The Character of an Old English Puritan, or Non-Conformist by John Geree
The Old English Puritan was such an one, that honored
God above all, and under God gave every one 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 colour of that submit to superstitious rites, which are
superfluous, and 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 much
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 he esteemed of more authority, but the word
preached of more efficiency.
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 the 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 the understanding,
affection, and memory. To which ordinarily he esteemed none so
conducible as that by doctrine, reason and use. He esteemed those sermons best
that came closest to the conscience: yet would he have men’s consciences
awakened, not their persons disgraced.
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, and
would read 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 careful to remember it, to get house, and
heart in order for it and when it came, he was
studious to improve it. He redeems the morning from superfluous sleep, and
watches the whole day over his thoughts and words, not only to restrain them
from wickedness, but worldliness. All parts of the day were like 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. Lawful
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 neither did 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. The Lord’s Supper he
accounted part of his soul’s 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 an occasion to
humble his soul by right fasting: He abhorred the popish doctrine of opus operatum in the action. 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 monarchical by bishops, nor democratical by the people. Right discipline he judged
pertaining not to the being, but to the well-being of a church. Therefore he
esteemed those churches most pure where government is by elders, yet unchurched not those where it was otherwise. Perfection in
churches he thought a thing rather to be desired, than 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 he
would 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 counted them
convenient like their synagogues. He would have them kept decent, not
magnificent: knowing that the gospel requires not
outward pomp. His chief music was singing of psalms 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 as hinderance 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 than 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 to 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 endeavors 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 borne in it, might be born again unto
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 cautious in promising, but careful
in performing, counting his word no less engagement
than his bond. He was a man of 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 things of this life, rather beating down the body,
than pampering it, yet he denied not himself the use of God’s blessing, lest he
should be unthankful, but avoid excess lest he should be forgetful of the
Donor. 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 own 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 conquers who suffers.']
He was 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 find it.
FINIS.
By John Geree, M.A.
and Preacher of the Word
sometime at, Tewksbury, but now at St. Albons.
Published according to order London,
Printed by W. Wilson for Christopher Meredith at the Crane in Paul's
Church-yard.
originally published in 1646