The mischief of separation a sermon preached at Guild-Hall Chappel, May 11. MDCLXXX. being the first Sunday in Easter-term, before the Lord Mayor, &c. / by Edw. Stillingfleet ...
         Stillingfleet, Edward, 1635-1699.
      
       
         
           1680
        
      
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             The mischief of separation a sermon preached at Guild-Hall Chappel, May 11. MDCLXXX. being the first Sunday in Easter-term, before the Lord Mayor, &c. / by Edw. Stillingfleet ...
             Stillingfleet, Edward, 1635-1699.
          
           [7], 59 p.
           
             Printed for Henry Mortlock, at the Phoenix in St. Pauls Church-yard, and at the White Hart in Westminster Hall,
             London :
             1680.
          
           
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           Bible. -- N.T. -- Philippians III, 16 -- Sermons.
           Sermons, English -- 17th century.
        
      
    
     
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             Clayton
             Mayor
             .
          
           
             
               Martis
               quarto
               die
               Maij
               1680.
               
               Annoque
               Regis
               Caroli
               secundi
               ,
               Angliae
               ,
               &c.
               xxxii
               .
            
          
        
         
           THis
           Court
           doth
           earnestly
           desire
           the
           Reverend
           D
           
           r.
           Stillingfleet
           ,
           Dean
           of
           S
           
           t.
           Pauls
           to
           Print
           his
           Sermon
           Preached
           at
           the
           Guild-Hall
           Chappel
           on
           Sunday
           Morning
           last
           ,
           with
           what
           further
           he
           had
           prepared
           to
           deliver
           at
           that
           time
           .
        
         
           
             Wagstaff
             .
          
        
      
       
         
         
           THE
           Mischief
           of
           Separation
           .
        
         
           A
           SERMON
           Preached
           at
           GUILD-HALL
           CHAPPEL
           ,
           May
           II.
           
             MDCLXXX
             .
          
           Being
           the
           First
           Sunday
           in
           
           EASTER-TERM
           ,
           Before
           the
           Lord
           Mayor
           ,
           &c.
           
        
         
           By
           
             Edw.
             Stillingfleet
          
           ,
           D.
           D.
           Dean
           of
           S
           t.
           
           Paul's
           ,
           and
           Chaplain
           in
           Ordinary
           to
           His
           Majesty
           .
        
         
           LONDON
           ,
           Printed
           for
           
             Henry
             Mortlock
          
           ,
           at
           the
           Phoenix
           in
           St.
           Pauls
           Church-yard
           ,
           and
           at
           the
           
             White
             Hart
          
           in
           Westminster
           Hall.
           1680.
           
        
      
       
         
         
         
           TO
           THE
           Right
           Honourable
           S
           r.
           Robert
           Clayton
           LORD
           MAYOR
           of
           the
           City
           of
           LONDON
           .
        
         
           
             My
             Lord
             ,
          
        
         
           IN
           obedience
           to
           Your
           Lordships
           Order
           I
           now
           present
           to
           Your
           hands
           ,
           not
           only
           the
           Sermon
           You
           lately
           heard
           ,
           but
           those
           Additions
           ,
           which
           the
           straits
           of
           time
           would
           not
           then
           permit
           me
           to
           deliver
           .
           In
           all
           which
           ,
           I
           was
           so
           far
           from
           intending
           to
           stir
           up
           the
           Magistrates
           and
           Judges
           to
           a
           Persecution
           of
           Dissenters
           ,
           as
           some
           ill
           men
           have
           reported
           ,
           that
           my
           only
           design
           was
           
           to
           prevent
           any
           occasion
           of
           it
           ,
           by
           finding
           out
           a
           certain
           foundation
           for
           a
           lasting
           Union
           among
           our selves
           .
           Which
           is
           impossible
           to
           be
           attained
           ,
           till
           men
           are
           convinced
           of
           the
           Evil
           and
           Danger
           of
           the
           present
           Separation
           ;
           it
           being
           carried
           on
           by
           such
           Principles
           as
           not
           only
           overthrow
           the
           present
           Constitution
           of
           our
           Church
           ,
           but
           any
           other
           whatsoever
           .
           For
           ,
           if
           it
           be
           lawful
           to
           separate
           on
           a
           pretence
           of
           greater
           Purity
           ,
           where
           there
           is
           an
           Agreement
           in
           Doctrine
           ,
           and
           the
           
             substantial
             Parts
          
           of
           Worship
           ,
           as
           is
           acknowledged
           in
           our
           Case
           ;
           then
           a
           bare
           difference
           of
           opinion
           as
           to
           some
           circumstances
           of
           Worship
           and
           the
           best
           constitution
           of
           Churches
           will
           be
           sufficient
           ground
           to
           break
           Communion
           and
           to
           set
           up
           new
           Churches
           :
           Which
           considering
           the
           great
           variety
           of
           mens
           fancies
           about
           these
           matters
           ,
           is
           to
           make
           an
           infinite
           Divisibility
           in
           Churches
           ,
           without
           any
           possible
           stop
           to
           farther
           Separation
           .
           But
           ,
           if
           after
           themselves
           are
           pleased
           with
           condescensions
           to
           their
           own
           minds
           ,
           any
           think
           it
           fit
           that
           others
           should
           be
           tied
           up
           ,
           notwithstanding
           their
           dissatisfaction
           ;
           the
           world
           will
           judge
           it
           too
           great
           partiality
           in
           them
           to
           think
           that
           none
           ought
           to
           separate
           but
           themselves
           ,
           and
           that
           the
           same
           Reason
           will
           hold
           against
           themselves
           in
           the
           judgement
           of
           others
           ;
           it
           thereby
           appearing
           ,
           that
           it
           is
           not
           Uniformity
           they
           dislike
           ,
           but
           that
           they
           do
           not
           prescribe
           the
           Terms
           of
           it
           .
        
         
           But
           ,
           my
           Lord
           ,
           I
           intend
           not
           to
           argue
           the
           Case
           of
           Separation
           here
           ,
           (
           which
           is
           at
           large
           done
           in
           the
           following
           Discourse
           )
           but
           only
           to
           shew
           ,
           how
           necessary
           it
           was
           in
           order
           to
           the
           laying
           a
           Foundation
           for
           Peace
           and
           Unity
           ,
           to
           have
           this
           matter
           throughly
           discussed
           .
           And
           if
           once
           the
           
           People
           be
           brought
           to
           understand
           and
           practise
           their
           duty
           as
           to
           Communion
           with
           our
           Churches
           ,
           other
           Difficulties
           which
           obstruct
           our
           Union
           will
           be
           more
           easily
           removed
           .
        
         
           I
           have
           endeavoured
           to
           pursue
           my
           design
           in
           a
           way
           suitable
           to
           the
           nature
           of
           it
           ,
           without
           sharp
           and
           provoking
           reflections
           on
           the
           Persons
           of
           any
           ;
           which
           often
           set
           Friends
           at
           distance
           ,
           but
           never
           reconciled
           or
           convinced
           Adversaries
           .
           However
           ,
           I
           must
           expect
           the
           Censures
           of
           such
           who
           either
           make
           our
           Divisions
           ,
           or
           make
           use
           of
           them
           for
           their
           own
           ends
           :
           but
           I
           am
           contented
           to
           be
           made
           a
           sacrifice
           ,
           if
           thereby
           I
           might
           close
           up
           the
           Breaches
           among
           us
           .
        
         
           
             God
             Almighty
          
           bless
           this
           great
           City
           and
           Your
           Lordships
           care
           in
           the
           Government
           of
           it
           ;
           and
           grant
           that
           
             in
             this
             our
             day
             ,
             we
             may
             yet
             know
             the
             things
             that
             belong
             to
             our
             Peace
             ,
          
           and
           to
           the
           Preservation
           of
           the
           
             true
             Protestant
             Religion
          
           among
           us
           .
        
         
           
             I
             am
             ,
             my
             Lord
             ,
             Your
             Lordships
             most
             faithful
             and
             obedient
             Servant
             ,
             
               Edward
               Stillingfleet
            
             .
          
        
      
    
     
       
         
         
         
           
             PHIL.
             III.
             16.
             
          
           
             Nevertheless
             ,
             whereto
             we
             have
             already
             attained
             ,
             let
             us
             walk
             by
             the
             same
             rule
             ,
             let
             us
             mind
             the
             same
             things
             .
          
        
         
           ALthough
           the
           
             Christian
             Religion
          
           doth
           lay
           the
           greatest
           obligations
           on
           mankind
           to
           Peace
           and
           Unity
           ,
           by
           the
           strictest
           commands
           ,
           the
           highest
           examples
           ,
           and
           the
           most
           prevailing
           arguments
           ;
           yet
           so
           much
           have
           the
           passions
           and
           interests
           of
           men
           overswai'd
           the
           sense
           of
           their
           duty
           ,
           that
           as
           nothing
           ought
           to
           be
           more
           in
           our
           wishes
           ,
           so
           nothing
           seems
           more
           remote
           from
           our
           hopes
           ,
           than
           the
           
             universal
             Peace
          
           of
           the
           
             Christian
             World.
          
           Not
           that
           there
           is
           any
           impossibility
           in
           the
           thing
           ,
           or
           any
           considerable
           difficulty
           ,
           if
           all
           men
           were
           such
           Christians
           as
           they
           ought
           to
           be
           ;
           but
           as
           long
           as
           men
           pursue
           their
           several
           factions
           and
           designs
           under
           the
           colour
           and
           pretence
           of
           zeal
           for
           Religion
           ;
           if
           
           they
           did
           not
           find
           Names
           and
           Parties
           ready
           framed
           ,
           that
           were
           suitable
           to
           their
           ends
           ,
           the
           difference
           of
           their
           designs
           would
           make
           them
           .
           So
           that
           till
           mens
           corruptions
           are
           mortified
           ,
           and
           their
           passions
           subdued
           to
           a
           greater
           degree
           than
           the
           world
           hath
           yet
           found
           them
           ,
           it
           is
           in
           vain
           to
           expect
           a
           state
           of
           peace
           and
           tranquillity
           in
           the
           Church
           .
           We
           need
           not
           go
           far
           from
           home
           for
           a
           sufficient
           evidence
           of
           this
           ;
           for
           although
           our
           differences
           are
           such
           as
           the
           wiser
           Protestants
           abroad
           not
           only
           condemn
           but
           wonder
           at
           them
           ;
           yet
           it
           hath
           hitherto
           puzzled
           the
           wisest
           persons
           among
           us
           to
           find
           out
           wayes
           to
           compose
           them
           ;
           not
           so
           much
           from
           the
           distance
           of
           mens
           opinions
           and
           practices
           ,
           as
           the
           strength
           of
           their
           prejudices
           and
           inclinations
           .
           
           What
           those
           
             divisions
             of
             Reuben
          
           of
           old
           were
           ,
           which
           caused
           
             such
             thoughts
             and
             searching
             of
             heart
             ,
          
           we
           neither
           well
           understand
           ,
           nor
           doth
           it
           much
           concern
           us
           :
           but
           the
           continuance
           ,
           if
           not
           the
           widening
           ,
           of
           these
           unhappy
           breaches
           among
           our selves
           do
           give
           just
           cause
           for
           many
           sad
           reflections
           .
           When
           neither
           the
           miseries
           we
           have
           felt
           ,
           nor
           the
           calamities
           we
           fear
           ;
           neither
           the
           terrible
           judgements
           of
           God
           upon
           us
           ,
           nor
           the
           unexpected
           deliverances
           vouchsafed
           to
           us
           ,
           nor
           the
           common
           danger
           we
           are
           yet
           in
           ,
           have
           abated
           mens
           heats
           ,
           or
           allayed
           their
           passions
           ,
           or
           made
           them
           more
           willing
           to
           unite
           with
           our
           established
           Church
           and
           Religion
           .
           But
           instead
           of
           that
           ,
           some
           
           rather
           stand
           at
           a
           greater
           distance
           if
           not
           defiance
           ,
           and
           seem
           to
           entertain
           themselves
           with
           hopes
           of
           new
           revolutions
           ;
           others
           raise
           fresh
           calumnies
           and
           reproaches
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           revive
           and
           spread
           abroad
           old
           ones
           ;
           as
           though
           their
           business
           were
           to
           make
           our
           breaches
           wider
           ,
           and
           to
           exasperate
           mens
           spirits
           against
           each
           other
           ;
           at
           such
           a
           time
           ,
           when
           Reason
           and
           common
           security
           ,
           and
           above
           all
           our
           Religion
           obligeth
           us
           
             to
             follow
             after
             the
             things
             that
             make
             for
             peace
             ,
          
           
           
             and
             things
             wherewith
             one
             may
             edifie
             another
          
           ;
           and
           not
           such
           as
           tend
           to
           our
           mutual
           destruction
           ;
           as
           most
           certainly
           our
           divisions
           and
           animosities
           do
           .
           Yet
           all
           parties
           pretend
           to
           a
           zeal
           for
           Peace
           ,
           so
           they
           may
           have
           it
           in
           their
           own
           way
           ;
           by
           which
           it
           appears
           that
           it
           is
           not
           Peace
           they
           aim
           at
           but
           Victory
           ;
           nor
           Unity
           so
           much
           as
           having
           their
           own
           wills
           .
           Those
           of
           the
           
             Roman
             Church
          
           make
           great
           boasts
           of
           their
           Unity
           and
           the
           effectual
           means
           they
           have
           to
           preserve
           it
           ;
           but
           God
           deliver
           us
           from
           such
           cruel
           wayes
           of
           Peace
           ,
           and
           such
           destructive
           means
           of
           Unity
           as
           Treachery
           and
           Assassinations
           ,
           and
           an
           Inquisition
           .
           
             Their
             feet
             are
             swift
             to
             shed
             blood
          
           ;
           
           
             destruction
             and
             misery
             are
             in
             their
             wayes
             ;
             and
             the
             way
             of
             Peace
             they
             have
             not
             known
             .
          
           But
           it
           were
           happy
           for
           us
           ,
           if
           all
           those
           who
           agree
           in
           renouncing
           the
           Errors
           and
           Corruptions
           of
           the
           Roman
           Church
           ,
           could
           as
           easily
           join
           together
           in
           the
           great
           duties
           of
           our
           common
           Religion
           ,
           that
           is
           ,
           in
           our
           Prayers
           ,
           and
           Praises
           ,
           
           and
           Sacraments
           ,
           and
           all
           solemn
           acts
           of
           Divine
           Worship
           .
           For
           this
           would
           not
           only
           take
           off
           the
           reproach
           of
           our
           Adversaries
           ,
           who
           continually
           upbraid
           us
           with
           our
           Schisms
           and
           Separations
           ,
           but
           it
           would
           mightily
           tend
           to
           abate
           mens
           passions
           ,
           and
           to
           remove
           their
           prejudices
           ,
           and
           to
           dispose
           their
           inclinations
           ,
           and
           thereby
           lay
           a
           foundation
           for
           a
           blessed
           Union
           among
           our selves
           .
           Which
           would
           frustrate
           the
           great
           design
           of
           our
           enemies
           upon
           us
           ,
           who
           expect
           to
           see
           that
           Religion
           destroyed
           by
           our
           own
           folly
           ,
           which
           they
           could
           not
           otherwise
           hope
           to
           accomplish
           by
           their
           utmost
           care
           and
           endeavour
           .
           And
           we
           may
           justly
           hope
           for
           a
           greater
           blessing
           of
           God
           upon
           us
           ,
           when
           we
           offer
           up
           our
           joint
           Prayers
           and
           Devotions
           to
           him
           ,
           
           
             lifting
             up
          
           ,
           as
           St.
           Paul
           speaks
           ,
           
             holy
             hands
             without
             wrath
             and
             disputing
             .
          
           This
           is
           therefore
           a
           thing
           of
           so
           great
           consequence
           to
           our
           Peace
           and
           Union
           ,
           that
           tends
           so
           much
           to
           the
           Honour
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           our
           common
           Safety
           and
           Preservation
           ;
           that
           no
           person
           who
           hath
           any
           real
           concernment
           for
           these
           things
           ,
           can
           deny
           it
           to
           be
           not
           only
           just
           and
           fitting
           ,
           but
           in
           our
           circumstances
           necessary
           to
           be
           done
           ,
           if
           it
           can
           be
           made
           appear
           to
           be
           lawful
           ,
           or
           that
           they
           can
           do
           it
           with
           a
           good
           Conscience
           .
        
         
           And
           this
           is
           the
           subject
           I
           design
           to
           speak
           to
           at
           this
           time
           ;
           and
           for
           that
           purpose
           have
           made
           choise
           of
           these
           words
           of
           the
           Apostle
           ,
           
             Nevertheless
             ,
             whereto
             
             we
             have
             already
             attained
             ,
             let
             us
             walk
             by
             the
             same
             rule
             ,
             let
             us
             mind
             the
             same
             things
             .
          
        
         
           For
           our
           better
           understanding
           the
           full
           scope
           and
           meaning
           of
           the
           Apostle
           in
           these
           words
           ,
           we
           are
           to
           consider
           ,
           that
           an
           unhappy
           Schism
           ,
           or
           wilful
           breach
           of
           the
           Churches
           Unity
           ,
           had
           begun
           in
           the
           Apostles
           times
           ,
           upon
           the
           difference
           that
           arose
           concerning
           the
           necessity
           of
           keeping
           the
           Law
           of
           Moses
           .
           And
           that
           which
           made
           the
           Schism
           the
           more
           dangerous
           ,
           was
           that
           the
           first
           beginners
           of
           it
           pretended
           a
           Commission
           from
           the
           Apostles
           themselves
           at
           Ierusalem
           ,
           
           and
           were
           extreamly
           busie
           and
           industrious
           to
           gain
           and
           keep
           up
           a
           party
           to
           themselves
           in
           the
           most
           flourishing
           Churches
           planted
           by
           the
           Apostles
           .
           At
           Antioch
           they
           bore
           so
           great
           a
           sway
           ,
           that
           St.
           Peter
           himself
           complied
           with
           them
           ,
           
           
             and
             not
             only
             other
             Iews
             ,
             but
             Barnabas
             also
             was
             carried
             away
             with
             their
             dissimulation
             .
          
           Insomuch
           that
           had
           it
           not
           been
           for
           the
           courage
           and
           resolution
           of
           St.
           Paul
           ,
           all
           the
           Gentile
           Christians
           had
           been
           either
           forced
           to
           a
           compliance
           with
           the
           Jews
           ,
           or
           to
           a
           perpetual
           Schism
           ,
           (
           of
           which
           St.
           Peter
           had
           been
           in
           probability
           the
           Head
           ,
           and
           not
           of
           the
           
             Churches
             Unity
          
           if
           St.
           Paul
           had
           not
           vigorously
           opposed
           so
           dangerous
           a
           compliance
           )
           But
           finding
           so
           good
           success
           in
           his
           endeavours
           at
           Antioch
           ,
           he
           pursues
           those
           false
           Apostles
           ,
           who
           made
           it
           their
           business
           to
           divide
           and
           separate
           the
           Christians
           from
           each
           others
           Communion
           through
           all
           
           the
           Churches
           ,
           where
           they
           had
           ,
           or
           were
           like
           to
           make
           any
           great
           impression
           .
           He
           writes
           his
           Epistle
           to
           the
           Galatians
           purposely
           against
           them
           ;
           he
           warns
           the
           Christians
           at
           Rome
           of
           them
           .
           
           
             Now
             I
             beseech
             you
             Brethren
             mark
             them
             which
             cause
             Divisions
             and
             Offences
             contrary
             to
             the
             Doctrine
             which
             you
             have
             learned
             ,
             and
             avoid
             them
             .
          
           And
           because
           he
           had
           understood
           they
           had
           been
           busie
           at
           Philippi
           to
           make
           a
           party
           there
           too
           ,
           therefore
           the
           Apostle
           to
           prevent
           their
           designs
           ,
           makes
           use
           of
           this
           following
           method
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           He
           exhorts
           the
           Philippians
           to
           an
           unanimous
           and
           constant
           resolution
           ,
           in
           holding
           fast
           to
           the
           faith
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           in
           spight
           of
           all
           the
           threats
           and
           malice
           of
           their
           enemies
           :
           
           
             That
             ye
             stand
             fast
             in
             one
             spirit
             ,
             with
             one
             mind
             ,
             striving
             together
             for
             the
             faith
             of
             the
             Gospel
             ;
             and
             in
             nothing
             terrified
             by
             your
             adversaries
             .
          
           If
           once
           the
           fears
           of
           troubles
           and
           persecutions
           make
           men
           afraid
           to
           own
           and
           maintain
           their
           Religion
           ;
           it
           will
           be
           an
           easie
           matter
           for
           their
           enemies
           first
           to
           divide
           ,
           and
           then
           to
           subdue
           them
           .
           But
           their
           courage
           and
           unanimity
           in
           a
           good
           Cause
           baffles
           the
           attempts
           of
           the
           most
           daring
           Adversaries
           ,
           and
           makes
           them
           willing
           to
           retreat
           when
           they
           see
           they
           can
           neither
           disunite
           them
           nor
           make
           them
           afraid
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           He
           beseeches
           them
           in
           the
           most
           vehement
           and
           affectionate
           manner
           ,
           not
           to
           give
           way
           to
           any
           differences
           or
           divisions
           among
           them
           ,
           
             If
             there
             be
             therefore
             any
             consolation
             in
             Christ
             ,
          
           
           
             if
             any
             
             comfort
             of
             love
             ,
             if
             any
             fellowship
             of
             the
             spirit
             ,
             if
             any
             bowels
             and
             mercies
             ;
             fulfil
             ye
             my
             joy
             ,
             that
             ye
             be
             like
             minded
             ,
             having
             the
             same
             love
             ;
             being
             of
             one
             accord
             ,
             of
             one
             mind
             .
          
           As
           though
           he
           had
           said
           unto
           them
           ,
           I
           have
           seen
           the
           miserable
           effects
           of
           divisions
           in
           other
           Churches
           already
           ;
           how
           our
           Religion
           hath
           been
           reproached
           ,
           the
           Gospel
           hindred
           ,
           and
           the
           Cross
           of
           Christ
           rendred
           of
           little
           or
           no
           effect
           by
           reason
           of
           them
           ;
           let
           me
           therefore
           intreat
           you
           ,
           if
           you
           have
           any
           regard
           to
           the
           Peace
           and
           Welfare
           of
           your
           own
           souls
           ;
           if
           you
           have
           any
           sense
           of
           your
           duty
           you
           owe
           to
           one
           another
           as
           members
           of
           the
           same
           body
           ;
           if
           you
           have
           any
           tenderness
           or
           pity
           towards
           me
           ,
           avoid
           the
           first
           tendencies
           to
           any
           breaches
           among
           you
           ;
           entertain
           no
           unjust
           suspicions
           or
           jealousies
           of
           each
           other
           ,
           shew
           all
           the
           kindness
           you
           are
           able
           to
           your
           fellow
           members
           ;
           live
           as
           those
           that
           are
           acted
           by
           the
           same
           soul
           (
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           )
           carry
           on
           the
           same
           design
           ;
           and
           as
           much
           as
           possible
           prevent
           any
           differences
           in
           opinions
           amongst
           you
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           He
           warns
           them
           and
           gives
           cautious
           against
           some
           persons
           from
           whom
           their
           greatest
           danger
           was
           ,
           viz.
           such
           as
           pretended
           a
           mighty
           zeal
           for
           the
           Law
           :
           And
           very
           well
           understanding
           the
           mischief
           of
           their
           designs
           under
           their
           specious
           pretences
           ,
           he
           bestows
           very
           severe
           characters
           upon
           them
           ,
           vers
           .
           2.
           
           
             Beware
             of
             Dogs
             ,
             beware
             of
             evil
             workers
             ,
             beware
             of
             the
             Concision
             .
          
           All
           which
           Characters
           
           relate
           to
           the
           breaches
           and
           divisions
           which
           they
           made
           in
           the
           Christian
           Churches
           ;
           which
           like
           Dogs
           they
           did
           tear
           in
           pieces
           ,
           and
           thereby
           did
           unspeakable
           mischief
           ,
           and
           so
           were
           
             evil
             workers
          
           ;
           and
           by
           the
           Concision
           St.
           Chrysostom
           understands
           such
           a
           cutting
           in
           pieces
           as
           tends
           to
           the
           destruction
           of
           a
           thing
           ;
           and
           therefore
           ,
           saith
           he
           ,
           the
           Apostle
           called
           them
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           :
           because
           they
           endeavoured
           to
           cut
           in
           pieces
           ,
           and
           thereby
           to
           destroy
           the
           Church
           of
           God.
           But
           lest
           they
           should
           give
           out
           that
           St.
           Paul
           spoke
           this
           out
           of
           a
           particular
           pique
           he
           had
           taken
           up
           against
           the
           Law
           of
           Moses
           ,
           he
           declares
           that
           as
           to
           the
           spiritual
           intention
           and
           design
           of
           the
           Law
           it
           was
           accomplished
           in
           Christians
           ,
           vers
           .
           3.
           
           
             For
             we
             are
             the
             Circumcision
             which
             worship
             God
             in
             the
             spirit
             ,
             and
             rejoyce
             in
             Christ
             Iesus
             ,
             and
             have
             no
             confidence
             in
             the
             flesh
             .
          
           And
           for
           his
           own
           part
           ,
           he
           had
           as
           much
           reason
           to
           glory
           in
           legal
           priviledges
           as
           any
           of
           them
           all
           ,
           vers
           .
           4
           ,
           5
           ,
           6.
           but
           the
           excellency
           of
           the
           Gospel
           of
           Christ
           had
           so
           prevailed
           upon
           his
           mind
           ,
           that
           he
           now
           despised
           the
           things
           he
           valued
           before
           ,
           and
           made
           it
           his
           whole
           business
           to
           attain
           to
           the
           glorious
           reward
           which
           this
           Religion
           promiseth
           .
           This
           he
           pursues
           from
           vers
           .
           7
           ,
           to
           vers
           .
           15.
           
        
         
           4.
           
           Having
           done
           this
           ,
           he
           perswades
           all
           good
           Christians
           to
           do
           as
           he
           did
           ,
           vers
           .
           15.
           
           
             Let
             us
             therefore
             ,
             as
             many
             as
             be
             perfect
             ,
             be
             thus
             minded
             .
          
           But
           
           because
           many
           disputes
           and
           differences
           as
           to
           opinion
           and
           practice
           might
           happen
           among
           them
           ,
           he
           therefore
           lays
           down
           two
           Rules
           for
           them
           to
           govern
           themselves
           by
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           If
           any
           happen'd
           to
           differ
           from
           the
           body
           of
           Christians
           they
           lived
           with
           ,
           they
           should
           do
           it
           with
           great
           Modesty
           and
           Humility
           ,
           not
           breaking
           out
           into
           factions
           and
           divisions
           ,
           but
           waiting
           for
           farther
           information
           ,
           which
           they
           may
           expect
           that
           God
           will
           give
           upon
           a
           diligent
           and
           sober
           use
           of
           the
           best
           means
           ;
           
             And
             if
             in
             any
             thing
             ye
             be
             otherwise
             minded
             ,
             God
             shall
             reveal
             even
             this
             unto
             you
             .
          
           By
           leaving
           them
           to
           Gods
           immediate
           care
           for
           farther
           illumination
           ,
           he
           doth
           not
           bid
           them
           depend
           upon
           extraordinary
           revelation
           ;
           but
           requires
           them
           to
           wait
           upon
           God
           in
           his
           own
           way
           ,
           without
           proceeding
           with
           the
           false
           Apostles
           to
           the
           wayes
           of
           Faction
           and
           Separation
           ,
           and
           in
           the
           mean
           time
           to
           go
           as
           far
           as
           they
           could
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           For
           those
           who
           were
           come
           to
           a
           firmness
           and
           settlement
           of
           judgement
           upon
           the
           Christian
           principles
           ,
           he
           charges
           them
           by
           all
           means
           to
           preserve
           Unity
           and
           Peace
           among
           themselves
           .
           
             Whereto
             we
             have
             already
             attained
             ,
             let
             us
             walk
             by
             the
             same
             rule
             ,
             let
             us
             mind
             the
             same
             things
             .
          
        
         
           Wherein
           the
           Apostle
           supposes
           two
           things
           .
        
         
           I.
           The
           necessity
           of
           one
           fixed
           and
           certain
           Rule
           ,
           notwithstanding
           the
           different
           attainments
           among
           Christians
           .
           
             Nevertheless
             ,
             whereto
             we
             have
             already
             attained
             ,
             let
             us
             walk
             by
             the
             same
             Rule
             .
          
        
         
         
           II.
           The
           duty
           and
           obligation
           which
           lies
           upon
           the
           best
           Christians
           to
           observe
           it
           .
           He
           doth
           not
           speak
           to
           the
           ignorant
           and
           unthinking
           multitude
           ;
           not
           
             to
             the
             licentious
             rabble
          
           ,
           nor
           
             to
             the
             carnal
             and
             worldly
             Church
          
           ;
           which
           some
           think
           are
           only
           desirous
           of
           Uniformity
           ;
           but
           to
           the
           very
           best
           Christians
           ;
           to
           those
           
             who
             had
             got
             the
             start
             of
             others
          
           (
           as
           the
           words
           here
           signifie
           )
           that
           they
           would
           be
           an
           example
           of
           Peace
           and
           Unity
           to
           their
           Brethren
           .
        
         
           I.
           
             The
             necessity
             of
             one
             fixed
             and
             certain
          
           Rule
           ,
           
             notwithstanding
             the
             different
             attainments
             ,
             of
             Christians
             .
          
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           which
           Phrase
           seems
           to
           be
           a
           continuation
           of
           the
           former
           allusion
           to
           a
           Race
           .
           For
           as
           Eustathius
           observes
           ,
           
           the
           first
           thing
           the
           Greeks
           were
           wont
           to
           do
           as
           to
           their
           exercises
           ,
           was
           to
           circumscribe
           the
           bounds
           within
           which
           they
           were
           to
           be
           performed
           .
           That
           which
           fixed
           and
           determined
           these
           limits
           was
           called
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           by
           the
           Greeks
           ,
           and
           Regula
           and
           Lineae
           by
           the
           Latins
           :
           thence
           
             transilire
             lineas
          
           in
           Cicero
           is
           to
           commit
           a
           fault
           ,
           to
           break
           the
           bounds
           within
           which
           we
           are
           confined
           .
        
         
           All
           the
           question
           is
           ,
           what
           the
           Apostle
           means
           by
           this
           Rule
           ,
           whether
           only
           a
           Rule
           of
           Charity
           and
           mutual
           forbearance
           ,
           with
           a
           liberty
           of
           different
           practice
           ;
           or
           such
           a
           Rule
           which
           limits
           and
           dermines
           the
           manner
           of
           practice
           .
           It
           cannot
           be
           the
           former
           ,
           because
           that
           is
           the
           case
           ,
           the
           Apostle
           had
           spoken
           to
           just
           before
           .
           
             If
             in
             any
             thing
             ye
             be
             otherwise
             minded
          
           ;
           
           therefore
           now
           subjoining
           this
           with
           respect
           to
           those
           who
           had
           gone
           beyond
           them
           ,
           he
           doth
           imply
           such
           an
           agreement
           and
           uniformity
           of
           Practice
           as
           doth
           lie
           in
           observing
           the
           same
           standing
           Rule
           .
           For
           which
           we
           must
           consider
           ,
           that
           they
           understood
           already
           what
           orders
           and
           directions
           he
           had
           given
           them
           when
           a
           Church
           was
           first
           formed
           among
           them
           ;
           and
           therefore
           when
           the
           Apostle
           mentions
           a
           Rule
           without
           declaring
           what
           it
           was
           ,
           we
           have
           reason
           to
           believe
           ,
           it
           was
           such
           a
           Rule
           which
           they
           very
           well
           knew
           ,
           which
           he
           had
           given
           to
           them
           before
           .
           So
           we
           find
           elsewhere
           the
           Apostle
           refers
           to
           such
           Rules
           of
           Government
           and
           Order
           ,
           which
           he
           had
           given
           to
           other
           Churches
           ,
           and
           were
           already
           received
           and
           practised
           among
           them
           .
           For
           the
           Apostles
           did
           not
           write
           their
           Epistles
           for
           the
           founding
           of
           Churches
           ,
           but
           they
           were
           already
           in
           being
           ;
           only
           they
           took
           notice
           of
           any
           disorders
           among
           them
           ,
           and
           reformed
           abuses
           ,
           and
           left
           some
           things
           to
           
             their
             own
          
           directions
           ,
           when
           they
           should
           come
           among
           them
           .
           
             And
             the
             rest
             will
             I
             set
             in
             order
             when
             I
             come
             .
             As
             the
             Lord
             hath
             called
             every
             one
             ,
             so
             let
             him
             walk
          
           ;
           
           
             and
             so
             ordain
             I
             in
             all
             the
             Churches
             .
          
           Which
           shews
           that
           the
           Apostles
           did
           not
           leave
           all
           persons
           to
           act
           as
           they
           judged
           fit
           ,
           
           but
           did
           make
           Rules
           determining
           their
           practice
           ,
           and
           obliging
           them
           to
           uniformity
           therein
           .
           For
           might
           not
           men
           pretend
           that
           these
           were
           not
           things
           in
           themselves
           necessary
           ,
           and
           might
           be
           scrupled
           by
           some
           Persons
           ,
           and
           
           therefore
           were
           not
           fit
           to
           be
           imposed
           upon
           any
           ?
           But
           I
           do
           not
           find
           that
           the
           Apostles
           on
           this
           account
           did
           forbear
           giving
           Rules
           in
           such
           cases
           ,
           and
           to
           oblige
           Christians
           to
           observe
           them
           ;
           and
           that
           not
           on
           the
           meer
           Authority
           of
           Apostles
           ,
           but
           as
           Governours
           of
           Churches
           ,
           whose
           business
           it
           is
           to
           take
           care
           of
           the
           welfare
           and
           preservation
           of
           them
           .
           There
           are
           many
           things
           which
           seem
           very
           little
           and
           inconsiderable
           in
           themselves
           ,
           whose
           consequence
           and
           tendency
           is
           very
           great
           ;
           and
           the
           wisdom
           of
           Governours
           lies
           in
           preventing
           the
           danger
           of
           little
           things
           ,
           and
           keeping
           the
           zeal
           of
           well-meaning
           persons
           within
           its
           due
           bounds
           .
           For
           ,
           those
           who
           are
           engaged
           below
           in
           the
           Valley
           ,
           fighting
           in
           small
           parties
           ,
           and
           pursuing
           their
           advantages
           ,
           do
           run
           into
           their
           enemies
           Camp
           before
           they
           are
           aware
           of
           it
           ,
           may
           receive
           an
           unexpected
           check
           from
           their
           Commanders
           in
           chief
           ,
           who
           from
           the
           higher
           ground
           espie
           the
           hazard
           they
           are
           in
           by
           their
           over-forwardness
           ,
           and
           the
           arts
           which
           their
           enemies
           use
           in
           drawing
           them
           into
           little
           Companies
           to
           fight
           separately
           ,
           and
           the
           danger
           they
           may
           thereby
           bring
           upon
           the
           whole
           Army
           ;
           and
           therefore
           send
           them
           a
           peremptory
           order
           to
           give
           over
           fighting
           by
           themselves
           and
           make
           good
           their
           retreat
           into
           the
           Body
           of
           the
           Army
           :
           They
           wonder
           ,
           they
           complain
           ,
           they
           think
           themselves
           hardly
           used
           ;
           but
           no
           understanding
           man
           blames
           their
           Generals
           who
           regard
           their
           safety
           more
           than
           they
           do
           themselves
           ,
           
           and
           know
           the
           allowing
           them
           the
           Liberty
           they
           desire
           ,
           would
           endanger
           the
           destruction
           of
           them
           all
           .
           The
           Wisdom
           and
           Conduct
           of
           Governours
           ,
           is
           quite
           another
           thing
           from
           the
           Zeal
           and
           Courage
           of
           inferiour
           Persons
           ;
           who
           knowing
           their
           own
           resolution
           and
           integrity
           ,
           think
           much
           to
           be
           controlled
           ;
           but
           those
           who
           stand
           upon
           higher
           Ground
           and
           see
           further
           than
           they
           can
           do
           ,
           must
           be
           allowed
           a
           better
           capacity
           of
           judging
           what
           makes
           for
           the
           safety
           of
           the
           whole
           ,
           than
           they
           can
           have
           :
           and
           such
           things
           which
           they
           look
           on
           in
           themselves
           ,
           and
           therefore
           think
           them
           mean
           and
           trifling
           ,
           the
           other
           look
           upon
           them
           in
           their
           consequence
           ,
           and
           the
           influence
           they
           may
           have
           upon
           the
           publick
           safety
           .
           It
           were
           extreamly
           desirable
           that
           all
           good
           and
           useful
           men
           should
           enjoy
           as
           much
           satisfaction
           as
           might
           be
           ,
           but
           if
           it
           cannot
           be
           attained
           without
           running
           great
           hazards
           of
           unsettling
           all
           ,
           it
           is
           then
           to
           be
           considered
           ,
           whether
           the
           general
           safety
           or
           some
           mens
           particular
           satisfaction
           be
           the
           more
           desirable
           .
           And
           this
           is
           that
           ,
           which
           the
           example
           of
           the
           Apostles
           themselves
           gives
           us
           reason
           to
           consider
           ,
           for
           although
           there
           were
           many
           doubts
           and
           scruples
           in
           their
           times
           about
           several
           Rites
           and
           Customes
           ,
           yet
           the
           Apostles
           did
           give
           Rules
           in
           such
           cases
           ,
           and
           bind
           Christians
           to
           observe
           them
           ;
           as
           we
           find
           in
           that
           famous
           decree
           made
           upon
           great
           deliberation
           ,
           
           in
           a
           Council
           of
           the
           Apostles
           at
           Ierusalem
           ;
           wherein
           they
           determined
           those
           things
           which
           they
           
           knew
           were
           then
           scrupled
           ,
           and
           continued
           so
           to
           be
           afterwards
           ,
           whereever
           the
           Judaizing
           Christians
           prevailed
           .
           But
           notwithstanding
           all
           their
           dissatisfaction
           ,
           the
           Apostles
           continued
           the
           same
           Rule
           ;
           and
           S.
           Paul
           here
           requires
           the
           most
           forward
           Christians
           to
           mind
           their
           Rule
           ,
           and
           to
           preserve
           Peace
           and
           Unity
           among
           themselves
           .
        
         
           But
           doth
           not
           S.
           Paul
           in
           the
           14th
           Chapter
           of
           his
           Epistle
           to
           the
           Romans
           lay
           down
           quite
           another
           Rule
           ,
           viz.
           only
           of
           mutual
           forbearance
           in
           such
           cases
           ,
           where
           men
           are
           unsatisfied
           in
           conscience
           ?
        
         
           I
           answer
           ,
           that
           the
           Apostle
           did
           act
           like
           a
           prudent
           Governour
           ,
           and
           in
           such
           a
           manner
           ,
           as
           he
           thought
           ,
           did
           most
           tend
           to
           the
           propagation
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           and
           the
           good
           of
           particular
           Churches
           .
           In
           some
           Churches
           that
           consisted
           most
           of
           Iews
           ,
           as
           the
           Church
           of
           Rome
           at
           this
           time
           did
           ,
           and
           where
           they
           did
           not
           impose
           the
           necessity
           of
           keeping
           the
           Law
           on
           the
           Gentile
           Christians
           (
           as
           we
           do
           not
           find
           they
           did
           at
           Rome
           )
           the
           Apostle
           was
           willing
           to
           have
           the
           Law
           buried
           as
           decently
           ,
           and
           with
           as
           little
           noise
           as
           might
           be
           ;
           and
           therefore
           in
           this
           case
           ,
           he
           perswades
           both
           parties
           to
           Forbearance
           and
           Charity
           ,
           in
           avoiding
           
             the
             judging
             and
             censuring
             one
             another
             ,
          
           
           since
           
             they
             had
             an
             equal
             regard
             to
             the
             honour
             of
             God
             in
             what
             they
             did
             .
          
           But
           in
           those
           Churches
           ,
           where
           the
           false
           Apostles
           made
           use
           of
           this
           pretence
           ,
           of
           the
           Levitical
           Law
           being
           still
           in
           force
           ,
           to
           divide
           the
           Churches
           ,
           and
           to
           separate
           the
           Communion
           
           of
           Christians
           ;
           there
           the
           Apostle
           bids
           them
           beware
           of
           them
           ,
           and
           their
           practices
           ;
           as
           being
           of
           a
           dangerous
           and
           pernicious
           consequence
           .
           So
           that
           the
           preserving
           the
           Peace
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           and
           preventing
           Separation
           was
           the
           great
           measure
           ,
           according
           to
           which
           ,
           the
           Apostle
           gave
           his
           directions
           ;
           and
           that
           makes
           him
           so
           much
           insist
           on
           this
           advice
           to
           the
           Philippians
           ,
           that
           whatever
           their
           attainments
           in
           Christianity
           were
           ,
           they
           should
           
             walk
             by
             the
             same
             Rule
             ,
             and
             mind
             the
             same
             things
             .
          
        
         
           II.
           We
           take
           notice
           of
           the
           Duty
           and
           obligation
           that
           lies
           upon
           the
           best
           Christians
           ,
           
             to
             walk
             by
             the
             same
             Rule
             ,
             to
             mind
             the
             same
             things
             .
          
        
         
           From
           whence
           arise
           two
           very
           considerable
           Enquiries
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           How
           far
           the
           obligation
           doth
           extend
           to
           comply
           with
           an
           established
           Rule
           ,
           and
           to
           preserve
           the
           Peace
           of
           the
           Church
           we
           live
           in
           ?
        
         
           2.
           
           What
           is
           to
           be
           done
           ,
           if
           men
           cannot
           come
           up
           to
           that
           Rule
           ?
           For
           the
           Apostle
           speaks
           only
           of
           such
           as
           have
           attained
           so
           far
           ;
           
             Whereto
             we
             have
             already
             attained
             ,
             let
             us
             walk
             by
             the
             same
             Rule
             .
          
        
         
           1.
           
           How
           far
           the
           obligation
           doth
           extend
           to
           comply
           with
           an
           established
           Rule
           ,
           and
           to
           preserve
           the
           Peace
           of
           the
           Church
           we
           live
           in
           ?
           This
           I
           think
           the
           more
           necessary
           to
           be
           spoken
           to
           ,
           because
           I
           cannot
           perswade
           my self
           that
           so
           many
           scrupulous
           and
           conscientious
           men
           as
           are
           at
           this
           day
           among
           us
           would
           live
           so
           many
           years
           in
           
           a
           known
           sin
           ;
           
             i.
             e.
          
           in
           a
           state
           of
           Separation
           from
           the
           Communion
           of
           a
           Church
           ,
           which
           in
           Conscience
           they
           thought
           themselves
           obliged
           to
           communicate
           with
           .
           It
           must
           be
           certainly
           some
           great
           mistake
           in
           their
           judgements
           must
           lead
           them
           to
           this
           ;
           (
           for
           I
           am
           by
           no
           means
           willing
           to
           impute
           it
           to
           passion
           and
           evil
           designs
           )
           and
           out
           of
           the
           hearty
           desire
           I
           have
           ,
           if
           possible
           ,
           to
           give
           satisfaction
           in
           this
           matter
           ,
           I
           shall
           endeavour
           to
           search
           to
           the
           bottom
           of
           this
           dangerous
           mistake
           ,
           to
           which
           we
           owe
           so
           much
           of
           our
           present
           distractions
           and
           fears
           .
        
         
           But
           for
           the
           better
           preventing
           all
           mis-understanding
           the
           design
           of
           my
           Discourse
           ,
           I
           desire
           it
           may
           be
           considered
        
         
           1.
           
           That
           I
           speak
           not
           of
           the
           Separation
           or
           distinct
           Communion
           of
           
             whole
             Churches
          
           from
           each
           other
           ;
           which
           according
           to
           the
           Scripture
           ,
           Antiquity
           and
           Reason
           ,
           have
           a
           just
           Right
           and
           Power
           to
           Govern
           and
           Reform
           themselves
           .
           By
           
             whole
             Churches
          
           ,
           I
           mean
           ,
           the
           Churches
           of
           such
           Nations
           ,
           which
           upon
           the
           decay
           of
           the
           
             Roman
             Empire
          
           ,
           resumed
           their
           just
           Right
           of
           Government
           to
           themselves
           ,
           and
           upon
           their
           owning
           Christianity
           ,
           incorporated
           into
           one
           Christian
           Society
           ,
           under
           the
           same
           common
           ties
           and
           Rules
           of
           Order
           and
           Government
           .
           Such
           as
           the
           Church
           of
           Macedonia
           would
           have
           been
           ,
           if
           from
           being
           a
           Roman
           Province
           it
           had
           become
           a
           Christian
           Kingdom
           ,
           and
           the
           Churches
           of
           
             Thessalonica
             ,
             Philippi
          
           and
           the
           rest
           had
           united
           together
           .
           
           And
           so
           the
           several
           Churches
           of
           the
           Lydian
           or
           
             Proconsular
             Asia
          
           ,
           if
           they
           had
           been
           united
           in
           one
           Kingdom
           ,
           and
           Governed
           by
           the
           same
           Authority
           ,
           under
           the
           same
           Rules
           ,
           might
           have
           been
           truly
           called
           the
           
             Lydian
             Church
          
           .
           Just
           as
           several
           Families
           uniting
           make
           one
           Kingdom
           ,
           which
           at
           first
           had
           a
           distinct
           and
           independent
           Power
           ,
           but
           it
           would
           make
           strange
           confusion
           in
           the
           world
           to
           reduce
           Kingdoms
           back
           again
           to
           Families
           ,
           because
           at
           first
           they
           were
           made
           up
           of
           them
           .
           Thus
           National
           Churches
           are
           National
           Societies
           of
           Christians
           ,
           under
           the
           same
           Laws
           of
           Government
           and
           rules
           of
           Worship
           .
           For
           the
           true
           notion
           of
           a
           Church
           is
           no
           more
           than
           of
           a
           Society
           of
           men
           united
           together
           for
           their
           Order
           and
           Government
           according
           to
           the
           Rules
           of
           the
           Christian
           Religion
           .
           And
           it
           is
           a
           great
           mistake
           ,
           to
           make
           the
           notion
           of
           a
           Church
           barely
           to
           relate
           to
           Acts
           of
           Worship
           ;
           and
           consequently
           that
           the
           adequate
           notion
           of
           a
           Church
           ,
           is
           
             an
             Assembly
             for
             Divine
             Worship
          
           ;
           by
           which
           means
           they
           appropriate
           the
           name
           of
           Churches
           to
           particular
           Congregations
           .
           Whereas
           ,
           if
           this
           held
           true
           ,
           the
           Church
           must
           be
           dissolved
           assoon
           as
           the
           Congregation
           is
           broken
           up
           ;
           but
           if
           they
           retain
           the
           nature
           of
           a
           Church
           ,
           when
           they
           do
           not
           meet
           together
           for
           Worship
           ,
           then
           there
           is
           some
           other
           bond
           that
           unites
           them
           ;
           and
           whatever
           that
           is
           ,
           it
           constitutes
           the
           Church
           .
           And
           if
           there
           be
           one
           Catholick
           Church
           consisting
           of
           multitudes
           of
           particular
           Churches
           
           consenting
           in
           one
           Faith
           ;
           then
           why
           may
           there
           not
           be
           one
           National
           Church
           from
           the
           consent
           in
           the
           same
           Articles
           of
           Religion
           ,
           and
           the
           same
           Rules
           of
           Government
           and
           Order
           of
           Worship
           ?
           Nay
           ,
           If
           it
           be
           mutual
           consent
           and
           agreement
           which
           makes
           a
           Church
           ,
           then
           why
           may
           not
           National
           Societies
           agreeing
           together
           in
           the
           same
           Faith
           ,
           and
           under
           the
           same
           Government
           and
           Discipline
           ,
           be
           as
           truly
           and
           properly
           a
           Church
           ,
           as
           any
           particular
           Congregation
           ?
           For
           ,
           is
           not
           the
           Kingdom
           of
           France
           as
           truly
           a
           Kingdom
           consisting
           of
           so
           many
           Provinces
           ;
           as
           the
           Kingdom
           of
           Ivetot
           once
           was
           in
           Normandy
           ,
           
           which
           consisted
           of
           a
           very
           small
           territory
           ?
           Among
           the
           Athenians
           ,
           from
           whom
           the
           use
           of
           the
           word
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           came
           into
           the
           Christian
           Church
           ,
           it
           was
           taken
           for
           such
           an
           Assembly
           ,
           which
           had
           the
           Power
           of
           Governing
           and
           determining
           matters
           of
           Religion
           as
           well
           as
           the
           affairs
           of
           State.
           For
           the
           Senate
           of
           500
           being
           distributed
           into
           fifties
           according
           to
           the
           number
           of
           the
           Tribes
           ,
           which
           succeeded
           by
           course
           through
           the
           year
           ;
           
           and
           was
           then
           called
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           ;
           every
           one
           of
           these
           had
           4
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           
             Regular
             Assemblies
          
           ;
           in
           the
           last
           of
           which
           ,
           an
           account
           of
           the
           Sacrifices
           was
           taken
           and
           of
           other
           matters
           which
           concerned
           Religion
           ;
           as
           in
           the
           
             Comitia
             Calata
          
           at
           Rome
           .
           From
           whence
           we
           may
           observe
           ,
           that
           it
           was
           not
           the
           meeting
           of
           one
           of
           the
           single
           Tribes
           ,
           was
           called
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           ,
           but
           the
           General
           Meeting
           of
           the
           Magistrates
           
           of
           the
           whole
           City
           and
           the
           People
           together
           .
           And
           in
           this
           sense
           I
           shall
           shew
           afterwards
           ,
           the
           word
           was
           used
           in
           the
           first
           Ages
           of
           the
           Christian
           Church
           ,
           as
           it
           comprehended
           the
           Ecclesiastical
           Governours
           and
           the
           People
           of
           whole
           Cities
           ;
           and
           why
           many
           of
           these
           Cities
           being
           united
           under
           one
           Civil
           Government
           ,
           and
           the
           same
           Rules
           of
           Religion
           should
           not
           be
           called
           one
           National
           Church
           ,
           I
           cannot
           understand
           .
           
           Which
           makes
           me
           wonder
           at
           those
           who
           say
           
             they
             cannot
             tell
             what
             we
             mean
             by
             the
             Church
             of
             England
          
           ;
           
           in
           short
           we
           mean
           ,
           that
           Society
           of
           Christian
           People
           which
           in
           this
           Nation
           are
           united
           under
           the
           same
           Profession
           of
           Faith
           ,
           the
           same
           Laws
           of
           Government
           ,
           and
           rules
           of
           Divine
           Worship
           .
           And
           every
           Church
           thus
           constituted
           ,
           we
           do
           assert
           to
           have
           a
           just
           Right
           of
           Governing
           it self
           ,
           and
           of
           reforming
           Errors
           in
           Doctrine
           and
           Corruptions
           in
           Worship
           .
        
         
           On
           which
           Ground
           ,
           we
           are
           acquitted
           from
           the
           imputation
           of
           Schism
           in
           the
           separation
           from
           the
           Roman
           Church
           ,
           for
           we
           only
           resume
           our
           just
           Rights
           ,
           as
           the
           Brittish
           Nation
           did
           ,
           as
           to
           Civil
           Government
           ,
           upon
           the
           Ruine
           of
           the
           Roman
           Empire
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           I
           do
           not
           intend
           to
           speak
           of
           the
           Terms
           upon
           which
           Persons
           are
           to
           be
           admitted
           among
           us
           to
           the
           Exercise
           of
           the
           Function
           of
           the
           Ministry
           ;
           but
           of
           the
           Terms
           of
           
             Lay-communion
             ;
             i.
             e.
          
           those
           which
           are
           necessary
           for
           all
           Persons
           to
           joyn
           in
           our
           Prayers
           and
           
           Sacraments
           and
           other
           Offices
           of
           Divine
           Worship
           .
           I
           will
           not
           say
           ,
           there
           hath
           been
           a
           great
           deal
           of
           Art
           used
           to
           confound
           these
           two
           ,
           (
           and
           it
           is
           easie
           to
           discern
           to
           what
           purpose
           it
           is
           ;
           )
           but
           I
           dare
           say
           ,
           the
           Peoples
           not
           understanding
           the
           difference
           of
           these
           two
           Cases
           hath
           been
           a
           great
           occasion
           of
           the
           present
           Separation
           .
           For
           in
           the
           Judgement
           of
           some
           of
           the
           most
           impartial
           men
           of
           the
           Dissenters
           at
           this
           day
           ,
           although
           they
           think
           the
           case
           of
           the
           Ministers
           very
           hard
           on
           the
           account
           of
           Subscriptions
           and
           Declarations
           required
           of
           them
           ;
           yet
           they
           confess
           very
           little
           is
           to
           be
           said
           on
           the
           behalf
           of
           the
           People
           ,
           from
           whom
           none
           of
           those
           things
           are
           required
           .
           So
           that
           the
           People
           are
           condemned
           in
           their
           Separation
           ,
           by
           their
           own
           Teachers
           ;
           but
           how
           they
           can
           preach
           lawfully
           to
           a
           People
           who
           commit
           a
           fault
           in
           hearing
           them
           ,
           I
           do
           not
           understand
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           I
           do
           not
           confound
           bare
           
             suspending
             Communion
             in
             some
             particular
             Rites
             ,
          
           which
           persons
           do
           modestly
           scruple
           ,
           and
           using
           it
           in
           what
           they
           judge
           to
           be
           lawful
           ;
           with
           either
           total
           ,
           or
           at
           least
           
             ordinary
             forbearance
             of
             Communion
             in
             what
             they
             judge
             to
             be
             lawful
             ;
             and
             proceeding
             to
             the
             forming
             of
             Separate
             Congregations
             ,
             i.
             e.
          
           under
           other
           Teachers
           ,
           and
           by
           other
           Rules
           than
           what
           the
           established
           Religion
           allows
           .
           And
           this
           is
           the
           present
           case
           of
           Separation
           which
           I
           intend
           to
           consider
           ,
           and
           to
           make
           the
           sinfulness
           and
           mischief
           of
           it
           appear
           .
        
         
         
           But
           that
           I
           may
           do
           it
           more
           convincingly
           ,
           I
           will
           not
           make
           the
           difference
           wider
           than
           it
           is
           ;
           but
           lay
           down
           impartially
           the
           state
           of
           the
           present
           Controversie
           between
           us
           and
           our
           
             dissenting
             Brethren
          
           ,
           about
           Communion
           with
           our
           Churches
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           They
           unanimously
           confess
           they
           find
           no
           fault
           with
           
             the
             Doctrine
             of
             our
             Church
          
           ,
           
           and
           can
           freely
           subscribe
           to
           all
           
             the
             Doctrinal
             Articles
          
           ;
           nay
           they
           profess
           
             greater
             zeal
             for
             many
             of
             them
             ,
             than
             ,
          
           say
           they
           ,
           
             some
             of
             our
             own
             Preachers
             do
             .
          
           Well
           then
           !
           The
           case
           is
           vastly
           different
           as
           to
           their
           separation
           from
           us
           ,
           
           and
           our
           separation
           from
           the
           Church
           of
           Rome
           ;
           for
           we
           declare
           ,
           if
           there
           were
           nothing
           else
           amiss
           among
           them
           ,
           
           their
           Doctrines
           are
           such
           ,
           as
           we
           can
           never
           give
           our
           assent
           to
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           *
           They
           generally
           yield
           ,
           that
           
             our
             Parochial
             Churches
          
           are
           
             true
             Churches
          
           ;
           and
           it
           is
           with
           these
           their
           Communion
           is
           required
           .
           They
           do
           not
           deny
           that
           we
           have
           all
           the
           essentials
           of
           true
           Churches
           ,
           
             true
             Doctrine
             ,
             true
             Sacraments
          
           ,
           and
           an
           
             implicite
             Covenant
             between
             Pastors
             and
             People
             .
          
           And
           some
           of
           the
           most
           eminent
           of
           the
           Congregational
           way
           have
           declared
           ;
           
             that
             they
             look
             upon
             it
             as
             an
             unjust
             calumny
             cast
             upon
             them
             ,
          
           
           
             that
             they
             look
             on
             our
             Churches
             as
             no
             true
             Churches
             .
          
        
         
           3.
           
           Many
           of
           them
           declare
           ,
           
           
             that
             they
             hold
             communion
             with
             our
             Churches
             to
             be
             lawful
             .
          
           Yea
           we
           are
           told
           in
           Print
           ,
           by
           one
           then
           present
           ,
           
             that
             A.
             D.
             1663.
             divers
             of
             their
             Preachers
             in
          
           London
           
             met
             to
             consider
             ,
             how
             far
             it
             was
             lawful
             ,
             or
             their
             duty
             to
             communicate
             with
             
             the
             Parish-Churches
             where
             they
             lived
             ,
             in
             the
             Liturgy
             and
             Sacraments
             ;
             and
             that
          
           the
           Relator
           
             brought
             in
             twenty
             Reasons
             to
             prove
             that
             it
             is
             a
             duty
             to
             some
             to
             join
             with
             some
             Parish-Churches
             three
             times
             a
             year
             in
             the
             Lords
             Supper
          
           ;
           after
           he
           had
           not
           only
           proved
           it
           
             lawful
             to
             use
             a
             form
             of
             Prayer
             ,
             and
             to
             join
             in
             the
             use
             of
             our
             Liturgy
             ,
             but
             in
             the
             participation
             of
             the
             Sacrament
             with
             us
             ;
             and
             no
             one
             of
             the
             Brethren
             ,
          
           he
           adds
           ,
           
             seemed
             to
             dissent
             ,
             but
             to
             take
             the
             Reasons
             to
             be
             valid
             .
             Such
             another
             meeting
             ,
          
           
           we
           are
           told
           ,
           
             they
             had
             after
             the
             Plague
             and
             Fire
             ,
             at
             which
             they
             agreed
             that
             Communion
             with
             our
             Churches
             was
             in
             it self
             lawful
             and
             good
             .
          
           Who
           could
           have
           imagined
           otherwise
           ,
           than
           that
           after
           the
           weight
           of
           
             so
             many
             Reasons
          
           ,
           and
           such
           a
           general
           consent
           among
           them
           ,
           they
           should
           have
           all
           joyned
           with
           us
           in
           what
           themselves
           judged
           to
           be
           lawful
           ,
           and
           in
           many
           cases
           a
           duty
           ?
           But
           instead
           of
           this
           ,
           we
           have
           rather
           since
           that
           time
           found
           them
           more
           inclinable
           to
           courses
           of
           separation
           ,
           filling
           the
           people
           with
           greater
           prejudices
           against
           our
           Communion
           ,
           and
           gathering
           them
           into
           fixed
           and
           separate
           Congregations
           ;
           which
           have
           proceeded
           to
           the
           choice
           of
           new
           Pastors
           upon
           the
           death
           of
           old
           ones
           ;
           and
           except
           some
           very
           few
           ,
           scarce
           any
           ,
           either
           of
           their
           Preachers
           or
           People
           here
           ,
           come
           ordinarily
           to
           the
           publick
           Congregations
           .
           And
           this
           is
           that
           which
           at
           present
           we
           lament
           as
           a
           thing
           which
           unavoidably
           tends
           to
           our
           common
           ruine
           ,
           if
           not
           in
           time
           prevented
           ;
           
           for
           by
           this
           means
           the
           hearts
           of
           the
           People
           are
           alienated
           from
           each
           other
           ,
           who
           apprehend
           the
           differences
           to
           be
           much
           greater
           than
           their
           Teachers
           will
           allow
           ,
           when
           they
           are
           put
           to
           declare
           their
           minds
           ;
           and
           our
           common
           enemies
           take
           as
           much
           advantage
           from
           our
           differences
           ,
           as
           if
           they
           were
           really
           far
           greater
           than
           they
           are
           .
        
         
           But
           you
           may
           ask
           ,
           what
           then
           are
           the
           grounds
           of
           the
           present
           Separation
           ?
           for
           that
           there
           is
           such
           a
           thing
           is
           discernible
           by
           all
           ,
           but
           what
           the
           reasons
           of
           it
           are
           is
           hard
           to
           understand
           after
           these
           concessions
           ;
           yet
           it
           is
           not
           conceivable
           that
           conscientious
           men
           can
           in
           such
           a
           juncture
           of
           affairs
           persist
           in
           so
           obstinate
           and
           destructive
           a
           course
           of
           separation
           ,
           unless
           they
           had
           something
           at
           last
           fit
           to
           answer
           the
           
             twenty
             Reasons
          
           of
           their
           own
           Brethren
           against
           it
           ?
        
         
           I
           have
           endeavoured
           to
           give
           my self
           satisfaction
           in
           a
           matter
           of
           so
           great
           moment
           to
           the
           Peace
           and
           Preservation
           of
           this
           Church
           ,
           and
           consequently
           of
           the
           Protestant
           Religion
           among
           us
           ;
           which
           I
           never
           expect
           to
           see
           survive
           the
           destruction
           of
           the
           Church
           of
           England
           .
        
         
           And
           the
           utmost
           I
           can
           find
           in
           the
           best
           Writers
           of
           the
           several
           Parties
           ,
           amounts
           to
           these
           two
           things
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           That
           although
           they
           are
           in
           a
           state
           of
           separation
           from
           our
           Church
           ,
           yet
           this
           separation
           is
           no
           sin
           .
        
         
         
           2.
           
           That
           a
           State
           of
           Separation
           would
           be
           a
           sin
           ,
           but
           notwithstanding
           their
           meeting
           in
           different
           places
           ,
           yet
           they
           are
           not
           in
           a
           state
           of
           Separation
           .
        
         
           And
           herein
           lies
           the
           whole
           strength
           of
           the
           several
           Pleas
           at
           this
           day
           made
           use
           of
           to
           justifie
           the
           
             Separate
             Congregations
          
           :
           both
           which
           I
           shall
           now
           examine
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           
             Some
             plead
          
           ,
           that
           it
           is
           true
           they
           have
           distinct
           and
           separate
           Communions
           from
           us
           ,
           but
           it
           is
           no
           sin
           ,
           or
           culpable
           separation
           so
           to
           have
           .
           For
           ,
           
             say
             they
          
           ,
           Our
           Lord
           Christ
           instituted
           only
           Congregational
           Churches
           ,
           
           or
           particular
           Assemblies
           for
           Divine
           Worship
           ,
           which
           having
           the
           sole
           Church
           power
           in
           themselves
           ,
           they
           are
           under
           no
           obligation
           of
           Communion
           with
           other
           Churches
           ,
           but
           only
           to
           preserve
           Peace
           and
           Charity
           with
           them
           .
           
             And
             to
             this
             doctrine
          
           ,
           
           
             others
             of
             late
             approach
             so
             near
             ,
             that
             they
             tell
             us
             ,
          
           that
           to
           devise
           new
           species
           of
           Churches
           (
           beyond
           Parochial
           or
           Congregational
           )
           without
           Gods
           Authority
           ,
           and
           to
           impose
           them
           on
           the
           world
           (
           yea
           in
           his
           name
           )
           and
           call
           all
           Dissenters
           Schismaticks
           ,
           is
           a
           far
           worse
           usurpation
           ,
           than
           to
           make
           or
           impose
           new
           Ceremonies
           or
           Liturgies
           .
           
             Which
             must
             suppose
             Congregational
             Churches
             to
             be
             so
             much
             the
             Institution
             of
             Christ
             ,
             that
             any
             other
             Constitution
             above
             these
             is
             both
             unlawful
             and
             insupportable
             .
             Which
             is
             more
             than
             the
             Independent
             Brethren
             themselves
             do
             assert
             .
          
        
         
           But
           to
           clear
           the
           practice
           of
           Separation
           from
           being
           a
           sin
           on
           this
           account
           ,
           two
           things
           are
           necessary
           to
           be
           done
           .
        
         
         
           1.
           
           To
           prove
           that
           a
           Christian
           hath
           no
           obligation
           to
           external
           Communion
           beyond
           a
           Congregational
           Church
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           That
           it
           is
           lawful
           to
           break
           off
           Communion
           with
           other
           Churches
           ,
           to
           set
           up
           a
           particular
           independent
           Church
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           That
           a
           Christian
           hath
           no
           obligation
           to
           external
           Communion
           beyond
           a
           particular
           Congregational
           Church
           .
           
             They
             do
             not
             deny
          
           ,
           that
           men
           by
           Baptism
           are
           admitted
           into
           the
           Catholick
           visible
           Church
           as
           Members
           of
           it
           ;
           
           and
           that
           there
           ought
           to
           be
           a
           sort
           of
           Communion
           by
           mutual
           Love
           among
           all
           that
           belong
           to
           this
           Body
           :
           
             and
             to
             do
             them
             Right
          
           ,
           
           
             they
             declare
          
           that
           they
           look
           upon
           the
           Church
           of
           England
           ,
           or
           the
           Generality
           of
           the
           Nation
           professing
           Christianity
           ,
           to
           be
           as
           sound
           and
           healthful
           a
           part
           of
           the
           Catholick
           Church
           ,
           as
           any
           in
           the
           World.
           
             But
             then
             they
             say
          
           ,
           Communion
           in
           ordinances
           must
           be
           only
           in
           such
           Churches
           as
           Christ
           himself
           instituted
           by
           unalterable
           Rules
           ,
           
           which
           were
           only
           particular
           and
           Congregational
           Churches
           .
        
         
           Granting
           this
           to
           be
           true
           ,
           how
           doth
           it
           hence
           appear
           not
           to
           be
           a
           sin
           to
           separate
           from
           our
           Parochial
           Churches
           ;
           which
           according
           to
           their
           own
           concessions
           have
           all
           the
           Essentials
           of
           true
           Churches
           ?
           And
           what
           Ground
           can
           they
           have
           to
           separate
           and
           divide
           those
           Churches
           ,
           which
           for
           all
           that
           we
           can
           see
           ,
           are
           of
           the
           same
           nature
           with
           the
           Churches
           planted
           by
           the
           Apostles
           at
           
             Corinth
             ,
             Philippi
          
           or
           Thessalonica
           ?
           But
           I
           must
           needs
           say
           further
           ,
           I
           have
           never
           yet
           seen
           any
           tolerable
           proof
           ,
           that
           the
           Churches
           
           planted
           by
           the
           Apostles
           were
           limited
           to
           Congregations
           .
           It
           is
           possible
           ,
           at
           first
           ,
           there
           might
           be
           no
           more
           Christians
           in
           one
           City
           than
           could
           meet
           in
           one
           Assembly
           for
           Worship
           ;
           but
           where
           doth
           it
           appear
           ,
           that
           when
           they
           multiplied
           into
           
             more
             Congregations
          
           ,
           they
           did
           make
           new
           and
           
             distinct
             Churches
          
           ,
           under
           new
           Officers
           with
           a
           
             Separate
             Power
          
           of
           Government
           ?
           Of
           this
           ,
           I
           am
           well
           assured
           ,
           there
           is
           no
           mark
           or
           footstep
           in
           the
           New
           Testament
           ,
           or
           the
           whole
           History
           of
           the
           Primitive
           Church
           .
           I
           do
           not
           think
           it
           will
           appear
           credible
           to
           any
           considerate
           man
           ,
           that
           the
           5000
           Christians
           in
           the
           Church
           of
           Ierusalem
           made
           
             one
             stated
             and
             fixed
             Congregation
             for
             divine
             Worship
          
           ;
           not
           if
           we
           make
           all
           the
           allowances
           for
           strangers
           which
           can
           be
           desired
           :
           but
           if
           this
           were
           granted
           ,
           where
           are
           the
           unalterable
           Rules
           that
           assoon
           as
           the
           company
           became
           too
           great
           for
           one
           
             particular
             Assembly
          
           ,
           they
           must
           become
           a
           new
           Church
           under
           peculiar
           Officers
           and
           an
           independent
           Authority
           ?
        
         
           It
           is
           very
           strange
           ,
           that
           those
           who
           contend
           so
           much
           for
           the
           Scriptures
           being
           a
           perfect
           Rule
           of
           all
           things
           pertaining
           to
           Worship
           and
           Discipline
           ,
           should
           be
           able
           to
           produce
           nothing
           in
           so
           necessary
           a
           Point
           .
           If
           that
           of
           which
           we
           read
           the
           clearest
           instances
           in
           Scripture
           ,
           must
           be
           the
           Standard
           of
           all
           future
           Ages
           ,
           much
           more
           might
           be
           said
           for
           limiting
           Churches
           to
           
             private
             families
          
           ,
           than
           to
           
             particular
             Congregations
          
           .
           For
           ,
           do
           we
           not
           read
           of
           
           
             the
             Church
             that
             was
             in
             the
             House
             of
          
           Priscilla
           and
           Aquila
           at
           Rome
           ;
           
           of
           the
           
             Church
             that
             was
             in
             the
             House
             of
          
           Nymphas
           at
           Colosse
           ;
           
           and
           in
           
             the
             House
             of
          
           Philemon
           at
           Laodicea
           ?
           Why
           then
           should
           not
           Churches
           be
           reduced
           to
           particular
           Families
           ,
           when
           by
           that
           means
           they
           may
           fully
           enjoy
           the
           Liberty
           of
           their
           Consciences
           ,
           and
           avoid
           the
           scandal
           of
           breaking
           the
           Laws
           ?
           But
           if
           ,
           notwithstanding
           such
           plain
           examples
           ,
           men
           will
           extend
           Churches
           to
           
             Congregations
             of
             many
             Families
          
           ;
           why
           may
           not
           others
           extend
           Churches
           to
           those
           Societies
           which
           consist
           of
           
             many
             Congregations
          
           ?
           Especially
           considering
           ,
           that
           the
           Apostles
           when
           they
           instituted
           Churches
           ,
           did
           appoint
           such
           Officers
           in
           them
           ,
           as
           had
           not
           barely
           a
           respect
           to
           those
           already
           converted
           ,
           but
           to
           as
           many
           as
           by
           their
           means
           should
           be
           added
           to
           the
           Church
           ;
           as
           Clemens
           affirms
           in
           his
           Epistle
           ;
           
             The
             Apostles
          
           ,
           saith
           he
           ,
           
             went
             about
             in
             Cities
             and
             Countries
             preaching
             the
             Gospel
          
           ;
           
           
             and
             appointed
             their
             First-fruits
             ,
             having
             made
             a
             spiritual
             trial
             of
             them
             ,
             for
             Bishops
             and
             Deacons
             ,
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             ,
             of
             those
             who
             were
             to
             believe
             .
          
           From
           hence
           the
           number
           of
           Converts
           were
           looked
           on
           as
           an
           accession
           to
           the
           Original
           Church
           ,
           and
           were
           under
           the
           care
           and
           Government
           of
           the
           Bishop
           and
           Presbyters
           ,
           who
           were
           first
           settled
           there
           .
           For
           although
           when
           the
           Churches
           increased
           ,
           the
           occasional
           meetings
           were
           frequent
           in
           several
           places
           ;
           yet
           still
           there
           was
           but
           
             one
             Church
          
           ,
           and
           
             one
             Altar
          
           ,
           and
           
             one
             Baptistry
          
           ,
           and
           
             one
             Bishop
          
           ,
           with
           many
           Presbyters
           assisting
           
           him
           .
           And
           this
           is
           so
           very
           plain
           in
           Antiquity
           ,
           as
           to
           the
           Churches
           planted
           by
           the
           Apostles
           themselves
           in
           several
           parts
           ,
           that
           none
           but
           a
           great
           stranger
           to
           the
           History
           of
           the
           Church
           can
           ever
           call
           it
           in
           question
           .
           
           I
           am
           sure
           Calvin
           ,
           a
           person
           of
           great
           and
           deserved
           reputation
           among
           our
           Brethren
           ,
           looks
           upon
           this
           as
           a
           matter
           out
           of
           dispute
           among
           learned
           men
           ,
           that
           a
           Church
           did
           not
           only
           take
           in
           the
           Christians
           of
           a
           whole
           City
           ,
           but
           of
           the
           adjacent
           Country
           too
           :
           and
           the
           contrary
           opinion
           is
           a
           very
           novel
           and
           late
           fancy
           of
           some
           among
           us
           ,
           and
           hath
           not
           age
           enough
           to
           plead
           a
           Prescription
           .
           It
           is
           true
           ,
           after
           some
           time
           in
           the
           greater
           Cities
           ,
           they
           had
           distinct
           places
           allotted
           ,
           and
           Presbyters
           fixed
           among
           them
           ;
           and
           such
           allotments
           were
           called
           Titles
           at
           Rome
           ,
           and
           Laurae
           at
           Alexandria
           ,
           and
           Parishes
           in
           other
           places
           ;
           but
           these
           were
           never
           thought
           then
           to
           be
           new
           Churches
           ,
           or
           to
           have
           any
           independent
           Government
           in
           themselves
           ;
           but
           were
           all
           in
           subjection
           to
           the
           Bishop
           and
           his
           College
           of
           Presbyters
           ,
           of
           which
           multitudes
           of
           examples
           might
           be
           brought
           from
           most
           authentick
           Testimonies
           of
           Antiquity
           ;
           if
           a
           thing
           so
           evident
           needed
           any
           proof
           at
           all
           .
           And
           yet
           this
           distribution
           even
           in
           Cities
           was
           so
           uncommon
           in
           those
           elder
           times
           ,
           that
           Epiphanius
           takes
           notice
           of
           it
           as
           an
           extraordinary
           thing
           at
           Alexandria
           ;
           and
           therefore
           it
           is
           probably
           supposed
           there
           was
           no
           such
           thing
           in
           
           all
           the
           Cities
           of
           Creet
           in
           his
           time
           .
           
           And
           if
           we
           look
           over
           the
           antient
           Canons
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           we
           shall
           find
           two
           things
           very
           plain
           in
           them
           ,
           (
           1.
           )
           That
           the
           notion
           of
           a
           Church
           was
           the
           same
           with
           that
           of
           a
           Diocese
           ;
           
           or
           such
           a
           number
           of
           Christians
           as
           were
           under
           the
           inspection
           of
           a
           Bishop
           .
           
           (
           2.
           )
           That
           those
           Presbyters
           who
           rejected
           the
           Authority
           of
           their
           Bishop
           ,
           
           or
           affected
           
             separate
             meetings
          
           ,
           where
           no
           fault
           could
           be
           found
           with
           the
           Doctrine
           of
           a
           Church
           ,
           
           were
           condemned
           of
           Schism
           .
           
           So
           the
           followers
           of
           
             Eustathius
             Sebastenus
          
           ,
           
           who
           withdrew
           from
           the
           publick
           Congregations
           on
           pretence
           of
           greater
           sanctity
           and
           purity
           ,
           in
           Paphlagonia
           ,
           
           were
           condemned
           by
           the
           Council
           at
           Gangrae
           ;
           
           so
           were
           those
           who
           separated
           from
           their
           Bishops
           ,
           
           though
           otherwise
           never
           so
           orthodox
           ,
           by
           the
           Council
           at
           Constantinople
           ,
           
           and
           the
           Council
           at
           Carthage
           ;
           wherein
           before
           St.
           Cyprian
           had
           so
           justly
           complained
           of
           the
           Schism
           of
           Felicissimus
           and
           his
           Brethren
           ,
           
           who
           on
           pretence
           of
           some
           disorders
           in
           the
           Church
           of
           Carthage
           had
           withdrawn
           to
           the
           Mountains
           ;
           and
           there
           laid
           the
           Foundation
           of
           the
           Novatian
           Schism
           .
           But
           when
           false
           Doctrine
           was
           imposed
           on
           Churches
           ,
           
           as
           by
           the
           Arian
           Bishops
           at
           Antioch
           ,
           then
           the
           people
           were
           excused
           in
           their
           separation
           ;
           so
           at
           Rome
           when
           Felix
           was
           made
           Bishop
           ;
           and
           at
           Sirmium
           when
           Photinus
           published
           his
           Heresie
           ;
           
           but
           I
           do
           not
           remember
           one
           instance
           in
           Antiquity
           ,
           wherein
           separation
           from
           
             Orthodox
             Bishops
          
           and
           
           setting
           up
           Meetings
           without
           their
           Authority
           and
           against
           their
           consent
           ,
           was
           acquitted
           from
           the
           sin
           of
           Schism
           .
           Indeed
           some
           Bishops
           have
           sometimes
           refused
           Communion
           with
           others
           upon
           great
           misdemeanors
           ;
           as
           Theognostus
           and
           St.
           Martin
           with
           the
           Ithacian
           party
           on
           the
           account
           of
           the
           death
           of
           Priscillian
           ;
           but
           this
           doth
           not
           at
           all
           reach
           to
           the
           case
           of
           Presbyters
           separating
           from
           Bishops
           ,
           with
           whom
           they
           agree
           in
           the
           same
           Faith.
           The
           followers
           of
           St.
           Chrysostom
           ,
           did
           ,
           I
           confess
           ,
           continue
           their
           separate
           Meetings
           after
           his
           banishment
           ,
           and
           the
           coming
           in
           of
           Arsacius
           :
           but
           although
           they
           withdrew
           in
           his
           time
           ,
           being
           unsatisfied
           in
           the
           manner
           of
           his
           choice
           ;
           yet
           when
           Atticus
           restored
           the
           name
           of
           St.
           Chrysostom
           to
           the
           Diptychs
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           they
           returned
           to
           communion
           with
           their
           Bishop
           ,
           
           as
           St.
           Chrysostom
           himself
           advised
           them
           (
           as
           appears
           by
           Palladius
           )
           which
           is
           far
           from
           justifying
           the
           wilfull
           separation
           of
           Presbyters
           and
           People
           from
           the
           Communion
           of
           their
           Bishops
           ,
           when
           they
           do
           agree
           in
           the
           
             same
             Faith.
          
           
        
         
           2.
           
           But
           suppose
           the
           first
           Churches
           were
           barely
           congregational
           ,
           by
           reason
           of
           the
           small
           number
           of
           Believers
           at
           that
           time
           ,
           yet
           
             what
             obligation
             lies
             upon
             us
             to
             disturb
             the
             Peace
             of
             the
             Church
             we
             live
             in
             to
             reduce
             Churches
             to
             their
             infant-state
             ?
          
           They
           do
           not
           think
           it
           necessary
           to
           reduce
           the
           first
           
             Community
             of
             Goods
          
           ,
           which
           was
           far
           more
           certainly
           practised
           ,
           than
           Congregational
           
           Churches
           ;
           
           they
           do
           not
           think
           it
           necessary
           
             to
             wash
             one
             anothers
             feet
          
           ,
           although
           Christ
           did
           it
           ,
           and
           bad
           his
           Disciples
           
             do
             as
             he
             did
          
           :
           they
           believe
           that
           the
           first
           civil
           Government
           was
           appointed
           by
           God
           himself
           over
           Families
           ;
           do
           they
           therefore
           think
           themselves
           bound
           to
           overthrow
           Kingdoms
           to
           bring
           things
           back
           to
           their
           first
           institution
           ?
           If
           not
           ,
           why
           shall
           the
           Peace
           of
           the
           Church
           be
           in
           so
           much
           worse
           a
           condition
           than
           that
           of
           the
           Civil-state
           ?
           It
           is
           very
           uncertain
           whether
           the
           Primitive
           form
           were
           such
           as
           they
           fancy
           ;
           if
           it
           were
           ,
           it
           is
           more
           uncertain
           whether
           it
           were
           not
           so
           from
           the
           circumstances
           of
           the
           times
           ,
           than
           from
           any
           institution
           of
           Christ
           ;
           but
           it
           is
           most
           certainly
           our
           duty
           to
           preserve
           Peace
           and
           Unity
           among
           Christians
           ;
           and
           it
           is
           impossible
           so
           to
           do
           if
           men
           break
           all
           Orders
           in
           pieces
           for
           the
           fancy
           they
           have
           taken
           up
           of
           a
           Primitive
           Platform
           .
           It
           is
           a
           great
           fault
           among
           some
           who
           pretend
           to
           great
           niceness
           in
           some
           
             positive
             Duties
          
           ,
           that
           they
           have
           so
           little
           regard
           to
           
             comparative
             Duties
          
           :
           For
           that
           which
           may
           be
           a
           duty
           in
           one
           case
           ,
           when
           it
           comes
           to
           thwart
           a
           greater
           Duty
           ,
           may
           be
           none
           .
           This
           Doctrine
           we
           learn
           from
           our
           blessed
           Saviour
           in
           the
           case
           of
           the
           obligation
           of
           the
           Sabbath
           ;
           
           which
           he
           makes
           to
           yield
           to
           duties
           of
           Mercy
           .
           And
           can
           we
           think
           that
           a
           Duty
           lying
           upon
           us
           ,
           which
           in
           our
           circumstances
           makes
           a
           far
           greater
           Duty
           impracticable
           ?
           Is
           there
           any
           thing
           Christ
           and
           his
           Apostles
           have
           charged
           more
           upon
           
           the
           Consciences
           of
           all
           Christians
           ,
           than
           studying
           to
           preserve
           Peace
           and
           Unity
           among
           Christians
           ?
           
           This
           is
           that
           
             we
             must
             follow
             after
          
           ,
           
           even
           when
           it
           seems
           to
           fly
           from
           us
           ;
           this
           is
           that
           ,
           
             we
             must
             apply
             our
             minds
             to
             ,
          
           
           
             and
             think
             it
             our
             honour
             to
             promote
          
           ;
           this
           is
           that
           which
           
             the
             most
             perfect
             Christians
             are
             the
             most
             zealous
             for
          
           ;
           
           this
           is
           that
           ,
           for
           the
           sake
           of
           which
           we
           are
           commanded
           to
           practise
           
             meekness
             ,
             humility
             ,
             patience
             ,
             self-denial
             and
             submission
             to
             Governours
             .
          
           
           And
           after
           all
           this
           ,
           can
           we
           imagine
           the
           attaining
           of
           such
           an
           end
           should
           depend
           upon
           mens
           conjectures
           ,
           whether
           five
           thousand
           Christians
           in
           times
           of
           persecution
           could
           make
           one
           Assembly
           for
           Worship
           ?
           Or
           whether
           all
           the
           Christians
           in
           Ephesus
           or
           Corinth
           made
           but
           one
           Congregation
           ?
           On
           what
           terms
           can
           we
           ever
           hope
           for
           Peace
           in
           the
           Church
           ,
           if
           such
           Notions
           as
           these
           be
           ground
           enough
           to
           disturb
           it
           ?
           What
           stop
           can
           be
           put
           to
           Schisms
           and
           Separations
           ,
           if
           such
           pretences
           as
           these
           be
           sufficient
           to
           justifie
           them
           ?
           Men
           may
           please
           themselves
           in
           talking
           of
           preserving
           
             Peace
             and
             Love
          
           under
           separate
           Communions
           ;
           but
           our
           own
           sad
           experience
           shews
           the
           contrary
           ;
           for
           as
           nothing
           tends
           more
           to
           unite
           mens
           hearts
           than
           joyning
           together
           in
           the
           same
           Prayers
           and
           Sacraments
           ;
           so
           nothing
           doth
           more
           alienate
           mens
           affections
           ,
           than
           withdrawing
           from
           each
           other
           into
           separate
           Congregations
           .
           Which
           tempts
           some
           to
           spiritual
           Pride
           and
           scorn
           and
           contempt
           of
           others
           ,
           as
           of
           a
           more
           carnal
           and
           
             worldly
             Church
          
           than
           
           themselves
           ;
           and
           provokes
           others
           to
           lay
           open
           the
           follies
           ,
           and
           indiscretions
           and
           immoralities
           of
           those
           who
           pretend
           to
           so
           much
           Purity
           and
           Spirituality
           above
           their
           Brethren
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           Others
           confess
           ,
           
           
             that
             to
             live
             in
             a
             state
             of
             separation
             from
             such
             Churches
             ,
             as
             many
             at
             least
             of
             ours
             are
             ,
             were
             a
             sin
          
           ;
           for
           they
           say
           ,
           
             that
             causeless
             renouncing
             Communion
             with
             true
             Churches
             is
             Schism
             ,
             especially
             if
             it
             be
             joyned
             with
             setting
             up
             Anti-Churches
             unwarrantably
             against
             them
          
           ;
           but
           this
           they
           deny
           that
           they
           do
           ,
           although
           they
           Preach
           when
           and
           where
           it
           is
           forbidden
           by
           Law
           ;
           and
           worship
           God
           ,
           and
           administer
           Sacraments
           by
           other
           Rules
           and
           after
           a
           different
           manner
           than
           what
           our
           Church
           requires
           .
           This
           is
           not
           dealing
           with
           us
           with
           that
           fairness
           and
           ingenuity
           which
           our
           former
           Brethren
           used
           ;
           for
           they
           avow
           the
           fact
           of
           separation
           ,
           but
           deny
           it
           to
           be
           sinful
           ;
           these
           owning
           it
           to
           be
           sinful
           ,
           have
           no
           other
           refuge
           left
           but
           to
           deny
           the
           fact
           ,
           which
           is
           evident
           to
           all
           Persons
           .
           For
           do
           they
           not
           do
           the
           very
           same
           things
           and
           in
           the
           same
           manner
           ,
           that
           the
           others
           do
           ;
           how
           comes
           it
           then
           to
           be
           separation
           in
           some
           and
           not
           in
           others
           ?
           They
           are
           very
           unwilling
           to
           confess
           a
           separation
           ,
           because
           they
           have
           formerly
           condemned
           it
           with
           great
           severity
           ;
           and
           yet
           they
           do
           the
           same
           things
           for
           which
           they
           charged
           others
           as
           guilty
           of
           a
           
             sinful
             separation
          
           .
        
         
           
             For
             ,
             the
          
           Assembly
           of
           Divines
           
             urged
             their
          
           dissenting
           Brethren
           
             to
             comply
             with
             their
          
           Rules
           of
           Church-Government
           ,
           
           
             and
             charged
             them
             with
          
           Schism
           
             if
             they
             did
             it
             not
             ;
             whereas
             they
             only
             desired
             to
             enjoy
             such
             liberty
             as
             to
             their
          
           separate
           Congregations
           ,
           
             as
             is
             now
             pleaded
             for
             by
             our
          
           dissenting
           Brethren
           .
           
           This
           ,
           
             say
             they
          
           ,
           would
           give
           countenance
           to
           a
           perpetual
           Schism
           and
           Division
           in
           the
           Church
           ,
           still
           drawing
           away
           some
           from
           the
           Churches
           under
           the
           Rule
           ,
           which
           also
           would
           breed
           irritations
           between
           the
           Parties
           ;
           and
           would
           introduce
           all
           manner
           of
           Confusion
           .
           
             And
             they
             thougt
             it
             a
             very
             unreasonable
             thing
             for
             them
             to
             desire
          
           distinct
           and
           separated
           Congregations
           ,
           as
           to
           those
           parts
           of
           worship
           where
           they
           could
           joyn
           in
           Communion
           with
           them
           :
           
             and
             they
             thought
             no
             Person
             was
             to
             be
             indulged
          
           as
           to
           any
           Error
           or
           Scruple
           of
           Conscience
           ;
           
           
             but
             with
             this
             Proviso
          
           ,
           that
           in
           all
           other
           parts
           of
           worship
           they
           joyn
           with
           the
           Congregation
           wherein
           they
           live
           ;
           
             and
             be
             under
             the
             Government
             to
             be
             established
             .
             To
             this
             the
             dissenting
             Brethren
             answered
             ,
          
           
           that
           such
           a
           variation
           ,
           or
           forbearance
           could
           neither
           be
           a
           Schism
           ,
           nor
           endanger
           it
           ;
           and
           that
           the
           great
           cause
           of
           Schism
           hath
           been
           a
           strict
           obligation
           of
           all
           to
           Uniformity
           ;
           that
           as
           long
           as
           in
           their
           separate
           Congregations
           they
           did
           practise
           most
           of
           the
           same
           things
           ,
           and
           the
           most
           substantial
           in
           their
           Rule
           ,
           it
           could
           not
           be
           called
           a
           total
           separation
           ,
           especially
           considering
           ,
           that
           they
           professed
           their
           Churches
           to
           be
           true
           Churches
           ;
           and
           that
           they
           had
           occasional
           Communion
           with
           them
           ,
           
           
             which
             is
             the
             very
             same
             Plea
             made
             use
             of
             at
             this
             day
             among
             us
             .
             To
             which
             the
             Assemblies
             party
             smartly
             replied
             ,
          
           that
           since
           they
           acknowledged
           their
           
           Churches
           to
           be
           so
           true
           ,
           
           that
           they
           could
           occasionally
           join
           in
           all
           Acts
           of
           worship
           ,
           they
           conceived
           they
           were
           bound
           to
           act
           with
           them
           in
           joint
           Communion
           by
           one
           Common
           Rule
           ,
           and
           not
           by
           different
           Rules
           and
           in
           separated
           Congregations
           .
           
           
             And
             they
             add
          
           ,
           that
           to
           leave
           all
           ordinary
           Communion
           in
           any
           Church
           with
           dislike
           ,
           when
           opposition
           or
           offence
           offers
           it self
           ,
           is
           to
           separate
           from
           such
           a
           Church
           in
           the
           Scripture
           sense
           ;
           such
           separation
           was
           not
           in
           being
           in
           the
           Apostles
           times
           ,
           unless
           it
           were
           used
           by
           false
           Teachers
           ;
           all
           who
           professed
           Christianity
           held
           Communion
           together
           ,
           as
           in
           one
           Church
           ,
           notwithstanding
           differences
           of
           Iudgement
           ,
           
           or
           corruptions
           in
           Practice
           ;
           
             and
             that
          
           ,
           if
           they
           can
           hold
           occasional
           Communion
           without
           sin
           ,
           they
           know
           no
           reason
           why
           it
           may
           not
           be
           ordinary
           without
           sin
           too
           ,
           and
           then
           separation
           would
           be
           needless
           .
           
             To
             which
             they
             subjoin
             these
             remarkable
             words
             ,
             which
             I
             heartily
             wish
             our
             Brethren
             at
             this
             day
             would
             think
             seriously
             upon
             ,
          
           To
           separate
           from
           those
           Churches
           ordinarily
           and
           visibly
           with
           whom
           occasionally
           you
           may
           joyn
           without
           sin
           ,
           seemth
           to
           be
           a
           most
           unjust
           separation
           .
           
             So
             that
             whatever
             false
             colours
             and
             pretences
             some
             men
             make
             use
             of
             to
             justifie
             their
             present
             practice
             ,
             if
             the
             judgement
             of
             their
             own
             Brethren
             may
             be
             taken
             upon
             the
             most
             weighty
             debate
             ,
             and
             most
             serious
             deliberation
             ,
             it
             is
             no
             better
             than
             plain
             and
             downright
          
           separation
           .
           
             And
             I
             must
             needs
             say
             ,
             I
             never
             saw
             any
             Cause
             more
             weakly
             defended
             ,
             no
             ,
             not
             that
             of
          
           Polygamy
           and
           Anabaptism
           ,
           
             than
             that
             of
          
           those
           ,
           
             who
             allow
             it
             to
             be
             lawful
             to
             join
             in
             Communion
             
             with
             us
             ,
             and
             yet
             go
             about
             to
             vindicate
             the
          
           separate
           Meetings
           
             among
             us
             ,
             from
             the
             guilt
             of
             a
          
           sinful
           separation
           .
           
             For
             although
             they
             allow
          
           our
           Churches
           to
           be
           true
           ,
           and
           that
           it
           is
           lawful
           to
           communicate
           with
           them
           ,
           
             which
             is
             the
             most
             plausible
             Plea
             they
             have
             ,
             this
             is
             so
             far
             from
             extenuating
             ,
             that
             it
             doth
             aggravate
             the
             fault
             ;
             for
             as
             the
             Brethren
             of
             the
             Assembly
             said
             ,
          
           Though
           they
           do
           not
           pronounce
           an
           affirmative
           Iudgement
           against
           us
           ;
           
           yet
           the
           very
           separating
           is
           a
           tacit
           and
           practical
           condemning
           of
           our
           Churches
           ,
           if
           not
           as
           false
           ,
           yet
           as
           impure
           .
        
         
           But
           whatever
           may
           be
           said
           as
           to
           other
           Pleas
           for
           their
           present
           practices
           ,
           my
           Text
           seems
           to
           afford
           the
           strongest
           of
           all
           ,
           viz.
           that
           men
           are
           to
           be
           pressed
           to
           go
           no
           farther
           than
           
             they
             have
             already
             attained
          
           ,
           and
           not
           to
           be
           strained
           up
           to
           an
           uniformity
           beyond
           the
           dictates
           of
           their
           Consciences
           ,
           but
           to
           be
           let
           alone
           ,
           as
           the
           Apostle
           directs
           in
           the
           foregoing
           verse
           ,
           
             If
             any
             one
             be
             otherwise
             minded
             ,
             he
             must
             be
             left
             to
             God
             ,
          
           and
           that
           manifestation
           of
           his
           will
           ,
           which
           he
           will
           be
           pleased
           to
           give
           him
           .
        
         
           The
           clearing
           of
           this
           will
           give
           a
           full
           answer
           to
           the
           second
           enquiry
           ,
           viz.
           
        
         
           2.
           
           What
           is
           to
           be
           done
           ,
           if
           men
           cannot
           come
           up
           to
           the
           Rule
           prescribed
           .
        
         
           To
           this
           therefore
           I
           answer
           in
           these
           particulars
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           
             This
             can
             never
             justifie
             men
             in
             not
             doing
             what
             they
             lawfully
             may
             do
             .
          
           For
           this
           Rule
           of
           the
           Apostle
           makes
           Communion
           necessary
           ,
           as
           far
           
           as
           it
           is
           lawful
           ;
           and
           that
           upon
           the
           account
           of
           the
           general
           obligation
           lying
           upon
           all
           Christians
           to
           do
           what
           in
           them
           lies
           for
           preservation
           of
           the
           Peace
           of
           the
           Church
           .
           
             Therefore
             as
             far
             as
             ye
             have
             attained
             walk
             by
             the
             same
             Rule
             ,
             do
             the
             same
             things
          
           ;
           which
           words
           ,
           saith
           Cajetan
           ,
           the
           Apostle
           subjoyns
           to
           the
           former
           ,
           left
           the
           persons
           he
           there
           speaks
           to
           should
           think
           themselves
           excused
           from
           going
           as
           far
           as
           they
           can
           as
           to
           the
           same
           Rule
           .
           Which
           plainly
           shews
           that
           men
           are
           bound
           in
           Conscience
           to
           go
           as
           far
           as
           they
           can
           ;
           and
           I
           cannot
           see
           how
           it
           is
           consistent
           with
           that
           
             tenderness
             of
             Conscience
          
           which
           our
           Brethren
           pretend
           to
           ,
           for
           so
           many
           of
           them
           to
           live
           so
           many
           years
           in
           a
           neglect
           of
           that
           Communion
           with
           our
           Church
           ,
           which
           themselves
           judge
           to
           be
           lawful
           .
        
         
           I
           dare
           say
           ,
           if
           most
           of
           the
           Preachers
           at
           this
           day
           in
           the
           
             separate
             Meetings
          
           were
           soberly
           asked
           their
           judgements
           ,
           whether
           it
           were
           lawful
           for
           the
           People
           to
           joyn
           with
           us
           in
           the
           publick
           Assemblies
           ,
           they
           would
           not
           deny
           it
           ;
           and
           yet
           the
           People
           that
           frequent
           them
           ,
           generally
           judge
           otherwise
           .
           For
           it
           is
           not
           to
           be
           supposed
           ,
           that
           faction
           among
           them
           should
           so
           commonly
           prevail
           beyond
           interest
           ;
           and
           therefore
           if
           they
           thought
           it
           were
           lawful
           for
           them
           to
           comply
           with
           the
           Laws
           ,
           they
           would
           do
           it
           .
           But
           why
           then
           is
           this
           kept
           up
           as
           such
           a
           mighty
           secret
           in
           the
           breasts
           of
           their
           Teachers
           ?
           Why
           do
           they
           not
           preach
           it
           to
           them
           in
           their
           Congregations
           ?
           
           Is
           it
           for
           fear
           ,
           they
           should
           have
           none
           left
           to
           preach
           to
           ?
           that
           is
           not
           to
           be
           imagined
           of
           mortified
           and
           conscientious
           men
           .
           Is
           it
           lest
           they
           should
           seem
           to
           condemn
           themselves
           ,
           while
           they
           preach
           against
           Separation
           in
           a
           
             Separate
             Congregation
          
           ?
        
         
           This
           ,
           I
           confess
           ,
           looks
           oddly
           ,
           and
           the
           tenderness
           of
           a
           mans
           mind
           in
           such
           a
           case
           ,
           may
           out
           of
           meer
           shamefacedness
           keep
           him
           from
           declaring
           a
           Truth
           which
           flies
           in
           his
           face
           ,
           while
           he
           speaks
           it
           .
        
         
           Is
           it
           that
           they
           fear
           the
           reproaches
           of
           the
           People
           ?
           which
           some
           few
           of
           the
           most
           eminent
           persons
           among
           them
           ,
           have
           found
           they
           must
           undergo
           if
           they
           touch
           upon
           this
           Subject
           (
           for
           I
           know
           not
           how
           it
           comes
           to
           pass
           ,
           that
           the
           most
           
             Godly
             People
          
           among
           them
           ,
           can
           the
           least
           endure
           to
           be
           told
           of
           their
           faults
           .
           )
           But
           is
           it
           not
           as
           plainly
           written
           by
           S.
           Paul
           ,
           
           
             If
             I
             yet
             please
             men
             I
             should
             not
             be
             the
             Servant
             of
             Christ
             ;
             as
             Woe
             be
             unto
             me
             if
             I
             preach
             not
             the
             Gospel
             ?
          
           If
           they
           therefore
           would
           acquit
           themselves
           like
           honest
           and
           conscientious
           men
           ,
           let
           them
           tell
           the
           people
           plainly
           that
           they
           look
           on
           
             our
             Churches
             as
             true
             Churches
             ,
             and
             that
             they
             may
             lawfully
             communicate
             with
             us
             in
             Prayers
             and
             Sacraments
          
           ;
           and
           I
           do
           not
           question
           but
           in
           time
           ,
           if
           they
           find
           it
           lawful
           ,
           they
           will
           judge
           it
           to
           be
           their
           Duty
           .
           For
           it
           is
           the
           Apostles
           Command
           here
           ,
           
             Whereto
             we
             have
             already
             attained
             let
             us
             walk
             by
             the
             same
             Rule
             ,
             let
             us
             mind
             the
             same
             things
             .
          
        
         
           2.
           
           
             If
             the
             bare
             dissatisfaction
             of
             mens
             Consciences
             do
             justifie
             the
             lawfulness
             of
             Separation
             ,
             and
             breaking
             an
             
             established
             Rule
             ,
             it
             were
             to
             little
             purpose
             to
             make
             any
             Rule
             at
             all
             .
          
           Because
           it
           is
           impossible
           to
           make
           any
           ,
           which
           Ignorant
           and
           injudicious
           men
           shall
           not
           apprehend
           to
           be
           in
           some
           thing
           or
           other
           against
           the
           dictates
           of
           their
           Consciences
           .
           But
           because
           what
           we
           say
           may
           not
           weigh
           so
           much
           with
           them
           in
           this
           matter
           ,
           as
           what
           was
           said
           on
           this
           Occasion
           by
           their
           own
           Brethren
           in
           the
           Assembly
           ,
           I
           shall
           give
           an
           account
           of
           their
           Iudgement
           in
           this
           matter
           .
        
         
           The
           
             dissenting
             Brethren
          
           were
           not
           so
           much
           wantting
           to
           their
           Cause
           ,
           as
           not
           to
           plead
           tenderness
           of
           Conscience
           with
           as
           much
           advantage
           and
           earnestness
           as
           any
           men
           now
           can
           do
           it
           .
           To
           which
           they
           answer
           ,
        
         
           1.
           
           That
           though
           tenderness
           of
           Conscience
           may
           justifie
           non-communion
           in
           the
           thing
           scrupled
           ,
           
           yet
           it
           can
           never
           justifie
           Separation
           .
        
         
           We
           much
           doubt
           ,
           
             say
             they
          
           ,
           whether
           such
           tenderness
           of
           Conscience
           ,
           as
           ariseth
           out
           of
           an
           opinion
           ,
           
             cui
             potest
             subesse
             falsum
          
           ,
           (
           which
           may
           be
           false
           )
           when
           the
           Conscience
           is
           so
           tender
           ,
           that
           it
           may
           be
           withal
           an
           erring
           Conscience
           ,
           can
           be
           a
           sufficient
           ground
           to
           justifie
           such
           a
           material
           Separation
           ,
           as
           our
           Brethren
           plead
           for
           ;
           For
           though
           it
           may
           bind
           ,
           to
           forbear
           or
           suspend
           the
           Act
           of
           Communion
           in
           that
           particular
           wherein
           men
           conceive
           they
           cannot
           hold
           Communion
           without
           sin
           (
           nothing
           being
           to
           be
           done
           contrary
           unto
           Conscience
           )
           yet
           it
           doth
           not
           bind
           to
           follow
           such
           a
           positive
           prescript
           as
           possibly
           may
           be
           divers
           from
           the
           Will
           and
           Counsel
           of
           God
           ,
           of
           which
           kind
           we
           conceive
           this
           of
           gathering
           
           Separated
           Churches
           out
           of
           other
           true
           Churches
           to
           be
           one
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           
             That
             it
             is
             endless
             to
             hope
             to
             give
             satisfation
             to
             erring
             Consciences
             .
          
           
           The
           Grounds
           ,
           
             say
             they
          
           ,
           upon
           which
           this
           Separation
           is
           desired
           ,
           are
           such
           upon
           which
           all
           other
           possible
           scruples
           which
           erring
           consciences
           may
           in
           any
           other
           cases
           be
           subject
           unto
           ,
           may
           claim
           the
           priviledge
           of
           a
           like
           Indulgence
           .
           And
           so
           this
           Toleration
           being
           the
           first
           ,
           shall
           indeed
           but
           lay
           the
           Foundation
           and
           open
           the
           gap
           ,
           whereat
           as
           many
           divisions
           in
           the
           Church
           ,
           as
           there
           may
           be
           scruples
           in
           the
           minds
           of
           men
           ,
           shall
           upon
           the
           self
           same
           equity
           be
           let
           in
           .
           
             And
             again
          
           ,
           
           that
           this
           will
           make
           way
           for
           infinite
           Divisions
           and
           sub-divisions
           ;
           and
           give
           Countenance
           to
           a
           perpetual
           Schism
           ,
           
           and
           Division
           in
           the
           Church
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           That
           scruple
           of
           conscience
           
             is
             no
          
           protection
           against
           Schism
           ;
           
           no
           cause
           of
           Separating
           ;
           nor
           doth
           it
           take
           off
           causeless
           Separation
           from
           being
           Schism
           ,
           
           which
           may
           arise
           from
           Errors
           of
           Conscience
           as
           well
           as
           carnal
           and
           corrupt
           Reasons
           ;
           and
           therefore
           they
           conceive
           the
           causes
           of
           Separation
           must
           be
           shewn
           to
           be
           such
           as
           
             ex
             natura
             rei
          
           will
           bear
           it
           out
           .
        
         
           4.
           
           That
           the
           Apostles
           notwithstanding
           the
           differences
           of
           mens
           Iudgements
           did
           prescribe
           Rules
           of
           Uniformity
           .
           
           For
           ,
           
             say
             they
          
           ,
           they
           suppressed
           the
           contentions
           of
           men
           by
           the
           Custome
           of
           the
           Churches
           of
           God
           ,
           1
           Cor.
           11.
           16.
           and
           ordain
           the
           same
           practice
           in
           all
           the
           Churches
           ,
           notwithstanding
           our
           Brethrens
           distinction
           of
           difference
           of
           light
           .
           1.
           
           Cor.
           7.
           17.
           
           And
           did
           not
           the
           Apostles
           bind
           the
           burden
           of
           some
           necessary
           things
           on
           the
           Churches
           ,
           albeit
           there
           were
           in
           those
           Churches
           gradual
           differences
           of
           light
           ?
        
         
         
           5.
           
           That
           the
           Apostle
           by
           this
           Rule
           in
           the
           Text
           ,
           
           did
           not
           intend
           to
           allow
           Brethren
           who
           agree
           in
           all
           substantials
           of
           Faith
           and
           Worship
           ,
           to
           separate
           from
           one
           another
           ,
           in
           those
           very
           substantials
           wherein
           they
           agree
           .
           Is
           this
           ,
           
             say
             they
          
           ,
           to
           walk
           by
           the
           same
           Rule
           ,
           and
           to
           mind
           the
           same
           things
           ,
           to
           separate
           from
           Churches
           in
           those
           very
           things
           wherein
           we
           agree
           with
           them
           ?
           
           We
           desire
           no
           more
           of
           them
           than
           we
           are
           confident
           was
           practised
           by
           the
           Saints
           at
           Philippi
           ,
           namely
           to
           hold
           practical
           Communion
           in
           things
           wherein
           they
           doctrinally
           agree
           .
        
         
           6.
           
           That
           there
           is
           a
           great
           deal
           of
           difference
           between
           Tyranny
           over
           mens
           Consciences
           ,
           
           and
           Rules
           of
           Uniformity
           .
           
             For
             the
          
           dissenting
           Brethren
           
             charged
             the
             Assembly
          
           ,
           with
           setting
           up
           an
           Uniformity
           for
           Uniformities
           sake
           ,
           
             i.
             e.
          
           affecting
           Uniformity
           so
           much
           ,
           as
           not
           to
           regard
           mens
           Consciences
           ;
           and
           without
           respect
           had
           to
           the
           varieties
           of
           Light
           ▪
           in
           matters
           of
           a
           lesser
           nature
           ;
           which
           ,
           
             say
             they
          
           ,
           will
           prove
           a
           perfect
           tyranny
           ,
           and
           it
           is
           in
           effect
           to
           stretch
           a
           low
           man
           to
           the
           same
           length
           with
           a
           taller
           ,
           or
           to
           cut
           a
           tall
           man
           to
           the
           stature
           of
           one
           that
           is
           low
           ,
           for
           Uniformities
           sake
           .
           
             To
             which
             the
             others
             answer
          
           ,
           That
           they
           do
           not
           desire
           Uniformity
           for
           the
           sake
           of
           Tyranny
           ,
           but
           only
           for
           order
           ,
           and
           order
           for
           Edification
           .
           But
           for
           ought
           they
           could
           perceive
           ,
           any
           thing
           that
           is
           One
           must
           be
           judged
           the
           foundation
           of
           Tyranny
           
             (
             which
             are
             their
             own
             words
             .
             )
          
           
           As
           to
           variety
           of
           light
           ,
           they
           desired
           their
           Brethren
           to
           answer
           them
           in
           this
           one
           thing
           ,
           whether
           some
           must
           be
           denied
           liberty
           of
           their
           Conscience
           in
           matter
           of
           practice
           ,
           or
           none
           ?
           If
           none
           ,
           then
           ,
           
             say
             they
          
           ,
           we
           must
           renounce
           our
           Covenant
           and
           let
           in
           Prelacy
           again
           ;
           and
           
           all
           others
           ways
           ;
           if
           a
           denial
           of
           liberty
           unto
           some
           may
           be
           just
           ,
           then
           Uniformity
           may
           be
           settled
           notwithstanding
           variety
           of
           lights
           ,
           
           without
           any
           Tyranny
           at
           all
           .
           As
           to
           their
           similitude
           ,
           they
           grant
           it
           to
           be
           pretty
           and
           plausible
           ;
           but
           such
           arguments
           are
           popular
           and
           inartificial
           ,
           having
           more
           of
           flourish
           than
           substance
           in
           them
           .
           For
           did
           not
           they
           endeavour
           to
           raise
           lower
           Churches
           to
           a
           greater
           height
           ?
           would
           they
           permit
           other
           Church-Governments
           if
           it
           were
           in
           their
           power
           ,
           because
           men
           must
           not
           for
           Uniformities
           sake
           be
           pared
           or
           stretched
           to
           the
           measure
           of
           other
           men
           ?
           would
           they
           endure
           the
           lower
           suckers
           at
           the
           root
           of
           their
           tree
           to
           grow
           till
           they
           had
           killed
           the
           tree
           it self
           ?
           
             Ad
             populum
             phaleras
          
           .
        
         
           From
           whence
           we
           see
           the
           Church
           of
           
           England's
           endeavour
           after
           Uniformity
           is
           acquitted
           from
           Tyranny
           over
           the
           Consciences
           of
           men
           by
           the
           Judgement
           of
           the
           most
           learned
           of
           the
           Assembly
           of
           Divines
           ;
           for
           such
           we
           do
           not
           question
           they
           chose
           to
           manage
           this
           debate
           ,
           upon
           which
           the
           turn
           of
           their
           whole
           affairs
           depended
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           
             A
             wilful
             Error
             or
             mistake
             of
             Conscience
             doth
             by
             no
             means
             excuse
             from
             sin
             .
          
           Thus
           if
           a
           man
           think
           himself
           bound
           to
           divide
           the
           Church
           by
           a
           
             sinful
             Separation
          
           ;
           that
           Separation
           is
           nevertheless
           a
           sin
           for
           his
           thinking
           himself
           bound
           to
           do
           it
           .
           
           For
           S.
           Paul
           
             thought
             himself
             bound
             to
             do
             many
             things
             against
             the
             name
             of
          
           Jesus
           of
           Nazareth
           ,
           yet
           he
           calls
           himself
           
             a
             blasphemer
             and
             the
             greatest
             of
             sinners
             ,
          
           
           for
           what
           he
           did
           under
           that
           obligation
           of
           Conscience
           .
           
           The
           Iews
           thought
           themselves
           bound
           in
           Conscience
           to
           
             do
             God
             service
          
           ,
           but
           it
           was
           a
           horrible
           mistake
           ,
           
           when
           they
           took
           
             killing
             the
             Apostles
             to
             be
             any
             part
             of
             it
             .
          
           From
           whence
           it
           appears
           ,
           that
           men
           may
           do
           very
           bad
           things
           ,
           and
           yet
           think
           themselves
           
             bound
             in
             Conscience
          
           to
           do
           them
           .
           I
           do
           not
           hence
           infer
           that
           the
           pretence
           of
           Conscience
           is
           not
           to
           be
           regarded
           ,
           because
           it
           may
           be
           abused
           to
           so
           ill
           purposes
           ;
           for
           no
           man
           that
           hath
           any
           Conscience
           will
           speak
           against
           the
           Power
           of
           it
           ,
           and
           he
           that
           declares
           against
           it
           ,
           hath
           no
           reason
           to
           be
           regarded
           in
           what
           he
           saith
           .
           But
           that
           which
           ought
           to
           be
           inferred
           from
           hence
           ,
           is
           ,
           that
           men
           ought
           not
           to
           rest
           satisfied
           with
           the
           present
           dictates
           of
           their
           Consciences
           ,
           for
           notwithstanding
           them
           ,
           they
           may
           commit
           very
           great
           sins
           .
           I
           am
           afraid
           ,
           the
           common
           mistating
           the
           Case
           of
           an
           
             Erroneous
             Conscience
          
           hath
           done
           a
           great
           deal
           of
           Mischief
           to
           conscientious
           men
           ,
           and
           betray'd
           them
           into
           great
           security
           ,
           while
           they
           are
           assured
           they
           do
           act
           according
           to
           their
           Consciences
           .
           For
           the
           question
           is
           generally
           put
           ,
           
             How
             far
             an
             Erroneous
             Conscience
             doth
             oblige
             ?
          
           And
           when
           men
           hear
           that
           they
           must
           
             not
             act
             against
             their
             Consciences
             though
             they
             be
             mistaken
             ,
          
           they
           think
           themselves
           safe
           enough
           ,
           and
           enquire
           no
           further
           .
           But
           if
           they
           would
           consider
           ,
           that
           no
           mans
           Conscience
           alters
           the
           nature
           of
           Good
           and
           Evil
           in
           things
           ;
           that
           what
           God
           hath
           made
           a
           Duty
           or
           a
           Sin
           remains
           so
           ,
           whatever
           a
           mans
           Conscience
           doth
           judge
           concerning
           them
           ;
           that
           no
           mans
           Conscience
           can
           strictly
           oblige
           him
           either
           to
           
             omit
             a
             Duty
          
           ,
           or
           to
           
             commit
             a
             sin
          
           ;
           the
           utmost
           Resolution
           of
           
           the
           Case
           comes
           to
           this
           ,
           That
           a
           man
           may
           be
           so
           perplexed
           and
           entangled
           by
           an
           
             erroneous
             Conscience
          
           that
           he
           may
           be
           under
           a
           necessity
           of
           sinning
           ,
           if
           he
           acts
           either
           with
           or
           against
           it
           .
           Not
           that
           God
           ever
           puts
           a
           man
           under
           the
           necessity
           of
           sinning
           ,
           (
           for
           then
           it
           would
           be
           no
           sin
           to
           him
           ,
           if
           it
           were
           unavoidable
           )
           but
           that
           by
           their
           own
           neglect
           and
           carelesness
           ,
           without
           looking
           after
           due
           information
           ,
           and
           running
           on
           with
           violent
           Prejudices
           ,
           which
           was
           the
           case
           of
           S.
           Paul
           and
           the
           Iews
           (
           and
           I
           wish
           it
           were
           not
           of
           many
           Christians
           )
           they
           may
           make
           false
           and
           rash
           judgements
           of
           things
           ,
           and
           so
           sin
           either
           in
           doing
           or
           not
           doing
           what
           their
           Consciences
           tell
           them
           they
           are
           bound
           to
           do
           .
        
         
           The
           most
           material
           Question
           then
           ,
           in
           the
           case
           of
           an
           
             erroneous
             Conscience
          
           ,
           is
           ,
           What
           
             Error
             of
             Conscience
          
           doth
           excuse
           a
           man
           from
           Sin
           in
           following
           the
           Dictates
           of
           it
           ?
           For
           ,
           if
           the
           Error
           be
           wholly
           
             involuntary
             ;
             i.
             e.
          
           if
           it
           be
           caused
           by
           
             invincible
             Ignorance
          
           ,
           or
           after
           using
           the
           
             best
             means
          
           for
           due
           information
           of
           his
           Conscience
           ,
           though
           the
           Act
           may
           be
           a
           fault
           in
           it self
           ,
           yet
           it
           shall
           not
           be
           imputed
           to
           him
           as
           a
           Sin
           ;
           because
           it
           wanted
           the
           consent
           of
           the
           Mind
           ,
           by
           which
           the
           Will
           is
           determined
           ;
           but
           if
           men
           fall
           into
           
             Wilful
             Errors
             of
             Conscience
             ;
             i.
             e.
          
           if
           they
           form
           their
           Iudgements
           rather
           by
           Prejudice
           and
           Passion
           and
           Interest
           than
           from
           the
           Laws
           of
           God
           or
           just
           Rules
           of
           Conscience
           ;
           if
           they
           do
           not
           examine
           things
           fairly
           on
           both
           sides
           ,
           praying
           for
           divine
           direction
           ;
           if
           they
           
           have
           not
           patience
           to
           hear
           any
           thing
           against
           their
           opinion
           ,
           but
           run
           on
           blindly
           and
           furiously
           ,
           they
           may
           in
           so
           doing
           Act
           according
           to
           their
           Consciences
           ,
           and
           yet
           they
           may
           be
           in
           as
           great
           danger
           of
           committing
           heinous
           sins
           as
           S.
           Paul
           and
           the
           Iews
           were
           .
           Thus
           if
           men
           through
           the
           Power
           of
           an
           
             Erroneous
             Conscience
          
           may
           think
           themselves
           bound
           to
           make
           Schisms
           and
           Divisions
           in
           the
           Church
           ,
           to
           disobey
           Laws
           and
           to
           break
           in
           pieces
           the
           Communion
           of
           that
           Church
           ,
           which
           they
           are
           ,
           or
           ought
           to
           be
           members
           of
           ,
           they
           may
           satisfie
           themselves
           that
           they
           pursue
           their
           Consciences
           ,
           and
           yet
           for
           want
           of
           due
           care
           of
           informing
           themselves
           and
           judging
           aright
           ,
           those
           very
           Actions
           may
           be
           Wilful
           and
           
             Damnable
             Sins
          
           .
        
         
           Nothing
           now
           remains
           but
           to
           make
           Application
           of
           what
           hath
           been
           said
           to
           our
           own
           Case
           .
           And
           that
           shall
           be
           to
           two
           sorts
           of
           Persons
           ,
           1.
           to
           those
           who
           continue
           in
           the
           Communion
           of
           our
           Church
           ,
           2.
           to
           those
           who
           dissent
           from
           it
           .
        
         
           I.
           To
           those
           who
           continue
           in
           the
           Communion
           of
           our
           
             Church
             .
             Let
             us
             walk
             by
             the
             same
             Rule
             ,
             and
             mind
             the
             same
             things
             .
          
           Let
           us
           study
           the
           Unity
           and
           Peace
           ,
           and
           thereby
           the
           Honour
           and
           Safety
           of
           it
           .
           While
           we
           keep
           to
           
             one
             Rule
          
           ,
           all
           People
           know
           what
           it
           is
           to
           be
           of
           our
           Church
           ;
           if
           men
           set
           up
           their
           own
           fancies
           above
           the
           Rule
           ,
           they
           charge
           it
           with
           imperfection
           ;
           if
           they
           do
           not
           obey
           the
           Rule
           ,
           they
           make
           themselves
           wiser
           than
           those
           that
           made
           it
           .
           It
           hath
           not
           been
           either
           the
           Doctrine
           or
           Rules
           of
           our
           Church
           
           which
           have
           ever
           given
           advantage
           to
           the
           Enemies
           of
           it
           ;
           but
           the
           indiscretion
           of
           some
           in
           going
           beyond
           them
           ;
           and
           the
           inconstancy
           of
           others
           in
           not
           holding
           to
           them
           .
        
         
           Such
           is
           the
           Purity
           of
           its
           Doctrine
           ,
           such
           the
           Loyalty
           of
           its
           Principles
           ,
           such
           the
           Wisdom
           ,
           and
           Order
           ,
           and
           Piety
           of
           its
           Devotions
           ,
           that
           none
           who
           are
           true
           Friends
           to
           any
           of
           these
           ,
           can
           be
           enemies
           to
           it
           .
           Let
           us
           take
           heed
           we
           do
           not
           give
           too
           much
           occasion
           to
           our
           enemies
           to
           think
           the
           worse
           of
           our
           Church
           for
           our
           sakes
           .
           It
           is
           easie
           to
           observe
           ,
           that
           most
           quarrels
           relating
           to
           Constitutions
           and
           Frames
           of
           Government
           are
           more
           against
           Person
           than
           things
           ;
           when
           they
           are
           unsatisfied
           with
           their
           management
           ,
           then
           they
           blame
           the
           Government
           ;
           but
           if
           themselves
           were
           in
           place
           ,
           or
           those
           they
           love
           and
           esteem
           ,
           then
           the
           Government
           is
           a
           good
           thing
           ,
           if
           it
           be
           in
           good
           mens
           hands
           .
           Thus
           do
           mens
           judgements
           vary
           as
           their
           interests
           do
           .
        
         
           And
           so
           as
           to
           Churches
           ,
           we
           find
           Uniformity
           and
           Order
           condemned
           as
           Tyrannical
           ,
           till
           men
           come
           into
           Power
           themselves
           ,
           and
           then
           the
           very
           same
           things
           and
           arguments
           are
           used
           and
           thought
           very
           good
           and
           substantial
           ,
           which
           before
           were
           weak
           and
           sophistical
           .
           Those
           who
           speak
           now
           most
           against
           the
           
             Magistrates
             Power
          
           in
           matters
           of
           Religion
           had
           
             ten
             substantial
             Reasons
          
           for
           it
           ,
           
           when
           they
           thought
           the
           Magistrate
           on
           their
           own
           side
           .
           Those
           who
           now
           plead
           for
           Toleration
           ,
           did
           once
           think
           it
           the
           Mother
           
           of
           Confusion
           ,
           the
           Nurse
           of
           Atheism
           ,
           the
           inlet
           of
           Popery
           ,
           the
           
             common
             Sink
          
           of
           all
           Errors
           and
           Heresies
           .
           But
           ,
           if
           there
           be
           not
           much
           to
           be
           said
           against
           the
           
             Churches
             Constitution
          
           ,
           then
           they
           are
           ready
           to
           lay
           load
           upon
           the
           Persons
           of
           the
           Governours
           and
           Members
           of
           it
           ;
           and
           thence
           pretend
           to
           a
           necessity
           of
           Separation
           for
           a
           
             purer
             Communion
          
           .
           Let
           us
           endeavour
           to
           remove
           this
           objection
           ,
           not
           by
           recrimination
           (
           which
           is
           too
           easie
           in
           such
           cases
           )
           but
           by
           living
           suitably
           to
           our
           holy
           Religion
           ,
           by
           reforming
           our
           own
           lives
           ,
           and
           redressing
           (
           what
           in
           us
           lies
           )
           the
           Scandals
           and
           Disorders
           of
           others
           .
           Let
           us
           by
           the
           innocency
           and
           unblameableness
           of
           our
           lives
           ,
           the
           life
           and
           constancy
           of
           our
           devotions
           ,
           the
           meekness
           and
           gentleness
           of
           our
           behaviour
           in
           our
           own
           Cause
           ,
           our
           Zeal
           and
           Courage
           in
           Gods
           ,
           add
           a
           lustre
           to
           our
           Religion
           and
           bring
           others
           to
           a
           Love
           of
           our
           Church
           .
        
         
           II.
           To
           those
           who
           dissent
           from
           our
           
             Communion
             .
             Whether
             they
             hear
             ,
             or
             whether
             they
             will
             forbear
             ,
          
           I
           cannot
           dismiss
           this
           subject
           ,
           without
           offering
           some
           things
           to
           them
           ,
           
             
               1.
               
               By
               way
               of
               Consideration
               .
               
            
             
               2.
               
               By
               way
               of
               Advice
               .
            
          
        
         
           (
           1.
           )
           I
           shall
           offer
           these
           things
           to
           their
           Consideration
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           Let
           them
           consider
           
             How
             many
             things
             must
             be
             
             born
             with
             in
             the
             Constitution
             of
             a
             Church
          
           ;
           which
           cannot
           be
           expected
           in
           this
           World
           to
           be
           
             without
             Spot
             or
             Wrinkle
          
           .
           And
           if
           men
           will
           set
           themselves
           only
           to
           find
           faults
           ,
           it
           is
           impossible
           ,
           in
           this
           state
           of
           things
           ,
           they
           should
           ever
           be
           pleased
           .
           And
           
             if
             they
             separate
             where
             they
             see
             any
             thing
             amiss
             ,
          
           
           they
           must
           follow
           his
           example
           who
           pursued
           this
           Principle
           so
           far
           ,
           till
           he
           withdrew
           from
           all
           Society
           ,
           lest
           he
           should
           communicate
           with
           them
           in
           their
           Sin
           ;
           in
           which
           condition
           he
           continued
           till
           his
           Children
           lay
           dead
           in
           the
           house
           ,
           and
           he
           became
           utterly
           unable
           to
           help
           himself
           ;
           and
           because
           
             no
             humane
             inventions
             were
             to
             be
             allowed
             about
             the
             worship
             of
             God
             ,
          
           he
           had
           cut
           out
           of
           his
           Bible
           the
           
             Contents
             of
             the
             Chapters
          
           ,
           and
           Titles
           of
           the
           Leaves
           ,
           and
           so
           left
           the
           
             bare
             Text
          
           ,
           without
           Binding
           or
           Covers
           .
           This
           is
           the
           Case
           the
           rigid
           and
           impracticable
           principles
           of
           some
           would
           bring
           our
           Churches
           to
           ,
           by
           cutting
           off
           all
           Rules
           of
           Order
           and
           Decency
           ,
           as
           encroachments
           on
           the
           Institutions
           of
           Christ.
           
        
         
           2.
           
           I
           desire
           them
           to
           consider
           
             how
             impossible
             it
             is
             to
             give
             satisfaction
             to
             all
             ,
          
           and
           
             how
             many
             things
             must
             be
             allowed
             a
             favourable
             interpretation
             in
             publick
             Constitutions
             and
             General
             Laws
          
           ;
           which
           it
           is
           hardly
           possible
           so
           to
           frame
           ,
           but
           there
           will
           be
           room
           left
           for
           Cavils
           and
           Exceptions
           .
           Yea
           
             when
             the
             wisest
             and
             best
             men
             have
             done
             their
             utmost
             ,
          
           some
           of
           themselves
           confess
           ,
           
             there
             may
             be
             dissatisfaction
             still
             ;
             and
             if
             Christian
             Humility
             ,
             Charity
             and
             Discretion
             ,
             will
             then
             advise
             persons
             to
             acquiesce
             
             in
             their
             private
             security
             and
             freedom
             ,
          
           
           
             and
             not
             to
             unsettle
             the
             publick
             Order
             for
             their
             private
             satisfaction
             .
          
           Why
           should
           not
           men
           practise
           the
           same
           vertues
           themselves
           ;
           which
           they
           do
           confess
           ,
           will
           be
           necessary
           for
           some
           at
           last
           ?
        
         
           Wise
           and
           Good
           men
           will
           consider
           the
           difficulties
           that
           always
           attend
           publick
           Establishments
           ;
           and
           have
           that
           esteem
           for
           Peace
           and
           Order
           ,
           that
           they
           will
           bear
           with
           anything
           tolerable
           for
           the
           sake
           of
           it
           .
           
           It
           is
           a
           very
           hard
           case
           with
           a
           Church
           when
           men
           shall
           set
           their
           Wits
           to
           strain
           every
           thing
           to
           the
           worst
           sense
           ,
           to
           stretch
           Laws
           beyond
           the
           intention
           and
           design
           of
           them
           ,
           to
           gather
           together
           all
           the
           doubtful
           and
           obscure
           passages
           in
           
             Calendars
             ,
             Translations
             ,
             &c.
          
           and
           will
           not
           distinguish
           between
           their
           approbation
           of
           the
           Use
           and
           of
           the
           Choice
           of
           things
           ,
           for
           upon
           such
           terms
           as
           these
           men
           think
           to
           justifie
           the
           present
           Divisions
           .
           I
           much
           question
           ,
           whether
           if
           they
           proceed
           in
           such
           a
           manner
           ,
           they
           can
           hold
           Communion
           with
           any
           Church
           in
           the
           
             Christian
             world
          
           .
           
           If
           men
           be
           disposed
           to
           find
           faults
           ,
           no
           Church
           can
           be
           pure
           enough
           ;
           for
           something
           will
           be
           amiss
           either
           in
           Doctrine
           ,
           or
           Discipline
           ,
           or
           Ceremonies
           ,
           or
           Manners
           ;
           but
           if
           they
           be
           disposed
           to
           Peace
           and
           Union
           ,
           then
           
             Charity
             will
             cover
             a
             multitude
             of
             failing
          
           ;
           and
           then
           according
           
           to
           S.
           
           Paul's
           
           advice
           ,
           
             with
             all
             lowliness
             and
             meekness
             ,
             with
             long-suffering
             ,
             forbearing
             one
             another
             in
             Love
             ,
             they
             will
             be
             endeavouring
             to
             preserve
             the
             Unity
             of
             the
             Spirit
             in
             the
             bond
             of
             Peace
             .
          
           And
           without
           the
           practice
           of
           the
           former
           Vertues
           ,
           no
           Metaphysical
           Discourses
           of
           Unity
           ,
           will
           signifie
           any
           thing
           to
           the
           
             Churches
             Peace
          
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           
             They
             would
             do
             well
             to
             consider
             ,
          
           How
           Separation
           of
           the
           People
           from
           our
           Churches
           comes
           to
           be
           more
           lawful
           now
           ,
           than
           in
           the
           days
           of
           our
           Fathers
           .
           
             It
             hath
             been
             often
             and
             evidently
             proved
             ,
             that
             the
             most
             sober
             and
             learned
          
           Non-conformists
           
             of
             former
             times
          
           ,
           notwithstanding
           their
           scruples
           in
           some
           points
           ,
           
           yet
           utterly
           condemned
           Separation
           from
           our
           Churches
           as
           unlawful
           .
           
             And
             they
             looked
             upon
             this
             ,
             not
             as
             a
             meer
             common
             sin
             of
             humane
             infirmity
             ,
             but
             as
             a
             wilful
             and
             dangerous
             sin
          
           ;
           in
           that
           it
           is
           so
           far
           from
           tending
           to
           the
           overthrow
           of
           Antichrist
           ,
           
           that
           it
           upholds
           and
           maintains
           him
           ;
           
             calling
             it
          
           a
           renting
           the
           Church
           ,
           the
           disgrace
           of
           Religion
           ,
           the
           advancement
           of
           Pride
           ,
           Schism
           and
           Contention
           ,
           the
           Offence
           of
           the
           Weak
           ,
           the
           grief
           of
           the
           Godly
           ,
           who
           be
           better
           settled
           ,
           the
           hardening
           of
           the
           Wicked
           ,
           and
           the
           recovery
           or
           rising
           again
           of
           Antichristianism
           ;
           nay
           ,
           even
           persecuting
           the
           Lord
           Iesus
           in
           his
           Hoast
           ,
           which
           they
           revile
           in
           his
           ordinances
           ,
           which
           they
           dishonour
           ;
           and
           in
           his
           Servants
           whose
           footsteps
           they
           slander
           ,
           whose
           Graces
           they
           despise
           ,
           whose
           Office
           they
           trample
           upon
           with
           disdain
           .
           
             These
             are
             the
             very
             words
             of
             one
             of
             the
             most
             learned
             and
             judicious
          
           Nonconformists
           
             before
             the
             Wars
             .
             And
             surely
             
             the
             mischiefs
             that
             followed
             after
             ,
             could
             not
             make
          
           Separation
           
             to
             appear
             less
             odious
             .
             Was
             it
             a
             sin
             ?
             was
             it
             such
             a
             sin
             then
             ?
             And
             is
             it
             none
             now
             ?
             Either
             our
          
           Brethren
           
             at
             this
             day
             ,
             do
             believe
             it
             to
             be
             a
          
           Sin
           
             for
             the
          
           People
           to
           separate
           ,
           
             or
             they
             do
             not
             :
             If
             not
             ,
             it
             must
             either
             be
             ,
             that
             there
             are
             new
             and
             harder
             terms
             of
             Communion
             ,
             which
             were
             not
             then
             ;
             which
             is
             so
             far
             from
             being
             true
             ,
             that
             they
             confess
             them
             to
             be
             rather
             easier
             for
             the
             People
             :
             or
             it
             must
             be
             ,
             that
             they
             are
             gone
             off
             from
             the
             peaceable
             principles
             of
             their
             Predecessors
             ,
             which
             they
             are
             unwilling
             to
             own
             .
             If
             they
             do
             believe
             it
             to
             be
             a
          
           Sin
           ,
           
             why
             do
             they
             suffer
             the
             People
             to
             live
             in
             a
             known
             Sin
             ?
             Why
             do
             they
             encourage
             them
          
           by
           Preaching
           in
           Separate
           Congregations
           ?
           
           
             For
             their
          
           Predecessor
           
             did
             not
             think
             it
          
           lawful
           
             much
             less
             a
          
           Duty
           ,
           
             to
             preach
             when
             forbidden
             by
             a
             Law
             :
          
           neither
           did
           they
           understand
           what
           warrant
           any
           ordinary
           Minister
           hath
           in
           such
           a
           case
           by
           Gods
           word
           ,
           
           so
           to
           draw
           any
           Church
           or
           People
           to
           his
           private
           Ministery
           in
           opposition
           to
           the
           Laws
           and
           Government
           he
           lived
           under
           .
           
             They
             understood
             the
             difference
          
           between
           the
           Apostles
           cases
           and
           theirs
           ;
           and
           never
           thought
           the
           Apostles
           Woe
           be
           unto
           me
           if
           I
           preach
           not
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           did
           extend
           to
           them
           ;
           but
           thought
           that
           silenced
           Ministers
           ought
           to
           live
           as
           private
           Members
           of
           the
           Church
           till
           they
           were
           restored
           ,
           and
           the
           People
           bound
           to
           learn.
           
             Of
             which
             there
             can
             be
             far
             less
             ground
             to
             dispute
             ,
             when
             themselves
             acknowledge
             
             the
          
           Doctrine
           
             by
             Law
             established
             to
             be
          
           true
           and
           found
           .
        
         
           4.
           
           Lastly
           ,
           Let
           me
           beseech
           them
           to
           consider
           
             the
             common
             danger
             that
             threatens
             us
             all
             by
             means
             of
             our
             Divisions
             .
          
           
           We
           have
           Adversaries
           subtile
           and
           Industrious
           enough
           to
           make
           use
           of
           all
           advantages
           to
           serve
           their
           own
           ends
           ;
           and
           there
           is
           scarce
           any
           other
           they
           promise
           themselves
           more
           from
           ,
           
           than
           the
           continuance
           of
           these
           breaches
           among
           our selves
           :
           This
           some
           of
           our
           Brethren
           themselves
           have
           been
           aware
           of
           ;
           and
           on
           that
           account
           have
           told
           the
           People
           of
           the
           danger
           of
           the
           
             Principles
             of
             Separation
          
           ,
           as
           to
           the
           interest
           of
           Religion
           in
           general
           ,
           and
           the
           
             Protestant
             Religion
          
           in
           particular
           among
           us
           .
        
         
           Certainly
           ,
           Nothing
           would
           tend
           more
           to
           our
           common
           security
           than
           for
           all
           true
           and
           sincere
           Protestants
           to
           lay
           aside
           their
           prejudices
           ,
           and
           mistakes
           ,
           and
           to
           joyn
           heartily
           in
           Communion
           with
           us
           :
           which
           many
           of
           their
           Teachers
           at
           this
           day
           allow
           to
           be
           lawful
           .
           And
           how
           can
           they
           satisfie
           themselves
           
           in
           hazarding
           our
           Religion
           by
           not
           doing
           that
           ,
           which
           themselves
           confess
           lawful
           to
           be
           done
           ?
        
         
           (
           2.
           )
           But
           if
           we
           are
           not
           yet
           ripe
           for
           so
           great
           a
           mercy
           as
           a
           perfect
           Union
           ,
           yet
           I
           would
           intreat
           our
           Brethren
           to
           make
           way
           for
           it
           by
           hearkning
           to
           these
           following
           Advices
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           
             Not
             to
             give
             encouragement
             to
             rash
             and
             intemperate
             zeal
          
           ;
           which
           rends
           all
           in
           pieces
           ,
           and
           makes
           reconciliation
           impossible
           .
           Those
           who
           see
           least
           into
           things
           ,
           are
           usually
           the
           fiercest
           condenders
           about
           them
           :
           and
           such
           eager
           Disputants
           are
           fitter
           to
           make
           quarrels
           than
           to
           end
           them
           ;
           for
           they
           can
           be
           contentious
           for
           Peace-sake
           ,
           and
           make
           new
           differences
           about
           the
           ways
           of
           Unity
           .
           Wisdom
           and
           Sobriety
           ,
           a
           good
           judgement
           ,
           a
           prudent
           temper
           ,
           and
           freedom
           from
           prejudice
           will
           tend
           more
           to
           end
           our
           differences
           ,
           than
           warm
           Debates
           ,
           and
           long
           Disputations
           ;
           which
           as
           
             Greg.
             Nazianzen
          
           said
           once
           of
           Councils
           ,
           
             seldom
             have
             had
             any
             good
             end
             .
          
           But
           there
           is
           a
           more
           fiery
           sort
           of
           zeal
           ,
           and
           more
           dangerous
           than
           this
           ;
           which
           may
           lie
           smothering
           for
           a
           time
           ,
           till
           it
           meets
           with
           suitable
           matter
           and
           a
           freer
           vent
           ,
           and
           then
           it
           breaks
           out
           into
           a
           dreadful
           flame
           .
           This
           we
           have
           already
           seen
           such
           dismal
           effects
           of
           in
           this
           age
           ,
           that
           we
           should
           think
           there
           were
           less
           need
           to
           give
           men
           caution
           against
           it
           again
           ,
           were
           it
           not
           to
           be
           feared
           ,
           that
           where
           Reason
           connot
           prevail
           ,
           Experience
           will
           not
           .
           All
           that
           we
           can
           say
           to
           such
           persons
           that
           may
           be
           like
           to
           move
           them
           ,
           is
           ,
           that
           if
           
           their
           
             blind
             zeal
          
           transport
           them
           ,
           as
           it
           did
           Sampson
           ,
           to
           pull
           down
           the
           House
           over
           their
           Heads
           ,
           they
           will
           be
           sure
           to
           perish
           themselves
           in
           the
           fall
           of
           it
           ;
           but
           here
           will
           lie
           the
           great
           difference
           of
           the
           case
           ,
           while
           they
           and
           their
           Friends
           perish
           together
           ,
           the
           Philistims
           without
           will
           rejoyce
           to
           make
           others
           the
           instruments
           to
           execute
           their
           designs
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           
             Not
             to
             be
             always
             complaining
             of
             their
             hardships
             and
             Persecutions
          
           ;
           as
           though
           no
           People
           had
           suffered
           so
           much
           since
           the
           days
           of
           Dioclesian
           ;
           whereas
           the
           severity
           of
           Laws
           hath
           been
           tempered
           with
           so
           much
           gentleness
           in
           the
           execution
           of
           them
           ,
           that
           others
           have
           as
           much
           complained
           of
           Indulgence
           ,
           as
           they
           of
           Persecution
           .
           It
           doth
           not
           look
           like
           the
           Patience
           ,
           and
           Humility
           ,
           and
           Meekness
           of
           the
           
             Primitive
             Christians
          
           ,
           to
           make
           such
           noise
           and
           outcries
           of
           their
           suffering
           so
           much
           ,
           when
           they
           would
           have
           been
           rather
           thankful
           that
           they
           suffered
           no
           more
           .
           Is
           this
           the
           
             way
             to
             Peace
          
           ,
           to
           represent
           their
           case
           still
           to
           the
           world
           in
           an
           exasperating
           and
           provoking
           manner
           ?
           Is
           this
           the
           way
           to
           incline
           their
           Governours
           to
           more
           condescension
           ,
           to
           represent
           them
           to
           the
           People
           as
           an
           
             Ithacian
             persecuting
             Party
          
           ?
           Where
           are
           the
           Priscillians
           that
           have
           been
           put
           to
           death
           by
           their
           instigation
           ?
           What
           do
           such
           insinuations
           mean
           ,
           but
           that
           our
           Bishops
           are
           the
           followers
           of
           Ithacius
           and
           Idacius
           in
           their
           cruelty
           ;
           and
           they
           of
           the
           good
           and
           meek
           Bishop
           S.
           Martin
           ,
           who
           refused
           Communion
           with
           them
           on
           that
           account
           ?
           If
           men
           
           do
           entertain
           such
           kind
           thoughts
           of
           themselves
           ,
           and
           such
           hard
           thoughts
           of
           their
           Superiors
           ,
           whatever
           they
           
             plead
             for
          
           ,
           they
           have
           no
           inclination
           to
           Peace
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           
             Not
             to
             condemn
             others
             for
             that
             which
             themselves
             have
             practised
             ,
             and
             think
             to
             be
             lawful
             in
             their
             own
             cases
             .
          
           What
           outcries
           have
           some
           made
           against
           the
           
             Church
             of
             England
          
           ,
           as
           Cruel
           and
           Tyrannical
           ,
           for
           expecting
           and
           requiring
           Uniformity
           ?
           And
           yet
           do
           not
           such
           men
           ,
           even
           at
           this
           day
           ,
           contend
           for
           the
           Obligation
           of
           a
           Covenant
           ,
           which
           binds
           men
           
             to
             endeavour
             after
             uniformity
             in
             Doctrine
             ,
             Discipline
             and
             Worship
             ?
          
           
           But
           they
           want
           the
           ingenuity
           of
           Adonibezek
           ,
           to
           reflect
           on
           
             the
             Thumbs
             and
             the
             Toes
             ,
             which
             they
             have
             cut
             off
             from
             others
          
           ;
           and
           think
           themselves
           bound
           to
           do
           it
           again
           ,
           if
           it
           were
           in
           their
           power
           .
           Who
           could
           have
           been
           thought
           more
           moderate
           in
           this
           way
           ,
           than
           those
           who
           went
           upon
           the
           principles
           of
           the
           
             dissenting
             Brethren
          
           ?
           And
           yet
           we
           are
           assured
           ,
           that
           even
           in
           
             New
             England
          
           ,
           
           when
           their
           own
           Church-way
           was
           by
           Law
           established
           among
           them
           ,
           they
           made
           it
           no
           less
           than
           Banishment
           for
           the
           
             Anabaptists
             to
             set
             up
             other
             Churches
             among
             them
             ,
             or
             for
             any
             secretly
             to
             seduce
             others
             from
             the
             Approbation
             and
             use
             of
             Infant-baptism
             .
          
           And
           how
           they
           have
           since
           proceeded
           with
           the
           Quakers
           ,
           is
           very
           well
           known
           .
           Nay
           ,
           even
           these
           ,
           notwithstanding
           the
           single
           Independency
           of
           every
           mans
           
             light
             within
             him
          
           ,
           have
           found
           it
           necessary
           to
           make
           Rules
           and
           Orders
           among
           themselves
           
           to
           govern
           their
           Societies
           ,
           to
           which
           they
           expect
           an
           
             uniform
             Obedience
          
           ;
           and
           allow
           
             no
             Liberty
             out
             of
             the
             Power
             and
             the
             Truth
          
           ;
           
           as
           they
           love
           to
           speak
           .
           From
           all
           which
           it
           appears
           ,
           the
           true
           Controversie
           is
           not
           about
           the
           Reasonableness
           of
           Uniformity
           ;
           but
           who
           shall
           have
           the
           Power
           of
           prescribing
           the
           Rules
           of
           it
           .
           Is
           it
           not
           now
           a
           very
           hard
           case
           ,
           that
           the
           
             Church
             of
             England
          
           must
           be
           loaded
           with
           bitter
           reproaches
           ,
           and
           exposed
           to
           the
           common
           hatred
           of
           all
           Parties
           for
           the
           sake
           of
           that
           ,
           which
           every
           one
           of
           them
           would
           practise
           if
           it
           were
           in
           their
           Power
           ;
           and
           think
           it
           very
           justifiable
           so
           to
           do
           ?
        
         
           4.
           
           
             Not
             to
             inflame
             the
             Peoples
             heats
             ,
             by
             making
             their
             differences
             with
             the
          
           Church
           of
           England
           
             to
             appear
             to
             be
             greater
             than
             they
             are
             .
          
           Let
           them
           deal
           honestly
           and
           faithfully
           with
           them
           ,
           by
           letting
           them
           understand
           that
           they
           look
           on
           
             our
             Churches
             as
             true
             Churches
             ,
             and
             occasional
             Communion
          
           at
           least
           with
           them
           to
           be
           lawful
           :
           (
           and
           it
           is
           hard
           to
           understand
           ,
           if
           
             occasional
             Communion
          
           be
           lawful
           ,
           that
           
             constant
             Communion
          
           should
           not
           be
           a
           
             Duty
             .
          
           )
           This
           were
           the
           way
           to
           abate
           mens
           great
           prejudices
           ,
           and
           to
           soften
           their
           Spirits
           ,
           and
           to
           prepare
           them
           for
           a
           closer
           Union
           .
           But
           if
           instead
           of
           this
           ,
           they
           endeavour
           to
           darken
           and
           confound
           things
           ,
           and
           cast
           mists
           before
           their
           eyes
           ,
           that
           they
           cannot
           see
           their
           way
           clear
           before
           them
           ;
           all
           understanding
           men
           will
           conclude
           ,
           they
           prefer
           some
           little
           interests
           of
           their
           own
           ,
           before
           the
           honour
           of
           Christ
           and
           the
           Peace
           of
           his
           Church
           .
        
         
         
           5.
           
           
             Not
             to
             harb●●
             or
             foment
             unreasonable
             jealousies
             and
             suspicions
             in
             Peoples
             minds
             concerning
             us
             .
          
           This
           hath
           been
           one
           of
           the
           most
           successful
           arts
           of
           keeping
           up
           the
           distance
           and
           prejudices
           that
           have
           been
           so
           great
           among
           us
           ,
           viz.
           by
           private
           whispers
           ,
           by
           false
           suggestions
           ,
           by
           idle
           stories
           ,
           by
           unreasonable
           interpretation
           of
           words
           beyond
           the
           intention
           and
           design
           of
           those
           who
           spake
           them
           .
           By
           such
           devices
           as
           these
           ,
           great
           mischief
           hath
           been
           done
           among
           us
           ,
           and
           I
           am
           much
           afraid
           ,
           is
           doing
           still
           .
           For
           nothing
           sets
           men
           at
           a
           greater
           distance
           from
           our
           Church
           ,
           than
           the
           apprehending
           that
           we
           are
           not
           hearty
           and
           sincere
           in
           the
           
             Protestant
             Cause
          
           :
           which
           although
           it
           be
           a
           most
           groundless
           and
           malicious
           calumny
           ,
           yet
           there
           have
           been
           some
           ,
           who
           have
           had
           so
           little
           regard
           to
           Conscience
           ,
           or
           
             common
             ingenuity
          
           ,
           as
           not
           only
           to
           charge
           particular
           Persons
           ,
           but
           our
           Church
           it self
           with
           
             Marching
             towards
             Popery
          
           .
           What
           injustice
           ,
           what
           uncharitableness
           ,
           what
           impudence
           is
           it
           ,
           to
           fasten
           such
           an
           imputation
           upon
           a
           Church
           that
           hath
           hitherto
           continued
           (
           and
           long
           may
           it
           do
           so
           )
           the
           chief
           Bulwark
           of
           the
           
             Protestant
             Cause
          
           ?
           Little
           do
           such
           persons
           consider
           ,
           how
           much
           they
           serve
           the
           design
           of
           our
           enemies
           ,
           who
           cannot
           but
           be
           mightily
           pleased
           to
           find
           their
           most
           
             formidable
             adversaries
          
           represented
           to
           the
           People
           as
           their
           
             Secret
             Friends
          
           .
        
         
           6.
           
           
             Not
             to
             run
             the
             hazard
             of
             all
             for
             a
             shew
             of
             greater
             Liberty
             to
             themselves
             .
          
           For
           under
           this
           pretence
           our
           Adversaries
           endeavour
           to
           make
           them
           their
           Instruments
           
           to
           bring
           upon
           our
           Necks
           〈◊〉
           
             Yoke
             which
             neither
             we
             nor
             our
             Fathers
             were
             able
             to
             bear
             .
          
           An
           
             universal
             Toleration
          
           is
           that
           
             Trojan
             Horse
          
           ,
           which
           brings
           in
           our
           enemies
           without
           being
           seen
           ,
           and
           which
           after
           a
           long
           Siege
           they
           hope
           to
           bring
           in
           at
           last
           under
           the
           pretence
           of
           setting
           our
           Gates
           wide
           enough
           open
           ,
           to
           let
           in
           all
           our
           friends
           .
        
         
           And
           then
           think
           with
           your selves
           what
           advantages
           they
           will
           have
           above
           others
           ;
           considering
           some
           mens
           coldness
           and
           indifferency
           in
           Religion
           ;
           others
           uncertainty
           and
           running
           from
           one
           extreme
           to
           another
           ;
           others
           easiness
           in
           being
           drawn
           away
           by
           the
           hopes
           and
           fears
           of
           this
           world
           ;
           which
           have
           a
           wonderful
           influence
           upon
           changing
           mens
           opinions
           ,
           even
           when
           they
           do
           not
           think
           it
           themselves
           .
           So
           that
           those
           seem
           very
           little
           to
           understand
           mankind
           ,
           who
           do
           not
           apprehend
           the
           dangerous
           consequences
           of
           a
           
             general
             Toleration
          
           .
        
         
           Those
           who
           pretend
           there
           is
           no
           danger
           ,
           
             because
             by
             this
             means
             the
             Folly
             of
             their
             Religion
             will
             be
             exposed
             ,
          
           do
           not
           consider
           what
           a
           catching
           disease
           folly
           is
           ;
           and
           how
           natural
           it
           is
           for
           men
           that
           are
           fanciful
           in
           Religion
           to
           exchange
           one
           folly
           for
           another
           .
           If
           all
           men
           were
           wise
           and
           sober
           in
           Religion
           ,
           there
           would
           need
           no
           Toleration
           ;
           if
           they
           are
           not
           ,
           we
           must
           suppose
           ,
           if
           they
           had
           what
           they
           wished
           ,
           they
           would
           do
           as
           might
           be
           expected
           from
           men
           wanting
           Wisdom
           and
           Sobriety
           ,
           
             i.
             e.
          
           All
           the
           several
           Parties
           would
           be
           striving
           and
           contending
           with
           
           each
           other
           ,
           which
           should
           be
           uppermost
           ,
           and
           gain
           the
           greatest
           interest
           .
        
         
           And
           what
           would
           the
           fruit
           of
           all
           such
           contentions
           be
           ,
           but
           endless
           disputes
           ,
           and
           exposing
           the
           follies
           of
           one
           another
           ,
           
           till
           at
           last
           Religion
           it self
           be
           sunk
           into
           the
           greatest
           contempt
           ;
           or
           men
           ,
           through
           meer
           weariness
           of
           contending
           ,
           be
           willing
           even
           to
           submit
           to
           
             Papal
             Tyranny
          
           ,
           because
           it
           pretends
           to
           some
           kind
           of
           Unity
           ?
        
         
           So
           that
           ,
           upon
           the
           whole
           matter
           ,
           if
           we
           would
           consult
           the
           Honour
           of
           God
           and
           Religion
           ,
           the
           Peace
           and
           Tranquillity
           of
           the
           Church
           we
           live
           in
           ;
           if
           we
           would
           prevent
           the
           great
           Designs
           of
           our
           enemies
           ,
           and
           leave
           the
           
             Protestant
             Religion
          
           here
           established
           to
           Posterity
           ,
           we
           ought
           to
           follow
           the
           
             Apostles
             Advice
             ,
             in
             walking
             by
             the
             same
             Rule
             ,
             and
             in
             minding
             the
             same
             things
             .
          
        
         
           The
           End.
           
        
      
    
     
       
         
         
           Published
           by
           the
           same
           Author
           ,
        
         
           SEveral
           Conferences
           between
           a
           
             Romish
             Priest
          
           ,
           a
           
             Fanatick
             Chaplain
          
           ,
           and
           a
           
             Divine
             of
             the
             Church
             of
             England
             ,
          
           concerning
           the
           Idolatry
           of
           the
           Church
           of
           Rome
           :
           Being
           a
           full
           Answer
           to
           the
           late
           Dialogues
           of
           
             T.
             G.
          
           
        
      
       
         Notes, typically marginal, from the original text
         
           Notes for div A61568-e860
           
             Judges
             5.
             15
             ,
             16.
             
          
           
             Rom.
             14.
             19.
             
          
           
             Rom.
             3.
             15
             ,
             16
             ,
             17.
             
          
           
             1
             Tim.
             2.
             8.
             
          
           
             Act.
             15.
             
             2●
             ▪
             
          
           
             Gal.
             2.
             12
             ▪
             13
             ▪
             
          
           
             ●om
             .
             16.
             17.
             
          
           
             ●hil
             .
             1.
             27
             ,
             28.
             
          
           
             ●hil
             .
             2.
             1
             ,
             2.
             
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             ,
             Iliad
             .
             3.
             
          
           
             1
             Cor.
             11.
             34.
             
          
           
             1
             Cor.
             7.
             17.
             
          
           
             Act.
             15.
             28
             
          
           
             Rom.
             14.
             
             ●
             ,
             6
             ,
             10.
             
          
           
             Rob.
             Coenalis
             Hist.
             Gallic
             .
             l.
             2.
             p.
             126.
             
          
           
             Iul.
             Pollux
             .
             Onomast
             .
             l.
             8.
             c.
             9.
             
             Schol.
             in
             Arist
             .
             Acharn
             .
             Act.
             1.
             s.
             1.
             
          
           
             Sacrilegious
             desertion
             ,
             p.
             35.
             
          
           
             Separation
             yet
             no
             Schism
             ,
             p.
             59.
             
          
           
             Peace-offering
             in
             the
             name
             of
             the
             Congregational
             party
             ,
             
               A.
               D.
               1667.
               p.
            
             10
             ,
             11.
             
          
           
             Baxters
             Defence
             of
             his
             Cure
             ,
             p.
             64.
             
          
           
             Separation
             yet
             no
             Schism
             ,
             p.
             60.
             
          
           
             *
             Discourse
             concerning
             Evangelical
             Love
             ,
             Church-Peace
             and
             Unity
             ,
             1672.
             p.
             84
             ,
             85
             ,
             86.
             
          
           
             See
             Corbet
             of
             Schism
             ,
             p.
             41.
             
          
           
             Baxters
             Defence
             of
             his
             Cure
             ,
             p.
             38.
             
          
           
             ●●●a
             for
             ●●ace
             ,
             
               p.
               〈◊〉
            
             .
          
           
             Discourse
             concerning-Evangelical
             Love
             ,
             Church-Peace
             and
             Unity
             ,
             p.
             68.
             
          
           
             Baxters
             true
             and
             only
             way
             of
             Concord
             ,
             
               A.
               D.
               1680.
               p.
            
             111.
             
          
           
             Evangelical
             Love
             ,
             &c.
             p.
             49.
             52.
             
          
           
             p.
             54.
             
          
           
             p.
             59.
             
          
           
             Rom.
             16.
             3.
             5.
             
          
           
             Colos.
             4.
             15
             
             Philem.
             v.
             2.
             
          
           
             Clem.
             Ep.
             ad
             Corinth
             ,
             p.
             55.
             
          
           
             Vnicuique
             civitati
             erat
             attri●uta
             certa
             regio
             ,
             quae
             Presby●eros
             inde
             sumeret
             ,
             &
             velut
             corpori
             Ecclesiae
             illius
             accense●etur
             ,
             
               Calvin
               .
               Instit.
               l.
               4.
               c.
               4.
               
               ●
               .
            
             2.
             
          
           
             Petav.
             not
             .
             in
             Epiphan
             .
             haer
             .
             69.
             n.
             1.
             
          
           
             Canon
             .
             Nicaen
             .
             6.
             15
             ,
             16.
             
          
           
             Constan.
             c.
             6.
             
          
           
             Chalced.
             17.
             20
             ,
             26.
             
          
           
             Antioc
             .
             c.
             2.
             
          
           
             Codex
             Eccl.
             
          
           
             Afric
             .
             c.
             53.
             c.
             55.
             
          
           
             Concil
             .
          
           
             Gangr
             .
             c.
             6.
             
          
           
             Concil
             .
             Const.
             c.
             6.
             
          
           
             Concil
             .
             Carthag
             .
             c.
             10
             ,
             11.
             
          
           
             Cyprian
             .
             Ep.
             40
             ,
             42.
             
          
           
             Theod.
             Eccl.
             hist.
             l.
             1.
             c.
             22.
             l.
             2.
             c.
             24.
             c.
             17.
             
          
           
             Vincent
             .
             c.
             16.
             
          
           
             Baron
             .
             A.
             D.
             404.
             n.
             41.
             412.
             n.
             47.
             
          
           
             Joh.
             13.
             14.
             
          
           
             Mat.
             12.
             7.
             
          
           
             Rom.
             14.
             19.
             
          
           
             1
             Thess.
             4.
             11.
             
          
           
             Phil.
             3.
             15.
             2.
             3.
             
          
           
             Eph.
             4.
             2
             ,
             3.
             
          
           
             Heb.
             13.
             17.
             
          
           
             True
             way
             of
             Concord
             ,
             part
             3.
             ch
             .
             1.
             
             Sect.
             40.
             
          
           
             Papers
             for
             Accommodation
             ,
             printed
             1648.
             
               p.
               16.
               p.
            
             20
             ,
             21.
             
          
           
             P.
             22.
             
          
           
             P.
             25.
             
          
           
             P.
             28
             ,
             29
             ,
             30.
             
          
           
             P.
             47.
             
          
           
             P.
             55.
             
          
           
             P.
             56.
             
          
           
             P.
             71.
             
          
           
             Gal.
             1.
             10.
             
          
           
             Papers
             for
             Accommodation
             ,
             p.
             51.
             
             V.
             p.
             61.
             
          
           
             p.
             66.
             
          
           
             p.
             68.
             
          
           
             p.
             73.
             
          
           
             p.
             68.
             
          
           
             p.
             73.
             
          
           
             p.
             111.
             
          
           
             p.
             113
             ,
             114.
             
          
           
             p.
             115.
             
          
           
             ibid.
             
          
           
             p.
             116.
             
          
           
             p.
             117.
             
          
           
             Act.
             26.
             9.
             
          
           
             1
             Tim.
             1.
             13
             ,
             15.
             
          
           
             S.
             Joh.
             16.
             2.
             
          
           
             ●nsw
             .
             to
             2
             Questions
             .
             6
             ,
             9.
             
          
           
             They
             that
             are
             ruled
             must
             consider
             ,
             that
             the
             best
             Policy
             or
             Constitution
             ,
             so
             far
             as
             it
             is
             of
             mans
             regul●ting
             ,
             hath
             defects
             and
             inconveniences
             ,
             and
             affairs
             will
             be
             complicated
             ;
             an●
             therefore
             they
             must
             not
             be
             too
             unyielding
             ,
             but
             bear
             with
             what
             is
             tolerable
             ,
             a●●
             not
             easily
             remediable
             .
             Corbett
             
               of
               the
               sound
               State
               of
               Religion
               ,
            
             p.
             75.
             1679.
             
          
           
             Ball
             against
             Can.
             p.
             13.
             
          
           
             A
             discourse
             of
             the
             Religion
             of
             England
             in
             its
             due
             Latitude
             .
             Sect.
             19.
             
          
           
             Such
             is
             the
             complicated
             condition
             of
             humane
             affairs
             ,
             that
             it
             is
             exceeding
             difficult
             to
             devise
             a
             Rule
             or
             Model
             that
             shall
             provide
             for
             all
             whom
             Equity
             will
             plead
             for
             .
             Therefore
             the
             prudent
             and
             sober
             will
             acquiesce
             in
             any
             constitution
             that
             is
             in
             some
             good
             sort
             proportionable
             to
             the
             ends
             of
             Government
             .
             
               A
               Discourse
               of
               the
               Religion
               of
            
             England
             ,
             
               &c.
               Sect.
            
             14.
             
             Printed
             1667.
             
          
           
             See
             Baxters
             Cure
             of
             Divisions
             .
             p.
             264.
             
          
           
             Eph.
             4.
             2
             ,
             3.
             
          
           
             Papers
             of
             Accommodation
             .
             p.
             52.
             
          
           
             Ball
             against
             Can.
             Pref.
             p.
             2.
             
          
           
             Bradshaw
             against
             Iohnson
             .
             S.
             40.
             91.
             
          
           
             Gouges
             
               whole
               Armour
            
             of
             God.
             p.
             570.
             
          
           
             Nothing
             that
             I
             know
             of
             in
             the
             world
             ,
             doth
             so
             strongly
             tempt
             some
             sober
             conscientious
             men
             to
             think
             Popery
             necessary
             for
             the
             Concord
             of
             Churches
             ,
             and
             a
             violent
             Church
             Government
             necessary
             to
             our
             Peace
             ,
             as
             the
             woful
             experience
             of
             the
             Errors
             and
             Schisms
             ,
             the
             mad
             and
             manifold
             Sects
             that
             arise
             among
             those
             that
             are
             most
             against
             them
             .
             Baxters
             
               last
               Answ.
               to
            
             Bagshaw
             .
             p.
             30.
             
          
           
             You
             little
             know
             what
             a
             pernicious
             design
             the
             Devil
             hath
             upon
             you
             ,
             in
             perswading
             you
             to
             desire
             and
             endeavour
             to
             pull
             down
             the
             interest
             of
             Christ
             and
             Religion
             ,
             which
             is
             upheld
             in
             the
             Parish-Churches
             of
             this
             Land
             :
             and
             to
             think
             that
             it
             is
             best
             to
             bring
             them
             as
             low
             in
             reality
             ,
             or
             reputation
             as
             you
             can
             ,
             and
             to
             contract
             the
             Religious
             interest
             all
             into
             private
             meetings
             .
             
               Id.
               p.
               31.
               n.
            
             25.
             
          
           
             Judg.
             1.
             7
             
          
           
             See
             Clarks
             Narrative
             of
             New-Englands
             Persecution
             ,
             
               A.
               D.
            
             1651.
             
          
           
             See
             Spirit
             of
             the
             Hat.
             ●
             .
             12
             ,
             &c.
             
          
           
             And
             verily
             you
             will
             keep
             up
             the
             Papists
             hope
             ,
             that
             by
             an
             Universal
             Toleration
             ,
             they
             may
             at
             last
             come
             in
             on
             equal
             Terms
             with
             you
             ,
             or
             by
             connivence
             ,
             be
             endured
             as
             much
             as
             you
             .
             And
             if
             they
             be
             equal
             in
             England
             with
             you
             ,
             their
             transmarine
             advantages
             will
             make
             them
             more
             than
             equal
             ,
             notwithstanding
             their
             disadvantages
             in
             their
             cause
             ,
             and
             their
             contrariety
             to
             Kingly
             interest
             .
             Baxters
             
               last
               Answ.
               to
            
             Bagshaw
             .
             p.
             31.