Vniformity examined whether it be found in the Gospel or in the practice of the churches of Christ / by Wil. Dell ...
         Dell, William, d. 1664.
      
       
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             Vniformity examined whether it be found in the Gospel or in the practice of the churches of Christ / by Wil. Dell ...
             Dell, William, d. 1664.
          
           [8] p.
           
             Printed by J. Coe for Henry Overton ...,
             London :
             1646.
          
           
             "Published according to order"
             Reproduction of original in Yale University Library.
          
        
      
    
     
       
         eng
      
       
         
           Presbyterian Church -- Controversial literature.
        
      
    
       A37500  R21430  (Wing D936).  civilwar no Vniformity examined: Whether it be found in the Gospel, or, in the practice of the churches of Christ. By Wil. Dell, Minister of the Gospel. Dell, William 1646    4265 29 5 0 0 2 0 127 F  The  rate of 127 defects per 10,000 words puts this text in the F category of texts with  100 or more defects per 10,000 words. 
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           Vniformity
           Examined
           :
           Whether
           it
           be
           found
           in
           the
           GOSPEL
           ,
           OR
           ,
           IN
           THE
           PRACTICE
           OF
           THE
           CHURCHES
           of
           CHRIST
           .
           By
           WIL
           .
           DELL
           ,
           Minister
           of
           the
           Gospel
           .
        
         
           
             2
             COR.
             4.
             13.
             
          
           We
           having
           the
           same
           spirit
           of
           faith
           ,
           according
           as
           it
           is
           written
           ,
           I
           beleeved
           and
           therefore
           have
           I
           spoken
           :
           wee
           also
           beleeve
           ,
           and
           therefore
           speake
           .
        
         
           Published
           according
           to
           Order
           .
        
         
           
             LONDON
             ,
          
           Printed
           by
           J.
           COE
           for
           HENRY
           OVERTON
           in
           Popes
           Head
           Alley
           .
           1646.
           
        
      
    
     
       
       
         
           Vniformity
           Examined
           .
        
         
           OBserving
           that
           our
           Brethren
           of
           
             Scotland
             ,
          
           together
           with
           the
           Assembly
           of
           Divines
           ,
           and
           the
           rest
           of
           the
           Preshyterian
           judgement
           ,
           do
           often
           both
           in
           their
           discourse
           and
           writings
           ,
           exceedingly
           presse
           for
           
             Vniformity
             ;
          
           I
           have
           been
           urged
           in
           my
           spirit
           ,
           to
           think
           upon
           the
           matter
           ,
           and
           to
           consider
           whether
           there
           could
           be
           any
           such
           thing
           found
           in
           the
           word
           of
           the
           
             New
             Testament
             ,
          
           or
           in
           the
           practice
           of
           the
           Churches
           of
           Christ
           .
           And
           for
           my
           part
           ,
           I
           ingenuously
           professe
           I
           cannot
           yet
           discover
           it
           ,
           and
           would
           be
           glad
           if
           any
           would
           instruct
           me
           further
           in
           this
           particular
           ,
           so
           he
           do
           it
           from
           the
           Word
           .
        
         
           Now
           
             Vniformity
          
           what
           is
           it
           ,
           but
           an
           unity
           of
           form
           ?
           and
           the
           form
           they
           mean
           ,
           no
           doubt
           ,
           is
           outward
           :
           for
           the
           inward
           form
           ,
           as
           it
           cannot
           be
           known
           by
           the
           outward
           senses
           ;
           so
           neither
           can
           it
           be
           accomplished
           by
           outward
           power
           .
           And
           therefore
           (
           till
           I
           know
           their
           meaning
           better
           )
           I
           conceive
           that
           by
           
             uniformity
          
           they
           understand
           an
           unity
           of
           outward
           form
           in
           the
           Churches
           of
           God
           :
           yea
           some
           of
           them
           do
           declate
           so
           much
           ,
           calling
           the
           thing
           they
           would
           have
           ,
           
             Externall
             uniformity
             .
          
        
         
           Now
           such
           a
           thing
           as
           this
           ▪
           (
           after
           so
           much
           meditation
           and
           recollection
           ,
           as
           my
           other
           imployments
           ,
           and
           the
           many
           distractions
           that
           necessarily
           attend
           my
           present
           condition
           ,
           will
           permit
           me
           )
           I
           cannot
           discern
           in
           the
           word
           of
           the
           Gospell
           .
           For
           Christ
           speaking
           of
           the
           Church
           of
           the
           New
           Testoment
           ,
           saith
           ,
           
             Iohn
             4
             ▪
             23.
             
             The
             hour
             cometh
             and
             now
             is
             ,
             when
             the
             true
             worshippers
             shall
             worship
             the
             Father
             in
             Spirit
             and
             Truth
             ,
             for
             the
             Father
             seeketh
             such
             to
             worship
             him
             .
             God
             is
             a
             Spirit
             ,
             and
             and
             they
             that
             worship
             him
             must
             worship
             him
             in
             Spirit
             and
             Truth
             .
          
           In
           which
           words
           it
           is
           most
           evident
           ,
           that
           the
           worship
           of
           God
           in
           the
           time
           of
           the
           New
           Testament
           ,
           is
           inward
           and
           spirituall
           ,
           consisting
           in
           faith
           ,
           hope
           ,
           love
           ,
           and
           prayer
           ,
           the
           op●ration
           of
           the
           three
           former
           ,
           &c.
           
           And
           so
           ,
           is
           so
           far
           from
           
             Vniformity
          
           as
           hath
           been
           explicated
           ,
           and
           as
           they
           understand
           it
           ,
           that
           it
           is
           not
           at
           all
           capable
           of
           it
           .
           And
           therefore
           I
           cannot
           but
           wonder
           at
           the
           strange
           workings
           of
           darknesse
           in
           the
           mindes
           of
           men
           ,
           who
           would
           have
           an
           externall
           
             Vniformity
          
           in
           a
           worship
           that
           is
           inward
           and
           spirituall
           ,
           and
           of
           which
           the
           outward
           form
           is
           no
           part
           at
           all
           ,
           but
           is
           meerly
           accidentall
           ,
           and
           so
           absolutely
           various
           .
        
         
         
           Again
           ,
           as
           I
           finde
           not
           this
           Uniformity
           in
           the
           doctrine
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           so
           neither
           in
           the
           practice
           of
           the
           Saints
           ,
           who
           had
           the
           spirit
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           as
           that
           practice
           is
           represented
           to
           us
           in
           the
           Word
           .
        
         
           In
           
             Acts
             1.
             14.
             
          
           I
           read
           how
           the
           Apostles
           being
           together
           with
           the
           women
           ,
           and
           
             Mary
          
           the
           Mother
           of
           Jesus
           ,
           &
           his
           brethren
           ,
           continued
           with
           one
           accord
           in
           prayer
           and
           supplication
           :
           and
           
             Acts
             2.
             v.
             44.
             
          
           &
           46.
           how
           
             all
             that
             believed
             were
             together
             ,
             and
             continued
             daily
             with
             one
             accord
             in
             the
             Temple
             ,
             and
             did
             break
             bread
             from
             house
             to
             house
             ,
             &c.
             
          
           And
           in
           all
           this
           there
           was
           Unity
           ,
           but
           no
           externall
           
             Vniformity
             ,
          
           neither
           name
           nor
           thing
           .
           Again
           ,
           
             Acts
             4.
             23.
             
             Peter
          
           and
           
             Iohn
          
           being
           let
           go
           by
           the
           Magistrates
           ,
           
             went
             to
             their
             own
             company
          
           (
           which
           many
           of
           our
           Clergy
           would
           term
           a
           Conventicle
           )
           
             and
             reported
             all
             that
             the
             chief
             Priests
             and
             Elders
             had
             said
             to
             them
             ;
             and
             when
             they
             heard
             it
             ,
             they
             lift
             up
             their
             voice
             to
             God
          
           
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
          
           ,
           
             with
             one
             accord
             ,
             and
             prayed
             .
          
           Here
           was
           inward
           Unity
           ,
           in
           faith
           ,
           and
           love
           ,
           and
           joy
           ,
           and
           spirituall
           prayer
           ,
           bur
           no
           externall
           Uniformity
           :
           and
           vers.
           32.
           
           
             The
             multitude
             of
             them
             that
             believed
             were
             of
             one
             heart
             ,
             and
             one
             soul
             .
          
           Unity
           still
           ,
           but
           nothing
           of
           externall
           
             uniformity
             .
          
           Further
           ,
           we
           read
           
             Acts
          
           chap.
           7.
           and
           chap.
           8.
           that
           
             Stephen
          
           and
           
             Philip
             ,
          
           who
           by
           the
           Church
           were
           ordained
           Deacons
           and
           were
           to
           serve
           only
           for
           the
           Ministery
           of
           the
           Table
           ,
           yet
           by
           vertue
           of
           the
           anointing
           ,
           preached
           the
           word
           of
           God
           freely
           ,
           and
           powerfully
           :
           and
           how
           all
           the
           Members
           of
           the
           Church
           of
           
             Ierusalem
             ,
          
           who
           were
           neither
           Ministers
           nor
           Deacons
           ,
           being
           scattered
           abroad
           by
           persecution
           ,
           went
           preaching
           the
           Word
           every where
           ,
           where
           they
           came
           ,
           in
           that
           case
           of
           necessity
           :
           the
           unction
           of
           the
           Spirit
           ,
           of
           which
           all
           believers
           partake
           alike
           ,
           being
           one
           fundamentall
           ground
           of
           such
           Ministery
           ,
           where
           there
           are
           no
           Believers
           to
           call
           to
           the
           Office
           :
           and
           in
           all
           this
           ,
           though
           there
           was
           
             unity
          
           of
           faith
           ,
           spirit
           ,
           and
           doctrine
           ,
           yet
           I
           am
           sure
           they
           will
           say
           ,
           there
           was
           no
           such
           
             uniformity
          
           as
           they
           would
           have
           .
           Again
           ,
           
             Acts
             20.
             
             Paul
          
           the
           first
           day
           of
           the
           Week
           ,
           preached
           to
           the
           Disciples
           of
           
             Macedonia
             ,
          
           from
           the
           Evening
           till
           Midnight
           (
           which
           Dr.
           
             Pocklington
          
           in
           a
           printed
           Sermon
           saith
           ,
           was
           out
           of
           order
           ,
           that
           is
           ,
           out
           of
           Prelaticall
           order
           ,
           or
           Presbyteriall
           
             uniformity
             )
          
           and
           after
           brake
           bread
           and
           did
           eat
           ,
           and
           talked
           with
           them
           a
           long
           while
           ,
           till
           break
           of
           day
           :
           and
           going
           from
           thence
           ,
           he
           arrived
           at
           
             Ephesus
             ,
          
           and
           there
           called
           the
           Elders
           of
           the
           Church
           together
           ,
           and
           appeals
           to
           them
           after
           what
           manner
           he
           had
           been
           with
           them
           ,
           to
           wit
           ,
           serving
           the
           Lord
           with
           all
           humility
           of
           minde
           ,
           (
           I
           wish
           the
           Assembly
           would
           mark
           that
           ,
           and
           mark
           it
           again
           )
           and
           with
           many
           tears
           and
           temptations
           ,
           &c.
           and
           how
           he
           had
           held
           back
           nothing
           profitable
           for
           them
           ,
           but
           had
           taught
           them
           publikely
           ,
           and
           from
           house
           to
           house
           (
           which
           I
           wish
           were
           more
           in
           use
           now-a-dayes
           ,
           if
           it
           might
           obtain
           so
           much
           leave
           from
           
             uniformity
             )
          
           and
           had
           preached
           to
           them
           R●pentance
           towards
           God
           ,
           and
           Faith
           towards
           our
           Lord
           Jesus
           Christ
           ,
           our
           chief
           work
           toward
           God
           since
           our
           fall
           and
           corruption
           being
           Repentance
           ,
           which
           is
           the
           change
           of
           the
           creature
           towards
           God
           ,
           through
           Gods
           own
           work
           in
           the
           creature
           ,
           and
           this
           is
           not
           done
           without
           the
           sorrow
           of
           the
           flesh
           ;
           and
           our
           chief
           work
           towards
           Christ
           ,
           who
           is
           given
           to
           us
           as
           a
           head
           ,
           being
           Faith
           or
           Union
           .
           And
           in
           the
           end
           ,
           exhorts
           the
           Presbyters
           
           to
           take
           heed
           to
           themselves
           (
           who
           according
           to
           the
           Church
           principles
           of
           this
           age
           ,
           want
           no
           admonition
           themselves
           ,
           seeing
           they
           are
           become
           a
           peremptory
           rule
           to
           all
           others
           )
           and
           to
           the
           flocks
           over
           which
           the
           holy
           Ghost
           (
           and
           not
           Patrons
           )
           hath
           made
           them
           overseers
           ,
           to
           feed
           the
           Church
           of
           God
           which
           he
           had
           purchased
           with
           his
           own
           bloud
           ,
           &c.
           
           But
           in
           all
           this
           neither
           practices
           himselfe
           ,
           nor
           preaches
           to
           them
           ,
           nor
           commands
           them
           to
           preach
           to
           others
           ,
           or
           impose
           upon
           others
           any
           such
           kind
           of
           thing
           as
           externall
           
             vniformity
             .
          
           And
           so
           surely
           they
           that
           so
           vehemently
           urge
           this
           thing
           ,
           that
           they
           make
           it
           all
           in
           all
           in
           their
           Reformation
           ,
           have
           some
           other
           teacher
           then
           the
           Apostle
           ,
           who
           being
           taught
           of
           Christ
           as
           Christ
           was
           taught
           of
           God
           ,
           yet
           knew
           no
           such
           thing
           at
           all
           in
           the
           worship
           of
           God
           ,
           as
           
             vniformity
             .
          
        
         
           And
           yet
           further
           ,
           that
           the
           world
           (
           if
           it
           be
           possible
           )
           may
           be
           the
           more
           convinced
           ,
           observe
           a
           little
           more
           seriously
           the
           practice
           of
           Christ
           and
           the
           Saints
           ,
           in
           reference
           to
           this
           poynt
           ,
           and
           you
           shall
           see
           nothing
           lesse
           then
           externall
           Uniformity
           .
           See
           this
           in
           the
           prayer
           of
           Christ
           ,
           (
           prayer
           for
           the
           duty
           it
           felf
           being
           nothing
           but
           so
           much
           spirituall
           worship
           as
           being
           the
           voyce
           of
           the
           Spirit
           in
           the
           flesh
           ,
           both
           in
           head
           and
           members
           )
           This
           Christ
           sometimes
           performed
           with
           his
           eyes
           lifted
           up
           to
           heaven
           ,
           sometimes
           being
           prostrate
           with
           his
           body
           on
           the
           earth
           ,
           and
           so
           severall
           times
           severall
           wayes
           :
           and
           as
           he
           ,
           so
           the
           Saints
           have
           some
           prayed
           standing
           ,
           and
           lifting
           up
           their
           hands
           ,
           as
           
             Moses
             ,
          
           some
           kneeling
           and
           lifting
           up
           their
           hands
           ,
           as
           
             Solomon
             ,
          
           some
           standing
           and
           not
           lifting
           up
           their
           eyes
           ,
           as
           the
           Publicans
           ,
           &c.
           
           And
           what
           externall
           Uniformity
           in
           all
           this
           ?
           And
           as
           for
           praying
           so
           for
           preaching
           ,
           Christ
           sometimes
           preached
           in
           a
           ship
           ,
           sometimes
           on
           the
           shore
           ,
           sometimes
           in
           the
           City
           of
           
             Ierusalem
             ,
          
           someimes
           in
           the
           Temple
           ,
           sometimes
           in
           the
           desart
           ,
           sometimes
           early
           ,
           sometimes
           late
           ,
           as
           if
           he
           intended
           on
           purpose
           to
           witnesse
           against
           that
           piece
           of
           the
           mystery
           of
           iniquity
           which
           in
           after
           ages
           should
           be
           called
           
             Vniformity
             .
          
           So
           
             Paul
          
           preached
           sometimes
           on
           the
           Jews
           Sabbath
           ,
           sometimes
           on
           the
           first
           day
           of
           the
           week
           ,
           sometimes
           each
           day
           of
           the
           week
           ,
           sometimes
           in
           the
           day
           ,
           sometimes
           in
           the
           night
           ,
           sometimes
           prayed
           in
           the
           house
           ,
           sometimes
           on
           the
           shore
           ;
           he
           circumcised
           
             Timothy
          
           among
           the
           weak
           ,
           refused
           to
           circumcise
           
             Titus
          
           among
           the
           perverse
           ,
           became
           as
           a
           Jew
           to
           the
           Jews
           ,
           as
           a
           Greek
           to
           the
           Greeks
           ,
           to
           the
           weak
           as
           weak
           ,
           to
           the
           strong
           as
           strong
           ,
           all
           things
           to
           all
           men
           ,
           that
           he
           might
           win
           some
           :
           and
           what
           externall
           Uniformity
           was
           here
           ?
           And
           then
           for
           the
           Sacraments
           ,
           Christ
           administred
           the
           Sacrament
           of
           the
           Supper
           immediately
           after
           supper
           ,
           
             Paul
          
           at
           midnight
           ,
           and
           it
           may
           be
           others
           in
           the
           morning
           ,
           or
           at
           noone
           :
           and
           what
           externall
           Uniformity
           in
           all
           this
           ?
           And
           for
           government
           ;
           sometimes
           the
           Apostles
           met
           together
           into
           a
           Councell
           and
           in
           that
           Councell
           ordered
           things
           not
           of
           their
           own
           heads
           ,
           or
           by
           plurality
           of
           voyces
           ,
           but
           by
           the
           Word
           and
           Spirit
           ,
           and
           what
           they
           ordered
           by
           the
           Word
           and
           Spirit
           ,
           they
           put
           in
           execution
           by
           the
           power
           of
           the
           Word
           and
           Spirit
           ,
           and
           not
           by
           the
           power
           of
           the
           World
           .
           At
           other
           times
           Ministers
           and
           believers
           did
           things
           by
           the
           Word
           and
           Spirit
           among
           themselves
           ,
           by
           the
           mutuall
           consent
           of
           both
           ;
           or
           else
           believers
           alone
           
           among
           themselves
           ,
           if
           there
           were
           no
           Ministers
           present
           .
           And
           where
           the
           number
           of
           believers
           were
           more
           ,
           they
           stood
           in
           need
           of
           more
           Officers
           ,
           and
           where
           fewer
           ,
           of
           fewer
           Officers
           ,
           and
           all
           these
           things
           are
           the
           free
           ordering
           of
           the
           Churches
           ,
           who
           have
           Christ
           ,
           the
           Spirit
           ,
           and
           the
           Father
           among
           them
           and
           in
           them
           ,
           and
           so
           are
           taken
           out
           of
           the
           bondage
           of
           men
           into
           the
           freedome
           of
           God
           .
           That
           truly
           I
           see
           not
           the
           Gospel
           more
           setting
           its
           spirit
           against
           any
           thing
           of
           Antichrist
           ,
           then
           against
           this
           point
           of
           externall
           Uniformity
           .
           For
           if
           we
           have
           one
           Lord
           ,
           Christ
           ,
           Spirit
           ,
           Faith
           ,
           Baptisme
           ,
           God
           ,
           all
           other
           things
           are
           free
           to
           the
           Churches
           ,
           as
           God
           shall
           order
           by
           them
           ,
           and
           no
           otherwise
           ;
           and
           the
           reason
           ,
           and
           wisdome
           ,
           and
           prudence
           of
           man
           ,
           have
           no
           place
           in
           this
           world
           ,
           where
           the
           Sun
           of
           righteousness
           shines
           as
           the
           onely
           light
           .
        
         
           But
           against
           this
           that
           hath
           been
           said
           ,
           do
           lie
           some
           objections
           :
           as
           first
           ,
        
         
           The
           Prophet
           foretold
           that
           
             the
             Lord
             should
             be
             one
             ,
             and
             his
             Name
             one
             ,
          
           and
           doth
           not
           this
           imply
           externall
           Uniformity
           ?
        
         
           I
           answer
           ,
           nothing
           lesse
           :
           for
           the
           Apostle
           explicates
           plainly
           and
           clearly
           ,
           whar
           it
           is
           to
           have
           the
           Lord
           one
           ,
           and
           his
           Name
           one
           among
           believers
           ,
           
             Eph.
             4.
             ch.
             4.
             5.
             6.
          
           where
           he
           saith
           ,
           there
           is
           in
           the
           spirituall
           Church
           ,
           
             one
             Body
             ,
             and
             one
             Spirit
             ,
             one
             hope
             of
             our
             calling
             ,
             one
             Lord
             ,
             one
             Faith
             ,
             one
             Baptisme
             ,
             one
             God
             and
             Father
             of
             all
             ,
             who
             is
             above
             all
             ,
             through
             all
             ,
             and
             in
             all
             .
          
           Whereby
           you
           see
           ,
           that
           among
           believers
           there
           is
           a
           manifold
           Unity
           ,
           but
           no
           externall
           Uniformity
           ;
           yea
           ,
           the
           prayer
           of
           Christ
           the
           Son
           for
           the
           Church
           ,
           unfolds
           clearly
           the
           promise
           of
           God
           the
           Father
           to
           the
           Church
           ,
           
             Iohn
             17.
             
          
           Christ
           prayes
           ,
           
             that
             they
             all
          
           (
           who
           are
           many
           among
           themselves
           according
           to
           the
           flesh
           )
           
             may
             b●
             one
             ,
             as
             thou
             Father
             art
             in
             mee
             ,
             and
             I
             in
             thee
             ,
          
           (
           that
           is
           ,
           according
           to
           the
           unity
           of
           the
           Spirit
           ,
           not
           externall
           Uniformity
           )
           
             that
             after
             this
             manner
             they
             also
             may
             be
             one
             in
             us
             .
          
        
         
           But
           againe
           it
           is
           objected
           out
           of
           1
           
             Cor.
          
           14.
           that
           the
           Apostle
           requires
           that
           
             all
             things
             may
             be
             done
             in
             the
             Church
             decently
             and
             in
             order
             :
          
           and
           doth
           not
           this
           imply
           externall
           Uniformity
           ?
        
         
           I
           answer
           ,
           that
           they
           will
           hardly
           admit
           in
           their
           parish
           Churches
           such
           a
           decency
           and
           order
           as
           the
           Apostle
           there
           means
           ,
           neither
           are
           they
           capable
           of
           it
           .
           For
           he
           saith
           before
           ,
           
             When
             the
             whole
             Church
             is
             come
             together
             into
             some
             place
             ,
             that
             all
             may
             prophesie
             one
             by
             one
             ,
             that
             all
             may
             learne
             and
             all
             be
             comforted
             :
          
           and
           that
           during
           this
           exercise
           of
           prophesying
           ,
           
             if
             any
             thing
             be
             revealed
             to
             another
             ,
             the
             former
             is
             to
             give
             place
             ;
          
           and
           he
           must
           speak
           that
           hath
           the
           clearest
           light
           ,
           seeing
           the
           Spirit
           ,
           to
           whomsoever
           it
           is
           given
           to
           profit
           withall
           .
           And
           that
           though
           all
           may
           prophesie
           one
           by
           one
           ,
           yet
           all
           may
           not
           prophesie
           at
           once
           ,
           for
           t●en
           it
           would
           not
           be
           order
           ,
           but
           confusion
           ,
           which
           the
           Apostle
           would
           have
           avoyded
           ,
           saying
           ,
           
             Let
             all
             things
             be
             done
             decently
             and
             in
             order
             .
          
           And
           this
           decency
           too
           he
           perswades
           to
           by
           the
           word
           ,
           he
           doth
           not
           in
           force
           by
           secular
           power
           .
           And
           if
           they
           will
           call
           this
           Uniformity
           ,
           for
           Church-members
           to
           prophesie
           one
           after
           another
           ,
           according
           to
           the
           variety
           of
           the
           gifts
           of
           the
           Spirit
           ,
           and
           not
           many
           or
           two
           o●
           three
           at
           once
           or
           the
           same
           time
           ,
           we
           willingly
           agree
           with
           them
           :
           but
           how
           farre
           this
           thing
           is
           from
           their
           sence
           ,
           every
           one
           knowes
           .
        
         
         
           Thus
           you
           see
           these
           objections
           answered
           ,
           and
           I
           am
           confident
           there
           are
           no
           more
           can
           be
           brought
           but
           may
           as
           clearly
           and
           easily
           be
           answered
           as
           these
           .
        
         
           And
           therefore
           ,
           I
           say
           ,
           I
           wonder
           and
           wonder
           againe
           ,
           that
           we
           having
           covenanted
           and
           agreed
           together
           solemnly
           ,
           to
           endeavour
           for
           a
           Government
           most
           agreeable
           to
           the
           word
           of
           God
           ,
           should
           in
           the
           meane
           time
           be
           left
           so
           void
           of
           the
           spirit
           and
           light
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           as
           to
           fall
           upon
           externall
           Uniformity
           ,
           which
           is
           no where
           to
           be
           found
           in
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           nor
           in
           the
           practise
           of
           primative
           Christians
           .
        
         
           Yea
           ,
           while
           I
           consider
           more
           seriously
           of
           the
           Matter
           ,
           me thinks
           externall
           
             vniformity
          
           is
           a
           monstrous
           thing
           (
           how
           glorious
           soever
           in
           their
           eyes
           )
           and
           not
           to
           be
           found
           either
           in
           nature
           or
           in
           grace
           ,
           either
           in
           Christs
           Kingdome
           ,
           or
           the
           Kingdomes
           of
           the
           world
           .
        
         
           In
           nature
           is
           no
           externall
           
             vniformity
          
           extended
           to
           all
           the
           workes
           of
           nature
           ,
           for
           looke
           into
           the
           world
           and
           see
           if
           there
           be
           not
           variety
           of
           forms
           ;
           heavenly
           and
           earthly
           bodies
           having
           severall
           formes
           ;
           and
           in
           the
           earth
           each
           bird
           ,
           beast
           ,
           tree
           ,
           plant
           ,
           creature
           ,
           differs
           one
           from
           another
           in
           outward
           form
           .
           If
           the
           whole
           creation
           should
           appeare
           in
           one
           form
           ,
           or
           externall
           
             vniformity
             ,
          
           what
           a
           monstrous
           thing
           would
           it
           be
           ,
           nothing
           differing
           from
           the
           first
           chaos
           ?
           but
           the
           variety
           of
           forms
           in
           the
           world
           is
           the
           beauty
           of
           the
           world
           .
           So
           that
           though
           there
           be
           a
           most
           admirable
           unity
           among
           all
           the
           creatures
           ,
           yet
           there
           is
           nothing
           lesse
           then
           externall
           
             vniformity
             .
          
        
         
           Againe
           ,
           as
           there
           is
           no
           externall
           
             vniformity
          
           spread
           over
           the
           great
           world
           ,
           so
           nor
           yet
           over
           the
           little
           world
           ,
           or
           man
           .
           For
           looke
           upon
           a
           man
           consisting
           of
           ●ead
           and
           members
           ,
           unto
           which
           the
           Apostle
           compa●es
           the
           Church
           ,
           and
           you
           shall
           not
           finde
           all
           the
           members
           like
           one
           another
           ,
           neither
           in
           regard
           of
           their
           outward
           forms
           ,
           nor
           operations
           :
           for
           the
           hand
           doth
           not
           move
           as
           the
           foot
           ,
           nor
           the
           foot
           act
           as
           the
           hand
           ;
           and
           if
           all
           the
           members
           should
           appear
           and
           act
           in
           one
           form
           ,
           what
           a
           monster
           would
           a
           man
           bee
           ?
           And
           yet
           among
           the
           members
           though
           there
           be
           no
           externall
           
             vniformity
             ,
          
           yet
           there
           is
           admirable
           unity
           .
        
         
           And
           yet
           again
           ,
           look
           in
           to
           the
           Kingdomes
           of
           the
           world
           ,
           and
           you
           shall
           see
           no
           such
           thing
           in
           them
           as
           externall
           
             vniformity
             :
          
           Here
           in
           
             England
          
           you
           shall
           observe
           that
           
             York
          
           is
           not
           governed
           as
           
             Hull
             ,
          
           nor
           
             Hull
          
           as
           
             Hallifax
             ,
          
           nor
           that
           as
           
             Bristoll
             ,
             &c.
          
           neither
           is
           one
           County
           governed
           uniformly
           as
           another
           ;
           there
           is
           no
           
             vniformity
          
           in
           the
           government
           of
           
             Kent
          
           and
           
             Essex
             ,
          
           nor
           one
           town
           governed
           like
           another
           ;
           in
           Godmanchester
           ,
           the
           youngest
           son
           inherit
           ,
           in
           Huntington
           the
           Eldest
           ,
           nor
           one
           Corporation
           governed
           like
           another
           ,
           nor
           one
           Company
           in
           the
           Citie
           governed
           as
           another
           ;
           and
           yet
           between
           all
           Counties
           ,
           Cities
           ,
           Towns
           ,
           Corporations
           Companies
           ,
           there
           is
           unitie
           ,
           though
           no
           externall
           
             vniformity
             .
          
           Yea
           ,
           look
           upon
           the
           famous
           Citie
           of
           
             London
             ,
          
           and
           there
           are
           ,
           it
           may
           be
           ,
           an
           hundred
           thousand
           families
           ,
           or
           more
           in
           it
           ,
           and
           each
           one
           gove●n●d
           after
           a
           severall
           manner
           ,
           and
           among
           all
           these
           families
           there
           is
           no
           externall
           
             vniformity
             ,
          
           and
           yet
           they
           all
           agree
           well
           enough
           into
           the
           unity
           of
           a
           City
           .
        
         
           Nay
           further
           ,
           to
           bring
           but
           one
           man
           to
           an
           
             vniformity
          
           of
           life
           and
           practice
           ,
           by
           
           an
           outward
           Law
           ,
           would
           be
           the
           most
           absolute
           tyranny
           in
           the
           world
           ,
           and
           make
           his
           life
           worse
           then
           death
           .
           To
           compell
           every
           man
           by
           a
           Law
           every
           day
           in
           the
           week
           ,
           or
           every
           Munday
           ,
           Tuesday
           ,
           &c.
           in
           the
           week
           ,
           to
           an
           
             uniformity
          
           of
           life
           ,
           that
           he
           shall
           rise
           at
           the
           same
           time
           ,
           use
           the
           same
           postures
           ,
           speak
           the
           same
           words
           ,
           eat
           the
           same
           food
           ,
           receive
           the
           same
           Physick
           ,
           sit
           ,
           and
           stand
           ,
           and
           walk
           ,
           and
           lye
           down
           at
           the
           same
           set
           times
           ,
           who
           ever
           heard
           of
           such
           a
           cruel
           bondage
           ?
           What
           an
           absurd
           and
           intollerable
           thing
           then
           is
           
             uniformity
          
           in
           the
           life
           of
           a
           man
           ,
           taking
           away
           all
           freedome
           of
           the
           soule
           ?
           But
           how
           much
           more
           evill
           and
           intollerable
           is
           
             uniformity
          
           in
           the
           life
           of
           a
           Christian
           ,
           or
           of
           true
           Churches
           of
           Christ
           ,
           taking
           away
           all
           freedome
           of
           the
           spirit
           of
           God
           ,
           who
           being
           one
           with
           God
           ,
           works
           in
           the
           freedome
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           is
           not
           to
           be
           bound
           with
           any
           authoritative
           or
           coercive
           power
           ,
           of
           poor
           ,
           dark
           ,
           ignorant
           ,
           vain
           ,
           foolish
           ,
           proud
           ,
           and
           sinfull
           men
           .
        
         
           What
           now
           then
           do
           the
           Presbyters
           mean
           by
           
             Vniformity
             ?
          
           Would
           they
           have
           the
           Word
           preached
           ,
           and
           the
           Sacraments
           administred
           ,
           and
           the
           Name
           of
           God
           called
           on
           ,
           and
           all
           this
           done
           in
           spirit
           and
           truth
           in
           the
           Churches
           of
           Christ
           ?
           This
           truly
           is
           
             Vnity
          
           and
           not
           
             Vniformity
             ,
          
           and
           such
           an
           
             unity
          
           as
           no
           man
           can
           compell
           .
           But
           would
           they
           have
           the
           Word
           preached
           ,
           the
           name
           of
           God
           called
           on
           ,
           Sacraments
           administred
           ,
           the
           spirituall
           discipline
           of
           the
           spirituall
           Church
           managed
           ,
           the
           vertues
           of
           Christ
           ,
           and
           graces
           of
           the
           Spirit
           in
           the
           Saints
           exercised
           ,
           and
           all
           this
           in
           one
           and
           the
           same
           outward
           form
           ,
           or
           uniformity
           ?
           This
           is
           the
           burden
           of
           the
           Saints
           ,
           the
           bondage
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           the
           straitning
           the
           Spirit
           ,
           the
           limiting
           of
           Christ
           ,
           and
           the
           eclipsing
           the
           glory
           of
           the
           Father
           .
           And
           how
           wise
           soever
           these
           men
           may
           be
           in
           naturall
           and
           carnall
           things
           ,
           yet
           their
           wisedome
           is
           but
           foolishnesse
           in
           spirituall
           things
           ,
           in
           which
           there
           is
           no
           more
           uniformity
           ,
           then
           in
           the
           workings
           of
           the
           Spirit
           ,
           who
           works
           severally
           in
           severall
           Saints
           ,
           and
           severally
           in
           the
           same
           Saints
           at
           severall
           times
           .
           And
           therefore
           they
           that
           would
           tye
           the
           Church
           to
           an
           
             uniformity
          
           which
           works
           not
           of
           it
           s●lf
           ,
           but
           as
           the
           Spirit
           works
           in
           it
           ,
           let
           them
           first
           tye
           the
           Spirit
           to
           an
           
             uniformity
             ,
          
           and
           we
           are
           contented
           .
           But
           these
           men
           seem
           to
           run
           a
           sad
           hazard
           ,
           who
           would
           thus
           reduce
           the
           workings
           of
           the
           Spirit
           in
           Christians
           and
           Churches
           ,
           to
           an
           outward
           
             uniformity
             ,
          
           according
           to
           their
           own
           minde
           and
           fancy
           ,
           and
           so
           would
           rule
           and
           order
           ,
           and
           enlarge
           and
           straiten
           the
           Spirit
           of
           God
           by
           the
           spirit
           of
           man
           ;
           seeing
           it
           is
           worse
           to
           sin
           against
           Christ
           in
           the
           spirit
           ,
           then
           against
           Christ
           in
           the
           flesh
           .
        
         
           And
           therefore
           till
           I
           be
           otherwise
           taught
           by
           the
           Word
           ,
           I
           cannot
           conceive
           that
           there
           ought
           to
           be
           or
           is
           possible
           to
           be
           any
           such
           externall
           
             uniformity
          
           in
           the
           Churches
           of
           Christ
           ,
           as
           these
           men
           strive
           ,
           wrastle
           ,
           sweat
           ,
           contend
           for
           ,
           I
           will
           not
           say
           are
           ready
           to
           fight
           for
           ,
           but
           that
           severall
           Churches
           of
           Christ
           having
           unity
           of
           doctrine
           ,
           faith
           ,
           the
           spirit
           ,
           ordinances
           ,
           &c.
           may
           have
           divers
           forms
           of
           outward
           administrations
           ,
           as
           God
           and
           Christ
           by
           the
           spirit
           shall
           lead
           them
           ;
           and
           that
           every
           Church
           is
           in
           these
           things
           to
           be
           left
           free
           ,
           and
           no
           Church
           forced
           by
           any
           outward
           power
           to
           follow
           or
           imitate
           another
           Church
           against
           its
           will
           ,
           not
           being
           freely
           led
           unto
           it
           by
           the
           Spirit
           of
           God
           .
        
         
         
           Neither
           do
           I
           think
           that
           God
           hath
           set
           up
           any
           company
           of
           men
           ,
           or
           Synod
           in
           the
           world
           ,
           to
           shine
           to
           a
           whole
           Nation
           ,
           so
           that
           all
           people
           shall
           be
           constrained
           to
           follow
           their
           judgement
           ,
           and
           to
           walk
           by
           their
           light
           ,
           seeing
           other
           Ministers
           and
           Christians
           may
           have
           more
           light
           and
           spirit
           then
           they
           .
           Neither
           hath
           Christ
           promised
           his
           presence
           and
           spirit
           to
           Ministers
           more
           then
           to
           believers
           ,
           nor
           more
           to
           an
           hundred
           then
           two
           or
           three
           :
           and
           if
           two
           or
           three
           Christians
           in
           the
           Country
           being
           met
           together
           in
           the
           name
           of
           Christ
           ,
           have
           Christ
           himself
           with
           his
           Word
           and
           Spirit
           among
           them
           ,
           they
           need
           not
           ride
           many
           miles
           to
           the
           Assembly
           at
           
             London
             ,
          
           to
           know
           what
           to
           do
           ,
           or
           how
           to
           carry
           and
           behave
           themselves
           in
           the
           things
           of
           God
           .
           And
           therefore
           for
           any
           company
           of
           men
           of
           what
           repute
           soever
           ,
           to
           set
           up
           their
           own
           judgement
           in
           a
           Kingdome
           ,
           for
           a
           peremptory
           rule
           from
           which
           no
           man
           must
           vary
           ,
           and
           to
           compell
           all
           the
           faithfull
           people
           of
           God
           ,
           who
           are
           the
           very
           members
           of
           Jesus
           Christ
           himself
           ,
           to
           fall
           down
           before
           it
           ,
           upon
           pain
           of
           being
           cast
           into
           the
           burning
           fiery
           furnace
           of
           their
           indignation
           ,
           heated
           seven
           times
           more
           hot
           th●n
           ordinary
           ,
           through
           the
           desired
           accesse
           of
           secular
           power
           to
           their
           power
           ,
           is
           a
           far
           worse
           work
           in
           my
           eyes
           ,
           then
           that
           of
           King
           
             Nebuchadnezzar
             ,
          
           setting
           up
           a
           golden
           Image
           ,
           and
           forcing
           all
           to
           fall
           down
           before
           it
           ;
           seeing
           spirituall
           idolatry
           is
           so
           much
           worse
           then
           corporall
           ,
           as
           the
           spirit
           is
           better
           then
           the
           flesh
           .
        
         
           And
           therefore
           I
           do
           think
           (
           let
           them
           teach
           me
           better
           by
           the
           Word
           that
           can
           )
           that
           
             uniformity
          
           (
           the
           great
           
             Diana
          
           of
           the
           
             Presbyterians
             ,
          
           and
           the
           Image
           that
           falls
           down
           from
           the
           brain
           and
           fa●cy
           of
           man
           )
           hath
           no
           footing
           in
           the
           Scriptures
           ,
           or
           in
           the
           practice
           of
           the
           Churches
           of
           Christ
           :
           And
           that
           the
           
             Presbyterian
             uniformtty
          
           is
           near
           a
           kin
           to
           Prelati●all
           co●fo●mity
           ,
           and
           is
           no
           other
           ●hen
           the
           same
           thing
           under
           another
           word
           ,
           after
           ●●e
           manner
           of
           Prelacy
           and
           
             Presbytery
             ;
          
           and
           do
           conclude
           that
           
             Vnity
          
           is
           Chri●●ia●
           ,
           
             Vniformity
          
           Antic●●●●●●an
           .
        
         
           And
           〈◊〉
           I
           have
           〈…〉
           among
           many
           occas●ons
           ,
           to
           discover
           to
           〈…〉
           
             me
          
           still
           prevail
           and
           〈…〉
           very
           name
           of
           
             Ref●●mation
          
           And
           al●o
           to
           give
           occasion
           〈…〉
           discourse
           more
           fully
           〈…〉
           power
           of
           the
           Word
           .
        
         
           
             〈…〉
             
          
           
             
          
           
             
          
        
         
           ●INIS