A letter concerning the matter of the present excommunications
         Owen, John, 1616-1683.
      
       
         
           1683
        
      
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             A letter concerning the matter of the present excommunications
             Owen, John, 1616-1683.
          
           [2], 34 p.
           
             Printed for Benjamin Alsop ...,
             London :
             1683.
          
           
             Errata: prelim. p. [2].
             Attributed to John Owen. Cf. NUC pre-1950.
             Reproduction of original in Huntington Library.
          
        
      
    
     
       
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         eng
      
       
         
           Excommunication.
        
      
    
     
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           A
           LETTER
           Concerning
           the
           MATTER
           of
           the
           PRESENT
           Excommunications
        
         
         
           LONDON
           :
           Printed
           for
           
             Benjamin
             Alsop
             ,
          
           at
           the
           Angel
           and
           Bible
           in
           the
           
             Poultry
             ,
          
           over-against
           the
           Church
           .
           1683.
           
        
      
       
         
         
           ERRATA
           .
        
         
           Page
           5.
           line
           17.
           read
           
             these
             Excommunications
             .
          
           p.
           10.
           l.
           last
           .
           r.
           
             this
             Work.
          
           p.
           11.
           l.
           17.
           for
           
             by
             them
          
           r.
           
             to
             them
             .
          
           p.
           13.
           l.
           1.
           for
           
             by
          
           r.
           
             in
             .
          
           p.
           20.
           l.
           6.
           r.
           
             demands
             .
          
           l.
           16.
           for
           
             this
          
           r.
           
             the.
          
           p.
           27.
           l.
           5.
           
             for
             these
             Ordinances
             ,
          
           r.
           
             these
             Excommunications
             from
             those
             Ordinances
             .
          
           p.
           32.
           l.
           11.
           r.
           
             as
             much
             as
             .
          
        
      
    
     
       
         
         
           A
           LETTER
           Concerning
           the
           Matter
           of
           the
           Present
           EXCOMMUNICATIONS
           .
        
         
           
             SIR
             ,
          
        
         
           YOU
           judg
           aright
           ,
           That
           at
           my
           last
           being
           in
           
             London
             ,
          
           I
           did
           consider
           the
           unusual
           hurry
           of
           Excommunications
           against
           those
           called
           Dissenters
           ;
           and
           because
           of
           the
           novelty
           of
           the
           proceedings
           therein
           ,
           I
           did
           moreover
           endeavour
           my
           own
           satisfaction
           ,
           as
           unto
           the
           design
           ,
           causes
           ,
           and
           ends
           of
           them
           :
           And
           I
           found
           it
           a
           thing
           easily
           attainable
           ,
           without
           difficulty
           ,
           or
           curiosity
           of
           enquiry
           .
           For
           whereas
           there
           is
           no
           covering
           of
           Religion
           ,
           nor
           any
           thing
           appertaining
           thereunto
           ,
           save
           only
           a
           Name
           or
           Title
           cast
           upon
           them
           ,
           they
           openly
           discover
           themselves
           of
           what
           sort
           they
           are
           ,
           and
           what
           they
           belong
           unto
           .
           And
           
           among
           many
           other
           indecencies
           wherewith
           they
           are
           accompanied
           ,
           one
           seemed
           to
           me
           to
           be
           very
           
             notable
          
           ;
           and
           this
           is
           ,
           the
           collection
           of
           whole
           droves
           together
           by
           
             Summons
             and
             Citations
          
           ;
           then
           dealing
           with
           them
           in
           such
           a
           clamorous
           manner
           as
           makes
           a
           representation
           of
           a
           Publick
           Market
           or
           Fair
           for
           
             chaffering
             about
             Souls
             .
          
           But
           that
           ,
           I
           found
           ,
           which
           did
           principally
           affect
           the
           minds
           of
           men
           ,
           was
           the
           event
           which
           these
           proceedings
           do
           tend
           unto
           ,
           and
           will
           produce
           ;
           and
           they
           generally
           concluded
           ,
           that
           they
           would
           be
           highly
           prejudicial
           ,
           if
           not
           ruinous
           unto
           all
           Trust
           and
           Trade
           ,
           among
           the
           peaceable
           Subjects
           of
           the
           Kingdom
           .
           For
           they
           said
           ,
           that
           if
           the
           
             Commissaries
          
           would
           do
           as
           in
           the
           old
           
             Roman
          
           Proscriptions
           in
           the
           time
           of
           
             Sylla
             ,
          
           and
           of
           the
           
             Triumvirate
          
           afterward
           ,
           and
           set
           up
           the
           Names
           of
           all
           that
           were
           to
           be
           proceeded
           against
           ,
           in
           Publick
           Tables
           ,
           to
           be
           exposed
           to
           the
           view
           of
           all
           ;
           those
           concerned
           ,
           might
           shift
           for
           themselves
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           they
           could
           ,
           and
           the
           residue
           of
           mankind
           might
           be
           at
           liberty
           to
           follow
           their
           own
           occasions
           ;
           but
           whilst
           they
           retain
           an
           unmeasurable
           reserve
           in
           their
           own
           breasts
           ,
           as
           unto
           persons
           to
           be
           ruined
           by
           them
           ,
           so
           as
           that
           they
           know
           
           not
           whose
           names
           ,
           their
           own
           ,
           or
           of
           those
           with
           whom
           they
           are
           concerned
           ,
           they
           shall
           see
           the
           next
           day
           
             affixed
             on
             the
             Church
             Doors
             ,
          
           in
           order
           unto
           Excommunication
           ,
           it
           deprives
           them
           of
           all
           repose
           in
           the
           Law
           of
           the
           Land
           ,
           or
           Publick
           Justice
           ,
           and
           breaks
           all
           their
           Measures
           about
           the
           disposal
           of
           their
           Affairs
           .
           How
           far
           this
           is
           already
           come
           to
           pass
           ,
           you
           that
           are
           in
           the
           place
           ,
           know
           better
           than
           I
           ;
           but
           sure
           I
           am
           ,
           that
           the
           very
           Rumor
           of
           it
           gives
           a
           general
           discomposure
           unto
           the
           minds
           of
           Men.
           
        
         
           Hearing
           no
           other
           discourse
           of
           these
           things
           ,
           I
           was
           somewhat
           surprized
           with
           your
           
             Letter
             ,
          
           wherein
           you
           required
           my
           thoughts
           what
           influence
           these
           Excommunications
           may
           have
           on
           the
           
             Consciences
          
           of
           them
           who
           are
           so
           excommunicated
           ;
           for
           I
           did
           not
           think
           there
           would
           have
           any
           question
           been
           made
           about
           it
           :
           But
           since
           you
           are
           pleased
           to
           make
           the
           enquiry
           ,
           I
           shall
           for
           the
           satisfaction
           of
           my
           respects
           unto
           you
           ,
           (
           tho
           as
           unto
           any
           other
           end
           I
           judg
           it
           needless
           )
           give
           you
           a
           brief
           Account
           of
           my
           Judgement
           concerning
           these
           proceedings
           ,
           which
           is
           the
           same
           for
           the
           substance
           of
           it
           ,
           with
           that
           of
           
           all
           sober
           persons
           with
           whom
           I
           ever
           conversed
           .
        
         
           
             Excommunication
          
           is
           the
           Name
           of
           a
           Divine
           Institution
           of
           Christ
           ,
           wherein
           ,
           and
           in
           whose
           due
           and
           just
           administration
           ,
           the
           consciences
           of
           Christians
           are
           ,
           or
           ought
           to
           be
           highly
           concerned
           ;
           And
           this
           ,
           as
           for
           other
           causes
           ,
           so
           principally
           because
           it
           is
           the
           only
           sure
           representation
           of
           the
           future
           Judgment
           of
           Christ
           himself
           ;
           he
           did
           appoint
           it
           for
           this
           end
           ,
           that
           so
           it
           might
           be
           .
           Providential
           dispensations
           are
           various
           ,
           and
           no
           certain
           Judgment
           can
           be
           made
           on
           them
           ,
           as
           unto
           the
           final
           and
           eternal
           determination
           of
           things
           and
           causes
           ;
           
             No
             man
             knoweth
             love
             or
             hatred
             by
             the
             things
             of
             that
             nature
             that
             are
             before
             him
          
           ;
           But
           this
           is
           ordained
           by
           the
           Law
           of
           Christ
           to
           be
           a
           just
           Representation
           of
           his
           future
           Judgment
           ,
           with
           a
           Recognition
           of
           the
           causes
           which
           he
           will
           proceed
           upon
           :
           Therefore
           it
           is
           divinely
           instructive
           ,
           in
           what
           he
           himself
           will
           do
           in
           the
           great
           day
           ;
           it
           is
           
             futuri
             judicii
             praejudicium
          
           :
           But
           he
           will
           scarcely
           be
           thought
           well
           advised
           ,
           who
           shall
           send
           men
           to
           
             Doctors-Commons
             ,
          
           to
           learn
           the
           way
           and
           manner
           of
           Christs
           Judgment
           of
           his
           Church
           ,
           with
           the
           causes
           which
           he
           will
           proceed
           
           upon
           .
           He
           giveth
           himself
           another
           account
           of
           it
           ,
           
             Mat.
          
           25.32
           .
           unto
           the
           end
           of
           the
           
             Chapter
          
           ;
           of
           what
           he
           there
           declares
           ,
           there
           is
           neither
           name
           ,
           nor
           thing
           found
           among
           the
           men
           of
           these
           practices
           ,
           which
           we
           treat
           about
           .
           The
           mentioning
           of
           them
           ,
           would
           be
           looked
           on
           as
           a
           sedition
           against
           their
           Authority
           ;
           or
           else
           make
           them
           ashamed
           ,
           as
           a
           thief
           when
           he
           is
           found
           :
           But
           for
           any
           sort
           of
           person
           to
           undertake
           the
           administration
           and
           execution
           of
           the
           sentence
           of
           Excommunication
           against
           others
           ,
           not
           making
           it
           their
           design
           to
           represent
           the
           Judgment
           of
           Christ
           towards
           impenitent
           Sinners
           ,
           is
           to
           bid
           defiance
           to
           him
           and
           his
           Gospel
           .
           Wherefore
           no
           person
           whatever
           ,
           wise
           or
           unwise
           ,
           good
           or
           bad
           ,
           can
           be
           concerned
           in
           the
           Excommunication
           ,
           in
           
             conscience
             ,
          
           or
           on
           a
           Religious
           account
           ;
           I
           speak
           not
           only
           of
           them
           who
           are
           forced
           to
           suffer
           by
           them
           ,
           but
           of
           them
           also
           by
           whom
           they
           are
           administred
           and
           denounced
           :
           For
           it
           is
           impossible
           that
           men
           should
           be
           so
           far
           forsaken
           of
           all
           understanding
           ,
           as
           to
           imagine
           that
           the
           proceedings
           thereins
           ,
           do
           belong
           unto
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           or
           Christian
           Religion
           ,
           any
           otherwise
           but
           as
           a
           
           debasement
           and
           corruption
           of
           it
           ;
           neither
           is
           any
           man
           ever
           the
           less
           of
           the
           Communion
           of
           the
           Church
           of
           
             England
             ,
          
           by
           these
           Excommunications
           ;
           tho
           he
           may
           by
           force
           be
           debarred
           from
           some
           advantages
           that
           belong
           thereunto
           .
           Neither
           is
           the
           Communion
           of
           any
           Church
           to
           be
           valued
           ,
           from
           which
           a
           man
           may
           be
           really
           and
           effectually
           expelled
           by
           such
           means
           :
           For
           this
           Excommunication
           is
           not
           only
           null
           as
           to
           the
           efficacy
           of
           its
           sentence
           on
           the
           account
           of
           its
           mal-administration
           ;
           but
           it
           is
           not
           in
           any
           sence
           that
           which
           it
           is
           called
           ,
           and
           which
           it
           pretends
           to
           be
           .
           
             Idols
          
           are
           called
           Gods
           ,
           but
           we
           know
           they
           are
           
             nothing
          
           in
           the
           World
           :
           So
           is
           this
           proceeding
           called
           Excommunication
           ,
           but
           is
           no
           such
           thing
           at
           all
           .
           If
           a
           man
           should
           paint
           a
           
             Rat
             ,
          
           or
           an
           
             Hedg-hog
             ,
          
           and
           write
           over
           it
           ,
           that
           it
           is
           a
           
             Lion
             ,
          
           no
           man
           would
           believe
           it
           so
           to
           be
           ,
           because
           of
           its
           magnificent
           Title
           .
           All
           that
           it
           can
           pretend
           unto
           is
           a
           political
           Engine
           ,
           used
           to
           apply
           the
           displeasure
           of
           some
           ,
           upon
           an
           accidental
           advantage
           ,
           unto
           them
           whose
           ruin
           they
           design
           ;
           and
           therein
           a
           satisfaction
           unto
           Revenge
           ,
           for
           discountenancing
           their
           supposed
           
           Interest
           .
           That
           there
           is
           any
           acting
           in
           it
           of
           the
           Authority
           of
           Christ
           ,
           any
           Representation
           of
           his
           love
           ,
           care
           ,
           and
           tenderness
           towards
           his
           Church
           ,
           any
           thing
           that
           is
           instructive
           in
           his
           Mind
           or
           Will
           ,
           any
           
             praeludium
          
           of
           the
           future
           Judgment
           ,
           no
           man
           I
           suppose
           does
           pretend
           ;
           nor
           I
           am
           sure
           can
           do
           so
           ,
           without
           reflecting
           the
           highest
           dishonour
           imaginable
           on
           Christ
           himself
           ,
           and
           the
           Gospel
           .
        
         
           To
           make
           these
           things
           yet
           more
           evident
           ,
           and
           to
           show
           how
           remote
           the
           present
           Excommunications
           are
           ,
           from
           all
           possibility
           of
           affecting
           the
           
             Consciences
          
           of
           any
           ,
           I
           shall
           briefly
           pass
           through
           the
           consideration
           of
           these
           things
           ,
           which
           principally
           belong
           unto
           them
           ,
           and
           whereunto
           all
           their
           efficacy
           is
           resolved
           ;
           and
           that
           which
           first
           offereth
           it self
           ,
           is
           the
           
             Persons
          
           by
           whom
           they
           are
           administred
           :
           The
           truth
           is
           ,
           there
           is
           such
           a
           variety
           of
           
             Scenes
          
           in
           this
           
             Tragedy
             ,
          
           and
           such
           different
           Actors
           in
           it
           ,
           from
           
             Apparitor
             ,
          
           with
           whom
           it
           begins
           ,
           unto
           the
           
             Jailor
          
           with
           whom
           it
           ends
           ,
           that
           it
           seems
           not
           easie
           ,
           whom
           to
           ascribe
           the
           animating
           power
           and
           authority
           that
           is
           in
           it
           ,
           unto
           :
           But
           yet
           on
           a
           little
           consideration
           the
           matter
           is
           plain
           enough
           .
           The
           Ministers
           of
           the
           Parishes
           
           wherein
           the
           Excommunicated
           persons
           are
           supposed
           to
           dwell
           ,
           by
           whom
           the
           sentence
           of
           Excommunication
           is
           rehearsed
           out
           of
           a
           Paper
           from
           the
           Court
           ,
           have
           no
           coneernment
           herein
           ;
           for
           they
           know
           nothing
           of
           the
           causes
           ,
           or
           reasons
           of
           it
           ,
           nor
           of
           the
           process
           therein
           ,
           nor
           do
           pretend
           unto
           any
           
             Right
             ,
          
           for
           the
           cognizance
           of
           them
           ;
           nor
           do
           for
           the
           most
           part
           know
           the
           persons
           at
           all
           ,
           on
           whose
           qualifications
           alone
           ,
           the
           validity
           or
           invalidity
           of
           the
           sentence
           doth
           depend
           ;
           nor
           can
           give
           an
           account
           to
           God
           or
           man
           of
           what
           is
           done
           ,
           as
           to
           right
           and
           equity
           ;
           and
           therefore
           I
           no
           way
           doubt
           ,
           but
           that
           these
           who
           are
           learned
           and
           pious
           among
           them
           ,
           do
           hardly
           bear
           the
           yoke
           of
           being
           made
           such
           properties
           those
           acts
           and
           duties
           which
           appertain
           unto
           their
           Ministerial
           function
           ;
           but
           it
           is
           known
           who
           they
           are
           ,
           who
           begin
           the
           work
           ,
           and
           carry
           on
           the
           process
           of
           it
           unto
           its
           final
           execution
           ;
           and
           I
           shall
           say
           no
           more
           concerning
           them
           ,
           but
           this
           alone
           ,
           That
           how
           meet
           soever
           they
           may
           be
           for
           the
           transaction
           of
           Civil
           Affairs
           ,
           or
           for
           the
           skilful
           managing
           of
           that
           work
           herein
           ,
           which
           they
           suppose
           committed
           unto
           them
           ;
           yet
           as
           unto
           any
           
           thing
           wherein
           conscience
           may
           be
           affected
           with
           the
           Authority
           of
           Jesus
           Christ
           ,
           they
           can
           be
           of
           no
           consideration
           in
           it
           .
           If
           any
           man
           can
           but
           pretend
           to
           believe
           ,
           that
           our
           Lord
           Jesus
           by
           any
           Act
           ,
           Grant
           ,
           Law
           or
           Institution
           of
           his
           ,
           by
           any
           signification
           of
           his
           Mind
           or
           Will
           hath
           committed
           ,
           or
           doth
           commit
           ,
           the
           
             Keys
             of
             the
             Kingdom
             of
             Heaven
             ,
          
           the
           power
           of
           binding
           and
           loosing
           ,
           of
           expelling
           out
           of
           ,
           and
           admitting
           into
           his
           Church
           ,
           unto
           these
           or
           such
           persons
           ,
           he
           hath
           assuredly
           confidence
           enough
           to
           pretend
           unto
           a
           perswasion
           of
           whatever
           he
           pleases
           .
           They
           do
           not
           believe
           it
           themselves
           ;
           nor
           among
           themselves
           ,
           pretend
           unto
           any
           such
           thing
           ;
           but
           only
           a
           power
           to
           execute
           their
           own
           Laws
           or
           Canons
           .
           They
           do
           not
           judg
           that
           any
           personal
           ,
           moral
           or
           spiritual
           qualifications
           ,
           are
           required
           unto
           
             Ecclesiastical
          
           Administrations
           ;
           which
           yet
           to
           deny
           ,
           is
           to
           undermine
           all
           Religion
           ,
           without
           which
           they
           may
           be
           fit
           for
           all
           Church
           Duties
           ,
           who
           are
           no
           better
           than
           that
           
             Arch-Deacon
             of
             Oxford
             ,
          
           who
           being
           charged
           with
           Immoralities
           in
           his
           Conversation
           ,
           justified
           himself
           by
           the
           soundness
           of
           his
           faith
           ,
           affirming
           that
           he
           believed
           
             Three
             Gods
             in
             one
             Person
          
           ;
           
           and
           
             besides
             he
             believed
             all
             that
             God
             himself
             did
             believe
          
           :
           Let
           a
           man
           out
           of
           interest
           ,
           or
           fear
           ,
           or
           ignorant
           superstition
           ,
           strive
           never
           so
           much
           to
           affect
           his
           Conscience
           with
           the
           Excommunications
           of
           such
           men
           ,
           he
           will
           never
           be
           able
           to
           effect
           it
           .
        
         
           But
           be
           the
           personal
           qualifications
           of
           those
           intended
           ,
           what
           they
           please
           ,
           the
           Question
           is
           ,
           How
           they
           came
           by
           that
           Power
           and
           Authority
           herein
           ,
           which
           they
           pretend
           unto
           ?
           They
           are
           
             Chancellors
             ,
             Archdeacons
             ,
             Commissaries
             ,
             Officials
             ,
          
           with
           their
           Court
           Attendants
           ,
           of
           whom
           we
           speak
           .
           I
           confess
           these
           horrid
           Names
           ,
           with
           the
           reports
           concerning
           them
           ,
           and
           their
           power
           ,
           are
           enough
           to
           terrifie
           poor
           harmless
           men
           ,
           and
           make
           them
           fear
           some
           evil
           from
           them
           .
           But
           Excommunication
           is
           that
           which
           no
           man
           knows
           on
           what
           grounds
           to
           fear
           ,
           from
           these
           Names
           ,
           Titles
           ,
           and
           Offices
           :
           For
           that
           is
           the
           Name
           of
           a
           Divine
           Ordinance
           instituted
           by
           Christ
           in
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           to
           be
           admininistred
           according
           to
           the
           Rule
           and
           Law
           thereof
           ;
           but
           these
           Name
           ,
           and
           those
           unto
           whom
           they
           do
           belong
           ,
           are
           utterly
           forreign
           unto
           the
           Scriptures
           ,
           and
           as
           unto
           the
           Work
           ,
           to
           the
           practise
           of
           the
           Church
           
           for
           a
           Thousand
           Years
           ;
           what
           therefore
           is
           done
           by
           them
           of
           this
           kind
           ,
           must
           of
           necessity
           be
           utterly
           null
           ,
           seeing
           that
           as
           such
           ,
           they
           have
           no
           place
           in
           the
           Church
           themselves
           by
           the
           Authority
           of
           Christ.
           But
           however
           it
           be
           undeniably
           evident
           ,
           that
           they
           have
           no
           relation
           unto
           the
           Scripture
           ,
           nor
           can
           have
           any
           Authority
           from
           Christ
           ,
           by
           vertue
           of
           any
           Law
           or
           Institution
           of
           his
           ,
           nor
           countenance
           given
           unto
           them
           by
           any
           practise
           of
           the
           primitive
           Church
           ;
           yet
           what
           they
           do
           in
           this
           kind
           ,
           being
           pretended
           acts
           of
           Power
           and
           Authority
           ,
           an
           Authority
           for
           them
           must
           be
           pleaded
           by
           them
           :
           But
           then
           it
           may
           be
           justly
           demanded
           of
           them
           ,
           What
           it
           is
           ?
           of
           what
           nature
           and
           kind
           ?
           how
           it
           is
           communicated
           unto
           them
           ,
           or
           derived
           by
           them
           from
           others
           ?
           This
           is
           that
           which
           those
           who
           are
           Excommunicated
           by
           them
           ,
           are
           principally
           concerned
           to
           enquire
           into
           ,
           and
           ,
           which
           themselves
           in
           the
           first
           place
           are
           obliged
           to
           declare
           and
           evince
           :
           Unless
           men
           are
           satisfied
           in
           conscience
           ,
           that
           those
           who
           act
           against
           them
           have
           just
           authority
           so
           to
           do
           ,
           or
           in
           what
           they
           do
           ,
           it
           is
           utterly
           impossible
           they
           should
           be
           concerned
           in
           conscience
           in
           what
           
           is
           done
           against
           them
           ,
           or
           be
           any
           ways
           obliged
           thereby
           :
           Here
           therefore
           they
           abide
           until
           they
           are
           satisfied
           in
           this
           just
           and
           necessary
           demand
           .
        
         
           But
           here
           all
           things
           are
           in
           confusion
           ;
           they
           can
           declare
           neither
           
             what
          
           Authority
           is
           required
           unto
           what
           they
           do
           ,
           nor
           
             how
          
           they
           come
           to
           possess
           that
           which
           they
           pretend
           unto
           .
        
         
           If
           it
           be
           from
           Christ
           ,
           how
           comes
           it
           to
           operate
           on
           the
           outward
           concerns
           of
           men
           ,
           their
           Liberties
           and
           Estates
           ?
           If
           it
           be
           meerly
           of
           man
           ,
           whence
           do
           they
           give
           the
           Name
           ,
           and
           pretence
           of
           a
           Divine
           Ordinance
           unto
           what
           they
           do
           ?
           If
           any
           should
           follow
           the
           clew
           in
           this
           Labyrinth
           ,
           it
           is
           to
           be
           feared
           that
           it
           would
           lead
           them
           into
           the
           Abyss
           of
           
             Papal
          
           Omnipotency
           .
        
         
           As
           they
           exercise
           this
           power
           in
           Courts
           of
           External
           Jurisdiction
           ,
           and
           forms
           of
           Law
           ,
           they
           will
           not
           deny
           ,
           I
           suppose
           ,
           but
           that
           it
           is
           from
           the
           King
           ;
           but
           why
           do
           they
           not
           then
           act
           that
           power
           in
           the
           Kings
           Name
           ;
           For
           
           what
           is
           not
           done
           by
           his
           Name
           ,
           is
           not
           done
           by
           his
           Authority
           .
        
         
           Ministers
           do
           not
           preach
           ,
           nor
           administer
           Sacraments
           in
           the
           Name
           of
           the
           King
           ,
           for
           they
           do
           it
           not
           by
           his
           Authority
           ,
           or
           by
           Vertue
           of
           Authority
           derived
           from
           him
           ;
           nor
           do
           Parents
           govern
           their
           Children
           or
           Families
           in
           his
           Name
           ,
           but
           their
           own
           ;
           because
           Authority
           for
           it
           ,
           is
           their
           own
           by
           the
           Law
           of
           God
           and
           Nature
           ;
           but
           that
           exercise
           of
           Power
           which
           externally
           affects
           the
           Civil
           Rights
           and
           Liberties
           of
           men
           ,
           must
           be
           in
           the
           Kings
           Name
           ,
           or
           the
           foundations
           of
           the
           Government
           of
           the
           Nation
           are
           shaken
           —
           But
           I
           make
           it
           not
           my
           concernment
           what
           Name
           or
           Stile
           they
           use
           in
           their
           Courts
           .
           Let
           it
           be
           granted
           for
           their
           own
           security
           ,
           that
           they
           have
           all
           their
           Power
           and
           Authority
           from
           the
           King
           ,
           it
           must
           be
           therewithal
           granted
           of
           what
           Nature
           it
           is
           ,
           namely
           ,
           Civil
           ,
           and
           not
           Spiritual
           ,
           but
           why
           then
           doth
           what
           they
           do
           ,
           not
           go
           under
           the
           name
           of
           a
           Civil
           Order
           ,
           Constitution
           ,
           or
           Penalty
           ,
           but
           of
           an
           Ordidance
           or
           Institution
           of
           Jesus
           Christ
           ?
           Are
           
           not
           these
           things
           in
           their
           own
           Nature
           everlastingly
           distinct
           ?
           and
           is
           not
           conscience
           hereby
           fully
           absolved
           from
           any
           respect
           unto
           it
           ,
           as
           such
           an
           ordinance
           ▪
           which
           in
           this
           supposition
           it
           neither
           is
           ,
           nor
           can
           be
           .
           It
           is
           easily
           discernable
           ,
           how
           these
           things
           tend
           unto
           the
           utter
           confusion
           of
           all
           things
           in
           Religion
           .
        
         
           If
           it
           be
           said
           ,
           That
           the
           Power
           of
           it
           ,
           as
           it
           is
           Excommunication
           ,
           is
           originally
           seated
           in
           the
           Prelates
           ,
           by
           virtue
           of
           their
           Office
           ,
           and
           is
           communicated
           unto
           this
           sort
           of
           Persons
           ,
           by
           Commission
           ,
           Delegation
           ,
           or
           Deputation
           ,
           under
           their
           seals
           ;
           it
           will
           yield
           no
           relief
           :
           For
           this
           fiction
           of
           the
           delegation
           of
           office-power
           ,
           or
           the
           power
           of
           office
           ,
           unto
           any
           ,
           without
           giving
           them
           the
           office
           it self
           ,
           whereunto
           that
           power
           belongs
           ,
           is
           gross
           and
           intolerable
           .
           Let
           it
           be
           tried
           ,
           whether
           the
           Bishops
           can
           delegate
           the
           power
           of
           Ministerial
           preaching
           the
           Word
           ,
           and
           Administration
           of
           the
           Sacraments
           ,
           unto
           any
           persons
           ,
           without
           giving
           them
           the
           office
           of
           the
           Ministry
           .
           If
           Excommunication
           be
           an
           act
           of
           
           office-power
           ,
           Authority
           to
           administer
           it
           ,
           cannot
           be
           delegated
           unto
           any
           without
           the
           office
           it self
           ,
           whereunto
           it
           doth
           belong
           ;
           for
           these
           things
           are
           inseparable
           .
           I
           certainly
           believe
           it
           is
           the
           duty
           and
           concernment
           of
           some
           men
           ,
           to
           state
           proceedings
           of
           this
           nature
           on
           better
           foundations
           ,
           that
           the
           exercise
           of
           such
           solemn
           duties
           of
           Christian
           Religion
           be
           not
           exposed
           to
           utter
           contempt
           ,
           nor
           men
           led
           by
           a
           discovery
           of
           false
           pretences
           of
           Divine
           Institutions
           ,
           to
           despise
           the
           things
           themselves
           that
           are
           so
           abused
           .
        
         
           It
           were
           easie
           from
           many
           other
           considerations
           ,
           to
           demonstrate
           the
           nullity
           of
           these
           mens
           pretended
           Authority
           ,
           with
           respect
           unto
           Excommunication
           ,
           as
           it
           is
           an
           Ordinance
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           in
           which
           respect
           alone
           ,
           the
           consciences
           of
           men
           are
           concerned
           ;
           and
           as
           unto
           their
           power
           over
           the
           Civil
           Rights
           and
           Interests
           of
           men
           ,
           those
           troubled
           by
           them
           ,
           must
           shift
           as
           well
           as
           they
           can
           .
        
         
           But
           yet
           further
           ,
           the
           
             manner
          
           of
           the
           administration
           
           of
           the
           present
           Excommunications
           doth
           evidence
           their
           invalidity
           and
           nullity
           .
           That
           which
           they
           pretend
           unto
           ,
           as
           hath
           been
           said
           ,
           is
           a
           Divine
           Ordinance
           ,
           an
           Institution
           of
           Jesus
           Christ
           ;
           and
           this
           declares
           in
           general
           how
           it
           ought
           to
           be
           administred
           by
           them
           who
           have
           authority
           for
           it
           ,
           and
           are
           called
           thereunto
           :
           For
           it
           hence
           followeth
           ,
           that
           it
           ought
           to
           be
           accompanied
           with
           an
           humble
           Reverence
           of
           him
           and
           his
           Authority
           ,
           diligent
           attendance
           unto
           his
           Law
           ,
           and
           the
           Rule
           of
           his
           Word
           in
           all
           things
           ,
           with
           solemn
           reiterated
           invocation
           of
           his
           holy
           name
           ,
           for
           his
           Presence
           ,
           Guidance
           ,
           and
           assistance
           :
           Where
           these
           things
           are
           neglected
           in
           the
           Administration
           of
           any
           Divine
           Ordinances
           ,
           it
           is
           nothing
           but
           the
           taking
           the
           Name
           of
           God
           in
           vain
           ,
           and
           the
           profanation
           of
           his
           Worship
           .
           It
           may
           be
           some
           will
           despise
           these
           considerations
           ;
           I
           cannot
           help
           it
           ,
           they
           do
           it
           at
           their
           utmost
           peril
           ;
           it
           is
           Conscience
           alone
           which
           I
           respect
           in
           this
           Discourse
           ;
           they
           who
           have
           any
           such
           thing
           ,
           will
           think
           these
           things
           reasonable
           .
        
         
         
           Again
           ,
           the
           
             especial
             nature
          
           of
           this
           Institution
           doth
           require
           an
           especial
           frame
           of
           mind
           in
           its
           administration
           ;
           for
           it
           is
           the
           cutting
           off
           of
           a
           member
           of
           the
           same
           body
           with
           them
           ,
           which
           cannot
           be
           without
           sence
           and
           sorrow
           .
           To
           cut
           off
           any
           from
           a
           Church
           ,
           who
           was
           never
           a
           member
           of
           it
           by
           his
           own
           consent
           ,
           nor
           doth
           judg
           himself
           so
           to
           be
           ,
           is
           ridiculous
           ;
           hence
           St.
           
             Paul
          
           calls
           the
           execution
           of
           this
           censure
           ,
           
             bewailing
             ,
          
           (
           2
           
             Cor.
          
           12.21
           .
           )
           Denominating
           the
           whole
           action
           from
           the
           frame
           of
           mind
           wherewith
           it
           ought
           to
           be
           performed
           ;
           and
           he
           that
           shall
           dare
           to
           decree
           or
           denounce
           this
           sentence
           without
           sorrow
           and
           compassion
           
             for
          
           the
           sin
           ,
           and
           
             on
          
           the
           person
           of
           him
           that
           is
           excommunicated
           ,
           plays
           a
           game
           with
           things
           Sacred
           for
           his
           advantage
           ,
           and
           shall
           answer
           for
           his
           Presumption
           .
        
         
           Besides
           ,
           as
           was
           before
           observed
           ,
           it
           is
           an
           instituted
           Representation
           of
           the
           Lord
           Christ
           ,
           and
           his
           Judgment
           in
           ,
           and
           of
           the
           Church
           at
           the
           last
           day
           .
           If
           the
           consideration
           hereof
           ,
           be
           once
           out
           of
           the
           minds
           of
           
           them
           by
           whom
           it
           is
           administred
           ,
           they
           must
           unavoidably
           err
           in
           all
           that
           they
           do
           ;
           much
           more
           if
           it
           be
           never
           once
           in
           them
           ;
           but
           this
           they
           ought
           to
           take
           on
           their
           souls
           and
           consciences
           ,
           that
           what
           they
           do
           ,
           Christ
           himself
           if
           present
           would
           do
           ,
           and
           will
           do
           the
           same
           at
           the
           last
           day
           ;
           for
           so
           he
           will
           deal
           with
           all
           impenitent
           sinners
           ,
           he
           will
           denounce
           them
           accursed
           ,
           and
           deliver
           them
           to
           Satrn
           .
           There
           is
           undoubtedly
           required
           from
           hence
           a
           reverential
           care
           and
           circumspection
           in
           all
           that
           is
           done
           herein
           :
           to
           make
           a
           false
           representation
           of
           Christ
           in
           these
           things
           ,
           that
           is
           ,
           his
           Wisdom
           ,
           Authority
           ,
           Holiness
           ,
           Love
           ,
           and
           Care
           towards
           the
           Church
           ,
           is
           the
           worst
           and
           most
           deformed
           image
           ,
           that
           can
           be
           set
           up
           :
           What
           higher
           indignity
           can
           be
           offered
           to
           his
           Gracious
           Holiness
           ,
           than
           to
           act
           and
           represent
           him
           as
           Furious
           ,
           Proud
           ,
           Passionate
           ,
           Unmerciful
           ,
           and
           delighting
           in
           the
           Ruine
           of
           those
           that
           openly
           profess
           Faith
           in
           him
           ,
           and
           love
           unto
           him
           ?
           God
           forbid
           that
           we
           should
           think
           that
           he
           hath
           any
           concern
           in
           such
           ways
           and
           proceedings
           .
        
         
         
           Whereas
           also
           the
           next
           end
           of
           this
           Censure
           is
           not
           destruction
           ,
           but
           edification
           ,
           or
           the
           repentance
           and
           recovery
           of
           lapsed
           sinmers
           ,
           it
           ought
           to
           be
           accompanied
           with
           continual
           fervent
           prayers
           for
           this
           end
           .
           This
           the
           nature
           of
           the
           thing
           it self
           requireth
           ,
           this
           the
           Scripture
           directs
           unto
           ,
           and
           such
           was
           the
           practise
           of
           the
           primitive
           Church
           .
        
         
           If
           we
           are
           Christians
           ,
           we
           are
           concerned
           in
           these
           things
           as
           much
           as
           we
           are
           in
           the
           glory
           of
           Christ
           ,
           and
           the
           salvation
           of
           our
           own
           souls
           .
           If
           we
           only
           make
           a
           pretence
           of
           religious
           Duties
           ,
           if
           we
           only
           erect
           an
           image
           of
           them
           for
           our
           own
           advantage
           ,
           we
           may
           despise
           them
           ,
           but
           at
           our
           peril
           .
        
         
           How
           well
           these
           things
           are
           observed
           in
           the
           present
           Excommunications
           ,
           is
           notorious
           .
           Once
           to
           mention
           them
           ,
           is
           to
           deserve
           a
           second
           Thunderbolt
           :
           An
           account
           of
           them
           as
           to
           matter
           of
           fact
           ,
           will
           be
           shortly
           given
           ;
           at
           present
           I
           shall
           only
           say
           ,
           That
           there
           is
           not
           any
           transaction
           of
           affairs
           in
           any
           kind
           amongst
           men
           civilized
           ,
           wherein
           there
           is
           a
           
           greater
           appearance
           and
           evidence
           of
           turbulent
           passions
           ,
           acting
           themselves
           in
           all
           manner
           of
           irregularities
           ,
           more
           profaness
           of
           expression
           ,
           more
           insolent
           insultations
           ,
           more
           brawling
           ,
           litigious
           proceedings
           ,
           more
           open
           mixtures
           of
           money
           demanded
           in
           pretended
           administrations
           of
           Right
           and
           Equity
           ,
           than
           there
           are
           in
           the
           publick
           proceedings
           about
           them
           :
           Shall
           any
           Christian
           suppose
           that
           the
           Holy
           Spirit
           of
           God
           ,
           on
           whom
           alone
           depends
           the
           efficacy
           of
           all
           Divine
           Ordinances
           unto
           their
           proper
           end
           ,
           will
           immix
           his
           holy
           Operations
           in
           or
           with
           this
           furious
           exertion
           of
           the
           lusts
           of
           men
           ?
           If
           this
           be
           looked
           on
           as
           the
           Complement
           of
           Christian
           Discipline
           ,
           or
           the
           last
           and
           utmost
           actings
           of
           this
           Authority
           of
           Christ
           towards
           men
           in
           this
           World
           ,
           it
           must
           needs
           be
           a
           temptation
           unto
           men
           of
           atheistical
           inclinations
           :
           certainly
           greater
           scandal
           cannot
           be
           given
           ;
           and
           it
           is
           the
           interest
           of
           some
           ,
           at
           least
           for
           the
           preservation
           of
           a
           veneration
           to
           their
           Office
           ,
           to
           dispose
           of
           proceedings
           in
           this
           case
           ,
           in
           such
           a
           way
           and
           manner
           ,
           as
           may
           administer
           occasion
           of
           consideration
           unto
           them
           concerned
           ,
           and
           
           not
           be
           carried
           on
           as
           at
           present
           ,
           with
           Laughter
           ,
           Indignation
           and
           Confusion
           ;
           and
           if
           Dissenters
           are
           to
           be
           destroyed
           ,
           it
           is
           desired
           ,
           that
           the
           work
           were
           left
           unto
           the
           Penal
           statutes
           ,
           which
           as
           now
           prosecuted
           and
           interpreted
           ,
           are
           sufficient
           for
           it
           ;
           rather
           than
           that
           the
           name
           of
           Religion
           ,
           and
           a
           Divine
           ordinance
           ,
           should
           meerly
           for
           that
           end
           be
           exposed
           to
           contempt
           .
        
         
           The
           last
           thing
           that
           I
           shall
           trouble
           you
           with
           at
           present
           ,
           is
           the
           consideration
           of
           the
           persons
           against
           whom
           the
           present
           Excommunications
           are
           blustered
           ,
           with
           the
           pretended
           causes
           of
           them
           .
           These
           are
           they
           whom
           they
           call
           
             Dissenters
             ,
          
           concerning
           whom
           we
           may
           enquire
           what
           they
           are
           ,
           and
           the
           cause
           of
           this
           pretended
           Ecclesiastical
           severity
           towards
           them
           .
           And
           as
           unto
           the
           first
           part
           of
           the
           enqury
           ,
           They
           are
           such
           as
           believe
           and
           make
           open
           profession
           of
           all
           the
           Articles
           of
           the
           Ch●istian
           Faith
           ;
           they
           do
           so
           ,
           as
           they
           are
           declared
           in
           the
           Scripture
           ;
           nor
           is
           the
           contrary
           charged
           on
           them
           .
           There
           is
           nothing
           determined
           by
           the
           ancient
           Councils
           to
           belong
           
           unto
           Christian
           Faith
           ,
           which
           they
           disbelieve
           ;
           nor
           do
           they
           own
           any
           Doctrine
           condemned
           by
           them
           :
           They
           profess
           an
           equal
           interest
           of
           Consent
           in
           the
           
             Harmony
          
           of
           
             Protestant
             Confessions
             ,
          
           with
           any
           other
           Protestants
           whatever
           .
           They
           own
           the
           Doctrine
           of
           the
           Church
           of
           
             England
          
           as
           established
           by
           Law
           ,
           in
           nothing
           receding
           from
           it
           ;
           nor
           have
           they
           any
           novel
           ,
           or
           Uncatholick
           Opinion
           of
           their
           own
           .
        
         
           It
           is
           therefore
           utterly
           impossible
           to
           separate
           them
           from
           the
           Communion
           of
           the
           Catholick
           Church
           in
           Faith
           ;
           or
           to
           cast
           them
           from
           that
           Rock
           whereon
           they
           are
           built
           thereby
           .
           They
           do
           also
           attend
           unto
           Divine
           Worship
           in
           their
           own
           assemblies
           ;
           and
           herein
           they
           do
           practise
           all
           that
           is
           agreed
           on
           by
           all
           Christians
           in
           the
           world
           ,
           and
           nothing
           else
           ;
           for
           they
           do
           not
           only
           make
           the
           Scripture
           the
           sole
           Rule
           of
           their
           Worship
           ,
           so
           as
           to
           omit
           nothing
           prescribed
           therein
           to
           that
           purpose
           ,
           nor
           to
           observe
           any
           thing
           prohibited
           thereby
           ;
           but
           their
           Worship
           is
           the
           very
           same
           with
           that
           of
           the
           Catholick
           Church
           in
           all
           ages
           nothing
           do
           they
           omit
           that
           was
           ever
           used
           by
           it
           ,
           nothing
           do
           they
           observe
           that
           was
           
           ever
           condemned
           by
           it
           ;
           and
           this
           must
           be
           the
           principle
           and
           measure
           of
           Catholick
           Union
           in
           Worship
           ,
           if
           ever
           there
           be
           any
           such
           thing
           in
           the
           Earth
           ;
           to
           expect
           it
           in
           any
           other
           observances
           ,
           is
           vain
           and
           foolish
           .
           Offering
           Prayers
           and
           Praises
           to
           God
           in
           the
           Name
           of
           Jesus
           Christ
           ,
           reading
           the
           Holy
           Scripture
           ,
           and
           expounding
           of
           it
           ;
           singing
           of
           Psalms
           to
           God
           ,
           preaching
           of
           the
           Word
           ,
           with
           the
           administration
           of
           the
           Sacraments
           of
           Baptism
           and
           the
           Lords
           Supper
           ;
           in
           a
           Religious
           Observation
           of
           the
           Lords
           Day
           ,
           unto
           these
           ends
           ;
           all
           according
           as
           God
           doth
           enable
           them
           by
           his
           Spirit
           ,
           is
           the
           Sum
           and
           Substance
           of
           the
           Worship
           of
           the
           Catholick
           Church
           ,
           wherein
           all
           Christians
           are
           agreed
           :
           These
           things
           the
           Scripture
           doth
           prescribe
           ,
           and
           these
           things
           the
           Church
           in
           all
           ages
           hath
           observed
           :
           All
           differences
           about
           this
           Worship
           which
           have
           filled
           the
           World
           with
           inhumane
           contentions
           ,
           arose
           from
           mens
           Arbitrary
           Addition
           of
           Forms
           ,
           Rites
           ,
           Modes
           ,
           Ceremonies
           ,
           Languages
           ,
           Cringings
           ,
           Adorations
           ,
           which
           they
           would
           have
           observed
           in
           it
           ,
           whereof
           the
           
           Scripture
           is
           silent
           ,
           and
           Primitive
           Antiquity
           utterly
           ignorant
           —
           And
           it
           may
           be
           it
           will
           be
           one
           day
           understood
           ,
           that
           the
           due
           observance
           of
           this
           Catholick
           Worship
           ,
           according
           as
           God
           enableth
           any
           thereunto
           ,
           leaving
           others
           at
           liberty
           to
           use
           such
           helps
           unto
           their
           Devotion
           ,
           as
           they
           shall
           think
           meet
           ;
           is
           the
           only
           Communion
           of
           Worship
           in
           the
           Church
           ,
           which
           the
           Scripture
           requires
           ,
           or
           which
           is
           possible
           to
           be
           attained
           :
           About
           the
           imposition
           of
           other
           things
           ,
           there
           ever
           were
           ,
           since
           they
           were
           ,
           and
           ever
           will
           be
           ,
           endless
           contentions
           .
           Wherefore
           these
           Dissenters
           practising
           nothing
           in
           the
           Worship
           of
           God
           ,
           but
           what
           is
           approved
           by
           all
           Christians
           ,
           particularly
           by
           the
           Church
           of
           
             England
             ,
          
           omitting
           nothing
           that
           either
           the
           Scripture
           or
           Catholick
           tradition
           directs
           unto
           ,
           they
           are
           ,
           notwithstanding
           this
           pretended
           Excommunication
           ,
           secure
           of
           Communion
           with
           the
           Catholick
           Church
           in
           Evangelical
           Worship
           .
        
         
           Moreover
           ,
           they
           plead
           ,
           that
           their
           conversation
           is
           unblamable
           ;
           that
           they
           are
           peaceable
           in
           the
           Civil
           Government
           ,
           and
           useful
           among
           
           their
           neighbours
           ;
           if
           they
           do
           evil
           in
           these
           things
           ,
           let
           them
           that
           prosecute
           them
           ,
           bear
           witness
           of
           the
           evil
           ;
           but
           if
           they
           do
           well
           ,
           why
           are
           they
           smitten
           ?
           If
           they
           can
           be
           charged
           with
           any
           immoralities
           ,
           with
           any
           disobedience
           unto
           the
           Rule
           and
           Precept
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ;
           those
           by
           whom
           they
           are
           thus
           prosecuted
           ,
           are
           highly
           concerned
           ,
           if
           not
           in
           Conscience
           ,
           yet
           in
           Honour
           and
           Interest
           ,
           to
           manage
           the
           charge
           against
           them
           ,
           that
           some
           countenance
           may
           be
           given
           unto
           their
           Proceedings
           :
           For
           
             the
             Law
             is
             not
             made
          
           (
           as
           penal
           )
           
             for
             a
             righteous
             man
             ,
             but
             for
             the
             lawless
             ,
             and
             disobedient
             ;
             for
             the
             ungodly
             ,
             and
             for
             sinners
             ;
             for
             unholy
             and
             profane
          
           ;
           and
           if
           it
           be
           otherwise
           with
           the
           Laws
           about
           these
           Excommunications
           ,
           they
           neither
           belong
           to
           ,
           nor
           are
           derived
           from
           the
           Law
           of
           God.
           
        
         
           There
           are
           indeed
           great
           clamours
           against
           them
           ,
           that
           they
           are
           Schismaticks
           and
           Separatists
           ,
           and
           things
           of
           the
           like
           nature
           ;
           that
           is
           ,
           that
           they
           are
           Dissenters
           :
           But
           in
           this
           case
           the
           whole
           force
           of
           any
           inference
           from
           hence
           ,
           is
           built
           on
           this
           supposition
           ,
           That
           
             it
             is
             the
             Will
             of
             Christ
             ,
             that
             those
             who
             profess
             
             Faith
             in
             him
             ,
             and
             Obedience
             unto
             him
             ,
             unblameably
             ,
             should
             be
             excluded
             from
             an
             interest
             in
             ,
             and
             participation
             of
             these
             Odinances
             of
             Divine
             Worship
             ,
             which
             are
             of
             his
             own
             Institution
             ,
             who
             will
             not
             comply
             with
             ,
             and
             observe
             such
             rights
             and
             practises
             in
             that
             Worship
             ,
             as
             are
             not
             so
             ,
             but
             confessedly
             of
             humane
             invention
             .
          
           But
           no
           colour
           of
           proof
           can
           be
           given
           hereunto
           ;
           for
           it
           is
           directly
           contrary
           unto
           express
           Scripture-Rule
           ,
           to
           the
           Example
           of
           the
           Apostolical
           Churches
           ,
           and
           unheard
           of
           in
           the
           world
           ,
           before
           the
           branded
           Usurpation
           of
           
             Victor
             Bishop
             of
             Rome
          
           :
           An
           Assertion
           of
           it
           ,
           is
           to
           prostitute
           the
           Wisdom
           ,
           Authority
           ,
           and
           Love
           of
           Christ
           towards
           his
           Disciples
           ,
           unto
           the
           wills
           of
           Men
           ,
           oftentimes
           pre-possessed
           with
           Darkness
           ,
           Ignorance
           ,
           and
           Superstition
           ,
           and
           other
           lusts
           ,
           as
           shall
           be
           more
           fully
           manifested
           ,
           if
           there
           be
           occasion
           .
           Let
           any
           colour
           be
           given
           unto
           this
           supposition
           from
           Scripture
           or
           Antiquity
           ,
           and
           the
           whole
           cause
           shall
           be
           given
           up
           ;
           yet
           thus
           is
           it
           ,
           and
           no
           otherwise
           ,
           in
           the
           matter
           of
           the
           present
           Excommunications
           ;
           Persons
           of
           all
           sorts
           ,
           every
           way
           found
           in
           the
           
           Faith
           ,
           unreprovable
           in
           the
           Catholick
           Worship
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           professing
           Love
           and
           Obedience
           unto
           Jesus
           Christ
           ,
           without
           blame
           ,
           are
           excluded
           ,
           what
           lies
           in
           them
           ,
           who
           manage
           these
           Ordinances
           ,
           of
           Divine
           Worship
           ,
           which
           the
           Lord
           Christ
           hath
           appointed
           and
           injoyned
           ,
           without
           pretence
           of
           any
           other
           cause
           or
           reason
           ,
           but
           only
           their
           not
           observance
           ,
           in
           that
           Worship
           ,
           of
           what
           he
           hath
           not
           appointed
           .
           He
           that
           can
           believe
           this
           to
           be
           the
           Will
           of
           Christ
           ,
           neither
           knoweth
           him
           ,
           nor
           his
           Will
           as
           it
           is
           revealed
           in
           his
           Word
           ;
           and
           the
           Consciences
           of
           men
           are
           sufficiently
           secure
           from
           being
           concerned
           in
           that
           ,
           wherein
           such
           an
           open
           defiance
           is
           bid
           unto
           Evangelical
           Precepts
           and
           Rules
           ,
           with
           Apostolical
           Examples
           .
        
         
           And
           further
           ,
           to
           manifest
           the
           iniquity
           of
           these
           Proceedings
           ,
           whilst
           these
           Dissenters
           are
           thus
           dealt
           withal
           ,
           all
           sorts
           of
           Persons
           ,
           ignorant
           ,
           profane
           ,
           haters
           of
           Godliness
           ,
           and
           openly
           wicked
           in
           their
           lives
           ,
           are
           allowed
           in
           the
           full
           communion
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           without
           any
           
             disciplinary
          
           admonition
           or
           controul
           :
           
           But
           as
           this
           serves
           to
           acquit
           them
           from
           any
           concernment
           in
           what
           is
           done
           against
           them
           ;
           so
           nothing
           can
           be
           invented
           that
           tends
           more
           directly
           to
           harden
           men
           in
           their
           sins
           and
           impenitency
           ;
           for
           whilst
           there
           is
           a
           pretence
           of
           Church-censures
           ,
           they
           will
           be
           apt
           to
           think
           ,
           that
           they
           are
           sufficiently
           approved
           of
           Christ
           and
           the
           Church
           ,
           seeing
           their
           displeasure
           is
           no
           way
           declared
           against
           them
           ;
           so
           they
           are
           not
           
             Dissenters
             ,
          
           they
           have
           reason
           to
           judg
           that
           they
           are
           safe
           here
           ,
           and
           shall
           be
           so
           to
           Eternity
           ;
           let
           them
           look
           to
           themselves
           who
           deserve
           to
           be
           excommunicated
           .
           Is
           this
           the
           Rule
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ?
           Is
           this
           the
           Discipline
           of
           Christ
           ?
           Is
           this
           the
           representation
           of
           his
           future
           Judgment
           ?
           Is
           this
           the
           way
           and
           manner
           of
           the
           exercise
           of
           his
           Authority
           in
           the
           Church
           ,
           a
           declaration
           of
           what
           he
           owns
           ,
           and
           what
           alone
           he
           disavows
           ?
           God
           forbid
           that
           such
           Thoughts
           should
           have
           any
           countenance
           given
           unto
           them
           .
        
         
           
             Ecclesiastical
          
           Laws
           have
           been
           always
           looked
           on
           as
           cobwebs
           ,
           that
           catch
           the
           smaller
           Flies
           ,
           whilst
           the
           greater
           break
           them
           at
           
           their
           pleasure
           ,
           but
           amongst
           those
           lesser
           ,
           to
           spare
           those
           that
           are
           noxious
           or
           poysonous
           ,
           and
           to
           cast
           the
           net
           over
           the
           innocent
           and
           harmless
           ,
           is
           that
           which
           the
           Spider
           gives
           no
           pattern
           of
           ,
           nor
           can
           imitate
           .
        
         
           I
           shall
           not
           mention
           the
           avowed
           end
           and
           design
           of
           these
           present
           Excommunications
           ;
           only
           I
           shall
           say
           ,
           They
           are
           such
           ,
           as
           many
           good
           men
           tremble
           to
           consider
           the
           horrible
           prophanation
           of
           things
           sacred
           ,
           which
           they
           manifest
           to
           be
           in
           them
           .
        
         
           There
           are
           also
           many
           other
           things
           which
           evidence
           the
           nullity
           of
           these
           Proceedings
           ,
           which
           may
           be
           pleaded
           if
           there
           be
           occasion
           ;
           what
           hath
           already
           been
           spoken
           ,
           is
           abundantly
           suffitcien
           to
           satisfy
           my
           engagement
           unto
           you
           ,
           Namely
           ,
           
             That
             the
             Consciences
             of
             men
             are
             not
             at
             all
             concerned
             in
             the
             present
             Excommunications
             .
          
        
         
           It
           may
           be
           it
           will
           be
           said
           ,
           That
           all
           this
           while
           we
           have
           been
           doing
           just
           nothing
           ,
           or
           that
           which
           is
           to
           no
           purpose
           at
           all
           ,
           as
           not
           concerning
           the
           present
           case
           ;
           for
           these
           of
           
           whom
           we
           treat
           ,
           pretend
           no
           power
           in
           
             Foro
             interiore
             ,
          
           or
           the
           Court
           of
           Conscience
           ,
           or
           unto
           nothing
           that
           should
           immediately
           affect
           it
           .
           Their
           Authority
           is
           only
           in
           
             Foro
             exteriore
             ,
          
           in
           the
           Court
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           which
           it
           seems
           is
           at
           
             Doctors
             Commons
          
           :
           Wherefore
           by
           their
           sentence
           of
           Excommunication
           ,
           they
           oblige
           men
           only
           unto
           their
           outward
           concernments
           ;
           as
           unto
           what
           concerns
           conscience
           ,
           they
           leave
           that
           unto
           the
           Preachers
           of
           the
           Word
           :
           It
           may
           be
           it
           will
           be
           so
           pleaded
           ;
           but
           before
           they
           quit
           their
           hands
           well
           of
           this
           business
           ,
           they
           will
           understand
           ,
           that
           Excommunication
           it self
           is
           nothing
           but
           an
           especial
           way
           of
           the
           application
           of
           the
           Word
           unto
           the
           consciences
           of
           sinners
           ,
           unto
           their
           Edification
           ;
           and
           that
           which
           is
           not
           so
           ,
           pretend
           what
           it
           will
           ,
           is
           nothing
           at
           all
           ;
           unto
           the
           dispensers
           ,
           therefore
           ,
           of
           the
           Word
           ,
           it
           doth
           alone
           belong
           ;
           and
           whereas
           the
           Apostle
           tells
           us
           ,
           that
           the
           weapons
           of
           our
           Christian
           Warfare
           ,
           are
           not
           
             carnal
             ,
             but
             mighty
             ,
             through
             God
             ,
             to
             bring
             into
             captivity
             every
             thought
             unto
             the
             obedience
             of
             Christ
          
           ;
           they
           
           seem
           herein
           to
           say
           ,
           that
           the
           
             Weapons
             of
             their
             warfare
             are
             carnal
             ,
             and
             mighty
             through
             the
             aid
             of
             some
             body
             ,
          
           to
           cast
           men
           into
           prison
           ,
           or
           to
           bring
           their
           persons
           into
           captivity
           :
           And
           indeed
           this
           outward
           Court
           of
           theirs
           ,
           is
           part
           of
           that
           Court
           without
           the
           Temple
           ,
           which
           is
           trodden
           down
           by
           the
           
             Gentiles
             ,
          
           and
           shall
           not
           be
           measured
           in
           the
           Restauration
           of
           the
           Worship
           of
           God
           ;
           yea
           the
           distinction
           it self
           is
           silly
           ,
           if
           any
           thing
           be
           intended
           by
           this
           
             outward
             Court
             ,
          
           but
           only
           the
           outward
           declaration
           of
           what
           is
           ,
           or
           is
           supposed
           to
           be
           effected
           in
           the
           
             inward
             ,
          
           or
           the
           mind
           and
           consciences
           of
           men
           .
           But
           let
           it
           be
           what
           it
           will
           ;
           those
           who
           have
           neither
           Name
           ,
           nor
           Place
           ,
           nor
           Office
           in
           the
           Church
           by
           Divine
           Institution
           ,
           who
           attend
           not
           at
           all
           in
           what
           they
           do
           unto
           any
           rule
           of
           the
           Scripture
           ;
           nor
           can
           ,
           nor
           do
           pretend
           any
           Authority
           from
           Christ
           ,
           in
           and
           for
           what
           they
           do
           ,
           are
           no
           way
           to
           be
           heeded
           in
           this
           matter
           ,
           but
           only
           as
           the
           instruments
           of
           external
           compulsion
           ,
           which
           for
           the
           sake
           of
           the
           publick
           peace
           ,
           is
           to
           be
           submitted
           unto
           with
           quietness
           and
           patience
           .
        
         
         
           I
           find
           ,
           I
           confess
           ,
           by
           the
           books
           with
           me
           ,
           sent
           us
           weekly
           into
           the
           Country
           ,
           that
           in
           this
           state
           of
           things
           some
           of
           the
           Reverend
           Clergy
           do
           manifest
           great
           compassion
           towards
           the
           Dissenters
           ,
           in
           writing
           and
           publishing
           many
           discourses
           containing
           Persuasives
           unto
           ,
           and
           Arguments
           for
           Conformity
           ,
           whereby
           they
           may
           be
           freed
           from
           their
           troublesome
           circumstances
           :
           But
           I
           must
           needs
           commend
           their
           Prudence
           in
           the
           choice
           of
           the
           season
           for
           this
           work
           ,
           as
           much
           their
           Charity
           in
           the
           work
           it self
           :
           For
           the
           Conformity
           they
           press
           ,
           needs
           no
           other
           recommendation
           at
           this
           time
           ;
           nor
           need
           they
           use
           any
           other
           arguments
           for
           it
           ,
           but
           only
           that
           it
           is
           better
           than
           being
           hanged
           ,
           or
           kept
           in
           perpetual
           durance
           ,
           or
           stifled
           in
           Prisons
           ,
           or
           beggar'd
           ,
           they
           and
           their
           Families
           ;
           or
           be
           starved
           in
           Exile
           .
           And
           it
           hath
           been
           always
           observed
           ,
           that
           arguments
           which
           march
           with
           Halberts
           ,
           Bills
           ,
           Staves
           ,
           Serjeants
           ,
           Bailiffs
           ,
           Writs
           ,
           Warrants
           ,
           and
           Capiasses
           ,
           are
           very
           forcible
           and
           prevalent
           .
        
         
           But
           I
           have
           done
           ,
           and
           shall
           leave
           it
           unto
           others
           to
           declare
           what
           mischiefs
           do
           ensue
           on
           these
           Proceedings
           ,
           on
           civil
           accounts
           ,
           
           and
           what
           an
           inroad
           is
           made
           by
           them
           on
           the
           Government
           of
           the
           Kingdom
           .
           For
           a
           new
           Tenure
           is
           erected
           by
           them
           ,
           whereon
           all
           men
           must
           
             hold
          
           their
           
             birthright
             priviledges
             ,
          
           especially
           that
           which
           is
           the
           root
           whereon
           they
           all
           do
           grow
           ,
           namely
           ,
           their
           
             Personal
             Liberty
             .
          
           They
           hold
           them
           no
           longer
           by
           the
           Law
           of
           the
           Land
           ,
           nor
           can
           pretend
           unto
           security
           ,
           whilst
           they
           forfeit
           them
           not
           by
           that
           Law
           ;
           they
           are
           all
           put
           into
           the
           power
           of
           
             Chancellors
             ,
             Archdeacons
             ,
             Commissaries
             ,
             and
             Officials
          
           ;
           they
           may
           deprive
           them
           of
           them
           all
           at
           their
           pleasure
           ,
           aganst
           the
           protection
           of
           that
           Law
           under
           which
           they
           are
           born
           ,
           and
           which
           hath
           been
           looked
           on
           as
           the
           only
           rule
           and
           measure
           of
           the
           Subjects
           Liberties
           ,
           Priviledges
           ,
           and
           Possessions
           .
           These
           things
           tend
           not
           only
           to
           the
           disturbance
           ,
           but
           the
           ruine
           of
           all
           peace
           and
           trust
           amongst
           men
           ,
           and
           of
           all
           good
           Government
           in
           the
           World.
           
        
         
           And
           if
           they
           should
           Excommunicate
           all
           that
           by
           the
           Law
           of
           Christ
           are
           to
           be
           excommunicated
           on
           the
           one
           hand
           ,
           and
           all
           that
           are
           to
           be
           so
           by
           their
           own
           Law
           on
           the
           other
           ,
           and
           then
           procure
           
             Capiasses
          
           for
           them
           all
           ,
           
           it
           is
           to
           be
           feared
           ,
           the
           King
           might
           want
           Subjects
           to
           defend
           his
           Realms
           against
           his
           Enemies
           ,
           unless
           he
           should
           do
           as
           they
           did
           of
           old
           at
           
             Rome
          
           in
           great
           distresses
           ,
           open
           the
           
             Goals
             ,
          
           and
           arm
           the
           Prisoners
           ;
           or
           it
           may
           be
           the
           
             lesser
             part
          
           would
           at
           length
           find
           it
           troublesome
           to
           keep
           the
           greater
           in
           prison
           .
           But
           these
           things
           concern
           not
           you
           nor
           me
           .
           I
           beg
           your
           excuse
           ,
           as
           not
           knowing
           whether
           you
           will
           judg
           this
           hasty
           Writing
           too
           little
           for
           the
           Cause
           ,
           or
           too
           much
           for
           a
           Letter
           .
           As
           it
           is
           ,
           accept
           it
           from
        
         
           FINIS
           .