A letter to a non-conformist minister of the kirk shewing the nullity of the Presbyterian mission or authority to preach the Gospel.
         Calder, Robert, 1658-1723.
      
       
         
           1677
        
      
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             A letter to a non-conformist minister of the kirk shewing the nullity of the Presbyterian mission or authority to preach the Gospel.
             Calder, Robert, 1658-1723.
          
           [3], 118 [i.e. 110] p.
           
             Printed for B. Tooke,
             London :
             1677.
          
           
             Attributed to Robert Calder. Cf. NUC pre-1956.
             Reproduction of original in the Harvard University Library.
          
        
      
    
     
       
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           Presbyterianism -- Early works to 1800.
           Dissenters, Religious -- England -- Early works to 1800.
        
      
    
     
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           A
           LETTER
           TO
           A
           
             Non-conformist
             Minister
          
           OF
           THE
           KIRK
           ,
           SHEVVING
           The
           NULLITY
           of
           the
           PRESBYTERIAN
           Mission
           or
           
             Authority
             to
          
           Preach
           the
           Gospel
           .
        
         
           LONDON
           ,
           Printed
           for
           
             B.
             Tooke
          
           ,
           at
           the
           Ship
           in
           St.
           Pauls
           Churchyard
           ,
           1677.
           
        
      
       
         
         
         
           TO
           THE
           Reader
           .
        
         
           
             READER
             ,
          
        
         
           IT
           is
           not
           now
           the
           Order
           or
           Character
           of
           our
           CLERGY
           ,
           nor
           their
           power
           of
           Binding
           and
           Absolving
           Sinners
           ,
           which
           the
           PEOPLE
           have
           any
           great
           regard
           for
           ,
           but
           onely
           
           our
           Lungs
           and
           faculties
           of
           PREACHING
           :
           hence
           it
           comes
           to
           pass
           ,
           that
           by
           this
           curiosity
           after
           Preaching
           ,
           the
           People
           are
           betray'd
           to
           the
           cozenage
           of
           every
           new
           Light
           and
           Impostor
           in
           Religion
           ,
           who
           is
           commonly
           a
           zealous
           and
           eloquent
           Preacher
           ,
           and
           so
           profound
           a
           Dissembler
           ,
           that
           we
           are
           not
           otherwise
           
           able
           to
           detect
           him
           ,
           but
           by
           enquiring
           into
           his
           Mission
           .
        
      
    
     
       
         
         
         
           A
           LETTER
           TO
           A
           Non-conformist
           Minister
           OF
           THE
           KIRK
           ,
           Shewing
           the
           NULLITY
           of
           the
           
             Presbyterian
             Mission
          
           and
           Authority
           to
           PREACH
           the
           GOSPEL
           .
        
         
           
             SIR
             ,
          
        
         
           I
           Should
           be
           very
           much
           oblig'd
           to
           receive
           a
           Satisfaction
           
           from
           you
           ,
           which
           I
           could
           never
           give
           my self
           concerning
           the
           Validity
           of
           your
           Presbyterian
           Mission
           :
           I
           conceive
           it
           to
           be
           the
           most
           material
           thing
           in
           difference
           between
           us
           ;
           and
           that
           it
           ought
           to
           be
           considered
           in
           the
           first
           place
           ,
           there
           being
           no
           Imposture
           like
           that
           of
           assuming
           to
           be
           
           Preachers
           of
           the
           Gospel
           without
           lawful
           Authority
           .
           I
           shall
           here
           trouble
           you
           with
           the
           Reasons
           of
           my
           dissatisfaction
           in
           this
           matter
           .
        
         
           First
           then
           I
           must
           crave
           your
           pardon
           to
           look
           backward
           as
           far
           as
           your
           first
           Reforming
           Ancestors
           ,
           (
           from
           whom
           Presbytery
           does
           more
           immediately
           
           derive
           it self
           )
           Mr.
           Calvin
           in
           Geneva
           ,
           Mr.
           Knox
           in
           
             Scotland
             ,
             &c.
          
           
           And
           then
           permit
           me
           to
           ask
           a
           certain
           Question
           ,
           which
           hitherto
           none
           of
           you
           would
           do
           us
           the
           kindness
           to
           resolve
           ,
           Who
           sent
           Them
           to
           reform
           the
           Church
           ,
           or
           (
           as
           you
           phrase
           it
           )
           to
           Preach
           the
           
           Gospel
           ?
           and
           
             How
             should
             they
             Preach
             except
             they
             were
             sent
             ?
          
           Rom.
           10.
           15.
           which
           words
           of
           St.
           Paul
           seem
           to
           be
           a
           question
           ,
           but
           are
           indeed
           a
           full
           and
           peremptory
           Affirmation
           ,
           That
           no
           Abilities
           of
           popular
           Eloquence
           can
           qualifie
           any
           persons
           for
           Preachers
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           
           without
           external
           and
           lawful
           Mission
           .
        
         
           This
           then
           I
           shall
           lay
           down
           as
           a
           Foundation
           to
           what
           I
           have
           to
           say
           ,
           That
           lawful
           Mission
           is
           essential
           to
           a
           Preacher
           of
           the
           Gospel
           .
           And
           if
           so
           ,
           I
           shall
           endeavour
           to
           make
           evident
           ,
           That
           all
           your
           Predecessors
           of
           the
           Kirk
           (
           how
           able
           soever
           
           as
           to
           other
           qualifications
           )
           wanted
           this
           essential
           ;
           and
           consequently
           your self
           who
           derive
           a
           Succession
           from
           them
           .
        
         
           Grant
           me
           (
           Sir
           )
           a
           little
           of
           your
           patience
           ,
           and
           consider
           ,
           There
           are
           onely
           these
           Five
           imaginable
           AUTHORITIES
           from
           whence
           they
           could
           pretend
           to
           
           have
           received
           it
           .
           1.
           
           The
           Spirit
           of
           God.
           2ly
           ,
           Themselves
           or
           their
           own
           internal
           Spirit
           .
           3ly
           ,
           Or
           the
           People
           .
           4ly
           ,
           Christ
           and
           his
           Apostles
           .
           5ly
           ,
           Or
           the
           Church
           of
           Rome
           .
           Other
           Authority
           or
           Mission
           (
           as
           namely
           ,
           That
           of
           the
           
             Greek
             Church
          
           )
           you
           will
           not
           pretend
           to
           .
        
         
         
           First
           ,
           From
           the
           Spirit
           of
           God.
           This
           you
           know
           to
           be
           the
           matter
           in
           question
           ,
           and
           the
           eternal
           Controversie
           ,
           and
           the
           Allegation
           of
           all
           Fanaticks
           ;
           it
           will
           be
           therefore
           a
           reasonable
           demand
           ,
           By
           what
           Evidences
           did
           it
           appeare
           to
           the
           World
           ?
           And
           how
           shall
           the
           Contemners
           
           of
           your
           Gospel
           be
           left
           unexcusable
           ,
           but
           by
           evidence
           of
           their
           Authority
           who
           are
           sent
           to
           reveal
           it
           ?
           In
           the
           Affairs
           of
           this
           World
           ,
           Ambassadors
           you
           know
           ,
           must
           not
           want
           their
           Credentials
           ;
           how
           much
           less
           the
           Ambassadors
           of
           Religion
           ?
           Doubtless
           that
           of
           your
           Ancestors
           must
           needs
           
           have
           been
           an
           Embassie
           extraordinary
           ,
           being
           to
           Reform
           the
           World
           ,
           over-run
           (
           in
           their
           sense
           )
           with
           Idolatry
           and
           Superstition
           .
        
         
           To
           this
           you
           answer
           ,
           That
           the
           powerful
           gifts
           and
           sanctity
           of
           those
           persons
           were
           sufficient
           Evidences
           of
           their
           being
           Inspir'd
           by
           the
           
           Spirit
           of
           God
           ;
           and
           that
           the
           Conversion
           of
           many
           Thousands
           from
           Superstition
           to
           Godliness
           was
           an
           undoubted
           Seal
           to
           their
           Ministry
           .
           This
           is
           the
           Answer
           of
           all
           Dissenters
           and
           Parties
           of
           what
           Name
           soever
           ,
           
             Anabaptists
             ,
             Behemists
             ,
             &c.
          
           
           That
           they
           easily
           converted
           many
           Thousands
           no
           
           body
           denies
           ;
           but
           whether
           from
           Superstition
           to
           Godliness
           ,
           or
           onely
           to
           pride
           ,
           censoriousness
           ,
           and
           contempt
           of
           all
           Authority
           ,
           is
           the
           great
           Controversie
           .
           Nay
           ,
           was
           it
           never
           made
           a
           Note
           ,
           of
           a
           man
           converted
           ,
           (
           as
           the
           excellent
           
             Friendly
             Debate
          
           observes
           )
           That
           though
           he
           have
           a
           
           great
           many
           Faults
           ,
           yet
           he
           is
           wrought
           to
           an
           Antipathy
           to
           Bishops
           ,
           Common
           Prayer
           and
           Surplice
           ?
           And
           as
           to
           your self
           ,
           I
           might
           appeal
           to
           your
           Conscience
           ,
           whether
           you
           esteem
           any
           man
           a
           right
           Convert
           ,
           that
           is
           a
           FRIEND
           to
           these
           Things
           .
           As
           to
           those
           powerful
           Gifts
           you
           
           speak
           of
           ,
           you
           do
           not
           mean
           any
           thing
           that
           is
           miraculous
           ,
           or
           that
           other
           Sects
           will
           not
           as
           soon
           pretend
           to
           :
           And
           truly
           as
           for
           the
           Sanctity
           of
           your
           whole
           Party
           ,
           observable
           is
           the
           Confession
           of
           Mr.
           Calvin
           himself
           ,
           in
           his
           Comment
           on
           the
           Thirty
           fourth
           Verse
           of
           the
           Eleventh
           
           Chapter
           of
           Daniel
           ;
           and
           I
           promise
           you
           not
           to
           injure
           him
           in
           the
           Quotation
           ,
           
             Sed
             in
             illorum
             exiguo
             numero
             qui
             sese
             ab
             Idololatriis
             Papatus
             subduxerunt
             ,
             major
             pars
             plena
             est
             perfidia
             &
             dolis
             :
             praeclarum
             quidem
             zelum
             simulant
             ;
             sed
             si
             intus
             excutias
             ,
             reperies
             plenos
             esse
             fraudibus
             .
          
           Of
           that
           
           small
           number
           of
           persons
           
             (
             saith
             he
          
           )
           who
           profess
           the
           pure
           Gospel
           ,
           the
           greater
           part
           is
           full
           of
           perfidiousness
           and
           deceit
           ;
           they
           pretend
           an
           excellent
           Zeal
           ,
           but
           if
           you
           inspect
           them
           narrowly
           ,
           you
           shall
           finde
           them
           abounding
           w
           th
           Frauds
           .
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           Themselves
           ,
           or
           their
           own
           
           internal
           Spirit
           .
           It
           is
           absurd
           ;
           for
           so
           all
           men
           may
           become
           Preachers
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           that
           will
           assume
           the
           confidence
           .
        
         
           Thirdly
           ,
           the
           People
           .
           Let
           us
           allow
           this
           Authority
           for
           good
           :
           and
           then
           ,
           I
           pray
           ,
           will
           not
           
             Socinians
             ,
             Anabaptists
             ,
             Behemists
             ,
             Fifth
             Monarchy-men
          
           (
           and
           who
           
           not
           )
           enter
           in
           at
           this
           Door
           ,
           and
           plead
           their
           Call
           by
           the
           People
           to
           Reform
           the
           Presbyterians
           ?
           be
           pleas'd
           to
           tell
           us
           what
           People
           do
           you
           mean
           ?
           If
           those
           of
           your
           own
           Opinion
           ,
           they
           will
           not
           in
           some
           places
           amount
           to
           a
           Fourth
           or
           Fifth
           part
           of
           the
           People
           ,
           and
           must
           all
           the
           rest
           
           be
           debar'd
           from
           Electing
           their
           owne
           Preachers
           ?
           besides
           ,
           you
           know
           ,
           it
           is
           not
           the
           Peoples
           Election
           alone
           that
           can
           Constitute
           a
           Preacher
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ;
           it
           is
           the
           Mission
           and
           Ordination
           of
           your
           Predecessors
           ,
           that
           I
           am
           now
           enquiring
           after
           .
           You
           cannot
           be
           ignorant
           concerning
           
           the
           popular
           Election
           of
           Ministers
           ,
           that
           it
           had
           been
           disus'd
           many
           Centuries
           before
           Calvin
           ;
           for
           the
           Tumults
           ,
           Factions
           ,
           and
           Confusions
           that
           attended
           it
           :
           the
           unstable
           People
           seldom
           or
           never
           agreeing
           about
           the
           Persons
           to
           be
           Elected
           ;
           and
           I
           am
           sure
           there
           is
           no
           Precept
           of
           Scripture
           Invests
           
           them
           with
           any
           such
           power
           .
        
         
           Fourthly
           ,
           Or
           will
           you
           derive
           your
           Ministry
           from
           Christ
           and
           his
           Apostles
           ?
           But
           all
           Dissenters
           proclaim
           their
           Extraction
           from
           the
           same
           Original
           :
           which
           of
           them
           shall
           we
           believe
           ?
           From
           Christ
           and
           his
           Apostles
           !
           Give
           me
           leave
           to
           
           ask
           whether
           immediately
           or
           
             mediately
             ?
             Immediately
          
           you
           will
           not
           say
           ;
           if
           mediately
           ,
           I
           pray
           inform
           us
           by
           whom
           ?
           Or
           from
           whose
           hands
           did
           your
           
             Puritan
             Ancestors
          
           receive
           their
           Mission
           and
           Ordination
           ?
        
         
           Well
           ,
           Fifthly
           ,
           Some
           body
           must
           send
           them
           to
           Preach
           
           the
           Gospel
           :
           Was
           it
           the
           CHURCH
           of
           Rome
           ?
           Yes
           ,
           I
           have
           heard
           you
           say
           ;
           and
           is
           not
           this
           to
           confess
           your selves
           the
           Emissaries
           of
           Antichrist
           ,
           that
           Man
           of
           Sin
           ,
           the
           Whore
           of
           
             Babylon
             ?
             Quid
             Christo
             cum
             Belial
             ?
          
           But
           the
           unhappiness
           of
           it
           is
           ,
           that
           this
           Mission
           from
           Rome
           ,
           or
           
             Romane
             
             Bishops
          
           ,
           will
           as
           soon
           Watrant
           the
           Sermons
           of
           a
           
             Popish
             Fryar
          
           ,
           as
           those
           of
           your
           Predecessors
           .
           And
           as
           to
           your
           pretended
           Ordination
           from
           Rome
           ,
           there
           is
           one
           Difficulty
           in
           it
           ,
           that
           I
           confess
           I
           cannot
           resolve
           ;
           Was
           it
           not
           
             Episcopal
             Ordination
          
           ,
           if
           any
           ,
           they
           received
           from
           that
           
           Church
           ?
           And
           was
           such
           Ordination
           good
           and
           valid
           ,
           yea
           or
           no
           ?
           If
           good
           ,
           wherefore
           will
           you
           needs
           abolish
           it
           ,
           as
           repugnant
           to
           the
           Word
           of
           God
           ?
           If
           not
           ,
           what
           will
           become
           of
           your
           Orders
           ?
           And
           further
           ,
           I
           would
           gladly
           understand
           ;
           are
           any
           persons
           sent
           to
           go
           and
           preach
           
           the
           Gospel
           after
           their
           own
           sense
           ?
           If
           so
           ,
           then
           he
           that
           hath
           received
           Mission
           from
           your
           Kirk
           ,
           may
           when
           he
           list
           become
           an
           Independant
           or
           
             Anabaptist
             Preacher
          
           ,
           and
           justifie
           his
           new
           Doctrine
           by
           your
           Commission
           .
        
         
           As
           for
           
             Calvin
             ;
             Beza
          
           ,
           who
           wrote
           his
           Life
           ,
           informs
           us
           ,
           that
           
           he
           was
           never
           Initiated
           into
           any
           Orders
           of
           the
           ROMANE
           Church
           ;
           
             Nullis
             erat
             Pontificiis
          
           
           
             ordinibus
             initiatus
          
           ;
           are
           Beza's
           words
           ,
           who
           being
           his
           great
           Acquaintance
           and
           Successor
           at
           Geneva
           ,
           could
           not
           but
           know
           it
           very
           well
           .
           I
           was
           of
           opinion
           ,
           that
           your
           
           Founder
           Calvin
           had
           been
           in
           some
           Orders
           ,
           until
           your
           own
           Beza
           inform'd
           me
           to
           the
           contrary
           .
           Farrellus
           also
           and
           Viret
           his
           fellow
           Preachers
           in
           Geneva
           ,
           you
           will
           find
           in
           the
           same
           querpo
           ,
           without
           Orders
           :
           as
           for
           
             John
             Knoz
          
           ,
           he
           was
           (
           saith
           Mr.
           Clark
           a
           Presbyterian
           Minister
           ,
           who
           writes
           his
           
           life
           )
           put
           into
           orders
           very
           young
           ;
           that
           is
           ,
           when
           he
           was
           professedly
           of
           the
           ROMAN
           Catholique
           Religion
           ,
           he
           was
           made
           Deacon
           or
           Priest
           of
           that
           Church
           ,
           by
           Episcopal
           Ordination
           :
           but
           all
           this
           while
           we
           are
           to
           seek
           for
           their
           Presbyterian
           Mission
           :
           did
           
             John
             Knox
          
           receive
           any
           Authority
           to
           ordain
           
           other
           Presbyterians
           ?
           could
           he
           confer
           a
           power
           on
           others
           ,
           which
           he
           had
           not
           received
           ,
           of
           ordaining
           Ministers
           ?
           to
           say
           there
           was
           necessity
           for
           it
           ,
           is
           an
           answer
           that
           will
           excuse
           also
           other
           dissenters
           ,
           pleading
           the
           same
           necessity
           of
           their
           Ministry
           ;
           of
           all
           which
           ,
           our
           Church
           is
           so
           sensible
           ,
           
           that
           she
           will
           admit
           none
           of
           your
           Brethren
           to
           her
           Eclesiastical
           Functions
           without
           
             Reordination
             .
             Presbyteri
             &
             Diaconi
             praeter
             Episcopum
             nihil
             agere
             pertentent
             ,
          
           Saith
           the
           Fortieth
           Canon
           of
           the
           Apostles
           ;
           a
           Canon
           which
           ,
           if
           it
           were
           not
           Apostolical
           ,
           you
           cannot
           deny
           
           be
           very
           ancient
           :
           and
           do
           not
           Epiphanius
           and
           Saint
           Austin
           recount
           it
           among
           the
           Heresies
           of
           Aerius
           ,
           that
           he
           affirmd
           ,
           Bishop
           and
           Presbyter
           were
           the
           same
           thing
           ?
           
             Aerius
             cum
             esset
             Bresbyter
          
           (
           saith
           Saint
           
             Austin
             )
             doluisse
             fertur
             ,
             quod
             Episcopus
             non
             potuit
             Haeres
             .
          
           53.
           ordinari
           ,
           &c.
           Aerius
           
           being
           a
           Presbyter
           ,
           resented
           his
           disappointment
           of
           a
           Bishoprick
           ;
           and
           to
           satisfie
           his
           humour
           of
           revenge
           ,
           would
           needs
           assert
           ,
           that
           they
           are
           the
           same
           office
           .
           Thus
           for
           ought
           I
           can
           see
           ,
           your
           Presbyterian
           Ancestors
           had
           no
           Mission
           at
           all
           ,
           or
           no
           more
           then
           other
           Dissenters
           ,
           who
           all
           
           derive
           themselves
           from
           Christ
           and
           his
           Apostles
           ,
           from
           the
           Spirit
           of
           God
           ,
           
             &c.
             
             Sleidan
          
           a
           Protestant
           Historian
           reports
           in
           his
           Commentaries
           ,
           that
           Luther
           ,
           hearing
           of
           the
           multitudes
           assembled
           ,
           by
           
             Thomas
             Muncer
          
           the
           famous
           Prophet
           of
           the
           Anabaptists
           ,
           wrote
           an
           Epistle
           to
           the
           Magistrates
           
           of
           Mulhusen
           a
           City
           in
           Germany
           ,
           where
           the
           said
           Muncer
           remained
           ,
           advising
           them
           to
           require
           of
           him
           ,
           who
           sent
           him
           to
           Preach
           the
           Gospel
           ?
           and
           if
           he
           answered
           God
           ,
           that
           he
           evidence
           it
           by
           some
           sign
           or
           extraordinary
           token
           ;
           otherwise
           that
           he
           be
           rejected
           ,
           
             hoc
             enim
             
             proprium
             &
             familiare
             est
             Deo
          
           (
           said
           
             Luther
             )
             ut
             quoties
             consuetam
             &
             ordinariam
             viam
             velit
             immutari
             ,
             tum
             voluntatem
             suam
             aliquo
             signo
             declaret
             .
          
        
         
           The
           same
           quaere
           ,
           Sir
           ,
           you
           may
           at
           your
           leisure
           do
           us
           the
           favour
           to
           resolve
           in
           reference
           to
           your
           self
           .
        
         
           You
           cannot
           alas
           !
           
           plead
           any
           necessity
           to
           Reform
           Episcopacy
           ,
           but
           all
           the
           other
           Sects
           will
           plead
           the
           same
           to
           Reform
           you
           .
           Nor
           will
           it
           relieve
           you
           to
           say
           ,
           that
           by
           this
           Argument
           the
           Jewish
           Church
           rejected
           Christ
           and
           his
           Apostles
           :
           The
           case
           not
           being
           the
           same
           betwixt
           Christ
           and
           the
           
             Jewish
             
             Church
          
           ,
           and
           between
           us
           and
           you
           .
           To
           satisfie
           the
           Jews
           and
           their
           question
           ,
           
             By
             what
             authority
             doest
             thou
             these
             things
             ?
          
           Our
           blessed
           Saviour
           appeals
           to
           the
           Miracles
           which
           he
           wrought
           ,
           
             If
             you
             believe
             not
             me
             ,
             believe
             the
             works
             which
             I
             do
             .
          
           Nor
           will
           it
           avail
           you
           to
           return
           the
           
           question
           upon
           our selves
           ,
           who
           sent
           us
           to
           Reform
           the
           Church
           of
           Rome
           ?
           This
           truly
           is
           no
           answer
           ,
           but
           a
           desiring
           us
           to
           answer
           for
           you
           .
           Be
           plkas'd
           to
           know
           then
           that
           the
           Church
           of
           England
           was
           never
           of
           your
           froward
           and
           uncharitable
           humor
           in
           relation
           to
           that
           Church
           ,
           to
           Reform
           
           our selves
           (
           saith
           Mr.
           Hooker
           )
           is
           not
           to
           sever
           from
           the
           Church
           we
           were
           of
           before
           ,
           
             Eccles
             .
             Pol.
             Lib.
          
           3.
           
           Sect.
           1.
           
           We
           are
           very
           sensible
           of
           their
           Errors
           ,
           and
           yet
           we
           confess
           with
           St.
           Austin
           ,
           there
           is
           no
           just
           necessity
           to
           divide
           the
           Unity
           of
           the
           
             Catholick
             Church
          
           ;
           because
           Separations
           
           in
           the
           Church
           tend
           to
           no
           other
           end
           ,
           but
           to
           discredit
           the
           
             Christian
             Religion
          
           ,
           and
           render
           it
           less
           considerable
           ,
           if
           not
           contemptible
           to
           its
           Adversaries
           ,
           Turks
           and
           Infidels
           :
           He
           that
           will
           admit
           no
           Church
           (
           saith
           Primate
           Bramhall
           )
           but
           that
           which
           is
           spotless
           ,
           with
           Acesius
           ,
           must
           provide
           
           a
           Ladder
           for
           himself
           to
           climb
           alone
           to
           Heaven
           .
        
         
           But
           as
           to
           your
           Party
           (
           Sir
           )
           I
           pray
           who
           gave
           them
           any
           Authority
           to
           Preach
           their
           Reformation
           to
           these
           Kingdomes
           ?
           Give
           me
           leave
           to
           observe
           to
           you
           this
           passage
           in
           the
           
             Racovian
             Catechism
          
           there
           I
           remember
           the
           question
           
           is
           put
           ,
           
             Num
             ii
             qui
             docent
             in
             ecclesia
             (
             Sociniana
             )
             ut
             singulari
             aliqua
             ratione
             mittantur
             opus
             habent
             ?
             Whether
             the
             Preachers
             of
          
           Socinian
           
             Doctrine
             ,
             have
             need
             of
             any
             extraordinary
             mission
             ?
          
           The
           Answer
           is
           ,
           
             Nullo
             modo
             ,
             quia
             nullam
             novam
             ,
             nec
             inauditam
             afferunt
             doctrinam
             ,
             
             &c.
             
          
           That
           is
           not
           at
           all
           ,
           because
           Socinians
           preach
           no
           new
           nor
           strange
           Doctrine
           ,
           but
           that
           onely
           which
           is
           Primitive
           and
           declared
           in
           the
           Holy
           Scriptures
           .
           The
           same
           is
           affirmed
           by
           Mr.
           Calvin
           concerning
           his
           own
           Reformation
           in
           the
           Preface
           to
           his
           Institutions
           ,
           which
           the
           Lutherans
           
           (
           you
           know
           )
           will
           by
           no
           means
           admit
           for
           truth
           :
           See
           
             Conradus
             Scluselburg
             de
             Theologia
             Calvinistarum
          
           .
           Indeed
           it
           had
           been
           somewhat
           ,
           if
           it
           were
           not
           the
           matter
           in
           question
           ;
           or
           if
           
             Socinians
             ,
             Behemists
          
           ,
           and
           all
           the
           Sects
           that
           ever
           molested
           the
           Church
           ,
           did
           not
           urge
           as
           much
           for
           themselvs
           ,
           
           boasting
           of
           
             Gospel
             truth
          
           .
           To
           say
           that
           your
           Party
           agree
           with
           us
           in
           all
           the
           
             Vital
             Articles
          
           of
           Religion
           ,
           is
           to
           say
           what
           perhaps
           few
           of
           you
           believe
           ;
           for
           I
           doubt
           not
           (
           if
           opportunity
           serv'd
           )
           every
           Sect
           of
           you
           would
           advance
           its
           respective
           Religion
           ,
           as
           if
           that
           onely
           were
           Gospel
           ,
           and
           all
           
           other
           but
           Lyes
           and
           Superstition
           :
           Or
           if
           you
           do
           believe
           it
           ,
           the
           more
           is
           your
           unhappiness
           to
           molest
           the
           Church
           about
           opinions
           ,
           which
           you
           do
           not
           esteem
           of
           any
           
             vital
             importance
          
           .
        
         
           I
           wish
           I
           could
           oblige
           you
           to
           consider
           ,
           whether
           you
           ought
           to
           take
           upon
           you
           to
           Reform
           ,
           that
           is
           ,
           suppress
           
           the
           universal
           order
           of
           Christs
           Church
           by
           Bishops
           &c.
           
           Banish
           all
           ancient
           Liturgies
           ;
           the
           use
           of
           the
           Creed
           ,
           the
           Lords
           prayer
           ,
           and
           ten
           Commandments
           out
           of
           your
           publique
           Devotions
           ;
           all
           Anniversary
           Solemnities
           of
           Christs
           Nativity
           ,
           Resurrection
           ,
           &c.
           all
           Reverence
           or
           Kneeling
           at
           the
           
           holy
           Sacraments
           of
           Christs
           Body
           and
           Blood
           ;
           revile
           the
           Church
           (
           whereof
           I
           cannot
           say
           ,
           you
           but
           your
           Ancestors
           ,
           were
           made
           Members
           by
           Baptism
           )
           with
           the
           Names
           of
           Superstition
           and
           Idolatry
           .
           Preach
           your
           desperate
           Doctrine
           of
           absolute
           Reprobation
           ,
           and
           the
           impossibility
           
           of
           keeping
           Gods
           Commandments
           ;
           introduce
           your
           own
           extemporary
           inventions
           instead
           of
           Liturgy
           :
           Levy
           Warr
           against
           your
           Soveraign
           ;
           and
           all
           this
           without
           any
           Authority
           !
        
         
           For
           all
           these
           strange
           things
           I
           should
           think
           ,
           Sir
           ,
           your
           Ancestors
           had
           
           but
           need
           of
           some
           extraordinary
           Mission
           .
           But
           perhaps
           you
           will
           Answer
           and
           tell
           us
           ,
           That
           there
           have
           been
           extraordinary
           Prophets
           sent
           into
           the
           World
           without
           Miracles
           ,
           as
           John
           the
           Baptist
           :
           And
           2ly
           ,
           That
           Miracles
           are
           no
           certain
           Signs
           of
           true
           Prophets
           .
        
         
           As
           for
           John
           the
           
           Baptist
           ,
           you
           may
           remember
           the
           words
           of
           the
           Angel
           ,
           Luke
           2.
           15.
           he
           was
           filled
           with
           the
           Holy
           Ghost
           from
           his
           Mothers
           Womb
           ;
           he
           shall
           go
           before
           in
           the
           Spirit
           and
           power
           of
           Elias
           (
           a
           Character
           to
           which
           your
           Brethren
           will
           not
           pretend
           )
           he
           was
           a
           person
           prophesied
           of
           many
           Ages
           before
           
           his
           Birth
           ,
           Isa
           .
           40.
           3.
           
           The
           Voice
           of
           one
           crying
           in
           the
           Wilderness
           ,
           make
           strait
           the
           way
           of
           the
           Lord
           ,
           &c.
           
        
         
           2ly
           ,
           That
           Miracles
           are
           no
           certain
           Evidences
           of
           true
           Prophets
           ;
           
             because
             there
             shall
             arise
             false
             Christs
             and
             false
             Prophets
             ,
             which
             shall
             shew
             great
             Signs
             and
             Wonders
             ,
             
             insomuch
             that
             if
             it
             were
             possible
             ,
             they
             shall
             deceive
             the
             very
             Elect
             :
             Wherefore
             if
             they
             shall
             say
             unto
             you
             ,
             behold
             he
             is
             in
             the
             Desert
             ,
             go
             not
             forth
             ;
             behold
             he
             is
             in
             the
             secret
             Chambers
             ,
             believe
             it
             not
             ,
          
           Math.
           24.
           24.
           
           That
           false
           Prophets
           can
           work
           any
           miracle
           but
           
             deceptio
             visus
          
           ,
           I
           do
           not
           believe
           .
           The
           
           meaning
           of
           our
           Saviours
           words
           is
           this
           ,
           That
           if
           any
           other
           Prophet
           after
           him
           shall
           arise
           ,
           assuming
           to
           be
           that
           Christ
           or
           Messias
           sent
           from
           God
           ,
           though
           he
           may
           pretend
           to
           strange
           things
           ,
           believe
           him
           not
           ,
           go
           not
           forth
           after
           him
           .
           If
           new
           Prophets
           ,
           Sir
           ,
           though
           they
           come
           with
           a
           
           shew
           of
           miracles
           ,
           are
           to
           be
           suspected
           ;
           shall
           we
           presently
           receive
           all
           the
           Preachers
           of
           new
           Lights
           ,
           that
           have
           not
           so
           much
           as
           the
           pretence
           ?
        
         
           I
           find
           a
           late
           Writer
           asserting
           ,
           That
           in
           holy
           Scripture
           ,
           there
           be
           two
           marks
           by
           which
           together
           ,
           not
           asunder
           ,
           a
           true
           Prophet
           or
           one
           newly
           sent
           
           from
           God
           is
           to
           be
           known
           :
           One
           is
           the
           doing
           of
           miracles
           ;
           The
           other
           is
           the
           not
           teaching
           any
           moral
           Doctrine
           adverse
           to
           that
           which
           hath
           been
           already
           preach'd
           of
           old
           :
           Asunder
           (
           he
           saith
           )
           neither
           of
           these
           is
           sufficient
           :
           and
           for
           proof
           alledgeth
           two
           places
           of
           Scripture
           ,
           Deut.
           13.
           1
           ,
           2
           ,
           3.
           compared
           
           with
           Matth.
           24.
           24.
           
           Our
           blessed
           Saviour
           and
           his
           Apostles
           fulfilled
           both
           these
           marks
           ,
           First
           ,
           in
           their
           Miracles
           ,
           Acts
           2.
           22.
           
           Secondly
           ,
           they
           taught
           no
           Doctrine
           of
           Morality
           ,
           opposite
           to
           that
           which
           they
           found
           already
           established
           .
           
             Christ
             came
             not
             to
             destroy
             the
             Law
             ,
             but
             to
             fulfil
             
             it
             ,
             saying
             none
             other
             things
             ,
             then
             what
          
           Moses
           
             and
             the
             Prophets
             did
             say
             should
             come
             to
             pass
             .
          
           But
           he
           Preached
           a
           Doctrine
           ,
           which
           had
           all
           the
           obliging
           Characters
           of
           Vertue
           and
           Goodness
           ,
           of
           Peace
           and
           Love
           ;
           witness
           his
           excellent
           Sermon
           on
           the
           Mount
           ;
           
             non
             vox
             hominem
             sonat
          
           .
           
           There
           he
           presses
           the
           necessity
           of
           Moral
           Goodness
           ,
           and
           keeping
           the
           Commandments
           of
           God
           ;
           otherwise
           methinks
           then
           Calvin
           hath
           done
           :
           I
           shall
           instance
           a
           remarkable
           passage
           in
           the
           Second
           Book
           of
           his
           Institutions
           ,
           the
           seventh
           Chapter
           and
           fifth
           Section
           .
           
             Quod
             autem
             impossibilem
             
             legis
             observationem
             diximus
             ,
             id
             est
             paucis
             verbis
             explicandum
             simul
             &
             confirmandum
             ;
             Solet
             enim
             vulgo
             absurdissima
             sententia
             videri
             ,
             ut
             Hieronimus
             non
             dubitavit
             Anathema
             illi
             denunciare
             :
             at
             quid
             visum
             sit
             Jeronimo
             ,
             nihil
             moror
             :
             impossibile
             appello
             ,
             quod
             nec
             fuit
             unquam
             ,
             
             &
             ne
             in
             posterum
             sit
             ,
             Dei
             ordinatione
             &
             decreto
             impeditur
             .
          
           I
           shall
           now
           (
           saith
           he
           )
           explain
           and
           confirm
           what
           I
           have
           said
           of
           the
           impossibility
           to
           observe
           the
           Commandments
           :
           which
           commonly
           seems
           a
           very
           absurd
           assertion
           ;
           insomuch
           that
           Jerom
           doubted
           not
           to
           denounce
           it
           accursed
           :
           
           but
           what
           seemed
           to
           him
           I
           do
           not
           care
           ,
           I
           call
           that
           impossible
           which
           never
           was
           ,
           and
           which
           God
           hath
           decreed
           that
           it
           never
           shall
           be
           .
           
           
             Vertuous
             Doctrine
          
           !
           if
           the
           Commandments
           be
           impossible
           ,
           and
           that
           God
           hath
           decreed
           them
           so
           ,
           
             nemo
             tenetur
             ad
             impossibile
          
           ,
           
           Alas
           !
           we
           are
           of
           our selves
           too
           prone
           to
           take
           an
           allowance
           of
           Sin
           ,
           without
           this
           License
           from
           Mr.
           Calvin
           .
        
         
           To
           be
           short
           ,
           the
           Church
           of
           God
           may
           and
           ought
           to
           reform
           themselves
           in
           case
           of
           error
           ,
           or
           corruption
           of
           manners
           :
           But
           if
           we
           once
           admit
           others
           to
           do
           it
           ,
           unauthoriz'd
           
           or
           unsent
           ,
           we
           open
           a
           wide
           door
           to
           all
           Sects
           and
           Heresies
           ;
           and
           another
           consequence
           is
           ,
           we
           shall
           rest
           no
           where
           ;
           but
           be
           tossed
           too
           and
           fro
           ,
           (
           as
           Saint
           Paul
           speaks
           )
           and
           carryed
           about
           with
           every
           wind
           of
           Doctrine
           ,
           with
           the
           various
           lights
           of
           all
           Pretenders
           :
           This
           ,
           one
           would
           think
           ,
           hath
           
           been
           apparent
           enough
           in
           the
           experience
           of
           our
           Age.
           
        
         
           Not
           that
           we
           deny
           our
           need
           of
           amendment
           and
           Reformation
           in
           this
           World
           of
           imperfection
           ;
           but
           we
           give
           heed
           to
           the
           admonition
           of
           our
           blessed
           Saviour
           ,
           John
           10.
           1.
           
           Verily
           I
           say
           unto
           you
           ,
           he
           that
           enters
           not
           by
           the
           
           door
           into
           the
           Sheepfold
           ,
           but
           climbeth
           up
           some
           other
           way
           ,
           the
           same
           is
           a
           Theif
           and
           a
           Robber
           :
           not
           entring
           in
           at
           the
           door
           ,
           signifies
           entring
           without
           any
           Authority
           ,
           either
           extraordinary
           ,
           when
           the
           Doctrines
           are
           new
           and
           strange
           ,
           or
           ordinary
           ,
           when
           they
           are
           already
           known
           and
           confest
           .
        
         
         
           
             For
             grant
             (
             saith
             Bishop
          
           Sanderson
           )
           
             for
             the
             suppression
             of
             Idolatry
             ,
             in
             case
             the
             Church
             will
             not
             do
             her
             Office
             ,
             that
             it
             is
             lawful
             for
             any
             unauthoriz'd
             Persons
             (
             such
             as
          
           Knox
           ,
           
             &c.
             )
             to
             take
             upon
             them
             to
             reform
             what
             they
             think
             amiss
             ;
             there
             can
             be
             no
             sufficient
             cause
             given
             ,
             why
             by
             the
             same
             reason
             ,
             
             and
             upon
             the
             same
             grounds
             ,
             they
             may
             not
             take
             upon
             them
             to
             make
             Laws
             ,
             raise
             Forces
             ,
             administer
             Justice
             ,
             execute
             Malefactors
             (
             Malignants
             )
             or
             do
             any
             other
             thing
             the
             Magistrate
             should
             do
             ,
             in
             case
             the
             Magistrate
             slack
             to
             do
             his
             duty
             :
             which
             if
             it
             were
             once
             granted
             ,
             (
             as
             granted
             it
             must
             be
             ,
             in
             case
             your
             
             Presbyterian
             Reformation
             be
             justifiable
             )
             every
             wise
             man
             seeth
             the
             end
             can
             be
             no
             other
             but
             vast
             Anarchy
             ,
             and
             confusion
             both
             in
             Church
             and
             Common-wealth
             :
             whereupon
             must
             un
             avoidably
             follow
             the
             speedy
             subversion
             both
             of
             Religion
             and
             State.
          
           Second
           Sermon
           
             ad
             Clerum
          
           on
           Rom
           38.
           
        
         
         
           This
           is
           our
           present
           case
           ;
           you
           a
           private
           Person
           ,
           pretending
           to
           no
           extraordinary
           things
           ,
           say
           all
           things
           are
           amiss
           ;
           the
           Magistrate
           (
           and
           he
           a
           Christian
           too
           )
           is
           of
           opinion
           ,
           yea
           ,
           perswaded
           in
           his
           Conscience
           ,
           that
           you
           do
           all
           things
           amiss
           ;
           who
           shall
           be
           Judge
           ?
           The
           Scripture
           ;
           't
           is
           a
           ridiculous
           
           answer
           .
           The
           Scripture
           is
           a
           Law
           ;
           and
           no
           Law
           can
           ever
           pronounce
           either
           for
           one
           or
           t'other
           ,
           but
           in
           the
           mouth
           of
           some
           Judg.
           
        
         
           From
           all
           these
           premises
           I
           perswade
           my self
           ,
           your
           Ancestors
           were
           no
           Prophets
           sent
           from
           God
           ,
           but
           intruded
           themselves
           into
           the
           Divine
           Function
           :
           and
           (
           as
           the
           Prophet
           
           speaks
           )
           they
           followed
           their
           own
           Spirits
           ,
           and
           prophecy'd
           out
           of
           their
           own
           hearts
           .
           To
           add
           one
           word
           more
           ,
           consider
           all
           the
           Prophets
           mentioned
           in
           Holy
           Scripture
           ,
           
             Samuel
             ,
             Elias
             ,
             Isaiah
             ,
             Jeremy
             ,
             Hosea
             ,
          
           &c.
           
           At
           the
           beginning
           of
           their
           Prophecies
           ,
           that
           the
           World
           might
           understand
           their
           
           Divine
           Mission
           ,
           they
           usually
           declare
           how
           and
           in
           what
           manner
           they
           received
           it
           ,
           Isa
           .
           6.
           the
           first
           and
           second
           Chap.
           of
           Jer.
           So
           as
           their
           Authority
           was
           confessed
           ,
           when
           the
           matter
           of
           their
           Prophecies
           was
           little
           regarded
           .
           Some
           of
           them
           were
           qualified
           extraordinarily
           with
           the
           power
           of
           Miracles
           ,
           
           prophesie
           of
           future
           events
           ,
           &c.
           others
           had
           the
           ordinary
           License
           from
           the
           Schools
           of
           the
           Prophets
           .
        
         
           In
           the
           New
           Testament
           ,
           our
           blessed
           Saviour
           and
           his
           Apostles
           ,
           beside
           the
           internal
           excellency
           of
           their
           Doctrine
           ,
           gave
           the
           World
           sufficient
           external
           evidence
           
           that
           they
           were
           persons
           sent
           from
           God
           ;
           and
           whereas
           you
           say
           ,
           that
           you
           Preach
           no
           other
           Doctrine
           then
           that
           of
           Christ
           and
           his
           Apostles
           ,
           it
           is
           the
           answer
           of
           
             Socinians
             ,
             Anabaptists
          
           ,
           &c.
           and
           will
           serve
           every
           mans
           turn
           as
           well
           as
           yours
           .
           But
           in
           the
           last
           place
           ,
           cannot
           you
           justifie
           your selves
           by
           the
           
           Sobriety
           and
           vertue
           of
           your
           Lives
           ?
           By
           the
           Loyalty
           of
           your
           Actions
           ?
           It
           is
           a
           great
           controversie
           ,
           and
           I
           shall
           not
           take
           upon
           me
           to
           pronounce
           my
           own
           sence
           of
           it
           ;
           but
           you
           have
           heard
           of
           King
           James
           his
           opinion
           in
           the
           matter
           ,
           
             Ego
             a
             Puritanis
             non
             solum
             a
             nativitate
             continuo
             
             
             vexatus
             sui
             ,
             verum
             etiam
             in
             ipso
             matris
             utero
             propemodum
             extinctus
             ,
             antequam
             in
             Lucem
             editus
             fui
             .
          
           I
           have
           been
           disquieted
           (
           saith
           he
           )
           by
           the
           Puritans
           from
           my
           Mothers
           Womb
           ,
           &c.
           
           And
           his
           Son
           the
           blessed
           King
           Charles
           the
           First
           ,
           from
           a
           certain
           intimate
           acquaintance
           
           with
           your
           Party
           ,
           writes
           thus
           to
           our
           present
           Soveraign
           King
           Charles
           the
           Second
           ;
           
             If
             ever
             you
             stand
             in
             need
             of
             them
             ,
             or
             must
             stand
             to
             their
             courtesie
             ,
             you
             are
             undone
             ;
             you
             may
             never
             expect
             less
             of
             Loyalty
             ,
             Justice
             ,
             or
             Humanity
             ,
             then
             from
             those
             who
             engage
             into
             Religious
             Rebellion
             ;
             
             under
             the
             colours
             of
             piety
             ,
             ambitious
             policies
             march
             ,
             not
             only
             with
             greatest
             security
             ,
             but
             applause
             ,
             as
             to
             the
             Populacy
             ;
             you
             may
             hear
             from
             them
          
           Jacobs
           
             voice
             ,
             but
             you
             shall
             feel
             they
             have
          
           Esau's
           hands
           .
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           .
           Chap.
           27.
           
        
         
           Thus
           I
           have
           given
           you
           the
           reasons
           of
           my
           dissatisfaction
           ,
           
           cerning
           the
           validity
           of
           your
           Presbyterian
           Mission
           ;
           and
           I
           must
           confess
           that
           I
           have
           here
           expressed
           only
           some
           wishes
           ,
           not
           any
           hopes
           of
           convincing
           you
           ;
           all
           my
           expectation
           is
           ,
           that
           perhaps
           some
           unprejudic'd
           persons
           will
           believe
           ,
           that
           your
           Presbyterian
           KIRK
           hath
           no
           advantage
           ,
           in
           point
           
           of
           a
           solid
           Foundation
           ,
           over
           
             Independents
             ,
             Anabaptists
          
           ,
           &c.
           
           If
           instead
           of
           a
           pertinent
           answer
           to
           all
           this
           discourse
           ,
           you
           shall
           please
           to
           pass
           your
           censure
           on
           the
           Author
           ,
           and
           say
           that
           he
           is
           some
           Papist
           ;
           I
           must
           reply
           to
           you
           in
           the
           words
           of
           the
           excellent
           Bishop
           Sanderson
           concerning
           
           the
           Puritan
           Preachers
           .
        
         
           
             Some
             of
             them
             ,
             especially
             such
             as
             betake
             themselves
             to
             preaching
             betimes
             ,
             and
             have
             not
             the
             leisure
             and
             opportunity
             to
             look
             much
             into
             controversies
             ,
             understand
             very
             little
             of
             the
             true
             state
             of
             the
             question
             betwixt
             the
             Church
             of
          
           Rome
           
             and
             us
             ;
             and
             
             yet
             to
             shew
             their
             Zeal
             against
             Popery
             ,
             are
             forward
             enough
             to
             be
             medling
             with
             it
             in
             the
             Pulpit
             ;
             but
             with
             so
             much
             weakness
             and
             impertinency
             ,
             that
             they
             leave
             the
             question
             worse
             then
             they
             found
             it
             ;
             and
             the
             hearer
             ,
             if
             he
             brought
             any
             doubts
             with
             him
             ,
             to
             go
             from
             Sermon
             more
             dissatisfi'd
             then
             he
             
             came
             .
             Preface
             to
          
           14.
           
           
             Sermons
             ,
             Printed
          
           Anno
           1657.
           
           Sect.
           18.
           
        
         
           Now
           ,
           if
           you
           please
           ,
           let
           us
           confer
           a
           few
           words
           about
           some
           others
           matters
           ,
           first
           ,
           concerning
           that
           principle
           of
           yours
           ,
           that
           nothing
           is
           to
           be
           done
           about
           the
           Worship
           and
           Service
           of
           God
           ,
           without
           express
           warrant
           or
           precept
           in
           the
           
           holy
           Scriptures
           :
           and
           I
           pray
           inform
           me
           where
           has
           our
           blessed
           Saviour
           or
           his
           Apostles
           enjoyned
           a
           Directory
           for
           publick
           prayer
           ?
           Hath
           the
           Spirit
           any
           need
           of
           a
           Directory
           ?
           what
           Divine
           warrant
           can
           you
           produce
           for
           your
           Singing
           to
           God
           in
           a
           set
           Form
           ,
           &
           refusing
           to
           pray
           in
           a
           set
           Form
           ?
           
           for
           speaking
           to
           him
           your
           sudden
           and
           extemporary
           thoughts
           ,
           but
           speaking
           to
           the
           people
           with
           a
           studied
           and
           composed
           Sermon
           ?
           In
           which
           of
           the
           Gospels
           are
           to
           be
           found
           those
           three
           significant
           Ceremonies
           required
           at
           the
           taking
           your
           solemn
           League
           &
           Covenant
           ?
           First
           ,
           that
           
           we
           must
           be
           uncovered
           .
           Secondly
           ,
           that
           we
           must
           stand
           up
           .
           Thirdly
           ,
           with
           our
           right
           hand
           lift
           up
           bare
           ?
           what
           express
           Scripture
           have
           you
           for
           your
           form
           of
           publick
           pennance
           ,
           called
           the
           stool
           of
           repentance
           ?
           This
           principle
           of
           yours
           (
           as
           hath
           been
           already
           observed
           by
           the
           
           Friendly
           debate
           )
           makes
           that
           unlawful
           which
           the
           Scripture
           allows
           ;
           in
           which
           we
           find
           many
           holy
           men
           doing
           those
           things
           (
           without
           any
           censure
           )
           in
           Gods
           worship
           ,
           which
           he
           had
           no
           where
           commended
           ;
           for
           instance
           ,
           what
           Commandment
           had
           David
           for
           his
           Design
           of
           building
           a
           
           Temple
           ?
           Or
           Solomon
           for
           keeping
           a
           Feast
           of
           seven
           days
           for
           the
           Dedication
           of
           the
           Altar
           ?
           For
           erecting
           an
           Altar
           to
           be
           ascended
           by
           steps
           ?
           expressly
           forbidden
           in
           the
           20.
           of
           
             Exod.
             verse
          
           26.
           
           
             Thou
             shalt
             not
             go
             up
             by
             steps
             unto
             mine
             Altar
             .
          
           Or
           what
           warrant
           had
           Hezekiah
           for
           continuing
           
           the
           Feast
           of
           unleavened
           bread
           seven
           days
           longer
           then
           the
           time
           appointed
           by
           the
           Law
           ?
           2
           Chron.
           30.
           23.
           
           If
           you
           say
           that
           all
           these
           things
           possibly
           were
           warranted
           ,
           though
           not
           by
           Scripture
           ;
           but
           now
           Scripture
           warrant
           is
           necessary
           ,
           since
           extraordinary
           inspirations
           are
           ceas'd
           :
           I
           
           pray
           tell
           us
           what
           Scripture
           have
           you
           for
           this
           very
           assertion
           ,
           That
           extraordinary
           inspirations
           are
           ceas'd
           ?
           In
           a
           word
           ,
           This
           Principle
           of
           yours
           ,
           makes
           the
           worship
           of
           God
           impossible
           :
           The
           time
           ,
           the
           place
           ,
           the
           Vesture
           in
           which
           it
           shall
           be
           performed
           ,
           being
           no
           where
           appointed
           :
           
           Do
           not
           the
           Quakers
           retort
           it
           upon
           your selves
           ?
           Demanding
           Scripture
           for
           standing
           in
           a
           Pulpit
           ,
           for
           Preaching
           upon
           a
           Text
           ,
           and
           that
           by
           an
           hour-glass
           ,
           stinting
           the
           Spirit
           ;
           for
           wearing
           a
           Cloak
           or
           Gown
           ,
           &c.
           
        
         
           Another
           thing
           I
           would
           intreat
           you
           to
           reflect
           upon
           ,
           is
           the
           
           reason
           of
           your
           displeasure
           at
           the
           temporal
           Revenues
           and
           encouragement
           of
           the
           Church
           of
           England
           ;
           that
           which
           Dissenters
           (
           if
           I
           understand
           them
           aright
           )
           would
           be
           at
           ,
           is
           this
           ,
           that
           the
           Clergy
           be
           reduced
           to
           their
           primitive
           poverty
           and
           dependance
           on
           the
           People
           ;
           and
           methinks
           
           Judas
           hath
           very
           well
           expressed
           their
           sence
           ,
           John
           12.
           4.
           
           
             To
             what
             purpose
             ,
             is
             all
             this
             waste
             of
             precious
             ointment
             on
             the
             feet
             of
             Christ
             ?
             might
             it
             not
             have
             been
             sold
             for
             three
             hundred
             pence
             ,
             and
             given
             to
             the
             poor
             ?
             This
             he
             said
             ,
             not
             that
             he
             cared
             for
             the
             poor
             ,
             but
             because
             he
             had
             the
             bag
             ,
             and
             was
             a
             Thief
             .
          
           
           They
           do
           not
           consider
           ,
           how
           many
           vertues
           there
           are
           requisite
           in
           a
           Church-man
           ,
           which
           can
           have
           no
           place
           in
           the
           house
           of
           Scarcity
           ;
           how
           little
           exemplary
           charity
           ,
           temperance
           or
           humility
           can
           be
           expected
           from
           a
           narrow
           estate
           :
           that
           we
           cannot
           say
           ,
           he
           is
           a
           temperat
           man
           ,
           who
           is
           so
           ,
           having
           
           scarcely
           wherewithal
           to
           satisfie
           his
           thirst
           :
           or
           an
           humble
           person
           ,
           whose
           fortune
           gives
           him
           small
           temptation
           to
           be
           proud
           .
           Are
           not
           all
           Christians
           under
           the
           same
           obligations
           of
           humility
           and
           contempt
           of
           Riches
           as
           the
           Clergy
           ?
           Lay
           not
           up
           for
           your selves
           treasures
           upon
           Earth
           ,
           was
           said
           to
           all
           ;
           and
           
           is
           it
           not
           true
           in
           experience
           ,
           that
           the
           poverty
           of
           Priests
           must
           be
           attended
           with
           ignorance
           or
           very
           slender
           knowledg
           ?
           The
           necessities
           of
           our
           blessed
           Saviour
           and
           his
           Apostles
           upon
           Earth
           ,
           were
           supply'd
           by
           Miracles
           ;
           and
           therefore
           their
           case
           and
           our's
           not
           the
           same
           .
        
         
           Give
           me
           leave
           to
           
           commend
           to
           your
           consideration
           ,
           those
           excellent
           words
           of
           King
           Charles
           the
           First
           ,
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           .
           Chap.
           14.
           
           
             The
             conclusion
             of
             the
             War
             ,
             makes
             it
             evident
             ,
             that
             the
             main
             Reformation
             intended
             ,
             was
             the
             Robbing
             the
             Church
             of
             its
             Lands
             ,
             and
             the
             abasing
             of
             Episcopacy
             into
             Presbytery
             ;
             but
             
             no
             necessity
             shall
             ever
             ,
             I
             hope
             ,
             drive
             me
             or
             mine
             to
             invade
             or
             sell
             the
             Priests
             Lands
             ,
             which
             even
          
           Pharoah
           
             's
             Divinity
             abhorred
             to
             do
             .
             If
             the
             poverty
             of
          
           Scotland
           
             might
             ,
             yet
             the
             plenty
             of
          
           England
           
             cannot
             excuse
             the
             envy
             and
             rapine
             of
             the
             Church
             Lands
             .
             The
             next
             work
             will
             be
          
           Jeroboam
           
             's
             
             Reformation
             ,
             Consecrating
             the
             meanest
             of
             the
             people
             to
             be
             Priests
             in
          
           Israel
           ,
           
             to
             serve
             their
             Golden
             Calves
             ,
             who
             have
             enriched
             themselves
             with
             the
             Churches
             Patrimony
             .
          
        
         
           Again
           ,
           be
           pleas'd
           to
           reflect
           on
           your
           displeasure
           at
           the
           Liturgy
           of
           the
           Church
           of
           England
           .
           
           Some
           of
           you
           are
           for
           no
           Forms
           at
           all
           ;
           others
           are
           for
           Liturgy
           ,
           but
           it
           must
           be
           reformed
           .
           In
           the
           History
           of
           the
           Reign
           of
           
           Queen
           Elizabeth
           ,
           this
           passage
           is
           observable
           :
           four
           Classes
           of
           Presbyterians
           ,
           complained
           of
           the
           Liturgy
           to
           the
           Lord
           Burleigh
           then
           Secretary
           of
           State
           ;
           his
           Lordship
           bad
           them
           go
           and
           make
           a
           better
           ;
           whereupon
           the
           first
           Classis
           went
           and
           fram'd
           a
           new
           one
           ,
           somewhat
           near
           that
           of
           Geneva
           ;
           
           this
           the
           second
           Classis
           dislikes
           ,
           and
           alters
           in
           six
           hundred
           particulars
           ;
           which
           alteration
           was
           excepted
           against
           by
           the
           third
           Classis
           ;
           and
           what
           the
           third
           resolved
           upon
           ,
           the
           fourth
           would
           not
           consent
           to
           :
           Thus
           your
           Party
           expect
           a
           satisfaction
           about
           the
           worship
           of
           God
           ,
           which
           is
           impossible
           to
           be
           given
           you
           .
           As
           to
           your
           praying
           by
           the
           Spirit
           ,
           there
           is
           a
           certain
           doubt
           in
           it
           ,
           which
           hitherto
           none
           
           
           of
           you
           would
           do
           us
           the
           favour
           to
           resolve
           :
           Either
           you
           mean
           praying
           by
           the
           Spirit
           of
           God
           ,
           or
           by
           your
           own
           Spirits
           ;
           if
           you
           conceive
           the
           words
           and
           matter
           of
           your
           prayer
           by
           the
           dictate
           of
           the
           Holy
           Ghost
           ,
           then
           are
           your
           prayers
           as
           much
           the
           word
           of
           God
           as
           any
           of
           
             David's
             Psalms
          
           ,
           or
           as
           any
           part
           of
           the
           Bible
           ;
           and
           ,
           being
           written
           from
           your
           mouths
           ,
           may
           become
           Canonical
           Scripture
           .
           If
           by
           praying
           with
           the
           Spirit
           ,
           
           you
           only
           mean
           that
           you
           are
           inspir'd
           with
           devout
           affections
           ,
           then
           there
           is
           nothing
           in
           your
           prayers
           ,
           but
           what
           others
           may
           pretend
           to
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           your selves
           .
        
         
           In
           brief
           ,
           Since
           you
           do
           not
           pretend
           to
           entertain
           your
           people
           with
           immediate
           inspirations
           ,
           you
           oblige
           them
           to
           a
           Service
           they
           know
           not
           what
           ;
           to
           offer
           up
           prayers
           ,
           whereof
           they
           know
           not
           a
           syllable
           ,
           nor
           your self
           neither
           ,
           before
           you
           begin
           :
           if
           you
           know
           
           them
           before
           hand
           ,
           either
           for
           matter
           or
           words
           ,
           then
           they
           cannot
           be
           extempore
           ,
           as
           you
           would
           have
           the
           people
           believe
           ;
           peradventure
           the
           reason
           why
           the
           people
           fancy
           your
           prayers
           ,
           is
           ,
           their
           variety
           ;
           they
           love
           not
           to
           go
           where
           they
           must
           be
           always
           entertain'd
           with
           the
           same
           expressions
           ;
           but
           if
           the
           sence
           of
           our
           own
           infirmities
           (
           which
           are
           always
           the
           same
           )
           cannot
           oblige
           us
           to
           pray
           ,
           why
           should
           a
           set
           of
           new
           words
           do
           it
           ?
           
           Consider
           those
           words
           of
           the
           blessed
           Martyr
           King
           Charles
           the
           First
           .
           
             Some
             men
             are
             so
             impatient
             ,
             not
             to
          
           
           
             use
             in
             all
             their
             devotions
             their
             own
             invention
             and
             gifts
             ,
             that
             they
             wholly
             cast
             away
             and
             contemn
             the
             Lords
             Prayer
             .
             I
             ever
             thought
             that
             the
             proud
             Ostentation
             of
             mens
             own
             Abilities
             for
             Invention
             ,
             and
             the
             vain
             affectation
             of
             variety
             for
             expressions
             in
             publick
             prayer
             ,
             merits
             a
             greater
             brand
             of
             Sin
             ,
             then
             that
             which
             
             they
             call
             coldness
             or
             barrenness
             ;
             nor
             are
             men
             in
             those
             novelties
             ,
             less
             subject
             to
             formal
             and
             superficial
             tempers
             (
             as
             to
             their
             hearts
             )
             then
             in
             the
             use
             of
             constant
             forms
             ,
             where
             not
             the
             words
             ,
             but
             mens
             hearts
             are
             to
             blame
             .
             I
             make
             no
             doubt
             but
             a
             man
             may
             be
             very
             formal
             in
             the
             most
             extemporary
             variety
             ,
             and
             very
             fervently
             devout
             in
             the
             most
             wonted
             expressions
             :
             Nor
             is
             God
             more
             a
             God
             of
             variety
             ,
             then
             of
             constancy
             ;
             nor
             are
             constant
             forms
             of
             prayer
             ,
             
             more
             likely
             to
             flat
             and
             hinder
             the
             Spirit
             of
             prayer
             ,
             then
             unpremeditated
             and
             confused
             variety
             ,
             to
             distract
             and
             lose
             it
             .
          
        
         
           FINIS
           .
        
         
      
    
     
       
         Notes, typically marginal, from the original text
         
           Notes for div A32107-e270
           
             In
             vita
             Calvini
             .
          
           
             
               His
               Commandments
               are
               not
               grievous
            
             ,
             1
             John
             5.
             3.
             
          
           
             In
             praefacione
             Monitoria
             .
          
           
             
               About
               the
               Year
            
             1585.
             
          
           
             See
             the
             friendly
             debate
             .
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉