequence of such a Labour;
but who in the free Love of God (who respects not Persons, and was
near to hear and reveal himself, as well to _Cornelius_, a Centurion
and a Roman, as to _Simeon_ and _Anna_; and who discovered his Glory
to _Mary_, a poor Handmaid, and to the poor _Shepherds_, rather than
to the _High Priests_ and _devout Proselytes_ among the _Jews_) in
and according to his _free Love_, finding that God is revealing and
establishing this Worship, and making many poor Tradesmen, yea, young
Boys and Girls, Witnesses of it, do intreat and beseech all to lay
aside their own Will-worships, and voluntary Acts, performed in their
own Wills, and by their own mere natural Strength and Power, without
retiring out of their vain Imaginations and Thoughts, or feeling the
_pure Spirit of God_ to move and stir in them; that they may come to
practise this acceptable Worship, which is _in Spirit and in Truth_.
But against this Worship they object.
§. XVII. [Sidenote: Obj. 1.] First, _It seems to be an unprofitable
Exercise for a Man to be doing or thinking nothing; and that one might
be much better employed, either in meditating upon some good Subject,
or otherwise praying to or praising God_.
[Sidenote: _Answ._] I answer; That is not unprofitable, which is of
absolute Necessity before any other Duty can be acceptably performed,
as we have shewn this _Waiting_ to be. Moreover, those have but a
carnal and gross Apprehension of God, and of the Things of his Kingdom,
who imagine that Men please him by their own Workings and Actings:
Whereas, as hath been shewn, the _first Step_ for a Man to fear God,
is to cease from his own Thoughts and Imaginations, and suffer God’s
Spirit to work in him. [Sidenote: _We must cease to do ill, _ere_
we learn to do well._] [108]For we must _cease to do evil_, ere we
_learn to do well_; and this meddling in Things _spiritual_ by Man’s
own natural Understanding, is one of the greatest and most dangerous
Evils that Man is incident to; being that which occasioned our _first
Parents_ Fall, to wit, a Forwardness to desire to know Things, and a
Meddling with them, both without and contrary to the Lord’s Command.
[108] Isa. 1. 16, 17.
[Sidenote: Obj. 2.] [Sidenote: _Set Times and Places for Meetings._]
_Secondly_, Some object, _If your Worship merely consists in inwardly
retiring to the Lord, and feeling of his Spirit arise in you, and then
to do outward Acts as ye are led by it, what need ye have publick
Meetings at set Times and Places, since every one may enjoy this at
Home? Or should not every one stay at Home, until they be particularly
moved to go to such a Place at such a Time; since to meet at set Times
and Places seems to be an outward Observation and Ceremony, contrary to
what ye at other Times assert?_