A brief essay concerning the independency of church-power
         Collier, Jeremy, 1650-1726.
      
       
         
           1692
        
      
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             A brief essay concerning the independency of church-power
             Collier, Jeremy, 1650-1726.
          
           15 p.
           
             s.n.],
             [S.l. :
             1692.
          
           
             Reproduction of original in the University of Illinois (Urbana-Champaign Campus). Library.
             Caption title.
             Imprint date taken from colophon.
             Attributed to Collier, Jeremy. cf. Wing.
          
        
      
    
     
       
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         eng
      
       
         
           Church and state -- England.
        
      
    
     
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           A
           Brief
           Essay
           concerning
           the
           INDEPENDENCY
           OF
           Church-Power
           .
        
         
           THAT
           the
           non-complying
           Bishops
           and
           Clergy
           were
           at
           the
           Revolution
           duly
           authorized
           in
           their
           respective
           Charges
           ,
           is
           by
           none
           denyed
           ;
           that
           they
           have
           not
           as
           yet
           been
           deprived
           by
           a
           Synod
           of
           Bishops
           ,
           or
           had
           any
           Ecclesiastical
           Censure
           passed
           agâinst
           them
           ,
           is
           equally
           evident
           .
           For
           tho'
           there
           were
           some
           Bishops
           in
           the
           Upper
           House
           ,
           when
           the
           Act
           of
           Deprivation
           passed
           against
           their
           Brethren
           ;
           yet
           their
           Votes
           (
           supposing
           them
           Legal
           )
           were
           Foreign
           to
           their
           Character
           ;
           and
           given
           in
           virtue
           of
           a
           meerly
           Civil
           Capacity
           ;
           they
           voted
           not
           as
           Bishops
           ,
           but
           as
           Lords
           of
           Parliament
           :
           And
           since
           the
           Right
           by
           which
           they
           sit
           is
           a
           Lay-privilege
           ,
           The
           Acts
           which
           they
           do
           ,
           in
           consequence
           of
           such
           a
           Privilege
           ,
           must
           be
           of
           the
           same
           Secular
           Nature
           ;
           the
           Case
           standing
           thus
           ,
           the
           Question
           is
           ,
           
             Whether
             an
             Act
             of
             Parliament
             ,
             supposing
             it
             legally
             Constituted
             ;
             can
             void
             an
             Ecclesiastical
             Authority
             ,
             and
             unmake
             the
             Governors
             of
             the
             Church
             ?
          
        
         
           I
           shall
           briefly
           undertake
           to
           maintain
           the
           Negative
           ,
           by
           
           
           
           
           shewing
           the
           Churches
           Power
           to
           be
           distinct
           from
           ,
           and
           independent
           of
           the
           State.
           
        
         
           But
           ,
           to
           prevent
           mis-construction
           ,
           I
           desire
           to
           be
           understood
           ,
           that
           by
           Church
           Power
           ,
           I
           mean
           only
           that
           which
           is
           purely
           Spiritual
           :
           And
           that
           Ecclesiastics
           ,
           as
           such
           ,
           can
           make
           no
           direct
           or
           indirect
           claim
           to
           any
           other
           ,
           And
           therefore
           ,
        
         
           First
           ,
           They
           are
           no
           less
           the
           Subjects
           of
           Princes
           than
           the
           Laity
           .
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           Their
           meerly
           Secular
           Estates
           ,
           their
           Civil
           Privileges
           and
           Jurisdictions
           ,
           are
           all
           under
           the
           Cognizance
           of
           the
           State
           ;
           of
           which
           they
           may
           be
           legally
           (
           though
           not
           always
           equitably
           )
           disseized
           ,
           whenever
           the
           Legislative
           Authority
           of
           a
           Kingdom
           shall
           think
           fit
           to
           do
           it
           :
           Having
           premised
           this
           ,
           I
           shall
           endeavour
           to
           prove
           their
           Independency
           in
           things
           purely
           relating
           to
           their
           Function
           .
        
         
           
             1.
             
             From
             the
             Original
             of
             Ecclesiastical
             Authority
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             From
             the
             End
             and
             Design
             of
             it
             .
          
           
             3.
             
             From
             the
             Practice
             of
             the
             Primitive
             Church
             .
          
        
         
           1.
           
           From
           the
           Original
           of
           Ecclesiastical
           Authority
           .
           The
           Power
           of
           Governing
           the
           Church
           ,
           and
           performing
           the
           Offices
           of
           Religion
           ,
           is
           neither
           any
           Gift
           of
           the
           People
           ,
           nor
           held
           by
           Commission
           from
           Kings
           and
           Princes
           ;
           It
           springs
           from
           a
           greater
           Original
           ,
           and
           derives
           no
           lower
           than
           Heaven
           it self
           .
           Our
           Blessed
           Saviour
           ,
           who
           Redeemed
           the
           Church
           ,
           was
           pleased
           to
           settle
           the
           Administration
           of
           it
           by
           his
           own
           Appointment
           :
           From
           Him
           the
           Apostles
           received
           Authority
           to
           teach
           and
           govern
           such
           as
           were
           Converted
           by
           them
           ;
           the
           Words
           of
           their
           Commission
           are
           plain
           ,
           and
           expressed
           with
           all
           imaginable
           Advantage
           .
           
             As
             my
             Father
             hath
             sent
             me
             ,
             even
             so
             send
             I
             you
             ;
             whosoever
             sins
             ye
             remit
             ,
             they
             are
             remitted
             ,
          
           &c.
           St.
           John
           20.
           21
           
           ▪
           23.
           
           Upon
           this
           Account
           the
           Apostles
           are
           called
           
             the
             Ambassadors
             and
             Ministers
             of
             Christ
             ,
          
           1
           Cor.
           4.
           1.
           
           And
           the
           People
           are
           commanded
           
             to
             obey
             and
             submit
             themselves
             to
             those
          
           who
           have
           this
           Spiritual
           Authority
           ,
           Heb.
           13.
           17.
           
           Neither
           was
           this
           Power
           to
           expire
           with
           the
           Apostles
           ,
           but
           be
           conveyed
           by
           Succession
           through
           all
           Ages
           of
           the
           World
           ;
           there
           being
           the
           same
           cause
           for
           its
           Continuance
           ,
           as
           for
           its
           first
           Institution
           :
           And
           accordingly
           we
           find
           from
           St.
           Paul
           ,
           that
           one
           reason
           of
           his
           giving
           Titus
           the
           Super-intendency
           of
           Crete
           ,
           was
           to
           
             Ordain
             Elders
             in
             every
             City
          
           ,
           Tit.
           1.
           5.
           
           Thus
           
             Clemens
             Romanus
          
           (
           1.
           
           Ep.
           
             ad
             Cor.
          
           )
           tells
           us
           ,
           the
           Apostles
           in
           their
           Travels
           used
           to
           
           Ordain
           Bishops
           ,
           &c.
           for
           the
           advantage
           of
           such
           as
           were
           only
           Christians
           in
           prospect
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           for
           those
           who
           were
           already
           converted
           .
           And
           thus
           the
           Sacred
           Order
           has
           been
           continued
           without
           interruption
           for
           near
           1700
           Years
           :
           Now
           our
           Saviour
           ,
           we
           know
           ,
           was
           no
           Temporal
           Prince
           .
           He
           refused
           to
           interpose
           in
           a
           case
           of
           Property
           ;
           and
           declared
           expresly
           ,
           that
           his
           Kingdom
           was
           not
           of
           this
           World
           ,
           St.
           Luke
           12.
           14.
           
           St.
           John
           18.
           36.
           
           From
           whence
           't
           is
           plain
           ,
           that
           the
           Authority
           which
           our
           Saviour
           gave
           the
           Church
           ,
           can
           have
           no
           dependance
           upon
           the
           State
           ,
           because
           it
           was
           never
           derived
           from
           thence
           .
           'T
           is
           true
           ,
           all
           Power
           ,
           both
           Sacred
           and
           Civil
           ,
           came
           originally
           from
           God
           ;
           yet
           under
           the
           Jewish
           ,
           and
           especially
           under
           the
           Christian
           Institution
           ,
           the
           Crown
           and
           Mitre
           have
           been
           divided
           :
           And
           tho'
           the
           same
           Persons
           are
           capable
           of
           both
           ;
           yet
           the
           Claim
           must
           be
           made
           upon
           a
           different
           Account
           ,
           and
           conveyed
           by
           Titles
           perfectly
           distinct
           .
           And
           since
           the
           Ecclesiastical
           Authority
           doth
           not
           hold
           of
           the
           Civil
           Magistrate
           ,
           it
           cannot
           be
           forfeited
           to
           Him
           :
           As
           the
           State
           cannot
           Consecrate
           Bishops
           and
           Priests
           ,
           so
           neither
           can
           they
           recal
           their
           Character
           ,
           or
           restrain
           them
           in
           the
           Exercise
           of
           their
           Function
           ;
           there
           being
           no
           reason
           a
           Privilege
           should
           be
           either
           extinguished
           ,
           or
           limited
           by
           those
           who
           were
           never
           Masters
           of
           the
           Grant
           :
           For
           what
           a
           Man
           has
           no
           Power
           to
           give
           ,
           he
           can
           have
           no
           Right
           to
           take
           away
           .
           This
           will
           further
           appear
           ,
           if
           we
           consider
           the
           Means
           by
           which
           the
           Advantages
           of
           Christianity
           are
           conveyed
           to
           us
           .
           Now
           that
           the
           Sacraments
           are
           necessary
           for
           this
           purpose
           is
           evident
           from
           Scripture
           :
           For
           concerning
           Baptism
           't
           is
           said
           ,
           
             That
             except
             a
             Man
             be
             born
             of
             Water
             ,
             and
             of
             the
             Spirit
             ,
             he
             cannot
             enter
             into
             the
             Kingdom
             of
             God
             ,
          
           St.
           John
           3.
           5.
           
           And
           the
           Lord's
           Supper
           is
           stiled
           by
           St.
           Paul
           (
           1
           Cor.
           10.
           6.
           )
           
             The
             Communion
             of
             the
             Body
             and
             Blood
             of
             Christ
          
           ;
           that
           is
           the
           Means
           by
           which
           the
           Benefits
           of
           Christ's
           Death
           are
           applyed
           to
           us
           .
           So
           that
           without
           being
           partakers
           of
           the
           Sacraments
           ,
           we
           can
           have
           no
           pretence
           to
           the
           Covenant
           of
           Grace
           ,
           no
           Title
           to
           the
           Assistance
           of
           God's
           Spirit
           ;
           nor
           any
           Assurance
           of
           a
           Blessed
           Immortality
           .
        
         
           Now
           ,
           I
           suppose
           ,
           none
           of
           the
           Laity
           will
           pretend
           to
           an
           Authority
           to
           Administer
           the
           Sacraments
           :
           They
           will
           not
           challenge
           a
           Right
           to
           Seal
           Covenants
           in
           God's
           Name
           ;
           or
           to
           represent
           Him
           in
           Acts
           of
           Solemn
           Blessing
           and
           Absolution
           .
           No
           Man
           ,
           (
           as
           the
           Apostle
           argues
           )
           ought
           to
           take
           this
           
           Honour
           to
           himself
           ,
           but
           
             he
             that
          
           is
           called
           
             of
             God
          
           as
           was
           Aaron
           ,
           Heb.
           5.
           4.
           
           The
           Fate
           of
           Corah
           and
           
             Uzziah
             ,
             (
             Numb
          
           .
           16.
           2.
           
           Chron.
           26.
           )
           are
           sufficient
           to
           deter
           all
           Secular
           Persons
           from
           an
           Encroachment
           of
           this
           Nature
           ;
           which
           if
           made
           ,
           God
           would
           both
           punish
           the
           Usurpation
           ,
           and
           null
           the
           Act
           :
           As
           a
           Prince
           would
           be
           obliged
           to
           do
           in
           point
           of
           Government
           ,
           if
           any
           Person
           should
           forge
           a
           Commission
           in
           his
           Name
           .
           Now
           since
           the
           Sacraments
           ,
           which
           are
           both
           necessary
           to
           make
           us
           Members
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           and
           to
           convey
           the
           Advantages
           of
           Christianity
           to
           us
           ;
           are
           by
           our
           Saviours
           special
           Appointment
           entrusted
           with
           the
           Clergy
           ,
           and
           the
           Administration
           of
           them
           is
           lodged
           in
           their
           Hands
           ;
           from
           hence
           it
           follows
           ,
           that
           those
           who
           have
           the
           sole
           Right
           of
           Admitting
           into
           a
           Society
           ,
           or
           Excluding
           from
           it
           ;
           and
           of
           dispensing
           the
           Rewards
           and
           Punishments
           ,
           are
           the
           proper
           and
           only
           Governors
           of
           that
           Society
           ;
           and
           can
           have
           no
           Dependance
           upon
           any
           other
           .
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           The
           Independency
           of
           Ecclesiastical
           Authority
           may
           be
           proved
           from
           the
           End
           and
           Design
           of
           it
           .
        
         
           I
           suppose
           I
           need
           not
           prove
           that
           the
           Christian
           Religion
           ,
           as
           contained
           in
           the
           New
           Testament
           ,
           is
           the
           last
           Revelation
           which
           God
           intends
           to
           make
           to
           the
           World.
           Now
           this
           being
           granted
           ,
           we
           must
           suppose
           that
           our
           Blessed
           Saviour
           Founded
           his
           Church
           upon
           such
           Laws
           ,
           and
           gave
           it
           such
           lasting
           Principles
           of
           Government
           ,
           as
           should
           best
           maintain
           its
           Continuance
           ,
           and
           secure
           those
           important
           Truths
           He
           had
           entrusted
           it
           with
           .
           Least
           of
           all
           can
           we
           imagine
           He
           would
           build
           it
           upon
           a
           Sandy
           Foundation
           ,
           and
           make
           it
           depend
           upon
           the
           Arbitrary
           Power
           of
           its
           Enemies
           .
           Our
           Saviour
           foresaw
           that
           all
           the
           Princes
           of
           the
           World
           would
           disbelieve
           ,
           and
           many
           of
           them
           Persecute
           his
           Doctrine
           for
           several
           Ages
           together
           ;
           and
           therefore
           would
           be
           very
           improper
           Persons
           to
           have
           been
           trusted
           with
           the
           Sovereign
           Administration
           of
           Ecclesiastical
           Affairs
           .
           Had
           the
           Government
           of
           the
           Church
           been
           derived
           from
           them
           ,
           or
           depended
           upon
           their
           Allowance
           ;
           Christianity
           had
           been
           a
           very
           short
           liv'd
           Religion
           ,
           and
           never
           out-grown
           its
           Infancy
           .
           In
           this
           Case
           ,
           the
           Publick
           Assemblies
           ,
           Ordinations
           ,
           Sacraments
           ,
           and
           Discipline
           ,
           must
           have
           lain
           at
           the
           Mercy
           of
           Unbelievers
           ;
           and
           the
           Clergy
           ought
           not
           to
           have
           executed
           their
           Function
           ,
           nor
           taken
           care
           of
           their
           Flock
           ,
           unless
           the
           Civil
           
           Magistrate
           would
           have
           given
           them
           leave
           .
           For
           if
           the
           Spiritual
           Supremacy
           were
           the
           Right
           of
           Princes
           ,
           tho'
           they
           might
           possibly
           abuse
           the
           Management
           of
           this
           Prerogative
           ;
           yet
           it
           ought
           to
           lie
           absolutely
           at
           their
           Disposal
           ,
           and
           under
           their
           Regulation
           :
           And
           for
           any
           Person
           to
           meddle
           in
           Ecclesiastical
           Matters
           without
           a
           Commission
           from
           them
           ,
           but
           especially
           against
           their
           Commands
           ,
           would
           be
           an
           open
           Violation
           of
           their
           Right
           ;
           which
           no
           Man
           ought
           to
           be
           guilty
           of
           ,
           tho'
           for
           the
           support
           of
           the
           best
           Religion
           ;
           because
           
             we
             ought
             not
             to
             do
             Ill
             that
             Good
             may
             come
             of
             it
             .
          
           And
           since
           no
           Society
           can
           subsist
           without
           Government
           and
           Discipline
           ;
           if
           the
           Bishops
           could
           Exercise
           no
           Spiritual
           Authority
           without
           a
           Lay-permission
           ,
           it
           would
           be
           in
           the
           Civil
           Magistrates
           Power
           to
           make
           the
           Perpetuity
           of
           the
           Church
           impracticable
           ;
           and
           the
           Christian
           Religion
           would
           depend
           upon
           the
           pleasure
           of
           the
           Prince
           .
           But
           besides
           the
           Absurdity
           of
           this
           way
           of
           Reasoning
           ,
           we
           have
           in
           the
        
         
           Third
           Place
           ,
           The
           Practice
           of
           the
           Apostles
           ,
           and
           of
           the
           whole
           Primitive
           Church
           ,
           to
           prove
           ,
           that
           the
           Ecclesiastical
           Authority
           was
           perfectly
           
             sui
             juris
          
           ,
           and
           never
           under
           the
           Controul
           of
           the
           Secular
           Magistrate
           .
           Thus
           when
           the
           Sanhedrim
           of
           the
           Jews
           ,
           who
           acted
           by
           the
           Authority
           of
           the
           Romans
           ,
           and
           had
           the
           Assistance
           of
           the
           Captain
           of
           the
           Temple
           ;
           when
           they
           Imprisoned
           the
           Apostles
           ,
           and
           
             commanded
             them
             not
             to
             speak
             at
             all
             ,
             nor
             teach
             in
             the
             Name
             of
             Iesus
             ,
          
           Act.
           4.
           19.
           to
           this
           their
           Answer
           is
           plain
           and
           positive
           ;
           
             whether
             it
             be
             right
             in
             the
             sight
             of
             God
             to
             hearken
             unto
             you
             more
             than
             unto
             God
             ,
             judge
             ye
             ,
          
           verse
           20.
           that
           is
           to
           say
           ,
           they
           had
           a
           Commission
           from
           Heaven
           to
           preach
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           which
           they
           were
           bound
           to
           execure
           ;
           and
           which
           no
           Temporal
           Jurisdiction
           had
           any
           Authority
           to
           revoke
           .
           Whereas
           had
           the
           Church
           been
           under
           the
           Check
           of
           the
           State
           in
           Matters
           purely
           Spiritual
           ,
           St.
           Peter
           and
           St.
           John
           were
           much
           to
           blame
           for
           ●efusing
           to
           obey
           their
           Superiors
           ;
           they
           ought
           to
           have
           acquie●ced
           in
           the
           Sanhedrims
           Prohibition
           ,
           and
           not
           to
           have
           pur●ued
           their
           Function
           after
           they
           were
           so
           solemnly
           silenc'd
           ;
           and
           tha●
           by
           those
           whom
           themselves
           owned
           to
           be
           
             Rulers
             of
             the
             People
          
           ,
           Act.
           4.
           8.
           
           Either
           therefore
           the
           Church
           must
           be
           Constituted
           Independent
           of
           the
           State
           ;
           or
           the
           Apostles
           can
           never
           be
           cleared
           of
           the
           Charge
           of
           Sedition
           .
        
         
         
           The
           same
           Imputation
           will
           ,
           upon
           the
           Modern
           Principles
           ,
           affect
           the
           Bishops
           of
           the
           Universal
           Church
           for
           the
           first
           300
           Years
           ;
           who
           held
           publick
           Assemblies
           ,
           Governed
           their
           Clergy
           ,
           and
           their
           People
           ,
           and
           perform'd
           all
           parts
           of
           their
           Office
           ,
           not
           only
           without
           any
           Authority
           from
           their
           respective
           Princes
           ,
           but
           often
           contrary
           to
           their
           express
           Commands
           ;
           which
           matter
           of
           Fact
           is
           so
           well
           known
           ,
           that
           it
           would
           be
           superfluous
           to
           enlarge
           upon
           the
           proof
           of
           it
           .
        
         
           If
           it
           be
           said
           ,
           that
           these
           were
           Heathen
           Princes
           ,
           but
           when
           the
           Emperors
           became
           part
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           the
           Case
           was
           otherwise
           .
        
         
           To
           this
           I
           answer
           ,
           That
           the
           change
           of
           the
           Emperor's
           Religion
           could
           not
           gain
           them
           any
           such
           new
           Jurisdiction
           as
           is
           pretended
           .
           For
           as
           Magistracy
           in
           general
           does
           not
           imply
           a
           Right
           to
           Spiritual
           Authority
           ;
           so
           neither
           does
           the
           denomination
           of
           Christian
           give
           it
           any
           such
           Advantage
           .
           For
           ,
           I
           suppose
           ,
           Spiritual
           Dominion
           is
           no
           more
           founded
           in
           Grace
           ,
           than
           Temporal
           .
           In
           short
           ,
           if
           Princes
           receive
           any
           such
           Authority
           by
           virtue
           of
           their
           Christianity
           ,
           it
           must
           be
           conveyed
           either
           by
           Revelation
           ,
           or
           implied
           in
           the
           notion
           of
           Baptism
           .
        
         
           As
           to
           the
           Point
           of
           Revelation
           ;
           The
           Scripture
           no
           where
           teaches
           us
           ,
           that
           Princes
           ,
           upon
           their
           turning
           Christian
           ,
           should
           have
           their
           Commission
           enlarged
           with
           the
           addition
           of
           Episcopal
           ,
           or
           Priestly
           Power
           .
           I
           grant
           ,
           it
           was
           foretold
           ,
           
             that
             Kings
             should
             be
             nursing
             Fathers
             to
             the
             Church
             ,
          
           Isa.
           49.
           23.
           but
           then
           it
           is
           added
           ,
           that
           
             they
             shall
             bow
             down
             to
             Her
             with
             their
             Faces
             towards
             the
             Earth
          
           ;
           and
           elsewhere
           ,
           
             that
             they
             shall
             Minister
             to
             Her
             ,
             or
             serve
             Her
             ,
          
           Isa.
           60.
           10.
           
           We
           see
           therefore
           ,
           we
           must
           not
           strain
           upon
           the
           Letter
           in
           these
           Expressions
           ;
           nor
           press
           the
           Metaphor
           too
           far
           ,
           unless
           we
           will
           conclude
           Contradictions
           :
           Therefore
           the
           Character
           of
           their
           being
           Nursing
           Fathers
           ,
           is
           sufficiently
           fulfilled
           by
           their
           affording
           Christians
           Protection
           and
           Encouragement
           under
           their
           Government
           ,
           and
           by
           finishing
           the
           Contempt
           of
           Religion
           .
           But
           that
           the
           Magistrates
           Conversion
           should
           alter
           the
           Seat
           of
           Ecclesiastical
           Government
           ,
           put
           a
           Period
           to
           the
           Apostolical
           Succession
           ,
           and
           dissolve
           the
           Church
           into
           the
           State
           ,
           is
           not
           so
           much
           as
           the
           least
           hinted
           .
        
         
         
           And
           as
           for
           Baptism
           ,
           there
           is
           no
           Authority
           of
           any
           kind
           implied
           in
           the
           Receiving
           that
           Sacrament
           ;
           If
           there
           were
           ,
           every
           Christian
           would
           have
           an
           equal
           share
           in
           this
           Privilege
           ;
           which
           would
           make
           the
           Constitution
           of
           the
           Church
           monstrous
           ,
           in
           which
           all
           its
           Members
           would
           be
           Governors
           ,
           and
           so
           none
           under
           an
           Obligation
           of
           being
           governed
           .
        
         
           If
           it
           is
           objected
           ,
           that
           the
           Oxford
           Greek
           Manuscript
           ,
           published
           the
           last
           Year
           ,
           has
           proved
           by
           a
           Collection
           of
           several
           Instances
           ,
           that
           Bishops
           ,
           though
           unjustly
           deprived
           ,
           have
           for
           the
           sake
           of
           Peace
           ,
           laid
           down
           their
           Function
           ,
           and
           not
           contested
           their
           Right
           with
           their
           Successors
           ,
           provided
           they
           were
           not
           Hereticks
           :
           And
           that
           the
           People
           made
           no
           scruple
           to
           Communicate
           with
           the
           New
           Bishops
           .
        
         
           To
           this
           it
           may
           be
           returned
           ,
           that
           this
           Manuscript
           has
           been
           lately
           undertaken
           ,
           and
           shewn
           to
           be
           altogether
           unserviceable
           to
           the
           Publisher's
           Design
           .
           (
           Vid.
           
             A
             Vindication
             of
             the
             Deprived
             Bishops
             ,
          
           &c.
           )
           where
           the
           Learned
           Vindicator
           has
           proved
           .
        
         
           First
           ,
           that
           though
           the
           Instances
           alledged
           in
           the
           Manuscript
           were
           applicable
           to
           the
           present
           Dispute
           ,
           they
           would
           fall
           far
           short
           of
           gaining
           the
           Cause
           .
           I
           shall
           just
           mention
           some
           of
           his
           Reasons
           .
        
         
           He
           hath
           shewn
           the
           Author
           of
           the
           Manuscript
           to
           be
           defective
           in
           point
           of
           Antiquity
           ,
           and
           little
           more
           than
           400
           Years
           Old
           ;
           and
           that
           none
           of
           the
           Instances
           rise
           higher
           than
           the
           fourth
           Century
           ;
           that
           they
           are
           not
           universal
           in
           respect
           of
           Place
           ,
           all
           of
           them
           being
           confin'd
           to
           the
           Greek
           Church
           ;
           and
           most
           to
           the
           single
           See
           of
           Constantinople
           .
           Farther
           ,
           the
           Learned
           Vindicator
           observes
           ,
           that
           the
           Precedents
           cited
           by
           the
           Manuscript
           are
           nakedly
           represented
           ,
           without
           shewing
           ,
           whether
           the
           People
           ,
           who
           deserted
           the
           Deprived
           Bishops
           ,
           believed
           them
           unjustly
           Deprived
           .
           If
           they
           did
           not
           ,
           't
           is
           no
           wonder
           they
           withdrew
           their
           Obedience
           :
           Neither
           do
           his
           Instances
           prove
           ,
           that
           the
           People
           thought
           them
           tried
           by
           an
           incompetent
           Authority
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           unjustly
           deprived
           .
           Now
           this
           ought
           to
           have
           been
           proved
           ,
           to
           have
           made
           the
           Manuscript
           serviceable
           to
           the
           Publishers
           purpose
           .
           For
           ,
           though
           an
           unjust
           Sentence
           ought
           to
           be
           submitted
           to
           ,
           when
           pronounced
           by
           a
           proper
           
           Iudge
           ;
           yet
           when
           the
           Cause
           does
           not
           lie
           within
           the
           Cognizance
           of
           the
           Court
           ,
           all
           the
           Proceedings
           are
           null
           and
           void
           .
        
         
           It
           should
           have
           been
           made
           out
           ,
           that
           the
           Bishops
           insisted
           on
           their
           Right
           ,
           and
           challenged
           Submission
           from
           their
           People
           ;
           for
           if
           they
           acquiesced
           ,
           the
           Case
           does
           not
           come
           up
           to
           the
           Matter
           in
           Hand
           .
           But
           here
           the
           Manuscript
           fails
           ,
           as
           it
           does
           also
           in
           clearing
           ,
           whether
           the
           Behaviour
           of
           the
           Bishops
           and
           People
           was
           founded
           upon
           Principles
           at
           that
           time
           owned
           .
           For
           ,
           if
           want
           of
           due
           Information
           ,
           or
           Fear
           ,
           or
           Interest
           made
           them
           act
           as
           they
           did
           ;
           we
           have
           no
           reason
           to
           be
           governed
           by
           their
           Examples
           .
        
         
           The
           Vindicator
           p●●●eeds
           to
           give
           in
           Counter-evidence
           ,
           and
           proves
           from
           St.
           Cyprian
           ,
           who
           disputes
           the
           Case
           of
           Sehism
           at
           large
           ,
           and
           lived
           in
           an
           Age
           very
           valuable
           for
           Antiquity
           and
           Integrity
           ;
           That
           the
           Catholick
           Church
           maintained
           the
           Right
           of
           Canonical
           Bishops
           ,
           both
           against
           Secular
           Magistrates
           ,
           and
           Schismatical
           Intruders
           .
           As
           appear'd
           in
           the
           Case
           of
           Cornelius
           Bishop
           of
           Rome
           ,
           who
           was
           owned
           by
           the
           whole
           Church
           ;
           notwithstanding
           the
           Opposition
           made
           by
           Decius
           the
           Emperor
           ,
           and
           Novarian
           the
           Anti-bishop
           .
           And
           Martian
           Bishop
           of
           Arles
           was
           refused
           the
           Communion
           of
           his
           Brethren
           ,
           for
           owning
           that
           of
           Schismaticks
           .
           He
           observes
           ,
           that
           the
           Principles
           insisted
           on
           by
           St.
           Cyprian
           ,
           were
           not
           peculiar
           to
           his
           own
           Age
           ,
           but
           maintained
           likewise
           by
           St.
           Augustin
           ,
           and
           Optatus
           ,
           in
           their
           Disputes
           against
           the
           Donatists
           .
        
         
           
             The
             Vindicator
             pursues
             the
             Argument
             ,
             and
             proves
             ,
          
           the
           Anti-bishops
           and
           their
           Adherents
           guilty
           of
           Heresy
           ;
           for
           the
           avoiding
           of
           which
           ,
           the
           Author
           of
           the
           Manuscript
           himself
           allows
           separation
           to
           be
           justifiable
           and
           necessary
           :
           this
           charge
           he
           presseth
           upon
           them
           ,
           not
           only
           because
           they
           defend
           their
           Novelties
           by
           Principles
           ,
           but
           by
           such
           Principles
           ,
           as
           strike
           at
           the
           Root
           of
           Ecclesiastical
           Government
           .
           For
           ,
           their
           being
           Bishops
           supposes
           all
           Spiritual
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           Civil
           Authority
           derived
           from
           the
           State
           ;
           which
           Doctrines
           make
           it
           impossible
           for
           the
           Church
           to
           subsist
           in
           a
           time
           of
           Persecution
           .
           And
           since
           no
           Society
           ,
           whether
           Spiritual
           or
           Secular
           ,
           can
           stand
           without
           an
           intrinsick
           Power
           of
           Government
           ;
           and
           the
           Advantages
           of
           Society
           cannot
           be
           had
           any
           longer
           than
           the
           Society
           whence
           they
           arise
           continues
           .
           From
           hence
           it
           follows
           ,
           that
           those
           Opinions
           which
           destroy
           any
           Society
           ,
           must
           destroy
           all
           those
           Advantages
           ,
           which
           were
           design'd
           in
           the
           Constitution
           ,
           and
           guarded
           by
           it
           .
           Such
           Tenents
           ,
           when
           they
           relate
           to
           the
           
           Church
           ,
           may
           ,
           with
           propriety
           enough
           be
           called
           Fundamental
           Errors
           ;
           which
           brings
           them
           under
           the
           Modern
           ,
           and
           received
           notion
           of
           Heresy
           .
        
         
           
             The
             Learned
             Vindicator
             ,
             in
             the
             second
             part
             of
             his
             Book
             ,
             goes
             on
             ,
             and
             shows
             ,
          
           that
           though
           the
           Oxford
           Manuscript
           (
           how
           favourable
           soever
           )
           would
           have
           been
           a
           very
           slender
           Defence
           for
           the
           Anti-bishops
           ,
           and
           their
           Party
           ;
           yet
           they
           have
           not
           so
           much
           as
           the
           Countenance
           of
           this
           Record
           ;
           the
           Instances
           produced
           being
           Foreign
           to
           the
           present
           Controversy
           .
           For
           in
           all
           the
           Cases
           mentioned
           in
           this
           Manuscript
           (
           excepting
           that
           of
           Callinicus
           ,
           which
           is
           dubious
           ,
           and
           not
           to
           their
           purpose
           ;
           )
           either
           the
           Deprivations
           were
           passed
           in
           an
           Ecclesiastical
           Synod
           ;
           or
           were
           grounded
           upon
           Resignation
           ;
           or
           Heresy
           ;
           or
           else
           the
           Deprived
           Bishops
           insisted
           upon
           their
           Right
           ;
           and
           with
           their
           People
           formed
           distinct
           Communions
           from
           their
           Intruders
           .
           And
           thus
           in
           the
           Course
           of
           900
           Years
           ,
           which
           is
           the
           length
           of
           the
           Manuscript
           ;
           they
           have
           not
           one
           Instance
           to
           prove
           ,
           that
           a
           Lay-Deprivation
           had
           any
           Force
           against
           the
           Spiritual
           Authority
           of
           the
           Church
           .
           So
           singular
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           destructive
           are
           the
           Principles
           our
           Adversaries
           establish
           themselves
           upon
           .
        
         
           Lastly
           ,
           The
           Learned
           Vindicator
           subjoins
           a
           Collection
           of
           Canons
           drawn
           from
           those
           called
           the
           Apostles
           ,
           from
           the
           Council
           of
           
             Gangra
             ,
             Antioch
             ,
             Carthage
          
           ,
           and
           Constantinople
           ,
           which
           in
           all
           rational
           Conjecture
           were
           added
           by
           the
           Author
           of
           the
           Manuscript
           ,
           though
           omitted
           by
           the
           Publisher
           .
           In
           these
           Canons
           't
           is
           solemnly
           Decreed
           ,
        
         
           That
           if
           any
           Deacon
           ,
           or
           Priest
           ,
           should
           despise
           their
           Bishop
           ,
           and
           hold
           separate
           Meetings
           from
           him
           ,
           unless
           he
           were
           deprived
           by
           a
           Synod
           ,
           they
           were
           to
           be
           degraded
           :
           This
           Fault
           in
           the
           Laity
           was
           punished
           with
           Excommunication
           .
           And
           if
           a
           Bishop
           withdrew
           Communion
           from
           his
           Metropolitan
           (
           unless
           Synodically
           deprived
           )
           he
           was
           to
           be
           deposed
           .
           
             By
             all
             which
             we
             may
             understand
             ,
             how
             far
             these
             Councils
             were
             from
             supposing
             that
             the
             Civil
             Magistrate
             had
             any
             Power
             to
             deprive
             Ecclesiasticks
             of
             their
             Spiritual
             Authority
             .
          
        
         
           These
           are
           some
           of
           the
           Heads
           upon
           which
           the
           Learned
           Vindicator
           proceeds
           ;
           and
           which
           he
           maintains
           with
           admi●able
           strength
           of
           Reason
           and
           Authority
           .
           If
           the
           Reader
           is
           inclin'd
           to
           see
           the
           Argument
           pursu'd
           at
           Length
           ,
           and
           
           with
           its
           just
           Advantages
           ,
           he
           may
           please
           to
           consult
           his
           excellent
           Discourse
           .
        
         
           From
           the
           Independency
           of
           the
           Church
           thus
           proved
           ,
           these
           Conclusions
           naturally
           follow
           .
        
         
           First
           ,
           That
           it
           is
           no
           more
           in
           the
           Power
           of
           the
           State
           to
           deprive
           the
           Church
           Governors
           of
           their
           purely
           Spiritual
           Authority
           ,
           than
           it
           is
           in
           the
           Power
           of
           the
           Church
           to
           remove
           the
           Magistracy
           ,
           or
           disincorporate
           the
           State.
           For
           all
           Punishment
           and
           Censure
           supposes
           Jurisdiction
           in
           the
           Person
           who
           inflicts
           it
           .
           But
           this
           Supposition
           is
           inconsistent
           with
           the
           Notion
           of
           Independency
           :
           Those
           who
           are
           Independent
           being
           in
           this
           sense
           equal
           ,
           so
           far
           as
           their
           Independency
           reaches
           ;
           and
           have
           no
           Privileges
           to
           Command
           ,
           or
           Duties
           to
           Obey
           on
           either
           side
           .
           From
           whence
           it
           follows
           ,
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           That
           the
           Bishops
           ,
           notwithstanding
           the
           Lay-Deprivation
           ,
           have
           the
           same
           Spiritual
           Authority
           they
           formerly
           had
           ;
           and
           their
           People
           the
           same
           Obligation
           to
           remain
           in
           their
           Communion
           .
           The
           Consequence
           of
           which
           is
           ,
        
         
           Thirdly
           ,
           That
           the
           Anti-bishops
           who
           are
           possessed
           of
           their
           Sees
           ,
           have
           no
           Authority
           to
           Govern.
           These
           the
           People
           are
           bound
           to
           avoid
           upon
           the
           Score
           of
           Intrusion
           and
           Schism
           .
           I
           say
           ,
           upon
           the
           Score
           of
           Schism
           .
           For
           since
           they
           have
           subjected
           the
           Power
           of
           the
           Keys
           to
           the
           Civil
           Supremacy
           ;
           given
           up
           ,
           as
           much
           as
           in
           them
           lies
           ,
           the
           Fundamental
           Rights
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           and
           made
           the
           Being
           of
           Religion
           precarious
           ,
           and
           dependent
           on
           the
           Pleasure
           of
           the
           Magistrate
           :
           Since
           they
           have
           either
           Usurped
           the
           Authority
           of
           Lawful
           and
           Canonical
           Bishops
           ,
           or
           own'd
           those
           who
           are
           guilty
           of
           such
           Invasions
           ;
           the
           Charge
           of
           Schism
           and
           Separation
           must
           lie
           at
           their
           own
           Doors
           .
           Such
           dangerous
           Innovations
           as
           these
           ,
           as
           long
           as
           they
           are
           maintained
           ,
           must
           cut
           off
           all
           Religious
           Correspondence
           ,
           and
           make
           Communion
           impracticable
           .
           Insomuch
           that
           those
           who
           joyn
           with
           the
           Intruders
           ,
           will
           justly
           fall
           under
           the
           same
           Imputation
           of
           Schism
           ,
           for
           revolting
           from
           their
           Lawful
           Bishops
           ,
           and
           making
           themselves
           One
           with
           those
           who
           are
           divided
           from
           the
           Church
           .
        
         
           Fourthly
           ,
           This
           Privilege
           of
           Independency
           ,
           in
           Matters
           
           purely
           Spiritual
           ,
           will
           reach
           the
           Inferior
           Clergy
           .
           For
           their
           Authority
           being
           derived
           from
           the
           Bishops
           ,
           and
           of
           the
           same
           Nature
           with
           theirs
           ,
           it
           can
           be
           subordinate
           ,
           or
           related
           ,
           to
           no
           other
           Head
           of
           Jurisdiction
           :
           And
           therefore
           these
           can
           be
           no
           more
           discharged
           the
           Exercise
           of
           their
           Function
           by
           a
           Lay
           Power
           than
           the
           Bishops
           .
        
         
           Thus
           we
           see
           Communion
           with
           the
           pretended
           Church
           of
           England
           must
           be
           Unlawful
           ,
           even
           supposing
           the
           Law-Authority
           unexceptionable
           ,
           and
           that
           the
           Church-Service
           remain
           unaltered
           .
        
         
           However
           ,
           let
           us
           put
           the
           Case
           (
           for
           we
           may
           suppose
           any
           thing
           ,
           )
           that
           the
           depriving
           Authority
           was
           it self
           defective
           ,
           and
           illegal
           ,
           and
           no
           less
           a
           Breach
           of
           the
           Constitution
           ,
           than
           an
           Encroachment
           upon
           the
           Church
           :
           Suppose
           farther
           ,
           that
           the
           Publick
           Prayers
           are
           stuffed
           with
           Immoral
           Petitions
           ;
           that
           God
           is
           made
           a
           Party
           to
           Injustice
           ;
           and
           invoked
           to
           prosper
           that
           which
           He
           hath
           threatned
           to
           punish
           :
           Such
           singular
           Mixtures
           as
           these
           must
           give
           the
           Service
           a
           very
           ill
           Complexion
           ,
           and
           make
           Devotion
           look
           like
           a
           solemn
           Iniquity
           .
        
         
           To
           say
           ,
           we
           dont
           joyn
           in
           the
           exceptionable
           Petitions
           is
           no
           answer
           .
        
         
           First
           ,
           Because
           the
           Notion
           of
           Communion
           ,
           the
           Prayers
           in
           their
           Form
           and
           Rubrick
           ,
           suppose
           the
           contrary
           .
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           If
           we
           may
           joyn
           in
           Communion
           where
           some
           part
           of
           the
           Worship
           is
           sinful
           ;
           then
           ,
           by
           Parity
           of
           Reason
           ,
           we
           may
           Communicate
           with
           all
           Sorts
           of
           Christians
           ;
           and
           not
           only
           so
           ,
           but
           with
           Jews
           and
           Mahometans
           ;
           because
           all
           these
           Divisions
           of
           Religion
           acknowledge
           the
           same
           God
           ,
           and
           have
           many
           things
           which
           are
           pious
           and
           commendable
           in
           their
           Worship
           .
           But
           this
           part
           of
           the
           Argument
           ,
           having
           receiv'd
           Satisfaction
           from
           a
           good
           Hand
           already
           ,
           needs
           not
           be
           pursued
           any
           farther
           .
        
         
           I
           shall
           therefore
           make
           two
           or
           three
           Remarks
           ,
           and
           so
           conclude
           .
        
         
           First
           ,
           This
           Spiritual
           Independency
           of
           the
           Church
           can
           
           give
           no
           just
           grounds
           of
           Jealousie
           to
           the
           State.
           Princes
           need
           not
           to
           be
           awaken'd
           into
           any
           Suspicions
           of
           being
           disturbed
           in
           their
           Administrations
           ,
           or
           having
           any
           part
           of
           their
           Prerogative
           wrested
           from
           them
           ;
           this
           Privilege
           pretends
           to
           no
           Temporal
           Jurisdiction
           ,
           but
           leaves
           all
           the
           Branches
           of
           Justice
           and
           Property
           to
           the
           Civil
           Magistrate
           .
           It
           never
           offers
           to
           support
           it self
           by
           violence
           ,
           but
           gives
           up
           Seditious
           Church-men
           to
           the
           Correction
           of
           the
           State
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           others
           :
           It
           allows
           no
           Liberty
           to
           Dethrone
           Princes
           for
           misfortunes
           of
           Belief
           ;
           It
           teaches
           no
           Man
           to
           be
           False
           and
           Treacherous
           for
           the
           sake
           of
           Religion
           ,
           nor
           founds
           any
           Merit
           upon
           Ingratitude
           and
           Rebellion
           .
           In
           short
           ,
           this
           Authority
           relates
           only
           to
           Conscience
           :
           And
           tho'
           it
           may
           challenge
           Obedience
           within
           a
           proper
           compass
           ;
           and
           the
           contempt
           of
           it
           will
           be
           deeply
           reveng'd
           hereafter
           ;
           yet
           since
           there
           is
           no
           Force
           claim'd
           for
           the
           Execution
           of
           its
           Censures
           ,
           it
           must
           be
           perfectly
           inoffensive
           here
           .
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           Since
           even
           the
           Inferior
           Clergy
           are
           ,
           with
           respect
           to
           their
           Spiritual
           Authority
           ,
           Independent
           of
           Princes
           ;
           certainly
           private
           Persons
           ,
           tho'
           never
           so
           considerable
           ,
           should
           allow
           them
           the
           same
           Advantage
           .
           Church-men
           ,
           we
           see
           ,
           have
           their
           Authority
           from
           God
           ;
           and
           are
           therefore
           his
           Ministers
           ,
           not
           the
           Peoples
           ;
           the
           Branches
           of
           their
           Office
           ,
           such
           as
           Instruction
           ,
           Absolution
           ,
           and
           Blessing
           ,
           imply
           Super-intendency
           ,
           and
           Power
           ,
           and
           ought
           not
           to
           come
           under
           a
           servile
           Character
           .
           For
           ,
           as
           on
           the
           one
           side
           ,
           't
           is
           a
           fault
           to
           grow
           vain
           upon
           their
           Relation
           ,
           to
           neglect
           the
           meanest
           Christian
           ,
           or
           ,
           as
           the
           Apostle
           speaks
           ,
           to
           be
           have
           themselves
           
             as
             Lords
             over
             God's
             Heritage
          
           ,
           1
           S.
           Pet.
           5.
           3.
           
           So
           't
           is
           no
           less
           on
           the
           other
           ,
           to
           prostitute
           their
           Function
           to
           Greatness
           ;
           and
           make
           themselves
           Servants
           to
           Ceremony
           and
           State.
           And
           without
           doubt
           they
           may
           find
           other
           ways
           of
           paying
           a
           due
           Regard
           to
           Persons
           ,
           without
           making
           themselves
           and
           Religion
           ridiculous
           .
           Neither
           will
           the
           Consideration
           of
           Mony
           ,
           or
           Entertainment
           degrade
           their
           Character
           ,
           and
           make
           them
           BELONG
           to
           those
           of
           whom
           they
           receive
           it
           .
           For
           Money
           is
           given
           to
           Parents
           ,
           to
           Princes
           ,
           and
           to
           God
           himself
           ;
           and
           therefore
           does
           not
           always
           suppose
           Subjection
           in
           the
           Receiver
           .
           When
           Micah
           contracted
           with
           the
           Levite
           to
           perform
           the
           Offices
           of
           Religion
           in
           his
           Family
           ;
           he
           was
           far
           from
           thinking
           he
           entertain'd
           
           a
           Servant
           ;
           as
           we
           may
           see
           ,
           Judges
           17.
           10.
           
           
             Dwell
             with
             me
             ,
             and
             be
             unto
             me
             a
             Father
             ,
             and
             a
             Priest
             ,
             and
             I
             will
             give
             thee
             ten
             Shekels
             of
             Silver
             ,
          
           &c.
           
           And
           as
           for
           the
           Obligation
           ,
           St.
           Paul
           thought
           there
           was
           a
           fair
           Equivalent
           returned
           ;
           as
           we
           may
           perceive
           by
           his
           Question
           .
           
             If
             we
             have
             sow●
             unto
             you
             spiritual
             things
             ,
             is
             it
             a
             great
             thing
             ,
             if
             we
             shall
             reap
             your
             carnal
             things
             ?
          
           1
           Cor.
           9.
           11.
           
           Indeed
           the
           notion
           of
           a
           Priest
           supposes
           a
           peculiar
           ,
           and
           incommunicable
           Relation
           to
           God
           Almighty
           :
           And
           in
           this
           sense
           ,
           Natural
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           Revealed
           Religion
           has
           understood
           it
           ;
           the
           Roman
           Emperors
           ,
           tho'
           they
           were
           vain
           enough
           ,
           yet
           never
           pretended
           to
           have
           Priests
           BELONG
           to
           them
           till
           they
           were
           dead
           ,
           and
           Deified
           .
           And
           if
           any
           are
           so
           extravagant
           as
           to
           exceed
           the
           Pride
           of
           a
           Heathen
           Emperor
           ,
           tho'
           in
           Charity
           we
           ought
           to
           pray
           for
           them
           ;
           yet
           I
           am
           afraid
           't
           is
           to
           little
           purpose
           to
           pray
           with
           them
           .
        
         
           Thirdly
           ,
           The
           Clergy
           ought
           to
           form
           Assemblies
           for
           the
           Service
           of
           God
           :
           Since
           our
           late
           Brethren
           have
           dispossessed
           us
           of
           our
           own
           Churches
           ,
           and
           made
           it
           Impracticable
           to
           come
           to
           theirs
           .
           Since
           Violence
           has
           removed
           us
           from
           the
           one
           ,
           and
           Schism
           from
           the
           other
           :
           Since
           we
           are
           banished
           the
           Holy
           Ground
           ,
           and
           driven
           from
           the
           Place
           where
           God's
           Honour
           used
           to
           dwell
           .
           Since
           we
           cannot
           perform
           his
           Worship
           with
           those
           Circumstances
           of
           Advantage
           ,
           with
           that
           Magnificence
           and
           Solemnity
           which
           were
           to
           be
           wished
           ;
           let
           us
           carry
           the
           Opportunity
           as
           far
           as
           it
           will
           reach
           ;
           and
           do
           our
           Duty
           in
           the
           best
           manner
           we
           can
           .
           God
           ,
           as
           the
           Scripture
           speaks
           ,
           
             is
             not
          
           confined
           
             to
             Temples
             made
             with
             Hands
          
           .
           In
           a
           state
           of
           Hardship
           ,
           Necessity
           and
           Devotion
           may
           Consecrate
           ;
           and
           the
           Primitive
           Upper-Room
           will
           not
           be
           unacceptable
           .
           Above
           all
           things
           ,
           let
           us
           take
           Care
           not
           to
           neglect
           the
           Service
           of
           God
           ;
           least
           we
           grow
           indifferent
           to
           all
           Religion
           ,
           and
           by
           avoiding
           Schism
           ,
           sink
           into
           Profaneness
           ;
           't
           is
           not
           the
           danger
           of
           Suffering
           will
           excuse
           us
           :
           For
           it
           was
           in
           a
           time
           of
           Persecution
           ,
           when
           the
           Apostle
           charged
           the
           Hebrews
           ,
           
             not
             to
             forsake
             the
             assembling
             themselves
             together
             ,
          
           Heb.
           10.
           25.
           
        
         
           Many
           are
           the
           Advantages
           of
           Publick
           Worship
           above
           that
           which
           is
           performed
           in
           Private
           .
        
         
           By
           the
           former
           we
           pay
           a
           more
           solemn
           Homage
           to
           God
           ,
           
           and
           make
           a
           more
           open
           Acknowledgement
           of
           our
           Dependency
           .
           In
           our
           joint
           and
           uniform
           Petitions
           we
           declare
           the
           Harmony
           of
           our
           Judgments
           ,
           and
           the
           Extent
           of
           our
           Charity
           ;
           and
           that
           we
           are
           willing
           to
           assist
           each
           other
           
             at
             the
             Throne
             of
             Grace
          
           .
           Besides
           ,
           the
           Occasion
           of
           coming
           ,
           and
           the
           Example
           of
           those
           that
           come
           ,
           are
           not
           without
           their
           Advantage
           .
           These
           Circumstances
           are
           apt
           to
           keep
           up
           Attention
           ,
           and
           improve
           good
           Dispositions
           ,
           and
           make
           us
           more
           affected
           with
           the
           Impressions
           of
           Religion
           .
           Farther
           ,
           by
           our
           united
           Prayers
           ,
           we
           may
           hope
           for
           a
           greater
           Support
           from
           Heaven
           ,
           than
           from
           single
           and
           solitary
           Devotions
           .
           It
           was
           upon
           Assemblies
           that
           the
           miraculous
           Gifts
           of
           the
           Holy
           Ghost
           were
           bestowed
           ,
           as
           we
           may
           learn
           from
           several
           Places
           of
           Scripture
           ,
           Acts
           2.
           2.
           4.
           31.
           10.
           44.
           
           And
           though
           ,
           since
           our
           Religion
           has
           been
           fully
           Confirm'd
           ,
           these
           extraordinary
           Assistances
           have
           been
           withdrawn
           :
           Yet
           when
           we
           meet
           in
           Obedience
           to
           God's
           Command
           ,
           when
           we
           serve
           him
           with
           the
           greatest
           Reverence
           and
           Resolution
           ,
           we
           may
           reasonably
           expect
           a
           proportionable
           Blessing
           .
           And
           as
           the
           Publick
           Services
           are
           more
           beneficial
           ,
           so
           the
           use
           of
           them
           can
           never
           be
           more
           necessary
           ,
           than
           when
           the
           Church
           lies
           under
           Disorder
           and
           Distress
           .
           When
           Atheism
           grows
           upon
           us
           ;
           when
           Virtue
           seems
           ready
           to
           expire
           ,
           and
           the
           
             Faithful
             fall
             from
             among
             the
             Children
             of
             Men
          
           ;
           when
           Temptations
           have
           the
           greatest
           Weight
           ,
           and
           Perseverance
           is
           pressed
           ,
           and
           we
           cannot
           maintain
           our
           Innocency
           without
           more
           than
           ordinary
           Difficulty
           ;
           then
           is
           the
           proper
           Time
           to
           call
           in
           all
           the
           Aids
           of
           Religion
           ,
           and
           to
           put
           our
           Devotions
           in
           the
           b●st
           posture
           of
           Advantage
           .
           Upon
           such
           a
           melancholy
           Occasion
           ,
           we
           have
           need
           ,
           if
           ever
           ,
           to
           unite
           our
           Prayers
           ,
           and
           frequent
           the
           Sacrament
           ,
           and
           fortify
           our
           Minds
           with
           all
           the
           Supports
           of
           mutual
           and
           supernatural
           Assistance
           .
           To
           stand
           off
           from
           danger
           ,
           and
           confine
           our selves
           to
           the
           numbers
           of
           Security
           ;
           and
           be
           frighted
           from
           Publick
           Communion
           ;
           looks
           like
           the
           Conduct
           of
           an
           Army
           that
           disbands
           at
           the
           Approach
           of
           an
           Enemy
           .
           The
           Honour
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           the
           Good
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           are
           (
           without
           doubt
           )
           best
           promoted
           by
           an
           open
           Profession
           ,
           by
           Resolution
           ,
           and
           Religious
           Bravery
           .
           Those
           who
           thus
           distinguish
           themselves
           carry
           Light
           and
           Heat
           in
           their
           Examples
           .
           They
           awaken
           Inquiry
           ,
           and
           encourage
           Imitation
           ,
           and
           transfuse
           a
           Spirit
           of
           G●eatness
           into
           others
           .
           Now
           the
           Interest
           of
           another
           World
           ,
           all
           Christians
           grant
           to
           be
           incomparably
           the
           
           greatest
           ,
           and
           where
           there
           is
           no
           proportion
           in
           the
           Value
           ,
           one
           would
           think
           there
           should
           be
           no
           difficulty
           in
           the
           Choice
           .
        
         
           Let
           nothing
           therefore
           discourage
           us
           in
           our
           Duty
           ;
           for
           whatever
           wordly
           Inconveniences
           may
           happen
           ,
           we
           may
           be
           assured
           of
           the
           Divine
           Protection
           :
           And
           ,
           besides
           the
           future
           Rewards
           of
           Constancy
           and
           Patience
           ,
           we
           shall
           have
           the
           present
           Satisfaction
           of
           Suffering
           for
           the
           best
           Cause
           ,
           and
           the
           best
           Communion
           .
        
      
    
     
       
         
           Printed
           in
           the
           Year
           ,
           1692.