Considerations of present use, concerning the danger resulting from the change of our church-government
         Hammond, Henry, 1605-1660.
      
       
         
           1682
        
      
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             Considerations of present use, concerning the danger resulting from the change of our church-government
             Hammond, Henry, 1605-1660.
          
           [2], 20 p.
           
             Printed by T.M. for Fin. Gardiner ...,
             London :
             1682.
          
           
             Attributed to Henry Hammond. Cf. Halkett & Laing (2nd ed.).
             Reproduction of original in Huntington Library.
          
        
      
    
     
       
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         eng
      
       
         
           Church of England -- Government.
           Church and state -- Church of England.
        
      
    
     
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           CONSIDERATIONS
           OF
           Present
           Use
           ,
           Concerning
           the
           DANGER
           Resulting
           from
           the
           CHANGE
           OF
           OUR
           
             CHURCH-GOVERNMENT
             .
          
        
         
           LONDON
           ,
           Printed
           by
           
             T.
             M.
          
           for
           
             Fin.
             Gardiner
             ,
          
           at
           the
           Three
           Roses
           in
           
             Ludgate-Street
             .
          
           1682.
           
        
      
    
     
       
         
         
         
           CONSIDERATIONS
           OF
           Present
           Use
           ,
           CONCERNING
           The
           Danger
           Resulting
           from
           the
           CHANGE
           OF
           OUR
           CHURCH-GOVERNMENT
           .
        
         
           TO
           him
           that
           being
           satisfied
           in
           judgment
           of
           the
           
             lawfulness
          
           of
           
             Episcopal
             Government
             ,
          
           doth
           yet
           conceive
           that
           the
           parting
           with
           it
           is
           no
           
             change
          
           of
           
             Religion
             ,
          
           and
           consequently
           ,
           that
           the
           standing
           for
           it
           at
           this
           time
           ,
           when
           it
           is
           opposed
           ,
           is
           but
           the
           preferring
           the
           interests
           of
           some
           inconsiderable
           men
           before
           the
           conveniences
           and
           common
           Wishes
           of
           all
           ,
           I
           earnestly
           desire
           (
           in
           the
           Bowels
           of
           Compassion
           to
           my
           bleeding
           Country
           ,
           and
           from
           a
           sincere
           Passionate
           wish
           that
           the
           
             cure
          
           of
           this
           dangerous
           
           wound
           may
           not
           be
           an
           
             imperfect
             cure
          
           )
           to
           present
           some
           few
           sad
           considerations
           ,
           which
           I
           shall
           cast
           under
           two
           heads
           (
           proportionable
           to
           the
           two
           parts
           of
           the
           former
           ungrounded
           suggestion
           )
           the
           one
           ,
           
             That
             parting
             with
             the
             present
             Government
             is
             no
             change
             of
             Religion
          
           ;
           the
           other
           ,
           
             That
             standing
             for
             it
             at
             this
             time
             ,
             is
             the
             preferring
             the
             interests
             of
             some
             before
             the
             common
             wish
             of
             all
             ,
          
           the
           peace
           of
           this
           Nation
           .
        
         
           Concerning
           the
           former
           ,
           I
           offer
           to
           consideration
           ,
           First
           ,
           whether
           the
           
             Government
          
           of
           the
           Church
           be
           not
           a
           considerable
           part
           of
           
             Religion
             ?
          
           That
           it
           is
           so
           ,
           I
           shall
           make
           appear
           by
           these
           Reasons
           .
           1.
           
           That
           
             Government
          
           is
           as
           necessary
           to
           the
           
             preservation
          
           of
           the
           Church
           as
           
             Preaching
          
           the
           Gospel
           was
           to
           the
           
             Plantation
          
           of
           it
           ,
           and
           that
           therefore
           it
           was
           always
           the
           Apostles
           practice
           ,
           as
           soon
           as
           ever
           they
           had
           converted
           a
           City
           or
           Province
           ,
           or
           any
           considerable
           number
           of
           Men
           in
           it
           ,
           to
           leave
           it
           in
           the
           hands
           of
           some
           faithful
           Persons
           ,
           to
           
             dress
             ,
             tend
             ,
          
           and
           
             water
             ,
          
           what
           they
           had
           thus
           
             planted
          
           ;
           and
           therefore
           though
           it
           were
           
             possible
          
           for
           a
           
             Christian
          
           to
           be
           deprived
           of
           this
           benefit
           ,
           and
           yet
           to
           remain
           
             Christian
          
           (
           as
           to
           
             want
          
           some
           limbs
           ,
           or
           to
           
             abound
          
           to
           monstrosity
           in
           others
           ,
           is
           yet
           reconcileable
           with
           
             life
          
           and
           
             being
          
           of
           a
           Man
           )
           to
           retain
           the
           
             doctrine
          
           of
           Christianity
           without
           any
           
             Government
             ,
          
           to
           be
           a
           Christian
           in
           the
           Wall
           or
           in
           the
           Wilderness
           ,
           a
           
             Stylita
          
           or
           
             Anachorite
          
           Christian
           (
           in
           which
           case
           there
           is
           no
           doubt
           the
           
             use
          
           of
           the
           very
           
             Sacraments
             ,
          
           Instituted
           by
           Christ
           himself
           ,
           would
           not
           be
           
           
             necessary
          
           to
           
             Christianity
          
           )
           yet
           would
           it
           be
           little
           less
           than
           fury
           for
           any
           to
           design
           or
           hope
           the
           
             prosperity
          
           or
           
             duration
          
           of
           a
           Church
           ,
           or
           visible
           society
           of
           such
           Christians
           ,
           without
           this
           grand
           
             necessary
          
           (
           though
           not
           of
           
             single
             being
             ,
          
           yet
           )
           of
           
             mutual
             preservation
             ,
          
           this
           
             principle
          
           not
           of
           
             essence
          
           but
           of
           
             continuance
             ,
          
           without
           which
           (
           it
           is
           the
           learned
           
           Breerewood's
           observation
           from
           St.
           
             Augustine
          
           )
           that
           the
           preservation
           of
           a
           
             Church
          
           was
           once
           by
           
             experience
          
           found
           to
           be
           an
           
             impossible
          
           thing
           ,
           no
           other
           engine
           being
           able
           to
           repair
           the
           Want
           or
           Supply
           the
           
             place
          
           of
           that
           .
        
         
           A
           second
           reason
           may
           be
           drawn
           from
           the
           concurring
           
             pleas
          
           of
           all
           the
           most
           distant
           
             pretenders
          
           for
           the
           several
           Forms
           of
           Government
           in
           the
           
             Church
             ,
          
           as
           well
           those
           that
           have
           espoused
           the
           
             Papal
             ,
          
           the
           
             Presbyterial
             ,
          
           the
           
             Independent
             ,
          
           as
           those
           which
           are
           for
           the
           present
           
             English
          
           Form
           by
           
             the
             King
             and
             his
             Bishops
             ,
             &c.
          
           all
           vehemently
           contending
           for
           the
           necessity
           of
           that
           Government
           ,
           which
           they
           affect
           in
           the
           Church
           ,
           and
           none
           so
           calm
           or
           modest
           in
           their
           claims
           ,
           as
           the
           Assertors
           of
           the
           English
           Prelacy
           ;
           which
           moderation
           or
           want
           of
           heat
           ,
           is
           sure
           one
           reason
           that
           so
           many
           Sons
           of
           this
           Church
           are
           now
           tempted
           to
           think
           Government
           so
           
             unconsiderable
          
           a
           thing
           ,
           and
           so
           
             extrinsecal
          
           to
           Christianity
           ;
           though
           this
           thought
           thus
           grounded
           ,
           be
           a
           double
           injustice
           ,
           1.
           
           In
           suspecting
           that
           
             truth
             ,
          
           for
           want
           of
           
             asserting
             ,
          
           which
           is
           therefore
           not
           so
           vehemently
           
             asserted
             ,
          
           because
           it
           is
           supposed
           
             truth
             ,
          
           2.
           
           In
           encouraging
           
             heat
          
           and
           
             violence
          
           of
           disputes
           (
           the
           greatest
           plague
           in
           a
           Church
           )
           by
           
           shewing
           them
           that
           the
           
             Eagerest
          
           pretenders
           shall
           be
           most
           
             heeded
             ,
          
           and
           that
           
             meekness
             shall
             not
             inherit
             the
             earth
             ,
          
           though
           both
           
             David
          
           and
           
             Christ
          
           promised
           it
           should
           .
           A
           third
           argument
           may
           be
           had
           from
           the
           judgment
           of
           our
           
             State
             ,
          
           which
           hath
           thought
           fit
           to
           make
           the
           
             Government
          
           of
           the
           Church
           matter
           of
           one
           of
           the
           
             Articles
             of
             our
             Religion
             ,
          
           and
           so
           to
           joyn
           in
           honour
           the
           care
           of
           it
           with
           the
           care
           of
           the
           
             Doctrine
             ,
          
           and
           to
           require
           as
           strict
           a
           
             subscription
          
           to
           the
           establish't
           
             Government
             ,
          
           as
           to
           the
           rest
           of
           the
           39.
           heads
           of
           
             Doctrine
             ,
          
           by
           which
           you
           may
           evidently
           see
           ,
           that
           to
           change
           the
           
             Government
          
           is
           to
           change
           the
           
             Doctrine
             ,
          
           and
           where
           Doctrine
           and
           Government
           both
           are
           changed
           ,
           can
           we
           possibly
           think
           the
           Religion
           to
           be
           the
           same
           ?
           I
           shall
           add
           no
           more
           
             Proofs
          
           of
           this
           ,
           because
           I
           conceive
           them
           
             unnecessary
          
           ;
           the
           contrary
           misapprehension
           being
           ,
           as
           I
           suppose
           ,
           not
           grounded
           by
           
             Arguments
             ,
          
           but
           of
           its
           own
           accord
           arising
           from
           an
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           
             an
             experiment
             ,
          
           which
           many
           men
           ,
           especially
           
             persons
             of
             quality
             ,
          
           think
           they
           have
           made
           ,
           that
           in
           their
           whole
           lives
           they
           never
           reaped
           any
           benefit
           from
           
             Government
             ,
          
           never
           received
           any
           accession
           or
           encrease
           to
           their
           spiritual
           weal
           from
           that
           ,
           as
           from
           the
           
             Doctrine
          
           and
           
             Liturgy
          
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           they
           acknowledg
           to
           have
           done
           .
           To
           this
           ground
           of
           misprision
           ,
           as
           being
           perhaps
           the
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           the
           cause
           of
           the
           whole
           mistake
           ,
           it
           will
           not
           be
           amiss
           to
           make
           some
           answer
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           That
           many
           benefits
           we
           receive
           from
           
             Government
             ,
          
           
           which
           we
           do
           not
           
             visibly
             discern
             ,
          
           and
           that
           therefore
           ,
           when
           we
           
             discern
          
           our selves
           to
           have
           received
           some
           growth
           ,
           and
           cannot
           but
           know
           that
           it
           was
           wrought
           by
           
             means
             ,
          
           we
           should
           rather
           confess
           our
           want
           of
           
             sense
          
           or
           gratitude
           to
           the
           
             true
             means
             ,
          
           than
           imagine
           those
           not
           to
           have
           been
           the
           
             means
             ,
          
           only
           because
           we
           have
           not
           that
           
             sense
          
           of
           them
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           That
           those
           means
           which
           have
           been
           more
           
             visible
          
           to
           us
           ,
           the
           dispensation
           of
           the
           Word
           and
           Sacraments
           ,
           have
           been
           reacht
           out
           to
           us
           by
           the
           hand
           of
           
             Government
             ,
          
           to
           which
           therefore
           we
           owe
           our
           acknowledgments
           in
           the
           second
           place
           for
           our
           
             preservation
          
           and
           
             growth
             ,
          
           as
           to
           the
           hand
           of
           supreme
           previdence
           for
           our
           
             being
          
           or
           
             life
          
           spiritual
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           That
           if
           the
           
             benefits
             of
             Government
          
           have
           not
           been
           really
           very
           
             discernable
          
           and
           
             notable
          
           to
           all
           ,
           that
           is
           not
           yet
           in
           any
           justice
           to
           be
           imputed
           to
           any
           
             defect
          
           that
           way
           in
           Government
           it self
           ,
           to
           any
           
             barrennes
          
           in
           the
           nature
           or
           particular
           temper
           of
           it
           ,
           but
           to
           some
           
             default
          
           (
           which
           will
           deserve
           observing
           and
           reforming
           )
           in
           the
           
             Persons
             ,
          
           either
           of
           the
           
             Rulers
             ,
          
           or
           of
           
             those
          
           which
           are
           
             under
             rule
             ,
          
           or
           of
           a
           third
           sort
           whose
           dutie
           it
           is
           to
           be
           the
           Rulers
           
             Perspectives
          
           and
           
             Otacousticks
             ,
          
           to
           present
           to
           their
           knowledg
           ,
           the
           wants
           of
           inferiours
           ,
           which
           till
           they
           are
           
             known
             ,
          
           are
           not
           likely
           to
           be
           
             repaired
             .
          
           The
           defaults
           in
           each
           of
           these
           severals
           are
           ,
           or
           may
           
           be
           so
           many
           ,
           and
           so
           obnoxious
           to
           common
           observation
           ,
           that
           it
           will
           be
           much
           more
           reasonable
           for
           each
           to
           resolve
           to
           
             amend
          
           his
           part
           for
           the
           future
           ,
           and
           so
           make
           it
           a
           business
           of
           
             Reformation
             ,
          
           than
           to
           charge
           the
           defaults
           of
           Persons
           to
           the
           defaming
           of
           Government
           ,
           and
           so
           to
           
             undervalue
          
           and
           
             scorn
          
           what
           our
           sins
           first
           ,
           then
           our
           phansies
           have
           
             defamed
             .
          
        
         
           The
           comfort
           is
           ,
           that
           it
           hath
           been
           the
           
             clemency
          
           as
           well
           as
           the
           
             sloth
          
           or
           
             cowardice
          
           of
           Governours
           ,
           which
           have
           deprived
           men
           of
           the
           great
           fruits
           of
           Government
           ;
           and
           if
           it
           may
           be
           agreed
           that
           it
           is
           very
           expedient
           ,
           and
           will
           be
           taken
           in
           good
           part
           ,
           that
           Governours
           hereafter
           be
           more
           
             severe
             ,
          
           as
           well
           as
           more
           
             diligent
             ,
          
           more
           
             couragious
             ,
          
           as
           well
           as
           more
           
             laborious
             ,
          
           in
           using
           the
           
             Weapons
             of
             their
             warfare
             ,
          
           to
           
             cut
          
           off
           or
           to
           
             cure
             ,
          
           without
           any
           respect
           of
           persons
           ,
           wheresoever
           there
           is
           need
           of
           them
           ;
           I
           shall
           hope
           this
           objection
           will
           
             then
          
           be
           throughly
           Answered
           ,
           if
           as
           
             yet
          
           it
           be
           not
           .
        
         
           A
           second
           consideration
           apportioned
           to
           the
           former
           head
           will
           be
           this
           ,
           whether
           (
           supposing
           Government
           of
           the
           Church
           to
           be
           a
           considerable
           part
           of
           Religion
           )
           the
           change
           of
           it
           from
           Established
           Episcopacy
           to
           any
           other
           (
           namely
           to
           that
           of
           
             Prebytery
          
           by
           many
           ,
           without
           any
           
             Superiour
          
           over
           them
           ,
           or
           as
           that
           is
           opposite
           to
           
             Episcopacy
          
           )
           be
           not
           a
           sin
           against
           
             Religion
             ?
          
           That
           it
           is
           ,
           or
           will
           be
           so
           ,
           I
           shall
           endeavour
           to
           convince
           the
           
             gainsayer
          
           by
           these
           steps
           
           or
           degrees
           of
           proof
           ,
           which
           though
           perhaps
           not
           each
           single
           ,
           yet
           all
           being
           put
           together
           will
           ,
           I
           believe
           ,
           where
           
             prejudice
          
           doth
           not
           hinder
           ,
           be
           sufficient
           to
           doe
           it
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           Because
           this
           Government
           by
           
             Bishops
             ,
          
           superiour
           to
           
             Presbyters
             ,
          
           is
           of
           
             Apostolical
             Institution
             .
          
           But
           this
           being
           an
           affirmation
           ,
           as
           demonstrable
           by
           Ecclesiastical
           Records
           ,
           as
           any
           thing
           can
           be
           ,
           or
           as
           the
           Canon
           of
           Scripture
           which
           we
           receive
           ,
           is
           demonstrated
           to
           be
           the
           Canon
           of
           Scripture
           ;
           and
           in
           regard
           it
           hath
           by
           others
           been
           sufficiently
           proved
           ,
           I
           shall
           therefore
           wholly
           spare
           the
           repeating
           of
           that
           trouble
           ,
           and
           add
           unto
           it
           .
           2.
           
           That
           it
           hath
           the
           
             example
             ,
          
           though
           not
           the
           distinct
           precept
           of
           Christ
           ,
           who
           with
           his
           twelve
           
             Apostles
             ,
          
           and
           the
           many
           other
           
             Disciples
          
           in
           time
           of
           his
           residence
           upon
           Earth
           ,
           superiour
           one
           to
           the
           other
           ,
           are
           the
           copy
           ,
           of
           which
           the
           
             Bishops
             ,
             Presbyters
          
           and
           
             Deacons
          
           in
           the
           following
           Age
           ,
           were
           a
           transcript
           ,
           who
           are
           therefore
           by
           St.
           
             Ignatius
             ,
          
           S.
           
             Johns
             Contemporary
             ,
          
           allowed
           to
           receive
           honour
           ,
           
             the
             Bishops
          
           as
           
             Christ
             ,
          
           the
           
             Presbyters
          
           as
           the
           
             Apostles
             ,
          
           the
           
             Deacons
          
           as
           the
           
             Seventy
             .
          
           3.
           
           That
           as
           far
           as
           concerns
           
             superiority
          
           of
           one
           order
           to
           the
           other
           (
           which
           is
           sufficient
           to
           eject
           the
           Presbytery
           which
           supposes
           an
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           or
           
             equality
          
           of
           all
           )
           it
           is
           Authorized
           by
           sacred
           Scripture-practise
           ,
           where
           it
           appears
           ,
           
           that
           when
           
             Judas
          
           fell
           from
           his
           orbe
           of
           motion
           ,
           the
           
             dignity
          
           of
           being
           one
           of
           the
           Twelve
           ,
           is
           by
           the
           direction
           of
           the
           Spirit
           ,
           and
           by
           lot
           bestowed
           upon
           
             Matthias
             ,
          
           who
           ,
           though
           before
           a
           Disciple
           of
           
           Christ
           ,
           was
           not
           till
           then
           assumed
           to
           that
           
             dignity
             .
          
           Fourthly
           ,
           that
           supposing
           it
           to
           be
           in
           this
           manner
           
             Apostolical
             ,
          
           there
           is
           little
           colour
           of
           reason
           to
           doubt
           ,
           but
           that
           the
           preserving
           of
           it
           is
           of
           as
           great
           moment
           as
           many
           
             Doctrines
          
           of
           Christianity
           ,
           not
           only
           because
           many
           
             doctrines
          
           were
           not
           so
           
             explicitely
          
           delivered
           by
           Christ
           ,
           but
           that
           they
           needed
           farther
           
             explicating
          
           by
           the
           
             Apostles
             ,
          
           (
           and
           are
           therefore
           by
           the
           Church
           grounded
           not
           in
           any
           words
           of
           the
           
             Gospel
             ,
          
           but
           in
           the
           
             Epistles
          
           of
           the
           
             Apostles
          
           )
           but
           also
           because
           it
           was
           in
           Gods
           
             providence
          
           thought
           fit
           ,
           that
           
             Government
          
           should
           be
           setled
           not
           by
           
             Christ
             personally
             ,
          
           but
           by
           the
           Apostles
           ,
           that
           is
           
             mediately
          
           by
           Christ
           ;
           as
           doctrine
           was
           by
           Christ
           
             immediately
             .
          
           Christ
           in
           his
           life
           time
           gives
           them
           the
           ground
           of
           a
           Church
           ,
           divine
           truth
           ,
           the
           
             word
             of
             his
             Father
             ,
          
           the
           acknowledgment
           of
           which
           is
           
             the
             rock
             on
             which
             his
             Church
             is
             built
             ,
          
           on
           this
           the
           Apostles
           are
           to
           build
           ,
           and
           gather
           members
           ,
           and
           to
           settle
           the
           whole
           edifice
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           or
           
             ordinately
             ,
          
           and
           that
           they
           may
           not
           err
           in
           that
           work
           ,
           the
           
             Holy
             Ghost
          
           is
           promised
           to
           
             descend
          
           upon
           them
           ,
           and
           Christ
           by
           that
           power
           of
           his
           to
           be
           with
           them
           in
           eminent
           manner
           ,
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           
             to
             the
             end
             of
             the
             world
             .
          
           And
           
             Government
          
           being
           necessary
           to
           the
           setling
           ,
           was
           undoubtedly
           thus
           referred
           and
           left
           to
           them
           by
           CHRIST
           ,
           and
           so
           their
           Authority
           in
           instituting
           that
           which
           they
           instituted
           ,
           as
           evidently
           deduced
           from
           CHRIST
           ,
           as
           their
           power
           of
           
             Preaching
          
           what
           they
           preached
           ,
           or
           
             baptising
          
           whom
           they
           baptised
           .
           And
           having
           gone
           thus
           far
           ,
           I
           cannot
           but
           resume
           my
           
             consideration
          
           
           thus
           far
           made
           more
           
             considerable
             ,
          
           and
           appeal
           to
           any
           sober
           conscience
           ,
           whether
           it
           be
           not
           some
           irreligion
           thus
           to
           displace
           or
           remove
           that
           which
           the
           Apostles
           (
           to
           whom
           only
           by
           Christ
           it
           was
           intrusted
           )
           according
           to
           Christs
           own
           Samplar
           and
           Scripture-grounds
           ,
           thought
           fit
           to
           settle
           in
           the
           Church
           ,
           supposing
           it
           to
           be
           a
           matter
           of
           Religion
           which
           is
           spoken
           of
           ,
           as
           before
           we
           proved
           ;
           nay
           ,
           whether
           if
           an
           
             Angel
             from
             Heaven
          
           were
           to
           be
           
             anathematized
             for
             teaching
             any
             other
             Doctrine
             than
             what
          
           one
           Apostle
           had
           taught
           ,
           it
           would
           not
           be
           matter
           of
           just
           
             terrour
          
           to
           any
           that
           should
           have
           any
           part
           in
           the
           guilt
           of
           instituting
           any
           other
           Government
           than
           that
           which
           the
           Appostles
           had
           instituted
           ,
           especially
           when
           the
           acts
           of
           
             Councels
          
           tell
           us
           ,
           that
           what
           S.
           
             Paul
          
           denounces
           against
           the
           
             heterodox
          
           Angel
           ,
           the
           Church
           did
           practise
           against
           
             Aerius
             ,
          
           anathematized
           him
           for
           impugning
           this
           Government
           ,
           which
           now
           we
           speak
           of
           .
           And
           if
           still
           the
           Authority
           of
           all
           this
           be
           blemisht
           by
           this
           one
           
             exception
             ,
          
           that
           this
           institution
           af
           the
           Appostles
           is
           not
           affirmed
           in
           
             Scripture
             ,
          
           or
           there
           commanded
           to
           posterity
           to
           
             continue
             ,
          
           and
           retain
           for
           ever
           .
        
         
           To
           this
           I
           answer
           ,
           by
           saying
           that
           which
           may
           be
           a
           fourth
           Argument
           to
           prove
           the
           irreligiousness
           of
           such
           change
           ,
           That
           there
           is
           as
           much
           or
           more
           to
           be
           said
           (
           in
           both
           those
           respects
           ,
           both
           for
           
             mention
          
           of
           this
           
             institution
             in
             Scripture
             ,
          
           and
           for
           
             Apostolical
             precept
             for
             continuing
          
           of
           it
           )
           for
           this
           
             Government
             ,
          
           as
           for
           some
           other
           things
           whose
           chang
           would
           be
           acknowledged
           
           very
           irreligious
           .
           I
           will
           only
           instance
           in
           one
           ,
           the
           Institution
           of
           the
           
             Lords
             day
             ,
          
           of
           which
           there
           is
           nothing
           can
           be
           said
           to
           the
           setting
           up
           the
           
             Authority
          
           and
           
             immutability
          
           of
           it
           ,
           which
           will
           not
           be
           said
           of
           
             Episcopacy
             .
          
           A
           
             ground
          
           of
           it
           there
           was
           
             in
             nature
             ,
          
           some
           
             Time
          
           to
           be
           set
           a
           part
           to
           the
           special
           publick
           service
           of
           God
           ;
           and
           the
           like
           
             ground
          
           there
           
             is
             in
             nature
          
           for
           this
           ,
           that
           some
           
             Persons
          
           should
           be
           designed
           to
           ,
           and
           rewarded
           for
           the
           special
           publick
           service
           of
           God.
           A
           
             pattern
          
           of
           that
           there
           was
           among
           the
           
             Jews
             ,
          
           one
           day
           in
           the
           seven
           designed
           for
           Gods
           
             Quotum
          
           or
           portion
           ;
           the
           like
           
             pattern
          
           there
           is
           among
           the
           
             Jews
          
           for
           this
           ;
           a
           Government
           by
           
             High-Priests
             ,
          
           and
           
             Levites
             .
          
           That
           was
           an
           Institution
           not
           of
           
             Christ
          
           in
           his
           life
           time
           immediately
           ,
           but
           of
           his
           
             Apostles
             ,
          
           after
           his
           departure
           invested
           with
           such
           power
           ;
           the
           like
           Institution
           there
           is
           of
           this
           by
           the
           same
           
             Apostles
          
           after
           Christs
           Ascension
           ,
           directed
           and
           assisted
           by
           the
           
             holy
             Ghost
             .
          
           The
           
             occasion
          
           of
           pitching
           on
           the
           first
           day
           of
           the
           week
           was
           a
           solemn
           action
           of
           Christ
           his
           
             Resurrection
          
           on
           that
           day
           ;
           the
           
             occasion
          
           of
           this
           ,
           the
           several
           distinct
           orders
           in
           the
           Church
           in
           Christs
           time
           ,
           
             Christs
             Apostles
             ,
             Disciples
             ,
          
           and
           the
           manifest
           superiority
           of
           him
           before
           all
           of
           them
           (
           who
           affirms
           himself
           their
           
             Lord
             ,
          
           even
           when
           he
           speaks
           of
           his
           office
           Ministerial
           ,
           his
           
             coming
             to
             Minister
             to
             them
          
           )
           and
           of
           the
           
             Apostles
          
           before
           the
           
             Disciples
             ,
          
           as
           even
           now
           was
           shewed
           .
           The
           mention
           of
           that
           was
           found
           once
           in
           the
           
             Revelation
          
           distinctly
           ,
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           
             the
             Lords
             day
             ,
          
           and
           twice
           or
           thrice
           in
           equipollent
           terms
           ,
           
             the
             first
             day
             of
             the
             week
          
           ;
           and
           the
           mention
           of
           Episcopacy
           is
           as
           clear
           ,
           
           
             the
             Angel
             of
             the
             Church
             of
             Ephesus
             ,
             &c.
          
           in
           the
           
             Revelation
          
           (
           which
           hath
           been
           cleared
           by
           irrefragable
           evidence
           to
           belong
           to
           this
           matter
           )
           and
           the
           
             Ruling
             Elder
          
           in
           
             S.
             Paul
             ,
          
           that
           must
           have
           
             double
             honour
             ,
          
           and
           
             Titus
             left
             in
             Crete
             to
             set
             in
             order
             the
             things
             that
             were
             wanting
             ,
             and
             to
             ordain
             Elders
             in
             every
             Church
          
           ;
           and
           many
           other
           more
           clear
           mentions
           of
           the
           serveral
           titles
           and
           officies
           of
           
             Bishop
             ,
             Preshyter
             ,
          
           and
           
             Deacon
             ,
          
           than
           there
           is
           of
           the
           name
           and
           duties
           of
           the
           
             Lords
             day
             .
          
           The
           
             obscure
             mentions
          
           of
           that
           in
           Scripture
           were
           
             explained
          
           in
           the
           writings
           and
           Stories
           of
           the
           first
           age
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           particularly
           in
           the
           
             Epistiles
          
           of
           
             Ignatius
             ,
          
           and
           the
           
             obscurities
          
           of
           the
           Sacred
           Texts
           concerning
           
             Episcopacy
             ,
          
           are
           as
           clearly
           
             explicated
          
           and
           unfolded
           by
           the
           same
           
             Ignatius
          
           even
           in
           every
           one
           of
           those
           
             Epistles
          
           of
           his
           which
           
             Vedelius
          
           (
           as
           great
           an
           enemy
           of
           this
           Order
           as
           
             Geneva
          
           hath
           produced
           any
           )
           after
           his
           
             fiery
             tryal
          
           of
           that
           Author
           hath
           acknowledged
           to
           be
           his
           .
           
             The
             use
          
           of
           that
           continued
           from
           the
           
             Apostles
          
           time
           (
           though
           not
           universally
           till
           the
           
             Jewish
             Sabbath
          
           was
           fairly
           laid
           a
           sleep
           )
           till
           these
           days
           in
           the
           
             universal
             Church
             ,
          
           and
           all
           
             perticular
             Churches
             ,
          
           that
           we
           read
           of
           ;
           and
           the
           like
           use
           and
           practise
           of
           this
           continued
           
             universall
          
           without
           any
           exception
           from
           the
           
             Apostles
          
           time
           ,
           till
           this
           day
           in
           the
           
             universal
             Church
             ,
          
           as
           that
           signifies
           the
           
             Eastern
          
           and
           the
           
             Western
          
           Church
           ,
           and
           in
           each
           particular
           Church
           ,
           till
           about
           this
           last
           
             Century
             ,
          
           and
           in
           this
           of
           ours
           from
           the
           plantation
           of
           the
           Gospel
           till
           this
           day
           .
           These
           are
           paralless
           enough
           to
           even
           the
           ballance
           (
           and
           I
           profess
           to
           know
           no
           one
           more
           which
           might
           
           weigh
           it
           down
           on
           that
           side
           )
           and
           to
           make
           it
           now
           seasonable
           to
           demand
           ,
           whether
           it
           would
           not
           be
           thought
           an
           act
           contrary
           to
           Religion
           (
           whether
           that
           signifies
           Christian
           
             Piety
             ,
          
           or
           
             meekness
             ,
          
           or
           
             awe
             ,
          
           to
           all
           that
           is
           
             Sacred
          
           )
           for
           any
           particular
           National
           Church
           or
           part
           thereof
           ,
           without
           any
           more
           warrant
           then
           is
           now
           offered
           for
           this
           present
           change
           ,
           to
           remove
           the
           service
           of
           God
           from
           the
           
             Lords
             day
          
           to
           any
           other
           day
           in
           the
           week
           ,
           (
           which
           sure
           is
           as
           small
           a
           differnce
           ,
           as
           that
           betwixt
           
             Presbyterial
          
           and
           
             Episcopal
          
           Government
           can
           by
           any
           be
           conceived
           to
           be
           )
           or
           instead
           of
           our
           
             first
             day
          
           of
           the
           week
           to
           set
           apart
           either
           an
           
             eight
             ,
          
           or
           a
           
             sixt
          
           day
           ,
           and
           so
           to
           change
           that
           
             Apostolical
             institution
             .
          
           If
           
             that
          
           seem
           strange
           ,
           or
           be
           startled
           at
           ,
           as
           unfit
           to
           be
           ventured
           on
           ,
           or
           yielded
           to
           ,
           I
           shall
           desire
           the
           same
           plea
           may
           be
           entred
           for
           
             this
             ,
          
           and
           that
           conscience
           may
           be
           secured
           ,
           that
           either
           both
           are
           lawfull
           ,
           or
           that
           the
           difference
           is
           clear
           ,
           and
           the
           advantage
           on
           the
           
             Lords
             days
          
           side
           ,
           or
           that
           it
           may
           be
           resolved
           that
           
             this
          
           is
           unlawfull
           as
           well
           as
           
             that
             .
          
        
         
           A
           fift
           Argument
           will
           be
           this
           ,
           That
           the
           making
           (
           or
           yielding
           to
           )
           this
           change
           ,
           will
           be
           a
           scandal
           (
           very
           worthy
           to
           be
           considered
           )
           in
           them
           that
           so
           
             yield
             ,
          
           toward
           those
           which
           
             oppose
          
           this
           Government
           as
           unlawful
           ;
           for
           this
           yielding
           will
           be
           an
           appearing
           acknowledgement
           ,
           that
           their
           contrary
           Pretentions
           are
           true
           ,
           and
           so
           a
           confirming
           them
           in
           their
           
             errour
          
           (
           which
           is
           no
           light
           one
           ,
           but
           the
           same
           for
           which
           
             Aerius
          
           was
           ,
           and
           any
           other
           apposer
           would
           certainly
           have
           been
           anathematized
           ,
           and
           turned
           out
           of
           the
           
           
             Catholick
          
           Church
           for
           an
           
             Heretick
             ,
          
           )
           which
           is
           one
           special
           kind
           of
           
             Scandalizing
          
           or
           occasioning
           the
           fall
           of
           our
           Brethren
           ,
           and
           withall
           a
           nourishing
           them
           in
           their
           
             uncharitable
             opinion
          
           not
           only
           of
           us
           ,
           but
           of
           the
           ancient
           Fathers
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           (
           who
           were
           all
           
             Antichristian
          
           if
           this
           be
           so
           )
           which
           is
           another
           
             causing
             my
             Brother
             to
             offend
          
           :
           nay
           a
           kind
           of
           countenancing
           that
           
             unchristian
          
           (
           am
           sure
           
             unprotestant
             )
             Doctrine
             ,
          
           of
           the
           lawfulness
           of
           
             taking
             up
             Arms
             ,
          
           against
           lawfull
           Superiours
           and
           Establisht
           Lawes
           ,
           and
           propagating
           our
           opinions
           in
           Religion
           by
           that
           means
           ,
           which
           perchance
           some
           may
           be
           betrayed
           to
           by
           this
           
             example
             ,
          
           others
           brought
           to
           believe
           consentaneous
           to
           
             Protestant
             Doctrine
             ,
          
           if
           they
           which
           are
           thus
           guilty
           be
           thus
           gratified
           ;
           which
           as
           it
           were
           a
           
             change
          
           in
           our
           
             Doctrine
             ,
          
           if
           it
           were
           
             really
             acknowledged
             ,
          
           so
           is
           it
           ,
           in
           this
           respect
           ,
           another
           act
           of
           
             Scandall
             ,
          
           if
           it
           thus
           
             aprear
          
           to
           be
           
             acknowledged
             ,
          
           and
           that
           which
           would
           make
           any
           Heathen
           Prince
           unwilling
           to
           embrace
           our
           Religion
           ,
           if
           this
           disloyal
           perswasion
           were
           conceived
           to
           be
           a
           part
           of
           it
           .
        
         
           A
           sixt
           Argument
           (
           which
           to
           me
           is
           of
           no
           small
           force
           )
           I
           will
           yet
           but
           name
           ,
           and
           refer
           it
           to
           others
           to
           consider
           of
           ,
           That
           no
           man
           is
           a
           Priest
           ,
           or
           lawfully
           ordained
           Minister
           of
           any
           Christian
           Church
           ,
           but
           he
           that
           is
           
             called
          
           and
           
             sent
          
           by
           
             God
          
           ;
           that
           there
           is
           now
           no
           way
           in
           this
           Kingdome
           ,
           to
           have
           that
           
             calling
          
           or
           
             mission
          
           duly
           but
           from
           
             Bishops
             ,
          
           who
           are
           the
           only
           persons
           who
           have
           their
           power
           of
           Ordaining
           others
           ,
           
             given
          
           to
           them
           in
           their
           assumption
           to
           that
           Order
           by
           those
           who
           
           had
           it
           before
           ,
           and
           can
           drive
           it
           from
           the
           
             Apostles
             ,
          
           who
           had
           it
           
             immediatly
          
           from
           
             Heaven
          
           :
           and
           whatsoever
           other
           power
           a
           
             Priest
          
           or
           
             Preshyter
          
           may
           be
           thought
           or
           said
           to
           have
           common
           with
           a
           Bishop
           ,
           it
           is
           yet
           the
           constant
           judgment
           of
           the
           universal
           Church
           for
           1500
           ,
           years
           ,
           that
           this
           of
           Ordination
           is
           not
           competible
           to
           one
           or
           more
           
             bare
             Presbyters
          
           without
           a
           
             Bishop
             ,
          
           and
           it
           will
           be
           easie
           to
           satisfie
           any
           reasonable
           man
           in
           whatsoever
           may
           be
           produced
           of
           sound
           ,
           or
           probability
           to
           the
           contrary
           :
           and
           therefore
           if
           any
           Office
           ,
           or
           Order
           ,
           or
           Ministry
           in
           the
           Church
           be
           considerable
           ,
           this
           which
           is
           the
           standing
           well-head
           and
           spring
           of
           all
           the
           other
           ,
           must
           be
           thought
           so
           also
           .
        
         
           Having
           premised
           these
           Arguments
           of
           so
           much
           weight
           ,
           sufficient
           to
           support
           the
           burthen
           designed
           to
           them
           ,
           I
           shall
           add
           ,
           
             ex
             abundante
          
           some
           inferior
           ones
           (
           though
           they
           amount
           not
           so
           far
           ,
           as
           alone
           of
           themselves
           to
           conclude
           it
           direct
           irreligion
           ,
           yet
           to
           add
           to
           the
           former
           heap
           some
           aggravations
           .
           As
           ,
        
         
           1.
           
           That
           to
           yield
           to
           this
           change
           ,
           is
           to
           
             disclaim
          
           those
           blessed
           means
           of
           Gods
           
             providence
          
           which
           brought
           us
           to
           our
           Baptisme
           ,
           to
           all
           our
           spiritual
           life
           and
           growth
           that
           we
           have
           attained
           to
           ,
           and
           that
           is
           a
           great
           ingratitude
           to
           that
           Government
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           It
           is
           an
           act
           of
           
             pride
          
           and
           
             insolency
             ,
          
           to
           prefer
           any
           scheme
           of
           
             humane
          
           and
           
             modern
          
           invention
           before
           that
           which
           the
           
             Apostles
             ,
          
           the
           
             Primitive
             ,
          
           and
           
           (
           for
           so
           many
           years
           )
           the
           
             Vniversal
             Church
          
           had
           authorized
           ,
           and
           therefore
           I
           could
           almost
           adventure
           to
           believe
           ,
           that
           the
           framers
           of
           the
           
             Covenant
          
           had
           obliged
           themselves
           secretly
           to
           maintain
           Episcopacy
           by
           putting
           in
           those
           words
           ,
           [
           
             the
             best
             Reformed
             Churches
          
           ]
           that
           I
           might
           escape
           thinking
           them
           so
           
             insolent
          
           as
           to
           prefer
           any
           Churches
           before
           those
           ,
           which
           they
           cannot
           but
           know
           have
           used
           
             Episcopacy
             .
          
        
         
           3.
           
           It
           ia
           a
           great
           
             tempting
             of
             Gods
             providence
             ,
          
           in
           not
           being
           contented
           with
           that
           Form
           which
           hath
           prospered
           so
           happily
           with
           us
           ,
           and
           the
           whole
           Christian
           World
           ,
           (
           though
           subject
           (
           as
           all
           that
           is
           humane
           ,
           or
           mixt
           with
           flesh
           ,
           is
           even
           the
           very
           grace
           of
           God
           in
           us
           )
           to
           be
           abused
           )
           any
           putting
           it
           to
           the
           adventure
           ,
           whatsoever
           inconveniences
           the
           next
           may
           be
           subject
           to
           .
           Of
           the
           
             inconveniences
          
           that
           Presbytery
           doth
           infallibly
           bring
           along
           with
           it
           ,
           and
           the
           
             unreconcilableness
          
           of
           them
           with
           
             Monarchical
             Government
          
           in
           the
           State
           ,
           sufficient
           evidences
           have
           been
           given
           ;
           and
           if
           there
           were
           no
           other
           but
           this
           ,
           that
           the
           endeavouring
           to
           bring
           it
           in
           at
           this
           time
           hath
           brought
           this
           tempest
           and
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           upon
           this
           Kingdom
           ,
           and
           that
           this
           hath
           been
           but
           the
           general
           consequent
           of
           that
           Government
           ,
           wheresoever
           it
           hath
           but
           begun
           to
           heave
           ,
           casting
           out
           Peace
           ,
           and
           obedience
           to
           lawful
           Authority
           together
           ,
           it
           would
           well
           deserve
           to
           have
           this
           mark
           of
           reprobation
           or
           non-election
           set
           upon
           it
           ,
           if
           it
           were
           but
           for
           this
           ,
           that
           the
           prosperity
           of
           such
           attempts
           should
           not
           encourage
           others
           to
           the
           like
           .
           This
           and
           
           the
           like
           inconveniences
           are
           of
           such
           weight
           ,
           that
           for
           men
           to
           be
           willing
           to
           exchange
           the
           
             certain
          
           benefits
           of
           the
           one
           ,
           for
           the
           
             uncertain
          
           advantages
           and
           strongly
           probable
           calamities
           of
           the
           other
           is
           a
           sin
           ,
           that
           may
           
             provoke
          
           and
           
             tempt
          
           God
           to
           punish
           them
           yet
           further
           with
           greater
           and
           unexpected
           curses
           ,
           and
           therefore
           may
           deserve
           in
           '
           its
           place
           to
           be
           considered
           .
        
         
           4.
           
           It
           is
           an
           act
           of
           
             infidelity
          
           and
           practical
           
             Atheisme
          
           for
           those
           especially
           who
           being
           convinced
           with
           the
           former
           reasons
           to
           acknowledg
           any
           irreligion
           or
           sin
           in
           such
           change
           )
           to
           sacrifice
           any
           thing
           to
           our
           own
           present
           conveniences
           ,
           to
           make
           any
           change
           in
           sacred
           matters
           meerly
           out
           of
           intuition
           of
           our
           own
           secular
           advantages
           ;
           
             Atheisme
             ,
          
           in
           thinking
           that
           God
           cannot
           as
           easily
           blast
           that
           convenience
           so
           acquired
           ,
           as
           those
           many
           which
           came
           more
           directly
           to
           our
           hands
           ;
           and
           
             infidelity
             ,
          
           or
           
             distrust
             ,
          
           in
           thinking
           that
           God
           will
           not
           in
           his
           time
           give
           those
           conveniences
           and
           advantages
           (
           if
           they
           be
           such
           indeed
           )
           by
           means
           perfectly
           
             lawful
             ,
          
           which
           now
           we
           covet
           by
           
             unlawful
             .
          
           To
           which
           might
           be
           added
           the
           wants
           and
           omissions
           of
           those
           duties
           of
           
             confession
             of
             Christ
             ,
          
           in
           not
           defending
           and
           standing
           to
           those
           truths
           which
           we
           are
           convinced
           to
           be
           such
           ,
           in
           time
           of
           their
           being
           oppugned
           and
           persecuted
           ;
           
             self-denial
             ,
          
           in
           not
           depositing
           our
           own
           carnal
           secular
           aims
           and
           interests
           ,
           and
           
             of
             taking
             up
             the
             Cross
             ,
          
           in
           not
           suffering
           willingly
           and
           cheerfully
           when
           it
           lies
           in
           our
           way
           to
           the
           preforming
           of
           any
           act
           of
           obedence
           
           to
           Christ
           .
           But
           I
           would
           not
           inlarge
           to
           these
           ,
           but
           ●nly
           conclude
           this
           proof
           with
           a
           fift
           
             difficulty
          
           of
           separating
           
             sin
          
           from
           
             changes
             ,
          
           when
           they
           are
           great
           ,
           and
           in
           matters
           of
           weight
           :
           It
           is
           the
           wise
           mans
           advice
           that
           occasioned
           this
           observation
           ,
           
             My
             Son
             ,
             fear
             thou
             the
             Lord
             and
             the
             King
             ,
             and
             meddle
             not
             with
             them
             which
             are
             given
             to
             changes
             :
          
           The
           changes
           are
           sure
           changes
           in
           Government
           ,
           and
           those
           are
           named
           indefinitely
           ,
           without
           any
           
             restraint
             ,
          
           and
           the
           very
           
             medling
          
           with
           them
           
             that
             are
             inclined
          
           to
           such
           ,
           is
           opposed
           both
           to
           Piety
           and
           Loyalty
           ,
           
             Fearing
             of
             God
             and
             the
             King.
             
          
        
         
           I
           have
           done
           with
           the
           considerations
           proportioned
           to
           the
           first
           part
           of
           the
           suggestion
           .
           I
           proceed
           to
           the
           view
           of
           the
           second
           part
           of
           it
           ,
           and
           there
           the
           consideration
           shall
           be
           only
           this
           ,
           whether
           ,
        
         
           The
           change
           of
           this
           Government
           ,
           be
           not
           a
           
             common
             interest
             of
             all
             ,
          
           as
           well
           as
           of
           those
           who
           are
           
             now
             Clergy-men
             .
          
           That
           it
           is
           so
           ,
           may
           appear
           probable
           ,
           because
           the
           
             revenue
             or
             honours
          
           which
           belong
           to
           them
           in
           Government
           are
           not
           the
           sole
           ,
           or
           main
           part
           of
           
             Govenrment
          
           ;
           there
           is
           a
           
             weight
          
           and
           
             office
             ,
          
           which
           our
           forefathers
           thought
           worthy
           to
           be
           
             encouraged
          
           and
           
             rewarded
          
           with
           those
           payments
           ,
           and
           if
           any
           man
           shall
           think
           them
           ill
           proportioned
           ,
           I
           shall
           not
           doubt
           to
           tell
           him
           S.
           
             Chrisostomes
          
           judgment
           ,
           
             that
             the
             burthen
             of
             a
             Bishop
             was
             formidable
             ,
             even
             to
             an
             Angell
             to
             undergo
             ,
          
           and
           if
           the
           corruptions
           of
           latter
           times
           be
           affirmed
           to
           have
           changed
           that
           state
           of
           things
           ,
           I
           
           answer
           :
           that
           the
           restoring
           Episcopacy
           to
           its
           due
           
             burthen
          
           as
           well
           as
           
             reputation
             ,
          
           were
           a
           care
           worthy
           of
           reformers
           ,
           and
           it
           is
           so
           far
           from
           my
           desire
           that
           any
           such
           care
           should
           be
           spared
           ,
           that
           it
           is
           now
           my
           publick
           solemn
           Petition
           both
           to
           God
           and
           Man
           ,
           that
           the
           
             power
             of
             the
             keys
             ,
          
           and
           the
           exercise
           of
           that
           power
           ,
           the
           due
           use
           of
           
             confirmation
             ,
          
           and
           (
           previous
           to
           that
           )
           examination
           ,
           and
           tryall
           of
           youth
           ,
           a
           strict
           search
           into
           the
           manners
           and
           tempers
           ,
           and
           sufficiencies
           of
           those
           that
           are
           to
           be
           admitted
           into
           holy
           
             Orders
             ,
          
           and
           to
           be
           licentiate
           for
           
             publick
             Preachers
             ,
          
           the
           
             visitation
          
           of
           each
           Parish
           in
           each
           Diocess
           ,
           and
           the
           exercise
           of
           Church-discipline
           upon
           all
           offenders
           ;
           together
           with
           
             painfull
             ,
          
           mature
           and
           sober
           
             Preaching
          
           and
           
             Catechizing
             ,
          
           studies
           of
           all
           kinds
           ,
           and
           parts
           of
           Theological
           Learning
           ,
           Languages
           ,
           Controversies
           ,
           Writings
           of
           the
           Schools
           and
           Casuists
           ,
           
             &c.
          
           be
           so
           far
           taken
           into
           consideration
           by
           our
           Law-makers
           and
           so
           far
           considered
           in
           the
           collating
           of
           Church-preferments
           and
           dignities
           ,
           so
           much
           of
           Duty
           required
           of
           Clergie-men
           ,
           and
           so
           little
           left
           
             arbitrary
          
           or
           
             at
             large
             ,
          
           that
           every
           Church
           -
           
             preferment
          
           in
           this
           Kingdom
           may
           have
           such
           a
           due
           
             burthen
          
           annexed
           to
           it
           ,
           that
           no
           
             ignorant
          
           person
           should
           be
           
             able
             ,
          
           no
           
             lazy
          
           or
           
             luxurious
          
           person
           
             willing
          
           or
           
             forward
          
           to
           undergoe
           it
           .
           And
           if
           this
           might
           be
           thus
           designed
           ,
           I
           should
           then
           resolve
           ,
           that
           the
           direct
           contrary
           to
           the
           fore-mentioned
           suggestions
           would
           be
           truth
           ,
           that
           the
           setling
           and
           continuing
           of
           this
           present
           
             Government
          
           would
           prove
           the
           
             common
             interest
          
           of
           all
           ,
           and
           only
           the
           
             burthen
          
           of
           those
           
             few
          
           that
           have
           those
           painfull
           offices
           assigned
           
           them
           ;
           and
           least
           any
           may
           think
           this
           word
           a
           
             boast
          
           (
           which
           I
           can
           safely
           venture
           with
           the
           world
           at
           this
           time
           ,
           and
           not
           have
           reason
           to
           fear
           a
           
             surprisal
             ,
          
           or
           being
           taken
           at
           my
           word
           )
           I
           shall
           venture
           another
           offer
           in
           the
           name
           of
           my
           brethern
           of
           the
           Clergy
           ?
           (
           not
           that
           I
           have
           took
           their
           particular
           Votes
           ,
           but
           that
           I
           perswade
           my self
           so
           far
           of
           their
           Piety
           .
           )
           That
           rather
           than
           the
           
             Glory
          
           should
           thus
           
             depart
             from
             Israel
             ,
          
           by
           the
           Philistines
           
             taking
             the
             Ark
             of
             the
             Lord
             ,
          
           laying
           wast
           this
           flourishing
           Church
           of
           ours
           ,
           or
           transforming
           it
           into
           a
           new
           guise
           ,
           every
           one
           single
           of
           us
           ,
           that
           have
           any
           possessions
           or
           titles
           worthy
           any
           mans
           envy
           or
           rapine
           ,
           and
           so
           are
           thought
           now
           by
           our
           own
           interests
           to
           have
           been
           bribed
           or
           fee'd
           Advocates
           in
           this
           cause
           ,
           may
           forthwith
           be
           deprived
           of
           all
           that
           part
           of
           the
           Revenues
           of
           the
           Church
           wherein
           we
           are
           legally
           invested
           ;
           and
           he
           that
           shall
           not
           cheerfully
           resigne
           his
           part
           in
           the
           
             present
          
           prosperity
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           on
           the
           meer
           contemplation
           and
           intuition
           of
           the
           
             benefit
          
           that
           may
           now
           ,
           and
           
             after
             his
             life
          
           redound
           to
           
             others
             ,
          
           let
           him
           have
           the
           guilt
           of
           
             Achans
             wedge
          
           laid
           on
           him
           ,
           and
           the
           charge
           of
           being
           disturber
           of
           the
           State.
           I
           hope
           we
           have
           
             learnt
          
           to
           
             want
             as
             well
             as
             to
             abound
          
           and
           to
           trust
           God
           (
           that
           can
           
             feed
          
           the
           
             young
             Ravens
          
           when
           the
           old
           have
           exposed
           them
           )
           for
           the
           feeding
           of
           us
           ,
           and
           our
           families
           ,
           though
           all
           our
           present
           means
           of
           doing
           it
           were
           taken
           from
           us
           .
           If
           this
           may
           serve
           turne
           to
           satisfie
           the
           
             thirst
          
           of
           those
           that
           
             gape
             ,
          
           and
           the
           suspicions
           of
           those
           that
           
             look
             unkindly
          
           on
           us
           ,
           we
           offer
           to
           free
           you
           from
           all
           blame
           of
           
             Sacriledg
             ,
          
           or
           
             oppression
             ,
          
           
           or
           
             injustice
          
           (
           from
           one
           of
           which
           ,
           no
           other
           means
           imaginable
           can
           free
           a
           
             change
          
           of
           Government
           by
           our
           own
           voluntary
           
             Cession
          
           or
           
             resignation
             ,
          
           as
           far
           as
           our
           personal
           interests
           reach
           :
           and
           shall
           think
           the
           Peace
           of
           this
           State
           ,
           and
           continued
           prosperity
           of
           this
           Church
           ,
           a
           most
           
             glorious
          
           purchase
           ,
           most
           
             cheaply
          
           bought
           ,
           if
           it
           be
           had
           upon
           such
           terms
           as
           these
           .
           And
           if
           the
           Function
           it self
           ,
           with
           the
           necessary
           adjuncts
           to
           it
           ,
           be
           not
           swept
           a
           way
           in
           the
           calamity
           ,
           we
           shall
           be
           perfectly
           pleased
           whatsoever
           befall
           our
           
             Persons
             ,
          
           and
           desire
           ,
           that
           tryall
           may
           be
           made
           of
           the
           
             Ingenuity
          
           of
           Clergy-men
           ,
           whether
           we
           have
           not
           thus
           far
           
             profited
          
           under
           
             Gods
             rod
             ,
          
           as
           to
           be
           willing
           to
           yield
           to
           any
           possible
           proposition
           (
           which
           will
           bring
           no
           guilt
           of
           sin
           upon
           our
           consciences
           )
           towards
           the
           averting
           the
           judgments
           of
           Heaven
           ,
           which
           are
           now
           (
           I
           wish
           I
           might
           say
           
             for
             our
             sins
             only
          
           )
           most
           sadly
           multiplyed
           upon
           this
           Land.
           
        
         
           FINIS
           .
        
      
    
     
       
         Notes, typically marginal, from the original text
         
           Notes for div A45405-e90
           
             
               Acts
            
             1.