A discourse concerning the unity of the Catholick Church maintained in the Church of England
         Cave, William, 1637-1713.
      
       
         
           1684
        
      
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             A discourse concerning the unity of the Catholick Church maintained in the Church of England
             Cave, William, 1637-1713.
             Thorp, George, 1637 or 8-1719.
          
           [6], 57 p.
           
             Printed for B. Tooke ..., and F. Gardner ...,
             London :
             1684.
          
           
             Includes bibliographical references.
             "Variously attributed to W. Cave and to George Thorp".--Brit. Mus. Cat.
             Reproduction of original in Huntington Library.
          
        
      
    
     
       
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           Catholic Church -- Controversial literature.
        
      
    
     
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           A
           DISCOURSE
           Concerning
           the
           UNITY
           OF
           THE
           CATHOLICK
           CHURCH
           Maintained
           in
           the
           Church
           of
           
             ENGLAND
             .
          
        
         
           
             LONDON
             ,
          
           Printed
           for
           
             B.
             Tooke
          
           at
           the
           
             Ship
          
           in
           St.
           
             Paul's
          
           Church-Yard
           ,
           and
           
             F.
             Gardner
          
           at
           the
           
             White-Horse
          
           in
           
             Ludgate
          
           street
           .
           1684.
           
        
      
       
         
         
         
           THE
           CONTENTS
           .
        
         
           
             THe
             divisions
             of
             Christendom
             are
             much
             to
             be
             lamented
             ;
             the
             effects
             of
             them
             being
             exceeding
             evil
             
               Page
            
             1.
             
          
           
             Christ
             made
             all
             needful
             provisions
             against
             such
             Dissentions
             amongst
             Christians
             
               p.
            
             2.
             
          
           
             To
             this
             end
             he
             established
             a
             Spiritual
             Society
             or
             Church
             on
             Earth
             
               p.
            
             3.
             
          
           
             This
             Church
             ,
             with
             the
             Unity
             of
             it
             ,
             the
             Romish-Church
             appropriateth
             to
             it self
             
               p.
            
             3.
             
          
           
             This
             Controversie
             betwixt
             that
             Church
             and
             Ours
             may
             be
             stated
             and
             decided
             by
             the
             consideration
             of
             the
             following
             Heads
             of
             discourse
             .
          
           
             
               I.
            
             There
             are
             certain
             Principles
             in
             which
             the
             Romanists
             and
             we
             agree
             ,
             
               p.
            
             4.
             
             As
             1.
             
             Christ
             always
             bad
             ,
             and
             always
             will
             have
             a
             Church
             on
             Earth
             ,
             'till
             the
             world
             ends
             ;
             
               p.
            
             4.
             2.
             
             This
             Church
             is
             a
             distinct
             Society
             in
             it self
             ,
             
               p.
            
             4.
             3.
             
             This
             Church
             must
             be
             visible
             ,
             
               p.
            
             5.
             4.
             
             Within
             the
             bounds
             of
             this
             Church
             we
             have
             the
             only
             hope
             of
             safety
             here
             aud
             hereafter
             ,
             whilst
             our
             hope
             is
             grounded
             on
             Gods
             
             ordinary
             Evangelical
             Methods
             ,
             
               p.
            
             5.
             5.
             
             This
             Church
             is
             but
             one
             ,
             
               p.
            
             6.
             
          
           
             
               II.
            
             In
             this
             one
             Christian
             Church
             there
             are
             certain
             bands
             of
             Catholick-Unity
             :
             As
             1.
             
             Unity
             iu
             Belief
             and
             Profession
             ,
             
               p.
            
             6.
             2.
             
             In
             Charity
             ,
             
               p.
            
             7.
             3.
             
             In
             Worship
             ,
             
               p.
            
             7.
             4.
             
             In
             Discipline
             ,
             
               p.
            
             8.
             5.
             
             In
             Set-forms
             (
             in
             some
             sort
             )
             of
             Publick
             Worship
             ,
             
               p.
            
             10.
             
          
           
             
               III
               ,
            
             The
             Romanists
             have
             unjustly
             made
             ,
             
               Subjection
            
             to
             the
             
               See
            
             of
             
               Rome
               ,
            
             and
             to
             the
             pretended
             Vicar
             of
             Christ
             in
             it
             ,
             the
             Pope
             ,
             as
             the
             Universal
             Head
             and
             Monarch
             of
             the
             Christian
             Church
             ,
             the
             Principal
             Band
             of
             Catholick-Unity
             ,
             
               p.
            
             11
             ,
             12.
             
          
           
             For
             first
             ,
             for
             this
             Papal-Power
             there
             is
             no
             Evidence
             in
             Scripture
             ,
             but
             there
             are
             strong
             intimations
             of
             the
             contrary
             ,
             
               p.
            
             12.
             
          
           
             Secondly
             ,
             There
             is
             silence
             ,
             concerning
             it
             ,
             amongst
             the
             most
             antient
             and
             best
             Fathers
             of
             the
             Church
             
               p.
            
             13.
             
          
           
             Thirdly
             ,
             History
             shews
             us
             by
             what
             evil
             steps
             the
             Romish
             Church
             arrived
             at
             this
             greatness
             :
             As
             1.
             by
             usurpation
             on
             the
             Rights
             of
             other
             Churches
             ,
             
               p.
            
             13.
             2.
             
             By
             weakening
             the
             Power
             of
             Temporal
             Princes
             ,
             
               p.
            
             16.
             3.
             
             By
             abusing
             their
             ill-gotten
             Power
             iu
             making
             it
             instrumental
             to
             the
             introducing
             ,
             and
             promoting
             of
             certain
             strange
             and
             erroneous
             Doctrines
             ,
             
               p.
            
             17.
             
          
           
             
             
               IV.
            
             There
             was
             a
             necessity
             of
             a
             
               Reformation
            
             in
             the
             Romish-Church
             ;
             and
             our
             Church
             was
             reformed
             regularly
             ,
             and
             with
             maintenance
             of
             the
             bounds
             of
             Catholick-Unity
             ,
             
               p.
            
             19.
             
             For
             1.
             our
             Reformation
             was
             managed
             with
             the
             concurrence
             and
             encouragement
             of
             the
             Supreme
             Power
             ,
             
               p.
            
             19.
             2.
             
             With
             the
             Advice
             and
             deliberation
             of
             the
             Clergy
             Assembled
             in
             Convocation
             ,
             
               p.
            
             20.
             3.
             
             With
             just
             respect
             to
             the
             Antient
             Christian
             Church
             ,
             
               p.
            
             21.
             
             Both
             as
             to
             1.
             
             Doctrine
             ,
             
               p.
            
             21.
             2.
             
             Government
             ,
             
               p.
            
             22.
             3.
             
             Worship
             ,
             
               p.
            
             23.
             4.
             
             Rites
             ,
             
               p.
            
             25.
             
             In
             such
             sort
             that
             Our
             Reformed
             Church
             is
             a
             sound
             part
             of
             the
             Catholick
             Church
             ,
             
               p.
            
             27.
             
          
           
             
               V.
            
             The
             Objectiens
             of
             the
             Romanists
             against
             our
             Church
             and
             the
             Reformation
             of
             it
             ,
             are
             not
             valid
             .
          
           
             
               Object
               .
            
             1.
             
             Concerning
             our
             rejecting
             Doctrines
             of
             the
             Church
             determined
             by
             Councils
             .
             
               Answered
               ,
               p.
               31
               ,
               &c.
               
            
          
           
             
               Object
               .
            
             2.
             
             Concerning
             Reformation
             by
             means
             of
             a
             general
             Council
             .
             
               Answered
               ,
               p.
            
             35.
             
          
           
             
               Object
               .
            
             3.
             
             Concerning
             the
             personal
             miscarriages
             of
             some
             engaged
             in
             the
             Reformation
             .
             
               Answered
               ,
               p.
            
             39.
             
          
           
             
               Object
               .
            
             4.
             
             Concerning
             our
             want
             of
             due
             Discipline
             .
             
               Answered
               ,
               p.
            
             39.
             
          
           
             
             
               Object
               .
            
             5.
             
             Concerning
             the
             Heresies
             and
             Schisms
             which
             have
             sprung
             up
             since
             the
             Reformation
             ,
             and
             ,
             as
             they
             pretend
             ,
             out
             of
             it
             ,
             
               p.
               43.
               
               Answered
               ,
               p.
            
             44.
             
          
           
             
               VI.
            
             From
             the
             Premisses
             a
             Conclusion
             is
             drawn
             ,
             shewing
             the
             Obligation
             which
             the
             People
             of
             
               England
            
             are
             under
             to
             embrace
             and
             continue
             in
             the
             Communion
             of
             our
             Church
             ,
             
               p.
               49
               ,
               &c.
               
            
          
        
      
    
     
       
         
         
           THE
           UNITY
           OF
           THE
           CATHOLICK
           CHURCH
           Maintained
           in
           the
           Church
           of
           ENGLAND
           .
        
         
           WHosoever
           with
           an
           impartial
           eye
           ,
           and
           a
           truly
           religious
           concern
           for
           the
           Honour
           of
           God
           ,
           the
           Credit
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           and
           the
           Salvation
           of
           men
           ,
           looks
           into
           the
           estate
           of
           Christendom
           ;
           he
           will
           scarce
           find
           any
           greater
           cause
           of
           sorrowful
           Reflections
           than
           from
           the
           many
           Divisions
           ,
           and
           Animosities
           ,
           which
           have
           distracted
           ,
           and
           separated
           its
           parts
           .
        
         
           These
           have
           opened
           the
           mouths
           ,
           and
           whet
           the
           tongues
           of
           profest
           enemies
           to
           reviling
           Invectives
           and
           profane
           Scoffs
           against
           our
           Blessed
           Lord
           himself
           ,
           and
           his
           holy
           Religion
           ,
           and
           stifled
           the
           first
           thoughts
           of
           admitting
           the
           most
           convincing
           Truths
           to
           a
           debate
           among
           Jews
           ,
           Turks
           ,
           or
           Pagans
           ,
           and
           stopt
           their
           ears
           against
           the
           wisest
           Charms
           .
        
         
           To
           no
           one
           cause
           can
           we
           more
           reasonably
           impute
           the
           small
           progress
           which
           Christianity
           hath
           made
           in
           the
           World
           for
           a
           thousand
           years
           past
           .
           The
           same
           contests
           have
           as
           pernicious
           influence
           at
           home
           upon
           the
           
           Faith
           or
           manners
           of
           those
           within
           the
           Pale
           of
           the
           Church
           .
        
         
           Men
           are
           hereby
           too
           soon
           tempted
           into
           some
           degrees
           of
           Scepticism
           about
           very
           material
           Points
           of
           Christian
           Doctrine
           ,
           in
           which
           they
           observe
           so
           many
           to
           differ
           among
           themselves
           .
           Others
           are
           the
           more
           easily
           seduced
           to
           seek
           and
           make
           much
           of
           all
           Arguments
           ,
           whereby
           to
           bafle
           or
           weaken
           the
           clearest
           evidences
           for
           their
           conviction
           :
           and
           they
           seldom
           continue
           long
           in
           the
           same
           persuasion
           with
           those
           ,
           with
           whom
           they
           will
           not
           maintain
           the
           same
           Communion
           .
           Thus
           Schisms
           have
           generally
           ended
           in
           Heresies
           .
        
         
           As
           mischievous
           are
           the
           effects
           of
           these
           Distractions
           upon
           the
           manners
           of
           Christians
           .
           There
           are
           many
           vitious
           ,
           and
           disorderly
           passions
           ;
           such
           as
           Anger
           ,
           Wrath
           ,
           Hatred
           ,
           Revenge
           ,
           Pride
           ,
           Censoriousness
           ,
           
             &c.
          
           which
           take
           Sanctuary
           therein
           ,
           and
           under
           that
           shelter
           put
           in
           their
           claim
           for
           the
           height
           of
           Christian
           Graces
           ,
           and
           the
           most
           holy
           zeal
           for
           God
           and
           his
           Cause
           .
           Every
           where
           they
           break
           ,
           or
           loosen
           the
           Discipline
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           which
           should
           guard
           its
           children
           from
           doing
           amiss
           ,
           or
           restore
           them
           after
           it
           ,
           when
           the
           last
           and
           most
           capital
           punishment
           of
           being
           thrust
           out
           of
           its
           Communion
           is
           like
           to
           be
           little
           dreaded
           ,
           where
           many
           voluntarily
           desert
           it
           with
           the
           highest
           pretences
           of
           better
           advantage
           elsewhere
           .
        
         
           Now
           though
           this
           matter
           of
           fact
           ,
           confirmed
           by
           woful
           experience
           ,
           be
           a
           subject
           too
           sad
           for
           a
           long
           meditation
           ,
           or
           passionate
           enlargement
           ,
           yet
           is
           it
           no
           more
           than
           what
           might
           have
           been
           foreseen
           ,
           without
           a
           Spirit
           of
           Prophesie
           ,
           to
           follow
           from
           the
           corrupt
           nature
           ,
           and
           depraved
           estate
           of
           mankind
           not
           otherwise
           rectified
           .
           Wherefore
           we
           must
           suppose
           that
           our
           ever
           blessed
           Saviour
           ,
           in
           the
           Foundations
           of
           his
           holy
           Institution
           ,
           made
           all
           needful
           provision
           to
           prevent
           these
           fatal
           miscariages
           .
        
         
         
           By
           the
           sufficient
           Revelation
           of
           all
           Fundamental
           Articles
           of
           Belief
           .
           By
           the
           as
           full
           Declaration
           of
           all
           the
           necessary
           precepts
           of
           good
           life
           .
           By
           inculcating
           frequently
           ,
           and
           pressing
           most
           emphatically
           those
           commands
           concerning
           Love
           ,
           Peace
           ,
           Unity
           ,
           Good
           Order
           ,
           Humility
           ,
           Meekness
           ,
           Patience
           ,
           
             &c.
          
           directly
           opposed
           to
           those
           contentions
           ,
           in
           every
           Page
           of
           the
           New
           Testament
           :
           These
           it
           may
           suffice
           but
           to
           name
           .
        
         
           It
           will
           soon
           be
           granted
           ,
           after
           the
           best
           provision
           of
           Rules
           ,
           and
           most
           convincing
           Arguments
           and
           Motives
           to
           strengthen
           them
           ,
           that
           there
           will
           be
           need
           of
           some
           Government
           to
           encourage
           all
           in
           their
           performance
           ,
           to
           restrain
           some
           from
           offering
           violence
           to
           them
           ,
           and
           to
           provide
           for
           many
           emergencies
           .
        
         
           Our
           Blessed
           Lord
           and
           Master
           ,
           therefore
           ,
           for
           the
           better
           security
           of
           his
           Truth
           ,
           and
           the
           safer
           conduct
           of
           those
           which
           adhere
           to
           it
           ,
           establish'd
           a
           Society
           or
           Church
           in
           the
           World
           ,
           which
           he
           purchased
           with
           the
           most
           inestimable
           price
           ,
           dignified
           with
           the
           highest
           Priviledges
           ,
           encouraged
           with
           the
           largest
           Promises
           ,
           back'd
           with
           the
           most
           ample
           Authority
           ,
           and
           will
           always
           defend
           with
           the
           strongest
           Guard
           ,
           against
           all
           Power
           ,
           or
           Policy
           on
           Earth
           or
           under
           the
           Earth
           ;
           so
           that
           ,
           as
           he
           hath
           told
           us
           ,
           
             the
             Gates
             of
             Hell
             shall
             not
             prevail
             against
             it
             .
          
        
         
           But
           now
           where
           this
           Church
           is
           to
           be
           found
           ,
           and
           what
           are
           the
           measures
           of
           our
           Obligation
           to
           it
           ,
           hath
           been
           a
           long
           and
           great
           debate
           ,
           especially
           between
           
             us
          
           and
           the
           
             Romanists
             .
          
           In
           most
           of
           their
           late
           Controversial
           Books
           they
           have
           seemed
           ready
           to
           wave
           disputes
           about
           particular
           points
           ,
           in
           hopes
           of
           greater
           advantage
           ,
           which
           they
           promise
           themselves
           from
           this
           venerable
           name
           ,
           and
           that
           bold
           ,
           though
           most
           false
           and
           presumptuous
           claim
           which
           they
           lay
           to
           the
           thing
           it self
           ,
           even
           exclusive
           to
           all
           others
           ;
           which
           will
           appear
           from
           the
           true
           ,
           but
           short
           and
           plain
           state
           of
           the
           case
           between
           us
           ,
           the
           chief
           design
           of
           this
           attempt
           .
        
         
         
           Now
           that
           we
           may
           not
           charge
           them
           ,
           nor
           they
           us
           falsly
           or
           rashly
           ;
        
         
           
             I.
             It
             may
             be
             convenient
             
               first
               ,
            
             to
             lay
             down
             some
             Principles
             concerning
             this
             Church
             in
             which
             they
             and
             we
             seem
             mostly
             agreed
             ,
             though
             all
             our
             Writers
             express
             not
             themselves
             alike
             clearly
             herein
             .
          
           
             II.
             To
             propound
             the
             chief
             Bands
             of
             Unity
             within
             this
             Church
             .
          
           
             III.
             To
             mark
             out
             the
             most
             obvious
             Defections
             from
             them
             by
             the
             Romanists
             .
          
           
             IV.
             To
             shew
             the
             Reformation
             in
             the
             Church
             of
             
               England
            
             proceeded
             ,
             and
             was
             framed
             with
             all
             due
             regard
             to
             the
             preservation
             of
             them
             .
          
           
             V.
             To
             clear
             it
             of
             the
             most
             common
             Objections
             .
          
           
             VI.
             To
             consider
             the
             strong
             obligations
             from
             hence
             upon
             all
             sorts
             of
             Dissenters
             among
             us
             to
             embrace
             ,
             and
             continue
             in
             its
             Communion
             .
          
           
             I.
             The
             former
             will
             soon
             be
             dispatcht
             ,
             which
             I
             reduce
             to
             the
             following
             particulars
             .
          
        
         
           1.
           
           That
           our
           Blessed
           Saviour
           always
           had
           ,
           and
           always
           will
           have
           a
           Church
           in
           the
           World
           ,
           in
           which
           his
           Doctrine
           hath
           been
           ,
           and
           shall
           be
           so
           far
           profest
           ,
           and
           his
           Sacraments
           so
           effectually
           administred
           ,
           that
           they
           who
           rightly
           improve
           them
           may
           not
           want
           necessary
           supplies
           for
           their
           present
           spiritual
           life
           ,
           or
           future
           hopes
           of
           Salvation
           :
           though
           the
           extent
           of
           the
           Church
           as
           to
           its
           boundaries
           ,
           and
           the
           perfection
           of
           it
           in
           degrees
           may
           be
           vastly
           different
           at
           one
           time
           ,
           and
           in
           one
           place
           from
           another
           .
           This
           many
           
             Prophesies
          
           in
           the
           Old
           Testament
           ,
           and
           
             Promises
          
           from
           our
           Saviour
           in
           the
           New
           give
           abundant
           ground
           for
           our
           Faith
           to
           rely
           upon
           ,
           and
           the
           experience
           of
           all
           Ages
           hitherto
           hath
           confirmed
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           That
           this
           Chruch
           is
           a
           distinct
           Society
           within
           it self
           ,
           furnished
           with
           sufficient
           Authority
           in
           some
           to
           Govern
           ,
           and
           Obligation
           in
           others
           to
           be
           Subject
           ,
           necessary
           to
           every
           Society
           ;
           which
           the
           power
           of
           the
           Keys
           given
           
           by
           our
           Lord
           to
           receive
           in
           ,
           or
           shut
           out
           ,
           and
           the
           exercise
           of
           Discipline
           from
           Divine
           Precept
           ,
           and
           Scripture
           Examples
           evince
           beyond
           all
           exception
           .
           But
           then
           this
           Ecclesiastical
           Power
           ,
           in
           whomsoever
           placed
           ,
           or
           strained
           to
           what
           height
           soever
           ,
           can
           never
           extend
           to
           vacate
           ,
           or
           change
           the
           express
           Institutions
           of
           Christ
           ,
           or
           take
           away
           our
           Obligation
           to
           his
           revealed
           Truth
           ,
           and
           direct
           Commands
           .
           In
           case
           of
           any
           competition
           the
           Apostles
           defence
           may
           be
           ours
           ,
           
             We
             must
             obey
             God
             rather
             than
             men
             .
          
           And
           St.
           
             Pauls
          
           profession
           ,
           
             We
             can
             do
             nothing
             against
             the
             Truth
             ,
             but
             for
             the
             Truth
             .
          
           And
           again
           .
           
             If
             we
             or
             an
             Angel
             from
             Heaven
             preach
             any
             other
             Gospel
             ,
          
           &c.
           
             let
             him
             be
             accursed
             ,
          
           Gal.
           1.
           8
           ,
        
         
           3.
           
           This
           Church
           must
           be
           visible
           ,
           as
           every
           Society
           is
           more
           or
           less
           ,
           whose
           parts
           are
           so
           ,
           and
           whose
           Profession
           must
           be
           so
           .
           Our
           entrance
           into
           it
           is
           in
           a
           visible
           manner
           by
           Baptismal
           Initiation
           .
           Our
           obliged
           Communion
           with
           it
           is
           in
           diverse
           outward
           sensible
           Acts
           ,
           which
           the
           representation
           of
           it
           by
           a
           Body
           or
           Building
           might
           prove
           .
           More
           clearly
           it
           is
           likened
           to
           a
           
             City
             on
             a
             Hill
             ,
             which
             cannot
             be
             hid
             ,
          
           Mat.
           5.
           14.
           
           Set
           up
           as
           the
           
             Light
             of
             the
             world
             ,
          
           an
           Ensign
           to
           the
           Gentiles
           ,
           which
           all
           Nations
           should
           flee
           unto
           ,
           or
           else
           it
           would
           witness
           against
           them
           ;
           wherein
           its
           Followers
           should
           take
           Sanctuary
           ,
           and
           find
           a
           Refuge
           .
        
         
           4.
           
           Within
           these
           Boundaries
           we
           have
           the
           only
           hopes
           of
           safety
           here
           and
           happiness
           hereafter
           .
           What
           God
           may
           do
           by
           his
           supereminent
           unaccountable
           power
           in
           an
           extraordinary
           case
           is
           presumption
           for
           us
           but
           to
           inquire
           into
           .
           Out
           of
           this
           Ark
           there
           is
           no
           prospect
           given
           to
           us
           of
           any
           escape
           from
           the
           Universal
           Deluge
           .
           a
           All
           the
           spiritual
           Promises
           concerning
           this
           life
           or
           a
           better
           are
           made
           to
           this
           Church
           ,
           the
           Members
           of
           his
           Body
           who
           is
           the
           
           Head.
           Therefore
           the
           Apostles
           preach
           to
           Jews
           and
           Gentiles
           the
           necessity
           of
           receiving
           this
           Character
           .
           
             Seeing
             there
             is
             no
             other
             name
             under
             Heaven
             given
             among
             men
             ,
             whereby
             we
             must
             be
             saved
             ,
          
           as
           St.
           
             Peter
          
           attests
           ,
           
             Acts
          
           4.
           12.
           
        
         
           5.
           
           This
           Church
           is
           but
           one
           .
           It
           is
           an
           Article
           of
           our
           Faith
           ,
           exprest
           in
           our
           Creed
           to
           believe
           it
           so
           .
           For
           
             there
             be
             many
             members
             ,
             yet
             but
             one
             body
             .
             One
             Spirit
          
           quickning
           all
           ;
           
             One
             Lord
             ,
          
           and
           Head
           over
           all
           ;
           
             One
             God
          
           and
           Father
           of
           all
           ;
           
             one
             Faith
             ;
             one
             Baptism
             ;
             one
             Hope
          
           of
           our
           Calling
           in
           all
           ,
           as
           the
           Apostle
           argues
           ,
           
             Eph.
             4.
             4
             ,
             5
             ,
             6
             ,
             7
             ,
             &c.
             
          
        
         
           II.
           Now
           we
           are
           to
           enquire
           what
           are
           the
           chief
           Bands
           of
           Unity
           in
           the
           Church
           which
           make
           ,
           keep
           ,
           and
           evidence
           it
           to
           be
           one
           ;
           How
           we
           may
           secure
           our selves
           within
           this
           Garden
           enclosed
           ,
           this
           Spring
           shut
           up
           ,
           this
           Fountain
           sealed
           ,
           as
           the
           Ancients
           usually
           apply
           that
           
             Cant.
          
           4.
           12
           ,
           to
           this
           one
           Enclosure
           of
           the
           Church
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           This
           appears
           in
           the
           
             Vnity
             of
             Belief
             ,
          
           not
           only
           inwardly
           ,
           but
           in
           the
           outward
           profession
           of
           the
           same
           Faith
           which
           was
           once
           delivered
           to
           the
           Saints
           ,
           and
           hath
           been
           generally
           preserved
           ,
           and
           continued
           down
           throughout
           all
           Ages
           of
           the
           Church
           .
           In
           testimony
           whereof
           the
           most
           eminent
           Bishops
           upon
           their
           first
           Consecration
           sent
           to
           their
           Brethren
           Confessions
           of
           their
           Faith.
           
        
         
         
           2.
           
           In
           the
           
             Vnity
             of
          
           a
           
             Charity
             ,
          
           and
           Affection
           as
           Fellow
           members
           one
           of
           another
           as
           well
           as
           of
           the
           same
           Head
           ;
           that
           
             if
             one
             suffer
             ,
             all
             the
             rest
             suffer
             with
             it
             ,
          
           and
           
             if
             one
             rejoyce
             .
             all
             rejoyce
             with
             it
             .
          
           Having
           an
           intimate
           Fellow-feeling
           of
           all
           the
           Good
           ,
           or
           Evil
           ,
           which
           befals
           any
           joyn'd
           in
           so
           near
           a
           Relation
           ,
           beyond
           the
           compassion
           of
           ordinary
           Humanity
           ;
           whereby
           we
           are
           bound
           not
           only
           to
           pray
           for
           ,
           but
           by
           all
           offices
           of
           kindness
           ,
           and
           most
           intimate
           Affection
           especially
           to
           assist
           ,
           and
           relieve
           each
           other
           in
           the
           same
           Houshold
           of
           Faith.
           So
           that
           by
           our
           Personal
           Consecration
           all
           our
           Labours
           ,
           and
           Estates
           are
           in
           some
           measure
           devoted
           to
           the
           Honour
           of
           God
           ,
           the
           Service
           of
           his
           Church
           ,
           and
           the
           Necessities
           of
           any
           of
           its
           Members
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           In
           the
           
             Vnity
             of
             Worship
             ,
          
           whereby
           we
           are
           obliged
           not
           only
           to
           offer
           up
           the
           same
           Worship
           for
           substance
           ,
           but
           also
           in
           the
           outward
           Act
           to
           joyn
           ,
           and
           communicate
           with
           each
           other
           therein
           ,
           to
           present
           the
           same
           Prayers
           ,
           and
           Praises
           ,
           to
           celebrate
           together
           the
           same
           Sacraments
           ,
           to
           hear
           the
           same
           Instructions
           ,
           to
           frequent
           the
           same
           Religious
           Assemblies
           ,
           as
           much
           as
           possible
           ;
           that
           we
           may
           
             with
             one
             mind
             ,
             and
             with
             one
             mouth
             glorifie
             God
             even
             the
             Father
             of
             our
             Lord
             Jesus
             Christ
             ,
          
           Rom.
           15.
           6.
           
           For
           as
           the
           Command
           of
           God
           ,
           the
           Honour
           of
           his
           Religion
           ,
           the
           Edification
           of
           his
           Church
           ,
           the
           Propagation
           of
           his
           Truth
           ,
           and
           the
           peculiar
           Promise
           of
           his
           Presence
           ,
           and
           Blessing
           require
           a
           solemn
           publick
           exercise
           of
           all
           Religious
           Worship
           in
           united
           Congregations
           ;
           so
           hereby
           we
           
           most
           sensibly
           prove
           ,
           and
           secure
           our
           unity
           therein
           b
           Whoever
           then
           needlesly
           separates
           himself
           from
           this
           Church
           ,
           or
           refuses
           to
           joyn
           in
           Communion
           with
           its
           Members
           ,
           so
           far
           as
           it
           is
           in
           his
           power
           ,
           where
           he
           may
           ,
           without
           violence
           to
           any
           Doctrine
           or
           Precept
           of
           Christ
           ,
           such
           a
           one
           divides
           himself
           from
           his
           Body
           ,
           and
           so
           from
           all
           the
           Promises
           that
           we
           know
           of
           the
           Sacred
           and
           comfortable
           Influences
           of
           that
           one
           Head
           and
           one
           Spirit
           .
        
         
           4.
           
           In
           the
           
             Vnity
             of
             Discipline
             ,
          
           a
           whereby
           every
           Act
           of
           any
           particular
           Church
           conformable
           to
           the
           Institutions
           of
           our
           Saviour
           ,
           and
           the
           universally
           received
           practice
           of
           his
           Church
           stands
           confirmed
           as
           an
           Act
           of
           the
           whole
           Church
           .
           Particularly
           whoever
           is
           admitted
           into
           it
           accordingly
           by
           Baptism
           in
           one
           place
           is
           to
           be
           accounted
           a
           member
           of
           the
           Church
           Catholick
           ,
           and
           received
           into
           its
           Communion
           where-ever
           he
           comes
           ,
           it
           no
           evidence
           appear
           of
           his
           exclusion
           by
           any
           after
           regular
           Censure
           .
           Likewise
           into
           whatever
           Office
           ,
           or
           Ministration
           any
           are
           orderly
           admitted
           in
           one
           part
           thereof
           ,
           in
           the
           same
           are
           they
           to
           be
           acknowledged
           in
           all
           others
           ,
           though
           without
           that
           particular
           Jurisdiction
           which
           they
           had
           in
           their
           own
           .
           But
           
           whosoever
           lies
           under
           any
           Censure
           in
           one
           Church
           ,
           he
           is
           to
           be
           supposed
           under
           the
           same
           in
           all
           others
           ,
           and
           not
           to
           be
           received
           into
           Communion
           till
           the
           Sentence
           be
           reversed
           by
           the
           same
           Power
           ,
           or
           a
           still
           higher
           ,
           and
           greater
           Authority
           ;
           according
           to
           the
           
             Fifth
             Canon
             of
             the
             Council
             of
             Nice
             ,
          
           and
           the
           design
           of
           their
           
             form'd
             ,
          
           and
           
             communicatory
             Letters
             ,
          
           without
           which
           none
           were
           to
           pass
           from
           one
           Church
           to
           another
           .
           Thus
           every
           Church
           is
           accountable
           to
           its
           Neighbour
           Churches
           ,
           and
           so
           to
           the
           whole
           Church
           for
           its
           Actions
           ,
           that
           one
           may
           not
           do
           ,
           what
           the
           other
           undoes
           ,
           without
           any
           regard
           to
           this
           Unity
           ,
           which
           would
           lead
           to
           the
           confusion
           and
           distraction
           of
           all
           .
           Wherefore
           to
           put
           an
           end
           to
           such
           differences
           when
           risen
           ,
           or
           obviate
           any
           growing
           mischief
           thereby
           ,
           and
           to
           receive
           Appeals
           from
           persons
           who
           think
           themselves
           aggrieved
           ,
           or
           injured
           by
           their
           own
           Bishop
           or
           Church
           ,
           a
           
             Council
          
           of
           all
           Bishops
           in
           each
           Province
           is
           appointed
           twice
           in
           the
           year
           by
           the
           same
           
             Canon
             ,
          
           and
           in
           many
           others
           .
           But
           there
           was
           no
           mention
           then
           of
           any
           farther
           ,
           or
           higher
           Appeal
           .
           b
           Thus
           an
           amicable
           correspondence
           ,
           and
           intimate
           communication
           was
           maintained
           between
           the
           Neighbour
           Churches
           ,
           and
           their
           Governours
           ,
           and
           by
           them
           with
           others
           removed
           at
           a
           greater
           distance
           throughout
           the
           world
           .
        
         
           These
           need
           no
           long
           proof
           ,
           but
           may
           be
           taken
           as
           generally
           granted
           ;
           the
           main
           dispute
           will
           lie
           in
           the
           particular
           application
           of
           the
           two
           last
           .
        
         
         
           Now
           to
           prevent
           as
           much
           as
           may
           be
           all
           difficulties
           about
           them
           ,
           it
           may
           be
           added
           to
           the
           third
           of
           
             Vnity
             of
             Worship
             ,
          
           that
           it
           will
           be
           very
           convenient
           ,
           if
           not
           absolutely
           necessary
           in
           any
           setled
           established
           Church
           ,
           that
           there
           be
           some
           set
           Forms
           of
           publick
           Ministrations
           ,
           without
           which
           it
           is
           hard
           for
           any
           to
           know
           before
           hand
           what
           they
           joyn
           with
           ,
           especially
           for
           strangers
           .
        
         
           But
           then
           these
           Forms
           should
           be
           as
           plain
           ,
           and
           simple
           as
           possible
           ,
           with
           as
           little
           pretence
           as
           can
           be
           of
           any
           danger
           to
           the
           known
           Will
           ,
           and
           Word
           of
           God.
           For
           no
           Obligation
           whatsoever
           can
           tie
           me
           to
           communicate
           with
           another
           in
           that
           which
           he
           forbids
           ;
           and
           it
           will
           be
           a
           great
           temptation
           to
           more
           than
           suspect
           this
           danger
           ,
           when
           mens
           private
           opinions
           ,
           or
           fanciful
           transports
           are
           mingled
           with
           them
           ,
           which
           have
           little
           shew
           of
           Scripture
           ,
           or
           the
           general
           practice
           of
           the
           Church
           in
           all
           Ages
           to
           justifie
           them
           .
        
         
           The
           readiest
           way
           I
           know
           of
           to
           prevent
           that
           hazard
           ,
           after
           all
           other
           care
           about
           the
           matters
           contained
           ,
           is
           to
           endeavour
           that
           these
           Offices
           be
           as
           near
           alike
           in
           all
           places
           as
           can
           well
           be
           ,
           yet
           every
           difference
           in
           Judgment
           ,
           when
           no
           violence
           is
           offered
           to
           the
           Foundation
           of
           Catholick
           Faith
           and
           Unity
           ,
           must
           not
           break
           this
           Communion
           ,
           according
           to
           that
           profession
           of
           St.
           
             Cyprian
          
           a
           Judging
           no
           man
           ,
           nor
           excluding
           him
           from
           the
           right
           of
           Communion
           if
           he
           think
           otherwise
           ;
           where
           the
           dispute
           was
           thought
           of
           no
           mean
           concern
           ,
           especially
           in
           this
           cause
           .
           Which
           b
           St.
           
             Augustin
          
           oft
           alledges
           against
           the
           
             Donatists
             ,
          
           that
           boasted
           so
           much
           of
           St.
           
             Cyprians
          
           judgment
           against
           his
           declared
           practice
           .
           To
           the
           same
           purpose
           may
           be
           applied
           the
           treatment
           of
           c
           St.
           
             Polycarp
          
           in
           
             Rome
          
           by
           
             Anicetus
          
           the
           Bishop
           ,
           though
           they
           differed
           about
           the
           time
           of
           the
           celebration
           of
           
             Easter
             ,
          
           and
           in
           other
           points
           ,
           which
           could
           not
           be
           agreed
           between
           them
           ;
           yet
           this
           last
           not
           only
           invited
           the
           former
           to
           Communion
           with
           him
           ,
           
           but
           also-to
           celebrate
           the
           sacred
           Eucharist
           in
           this
           Church
           ,
           as
           the
           words
           are
           generally
           interpreted
           ;
           which
           St.
           
             Irenaeus
          
           not
           long
           after
           urges
           strongly
           against
           
             Victor
             ,
          
           who
           was
           hastening
           to
           excommunicate
           the
           
             Asian
             Churches
          
           for
           the
           same
           difference
           ,
           contrary
           to
           his
           Predecessors
           practice
           .
        
         
           As
           to
           the
           Fourth
           of
           
             Vnity
             of
             Discipline
             ,
          
           if
           Unity
           of
           Government
           in
           all
           parts
           be
           not
           indispensably
           necessary
           to
           it
           ,
           yet
           it
           will
           be
           so
           far
           ,
           as
           not
           to
           abrogate
           ,
           or
           invade
           the
           positive
           Institutions
           of
           our
           Saviour
           himself
           herein
           ,
           and
           be
           more
           than
           convenient
           ,
           that
           it
           be
           as
           conformable
           ,
           as
           it
           is
           in
           our
           power
           to
           make
           it
           in
           one
           place
           ,
           to
           what
           it
           is
           in
           another
           .
           It
           seems
           horribly
           presumptuous
           ,
           violently
           to
           thrust
           out
           of
           the
           Church
           that
           Government
           under
           the
           influence
           of
           which
           Christianity
           hath
           been
           conveyed
           ,
           and
           preserved
           from
           the
           Age
           of
           the
           Apostles
           in
           the
           most
           distant
           places
           ,
           upon
           pretence
           of
           erecting
           a
           new
           better
           Scheme
           or
           model
           of
           our
           own
           ,
           or
           because
           of
           the
           intricate
           use
           of
           one
           or
           two
           terms
           in
           Scripture
           ,
           when
           the
           Church
           was
           in
           its
           first
           formation
           ,
           though
           against
           the
           plain
           current
           of
           it
           in
           other
           places
           ,
           and
           the
           uninterrupted
           tradition
           of
           the
           whole
           Church
           .
           A
           Church
           indeed
           must
           be
           more
           or
           less
           perfect
           according
           to
           its
           Government
           ,
           for
           suitable
           will
           be
           the
           Exercise
           and
           Authority
           of
           its
           Discipline
           .
           What
           allowance
           may
           be
           made
           for
           those
           ,
           who
           desire
           to
           come
           as
           near
           as
           they
           can
           to
           the
           Primitive
           Pattern
           ,
           though
           it
           be
           not
           in
           their
           power
           to
           reach
           it
           in
           many
           considerable
           points
           ,
           I
           am
           not
           now
           to
           dispute
           .
           But
           most
           inexcusable
           ,
           and
           highly
           obnoxious
           are
           they
           ,
           that
           by
           extreme
           violence
           ,
           and
           usurpation
           endeavour
           to
           destroy
           what
           they
           found
           regularly
           established
           to
           their
           hands
           .
        
         
           III.
           But
           we
           are
           here
           most
           concerned
           with
           the
           bold
           claims
           of
           the
           
             Romanists
          
           amidst
           their
           most
           obvious
           Defections
           ,
           who
           have
           made
           it
           the
           principal
           Band
           of
           Unity
           
           in
           the
           Catholick
           Church
           to
           be
           subject
           to
           the
           See
           of
           
             Rome
             ,
          
           and
           the
           pretended
           Vicar
           of
           Christ
           therein
           ,
           as
           the
           Universal
           Head
           ,
           and
           Monarch
           of
           the
           Church
           :
           this
           they
           have
           determined
           as
           
             de
             fide
             ,
          
           and
           put
           into
           their
           very
           Creed
           ,
           and
           excluded
           all
           that
           do
           not
           expresly
           own
           it
           .
        
         
           But
           against
           this
           as
           a
           great
           breach
           of
           Christian
           Unity
           we
           have
           many
           just
           exceptions
           ,
           and
           been
           always
           ready
           to
           prove
           them
           so
           a
        
         
           1.
           
           
           In
           that
           no
           evidence
           from
           Scripture
           appears
           of
           any
           such
           Authority
           conferred
           upon
           him
           ,
           or
           them
           :
           But
           many
           strong
           intimations
           of
           the
           contrary
           .
           The
           places
           usually
           alledged
           to
           make
           good
           their
           Claim
           are
           so
           far
           fetcht
           ,
           and
           so
           little
           to
           their
           purpose
           ,
           that
           they
           contain
           alone
           a
           strong
           presumption
           against
           them
           ,
           and
           their
           own
           Authors
           sometimes
           speak
           of
           them
           with
           great
           distrust
           .
           Here
           if
           any
           where
           sure
           we
           may
           safely
           argue
           without
           daring
           to
           prescribe
           Rules
           to
           the
           most
           High
           ,
           that
           in
           a
           matter
           of
           so
           great
           moment
           ,
           had
           it
           been
           designed
           ,
           it
           would
           have
           been
           most
           explicitly
           delivered
           ,
           and
           solemnly
           inculcated
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           But
           that
           it
           was
           not
           ,
           we
           have
           farther
           evidence
           from
           the
           silence
           of
           the
           most
           Ancient
           ,
           and
           best
           Fathers
           of
           the
           Church
           herein
           ,
           when
           they
           have
           occasion
           to
           explain
           the
           places
           insisted
           on
           :
           b
           nay
           expresly
           expounding
           them
           to
           a
           quite
           different
           Sense
           ,
           and
           disowning
           any
           such
           Authority
           of
           one
           Church
           ,
           or
           Bishop
           over
           others
           .
           And
           when
           the
           Roman
           Bishop
           began
           any
           thing
           tending
           towards
           this
           ,
           and
           grounded
           his
           claim
           upon
           a
           falsly
           alledged
           Canon
           of
           the
           
             Council
             of
             Nice
             ,
          
           not
           on
           any
           Divine
           Charter
           ,
           after
           examination
           ,
           and
           proof
           of
           
           the
           Forgery
           ,
           other
           Bishops
           wholly
           disclaim
           it
           ,
           and
           declare
           against
           it
           ,
           it
           ,
           and
           warn
           him
           for
           the
           future
           not
           to
           disturb
           their
           Regular
           proceedings
           by
           such
           unwarrantable
           practices
           .
           c
           As
           the
           
             African
             Bishops
             ,
          
           and
           the
           great
           St.
           
             Austin
          
           among
           them
           in
           the
           case
           of
           Appeals
           .
           It
           will
           be
           hard
           for
           them
           to
           find
           any
           thing
           like
           an
           Argument
           ,
           or
           Example
           of
           it
           within
           the
           first
           five
           Ceturies
           ,
           at
           least
           which
           was
           not
           disowned
           ,
           and
           condemned
           by
           the
           rest
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           unless
           from
           such
           forged
           Writings
           ,
           which
           they
           themselves
           will
           scarce
           now
           defend
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           In
           the
           following
           Ages
           we
           have
           as
           good
           Testimony
           from
           History
           as
           almost
           in
           any
           other
           matter
           of
           fact
           ,
           by
           what
           steps
           ,
           and
           in
           what
           manner
           this
           still
           growing
           power
           of
           the
           Church
           and
           Bishop
           of
           
             Rome
          
           advanc'd
           it self
           to
           the
           height
           which
           it
           now
           claims
           .
           d
        
         
           1.
           
           By
           Usurpation
           upon
           the
           Rights
           of
           other
           Churches
           ,
           every
           degree
           of
           exaltation
           gained
           being
           the
           depression
           and
           diminution
           of
           them
           ,
           till
           all
           power
           was
           in
           a
           manner
           swallowed
           up
           by
           the
           Papal
           ambition
           ,
           and
           none
           left
           to
           any
           other
           ,
           which
           was
           not
           dependant
           hereupon
           in
           its
           original
           ,
           and
           altogether
           precarious
           in
           its
           administration
           .
           So
           that
           here
           alone
           it
           must
           be
           immediately
           derived
           from
           Christ
           ,
           but
           to
           all
           others
           by
           Commission
           from
           him
           .
           Thus
           in
           the
           choice
           of
           the
           chief
           Governours
           of
           the
           Church
           all
           must
           await
           his
           consent
           ,
           and
           confirmation
           ,
           where
           he
           does
           not
           alone
           forcibly
           obtrude
           them
           ,
           and
           must
           pay
           for
           it
           a
           round
           sum
           for
           an
           acknowledgment
           at
           their
           entrance
           ,
           and
           an
           after
           tributary
           Pension
           out
           of
           their
           income
           ,
           and
           take
           a
           formal
           Oath
           of
           subjection
           at
           their
           admittance
           ,
           and
           own
           their
           own
           Authority
           from
           his
           delegation
           ,
           and
           be
           liable
           to
           have
           their
           Sentences
           reversed
           at
           his
           pleasure
           ,
           and
           flee
           as
           far
           as
           his
           Judicatory
           
           and
           stand
           to
           the
           trial
           of
           it
           ,
           when
           he
           is
           pleased
           to
           call
           any
           cause
           to
           himself
           .
           Nay
           ,
           if
           a
           Controversie
           arise
           between
           him
           and
           any
           Prince
           ,
           or
           State
           ,
           the
           whole
           Kingdom
           or
           Nation
           shalllie
           at
           once
           under
           his
           
             Interdict
             ,
          
           the
           Clergy
           be
           with-held
           from
           the
           exercise
           of
           their
           Function
           ,
           and
           the
           People
           from
           the
           benefit
           of
           Publick
           Divine
           Worship
           and
           Sacraments
           .
           Of
           these
           and
           such
           like
           effects
           of
           the
           plenitude
           of
           Apostolick
           Power
           so
           much
           talkt
           of
           lately
           ,
           they
           would
           do
           well
           to
           shew
           us
           any
           thing
           like
           a
           Plea
           from
           Scripture
           or
           Antiquity
           within
           the
           bounds
           forementioned
           ,
           or
           for
           some
           Ages
           after
           in
           the
           greater
           part
           :
           certainly
           so
           great
           a
           change
           could
           not
           be
           effected
           without
           some
           notice
           and
           complaints
           ,
           struglings
           and
           contentions
           ,
           of
           which
           Church
           History
           is
           full
           .
        
         
           Their
           early
           Faith
           spoken
           of
           throughout
           the
           world
           in
           St.
           
             Pauls
          
           time
           .
           The
           eminent
           Zeal
           of
           the
           first
           Bishops
           of
           that
           Church
           ,
           most
           of
           whom
           ,
           if
           we
           may
           credit
           the
           account
           generally
           received
           of
           them
           ,
           sealed
           to
           the
           former
           with
           their
           bloud
           .
           Their
           continued
           constancy
           in
           the
           Orthodox
           Profession
           thereof
           amidst
           the
           corruptions
           or
           defections
           of
           so
           many
           others
           ,
           particularly
           in
           the
           time
           of
           the
           
             Arrian
          
           Persecution
           .
           The
           concurrent
           opinion
           of
           the
           Foundation
           of
           their
           Church
           being
           laid
           by
           the
           two
           chief
           Apostles
           St.
           
             Peter
          
           and
           St.
           
             Paul
             ;
          
           and
           the
           honour
           of
           the
           Imperial
           Seat
           wherein
           they
           were
           placed
           ,
           
             &c.
          
           gave
           them
           great
           repute
           ,
           and
           advantagious
           recommendation
           in
           those
           first
           Ages
           .
           None
           will
           much
           contend
           with
           them
           about
           priority
           of
           Order
           or
           Precedence
           .
           But
           when
           the
           preheminence
           of
           the
           first
           Bishop
           came
           to
           be
           improved
           into
           a
           
             Patriarchate
             ,
          
           and
           that
           swelled
           into
           the
           Title
           of
           the
           Universal
           Bishop
           ,
           which
           a
           St.
           
             Gregory
          
           so
           severely
           condemned
           in
           the
           
           Bishop
           of
           
             Constantinople
             ,
          
           and
           that
           at
           last
           grew
           into
           the
           stile
           of
           the
           
             sole
             Vicar
             of
             Christ
             ,
          
           and
           Soveraign
           Monarch
           of
           the
           whole
           Church
           :
           when
           the
           interposition
           of
           a
           Friendly
           ,
           and
           Brotherly
           Arbitration
           ,
           which
           all
           persons
           in
           distress
           ,
           or
           under
           the
           apprehensions
           of
           injury
           are
           apt
           to
           flee
           unto
           ,
           and
           amplifie
           ,
           made
           way
           by
           degrees
           for
           the
           challenge
           of
           an
           ordinary
           Jurisdiction
           ,
           and
           that
           at
           first
           from
           the
           pretence
           of
           
             Canonical
             priviledge
          
           to
           that
           
             Divine
             Right
          
           and
           Sanction
           ,
           and
           then
           to
           prevent
           all
           scruple
           about
           its
           determinations
           these
           must
           be
           back'd
           with
           the
           vindication
           of
           an
           infallible
           conduct
           :
           When
           instead
           of
           that
           charitable
           support
           they
           at
           first
           readily
           bestowed
           on
           other
           Churches
           in
           their
           distress
           ,
           they
           now
           made
           use
           of
           this
           power
           to
           rob
           them
           of
           what
           was
           left
           ,
           taking
           the
           advantage
           of
           the
           poverty
           ,
           and
           oppression
           of
           some
           under
           the
           Common
           Enemy
           ,
           or
           the
           confusion
           of
           others
           through
           Domestick
           distractions
           ,
           to
           raise
           themselves
           out
           of
           their
           spoils
           ;
           then
           no
           wonder
           if
           other
           Churches
           complain
           ,
           and
           struggle
           under
           that
           yoke
           ,
           which
           they
           could
           not
           presently
           ,
           or
           easily
           throw
           off
           .
        
         
           Indeed
           ,
           had
           not
           this
           claim
           of
           the
           Church
           and
           Bishop
           of
           
             Rome
          
           risen
           to
           such
           an
           extravagant
           height
           in
           the
           arrogance
           of
           its
           pretended
           Title
           ,
           and
           been
           streined
           to
           that
           excess
           in
           the
           exercise
           of
           its
           assumed
           Authority
           ;
           so
           as
           not
           to
           leave
           it
           in
           the
           power
           of
           other
           Churches
           to
           take
           all
           due
           and
           necessary
           care
           of
           their
           own
           members
           ,
           or
           provide
           for
           them
           all
           needful
           supplies
           ,
           these
           might
           more
           easily
           have
           born
           their
           usurpation
           of
           more
           power
           than
           ever
           they
           could
           prove
           belonged
           to
           them
           .
           They
           that
           have
           learnt
           the
           Humility
           of
           Christs
           School
           ,
           and
           who
           are
           more
           concern'd
           to
           perform
           their
           Duty
           than
           vindicate
           their
           Privilege
           ,
           and
           know
           how
           much
           safer
           it
           is
           to
           obey
           than
           command
           ,
           and
           easier
           to
           be
           Governed
           than
           to
           Govern
           ,
           will
           not
           be
           much
           moved
           at
           what
           others
           fondly
           assume
           ,
           knowing
           still
           that
           the
           more
           
           difficult
           account
           awaits
           them
           .
           But
           then
           this
           Power
           became
           most
           intolerable
           when
           it
           was
           made
           use
           of
           to
           purposes
           so
           much
           worse
           than
           it self
           ,
           which
           were
           beside
           the
           former
           ;
        
         
           2.
           
           The
           weakning
           of
           the
           power
           of
           Temporal
           Princes
           ,
           and
           disturbing
           the
           Civil
           Rights
           of
           men
           .
           a
           Although
           our
           blessed
           Saviour
           assured
           
             Pilate
             his
             Kingdom
             was
             not
             of
             this
             world
             ,
          
           yet
           his
           pretended
           Vicar
           here
           on
           earth
           can
           hardly
           say
           so
           :
           for
           beside
           the
           Temporal
           Dominions
           unto
           which
           he
           hath
           entitled
           himself
           a
           Sovereign
           Prince
           ,
           there
           are
           few
           other
           Kingdoms
           ,
           or
           States
           on
           this
           side
           of
           the
           world
           in
           which
           he
           hath
           not
           ,
           or
           had
           not
           almost
           as
           great
           a
           share
           of
           the
           Government
           ,
           as
           their
           immediate
           Princes
           ;
           at
           least
           so
           far
           as
           to
           prescribe
           bounds
           to
           their
           Administrations
           ,
           and
           subject
           in
           great
           measure
           all
           Laws
           ,
           and
           persons
           to
           his
           Foreign
           Courts
           ,
           Jurisdiction
           ,
           and
           Decrees
           ,
           yea
           ,
           their
           Purses
           to
           his
           Exactions
           ;
           and
           upon
           the
           least
           dispute
           hath
           withdrawn
           so
           great
           a
           number
           of
           his
           immediate
           dependants
           ,
           who
           scarce
           own
           any
           other
           Governours
           ,
           and
           raised
           so
           many
           disturbances
           ,
           that
           great
           Princes
           and
           States
           have
           been
           forced
           at
           last
           to
           yield
           .
           Not
           to
           mention
           the
           Arrogance
           it
           at
           length
           grew
           up
           unto
           in
           dethroning
           Princes
           ,
           giving
           their
           Kingdoms
           to
           others
           ,
           authorizing
           their
           Subjects
           to
           rebel
           against
           them
           ,
           or
           all
           ways
           to
           oppose
           them
           ,
           and
           what
           oft
           follows
           ,
           if
           not
           expressed
           ,
           to
           murder
           them
           :
           as
           in
           their
           late
           Sentence
           against
           some
           of
           our
           Neighbour
           Princes
           .
        
         
           But
           before
           ,
           much
           of
           this
           may
           be
           seen
           in
           the
           long
           contentions
           between
           some
           of
           the
           Western
           Emperours
           ,
           particularly
           
             Henry
             the
             Third
             ,
          
           and
           
             Fourth
             ,
          
           and
           the
           Popes
           ,
           as
           we
           have
           them
           described
           in
           their
           own
           Authors
           b
           Also
           to
           go
           no
           father
           ,
           their
           various
           Contests
           with
           several
           of
           our
           Kings
           ,
           especially
           
             Henry
             the
             Second
          
           and
           the
           almost
           continual
           complaints
           in
           all
           our
           
           Parliaments
           before
           the
           Reformation
           of
           the
           encroachments
           made
           by
           them
           upon
           the
           Civil
           Rights
           of
           Prince
           and
           Subject
           by
           vexatious
           and
           chargeable
           Suits
           and
           Appeals
           as
           far
           as
           
             Rome
             ;
          
           by
           Insolencies
           and
           divers
           Rapines
           committed
           under
           the
           shelter
           of
           their
           protection
           ,
           and
           defended
           from
           due
           punishment
           ,
           and
           by
           their
           extravagant
           Extortions
           ,
           
             &c.
          
           abundantly
           prove
           .
        
         
           Now
           though
           these
           Usurpations
           grew
           by
           degrees
           ,
           and
           were
           practised
           in
           a
           different
           manner
           according
           to
           the
           condition
           of
           those
           they
           had
           to
           do
           with
           ,
           or
           the
           temper
           of
           him
           that
           managed
           them
           ;
           yet
           they
           must
           needs
           seem
           more
           or
           less
           grievous
           to
           all
           ,
           when
           power
           sufficient
           was
           not
           left
           to
           the
           greatest
           Monarchs
           to
           defend
           themselves
           ,
           or
           protect
           their
           Subjects
           ,
           preserve
           the
           peace
           ,
           or
           promote
           the
           welfare
           ,
           and
           provide
           for
           the
           security
           of
           their
           own
           Countries
           .
           Then
           no
           marvel
           if
           some
           of
           them
           grow
           weary
           of
           so
           insupportable
           oppressions
           ,
           and
           at
           last
           take
           courage
           to
           grapple
           with
           ,
           and
           extricate
           themselves
           from
           such
           manifest
           encroachments
           upon
           their
           own
           ,
           and
           the
           Peoples
           Civil
           Rights
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           the
           Ecclesiastical
           of
           the
           Church
           in
           their
           Dominions
           ,
           and
           be
           forced
           to
           some
           harsh
           and
           almost
           violent
           methods
           ,
           when
           the
           more
           gentle
           and
           benign
           could
           prevail
           nothing
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           But
           beside
           these
           more
           publick
           Invasions
           upon
           Church
           and
           State
           ,
           that
           which
           made
           the
           Usurpation
           more
           odious
           and
           insufferable
           was
           the
           farther
           abuse
           of
           the
           same
           extravagant
           power
           to
           bring
           in
           strange
           and
           dangerous
           Doctrines
           ,
           corrupt
           ,
           and
           unlawful
           practices
           into
           the
           Church
           ,
           and
           impose
           them
           upon
           all
           in
           their
           Communion
           ,
           exactly
           fitted
           to
           feed
           their
           Ambition
           ,
           enrich
           their
           Coffers
           ,
           secure
           their
           Authority
           ,
           and
           promote
           their
           ease
           and
           Luxury
           .
           Such
           of
           the
           
             first
             sort
          
           are
           their
           Doctrine
           of
           Transubstantiation
           ,
           and
           Purgatory
           ,
           of
           Merit
           ,
           and
           Supererogation
           ,
           the
           multiplicity
           of
           Vows
           ,
           
           and
           delusions
           in
           the
           Principles
           of
           Repentance
           ,
           and
           ministration
           of
           Penance
           .
           Of
           the
           
             latter
             sort
          
           are
           the
           Invocation
           of
           Saints
           and
           Angels
           ,
           Adoration
           of
           Reliques
           and
           Images
           ,
           their
           half
           Communion
           ,
           the
           Scripture
           lockt
           up
           ,
           and
           Divine
           Service
           performed
           in
           an
           unknown
           tongue
           ,
           
             &c.
             
          
        
         
           These
           and
           divers
           like
           them
           have
           proved
           great
           Scandals
           abroad
           ,
           and
           stumbling
           blocks
           at
           home
           ,
           and
           whatever
           varnish
           they
           may
           put
           upon
           them
           by
           the
           fairest
           pretences
           ,
           or
           however
           they
           may
           cast
           a
           mist
           before
           the
           eyes
           of
           their
           Disciples
           by
           nice
           distinctions
           ,
           yet
           they
           have
           so
           disfigured
           the
           face
           of
           Christianity
           ,
           that
           he
           who
           compares
           the
           late
           appearances
           of
           it
           in
           the
           world
           with
           the
           model
           of
           it
           laid
           down
           in
           Scripture
           ,
           or
           the
           Records
           of
           the
           Primitive
           Church
           ,
           can
           hardly
           believe
           it
           the
           same
           thing
           .
        
         
           But
           the
           particulars
           are
           not
           here
           to
           be
           disputed
           ,
           they
           have
           sufficiently
           been
           confuted
           .
           and
           exposed
           by
           Protestant
           Writers
           ,
           and
           were
           by
           several
           before
           excepted
           against
           ,
           and
           disclaimed
           ,
           though
           some
           suffered
           severely
           for
           so
           doing
           ,
           and
           many
           more
           we
           may
           suppose
           waited
           an
           opportunity
           to
           free
           themselves
           from
           their
           pressure
           .
           That
           which
           I
           am
           now
           most
           to
           insist
           upon
           is
           this
           ,
           that
           if
           the
           charge
           we
           draw
           up
           against
           these
           of
           falshood
           in
           judgment
           ,
           gross
           Superstition
           or
           Idolatry
           in
           Worship
           ,
           and
           immorality
           in
           manners
           ,
           be
           true
           and
           impartial
           ,
           as
           we
           have
           been
           ever
           ready
           to
           make
           good
           ,
           and
           shall
           do
           against
           all
           the
           Artifices
           of
           the
           Defendants
           ;
           Then
           no
           Authority
           whatever
           ,
           however
           regularly
           founded
           ,
           or
           unexceptionably
           conveyed
           ,
           can
           oblige
           us
           to
           these
           ,
           against
           the
           revealed
           Will
           ,
           or
           Word
           of
           God
           ,
           the
           Dictates
           of
           our
           Consciences
           ,
           as
           we
           hope
           carefully
           ,
           and
           rightly
           informed
           ;
           the
           sense
           and
           reason
           of
           mankind
           ,
           and
           the
           Belief
           and
           practice
           of
           the
           Church
           in
           the
           first
           and
           purest
           Ages
           .
        
         
         
           Greater
           cause
           was
           there
           to
           endeavour
           by
           all
           lawful
           means
           to
           throw
           off
           such
           an
           usurped
           Power
           ,
           that
           made
           so
           ill
           use
           of
           what
           it
           had
           unjustly
           gotten
           ,
           and
           to
           restore
           Religion
           to
           its
           primitive
           beauty
           in
           Doctrine
           ,
           Worship
           ,
           and
           Precepts
           of
           Life
           .
        
         
           But
           alas
           many
           difficulties
           lay
           in
           the
           way
           of
           its
           accomplishment
           ,
           and
           all
           possible
           struglings
           ,
           and
           contentions
           by
           force
           and
           policy
           were
           used
           by
           the
           adverse
           Party
           to
           prevent
           its
           beginning
           ,
           or
           obstruct
           it
           Progress
           .
           Great
           was
           their
           Interest
           in
           overy
           place
           ;
           Strong
           was
           the
           influence
           they
           had
           upon
           persons
           in
           Authority
           ;
           Numerous
           were
           their
           Assistants
           and
           Dependants
           at
           home
           and
           abroad
           ;
           Weighty
           was
           their
           concern
           which
           lay
           at
           stake
           ,
           and
           many
           were
           the
           advantages
           which
           they
           had
           of
           any
           that
           opposed
           them
           :
           So
           that
           no
           wonder
           if
           a
           Reformation
           so
           long
           wisht
           for
           ,
           and
           much
           wanted
           were
           so
           slowly
           effected
           .
           It
           is
           rather
           more
           strange
           that
           in
           so
           many
           places
           it
           did
           master
           these
           and
           such
           like
           encumbrances
           ,
           and
           in
           so
           short
           a
           time
           made
           so
           considerable
           a
           progress
           .
           If
           in
           some
           places
           it
           proceeded
           with
           less
           Order
           ,
           Uniformity
           ,
           and
           Calmness
           than
           could
           have
           been
           wisht
           for
           in
           a
           Religious
           Reformation
           ,
           Necessity
           in
           part
           ,
           with
           many
           perplexed
           difficulties
           and
           encumbrances
           ,
           may
           in
           some
           measure
           excuse
           what
           no
           Law
           before-hand
           fully
           warrants
           .
        
         
           IV.
           But
           leaving
           others
           to
           answer
           for
           themselves
           ,
           in
           my
           next
           particular
           I
           am
           to
           consider
           how
           regularly
           ,
           and
           sedately
           it
           proceeded
           in
           the
           Church
           of
           
             Engiand
          
           within
           the
           bounds
           of
           Catholick
           Unity
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           With
           the
           concurrence
           ,
           and
           encouragement
           all
           along
           of
           the
           Supreme
           Power
           to
           free
           it
           from
           any
           but
           suspicion
           of
           Rebellion
           .
           So
           it
           began
           at
           first
           with
           the
           breaking
           of
           the
           Papal
           yoke
           of
           Supremacy
           ,
           the
           Translation
           of
           the
           Bible
           ,
           and
           some
           like
           preparatives
           to
           Reformation
           under
           
             Henry
             the
             Eighth
             ,
          
           and
           the
           united
           
           Suffrages
           of
           his
           Parliaments
           ,
           and
           the
           Bishops
           themselves
           therein
           .
           It
           proceeded
           suitably
           to
           a
           further
           emprovement
           in
           most
           particulars
           under
           his
           Son
           
             Edward
             the
             Sixth
             .
          
           And
           at
           last
           it
           came
           to
           its
           full
           settlement
           and
           establishment
           under
           
             Queen
             Elizabeth
             .
          
           The
           beginning
           and
           carrying
           on
           of
           the
           Reformation
           here
           was
           by
           such
           loyalty
           of
           Principles
           ,
           and
           Practices
           that
           we
           challenge
           any
           Church
           in
           the
           World
           to
           a
           Comparison
           therein
           .
           Indeed
           this
           was
           so
           notorious
           ,
           that
           her
           Roman
           Adversaries
           have
           turned
           her
           Glory
           into
           a
           Reproach
           by
           upbraiding
           her
           ,
           though
           most
           invidiously
           ,
           with
           the
           name
           of
           a
           
             Parliamentary
             Religion
             ;
          
           because
           it
           received
           all
           along
           so
           much
           countenance
           and
           assistance
           from
           those
           great
           Assemblies
           of
           all
           the
           three
           Estates
           of
           the
           Kingdom
           under
           their
           Head
           and
           Sovereign
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           But
           farther
           to
           clear
           her
           of
           all
           just
           imputation
           from
           hence
           ,
           it
           must
           be
           added
           that
           the
           whole
           work
           was
           carried
           on
           with
           the
           advice
           ,
           and
           mature
           deliberation
           of
           the
           Clergy
           assembled
           in
           Convocation
           ,
           representing
           the
           intire
           body
           of
           them
           ,
           and
           therein
           a
           National
           Council
           .
           That
           they
           from
           their
           Education
           ,
           and
           presumed
           Knowledge
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           from
           their
           Office
           ,
           and
           Ecclesiastical
           Anthority
           are
           ordinarily
           fittest
           to
           judge
           ,
           debate
           ,
           and
           determine
           of
           Religious
           matters
           ,
           will
           be
           soon
           granted
           :
           But
           that
           the
           Civil
           Power
           may
           ,
           and
           ought
           sometimes
           to
           remind
           them
           of
           their
           Duty
           ,
           and
           restrain
           them
           from
           gross
           Defections
           from
           it
           ,
           may
           be
           proved
           by
           several
           Scripture
           Examples
           in
           the
           Old
           Testament
           ,
           and
           the
           Supereminence
           of
           their
           place
           .
           But
           happy
           is
           that
           Order
           and
           Unity
           in
           which
           both
           Powers
           are
           joyned
           together
           for
           the
           service
           of
           God
           ,
           the
           security
           of
           his
           Church
           ,
           and
           promotion
           of
           his
           true
           Religion
           ,
           as
           it
           was
           here
           :
           though
           it
           could
           not
           be
           expected
           but
           the
           first
           attempts
           would
           meet
           with
           several
           difficulties
           ,
           fierce
           Debates
           ,
           and
           Controversies
           ,
           yet
           still
           the
           entire
           establishment
           
           was
           ratified
           by
           the
           regular
           determination
           of
           the
           Clergy
           so
           assembled
           as
           before
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           was
           after
           confirmed
           by
           the
           Royal
           Assent
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           Yet
           farther
           to
           justifie
           themselves
           from
           any
           affected
           innovation
           in
           such
           a
           change
           ,
           all
           was
           done
           with
           the
           greatest
           Reverence
           ,
           Respect
           ,
           and
           Deference
           to
           the
           Ancient
           Church
           to
           clear
           their
           continued
           Unity
           therewith
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           In
           
             Doctrine
             .
          
           The
           ancient
           Creeds
           were
           taken
           for
           the
           foundation
           of
           its
           Confession
           ,
           the
           four
           first
           General
           Councils
           are
           received
           with
           great
           Veneration
           ,
           and
           a
           particular
           a
           Injunction
           was
           laid
           upon
           its
           Ministers
           to
           press
           upon
           none
           the
           necessary
           belief
           of
           any
           Doctrine
           ,
           but
           what
           may
           be
           proved
           from
           Scripture
           ,
           and
           the
           general
           current
           of
           the
           Expositions
           of
           the
           Fathers
           thereupon
           .
           So
           careful
           it
           hath
           been
           in
           all
           points
           to
           keep
           within
           the
           bounds
           of
           Catholick
           Principles
           ,
           in
           those
           first
           instilled
           into
           its
           young
           Disciples
           in
           the
           Catechism
           ,
           and
           in
           those
           delivered
           in
           its
           Articles
           to
           be
           subscribed
           by
           such
           to
           whom
           it
           entrusts
           any
           Office
           ,
           that
           the
           
             positive
             part
          
           of
           them
           will
           hardly
           be
           disowned
           by
           our
           very
           Adversaries
           ,
           and
           can
           scarce
           appear
           otherwise
           to
           any
           ,
           than
           the
           common
           Faith
           of
           all
           Christians
           of
           Orthodox
           repute
           in
           all
           Ages
           .
           And
           for
           other
           determinations
           in
           the
           
             Negative
          
           she
           only
           declares
           thereby
           how
           little
           concerned
           she
           is
           to
           receive
           or
           own
           the
           false
           or
           corrupt
           additions
           to
           the
           first
           unalterable
           Rule
           .
           No
           Church
           hath
           professed
           and
           evidenced
           a
           more
           awful
           and
           tender
           regard
           to
           Antiquity
           next
           to
           the
           express
           Word
           of
           God.
           Both
           which
           she
           oft
           appeals
           to
           ,
           desires
           to
           be
           ruled
           by
           ;
           and
           where
           their
           footsteps
           are
           not
           sufficiently
           clear
           ,
           chooses
           not
           to
           impose
           upon
           her
           own
           Children
           ,
           nor
           censure
           her
           
           Neighbours
           ;
           keeps
           within
           the
           most
           safe
           ,
           and
           modest
           boundaries
           ;
           is
           not
           forward
           in
           determining
           nice
           and
           intricate
           disputes
           ,
           which
           have
           perplexed
           and
           confounded
           many
           in
           their
           hasty
           and
           bold
           Positions
           ,
           particularly
           about
           the
           Divine
           Decrees
           ,
           and
           such
           like
           sublime
           Points
           ,
           In
           which
           few
           understand
           where
           the
           main
           stress
           of
           the
           Controversie
           lies
           ;
           It
           may
           be
           non
           can
           comprehend
           the
           depth
           of
           the
           matters
           upon
           which
           the
           Decision
           ought
           to
           be
           grounded
           .
           But
           alas
           how
           many
           have
           been
           forward
           to
           lay
           down
           ,
           and
           fiercely
           contend
           for
           ,
           on
           each
           side
           ,
           their
           private
           opinions
           herein
           as
           the
           first
           Rudiments
           of
           Theology
           ,
           to
           be
           placed
           in
           their
           very
           Creeds
           or
           Catechisms
           ,
           and
           so
           a
           foundation
           must
           be
           laid
           for
           endless
           Contests
           and
           Divisions
           ?
           But
           most
           cautious
           hath
           our
           Church
           been
           in
           not
           laying
           such
           occasions
           to
           fall
           in
           the
           way
           of
           any
           :
           So
           that
           both
           sorts
           of
           Adversaries
           have
           made
           their
           complaints
           against
           her
           for
           not
           being
           more
           positive
           ,
           and
           particularly
           in
           such
           Declarations
           ,
           though
           none
           can
           charge
           her
           justly
           with
           defect
           in
           any
           point
           of
           Faith
           so
           own'd
           in
           the
           best
           Ages
           of
           the
           Church
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           As
           clear
           ,
           and
           unexceptionable
           hath
           been
           her
           proceeding
           in
           
             Church
             Government
             ,
          
           preserving
           that
           form
           ,
           which
           from
           all
           Testimonies
           of
           Antiquity
           hath
           continued
           in
           the
           Church
           from
           the
           very
           Apostles
           ,
           under
           the
           conduct
           ,
           and
           happy
           Influence
           of
           which
           Christianity
           hath
           been
           propagated
           ,
           and
           continued
           throughout
           the
           world
           ,
           whatever
           different
           measures
           some
           other
           Reformed
           Churches
           have
           taken
           ,
           whether
           forced
           by
           necessity
           ,
           or
           swayed
           by
           particular
           inclination
           ,
           or
           prejudice
           .
           The
           Church
           of
           
             England
          
           kept
           up
           the
           universally
           received
           distinct
           prime
           Orders
           of
           
             Bishops
             ,
             Priests
             ,
          
           and
           
             Deacons
             :
          
           not
           desiring
           to
           censure
           others
           ,
           who
           can
           best
           answer
           for
           themselves
           ,
           but
           endeavouring
           to
           confine
           her self
           to
           what
           was
           most
           Canonical
           ,
           and
           Regular
           ,
           
           and
           to
           shew
           how
           little
           affected
           she
           was
           to
           alteration
           from
           any
           establishment
           ,
           except
           in
           notorious
           corruptions
           and
           abuses
           :
           And
           how
           necessary
           she
           thought
           due
           Order
           and
           Subordination
           in
           the
           Church
           to
           prevent
           Schisms
           and
           Heresies
           ,
           and
           to
           give
           the
           greater
           Authority
           and
           advantage
           to
           her
           Ministrations
           ;
           and
           finally
           to
           free
           her self
           from
           all
           suspicion
           of
           irregularity
           in
           her
           Succession
           ,
           derived
           down
           from
           Christ
           and
           his
           Apostles
           ,
           which
           she
           ,
           as
           much
           as
           any
           Church
           in
           the
           World
           ,
           may
           pretend
           unto
           .
           And
           though
           some
           intermediate
           Ages
           have
           been
           blemished
           with
           much
           degeneracy
           ,
           yet
           she
           was
           concerned
           only
           to
           separate
           this
           ,
           but
           retain
           ,
           and
           convey
           down
           to
           others
           whatsoever
           good
           and
           wholsom
           provision
           she
           received
           from
           those
           before
           .
        
         
           Farther
           ,
           to
           evince
           this
           ,
           particular
           care
           was
           taken
           by
           express
           Law
           
             (
             a
             )
          
           to
           confirm
           the
           Rules
           of
           Government
           ,
           
           or
           
             Canon
             Law
          
           before
           received
           in
           the
           Church
           till
           some
           better
           provision
           could
           be
           made
           so
           far
           as
           it
           contradicts
           not
           the
           Law
           of
           the
           Land
           ,
           or
           the
           Word
           of
           God
           ;
           making
           as
           few
           changes
           in
           the
           outward
           face
           of
           the
           Church
           as
           was
           possible
           ,
           and
           sensibly
           proving
           it
           her
           design
           properly
           not
           to
           destroy
           ,
           but
           build
           ,
           nor
           yet
           therein
           to
           erect
           a
           new
           ,
           but
           reform
           an
           old
           Church
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           Alike
           Canonical
           ,
           and
           orderly
           hath
           been
           her
           Constitution
           in
           matters
           of
           
             Worship
             .
          
           Her
           Forms
           of
           Prayer
           and
           Praise
           with
           the
           whole
           order
           of
           her
           Liturgy
           are
           composed
           with
           the
           greatest
           temper
           ,
           and
           expressed
           in
           the
           most
           plain
           and
           comprehensive
           terms
           to
           help
           forward
           uniform
           Devotion
           ,
           pious
           Affection
           ,
           the
           most
           Orthodox
           Profession
           ,
           and
           Catholick
           Communion
           .
           So
           that
           I
           think
           it
           may
           be
           universally
           affirmed
           ,
           that
           there
           is
           not
           any
           thing
           required
           in
           her
           publick
           Service
           necessary
           to
           those
           who
           communicate
           with
           her
           ,
           which
           any
           that
           own
           the
           name
           of
           Christians
           ,
           or
           are
           own'd
           for
           such
           by
           the
           general
           body
           of
           them
           ,
           can
           almost
           scruple
           :
           unless
           
           because
           it
           is
           a
           
             Form
             ,
          
           by
           one
           sort
           ,
           and
           because
           it
           is
           
             ours
          
           by
           another
           sort
           .
           But
           how
           unreasonable
           herein
           are
           both
           ?
           So
           careful
           she
           hath
           been
           to
           lay
           the
           ground
           of
           most
           Catholick
           Unity
           ,
           and
           to
           remove
           whatever
           might
           obstruct
           it
           .
        
         
           This
           our
           Adversaries
           the
           Romanists
           confirmed
           by
           their
           own
           practice
           ,
           when
           for
           several
           years
           ,
           as
           we
           have
           been
           told
           a
           in
           the
           beginning
           of
           Queen
           
             Elizabeths
          
           Reign
           ,
           they
           frequented
           our
           Churches
           ,
           joyn'd
           in
           our
           Prayers
           and
           Praises
           ,
           attended
           on
           our
           Sermons
           and
           other
           Instructions
           ,
           and
           received
           (
           as
           some
           add
           )
           our
           Sacraments
           ,
           according
           to
           the
           order
           for
           substance
           the
           same
           as
           now
           ,
           and
           had
           it
           is
           like
           done
           so
           still
           ,
           having
           nothing
           to
           object
           against
           them
           but
           from
           the
           after-prohibition
           of
           the
           
             Pope
             ,
          
           who
           had
           reason
           to
           fear
           they
           who
           were
           so
           well
           provided
           of
           all
           needful
           ,
           supply
           ,
           and
           defence
           at
           home
           might
           thus
           by
           degrees
           be
           withdrawn
           from
           subjection
           to
           his
           Authority
           abroad
           ;
           that
           darling
           point
           never
           to
           be
           dispensed
           ,
           or
           parted
           with
           ,
           whatever
           else
           might
           have
           been
           yielded
           b
        
         
           Our
           Reformers
           who
           composed
           our
           
             Liturgy
          
           carefully
           collected
           the
           remainders
           of
           true
           Primitive
           Devotion
           then
           in
           use
           ,
           and
           separated
           from
           them
           all
           those
           corrupt
           additions
           ,
           which
           ignorance
           ,
           superstition
           ,
           and
           crafty
           policy
           had
           mixed
           therewith
           .
           Therefore
           it
           is
           so
           far
           from
           being
           an
           objection
           ,
           that
           any
           part
           of
           our
           Liturgy
           was
           translated
           from
           the
           Roman
           Offices
           ,
           that
           while
           nothing
           is
           retained
           contrary
           to
           wholsom
           Doctrine
           ,
           and
           sound
           Piety
           ,
           it
           is
           a
           convincing
           argument
           of
           her
           impartial
           Sincerity
           ,
           and
           desire
           to
           preserve
           Uniformity
           ,
           as
           much
           as
           possible
           ,
           with
           all
           Christians
           abroad
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           at
           home
           in
           her
           own
           Members
           :
           securing
           all
           the
           Substantials
           of
           Worship
           according
           to
           the
           plain
           sense
           of
           Scripture
           ,
           and
           the
           pattern
           of
           the
           Primitive
           Church
           .
        
         
         
           And
           as
           to
           
             Circumstantials
          
           and
           
             Ceremonies
             ,
          
           she
           is
           sensible
           when
           they
           are
           too
           numerous
           how
           apt
           they
           are
           to
           darken
           the
           inward
           ,
           and
           more
           essential
           luster
           of
           Religion
           ,
           and
           prove
           a
           Burden
           instead
           of
           a
           Relief
           to
           its
           Worship
           ,
           which
           she
           takes
           notice
           c
           St.
           
             Augustin
          
           complain'd
           of
           in
           his
           time
           :
           But
           have
           since
           so
           encreased
           in
           the
           Eastern
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           Western
           Churches
           ,
           that
           it
           must
           argue
           a
           great
           aw
           to
           make
           the
           Service
           look
           like
           any
           thing
           serious
           and
           Sacred
           .
           However
           this
           number
           alone
           ,
           where
           the
           particulars
           are
           not
           otherwise
           obnoxious
           ,
           tempts
           some
           to
           spend
           all
           their
           zeal
           therein
           ,
           and
           diverts
           them
           from
           things
           more
           necessary
           ,
           or
           gives
           too
           much
           occasion
           to
           others
           to
           quarrel
           about
           them
           .
           Yet
           withal
           being
           apprehensive
           how
           needful
           it
           would
           be
           to
           maintain
           Order
           ,
           and
           Decency
           ,
           She
           hath
           kept
           some
           ,
           though
           very
           few
           ,
           and
           those
           most
           plain
           ,
           and
           unexceptionable
           in
           their
           nature
           ,
           most
           significative
           of
           the
           end
           for
           which
           they
           were
           appointed
           ,
           and
           most
           ancient
           ,
           and
           universal
           in
           their
           Institution
           ,
           and
           practice
           ,
           hinted
           in
           the
           title
           of
           our
           Liturgy
           as
           it
           is
           changed
           from
           the
           former
           .
           And
           to
           prevent
           all
           differences
           hereabout
           ,
           she
           hath
           expressed
           her
           sense
           of
           them
           so
           clearly
           ,
           and
           explicitely
           ,
           that
           one
           would
           think
           no
           peevish
           obstinacy
           had
           room
           to
           interpose
           a
           scruple
           however
           the
           event
           hath
           proved
           .
        
         
           Thus
           abundantly
           hath
           the
           Church
           of
           
             England
          
           vindicated
           her
           Reformation
           from
           all
           pretence
           of
           Apostacy
           from
           the
           True
           ,
           Ancient
           ,
           Catholick
           ,
           and
           Apostolick
           Church
           ,
           and
           shewed
           in
           all
           instances
           how
           careful
           she
           hath
           been
           
             to
             preserve
             the
             Vnity
             of
             the
             Spirit
             in
             the
             bond
             of
             peace
          
           with
           all
           the
           Members
           thereof
           .
           Nor
           hath
           she
           been
           wanting
           in
           any
           respect
           or
           reverence
           due
           thereunto
           .
           No
           Church
           being
           more
           cautious
           ,
           and
           sparing
           in
           its
           determinations
           ,
           more
           Canonical
           in
           its
           Impositions
           ,
           more
           Regular
           in
           its
           Succession
           ,
           and
           more
           charitable
           in
           its
           Censures
           :
           making
           all
           necessary
           provision
           for
           
           her
           own
           Children
           so
           within
           the
           bounds
           of
           Catholick
           Unity
           ,
           that
           had
           other
           Churches
           observed
           the
           like
           method
           ,
           or
           measures
           ,
           way
           had
           been
           made
           for
           an
           universal
           consent
           ;
           a
           and
           every
           true
           Christian
           where
           ever
           he
           came
           would
           have
           found
           his
           own
           Church
           wherewith
           to
           communicate
           without
           hesitancy
           in
           all
           Religious
           Offices
           .
           And
           as
           b
           St.
           
             Augustin
          
           observed
           in
           his
           time
           ,
           he
           would
           have
           needed
           but
           to
           enquire
           for
           the
           Catholick
           Church
           ,
           and
           no
           Schismatick
           would
           have
           dared
           to
           divert
           him
           to
           their
           Conventicles
           .
        
         
           But
           if
           after
           the
           confusions
           ,
           and
           disorders
           of
           so
           many
           Centuries
           ,
           amidst
           such
           a
           depraved
           state
           by
           corrupt
           manners
           ,
           diversities
           of
           opinion
           ,
           and
           perplext
           Interests
           ,
           so
           great
           a
           happiness
           be
           not
           to
           be
           hoped
           for
           now
           :
           that
           private
           person
           ,
           or
           particular
           Church
           will
           clear
           themselves
           before
           God
           ,
           and
           all
           good
           men
           ,
           that
           do
           what
           is
           in
           their
           power
           towards
           it
           ,
           and
           pray
           to
           Him
           to
           amend
           what
           they
           cannot
           change
           ,
           and
           in
           the
           mean
           time
           make
           the
           best
           use
           of
           what
           means
           they
           enjoy
           .
        
         
           Upon
           which
           Premises
           an
           easie
           Solution
           is
           given
           to
           the
           old
           cavilling
           question
           ,
           Where
           was
           your
           Church
           before
           the
           Reformation
           ,
           or
           that
           time
           ?
        
         
           We
           answer
           ,
           Just
           where
           it
           is
           :
           Thereby
           no
           new
           Church
           was
           set
           up
           ;
           no
           new
           Articles
           of
           Faith
           brought
           in
           ;
           no
           new
           Sacraments
           ;
           no
           new
           order
           of
           Priesthood
           to
           minister
           in
           holy
           things
           :
           all
           which
           would
           have
           indeed
           required
           new
           Miracles
           ,
           and
           a
           new
           immediate
           Authority
           from
           Heaven
           so
           attested
           :
           only
           the
           old
           were
           purged
           from
           impurities
           in
           Doctrine
           ,
           Worship
           ,
           and
           Practice
           ,
           which
           ,
           in
           passing
           through
           so
           many
           degenerate
           Ages
           ,
           they
           had
           contracted
           ,
           and
           that
           an
           ordinary
           Power
           might
           suffice
           
           to
           do
           .
           If
           we
           were
           in
           the
           Catholick
           Church
           before
           ,
           we
           are
           so
           still
           ,
           and
           hope
           ,
           to
           better
           purpose
           .
           We
           are
           not
           therefore
           out
           of
           it
           ,
           because
           their
           rash
           Censures
           have
           excluded
           us
           and
           then
           they
           unreasonably
           take
           advantage
           to
           argue
           against
           us
           from
           their
           own
           act
           :
           We
           never
           formally
           shut
           them
           out
           what
           ever
           they
           have
           done
           to
           us
           .
        
         
           What
           degrees
           of
           corruption
           in
           Faith
           or
           Manners
           may
           be
           consistent
           with
           the
           bare
           being
           of
           a
           Church
           ,
           or
           the
           possibility
           of
           salvation
           therein
           ,
           is
           needless
           and
           dangerous
           for
           us
           nicely
           to
           enquire
           :
           it
           may
           be
           impossible
           for
           us
           to
           know
           .
           I
           am
           sure
           it
           is
           most
           safe
           for
           us
           to
           reform
           what
           we
           know
           to
           be
           amiss
           ,
           and
           to
           leave
           those
           who
           do
           not
           ,
           to
           stand
           or
           fall
           by
           their
           own
           Master
           .
           It
           is
           a
           very
           ill
           requital
           of
           our
           Charity
           if
           it
           be
           turned
           into
           a
           weapon
           of
           offence
           to
           wound
           ,
           or
           slay
           us
           ,
           by
           that
           by
           which
           we
           shewed
           our
           desire
           of
           their
           Cure.
           But
           they
           and
           we
           must
           stand
           another
           trial
           ,
           and
           await
           a
           final
           infallible
           Sentence
           ,
           which
           ours
           here
           cannot
           change
           .
           The
           best
           security
           that
           we
           know
           to
           meet
           it
           with
           comfort
           will
           be
           to
           use
           the
           most
           strict
           impartiality
           with
           our selves
           ,
           and
           the
           greatest
           Charity
           to
           others
           .
        
         
           Yet
           our
           Adversaries
           glory
           in
           nothing
           more
           than
           in
           the
           name
           of
           the
           
             Catholick
             Church
             ,
          
           and
           boast
           in
           no
           Title
           so
           much
           as
           that
           of
           
             Catholicks
             ,
          
           which
           hath
           had
           deservedly
           so
           great
           veneration
           in
           all
           Antiquity
           .
        
         
           But
           their
           claim
           here
           truly
           examined
           will
           prove
           as
           fallacious
           and
           arrogant
           as
           in
           any
           other
           instance
           .
           For
           the
           term
           
             Catholick
          
           if
           we
           respect
           the
           notation
           of
           the
           word
           ,
           or
           the
           most
           constant
           use
           of
           it
           ,
           is
           the
           same
           as
           
             Vniversal
             ,
          
           and
           so
           joyned
           to
           the
           Church
           signifies
           the
           general
           Body
           of
           all
           Christians
           dispersed
           thoughout
           the
           World
           ,
           opposed
           to
           any
           distinct
           Party
           ,
           or
           separate
           Communion
           .
        
         
         
           Thus
           we
           find
           it
           constantly
           applied
           by
           St.
           
             Augustin
          
           in
           all
           his
           Tracts
           against
           the
           
             Donatists
             ,
          
           
           and
           so
           opposed
           to
           them
           who
           went
           about
           to
           shut
           it
           up
           within
           their
           own
           Party
           ,
           and
           streitned
           Communion
           ;
           therein
           too
           closely
           imitated
           by
           our
           Adversaries
           ,
           who
           ,
           in
           spite
           of
           name
           or
           thing
           ,
           make
           the
           same
           inclosures
           about
           the
           Catholick
           as
           about
           the
           Roman
           Church
           ,
           and
           are
           as
           free
           in
           their
           severest
           censures
           of
           all
           others
           ,
           and
           as
           haughty
           in
           what
           they
           assume
           to
           themselves
           alone
           as
           they
           were
           ,
           though
           not
           proceeding
           upon
           the
           same
           grounds
           .
           But
           what
           that
           holy
           Father
           every
           where
           presseth
           upon
           them
           reacheth
           as
           nearly
           our
           Antagonists
           ;
           the
           indispensable
           necessity
           of
           Charity
           ,
           that
           great
           bond
           of
           Unity
           in
           the
           Church
           ,
           and
           principal
           evidence
           of
           the
           Divine
           Spirit
           ,
           which
           animates
           the
           whole
           ,
           without
           which
           the
           highest
           gifts
           ,
           and
           most
           Sacred
           Ministrations
           are
           rendred
           ineffectual
           .
           This
           is
           one
           of
           the
           prime
           Characteristick
           notes
           of
           the
           true
           Catholick
           Church
           ,
           and
           every
           living
           Member
           thereof
           ,
           and
           nothing
           is
           more
           opposite
           to
           their
           Principles
           and
           Practices
           ,
           who
           have
           formally
           excluded
           all
           other
           Christians
           and
           Churches
           from
           any
           share
           therein
           ,
           not
           only
           those
           in
           the
           West
           ,
           that
           have
           deservedly
           cast
           off
           that
           power
           ,
           which
           they
           had
           unjustly
           arrogated
           ,
           and
           tyrannically
           exercised
           ,
           but
           also
           the
           
             Greeks
             ,
          
           and
           others
           in
           the
           East
           ,
           that
           never
           owned
           any
           subjection
           to
           them
           .
        
         
           But
           most
           securely
           may
           the
           
             Church
             of
             England
          
           glory
           in
           true
           Catholicism
           ,
           which
           to
           all
           her
           other
           privileges
           ,
           
           and
           advantages
           that
           she
           may
           boast
           of
           above
           almost
           any
           other
           Church
           ,
           still
           maintains
           ,
           and
           evidences
           the
           greatest
           charity
           to
           others
           of
           any
           that
           I
           know
           in
           the
           world
           ;
           makes
           no
           other
           inclosures
           than
           those
           which
           God
           himself
           hath
           made
           ,
           not
           assuming
           any
           Authority
           to
           command
           ,
           yea
           ,
           or
           to
           pass
           hasty
           judgment
           upon
           any
           ,
           but
           only
           to
           provide
           for
           her
           own
           the
           best
           she
           can
           ,
           and
           with
           such
           tender
           regard
           to
           common
           Christianity
           ,
           and
           the
           Rights
           of
           all
           other
           Churches
           ,
           that
           she
           seems
           designedly
           to
           have
           chalkt
           out
           the
           way
           of
           restoring
           the
           most
           desirable
           fruits
           of
           Christian
           Unity
           throughout
           the
           whole
           Church
           ;
           and
           we
           should
           have
           been
           sensible
           of
           considerable
           effects
           by
           it
           ,
           had
           other
           Churches
           pursued
           like
           methods
           .
        
         
           That
           Church
           sure
           is
           most
           
             Catholick
          
           that
           makes
           provision
           for
           the
           most
           Catholick
           Communion
           ,
           Peace
           ,
           and
           Unity
           ,
           and
           which
           imposes
           no
           other
           terms
           or
           conditions
           of
           it
           but
           those
           most
           universally
           received
           throughout
           all
           Ages
           ,
           in
           all
           places
           ,
           and
           by
           almost
           all
           Christians
           ;
           which
           may
           soon
           decide
           the
           competition
           ,
           whether
           the
           Church
           of
           
             England
          
           more
           truly
           vindicates
           to
           her self
           a
           part
           of
           the
           Catholick
           Church
           ,
           or
           they
           of
           
             Rome
          
           arrogate
           to
           themselves
           the
           whole
           ?
           Or
           which
           are
           the
           Schismaticks
           from
           it
           ,
           they
           which
           exclude
           none
           ,
           whom
           they
           own
           no
           power
           over
           ,
           but
           invite
           all
           to
           them
           ,
           and
           joyn
           with
           any
           in
           what
           is
           good
           ,
           and
           agreeable
           to
           the
           Institutions
           of
           our
           common
           Lord
           ;
           or
           they
           who
           shut
           out
           all
           but
           those
           who
           will
           subject
           themselves
           to
           their
           usurpt
           Authority
           ,
           and
           most
           unjustifiable
           Impositions
           .
           a
        
         
           Father
           the
           term
           
             Catholick
          
           is
           sometimes
           taken
           for
           
             Orthodox
             ,
          
           and
           so
           the
           Catholick
           Church
           interpreted
           for
           that
           which
           holds
           the
           Catholick
           
           Faith
           opposed
           to
           heretical
           Opinions
           and
           Doctrines
           as
           well
           as
           to
           Schismatical
           Separations
           .
           b
           In
           this
           sense
           the
           Church
           of
           
             England
          
           hath
           as
           good
           a
           claim
           in
           the
           Catholick
           Church
           as
           any
           whatever
           ;
           Receiving
           all
           the
           Artiticles
           of
           Christian
           Faith
           delivered
           in
           Scripture
           ,
           and
           received
           in
           the
           Primitive
           Ages
           for
           more
           than
           five
           hundred
           years
           .
           No
           Principles
           having
           been
           so
           formally
           declared
           then
           ,
           and
           for
           some
           time
           after
           ,
           as
           the
           Catholick
           Faith
           of
           all
           Christians
           ,
           and
           as
           such
           necessary
           to
           be
           own'd
           ,
           which
           she
           rejects
           :
           whatever
           private
           opinions
           there
           might
           be
           then
           among
           some
           eminent
           Doctors
           of
           the
           Church
           in
           which
           they
           oft
           differed
           one
           from
           the
           other
           ,
           or
           although
           there
           might
           be
           some
           observances
           then
           generally
           received
           which
           she
           thinks
           her self
           not
           bound
           to
           retain
           .
        
         
           But
           ill
           will
           this
           Character
           agree
           to
           the
           Romanists
           ,
           who
           have
           added
           so
           many
           new
           dangerous
           Articles
           to
           the
           common
           Faith
           of
           Christians
           ,
           not
           only
           beside
           the
           original
           Rule
           ,
           which
           they
           cannot
           but
           own
           with
           us
           ,
           but
           too
           often
           against
           it
           ,
           and
           the
           professed
           belief
           of
           the
           first
           ,
           and
           best
           Ages
           of
           the
           Church
           .
           Wherefore
           we
           reject
           not
           these
           innovations
           meerly
           from
           negative
           arguments
           ,
           because
           not
           sufficiently
           proved
           ;
           (
           and
           yet
           that
           way
           of
           arguing
           hath
           been
           always
           allowed
           in
           the
           Fundamentals
           of
           Faith
           ,
           which
           must
           be
           grounded
           upon
           express
           Divine
           Authority
           and
           Testimony
           .
           )
           But
           we
           lay
           the
           greatest
           stress
           of
           our
           aversations
           to
           them
           upon
           that
           direct
           opposition
           ,
           which
           we
           undertake
           to
           prove
           most
           of
           them
           have
           to
           the
           common
           Faith
           ,
           and
           revealed
           Will
           of
           God
           which
           they
           and
           we
           both
           own
           .
           And
           surely
           that
           Church
           in
           this
           acceptaion
           is
           most
           
             Catholick
             ,
          
           that
           relies
           on
           such
           Catholick
           Principles
           ,
           and
           refers
           all
           others
           to
           be
           examined
           by
           this
           touchstone
           .
        
         
         
           V.
           But
           in
           the
           fifth
           place
           some
           Objections
           lie
           in
           our
           way
           fit
           to
           be
           answered
           .
        
         
           
             Object
             .
          
           1.
           
           They
           urge
           against
           us
           that
           we
           reject
           several
           Doctrines
           since
           formally
           determined
           in
           the
           Church
           by
           the
           known
           and
           received
           Authority
           thereof
           in
           Councils
           more
           general
           ,
           or
           particular
           ,
           which
           they
           pretend
           were
           believed
           through
           all
           Ages
           ,
           but
           then
           established
           when
           they
           came
           first
           to
           be
           called
           in
           question
           .
        
         
           
             Answ
             .
          
           We
           are
           not
           much
           concerned
           in
           the
           first
           part
           of
           the
           objection
           ,
           though
           very
           many
           exceptions
           might
           come
           in
           especially
           as
           to
           the
           formality
           ,
           and
           regularity
           of
           those
           Councils
           :
           but
           as
           to
           the
           latter
           part
           in
           which
           the
           main
           stress
           lies
           here
           ,
           we
           never
           refused
           a
           fair
           trial
           thereof
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           From
           Scripture
           against
           which
           no
           Authority
           Civil
           ,
           or
           Ecclesiastical
           ,
           in
           single
           persons
           ,
           or
           the
           greatest
           Assemblies
           ,
           no
           time
           ,
           or
           custome
           of
           whatever
           date
           can
           prescribe
           .
           a
           This
           hath
           been
           ever
           received
           till
           of
           late
           as
           the
           perfect
           ,
           and
           intire
           Rule
           of
           all
           necessary
           doctrines
           of
           Faith
           ,
           and
           practice
           ;
           of
           which
           abundant
           Testimonies
           may
           be
           seen
           in
           most
           Protestant
           Writers
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           We
           appeal
           also
           to
           the
           Primitive
           ,
           and
           best
           Ages
           of
           Christianity
           which
           either
           knew
           nothing
           of
           these
           Additions
           that
           we
           can
           find
           ,
           or
           sometimes
           give
           as
           express
           declarations
           against
           them
           ,
           as
           could
           be
           expected
           at
           this
           distance
           .
           But
           to
           take
           off
           much
           of
           the
           strangeness
           of
           so
           harsh
           an
           imputation
           at
           first
           sight
           ,
           wherewith
           we
           charge
           a
           great
           part
           of
           the
           Church
           for
           a
           considerable
           time
           ,
           and
           
           that
           they
           and
           we
           may
           be
           less
           scandaliz'd
           at
           the
           first
           mention
           of
           these
           defections
           ,
        
         
           3.
           
           We
           may
           consider
           the
           various
           Cautions
           in
           the
           New
           Testament
           against
           corrupt
           Doctrines
           ,
           and
           Manners
           ,
           which
           at
           the
           least
           in
           general
           are
           foretold
           would
           creep
           into
           the
           Church
           ,
           if
           some
           of
           them
           we
           now
           charge
           be
           not
           particularly
           described
           therein
           .
        
         
           4.
           
           We
           may
           compare
           matter
           of
           fact
           with
           the
           experience
           of
           the
           like
           degeneracy
           of
           the
           Jewish
           Church
           in
           various
           instances
           so
           nearly
           resembling
           these
           as
           nothing
           more
           ,
           and
           from
           the
           same
           plea
           of
           Oral
           Tradition
           ,
           yet
           against
           as
           clear
           evidence
           ,
           and
           as
           emphatical
           promises
           to
           preserve
           them
           from
           Apostacy
           as
           any
           particular
           Church
           at
           least
           can
           now
           pretend
           to
           .
        
         
           5.
           
           We
           may
           consult
           the
           tendency
           of
           lapst
           mankind
           ,
           In
           the
           best
           how
           weak
           it
           is
           ,
           and
           apt
           to
           be
           imposed
           on
           ;
           In
           others
           how
           prone
           to
           corrupt
           ,
           and
           distort
           the
           best
           Institutions
           ,
           cast
           a
           mist
           before
           the
           cleare●t
           discoveries
           ,
           and
           offer
           violence
           unto
           the
           strongest
           convictions
           to
           shelter
           their
           vices
           ,
           and
           promote
           their
           unwarrantable
           interests
           ,
           especially
           in
           times
           of
           ease
           ,
           plenty
           ,
           and
           outward
           prosperity
           .
           In
           which
           we
           may
           compare
           common
           experience
           in
           lesser
           Societies
           ,
           which
           however
           wisely
           directed
           at
           first
           ,
           regularly
           founded
           ,
           and
           strongly
           guarded
           on
           all
           sides
           ,
           without
           a
           very
           careful
           Inspection
           ,
           and
           sometimes
           vigorus
           opposition
           ,
           so
           many
           corruptions
           will
           creep
           in
           as
           to
           need
           frequent
           reformations
           to
           reduce
           them
           back
           to
           their
           primitive
           Constitution
           .
           And
           although
           an
           especial
           providence
           be
           concerned
           for
           the
           guard
           and
           conduct
           of
           Gods
           Church
           ,
           yet
           neither
           Scripture
           ,
           or
           experience
           warrant
           us
           to
           expect
           its
           happy
           Influence
           by
           miracles
           now
           ,
           for
           the
           effecting
           of
           that
           which
           may
           be
           accomplished
           by
           the
           use
           of
           ordinary
           and
           regular
           means
           of
           his
           own
           appointment
           .
        
         
         
           6.
           
           We
           may
           reflect
           upon
           the
           particular
           Ages
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           which
           we
           charge
           especially
           with
           these
           desections
           from
           about
           the
           eighth
           Century
           to
           the
           Reformation
           ,
           wherein
           if
           all
           or
           most
           of
           them
           did
           not
           come
           in
           ,
           yet
           they
           grew
           to
           that
           extravagant
           heighth
           ,
           as
           to
           gain
           establishment
           for
           Principles
           of
           Christianity
           .
           These
           Ages
           are
           charged
           by
           their
           own
           Authors
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           ours
           ,
           and
           stand
           most
           sensibly
           convict
           of
           the
           grossest
           Barbarism
           ,
           Stupidity
           ,
           Ignorance
           ,
           depraved
           Manners
           ,
           and
           all
           such
           corrupt
           Inclinations
           in
           all
           Orders
           and
           Degrees
           ,
           especially
           the
           ruling
           part
           ,
           as
           were
           most
           likely
           to
           make
           way
           for
           such
           Changes
           ,
           and
           Innovations
           .
        
         
           7.
           
           We
           have
           some
           farther
           sensible
           proof
           of
           a
           design
           in
           many
           within
           that
           time
           to
           impose
           upon
           the
           credulity
           of
           others
           ,
           and
           bring
           in
           strange
           Doctrines
           ,
           and
           unwarrantable
           Practices
           ,
           by
           the
           many
           Fabulous
           Stories
           ,
           feigned
           Apparitions
           ,
           and
           Revelations
           ,
           several
           of
           which
           they
           themselves
           will
           hardly
           now
           defend
           ,
           then
           brought
           into
           the
           Church
           to
           confirm
           these
           points
           in
           difference
           ,
           and
           which
           almost
           only
           the
           people
           then
           received
           for
           their
           Instructions
           ,
           to
           entice
           them
           first
           into
           an
           awful
           opinion
           of
           ,
           and
           then
           a
           confident
           reliance
           upon
           these
           things
           .
        
         
           Nay
           farther
           ,
           among
           the
           many
           spurious
           Writings
           which
           then
           crept
           into
           the
           world
           under
           the
           most
           venerable
           names
           of
           the
           renowned
           Fathers
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           now
           mostly
           discarded
           by
           themselves
           ,
           when
           their
           shameless
           Impudence
           hath
           been
           so
           fully
           exposed
           ,
           yet
           few
           of
           them
           there
           are
           in
           which
           this
           contrivance
           is
           not
           legible
           throughout
           to
           advance
           these
           Opinions
           ,
           and
           Practices
           .
           So
           that
           we
           are
           indebted
           to
           the
           Reformation
           ,
           those
           great
           men
           which
           laboured
           in
           it
           ,
           and
           some
           of
           the
           most
           moderate
           and
           learned
           of
           their
           own
           side
           ,
           with
           the
           Art
           of
           Printing
           then
           but
           newly
           found
           out
           ,
           that
           almost
           all
           ancient
           Authors
           ,
           and
           Records
           have
           not
           lost
           their
           
           Authority
           ,
           which
           would
           have
           been
           much
           endangered
           among
           such
           gross
           depravers
           of
           Antiquity
           ,
           whose
           constant
           business
           it
           was
           to
           mar
           good
           Authors
           by
           their
           Interpolations
           ,
           Additions
           ,
           or
           Substractions
           :
           or
           vent
           new
           ones
           under
           counterfeit
           old
           names
           to
           serve
           their
           corrupt
           ends
           .
           But
           we
           are
           somewhat
           beholden
           to
           their
           ignorance
           ,
           and
           stupidity
           ,
           for
           doing
           it
           so
           grosly
           that
           there
           was
           need
           of
           little
           skill
           or
           observation
           to
           discover
           their
           Impostures
           .
        
         
           8.
           
           To
           which
           may
           be
           added
           in
           the
           last
           place
           against
           the
           supposed
           presumption
           in
           private
           persons
           ,
           or
           particular
           Churches
           to
           judge
           of
           publick
           Establishments
           by
           a
           seeming
           Superiour
           Authority
           :
           that
           without
           some
           judgment
           of
           discretion
           in
           the
           former
           there
           is
           no
           room
           for
           a
           proper
           Moral
           Act
           ,
           much
           less
           are
           they
           capable
           of
           a
           truly
           Religious
           Obligation
           ,
           which
           an
           absolute
           implicite
           faith
           perfectly
           destroys
           .
           But
           whilst
           every
           man
           is
           bound
           to
           prove
           his
           own
           work
           ,
           and
           must
           bear
           his
           own
           burden
           ,
           he
           must
           examine
           the
           grounds
           of
           his
           assent
           according
           to
           his
           capacity
           ,
           and
           determine
           himself
           by
           the
           best
           motives
           he
           can
           procure
           ,
           and
           is
           concerned
           at
           his
           utmost
           peril
           to
           do
           it
           with
           all
           due
           respect
           to
           the
           Authority
           and
           Judgment
           of
           his
           Superiours
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           the
           evidence
           of
           the
           things
           themselves
           ,
           which
           are
           no
           where
           in
           any
           Government
           beside
           thought
           inconsistent
           .
        
         
           These
           Considerations
           duly
           weighed
           may
           obviate
           those
           first
           prejudices
           which
           usually
           lie
           in
           the
           way
           to
           intercept
           all
           thoughts
           of
           farther
           trial
           ,
           and
           examination
           of
           particular
           Points
           in
           controversie
           ,
           and
           may
           silence
           or
           shame
           the
           late
           idle
           vaunts
           of
           such
           who
           pretend
           to
           reason
           us
           out
           of
           our
           senses
           ,
           and
           undertake
           to
           demonstrate
           it
           
             à
             priori
          
           impossible
           that
           ever
           any
           false
           opinion
           should
           get
           into
           the
           Church
           ,
           or
           prevail
           therein
           .
           I
           wish
           these
           men
           would
           try
           their
           pains
           ,
           and
           subtilty
           to
           prove
           
           it
           impossible
           there
           could
           be
           any
           such
           thing
           as
           wilful
           sin
           in
           the
           world
           .
           I
           presume
           they
           might
           have
           as
           good
           Topicks
           to
           pretend
           to
           it
           from
           all
           convictions
           of
           Reason
           or
           Interest
           .
           But
           after
           the
           most
           artificial
           composures
           herein
           they
           would
           hardly
           believe
           themselves
           ,
           or
           be
           credited
           by
           others
           against
           their
           experience
           .
           It
           were
           well
           if
           they
           might
           prevail
           to
           make
           that
           less
           frequent
           which
           all
           must
           own
           so
           unreasonable
           in
           it self
           ,
           and
           destructive
           to
           us
           .
        
         
           
             Object
             .
          
           2.
           
           But
           our
           Adversaries
           will
           yet
           urge
           upon
           us
           ,
           that
           supposing
           ,
           not
           granting
           such
           a
           degeneracy
           in
           the
           Church
           ,
           and
           need
           of
           Reformation
           :
           yet
           this
           should
           have
           been
           done
           in
           order
           to
           preserve
           
             Catholick
             Vnity
          
           by
           common
           consent
           in
           a
           general
           Council
           ,
           and
           with
           most
           mature
           deliberation
           ,
           and
           consultation
           .
        
         
           
             Answ
             .
          
           1.
           
           This
           was
           most
           earnestly
           desired
           ,
           and
           insisted
           on
           by
           the
           first
           Reformers
           ,
           witness
           the
           great
           Importunities
           of
           
             Charles
             the
             Fifth
          
           with
           the
           Pope
           upon
           their
           instance
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           When
           this
           seemingly
           prevailed
           ,
           and
           a
           pretended
           Council
           was
           called
           ,
           it
           was
           far
           from
           being
           free
           or
           general
           .
           The
           Italian
           ,
           and
           meer
           titular
           Bishops
           out-numbred
           all
           the
           rest
           ,
           and
           both
           one
           and
           the
           other
           were
           overawed
           by
           the
           Popes
           immediate
           Dependants
           or
           Delegates
           ,
           and
           all
           things
           carried
           by
           such
           stratagems
           of
           Policy
           ,
           or
           partiality
           of
           Interest
           that
           the
           only
           care
           taken
           was
           to
           fix
           the
           disease
           ,
           and
           not
           provide
           for
           the
           cure
           by
           the
           best
           account
           we
           have
           of
           those
           transactions
           :
           So
           that
           some
           Princes
           of
           their
           own
           Communion
           entred
           their
           Protestations
           against
           its
           proceedings
           ,
           disowning
           any
           Obligation
           to
           be
           tied
           up
           to
           their
           determinations
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           As
           the
           divided
           state
           of
           Christendom
           now
           stands
           ,
           it
           is
           rather
           to
           be
           wish'd
           for
           ,
           than
           supposed
           almost
           possible
           .
        
         
         
           From
           the
           different
           Interests
           and
           inclinations
           of
           Princes
           ,
           who
           will
           hardly
           agree
           together
           in
           the
           Summons
           ,
           place
           ,
           or
           time
           of
           meeting
           ,
           or
           about
           the
           persons
           who
           are
           to
           resort
           to
           it
           from
           their
           several
           Dominions
           .
           While
           the
           Roman
           Empire
           was
           intire
           ,
           the
           Emperours
           Edict
           alone
           was
           Summons
           sufficient
           to
           almost
           the
           whole
           Christian
           Church
           .
           But
           now
           who
           shall
           take
           upon
           him
           to
           call
           or
           invite
           so
           many
           from
           so
           distant
           places
           no
           way
           under
           his
           Authority
           ?
           And
           that
           the
           Pope
           ever
           pretended
           to
           this
           power
           till
           of
           late
           can
           scarce
           be
           pleaded
           against
           such
           clear
           Evidences
           ,
           and
           Examples
           ;
           and
           where
           he
           is
           so
           much
           concerned
           ,
           it
           will
           be
           judged
           more
           unreasonable
           for
           him
           to
           demand
           it
           .
           If
           this
           difficulty
           were
           overcome
           by
           any
           consent
           ,
           or
           condescension
           :
           yet
           so
           many
           jealousies
           ,
           and
           cross
           interests
           are
           behind
           ,
           that
           will
           be
           ,
           and
           have
           been
           laid
           in
           the
           way
           of
           their
           first
           meeting
           together
           with
           a
           requisite
           peaceable
           disposition
           ,
           as
           are
           not
           easily
           foreseen
           ,
           and
           less
           readily
           governed
           ;
           not
           to
           interpose
           the
           difficulties
           of
           the
           journeys
           from
           such
           distant
           places
           ,
           and
           of
           the
           discontinuance
           so
           long
           from
           home
           of
           the
           chief
           Governours
           of
           the
           Church
           :
           many
           doubts
           and
           controversies
           of
           the
           number
           ,
           and
           quality
           of
           persons
           having
           right
           to
           vote
           therein
           by
           themselves
           ,
           or
           Representatives
           will
           not
           soon
           be
           adjusted
           ,
           and
           without
           these
           and
           such
           like
           determined
           there
           is
           no
           preparation
           made
           for
           so
           venerable
           an
           Assembly
           .
        
         
           After
           all
           ,
           when
           never
           so
           duly
           met
           ,
           we
           have
           neither
           Reason
           ,
           
           Promise
           ,
           or
           Example
           to
           suppose
           them
           now
           infallibly
           guided
           in
           their
           determinations
           ,
           but
           that
           they
           or
           the
           greater
           part
           may
           be
           mistaken
           themselves
           ,
           or
           mislead
           others
           ,
           through
           passion
           ,
           and
           false
           interest
           ,
           or
           be
           carried
           away
           in
           the
           noise
           or
           torrent
           of
           a
           multitude
           ,
           or
           be
           imposed
           on
           by
           the
           crafty
           He
           that
           considers
           matter
           of
           fact
           ,
           more
           than
           the
           finest
           Schemes
           ,
           and
           most
           subtil
           
           Reasonings
           of
           his
           own
           brain
           ,
           how
           things
           are
           oft
           strangely
           and
           unaccountably
           carried
           in
           publick
           meetings
           of
           men
           of
           extraordinary
           Fame
           :
           yea
           ,
           in
           some
           Councils
           themselves
           ,
           and
           some
           of
           very
           sacred
           Repute
           in
           the
           Church
           ,
           a
           will
           think
           this
           no
           hard
           supposal
           :
           though
           their
           orderly
           Sentence
           carries
           the
           most
           venerable
           Authority
           below
           Heaven
           .
           
           It
           seems
           to
           argue
           the
           heighth
           of
           Blasphemy
           to
           arreign
           God
           himself
           of
           indiscretion
           ,
           if
           it
           be
           possible
           for
           any
           man
           ,
           
           or
           number
           of
           men
           to
           err
           from
           their
           Duty
           :
           
           And
           very
           presumptuous
           it
           is
           to
           charge
           the
           Supreme
           Providence
           of
           defect
           in
           the
           provision
           for
           the
           continuance
           of
           his
           Church
           if
           they
           be
           capable
           to
           fall
           away
           :
           
           yea
           ,
           let
           God
           be
           true
           but
           every
           man
           a
           liar
           when
           brought
           in
           competition
           .
           He
           will
           not
           be
           tyed
           up
           by
           our
           most
           plausible
           Methods
           in
           the
           way
           of
           securing
           his
           own
           Truth
           ,
           which
           shall
           at
           last
           prevail
           though
           condemned
           :
           whose
           wisdom
           is
           unsearchable
           ,
           and
           his
           ways
           oft
           past
           our
           finding
           out
           .
           He
           will
           bring
           to
           pass
           his
           own
           holy
           designs
           ,
           though
           by
           means
           to
           us
           most
           unlikely
           ,
           or
           it
           may
           be
           seemingly
           opposite
           .
        
         
           Whoever
           seriously
           reflects
           upon
           these
           things
           will
           have
           little
           reason
           to
           quarrel
           at
           the
           Reformation
           for
           want
           of
           this
           formal
           establishment
           in
           Council
           .
        
         
           No
           Christian
           ,
           or
           Church
           is
           chargeable
           with
           the
           lack
           of
           that
           which
           it
           is
           not
           in
           their
           power
           to
           procure
           .
           Men
           may
           please
           themselves
           with
           remote
           Speculations
           ,
           and
           the
           fairest
           hopes
           ,
           and
           wishes
           of
           such
           an
           Authoritative
           Decision
           of
           the
           disputes
           in
           controversie
           ;
           but
           if
           it
           be
           not
           to
           be
           had
           ,
           we
           must
           rest
           content
           with
           ,
           and
           make
           the
           best
           use
           we
           can
           of
           that
           provision
           which
           God
           in
           mercy
           hath
           indulged
           us
           for
           our
           sufficient
           satisfaction
           ,
           and
           safety
           .
        
         
           Every
           particular
           National
           Church
           directly
           subject
           to
           no
           other
           may
           ,
           and
           ought
           to
           reform
           it self
           from
           known
           Abuses
           :
           keeping
           within
           the
           Rule
           of
           Gods
           
           Word
           ,
           avoiding
           as
           much
           as
           possible
           giving
           just
           offence
           to
           any
           beside
           ,
           and
           being
           ready
           to
           give
           an
           account
           of
           its
           proceedings
           therein
           to
           all
           ,
           and
           to
           alter
           any
           thing
           that
           shall
           be
           found
           amiss
           ,
           or
           add
           whatever
           may
           be
           proved
           wanting
           ,
           to
           receive
           others
           into
           its
           Communion
           ,
           and
           to
           communicate
           with
           them
           so
           far
           as
           may
           be
           consistent
           with
           common
           Christianity
           own'd
           by
           all
           ,
           endeavouring
           to
           preserve
           Peace
           ,
           and
           Unity
           with
           all
           that
           call
           upon
           the
           same
           Lord
           ,
           praying
           to
           God
           to
           increase
           ,
           and
           improve
           them
           more
           and
           more
           ;
           such
           hath
           been
           the
           continued
           aim
           ,
           and
           proceeding
           of
           the
           Church
           of
           
             England
             .
          
        
         
           We
           believe
           no
           true
           Member
           of
           this
           would
           have
           refused
           the
           general
           Communion
           of
           the
           truly
           Catholick
           Church
           in
           St.
           
           Augustine's
           Age
           ,
           or
           for
           some
           time
           after
           ,
           though
           possibly
           every
           opinion
           ,
           or
           practice
           then
           current
           be
           not
           suited
           to
           their
           present
           judgment
           ,
           or
           wish
           .
           Neither
           can
           we
           think
           after
           so
           strange
           alteration
           of
           Circumstances
           through
           so
           many
           degenerate
           Ages
           ,
           that
           holy
           Father
           in
           his
           eminent
           zeal
           for
           the
           most
           a
           Catholick
           Communion
           therein
           would
           now
           have
           been
           much
           moved
           by
           our
           present
           Adversaries
           arrogant
           claims
           of
           it
           to
           themselves
           alone
           ,
           though
           against
           the
           Rules
           and
           Principles
           of
           it
           with
           all
           others
           .
           No
           Foundation
           is
           laid
           for
           it
           here
           but
           by
           the
           absolute
           submission
           of
           all
           others
           to
           their
           usurp'd
           Authority
           ,
           and
           rash
           ,
           or
           impious
           determinations
           ;
           Now
           who
           can
           hope
           for
           an
           universal
           Peace
           and
           Unity
           from
           such
           terms
           of
           accommodation
           ,
           only
           fit
           for
           an
           insulting
           Conquerour
           to
           impose
           ,
           like
           those
           which
           
             Nabash
          
           the
           
             Ammonnite
          
           propounded
           to
           the
           men
           of
           
             Jabesh
             Gilead
          
           to
           thrust
           out
           all
           their
           right
           eyes
           ,
           and
           lay
           it
           for
           a
           reproach
           upon
           all
           
             Israel
             ,
             1
             Sam.
          
           11.
           2.
           
        
         
         
           
             Object
             .
          
           3.
           
           Sometimes
           they
           object
           to
           us
           the
           personal
           miscarriages
           of
           some
           ingaged
           in
           the
           Reformation
           .
        
         
           
             Answ
             .
          
           If
           any
           did
           what
           they
           ought
           not
           ,
           or
           with
           unjustifiable
           designs
           what
           they
           ought
           ,
           the
           Church
           is
           no
           way
           accountable
           ;
           if
           what
           they
           did
           in
           the
           Reformation
           ,
           as
           such
           ,
           were
           good
           ,
           and
           they
           had
           sufficient
           Authority
           for
           doing
           it
           ,
           which
           we
           are
           ready
           to
           maintain
           ,
           that
           is
           all
           she
           is
           responsible
           for
           ,
           were
           other
           imputations
           really
           true
           ,
           which
           they
           oft
           are
           not
           :
           However
           it
           will
           be
           an
           endless
           dispute
           ,
           and
           if
           determined
           would
           add
           little
           to
           the
           cause
           .
           I
           may
           add
           ,
           few
           great
           and
           publick
           Changes
           are
           brought
           about
           ,
           where
           so
           many
           interests
           are
           concerned
           either
           way
           to
           promote
           ,
           or
           hinder
           them
           in
           which
           all
           things
           are
           carried
           with
           that
           clearness
           and
           evenness
           that
           were
           to
           be
           desired
           .
           Private
           Persons
           are
           not
           chargeable
           ,
           with
           the
           supposed
           defects
           of
           publick
           Administrations
           ,
           of
           which
           they
           have
           not
           the
           management
           if
           nothing
           be
           required
           of
           them
           against
           their
           express
           Duty
           ,
           and
           they
           be
           provided
           of
           all
           necessary
           means
           of
           their
           Salvation
           ,
           though
           they
           may
           be
           inclined
           to
           wish
           some
           things
           had
           been
           ordered
           otherwise
           .
        
         
           
             Object
             .
          
           4.
           
           Our
           Enemies
           on
           both
           sides
           are
           apt
           to
           object
           to
           us
           the
           want
           of
           due
           Discipline
           ,
           if
           not
           absolutely
           necessary
           to
           the
           being
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           yet
           so
           far
           useful
           to
           the
           well
           being
           ,
           and
           perfection
           of
           it
           ,
           that
           it
           ought
           to
           have
           great
           weight
           in
           determining
           our
           choice
           to
           one
           Communion
           before
           another
           ,
           and
           is
           one
           of
           the
           most
           sensible
           bands
           of
           Unity
           in
           the
           Church
           .
        
         
           
             Answ
             .
          
           1.
           
           The
           restauration
           of
           the
           Primitive
           Vigour
           of
           this
           hath
           been
           always
           wish'd
           for
           by
           our
           Church
           ,
           as
           in
           the
           Preface
           to
           the
           Commination
           ,
           but
           the
           accomplishment
           is
           very
           difficult
           .
        
         
           From
           the
           degeneracy
           of
           the
           Age
           ,
           which
           would
           hardly
           bear
           it
           .
           He
           that
           Governs
           in
           a
           less
           Sphere
           will
           
           find
           how
           oft
           he
           must
           bear
           with
           things
           ,
           which
           he
           does
           not
           approve
           :
           and
           much
           easier
           it
           is
           to
           find
           fault
           with
           ,
           than
           to
           amend
           what
           sometimes
           we
           know
           to
           be
           amiss
           .
        
         
           From
           the
           multiplicity
           of
           Divisions
           ,
           which
           weaken
           all
           endeavours
           towards
           it
           ,
           and
           then
           froward
           men
           unworthily
           charge
           the
           Church
           with
           what
           they
           themselves
           make
           almost
           unavoidable
           :
           whereas
           ,
           if
           executed
           ,
           it
           would
           reach
           themselves
           as
           nearly
           as
           any
           who
           are
           now
           so
           clamorous
           against
           the
           most
           tender
           ,
           and
           charitable
           endeavours
           towards
           it
           as
           cruel
           and
           inhumane
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           The
           Pretences
           ,
           to
           it
           in
           the
           Church
           of
           
             Rome
          
           according
           to
           general
           practice
           ,
           so
           far
           as
           it
           can
           appear
           to
           us
           ;
           and
           we
           can
           judge
           by
           nothing
           else
           ,
           are
           more
           dangerous
           than
           any
           of
           these
           Omissions
           ,
           when
           turn'd
           into
           a
           constant
           circle
           of
           sinning
           ,
           private
           Confession
           ,
           and
           Priestly
           Absolution
           upon
           the
           imposition
           of
           very
           insignificant
           Penance
           ,
           and
           so
           over
           again
           .
           For
           hereby
           men
           have
           the
           Authority
           of
           their
           Church
           to
           confirm
           in
           them
           the
           dangerous
           presumption
           that
           they
           have
           thus
           readily
           cleared
           themselves
           before
           God
           ,
           and
           so
           soon
           perfected
           their
           Repentance
           for
           such
           Sins
           ,
           which
           we
           find
           them
           not
           so
           watchful
           against
           afterward
           ,
           as
           that
           ought
           to
           suppose
           ,
           or
           make
           them
           .
        
         
           Whereas
           the
           Church
           of
           
             England
          
           commends
           private
           Confession
           for
           our
           clearer
           satisfaction
           ,
           and
           direction
           in
           difficult
           cases
           as
           most
           needful
           :
           but
           cannot
           truly
           say
           that
           it
           is
           an
           indispensable
           condition
           of
           our
           pardon
           ,
           which
           was
           never
           so
           believed
           ,
           or
           practised
           in
           the
           Church
           for
           many
           Centuries
           .
           If
           people
           will
           not
           be
           persuaded
           to
           their
           Priviledge
           ,
           unless
           they
           be
           forced
           to
           it
           by
           false
           denunciations
           ,
           they
           must
           look
           to
           that
           ;
           if
           they
           miscarry
           it
           lies
           at
           their
           own
           door
           ,
           while
           they
           have
           no
           hopes
           here
           given
           them
           of
           pardon
           ,
           but
           upon
           such
           an
           intire
           Repentance
           as
           destroys
           the
           habit
           of
           sin
           ,
           and
           
           plants
           the
           contrary
           Grace
           ;
           and
           what
           need
           they
           may
           have
           of
           the
           Assistance
           of
           a
           Spiritual
           Guide
           ,
           and
           other
           helps
           in
           many
           Cases
           in
           order
           to
           this
           effect
           ,
           they
           may
           best
           consider
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           However
           the
           due
           administration
           of
           Discipline
           is
           to
           be
           placed
           among
           conveniencies
           ,
           and
           advantages
           to
           be
           wish'd
           for
           ,
           rather
           than
           necessaries
           we
           cannot
           be
           without
           ;
           and
           it
           hath
           been
           ,
           and
           will
           be
           in
           all
           Ages
           of
           the
           Church
           more
           or
           less
           perfect
           according
           to
           a
           great
           many
           contingencies
           not
           to
           be
           stated
           before
           hand
           .
           The
           Church
           hath
           ever
           judg'd
           it
           the
           best
           measure
           of
           using
           it
           so
           as
           may
           most
           serve
           the
           ends
           of
           Religion
           ,
           and
           the
           general
           benefit
           of
           the
           Community
           ,
           and
           not
           that
           she
           is
           bound
           always
           up
           to
           the
           strict
           merit
           of
           the
           persons
           falling
           under
           it
           ;
           and
           yet
           after
           all
           the
           strictest
           care
           ,
           and
           impartiality
           there
           will
           be
           room
           for
           the
           final
           Separation
           ,
           when
           our
           Lord
           shall
           send
           his
           Angels
           to
           gather
           out
           of
           his
           own
           Kingdom
           all
           offences
           ,
           and
           them
           which
           do
           iniquity
           .
           If
           we
           will
           shun
           all
           communication
           with
           these
           ,
           though
           only
           in
           what
           is
           good
           ,
           we
           must
           flee
           out
           of
           any
           Church
           that
           ever
           yet
           was
           ,
           or
           will
           be
           ,
           so
           far
           as
           we
           know
           ,
           in
           this
           World
           ,
           and
           so
           from
           any
           hopes
           in
           that
           to
           come
           :
           yet
           scarce
           any
           considerable
           Schism
           hath
           appeared
           in
           the
           Church
           ,
           which
           did
           not
           shelter
           it self
           under
           this
           pretence
           .
        
         
           4.
           
           Farther
           it
           may
           be
           alledged
           that
           several
           restraints
           may
           be
           upon
           the
           Church
           from
           the
           Civil
           Power
           .
           When
           this
           had
           suffered
           so
           much
           by
           former
           Encroachments
           ,
           and
           Usurpations
           no
           wonder
           if
           it
           still
           retain
           some
           jealousie
           of
           that
           Yoke
           which
           with
           so
           much
           difficulty
           it
           cast
           off
           ,
           and
           provide
           as
           securely
           as
           it
           can
           for
           its
           future
           preservation
           ,
           though
           by
           suspending
           some
           of
           that
           outward
           assistance
           very
           conduceable
           to
           the
           due
           effect
           of
           Church
           Censures
           ,
           and
           sometimes
           by
           putting
           a
           stop
           to
           their
           sensible
           progress
           ,
           in
           some
           cases
           where
           no
           such
           
           danger
           or
           necessity
           required
           it
           .
           Men
           by
           mistakes
           ,
           or
           prejudice
           may
           strein
           each
           power
           too
           far
           .
           Better
           experience
           of
           the
           Regular
           management
           of
           the
           Ecclesiastical
           ,
           may
           in
           due
           time
           encourage
           the
           Secular
           farther
           to
           enlarge
           their
           Liberty
           ,
           and
           encourage
           their
           orderly
           proceedings
           so
           as
           may
           be
           most
           subservient
           to
           the
           ends
           of
           true
           Religion
           ,
           and
           the
           advancement
           of
           the
           common
           security
           of
           Church
           and
           State.
           All
           the
           power
           which
           the
           Church
           pretends
           to
           as
           such
           is
           spiritual
           ,
           and
           that
           can
           make
           no
           alteration
           in
           the
           Civil
           Rights
           of
           men
           .
        
         
           5.
           
           Yet
           after
           all
           ,
           the
           Church
           amongst
           us
           hath
           not
           only
           sufficient
           Authority
           committed
           to
           her
           by
           Christ
           ;
           but
           reserved
           ,
           and
           countenanced
           by
           the
           Laws
           of
           the
           Land
           to
           testifie
           her
           Abhorrence
           of
           all
           notorious
           Scandals
           ,
           to
           the
           shame
           ,
           and
           confusion
           of
           gross
           Offenders
           ,
           and
           as
           a
           direful
           earnest
           of
           a
           worse
           doom
           that
           awaits
           them
           hereafter
           ,
           not
           here
           prevented
           by
           a
           satisfactory
           Repentance
           .
           I
           need
           not
           refer
           to
           particular
           instances
           when
           we
           have
           frequent
           examples
           thereof
           .
           If
           this
           be
           not
           always
           exercised
           by
           those
           with
           whom
           it
           is
           entrusted
           with
           all
           due
           vigour
           ,
           and
           sincerity
           ,
           after
           just
           abatement
           for
           necessity
           ,
           and
           a
           favourable
           allowance
           for
           such
           perplext
           difficulties
           ,
           of
           which
           scarce
           any
           private
           person
           can
           make
           a
           fair
           and
           competent
           judgment
           ,
           the
           fault
           will
           lie
           only
           at
           their
           doors
           whose
           is
           the
           neglect
           ,
           and
           private
           Christians
           shall
           not
           fare
           the
           worse
           in
           the
           performance
           of
           their
           duty
           ,
           nor
           fail
           of
           the
           salutary
           effects
           of
           the
           ordinary
           means
           of
           Grace
           by
           Gods
           own
           appointment
           ,
           because
           every
           publick
           ministration
           is
           not
           performed
           with
           that
           Religious
           care
           which
           becomes
           such
           concerns
           .
        
         
           6.
           
           Little
           pretence
           can
           they
           have
           from
           this
           Objection
           that
           desert
           the
           Establisht
           National
           Church
           ,
           and
           that
           most
           advantagious
           outward
           Bond
           of
           Unity
           therein
           ,
           in
           pursuit
           of
           private
           Assemblies
           ,
           and
           select
           Congregations
           ,
           
           where
           all
           Acts
           of
           Discipline
           must
           needs
           be
           supposed
           Arbitrary
           on
           one
           side
           ,
           and
           precarious
           on
           the
           other
           .
           When
           he
           or
           they
           who
           inflict
           them
           own
           no
           power
           over
           them
           to
           aw
           ,
           or
           direct
           their
           proceedings
           ,
           or
           upon
           just
           occasion
           to
           reverse
           their
           Sentence
           ;
           nor
           he
           who
           falls
           under
           them
           has
           any
           other
           engagement
           to
           submission
           than
           his
           own
           free
           Act
           ,
           nor
           can
           suffer
           any
           farther
           prejudice
           without
           it
           ,
           than
           to
           be
           forced
           it
           may
           be
           to
           change
           his
           Company
           ,
           or
           place
           of
           meeting
           .
           What
           ever
           grave
           ,
           and
           solemn
           appearance
           this
           may
           carry
           at
           the
           first
           setting
           up
           of
           such
           a
           new
           Government
           ,
           it
           will
           soon
           degenerate
           into
           Mockery
           ,
           or
           Confusion
           .
           Whatsoever
           destroys
           the
           Unity
           of
           the
           Church
           overturns
           the
           main
           strength
           ,
           and
           Foundation
           of
           all
           Discipline
           ;
           the
           defects
           hereof
           we
           may
           hope
           to
           see
           repaired
           with
           the
           preservation
           of
           that
           ,
           but
           without
           that
           no
           prospect
           appears
           of
           any
           overtures
           towards
           it
           .
        
         
           7.
           
           To
           which
           may
           be
           added
           in
           the
           last
           place
           ,
           whatever
           want
           of
           Discipline
           any
           may
           lay
           to
           the
           charge
           of
           the
           Church
           of
           
             England
             ,
          
           none
           can
           complain
           of
           her
           breach
           of
           that
           Unity
           therein
           ,
           which
           all
           Christian
           Churches
           ought
           to
           maintain
           .
           She
           neither
           invades
           the
           Rights
           ,
           nor
           pretends
           to
           reverse
           the
           just
           and
           regular
           Censures
           ,
           nor
           countenances
           the
           Schismaticks
           ,
           nor
           disallows
           the
           ministrations
           of
           any
           other
           Church
           so
           far
           as
           consistent
           with
           the
           express
           Institutions
           of
           our
           blessed
           Saviour
           ,
           and
           the
           universally
           received
           practice
           of
           his
           Church
           ,
           though
           otherwise
           mix'd
           with
           several
           corruptions
           which
           she
           wishes
           removed
           .
        
         
           
             Object
             .
          
           5.
           
           Lastly
           ,
           our
           Roman
           Adversaries
           object
           to
           us
           the
           many
           obstinate
           Schisms
           ,
           and
           gross
           Heresies
           ,
           which
           have
           sprung
           up
           since
           the
           Reformation
           ,
           and
           as
           they
           pretend
           out
           of
           it
           ,
           from
           the
           forsaking
           of
           that
           bond
           of
           Unity
           in
           the
           Catholick
           Church
           ,
           only
           to
           be
           hoped
           for
           in
           their
           Communion
           ,
           where
           alone
           they
           say
           these
           are
           prevented
           ,
           or
           soon
           cured
           .
        
         
         
           
             Answ
             .
          
           The
           first
           part
           of
           matter
           of
           fact
           is
           too
           notorious
           to
           be
           denied
           ,
           and
           too
           scandalous
           to
           be
           defended
           :
           but
           against
           the
           latter
           part
           of
           the
           original
           of
           these
           Schisms
           ,
           and
           Heresies
           many
           just
           exceptions
           may
           be
           interposed
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           The
           Reformation
           gives
           no
           countenance
           to
           them
           ,
           but
           severely
           condemns
           them
           ,
           and
           provides
           sufficient
           means
           to
           prevent
           or
           remove
           them
           ;
           if
           notwithstanding
           wicked
           men
           of
           corrupt
           Principles
           ,
           and
           depraved
           manners
           flee
           hither
           for
           shelter
           to
           hide
           their
           enormities
           ,
           and
           abuse
           or
           pervert
           the
           most
           wholsom
           Institutions
           ,
           and
           advantagious
           opportunities
           for
           their
           spiritual
           proficiency
           to
           the
           most
           contrary
           purposes
           ;
           The
           guilt
           and
           ill
           consequence
           will
           lie
           only
           at
           their
           own
           doors
           .
           Christians
           must
           not
           be
           debarred
           of
           the
           ordinary
           means
           of
           Grace
           ,
           because
           some
           turn
           this
           Grace
           into
           wantonness
           .
           St.
           
             Peter
          
           tells
           us
           of
           some
           who
           wrest
           the
           Scriptures
           unto
           their
           own
           destruction
           ;
           but
           neither
           he
           nor
           any
           other
           then
           ,
           or
           for
           many
           Ages
           after
           thought
           this
           motive
           sufficient
           to
           deprive
           the
           People
           of
           the
           use
           of
           them
           ,
           made
           it
           rather
           an
           argument
           of
           consulting
           them
           with
           greater
           caution
           and
           diligence
           ,
           lest
           being
           led
           away
           with
           the
           error
           of
           the
           wicked
           they
           fall
           from
           their
           own
           stedfastness
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           There
           were
           many
           Schisms
           and
           Heresies
           sprung
           up
           in
           the
           first
           and
           best
           Ages
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           even
           in
           the
           times
           of
           the
           Apostles
           themselves
           ,
           as
           appears
           by
           several
           intimations
           in
           their
           Writings
           ,
           and
           in
           the
           immediatly
           succeeding
           ,
           while
           many
           Apostolical
           men
           were
           living
           ,
           and
           if
           we
           compare
           the
           account
           we
           have
           of
           them
           in
           the
           most
           ancient
           Authors
           ,
           particularly
           in
           
             Irenaeus
             ,
          
           they
           were
           as
           wild
           ,
           and
           extravagant
           as
           any
           of
           the
           later
           date
           :
           yet
           the
           Apologists
           for
           true
           Christianity
           thought
           themselves
           very
           injuriously
           charged
           with
           those
           blasphemous
           Principles
           ,
           or
           flagitious
           Practices
           which
           they
           wholly
           renounced
           ,
           or
           disowned
           .
           
           The
           evil
           one
           is
           always
           most
           busie
           to
           sow
           his
           Tares
           amongst
           the
           best
           Wheat
           .
           But
           that
           which
           is
           most
           to
           our
           purpose
           here
           to
           observe
           ,
           is
           that
           the
           same
           method
           which
           the
           Orthodox
           Christians
           then
           made
           use
           of
           for
           the
           Confutation
           ,
           and
           Conviction
           of
           Hereticks
           and
           Schismaticks
           ,
           we
           still
           appeal
           to
           ,
           by
           bringing
           them
           to
           the
           touchstone
           of
           Scripture
           ,
           and
           next
           to
           that
           the
           most
           Orthodox
           ,
           and
           Catholick
           Tradition
           .
           Whereas
           how
           short
           and
           easie
           a
           decision
           to
           all
           debates
           might
           have
           been
           fetcht
           hence
           ,
           had
           they
           had
           the
           same
           apprehension
           of
           the
           Authority
           and
           Esficacy
           thereof
           by
           referring
           all
           Controversies
           depending
           to
           the
           determination
           of
           the
           Roman
           Church
           ,
           the
           Mother
           ,
           and
           Mistris
           of
           all
           ,
           and
           to
           that
           infallible
           conduct
           setled
           therein
           :
           but
           not
           one
           word
           of
           that
           ,
           only
           when
           they
           make
           their
           appeals
           to
           her
           after
           the
           express
           Word
           of
           God
           ,
           it
           is
           in
           common
           with
           many
           other
           Churches
           ,
           especially
           those
           of
           Apostolical
           foundation
           ,
           as
           in
           
             Tertullian
             ,
             Irenoeus
             ,
          
           St.
           
             Augustin
             ,
          
           &c.
           where
           they
           have
           to
           deal
           with
           such
           persons
           .
           a
        
         
         
           3.
           
           The
           pretence
           of
           the
           most
           absolute
           Authority
           in
           the
           one
           part
           ,
           and
           the
           extortion
           of
           the
           most
           implicite
           Belief
           ,
           and
           blind
           Obedience
           in
           the
           other
           among
           them
           have
           not
           been
           able
           to
           secure
           themselves
           from
           considerable
           dissentions
           ,
           and
           Divisions
           in
           opinion
           ,
           and
           practice
           .
           If
           these
           have
           not
           broke
           out
           ordinarily
           into
           the
           most
           open
           Schisms
           ,
           and
           Heresies
           ,
           the
           stop
           is
           more
           due
           to
           the
           craft
           and
           policy
           whereby
           they
           oft
           compromise
           the
           matter
           between
           both
           parties
           ,
           or
           to
           that
           outward
           force
           and
           violence
           which
           restrains
           them
           ,
           rather
           than
           to
           any
           opinion
           which
           they
           themselves
           have
           of
           this
           ready
           means
           of
           ending
           all
           disputes
           .
           We
           find
           in
           the
           fiercest
           debates
           among
           them
           how
           little
           heed
           is
           given
           to
           this
           infallible
           cure
           farther
           than
           interest
           or
           necessity
           inclines
           them
           .
           There
           may
           be
           a
           way
           of
           preventing
           controversies
           ,
           which
           destroys
           all
           Religion
           ,
           and
           makes
           way
           for
           Atheism
           ;
           in
           such
           a
           case
           I
           need
           not
           enquire
           where
           the
           advantage
           lies
           .
        
         
           4.
           
           We
           may
           answer
           ,
           most
           of
           those
           mischiefs
           had
           their
           rise
           from
           the
           ruines
           of
           the
           Church
           of
           
             England
             ,
          
           when
           that
           was
           violently
           assaulted
           and
           broken
           ,
           its
           Authority
           despised
           ,
           its
           Constitutions
           vilified
           ,
           its
           Order
           defaced
           ,
           its
           faithful
           Adherents
           persecuted
           ,
           then
           Faction
           ,
           and
           Disorder
           ,
           strange
           Doctrines
           ,
           Phrensical
           Opinions
           ,
           and
           all
           manner
           of
           looseness
           in
           Principles
           ,
           and
           Practices
           came
           in
           like
           a
           torrent
           ,
           and
           overspread
           the
           Land
           ,
           which
           before
           skulkt
           in
           corners
           ,
           and
           were
           little
           taken
           notice
           of
           .
           The
           Restitution
           of
           the
           Church
           hath
           in
           great
           measure
           put
           a
           stop
           to
           their
           progress
           ;
           I
           knwo
           not
           of
           any
           Sect
           ,
           which
           hath
           started
           up
           since
           that
           time
           :
           But
           almost
           every
           year
           before
           brought
           forth
           several
           .
           If
           her
           pains
           and
           care
           have
           not
           yet
           been
           so
           successfully
           prevalent
           as
           to
           recover
           ,
           and
           restore
           all
           that
           have
           gone
           astray
           ,
           she
           hath
           not
           been
           wanting
           in
           her
           endeavours
           towards
           it
           ,
           which
           have
           reduced
           many
           ;
           and
           it
           is
           no
           little
           time
           ,
           nor
           
           easie
           task
           to
           repair
           the
           Ruines
           of
           such
           long
           Confusions
           ,
           and
           Desolations
           .
        
         
           5.
           
           We
           owe
           a
           great
           part
           of
           these
           Calamities
           to
           the
           same
           persons
           ,
           who
           now
           charge
           them
           upon
           us
           ;
           for
           beside
           the
           influence
           which
           their
           Agents
           ,
           Principles
           ,
           and
           Examples
           had
           in
           contriving
           and
           promoting
           those
           unnatural
           Commotions
           ,
           and
           Rebellions
           in
           the
           State
           which
           I
           am
           not
           now
           concerned
           to
           examine
           ;
           let
           matter
           of
           fact
           determine
           that
           as
           it
           hath
           been
           found
           more
           or
           less
           plain
           :
           Thus
           far
           we
           have
           abundant
           evidence
           that
           several
           of
           their
           Emissaries
           have
           herded
           with
           the
           chief
           of
           our
           Dissenters
           ,
           and
           if
           some
           of
           the
           grossest
           Sects
           were
           not
           framed
           among
           them
           first
           ,
           as
           seems
           very
           probable
           ,
           yet
           most
           of
           them
           have
           been
           much
           fomented
           ,
           and
           strengthened
           by
           them
           ,
           and
           they
           have
           been
           oft
           found
           acting
           their
           parts
           under
           that
           disguise
           ,
           and
           have
           employed
           on
           all
           occasions
           their
           interest
           to
           shelter
           ,
           and
           protect
           them
           ,
           according
           to
           the
           known
           maxime
           of
           their
           Policy
           ,
           that
           the
           readiest
           way
           of
           effecting
           our
           ruine
           was
           by
           increasing
           ,
           and
           fomenting
           our
           Divisions
           ;
           here
           they
           have
           found
           their
           greatest
           harvest
           .
           For
           when
           mens
           minds
           are
           unsetled
           ,
           and
           they
           grown
           giddy
           with
           being
           long
           turned
           about
           by
           every
           new
           wind
           of
           Doctrine
           ,
           and
           are
           weary
           of
           tumbling
           and
           tossing
           from
           one
           Party
           to
           another
           ,
           they
           will
           easily
           catch
           hold
           of
           any
           fancied
           support
           ,
           and
           be
           sooner
           betrayed
           to
           yield
           themselves
           Captives
           to
           the
           delusory
           hopes
           of
           rest
           and
           settlement
           amongst
           them
           .
        
         
           6.
           
           To
           all
           which
           may
           be
           added
           ,
           much
           of
           that
           irreverence
           ,
           and
           contempt
           of
           Persons
           ,
           and
           things
           Sacred
           ,
           which
           have
           made
           way
           for
           the
           forementioned
           sad
           Calamities
           amongst
           us
           are
           mostly
           due
           to
           their
           Oppressions
           ,
           Insolencies
           ,
           or
           Delusions
           .
           When
           the
           People
           had
           so
           long
           groaned
           under
           their
           tyrannical
           yoke
           ,
           and
           intolerable
           burdens
           ,
           and
           found
           themselves
           so
           oft
           cheated
           
           by
           their
           manifest
           impostures
           ,
           no
           marvel
           if
           they
           be
           over-fearful
           of
           what
           they
           had
           suffered
           so
           much
           from
           ,
           and
           afterwards
           too
           suspicious
           of
           being
           deluded
           again
           ,
           and
           be
           soon
           tempted
           to
           transgress
           due
           measure
           in
           the
           use
           of
           their
           liberty
           ,
           being
           just
           recovered
           from
           extreme
           slavery
           ,
           though
           so
           many
           years
           have
           passed
           since
           ,
           as
           will
           hardly
           admit
           of
           a
           tolerable
           excuse
           :
           Yet
           better
           experience
           ,
           and
           longer
           consideration
           we
           hope
           in
           time
           may
           teach
           them
           to
           distinguish
           between
           the
           certain
           Interests
           of
           true
           Religion
           ,
           and
           the
           hypocritical
           wiles
           of
           worldly
           Crast
           and
           Policy
           ,
           and
           so
           to
           think
           a
           due
           respect
           ,
           and
           Obsequiousness
           to
           those
           who
           sincerely
           manage
           the
           former
           ,
           necessary
           to
           preserve
           them
           from
           being
           imposed
           on
           by
           the
           latter
           ,
           and
           prevent
           their
           falling
           into
           the
           like
           miscarriages
           which
           they
           observe
           in
           others
           ;
           And
           that
           Apostolical
           Government
           ,
           good
           Order
           ,
           wholsom
           Discipline
           ,
           sound
           Doctrine
           ,
           and
           Uniform
           Devotion
           may
           no
           longer
           suffer
           under
           the
           false
           ,
           but
           most
           odious
           charge
           of
           Popery
           ,
           and
           that
           they
           who
           have
           under
           God
           been
           most
           instrumental
           in
           reforming
           ,
           and
           defending
           the
           Church
           from
           the
           real
           ,
           and
           gross
           Corruptions
           thereof
           ,
           may
           not
           still
           be
           oppressed
           with
           the
           unreasonable
           clamour
           of
           a
           meer
           invidious
           name
           ,
           which
           they
           that
           use
           most
           know
           very
           little
           what
           they
           mean
           by
           it
           ,
           only
           that
           it
           denotes
           somewhat
           favoured
           by
           them
           of
           whom
           they
           have
           deservedly
           an
           ill
           opinion
           .
           The
           case
           hath
           been
           too
           like
           exemplified
           in
           another
           Instance
           ,
           especially
           of
           late
           years
           ,
           in
           which
           many
           Hypocrites
           have
           so
           scandalously
           abused
           the
           most
           solemn
           pretences
           to
           Sanctity
           and
           Devotion
           for
           a
           covering
           or
           continuance
           to
           the
           most
           horrid
           Oppressions
           ,
           Schisms
           ,
           and
           Rebellions
           ,
           that
           they
           have
           emboldened
           profane
           men
           to
           scorn
           ,
           and
           send
           out
           open
           Defiances
           against
           the
           very
           appearance
           of
           Religion
           ,
           and
           possibly
           tempted
           others
           serious
           ,
           and
           hearty
           lovers
           of
           i●s
           cause
           to
           be
           too
           modest
           ,
           and
           shamefaced
           in
           its
           defence
           :
           
           yet
           we
           hope
           unfeigned
           Piety
           will
           be
           always
           justified
           of
           its
           Children
           .
           Sutably
           truly
           Catholick
           Principles
           ,
           and
           Observances
           may
           vindicate
           themselves
           ,
           though
           gross
           Errors
           ,
           and
           Impos●ures
           have
           long
           passed
           under
           that
           disguise
           :
           Notwithstanding
           ordinary
           People
           ,
           not
           always
           the
           best
           distinguishers
           ,
           and
           who
           are
           often
           hurried
           from
           one
           extreme
           to
           another
           ,
           do
           not
           redily
           discern
           one
           from
           the
           other
           ,
           but
           having
           found
           themselves
           once
           cheated
           ;
           be
           a
           long
           time
           over-jealous
           of
           a
           like
           design
           upon
           them
           .
        
         
           VI.
           From
           the
           Premises
           duly
           considered
           will
           ,
           I
           hope
           ,
           in
           the
           close
           be
           inferred
           the
           strongest
           motive
           ,
           and
           Obligation
           upon
           all
           among
           us
           heartily
           to
           embrace
           ,
           and
           steadily
           to
           persevere
           in
           the
           Communion
           of
           our
           Church
           :
           to
           share
           in
           those
           happy
           Advantages
           and
           Blessings
           ,
           which
           all
           who
           rightly
           improve
           it
           may
           promise
           themselves
           therein
           .
           She
           desires
           by
           all
           means
           possible
           to
           convince
           their
           Consciences
           ,
           and
           incline
           their
           Affections
           to
           a
           willing
           compliance
           with
           their
           indispensable
           Duty
           ,
           and
           highest
           Priviledge
           ,
           rather
           than
           over
           aw
           their
           persons
           by
           severe
           Censures
           ,
           or
           the
           following
           condign
           punishments
           .
           Nay
           ,
           if
           necessity
           force
           upon
           any
           the
           execution
           of
           the
           last
           ,
           when
           they
           will
           not
           hearken
           to
           the
           former
           ,
           she
           pleads
           the
           same
           Charity
           for
           the
           Principle
           of
           both
           ,
           not
           only
           to
           prevent
           others
           from
           being
           seduced
           by
           the
           same
           Errors
           :
           But
           also
           thus
           to
           deter
           them
           from
           more
           dismal
           Ruine
           here
           ,
           and
           hereafter
           ,
           which
           hangs
           over
           them
           persisting
           still
           in
           the
           same
           obstinacy
           .
           a
           Of
           all
           she
           hath
           the
           tenderest
           compassion
           ,
           though
           making
           a
           difference
           ,
           but
           without
           partiality
           .
           Some
           must
           be
           saved
           with
           Fear
           ,
           and
           almost
           violently
           pulled
           out
           of
           the
           Fire
           .
        
         
         
           Men
           may
           make
           a
           noise
           with
           the
           odious
           name
           of
           Persecution
           ;
           yet
           our
           Adversaries
           of
           both
           extremes
           have
           little
           reason
           to
           object
           that
           ,
           of
           which
           they
           themselves
           stand
           so
           deeply
           chargeable
           when
           in
           their
           power
           .
           But
           we
           relie
           not
           on
           that
           Plea
           ,
           which
           however
           it
           offend
           them
           ,
           would
           not
           clear
           us
           .
           No
           setled
           Government
           ,
           Civil
           ,
           or
           Sacred
           ,
           was
           ever
           ,
           or
           is
           more
           gentle
           ,
           and
           compassionate
           in
           its
           inflictions
           than
           ours
           :
           If
           when
           this
           Tenderness
           was
           requited
           with
           new
           and
           greater
           Insolence
           ,
           and
           more
           obstinate
           Contempt
           ,
           Authority
           begin
           to
           put
           on
           a
           more
           harsh
           ,
           and
           severe
           Countenance
           ,
           and
           make
           use
           of
           the
           rod
           of
           its
           power
           to
           correct
           the
           peevishness
           of
           some
           ,
           or
           restrain
           the
           extravagancies
           of
           others
           ,
           it
           is
           to
           be
           hoped
           they
           will
           in
           the
           end
           find
           it
           for
           their
           edification
           ,
           and
           not
           for
           their
           destruction
           ,
           and
           may
           see
           cause
           to
           bless
           God
           ,
           and
           thank
           their
           Governours
           for
           those
           benign
           Penalties
           ,
           which
           almost
           forceably
           opened
           their
           eyes
           to
           discern
           that
           evidence
           which
           pertinacious
           obstinacy
           had
           shut
           them
           against
           in
           all
           other
           Persuasives
           ,
           as
           b
           St.
           
             Augustin
          
           declares
           several
           of
           the
           Donatists
           had
           professed
           to
           him
           ,
           and
           therefore
           saw
           great
           reason
           to
           recal
           ,
           and
           recant
           the
           many
           clamours
           they
           had
           raised
           on
           this
           occasion
           .
           I
           hope
           we
           are
           not
           without
           many
           sensible
           Instances
           of
           the
           good
           effect
           hereof
           among
           our selves
           ,
           though
           it
           be
           very
           different
           in
           some
           from
           what
           it
           is
           in
           others
           ;
           but
           the
           tendency
           of
           it
           is
           certainly
           to
           what
           is
           good
           in
           all
           .
        
         
           Experience
           ,
           and
           farther
           consideration
           may
           have
           made
           all
           prudent
           and
           sober
           Friends
           to
           true
           Piety
           ,
           Virtue
           ,
           and
           good
           Order
           ashamed
           of
           the
           popular
           Plea
           of
           Liberty
           ,
           or
           that
           men
           ought
           to
           be
           left
           free
           from
           any
           restraint
           ,
           or
           Impositions
           in
           matters
           of
           Religion
           ,
           and
           Conscience
           ;
           which
           must
           needs
           confound
           all
           peace
           ,
           and
           overturn
           all
           Government
           in
           every
           Society
           ,
           and
           so
           destroy
           the
           being
           of
           the
           Church
           as
           such
           ,
           and
           expose
           private
           persons
           to
           all
           manner
           of
           strange
           delusions
           ,
           and
           
           extravagant
           enterprises
           without
           the
           least
           guard
           or
           defence
           ;
           beside
           the
           ill
           aspect
           it
           hath
           on
           the
           Civil
           Peace
           ;
           I
           may
           add
           ,
           It
           never
           was
           ,
           and
           I
           doubt
           never
           will
           be
           practised
           by
           any
           Party
           of
           men
           ,
           when
           they
           can
           do
           otherwise
           ,
           who
           flee
           to
           it
           only
           for
           Sanctuary
           when
           they
           can
           find
           shelter
           no
           where
           beside
           .
           Would
           men
           but
           impartially
           look
           abroad
           ,
           or
           consult
           former
           times
           ,
           or
           but
           really
           consider
           what
           were
           like
           to
           be
           their
           state
           under
           any
           other
           setled
           Constitution
           by
           whatever
           favourable
           Character
           it
           may
           have
           been
           represented
           ,
           they
           might
           find
           little
           temptation
           to
           querulous
           uneasiness
           in
           their
           present
           condition
           ,
           and
           small
           encouragement
           to
           seek
           ,
           and
           improve
           every
           occasion
           to
           quarrel
           at
           those
           few
           ,
           and
           mild
           restraints
           laid
           on
           them
           ,
           especially
           if
           withal
           they
           would
           faithfully
           reflect
           upon
           the
           ill
           use
           which
           hath
           been
           made
           of
           more
           remissness
           .
        
         
           Indeed
           Christianity
           ,
           which
           is
           the
           Gospel
           of
           Love
           ,
           and
           Peace
           ,
           and
           is
           almost
           wholly
           made
           up
           of
           Charity
           ,
           inclines
           us
           first
           ,
           and
           most
           ,
           to
           the
           mildest
           methods
           ,
           as
           most
           grateful
           ,
           most
           likely
           to
           win
           upon
           other
           mens
           good
           affections
           ,
           and
           to
           testifie
           our
           own
           .
           But
           then
           this
           mildness
           may
           be
           turned
           into
           the
           greatest
           cruelty
           to
           the
           guilty
           as
           well
           as
           to
           the
           innocent
           ,
           yea
           ,
           to
           the
           whole
           Community
           .
           Our
           great
           wisdom
           will
           be
           so
           to
           pursue
           the
           former
           as
           we
           may
           avoid
           the
           latter
           ,
           and
           I
           know
           not
           where
           it
           is
           done
           more
           cautiously
           than
           here
           .
        
         
           If
           we
           were
           to
           examine
           the
           strange
           and
           stiff
           Aversations
           in
           many
           to
           the
           Communion
           of
           our
           Church
           ,
           we
           shall
           find
           them
           mostly
           owing
           to
           blind
           Prejudice
           ,
           and
           gross
           Ignorance
           of
           what
           is
           required
           of
           them
           ,
           more
           than
           to
           any
           other
           Principles
           .
           They
           have
           been
           brought
           up
           in
           a
           very
           ill
           opinion
           of
           our
           Service
           meerly
           by
           odious
           names
           ,
           sly
           and
           invidious
           Characters
           given
           to
           it
           from
           persons
           whose
           sincerity
           and
           judgment
           they
           relie
           on
           ,
           and
           so
           are
           before
           resolved
           against
           any
           farther
           enquiry
           ,
           
           and
           industriously
           shun
           all
           opportunities
           of
           better
           information
           either
           by
           personal
           Conference
           ,
           or
           reading
           our
           Books
           .
           They
           think
           themselves
           sufficiently
           satisfied
           ,
           and
           go
           on
           to
           hate
           and
           revile
           ,
           but
           they
           often
           know
           not
           what
           ,
           nor
           why
           .
           If
           we
           could
           bring
           them
           to
           make
           their
           own
           trial
           ,
           who
           are
           always
           jealous
           of
           any
           attempts
           from
           us
           ,
           matter
           of
           fact
           would
           be
           their
           best
           confutation
           ,
           and
           their
           own
           Eyes
           and
           Ears
           prove
           their
           most
           effectual
           conviction
           ,
           so
           as
           to
           wonder
           at
           their
           former
           obstinacy
           ,
           which
           some
           of
           them
           have
           confessed
           upon
           this
           experience
           .
           I
           believe
           were
           some
           fierce
           Dissenters
           ask'd
           ,
           they
           can
           scarce
           say
           ,
           that
           they
           ever
           seriously
           read
           ,
           or
           attentively
           heard
           the
           Liturgy
           ,
           and
           know
           very
           little
           what
           it
           is
           therein
           which
           offends
           them
           ;
           I
           am
           sure
           they
           will
           hardly
           tell
           us
           .
           Sometimes
           meer
           novelty
           startles
           them
           ,
           and
           they
           are
           afraid
           only
           for
           not
           being
           used
           to
           it
           .
        
         
           These
           ,
           and
           many
           such
           little
           Objections
           ,
           that
           we
           can
           scarce
           guess
           at
           would
           soon
           be
           removed
           by
           this
           sensible
           proof
           reach'd
           down
           to
           all
           capacities
           ;
           and
           a
           sober
           ,
           steady
           temper
           of
           mind
           ,
           with
           a
           firm
           ,
           and
           well-grounded
           belief
           in
           most
           of
           the
           material
           Points
           of
           Christian
           Doctrine
           ,
           variously
           inculcated
           in
           the
           several
           Offices
           of
           our
           Liturgy
           ,
           would
           grow
           up
           more
           and
           more
           in
           them
           ;
           for
           want
           of
           this
           we
           find
           in
           several
           Zealots
           very
           little
           knowledge
           of
           the
           first
           Principles
           of
           Christian
           Religion
           ,
           and
           indeed
           very
           little
           to
           be
           learnt
           from
           those
           manner
           of
           discourses
           and
           Phrases
           to
           which
           they
           have
           been
           hitherto
           used
           .
           But
           more
           particularly
           may
           these
           Reflections
           be
           applied
           to
           invite
           the
           Romanists
           amongst
           us
           unto
           the
           free
           ,
           sincere
           ,
           and
           cordial
           Communion
           with
           the
           Church
           of
           
             England
             ,
          
           which
           once
           ,
           though
           only
           to
           outward
           appearance
           ,
           they
           generally
           observed
           ,
           and
           have
           almost
           nothing
           to
           object
           against
           it
           but
           the
           rash
           ,
           and
           Schismatical
           Interdict
           of
           a
           forein
           usurped
           Power
           .
           That
           
           the
           terms
           of
           our
           Communion
           are
           most
           truly
           Catholick
           hath
           been
           the
           chief
           design
           of
           this
           small
           Tract
           to
           prove
           ,
           and
           thereby
           to
           prevent
           the
           common
           prejudice
           from
           the
           name
           of
           the
           Catholick
           ,
           and
           Apostolick
           Church
           ,
           in
           which
           ,
           whatever
           they
           assume
           to
           themselves
           ,
           we
           have
           as
           good
           a
           title
           to
           our
           share
           as
           any
           Church
           in
           the
           world
           .
           And
           no
           sensible
           evidence
           have
           we
           of
           our
           Communion
           with
           that
           Catholick
           Church
           ,
           but
           by
           communicating
           with
           the
           more
           particular
           .
           Church
           in
           which
           Divine
           Providence
           hath
           placed
           us
           ,
           where
           nothing
           is
           required
           of
           us
           repugnant
           to
           the
           Bond
           of
           Unity
           in
           the
           whole
           .
        
         
           Many
           of
           our
           Church
           ,
           yea
           ,
           our
           Constitution
           it self
           have
           been
           often
           charged
           ,
           and
           reviled
           ,
           though
           most
           unjustly
           ,
           with
           too
           favourable
           an
           inclination
           to
           them
           of
           
             Rome
             :
          
           because
           whatever
           of
           good
           Order
           ,
           and
           decent
           Solemnity
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           sound
           Doctrine
           ,
           and
           wholsom
           Instruction
           was
           found
           among
           them
           ,
           is
           still
           retained
           and
           cherished
           by
           us
           .
           And
           that
           we
           are
           not
           so
           hasty
           and
           peremptory
           in
           unchurching
           them
           all
           together
           ,
           or
           damning
           presently
           all
           that
           have
           been
           ,
           or
           are
           still
           of
           their
           Communion
           ,
           as
           some
           would
           have
           us
           :
           which
           is
           in
           effect
           for
           being
           more
           tender
           in
           preserving
           the
           Principles
           of
           true
           Catholick
           Unity
           than
           in
           pleasing
           some
           private
           humours
           or
           prejudices
           .
        
         
           Still
           we
           must
           be
           aware
           that
           no
           pretended
           Charity
           to
           them
           ,
           nor
           yet
           compliance
           with
           those
           who
           pretend
           the
           greatest
           opposition
           to
           them
           must
           tempt
           us
           to
           betray
           the
           Truth
           of
           God
           ,
           or
           violate
           our
           Obligation
           to
           his
           Commands
           on
           either
           side
           ;
           and
           within
           those
           bounds
           to
           consult
           ,
           as
           much
           as
           possible
           ,
           the
           Peace
           and
           Unity
           of
           his
           Church
           ,
           and
           continue
           therein
           .
           If
           the
           former
           retort
           our
           kindness
           upon
           us
           in
           new
           Oppositions
           :
           If
           the
           latter
           load
           our
           religions
           care
           and
           modest
           caution
           with
           all
           those
           dreadful
           imputations
           due
           to
           others
           :
           If
           we
           
           suffer
           from
           both
           sides
           ,
           whilst
           it
           is
           only
           for
           speaking
           the
           Truth
           ,
           and
           doing
           our
           Duty
           ,
           which
           we
           have
           no
           power
           to
           alter
           ;
           we
           may
           justifie
           our selves
           before
           God
           ,
           and
           our
           own
           Consciences
           ,
           and
           in
           due
           time
           with
           all
           good
           reasonable
           ,
           and
           considerative
           men
           ,
           and
           then
           it
           is
           no
           ,
           matter
           what
           the
           clamours
           ,
           and
           captious
           cavils
           of
           others
           lay
           upon
           us
           .
        
         
           But
           yet
           our
           Adversaries
           of
           the
           Roman
           Persuasion
           must
           take
           notice
           ,
           that
           while
           we
           are
           so
           wary
           ,
           and
           sparing
           in
           our
           Censures
           of
           them
           ,
           we
           are
           not
           the
           less
           apprehensive
           of
           the
           extreme
           danger
           which
           attends
           those
           gross
           Errors
           and
           Superstitions
           ,
           where
           with
           we
           charge
           them
           ,
           which
           have
           a
           direct
           tendency
           to
           their
           ruine
           ,
           and
           very
           much
           undermine
           the
           foundations
           of
           Faith
           ,
           and
           good
           Life
           ,
           which
           they
           own
           in
           common
           with
           us
           .
           What
           may
           be
           their
           influence
           upon
           any
           particular
           persons
           is
           more
           than
           we
           dare
           determine
           ,
           and
           think
           always
           more
           safe
           to
           incline
           to
           the
           favourable
           side
           ,
           where
           it
           may
           be
           without
           prejudice
           to
           what
           is
           certainly
           true
           and
           good
           .
           Notwithstanding
           whatever
           our
           opinion
           be
           ,
           that
           will
           not
           alter
           the
           case
           at
           last
           ,
           and
           thus
           far
           we
           are
           most
           determinate
           that
           the
           corruptions
           among
           them
           are
           such
           which
           every
           Church
           is
           bound
           to
           reform
           ,
           and
           every
           true
           Christian
           to
           keep
           at
           a
           distance
           from
           ,
           as
           much
           as
           is
           in
           his
           power
           .
        
         
           Whatsoever
           were
           the
           condition
           of
           those
           who
           lived
           in
           that
           Communion
           before
           the
           Reformation
           ,
           many
           of
           them
           groaned
           under
           those
           Oppressions
           from
           which
           we
           are
           happily
           freed
           ;
           nay
           ,
           whatever
           charitable
           allowance
           may
           still
           be
           made
           for
           them
           ,
           who
           now
           live
           within
           those
           Boundaries
           where
           they
           have
           little
           opportunity
           of
           knowing
           better
           ,
           and
           are
           under
           vast
           prejudices
           by
           contrary
           Education
           ,
           and
           the
           severest
           aw
           over
           them
           :
           How
           far
           ,
           I
           say
           ,
           these
           cases
           may
           be
           pleadable
           ,
           must
           be
           left
           to
           God
           and
           their
           own
           Consciences
           .
        
         
         
           As
           for
           those
           born
           ,
           and
           bred
           among
           us
           ,
           who
           have
           been
           treacherously
           deluded
           into
           Apostacy
           from
           us
           ,
           or
           will
           persist
           in
           their
           hereditary
           obstinate
           averseness
           to
           us
           against
           the
           clearest
           conviction
           ,
           which
           they
           may
           receive
           ,
           and
           in
           opposition
           to
           the
           express
           Laws
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           of
           the
           Land
           ,
           to
           the
           perpetual
           disturbance
           of
           the
           State
           ,
           and
           confusion
           of
           the
           Church
           ;
           there
           appears
           no
           room
           for
           any
           excuse
           to
           lessen
           their
           Crime
           ,
           or
           alleviate
           their
           doom
           ,
           which
           will
           be
           mightily
           increased
           ,
           when
           all
           manner
           of
           hidden
           and
           crafty
           Artifices
           ,
           or
           open
           violences
           against
           the
           common
           Rights
           of
           Humane
           Society
           ,
           and
           moral
           Honesty
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           the
           Faith
           ,
           and
           Charity
           of
           Christs
           Church
           are
           employed
           ,
           and
           consecrated
           into
           a
           religious
           but
           blind
           Zeal
           for
           the
           destruction
           of
           both
           .
        
         
           No
           marvel
           if
           the
           Nation
           awakened
           with
           the
           effects
           hereof
           ,
           which
           it
           hath
           sometimes
           felt
           ,
           and
           oftener
           had
           reason
           to
           fear
           ,
           have
           provided
           some
           servere
           Laws
           for
           an
           aw
           over
           them
           ,
           and
           to
           stop
           the
           first
           beginnings
           of
           such
           exorbitant
           attempts
           ,
           ready
           to
           break
           through
           all
           ordinary
           inclosures
           ,
           and
           which
           will
           hardly
           be
           restrained
           by
           the
           usual
           methods
           of
           Government
           .
           No
           temper
           is
           more
           difficultly
           mastered
           ,
           or
           more
           mischievous
           ,
           if
           let
           loose
           ,
           than
           such
           a
           false
           firery
           zeal
           ,
           which
           neglected
           burns
           all
           before
           it
           .
        
         
           But
           whatever
           may
           have
           been
           their
           Treatment
           of
           us
           formerly
           ,
           or
           we
           may
           justly
           apprehend
           would
           be
           still
           ,
           had
           they
           any
           opportunity
           ,
           which
           God
           prevent
           :
           we
           ought
           not
           ,
           and
           hope
           shall
           not
           ever
           desist
           from
           wishing
           ,
           and
           endeavouring
           ,
           as
           much
           as
           is
           in
           our
           power
           ,
           their
           real
           welfare
           ,
           and
           so
           of
           all
           our
           implacable
           Enemies
           ,
           and
           therein
           their
           hearty
           Union
           with
           us
           in
           the
           holy
           Offices
           of
           Religion
           .
           and
           Fellowship
           of
           Gods
           Church
           where
           they
           live
           ,
           with
           the
           sincere
           renunciation
           of
           those
           dangerous
           Errors
           ,
           and
           Practices
           that
           hitherto
           keep
           them
           at
           a
           distance
           from
           us
           .
        
         
         
           In
           Conclusion
           ,
           instead
           of
           querulous
           expostulations
           '
           or
           catching
           occasions
           to
           find
           fault
           ,
           we
           have
           great
           reason
           to
           admire
           and
           adore
           that
           gracious
           Providence
           ,
           which
           amidst
           so
           many
           Confusions
           ,
           Disorders
           ,
           and
           Corruptions
           that
           prevail
           too
           much
           in
           most
           places
           round
           about
           ,
           hath
           placed
           our
           Lot
           in
           so
           happy
           a
           soil
           ,
           and
           provided
           for
           us
           so
           goodly
           a
           Heritage
           ,
           and
           safe
           Retreat
           in
           the
           Bosom
           of
           that
           Church
           ,
           whose
           Charity
           is
           as
           eminent
           as
           its
           Faith
           ,
           and
           its
           Order
           as
           signal
           as
           its
           Purity
           ;
           whose
           Arms
           are
           always
           open
           to
           receive
           its
           returning
           Enemies
           with
           the
           most
           tender
           Compassions
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           to
           cherish
           its
           faithful
           Friends
           with
           the
           most
           wholsom
           and
           indulgent
           provisions
           ;
           where
           nothing
           is
           wanting
           to
           ensure
           our
           safety
           ,
           and
           encourage
           our
           proficiency
           in
           every
           thing
           that
           is
           good
           and
           excellent
           :
           which
           upon
           former
           trial
           of
           both
           the
           opposite
           extremes
           ,
           the
           whole
           kingdom
           hath
           seen
           necessary
           to
           flee
           back
           into
           ,
           to
           repair
           the
           Confusions
           and
           Devastations
           they
           had
           brought
           :
           and
           in
           its
           most
           dangerous
           Convulsions
           here
           hath
           found
           the
           readiest
           Cure
           ,
           and
           under
           whose
           name
           her
           very
           Enemies
           desire
           to
           shelter
           themselves
           :
           which
           finally
           ingages
           us
           to
           express
           our
           gratitude
           for
           so
           peculiar
           Priviledges
           by
           a
           ready
           and
           impartial
           Obedience
           to
           the
           holy
           Doctrine
           we
           are
           taught
           ,
           and
           a
           fruitful
           improvement
           of
           all
           those
           happy
           Advantages
           which
           we
           enjoy
           therein
           .
           That
           our
           Lives
           may
           be
           answerable
           to
           our
           Profession
           ,
           and
           our
           pious
           ,
           virtuous
           ,
           peaceable
           ,
           and
           charitable
           Conversation
           may
           be
           in
           some
           proportion
           as
           defensible
           ,
           and
           remarkable
           as
           the
           Principles
           we
           proceed
           upon
           ,
           or
           the
           benefits
           we
           lay
           claim
           to
           .
        
         
           This
           would
           most
           effectually
           silence
           the
           captious
           Cavils
           of
           our
           Enemies
           on
           every
           side
           ,
           and
           more
           powerfully
           invite
           them
           to
           our
           Communion
           than
           all
           other
           the
           most
           demonstrative
           Arguments
           :
           when
           their
           very
           senses
           would
           bear
           witness
           that
           God
           is
           in
           us
           of
           a
           truth
           .
           
           I
           hope
           we
           are
           not
           destitute
           of
           some
           such
           eminent
           Examples
           of
           unfeigned
           Piety
           ,
           true
           Holiness
           ,
           and
           universal
           Probity
           .
           God
           Almighty
           increase
           their
           number
           more
           ,
           and
           more
           :
           Yet
           whatsoever
           may
           be
           the
           effect
           thereof
           upon
           other
           men
           ,
           this
           method
           would
           most
           unquestionably
           ensure
           our
           own
           firmest
           Peace
           here
           ,
           and
           everlasting
           Salvation
           hereafter
           .
           Here
           we
           keep
           certainly
           within
           our
           own
           bounds
           ,
           and
           may
           most
           safely
           ,
           and
           profitably
           spend
           all
           our
           Zeal
           ,
           while
           other
           men
           please
           themselves
           in
           diverting
           it
           abroad
           to
           what
           they
           have
           no
           power
           over
           .
           It
           seems
           horribly
           nauseous
           to
           hear
           men
           quarrel
           fiercely
           about
           the
           best
           Church
           ,
           who
           live
           in
           the
           most
           open
           defiance
           to
           all
           Religion
           ,
           and
           I
           doubt
           there
           are
           too
           many
           of
           all
           denominations
           chargeable
           herewith
           .
           Yet
           whatever
           the
           case
           of
           others
           prove
           ,
           it
           will
           be
           most
           safe
           ,
           and
           pious
           to
           bring
           it
           home
           ,
           and
           close
           to
           our selves
           .
           Be
           our
           Church
           ,
           or
           our
           Profession
           never
           so
           much
           better
           than
           any
           other
           ,
           if
           we
           be
           not
           also
           suitably
           better
           than
           other
           men
           ,
           they
           will
           rise
           up
           in
           judgment
           against
           us
           at
           the
           last
           .
        
         
           But
           by
           a
           careful
           and
           diligent
           observance
           of
           its
           sacred
           Prescriptions
           we
           shall
           justifie
           our
           Reformation
           throughout
           ,
           put
           a
           stop
           to
           the
           Reproaches
           ,
           and
           shame
           the
           Calumnies
           of
           our
           Adversaries
           ,
           and
           which
           is
           the
           Summary
           of
           all
           good
           intentions
           ,
           and
           endeavours
           ,
           bring
           honour
           to
           our
           great
           Lord
           and
           Master
           ,
           the
           Author
           and
           Finisher
           of
           our
           Faith.
           
        
         
           FINIS
           .
        
      
    
     
       
         Notes, typically marginal, from the original text
         
           Notes for div A31418-e870
           
             a
             S.
             Cyprian
             
               Ep.
               60.
               p.
               143.
               
               Ed.
               Ox.
            
             Si
             aliquis
             ex
             talibus
             fuerit
             apprehensus
             ,
             non
             est
             quod
             sibi
             quasi
             in
             confessione
             Nominis
             blandiatur
             ,
             cùm
             constet
             si
             occisi
             ejusmodi
             extra
             Ecclesiam
             fuerint
             ,
             Fidei
             coronam
             non
             esse
             ,
             sed
             poenam
             potiùs
             esse
             perfidia
             .
             Nec
             in
             Domo
             Dei
             inter
             unanimes
             habitaturos
             esse
             ,
             quos
             videmus
             de
             pacifieâ
             &
             Divinâ
             Domo
             furore
             discordiae
             recessisse
             .
             S.
             
               August
               .
            
             &
             Caeteri
             in
             Conc.
             Cirtinst
             adv
             .
             Donatistas
             .
             Ep.
             152.
             
             T.
             2.
             p.
             696.
             
             Edit
             .
             Frob.
             556.
             
             Quisquis
             ergo
             ab
             hâc
             Ecclesiâ
             Catholicâ
             fuerit
             separatus
             ,
             quantumlibet
             laudabillter
             se
             vivere
             existimet
             ,
             hoc
             solo
             scelere
             quod
             à
             Christi
             unitate
             disjunctus
             est
             ,
             non
             habebit
             vitam
             .
             Sed
             ira
             Dei
             mamet
             super
             eum
             .
             Quisquis
             autem
             in
             hâc
             Ecclesiâ
             bene
             vixerit
             ,
             nihil
             ei
             praejudicant
             aliena
             peccata
             .
             Idem
             Ep.
             204.
             ad
             Donatum
             Presbyterum
             Donatist
             .
             T.
             2.
             p.
             834.
             
             Foris
             autem
             ab
             Ecclesiâ
             constitutus
             ,
             &
             separatus
             à
             compage
             unitatis
             ,
             &
             vinculo
             Charitatis
             ,
             aeterno
             supplicio
             punireris
             ,
             etiamsi
             pro
             Christi
             nomine
             vivus
             incendereris
             .
          
           
             a
             Tertullan
             
               de
               praescript
               .
               Haeret.
               c.
               20.
               p.
            
             209.
             
             Sic
             omnes
             primae
             ,
             &
             Apostolicae
             dum
             unà
             omnes
             probant
             unitatem
             .
             Dum
             est
             communicatio
             Pacis
             ,
             &
             appellatio
             Fraternitatis
             ,
             contesseratio
             Hospitalitatis
             ,
             quae
             jura
             non
             alia
             ratio
             regit
             ,
             quàm
             ejusdem
             Sacramenti
             una
             traditio
             .
             S.
             August
             .
             adv
             .
             liter
             as
             Petiliani
             ,
             
               T.
               7.
               p.
            
             132.
             
             Charitas
             Christiana
             nisi
             in
             unitate
             Ecclesiae
             non
             potest
             custodiri
             ,
             
               &
               Ibid.
               p.
               473.
               de
               bapt
               .
               adv
               .
               Donatist
               .
               l.
            
             6.
             
             Etiamsi
             Christi
             Baptismum
             usque
             ad
             Sacramenti
             celebrationem
             perceperunt
             ,
             tamen
             vitam
             aeternam
             nisi
             per
             Charitatis
             unitatem
             non
             consequuntur
             .
             
               Et
               Ibid.
               de
               unltate
               Ecclesiae
               ,
               c.
               2.
               p.
            
             510.
             
             Ecclesia
             Corpus
             Christi
             est
             ,
             unde
             utique
             manifestum
             est
             eum
             ,
             qui
             non
             est
             in
             membris
             Christi
             ,
             Christianam
             salutem
             habere
             non
             posse
             ,
             membra
             autem
             Christi
             per
             Unitatis
             Charitatem
             sibi
             copulantur
             ,
             &
             per
             eandem
             Capiti
             suo
             cohaerent
             ,
             quod
             est
             Christus
             .
          
           
             b
             
               S.
               Austin
               .
               
                 adv
                 .
                 literas
                 Petiliani
                 .
                 T.
                 7.
                 p.
              
               124.
               
               Huic
               Ecclesiae
               ,
               quae
               per
               totam
               terram
               diffunditur
               ,
               quisquis
               non
               communicat
               ,
               vides
               cui
               non
               communicat
               .
            
             
               
                 Idem
                 Ep.
                 52.
                 ad
                 Bonifacium
                 .
                 T.
                 2.
                 p.
              
               230.
               
               Ecclesia
               Catholica
               sola
               est
               Corpus
               Christi
               ,
               cujus
               ille
               caput
               est
               Salvator
               Corporis
               sui
               .
               Extra
               hoc
               Corpus
               neminem
               vivificat
               Spiritue
               Sanctus
               ,
               quia
               sicut
               ipse
               dicit
               Apostolus
               Charitas
               Dei
               diffusa
               est
               in
               Cordibus
               nostris
               per
               Spiritum
               Sanctum
               qui
               datus
               est
               nobis
               ,
               non
               est
               autem
               particeps
               Divinae
               Charitatis
               qui
               hostis
               est
               Unitatis
               .
               
                 Et
                 de
                 Bapt.
                 adv
                 .
                 Donatist
                 .
                 l.
                 3.
                 c.
                 16.
                 
                 T.
                 7.
                 p.
              
               409.
               
               Ipsa
               esi
               enim
               Charitas
               quam
               non
               habent
               ,
               qui
               ab
               Ecclesiae
               Catholicae
               Communione
               praecisi
               sunt
               ,
               
                 &c.
                 
              
               Non
               habet
               Dei
               Charit
               tem
               ,
               qui
               non
               diligit
               Ecclesiae
               Unitatem
               .
            
             
               S.
               Cyprian
               .
               
                 de
                 Unirate
                 Ecclesiae
                 ,
                 p.
              
               113.
               
               Inexpiabllis
               ,
               &
               gravis
               culpa
               discordiae
               nec
               passione
               pargatur
               .
               Esse
               Martyr
               non
               potest
               qui
               in
               Ecclesia
               non
               est
               :
               ad
               regnum
               pervenire
               non
               potest
               ,
               qui
               tam
               que
               regnatura
               est
               ,
               derelinquit
               .
            
          
           
             a
             
               Tertullian
               .
               
                 Apolog.
                 c.
              
               39.
               
               Corpus
               sumus
               de
               conscientiâ
               religionis
               &
               disciplinae
               unitate
               &
               spei
               foedere
               .
               Clerus
               ad
               D.
               
                 Cyprian
                 .
                 Ep.
                 30.
                 
                 Ox.
                 Ed
                 p.
              
               56.
               
               Idem
               enim
               omnes
               credimur
               operati
               ,
               in
               quo
               deprehendimur
               eâdem
               omnes
               censurae
               ,
               &
               disciplinae
               consensiare
               sociati
               .
            
             
               It
               à
               etiam
               argumentatur
               idem
               Clerus
               Rom.
               adv
               .
               Marcionem
               excommunicatum
               à
               Patre
               suo
               ,
               &
               ab
               iis
               non
               receptum
               ,
               in
               S.
               Epiphanio
               ,
               
                 Haer.
                 42.
                 l
                 1.
                 
                 T
                 2.
                 p.
                 303.
                 
                 Par.
                 Edit
                 .
              
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               ,
               
                 &c.
                 
              
            
             
               Synesius
               
                 Epist
                 .
                 50.
                 p.
              
               203.
               de
               cersurâ
               in
               Andronicum
               ,
               I
               hoantem
               &
               eorum
               consortes
               ,
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               .
            
          
           
             b
             
               S.
               
                 Cyprian
                 .
              
               ad
               Antonianum
               ,
               
                 p.
                 112.
                 
                 Ox.
                 Ed.
              
               Cum
               sit
               à
               Christo
               una
               Ecclesia
               per
               totum
               mundum
               in
               multa
               membra
               divisa
               ,
               item
               Episcopatus
               unus
               Episcoporum
               multorum
               concordi
               numerositate
               diffusus
               .
               
                 Et
                 Ep.
                 3●
                 .
                 p.
              
               71.
               
               Omnes
               enim
               nos
               decet
               pro
               Corpore
               totius
               Ecclesiae
               ,
               cujus
               per
               varias
               quasque
               provincias
               membra
               digella
               sunt
               excubare
               .
            
             
               S.
               
                 August
                 .
              
               de
               unitate
               Ecclesiae
               ,
               
                 c.
                 12.
                 
                 T.
              
               7.
               p.
               534.
               
               Neque
               enim
               quia
               &
               in
               orbe
               terrarum
               plerumque
               Regne
               dividuntur
               ,
               ideo
               Christiana
               unitas
               dividitur
               ,
               cùm
               in
               utrâque
               parte
               Catholica
               inveniatur
               Ecclesia
               .
            
          
           
             a
             
               P.
               229.
               
               Ox
               Ed.
            
             in
             Concil
             .
             Carthaginensi
             at
             baptizandis
             Haereticis
             .
             Neminem
             judicantes
             aut
             à
             jure
             communionis
             ,
             si
             diversum
             senserit
             amoventes
             .
          
           
             b
             De
             Bapt.
             adv
             .
             Donat.
             l.
             2.
             
             
               T.
               7.
               p.
            
             391.
             &
             sape
             ibid.
             
          
           
             c
             Euseb
             .
             Eccles
             .
             Hist
             .
             l.
             5.
             c.
             26.
             
          
           
             a
             Bishop
             
               Carleton
            
             of
             threefold
             jurisdiction
             .
          
           
             Dr.
             
             Barrow's
             Treatise
             of
             the
             Popes
             Supremacy
             .
          
           
             b
             
               S.
               
                 Cyprian
                 .
              
               de
               ●unitate
               Ecclesiae
               post
               Ioca
               communitèr
               allegata
               .
               
                 p.
              
               107.
               quamvis
               Apostolis
               omnibus
               parem
               potestatem
               tribuat
               ,
               
                 &c.
              
               paulo
               post
               .
               Hoc
               erant
               utique
               caeteri
               Apostoli
               ,
               quod
               fuit
               Petrus
               pari
               consortio
               praediti
               honoris
               &
               potestatis
               .
            
             
               Idem
               &
               alii
               in
               Concil
               .
               Car●haginensi
               .
               
                 p.
              
               229.
               
               Neque
               enim
               quisquam
               nostrum
               Episcopum
               si
               Episcoporum
               constituit
               ,
               aut
               Tyrannico
               terrore
               ad
               obsequendi
               necessitatem
               collegas
               suos
               adigit
               .
            
             
               S.
               Hieron
               .
               in
               Epist
               .
               ad
               Euagrium
               
                 T
                 2.
                 p.
              
               329.
               
               Si
               authoritas
               quaeritur
               ,
               orbis
               major
               est
               urbe
               Uhicunque
               fuerit
               Episcopus
               sive
               Romae
               ,
               sive
               Eugubii
               ,
               sive
               Constantinopoli
               ,
               sive
               Rhegii
               ,
               sive
               Alexandriae
               ,
               sive
               Tanis
               ,
               ejusdem
               meriti
               ,
               ejusdem
               est
               &
               Sacerdotii
               .
               Potentia
               divitiarum
               ,
               &
               paupertatis
               humilitas
               vel
               sublimiorem
               ,
               vel
               inferiorem
               Episcopum
               non
               facit
               .
               Caeterum
               omnes
               Apostolorum
               successores
               sunt
               .
            
          
           
             c
             Vide
             Epist
             .
             Concilii
             Africani
             ad
             Bonifacium
             ,
             
               T.
               2.
               p.
               1670.
               1674.
               
               Concilult
               .
               Ed.
               
            
          
           
             d
             See
             D.
             
               Caves
            
             dissertation
             of
             ancient
             Church
             Government
             ,
             and
             Dr.
             
               Parker
            
             of
             the
             Government
             of
             the
             Church
             for
             the
             first
             600
             years
             .
          
           
             a
             
               S.
            
             Greg.
             
               lib.
               4
               ,
               Regist
               .
               Ep.
            
             32.
             
             Absit
             à
             cordibus
             Christianorum
             nomen
             istud
             blasphe●●e
             in
             quod
             omnium
             Sacerdotum
             honor
             adimitur
             ,
             dum
             ab
             uno
             sibi
             dementèr
             arrogatur
             ,
             
               &c.
               
            
             Et
             alibi
             in
             Epist
             .
             passim
             .
          
           
             a
             
               Cracanthorp's
            
             defence
             of
             
               Constantine
               ,
            
             and
             against
             the
             Popès
             temporal
             Monarchy
             .
          
           
             b
             
               Sigonius
               de
               regno
               Italiae
               ,
            
             and
             all
             other
             Historians
             of
             that
             time
             .
          
           
             a
             In
             libro
             Canonum
             in
             Synodo
             Londinensi
             ,
             
               an
               .
            
             1571.
             titulo
             de
             Concionatoribus
             .
             Imprimis
             videbunt
             ne
             quid
             unquam
             doceant
             pro
             conciont
             ,
             quod
             à
             populo
             religiosè
             teneri
             ,
             &
             credi
             velint
             ,
             nisi
             quod
             consentaneum
             sit
             doctrinae
             Veteris
             &
             Novi
             testamenti
             ,
             quodque
             ex
             illa
             ipsa
             doctrina
             Catholici
             Patres
             ,
             &
             veteres
             Episcopi
             collegerint
             .
          
           
             *
             See
             the
             Statute
             25
             of
             
               Henry
               the
               Eighth
               ,
            
             cap.
             19.
             
             Sect.
             7.
             expresly
             revived
             1
             
               Eliz
               ,
            
             c.
             1.
             sect
             .
             6.
             
          
           
             a
             Camdeni
             Eliz.
             
               an
               .
            
             1570.
             
          
           
             b
             Camdeni
             Eliz.
             
               an
               .
            
             1560.
             
          
           
             c
             Preface
             to
             the
             Common
             Prayer
             concerning
             Ceremonies
             why
             some
             are
             abolished
             .
          
           
             a
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             S.
             
               B●sil
               .
            
             Ep.
             193.
             
             T.
             3.
             p.
             409.
             
          
           
             b
             St.
             
               August
               .
            
             adv
             .
             Epist
             .
             Manich.
             T.
             6.
             p.
             118.
             
             A.
             
          
           
             S
             
               August
               .
            
             de
             Unitate
             Ecclisiae
             ,
             
               c
               2.
               
               T.
               7.
               p.
            
             5
             10.
             
             Qu●stio
             certè
             inter
             nos
             versatur
             ubi
             sit
             Ecclesia
             ,
             utrum
             apud
             nos
             ,
             an
             apud
             illos
             ,
             quae
             utique
             una
             est
             ,
             quam
             majores
             nost●i
             Catholicam
             nominarunt
             ,
             ut
             ex
             eo
             ipso
             romine
             ostenderent
             ,
             quia
             per
             totum
             est
             .
             Ibid.
             
               c.
               3
               p
            
             514.
             
             Chbristi
             Etclesia
             Canonicarum
             Scripturarum
             Divinis
             &
             certissim●s
             testimoniis
             in
             omnib
             is
             Gentibus
             de
             signata
             est
             .
             Et
             
               c.
            
             4.
             ab
             ej●s
             corpore
             quod
             est
             Ecclesia
             ita
             diss●ntiu●t
             ,
             ut
             eorum
             communio
             non
             sit
             cum
             toto
             ,
             q●●cunq●●●●issuaditur
             ,
             sed
             in
             aliquâ
             parte
             separata
             inveniatur
             ,
             manisestum
             est
             eos
             non
             esse
             in
             Ecclesia
             Catholicâ
             .
             Et
             
               c.
               12.
               p.
            
             533.
             aliud
             Evangelizat
             qui
             periisse
             dicit
             de
             caetero
             mundo
             Ecclesiam
             ,
             &
             in
             parte
             Donati
             ,
             in
             sorâ
             Africâ
             remansisse
             .
             Idem
             de
             fide
             &
             symbolo
             ,
             in
             eam
             partem
             de
             Ecclesia
             Catholicâ
             ,
             
               T.
               3.
               p.
            
             149.
             
             Haeretici
             de
             Deo
             falsa
             sentiendo
             ipsam
             fi
             em
             violant
             ,
             Schisonatici
             autem
             discissionibus
             iniquis
             à
             fraternâ
             Caritate
             dissiliunt
             ,
             quapropter
             nec
             Haereticus
             pertinet
             ad
             Ecclesiam
             Catholicam
             ,
             quae
             diligit
             Deum
             ,
             nec
             Schismaticus
             quoniam
             diligit
             proximum
             .
          
           
             a
             Firmilianus
             de
             Stephano
             Episcopo
             Rom.
             ad
             Cyprianum
             ,
             
               Ep.
               75.
               p.
               228.
               
               Ox.
               Ed.
            
             Siquidem
             ille
             verè
             Schismaticus
             ,
             qui
             se
             à
             Communione
             Ecclesiasticae
             unitatis
             Apostatam
             fecerit
             ;
             dum
             enim
             putas
             omnes
             à
             te
             abstineri
             posse
             ,
             solùm
             te
             ab
             omnibus
             abstinuisti
             .
          
           
             b
             S.
             
               Cyril
               .
               Hieros
               .
            
             Cat
             18
             p
             220.
             
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
             Hist
             .
             l.
             7.
             c
             4.
             
          
           
             a
             
               
                 Tertullian
              
               de
               velandis
               virginibus
               ,
               
                 c.
                 1.
                 p.
              
               172.
               hoc
               exigere
               veritatem
               cui
               nemo
               prascribere
               potest
               ,
               non
               spatium
               temporum
               ,
               non
               patrocinia
               personarum
               ,
               non
               privilegium
               regionum
            
             
               
                 S.
                 Cyprian
                 ,
                 Ep.
                 63.
                 p.
              
               155.
               
               Quare
               si
               solus
               Christus
               audiendus
               est
               ,
               non
               debtmus
               attendere
               ,
               quid
               alius
               ante
               nos
               faciendum
               putaverit
               ,
               sed
               quid
               qui
               ante
               omnes
               est
               Christus
               prior
               fecit
               ,
               neque
               enim
               hominis
               consuetudinem
               sequi
               opertet
               ;
               sed
               Dei
               veritatem
               .
            
             
               S.
               
                 Basil
                 ,
              
               de
               judicio
               Dei
               ,
               
                 T.
                 2.
                 p.
              
               392.
               &
               ejus
               moral
               .
               
                 T.
                 2.
                 p.
              
               423.
               
            
             
               S.
               
                 Hieron
                 .
                 adv
                 .
              
               Joh.
               Hieros
               .
               
                 T.
                 2.
                 p.
              
               185.
               &
               in
               eodem
               
                 T.
              
               ex
               Ep.
               Aug.
               ad
               Hierom.
               
                 p.
                 353
                 ,
                 359.
                 &c.
                 
              
            
          
           
             Ecclesia
             non
             num
             rus
             Episcoporum
             .
             
               Tertullian
               .
            
             de
             pudi●itiâ
             ,
             c.
             22.
             
          
           
             a
             Greg.
             Naz.
             
               Epist
               .
            
             55.
             
          
           
             p.
             814.
             
             &
             Ep.
             72.
             p.
             829.
             
             &
             Ep.
             135.
             
          
           
             p.
             864.
             ejusd
             .
          
           
             Orat.
             25.
             
               init
               .
            
          
           
             p
             451.
             
             
               Theod.
            
             Ep.
             112.
             
             Vol.
             3.
             p.
             982
             ,
             983.
             
          
           
             a
             
               S.
               Aug.
            
             adv
             .
             crescon
             .
             Grammat
             
               l.
               3.
               
               T.
               7.
               p.
            
             263.
             
             Ego
             in
             Ecclesiâ
             sum
             cujus
             membra
             sunt
             illae
             omnis
             Ecclesia
             ,
             quas
             ex
             laboribus
             Apostolorum
             notas
             ,
             atque
             firmatas
             simul
             in
             literis
             Canonitis
             novimus
             .
             Earum
             Communionem
             sive
             in
             Africâ
             sive
             〈◊〉
             non
             desera●●
             .
          
           
             a
             
               Tertullian
               .
               adv
               .
               Marcion
               .
               
                 l.
                 4.
                 c.
                 5.
                 p.
              
               415.
               
            
             
               Videamus
               quod
               lac
               è
               Paulo
               Corinthli
               hauserint
               ;
               ad
               quam
               regulam
               Galatae
               sunt
               recorrecti
               ;
               quid
               legant
               Philippenses
               ,
               Thessalonicenses
               ,
               Ephesii
               ,
               quid
               etiam
               Romani
               de
               proximo
               sonent
               ,
               quibus
               Evangelium
               &
               Petrus
               ,
               &
               Paulus
               sanguine
               quoque
               suo
               signatam
               rellquerunt
               ;
               habemus
               &
               Johannis
               alumn
               as
               Ecclesias
               .
            
             
               Idem
               de
               prascript
               .
               adv
               .
               Har.
               
                 c.
                 36.
                 p.
              
               215.
               
               Percurre
               Ecclesias
               Apostolicas
               &
               proxima
               est
               tibi
               Achala
               ,
               habes
               Corinthum
               ,
               si
               non
               longè
               es
               à
               Macedonia
               ,
               habes
               Philippos
               ,
               habes
               Thessalonicenses
               ;
               sipotes
               in
               Asiam
               tendere
               habes
               Ephesum
               ;
               si
               autem
               Itali●e
               adjaces
               habes
               Roman
               .
               Et
               
                 ibid.
                 c.
                 32.
                 p.
              
               213.
               de
               aliis
               .
               Qu●
               denique
               instituantur
               tamen
               in
               eâdem
               fide
               conspirantes
               non
               minùs
               Apestolicae
               deputantur
               pro
               consanguinstate
               doctrinae
               .
            
             
               
                 S.
              
               Irenaeus
               
                 adv
                 .
                 Haer.
              
               l.
               3.
               c.
               3.
               p.
               232.
               
            
             
               S.
               
                 Augustin
                 .
              
               de
               Unitate
               Ecclesiae
               .
               
                 c.
                 10.
                 
                 T.
                 7.
                 p.
              
               531.
               ad
               Corinthios
               ,
               ad
               Ephosios
               ,
               ad
               Thessalonicenses
               ,
               ad
               Colossenses
               .
               Vos
               solas
               Apostoli
               Epislolas
               in
               lectione
               ,
               nos
               autem
               Epislolas
               in
               Lectione
               ,
               as
               side
               ,
               &
               ipsas
               Ecclesias
               in
               Communione
               retinemus
               .
               
                 Ibid.
                 c.
                 16.
                 p
              
               546.
               utrum
               ipsi
               Ecclesiam
               teneant
               non
               nisi
               Divinarum
               Scripturarum
               Cononicis
               libris
               oftendant
               :
               quia
               nec
               dos
               propterea
               dicimus
               nobis
               credere
               oportere
               quod
               in
               Ecclesiâ
               Christi
               sumus
               ,
               quia
               ipsam
               quam
               tenemus
               commendavit
               Milevitanus
               Optatus
               ,
               vel
               Mediolanensis
               Ambrosius
               ,
               vel
               alii
               innumer
               abiles
               no●irae
               Communionis
               Episcapi
               ,
               aut
               quia
               nostrorum
               Collegarum
               Conci●iis
               ipsa
               praedicata
               est
               ;
               aut
               quia
               per
               totum
               orhem
               in
               locis
               sanctis
               tante
               mirabilia
               vel
               exauditionum
               ,
               vel
               sanitatum
               siunt
               ,
               
                 &c.
              
               quaecunque
               talia
               in
               Catholicâ
               fiunt
               ,
               ideo
               sunt
               approbanda
               quia
               in
               Catholicâ
               siunt
               ,
               non
               ideo
               ipsa
               manisestatur
               Catholica
               ,
               quia
               haec
               in
               eâ
               fiunt
               .
            
          
           
             a
             S.
             
               Augustin
            
             adv
             .
             Epist
             .
             Petiliani
             ,
             
               l.
               2.
               
               T.
               7.
               p.
            
             101.
             
             Non
             vos
             occidimus
             ,
             sed
             ipsi
             vosmet
             verâ
             morte
             occiditis
             ,
             cùm
             vos
             ab
             unitatis
             vivâ
             radice
             praeciditis
             .
          
           
             b
             
               S.
               Aug.
            
             Epist
             .
             48
             ad
             Vincentium
             .
             
               T.
               2.
               p.
            
             167.
             174.